Pokemon Adventures: Where Legends Cross
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon Adventures/Special.
For once I'll start the chapter without my usual drabbles. No time for that! :)
Chapter 25. Vs. Nidoking: Saluting the True Boss
- The Pokemon League, Subterrenean Stairway -
A lone figure walked slowly up the stairs leading up to the Champion's chamber. A figure of a man, wearing a thick black coat and a matching black hat that shaded his upper face, hiding most of his features from view. One thing that was visible was the thin wrinkles near his mouth, suggesting his age to be in his late forties or early fifties. His steps were heavy and staggering very slightly, but he didn't hesitate once in his advance as he entered the chamber.
What greeted his eyes was total chaos; the large room was literally half-destroyed, and people and Pokemon were fighting all over the floor. Six of them were old men, dressed in uniform dark robes with slight color variations. Although they were putting up a good fight aginst the other eight, it was clear that they were outnumbered and slowly being overpowered.
Not that any of that mattered to the man, anyway.
"Nidoking, Earthquake." He spoke in a flat, deadly voice that had no room for mercy. The next moment the hulking beast materialized in fornt of its master, slamming its spiked arm down on the ground before the fighters could so much as register the newcomer's appearance.
The ground split from beneath the Nidoking's fists, fractures travelling all over the chamber like a spiderweb before heaving themselves open with a groan, the resulting shockwave levelling everything - including the remaining walls of the chamber - within a sixteen-feet radius. Needless to say, it sent all the Trainers sprawling all over the ground with their Pokemon on the broken floor, most of them struck unconscious or injured on the spot.
Its task done, the Drill Pokemon silently returned to its Poke Ball without further command.
"Who... who the hell are..." an old man with white hair, on his knees beside a badly wounded Haxorus, grolwed in disbelief as he looked up at the man walking by without a word.
"Silence, fool," said the man with a flick of his finger. In a flash the Nidoking reappeared, this time kicking the Haxorus over so that it fell upon the man with a crash and flattening both of them to the ground. Returning the Pokemon again the man walked on, only to stop again in front of the entrance.
"Rhyperior..." he muttered as he inspected the crushed parts of the broken gate. Then his gaze shifted upward to see a most peculiar sight: a large straw hat fluttering in the wind, soaring above his head and out of the hall. After gazing at the object for awhile, the man gave a small grunt of acknowledgment before heading into the castle.
Behind him the hat fell silently onto the floor, and remained so for awhile until another sound of footsteps approached it. The foot stopped in front of it accordlingly. Then a hand came down to pick it up, and after that came down again after a few seconds to set something else on the ground before the figure walked away into the castle with the hat in hand.
A long brown cloak.
- Victory Road Exit -
"You bastard!" Cynthia almost flinched from her hiding place as Archer's fist connected to Petrel's face with a hard smack, sending the leaner man reeling backwards from the impact.
"Hey! What the hell was that for?" Petrel protested, massaging his swollen bruise as he looked at the fuming man. For a moment Archer loked as if he would hit him again, but reined himself in quickly and glared at his fellow Executive.
"You know very well what the hell that was for," Archer growled dangerously, his fists still clenched tight. "As Executive of Team Rocket I am loyal to Giovanni, and Giovanni alone. Four years I've spent searching for my - OUR Boss, and when he finally reappeared I followed his orders without question, even though half of them were beyond ridiculous. But now you - "
With that Archer kicked a nearby rock away from them, turning his back on Petrel in the process.
"Oh, so this was about my acting skills?" Petrel snorted, his expression twisted in ridicule. "So what if we never found Giovanni? Team Rocket needed a leader, so I gave them one. What's so wrong about that?"
Archer's hand shot up to seize the gangly man by the collar, almost lifting him off the ground.
"I'll tell you what's wrong, you fox-hearted son of a bitch," snarled Archer. "You've disgraced Team Rocket, made a total fool out of me, Ariana and Proton, and most of all you insulted your Boss by doing all this under that face!"
"Oh, you speak as if you know something about 'all this'?" said Petrel, the wicked grin not leaving his face despite the sticky situation he was in.
"I don't know, and I don't care!"Archer shouted angrily, half-throwing Petrel onto the ground before suddenlt stalking toward the cave entrance where Cynthia was hiding herself. The Sinnoh Champion tenses as her fingers closed around Garchomp's Poke Ball, ready to take down both men if need be.
"Hey, where' ya goin'?" Petrel called after him without getting to his feet, who thankfully stopped about nine feet in front of the cavern entrance.
"My loyalty is to Giovanni, and he isn't here." Archer spoke, his voice heavy with anger and betrayal. "You can tell Ariana and Proton that I went back to Kanto to search for the True Boss. I'm outta here."
Cynthia hid herself deeper into the shadows as Archer began walking again, Garchomp's Poke Ball ready in her hand.
"Oh no, Archer."
"What?" Archer snapped as he rounded back on Petrel's sly grin, now almost reaching his ears.
"Those two don't have to know anything, like they always did," said Petrel as he stood up, slowly pointing upward with one finger. "And you're not going back anywhere, according to a great comrade of ours."
"Wha - " Archer's words were suddenly cut off as something swiftly descended from the sky, halting to a hover between him and Petrel. With a small jolt Cynthia recognized the Pokemon Beheeyem, known to live a rare existence exclusively in Celestic Tower. What was it doing there?
Quick as a flash the Cerebral Pokemon raised its three-fingered hand at Archer's face, the red lights shining from its fingertips flashing on and off in an ominous pattern; fortunately, Cynthia was too far away to see it properly. (#1)
"It's done," Petrel chuckled as he took out a small gadget resembling a black Pokegear, speaking into the small microphone attachted at the end of it. "It's too bad he caught me off-disguise. Looks like I've caused you some inconvenience."
"No matter," spoke a cold, static voice from the gadget as the Beheeyem lowered its hand, though it stayed where it was. "Tell me, Archer, what had happened to the rest of your men?"
"Ambushed within the Victory Road," Archer's voice was mechanical, his eyes glowing yellow with Hypnosis. "The Elite Four and the Champion got them."
"Tch," said the dark voice, sounding displeased. "Such a waste of resources over a small sideplan of Team Plasma. Even if their plan fails it would dardly deter ours, the final plot."
"So... does this mean we can go back now?" Petrel asked the machine hopefully.
"Ghetsis is dangerous in his own right," the voice mused. "Yes, you may proceed to Sinnoh, along with the rest of Team Rocket and Team Galactic. Team Plasma can hold on their own now. Await there until I receive further orders from my Master."
"Understood," said Petrel with that sick grin ripping his face. Then he became a little more serious as he added: "I'd like to know one thing, though. Why did you tell just me and Jupiter about yourself, and not anybody else?"
"Don't you know?" The voice chuckled evily. "Someone has to know the truth to get things running smoothly, and I chose you because I see the most... potential in you. As for Jupiter... that is none of your business."
"Oh? Excuse me, then." Petrel chuckled as he glanced amusedly at Archer's blank expression. "Well, that's it, then. Send us back before someone intrudes."
Wordlessly the Beheeyem placed both its hands on the two mens' heads.
"Stop right there!" Cynthia cried as she burst out of her hiding place, but it was already too late; even before she could send out Garchomp all three of them vanished in a flash. Left alone in the small clearing, Cynthia looked up in the cloud-covered sky as she mused over the words she had just heard.
"It's far darker than I thought," she said quietly, an inexplicable surge of dread travelling down her spine.
- Minues later, Team Plasma's Castle First Floor -
Stepping lightly over the rubbles that once consisted the mighty fortress of Team Plasma, Ghetsis couldn't help but click his tongue in disgust as he looked around the devastated hall he was walking into. Ever since N was born he had overseen the massive (and ridiculously expensive) work of constructing a palace underground, and the idiotic invaders (whoever they were) had laid waste on it within a matter of minutes.
Well, nevertheless, they wouldn't be able to disrupt his ultimate plan. Beside that, everything else mattered little.
A series of loud rumbling noises from far above caught his attention. Admittedly, he had never expected that loudmouthed boy would actually succeeded in awakening Reshiram, but that hardly mattered either. He had every trust that even with Reshiram's aid the boy stood little to no chance against N and Zekrom. And no matter the outcome of the battle it was HE that held the winning card. How ironic, the most imperfect being existent in the universe serving as the tool of perfection.
"It is time," he said to himself as he fingered his half-spectacle methodically. "Time to quell it all."
"I don't think so, old man."
Looking ahead at the base of the charred stairway, Ghetsis's eyes narrowed to find the cold boy who called himself Cheren standing on it, his Serperior twined around him hissing.
"Oh?" said the High Sage, raising his eyebrows in mock questioning as he looked at the gangly boy. "You were always ambitious, boy. But now you've crossed the line. What gives you the confidence that I am weak enough to be incapable of getting by you in my own stronghold?"
"How about this?" said Cheren, cracking his finger once. The next moment several other Pokemon dropped out of the celing to surround the Sage: a Haxorus, a Liepard, a Simisage, an Unfezant and a Gigalith, all of them bristling with enmity as they faced Ghetsis. (#2)
"As soon as I realized that you weren't in this castle I reckoned you'd come back," said Cheren, readjusting his glasses. "Ever since I heard from Black about N, I began wondering about who was manipulating him from behind the scene. And since such a work is a sadistic, cruel, demented and hypocritical thing to do, I naturally thought of you."
"Very clever, aren't you?" Ghetsis chuckled, almost amused by the boy's naivety. Sure, he was right in a way - or rather, most of it, but he still wasn't aware of the most important thing.
"But if you're so clever..." said the High Sage as he slowly pulled out an object the size of a large Poke Ball out of his rode, slightly glowing silver in the dark lighting. "... you should be running for your life right now."
"What?" Cheren exclaimed as an incredible blast of white light - and something more - erupted out of the object, blowing his Pokemon away into the walls of the hall while coating the entire chamber in white.
But again, that was of little consequence.
What was important was the enormous and intimidating shape that suddenly came into existence behind Ghetsis.
"I don't believe it..." Cheren muttered in horror as he looked up at the master of the black shadow looming over him, even his Serperior quailing in fear beside him.
Ah, how Ghetsis loved that sort of expression.
- Team Plasma's Castle, the Throne Room -
Emerald came to, only to find that every single part of his body hurt.
"Ow..." he groaned as he sat up, first checking on his Pokemon - most of them were burnt rather badly, especially Sceptile - before noticing his relatively light bruises. It was only after that that he saw it.
A round white hat, charred black and lying tattered by his feet.
"Crys-san!" Elerald cried as he looked sideways, finding the girl he had always looked up to (literally) lying face-down next to Megaree, both of them burnt all-over. Archy and Monlee stood beside their Trainer, with the Arcanine whimpering while licking her face gently with his tongue.
"Crys-san..." moaned Emerald as he half-crawled over to her, and he reached her just before Gold rushed over to both of them. Compared to Crystal or Emerald he looked pretty unscathed, despite being quite close to Zekrom when the explosion had happened.
"Crys, Em! Gah - Polibo, come over here! Come out, Togebo!" Gold quickly barked out in succession, sending out his Togekiss while the Politoed came stumbling over. Polibo looked unluckier than his Trainer, apparantly paralyzed thick. "Polibo, wash her wounds. Togebo, use Wish!"
Emerald would have stayed there to watch Gold's orders being carried out - not that he couldn't trust him to take care of Crystal -, but groans and horrified whispers rose all around him, prompting him to take a look around.
Sweeping across Pearl and Platina crouched over Diamond, pinned to the ground by thin tendrils of electricity, Emerald's gaze delivered a second blow to his heart upon seeing Ruby and Sapphire on their knees together near the center of the platform, with Ruby convulsing in pain as paralysis took hold of him and Sapphire's entire back covered in a terrible burn. Despite their ravaged condition they were locked in a tight embrace, causing Emerald to turn away from them with stinging eyes.
Only this time, he turned to face something even worse.
Green stood on two feet several feet away, his back turned on the central platform with Blue and Silver crouched in front of him as they looked up at him with horrified expressions. And no wonder why; for his left arm, stretched out as if protecting them, was burnt so badly that it was bleeding. His left sleeve and a large area of skin around it was gone, and even a part of his face was charred.
"Green..." "Green-nii...!"
"Don't... mind me," Green croaked out, somehow managing not to sound weak. Pointing behind him with his unburnt hand, he continued with a rasp: "Worry... about... them."
Emerald followed the finger with trembling eyes, finally setting it on the platform itself. The first thing he noticed was Black, also burnt all over (and considering how close he was to the source of the flame...) with White crouching over him, her own face warped in blank shock. Emerald couldn't see Black's expression, but it was pretty obvious considering what was in front of him.
"Impossible," muttered Gold in disbelief beside Emerald.
Reshiram lay on all fours in front of them, struggling to get back on her feet as Zekrom towered over her with a blank expression.
"Concede, sister." He spoke quietly.
Yes, as little yammering as possible from now on. Just stick with the essentials. Haste is what I need now...
#1. According to its PokeDex entry Beheeyem are capable of using their fingerlights to communicate, along with the power to manipulate memories. I just sorta put those two abilities together. What you saw just now was merely really powerful Hypnosis. How powerful? You'll know in Arc 2.
#2. I made some changes to Cheren's team from the games, since in the manga he started with a Snivy unlike Oshawott like he would've in the games, since Black began with a Tepig.
The three mysteries I've described from last chapter... 1. Who are the two figures that entered the castle? 2. Who is the mysterious mastermind behind Petrel and Team Rocket and Galactic? 3. What is it that appeared behind Ghetsis in front of Cheren? And Reshiram wavers agaist Zekrom...
Oh yeah, thanks for all your support I'll keep Grey's name as... Grey. Thanks a lot! ;)
Cryostylz, it is an established fact that I strive to keep as much characters in as possible. So do you honestly think I'll leave out a Dex Holder - much less their de facto leader - out for an entire arc? The whole point of Arc 1 is to have the Dex Holders join together, so the answer is yes. Red will show up. How soon? Well... perhaps you will be forewarned! XD
Red King, saw your message. Um, I realize that I've been neglecting Silver's Weavile, hehe... Actually Silver had seven with him, as Ursaring has currently logged out with Giovanni :) His current team is: Weavile, Feraligatr, Kingdra, Gyarados, Honchkrow, Rhyperior and Crobat(new guy).
And by the way, vacation has begun, hence the painfully slow update. Couldn't draft a letter since it began... :( Ah well, I still have a few chapters that I've saved up, so I don't think you'll have to worry much about the update speed, though. I'll try to stay sharp! :)
In chapter 26, Reshiram and Zekrom finish their fight. That's all I'm spoiling right now! We're now entering the most important part of the story now, so releasing spoilers is a risky business. Until then, R&R!
Oh and I forgot, you all know why I chose this day to update, right? HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOLD! I almost forgot! XD And you've made quite an effort to save your girl in this chapter too - why not? A little bit of Mangaquest to spice up the story, that's what it was XD
Updated on July 21st, 2011. Again, happy B-day, Gold. This is Yowl of Time, out.