Chapter 23- Situation Critical!
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*Click*
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EBIDEX |
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-Dire Hunters in Danger- Ebi’s log: Friday, August 8, 12:43 AM.
Two days after the We were quite surprised when we first
arrived here, because people did not panic about the appearance of the Super
Fiends, but instead welcomed us with open arms. Out here, Aquamarine hailed
as a hero, and any ‘friend’ of his is welcome. This town is one of the few
places that does not fear the Super Fiends. Though we finally have a chance to
rest, and for once the Fiends don’t have to fight, tension has struck and continues
to eat away at us. Though there has been no sign of activity from the Kaiser
Cult recently, we know it can only mean they’re up to something. Even in this
peaceful town untouched by the cult, we are unable to relax because there’s
no telling they won’t just come rampaging this second and slaughter us all. Morale is at an all-time low. Though we
were victorious in the battle of |
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“Seem pretty hopeless, doesn’t it?” asked Goth
“GYAAAAH!” Ebi screamed, falling of his chair
“You sure are up late. Maybe going without sleep
has made you jumpy” said Goth
“That’s not it! You just startled me is all!”
said Ebi indignantly as he got up (he is still hyperventilating) “Speaking of
up late, what are YOU doing up?”
“I don’t sleep” the undead answered plainly
“I see…” said Ebi, sighing
“Something bothering you?” asked Goth
“Yeah…” Ebi nodded, “It’s strange. Ever since Ash
left, things have been falling apart, everyone’s really down, and no one’s
acting like themselves… but that’s not what’s bothering me, I’ve been coping
with it long enough. What’s bothering me is our safety” Said Ebi, “Ash was a
great leader, and easily the strongest. He, along with
“I know exactly how you feel, but I should tell
you this…” Goth sat on the table, “Ash may be powerful, there’s more to being a
good leader than just strength and heart. They have to be responsible of
everyone’s safety, and also encourage the team to go on even when things are
tough” he smiled, “Not unlike what you do now”
“Huh?” Ebi blinked
“No team can function well without a leader” said
Goth, “While you are all down because your leader Ash is gone, the team is
still holding together, thanks to you!”
“WHAT?!” Ebi exclaimed
“Think about it” said Goth, “You are the smartest
and the most responsible. You are always there, you’re loyal and dedicated! You
don’t have to be the strongest to be the leader, but you have to be able to
handle the responsibility” Ebi was too shocked to say anything. “But I cannot
deny that Ash Ketchum was a truly magnificent leader. Even up to now,
everyone’s loyalty to him is what’s binding you all together and fighting such
odds. Heh… exactly like our Sky Render…” Suddenly, Goth stopped talking,
turning his head as if he heard something
“What is it?” asked Ebi
“Hmm…” Goth smiled as he walked towards the
window. Turning to Ebi, he gave him a thumbs-up “Sorry to bail out on you guys,
but I hear the darkness calling. I’m needed elsewhere!” he opened the window
and jumped through, “Good luck in future… Dire Hunters!” Ebi stared out the window
as the fiend gave a light, two finger salute, before disappearing into the
darkness
“R… right!” Ebi called back
***
(Location- Void Tyrannis)
-CLASH-
“WAAAH!” Ash exclaimed as Sky Render’s sword and
the Kaiser Tyrant’s staff clashed with an ear-splitting ring. The duel began,
and the two combatants began to fight.
Ash’s jaw literally dropped as he watched them
move like lightning, striking each other with movements too fast for the eye to
see, and deflecting them precisely
“Ungh…” Aquamarine groaned weakly, “What’s going
on…?”
“Aquamarine! Here, let me help you…” said Ash,
stepping over to him and helping the injured Aquamarine sit up and watch
“HA!” Sky Render leapt, whirling his sword over
his head and swung it downwards
“HMM!” The Tyrant reacted immediately, moving his
entire body as the Fiend leader’s sword cut into the ground. Energy gathered
around the end of the staff, the shape resembled something of a large mace…
“HA!” the Cult’s Master swung the mace downwards, but Sky Render immediately
reacted, lifting his sword and pressing his other palm onto the blade and
pressed it as the staff came down…
CRACK!
“GRR!” Sky Render gritted his teeth. He had
blocked the hit, but the shock surged through his body and the ground
underneath his feet cracked… “AGH!” he gasped, his eyes opened wide as Tyrant
hadn’t given him a moment’s rest, striking his fist into the Chosen One’s
stomach and sent him flying
“THIS is the mighty Sky Render?!” The Tyrant
laughed, “Do not toy with me, because in this duel, only one of us will leave
here alive…”
“Hmm… sounds reasonable” a smile cross Sky Render’s
face. “Very well then” twirling the katana and held it in a reverse grip, the
tip of the blade facing downards, he struck his sword into the ground hard,
cutting right through the metal. He then gripped the handle of the katana tight
with both hands.
“What is he doing?” Ash wondered as he watched
from the sidelines
“Ungh… Sky… he’s doing his greatest technique…”
Aquamarine spoke, hope was returning to his voice. “This technique can
devastate even the most powerful of foes!” He raised his head and smiled, “The
Rising Render!”
“The Rising what?!” Ash gasped as he looked at
the battle
“HMMM…” Sky Render raised his head, showing his
face. The glare from is eyes was so fierce, even the Tyrant was taken back.
“RAAAAARGH!!!!!” Sky Render roared as he kicked the ground and darted forwards
with incredible speed, faster than anything Ash has ever seen before, his sword
was still in the ground, and it tore up the metal floor as he ran…!
It all happened so fast, Ash wasn’t even sure
what he was seeing, but Aquamarine did. The colour of the blade was changing,
getting hotter as he ran. The blade being dragged in the ground would heat it
up to a blazing temperature, and while resistance from being dragged in the
ground as he ran would only increase the power of the swing when he pulled it
out! Sky’s glare had thrown the opponent off balance, and he wasn’t going to
give him enough time to recover! There was only one word to describe this
technique: GENIUS!
“TYRANT WHIP!” The Kaiser Tyrant shouted quickly,
his voice seemed to have an air of desperation. Energy gathered at the end of
the staff, forming the glowing energy whip. He swung the whip at the Super
Fiend only eight feet away…
“RAAAAAAHH!!!!!” Sky Render pulled his white-hot
sword out of the ground and swung it, the energy whip was completely shattered!
Following through with his swing, he stepped down hard with his right foot, using
the full strength of his leg to kick off the ground and leap forward, tearing
through the air towards the tyrant like a bird of prey as he swung the blade
once more…
CHING!!!
“AAAH!” The Tyrant exclaimed, Ash and Aquamarine
gasped. The Tyrant fell down to one knee, as Sky Render stood behind him,
holding his sword. The Kaiser Tyrant looked down, and could see a large gash across
his chest.
“Whoa…” Ash said in awe. “What was that… and how
did that Kaiser survive it!?”
“Because of the Tyrant Whip” said Aquamarine,
“Sky Render heats up his sword and increase the strength of the swing by
dragging it through the ground and drawing it quickly. The Kaiser Tyrant knew
there is no way he could stop that attack, so he used the whip to waste Sky’s
strength by forcing him to hit the whip. Though Sky could swing a second time,
it’s only using the heat and edge of the blade, but not the power from the
first swing. That Tyrant really plays dirty…” Aquamarine growled
“Hmm…” Ash sighed. He was already the weakest of
the Chosen Ones, and the way Sky and the Tyrant fought was way out of his
league, and at least Aquamarine could tell what’s going on, it all made him
feel really useless
“Urgh…” The Kaiser Tyrant held onto his wound,
but stood up straight, “That was a beautiful swing. Your skills far surpass any
of my disciples.” He said to Sky, “You are so young, not even an adult yet, but
you possess such talent.”
“I don’t care for your compliments, so if you
didn’t get rid of your lungs the same way you did your brain, save your breath
Kaiser!” Sky Render shouted, jumping up and whirled his sword over his head
“FALLING SKY!” he shouted as he swung it down
CLASH!!!!
The Tyrant stood his ground as he held his staff
up, blocking the hit, but Sky Render spun and pulled out his wooden sword in
the other hand, thrusting at his chest
“UGNH!” The Tyrant gasped, the powerful impact
from the wooden sword on his already-wounded chest caused him to stumble and
bend forwards.
“HAAAA!!!!” Sky Render jumped and kicked down at
the top of the Tyrant’s head, knocking the Tyrant face-flat to the ground as he
jumped high into the air. Putting away his wooden sword, he held his katana in
both hands, “SKY DIVING STRIKE!” diving down from above, he struck his sword
right through the back of the Tyrant’s neck and into the ground. He sighed as
he pulled the sword from the Kaiser’s body.
“WA…” Ash’s jaw literally dropped…
“You may be strong, Kaiser Tyrant, but you only
know how to inflict pain on others!” Sky Render shouted, “When facing someone
with greater, or even equal skills, you’re weak! Even worse that you influenced
so many to follow your pitiful example!” he gripped his sword tight, “Stop
acting like you’re injured, because I have no sympathy for the likes of you!
Get up!”
“GRRR…” the tyrant growled, using his staff to
support himself as he got up. “I do not need sympathy from the likes of you… heretic”
he growled, “The world is unclean… it is infested with the weak…” he stood up
straight, “Weakness and temptation are sins, and that is all the flesh will
ever hold… those sins that you strive to carry on!” he pointed at the Chosen
One, “We Kaisers thrive for purity and strength. We have cast aside our old
bodies in exchange for power… immortal bodies of steel that will never rot!” he
shouted as he pulled up his sleeve and bit hard into his hand, tearing off the very
skin…!
“AH!” Ash and Aquamarine exclaimed, both
terrified and repulsed. Though Sky Render didn’t react, it was quite obvious he
was also quite taken back
“Grrr…” The Tyrant growled as he spat to the side
the false skin showed his arm “You see this? This is what power looks like” the
skin he had on his arms were merely for show… as beneath it was completely
robotic. “Tireless… powerful… this is the image of true beauty” he spoke
slowly, and then shouted, “The weak have plagued this earth long enough! They
are unworthy of setting foot on its grounds, and we shall see to it that their
vile races shall soon be extinct, and rebuilt in the image of the Kaisers, the
eternal rulers of the earth!”
“That’s not beautiful, it’s disgusting!” Sky
Render shouted, “Who are you to decide what the future holds!? The power to
live forever… the power to change the world… it’s these things that made you so
corrupt! The strong, the weak, one cannot survive without the other! What makes
this world beautiful is its diversity, how everything has its place to keep the
planet going… unlike that THING you call an arm!” Sky Render pointed at the
Tyrant, “There’s no place for your kind in this world, however… there may be a
place for you…” he darted forwards with his sword, “IN HELL!!!”
“ENOUGH!!!” The Tyrant shouted, his palm shot
forward
“WHAT!?!” Sky Render exclaimed. A powerful blast
of wind stopped him in his tracks! He also noticed something else, the ground
beneath him was starting to glow…
BOOM!!!
“WAAA!!!!” Ash fell onto his back, knocked down
by the blast
“NNGH!” Aquamarine turned his head and covered
his eyes from the blinding light
The explosion shook the whole area, and as the
dust cleared and the debris fell, a huge crater was visible, right where Sky
Render was standing
“Ungh… ow” Ash got up, rubbing his head. Looking
around he asked “Where’s Sky?!”
“He’s…” Aquamarine looked around, and then
spotted him “Up there!”
“Whoa…” Sky Render was sweating as he looked down
from high in the air, far above the battlefield and saw the crater. He had
jumped right before the explosion, and he was unharmed, but something just
occurred to him, “Where’s that Kaiser?”
“RIGHT HERE!!!” The Tyrant shouted. Sky Render
turned his head and gasped…
SLAM!!!
“AGH!” Sky screamed when the Tyrant slammed him
on the back. Sky clenched his teeth and turned around completely and raised his
sword…
CLANG!
“AH!!!!” Ash and Aquamarine gasped at what they
saw. Sky Render wasn’t fast enough! The tyrant’s attack sent the sword flying
out of his hands, into the distance!
“Grrr…” Sky Render growled. They were descending
quickly, but as long as he was in the air against an opponent who could fly, he
was at a disadvantage. Even if he had his sword, he wouldn’t be able to fight
properly until he was back on the ground!
“You have no way of fighting back now, Sky
Render!” said the tyrant as energy gathered at the end of the staff, and
forming into a large spearhead. “You… are…”
“HA!” Sky Render swung his wooden sword upwards
SLAM!
“AH!!!” The Tyrant exclaimed and was sent
spinning through the air
“Seems like you already forgotten about my other
sword!” Sky Render laughed as he landed neatly on the ground “Damn…!” he
scowled when he saw it had broken. Sighing, he tossed the useless thing to the
side, it wouldn’t do him any good now.
“GRRR…” The Tyrant landed ten feet away from him,
growling. “Too bad, that wooden sword was your last hope. You may be deadly
with a sword in your hands, but unarmed you’re weak and helpless as a child!”
Sky Render looked around. His wooden sword was
broken, and his real one was way out of reach. He took a fighting stance,
“Unarmed maybe, but not helpless!”
“WE SHALL SEE!” The Kaiser Tyrant darted
forwards, energy gathered at the end of the staff once more, forming into the
spearhead…
“YA!” Sky Render kicked off the ground and jumped
right over the Tyrant, barely missing the attack. The Tyrant spun around and
attacked him again and again, but Sky Render neatly dodged each one
“Aquamarine…” Ash trembled, “Tell me… and be
honest… does he stand a chance?”
“No…” Aquamarine answered, “Sky… he may be the
best fighter, but without a sword in his hands, he doesn’t stand a chance!” he
turned to Ash, “Hurry Ash! Help him!”
“Wa?!” Ash exclaimed, “What do you expect me to
do?! You saw how they were fighting?! I’m way too weak! What could I do against
that Kaiser?!”
“A lot if you’d just use your head!” Aquamarine
snapped at him, “Over there!” he pointed at the distance, “Sky’s sword! Get it
to him right now before it’s too late!”
“Oh, right!” said Ash, quickly running towards
Sky Render’s sword…
“Stop delaying the inevitable!” The Tyrant
snarled as Sky Render skilfully evaded every attack. “No true warrior would
resort to something so cowardly!”
“Oh, I’m not delaying MY defeat, I’m bringing you
closer to yours!” Sky Render smirked, his eyes looking behind the Tyrant
Ash pulled Sky Render’s sword out of the ground
and turned to the battle. Taking a deep breath, he shouted “SKY! CATCH!!!” He
threw the weapon with all his strength
“All right!” Sky Render quickly dashed forwards
to catch it…
CLANG!!!
“AH!!!” Sky Render fell back. Before he caught
the sword, the Tyrant hit him out of the way and caught the sword instead
“You want your sword? Then take it!” he swung the
sword at Sky Render
“WHOA!” Sky Render moved to the side before the
sword sliced him in half “whew… AGH!” the tyrant uppercutted him, causing him
to flip over and hit the ground once more. He groaned, but quickly got up to
his feet
“I have you now!” The Tyrant sneered, teleporting
and reappeared right in front of Sky! “RHAAAH!” he swung his staff at Sky’s
face…
WHAM!
“AAH!!!” Sky Render was sent spinning and hit the
ground hard. Slowly he got up. He was okay… but this couldn’t go on! He needed
his sword!
“You want this? Don’t you?” the tyrant smirked,
clutching the sword… “HAA!”
“URGH…!” Sky Render gasped as the weapon slashed
across his stomach…! The tyrant had managed to cut him with his own sword!
“It is over now” The Tyrant spoke. In one hand he
was holding his powerful staff, in the other was Sky Render’s sword. “You still
want your sword? Then take it from me”
“GRRR…” Sky Render stepped back, unsure of what
to do
“No…” Aquamarine gasped, “No, I won’t let this
happen… I won’t!”
“Huh? WA! What are you doing?!” Ash exclaimed as
Aquamarine tried to get up
“I’m…” Aquamarine was sweating. He was in
terrible pain. “I’m not going to let Sky get killed like that… I’ll fight too,
anything… to help Sky…!”
“No you won’t!” Ash held Aquamarine down, “You’re
in no condition to be fighting! You push yourself like that when you injured
this bad, you’ll kill yourself!”
“I DON’T CARE!” Aquamarine shouted, standing up
and throwing Ash to the side, “I’ll fight t-AAAGH!” Aquamarine tripped and fell,
“agh…! NO…!”
“Aquamarine!” Ash exclaimed. He felt bad for
Aquamarine… he just wanted to fight so badly… all to help Sky Render… Ash began
to understand how he felt, and an idea suddenly came to him. “Aquamarine, give
me your trident”
“What?” Aquamarine looked up at Ash
“You heard me, give me the trident!” Ash said
again, “I’m the weakest one here, and your lives are worth more than mine. I
won’t stand idly by and watch Sky Render get killed out there! Even if I get
killed, at least it’ll give you two the chance to get away!
Aquamarine didn’t respond. He lay there for a
while, not saying anything. He didn’t agree with Ash’s words of his own life
being worth so little… but the determination on his eyes, he could not refuse
him. Aquamarine finally spoke, “Do it.”
“Hmm… what a fine sword” the Tyrant examined the
weapon, and looked down at Sky Render “Perfect for killing you” he said,
putting away his staff and holding the sword in both hands, “How does it feel?
To be killed by your own weapon… hmm?”
“RAAAH!!!!” Ash charged towards the tyrant from
behind, with the trident
“HA!” The tyrant whirled around, swinging the
sword. There was a loud clash of metal, and Ash was knocked back from the
force.
“Ugh…” Ash groaned. Though he blocked, the swing
was so powerful it felt like it would take his arms off. Suddenly, something
caught his eye, “NO!”
“Yes!” The tyrant laughed. The hit was too much
for the trident to handle, and Aquamarine’s weapon shattered to pieces. “HA!”
he shot his hand forwards, firing a powerful blast of wind, sending Ash flying,
and then turned back to Sky Render
Sky jumped back, his sword moved much faster than
the staff! The sword slashed at his arm, tearing off his sleeve and cutting
into it, “AH!!!”
“You… are… FINISHED!” The Kaiser Tyrant attacked,
the sword gripped firmly in both hands, ready to swing down and slice Sky
Render in half
“NO!!!” Sky Render shouted, jumping towards the
Kaiser Tyrant…
SMACK!!!!
“ARGH!?” the Kaiser Tyrant exclaimed, stumbling
back. Something had hit him in the face, something HARD
“GRRR…” Sky Render stood in front of him, in a
fighting stance, “YA!”
WHAM!
“UGH!” The Tyrant felt a powerful kick come from
Sky Render. Each one was incredibly strong, but Sky Render was unarmed! How
could he be doing this?!
“Ugh… wa!” Ash exclaimed as he got up. Though he
intended to help Sky Render, he seemed to be making a comeback on his own! Ash
ran to Aquamarine “Aquamarine! Uh, sorry about the trident… but what’s going
on!? How’s Sky fighting back?!” But Aquamarine didn’t respond, he was just as
shocked as Ash…
“GRRR!!!” The Tyrant growled and raised the
sword, “Now I really will kill you!” he shouted and swung it down
“HMM!!!” Sky Render moved to the side, evading
the weapon completely. The tyrant swung again, but he simply caught the blade
and stopped it completely! “HAA!” jumping up, he swung his leg and kicking the
tyrant on the side of the head. “Don’t think you can defeat me, just because
you are holding my weapon.”
“ungh… how… how can you fight, even without your
sword?!” the tyrant exclaimed
“HAAA!” Sky Render kicked him again, as the sword
flew out of the tyrant’s hands and into the air! “Your first mistake was using
my own weapon against me! No one knows it better than I, and I can see the
swings clearly and even feel the air moving as you attack!” he said, raising
his hand into the air and catching the sword, “HMM!” he swung it again, cutting
across the Tyrant’s chest! “As for how I can fight without the weapon… I’m
surprised no one has realised it, but how I can jump so high and run so fast,
it must mean I have some EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG legs!”
“Well…” Ash tossed aside the smashed trident,
“Seems he doesn’t need our help!”
“All right Kaiser!” Sky Render gripped his katana
tight, “This ends now! HA!” Before the tyrant could react, Sky Render kicked
upwards, slamming his chin, “HAAAAA!!”
CLASH!
“URGH!” The Kaiser Tyrant’s eyes opened, his
staff flew out of his hands as he fell onto his back, gasping for air. Sky
Render had wounded him seriously, cutting into him with his sword, stabbing right
through his chest. He could feel his own strength fading, and he wouldn’t be
able to fight much longer.
“SKY DIVING STRIKE!” Sky Render jumped high into
the air, and dove down like a dart, piercing once more through the tyrant’s
body. Gripping it tight, he pulled out the katana, and held the tip of the
blade at the tyrant’s neck, “It’s over, Kaiser” he smiled, as sweat poured down
his face. “You lose.”
***
(
“He what?!” Everyone exclaimed
“I told you! Goth dropped out of sight,
literally!” Ebi crossed his arms
“You woke us all up for this?” asked Brock,
rubbing his eyes “Ugh, I’m going back to bed” he turned around and walked off,
everyone followed
“Hey, wait! Don’t you wanna know what happened?”
Ebi called
“You already said! He left us, we get it!” AJ
called back. “Sheesh… leave it to a Super Fiend to bail out whenever…”
SMACK!
“Ow! Hey, what was that for!?” AJ exclaimed
“Watch what you say about the Fiends, ESPECIALLY when
we’re all standing five feet away from you!” Bonsai growled. AJ and the others
just walked off, but the Super Fiends remained, “Hey, Ebi. When he took off,
did he say anything in particular?”
“Well… he did say something about the darkness
calling him, said it was important, but I didn’t get it” said Ebi. The rest of
the fiends looked at each other and nodded. “Am I missing something?”
“Listen Ebi, Goth is the champion of darkness,
and vessel of the dark spirits. For years, they call him whenever something
really BIG is coming up” said Bonsai
“By big, we mean REALLY big, things that can
change the world” said Cleft
“Like when he renounced his title of Black
Kaiser” said AntiArctic “Or took part in the first downfall of the Cult, which
involved pretty much the whole world, thousands of armies and pokémon, every
single legendary pokémon and all of the Chosen Ones”
“Along with other miscellaneous times after he
became a Super Fiend, before we met you guys” said G.I. Jolt
“If he’s hearing the calling right now, that
means something big is coming up…” said Twin Dreamer, “I’d say it’ll be pretty
soon, because I’m sending some weird vibes…”
“So what exactly does this mean?” asked Ebi
“It means that we’ll be leaving you guys” said
Bonsai
“We gotta go and prepare for the worst” said
Cleft
“But don’t worry, this won’t be the last time you
see us” said AntiArctic, “I hope”
“Listen Ebi” Twin Dreamer stepped forwards as the
others left, “We Super Fiends can’t always be around you guys, unfortunately,
but as capable as you are, just try to be careful” he turned around and walked,
“By the way, if you’re ever in trouble, just contact me with your mind. Don’t
worry, I’ll hear it” he smiled and walked off
“So I guess this is… goodbye for now” said Ebi as
the door closed. He sighed and sat down. He sat quietly for a few minutes,
when… “ARRRGH!” he got up and shouted, kicking the chair, “I can’t stand all
this waiting! Something big is about to come, and all I’m to do is sit around
and wait for it! DAMMIT!”
“Temper, temper Ebi, with that kind of attitude
you might burst a blood vessel”
“WHO ASKED YOU!?” Ebi shouted as he turned
around. His eyes opened wide, “AH!”
“Calm down Ebi… don’t have to make a big scene”
Ebi was shocked to see
“Hi Ebi” Misty said almost timidly, “Nice to see
you again”
“You’re alive!” Ebi exclaimed, jumping forwards
and hugging her, but quickly let go, “Ah, sorry about that, don’t get the wrong
idea. I’m just glad to see you’re safe”
“I understand. Sorry for making you all worry.”
She bowed her head apologetically, “it’s really late, I’m going to bed now, and
surprise everyone tomorrow” she left
“Gary” Ebi turned to him, “Okay… could you tell
me something?”
“Sure, what is it?” said
“Oh, nothing just… WHAT IS GOING ON!?!” he
shouted
“It’s pretty complicated, but I’ll explain” said
“Huh?” Ebi stared at him
“Misty feels really guilty for what she did” said
“I see.” Said Ebi, “But… what exactly is it that
you told Misty about Ash? You know, why he took her words so personally?”
“Because it IS very personal, and I know these
because I practically grew up with Ash…” Said
“Okay” Ebi sat down as
“You know me and Ash, we were really good
friends, best friends, almost brothers, but most of all, we were rivals.”
“Whoa… that’s quite a goal” said Ebi in awe, “But
then again, seeing how skilled you both are, more than any pokémon master today,
it’s not hard to believe…”
“As I was saying…”
“WA!” Ebi exclaimed. Come to think of it, ever
since he met Ash, he never heard him mention anything about his father!
“Ash’s dad was real kind and gentle man. On first
glance, he wouldn’t seem like much of a trainer, but in reality, they don’t
come any stronger than him. He chose never to legally become a pokémon master,
though it was well within his reach. He was a crime fighter, and the best one
there is. Though he never really trained Ash, he did something more. Along with
giving Ash a few pointers, and taught him to be loyal, determined, and protect
those in need. And as you can see, that’s everything Ash is” Said Gary, “But
one day, eight years ago, Mr. Ketchum left
“I understand. Those lessons have become the code
Ash lives by. He holds Misty very dearly in his heart, and in the end he was
torn between his code, and his love.” Said Ebi, “So that’s why he flipped when
Misty said those things.”
“Yeah…”
“Hmm…” Ebi sighed, “I guess I should be satisfied
that you and Misty returned and I know a bit more about what’s going on, but
I’m not.” He pulled up the chair and sat down, “As long as Ash is out there,
nothing’s going to get better, but we’re not going to look for him.” Said Ebi, “We’re
going to do nothing, because that’s all we can do. For him to come back safely,
it all depends on whether he wants to or not. All we can do is endure the
coming battles, until that day finally arrives…”
***
(Location- Void Tyrannis)
“GRRR…” Sky Render growled, holding his sword at
the Tyrant’s throat
“AH…” The Kaiser Tyrant didn’t move. He was
weakened too much, and was at the mercy of Sky Render. He wasn’t sure what was
going to happen to him now.
“Hmm…” Sky Render sighed, and put his sword away,
sheathing it.
“Huh?” Everyone was shocked. Sky Render had this
battle won! What was he doing!?
“I guess you should be surprised. Don’t. I’ve
defeated you, and as much as you deserve to die, I’m not going to kill you.”
Sky Render crossed his arms, “No one seems to realize this, but just because I
am good with a weapon doesn’t mean I like killing… no, I don’t even like
fighting.” Sky Render turned his back on the tyrant and started walking away,
“Return to your cult and call off your Kaisers. Stop the production of weapon
and creation of Kaiser Beasts. You’re free to continue worshiping your gods and
following your morbid religion in seclusion, but I forbid any of your men to
fight ever again, you most of all…”
“WHO ARE YOU KIDDING?!” the Tyrant grabbed his
staff and got back to his feet. He was wounded heavily and could barely stand.
“Who are you to decide the rules, what we should do, how we should think?!” he
shouted, stepping forwards
“I am the Chosen One Sky Render, that’s who.” He
answered, drawing his sword “I warn you, if you take one more step, I will take
that as a challenge and kill you”
“Hmmm… if that’s how it shall be…” said the
Tyrant, lowering his staff. Suddenly, he stood up straight, “That’s what you
wanted me to say? Isn’t it?!” he growled, “Your powers are truly exceptional…
but what you don’t know is the extent of MY abilities!”
“What are you rambling on about?” asked Sky
Render, annoyed
“I can defeat you, without even having to fight!”
said the Kaiser Tyrant, “The way you fight, with such perfection… no one can
fight without a purpose, and yours is a very strong one. While you claim it is
to destroy my cult, I can see into you mind, and look into your heart, and I
know your reasons are far deeper!”
“WHAT…?!” Sky Render exclaimed, stepping back and
gripping his sword
“Huh? What’s he talking about?” wondered Ash,
turning to Aquamarine
“The Tyrant… that monster!” Aquamarine growled,
“He’s peering into Sky’s mind, and his deepest secrets!”
“Heh… heh-heh-heh… HAHAHAHAHA!!!!” The Tyrant burst
out laughing, “It is so pathetic! You fight, not for yourself, not for anyone,
but a memory!”
“GRR… GET OUT… OF MY MIND!!!” Sky Render
screamed, striking his sword into the ground and charging forwards. He was
using the Rising Render
“This memory you have… the one who meant most to
you… the girl who you loved so dearly… yet she died at the hand of my Cult… all
you have left of her is her memory…” he smiled evilly, “Her name is… Era!”
“RRAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!” Sky Render screamed, pulling
the burning-hot blade out of the ground and diving forwards, ready to slice
this Tyrant in half…
“But what if I should erase this memory? You
would have nothing left! Even your life isn’t worth half this memory, isn’t
it?” The tyrant smiled and raised his hand, “HA!”
“URGH!” Sky Render dropped his sword and tripped,
falling to the ground. “Uh… ah!” Sky Render’s eyes opened wide, with terror,
“No…!” he gasped, placing his hands on the side of his head, “I can’t remember…
gone… everything… GONE!” He exclaimed. In his head, he searched through his
memories, trying to remember her face… to hear her voice… but from those
memories, all he could see is a blank silhouette and hear nothing but faint,
incomprehensible murmurs…! Everything they’ve been through… their memories… their
promise… gone… “No… no, this can’t be happening! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!!!” he
screamed
“AH!” Ash gasped, “Sky Render!”
“Sky… what did he do to you…?” Aquamarine gasped
“So how does it feel?” asked the Tyrant, stepping
over to Sky Render, “You already lost her once, she left this world, and now
she’s gone forever from your heart!”
“You…” Sky Render snarled, grabbing his sword,
“YOU FIEND!!!!!” he attacked
WHAM!
“Fiend?” the Tyrant smiled after he hit Sky
Render “I guess that makes two of us!”
“Ah!” Ash exclaimed, “What’s wrong with Sky!?”
“It’s all over now…” Aquamarine said in despair…
“GRRR…” Sky Render snarled, holding his sword,
“RHAH!” he swung it, but the tyrant moved his body, completely avoiding the
swing. Spinning around, he slammed Sky Render with his staff. “UGH!” Sky Render
fell to his knees. Growling, he got up to his feet and attacked… One swing
after another, Sky Render couldn’t touch the tyrant. Every time he attacked,
the Tyrant would swerve out of the way and hit Sky Render. “Ugh…” Sky Render
was gasping. He was heavily bruised and beaten.
“The Power of One may have given you strength,
but it won’t matter without the skills from the purpose you fight for. Without
it, you are weak” said the Tyrant, “It’s almost sad to see the mighty Sky
Render snivelling over a lost memory…”
“Shut up… SHUT UP!!” Sky Render screamed and
attacked with his sword.
“HMM!” the Tyrant jumped into the air, turning
his body and avoiding the strike completely. Focusing his energy into his
staff, he attacked, “TYRANT WHIP!”
-CRACK-
“AH…” Sky Render gasped. His sword fell. The
Tyrant had struck him with the mighty beam whip. “no…” tears formed in his
eyes, “I failed you again…” he sighed one last time as he collapsed. Sky Render
was defeated. “Era…”
“WA…” Ash was shocked. Sky Render lost…?! No… he
couldn’t believe what he was seeing, it just wasn’t possible!
“SKY!” Aquamarine, forgetting his injuries, got
up to his feet and ran over to Sky Render’s broken body, “Sky! Come on! Get up!
Don’t die now…! BREATHE!”
“He will not awaken” said the Tyrant, “The whip
merely wounded his body, but the real injury is in his soul. He is trapped
within his own mind and haunted-”
“Shut up…” Aquamarine was shaking. Turning to the
Tyrant, he growled, “What you did to Sky… it’s unforgivable… CORAL CUDGEL!!” He
shouted as he attacked the tyrant with his mace-like weapon.
“YOU WANT TO FIGHT ME?!” The Tyrant deflected
Aquamarine’s attack “Try getting stronger first!” He swung his staff upwards,
hitting Aquamarine on the chin, knocking him upwards, “HA!” he struck him in
the stomach with the end of the staff
“AGH!” Aquamarine flew back, and hit the ground,
coughing and gagging
“Even after your beating, you’re still determined
to fight?” asked the Tyrant, “Ah, to be young and headstrong. That takes me
back to when I was a young lad…”
“And just how many centuries ago was THAT?!” Ash
shouted, attacking the Tyrant from behind
WHAM!
“WAAA!” Ash hit the ground when the Tyrant
smacked him to the ground
“I stopped counting after twenty” answered Kaiser
Tyrant
“GRRR…” Ash and Aquamarine growled and stood up.
“HAAAA!” They shouted, their bodies flashed with the energy from the Power of
One as they stood ready to fight.
“Hmmm…” The Tyrant wasn’t impressed. Neither of
the two was even close to Sky Render’s level. Though he was weakened a lot
during his duel with Sky Render, he was far stronger than Ash and Aquamarine
combined.
“Aquamarine…” said Ash
“Ash…” said Aquamarine
“Shall we?” Asked Ash
“Let’s do it” answered Aquamarine
“ATTACK!!!” They both shouted as they darted
forwards, attacking the Kaiser Tyrant
“HA!” Ash swung his fist upward, uppercutting the
Tyrant
“YA!” Aquamarine attacked, kicking him on the
back of the head
The Tyrant didn’t move, “Is that all you have?”
he asked, looking at them, “Pitiful… HAAAA!” He raised his staff and swung it
downward at their feet
“AH!” Ash and Aquamarine reacted immediately.
Aquamarine moved back while Ash jumped into the air to avoid the long sweep.
However, Ash made a critical mistake. His trainer instincts kicked in, warning
them of…
“HAAAA!” Before Ash’s instincts could react, Tyrant
teleported, appearing right behind them!
SMACK!!!
“WAAAGH!” Ash was sent flying, and crashing in
the distance
“GRR!” Aquamarine quickly readied himself,
holding his cudgel in one hand and gun in the other as the Tyrant landed and
turned to him “HARPOON STRIKE!” He fired the harpoon, but the Tyrant tilted his
head and missed. “CORAL CUDGEL!” He attacked with the heavy coral weapon, but
the Tyrant caught it in his hand
“Hmm… quaint” said the Tyrant, feeling its
tremendous weight against his arm…
WHAM!
“ARGH!” Aquamarine screamed and hit the ground
“but ineffective” the Tyrant looked down at him
“Argh… AGH…” Aquamarine groaned, holding onto his
side. He was already wounded badly, and this hit added even more to his
injuries. “GRR… ARGH…!” he gritted his teeth. The pain was killing him as he
got up to his feet
“You intend to face me with that battered body?!”
the Tyrant sneered
“Aquamarine, no! Stop it, you’ll kill yourself!”
Ash exclaimed, running into the scene once more, “Listen, Aquamarine, you’re
too injured to fight! Let me handle him!”
“NEVER!” Aquamarine shouted, “You saw what he did
to Sky… I don’t care if I live or not… I WILL FIGHT!! RHAAAAA!!!!” Aquamarine
grabbed his cudgel and attacked…
SMASH!!!
“AGH…” Aquamarine gasped. The Tyrant had struck
with so much force, the staff smashed through his cudgel and into his chest.
Aquamarine collapsed
“Aquamarine!” Ash screamed. He stood in front of him
protectively, covering him from the Tyrant, “Listen to me… please. You’ve done
enough, I don’t want you to get killed. You’ve saved my life and I owe you a
debt. Run. Take Sky Render with you and get out of here! You two are the
strongest, and it’s more important that you survive! I’ll stay here and fight
to my last breath to buy you time!”
“Oh no you won’t…” the Tyrant approached Ash…
CRACK!
“ARGH!” Ash screamed as the tyrant slammed his
leg. Ash fell to the ground, writhing in pain. His leg was broken by the hit…!
“You recklessly brought it upon yourselves to
challenge the most powerful Kaiser on earth, and see what happens!” the Tyrant
spoke, “Even the strongest among you sinful Chosen Ones, Sky Render, fell
before my power!”
“URGH… Sky…” Aquamarine groaned, but he could
barely move, “Don’t talk about Sky like that… you monster!” he tried to get to
his feet, “AGH!” he screamed and fell
“And why does it matter so much to you, what I
say?” asked the Kaiser Tyrant
“Because…” Aquamarine growled. Using all the
strength in his body, he rose once more to his feet. He was in a tremendous
amount of pain, it hurt to breathe, but he was standing, “Because Sky… is like
a brother to me… and I love him…” said Aquamarine, “Before I joined the Super
Fiends… I was an outcast, no one would stand up for me… except for Sky… he saw
potential… he took me under his wing and let me join as a Super Fiend. He trained
me, he forged me into a warrior, destined to become a chosen one… Sky is my
friend…” he growled, “AND I OWE HIM MY LIFE!”
POW!
“UGH!” The Tyrant gasped when Aquamarine struck
him with incredible strength. The shock caused the Tyrant to slide back, and
pain surged through him
“I WILL FIGHT ON, EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!”
Aquamarine screamed, striking the Tyrant again and again. His fists were
bleeding, but he was hurting the Tyrant.
“RHA!” The Tyrant swung his staff at Aquamarine.
Somehow, the
WHAM!
“AAARGH!!! NO!” Aquamarine screamed as he flew
through the air. He hit the ground. His strength was gone, he was too weak to
go on. Pain surged through him, but what hurt him the most was the fact that he
couldn’t go on fighting. “No…”
“Aquamarine… you still want to fight?” Ash, who
was also down, asked
“There is nothing… that I want more…” said
Aquamarine, “I want to fight… for Sky…”
“Aquamarine… I now understand what I’ve been
missing since I left my friends” said Ash, “Your strength came from the will to
protect Sky. You fought for a friend, a brother, a loved one… and I remember
now what I’ve forgotten…” he spoke, “I really want to go back, to be with my
friends again… will you help me?”
“I want to… but how?” asked Aquamarine
“Give me your hand” said Ash quietly,
“What?” Aquamarine looked at Ash
“Just give it to me… your hand…” Ash repeated
“Okay…” said Aquamarine. He growled, it took all
his strength to move his hand.
“You gave me some of your strength to save my
life, and allowed me to fight… now let me return the favour…” Ash gripped
Aquamarine’s hand and focused, “HAAAAA…”
“AH…” Aquamarine gasped. He could feel his strength
returning to him. The strength he had given Ash! But there was something more…
“What… what’s going on?!”
“Heh…” Ash smiled, “Go Aquamarine… fight… for
Sky… for all of us…” he blacked out
“Ah…” Aquamarine got to his feet. His wounds
stopped hurting… he could feel strength… the power… it was coursing through his
veins, surging through his body! He could feel it, “This power… is this… the
true power of one?!” he exclaimed
“What’s going on?!” The Tyrant exclaimed
“Ash… what did you… AH!” Aquamarine gasped at
what he saw. Lying next to Ash was the Shining Sphere! Ash had given up his power
to Aquamarine and fell back down to level I, in exchange, Aquamarine was now
Level III! “Ash… you gave me your power… you’re risking everything, but you
have that much faith in me… I won’t let this sacrifice go to waste!” Aquamarine
closed his eyes and outstretched his hand. Focusing in his mind, he could
picture a trident. He was doing what he saw Sky do when he himself first became
a level III chosen one. He concentrated, he could feel the trident, the weight,
the texture… opening his eyes, Aquamarine saw he was holding in his hand, an
actual trident! But trident wasn’t like his old one. This one had a soft, faint
glow to it, and was warm to the touch…
“Hmmm… so Aquamarine has become a true
“That’s right, I’m not…” said Aquamarine, “I’M
HIGHER! OCEAN LANCE!” he aimed his trident forward, catching the Tyrant by
surprise
CRASH!
“AH!” the Tyrant exclaimed when a huge bolt of
energy slammed into him with even more strength than the terror of the deep! As
the Tyrant stumbled back, Aquamarine darted forward with incredible speed. The
Tyrant struck at him with the staff, but Aquamarine deflected it with his new
trident and hit him with his fist. “ARGH!” The tyrant spun and hit the ground.
Aquamarine’s punch was incredibly powerful
Strength… speed… there was no comparison to what
he was before! Aquamarine was fighting with all his might. Every single strike
was as precise as it was powerful, inflicting great damage on the Kaiser
Tyrant’s body. Leaping into the air, he swung his trident “TIDAL SPEAR!” Though
the attack was far from hitting the Tyrant, the air alone sent him sliding
back. “TERROR OF THE DEEP!!!” Aquamarine shouted, firing the mighty shark-beam
that tore through the air, towards the Kaiser Tyrant.
“GRRR!!” the Tyrant growled, creating a
protective barrier around himself as the beam crashed down on him. The attack
ended, the barrier vanished, and gasping, he smiled wickedly, “Give… give it
up! Even your strongest attack isn’t enough to defeat me! I will win!” he
laughed, staggering
“Two things, Kaiser…” Aquamarine spoke… “One: If
you think you’ve got a shot at winning, you are SERIOUSLY in denial. Two: That
isn’t my strongest attack!”
“WHAT?!” The tyrant exclaimed
“HMMM…” Aquamarine closed his eyes and
concentrated “All my strength… all my power… into this final attack…” he spoke
as his trident began to glow, his eyes shot open “FURY OF THE OCEAN GOD!!!”
“AHHH…! AH!” The Tyrant looked around, terrified.
The surroundings became dark, as fierce winds
were blowing from every direction and rain began to fall. They were standing in
the eye of a hurricane! Aquamarine swung his trident, slamming the Tyrant with
a huge wave of energy. From the sky, thousands of glowing javelins rained down
onto the tyrant, piercing into him
“ARGH!!!” The Tyrant screamed, but that wasn’t
the worst of it!
CRACK!
“AH!” The tyrant screamed as a Terror of the Deep
hit him from behind!
SMASH!
“URGH!!” He gasped when another terror of the
deep smashed into his stomach! “ARGH! AAAAAAHHHH!!!!” He screamed again. There
were Terror-of-the-Deep’s smashing into him from every direction!
“HA!” Aquamarine raised his trident into the air,
guiding seven huge sharks. They swam through the air, spiralling around each
other like a school of hungry sharks. They then returned to Aquamarine and
began to circle around him, as Aquamarine then took a stance, preparing for a
final charge as his trident glowed with energy, and he aimed the weapon at the
Tyrant… “ATTACK!!!!!”
“NO!!!” The Tyrant raised his staff in defence,
conjuring a barrier
CRASH!!!!!
“AAAAAAAARGHHHHH!!!!!!!” The Kaiser Tyrant screamed
as barrier was shattered, and he was struck by the seven Terror-of-the-deeps
and Aquamarine’s trident! “AGH… AH!” The tyrant… or at least what was left of
him gasped. His eyes moved down, seeing that only his left arm torso were left…!
Everything else had been blown apart and scattered everywhere! “HOW… HOW IS
THIS POSSIBLE?!”
“It’s true… even my strongest attack shouldn’t
have been able to do that” panted Aquamarine… he didn’t have any strength left.
“But after being cut so many times by Sky, your body was barely holding on
together by a thread.” He spoke, looking at the unconscious Sky Render. “Sky
weakened you to only a fraction of your strength, and Ash gave me his strength
to fight you… and we succeeded…” said Aquamarine “That’s it, Kaiser Tyrant…
we’ve beaten you… and we all did it together…”
“No… NO!” The Tyrant growled as his remains
floated into the air. Raising his left hand, the surroundings changed, and the
void faded away. There they all stood, back on shield island. “THIS… THIS ISN’T
OVER!!!” He shouted, “THE SHADOW OF THE DECEIVER SHALL BE LIFTED! THE EARTH
WILL FACE THE FULL FORCE OF THE KAISERS! THE KAISER CRUSADES BEGIN NOW, AND THE
KAISER GOD SHALL BE RESURRUCTED!” He screamed, and vanished.
“Whew… those kaisers just don’t ever shut up”
Aquamarine sighed as he stood up again. Looking at the unconscious Ash and Sky
Render, “I guess I’d better get them to a safer place…” he took one step…
-THUMP-
“Ow…” Aquamarine sweatdropped. He didn’t have
enough strength left to move.
The battle against the Kaiser Tyrant was
long and hard. Even though the Tyrant has retreated for now, seeing how much
our heroes have suffered, it’s difficult to say exactly who won. But now, the
Shadow of the Deceiver is lifting, and the Kaiser Crusade is beginning. What
will happen from this point on? Find out next time on Pokémon: Shadow of the
Deceiver!
► TO BE CONTINUED