Michael:

Jolteon (Nick) – Level 95

Gardevoir (Alicia) – Level 95

Houndoom (Erebus) – Level 94

Walrein (Boreas) – Level 93

Breloom (Ceres) – Level 93

Flygon (Sarah) – Level 93

Liz:

Sylveon (Titania) – Level 92

Ursaring (Artemis) – Level 92

Ampharos (Voltaire) – Level 92

Ninetales (Vixen) – Level 92

Roserade (Lilith) – Level 91

Togekiss (Faye) – Level 91

Chapter 33 - Culling the Grunts - Part 2

The elevator ride was quiet, considering how many deaths had happened since arriving on the island. Michael, however, felt like a weight was building on him. He had expected to be tired by the end of all of this, but he felt tired already. It was like waves of fatigue were hitting him on repeat.

"You're not that good at hiding when you get tired, you know," Liz said. "Seems we're both feeling it."

"It's getting to me, you know? Usually, we dealt with Cipher in an isolated incident, but, here, it's non-stop.

When they got to the next floor, they saw that they were on a higher level of the lava pool, seeing the rivers of molten rock falling off the nearby cliffs. There were also two small bridges that arched over the lava streams. They seemed to be alone, so Michael decided to start looking up at the rock ceiling.

"Alicia, look up toward 11:00," Michael said quietly. "There's a stalactite with an oddly white spot."

Another ceiling ambush? Do these creeps have any better tactics?

"It seems they don't. Can you make her fall to the ground? Just catch her before she hits the rock," Liz said.

I can…but with how they've been eliminating their people left and right, I would say that would end poorly. And she might have a few Shadows. Can't risk losing them.

"Awww, the heroes are actually worried now," a new woman's voice said, startling all three of them. A woman with a glove missing stepped out from behind the elevator. "Well, the sentiment is not shared. Time for you two to die," she said, throwing out two Pokéballs., revealing both a Camerupt and a Weezing. Michael just sighed, feeling like this battle was just how Cipher was wearing him and Liz down mentally.

"Alright, Alicia, Boreas. I trust you two to handle this battle," Michael said. Boreas came out of his ball, looking unbothered by the heat of the lava surrounding him. The woman just scoffed.

"Stone Edge, Camerupt," she said. As if it was straight out of one of Brendan Maple's battles, the Camerupt slammed his foot into the ground. Alicia, however, was the worst opponent on which to try using Brendan's tactics. From under Alicia's feet, three spears of rock shot up. She was quicker on the draw by teleporting out of the way of the attack, then she immediately emulated how her mother handled training battles with Jack, throwing the enemy Camerupt into the air with Psychic. Alicia then flicked her wrist to point at the ground, making Camerupt plummet to the ground. At the same time, Boreas fired a torrent of water at Weezing, the water drenching the poison-type. Weezing shook himself off before firing a blob of toxins directly at Alicia. The Sludge Bomb would likely do a lot of damage if she didn't dodge.

Alicia just rolled her eyes and vanished from sight for a moment before reappearing behind Weezing, using a Psychic, making use of Weezing's weakness to the type. The Poison Gas Pokémon didn't stay floating for another moment, hitting the ground at the same time as the Camerupt. Both of the enemies were out of the fight already.

"Fine. You think you've won? Well I have a surprise for you! Muk, Rapidash, get out here and kill these freaks." The two Pokémon that appeared were a multi-colored blob of toxins, and a gorgeous equine Pokémon with a flaming mane and a long horn on her head. While Michael hadn't anticipated seeing an Alolan Muk, he knew enough about them to know they were Dark-types. He was about to tell Alicia and Boreas their commands when the Shadow Monitor reacted, marking the Rapidash as their next target. "Alicia, you're on snag preparation duty now. Boreas, use Ice Beam on the Muk," Michael said.

Alicia smirked at the order, aiming a Thunder Wave at the Rapidash. The fire horse glanced at it, then leapt to the side nonchalantly before charging forward, his body cloaked in a shadow aura as he charged fast at Boreas. His Shadow Rush attack was hard to avoid, especially with Boreas having limited mobility. So, he elected to use a Protect barrier, blocking the attack.

The Rapidash bounced off the green energy shield, his aura swirling around before dissipating into the air. As he shook himself off, the ball of static struck, coursing through his body and making his skeletal muscles seize randomly. Alicia wasted no more time in throwing a Shadow Ball at Rapidash. As his limbs refused to move on command, the Shadow Pokémon took the attack full-force. Michael already had a snag ready, not letting up on the well-practiced routine for snagging. The Snag Ball flew at the target, an energy hand grabbing the fiery equine and pulling it inside. With a few quick rolls, the ball snapped shut, sealing the snag.

The grunt sneered as she grabbed the last Pokéball she had. "Magcargo. Burn them to death." She sounded like she was getting desperate. "Or I'll be killed too." The Pokémon that came out looked like a magma snail, with a shell of igneous rock formed on its back. Like the previous Pokémon, it triggered a response from the Shadow Monitor.

"Alicia, finish the Muk before the next snag. Boreas, use Ice Beam on Magcargo to get in some damage," Michael said. They moved immediately, a stream of freezing energy, and a Moon Blast crossing the field almost before Michael finished. Neither Muk nor Magcargo could dodge in time, with the former taking a lot of damage. The icy shot hit Magcargo hard, causing the magma Pokémon's body to slow down even more than normal. Michael had his chance now. The ball flew from his hand, the energy hand flying out to grab Magcargo. The fire-type could do nothing as the snag was completed.

With a scowl, the peon just started walking off, dropping her Pokéballs to the floor. "Well, you've killed me. Good work," she said, sounding scathingly sarcastic. The woman then walked over to the cliff nearby, and she took a breath. "Might as well go out on my own terms." Alicia's eyes went wide, and she reached out with Psychic, while Michael and Liz both sprinted towards the woman to stop her, but it was too late. The woman moved like she had been pushed in the back, and she plummeted toward the lava. Alicia was even repeatedly blocked from catching the poor woman before she hit the cooled lava bed below.

Liz recoiled at the sight, moving to the center of the path before sitting with her head in her hands. Even though this wasn't the first time today somebody was killed in front of them, it had reached a breaking point for Liz. "Michael…if we keep going, how many more will die?"

Michael sat beside her, his right arm around her. "I don't know…but we came here to stop Cipher. We aren't killing these people, so don't let them get you thinking we're responsible," he said. His tone, however, betrayed that he was feeling guilty too. Despite their admittance earlier that killing might be unavoidable, they still valued life too much.

Alicia sat with them both. I think we knew coming here that Cipher wasn't going to play fair…I think Greevil is trying to go after our morality to make us quit. They know we don't want to hurt others, so they're removing their pieces in front of us. The more they kill, the more they intend us to feel guilty.

"I hate this so much," Liz said, laying her head against Michaels shoulder. "We need to take a rest soon. The second we're out of the lava fields, we should take a breather."

"Yeah, agreed," Michael said, admitting he felt exhausted already as he helped Liz get up on her feet. The heat mixed with the exertion was getting to him quickly. "We did bring water, right?"

Liz pulled a Beartic-brand filter water bottle. "Yeah, and it should still be cold. If we get desperate, we can-"

I'm not drinking Boreas's water…that's just weird, Alicia said.

"I know, and we shouldn't need to. But who knows how long we'll be near lava," Liz said, taking the first drink from the bottle. Alicia sighed, levitating the bottle over once Liz was done, and taking her own drink. Michael was the last to get it passed to him, much to his chagrin, but the water was cold and refreshing enough to make him not mind.

They continued into the next room in the cavern, finding a metal ramp leading to an elevator. In front of it were two brawny men, each looking directly at the trio. "I guess it's our turn. Time to kill both of you."

The two each sent out their two Pokémon, which seemed to be mirror images of their trainers. One sent out a Medicham and a Golem, the other a Skarmory and a Grumpig.

Michael and Liz both took action, ready to start the next battle. They both sent out their Pokémon to counter their opponents. Aside from snagging a Shadow Hitmonlee and a Shadow Hitmonchan, the battle was underwhelming. And, once again, both of the men were killed by the outside force, which threw them into the lava unceremoniously.

The elevator ride that followed was silent as a tomb, all three enjoying the steadily cooling air as they ascended out of the lava fields. They soon found themselves in a storage area full of cranes that seemed to be positioned like the designer had made a puzzle. Across the way, they saw another elevator, and in the ceiling were what looked like skylights.

"Um…are we supposed to ride these cranes around to find a way to that elevator?" Liz asked.

I think so. And I don't want to tempt fate by floating across since something keeps blocking my telepathy, Alicia said.

"So, we need to just figure out a puzzle? Why does it feel like Cipher is toying with us?" Michael asked, not really waiting for an answer as he went to the first crane.

"Grand Master, perhaps you could explain to me once more why we keep that room in such disrepair?" Eldes asked. "Is there really a function for such a room? Even our own members hate going in there."

"It has slowed the intruders, thus it improved the defense of the Isle. Additionally, those worthy of being above that floor all have access to the faster elevator," Greevil said. "Besides, this isn't meant to be easy. It wouldn't be a deterrent if they just skipped through it like nothing."

"So…you're just exhausting them?" Ardos asked. "Still, this seems a bit silly to me."

"It was Snattle's idea," Greevil said. "Though it is a good stall tactic, I agree that it doesn't have anything more troublesome than being a nuisance. The buffoon still believes I would ever put him in charge of the region after our conquest. I almost pity him."

"Grand Master, you haven't felt anything akin to pity in decades," Ardos said. Eldes scowled a bit as he watched Michael and Liz going through the annoying puzzle of an industrial floor.

It took a full hour for them to get to the next elevator and make their way up to the next level, where they promptly battled through two more Peons. Liz won against one with a Shadow Scyther and a Shadow Chansey, while Michael snagged a Shadow Lickitung. They had made it to the base of the last elevator before the mountain's peaks.

"Ardos, is Snattle in position?" Greevil asked.

"He's standing-by at the lift at the docks," Eldes said.

"Good. Call for him, then be ready for the fool to fail. You will be our first true line of defense. Show no mercy," Greevil said, smirking as he drummed his fingers. However, Eldes noticed a hint of rage breaking through the calm mask. Despite his posturing, Greevil hated to lose, and it was becoming clear that their adversaries were up to the task of stopping the syndicate.

"Are there any instructions you want to add for Snattle?" Ardos asked, looking smug.

Greevil thought for a moment. "This is a gamble, but perhaps it will help to throw them off their rhythm in battle. Have Snattle tell them the truth about their parents."

Ardos's smirk turned cruel. "Yes, Master. It will be done. Then I shall await them upon the bridge while that battle happens. I might take Hanz out in the process," he said.

"Assuming Orison lets you near her," Eldes said. "Be cautious, and think your strategy through. If Cipher is to win, Orison must fall. It's clear he is the stronger of the two."

"Perhaps, but breaking him mentally would serve to ease my victory, would it not?" Ardos countered.

"It could, or it could make him more of a threat. Eliminate him first, then go for the girl," Eldes said.

"I don't care how you eliminate them," Greevil said. "Make sure they don't get to this room."

"Very well," Ardos said, nodding. "Neither of them will cross that bridge. Gorigan is also standing by should the need arise." Ardos left the room then, using his comms to contact Snattle.

"Gorigan…that ape is only good for producing Shadow Pokémon. Like that annoying pink-haired brat, he has served his purpose well enough for me to take my rightful place atop the region…and the world soon after."

Eldes sighed softly. "Grand Master, permission to speak freely?"

"Granted," Greevil said.

"Sir, I fear that going after other regions may need more patience and preparation. I wish to see Cipher rule all, but facing regions where most people are trainers would not be wise. Especially when Brendan Maple, Elio Northstar, and Lucas Drake could enter that mix at any time. Not to mention there's the entirely new development of the Heroes of Truth and Ideals being chosen in Unova for the first time in millenia."

"Yes, I've accounted for the Champions. As for the heroes, there's not much to be done there. We can pick where our assaults start until we have enough Shadow Pokémon to overpower all the Champions and Heroes."

"Sir…the Maples have Primordials, and two alien Pokémon…those alone are more powerful than XD001."

"All the more reason to have them undergo the Shadow Process too," Greevil said. "And, once Orre falls, we shall have our picks of the strongest Pokémon in the region. Nobody would be able to stop us then."

"Sir, with all due respect, don't let your pride destroy Cipher," Eldes said.

"It is not your place to decide what happens to Cipher. But it shall remain for generations."

Eldes bowed and stepped away, deigning to watch the battles unfold on the screen from a distance. Greevil was showing his hardheadedness, and Eldes was silently hoping it would end up being his downfall.

"We made it," Liz said with a slightly relieved sigh as they got to the summit, and she took a seat on a rock nearby, trying to take a breather. Still, none of the three dared to relax fully. They knew their coming battles would likely be increasingly challenging.

"Yeah, but we've only battled Lovrina in terms of their leadership. We still have Snattle and Gorigan…and who knows the strength of Greevil's two guards. But if they're the direct subordinates of Greevil, they're most likely as strong as regional Champions."

Do you still believe we can win? Alicia asked, sounding like she was still trying to cling to hope.

"We can win," Michael's said. "We have to, after all."

As he spoke, the elevator across the way from them activated, seeming to ascend. Standing inside, Michael recognized the man hoping to be Orre's governor, Snattle. The man's outfit still looked like a storm cloud, but his focus was now on Michael and Liz.

"So, the brat has recovered from losing all his skin, has he?" Snattle asked snidely. "Seems you've stuck to your death wish, and brought your girl with you."

"Michael, this one is mine," Liz said with determination. "I won't let him near you."

"If you want him, go for it. Just be ready for Shadow Sky. There's no doubt in my mind he'll use it again," Michael said.

"Hmm…noble of you two. But foolish. Neither of you are getting off this island. Especially since that boat you rode in on has been disabled."

"Funny, but I doubt you or the rest of Cipher could have broken it," Liz said. "Unless you are insulting our work."

"Oh, come now, Miss Hanz. Your boyfriend crushed my work in Phenac City. Surely an eye for an eye is fair to you."

"Your work was holding a city hostage. You think anything other than prison would have followed?" Michael asked.

"My plan was perfect. The only problems were the utterly useless Lovrina and Gorigan…and, of course, you two. And, of course, that hard-nosed woman went ahead and had my worst moment broadcast across the region, all while garnering support for you brats…so, in order to gain Grand Master's forgiveness, and to become Governor of Orre, I must kill both of you."

Liz and Snattle were at the ready. Wordlessly, Snattle sent out a gigantic mech that Michael recognized as a Metagross, as well as a light blue mudfish native to the Johto Region, Quagsire.

Liz took out her two. "Lillith, Vixen, show them your strength. The Roserade and Ninetales got into their battle stances for a moment before Liz nodded at them. The battle had begun.

Thank you all for your patience, even with this shorter chapter. I've been through the ringer lately between repeated shift changes, and a period of 12-hour days for two months. I barely had the time or energy to write.

I know I said that this section was likely to be 3 chapters, but I could not find the motivation to write more cave diving.

Next chapter will start a set of long battle chapters. Can't wait to roll those out.

Finally, I am formally announcing my next project for when I finish this story. I have been working on a novelization of Pokémon Black, titled "A Journey of Gray." I anticipate that I will be posting the first few chapters once this fic is finished.

Until next time ~ jmoul18