(A/N: Okay, in case you haven't already thought of it, this story is loosely and I say LOOSELY based on the Diamond/Pearl games.)
Chapter 10: A Vision Or a Dream?
After several hours of walking, Matt and Jack had finally reached Veilstone City at dusk. Once finding themselves a room to sleep in for the night, they decided they needed to come up with a plan to one, find the base, and two, get Kari out of there.
"No doubt since this is where their main base that it'll be heavily guarded," Jack said.
"True," Matt said. He spent the next minute coming up with ideas. Finally, he found the perfect one. "You said before that Team Galactic came to you to recruit you, right?"
"Yeah," Jack replied.
"Well, that's it then," Matt said. "We just need to find some grunts and tell them we'd be interested in joining them."
"And they would take us to their base," Jack said, catching on. "That's genius. But the question is, what do we do once we get in there?"
"That is a good question," Matt said. If the base was rather big, finding Kari would prove to be tougher than they thought. "Well, I know Kari is in there somewhere, but I guess we'll just have to look everywhere around for her."
"You think our Pokemon can handle it?" Jack asked.
"Trust me, if all the grunts are that strong, should be a piece of cake then," Matt responded.
"Well, we better get some sleep," Jack said. "They like to recruit early in the morning,or so I've heard."
"Sounds good to me," Matt said as he turned off the lamp next to his bed. Soon, he found himself asleep.
He suddenly found himself in what looked like a large cave. There were puddles of water on the ground, which suggested that he was near or underneath a lake.
All of a sudden, he then heard a voice. "Matt..." He looked around but saw nothing. However, he walked over to where he thought he heard the voice and then stopped. Then, there was a small flash of light and before him stood a familiar looking Pokemon.
"Mesprit..." Matt said in awe.
"You seem surprised to see me, do you not?" Mesprit asked. It then smiled. "It's not everyday you see yourself face to face with a legendary Pokemon."
"Definitely not," Matt responded. "What I'm more curious about is why you came to me?"
"You are going after Team Galactic to save the one you love," Mesprit said. "However, you'll end up playing another big role. You see, this Team Galactic has plans to find and capture Palkia and Dialga. However, they must use us to make them appear in this world, for we are all connected." It stopped for a second and bowed it's head. "Unfortunately, you are not seeing me as a whole, but only my spirit. I, as well as Uxie and Azelf have already been captured. We need your help, Matt."
"Of course I'd be willing to help," Matt said. "But will you three be able to stop Palkia and Dialga from entering this world?"
"I'm afraid it's too late for that," Mesprit said. "They will have to be dealt with some other way."
"And you think that only I can do that?" Matt asked.
"There's more to you than you think," Mesprit explained. "Why do you think the Pokemon you have are loyal to you? You have a trait with Pokemon not seen in many trainers, one that we believe can make all the difference. It is you who will have to take down Team Galactic and prevent Palkia and Dialga from causing major destruction."
"Major destruction? Mesprit, what are you talking about?" Matt asked.
Mesprit only sighed. "Dialga and Palkia. Two entities that should have never met. As you may already know, both of them live in different dimensions; Palkia with space, and Dialga with time. And as such, they are very territorial. The last time they had met was almost two millenia ago, and the results were terrible, almost fatal to civilization, humans and Pokemon alike. I fear if they were to meet again, the destruction could be much worse."
"Well, that's not going to happen," Matt declared. "I can promise you Mesprit, that I will save all three of you and make sure that Team Galactic does not get ahold of Dialga and Palkia."
"Thank you Matt," Mesprit said. "It's your kindness that draws all your Pokemon, as well as others to you, like a family. Never change..."
Matt then woke up the next morning, preparing himself for the day ahead, knowing that it would be one of the biggest moments in his life. "Raiden," he then said. "If I ever put us in a dangerous situation, would you and the others still be at my side, no matter what?"
It seemed like a no-brainer question, but he knew what he was putting himself against. Raiden, however, just smiled at him, and all it took was that smile to tell Matt that they would fight together and they would die together, although Matt personally preferred the former than the latter.
Once Matt and Jack were ready, they quickly got some breakfast and went outside. "So, what do we do now?" Matt asked.
"We wait," Jack answered. "Sooner or later they'll show their faces around here."
As it turned out, they didn't have to wait real long as two grunts appeared on the streets, both looking bored and unamused. "Bingo," Jack said as they started to walk towards them. "Now, just follow my lead. Good morning gentlemen, I've been hearing some interesting rumors about this so-called Team Galactic."
"Oh really? And what would that be?" the one grunt asked.
Looking both ways, he then leaned in and whispered, "That you're in need of recruits."
The two grunts suddenly became interested. "That is true," the second grunt said. "So, you are willing to join our cause?"
"Of course, isn't that right, Matt?" Jack asked Matt, who quickly nodded. "We both understand the belief you have about how the old world has too many problems and Team Galactic's new world will be error-free and peace will be brought all over the world."
"Pretty much sums it up," the first grunt said. "Very well, but before we take you to our base, you must show us your Pokemon."
Luckily, Jack had known this and told Matt, who also planned it with his Pokemon. Matt and Jack then let out their Pokemon, all except Kari's Pokemon since it might become too suspicious. Looking them over, the one grunt's eyes stayed on Raiden for a couple of seconds. For Raiden, however, it was very difficult not to give a hateful glare at the two men. Not only did they kidnap Kari, but they attacked RiRi, not to mention he got pretty banged up himself.
However, the two grunts looked back to Matt and Jack without any concern. "You have powerful Pokemon indeed," the first grunt said. "Not exactly my taste, but they will do nicely, I'm sure. Alright then, we'll take you back to HQ."
The two grunts then escorted Matt and Jack to their base. Matt could then see why it was so hidden. The base was just outside Veilstone City. You had to go through a thick meadow, cross the one river, and then walk about another mile on an open dirt road and there it was. For an organization that was trying to keep hidden, the base was rather large, much to Matt and Jack's disappointment.
Once getting inside, the two grunts had them fill out some paperwork for registration. Didn't really matter, those files would just end up getting destroyed eventually anyway. After that was all done, they took the two trainers to a waiting room where they were supposedly to get some equipment and other things.
"Okay, we're in," Jack said. "Now we just have to find our way around here without being seen, get Kari and get out of here."
"Easier said than done," Matt said, sighing. "My guess is that she's on one of the higher floors. Knowing them, thats probably where they keep their hostages."
"Okay, but we better be quick," Jack said they quickly exited the room. Seeing that no one was around, they silently headed down the hallway. Luckily, or perhaps not, the base was rather empty. Something didn't seem right here.
They then stopped as two grunts made their way down the adjacent hallway. They then saw a elevator and went up to it, pushing the button. Soon, the doors opened and Matt and Jack got in, going up to the highest level.
Once they got out, they could see that this level was different from the others. There were not nearly as many rooms, which made the searching process easier. Most of the doors were locked, but there was one particular door that happened to be unlocked, but also was different from the others. Looking to one another and nodding, they went inside.
(A/N: Okay, we got another battle coming up here. Not trying to give anything away, I was going to use one particular song, but decided this one would be better. Plus I like it more too. Anyway, the name of the song is "Squeak Squad Theme (Brawl Version)" from the Kirby series.)
"Hey! Who said you could be in here!?" a woman's voice said. They looked over and saw two women, who were dressed similarly to the grunts, standing over at the one corner. It was Commanders Mars and Jupiter.
Before Jack could say anything, Matt intervened. "You kidnapped a friend of mine and we're here to get here back so hand her over or else experience a painful whooping."
"I think this is the trainer she had been talking about," Mars said to Jupiter.
"No matter, we'll take care of him," Jupiter said. "You made a huge mistake coming to our base and interfering with our plans. Now it will be us who show you what a painful whooping is." She then pulled out a Pokeball. *"Tangrowth, take the field!" There was a flash of light and the tentacle Pokemon, Tangela's evolved form, appeared.
"Zubat, take flight!" Mars said, as she called out her Pokemon.
"Alright Jet, I need your help!" Jack said as he called out his Staraptor.
"Let's do this for Kari, Empoleon!" Matt cried out as he called out his once starter Pokemon.
"Hmm, perhaps we should make things interesting then," Jupiter said. "This will be an eight on eight battle, each trainer has two Pokemon. If you two win, we'll allow you to see our leader, Cyrus. But if we win, you'll both be taken as our prisoners; and consider your Pokemon ours."
"Deal," both Matt and Jack said without even a thought.
"Alright Tangrowth, use Bullet Seed on Empoleon!" Jupiter said. Tangrowth then sent a bullet seed volley at Empoleon.
Jack, realizing that Empoleon was weak against grass-types, said, "Jet, use Whirlwind to blow back Tangrowth's attack and then use Aerial Ace!" Jet then quickly flapped it's wings and gusts of wind suddenly appeared, blowing back the attack. Jet then quickly transitioned to Aerial Ace, dove down and hit Tangrowth directly.
"Zubat, use Air Slash on his Staraptor!" Mars said.
"Empoleon, counter the attack with Steel Wing!" Matt said. As Zubat made it's way towards Jet, Empoleon then charged towards the bat Pokemon, it's one wing glowing brightly, and jumped into the air, hitting Zubat directly.
"So, you like playing games?" Jupiter asked. "Very well, we can do the same. Tangrowth, use Giga Drain on Empoleon!"
"Zubat, use Leech Life on Staraptor!" Mars said.
Tangrowth then shot green beams of light towards Empoleon, which held him down and drained him of his energy, which then got transferred to Tangrowth. Zubat then used Leech Life, similar to Giga Drain, and took some of Jet's energy.
Matt gritted his teeth in annoyance. Only Team Galactic would use such tactics. "It's not over yet," he said. "Empoleon, muster up the energy you have with Hydro Cannon!"
"Jet, hang in there and use Brave Bird!" Jack said.
Both Pokemon, most of their energy drained, commenced with their attacks. Empoleon then shot out a blue ball of energy straight at Zubat, while Jet flew higher into the air and then shot right towards Tangrowth. Both attacks hit, and it was just enough as both Tangrowth and Zubat fell to the ground, knocked out. However, Giga Drain and Leech Life had taken their tolls on Empoleon and Jet, as the two fell to the ground knocked out as well. Once again, it was another draw.
"I see that your Pokemon are very strong," Mars said, impressed. "But we still have yet to show you our strongest. Alright Purugly, it's your moment!" There was a flash of light and the giant cat Pokemon appeared. Matt always remembered Kari telling him that she would never have her Glameow evolve. Purugly definitely don't have a good reputation.
"Skuntank, the field is yours!" Jupiter said, calling out the skunk Pokemon.
"Neither are a favorite of mine," Jack said. "Alright Shadow, it's up to you now!"
"Houndoom, time for a real battle now!" Matt said. The two canine Pokemon appeared. Even to the bravest of Pokemon, their appearance was a little intimidating.
"Alright Purugly, use Water Pulse on Houndoom!" Mars commanded.
"Houndoom, counter with Shadow Ball!" Matt said.
Purugly shot a light-blue ball of energy as Houndoom shot a black ball of energy. The two attacks struck each other and exploded.
"Skuntank, use Night Slash!" Jupiter commanded.
"Shadow, use Giga Impact!" Jack said.
Skuntank shot ahead with it's one claw glowing while Shadow shot forward, his body covered in pure energy. It seemed too obvious who would win that battle as Shadow quickly overpowered Skuntank, sending it back hard as it crashed against the wall.
"Houndoom, let's finish this with Fire Blast!" Matt said. Houndoom then shot out fire which took the form of the kanjī. The attack hit Purugly directly and it flew back and hit the wall hard, knocked out. Matt then looked over to Jack. "I'll let you do the honors, Jack."
Jack nodded. Looking at Shadow, he said, "I know it may not be the best idea, but we have to get over this. Shadow, use Demon Claw!"
Shadow then jumped into the air, with his nails growing longer, just like Jack had mentioned before. He then jumped right onto Purugly, who was already weak, and started clawing at it ferociously. Then, he took one last swipe and Purugly hit the wall again, this time knocked out for good.
However, Shadow still retained the same form. Even Jupiter and Mars were frightened by this unusual but frightening move. "Shadow?" Jack then said, hoping for the better. Shadow then looked back to him, but instead of the crazed look he saw last time, Shadow smiled at him and gave him a wink. Shadow had finally mastered the move. "Awesome job, Shadow," Jack said happily.
"You did good as well, Houndoom," Matt said, petting his Pokemon. He then looked to the two commanders. "So, we had a deal. Where's Cyrus?"
"Just up ahead in the other room," Jupiter said. "But just because you beat us doesn't mean you'll have a chance against Cyrus. He's our leader for a reason."
"But I'm sure he would enjoy battling you, even if he demolishes you," Mars added.
"We'll see about that," Matt muttered as he continued on ahead. However, he looked back. "Jack? What's wrong?"
"Don't worry about me," Jack said. "You go on ahead. Shadow and I will watch over these two, won't we Shadow?" Shadow growled at the two in response, causing both of them to cower in fear.
Matt nodded, and went ahead hoping, just hoping, that Kari would be in that next room.
(A/N: Sorry for the long wait, I was a little busy the past couple of days. Anyway, I don't know if I said this before or not but the moves "Demon Fang" and "Demon Claw" I do not own. Also, if you do not know what the kanjī is, it's a Japanese letter I believe, and you would know what it is when Magmar or Archanine use Fire Blast. So, hoped you liked the chapter and the battle and the last part of the story will begin next chapter.)
FoxMcCloud7921