Chapter 12
The Smiling Virus
"Dyargh!" Tetheron felt the air leave his lungs as his back struck a tree with a force that felt like it would almost snap him. He fell onto the ground, thankfully with no roots to harden his fall. "Fuck that hurt," he wheezed as he reached up for the tree's trunk to help him stand. "Ugh, I hope nothing's broken."
Inspection would have to wait, since his attacker was closing in for a second round. Pushing off the tree, Tetheron raised his fists and leaned low. Come on, do whatever attack you want you mindless boulder.
"I got you!"
Suddenly, the Rhyperior was struck below by a pillar of ground that shot up diagonally, causing the large mon to spend a few seconds in the air before hitting his side on the hard ground.
Tetheron looked over to see Roweilo standing up and rushing over.
"Thanks," the Blaziken complimented, leaping on top of the pillar of ground. He sprang high into the air, twisting his body as he formed Jump Kick to bring down on the vulnerable Rhyperior. He gasped as he spotted something and immediately shielded his face as a Focus Blast struck him where his arms moved to. He let out a grunt in pain and panic as he was hurled back.
He squeezed his eyes shut and cupped his hands over his head, ready for a hard impact. To his surprise, all the roughness he felt was a brief halting jolt to his momentum and a bit of random fur in his face.
"Huh?" He opened his eyes, seeing Roweilo holding like one holds a newborn. "Heh, thanks again. I've got to stop owing you." He tapped his fist on the Chesnaught's chest as the ranger nodded and set him back down.
"That looked like it hurt."
"It did," Tetheron grumbled, rubbing his head. "But don't worry, I'm al…right?" He noticed Roweilo's warm face had grown cold and tense, staring in the direction Tetheron had been flung from.
"That felt really good."
Oh great. Tetheron turned and watched with an annoyed frown as the Heliolisk accompanied by the Electivire walked from behind the Rhyperior, who had just risen back to his feet.
"Too good actually. Makes me want to do more."
Sure it does. Tetheron listened carefully, hearing rushing footsteps. Called it. He rushed in front of Roweilo and leaped, grabbing one of the mon's back shell spikes and using it to swing his body, kicking away a Weavile going for a sneaky Night Slash. He swung back onto Roweilo's back and glared at the Heliolisk.
"Not falling for your tricks."
"Of course, you aren't. Why that would be silly," the Red Eye said with jesting sarcasm as the Rhyperior stationed himself right behind him.
Glancing to the left, Tetheron watched Gathor currently engaged with the remaining Red Eyes ferals. Despite being outnumbered, Gathor's perfect maneuvering and strength allowed him to hold his own, though their numbers made it hard for him to get any form of offense going.
We're not going to get far like this. Though, now that I think of it- A small smile formed as Tetheron hopped off of Roweilo's back. "Go help Gathor."
Roweilo stared at him blankly. "What? But what about you?"
"I can handle things here." Tetheron turned to face his two opponents, though making sure he also had visual tabs on the dazed Weavile behind them.
"Bu-"
"Don't ask, just do," Tetheron muttered, glancing back only to give a nod. A small sense of relief followed as the Blaziken heard his ally run off to carry out the task. He's learning, good.
"Handle us you will?" Tetheron's adversary repeated, bearing a face that could burst into laughter at any moment. "Oh my, such moxie. But I guess I shouldn't complain."
Okay, bitch, let's play your game. Tetheron rolled his eyes and glanced back at the Weavile, who hissed at him. He eyed it sternly as it cautiously tracked around him. "So tell me something. Who sent you?" Tetheron inquired.
"What an odd question to ask so late in the game."
"Is it?" Tetheron crossed his arms, not taking his eyes off of the Weavile, even after it joined the duo on the other side.
"Heh, even if it wasn't. Isn't it kind of obvious?" The Heliolisk rolled his wrist and eyes. "Yada, yada, Red Eyes." He pointed at his eyes before gesturing his hand outwards. "It doesn't take a mastermind to-"
"I meant, who specifically." Tetheron finally looked at the Heliolisk, crossing his arms as if to reinforce his position in the conversation. "Care to share?"
"Not really." The villain snapped, forming the start of a Focus Blast at the opening in his fingers before flicking it at the end of his longest. He then pointed it at Tetheron grinning. "I know I like talking, but only about things I like talking about."
A brow raised. "Soooooo, I take you hate this 'superior'?" Tetheron hopped onto the slanted Stone Edge pillar and walked up its shaft till he stood at the end.
"As I said," the Heliolisk replied, his tonal inflection being more direct and his words more spaced out. "I don't care to talk about this." Suddenly, he pulled back the Focus Blast and let it fade into his closing palm. "But, ask me again and I'll get more personal for you." A wink followed
Tetheron smirked as he raised his fists and heated his wrists.
In return, the Heliolisk clamped his left hand over the other's wrist and slid it over his palm. Dark energy appeared and collapsed forwards, moving in motion with the left palm till it had visually pulled a dark needle protruding from the right palm.
Okay, so he definitely didn't get this form from Swift. He leaned forwards, ready to leap from his vantage point any second now. Good to know.
Their gazes were locked in mutual anticipation for each other's blood, yet neither made a move. The only sound that seemed to be noticeable was the cackling in Tetheron's wrists and the energetic hissing from the Heliolisk's palm blade Night Slash.
Finally, Tetheron let out a cough. "So, back to my question. Is you hating your superiors the reason you're being so sloppy?"
The Heliolisk's eyes lit up with a wild and disturbing sense of delight. "Personal it is!" he exclaimed at the invitation and charged forwards, dragging his move along the ground.
Tetheron sprang from his vantage point, pulling into a hook kick as fire ignited at the tip
The Heliolisk raised his Night Slash to block the Blaze Kick, pushing upwards so Tetheron soared overhead.
Doing a landing roll, Tetheron turned around and charged, the Heliolisk responding in kind. Tetheron struck first, swiping his Blaze Kick for the Red Eye's side. However, the Heliolisk pulled back, letting it soar in front, but to the mon's surprise, Tetheron stopped his leg right in front of him.
"Tough luck." Tetheron unleashed Flamethrower through his leg, engulfing his foe in flames. Quickly spinning back into a fighting stance, Tetheron made a disappointed scowl as he saw the flames sliced apart by the mon, who looked completely unscathed.
"Nice try, very sneaky."
The two charged once more exchanging a few slices and blocks before the Heliolisk went for a thrust. Tetheron managed to get around it and they were back to their starting positions.
"You're not half bad," the Heliolisk said with a devious smile and caressing his chin with the pointy end of his dark, palm blade.
I don't need your compliments. Tetheron pulled back, ready to fire a Flamethrower. Suddenly, a loud noise gained their attention.
"Freya?" Tetheron saw the Charizard soar from the end of the forest, pursuing something white which he assumed to be Rosa. Freya charged the Gardevoir who fired Shadow Balls, but none hit their mark. Instead, Freya slammed Rosa with a full-frontal force and followed by her tail slamming the Psychic to the ground.
Rosa gasped in pain as he struck the surface, tumbling a little ways till she came to a halt near the duo's dueling spot.
His eyes narrowed as he watched her struggle to get up. She looked beaten and bleeding in a few areas, though what got Tetheron's attention was her eyes. They were still glowing like before, but much more vehement and bright. Seeing her pathetic state almost made him feel sorry for her, though he quickly killed off any sympathy accrued at that moment and aimed his Flamethrower at her.
Right as he was about to fire, he spotted the other Red Eyes charging him. Tck. He broke off his attempts to fire and instead hand sprung backward, nimbly evading the Night Slash swipe, and fired his Flamethrower upon landing.
The Heliolisk leaped aside as it soared into the Rhyperior's Protect. "Having trouble, are we?" The villain inquired of his ally as he stepped between her and Tetheron.
"Shut…the hell…up," she snarled amid her pants.
"Now no-" He was interrupted by the Electivire firing Thunderbolt into the air.
Tetheron glanced up to see Freya fly around it, heading towards his location. He stepped in front, guarding as she landed just behind him with a powerful thud. "Hey, sis."
She didn't reply, just joined his side with her wings spread and glowing in a cyan light. Her wrathful gaze was fixated on Rosa, who stared back with a rivaling fury.
Having just barely gotten to her feet, Rosa swung her arm above, a Shadow Ball forming at the tip. "I won't lose to-" Her words were cut short as Freya sent an Air Slash right at the underdeveloped Shadow Ball, slicing it in two and causing a ripple explosion from its energy. Rosa let out a pained cry as she was blasted back to the Rhyperior's feet, who immediately helped her sit up.
"Let me go!" She spat, shoving its assistance aside. "I can still figh-"
"Don't stand if you know what's good for you," Freya said coldly.
"Shut up!" Rosa spat, forcing herself to stand, only to almost collapse back to the ground if not for the Rhyperior's large hands to catch her. She snarled but reluctantly accept its help.
"Maybe you're the one who needs to shut up." Tetheron glanced to the left, watching the other battle going on. He saw Gathor killing off the last of the Weaviles while Roweilo forced the Rhyperior away with Stone Edge spikes.
"Your 'numbers' are losing," Tetheron mocked.
The Heliolisk let his move disintegrate as he thrust his fists to his hips, his smile completely unaffected by Tetheron's comments.
"Less gawking, more killing," Freya stated, shoving Tetheron aside, roughly albeit with restraint. She surged Air Slash and readied to fling them to their adversaries.
"I'll admit, you've done very well against my 'numbers'. But not for too much longer."
Freya didn't wait for clarification, instead, she immediately fired the Air Slash right at the smirking Heliolisk.
The Mon however simply sidestepped. "Now, now, no hitting during timeout," he chuckled, firing a Focus Blast from his hand as the Air Slash flew on by to hit the Rhyperior's protect.
"Look out," Tetheron shouted, but as he moved to intercept it, the ball struck the ground in front forcing both of them to back away from the forming dust cloud.
"Damnit, so it was just a cover."
"Not for long." Freya swung her wings, dispersing the dust cloud a few seconds later. Her face eased up as they saw their adversaries were grouping at the far end of the clearing.
"Guess they had enough?"
"If only." She started rushing to the middle, where Gathor and Roweilo stood. "Gathor, Ranger!"
The Feraligatr gave a big wave as she and Tetheron joined up.
"Good job on the kills." Tetheron complimented.
Gathor nodded and turned to Freya. "Are dere more?"
She shook her head. "I'm not detecting anyone else." She turned around towards the forest.
"Wait," Roweilo said, walking closer. "What about the kids?"
"Wary doesn't work like that," Freya stated. "But you're right. We should get the kids, the formula, and get to the tunnel."
Gathor and Tetheron nodded.
"Wait, don't we wanna finish them off?" Roweilo asked. "The rangers should be here soon."
"No, we can't overextend. We need to hurry back to the house, get the kids and the formula, and regroup at the tunn-."
"Damnit," Gathor snarled, looking straight behind them.
"What?" she asked as everyone glanced behind their group.
Sure enough, there were three Weaviles and one Electivire rushing from the ends of the forest to cut them off from the house.
"Form up!" Freya shouted. Everyone touched backs as the four mons moved in closer to their rear. "Guess we're going to have to wait."
"Do you think they're sending mons after them?"
"No, I'm just detecting these guys. They may still be falling for your ploy, Tetheron."
Good. Tetheron's smile faded as he watched their new foes start to close in. He leaned back and whispered, "Freya, what if we cut you a path? You can get to the house and make sure they're okay while we-"
"Planning are we?"
All eyes switched to the Heliolisk, who was walking towards them, accompanied by the Electivire.
"Valiant effort," the villain exclaimed, clapping. "But I'm afraid our little tussle isn't finished just yet."
Everyone waited in anxious silence as the Heliolisk chuckled, standing there nefariously.
"Well?" Rosa angrily asked, getting away from the Rhyperior to look the mon in the face. "Are we going to attack?"
"Hold on just a moment."
"No! No more waiting." Rosa glared at the four and shouted. "Kill them-"
"I said hold it," the Heliolisk said with a frown and a lowness in his tone that even caught Tetheron off guard.
Rosa stared at him in confused silence.
"You're starting to annoy me with your constant pressing on my judgment." He looked back at her with a frown that seemed so out of character. "So would you kindly shut the fuck up so I can finish this?"
"I…Uh."
"That's better." His smile returned as he glanced back at the group. "Apologies for the delay, but fret not. The battle is far from done and I can't wait to see how you all will perform now. I hope it's just as impressive as you all have been so far." A dark smile crossed his face as he uttered, "Alas, I can't say the same for the others."
Others? Tetheron's thoughts were cut short by the Heliolisk turning around and nodding towards the forest.
"How dare yo-!" She froze midsentence as something from the forest was flung right towards her and his feet. Her angry eyes filled with horror as she backed up and eventually fell onto the grass. "What did-"
Tetheron's mouth dropped as he watched the Heliolisk walk over and pick up what looked like a Dodrio's head, bearing a wide-eyed, lifeless stare on its face. "Oh, sorry Rosa, I meant their ranger reinforcements."
Tetheron felt his stomach churn a little, but he managed to quash it down. Sick. He shook his focus and turned back to the Weaviles in front of him.
"Indeed, truly the opposite of impressive." He heard the Heliolisk say with a mocking tone. Tetheron just imagined him staring at the head with sadistic amusement. He force those thoughts back and leaned back, "Freya you need to go, no-"
"So, I saw you've all earned a reward."
Tetheron stared at the Heliolisk, who raised his finger high. "To the victor." He saw that PorygonZ from earlier fly up above the treeline, its eyes glowing a pinkish light. "Go the spoils." He flung his finger forwards as did the PorygonZ. Several objects flew from the treeline towards their party.
"Incoming!" Freya shouted, throwing Air Slashes at one, before hopping away. The three others leaped away too.
Tetheron felt every fiber in his being shiver as he saw the pile in front. It wasn't just heads, but other body parts as well. His body wanted him to puke, but at the same time was too horrified to even try.
He snapped out of it at hearing someone fall to their knees. Turning his head, Tetheron rushed to Roweilo's side almost without thinking. "Keep it together," he urged the mon, who was currently in the middle of vomiting, eyes wide with a look that put Roweilo's older fearfulness to shame.
Tetheron felt cold as he watched the poor mon lose control of his impulses in front. He wanted to say something or help, but what could he do? Roweilo may have even known someone in that pile.
The Blaziken looked up at Frey and Gathor, both staring back at him with faces that showed they were still processing this as well but were also aware enough to look at Roweilo in sympathy.
Suddenly, Gathor's eyes went wide as he swung behind himself, roaring.
"Gathor?" Tetheron stood up as Freya fired a Flamethrower at something behind Gathor. "Gathor!" He rushed to the Feraligatr, who dropped to a knee.
"Sick fuck gotta cheap shot," Gathor snarled.
Tetheron glanced at Freya, who was inspecting the wound. "What did that bastard do?"
"Stabbed him with Night Slash," she said hastily.
"I'll be okay," Gathor huffed, getting to his feet.
"That son of a bitch, I'll-" Tetheron stormed past Freya.
"Wait, Tether-" She reached for his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.
"Just go protect the boys," He snarled, preparing to fire a Flamethrower at the Heliolisk. What? Tetheron paused, noticing the Heliolisk's entire right arm was encased in some kind of Night Slash gauntlet. He held it upright, the open palm level with his head.
"Now now, you don't want to rush into things like those rangers did, do you?" He grinned as he looked at his Night Slash creation. "It's such a waste. Imagine, coming all this way to help only to die and have your remains be used as a sweet little distraction." He laughed, pointing at the group with his Night Slash claw. "But at least it was a useful means to a gruesome end, no?"
He squeezed his palm shut as a purple light shone from the palm portion of the gauntlet.
Bastard. Tetheron readied a Flamethrower but froze as he heard Gathor roar in pain. "What?" He looked at his brother-in-law to see him on a knee, struggling to not fall over. His entire body shook as he snarled in agony. Tetheron rushed to Gathor's side, but as he tried to help the Feraligatr up he saw something.
Near Gathor's back, there was some stream of purple energy flowing from the other side. From the side where Gathor was stabbed. Tetheron's eyes went wide as he shot his glance back at the Heliolisk, who kept his sadistic grin focused on Gathor as he clenched his gauntlet encased palm.
"Freya!" Tetheron shouted as he broke into a charge. "He's an injector!" He was forced to stop as the Rhyperiors stepped in front of their master and prepared Rock Wrecker.
"Deary dear, I've been found out." He raised his left arm above his forehead and let out a pained, mocking sigh. "If only someone would keep me safe. What's this?" He eyed the Rhyperiors with sarcastic shock. "Two big, strong mons to be my saviors? Oh, what a wonderful turn of events." He clapped.
Growling, Tetheron tried firing a Flamethrower but had to leap away from an incoming Ice Shard. "Shit." He felt a lump in his throat as he saw himself staring down five Weaviles.
"And what's this? More company? Truly I am blessed by the mighty Arceus himself to have such a gallant army come assist me."
Dude would you shut up! Tetheron grumbled as he was forced back to the trio. He could hear Gathor's heavy wheezing while Freya tried to help him to his feet.
"Freya, yah need tah go," he said.
"No, you can't fight like this," she argued.
"Sis, we need to keep the kids safe." He turned towards her, saying, "Are they even still in the house?"
"I don't know." Her head fell, the uncertainty evident. "But, they've been trained for something like this. I trust they'll know what to do."
Tetheron's gaze fell.
"Freya…" Gathor wheezed as he gently pushed off from her. "A'ight…take out dat stupid Night Slash…and den go help 'em and' ge' outta 'ere."
Freya nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "Hold off the back row, can you?"
"I'll try." He turned around and walked near the ranger. "Get up. I'll need yah."
Roweilo was still on all fours, though his regurgitating had calmed down. He was now just trembling with his eyes shut.
"Enough time out." The Swift imposter exclaimed, throwing a finger forwards. "Go for the kill."
All the ferals charged, as did the two male Norfarions while Freya shot straight into the air. The PorygonZ flew to intercept her, and the two began their areal battle.
Rosa was about to fly in as well, but the Heliolisk held his hand up, prompting her to hold off participating.
Tetheron tried to charge the front, but he had to shift focus as two of the flanking Weaviles rushed him from behind. With a roar, he kicked the first to the side, then cartwheeled from the second one's downward Night Slash. Spinning on his hands, Tetheron parried another's swipe and handsprung back to avoid any follow up. Right as he landed on his feet, he was struck on the side by an Ice Shard, sending him rolling to the side.
Wincing from the pain, Tetheron tried to attack the sneaky third with Flamethrower but didn't have the time as the other two assailed him.
"That's right, keep hitting him." He heard the Heliolisk taunt.
Gathor. He took a quick look at his brother-in-law who was squaring off against the Electivire and clearing struggling with his wound emanating a purple light that coursed chaotically on Gathor's scales.
Damnit, I have to hurry! But despite knowing this, he couldn't make any progress towards the bastard, not even to the Rhyperiors. There were too many Weaviles for him to have any chance on the offensive.
Eventually, one struck his leg and tripped him onto his back. Shit! He shielded his face as they all bore down upon them, slicing at his body with the move infused claws. Tetheron grit his beak as he took their hits, desperate for a way out but unable to do more than just flail his legs hoping something would hit.
Then suddenly, a roar happened nearby. Gathor? He didn't dare remove his arms from his face, but he did notice the slicing on his body halt. Quickly, he tried to kick at his attackers but stopped at hearing the sound of tearing flesh and painful screeching.
He ripped his arms from his wide eyes to see Gathor towering over him, his right claw soaked in one of the Weavile's blood. He glanced over to see two of them fall back as the third lie nearby bleeding from the deep claw marks on its stomach. Shooting his gaze back, Tetheron spotted Roweilo still on all fours, while an Electivire lay dead next to him.
Gathor moving prompted him to return his focus to the Feraligatr and he instantly regretted it. Their stares were locked, one low and scared the other feral and wrathful. Gathor's glowing red eyes gazed at him, the pupils tiny and looked devoid of a rational being behind them. He looked down at Tetheron, a clear desire to slaw the mon where he lay, yet the Feraligatr made no move to carry out such bloodlust on Tetheron.
Death Wrath. In slow motions, Tetheron got back to his feet, holding onto his cut covered stomach as his wounds started to rear their painful feelings.
Suddenly, Gathor roared in pain, flailing his arms around in panic anger, forcing Tetheron to duck. "Gathor, stop!" he exclaimed, but the Feraligatr had already started charging the Heliolisk's position.
"Damn, your better built than I thought." He squeezed his palm again, causing the gauntlet to light up near the back end of the hand.
Gathor roared as the Night Slash coerced inside again, stimulating a painful sensation. However, the Feraligatr carried onwards as the two Rhyperiors moved to intercept him. They opened fired their Rock Wreckers, which blasted Gathor back a little way, though he remained standing albeit panting and worn.
"Glad I chose you to impale on my Night Slash." He squeezed his palm harder, making Gathor roar from the wound and fall to his knee. The Feraligatr leered at him with bloodlust.
Tetheron quickly rushed to Gathor's side, trying to steady him. "Easy, I know it hurts. But we need to coordina-"
Gathor swung and knocked Tetheron on his back, lunging for the three with bloodlust in his eyes. "No, Gathor!"
The Heliolisk smirked as he squeezed his gauntlet the tightest he could. He watched in evil glee as Gathor's sprinting started to falter before he dropped to all fours to mitigate his side's hindrance. "Resourceful too? My, you're just wanting me to make you into a feral aren't you?" He aimed his other hand out and a Focus Blast formed. "Back off." The two Rhyperiors obeyed as Gathor lunged for him.
With a big grin, the Heliolisk let his move fly, striking Gathor right in the chest. Gathor caught it in his hands and raised it above his head to slam onto the Heliolisk.
"Cute." The villain snapped, and the move blew up in Gathor's hands, leaving the Feraligatr disoriented and his hands burning in pain. "Now kneel."
Gathor roared as he dropped to one knee and held his side. He eyed the Heliolisk with ferocity, but every attempt to attack him was met with another increase of the Night Slash inside him.
"No!" Tetheron rushed to help but was suddenly grabbed from behind and swung around. He felt someone pull him close as he felt some vibration from something strike his assailant. "Huh?" He glanced up to see Roweilo. "Thanks."
The Chesnaught merely nodded and let him go. He then spun around and slammed his fists into the ground, tearing the earth with a path of Stone Edge, forcing the assailing Weavile away.
"Are you alright?" The Blaziken asked.
"I-" Roweilo's eyes widened.
Tetheron looked where Roweilo was looking, managing to catch a large beam of white light heading towards them before Roweilo threw up Spiky Shield. Despite the protection, the beams' impact sent both off the ground and tumbling yards towards the house.
Moaning, Tetheron rolled onto his back, staring at the sky. His body felt weary and drained. The blackness above looked welcoming. Slowly, his blurriness faded before his eyes shot open at the sight of Freya still engaging that PorygonZ. Roweilo!
He instantly sat up and glanced around. "Roweilo!" He rushed over to a nearby tree where the Chensaught rested against, though it was likely what broke his momentum.
"I'm okay," he wheezed, shifting in his spot. "I just need to rest."
Tetheron clenched his beak shut as he slowly nodded. This isn't working, the Blaziken thought as he got back to his feet and looked at the battlefield. Gathor was still trying to attack the Heliolisk, but was held back by a mixture of the Night Slash inside him and the Weaviles driving him back with their attacks. Freya also seemed to be lacking any progress, with the PorygonZ not allowing her to get close.
The Blaziken focused on the Heliolisk's gauntlet. Think Tetheron. How can we get to him? A small smile formed as he spun around, saying, "Roweilo, can you launch me one more time?"
Giving a pained grunt, Roweilo started to get back to his feet. "At the maniac?"
"No, at the PorygonZ. Can you do it?"
Roweilo looked at the scuffling going on in the sky. "I think I can."
"Just don't miss."
Roweilo started shaking again but took a deep, calming breath. "I won't." He stretched his hands out as a dark brown circle formed at Tetheron's feet. "Okay, so you want me to throw you directly at the PorygonZ?"
"Yes, but just in his general direction will do. There's something I've been saving."
"Okay. But wait, how are you going to land?" Roweilo raised his arms as the ground at Tetheron's feet began to creak and groan.
"I'll handle that." Tetheron dropped down as if he was going to break into a sprint, focusing on his target. Alright, please be looking out sis. A second later he was sent flying into the air.
As he neared his target, Tetheron spread his arms. Yellow light surrounded him as large wings sprawled at the sides of his arms.
That's right, Tetheron thought as he saw the PorygonZ firing Tri Attack beams to intercept him. He pulled back and crossed his arms in front of his body as the moves collided, sending him flying into the air. "Freya!" He shouted, reaching out his arms as he spiraled in the air.
As his descent began, his confidence shattered into pure fear. Please, sis! He closed his eyes, bracing for the long fall to whatever feeling awaited him at the end, be it death or many broken bones. Thankfully, he felt his momentum stop as one of his arms was grabbed and he was yanked along with it.
"What are you doing?"
He looked up at Freya, smiling. "Sorry, but it's the only wa-AAAY!"
Freya dove underneath an attack, pulling Tetheron with her. "I can't sit still, just say what you need to say now." She held out her other hand, which Tetheron hastily grabbed.
"Sorry, but I have a plan to help Gathor. Can you try and separate that bitch of a Heliolisk from the rest of the group with your fire?"
"If I have some cover, yes." She glanced down at him amid their areal evasion.
"Okay, how long would it take you?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Do you want broken legs?"
"Freya please. I'll give you enough time, just make sure you can separate them. Once you do that, we can all strike for it at o-ONCE!"
She jerked right as two more colorful beams flew past them. "And if I'm too slow?"
"You won't be." Tetheron smiled.
Freya didn't reply, just focused on avoiding the attacks.
"Trust me, please. This may be our only chance to save Gathor."
"Fine!" She held tightly onto his arms as she picked up her speed. "But you better give me enough time."
"Will do," he exclaimed as she spun around midair and chucked him right at the PorygonZ.
He spread out his body, forming another Brave Bird, but the PorygonZ was too far away to reach before it fired Tri Attacks in response. Not this time. Tetheron smiled as this time, he flipped his body forwards as the moves collided; the impact's momentum being beneath him and thus sending him upwards at an arc.
As he flipped in the air, he set his leg on fire with Blaze Kick and brought down a mighty ax kick onto the PorygonZ. "Take this!" He roared as it struck its mark, which sadly was just the triple beams of a concentrated Tri Attack. "Goddamnit!" He shouted as he went sailing upwards once more.
This fucker! At least I bought more time. Tetheron grumbled as he started falling again. Of course, the Porygon wasn't going to be underneath him this time and was perfectly content watching the flightless mon fall towards the ground.
Tetheron spread out his body to slow his fall, but he knew it wouldn't matter much. Come on, sis. He glanced downwards, managing to see traces of flame moving in a direction and what looked to be some mons moving on ahead of it. The wind in his face wasn't helping. Eventually, he had to close his eyes and hold out his hand.
"Freya!" He shouted, hoping she would appear and save him from splatting on the ground. Dismay filled his heart as he opened his eyes to see the ground growing closer and closer. He screamed and braced for impact.
Suddenly, he felt a strong force hit his stomach, sending him slightly upwards but more like a catapulting arc. He spiraled in the air before hitting some kind of plant. It bent with his momentum, allowing him to avoid heavy injuries. "What the-?" He glanced down to see Roweilo at the base of the Frenzy Plant with a relieved look.
"Wait then-" The plant shook and gave way, causing him to fall screaming to the ground and land with a thud. "Ouch! Why didn't you warn me?"
"Sorry," Roweilo said amid some pants. "I couldn't hold it up any longer."
"Nevermind." Tetheron spun around and looked. Freya had resumed her sky battle with the PorygonZ. What was different was a large wall of Flames separating him and Roweilo from whatever was happening in the middle of the field. Of course, the sight of a Weavile being sent flying through the air by a beam of water gave the Blaziken a good idea of how it was going.
"Alright, now it's up to us." Tetheron faced the two Red Eyes that were on his side of the flame.
The Heliolisk glanced back, finally taking notice of his presence. "My, my, this again?" He smiled deviously as he took a few steps towards Tetheron. "One on one? Or should we let our invalids play too?"
"Invalid!" Rosa shouted, but backed off at the Heliolisk turning his evil smile towards her.
"I could go either way," the vile mon confessed.
Tetheron glanced back at Roweilo, who was leaning on a tree. The Chesnaught nodded, pushing off and resuming a battle stance, or at least the best he could.
"Fourway it is!" He gestured Rosa to follow, the Gardevoir reluctantly obeying and playing support.
Tetheron surged fire into his fists. I'm so ready to punch this guy's face in. Right as he was about to charge, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "What?"
"Be ready to follow up."
Tetheron raised a brow, but didn't get to say anything as the Chesnaught touched the ground, causing a Stone Edge trail to uproot towards the two.
"You got this?" The Heliolisk inquired.
Rosa didn't answer, but simply swiped with her arm. A flashy light formed, shooting a various array of beams that glistened even with the fire behind them. The Stone Edge was ripped to bits by the Dazzling Gleam though it did prevent any of the beams from striking the two.
"Fire!" Roweilo shouted, rushing towards the two.
"What are you doing‽" Tetheron shouted, though complied with a dual Flamethrower.
The Heliolisk sent a Focus Blast for one, while Rosa used Psychic to redirect the other.
"Take this!" Roweilo shouted as he took a little leap and threw something at the two with all his might.
Rosa shoved her other hand towards it and swiped, causing it to fly from them. She realized what it was too late, as the object shined a brief flash of black light. A split second later the Dark Orb erupted into an explosion of darkness, engulfing all four mons.
Tetheron shielded his eyes out of instinct. A dark orb? Once he lowered his guard, the Blaziken rushed into the darkness. "Roweilo!" He managed to spot a large body nearby and rushed to its side. "How did you-?"
"Seliph," Roweilo answered with heavy breaths.
The Blaziken's eyes widened as he felt his heart almost leap at the name. The dark shroud began to fade in places, forcing Tetheron to refocus and rush from Roweilo's side. Don't waste Seliph's second chance. He fired a quick Flamethrower into the remnants of the darkness, spotting a sliver of shadow leaping away from it.
Got you! Pursuing it, he surged power into his left leg. He leaped and pulled into a hook kick, extending his right. The shadowy figure was fast enough to evade. As he landed, Tetheron spun off his planted right and drove the Jump Kick infused left at the shadowy figure, praying he hit the gauntlet.
"Dya!" The Heliolisk cried as he was knocked back, skidding on the ground but remaining upright.
Tetheron kept his leg extended and eyes narrow as he looked at the Heliolisk, who was holding his right hand. The Night Slash gauntlet was cracked and beginning to fade away from the Heliolisk's blood dripping arm. The Blaziken remained silent, lowering his leg as he maintained a stalwart aura about him.
"No." He sighed and closed his eyes roughly. "Congratulations, you've ruined my fun," he muttered bitterly as what was left of the Night Slash gauntlet evaporated from his body.
Despite seeing the Heliolisk's angry stare, Tetheron didn't feel an ounce of satisfaction. Even though the Night Slash injected into his brother-in-law was gone just like the gauntlet this evil creature was still breathing and Tetheron wouldn't allow that for another second.
He stepped forwards but stopped instantly as he heard a scream of agony. Looking to his left, he saw Rosa rolling on the ground holding her head. Serves you right, bitch. His eyes narrowed as he pointed his claw towards her, sorely tempted to fire Flamethrower and add to her suffering.
Alas, he instead had to use it to cancel out a Focus Blast.
"I'm your opponent, Norfarion," the villain said with a smile, no trace of his former frustrations remaining. "You need to be punished. But just to remove distractions." He blew a loud whistle and Rosa was levitated into the air, screaming from her head pain.
"Take her somewhere where she'll be safe but not bothersome."
The PorygonZ nodded and flew towards the far end of the forest.
Tetheron glanced up as well, his gaze meeting Freya's. He pointed towards the fiery wall and she nodded. The Charizard dove beyond his view.
"Odd, I would have expected you to have her come along and help."
"Gathor needs her more than me," he said in a low tone as he face the Heliolisk. "And I'm not going to share tearing you apart like you did to those mons."
"You sure as hell are."
Tetheron glanced to the right to see the Chensaught limping over to him. "No, you're too inju-"
"I don't care!"
Tetheron closed his beak, staring into the ranger's face. There was fear inside those eyes, yes, but there was also rage. The desperation intertwined with a deep hatred that manifested into his body shaking like a warrior staring down a battle heading his way. Tetheron could see it clearly and resonated with it all too well.
The Blaziken's gaze lowered slightly. "Roweilo, don't throw your life away."
Roweilo remained silent, eyeing Tetheron with a fierce look accompanied by his body tensing up.
"You can support me from the back, but that's it." The Norfarion stared down the Heliolisk once more. "It's not weakness. It's knowing your limits." He raised his fists as he felt the fire build up in them. "Honor them by doing what is asked of you."
He heard Roweilo almost hiss at these words and in his heart he couldn't blame him. The thought of those poor mons being killed and cut up re-entered his heart, making it almost feel wrong to deny Roweilo his chance. But he knew better than that.
"Oh, what a caring heart."
Tetheron snapped his eyes open, glaring at the Heliolisk mocking them with his carefree smile. He didn't reply, just readied himself for whatever this vile thing had in mind.
Seeing Tetheron wasn't going to strike first, the Heliolisk walked towards them nonchalantly. "Despite foiling my fun, you've impressed me well in this fight. I believe that deserves an award for such a valiant, caring heart you possess." Suddenly, his body began to twist and turn as it walks, growing in size and changing color.
Despite knowing what was going on, Tetheron couldn't help but be a little disturbed at it happening to the form of a close friend. He watched as black fur began to form on the now taller body and its legs and arms spaced themselves out.
"Though tell me, Mr. Caring. Do you ever wonder what it feels like when the heart stops?" The morphing one said as it looked at them with much sleeker eyes than the Heliolisk ones he had. They glowed just as much as before, yet somehow amplified the nefariousness.
The figure stretched out his arms as they finalized their development, spreading wide for the two to gaze upon the glory of his true form. His red hair was short, trimmed to be standing upwards by about two and a half inches. His core, arms, and legs looked thin yet well built. The red claws on his paws and feet contrasted the black and grey fur that covered his body.
Smirking, the Zoroark placed a claw over his face, obscuring his left eye but leaving his right visible. "Imagine your blood growing still in your core and your body choking on the little bit of life it has left. It all starts from the heart's failure and spreads to the rest. Killing the body."
Tetheron fought the chill in his spine as he waited in silence.
"So, if we say, you're the heart that desires to keep this family alive but you die, wouldn't you be condemning the rest to follow suit?" He smirked as he drew the claw down his face and walked towards the flaming wall as Tetheron met his pace.
"Just like the heart that dies and slowly kills the body, I would imagine you would be powerless to make their ends be anything less than agonizing and slow." Stretching his palm to Tetheron, the Zoroark waited in silence.
Tetheron scoffed. "Maybe if I was the only one defending this family. But I'm not alone. I would go as far as to say I'm the weakest of the three defending."
"Oh!" The Zoroark pulled his hands towards his chest and bent his legs. "There it goes again! My heartstrings being strung by your words."
The Blaziken would have blasted him with a Flamethrower right there if the Zoroark hadn't opened an eye, its gaze sending a feeling of dread in the Norfarion.
"But don't let me dissuade your role. You should feel proud for taking on such a noble task." He stood back up and pointed at Tetheron. "You've endured wave after wave and even bested my associate. You had help, yes, but you played no small part in this." His smile grew as his hand twisted into a clenching fist. "You even had the gall to ruin my fun."
And I'll do it again, Tetheron thought, readying to fire Flamethrower at a simple thrust of his hands.
"But, like you, Mr. Caring Heart, I have a role as well." He pulled his fist back and tapped the longest red nail onto his chin. "You see, I'm the infection, the intruder, the virus. I'm that which seeks to spread and kill every facet of the body there is."
With an unhinged smile of glee, he raised his claws towards Tetheron like a beggar asking for any form of food. "And right now, I see you as the prize of any virus, the heart." His hands spread wide as his body went low. He licked his chops as his devilish eyes narrowed. "My name is Plageues. Now entertain me!"
He madly lunged towards Tetheron, laughing as the Blaziken thrust his arms forwards. Burn! Tetheron roared in his head as the flame swirled from his wrists to purge this filth from the world.