Chapter 23- Pollution Solution

A/N: This is a original Pokemon Fan Game, made by Amethyst. if you wish to check it out and play the game download it at Reborn Evolved. search for it on your web browser if you want to get to the website.

Time: 24:55

Location: Rail Net

Percival was sprinting into under Opal Bridge and into the underground Rail Net. Percival could feel the fatigue hitting him since he ran straight here from up in Beryl Ward. Percival was extremely worried, from what he saw from the cameras at Shade's Gym. How Everyone but Cain and Lucille were captured. Percival didn't know what to do, he saw from the camera's that Cain broke that passage with Earthquake. But even still Percival ran to check on his friends and try to make a plan.

"Percival!" Percival met one person he didn't expect to see here. It was one of his Rivals, a girl with black hair and in a kimono, Victoria.

"Victoria, what are you doing here?" Percival questioned.

"after I felt an Earthquake nearby, I came here and ran into Lucy and Cain." Victoria explained. "They said that Shelly and a bunch of other children were kidnapped! They're being kept past there, but there's all this debris in the way. That said, a Pokémon can move it, but… You'd need the Machine for Strength, and the Badge to use it. Percy, do you remember before, I told you about Apophyll Academy? It's on the other side of Azurine Lake. Well, me sensei there, Kiki, actually has the Machine. I told Cain that and he and Lucy ran off right away. He really- hey not you too!"

Percival knew it probably wasn't the best decision. But he knew he had to help. So once Victoria said that Percival then took off running to Coral Ward. He heard Victoria angerly yell at him as he dashed away, but matters were more pressing.

Once Percival got to Coral Ward, he noticed two figures standing at a dock. One was a boy with Purple hair, wearing masquerade and with some fishnet clothes, his ever-flirtatious friend Cain. Meanwhile the other one standing next to Cain, a girl with long blonde hair covering her right eye. He saw them both with Cain's Muk reading to cross the polluted waters of Azurine Lake. Percival who was finally out of breath called out to them "Cain… Lucille… wait."

"Percy!" Lucille was surprised that he found them so fast. But she then remembered how powerless she was when everyone was taken. And looked down in shame. "…"

Cain then looked at Percival, and gave him a smile. Though it was never like Cain's usual smile, this one was filled with guilt and pain. "Heyyyy, Percy… I guess you already know what happened, right?"

Percival who was out breath could only nod in return to Cain's question.

"yeah…" Cain sighed distraught. "I destroyed the passage so that they wouldn't catch me or Lucy… Guess I wasn't thinking."

"It…" Percival was still out of breath. Meanwhile Lucille and Cain got onto the Muck

"I'm gonna get back in there and save them. Heather, and Shelly, and—all of them. So, I gotta get that Machine from Kiki. But Kiki is across Azurine Lake." Cain explained, Percival started to take out his Milotic readying to follow. "Percy you don't have surf on it, besides the acidic water will damage any boat that tries to cross it. Even Water-types can't Surf on it. Don't worry though. I'll fix this!"

"Trust us Percy!" Lucille shouted back. "I'm at fault as well! I was there and did nothing but watch as that guy took them."

Percy still trying to get the words to try and get them stop, couldn't come. And as he finally thought of what to say. Cain and Lucille were already out of voice range.

"Damnit…" Percival cursed to himself. "Maybe I should have had Victoria follow as well… She must have a way to get there…"

"Oh, hello Percy!" Percival heard someone call out to him, He looked over and froze as he saw the person. A woman with light blue hair, and blue clothing, it was the Reborn Region's Water Type Gym leader, Amaria.

"…" Percival was still stunned, since barely two hours ago, he saw a vision of her dying.

"Percival?" Amaria said to the boy who was just blankly staring at her. "Um? What are you doing here."
Percival knew his behavior was being odd, and quickly shook himself out of it. Forcing to think what he saw was a lie, and do to that he asked for something he needed. "Um… do you know a way to get to Apophyll academy."

"Oh, right your still on your gym Challenge." Amaria took Percival's reason to be normal. "Well Normally there's a ferry from here to Apophyll Beach, but thanks to the poison in the water, the boat isn't running."

"Damn…" Percival cursed once more, thinking it will be impossible for him to get there.

"Hey, I just found something out about that. I've been working with Ame to monitor the pollution in the lake and figure out its sources. But now it seems like almost all of the pollution is coming from one place: Blacksteam Factory up in west Peridot. I was just going to go up there to see if I could put a stop to it, but do you want to maybe come with me?" Amaria asked.

"…" Percival hesitated as he was strapped for time.

"I have some friends here with flying Pokémon. I'm sure if you help me, they'll be willing to give you a ride." Amaria offered, seeing Percival hesitate.

"R-really?" Percival was surprised with how convenient of an offer he was given. "That would be great. Thank you so much!"

"If you're helping it just makes my job easier." Amaria said back to Percival.

Percival then followed Amaria to where said she was investigating. It was back all the way in Peridot Ward, but they moved fast as per Percival's request. On inspection they found that the door to the factory was locked, not letting them inside.

"Hm… For some reason, I'm reminded on how Julia blew up the door for getting in." Pericaval said.

Meanwhile Amaria was thinking of a different method. Bringing out a Lapras. "Okay, Deliverance. Use waterfall, and then Ice Beam!"

Percival was surprised at what little effort it took Amaria's Lapras to make a staircase of ice. "Water gym leader… and with skill like that. *Snickers* surely, give Ari a run for her money."

"Deliverance~ Now, return!" Amaria smiled as she brought her Lapras back into her. As she saw an impressed Percival, Amaria smirked saying. "Shall we?"

"After you milady." Percival bowed his head, and followed after Amaria up the staircase of Ice. As they got to the top, they noticed two figures staring dumbfounded. Amaria and Percival recognized the uniforms of the two figures. "Meteor… of all the people…"

"Well, I guess we shouldn't really be surprised, huh." Amaria responded to Percival

It was then the two grunts noticed Amaria and Percival. "Eh… when did they? Hold it right there!"

"Rather busy at the moment. Phoebe if you could, show your own skills with Ice beam." Percival said, managing to freeze both Meteor grunts where they stood.

"Great job, Percival." Amaria smiled in astonishment. "I can see you've trained your Milotic very well."

"It was all Phoebe; she's done her hardest to get strong for me." Percival smiled, praising his precious friend.

"Well, that's good. Now let's get going quickly before any other grunts head are way." Amaria says, but within the next few minutes after leaving the roof top. The Duo finds themselves surrounded and outnumbered by Meteor grunts. "We're pretty well out numbered already… Percival. Do you trust me?"

Percival didn't like the sound of that question, but answered any way. "You've yet given me a reason not to."

"Thank you. Then, get ready!" Amaria says to Percival, and then takes out her Lapras once more. "Deliverance! Use Ice shard right there!" As she commands her Lapras attacks forcing an opening in the grunts. Amaria then shouts. "Go, Percival, run!"

Percival followed thinking Amaria was right behind him, and was surprised as the opening quickly closed leaving Percival blocked from his ally. "Amaria!"

"Atlantica, Help me out! All right, guys. Let's do this!" Percival could only hear Amaria yell over battling multiple grunts. "Don't worry about me, Percival, I'll be fine! Just find a way to shut down the factory and save Azurine Lake!"

"Fine… Just stay safe!" Percival yelled reluctantly having to flee. As he knew he wasn't strong enough to take on so many grunts. Percival finds that some of the grunts chase after him. While giving chase Percival rounds a corner, then dives into a factories side room. After a few minutes the Grunts pass by and Percival continues his way through the Factory. Percival finds himself wandering around the factory until he finds himself in an area with several grunts. The grunts seem to be doing something and Percival's eyes land on a strange Muk, that is connected to an all too familiar PULSE device. As the said device often ends killing the Pokémon, or rending it to a form near death, never to recover. Percival curses in disgust. "Are kidding me? Those bastards…"

As Percival enters the room with anger clear. Where Percival immediately tells it is much more than just grunts here. As Percival meets two people, one was a man with a long ponytail and trench coat, someone who he only heard about from Lucille and Vitoria. And the other 'one' a body composed of three Souls, also known as ZEL. The one Lumi is the first to notice Percival. "Oh, it's you. Um, you… you probably shouldn't be here."

"I could say the same to you." Percival said readying a pokeball.

"Hm…" The man in the trench coat then looked behind him glancing at Percival. "White hair, determined blue eyes… You must be Percival."
"…" as he heard his name said, any and all cation he had at ZEL was then shifted to the man. "Funny, never met you before."

"You and your friend Lucille, have quite the annoyance." The man said. "Though, your ability to fight near the level of Nero is surprising. Your reward for that: Come, observe."

As the man started to walk towards the Muk. Percival only stared at him in confusion. "?" Percival looked at ZEL Cautiously, but they only responded with a shrug of their shoulders. And Percival reluctantly followed.

As they got closer, Eve of ZEL spoke. "They already know about the PULSE, sir. It was they who contributed to the destruction of the PULSE- Tangrowth Project."

"I'm aware." That short statement made ZEL step back. "But, Percival, this is slightly different from the one you have seen already. Look at this Muk. The machine to which it's attacked drains it's lifeforce and suffocates its spirit. Even its body gives way as it collapses drool into a mere puddle of itself."

"…" The sight of it wanted Percival to throw up. But he clenched his forcing himself to try and not to. With that he didn't hear the man behind him sending out his own Pokémon.

"Now that you have your back turned." The man said with a smile. "Garchomp, Dragon Rush. Execute!"

Percival barely had time to look back, he instinctively brought his arms up in a futile attempt to block, but the Garchomp was stopped. "Atlantica, Quickly! Ice beam!"

Percival was surprised as he found the Garchomp to be Frozen by a Kingdra. But that's when Percival noticed something about the Garchomp. "H-have… I've seen this Garchomp before…"

The man then Scoffed at his Pokémon being frozen. "Hmph. You're lucky I could have had you out of the way once and for all."

"Not on my watch!" Amaria call as she jumped off from a railing, landing behind Percival.

"Garchomp return." The man called back his Pokémon.

"Percival, are you okay?" Amaria asked.

"Thank you, Amaria. I owe you my life." Percival responded with a smile. "That was way to close."

"Yeah…" Amaria then turned to the man. "But I don't get it. This PULSE Machine floods the lake with Poison. Why would you want to do that? You're destroying a beautiful lake and making life hard for Reborn City!"

"That's exactly why." The man simply stated, his face showed no smile, nor was a frown. "They should leave. We'll do whatever it takes to evacuate the city. If their homes are destroyed by Ragin plants, or they can't even drink water anymore… Then they'll leave. All of them will. And since Nero destroyed Grandview Station, no more will arrive. This will become a vacant, ruined city again. As it should have stayed in the first place."

Amaria and Percival could only look at the man in anger and say. "You're awful."

"Do not judge that which you do not understand." The man stated. "We have our motives. If you do not share them, you are an enemy."

"I'll never allow you to get away with it!" Amaria shouted back swinging her arm to the side.

The man saw something blue flash by, and gave a curious look. "Interesting."

Amaria was surprised by the man's blatant staring at her wrists. "Wh-what? Why did your tone change so suddenly?"
"That Sapphire Bracelet…" The man stood with great interest at the bracelet.

"What, This?" Amaria was confused as she raised her arm, but as the man nodded. "It was a gift, from Tania. You're not taking it, if that's what you think! Anything Tania gives me is precious. I'll defend it with my life!"

"Suit yourself." The man said with indifference. "both are forfeit."

"Percival, try to deactivate the PULSE while I keep him busy!" Amaria shouted.

"On it!" Percival shouted.

"Like hell you will!" The voice of Zero yell at Percival.

"It would seem your presence here is unnecessary." Eve spoke next.

"So, get the hell out already!" Zero cursed. Sending out a Glaceon.

"Like I have to! Oracle!" Percival shouted sending out his Delphox. "Mystical Fire!"

"Ah no Glaceon!" Lumi shouted, as her Glaceon fell to 19%. "Um… Retaliate with Mirror Coat!"

"For crying…" Percival cursed as he forgot that Glaceon's received this move. "Fine, then At least you won't survive this! Phoebe Water pulse!"

"Analyzing, Zero it would be most beneficial to use your Umbreon next." Eve informed as Lumi's Glaceon fell in battle.

"alright, alright." Zero answered annoyed bringing out his Umbreon next.

"Yeah but, it won't stay in use for very long! Phoebe Freeze it with Ice beam." Percival commanded, Witch immediately hit, and froze the resulting Umbreon.

"What the!?" Zero angerly yelled!

"Wait! Zero, do not forget your own Pokémon's ability." Eve interrupted Zero before he threw a fit. But as Eve was saying Umbreon's Synchronize caused Phoebe to also be frozen.

"Tch well isn't that just great a tie." Zero complained. As both sides returned their Pokémon.

"Well it's my turn now." Eve spoke bringing out her Espeon to the field.

"Artemis why don't you show your own psychic powers." Percival responded by bringing his Gardevoir to the field.

"Espeon, Signal Beam." Eve commanded, quickly as she could. Bringing Artemis to fall to 80%.

"Well, I must say Espeon have a great attack but are pretty bad in terms in defense. Artemis Shadow Ball." Percival commanded, and the Ball of shadow had critically hurt the Espeon. Knocking it down.

"Tch, No choice then!" Zero clicked his teeth angerly. "Muk you're on!"

The Giant Purple Sludge started to move about… Groaning at Percival.

"Tch… sorry about this, But Artemis Psychic!" Percival commanded. But to his surprise the psychic hit did less damage than he thought it would, as the Muk's health deceased to only 75%. "Damn that thing is strong…"

"That ain't all!" Zero Smiled. "Muk Sludge wave!"

As the Muk summoned a slew of sludge and threw it at Artemis, Artemis then fainted from the hit. "Artemis, dang it… Well then Steel, show you poison immunities. Zen Headbutt!"

Percival was then relieved as this hit caused more damage than the last hit. Zero was angry though. "Damn it. Muk Mud Bomb!"

The hit was incredibly hard for Steel the Metang to take, but it barely survived on 1%. "Thank you, steel, end this with Another Zen Headbutt!"

It was less damage then what happened before. But it worked. But as the HP of the Muk hit 0%. The Muk them melted… like the poisonous ooze it was it melted and moved through the floor defeated. Though the was one voice that cried out. It was Lumi. "Ah-ah… I'm sorry, I was too weak… Solaris, I-I'm sorry, we couldn't…"

The man, Solaris then interjected. "Useless. Yes, you are as useless as your worthless actions."

"Is that directed at us?" Percival questioned.

"So, you stop the PULSE? Too late." Solaris said. "The lake is already too-far gone. Speaking of gone, there's no point in staying here." At Solaris' words the surrounding grunts tossed smoke bombs to aide in their escape. But Solaris stayed and sent out a Pokémon. "First, A parting gift. Tyranitar, Superpower. On the girl."

"A-ah…!" Amaria Scream getting hit by the Tyranitar.

"Amaria!" Percival yelled. And as the smoke cleared, Team Meteor escaped and Amaria was left on the floor.

"Ugh…" Amaria groan, and feigned a smile at Percival. "Good job on shutting that thing down, Percival…"

"Are you all right… What am I saying you just got hit by a Tyranitar! Of course, you're not okay"! Percival yelled exasperated.

"I'm—I'm okay…" Amaria breathed heavily, as she used a railing next to her stand up. "Just a little winded."

"I don't think you should be standing." Percival showed his concern.

"I'm good. And well, now the water won't be polluted anymore." Amaria smiled.

Percival still gave a concerned look. "But he said…"

"It's too late?" Amaria responded, disbelief of that. "It's true, a lot's been ruined, but in time. the Water Treatment Center under the city will clean it out. So, I think we did something really great today- ow! Deliverance, return! That attack might have hurt a little bit after all..."

"ugh…" Percival didn't know much in medical attention and was unsure what to do.

"But you still need a way to cross the lake, don't you?" Percival then remembered his reason for coming here. "Well, shoot. Okay... You can take my boat. It's true that the toxic water will probably destroy it if it's used, but... I get the feeling you need it now more than I'll need it later. So, here." Amaria handed Percival a key. "That key opens my dock in the Coral Ward. You know, where we first ran into each other? Help yourself to the boat."

"Thank you Amaria." Percival grateful for her help. "B-but what about you and your condition?"

"Me?" Amaria then put her hand to her head. "I think I'm just gonna go back home and rest for a while. After all, the love of my life is waiting for me. Ahaha~ I live up in the Aventurine Region, north of Reborn City, so if you're ever in the area, please drop by! And... thanks for your help! Truly."

"I'll definitely will for a gym battle." Pericaval said moved. "Really, I should be the one thanking you. Please stay safe until we meet again!"

"I'll try." Amaria smiled as Percival ran off.