It's time. Team Valor and Team Majesta are finally back home. However, it won't be that easy. There's still some Dusknoir ass to kick!
Infernape and Lopunny looked on out on the bow of the ship, hand-in-hand. Beyond, they could both see that they were almost at the port of Laxos. Both were rather apprehensive about the battle that lay inevitably ahead, but had sworn to fight for the sake of the kingdom. It had been a few days since they had set sail, and now they were back.
"Infernape, Lopunny! Get some rest for the night. We shouldbe at the port of Laxos by dawn tomorrow, and we need the two great future rulers of Laxos at full strength." Walrein said. The two of them nodded and walked back to their room.
"Well, this is it." Infernape said.
"The final battle is nigh." Lopunny murmured.
Infernape turned to his lover, and without any warning, kissed her as hard and as passionately as he could. She kissed back, moaning a bit as she felt the warmth and comfort of being in his arms. To her disappointment, he pulled away after some time.
"Lopunny, I know that this seems a bit sudden, but…I might not get another chance. There's no guarantee that both of us will survive tomorrow. But if we do, I want to ask you this." He kneeled on one knee in front of her.
Lopunny's eyes widened, her heart started racing, and she started to hyperventilate. Why wouldn't she be, if Infernape was going where she thought he was going! "He couldn't be…"
With his head bowed, Infernape murmured, "My dearest Lopunny, if we survive this, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"
Lopunny gasped. Her guess was true, and there was only one answer. "YES!" she screamed.
Infernape stood up, beaming, and at that moment, the door to the room burst open to reveal quite a large audience, namely, every passenger on the ship.
"You finally did it, eh, Infernape?" Luxray laughed.
"It took you long enough!" Machamp added.
"Guys, it's embarrassing." Infernape said with a blush.
"Oh, come on! Our leader is going to be married to one of his best friends since childhood! Not to mention that you're going to be king!" Drapion shouted.
"Being king won't be easy, but I'll take whatever it brings." Infernape vowed.
"Take care of her, Infernape. If you ever hurt her, all of Team Majesta will be out for your blood." Ninetales warned.
"I know, which is why he shouldn't hurt me!" Lopunny giggled.
"Aye, congratulations, you two! Even I could tell that you loved each other from the start!" Walrein said.
"It's not surprising. You've always been one to finish what you started." Manectric said.
"OK, everyone, I know that we all want to talk about the wedding and all that, but we should get through the battle first." Infernape said.
Everyone nodded solemnly, and left the room, leaving Infernape and Lopunny to discuss the wedding. "So, when do you want to have it?" Lopunny asked.
"As I said, maybe a few weeks after the battle, when Laxos has recovered." Infernape replied. "For now, we should get some rest. My thoughts are too clouded by the battle to think about the wedding." Lopunny nodded, and they climbed into their respective hammocks. Luckily, they were placed closely enough for the two new fiancées to hold hands together, so they were comforted by the other's hand and had good dreams.
The next day…
Infernape woke up to the sound of Luxray calling his name. "Infernape, wake up! You have to see this!" Next to Infernape, Lopunny was also stirring.
"What is it?" she asked groggily.
"Just follow me!" Luxray commanded. They got out of the hammocks and followed Luxray up to the deck. There, Luxray led them to the left side of the ship, where a huge crowd was shouting up at them.
"What are they saying? It's not exactly easy to make it out." Infernape asked.
"They're cheering for us, and asking us to stop the rule that Dusknoir has over them. I can also hear some of Team Valor's squads asking for their respective captains." Lopunny explained.
"Then we shouldn't disappoint them." Infernape reasoned. Luxray nodded, and all three stepped forward to join their teams in watching the crowd. Infernape stepped out after some quick glances from Medicham and Drapion, taking them as signals that he should address the crowd.
"Greetings, citizens of Laxos!" Infernape yelled as loud as he could. The crowd quieted at his voice.
"As you can see, Team Valor and Team Majesta have returned! I can promise you, with us here, Dusknoir will not live to see another day!" Infernape declared. He was answered by roaring cheers. "However, there is something else we must discuss. I want to you all to return home. Laxos's port may be on the outskirts of town, but when you return, go into your houses, lock the doors, bolt the windows, and do not come out until I or one of my comrades says so. My comrades include Walrein, The Hitmon Brothers, Manectric, and Absol, as well as Team Majesta and the rest of Team Valor. The battling will be intense, and I do not want any of you hurt. The squads that the members of Team Valor command are going to assist us in the battle, but once we defeat Team Demonic, return to your barracks. Team Valor and Team Majesta will handle Dusknoir. I know that you all grieve for King Lucario and Queen Lopunny, as well as Lord Gallade and Lady Gardevoir. They will be sorely missed. However, my comrades and I will be fighting on all of your behalf. Believe in us, and we will be victorious!" Infernape was met by dead silence, then a voice from the crowd spoke up.
"BELIEVE in you? Lord Infernape, we would give our lives to help you!" it spoke. It was joined by many agreements that intensified into cheers.
Lopunny then stepped forward. "There is also one more thing. If we survive this war, all of you should be aware that I am the heir to the throne. And as it is, I have already chosen a king to rule by my side." The crowd was tense, waiting for her to continue. Lopunny stole a glance at Infernape, and then at their friends behind them. They all nodded. "My husband…will be Infernape!" The cheers that rose were twice as loud as when Infernape addressed the crowd. It was clear that everyone loved that choice-except for the few very ambitious Pokémon that wanted to be king.
"Anyway, as I have said, everyone, return home. Primeape Squad, Mightyena Squad, Fearow Squad, Golem Squad, Seviper Squad, and Glalie Squad, stand by for further orders." Walrein tossed down a rope ladder as the regular citizens began to follow Infernape's orders. The two great Laxos fighting forces quickly climbed down so that Team Valor could personally address their groups.
"Alright, here's the plan. Lopunny, Infernape, lead the Primeape squad and march right through the center of town and to the castle. Ninetales and I will lead the Mightyena squad with you up to the center of town. Then, we'll split up and head to the castle through a side route on the left of you guys. Staraptor, Swellow, launch an aerial attack with the Fearow squad. Machamp, Medicham, you will do the same as Ninetales and I and lead the Golem squad through a side route on the right of Infernape and Lopunny. Drapion, Kricketune, go around the left side of the outskirts of town and sneak behind the castle with the Seviper squad, and launch a surprise attack from there. Abomasnow, Roserade, do the same as Drapion and Kricketune, only you guys will lead the Glalie squad around the right side of the outskirts of town. Walrein, Manectric, Absol, and the Hitmon Brothers will scout around town and stop any stray Kingdom of Zarton soldiers. Basically, we will be attacking from all sides. We all know the castle better than any of the Kingdom of Zarton members, so we should be able to catch them by surprise. If all goes well, we will be victorious." Luxray explained.
"Excellent. Shall we go?" Kricketune asked.
"Let's go then." Drapion said.
Infernape and Lopunny met up with the Primeape Squad and joined up with Luxray, Ninetales, Machamp, Medicham, and the Mightyena and Golem Squads. Staraptor and Swellow, along with the Fearow Squad, took to the air. Drapion, Kricketune, Abomasnow, Roserade, and the Seviper and Glalie Squads split up and began their trek around the city.
Later…
At the center of town, Infernape nodded at Luxray and Machamp, who nodded back and began leading their squads to two separate side routes to the left and right. Once they completely left, Infernape sighed. "Let's just hope they'll be safe."
"I wouldn't count on it." A familiar voice growled. Infernape and Lopunny looked ahead. There, they saw a suitably familiar and hostile face, surrounded by the sound of growls.
"Magmortar!" Lopunny gasped.
Magmortar sneered. "I never thought that you would get here so quickly. Even after a plan of the great Dusknoir's doing, you are still as persistent as last time we met. I heard that you were the one to defeat Camerupt. I have to admit, that is faintly impressive, but my power far surpasses his, and you barely beat him. What chance do you have against me and my Houndoom?" As he spoke, a huge pack of Houndoom stepped out of the shadows.
"Believe me, I've gotten stronger. I think I should have fun battling you." Infernape replied confidently. To Lopunny, he whispered, "Leave Magmortar to me. I want you to provide physical support to the Primeape. They have an advantage, but you know the legends about Houndoom's fire. You get burned by it, it hurts forever. So, I want you to help take care of those Houndoom. And by all means, you shouldn't hold back."
Lopunny grinned. "I haven't had a good fight since I took down some of Dusknoir's Weavile and Sableye guards. This will be a great way to prepare. Just be careful, alright? I don't want to see my fiancée die." Infernape nodded.
"Houndoom, attack!" Magmortar yelled. He and the Houndoom squad rushed forward.
"Primeape, attack!" Infernape yelled. Lopunny and the Primeape ran forward behind him to combat the assault. As they met, Infernape was right. The Primeape had an advantage, but the Houndoom were giving eternal burns here and there. No one could even touch Lopunny, much to Infernape's relief. She was gracefully dodging attacks here and there, and easily beating the Houndoom by rushing right through them with a flying Dizzy Punch, made even stronger by a burst of speed from Quick Attack. Those who were not being pushed back were attacking their own comrades due to their confusion.
"Fire Punch!" Magmortar yelled. He went in with two blazing fists.
"Flare Blitz!" Infernape called. He easily dodged both of the Fire Punches and hit Magmortar with a Flare Blitz. The attack did not stop after the hit, however, as Infernape flew behind Magmortar and into a wall. He was then able to rebound off the wall, and as Magmortar began to recover, Infernape hit him again. This process continued a few times until Magmortar used Smog and spun, whacking Infernape with poisonous ropes made of gas. Infernape was disoriented and stopped the Flare Blitz, being hit with poison.
"Ha! Let's see you fight in your weakened state!" Magmortar laughed.
"Flam-" Infernape began, but broke off coughing out purple smoke.
"Pathetic. Fire Blast!" The flaming star was fired out of Magmortar's cannon, and the fat Fire-Type satisfied himself in watching Infernape take a direct hit from the fiery attack. When the resulting smoke cleared, Infernape was on his knees, panting and coughing.
Magmortar sneered. "So this is the power of the leader of Team Valor?" He began walking slowly towards Infernape, two Thunderpunches ready. As he stood over Infernape, he didn't notice the smirk on Infernape's bowed head.
Magmortar pounded downward with both fists. At the last moment, Infernape slid under his legs and tripped him, causing him to lose his balance as he hit the ground where Infernape had been just seconds before. Infernape then used all his strength to lift up Magmortar and toss him into the air. As Magmortar went up, Infernape followed with a strong jump. "Close Combat!" The onslaught of kicks and punches in midair easily launched Magmortar against a wall and then onto the ground with a large thud.
"Blast Burn!" Infernape said as a finishing touch. The attack sent a huge wave of flames traveling along the ground towards Magmortar. As it traveled, Lopunny had just finished the last Houndoom, and she watched as the flames closed in on Magmortar and knocked him out.
She quickly ran to Infernape. "Are you alright?" she asked.
"I'll be fine." He replied after swallowing a Pecha Berry for the poison. Then he ordered, "Primeape, guard Magmortar, and make sure that no one gets to him. If he wakes up, use some Sleep Seeds to knock him out again." The Primeape nodded and surrounded Magmortar's fainted body, all ready to fight if anyone tried to get him. Meanwhile, Infernape and Lopunny moved on to the castle, hand-in-hand.
OK, I'm sorry I haven't updated this story in a while. My new story, The Ability of a Master, is quite time-consuming. I'll update that story probably by Sunday, but here's the new chapter.
Next, we'll have Luxray and Staraptor kick some Zarton soldier butt!