The New Normal – 13-12 – Interlude – Team Galactic
(Mars POV)
For the sake of creating the utopia they all desired, she had told herself that she was willing to put herself through any amount of hardship to ensure that Cyrus' dream was fulfilled. However, when she received the news of Saturn's heroic sacrifice and his subsequent fate, she felt that resolved tested.
She knew they were reaching the end now. After being on the run for so long, the authorities had all but caught onto them. They were nearly completely out of places to hide in, and everyone knew that they had to strike now, or else they would lose the opportunity entirely as their manpower and resources were whittled down day by day.
Once, they had the backing of the richest company in Sinnoh, with nearly infinite resources at their disposal. When they had managed to integrate the fleeing groups from Indigo and Hoenn and show them the light of their cause, their manpower swelled to numbers that anyone could be proud of.
However, all of that was now gone. Besides herself, Jupiter, and Cyrus, the total amount of grunts that they had under their command only amounted to a few dozen. A far cry from the hundreds that they had previously as they had all fallen bravely in service to their cause. Worse, their resources practically only amounted to the Pokémon and equipment that they carried on their person.
Yet despite all of this, they had the one item that would make all of this loss worth it – The Red Chain. With this prototype now in Cyrus' hands, they were finally ready to enact the last step of their plan.
Today was the day that they would create the utopia that they all dreamed of. The day where their sacrifices, both big and small, would finally be rewarded. Today was where it all came to an end.
They just needed to reach Spear Pillar.
In his infinite genius, Cyrus had already prepared a way to circumvent the tight security around Spear Pillar. She had not known this until he told her, but their boss demonstrated his forethought as he had long since planned out a method for them to sneak their way into Spear Pillar when it became necessary.
To do so, he had previously utilised the resources of Galactic Company to dig out a secret underground route from Veilstone City that would get them inside Mt. Coronet.
As he himself explained it, "Long ago, while I was still CEO of Galactic Company, I had this project called the 'Grand Underground' that I intended to pursue. It was meant to be a series of interconnected tunnels running through Sinnoh that would serve as one gigantic mining operation. Yet that project fell through due to lack of funding. However, when I realised that the scope of our plans would likely lead us into conflict with the ignorant Sinnoh League, I had those tunnels maintained in order to ensure that we would be able to traverse around Sinnoh while remaining unbothered by the unfaithful. It was a costly endeavour, though one that has paid off immensely."
Of course, the tunnels didn't lead directly to Spear Pillar since it was at the summit of Mt. Coronet. The tunnels only led to the base of Mt. Coronet, which meant that they would still have to climb up the mountain themselves and fight off whatever resistance that the Sinnoh League had put in place. That was far easier said than done, and if Arceus wanted to challenge their resolve, then the foolish Sinnoh League may have also called up further reinforcements as well.
Fortunately, they did have one trump card. They still had many of the powerful bombs leftover that they previously used to blow up the Lakes – and the will to use them to achieve victory, no matter the cost.
When Cyrus explained that they were going to be using the bombs in such close proximity to their own men, Jupiter had instinctively protested against this, saying that the risk was too great. However, Cyrus insisted that this was the best and only course of action.
"I know that our men and women have the spirit, will, and determination to overcome any adversity. Yet our past experiences have proven that their capabilities unfortunately do not match their unyielding resolve." He said, "Currently, we will always be outnumbered by the unenlightened during our attack on Spear Pillar. No matter our determination, it is fact that if we fight with our willpower and spirit alone, we will be unable to create our utopia."
"I know… I know that such tactics are disgusting and vile." Cyrus frowned, "…But everything can be justified and repaired once the utopia we have long sought after has been created. The bombs will help level the playing field against our enemies, and they will help force a path to Spear Pillar. They will not expect us to make use of such tactics, and so long as I reach Spear Pillar with the Red Chain, then we have won. Utopia will be ours to mould."
Jupiter still looked a little unsure at his words, and Mars could emphasize with her colleagues' inner thoughts. But her faith in Cyrus was stronger, and she crushed those disloyal thoughts and nodded along to their boss' plan.
"It will mean that you both will have to take the lead during our journey to Spear Pillar." He pointed out, "They will undoubtedly target me with everything they have, so it is paramount that I remain hidden and disguised so that they will be unable to do so. We will also have other grunts disguised as me to sow as much confusion as possible, especially once the bombs start exploding."
They agreed and, with the plan set out, they finally decided to make their move. With determined and resolute steps, they snuck into the secret tunnels that were built around the far outskirts of Veilstone City, where there were relatively fewer patrols.
It was risky, sneaking around near the main cities like that, but with Arceus watching over their rightful actions and most of the Sinnoh police focused on protecting other key areas, they made it past the corrupt authorities unscathed and undetected. But even as they made it underground, they all knew that they were in hostile territory and maintained their vigilance as they crept through the surprisingly large and dwindling underground tunnels.
Eventually, after getting turned around and lost a few times in the winding tunnels, they found their way underneath Mt. Coronet. They just needed to break through the roof and they would be where they needed to be.
However, before the operation begun, Cyrus called for all of their remaining grunts to gather together for one last speech.
"Members of Team Galactic. We are at the dawn of a new world. A world free of suffering. A world free of imperfections. A world that we have all worked together to shape into a perfect reality. Many of you have suffered greatly in pursuit of this dream. Many of us have fallen, and are unable to be here today, because of the sacrifices that I regretfully had to make in order for us to be in this position. And I mourn for all those that we have lost on our journey."
"And yet, those losses have not been for nothing. The utopia of our dreams is on the horizon. Several hundred meters are now the final barrier between us and that dream. So even if this may be the hardest battle of your lives, I trust that you all will be willing to lay down your lives in order to create that perfect world that we all seek. Your memories, your conviction, and your sacrifice – they will form the foundation in which our utopia shall stand upon for eternity!"
"Now there is just one battle left! And it's time to give it your all! LET US FIGHT TO THE END! UTOPIA AWAITS US ALL! SO LET'S CLAIM IT WITH OUR VERY OWN HANDS!"
""FOR CYRUS!""
A.N. We're finally here. After writing the conflict between John and Team Galactic for so long, we're at the showdown now. The next few chapters will focus entirely on the resulting final battle between these two, so I hope you enjoy.
I also hope you liked the use of the Grand Underground and the bombs from the Lake. I felt that it would be interesting to repurpose something most people overlook from the games into something plot relevant. As for the bombs, I've already written Team Galactic as fanatical enough to make use of something like this, so I hope this is in character for them. Thanks for reading!
And to anyone who wants to support me, please check out my p atreon at CartecTNN where you can read 8 advanced chapters! Thanks to those who have supported me already!