After Weldon chased Hamsetrin away from the Sealed Chamber, he and Lapis split from Samir and Steven so they could save time with finding the Regis. Lapis tried to capture a wild Banette in the tunnel, but it triggered an ancient trap that almost knocked out Bixbite. Still, the two were able to enter the underdepths of the Desert Ruins and awaken Regirock. The Rock Peak Pokémon, however, saw them as enemies, so Weldon battled it to gain its respect. The Legendary Pokémon deemed the Kantonian worthy of being its next Guardian, with Regice and Registeel following suit. Now that the Legendary Titans were under Weldon's authority, the group travel to Sootopolis City, where the legendary Groudon and Kyogre are now fighting. Will Lapis and his companions be able to stop Groudon and Kyogre before they destroy the region?
Lapis' Pokémon:
Zuli (Lvl. 46 Swampert, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Surf
Bixbite (Lvl. 44 Camerupt, male): Bold Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Rock Slide, Tackle, Ember, Earthquake
Onyx (Lvl. 47 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Take Down, Rock Smash, Crunch, Bite
Pearl (Lvl. 47 Grumpig, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psychic, Psybeam, Shock Wave, Confuse Ray
Celestite (Lvl. 45 Altaria, female): Gentle Nature, Natural Cure Ability, moves: Fly, Safeguard, Take Down, Dragonbreath
Amethyst (Lvl. 47 Vileplume, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Petal Dance, Acid, Poisonpowder, Moonlight (currently in PC)
Pokémon sent to the PLA: Tiger Eyes (Linoone, male), Citrine (Makuhita, female), Kyanite (Electrike, female), Moonstone (Swellow, female), SmokyQuarz (Numel, male)
Chapter 43: Clash of the Titans
Lapis and his group once again braved the storm as they headed to Sootopolis City. This time, Wallace used his Wailord, Ajisai, to carry them across the ocean, speeding up their travel time. When they reached the walls of the volcanic crater, the Champion guided the group through a secret tunnel that brought them into a dimly lit cave.
"The Cave of Origin," Steven said after examining some of the stones on the ceiling. "Are you sure we can be in here?"
Wallace grinned. "Normally not. But, with the current situation outside, the elders have made an exception."
They headed up and arrived at a narrow corridor with torches lined along the walls. They then exited the temple, where they were greeted by a competition of sunlight and rain.
Behind a gigantic tree on an island were the Legendary Pokémon, Groudon and Kyogre. The behemoths were fighting in the lake, but Lapis noted the clearly obvious mismatch.
"How's Groudon gonna win if it's on that tiny lil' island?"
"That's what's bothering you, Eurig?!" Trinity scolded. "We cannot be commentators at a time like this!"
"Well I have to! I can't afford to lose any of my Pokémon 'cause of a calamity that ain't part of the Nuzlocke challenge!" The glares from his travel group forced him to reconsider. He sighed. "Guess I can provide some support with my healin' items." Good thing I have enough Pokédollars to get more.
Wallace nodded, hiding a smirk, and stroked his chin. "If Summer and Aster still cannot find Rayquaza in time, we will need to do everything we can on our end to stop Groudon and Kyogre. The problem is, not all of the Sootopolitans have left. Who wants to stay here or help me with the evacuation?"
Weldon stepped forward, adjusting his sleeves. "You already know my answer, Wallace."
The Tairiku Hogo-sha clan member immediately took out a Poké Ball. "I'm staying too. I can't let everyone, and myself, down again."
Steven nodded. "I'll stay here as well."
"As will I," Samir chimed in.
The Champion nodded. "Yuki, I know you're the last to respond, but can you help me make sure the citizens are safe?"
"Y-Yes, of course! I'm honored to help a Master Coordinator!"
Chuckling, the two left towards the white and blue houses stacked along the slopes. The other Trainers let out their Pokémon: Morpheus the Umbreon, Munin the Charizard, Warrior the Metagross, Stego, and Samir's Camerupt.
Lapis gave the research assistant the side eye, making the latter sweat a little.
"I-It's not what you think, Lapis! I got Unzen before our adventure in the desert!"
"Sure, whatever."
A familiar voice shouted, "Hey, everyone! I hope I'm not too late!" Harry, flying on a Skarmory, landed near the group.
Weldon was surprised. "Harry! I thought you'd still be helping Brawly in Dewford Town."
"The situation's still bad, but not as bad when you guys were last there. Besides, Dad said I'd regret it if I don't help out after all we've been through."
"Thanks, Harry. Don't forget; we still have to trade our starters back to each other."
The surfer grinned as he switched his Flying type with his Roselia. "I'm gonna hold you to that, Weldon. Rose, let's do everything we can to support them."
His Grass type nodded and raised the roses at the ends of her arms.
The Kantonian took a deep breath and summoned the three Regis from his cufflinks. Groudon and Kyogre briefly paused their ancient-long feuding, sensing the other Legendary Pokémon nearby.
"Unzen, Eruption!"
The Eruption Pokémon unleashed lava from her humps. Once they hit the lake water, they cooled into sturdy walking surfaces. As Unzen kept using the Fire type move, the others advanced.
"Warrior, use Double Team!"
"Munin, Air Cutter!"
"Rose, Magical Leaf!"
The Steel type created many copies of itself as the Fire type formed sickles of air with his wings. The Grass type added to the offense with the super accurate flurry of rainbow-colored leaves. However, the Continent Pokémon and the Sea Basin Pokémon protected themselves by launching an inferno of flames and a strong blizzard, respectively. The Lava Plume and Blizzard eliminated the Metagross copies and struck the three Pokémon and each other. Groudon and Kyogre glared at each other as they prepared another Lava Plume and Blizzard.
Weldon motioned his three Pokémon forward. "Create an Ancient Power barrier!"
"Stego, support the Regis with your Ancient Power!"
The Regis raised their arms and formed a large wall made of fossilized stone. The Anorith then filled in any gaps with smaller rocks to fortify the structure. The Fire and Ice type moves barely made a dent, but now it obstructed their view.
Is going on the defensive really going to help?
That's where Morpheus came in. Using his Detect move, he sensed Groudon and Kyogre's movements and relayed them to his Trainer.
Trinity nodded in understanding. "They're going to try to breach the wall with Brick Break and Aqua Tail!"
Weldon smiled. "Thanks, Trin! Everyone, use Curse!"
The Rock Peak, Iceberg, and Iron Pokémon focused their energy to increase their Attack and Defense.
The wall started to crack under the immense pressure, but the Regis needed more time to boost their power.
Steven waved his left arm. "Warrior, strengthen the wall with Psychic!"
"Munin, stand back! Morpheus, use Helping Hand on Warrior!"
The Charizard retreated slightly as his teammate sent a blue energy towards the Iron Leg Pokémon. This increased Warrior's concentration in maintaining the Ancient Power wall, but it was still no match against two Legendary Pokémon. The Steel type was forced to let the structure crumble.
"Thanks for holding them off, Steven and Trin. Now, attack with Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, and Mega Punch!"
Regirock went first, striking Kyogre with its crackling yellow fist. Groudon then tried to hit Regice with Brick Break but was countered by the latter's icy blue fist. Registeel pummeled them with its large fists, knocking them back.
Infuriated, Groudon charged a green Solarbeam as Kyogre shot a powerful Hydro Pump at the group. Regirock and Registeel formed another barrier with Stone Edge and Ancient Power as the others prepared their long-range attacks.
"Unzen, Flamethrower! Stego, Water Gun!"
"Regice, Ice Beam!"
"Rose, Sludge Bomb!"
"Warrior, control them all with Psychic!"
"Support Warrior with Helping Hand, Morpheus!"
As the Iron Leg Pokémon combined the fire, water, poison, and ice with its psychic powers, the Umbreon strengthened that blue aura with the well-known double battle move. The combined move struck the Continent and Sea Basin Pokémon, but all that did was enrage them.
Groudon slammed his right hand into the ground, creating seismic waves that affected the land-based Pokémon. Kyogre followed suit with a burst of water that broke through the barrier, showering the Pokémon with water and broken shards of rock.
Looking at the injured or fainted Pokémon, Weldon gritted his teeth. "This isn't good. Everyone, bring your Pokémon to Lapis for healing! The Regis and I will do everything we can to hold them off!"
Steven, Samir, Harry, and Trinity were hesitant to leave the Guardian alone, but they knew it was the best course of action. As Lapis used his abundant Hyper Potions and many useless, to him, Revives, he snuck glances of the Kantonian battling amongst the Legendary Pokémon. The Nuzlocker couldn't help but be in awe of Weldon's bravery and growth.
But the land and sea Pokémon were still too strong. They broke through another Ancient Power barrier and slammed the Regis with the super effective Brick Break. Regice and Registeel faltered, but the Rock Peak Pokémon was still standing.
Lapis and the others ran over. The teen healed the Iceberg and Iron Pokémon as Trinity, Steven, Harry, and Samir's Pokémon rejoined the fray. As he turned to heal Regirock, a Solarbeam hurtled towards him.
"Stego, protect Lapis! Unzen, stop that Solarbeam with Flamethrower!"
The Anorith clawed a hole into the volcanic soil, large enough to fit him and Lapis. After they jumped into it, the Camerupt intercepted the Grass type move with a stream of flames. Despite the type advantage, Unzen struggled to push back the green beam. Rose tried to help by using Substitute, but the Solarbeam broke through the dummy. Lapis searched for Morpheus and Munin, but they were busy providing support to the Regis. Suddenly, Stego leapt out and slashed at the Solarbeam with Fury Cutter. But the weak move barely did anything.
"Stop, Stego!" his Trainer shouted. "That won't do us any good!' Samir attempted to send out another Pokémon, but he was blinded by a stray Blizzard.
Refusing to give up, Stego raised his claws and glowed white. After a few seconds, an Armaldo appeared in the Anorith's place, and he formed an orb of water with his mouth. Samir and Lapis were stunned as the attack hit Groudon, causing the Solarbeam to fizzle out.
"G-Great work, Stego!" the research assistant praised. "You evolved and learned Water Pulse!"
The fossil Pokémon grinned. But the happy moment ended as Unzen and Rose fell from exhaustion. Lapis finished healing those Pokémon, but he could tell they couldn't change the tide. Warrior, Munin, and Morpheus were also badly injured, and the Regis continued to struggle with stopping the rampaging Pokémon.
How much more can they take?! I can't believe I'm saying this… "Scorcher better come and save our asses!"
As if responding to his plea, the clouds and intense sunlight above parted. A long, green serpent-like Pokémon with two short arms and yellow, black, and red bands along his body flew through the hole. The teen saw two dark blobs on the flying creature, but he couldn't make out what they were.
The green Pokémon roared, "CEASE YOUR FIGHTING!", forcing Groudon and Kyogre to look up in shock.
"M-Master Rayquaza! W-We did not expect you to return…"
"HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF ABANDONING HOENN! JUST BECAUSE I WAS NOT AROUND DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO DESTROY THE REGION AGAIN! I DEMAND YOU TO RETURN TO YOUR DOMAINS; FROM NOW ON, EXIT THEM ONLY AT MY COMMAND!"
The feuding Legendary Pokémon cowered at their master's words but managed a glare at each other before leaving the lake in peace. The sky above immediately cleared up; the weather returned to its normal humidity and not as hot temperature.
"Was that a deux ex machina?"
"Didn't you wish for that, Lapis?" Trinity asked as they regrouped.
"Well, I guess…" Still… I wonder how I could hear them even though they've been gone for so long…
Steven chuckled as they saw the Sky High Pokémon land on the island with the large tree. "It looks like Summer and Aster were able to get Rayquaza's help after all."
Weldon bowed to the Regis, who responded with the same gesture. After disappearing back into his cufflinks, the Kantonian wiped his brow.
"It's finally over…"
Wallace and Yuki returned, tired from assisting with the evacuations. The former asked, "Everyone all right?"
Samir nodded as his Armaldo hugged him. "Yeah. And Stego evolved in the process."
The Champion smiled. "A heartfelt congratulations, Samir."
"Thanks, Wallace."
Weldon watched Summer and Aster wave the green Legendary Pokémon goodbye, anxious to see his original traveling companion again.
Lapis let out an acknowledging sigh. "Go on, Leland. Scorcher's likely feelin' the same."
Hiding his flushed cheeks with his hat, the pre-teen smiled. "Thanks, Lapis. And thanks for helping us. I hope this wasn't too much of a distraction for you."
The Nuzlocker shrugged. "Eh. Nothin' much happened for me. Besides, you know, the whole world destruction thing."
The rest of the group laughed. They waved goodbye to Lapis before reuniting with the two women at the Pokémon Center. Wallace, however, stayed behind.
"Why ain't you leavin'?"
The Champion chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll join them momentarily. I wanted to personally thank you for helping us with saving Hoenn with this." He handed Lapis a CD with the words, "HM07", written on it.
"The HM for Waterfall?"
"That's right. You'll need it to access Evergrande City where you'll finish the Nuzlocke challenge."
"Oh yeah, that's what that brochure said. So that means I'll be battlin' you too?"
"Only if you make it past the Elite Four." Wallace bowed and said, "I wish you luck in battling my mentor, the Sootopolis Gym Leader."
Lapis crossed his arms as he watched the man leave. The last Gym… Hopefully it'll go smoothly…
Questions for the Chapter:
What did you think of the battle against Groudon and Kyogre?
How will Lapis do against the Sootopolis City Gym Leader?
