Chapter 82: Liberations
Eventually after rushing as fast as we can for a fair bit of time, we finally see the allied camp. Unfortunately just as I feared the camp is already over run, and I see Loweeans who are in a rough shape being slaughtered by the Team Rocket grunts. I also see tents that are already old, dirty and full of holes being trampled on, as the remaining survivors try to hide and a brave few even attempt to engage the enemy.
This demoralises me quite a bit as I feel we have failed to save this camp, and I'm worried this could reduce our chances of capturing the checkpoint. But never the less we need to save who we can, ideally I would have liked to surround the camp and then ambush them that way, but due to time constraints all I can do is pick off the enemy troops in hopes of distracting them, or at least reduce their numbers so we can save what little remains of this camp.
The problem is as we do so and we do manage to wipe out plenty of them, even saving a few Loweean troops in the process, there are still plenty more of them to deal with and none of them notice our presence. What makes this worse is how we see other troops being able to kill our allies in the camp, despite us constantly shooting at them. Yeah it doesn't help with how there are bosses in this camp, but still at least we have the element of surprise though how long will that last?
Eventually they realise that they're being attacked by us in the surrounding trees, and so they then attempt to engage us but unfortunately by this time, all of the Loweeans in the camp are now dead including the ones we have saved a little while before.
As soon as I realise this I order some of my troops to encircle the enemy as best we can, in hopes that we can avenge the camper's deaths. It's not long before they're able to do so and it is then I see the enemy struggling to find cover as they engage us, and many of them die at quite a rapid pace. While it pleases me to see them struggling against us as we haven't lost a single one of our own troops, it does nothing to comfort me regarding the fact that I have failed to save the camp.
It's not long after that before the enemy find themselves not being able to fight effectively due to being surrounded with no cover like us, and they then resort to doing a banzai charge in hopes of finding our location. Of course like always the enemy falls down even quicker than before, and while the bosses prove to be quite difficult to take down even killing a fair amount of our troops, they themselves die soon enough.
With the battle now over we enter the camp to see nothing but dead bodies, bodies of Loweeans who have not been fed, or washed or had a good night's sleep and their clothes are dirty, worn and torn as well as being stained with their blood. I suppose at least their suffering is now over, but it is so sad that we couldn't save them and bring the supplies that they desperately needed. As I see the horror of this camp that has been in poor condition due to lack of supplies and ravaged from the Team Rocket forces, I can't help but worry how many more camps are like this, and how it'll be a long time before this becomes a thing of the past. I feel so guilty of this, that we couldn't save the camp in time. I suppose all that is left is for us to take their bodies in Lastation and preserve them, in hopes that they can be revived. I also hope that we can avenge their deaths when we take the checkpoint, but I have slight concerns whether such an act is possible as I'm unsure of our troop numbers compared to theirs.
I look around some more and the fact I see no camper alive does not help me at all. It is then Uni speaks to me via mind talk, though this does nothing to help my mind or my guilt.
"Are you alright Black?" Uni asks me via mindtalk in hopes of trying to make me feel better, which I appreciate alot.
"I feel terrible Uni. I've failed to save this camp and it pains me to know that none of the campers have survived the attack. Do you know of how the others are getting on and whether they're close to the enemy camp or not?"
"Do not feel so bad, you are not to blame and you did your best to arrive here. The thing is this has happened to a couple of other camps so it's not just you. It's been a mixed bag as we have groups who are completely intact, groups who have lost various amounts of troops, as well as a few who have been wiped out. With regards the camps that our allied groups have dealt with, the success has been mixed with some being saved without incident, some having been involved in combat with the enemy with some casualties, whereas there are a couple who have been massacred from Team Rocket patrols. Though they have yet to move into position, our troops are able to surround the checkpoint at certain areas. As for our troop number however though it's at about 700 to 800, our enemies in the checkpoint are about 5000. We have better quality troops as well as tactics, but with these inferior numbers it'll be difficult to capture and hold the checkpoint. I just hope the remaining allied forces can help to prevent enemy reinforcements from arriving into Viridian Forest. Hopefully later today I'll be able to spare some reinforcements of about a few hundred or so, though by then I have reason to believe the missiles would have passed that checkpoint.
The thing is though, something rather significant has cropped up regarding here as well as both you and White, and we'll need you to board our stealth plane." Uni informs me trying to sound optimistic.
"Sure thing but the thing is if you don't mind what about the troops down here? I assumed I was to lead them or was you planning on getting the troops to assemble and to stay put before me and White return?" I ask Uni via mindtalk sounding quite concerned.
"That is a good point you made there Black. They will in fact be waiting for your return as both you and White are vital in taking the checkpoint. Fortunately this matter should not take long and it should help us out a good amount in Viridian Forest." Uni responds to me.
"Fair enough and who knows maybe this might have something to do with helping to prove Noire's innocence. Tell you what I'll wait and see before I meet you back in the stealth plane." I say to her as I wait for the invisible container to arrive.
It's not long after that before the invisible container reveals itself, as it's door opens up and inside I see White and her forces, only for her troops to come out and regroup with the remaining ones there. Once the troops have left the thing, I then enter inside to join with White as I'm curious to know what this is all about.
As the container is lifted and I'm sat down next to White, various thoughts race through my head as to whether Viridian Forest will eventually be captured and will this war eventually end? I also can't help but thinking about trying to prove that Noire was never evil in that nightmare, and whether this event will help to solve it. It isn't pleasant to know that today could be my last day as a free person, and this isn't the first time for this to have happened either. I suppose what can I do besides face this challenge with White by my side? Will we be successful, will it help? I decide to wait and see while sitting on what feels like comfortable grass.
Eventually after a short while, we're inside the stealth plane and so the container opens up to the interior of the large grand cargo bay, only for us to see Cao Cao, Cai Wenji and Zhenji standing there in the same costumes as before next to some pokemon. For Cao Cao he has Kyogre the blue legendary pokemon which seems to go with him, for Cai Wenji she has Lapras which is a large sea creature which appears very friendly and gentle, resembling a dinosaur which I think could be a plesiosaur. The pokemon is blue with the underside being cream and has a large grey shell on it's back for people to sit and ride on, it has a tail with four large fins as well as a long neck where it has curled up ears and a horn. The pokemon is sat there smiling and considering the size of this thing as well as Kyogre, it amazes me how it fits inside this plane. As for Zhenji she has a pokemon I'm not familiar with, but I know it's significantly smaller than the other two and it appears to be a mammal on four legs with a tail, pointed ears as well as something strange attached to it's forehead, where it looks like some hair with two long strands sticking out. The creature has a small nose and large eyes and is covered in a light blue fur with patches of it being a darker colour. I wonder what the pokemon is called?
Both the pokemons and the Wei officers smile and even if I don't know what Zhenji's pokemon is called, it's nice to see how the pokemon appear to suit their owners well. I can only guess that we are to have a pokemon battle against some Team Rocket grunts. It's interesting but it's logical, Lowee is the birthplace of pokemon just as Nintendo is the only consoles where pokemon is available.
"Ah it's nice to see you again Black and White, I'm pleased you have done well in your campaign in Viridian Forest. I am confident that it will eventually return to our hands." Cao squared says with a smile on his face.
"Indeed it is and while it is nice to see you guys again, I am curious to know what brings you 3 and your Kyogre, Lapras and…." I say with a smile.
"Glaceon." Zhenji answers with a smile.
"That is a good question. We're here because Noire has received a message from a few officers who are apparently serving Team Rocket. Come we will show you the message." The Wei leader answers us.
It is then we are led by them into the briefing room where I see Noire, Blanc and Colonel Hargroves standing there happy to see us only for us all to then sit down around the table, with Hargrove in charge of the projector.
"Ah I appreciate you all for coming here, just recently we have received a message by a few officers who are apparently serving Team Rocket." The colonel informs us before turning the screen on.
It is then I see one man and two women standing next to each other, and standing next to them are pokemon of their own.
The man is rather tall with black eyes and hair which includes a goatee, as well as a couple of strands of hair which spike upwards above his ears, his hair is also tied upwards like a top knot. His body is completely covered in black armour with certain pieces being spiky, in his attempt to look intimidating which doesn't work for me. His black armour is covered in gold in various places on each of the sections of his armour, and on top of his armour he wears what looks like a dark purple cape with a large collar. On his chest plate is the poké ball symbol.
I recognise the armoured man in black instantly. His name is Nobunaga Oda though I'm frustrated with how I don't know where he is from (though this is the case for a lot of people here including myself), but with that said I do know a good amount about him. I know how he was responsible for helping his land to be united and he is the leader of the Oda Clan, but as regards to my thoughts on him they're not really positive. It's odd how I know him to be the Cao Cao of his time, but unlike Cao squared some of his actions weren't justifiable and he was known to be ruthless at times, not to mention I'm not completely sure if he cares about any of the people, which makes me ask the question why unite his land? For me it's not just about uniting the land which me and my allies are trying to do, it's what we'll do for the land that we have and we will have, that's the thing. Then there is also how he wants people to betray him, who would want that? Who would want someone to betray them and stab them in the back?
Still I'm curious to know of why he's here though I am concerned about his pokemon. I have not seen it before and it is a massive creature. It is black with yellow circular markings and long like a snake, with sections around the tail that appear to be heavily armoured. Close to it's head it has two limbs which appear to be arms with claws for hands, and on it's head are four spikes which encircle his body. His eyes are small but it's mouth is huge. Due to the size of this black pokemon I get the feeling that it's a legendary.
To his left is a middle aged woman with pink eyes, red lip stick and what looks like short burgundy hair that is curved. She wears a purple large witches hat with a yellow ribbon and a red flower. She wears some sort of halter neck dress which is dark purple in colour, with a poké ball symbol on her big cleavage which is fortunately covered up. On her dress is what looks like a gold border where at the centre is a lighter shade of purple, though it's still dark and on the dress is a yellow and purple ribbon which is wrapped around her waist. Her dress has an opening at the front of her right leg and on her right leg, she has some sort of snake bracelet which coils around her entire leg. For footwear she wears getas that show her cyan nails. Finally she wears burgundy gloves which cover much of her arms, and wears a white and purple cloth with red ribbon around her arms, and she also wears jewellery consisting of gold earrings and a gold hair piece which is mostly obscured from her hat.
I recognise her to be Noh, Oda's wife and despite clearly trying to dress to impress, I find her to be ever so unattractive and ugly if not hideous. I guess she is supposed to be the counterpart to Zhen Ji, but the thing is while I like Zhen Ji for being loyal to Wei and Cao Pi and being nice to the other Wei ladies, Noh is not someone I'd call loyal. Like her husband she cares not for the innocent and even takes pleasure in toying with people's lives, and is a sadist to a t. I know how she loves to kill for pleasure as well as to make it a misery for people who are close to her. She even boasts of killing her husband and how he tolerates this I have no idea. I despise her, I despise what she represents and to be honest she'd be much better off dead, as this world does not need "females" like her. You know what it would be my pleasure to take her down, and for her to receive what she dishes out.
As for her pokemon it's fairly smaller than her. I don't recognise who it is, but it does intrigue me with what it looks like. It's purple and resembles a ghost. It's head is round and has different features around it's head which resembles a witches hat. The creature has fairly large eyes and a tiny mouth, and it's body consists of what looks like a dress but with no arms or legs, though it does have what appears to be three red orbs on it's chest.
The other woman who stands back a bit I recognise to be Oichi. She is a very attractive young lady with brown eyes and beautiful purple eye shadow, and long brown hair which covers her back, her fringe and is curved at the end. Some of her long hair is tied at the back in two chignons, and she has a rather elegant golden head band with large white ornaments, and tassels on the end of each head band. She wears a large kimono which consists of lots of layers consisting of pink, light blue, white and blue. I can see that the top of her bottom layer is a light blue and on top of it is pink with gold patterns at the edges, white upper arms and blue long sleeves which cover her hands, with which her nails are painted pink. On her white shoulders are 3 golden poke ball emblems formed in a triangle, and on her chest is a large bow which is attached to 2 long ribbons with which one goes around her upper legs, while the other goes over her head defying gravity. On her waist is some cloth which acts as a belt, and attached to it is what looks like some jewellery. For footwear she wears white knee length socks and red getas with pink cloth around her ankles, with a blue bow on top.
It's interesting how Noh I definitely despise, Nobounuga I feel uneasy with him, but with Oichi I have nothing against her, in fact I like Oichi. I know her to be a kind gentle young lady who loves her husbands Nagamasa Azai and Katsuie Shibute, whom I'm pleasantly surprised to remember considering how my memories have worked before, (she was with them both at different times due to circumstances) and she also cared about other people. I have much sympathy for this lady, she would have to face the ordeal of choosing between her husband Azai, and her brother Oda only to then lose her husband, face the ordeal of her brother not being the good person she thought he was, and then have him die only for her to be with Katsuie and yet they both die together due to losing to Hideyoshi, who I knew to have some responsibility for Nagamasa's death. He would then go on to invade another country with a massive force causing a war which lasts a good number of years.
I suppose that's why I find her to be relatable. I have family and I couldn't begin to imagine the grief I'd have if they were to somehow become corrupted, and I would be forced to fight them. I can't begin to imagine the nightmare of Noire being evil and choosing whether to fight Lastation or fight the good, I guess it's the point of the dreams. It's bad enough I had to kill Noire just as Oichi once had to kill her husband, though at least I was able to revive Noire. What makes it bad is how she had few people to support her and she lost despite representing my ideals so to speak, it actually reminds me of the series where Noire was alone with no allies to support her, and she would lose despite me liking what she represented as a person.
As I see Oichi on the screen standing there, and as I see her as a representation of good with how she's kind, gentle, loving and loyal, I can't help but wonder whether she is the key to combatting my brain washing. It would make sense as my brainwashing is about proving Noire is good, and I know Oichi to be good and Noh to be evil.
The thing is I sense that she isn't exactly comfortable being there, I sense her unease and something tells me that she has a yearning to defect but perhaps cannot, no doubt due to the brain washing. Yeah I somehow sense even there that Oichi is the least corrupted of the three, and I only hope that I can save her soon as well as hope that her husbands are both alright, so that she can be happy once again.
Next to her is a pokemon though unlike the other two, I am more than familiar with this one. It's a Wigglytuff. It's quite shorter than Oichi and looks like a pink balloon with small arms, small feet as well as two large blue eyes, two large ears and some fur on it's fore head. It looks rather furry and on a lot of it's body at the front is white fur. It also looks rather friendly as well as soft and huggable.
It is then I hear their message though in a rather distinctive voice as Nobunaga just laughs his head off, while the other two stand there watching.
"How interesting to see Lastation still struggling as well to see Cao Cao still serving Noire, despite not getting any closer to his ambition of ruling all of Gameindustri." The Demon King Nobunaga speaks in a rather odd tone, though he sounds deep he talks like a mature lady who wishes to flirt.
The thing is I notice him speaking in a different language, a language I've heard before though I don't know what it's called unfortunately. I do notice subtitles in my HUD whenever he speaks so I do understand what he says. After hearing him speak I notice Cao Cao's body language showing signs of disgust.
"I realise that I fancied a challenge as well as some fun. I have always been compared to you Cao Cao, and I'd be intrigued to see who has what it takes to rule this land." The Oda leader Nobunaga says only to laugh quite a bit afterwards.
"And so Team Rocket has agreed to a pokemon battle. The rules is to be as follows: myself, Noh, Oichi and two other people of my choice will face you, Cai Wenji, Zhen Ji and two other people of your choice in a pokemon conquest battle. We will face it in the forest on the border between Lastation and Lowee, but there will be no weapons allowed for the humans. If we win then all 5 of you will be forced to join us or be killed, or else Team Rocket and ourselves will declare war on Lastation, but if you win then we will join you. But if you refuse to fight us all together or you choose to bring any weapons or any backup, then we will consider that to be a declaration of war. It wouldn't be wise to choose to declare war against us, not if you're already at war with Leanbox. But still at least we're giving you a fighting chance rather than just defeating you anyway." Mr Oda laughs once again.
"Indeed it would be so boring to just wipe you all out, even though it would be easy for me. There's little pleasure in just killing my prey, it would be fun to prove that I am the best looking and best lady in the land." Noh, Nobunuga's wife added.
After which I then see Zhen Ji give a look of disapproval, while I can tell from Oichi's body language that she disagrees but she knows there's nothing she can do. Suddenly I then see Noh get out a knife before holding her sister in law Oichi at knife point.
"You're lucky that it's impossible for me to kill you, you should show some respect to your betters especially after showing signs of defiance to your dear older brother. Mind you I do get tempted to killling your brother, but the fact that he's too much fun and so complicated proves to me that he is better off alive." Noh says with much intimidation and playfulness.
Oichi then does her best to conceal her body language, as her evil sister in law holsters her knife. That act really disgusts me and it just fills me up with rage and determination, as both Oda and his wife laugh in an evil manner before the message has finished.
Note: Readers please listen to Medal Of Honor Passage to Iraklion while reading this:
"Now the thing is those 3 among with the rest of the guys from Samurai Warriors, used to live in Lastation quite close to where the Dynasty Warriors characters live. They all loved it here but eventually they all became interested with pokemon, and so they moved to Lowee in a new province created by Blanc which would be called Ransei.
Now as you may know the male is Nobunaga Oda while the older one is Noh, and the younger one is Oichi and that Nobunaga is Oichi's older brother while Noh is his wife. The odd thing was that Noh encouraged Nobunaga to move to Planeptune, because of how she wished to help the Planeptune citizens with regards their suffering, while Oichi wished to stay in Lowee and help out in gathering aid for them. The truth was that Noh did so for the exact opposite reason, we would then soon learn from various sources that she has collaborated with the infamous Plutia, and has committed her reign of terror killing and torturing countless victims for her sadistic pleasures, as well as corrupting Nobunaga into slaughtering plenty of Planeptune civilians. Eventually we would have no knowledge of their whereabouts or actions since, and it's only now that we know that they're in Lowee. Our intelligence informs us from our satellites and with the way they're behaving, that Noh is committing evil deeds from her own free will, whereas Nobunaga has been brainwashed severely, and Oichi has very mild brainwash though that's no doubt down to her beliefs and ideals.
Because of this your main mission will be to capture Oichi through means of knocking her out, providing her with the perk a colas and killing her then reviving her, and killing Oda and Noh. We believe that while Oichi's brainwashing is easily cured, Oda's will be stronger so we'll need to find a way of restoring his mind, so he's no longer brainwashed whereas with Noh if she's doing this without being brainwashed, then we cannot allow her to live and she must be punished appropriately.
Though we know that this will be a battle of 5 pokemon against 5 pokemon, and we'll ensure that you Black will be given an Umbreon, and you White will be given an Espeon, we know that even if we honour our end of the deal, we're sure that they won't and we're sure that they'll be armed with various weapons.
Fortunately we'll be able to airdrop in supplies to help you in capturing them, but we cannot afford to drop in any weapons as they'll be sure to declare war. However the area is patrolled by numerous enemy grunts, so be sure to acquire one of their weapons instead. We're able to survey the area so we can be sure to inform you of the enemy activity in the location.
The thing is although we have various theories as to why these guys are doing this, which is either taunting or they might be sent by Neptune in an attempt to taunt Black and White with their brain washing, by using Oichi as bait for them being as how she represents good and the brain washing is about good and evil, we're not exactly sure but we do know that if war is to be avoided with Team Rocket, they must be defeated.
Furthermore we have come to realise that if we're ever to liberate Lowee from Team Rocket, then this will be a golden opportunity for us to be able to capture a significant person. Oichi will do well to fill in that role, she was well liked by her people and renown for her beauty, her kindness and her love for pokemon. If she were to help in the capture of the checkpoint, it would provide so much morale for the Loweeans and restore even more hope in the area.
Be careful everyone, and I wish you all the best of luck in this mission." Hargroves informs us.
"I remember Oichi really well, she once worked for me and was one of our best, helping out in various projects particularly in our environment where she grew all sorts including her favourite flowers, the wisteria which she likes to wear on her hair from time to time." Noire then informs us.
"Indeed. She would then work for me in looking after various pokemon, I too appreciate what she has done, it is sad that she's with the enemy against her own free will though." Blanc adds.
"Yes she needs to come back to us, she has what we look for in our people: kind, caring with desires to help people and to bring love, happiness and beauty to the land. I'm very proud of what she has done. Here is the pokemon you'll be battling with, I wish you the best of luck." Noire says with a smile.
"Same here, good luck my friends and we have some costumes for you as well." Blanc adds with the same expression as Noire as they show us the pokemon.
We then thank him for the briefing and as me and White are given our pokemon and our new clothes, various thoughts race through my mind and perhaps all of our minds. There was a lot to take in but a lot was explained. The story behind the trio being here intrigues me a good amount, and I have plenty of thoughts of making sure we win this challenge, as well as hope that Oichi does in fact have the knowledge behind that event I experienced in my nightmare, or at least saving her will somehow help my brainwashing to go away completely. I understand the logic though as Hargroves suggested, I was told in my nightmare that Noire was evil and if I can deal with this situation, which involves an evil woman who has corrupted a man who is an older brother to a good woman, then perhaps Oichi's goodness and me saving her, perhaps helping her out in her time of need will quell the brainwashing.
But I then realise that it won't be easy defeating 5 enemy bosses without weapons of our own, and what makes this worse is that this event will be inevitable. I just hope that if I can capture Oichi at that time, then maybe perhaps she'll join us then in defeating the other 4. As I think about the capturing and defeating of the bosses, as well as how they won't honour their word, I can't help but wonder whether the pokemon challenge will have any significance with regards to who wins it? Or is it simply a trap used by them to lure us out. But in any case it is best for us to play along like we always have done, when dealing with situations like this.
I guess it could be worse, we have Cai Wenji, Zhen Ji and Cao Cao on our team and our pokemon look pretty strong, and perhaps they'll be able to help us deal with the 5 bosses should they attack us. And if we win and complete our mission, then we'll also have those 3 to help in our fight in Lowee. After thinking I do my best to focus and put my mind on trying to think of a strategy to win, as we look at our pokemon and clothes before we will go to a couple of private rooms, for us to go change before going to the cargo area, ready to be dropped off near the location where we will next do battle: Dynasty Warriors vs Samurai Warriors may the best franchise win.