Chapter 56: Shock And Awe
Lance was a prideful individual or so he believed because when a supposed escort ranger pointed a gun on his head in front of not four but five international champions and the president of PLA all that pride took a swan dive off Mt. Silver. While first, he thought the man was not serious and just intimidating him all it took was one glance at him to know for sure that his life was really in the hands of the escort.
The memory of the same still sent shivers down Lance's spine because back when the champions and the rangers met informally at Ash's suite his initial judgment of all the rangers was just that of ordinary rangers, I mean who expected that they would turn out to be an elite kill squad of the Ranger Corps Lance justified as he continued throwing jabs on the sandbag hung in front of him.
Shortly after being told his role in the raid happening tonight by Frost, Lance returned to the gym to continue his workout.
"Frost…" Lance muttered.
Thinking back on it when he first met his own escort Spark he did not find any resemblance between the blonde kid he just met and a Pokemon Ranger, his laid back attitude and ignorance made Lance feel like Spark was lying when he told him with confidence that he was, in fact, a Ranger, but even then Lance was just playing into their hands as the meek-looking blonde turned out to be an IT Specialist who made sure none of the champions could find anything on the escorts anywhere.
Lance was being toyed with although he did help interrogate the security guard sleeper he felt that he could only do that because he reached out to the captain of the rangers and not because he wanted to himself.
Lance did not like taking orders but he respected people stronger than him people that could best him physically or in a Pokemon battle but when the rangers took command of the situation without ticking any of the above two criteria it stung him, sure Frost beat Steven in a one on one but anyone there could tell that Steven was not focused on the match and grossly underestimated his opponent, Lance even approached Alder on this and the oldest Champion agreed that if Steven knew of the full capabilities of that man and his Greninja he could have very easily won.
Personally, he wanted to fight Frost in a fistfight just to see what would happen and even presented it as an option back in the informal meeting but out of all the people there Cynthia rejected this as she apparently saw Frost fight in the airplane incident.
[He could hurt you seriously.] were Cynthia's words back then and he honestly could not believe her saying that.
"So he is a proficient fighter as well….." Lance muttered as he punched the bag in frustration this time.
It was clear that Frost looked down on him but then why would he assign the role of leading the outside team to him wouldn't Cynthia whom he trusted more be a better option.
"I have to know why?" Lance questioned as he finished training and was about to leave for the showers but then heard his phone ring.
Incoming Call: Cynthia Shirona
He eyed the phone skeptically as they just met about an hour ago and if she wanted to talk that would have been more convenient but regardless he ended up picking the call because a call from Cynthia wasn't something that happened on a common basis even for Lance.
"Pikachu you ready!" Ash asked his partner enthusiastically to which the electric mouse patted his chest proudly.
"Your mood seems to have improved kid did something happen today." Alder who was sitting cross-legged inside a Police van with Steven and Ash on their way to the D Block of the urban district.
It was always nice to see the young champion cheery as seeing the pure and kind-hearted kid sad didn't bode well for Alder.
"Ah well I just am excited for this it had been a while Lance took me for any raids that is all." Ash corrected himself while sitting back down in the dimly lit police van.
Lance had split the champions up in two groups consisting of three each this was the latter half as he himself was with Cynthia and Diantha. Early this evening Lance met with Officer Jenny and discussed the entire plan for the raid…. Well, just the parts he was asked to do by Frost. According to him, we split the district up into plausible entry and escape routes the police barricades surrounded the entire district but were concentrated near the escape routes meanwhile Pokemon Rangers and Lance's G Men were tasked near the entry points to cut off and Galactic reinforcements that may come. The only dynamically moving groups were that of the Champions and the two specialists leading them support. Although no one was in their position right now everyone was waiting for their cue. That being the Champions making their presence known.
The plan was a straightforward one in Alder's eyes too straightforward if he was being honest, the redhead glanced at the scion of Devoncorp sitting across to both Ash and himself deep in thought.
"Something bothering you?" Alder voiced his worries to Steven who answered.
"No… it is just nothing I am fine," Steven answered.
Alder's brow rose but he decided to leave it at that as the van came to a halt.
Ash wore his cap as Pikachu hopped on his shoulder and Alder slipped into his sandals as both walked out and stretched after being cramped inside the small van.
Steven the last one inside took a deep breath as he stepped out and turned on the communication device given to him by the blonde specialist.
"We are in position ready to begin, are you ready." He spoke clearly.
"Yes Leader's group is in place waiting for on you Champion Stone." Sparky replied while sitting inside the back of another van coordinating between everyone.
"Alright…. Let us start." Steven said as he called out Metagross.
As the Shiney Pokemon made his presence known Ash knelt down and touched the ground with one hand. Alder joined in as his own Escavalier was called out.
It was absolute silence in the D Block as Ash's Auran spread underground he could hear in indistinguishable noises all over.
"The base is definitely below us." He confirmed as he started walking forward and the rest of them followed.
Steven made the two Police officers that accompanied them stay behind as the three champions and their Pokemon moved forward.
Now in the center of a four-way street Ash pointed at one of the street and said
"15 meters ahead in that direction that is weakest and no one seems to be under it."
"Blondie we located the weak link tell that 'GUY' to get ready," Steven informed.
"All set here go ahead," Spark confirmed as he typed away on his keyboard.
With the confirmation received Steven touched his Lapel pin as the stone on it glowed brightly.
"I ASK FOR YOUR HELP AGAIN METAGROSS LISTEN TO MY CALL AND SHOW YOUR TRUE STRENGTH!" he chanted as the light from his ornament keystone met with Metagross's mega stone.
In the dimly lit street, mega evolution was like a fireworks display and once the light show finished Steven looked into his Pokemon's eyes as Metgross already having heard Ash before turned towards the street in question.
Steven smiled as he and the Champions retreated to a farther position.
"METAGROSS METEOR MASH FULL POWER!"
Instantly the Pokemon flew high in the air and upon reaching the height that of a seven-story building began his descent. Blue light engulfed the steel Body of Mega-Metagross as once the impact happened the ground split into two and a huge cloud of debris and dust from the now destroyed street erupted and made it difficult for everyone to see what was going on. The resulting shockwave was very large and even the Champions who were considerable distance away from it could still feel their heart and body shake.
Metagross returned back to Steven and seemed completely fine to Ash as he compared him to the now destroyed street ahead of him.
"Wow," Ash said in awe as Metagross replied blushingly to the praise by Ash.
Right on cue, the streets behind Steven, Ash, and Alder got swarmed with parties of Police Officers and Pokemon Rangers with riot gear and Megaphones. And one of the officers announced on the mic.
"THIS IS THE LUMIOUS CITY POLICE! ALL TEAM GALACTIC MEMBERS COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR OR WE WILL USE FORCE. ALL CITIZENS ARE REQUESTED TO LOCK THEIR DOORS AND WINDOWS AND STAY INDOORS FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY."
This message was now on repeat with sirens blaring and red and blue lights flickers from the many Police vehicles this raid had officially begun.
"And now we wait for their response," Ash said as he and Pikachu got ready to fight.
"Yes but I doubt it will be anything other than a confrontation." Alder sighed and Escavalier nodded.
"EVERYONE STAY ON GUARD!" Steven commanded as he mentally prepared himself.
[Cynthia, Alder, Diantha I hope you know what you are doing.]
In another part of the district away from the raiding party lead by Steven, Lance wearing his champion attire with his cape hanging swaying in the wind was being followed by Cynthia in her black Champion outfit and Diantha the only one wearing casuals blue jeans with black sleeveless top and snow white windcheater over it.
"Steven has begun the raid which means Frost and the other two are about to enter from the sewers anytime now," Lance said as he continued walking.
"Leaf and Ember." Cynthia reminded.
"I mean I always saw this Ember girl as the hot-headed so it wasn't surprising when Frost asked her to go with him but why Leaf, isn't she the medic her job is to save lives not take them," Diantha added as she followed them.
"I don't know but I remember Rain telling me that those three are their most offensive strike team," Cynthia added.
"When did this happen?" Diantha questioned.
"Focus guys we only have little time left," Lance said as the women stopped talking and proceeded through the small alleyway.
On the rooftop just above a single silhouette moved to follow the trio from above. Gracefully jumping across the alley to the opposite building if the path in front was blocked. Covered head to toe in fabric this person had a Marksman Rifle slung over her shoulder and had a black cloth mask covering half her facial features. When the clouds above-made way for the moonlight to pass through the only thing visible on the person was her eyes and strands of blue hair peeking out from under her cloak.
"Frost they are definitely up to no good." She spoke in her earpiece and heard the reply as she observed the trio.
Her slender legs wearing combat pants and boots were on display as she jumped across another rooftop and the cloak fluttered madly in the air under the moon's impactful appearance. Landing once again on the opposite rooftop Rain continued her pursuit of the three Champions.
Back with Steven and the others, things were starting to heat up as the first wave of Galactic Trainers started to rush out on the street through the giant hole, Metagross created with his Meteor Mash.
Steven looked at his watch and then back in front of him as he saw waves of Golbats, Dustoxs, Houndooms, and even a few Electrivires lineup with their respective Galactic Underlings.
"Ash you and Pikachu deal with the air units, Alder come with me Escavilier, and Metagross will cover each other and deal with the rest." Steven took the lead.
The pokemon with the Police were either Arcanines or Growlithe both good types here but Steven wanted to preserve their strengths in case it became a game of numbers and since it was leading to that only Steven declared that the first wave of grunts the three Champions will be able to handle alone.
Obviously, the Galactic group took this as an insult and begun their charge with revenge in mind.
"PIKACHU TAKE OUT THE HIGH FLYERS WITH THUNDERBOLT!"
"PIKA PIKA CHUUUUUUUU!" the little mouse produced a huge line of Electricity as it hit the first Golbat that came in its path and then began chaining to the other Golbats and Dustoxs. In an instant all the flying types were out even the Dustox that didn't have a particular weakness to Electric-type moves like the Golbats, this just increased the fear in the grunts as their opponents were none other than three Champions.
The Houndooms began their attack with Flamethrowers which in Steven's opinion was a good choice considering both Escavelier and Metagross are weak to that.
Escavelier took two flamethrowers aimed at him head-on and the grunts rejoiced that they now had one less enemy to deal with but… Alder just chuckled.
"You kids are full of it." The Unova Champion just laughed as when the dust settled Escavelier standing unharmed.
"I'll have you kids know this guy trains with my Volcarona so he isn't falling to such light-hearted attacks, NOW ESCAVELIER USE RAZOR SHELL AND TAKE THE HOUNDOOMS OUT."
With that, the Half Bug-type moved and moved fast slicing at one Houndoom after the next each one falling after taking just one hit.
"It was a good attempt all of you one day you can reach us, well if you get out of prison that is," Alder said honestly.
The Level Difference was too high and Metagross quickly dealt with the remaining Electrivires with ease and just like that the first wave came to a close. The police stepped in and arrested whom they could the ones that fled were caught at the exits and the rest surrendered.
By the time the second wave began a few Police Officers and rangers joined the big fight and the night continued. Steven decided to let the authorities start dealing with them as they took the back seat because they knew there were bound to be some high-level trainers in the Galactic roster who were waiting to pounce on the Champions once they are exhausted.
"Ash! Old Man! Let us take it easy for now." He said as he began to fall back.
"Alright, it is better to save our strength for later." Alder said as he retreated.
"I'll stay with these guys and lend a hand." Ash insisted.
"Alright, Alder lets go."
INSIDE THE BASE'S COMMAND ROOM
The place was in red alert with alarms going off telling Galactic Grunts to mobilize and attack the raiding party but this room wasn't that of Galactic inside sat many technicians working on many computers observing any anomaly's in the base.
Sat on the manager's seat was a man in late twenties wearing specs and having a clean shaved pale-skinned appearance. His outfit was a simple shirt and pants. His hair was short and dark-toned. Looking at him you would see more of a strategist than a fighter as his slim figure wasn't much to boast about.
Shortly after one of the workers walked towards him as he sat idly on his seat patiently waiting for something to happen.
"No signs of any intruders inside the base sir!"
"Keep watching he'll come, tell the Galactic idiots to the mess on the streets occupied"
"Yes sir." Said the underling as he went back.
As the man shifted his gaze to monitors again a feminine figure walked behind him and said
"They are definitely here in Lumious and they will most likely be coming tonight." She said as her finger played with her silver locks.
The man looked at her, her face covered with a completely white mask.
"I know darling."
The women grunted at his way of talking clearly not amused.
The man chuckled in return
"Activate the prototypes." He ordered her as he slipped a file towards her.
Reading the contents of the document she asked
"Just these three you sure."
Once again he chuckled totally out of character considering the base was under siege.
"Yes love because this job is right up the alley for their most Offensive Strike Team."
The female judged his weird sense of humor seriously but then left to comply with his orders.
"Where are you, Ranger." The man muttered with a poison-laced tone as he continued to wait.
Author's Notes:
I am back sorry for the slight delay but I have returned and now I am hyped to see the ending of this first arc unfold. So keep yourself updated by following this story and feel free to ask questions in PM or the reviews. Until Then
PEACE