Chapter 513: Mural and Assailant (1)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Celestic Town]
Azure's muscles tensed, a visible ripple beneath his jacket. His eyes, usually calm and observant, hardened into glacial chips. He knew that voice. He knew that man. Cyrus. The infamous leader of Team Galactic.
Azure's mind raced in a bitter tone as he kept his eyes on him, 'Of course, Celestic Town. The ruins, the legends… it all makes sense. He does show up here…'
He clamped his mouth shut, but his Pikachu and Eevee, sensing their trainer's profound shift in mood, let out distinct, guttural growls, sparks flashing more intensely around Pikachu, and Eevee's fur standing on end, ready for battle.
Cyrus's piercing, analytical eyes, momentarily sweeping over the assembled group, snagged on Azure. A fleeting flicker of something akin to surprise, a micro-expression that lasted less than a heartbeat, crossed his otherwise impassive face.
He quickly masked it with his trademark cold, calculating expression. Cyrus's internal monologue was a stark contrast to his outward calm, 'Azure Sky. He wasn't supposed to be here. Saturn's report from Veilstone City clearly stated he was caught in the energy weapon's blast.'
Seeing Azure alive and well, apparently none the worse for wear, meant the young man had somehow managed to escape Team Galactic's energy-draining device—an unexpected complication.
Pearl, ever the quick thinker, noticed the subtle exchange, as did Diamond and Platinum. They saw the sudden, almost imperceptible tension between Azure and the man hovering above. An unspoken history hung heavy in the air.
Both clearly knew each other, and their silent communication spoke volumes. Pearl's lips parted to ask, but a glance at Azure's rigid posture and the palpable hostility emanating from Garchomp and Azure's Pokémon told him that this was not the time for questions. The situation was already too tense.
But to Azure, what he felt was pure raw hatred in the aura that radiated in Cyrus's shadow as he thought, baffled and alerted, 'The hell is wrong with this man's shadow! And its aura covering it… It's extremely powerful and angry… yet saddened…?'
That was when Azure's Darkrai chimed in telepathically as it informed Azure, 'Master… I believe it must be the Darkrai of this Region. It seems to ally itself with this vile human and yet can't leave… I'll intervene when it comes…'
Azure briefly nodded, accepting Darkrai's words as he thought cautiously of the situation, 'Best not to escalate a full-on Mythical Fight between them then. And not within a populated area, I got to be careful…'
*HUMMM*
A sudden, high-pitched hum sliced through the air. Magnezone, without a spoken command, unleashed a blinding beam of electric energy—the attack, narrow and precise, hurtled towards Garchomp…
*Wooosh*
But the pseudo-legendary Pokémon was too quick. With a speed that defied its massive size, Garchomp sidestepped, the electric beam searing a black mark on the cobblestones where it had stood moments before.
Diamond gasped, his eyes fixed on the man, "That emblem!"
His voice was laced with a mix of recognition and dread, "It's the same as the hive-minded people in Veilstone City!"
The memory of the drones, their vacant eyes, and relentless pursuit, was still fresh in their minds. Indeed, the symbol of Team Galactic — a stylized 'G' with a planet-like ring—was emblazoned boldly on Cyrus's uniform. Azure's gaze, already fixed on Cyrus, intensified further.
His Pikachu chittered angrily, and Eevee let out a sharp bark, "Pika! Eevoi!!"
The hostility radiating from both Azure and Garchomp towards Cyrus was now undeniable, a silent declaration of war. Pearl, ever pragmatic, fumbled for his Pokédex.
He aimed it at Magnezone, then at the strange Probopass. He exclaimed, his voice tinged with concerned alarm, "It's… blocked! I can't get any data! It's like their signals are scrambled or something!"
His brow furrowed in concentration. The realization dawned on him, cold and stark as he exclaimed in shock, "Oh no... this is the same man! The one who attacked us at Mount Coronet, who caused the landslide! He must be the one with the ability to jam our Pokédexes!"
Cynthia's grandmother, her expression now grim, stepped forward. Her voice, though calm, held an iron resolve, "Garchomp! Dragon Rush!"
*ZOOOOOM*
Garchomp roared, a primal sound that shook the very air. Its body enveloped in a swirling vortex of draconic energy, it launched itself airborne, a living torpedo aimed directly at Cyrus. The attack was swift, powerful, and utterly devastating.
*Wooosh*
But Cyrus's Magnezone, perhaps warned by its trainer's silent command, executed an agile aerial maneuver, dodging Garchomp's charge with surprising ease. Cyrus acknowledged, his voice still flat, "A powerful attack, but predictable."
Undeterred, Garchomp pivoted mid-air. A shimmering, orange-yellow sphere of pure energy began to coalesce in its gaping maw. Cynthia's grandmother commanded, "Now, Garchomp! Hyper Beam!"
*FWOOM*
The colossal beam of destructive energy erupted from Garchomp, tearing through the air with a deafening roar. It struck not Magnezone, but the other Pokémon beside it – Cyrus's Probopass. The creature, caught off guard, emitted a pained shriek as the Hyper Beam detonated against its metallic form, "PROOOO!!"
*FLASH*
There was a blinding flash, a burst of smoke, and when it cleared, the unusual Probopass was gone, blown away and out of sight, presumably knocked out cold and sent plummeting towards the ground somewhere beyond the immediate town square.
Pearl, ever vigilant, saw Magnezone preparing a retaliatory strike. He yelled in an alarmed tone, identifying the metallic gleam forming around Magnezone's central eye, "Garchomp! Watch out! Mirror Shot!"
*WOOOSH*
Garchomp, responding instinctively to Pearl's warning, swerved sharply, narrowly evading a barrage of shimmering, mirror-like projectiles that shot from Magnezone. The projectiles zipped past, leaving faint trails of light before impacting the cliff face with dull thuds.
*Thud*
Garchomp, now fully enraged, let out another roar and soared higher, attempting to get above Magnezone and gain a tactical advantage. The battle for Celestic Town had just begun.
Magnezone, however, didn't seem interested in direct engagement. Instead, it positioned itself strategically in front of the small, circular hole in the cliff behind the shrine.
*FLASH*
It continued its evasive dance, dodging Garchomp's subsequent blasts and charges. Pearl, watching with a strategist's eye, noticed something peculiar. Magnezone wasn't just avoiding Garchomp's attacks; it was guiding them.
*Wooosh*
Each time Garchomp fired another Hyper Beam or unleashed a Dragon Claw at Cyrus's Pokémon, Magnezone would shift, allowing the powerful attacks to strike the cliff face, specifically near the small indentation.
*CRACK*
*RUMBLE*
Much to the group's surprise, they watched in horror as the small hole in the cliff began to widen in the process. Pieces of rock crumbled, dust billowed, and the opening slowly, deliberately, expanded.
Cyrus's voice, devoid of emotion, confirmed Pearl's horrifying realization, "A clever strategy, isn't it? My Magnezone's Mirror Shot ability not only reflects, but for this operation, it can also decrease Garchomp's accuracy when it targets my Pokémon directly, making it easier to redirect your powerful attacks to where they are truly needed. Such raw power, wasted on mere evasion, when it can serve a greater purpose."
He cast a dismissive glance at the spot where his Probopass had been blown away as he added, "A minor setback, nothing more."
He then hovered his Magnezone towards the newly enlarged opening in the cliff. He was clearly preparing to enter.
Cynthia's grandmother's voice boomed, filled with righteous fury, "Stop right there! You cannot enter these ruins! They are ancient and forbidden!"
As the group surged forward, determined to block Cyrus's path, a new threat emerged. From behind the enlarged cave entrance, Probopass materialized. With a guttural growl, it slammed its metallic feet onto the ground, "PROBOOO!!!"
*CRASH*
*RUMBLE*
*SHAKE*
Cyrus commanded, his voice echoing with cold authority, "Probopass! Rock Slide!"
The earth itself groaned. Massive boulders, jagged and sharp, ripped free from the cliff face above and crashed down, blocking the enlarged entrance to the ruins, creating a formidable barrier between Cyrus and the protesting group.
The ground beneath their feet shook violently, sending tremors throughout the town square. Dust and debris filled the air, the roar of falling rock momentarily drowning out even Garchomp's enraged cries.
Cyrus, unaffected by the chaos, simply glided through the Rock Slide barrier with Magnezone, disappearing into the newly revealed cave system…
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Celestic Town – Celestic Ruins]
Inside, the air was cool and still, thick with the scent of damp earth and ancient stone. His eyes, now illuminated by the faint glow of his Pokémon, scanned the walls. And there they were. The symbols.
Carved into the rough-hewn stone, illuminated by an ethereal glow from unseen sources, were intricate wall paintings. They depicted three distinct Pokémon, each radiating an aura of profound mystery and ancient power. Cyrus's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile – a rare, chilling display of satisfaction.
He murmured, his voice echoing softly in the cavern, "Excellent. The symbols of the lake Pokémon: Uxie, Azelf, and Mesprit. Just as the ancient texts described."
Moments later, battling through residual tremors and the lingering dust, Cynthia's grandmother, followed closely by Azure, Platinum, Pearl, and Diamond, bursting into the cavern. Their faces were grim, their expressions a mix of anger and awe at the sight of the newly revealed ancient ruins.
Cynthia's grandmother gasped, her voice laced with outrage, "You've entered the ruins! These are forbidden to the public! How dare you desecrate this sacred place!"
Cyrus ignored her, his gaze still fixed on the murals. He meticulously traced the outlines of the Pokémon with a gloved finger as he stated, "Forbidden? Merely forgotten, I would say. Or perhaps, deliberately hidden. Uxie, the 'Knowledge' Pokémon, resides in Lake Acuity. Azelf, the 'Willpower' Pokémon of Lake Valor. And Mesprit, the 'Emotion' Pokémon, is found in Lake Verity. Indeed, the legends hold."
Cynthia's grandmother's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine shock in them. Her tone was less accusatory now, more bewildered. This man wasn't just attempting to plunder; he knew the history, "You… you already know these Pokémon."
Cyrus replied, still not looking at her as his words hung heavy in the air, a chilling prophecy, "The ancient scriptures are quite explicit. They speak of a powerful force, unleashed when these three Pokémon are united. The energy of creation, perhaps. Or destruction. As knowledge grows, so does life become richer. As emotions grow, joy and sadness are intertwined. It is all here, on these walls."
Platinum, despite the tense atmosphere, found herself drawn to the intricate artistry. Her scholarly instincts, deeply ingrained from her Berlitz heritage, asserted themselves. She whispered, stepping closer to examine the wall paintings, "The detail... the symbolism is fascinating!"
Pearl, ever pragmatic, grabbed her arm gently. He whispered back, his voice low and urgent, "Platinum, not now. This isn't the time for studying."
Azure, his eyes never leaving Cyrus, stepped in front of Platinum. He stated, his voice firm, "We can't go in further, especially you, Platinum."
Platinum bristled, annoyed at being shooed away like a child, exclaimed, "Excuse me, Azure, but I am perfectly capable—"
Diamond interjected, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness, "He's right, Platinum… We could be seen. And I don't think he's the kind of guy who wants visitors."
*Trmbl*
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shifted again. Not a tremor from Rock Slide, but a subtle, almost imperceptible dip. The ancient floor, weakened by the previous attacks and the very passage of time, gave way in a section.
*Thud*
With a collective gasp, the group stumbled, falling a short distance into a lower chamber within the ruins. Platinum, sliding down a crumbling section of wall, caught a brief, vivid glimpse of a particular section of the wall painting as she fell – the symbol of Uxie, its bright, watchful eyes seemingly staring directly at her.
*Thud*
Landing in a heap, Pearl quickly picked himself up, his eyes scanning for threats. He glanced at Diamond, who was picking himself up slowly, still humming a low tune under his breath.
Pearl could see a genuine fear in Diamond's eyes, a rare sight for his usually fearless friend. This man, Cyrus, bore the same emblem as the grunts who had chased them relentlessly in Veilstone City, the ones who had wanted Platinum, but he thought, 'Yest something felt off about this…'
Cyrus had fought Garchomp, yes, but he hadn't shown any particular interest in Platinum. His focus had been entirely on the wall paintings, on the legends. Pearl's analytical mind began to connect the dots.
Pearl muttered, more to himself than anyone else, "He's part of the same organization, but his goals… they're different. He's not after Platinum. He's here to study the legend of the lakes from Celestic Town itself."
Diamond, though still a bit dazed from the fall, echoed his earlier sentiment, "We should fight him, Pearl! He's a bad guy! He just attacked us and blew away Cynthia's grandmother's Pokémon!"
Surprisingly, it was Azure who spoke, his voice unusually calm, an unnerving contrast to the adrenaline coursing through their veins, "No. We retreat."
Pearl, Platinum, and Diamond stared at him, dumbfounded, and thought in surprise, 'Azure? The man who had conquered the Battle Frontier, who had faced down legends, was advocating retreat?'
Azure's eyes, sharp and calculating, swept over them. He held up a finger, stating firmly in a serious tone, "Look around. Four reasons we cannot confront him now. One: He easily defeated Cynthia's Garchomp, which is a Champion-level Pokémon. Two: His Pokémon are powerful, and your Pokédexes are useless against them, meaning we don't know their weaknesses or moves beyond what we've seen. Three: We are in ancient ruins. I cannot fight to my fullest without worrying about caving in the entire structure, potentially burying us all. And four: This is the same man who caused the landslide at Mt. Coronet. He clearly possesses power beyond what we currently understand."
He paused, letting his words sink in as he continued, "Therefore, we must retreat. Cynthia's grandmother, I need Garchomp to take us away from Celestic Town. We need to split up. When Cyrus isn't paying attention, we take Platinum and leave. Now."
Cynthia's grandmother nodded, her own tactical mind aligning with Azure's assessment. She whistled, a sharp, piercing sound that cut through the cavern's gloom, "Wheeeeeee…!!!!"
*Wooosh*
Garchomp, battered but still fierce, swooped down, its massive body creating a brief gust of wind. Azure's eyes locked onto Cyrus, who was now intently examining another section of the wall painting, seemingly oblivious to their conversation
Azure began, his voice barely a whisper, "One… Two… Three! Go!"
*SWOOOSH*
With a burst of speed, the group scrambled onto Garchomp's back. The mighty Dragon-type Pokémon launched itself upwards, through the breach in the ceiling, soaring out of the ruins and away from Celestic Town with incredible swiftness, leaving Cyrus to his studies…
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Celestic Town – Outskirts]
*WOOOSH*
The rush of wind was exhilarating, the sensation of escape a potent relief. They landed some distance away, in a secluded grove of trees outside the town, the ancient cottages now mere specks in the distance.
As they dismounted, Pearl let out a sigh of relief, "We made it! That was close!"
Platinum adjusted herself, her heart still pounding as she asked, "Azure, that was remarkably quick thinking. It seems we underestimated that man..."
But Azure was counting heads. His eyes scanned the small group, then widened as he whispered, "Wait... Where's Diamond?"
Pearl's eyes shot open, "Diamond?!"
*Bdmp*
He spun around, his heart plummeting as he muttered, "No... he can't be! He stayed behind in the cave!"
A cold dread gripped him, 'That idiot!'
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Celestic Town – Celestic Ruins]
Meanwhile, back in the silent, echoing depths of the Celestic Ruins, Diamond approached Cyrus. He hummed a low, tuneless melody, then began to mutter the words, a familiar refrain from his favorite robot anime. His voice trailed off, a little nervous, "Proteinman Omega… to defeat the demons…"
Cyrus, still absorbed in the ancient carvings, didn't react. Diamond cleared his throat and asked, "Um… excuse me, sir? That's the opening song from my favorite robot anime. It's about how the good guys get chased by a strange organization, just like we were in Veilstone City."
He pointed a hesitant finger at the symbol on Cyrus's uniform, continuing, "Those people had the same symbol as you. So… are you a villain like them?"
Cyrus, without a word, simply stepped around Diamond, ignoring him. He pulled out a sleek, futuristic camera from an inside pocket and snapped a high-resolution photo of the wall painting depicting Uxie.
*Click*
*FLASH*
The flash briefly illuminated the cavern, leaving Diamond blinking in confusion. Cyrus then ignored him completely, already reviewing the image on the camera's screen.
Cyrus thought to himself, completely dismissing Diamond's presence as an annoyance, 'The ancient scriptures are indeed profound. As knowledge grows, so does life become richer. As emotions grow, joy and sadness are present as well. These are the keys. If I could deduce the exact era of these paintings… that would provide invaluable data.'
He pocketed the camera as he added mentally, 'I must retrieve the detector from my car. The analysis requires precision.'
He turned to leave the ruins. But Diamond, with a surprising burst of courage, stepped directly into his path, blocking the exit.
Diamond declared, standing firm in front of him, "Hey! Cynthia's grandmother said nobody is supposed to see these wall paintings! And you just blew away her Pokémon! What are you going to use this knowledge for? Are you going to use it to hurt people, as those grunts did?"
Cyrus finally looked down at Diamond. His cold, calculating eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint within them.
Patience, it seemed, was not a virtue he possessed in abundance. He commanded, his voice a low growl, "Move…"
Diamond didn't budge. Cyrus barked, "Magnet Bomb!"
*POP*
*ZAP-BOOM*
A sphere of condensed magnetic energy erupted from Cyrus's Magnezone, striking Diamond square in the chest. But at the last second, Tru emerged as it used Withdraw along with Lax, using their bodies to block the attack…
*CRACK*
There was a sickening CRACK sound, a flash of blue light, and Diamond was sent flying backward, screaming, skidding across the rough stone floor like a discarded ragdoll outside of the Celestic Ruins…
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Celestic Town]
*THUD*
Just as Diamond hit the ground with a painful thud, Cynthia's grandmother, Pearl, Azure, and Platinum burst back into the cave, their eyes wide with horror. They had doubled back, hearing Diamond's shouts.
Platinum shrieked, her voice filled uncharacteristic terror, "Diamond!"
Pearl rushed forward, dropping to his knees beside his friend, his face pale with fear, and asked in a concerned tone, "Diamond! Are you okay?!"
Azure, however, remained vigilant, his hand already on a Poké Ball. He commanded, his eyes fixed on Cyrus, "Platinum, stay put! Granny, look after her!"
He knew they had to be careful; Cyrus's Magnezone was still a formidable threat. Pearl cradled Diamond's head, checking for injuries.
The boy groaned, then slowly, miraculously, opened his eyes. He mumbled, a slightly goofy smile returning to his face despite the pain, "I'm… I'm all right, Pearl… Tru… Tru used Withdraw… raised his defense. Good boy, Tru."
Indeed, his Torterra, Tru, had instinctively pulled into its shell just before the impact, mitigating much of the damage, "Torrrr… (Any time… just not too soon…)"
Then, Diamond did something utterly unexpected. He held up a small, sleek, futuristic camera – Cyrus's camera as he explained calmly, "And… Lax snatched it! So… he has no proof!"
Pearl stared at the camera, then at Diamond, then back at Cyrus, who was now glaring at the boy with incandescent fury. Pearl's immediate relief at Diamond being okay quickly morphed into incandescent rage.
Pearl roared, shaking his friend by the shoulders, "DIAMOND! YOU IDIOT! WHY DIDN'T YOU GO WITH US ON GARCHOMP?! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
Diamond winced, rubbing his sore chest. He mumbled, trying to sit up, "I… I felt it was correct, Pearl. He was doing something bad, and Cynthia's grandmother said it was forbidden, so I had to stop him! Plus, I'm not your sidekick!"
Pearl practically shrieked, tears stinging his eyes from mixed relief and frustration, "You felt it was correct?! You don't just 'feel it's correct' when you're facing a maniac who can blow you away with a single attack! You're not my underling nor sidekick. I don't just push you around! You're supposed to listen to me!"
Diamond, however, pulled his hand away as he stated resolutely, "Hey! I'm not your underling! You always push me around!"
And just like that, the high-stakes confrontation had devolved into a familiar bickering match between the two comedians. Platinum watched, utterly bewildered and worried for her bodyguards, who were arguing while a dangerous man stood mere feet away.
Cynthia's grandmother sighed, shaking her head with a mixture of exasperation and grudging admiration for Diamond's sheer idiocy. Azure, however, remained watchful. His eyes, now like chips of hardened ice, met Cyrus's cold, furious glare.
Pikachu and Eevee were on high alert, their growls now deep and continuous. Azure's hand tightened on the Poké Ball, his silent bodyguards—Arcanine, Dragonite, Scizor—ready for deployment.
Cyrus's patience had completely evaporated. He was not leaving without his camera. The data contained within was too vital. He commanded, his voice a low, dangerous rumble, "Return my property… or face the consequences."
The air crackled with unspoken threats. The bickering trio, the enraged Cyrus, and the stoic Azure, all poised on the brink of an inevitable, brutal clash in the heart of the ancient Celestic Ruins.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!