Chapter 70: Old Flame Die Hard

"What! Do you think this humanoid is someone you knew? Frost are you certain I mean it was a machine." Cynthia spoke in disbelief as she corrected Garchomp's course.

"I know this is a stretch for you to believe but I really knew someone that uses a crossbow with hallucinogenic arrows, he was a specialist just like me."

"I don't know what to say but your suspicions may still be well put because Rain was a bit unsettled before she left, do you think she also caught onto this fact?".Cynthia turned around and this time Frost had no mask to hide his expression.

"She hundred per cent caught it otherwise she would have never gone alone," Frost was struggling to hide his worry, there was something off with him.

"Frost... you look like you've seen a ghost." Cynthia could tell just by glancing at him.

He didn't reply and soon Cynthia disappointed decided to leave it that.

[I am just worried for you that's all..] she thought but couldn't voice it.

"Cynthia... this guy he was an old colleague...no he was a friend but due to circumstances he committed treason against the ranger corps and because of that I was tasked to bring him in but he escaped midway and ultimately I had to... you know..."

"You don't have to say any more I get it..." Cynthia replied solemnly as she leaned slightly back into Frost as a caring gesture. It was nice to hear Frost trying to be open about himself although he struggled to frame his words all the while he did keep his word to Cynthia and that is all that mattered.

"His name was Mist... for me seeing him again is facing my past again but for Rain... I...can't imagine what she will feel like once she finally confronts him..." he was speaking seriously you could tell by the way he stopped midway to take a deep breath.

"Did she know the guy as well?"

Frost chuckled but it wasn't one of joy but to sorrow and regret.

"I am sorry but it's just that this is all too crazy for even me to wrap around but I need to get this out so I am sorry..."

"It's okay," she replied as she urged him to continue.

"Mist was... well he and Rain the both of them were friends from back before they joined the team both of them excelled in marksmanship maybe that is how they came to acknowledge one another."

"So they were friends?"

Frost sighed deeply as if he was preparing himself.

"They weren't just friends Cynthia they were... together."

She was at a loss for words I mean Frost couldn't blame her he himself didn't want to continue this conversation.

"Have you tracked her location?" Cynthia questioned.

"Yes she's with Noivern, they just stopped on a building near the police barricade, we are heading in the right directions just keep going."

"Good, then hold on tight."

Unlike the last time, he didn't question the champion and tightened his hold on her waist.

"Frost..."

"Yeah."

"Next time start with the crucial part."

"Yes ma'am.."

With that, she commanded Garchomp once more.

"We need to hurry." was all she said as the pokemon began accelerating at an exceptional rate.

Back on the Roof Rain faced questionable circumstances.

"Mist... is it really you...?" her voice trembling not in fear but in disbelief.

"Yes, I don't know how I can prove it though since my body is all but human now."

So many emotions flooded her and she struggled to keep composure.

"How is this even possible?...what... have you become?"

The humanoid, no, Mist lifted his arm and inspected the non-organic component as he answered

"Not my best look I'll agree but still better than being dead, don't you think."

Pain was all she felt looking at Mist or what he had become how this was possible was still unclear but she had to persevere.

"Seems your humour survived even in the afterlife... Mist what the hell happened."

"Yeah... I know this is weird but even I don't know how this happened I...Just woke up like this."

This was real... the emotion... the tone in the humanoids voice you could only fake it for so long.

[Oh my God...]

"Why... is this happening." her voice leaked as she could no longer contain herself.

"As I said I have no clue...RAIN LOOK OUT!" Mist yelled as he forcibly was made to launch an attack.

Noivern who was covering Rain passively took the lead considering she was not ready at all. It launched a Flamethrower at humanoid Mist aiming at the torso and it was forced off his attack. Rain snapped out of her thoughts as she readied her rifle.

"What is happening Mist?"

"I...I can't control my body... watch out!" he pounced at Rain once more but this time she was ready as she blocked his strike with her rifle.

"Rain listen I don't know who is controlling me but you need to stop me however you can I already was forced to kill two rangers I suspect it was to lure you out," he told her as he conceded ground once more and this time drew a pistol from inside a compartment in his leg.

"Noivern! Take cover!" she yelled as she herself rolled on the ground to avoid getting shot from the bullets.

Due to the lack of cover Noivern jumped off the ledge and used his claws to grab onto the side of the building yes his skin was hardened but not to the level he could tank bullets.

She was not pleased with this situation whatsoever but she needed to take this fight seriously.

[If he really is him then he knows my techniques and will counter them.]

She shot 4 shots in quick succession all while not standing still to avoid being an easy target.

"Rain shooting me won't do it!" he warned as he aimed at her again but this he was met with resistance.

Rain began closing in onto him it was astonishing how quickly she moved with a rifle in hand ready to shoot, predicting where he would shoot and moved to avoid the incoming bullet. Having rolled to the right she narrowly missed getting hit.

"I can see through your attacks Rain... try something different."

She couldn't tell if he was taunting her or trying to help either way she needed to constrain him and fast.

[I need to calm down...] she thought as Mist reloaded his pistol and aimed it at her.

"RAIN MOVE!" he yelled but got hit with a strike from behind as Noivern flanked him and struck with a well-timed Dragon Claw.

"Thanks, Noivern..." Rain muttered as she took the opening made by the Pokemon and jumped at Mist.

The fibre wire in hand, she looped it around the gun in Mist's hand and yanked it out of his hands.

"Okay... that's new." Mist said as he adjusted his balance and eyed the thin wire that Rain used.

Rain on the other hand examined the new weapon in her hand.

[CZ100... 9mm that was his sidearm of choice... but how'd they know that.]

She rendered the gun useless by removing its magazine and also the round in the chamber.

Having to fight Mist was still touching the realm of insanity for her and seeing him talk to her was not suiting her. This was definitely something that was very much like Mist and she had come to accept it no matter how unethical seeing a dead man walk and talk was still she there was no way Mist was really alive this had to be a very good imitation. That was what she told herself as this was personal... too personal the memories she shared with him were full of happiness and here this 'THING' was violating them.

"RAIN!" she heard a yell as Mist was no longer standing where he was before, she panicked as she tried to find him but it was too late.

As the kick hit her side she grunted in pain the blood that came out of her mouth was not a great sign this was definitely superhuman strength.

Mist was fast enough to slip past Noivern who was as much surprised when Rain got hit.

"NOIIIIVERRNN!" the Pokemon yelled as Mist needed to dodge a Dragon Pulse aimed at his head.

"Rain I know this is tough for you seeing me but you need to stay focused or you will die," he warned once more.

She coughed as Noivern bailed her out of another tough spot and she wiped the blood off her mouth.

"Noivern I'll create the opening you hit him with another Dragon Pulse."

The Pokemon nodded as he prepared himself.

Rain tossed her coat aside she wasn't wearing a full-sleeved top like Frost instead had a sleeveless shirt one, revealing her slender arms in the process, while she wasn't the tallest she was definitely well endowed this little display did not cause humanoid to gawk thou instead it charged at her again launching into a kick. Rain ducked under the kick and immediately after stepped forward getting behind the humanoid. The wire still with her she ran in against the humanoid's neck then the left arm followed by both the legs as the machine struggled to break free quickly she grabbed the only free joint the humanoid had and spin it around facing the now charging Noivern.

"DO IT NOW!" she screamed knowing full well that she would also be in danger.

The Pokemon also realised this but never once hesitate to launch his attack. The beam of pure energy beamed above the surface of the roof as it hit the humanoid in the chest, Rain hung on for dear life as she shielded herself from the attack by using the body of the humanoid. Under normal circumstances a robot like that could easily break free of the fibre wire restraining it but because Rain never intended to move away giving it the time to escape it got flustered with everything happening.

"Ah..." Rain squeaked as she pushed the body of the humanoid that had crashed on top of hers to the side.

This was a do or die move and had definitely cause friendly fire Rain had burns all over her legs she had somehow managed to save the rest of her body by using the humanoid's inorganic body as a makeshift shield but this was the result of only Noivern's attack and she had expected something like this, what came as a result of the weight of the humanoid was broken right arm and a bleeding hand from holding onto the thin fibre wire. The friction had caused the wire to dig deep into her skin but she refused to let go and suffered the consequences.

[Well... if it stops Mist I suppose it was worth it.] she thought as she dragged herself away from the body with her other hand.

Noivern helped her rest her back on the side of the roof wall as she looked at the smoking body of someone she once cared for.

Involuntarily her eyes became watery, she was debating whether to believe the humanoid or not.

"Was it really him... *sniff*no it was a trap to lure you they just wanted to let your guard down...*sniff* ... wow it really worked on me..."

She tried to lighten up by joking but it didn't work she still felt hurt it was as if someone had ripped an old wound open. Yes, she fought the bot but she did with not fully sure whom she was fighting.

Noivern hummed softly as he nudged his head towards Rain to help her cope with the pain she was feeling and it was well-received as she patted his head in return.

"You were a great help Noivern, thank you for being here."

"Noi..noivern."

"I must say Frost really trained you we.." she couldn't complete the sentence as a canister was thrown at them.

"DAMMIT!" she yelled as a reaction but her body gave in to the injuries, Noivern bravely shielded her from the projectile.

As soon as the can made contact with Noivern's body it erupted into a cloud of smoke and Rain immediately covered her mouth and nose. Noivern in a last-ditch effort used his wings and tried to blow away the smoke and it worked surprisingly well.

The humanoid was standing on its feet and facing the two of them as Rain grunted and lifted herself.

"Noivern get ready this fight isn't over," she warned but the Pokemon did not answer as he turned around and glared at the first noise he heard.

[Mist specializes in hallucinogenic agents...]

The feral look Noivern gave was enough for Rain to shudder.

"Shit."

Her eyes looked for a weapon and the only thing she found nearby was a piece of plumbing she grabbed the pipe just in time as Noivern pounced and almost mauled her with his teeth if not for the pipe that she allowed Noivern to bite.

"NOIVERN! SNAP OUT." she said as she struggled against the vicious jaw strength of the beast.

Who was she kidding, previously she had to knock Frost out to make him aware again and this was a Pokemon that outclassed her in every strength related category. Her hands were getting weaker by the second but the Pokemon didn't seem to tire at all and to top it all the humanoid was beginning to walk towards her so that it could finish her.

[Frost...I am sorry.]

His teeth were about a centimetre away from her face when another Pokemon swooped in and hit Noivern with Dragon Rush.

[Garchomp?] she wondered as Frost along with Cynthia stood in between her and the Humanoid.

"Sorry we're late," Cynthia told her in a calming tone as she helped her to her feet while Frost glared at the bot.

"Champion I'll leave Noivern and Rain to you," he told her while sneaking a glance at Rain to check on her.

Cynthia nodded and added with a smirk.

"I got them just focus on your fight."

He smiled at her before facing the final humanoid.

"You supposed to be Mist?"

"#$%#&^$^%$^&"

The garbled voice it produced meant Rain hit it really hard he smirked

"Boy... Rain really did a number on you but I suppose you were always stubborn but don't worry I'll put you out of your misery." as said as he extended the baton in his hand.

Author's Notes:

I apologise for the delay but my college just bombarded us with tests and practicals, God I am so done with online classes they have no schedule and they just give the university an excuse to take exams anytime. Anyway, enough of my rant here is the chapter to please enjoy it, I really kicked into fifth gear to get it over with since it was super delayed. As always feel free to PM me with your queries and until next time

PEACE