Author's Corner.
Slybill: OMG! My story has finally gotten over a 100 reviews! Yes!
White *pumps a fist and knocks out Skidz behind her*: YAY!
Scarlet: So it's that good huh? I never expected those followers to actually comment on every chapter.
Burgh: That just goes to show how much devotion they put into this tale! My heart is aflutter with delight and pride!
Draco: Well then, special thanks to Riolu- I mean, Natsuki for bringing the number past 100. We love you!
PokeToddSweeny: Hey! What about me-
Scarlet: Can it, troll! Now then, let's get back to the show.
DISCLAIMER: SLYBILL DOESN'T OWN POKÉMON. ELSE, SILLY POKEMON LIKE VANNILITE WOULDN'T HAVE EXISTED!
WARNING! WARNING! CUBE OVERLOAD! GOING INTO OVER *BRRZT* DRIVE! DISABLE...*BRRZT* GLOVE...FUNCTION...WARNING...DIS...ABLE...O...VE...R..DR...I..V..E..WAR...
Dragonspiral Tower, Unova.
Ghetsis stared at the demon ahead and yet he couldn't help grinning like a crazed schoolboy despite the blood-curdling growl emanating from Scarlet's mouth.
"Shame on you," he stated and threw off his cloak, revealing a black, sleeveless overall with spikes on the shoulders and a big Team Plasma emblem on his chest. "However, this body needs a good exercise now and then so it wouldn't hurt to strain it a little."
Draco smiled. "Looks like the King is serious. Better not fall asleep, ranger."
Latios looked from Rain to the pillar in his chest repeatedly and gave a low whimper. However, Rain's hand moved a bit and the Eon pokemon was satisfied with that.
Hold still. I'll get you out, he stated and was about using Psychic to pull out the pillar when Rain held his hand and shook his head slowly.
"That Ghetsis..." he whispered faintly. "He stabbed me in such a way that my vital's wouldn't get damaged...and he's right in front of us too..."
Are you saying he's protecting us?! Latios hissed in anger and doubt.
"That's right, Airplane-head!" Draco called out and the dragon looked up to frown at his cheshire grin. "Rain's a very important invitee to the ball so we can't have him die just yet!"
How can he-?
"Forget it...those dragon knights are monsters on another level from the fodder," Rain cut in and pointed back to Ghetsis. "I can't guarantee if Scarlet's still in there so we'd be a lot safer behind the Ghetsis...since I'm too lazy to move."
Fool! Don't joke around! Latios scolded but remained all the same to protect his partner. The scene shifted back and Ghetsis put out his deformed arm to Scarlet.
"Come, monster."
Silence. The transformed teen stood there staring at Ghetsis with only the sound of energy wafting out of his skin to provide an answer. One minute. Two minutes.
Is he deaf...? Latios questioned before catching the knight above him shake his head.
"Nope. He's charging up."
Slowly, Scarlet brought up a grey, scaly and monstrous hand and put up one finger. It was faint but a small whistling sound grew and with a start, Rain realised that the air was sucking and swirling round the tip of Scarlet's finger. In time, a pea-sized black blob materialised at his fingertip and Latios held his breath before setting up a barrier around himself and his partner.
It's coming.
"RAAAAARRGH!" the monster screamed and in a flash, the ball exploded in size until it resembled a swirling mass of death. In one swoop, he flung it at Ghetsis and the man watched the ball devour everything in its path in its break-neck rush towards him.
We're going to get swallowed alive! Latios exclaimed. How does Ghetsis plan to stop that?! However, Ghetsis shadowed face arched an eyebrow and gave a bored look at the missile.
"Hmph!" he stated and put out a hand before swiping at the ball, splitting it in half and making it explode loudly, releasing wind and dust in every direction. However, Scarlet's demonised form appeared within the explosion and with another growl, he began his lethal assault on the king, sending blows faster than Rain's brick-red eyes could detect. Yet Ghetsis dodged every single one before raising a hand and blocking Scarlet's fist.
"Is that the best you can do?" he mocked. In reply, Scarlet's jaws fell open and raw energy spewed forth, enveloping Ghetsis face in its fiery wrath and blowing a hole in the wall. Seconds later, the flames stopped and Scarlet removed his fist from Ghetsis' grip before spinning and sending a leg into his side, hurling him into the edge of the tower. Without giving him a chance to recover, the monster-teen zoomed after his target with his claws glowing bright red before slashing Ghetsis left and right.
"He's gonna be ribbons by the time this is over..." Rain remarked and rolled his eyes as Draco laughed. "You've been quite happy at this development, monster. Why?"
The knight's laugh died down until that grin remained. "Scarly reminds me of myself. That was what I looked like after having a dragon-pokemon's cells sewn over my skin. It's kinda funny seeing myself all over again."
And just whose monstrous cells did you have grafted to you? Latios growled, giving the man a hard glare.
Draco's expression froze for a second before he opened his red eyes and stared down mockingly at the two. "Now that's a secret...but I'll give you a hint. Legendary Factor."
Latios tilted his head. Legendary...factor? He would have inquired further as to what that meant had it not been for the ground shaking explosion that made the tower shake again with the threat of collapse. Looking forward again, Latios' eyes widened at Ghetsis good-as-new face.
"Your weak attacks are getting you nowhere, Scarlet," the green-haired man stated and his torn arms regenerated again. "Although I admire the ferocity."
"Rrrrrrrrgghhh..." the demon growled before opening his mouth wide and forming another black ball at his lips. This time however, the ball enveloped Scarlet himself and with a scream, he hurled his burning body at Ghetsis like an over-charged rocket. Putting his hands forward, Ghetsis stopped the attack but didn't expect a fat, spiked tail to wrap around his neck and send him into the ground and down into the next floor below.
"And he's got the tail too!" Draco cooed and clapped his hands together. "That kid's a prodigy I tell ya! Took me a month before I could bring that one out!"
Down below, Scarlet jumped back and swished the heavy tail dangling from his back before aiming it at the rubble where Ghetsis lay. Suddenly, the tail split in four and were launched like rain on the man, stabbing the ground repeatedly and in fast, black blurs. However, Ghetsis had long since moved from his spot and was dodging each attack, all the while coming closer and closer to Scarlet.
"Keep them coming, Guilty!" he cried and dashed towards him. "This is getting too interesting to pass-up."
Scarlet obliged and sent more tails at his enemy, skewering everything in sight. The demon was far from exhausted and still had many more surprises for the being ahead of him.
Icirrus City Gym, Icirrus City, Unova.
"Ice Punch!" White ordered as soon as Beartic got his footing.
"Using an ice-type move against an ice-type pokemon?" Brycen stated and pointed at Beartic. "If it's out-muscling you want then fine with me! Ice Punch!"
Both Arctic Pokemon ran towards each other with their fists aglow before sending them into each other. The attacks collided and sent a blast of cold wind flying around the arena, bringing the room temperature further down the thermometer. The combatants pushed against each other, growling as their muscles strained and tensed. However, Brycen's older and definitely more experienced Beartic gained the upper-hand and sent its fist into White's Beartic's muzzle. As a result, Beartic stumbled back before getting thrown across the field as Brycen called for a Trash attack.
"Stand strong, buddy! Surf!" White called and her pokemon got to his feet as his opponent lumbered towards him. Bringing his paws together, he formed a pulsating blue ball of water before dropping it hard against the icy floor, letting it instantly burst into a gigantic wave that flooded the arena and headed straight for Brycen's pokemon.
"You'd need better moves to fell my pokemon, White!" the gym leader remarked. "Keep going, Beartic!"
He can't be thinking of going through the wave! White inwardly pondered. Nothing can get past a Surf attack!
Unfortunately, the undaunted opponent continued its mad charge and dove head-first into the water. It was only then that White recalled what a powerful swimmer Brycen's Beartic was. Riding the waves like a pro, it didn't take long before the pokemon reached its target. Bursting out from nowhere, Brycen's Beartic landed another fist into White's Beartic's cheek before sending a heavy knee up his gut, making him gasp and reel back.
"This can't be happening!" White muttered and sent her eyes roving through her opponent for any sign of weakness or opening. Brycen's Beartic was very, very sturdy but given the fact that it was using Trash, there was the fortunate after-effect of exhaustion and confusion. An opening that the girl was ready to capitalise on. All she needed to do was have Black's Beartic hold out for the time being. "Hammer Arm!"
Beartic raised his arm and took a swing at his opponent only for it to get blocked. Giving a grin, Brycen's Beartic took the arm and sent Black's Beartic into another glacier nearby, making it come down on the pokemon in an icy heap.
"Darn it..." White hissed, eyes beginning to burn. "Just a little more..."
"Are you actually giving it your all?" Brycen asked and folded his arms at her tensed expression. "Be serious with this, White-san, or you will lose this battle and, by extension, Beartic."
The trainer blinked. "What?"
"Oh, I never told you? Black gave me permission to reclaim Beartic if I deemed you unworthy of taking him. A.k.a if you lose this match."
White stared before tightening her fist. "I won't lose! Beartic, get outta there and send those ice-chunks back at Brycen's Beartic!"
The heap rumbled before Beartic came out and started flinging the chunky debris at his opponent.
"A childish effort. Keep Trashing!" Brycen ordered. Roaring, his pokemon flung its massive arms wildly and beat away the rocks of ice before heading for Beartic and sending his head into the ground.
"Beartic! Hold on!" White cried, doubt beginning to seep into the corners of her troubled mind. What if Beartic faints by the time the opponent gets dizzy? She'll lose the one last reminder of her beloved brother...and she couldn't let that happen! No, she wouldn't let that happen! "Icicle Crash!"
Beartic staggered to his feet and took a deep breath before sending large icicles towards Brycen's Beartic.
"Beat it back!" he called and his Beartic spun around, sending the icicles back at their shooter. Beartic managed to dodge some but roared in pain as one grazed his arm and another scratched his side. He stumbled for a bit before finally falling on one knee and panting in exhaustion. By the time he had caught his breath, Brycen's pokemon stood over him with its massive arms locked together and raised high above its head. The blow would have been a sure fire hit that would definitely have KO'd the Freezing pokemon but luckily, the opponent's knees shook and it too stumbled back, woozy.
"Finally!" White exclaimed. "Now Beartic! Hammer Arm!"
Roaring, Beartic got back up and, with what little strength remained, swung his hardest right at his opponent's jaw. To his and White's shock, the supposedly confused pokemon grabbed the arm and twisted, sending Beartic over his shoulder and deep into the ground, leaving a crater behind.
Beartic was still. White was still. And Jolteon tensed.
"No way..." the girl mumbled. "How...?"
"Holding a Persim Berry helps in times like these," Brycen calmly replied and gave the girl a semi-sympathetic look. "That's pretty much it, White-san. Beartic has had enough-"
"It's not over yet!" White cut in, eyes beginning to water. "I won't lose Beartic! I can't let Scarly's training go to waste-AAH!"
The girl held her head to steady herself before another pang sent her to her knees in pain.
"White-san! Are you alright?" Brycen asked in concern. Turning to the referee, he called for a time-out and rushed over to the girl. Jolteon was all ready by her side and looked on helplessly at the pain in her widening eyes.
"W-What is this...?" she muttered and gave a pained moan as another pang swept through her head. Negative feelings, pain and blood were the faint things she was getting for some unknown reason and it made her brain scream. Was she overusing her power...or was her body telling her that something terrible was happening. "It...hurts...AH!" She screamed and held her head again before lowering her head until it barely reached the ice. Her reflection on the shiny floor was enough to tell her and Jolteon that something was definitely wrong.
"Scarly..." Brycen heard her mutter before drawing in a sharp breath as she threw her head back and screamed with blood pouring out from her now blazing-blue eyes like tears. "IT HURTS!"
"White-san!" Brycen exclaimed as she grabbed her head...and banged it against the icy floor. All was quiet for a moment and the gym leader considered calling off the match. Slowly, he stretched a hand out and touched her still frame. "I think you need to rest."
He was surprised however as her hand shot out and gripped his wrist. Slowly, she raised her head and looked into his eyes with her bloodied, blue ones.
"Not y-yet...!" she huffed and staggered to her feet. "I'm gonna p-prove m-myself...and...I'm...gonna win! For Black...for Beartic...and for Scarlet!"
The gym leader's eyes widened. Here was a girl who looked every inch like she needed to be in the hospital right away and she still wanted to tough it out with her tuckered out pokemon?
"Brycen, shall I?" the referee asked. Slowly, Brycen raised his hand, signalling for the battle to continue. "Are you sure, sir?"
"Her eyes are bleeding yet she wants to see this through to the end," the man replied. On cue, Beartic's eyes snapped open and he groggily got to his feet and stood beside White. "Beartic has the utmost faith in her abilities." White twisted her hat backwards and put on her determined glare despite her bleeding eyes. "And she wants to prove her worth no matter the consequences. I think it's obvious that this battle must continue!"
Brycen's Beartic roared, shaking the field. However, White patted Beartic's hide and drew him close.
"Let's win this together, buddy. Lend me your strength one more time," she whispered confidently and like magic, he gained new found vitality from nowhere and gave a roar far louder than Brycen's pokemon.
"Final Round!" Brycen stated and struck his karate pose. "We'll settle this now, White-san!"
White clenched her fist. "Yeah! We'll end this in five minutes."
That confident huh? Jolteon asked and looked to the door. Where the heck is that baldy?! He's missing the fight!
Dragonspiral Tower, Icirrus City, Unova.
Ghetsis landed against the wall before kicking off again, dodging the red-tipped tentacles that Demon-Scarlet was now sporting on his back. Getting back on the floor, the man continued round the room while Scarlet's appendages gave chase demolishing everything in its path. In retrospect, it looked more like a Purrloin-and-Mincinno chase but with the way Ghetsis skillfully weaved through each attack, let's just say it was a lot more epic. From the way Scarlet's eyes narrowed however, it looked like he got frustrated really fast and with a growl, he jumped back...and dove into his own shadow.
"And this is where it gets annoying..." Draco remarked and jumped down before taking the pillar sticking into Rain's chest. "I'm surprised that you haven't passed out from the blood loss, Rain."
Hey! If you pull that out he's going to-! Latios exclaimed harshly but was too late as Draco gave a tug and wrenched the pillar out with a squelching noise that made even the blank face on Rain contort in pain. Before he could bleed to death however, the knight put his hand on Rain stomach and pressed lightly. Instantly, a black material resembling a shadow of some sort spread from his hand and spread over the wound, covering it up totally.
"Consider this a freebie, human," he stated and with a snap of his fingers, the hole sealed up totally as soon as the shadowy material disappeared. "You'll still suffer some internal injuries of course, but at least, that should slow down the bleeding." Turning to the baffled Latios, he said, "I'd get him to a hospital if I were you."
"Since I'm probably needed for this plan of yours," Rain chipped in and huffed at the stinging in his sides. "I'm guessing you won't tell me what I'm needed for."
"Duh!" the knight stated with a roll of the eyes. "You ask a lot of questions. Oh! The fight!"
Instantly, Ghetsis' body flew up from below and slammed into the remnants of the ceiling before falling back down again. From the shadows of the tower, Scarlet materialised and rocketed after him with a crackling Dragon Rage in his hand. The ball swelled in size before he launched it at the man as soon as he hit the floor.
BOOOOOOM
That floor shattered, bringing them both to the next floor below. Laughing maniacally, Ghetsis snapped his twisted head back into shape and blocked the shadowy slashes Scarlet threw at him. They seemed to be stronger than the last and by time the teen was finished, Ghetsis left arm had been shredded to ribbons.
"Touché," he stated and Latios held his breath.
He's finally going to retaliate?
Unperturbed, Scarlet sent his tail at the man but flinched as Ghetsis grabbed it and hurled the demon clear across the room. Slamming into the wall, the angered Scarlet gave another throaty roar and disappeared in a fast blur towards Ghetsis. Unfortunately, Ghetsis held up his right hand and grabbed the wing extending from Scarlet's back, instantly stopping him in his tracks.
"Too slow!" he declared and drew his fist before slamming it so hard into his cheek that the demon's face cracked slightly. Stumbling back, Scarlet mumbled some incoherent gibberish and brought out his finger once again forming that explosive ball of darkness. Before he could launch it, Ghetsis was behind him and he grabbed Scarlet's hand before flicking the blob off his finger, dissipating it instantly.
"RAAAARGH!" Scarlet roared in frustration and charged up another energy blast from his opened jaws. Ghetsis retaliated by grabbing the demon's throat, redirecting the beam's trajectory and blowing the area up again. All that was left now was the lone mirror in that floor and crumbling pillars here and there. Wrenching himself free, Scarlet flew back and brought his harms out before extending them at Ghetsis, each hand taking on the shape of a horrific dragon's head with its jaws wide open and ready to shred his enemy.
"Still too slow!" the green-haired man cried and dodged the first head before grabbing the other and pulling its wielder towards him sharply. As Scarlet flew forward, Ghetsis brought up a hand and charged an energy ball of a much larger magnitude and slammed it right into Scarlet's chest. Time stood still for a second before a hole grew in his back with the ensuing explosion. However, the hole sealed up as quickly as it formed and Scarlet grabbed Ghetsis face before slamming it into the floor. Drawing up a fist, he looked at the man's defiant façade and smacked his fist into it, hard. The action repeated itself for a full minute and Rain almost thought he had the upper hand as blood splattered on Scarlet's face with each destructive blow. However, the ranger was still fighting that nagging feeling in his chest. Scarlet was a monster now and with each reckless move he made, it seemed like he was getting farther and farther away from his humanity.
Latios gawked as Rain got to his feet. What in the world are you doing?!
"I have to stop him..." the ranger replied and took a step before falling to his knees and coughing up blood. Wiping it off, he faced the demon again. "He's had enough...he'd better stand down now...before Ghetsis does something horrible and accidentally kill him."
Ghetsis is in no position to do anything! Latios stated and blocked Rain's path. Rest.
Draco simply looked on as Scarlet battered his lord into pulp. Unknowingly, his fingers tightened with each blow and the smile on his face seemed to falter. "I've never seen the full extent of King Ghetsis' regenerative power...but even this is too much."
The blows increased in ferocity until the ground shattered beneath Scarlet's feet. Somewhere deep inside the demon's red eyes, the real human stared at the dark world all around him, shaking lightly with each blow.
BAM!
Where am I?
BAM!
What happened to me?
BAM!
Why's everything so dark...?
BAM!
Or is this just what my mind always looks like?
BAM!
A dark world with no hope of salvation...? No light whatsoever...?
BAM!
Slowly, the ravenette stretched out a hand to the endless darkness before him. "I don't even know who I am anymore...a human...? A monster...? Or just warped..."
Meanwhile on the outside, the demon slowed down until his fist came to a stop in the air. But not because he was exhausted. Latios' psychic power was holding him in check and it looked like that was taking a bit of an effort from the Eon Pokemon.
Stop it, Scarlet! the dragon pokemon barked. Have you not spilled enough blood?
Scarlet stared at him before his frozen arm began to tremble and break free of Latios' pyschic hold, much to the pokemon's surprise.
He's breaking it?!
"RAAAAAARGHH!"
Instantly, something snapped and Latios fell back as Scarlet broke free of the hold. Getting up, he swayed to and fro before stopping and pointing his menacing eyes towards the disturbances. Again, cold sweat broke across Rain's face and he held up his styler.
"Here he comes, Latios," he mumbled and wiped the blood off his chin.
I doubt we'll last long enough considering the amount of vitality he still has left compared to us, the dragon deadpanned but stayed beside Rain all the same. That said, I won't go down without a fight.
Scarlet continued towards them, raising a hand and forming that blob again...
"Don't scold me if I die, Rhythmi..." Rain muttered under his breath.
Scarlet opened his mouth and charged up the energy beam too.
Forgive me, Latias, Latios stated.
Scarlet arched back, ready to fire his beam.
Their hearts were pumping and their breathing was ragged now.
The beam fired. And missed. Just inches past Rain's face. The ranger stared with wide eyes at the scratch on his cheek and redirected his astonished look to the demon in front.
"Huh?"
Unknown to them, Scarlet was looking at the broken mirror on the wall beside him with a blank look on his face like he had seen it for the first time. He tilted his head and let out a small noise before reaching out and touching his reflection's face. Deep inside, the real Scarlet looked on in horror.
"What is this...?" he mumbled, fear overtaking his heart. "Is this...me...?"
Of course, that came out as gibberish from the monster's mouth but it was obvious that the human inside was coming back.
"What happened to me? How did I-?"
"That's you Scarlet!" Rain called out, getting the monster's attention. "This is what your spiteful hatred has turned you to. Do you want your loved ones to see you like this?"
That struck hard.
"L-loved...ones...?" the demon muttered haltingly. He stared at himself again. "...Loved...ones...W-White..."
Then it hit the teen's deadening mind. What...if...White...saw him...like this...?
"No..." the demon mumbled and smashed the mirror as the anger and shame mixed in with his lingering hatred for Ghetsis. "No! No! NO! RAAAAARGH!"
Latios furrowed his brows. Almost had him there...
Scarlet formed a gigantic red ball above his head and faced Rain before giving another insane roar.
"If he drops that then it's straight to hell from here," Draco commented and got to his feet.
"Put up your strongest Light Screen," Rain stated.
Already on it! the dragon replied.
Scarlet raised the ball high, ready to blow everything to dust. Latios and Rain braced themselves, anticipating the lethal impact. Draco had long since disappeared.
Eight letters. R.E.B.O.U.N.D.
The ball wobbled dangerously before fizzling off into nothing. The demon gasped and held his throat before hacking and coughing up blood, making Rain let out a very shaky sigh and fall on his butt in slight relief. Scarlet's red eyes dilated before they shrank again as a shadow loomed over him from behind and grabbed his black wings.
"Just a little more and my body would've hit it's limit."
Scarlet's head turned and his eyes shook as the man's ominous face sported yellow dots for eyes and that crazy smile that all dragon knights did when something terrible was going to happen.
"It's amazing how terrible distractions can be."
Icirrus Gym, Icirrus City, Unova.
Brycen looked on in wonder. He didn't know how, but White's pokemon had received some fresh burst of energy and was keeping up with his own pokemon's moves.
"Hammer Arm! Hammer Arm! Hammer Arm!" the girl called desperately and Beartic punched his foe left and right, increasing in pace instead of decreasing in speed like he normally would. "Go! Go! Go!"
The onslaught continued against the pokemon's face, contorting it with every blow and knocking a fang out in the process.
"Ice Punch!" Brycen ordered.
"Take that punch and use your Ice Beam!" White countered. Beartic winced as his opponent lodged his cold fist into his gut but endured the pain, grabbed its arm and let loose his icy cold beam, freezing its muzzle shut. Brycen's pokemon stumbled back for a bit, angrily trying to get its muzzle free.
"Calm down, Beartic!" the gym leader ordered. "Use Slash to get yourself free!"
"Not happening!" White exclaimed and her pokemon charged towards his opponent. "Body Slam!"
BAM!
Brycen's Beartic was knocked across the arena.
"Icicle Crash!" the trainer continued.
BOOM!
Brycen's Beartic cried out as the attack grazed its bulky frame.
"Counter with a Frost Breath!" the gym leader stated before remembering that his pokemon's mouth was shut. "I mean, use Aqua Jet!"
Coating itself in water, the pokemon shot straight for Beartic only for White to smirk.
"Catch it!"
"What?" Brycen exclaimed, shocked.
Beartic stood tall and opened his arms wide. The other one slammed into him at full force, pushing him back a little. With a grunt, he held the attack and stood firm with his sturdy feet planted on the icy floor.
"Where did this new found strength come from...?" Brycen cried in disbelief. "Is this the true power of your resolve?"
"I promised Scarlet that I'd win!" White exclaimed and tightened her fist. "I can't fail him and Beartic too!"
Beartic grunted in response and pushed against the watery attack before a reddish aura wafted from his fur.
"This is...!" the referee gasped.
White raised her arm. "New move!"
Brycen knew what was coming next. "Beartic, stop! Get out of there!"
Too late.
"SUPERPOWER!" the trainer cried. Immediately, Beartic's muscles expanded and with a defiant growl, he held his opponent back with one arm and brought the other one high into the air. "Do it!"
Time froze for a second and Brycen took in the split-second scene before him. There was the referee, looking aghast and ready to proclaim the match. Jolteon was on his toes, leaning so far over the bleachers that he was probably going to fall off. His own Beartic was looking up with eyes wide for the finishing blow. Black...no...White's Beartic had his own look of determination and was putting his all into this last blow. Then there was White with her eyes radiating a bright, brilliant blue and blood pouring down them yet she looked on without a care, eager to win and prove her worth.
Slowly, Brycen's mouth curved into a rare smile as he closed his eyes and folded his arms in pride.
"You raised her too well, Black. Now she's even better than you."
Time returned. Jolteon fell off his seat. Beartic's arm crashed into his opponent's head. White stared in anticipation at the cold smoke that got thrown up as Brycen's Beartic hit the floor hard. But there was no need to worry as the match was pretty much over.
"Brycen's Pokémon is unable to battle. Beartic wins this round and as such, the winner of this gym match is White from Nuvema Town!"
Dragonspiral Tower, Icirrus City, Unova.
Dragonspiral Tower was destroyed. At least it's top half was. Sitting in the rubble was Scarlet, human now and gasping for air. Earlier on, he had regained his mind and gotten the upper hand on Ghetsis by lodging the bones extending from his elbows into the man's gut and pumping all the energy he could muster, blowing holes in the man's torso but not before losing his wings in the resulting explosion that brought the high tower closer to the ground. Not that it mattered anyway but his back hurt like hell.
"I don't even know what happened after I used that thing," he muttered and gave a long cough before spitting out the blood stained material. "I'm never using that again..." He eyed the dim, worn out gloves on his hands. Luckily, the orbs on them hadn't shattered and as such, it could be self-repaired again. Then his mind shifted to Ghetsis' still body. Had he won? He barely cared anymore. Scarlet was more mortified at what he had seen in the mirror back then.
Above him, Rain lay on Latios and stared down at the boy. "Let's...arrest..him..."
NO! You are coming to the hospital this instant! Latios objected strongly and zoomed off.
Meanwhile, Scarlet remembered something. "White's battle!" he exclaimed and winced at how raw his throat felt. Even worse, he couldn't move very well thanks to the rebound effect. Actually, it wasn't as bad as before...a good sign? "Who cares..." he hissed and struggled with himself to get up. "I have to...get to...White's battle..."
"You seriously like that girl, don't you?"
Silence. Deadly silence.
Scarlet heard the voice but didn't want to look back. He was incapable of doing so anyway given his temporary muscle paralysis and that made his heart drop as he couldn't run either. Then there was another feeling that crept into his heart and made it beat faster. A feeling the hunter knew too well.
"You know, I seriously felt that last blow."
"H-How the hell...are you alive...?" the ravenette's trembling lips mouthed.
No answer. Instead some short steps were heard and that only seemed to make him curse himself at the way his legs shook.
"The fight was exhilarating, Guilty one."
"Don't come any closer.." the teen stuttered.
"Now that it's over, I have to get back to my castle and finish up my plans. I did enjoy it...and I think you deserve a reward for your hard work."
"Don't look at me..." Scarlet muttered, his heart now in his mouth as Ghetsis crouched down and looked over his shoulder.
"I'll tell you something great," he said in a very- very familiar voice that made sweat run down Scarlet's neck. "White is actually a very, very important piece in my plans. So protect her until the time comes."
Scarlet was pulled down suddenly and he fell hard on his back, coughing up blood before gasping as Ghetsis pressed a foot to his palm.
"W-what are you-"
"These gloves are a bit of a nuisance if you ask me," Ghetsis cut-in, a smile creeping into his face. "Let's fix that shall we?"
The hunter knew what was coming next. However he couldn't keep his eyes off Ghetsis' yellow orbs. Ghetsis doesn't have yellow eyes and one of them should be under an eye patch.
"Here, I'll tell you a poem to ease the pain." Ghetsis' lips were never that fresh or young-looking. In fact, his smile never looked so real.
Ghetsis raised his boot. Scarlet opened his mouth to protest.
"Run, run. Lose your breath and stumble."
"STOP IT!"
STOMP! KRACK!
"Keep stumbling, keep stumbling. Until you slow down to a stagger."
STOMP! KRACK!
"AAAAAHHH! MY ARM!"
"Stagger, fall. Look to the darkness ahead."
STOMP! SQUISH! KRACK!
"OH GOD! MY ARMS!"
"Get up but fall and look in despair." Ghetsis removed his bloodied boot and stared at his masterpiece with those yellow eyes and that lop-sided grin that only one person possessed. Tapping his chin, he gave Scarlet's broken arms and shattered gloves a once over before snapping his fingers in realisation as Scarlet's eyes dimmed from the whirling pain. "Oh yeah, each of the knights did something to you so maybe I should add mine as well."
Draco stepped out from the shadows and stared at his lord in awe from a distance. "Whoa...the king's really into it now..."
Ghetsis grabbed Scarlet's shoulders and propped him into a sitting position against the wall before looking into Scarlet's face. "The poem's not over yet, Guilty one."
From somewhere, he brought out a chainsaw and stared down sadistically at Scarlet's widening eyes. It was then that the sun took that chance to pass and Ghetsis shadowed face shone in full. But it wasn't Ghetsis own face that looked down on the half-dead teen. No, it was the face of the same person who had saved his life years ago.
"Reach out. Stop. You can't touch the darkness but it's still there. Chaining you, imprisoning you. Tying you down."
The chainsaw buzzed and Draco shifted his eyes to the shadowy silhouettes.
"Help me..." Scarlet's mouth whispered and the chainsaw descended on his chest. Draco stared at the silhouettes and grinned as he saw blood splatter here and there.
"Walk, run, stagger fall. Keep trying, keep failing and keep losing all hope."
Scarlet's scream pierced the air and Ghetsis' mad eyes continued to bore into his faltering green ones.
"For you'll never touch the blue sky above you, Scarlet. That's your destiny."
Icirrus City, Unova.
"Here's the Freeze Badge, White." Brycen handed the metallic object to the girl. "And you passed. Beartic is yours."
"Yes!" White cheered and Beartic wrapped her in a bear hug. "Now I can call you Teddy!" and Beartic, no, Teddy sweatdropped heavily.
"It was a powerful battle, White-san and I only wish your coach was there to see it," the gym leader stated and tilted his head as she lowered her eyes.
"Scarlet..." she muttered, realising that the blood had stopped running.
"Is...something wrong?" Brycen asked as she wiped her eyes.
"That's strange..." she stated with a look of confusion on her face. "I'm...crying...?"
Author's Corner.
PikaMewGirl: And it is with a heavy heart that I pronounce Scarlet dead. He was a dick, but a damn hot one at least.
Scarlet: But...I'm not dead.