The light surrounding Aggron dissipated into nothing but glitter. Where Aggron once stood was a much different Pokemon. It was much larger, and heavily armored. Making him look impenetrable. Torchic and Helioptile's eyes widened in fear and they immediately scurried to hide behind Aiden's legs. Even Aiden was starting to feel a bit uneasy. Did he just...evolve? But how! Aggron can't evolve!
"H-how?" he whispered. Then he remembered the conversation he had with Sina back in Lumiose. "Is that... Mega Evolution?"
The visored man smiled. "So you do know about Mega Evolution." he purred, placing one hand on his side. "And I assume you don't know what this device is?" he asked, raising his wrist that held the bracelet. "This is called a Mega Ring. This is what enables me to perform Mega Evolution much more easily then having to carry a stone in my pocket."
"Who are you people!?" Aiden finally snapped. Having not forgotten about the caged Pokemon whimpering for help. Torchic sensed the change in his Trainer before coming out of hiding and standing before his opponent.
"Chic! Torchic!" Torchic chirped fiercely.
"Helioptile! Helioptile!" Helioptile came out of hiding as well. All of them wanted answers as to who these people were. And clearly demanded it.
"Curious." the visored man tapped his chin at the sight, "Even a wild Pokemon reacted to your anger. I find this quite unique. But enough of that. I shall answer your question. We are the people who tried to create a beautiful two years ago. But was stopped by your damn cousin!"
Aiden took a step back. "How...did you know he was my cousin?" he asked in disbelief.
"We have our ways." the man replied, "But I grow tired of our conversation now. Aggron! Take care of them."
"GRROOOON!" Aggron roared.
"Torchic! Try to use Ember! Hurry!" Aiden yelled in a panicked tone. Torchic preformed the move. Unsurprisingly, it hardly left a mark. Even if Aggron was a steel type.
The visored man laughed. "How desperate of you. Aggron! Use Iron Tail!" Aggron's tail glowed before he slammed it down on Torchic with little to no mercy whatsoever.
"TORCHIC!" Aiden cried as he immediately ran over and scooped him up in his arms.
"C-chiiiic." Torchic whimpered.
"Torchic..." tears brimmed Aiden's eyes. This was a mistake. But he couldn't let them get away with the other Pokemon. But was the safety of the other Pokemon more important then his own? "Torchic... I'm so sorry. I should've never sent you out in the first place..." A tear rolled down his cheek and hit Torchic's face. Helioptile watched. A feeling of complete rage boiling in him as he turned to the Aggron and unleashed a series of attacks on him. None of which were effective.
Torchic's eyes opened when he felt the tear hit his face. He looked up and saw the guilty look in his Trainer's eyes. Aiden...don't blame yourself, he wanted to tell him. A new surge of strength suddenly built up inside him and a new fire burned. Aiden's tears went away as he witnessed a bright light envelope his Torchic.
"Torchic?" he whispered. He placed his Pokemon down and the light grew brighter, enough to catch everyones' attention. Torchic's petite body grew. His legs suddenly become longer and his stubby little wings were replaced with arms. As soon as the light disappeared, a new Pokemon stood. "Combusken!" he cried.
A joyful smile appeared on Aiden's face. "Combusken!" he beamed happily. His first Pokemon had evolved. Just when he least expected. Combusken suddenly charged towards the mega evolved Aggron and swiftly used his long legs to kick him twice in the chest. This time, it actually caused some damage. It was Double Kick. And Double Kick was very effective against a Pokemon like Aggron.
Mega Aggron actually stumbled back in shock. But not enough to intimidate fear or make him want to stop. "Aggron, use Iron Head!" Aggron charged Combusken, aiming to ram him against the wall.
"Dodge and attack from behind with Double Kick!" Aiden countered. Combusken swiftly jumped before delivering a rather effective Double Kick from behind. The attack was enough to cause Aggron to slam against the wall and knock himself out. A light enveloped him and he returned to his original form.
Huh? He changed back, Aiden thought. Perhaps there's only a limit as to how long Mega Evolution lasts.
The visored man silently returned his Aggron to his Pokeball. The corners of his lips suddenly arched up into a smile. "Impressive, I will admit. But I have a busy schedule right now." he then turned his back and sighed. "Go. Free the Pokemon. Consider it my reward." The group of people around him suddenly gasped softly.
"But Venice. Sir..." one of them whispered.
"Silence!" he hissed, "The Pokemon here are worthless anyway. Everyone! We're leaving immediately. Leave the Pokemon behind."
"Right." the group said in unison before they all started running down the freshly made tunnel. Venice turned to Aiden, who was still standing where he was.
"Kid. Do me a favor. When the authorities arrive, tell them this: Team Flare is back in Kalos."
Aiden shuttered at the smirk he had on his face before disappearing into the cave as well. He fell to his knees, exhausted. Combusken and Helioptile immediately ran to his side. "I'm fine, guys, thanks." he said to them.
...
By the time Vivienne had returned with the police, Team Flare was long gone and Aiden had freed the caged Pokemon. After being interviewed by Jenny, no charges were pressed on him or Vivienne for trespassing and were free to go. Jenny told them to leave the rest of the investigation to her and her team. But the battle he had with Venice, or that's what he thinks he was called, never left his mind.
"That was some night." Vivienne said as she sipped her coffee. Aiden said nothing and merely messed with the spoon in his coffee as their Pokemon ate. "Is something troubling you?" the silver haired girl asked in a whisper as she leaned forward a bit.
Aiden sighed. "I should've never challenged him." he replied softly.
"What?"
"I should've never challenged him. Because of me, my partner got hurt. I should've known better. Obviously a mere Torchic wouldn't have been able to take down a of that size and power..."
"Stop blaming yourself." Vivienne said as she placed her hand above his gently, "I'm pretty sure he doesn't blame you either."
The shadow of a smile appeared on Aiden's lips as he gave Vivienne's hand a light squeeze. He then felt a nudge on his leg and he looked down to see Combusken looking up at him with a smile. "Combusken..." he said softly.
"Combusken! Combusken!" Combusken chirped happily.
"Told you." Vivienne giggled.
A few minutes later they finished up their breakfast and stood outside of the Pokemon Center. "So what are your plans now that Glittering Cave is temporarily closed?" Vivienne asked with Mica in her arms.
Aiden shrugged. "I guess I'll head on over to Cyllage City and get my next badge." he replied, "You?"
"I'll probably train my Pokemon a bit before challenging the leader. I heard he uses rock type Pokemon so I'm going to have to train Tasu extra hard."
"Rock types, huh? Looks like Froakie is gonna need some extra training too." Aiden chuckled softly.
"Good luck on your challenge." Vivienne said.
"Thanks. You too." Aiden replied. Just as he turned to leave he suddenly heard a familiar cry.
"Helioptile!"
Both Trainers looked over only to see the Helioptile from before standing in front of them. The Pokemon was looking up at Aiden as though he was expecting something from him.
"Helioptile?" he asked before crouching in front of him, "What are you doing here?"
Helioptile's eyes looked over to his bag and then back to him. An 'Ooh' moment occurred in Aiden and he reached into his bag to grab a empty Pokeball. Helioptile then beamed happily before he nudged the red and white capsule and allowed himself to be captured.
"I guess after what happened in Glittering Cave, he must've decided that he wanted to come along." Vivienne said.
"I guess so." Aiden said. He was beginning to think that maybe Viola might be right after all.
...
News of the incident in Glittering Cave spread like wild fire. Aiden arrived at Cyllage City and decided to stop at a cafe for a quick break after battling some Trainers at the beach.
"Could it be true?" he heard someone sitting behind him whisper.
"If it's on the front page then it must be." another replied.
Aiden listened in on their conversation silently as he casually drank his coffee. There were some points when he just wanted to barge into the conversation as well.
"You think they'll try to wipe out everyone again?"
"Nah. I don't think so. The weapon is gone, remember?"
Weapon? Aiden couldn't any weapon being involved. Or that's what he knew.
"Plus their crazy leader is long dead. I don't see a point in wanting to continue his plans. I just think it's a waste of time."
"Yeah. I guess you're right."
Aiden said nothing and casually drank his coffee to avoid any suspicion. As soon as he heard them leave he turned around and saw that they left a newspaper behind. He swiftly snatched it from the table and read the front.
They're BACK!
Incident occurs in Glittering Cave.
Police believe Team Flare is the cause.
Young Trainers save wild Pokemon
"Huh?" Aiden blinked. They must be talking about him and Vivienne. Aiden placed the paper aside and finished his coffee. Standing up, he left some change on the table and made his way over to the Gym. Thoughts ran through his mind as he tried to put the incident at Glittering Cave behind him. He didn't want it to distract him. Especially now.
X.X
Bleh, short chapter D: