AN: Enjoy the chapter,
Ch 113 The Eve of Awakening
Team Magma's Submarine soon reached the Sea Floor, they used the Drill to punch a hole on the Seabed.
The drill is perceived through the crust, breaking into the mantle. The Submarine went into the hole, followed by Team Aqua undetected by their Rival Team.
Soon enough, Team Magma detected a small air pocket just a few meters ahead. Brodie turns around, finding the pocket and some Life Signals just ahead. "Leader Maxie, we've detected Life signs above us, two at most." The purple-haired Grunt informed the Leader of Team Magma.
Maxie nodded, hearing what his Subordinate relaying information. "Prepare for surfacing, get the Strike Team ready," The red-haired Man said, his eyes shifting to Courtney who was quieter than usual.
"Courtney, what is it? What do you see?" Maxie asked, sensing that the violet-haired had seen a glimpse of the near Future.
Courtney flinched, turning around when she heard Maxie call her Name. "Leader Maxie…" She ponders before gasping at another Vision.
Maxie stood up immediately as two Grunts went to the Ability User's side. Everyone's eyes were on Courtney, seeing that she was frozen.
"Are you alright, Courtney?" One of the Grunts asked the Admin, holding out his hand out to see if she was alright.
Courtney gasped, seeing something that would happen soon. "Courtney, what is it?" She looks over to Maxie, having some useful intel to tell him.
"Leader Maxie, we're about to encounter some trouble upon surfacing," Courtney informed the entire Cabin of what she saw. "It's Team Aqua, they followed us from the moment we departed from our Base." She continued,
Maxie shut his eyes, thinking over what Courtney said. He then opens them, addressing his Subordinates on what to do. "All hands, prepare for a large Battle. Team Aqua won't stop at nothing to prevent us from achieving our goals." He said,
"Do your duty to ensure the prosperity of both People and Pokemon!" Maxie announced his speech to the Grunts of Team Magma, causing an uproar of cheers from them.
Paulo overheard what his Father and Courtney said, he walked over to Helena. He quickly wrote something before handing it to his Mentor.
Helena received the note from her Student, reading it quickly before she got caught. 'The Battle between Team Magma and Aqua would cause a bit of commotion.' She thought to herself, 'This should give us the opportunity to escape and stop Maxie from wakening Groudon.' She said, her eyes then locked eyes with Tabitha.
A few moments later, Team Magma's Submarine breached the Water's surface. Everyone departed from the Sub, already prepared for Team Aqua to show.
Helena was being escorted by Paulo, surprisingly Maxie nor Courtney had suspected anything yet. With Courtney's Ability to see into the Future, won't she-
Helena took a second to review their situation, 'If Maxie allowed Paulo to watch over her then…' She quickly turns to her Student, realizing they are walking into a trap. "(Paulo, abort the plan.)" She whispered to him.
"Huh?" The young trainer looked at his Mentor, hearing her whisper. "Professor, what do you-"
"Hydro Pump!" A group shouted in unison echoed throughout the underground Cavern.
Many of the Team Magma Grunts released their Pokemon in response. Many were Mightyenas, Numels, or Golbats.
Those with Numels step forward, "Use Fire Blast!" They all cried as the Numels released a wall of Fire Blast to counter the Hydro Pump.
Soon enough, Archie appeared on top of a boulder, grinning down at his Rival Team. "Hahaha, think you're so tough now that your goals are at arms reach, eh Maxie?" The Leader of Team Aqua crossed his arms at his Rival.
Joining him were Shelly, Amber, and Matt all having their Pokeballs at the ready.
Maxie adjusted his glasses, looking at his Rival from when he was younger to now. "Hello to you too, Archie." The red-haired Man said, looking up at the dark-haired Man. "I should've expected that you wouldn't sit around while we're making grounds for our goals."
Matt scoffs, glaring at the red-haired Man. "Of course, if we cannot achieve our goals then we won't let you get yours." The muscular Man laughs,
Tabitha steps forward, retaliating against Matt's mockery of Team Magma Leader. "I will not sit idly by while you insult Leader Maxie like that!" Despite being allied with Helena and Paulo and wanting to prevent a disaster from occurring. Tabitha still admires Maxie as a Leader.
"Ha, like a Loyal Lillipup, you all don't talk about anything but Leader Maxie." Amber scoffs, crossing his arms at the Rival Team. "Learn to be more diverse in who you follow!"
"Talk about a hypocrite!" Brodie retorted, both he and his Partner Ditto were ready to Battle.
Courtney steps forward, "Ninetails, finish them off." The violet-haired Woman tosses her Pokeball, releasing her Partner,
Ninetails stood before Courtney, seeing the Rival Team, "Ninetails…"
Shelly tosses her Pokeball in response to Courtney's action. "Tentacruel, let's go!" She cried out, her Pokeball released a large Jellyfish-like Pokemon into the Battle.
"Tentacruel!" The Water/Poison-type Pokemon and Fire-type glared at each other, having Battled once before.
Every member of the Rival Teams all released their Pokemon, entering into a large Pokemon Battle between the two.
Courtney turns to Maxie, both she and the rest of Team Magma are ready to engage with Team Aqua, "Leader Maxie, go ahead of us. We'll keep Team Aqua at bay here," She said, offering an opportunity for him to achieve Team Magma's goals. "Make our dreams for a prosperous World into a reality."
Maxie nodded, turning to Tabitha and the extra Grunts that were left. "Alright everyone Courtney and Brodie will keep Team Aqua preoccupied here." The red-haired Man ordered the group,
"Yes Leader Maxie!" Everyone replied to him, and the Grunts keeping Helena close by took her.
"H-Hey!" Helena struggles, feeling their grip tighten against her arms.
Paulo quickly went over to the two Grunts, speaking with them. "I'll handle Professor Potter, don't worry." The dirty blonde-haired trainer said, taking Helena off of their arms.
The two Grunts nodded, allowing their Leader's Son to take Helena.
The young trainer looks at his Mentor, seeing their plan was working for the most part.
"Move out!" Maxie ordered as everyone followed him deeper into the Underground Cavern.
Back with Team Aqua, Archie watches as his Subordinates engage in a large-scale Pokemon Battle with their Rival Team. His eyes then caught Maxie and a small group of his Grunts and one Admin depart from the Battle and into the Cavern, "Shelly!" He called out to his trusted Admin.
"Tentacruel, Poison Sting Attack on Ninetails!" Shelly commanded her trusted Partner.
"Tentacruel!" The Jellyfish Pokemon released a barrage of purple small pins at Ninetails,
Courtney quickly responded to the Attack, "Ninetails, counter Tentacruel's Attack!" The violet-haired Admin commanded her Partner.
The Fox Pokemon heard her Partner, her mouth was spewing out Flames as she released a powerful Flamethrower. The Flames hurl in the air, burning the Poison Sting Attack,
Just as the Flamethrowers reach the Water/Poison-type, Shelly quickly responds with the Attack. "Tentacruel, use Liquidation!" The Team Aqua Admin said,
"Tentacruel!" The Jellyfish Pokemon's tentacles began to emit a watery aura. He leaps into the Flamethrower, using his tentacles to disburse the Flames and strike the Fox Pokemon,
"Ninetails!" Courtney watches as her Partner takes a hit from a super-effective move. She saw her Partner lying on the ground with spirals in her eyes.
Shelly finally got a moment to look at her Leader, hearing him calling her. Archie was already on the way to follow the other Team Magma heading, "I'm going ahead and follow Maxwell!" The Leader of Team Aqua informed his Admin. "Can you handle things here?" He asked,
"Yes, I got it handled, Archie!" Shelly proudly said, living up to her words and faith in Archie.
Archie nodded, singling two Grunts to follow him to where Maxie and the others were heading.
Courtney saw Archie leaving the Cavern entrance, she clenched her fist upon his departure. She held her next Pokeball after recalling his Partner; determined to prevent him from reaching her Leader.
However, the dark-haired Woman stood in her way. "Sorry, but I won't let you get near your Leader or mine," Shelly said as Tentacruel came to her side,
"How irritating, seems I need to eliminate you before I reach Leader Maxie," Courtney said, raising her Pokeball over her left eye. She then gave a wicked smile at her fellow Admin. "I've seen all, allow me to predict your downfall!" She tosses her Pokeball, releasing her next Pokemon.
Continuing forward, Maxie and the rest ran down the corridor. In his hand was the Red Orb, glowing with each step they had taken thus far,
Remembering what the Legends and Stories Team Magma gathered before this mission. "Keep going, we're getting close to our destination!" Maxie informed his Subordinates,
Everyone followed Maxie, Helena on the other hand was trying to find a perfect opportunity to stop Maxie. However, with things going too quickly as it is, that she can't find where to enact her plan.
"Leader Maxie!" Tabitha quickly tosses his Pokeball, releasing a Large floating purple head Pokemon with one smaller one growing from the side. "Weezing, use Sludge to counter the Attack!" The Large Man quickly ordered his Partner.
"Weezing!" The Poison Gas Pokemon backs up before releasing a large brown substance at where the Attacker was.
"Dark Pulse!" A familiar voice cried out,
Helena turns her head to where he hears the voice of someone she knows. The two Attacks met and exploded upon contact,
She saw Zoroark landing on top of a boulder, and he huffed, ready to Attack again. Many of the Grunts were taken aback by the Rare Pokemon in Hoenn, but they heard of it. "A-A Zoroark!"
"W-What's a Zoroark doing here in the underground!?" Another Grunt exclaims, questioning how a Pokemon who originated from Unova here,
Paulo steps back, looking at the Dark-type Pokemon, feeling like he had seen him somewhere. "Professor Potter, you don't think that Zoroark is…"
Helena smiles, knowing that Zoroark is from anywhere. "Yeah, it's N's!"
Stepping beside his Partner, N stood above Maxie and the Members of Team Magma. The green-haired trainer glared at them for taking his Sister away from her Friends and Family. "Return my Sister to us, I won't ask again." He stated, determined to get Helena back.
Maxie ponders on his situation, he was about to respond when some of his Grunts took action. "Like Hell we are!" He tosses his Pokeball, releasing a Mightyena onto the Battle.
Many of the Grunts release their Pokemon, either Mightyenas, Golbats, or Numels all ready to Battle the Dark-type Pokemon.
"Use Dark Pulse!" Everyone who has a Mightyena released their Dark Pulse at Zoroark,
"Air Cutter!" Those with Golbats ordered them to Attack. The Poison/Flying-type rapidly flap their wings, releasing sharp winds at the Opponent and his Pokemon.
"Fire Blast!" The Grunts with Numels all used Fire Blast at the Illusion Fox Pokemon.
All of the Attacks hurl straight for N and his Partner, "Walrein use Blizzard!" A young Boy cried out,
"Wal…rein!" The Ice/Water-type released a flurry of cold winds at the Grunts' Pokemon,
Their Attacks were nullified and most of the Pokemon were frozen in place. The only ones left were the Numels die to their Fire-typing.
The Grunts gritted their teeth, seeing a familiar Pokemon trainer on the rocks near N. "It's that Brat who's getting in our way!" One of the Grunts exclaims, pointing at the brown-haired Boy.
"Get him!" Another Grunt pointed at the Son of a Gym Leader. Everyone called out their next Pokemon, having someone to continue their Battle.
Brendan chuckles, looking at the green-haired trainer. "Seems like the plan is working," He said to him,
N nodded, taking out another of his Pokeballs from his belt. "Yes, we need to draw them in more." He turns to the incoming Grunts, tossing his Pokeball onto the Field. "Scizor, help us here!"
The Pokeball released a red-armored Bug-type Pokemon, "Zor! Scizor!" The Pincer Pokemon cried out, ready to Battle.
"Zoroark use Shadow Claw, Scizor Metal Claw!" N quickly ordered his Pokemon, retaliating against the incoming Opponents' Pokemon.
Zoroark and Scizor went into action, following their Partner's orders. Zoroark's Claws has a shadowy effect and Scizor's Claws gained a Metal coating as they ran towards the Horde of Pokemon.
Maxie watches as his Subordinates head to Battle the two trainers. He frowns at how much time they're wasting with this sidetrack. His eyes look down at the Red Orb, glowing brighter as he shifts towards the left corridor. "We're wasting time with these two." He said,
Tabitha turns to his Leader, hearing him speak. "What should we do about it, Leader Maxie?" The Large Man asked as Weezing floated next to him.
The red-haired Man looks at his Son and the rest of the Grunts guarding the Professor. "Paulo, we're heading forward." He called for his Son, gaining his Attention. "Keep Professor Potter with you the whole time!" He shouted across the Cavern.
"R-Right, I understand Father," Paulo responded, searching if N or Brendan could reach them. 'I don't see a way for those two to come to Professor Potter's rescue… there are too many Grunts and Pokemon around.' He mentally said to himself,
He gritted his teeth before turning to the Grunts around him. "Everyone, we're following my Father!" The dirty-blonde trainer said, informing everyone behind him. "Let's get going!"
Helena could hear the Grunts around them agreeing with her Apprentice. "H-Hey, don't push!" Helena said, feeling a Grunt pushing her towards the Leader of Team Magma.
However, when they were about to leave further down the Cavern, a barrage of Shadow Balls hurled straight for them.
The Shadow Balls separated Helena and Paulo from the Grunts. "Paulo!" Both Helena and Maxie cry out to the young Boy, and the black-haired Woman quickly grabs hold of Paulo.
Her feet managed to find a footing, preventing her from falling, but, not from tumbling a bit. "Helena!" A familiar voice called out to her,
Helena's eyes widen, feeling a familiar hold. She turns her Head around, seeing a familiar Steel-blue haired Man holding her carefully. "Steven…"
Steven gave a warm smile, ensuring that she was safe. "Don't worry, I got you." He said,
Helena turns around, seeing Gardevoir landing in front of them. "Kir-I mean Gardevoir, you're here." She smiled, happy to see her longest Friend, "I knew you'd be here."
The Embrace Pokemon turns to her Partner, giving her a warm smile. "Gar, Gardevoir," The Fairy/Psychic-type Pokemon replied,
The young Professor saw when her Partner turned around, she had something around her neck. A necklace was around a neck with a pendant holding a white stone with a green and pink Flame inside. "A-A Mega Stone? A Gardevorite?" She looks at her Fiancée, knowing Steven must've given to her.
Steven nodded, still smiling at her. "I thought she needed it since…you know…"
Helena could not help but shed some tears, feeling like it's been forever since she'd seen her Fiancé. "S-Steven!" She cried onto his chest, missing his warm embrace.
"There, there…" The Hoenn Champion patted his Fiancée before she stepped back.
Paulo looks at his Mentor, speaking to her. "Professor Potter, we don't have time." He points to the corridor, leading deeper into the Cavern. "Father and a few Grunts left for the lower levels of the Cavern."
The young Professor took a look at where she last saw Maxie. Just as Paulo said, the Leader of Team Magma was gone,
Helena turns to Steven, needing to stop Team Magma. "Steven, we have to stop Maxie from waking up Groudon." She said, her Fiancé saw how serious the situation was.
Steven held Helena's shoulders, understanding what the black-haired Professor was trying to say. "I know, Ellie. That's why we're here." The Hoenn Champion said, hearing some People, assuming to be Team Aqua Grunts heading their way. "Archie, the Leader of Team Aqua, and I made a small Alliance to put a stop to Team Magma's plan."
Helena was surprised that Steven, N, and Brenden managed to convince Team Magma's Rival Team to help them. "That's really impressive, I half expected that either the Pokemon Ranger or members of my extended Family would come and help you three…" She said, shaking her Head to focus on the issue at hand. "Anyways, let's get going."
"Right," Steven said as Paulo took out his Pokeball,
The dirty blonde-haired Boy ran towards the Grunts, going to assist N and Brendan. "Mr. Stone, Professor, you can go ahead of me," Paulo told his Mentor and her Fiancé, not ready to face his Father just yet.
Steven was about to say something when Helena responded. "Go, we'll handle Maxie." She said, dragging his Fiancée down where Maxie and his Subordinates went. "Gardevoir,"
Gardevoir heard her Partner calling her, she nodded and followed them down the corridor.
Paulo ran towards the Grunts, tossing his Pokeball before catching it. "Snivy, Come on out!" the dirty blonde-haired trainer tosses his Pokeball between where Team Magma's Pokemon, Brendan's Walrein, and N's Zoroark are.
The Pokeball flew in the air, releasing the Grass-type Pokemon. "Snivy!" Snivy joins both Walrein and Zoroark, ready to Battle against Team Magma.
Many of the Grunts were taken aback by the sudden switch of their Leader's Son to the Opponent's side. One of the Grunts looked at Paulo, standing behind Snivy and beside the former King of Team Plasma.
"Paulo, what are you doing helping them!? You're supposed to stand with us!" One of the Grunts stated, feeling angry at what they were seeing.
Paulo took a deep breath before standing against the People he'd helped create this situation. "I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I remain adamant about my decision to stop my Father's goal no matter what." He stated his resolve,
"Traitor!" Many of the Grunts were outraged by Paulo's betrayal. Soon their anger shifts to the Team Aqua Grunts coming from behind them.
They soon engaged in a Battle with the Rival Team, taking out their anger on them.
Paulo's hand was shaking after announcing his betrayal.
Snivy turns to his Partner, seeing he was affected by what the Grunts said. "Snivy…" He then saw the green-haired trainer, approaching Paulo.
N stood next to Paulo, prompting him to look at him. "So, you finally realize what you want, Paulo." He gave a light smile, indicating that he did good, "I always knew you were conflicted during that Day, but still. I'm glad you made up your mind,"
"W-Well, I liked helping the Professor out at the Lab and being her Student. I've learned a lot and I want to continue to learn from her." Paulo said, finally saying what he wanted to say from within his chest. "Man, that was relieving to say out loud."
"Great, now that this feeling thing is done, we still have the Battle to finish," Brendan said, his eyes couldn't move away from where Steven, Gardevoir, and Helena went down.
N and Paulo could see that the brown-haired trainer was worried for the two. They nodded, agreeing with each other on what to do. "Brendan, we'll handle things here now that Team Aqua's here. Go and help those two." N said, offering him a chance to help.
Paulo nodded, permitting him to help his Mentor and her Fiancée.
"Thanks guys." Brendan turns to his Pokemon, still Battling. "Walrein, help them out please." The Ice/Water-type Pokemon nodded, obeying his trainer's command.
Brendan immediately turned around and ran after the Champion and Professor to help them.
N and Paulo returned their attention to the Battle, being the barrier between them and the corridor.
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.