The Final Battle
VT: This is it… I cannot believe that I have finished the entire storyline of the TJOM… yep, folks, you are reading my final chapter. This is it, this is what has been hinted to, and been traveling up to. This final chapter, where everything comes to a head, mysteries will be told, items put into their final perspective. Everything is ready to come to the finale.
Matthew Vixen just stared at his Mother. She was still a Ninetales, and yet, he was having trouble believing what was going on. It wasn't helping that Susan was nearly always being rude and demanding without stop that she have her children given back.
"Tell her I didn't steal her children, they are needed for the coming battle." Mrs. Vixen muttered as she stared at the woman with a lazy expression.
Matthew only sighed. "Okay mom, but what happened? Tell me what happened to… well, what happened?" He then turned to face Susan. "My mom says that they are needed for something important that is coming up." He sighed, wondering just what she would do when Holly and Luke, along with Mel coming, Ethan had said that they were coming only two minutes ago, and Becky was trying to fix up something to eat, of course Ethan was helping, but still Matthew was trying to figure this all out.
"Well, all I want to say is this; you have a persistent fan club that wishes you to be their president." One thing that Mrs. Vixen had picked up in only a matter of minutes was a sly way of talking, by saying one thing, yet meaning another thing.
Matthew only shook his head. "Great. They really did go after me at home… but how?" He then looked around. "Let me guess, Susan, you caused such uproar that you drew all attention to yourself?" Matthew sounded a little upset.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. It was needed to happen," Mrs. Vixen only looked at Matthew and then bowed her head in a playful way. "What? Ethan isn't the only one that has talked with Mew."
Matthew only looked at his mother with a look of shock. "WHAT? When… when did this happen? How? Why?" Matthew was shocked at this. He was very concerned at everything…. "Look, that… beast is outside and I need to know how to combat against him."
Susan looked at what she would have said was a one way argument, but she was really stressing out. It didn't help that Ethan yelled out the following sentence. "They are here, and I do not think one of them is very happy… and Holly on the war path in general is not a good thing."
Sure enough through the doorway, well the door kind of opened up and as Mel, and Luke, both in humans seemed to be hovering around another lady, one who almost seemed to have a fire in her eyes stormed in.
"Holly, please, do not do anything regretful… or attention getting, we have to stay low still. Please, please stay cool." It was Mel who was speaking she had worry in her voice, one that everyone could hear, even the two humans on the room.
"Yes sister dear, please, we still need to have Matthew in one piece, I mean, Christopher said only a ten percent chance that this would happen, but shouldn't this stay in their family?"
Holly it seemed had had enough for this. She turned to both of them, "Be Quiet." She said only one sentence, two words. Yet it seemed to leave an eerie kind of silence. She then turned around to face the entire family, which, Matthew realized, was something he didn't want to face anytime soon after. Her entire face was in a mask of barely contained anger, and he knew that if she was not in human form, his house would be a smoldering pit of fire and ash. She seemed to look right at Mrs. Vixen, who bowed her head in shame, like some canine that was caught stealing table scrapes when one was not suppose to. "What do you have to say for yourself? Do you realize that he has ears? We cannot afford to allow him to know about anything… yet, he most likely knows already, but we cannot afford to make a mistake in his favor, okay?"
Mrs. Vixen only nodded in shame. But the next part was totally unexpected. She turned to Susan. "You, you get out of my sight before I turn you into a real song bird, I will not hear another word mouthing off to another Pokemon trainer, Understood." She seemed to stop any type of retort that might have come from Susan's mouth. But however, Holly wasn't done. She then turned to Matthew, she was still in a rage kind of mood and Matthew was about to get on her bad side at all. "You, you need to come with me, don't worry, I will not hurt you, I haven't hurt a human in one hundred years." She then turned to face Susan, "But I may have to start counting from zero if someone would keep out of other people's business, after all, some people's business can bite back." She laughed and then turned around at a small cough, only to smile at the plate of food that Ethan was holding. "Ah… but first a small meal, and while I am at it, I would need to see these three new Ninetales, I need to explain to them their role coming up." She had winked at everyone at that moment.
Matthew suddenly realized that she was only acting in a rage, most likely to throw off Dark Tail or something. So everyone got up and soon was gathered around the dinning room table, which was strangely large enough to fit all the humans… and some of the Pokemon around the edges of the room.
Holly was smiling while eating some of the food, which was oddly, more of the meal that was prepared for Mrs. Vixen, only never eaten.
Luke and Mel had not asked for a meal and in fact, Randolph was still drinking water, it seemed that the meal was made for fire types in mind or someone that had a good defense against spicy food, evident to Holly's eating of the food without much need of water.
Suddenly it seemed too soon that the plates were cleaned of the last of the meal, and everyone around was staring at Mel who seemed to have zoned out. Mel then looked around and then at the gathering of Ninetales. Well, five Ninetales, Mr. and Mrs. Vixen, and the three cousins. "It is time… Susan, Randolph, please stays in the house, and do keep a weathered eye out the attic window, third one from the left wall, facing the east side of the house." She then got up, and with a discrete nod from both Luke and Holly. She snapped her fingers and then she, Holly, Luke, Matthew and Becky were gone. Matt and Firestorm only rolled their eyes and let out two barks, and then they were gone.
Susan and Randolph only looked at their cousins who only gave canine smiles or yawns, but it reminded Randolph of laughter. However he just sighed and leaned back in his chair. However, Susan had other plans. "Get up, I bet they have some fancy food in the kitchen, go on and cook something. Also, do find out if they have some wine or something."
There was some growling from the side of the room and she turned and counted two more Ninetales. "What? I thought you would have gone with your freakish son or something, I mean, he does seem to hang with some strange and down right frightening friends or something." All she got was growling and she turned around away from them. "Too bad you can't talk, because until then, I think I will enjoy eating and staying here." She then leaned back, only she leaned back too far and over balanced the chair and she toppled backwards, which got some barking going, which she truly thought was laughter.
Randolph who was watching from the kitchen doorway only stifled a laugh. Because he knew or at least hoped that his wife would return to the more at home girl he fell in love with, but when it seemed that he landed such a prominent position at the Goldenrod Radio station, he had seen his wife turn into someone he didn't recognize at times, but at that moment he remembered the good times that he had had with his wife. He turned around and began to finish getting ingredients ready, he knew that his wife wouldn't bother him, because if he got into cooking, he could create some good meals.
Onboard the Legendary, a meeting was being held in the ballroom. The tables were pushed together and a map of the town was rolled out so that it looked almost like a battle map. Mel was in her regular form that of the Legendary Pokemon Mew was floating around and pointing to different areas. "Okay, we have some work to do; I want regular Pokemon to guard the main entrances of the town. The rest of you, excluding Matthew and Becky are to patrol the woodlands… Matt and Firestorm, you take the fields in the east meadow, I want to make sure that our friend doesn't escape this time, and at the same time, incapacitate his field grunts, do not kill, just faint them." Mew then turned around and flicked her tail in a commanding way. "Okay move out, and we will be helping out, so do not worry." She smiled for in movies or real life, the commanding general would say something to the effects of "May Mew (or insert another Legendary) protect you on the battlefield." But since the Legendaries were the commanders themselves, it would be known that they would be watching everything.
Holly, only pointed to the bow of the ship, and Matthew followed after her. She soon stood on the bow as Ho-oh, and smirked at Matthew. "I need you to allow yourself to drop the Human guise now, we have serious work ahead of us, and I need to teach you the final steps of trapping Dark Tail, please know that you will be fighting in a way that no Pokemon Trainer has fought, but it is the way that will appeal to the mind of Dark Tail, and then we will show that we are more powerful that he is." Matthew only gulped but took on his Morph form, yet something was different. During the time that he pictured himself like that, his clothing changed and even his baseball cap disappeared. He was dressed in a cream colored tunic with legging also the color of his fur, along with brown heavy boots laced up to the top. He also had an empty scabbard at his side. Other then that, he had the ears of a Ninetales, the muzzle and red eyes, along with human like paws and hind paws. He also had nine flowing tails behind him.
Ho-oh only smiled, "You are ready, now here is what you must do." She then leaned forward and began to whisper into Matthew Vixen's ear what he would have to do to finish this war before it could really start.
Out in the field, Matt and Firestorm were patrolling the grounds noise to the air and ears perked to listen for anything that might allude to the where about to Dark Tail or his minions. Suddenly behind them something lunged from the shadows they where both pushed to the ground. They both rolled out of the way and stared at their attackers and attacked back at the same time. They saw a man dressed similar to way that Ethan had dressed for the celebration a year ago. Black tunic, with a black cape and legging, along with a scabbard with a sword in it the hilt that they could see was pure black like him and he smiled evilly. He was a humanoid Ninetales.
Both Matt and Firestorm let out warning cries and barks. Unfortunately, they were unable to prevent or dodge the next attacks, the Ninetales humanoid, or Dark Tail lunged with his sword and plunged his sword into both Vulpix. He had forgotten momentarily that he would be surrounded by other Pokemon, but he was surprised with the power surge that he felt behind him, he spun around and saw Matthew Vixen trembling in rage, a Flareon at his side, and in fact a smirk on the rage filled muzzle of Matthew.
The Flareon had its muzzle opened and a sickly green ball of energy was forming, an attack left over from his days as a Team Magma Pokemon, and at the moment, his anger and rage was taking a toll on him. The beam was growing bigger and bigger, before the ball reached critical mass and shot forward. Dark Tail only smiled as twirled his cape around him and seemingly absorbed the energy of the beam. When the beam dissipated Dark Tail only smiled. "I see that Team Magma has given me a new gift and toy to have, now hand over your only unique Pokemon and I shall leave you alone."
Matthew Vixen only shook his head and before Flare could use another of his attacks, and Matthew fearing for the life of the Pokemon, returned the Flareon. "I am sorry but I cannot allow you to take my Pokemon from me, and I rather die then join you."
Dark Tail only smirked. "Oh, I have no plans of allowing you to join, you see, I have no room in my plans for another Ninetales, so you must die here and now." He then stepped forward paws held out as if ready to hold some kind of ball and was preparing to charge Matthew.
Matthew only smiled as he watched no fear in his eyes. "Oh is that so? In that case, I challenge you to a Ninetales duel, my choice of battle will be you and I, as we are, dressed in the era that you seemed to lean towards, with the weapon of choice then, this." With that, he pulled out his own blade, it was cream colored in hilt and blade.
"I see that you figured out how to craft your own blade, but it will not be as strong as mine, for I have been alive longer then you my little cub."
"Oh really? Then you might have forgotten who Team Rocket used." Matthew said with a wry smile. "Did you know that to speed up my learning curve, they didn't use Ninetales DNA alone? But the brainwaves of a Ninetales, a five hundred year old Ninetales…. In fact," At this Matthew's voice changed as well, showing more of a canine sound to it. "He has the same clan name as you do. So, let's begin." Matthew Vixen was the first to strike; only his blade hit steel as well. The jolt through his arm was intense but he didn't falter, he only stepped back and with lighting speed parried the next blow, this time from Dark Tail.
Dark Tail showed mild interest and surprise at this. "So, you have been studying some moves indeed… well then, how about this?" With that he lunged with a lower swing of the blade, but Matthew blocked the blade and tired to move the blade to the inside, but once again, Ninetales natural gift of speed came into play and he was blocked. However Dark Tail had faltered in his stepping, and Matthew tried to exploit it, but it was ruse and Dark Tail struck Matthew, it was a nick in the shoulder but first blood had been drawn, and Dark Tail drew it first. Matthew only smirked inwardly; he knew that Dark Tail would expect him to start faltering and making mistakes. But indeed his mind became sharper, just like Ho-oh had said, he had a noble and worthy fight, he wasn't fighting for Matt and Firestorm, though it was driving force behind his strength, he was fighting to contain Dark Tail.
Dark Tail was surprised when Matthew struck again, but this time with a more precise attack then before, and he realized that he was only playing, but now, he seemed to be playing more serious, but he felt that it was too late, he had won already. However, when he brought his sword downwards, with plans on sheering off the blade from the hilt, by using his own power, something happened to the blade, he had tried to finish it off early when he still had the strength to destroy another blade of a Ninetales. Only he saw that the blade shook from the attack and then. Then it began to change, and he took an involuntary step back, it was that blasted sword again, then one that he had forged for his sister to defeat the original sorcerer that tried to take control of the land, but he realized that it would now… He only shook his head and charged forward with all his strength, trying to wear Matthew down. But Matthew stood firm, he blocked every single one of Dark Tail's blows. Yet the two fighters didn't wear out, Matthew was keeping him busy, slowly as they had battled he had created a circle around them and now, all he needed was for those that Ho-oh had talked to before he came out here. He had to wait for eight more Ninetales before he could even think about delivering the final blows. But the time was growing short and soon he would indeed attack.
He smiled as he sensed the first Ninetales to come, Becky. He was happy to know that she had been part of this from the beginning. Then came his parents, they were recent but he knew that Becky and Ho-oh had talked to them, as well as the cousins that had showed up.
Dark Tail was still focused solely on Matthew Vixen, a downfall of human sight and brains are that they can become so one tracked that they tune out any other distractions that might be around them, even ones that could be more dangerous then others.
Matt and Firestorm were dying, they knew it, and with their failing senses as their bodies shut down little by little, they knew that Matthew would win in the end, they could feel it. Their sight, which was poor was not gone totally, yet faintly they could hear the clanging of metal on metal, and the intensity coming from Dark Tail as he seemed to get more and more desperate.
Suddenly a mental voice spoke to them, it seemed to be getting a little louder the longer it spoke, but it also made the two Pokemon more and more confused 'My two friends, I am Lucario, keeper of the passage.' He looked around, 'Do not look so forlorn, Ho-oh has spoken and indeed, it is unfortunate that you were cut down. But she knows that you two are needed for the sealing away of Dark Tail, he may have tried to stop it, but only allowed us to send you back, but… with needed changed, I shall see you in a thousand years my friends, until then, be safe and do not do anything to bring you back here, for you will not get another chance, farewell.' Suddenly they felt a growing surge of energy, as if the descriptions of evolving that they had been told about were coming true, they felt stronger, and indeed their hearing and smell returned, as well as a new sight. Only this time they could see the power of others Ninetales, and sure enough they could sense their own power budding and forming.
Matt looked over at Firestorm, who looked away shyly. "Well my prince, I guess you have become my king now, eh?" Firestorm said with a small giggle, even though a battle was going on at the moment.
"Ah, but I would not be a true king without my Queen, shall we bring up the numbers and allow this duel to finally end, and this time allow no one to be taken by this fools power?" Matt said as he walked past. Firestorm only smirked and both leaped into the two remaining positions, and into the myths of lore, as well as causing some mayhem which turned out for the good of cause.
Matthew Vixen had just blocked another blow and indeed he was beginning to pant a little, and he was amazed that Dark Tail wasn't panting at all. But they both stepped back shock as they both felt the emergences of two new Ninetales as they evolved. Dark Tail was blown away as to what happened, along to the question, why was it happening.
Matthew on the other paw, or hand, depending on what you would describe this at the moment, was even more shocked at the underlying scent of the two new Ninetales, he the saw the fear on Dark Tail as he realized that as Matthew Vixen stepped back, he was surrounded by nine Ninetales. Matthew only smiled a broad smile. "Well, your reign of terror is over, we have enough Ninetales this time to seal you away without anything leaking out. Good bye and good riddance."
With those words all nine full Ninetales raised their tails and unfurled them. Matthew's were also spread out, and the sword in his left paw began to glow. The glow grew and grew, showing that it was a shifting color of light. All nine were smiling as they channeled more and more into the sword until Matthew charged forward with the sword and easily flicked the sword of Dark Tail away, but not out of his paws and plunged it into his heart. Right away nothing happened, but then, like some kind of ghost that had decided enough was enough, Dark Tail faded slowly. But something that would haunt anyone standing at that moment watching would be his laughter. The laughter of a man having the last laugh, as if the entire thing was joke on the people he had been facing. But then faster and faster he began to fade, and more and more faint was his laughter, before he was gone and then a blowing wind before a very non Dramatic pop, like the pop of a bubble from bubble gum.
Dark Tail looked around himself and saw that Matthew Vixen had missed him. With a grin he took his own sword more firm in his hand and charged before using it to kill Matthew, he then turned to face the other Ninetales, not knowing that he was trapped and he was only living in his mental fantasy, thinking that he had survived the attempted life on him.
Back in the real world everyone stood staring at the spot that Dark Tail once stood in. However, from the forest, came walking out of them, like in some sort of awakened daze, a man in a yellow expensive suite, with a red rose on his left lapel, a man that Matthew right away recognized at Giovanni, leader of Team Rocket. He seemed to be in so much befuddlement that Matthew realized that the leader of Team Rocket had sometime recently been taken over by Dark Tail, but now, now Dark Tail's powers were broken and it would free those taken by force.
Giovanni it seemed realized that he was standing in a meadow, with nine Ninetales, two of which were in hybrid like forms and he realized that from his spy photos that they were the two that he had been hunting, in fact he had been there to personally deliver the package that would have hopefully gotten to Matthew's paws, but he realized that it failed. He only cleared his throat and seemed a little uncomfortable. "It, err, seems that I am in your debt, but mind you, this will not change my stance I will have you join Team Rocket…" He stopped as he felt a commanding hand on his shoulder, he looked behind him and Lance was smiling at him.
"Ah, Mr. Giovanni, I see that you neglected your duties as Gym Leader and now acting like you own Team Rocket? Well, I would like to ask a few questions about your actions and dealing, and who knows, we may go light on you." The way he was saying this was a joke, everyone who could hear, could understand it. Lance then turned to face Matthew and Becky. "So? What do we do now?"
Matthew blinked at looked at Lance and realized for the first time as he realized what was happening, he smiled a big grin. "No, it is over, the war was prevented and we won, so just take care of Giovanni now." Matthew then began to look around him and the other nine Ninetales began to chat among themselves. But he couldn't help but smile as he realized that through the help of his friends, they had all prevented a disastrous war from getting off the ground. Maybe I can finally finish my Pokemon Journey? Which will be so tame compared to what just happened. Matthew thought as he walked over to where he mother was talking to three other Ninetales.
Mrs. Vixen only looked at TJ, Ralf, and Eric. "I am sorry to say this, but your deeds are done, they were wonderful, but you are no longer needed. I need to return you to your mother, as humans." She got whines and moans from the three cousins; it seemed that they had a lot of fun learning about what was happening and everything. As well as being for a while Ninetales, but they were really saddened that they were going to have to be humans. "But who said I would revoke your little fun? Just don't let your mother catch you, or I could be in a heap of trouble." This was meeting by three cheering cousins, who halfway through the cheering became humans, and still cheering they rushed off to report to the Village what just happened.
Of course the noise brought the others, Dei the Skitty morph seemed to be a little grumpy, as if being awoken from a cat nap. Della, her own ears twitching, Robert along with the Junior Police Force in tow, or what was left of them. Kirk was holding his arm as if it had been broken; it had been due to a run in with some of Dark Tail's grunt Pokemon. As well as most of the crew and passengers of Libra II as soon as they heard what happened they just looked around, Lance had discreetly escorted Giovanni away before anyone could really see him. Of course, due to TJ, Eric, and Ralf, news soon spread and then the entire town was cheering for joy.
However, unknown to all those celebrating, Dark Moon had slipped away from watching the battle, hatred now in her heart against Matthew Vixen, she knew that she would get her revenge. She patted her belly and smiled, indeed she would get her revenge again.
Epilogue
The Grandfather closed his book as both of his Grandchildren drifted off to sleep having just heard about how the Town had decreed that the next day they would hold a feast. The Grandfather only closed his book and smiled at the two Grandchildren.
Fiona turned over and smiled at her Grandfather. "Good night Grandpa T." She then yawned and closed her eyes. Henry had already fallen asleep in a chair and without much difficulty; the older man lifted him up and put him on the couch in the family room. He then went to the living room and sat down in a rocking chair, and waited for the parents to arrive home, smiling at what he most certainly could call, the shortest nickname around. He then took out a wallet and looked at a picture of a flustered looking lady with her arms up in the air, a loving husband, and nine Ninetales surrounding them all. He chuckled as he also drifted off to sleep, closing the wallet with his initials stamped on it TJV.
VT: Okay, I know I am not allowed to answer Reviews in the story, but I must say this, I would like to thank my two beta readers that have helped me in the two years of writing, Negrek and Digital Skitty for all the help on reading my story and helping me improve. Along with Nod-Flareon as well, as well as all the people who have reviewed over the course of this story, you have all made the writing experience a wonderful trip and thank you again.