Chapter 7 - Shadow Pokémon
Lucian finished tying the last rope in place for the Gym. The remodeling was hardly done, but the most important bit - the battle stage - had been finally completed. It was bare bones, but it was his and he was happy with it. Eventually it would need to be painted and decorated with his own style, but he could technically open the gym. It was a great feeling. He wiped some sweat from his brow and took another look at his handiwork. He turned to his Pokémon and nodded. "Good work everyone! Go get a rest, you've earned it." That earned him a few cheers and they scurried on home while he finished locking up. Pangoro stuck around and helped move some of the heavier things.
He looked down at the clock and nodded slowly. It was almost time to meet with Professor Krane. His last message said he would be arriving at the Pokemon Center by sunset. Lucian frowned as his fingers wandered down to the pokeball on his belt. Heracross hadn't stopped fighting him, trying to bash its way out of the Pokéball. It had calmed down the slightest bit, but it wasn't much. Between this mystery and the gym repairs, he hadn't had much time to relax or rest. And his night was about to get longer with whatever research Krane would want to do. With a sluggish pace, the gym leader and his ace wandered down the hill. The shop owner stopped them as they passed. "Hey Lucian, got something for ya."
"Hm, what is it?" The man procured a box of Pokéballs and handed it to Pangoro.
"Found some old stock. Can't technically sell it, so it's between you and the recycling. And before you say anything, I asked Havila and she don't want 'em. So do me a solid and take it." Well, his personal supply of Pokéballs had gotten low. He nodded to the man and smiled.
"Thank you, really. I'll put them to good use." The items were old, yes, but still in decent condition. Pokéballs never really went bad, but the older ones were brittle and easier to break. Something about the material wearing out on the mass produced ones. Specialized Pokéballs could last centuries, and as of now, the Silph Company Master Ball was rumored to be indestructible. Not that he would ever even see one of those in person, let alone touch one. Lucian examined a few of them before giving the box to Dodrio. The bird squawked and sprinted off towards its owner's house with the package whilst Lucian continued his walk.
The distant rumble of thunder and the ominous dark clouds signaled the early arrival of the storm that was supposed to make landfall today. The Gym has been designated the emergency shelter for the port and Old Sun. Not that a little storm like this would warrant it. But then the thunder boomed again. Too close, the storm should still over the ocean. Lucian looked towards the darkened clouds and frowned. The rain began to fall and Pangoro became uneasy. The bear sniffed the air twice and growled like a feral beast. Lucian closed his eyes and listened to the rain as it fell in harsh swathes. It wasn't natural. This was caused by a Pokemon's move or ability. Pangoro stiffened up and took a fighting stance as a massive crack split the air. Lucian clutched his skull in pain as the sound nearly deafened him.
The Pokémon reacted before Lucian realized what had happened. Pangoro caught a massive chunk of debris that had been flung towards the trainer. A ferocious shadow loomed in the distance, its claw digging into the side of one of the newly constructed buildings. Its eyes emitted a lethal yellow glow in the darkness. The flash of lightning illuminated the figure and the human behind it. Pangoro growled deeply and began marching forward. The Pokémon, Feraligatr, stood firm. Its trainer howled over the storm. "It be over, leader. I be sendin ye back home in a bag! Feraligatr - keelhaul 'im!" Its jaw opened, a thick purple haze pouring out and drifting upwards. The storm above them swirled and cracked with energy. Then the rain began to sting. But before he could register that, the Feraligatr was on top of them. Pangoro jumped in to intercept and delivered a wicked punch. The blow cracked a few of Feraligatr's teeth, but the Pokémon didn't flinch.
"Impossible…" Lucian breathed as the water type cocked back and swung a fist of its own. Pangoro let out a hiss and was knocked back a few feet. The follow up attack sent Pangoro flying. Sparks of sinister energy crackled around Feraligatr. Just like Heracross. The bug Pokémon began raging inside its prison at the appearance of the beast.
"I assure ye it be very possible. Don't jus stand there, ye landlubbers! Give t'leader a proper Crossbone's greetin'!" The other trainers threw out their Pokémon and snickered. But that snickering didn't last long as the rain began to harm the gang allies as much as Pangoro.
"Oi boss, the rain is -" The grunt didn't get a chance to finish before a blue tail spun around and sent him flying into a wall. He let out a soft groan, but Feraligatr stomped down onto him. Everyone froze in horror as Feraligatr howled into the savage storm and turned on its own.
"Blast! Feraligatr, cease this!" The First Mate cried out, but Feraligatr was attacking friend and foe alike. The trainer on the ground was still and silent. The sight made the gym leader's stomach churn. Lucian stood and nodded to Pangoro as the chaos began to erupt. The battle under the burning rain had escalated, and Donnelwin stood like a statue. He was completely dumbfounded. He fumbled, but eventually pulled out a Pokéball. "Git back 'ere ye monster!" The red light struck Feraligatr and the Pokémon returned into its ball. But then horror. A faint crackling sound was heard over the harsh rain before the Pokéball exploded. Feraligatr stood at its full height, the awful monsoon gaining strength as the newly-wild Pokémon let out a feral howl.
Pangoro turned to Lucian and grunted. They shared a nod and the trainer took a few steps back. "Stall them, I'll get the mayor and start the evacuation." Lucian darted off towards the mayor's house. Pounding on the door like a madman certainly got his attention. Irena answered the door, Slowpoke protectively laying behind her. There was a flicker of concern on her face before she reigned in her emotions.
"Lucian? What is -"
"Everyone needs to get to shelter. Now." He said breathlessly, his face covered in welts from the rain. Irena was frozen for a moment, trying to process everything. A massive roar rattled the frame of the house and a crack of lightning from a Thunder Punch echoed soon after. "The Crossbones…"
"Oh, so you can't handle them?" Havila said with a smirk. "So it was just luck that -"
"Enough!" Lucian said and pounded on the door again. "Get out. Evacuate the town. I need to get back to Pangoro." He didn't stick around, instead running off towards the next house.
"C'mon, let's go." Irena grabbed her Pokémon and her coat. Havila grit her teeth but followed her family as they ascended the hill. She kept looking over her shoulders, as if expecting to see Lucian colluding with the gang like the last one. But she only saw him helping the people escape from whatever was going on by the new construction. Another roar split the sky and something was launched into the air. It looked human. A shiver ran down her spine. Her mouth dried up. "Come on, Havi - we have to keep moving."
"Mom…are we going to be okay?" She asked, clutching at her mother's coak. She took a few fast breaths and looked up at Irena. "M-mom?" The woman knelt down in the mud and nodded slowly.
"Everything is going to be alright. I promise."
Pangoro delivered a wicked Counter and pushed his opponent back. The Crossbones had scattered, leaving just the two Pokémon and the bodies. The Feraligatr looked no worse for wear, as if it was enjoying this. Donnelwin had long since fled into the night. Pangoro dodged a wicked Shadow Claw and made some distance between them. The gator began to charge up a Hydro Cannon before a Pokéball came flying over at high speed. Lucian called out to his Pokémon. "Pangoro, switch out. Raichu - let's go!" The bear let out a sigh of relief and accepted the retreat. Raichu popped out and snickered. As expected, the Pokéball shattered and Feraligatr was free. "Electric Terrain!" Raichu let out a pulse of electricity, making the field tingle with energy. "Now, Charge Beam!" Raichu shot a blast of energy towards the water type. The super effective blow not only hurt, but increased Raichu's special attack.
Feraligatr countered by attempting to close the distance. Raichu knew better, hopping and sprinting just out of reach. Raichu was fast and hit hard, but so did Feraligatr. If Raichu ever lost the speed advantage or ever got caught in close range, it was over. "Thunder!" Lucian commanded from a safe distance, watching for an opening. Soon enough, it came. Raichu stuck its tail up like a lightning rod and tensed up as the electrical energy shot upwards. The storm overhead rumbled and shook the earth as the lightning gained strength in the air. Raichu dodged another hit and pointed towards Feraligatr with its tail. A small spark dashed from the tip to the other Pokémon's chest before the massive bolt of energy ripped from the sky with a resounding boom. The aim was perfect, and the damage should have crippled the other Pokémon. Raichu looked pleased, but a chunk of debris shot towards it. The Pokémon dodged. Directly into an attack from the still-standing Feraligrt. Lucian didn't even see where Raichu landed. He couldn't look away for a second, because the monster was coming his way.
"Muk, let's go!" The sludge Pokémon landed and watched the approaching Feraligatr. "Hit it with Toxic!" Not that it would be hard. Muk was toxic. Just touching it would be enough to cause severe poisoning. Muk hurled a ball of sludge, and Feraligatr stood its ground. It opened its jaw slowly and the water pressure in its throat began increasing. A Hydro Cannon was coming. "Use Protect!" Lucian ordered before the torrent of water shot forward. Muk was able to raise a shield in time, but then it cracked. And finally, shattered as the water attack overwhelmed Muk. The rain had amplified the attack far beyond what was normal. Muk was down for the count, but at least Feraligatr was poisoned. He just needed to wait it out.
"Pangoro…I'm counting on you!" The bear Pokémon stood tall and roared. It was hurt and exhausted, more exhausted than the last round. But Feraligatr had to be getting tired. Lucian prayed that it was getting tired. "Bulk up!" Pangoro took a deep breath and readied itself. Then the two Pokémon clashed. Pangoro unleashed a Thunder Punch as Feraligatr landed a devastating attack, knocking the wind out of Pangoro once the attacks had collided. The water type winced from the poison, but spun around. Using its tail as a club, it smacked Pangoro into some rubble. Then it pounced. Its massive fangs dug into Pangoro's shoulder and it began a death roll. Both Pokémon were struggling to hold on, and it had devolved into a feral brawl. Both Pokémon punched, clawed, bit and kicked to gain the upper hand. Finally, Feraligatr let go and delivered a full body tackle. Pangoro was sent flying into the nearby rubble, where Feraligatr unleashed another Hydro Cannon.
Pangoro did not rise from the onslaught. Feraligatr stood tall and roared into the sky, declaring its victory. It turned towards Lucian and stomped forward. Blood and ichor dripped from its jaw. The storm picked up. Fear pulsed through his body - how was it still standing?! Was the toxic even affecting it? Only one Pokémon was left. Feraligatr dropped to all fours and broke into a sprint. Against his better judgment, Lucian reached down out of reflex. "Go Heracross."
The Pokéball hadn't even left his hand before it shattered and the bug Pokémon flew into a rage like a Crobat out of Hell. It smashed into the gator and began unleashing a wicked flurry of attacks. It was horrible to witness. Both Pokémon were badly injured and now they were determined to die together. Lucian could do nothing but stand away from the brutality. They had abandoned their sense of reason, and resorted to only using the strange attacks that were only amplified by the burning rain. Taking the moment of reprieve, Lucian returned Muk to its Pokéball and found Raichu. Both of them were badly hurt but stable. Pangoro, on the other hand, was not. It was still breathing, but shallow. "Alright buddy, let's get you back into -" a shriek of agony split the sky. Feraligatr bit down on Heracross. It let out one more agonizing screech before a sickening crunch brought everything to silence. The hulking beast, the murderer, turned and stumbled forward. Pangoro pushed Lucian back and forced itself to its feet.
Both Pokémon glared at each other, clearly beyond their normal limits. Pangoro took a fighting stance and pulled back its fist, electricity dancing across the limb. Feraligatr opened its jaw and marched forward to chomp down. Both let out a battle cry before Pangoro dashed forward and caught it with a brutal Sucker Punch. Feraligatr choked out a whimper of pain before the light in its eyes flickered out to nothingness. The horrible Pokémon dropped to its knees, slumped over on the ground, and lay there in the carnage.
Pangoro followed quickly after and Lucian blacked out.