A/N: Guest appearance by Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII in this chapter.
Chapter 25
"Now just remember to stay on your toes." Said Fin. "You're less likely to get surprised that way!" Hiro's team was in the village of Pelt. They were training the villagers on how to protect themselves from raiders. They'd only been there for 4 days but were already making a difference. When they'd learned Team Rocket was nearby they knew their help would be greatly needed. The villagers were getting better and better at defending their homes.
"I can't thank you enough for everything you've done!" Said the Village Elder. "We may be able to live in peace once those thieves are dealt with."
"Even then, the town won't be totally safe." Said Hiro. "No so long as Ash is in power."
"And we expect you to do everything you can to stop him." Said the Elder.
"I can't wait to prove myself in a battle." Said one of the villagers. "I may have been surprised before but now I'm ready for sure!"
"Look before you leap, Cyrus." Said Alex. "Just when you think you've got everything in control, that's when things turn sour."
"I've been getting better!" Said Cyrus. "I know I'll be able to help my people!" At that moment they heard the sound of a blow horn. The Raiders were coming!
"Looks like you'll get your chance!" Said Katrin. "Everyone, man or woman to your stations! This is not a drill!" Everyone flew into action, readying the town's defenses. They were getting their first real test!
"Everything will be just like we practiced." Said Cyrus. "I'll cover the main gate! Everyone else cover the East and West Entrances." Their planning and preparation really paid off. Using very stiff defensive and offensive tactics, they were able to keep the Raiders out of the village. After being picked off one by one, the remaining raiders ran off. They didn't get far before they were all sliced to pieces by their leader, Sephiroth.
"You stupid bastards!" He said after he'd cut them all up. "You know the rule. No running unless I say so!"
"Sephiroth, these guys are fighting dirty!" Said one of the raiders with him. "I think some punks have been teaching them how to fight!"
"I find that hard to believe." Said Sephiroth, sheathing his Masamune. "Their strongest fighter, Cyrus is no match for me no matter how much training he may have received!"
"Wanna bet on it?" Asked Fin, who had run up the path to meet their leader. With him were Cyrus and Kaylie. "Even if you are stronger than Cyrus, you won't be any match for me!"
"And who might you be?" Asked Sephiroth. "Don't tell me you're one of Team Rocket Jet's surviving lapdogs?"
"Not a chance." Fin replied. "You might even say I had a part in their demise."
"Really, now?" Asked Sephiroth. He was very intrigued. "I had heard The Evil Empire had been brought down by the Legendary Trainer known as Ted Toss."
"You heard right." Fin replied. "I'm his son, Fin. We're here to give Ash Ketchum the boot." Sephiroth laughed at that remark. "What's so funny? I mean aside from the fact that your stooges are now 20 feet behind you?" Sephiroth stopped laughing and turned around. His two minions had slowly started backing away when Fin, Cyrus, and Kaylie approached them.
"You stupid fools!" Sephiroth exclaimed before throwing 2 Kunai at them, nailing them both in the head.
"What did you do that for?" Kaylie asked. "They were actually doing the right thing!"
"In your opinion." Said Sephiroth. "You of all people should know how WRONG it is to defy Team Rocket. This village has yet to sign its loyalty over to TR and that is why we have been coming here."
"Don't tell me YOU'RE one of Team Rocket's lapdogs?" Fin asked in surprise.
"No, way!" Sephiroth replied. "I merely endorse them. Call it patriotism if you want."
"You're just as sick as Ash is!" Fin exclaimed. "And for that, I will destroy you!"
"Let's see what you've got, then!" Said Sephiroth, drawing his blade. He then slashed vertically at Fin. He didn't move fast enough, though. Fin had jumped over him, clearing the attack.
"Not bad." Said Fin after landing. "Another millisecond and I would've lost more than a few locks of hair. Now it's my turn!" He then formed the Energy Blade with one of his hands. After doing that, he slashed horizontally at Sephiroth. The blow cut through Sephiroth's clothes, barely missing his skin.
"You certainly are good yourself!" Said Sephiroth. "Let's keep going, shall we?" With that, the two clashed swords at lightning speed. It was a thrilling sight to behold. It was hard to tell who was beating whom.
"That's...amazing…" Said Cyrus. "I'd never be able to move THAT fast!" The two didn't show any sign of tiring, either. They continued fighting right into the night. It seemed like it would never stop. Finally, it did. Both swordfighters landed on the ground with a soft thud, facing each other. Sephiroth was breathing hard after the marathon duel that seemed to urge more from him.
"You've been doing well." Said Fin. "But now that you're tired out, there's no challenge in you anymore. Why don't you just give up?"
"What, you're not exhausted?" Asked Sephiroth. He was sweating and breathing heavily.
"Of course not!" Said Fin. "I'm half human and half Pikachu. Because of that I don't tire so fast. I can go at it for days on end."
"Damn you!" Said Sephiroth. "Now I know an endurance match is pointless. The next time we meet, It's going to fight hard and fast!" And with that he ran off into the woods.
"That was incredible!" Cyrus exclaimed. "I've never seen anyone fight like you. I hope to one day be as strong as you."
"Keep training and maybe you will." Fin replied. They all returned to the village to celebrate the victory.
"We are truly in your debt!" the Elder exclaimed. "Thanks to you we will have no more trouble dealing with intruders."
"Other raiders may attack this village." Hiro warned. "And we can't stay here forever. We have to meet up with Ted's party in Ecruteak City."
"I think we'll be fine." said Cyrus. "Thanks to the help I've been getting from Fin, I think I'll be able to protect Pelt!"
"That's good to hear." Fin replied. "Pelt will be in good hands, then."
"In that case then, Cyrus should go with you." Said the Elder.
"WHAT?!" Exclaimed Fin and Cyrus at the same time.
"Oh, Cyrus you know its part of the village's custom to send off our most promising youth to become Pokemon Trainers." The Elder replied. "Now that the village's security is guaranteed, you are free to go and see the world."
"I promise I won't let you down." Cyrus said to him. "I'll make sure to do my best to help Hiro and Fin defeat Team Rocket!"
"This won't be an easy journey." Katrin said to him. "There's no telling what may happen out there. Are you sure you want to come?"
"Without a doubt." Cyrus replied. "I'm going to give it my all!"
"Our Dad will be expecting no less." said Fin. as they walked west towards National Park. "And you might want to make sure you make a good impression." Along the way they came to a motel and mini-mall.
"Let's rest here for the night." Said Hiro. "We'll start out for National Park in the morning."
"I think I'll call mom and dad while I have the chance." Said Katrin. "Maybe they've reached Azalea Town by now!"
"Let them know we're halfway to Ecruteak." Said Alex. Katrin dialed the number for Kurt's house in Azalea Town. She knew Ted had a history with the Poke Ball Craftsman. She was surprised when Nautica picked up the phone.
"Hello, Katrin!" Said Nautica. "How's everything been going?"
"We've been doing well." Katrin replied. "We helped out a small village a few days back. We were even joined by one of the villagers, who Fin is training as his pupil."
"That's amazing!" Nautica exclaimed. "It sounds like your team is getting bigger, too. Just today we were joined by Kris. Ted even brought back Zora and freed her from Ash's mind control."
"That's good to hear." Katrin replied. "What about Mom and Monica? Did they have their babies yet?"
"Just this morning." Nautica replied. "Your mom had a girl and Monica had a boy."
"Just wait till I tell Fin!" Katrin exclaimed excitedly. "He's going to be very happy!"
"Nothing wrong with spreading some good news." Nautica replied. "Next time we talk, it'll be in Ecruteak City!"
"Hope to see you there!" Said Katrin before hanging up. She would've told her to make sure she stayed alive so they could meet in person but knew her father would not allow anything to happen to her—Misty DID threaten him, after all! Katrin went off to find everyone else. She found Fin and Hiro talking to someone who looked familiar in the mall.
"...So you see, this here is a VERY fine piece of merchandise." said the guy they were talking to. When She got closer she discovered it was Chalky, the Weapons Maker they'd met on Mt. Moon in Kanto. Apparently he was selling some of his new stuff to them.
"I'll take it, then." Said Fin, picking up a Sword with a yellowish blade. "This Lightning Sword will be of great use to me."
"I am interested in seeing how this Fire Sword works in battle." Said Hiro.
"You won't be disappointed!" Said Chalky. Then he noticed Katrin. "Looks like you and your parents have split up for the time being." He said to her. "Your brother has invested in one of my newer weapons, the Lightning Sword. I finished work on the Sun Sword and I know Ted is gonna want to see it!"
"That's great news." Katrin replied. "Would you happen to have a Shadow or Dark Sword?"
"Funny you should ask!" Said Chalky. "I'm down to my last one. It's called the Lunar Blade. I used rare evolution stones from Sinnoh, Unova and Kalos to make that sword. Unlike the one I gave your brother and dad, that one's lightweight."
"I see." She said as she held the sword. She gasped in surprise when she saw a strange jewel on the sword's pommel. "Wait a second. You made two of these, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but it's a regular-sized Katana." he replied, pointing to the sheathed sword at the end of the table. "I call that one that Mind Masher because it's highly effective against Psychic power. When Katrin approached it, the jewel on the short sword she was holding and the jewel on the katana began glow in response to reach other.
"Let me guess." She said to Chaulky as she held each blade, the jewels on them glowing brightly. "You didn't know these are meant to be together."
"You got me there." he replied, clearly surprised. "This is my first time seeing this. The guy who sold me those orbs said the smaller gem would greatly enhance the powers of a certain pokemon. Sableye if I remember right."
"Oh, it will do a lot more than that." Katrin replied as she started to transform into her Pokemon form. The jewels began to glow brightly and Katrin transformed again. The short sword transformed into a large red shield-shaped gem that protected her entire body. "It would allow a regular Sableye to do at least this much obviously. Since I'm half human, I can do this at will." She then reverted back to her normal Pokemon form and then her human form. "The problem is maintaining that powered up form uses a massive amount of power so I'll only use it if I have to."
"I thought you preferred using Lances and Spears?" Fin asked her.
"I still do but I think it's time to practice using these." She replied as sheathed both blades. After purchasing the Lunar Blade and Mind Masher, Katrin and Fin took turns filling in Chalky on what they'd been up to since Mt. Moon. Chalky was amazed at how they'd been able to bring down The Evil Empire and were now after TR.
"If anyone can beat Ash, I know Ted can." Said Chalky. "I'm headed to Goldenrod next so maybe we'll run into each other!" And with that Chalky headed west towards National Park.
"So, how long do you think we'll be in here?" James asked his son in the Kanto Maximum Security Prison.
"At this rate forever." Jordan replied. The former Imperial Family was awaiting their trial for war crimes. They were in different cells. A fourth cell was occupied by a bomb, unknown to them and the prison guards.
"Do you think Ash has a chance?" Jessie asked James.
"He'd better!" he replied. "Then afterward he can bust us out of here!" Right after saying that, an explosion ripped through the prison. An alarm sounded to alert the guards. The Jet leaders were surprised to see their cell doors swing open. Upon stepping in the hall they were greeted by Rocket Commandos.
"We're here to get you to Johto." One of them said. "If you value your lives, you'll stay close to us and do exactly as we say."
"I knew Ashy Boy would pull though!" James exclaimed with glee. "I can't wait to see Ted's broken hide!"
"Say, what?" The Commando asked with a look of confusion. This split second of a distraction was just enough time for the well-trained guards to get off a shot at the intruders but just not enough to hit the intended target. A bullet whizzed through the air and before it hit its target, the Rocket Commando stepped out of the way, allowing the bullet to hit Jordan square in the chest. It exited from his back and blood from the wound sprayed on Jessie and James. This freaked them silly.
"Shit!" The Lead Commando exclaimed when he realized how grave the wound was. "Ash is not going to be happy with this."
"He's not going to make it." Said another Rocket.
"Listen: Ash said not to leave a body and we're not doing that." Said the Leader. Then he said to Jessie and James "Let's go." Fighting through the prison, they made it to the front gates. All they had to do was clear the wall. The Leader chucked Jordan's body over the wall and then jumped on top. Taking out a Rocket Launcher, he blew up two of the guard towers. He looked down and saw the man he'd left with Jessie and James had been shot dead. Then he gave the order to retreat. He couldn't afford any further casualties. Without saying a word to the former Jet leaders, he cleared the wall and disappeared with the surviving members of his squad.
When Jessie and James realized they weren't going anywhere, they were scared and surrendered peacefully. The Warden was furious Team Rocket had dared anything so brazen on his prison. When Jordan's death had been confirmed It was decided to move Jessie and James to another location. "Ted's not going to be happy to know about this." He said as he picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Provided he's alive, that is…"
End Chapter 25!
Yes, I added the Prison Break mentioned in the original story. You'll find out what will happen to Jordan's body later. Oh and yes, I cameoed Mega Evolution there.