Chapter 5
All credits go to the Pokemon Company, with exceptions being my OC. All other OCs belong to their respective owners.
Enjoy!
Lily was silent as they walked to the cafeteria, Matilda walking several feet in front of the duo. The elder kept glancing back at them, playing it off as glances at the lobby's walls as she shot Lily disapproving stares before slowly drifting her eyes to Alita as though to ask, 'Are you truly doing this?'.
She shuffled uncomfortably, hood still tucked over her head as Aristaeus snored against her temple and Pyrrha's warm fur and heated Amulet Coin leaked feeling into her skin. Her arms were intertwined, hands rubbing for a bit of warmth as Nurse Joy attempted to bring back power and with it the heaters as the cold wind howled in through the cracked glass doors and practically everywhere else.
"Ugh, why must it be so cold? It's only autumn!" Lily groaned, arms twisted to cover every inch of bare skin left, legs stuck together as she shuffled along. Derp looked unaffected, the happy Deino happily waddling after them as it merely chirped and nudged Lily's hand. She could faintly hear mutters of words she had the bare knowledge to know not to repeat, lest to receive a scolding.
She caught Matilda's eye again, the questioning eyes. Why do you insist on keeping her with us? She looked away.
Why did she offer Lily the spare bed? It was true that she had been mean and rude, but she was also soaking wet and only the available rooms had great bathrooms. If the stories she read had some meaning, wouldn't making her a friend be better than making her an enemy? Maybe she'd find an answer soon…
In her thoughts, she hadn't notice she had drifted a bit closer to Lily, arms bumping as the girl's head whipped to her.
"Watch where you're going." She hissed, eyes narrowed in already present annoyance and the stocky Deino stopping to bump right into Lily's leg.
Alita could see Matilda whip around, ready to defend her as she looked Lily straight in the eyes, shoulders tense and hands shaking in their hiding spots in her sleeves.
"I-I'm sorry for bumping i-into you." Alita said softly, gently holding her hand out. "I-I was just thinking a-about things and I-I wasn't paying attention."
Lily stared at her for a moment, shoulders still tense as Pyrrha's fur bristled and heated up, Ari shuffling into a crouch, Alita's hand still out as she stared and tried not to be afraid. She didn't know why she was being brave, but Matilda shouldn't have to save her. She was just plain Alita, her parents expected this of her. No being shy, no being a coward, no being weak.
The girl's shoulders lowered, huffing as she took her hand and shook it. "No point in not accepting the apology. Don't do that again though or we'll settle that in a Pokemon battle."
Alita nodded quickly. "O-of course!"
With another huff, Lily turned and made a beeline for the cafeteria, pacing past an unimpressed Matilda that stared after the girl like a disappointed parent. Sighing, she turned to Alita, her face changing so quickly she nearly had to blink to believe it.
"Are ya comin'?" Matilda grinned at her. "Yer gonna miss lunch if ya do."
Hastily, she nodded, brushing her gray jacket off out of habit. "Right!"
Hurriedly, Alita raced past Matilda, not sparing a glance as she slid into the cafeteria, swiftly taking a seat across from Lily on one of the two couches flanking the table. Light barely cracked through the windows, the howl of the storm outside even louder than before as the room lit up blue with every flash of lightning. Rain smeared against the windows, every single droplet highlighted as they streaked down like tears.
She fiddled with her fingers, hidden within her lap as she just stared ahead at Lily, the other just as awkward as Matilda sat herself down. The room was dead silent with the occasional roar of thunder, glances shared as the trio just sat and waited for the other to pipe up.
Sit and wait, sit and wait, sit an-…
Lily slammed a fist on the table, eyes fierce as she abruptly stood up. "What's your problem?!"
Alita flinched back, wide-eyed as Pyrrha tucked herself close to her neck and Ari's head whizzed up at the commotion. "M-me?"
Lily snarled. "Not you, her."
Her wild gaze zeroed in on Matilda, who was sitting up with an equally angry glare. "All she's done is give me nothing but looks like I'm some…. Some kid! She thinks she's the boss of me, like she's my mother! Well, news flash, you're not!"
The youngest's fist slammed into the table, in a rage not unlike the storm itself outside, lips pulled back in a snarl as her damp hair swung with every jerky movement. Matilda clenched her fists, stance firm as she stared Lily down.
"Look, I get you're mad, but that doesn't excuse you being a brat."
Lily looked even more murderous than before, hands curled into claws and she arched forward, a wild animal ready to rip out Matilda's throat.
"Th-there's no need t-to fight..."
Lily glared at her for a mere second. "Butt out, this is an argument between real Trainers."
She flinched back, wide eyes ready to pool with tears as her Pokemon bristled with rage. Her shoulders shaked. She was just brave a minute ago, how was s-.
"That's. Enough." Matilda hissed. "If you're looking to make a fight, you're certainly not dragging one of my friends in. You and me. Outside. Now."
Lily growled. "Gladly."
They shoved the table, feet not unlike thunder as they raced to be first to wherever they were going. Shaking, all Alita could do was try to sit and breath. Lily was right, she wasn't a real Trainer, she should butt out. Damn it all, how could she be brave if all she could do was cower in fear? And to someone she had just stood up to, minutes ago even!
Her body shook as she held tears back, hands clenching and unclenching. Okay, deep breaths. She needed to follow them. If she didn't, she'd regret it for the rest of her life. Quietly, her hands pushed her up, legs moving of their own accord as she ran towards the sound of starting combat, the deep roars of angered beasts echoing down the halls.
Her feet echoed in the lobby, Nurse Joy's worried eyes meeting hers before trailing towards the door. Taking the hidden sign, she ran out, the doors thankfully shoved open as Lily and Matilda faced off on the cobblestone street.
They looked like drowned rats, teeth bared like their own Pokemon as clothes hung to their frames, desperately trying not to slip off. Neither cared anyways, Derp totally a different creature as his head hung low, wet fur blocking his eyes yet the fierce gaze piercing the air itself as Cleo twitched before Matilda, tail swinging erratically as the Espeon crouched low. Otherwise there was no movement, the howl of wind slinging hair to slap against skin.
She could feel the rain soaking her own skin, frozen in place as Alita and the two Pokemon hidden in her hood hid, one of said Pokemon desperately inching into her neck to avoid the wet cotton clinging to her head. The jacket weighed heavy on her skin, sticky and cold as she was threatened to be knocked down the wild winds.
Rain clouded her vision as Lily roared, "Derp, Dragon Rage!"
The Deino's throat glowed blue, glowing embers as harsh as the lightning flickering out of his maw before his jaw snapped open, a torrent of blue draconic flame swirled randomly towards Cleo. The light lit up the street as Matilda called out, "Dodge and then into a Shadow Ball! Don't hold back!"
The Espeon leapt up, yelping as the draconic flames slammed into her belly with a simple change of direction, tilting her off-balance and leaving the creature unsteady on her thin paws upon landing.
Lily smirked. "Not so high and mighty now! Derp, another Dragon Rage and then close in to finish it off with Bite!"
Blue embers swirled in Derp's maw, threatening release as Matilda called, "Now!"
The shadows seemed to swirl up from the earth itself, twirling before Cleo's ruby gem as the pure darkness pulsed purple and twirled in a violent orb, compacted and twitching as though waiting to break apart, only held together by Cleo's will.
The Espeon's gem lit up purple and she whirled around, tail slamming the Shadow Ball into a swift path towards Derp, immobile as he spat out another Dragon Rage, stupidly racing forward afterwards to meet Cleo only to be blasted back by the attack slamming not only through an evaporating Dragon Rage but into himself. He was sent rolling, roar of confusion and anger ringing out hoarsely throughout the booming rain and thunder as Lily barked out for Derp to get back up.
Alita herself was shaking in fright, terrified. These were not the same Pokemon she had met hours ago. They weren't sweet or happy, lazing about. These were beasts, ready to fight to the death if their Trainers so commanded it.
Her thoughts grazed the memories of Pyrrha driving off the Beedrill colony, hot red embers swirling fiercely in a deadly inferno that lit up the sunlit path not far off from the sun itself. Her Fennekin had been willing to stare down death in the face and laugh, even if she had probably never battled in her lifetime before that.
She was terrified, and for good reasons. After all, in the face of battle, she never changed.
Slowly, she edged away, unnoticed in all the anger and hatred her two friends were venting out. They didn't need her. They didn't want her around.
So she didn't stay.
Even as she could hear the barks of commands and the clash of attacks, bright light lighting up her back, she ran. She ran as far away as she could. No one wanted her. It was selfish, it was cowardice.
She had to run, she had to hide, she just had to get away from this entire mess. Even if she'd be shoved back to Santalune eventually, she'd soon be forgotten and could quietly move between conflict. Yeah, that sounded nice…
She ignored Pyrrha's claws digging into her thin shirt, slicing into her shoulders as she barked at her to go back, Ari's squeals near drowned out as the pendant of the Amulet Coin slapped her left collarbone with every wild swing. Her feet slammed and slipped on the river forming with every street, the cobblestones slippery as water gushed everywhere. The fountain of town square was already overflowing, like an abandoned bathtub as the stone Roselia's blooms were gushing water like a Hydro Pump.
Her arms were flailing to keep balance as she kept running, water arcing up in violent waves asshe ran through it. She didn't care that the moment she hit the mud her pants were covered in mud up to her knees, but what she did notice was how much slower she was becoming. The mud clung to her shoes in thick clumps, the cloth of her shoes squelching as she ran through the practical marsh. It took much more strength to pull the soles from the mud, the reeds bending as the wind roared and tried to push her down with every step.
Her speed slowed down as she started using the mud to ground herself, ignoring the squeaks of her Pokemon as she held up her hands to guard her face and hopefully shield herself from the wind. It may have slowed her down, but it was well worth it. Now Alita was easily cutting through the storm, but at this rate she'd hit the slope of the nearest hill in under an hour and she could take shelter within the tall skeletons of trees to hide from the wrath of her friends. And she didn't want to face them again. The glares between the two or the worried glances from Matilda or how Lily stared at her like she was nothing.
Alita Bellerose was a coward.
"But out, this an argument between real Trainers."
Coward the wind seemed to sing, the crash of thunder and the light of lightning ripping apart the heavens themselves as the rain sang along. Nothing but a coward!
The cold bit into her skin like fangs, fingers slowly going numb as she stumbled, hot tears boiling against her cheeks as she sobbed. A coward she was, a coward she always will be.
By the time she reached the hill her limbs were numb and her entire body trembled from the burning cold, her tears and Pyrrha like intense flames against her skin. It hurt to move her limbs, aching protests from her little muscle mass as she stumbled and sullied her jacket and hands with mud, slowly clawing her way to the top.
The wind and rain sang tauntingly, her usually pale pink hair visors blurring her vision as it darkened and clumps with every water droplet, cool streams soaking into her shirt as she kept walking, the agonizing climb feeling like years as she barely reached the top.
Heaving herself up with a near fall, Alita grimaced at the muddy brown smears from her maddened climb. She'd have to get them replaced whenever she reached a town again or bathe them in an available source of clean water. And who knows where she'd even find something like a stream in this forest? The rain was washing up dirt and carrying the topsoil to every dip, nook, and cranny it could slip into and contaminating anything she could use.
A pity she'd left her bag in the Pokemon Center. Matilda was bound to leave them in the Lost and Found. Or would she throw it away, perhaps even keep the items. This she doubted.
No use to think on it now. She thought she knew her friends, but she had been dead wrong. Matilda may have been nice to her at first, but she had completely disregarded her the minute she became angry. Who knew when she eventually came back and Matilda's patience snapped, bringing down all her wrath on her?
A harsh shiver wracked down her spine and she didn't know if it was from fear or the cold. As if an answer, her body tensed and her nose tickled as she scrunched up her nose and harshly sneezed. For a minute she swore her lungs rattled and Alita harshly coughed, arm hastily jerking up as a harsh round echoed into her sleeve, leaving her dizzy and breathless as she became aware of the fact her body couldn't stop shaking.
She heard a squeak before Pyrrha wiggled her way out of her hood, bravely embracing the mud and rain as she stumbled forward, body feeling even more numb with every step. Her mind blurred and her thoughts slurred together. 'Can't go back.'
She felt the soft bite and tug on her muddy pants, the small fox insistently growling as she yanked her deeper into the forest. 'Have to keep moving...'
Warily, her legs trembled with each step, damp hair near blinding her as it clung to her face, the squelching of the mud underneath irrelevant as they moved deeper into the forest. There were no signs of life as far as she could see, the roars of thunder and booming howling of the wind and rain combined enough to deter the bravest of the souls.
But somehow she was still trudging along, head hung with tears swimming in her glassy eyes and soaked from head to toe, mud slick against her clothes as she was bound to be sick with every shiver and croaking cough. Yet she wouldn't be missed. She knew that for certain. Her Pokemon would fine without her.
Maybe Pyrrha leave her the minute she found the spot, hopelessly lost in the woods as she ran free. Alita had seen the fierce look in her eyes from time to time, the yearn to adventure and explore the world around them, her opposite. All she wanted was to stay rooted in one place, hide away forever. She was quiet, the unnoticeable.
Thoughts swung in her head as she merely followed, absorbed in self-pity and self-doubt as they continued on and on and on.
Soon her foot met with stone and dead leaves, crunching underfoot as she blinked and hazily stared at the gaping maw before her, hanging vines like fangs over the hole in the hill, streams of water soaking into her shoes as it streamed down along the vines like tears. And it looks like they weren't alone.
The curious eyes of Pokemon blinked out at her, reflected in the dull light of the lightning flashing overhead as they chittered and squeaked. Cautiously, a Bunnelby, if she remembered right, hopped forward, ears raised high and stiff as stared up at her with unreadable eyes.
Pyrrha took charge, barking as her tail swept in an erratic fashion, irritated as she barked and yipped at the Bunnelby, stiff and eyes like flickering flames ready to swallow it whole.
The Pokemon relaxed after a minute or so, she couldn't tell, head turning back as it chattered to the other nervous Pokemon crouched within. The silence and tension was thick in the air as she felt like she was going to collapse, the wait seemingly like forever as Pyrrha's damp fur pressed into her trembling leg.
Slowly the tension drained away as the Bunnelby pressed into her opposite leg, the chatter of the hidden creatures within the den clearly much more excited than moments before as she practically collapsed within.
Pyrrha's wet, leathery nose pressed into her hair, hot breath tickling her scalp as she felt the furry bodies of mammalian Pokemon and the tickling legs of Bug Types as paper-like wings gently brushed her head in an examination of sorts before a firm bark and squeak settled the Pokemon down. She felt Ari wiggle as he curled around her neck cautiously, avoiding even the slightest graze of his stingers as she felt at peace, warm and safe.
It was as though she had become one with those in the den, eyes closed yet her other senses hyperactive as she felt the warm bodies crowded over her, not suffocating at all as they settled down to rest out the storm, the soft bedding of what was most likely ferns and leaves left over from the summer, downy feathers tickling bare spots of skin with even the slightest shift, the once terrifying howls and roars dulling into a lulling lullaby as her eyes seemed to shut on their own, lungs rattling as her body warmed up.
Safe and warm…
Her body relaxed, breathing slow and steady with soft wheezes as she fell asleep, at peace for once as the other beings alongside her snuffled and huffed, Pyrrha snorting with her.
Her eyes slowly blinked open, dazed and confused as she stared up into a clear blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds, sunlight bright as emerald green grass whistled in the breeze. Slowly, she sat up from her spot in the endless field, eyes wide.
This was nothing compared to the fields that surrounded Santalune City, endless with not even a single tree sprouting up from the rolling hills of tall grass, a silent refuge to her alone. Her shelter.
Slowly, she walked forward, limbs tense with the energy she held back before she let it loose, feet pounding as she laughed and snorted and giggled, the soles of her feet bouncing against soft dirt and legs bending back grass with each swing, arms splayed out like wings as her pale pink hair shifted in an invisible breeze. For a moment, her mismatched eyes closed, in absolute bliss and joy.
Oh how things could last for so shortly.
Her face promptly met with stone, a harsh roar echoing in her ear as she felt the wind trying to push her down, pinning her to the stone pillar before her as her head struggled to twist around.
Stone pillars rose from dead grass like tombstones, the crash of waves echoing alongside howls as tidal waves swallowed entire chunks of land, the storm howling overhead as a hum filled the air.
Twisting her head once more, her heart stopped beating and her breath stolen from her lungs as she stared as the massive pillar of light, blooming forth from an unknown place as it roared and twisted into the sky, lighting the world in icy blue light as she felt the energy drained from her limbs, unable to move or look away or do anything as the pillar twisted into an arc like a leaping beast, ready to devour everything.
All she could do was scream as everything faded to white.
Her eyes snapped open as a scream echoed through the small den, Pokemon yelping as her upper body jumped up. Eyes wide, she gazed into the rain, breaths harsh as she tried to calm her racing heart. That hadn't been her scream.
Lightning lit up the world, this time trickling gold into the world for what seemed hours, the screams loud and very real as she could sit petrified, Pokemon stiff beside her as they hid. Soon the screams faded away, lost to the howls and roars of nature's madness. The forest stilled, quaking under the wrath of the storm, occasionally lit by blue lightning.
That hadn't been the storm.
Her limbs may have been numb and she may have felt ready to collapse, but her heart and mind seemed in total harmony, ready to move and run towards danger instead of away.
Blindly, she scooped up her dazed Pokemon, pressing them to her damp chest as she raced into the storm, alone and unknowing.
Her head swung either way as she moved towards where she had heard the screams, the crackle of leaves and twigs captured in the mud underfoot as she ran, the bark of trees like broken glass with veins of burnt black racing up the trunks and branching out, growing thicker and thicker as steam and smoke curled in the rain, the faint remnants of embers glowing in the dead husks.
Soon it was entirely burnt trees, the grass arcing out in similarly erratic veins of what couldn't have been fire, all crunching under her quick feet as a thick pillar of smoke puffed up to fade away in the harsh winds.
A burnt scent filled her nose as she gagged, near instantly regretting coming out here.
Thrown against a tree was what must have once been called human, clothes burnt into crisp ashes as blank green eyes stared into nothing, near popping out of their sockets as her mouth gaped in a silent scream and face forever twisted into a look of pure pain and horror, the burn marks of lightning tracing every inch of skin as her once white hair smoldered in the rain. She seemed so small, almost childlike in horrific manner as she felt a wave of nausea hit her like a freight train.
Alita gagged, leaning against a tree as she harshly wheezed, not trying to hack up last night's dinner as her stomach cramped and tried expel the contents of her stomach. Her body quivered and shook, tears filling her eyes as she looked away. How had the girl gotten out here? How had she been killed? That lightning hadn't been natural. The only answer was…
She froze, hand shakily rising to cover her mouth as she tried not to scream. Only a Pokemon could have done this. Not one, an entire group. Where was this girl's Pokemon? Why hadn't they defended her?
Her answer came with her Fennekin's sharp bark, the Weedle inching not far behind as Pyrrha's jaws gaped open, three burnt and worn pokeballs dully glinting in the rain, glossy and seemingly just as dead as the girl before her.
She near collapsed as she crouched down, hands held outwards as her partner dropped them into her hands, holding them closer to cradle them to her chest. They might have possibly been pinned against the tree, the smoking, charred remnants of where the dead body rested clearly burnt inside out from the pure force of which she had been electrocuted.
Morbidly, she wondered what Pokemon exactly killed her and why? Had she provoked the beasts? Or they her? Had something driven them to near insanity to kill anything on sight? The answers were as clear as the smoke and sky, waved above her tauntingly as the rain drove chills down her spine.
Her knees shook as she slowly approached the body, pocketing the pokeballs for now and cringing as static zipped at her skin before she made contact, blood brilliant red against her skin as she slowly grazed the girl's arm. The clothes crackled at being slightly shifted, Alita gently rolling her aside as the trio took in her back.
She swore she saw charred bone in the charred mess of her bag, the girl's bag just much as shreds as her flesh and skin. Little flashes of electricity crackled from the remains of twisted, melted metal as it slipped into the mud, Alita dancing away with a yelp as Pyrrha squeaked and leapt onto her hip as Ari precariously balanced on one of her feet with a squeal.
Squinting, she cautiously stepped forward once more, the twisted metal becoming so familiar with the rain washing away the ashes and her heart dropped.
A Pokedex.
The glass was completely destroyed, the wires and red cover melted as the layer of metal underneath twisted open to reveal the destroyed insides. It seemed small and yet the sign of the apocalypse at the same time, her limbs frozen as her hand pressed into the suddenly large weight sitting right in her own pocket.
She dived forward, her fox's silvery white claws flashing as she knocked away the Pokedex and she dug around the bag. Her frustration grew as she trembled, the contents of the bag near empty with the rest so charred from the probable heat of the unnatural lightning.
Even as she winced and her hands turned cherry red with burns, she dug through, hope slowly sinking with her heart and eyes wide as she pushed away clothes and the few supplies hidden within, including even more electronics that were just as twisted as the Pokedex.
But her search was fruitful, her thumb slightly grazing away the ashes to reveal a picture of what had been hidden within. It was an insignificant little rectangle of white plastic, but the little black letters told her all, eyes wide at the little scrawl at the very top beside a bored face.
Ormarr Shesha.
Her eyes quickly shifted between the card and the dead body, which drooped against the tree in a twisted angle as thick red blood mixed with the mud below, the rancid smell of the rot mixed with burnt flesh permeating the air as she coughed and gagged on her own vomit. Even with the extreme difference, it was an obvious match, forever gone in a brutal, painful death.
She froze when she heard rustles and growls in the foliage behind her, the crackle of electricity high above the howls of the storm and the resounding sound of claws scraping against tree bark. Pyrrha's ears twitched and she growled, the sound resonating through the forest as she hopped in front of Alita with hackles raised, Ari squeaking and practically hopping with poison dripping from his barbs, brown carapace near invisible in the mud as he crouched low.
The growls grew louder as howls echoed, the thuds and squelches of mud pressed under multiple feet loud and clear as day as Alita warily hovered her hand over Ormarr's pokeballs.
"Keep your guard up..." She murmured quietly, voice shaky as she tried to control her shaking. Whatever was coming was what killed Ormarr Shesha. And if she wasn't careful, she would probably end the same way, dead to never be found until her rotting skeleton was dug up from the plant life growing over her by a passing traveler.
She shook her head to clear the morbid thoughts, eyes narrowing in concentration as her tongue barely poked out from her lips, fidgeting in her wait.
With a sudden roar, the first burst out from a bush and for a minute she nearly wanted to burst out laughing.
It was a small, rodent-like Pokemon, creamy yellow fur bristling with pent energy as sparks danced from red cheeks marred by a cream-colored plus sign, a similar red tail twitching as brown eyes stared her absolutely murderous, small fangs bared in a harsh growl as red bunny ears laid flat against its skull. Soon it was joined by more, sparks dancing as it was occasionally dotted by its opposite, red swapped for an equally brilliant blue with its symbol instead being the minus sign.
Plusle and Minun.
And by the looks of it, dozens. The odds were already stacking against her already, doubt swelling in her heart as her hands shook. Now wasn't the time to get scared!
The Plusle and Minun pack bristled in pure, unfiltered hatred, growls loud as drool dripped from bared teeth and they arced their backs almost like a cat. With a twitch, three bright lights echoed alongside the grandest of the pulsing lightning, turning near night to day as Ormarr's Pokemon appeared.
The first was a small, pudgy brown Pokemon, nearly the same color as the mud as it lifted itself on a thick, ringed tail, tall ears perked up as it looked around in dazed confusion, freezing and a strangled sound echoed from the back of its throat, ears pressed flat against its head as it stared in abject horror at its Trainer's body.
The second was a near black snake, large sections of its thickly roped body colored purple and gold as a golden oval took up its forehead over purple eyes, narrowed in a murderous glare as a forked tongue flickered out between two gigantic red fangs, a matching blade decorating the end of its tail. It growled at the pack of feral rodents, tail twitching irately as it stared back before freezing at the sight of her, eyes flickering between her and Ormarr.
The third let out a horrified screech as it was released, looking ready to run to the dead girl and check if she was dead for itself, shaking as its black pawed hands trembled, big eyes glassy with tears as its toothless mouth opened and closed with each harsh breath. Its black feet was covered by creamy yellow fur almost like a skirt, black strands popping from the top of its head to hang at either side of it, the large black ponytail harshly breathing as it opened to reveal a gaping maw filled with jagged fangs that could rip anything in two. It turned around with a murderous glare towards the pack when Pyrrha barked at it, growls echoing from its own throats.
The three were confused and terrified, that much was clear. And there was no one else to take charge…
"I know you three are probably wondering why your Trainer is dead," Her voice trembled, throat thick as she willed herself not to be afraid. "But that doesn't matter right now. Right now we need to fight off these… Pokemon and avenge Ormarr. I need you three for this to work. Will you follow me?"
For a minute, she doubted that they would follow her, their own doubt reflected in their eyes. But slowly, the third's shoulders tensed and it let out a booming roar from its second set of jaws.
The pack bristled, some taking a step back at the dull glint of the steely fangs glowing in the storm's light. The serpent uncurled itself as the pudgy rodent let out a squeak.
She smiled in relief. "Thank you!"
Her eyes flickered to the pack, shoulders firm as she called out, "Attack!"
And so they did.
Sticky white silk burst from Ari's mouth like the silly string she'd sometime see during the carnivals that arrived in Lumiose from her window, laying traps that left the feral Pokemon unable to move from the spot as some even wrapped around said creatures. Pyrrha charged forward, embers flickering from her mouth as the wet red fur popping out of her ears steamed and glowed with intense heat, claws sliding from her front feet and glowing with white light as she made contact.
Ormarr's Pokemon were doing their part, the one she was going to refer to as Double Jaw for now splattering blood everywhere as Minun and Plusle dived to tear her apart with electrifying bites only to be torn to bits by the second jaw with what she presumed was Bite. They were then promptly spat out, Alita gagging as innards slammed into the mud with torn fur dancing in the wind.
The snake was doing its part as well, harsh screams echoing from its throat as it dived into the swarm, Wrapping around multiple pack members until they suffocated, smug aura echoing out as Plusle and Minun suddenly bumped into each other. Occasionally it was electrocuted, racing away with annoyed hisses and blindly flicking its red blade out, glowing sickly purple as it cut into their soft stomachs and other vulnerable parts.
The final member was taking the roll of support, glowing with white light not unlike Pyrrha's Scratch as it curled into a ball and made a path for others to attack, leaping back towards her to spit fat globs of purple gunk at the attacking beasts.
She was trying her best too, calling out orders to her Pokemon when she saw the opportunity.
"Ari, String Shot, trip and tie them up! Pyrrha, set those String Shots on fire with Ember!"
Her Pokemon worked together seamlessly, doing as she said as they twisted and turned, the Fennekin guarding their sharpshooter who missed more than she liked, but it often led to driving them into another of the Pokemon, so it worked.
Pyrrha let out a bark, pure breath of fire turning rain to steam as she turned its wrath on a group trying to attack their flank in an ambush. Somehow they were erratic and planned at the same time, some glowing purple after either being struck by Ormarr's serpent's tail or her rodent's globs of sludge. They soon collapsed, puking up toxic purple and what appeared to be blood as they bled to death with poison racing through their veins or collapsed to the poison itself. Others were roasted when they were stuck in Pyrrha's soon weakening Ember infernos.
Aristaeus squeaked, swinging his head with the glowing purple point exposed, stingers shaped from his poison launched from his barb and littering the ground in deadly traps. For a moment, she nearly thought they won.
Alita screamed as she was caught in the full charge of a rogue ThunderShock, unable to move as she felt the burning energy circulate her tiny body and she collapsed to her knees, wheezing as her Pokemon let out cries.
As her vision blurred, she could hear shouts and the hisses of scurrying Pokemon, as though they were running away.
All she could remember was twin glows of beautiful blue light before she passed out.
Heyo, what's this? Possibly the quickest update I've had so far? And so much action and angst that you're practically living on it? Yep, that's right, Vol's chapter 5 is here!
But seriously, I'm in pure disbelief. This is probably the most potent stuff I've read yet and hopefully well worth it. Credits go to my guest reviewer, BelieveInUs, for giving me the inspiration with his critical review on getting the real action started. And boy oh boy, was he right!
Credits for OCs this chapter go to:
Matilda Nicholson – Quake ShatterFist
Lily Freelily – Shiny Eeveee
Ormarr Shesha – Farla
I can't wait to start working on the next chapter and I hope you all enjoy!
~ Oly in Flight