Turn 14: The Tower of Doom
Location: Dragonspiral Tower
Time: 8:37 PM September 17th
Condition: Rainy
The Dragonspiral Tower, an ancient tower made of stone and mystery. It has no divided rooms to speak of; it is just an open area with hardly any floor to separate on floor from another. A man could easily fall from the top to the bottom inside the tower without much trouble. Outside of the four walls that make the exterior of the tower there are few to no other walls.
A man loud enough could create an echo that will go back and forth from top to bottom at least seventeen times before the sound waves finally dissipate. Although if you were to remain still and quiet, you can hear the eerie mournful singing of an unknown creature no one knows, in an indescribable language too ancient to even be recognized.
"What's taking him so long?" N muttered under his breath as he paced back and forth waiting for Lelouch at the topmost room in the tower. He turned to his two captives which were both gagged and tied up to chairs rather tightly. Standing just behind the two was a Carracosta. N shook his head. "No, no, I gave him until noon tomorrow I'll let him have some more time."
Behind them was a giant hole in the wall which N initially used to escape the tower with Zekrom years ago. Though the hole he could see a the rain and storm flying in the nights sky outside. Just seeing it brought memories back. He almost closed his eyes as if to embrace them before he heard the echoing of footsteps coming from below.
N turned to see Lelouch struggling up the steps carrying CC on his back. Her long hair was as pitch black and beautiful as he remembered. Lelouch was shaking a little as if the weight of CC on his back was difficult to bare.
"I've brought her." Lelouch asked. He probed the area with his mind. He could detect C-Sharp but he couldn't pinpoint his exact area. "Where's C-Sharp?"
"Don't worry; he's safely away from your kind." N gave a reassuring smile which was sort of creepy considering the circumstances.
"Hmm, something's strange; I can't hear CC's thought." N pointed out.
"She's been that way for a while now. Your very presence is making her sick? You're like poison to her." Lelouch told him. "If I give CC to you, she'll just revert back into the Dark Stone and be useless to you."
"You're lying, I'm not making her sick, people are, you are, and the world is making her sick. Besides I know the cure; I know how to make her strong again no matter what." N told him pulling out a knife and holding it against Shirley's neck. "Now hold completely still for me please."
"You're insane!" Lelouch glared at him. His glare was quickly replaced by shock when suddenly CC was forced from his arms. He looked up to see a feathered and prehistoric looking archeops carrying her towards N on the other end of the room. Once it had placed CC a few feet to the side of the captives it flew over and landed on the head of one of the chairs.
"That remains to be seen." N smiled at him putting the knife away. He walked over to CC who was sleeping to check on her when suddenly swooping in from the hole in the back of the room a large black bird flew in. As its wings became engulfed in steel, it whacked the Carracosta first and the Archeops second. N quickly snapped around to see what the commotion was about only to be knocked into the ground with a punch.
CC was now standing over N glaring down at him. "But, how? You're sick."
"You're right CC is sick." CC, or who N thought was CC pulled off her long black hair and tossed it onto the floor. She pulled a hair pin out letting her long maroon hair fall into a slightly spiked style. She took out a pair of contacts revealing her ice blue eyes. Flapping over and perching on her arm was the black bird revealed to be a mandibuzz. "You can call me, Kallen Kozuki!"
Lelouch ran over and grabbed N's knife from the ground. He untied Shirley's gag before beginning to cut her binds off. As he was doing so he heard N begin to laugh which distracted him for a moment. Lelouch was then knocked back into the ground by a painful sucker punch. He followed the pain to the source of the punch and almost gasped when he realized it had come from Shirley. "What?"
"You're so naïve Lelouch, really." N began to laugh hysterically.
Lelouch watched in horror as Shirley's clothes and skin started to turn into black and gray fur. Her hands became rose red claws, her hair grew longer and thicker, and became pitch black with red highlights. Her face began to lengthen until she had a narrow snout with whiskers. It wasn't Shirley at all but a Zoroark.
"Quite the girlfriend Lelouch." Kallen said. "Stadfeld, use steel wing."
"Carracosta, use stone edge. Zoroark, use Retaliate." N commanded.
Lelouch rolled to the right quickly dodging the Zoroark's blow with barely enough time to do so. Lelouch then got up as fast as he could, figuring his chances of dodging were better while standing. Kallen's madibuzz, Stadfeld, swooped off of her shoulder and aimed carefully for the carracosta.
Stadfeld hit the carracosta knocking it down to the ground. It was about to attack with a devastating stone edge when suddenly another creature swooped in. This time from the stairs, it ran a quickened pace right towards the carracosta and leapt forward. It extended an empowered fist slamming into the carracosta's shell. The carracosta flew backwards to the wall like a fast ball out of a park. When it finally hit the wall the sound of cracking and breaking could be heard throughout, the wall was mostly intact minus a minor indentation in the shape of a shell.
Standing where the turtle pokémon used to be was a short vicious looking creature. She stood on two legs with white fur covering the whole of her body. The exception to his was the two claws it used as hand were covered in a blood red fur. A lightning shape of red fur extended from down her chest with a similar shape over her left eye as if a scar. She had two pointed ears, one was white the other red, and a white fluffy tail. She looked vicious despite the fact it was panting from the last move it used. It was a Zangoose.
"Dang it." N returned the Carracosta to his poké-ball.
"You're timing was impeccable Chiba." Lelouch said.
"Thanks." The zangoose licked her licked one of her talons as if trying to look cool.
"A Zangoose?" Kallen glanced at it out of the corners of her eyes.
"Yes, I've been training her on the sides when I had some free time." Lelouch explained.
"Archeops!" N commanded. It swooped down and grabbed him flying out into the rainfall from the opening. He then returned his zoroark to his poké-ball. "You've made a terrible mistake Lelouch! Now pretty little Shirley's going to have to die!"
"Oh no you don't!" Kallen leapt on the back of Stadfeld. He shrieked a vicious shriek before setting off after N and the archeops.
Lelouch ran up as if he was going to try and join but it was too late. He watched as the two of them flew off into the distance. Lighting flashed in the distance. He then turned and pointed to Chris still tied up to the chair. "Slash!"
Chris' eye widened when he heard it. When he saw Chiba launch towards him he closed his eyes. He heard the swooping of her deadly talons followed by a snapping sound. He tensed for but a moment and realized he was still alive and then opened one of his eyes to check on the damage. The ropes binding him and the gag had all been cut, but miraculously he was unharmed.
"I'm alive." He sighed. His sigh was immediately interrupted whenever Lelouch rather vigorously grabbed his shoulders.
"Where are they going? Where did they take Shirley?" Lelouch demanded shaking him back and forth.
"Celestial Tower." Chris quickly responded. "He held me there for a while before he brought me here for the trade."
"Is C-Sharp there too?" Lelouch asked.
"No, he's somewhere in this tower." Chris explained.
"Then start looking for him, Chiba and I'll start towards the Celestial Tower." Lelouch explained running off as fast as he could.
"Do you really think that you can get there before N does?" Chiba asked as they headed off. Her arms tailed behind her as she ran faster than Lelouch could muster.
Chiba almost wished that she didn't ask when he responded with a long winded explanation. "N will be roaming around trying to get Kallen and Stadfeld of his tail before he returns. He wouldn't want someone interrupting him while he tries and kills her.
"If he finds them annoying enough then he'll have to turn around and start fighting him. It won't take too long for him to be victorious with a type advantage like that." Lelouch continued. "Although Stadfeld is pretty good at dodging so the battle won't be immediately in his favor. If she manages to pull off a flatter than the battle will be even longer and more in our favor.
"If by some miracle Stadfeld and Kallen do manage to defeat N's archeops then our time will dramatically increase and we shouldn't have any troubles getting there before he does." Lelouch said now panting.
"Do you always think this much?" Chiba asked.
Lelouch had finally made it up to the top of Celestial tower. He was panting holding his knees. He looked up to the bell of the tower to see Shirley tied to a chair directly under the bell. The chair she was on was standing on top of a wobbly looking stand. Tied around her neck was the rope that is used to ring the bell with just barely enough room for her to breath. "Lulu!" She cried; he could see the desperation on her face.
He was glad that he knew it was her. "Chiba!" Lelouch was about to tell her to free Shirley when suddenly N fell down in front between them. He grabbed hold of a rope that was tied to one of the legs on the stand.
"Uh, uh, uh." N waved a finger back and forth. "If you move a move an inch closer then I'll pull this rope and we'll see exactly how pure your little Shirley really is. We wouldn't want that would we? I mean, what if it turns out your pretty little friend is actually a monster inside."
Lelouch knew what he was referring to. According to legend the sound the bell makes is dependent upon who pulls it. Of course that wasn't exactly what he was referring to right now.
Something caught Lelouch's eye from a distance. "So I'm assuming that you had to fight Kellen then."
"Correct. She was easy to beat." N explained.
"Oh really?" Lelouch asked.
"Stadfeld, brave bird!" He heard Kallen's voice.
Before N could react Stadfeld had torn right through the rope holding Shirley's neck hostage only just not grazing the top of her head. As it swooped in a massive gust of wind trailed behind causing Shirley's hair to fly around wildly. Stadfeld then grazed N's shoulder but it still hit with enough force to almost send him flying off the tower's top, but slammed right into the archeops knocking it out cold.
"Ow!" N grabbed hold of his shoulder before letting out all of his pokémon. His remaining team consisted of a Zoroark, Klinklank, and vanilluxe.
These were not really favorable circumstances. Stadfeld may be strong but most of these pokémon had a type advantage over him. Depending on who was faster with Zoroark's fighting type moves it could end badly between him and Chiba. N could also read the strength of pokémon so he knew what both of their pokémon were capable of. They would have to win this battle out of sheer dumb luck.
"Stadfeld, roost!" Kallen commanded.
"Chiba, hit him with another close combat!" Lelouch shouted. N didn't speak but his pokémon moved anyways. Lelouch had to assume he was giving out commands mentally.
Stadfeld landed on the ground recovering from the last brave bird while Chiba lunged forward with her talons closed into a fist sending a rain of attacks down on the Zoroark and knocking it unconscious. The klinklank then floated on next to Stadfeld and released a bolt of lightning shocking it. Vanilluxe stood still and released a massive cold blizzard that hit both friend and foe alike. Stadfeld fell defeated.
"Dang it." Kallen cried.
It was lucky that Chiba managed to beat out Zoroark but now it appeared as though the odds were hardly in his favor as it was now two hardly damaged opponents to his one weakened pokémon. He didn't have too long to think though, N's pokémon were already stirring for the next attack.
"Quick Chiba, get that vanilluxe with a swagger." Lelouch commanded.
The vanilluxe floated on next to it and started to breathe a heavy frost breath but Chiba managed to dodge the attack easily. She then turned her back to him. This gesture made the vanilluxe fume with anger. Klinklank unaffected by the gesture moved on to attack with a bright beam of metallic energy. Chiba only barely dodgde this one.
"Excellent." Lelouch said. He had now gotten a mild advantage. With vanilluxe confuse like that it was unlikely that he would land a blow on Chiba. Now all that was left would be to finish off the Klinklank. "Get the klinklank with a close combat!"
Chiba turned around and dashed for the klinklank unleashing a flurry of punches beating it senselessly into the ground until it was unconscious. The vanilluxe tried to go on a help but accidentally fell right into the ground injuring itself. While it was yet on the ground Chiba leapt over and did the same to the vanilluxe. N had been defeated.
"No!" N shouted falling to his knees. "How could this happen?"
"Chiba, keep an eye on him." Lelouch commanded running over to Shirley. While the battle had been ensuing, Kallen had taking the opportunity to free Shirley. He let out a gleeful sigh. Before he could say anything Shirley leapt into his arm almost sobbing from the stress of the situation as the rain water trickled down her face like tears.
"Lulu." She muttered into his shoulder.
Lelouch held up and patted her back comfortingly. "It's alright Shirley. It's over."
Kallen rolled her eyes. "I guess I'll just carry Stadfeld alone then." She shook her head before picking up her wounded pokémon.
"Thank you Kallen, I don't know how I can ever repay you." Lelouch said.
"How about we just call it even." Kallen shrugged.
"Fine with me." Lelouch turned to Shirley. "Would you mind if I helped Kallen with that?"
"Sure." She nodded.
Lelouch left to go help Kallen lift her unconscious bird pokémon. Shirley followed behind and started to help them too. "Come on Chiba we're going home." Chiba ran up to follow behind them.
"Oh no you're not." N muttered to himself taking out a knife. He ran up to them and was about to strike at Lelouch's back before Chiba quickly twirled around and forced him back with a might punch. N started skidding backwards on the water until he was at the ledge of the tower. In order to spare himself from falling off the edge he grabbed hold of the rope that was tied around Shirley's neck not too long ago.
Suddenly ringing through the entire tower was a horrid and dreadful banging sound that halted Lelouch and everyone who were bracing themselves from the sound. "What was that?" Shirley gasped.
N had accidently rung the bell while trying to save his own life. His eyes widened at the horrid sound of it. He had rung the bell before and it had been a gentle and kind sound that time. Now it was a horrid banging sound like sound of some sort of unpleasant thudding, and like the noise, N's heart dropped at a sudden realization.
He looked around him, all the destruction and pain surrounding him. He had been the cause of it all. He had a horrified expression as he looked down at his hand currently holding a dagger. He dropped the dagger and let out a horrified wail of pain and agony as he realized what he had done and attempted to do.
"What have I done?" He said beginning to tear up.
"What am I?" He cried loudly falling to his knees in weakness. "How did it get this far?"
Shirley looked back her brows lowering in pity for him. Lelouch saw the look on her face as he felt Stadfeld become as if a little heavier ever so slowly. "Shirley, don't."
Ignoring Lelouch's suggestion, Shirley let go of the madibuzz and headed over to the sobbing N. "What are you doing?" Kallen cried as she noticed what she was doing.
Shirley then knelt down next to N placing a hand on his shoulder. "What are you doing!" Lelouch threw the rest of Stadfeld on Kallen and started towards Shirley.
"Hay." Kallen waved back and forth trying to keep her balance as she held her pokémon.
"It's alright." Shirley whispered, taking him into her arms. "Don't cry."
"But I'm a monster." N muttered back. "A freak."
"No you're not. You're just sad and confused." Shirley said attempting to comfort him. Lelouch was about start talking but then as if she could feel it she glared back at him telling him to back off. Lelouch rolled his eyes and stood down. "I was confused a while back. I felt like I was betrayed by the person I care for the most. I didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't know if I could ever forgive them for what they did.
"But you know what, I put my best foot forward and I all ended well in the end." She reassured him. "If I can do it, then I know you can forgive yourself and move on forward."
"Do." N stuttered. "Do you really think so?"
"Yes, of course you can. You can forgive anything if you really want to." Shirley told him.
"Thank you." N said finally accepting the embrace.
After what felt like an hour of hugging Kallen and Chiba were thoroughly done with this and had left. Lelouch certainly wasn't going to just leave Shirley and N alone so he stayed for all of it in silence. After feeling more confident in himself, N got up.
"Thank you so very much." N said. "You had no reason to but you were very nice to me."
"Don't mention it." Shirley waved off his complement.
"Lelouch." N turned to him.
"What?" Lelouch seemed shocked at being addressed.
"CC, bring her to the Dragonspiral Tower. If you place her in the waters there then she will her full strength again." N told him.
"Thank you." Lelouch said almost with a bow of respect.
"No Lelouch." N said walking up to the edge of the tower. He looked out at the distance for a moment taking in the lights, the rain, and sounds, and the beauty of the world. He looked out as if he was seeing the world for the first time. He turned back to face Lelouch and Shirley, he nodded to both of them.
"Thank you."
Lelouch's eyes widened and Shirley gasped when they saw he was leaning backwards. Lelouch ran as if to try and grab him but it he was too far away. By the time Lelouch reached where N stood he was completely out of view.
Shirley ran up next to Lelouch to see but she couldn't see anything either. Between the rain and the surrounding darkness it was too difficult to even see too far down. "Is… Is he dead?"
"I don't know." Lelouch shook his head.
Suddenly they heard running from behind them. Lelouch and Shirley turned to see Kallen, Stadfeld, Chris, C-Sharp, and Chiba, each with distressed expressions. "Lelouch!"
"What is it?" Lelouch asked.
"It's Black Plasma!" Chris panted. "They're attack Icirrus City."
"That's not the worst of it. Team Rocket is attacking Mistralton City." Kallen added.
"Crap, right now?" Lelouch asked. We're surrounded. They could have attack any other time, why now? "Chris take Shirley to the Mistralton Cave, she should be safe there. Kallen stay here and defend Mistralton as well as you can. If possible I'll send reinforcements from Icirrus."
"Right." Kallen said.
"What? I'm sitting this one out again?" Chris seemed disappointed.
"Get going, we need to move now." Lelouch commanded.
Next Time: Gang Wars!
Author's Notes: Guess what, somebody actually voted on my Hilbert Versus Suzaku Poll. I'm not going to tell you which they voted for but I can tell you that I am thoroughly shocked. Just thought I'd drop that in on you, and in case you wanted to chime in you can visit my profile and vote.