Pokémon Radiant Sun
The following chapter is brought to you by COVID-19.
Yep, I got sick again. Hence part of the reason this chapter is going up almost two weeks after I had intended for it to go up. But the show must go on.
Shoutout to SolanaLeonhart, BraviaryScout and Oragonking for reviewing since the last update. You all are fabulous and I appreciate you immensely!
Enjoy.
Chapter 170: Hatred's Downfall
Poni Wilds
Alastor stood over Geoff with a terrible smile as electricity surged around him. A smile that showed everyone present that the Alolan Golem was more than happy to put him down right then and there.
"It's astounding that I found such an awful example of human scum." Alastor said to Geoff, his voice dripping with contempt for the rogue Trainer. "I see the state of the Pokémon that follow you. I see them and I see the victims of a monster. Someone who does not inspire them as a leader with their strength, but suppresses their potential and simply harms them for his own amusement. You remind me of all the stories I grew up on…of how humans subjugate Pokémon. Make them slaves and puppets for the humans to wield however they see fit."
The Alolan Golem's mocking smile turned to a scowl of fury. "In short, you are the lowest of the low, little human. So much so that I could no longer remain silent and do nothing as you tear apart the team that shattered the twisted ideals I held so dear for so long."
"W-w-wordy little bastard, aren't you?" Geoff panted as he involuntarily twitched on the ground. "I'll kill you. Just like I'll kill them! And that pathetic waste of a dragon over there!"
"You're a fool." Alastor responded, shaking his head.
"I-I'm a what!?" Geoff hissed back at the Pokémon who dared to insult him.
Alastor looked over to his assembled team, with Sun and Lillie looking at him with concern and relief. The Golem met their gaze for several long moments before turning back to the spiteful and selfish Trainer lying in the dirt before him. "I have more reason to loathe your kind than most Pokémon. Taken away from my clan without my consent and against my wishes. Forced to work alongside those I considered lesser for abandoning their wild natures…"
"Alastor…" Sun murmured as he watched the Alolan Golem speak, his words slow and deliberate. After sitting in silence for so long, Sun was curious what was on the Golem's mind. After all, the last Alastor had spoken to anyone, he had informed them that he no longer wished to live.
"My clan raised me to despise the humans. To fear their power for enslaving Pokémon to their will. My father preached their evils to me and my kin. I believed in all of it. Our hatred was as pure as sunshine. And I've lived by it." Alastor went on, glaring down menacingly at the human who lay there in the dirt, staring up at him with fear in his eyes.
"But despite that…in my time as a trained Pokémon, I have changed. Because of what I've witnessed. I am not the same Pokémon I was when I was Storm-Chaser."
Geoff stared up at the Golem as it narrowed its eyes at him. "The ideals I held so dear have been shattered. Because I've seen the good in humans. Perhaps the best of them is standing just over there, simply happy that I've broken my silence at long last."
Alastor raised a crackling claw, and Geoff's face paled. "You're not worthy of being spoken in the same breath as them. So now you will die."
The Golem roared as he suddenly lashed out with another Discharge, this one going directly into Geoff himself. The rogue Trainer screamed in agony as Alastor smiled, satisfaction on his face at seeing the human writhe in pain. Especially because he noticed that no one was making any moves to stop him.
Not Alastor's team. Not Sun and Lillie. Not even Geoff's own team, who were watching in muted horror as their tormentor was electrocuted.
Fortunately for Geoff, his salvation came in the form of a loud screech when Charcoal opened his mouth and blasted Alastor with a Flamethrower, causing the Alolan Golem to grunt in pain and fall back, rolling into a ball and distancing himself from the Infernape as it slowly regained control of his limbs and stood protectively over his Trainer. Alastor walked over to Sun's side of the battlefield, where his team was watching him with shock.
"Alastor…You're okay." Sun sighed with relief, smiling at the Golem as he glanced at his Trainer. Alastor scoffed and clenched his fists.
"I wouldn't go that far, but I'm…present. We must crush this one and those shackled to him." Alastor growled as a thrum of static surged around his arms. Meanwhile Geoff slowly pulled himself upright as Charcoal grimaced in pain. His team had slowly regrouped around him, and the Trainer staggered around to use what healing items he had left to get everyone back on their feet.
"Alright…You bastards are gonna die." Geoff hissed as he clenched his fists, leaning against a tree for support before turning to his team. "You all better end this shit. Or I'm gonna end you. Got it?!"
Charcoal glowered at the other Pokémon to drive the point home, and every one of them gave terrified nods. Geoff coughed painfully before pointing a finger at Sun with a twisted grin.
"Get them!" Geoff bellowed to his team, who all rushed forward to meet Sun. The Trainer's eyes were storm-gray as he regarded his team around him, now bolstered by Alastor's arrival. The Alolan Golem stood at the front of his team, a twisted grin spreading across his face as he let loose another Discharge.
"Your words are nothing, little human. Your hatred and cruelty are nothing. You…are nothing!" Alastor laughed as a deadly current rushed over Skuntank, Floatzel, Grumpig and Charcoal. Hippowdon and Zebstrika were barely affected, instead lashing out with a Hyper Beam and Thunderbolt, but Oliver was able to block the former while Finn redirected the latter into the sand.
"It's good to have you back." Oliver hooted with a grin as he swept apart his wings to dispel the Protect.
Alastor scoffed as he flexed his claws, lowering his back cannon. His lip curled slightly upward despite himself, though none but Oliver noticed it. "Don't get sentimental, you wretched specter. Now let's crush these idiots!"
Geoff for his part looked surprised at how easily his attacks were repelled. Sun noticed this and smirked, crossing his arms. "You look a lot less confident when it's not six-on-four."
"Shizz, use Sludge Bomb! Zigzag, Thunderbolt! Turdo, Stone Edge!" Geoff shouted as the remainder of his team finally emerged from the sidelines to join Geoff's Infernape, Floatzel and Grumpig on the beach.
Sun looked at the state of each of the Pokémon as they began to attack his team and only felt his blood boil more. Like Grumpig and Floatzel, Geoff's remaining team sported half-healed injuries that any Trainer would have had treated months or even years ago. The Hippowdon was even missing an eye!
However Geoff simply hadn't felt inclined to do anything about it, whether it was out of cruelty or pettiness Sun couldn't decide. All he knew was that the rogue Trainer needed to go down, and that his team (barring Charcoal) were victims of the man's cruelty.
Oliver swooped in front of the Thunderbolt, tanking the attack and lashing out with a Razor Leaf that pelted the trio of Pokémon. Meanwhile Brago fired off repeated Flame Bursts while dodging the Stone Edges from Hippowdon, who seemed to be having a very hard time hitting him.
Attacks flew back and forth between the two sides, completely tearing apart the beach and the grassy area on the outreaches. While Geoff's side had originally held the advantage due to the surprise factor and the ferocity of his attacks, Sun's team was able to hold the line. With Lillie's support and Alastor backing them up, however?
"No!" Geoff shouted as Oliver fired multiple Spirit Shackles onto the beach, forcing Charcoal back and allowing Penny to strike him with Pluck. Sun then spotted Shizz the Skuntank unleashing a Flamethrower on Oliver, causing him to shriek in pain at the flames scorching his side and forcing him to take flight.
"Finn! Submission!" Sun shouted as the Poliwrath flipped over a Thunderbolt that had been aimed at him and landed nimbly on the ground. Finn boomed out a laugh at the Skuntank and tackled him.
With a roar of effort the Poliwrath tumbled onto the ground with the Skunk Pokémon, forcing it to cease spouting flames as Finn slammed him onto the ground. Finn was blasted away by a Psychic from Grumpig, but by that point Oliver had regrouped and attacked Shizz the Skuntank again, this time backed up by Penny.
Unfortunately for Skuntank, both Penny and Oliver double-teamed it while Alastor and Brago kept the other Pokémon busy with flames and electricity. Multiple Returns and Drill Pecks from the two birds knocked out the Skuntank.
"Worthless little shit! Should've gotten rid of him months ago…" Geoff grunted as he thrust out a shaking hand. "Everyone, rush them! Stop letting these brats make a fool out of you!"
"Too late for that!" Lillie called as Sun's team re-doubled their efforts to bring down Geoff's remaining five Pokémon. However, Charcoal the Infernape became even more aggressive, almost specifically going for Sun and Lillie and forcing his team to focus more of their efforts to protecting them rather than defeating Geoff's team.
But that didn't mean Sun's team wasn't able to deal some damage. Oliver and Finn were rather easily able to keep the Hippowdon away with Razor Leaf and Scald attacks while occasionally directing their efforts towards the Zebstrika and Floatzel while the others focused on dealing with Charcoal and the others.
Geoff's Grumpig yelped as flames continued to rain down on her from Brago, this time aided by Alastor lashing out with Thunder Shocks. Sun quickly realized that the Manipulate Pokémon had an aversion to fire, so he took advantage of that by making Brago focus on the Grumpig. Geoff, of course, continued to bark orders while attempting to get back on his feet.
Which made it really easy for Penny to get the drop on Grumpig from above. While the Grumpig was using Psychic to block a Flame Burst from Brago, her face a mask of panic, Penny spun rapidly through the air and struck the Grumpig from behind. The pig Pokémon finally collapsed onto the ground, mercifully unable to hear Geoff screaming obscenities.
Charcoal growled with frustration and rushed at Oliver, only to suddenly cut off his attack and flee when Alastor fired off a Rock Blast at him. The Golem chuckled darkly as he raised his cannon, though his eyes widened in surprise when an Ice Beam zoomed his way from across the battlefield.
Oliver landed in front of Alastor and swept out his wings, summoning a Protect as the beam struck the shield, causing it to ice over. Meanwhile Geoff's Zebstrika was dashing towards Sun's team with a cloak of flames surrounding it.
"I was worried you'd gone soft!" Oliver hooted as he swept his shield aside with his wing, causing some of the ice to shatter and rain down on them harmlessly. Alastor responded with a dark smirk, lowering his back cannon again as he stepped in front of the owl to face the charging Zebstrika.
"Not at all. Allow me to demonstrate!" Alastor growled as he fired off a Rock Blast at Zigzag, striking him four times before Oliver finished it off with a Razor Leaf, causing the Zebstrika to slowly stop cantering.
"Don't you dare stop! Flame Charge!" Geoff roared as the Zebstrika came to a stop, his body trembling before finally collapsing onto the ground and fainting.
"No, no, no! This can't be happening!" Geoff snarled as he watched his Zebstrika lying motionless on the ground. "Drowner, Aqua Jet! Break them, Charcoal! Turdo, use Stone Edge!"
The Floatzel shot forward, slamming hard into Brago and knocking back the Arcanine, but not before Finn was able to send him flying in the opposite direction with a Brick Break. Meanwhile Several glowing pillars of rock assailed Oliver and Penny, who were managing to dodge the attacks from the one-eyed Pokémon.
Unfortunately for Geoff, his team was quickly tiring. Drowner had simply taken too much damage to be as effective as he would be otherwise while Turdo's own untreated injuries made hitting two nimble targets almost impossible. Combine that with his remaining three Pokémon being unconscious and Sun's Alolan Golem joining the battle, the odds were very much not in his favor.
"Damn it! Charcoal and Drowner, jump! Turdo use Earthquake on everyone!" Geoff howled as Charcoal and Drowner the Floatzel leapt into the air, spraying flames and water upon Sun's team.
Meanwhile Turdo the Hippowdon stomped down hard onto the ground, sending out a wicked shockwave that knocked all of the Trainers present to the ground. It also served to hurt unconscious Skuntank, Grumpig and Zebstrika that were already on the ground, which made Lillie and Sun more furious at the rogue Trainer.
"Fire Blast on the kids!" Geoff bellowed to his Infernape, who landed roughly on the ground and sprinted forward with a mean grin on his face. Sun slowly pushed himself upright, growling with annoyance.
"Penny! Intercept with Drill Peck!" Sun shouted to the Toucannon who had already shot into the sky and was hurtling towards Charcoal, spinning around rapidly before smashing into the side of the Infernape with Drill Peck. The Infernape flipped in midair and crashed down onto the grass a short distance away, but he didn't get back up immediately.
This lapse in action allowed Finn to put down the Hippowdon with a Scald, which left only Geoff's Floatzel and Infernape as the only Pokémon standing.
"Shit, shit, shit…Drowner! Pick up the slack from your worthless teammates! Ice Beam on the bird!" Geoff snarled to the Floatzel, who grimaced as he clutched his chest in pain before nodding and bounding forward, inhaling deeply to attack.
"Alastor, use Discharge! Finn, use Psychic to guide him!" Sun ordered the two Pokémon as Alastor hissed softly, throwing apart his arms and releasing a torrent of wild electricity outwards.
Finn let out a laugh, his stomach glowed bright blue as he used Psychic. The Discharge warped in the air, focusing solely on directing the attack so that it zeroed-in on the Floatzel who was unable to dodge the attack. The Discharge enveloped Drowner, causing it to collapse onto the ground.
Alastor lowered his hands, huffing slightly at the power he had pumped into the attack. Sun wondered if battling right now was harder for him considering his injuries and the lack of fighting he had done in the past month or so.
Charcoal let out a furious snarl as the last of Geoff's Pokémon (besides himself) fell. The lone Infernape glared at the team that outnumbered him five-to-one, even after how badly it had attacked them earlier. And with Geoff out of supplies and barely able to move, the Trainer wouldn't be able to heal them anytime soon. The Infernape punched its hands together and screeched, flames erupting all around it as it prepared to deal out punishment to those who dared to fight back against his power.
Meanwhile, Tetra was watching all of them battling with an expression of fear and guilt on her face. She hated the fact that she was too scared of her former Trainer to act, but the old feelings of helplessness and anxiety had bubbled back up from the depths of her heart and made doing anything feel like a hopeless endeavor.
"I can't fight him…I just can't. I really am useless." Tetra whispered, trembling where she stood as her team continued to fend off Charcoal and his exhausted teammates. The dragon then flinched when she felt someone tap her shoulder, but she was surprised to find that it was Lillie.
The mate of her Trainer offered the Gabite a gentle smile. "You're not useless, Tetra. You're very strong, but you're in a really scary situation. No one could blame you for being scared."
Tetra looked at the human girl with confusion. "I know. It feels like too much. I can't face this."
Lillie nodded at the young dragon. "You can, Tetra. It's entirely possible. Do you know how I know?"
"H-how?"
"Because I was in your shoes not so long ago. I remember how it felt. How scared I was to stand against my Mother. How certain I was that she would destroy everyone and everything I had come to love when I escaped her grasp. You were there and helped me then…let me help you now. You have the chance to do what I did. Face the fear head-on, with all of us supporting you." Lillie said encouragingly to the young dragon, who looked doubtful.
"I…I don't know if I can." Tetra admitted quietly, shivering as she looked at her former Trainer. She could almost feel the waves of hatred and spite radiating from him.
Tetra a hand on her chin that forced her to look back at Lillie. The Gabite could see the same kindness and strength in her eyes as she could her Sun's. And that allowed the Gabite to understand and trust the human's words.
"Of course you can. Because you have us now. And you can be anything you want to be. You can stay here and watch as your family beats that jerk. Or you can jump in and show them all how much stronger you've become. You were the one to take down my Mother's strongest Pokémon." Lillie explained to the young dragon, who's eyes widened at that reminder. "I know what it's like. I know that fear. But I also know how liberating it is to finally face your fears. And to know you're so much better than them."
Meanwhile, Alastor snarled as he was blasted backwards through the air, landing hard on the sandy beach as Charcoal lashed out with a Fire Blast. The Infernape was going wild with fury as flames coated the beach and forest while Geoff laughed with mad delight.
The Alolan Golem's eyes narrowed, and after seeing the Infernape engage Finn in a fist-fight, the Golem focused his attention elsewhere.
"Hmm…they seem to have things under control. So now I won't need to worry about stepping away from the fight to do this!" Alastor swung around and lashed out with Discharge, sending an arc of electricity at Geoff.
The man paled in horror and tried to run away, only to be ensnared by the electricity. Alastor chuckled as he pumped as much power as he could into the move, relishing the chance to finally deal some pain to someone who deserved it.
Geoff was thrown backwards onto the ground, screaming as electricity was pumped into his body and left him writhing on the ground. The Alolan Golem calmly walked over to the Trainer and ripped the Poké Balls from his belt and threw them into the grass. Alastor plucked one off of the ground and Geoff's face contorted with confusion.
Alastor grinned as he crushed the Poké Ball in his hands, allowing the shards of the capsule to fall to the ground.
"I'll break the chains you bind them with, little human. Let us see what loyalty they possess when they are freed!" Alastor grinned as he proceeded to crush each of the Poké Balls Geoff had one by one. The rogue Trainer could do nothing but watch on in absolute horror, at least until something else distracted both him and Alastor.
"No! He's too fast!" came sudden a terrified screech from Oliver as Alastor glanced over his shoulder. The Golem's eyes widened in horror as he saw a burning blur rushing at Sun. Charcoal grinned as he lunged at Sun, speeding towards the boy with flaming fists.
However, a few moments before the Infernape reached the Trainer, an enormous blue pillar of stone erupted from in front of Sun and slammed into Charcoal, sending the Infernape flying backwards with a pained screech. It landed in a crumpled heap in the sand and very slowly got back to his feet.
Geoff looked off to the side and saw a grinning Lillie standing beside a terrified Tetra, who was standing at the base of the Stone Edge that had sent Charcoal flying. The Gabite met her former Trainer's eyes before she slowly nodded at him.
"Great job Tetra! Now show that jerk just how strong you are now!" Sun called to his dragon, beaming at her with pride. Tetra looked at her current Trainer and held his gaze for several moments…before she smiled at him.
"Sunny…I can do this. I can fight." Tetra took a shaking breath as she turned back to the battle at hand, where Charcoal had gotten to his feet with a furious snarl on his face. Tetra assumed a fighting stance while Lillie let out a loud cheer behind her, but the dragon only had eyes for the Infernape charging at her with a blood-curdling scream of rage.
"No more fear!" Tetra growled as the Infernape rushed her. But the dragon had found her courage, and she would never falter again.
Tetra shot forward with Aerial Ace and rammed into Charcoal, stopping him dead in his tracks. The Infernape reeled at the surprising power behind the super-effective move, but was even more surprised when Tetra let out a roar and fired off a green-ish blue sphere of fire at the Infernape that he barely dodged with a combat roll to the side.
"Oh, have you finally found the nerve to fight back?!" Geoff shouted, grinning cruelly from the ground as Charcoal chuckled, punching his fists together and igniting them. Tetra responded with a roar, green flames dripping from her maw as she rushed at Charcoal.
Tetra lashed out with Dragon Claw as it connected with Charcoal's Fire Punch, causing a shockwave of force to erupt outwards that blew sand into the air. The Infernape swung a fist at the dragon's skull, only for Tetra to dodge and strike back with another Stone Edge.
Charcoal managed to barely avoid the massive pillar of stone, but didn't avoid the Bulldoze that struck him as Tetra rammed her shoulder into him. The Infernape staggered back a few steps before lashing out with a Mach Punch that sent Tetra to the ground. The dragon snarled as she hopped to her feet, two emerald-colored claws of flame erupting from her hands as she engaged with the fearsome Infernape yet again.
Geoff's eyes widened in surprise at what had become a furious dance between Tetra and Charcoal, flames of crimson and green blasting around the two Pokémon. Tetra may not have been as powerful as the Infernape, but she was mostly fresh and fueled by the faith the others had in her.
"Come on, Charcoal! Kill her already!" Geoff bellowed desperately as Charcoal and Tetra exchanged furious blows across the beach, with Charcoal's flaming fists and Tetra's draconic claws smashing against one another again and again. The two Pokémon were battling for dominance at this point, sheer will pushing them through injuries that should have been more than enough to render the other unconscious.
However, the rogue Trainer was amazed to see the Gabite that had once been Useless the Gible standing toe-to-toe against his prized Infernape. Worst still, the fear that had been in her eyes was nowhere to be seen. Only a determination to protect her family from those who wished them harm.
"I don't understand." Geoff muttered as he struggled to pull himself upright, only to collapse onto his knees. "And I don't want to. Charcoal, end her miserable life!"
The Infernape screeched a response, wincing at the blood dripping down his chest and arms from the slashes Tetra had raked across his body and armor. The dragon for her part was covered in burns, but she still had plenty of fight left in her. However, the Infernape soon switched strategies, and leapt back to dodge a slash and retaliate with a Flamethrower.
Tetra raised her hands to block it, crying out in pain as the flames blasted past her. Charcoal grinned and let out a savage screech as he lunged at Tetra, only for a speeding boulder to suddenly collide with his right shoulder, causing Charcoal's attack to go wide and miss completely as he was knocked to the ground. Alastor unrolled himself and looked at Tetra, who grinned gratefully at the Alolan Golem.
"Never let these idiots take away your smile. Crush them with your strength, battle sister." Alastor responded, offering the dragon a bloodthirsty grin right back at her. Suddenly a call from their Trainer directed the two Pokémon's attention.
"Everyone! Let's take this guy down!" Sun shouted as everyone turned towards the dazed Charcoal, who was slowly rising to his feet. Geoff was desperately bellowing orders to the remainder of his team, but they were all out of action and he was unable to move well enough to attempt to motivate them further. The rogue Trainer could only watch in horror as Sun's entire team surrounded his Partner, who was dazed from the last attack it had been dealt.
"Let's go! Spirit Shackle! Rock Blast! Extreme Speed! Psychic! Thunder Punch! Stone Edge!" Sun bellowed with a wild grin as his team surrounded the battered Infernape, who let out a murderous screech as Geoff struggled to get back up from the beating he had taken. "Bring him down with an All-Out Attack!"
Charcoal opened its eyes to see the Pokémon rushing towards him, and with a stab of fear, attempted to put some distance between it and the attacking horde. However, a ghostly arrow exploded against him, holding his body in place as his shadow weighed him down. The Infernape screamed as Penny's Rock Blast pelted him, dealing super-effective damage and forcing the Infernape to turn away-
Right into an Arcanine that collided with him at a speed that could only be described as extreme. The Infernape hit the ground hard, shaking in pain from the onslaught. However, Blaze activated yet again for the Infernape as he pushed himself upright. A pulse of flames erupted from the Infernape, and to its delight it felt the shadows binding him loosen.
However, to Charcoal's dismay, he soon felt a different binding presence settle over him as a familiar blue glow enveloped him completely. Charcoal howled as Psychic struck him, forcing the Infernape to his knees as pain from the super-effective attack exploded across every inch of his body.
As Finn held down the Infernape, Alastor calmly walked up to Charcoal wearing a downright evil grin. The Infernape managed to let out a defiant screech at Alastor, who nodded in response.
"I've been called worse by better." Alastor responded with a shrug before drawing back a fist, surging with electricity before throwing as much strength as he could into his Thunder Punch. Alastor's fist connected with Charcoal's face, and the Golem grinned as he felt bone give way and teeth shatter beneath his charged fist, sending the Infernape crashing down into the sand, where it passed out from the damage it had taken.
That didn't stop Tetra from finishing it off by launching Charcoal sky-high with Stone Edge, the shining blue pillar of rock springing forth underneath the Infernape and sending him flying out into the ocean a few hundred feet from shore. The distant splash in the distance made both Tetra and Geoff's entire team sigh with relief.
"Should we…uh, be concerned about it drowning?" Lillie asked, with Sun looking at his girlfriend with a raised eyebrow. "Sorry, it's the conservationist in me. I'm going to hope for the best and move on here."
Sun and Lillie turned towards where Geoff had fallen, surrounded by his now-freed Pokémon. They were lying on the ground, completely exhausted and unable to move. Lillie got straight to work, and with Sun's help, was able to heal and treat most of the superficial injuries. With a few berries each, some of them had perked up and were even quietly talking to some of Sun's Pokémon.
"It seems they have no desire to battle now that Charcoal has been taken care of and that they've been freed from their abusive Trainer." Penny translated as Floatzel and Grumpig nodded in agreement. "Considering the fact that we've freed and healed them, they are quite happy now with us."
"That jerk really did only keep them in line with fear and the strength of his Partner. Remove all that and his Pokémon have no reason to care for him." Lillie remarked quietly as she looked at Geoff, who was currently trying and failing to stand up.
"Alastor, are you okay?" Sun asked his Alolan Golem, turning to look at him with concern. "We've been really worried about you!"
"I know. I apologize for any worry you all felt on my behalf." Alastor said quietly, bowing his head for several moments.
"You don't have to apologize for anything. We're just glad you're doing better!" Finn said brightly, thumping the Golem on the back with a hearty laugh.
Alastor's eye twitched with annoyance at Finn, but the Golem bit back a harsh reply and instead responded with. "Better is…pushing things. But the anger I felt towards that idiot of a human did help in cutting through the despair. I am back, for whatever it's worth."
"After what you went through with Nizbel and your clan, it's understandable for you to need some time for yourself. We're glad you were here to help us." Penny remarked, only for Alastor to shake his head.
"Don't brush my words aside. I owe you all an apology. For everything I have done." Alastor said quietly, flexing his claws as electricity danced along them. The Alolan Golem growled softly in frustration as he regarded each of them in turn.
"I hated you all. Loathed you with everything I had. And yet time and time again you gave me chance after chance to do better. I've had time to reflect on the events that led up to my father striking me down. And I've thought about my life…and what comes next."
"And what conclusions did you come to?" Brago asked, tilting his head in confusion.
Alastor clenched his fists tightly, a surge of electricity thrumming along his arms before he released the flow and allowed it to dissipate, his claws opening as well. "Hate was all I knew, growing up in my clan. Hatred towards the humans and those who shackled themselves to the human's whims. I despised what I was forced to become…until I finally understood what it truly meant to become a Trained Pokémon. To become strong enough to stop heinous villains, crush monsters beneath my feet, and even save the world."
"I did not understand truly what I had become…until I was given a choice to turn my back on you all, and found that I couldn't." Alastor's words had become a whisper towards the end, and then Golem shook his head.
"I despised you all. I despised what I was becoming. I despised my father for what he had done to me. I am so tired of hating." Alastor's voice broke then, and it took several moments for him to compose himself. "I do not want to hate anymore. I chose you all over my family, because I realized how wrong our hatred was. How pointless it was. I cannot hold that hatred in my heart any longer."
"We appreciate that you chose us, but you being angry is completely understandable. I took you away from your family and made you an outcast." Sun responded, only for Alastor to look him in the eyes and then shake his head.
"I had the right to be angry." Alastor answered, his voice heavy with exhaustion and pain and regret. "I did not have the right to be cruel. And for that I am sorry, my human."
Sun looked at the Alolan Golem for several moments before he knelt down to look him in the eyes, his smile warm. "Apology accepted. Let's just try and do better together. Okay?"
Alastor stared at the human…before smiling faintly back at his Trainer. The Pokémon bowed its head for a moment and murmured, "That's acceptable."
"So…what do you want to do about Nizbel the Bold and the rest of your clan? They still deserve retribution for what they did to you." Oliver asked Alastor, who's eyes widened a fraction in surprise as he looked at the Decidueye. Mostly because he was shocked that Oliver was the one asking him about this particular question. Considering their previous animosity, it was a testament to how much the owl actually cared.
Alastor looked away from the team he had chosen over the family that had forsaken him. Part of him cried out for revenge upon those who turned their backs on him. The rest of him contemplated the matter carefully.
Finally the Golem spoke, his words slow and deliberate. "No. Much like Tetra, I have found a new family. One that has been extraordinarily patient with me despite my anger and hate. I appreciate your understanding and support…I heard every word of what you spoke to me while I remained silent. I will always remember this."
Alastor spoke heavily, but the group was surprised at how close it seemed the Alolan Golem was to breaking down into tears. "I did not deserve such kindness. And yet you all gave me so much I find it overwhelming."
"It's okay. We just wanted to make sure you knew that we cared about you." Tetra spoke up, offering the Golem a bright smile. Alastor's expression crumbled at Tetra's words and he looked away. Sun was almost certain he saw tears coming down his face.
"I will need to think further on this." Alastor said, still looking away from them all. "If the situation here is contained, I'd like to rest in my ball for a little while. Gather my thoughts."
"Of course. Thanks for helping us out. You and Tetra really saved the day." Sun said gently to the Alolan Golem, who nodded stiffly in response before Sun returned him. The boy looked down at the Ultra Ball with a hint of concern in his eyes before clipping it to his belt.
"He may have come to our aid, but he is far from okay." Penny noted as she fluttered to the ground.
"I know. But he'll talk when he's ready. He was well enough to fight today and even apologize for what's happened in the past, and that's a huge step forward. So long as he understands that we're all here for him, then I can be as patient as he needs." Sun said before turning towards Geoff, who had collapsed onto the ground again. "We do need to figure out what to do with this jerk, though. I really want to chuck him into the ocean with Charcoal, but in his state that'd probably be murder."
"I mean…if you commit a crime and no one's around to witnezzz it, izzz it really a crime?" Rotom Dex asked cheekily, causing Lillie to give the device a stern look.
"Yes, it is!"
"Bzzzzrt! Sun, you're being awfully quiet on thizzz!"
"I'm going to side with Lillie on this, but only because she's right. Personally I'd love to see this jerk catapulted into orbit for attacking us all like this." Sun said before turning towards his team. Sun noticed that Tetra was walking towards Geoff, and after a few moments, followed her himself.
"Hahaha…Come to get your revenge?" Geoff growled as he fell to his knees again, panting from his efforts to get back to his feet and wincing at the electricity crackling around him.
Tetra simply stared at the man who had hurt her so much. Geoff sneered at the dragon's silence and shouted, "Then do it. Strike me down, Useless! Bloody your claws and claim your victory! Prove that you actually have the guts to tear your old Trainer apart!"
Geoff threw apart his arms, a twisted grin on his face as he panted from exhaustion. "I tried to kill all of them. And I failed. If this is how my story has to end…then so be it."
Tetra looked down at the one who had tormented her as a hatchling. Who had left her to die in the Haina Desert. And now, after she had finally found acceptance in a new family, Geoff had tried to kill them all as well. She knew she should be angry. She should've wanted to strike the cruel Trainer down where he stood and tear him apart.
"No." Tetra whispered, shaking her head slowly as Geoff's expression shifted to one of confusion. "I won't kill you. Even if you deserve it, I don't want your blood on my claws."
"Weak! Worthless little waste of space! You don't even have the guts to kill me…to just end it! Put me out of my misery, damn it! Are you just that weak!?" Geoff bellowed at the dragon who had once been his. Tetra stared at her old Trainer for several long moments.
"No. It's just that you're not worth it." Tetra said quietly, causing Geoff's pupils to shrink down to pinpricks in shock. "You're not worth being angry at. You hurt me. You tried to kill me. You made me hate myself for so long…but look at where we're at now."
Tetra looked back at the team that had become her family. Her brothers and sisters who had risked themselves to protect her. And a Trainer who loved and took care of her. Tetra locked eyes with Sun and Lillie, who both smiled at her with pride.
The Gabite smiled at them before looking back at the sad, twisted little human who had never been good, but had somehow gotten worse in the months since she had last seen him. Now he was begging for death while cowering in the dirt all alone.
"I'm happy. I'm a bigger and stronger dragon now. I'm starting to feel proud of myself and what I can do. I'm well-fed and cared for and I get to go on cool adventures with a family that cares about me." Tetra said quietly, smiling down at her ex-Trainer without an ounce of malice. It simply wasn't who Tetra was, despite everything she had been through. "And here you are. Alone. Beaten. And still running from the truth. You aren't good. You're rotten. And I won't kill you or let my family kill you, because you're not worth the hate. It's kind of like what my big brother Alastor said earlier."
"Y-you…h-how dare you!?" Geoff sputtered indignantly, completely taken aback at being told by a Pokémon he considered to be trash that he wasn't worth the dignity of dying at her claws.
"Besides…I think they have more of a right than I do to kill you." Tetra said with the same warm smile, pointing behind Geoff. The Trainer glanced back and paled at the sight of his OWN team staring down at him intently. The Floatzel and Skuntank were openly growling at him with murderous glares.
"N-no…No! I own you! You can't do this!" Geoff shouted as his former Pokémon drew closer. Geoff tried to pull himself up, only for a blue glow to surround his body and drag him closer to the horde of beaten and abused Pokémon who now finally had their tormentor in their clutches.
Geoff's screams filled the entirety of the Poni Wilds.
"Should we help him? We are kind of watching someone be torn apart by his own Pokémon. He deserves it, but that doesn't mean we should let it happen." Lillie asked quietly, turning away from Geoff and his team. Sun considered it for several long moments before shrugging his shoulders.
"I texted Ollie during the fight. Considering how long ago that was, he'll be here about five minutes to arrest this clown." Sun said with a nonchalant shrug. "After what he did, he deserves it."
Lillie stared at Sun for several long moments, and then towards the vile Trainer who had attempted to murder them, tormented his own Pokémon relentlessly, and was just an overall deranged person so consumed by their own ego that they hadn't seen this coming at all. Lillie remained silent as she truly considered this, as well as what Sun said. And then she considered what the boy had been told during the Test of Hope by Vivian.
"We can't save everyone…and not everyone wants to be saved. Not everyone wants to be redeemed." Lillie muttered quietly, seeing where Sun was coming from. The girl sighed and nodded in acceptance of this. "So be it. They are really letting him have it though. I don't think legs are supposed to bend that way."
"Nope. His arms are pretty messed up too. If I hadn't seen worse, I'd probably be disturbed."
"...We should probably look into more therapy sessions with Doctor Cabella."
"Probably. He's been very helpful dealing with the non-stop trauma I had to deal with regarding my Dad. The Roran episode alone had five full sessions dedicated to it."
Sun and Lillie continued to discuss therapy while their Pokémon calmly watched Geoff being beaten within an inch of his life. Rotom Dex was filming the entire thing, making sure to fly close to the chaos so it could get every last detail of Geoff being mercilessly beaten within an inch of his life. His team was very careful not to kill the rogue Trainer, but only so that they could draw out his suffering for as long as possible.
A furious screech caught everyone's attention and to their shock, an exhausted and ragged Infernape trudged out of the water. Charcoal glared at his former team with loathing in his eyes, but he also glanced at Sun who was standing closer to him than his treacherous team.
The Infernape let out another screech as Blaze activated yet again, and as flames cloaked his body the Infernape dashed towards Sun. Charcoal was fully intending to strike the boy down despite the fact that his entire team had moved in front of him and Lillie to shield them from the oncoming attack.
"Not quite."
A gleaming golden shield dropped down in front of Charcoal, causing the Infernape to crash harmlessly into the King's Shield the Aegislash in front of him had dropped. Meanwhile the Pokémon's Trainer regarded the Infernape with a calculating expression as it tried to get around the shield to get to him and Sun.
"So be it…" Ollie muttered before snapping his fingers. "End it. Shadow Claw!"
Aegislash lowered the barrier and swiftly slashed forward, delivering a brutal slash to the chest of the Infernape before impaling itself through Charcoal's heart. Charcoal staggered back a step before Aegislash removed itself from the Infernape's body, causing him to collapse onto the ground. The Infernape twitched several times before finally going still at long last, it's terrible rage finally brought to an end.
"Are you kids alright?" Ollie asked as he turned around to address Sun and Lillie. Both of them nodded, with Sun walking forward and hugging Ollie tightly. The International Police Captain returned the hug for several long moments before looking at them all properly. He was grateful that the children and Pokémon were sporting superficial injuries, and aside from a few burns they were okay.
Ollie then noticed the horde of Pokémon attacking a Trainer he recognized off of a Wanted List and ran over to Geoff and quickly began restoring order. Sun and Lillie walked over to the scene once Ollie had the Pokémon placated and was looking over Geoff and the countless injuries the rogue Trainer had sustained.
"Is he going to be okay?" Lillie asked, knowing full-well that Geoff was absolutely not.
Ollie barked out a laugh, shaking his head. "He might live, depending on how quickly the med-evac gets here. I don't think I've ever personally seen a Trainer's team turn on him like this before. I'm more concerned with why you two didn't lift a finger to help the man."
"He deserved it and the second he was out of the clear, he would've tried killing us." Sun explained, causing Ollie to frown.
"That's valid, but don't think we're not talking about this in-depth, Sun." Ollie sighed, running his hands over his face. "Right or wrong, this is messed up."
"What would you have done?" Sun asked Ollie, looking at him as his eyes flickered red. He spoke in a surprisingly measured and calm tone. "You're getting attacked by a known Pokémon abuser who keeps ranting about wanting to kill and torture one of your Pokémon. He's already killed someone and attacked a bunch of other people. Now he's attacking you and your non-Trainer girlfriend for absolutely no reason."
Sun's eyes shifted to gray as he crossed his arms. "I made sure he wasn't a threat anymore and even made it so he couldn't abuse his own Pokémon anymore…If they decided to beat him up, that's on him. Not me."
Ollie stared at Sun for several long moments, almost shocked at how genuinely furious the boy was. But then he considered all of the angles of the situation, as well as what he knew of this Geoff character already. In the end, Ollie simply sighed and adjusted his hat.
"I would've done the same thing, honestly." Ollie admitted, glancing over at the barely conscious Trainer. The one in urgent need of medical care, but was currently lying facedown in the sand. "Probably would've killed him myself if it had been my own. As it is, I don't see this guy being able to use any of his limbs in the future, even if he survives a trip back to Malie City. After everything he's done, he'll probably be extradited back to Sinnoh to be executed."
"After everything he's done here?" Lillie asked.
Ollie nodded in answer. "Alola doesn't have extradition laws, so we're not obligated to send him back to Sinnoh…Until earlier this week when Kukui nipped that in the bud and added that provision. This bastard will be getting enough medical treatment to make sure he doesn't die. Then we're sending him to Sinnoh where he'll probably die anyway. But this time it'll be execution by the law, even though he absolutely deserves to die unmourned in the wilderness."
"So now what? What do we do with his team?" Lillie asked Ollie, who considered it.
"I'll ask the Pokémon to stay there and see if we can rehab them back at the Aether Paradise. Gladion would probably be happy to help out the rest of the Pokémon this creep abused over his team. We can get them the treatment they deserve and ensure that they are safe to release back into the wilderness, or perhaps foster them out somehow." Ollie said with a small smile before putting a hand on Sun's head.
"I was a little mad at first, but you handled this well. It's a messy and crap situation all-around and that had no easy solution, Sun. But a dangerous man was stopped and you did it with minimal issues all-around. I'm frustrated I had to put down that Infernape, but sometimes a Pokémon is so far-gone that they can't be reasoned with. And dangerous Pokémon like that have to be dealt with." Ollie said with the tone of someone who had been forced to make hard calls before in order to protect lives.
Sun nodded and was led back over to Lillie and the others, just in time to see several other IC operatives teleporting in with a few police officers. Geoff was teleported away and after another hour of extended communication, Geoff's team was re-captured by Ollie and sent to the Aether Paradise for evaluation and extensive rehabilitation.
Ollie took Sun and Lillie back to the Seafolk Village for a look-over by Nurse Joy. Another hour later both they and Sun's team were back on their feet and ready to travel. Ollie arranged for a Ride Charizard to take them all to Hapu's house on the Ancient Poni Path, dropping them off and wishing them well and their journey.
He also gave Sun another tracker device to replace the one Sun had originally. Sun had realized a few weeks back that the original one he had been given (during the Cipher crisis) had been broken somehow and had asked Ollie for a replacement just in case. It had taken time to acquire a second tracker, but now that Sun had it, he could call for assistance and be tracked down whenever it was necessary. Signal within the Vast Poni Canyon could be sketchy sometimes with regular cell service.
After hugging Sun and getting a promise from the boy to call his mother soon, Ollie departed to deal with the fallout of Geoff. This allowed Sun and Lillie to continue on their way towards Vast Poni Canyon.
Sun walked down the path with his team and holding Lillie's hand, unclipping the Ultra Ball that held Alastor with a small smile on his face. The Golem was still resting in the capsule, but Sun knew that he would be alright.
"I'm really proud of you, Tetra." Sun finally said, looking over at the young dragon.
"Huh? Why is that, Sunny?" Tetra asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Because none of us would've blamed you for killing Geoff. And you took the high road. He did still end up getting what he deserved, but still. And I really am proud of you for overcoming your fear and fighting with us." Sun said to the Gabite, who shook her head in dismissal.
"I did what my Trainer would have done." Tetra responded matter-of-factly, grinning at a surprised Sun. The boy then matched the smile of his dragon and stepped towards the dragon to give her a one-armed hug, which Tetra happily returned.
Unfortunately, the happy moment was interrupted when the group turned the corner and spotted six familiar figures sitting in the middle of the road blocking their way. Or rather, squatting. Six Team Skull Grunts, five male and one female, all glaring daggers at Sun and Lillie as they approached.
"You're from Team Skull. What is it that you want from us?" Lillie asked the group in a tone for more confident than she had ever addressed the group. The fact that most of Sun's team was standing beside her likely helped, but it was also a testament to the girl's blossoming confidence that Team Skull no longer scared her as they once did.
"Here they come!" one of the Grunts laughed, putting his hands on his hips. "I heard about you numskulls at Aether. Do you really know a way to save our boy Guzma?"
The female Grunts stood, her eyes narrowed down to slits. "We can make you talk, even if we have to cut you to the bone!"
"Bring it." Sun said with a smirk as Brago stepped in front of Sun. The female Grunt sent out a Fomantis, who shrank back in fear as Brago's Intimidate Ability struck it. Sadly, one Flame Burst later saw the smaller Pokémon knocked out cold.
"Ow, that hurts! Even my heart hurts!" the Female Grunt yelped as she returned her Fomantis. "Okay, so you cut me to the bone! Ouch!"
The female Grunt suddenly sprinted past Sun and Lillie and fled down the road, causing the two of them to roll their eyes. Meanwhile the remaining Grunts all stood as one unit.
"Doesn't matter!" the Grunt who had been speaking earlier shouted. "We'll come after you with all our Pokémon at once then, li'l homeslice! We'll give 200 percent to save our boy Guzma!"
All five of the Grunts struck their poses as one, and Sun's smirk widened into a grin as Brago crouched, facing down the entire squad as they sent out a Salandit, Alolan Raticate, Haunter, Mareanie and Golbat.
"Brago, Return on Salandit!" Sun shouted as Brago rushed into the horde, glowing white before colliding with the small lizard and knocking it out cold. This allowed the Arcanine to focus on the approaching Alolan Raticate that was speeding towards him.
"Fire Blast!" Brago opened his mouth and fired off a star-shaped blast of roaring flames. The massive black rat dove through the attack and, shockingly, tanked it. It then glowed bright white and crashed into Brago with Double Edge. However, the attack wasn't nearly as potent as it should've been due to the burn that the Raticate had sustained from Brago's attack.
Brago leapt back to avoid a Sludge Bomb from the Golbat and, at Sun's command, shot forward with Aerial Ace to finish off the Alolan Raticate.
"Turn right around and use Aerial Ace on the Haunter!" Sun shouted as Brago spun around, growling fiercely as he rushed at the shocked specter and rammed into it as well. As the ghost reeled from the attack, Brago was forced to dodge a stream of water from the Mareanie.
"Now, while he's distracted! Shadow Ball, yo!" one of the Grunts shouted as his Haunter zoomed forward with a horrible chuckle, charging up and firing off the ghostly sphere of energy at the Arcanine as he continued to fend off the horde. Brago whined as the Shadow Ball from Haunter exploded against his side, causing him to miss his Flame Burst against the Golbat.
The Bat Pokémon tried to fire back, but Brago dodged the Air Cutter sent his way. The Arcanine then rushed forward with Return at a command from Sun, ramming into the Mareanie. Brago was rewarded with a Poison Jab for his troubles, and Sun barked out a warning so the Arcanine could dodge another Shadow Ball from the Haunter.
"Aerial Ace! Deal with them both!" Sun called as the Arcanine grit his teeth and sped forward, rushing forward and slam hard into Haunter and then into Mareanie. Both Pokémon fell into the dirt unconscious as the exhausted Arcanine let out a battle howl.
Soon there was just the Golbat left that flapped its wings with a menacing hiss. Sun thrust out his Z-Ring as it flashed, a wild grin on his face.
"Brago! Channel Fire Blast…and use Inferno Overdrive!" Sun shouted as he quickly struck a series of poses, sending Z-Power to his Arcanine and allowing him to showcase the power of their bond. Brago charged up the sphere of pulsating fire that erupted outwards, coalescing into an enormous fireball and exploded multiple times when it connected with Golbat.
Sun and the Team Skull Grunts watched the smoke as it covered the path, and Sun was somewhat shocked to see that the Golbat was actually still standing. It was badly singed from the Z-Move, but still able to fly.
"Venoshock!" the Team Skull Grunt called to his Pokémon, who fired out a barrage of small globules at the Arcanine. Brago snarled in pain and staggered backwards before finally collapsing onto the ground and fainting.
"Ha! We brought down your big dog! How's that feel?" the Grunt shouted out with a laugh, puffing out his chest proudly as his exhausted Golbat landed on the ground.
Sun returned Brago with a shrug and looked over his shoulders at the four other Pokémon flanking him. After a moment he said, "Tetra, you want to finish this? You didn't get to fight very long earlier."
"Sure!" Tetra said brightly as she walked out in front of Sun, grinning toothily at the very charred Golbat. "Use Dragon Claw!"
"Leech Life, yo!"
Tetra flung out her claws as they exploded in a wreath of light green flames, extending outwards. The Gabite rushed forward to meet the Golbat that rammed into her, sinking its teeth into her hide and siphoning her energy. However, whatever energy the Bat Pokémon had gained from the move was nullified by getting slashed again and again by Tetra's Dragon Claw attack. It soon collapsed onto the ground unconscious.
"What the hell…" the lead Grunt breathed as he returned his Golbat, his hand shaking with shock. "Our 200 percent is, like, what percentage of your strength?!"
"I've got four more Pokémon after her, man. Just let us through." Sun said with a tired sigh, trying not to let his annoyance show.
"I'm not giving up, even though you beat me! I'm part of Team Skull! We're thick as anything!" the Grunt shouted furiously, taking a step forward while raising a fist threateningly.
Finally a cool voice interrupted the proceedings by calling out. "That's enough. No one wants to see a sore loser."
The Grunt froze and then looked off to the side, where his eyes widened in surprise. Sun and Lillie both followed his gaze and spotted the familiar form of Plumeria, who was sitting on one of the ruin walls with a calculating expression. She slid down from the wall and landed on the ground easily before walking forward to greet the Grunts who had all run towards her with questions.
To Sun and Lillie's shock, all it took was a few words from her to calm down the rowdy bunch and the Team Skull Admin sent them on their way with relative ease. Considering her last interactions with Sun and Lillie both, the couple found this very confusing.
Once the Grunts were gone, Plumeria finally turned around to face Sun and Lillie. After staring at them for a solid minute, Plumeria grunted softly. "You, girlie…Lillie, right?"
Tetra growled softly at the Team Skull Admin, but a gentle murmur from Sun made the dragon stand down. Lillie stepped forward and looked Plumeria in the eyes as the older woman placed her hands on her hips. "You really ready to do this finally?"
"Yes. No more running away. I left my old self behind at the Paradise." Lillie said quietly yet firmly, looking up at Plumeria without flinching.
To their surprise, Plumeria turned away, seemingly unable to meet her gaze. "To be honest, I've treated you really badly. Even if I was just doing the work the President told me to do, I shouldn't have done all that."
"Even if I apologize for it now, I know it's probably too late for you to forgive me, though." Plumeria continued, her words quiet. The guilt and frustration in her voice was evident, however. Plumeria turned away from them and looked towards the sunset.
"See, Guzma…he really likes the President." Plumeria remarked, not seeing a disgusted expression on Lillie's face while Sun raised an eyebrow. "She's the only adult who ever seemed to see how strong he was. I wonder if she saw that and exploited him…took advantage of that hole in his heart."
"The President…My mother is-she's selfish. She lavishes her love only on those she deems worthy, not caring whether it is wanted or not." Lillie said to Plumeria, shaking her head. "But I will save her. I still have something I need to tell her. And I think I can save Guzma as well." Lillie said gently, causing Plumeria to turn around with a surprised look on her face.
"You know…deep down, you're kind of like the President." Plumeria muttered, staring Lillie down intently. "You've gone in a different direction, but I can tell you have the same strength in your convictions."
"They're both strong in their own ways." Sun agreed, causing the Team Skull Admin to hum softly before shutting her eyes in thought.
"Bring Guzma back, if you can. I know you've got no reason to help…" Plumeria trailed off for a moment before shrugging her shoulders, opening her eyes again. "But no one can make up for what they've done if they're gone. Team Skull hurt you both terribly in so many ways I can't even begin to count them."
"And yet here we are." Lillie remarked, smiling at the Team Skull Admin. The woman nodded slowly before looking to Sun.
"And you, Sun. Looks like you were special after all." Plumeria said with a nod to the boy. "You didn't just stand up to Team Skull. You even took on the darkness inside Aether. Looks like you're the real deal. The realest Pokémon Trainer I've seen around. Take good care of our little Princess here."
Lillie smiled at Plumeria and grabbed Sun's hand, and Sun glanced at Lillie with a smile of his own. Plumeria snorted with amusement as she dug in her pocket, searching for something.
"About time you two got together. So damn adorable it's almost gross." Plumeria muttered with a ghost of a smile before pulling out a purple gemstone, which Sun realized was a Z-Crystal. "This is my way of saying sorry, OK? Take it. It's Poisonium Z."
"Oh yeah…You got your first stone directly from Tapu Koko, didn't you, Sun?" Plumeria asked the boy, earning a nod in reply. "You'd better take care of it. That's one special Z-Ring you've got there. A Trainer is only a Trainer because of the Pokémon with them. If you ever forget that, you'll bring the wrath of the Tapu down upon yourself…" Plumeria trailed off ominously before smirking at the other Trainer. "You should be fine, though."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Sun said as he accepted the Z-Crystal from the woman, with Lillie giggling in the background.
"I'm out of here." Plumeria said as she turned on her heel and began walking away from them. Before she could get more than a few steps away, Sun called out to her.
"How did someone sensible like you get involved with Team Skull, anyways?" The Team Skull Admin stopped in her tracks and glanced back at Sun, her eyes closing as she considered answering.
After almost a full minute of silence, she replied. "It wasn't how many people ended up in the group. When I was ten, there was a horrible fire at my home while we slept. A nearby AC-unit had caught fire and it spread to my house. Me and my parents were trapped inside..." Plumeria answered quietly, her eyes not quite looking at the children. They both knew that she was somewhere else right now.
"Both of my parents died trying to get me out of there…but I was trapped by the blaze, pinned down by burning debris. The fire was too intense for the firefighters to save me. By all rights, I was doomed." Plumeria said as she rolled up her pant legs. To Sun and Lillie's surprise, they both saw long burn marks along her shins, faded with age but still very visible.
"But a random bystander jumped into the building. He called the useless bystanders cowards and used his giant terrifying bug to save me and break me out of my burning home." Plumeria continued, rolling down her pant legs again and crossing her arms as she snapped back to the present.
"Guzma and Goliath…" Lillie whispered, stunned that Guzma would do such a thing as risk his life to save victims of a fire. Plumeria's eyes blazed with emotions, but her voice was steady.
"Disgraced as he was, he never hesitated to help. He saved my life for no other reason because it was the right thing to do and he happened to be passing by. He refused any kind of reward or press coverage. Said it was beneath him." Plumeria said she clenched her fists. "And when I found out that my parents hadn't survived and that I'd be going to an orphanage, Guzma offered to help me."
"Why would he do that?" Sun asked softly.
Plumeria met the boy's eyes and spoke carefully. "I remember a time when I was alone, brat. I hated that feeling, and I'm not gonna let some kid go through that too. Come with me, and I'll teach you how to be strong enough to protect those you care about. You'll never be alone again…That's what he told me."
The Team Skull Admin closed her eyes. "And so I did. I became the big sister in a family of dummies, but I found so much love that I've never been lonely or afraid. Team Skull is a mess, but we look out for each other. Alola may hate us, and for good reason, but we aren't alone."
"I guess so…" Sun murmured, realizing he may have to rethink his opinions of the crude and powerful gangster who had aligned with Lusamine and nearly murdered his own father. Despite everything, Guzma had cared for Team Skull when no one else had.
Alola had cast aside Team Skull, but Guzma had welcomed the forgotten sons and daughters of the region with open arms. And in the case of the few like Plumeria, had reached out a helping hand to those who needed it. Despite his sins, he was still beloved in Team Skull as a leader and a mentor.
Because he knew their pain. Guzma understood and wanted them to become strong like he had so they didn't have to suffer.
"You may hate him. He may be a criminal dirtbag who's done some awful, awful things…" Plumeria turned to face Sun and Lillie, and to their shock they saw tears in the eyes of the normally stoic woman.
"But he's like the asshole brother I never had and I don't want him to die. So save him. Save him and bring him back to Team Skull. Bring him back to us…please." Plumeria whispered to Sun and Lillie before turning on her heel and walking away.
"I suppose even Team Skull is not all that bad…" Lillie remarked quietly as the couple watched the Team Skull Admin depart, tears rolling down Plumeria's cheeks. Despite this, Plumeria walked away with her head held high and with the confidence of a woman who had endured hell and walked out standing…
Having entrusted her greatest wish to those Team Skull had wronged the most.
NEXT TIME: Sun's fourth and final Grand Trial against Hapu, the newly-crowned Kahuna!
I've been looking forward to these two chapters for a while, since Tetra and Alastor's character arcs are somewhat tied into one another. It'll be fun exploring some of the ramifications of this chapter down the line.
Q & A
From: SolanaLeonhart
Geoff was obviously way messed up but good God, this was worse than anything I ever imagined. No wonder poor Tetra was terrified, I hope she can fight back soon. And what is up with those names?
So, I kinda channeled the attitude of players from the Gen 1-2 days who named their Rivals really insulting names like "Ass" and things along those lines. Geoff nicknamed his Pokemon insulting names until they had proved themselves to him, mostly because he was a self-absorbed maniac. Not everyone should be a Pokemon Trainer.
From: Oragonking
Say, lusamine had only ever used 5 of her Pokémon, and the Ninetales belonged to Mohn. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, she has a Lopunny. Can you explain why you didn't added her to the story?
…Because this is a Pokémon Sun story, and not a Pokémon Ultra Sun story?
That's all for now, you legends. As always, make sure to review, favorite/follow the story if you haven't already and show your support! It really means the world to me and I sincerely appreciate it.
I also have a Pokémon Scarlet fic known as "Pokémon Nuzlocke Novels: Ancient Scarlet" available to read on this site and AO3. Any and all support from this story to that story (which is in the same universe as RS) is greatly appreciated.
Take care and stay awesome!
Until next time, FlygonNick out!