The room fell silent as the weight of Memordrax's words hung in the air. Madelyn's heart raced, her mind racing to find a solution to the impending disaster. She couldn't let Memordrax destroy everything she held dear. Determination ignited within her, and she knew what she had to do.
"I will stop you!" Madelyn's voice trembled with a mix of fear and determination as she hurled her recently healed Poké Ball containing Gardevoir into the air. The ball opened, releasing a dazzling burst of light as her trusted partner materialized before her.
Gardevoir stood tall and resolute, her emerald eyes fixed upon the malevolent presence that had taken hold of Cynthia. It was a battle between light and darkness, and Gardevoir was ready to fight.
Cynthia, or rather, Memordrax, chuckled darkly. "Oh, how amusing. Another Pokémon for me to consume."
Madelyn's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Memordrax release Cynthia's Spiritomb onto the battlefield. A sickly purple and black energy tethered between Memordrax and Cynthia's Pokémon, revealing its control over them. The situation felt eerily familiar, and a wave of nervousness washed over Madelyn.
Lara noticed Madelyn's unease and stepped closer. "Madelyn, you've come so far. You can beat it. Trust yourself, and your Pokémon will follow. I'm with you every step of the way."
Memordrax taunted Madelyn, its voice dripping with dark arrogance. "Do you remember the taste of defeat, Madelyn? How it felt to lose to Cynthia? Those memories will haunt you, just as they did me."
Madelyn shook off the taunt, refusing to let doubt cloud her mind. "Gardevoir, use Protect!"
Gardevoir's psychic powers surged, creating a translucent shield that enveloped herself and Madelyn, warding off any immediate harm. Memordrax's eyes gleamed with sinister delight.
"Protect all you want. Your feeble defenses will crumble before my might," Memordrax sneered. "Spiritomb, show them the true power of darkness! Use Shadow Ball!"
The sinister Pokémon, a swirling mass of shadows, formed a dark sphere in its mouth and launched it at Gardevoir with malevolent intent. The Shadow Ball hurtled through the air, crackling with dark energy, aiming to engulf Gardevoir and shatter her protective barrier.
Gardevoir's eyes gleamed with determination as she soared into action. With a graceful pirouette, she evaded the incoming Shadow Ball, allowing it to dissipate harmlessly against the protective shield. Gardevoir's movements were like a ballet of grace and elegance, her agility on full display.
"Now, Gardevoir, counterattack! Unleash Moonblast!"
With a burst of lunar energy, Gardevoir conjured a mesmerizing display of moonlit power that engulfed Spiritomb. The sinister ghost type recoiled from the majestic attack, stumbling back.
Memordrax's eyes narrowed, the facade of Cynthia's once gentle nature disappearing entirely. "Enough games! Roserade, it's time for you to crush their hopes." Roserade's petals glistened with a deadly allure.
Madelyn's memories of her past battle with Cynthia flooded back, reminding her of Roserade's arsenal of Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball. She hesitated, contemplating a switch, but the risk of leaving her other Pokémon vulnerable deterred her.
"Sludge Bomb!" Memordrax commanded, its voice laced with malice.
Gardevoir instinctively protected herself, summoning a shield of psychic energy just in time to deflect the incoming attack.
Roserade then unleashed a tempest of poisonous sludge bombs, each one erupting in a toxic explosion. Shadow Balls followed suit, creating a dark storm that engulfed the battlefield. But Gardevoir's telepathic bond with Madelyn guided its every move. With a mesmerizing display of grace and precision, Gardevoir twirled and pirouetted, evading each attack with split-second timing. As the last Sludge Bomb landed harmlessly on the ground,
Madelyn seized the opportunity. "Gardevoir, Psyshock!"
Gardevoir's eyes gleamed with focus as she unleashed a powerful surge of psychic energy. The Psyshock surged toward Roserade, a devastating combination of super-effective damage and a targeted attack on Roserade's weaker physical defense.
The impact was overwhelming. Roserade was sent sprawling, unable to withstand the sheer force of the attack. Madelyn couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as she watched her Gardevoir's strength in action.
With a sinister smile, Memordrax withdrew Roserade and sent out Cynthia's Lucario. The powerful Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon materialized before them, its aura pulsating with a malevolent energy.
Madelyn's eyes widened as she witnessed the speed and power of Lucario. In a split second, Lucario unleashed a blindingly fast Flash Cannon, striking Gardevoir with devastating force. Gardevoir fainted. Madelyn couldn't shake the feeling that Gardevoir had fallen twice today, but she couldn't let doubt consume her. She had to press on.
"Gardevoir, return!" Madelyn called out. She withdrew Gardevoir into her Poké Ball and swiftly made her next move. "Milotic, You're up!"
Milotic emerged from its Poké Ball, its majestic serpentine form glistening in the battle's light. Madelyn knew that Milotic's exceptional defenses against special attackers would give them an advantage against Lucario's onslaught.
"Milotic, endure Lucario's attacks with your resilience!" Madelyn commanded.
Lucario unleashed a flurry of powerful punches and aura-based attacks, but Milotic held firm. Its graceful movements and thick scales protected it from the worst of Lucario's blows. Madelyn watched as Lucario's frustration grew with each unsuccessful strike.
"Now, Milotic, strike back with Scald!" Madelyn called out, seizing the opportunity.
A scorching jet of boiling water burst forth from Milotic's mouth, crashing into Lucario with searing force. As the scalding water engulfed Lucario, it let out a pained howl. Madelyn saw her chance and urged Milotic to capitalize on the moment.
"Recover, Milotic! Heal your wounds!" Madelyn commanded, recognizing the importance of keeping her Pokémon in top condition.
Milotic's body shimmered with a soothing aura as it restored its health. It was a brief respite that allowed Milotic to regain its strength for the battle ahead. With renewed vigor, Milotic focused its attention on the weakened Lucario.
"Finish it, Milotic! Use Scald once more!" Madelyn exclaimed.
Milotic unleashed another torrent of scalding water, but this time it struck true. The intense heat combined with the residual injuries from Lucario's earlier attacks proved to be too much for the Steel-type Pokémon to bear. Lucario fell to the ground, defeated.
As Memordrax withdrew Lucario, Madelyn noticed a subtle change in its appearance. Its skin and hair color shifted slightly, resembling Cynthia's shades more closely. Could defeating the tethered Pokémon weaken Memordrax?
Madelyn questioned Memordrax, "Why are you doing this? To destroy the world? Don't you realize that if you consume enough memories to destroy the world, you'll be destroying the collective unconscious — destroying yourself too?"
Memordrax's grin widened, its voice dripping with malevolence. "So?" it replied. "To experience that one moment of awakening, to feel the sense of power and destruction... it will be worth it. I'm tired of my nature being suppressed by humans and even Pokémon! I will feed!"
Madelyn stood there, stunned by the audacity of Memordrax's words. All her life, she valued life, and the well-being of humans and Pokémon. To imagine an entity devoid of any sense of self-preservation was difficult for her to comprehend. She knew she couldn't let Memordrax succeed, not just for the sake of the world, but for the preservation of everything she held dear.
Memordrax sent out Cynthia's Togekiss. Madelyn knew that even with the type advantage she had with Ice Beam, Cynthia's Togekiss was known for its resilience and versatility.
"Togekiss, show them your power! Thunder Wave!" Memordrax commanded.
Togekiss's wings crackled with electricity as it released a wave of paralyzing energy. The electrifying wave surged toward Milotic, causing its movements to slow and its muscles to lock up. Madelyn felt a pang of frustration but knew she had to make a tough decision.
"Milotic, return!" she called out, her voice tinged with disappointment. "You did great! Take a rest."
Madelyn brought out Luxray, her Electric-type Pokémon. With its immunity to Thunder Wave's paralyzing effects, Luxray would provide her with the necessary agency against Togekiss.
"Togekiss, use Air Slash!" Memordrax ordered.
Togekiss soared through the air, conjuring sharp gusts of wind imbued with a powerful aura. Luxray's instincts kicked in, and with remarkable agility, it evaded the incoming Air Slash, narrowly escaping harm.
"Luxray, strike back with Wild Charge!" Madelyn commanded, seizing the opportunity.
Luxray's fur bristled with electricity as it charged forward, striking Togekiss head-on. Togekiss was sent sprawling backward, defeated.
At that moment, Madelyn noticed a change in Memordrax's appearance once again. Its skin and hair color shifted, mirroring Cynthia's hues even more closely. It seemed that defeating Cynthia's tethered Pokémon was indeed weakening Memordrax.
As Memordrax called forth Cynthia's Garchomp, Madelyn could sense his pain. Garchomp was clearly resisting the control of Memordrax, fighting with all its might.
Madelyn knew that Garchomp was immune to Electric-type attacks, including Luxray's Volt Switch. She weighed her options and realized she had no choice but to rely on Luxray's Crunch. However, before the Crunch could land, Memordrax swiftly commanded Garchomp to use Earthquake, causing devastating damage to Luxray.
"No!" Madelyn cried out, her heart sinking as she witnessed Luxray being overwhelmed by the powerful Earthquake. She quickly recalled Luxray, her concern for her Pokémon evident in her eyes. With a deep breath, she made her next move.
"Milotic, I need you back in the battle!" Madelyn exclaimed, summoning her last remaining Pokémon, despite its paralysis from the battle with Togekiss.
"Well, well, it seems your precious Milotic is as feeble as ever," Memordrax sneered mockingly. "What a pity. You really thought you stood a chance against me?"
With only a crippled Pokémon left by her side, Memordrax couldn't resist taunting Madelyn. "Garchomp, use Dragon Claw!" Memordrax commanded, seizing the opportunity.
Garchomp lunged forward, its claws glowing with draconic power. Milotic, still struggling from paralysis, attempted to evade the attack, but it lay motionless. Dragon Claw struck true, and Milotic let out a pained cry. Garchomp followed up with another Dragon Claw, intensifying Milotic's agony.
"Milotic, fight through the paralysis! You can do it!" Madelyn urged, her voice filled with encouragement.
Suddenly, an intense surge of energy pulsed through Milotic's body, breaking the shackles of paralysis. Milotic's movements regained their grace, and a newfound resolve gleamed in its eyes.
"Milotic, Ice Beam now!" Madelyn commanded.
With a mighty roar, Milotic unleashed a brilliant beam of icy energy that collided with Garchomp head-on. The force of the attack was immense, overwhelming Garchomp with one of the most powerful blows Madelyn had ever seen. Garchomp growled, but it wasn't enough to take it down just yet.
"Is that the best you can do?" Memordrax taunted. "Pathetic. Garchomp, show this insolent fool what true power looks like! Dragon Claw!"
As Garchomp prepared for another strike, Madelyn's heart pounded. She knew that Milotic wouldn't be able to withstand much more.
"Milotic, endure the attack, and then use Recover!" Madelyn shouted, hoping her strategy would work.
Garchomp's powerful claws slashed down on Milotic, causing the Serpentine Pokémon to cry out in pain. But as Garchomp pulled away, Milotic's body began to heal itself. The pain subsided, and Milotic was back in fighting shape.
"Now, Ice Beam again, Milotic!" Madelyn commanded.
This time, the Ice Beam proved too much for Garchomp, faltered and finally collapsed onto the ground.
Madelyn stood tall, her breathing heavy but triumphant. She looked at Memordrax, who wore a sinister grin, and declared, "The battle is over, and you've lost!"
However, Memordrax's response was far from defeated. It let out a villainous laugh and revealed a chilling truth. "You humans may have won this round, but I am eternal. I exist within the collective unconscious, and this domain will always be mine to rule!"
Suddenly, the dark and purple energy swirling in the sky above Sky Pillar began to shift, moving away from Cynthia. Energy from Cynthia herself surged upward, violently released until she was forcefully knocked to the ground. The environment around them started to whirl once again, similar to what they had experienced in the underground ruins.
Cynthia slowly rose to her feet, holding her palm against her forehead, and spoke with a weary tone, "I have the worst headache."