Episode 47: The Vast White and the Deep Black
"Warren! Charlotte! What the hell are you two doing here?" Niko shouted, almost angrily.
"Helping you out!" Charlotte snapped back, seemingly angrier than he was.
Ghetsis smirked at them. "I've been aware of you three since my grunt's interactions with you at Chargestone Cave. I'm sure you remember that, right?" They all nodded. "Well, since I'm going to kill you three, I'll connect all of the dots for you. So, to complete my grand design, I needed two primary things—the Dragon Stones, and a plentiful energy source. It just so happened that you intervened in both, and unfortunately, I was unable to use Chargestone Cave's natural energy resources to fuel my desires. We were, however, successful in obtaining one of the Dragon Stones, courtesy of Colress." Ghetsis motioned to the scientist standing on the opposite side of Kyurem. "And now, you're probably wondering what my grand design actually is.
"You see, Kyurem is a unique Pokémon in that it can absorb other Pokémon—specifically, Reshiram or Zekrom. This is, of course, theory, but from our understanding of this…alien Pokémon, and prior knowledge of Reshiram, again courtesy of Colress, we can deduce that, with enough energy and these Dragon Stones, we can fuse the Tao Trio of Pokémon into a more powerful beast." Ghetsis then snapped his fingers, and one of the hooded men brought to him a spherical black orb. "This, children, is the Dark Stone. In here is Zekrom, the legendary Deep Black Pokémon."
"You're not going to…" Warren said.
"Yes. Yes I am. Our plan this entire time was to control Kyurem. We discovered that it had the ability to fuse, and therefore make it far more powerful. And in doing so, I will be able to achieve my long-held dream of world domination!"
"You're mad." Niko said. "And it's pathetic."
"Oh? And who is the one holding ultimate power here? You, or me?" Ghetsis said, snapping back at Niko. He then held up the Dark Stone, a psychotic look in his eyes. "Heh…ultimate power. Colress!"
The scientist quickly walked over to Ghetsis, and held out a long, triangular prism-shaped object in his hands. It was nearly two feet in length, and alternated in shades of blue. On the flat end of the object was a smaller, yellow point that was also in the shape of a triangular prism. Ghetsis then took the object in his other hand and approached Kyurem.
Ghetsis held up the object in one hand and the Dark Stone in the other. He coughed briefly before placing the two together and then thrusting the pointed object through Kyurem's electrical shield and into the front of the dragon's skull. Kyurem let out the same ear-piercing roar as Ghetsis did this. Suddenly, Kyurem flailed its head around before it started pulsating a black color, almost as if it were evolving.
Kyurem now took on a new form. Its legs were just like before, but shorter and the middle toe was completely frozen. Its tail was now a large, round, conical and spiked formation that looked akin to an electrical generator, with black bands running around the outside portion. Gray parts of skin ran backwards to attach the tail to Kyurem's body. It had a bulky torso, and it had long, muscular, and black arms. It's left arm and wing were completely frozen. Its neck was also upright. Lastly, the ice covering Kyurem's lower jaw was partially thawed.
Niko, Warren, and Charlotte looked at the Pokémon with horror. It turned to Ghetsis and leaned down, presumably to sniff him.
"This! This is Kyurem's Absofusion-form, Black Kyurem!" He shouted victoriously. "Now, Black Kyurem, you and I will remake the world in our image! Come, let us go!" Ghetsis said, just as he turned to mount the dragon Pokémon. As he did so, Niko felt a pokéball drop from his hand onto the ground.
"Serperior, use leaf tornado!" Niko shouted. The Regal Pokémon erupted out of her pokéball and used leaf tornado to knock the grunts holding him captive. "Boldore, rock slide!" He shouted, thrusting a second pokéball out.
"Oh…Ghetsis…" Colress said with disappointment. "You didn't think to take his pokéballs from him?"
Ghetsis shrugged. "Doesn't matter now, does it? Finish them!" He shouted. "Black Kyurem, attack!"
Kyurem put its claws together, and a light bluish-white ball of energy surround by electricity formed and became larger. Kyurem then separated its claws and fired the ball towards Niko and Serperior. The latter wrapped her tail around Niko and pulled him away just as the ball hit the wall of the cavern, instantly freezing it. Boldore then used rock slide on Kyurem while Serperior turned to the hooded men, all of whom looked truly worried.
"Serperior, leaf tornado." Niko said, turning to look at the men.
"Cryogonal, go." The lead hooded man, whom Niko had identified as Zinzolin, shouted. He was a portly man with a large purple and black coat that, like Ghetsis', pointed outwards at the neck, partially covering his short, white-haired beard. "Ice beam!"
"Litwick, flame burst!" Niko shouted, summoning the candle Pokémon. Litwick burst onto the field and was about to use flame burst when she looked up at Zinzolin and paused. "Litwick…?" Niko said, almost in a panic. "Litwick, let's go!"
Before Zinzolin could respond, he looked up behind Niko and saw Kyurem and Ghetsis charging out of the chamber and into the tunnel. Niko saw this, returned Serperior and Litwick, and made a run for it while Zinzolin and the other hooded men moved to the side, out of the way of the rampaging Kyurem.
Niko made it to the end of the tunnel and, instinctively, threw out Braviary's pokéball. "Go!" He shouted, jumping off of the side of the crater and jumped onto the Valiant Pokémon's back. "I know you're exhausted, but we need to create some space between Kyurem and Ghetsis." Niko said. He turned and saw Kyurem take flight, which was as frightening as it sounds. "We have to circle back for Warren and Charlotte!" Niko said as they dodged the freezing move from earlier. "Well done, Braviary." Niko said, petting Braviary's neck as they flew above the crater.
Moments later, Niko felt his body being rocked as Braviary suddenly got significantly colder. Looking down, he noticed the two of them were falling, and his Pokémon was frozen solid. He returned Braviary to his Pokémon, and found himself alone as he descended towards the foggy bottom below, dodging another poorly aimed attack from Kyurem.
Then, he felt a white object cover him and he stopped in the middle of the air. Looking up, Niko saw a head attached to a long, slender neck looking down at him. The Pokémon had bright blue eyes, similar to his, and bore a voluminous wispy stream from the upper side of the snout and outwards from its head. Niko then realized he was sitting on two, bright white wings with claws on each end. Lastly, on the back of the Pokémon was a man with long, tea-green hair wrapped in a ponytail.
"Be more careful next time, alright?" He said with a friendly tone and smile. "Next time Reshiram might not be able to catch you." He added as they landed on the ground. Reshiram then placed Niko on the ground.
"Who—what—how—?" Niko said, looking at Reshiram, the sky, and the man in confusion.
"I'm N. Pleased to meet you. I just saved you. And I'll explain how when this is over. I promise. Reshiram! Let's go!" He shouted, pointing up to Ghetsis and Kyurem. Reshiram roared out before belting out a powerful stream of blue fire at Kyurem, who evaded the move and repeated its signature ice-electric move. Reshiram blocked the move with what looked like flamethrower. Niko noticed its tail glowing a bright orange color as it did so. The Vast White Pokémon then launched back into the air, leaving Niko on the ground. "Go after the Sages!" N shouted back to Niko. "I'll deal with Ghetsis!"
"Okay!" Niko said, turning to the hooded figures and Zinzolin, whom Niko deduced must be the sages. "Litwick, let's go!" He shouted again, just as Zinzolin approached him with Cryogonal. "Use flame burst!"
"Hm." Zinzolin said, eying the Candle Pokémon curiously while Cryogonal awaited orders. "that Litwick…it's scared." He said, slowly approaching Litwick, who cowered back.
"Don't get close to her!" Niko said, shielding Litwick.
"Oh, I don't think you understand…" Zinzolin said, tilting his head as if in deep thought. "I—I've seen this particular Litwick before. No Pokémon would be that scared if they weren't familiar with someone like me."
"Familiar…?" Niko asked.
"Oh yes. Yes…I remember now. A Chandelure and a Lampent…" Zinzolin said, trying to work through something in his head. "And you…the offspring…I see now. I get it."
Niko looked down at Litwick, who looked almost catatonic now. It was clear she was realizing something, too. Confused, he sent out Reuniclus, who read Litwick's thoughts and also froze.
Under the battle between Kyurem and Reshiram, the crater floor was deathly silent. Warren, Charlotte, and Boldore watched from near the pathway leading to the cavern Kyurem was in; the Sages surrounded Zinzolin in a semicircle behind him. Cryogonal looked like it was about to attack Litwick. And Niko, Reuniclus, and Litwick stood there, all frozen.
A flood of images invaded Niko's mind—images of death, a Chandelure and an unfamiliar Pokémon that looked like a Lampent, and a shadowy figure that resembled Zinzolin. As usual, Niko understood. And he was furious.
"You—you!" He shouted. Reuniclus then, without command, conjured orange orbs and thrust them at Cryogonal, who responded with an ice beam.
"Yes, I supposed I did. You see, this Litwick's parents were in our way. They were owned by a young trainer who got in our way after we began accumulating power once again. And, well, we had to do what we needed to do to ensure that no one oppose Team Plasma."
"You killed Pokémon!" Niko shouted. "Why!? Why would you do that!?"
"You have to make hard choices when you are the one in control." Zinzolin said, his face darkening. "I was the one in control—I made the choice to kill that Chandelure and Lampent. And…somehow, this Litwick got away from me. What a small world we must live in." He looked at the Litwick. "I'd hate to see you suffer the same fate as your parents, Litwick, but if your trainer chooses not to surrender, then we will have no choice."
"Magnezone, magnet bomb!" Colress shouted from the cave entrance. Small, light blue orbs thrust towards Litwick and Niko.
Niko grabbed Litwick and dodged the magnet bombs hurled at them, rolling across the ground. He looked down at the Candle Pokémon, who looked inconsolable. Rage filled his heart. "Litwick…I had no idea. I'm sorry for putting you through this."
The Candle Pokémon shook her head as Niko sat up with her. Zinzolin and Colress were now approaching them. In the back, Warren and Charlotte were facing off against the same Eelektross and Bisharp that they had faced earlier, this time with Boldore's help. Niko tightly held Litwick with one hand, and pulled out a pokéball with the other.
"Serperior, let's go!" Niko shouted, throwing out the Regal Pokémon's pokéball. "Fight Magnezone!" He called out, not wanting to focus on that battle with Litwick losing her mind in catatonia. "It's okay, Litwick. I'm here. And I won't let them hurt you. I promise." He stood up, holding Litwick in his arms. He could feel his shirt burning a little from touching the waxy skin of the Candle Pokémon. "I won't let you harm any more Pokémon!" He cried to Colress and Zinzolin, who stood several feet away from him.
"You don't have the power to make those choices." Colress said in a mechanical tone. He pulled out a second pokéball. "Beheeyem, go." He said, summoning an alien-like Pokémon. "Psychic!"
Beheeyem's eyes began to glow a bright green color, and Niko and Litwick found themselves thrust backwards, crashing into a charred tree. Litwick wasn't affected by the attack, but was clearly disturbed.
"Litwick…I don't know what to tell you, other than don't be like me. Don't be paralyzed by fear or mourning. Don't let the death of a loved one hold you back like it did for me. I don't know your parents, but I know that they'd be so proud of the Pokémon that you are now, just like I am every day." Niko said as he took another psychic attack from Beheeyem. "You've grown into a strong Pokémon, and will continue to get stronger. We'll go to Vertress City, and win the Unova League, and it'll partly be because of you. And when we take that trophy, your parents will be looking down on you, and only you!"
Suddenly, Litwick shot out of Niko's hands, and he watched as the purple flame on her head erupted into the sky, eliminating the fog and cleared the field around them. Everyone else stopped once more and watched Litwick as an orb of light blue fire forms in front of her flame. She then fired a spiraling stream of light blue fire with rings of dark blue fire from the orb at the Beheeyem.
"Inferno…" Niko said in amazement. "You finally learned it."
Beheeyem was thrust backwards, engulfed in fire. Just as it landed on the ground, Litwick began to glow a bright white color, signaling that she was ready to evolve. Niko watched as she got a little larger. She now had a clear, spherical head containing a bluish-purple flame and oval, yellow eyes. On top of her head was a black covering, which resembled a lampshade, with a pointed spike on the top. Underneath her head was a small, black body with a pointed spike at the bottom. Extending from her body were two long, wavy arms with no fingers. Like Litwick, she was floating in the air.
"LAAAAAM!" She shouted, shooting another inferno at Magnezone this time. The Magnet Area Pokémon was thrust backwards and into the ground, also engulfed in flames like Beheeyem. Serperior then finished her opponent off with leaf tornado.
Colress and Zinzolin looked at one another in shock as Lampent approached them, a flare in her eyes.
"Lampent…" Niko said softly. "We've defeated them." He said. Lampent then conjured a fireball and shot it in front of her. It landed in front of Zinzolin and Colress, who stared at the Lamp Pokémon with terror in their eyes. They turned around and Saw Reuniclus standing there, a defeated Cryogonal laying on the ground behind her. Beyond that, Warren and Charlotte seemed to be having difficulty with Bisharp and Eelektross. Niko pointed to them, and Reuniclus and Serperior rushed to help Boldore, Warren, and Charlotte out while he and Lampent dealt with Team Plasma. "Stand down, both of you. You've lost."
"We have not." Colress said, pointing upwards. Niko looked up to see Reshiram falling through the sky, with Kyurem flying after it. Niko scowled as he watched Ghetsis descending towards N and Reshiram. "You cannot defeat us and Kyurem. Not today, not ever."
"Lampent, inferno." Niko said, pointing up to Kyurem. Lampent nodded, unleashing her rage through a stream of blue fire, directed towards the legendary Pokémon. It managed to miss, but attracted Ghetsis and Kyurem's attention. The two then turned towards Niko and rushed at them. "Will-o-wisp!" He shouted. Lampent obliged, throwing blue fireballs at the Kyurem, who beat them away as if they were nothing. Niko then grabbed Lampent and dove to the ground to dodge Kyurem, who chose to tackle him instead of using its signature move. Niko got up and looked at Kyurem and Ghetsis. The latter got off of his Pokémon and walked towards Niko.
"Well done, Niko." He said. "You've managed to defeat my two closest followers. However…you and your all-so-powerful Lampent have made your last stand. Kyurem!"
Kyurem then began preparing its signature move once more. It was about to thrust its claws apart and launch the attack when it was engulfed with a jet of blue fire forceful enough to knock Ghetsis to the ground. Lampent used inferno once more to add to the attack. Niko rushed towards Ghetsis and tackled him, gripping his collar.
"Stand. Down." He demanded.
"No." Ghetsis spat back, grabbing Niko by the shoulders and throwing him to the side before erupting in a coughing fit. "I…will not…be defeated…again."
"Yes you will!" N shouted from above. "Reshiram, blue flare!"
Reshiram unleashed its blue fire, powered by the generator-like object on its tail. Kyurem roared out as the flame surrounded it. Reshiram then dove towards the ground and tackled Kyurem after N jumped off of it, slashing at Kyurem with its wings and spinning around to slap its opponent with its white and orange tail. Together with Lampent, they quickly subdued Kyurem, forcing the Boundary Pokémon to start pulsating a black color once more. Within seconds, it reverted to its original form. The Dark Stone collapsed onto the ground.
Ghetsis scrambled over to the Dark Stone, overcome with rage and sadness. He snapped at Niko, getting up and dashing towards him. "YOU!" He shouted. As he was about to tackle Niko, Lampent rammed into him from the side, and he collapsed back onto the ground. "You…meddling fool! You—!" He was then picked up by Colress and Zinzolin.
"Come, sir. We're done here." Zinzolin said, overcome with sadness himself. "Our dream is no longer a reality."
"You're not going anywhere." N said, just as Reshiram blocked their way. "None of you are. Authorities are on the way."
"How did you—?" Niko said, turning to N.
"Ah, right. I should explain." He said, noticing Charlotte and Warren walking towards them. "Hello, are you with this young man?"
"Yes…Charlotte." She said, shaking N's hand.
"Warren." He said, doing the same.
"Pleasure. Anyways. As I said, my name is N. I am the foster son of Ghetsis, and the 'King' of Team Plasma. Long story short, I found my freedom from this organization with the help of Reshiram. I heard or rumors that Team Plasma was up to something, and looked into it. That's how I discovered you three, and managed to get here just in time." He looked at Ghetsis and the exhausted Kyurem laying in the rubble nearby. "I'm glad that you three stepped up to help stop some strangers. If Ghetsis had gotten away with Kyurem, I can't think of a Pokémon in Unova that could have stopped him."
"Well, Reshiram did." Niko said, watching the Vast White Pokémon staring down the leaders of Team Plasma.
"That it did. But I couldn't handle the others. That was you, your friends, and this Lampent of yours. Again, well done."
"Thanks, N."
"There is so much we could talk about. But I think I can handle it from here. You three should leave this place, and continue going wherever it is you were going." He said.
"Are you sure?" Niko said. He then heard loud blaring and whirring sounds coming from the sky. Looking up, he saw purple and gray airships descending from the sky.
"I'm sure. Reshiram will take you three out of the crater, and you will be free to go." He said, touching Niko's shoulder. "I have the ability to sense the connection between a human and Pokémon. I can tell that yours—your Lampent, Serperior, Reuniclus—all care deeply for you. There is rarely another relationship quite like that. Don't take it for granted, whatever you do in life."
Niko simply nodded, looking to his team of Pokémon standing to his side. To his other side, Charlotte and Warren were standing with their Pokémon.
"Well…let's go, then." Niko finally said. He returned his Pokémon.
"There's a Pokémon Center a few hours to the north. It's a way stop for trainers preparing to head to Vertress City, which I'm going to assume is your destination." He then turned towards the police, who had just landed. "Good luck there. I'm sure you'll do quite well."
Niko, Charlotte, and Warren waved to N as he turned to cooperate with authorities. Meanwhile, Reshiram prepared to take them out of the crater and in the direction of the Pokémon Center. Before he did, though, Niko walked over to Kyurem.
"I'm sorry for all of this." Niko said, lightly touching the Boundary Pokémon's head, where the barbed object pierced it. "I hope you feel better."
Kyurem looked up at Niko and nodded.
Kyurem thanks you for your help. An unfamiliar voice said, pervading the trio's individual minds. They all turned to see Reshiram standing behind them. Yes, we—meaning Zekrom and I—have the ability to talk to humans. N did not seem to have this problem, though. But he is indeed a special human.
"I suppose so. Thank you, Reshiram." Charlotte said.
Whatever it takes to preserve the balance between truth and ideals in this world. I've had my fair share of battles in the past. I will do whatever I can to prevent that in the future. That includes today. So, again, thank you.
"Kyurem, the Boundary Pokémon. Dragon and ice type. This legendary Pokémon waits for a hero to fill in the missing parts of its body with truth or ideals." Charlotte's pokédex read.
"Interesting entry. Ghetsis wasn't the hero, though. Was he?" Warren asked.
No, he was not. He took a…shortcut…to create one of the two forms Kyurem is capable of taking.
"Reshiram, the Vast White Pokémon. Dragon and fire type. This legendary Pokémon can scorch the world with fire. It helps those who want to build a world of truth."
Accurate, Reshiram said. Now, let's go.
The trio got onto Reshiram's back and took flight, leaving the Giant Chasm. Niko looked down at the crater, watching the leaders of Team Plasma being taken away.
In the Pokémon Center, Niko collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Every inch of body was aching now that he was finally focusing on it.
"Is Niko going to be alright…?" Charlotte wondered.
"I think so. He just needs to sleep. It's been a rough day." Warren said. "His Pokémon are being looked at by Nurse Joy, and he's being looked at by us."
"I suppose so." Charlotte said as she sat down on the bed next to Niko's. Warren placed himself next to her, and they simply watched their friend relax himself. Eventually, they both found a spot on a nearby bed to rest as well. They would need their energy for the journey to Vertress City.