March 9th 2:11 p.m.
Shamouti Isle
Lightning cracked somewhere in the distance, sending a wave of thunder rolling across Shamouti. On the north side of the island, facing the three elemental islands in the distance, Matilda hovered against a ledge. Raising binoculars to her face, she peered out towards the boat racing back to Fire Island. Anni and Oakley crouched beside her, watching Salamence fly in the direction of Lightning Island, and a storm that was brewing just beyond it.
No more than fifteen minutes ago, the Rocket's waiting above them on mainland informed Matilda that the island had been completely evacuated, and the Dominion's were now surging out towards the Elemental Islands. Matilda's lips curled into a smile as she focused on Brock at the front of the boat, the time to strike was drawing close.
"They handed something off" Anni spoke up.
"The two on the Salamence were definitely handed something by the squinty eyed trainer" Oakley added.
Lowering her binoculars, Matilda's silver eyes flashed in the sunlight. Opening her mouth to speak, she was interrupted by her phone vibrating against her leg. Unclipping it from her belt, and bringing it to her ear, she answered, "what is it"?
"Matilda, ma'm. Giovanni is dead" the voice came through the speaker, causing the silver eyed Rocket to narrow her eyes in response.
"Dead? You're sure" she asked carefully. This caused Anni and Oakley to both lower their binoculars and turn their heads in unison toward Matilda.
"Yes ma'm".
"What happened"?
"Ash Ketchum and his group. They escaped from our Sinnoh base, gutting the boss as they did. This was two days ago, we've been at a loss since, and have only just now gotten our communication to go through".
Matilda stood rigidly still, only her jet black hair blowing in the wind. Her eyes flashed violently in the light, and she swallowed once. Finally speaking, she said, "understood, I'm taking command of Team Rocket".
This caused Anni and Oakley to both raise their brow high in bewilderment, giving each other a look before refocusing on the new Rocket Leader.
"Send the order for all Rocket personnel to evacuate to our main base in Johto" Matilda commanded, "and await my arrival".
"Yes ma'm! But Giovanni's last order sent those Sandshrew to our base in the Sevii Isle. Should I reroute them"?
Hearing this, Matilda couldn't help but give a small smile at the ingenuity of Giovanni.
"Negative" she replied, "in fact, keep our base there in operation. Begin work on Project Power. Use the Sandshrew for...inspiration".
"You got it ma'm! Orders will be sent out within the hour".
And then the call disconnected, leaving Matilda to address a rather curious pair of Rocket's staring at her.
"Giovanni is dead" she informed Anni and Oakley, "the time to strike is now".
Brock gripped the railing tight as Melody's boat lurched across a wave, sending them into the air, and then slapped back down onto the water. Delila grunted to herself from the impact, feeling the soreness in her body. From both her injuries, and the energy the growing baby in her stomach sapped from her. Thoughts of five months from now, giving birth to the child, penetrated her mind. Scaring her with the idea of having to perform that miracle while Dominion's might still possibly be a threat.
She shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind. They wouldn't do any good for the here and now! Turning to look at Brock, she spotted him eyeing the storm forming behind Lightning Island. Thunder clapped across the water, bypassing them with a surge of sound.
"That's not good" Melody said aloud, her brow knit tightly together.
"It's just a storm" Delila said over the whistling of the wind, "I think we can handle it".
Contrary to Delila's belief, Melody shook her head, and without removing her eyes from the fight above Fire Island, she said, "it's not a natural storm. It's the Prophecy repeating itself".
Brock's attention turned from the darkening clouds, and he asked, "this is what happened last time"?
Melody nodded, then replied, "disturb not the harmony of fire, ice, or lightning. Lest these Titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash".
"I thought that men't they had to fight each other"?
"Well" the driver began slowly, "the harmony is disturbed, and they are clashing. It doesn't really specify how it has to happen".
"Wonderful" Delila groaned, "just what we need".
"This is why we're getting the treasures" Brock reassured her as best he could, placing his hand on her shoulder, "we knew this might happen".
"Let's just hope Ash survives this Dominion assault" Melody said non chalantly, earning a surprising glare from Brock, "what? Just saying".
Thunder boomed again, drowning out whatever Brock just mumbled under his breath. Delila's hand found its way to her shoulder and wrapped itself in Brock's, linking the two together. His tension physically relaxed a tiny bit, but his gaze swiveled back and forth between Fire Island and the storm.
Melody sighed, then glanced back at the spiky haired trainer, "look, I'm sorry, but it's just that Ash literally did almost die last time, and that was just with the Legendary Birds. These creatures added into the mix will only make it worse. I believe in Ash, I do...but he's just one man".
Brock hardened his jaw, taking in what the brunette was saying, but not turning to make eye contact.
"No" he replied carefully, choosing his words precisely, "he's not. He's all of us. And if we're there to support him, then he'll get the job done. I've seen it happen more times than I can count".
Hearing the assured tone behind Brock's voice, Melody herself could almost believe it.
"Then what are you waiting for" she began, "go get Lugia"!
With that, she spun the boat so that it slowed and drifted right up to the rocky bank of Fire Island, beside the stony staircase leading up to the volcano. With a half smile to Melody, he turned to Delila and said, "I'll be back"!
She protested the kiss he tried to plant on her forehead, standing up beside him, "oh no! I'm going with you"!
"Like Hell you are" Brock sputtered, taken back by her rising to her feet.
"We don't have time to debate this so let's go" the pink hair woman argued, and before Brock could stop her, she jumped from the boat and began sprinting up the stone stairway.
"Delila wait"!
Brock flung himself over the railing, chasing after the pregnant woman. Melody remained where she was and drummed her fingers along the steering wheel. She sighed to herself, "son of a bitch".
No use in just waiting here, so giving the wheel one good smack, she too vaulted over the rail and ran up the stairs.
Salamence snorted as the thunder boomed by them, vibrating May's core. She leaned around Cameron to get a better look at the forming storm, gripping him tighter as she did so, just in case she slipped.
"Doesn't look so bad" he commented, feeling her movement. The wind pushed his shaggy hair into her face as it gained strength. Lucky, being in front he didn't have to deal with her hair blowing across him.
"It could get bad" she countered, "a storm is, well, a storm".
"That was enlightning" he sniggered, "you should be a weather forecaster".
She pinched his chest with her fingertips, causing him to yelp in shock and utter, "was that necessary"?
Unable to help the grin forming, she replied, "don't tease me".
"Typical girl" Cameron sighed, "always taking away all the fun-ACK! Yeesh, so violent. Think I'll start calling you a Dominion-GAH! What was that last one for"?!
May didn't answer, simply enjoying the carefree moment with a smile as they soared towards Lightning Island. Cameron, after noticing she wasn't going to reply, half cocked his head back so he could see her. With a sly grin plastered on his face, he threatened, "maybe I'll just not kiss you again".
Cocking one eyebrow, she leaned back ever so slightly, "really"?
"Really!-AGH! Hey, that-ACK! I was just-GRR- May wo- I just- dammit- st- WOMAN WILL YOU STOP"!
She broke into a fit of laughter at his outburst, giving him one last pinch to prove her dominance.
"GAAAHHHH" he fidgeted in place, craning his neck back to look at the brunette, "I swear to God if the world wasn't on the verge of ending I would toss you into the ocean without a second thought-"
Her lips met his and shut him up with a muffled "hmph". When she pulled away, she locked her blue eyes with his deep green ones and wrapped her arms tighter around his chest.
"Ok maybe with a second thought" he corrected himself hazily.
"We haven't gotten much of a chance to talk about this yet" she started, flicking her eyes over to the growing ever closer island, "but I really like you, and should we survive everything...um, you think we could see where this goes"?
Cameron's expression shifted to that of surprise, then he chuckled and replied, "I thought we had already silently agreed on that".
"Yea, guess we did". His smile was so warm and inviting, what took her so long to give into it?! Salamence skipped a wing beat and dropped a few feet rapidly, causing both trainers to shout in surprise.
"Not cool buddy" Cameron complained, giving his Dragon a flick on the back, "we were having a moment".
Salamence snorted and rolled its eyes, resuming its lightning pace towards the island, which they were nearly there now. Flapping its wings rapidly to create a softer landing, Salamence hit the ground with a few thuds and growled.
The island shook with a mighty caw, and lightning shot into the sky behind the rise that obscured the rest of the island from their view. The answer to the question May had asked herself on Ice Island was answered as a massive, yellow bird, with sharp feathers, rose into the air. Zapdos had arrived for the fight, or more accurately, was defending its island.
Dozens of Dominion's flew through the air after it, blasting their yellow pulses of energy at the Legendary. Zapdos dodged one, then launched a series of electric arcs that fazed the energy balls into nothing.
A stray bolt of lightning struck a foot to the right of Salamence and the Dragon roared in shock. It jolted backwards, causing both Cameron and May to lose their grip and slide to the ground with a crash.
May landed hard on her back, knocking the breath from her lungs. She gasped for air as as she rolled to sit on her hands and knees, tears forming in her eyes out of reaction. Zapdos' caw rang down from the heavens, angry and terrifying. Yellow burts of light flickered across the rocky ground below her like a strobe light, and May found herself glad she had turned her back.
Metallic shrieks echoed immediately after the light show, sending chills up May's spine. Then a pair of hands wrapped underneath her arms, and hoisted her to her feet. Regaining her breath, Cameron's voice commanded behind her, "Salamence, watch our heads"!
She turned to see the Dragon take flight once again, circling above them fluidly. Cameron's hand snaked its way into May's and he pulled her as he started to run, "let's get that treasure and get the Hell out of here"!
"Agreed" she wheezed, her lungs still aching from the sudden lack of breath.
The storm was almost on top of them now, indicated by the rain beginning to sprinkle down. Thunder rolled across the island, deafening all sounds of the fight above them for a brief moment. The daylight grew dimmer as the heavy storm clouds floated in front of the sun, blocking most of its rays from view.
"Any idea where to look for the shrine" Cameron asked, trudging his way up the hill.
"Nope" May replied, "guess we'll just have to look fast".
"Yea, I'd hate to still be here when the center of that storm hits"!
As if recognizing it was mentioned, lightning clapped up in the clouds, crashing more thunder down to the island. Salamence growled in response, casting a wary eye skyward.
At the top of the hill, Cameron slowed, examining the island which he could surprisingly see all of from his vantage point. May joined him, taking the moment to rest her lungs, and regain her lost breath. The majority of the island continued to rise upwards, peaking at the northern most end.
Zapdos cried out angrily, lighting up the heavens with a surge of electrical arcs. Dominion's scattered like ants, weaving through the currents to avoid getting fried. Twirling its way through an assortment of yellow energy balls, the Legendary Bird swooped low to the island, arcing electricity across the ground. Cameron's eyes followed the bird, but halted as it shot past their target. The shrine for Lightning Island! Perched at the peak of the highest slope.
"There" he pointed, leading the way he sprinted down the hill. May went to follow him, but a flash of yellow caught her eye.
"CAMERON"!
Salamence opened its maw wide and let loose a Dragon Rage that collided with the yellow energy ball in a fiery explosion, five feet from Cameron. He blasted off his feet, hitting the ground and rolling down the hill. May raced after him, desperately trying to catch the tumbling man, but it was no use. He rolled to a stop halfway to the bottom, covered in dirt and grass stains, coughing as he tried to rise on his knees.
Her hands clasped his upper arm as she reached him, trying to help him up, "are you ok"?!
"Peachy" he muttered, wincing as he applied pressure on his leg, "I'll be fine".
The Dominion responsible landed behind them, leering down with its yellow stare. Gazing them over like a victorious hunter after it has caught its prey. Salamence roared, tucking in its wings and dive bombing the creature. A second Dominion crashed into the Dragon, knocking it off course and slicing a deep gash in its side.
Striking the ground with a puff of dust, the Dragon rose back to its feet and bellowed at the dark being. It retaliated by screeching, and firing its lightning. Salamence fought back with another Dragon Rage, connecting the two attacks mid air in a grand detonation.
The first Dominion hurled itself at the humans, slicing through the air with all three arms. May shoved all her body weight into Cameron, successfully taking him to the ground and dodging the sharp claws. Her smaller frame landed on his chest, and behind her Cameron saw the monster turning for another assault.
Wrapping his arms around her, he rolled to the side as the claws pierced into the dirt. The duo toppled over one another, rolling the rest of the way down the hill. Cameron maintained his grip, keeping May firmly pressed to his chest to lessen the impact between their bodies. Her eyes slammed shut as dirt threatened to get in them, and she subconsciously held her breath before each slam.
When they came to a stop with a heavy thud, May was on her back, with Cameron's weight lying on top of her. He grunted as his arm muscles worked to lift him up, and May opened her eyes, catching his as he looked down at her. Their noses were only an inch apart, and May couldn't help the furious blush that formed in her cheeks. This was quite an awkward position to be lying.
It didn't last however, as the Dominion up the hill screeched down at them, taking flight into the air. Snapping himself rather reluctantly from the moment, Cameron jumped up and reached for another PokeBall. May beat him to it, shouting, "Go Blaziken"!
"BLAZE" the fiery fighting type emerged in a burst light, arms already up in a fighting stance.
"High Jump Kick"!
Acknowledging May's order, Blaziken jumped straight up and forward, lightning fast for the Dominion. Its foot connected with the creatures face, sending it hurtling backwards into the hillside.
Salamence took flight to avoid a lightning attack from the other Dominion, and twirled past the dark monster, speeding towards its trainer. Cameron had to duck as the Dragon soared directly overhead, Body Slamming a Dominion that had been coming up behind them.
"Thanks buddy"!
"Cameron"!
May's frightful gasp made him glance at her, then turn his eyes the same direction she was staring in terror. Which was all around them...Dominion after Dominion thudded to the ground, encircling them in a ring of dark stares. Camerona and May backed into each other, turning in circles as more Dominion's trapped them where they stood, yellow eyes glowing with hatred as they bared their jagged teeth gleefully.
"Cameron" May's voice was barely a whisper, at a loss and shaking in fear. They didn't have enough Pokemon to handle this many Dominion's at once. Blaziken battled outside of the ring of creatures, desperately trying to break through the ranks. Above them Salamence roared at a pair of pursuing Dominion's swerving chaotically to avoid being sliced apart. "What now"?
"Cover your ears" he replied sternly, then reached down into his shoe.
The frontline Dominion's screeched and charged, raising their arms high for an attack. With a glint of purple, Cameron plucked the MasterBall from its hiding place, and tossed it open. May instantly wished she would have listened when the very air shook in a booming roar as Groudon emerged before them all, ready to destroy its opponent. Dominion's halted in their tracks at seeing the towering Legendary leering down at them, it's upper lip twitching as it growled.
"I assume you remember these guys" Cameron shouted so his Pokemon could hear him, "take me out"!
Not needing to be told twice, Groudon bellowed deafeningly and blasted a white hot beam of plasma straight down at the evil bastards. They scattered in ugly metallic shrieks, each of them forgetting about the humans and focusing on the newly arrived Legendary. Seeing their opening, Cameron shouted, "keep them busy guys! Wait until my signal"!
"You too Blaziken"!
Both Pokemon snorted to show they heard, and Cameron only hoped Groudon heard as well as it shook the island with another roar. Taking their chance, May and Cameron resumed their sprint towards the Shrine, beelining directly for it. The ground began to slope upward as they ran, slowing their progress. May cursed under her breath as she stumbled, but quickly regained herself and continued.
The rain fell harder now, soaking into their clothes, weighing them down and causing their feet to slip on the torrents of water running down the slope. Lightning flashed among the clouds repeatedly, and Zapdos cawed extensively. Flapping its massive wings, a lightning bolt struck the bird, then another and another and another, storing into the Legendary.
With a massive boom, Zapdos unleashed the built up lightning, scattering the powerful arcs far and wide. Striking Dominion's, hitting Groundon, random places along the island, and even out into the ocean. May and Cameron bobbed through the bolts, throwing up their arms to shield their eyes from the dirt blasted into the air. With a squeak, May's shoe slipped on a rock and she collapsed to her knee. Unable to hear her call out from the storm and Zapdos' lightning, Cameron ran on, growing closer to the shrine.
One of Zapdos' final lightning strikes slammed into the shrine, obliterating it into thousands of rocky pieces. A flash of yellow rocketed out of the flying debris, and Cameron dove through the air, stretching out his arms far ahead of him. His fingertips closed around the sphere, and he quickly pulled it close to him as he smacked back to the now muddy dirt, sliding a few feet down the slope in the process.
May stopped his downward slide with her hand, and he jumped at her touch, but his fearful expression quickly changed to that of victory. He held the Lightning Treasure up for her to see, grinning wildly, "we got em"!
"Now let's get the Hell out of here" May shouted over the rain.
She gripped his hand to help him up, but something pricked into her neck, and her world went fuzzy. She was aware of Cameron's voice calling out to her, Zapdos cawing in the sky, and Groudon's angry roar, but soon everything went silent.
Delila skidded to a halt at the top of the stairs, nearly causing Brock to crash into her.
"Get back down there" he ordered through heavy breaths, but she ignored him, her eyes following Lugia, Moltres, and Articuno soaring overhead. Sending their most powerful attacks at the assaulting Dominion's.
"How are we going to get Lugia's attention"?
"Delila! Dammit I said-".
"I know what you said" she snapped, turning her eyes on him directly, "I love you Brocky, but right now we have bigger things to worry about"!
Her tone was soft, yet fierce, and it somehow penetrated straight through his chest. As much as he wanted her to be safe, deep down he knew she was right. There was far too much at stake to only worry about one particular person. Wouldn't stop him from protecting her though!
With a heavy sigh, he nodded and said, "you're right".
"Did I miss the lovers spat" Melody caught up, panting and looking between the two.
Giving a weak smile, Delila turned her gaze back to the sky and repeated, "so how do we get Lugia's attention"?
Up above Lugia tucked in its wings and dove out of the way as a distraction for Articuno to fire an Ice Beam, catching a Dominion off guard and solidifying it in a block of solid ice that plummeted straight down into the volcano pit.
"I think I can help with that" the Shamouti woman stepped forward, procuring her Ocarina from seemingly nowhere, catching Brock off guard and causing him to look her up and down to see where she pulled it from.
Placing the tip to her lips, Melody began to play a soft, soothing tune that pressed its way into Brock's soul. He had heard the story from Ash, and assumed this must be the same tune Melody played all those years ago.
Sure enough, Lugia paused from firing its attacks at Dominion's and glanced down. Moltres protected the stronger Legendary from a Dominion with a massive blast of fire. Seeing the group standing below, Lugia seemed to be amazed they had come back.
"Lugia" Delila called, "you must flee! Lead the Legendary Birds away from here"!
Melody ceased her playing to shout, "the Prophecy is repeating itself"!
To prove her point, she pointed to the storm that was growing larger by the second and nearly to Fire Island, "until the Chosen One can restore balance you must go! Shamouti is lost"!
Lugia's gaze swung towards the storm as thunder clapped across the ocean. A Dominion launched itself at the Legendary, but Articuno cut it off with another Ice Beam.
"You are right" they heard Lugia's voice come down, "we will flee until the final fight, but you must bring the Chosen One as soon as possible"!
"We will" Brock shouted, removing the Ice Treasure from his pocket and holding it up, "half of his work is already done"!
Seeming surprised, but pleased, Lugia turned to his fellow Legendaries and cried its melodic call. The bird of fire, and the bird of ice shifted their courses, twirling through the hordes of Dominion's buzzing through the air like wasps.
Spotting a flash of something dark headed their way, Delila cried out to Melody, who saw the Dominion charging her and dove just in time. Not paying attention to her destination, she hit the stairs descending down to the shrine platform that hung over the pit and tumbled down the stone steps one by one. Her head struck the rocky floor at the bottom with a sickening smack, causing her world to spin in a colorful daze.
"Melody" both other young adults shouted, and raced down the stairs, only Brock added, "Steelix, I choose you"! Throwing his PokeBall down the stairs, the giant steel snake roared into existence.
"Keep the Dominion's back"!
Seeing a new target, a handful of Dominion's broke away from the fight above and zoomed down towards the massive Pokemon. Lightning struck against Steelix, but they deflected right off its shiny body and exploded into the walls of the volcano, cracking the structure.
Brock reached Melody first, who was holding her head with both her hands as she tried to steady her twirling sight. Blood dripped in between her fingertips, and Brock pried her hand away to look the wound over. Seeing it was only a minor gash, he told her, "worst case you have a minor concussion. Come on"!
Delila reached them as he began to help her up, and the pink haired woman grabbed the brunettes other side to help heave. Steelix shook the platform as its tail crashed into the ground from swatting at a Dominion. A splat of yellow blood burst from underneath the giant tail, telling Brock Steelix was doing his job...but for how much longer? He didn't want to bare losing another Pokemon.
Something exploded at their feet, sending dust, chunks of rock, and the group into the air. Brock crashed on his back, wheezing from the impact and trying to blink the dust from his eyes. "De-Delila" he coughed.
"I'm ok" she huffed, shuffling beside him and glancing around for the source of the detonation, which wasn't that hard to find.
A Dominion glowered over them, rearing back its third arm to swipe down and slash them to pieces. Steelix had other plans, HeadButting the Dominion square in the side, hurtling it into the volcano wall with a crack and a crunch.
Lugia's call sang from above, much less soothing and more forceful. Moltres and Articuno cawed in response, twisting through the air to cease their attacks and follow their leader. The Ice Bird spun, avoiding a string of lightning attacks, and fluttering the sparkling snow from its body. Lugia blasted the few daring Dominion's who tried to charge it head on, knocking them out of the sky and down to the growing ever violent ocean.
Brock wiped the dirt from his eyes as rain began to sprinkle down, splotching his already ruined clothing. The storm was directly over them now, and lightning flashed among the clouds.
"We have to go" Melody called, one hand still stopping the flow of blood from her head as she tried to stand.
Thunder boomed across the island, rattling the stone beneath them. Delila and Brock were only just on their feet, and swiftly helping Melody, when a caw from the sky rang down.
Moltres beats its wings furiously, sending out heat wave after heat wave, trying desperately to keep the Dominion's which had it surrounded at bay. It launched a gigantic stream of fire across the sky, searing flesh of Dominion's too slow to swerve for safety.
In the clap of lightning, and the roar of thunder, Moltres' cry of pain was muffled as a Dominion from below shot through the birds chest, exploding out the back in a mass of blood and meat.
"NO" the scream ripped from Melody's throat as the Legendary's wings stopped beating against the wind.
Lugia cried out in its own pain at seeing the fallen Bird of Fire, and Articuno soon joined. The Dominion's took advantage of the moment of stunning sensation that swept over the group on the island, swooping in at breakneck speed.
Delila saw them coming too late, and before the scream could escape her, the yellow eyes of a Dominion were two feet before her. SMASH! Steelix brought its tail down as a barrier between the dark creatures and the humans. The Dominion leading the charge flattened beneath the behemoth snakes tail. Two of the Dominion's unable to swerve up in time slammed headfirst into Steelix, stopping them dead on.
The ground beneath their feet rumbled once more as Moltres' body crumpled against the platform, the fires it once had extinguished. Melody tried to step for the bird, but Brock held her back, "there's nothing we can do".
Knowing he was right, Melody forced herself to look away. So they pressed on, Steelix using any attack necessary to keep the Dominion's from swooping in. Though that didn't stop them from trying, or taking the fight to the steel Pokemon.
Up above, Lugia led Articuno away, flying swiftly away from the island with Dominion's giving chase. Brock prayed they could get away, Pokemon and human alike, and keep their lives in the process. They just had to!
Steelix followed them up the stairs, crushing the stone beneath it as the snake traveled, and making it hard for them to maintain perfect balance as the ground rumbled. The rain picked up, pouring down as if the very sky was crying for Moltres.
What would they do about the Prophecy now? Wasn't Moltres needed to maintain balance in the world? Would Ash no longer be able to restore said balance?
"We can't think about it" Delila stated. Brock twisted his head to look at her incredulously, how could she read his thoughts like she did?
"One thing at a time Brocky" she stated, "it's written all over your face. We'll get something figured out, I know it"! How could this woman always be so positive?! Guess that was why he loved her.
"I can still drive" Melody interrupted as they reached the boat, "you can stop babying me now". She pulled her bloody hand away from her head, left their support, and gripped the rail to haul herself into the boat, "you act like I hit my head or something".
Multiple detonations lit up behind them, and Steelix bellowed in pain. Spinning rapidly, Brock saw the chain bursts of Dominion lightning streaking across his Pokemon's body, cracking the steel shell.
"NO"! He gripped Steelix's PokeBall, pointing it to recall, but a streak of lightning exploded into the ground between him and the boat, chipping away the rocky edge. Brock and Delila blasted onto their faces, and the boat sloshed out into the ocean.
"HOLD ON GUYS" Melody shouted, firing up the engine, but the growing ever violent weather swept the boat further away from the island.
Brock clambered to his knees, Steelix's PokeBall sparking in his hand, a crack running along the side of it. Metal shrieks filled the air around them as Dominion after Dominion pointed their arms directly at Steelix, and unleashed a storm of lightning upon the giant Pokemon.
Brock screamed as the steel warped, and broke. Blood cascaded through the cracks, contrasting greatly against the shiny body. Steelix howled in pain, mixing terribly with the screeches of joy coming from the Dominion's. Then with a deafening boom, Steelix collapsed to the ground.
"STEELIX"!
"BROCK NO"!
Delila gripped his arm tight, attempting to prevent him from running off, but her shoes were sliding across the rocks. With an opening now available, the Dominion's faced them, glowering down from above. Brock scowled back, ready to rip the creatures apart himself. Delila pulled with all she had, desperately trying to get Brock moving the other direction. Then with a chilling, echoing cry of metal, the Dominion's blasted their lightning at the couple. Brock stopped struggling to get to Steelix and whipped around, taking Delila into his arms and shielding her from the incoming attacks.
Which never connected...they deflected off course and exploded against the side of the volcano with a quaking boom. Voices shouted around the couple, ordering some kind of attack against the Dominion's. For a moment, Brock assumed May and Cameron had arrived...but he was sadly mistaken as Matilda stepped into his vision with a wide sneer.
"Keep them back" she demanded, not taking her silver eyes off Brock.
Letting go of Delila to open another PokeBall, Brock raised it high only to receive a sharp blow to the back of his head. He hit the ground with a thud, motionless as Delila shouted his name.
Out at sea, Melody could clearly see Team Rocking storming the island, firing some strange purple colored pulse at the Dominion's. They apparently didn't like it, as they retreated with angry screeches. Knowing she would be unable to help, the brunette reluctantly turned her boat away from the island. Telling herself she would meet up with the League at the evacuation point in Unova and send help back for the others, Melody shoved the throttle forward and shot further out to sea!
March 10th 1:26 a.m.
May jerked awake unable to breathe properly, like her lungs were being constricted with a chain. She took long winded gasps rapidly, feeling her heartbeat going a mile a minute. Ticking echoed around a seemingly empty room, bouncing back and forth through her ears.
"Hey, she's awake. May? May"?
The voice was familiar, but fuzzy...well, everything was fuzzy. Fading in and out as she desperately tried to control her breathing and still her heart.
"What's wrong with her"?
"It must be an after effect from that narcotic".
She recognized one of the voices now.
"Cameron" she mumbled, suddenly aware how very dry her throat was. There was a shuffling, followed by his voice speaking soothingly, "right here, just take a minute. Breathe in...and out".
He instructed her again, and she focused on matching her breaths with his commands. In...and out. The room began to come into focus, dark, grimy, concrete walls surrounding her, and an archway blockaded by cast iron bars. She could not see Cameron, but Brock was opposite her in another cell across the isle, staring at her in concern. Her heartbeat slowed, and May could suddenly feel the cold sweat pouring from her body. Yuck...
"Where are we" her throat cracked dryly.
"Team Rocket's main base in Johto" Brock answered her, gripping the bars to his cell tight, "they ambushed us".
Fear rushing into her heart, May reached around into her pocket where she had stuffed Mew's MasterBall. It was gone!
Brock's expression dropped, and he lowered his head, "Matlilda already came by to gloat they had Mew".
"Bragging was more like it" Delila spoke up from somewhere else May could not see.
"She did a lot of bragging, actually" Cameron's voice came beside May's own cell, and she scooted to his wall. Leaning her head against the bars, she said, "what about Melody? And the Treasures"?
"Melody got away" Brock answered her, "but Team Rocket has the Treasures locked away somewhere in the base".
Dammit, well at least Melody might be able to send help...May sighed, "at least we're all together".
"For now".
May looked up at Brock, who had spoken in such a tone of hurt, it shocked her. But seeing his mixed expression of angst and fear, she knew why. Matilda had them all, right where she wanted them...including the former member of Team Rocket. Wait! Did she already reveal who? No, judging by the look on Brock's face, he still didn't know.
"What are we going to do" Delila's voice bounced from somewhere May still could not see.
"I don't know" Brock answered her, slowly pulling his eyes away from May and looking at the floor, "I'm not sure there is anything we can do".
"Come on Brocky, don't say that! We'll figure something out"!
"There might be a way we can unhinge the cell doors" Cameron mused, shuffling over in the cell next to May.
"If we had our Pokemon we could-OUR POKEMON" the brunette realized horrifically, "Cameron what happened to them"?!
It took him too long to answer for May's comfort, and she could practically feel him not wanting to reply, but he did, "they're gone. They tried to save us from Team Rocket, but...Matilda only bothered returning Groudon to his MasterBall. She...she had Salamence and Blaziken shot".
The stinging numbness that ran through May's body didn't last long, easily replaced by rage exploding through her nervous system, "THAT BITCH! I'll make her wish she never heard the name Team Rocket"!
"Is that so"?
The womanly voice floated down the hall, mockingly calm, with a hint of pride. Heels clicked on the concrete floor as they approached May's cell, and Matilda's silver eyes appeared in front of her.
"Do tell me how you plan on doing that"?
The snarl that escaped May surprised even herself as she slammed herself against the bars, growling at the black haired Rocket, "open this cell bitch and I'll show you"!
Brock's awed expression would have been hysterical if May's anger didn't radiate through each of them. Looking at the two women, bets would logically be placed on Matilda. She was tall and burly, made to be a fighter. While May was more compact, yet busty.
Matilda only curled one side of her mouth into a smile, and said calmly, "you're not a match for me girlie. Don't flatter yourself".
May's arm shout out through the bars, reaching for the silver eyed bitch, but falling short by a foot. A single amused chuckle rose in the back of Matilda's throat, and she turned away to Brock as the brunette growled curses.
"Such riff raff you hang around with" she scolded, stepping forward to Brock's cell, "a cutie with such potential wasted on these...friends. You could be so much more in Team Rocket".
Delila made a sound that could be clearly translated as 'back off from my man', and Brock snorted, "as if! Desperate for help much"?
"I have every available resource I'll ever need" the black haired Rocket shrugged, "I wouldn't admit you into the ranks. Ketchum has been a terrible influence on the lot of you".
"Ash is a better man than you'll ever be" Cameron spoke up, "oh shit, did I just call you a man? How disrespectful of me".
"Well she's built like one" Delila mocked harshly.
The smirk on Matilda's face vanished, replaced by a cocked jaw and an angry look as she stared at Brock.
"I came to retrieve my former employee" she informed them, whatever tiny amount of warmth had been in her voice turning icy cold. She turned away from Brock and walked out of his and May's eyesight, "I'll be moving them to a more...uncomfortable location".
Her footsteps echoed down the hall, but she stopped when no one answered, argued, or retaliated against her.
"So" she began, realization striking her like a match, "they don't know who it is? Interesting. Why wouldn't you want them to know? Embarrassed"?
Whoever she was talking to did not reply, and May's fingertips gripped the iron bars fiercely, mimicking Brock's as they waited for an answer.
"Let's keep them guessing" Matilda's icy voice was coated in amusement, "take them both".
Grunt's that neither May nor Brock could see, opened cell doors with loud, echoing clangs.
"NO" both of them shouted together, but Matilda merely laughed.
"Hey easy! I just had my hair styled" Cameron's voice spoke up as scuffling erupted next to May, followed by a thud and a grunt of pain.
"Cameron" she called, pressing herself further into the bars as she tried to see, "leave him alone assholes"!
Delila squeaked and cried out for Brock, who shouted in rage, "LEAVE HER ALONE"!
A smack rang across the cells and Brock yanked violently on his cage, "DON'T HURT HER! SHE'S PREGNANT"!
A gasp shot out of his mouth the instant pregnant escaped his lips. The scuffling stopped, and Matilda's footsteps were the only sounds bouncing around the cells.
"Really now" her voice was low, full of pure ecstasy, "guess that means you won't be any trouble then eh Brock? Take them to Wing D"!
And just like that the scuffling resumed, and the two being hauled from the cells could be heard putting up a fight. Then the door slammed shut, leaving only Brock and May's shouts in the room.
"DELILA"!
"BRING THEM BACK"!
And that concludes another chapter! The world certainly is in a pretty pickle isn't it? I think we can all agree, Team Rocket sucks lol.
P.S. I'm personally enjoying toying with the identity of the former Rocket in the group. Who was it? You'll all still have to wait and seeeeee :p