This time, Luxray is going to meet another rival! Luckily, he's a lot nicer than Honchkrow!
"The Thunderous Plains…" Luxray murmured. Infernape looked at him.
"Something wrong, Luxray?" Infernape asked.
"It's nothing. I'm just thinking about how close we are to the Kingdom of Zarton. What if something goes horribly wrong?" Luxray asked.
"Nothing will go wrong. I'm sure of it." Drapion said with conviction.
"We have to keep moving. Team Majesta is counting on us, as well as the king and queen." Machamp said.
They pushed on until they reached a yellow plain. At best, these plains were pretty desolate, and it was difficult to imagine any life living on them. However, there was a continuous boom of thunder, and even before that, there was the high streak of lightning.
"There's no mistaking it. These are the Thunderous Plains." Staraptor said grimly.
"This could take a while to transverse." Abomasnow observed.
"It doesn't matter. Right now we have to push through these plains with all speed." Infernape said. Team Valor nodded and they ran straight through the plains, except for Staraptor, who flew barely an inch above them.
Meanwhile…
Dusknoir was now looking over at the main city of Laxos. Behind him, his six most powerful knights were standing along with their armies. Magmortar commanded a troop of Houndoom. Electivire stood supreme with a group of Jolteon. Rhyperior and his Rampardos battalion added brute strength to Zarton's army. Yanmega and his Beedrill squad doubled in aerial attacks as well as reconnaissance. Ursaring and his Crawdaunt squad could fight with the best. Tangrowth and his Ludicolo group used their weight to wrestle down any opponent.
"Lord Dusknoir, when shall we start the assault?" Electivire asked.
"Soon. We will have to wait until Aerodactyl returns with King Lucario and Queen Lopunny's answer. In the meantime, we sit here." Dusknoir replied.
"We will not have to wait long. I see him returning right now." Yanmega said.
Aerodactyl was indeed returning. He landed on his knees in front of Dusknoir. "My Lord, the king and queen have absolutely no plans about surrendering to us. As a matter of fact, the king told me to go throw myself in a lake!" he squawked indignantly,
"So they're actually going to try to oppose us. Excellent. I was hoping they would do that- it's more fun if they put up a fight. We will wait a few more days to lower their guard. Then we will strike with all our might!" Dusknoir laughed.
Back with Team Valor…
It was easy to spot the approaching Pokémon. Team Valor could see for miles around with the emptiness of Thunderous Plains. Luxray and Staraptor saw the Pokémon first, due to their keen eyes, and they alerted the others, causing Team Valor to stop and wait, preparing for battle if necessary. The Pokémon did not keep them waiting long. It was very fast.
"Manectric? Is that you?" Luxray laughed. Manectric was an old friend of Team Valor and Luxray's major rival, not because they both wanted Ninetales's love but because their electric skills were equal. Because of his skills, Manectric was sent a few years ago to attack the kingdom of Zarton by land as Walrein did by sea. He decided to go it alone, however, much to the surprise of King Lucario and Queen Lopunny. A few months after he was sent, he cut off all contact, and no one had heard from him since, until now.
"Well met, Team Valor. Listen, I need your help." Manectric said.
"Is there something wrong, Manectric?" Staraptor asked.
Manectric began to tell his story. "Yeah. You guys remember how I wanted to go alone to fight the Kingdom of Zarton? Well, I met a companion along the way. Her name is Absol. I found her taking on this Pokémon from the Kingdom of Zarton. His name was Ampharos. She held her own, but Ampharos was really strong, so I had to help her finish the job. Then she told me how Ampharos was taking over Thunderous Plains, her home, and so I decided to help her protect it. And I did, for a few years."
"So that's why you've cut off contact with the Kingdom of Laxos." Machamp realized.
"Yep. Then Absol and I fell in love, and we lived happily together for a few years, despite all the trouble. It was too good to last, though. Ampharos came back, and he was so much stronger than before. Both of us were overpowered, and Absol was captured." Manectric continued.
"So, you want us to help you save her?" Drapion asked.
"Will you?" Manectric replied.
"Sure. Where is Ampharos's hideout?" Infernape asked.
"In the direction where I came from. It's also where the Thunderous Plains ends Apparently, Ampharos is too afraid to go in deeper." Manectric said with amusement.
"Excellent." Abomasnow rumbled. They ran in the direction that Manectric pointed them too, with Manectric following. Along the way, Luxray explained to Manectric the current situation, not leaving out the romance between Team Valor and Team Majesta. After that, Manectric promised to head straight back to the Kingdom of Laxos if Absol agreed.
With all the speed that they were moving at, it didn't take all that long to find Ampharos's hideout. It was merely a bunch of rocks hiding an entrance to a cave. When Team valor got there, they saw Ampharos himself standing on the roof of this rock structure with his arms crossed.
"Manectric. I see you have brought some friends. Are you attempting another futile rescue of your beloved?" Ampharos asked with a smug smile.
Luckily, Team Valor had a plan. Drapion and Manectric were to go in and find and rescue Absol. Meanwhile, Luxray would be battling Ampharos to distract him.
"If you want another battle, you will get another one." Ampharos continued.
"It's not him you will be battling, but me." Luxray growled, stepping forward.
"And you are?" Ampharos inquired.
"Luxray of Team Valor. I do not need to know nay more about you other than the fact that you are Ampharos and that you serve the Kingdom of Zarton." Luxray said smoothly.
"Team Valor? Interesting. Lord Dusknoir will be pleased with me after I defeat and capture you. I have heard that your style is one-on–one. If that is the case, then it should not be much of a challenge defeating you." Ampharos said.
"With someone as weak as you, I feel exactly the same way." Luxray said.
"Really? Then you should have no trouble dodging this. Signal Beam!" Ampharos commanded. A rainbow colored beam was fired out of the gem on Ampharos's head. Luxray dodged it with ease.
"Are you really that slow? Maybe I should hold back a lot more than I intended. Crunch!" Although Luxray was only the fourth-fastest out of the Pokémon in Team Valor, he could easily dodge the attack, especially considering Ampharos's speed. He then bit down on Ampharos's arm, and jumped away.
When he turned around, Luxray was surprised to see the nice-sized crater that appeared due to the Signal Beam. "You really are strong. I guess Manectric wasn't kidding about your power." Luxray growled.
"Your strength is definitely fitting for someone from Team Valor. I guess I really shouldn't have held back! Fire Punch! Thunder Punch!" Ampharos commanded. The two attacks powered up his fists, and he charged forward.
"Thunderbolt!" Luxray commanded. Thunderbolt was learned to replace Swagger. It was powerful, but then Ampharos put his Thunder Punch forward and absorbed all the electricity into his electrified fist. Luxray's eyes widened, but he had no time to react as the Thunder Punch got him in the face, and then the Fire Punch punched him into the air.
Ampharos smirked. "Power Gem." The move was fired directly at Luxray and got him in the underside. He fell back down, not on his feet, but on his side.
Luxray struggled to his feet and growled. This was perhaps not such a good idea after all.
"Time to finish you. Double Thunder Punch!" Ampharos shouted, coating his fists with electricity. He ran towards Luxray.
Luxray had no choice. "Thunder!" Luxray aimed this attack towards the sky, where the clouds absorbed it. It came down just as Ampharos hit Luxray with both his fists. Ampharos looked up in surprise as the Thunder, powered up with some extra lightning, struck, not him, but Luxray! He jumped away immediately, as Luxray cried out in pain.
"Aaaaaaaaahhh!" Luxray cried. Ampharos looked on in satisfaction, believing that his opponent was destroying himself. Then he looked on in surprise as the Thunder did not dissipate, but started covering Luxray, and began to form the shape of spikes. Then he was in for a huge shock when Luxray snapped his eyes open and the electricity solidified.
It was Thunder Armor. This was not normal armor, however. Along with coating him with solid electricity, it also added spikes to Luxray's mane, claws, and tail, giving him a rather intimidating appearance. "Now," Luxray said, his voice echoing, "prepare yourself, Ampharos!"
Ampharos growled. "That technique will not help you! Signal Beam!" he shouted. The rainbow-colored beam didn't stand a chance against Luxray's own attack!
"Thunder!" he yelled. He launched the powerful electric-type attack with full fury. The sheer power of it was so overwhelming, the very air was charged with small electric bolts that stung the rest of Team Valor.
"Ow! Luxray, watch it!" Machamp complained, feeling his arms where the bolts struck.
Luxray's Thunder attack completely overwhelmed the Signal Beam. Ampharos, however, would not give up. He had to try one last futile move. "Thunder Punch!" He was hoping to absorb the electricity like before. What he didn't anticipate was that the electricity that Luxray was now using was worlds beyond what he had absorbed earlier. In other words, there was no way Ampharos stood against the attack. He was fried within two seconds.
Luxray dissipated his armor and collapsed with exhaustion. "Luxray!" Infernape cried He ran over to his friend, and gave him an Oran Berry to eat, which rejuvenated most of his energy.
"You all right, Luxray?" Staraptor asked.
"Uuuhhh…it looks like that Thunder Armor took more of a toll than I expected." Luxray groaned.
"Thunder Armor?" a voice gasped. It was Manectric, who ran over to Luxray with Drapion and a female Pokémon behind him. "You actually mastered that technique?" he cried.
"Yeah." Then he looked at the new Pokémon. "Are you Absol?" She nodded. Luxray whistled. "I can see why you're so captivated by her."
"Watch it." Manectric growled.
"I know. Anyway, have you made a decision?" Luxray asked.
"If you mean the one regarding Manectric returning to the Kingdom of Laxos, then yes. Both of us will be assisting you against the Kingdom of Zarton." Absol replied.
"Thank you. Now, we must be on our way. Here's my seal. Show it to the guards in front of the city gates and they'll let you in." Luxray promised.
"Thank you, but my own seal should be more than enough. I'll accept your seal, anyway, in case it doesn't work." Manectric said.
"Enough with the talk, you should be getting a move on already!" Machamp said.
"Sorry. It was great to see you though." Manectric said.
"Likewise." Luxray agreed. Manectric and Absol looked at each other and sped off in the direction of Laxos.
"With their speed, it shouldn't take long for them to get there." Infernape said.
"Let's go. Eruption Crater is the last destination. Infernape, it's your turn to battle." Luxray said.
"I know. And then we'll have to go to the kingdom of Zarton. We will find Team Majesta there. Let's keep moving." Drapion said. Team Valor nodded and moved on.
"Hang on, Lopunny. I'm almost there!" Infernape thought.
Team Valor will definitely get a huge surprise at Eruption Crater! Don't worry, Infernape will still get to battle, but he will have to battle the strongest boss! Fitting, don't you think?
Anyway, please review, and sorry for making you wait so long.