Pokemon Adventures: Where Legends Cross
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon Adventures/Special.
Man, I'll speed up more while I still can. Here we go!
Began writing on July 2nd, 2011. Currently drafting chapter 4 of Arc 2.
Chapter 22. Vs. Reshiram (Part 1): Relighted Fire
- High above the Pokemon League Building -
"...um, Gold-senpai, what are you eating?" Ruby asked sweatdropping, as he looked at the older boy sitting across him inside the uncomfortable (and hideous) airship, munching over what looked like the remains of an ice cream cone.
"Hmm? Wha', this?" He replied, swallowing the rest of the snack with a huge gulp. "Casteliacone! Tastes real good, too. Didn't I tell you before? When you come to a new region, the first thing you do is try out its specialties. Oh, by the way," he chuckled as he nudged Pearl sitting beside him. "I heard that there's an old mansion in Sinnoh that sell, er, what did you call it? Anyway it some kind of a cookie, right?"
"Yep; when in the Old Chateau, always go for the Old Gateau!" Diamond piped in from beside the baffled Pearl, his eyes immediately brightening at the mention of food.
"... senpai, I though' people were supposed te get tense when approaching the eye of the storm," said Sapphire from Ruby's side, pointing outside the window where the giant castle shrouded in pitch-black thunderclouds was slowly coming into view. Ruby couldn't help but gulp in anticipation, having finally arrived the place where his dream had led to. What more ugliness would be waiting for him and Sapphire once they reach it?
"Eh, give it a rest, cavegal," sighed Gold as he noisily plopped onto his seat. Nodding toward the pilot's seat with a disdainful snort he added: "Since that jerk isn't gonna let us outta this junk anytime soon, might as well as enjoy the journey while we still can."
"'That jerk' is trying to get ya all to the castle safely, ya know!" Lt. Surge snapped from the cockpit in irritance. "Ya should be thankful that I'm flying 'this junk' in this crazystorm at all! It's gonna be rainin' Meowths and Growlithes anytime soon, mark my words."
"Yeah, yeah, so you kepp telling us," complained Gold loudly. "Since when did Team Rocket began caring so much about us anyway? Or did they get tired of your stupid and fired ya?"
"You're talking to a former general, boy!" Surge roared back. "What would an acrophobic like ya know about the standards of the military or Team Rocket?"
"How did you k - WHO THE HELL TOLD YOU THAT!" Gold bellowed, literally thrashing wildly in his seat and almost knocking Pearl and Emerald off theirs.
"What, that you're scared of heights?" surge chuckled, sounding gleeful for hitting a weak spot. Then a little more seriously he added: "You're such a pain, kid. At least the older boys weren't like - "
"Gah, that's it!" Gold roared, hastily undoing his seat belt before leaping to his feet in a rage. "I'm fed up with being locked here in the same cell with that asshole. I'm outta here, heights or no!"
"Hey! Whaddya think you're doin'?" Lt. Surge shouted as Gold stalked towards the door, a Poke Ball already twirling in his hand as he yanked it wide open.
"Senpai, wait!" Ruby exclaimed in shock as cold air slammed uncomfortably into his face, undoing his seatbelt along with Sapphire and Pearl.
"C'mon, Em, you're riding with me. Go, Manbo!" Gold growled, plucking a protesting Emerald out of his seat (he had refused to wear a seatbelt) as his huge Mantine materialized by the door, complete with its thirty Remoraids ready to fire away.
"But senpai, you ARE afraid of - " Sapphire reminded, making Ruby (who wasn't afraid of heights at all) remember that she herself waasn't so comfortable with altitude either; she had overcome that weakness by regular training with Pilo, but bits of the fear was still there.
"SCREW MY ACROPHOBIA, LET'S GODAMN GO!" Gole bellowed as he threw himself and a terrified Emerald under Manbo, making a very audible gulp before lauching himself off the large airship into the stormy sky with a loud yell: "GERONIMO!"
"Gah, senpai! Wait for me! Go, Perahiko!" Pearl cried out as he immediately leaped out as well, holding onto his Chatot's small leg for dear life as he descended gingerly towards Manbo.
"I don't believe this," groaned Sapphire as Diamond looked desperately outside the open air to see his friend moving swiftly away from the craft. Looking back at Ruby she threw him a questioning look; funny, seeing as how she was usually at the deciding end.
"Take Diamond," sighed Ruby, taking out Staro's Poke Ball. As much as he disliked flying into those stormy clouds - or worse, having Sappihre in it - they had to do what they came to do. He would never abandon again.
"Right," grumbled Sapphire as she rushed at the door, quickly sending out Pilo and dropping onto its back. As she invited Diamond over with a wave, Ruby released Staro as he looked back to the cockpit and spoke hastily: "Thanks for the ride."
"Kids," he thought he heard Lt. Surge mutter as the Staraptor took off with Pilo right behind. "They never change, generation after another."
- Team Plasma's Castle, the Throne Room -
"But what is this?" N asked as Black made his way across the long path to the platform where he stood awaiting with Zekrom. Looking at White, Silver and Blue behind him he added: "I see that you came with company... one of which I am not a stranger to. I was hoping this to be a private issue between the two of us, but if you insist..."
"It is," said Black quickly as he took his position as the close end of the large circular platform. "These are my companions, but I'm the one you're interested in, isn't it? It's only me you have to face."
"Essentially, yes," agreed N as he looked up to the celing above his head, where a small, round window portrayed the blackened sky outside the castle. "We now meet in the place where I grew up since youth. Whenever I ventured outside I saw before me a gray world, a place where people and Pokemon mingle under tyranny and sorrow. It is my dream to pull this dull world apart, so that black and white can be distinct once again. You realize this, don't you? You understand my dream."
"I do," said Black, hoping that N would understand what he was about to say next. "But I also understand that you haven't seen everything. I don't know who had exposed you to the gray world that he invented, but the world I see is filled with colors: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow... a brilliant and lively world where people and Pokemon live in harmony, inspire each other to achieve great things. That's a kind of world I'm living in, N. And you can live in it too." (#1)
As he finished he held out his hand to the green-haired Trainer, who looked back at him in that unfathomable blank expression. Had his words meant anything to him at all?
"Black, I - " N finally opened his mouth again, but before he could continue Zekrom suddenly stepped forward, his pitch-black armor crackling dangerously with electricity. " - my Lord?"
"I would like a word with him, N," the deity's rumbling voice echoed throughout the colossal chamber. Black half-expected the other Dex Holders to flinch or exclaim in shock behind him, but he heard none. (#2) N nodded after a short pause, stepping behind the Deep Black Pokemon as he looked down on Black with those intimidating crimson eyes that daunted even Black's iron heart. The Light Stone was pulsing madly in his hand.
"Greetings, Truth-Seeker," Zekrom began, his words veiled but firm. "You are brave and imaginative, but I fear misguided. I can see that you have not awakened Reshiram... do you believe that you can challenge N's bond with Pokemon, his bond with ME without her?"
"This is between N and me, not you and Reshiram," Black replied sharply, wondering if the deity had asked the question to test him. "Dragging another deity into this will mean she'll have to fight you, and I don't want that to happen. Do you think I take pride in using Pokemon to solve conflicts between humans?"
Zekrom blinked, as if taken aback by his statement.
"N was not exaggerating when he told me about you," he spoke again, this time a little softer. "I admire your firm will and your love of Pokemon - so uncommon for a human -, Child of Steel, but you misunderstand my sister and I. You are correct, it is not my heart's wish ot meet her in battle once again. But we are both creatures that move according to our faith. Personal kinship is set aside for what we believe in. I am ready to fight her, Truth-Seeker, for N's sake. Come now, and see once again if truth or ideal will prevail!"
Black looked up into those burning eyes, and within them found his answer.
"No," he said firmly. "I will not fight you."
This time the Deep Black Pokemon truly looked shocked, his head rearing back jerkily as his jaws came apart slightly. Not giving him a chance to recover Black took a deliberate step towards N, glaring into his black expression.
"I'm not here to overthrow you by force," he said slowly, trying his best to ignore Zekrom's burning gaze boring onto his head. "Why must you be forced you to see the truth? You told me you can understand Pokemon better because you can hear their voices; well, hear them now!"
"Come out, everyone!" He cried as he flung four Poke Balls into the air, allowing War, Musha, Poka and Tula to materialize next to Sharp. Having understood his motives, they all turned toward an expressionless N with expectant looks.
"You need only to hear their voices to know that your gray world is false," said Black invitingly, waving his hands over his Pokemon in front of him. "You love all Pokemon so much, and I... I envy your determination to make a better world for them. But the world which you seek to destroy doesn't exist. If you won't listen to me, then listen to my Pokemon. If that's not enough, then listen to their Pokemon!" He said passionately, pointing behind him at the three other Dex Holders standing by the gate. Turning his heaf back to N he cried:
"So come, don't hide behind there like a frightened child. Come over and feel a new world, a better world that we can make together! Help us bring even more color into this blessed world of human and Pokemon, a world full of comrades and friends and partners!" (#3)
Having finished, Black drew a deep breath to steady himself (feeling slightly embarrassed, admittedly) before looking at his Pokemon, who all glanced back at him with proud grins. He then flashed a look at White, who was watching him with tears glistening in her eyes. Blue looked as if she'd cheer and clap right there, and even Silver had cracked a smile.
Turning his head back to the front, his gaze hastily passed over Zekrom's solemn expression, finally reaching N's face.
He was smiling widely.
"Of steel you may be, but you have a heart of gold," said the green-haired Trainer quietly, closing his eyes in content. "Of course I listen to you, Black my brother. Even from here I can hear your Pokemon, their voices echoing your love and care for them. Behind you it's harder to tell - as their Pokemon's voices are smothered inside their Poke Balls - but yes, they are not so different."
"It turns out that you were more valuable to my life than I ever knew, Black. Thanks to you I now know that there are few people - like you - that truly love and care for Pokemon as much as I do, even though they can't hear their voices. You are truly deserving of the title of hero, my brother."
Black's eyes brightened with hope. He understood!
Then N's wide smile became toned down a little, his eyes suddenly glistening in sorrow.
"If only there were more people like you, this could have been a world worth saving."
"Huh?" Black gasped, incomprehending his sudden change of mood.
"Your love for your Pokemon is genuine," said N, now really beginning to tear up. "I'm sorry I can't make you understand this, Black, but all the voices of pained Pokemon that I have heard all my life is genuine as well. Idealistic as I may be, I am not living in an illusion. The only color I see in this gray world exists around you and your friends... and that simply isn't enough."
"N!" Black protested in shock as a free tear rolled down N's cheek, dropping onto the floor with a tiny splat.
"Of grief..." Zekrom murmured, his voice also clouded with empathy.
'How depressing it is, to think that what little color this world does possess will vanish as well when I pull it apart," said N as he smoothly wiped the tears off his eyes, his expression becoming more like the usual apathic one again. "But I have to do it. As King, it is my duty to serve the greater good... I must not weaken here. I'm sorry, Black."
"N..." Black murmured, at a loss as Zekrom took a step toward him - this time to encounter, not meet.
"N," the deity spoke quietly.
"Lord Zekrom," said N as he looked up at the Deep Black Pokemon, some regret still lingering on his face. "The honors, please."
"Very well," Zekrom replied solemnly, taking another step to Black with one arm beginning to crackle with energy.
"No, Black!" White cried out from behind Black, as his Pokemon quickly shifted into fighting stance as the deity's arm went up, ready to fall onto his head - and onto his doom.
If the blow struck, he wouldn't be the only one that would be undone.
"No, guys! Get back!" He shouted as the clawed hand began its descent.
"NO!" White screamed in horror.
"Blasty, use Protect!"
"Weavile, Ice Punch!"
No, too late, thought Black as he closed his eyes, apologizing silently to everyone who had put their faith in him as he waited for his death blow to come.
It never did.
Instead, what came was a sizzling noise of burning flame, and an empty feeling in his left hand.
"What?" He spoke to himself as he opened his eyes, only to be blinded by a burst of pure-white light as its source hovered between his head and Zekrom's halted hand, spewing out red and blue flames in earnest like the sun itself.
"The Light Stone..." he barely heard White whisper behind in shock.
Quickly blinking several times to get used to the sudden brightness, Black looked beyond the flames to see Zekrom slowly pulling his slightly-singed arm back, neither he nor N looking particualrly surprised by the sudden turn of events.
"You just had to go and make me a bastard," the Deep Black Pokemon muttered, crossing his arms as bast as a dragon could manage as he watched the blooming flames. "You most definitely didn't have to make me do this to come out, did you?"
As if responding to his voice the Light Stone began glowing even brighter, the flames it ejected thickening and winding around each other until the stone itself completely disappeared beneath a wall of crimson and blue, making Black stagger back in alarm as he viewed the sight in fear and awe.
"But I shall admit," said Zekrom, his voice softening slightly as the flames began to gather together toward the center where the Light Stone should be, coalescing into a giant orb of fire. "After all this time... your flame still burns beautifully, my sister."
The orb exploded, sending fireballs in every direction except at Black; and consequently, the other Dex Holders way behind him. Everywhere the fire struck it caused a second burst, leaving the small orbs burning like a mystic torch. Shielding his face against the sudden onrush of heat, Black dared to look at where the Light Stone was a moment ago.
It was a choise that he would forever be proud of afterwards.
"Reshiram," White and N breathed simultaneously, their voices both lit in awe.
It was both a wonderful and terrible sight, but for different reasons from Zekrom; his form induced fear of his majesty, while Reshiram caused one of her elegance. Her entire body simmered and shifted like white flaming feathers, making a stark contrast to Zekrom's black armor. While his crimson eyes gleamed with fierce pride and dignity, her azure ones shone like a deep pool of wisdom and grace. In short, she was so beautiful that it made one afraid to dare and keep looking.
"Amazing," Black couldn't help but murmur in wonder as he stood beneath the Vast White Pokemon's burning tail. His Pokemon stared up at the deity as well, utterly in shock.
"Reshiram," the white dragon raised her head upon hearing her name, meeting her brother's gaze evenly.
"Zekrom," she replied quietly, in a gentle voice that reminded Black of his mother. "Leave us be."
"Do as you wish," grunted Zekrom gruffly, stepping back until he was by N's side again. Giving him a nod, Reshiram's beautiful blue eyes brigthened as she turned around to look down at her summoner.
"Greetings, Black of Nuvema Town," she spoke, causing Black to flinch at the deity calling by name. "Yes, I am aware of your identity... and the steel that lies in your heart. For a short while your bore my broken body... but it was enough time for me to feel your vigorous will, your love for your Pokemon, and yet your willingness to not abandon the truth. It is such a heart that have moved me into emerging once again."
"Reshiram..." said Black, touched by the deity's praise. Then his heart lurched slightly as a familiar expression of sorrow appeared on her face.
"You might have heard about my first fight with my brother, right after our separation," Reshiram whispered, her voice saturated in grief and shame. "If you had not, be glad. It... it is not a happy story. Once it was over we were left scarred and desolate, and remained so until we were eventually forced to seal ourselves in a prison of our own bodies to forget the pain in oblivion's embrace. During that long slumber we had both promised ourselves to learn caution... which apparantly he has forgotten."
As she paused upon reaching here she gave a stern look at Zekrom, who growled before turning his head away.
"I have no doubts," muttered the Deep Black Pokemon. Looking up at his sister he added: "Do you have any doubts about that hatchling? If you do, then this battle shall surely end in your defeat."
"You assume too much, brother," sighed Reshiram as she turned back to Black. With a rueful chuckle she continued: "No, Black. If this N that Zekrom speaks of is a hero, then so are you. I do not doubt that. However, it appears that my long slumber has made me overcautious... I wish for proof that I am not making the same mistake I have made in the past."
"What would you have me do?" Asked Black, for some reason suddenly determined to erase that sad expression from the Vast White Pokemon's face. His Pokemon all turned to him as well, looking determined to help.
After a curious blink of her blue eyes, Reshiram smiled softly before asking: "What is it that you do when you wish to prove the bond between you and your Pokemon?"
That was one answer he could give easily.
"Through demonstration," he said confidently. Reshiram's smile widened.
"Then that is what you shall do," she said as she took a step back, rising to her full height and towering over Black and his Pokemon. "Come; you need not hesitate."
"You want me to attack you?" Black asked in surprise, noticing his Pokemon looking shocked as well.
"You need not fear; my power is under control," said Reshiram reassuringly. "Only a single instant shall be needed; I require no more to feel the hearts of your Pokemon in battle."
For a momnet Black was stung by the deity's confidence in her victory, but then he remembered the waste Zekrom had laid to Alder's chamber without even breaking sweat. Thinking of what the Vast White Pokemon could do to his Pokemon during that single moment, he almost had to suppress a shudder.
Suddenlt he felt a poke below his knee. Looking down he was surprised to find Musha, who was butting his head lightly with his head with a small cry.
"What is it, Musha?" Asked Black as he leaned down at the Musharna, who slowly drew his dream smoke toward him. Black didn't need to inhale it to know what he was trying to tell him: We're comrades, fighting for the same goal.
"That's right," said Black, feeling refreshed as he straightened himself with an energetic smile. "I haven't forgotten. Thanks, Musha, for reminding me."
With a happy cry Musha tottered back to to his teammates, who cheered in unison before turning to face Reshiram as one.
"Thank you all," Black told them as well, feeling a small lump form in his throat. Poka took a moment to look back at him and grin, melting the lump instantly, Turning to face Reshiram he spoke out confidently: "We're ready,"
"Then allow me to judge..." said the Vast White Pokemon as she raised her fluttering wings above her head, allowing a ball of crimson fire to come to life between her claws, directly above her skull. "The unified heart that you and your Pokemon have shown in battle... Show it to me, Truth-Seeker!"
"Let's go!" Black shouted out, remembering the formation he had made for his team while doing group training. As if having read his mind Poka dashed out forward first with Sharp right behind, War soaring up to the celing with Tula and Musha at the rear. "Poka, use Head Smash! Sharp, Night Slash! War, Brave Bird! Tula, ElecBall! Musha, use Psychic!"
With a sinlgle, challenging bellow his three chargers sprang forth as Tula and Musha quickly launched their attacks at Reshiram, whose fiery orb had grown to about a person's size.
Just as the ElecBall arrived inches from her heart, she whispered in a barely-audible voice:
"... Fusion Flare."
The chamber vanished with a fierce burst of heat and light.
Oh man, that was one helluva chapter, yay! XD
# of him to mention the four Kanto Dex Holders, right? Of course I did that on purpose! XD
#2. Because, well, none of them were actually new to talking Pokemon, after all.
#3. Comrades, Friends, and Partners. Red, Yellow and Gold. This chapter is a haven for these simple, meaningless implications XD
Pikachu127, 35 chapters! XD We've still got plenty, ha!
Personally, this chapter was a kickass for me to write. Such an important part, what with Black and N's significant (verbal) clash of virtues, Reshiram's reviving (finally!), and the last Fusion Flare... hm, what would've happened to Black? You'll know on the next chapter!
On Chapter 22, I'll spoil that a stunning secret will be revealed. It is about N. Again, you're free to guess! Until then, R&R!
Writing completed on July 3rd, 2011. This is Yowl of Time, out.