Chapter 21: Decisive Battle
Garfield knew that this giant dragon was the reason Hilbert wanted him in the team in the first place. That was made clear from the get-go, and it was perfectly okay with him; if you're going to fight an Electric-type, a Ground-type is the best answer. That was just common sense.
That said, he knew that this was a legend he was up against. Zekrom's Dragonbreaths stung like a bitch, which made him retaliate with a Swords Dance. The Earthquake that followed was more powerful...and it didn't take long for Garfield to realize that he might have underestimated the move's power.
Meaning, he heard what was clearly rubble falling to the ground, followed by a yelp. Garfield turned and saw that the edges of the platform they were standing on had started to crumble. The yelp had to have come from Michelle, then; she had been standing the closest to the edge.
(Oh, shit,) Garfield muttered. He glanced over at Zekrom; they definitely took a beating from the Earthquake (even having fallen to one knee), but they were still alive.
"Zekrom!" N shouted, rushing to the legendary's side. "Are you alright?"
Zekrom glanced down at him with a reassuring smile. ("I'm fine. It'll take more than an Earthquake to take me out.")
"But you're still hurt, I-" N cut himself off, and a moment passed before he made the call; "Zekrom, get back."
Reluctantly, Zekrom obeyed. N glanced back at the legendary before turning to look at Garfield. Nobody on Garfield's side could be sure about what N was thinking as he released his next Pokemon into the battlefield.
One thing that's important to note about Garfield is that he was caught not very long ago; he still remembered having to fight for survival in Mistralton Cave. That included being observant of his surroundings; one minute detail could be the difference between life and death in the wild.
So seeing a Klinklang enter the battlefield was enough to give him pause. A Klinklang was a Steel-type, which made them weak to Ground-type moves. Why send a Pokemon out that had a clear weakness?
Garfield glanced back at Hilbert and his teammates. Hilbert was clearly confused...actually, they all were. Even Merlot seemed to be wondering why the Excadrill hadn't just gone on a power trip.
"Garfield, what's up?" Hilbert called. "Something wrong?"
Even N seemed really put off by the Excadrill's behavior. Klinklang, on the other hand, seemed a bit impatient.
"Excadrill?" N questioned. "If something's wrong, you can let us know."
Garfield opened his mouth, but no sounds came out. He had forgotten about N's apparent ability to understand a Pokemon's words, so the offer threw him for a loop.
(Nothing's wrong...I'm just stumped,) Garfield answered. (You literally see me take down Electrozilla with one Earthquake - a Swords Dance boosted Earthquake, mind you - and you follow up with a Steel-type?)
Strangely, N's face seemed to light up. "So...do you mean that you're wondering why we're fighting in the first place?"
(What? No! Don't put words like that in my mouth!) Where the hell did N get that idea in the first place?! (I was just expectin' more from you based on what I've heard, that's all. You're practically handin' the fight to me on a silver platter here! That's no fun at all!)
(Would y'just get on with it, lad?!) Roger barked. (Who goes monologin' durin' a power trip?!)
(Can it, Stache!) Garfield snapped, turning back and pointing a claw at Roger. (Don't act like you wouldn't be stumped in my position! I'm just sayin' it's weird!)
(He's right. That is weird...) Michelle commented. It was odd for Michelle to be the scrutinous one instead of Merlot. She squinted at the Klinklang like they were a riddle. After a moment of scrutiny, Michelle's eyes widened.
(Garfield, tag me in!) the Samurott called. (I think I know what this Klinklang really is!)
"Michelle?" Hilbert questioned, clearly surprised from how eager the Samurott had become. Not that he could understand what the Pokemon had been saying anyways. As Merlot floated closer to Hilbert, Garfield questioned, (What do you mean, you think you know?)
(I mean, you're right!) Michelle barked. (Think about it! Who in their right mind would send out a Steel-type against you?! You don't know N like the rest of us, there's no way he'd pull something this stupid! It has to be a trick!)
(A trick.) Skeptical, Garfield crossed his arms. (What kinda trick?)
Michelle didn't answer right away. Her face practically contorted as she seemed to scramble for something, anything to say. Finally, she seemed to light up before saying, (Let me just ask; why do I have Aerial Ace in my moveset?)
(So you can get the drop on-) Garfield cut himself off, the gears starting to turn in his mind. (Oh. Ohhhh.)
Now he was the one studying Klinklang; it hadn't occurred to him that they could have a move that would play into one of his weaknesses. As much as he hated to admit it, that possibility was one he couldn't ignore.
(Fine. Fine!) Garfield shouted as he retreated. He pointed a claw in Michelle's direction. (But you better know what you're talkin' about, Shells!)
(YES!) Michelle cheered, eagerly taking Garfield's place on the battlefield. She drew one of her seamitars with a grin, ready for anything.
Klinklang seemed bewildered by this turn of events, but only for a moment. They suddenly lunged towards Michelle, and as they got closer it was easy to see that something swiped at her. Michelle took the attack, but she didn't seem bothered by it. In fact, she seemed just as cheeky as ever.
(Interesting disguise you got there, but you can't fool me!) she shouted as she struck back with Revenge. Klinklang was knocked back considerably.
(What the hell?!) the Steel-type demanded before they disappeared in a puff of smoke. Amid shouts and gasps coming from Hilbert's side of the battlefield, the smoke dissipated to reveal a Zoroark. (How did you figure me out?!)
(Not that it's your business, but you're not the first Zoroark I've met,) she responded with a cheeky grin as she readied her blade again. (I'll leave it at that. Don't forget, you got a fight to lose!)
Zoroark stood in silence for a moment, but then snarled.
(If anyone's losing, it's gonna be you!) Zoroark lunged again at Michelle, ready to fight to the end.
This wasn't going according to plan. In fact, things seemed to be going worse and worse for Ghetsis. Everyone that still remained with Team Plasma knew to steer clear of the Sage as he watched the battle between Hilbert and N.
The only occurrence that actually made him laugh was when Hilbert rejected Reshiram's help. Who in their right mind would turn down a legendary Pokemon's power?! He knew that Hilbert's sentimentality would be his downfall, but to see it play out like this would make it even sweeter!
But Hilbert's downfall never came. If nothing else, Ghetsis was counting on Hilbert being cowed by Zekrom's status as a legendary, but clearly that wasn't to be the case. In fact, the Excadrill took Zekrom down so easily! It was a humiliating defeat, to the point where it might not even matter if N won the battle. Who would fear a legendary that could be taken down so easily?!
As if that wasn't enough, the boy's Samurott jumped into the battlefield. N's Zoroark put up a better fight against the water-type than Zekrom had, but it did fall in the end. The Samurott stood proud, and the camera also showed a confident grin on Hilbert's face as he called her back.
Seeing that happy, confident smile filled Ghetsis with a rage that he hadn't felt in some time.
How could this brat single-handedly foil his plans to this extent?! If only that damned Maractus of his hadn't-!
Then it occurred to him: Team Plasma had infiltrated the Storage System, hadn't they? If they had access to his Storage System account, at least Ghetsis could take his rage out on the one Pokemon that deserved it the most.
And besides that...Reshiram had to be in the Storage System as well. While he was at it, he could neutralize the dragon and deliver a huge blow to his enemy.
The Shadow Triad were the only ones that dared come near Ghetsis at this time, so they handled the computer. It didn't take too long to hack into Hilbert's account; it turned out that his was one of the newest accounts they now had access to. Ghetsis was in for a nasty surprise when he actually opened up the account, however.
Because there wasn't a single Pokemon within it. No Reshiram. No Maractus. Not even a measly Stunfisk. Thirty-two boxes, and not a single Pokemon could be found.
Ghetsis was rattled, but immediately remembered that he had a sister. It was possible that he could have transferred ownership of his entire roster to her. If that brat thought a desperate move like that was going to save his 'precious friends,' he had another thing coming. In fact, that would just expose Whitlea's roster to his wrath as well.
At least, it would have...except Whitlea's entire Storage was empty as well. Not a single Pokemon - belonging to Whitlea or Hilbert - was inside.
The broom had to be replaced, and the computer the Triad had been using was barely recognizable by the end of the battle.
For Carmen's part, she was happy to see everyone that Hilbert had met along the way!
It turned out, Miz Hilbert's Mom had recently gotten a place in Accumula that had a lot more space than his house in Nuvema. Which was lucky, because Hilbert and Whitlea had a lot of Pokemon between them.
She wondered what kind of strings Miz Hilbert's Mom had to pull in order to get everyone here; a trainer could only have six Pokemon with them at a time, right? Maybe this is what humans did before that weird Storage System was made. Carmen couldn't be very sure of the details, but she didn't really care.
Even with all the tension that came from watching Hilbert's progress through the League, right now things were pretty calm...until they weren't.
First came a loud yelling coming from within the space that Miz Hilbert's Mom had bought. After a moment of frantic shouting, they both came out of the building looking like they had seen a ghost. Miz Hilbert's Mom had an Ultra Ball clutched tightly within her hand, and she was looking at it like she half-expected it to burst into flames at any minute.
"There's no fuckin' way they actually woke up now," she breathed. "Not that I'm doubtin' Hilbert but they sure took their sweet time!"
Richard looked even more perplexed than Molly. "What they could be doing here and not there, is what I want to know! If Hilbert really woke them up, shouldn't they be in that castle with him?!"
Carmen couldn't maintain her curiosity anymore, so she hopped towards the two. "Who are you talkin' about? Did Hilbert make a new friend?"
Miz Hilbert's Mom kept her eyes on the Ultra Ball in her hand. "...Suppose he did. Wanna meet 'em?"
Carmen nodded, and Richard's jaw dropped. "Wait, you're gonna let them out here? Now?!"
"Oh, come on! You've got to admit that you're curious too," she responded. "What if it's some kinda trick? We should know either way!"
"And what if it really is them?!" Richard shouted. "You don't understand; I grew up on stories about these two! Knowing that one of them is awake after all this time is one thing, it'd be a whole other thing to actually meet the other one!"
Molly rolled her eyes before tossing the PokeBall. The Pokemon inside was unlike anyone Carmen had ever seen - it was a giant white dragon-type that towered over all of them. Definitely the biggest Pokemon she had ever seen! They also seemed pretty chill too, observing their surroundings with a calm (if confused) interest.
Hilbert's parents stared at the giant dragon with wide eyes and slack jaws...before Richard fell over. Molly shouted something about smelling salts as she caught her friend. And the dragon was surprisingly easy to read; they had been confused as they were released from the Ultra Ball, but they grew amused as they watched the spectacle in front of them.
The Maractus looked up at Pokemon before poking their leg. They looked down at her in response, and it was odd how their eyes reminded Carmen of fire. It scared her a little bit (were they a Fire-type?) but that wasn't gonna stop her. She had the same first impression about Belle, after all.
"Uh, hi up there!" she greeted with a wave. "You can call me Carmen, everyone does! I'm guessin' you met my friend Hilbert?"
("I did,") they answered. ("I admit, I'm a little confused about how I got here. I suppose I'm not very familiar with how things work now.")
"Those two would have to explain it to you once he wakes up," Carmen admitted, pointing at Hilbert's parents. "I'm not a technology Pokemon."
The dragon shrugged. ("That's fair. I am Reshiram.")
"You're Reshiram?" Carmen's jaw dropped. How did it never occur to her that this could be Reshiram?! "That means Hilbert woke you up! I'm guessin' he caught you too...but what are you doing here and not there? Doesn't Hilbert need your help beating N and Zekrom?!"
It was odd how Reshiram smiled in response to her question. ("The Hero of Truth said that he didn't. Seeing the trust that he has for his friends, I'm inclined to agree.")
Carmen didn't know what to say to that. After all of that...Hilbert suddenly decided that he didn't actually need Reshiram's help?! What in the world happened in the League to get him to think that?!
"Tell me everything!" Carmen demanded. "You have no idea how worried we were!"
("I was going to anyway. But I think I better wait until your friend over there wakes up,") Reshiram chuckled, tilting their head over to the two. Richard had been settled onto a hammock, with Molly putting something under his nose for some reason. Whitlea was there too, and she just stared at Reshiram with what Carmen could only assume was shock and awe.
Carmen had to admit that Reshiram was right. Probably better to get the story to everyone all at once.
"My last friend...please, share your courage with me!"
It was strange to N how his own voice sounded foreign to him as he sent Archeops out. It couldn't be helped; the nerves that he felt at the beginning of this fight hadn't gone away as the battle went on. In fact, they only seemed to multiply.
First there was Hilbert's Excadrill. Admittedly, his presence surprised N. He had expected Hilbert's Krookodile - because he surely had to have reached his fully-evolved form by now - to be there in his place, which did make him wonder what changed. If N had a chance to inquire about that before the battle, he would have. The lack of Krookodile's presence (not to mention the fact that he couldn't recall the Dark/Ground-type's nickname) bothered him more than he was willing to admit. Looking back, he wondered if Hilbert or any of his Pokemon could pick up on that.
Samurott surprised even him when she saw through Zoroark's illusion. How was it possible that she had met a Zoroark before? He knew that they were rather seclusive Pokemon, especially within the Unova region; if they didn't want anyone to find them, then they simply wouldn't be found. He'd definitely have known if Hilbert managed to find one, so it made no sense that his starter would know one. Unless she met one during her life before meeting Hilbert?
Vanlluxe and the real Klinklang easily went down to Chandelure's Flame Burst. Carracosta did his best too, but he ultimately fell to Dodger's Electroweb.
That left Archeops. The Flying type put up a brave fight - after the Galvantula managed to dodge a Stone Edge, Hilbert gave the command to use Volt Switch.
Stoutland was sent out in her place, and N couldn't help the feeling of dread. N didn't want to acknowledge that the world was going to choose Hilbert instead of him; would all of his hard work truly amount to nothing? He knew that defeat is inevitable, and yet he wanted to do everything he could to change it.
Archeops cried as he returned to N's side. Wordlessly, the king placed a gentle hand on the Flying-type's head.
(I'm so sorry N,) Archeops sobbed. (I tried my best, and it still wasn't enough to beat him! I let you and everyone else down.)
"Don't say that, Archeops," N soothed. "You did your best, that's what matters. Thank you."
There was silence as both Heroes healed their Pokemon. The rest of N's Pokemon expressed similar regret that they couldn't win, each of which N comforted. They all did their best, after all. N wouldn't begrudge any of them for simply doing their best.
Hilbert was the one at fault, anyway. Rejecting Reshiram's help was one thing, but not one of his Pokemon even fainted during their battle. At least it meant that he was taking their health into consideration, but...it just wasn't fair! N was almost certain that losing wouldn't sting this much if Hilbert had Reshiram in his team, but there wasn't much he could do about that now.
N asked for Zekrom's help to make his dream come true, and was chosen as Hero of Ideals. Hilbert - a Trainer who didn't have a dream - rejected Reshiram's help, and was chosen as Hero of Truth anyway. The fact that the two dragons chose such completely different Heroes...how could that be possible?
The conclusion he reached - and one that made N sick to even consider - was that neither of them were completely right.
N didn't realize that Hilbert had approached until he spoke up; "It's over, N."
"...Yeah," N choked. "Zekrom and I were beaten. Your truth won, in the end. We'll back down."
N didn't know which was worse; the fact that he lost in the first place, or that all of their Pokemon - Hilbert's and his own - were there to see him like this. He wanted to run and curl up into a little ball, but that wouldn't be very kingly of him.
Hilbert pursed his lips, and rubbed his arm. In that moment, N was reminded that he was only a few years younger than him. "So...you get it now, right? I know that there are people that are horrible to Pokemon, but that's not all we can be. We can be friends and partners, too."
N caught sight of the Excadrill, and the bitterness came back. This time, he couldn't contain it.
"I don't want to hear that from you," N spat. He realized how harsh he was sounding - not very kingly at all - but he didn't care. "I don't care if Reshiram picked you, you're still like those other Trainers!"
To accentuate his point, he extended a hand towards the Excadrill. "I thought you'd be different, but it's just like a Trainer to replace a friend when someone stronger comes around. Why did you leave your Krookodile behind?!"
Hilbert's response was completely unexpected; he flinched, and his fists clenched at his sides.
"Don't you dare-!" Hilbert was cut off by Musharna (actually, no...he really should be calling him Merlot, right?) gently nudging his arm. N had seen him do something similar before their battle, which led him to conclude that this was a common thing with them. Hilbert spared his Musharna a glance, before his eyes widened.
"You say that like you don't know," Hilbert muttered. He inhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. What he said afterwards made N's blood run cold; "He never got to be a Krookodile. Team Plasma killed him in Dragonspiral Tower."
N knew that Reshiram wasn't one to tolerate dishonesty and injustice. The fact that they chose Hilbert as their new Hero could only mean that they saw neither of these qualities in his Aura...so logically speaking, Hilbert's words had to be the truth.
Despite this, N wanted to deny it. He wanted to say that Team Plasma would never, their aim was to save Pokemon from evil humans and not to make them suffer. He wanted so badly to say all of that...but looking at Hilbert's party told him everything he needed to know. What Hilbert said wasn't a lie.
N tried to say something, but it suddenly felt like an Applin had been lodged into his throat. All of his practiced eloquence went right out the window; what could he even say?!
As if the pain in his chest wasn't enough, his traitorous mind recalled something that he asked of Zekrom not even a week before; How can I heal their pain if I'm the one that caused it?!
"I-I'm sorry," he stammered. "I didn't know! I had no idea-!"
(How the hell could you not know?!) Michelle demanded. (You were in Dragonspiral Tower that day, too! You're their leader!)
N had no answer for that, but he tried anyway; "I promise I didn't know! If I had known that the thought even crossed their minds, I never would have-!"
He couldn't get any more words out. The lump in his throat was just too massive to handle, and no words could come out. It felt like all the stress he had been feeling over the past few weeks - all of the doubt and anxiety he had been feeling regarding his role and what he was supposed to do - came crashing down on him.
A king doesn't cry. A king never cries, and certainly not over doubts and 'what-ifs'. So he had told himself every time he had even a shred of doubt in what he was trying to accomplish. The tactic had worked...up until now.
Once N realized that he was crying, he couldn't stop himself. He screamed, covering his face with his hands as he sobbed. Not just for the dream that lay in pieces at his feet, but for the pain he inflicted in his pursuit of a better world.
For Hilbert's part, any anger he felt towards N had evaporated moments ago. He had been furious when N brought up Jude, but Merlot brought his attention to what he had said. More specifically; N seemed to think that Jude was a Krookodile. Why did N think that Jude was a Krookodile, after all this time?
The only way that could make sense was that N didn't know that Jude was dead in the first place. Carmen's speech had gone viral, so the thought never crossed Hilbert's mind that N could ever be oblivious to that fact. How could N not know, when Team Plasma is what killed him in the first place?
Something about that thought bothered him, and he couldn't place his finger on why.
It didn't help that Hilbert was never certain what to do when someone's crying. Call it a need to protect people that were weaker than him, but he could never just sit still when he sees someone in distress. The fact that this was someone he saw as an enemy only added fuel to the awkward fire. What could he even say at a time like this?
"N-" Hilbert's dilemma didn't last long, because a loud banging could be heard from the other side. The doors had swung open, and a red-faced Ghetsis stormed into the throne room. N's Pokemon - Zoroark, Archeops, Carracosta, Klinklang and Vanilluxe - huddled around N protectively as they witnessed the Sage's arrival.
"You good-for-nothing boy!" Ghetsis screamed. "If you think yourself worthy of sharing the name Harmonia with me after all this, you're sorely mistaken!"
Ghetsis' words threw Hilbert off - at least, until he heard another choked sob coming from N.
"But," N cried. "Father-!"
"Don't call me that!" Ghetsis seethed. "You lost that right the moment you and Zekrom lost to an ordinary trainer! After everything I've done to mold you into the new Hero of Ideals, you just had to throw it all away! You just had to bring Reshiram into this, didn't you?! After that humiliating spectacle, how is anyone going to fear Team Plasma now?!"
N recoiled, and his Pokemon huddled closer to him. Ghetsis then turned his attention to Hilbert, and something clicked within the boy's mind.
"It was you," Hilbert breathed, pointing at Ghetsis. "You're the reason Jude's gone! You kept that from N because that would ruin your plan!"
"I never thought Reshiram would choose a whelp like you, but it looks like I underestimated your intuition," Ghetsis mocked, his visible eye narrowed. "When the Shadow Triad told me about your talking Pokemon, I told them to get rid of it as soon as possible. Not only did they fail, my Grunts killed the wrong Pokemon in Dragonspiral Tower!"
Hearing Ghetsis' words - hearing that he was the one who orchestrated their friend's death - didn't affect just Hilbert. Every single member of his team could barely contain their anger. Not even Merlot was an exception to that, so he didn't interrupt as Hilbert shouted, "You trash-eating maggot!"
"Say what you want about me - you and your 'precious friends' know the truth now. I was going to kill you just for getting in my way, this is just one more reason to do it!" Ghetsis shouted, shoving his hands into his pockets and taking out three PokeBalls in each hand. Before he could toss any of them, the doors swung open again.
"Hilbert!" Hearing Cheren's voice so suddenly made Hilbert jump. He had no idea that Cheren was going to be here (or even how he got here in the first place), and with Alder too! The backup was appreciated, and Hilbert shouted, "Cheren!"
"Not so fast!" Ghetsis snapped his fingers, and the Shadow Triad appeared and cornered the two newcomers. "After everything you've done to thwart my plan to rule over Unova, don't think for one second I'll let any of you walk out of this castle alive!"
"Rule over Unova?!" Cheren demanded, unclipping a PokeBall from his belt. "Straight from the Mudsdale's mouth - so all Team Plasma's talk about liberating Pokemon was a lie!"
"Of course it was a lie! Use your head; why would anyone let go of something as useful as Pokemon?" As if to prove his point, Ghetsis tossed his PokeBalls into the air. As his team materialized behind him, Ghetsis continued, "I can agree with the idea that Pokemon can help humans expand their horizons. So, if I were the only one to have Pokemon by my side, it naturally follows that nobody would dare question me!"
"That's ridiculous!" Alder shouted. "No wonder you needed N - someone like you would never hope to get Zekrom or Reshiram by your side!"
"Don't be so sure. Even if it's revered as a deity, a Pokemon is still a Pokemon," Ghetsis answered. "Once I'm done with every one of you, I'll force Zekrom to do my bidding. I had hoped to take Reshiram from Hilbert as well, but I suppose I'll have to settle for dispatching their little Hero here."
At that, Hilbert's Pokemon rushed to create a barrier between Hilbert and Ghetsis. Unfazed, Ghetsis glanced towards his own team and nodded. The six Pokemon - a Cofagrigus, a Bisharp, a Seismitoad, a Bouffalant, a Eelektross, and a Hydreigon - assembled in front of Ghetsis. Those six Pokemon stared down at Hilbert and his team with (what Hilbert could only assume was) anger and malice in their eyes.
"Hilbert! Just because you somehow got Reshiram to choose you, doesn't mean you're a threat!" Ghetsis taunted. "Now your Pokemon will face mine in battle! I'll make you watch as your team is torn apart! Watching you lose all hope will make killing you myself all the better!"
"Like hell, old man!" Hilbert shouted.
Without waiting for Hilbert to issue a command, Garfield acted. He stepped forward, crossed his arms and started to spin in rapid circles. The resulting Sandstorm swept through the room, throwing all of its occupants into a torrent of raging sand.
Author's Note: In-game, Michelle took Archeops out as well as Zoroark, but I wanted to give Roger a little time in the battle with N.