~Authors Note~
Ok so this is probably the longest chapter to date so I'm gonna put the note at the top this time. Links will still be at the bottom though. Anyway, I'm really proud of this one. My favorite to write so far, and you'll soon find out why. ;) So tell me what you think and please enjoy! (Also, this chapter will breaks the 25k word mark. I'm happy about it!)
The mansion had come alive with activity since the Trainers were freed. Random trainers reunited with their Pokemon were battling the Grunts as they came to contain them. Team Galactic was half battling, half running in utter confusion. Cynthia had run off to help the trainers and maintain some form of order. Colin and Baz were doing the same, until they came into the main lobby of the Old Chateau. The room was gigantic. The ceiling reached high above the two trainers as well as the rest of the building. An equally giant chandelier hung low in the rain had reached a fever pitch, as the constant splashing on the windows creating a loud hum which resonated throughtout the room.
Galactic grunts still poured through the main doors. As Colin, Baz, and their Pokemon were about to make their way to the other side of the room, a woman flung open a door underneath the chandelier. She was dressed in the same silvery attire as the rest of the grunts, but she had a silver skirt that stuck out like a satellite dish from the rest of her uniform. A large yellow G was emblazoned on the front and back of her uniform. Her hair was a vibrant red. It was rounded except for three sharp spikes, one on the front and two on the back. She yelled at the grunts fleeing the Chateau. "Cowards!", she began. "How are you all so terrified such puny trainers!"
Many of the Grunts hurriedly replied back shouts of "Our Pokemon can't fight anymore!" and "Sorry, Commander!" as they fled. The Commander gave a frustrated shout and retreated back into the Chandelier Door. "Now's our chance.", Baz said. Colin nodded and the group rushed over to the Chandelier Door. Looking inside, they found an odd site. The Commander had Gardenia tied up in the middle of the room. The only light provided came from a blue flash that came at random intervals and places. Other than that, random appliances were strewn about. "Ok, Gym Leader, tell me how to control the Rotom!", the Commander threatened. Gardenia merely turned the other way.
The Commander smirked. "Fine then. I see that regular forms of interrogation won't work on you.", she said slyly. The Commander produced a Pokeball from her uniform. "But, maybe my associate will be able to convince you.", the Commander said as she tossed the Pokeball. Out of the Pokeball came a large Pokemon. It was grey with white markings all over its body. Its body appreaed to wrap around its midsection. Its face was stoic, with long, black whiskers protruding from it. Without even thinking, Colin took out his Pokedex and pointed it at the Pokemon. ~ Purugly, the Tiger Cat Pokemon. It is a brazen brute that barges its way into another Pokémon's nest and claims it as its own. ~ Baz grabbed the Pokedex from Colin, but it was too late.
The Commander opened the door to reveal Baz and Colin. "Baz! Colin! She's after the Rotom! Keep her away from it!", Gardenia yelled at them. Baz held up an unsure thumbs-up while Colin nodded his head. Neither had seen or heard of a Rotom before, but for Gardenia's sake, they played along. "I see we have, ah, unwelcome house guests.", the Commander said plainly. Baz stood up. "We're no more unwelcome than you are, lady! Just who do you think you are, eh?", Baz retorted. The small smirk on the Commander's face disappeared. "I am Galactic Commander Mars. One of four Commanders under the direction of our Leader Cyrus. And you are?", Mars said coldly. Colin flinched. Cyrus? The one who led him into town? They can't be the same person.
Baz held his ground. "Someone who knows when to stand up for others. Now let Gardenia go!", Baz said aggressively. Colin, in his conflicted state, looked at Baz. He'd never seen him that mad, that forward. Mars jeered. "Fine then, insolent brat. Face me in battle. Unless this show you're putting on isn't just bravado.", Mars sneered. With a rebellious yell, Baz produced a Pokeball from his belt. "Go, Golbat!", Baz cried. Golbat burst forth from its Pokeball and flew dangerously close to the chandelier. "Purugly! On me!", Mars ordered. Purugly ran to its trainer's side. Colin backed up and prepared to run for Gardenia. Mars and Baz stood uneasily, waiting for the first move to be made. "Golbat, go for Air Cutter!", Baz yelled. "Purugly, counter with Fake Out!", Mars directed. As Golbat started swirling the air, Purugly jumped high in the air and slapped Golbat away form its current. The air dissipated, but Golbat recovered fast.
"Golbat, go for Wing Attack!", Baz cried out. Golbat's wing blazed a bright white as it charged Purugly. "Faint Attack, now Purugly!" Mars yelled. Purugly's form seemed to disappear from the room. Golbat stopped moving. Golbat turned around right as Purugly slammed into it. Golbat hit the ground hard. "Scratch! Don't let up!', Mars continued. Baz was left speechless as Purugly jumped on top of Golbat and used Scratch after Scratch on the bat Pokemon. After a moment, Purugly jumped off of Golbat, to reveal a fainted Golbat. Baz returned Golbat to its Pokeball. "Fine then.", he muttered. "Budew! It's on you!", Baz snapped, tossing out Budew's Pokeball. Budew popped and looked at Purugly. Purugly growled at the small Pokemon, causing Budew to run back to Baz. Baz sighed. "Fine. You can watch, I guess.", Baz said plainly. Budew had gone over to Colin before the sentence had escpaed Baz. "Prinplup, Go!", Baz exclaimed.
Prinplup flew forth from its Pokeball. Landing on its feet, it looked at Purugly. As the two Pokemon locked eyes, their trainers glared at each other. Baz made the first move. "Prinplup, start with Bubble Beam!", Baz bellowed. Prinplup fired a barrage of Bubbles at the Purugly, who dodged them the second they were thrown. "Purugly's faster than it looks.", Baz thought. "Maybe I can use that to my advantage...", he continued. "Purugly, Scratch!", Mars ordered. Purugly's claws grew in size and turned a bright white as it ran at Prinplup. "Prinplup, use Metal Claw! Quickly!", Baz screamed. Prinplup's flipper turned a silvery color and sharpened to a point. The two Pokemon charged at each other. The two collided, both landing the perfect shot. Prinplup and Purugly slid past each other, but it would be Prinplup who'd feel the brunt of the attack.
"Faint Attack, Purugly!", Mars cried. Purugly turned around to bash Prinplup, only to find Prinplup's Metal Claw waiting for it. The shot sent Purugly airborne, causing the cat Pokemon to crash into the chandelier. The chandelier made a noise that overpowered the rain as shards of it hit the ground, followed by Purugly, who was then followed by the entire chandelier. Baz cheered, but his celebration was premature. Purugly rose from the chandelier's remains and charged Prinplup again. This shot connected, sending Prinplupthrough the shards and in front of Baz. Prinplup stood up and readied itself for the next hit. It was evident to Baz that Prinplup wasn't going to last much longer. "Scratch, Purugly!", Mars ordered. Purugly ran up and slashed Prinplup. "Prinplup, go for Peck!", Baz yelled. prinplup took and step forward and fell over. Baz flipped Prinplup over to find spiral eyes staring back at him.
Baz got up and stomped his foot. Mars laughed loudly. It seemed like Purugly was laughing too. Meditite had seemingly disappeared. Budew was cowering behind Colin. Croagunk was asleep. Somehow. Colin stood up and got ready to fight. As Colin reached Baz, the lights went out completely. "What is this?", Mars questioned. "Is this your doing, Gym Leader?!", Mars demanded. All she got was a dry laugh in return. A green light began eminating from the staircase above them. Colin and Baz grinned. "It's Rotom. It's come to save us!", they thought. The light jumped off the balcony. The light was eminating from an orange Pokemon resembling a lawnmower, grinning wildly. On it was Meditite. Both of the trainers stopped. "Colin?", Baz asked. "Yes, Baz?", Colin responded. "Is Meditite riding a sentient orange lawnmower?", Baz continued. "It would appear so, Baz.", Colin retorted. Meditite hopped off the lawnmower and ran over to Colin. Gardenia had managed to get her chair over to the open door. She did a small dance, or what she could manage in the chair.
"Rotom's here! I knew it'd find the lawnmower I left it!", Gardenia cheered. Baz produced his Pokedex. ~ Rotom, the Plasma Pokemon. Rotom enjoy playing practical jokes, which it carries out by embedding its plasma body in electronic devices. ~ Rotom grinned ever wider than before as it charged at Purugly. It stopped just before it hit Purugly, and launched three small, purple orbs at the cat Pokemon. Upon contact, Purugly staggered as if it was losing its balance. "That was Confuse Ray!", Colin affirmed. Mars made a growling noise. "Purugly, Faint Attack!", she yelled. "Rotom, go for ThunderShock!", Gardenia called out. Rotom waited paintiently for Purugly to disappear. As Purugly dropped on Rotom from above, Rotom delivered a blot of lightning upwards, connecting with Purugly. Meditite fidgeted watching Rotom battle Purugly. Colin took notice and knelt down. "Hey, Meditite. What do you say we help out Rotom?", Colin questioned, smirking as he did so. Meditite looked up at the trainer and nodded.
Meditite jumped forward and landed at Rotom's side. "Ok, Meditite! Attack Purugly!", Colin directed. He was unsure of what moves Meditite was capable of, so he waited to see what the fighting type would do. Meditite locked eyes with Purugly, who darted for Meditite the second it saw it. Meditite's eyes began to produce a purple aura, which consumed the fighting type. Purugly slowed to a crawl, then stopped completely. The purple aura entangled the cat Pokemon, causing it to flail wildly. Meditite then lifted its arm up, making Purugly do the same. Purugly was a sitting duck, unable to move. Rotom took this opportunity to launch Thundershocks at Purugly. Meditite abruptly placed its arm at its side, bringing Purugly down hard to the ground. Purugly began limping as Prinplup had been. "Purugly, Scratch the brat's Meditite!", Mars ordered. Purugly ran forward and ran its claws up and down Meditite. Each hit staggered the fighting type. "Meditite, do something!", Colin shouted. Meditite managed to plant a foot solidly on the ground. Its fist burned a vivid orange. Before Purugly could move, Meditite brought its fist up hard, practically uppercutting the cat Pokemon. Purugly reeled from the hit. Rotom left no room for recovery. It summoned a large amount of leaves around it, then threw them at Purugly.
Purugly cried out in pain as it hit the ground, shaking the room. Purugly attempted to stand up, but it slumped over again, sporting spiraled eyes as it fell. It was over. Mars watched in horror, then silently produced a Pokeball to return Purugly to rest. "You've lost, Mars! You can't fight anymore!", Baz cried out. Mars simply chuckled in return. "I may have lost this battle, child. But Team Galactic has yet to lose the war. My fellow Commander in Eterna has got what they needed. We're another step closer to our ultimate goal!", Mars proclaimed. "And what might that be?", Colin asked. Mars scoffed as she raced for the door. "Like I'd ever tell you.", Mars gloated. She made it to the door, only to be stopped by a familiar face. "Then maybe you'd like to explain your goal to me?", Cynthia questioned. "Cynthia! Why are you out here?! I thought-", Mars stuttered. "I'm here helping out an old friend of mine, rounding up Grunts, assisting the International Police, all that.", Cynthia affirmed. Mars was frozen still. Cynthia grabbed the Commander's arm. "And you've got a lot to answer for, yourself. Property damage, Breaking and Entering, Pokemon theft, need I go on?", Cynthia continued. "Follow me, please.", an I.P. officer chuckled as he grabbed the Commander.
As Mars was taken out of the room, Baz and Colin managed to untie Gardenia. Gardenia raced over to Rotom. "Hello, Rotom! I knew you couldn't keep hidden much longer! I'm glad you found the lawnmower I left!", Gardenia exclaimed. Gardenia chattered away with the Pokemon until even Rotom began to look uneasy. Rotom made a static noise, then jumped out of the lawnmower. Rotom's true form was much smaller than the lawnmower. It was still orange, with electric blue sparks creating an outline of the Pokemon. Baz and Colin were inching away from Gardenia as she spoke with Rotom. They hadn't noticed the Pokemon zip off or Gardenia coming jogging over to them. "Baz! Colin! Thank you for saving this old place!", Gardenia rejoiced. A window behind the gym leader shook its way loose and shattered on the floor below. "Well, most of it. Anyway, once the situation here is taken care of, I'd be honored to have you two challenge my gym. I'll send an assistant of mine over to wherever you're staying to let you know when I'm ready for you!", Gardenia remarked, running off afterwards.
Baz and Colin both let out a sigh of relief as Gardenia ran over to the entrance. "Ok, now we can go home, right?", Baz pleaded. Colin looked at his watch. It was almost midnight. "Yeah, we should probably get back to the Pokemon Center before they give away our room.", Colin joked. The two chuckled before they headed towards the door. Colin was almost out of the door when he felt a tug on his pant leg. Looking down, he saw Meditite standing next to Croagunk. "Hey Meditite, what's up?", Colin asked. Meditite couldn't reply, obviously, but it was clear to Colin what it was trying to say. "Do you, um, what to come with us? With me?", Colin stammered. He couldn't understand the nervousness, but he just went with it. Meditite's face lit up and it jumped with joy. Colin smiled too, but his was more derived from a strange nervousness. Reagardless, he produced a Pokeball from his Bag. Meditite fist bumped it and was transported inside it. Colin could feel it shaking in his hand. Meditite shaking in his hand. He still was lost for an explanantion. Colin began to tear up. His smile grew even brighter when the Pokeball clicked with success. Colin stood back up. "Let's go to the Center, Baz. I want to introduce everyone to the new family member.", Colin said finally. Baz merely nodded and the two walked out into the Forest. The clouds had cleared up enough for the moon to shine through.
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