Chapter 61: Cornered
"Ember! Leaf! do you copy?" Frost asked over the comms.
Almost immediately a reply came
"Yes, Leader! I.. I mean we are here."
It was Ember's voice Cynthia judged as she could also hear it.
"Have you cleared the floor yet?"
"Almost done here Boss just gathering the Scientists." Leaf voiced over Ember who grumbled.
"Good... hurry up and get out of here, Rain just informed about an explosion above and Steven has gone there alone go out and support him."
"That thickhead why did he go alone?" Ember asked angrily.
"If it's a pokemon fight it'll be fine but I need you two there just as backup got it?"
"But Leader what about the final floor?" Ember added.
"Me and the Champion will handle it, Spark confirmed it's empty and only is storage but I will go just to be safe."
"Copy That." Leaf said.
"Alright if you say so..." Ember answered reluctantly.
"Another thing you two... good job but be careful this is not over yet," Frost said in a stern but proud tone.
"Yes!" Both replied in unison.
Cynthia seeing this smiled to herself but was caught by Frost.
"Did I say something funny Champion?"
"No it's I can see why you are their Leader that's all, the call for Steven just came a few moments ago and you sent two of your best immediately after him."
Frost sighed as he leaned against the staircase they were descending.
"Well we need to clear this base and all but our first and foremost mission is to protect the Champions, so I can't afford to cut corners there after all Steven isn't the only impulsive one out of all of you." He spoke with a smirk while eyeing the blonde beauty in front of him.
"Was that a jab at me?" Cynthia questioned playfully.
"Maybe? Who knows." Frost replied as he began walking again.
"Well, at least I don't try to kill myself every time I am impulsive, unlike someone I know."
Frost chuckled but didn't add anything.
Cynthia huffed but smiled nonetheless as she followed her protector deeper into the base.
On the surface near the burning building, Steven and Metagross were fending off attacks from both Purugly and Toxicroak.
"Use Shadow Ball!" Saturn commanded as Toxicroak jumped up using his strong legs and launched the attack towards Metagross.
Without even Steven's call, Mega Metagross tried to dodge instinctively and almost did if not for Purugly's Shadow Claw that struck the half Steel half Psychic.
As Metagross crashed into the surrounding building Steven flinched internally seeing his loyal Friend in pain. The fight had been going for a few minutes now and it followed the same pattern of combination attacks by Saturn and Mars their teamwork was a lot better than what Steven had initially anticipated but this was no time to think about that he needs to focus not for his sake but his friend.
As Mega Metagross picked himself back up both Toxicroak and Purugly returned to their trainer's side and Mars spoke
"I must applaud your Pokemon's tenacity Champion it still is maintaining its mega evolution."
The tone she used wasn't at all positive it was like the redhead was mocking Steven and reminding him that the time for Metagross's mega evolution was ticking down and soon he would de-evolve.
[Well she isn't wrong the time is very short.] He thought as Metagross recovered from the shock.
"Use PsychicMetagross!" and right on cue, Toxicroak slammed onto a parked car a few meters behind Saturn and Mars.
"Mars don't lose focus, he clearly is plotting something that is probably why he hasn't called out his other Pokemons." Saturn hissed at his partner.
Mars nodded as she glanced over to Toxicroak who was just flung across the street by Mega Metagross, she gulped at the sheer power emitting from her opponent and Saturn was right losing concentration against Steven Stone was a bad idea considering even thou his Pokemon was tired and already at the end of its Mega Evolution, Metagross was no easy hurdle to overcome and it was draining both Purugly and Toxicroak's stamina very quickly.
"Alright, it's time to play smart then." She smirked as she looked over to Saturn as he nodded in agreement.
On the other hand, Steven grew even more concerned as he could sense that the real fight was just beginning.
"Toxicroak charge at Metagross!" the Poison/Fighting-type moved swiftly as he closed the gap between him and his opponent.
"Dodge him and use Flash Cannon!" Steven yelled as Toxicroak barely missed but at the same time.
"Feint Attack!" Mars called out.
As Metagross turned to dodge and launch his attack at Toxicroak, Purugly swept in and struck his exposed back and caused him to miss Flash Cannon, the only saving grace for Steven was that Flash Cannon had clipped Toxicroak's arm and caused it to stagger.
Toxicroak was dazed as he missed his landing and crashed onto the asphalt road, and this was Steven's chance.
"Use Brick Break on Purugly!"
The Feint attack was very effective and it did slow Metagross down but he still moved quickly enough to close the gap between him and Purugly.
Mars could feel the difference in Power and she knew that if that move connected Purugly would definitely be knocked unconscious.
"Dodge Purugly! Don't let him get a hit on you!" She yelled as Purugly very unlike her usual slow appearance sensed the desperation in her Trainer's tone and understood the situation.
She jumped to the side but her dodge was seen through by Metagross who had much more battle experience than her.
[Shit!] Mars yelled internally as Metagross's body in anticipation for the dodge turned to the side while Purugly was still in mid-air.
As Purugly braced for the inevitable hit, closing her eyes waiting for it to occur….. but it never did as she landed back on the ground with Metagross's attack missing by a few centimeters.
To put it simply Purugly lucked out as Toxicroak had recovered just in time to deliver a Mud-Slap and due to this Metagross's vision got disturbed and his accuracy fell.
Mars was relieved that Saturn and Toxicroak didn't take long to recover as Saturn reminded her again this time even sterner than before.
"Don't let your guard down even for a second or we lose here."
Leaf and Ember were walking back through the sewer lines with the scientists in tow.
"We should go faster this smell is killing me." Complained Leaf as she kept her hand on her nose.
"Hmm" Ember just hummed in response making Leaf's curiosity spike up.
"No angry response?" she poked her teammate.
"Leaf Leader mentioned some prototypes before didn't he?" she said as they continued to walk behind the scientist group.
"Yes, but we haven't seen anything like them yet," Leaf added.
"Be careful…" Ember added grimly.
"Hmm" this time Leaf was the one replying this way.
The rest of the way they double-checked their surroundings and soon reached the exit Manhole, they had already informed Spark about this as he had arranged for a Police Team to stay ready just above the sewer cover.
Still, very cautious Ember muttered
"I don't get it, was the intel wrong?"
"Maybe it was just something to make us slow down?" Leaf suggested.
That is when it happened, Leaf only caught a sliver of its reflection as she ducked under the projectile that was thrown her way.
"Leaf! are you alright!" Ember yelled as she pointed her gun at the figure standing in the shadows.
It moved faster than Ember expected as the figure drew its katana and sliced the barrel of Ember's rifle off.
The scientists all shrieked in terror as now when in the light they realized what their pursuer was.
"Fuck!" Ember cursed as the humanoid looking machine moved again to attack her, with its sword aimed at her neck it quickly sliced again.
This time however Leaf acted and blocked the incoming blade with just her Tanto knife.
"Em! Get the scientists out of here!" Leaf yelled as Ember recovered from her stagger and called out.
"Everyone start climbing the ladder now!" she screamed as the Scientist quickly did what the redhead asked.
Ember discarded her rifle as she joined Leaf who was keeping their opponent occupied.
Leaf was already covered in cuts although none were deep it was clear fending off a Katana with a knife was a tall order even for an expert like her.
"What the hell are you?" she asked the humanoid.
It clearly was not alive having two cameras in what seemed like its head the machine zoomed at Leaf properly before taking its fighting stance.
"Not into talkin…." Leaf muttered but stopped mid-sentence as she observed its opponent's stance more carefully.
Ember saw Leaf's expression visibly contort in anger.
"Ember get of here…." Leaf said with her eyes still fixed on the machine.
"What are you talking about idiot I am not leaving you here to fight alone!" Ember yelled.
"Shut up Ember and listen to me for one god damn second!" She replied to the redhead.
This was so unlike her usual cheery demeanor that even the hot-headed Ember was taken aback.
"I need you to go out and fetch me my gear we can't beat it here, with this knife I can only stall for time." Leaf clarified before she parried another strike from the Katana.
"Also sound the alert we have possible Code Grey!" Leaf yelled while dodging the blade of her opponent.
Ember didn't even bother asking for an explanation in fact she had started climbing the ladder as soon as she heard Code Gray.
Code Gray was something that was like the worst-case scenario for the specialists as it meant that their real identity is compromised, so even a possible code Gray was an extremely dangerous information leak.
"Don't die on me Leaf, I'll send your gear!" Ember yelled as she began climbing.
She could hear the distinct sounds of blades colliding even while climbing and as soon as she reached ground level again she called out Spark
"Spark! Possible Code Gray!" She cried over the comms as Spark instantly reacted.
"Fuck who said it don't tell me it was Leader?" he asked.
"It was Leaf and she needs her gear," Ember added.
"I have your location I am coming over right now with it, you in the meantime go here and help Stone he could probably use the backup," Spark added as he sent the coordinates to her phone.
"Okay and one more thing about the prototypes…." Ember began as she explained everything she saw.
Author's Notes
I am finally back with this God I am lazy when it comes to writing Pokemon battles well anyway here you go another chapter for you guys to enjoy. Anyway, feel free to comment on my writing and don't back down from criticizing me as I can use it to improve my writing. As usual, don't forget to follow so you don't miss any late updates is do (lol) and you can also ask questions regarding the story in the reviews or the PM's until next time
PEACE