Chapter 15: The Temple part 2
A/N: So yeah, this is the final chapter, kinda. These last two chapters may feel a bit rushed but I didn't want the main storyline to end with a build up. There was meant to be a whole lot more in this story which I underestimated the length of. I didn't realise how attached I would be to this story. There are some events I had planned that I thought were too good not to write down, so there will be three 'future' chapters for those events. Next 'chapter' will a list of notes and events for the story and after that will be the future chapters.
Chapter START
"Uuugh." Sarah groaned as consciousness started to come back. She blinked her eyes and removed the blurriness. She would have swiped the few strands of hair from her eyes, but she couldn't lift her arm. "Huh?" She found her body being wrapped up in a clean white cloth made of silk. It was being done by a Cofagrigus who had a middle-aged woman's mask on its forehead.
She looked around the room. It was completely dark, and the only things that could be seen were herself and the Pokemon in front of her.
"H-help!" She cried out, but she only heard her voice's echo. She tried to get out of the bindings. She thrashed around, much to the Cofagrigus's annoyance. A tear was about to come out as panic settled in. She ignored the cold, still wind caressing her cheeks.
Hold on. I'm not a little girl to be crying like this. Forget that.
She may not have her Pokemon, she remembered how her sash was yanked off of her, but she wouldn't die here. She WILL live and become Champion.
With newfound strength, she ripped the wrappings on her arm and punched the Cofagrigus's human mask. The Cofagrigus let out a yell and clutched her mask. It was a sensitive part of her body.
"Cofag Cofagrigus stop it child." She got more wrappings. She grabbed Sarah's exposed arm with a ghostly cold hand to stop her from breaking out of any more and wrapped her manyfold. She won't be breaking out of the bindings now. She wrapped her head, making sure to keep her hair inside, and stopped her screaming of words, some of which she couldn't recognize, and turned them into only loud mumbles. "Co Cofag you are one healthy human and will be the perfect offering for our Grand Master. Cofagrigus Cofag Co such spirit shows a fiery soul. Yes, you will be a nutritious meal for him."
Once the Cofagrigus was done, she lifted her up gently, and they moved. Sarah was not able to see through the bindings.
Being wrapped up like a mummy, taken somewhere by a Cofagrigus, and in a temple that was told to have Pokemon who would eat humans. Yeah, Sarah could only pray now as she knew what was going to happen.
Please, Isabella, I know that we haven't gotten along, but you wouldn't abandon me. She wouldn't. There's no way. I love you, you know. Please, save me.
Isabella was sitting on a chair with her hands covering her face. She tried very hard to not let tears come out. It was her fault, it was her arrogance that might get Sarah killed. She was sitting in the Ranger's hut which was surprisingly unlocked. He still hadn't returned.
What was she to do? Stay and wait for the Ranger to help them, and then get their licenses revoked or go back inside the Temple and save her herself.
I have to do this.
She couldn't get their licenses revoked. It would be like throwing their lives away. She'll find her. Luckily, she has extra help.
She summoned Sarah's Pokemon who looked at her confused.
"You may be thinking why I've summoned you instead of Sarah. It's because she's been kidnapped into the temple." They stood straight and their eyes showed initiative.
That's good.
"I'm going back in and I'll need your help. Will you lend it to me?" They nodded. She recalled them, but Athena dodged her beam. "Don't worry, I'll summon you if I need help."
She shook her head. She focused and used her horns to send an emotion to Isabella. Ever since she evolved, her emotion sensing abilities have doubled in strength due to having two horns now instead of one, but she's also gained the ability to send her emotions to others, letting them know how she feels. Isabella sensed a strong emotion of protection that was foreign to her. She realized it was from Athena and then nodded.
"Very well. You can stay out."
Theodore's pokeball opened and let him out to the girls' surprise. He took out two items from behind his scarf and gave them to Athena.
Since when did he have those? She thought.
"This is an anti-fire spray. If you come across a Pokemon who can use fire type attacks then spray yourself with this and the attack will do nothing. It will be like air hitting you," he said, pointing at the canister. "This one." He pointed at the strange device that was shaped like a pokedex but without the screen. There were two buttons on the side and at the top was like a satellite dish she'd seen in the dreamyard but smaller. "Is a psychic jammer. If there is a psychic type Pokemon then point it at them and press this button. DO NOT press that one. You are a psychic type yourself and that button will end up screwing with you too as the radio frequency will hit everyone in its radius. You understand?" She did but showed a reluctant face.
"I'm sorry Theodore, but I can't take this. It's dishonourable to use human items in a Pokemon battle. If I do, I will disgrace myself as a Pokemon." Besides, what would her father think? If she used this he would be extremely disappointed. She gave the items back. Theodore just looked gobsmacked.
"Again with this honour thing. Why do you Pokemon value such sentimental things? Look, Sarah's life is in danger. If you don't want to use it when you need to then her death will be on your hands." He shoved them onto her then pressed the button on his pokeball, recalling him back. She sighed as she tucked the items in her dress. She wouldn't need them anyway.
Isabella went into the temple through the same exposed hole. She turned on the flashlight she'd taken from the Ranger's hut. The hallways were no longer as dark as they were and she could see clearly this time. She had Athena and her Lamoent out. She ignored the hieroglyphics she would have loved to analyze and focused on the task. They faced a few Yamasks who hadn't learned their lesson with a quick Psyshock and Hex.
She stopped when she reached a small room. There were no hieroglyphics. It was empty except for the staircase that led to darkness. It was a long one since when she shined her flashlight through it, it was still dark at the bottom. The staircase was smooth and looked well maintained, unlike the slight cracks from the slabbed flooring in the hallways. It was made with marble and was encased with gold at the top.
No one was allowed in this temple except researchers due to its danger against humans and its potential to break the Great Pact which they've worked very hard on, and researchers wouldn't dare cause even a dent on this magnificent place in order to observe it. So why does it look well maintained despite no one being here?
This is called the Temple of Tutankhamun. Is he buried in here? Are there curses like I was told?
That would explain the pristine condition of the staircase. This only added more fear to what she already had. She took a deep breath and walked down. This was for Sarah.
There were more hallways, although, this time they were different. She switched off her flashlight as the hallways were lit up with torches that didn't stop burning, probably due to some ghost type energy. The hallways were made of the same marble as the staircase and showed no hieroglyphics. There was a lining of blue marble which was very expensive at the time and from what she remembered, used as a material to show off one's status and get placed highly in the hierarchy.
She considered status hierarchy as stupid, something that was a waste of time and a detriment to society. Why waste time being arrogant when you could instead do something el-
I'm describing myself, with the way I've acted towards Sarah. Why do I even hate her?
She kept walking, still focused on the task. They would have to be careful with any battles in these hallways. They weren't modern and structurally fit to withstand Pokemon moves. They went through many hallways until a Kororok showed up.
She was about to send in Sawsbuck due to type advantage, but Athena stepped forward with an annoyed look on her face. She wanted to get this guy out of the way and get to Sarah as quickly as possible. Isabella accepted, as she wouldn't face a type disadvantage.
"Athena, use Physhock." She sent the projectiles through the narrow hallway. It would be hard for the Krokorok to dodge. He used Dig through the ground. "Be careful and be aware. He could come out of anywhere."
He dug through in front of her and charged up a Hone Claws. He slashed her. She let out a small yelp and growled, sending a strong Mystical Fire his way. He didn't expect it and got burned. The Hone Claws didn't do as well as he'd hoped.
He charged up his Stone Edge and shot the spear-like rocks.
"Use Double Team and then use Mystical Fire again." Her clones were summoned and some were destroyed by the Stone Edge. She had to be careful moving past the clones in the narrow hallway while making herself seem like one. When close she used Mystical Fire, the flame burning him.
The Krokorok was furious and growled. This time, instead of Hone Claws, he charged up a Shadow Claw. The move was a ghost type and Athena let out a scream of pain from the super effective move.
"Don't worry about it Athena," Isabella said. "Use Draining Kiss." She picked up a few things from Sarah's battling style; use your Pokemon's fighting style and typing to your advantage. Athena ducked Krokorok's slash against her head and gave him a kiss on the arm. Her new move was super effective against his dark typing. The fairy type energy sucked some of his natural energy and transferred it to her. The slashes he had given her had healed up and she felt rejuvenated. One more attack should do it.
Without a command, she let out her strongest Mystical Fire. Krokorok fainted and fell to the ground with scorch marks.
"Well done, You've been raised well," Isabella said. Athena huffed, feeling her water reserves gone low. Isabella gave her her bottle of water.
"Kir Kirlia." Athena appreciated.
Isabella came across a room with a sarcophagus in the middle. The room absolutely stunk. She had to recall Athena as she didn't want her to be nauseous before a battle. It was surrounded by canopic jars. She opened one- and immediately closed it, running through the next hallway. It was a disgusting sight. The mummification process included taking out most of the internal organs and putting them in canopic jars alongside the mummy. What she saw must have been the large intestine decomposed. She ran through the hallways, faster than before. She needed to hurry before this happens to her cousin.
A Cofagrigus and Sigilyph challenged her. She summoned Lampent and Athena broke out of her pokeball. She was going to be relentless.
"Lampent, use Hex on Sigiliph. Athena, use Mystical Fire."
The Sigiliph dodged the ghostly blast with great speed before charging towards Lampent with an Air Slash and knocking him to the wall. Athena managed to land her attack and interrupt the Cofagrgus's charge up of a Shadow Ball.
"Oh no, Lampent!" She said. "Use Flamethrower in a large area." The Sigiliph couldn't dodge this one and burned in agony. "And now use Hex while he's down."
Athena awaited her next command as The Cofagrigus was charging its next attack; four purple flames levitated on each hand. Isabella was too focused on Lampent who barely dodged another Air Slash. Athena was hit by the Will-O-Wisp before she could dodge. The flames burned as each one was on a part of her body. She patted the flames to extinguish them, but they remained, and slowly burned her. They must have had ghost type energy infused in them.
"Athena, use Psyshock," Isabella said. She shot the projectiles to which the Cofagrigus was too slow to dodge. He sent another Shadow Ball, which she dodged, and it hit the wall behind her. The marble crumbled, and a few bricks in the underlayer fell off. She waited for her next command, but it didn't come instead it was for Lampent.
"Lampent, use Poltergeist on the fallen wall." The same wall was partially destroyed due to them as well. Lampent became translucent and went into the fallen bricks, possessing them. They started to levitate and he used them for battle.
She would have to win this battle on her own, she couldn't wait for her next command and take any more hits. Unlike Sarah, Isabella hadn't learned how to battle with two Pokemon simultaneously.
She sprinted towards Cofagrigus while charging a Psychock. He used Protect. She sent the projectiles into the exact same place on the shield, breaking it, and hitting him with two of the projectiles. She'd learned from her team that this was an efficient way of breaking the move, putting all of your power in one place.
She went on to one knee and let out a groan. The Will-O-Wisp burned her skin again. She tried to pat it out, despite knowing it wouldn't do anything. She started to feel nauseous and the light of the torches started to blind her vision. A Shadow Ball blasted her to the wall and a few more bricks fell. The Cofagrigus himself didn't look too well for wear. He charged up another Will-O-Wisp. If that hit, it was over.
She remembered the anti-fire spray Theodore gave her. No, she couldn't use it. She would rather take death. But Sarah's life was in danger. If she lost this, then how would she save her? Any other Pokemon would say to accept it as it was part of nature.
She took out the spray and used it on herself. The flames were immediately extinguished, and she felt the cool breeze of the room brush her skin. It was relieving. The Cofagrigus's Will-O-Wisp landed but did nothing and was extinguished. She sent two Psyshocks and defeated the Cofagrigus.
"Lampent!" She looked to see how the others were doing. Lampent was stuck in a psychic hold from the Sigiliph. He was trashed around the room, the glassy exterior on his head cracking from each impact.
His other device.
She took out the psychic jammer, pointed it at Sigiliph and pressed the button, making sure it was the right one. She couldn't hear it, but it sent out a radio frequency that was in the range of hurting Sigliph's psychic transmitter. He started to scream in pain as he fell to the floor and held his head tightly with his wings.
"Now!" Athena said.
"Lampent, use Hex." The ghost energy blast was super effective and made Sigiliph faint. Everyone huffed in place. That was almost a losing battle. Athena looked at the devices she held in disgust and shivered. What had she done? This is a disgrace to Pokemon battles, she wasn't meant to use any human devices but use her own power. Was she wrong though? If she didn't use that, then Sarah and them would have died. Damn it. Fudging, damn it.
The wall crumpled completely and the ceiling caved in.
"Quickly!" Isabella said as they jumped through the broken wall before the room collapsed. They entered a very large room. It was greatly lit up with the same ghost-energy-infused torches from the hallways. It was grand and most of it was made of gold and silver. Along the outer edges of the room was a set of stairs with Cofagrigus's and Yamask's on top.
Sarah gained consciousness again and could see through the small gaps of the wrapping on her eyes. She was still being lifted by the Cofagrigus from earlier. She was being presented to a Cofagrigus larger than the ones along the edges. Unlike them, he had six ghostly hands. His sarcophagus was not like theirs and held intricate patterns of the Ancient Egyptian era. It was coated in polished gold and jewels. His mask didn't show the typical face of a human, but it held the mask of an ancient Pharaoh every historian could recognise. It was Tutankhamun's. This must be the Cofagrigus whom he was buried in.
Oh god, she was going to die, wasn't she? Was she wrong to believe Isabella would save her?
She closed her eyes and was ready to accept death, one of the Grand Cofagrigus's hands approaching her.
Isabella, you can leave me, but please just look after my team, especially Athena. She'll be heartbroken once she's learned I'm gone forever. God, if you're hearing this, take care of them.
A crashing sound came from behind her.
"SARAH!"
She let out a small smile behind the wrapping. She was right to have hope, after all.
Isabella and Athena rushed towards her but were stopped when the Yamasks and Cofagriguses levitated down the stairs and formed a wall in front of them, frowns on their faces. They were showing disrespect to the Master.
"Get out of our way before I rip you into pieces," Isabella said. They didn't move. "Athena, use-"
"ENOUGH!" A strong voice called out, shaking the room as it echoed off the walls. The Grand Cofagrigus laid Sarah beside his throne. "Move out of the way my servants."
They moved.
"So, what do these esteemed guests want? I have not had visitors in millennia," he said, speaking in perfect English. Isabella broke out of her shock when she heard that.
"You've taken my sister away from me and I want her back!" Isabella said.
"Hmm, it is interesting that you come at me in such a way child. I've picked up a few emotions and memories from my mummy, who was the Pharaoh Tutankhamun. He would have you executed for speaking in such a manner. However." He rose from his throne and went down the stairs, staring at them. "I am not him; I only know a few things about him. He did value honour, and I shall respect it. Since you have put in this much effort to save your family member, then I shall give her to you if you can defeat me in a Pokemon battle."
"And if we lose?" Isabella said in suspicion.
"Then you shall also become an offering for myself. You are just as healthy as this one."
Isabella didn't hesitate to bring Sawsbuck out. She had the type advantage and was her strongest Pokemon. She would need a powerhouse if the Grand's sarcophagus wasn't an indication of its defences.
"Kirlia!" Athena stepped forward with a slight limp.
"No! No, I'm not using you," Isabella said.
"But I-"
"NO! You're injured. Sarah will die if I use you. Is that what you want, huh?!"
Athena stayed quiet. She clenched her fists tightly.
"Worry not, child. If your Pokemon wishes to battle, then let's respect it," The Grand said. "Here, have this." He took a full restore from within his coffin and threw it at Isabella. Her eyes widened. This item was extremely expensive. It would fully heal and re-energise any Pokemon sprayed with it. She sighed. She didn't know whether using Athena would be a good idea, but seeing the utter conviction in her eyes, she thought that it would help. She sprayed her with the full restore.
Aside from the dirt and scruffiness of her dress, she looked as good as new.
"Alright, Athena, I don't want to put more pressure on you, but we have to win this."
"Kirlia," she said with a fire in her eyes. She WILL save Sarah, no matter what it takes.
"Good."
"If you are finished then let us begin." Grand's servants went back to their places on top of the stairs. "You may have the first attack."
"Use Psyshock, low power." She wanted to be careful and gauge Grand. He was the leader for a reason. Athena unleashed the projectiles which rocketed through the room and hit him. He didn't bother dodging. A small cloud of dust formed. They were shocked when it faded away and Grand was still levitating as if nothing had happened.
"My turn." He charged a Dark Pulse with all six of his arms. The rings of energy formed a beam straight towards Athena. She just about dodged to the side. That was a very powerful attack.
"Get in quickly." She ran towards Grand. He charged a few more Dark Pulse, but she ducked past them, anticipating where they would hit. "Blank point Mystical Fire!"
She sent a large flame but was careful of her water reserves. They were already low. This got a small yelp from Grand, but he swiped at her and knocked her to the floor. She quickly got up. Grand's coffin, which was coated with precious metals, showed signs of overheating. Isabella smirked as the prideful waste of resources would backfire against the Cofagrigus.
He charged a Night Shade this time. It was a beam of ghost type energy shaped like a lightning bolt.
"Dodge it!" She was too late and screamed in pain from the super effective attack. Isabella bit her lip. This wasn't good. He had speed, defence, and attack. Athena had a slight edge on speed, but it could only help them so far. "Don't give up. Remember who we're doing this for."
"Kirlia." She immediately got up and brushed the pain aside.
"You are quite the resilient ones. I admire that, but you won't win this." A phantom circle that gave them the creeps formed under Grand. He went into it. Isabella grinned as she recognised the move.
"Athena, listen to me. Use Double Team when I give the signal."
After a minute passed, with nothing happening, the same ghostly circle formed behind and above Athena. Grand came out with all six of his hands reaching to grab her.
"NOW!"
"What in Anubis's name?!" The Kirlia formed many clones around her. He punched six of them but none of them was the real one. He used Night Shade on three more and they weren't the real one either. He was so distracted by the next three in front of him, that he didn't feel the many kisses on his coffin's back. He felt a huge loss of energy as if it was pulled out of him.
"And finish him with Mystical Fire." Another huge flame encompassed him. He felt a lot of pain.
"Enough!" He brought down his right three arms on her. She formed a small crater. Athena tasted the dirt as she tried to get up. He brought it down again. She laid motionless.
"Athena get up, I know you can do this." Isabella started to worry.
(Flashback)
Athena remembered when she had just hatched from her egg. After being cleaned up by her mother, the first face she saw was of an odd creature. Human. Her instincts said.
"Hello there, little one, I'm Sarah and we're going to be partners. Aww, you are just so cute." She pulled her cheeks. She didn't understand a word she said. Her mind was running quickly as Pokemon learned human language quickly when they were born. "I think I'll name you Athena." She liked that word. She didn't know why but it felt like it belonged to her.
She could sense it through her newborn sensitive horn. This human showed safety, compassion, kindness, and most importantly strength. She raised her arms to be picked up by her and they nuzzled their cheeks together. This was the first time they met as sisters.
Later on, when she had reached the age to understand most of human language, she saw through the window her father in the backyard being commanded by Sarah's father. It was marvellous, the way he performed those moved. They were graceful, agile, and powerful. She wanted that. Her instincts demanded it.
"We will become that strong, you'll see," Sarah said, also watching through the window. "Nobody thinks I can do it, but I will become champion. Will you help me, Athena, do you want to become the strongest Gardevoir?"
"Ralts," she said. "Of course."
(Flashback end)
Grand brought down his fists again, but to his shock, they were held. Athena struggled, her muscles being pushed to their limits, but she slowly lifted his arms.
"Get the fuck off me!" She threw him on his back. She clenched her teeth as she started to feel pure fury. It was like nothing she'd ever felt before in her life. He wanted to kill her sister, fuck that! Her eyes glowed pure blue.
"Alright, go Athena," Isabella cheered. "Now, consecutive Psychocks. As many as you can use."
They didn't know what happened, but her Psyshocks were double in size. They were like missiles and they wrecked Grand's sarcophagus as they barraged it over and over again. However, he was still standing.
"H-how," Isabella stuttered.
"This has been quite the battle child, but I'm afraid it's time to end this," Grand said. He used Poltergeist on the huge rocks on the floor, broken from when he was punching Athena. Four large rocks surrounded her.
"Jump."
She was about to not to, but they came in and didn't give her time to think. She jumped. They let out a loud cracking sound as they slammed together which made her cringe. She was now in a vulnerable position, suspended in the air. Theodore warned her not to do this as the lack of leverage would make her vulne- that's it! If she had some way of moving in the air then it would not be a problem.
Grand rocketed towards her with his arms outstretched.
Now!
She unleashed her most powerful Mystical Fire that used all of her hydrogen reserves. She felt her lungs strangling the last of her breath out of her. The Mystical Fire pushed her back as she dropped to the floor gasping for air. Grand screamed in pain from the overheating of his metal sarcophagus.
Athena slowly went to one knee and got up. She stumbled and she took more mouthfuls of air. Grand stumbled through the air and fell to the floor, his large frame causing a loud echo around the room. However, he still stood standing. His defensive capabilities were beyond magnificent.
Athena's eyes still glowed.
"This is our chance. Finish him off with as many Psyshocks as you can." After about 21 of the Psyshock missiles hitting Grand, he finally fainted.
Athena let out a small grin.
"He he, I won." She fainted and fell face flat onto the floor.
It was complete silence. The servants of Grand watched in utter shock. The emotions from their mummies being the servants of Tutankhamun screamed at them, telling them to mutilate the Pokemon and trainer for their blasphemous actions, but their obedience also screamed at them to listen to their leader. He'd lost and they'd won. They were to leave along with the offering.
Grand picked himself up, groaning.
"That was a magnificent battle child, you and your Pokemon certainly did well." Isabella cradled Athena's unconscious body. "As per our agreement, you shall be allowed to leave along with your sister."
He went and unwrapped Sarah. She dropped to the floor, barely able to move after being stiff in wrapping for so long. Isabella recalled Athena and rushed towards Sarah.
"Sarah, Sarah! Are you okay?!" Her cousin let out a small smile as she grabbed her hand.
"Y-you came back." They both had tears in their eyes.
"Of course I did. You think I would ever leave you, never!" she held her to her chest. "I love you. I-I'm sorry for everything. I fucked up." They kept crying for a while.
Grand sent a few servants to help escort them through an entrance no one knew about. The enclosed doors for the temple were for nought. If he wanted to he could have gone out into the world, but this was his mummy's death place and he shall respect it.
They walked in silence. Only Athena was out and she held Sarah's hand tightly since they left the temple. She definitely let out a waterfall and gave her a stern scolding. Never leave me again! She said. It was heartbreaking to see the happy Kirlia in such a state. Damn, she must have meant a lot more than she thought to her Pokemon.
"I'm sorry," Isabella broke the silence. "For everything, from childhood to now. If you want, you can have my Pokemon and I'll revoke my licence."
Sarah was shocked. For them, getting their licenses revoked was almost like throwing away their lives.
"Why would I do that?" She asked.
"I've bullied you, put you down, I even got the family look at you like a little budgie while I was the family's trophy. How can you not hate me?" Sarah held her hand, seeing her tearful face. There were already marks from the crying in the temple.
"I never hated you. I just wanted us to go back to how we were."
"I-I feel the same. I never hated you either, I was just a talented kid who was stupid and had praise all the time. That must have gotten to my head. You're my family and I didn't treat you like I should have. You're not talentless. Your Pokemon proved that today. I'm sorry."
"Yeah, I'm sorry, too. You know what? Let's reintroduce ourselves. We'll have a new start. Hi, I'm Sarah Grace, and I want to become the Champion." She smiled and held out her hand, which Isabella returned with her own smile.
"Hi, I'm Isabella Grace and I want to become Champion."
"Race you to that town." Sarah pointed at the distance.
"Oh, it's on." They ran.