Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter twenty-five: Cold Combat, part four
Brandon, the Pyramid King, was backed into corner now. He was facing down Regigigas, who had just defeated Regirock and Regice, meaning only Registeel was left able to fight. Sure, Brandon still had his Pokémon that weren't legendary titans, but they would be no match for Regigigas, even though it had already taken a beating and was paralyzed. Brandon growled in frustration as he and Registeel looked up at the mighty titan before them.
"...This is going to be a tough one to deal with, Registeel," Brandon said, his tone grim, "We're going to have to give it our all if we want to so much as break even he-"
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Croagunk, use Poison Jab!"
"Carnivine, use Bullet Seed!"
"Seviper, use Poison Tail!"
"Leni, use Aura Sphere!"
"Juan, use Thunderbolt!"
Brandon saw it as two Thunderbolts, a Bullet Seed and an Aura Sphere flew at and blew up into Regigigas, before a Seviper and a Croagunk came in and struck the legendary titan boss with Poison Tail and Poison Jab respectively. As Regigigas fell back, Brandon turned to see that not only the heroes but also Team Rocket were helping with fighting Regigigas off. It surprised him, as well as warmed his heart, to see so many trainers work together towards a common goal.
"...I have some Max Revives and other medicinal items to treat Regirock, Regice, and Registeel with," Brandon called out to the heroes and Team Rocket, "Can you all give me some cover so I can treat my Pokémons' injuries?"
"No need to worry!" Dawn called back, "We got this!" Turning back to where she and Kenny had been hiding while keeping guard over the knocked out J, Dawn shouted, "Hey Maria! Can you make sure that you, Germany, and Kenny's Machamp keep an eye on J?"
"Can do!" Maria's voice called back.
The heroes, teaming up with Team Rocket on this on, all stood together as the faced off against Regigigas. Even though the legendary titan boss was injured and paralyzed, it was still very clearly in it. But the heroes were able to tell that everything Regigigas had gone through was starting to add up on it; Dawn highly doubted that, at this point, she and the others could do all that much to Regigigas, other than occupy its time long enough for Brandon to apply medicines to all three of his legendary Pokémon.
...But occupying its time was all that they had to do.
The alliance of six trainers all had their Pokémon unleash their attacks again, striking at Regigigas multiple times before it was able to launch an attack. Taking aim at where Pikachu and Juan stood side by side, Regigigas unleashed a Hyper Beam that, due to aim, missed because Regigigas aimed too high. The Hyper Beam ended up flying into the forest, blowing up some trees after it had ended up hitting something.
Regigigas swung its arm to use Hammer Arm again, this time unfortunately hitting both Seviper and Carnivine in its swinging. Miraculously, Seviper wasn't knocked out, although Carnivine was. "Must be the poison type's resistance to fighting," Dawn thought as she saw Jessie's Seviper barely able to pull itself back together although James had to recall Carnivine.
The alliance had their Pokémon unleash another wave of attacks at Regigigas, striking it with multiple attacks. Regigigas tried taking aim at where Pikachu and Juan stood again, but paralysis kicked in and curbed its ability to attack. Another wave of attacks from the alliance struck the legendary titan boss, then it took aim at Seviper and blasted it with Hyper Beam, knocking it out and prompting Jessie to recall it.
"This is getting heated, guys," Kenny said in mild worry, "Ain't the pharaoh Brandon done treating his Pokémons' injuries yet? We're going to need their power if we want to get out of this with our butts all in one piece!"
Then, as if on cue, three Hyper Beams flew out and slammed into Regigigas, throwing it back again. The alliance all turned to look and saw that Brandon was finished treating his Pokémons' injuries, having all three out of Regirock, Regice, and Registeel back in the game fully. "You all did excellent and ought to be proud of yourselves!" Brandon declared, "I can take over from here!"
Throwing his paws up into the air, Meowth exclaimed, "You're the boss!"
"Yes, oh mighty pharaoh of the pyramid!" Kenny cheered, "Go give Regigigas the business!"
Pointing forward towards Regigigas, Brandon called out, "Regirock! Regice! Registeel! All three of you unleash a triple Focus Punch on Regigigas!" The three legendary titans pulled back glowing fists before throwing them forward together, flying right at Regigigas and striking it with all three of their Focus Punches. The legendary titan boss cried out as it swayed from side to side before it finally fell over onto the rubble of the Snowpoint Temple ruins, defeated.
Everyone was breathing hard, having just gotten out of fighting a massive legendary Pokémon like Regigigas. Even Dawn and Kenny were a bit rattled; they both had fought many legendary Pokémon each before, but in the video games in their previous life. This was real life for them now, and they had just fought against one big guy and got out of it on the winning side. Suddenly, to the surprise of everyone, Regigigas glowed brightly before shrinking down and compressing into a small sphere again. Walking over to it was Brandon, who gently picked the orb form of Regigigas up.
The Pyramid King turned to look to the rubble of the Snowpoint Temple ruins. "...To think such destruction could occur because of human greed," Brandon said.
Dawn nodded in agreement. "Yeah. There are some people out there who make me feel ashamed that I'm a human sometimes."
"Dude! I just remembered!" Kenny said. To Dawn, Kenny began, "Dawn, why didn't you bust out that neat gift that the Silph Co. guy who loves bug Pokémon gave you back in Celestic Town? It not only would have made handling Regigigas a snap, but guaranteed you a powerful new Pokémon!"
"What do you mean, Kenny?" Brandon asked, looking curious.
Smacking herself in the forehead, Dawn said in an embarrassed tone, "I didn't use it because I had forgotten about it like an idiot until you reminded me about it literally just now, Kenny." Dawn then took out and showed Brandon what Kenny was talking about.
"A Master Ball!" Brandon exclaimed, "That is indeed quite the gift! And it would have guaranteed that Regigigas would have been tamed!" Looking to the sphere that Regigigas became, Brandon went on as he smiled gently, "But I can't hold it against you for forgetting you had it, Dawn. It was the heat of the moment, and you were probably scared." Dawn nodded in acknowledgement before putting her Master Ball away again.
...
A large clean up crew, led by Candice and Zoey, came to Snowpoint Temple to help out with cleaning up and repairing the damage to Snowpoint Temple. As for the sphere that Regigigas had turned into, Brandon was safeguarding it at the Battle Pyramid, which was going to be staying in Sinnoh for the time being as Brandon had pledged his assistance to helping to restore Snowpoint Temple from the wreckage that J's greed had wrought.
Speaking of J, she and all of her henchmen who were captured were turned over to the local authorities. The heroes looked on in surprised confusion as the local Officer Jenny in Snowpoint City hooked her arm around another officer as they skipped in a circle while cheering and laughing, elated beyond all belief that the notorious Pokémon Hunter J had been defeated, captured, and handed right over to them on a silver platter. Dawn even surrendered J's Pokémon, which were all confiscated from J while she was unconscious, to the Snowpoint Jenny.
"The other Officer Jennys in Sinnoh are going to be so jealous when they hear I'm the one who made the arrest on Pokémon Hunter J!" laughed the Snowpoint Jenny as she and the officer she was dancing with continued to laugh, cheer, and dance.
Giving the law enforcement a curious look, Kenny said, "This must be a big deal, huh?"
Looking to the heroes, Jenny said, "Pokémon Hunter J has a bounty of fifty million dollars on her head. That's how big of a deal she was, as well as showing how much of a threat she was. Given that you kids are the ones who brought her in, you're entitled to that reward."
"Fifty million?!" the heroes all exclaimed out of shock.
Nodding in agreement, Brandon said as he and Maria stepped forward, "Indeed, I was briefed on the matter." Turning to look at Dawn and Kenny, Brandon went on, "Although since it was the efforts of you two that brought J in, the money ought to be split evenly between the two of you."
"The Snowpoint Temple maidens, with me representing them, would like to point out that we'd appreciate a donation of some of that reward," Maria said, "To cover paying the clean up and repair crews working to restore Snowpoint Temple."
"Well if anything," Dawn began, "I think that Kenny and I first ought to inform our respective parents about this development. I mean, I'm pretty sure my mom is the kind of lady who'd like to know that her daughter is receiving an equal share of such a big reward."
Clapping her hands together, the Snowpoint Jenny said, "Oh, that's right! We'll need to inform your respective families about this!" Turning to look where J was being woken up while she was in a pair of handcuffs, the Snowpoint Jenny said with an amused smirk on her face, "But first, I'm going to make Sinnoh region history by arresting the most notorious Pokémon Hunter the region has ever seen." The Snowpoint Jenny then strutted over, sounding amused and full of herself as she made her way over.
While legal business was being taken care of, Ash looked to Dawn and Kenny. "I bet that you guys must be pretty excited about getting paid so much."
"We'll probably donate most of what we get to various charities," Dawn said, "As well as help to finance certain endeavors like repairing the Snowpoint Temple. Although I wouldn't object to using some of the money to restock what all medicines and other supplies I have. Maybe also buy some various held items if I can find them."
"And I still owe Lila for making Juan the copies of his luchador outfit," Kenny said, gesturing to where Juan stood on the ground next to him.
Looking at the luchador Pikachu, Brandon said with a mildly confused look on his face, "Yes. I've been meaning to ask about why your Pikachu is wearing that costume."
A few days later, the heroes, now back to dressing regularly, had left Snowpoint City on their way to Lake Acuity, where Ash was set to have his fated battle with Paul. "So Ash, quick question," Kenny said, "Are you sure your party is ready for whatever Paul and his crew may bring to the table?"
Ash gave Kenny a wry look. "...You'd be surprised, Kenny."
"I saw Ash change his team out a bit before we left," Dawn remarked, "Although I didn't see what Pokémon he swapped in and out. All I know is that after Ash was done rotating his party, I rotated Nobunaga out of my party because I wanted to rotate Boss in."
"That's your Honchkrow, right?" Kenny asked.
Dawn nodded in agreement. "I heard on the news report concerning the Pokéringer competition that took place in Squallville that Paul was disqualified partly because he was suspected of mistreating his Honchkrow that he entered with. It made me feel worried for Boss's sake, so I wanted to swap him into my party for the time being, partly so I can give him a hug."
Ash, smiling warmly, nodded approvingly at Dawn. "That goes a long way to prove that you're a much better person than Paul." As the heroes continued talking, they were approached by a man who Dawn and Kenny recognized as Looker who, in the games in their previous life, appeared a few times in supporting roles, usually post game aside from some action in Platinum. Looker here was carrying some boxed lunches.
"Hey, I don't suppose you kids would like some of these boxed lunches, would you?" Looker said, "Me being the goof that I am ordered too many." Graciously, the heroes each accepted one boxed lunch each. Looker even gave one each to the disguised Team Rocket sitting directly across from the heroes, not that anyone aside from Dawn and Kenny knew who they were.
"This was really nice," Brock commented, "Thank you, umm..."
Chuckling a bit, Looker said, "Oh, I didn't give my name to you kids yet. My name is Looker." Looking to the number of boxed lunches he still had, Looker said, "I still have a few too many... aha! I'll go give some to everyone in the driver's compartment." Looker took off for the front of the train, with the heroes getting up to follow him.
In the driver's compartment of the train, the heroes and Looker met the train driver and his Ampharos. "Yes, this is an electric train, actually," the train driver said, "It's powered by Ampharos's electric attacks. Very fuel efficient, virtually zero emissions. Very clean, too."
"Indeed," Looker said as he offered one boxed lunch each to the train driver and his Ampharos, "The only fuel needed here is food in Ampharos's belly! It's a good thing I accidentally ordered too many boxed lunches, huh?"
As the train driver nodded in thanks as he accepted the lunches, but then quickly put them down and stopped the train, making everyone lurch forward suddenly. "Hey hey woah, what the dilly?" Kenny said, looking mildly surprised, "Why'd you stop the train?"
"There's a red light ahead," the train driver explained, "That means there's danger ahead. I better call it in." The others watched as the train driver called in what was going on, explained to the others what he was seeing. "...What do you mean there's no problem?" said the train driver, "I'm seeing a red danger light at the intersection I'm at. ...Yeah, maybe there's a problem that hasn't been reported to you guys yet. I'll go take a look."
Ending the call, the train driver said to the others, "We're going to have to stop for now because I need to go see what could be causing the problem that the red light was turned on for."
"I can go with you," Looker said, an offer that the train driver accepted. Turning to the heroes, Looker said, "This might be a perfect opportunity for you kids to eat those lunches that I gave you. Maybe have a little picnic?"
"That sounds great, Looker," Brock said. Turning to Ash and the reborn trainers, Brock said, "I say we take Looker's suggestion." The others all agreed, and as such the heroes all had a picnic outside of the train while Looker accompanied the train driver to go see what was up.
Outside of the train, the heroes had all of their Pokémon out to feed them. Well, Ash only had Pikachu out; for reasons that struck Brock and the reborn trainers as odd, Ash didn't show what his other five on hand Pokémon were. He did confirm to the others, however, that he didn't forget to feed any of them. As such, only Pikachu from Ash's Pokémon was out and eating with all of the other Pokémon the heroes had.
Dawn looked at Boss as he was eating with Chi-Chi, Cyrus, Akiza, Leni, and Germany. Dawn was still worried about the accusations levied against Paul about him mistreating his own Honchkrow, which is part of why she rotated Boss into her party. "Hey Boss," Dawn called out as she approached all of her Pokémon. The Pokémon looked up from their food and over to Dawn. Boss especially so as he was the one Dawn called out to.
The reborn trainer knelt down next to her named Honchkrow, gently put her arms around him, then pulled him into a hug. "...I hope you know that I would never be cruel to you," Dawn said, "Unlike how that jerk muffin Paul mistreats his own Honchkrow, I'll see to it you're treated well."
Boss stood still for a few moments, then he rested his head against Dawn's. The others seeing this all smiled warmly. "Honchkrow is a Pokémon you have in common with Paul," Ash said to Dawn, "But they way they act is different from one another. I'd say that yours is more playful, friendly, and not as afraid of failing."
"So that jerk muffin has his Pokémon afraid to fail!" Kenny exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air, "I'm half tempted to discretely stick a sign that says-"
"We," Dawn said, cutting her friend off, "Can deal with Paul the proper way. No need for pranks."
Kenny sighed. "Very well." Kenny turned to look at his Pokémon over where they were seated; Roshi, Cell, Kermit, Shallot, Elay, and Juan were all eating lunch, although Ash's Pikachu was socializing with Juan during lunch. The Pokémon were all relaxed and happy and having a good time. "I'm willing to bet my share of the reward money that Paul doesn't have a chill atmosphere like this going when he feeds his Pokémon. Probably runs lunch like a military mess hall before sending his Pokémon right back to training."
Smiling while gesturing to Ash, Brock said, "Well don't worry. I'm confident that Ash here will put Paul in his place and make him see reason." As Ash nodded in agreement, Dawn wasn't wholly on board with the idea that Ash will win against Paul at Lake Acuity, given that the anime in her and Kenny's previous life had Ash lose to Paul at Lake Acuity while only taking down two Pokémon on Paul's team in the process.
...Still, that result isn't set in stone here.
Meanwhile, Looker with the train driver's assistant were investigating the tracks down the one line. "Hmm," Looker remarked as he got up, "For tracks that supposedly haven't been used or even so much as touched in a while, these are rather clean."
Shrugging, the assistant said, "Maybe some hoodlums are trying to prank the railroad company? I don't know." Looking down the line, the assistant said, "I'll check things out. But you ought to head on back to the train." Seeing the assistant leave, Looker looked down the line. His gut was telling him that something was afoot down this line, so he decided to head down the line secretly.
...
Having snuck his way down the disused line, Looker spotted an abandoned warehouse. Curious, he heads on inside. While searching the warehouse, Looker discovered a map of the railroads. Looking at the map, Looker saw the disused line on it; starting from where the disused line broke away from the line that the train everyone's taking is using, Looker followed where the disused line ultimately leads to, and was surprised to see the destination.
"Lake Acuity?" Looker said in a surprised tone, making sure to stay quiet, "Why does the disused line lead to Lake Acuity? The line we're taking leads there already." Just to be safe, Looker took a picture of the map and saved it to his phone.
Looker then took out a pair of night vision goggles and looked around. His goggles showed him that there were many people here recently, as they showed strong evidence of many footprints here and there. Looker also spotted a piece of paper. He went over and picked up the piece of paper. Seeing what was on the paper, Looker realized that things were a lot bigger than he initially believed. Looker pocketed the piece of paper that he picked up, before taking his leave from the abandoned warehouse.
Looker felt that he had a lot to report, and had uncovered enough to feel satisfied with calling it quits here. He didn't want to risk being caught, so he snuck his way back over to where the train was still sitting on the tracks.
Later that evening at around sunset, the heroes recalled their Pokémon as the problem with the tracks was resolved, meaning that the heroes would be able to make their way to Lake Acuity for Ash's battle against Paul tomorrow. "So Ash," Kenny began in a sly tone, "Are you ready for your big day at Lake Acuity tomorrow where you finally put that jerk muffin Paul in his place?"
Ash nodded firmly in confirmation. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
Looking at Ash, Dawn still couldn't help but worry how the battle between him and Paul was going to turn out tomorrow. Given that things were playing out more or less the same, then the Lake Acuity battle tomorrow will most likely see a victory for Paul, which would undoubtedly reaffirm to the cruel boy that his ways are right. Paul will also undoubtedly try to break Ash emotionally by talking down to him after beating him.
...And that makes Paul different from Brandon how, exactly?
As the heroes proceeded to go back for the train, they were met up by the train driver and his assistant. "Ah, you guys are heading back in already," the train driver said, "Yeah, I was coming to check to see if you all got the word."
Looking around, the assistant said, "Geez, where is that Looker guy? We're going to have to leave him behind if we're to keep to the schedule for-"
"Over here, everyone!" Looker called out, making everyone turn to face him. "Yeah, I was just taking the time to admire the scenery before we left," Looker said as he reached the group, "I hope I'm not too late to go with you guys."
Smiling in mild amusement, the assistant said, "You got here on time, with literally only seconds to spare."
Looker went a bit wide eyed at that revelation. "Oh geez! That was a close call!" With everyone ready to head on out, they all got on board the train and proceeded to take off for their destination over at Lake Acuity, where Ash was set to have his fated battle with Paul.
...
Meanwhile in the train compartment, the disguised Team Rocket was still sitting and relaxing. "I'd normally vouch for the idea of trying to steal the twerps' Pokémon," Jessie said, "But they were talking about how the twerp with Pikachu is set to face that serious twerp in a battle over at Lake Acuity tomorrow." Looking out the window, Jessie went on, "That serious twerp is so bad that he actually managed to elicit cursing out of the twerp with Pikachu. I think bothering the twerps when they're heated over that serious twerp is a bad idea."
"Part of me hopes that the twerp with Pikachu gives that serious twerp a sound thrashing during the battle over at Lake Acuity tomorrow," James remarked firmly, with both Jessie and Meowth nodding in agreement.
Looking to Jessie and James, Meowth said, "Hey guys, what say you to secretly watching the battle tomorrow? You know, secretly cheer the twerp on."
Pumping a fist into the air, Jessie said, "The twerp has roasted our rears countless times before, and I bet he'll do the same to that serious twerp!" The boys cheered in agreement with Jessie, then all of them settled down right before the heroes entered the compartment to sit down.
...
Out on the footing on the back of the carriage, Looker was on the phone, having a private phone call with someone. "...Ah, you got the photo I sent you, sir," Looker said, "Yeah, the disused line also leads to Lake Acuity. And for a line that's supposedly disused, the tracks held clear signs that the line has been used not only recently, but frequently as well."
Looker took the piece of paper he found at the warehouse out, looked at it with an expression of contemplation on his face. "...Something's up, sir," Looker went on, "Especially considering the piece of paper that I found while I was searching that warehouse I found along the disused line. You got the photo I sent you of the piece of paper as well, right?"
Looking at the piece of paper he held, Looker clearly saw the Team Galactic logo on it. "...Yes, sir," Looker said, "I'll keep right on the investigation." The call ended, then Looker put his phone away. He looked up into the sunset skies above, both wondering and worried about where all of this will end up leading to. But Looker was still on the case, meaning he'll see it through to the very end.
END, CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Author's notes;
This chapter covers the rest of the Snowpoint Temple episode, seeing J and most of her henchmen captured and arrested. It also sees Dawn and Kenny get a huge cash reward (given that it was J who they had captured, you've got to figure) but they plan to use most of it for charitable causes and will only keep what they'll need to cover necessary expenses. They don't need all of that money weighing them down on their adventure. I'll find creative uses for it though, so don't worry.
This chapter also covers the train ride to Lake Acuity episode, but changes things to accommodate the fact that Team Rocket actually leaves the heroes alone here. Criminals as they may be, but even Team Rocket doesn't want to cross the heroes while they're heated over Paul, and they in fact want to see Ash win his and Paul's fated battle at Lake Acuity. Speaking of, that battle will take place in the next chapter. Will it end the same or turn out different? Stay tuned to see.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Leni (female Lucario), Cyrus (male Staraptor), Akiza (female Roserade), Germany (male Garchomp), Boss (male Honchkrow)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Zarbon (male Machamp), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Goofy (male Houndoom), Juan (male Pikachu), Slick (male Snorlax)
Ash's Pokémon: Pikachu (male), five currently unknown Pokémon