Pokemon Adventures: SMEAR

by KoopalingKrew98

This story takes place in Pokemon Adventures continuity. It follows the story of Will, who's lifelong goal is to stop the villainous Team Celeste. But how can he stop a worldwide group that nobody believes exist? It'll be an uphill battle to expose them as more than conspiracy, but he will be joined by his team of Pokemon and characters new and old in his quest to catch them all!

29. Tough As Nails

{Present Day, at night}

Primrose still refused to talk to me. Any time I tried to get near her and speak, she'd walk away. She blocked telepathic communication, too. A couple of occasions I telepathically 'poked' her mind, pleading with her to open up. But she ran off one time, and hurled rocks at me with Psychic the other. Nothing seemed to be working my way.

I began to worry it would be the same for fixing my Kineti-Pack. Forced to look for outside help, I needed a tech expert who could operate independently and 'under the radar'. Many days went by, with no credible candidate.

But then, a breakthrough. There was a rising technology and biology expert named Dr. Argent who was reported missing in Kalos. Leading theory was kidnapping, but no fingerprints found at any suspected scenes. Following up my own questions with low-level crooks, I found out one such kidnapping was done by some rogue Team Flare grunts. The timing and circumstances lined up; I had my guy. Now I needed to save him…for myself.

On the night I was ready, I made my move. A group of six Flare grunts and two Flare executives had set up a makeshift base south of Route 9. It was an abandoned storage building used for the Glittering Caves nearby. With Swalot by my side, I took out the one male Flare grunt guarding the entrance with a Sleep Powder pellet. Then I hid his sleeping body behind some rocks and changed into his uniform. Felt like a neon sign wearing this red suit and pants. I thought the glasses would blind me in the dark of night, but they were cosmetic more than functional. And thank Arceus the red flame hair was a wig! No way was I going to gel and dye my hair like that. But as uncomfortable as I was wearing this disguise, I had little time to dwell. Team Flare wasn't planning to stick around in this storage building for long. Especially since local police knew of this area as a target of Team Flare when they first took over Kalos. I didn't know what they were going to use this guy for, but I needed him.

I took to guarding the entrance, as the incapacitated grunt was assigned. But in thirty minutes, one of the other grunts came out to switch places, as I observed earlier. He didn't give any indication that I was different than the real grunt.

"My turn," he says. Then he glances to Swalot. "I thought you only had Zubat?"

"I have Zubat and Swalot," I replied sternly with my 'persuasion power'.

He shook his head, like he was shaking off a minor migraine. "Just come back in an hour, will ya?"

"Sure. But…what do the execs want me to do now?"

He threw up his arms. "Beats me. The two are indecisive on what to do with our scientist. Whatever we do, it better be something that gets us by."

I responded with a shrug before walking in with Swalot. The rooms in the storage building were organized like bread slices. In order to get to the rooms further back in the building, I had to walk through each and every room. For the first three rooms, nobody was there. No windows to let the moonlight in, either. Just dim, scattered ceiling lights from high above. When I walked into the forth room, I could see two Flare grunts, one man and one woman, idly standing by the door to the fifth room.

"So what now?" I asked the two as I approached them.

"We're still standing and waiting," sighed the female grunt.

The female grunt pointed her thumb to the next door and rolled her eyes. At least, it seemed so from behind her red shades. "But if you want to join the others with the exec and his hostage, feel free."

"Maybe I will," I acted glumly. "I mean, where else am I going to get more excitement around here than staring at a wall?"

"I'd rather the wall…" she muttered as I passed them and went into the fifth room. The remaining two Flare grunts, another man and woman, and a male Flare executive were accounted for. And, to the reassurance toward my planning, Dr. Argent. He was tied thoroughly to a chair with rope, and a cloth gagged his mouth. His agitated eyes darted between the executive and the female grunt, who seemed to be in a bit of an argument.

"…we need the money!" the female grunt protested to the executive, while motioning to the hostage. "He's worth a lot to our benefactor."

"Potential benefactor," the Flare executive barked back. He partly stood between her and the hostage. "Nothing's been finalized yet!"

Swalot and I came up next to the remaining male grunt. We just idly stood with our arms crossed, aside from the bickering. "What's all this now?" I asked the male grunt.

"You kiddin' me? It's still the same argument we've been having yesterday, and the day before that," he replied.

My eyebrows furrowed. I need to know what they're doing with Dr. Argent. "Hmph, refresh for me this argument, again," I murmured back. "Still all blurs together in my mind."

"…idiot…fine," he grumbled. "It's whether we keep Dr. Argent for our own uses, like our exec here wants, or to trade him off to a crime team who can better utilize him, like our other female exec wants. Simple as that."

"And so we're trading the hostage?" I said.

"…think of how he could help Team Flare rise again with the stuff he can make!" The Flare executive rose his voice again to the female grunt.

"Exactly the problem," says the female grunt. "None of us can find a way to make this doctor do our bidding, without any proper resources. Which, in all likelihood, will lead to our capture by the police. The other executive will be back any minute now with the benefactor she said she talked with. Unless you have a detailed plan for our good little doctor now…?"

The executive clenched his fists, but didn't strike back at her. He stood his ground, letting the silence build their tension. It was so quiet, I could faintly hear sounds from outside. But my main concern was in here, and getting Dr. Argent out…fast.

My eyes darted around the room, though the others couldn't tell with my shades covering them. "No windows. One executive and two grunts in here. Two grunts in the previous room. One by the front. One tied up. One executive coming back soon…with unknown party. I noticed the door on the opposite side of the room from whence I came. Maybe there's a backway out? My cover is still good right now, but that won't hold if my behavior come under scrutiny. Gotta play it safe and quick. So…what if I play to what this executive wants? Yeah, convince him Team Flare can keep Dr. Ardent. Then, when the other exec comes back to take the doctor away to the mystery associates, convince the first exec to have me hide the doctor for a bit. And then…I can be home free with the doctor to fix my Kineti-Pack!"

I cleared my throat. Then spoke out loud, "Surely, this doctor is valuable if someone wants him traded. He's an expert in the field of biology and machinery. There's got to be something or two he can build for us that we can use to amass our former glory."

"Exactly!" said the Flare executive.

The female grunt gave me a peeved look. "Okay, smarty-pants! And how will we get him to do that?"

"Keep it cool, Will. Just gonna be an act in the end." I pushed my red shades up with my fingers. "By being very convincing."

"But he won't break," the executive gruffly replied. "You know we already tried mild torture. And he's a shut-in; there's no family he cares about."

I slowly walked over to the tied-up doctor. His eyes nervously trained on me, while his body remained absolutely still. "Surely, there's got to be somebody this guy cares about." I bent over and untied his gag cloth. "Isn't that right?"

"I-I-I'll never say or d-do anything you w-want!" Dr. Argent responded, trying to give his best brave voice.

"Oh? But we know some things about you already," I continued. "You came to Kalos from Unova. You seem to have closed relations with past family and colleages, and never married. But…are any of them still in your heart?" I kept my head inches away from his ear while I jabbed a finger hard on his back. I could feel and hear Argent's heart racing faster, and he swallowed hard. "Somewhere…you still hold a care…a weakness…to past relations…"

"So you're suddenly an interrogation expert, grunt?" the executive interrupted, with a tinge of annoyance. "Nobodies tried him more than me, and now you want to be useful like this?" He started to approach me.

"Shit, he's starting to question me. Gotta give them the results, or my jig is up!" So I whispered in Argent's ear so the others couldn't hear, with as much 'persuasion' as I could muster, "Say the name of the one you care most!"

"…Stephanie!" the doctor croaked.

The executive stopped, as started as the other grunts from what the hostage just said. "What? Who?!"

"My goddaughter…" he said, quieter, and almost surprised by what information was coming out of his mouth.

A huge grin spread on the executive's face. He cracked his knuckles and neck. "So…you do have someone we can squeeze!"

"N-No! You can't!" Now Dr. Argent was rattling in his chair. But his ropes still bound him to the chair, and I held him down by his shoulder. "S-She's dealt with too much! Her Unova school was ruined, and I'm the only family member she has left!"

Now it was my turn to be surprised. "Wait! Is this the same Stephanie I know?!"

The executive slammed his hands against the sides of the chair. He got in the hostage's personal space and spat, "Cry me a river! Where is she?"

"I-I-I won't tell you!" cried Argent. "And even if I did, I don't know. She left the place I left her years ago. She could be anywhere…"

"Well then, we'll be going on a little scavenger hunt," he gritted his teeth maniacally. "How much you want to bet we can find her before you even fill a flask?"

"N-N-No! P-Please…!"

I gripped his shoulder, hard. "You best believe you're in a world of trouble now!" "Yeah, a world of trouble! You and me both! Why in Arceus' name did he have to be tied to Steph…?"

Suddenly, a muffled boom came from the front area of the abandoned storage building.

"What in tarnation…?" groaned the Flare executive.

But he was drowned out by two more booms. Each one seemed to get closer. The ground shook harder, and cracks formed on the walls and ceiling from the origin of the noise. It also sounded like rubble falling in the previous room.

Swalot instinctively came to my side. The male and female grunt took out their PokeBalls, as did the executive. "We're under attack!" howled the latter. "No police would act like this. But no matter who, it's an enemy to us!" He sent out his Manectric from his PokeBall, while the two grunts had a Houndour and a Goomy.

I stood next to Dr. Argent and the Flare executive, gearing for the surprise attack like the others. "Who would be pursuing Team Flare in such a reckless manner? Unless…it's me their after? Could it be…?!"

Another boom. The wall to the previous room shatters. Pieces fly at us, while part of the ceiling collapses from lack of support. The two grunts in the previous room fly in, too, with their Noibat and Poochyena. All four lay fainted on the pile of rubble. But standing before us is a Heracross. But she seemed different than a typical Heracross. She had two large and pointy horns, and her arms were much beefier.

"Is that an evolution?" I mutter under my breath.

"No," the executive responded, able to hear me. But he seemed a little intimidated in the face of this opponent. "A Mega Evolution!" He waved hand out. "We got to end this fast! Manectric! Stop it with Thunder Wave!"

A surge of electricity shot from Manectric's body at Mega Heracross.

"Bullet Seed!" I heard a girl's voice shout from somewhere behind Mega Heracross. A stream of seeds subsequently blasted from the Pokémon's mouth, with most of them countering the Thunder Wave. Each seed shot like a baseball that broke the sound barrier. The barrage was relentless, breaking through the electric attack and hitting Manectric. The Discharge Pokémon fainted from one attack.

"Shit!" gasped the male grunt as he and the female grunt ordered their Houndour and Goomy to attack with Ember and Dragonbreath respectively.

Mega Heracross jumped over the attacks and slammed on Goomy, in a slightly clunky manner. Like it was haphazardly going through pre-scripted movements.

But with three Pokémon defeated, and a forth about to be, I knew when it was time to retreat. I tapped the executive's shoulder, almost spooking him. "You got to take this hostage away from here!" I motioned to the door to the next room. "As far back as you can go. We grunts will hold the Heracross off. Hopefully the other executive will come back to help."

"R-Right!" he nodded slowly. He adjusted the ropes to unwind from the chair, but still kept it bound around Dr. Argent's arms and legs. When the doctor tried to resist, he decked him in the head and knocked him out cold. "Don't make this harder than it already is." He slung him over his shoulder, then gave me one last look. "If any of you survive, meet me outside behind the building." As Heracross was knocking out Houndour, the exec made a panicked retreat through the last door.

With their Pokémon down, the two executives tried to flee, screaming. But Mega Heracross rushed them the moment they moved. With each oversized fist she pummeled them to the ground. They were motionless after that.

Swalot and I remained still. Mega Heracross' eyes darted wildly around the room. Even when it seemed to look in our direction, it just stood there, heaving heavy breaths. I took the opportunity to properly analyze my surroundings. The room was half destroyed, exposing us to the moonlit sky. Only rubble from the front area and a pile of crates toward the back of the room. I tapped my pocket, where my Unbound Rings and a flash bomb were safely kept. Do I have a chance against this powered-up Pokémon?

Just then, someone walked to the top of the rubble. A girl, who looked at the destruction before her with indifference. She had a long black ponytail and wore a magenta jacket…

My eyes widened. "No way! The same girl that was near the Pokeball Factory?!"

She noticed me and Swalot standing in the center of the room. Her eyes narrowed. "You missed one," she chided darkly and pointed to me for Mega Heracross. "Sic 'im."

When Mega Heracross' eyes looked at us, I could tell her gaze harshly focused on us. I swallowed hard. "Swalot, use Poison Gas. Then hold your ground with Acid Armor."

Swalot inched toward the charging Mega Heracross. He spewed a dark gas from his mouth, shrouding himself. The opponent didn't even flinch and came at Swalot with an Arm Thrust. The first hit sunk into Swalot's chest, even with the added defense and bulk. The second hit swung at his face. I could tell it felt the pain by his expression. Then Mega Heracross roared on the third hit, which sent Swalot skidding several meters back. Still in the heat of the moment, Mega Heracross charged again and landed two more hard hits. The building shook with each hit.

I bit my lip a bit. "So this is the power of Mega Evolution I've read in books. Even with the type advantage, Swalot's not going to last long. I need backup." I dashed behind the crates while Swalot continued to take the wallops.

"Oh no you don't!" The girl jumped down the rubble and ran after me as I came out of view. "You are not getting away that easily!"

I slid on my side while I fished the Unbound Rings out of my pocket. "Who should I summon? Not many heavy hitters on my team. Sensei? No, he's still busy with a raid. Same with Zemblance. Blindswipe? No, he's not a good type match. Type…then it should be..."

I opened up a portal before the oncoming girl turned into view. "You're going get what's coming to you…" she spat as she heel-turned around the crate. But between her and me was a Chandelure.

"Make your debut, Chandelure," I smiled, staying crouched by the crates. "Confuse Ray!"

The Luring Pokémon displayed some dizzying lights from his flames.

"Oh shit…!" She darted to the other side of the crates that I was. By her footsteps, she seemed to have been affected by the attack. "Heracross…get that fucking chandelier, too!"

Mega Heracross angrily turned toward her voice. Swalot was clearly beat up one too many times for it to take. She left the Poison Bag Pokémon moaning on the ground and ran at Chandelure with the same crazed look.

"Flame Burst!" I commanded.

"Rock Tomb!" the girl grunted.

Chandelure shot a large ball of flame at the opponent. At the same time, Mega Heracross pounded the ground. Rocks blasted from the ground as the attack made its way to Chandelure. Clearly stronger, her Rock-type move canceled out the Fire-type move, and still had enough power left to surround Chandelure with a pillar of rocks. The Luring Pokémon made the right call to dart out of the way, but was still partly hit.

"Never mind; not a good matchup." "Chandelure, keep it distracted! I'll get you some more help!"

Chandelure nodded and floated around the center of the room. Frustrated, Mega Heracross madly swung after him, punching holes in the ground and forcing up rocks. More of the ceiling collapses, almost hitting me and the girl.

She slowly stepped back to me. Her feet shuffle and she still holds the crates for balance. She cursed from the other side, "You're just going be like all the other Team Flare members: snuffed out and suffering behind bars, where you belong!"

I back-stepped, circling around the crates to stay out of view. But I still reply, "You got the wrong, guy." I fingered my ring downward. "Someone else, someone else. Who'd be a worthy pick against the strongest foes?"

She scoffed, "And you're just wearing grunt duds for kicks?"

"Heck no!" I muttered under my breath. I eyed Chandelure, who was becoming tuckered out against the vigorous opponent. "I'm…I'm an undercover cop! I'm trying to catch escaped Team Flare members…"

"Like I'd fall for that," she blindly spat. Her footsteps were more assertive. Which meant the confusion was wearing off on her, and I was running out of time.

"Well…then I'll choose you!" I opened up another portal on the ground. A Dewott jumped out and landed with a tough demeanor beside me as the portal closed.

She looked at me harshly, with her arms crossed. [This better be good!]

[Of course, Joules!] I tried my best not to sound like I got myself in a corner. [I know how you keep going on and on about wanting to face only strong and worthy opponents.]

Joules noted the ground shaking. She reached down to her two holstered scalchops by her upper legs. [I don't go on that much. Last time you threw me into the thick of it, you had Knave led me against scrubs in a Horde Battle. If this is just another multi-man mode…] Then she turned around and noticed what her opponent was going to be. At that moment, Mega Heracross landed a Rock Tomb attack on Chandelure, knocking him out in an explosion of stone. The Discipline Pokémon turned her head back to me, with a twinkle in her eye. [Will. Is this the one?]

[Yep.]

A small smile appeared on her face before she looked back to Mega Heracross. Then she unsheathed her scalchops, one in each hand. [Today's the day I face a Mega!]

The black ponytail girl caught up with me. At the moment she saw me, she also saw Joules between us, ready to attack. "You have another Pokemon?" She clenched her fists. "A Dewott? Those are rare! You stole this one from a trainer, didn't you?"

Before I could respond, Joules swatted the girl away as she ran toward Mega Heracross. [Out of my way, lady!] She said as she swung a scalchop sword, forcing the girl to jump back out of the arc of that swing. I knew Joules didn't mean to hit her, and I knew that she knew the girl wouldn't understand her actions or words. All that mattered to the Discipline Pokémon was engaging the opponent.

The black-haired girl was flabbergasted at the gesture. Which bought me enough time to run for the door to the next room. [Joules, keep that Mega Pokémon distracted as long as you can,] I telepathically shouted to her. [I'm counting on you.]

[Noted,] she said, almost bothered by my thoughts interrupting her own. She jumped at Mega Heracross, who flung Chadelure at Swalot like a ragdoll. [Come at me!] She shouted at the opponent, my mind still connected to her.

I couldn't waste any more time. With nobody stopping me, I ran into the next room. This was the sixth room now…also barren. No Flare executive, no Dr. Argent, just multiple cracks in the walls and ceiling, and another door. I must save Dr. Argent! My mission depends on it. I bolted across the room, and through a seventh identical room.

Only after I went through that door, did I make it outside. I was briefly startled by the sudden gusts of wind. There was a large helicopter, ready for takeoff. Squinting through my shades, I spotted the Flare executive carrying the semi-conscious Dr. Argent onboard up the ramp at the back. But he wasn't alone. A woman in Flare executive attire was standing onboard. And with the two executives…two men in cloak-like trench coats.

My teeth clenched. Team Celeste! Of course they'd be the mystery benefactor.

Then the wind picked up harder and the engines roared harder. The helicopter was taking off…and they didn't know I was here yet!

I can still make it! I dashed toward them, waving my hands. The engine noise was so loud, I didn't bother to shout.

The female executive noticed me first. She grumbled something that the male executive noticed as he handed Argent to the two Celeste grunts. When he turned around, he motioned with his arm and mouthed something like "Come on!"

"Just a little faster…" I shifted to a faster sprint. The heleicopter was lifting off the ground, but I could feel it was still in reach. Before getting close, I dropped the Unbound Rings back in my pocket. Finally, with a hard jump off the ground, I reached up and grabbed the edge of the ramp. My legs were dangling, but I made it.

It took a bit of effort to lift my whole body up. I managed to get both arms hanging onto the ramp. Now all five bodies were in view and staring back at me. Dr. Argent had just come to and was trying to make out the new surroundings. The male Flare executive approached me, saying something I still couldn't hear over the engine, but his gesture indicated he was going to help me up.

My focus shifted between each person. Joules' occasional comments on her battle still crackled through my mind, but that didn't impede my own train of thought. "Okay…my time is short. After this guy helps me up, I'll get close to Dr. Argent. Then I'll use the flash bomb to disorient them all while I jump Argent and I off the helicopter before it gets too high up. Then, make a break for the rocks out of view, knock Argent out, and fling him through a portal to…"

Suddenly, two arms wrapped around my legs. "Ack!" My arms slid off the ramp, and I braced for holding on with just my bare hands again. Only my right hand caught on to the edge. Fortunately, the male executive reached down to grab my right arm. In that moment of security, I looked down to see who grabbed by legs.

It was the black ponytail girl. Her eyes were brimming with rage, trained on me, and she shouted just loud enough for me to hear, "You're not getting away! None of you are!"

The male executive struggled to heave me back up. I had to let go of the ramp to allow him to lift me better. One of the Celeste grunts came next to him and took a second or two to just stare at my struggle. When he bent over, I thought he, too, was going to help me up, and I reached my right hand out to him. But instead, he said something to the male executive.

The male Flare executive blinked a couple times. Nodded slowly. Then…he let me go.

"No!" I glanced to Dr. Argent, who gave me a terrified return look. Almost like he was pleading. "No!" I fell back to the ground with the girl. If there was anything useful she was for me that night, it was cushioning my fall. After regaining my bearings from the fall, I shot back to my feet before the girl could. But it was too late; the helicopter was too high up. I instinctively reached for my Unbound Rings in my pocket. A brief desperate idea, I thought about nose-diving the helicopter through a portal. But I stopped myself. "No! Shit, I cannot resort to using these things if it heavily risks anyone knowing I have such an item. But now…Dr. Argent is…" I shook my fists at my sides. "Shit! Shit! SHIT!"

The ponytail girl now got to her feet. "You! You let them get away!"

"You!" I whirled around to her. "Me?! This is your fault! Now my one chance to try to fix…"

"Fix…?" If she wasn't angry before, now she was really letting it out. "FIX?! You, Team Flare, fixing nothing! All you do…is ruin…everything!"

The back of the storage building was obliterated. Mega Heracross came charging to the girl's side, apparently hearing her last screaming words.

She shook a pointed finger at me, as if she could jab me through the air from where she stood. "Heracross! I want this grunt's lying, agony-worshipping face buried to the ground! See that he doesn't escape, ever again!"

The Bug Pokemon beat her chest. But before she lunged at me, Joules jumped onto her back and stabbed her with both scalchop swords. [Hey! I'm your opponent!] Mega Heracross whined as the Discipline Pokémon yanked the scalchop swords back out.

Joules landed in front of Mega Heracross and the girl, then growled, [You think you can ignore me? Is it because I'm not fully evolved?!]

"Tch…fine," the ponytail girl muttered. "If it takes getting through you to that Flare grunt scum, so be it! Heracross, use Bullet Seed!"

A stream of huge seeds shot from Mega Heracross' mouth.

[Okay…] Joules' eyes flashed. Then a stream of smaller seeds shot from her mouth. At first, the two attacks stalled between them. But Mega Heracross' attack quickly overpowered Joules'. So Joules resorted to blasting the attack with Air Slash, then breaking the rest with Razor Shell. She impressively avoided taking damage, but received some knockback from the attacks.

"What?!" the girl exclaimed. "That Dewott knows Copycat?" Then she shook her head. "Doesn't matter. We still got the strength advantage. So get up close with Arm Thrust, Heracross!"

"Much as Joules won't admit it, I think her opponent is too above her league. And…we have no choice but to flee. If this girl found this place, and with all the destruction in her wake, the authorities will not be too far behind. So…" I adjusted my shades. [Joules, we need to go.]

[My battle isn't over. I can still finish this!] She argued, though she was taking some tired breaths as she maneuvered out of the way of her opponent's punches.

[You both are going to tire each other out. The police will be here soon. I lost my intended target. And Swalot and Chandelure are still in the collapsed storage building. We. Need. To. Go!]

She made a long grumble. [Fine! What's your plan, then?]

I looked around behind us, as the girl and her Heracross were blocking the way back to the building. I spotted a rock formation large enough for Joules and me to retreat behind. [We need to get behind that rock, so I can make a portal for us to escape through without her seeing how we got away. I'll still need you to take long-range shots at Heracross while I get our escape prepared. That sit well with you?]

Mega Heracross made another series of Arm Thrust attacks. Using Copycat, she improvised her own Arm Thrust, using the blades of her scalchop as extra-sharp stabs. Their last swings connected at each other's faces. A searing scar developed across Heracross' face, and she wheeled back in pain. Meanwhile, Joules was knocked several meters back, landing a bit further than I stood. Regardless, she forced herself to her feet, rubbed her jaw, and spat. [Lead the way.]

I nodded and ran toward the large rock.

"Hey! Get back here!" The ponytail girl ran after me, with Mega Heracross somewhat by her side.

"Use Air Slash!" I shouted back at Joules.

The Discipline Pokemon ran in a zigzag path, using both her scalchop to slice one Air Slash after another through the air. Nearly all these hits made their way to Mega Heracross. But those hits barely slowed her down as she swatted the attacks aside, and only doubled down her resolve to pursue.

I was almost to the rock when I heard the girl shout, "Time for my secret weapon!" She made a sort of bunny hop. While airborne, a sort of clicking sound came from the soles of her custom shoes. Little wheels popped out from underneath, turning the shoes into rollerblades. Now, she was gaining on me at over double her original running speed.

[Joules, I need a warning shot at that girl,] I asked.

[Okay, but they'll still be gaining on us,] she replied.

I stopped just next to the rock. Then I whirled around and planted my feet. [Then we go for something slightly bigger.]

[But I…] She protested, before quickly rethinking, [Fine. On my mark.] She planted her feet, similar to mine. Then she scrapped one of her scalchop swords on the ground. Back and forth. Back and forth.

The girl and Mega Heracross gave a slightly confused expression, but kept running at us. As Joules did her pendulum-like swings, I mimicked her arm swinging. Our pursuers got a few meters away when the Proteanium-Z under my disguise glowed a light indigo-like color.

[Now! Air Slash!] Joules and I affirmed in our minds. We jumped in our places. Joules was a little higher into the air. Then we both raised an arm. Currents of air whirled around the raised scalchop blade, making it appear longer and larger. With a simple stroke, Joules directed a mini-whirlwind of sharp air at our opponents. Fortunately for them, the attack was purposely aimed just in front of them. Nevertheless, the aftershocks of the attack sent them both hurdling backward several meters. They screamed in anger and surprise before they landed hard on their backs.

As much as I enjoyed seeing our pursuers foiled, I couldn't waste a second more. [Joules, keep watch!] Now I jumped behind the large rock and whipped out my Unbound Rings. I pictured Swalot first, and then Chandelure. Normally, picturing a Pokémon risks summoning just any one of their kind to the user. But since I knew of a particular body quirk, like their Micro Tags, I could get my teammates to me for sure. Swalot and Chandelure plopped in front of me through their portals.

"Okay, now to send us home." I opened another portal up against the rock. "Come on, you first," I whispered in a mixed tone. The two needed help to be pushed into the pulling effect of the portal. Chandelure was light and easy. Swalot was heavier than I expected. I could feel how tired I was from the use of my Unbound Rings and 'persuasion' while hefting the Poison Bag Pokémon.

Just as Swalot finally made it through, Joules hissed, [Stay back!] and shot another Air Slash.

I half-appeared from behind the rock, while still willing the portal to stay open. Mega Heracross was running at us again, albeit slightly slower than before. She appeared as tuckered out as her trainer beside her. But both had the look of unwavering determination.

The girl spotted me, and raged, "You'll never get away! I'll catch you, and every last one of you Team Flare scum! I'll never stop until you're all in the slammer!" She pointed at Joules, who was taking shots at Mega Heracross. "Use Rock Tomb!"

Mega Heracross roared and slammed her fists into the ground. Rocks jutted out like a wave, making a straight line toward Joules.

"You can't outpower my Pokemon," The girl warned Joules in a slightly calmer tone. "You don't have any moves that are strong enough to counter it."

[Arrogance!] Joules thought to herself. [Then I'll just copy you!]

[But, she's right,] I thought out loud. [You can't outmaneuver it or slash it with Razor Shell. Your Air Slash can't overpower the Rock Tomb, and copying that Rock Tomb will only result the same as when you copied Bullet Seed.] I took a deep breath. Then stepped out and raised my arms, crossing them in front of me. […but if you're standing defiant in the face of overwhelming power, I won't leave you behind!]

My Z-Crystal shined again, brighter this time in a whitish hue. At the same time, Joules' eyes flashed, activating Copycat.

"You fool!" said the girl, "Heracross' attack is a mega-level strength. You couldn't hope for your water-type to match the strength with a rock-type move!"

[Yes…I….can!] Joules bellowed.

The white light from my Z-Crystal transferred through my body as I waved my arms into a 'Z' pose. Then the energy moved to Joules. Normally, this would be reserved for a Normal-type move. But at that moment, Joules' Copycat turned to Rock Tomb. Likewise, what would have been a Normal-type Z-move transformed into the Rock-type Z-Move!

Joules leapt into the air once more. She raised her left arm, as I did. [Anything you can do, I can do better!] Rocks from all around the route formed above her in a sphere. Even rocks from Mega Heracross' attack were absorbed. The swirled around like orbiting planets as they condensed and grew bigger.

Now Mega Heracross and the ponytail girl stopped running and gaped. "Wh-wha…what is this?!" she gasped.

When the sphere of stone stopped growing, it was at least twenty times bigger than Joules. "Continental Crush!" Joules and I shouted simultaneously.

Joules and I lowered our arms, like we were throwing a fastball. [Now be crushed under the weight of my power!] The enormous boulder came hurdling down on Mega Heracross.

"Shit, shit shit!" The girl got the right idea and tried rollerblading away from the attack. Mega Heracross grudgingly held her arms up to brace for the attack. But like the bug that she was, the rock came down on her and exploded. The girl screamed as the blast knocked her off her feet. She fell face-down on the dirt. Clouds of dust covered both of them beyond visibility.

Joules landed next to me, impressed by her attack. But I poked her arm and telepathically called, [This is our chance, we have to leave now!] With that, we both hopped through the portal. It closed just as the blast obliterated the rock it was hiding behind.

The two of us stood by my personal camp spot on our island. But with the danger over, we were practically wiped. We both took a knee and were struggling to catch our breath.

When Joules looked back up to me, she gave me a begrudging look. [Wish I could have stayed just a bit longer to see if I beat that Mega Heracross.]

"Maybe you did…maybe you didn't…" I said between heavy breaths. "But…we couldn't stay…"

[…you could have left me behind…] she continued. [It was risky coming to my defense. Isn't…that what you usually do now? Leave others behind…so you can preserve your mission? I don't find shame in you focusing on a greater goal…instead of me.]

"It…wasn't that risky," I protested quietly. "I saw how that girl and her Mega Heracross were distracted when you hit them with a stronger Air Slash. So I figured an even stronger, Z-move strength attack would do a similar trick. And thus, give me time to help all of us escape."

[But look how tired you are from sapping your strength.]

"I'm tired? Look how tired you are from battling against someone almost double your tier?"

Silence. Then we sighed and chuckled to ourselves.

[I concede,] Joules said, [that you and I are more alike than we initially thought on our first encounter.]

"I remember how you never dared to rely on another's power. But I guess some things change."

The Discipline Pokemon looked down. Her necklace, the one with the chipped scalchop, still hung around her neck for all these years. She gently rested her hand on it and sighed, [Perhaps…] Then she got back up, re-sheathed her own two scalchop swords, and started walking off.

"Um, could I ask you something?" I blurted suddenly.

Joules stopped. [What?]

"I…figure you'd be one of the last to ask you about something like this. But…about Primrose…"

She waved her hand away at me and continued walking. [No! I am not even touching that matter! Figure it out yourself. Aren't you always the one with the plans?]

---

{Approx. 7 years ago}

The day came; we were to confront Behemoth. Sensei never told me what that Rhydon was like. If he did, my mind was drawing a blank. I'd been on this island for so long, I had just as many memories on the island as I had off. I wanted to know if I could go home. And I couldn't do that until the flying Pokémon were banished. And there was no hope for that…unless we teamed up with Behemoth and his crew.

With what little I knew of our opponent, I had my friends prepared. They trained for two straight weeks outside of Sensei's usual training. Mainly consisting of Blindswipe and Joules fighting against everyone else. Sensei didn't and couldn't know about what we were going to do. Warwulf didn't know either. Zemblance did know what we were doing, and was the one who tipped me off that Sensei was starting to get curious of my secret behavior. So, with time run out, I made the call to battle.

It was about an hour before dawn. While the others huddled together, I knelt and drew my finger through the dirt, trying to keep together everything I knew about my teammates:

Nightraider the Rowlet. Knows Razor Leaf, Peck, Astonish, and Curse. Has some type advantage, but best to keep at a distance.

Astra the Ralts. Knows Disarming Voice, Lucky Chant, Teleport, and Double Team. Kind of frail, but can avoid hits the easiest of the group.

Crest the Jangmo-o. Knows Dragon Tail, Headbutt, Protect, and Bide. A bit too stubborn for his own good, but his heart is in the right place.

Blindswipe the Scyther. Knows Razor Wind, Double Team, Agility, and Fury Cutter. One of our strongest, but likely at a type disadvantage.

Knave the Sneasel. Knows Icy Wind, Metal Claw, Agility, and Beat Up. Out fastest teammate, but also at a type disadvantage.

Primrose the Fennekin. Knows Psyshock, Fire Spin, Magic Coat, and Psybeam. Is at a type disadvantage, but who knows what our opponents will throw at us.

Bravado the Chimchar. Knows Flame Charge, Taunt, Torment, and Façade. Also at a type disadvantage, but could be a useful distractor.

Gardna the Squirtle. Knows Rapid Spin, Withdraw, Water Pulse, and Brine. Great defenses and type advantage.

Joules the Oshawott. Knows Razor Shell, Copycat, Air Slash, and Aqua Jet. She's definitely the one on my team with the most persevering strength. I think she's withholding some strategies of her own from me, but…that's just Joules being Joules, I guess.

Sherwood the Treecko. Knows Slam, Detect, Synthesis, and Magical Leaf. Calm, collected, and has a type advantage.

Sherry the Bounsweet. Knows four moves, but I've only seen her use Razor Leaf and Rapid Spin. She said she knew Acupressure and Nature Power, but she's felt too shy to use them. Her shyness didn't help with her training either, as she is probably one of the weakest on our team. But she does have a type advantage.

Snis the Alolan Ratatta. Knows Quick Attack, Pursuit, Focus Energy, and Tail Whip. At a type disadvantage, so best kept behind.

Bub the Bellsprout. Knows Vine Whip, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, and Tickle. Only recently did we unlock our telepathic link. Kind of in the same boat as Sherry in terms of strength, but has more confidence in himself.

Wooper. Only one on our team I haven't made a telepathic link with. So she doesn't have a nickname yet. She's also incredibly lethargic, though she pulls her own weight when she's awake. Far as I could get from the others, she knows Water Gun, Mud Shot, Eerie Impulse, and Recover.

"…and there's me. I have no 'attacks' of my own to speak of, and am frail to the touch. I could give a boost of power to one individual, but that is incredibly situational and risky. My only role is as an observer. All of my friends give me some degree of trust to direct them. I can't…I mustn't fail them on my only purpose…."

[You ready?] Nightraider interrupts, perching on my shoulder. The others remained in their huddle, but were looking toward me.

"Y-yeah," I said out loud, then whispered to Nightraider, "I'm so nervous! I've never really managed a group this large."

He patted the back of my head with his wing. [Just pretend everyone is me. Your instincts will do the rest.]

"But that's the thing: not everyone is like you. Some of you are more comfortable to make your own decisions than others. Every decision I have to make in our upcoming battle not only has to account for everyone's strength and weaknesses, not only account for real-time reactions to our opponent, not only account for multiple unknown factors that may come up mid-battle, but also account for the wellbeing and preferences of each and every one of my teammates." I sighed, "I wish I could have asked Sensei for some advice. Leading a large group is more of his thing."

[Well, isn't that why you've been training under him? Sensei has taught you how to use your unique talents. And you've watched him direct others in the group plenty of times. I'm sure some of that has rubbed on you…]

[…but what if it all goes wrong like when the flying Pokémon wiped out most of Sensei's team a couple years ago?!] Panic gripped me while I tried to exclusively let Nightraider hear these thoughts. [What if I freeze again and Behemoth runs all over us?! What if I forget a move or ability one of you can use?! What if…?!]

Nightraider pulled on some of my hair with both wings, forcing me to look him straight in the eye. [Will! Relax! Breath.] He waited until my panic subsided before continuing, [Remember how we beat Sensei? Remember how you rescued Sherwood and the others off the ocean? Remember how you confronted Joules in combat?]

I nodded slowly.

He let go of my hair. [Well, just do that. If you're in the moment, you'll get 'in sync'. Feel that, and we'll back you up. Trust me, I know that feeling when the moment peaks.]

A calm smile stretched across my face. [Thanks, buddy. I'm ready now.]

[Glad to help!] He hooted. [Oh, while I'm thinking about it…] He wiggled one of his legs. Some of my hair got caught around it until it shook off. [After this fight…do something about your hair. It's starting to reach your butt.]

I ran my fingers through some of my hair. [I guess it is annoying…a lot of the time. But what the heck can I cut it with around here?]

He glanced to Blindswipe, then back to me.

I waved my hands in front of me. "Oh, no! I'm not that desperate to have those huge slicers near my head," I said quietly.

[Okay,] he shrugged, [But then Primrose and I will never have room to rest on your shoulder.]

With that, I stood up and approached the others with Nightraider. "Okay, guys. This is it. Time we show this Behemoth that we're worthy of his help."

[Yeah!] some of them cheered.

"So this is what I'm thinking: we're going to divide into sub-groups. We don't know what Behemoth is capable of, but since he's a Rhydon and we've seen some of his lackeys, it's likely the majority of the group is Rock-type. Maybe he'll even call on his allies to join against us." I bent down and drew a square in the dirt with my finger. "Let's pretend this is me…" Then I drew a huge squiggly line some distance away from the square. "…and this is our opposition. I'm thinking…" I drew three X's near the square. "Some of us who are weaker or neutral to a Rock-type matchup should stick close to me, further back." In between the X's and the squiggly line, I drew circles. "While some of you who have a type advantage should lead the charge. That being said, those in the front lines, I think, should be Nightraider, Sherwood, Gardna, Joules, Crest, Bub, and Knave."

[Nice!] Crest grinned.

Nightraider patted Bub on the back. [Guess you're with the heavy hitters this time!]

[Yippee,] he replied unsurely.

Sherwood bowed, [I shall not fail you, Master Will.]

Gardna looked worried, while Joules just had her arms crossed and her usual serious expression.

Knave pumped his arms. [Yes, I get to be the lead!]

"Actually," I added, "Joules should be the leader among you. She'll call the shots for what you do against Behemoth."

Joules narrowed her eyes and made a "humph" sound. Knave grimaced, then spoke to me exclusively through telepathy. [But why? You know she tends to battle solo. And I work better with you than she does…right?]

I gave an understanding glance to him, but replied so everyone could hear, "Joules has the most combat experience of all of us, on top of a better type advantage. If a situation pops up where I need to change our formation, I'm sure Joules will consider my input." I eyed her when I mentioned her name.

[Very well…] she mumbled.

"Now…for the ones who are sticking closer to me, that will be Bravado, Primrose…"

[Yeeee!] Primrose squealed to herself as quietly as she could contain.

"…Astra, and Sherry. Not that I think less of you. But I'll need some of you for heavy support of the front line, and sneaky opponents who come from a new angle. You'll be under my direct commands this way."

[Don't worry, guys,] said Bravado. [I'll cheer for us and jeer against them!]

[Bet they'll faint just from your bad puns,] Primrose chided.

[Um, what about the other three?] said Astra. [Where will they be positioned?]

I scooped up Wooper, who was loafing half-awake while I was giving them our plans. "Wooper will stick right close to me. She's the only one I can't telepathically connect with, so she wouldn't be as effective to give directions in the thick of battle as the rest of you."

[Not to mention her laziness,] Astra added telepathically.

"And I could use someone to help protect me from the opponents under Behemoth, if necessary." I helped Wooper rest on my left shoulder. She nuzzled into my hair that cascaded over my shoulder.

Primrose looked slightly dismayed. [I wish I could have that job.]

I looked to Blindswipe and Snis. "As for you two. Well, at first I thought you could be nearby me like the rest of us as further support. But thinking it over, there is one thing I need to additionally account for: the flying Pokémon. While they are the least active at dawn and dusk, they're still roaming. I think they leave Behemoth and his crew alone for the most part, but I can't be sure about that holding up when we cross their territory. So…I want you two to remain by the border of the forest and rocky halves. Keep watch out for flying Pokémon and lead them away from us. And, in case Sensei comes are way, you can reveal to him what we're doing."

Blindswipe clanged his scythe hands together. [I'll rise to the challenge!]

Snis climbed onto his broad shoulders. [What could I do against a flocking army?]

[Just follow my lead and hang on. With luck, it'll be a wild start to the morning.]

I took a deep breath. "I think that about covers it. I'll try to conserve my telepathy to some of you at a time. Then we can knock Behemoth out with a Z-Move. Cool?"

[Yeah!] All of them cheered this time to varying degrees of participation.

I brushed some of my hair away from my face and grinned. "Cool. Let's go."

We walked to the border. Blindswipe and Snis wished us luck before we carefully crossed into the rocky terrain. No immediate respond. So we casually marched onward, toward the large hill that landmarked this half of the island. A few minutes in, and we finally got company. Two Graveler, one of them Alolan, jumped as us with stones at hand.

Swallowing my trepidation, I threw up my arms. "At ease! We don't mean any harm. We just wish to speak with your leader."

The two stopped and looked at each other, dreadfully confused. I imagined there wasn't standard protocol for someone other than Sensei to speak with him.

"I…we wish to speak with the one called Behemoth. We promise to leave right after. Can it be done?"

After a few more seconds of conversing, the two Graveler agreed and beckoned us to follow. We walked for a few more minutes until we got to the foot of the hill. By that point, I thought every one of Behemoth's allies were present. There were varieties of Geodude and Graveler, some Roggenrola and Boldore, some Nosepass, a Drilbur, some Rhyhorn, some Sandile, and some Sandygast. Expected Rock and Ground types. But there was also a Crabrawler, a Makuhita, a Lickitung, and a Wimpod in their ranks. The Clawitzer that healed me a couple of years ago was also among them. It made my heart race with all these eyes surrounding us in a semi-circle.

"About 45 followers of Behemoth," I thought to myself. "If they all gang up at once, they'll outnumber us 3:1."

Clawitzer made some clicking sounds at me.

Nightraider flew near my head. [He's demanding to know why we've suddenly crossed into their territory.]

"Um, we don't mean to intrude," I call out to them. "But I heard from Sensei that I was mentioned in negotiations, and that I was a bit of an issue to your leader. So, I thought I could speak for myself to…"

[Speak?] A deep voice came through my mind. Then a figure appeared near the top of the hill. Each of his steps caused a slight rumble as he peaked over the plateau portion of the hill. [I think not.]

I couldn't see him clearly from way at the bottom of the hill, but I knew from the shape. "Behemoth? How are you…?" I shook my head in bewilderment. [How are you telepathically talking to me?]

[Isn't this an ability of yours?] His voice was firm and a bit dismissive.

[Well…yeah, but it usually takes time to establish this connection.]

He scoffed, [You're not the first 'psychic' I've met. And I hope you'll be my last.]

[…why do you dislike me so much?]

[This what you came all this way for?] He growled, [Humans.]

[So it's because I'm a 'human'? Sensei said his negotiations with you failed because of me. You think I'm a liability because I'm human?"]

[No. Humans can step all over my home for all I care. I think you and all humans are a liability by their own doing. They arrogantly think they can make the best decisions, when all they do is just pull you down in the end.]

I heard Joules mumble to herself. I had focused my telepathy open to just Nightraider and Behemoth, though I figured she was concurring. A part of me felt the same way, too. But I had to push past that. I continued, [Then what if I proved myself to you?]

[…Come again?]

[You want the flying Pokémon off this island, don't you?]

[Of course I'd prefer that.]

[Well, so does Sensei. And so do I. We all want the same thing. But it seems like you deem me a dead weight. Perhaps I was…but I've been training.] I waved my hand out to my friends. [And so have they. Side by side.]

[Yeah!] said Nightraider.

[We are able to hold our own against large numbers. We can speak for ourselves to prove it. Or…we could prove it in a different way.]

Behemoth gave a bemused laugh. [I see… You think you can beat me?]

I returned a serious look. [Yes. We can.]

He stomped his feet. [And if my allies join in?]

[We can do that, too, if you wish. Your grounds, your rules.]

It sounded like thunder when he laughed out loud. [I like your guts. Let us size each other up…] In one leap, he came down off his high ground. When he crashed on his feet, the whole island quaked. My teammates and I almost fell off our feet.

Behemoth upright himself and grinned. In the dim, his shadow overcast us. My mouth was agape at his size. It was over four times the size of a Rhydon I typically saw to scale in books. At least eight meters tall.

All my teammates were just as put off by his size. Even Joules slightly wavered when she brandished her scalchop sword.

[We are so screwed!] said Bravado.

"So…this is where you get your name from?" I almost stammered.

Behemoth laughed, [You thought you'd be facing against someone your own size? Don't get me wrong, I don't blame how you're reacting. Not every day someone comes across a Pokémon that's over twice the size of a typical house! Then again, it should be somewhat familiar to you; the source of my size and power comes from the same as your Z-Crystal!]

"W-what?" I clutched the Proteanium-Z in my pocket. "How?!"

[Oh yes, Will. I know about your secret power! But do you think it'd best the might of a Totem Pokemon?]

[We are soooo fucking screwed!] sighed Bravado.

I tried my best to stop myself from shaking. "I can't let my teammates feel my fear. Must be brave and stand my ground…" I cleared my throat. "So, Behemoth, what are your rules for this battle?"

He gave a toothy grin. [Nothing! This'll be an S.O.S. Battle! Call in your teammates whenever you want. Oh…] He waved a hand against the Clawitzer, who nodded in reply. […but Clawitzer won't be participating. So feel free to let loose!]

I got into my battle stance. "Formation!"

My teammates got into the positions I explained to them. Joules came front and center. She seemed both terribly excited and terribly daunted. [I won't lose to a Rock-type!] she cried out.

Behemoth further grounded his stance, shaking the rocky terrain. His companions lined on either side of him. An aura thinly shrouded his whole body, and his expression solidified into a steely gaze. [When you make your first move, the battle will begin!]

I gritted my teeth. "This win will be tough to nail…"