Chapter 328: Beginning of the End (9)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Seafloor Cavern]
Deep within the abyssal embrace of the Seafloor Cavern, where the ancient energies thrummed even more violently, two figures approached. They moved with an almost dreamlike certainty, their eyes glazed over, the Red and Blue Orbs clutched tightly in their hands, glowing with an ominous light.
Maxie, leader of Team Magma, and Archie, the cunning head of Team Aqua, are now mere puppets to the very power they sought to wield. Maxie's voice, though his own, resonated with a deeper, more ancient power, "So, these are the meddling children. Interlopers in our divine purpose. The very reason for this cataclysm."
Archie, his grin unnervingly wide, added with a maniac grin, "You stand before the architects of a new world, kids. One forged in fire or drowned in water."
Ruby, adorned in his contest clothes, and Sapphire, her rugged tomboy attire stained with battle grime, stared, their expressions shifting from confusion to dawning horror. They had faced these individuals before, but never like this.
Always one or the other, never united in such chilling, Orb-fueled madness. Sapphire gasped, her Kirly the Gallade and Rono the Aggron stepping forward protectively, "You… you're the leaders of those teams!"
Ruby muttered, pointing a trembling finger at the glowing Orbs, "And those gems, they're what allowed you to control Groudon and Kyogre all this time!"
His Castform, Fofo, floated nervously beside him, while Kiki, his Delcatty, readied herself for battle ahead. Maxie's Camerupt, radiating intense heat, lumbered forward, its hooves scorching the ground.
It was followed by Archie's massive Walrein, its tusks glinting ominously. The battle was on between the two. Ruby sent out Mumu, his Swampert, to join the fray, while Sapphire's Phado, her Donphan, rolled forward.
They fought hard, their Pokémon displaying their well-honed skills. Ruby's Mumu and Sapphire's Phado were powerful, but the sheer, raw intensity of the Orb-influenced Pokémon was overwhelming…
*WOOOSH*
After a desperate struggle, Ruby and Sapphire's other Pokémon charged, only to be met by a wave of potent energy emanating directly from the Orbs in Maxie and Archie's hands, sending them sprawling.
Sapphire observed, her eyes narrowing as she muttered bitterly, "They're not even fighting together. They're just… attacking. Like two separate forces, ignoring each other."
Ruby, ever the strategist, saw the opening as he added, "Then we work together, Sapphire! If they're not coordinating, we will! Fofo Sunny Day!"
*Shiii*
Their Pokémon, though battered, rallied to their trainers' command. Ruby's Fofo changed to her Sunny Form, intensifying the heat for his Weather Ball, while Sapphire's Blaziken, affectionately known as Chic, used Blaze Kick in tandem with Ruby's Mumu's Muddy Water, creating a devastating combo.
*SPLASH*
Ruby's Milotic Feefee danced through the chaos, its Mirror Coat reflecting Archie's attacks, while Sapphire's Rono the Aggron stood firm, using Heavy Slam on Maxie's Camerupt. They complemented each other, building on strengths, covering weaknesses.
Maxie's Camerupt and Archie's Walrein were met with a renewed, coordinated assault. But the leaders, fueled by the Orbs' dark power, were unrelenting.
*Sssss*
*Woooosh*
With a synchronized roar, they unleashed a combined attack—a searing Heat Wave from Camerupt and a bone-chilling Blizzard from Walrein—that slammed into Ruby and Sapphire's team. One by one, their Pokémon fell, groaning in defeat.
Ruby refused to yield. He cried, his voice hoarse, "Fofo! It's up to you! Hail!"
*Woooosh*
Fofo, his Castform, shimmered, shifting from Sunny Form to Snowy Form. The cavern air grew frigid, and sharp hailstones began to rain down, stinging Maxie and Archie's Pokémon, along with providing a boost to itself.
Now in her icy form, Fofo glowed, concentrating her energy. Ruby commanded, "Weather Ball!"
*PEW*
The attack, powered by the hail, transformed into a colossal orb of ice and snow. It flew true, slamming into Maxie's Camerupt and Archie's Walrein with devastating force…
*BOOM*
*Thud*
The two powerful Pokémon bellowed in pain, then collapsed, finally defeated. A heavy silence descended.
Maxie and Archie stood motionless, their grins faded, their eyes still vacant. Ruby looked at Fofo, then at the fallen leaders. He wondered aloud, a flicker of guilt as he muttered, "Did I… did I overdo it?"
But the gravity of the situation quickly displaced it. Shaking his head, he added, "Never mind that now! We need those Orbs!"
He rushed towards Maxie, reaching for the Red Orb. But as his fingers brushed the glowing gem, he found it inexplicably fused with Maxie's hand, molten into his flesh as he yelled, "What... what is this?!"
*Sssss*
Sapphire gasped as Maxie's skin began to glow with intricate, ancient patterns – the very markings of Groudon. Simultaneously, similar markings, those of Kyogre, appeared on Archie's hand, pulsing with eerie blue light.
Maxie and Archie's vacant expressions twisted into sinister grins, utterly devoid of humanity. Then, to their horror, the Red and Blue Orbs didn't just recede – they absorbed into Maxie and Archie's hands, sinking beneath the skin until only the glowing patterns remained…
*Plop*
As the last sliver of Orb vanished, two massive shadows flickered behind the men – Groudon's fiery silhouette behind Maxie, Kyogre's watery form behind Archie. The chilling realization struck them: it wasn't Maxie and Archie controlling the Legendaries anymore. It was the other way around…
The titans had found new hosts.
Ruby screamed desperately, desperate to reclaim the Orbs before they were fully gone, "Kiki! Covet!"
*Wooosh*
His loyal Delcatty, Kiki, sprang forward, a shimmering light gathering around her paws. But before she could make contact, a torrent of energy, raw and primal, erupted from Archie's hand, a blast of pure Kyogre power.
*BOOM*
Kiki was knocked aside, thrown against the cavern wall with a pained yelp. The transformation was complete.
Maxie and Archie, now mere puppets, their minds consumed by the ancient wills of Groudon and Kyogre, moved with terrifying new purpose. They unleashed blasts of energy, one fiery, one watery, converging on Ruby and Sapphire.
*PEW*
As the blasts were coming, Ruby yelled, thinking fast, "Kiki! Assist!!"
*SHINNG*
*BOOOOM*
Kiki, scrambling back to her feet, instinctively channeled the power of his Aron, cocooning Ruby and Sapphire in a temporary, metallic shield of Iron Defense. The combined energy attack slammed into the Iron Defense, shaking the cavern…
*RMBL*
*CRACK*
Kiki cried out, the sheer power of Groudon and Kyogre's will proving too much for her to bear. The shield shattered, and Kiki collapsed, unconscious…
*Zooom*
A now-insane Archie, propelled by Kyogre's boundless rage, lunged at them, his eyes glowing blue. Ruby, without a moment's hesitation, grabbed Sapphire, pulling her out of the way just as Archie's clawed hand ripped through the air where she had been.
As Ruby shielded her, Sapphire felt a strange echo, a fleeting memory of a similar moment, a hand reaching out, saving her from danger. She quickly shook it off; no time for distractions.
*GRIP*
But the possessed leaders were too quick. Archie, with impossible speed, seized Sapphire by the neck, his grip like iron. Maxie, mirroring him, grabbed Ruby and aimed for his neck…
*SHIII*
Their bodies began to glow, enveloped in a large sphere of pulsating energy – red for Maxie, blue for Archie – ascending rapidly towards the surface…
*WOOOOSH*
As they rose, the spheres expanded, sweeping through the cavern. The fainted Team Aqua and Team Magma Grunts, lying unconscious on the cavern floor, were caught in the expanding energy, absorbed into the glowing orbs.
Ruby gasped, struggling in Maxie's vice-like grip, the air growing thin, "They're… they're calling out to Groudon and Kyogre!"
He was correct. The Orbs, now one with their hosts, were amplifying the Legendaries' power, drawing everything they could into their cataclysmic struggle.
Maxie and Archie, their voices now deep, guttural roars laced with the ancient wills possessing them, bellowed, "We will be free! Free from those human hands! Free from… AZURE SKY!"
*RMBL*
The mention of Azure's name, a raw oath of defiance against the trainer who dared interfere, sent a fresh wave of terror through Ruby and Sapphire. But they felt their consciousness slipping, their vision blurring.
The iron grip on their necks was slowly, inexorably, cutting off their air supply. Ruby and Sapphire struggled, their hands weakly clawing at the unyielding forearms, then their struggles ceased as darkness claimed them...
But then, just as the possessed Maxie and Archie's grip tightened further, threatening to snap their necks…
*ZOOOM*
*SHINNG*
… a blur of motion. A shadow detached itself from the cavern wall. A mighty Alpha Garchomp, its scales glinting, its powerful jaw agape, descended with frightening speed. Its massive claw, shimmering with draconic energy, sliced through the air using Dragon Claw to cleanly sever them.
*CRACK*
*THWACK*
Maxie and Archie roared, a sickening sound of pain and ancient fury, as their arms, still holding Ruby and Sapphire, were cleanly severed above the elbow. Blood, surprisingly human-red, gushed from the stumps, "AHHHH!!!!"
*Thud*
The now-disarmed leaders recoiled, screaming, clutching their mangled limbs as the spheres of energy around them flickered, unstable. In the next instant, a powerful Swampert, its muscles rippling, moved with incredible agility.
It snatched Ruby and Sapphire from mid-air, gently depositing the unconscious trainers onto a relatively stable rock formation. The sudden, brutal intervention had stunned everyone, even the Legendary-controlled villains.
*Tmp*
From the shadows of the cavern wall, a figure emerged, his expression as cold and unyielding as the rock around them. Giovanni, leader of Team Rocket, gazed upon the scene with an almost clinical detachment.
He knelt beside the severed arms. As Maxie and Archie had screamed in agony, the Orbs within their limbs, now exposed and visibly damaged by the Dragon Claw attack, had undergone a startling transformation…
*Shiii*
The pulsating, powerful Red and Blue Orbs had solidified, shrinking slightly, and morphed into a pair of exquisite, raw gems: a brilliant ruby and a deep sapphire. Giovanni murmured, a faint, chilling smile playing on his lips, "How fortunate. Such potent artifacts, almost within my grasp. Come, Claydol."
*Pop*
Having Claydol materialize from his Poké Ball, the ancient Pokémon floated silently, its eye-like markings glowing. Giovanni ordered, "Claydol, Teleport. Secure them."
*Shiii*
With a flash of psychic energy, the newly formed Ruby and Sapphire gems vanished from their discarded limbs. Ruby and Sapphire stirred, groaning awake, dazed by the sudden cessation of pain and the shock of what they were seeing.
Sapphire's eyes snapped to Giovanni, then to the severed limbs, then to the missing gems. She demanded, her voice raw with indignation and fear, "Who… who are you?! What have you done?!"
Giovanni merely chuckled, a low, dry sound that echoed in the vast cavern. He didn't bother to answer directly, his gaze drifting from the frantic Ruby and Sapphire to the still-screaming, disoriented Maxie and Archie, whose rage was slowly rebuilding, focusing on their new antagonists.
He turned to them with his fedora hiding his face except for a smug grin as he said calmly, his eyes shadowed, glinting with amusement, "You have far greater problems to worry about, children."
Before they could react, Giovanni's Claydol pulsed again. With another flash of light, the enigmatic Team Rocket leader vanished, taking the priceless gems with him.
*Swf*
Ruby cried, scrambling to his feet, but it was too late, "No! Come back!"
"ARGHHH!!!!"
He and Sapphire tried to give chase, but a guttural roar from behind them, infused with the combined power of Groudon and Kyogre's wills, stopped them dead. Maxie and Archie, their severed arms still gushing blood, eyes burning with infernal and abyssal fury, lunged forward…
Their forms flickered, almost phasing, as Groudon and Kyogre's influence fully reasserted itself, overriding even the excruciating pain of their injuries. Their remaining limbs transformed into savage claws, their faces contorted into monstrous visages.
Ruby and Sapphire gritted their teeth as they thought bitterly, 'There was no escaping this. No choice but to fight.'
They were left alone, caught between the ancient forces of destruction and the insidious machinations of a new, unforeseen enemy, with Hoenn's fate hanging in the balance. The 2 Dex Holders were forced to battle against Archie and Maxie as they began to attack them with renewed vigor.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Route 121]
On Route 121, transformed into a battleground of epic proportions, Groudon found its path blocked not by physical barriers but by an impenetrable dome of pure energy. Azure Sky, the Indigo champion, a legend in his own right, had summoned his ancient guardians: Regirock, Regice, and Registeel.
With silent, coordinated precision, the colossal Regis had used their signature Block abilities, intertwining their elemental strengths to form a shimmering, translucent dome. It contained not just the Legendary Pokémon, but also the cataclysmic forces of the battle itself, protecting the fragile world beyond its shimmering walls.
Inside this crucible, a quartet of Hoenn's most formidable trainers, along with Azure, had formed an unyielding square around the enraged Groudon. Each corner pulsed with concentrated power, their Pokémon radiating an aura of unwavering determination.
*BOOOM*
Steven Stone, the Hoenn Champion, soared above the fray on the back of his magnificent Aerodactyl. His Metagross, a gleaming steel behemoth, and Aggron, a walking fortress of iron, launched a relentless barrage from one side.
*SMASH*
Metagross's Meteor Mash slammed into Groudon's rocky hide, each strike leaving fissures that glowed with contained energy, while Aggron's Iron Head attacks rang like gongs against its formidable frame.
*Fwp*
Aerodactyl, agile and swift, weaved through Groudon's retaliatory tremors, delivering sharp Stone Edges precisely where Metagross and Aggron had weakened its armor. Steven, his face etched with grim focus, commanded his team with the crisp, authoritative tone of a leader accustomed to high-stakes confrontations, yelled, "Keep the pressure! Don't let it regain momentum!"
*SPLASH*
Wallace, the elegant Water-type champion, rode his majestic Gyarados, a leviathan of the deep, who coiled and struck with ferocious grace. His Milotic, its beauty belying its immense power, unleashed graceful yet devastating Hydro Pumps, while his Swampert, a pillar of brute strength, added its own torrents of Muddy Water.
*SPLASH*
Starmie, gem-like and swift, darted through the air, its movements a blur as it fired precision Psychic pulses and the occasional piercing Ice Beam. Wallace's voice, usually melodic, now resonated with a deep, unwavering command, guiding his Pokémon to exploit Groudon's elemental weakness with a relentless downpour of advanced Water-type moves, "Gyarados, Hyper Beam! Milotic, amplify the pressure with Scald!"
*PEW*
*BOOOM*
Both unleashed they're attacks as they exploded upon impact. The heat from the Scald attacks, usually for burns, instead created steaming craters on Groudon's superheated body, further disorienting it.
*Woooosh*
Glacia, the stoic Ice-type Elite Four member, rode her mighty Glalie, which glittered menacingly in the confined space. Her Glaceon, a vision of frosty elegance, and Walrein, a powerful, blubbery force, moved in seamless unison, creating a Blizzard of punishing attacks as Groudon felt her chill.
*Woooosh*
Glalie's Blizzards howled, coating Groudon in rapidly forming frost, while Glaceon's precise Ice Beams targeted its joints and exposed segments, causing Frostbite Status Conditions. Walrein, anchoring their assault, roared as it unleashed powerful Sheer Cold attacks that, while not always hitting with their one-hit knockout power, still sapped Groudon's heat and energy.
Glacia's commands were terse but absolute, each word a shard of ice in the fiery crucible, ordered coldly, "Maintain the freeze! Walrein, Blizzard again!"
*Wooosh*
Azure Sky, the Indigo conqueror, was a figure of calm intensity atop his gleaming Rayquaza. The Sky High Pokémon, a serpentine paragon of power, soared effortlessly within the dome, its emerald scales catching the glow of Groudon's magma.
Azure's team formed the final, concentrated corner: his terrifying Absol, a harbinger of disaster; the spectral Dusknoir, its single eye glowing with otherworldly intent; his own massive Metagross, mirroring Steven's in its formidable presence; the magnificent Salamence, a dragon of blistering power; and his unique Alpha Slaking with its physical might.
Unlike its common kin, Azure's Alpha Slaking was a beast of raw, untamed power, its muscles rippling with boundless energy, devoid of the usual laziness. They followed they're Trainer's commands.
*Shinng*
Absol, sensing the impending shift, darted in with a swift Psycho Cut, disrupting Groudon's focus. Dusknoir, with its spectral agility, phased through Groudon's earth-shaking stomps, delivering debilitating Shadow Punches…
*SMASH*
Azure's Metagross added its own Zen Headbutt to the onslaught. Salamence, a whirlwind of draconic fury, unleashed Draco Meteors that exploded on Groudon's back, raining down scorching debris.
*BOOOOM*
Azure's commands were a quiet symphony of precision, each Pokémon moving with practiced synergy. Azure commanded his Pokémon, "Rayquaza, keep it off balance! Salamence, target its hind legs!"
*RMBL*
Groudon, the embodiment of the earth's fury, roared its defiance. Super-effective Water and Ice-type attacks, combined with the sheer, unadulterated power of Psychic, Dragon, and Steel-type moves, began to take their toll.
Its magma veins, usually glowing with an infernal light, flickered, and its colossal steps grew heavier, slower. It tried to lash out with an Eruption, but Wallace's Starmie, always vigilant, zipped forward…
*Wooosh*
With an incredible burst of speed, it used Skill Swap, exchanging Groudon's earth-shattering Drought ability for Azure's Alpha Slaking's inherent Truant. A momentary, almost comical, wave of fatigue washed over Groudon, "GRO?! (NANI?!!)"
Its mighty head slumped slightly, its eyes momentarily losing their fiery intensity. It was the briefest of hesitations, but in this high-stakes battle, it was all Azure needed. Azure's voice boomed, cutting through the din, "Now, Slaking! Strong StyleMega Punch!"
*Zoooom*
The Alpha Slaking, freed from the traditional shackles of its ability, let out a guttural roar, "SLAAA!!! (It's Punching Time!)"
*SMASH*
Its massive fist, the size of a small boulder, glowed with concentrated energy as it launched a devastating Mega Punch. But this wasn't just any punch; it was a strike imbued with the accumulated rage and power of weeks of training, designed specifically to exploit Groudon's sudden, uncharacteristic lethargy.
*RMBL*
The blow landed squarely on Groudon's massive face, forcing the Legendary Pokémon to reel back, its entire body trembling. The impact echoed through the Block dome, a seismic shockwave that even the Regi's could barely contain.
Azure grinned, a flash of pure satisfaction in his eyes. He saw the flicker of true weakness, the primal beast finally faltering under the coordinated, relentless assault. Azure commanded fiercely, "Rayquaza! End this! Hyper Beam!"
Rayquaza let out a majestic cry, a sound that sliced through the battle's roar, "GRAAAA!!! (Time to end this shrimp!)"
*PEW*
… Its maw opened, gathering raw, concentrated energy, coalescing into a blinding emerald beam. The Hyper Beam, a pillar of pure, destructive force, slammed into Groudon's chest, exploding in a cataclysm of light and sound.
*KA-BOOOM*
The colossal Pokémon, already reeling, let out one last, pained roar before its immense form crumpled, hitting the ground with a thud that shook the very dome and ground…
*THUD*
… It was down.
Silence, thick and profound, descended upon the battlefield, broken only by the heavy breathing of the Pokémon and their trainers. Groudon, the Continent Pokémon, lay defeated.
Azure didn't hesitate. From his belt, he unclipped an Ultra Ball…
*Wooosh*
With a flick of his wrist, the advanced Poké Ball shot true, striking Groudon's prone form defenseless form…
*Bonk*
The red light engulfed the legendary, sucking it inside. The Ultra Ball hit the earth, then began to shake…
*Wiggle*
Once…
*Riggle*
Twice…
*Niggle*
Thrice…
An eternity seemed to pass in those few seconds. Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the vibrating orb as some thought, 'This was Groudon, a creature that had reshaped continents. Could it truly be contained?'
*BON*
With a final, decisive click, the Ultra Ball went still. A collective sigh of relief, a great wave of exhaustion and victory, washed over the trainers.
Glacia, her usual cool demeanor momentarily broken, stared at Azure with wide eyes, a flicker of awe in their depths. Steven offered a small, appreciative smile.
Azure, however, simply retrieved the Ultra Ball, tucking it away with a casual air. He said coolly, recalling his Pokémon exhausted from the battle, "Good job, everyone. We did it..."
He dismounted Rayquaza, who coiled gracefully beside him. Then, with an even more casual tone, Azure pulled out another Ultra Ball as he added, "Oh, and by the way, Kyogre also chose to be captured. It didn't want to get beaten up by Rayquaza. Unless…"
He looked pointedly at the newly captured Groudon's Ultra Ball, "You think you could take it on yourself?"
*Shiver*
From inside the newly captured Groudon's Ultra Ball, a faint, almost imperceptible tremor vibrated through the casing. Then, with a sudden surge of power, it began to shake violently, as if in protest.
Azure merely gestured towards Rayquaza, who, having just unleashed a Hyper Beam capable of felling a legendary, fixed the Ultra Ball containing Groudon with a cold, piercing stare. Rayquaza's serpentine body rippled ever so slightly, a silent, yet utterly menacing threat.
*Silence*
The trembling of Groudon's Ultra Ball abruptly ceased. The click of obedience that followed was unequivocal, signaling its resigned acceptance of capture.
Facing Rayquaza alone, much less ganged up against by the assembled powerful trainers and their Pokémon, was clearly not an appealing prospect for the defeated legendary. It didn't want to get bullied straight up again…
Once again, a wave of profound relief washed over the group, tinged now with a healthy dose of astonishment at Azure's audacious power and tactical brilliance. He had captured both ancient titans.
Glacia found herself completely speechless, her admiration for Azure reaching new heights. His command over Rayquaza, his tactical genius, and his sheer audacity were truly remarkable.
Steven, ever the pragmatist, could only shake his head with a wry smile as he said, "Azure, you never cease to impress."
Azure merely nodded, walking towards Steven. He paused, his expression shifting, the casual air replaced by a steely resolve as he said bluntly, "I appreciate the help, Steven. Couldn't have done it without everyone here. But I have another favor to ask. Ruby and Sapphire… they're still in danger. They're battling Team Magma and Aqua's leaders, Maxie and Archie. We need to help them."
Steven's playful glint vanished, replaced by an expression of grave seriousness. He knew the fight wasn't over.
Wallace, who had recalled his own Pokémon, nodded grimly as he added, "He's right, Steven. But their location… deep inside the Seafloor Cavern. We can't reach it quickly enough, and our Pokémon are running on fumes."
Azure stated, already pulling out another Poke Ball, "That's where my Gardevoir comes in, Wallace. Come out, girl!"
*Pop*
With a flash of light, his elegant Gardevoir appeared, its emerald eyes glowing with psychic energy. Azure then said calmly, "Gardevoir has already placed a Psychic Marker on them. She can teleport us directly to their location."
Gardevoir nodded but frowned slightly as she stated telepathically, 'I've found them, Master. But I'm afraid I can only bring you and one other along. The distance will drain me of my Psychic reserves, leaving me unable to assist you...'
He paused, hearing this, a hint of regret in his voice as he continued, "However, the strain of such a long-distance, target-specific Teleport will be immense as I can only bring another person with me. I have only three active Pokémon. Only Sceptile, Pikachu, and Eevee, whom I haven't used much today."
He looked at Steven, a rare moment of vulnerability in his voice as he asked, "You're the least exhausted here, Steven. Your Metagross and Aggron are still powerful. I need your help, champion to champion, to finish this."
Steven chuckled lightly, a true, genuine sound. Azure Sky, the Indigo champion, rarely asked for help.
This alone underscored the severity of the situation. He nodded, his resolve firm as he said coolly, "Payback for their actions, you say? It would be my distinct pleasure, Azure. Lead the way."
With a silent affirmation, Azure and Steven stood side-by-side. Gardevoir, her focus absolute, extended her slender hands, a shimmering psychic aura enveloping them. The air around them rippled, the very fabric of space beginning to distort.
*Shiii*
In a flash of brilliant, cerulean light, the Indigo and Hoenn Champions vanished, leaving behind the exhausted but triumphant Glacia, Wallace, Brawly, and Roxanne. They were gone, teleported across the vast expanse of Hoenn, preparing to assist Ruby and Sapphire against the final, desperate struggle.
The nightmare that had gripped Hoenn was not yet over, but with the combined might of Azure Sky and Steven Stone 2 Champions, the dawn of peace was finally within reach.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!