Chapter 23
Your power, your Impotence
Urm...Ugh...Wha? There was a slight sting in Vragon's head as his eyes slowly opened to a blurry scene in front of him, too dark to make out. My head. He groaned as he moved his hand to comfort his head, but stopped, confused at how effortless it was for him to reach above his head. Huh? The next confusing feeling was the wind on his face being accompanied by something cold and hard.
What's going on- He then felt a third feeling, this one finally clearing his foggy mind. Realizing the thing touching his face was his pendant, which thankfully was something gravity couldn't get it around his tusks. Snatching it up like he would die without it, Vragon looked around and eventually saw the ghost holding onto his left leg.
"Hey!" Vragon shouted in fright, kicking up at the creature with his free leg.
"Ugh! Stop that! Oof!" Vex's eyes changed color once more to that sight Vragon instantly recalled.
"No, you don't!" The Fraxure took a deep breath.
"Don't you freaking- Dya!" Vex let go of the Fraxure right as the Dragon Breath soared at him, singeing the ghost on the side as the Fraxure fell onto a grassy hill below.
Vragon groaned a few "Oofs" and "Acks" as he tumbled down the hill, finally stopping near the base bruised and dizzy. He shook his head as he tried to stand up, only to quickly dive back down upon remembering Vex was still around. Feeling his pendant in his claws offered some relief as he felt secure enough to let it go and look around.
I've got to hide…but where? He crawled his way uphill, going around its side bend hoping Vex wouldn't happen to be searching there. However, one loud groan nearby forced him to stop and stay low, like a Squirtle going into its shell.
"Ugh, fuck that piece of-"
Vragon shifted ever so slightly, trying to get a good look at the ghost while not giving himself away.
"Where in the-? Hey! Come out!" Vex snarled as he glanced around anxiously.
Vragon crawled his way back up the hill, hoping to put the mound between him and Vex. Unfortunately, Vex flew up into the sky, forcing Vragon to stop and press himself as close to the ground as possible. As he took a few tired breaths and rested his head on his backwards-angled tusk he shut his eyes. No way I'll get back with him flying around. Hopefully, he'll land soon.
His left eye slowly opened and tried to spot the outline of the blades of tall grass to the starry sky. When did I fall unconscious? The last thing I remember was looking into-…Hypnosis. Of course. He sighed in his mind as he leaned his head forwards so his forehead also touched the ground. What's-
His thoughts and body froze at hearing another voice.
"Vex! What are you doing? Where's the kid?" The Gallade's snapping voice made Vragon's body want to merge with the ground.
Shifting his body a little, Vragon looked to see the Gallade on the other hill, walking down it, those red eyes glaring up at the ghost intensely.
H-how? Vragon held his breath as he watched the ghost land next to Siegfried.
"The idiot almost burned my face off. I didn't have time to adjust my landing let alone to get another grip on him."
Siegfried didn't reply, just walked forwards disappointed.
"Hey! I almost made it to the rendezvous point," Vex defended, but Siegfried brushed it off, simply walking down and looking around with a narrow stare.
"Just fly up and look around for him. He can't have gotten too far."
Vragon watched the ghost fly into the air and then focused back on Siegfried. He pressed his body to the ground and took a deep but quiet breath. Just stay still. His claws dug into the dirt. Relax…You aren't easy to spot. He opened his eyes and look down at the Gallade through the blades of grass.
So, they had a 'rendevous' point? Then this was planned…but why? Vragon felt curiosity building up in him. But how did that Gallade get here so fast? Maybe an orb? Would make sense he would make it back so quickly, especially if they had this planned beforehand.
The Gallade had reached the base of the hills, though this just made it harder to spot the Fraxure on the side of the hill in front. Or so the boy thought, for Siegfried shut his eyes entirely and let his arms hang at their sides.
Huh? What is he doing? Vragon's eyes narrowed as he peered at Siegfried from his hiding spot. Then, he felt a cold shiver in his spine, a feeling one gets when a shadow looms over them. He almost looked back, just to make sure Vex hadn't snuck up on him, but the ghost was still searching in the air.
Is…is he causing that? How?
The Gallade then opened his eyes, making Vragon hold his breath. Siegfried raised his head so that his eyes were level with Vragon's and surged Psycho Cut into his elbows as they extended.
There's no- Vragon shot to his feet and ran as Siegfried sent the Psycho Cut right for his hiding spot. "Way!" The explosion behind made him lose his balance and start tumbling down the side of the slope a little bit. He scampered to his feet as fast as he could, the adrenaline killing any pain he had gained from the fall.
Not long after, he heard another Psycho Cut whizzing through the air. He shielded his head and dropped down as it soared overhead, striking the ground near the base of the hill.
Vragon turned around and fired Dragon Breath, too wrapped up in the moment to try and aim. His instincts were right as a Psycho Cut was heading his way and collided with the Dragon move, unfortunately, the impact repulse sent him backwards, rolling down the hill once more.
He finally came to a stop near the base, laying on his stomach aching. Get up! He willed his body, but as he raised his body and head, dread filled his soul. The Gallade was rushing towards him, elbows lit with pink light that dazzled in the night scenery.
"Down!" A voice called out to him from behind. All questions he had were flung to the side as he shoved his body down and covered his head, a Psycho Cut soaring over him.
The Gallade leaped over this new attack but was met by a swift blur with a silver light trail that rammed into him. The two beings broke off in midair, with Siegfried landing higher up the hill and the other landing in front of Vragon.
"Found you."
"J-Jaz?" Vragon looked up to see Jasmine, a small smile forming on his face amid his wheezing. "How did you-"
"Later, I need you to fight."
"R-right." Vragon turned around to see the Ghost taking position on the hill opposite Siegfried.
"I suggest you not interfere, girl," Siegfried stated, his calm tone at odds with his infuriated glare at the Absol standing between him and his objective.
"Fat chance!" Jasmine retorted, surging Psycho Cut into her horn.
"Fine." Siegfried went into a low stance, moving his arm back to swing a Psycho Cut at them. "Have it your way."
Vex's chuckling made Vragon look back at the ghost.
"Just fair warning. Your way is gonna hurt." He spread his arms as a dazzling light started forming.
"Vray! Together!" Jasmine exclaimed as she leaped up and swung her head, sending a Psycho Cut towards the forming Dazzling Gleam.
Vragon roared as he unleashed his Dragon Breath for support, a powerful explosion that lit up the hills in a light mixed with fairy, psychic, and draconic colors.
O
"Look!"
Ciecro slowed to a jog as he reached the pinnacle of the hill, standing next to Amyas as he stared forwards at what the Bisharp was pointing at.
There was an array of colorful energy flames erupting from what likely was a move collision caused explosion nay two hilltops away.
"Let's go!" Amyas and Ciecro rushed down the hill as Dolly had just reached their spot. As they ran side by side, Amyas looked at the Charmeleon and said, "I want you to get to your friends and guard them."
"Yes sir." Ciecro could feel his anticipation for battle soaring inside him, prompting his body to push faster and harder up the slopes to the determined battleground. Soon enough he had the lead of the rescue group and cleared the top of the hill overlooking the conflict.
He saw Jasmine and Vragon desperately trying to fend off their attackers, albeit the weakened Vragon struggling to hold up his end.
The Charmeleon about threw himself down the hill as he snarled, ready to dish out some payback. Their eyes may have scared him as a kid, but now they were just things to beat up as an adolescent.
"Vex! Behind! Keep them away!" Siegfried shouted.
"Roger!" Vex spun around and crossed his arms, a pinkish-white hue enveloping his arms and started growing.
Ciecro stopped to meet the move with Flamethrower.
"Keep going!" Amyas shouted, rushing past and crossing gauntlets in front, as the beams of light soared and struck at them, bouncing off their steely exterior and slicing into the ground on the side of the mound. "Dolly, assist!"
Dolly by this time had reached the top of the hill and formed a Focus Blast. She curled it under her arm like a heavy ball and twisted back before tossing it with a heavy grunt. It spiraled in the air with a spin as it flew in the air in an arc pattern around the Dazzling Gleam.
Vex spotted the move heading towards him, phasing into the ground as it slammed near his side, uprooting the dirt that would have gone straight onto his face.
With the Dazzling Gleam dying out as a result, Ciecro and Amyas charged back down the hill, but the shadow of the ghost did as well.
"Jaz!" Ciecro shouted.
"Look out! He's in the ground!" Amyas also exclaimed.
"On it!" Jasmine flung a Psycho Cut at the ground between them and Vex, forcing the shadow to halt and dart right. "He's there!"
Vragon open-fired Dragon Breath at the ground, but Vex flew out maintaining a good distance from the blue and yellow flame that chased after him in the air.
Ciecro opened his maw and fired at Siegfried, who was rushing the duo while they were distracted. Siegfried pivoted to the side and sent a small, but speedy Psycho Cut that forced Ciecro to stop, drop, and roll. "Jaz! Behind yah!"
The Absol spun around, ready to fight the incoming Siegfried only to freeze up in confusion as the Gallade was struck by some unseen force on the side of the head. For a split second, a hazy form began to show next to the Gallade, the arm striking the Gallade's face being coated in some black energy. Siegfried was sent spiraling down the side of the hill while Amyas stood, leering down at him with an arm coated in Sucker Punch.
"Woah." Jasmine said absent-mindedly, her momentary awe cut short as Ciecro jogged down to her, saying her name. "About time you guys showed up."
"Yah both okay?" He asked, looking at her and then Vragon, who was resting on the grass panting.
They both nodded.
"Ciecro!"
All three looked to see Amyas staring at Ciecro, gesturing his head to the left. "Hold for my order."
Ciecro nodded and jogged to flank Siegfried's position. He felt the flames in his throat build up, begging to be unleashed on this monster. However, he stood firm in his duty as a defensive observer, watching the Bisharp point his metal gauntlet towards the Gallade.
"Stand down now or I will cut you down." Ciecro's eyes widened a little, seeing a hint of his superior's true anger at that moment. It almost bolstered his own pride, knowing that he wasn't alone in being fed up with this bland character.
Siegfried rolled his neck, it cracking a bit as it readjusted from the earlier hit.
"Fine then." Amyas's gauntlets shined a silvery gleam as he rushed the Gallade. "Attack!"
Ciecro's flames flew towards the Gallade, who once more nimbly avoided, right into Amyas's strike. The Gallade and Bisharp met in a fierce lock of Psycho Cut and Metal Claw.
Now's my chance! Ciecro clamped his mouth shut and rushed forwards, feeling the power move from his throat to claws, growing into Dragon Claw. Go low, so Amyas can follow if needed, he planned. As he charged in, he kept his eyes fixated on the Gallade in case he attempted some kind of break-off or getaway. However, the Gallade took a second to glance at Ciecro and his eyes glowed faintly.
A strange feeling came over Ciecro, like a ghost was passing through his body. It almost made him stumble during his run. Huh? Despite this, he kept rushing, not wanting to waste this chance to take this bastard down. He rushed low and swung with all his might, his claws ready to shred the flesh of this mon, no this Red Eye.
Ciecro felt the air in his lungs lock as his eyes widened in confusion as his claw struck nothing but the air. He started to glance upwards, but a firm force of the Gallade's leg, lifted up with great speed and brought down in kind pressed his stare to the ground. The Charmeleon's sharp teeth dug into the insides of his mouth as he felt the Gallade put his weight on him.
Thankfully, it was only for a second, for Amyas pressed harder at seeing Ciecro's pinned state, forcing Siegfried's foot off the boy.
"Roll!" Amyas shouted.
Ciecro had barely thought the word in his head before his body complied with the action, shifting over onto his side and allowing him to see the sharp point of the Gallade's elbow extend into the dirt where he once lay. He kept his motion until he was back on his stomach, pushing up immediately, though his mind was distracted, which happens when one is almost pinned to the ground.
He looked back, his breath heavy as the clashes of Metal Claw and Psycho Cut glistened before him, almost like they were the only light source. However, amid their clashes, there was a faint glow of red. Ciecro instantly recalled it, his body remembering that feeling.
Is…wha' is he- He stepped forwards, only to quickly jerk his body around at hearing Jasmine shout.
"Ciecro! He's heading for you!"
Ciecro's eyes darted around the hillside, trying to spot the shadow. It was in vain due to the limited lighting and Ciecro only found the ghost when he was right behind him arms spreading outwards.
Vex's dark grin became masked in a white and pink light that grew in intensity, almost blinding Ciecro. As the Charmeleon stepped back and moved his arms in front, he felt what could be described as hot darts that struck an icy pain into him. The force accelerated and picked up his feet, sending him hurling through the air uncontrollably till he plummeted down.
"I've go-" Was all he heard before he hit something softer than the ground and tumbled over until he stopped on his back. Groaning, Ciecro started opening his eyes, the dazzling light still carrying traces in his vision, but clearing up to reveal the night sky.
"Ciecro!" He looked a little up to see a pair of yellow eyes staring down at him.
"Sit him up!" Another spoke, Ciecro not getting a chance to look before Vragon started helping him up.
He felt a sturdier hand grab his shoulder and soon he was staring into a pair of brown eyes. "Ciecro? Hey!" A large hand snapped in front of his face, making him blink.
"I'm…I'm fine!" Ciecro shouted, almost like it was a lum berry for his disoriented state.
"Dazzling Gleam shouldn't have any additional effects," Vragon stated, him and Ciecro glancing to see Jasmine back on her feet and firing Psycho Cuts at Vex to cover for them.
"Well, that's what happens when it hits you point blank, Vray." Dolly grabbed Ciecro by the underarm and yoinked him up, the poor Charmeleon almost falling again from the suddenness of it. "Though, thank Arceus it's not very effective."
Ciecro let out a weak, "Uh huh," before an explosion of a rogue Shadow Ball brought his attention back like a Marowak's Bonemerang.
Dolly immediately stood up, her eyes glowing blue again.
"Piss off!" Vex snapped as he dove into the ground before Foresight could take effect.
Dolly glanced back at Ciecro, raising a brow. "You good to fight?"
"Yeh." Ciecro got to his feet as Jasmine leaped in front of him next to Dolly, both standing between the literally grounded ghost and the two boys.
Vragon gasped, prompting Ciecro to look at him and then to turn around as they both spotted Amyas and Siegfried's clash resulting in the Bisharp being blown away by a Vacuum Wave up the hill.
The Bisharp's battered body rolled up, almost reaching the summit before plopping down, motionless.
"No!" Ciecro surged his Dragon Claw and stepped in front of Vragon.
"Cie-"
"It's fine! I'll 'andle 'im!" Ciecro shouted back to Dolly. "Dat ghos' can't flank us!"
Dolly nodded and gestured for Jasmine to help as the two entrusted the Charmeleon with their backs.
"Vray, can yah do some Dragon Breath's fo' me?"
Vragon nodded, his burning scowl serving as an indicator of how much he wanted this Dragon Breath to sear this foe.
"Don't feign a spine," Siegfried stated as his elbows glowed that annoying pink light again. "You're only just making it harder for yourselves."
"Shuddup already!" Ciecro growled as he rushed at Ciecro, hopping up to do a slice for the mon's face, which was easily deflected. He then swung low for the legs, only for the elbow to extend to blow. Gasping, Ciecro pivoted his body back, narrowly avoiding a slice from the other arm that would have cut squarely across his stomach and chest.
Vragon covered his retreat with a Dragon Breath, but Siegfried merely swung his arm, sending the Psycho Cut through most of it and eventually doing a cancel repulse that knocked Vragon onto his back.
Snarling, Ciecro pushed his arms forwards and unleashed Flamethrower at the mon. "Take dis!"
Siegfried raised his arms in front, the pink glow in them changing to green as the flames struck them. However, the fire didn't break through, instead, it was almost leeching off the new move as a form of fuel as real, non-synergetic fire does.
"Wha?" Ciecro's mouth hung open as he saw his move practically be absorbed into the Leaf Blade. "How did-?"
For the first time since the fight had started, the Gallade raised his brow, surprised at Ciecro's confusion. "How?" Rolling his eyes, the Gallade crossed his arms in a 'T' formation. "Don't try me, boy. Playtime is over." One of the arms stopped glowing green underneath the flames and went back to pink. Half a second later, he swung, sending a horizontal Psycho Cut right for Ciecro, who immediately dropped to a knee and bent low for it to soar overhead.
"Ah!" Vragon, who had just gotten up, dropped to the ground as it flew and crashed into the ground near the base of the second hill. The flames burst upwards with a fiery passion, forming a wall that suddenly started spreading.
"Wha?" Ciecro stared in horror. He'd never experienced his own move being used against him let alone in a way he had never seen before. His despair filled as the flames obscured Dolly and Jasmine, both of whom realized what was going on behind them but were too late to cross.
"No!" Ciecro stood up and stretched his arms out, thinking in his mind and soul for his flames to stop. His wish for them to sputter out went unanswered. His arms lowered and he looked at his right hand, feeling his body shake to its core.
"You're doing it wrong."
Ciecro spun around, his heart racing as Siegfried walked towards them once more, the fire in his left extended elbow still burning furiously in the Leaf Blade. "Wha' dya mean?"
Siegfried rolled his eyes and threw a vertical Psycho Cut at Ciecro. The Charmeleon quickly sidestepped it, but as it soared past him it disintegrated, merely evaporating into pink particles that vanished amid the flaming wall near them.
"Are you telling me you don't understand something as basic as nullifying your own moves?"
"Of course I do!" Ciecro snapped back. "Yah're doin' somethin' tah stop me fro-" The poor boy stopped at hearing the Gallade burst into a suddenly mocking laughter, that made him feel like a stone that was forming cracks.
"You really don't know why you can't stop the fire." The arrogant smile on the Gallade's face was poison for the eyes as the Red Eyes gazed upon the flames burning in the Leaf Blade. "But I guess it makes sense you wouldn't, if I could so easily absorb your move into mine. I'm surprised I didn't think of this earlier, but to my defense, I wasn't expecting to fight a Norfarion boy that hadn't learned the basics of external synergy control."
"Shuddup!" Ciecro shouted, pointing his arms at the Gallade, who tilted his head and eyed him with a look that was more mocking than any phrase that could be said. The boy's arms stayed there, shaking slightly as he felt the world's weight on him just from the mon's mere stare.
"Well? Go ahead. Do it." The Gallade spread his arms. "Prove you can do it. Or are you not as Norfarion as you're supposed to be? Shame, I prefer Norfarions that just do things and shut up."
"You don't have to prove anything to trash like him!"
Ciecro glanced back at Vragon, who was surging Dragon Claw. The Charmeleon could tell the Fraxure was more saving face, but it was inspiring to Ciecro.
"'Trash like me?'" Siegfried shook his head. "You're lucky we want you alive. Else this contest would have ended at the shoal. But perhaps you two need evidence." The Gallade
Ciecro glanced back as Siegfried raised his arms up and with a shout pulled them over his head. The flames behind the two erupted, instantly grabbing their attention.
"They're-" Vragon started but was startled as the fire shot out to the side, expanding the flame wall even further.
What little hope Ciecro had for Dolly and Jasmine to just go around it despite Vex's ever-present onslaught was gone. Angrily, he looked back at Siegfried. "How‽ How are yah usin' fire-type moves!"
"You're such a moron." The Gallade rolled his eyes. "Were you just spacing out when I said your control over your expelled synergy was weak? Why do I need to know a fire-type move when you gave me one I could use. Your Flamethrower is sustained by me now and I can power it as much as I will it."
"N…No." Ciecro breathed out, softly as if his body could barely bear to let the words out.
"Don't listen to him." Vragon urged Ciecro. "It's not like he can just take whatever move you dish out. It must take a bit of his own to take over your move's synergy, let alone sustain it."
Siegfried turned his eyes to Vragon, his smile lessening but still present. "Perhaps then I should speak to you instead."
Ciecro's scowl returned as he moved his arm in front of Vragon.
The Gallade lowered his arms, the flames in the Leaf Blade going out. "I'm just going to give you one more chance to come with us before I knock you out." The smile had vanished entirely, the blank expression giving off an uncanny amount of aggression, be it from the Red Iris that made them uneasy or just being sick of seeing this guy's face. "Because I don't care who I cut down or maim. You are coming with us, and any harm that's done will be on your head as well."
The Charmeleon glanced back at Vragon at the lack of a reply. Vray… He stared down the enemy once more as he surged Dragon Claw. Dis guy loves tah tawk. But Ciecro knew in his heart that this guy was more than talk. His wounds spoke to that very well and the quivering in his arms threatened to spread to his entire body like a plague.
Come on, think, Ciecro. Dere's gotta be a way tah bea' 'im. The Gallade started walking again, causing both Ciecro and Vragon to back up. Huh? Ciecro noticed movement at the top of the hill.
Amyas was getting to his feet, looking winded, but surging black energy into his gauntlet.
Sucker Punch! A brief moment of relief covered Ciecro, until the Gallade stopped advancing. Right as he looked at the Red Eye, those eyes glowed again and he felt that invasive feeling. Huh? Wait. His hope transformed into despair as the stranger's eyes stopped glowing and small smirk formed on the Gallade's face.
"Amy-!"
The Bisharp disappeared into a blur as the Gallade side-stepped as Amyas reappeared, his dark move piercing the air where the Gallade's torso once was. The visible confusion on Amyas's face was cut short by him being driven off balance by Siegfried slicing upwards on his arm, which thankfully was protected by the Sucker Punch. What wasn't protected, was Amyas's torso which no mere second later had a firm knee driving into it.
"Ack!" Amyas moved to block, but Siegfried twisted over Amyas and landed behind. Nimbly, the Gallade angled his arms underneath the prone Amyas and pulled the right one back in an arm lock, applying pressure that made Amyas's metal mouth grit and drop to a knee.
"Amyas!" Ciecro surged Dragon Claw.
"Don't be stupid, boy."
Ciecro stood there, staring in anger at the powerless situation. It then dawned on him. Dose eyes…dey mus' be…dats how he knew. There was no other way Ciecro could think of. Amyas had been silent enough and a psychic powerful enough to pierce a dark type's mind and read its thoughts wouldn't be fighting so up close nor even the playing field for his foes. Siegfried had been tipped off, by Ciecro himself. I… This revelation made Ciecro's shaky legs cave and he fell on all fours, horrified at what he had done.
Vragon joined Ciecro's side, worried that the wounds of the Charmeleon had started. "Ciecro?" The concern on the Fraxure's face shifted to their opponent as Siegfried spoke again.
"Tell me." He applied harsher pressure, making the Commissioner yelp from the spike of pain and drop onto both knees.
Amyas glanced up at Siegfried, his eyes looking like a wounded, furious feral wanting to lash out at its first chance to strike.
The Gallade glanced down at his controlled foe. "Is your job worth your arm?"
"Let him go!" Vragon shouted, the desperation in his voice enough to send chills through Ciecro.
Siegfried's eyes then turned to Vragon. "And tell me, Averion."
Ciecro could hear the faint gasp from his friend as he listened to the Gallade's threat.
"Are you so cowardly to let a mon lose his arm for your sake?"
"I…" Vragon's weakened scowl looked like he was on the verge of tears. His body was shaking and the pupils in his eyes moved around in small, sporadic motions. Amyas pained cry as Siegfried pressed harder snapped both boys' attentions and made their hearts drop.
"Well? Just the first arm of many to you? Are you going to let the whole town be your wall?"
Time stopped for Ciecro. He could feel his soul spiraling in rage, purging his fear like wildfire. How… He rose to a knee as his scowl returned, as strong as ever. Dare… The memories of that night with Dresha, hearing her say that sentence was all too much for him then. "Fuck yah!"
Only the sound of the cackling fire around them was heard for a brief moment. Siegfried raised a brow.
"If yah take 'is arm off…I'll burn yah to ash! An' if yah send more, I'll burn 'em as well!"
"Please, don't masquerade yourself as some confident Norfarion. You didn't even know how to pull back your moves. The simple fact is-"
"Ciecro, don't let Vragon go to them!" Amyas shouted, trying to stand in his position to get a punch in to potentially free himself but was easily subdued again.
"No! Stop!" Vragon shouted, stepping forward and reaching out.
Quickly, Ciecro grabbed Vragon, pulling him close as Vragon stared in horror. Ciecro looked back at Amyas, their mere stare suffice for their conversation. He saw Amyas nod and he braced himself for whatever was about to happen. "Let 'im go!" Ciecro exclaimed, praying the Gallade's eyes wouldn't glow.
"Or what?" Siegfried said arrogantly, pushing harder on the arm. However, that irritated glare shifted to wide-eyed shock. He gasped as he looked down at Amyas.
Amyas's head was pulled back, eyes shut as he fought through the pain in his arm to drive the blade on his head right into the Gallade's side. "Now!" He screamed as he pulled away, twisting his arm as best he could to remove the pressure.
Ciecro charged up the hill as Amyas pulled with all his might to free his arm.
Siegfried let go, his arms going to his side as his overcoat began to be stained with blood.
Amyas grabbed his arm as he fell backwards and rolled down the hill a little.
"Vray! Coveh 'im!" Ciecro shouted as he rushed around Amyas and roared, thrusting Dragon Claw for the Gallade's face. A Psycho Cut blade was ushered to the Gallade's defense, both pushing hard on each other's arms in a lock. Their eyes were glaring into each other, Ciecro's up at this ancient force for him now bleeding and the Gallade down at the boy who just wouldn't stay down.
"Dyaaa!" Siegfried pushed Ciecro back with a stronger force, lunging at him with the fury of a wounded creature lashing out as a survival response.
The onslaught was overwhelming as Ciecro barely managed to get his Dragon Claws in the way. However, he soon felt a slice on his arm as he misjudged the distance. Focus! He commanded himself as he countered the attacks, avoiding eye contact with the Gallade at all costs.
This counter to the Gallade's uncanny tactic came at a cost of his defensive vision. Ge' some distance! He ordered himself as he clashed with a blow, using it to push off so he could see both arms better now.
Siegfried lunged for him, crossing his arms with a dual Psycho Cut slash of blades that Ciecro raised his Dragon Claw to block. "Ack!" Ciecro could feel the moves digging into his hands, noticing the cracks in his own moves.
Since defense wouldn't last, offense was the go. Ciecro diverted some of his power to Dragon Tail, biding for his chance. As Siegfried did an overhead slice upon him that he parried to the side with a swipe of Dragon Claw, he spun around with his tail, hoping to ward the Gallade away to regroup. Alas, Siegfried didn't jump back but instead jumped over Ciecro nicking him on the shoulder with a cut.
"Ahh!" Ciecro felt the pain in his shoulder as he blocked another slice from the side.
"Pathetic!" Siegfried shouted, his tone like a Flamethrower of his own as he pressed harder down onto Ciecro's guard. The Charmeleon shifted both Dragon Claws to block allowing Siegfried to pull back and swing from the other side, striking Ciecro before he could transfer his defenses and knocking him to the side, slightly off-balance.
Siegfried lunged and Ciecro pressed his feet to the ground. Hit! The boy screamed in his mind as he pushed off, lunging for Ciecro. Horror filled him as the Gallade pivoted and circled his arms around Ciecro's arm, flipping the boy over his body and slamming him to the ground with a harsh thud.
His head cried out in pain, but Ciecro fought through the haziness it caused to open his maw for a last-ditch Flamethrower, but it wasn't fire that came out. It was a yelp of pain as he felt his left shoulder be pierced by the Gallade's Psycho Cut. It came out as quickly as it came and as Ciecro grabbed for the open wound he looked up, seeing the point right over his head.
The breath in his lungs froze as he watched it come down for him. However, the pink light of the incoming death was knocked aside as something new towered over Ciecro. Amyas, whose form came out of that hazy phase form.
"Amyas?" Ciecro said with panted breath as the Commissioner looked down at him, the arm he had seen twisted and broken being the Charmeleon's savior. "Yah're arm."
"You can thank your friend for that," Amyas said, stepping over Ciecro to guard him as the boy rolled over onto his stomach, holding his injury. Ciecro looked down the slope and what he saw brought horror and solemnness to the good news. Vragon was lying on the grass, unconscious, with some blood on a few areas of his body.
He needs medical attention. Ciecro rose to a knee. We hafta end dis now. He raised his head and said, "Amyas, wai-"
"You're hurt Ciecro. I've got it from here-"
"No…" Ciecro got onto his feet, adjusting to the pain in his shoulder. "I can help. 'Is eyes glow when he's tryin' tah read minds. Don' look 'im in deh-" Ciecro was cut off by Siegfried tossing a Psycho Cut right at him, but Amyas stepped in the way, allowing the move striking his body and disintegrate into pink particles that vanished soon after.
Amyas glanced back and smirked. "Go on."
Righ' dat move doesn' affect 'im. Ciecro walked to Amyas's side. "I don' know how it's possible, bu' when 'is eyes glow as he looks at yah, he gets'n idea of wha' yah abou' tah do. Dat's how he knew yah wuz comin'." The look of anger on Siegfried's face made Ciecro smirk.
"I see." Amyas raised his gauntlets into an offensive pose. "Very well. Are you sure you can fight?"
"Wit' yah helpin' me, yeah."
"Alright." Amyas leaned in and whispered, "We take him from different sides and try to avoid looking at his eyes directly. If you see his eyes glow, shout it out and immediately disengage."
"Got it." The Charmeleon started jogging around as Amyas repositioned between Siegfried and the Fraxure. Siegfried's attention was focused on him and once more the eyes started to glow, prompting Ciecro to look away from it. A shiver filled his spine, but much less powerful and likely from his own anxiety about the situation. "Glow," Ciecro said as Amyas nodded.
"Tck, so that's it huh. How truly pathetic." Siegfried looked at his opponents, lowing his hand from his bleeding side.
"What's pathetic is wasting the chances you're given." Amyas crossed his gauntlets. "I don't want to know how many you wasted to be on the path you're on now."
Siegfried sneered at this and raised his blade, leveling it towards Amyas. "Then come, Commissioner of an irrelevant town."
The two charged, with Ciecro jogging closer. We'll suhvive. Jus' don' be stupid an' oveh-extend. He took position uphill at an angle behind Siegfried and took a deep breath, feeling the power building in his throat. He unleashed Flamethrower, forcing both mons to disengage and hop on opposite ends of the move.
Ciecro broke his move early and rushed downhill with Dragon Claw, Siegfried rushed uphill with Psycho Cut. Ciecro pulled to the left and swung his right hand's Dragon Claw high while thrusting for a slice at the side with his newly formed Dragon Tail.
Sadly, Siegfried blocked both, albeit in an upside-down 'V' formation.
Amyas phased once more into Sucker Punch, but Siegfried had glanced back. Immediately, the Gallade pushed hard on Ciecro's right arm, forcing his Dragon Claw to go down, allowing him to cartwheel over the Dragon Tail and escape Amyas's punch from behind.
The Charmeleon pulled back as Amyas engaged head-on. Damnit, dat mon seems tah still 'ave good defense even wit'out dat dirty trick. Ciecro grumbled in his head as he went further uphill to get on the other side again.
Once more an opportunity opened up and Ciecro went for a slice, but it was blocked by a quick slice of a Psycho Cut. Ciecro was about to ram, but the Gallade's eyes glowed and he pulled back. "Glow," he said, prompting Amyas to be more cautious of his advances.
The commissioner and the Red Eye resumed their duel as Ciecro jogged from his spot on the upper hill, peering for another chance. Dis isn' workin'. It's wearin' 'im down, yeah, bu' one mistake. His eyes lowered. How can we end dis? He looked back at the fight, watching their silhouettes clash amid the flame wall background. If I go in, he blocks, makes 'is eyes glow, an' den I hafta fall back. It gets us nowhere. We need tah ovehwelm him. Ciecro looked at his beaten, bloodied, yet ready-to-fight right claw.
Try somethin' differen'. A smirk formed on Ciecro's face. Be impromptu. He charged for Siegfried, going for another slice. Once again, the Gallade moved to block, but this time Ciecro used his Dragon Claws to catch the move. He moved his legs forwards and fell backwards, using the Gallade's extended elbow to ease his fall.
"Ack!" A startled Siegfried exclaimed as the extra way shifted him down.
Ciecro rolled onto his stomach, swiping at Siegfried with a forming Dragon Tail and landing a solid strike on the mon's stomach.
The Gallade stepped back, holding his stomach as Amyas leaped over the Charmeleon and went for a thrust that was successfully blocked.
It worked! Excitement filled Ciecro's soul as his body felt light from joy, drowning out the pain he felt with excitement and anticipation for another strike. But what would he do this time? Siegfried most certainly would expect something now and may just choose to break off.
Ciecro watched Amyas engage the Gallade, seeing the expert blocks and strikes from the back. He slowly got up, keeping his eyes focused on the scene and then inspiration struck. He rushed forwards, stopping right behind Amyas. "Amyas get ready."
"What?" Amyas said, as he pushed Siegfried back from their move lock. "You're supposed to take the other si-
"Trust me," Ciecro said, moving his arms to his sides, opening their palms as he felt the synergy building up in them.
Amyas nodded and began resuming the engagement, with Ciecro staying close behind, mimicking the steps and pushes forwards. He waited in silent anticipation until there it was. The red glow on the other side of Amyas's helmet head.
"Glow. Ooof." Amyas's attempts to step back were cut off by Ciecro stepping forwards and blocking him. The Charmeleon then reached his right claw around the Bisharp's side and fired a small Flamethrower straight ahead.
Siegfried flinched, as the move fired in front.
Ciecro then pushed Amyas aside with his other hand and sliced with Dragon Claw. The distraction worked, for Siegfried couldn't get a good footing for his defense and his Psycho Cut was knocked aside by Ciecro.
Seeing himself exposed, Siegfried used his off-footed state to push back and gain some distance.
"Hup!" Ciecro fell into his strike, diving forwards as he flipped his body into a somersault, feeling power in his tail as the scales of Dragon Tail formed, sharp as ever. He heard the tearing of fabric or skin. He couldn't see which it was, but he could hear the painful cry of the Gallade as his legs hit the ground and he sat up.
A smug grin formed at seeing Siegfried backing up, holding his battered shoulder. The side of the cloak had been torn, exposing the right arm which had small streams of blood flowing down it from the top. Yes! Direct hit!
Ciecro got to his feet as Amyas joined his side, irritation in his statement, "Warn me next time."
I didn' wan' 'im tah-" The Charmeleon stopped, staring in disbelief. His eyes fixated on the shoulder, which he could better see now that he was standing, revealing part of a black birthmark on the outside where the arm and the shoulder linked.
"I understand, but one wrong move-…Ciecro?"
The Charmeleon's dumbfounded look prompted Amyas to see what Ciecro saw. "He…a clans mon?"
Hearing those words made Ciecro's body feel like it wanted to contort. In front of him was a Red Eye and yet…one of those that would be considered his people. A paradox of being in front of him. "Why do-?" was all he said, before a snarl replaced his speech.
But then, he blinked and shook his head slightly. This rage…it felt so odd. After all, this mon was an enemy since they met, he even tried to hurt his friends and brother, and yet this feeling of betrayal was all too real. It didn't make sense and yet it sort of did, neither having an explanation Ciecro could put into words.
"You piece of trash."
Ciecro glared up at Siegfried, his scowl tightening as if it was on the defensive compared to the Gallade's glare. The Gallade walked towards them, holding his injuries as his burning gaze pierced Ciecro, who was unprepared for the incredible shift of expression from this mon.
"Why can't you fucking stay down or die?" The left elbow blade started glowing pink. "You stuttering Norf."
Amyas moved a protective arm in front of Ciecro. This helped ease Ciecro, allowing him to look back at the crest and study it better. I've neveh seen dat one befo'e. So it ain' Norfarion nor Averion. Den which of dah five is it? His thoughts were interrupted by Amyas stepping in front to take a Psycho Cut for Ciecro.
"Thanks."
"No problem. He's one his last winds I bet."
"I'm sure you'd like that, Commissioner." The Gallade snarled as he took his other arm from the wound. "But this is far from done." He slowly moved his bleeding arm up towards his eyes, and both Ciecro and Amyas braced for what new attack was about to come.
"What?" Siegfried stopped, as the sound of an explosion came from beyond the fire.
Ciecro and Amyas glanced back to see something come flying through the fiery wall and land on the grass.
Vex was panting as he pushed himself to his feet. "Siggy we-" He glanced up to see Amyas and Ciecro both rushing towards him with moves activated. "Eeeep!" He phased into the ground and raced past them like a cowardly shadow and came up on the other side next to Siegfried who eyed him with no less anger than he gave to the two of them.
"What the fuck are you doing‽ You're supposed to-"
"We need to go now!" Vex uttered, but Siegfried roared.
"No!"
"You don't under-" Vex stopped as he looked past Ciecro and Amyas, at something above them to be more precise.
Ciecro followed Vex's gaze to see a tidal wave tower over the flames, covering the sky as it ascended over the firewall. On top of this glowing blue wall of synergetic water was Humphry, his arms raised overhead in motion with the wave. "Party's over scum!" Humphry thrust his arms down as the wave began to violently descend upon them.
"Wait! Vray is-" He felt the air leave his lungs as he felt a strong arm wrap around his chest and pull him. The world blurred for a second as he felt a powerful rush of wind around his scales, only for it to stop the millisecond the blurring did. He was on the top of the hill, the great tidal wave in front. Next to him was Amyas, setting Vragon down who he held under his other arm.
Ciecro's eyes widened as he watched the brief second before the tidal wave slammed down upon the two red eyes and the slope of the hill, engulfing the fire into a wall of smoke and sending glowing water all over, some even making it as far as the three on top.
As the water began to settle, the Red Eyes picked themselves up from the water, what was left of Siegfried's cloak was soaked and weighing him down, while Vex was busy spitting out water and making "Blegh" sounds.
Between them was Commissioner Humphry, his fist pushed against the ground as water dripped from his body, the same posture he had before impact.
"You!" Siegfried tried to strike with Leaf Blade but gasped and dropped to a knee, his wounds fighting his attempts to move. His eyes widened at seeing the large Seismitoad rush towards him. He raised his free arm to block, but Humphry instead slammed the ground.
"Huh?" He glanced down, the ground beneath the shallow water contorting as it softened and not from the water. Siegfried got one last gasp in before he was sent flying into the air by way of Mud Shot geyser. "Hit him hard!"
Ciecro looked up to see a group coming in from the air at the Gallade. He saw two rangers and Jaron, one of the rangers being a Mismagius using Telekinesis on the other two.
The Furret ranger twirled in the air as the Mismagius flung him towards the airborne Siegfried, his wide tail becoming engulfed in a metallic coating as it slammed into Siegfried. The Gallade slammed into the hillside, knocking away the shadowy water.
"Jaron!" Humphry shouted as the Croconaw fired Ice Beam at the spot. The water served as a good sealing when frozen, trapping Siegfried's lower half and making him shiver uncontrollably.
"Siggy!" Vex floated and swung his arms, sending Dazzling Gleam towards the group in the air and Humphry. The Seismitoad made an Aqua Ring that absorbed some of the beams, while others grazed his body. Meanwhile, the Mismagius dropped the Furret ranger and Jaron down so she could focus on evasion.
Vex was interrupted as his body started going static. "Ugh…this? Not you again!" Vex snapped.
Ciecro glanced down hill to see Dolly walking towards Vex, her eyes were glowing blue and a smirk formed as what looked like holographic rings of technology appeared around Vex. He looked in horror as they did a sort of scanning motion and then faded. "He's all yours, Jaz." A silvery blur zipped past Dolly, causing splashes of water to be sent up as Vex was knocked to the side.
Jasmine stopped and then surged another Quick Attack, striking Vex in the back. Another blur then came as Vex spat out air at the uppercut from a Grapploct using Feint that sent him flying.
Vex flipped around and flew, making a dart for Siegfried.
Amyas surged Sucker Punch but quickly used his phase speed to get in front of Ciecro, who was about to be struck by a Psycho Cut thrown from the trapped Siegfried.
"Ciecro!" Jaron shouted, distracted by his brother being in danger, that Vex merely had to avoid Humphry's Mud Shot, a task he easily did.
Siegfried slammed his Psycho Cut infused blade to shatter the ice and reached up as Vex flew by and grabbed it, flying off with his ally.
"Get back here!" The Furret ranger shouted as the Mismagius flew in pursuit.
The Grapploct zipped forwards as well using Feint, while Jasmine was stopped before she could by Dolly.
Humphry watched the two rangers pursue the fleeing duo and turned towards Ciecro. "You alright?"
Relief filled Ciecro at seeing Humphry's face. He nodded, but that was unfortunately when his body decided to stop dulling the pain. He grabbed his arm and slithered as Humphry immediately jogged up to him.
Amyas was over Vragon, inspecting the unconscious Fraxure.
"Vray!" Jaron exclaimed, rushing up the hill as Humphry helped Ciecro sit up. The Croconaw dropped to Vragon's side, looking over the unconscious Fraxure with fear of the worst.
Ciecro's eyes looked at his brothers. His mouth shut. There was nothing he could say. All he could do was submit to Humphry's gentle push to get him to lie on his back and rest. He shut his eyes and tensed as Humphry started inspecting his wound. I'm sorry Vray. Yah had tah save my tail instead of me protectin' yah. The lids of his eyes tightened as tears swelled in them from a mix of pain and self-anger. Please be okay…Arceus please let 'im be fine.