Shattered Crests Book I Lines Broken

by Emmet Voyance

A simple letter in the hands of a Drapion delivers more than just a message to the family living in the forest. Seliph, a Frogadier that tries his best, Ciecro, the Charmander that wants to be strong like his parents, and Jaron, the loyal Totodile will soon have their world shattered. A twisted smile. Two Red Eyes.

34. Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Discipline (Indomitable)

Ciecro panted softly, his arms outstretched, pointed straight at the Gallade who was busy fighting a three on one against the Marowak, Houndoom, and Seliph.

Slowly, Ciecro's arms lowered as he cursed under his breath. He looks at his claws, dark blue particles of synergy forming, and a precursor to Dragon Claw. I can't get weakened again, He thought, closing them into fists. Bu' I only know Flamethrower for rang- He gasped as a beam of rainbow energy fired from behind, heading for Siegfried.

The Gallade pushed off from his lock with the Marowak and cartwheeled out of the way, surging Psycho Cut and twirling, sending several Psycho Cuts towards the two. The Espeon was readying Psybeam to fire back.

"Too many!" Ciecro quickly grabbed her, making the Espeon squeal as he rushed and dove, avoiding the flurry of Psycho Cuts that soared past.

"Uh…Maybe you were right." The Espeon said, staring at the resulting explosion on the other side of the river.

Ciecro let go of her and stood up, staring back at the fighting going on between Siegfried, Seliph, and the Marowak. Come on, think. Dere's gotta be a way tah help.

"A little help…please."

"Huh?" Ciecro turned and his eyes widened. In front was the Audino from earlier, trying to lift the Klawf off his head. He jogged over and looked at the Klawf's eyes, which were mostly closed followed by some kind of moaning sound from the Klawf. "Wha's wrong with 'im?"

"I think he's either dazed or got a concussion. I think the combination of that Shadow Ball and the heavy fall on his head did something. I can't inspect him while he's like this." The Audino stated, panting as she gently gave up trying to turn him over. "I can't get him over and if he falls on his head it might make whatever injury he has worse."

Ciecro glanced back at the three vs. one fighting for a second. Dey've got dis fo' now. He looked at the Espeon, who was eyeing the fight as well for her next shot, "Hey, can yah help?"

"Uh…I can try." She turned towards the Klawf and closed her eyes. A pink energy covered the Klawf as he started to move upwards. The Espeon's closed eyes squinted as she buckled down on her front legs. "He's heavy, ugh."

"You don't need to levitate him, just tilt him enough so he can fall over with his head upright," The Audino directed.

"Dat won' hurt 'im?" Ciecro asked with a confused brow raise.

"It shouldn't. His head has enough things between it and the impact to make it ineffective."

The Espeon adjusted her strategy and started tilt the Klawf upwards. She had gotten him at about a forty-five-degrees when suddenly she was struck by a Shadow Ball from the side. She hit the building nearby, slumping down on her side.

"No!" Ciecro dove, spinning so he'd be on his back as he slid under. Pushing his arms and legs up, as well as using his tail for support, Ciecro managed to save the Klawf from hitting his head on the ground a second time.

"Help me," Ciecro said, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Audino hit the ground, next to the Espeon. Damnit, no! He suddenly felt the Klawf feel heavier, pushing down on him as his muscles strained.

"How do you like being crushed, huh?" Vex's voice taunted him from above.

Snarling, Ciecro felt his legs struggling to stay up. They were only held up by his tail, which alone wasn't going to be able to last for long not so long as the ghost was pushing down on him. Somebody come, please. He said, taking a few heavy exhales to help with his muscle strain.

"Yeah, bet it feels nice. I'm not supposed to kill you, but- WAAAH!"

Ciecro raised a brow as the weight eased up. He quickly looked at his line of sight, seeing what seemed to be some white light that vanished revealing some Absol feet. Jaz? A second later they sprang up, and the weight became heavier again. "Ugh, Jasmine, get off!" He shouted, doing his best to not give way.

"Huh? Ciecro?" Jasmine hopped off and looked under. "What are you doing under the-"

"Shut dah fuck up an' help me!"

Jasmine crawled under the shell and pushed, giving Ciecro some leeway to readjust himself. The two then pushed up, shifting the groaning Klawf over till he fell upright. The large crab groaned, his eyes flickering between completely closed and slightly opened.

"Where'd dat ghost go?" Ciecro snarled, glancing around. Suddenly, a barrier formed around them as a Shadow Ball struck the Protect.

"Who in the‽" Vex snapped, looking around for the user of Protect.

Ciecro's eyes widened as he realized who it was. He glanced over, seeing the Hitmonchan ranger resting against a wall with his gloved hand stretched out.

"There you are," Vex said, flying in, until he was hit from the side by a Water Pulse and he skidded on the pavement. "Ack!" He held his injured, as he left a trail of ectoplasm from his back. "Fuck…" He looked to see a Wartortle standing on top of the Klawf, his outstretched hands as circles of crystalized mist formed near his fingers. Vex gasped and phased into the ground as an Ice Beam struck the spot where he was.

The Wartortle snickered, hopping down from the Klawf. As he landed, he reached to the side of his head and undid some kind of latch on his helmet. The lower portion, which looked like an air filter for a helmet, loosened and dangled to the side of the black helmet. "You boys alright?" The Wartortle asked as he pulled down a cloth covering his mouth, his deep voice indicating he must be in his late twenties or higher. His eyes were stern and alert under the thin glass vizor. His clothes were a sleeved, light padded overcloak that draped down to the lowest point of his shell with buttons aligned the center, though he had all of them unbuttoned. On the inside were two belts wrapped around his body like an X, both of which held and assortment of items and tools all neatly sorted.

"Uh…yeah." Ciecro quickly jogged over to the Hitmonchan and helped him stand up. "Tanks for dah save."

"No…problem, heh." He looked at the Wartortle who walked over. "About time."

"We were delayed," the Wartortle said, taking the other side of the injured ranger. "The Commissioner set up a perimeter in the North and we had to go around it."

Ciecro's face went serious as he looked North. Dey must still be fightin' dat Red Eye. I hope Tork is... His head lowered as he thought of the last moments in the ranger's station. Suddenly, he jolted as the Wartortle raised his voice.

"Yo, Reagen! Get over here!" The Wartortle shouted as a Swampert hurried from around the Klawf. "We've got some wounded that need transference immediately. Get two others and-"

"Wait, just a second sir." The Swampert gestured back downstreet where the fire was. "We've identified the fire. It's Synergy based."

"Damnit," The Wartortle snarled, pressing a hand on his helmet, the stress showing itself on his eyes.

"It's already gotten into the neighboring building. We need to contain it."

"In that case, you should just take those two," the Ranger said, gesturing his head to the unconscious mons as he looked at the Swampert. "They're in worse shape. And you look strong enough to take them both by yourself."

The Wartortle nodded. "Good plan. Reagen, take the Espeon and Audino to the hospital." He looked at Jasmine. "Kid, can you-"

Jasmine's attention snapped to the right. "Hold that thought!" She hopped and sliced at a Shadow Ball, the remnants bursting around the three males. She landed and readied Psycho Cut in her horn as Vex floated upwards, forming two more.

The ghost looked tired and his wound was still bleeding ectoplasym. He pushed the Shadow Balls together to make a larger one and fired it, but it was destroyed by a combination of Psycho Cut, Ice Beam, and Hydro Pump.

Vex growled, but was caught by surprise at a loud voice shouting to him, "Stop wasting time Vex!"

"Huh?" The ghost glanced back.

"Go after our target. I'll handle these guys." Siegfried ordered, kicking the Marowak away as he blocked Seliph's low strike. He then threw a Psycho Cut with his free hand at the feet of the Houndoom, disrupting her focus.

"By yourself-?"

"Just go!" Siegfried exclaimed, flipping over Seliph and slicing down as the Greninja rolled out of range.

Vex let out a deep sigh and dove into the ground, a barely seeable shadow zipping towards them.

"Get back!" The Wartortle shouted, jogging in front and firing Ice Beam at the ground. Ice formed on the surface, traveling wide and swiftly, forcing Vex to pop back out of the ground.

Jasmine took this chance to throw Psycho Cut and the Swampert also fired Hydro Pump, however, the ghost barrel rolled around their moves and flew phased back into the ground, disappearing over the edge of the dock.

"Jaz! Go after him!"

"Right!" Jasmine sprang to a sprint, leaping on the Klawf's large claw to push off over the body. As she sprang off the head, her body became enveloped in a white synergy light and she raced down the road in pursuit.

"Dang it, I was going to ask her to help." The Wartortle looked back at Ciecro and quickly sized him up. "You'll do." He took an orb from his belt and handed it to him, it was a mix of violet and pink. "Take this Absorbing Mist Orb. I want you to go into that alleyway there and use it. It'll help deter the flames if they do spread in that direction. We'll handle the other sides of the block." He placed it into Ciecro's hand and pointed to the Hitmonchan. "Once you're done, get yourself and him to safety, preferably to a healer-"

"Wait…"

"Huh?" He turned around and saw the Klawf shifting in his spot. His needle like legs began moving around before pushing down to pick up his larger body. "Flames?"

The Wartortle's eyes under his vizor softened with relief at seeing the Klawf get up. "Take it easy, sir. You were passed out earlier."

"Passed out? O…Oh right." His eyes opened wide as he shook his head. "Where is that Gengar? I'm gonna-"

"No." The Wartortle ordered and then looked at Ciecro and the Hitmonchan. "He was injured, right?"

The ranger nodded. "Yep. He took a direct hit to the center of his head with a Shadow Ball."

"Understood." The captain pointed down street. "Sir, if you can walk you should get to the hospital. We'll handle-"

"Wait." The Klawf stammered, lowering his head closer to the Wartortle's smaller body. "I'm alright, really. If you don't want me to fight, then I can at least help with the fire. I know Sandstorm so maybe that can do something, or help evacuate buildings."

The captain rubbed his chin, shaking his head. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, bu-"

"With all due respect Captain." The ranger said with a cough, prompting the Wartortle to focus his narrow gaze at him. "If what your associate said earlier is true, you'll need all the help you can get. You gave us a job, why not him?"

A heavy sigh followed. "Fair point, ranger." He faced the Klawf once more. "Alright. I'll try and find something for you. But first.

He turned towards the two and took out another Absorbing Mist orb. "Let me demonstrate how to use it real quick. Now watch, this is how you open it." Without looking, he twisted the top and causing it to split apart slightly with a technological slit around the middle showing. "This is the standby state. Just push it together to activate the mist expel. If you need to reposition it, don't worry. Just like many other orbs a counterclockwise twist will reverse it to the standby state. There should be enough mist for thirty-minutes' worth of coating. You shouldn't need to adjust the output at all, we don't need three blocks of mist cover, just try to pick a good middle ground in the alley and use it there." He pulled the cloth back over his mouth and nostrils, then pulled the mouth filter of his helmet back into place, latching it with the lock at the sound of a click. He looked back at them through the thing vizor of his helmet. "Got all that?" He asked, his voice muffled by the helmet's filter mouth guard being locked back into place.

Ciecro nodded. "In dah alleyway to slow dah fire's progress. Got it."

"And when you've picked the spot, get out." He said firmly, pressing the orb together causing it to beep. "Let's move." He said to the Klawf as he spun around and walked away, dropping the orb behind as it started shooting out violet-pink mist. Ciecro stepped back with the Hitmonchan as the silhouettes of the Wartortle and the Klawf were engulfed in the violet-pink mist.

Ciecro didn't watch for long, intent on completing his mission and getting out of here. "Come on, lez go." He helped the Hitmonchan and was almost at the entrance of the alleyway, when a stray Psycho Cut hit the wall, causing the two of them to briefly go off balance. "Woah, easy."

The Hitmonchan grunted in pain from the force, taking slow breaths as he started to recuperate. "Sorry, I should have thrown up a-"

"No, it's fine. We're almost-" Ciecro said but was interrupted as someone hit the wall with a pained grunt, remnants of an orange tornado evaporating as it struck the wall. The Marowak slumped, groaning as his body quivered from all the cuts he had received.

Ciecro looked at the fighting, seeing Seliph and the Houndoom falling back to their position. The Houndoom twisted and roared, sending out Embargo chains, but Siegfried started slicing them apart with Leaf Blade.

"Keep those chains up!" Seliph ordered, letting his Night Slash evaporate as he knelt next to the Marowak to inspect the mon's wounds.

"I thought I could get a hit on him." The Marowak answered, wincing as Seliph moved him a little to see the wounds on his back.

Seliph sighed and stood up, holding his wounded side. "Ciecro, I need your help."

Ciecro's eyes widened as he looked at the orb in his hands. "But dose firemons need me tah-"

"Ciecro, we're running out of fighters and you have experience against him and his Spectral Gaze."

Ciecro momentarily blinked. 'Spectral Gaze'? Oh, dat must be dat gift's name. Suddenly, Ciecro felt the ranger shuffle towards the wall. "Hey, wha're yah-"

"You help him." The ranger said, placing both of his hands on the wall and taking a few steady breaths before moving one of his hands to Ciecro, holding it out expecting something. "I'll handle the orb."

"But yahr-" Ciecro paused as his head lowered. He felt it at that moment, his fists clenching as he scowled. I can't beat 'im. Ciecro blinked as he felt the orb wretched from his hands by Seliph who placed it in the ranger's hands. "Hey!"

"Save it." Seliph faced him with an icy glare. "Now male up and help us fight."

Ciecro snarled, his head lowering slightly. He wanted so badly to stand up to his brother, but the shame in the truth that he would be a coward eroded his sternness. Seliph walked past him, not waiting for an answer as he drew a Night Slash sharpened stick and twirled it backhanded. Ciecro joined Seliph at his side, the two brothers watching the Gallade dodge or slice apart the Embargo chains going for him.

"Ciecro, you and me will rush him for quick blows to break his defense. You take lead and knock him off balance. I will follow up. We keep going till he's got an opening for a critical strike to incapacitate."

"Incapacitate?"

"Sadly, I'd rather we not kill him yet." Seliph's eyes grew narrow and dark. He took a calming sigh and glanced back at Ciecro with a less firm, neutral stare. "Do you understand?"

"Yeh."

"Then make sure you do."

Ciecro's eyes lowered and focused on the Night Slash in Seliph's hand and then slowly he nodded. Without a word, Ciecro walked in front. Seliph's words hurt, but he understood why. Now wasn't the time to let things bother him else more mons might get hurt or die because of his mistakes. He spread his arms out and clenched them into fists, feeling the synergy flow through his fists and traveling into his claws. The energy then formed around his fingers, extending into powerful Dragon Claws, which surged with a flaming aesthetic, but the still temperance of a steel encasing.

Seliph stood behind him and whispered. "Lead right, I'll go left. We crisscross once to make it easier to avoid eye contact and tease out a range move from him. If he takes the bait, his defenses won't be as strong when we strike."

The Charmeleon's scowl grew as his body tensed up, ready for battle. I'll break 'is defenses eit'er way, Ciecro thought, snorting as he leaned low, and his legs planting themselves and ready to burst.

"Now." Seliph ordered as the true charged forwards.

Ciecro then altered his path to the right while Seliph went left, their attack causing the Houndoom and Siegfried to cease their clash and focus on the boys. As the two closed the distance, Siegfried surged a Leaf Blade in his right elbow and a Psycho Cut in his left.

Good. Ciecro diverted towards the center. Okay, bai' dah range an' crisscross.

Seeing them racing to the middle once more, Siegfried thrust his arms forwards, vibrating them to make a Vaccuum Wave fly out. However, the two were close enough that the Vacuum Wave couldn't expand enough, allowing enough room for Ciecro to slide underneath it. The Charmeleon heard his brother slide under as well, but before they cleared it, he felt a hand touch his back.

Everything went dark as he suddenly felt still. "Huh?" He looked around, finding himself standing in darkness.

"Ciecro!"

He turned to the direction of Seliph's voice. Ah, so dat's it. He started running towards the voice.

"Ciecro! Answer!"

"Here!" He shouted, picking up the pace. After about two minutes he finally saw Seliph in his view and the two met up. "So, change of plans? He didn't see into my min-"

"He saw into mine."

"What‽" Ciecro said, but Seliph shook his head.

"Relax, it was intended. He'll think you're trying to knock him off balance, but instead you're going to move in from low. That should disrupt his focus long enough for me to get a good blow in. He should be easy to handle with a wound like that."

"Oh, I see. Baitin' 'im" Ciecro's head lowered for a second to think it over. "Bu' wha' if he saw yah're fake out in yah head?"

"I'll handle it. Just carry out your end."

Slowly, Ciecro nodded as he shut his eyes. He felt his body grow heavy, the sound of rushing wind above his head, and the feeling of stones scrapping on his side.

His vision instantly lit up as he cleared the Vacuum Wave and immediately got up and racing in a thin arc towards Siegfried.

Okay, 'ere goes. He lowered his body and dragged his Dragon Claws on the ground as he neared.

Siegfried faced him and readied Psycho Cut.

The Charmeleon did a short hop, pulling back his arm to go for a heavy hit. As Siegfried raised his defenses, Ciecro pulled back his feint and lowered his body as he landed, thrusting upwards instead. "Gah!" He gasped, as Siegfried suddenly broke his guard and angled his left arm so that his Psycho Cut elbow would redirect Ciecro's Dragon Claws away from him.

Ciecro stumbled, now in the path of Seliph. He quickly twisted to try and defend himself from Siegfried's follow up slice, but found himself caught by Seliph's right arm as the Greninja formed a Night Slash sharp stick to block the hit.

"Thunderpunch!" Seliph roared.

Ciecro planted his legs and pushed off, Seliph also pushing on his back with his right arm as Ciecro let the Dragon Claw dematerialize and instead sent a powerful surge of yellow synergy through his closed fists. He swung at the startled Gallade, who pulled back the pressure from Seliph to cross his Psycho Cuts.

A surging sound filled Ciecro's head as his Thunderpunch locked with Psycho Cut, the two synergy types battling it out with physical contact. "Gah!" His eyes widened as he suddenly a shiver throughout his body, a familiar shiver.

He looked at his Thunderpunch, the electricity erupted from his claws and zapped its way into the Psycho Cut. The distant memory of when he stared at a feral Weavile as a child came back and enveloped reality. He saw the flames of Flamethrower break through the cold of Icy Wind just as the electricity tore apart the Psycho Cut and shocked Siegfried's arms. Siegfried broke away, due to a mix of Ciecro's pushing force and his body's instinct to escape the pain, causing him to stagger back and Ciecro to have to catch himself on his hands and knees.

Quickly, Ciecro looked back at the Gallade, just in time to see two Water Shurikens slice at the ankles of the Red Eye.

Siegfried gasped and dropped on his knee, his eyes filling with flustered anger as Seliph then shouted at the Houndoom, "Use Embargo! Now!" as he brought a Night Slash down upon Siegfried, who raised his Leaf Blade to block.

The Gallade glanced left and pushed Seliph back. He turned to slice at the chains once more, but he was too late as the chains wrapped around his arms and torso.

"No!" Siegfried roared, trying to break free, but it was too late. His arms were pinned to his sides and the pain in his ankles made his attempts to stand just result in him falling on his side.

Ciecro stared, the battlefield now filled with silence, save for the running of the river just a few feet ahead. His absent-minded staring was cut off by Seliph walking around him.

Siegfried struggled against his restraints, but stopped once Seliph squatted next to the detained Red Eye.

"You're very good at focusing, except when someone knows what you can do. Then you're easy to catch off guard."

The Gallade snarled and turned his stare towards the pavement, a silent glare in his eyes.

"Now that I have your undivided attention, let me break this down for you. Just like I can get you to focus on the wrong plan." He surged a Night Slash dagger and stabbed the pavement right in front of Siegfried's face, making the Red Eye, Ciecro, and the Houndoom restraining him feel a shiver in their spines. "I can give you enough pain so that all you can focus on is how much it hurts. Now…" Seliph leaned his head in, his tone low and threatening. "Tell me what the Red Eyes want with that Fraxure boy. What is he to your group?"

As Ciecro got to his feet, he felt his body shiver. Perhaps it was him still feeling the effects of Infuzement or maybe it was the tone from Seliph's conversation. He looked forwards and then realized what it was. "Seliph." He said, pointing across the river as the Greninja also looked up.

Across the river, walking down the street to the docks was Trishula. His body was covered with rubble and his claws had a tint of blood on them. His eyes were laser-focused on the group, the gleam in those violent red irises piercing Ciecro's soul the second their gazes met.

"Who is tha-" The Houdoom began but was interrupted as Siegfried angled his foot towards her and vibrated it, sending a quick Vacuum Wave out. She turned to take the hit, but the move wasn't intending to harm her much. It propelled Siegfried back towards the edge as he twisted his body to roll off.

Seliph drew a Night Slash dagger and lunged for him.

Ciecro was about to help, but two Incinerate bolts from the other side struck at the dock, forcing Ciecro to shield his face or risk getting splinters in his eyes. When he looked back, he saw Seliph hunched over, his dagger stuck in the wood about three inches from the edge.

"Damnit!" Siegfried snarled, standing up as his dagger disintegrated into particles.

The trio looked across at Trishula, as he raised his hands above his head, clasped his claws together, and brought them down causing an eruption of dark blue, purple, and red synergy around his body.

"Is it still charging?" Ciecro asked, starting to back away along with the other two.

"Yes. We'll just have to bide our time," Seliph answered, forming Night Slash kunai.

"We need reinforceme-," The Houdoom suggested, but gasped as Trishula leaped from the edge.

"Don't let him cross!" Seliph shouted, throwing his kunai.

Ciecro shout Flamethrower out of his mouth and the Houdoom stomped her front legs, sending Embargo chains out of the dark circle at her feet.

Trishula's eyes narrowed as the three moves closed in. He twisted his body and head, letting the first Kunai fly past his cheek and grabbing the second as he completed his midair spin. He then surged Dragon Claw with his free hand, blocking the Flamethrower while flinging the kunai at the Houdoom.

She gasped, but before it could strike her, Seliph extended his hand and forced his Night Slash kunai to dematerialize. The distraction worked as the chains failed to properly latch onto his arms, allowing him to cut them apart with a second Dragon Claw.

"Get back!" Seliph shouted, as Trishula landed.

The Houdoom immediately sent out Flamethrower and Ciecro was about to join her, until Seliph shouted.

"No doubt!"

Ciecro then noticed as the flames struck Trishula's side. There was a dark aura forming at the area of impact. Payback!

"Fall back now!" Seliph ordered.

Ciecro looked at the alleyway entrance, seeing the injured Marowak still resting there. He rushed to get in the path, surging his Thunderpunch.

"Ciecro don't!" Seliph shouted, but Ciecro crossed his arms and readied as Trishula swung his arms wide, sending blasts of dark synergy outwards that easily cut through the Houdoom's flamethrower.

Ciecro dug in his legs, as two flew past him before the third struck him. He felt his arms be pushed against his chest as his legs buckled, skidding back on the pavement. Pushing against it was like trying to push against a Wailord. Come on! He begged in his mind, twist his guard in an attempt to redirect. With a loud roar, he pushed on the right with all his might and the move broke through, sending him skidding onto his side.

The Marowak moved as much as he could and fell over, as it punctured the wall a mere foot away from where his head used to be.

Ciecro groaned as he sat up. His eyes widened as an Incinerate was flying right for him, but before it could reach him Seliph did a jumping slash to block, the impact hurling him over Ciecro. Thankfully, Seliph was nimble enough to twist and lands on his legs in a low position, using his free hand to slow down his slide.

The Charmeleon held his arm, which had been scraped a bit from the skidding. "Yah a'ight?"

"Focus." Seliph snapped, clearly not happy about having to tank that blow, but his face suddenly went to a widened look of horror.

Ciecro shifted his gaze at the direction Seliph was looking. On the right side, near the fog from that Firemon's orb, lay the Houdoom. She was dazed and trying to get up as Trishula walked over towards her, Dragon Claw at his side.

"No!" Ciecro rushed to his feet. "Leave her alone!"

Trishula raised it as she glanced back, freezing up at the sight of him, but as Trishula brought the move down a barrier formed that saved her from being killed.

Protect? Ciecro stared in stunned silence, until he remember and looked at the alleyway. There was the ranger, leaning against the wall, hand outstretched in the direction of Houdoom. Horror crossed Ciecro's face as a second later, the Hitmonchan was struck in the chest by an Incinerate, hitting the alleyway wall and falling face first flat on the ground.

"No!" Ciecro tried to rush for the ranger, but Seliph moved his hand in front.

"Don't, the Marowak will help him."

Ciecro looked back to see Trishula once more try to slice the Houndoom, but she leaped away. Unfortunately, she didn't clear the distance of Trishula's tail as he spun around, slamming her his tail, knocking her into the fog.

With no other opponents to distract him, Trishula turned and walked towards the pair of brothers.

"Wha' do we do?" Ciecro asked, a knot forming in his chest.

Seliph didn't reply, just kept his blade raised, and his eyes focused on the enemy.

"Are you that beyond reason that you'd throw yours and your brother's lives away to protect a mere sample?" Trishula said, his eyes narrowing as he continued to walk over.

Seliph didn't reply, but just started backing away, Ciecro following him in tandum.

"No answer? Very well then." Trishula raised his claws above his head and clasped them together to use Dragon Dance.

Seliph formed water Shurikens and was about to throw them when suddenly a voice sounded.

"Get back!"

Ciecro looked towards the river along with Seliph and Trishula. A large, cyan glowing wave was forming, which at the pinnacle stood Humphry with Zebzenna on his head.

"You heard him," Seliph answered, letting his move disintegrate and rushing back.

Hope sparked in Ciecro's heart as he raced back too.

Humphry hopped off the top and landed, glancing back as the Surf crashed onto Trishula, flooding that part of the street.

"Wait!" Ciecro look towards the alleyway, but relief filled him as he noticed the two injured mons were floating in the air, a Froslass near them who was using Psychic to lift them up. She was wearing an outfit like the Wartortle's from earlier.

"Commissioner!" On the roof corner of the building the two injured mons were being set down on stood the Wartortle. He cupped his hands over his mouth and said, "We've made some headway on the fire! Are there anymore injured there!"

Zebzenna shook her head as the Wartortle nodded and left the edge. "Alright, so now what?"

"Now, we end this." Humphry punched his fists together.

"And how do you propose we do that?" Seliph said, walking in front. "We need to buy our time for the warp orb. It's got about five minutes remain-"

"No. We can't let that thing keep picking mons off." Humphry angrily croaked as his eyes glared at the dragon standing up from the Surf, the glowing water flowing down his body. "If we just stall he's going to return. We've got to put that thing down. I have a plan." He glanced back at the three.

The Seismitoad's face and shoulders were covered with rubble dust alongside a few cuts and scrapes. The fight from before must have been hard, especially since Zebzenna and Humphry were the only ones here. Ciecro didn't want to think that they were the only survivors and he had to force that thought aside as Humphry ordered.

"Zebzenna, get Ciecro to the other side and you both use your most powerful moves on him from different parts. Seliph, you use Hydro Pump and be at the top of the triangle."

"What are you going to do?" Zebzenna inquired as Humphry jogged for the river.

"I'll approach from above."

"That's your plan?" Seliph said in a sarcastic tone.

Humphry glared at him. "Just do it, you twat. If we hit him from all sides, something is going through. He's not going to slow down unless we get a decisive strike on him" He turned around and started jogging towards the docks, leaving an uneasy Zebzenna and Ciecro, and an unconvinced Seliph.

The three turned around to face the dragon. "I don't like this plan. Even if we pin him, we're just tiring ourselves out," Seliph said, letting his arms hang at his sides.

"At least it'll stall him. Seliph, take this side and keep him busy." In the blink of an eye, she stepped up to Ciecro and swept him off his feet, carrying him wide-eyed in surprise in her arms.

"Hey!" Ciecro protested but was ignored as she rushed forwards, forcing him to hold on.

Seliph grumbled and fired Hydro Pump at Trishula, who shielded himself with an enlarged Dragon Claw.

"Hrm?" Seeing the commissioner rushing from the side, the dragon flicked his wrist over and over, sending Incinerate bolts at them.

"Ciecro, cover us!" Zebzenna shouted.

"R-right!" Ciecro fought his embarrassment and focused. He pointed one claw out and fired Flamethrower, engulfing the dragon's flaming bolts in his larger fire.

Once she arrived at a good spot, she set him down and said, "Keep it up."

Ciecro nodded and stretched his hands out fully, firing Flamethrower at Trishula, who turned his body to block it with another Dragon Claw.

Zebzenna got behind him and started absorbing light. She pulled her hands to her chest and then lowered them to her side as a ball of light formed. With a shout, she fired Solar Beam at him, but despite the two moves keeping him stationary, Trishula quickly spun around and threw up his guards once more. He opened his maw and fired Flamethrower to meet the Solar Beam. It was now three against one in endurance.

Jus' keep it up. Yah've done dis a million times before. He told himself as he ignored the burning in his arms. Jus' imagine dis is endurance practi- He gasped as suddenly a flash of light crossed his vision. He looked around, seeing streaks of glowing water begin to form and orbit his body. Aqua Ring? Humphry? He turned his focus beyond the collision of moves and that's when he saw Humphry's plan.

In the canal was a spiraling pillar of glowing water, rising high with the Seismitoad on top, twirling his right hand to usher the move. His other hand was outstretched to the others, giving the three Aqua Ring.

He's not gonna- Ciecro felt a shiver in his spine as the pillar grew larger and larger.

"He'll be fine."

He blinked, glancing at Zebzenna.

"He's done this before," she stated, grunting a little under the strain of her Solar Beam.

Ciecro nodded and refocused, fighting the burning in his arms. Hopefully, dis helps tire dat mon out at least.

Finally, Humphry's large Surf was ready. He stopped drawing circles above his head with his right arm and instead moved that arm back. He then raised it up and brought it down, the pillar flowing in his motion like a striking snake as it soared down. The top shifted from under Humphry, forming a spike of water as it traveled down.

Ciecro readied his mind and body to be submerged, his tail quivering at the feeling he was about to experience. But suddenly, he heard Trishula roar and raise his head. The Solar Beam struck him, but not before he formed a Draco Meteor above the pinnacle of his temple.

A brief second of dread filled everyone's expressions until an ear-splitting explosion resounded, the repulse of water and force rippling through the three. Ciecro couldn't make up or down as he tumbled in a mixture of water and air, but suddenly he came to an abrupt halt. It didn't hurt too badly, it was like the wall he had struck moved back a little to compensate the momentum. But as his nerves regained their sense, he realized only his lower back was touching this wall.

"You alright?"

Ciecro spat out water as he felt the air travel down his burning throat. He looked at the voice, seeing the Klawf from earlier, holding him above the Surf water with his larger pincer. "Thanks."

Nearby, Zebzenna was being helped up by Embargo chains by the Houndoom from earlier. "You alright, commissioner?" She asked as Zebzenna brushed off some of the lingering Surf water. "I'll be fine if that dragon is finally-" She paused upon looking at the collision point.

Ciecro looked as well and he was equally taken off guard. Trishula was still up but on his knees. He supported himself with one hand while he was taking heavy breathsCiecro's eyes lit up. He's wearin' out?

"Now!" Zebzenna formed Magical Leaf. "Let's finish this!"

The Klawf set Ciecro down, making the Charmeleon jitter as the ankle high water touched his tail. He roared, forming sharp rocks that orbited his body.

Ugh, stupid tail. Ciecro grumbled, brushing the Surf water off the upper root of his tail and raising the flame end out of the water. This distraction made him miss out on joining the other two in firing moves at the prone dragon.

"Wait don't!" Seliph shouted.

"He's using Payback!" Humphry added, but it was too late.

The moves struck Trishula, and a second later, powerful black beams cut through the flurry of water and smoke. The Klawf moved in front but was pelted back, Zebzenna leaped away, but the impact near her was enough to send her tumbling near the synergy fog wall.

Ciecro wasn't spared either, the repulse from the strikes causing him to tumble towards a building and hit the wall with a hard smack. "Ack!" He sank onto his hands and knees, the bruise on his back stinging sharply. He mustered his vigor to look back, seeing Seliph and Humphry engaging Trishula.

He stood up, holding his ribs hoping nothing was cracked. A second later, he felt a searing pain hit him in the chest, knocking him back to the wall and fall flat on his stomach. Ciecro growled from the pain as he held his chest, where now a singe mark resided. Dat…fucker! He managed to get on his knee despite the struggle.

His breathing stilled as he watched the fight again, fear filling his heart as he noticed Seliph was struggling to keep up. The Greninja was wearing down from his wound and after a few strikes, the dragon pulled off a parry without looking and used this opening to whack Seliph hard on the injury spot with his tail.

Seliph tumbled over to the damp dock, holding his back wound as his eyes shut tightly.

It was just Humphry now, who bore a furious look that was only matched by his brutal punches.

Ciecro tried to stand, but his injury made every motion feel like lifting a mountain. As every second passed, Humphry's attacks became less and less effective, the dragon's parries became smoother, his blocks became more efficient, and his counters threw his opponent more off balance.

It didn't take a future seer to notice the tides of the battle were changing. No… Ciecro struggled to his feet and tried to walk forwards, but this just left him vulnerable to a quick incarnate bolt that flew past Humphry. Ciecro quickly leaned to avoid it, but in the process fell on his side, making his inured ribs hurt even more.

"Ciecro!" Humphry exclaimed, before turning back to defend himself. The Seismitoad started backing up, defending himself with his broad arms as the Dragon furiously cut at him. He put some distance and formed Aqua Ring and then punched the ground to shoot up a Mud Shot geyser at Trishula, but the dragon side stepped it and pointed his fingers to shoot Humphry in the chest with a bolt.

The commissioner let out a pained croak as he stepped a few paces back from the impact, but the Aqua Ring was starting to heal his injury. He punched the ground again for a Mud Shot, but Trishula side stepped that one too.

Ciecro trembled. He could see it in Humphry's eyes. The anger that was giving way to despair at a losing battle. "No….hang on." Ciecro fought hard to get up, the world around him losing it's color as he fixated all his attention on the Commissioner.

Humphry roared, spreading his arms as the water from his earlier Surf flowed around the two, rising up, and then coming down upon Trishula, but the dragon raised his claws and shielded himself with Dragon Claw. His maw then opened, blowing out Icinerate upon Humphry, who shielded his face.

"Ack!" Humphry croacked as the flames engulfed him, the Aqua Ring glowing brighter as Humphry supplied it with more power.

Ciecro stumbled in his rush to get to Humphry's side, his haste causing him to lose his balance and fall on the hard pavement. He looked forwards as the flames died down with Humphry's arms sagging and his body marked with char. His Aqua Ring was now just a few droplets orbiting him.

Trishula raised his arms above his head and clasped them, pulling them down as purple synergy danced around his body.

"No, you don't!" Humphry slammed his fist down, but quickly pulled back as the dragon lunged for him with a forming Dragon Claw. The slice cut through, spewing blood from Humphry's chest as the Seismitoad tried to rebalance.

However, the dragon continued his assault. He avoided Humphry's desperate punch and grab the wrist, sticking his Dragon Claw right through it, piercing the blue bump on top of it.

Ciecro's eyes widened as his ears were filled with the horrified roar of Humphry in pain.

But the dragon wasn't done. He used the Dragon Claw to run through the arm to maneuver Humphry's arm up and then raised his foot, pushing down mercilessly on Humphry's knee. There was a cracking sound, as Humphry's pained cries stopped and his eyes widened with a look that seemed almost insane.

Trishula pulled the move out and pulled his foot away as the Seismitoad fell forwards in the puddle of his evaporating Surf water.

Ciecro roared, pushing with all his might as he rushed for Trishula. Electricity streamed into his fists as any pain he experienced motivated him forwards.

However, Trishula merely flicked a bolt of Incinerate that struck Ciecro on the shoulder, knocking him down, not even giving the boy the dignity of eye contact.

Ciecro held his shoulder. Get up! He demanded, but he couldn't beat the pain on sheer determination this time. He rolled on his stomach and looked, the dragon standing over Humphry was raising his claw and forming that dreaded Dragon Claw.

"No stop! Please!" Ciecro begged.

Trishula glanced at him, those cold red irises meeting the desperate orange ones. There was a strange unspoken connection in their locked stare, perhaps due to them being distant cousins from their heritage. However, what little understanding was in the dragon's eye was fleeting as he focused back on Humphry bringing down the fully formed Dragon Claw upon him.

Time stopped for Ciecro. Memory and reality became linked as Trishula's form overlapped with the Electivire's. Those cold, focused red eyes overlapping with the feral depraved glee of the other. But halfway down, the overlap broke as Trishula turned his strike from Humphry's head to his side as a flash of grey light clanked with his Dragon Claw.

Ciecro's eyes followed this grey as it spiraled in the air with quick spins and came to a stop a few feet away. It was an Iron Tail, attached to a- Heliolisk? Ciecro blinked as the figure stood up, giving Trishula a confident smirk.

Their eye contact wasn't for long as Trishula glanced behind and leaped away from a talon aimed at his chest. A large Garchomp stepped between Humphry and Trishula, his white iris eyes stern and focused like Trishula's were.

"In case you weren't aware." The heliolisk said, brushing his shoulder and joining the larger Garchomp. He leaned on the dragon's upper thigh with his elbow and raised his snout slightly. "Murder is kinda illegal in this town. Didn't you read the sign coming in?"

Trishula glared, surging Dragon Claw.

"You sure you've got this?" the Garchomp asked the less than half his size, Heliolisk.

"Yep, just help the others. They should be downstream. Not too far."

The Garchomp nodded and broke position, rushing towards the smoke and passing by the downed Zebzenna and Klawf, both of which were picking themselves up.

Ciecro looked back at the Heliolisk, his eyes widening as he saw on the right shoulder a Norfarion Crest, just like his. His eyes drifted to the Heliolisk's head, seeing a small orange frill on the top that looked like a triangle fin. Swift? He tensed as Swift went low, his tail coating in grey light that shined like metal.

Trishula's eyes narrowed as Swift changed him. He struck to pin Swift to the ground, but the Heliolisk diverted his path with impressive reflexes, forcing Trishula to shield his inner left thigh that Swift dragged his Iron Tail for. Without glancing back, Trishula tried to thwack Swift with his tail, but Swift leaped over it and flipped around to face Trishula, firing Focus Blast. Trishula spun and stabbed the orange sphere, bursting it and engulfing himself in smoke.

The two continued their battle while Ciecro dragged himself up, trying to get to Humphry's side. He stumbled but was grabbed by the Klawf's large pincer again.

"Woah, easy there," he said with concern.

"Let me go!" Ciecro snarled, trying to get out.

"Calm down," Zebzenna said, walking past him to check on Humphry.

Ciecro's eyes quivered in their glare, tears forming as he looked at Humphry's collapsed body, the motions of breathing being slow and shaky. He was in a lot of pain and it tore at Ciecro's soul.

"Easy, Humphry, just take it easy." She said, keeping him up on his side where the punctured arm was. "You're going to be okay."

"How is he?" Seliph asked, walking over while holding his side.

"Bad. We need to get him out of here."

The Klawf walked over, still holding Ciecro in his claw gently. "I can handle that."

Seliph nodded. "Good." He looked at the Houndoom that joined up as well. "Can you form some Embargo chains so we can keep Humphry-" He was interrupted by a blast and the Helioslik backflipping out of the smoke and landing in front of them in a low stance.

"Seliph! Infuse me!" He shouted, haste in his eyes.

Immediately, Seliph lunged for the Heliolisk who pressed his palms together and pulled them apart, forming an electrical charge in them that traveled from finger to finger. As the blue light appeared from Seliph's touch on his head, Swift pointed his fingers outwards as an electrical sphere traveled above the smoke, cackling around like a violent electric storm.

The smoke was cut through my the bolts, revealing Trishula right beneath it, the Parabolic Charge traveling through his body. He tried to step forwards but the intensity was so great it was as if he had become paralyzed inside.

Swift exhaled in the way one does when lifting some heavy. "Okay, that'll hold him for now." He closed his eyes and snarled from the stress on his muscles. "Next time, Seliph, mind not putting your hand there?"

Seliph raised a brow. "I didn't exactly have time to think on that." He said, keeping his head squarely on top of the Heliolisk's head.

"I know, I know." He grumbled something unintelligible before coughing once. "Anyways, planning time. Seliph, how is the orb looking?"

"We've got less than a minute, but he stole Jaron's Wary."

"Wait, he stole it?" Swift's eyes widen as he grunted from the strain in his arms. "I see. Guess I wasn't ever going to get that sneaky hit in then. And from the looks of it." Swift tensed his arms more, surging more synergy into his move to try and keep Trishula down, but the dragon was slowly rising to his feet despite the beating of electricity that coursed through him. "He's also very tanky."

"You can say that again," Zebzenna said with annoyance. "He took all of our strongest moves."

"We need to a new plan to stall. Once the orb is ready, we can wait for an opening."

Ciecro looked back at the dragon. He was still struggling against the electricity, but he was now almost standing up fully on his legs. He's got Wary an' can take whateveh we throw at 'im. How are we supposed tah warp 'im out if he'll expect it? Ciecro's head lowered, but then a thought crossed his mind. "Hey, what if we try blinding him?"

"What do you mean?" Seliph asked, looking at his brother.

"Well, he knows Sandstorm." Ciecro gestured to the Klawf. "Maybe we can blind him with it? Slow 'im down?"

"Or cut the eyes so he's permanently blind," Zebzenna added, glaring at Trishula. "My Magical Leaf can easily do that if I concentrate, and Arceus knows this guy deserves it."

"No, that won't work. Even if we somehow blind him, Wary will make up for it. There's not telling how long he'll have Wary so we-"

"Actually, that might work."

"How?" Seliph asked, looking down at Swift, who was breathing heavily as he powered through the strain.

"Okay, I don't have time to go through all of this, but basically, Seliph, you use Infuzement on this Klawf guy here an-"

"My name is Terry."

"Alright, Terry. Seliph, use your gift on Terry." Swift grunted as he glanced back at the Klawf. "And when he does, concentrate your Sandstorm around the Red Eye. Try to focus more on thickness than expansiveness, we don't need a huge amount of room."

"We?" Terry said.

"Just listen." Swift then glanced at Zebzenna. "You and the Houndoom get the Commissioner out of here and Ciecro, you take the Warp Orb and be ready to throw it where I tell you to."

He nodded.

"How are you going to-" Seliph began but was cut off early.

"Sorry, not time for questions. Act on break. One, two, three, Break!" With that, Swift stopped his Parabolic Charge and turned to the right, closing his eyes for some reason.

Seliph snarled, but hurried to the Klawf's side and pressed his hand on the leg, making the large Rock Type shiver and gasp from the surge. "Sandstorm you idiot!"

Terry regained his focus and spread his claws out, two brown rings orbiting his body as dust and dirt flew from them, whipping around Trishula's position. The dragon shielded his eyes as it picked up, engulfing him in a matter of seconds.

"Good. Keep it up!" Swift gave the two a thumbs up and charged for the Sandstorm.

"Wait, where you are goi-" Seliph exclaimed, but Swift disappeared into the Sandstorm. "Is he crazy?"

Ciecro was equally confused but shook it off to join his brother. "Seliph, give me dah orb."

Seliph gestured his head towards one of his belt pouches, both his hands on the Klawf likely due to fatigue. "Left of the center, in the back."

Ciecro nodded and reached into the pouch, pulling out the warp orb. He gazed into it, before glancing back at Humphry. He was being helped down the street by the Firefighting mons, who were finishing up the last remnants of the fire, but something else caught Ciecro's eye. Where did dah mist go?

Turning his attention back to the Orb, Ciecro's right hand clenched tightly around it. I won' fail yah. He then braced his nerves and watched the Sandstorm with a firm scowl. As the seconds dragged on, he wondered if one of the two inside had killed the other, but suddenly the Heliolisk flipped out of the sandstorm on the left.

"Keep it up!" He shouted, rushing around the right to get between the sandstorm and the others.

Just then, Ciecro heard heavy foosteps from the right. He looked to see the Garchomp rushing straight for the Sandstorm. Huh? Why is he 'ere? Ciecro thought as the Garchomp lunged with a strike in the Sandstorm.

Swift got between them and glanced back. "Okay, me and Garon will get him into position. When I send a Focus Blast upwards, cut off the Sandstorm and get ready to throw Ciecro. Seliph, can you play follow up in case he tries to take out the orb?"

Seliph nodded.

"Great, let's do this!" With a pepped up smile, Swift charged back into the sandstorm.

"How are they fighting that guy in there?" Terry asked.

"They must have some similar gifts to Jaron to even the playing field," Seliph commented. "He didn't use a buff like Foresight."

Ciecro's head lowered as he stared at the ground, pondering that. However, a glow caught his attention as he saw the Warp Orb's light had returned. "Seliph, it's ready."

"Good. Just wait." The Greninja ordered. "I don't know what he has planned, but he seems confident. Just don't miss, Ciecro."

He could feel the stress and weight of the world on his shoulders, but Ciecro just closed his eyes and took slow breaths. Yah can do dis. Yah hafta do dis. Humphry needs yah tah do dis. He repeated in his head over and over, until finally the Focus Blast was shot up.

"Now!" Seliph shouted, taking his hands away and forming a Water Shuriken.

Ciecro kept his eyes locked on the center of the Sandstorm, pulling back his arm in a pre-throw position. A second later, the two Norfarions burst from the Sandstorm on opposite sides. Swift fired Thunderbolt while Garon unleashed Flamethrower. The moves struck inside the Sandstorm, followed by black beams of Payback surging out, ripping apart what remained of the Sandstorm.

The two, however, nimbly dodged and weaved through the beams as they rushed towards Trishula. Seeing this, Trishula quickly surged Dragon Claw and swung to block Garon's strike while firing Icinerate at Swift, who leaped over. Swift somersaulted into an Iron Tail, forcing Trishula to move his head low out of range and giving Garon the lack of pushback he needed to force Trishula forwards into a stumble.

"Now!" Seliph shouted and Ciecro pressed the button and threw it.

Trishula quickly regained his footing and swung his Dragon Claw to cut the orb, but Seliph countered with Water Shuriken. It was done, all Trishula could do was roar in anger as the orb activated, engulfing him in a pillar of light. A second later he was no more.

Ciecro felt his heart want to leak from his body as his knees buckled beneath him and he stared at the spot.

"Ah yeah!" Swift exclaimed with glee, thrusting a victory fist into the air as he hopped. "Perfectly executed. In your face you stupid drago-!"

"Tone it down, Swift," Garon stated, walking towards Ciecro. He reached down and helped the Charmeleon to his feet. "Can you walk?"

Ciecro didn't reply. He was so overwhelmed in the moment he almost didn't hear Garon. Instead, his gaze looked towards the right, where Humphry had been carried towards.

"Hey, he'll be okay."

The Charmeleon looked at the voice, seeing the Heliolisk standing in front of him. He was a good head size taller than this mon, but the minor scrapes and bodily details gave away that this mon was older than him. The Heliolisk's smile was warm, but bore a strong tint of concern, one that a stranger couldn't muster.

"I promise."

Ciecro's eyes drifted to the crest once more, staring at it in silence as his frown remain unchanged. He didn't know. He felt a gentle nudge that urged his body forwards, walking without thinking as his mind grappled with all that had just happened. More horrible images to see.