Kriesh glared at the white-haired man on the chair. His demeanor was surprisingly casual for the situation, his eyes alight with mocking mirth as he surveyed the two Trainers and their Pokemon.
"I'm assuming this is the boss you mentioned?" Marcus asked.
Elio nodded, his gaze fixed on Guzma.
"I remember you," said Guzma. "It seems you've already told your friend about me, so I won't bother with introductions. I'll tell you what, though: this is a nice change of pace! It's not every day Trainers come straight to me for a beating!"
"We're here for the Pokemon you've stolen," Marcus said with an air of fake confidence.
"You came all this way just for that, huh?" Guzma snorted. "Can't you just watch out for your own Pokemon and stay out of other people's business?"
"That's not how this works," said Marcus. "You can't steal Pokemon from other people! What's the point, anyway?"
Guzma grinned wickedly. "The point is that it's none of your business," he said. "Tell me, kid, do you really think you've made a wise decision, huh? You think you're smart coming in here? Challenging me?"
Marcus looked to Elio. "From what I've heard, he's beaten you already," said Marcus. "Do you think you can take on the both of us?"
Guzma laughed. "Beaten me?" He looked at Elio scornfully. "Sure, he beat me. Because I brought two Pokemon, and it still took all six of his!"
Marcus glared at Elio, who pointedly didn't look back.
Beside Kriesh, Tsareena sighed. "Kriesh, was it?" she asked. "Guzma's a Bug-type Trainer, from what I know. He has a Golisopod and a Masquerain. If it comes to a fight, you'll need to be aware-"
A sudden knock at the door cut Tsareena off. "Boss!" the voice of a Team Skull Grunt shouted from outside. "Two non-Team Skull Trainers got into Po Town! We don't know where they've gone, but you don't need to worry! We'll handle the situation before they get anywhere near you!"
Guzma heaved a sigh. "Little late for that! Get in here, all of you!"
Kriesh stifled a gulp as the door flew open and a veritable army of Team Skull Grunts quickly stepped through the door. She tensed, but the Grunts simply maneuvered into a circle around Marcus and Elio; Kriesh found herself pressed up against Marcus, Elio, and Tsareena, the four of them standing in a tight circle, completely surrounded.
"Okay," said Tsareena, clearly trying not to panic, "do you have any ideas?"
Kriesh looked to the door just as one of the Grunts slammed it shut. At least a dozen Grunts were standing in the room now, all waiting for instruction from Guzma. "No," Kriesh admitted, helpless fury in her voice.
"Well, we can't just stand here," Tsareena said worriedly. "There's got to be a way out!"
Kriesh breathed in and out, trying to calm her nerves as memories of Team Rocket flashed before her eyes.
Maybe I can take one or two of them out if I can get the jump on them…
"Marcus?" Elio whispered. "You're a Gym Leader! Do something!"
Guzma's ears perked up. "Really?" He rose from his chair, the Team Skull Grunts nearest to him stepping backwards to allow him space. Guzma strode up to Marcus, leering at him. "You're a Gym Leader?"
"Aspiring Gym Leader," said Marcus.
Guzma rose to his full height, a full head taller than Marcus, forcing the younger Trainer to look up at him. The white-haired man grinned. "So…you wanna be a Gym Leader?"
"Yeah." Marcus's voice only held the faintest of quivers.
"And how do you think that's gonna work, huh?" Guzma asked. "You think being one of those is all it's cracked up to be? You think being a Gym Leader is anything special? Here's the thing, kid - I was like you once. I wanted to be a Kahuna. I wanted respect, I wanted prestige, I wanted fame, and most of all, I wanted strength. But Kahunas, Gym Leaders, even the Elite Four and Champion…they're all just titles. See, both Kukui and I recognize that our traditions are flawed and archaic. But he thinks changing to the model of the rest of the UPW is the solution. Look at me: I'm no Kahuna, nor a Gym Leader. I haven't got any official rank. But put me up against anyone on Alola, and I will crush them. Tell me, kid - say you do become that Gym Leader you so desperately want to be. Do you really think that'll make you stronger than me?"
"It's not just about the strength of your Pokemon," Marcus retorted. "It's about your own strength as well. You may be a stronger Trainer. But I doubt you're a stronger person."
Guzma let out a loud, barking laugh. "You're gonna lecture me?" he asked, looking around at the surrounding Grunts. "This kid's gonna lecture me? News flash, kid: I know how being a stronger person works. How do you think I created all of this?"
"Fear," was Marcus's answer. "Or a shared desire to hurt others. Believe me, I've had experience with people like you. Teams like yours. You're just another Team Flare."
Guzma's expression unexpectedly softened slightly. "You're Kalosian? You were at Geosenge, weren't you?"
"You know about Geosenge?"
"Everybody knows about Geosenge," said Guzma. "Kid, I'm not Lysandre. I didn't create Team Skull by lying to them or striking fear into them. Look around you. All these Trainers…you're right in that they came out of a shared desire. But not to hurt others. These Trainers all came out of a desire to make their voices heard. To strike back against the system that failed them in the first place." He raised his voice, pointing to the left. "Look over there!"
Kriesh, following Guzma's finger, saw one of the male Team Skull Grunts detach themselves from the watching crowd and step forwards slightly.
"Jacob here was a Trainer who started off with a Fomantis," said Guzma. "He took that Pokemon into the Water Trial. Totem Araquanid ripped it apart. Literally." Jacob's eyes welled with tears as Guzma continued to speak. "And do you know what Lana said when he begged her to save Fomantis? 'I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do.' She stood there and watched without lifting a finger to help. Because she cared more about enforcing 'tradition' than about saving an innocent Pokemon's life."
Marcus opened his mouth, but Guzma cut him off, pointing to a female Grunt. "And Rapp over there just wanted to beat the entire Island Challenge with a team of Zubats. She actually got really far! Then she ran into Kahuna Olivia, the Rock-type Kahuna. She tried to beat her three times, failed three times, and Olivia summoned the local Trial Captains and had her Zubats taken away. Said she was 'mistreating' them. I knew her. She never laid a harmful finger or said a strong word to those Zubats. She loved them like they were her children, and they loved her in return. But she's never seen them since that day."
Guzma now glared back at Marcus. "Everyone here has their own story. But they've all got one thing in common. The system hurt them, beat them down and beat them down and never let up. And this, this, is the system you want to join? A system that doesn't care about the common folk?"
"It's not that I don't care-" Marcus began.
"Why do you want to be a Gym Leader, huh?" Guzma asked. "What does it give you that you want so badly? Is it just the security? You'd rather sit in your fancy Gym, set for life with your cushy job and all those expensive benefits, and look down on those who aren't as lucky as you? Is that it? Or do you feel like beating down every snot-nosed brat that comes your way, hospitalizing their Pokemon for the crime of not being strong enough to beat you? Or is it just a status symbol to you? A claim to fame, a place in the history books?" Guzma leaned in closer. "People don't want to become a Gym Leader to benefit others. They only want that position to benefit themselves. So you better think twice before you lecture me on who's a 'better person', kid."
Though it clearly took some effort, Marcus narrowed his eyes back at Guzma. "I don't want to become a Gym Leader for any of those reasons," he said. Guzma raised an eyebrow. "You see, I made a promise once. I promised to protect those who couldn't protect themselves, whether they be Trainers or Pokemon. Sure, there's benefits, there's fame, there's the fun of battling. I'm not gonna say no to any of that. But being a Gym Leader gives me influence. It gives me the capability to help more people than I could if I was just an ordinary Trainer. That's why I want the position. You talk to me about how hurtful the system is. I bet you've had a lot of experience with that. But you don't seem to be able to see past the pain and look at the good parts. These traditions have been in place for hundreds of years for a reason."
Guzma scowled. "You know, kid, I kinda liked you. You got some real guts. But in the end you're just another goody-two-shoes who thinks they can change the world. You call yourself a stronger person than me?" He spread his hands wide. "This is what changing the world looks like! So if you really wanna change the world, there's a spot in Team Skull open for you!"
Kriesh snarled in rage, and Marcus clenched his fists. "I'd never join a gang of Pokemon thieves," he growled, but to Kriesh's shock there was a note of hesitation in his voice.
He couldn't seriously be considering Guzma's offer. Could he?
Guzma sighed disgustedly. "And we're back to Pokemon thieves. Seems that my little speech went in one ear and out the other. Tell you what, kid: let's speak in a language you can actually understand. You want these Pokemon back? Take me on in a Pokemon battle. Both of you can battle me, for all I care! Twelve on six, single battles, switches allowed. I could beat you both with three Pokemon each."
"Challenge accepted," said Marcus. "Kriesh, whatever he sends out? Take it down."
About damn time. Kriesh's claws flexed as she moved between Marcus and Guzma. Guzma waved his hand, and the Grunts stepped back, forming a rough medium-sized circle in the center of the room. Marcus glanced at Elio, who looked as if he'd completely shut down; at Marcus's glare he stepped back hurriedly as well.
"Heh," Guzma chuckled. "I'll show you just how outmatched you are! Golisopod! Time for a battle!"
One of the six Pokeballs at Guzma's waist hissed and shot out a burst of red light that materialized into the Golisopod that Tsareena had warned Kriesh of. She knew the species was a Bug/Water-type, originating from Alola, but aside from that didn't know much about them. This Golisopod looked strong and muscular, his posture radiating experience. A single Pokeball, worn and tarnished, dangled from a chain around his neck.
Golisopod sneered at the sight of Kriesh. "I suppose you're gonna be my opponent," he growled. "Try not to go down too quickly, all right? I could use the excitement."
Kriesh glared at Golisopod. "Don't you underestimate me."
Golisopod crouched. "Oh yeah? You want me to not underestimate you?" He narrowed his eyes. "Show me why."
Kriesh and Golisopod moved at the same time, darting at each other swiftly. "Sky Impact!" Kriesh cried, summoning Flying energy around her body.
Golisopod's claws flared with Bug energy. "Shell Pistol." The Bug/Water-type shifted subtly, one foot leaving the ground, and all of a sudden Kriesh's beak met Golisopod's claws. She felt them slam into her beak and stop her charge short, her momentum arrested by the powerful blow. Golisopod's claws felt impossibly tough, not giving an inch against Kriesh's beak.
"Heh." Golisopod raised his other set of claws and slammed them down atop Kriesh's head, driving her face-first into the wooden floor. Kriesh felt blood fill her mouth as Golisopod stepped back. His clawed feet skidded across the ground as he raised his right set of claws and slashed them downwards. "Tempest Slash!" A trail of Water energy followed in the wake of his slash, a trail that remained in midair; as Golisopod completed the movement the aerial blade of Water energy flew towards Kriesh, glinting with terrifying sharpness.
"Steel Wing!" Marcus called.
"Steel Impact!" Kriesh cried, twisting to intercept the flying blade with a Steel energy-clad wing. The Water energy-formed blade broke against the swing; Kriesh twisted towards Golisopod as the Bug/Water-type lunged once again. "Shell Pistol!"
"Sky Impact!" This time Kriesh hurled herself into the air, aiming to fly above Golisopod. Golisopod attempted to adjust, but his claw-strike merely skimmed Kriesh's chest as she flew overhead. Twisting, Kriesh lashed out with her Flying energy-enhanced beak.
"Shell Body."
Golisopod's shell shone with a sheen of energy, and it was as if Kriesh's beak struck solid steel. She recoiled, shaking her head, as Golisopod wheeled around to face her, claws glinting with Bug energy.
He'd left his stomach open. Kriesh charged again, avoiding a slash from Golisopod and sending her beak plunging at Golisopod's stomach-
"Emergency Exit."
-and Kriesh struck empty air as Golisopod dematerialized in a spurt of red light, flowing back into the Pokeball on Guzma's belt. Kriesh landed on the ground, claws scrabbling for a foothold, as Golisopod rematerialized in another burst of red light directly to Kriesh's left.
"Shell Pistol!" Kriesh didn't have time to spin before another brutal claw-strike slammed into her left side and sent her sprawling to the ground.
Emergency Exit...must be some kind of Ability. Can he just transport himself into and out of a Pokeball whenever he feels like it?
"Sniper: Beam Impact!" Kriesh snarled, twisting towards Golisopod as she fired the attack.
"Tempest Dash." Golisopod's clawed foot raised and then struck the ground with what sounded like a rapid-fire series of impacts; a spray of Water energy burst from around his feet as he surged sideways, skidding to a halt right next to Kriesh. The Beam Impact could not curve quickly enough in these cramped conditions; a few Grunts leaped aside as it soared past them and slammed uselessly into the wall behind them.
"Shell Pistol!" Kriesh was hammered to the ground yet again, rolling across the wooden floor as pain exploded across her right side. "Tempest Slash!" More pain ripped into her flank as she drove her claws into the floor and slowly skidded to a halt.
She stood there for a second, gathering herself. She needed to fight smarter. Her anger at Golisopod, at Guzma, at Team Skull in general had been overriding common sense.
"Kriesh, intercept and counter," Marcus ordered.
"Tempest Dash!"
Kriesh twisted to face Golisopod as he lunged towards her, again covering a seemingly impossible distance insanely quickly. His eyes glinted with excitement as he surged forth, claws upraised. "Shell Pistol!"
"Sniper: Beak Impact!"
Kriesh slammed the point of her beak into Golisopod's claws, and once again the attacks held against each other, but this time that was exactly Kriesh's intention. "Barrage Impact!" she snarled, bringing her beak back and slamming it again into Golisopod's claws, again and again and again. Golisopod stumbled under the sudden flurry of attacks, and Kriesh twisted and dove past his outstretched claws, aiming for his stomach once again.
"Shell Body." This time, Golisopod's stomach shone with energy, and once again Kriesh's beak was deflected. Kriesh managed to narrowly avoid a retaliatory slash. Guess that doesn't work. How am I supposed to get past that Shell Body?
"Tempest Dash!" Again Golisopod surged forwards in a burst of Water energy, twisting as he did so to send a swift Shell Pistol at Kriesh;s left side. Kriesh hurled herself to the right, narrowly avoiding the blow. Let's try ranged attacks. "Flurry Impact!" she cried.
"Shell Body!" Again Golisopod simply tanked the attack with a sheen of energy.
"Kriesh!" Tsareena cried from the sidelines. "He can deflect your attacks, but he can't ignore them!"
Easy for you to say. Kriesh only barely dodged another Tempest Slash that took a chunk out of the floor where she'd been standing.
Wait. It was easy for Tsareena to say. Elio's team had beaten this Pokemon.
How had he done it? And what did Tsareena's words mean? Weren't they contradictory?
No, Kriesh realized as she spied Golisopod's legs raising again in preparation for another Tempest Dash. Golisopod could deflect her attacks. But they could still affect him in other ways.
"Tempest Dash! Shell Pistol!"
"Sniper: Beak Impact!"
Again beak and claws clashed, but this time Kriesh didn't even bother with Barrage Impact. Rather, she recoiled and hurled herself below Golisopod's arm, aiming for his spindly legs.
"Emergency Exit!"
"Flurry Impact!" Kriesh seized her chance, remembering how Pursuit worked. Guzma frowned at the sight of a flurry of rays of Dark energy flying after Golisopod into his Pokeball.
Golisopod reappeared at the other end of the arena; Kriesh grinned at the sight of blood dripping from the Bug/Water-type's face. From the look in his eyes, Golisopod knew exactly what Kriesh had been attempting. He could protect his body all he wanted, but Kriesh's attacks still made an impact; no matter how hard his skin was, targeting his legs would definitely unbalance him, spoiling his defense.
"Damn interlopers," Golisopod growled. "Spoiling all the fun…Tempest Slash!"
Kriesh was quick enough to deflect the sudden aerial blade of Water energy with a Steel Impact. Golisopod snarled in rage. "All right, time to finish this. Tempest Step!"
Water energy surged at Golisopod's feet once more, but this time he kicked off the ground and leaped into the air. As he began to descend, he kicked at the air, and to Kriesh's amazement another surge of Water energy sent him flying back up into the air, his back nearly touching the roof as he glared down at Kriesh.
"Tempest Slash!"
"Steel Impact!" Kriesh hurled herself into the air, both wings surrounded with Steel energy, and flew between the descending aerial blades, slicing through both of them with her wings. Golisopod dove down upon her, claws hauled back. "Shell Pistol!"
"Beam Impact!" Kriesh bellowed.
"Emergency Exit!"
Kriesh at once swiveled towards the Pokeball at Guzma's belt, but this time Golisopod didn't dematerialize into it. Rather, the Pokeball around Golisopod's neck flashed as he dematerialized into that; the Pokeball flew right past Kriesh's face, its worn red-and-white exterior glinting in the room's faint light; then it flashed again and Golisopod reappeared about ten feet away from Kriesh. The Beam Impact slammed into the roof as Kriesh twisted to face Golisopod, eyes narrowed.
Of course. That's why he has that thing around his neck...basically can use it for temporary intangibility without changing position. But if I can force him into using Emergency Exit again, I can keep hitting him with Flurry Impact.
I guess it's time for the strongest melee attack I can muster.
Even now, it was difficult. Manifesting Flying and Ground energy, two energies that were the antithesis of each other and should not work together, at the same time was enormously difficult and sapped her of a lot of energy. She'd used it before, as a finishing move when she knew she had the win and felt frustrated enough.
Normally, Beam Impact sufficed, and she preferred that. But this time was different. This time, she'd need everything she had.
"Flying Earth Impact!" Kriesh bellowed, lunging flat out for Golisopod.
"Tempest Step!" Water energy again burst from his feet, arresting Golisopod's descent and sending him flying directly at Kriesh. Golisopod grinned, raising both claws in front of his flying body. Bug and Water energy flowed across them, forming a pair of vicious-looking blades that glinted as Golisopod glared into Kriesh's eyes.
"Twin-Shell Style. Crustacean Clash."
The blades met Kriesh's beak, Bug and Water clashing with Flying and Ground. Pain split Kriesh's beak, but she forced herself to keep pushing, pushing with all her strength against Golisopod's twin blades.
Both gave at the same time, both plunging to the ground, both landing hard on their feet in crouches. Both glared at each other, hostility not spent.
And Kriesh fell to the ground first, chin hitting wood.
Golisopod grinned at the sight of his unconscious foe. "Not gonna lie, that last attack took some effort to counter," he growled, beginning to turn back towards Guzma. "You fought well enough, but-"
Guzma's eyes widened. "Golisopod, look out!"
"Beam Impact!"
Golisopod's eyes widened. "Emer-"
The word was cut off by a startled scream as Kriesh's Beam Impact slammed into Golisopod's side before he could dematerialize or use Shell Body. Team Skull Grunts scattered as Golisopod flew out of the circle and into the opposite wall. Wood cracked under his flying body as he bounced off the wall and landed on the ground with a thud; Kriesh rose, exhausted but awake, a savage grin on her face.
"I figured out your real vulnerability," she growled. "You can't dodge or block an attack you don't see coming."
But as much as she wished that Beam Impact had finished Golisopod, she wasn't all that surprised to see him stir. Golisopod rose, shaking his head to clear it, a snarl emanating from the Bug/Water-type's throat.
"Consider yourself no longer underestimated," Golisopod growled. "Tempest Dash!"
"Sky Impact!" Kriesh screeched, summoning all her remaining energy as she leaped for Golisopod. She didn't know if she could dodge, or even if she could contest this attack. But she wouldn't just keel over and go down.
Golisopod's legs struck the ground, wood crunching under them as he dug himself in. Golisopod reared back, both arms flaring with energy, spread as if he was readying himself to hug Kriesh.
Then he flung them forwards.
"Twin-Shell Style: Bathynomus Barrage."
Impact after impact after impact struck Kriesh, blunting her Sky Impact, slamming into her forehead and her cheeks and her shoulders, pain erupting all across the front of her body as the barrage of strikes hit home. She must have momentarily blacked out, because the next thing she knew she was blinking her eyes open, feeling the wooden floor beneath her body as she beheld Golisopod advancing on her.
"Enough!"
Golisopod stopped at Guzma's cry. The Grunts, Marcus, and Elio looked at Guzma with surprise clear in their expressions.
"Your Fearow's finished," Guzma told Marcus. "Golisopod's still got plenty more left in the tank. I think my point's proven well enough. Aspiring Gym Leader or not…I could beat you into the ground any day of the week."
Marcus swiftly recalled Kriesh back into her Luxury Ball; the cooling gel didn't help to stave off the bitter feeling of defeat. Sure, she'd done damage, but Guzma was right. Golisopod could fairly easily take on another member of Marcus's team with strength to spare.
Guzma recalled Golisopod. "You!" he snapped at a nearby Team Skull Grunt. "Grab the Pokemon. Give 'em back to the kids!"
"Boss?" the Grunt asked, clearly not understanding.
"Now!" Guzma ordered. Looking shaken, the Grunt rushed behind Guzma's chair and hauled out a cage that had been covered by a black tarp. Kriesh could see about half a dozen small Pokemon, shaking and terrified.
Slowly, the Grunt stepped over to Marcus and Elio and handed them the cage.
"You see, kid," Guzma said to Marcus, "Team Skull and Team Flare aren't the same thing. I didn't steal those Pokemon just for kicks. I did it because I wanted that kid here." He pointed to Elio. "Why do you think I had my Grunts steal them from Aether House? I knew that kid and his friends were rooming there. I wanted him here so that I could show him how weak he really was. But it's clear you're stronger than him." Guzma's eyes swiveled to Elio. "You hear that? Think on that before you spread any more stories about 'beating me'."
He turned back towards Marcus. "I'll leave a spot on Team Skull for you if you ever want to reconsider my offer. Now get out of here."
One of the Team Skull Grunts opened the door, and they all stepped aside to clear a path for Marcus and Elio. Neither one of the teenagers wasted any time; they hurried out of the room as fast as possible without breaking into a full sprint, Elio hauling the cage behind him.
Kriesh waited until the door was closed once more, separating Marcus and Elio from the horde of Team Skull Grunts within. Only then did she finally give in to the encroaching darkness and allow herself to slip into unconsciousness.
It took nearly half an hour for Marcus and Elio to lug the cage all the way back to the Aether House, Elio leading the way. Marcus had let out Trevenant to play with and calm down the Pokemon Team Skull had captured, a task which the playful Grass/Ghost-type was more than capable of.
All the while, Medicham watched Kriesh's Luxury Ball with concern. That Golisopod had been absolutely vicious. The question came to Medicham's mind of how she would take on that Golisopod. Aura Avoidance would allow her to avoid those brutal Shell Pistols, and with any luck she could defeat him with speed and a flurry of attacks. Electric Strike would be useful, as would-
-you've always been quite adaptive. Making use of your impressive repertoire of attacks, forming plans on the fly to overcome seemingly impossible odds-
Medicham forced the memory from her mind, barely noticing that she was breathing hard. No more. No more thoughts of Dark - of the Master of the Heralds.
"We're almost here."
Elio's quiet encouragement stirred Medicham from her thoughts. The local Trainer hadn't said much since their departure from Po Town. Neither had Marcus, though Medicham could tell questions were stirring on his lips.
"Why did you tell me you'd defeated Guzma before?"
There it was.
Elio didn't stop walking, but his shoulders noticeably slumped, as if he'd known this was coming and been anticipating it, dreading it. "I…I did beat him," he said. "Two-on-six, like he said. And…I kinda just wanted to believe that that was his whole team. That I was strong enough to beat Team Skull all by myself. I've faced Gladion, I've faced Plumeria, I've taken down Grunt after Grunt…I guess I blinded myself to the possibility that Guzma was actually strong enough to defeat me."
"Why do you need to defeat Team Skull all by yourself?" Marcus asked. "That's what the Kahunas are for. That's what the future Pokemon League is for. Those are the Trainers who are supposed to handle these threats."
"And where were they in Ilima's Trial?" Elio stopped short, whirling to face Marcus. "Where were they on the beach? Where were they when Gladion and Plumeria showed up to fight? Where were they at the Aether House? I've been fighting Team Skull on my own for a month now! Every moment of my life has been training my team, fighting the trials, or fighting Team Skull! And when I finally got a moment of downtime at Aether Paradise, out comes that rock-Tentacruel-thing and I'm fighting that! Sometimes…" Elio sighed, taking a deep breath. "Sometimes it feels like I have to handle everything by myself."
Marcus sighed. "Look, I get that. You heard I was at Geosenge. I…got a lot more involved with Team Flare than I intended." He stopped, unable or unwilling to say anything more.
"I'm Kantonian." Elio's next words were unexpected, to say the least. "I'm from Pallet Town. From what I know, I'd just been born when Red first left. So all my life, I've been pushed to become strong. My mother and I moved to Alola after she and my father split up. She was a friend of Professor Oak's, and he convinced his cousin Samson to help me out. I dunno…I just always felt like I'm supposed to be stronger than the average Trainer." He shook his head. "But it doesn't seem like it."
"Look, Elio," Marcus said seriously, "I saw you fighting those Team Skull Grunts. From what I can tell, your Pokemon are about as strong as mine, and I've placed 16th in a Pokemon League Tournament! Just because you're not as strong as some people doesn't mean you're weak. People like Guzma have had years and years to train their Pokemon."
"Marcus," said Elio, "it's like you said to Guzma. It doesn't matter how strong of a Trainer I am…it just doesn't feel like I'm a very strong person."
Marcus opened his mouth for a rebuttal, but Elio cut him off. "I can see the Aether House. We'd best get these Pokemon back to their owners."
No more words were exchanged between the two Trainers as they together carried the cage through the doors of the Aether House. As they entered, Medicham peered closely through the gap in her Luxury Ball, hoping that she would see the rest of the group all okay.
What she saw, though, was not at all what she'd been expecting.
Connie, Theo, and Serena were sitting with a dark-skinned boy Medicham recognized as Hau in a corner; Hau was clearly barely refraining from sobbing. The Aether House itself was a wreck, detritus strewn everywhere and most of the furniture overturned. The few other people in the room were murmuring among themselves; as Marcus and Elio entered some wary eyes turned towards them, but surprisingly no one immediately rushed over to claim their Pokemon; there were none of the tearful cries that Medicham had expected.
"Hau?" Elio asked. "What's going on?"
Hau raised his head to look mournfully at Elio. "They took Lillie," he said, his voice subdued. "I…I wasn't strong enough to stop them…"
FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLIER
"Cosmog," said Marshadow, "you've barely spoken a word since this morning, and you're leaving Lillie's bag at every opportunity. Are you sure you're all right?"
"i'm fine." Cosmog's speech was short and muffled as he floated in midair, refusing to look away from the white outer wall of the Aether House. "Really."
This was the third time today that Cosmog had snuck out of Lillie's bag. Lillie and Hau were sitting downstairs in the lobby of the Aether House, waiting for Elio to return; the third member of the group had gone off to chase down some Team Skull Grunts who'd stolen some Pokemon from the Trainers in the Aether House. Said Trainers had gone upstairs to call people for rides or just to be by themselves, leaving Hau and Lillie as the only two Trainers in the lobby.
"It doesn't feel that way," said Marshadow. "Cosmog, seriously. It's-"
"why do you care?"
"Because I like you, Cosmog," said Marshadow. "It feels like you're the only one I can talk to. Everyone else would just call me a monster."
"well, now that makes two of us," Cosmog said bitterly.
Marshadow floated up next to Cosmog. "I was a monster for hundreds of years. Just because you made one mistake doesn't mean you're a monster."
"it's not just one mistake," said Cosmog. "i couldn't control what i did. it just happened. what's stopping me from ruining more lives? hurting more beings? what if i hurt you next?"
"Then I'll take it," said Marshadow. "I've spent a thousand years living in fear of my past. Of what could happen should I make a single mistake. I don't want you to have to do the same."
"but what if-"
Cosmog's speech was abruptly cut off as though the connection had been severed midway through transmission. Marshadow looked to Cosmog and realized he was no longer there. But where had he teleported to?
And then Marshadow saw a glimpse of a purple-black body through the window of the Aether House, where Lillie was sitting with Hau, and realized he'd teleported back to his bag.
Marshadow sighed with relief. Maybe he'd be able to stay in there this time instead of trying to sneak out again.
It was then that the doors to the Aether House flew open.
In strode a teenage girl with strange hair that flowed down in four long strands, two pink and two yellow, dressed in a Team Skull uniform. Two Team Skull Grunts stood behind her. None had any Pokemon out, but all three looked immediately towards Hau and Lillie.
Hau stood up quickly. "Plumeria. What do you want? You Grunts already stole Pokemon from here, didn't you?"
"We're not here to steal any more Pokemon," the female Team Skull member said. Her gaze fixated on Lillie. "We're here for the girl. And Cosmog."
The effect was immediate; Lillie blanched, grasping her bag tightly, while Hau's fists clenched. "And what do you know about that?"
"That you'd best get out of our way," said Plumeria. "Look…it's really nothing personal. But we've got a job to do, and not a lot of time to do it."
"Nebby," whispered Lillie, "if you're going to get us out of here…now's the time…"
"i can't." Cosmog sounded absolutely terrified. "i'm trying…but it won't work…"
Lillie gulped, looking back at Hau, who had by now released his entire team onto the floor between himself and the Team Skull members. Decidueye, Vaporeon, Tauros, Alolan Raichu, Noivern, Komala, and Crabrawler all were glaring at their adversaries, awaiting their Trainer's command.
Plumeria sighed and released a single Pokemon of her own. It didn't look like any Pokemon Marshadow had ever seen. It seemed almost like a mishmash of several different Pokemon stuck together. The mysterious Pokemon swiveled its head to look at each of Hau's Pokemon, snarling at each new face.
"Type: Full, they're in our way. Deal with them," Plumeria ordered swiftly.
"Take that thing down!" Hau's face was paler than usual. Marshadow guessed he'd recognized the name, though from where Marshadow couldn't be sure.
"RKS System: Fairy Memory," Type: Full droned. "Multi-Attack."
The blast of Fairy energy that erupted from Type: Full nearly blinded Marshadow. Screams came from within as Hau's team were assailed by the blasts. Marshadow saw the forms of Crabrawler and Noivern thrown against the wall nearby; the Dragon-type slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Iron Head." As the light from the attack cleared, Marshadow could just barely make out Type: Full swinging its metallic beak into Tauros's face, sending the powerful Normal-type Pokemon flying into another wall. Tauros bounced off and fell to the ground, groaning in agony.
From the looks of things, Vaporeon had hung back, deflecting the attack away from Komala and Alolan Raichu with a Protect. But Marshadow couldn't see Decidueye anywhere in the room. Where had-
"Spirit Shackle!" Decidueye popped into existence in a burst of Ghost energy on the other side of the room. Another burst of Ghost energy flew from Decidueye at Type: Full. "Deactivating RKS System," said Type: Full; the highlights adorning its body faded to their normal color, and Decidueye's Spirit Shackle dissipated uselessly against the creature. Undaunted, Decidueye raised his wing - "Quill Barrage!" - and fired a flurry of arrow-shaped quills at Type: Full. At the same time, Vaporeon, Alolan Raichu, and Komala leaped at Type: Full, aiming to take advantage of its moment of vulnerability.
"RKS System: Fire Memory. Multi-Attack."
Vaporeon had to use another Protect to block the wave of Fire energy that roared out from Type: Full in all directions save for the direction of Plumeria and her Grunts. Komala managed to take shelter behind it; Alolan Raichu was not so lucky, his cry of "Surge Surfer!" disappearing in a scream as the flames consumed him. Decidueye's arrow-quills were disintegrated in midair, and the Ghost/Grass-type only barely managed to teleport out of the way. He reappeared right next to Type: Full, clutching a quill in his claws like a blade. "Quill Stab!"
Type: Full spun, catching the blade on one of its horns. "Shadow Ball." Decidueye didn't even have time to react before a roiling sphere of Ghost energy shot from Type: Full's mouth and cannoned into Decidueye's chest. Decidueye tumbled to the ground. "Pursuit." A flurry of Dark-type rays finished him off.
"marshadow!" Cosmog cried. "marshadow, help!"
Marshadow instinctively shrank against the wall. What was he supposed to do? Go in there and reveal himself to everyone in the room? Cosmog's my friend, he mentally protested, but fear gripped him like a giant fist, refusing to let go, and Marshadow could not bring himself to move even as Cosmog's desperate wails pierced his heart.
"Stop!"
Plumeria raised a hand, motioning for Type: Full to halt, as Lillie rose from her seat, keeping a death grip on her bag. "I'll go with you," she said. "Just leave Hau and his team alone."
"Lillie/lillie-" both Hau and Cosmog protested, but Lillie ignored them. Hau's shoulders slumped as Lillie stepped past him and Type: Full and up to Plumeria. "You want me? I'm all yours." Her voice quivered, and Marshadow got the impression she was forcing herself to keep looking into Plumeria's eyes.
"Return." Plumeria recalled Type: Full. The two Grunts stepped forwards, reaching for Lillie's shoulders, but Plumeria glared at them. "Leave her be."
The Grunts stepped back sheepishly, and Plumeria looked at Lillie, smiling with surprising warmth. "Gotta say, I like a girl who's not afraid to stand up for herself," she said. "And for the record…I don't really consider you a Pokemon thief. No matter what they say about you."
"That's all right," said Lillie. "I don't care. Just let's get this over with."
She stepped forwards, and Plumeria and the two Grunts moved to entrap her between them, a triangle of Team Skull members with Lillie in the middle. Marshadow's widened eye peered through the window; he caught one last glimpse of Cosmog's terrified face before the door slammed shut.
Marshadow shrank back against the wall once more, squeezing his eyes shut. So much for friendship. What good is a friend if you're not willing to help them?
I really am a monster.
"I don't believe it," Elio said as Hau finished the tale. "All the attacks, the stealing Pokemon…was it all a plan to lure everyone away so they could kidnap Lillie? Why…what would they want with her? Why would Team Skull kidnap Lillie?"
"The correct question is: who did they kidnap Lillie for?" said Serena. "And I think I've got an idea. We've seen that thing…Type: Full…before, right?"
"Aether Paradise," said Elio.
"Forget that thing," Connie said harshly. "What we need to do is find Team Skull's home base and make them tell us where she is."
"We…kinda already went there," said Marcus. "If they'd taken her there, we would have known."
"Guzma wanted to lure me there," said Elio. "Marcus is right. They wouldn't have taken her to Po Town."
"Then where?" Theo asked.
At that point, the door to the Aether House flew open and a blond-haired male teenager dressed all in black strode through, his gaze flicking around the room before settling on the group in the corner. "Aether Paradise," he said.
"Who's this?" Marcus asked.
"Gladion." Elio stood. "I really don't have time for a battle at present, if that's what you've come here for-"
"I'm not here for a battle," said Gladion. "If Lillie's been kidnapped, she'll be at Aether Paradise. Which means we need to get there right now. The next tour ferry leaves in fifteen minutes, we can get there-"
"Why do you care?" Hau asked.
"Because she's my sister," Gladion answered.
Marcus broke the stunned silence that followed. "I feel like I'm missing something here," he said. "Because I really have no idea what's going on."
"He's a member of Team Skull," said Elio.
"Not anymore," said Gladion. "Now come on, we have to go quickly, or else we'll miss the ferry."
"Okay, hang on." Marcus raised his hands. "Grimsley and Nanu are on the island. Why don't we just alert them to this? If we're headed to Aether Paradise, maybe having a Kahuna or a former Elite Four member with us wouldn't hurt."
"No time," said Gladion. "Let me put it this way: I'm going to Aether Paradise. If you want to sit around and wait for a 'responsible adult' to show up, then fine. It's not like I need you anyway."
"Wait."
The group looked at Elio, who had just stood up from his seat. "I'm coming with you."
"Elio," Marcus said, a tone of warning in his voice.
"Marcus, I remember what we talked about," said Elio. "But this isn't about 'doing everything myself'. This is about me saving a friend. And if I'm given a choice, I'm not going to sit around and let Team Skull and Aether do Arceus knows what to Lillie and Nebby. I'm with you, Gladion."
"So am I." Hau was the next to stand. "I owe it to Lillie, at least. I failed her once. I won't fail her again."
Marcus sighed. "Look…you know that Type: Full is going to be there," he said. "And goodness knows what else. Do you really think you can fight that without help?"
"I know what Type: Full is," said Gladion. "I know how to fight it. Now, I don't know who you are, and to be honest, I really don't care. Just don't try and stop me."
Marcus looked at Connie, Serena, and Theo, all of whom were looking between him and Gladion, their faces unsure. Marcus heaved another long sigh, then turned back towards Gladion, Elio, and Hau. "Well…if you're all seriously going, and I can't stop you…then I'm definitely not letting you go alone."
He looked back at his prospective Gym Trainers. "You coming with me?"
"What kind of Gym Trainers would we be if we didn't?" Theo stood up. "Besides, if you're gonna be facing that thing, you're going to need all the help you can get."
"Fair enough." Connie stood as well.
Serena was quick to follow. "I guess it'll be just like Geosenge," she said. "Hopefully without the crazy murderous Legendary this time."
Medicham sat back in her Luxury Ball and tried to quell the nerves that had suddenly flared up. Just like Geosenge. Memories of explosions, of Hellhound, of Xerneas and Yveltal battling to the death, of Giratina, of Distortion, sinking slowly into the realm as life left her body-
Again Medicham pushed those thoughts away, though it seemed even harder than usual. Just like Geosenge. Medicham felt somewhat sick at the thought that they'd be rushing headlong into another Team Flare-like situation. And this time no Champions or Elite Four members would be around to help them.
This is stupid, she couldn't help but think as the group of seven Trainers began to walk out of the Aether House. The worst part was that she could entirely understand Marcus's decision. She knew that he knew that Elio, Hau, and Gladion alone would never be able to defeat Type: Full, let alone whatever else was in Aether Paradise. And with the timeframe, and the fact that Gladion would never allow himself to be dissuaded, there was no time to call in Grimsley, Nanu, or anyone else, especially since neither Medicham nor Marcus knew where the Hokulani Observatory or the Thrifty Megamart were.
But all the same, Medicham knew that this was a terrible idea. That this could very well result in complete and utter failure. Hopefully not death, Medicham thought, steeling herself for what she knew was coming.
At the very least, she thought, maybe this could help take her mind off Darkrai.
So. Hiatus.
To sum up: next week I have midterms (again), and the week after I'm going on vacation (again). That makes two weeks where I'll either be busy or not have access to my computer. And since this is the end of the Shadows Arc, I've decided to take a break from writing until I'm back from my vacation; this means that the next time I will release a chapter will be March 13th.
I hope you all don't mind this too much. Anyway, thank you all for reading. Once again, please leave a review if you have the time, and I'll see you all on March 13th for the next arc, also known as the Aether Assault Arc!