Treecko grumbled as she threw a few twigs in a pile and continued to trail behind her father and his advisors.
"What's wrong, Treecko?" Gible asked. She and Treecko's other two playmates had joined Treecko when they saw her and her father walking through the Sekrain forest. "This is your first excursion outside of your den. I thought you'd be enthralled?"
"Accompanying pa on one of his enlightenment hikes and meeting with the Sekrian parliament is not what I would consider an adventure."
"It's a far sight better than being circumscribed in our dens all day," said Teddiursa.
"Agreed," said Swablu. "It is wonderful to finally spread my cottony wings. It does get crampy when sitting in the nest all day."
"I can't wait to take on Tyrogue. He thinks he's so tough? I'll show him just because I'm at a type disadvantage doesn't mean I can't win!" Teddiursa started punching the air.
Gible turned back to face Treecko. "At least you get to venture with the King?"
Treecko looked at her father. "Am I really? It seems to me pa is more interested in talking with his team than spending any time with me."
"He has to talk with his council. They are the ones protecting Sekra."
"He talks with them every day. Is he so consumed with his work that he has no time to spend with his daughter?"
"Come on, Treecko. You know the King loves you. But he has a responsibility to his subjects."
"But he has a responsibility to me as well, Swablu. If he would just listen to me and let me prove my valor to him, I'm sure he'd let me do more outside the cave. But all he's concerned with right now are lectures and talking with the dream team. It's even worse when the dignitaries arrive."
"Maybe he'll have more time after the meeting?"
"I wish," Treecko grumbled as she continued to trail behind her father.
Sceptile studied the severely charred patches of seagrass he held in his claws.
"And you are certain this was found in the lake by the Temple?"
"Affirmative," said Alakazam. "This is just one of many patches that were heavily damaged."
"Many of the lake-dwelling pokémon are unnerved." Lucario added. "Tension is starting to spread between the shoals. They are even starting to blame Lanturn and her school for the damage to the flowering plants and meadows that provide many of the smaller water-type pokémon with food and shelter."
"Lanturn and Chinchou do not posses nearly the amount of electricity needed to cause this much extensive damage. A searing at this level requires an explosive amount of static and dynamical discharge. I'm more inclined to believe this came from a Magnezone than any other pokémon."
"Gastrodon maintains there was no other pokémon swimming in the lake other than its inhabitants."
Sceptile tried to pick up one of the blades with his claws but it was very brittle and instantly disintegrated when he grasped it.
"There is no doubt the amount of damage the seagrass has suffered. But I am concerned that no beast was able to notice any changes in their environment, such as another pokémon coming in and destroying their home and food supply. The fact that they were able to lose so much and not even know what happened is quite troubling, even moreso since they are entering a state of panic and turning on each other. We will need to launch a thorough investigation. If this damage was caused by another creature entering their domain uninvited then we need to apprehend this beast and restore order to the land."
"Agreed Sceptile." Said Lucario.
Alakazam held out his spoons. "We shall search the perimeter around the lake for more clues. Surely this peculiar intruder must have left behind some sort of incriminating evidence."
"Unless this beast is not a first time offender," replied Lucario. "This may very well be a skilled pokémon. Do not forget they were slick enough to go undetected by the lake's incumbents. This is quite the savvy pokémon we're dealing with."
As Alakazam and Lucario continued to discuss the issue, Sceptile looked behind him in suspicion as he heard a familiar sound. Reacting quickly, Sceptile spun around completely and crossed his arms as the two long blades on his forearms merged and extended into a long sharp glowing bright green point. A large purple and black stream of energy descended from the sky and divided as it passed through the 'X' formed by the Leaf Blade, protecting Sceptile, his cohorts, and the young pokémon from the attack.
A whirlwind whipped up as the powerful beam of energy continued. All the young pokémon screamed in terror.
Sceptile brushed off the attack and pushed back, dispelling the stream.
An unidentifiable shadowy figure moved apace through the sky.
The spores on Sceptile's back glowed brilliant green as well as his tail. With a swish of his tail, he unleashed a barrage of spiraling glowing green leaves at the glob-like figure.
The mysterious pokémon vanished and reappeared next to the tornado of leaves. It then fired multiple glowing light blue, crescent-shaped energy blades at the group.
Sceptile raised his right foot and stomped powerfully on the ground, sending a slight shockwave throughout the land. Several large giant roots with spikes erupted out of the ground, all outlined in a light green aura. The Frenzy Plant then encased the pokémon in a mangrove-like orb-shaped shield, protecting them from the explosive blast from the Hurricane.
After the attack ceased, Sceptile retracted the roots back into the ground.
"Tri-Ball Formation!" He bellowed as he sprinted ahead.
"Shadow Ball!" Alazakam cried as he crossed his spoons and formed a dark ball of energy in front of them.
"Aura Sphere!" shouted Lucario as he formed a light blue orb of energy between his paws.
"Energy Ball!" Sceptile ended as he formed a light green orb of energy between his claws.
Harnessing their power, all three balls of energy grew three times in size.
They all cried out in unison, "Tri-Ball Assault! Shadow-Aura-Energy Sphere Attack!"
They released their attacks and all three balls of energy fused and consolidated into one tri-colored gigantic orb of energy.
The dark creature countered with its large black beam and the two attacks created a massive explosion on impact.
When the smoke cleared, the mysterious figure could no longer be seen soaring above. Sceptile surmised it must have escaped soon after the two attacks collided.
"What was that thing?" asked Lucario.
"Pidgeot!" Sceptile bellowed.
Immediately, the large winged pokémon appeared and landed at his feet.
"You called, sire?" she asked, bowing to show her respect.
"Take these young ones home. There's a dangerous pokémon lurking about in the skies and they need to be home safe in their dens with their parents."
"Yes, sire."
Pidgeot then turned her attention to the baby pokémon. She lowered her wings.
"Come aboard, young ones. We must get you home safely to your parents."
Hastily, the Teddiursa, Swablu, and Gible boarded Pidgeot. All but Treecko, who remained glued to her father's leg.
"Come along, young princess. We must get you home."
Sceptile looked down to his daughter, who was fiercely gripping his right leg. He could see the terror in her eyes.
"That is alright, Pidgeot. You go ahead with those young ones. I'll take Treecko home. Lopunny should be done with her rounds by now."
"Yes, sire."
Pidgeot flapped her wings and lifted in the air, creating a small gust below her.
"Hold on tightly, young ones. You shall be home safely with your parents in no time."
And with that, the large flying-type pokémon disappeared into the cloudy sky. Sceptile watched her go until she was out of his seat. He then turned to his comrades.
"You two go on ahead and try to track down that creature. I must return Treecko home to her mother. We shall reconvene afterwards and figure out a way to calm the lake-dwelling pokémon."
Alakazam nodded. "Alright. But please be careful, my friend."
"Same to you."
Nodding again, Lucario and Alakazam ran off ahead in the direction they were heading.
Sceptile once again looked down at his daughter. She was still holding onto his leg, trembling with fear.
Sceptile bent down and scooped up his daughter. He held her close to his chest.
"Come along, Treecko. Let's go home."
Solana groaned as a buzzing sound woke her from her sleep. She had fallen asleep with Lunick on her sofa after they spent most of the night up watching movies and making out.
The flickering light of the big television screen was the first thing Solana noticed. Lunick was still sacked out, dead to the world. Sometime during the night he had rolled onto his belly. How he managed to do that and not wake her up, she had no clue. His back was certainly not as good a pillow as his chest, but she really didn't want to move.
Only a few minutes went by when the annoying the buzzing sound overpowered Solana and it finally registered in her mind that it was her styler vibrating on her lamp side table.
Sitting up slightly, Solana strained to reach for her styler, still not wanting to get up and release herself from Lunick's hold. Her fingers barely brushed up against her styler, but somehow she was able to flip it closer to her by tapping the tip of it.
Once it was close enough, Solana grabbed her styer and answered it.
"…Hello?…" she answered groggily.
"Solana." She recognized Murph's voice on the other end. "We have a situation. We need you and Lunick to come to the base immediately."
Solana lifted her head and looked at the digital clock on her cable box. 6:15 AM read across the box in ice blue LED lighting. They usually had until 8:00 am on the weekends.
"…Did something…yawn…happen after we left yesterday?"
"All I know is that Leader wants to see us all immediately. I think it involves the mission he went on yesterday."
Solana yawned again. "Alright, Murph…Lunick and I are…yawn…on our way."
"Please hurry."
Solana disconnected the call and put her hand to her mouth as she yawned again. Stretching, she gently extricated herself from Lunick. When she stood up, she realized she could have climbed right across him bodily and he wouldn't have awakened. She was so thankful he wasn't snoring loudly.
Waking him up from such a sound slumber seemed so wrong but she knew he had to get up. It wasn't going to be easy, though. Four hours of total sleep after reaching the point of near total exhaustion was enough for Solana, but Lunick would likely sleep all the way through breakfast and on to lunch time before he was firing on all cylinders.
"Lunick, it's time to get up." Solana lightly shook his shoulder. She only managed to make him roll over on his back.
"Mmm…smack…Babe, why don't you rub my back some more?…Snorezzzz…" He muttered, never once opening his eyes.
Solana crossed her arms. Need to sleep aside, they had to get to base, pronto. This could spell real trouble if he got this way on a mission. He needed to be able to awaken and function in minutes, like her.
"Lunick!" she shouted.
"Snort…'Lana, can you hit the snooze button for me?…Thanks, Babe…Snarg…" This time he rolled on his side, turning his back to her and burying his face in the pillow.
Solana sighed in annoyance. She put her hands on her hips, bowed her head and closed her eyes in frustration, trying to think of an effective way to wake him up.
Getting an idea, she re-folded her hands and peered down at her sleeping boyfriend. She leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"Hey, Lunick…Minun's eating all your freshly made corndogs."
Lunick sat up so fast you have thought his neck would snap. Alert, his blue eyes found the still-sleeping rodent pokémon and fixed him with an icy glare. It took a few seconds, but Lunick finally realized they weren't inside Trainer Dee's restaurant at all.
He felt something hit his chest and looked down to his red jersey lying in his lap.
"Something's up. We got called in to come in the base right away. Go upstairs, get some fresh clothes, and hit the downstairs shower." Solana picked up her yellow blouse from the floor.
Lunick held his jersey and stood up. "Did they say what it was about?"
"No. Murph just said Spenser wants to see us. It must be kinda serious if he's calling all of us in so early.
Lunick stretched and cracked his neck, making Solana shudder.
"Well, let's not get too worked up. We don't even know what it's about. Let's try to keep a level head until we find out more about what's going on."
He then started cracking knuckles, making Solana's skin crawl.
"Gah! Lunick, do you have to do that?"
"What's wrong?"
"When you do that it makes me want to jump out of my skin. It's so creepy and sounds like you're breaking a bone or something. It's totally unsettling."
Lunick stopped cracking his knuckles and put his hands down.
"I'm just loosening up my joints. You know how much carbon dioxide and nitrogen bubbles build up between your bones?"
"Well, it's like nails on a chalkboard to me and I just find it disgusting. Besides, doesn't doing that cause arthritis?"
Lunick waved it off. "Ah, that's just an old wives' tale. Nothing has ever substantiated that claim."
"Nevertheless, can you please refrain from doing it around me? It's just too much for my nerves to take and quite frankly, extremely nauseating."
"Done."
Solana petted Plusle to try to wake her. "If Spenser wants to see us, most likely all the Area Leaders are doing the same. I'm gonna call Leilani and have her bring Iyori on the Dragonite Bus."
Lunick picked up the sleeping Minun and started for the stairs. "I guess now's a better time than ever to have her start working at the base."
Lunick absentmindedly cracked his back as he walked up the stairs.
"Ah! Lunick!"
"Sorry. Force of habit."
Solana and Lunick entered the Ringtown Ranger Base while Iyroi trailed quietly behind them. Iyori had been silent the entire ride to the base. Leilani told them she hadn't spoken to her very much either, preferring to just keep to herself and play Rīchi Mahjong Solitaire. She did seem to come out of her shell a little bit when interacting with Lucario, but the fighting/steel type's serious nature didn't provide her with much playful opportunity.
They were both shocked to see Spenser sitting behind his desk with a sling around his left arm, the strap slung over his left shoulder. His head was also heavily bandaged, even extending to cover his right eye and nearly the entire right side of his face. Professor Hastings stood beside him.
They joined a concerned Murph in the center of the room while Iyori went to sit over on the side.
"Leader, what happened to you?" Lunick asked, unable to hide his worry.
Spenser stood up. "It's alright, Lunick. I'm fine. I should actually be a lot worse."
"Was that a result of the mission you went on yesterday?" Solana asked.
Spenser nodded. "I fell down a bluff and landed on my shoulder when Deoxys attacked me. It's not broken, just badly sprained. I also have a dislocated retina and a minor concussion."
Lunick, Solana, and Murph all winced.
"Are the other Area Leaders alright?" Murph asked.
"Joel and Elita are being hospitalized for their injuries. Nothing life-threatening but they are expected to stay there for a few days. Shauna and Lind have taken over as temporary Area Leaders for Winton and Fall City until they recover. But I'm more concerned about the Deoxys. It was behaving really frenzied, like an enraged Gyarados. It was almost as if it couldn't control itself. At times, it appeared like it was having a seizure. It easily subdued us. Not only were we unable to capture it but our stylers were severely damaged in the battle as well."
Spenser nodded over to one of the tables in the back end of the lobby. Two PR techs were looking over the damage.
"But the stylers look just fine to me, Leader?" said Murph.
Professor Hastings interjected. "The externality of the stylers may appear in fine condition but the internal damage is astounding. They are pretty much destroyed and no longer useable. The Capture Line was cut many a times during the Area Leaders' battle with Deoxys and the feedback it received caused a tremendous amount of damage to the stylers. I'm going to have to order a new set for the region, not to mention make substantial modifications considering the amount destruction that took place with just one encounter."
Spenser continued. "I fear for the Deoxys' well being. Its wonton behavior has me worried. As you know, Deoxys is a DNA outer space pokémon, born through the mutation of a space virus inside a meteorite. It is a highly intelligent pokémon. Pokémon researchers and pokémon scientists theorize that its brain is the purple crystalline organ in its chest. When Deoxys was firing its laser beam attacks from its chest at us, I noticed something askew. The crystal in its chest was green, not purple. And it eyes were not white and circular with rectangular black sockets, as it usually is, but its eye sockets were triangular and eyes more oval-shaped. This may seem like a negligible difference considering pokémon can come in a variety of colors and have different markings depending on their environment. But Deoxys is not like our typical pokémon here on earth. Its home is in space, and though there are different atmospheres in the void of hard vacuum that is outer space as well, Deoxys is a unique case, being the product of mutation, not breeding. I'm worried that its DNA has been comprised and that there are a number of anomalies in its present form."
Professor Hastings spoke up again. "As it stands young rangers, our Area Leaders are not capable of continuing this mission. Solana and Lunick, as you both have had prior experience dealing with and capturing Deoxys, I want to ask you both to undertake this mission and complete it on your Leader's behalf. It is possible this might be the same Deoxys you encountered before and it might recognize you and be willing to let you help it. Nevertheless, I want you two to go in prepared. You are authorized to use the battle suits but please use your discretion and be careful. Deoxys is a frightening opponent, especially in its current state."
Lunick made a fist. "We won't let you down, Professor. Solana and I will capture that Deoxys and figure out what's going on."
"You just worry about resting, Leader. Lunick and I can handle this." Solana added.
"I know you can," Spenser replied, "After our battle, it looked as if Deoxys was heading toward the Krokka Tunnel. I suspect that's where it is right now. You two should head there as soon as you're ready."
"Understood." They answered simultaneously.
Professor Hastings walked over to the two techs analyzing the damaged stylers of the Area Leaders. They were trying to restore the battle footage recorded on the stylers during the encounter.
"Any luck, lads?"
"No dice, Professor," said Kevin. "The system is fried. The circuitry is dead. The stylers are obsolete. There's no way we can see what happened."
Professor Hastings closed his eyes in frustration. "Blast! I was afraid that would be the case. And my plans for the new models for the stylers were stolen days ago and the culprit has yet to be caught. Without those blueprints and the data recorded from the stylers I'll have no way of knowing what modifications need to be done and what all needs to be adjusted."
"Install a new transistor." A voice said quietly.
Professor Hastings reopened his eyes and saw a young girl sitting across from the table Kevin and Mark were sitting at.
"I beg your pardon?"
Iyori pointed to the stylers.
"You need to install new transistors and administer an electrical shock to the pulsar power cell within the device's core. That should repair the conductors and semiconductors that amplify and switch the electrical signals and electrical power in the system, as well as restore the circuitry through an electric current and distribute the flow appropriately. This should control the voltage and resistance, and repair the corrupted video file lost from the system's inner workings being compromised from the damaged it sustained."
All eyes were on Iyori, making her incredibly uncomfortable.
She started scratching herself. "Of course…You should do what you deem best…" she whispered meekly.
"Of course!" cried Kevin, "How could I have overlooked that? The terminals for the connection are damaged. The fuse is not only blown, it's completely scorched! It's incredible that the styler didn't even explode. C'mon Mark. We gotta get on this pronto!"
The two PR techs hurried upstairs to begin working on repairs on the Area Leaders' stylers.
Professor Hastings turned back to face Iyori.
"How did you know to do that, young lady?"
She said quietly, "My father is a rocket scientist at the Mossdeep Space Center in Hoenn. He knows a lot about cybertronics, technology…science as a whole. And he imparted that knowledge to me."
"Cybertronics?" Spenser wondered. "Has your father studied life forms in outer space?"
"I suppose. They've sent many rockets, robots, and satellites into orbit to monitor the different phenomenons that take place up there."
"Your knowledge might prove to be very useful in our mission to capture Deoxys and learn what's making it behave in such a peculiar manner. Do you mind sharing all that you know with us?" Spenser asked.
Iyori bit her lower lip. "I…I…um…"
"I know this is sudden young lady but we could really use your help. Not to mention your astoundingly profound knowledge of how to repair the stylers would be quite advantageous to us. I don't think I quite caught your name?"
"…Iyori…" she whispered.
"Iyori?"
"Iyori?" Spenser wondered.
A large smile spread across Professor Hastings face. "Ah, that explains it! You're the new young recruit enlisted to join the Pokémon Ranger team. Much obliged. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Solana has said great things of you. I hope you are ready to take on the responsibilities of being my assistant."
Iyori looked past Professor Hastings and at Solana and Lunick. Solana just affirmed with a slow but firm nod.
Iyori gulped. "I…I'll do whatever I can to help…"
Professor Hastings was beaming. "Excellent! Well, let's get started, lass. We can start by having you explain to me how you were able to dedeuce the problems of the stylers and resolve it so quickly without even thoroughly analyzing them. Murph, lad, we've got some note-taking to do."
As Professor Hastings led Iyori to the base's elevator, Murph sighed and walked languidly behind them.
Spenser turned back to face his Top Rangers. "Why is Iyori here working as Professor Hastings' assistant? She should be talking with relief services and trying to stabilize."
Solana spoke up. "Iyori expressed an interest in the Pokémon Ranger profession. Lunick saving her has really had a profound impact on her."
Spenser looked as if he didn't believe her. "Iyori was scared out of her mind the last time I spoke to her, which wasn't that long ago. She sounded ready to shatter. How is it she is now willing to work in a place that would no doubt give her poignant reminders of the upheaval she suffered over the last few weeks?"
"She feels safe around Lunick, Leader. She wants to partake in the life we're living to help other people who are struggling just like she is. And she feels comforted by Lunick's presence. That's why she has peace of mind."
Spenser looked at Lunick. "Is this true?"
Lunick shrugged. "I suppose. Iyori has expressed numerous times that she feels safe around me. And she has been intrigued by our work. That was one of the first things she asked me when she came in the hospital."
"And her counseling and communication with relief services?"
"We're working on that."
Spenser still wasn't completely convinced but decided not to question them more. He turned around and walked behind his desk.
"You two should get started on your mission. Get the battle suits from the back and head out immediately. I am quite concerned about Deoxys and the state it is in."
"Yes, Leader," they answered simultaneously.
"And Lunick, since I am incapacitated I am designating you as temporary Area Leader until I return."
Lunick's eyes went wide. "Me?"
"Yes. You've shown you can handle running the base on your own in my absence. I will still be here to take care of things while you are out on your mission, but as of right now, you are acting as the Area Leader of the Ringtown Ranger Base."
Lunick could barely form coherent words. Solana smiled and patted him on his back. "I…I don't know what to say…I won't let you down, Leader."
"I know you won't. Now you and Solana should head out. I'll be here waiting until your return. And please be careful."
"We will." They answered in unison.
Spenser watched them head to the back room to change. Siging, he sat down and rested his head on his desk, careful not to bump his injured arm or aggravate his already blinding headache.
He heard the sliding doors open, and slowly sat up.
"Hello. How can I help you?"
Solana and Lunick carefully trekked through the deeper parts of the Krokka Tunnel. They hadn't encountered any pokémon since they entered, which was very alarming. The glow from the neon bands on their super suits helped to illuminate the dim damp cave.
"Scanners showing anything, Solana?" Lunick asked as he followed behind her and guarded the rear.
Solana continued to press invisible buttons on her wrist. A holographic monitor materialized with various graphs, charts, and dials.
"Nothing in particular. The infrared radiation is kind of weak. I expected to see more pokémon. When Murph and I scoured the Panula Cave the pokémon were still there, just hiding. But there doesn't appear to be many pokémon here. I wonder if they fled the area or something."
"When we were here a couple weeks ago, there didn't appear to be anything unusual either. The tremors that were taking place seemed to be the typical vibrations and quaking that happen when the ground pokémon are burrowing underground. But maybe it was something else after all."
Suddenly, the ground started quaking. Plusle and Minun hopped on their rangers' shoulders.
"Solana, what's happening?"
Solana pressed a few more buttons on the wrist of her super suit.
"There's a strong powerful life force coming this way."
Several boulders started to fall throughout the cave. Solana and Lunick dodged the dropping rocks from the rockfalls. As they landed a few feet away, a powerful force burst through the cavern wall behind them, creating a strong gust of wind that blew Solana, Lunick, Plusle and Minun away. They all were sent crashing into the opposing wall.
Lunick rubbed his sore head. When he opened his eyes, he saw a menacing pokémon hovering above them. It was predominantly reddish-orange in color with a bluish-green face and four bluish-green and red tentacles coiled in a double helix extending from its shoulders.
"Deoxys." Lunick muttered.
The DNA pokémon uttered a guttural cry before bringing its long tentacles together and creating a large multicolored orb of energy within its tentacles. It then fired the gigantic orb at the two humans and tiny pokémon.
Lunick swiftly got to his feet and ran in front of Solana. He quickly activated his shield and they were all surrounded by an orb of red energy.
The Pyscho Boost exploded on impact and a cloud of dust spread out all around them. When it cleared, Lunick was still struggling to hold up his shield. The force from the blast had pushed the protective bubble back a couple yards.
Deoxys then transformed from its Normal Forme into its Speed Forme and escaped deeper into the tunnel.
Lunick let down his shield. He helped Solana to her feet and together the two rangers and their pokémon sprinted after Deoxys.
"That is most definitely the Deoxys Leader was talking about," Solana panted as they raced down the Krokka Tunnel. "Did you see its eyes?"
"Yeah. Triangular sockets, oval eyes, and a green crystalline chest. Most def not the same Deoxys we faced before."
"I remember reading about a meteor that crashed in LaRousse City in Hoenn a few years ago." Solana began. "A Deoxys emerged from the crash site and battled with a Raquaza for a long while, and during that time, a green stone was found and excavated from the crash site. The green stone turned out to be a green crystal that harbored a dormant Deoxys. While Raquaza was just disgruntled because it felt the Deoxys was invading its territory, it turned out that the Deoxys was just trying to find its friend, the Deoxys with the green crystal. Do you think this Deoxys is the same Deoxys that was excavated from the polar region in LaRousse City several years ago?"
"I can't say. But we better capture it before it causes anymore destruction."
Solana and Lunick skidded to a halt as a large orb of electric energy was sent heading their way. They both deflected the attack with their shields. When the dust cloud from the impact cleared, they both let down their shields just in time to see Deoxys transform into its Attack Forme. It then released a black energy beam outlined in dark red aura from the crystal in its chest.
Solana and Lunick both put up their hands and absorbed the blast of Night Shade in their hands. Grunting, they held out until the attack ceased, then they both spun around and condensed the energy into two large orbs and propelled them back at the Deoxys.
The Deoxys blocked the two attacks with its tentacles. Then, it created several clones of itself. All had lifeless eyes, were duller in color, and lacked the trademark crystal in its chest. They were all in their Normal Forme despite the actual Deoxys being in its Attack Forme.
All six clones were outlined in blue aura and released powerful blasts of invisible energy at them.
Solana and Lunick covered their faces from the powerful blast. They both tried to put up their shields but the powerful blast made it very difficult for them to concentrate.
Plusle and Minun ran in front of their rangers and released a powerful Thunderbolt. The electric bolts surfed up the invisible Psychic energy and enveloped all the Deoxys clones. They all dissolved into dust-like particles.
The original Deoxys then fired a purple and black beam of energy with a white aura in the center at the two pokémon.
Solana and Lunick quickly picked up their pokémon and dodged the corrupted Hyper Beam.
Then getting to their feet, Solana and Lunick both fired their friend energy beam at the enraged Deoxys. Pale blue and pale red energy surrounded the Deoxys in a mixed orb. But it quickly burst out of the ball of light energy, creating a whirlwind throughout the cave.
It then fired another Psycho Boost at the two rangers and their pokémon.
Solana and Lunick vaulted to the side to dodge and the orb of psychic energy hit the cavern wall behind them and created an enormous hole in the wall.
A Registeel appeared from behind the shattered wall. It put its arms together and formed a silver ball of energy. Then it fired a silver beam of energy from the ball.
The Flash Cannon hit the Deoxys and it created an explosion on impact. When the smoke cleared, 1/3 of two of the tentacles on the Deoxys' left side were cut off. The Deoxys then fired its Zap Cannon at the Registeel, who countered with Ancient Power. After the two attacks collided, the two pokémon fired their respective Hyper Beams.
Lunick, Solana, Plusle and Minun all covered their heads as rocks continued to fall freely around them and the ground started to shake violently.
"This is getting out of hand. If we don't stop this battle, this whole place is going to cave-in." Lunick said to Solana.
"There's not much we can do. For whatever reason, we're not able to capture Deoxys. It's like it was with the Shadow Pokémon insurgence. Our feelings of friendship cannot reach it."
Though the two Hyper Beams seemed evenly matched, the pressure eventually caused a big explosion. The shockwave sent Solana, Lunick, Plusle, and Minun back. As Solana stood to her feet, she was hit by the Deoxys' dark Hyper Beam and she was sent crashing back into the wall.
"Solana!" Lunick screamed as he ran towards her.
Before he reached her, the Deoxys once again fired its Psycho Boost. Lunick again put up his shield and protected Solana from the blast. The Registeel then fired its Flash Cannon again while the Deoxys released yet another Hyper Beam. The combined attacks were too much for Lunick and they penetrated the shield, sending Solana, Lunick, Minun and Plusle spiraling straight through the ceiling of the Krokka Tunnel.
Trying to regain his composure, Lunick dove closer to Solana and grabbed her while Plusle and Minun held on to either of his legs. As they continued to fall through the air, Lunick twisted his body and thrust his right wrist forward, sending a grappling hook out from the top. It pierced through a cliff and Lunick used the momentum to propel himself and Solana closer to the ground. Once he was a safe distance away, he disconnected the line and allowed himself and Solana to drop to the grassy area below.
Groaning, Lunick slowly sat up. He held his wrist and gripped it tightly, trying to deaden the pain momentarily, before turning his attention back to Solana. Plusle and Minun both hopped off of Lunick and ran in front of Solana to check on her as well.
"Solana?" Lunick said gently as he laid her back on his chest. With his left hand, he cupped her face and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Solana?"
With a barely audible groan, Solana cringed, then her eyes fluttered opened.
"Lunick?" her voice was hoarse and cracked.
Lunick brushed her hair out of her face. He continued to brush her cheek with the back of his hand.
There was another explosion. Lunick looked up and saw the injured Deoxys soaring in the air, a trail of blue aura and rubble behind it.
"Its arms didn't regenerate. Its tentacles are still cut." Lunick observed.
"Lunick…" Solana groaned.
Lunick turned back to Solana. She tried sitting up and she held her head in her hands.
"Oohh, my head…What happened?"
"Deoxys." Lunick looked back up to the sky. The Deoxys was no longer in sight. "Leader was right. This is no ordinary Deoxys."
Lunick winced in pain and grabbed his wrist again.
Solana looked down at his wrist.
"You're hurt."
Lunick looked back up at her. "So are you."
Solana stopped holding her head. "I'm fine. Just a little disoriented."
Grimacing, Lunick stood to his feet. He held out his good hand to Solana and helped her up.
"We better report back to the base and tell the Professor and Leader what happened. They might be able to better ascertain what's going on with Deoxys. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can rest in the back room for a bit before we're called out on a mission again."
Bill's eyes slowly and weakly opened. Everything was a gargantuan blur and a throbbing sensation pulsated all throughout his skull. He felt like he was drowning in the deep abyss of the Safra Sea.
Bill groaned as he tried to sit up but he couldn't. His head seemed to weigh more than a Hippowdon. He could just make out the iron bars that were in front of him and grasped them with his hands. He laboriously lifted himself off of the cold floor. Breathing heavily, he pulled himself up on his knees.
"Good morning, Sir. I see you've finally woken up," a voice called from afar.
Bill opened his eyes. They felt like they were on fire.
His vision was still blurry but he saw what appeared to be a woman dressed in a midnight blue Venus pants suit.
"Bill Sonezaki. What a pleasure it is to finally meet you. I'm a very big fan of your work."
"Where am I?" he croaked.
"Fiore. You see Mr. Sonezaki, I desperately require your assistance for a project I am working on. I have a sovereign vision that only you can help me fully realize."
Bill pulled on the iron bars, realizing he was in a cell.
"You've captured me? Imprisoned me?"
"Yes. As insurance. Call it a precautionary measure. You see, I'm the kind of girl who doesn't take 'No' for answer. You will help me."
Bill stared angrily at the woman. His eyes stung more than a Seviper's Bite.
"Who are you?"
"Who I am is not important. For now anyway. The salient person here is you. I need that brain of yours. I understand you've just made a major breakthrough in your Pokémon Research."
She held up a disarranged yellow binder which held many papers that were sprawled out in all directions and plenty of different colored bookmarkers.
Bill gasped.
"DNA splicing. Intermixing the DNA of pokémon. I've got to admit, I wouldn't expect such a malicious experiment from you, Mr. Pokémon-lover."
"My experiments are for the betterment of pokémon and humankind."
"Really? You really think the Pokémon Fan Club would find this sort of experimentation acceptable? Compromising the genetic makeup of pokémon, allowing them to access illegal movesets. What a shame it would be if this research were to fall into the wrong hands."
Bill's head was throbbing. "This R & D is not about experimenting with the DNA of pokémon. It is about helping them to better adapt to the land, helping them to resist life-threatening viruses and ailments, improving their bond with human beings. There is so much we can do to help pokémon. They've lost so much of their natural defenses through time, I'm just trying to rebuild them so that they're in optimum condition."
The woman flipped through the gigantic binder.
"Is that so? And you don't find it the least bit unethical?"
"There might be a few opposed to my research but everything I do is for the advancement and prosperity of pokémon."
"Indeed." She closed the notebook. "You and I have similar ideals, Mr. Sonezaki. You want to help pokémon. I want to help mankind. Your research and recent breakthrough is going to help us accomplish our goals."
Bill shook his head. "I will never help you."
"Oh, yes you will. You see, Mr. Self-proclaimed Pokémon genius. I'm very good at getting what I want. You will help me."
"No, I won't. When my colleagues realize I've gone missing, they'll be here quicker than a Ninjask holding a Choice Scarf after ingesting six X Speeds."
"Oh, I doubt that. They all believe you to be on a very long research trip on the Sevii Islands."
"What are you talking abou – "
Just then, the woman took out a small electrical device with a microphone and speaker and pressed a button on the side.
"Hi there. You've reached famed Pokémon Researcher Bill Sonezaki. Unfortunately, I'm away from my lab right now. I've temporarily relocated to the archipelago known commonly as the Sevii Islands to study the many poneglyphs that have been appearing throughout the isles. I believe the Unknown found in the Tanoby Ruins may also provide great answers to this mystery as well. I can't say how long I'll be gone but feel free to leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I return. Until then, take care folks! Remember to love life and love pokémon. Ba-bye!"
Beeep!
"I think it's safe to say, I don't think anyone will be looking for you, Mr. Pokémon Researcher."
Bill's eyes lit on fire. He reached through the bars. "That VMD is for the protection of my callers and clients!"
"Really? Then why make such a device so easily accessible through Silph Co.? For a Pokégenuis that is quite foolish of you."
Bill growled. "So what if you've convinced my friends and family I'm away on business. I still don't have to cooperate with you. Besides, who said those notes are anything more than my own imaginings? I come up with a lot of weird stuff when I'm brainstorming. How do you even know I'm capable of doing any of this?"
The women merely smiled devilishly as she held up another device, what appeared to be a tape recorder.
"Aha! It worked! The experiment was a success! I can't believe it! This has got to be the first experiment I've done that didn't result in an explosion or my being merged with a pokémon!…"
Bill gasped.
The woman stopped the recording.
"You really should be more careful when gloating your monologue of accomplishments to yourself. You never know who might be listening." She put the small recorder in her pocket. "You see, Mr. Sonezaki, I am a very serious businesswoman. I do not like to play games. If I suspect for even the slightest second that you are trying to pull one over on me…"
She pressed a button on her remote. A glass container containing the Clefairy Pokédoll rose from the metallic flooring. It quickly became engulfed in multiple red laser beams, causing the pink doll to explode.
"…You can say goodbye to your beloved pokémon."
Bill gritted his teeth.
The woman turned back to face him.
"So, do we have an understanding? I told you I will not take 'No' for an answer'. You work for me now. And you will do exactly as I say."
"Y-You…You don't have my pokémon."
"Do you really want to take that chance, Bill? I told you I do not like to play games. I do not bluff. I'm a straight shooter. Would you like me to show you just how linear I am?"
Bill grimaced.
The woman walked closer to the cell. She reached in and pulled Bill against the bars by his chest, until his face was mere inches from hers.
"You are going to tell me all that you need to replicate that experiment. You will help me in my conquest, do you understand?"
She shoved Bill hard and he fell back.
"Or you can kiss those cherished pokémon of yours goodbye."
Bill rubbed his head. When he opened his eyes, he saw the woman sitting on a stool in front of him. Her legs were crossed and she was holding a pen and notepad.
"Now, the metal that you used to build your DNA splicer machine, is it steel or iron?"
Freddie knew he would regret answering his front door the moment he heard the incessant knocking. He actually had hoped that it was some thug trying to break in his house so he wouldn't have to stare his ex's sunken face once again.
Anya smiled lazily. "Hell-lo Freddie-bearz…"
It was all Freddie could do to keep himself from strangling the woman.
"What do you want, Anya?"
She started scratching herself through her torn and dirty brown sweater.
"I'z hurting, Freddie-Bear…Ah need someplace tah stay –"
"No." he said quickly.
"Please, Freddie-Bear?"
"No. Anya, you've caused this family enough stress and turmoil. Go to a women's shelter if you need a place to sleep tonight. There's one just a couple blocks from here."
Anya stopped scratching her arm. "They's iz full. No occupancy."
"Then go find another. Try Safe Haven."
"No room dere eider."
"Then sleep with your pimp. I don't know what to tell you, Anya. You cannot stay here. I have to do what is best for my daughter."
Anya looked as though she was about to cry.
"Why are'z you bein' so mean? She'z my daughter too."
Freddie was unmoved. "Go away, Anya. You're not welcomed here."
Anya folded her arms. "Can you'se at least gimme sometin' tah eat?"
"No. Leave."
Anya looked past Freddie and saw his wallet on the lamp side table near the couch. She pushed past him and walked over to it, picking it up from the table and started sifting through it.
"Hey!"
Freddie closed the door and sprinted towards her, snatching the wallet from her hands as well as the two twenty dollars bills she had taken out.
"Come on, Freddie. Ah need some help. Ah'm starving. At least let me buy somethin'?"
Freddie put the money back in his wallet and shoved it in his back pocket. He then fixed his steel eyes on Anya.
He pointed to his front door. "Get out!"
Anya didn't move. "You said you'd always be dere for me when Ah needed you. You said you'd help me."
"You've got three seconds to get out of my house before I call the police and have you arrested for breaking and entering."
"Come on, Freddie. What do Ah need tah do? Ah can make you feel good? Don't you wanna feel good?"
She tried to snake her arms around his waist but he quickly grabbed her and pushed her away.
"You can add solicitation and prostitution to the charges as well," he said as he walked back to his front door and opened it. "Get out."
"You need to help me."
"I don't need to do a damn thing. Get the hell out my house. This is your last warning."
"But Freddie –"
"Three, two –"
"Freddie –"
"One –"
"Daddy?"
Freddie and Anya both looked up and saw Niema standing on the stairs. She was clutching her Teddiursa doll and peering though the opening in the banister.
Anya smiled. "Hi, Baby."
Niema's eyes widened slightly. "M…M-Mommy?"
"It'z me, Honey. How've you been?"
Niema held her doll closer. Freddie's anger couldn't get any higher.
Anya opened up her arms and squatted. "Well, come give your Mummy a hug now?"
Niema stayed in place, exchanging glances between her father and her mother.
"Come on. Come gimme a hug," Anya goaded on.
Niema again looked to her father for reassurance, but Freddie didn't do anything but press his lips tightly together. He wanted this woman out of his house.
Warily, Niema stepped down the remaining stairs and walked slowly to her mother. Before she could react, Anya already had her enveloped in a huge hug.
Freddie's anger just rose twenty degrees and burst out of the thermometer.
"I've missed you, sweetie." Anya said as she continued to hug her daughter.
Niema waited until she stopped before responding.
"M-Mommy…What're you doin' here? Daddy said you was getting' help?"
"I am, sweetie. I am. I just stopped by to visit Daddy. I jus' needa help wit a few things, that'z all."
Niema cringed and covered her nose.
"Eww, Mommy! You stinky!"
"Ah am? Gosh, well I need to take a bath."
"I can bathe you," Niema quickly said. "Daddy bathe me everyday twice a day. We can help you get clean so you don't smell no more."
"Ah'd like that, deary."
"Niema –" Freddie tried to interject.
"We can help her take a bath, right Daddy?" Niema asked, looking her father with sad, longing eyes.
Freddie was careful to watch his tone. "Niema, go to your room."
"Are you gonna bathe Mommy?"
"Niema, go to your room."
Niema frowned. "I hadda nightmare, Daddy. Ah don't wanna go to bed. And I wanna help, Mommy."
"Niema, go upstairs. Let me finish talking with your mother and wait in your bedroom for me."
Niema's eyes dropped to the floor. She gave her mother another hug.
"Bye, Mommy."
"Ba-Bye, Baby. Sweet dreams."
Letting go, Niema slowly walked back to her bedroom.
Anya slowly stood back up.
"She'z gotten so big."
Freddie waited until he heard her door shut before continuing.
"Get out." He commanded.
"But Freddie, I have no place tah go."
"Not my problem. Get out now."
"At least let me read her a bedtime story? You know how she loved to hear the one about the wandering Growlithe."
"Anya, you reek of booze and cigarettes and you can barely form coherent words. I've let your toxic ass stay in this house long enough. I'm not letting you near my daughter." Freddie opened the front door. "Get out."
"You can't keep her from me. She'z my daughter."
"No, she's my daughter. You were never a mother to her."
"But Ah am her mother."
"You're a doped up drunk, heroin-shooting, crackhead whore. Until you get yourself together you will never have a place in Niema's life."
"You can't keep me from her. Dat iz my daughter. I gave birth tah her!"
"Surrogates don't have parental rights."
Anya gawked at him. "Surrogate?"
Freddie's stare was unwavering.
Anya slowly closed her mouth and narrowed her eyes.
"Hah…Okay…Ah zee how it iz…" Ayana wobbled out the opened front door. But before taking a final step she spun around and stared hard at Freddie.
"You wanna play dirtee? Fine…Ah'm coming for my daughter…And Ah'm gonna make your life hell."
Freddie slammed the door in her face. He could feel his blood boiling under his skin, he was seething with anger.
He heard Niema's soft cries through her bedroom door upstairs and he tried to calm down.
Exhaling loudly, Freddie started for the stairs to try to console his distraught daughter.
