Chapter 47: VS Lucian

This is it I thought as I strode into the room. This is the final obstacle between me and Cynthia. The room was pretty strange for what should be a battle arena. The walls on all sides were covered with bookcases, literally from floor to ceiling. Tall ladders with wheels were attached to each, so that one could easily access the top shelves. The floor was tile, colored a deep violet. Sitting in a plum colored chair on the other side was Lucian, reading a book and drinking a glass of wine.

"Oh, excellent. I just finished." he said, lying the book down on a table next to him and standing up. He sipped his wine, giving me a chance to give him a once over. He wore an expensive looking suit that was colored a deep, velvet red. The shirt under it was black, as was the tie. A purple handkerchief was sticking out of the breast pocket, which matched the color of his wavy, shoulder-length hair. His glasses shined as he finished his drink. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"More than ever." I said and at the same time, we released our pokemon. Cerberus howled a challenge as he entered the field, only to be answered by silence from Lucian's Mr. Mime. He hesitated slightly, looking back at me. "is this guy for real?" he asked.

"It's a Mr. Mime." I said. There was a long pause before I sighed. "Just get this over with." I muttered. Cerberus obliged, running forward and crushing the enemy pokemons shoulder between his jaws and shaking savagely. Mr. Mime screeched in alarm before falling unconscious.

"Do not think that dark-types are master here." Lucian said before sending out a Gallade.

"You know, I've heard literally the same thing from pretty much everyone else here." I replied, switching Cerberus out for Mufasa. "And you know what? It didn't matter." The large cat roared, releasing a large burst of electrical energy. Quick as a flash, Gallades eyes glowed blue, and large chunks of the ground around Mufasa broke off and slammed into him. Mufasa's Discharge attack hit home, shocking Gallade badly. The lingering static electricity told me that he was paralyzed. "Mufasa, come here so I can heal you." I called. Gallade tried to intercept, but the paralysis was set in now, preventing him from moving. After a quick spray from a Full Restore, Mufasa finished his opponent off with another Discharge.

I switched Mufasa out for Cerberus while Lucian sent out his Bronzong. Normally, the steel/psychic-type would be a formidable foe, being resistant to all but one type of attack. But, unfortunately for him, Cerberus happened to be that exact type. "Flamethrower." I ordered and the resulting blast of fire absolutely roasted the metal bell pokemon, taking it down without a fuss.

Lucians next pokemon was an Alakazam. The golden colored humanoid looked fearsome, but I was confident in Cerberus' ability to take it down. "Okay Cerberus, use Crunch." I said, the Houndoom taking off immediately.

"Never assume in a battle against psychics." Lucian chided. "Focus Blast."

The attack came from nowhere, completely out of left field for me. Concentrating hard, Alakazam created a small glowing orb of yellow energy. He shot it out toward Cerberus, who was already mid-charge at this point and couldn't avoid it. It slammed into him, exploding in a powerful blast. "Cerberus!" I yelled, praying that he was still alive. It seemed luck was with me, as the smoke cleared and the tough hound was still on his feet, swaying slightly. "Cerberus, come back, let Mufasa-"

"NO!" he barked, startling me with the force of it. "I'm done being rescued by that cat. I'm going to prove, here and now, that I can do this on my own. That I don't need anybody else. That I am the strongest, the fastest, the best battler on the team!" He charged forward again, moving faster than I've ever seen him go. Alakazam readied another Focus Blast, but before he could get it charged, Cerberus was on him. He was a whirlwind of teeth and claws, biting and slashing all over until, finally, Alakazam collapsed under the assault. Cerberus stood above him, triumphant. "The best." he spat.

Lucian still had one more pokemon, however, and the Espeon he sent out wasted no time in taking advantage of Cerberus' distracted state. It sent a Swift attack, hoping to put him down when a blur of blue and black intercepted it, swiping the glowing stars off course. Mufasa stood between the two pokemon, fangs bared. "I don't need your help." Cerberus spat.

"No. Not anymore." Mufasa agreed. "You've become very strong. I am proud to call you my rival." Speech finished, the large cat leaped forward, shrugging off the Espeons Psychic attack before his fangs found her fur, ending the match.

Lucian smiled softly. "I guess this was simply fate. You are, after all, the only Nuzlocker to ever make it this far. Of course you would be the one to go all the way. There is one more station between here and the champions room. Please, go on ahead. They are waiting for you."

"They?" I asked, confused.

I found out exactly who when I arrived in the next room. Riley and Cobalt, his Lucario, were standing there, each smiling. "We knew you would make it." Riley said. "Congratulations."

I smiled back, but the smile quickly faded as I looked at Cobalt. "There's...there's something I have to tell you." I said, releasing Kamina so he could be here as well. The young Lucario ran forward and hugged his father, gripping him tightly. For some reason, this seemed to be all the other pokemon needed to see, either because of his aura training or parental intuition. "Lola is dead isn't she?" he asked.

I nodded and Riley gasped, hand covering his mouth. "Oh, Cobalt! I'm so sorry." he said.

"It's okay. We knew the risks. I'm only glad that my son is still here." Cobalt said. He looked up at me over his sons head. "Make sure it stays that way Nick. I do not want to mourn for two family members tonight."

I nodded. "Nobody else is going to die. I promise."

I really needed to learn to stop making promises I couldn't keep.