If you actually sat down and thought about it, Indigo's plan was quite clever. For his plan to work he needed all of the trainers in the tournament out in the open and all in one place. Where better to do that than the opening ceremony, where all the trainers congregated, without fail. If you were a trainer taking part in the tournament you had to attend the opening ceremony; but why wouldn't you? Fireworks, alcohol, good food where but a few of the perks of the opening ceremony and people flocked to it.
So he bought the rights to build and design the building for the opening ceremony and spent months designing it to fit in with his plan. Indigo also bought the rights to aesthetically design the island, and that job included planting forests, erecting walls and populating the locality with Pokémon to train in. He practically designed the whole island, down to every last, intricate detail, to fulfil its designate purpose in his eyes. In other words, it was a death trap.
The Gold Conference took place on a one of the many mountainous islands of the Orange Island chain – a different one each year to keep the mystery about the Conference. The island for that particular year had a very steep mountain and Indigo built the building for the opening ceremony there.
There was only one entrance to the building, which, if blocked, would trap whoever was inside. It was also very difficult to blast your way out. Though the building looked like it was made from marble on the outside, it was reinforced by incredible strong and thick metal within. Structurally the building could easily survive an earthquake and a nuclear bomb at the same time, so they could easily take a hyper beam or two from Pokémon trying to escape.
The building was also separated from the main arena by a dense forest which was almost impossible to easily navigate your way through with its thick, thorny vines obstructing the paths and the almost impenetrable canopy above. The forest could also easily hide an army or two and no-one would be any wiser.
It was all done very subtly though, and even when everyone was congregated for the start of the opening ceremony no-one could even begin to comprehend what would happen. Even the representatives of the league, Gold and the whole Elite Four to name but a few, did not imagine that the deed would happen now.
As people milled around inside the extravagant stone dome designed by Indigo, drinking champagne from crystal glasses, pinching snacks from the crystal trays held by smartly dressed waiters, listening to music played by suited choirs from their suede chairs and chatting interestedly, amiable and with some excitement about the battles to come, only one person in the whole room had any inkling of the danger to come.
Jack Lovata. And he was very, very tense. Jack felt the whole place was a death trap as soon as he entered and his eyes darted suspiciously around for any danger that might be lurking in the shadows. He could find nothing, but that did not alleviate his growing paranoia.
He was the one who first saw it, but by then it was far too late. A large, living shadow that had enveloped the whole ceiling in a swirling inky blackness. Red eyes shone eerily from the middle. Jack's mouth hung open as he looked around at the unaware trainers. He looked to find Gold and practically sprinted over to the man.
'It's happening now,' he whispered, his mouth dry. 'Look up.' Gold looked up and his face paled, his mouth falling open. 'Holy shit!' he swore as he regarded the phenomena on the ceiling. 'Giratina, Lord of the Dead. No wonder that Pokémon beat Red and Green simultaneously. Lance, Agatha, Bruno, Lorelei look up!'
As the members of the Elite Four looked up and swore Indigo stood up on a gold carpeted stage erected directly in the middle of the dome. Gradually all the trainers fell silent as Indigo looked around with an affable smile on his face. 'Thank you,' he said quietly, 'thank you all very much for coming.' His smile began to twist so it looked more evil than affable.
'Before the opening ceremony I would like to say a few words, as a sponsor and as the designer of this building. I have waited a long time for this chance.' He paused for a second, seeming to almost compose himself for his speech, though Jack knew it was all show. He was dreading what the man was going to say.
'I have to say thank you once again,' began Indigo, 'for your sheer, trusting stupidity. You disgust me, all of you, but you are powerful trainers and I need that power. So I am going to tell you that you will all die in the next hour. In about five minutes a horde of the most powerful wild Pokémon you have ever seen will stampede in here and attack you. You will release your Pokémon to fight. And I will absorb all the delicious power you have, the power that makes you powerful Pokémon trainers. There is, of course, a way you can stop this. And I will tell it to you because I want to see you squirm. You can refuse to fight and let yourself get ripped apart by the Pokémon. You will die, but I won't absorb your power. Or you can fight to save your life and have the power sucked right out of you. It is your decision.'
As the trainers stood there in stunned silence, wondering whether it was a very poor joke, Indigo held up his hands and the shadow descended from the ceiling. It enveloped him and returned to its place. The only difference was that a small head was now poking out from within the shadows, grinning obscenely.
Then there was a huge crash as the door was charged down and barely held. Indigo's voice rang out, distorted and twisted. 'Oh, it seems my charges are here a little early. Enjoy your deaths. I certainly will.' His cackle was the most chilling thing that Jack had ever heard, and he had heard Mewtwo's insane voice echoing deep within his mind.
It made all the hair on Jack's body stand up on end, quivering, and it set alight a deep ache in the roots of his teeth. Then that fear was banished as a huge Machamp burst through the door, overturning a thirty foot long table with one swipe of its hand, and Jack's trainer's instinct took control.
As more and more fully evolved Pokémon crashed into the building the air began to fill with the cries of Pokémon and humans. Almost immediately each trainer released six of their own Pokémon and the battles begun. The lead Machamp was skewered by the rotating horn of a hulking Rhyperior.
The Pokémon then proceeded to barrel to the door, flattening any wild Pokémon in the way, and block it with a huge, think plank of wood ripped from one of the tables. It placed its huge, rock plating shoulder against the plank and braced itself, digging huge back claws into the ground. Jack watched as its body began to shake from the strain of holding the door against whatever immense force was shoving from outside.
The trainer then decided to react and ordered Kabi to help the other Pokémon. The huge Snorlax joined the Rhyperior at the door, a nod of recognition the only greeting received, and began to lend her incredible strength to the matter.
Jack watched in horror as both Pokémon began to shake from the strain and actually began to get pushed back by whatever was behind the door. Suddenly they were both tossed backwards as if they were leaves and their assailant was revealed within the door.
There you are Jack Lovata screamed an insane voice in his head I was really disappointed that I didn't get to kill you. Even the wild Pokémon gave this creature a wide berth as it stalked into the room, fixing its purple eyes directly on Jack. The trainer let out an unwilling scream as the creature knocked him to the floor with one flick of its mind, winding him quite badly with only a weak attack
Jack crawled back to his feet and ordered all of his Pokémon to swamp the abomination. 'Everyone,' he screamed, somewhat wildly, 'attack this creature. It's incredibly powerful, an abomination.' As the multitude of Pokémon swarmed towards it Mewtwo smiled.
Large Luxray jumping, yellow eyes glowing with liquid thunder, large teeth bared in anger, sharp front claws slashing through the air. A flick of the mind knocks it flying out of the game.
Rampaging Donphan, large, white tusks, tough skin and armoured trunk, rolling like an avalanche. One blow to the tail stops it. A psychic swipe injures it. A powerful kick knocks it out.
Round footed Hitmontop spinning, spinning, spinning on its head, its wiry arms held out for balance, fists clenched. It launches a flying kick. One look freezes it in place. Another crushes it like a bug.
Sleek Houndoom, curving, curling horns, whipping, arrowhead tail, glowing red eyes and needle sharp teeth. Hot fire licking voraciously through the air. A barrier blocks the fire. One ball of psychic energy right to the face. Explosion of blood.
Ballooning Drifblim. Floating lazily through the air, cloud-topped and button-eyed. Four fins waving carelessly around. A tortured shadow ball thrown. One flick knocks the ball away. An athletic kick throws it into the air. Concentration crushes it with ease.
Walking flower. A Vileplume. Large red petals scattering itching, poisoning powder. Acid and sun scorch towards it. Quick dodge avoids the attack. A scythe of energy cuts through its body. Blood pours out.
Where is Jack Lovata? Over there, staring. His Snorlax, large and strong, punches. It has grown much, much stronger. The punch hurts, flick of the mind retaliates. It is tough, it punches again. Block with the tail. Psychic sword drives it into the ground.
His Dragonite comes, small wings, thick tail, small horn. Hyper beam is powerful. It also is a lot stronger. Strong barrier blocks the beam, psychic punch knocks it to the floor. Teleport behind it. Foot to the back of the head. Prepare to die.
Damn! Mr. Mime. So small, frail and stupid. Hail of psychic balls. One sweep dissipates them all. Thrust towards him. His barrier is strong, but shatters eventually. He's fast and dodges. Attacks again. Tries to crush. Yeah right.
Too many Pokémon. Lapras. Young but powerful. It is new. Thick shell, powerful flippers and strong mind. Cannot enter, walls are too thick. Psychic punch knocks her backwards. So much water coming. Teleport dodge. Another scythe of power. Mr. Mime blocks it. Unfair.
Heatran intervenes. It has come into its power. Very powerful. So much power. Barrier fails. Teleport next to it. Kick, kick, punch, tail. It's hardy. Iron skull deals out hard blows. On the floor, towering over. He will fail. Psychic thrust knocks it onto its side. Still it gets up. Shit! Too powerful.
Zapdos attacks. Shining, crackling wings and sharp, pecking beak. So much thunder. Burning, stinging, hurting. Muscles failing. Explosion of energy. Pokémon driven back. Still Zapdos attacks. Crush it. Zapdos screeches and falls. Have it now. Prepare to die, legendary.
Regice. Who is this? This man is rude. Interrupting the fight. Barrier repulses the ice beam. Teleport and psychic blow. Regice falls to the floor. You will die now, ice Golem. Man is too calm. He must have a plan.
Gleaming Registeel, slow and metal. Claws rake forward. Sharp pain, blood. Superpower explosion. Thrown backwards. Pain fills everything. They are too many. Cannot be defeated. Vision fogs over.
Psychic explosion drives them back. But they come again. Tired. So tired. Regirock punches down. Shoulder shatters. Nothing can be done. Vision narrows and narrows and narrows. Blackness rises up. One more attack. Too tired. Regirock punches again. Neck shatters. Dead.
Mewtwo fell from Regirock's final punch as if in slow motion. Jack couldn't believe how many Pokémon it took out before it was subdued. It was like whirling death. He watched as it scythed through everything. Only co-operation with Brandon finished it. And it was only one Pokémon. There were many more.
Mewtwo did the damage. It defeated so many Pokémon that there were gaps. Trainers still thought that the rules of engagement applied. They thought that the wild Pokémon would only attack their Pokémon, not them. They were wrong. The first kill happened without warning and would be imprinted in the brain of everyone who witnessed it.
The trainer was young, only a year older than Jack at the most, and his Pokémon were one of the weakest there. They could not stop the enraged Granbull bulling through them. They could not stop its brutal punch to their trainer's stomach, a punch that broke four of his ribs and gave him severe internal bleeding. They could not stop it driving both of its huge fangs through the teenager's body, lifting up the dead and mangled boy and roaring its triumph to the world. They did take their revenge though. The Granbull did not live on much longer. Nor did they for that matter. Luckily kills like that weren't so common. The trainers there were skilled and powerful and could defend themselves. It was only th
e very weakest who were picked off, and even they were didn't go down without putting up a fight.
Indigo watched from within the enveloping darkness as Mewtwo fell, gaining in power. The trainer's could not see the pulsating globules of energy that he was drawing from them, but if they could he was sure they would be as entranced by the liquid power as he was.
Each ball was so unique, so different and delicious that tasting them all at the same time was almost too much pleasure for him to bear. And, too his delight, everything was going better than expected. Most of the trainers there yielded a very high count of energy. Mewtwo had helped draw that from them.
Jack Lovata especially was releasing huge amounts of energy. Ridiculously huge amounts. The man Brandon too. He released even more energy than the boy. Just those two together could provide him with enough power to rule the whole of Kanto. And it wasn't just those two.
He had so many more trainers to leech energy from and soon he would have so much power than no-one would stand before him. No Pokémon could defeat him in combat, let alone any human. He would carve his palace once again on the Indigo Plateau and rule up from high like he did so many hundreds of years ago.
Jack huddled next to Brandon as their Pokémon fought the hordes rushing through that door. 'How do we defeat Indigo?' whispered Jack. 'That's what we have to do otherwise this will never stop.' Brandon was nodding. 'That's true, but it seems impossible. I've seen the stray attacks hit the shadow, but nothing's happened. Even a stray hyper beam fired straight up was just absorbed. It's too powerful.'
Jack's mind whirred as he went over what Brandon had just said, and what he had seen. 'You're right,' he said slowly, 'but I think that he might have one weak point. The only time a shield was erected to deflect a stray attack was when the attack was heading right for Indigo's head, which sticks out of the shadows. Maybe he can be killed if you hit him there....'
Brandon's eyes lit up with new hope. 'Fucking hell you might just be right,' he exclaimed. 'I have a plan now. We will need all of our Pokémon to do it.' Brandon hastily scanned the battlefield until he saw each one of their Pokémon. 'Good, none of them have been defeated. Can you get all your Pokémon together and ask them to attack Indigo's face, however I want the attacks to be dazzling and blinding to him. When the shield is erected to deflect them I will have my Regis fire zap cannon at his face and fry him.' Jack nodded appreciatively at the plan. It made sense. It could even work. 'Let's get going then.
The plan took longer than either of the trainers thought it would. It took them five minutes to assemble all their Pokémon together, and another five to destroy all of the rampaging wild Pokémon near them.
In that time Indigo had absorbed even more energy from the trainers. Energy that could not be released once it was absorbed. Those trainers were without it forever, so their career as trainers was effectively ended. Though their Pokémon may be still strong, they had lost their ability to train their Pokémon well and make a plan of battle. They were mediocre now.
Jack's theory was absolutely correct. When his Pokémon attacked towards Indigo's face a barrier was erected to repulse the thunderbolt, the fire blast, the two hyper beams, the psybeam and the ice beam. The barrier managed to repulse all six of the attacks, though whether it was with ease or not Jack couldn't tell, with a large, dazzling outpouring of light that blinded anyone looking upwards.
With this distraction Brandon's Regis released ball after ball of bundled electricity towards Indigo. With the huge explosion of light no-one could actually tell what was happening on the ceiling as the shadow had been temporarily hidden from view, so Brandon and Jack had to wait with bated breath to see if their plan had worked. They didn't have to wait long.
The scream was ridiculously loud, and at that sound everything stopped. The shadow was whirling and writhing even more, however that was nothing compared to the convulsions that were gripping Indigo. All his muscles clenched and unclenched involuntarily as the electricity shocked through his system, burning his body to a crisp.
His eyes were the first thing to frazzle, but soon that was followed by everything else. The electricity also ran through the shadow which immediately fled, ejecting Indigo so the man hung in the air for a second before plunging, wrapping itself up so it shrunk to the size of a basketball then smashing through the ceiling and out into the air outside.
And Indigo plunged and plunged, his body screaming in agony from the burns, and he hit the ground. If he hadn't been dead before he hit the ground, he was certainly dead afterwards. There wasn't much left of his body at all.
That was when the wild Pokémon went totally insane. Jack and Brandon had thought that they would leave or be easily overwhelmed once their master was defeated, but in fact the opposite happened. Battles that the trainer's Pokémon were easily winning suddenly became a lot harder as the Pokémon were gripped by a berserker fury; a killing fury.
The next few seconds and minutes were not easy or pretty. The deaths that had been rare before suddenly multiplied as the trainers realised the effects of their energy been drained and the wild Pokémon suddenly gained a second wind. In the first five minutes twelve trainers were killed and their Pokémon killed soon afterwards – because once a trainer was killed their Pokémon were instantly released from their Pokéballs and could then be killed.
Jack and Brandon tried to get the upper hand with their Pokémon but it was like fighting the tide. It could be stopped for a second but it could never be halted. Soon even they were getting driven back. However hard their Pokémon fought, and they fought very, very hard, they could not defeat all the Pokémon. Every one that was defeated was instantly replaced by another one and soon the sheer number began to take their toll.
It was out of the corner of his eye that Jack saw it. A beautiful blonde trainer's Machamp was dragged to the ground and there was an opening. A hugely muscled Hariyama, seven foot tall and with huge, thick hands bounded through the gap and raised its fist to punch the blonde. Only then did Jack realise that the blonde trainer was Lelana.
'Lelana,' screamed Jack, 'duck!' Lelana looked at him and dropped to the floor, narrowly avoiding the destructive thrust that powered straight over its head. The Hariyama looked down and tensed its huge shoulders for the death blow.
Then something hit it in the back of the legs and brought it crashing to the ground. The same thing landed punch after punch on its broad back, all to no effect, for Jack Lovata was nowhere near strong enough to even hurt the mountainous Hariyama before him.
Jack didn't even know what he was doing, he just needed to save her. He got caught up in the adrenalin rush and only realised what he had got himself into when the Hariyama swiped him away with one hand. The blow broke his ribs and he felt the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
Another blow smashed into his back and he screamed as he felt something snap. The boy's vision began to narrow as consciousness slipped away from him. The last thing he saw and felt was a sickening, rupturing pain in the back of his head before and the obscenely grinning Hariyama standing over him before everything went black, and cold.
Somewhere above him six Pokémon went insane with rage. He didn't care. He was going somewhere else. Somewhere better. Somewhere higher.