Into Reality Ch.11 – The Great Escape… (Re-edited)

Hello everyone of the internet! ;) It sure had been a while once again, but unfortunately, this may realistically be the last chapter for a while as my classes are approaching the CST's as well as my AP Biology Final that is coming up in May. For now, I do plan to maximize my time to focus on my studies but at the same time, still getting some progress done on the coming chapters. For now, I do wish everyone had a wonderful Easter (whether you believe in it of now, I just hope everyone had a wonderful week to themselves so that the world continues to spin with a smile)... So without further ado... here we go!

(With a re-edited battle scene)

"Speech" or "Emphasis/hint"

'Telepathy'

(Specific Location/ extra information)

*action* or *special cue* I think I've gone over this… =D

Listen to the mustn'ts child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen to me… Anything can Happen, child, Anything can be."

- Shel Siverstein

Time was running out faster than I could count it as the storm was practically right next to us. Using what little knowledge I had on how to tell time, I guessed I had about a half hour left before things went dark around me. By then, it would be nearly impossible for me to find my way back to Raid without proper navigation skills. Needless to say, I really was feeling dumber than ever for not considering learning these essential survival skills, but I pressed on ignoring the darkness and continuing my search. Time was honestly not on my side, and I couldn't bear having to tell Raid that I couldn't find Latias in time, but again, I continued yelling Latias's name out into the sandy skies praying to the lord that I would find her in time.

I blasted through the skies yelling for Latias as the battle Raid had personally volunteered to join, raged on in the distance. By now my vision had nearly cleared up and I could identify objects a lot easier. It bugged me knowing Raid was fighting on his own down below, but not being able to help bugged me more. Still, finding Latias had my top priority before escaping from the storm.

All was violent, even in the skies filled with sand blew harder and hurt more with the wind. All the while I flew through the pain trying to get to the being that mattered most to Raid and I.

I continued yelling into the sandy skies. 'LATIAS! WHERE ARE YOU!?' However, sand flew into my mouth every time I called out forcing me to stick to telepathy.

My efforts were beginning to seem in vain as no response came. I was on edge; I didn't want to go back to Raid telling him that she wasn't here. 'I've got to find her, Raid and I'll stay in the storm just to find her, but... there's got to be a quicker way!' I thought.

This storm was practically upon us now and I could see the complete darkness below the clouds that were approaching, but with any storm, the area around me was already turning dark.

I continued my effort to find Latias as I struggled to hold up a small psychic barrier around myself. 'Maybe Raid was right when he said I was still young. I can barely hold this little shield up to give me cover from the sand.' I sighed fully acknowledging my own weakness but pursued to fulfill my task.

But there was no time to have doubts so I took off once more pushing further into the distance, ripping through the sand filled skies, not allowing nature to get the best of me. It appealed to me that Arceus must've been testing us, or he may have done something to help by now. (That being since we are as far as we know the only three Pokémon to exist on this earth)

With Sam looking out a one way window at HQ…

The room was full of head chiefs all discussing battle tactics with the men out in the field at the moment. Operators were desperately trying to get a hold of their men, but all attempts were failing. The room was in chaos none-the-less as Sam stood by a wall of one way viewing windows, looking out into the pitch black darkness outside as sand blew violently across the his field of view. The storm was already overhead and spotlights outside provided the only way to see around the exposed deck below. Grains of sand pummeled radio antennas to submission and cut off all communications with the outside world as radio signals couldn't get passed the thick layer of sand around the headquarters.

Sam sighed to himself. (I've given them all they need to get to where they need to be and yet they appear to have disappeared once again. Even our specially trained men have failed to locate the trio, and now this storm seems to be the final blow to their lingering chances of survival)

One of the chiefs in charge of battle plans came up to him not looking very happy at the situation. "Commander Sam, permission to speak sir."

Sam just continued to stare out into the horizon remaining still.

The commander persisted. "Sir… permission to speak?"

"…"

Sam looked over his shoulder before turning around. "Permission granted, now what is it that you must tell me." Sam replied not to enthusiastic about the situation.

The chief nodded. "Sir, we've got no way to communicate with our men right now, and at this point the storm is just about to cross their position. They don't have enough supplies to withstand the duration of the storm and they won't be able to navigate their way back easily. The sand is interfering with our compasses and GPS. What do we do now? Why did we send them out in the first place? There's nothing out there but leftover ruins that were once towns."

Sam with his shades as clean as ever just stared at the chief, and responded with no signs of appeal. "That is of my own concern, not yours chief. These are direct orders given for us to follow through. If the pentagon wants us to send troops out into battle to hold down this position then we will send out our men to defend this HQ. Do I make my statement clear?"

The chief only gulped at Sam's seriousness and hesitated. "… ye-yess sir…"

"Good. Now, listen carefully because I will only say it once…"

The chief began to listen intently. "Yes sir?"

Sam paused for a second before responding. "… I want birds in the air. I want men in wing suits in the current battle now…" Sam took a step off to the side and referred to a map of the battlefield posted on the wall. "I agree with your statement, and our men will not make it on their own for much longer, to counter this We will also be sending a massive rescue party in a few moments with a majority of the men here in the base now."

The chief understood, but already knew that getting planes into the air would be impossible with the current weather outside. "Sir, I'm afraid getting men in the air isn't possible. So how do we assist?"

Sam nodded knowingly and sighed. "Chief, there is always a way, you just have to look. Look into the skies." With that Sam walked out of the room heading towards the weapons bay, as men got up from their seats and followed Sam in suit.

The chief was now alone in the room, totally lost as to what to do when a light bulb lighted in his head. He rushed towards one of the telephones located at an operators work tables and quickly dialed in the numbers to one of the weapons managers located a few levels below. The phone buzzed before another man could be heard. "No time to ask questions, I want a missile in the air now loaded with a Fulton Recovery system onboard…. I said no questions soldier, get a message onboard that missile and get her airborne. Yes, the message will be…

Back with Raid in the middle of the fight…

Tank shells were firing everywhere but most of them were being blocked by a single massive psychic wall Raid had in front protecting him and the allies behind him. It had taken a long time to get a barrier going as most attempts to create one were easily destroyed by multiple tank shells. But luckily Raid managed to start a shield going and had already begun building off it, expanding it off to the sides across the sandy field spanning over a quarter of a football field and stretched vertically over the allies trying to establish some form of cover, both from the front and from above. The allies were forced to cease any attack on the enemy or they would risk destroying the shield Raid had put up to protect them. Men had already begun falling back to the tanks for supporting fire while Raid struggled to hold on to his shield.

Blast after blast, impact after impact. The enemy ceased their attack as artillery rounds continued to wither down Raid's strength. His thoughts and hopes for the soon return of his friends were constantly cut short as incendiary rounds exploded in front of him on the pink psychic wall. Ground men that weren't manning the heavy guns were left to watch the battle unfold as some supported Raid by chanting for him to hold on as long as he could. Wounded men were being transferred to armored vehicles while others helped tend to others wounds.

Ultimately, Raid was suffering… but all for a cause.

His energy was mainly being expended into the strength and integrity of the wall he worked so hard to create to protect those he needed. Every inch of the barrier was of Raid's pure determination but also of brute will to keep his promise. Every second holding up the wall was a moment of pain. Every round of artillery that managed to strike the wall Raid could feel as he struggled to keep the wall together.

(Note: When a psychic Pokémon uses his/her ability in a manner of creating something, it takes solid focus. Otherwise, by breaking concentration, the Pokémon now no longer maintains/controls the flow of energy as the structure will become compromised creating a misbalance that will ultimately destroy what was trying to be created. That is unless the user can quickly retake control of the energy before it dissipates into thin air, but retaking control would take more energy and concentration, as the user must bring all the energy scattered around back into shape.)

Physical pain was one thing, but Raid was suffering more mentally as he tried to remain as positive as he could for as long as possible…

Back above in the skies…

I wasn't having any luck, and every passing second brought the wall of sand closer and closer.

Latias was still nowhere to be found and at this rate, Raid and I would be forced to retreat back to base without completing what we set out to do. Even though Raid and I were too far apart from each other at the moment to sync minds, we both felt desperate.

I looked left and right, yelling as hard as I could into the skies, begging for that one voice that would make the difference. Even with telepathy that would reach much further out than yelling would, still left me with the sound of the wind rushing by.

'LATIAS!... LATIAS! … PLEASE SHOW YOURSELF! LATIAS!'

I fought my own doubts and negative thoughts and used what leftover positivity I had left. I thought of the moments I shared with her, I thought of the times we had together, anything that would remind me of her, I used to strengthen my will, but that was changed very quickly.

A thunderous crack of lightning streaked across the wall of sand and could be heard clear as day even with the howling winds blowing by.

'Lightning, in the dessert but how?!' But my attention was quickly drawn to a much bigger threat. 'At this rate, I've only got a couple more minutes before things go dark. But Latias isn't here! I… I… what do I do?! I can't leave without her!' I was in a battle with myself but I knew I didn't have any other choice but to abandon hope, or be caught in the storm alone. It was something that I didn't want to do, leave without coming back with Latias, but I knew Raid would be far off worse if I didn't come back to help him.

Feeling full of guilt, I turned my back on the horizon and took off back towards the battle grounds. As I raced across the sandy skies, I continuously told myself, "There was nothing left that you could have done, you did what you could but it wasn't enough". That last part was what was eating at me. As I approached the battlefield, Raid's psychic wall could be seen as well as felt as the energy pulsing off of it was easily recognized, even for the men fighting on the ground.

(P.O.V. Change: Raid)

Seeing the wall I'd created was a sight to behold, I was proud of my efforts and what I was capable of creating, but even through the pride, I had now become part of the suffering table. 'That's.. one more giant success… for the record books' I managed to say in-between grunts of pain.

I was mainly focused on keeping energy flowing through the wall to fill in wholes that were being created by enemy fire. I filled each hole as quickly as I could but as the enemy continued to persist the attack, I was slowly falling behind and I could feel the wall starting to crumble, but she held together.

As Marlon came into my viewing range, I could feel the brick weights fall off my shoulders; I knew that now help had arrived. Marlon quickly flew around the barrier walls and met up with me, but it took me time before I realized the bigger truth… 'Marlon, you're back, thank Arceus…Wait… Where's Latias?"

'…'

It was the slow droop and shake of the head that stole shattered my concentration.

The walls were cracking and energy was flying everywhere as the attacks were starting to break through.

Marlon's eyes widened realizing what was happening and grabbed both my paws and concentrated on the wall with all his might. I quickly snapped back into the situation and concentrated as well. Both mine, and Marlon's paws became enveloped in a thin layer of pink psychic energy as we both reached out into the air and used our powers into re-stabilizing the crumbling wall. We both focused on the escaping energy and forced it back into place.

From the soldiers' point of view, it was like watching the food color dye you would drop into a clear cup of water as you watched it spread out from the center, but in this case it'd be like watching it all happen in reverse as the energy flowed back into the barrier.

Slowly but surely energy was being pulled back into place and the flow of energy was re-established as the wall had retaken its shape. We didn't have much time to celebrate as we both released paws and spread out from each other in an attempt to control more of the wall.

I laughed a bit, 'Well the second law of thermodynamics states that "Energy can neither be created nor destroyed" but it can definitely be controlled."

By now they are had become really dark and the winds were continuing to get more violent. The sand filled wind was starting to do lethal damage as air was already in short supply. The second Marlon and I shared each other's energy to stabilize the wall, we became in sync. We started sharing minds, tactics, strategies, we could feel each other's pain, it was basically "the sharing of the minds". I quickly came up with an idea and before I could tell Marlon through telepathy, he already read my mind, as he broke away from the wall and flew off to the end of the ally tanks behind me. With a massive cry into the desert wind, he put energy forth in front of his paws summoning what strength he had to get the job done. Slowly, pink psychic energy began to envelop Marlon's paws once more and spread out in front of him forming a thin psychic barrier. Quickly Marlon spread his paws out and the energy followed his movements. With a smooth motion of the paws through techniques I had taught him, the wall was slowly growing, and quickly picking up the pace as Marlon summoned more of his strength forward. I didn't have to look back as I could feel his energy flowing more strongly around me. I did the same with the shield I had already made and expanded it, following Marlon's smooth motions of the paws as we thought identically, mimicking each other's movements slowly trying to bridge the gap between our two halves of the shield. With the attacks still mainly hitting my side of the shield, I was still feeling the constant strain on my mind and body, but being that Marlon was around, and hadn't taken much damage, he took some of the pain I felt as we shared the pain equally. Memories of Latias continued to flash back into my head but Marlon removed them as quickly as he could. He knew that I was still thinking of her, and he knew that I would suffer more I thought of her.

It took time, but eventually the two halves were fused together and the sand stopped flying inside the new dome. Now that Marlon and I were sharing the pain, we both went back and held up the wall facing the enemy. Without the sand constantly battering us, we could focus more on holding up the shield.

I took a moment and reached behind my ear and pulled out a small device that had been clinging to it, and flew over to Marlon attaching the device onto his ear.

'Raid, what are you doing? What is that thing?' Marlon asked confused and a bit startled.

'Don't worry, it won't hurt you. This is just the little transmitter that Sam had given to me before I took off to rescue you. It's been constantly buzzing and it's been messing with my concentration. I need you to take it for me so I can focus more.'

I nodded understanding and continued to focus on the wall in front of me, trying hard not to flinch as another round of tank shells detonated in front of the shield, as Raid finished attaching the earpiece.

I could understand while Raid must've wanted to get rid of the thing. Constant interference rang loudly through the one sided piece making it difficult concentrate. I could tell Raid was feeling a lot better after getting rid of the device so I decided to take the distractions "like a man", although Raid caught my thoughts and chuckled to himself.

(P.O.V. Change: Marlon)

It was great for me to see Raid smile again even though we were fighting once more for our lives. I was managing to hold the wall together but I was more concerned with another problem. 'Raid, how much longer do you think these guys will go? We won't be able to last forever. We need to retreat soon while we still can.' I took a second and looked over my shoulder at the men down below behind me. 'By the looks of things, most of the men that were injured are patched up and taken into the armored vehicles.'

Raid was of course trying to put together a plan of action but was falling short as there was no real place to retreat to now that the sand blocked communications, mainly the ability to navigate back to base. 'I don't know where we could retreat to. I can't remember which way will take us back to base.'

We were both completely lost as to what to do. 'Raid, can you hold the shield up alone again, I'm going to go see what I can do with the allies below.'

Raid, obviously confused, just agreed and did as I asked.

Even as I turned away from the shield my mind was still connected with it as I took off below to a group of 20 soldiers below. All were eagerly watching as I descended down to them. My idea was to get them to start backing up away from the enemy in an attempt to lose them in the storm. The only problem was, I couldn't communicate with them, without transforming into my human form and blowing my identity. So I decided to do things caveman style.

I floated above the group of men, and descended lower to the sandy floor. One of the men shinned a flashlight down to where I was drawing on the ground. With one claw I started drawing out a map of what the battle field looked like. I was trying to illustrate my thoughts with the sand. I drew two circles on the ground and drew an X where we were. The men were lost as to my ideas and I added motions of the paws acting out that the X was us. I then drew an arrow leading away from the battle field and then led the arrow to a square with the name base written over it. I hoped that it didn't take a genius to figure it out as I even went to the levels of writing out the sentences in the sand to further aid the soldiers' confusion.

Minutes went by and my patience was thinning. We were in battle, and I had adult men around me that couldn't understand the simple English clearly written in the sand. Luckily, one of the men surrounding me quickly got the idea and asked a question. "Uh… Latios, is it okay if I call you that. My son has heard of you and he told me all about Pokémon. My name is Kevin Lyehard. I'm part of the United States Army, Corporal Class, and 105th division."

I nodded at the particular man. He appeared African American in ethnicity with a strong and fit structure. I read over a few of his thoughts and I.D.'d the person as friendly. He was giving off a worried sensation and I felt it. I got up from the sandy floor and hovered over to his side. I patted him on the shoulder cooing softly trying to assure him that I meant no harm.

Kevin nodded back more confidently and looked down once more at my drawings. "Alright, I get it. We're retreating from the combat zone. Isn't that right Latios?"

I nodded smiling. 'Finally it took these guys long enough. Okay, that's part A of the plan. Now to make sure they understand what I need to happen.'

I flew over to my drawings once more as Kevin followed kneeling down next to me. I pointed at the X, gesturing to everyone around me. Then, I dragged my claw across following the line all the way to the square box labeled base. Finally, I dug my claw into the sand cooing strictly that, "this is where we need to go".

Kevin nodded understanding, stood up from his kneeling position and yelled at everyone around. "Okay, listen up men. We're getting the hell out of here, TODAY! I want all the wounded in the armored vehicles and I want men in the tanks in case we have trouble along the way. We don't have time to chit chat men so get those asses in high gear and move MOVE MOVE!"

Everyone scrambled from the spot and headed to do something. I cooed happily watching the whole thing happen as so much appeared to be getting done so quickly. 'I guess I underestimated the army corp.' I thought to myself, but with Raid and I still in sync, he also caught my thoughts and called out for help as well.

Before I took off to help, I turned to Kevin who stood beside me smiling. He watched as I looked up to Raid smiling and then back to him. "I can tell you two know each other well. My son did say something about you being a psychic, but I never really understood what he meant. Guess I'll regret not listening carefully." He chuckled and I did a mid-air back flip cooing happily. After a bit of enthusiasm, I patted Kevin once more on the shoulder.

Raid was calling for me again in the background as I shook Kevin's hands and thanked him as best I could for his help so far.

Suddenly, the earpiece I had recently received started producing other sounds besides the previous buzzing. Small fragments of voices were starting to be heard as I looked around for a source. "bzzzzz….may…bzz…ay…bzzzz…is…..bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…w e'…bzzzz.. own….bzzzzz…"

Confused whether the message was friendly I continued looking around in the chaotic mess, but out of nowhere the buzzing stopped and completely cleared. "Mayday… Mayday, this is the US Hercules, we're going down I repeat all engines have failed, requesting pickup!"

I was even more confused than before lost as to what was going on. 'A distress call… he said the engines were on fire… the audio also got clearer for some reason…' It wasn't very long before everything pieced together, as I turned around gasping wide eyed.

'RAID! BRACE FOR IMPACT!'

Raid couldn't read my mind fast enough before danger was just around the corner. Raid opened his eyes and gasped as he watched a flaming brightly lit AC-130 fall from the dark skies in front of him, falling directly towards the shield!

Raid was over taken by his own surprise that he became paralyzed and couldn't move. Noticing what was about to happen, I let loose and blasted off towards Raid grabbing and pulling him out of the way at the last second as the flaming behemoth crashed straight into the dome, erupting on impact into a thousand pieces.

Completely stunned, I flew down and laid Raid on the sand below. I could feel some change in the dome's energy as the dome began to crack at the point of impact. Sprinting into action I flew up to the cracked sites and slowly reshaped the flow of energy, sealing the cracks and re-establishing a functioning barrier. Kevin had already taken it upon himself to helping Raid back up into the air as the ally tanks were already starting to move away from the combat zone.

With Raid back in the air he tackled me with a hug, thanking me for the save. One "its not the first time" later and a slap to my face later with a compliment 'jerk' comment later, and the entire ally force had begun its retreat. Dust was uplifted as the tanks and the armored vehicles picked up the pace as Raid and I lifted the dome up slightly to allow us to move it around. It wasn't an easy start but Raid and I tag teamed it and it our progress was improving but unfortunately the enemy refused to be lost. They pursued us and continued to blanket the dome with artillery rounds. Raid and I had no idea where we were going as we followed the tail lights of the ally tanks below, but I had my faith that we were going to base. The only problem was, by heading to base, we were bringing the enemy home with us.

Raid had the same thoughts and shared his concerns with me. 'Marlon, if we're going to back to base, I sure hope Sam has a full army of men already set up and ready to smoke these guys. Either that or we're pretty much screwed.' Raid finished not sounding too hopeful for the last part.

Not feeling too good about the situation, there was a change in the wind flow.

The area was already near complete darkness but with the tanks lights shining the way, we could hear loud crashed and the earth thump underneath us. Ignoring the disturbance, the group pushed onwards with me and Raid following suit.

Out of nowhere, lights were approaching from the front. It was a sight none of us wanted to see as lines of tanks were approaching with the cannons pointed in our direction. Noticing the new threat, Raid and I swapped positions from the rear of the dome to the front, preparing to hold off another wave of attacks. With Raid besides me, we both stuck our paws out and focused on the wall in front. 'These guys never seem to give up! How much ammunition do these guys really have?!' Raid panicked unsure of the success of surviving a two front battle.

As the tanks approached, Raid and I braced the shield waiting for the first flash from one of the cannons. Unfortunately our hopes were cast quicker than we thought as the first round was fired, and soon after that another round, and another and another. Each attack detonated with ferocity erupting into massive fireballs against the outside of the dome. The tanks were now a couple hundred meters from the dome but we continued to push forward.

The enemy we had tried to lose behind us had now caught up once more and continued their barrage. We were now pinned from both sides.

'Raid, we have to drop the shield and retaliate. We're getting massacred out here right now! Let's do this thing!'

Raid, completely unsure at my rash, aggressive tactic, still debated with him to hold the shield.

'Raid, drop the shield! We don't have time. The allies will return fire and we will attack both sides. I we can break through, we'll still have a chance to get back!'

Raid still couldn't come to an agreement but was forced to comply. I flew down to Kevin who reluctantly understood what was about to happen (Before I managed to tell him) yelled to his team. "MEN! LISTEN UP, THIS IS IT! WE'VE BEEN CHASED DOWN LONG ENOUGH! TIME TO DRIVE THESE SORRY TROLLS BACK TO THEIR MAMA'S! HOORAH?!"

All the men shouted back, "HOORAH!" All the men began manning the guns and wrapped their mouths with a handkerchief to block the sand and allow for some air.

With that I nodded to Raid from down below who sighed knowing full well what was about to happen. With both paws in the wall up, he focused on the energy he used to create the wall, and now used the energy to control the enemy's machines. Like before the pink energy dissipated away from the wall, but now under Raid's and my control. Using the psychic energy, we took control of most of the weapons surrounding the allies and turned them away forcing them to shoot at anything but us. Raid and I also used part of the shield to create a miniature dome around us in the air to protect us just in case of stray fire.

Each of the tanks large high caliber barrels became wrapped in the pink psychic energy. From the allies point of view, large pink protrusions extended out from our shield like an octopus as the tentacles wrapped around each of the tanks barrels. Raid was managing the tanks behind the allies while I took the ones in front. One by one, tanks weaponry became our own as we were in near control over the battle field. With one sharp movement of the paws from within our airborne dome, each of the tanks large steel barrels were kinked out of shape, completely removing the enemy's ability to retaliate. With the tentacles still engulfing the tanks, the allies used these to their advantage. The area was now pitch black but our psychic energy lit up the night (that along with the tracers that continued to fly around below, and above).

The allies took aim for the very base each tentacle and opened fire on each of the tanks. From the air, it was domination as tanks were being ripped apart, psychically by Raid and I, as the men on the ground that were tag teaming tanks blowing extremely large holes in them leaving nothing to remain. Raid and I also to the liberty of knocking out men retreating from the area using the tentacles as weapons themselves, as we sweeped men from the ground and threw them across the darkness. From the distance, tanks were unleashing hell as their large high caliber rounds pierced the dark sky lighting up everything around them for a spit second. Machine guns also had their turn as flashes had become the main source of light on the battlefield. The enemy was left without relatively few options to retaliate with. Numbers were quickly decreasing as ally tanks were blasting tanks to metallic splinters while Raid and I were throwing tanks across the battlefield like play toys. Ally men were also fighting back using whatever explosive device they had on hand and throwing it at the enemy. Tanks were exploding and crushed under our combined powers. We continued to manipulate the psychic energy as tanks fell to our mercy. One by one armored vehicles were rendered disabled as the storm was starting to affect everyone's vehicles. The enemy wasn't finished yet shells continued to fly through the air heating up anything around it. The tank shells blasted by the ally vehicles nearly hitting them as they exploded off in the distance.

'Raid, the allies are being target, let's switch to defensive!' I said to my partner fighting behind me.

Raid nodded as we redirected the arms.

I looked over Raids shoulder and watched as a group of enemy tanks took aim at a group of ally armored vehicles carrying the wounded. Still synced with me, Raid grabbed my paws unexpectedly. In a split second, Raid used my powers and redirected all the psychic arms in front of the armored vehicles just in time before the enemy unleashed a massive wave of attacks. The barrier held together and stopped each round in their tracks. In seconds the enemy tanks were obliterated by the ally fire power. Raid released my paws and patted me on the back. 'Sorry 'bout that, I was afraid you wouldn't react fast enough.'

Although this wasn't the first time Raid had to "borrow" my powers before, I'm still annoyed when Raid just reached over and uses me... 'Fine, I'll let it go this time. Next time try to give me warning at least.'

Raid smiled and smirked the "Yah... suurrreeee" look. (Oh Raid, you're so dependable) But our attention was snapped back around us as an incendiary round exploded on our barrier. We refocused our attention and re-took control of the psychic arms.

Before we knew it, only a quarter of the original 500 tanks that had previously engaged us were now either in splinters or erupting into flames. With everyone's teamwork, no one from the allies managed to get hurt in the retaliation as the end was in sight. Remaining tanks were beginning to flee realizing the monstrosity we had just turned into. To the enemy it was a horrendous sight to watch your teammates get attacked out of nowhere by pink tentacles and watch tanks be lifted from the ground and crushed in the air like nothing. In battle, Raid and I even decided to play games with tanks, tossing them vertically into the air and smashing them with one of the tentacles as they fell, completely disintegrating the tank in the process. We weren't concerned about whether there were men onboard or not. All we knew was that by taking out the enemy, many other innocent lives could be spared.

Our midair dome tentacle tactic had worked, but it was a costly move by us as most of our energy was expended creating more tentacles to use as well as manipulating them to grab the tanks. Round after round, the allies had eventually finished things up. The battlefield around us was ablaze, but the sand quickly doused them. From the air, inside our bubble, Raid and I were panting excessively from the work load we managed to pull off. (It was a total first using this tactic, one that we probably won't forget for a while) With the battlefield cleared Raid and I dissipated the energy from the tentacles, but held our shield up to protect us from the winds, as we descended towards the ally vehicles.

It would be an understatement to say that both of us were winded by our efforts, as we crashed on top of one of the ally support vehicles. Our shield dissipated and the all too familiar winds began to batter us once more attempting to finish the job and send us to a very unwelcoming place.

The vehicle stopped and men got off and jumped onto the sides of the armored vehicle and held onto us, trying to hold us onto so that we wouldn't fall off. They also placed a tarp over us to block the wind from hitting us. It was a sight for me and Raid to see as the men were putting themselves into the roaring winds just to help us as the vehicle began moving again with the tanks now surrounding us. Ally tanks were now positioned in a star shape around us each pointing their turrets into the darkness away from us, forming a barrier between us. I looked over to Raid who was besides me who having difficulty breathing, 'I told you… *coughs* we could trust them…' I smiles slightly also having a tough time breathing. (It must've been overexertion of our energy so quickly that made us so weak, but we both knew we'd survive)

But like a horror movie with no end, another row of light appeared in front. Raid saw it as clearly as I did through the tarp as the light approached. Soon over an hundred tanks were able to be made out and their cannons were aimed right at us like before. It was the nightmare version of De-ja-vu. 'Man, you've got to be kidding me! I'm toast Raid, I don't have enough energy to fight back!'

Raid was just as worried as I was but there wasn't time to linger on it as the tanks were now practically in front of us. The ally troops slowed to a stop and held their position. Every tank was aiming the other as it was a standoff. No one moved and no shots were fired. Raid and I struggled but we managed to get a light shield over us to protect us just in case. The armored vehicle we were in slowly drove in reverse and positioned us in the rear of the pack, with all the tanks up in front of us now, but even with all the power we had, we were severely outnumbered and outmatched.

Up in front one of the tank hatches opened and a man came out jumping in front of one of the lights… Even from afar, I recognized the person's mind patterns… 'Sam?!' Raid and I spoke in sync.

Sam jumped off from the tank and approached one of our ally tanks. He took a look at the symbols up in front and then peered around the tank in front, catching a small glimpse of a pink bubble on top of an armored vehicle in back (meaning Raid and I). Kevin popped out from his tank and looked over at Sam who was waving for everyone to follow the rescue party.

Kevin jumped off the top of his tank and signaled everyone else to follow the convoy using his flashlight to communicate. To Raid and I, we could finally take a rest from all the action and sigh in relief that it wasn't about to become another fight scene. We both relaxed slightly still holding our barrier as our group had merged with Sam's convoy as we were now heading back to what we hope would be a place that we could call safe. Both Sam and Kevin jumped into a jeep and pulled up along sides the armored vehicle we rested on top of. He pulled out a radio from inside the jeep and used it to communicate with us as we drove along. Sam would speak and I would hear it while Raid would listen through my thoughts.

"You two have got yourselves some explaining to do once we return to base…"

Kevin took the radio, "But for now sit tight and enjoy the ride. It'll be a while before we get back but rest assure that it will be combat free the entire way."

With that Sam switched to using his radio (a small earpiece similar to the one I was wearing and a mouthpiece that extended to the side of his mouth). "I must commend you once more for your valiant efforts. I really do owe you two more than I can say…" Sam took notice that there were only two of us on top and figured the situation out. Looking down, he understood. "I see… We'll have surveyors spread out and look for your friend, but for now all you can do is hope that she'll make it on her own for now…"

It was a statement Raid and I really didn't want to consider but it was also something that we couldn't ignore…

'Latias… please be okay…' I thought. Sam could only hear my sad coo's through his radio.

'And please, take care of yourself for as long as you can… please be safe for just a little longer…" Raid added on…

We both prayed to the lord and to Arceus that he would protect Latias as she was on her own… it was a wish that both Raid and I desperately needed to come true… that and so that the three of us could be together again… like it was before...

But even through the mental, physical, and emotional pain, we could only do as Sam had said… and wait as we headed back to base… and hopefully a place to be safe…

OMG! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS STORY, ONE SECOND its SEPARATION OF THE THREE FRIENDS AND NOW IT'S A FULL OUT COMPLETE "RETREAT FOR THE HILLS". ALTHOUGH THE BATTLE SCENE MAY HAVE BEEN SHORTER THAN EXPECTED FOR SOME, THE REASON BEING THAT IT REALLY WASN'T MEANT TO BE A DRAMATIC ALL OUT SCENE, (even though Raid and Marlon crushed tanks in midair with people still in it but that was only the tip of the iceberg, imagine having this giant floating pink ball floating in the middle of the battlefield with pink tentacles extending outwards grabbing, crushing, disabling enemy tanks all at once, as well as creating mayhem for the enemy below. Now that would scare the hey out of me... (Sorry, I restrict using such words myself but this time in the story may have been an exception.)) Overall I'd love to hear your thoughts of what may have gone right and what was just another Idea that needed some more looking into... In other words I'd love to hear you guy's thoughts and you can spare me your thoughts in the comments section below. Thanks again ;)

(P.S. I was also curious about what you guys think about the quotes in the beginning of each chapter... are they good starters, just something to look at, or just another couple of words typed down to make the story longer? It'd be good for me to know so I can get an idea of what people like or dislike ;) )

*cue commentator voice*

So, the trio still remains to be separated for unknown reasons... *Random person appears and coughs, "It was Arceus!"*

*Stun gun's the man*

As I was saying... our two friends are now returning to base... empty handed and concerned more than ever for their dear friend (and sibling) Latias... will they find their friend in time for before something bad happens or will Darkrai get the last laugh, or am I being a giant spoiler who needs alerting!

FIND OUT NEXT TIME! ON INTO REALIY!

I DON'T own the idea/theme of Pokémon. I DO HOWEVER, own the character Marlon and Raid the Latios and their names I also own the Idea and the theme/name of the Eon Squadron. It's all © by me marcturbo1.