Sabrina remained alone, unable to see anything. The silence grew deafening and the darkness was oppressive. There was no way for her to tell how long she had been held captive. Her mind wandered to her companions. Where could they possibly be? She wondered about Ash and the rest. Surely, he must be searching for her. And Misty, Brock, Nessa, Bea, and Goh...where could they be?
The darkness continued to grow denser. She began hearing voices. Whispers from beyond the walls. From somewhere far away. She heard screams and cries. Screams of pain, agony, despair, suffering. All coming from different directions.
What's happening to me? Sabrina asked herself. Am I hallucinating? Am I losing consciousness? Is this all a dream? Is this all a nightmare? No. It feels too real.
She was being tortured mentally by her own thoughts and memories. Everything that had happened in her life was flashing before her eyes. Every moment of her past. Her mother, father, her friends, enemies. Even the ones who died. She remembered everything. From birth till now, every single event was replaying itself in her head.
Then she remembered that day.
Sabrina remembered that terrible day when she and the other Psyorgs had to leave their home. She was a child then, a mere toddler, when she was forced to flee from the destruction of her people. They had been attacked without warning and massacred. Those that survived were hunted down. Some managed to escape into the mountains. Others were captured and killed. The ones who did survive were scattered throughout the lands. Sabrina herself escaped with her parents and siblings. She lived with them in a village until she was old enough to go out on her own. That's when she started traveling and training.
As she remembered the events of the past, her body grew numb and cold. She could no longer move or even speak. She was paralyzed, unable to do anything except watch helplessly as her life unfolded in her head.
Then suddenly, she was back in the present. The voices were gone, the darkness was lifted, and her mind cleared. She was once again in the dungeon. But this time, the darkness was much worse than before. It seemed to engulf her, threatening to swallow her completely. And it wouldn't stop. It kept getting thicker and darker.
It was almost as if it wanted to consume her.
As the darkness consumed Sabrina, she was able to muster up enough strength to break free from her bonds. She managed to stand, albeit shakily. She looked around, trying to find some form of light, but found nothing. She was surrounded by complete and total darkness.
"Wh-What is going on...?!" Sabrina muttered.
She tried to focus on her powers, but they were gone. She couldn't feel them anymore. They had disappeared along with her consciousness.
"Damn it!" She shouted angrily. "Why can't I use my powers?!"
Then she felt a presence. A presence that made her skin crawl. She turned around and saw a figure standing there. It looked like a shadow, a black silhouette. It was staring straight at her.
She recognized it immediately. It was Baevel, the lord of Kurodaka City.
"I see you're awake," Baevel said, grinning. He was holding a bottle in his hand. It contained a liquid that was dark purple.
"Get away from me," Sabrina demanded. She was trembling with fear. She had never seen anyone or anything so terrifying in her life.
"Now now, don't be rude," Baevel said calmly. "I just want to talk to you."
"About what?"
Baevel chuckled softly. "Well, I think you already know the answer to that question. I've come to make sure you won't cause any trouble."
He poured some of the purple substance onto his finger. The substance glowed brightly and began to emit an eerie aura.
Sabrina's eyes widened. She could sense the danger emanating from the substance. "What the hell are you doing?" She asked, her voice shaking.
"Nothing," Baevel replied. "Just making sure that you won't be causing us any problems. Eventually, you'll be causing problems for my enemies once I have you become obedient." He put his finger into his mouth, sucking on it.
Suddenly, the substance started glowing brighter. Its aura grew stronger and more powerful.
Sabrina could feel its power coursing through her body. It felt warm, comforting, soothing...but also painful.
The darkness engulfed her again, but this time it wasn't just darkness. It was pain. Pain beyond comprehension. The agony was so great that it felt like she was being ripped apart. Her entire being burned with unbearable pain. It was excruciating. She screamed and screamed. She couldn't breathe.
She tried to fight the pain, but it was useless. She was completely overwhelmed. Whatever this was, it targeted her Psychic Energy directly among other things.
Then suddenly, the pain stopped. The burning stopped. She was no longer screaming.
Baevel pulled his finger out of her mouth and smiled. "There," he said. "That should do the trick. You'll be fine."
"Y-You bastard!" Sabrina shouted. She tried to punch him, but he caught her wrist.
"What you've received is a small dose of Salazzle Poison," he said, laughing. "A little something to help control your powers. It will weaken your mind, allowing me to control you. And when I have you under my command, I'm going to have a lot of fun with you." He smirked evilly.
"Never!" Sabrina yelled, but she knew she was helpless. "As a Pokemon Lord of Kanto, I refuse."
He pushed her against the wall. "You see, I'm not going to let you die," Baevel told her. "I'm going to keep you alive. You'll become a loyal servant of mine, and together we shall conquer this world. But first, we're going to play a game."
Sabrina stared at him, confused. She didn't understand what he meant by playing a game. What did he mean?
Baevel grabbed her throat, choking her. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "We're going to play a very special game called 'master and slave.' And I get to choose who plays which role. And guess what, I'm the master." He laughed wickedly. "Now then, I'm going to give you two options. Either submit to me or suffer. If you submit, you won't have to worry about anything. All you'll have to do is follow my orders and serve me faithfully. But if you resist...well, I don't need to explain myself. You know what happens to slaves who disobey their masters. They get punished severely. So, how about it? Which option sounds better to you?" Baevel asked, smirking.
Sabrina could hardly speak. Her mind raced as she tried desperately to think of some way to escape. She tried to move her body, but it was frozen. She couldn't even open her eyes.
"What will it be, Psychic? I'll give you three seconds. Three... Two..."
"I..." She gasped. "I choose..."
In the cave, things went silent. The sound of the Umbreon attacking was no longer present. And this was due to one thing. Nessa managed to pull it off. That Poke Ball she threw succeeded and now Umbreon is in it.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked down at the Poke Ball in her hand. A smile formed on her lips as she realized she had caught the Pokemon that had terrorized the people hiding here. This was the moment where everything changes for the group.
"We did it...!" Nessa cheered. She was now a Pokemon trainer and had her very first Pokemon.
"Y-Yeah..." Goh said. He couldn't believe his own eyes. Umbreon had been such an intimidating creature. To think that they had actually defeated it. "You actually caught it!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah," Nessa nodded proudly. "I caught it." She then looked back at Goh with concern in her eyes. "Are you alright?"
Goh's expression changed into a worried frown as he noticed the bloodstains on his shirt. He quickly took it off and inspected his chest. There were several small scratches and bruises, but nothing too serious. The bleeding seemed to have stopped already.
"I'm fine," Goh answered. "Just a little bruised."
"That's good." Nessa smiled warmly at him. She walked over to him and placed a comforting arm around his shoulders. She gently kissed him on the forehead. "Come on. Let's go back to the city. Maybe someone there can patch up those wounds of yours."
"Yeah, we should get going before anyone finds out about what just happened." Goh agreed, putting his shirt back on.
"Wait..." Nessa paused. She looked behind her to see the little girl, standing in front of the entrance of the cave, having witnessed the entire battle.
The little girl stared at Nessa. Her face showed fear mixed with admiration. She had seen the entire battle between the two of them and the Pokemon that had been terrorizing them under the order of Baevel.
"Y-You're..." she started to say. She hesitated, but then finally managed to speak again. "You saved us. All of us." Her voice was soft and trembling. It sounded almost as if she were about to cry. Just then, the people that were hidden this whole time would start showing themselves.
"It's finally gone..." One man said.
"Thank you, miss!" Another man thanked her gratefully. All the citizens gathered around Nessa and her friends. They all expressed their gratitude and thanks towards Nessa.
"It was nothing..." Nessa blushed, embarrassed by all the attention she was getting. "I mean, I only did what I had to do." She looked at the little girl who had been so afraid before and now looked so much happier. It warmed Nessa's heart knowing that she had made someone else smile today. "Are you okay?" She asked the little girl. The girl nodded.
"I am now," the girl replied.
"That's great! I'm really glad to hear that." Nessa hugged her tightly and patted her head affectionately. "As long as you are all safe, that is what matters. But I don't think any of you can continue staying here."
"But Lord Baevel will find us if we leave here. He has already found our secret area that we take for shelter...We have nowhere else to go."
"You need not worry. Soon, you'll be able to head back to your homes." Bea assured her. "Right now, the Star Champion is aiming to defeat this Baevel person."
"And I strongly believe he'll do it." Nessa placed her hand on her chest while holding the little girl close to her. "I know he can."
"The...The Star Champion? The Legend himself?! He's here?! You know him?!"
"We all do." Nessa nodded. She looked over at Bea and Goh, who both agreed with her statement.
"The Star Champion will bring you all hope. He always does, doesn't he?" Goh added with a bright grin. "We'll get our city back soon."
"I-I see..." The girl's eyes widened. "You all know the legendary hero that travels the regions and saves people. It's amazing! The Star Champion is going to save us!"
"He is." Bea confirmed, nodding. "Believe my words. His strength is unparalleled. We will win against Lord Baevel." She smiled at the young girl, and then looked at the people who were still watching them from afar. She could see the fear in their eyes. But they also showed a glimmer of hope.
The girl smiled back and nodded. She then turned to her mother. The mother gave the girl a hug, and she returned the gesture.
"I'll get back to my friends." Goh smiled at everyone before heading off back towards the city, to see if he could find Ash and the rest. Nessa and Bea soon followed behind.
At the City, Ash, Misty and Brock were already taking action, currently battling many soldiers of Kurodaka City alongside some other citizens that wished to see Baevel's rule put to an end.
Pikachu, Staryu and Onix started charging up their electrical, rock and water attacks. As soon as they released it, a powerful explosion of electricity, rock and water shot through the air, sending the soldiers flying away. Closer and closer, they were advancing towards the Castle of Kurodaka. They had already gotten through most of the city. Many were cheering, inspired to fight alongside these trainers, pushing through and driving out more and more of Baevel's forces.
The yellow rodent was quick to charge forward, using its lightning fast speed to dodge enemy projectiles while delivering powerful electric shocks to the foes. Meanwhile, the star shaped Pokemon was able to maneuver in mid-air and attack enemies below. He would also use the festival environment to his advantage. Pikachu leapt from building to building, dodging fireballs and arrows, while Staryu used his sharp points to stab the feet of the guards that were attacking him. Then, Onix would swing its tail to smash into the ground, causing massive shockwaves to send the opponents to their knees.
They continued their assault, and eventually, the three were reaching the gates to the castle. More soldiers appeared to stop them, however. The same went for the other elites, with a Seviper, Shiftry and Drapion, each belonging to their owners, who were ready to protect their lord and the city from these surprise guests. Some were the very ones that Ash had to deal with at the beginning of the day. Others, they have never met before, but the point is clear: They were determined to defend their city. If not, then to protect their Lord, which was their priority, and they will make the cost to the rebels high and bloody.
Ash's team and the Elites clashed. The battlefield became chaotic. Electricity, water and rocks flew everywhere, and the air smelled like ozone. In the middle of the chaos, Ash and the others could hear screams and shouts, cries and yells, laughter and cheers. Both sides were fighting hard, not giving up easily. Neither side wanted to lose, and neither could afford to let the enemy take control of the situation.
"Okay! This is close enough! Time to make an entrance!" Ash grinned, his eyes glowing an azure blue. With a single clap of his hands, he created a surge of energy that caused a huge wave of pure Aura. The power sent a ripple of force, blowing the soldiers back, knocking down a gate of the castle in the process, the doors breaking apart.
Misty and Brock stood at the lead, leading their Pokemon.
The castle itself was large, with an ornate ceiling, pillars and windows lining the hall. However, the decorations and artwork were mostly destroyed or stolen. Instead of the beautiful paintings that hung throughout the room, there was instead a giant statue of a muscular man wielding a sword and wearing armor.
"Alright, we're in! Time to find the big guy himself. I can already sense his Aura, so that should help." Ash said. He closed his eyes, focusing his mind on finding the location of the Dark-Types Lord. "Follow me, guys!" he told the others as they began walking down the corridor, being careful not to bump into anything. After some time, the group came to a door at the end of the hallway, and on the other side was the throne room. The group entered the large, opulent space. There were no furnishings or decorations. All that was left was the empty shell of a once glorious place. Only a few torches remained, lighting the room.
Standing in their way were many more soldiers and guards, along with the Elite Trainers. They stood before them, blocking the way. Ash glanced at the Elites and smirked, his eyes flashing. He knew he had to get rid of these guys if they hoped to reach Baevel. "Let's get this done with, alright?!" Ash shouted, his voice echoing off the walls of the chamber. His eyes flashed brightly as he activated his aura powers, sending out a burst of blue energy. This was enough to cause the soldiers to stagger back, while the Elites were stunned. "Alright! Let's do this!"
Pikachu charged forward, using his electric powers to attack the soldiers and the Elites. Staryu was using its water attacks to shoot water bullets at the opposing Pokemon. Onix used his rock power to smash the ground, causing a massive shockwave to send the soldiers to their knees. Meanwhile, the Elite Trainers were trying to defend themselves, and the battle raged on.
As the fight went on, Misty and Brock were getting closer and closer towards the throne room, where they would confront Baevel. But first, they had to defeat the soldiers that were guarding the entrance. Their Pokemon were fighting hard, and they were doing well, but the soldiers were relentless, and soon, they were forced to retreat.
They made their way up a flight of stairs, and they finally arrived at the top floor, where the throne room was located. A huge door stood between them and the throne room, and the two of them prepared to open it.
"Ready for this?" Misty asked Brock.
"Yeah, I'm ready." he replied. "Let's go."
Misty nodded and pushed open the doors. As soon as the doors opened, she was met with a truly glorious sight. All of them were. The festival wasn't just happening outside but also in this very chamber, with it filled to the brim with people in dazzling kimonos and music. The room had become a giant ballroom, and the party was already in full swing. The entire place was decorated in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and even black. It was a lively atmosphere, but there was no doubt that it was a bit too loud.
There were many tables set up around the room, each one occupied by a different group of people. There were also a number of musicians playing instruments. Some of them were wearing masks. Others weren't, and their faces were painted with colorful paint. In the middle of the room, there was a large stage where a singer was performing. She was singing a song about love, and her voice was beautiful.
But what really caught the trio's attention was the throne. It was a huge, ornate, gilded chair that sat upon a dais. The throne was covered in jewels, and the backrest had a carving of a dragon on it.
"Alright...Let's be quiet about this. We'll find Baevel without interrupting the festival in here." said Ash, aiming to avoid any chaos within this room since the people were enjoying themselves.
"Hey there, pretty boy~" But he was soon interrupted by someone spotting him. Ash turned to face the woman, who was wearing a kimono that was colored in a bright shade of blue and gold, and her hair was tied back into a ponytail. Her eyes were a deep shade of green, and her lips were painted in a bright red. She smiled at him, showing off her perfect white teeth.
"You look pretty serious on such a wonderful occasion. Come on. Dance with me and enjoy the festival~"
Before Ash knew it, the woman would grab his hand and pull him towards the dance floor, causing Ash to wobble a bit. "Huh?! Hey! Now's not the time for to being doing that!" Misty barked at the woman, seeing this as an obvious inconvenience.
"Hoh? Why? Are you his lover by any chance? Am I stealing him fro you?" The woman teased, causing Misty to blush and stammer, denying such claims. The woman smirked, and then turned back to Ash. "He's so cute. Look at his face!" she said. "It's like he's never seen a woman before. I bet you'd make a good couple."
"D-D-D-D-D-D-D-Don't be ridiculous!" Misty shouted, rapidly shaking her head, her face turning redder and redder. "Me and him a couple?! T-That's just absurd! We're just allies! Nothing more!"
The woman just laughed at Misty and then continued to talk to Ash. "So, pretty boy, wanna dance with me or what?"
Sorry, lady, but no." Ash said, pulling his hand away from hers. He then turned to Misty and Brock. "We've got some important stuff to take care of. But after we're done, I'd love to party with you and everyone here," he said, smiling.
"Oh, how sweet~ For to be here and do something else that's important...tell me...you wouldn't happen to be going to meet Lord Baevel, would you?~" The woman asked with a grin. The trio became tense at her question.
"Yeah." Ash confirmed without hesitation.
"I see...That's unfortunate..." The woman said. She then turned to the singer and the musicians. "You guys, stop playing." She commanded. The singer stopped singing, and the musicians stopped playing. The whole room suddenly grew quiet.
"What are you doing?" Ash asked.
"I apologize. But it's time for the party to come to a halt.~" The woman said before turning her attention to everyone else in the chamber. "Attention everyone!~ It seems that these fine young men and women are here to see Lord Baevel!~" The woman announced. Everyone in the room immediately turned to look at them.
"Is that so?!" Someone yelled. "They must be here to cause trouble for our lord!"
"Indeed!" The woman replied, looking at the trio. "As much as we'd love for you to see him, he's currently not accepting any visitors at the moment. Unless the visitor is the Star Champion that has been gaining fame rather rapidly. But...you wouldn't happen to be said Star Champion, would you?~"
"Mmmn!" Misty and Brock flinched at that while Ash kept his expression the same. "Yeah, I am." He replied.
"Hm...so, you are. Lord Baevel isn't too fond of the Star Champion recently. Kurodaka and all of Johto is a part of the Auravale Empire, after all. Anything that threatens that upsets Lord Baevel greatly. Including us~"
It was starting to become clear. Some of the people within this room were all for Baevel. They didn't mind him being their ruler and were more than willing to support him. The woman that was talking to the three of them was the biggest example.
"You've caused a lot of trouble in such little time, Star Champion. But you won't be causing any more. We will not let you or anyone else interfere with our lord's plans." The woman said, stepping closer to the trio. She reached into her kimono and pulled out a PokeBall. She released the Pokemon inside of it, and it appeared before her. It was a Ninetales. She smiled at her Pokemon and then turned back to the trio. "This is my Ninetales, and she's going to take care of you."
Ash smirked confidently. "If that's the case...Pikachu, you know what to do!" He ordered his Pokemon, and the electric mouse jumped in front of the three, ready for battle.
"Ah-ah. I wouldn't do that if I were you~" She said as those not involved started gasping in surprise. "As you can already tell, some of the people here aren't exactly a part of Lord Baevel's many elites or the soldiers that serve under him. They're simply just people, minding their own business and attending a festival. And if we know you Star Champion, you aren't one to leave them in distress. You are apparently the one that brings hope to many others, saving them from despair. Well then..."
Suddenly, the people not involved would be restrained by the soldiers and the Elites that are a part of Baevel's ranks in the city, all holding swords to their throats. Some were even crying out in fear.
"Wait, what are you doing?!" Misty exclaimed in disbelief.
"Isn't it obvious?" The woman grinned at Misty. "These people are all hostages, so I suggest you choose your next move carefully.~"
"Hey!" Ash shouted, his eyes widening. He looked around and saw the hostages that were now being threatened with swords. He gritted his teeth and growled. "Let them go!"
"Or what, exactly?~" The woman asked, raising an eyebrow. "If you make a single move against me or any of us here, I will order the soldiers to kill every last one of these hostages. That would be a shame, wouldn't it?~" She smirked and held her hand up, showing off a bracelet that had a green jewel in the center. The gem started glowing, and she waved her other hand, causing the whole room to shake. Then, she snapped her fingers and the shaking stopped. The woman smiled and looked down at the terrified people below her.
"W-What is the meaning of this?!" A man who was restrained by a soldier asked, fearing for his life.
"I apologize~ I truly do, but the Star Champion is here to ruin Lord Baevel's fun and plans~ So I must have a bit of insurance~" She said with a giggle. "Lord Baevel already had a plan for the Star Champion and it involved all of you. You're all a part of something very big now.~"
"Huh?!" Misty and Brock looked at her in confusion, not understanding what was going on.
"W-Wait! What do you mean it involves us?!" A woman asked with a stutter.
"Observe. Ninetales! Use Dark Pulse on these hostages! But make sure to not hit their vitals.~" The woman commanded her Pokemon, who obeyed her, sending dark shock waves towards the hostages. They screamed in pain and agony, but the shockwaves didn't seem to be hurting their bodies. Instead, the shockwaves were hitting the jewel of the woman's bracelet. It was now shining brightly. "Perfect~"
The people were left in a state of shock, having been forced to endure the Dark Pulse's effects on their minds and bodies. Some of them were even crying from fear and pain, while others were trying to fight back against their restraints. The woman turned to Ash, who was watching in horror at what she had done. "The pain they feel from it transfers to the bracelet, which stores the energy. And when that energy is released...~" She snapped her fingers, causing the entire room to shake once again. This time, however, the shaking lasted longer than before. "It becomes this!~"
Ash and the others looked at the shaking, feeling the power coming from it. "What th?!" Ash exclaimed, not being able to believe what he was seeing. "What is that thing?! What did you do to them?!" He demanded answers.
"Simple~" The woman replied. "When the energy from the Dark Pulse is stored within the jewel, and when it is unleashed, it creates an earthquake.~"
"That's ridiculous!" Misty shouted. "How can an earthquake be created like that?!"
"Through a discovery of hidden magic, of course!~" The woman replied with a giggle. "It's a creation of the empire, to use the pain of others to create massive disasters that will cause so much damage and destruction. And this jewel here is one of those creations. We have Lady Cassandra to thank for its creation as well. She managed to capture one of your friends. Sabrina, was it?"
"Sabrina's been captured?" Brock exclaimed.
"And soon you will be joining her in the dungeon. Ninetales! Flamethrower!" The woman bean her attack as well as the other Elites, their Pokemon charging forward to attack, aiming to overwhelm the trio and put an end to their mission.
But the trio wasn't going to let that happen. Brock's Onix and Misty's Staryu were both sent out, joining Pikachu in the battle. Brock and Misty knew they had to act quickly before the Elites could get too close. The two of them were quick to act, ordering their Pokemon to launch an attack at the incoming Pokemon, which was successful. They were able to stop the attack and send the Pokemon flying backwards.
"Brock! Get everyone safe somewhere! Misty! Try and find Sabrina!" Ash ordered. "I'll keep the Elites busy, along with Pikachu. There's not many soldiers and Elites in this room, so we have a chance to get everyone safe and get Sabrina out of here."
"Alright!" Brock said, nodding his head. He ran off to help the hostages escape the chamber. Misty nodded her head as well and followed behind, going off to try and find Sabrina. Ash stayed behind and watched as the woman continued to order her Ninetales to attack. She was clearly determined to take out the trio. He wasn't going to let that happen. He knew that if he was going to defeat this woman, he needed to do it now. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"If you think it will be that easy, then you are a fool!" She scowled, her sinister Aura showing.
"Flamethrower!"
Pikachu and Ninetales unleashed their attacks at the same time, sending electricity and fire towards each other. They collided with each other, causing an explosion to happen in between them. The two Pokemon jumped back, avoiding the explosion.
"Flamethrower! Again!" The woman commanded, and her Ninetales obeyed, sending another wave of flames towards Pikachu. This time, Pikachu managed to avoid it by jumping up into the air. He landed on the ground and preparing to attack again.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" Ash ordered, and his Pokemon complied, leaping forward and striking Ninetales in the side. The Fox Pokemon was sent flying back, slamming into the wall and falling to the ground.
"Fire Blast!" The woman shouted, and Ninetales rose up and sent out a powerful blast of flames. Pikachu jumped out of the way, avoiding the attack.
"Catch it with Electroweb!" Ash said, and Pikachu obeyed, sending out a web of electricity that caught Ninetales in it, causing it to scream in pain. "Now, Quick Attack!" Pikachu rushed towards Ninetales and slammed into the Fox Pokemon, sending it crashing into the wall. Ninetales was sent flying once again, slamming into the wall and landing on the floor. The woman was now in a state of panic, knowing she had to do something to stop Pikachu. She looked at the bracelet and saw that it was glowing brighter than before. The jewel began to shine brighter and brighter.
"Ahah! Yes! Ninetales! Continue attacking! Let out as much power as you can!" The woman shouted. Ninetales rose up and charged at Pikachu. It unleashed an attack, sending a barrage of flames towards the electric mouse. Pikachu was able to avoid the attack, zipping around at outstanding speeds.
The woman laughed, looking at the jewel. "The more power this gains, the better chance I have at stopping you, Star Champion. This jewel will help Lord Baevel expand his rule down the line! It can help him destroy anything he wants! I'll prove it right now! Look at what it's capable of!" The woman snapped her fingers, releasing the power that the jewel had gained, causing the entire building to shake and crumble. Ash and the woman were thrown around the room, falling to the ground. Ash struggled to get back up, looking around the room.
"Woah! What the?!" He exclaimed. "What's up with that?!"
The woman got up, dusting herself off. "This jewel is capable of creating earthquakes. I've unleashed that power just now, causing the building to shake and crumble. I'm not done yet. I'll continue to unleash the power of this jewel, and I'll show you what it can really do. But first, I must have you be restrained. Ninetales, use Flamethrower!"
"Electroweb!" Ash ordered, and Pikachu jumped up and unleashed the electrical net, trapping Ninetales inside of it. The Fox Pokemon was unable to escape, and it was left to writhe in pain.
"Now, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu ran forward and slammed into Ninetales, sending it flying back into the wall. The woman was now panicking. She had no idea how she was going to stop this. She knew that she had to act quickly, otherwise she would be defeated by Ash and his Pokemon. She had to think fast.
"I know. I'll let you see what this jewel can really do." The woman said, smirking. "I'll unleash its power, and you'll witness what it can truly do. Just you wait and see." She snapped her fingers and the whole room shook again. This time, however, it didn't seem to last long. The shaking stopped, but the room remained intact. "Hm...seems like I didn't do enough to cause the building to collapse completely. Oh well. I'm sure Lord Baevel can fix this. But for now...Ninetales! Flamethrower! Aim for the Star Champion himself! If he's weakened enough, he will be powerless to stop us."
"Take down!" Ash ordered. Pikachu leapt up and slammed into Ninetales, sending it flying back and into a wall.
"You're starting to become a thorn in my side." The woman growled. "It's best that you're taken out now! You've caused Lord Baevel nothing but trouble, so it's time you paid the price! Ninetales, Dark Pulse!" The woman ordered.
"Electroweb!" Ash ordered. Pikachu leapt into the air and fired out a net of electricity, trapping Ninetales inside of it. The fox Pokemon was unable to escape, and it was left to writhe in pain.
The woman growled in frustration, knowing that her Pokemon was trapped. She knew that she had to act quickly, otherwise she would be defeated by Ash and his Pokemon. She knew that she had to do something, and she knew that she had to act fast.
"Alright, fine. You've proven yourself to be a worthy opponent, Star Champion." The woman said. "I'll give you that, and I'll give you credit. Lord Baevel was right to set up these plans. After all, a contingency of his was to generate powerful Earthquakes, hence the jewel. And now, we have the perfect opportunity to use it, thanks to you."
"Heh. I'm honoured." Ash grinned confidently, shrugging. He stared at the woman, waiting for her next move.
"Don't be." The woman smirked at him. "I'll admit, your skill is impressive. Your bond with that little mouse is even more impressive. But I won't lose. Not to the likes of you. In fact, I'll make sure that you'll never challenge anyone ever again. Ninetales, use Fire Blast, and then follow it up with a quick Flamethrower."
The woman commanded, and her Pokemon obeyed her, launching a barrage of flames at Ash. Pikachu jumped in front of his trainer, blocking the attack, only to be hit with the Flamethrower that came after. The force of the combined attacks sent the electric mouse flying backwards, slamming into the wall behind him. "And now, the final blow. Use Dark Pulse." The woman commanded her pokemon. Ninetales unleashed a wave of dark energy,
"Lord Baevel will pay me handsomely after this!" She cackled. "Perhaps he will make me one of his elite guards. And maybe, I can have some fun with him.~"
"Hehe." But as the attack was approaching, Ash and Pikachu would both grin. "Counter Shield!"
Ash unveiled something never-before seen. Pikachu leapt off the wall before getting on his back. And once on his back, by generating a Thunderbolt from his body, the Mouse Pokemon started spinning rapidly. As such, a shield of electricity would form, protecting the two of them from the attack and causing the Dark Pulse to explode, hitting a few soldiers and Elites that were nearby.
"W-What in the name of Arceus is this?!" The woman asked, backing up, her eyes widening. She had never seen an ability like that before, and it was clear to her that this was a technique that she hadn't been expecting. "Is this the power of a Star Champion?! How is this possible?!"
"It's called the Counter Shield." Ash smirked. "An awesome defensive maneuver that protects my Pokemon from harm. But it also deals damage back! Neat, huh?"
"Don't mess with me!" The woman scoffed at his words, her face twisting in anger. "This won't stop me, not when I'm so close to victory. Ninetales, finish him off! Flamethrower!"
Pikachu jumped in front of the incoming fire blast, using his tail to deflect the attack. The fire blast was sent back at the woman, who was able to avoid it, but not without injury. She winced in pain as the flames burned her skin. She looked at her bracelet, seeing the jewel glowing brightly. The jewel began to glow brighter, and she knew that she could unleash its power once again. But before she could do that, Ash and Pikachu would be standing in front of her, ready to battle her again.
"Let's try that one more time." She said. "Ninetales, Flamethrower!" The woman ordered, and her Pokemon unleashed a fiery inferno at Ash and his Pikachu. The flames struck the two of them, engulfing them in a torrent of heat. However, Ash's counter shield was still in effect. The attack was deflected back at the woman, who was hit in the chest.
The impact of the attack knocked her to the ground, and the flames dissipated. Her dress was singed, and her skin was scorched. She groaned in pain, and her eyes were wide with fear. Her Ninetales was laying on the ground, unconscious and badly wounded. It was clear that her chances of victory were slim to none.
"Impossible..." The woman said, her voice weak and raspy as she passed out. With her down and out, the jewel on her bracelet was no longer glowing, and the tremor that had been shaking the building ceased.
"Nice work, Pikachu." Ash smiled, petting his friend's head. He would then rush onwards to try and find Baevel, tracking down his Aura once more. But before that, Ash would take the time to look down on this woman and her burned skin. Out of the goodness of his heat, he chose to heal her injuries while still keeping her unconscious.
Ash kneeled down and placed his hand on her chest. Using his powers, he would start healing her. Her burns began to fade away and her breathing became regular. She was still unconscious, and would remain so. Ash would stand up and continue his search for Lord Baevel, making his way through the halls of the building, leaving the woman behind him.
Brock had managed to help the hostages, having his Onix take down the other elites and soldiers in the room. His Onix and Misty's Staryu would also help him in dealing with the others in the chamber, allowing him to get everyone to safety. His Onix and her Staryu were a great team, taking care of the enemies easily.
Eventually, the duo parted ways, with Misty heading for the dungeon to find Sabrina and Brock going to get the hostages to a safer location. They were unsure of where to go, lacking the same Aura Sense as Ash, but they knew they had to hurry. "Everyone, follow me." Brock ordered, leading the hostages out of the chamber and towards a safe area.
Once they were in the safe zone, Brock would have his Onix stand guard, ensuring that no one else could enter. There were no windows in the area, and only a single door that led to the rest of the palace. The hostages were safe and secure, and there was no way that any of the remaining Elites or soldiers could get in. Brock turned to the hostages, and said,
"Alright, listen up. I want you all to stay here. Don't leave unless you absolutely need to. Got it?" The hostages nodded and murmured their agreement, clearly scared. "Good." Brock nodded, taking off afterwards. Now that the people of Kurodaka were safe, the trio could focus on finding the rulers and bringing an end to the empire's hold in this city.
Misty, on the other hand, was currently searching the palace for Sabrina, trying to find the dungeons of the castle. But she was lost in the large structure, and she had no idea where to go. As she wandered around the halls, she felt like a small child again. It was a very odd sensation, and she hated it.
But if there was anything that kept her from being a coward and running, it was the thought of Sabrina's well-being. She was worried about her fellow Pokemon Lord, and that was what was keeping her going.
"Dungeon, dungeon..." Misty uttered, wandering around the hall. The place was huge, and she had no clue where to go. Then, her eyes lit up, and she ran down the hallway, her feet carrying her as fast as she could. Finally, she found a flight of stairs that went underground, and that could only lead to the dungeon, or so she hoped.
"A path like this can only lead to a dungeon...I just have to keep moving." Misty said to herself. But as she was descending these steps, she would hear footsteps, and the sounds of voices. Panicked, she would duck and hide. From her hiding spot, she could see a group of three guards, all of whom were talking to each other, their voices echoing through the halls. Misty listened carefully, and was able to catch snippets of their conversation. "...and then, the boss told me that the king was going to visit Hoenn tomorrow..."
"...Yeah, I heard that too...we're supposed to get everything ready for his departure..."
"Maybe they've finished building one of this things? Do you think the payoff will be worth it in the end?"
"...Maybe the king wants to have some fun. Or maybe he's got a surprise planned. Who knows with him..."
As they continued to talk, Misty was growing impatient. She wanted to find Sabrina, and these men were in her way. She couldn't wait any longer. If they were to continue their patrol, and were to head back upstairs, they would notice her, and that could be bad news. And the worst of it was that they were slowly approaching her. So, to avoid detection, Misty would have her Staryu use Ice Beam, freezing them on the spot, causing their bodies to become stiff and their mouths to freeze shut.
"Phew. That was close." Misty sighed. "Come on, Staryu. We've got to find the dungeons." Misty and Staryu would descend further into the darkness, leaving the frozen men in their wake.
Eventually, they found their way to the cells. There were many of them, and they were all full of prisoners. Some of them were sleeping on the cold floor, while others were crying quietly. Others were sitting on the hard beds, staring blankly at the wall or the ceiling. The air was thick with despair and misery. Misty looked at the prisoners and saw the terrible conditions they were in. They were dirty and hungry, and they had no hope of ever escaping their fate. The stench was unbearable. But regardless, Misty and her Staryu would make their way to the last cell in the row, and when she arrived, there, sitting against a corner, was Sabrina.
"Sabrina!" Misty shouted, running forward to the Psychc User. She grabbed onto the bars of the cell, shaking them in frustration. "Sabrina! Wake up!"
"Ugh...who's there?" Sabrina groaned, her eyes fluttering open. She was in a daze, and she didn't recognize the person who was speaking to her. Slowly, she stood up, her legs wobbling slightly. When she was finally on her feet, she rubbed her forehead, feeling the pain of a massive headache. As her vision returned, she recognized the girl in front of her. Her heart sank. It was Misty, her friend. "M-Misty..."
"Hold on! I'll get you out!" Misty replied, looking at the lock on the cell. She pulled on it, but it wouldn't budge. "Staryu, Use Swift!"
"Stone Edge, Steelix."
However, Staryu was soon interrupted by an incoming stone that would go straight for Misty. Staryu sensed the danger, promptly shooting out star-shaped rays at the stones, saving its trainer. Both girls would turn their heads to the source of the attack, and there, in the dim light, stood Cassandra once more. Behind her was her Steelix, and the two of them were blocking the path to the stairs.
"My, my. You found it quickly, didn't you?" her tone of voice low and dangerous.
"You...what did you do to Sabrina!" Misty bellowed at Baevel's Elite Servant.
"Oh, I didn't do this. Lord Baevel did. By injecting her body with some Salazzle Poison. She's been weakened, that's why her powers are unusable. And even if she tried to use them, her mind would give in, slowly bringing her to Lord Baevel's side." Cassandra explained, a sadistic smirk forming on her lips. "But that's not important. What's important is that we take care of the problem in front of us. Isn't that right, Steelix?"
The great Iron Snake growled. Its red eyes were narrowed, and its jaws were clenched in anger. Misty and her Staryu were trapped, and the only way out was through the Elite. She couldn't afford to lose, not when she was so close. But how could she beat someone as powerful as Cassandra, who managed to beat Sabrina?
"Empire Scum! You'll pay for this!" Misty yelled, her fists clenching in determination. "Let's go, Staryu. Take down Steelix and Cassandra." The Star Shape Pokemon leapt into the air, floating above the ground. Misty then commanded her to attack. "Swift!"
The beams of stars shot towards Cassandra and her Steelix. However, the woman didn't flinch, nor did her pokemon. Instead, they simply dodged the incoming attack, the beams hitting the wall behind them. "Now, Steelix. Rock Throw."
Steelix opened its mouth and unleashed a barrage of rocks at the pair. They were aimed at the water types, and each was enough to send a man flying. Staryu floated to the side, avoiding the first few attacks. Then, the rest of the rocks hit the cell, breaking the bars and sending the debris everywhere. The impact of the rocks caused the walls to crack, and the roof to collapse. The whole room shook, and the prisoners screamed in terror.
"Ngh...!" Misty growled and grunted from the pressure in here. "Water Pulse!"
Staryu fired a ball of water at the duo, which exploded in a large splash. Water dripped from the ceiling, and the air became damp. But neither of the opponents were affected by the attack. In fact, the woman seemed to enjoy the wetness, her tongue slipping past her lips to lick the water off her face.
"Pathetic. Is that the best you can do, Cerulean Pokemon Lord? Let me show you real power. Earthquake." Cassandra said, smirking at the girl. Her Steelix roared, its tail slapping the ground. Suddenly, the entire dungeon shook. Rocks fell from the ceiling, and the prisoners screamed in fear. Misty and her Staryu were sent to the ground, falling to their knees from the force of the tremors. The ground was splitting apart, and the walls were crumbling. Cracks were appearing in the floors and ceilings, and the pillars supporting the structure were starting to break.
"This strength...!" Misty gasped at the strength Cassandra was showing off. It looked like she was above a Pokemon Lord. First Sabrina and now Misty. "Either that...or she just has more tenacity than me!"
Cassandra laughed at the sight of the young woman kneeling in the rubble. "What a joke. I thought you'd put up a bit more of a fight. Maybe you should've stayed at home, little girl."
"Don't mock me! You haven't won yet!" Misty shouted at the woman, trying to stand up. Her legs were shaking, and her body ached. She was in no state to fight, but she had to try. If she didn't, Sabrina would be doomed, and Kurodaka would fall.
"Misty..." Sabrina moaned, her body weak. She couldn't move, and the poison was still coursing through her veins. She couldn't help her friend, not in her current condition.
As for Ash, he finally reached the most important room in the entire castle. Baevel's throne room. He was on the highest floor of the building, and in the middle of the night. The place was dark, lit only by the moonlight shining through the windows. There were no guards in the area, and the doors were wide open.
Pikachu was standing next to him, ready to battle. Awaiting him was a familiar figure, sitting on a golden throne. His crown shined brightly, and his cape flowed behind him. This was Lord Baevel, ruler of Kurodaka City, and he was not happy to see Ash and his Pikachu. He had a scowl on his face, and his fists were clenched tightly.
Behind him was his trusted Pokemon, Houndoom. Next to his seat, there was also a beautiful young woman. Her brown hair was long and flowing, her emerald green eyes piercing, and her dress was a deep red. Ash couldn't tell if she was a prisoner or an ally, as the atmosphere in the room was ominous.
"So, you've come at last. A part of me did believe you'd show up." Baevel sneered at the boy.
"So, you're Baevel. Alright then. I'll clean up here and be on my way pretty soon." Ash stated calmly, looking the king in the eye. "We're putting an end to this. Right here, right now." He declared, his Pikachu jumping onto his shoulder, his cheeks sparking with electricity, a determined look on his face. Ash's aura flaring, showing the King that he was not afraid of him or his status.
"How disrespectful." The woman who went by the name of Desra spoke. "I can see the arrogance in your eyes. You're nothing but a foolish folktale figure, thinking that you're some kind of hero. But you're wrong, and I'll prove it to you. Come, Empoleon." She ordered, and her Pokemon emerged from the shadows, its blue and white feathers reflecting the moonlight. It stared at Ash and his mouse with its icy gaze. Its metallic claws were sharp, and its wings were spread wide.
Pikachu was about to leap forward and attack, but Ash held his arm in front of his companion, stopping him. He had a plan, and he didn't want to risk anything. Not when he was in the presence of a being as dangerous as Baevel, and certainly not when the Elite was present in the same chamber, staring daggers at him.
"Let's see if he's really all they saw he is. I'm trusting you to defeat him, Desra." Baevel said, leaning back in his seat, watching the events unfold in front of him. His smile turned into a smug grin, and his eyes glinted wickedly. "Show him what happens to those who oppose us, and show him that the tales of the Star Champion are nothing but lies. Once that is done, you will have earned yourself quite the reward.~"
"Of course, Lord Baevel. Your wish is my command. Now, Star Boy, let's put an end to this, and show you that the Aurvale Empire is unstoppable." Desra stated, a confident smirk on her lips, her eyes narrowed. She knew that the two in front of her were strong, and she had no doubt that they would be a challenge.
But she was sure that her Pokemon was more than a match for them, especially since she was an experienced combatant. And besides, she wanted to impress Baevel, to prove her worth to him, and to show him that she was worthy of his love. "Your journey ends here." She added, and her Pokemon growled in agreement.
"I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not backing down. Bring it on!" Ash replied, his fist raised, his Aura glowing. He was ready to face the evil that stood before him, and he was prepared to do whatever it took to save Kurodaka, and stop the empire from expanding its influence any further. He and his partner were the world's greatest hope, and they wouldn't fail.