-Chapter 13-
Synthesis
While Marleon rested with his Pokemon, the fellow Pokemon trainers began to congratulate one another on the victory. Mystics shaking hands with Valors, Instincts laughing happily. They all were impressed with their Pokemon's powers. The Legendary Pokemon relaxed as well, still recovering from the mental manipulation. Anthony was in the crowd, with Sol and Luna by his side. "Rose!", he called out for his daughter. "Dad!", Rose called back, and ran to embrace her father. Lugia went over to them, smiling pleasantly, "She is perhaps one of the strongest humans I have ever met, not only for her dedication to her fellow trainers, but her passion in life. I hope you are as proud as I am of her.", Lugia spoke to Anthony. The man nodded and rubbed Rose's back, "She is the strongest person I know. She gets it from her mother." "Dad! Don't embarrass me in front of Lugia!", Rose bumped his chest with a fist. Entei approached, looking at the two of them. "Mmm...Entei wishes me to inform you both that it will be close by, watching and protecting both of you. 'I will be there in the darkest of nights to light your way.'", Lugia spoke on behalf of Entei. Rose laughed, "That sounds like the Team Valor motto!"
"Oh my heavens!", Garrett was admiring Articuno, walking all around the bird, "M-may I...?", he asked permission. Articuno clicked its beak, and before it realized, Garrett had pressed his face into the bird's chest plumage. The bird blinked a little, but then wrapped a wing around Garrett and sighed contently. Lugia chuckled, "So I am to assume your search for Articuno has concluded, correct?", it spoke to Garrett. "Yes...I've waited a long time for this day to come.", Garrett said, and looked up to Articuno. "Thank you. For being my Guardian!" Lugia smiled, "Ah...Articuno, please do not let it go to your head. But enjoy your moment with your favorite human.", and began to walk away. Garrett looked back at Lugia, and then looked up to Articuno, "I'm...your favorite?!"
"You...", V's palm was trembling. She stared at Kyogre, who was resting there, glaring back at her. The Team Instinct leader approached. "V! What are you going to do?", Rose asked. "I'm going to-", V began, when Lugia approached. "Listen, human. I know what you are feeling. The pain of losing loved ones...it is a burden none of us would wish to experience.", Lugia spoke, "But...it is not the first time Kyogre has been controlled. Please, do not fault it for the evils of the world." V hesitated, staring deep into Kyogre's eyes. "Kyogre...", V began to say, and approached the whale, raising her fist as if she was about to strike the Legendary...but then rested her palm on Kyogre's head. "I...I forgive you..." She collapsed and pressed onto Kyogre's head, sobbing, mourning. The Legend closed its eyes and began to nuzzle into her body, trying to comfort her.
Marleon finally stood, leaning on Flygon. He was sore after the experience, but he spoke, "What...what happened to Kaoz?" The trainers looked around, before one of the Mystic trainers had found the Master Ball and brought it to Marleon. He held the ball in his hand, and Lugia approached him once again. "May I make a suggestion on what to do with him?", the Pokemon asked. Marleon shook his head, "No...no I know what I'd like to do. Would you...please ask the other Legends to meet me at my old gym? I want to speak with him.", he replied. Lugia tilted its head, "Are you sure? That is risky...he could...", but Marleon smiled, "No. He won't be a threat any longer. But please...let me speak with him."
Lugia exhaled. "As you wish then, human. I hope you know what you are doing."
The teams had dispersed, and Marleon, Rose, V, and Garrett, along with Lugia and the nine Legends, arrived at the Rain Dance Gym. When everyone was in place, Marleon pressed the button on the Master Ball, and released Kaoz. The Shadow Lugia slammed into the ground, looking around at the setting, before glaring back at Marleon. "You fool!", he spoke telepathically, and began to charge up an energy burst in his maw. Lugia began to step in when Marleon motioned for it to stay back, and then...he held up the Master Ball to Kaoz. "Kaoz! Stand down!", Marleon commanded. The Pokemon closed his maw, steam rising from his lips. "What? But how?", Garrett questioned. Rose thought about it. "Marleon! How many badges do you own?", she asked. "What? What does that have to do with-?", V began to ask, and Rose pointed to the office in the Rain Dance Gym. The wall of badges that Marleon had earned. Garrett gasped, "Wow! I never knew he had so many!" "I don't understand...", V spoke. Rose smiled, "Badges are tied directly to Pokeball technology. I learned this firsthand with Tyranitar. She would not obey me until after I had earned enough badges. The badges resonate with the Pokemon's capture device, and bestows upon them the victories their trainer had accomplished. The more badges they have earned, the greater the effect."
Marleon spoke, "I have earned 52 badges. And I had planned to add another 8 before the incidents that led to my disappearance." Kaoz grumbled, "Damn...damn you...!", but Marleon motioned for Kaoz to stay down, and the Shadow Lugia obeyed and began to bow before the trainer. "This...is so humiliating...", Kaoz muttered.
"I chose our location here on purpose, Kaoz. It's only us here. I did not want the trainers or the rest of the world to see you like this.", Marleon explained. Kaoz continued to grumble and snarl, glaring up at Marleon angrily while he was forced to bow. "Alright, as you were.", Marleon said. The Shadow Lugia rose and stumbled back a bit, "So...this is my life now...I am a slave...", he muttered. Marleon at once shook his head, "Don't you even think that! I'm not your master!", he spoke. Kaoz tilted his head, "Then what are you to me?", the Shadow Lugia asked. Marleon stepped toward him, "Listen.", he began, "You tapped into a side of me that I have never experienced. Yes, you're absolutely right, I am weak. I am too nice. I let people walk all over me.", he sighed, "I need you to teach me to be stronger. I don't want to be looked at as a pushover. I want to learn, and I think you'd be able to teach me to...well...grow a backbone as they would say."
Kaoz looked up to Lugia briefly, then back to Marleon, "And what would be in it for me, if I were to agree to this arrangement?", he asked. Marleon smiled, "I'll train you to harness your powers, and to use them effectively in battle. You've already shown me you are capable. I want the world to challenge the two of us, and prove that together, we are a force to be reckoned with." Kaoz looked back over to Lugia. "Lugia? Are you in agreement to this as well?", Kaoz questioned. Lugia exhaled, "If it were my decision, I'd leave you in that Master Ball and never let you see the light of day again. But...perhaps...the human is much more wiser than I am on the matter. And maybe...if the other legends and I are in agreement over your progress, we may consider letting you visit us in Thrylikos Mons."
Kaoz closed his eyes and exhaled a plume of violet smoke. "So be it.", he spoke. Marleon grinned, and stepped forward with an outstretched arm. Kaoz stepped back, "What are you doing, human?", he asked. "Come on, you look like you need a hug after all of this.", Marleon said. The Shadow Lugia snarled, "Attempt to hug me again and I will not hesitate to eat you!" Marleon gulped, and then extended a fist, "How about this then? Go on, ball your fist up like this" Kaoz blinked, and clenched his wing-hand into a fist, reaching it forward. Marleon walked up and the two fist-bumped. "We call that a fist bump!", he laughed. Kaoz blinked a few times, "Mmmnnn...you humans are very strange...", he groaned. V chuckled a little, "I think the Shadow Lugia is already regretting the decision.", she whispered to Rose and Garrett. Rose smiled, "They're going to be incredible together." Garrett nodded, "I think everything'll work out just fine."
Marleon held up the Master Ball, "We'll talk a little later, then. Get your rest.", he spoke. Kaoz exhaled, "I still don't understand. Why are you being this kind to me? After all I have done to you?", he asked. Marleon lowered the ball. "I see potential in you. I see strength, cunning, and even some wisdom. I see mystique...instinct...and valor.", he began to say, then continued, "I want you to reflect on something I was told a long time ago. A good friend of mine once said, 'There is no success or failure, there is only progress.' Don't think of today as a defeat, think of it as progress toward your dreams. One day they will fear you, and also...respect you." Kaoz mustered a slight smile on his lips. He closed his eyes, and began to glow red, returning to the Master Ball.
"We will take our leave then, humans.", Lugia spoke. The legends began to disperse as well, but Suicune approached Marleon and gave his hand a nuzzle. He gave the legend's mane a pet, "Thank you for all you do, Suicune.", he spoke. The dog gave him a nod, and followed the others out the door. Lugia was the last to leave, and he spoke to all four of the humans, "Harmony has been restored to the land. It is thanks to all of you for your efforts today.", and then turned and took off.
The three leaders looked to one another, and then to Marleon, who was staring at the Master Ball in his hand. Garrett approached and put a hand on his shoulder. Marleon blinked and looked over to him. "So...what now?", Garrett asked. Rose stepped forward, "We need to rebuild the gyms. That's priority number one.", she said. V nodded, "I'm sure the league will help us with it. Maybe we can hire some extra construction companies to speed up the process." "Garrett...", Marleon spoke. "Hmm? What is it, Gyarados?", Garrett asked. "I have a favor to ask you, actually all three of you.", Marleon turned and looked to all of them, "Would you help me bring the Lapras pods back to the reef?" V looked to the others, then nodded, "Sure we will...but how?", she asked. Marleon rubbed his chin, "I think I have an idea. Team Mystic has the best database for trainer information, correct?", he asked. Garrett nodded, "Of course we do." "Right. If Team Mystic can get a log of all the trainers who currently have Lapras in the Fire Islands League, and they work with Team Valor to find those trainers...we should bring them to Team Instinct's headquarters and start breeding them. Instinct's technology is a little dated, but they have a full hatchery and they'd be the best for a mass incubation."
Garrett, Rose, and V looked to one another, "You want us...all to work together?", Rose asked. Marleon crossed his arms, "Is that too much to ask?" V smiled, "I think we can consider it a truce for now. How about it, you two?", she asked, putting a hand out. "Count me in. We'll have those Lapras back in no time!", Garrett put his hand on V's. Rose sighed, "Oh what the heck. Sounds like fun!", she joined in and put her hand in the pile. Marleon chuckled, "Team harmony.", he said, "...Team harmony..."