Chapter 46: Reckoning

Ceailean heaved words out of his mouth. “S-Scorbunny? You look different. What happened-?” Steenee gave him one more kick in the gut, saying he didn’t have permission to speak. Ceailean grunted in pain, making sure to hold Fomantis close.

Scorbunny sharpened its gaze at the sight. Steenee turned around and smiled. It asked Scorbunny if hurting Ceailean made it mad. Did hurting this supposed white knight hurt its feelings? Scorbunny remained stoic and continued to stare Steenee down. Steenee was put off by its silence and started to get angry, asking if Scorbunny being quiet meant it thought it was better than everyone else. Scorbunny remained silent.

Steenee grit its teeth, growling at Scorbunny to just say something. Nothing about Scorbunny’s expression so much as moved an inch. Steenee had enough, proclaiming that it knew just what would get on Scorbunny’s nerves. It turned around, ready to pound on Ceailean’s face again. Ceailean flinched, expecting another hit. But before Steenee could even swing down, a flash of scarlet light sent Steenee tumbling to the side.

Steenee slid to a halt, groaning in annoyance. It sat up and asked Roselia why it didn’t warn about the attack. But the expressions on both Roselia and Noibat both were flush with shock. Roselia shakily pointed towards Ceailean’s direction, saying it didn’t even see it coming. Steenee gave it a confused look before looking to see what hit it.

There stood Scorbunny with a leg in the air and its entire body engulfed in flames. Noibat was speechless, this new Scorbunny was so fast and different, yet somewhat familiar at the same time. Noibat couldn’t explain it, but it just couldn’t help but smirk at the change.

Steenee stared in disbelief, asking itself if it let Scorbunny hit it like that. Roselia’s nerve finally broke. It thrust its flower into the ground and sprouted vines all around Scorbunny to try and ensnare it. In an instant, Scorbunny rushed forward at an unbelievable speed. It snatched up one of the vines and ran past Roselia and Steenee before they could even react. The vine Scorbunny grabbed tore out of the ground and yanked Roselia off its feet. Scorbunny boost its way through the park, swinging a helpless Roselia every which way at blazing speeds. Steenee called out to it worryingly and ran after them as fast as it could.

Noibat felt the vine's grip soften around it. It took that opportunity to explode into a dazzling 100% dragon rush, tearing the vines off its body. It looked at Steenee and almost chased after it if it wasn’t for Ceailean coughing from the pain. Noibat hesitated. It watched the blazing scarlet trail zig zag across the park and nodded, putting its full faith in Scorbunny, or whoever it may be now. Noibat dissipated its dragon rush and flew over to Ceailean. It shook his body, desperately asking if he was okay.

“N-Noibat?” Ceailean asked, “What are you doing?” Noibat shook its head and said it was coming to see if he was okay of course. “There’s no need to worry about me, look here.” Ceailean opened his arms and out dropped Fomantis, physically exhausted. Noibat didn’t know what to do, feeling helpless at Fomantis’s limp body. “I think it’ll be fine,” Ceailean sat up and leaned against the tree. “It just used too much energy for how little sun it got. I think that’s the only thing that will save it now.” Noibat held its head down, disappointed in itself. But then it felt a hand gently lift its head by the chin.

“You look so cool like this.” Ceailean gently massaged Noibat’s chin, feeling its new gleaming aura. It stung a little, but almost felt like a small puddle of water at the same time. “Maybe Marie can tell us what this is. Or maybe this is something entirely new. We should give it a name if it is new, later though. But what happened to Scorbunny?”

Ceailean pointed his pokédex at the blazing trail and out came a description with a picture of a Pokémon that looked exactly like Scorbunny’s new appearance.

“Raboot huh? So this is its evolution? So what, like a transformation?” Noibat shook its head and tried its best to express that Scorbunny’s evolution was permanent. “We’ll figure it out later. But what are you gonna do, Noibat?” Noibat looked at him with a confused expression. “I’m done, Noibat.” Ceailean pulled his sleeves back and revealed a bunch of purple welts from Steenee’s attacks, shocking Noibat at the severity. “I think I’ll hang back for now. But Scor- uh… Raboot is out there alone. You do want to help, don’t you?”

Noibat looked back at the blazing trail. It nodded to Ceailean, telling him to keep himself safe. “Don’t worry about me, you just watch yourself. Finish this.” Noibat raised its wing with conviction and flew off towards the battle.

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() Raboot zipped around the area, dragging Roselia across the ground. Buildings and scenery became a blur as it raced through. Roselia desperately tried to release itself from its own vine by aiming its rose and preparing to shoot it off using magical leaf. Raboot noticed this and ran even faster, flattening out Roselia’s body from the sheer speed. Raboot then noticed Steenee right in front of it, ready to swing double slap as it passed. But just as Steenee swung, Raboot slid under the attack. It then ran up the side of a light pole in a circle and jumped off while swinging Roselia’s vine right at Steenee before it even turned around, bashing Roselia itself on the back of Steenee’s head, flattening them both to the ground.

Steenee pushed Roselia off itself and stood up, but found Raboot standing above it before it could even utter a word. Raboot raised its flamed foot to stomp Steenee’s face in, but Roselia quickly shot a burst of magical leaves. Raboot jumped back, but the leaves quickly turned around and homed in on it. Raboot rolled its eyes and roundhoused the incoming leaves to cinders. Steenee stood up to attack, but Roselia panicked and rose itself and Steenee up in the air with vines, much to Steenee’s protest. Roselia set up its ultimate magical leaf attack, dispersing them all across the sky and shot them down.

Raboot scoffed and burst into flames. The leaves came down like raining sharp knives. Raboot burst forward in a surge of speed, burning all the leaves around it to the ground. Roselia was absolutely shocked to see its ultimate attack to be countered like that in an instant, but was shocked even more so to see that the vines it and Steenee were held up by were already cut down. But before they even had a chance to fall, Noibat came in from the sky, grasped both of their heads, and slammed down to the ground with dragon rush. Noibat didn’t stop. It dragged the both of them across the ground before throwing the both of them into the air. Raboot then used Noibat’s dragon rush energy as a platform to jump up and kick Steenee into Roselia, bashing them both against a tree.

The two fell hard onto the ground, struggling to get up from the pain. Steenee yells out in frustration, asking why oh why Scorbunny won’t just drop dead already. Raboot's expression grew slightly more annoyed at the statement. Steenee stubbornly stood up, barely able to keep its balance. It breathed hard and looked at both Raboot and Noibat with utter disgust. Roselia reached out and told Steenee to stop, there was no way to win anymore. But Steenee grit its teeth and told Roselia to shut up. It walked over to Roselia and forcefully picked it up by the arm, whispering something into its ear. Roselia’s expression was full of shock. It tried to plead with Steenee, but Steenee pushed it back down to the ground and commanded it to just do what it was told.

Noibat exploded into dragon rush, demanding Steenee to tell it why it would treat Roselia, its teammate, so poorly. Raboot stepped forward and asked for what Steenee told Roselia as well. Steenee threw its arm to the side and shouted that they don’t have to know anything. Roselia, with a huge amount of hesitation, put its roses together and began to use life dew. Noibat stepped forward to try and stop it, but Raboot put its arm in front of it to stop it. Noibat asked why, but all Raboot did was stare at the opposing Pokémon stoically. Noibat, though reluctant, felt that this new Scorbunny had a point to prove and felt confident enough in its strength to do so. It dissipated its dragon rush and waited for Roselia to finish.

Steenee smirked. Everything was going to plan. Roselia emitted a pulse of blue energy, allowing it to be able to stand on its own and giving Steenee its balance back. But both of them were still in bad shape. Steenee began to laugh manically, saying that Raboot’s decision will be the doom of the both of them. Noibat waved its wing to the side, saying that it had full faith in Raboot. Whatever it decides to do, it will follow. Raboot looked down at Noibat with a hint of respect. Steenee laughed again and proclaim that they would both go down. It rushed forward, making Noibat and Raboot quickly reassume battle stances.

Steenee collided with Noibat first with zen headbutt. Noibat blocked the attack with its wings and let Steenee push it away a bit. Noibat grunted and dug its feet into the ground while exploding into dragon rush, stopping Steenee in its tracks. It opened its wings forcefully to throw Steenee back and it flew up into the air to shoot down a barrage of air cutters down on Steenee. Steenee did its best to block as many as it could as they exploded all around it. Soon after, a ring of fire appeared circling rapidly around it and began to turn the dust from the explosions into a tornado. Steenee tried to see who it was, but they were to fast, so it instead decided to focus. It closed its eyes and tried to sense where the attacker would show. Just then, it swung double slap at its backside just as Raboot came in to deliver a huge blaze kick. But it disappeared in an instant, confusing Steenee for a split second just before Raboot kicked it in the back of its head with quick attack.

Steenee tumbled far across the ground before bashing against the wall of a building so hard that cracks appeared. Steenee coughed up spit from the pain. It watched as Raboot traveled from all the way back in the park to right up in its face in just the blink of an eye. Raboot grasped Steenee’s face and ran it full speed into another building. Steenee gasped in pain, but Raboot kept going. It tightened its grip and ran Steenee against the length of the wall, grinding its face into it. Raboot burst into flames, doubling its already ludicrous speed and ran Steenee around the block several times. A red trail formed a ring around the block. Raboot then called out to Noibat and told it to get ready. Noibat nodded with a smirk and landed on the ground while exploding into dragon rush.

Raboot whipped around and ran straight towards Noibat. Noibat clasped its wings as it were playing volleyball and bashed Steenee into the air as Raboot ran by. Raboot turned around on a dime, jumped in the air, and axe kicked Steenee back into the ground with blaze kick. The ground exploded into a plume of dust upon impact. Raboot and Noibat stood aside to see if it was over.

Steenee hacked and coughed as the dust cleared, standing on its hands and knees trying with all its might to stand back up. Raboot groaned, asking why Steenee would try so hard if it hated battling so much. Steenee laughed. It guessed that it hated giving up more than it did battling. But everything seemed to have gone to plan anyway. Raboot and Noibat gave confused expressions.

“H-Hey guys.” said Ceailean with a strained voice. “Don’t panic, but I seem to be a little tied up at the moment.” The two turned around to see Ceailean suspended in the air wrapped in vines. Roselia hung near his neck, threateningly pointing sharp magical leaves at it. “It took Fomantis, hurry and find it!” Roselia shook Ceailean’s body and told him to stay quiet. Noibat took a step forward, but Roselia moved its arm closer, the leaves just skating across Ceailean’s skin. Noibat grit its teeth and called Roselia a coward. Roselia said it would do anything to make sure they could win, and winners write history.

Noibat’s ears perked up. It looked around and noticed that there were vines everywhere. Shifting and moving across the ground just out of sight. Noibat told Raboot that they were surrounded and the two took defensive positions back to back. Noibat listened closely, but there was too much noise being generated by the vines movement to hear where Fomantis could be. A pebble then skipped along the ground. Noibat told Raboot to move just as the ground erupted with a huge dome of vines. The two found themselves unable to get away and were forced to go back to their original positions. The vines closed them in a dome and Roselia crossed its arms with all the strength it had.

The vines closed up and constricted fast on the twos position. Noibat thought quickly and immediately burst into 100% dragon rush. The air pressure from the energy was enough to repel the vines a bit. Roselia grit its teeth and it tried its absolute hardest to keep them contained. It tossed Ceailean to the side and fell down to the ground, planting its arms into the ground pouring every ounce of strength it had. The vines creaked and stretched like tearing leather as they continued to slowly constrict on the two.

Noibat told Raboot to hurry and find a way out, it could hold 100% dragon rush for a very long time. Raboot nodded and looked around. The vines crept closer and closer. Raboot then looked down and noticed a scorched footprint it made while running around. That had to be a way. Raboot set off running in circles as fast as it could, fire forming around its body like a mach cone as it did. Noibat watched in awe as the inside became an overwhelming mix of red violet. Raboot ran so fast that a constant ring of fire spun around the edge of the dome.

Try as it might, Roselia was reaching the end of its rope. The dome of vines began to expand, no matter how much it groaned in protest.

“Time to give it up, Roselia.” said Ceailean, walking over with a limp and his arm on his stomach. “Walk away now, and I promise we won’t do anything more to you.” Roselia didn’t even hesitate in making its decision. With both arms occupied, Roselia curled a magical leave out from its mouth and spit it at Ceailean look a blow dart. Ceailean dodged it with a yelp, the leaf embedding itself in a tree behind him. “Come on!” said Ceailean, surprised at Roselia’s adamant decision. The vine dome then had plumes of energy shoot out of tiny seams in every direction. “Your call then, don’t blame me for what happens to you now.” He watched the vine orb closely.

Raboot switched from running on the ground to the side of the vine wall. It called out to Noibat, telling it to give it everything it's got. Noibat planted its feet on the ground as much as it could and proudly shouted as loud as it could. Raboot ran even faster, its flames burning a darker red. The vines tore apart and burned until the entire thing exploded like a giant balloon of red violet energy. Both Roselia and Ceailean were thrown back from the blast. Roselia tumbled to stop on its hands and knees, only to look up and see Raboot falling towards it with blazing feet. It immediately kicked Roselia across the jaw and sent it flying through the air and crashing down on the ground with a plume of wood chips on impact.

Raboot kicked dirt in Roselia’s direction, glad that it had been dealt with. But then it heard Ceailean groaning in pain and immediately ran to his side in a flash. It turned him over on his back and he coughed a bit before opening his eyes.

“Scorbunny? Is that you?” he asked. Raboot grabbed his hand and nodded on the verge of tears. Noibat flew next to them with its dazzling aura fading away, also concerned for Ceailean’s safety. “Sorry, you guys have been able to go for so long. But I only lasted about 30 seconds against Roselia.” Noibat scolded him, saying that it was stupid of him to think he could fight a Pokémon. Ceailean chuckled, “I suppose it's just who I am now.” His eyes flared up and he gasped. “Wait! We’re not done! Where’s Fomantis?!”

Noibat and Raboot raised their heads and checked all around. Nothing. The park lay torn up from the battle, but there was no sign of Fomantis. Not even…

“Steenee! Where did it go? Would it leave Roselia like that?” asked Ceailean. Raboot zipped across the park looking for tracks while Noibat flew up for an aerial view. Then off in the distance, they heard a distressed voice.

“Hey! You can’t do that! That’s dangerous! Darn Pokémon! My boss is gonna kill me!”

Noibat pointed out to the city. Raboot and Ceailean looked to see a cable car raising in the distance. On it was a barely visible view of Steenee and a weakened Fomantis laying next to it.

“Damn, Roselia must’ve handed it off while it surrounded us in vines. It even distracted us long enough for Steenee to get away.” said Ceailean. “What do we do? Do you think you can make it, Noibat?” Noibat nodded and flew off. But then a vine bolas caught it off guard and tied it up mid air, sending it falling to the ground. “You gotta be kidding me!” said Ceailean, turning around only for him and Raboot to be ensnared again. “You and your little vines. This is getting annoying.”

Roselia stood before them, absolutely exhausted and seemingly struggled greatly at just the simplest of movements.

“So what’s the plan then? You’re just gonna try and keep us here so that Steenee can get away?” said Ceailean. “You’re really okay with it leaving you behind?” Roselia shut its eyes tightly, unwilling to hear anything Ceailean. Noibat wriggled around in its vines and decided to try and move the conversation from the other direction. It shouted up to Steenee, asking why it thought it was okay to just leave its allies, its friends like that.

Steenee subtly gasped. It turned around and shouted back, asking how Noibat could ever come to the conclusion that it and Roselia were friends. Noibat scoffed at the statement. There was no way Steenee didn’t care for Roselia. It could sense it. Noibat turned around and faced Raboot. If there was anything genuine about the time they had with Steenee and Roselia, it would be their friendship. It was the most prominent during their battle. So then why? Just why would Steenee leave Roselia behind?!

Steenee turned its head away, shadows from the lights obscuring its face. It took a deep breath and stood firmly, adamantly proclaiming that their boss doesn’t require the services of weak Pokémon anymore.

Noibat and Raboot’s eyes widened at the audacity. Roselia felt its chest tighten, gasping at Steenee’s words. Steenee doubled down, saying that Noibat’s senses must have been really off as it could barely tolerate working with Roselia as it is. Leaving now would relieve Steenee of a burden.

Raboot’s fury was reaching a boiling point. But then it felt the vines around its body loosen. It turned back around to see Roselia on its knees, a single teardrop falling down its face. Raboot’s anger soothed at the sight. It reached out and called Roselia’s name comfortingly. But doing so made Roselia grit its teeth and re-tighten its grip on Raboot and Ceailean. Raboot was now confused beyond all reason. Why would Roselia continue to help after everything Steenee said?

Noibat has had enough. It summoned all its strength and blasted apart the vines around its body with dragon rush. It flew towards Roselia, telling it to just give it up already. Roselia stood up and swung two vines wildly in Noibat’s direction. Noibat saw this before and felt as if time slowed down. It slipped between each and every vine swing with precision, weaving through until it got up to Roselia. Roselia raised its arms to block whatever attack Noibat was going to use. But no attack came, instead Noibat calmly perched itself on Roselia’s shoulders and calmly told it was time to stop.

Roselia shouted that Noibat doesn’t know anything and shot magical leaves out of its arms. They flew out towards the park before turning around to home in on Noibat. Noibat then exploded into dragon rush, blocking all the leaves like ricocheting bullets and shoving Roselia down to the ground. Roselia wriggled around desperately, demanding Noibat let it go.

The vines around Raboot and Ceailean loosened and withered away, allowing them to pull themselves away. The two looked back up to the cable car Steenee was on, now half way up to the mountain.

“Come on Noibat, you have to save Fomantis!” said Ceailean. Noibat tried to move, but Roselia tried to take any inch it could in trying to get away. Noibat slightly powered up its dragon rush, fully pinning Roselia to the ground again. “Damn, Noibat can’t move. Scor- uh, Raboot. Do you think you can switch places with Noibat?” Raboot tore the last of the vines off its shoulder and nodded.

“Good, now when I tell Noibat to turn off its dragon rush, that’s when you’ll go in and pin Roselia to the ground yourself.” Raboot nodded again, but crouched down into a runner's pose in the opposite direction. “Wait, what are you doing?” Raboot leaned forward, ready to take off. “Hold on! You’re gonna try catch Steenee by running?! There’s no way-!” Raboot shouted, cutting off Ceailean’s sentence. “But-!” Raboot gave him a glance, its red eye telling Ceailean to have trust in it. Ceailean looked back at Noibat, to which it gave him a confident nod.

Ceailean relaxed his shoulders. “Okay, I trust you.” Raboot nodded and looked ahead. Ceailean looked at his pokédex and closed his eyes. “Alright then,” he stomped his foot down and threw his hand forward, “Raboot! Use flame charge!”

Raboot boost forward at a blazing speed, blowing Ceailean off balance. Ceailean didn’t even get the chance to see it go down the street as all there was left was a red trail for a second before it faded away.

Roselia clawed at the dirt trying to escape. Ceailean took notice and groaned. “Noibat, 100% dragon rush! We have to get out of here! We’ll console it later if its still here.” Noibat nodded and burst into 100% dragon rush, sinking Roselia into the ground and squeezing the breath out of it. Roselia reached an arm out desperately before it fell limp. Its eyes were swirled, indicating it was knocked out.

“Now let’s hurry and catch up with Raboot, we don’t know where they’ll end up.” Noibat nodded and flew off while Ceailean ran behind it. Amongst the ruins of the park, footsteps approached Roselia. Its eyes weakly opened and viewed who was approaching. The last thing its saw was the shadow of a person reaching out before the world went black.

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() Raboot raced through the streets of Cyllage City. Side stepping through traffic, jumping over curbs and shops, sliding under trucks and girls skirts, nothing was getting in the way. Steenee watched from above as a blazing red trail made its way through the city streets. It shouted how Raboot was going to get up there. All the speed in the world didn’t matter if it couldn’t jump.

Raboot grumbled at this statement and looked ahead, realizing there was a way. It boost its way through more obstacles before coming across a huge amount of clutter meant for the carnival. Potted plants, seats & tables, and decorations littered the street. It would take too long to maneuver around them. Raboot made a mental apology to whoever set up that area and boosted its speed. A thunderclap pierced the air as Raboot ran so fast that its flame charge started to sound like that of a jet engine. It then plowed through the obstacles as if they were nothing. Pots shattered and wood splinted every which way. Raboot would not be slowed down.

It then came up to a metal beam structure holding up the wire for the cable car. Raboot ran circles around the base before jumping up 3 more metal beams to step on top of the cable. The cable shook and Raboot flailed its arms to try and keep its balance. But then it started sliding down the cable, making Raboot panic a bit. But then it noticed the speed was helping it stabilize. It confidently lowered its stance and allowed itself to go faster. Sparks flew out from behind Raboot’s feet as it grinded down the cable.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Steenee gasped at the spectacle, it had to think of something quick before Raboot got to it. That’s when Fomantis caught its eyes. It growled and picked up Fomantis with its appendage, threatening to throw Fomantis over the edge if Raboot got any closer. Raboot’s anger swelled as it shouted that Steenee wouldn’t dare. Steenee looked down and noticed the flashing light again. It smiled and told Raboot to watch. It then swung around and tossed Fomantis far off the car.

Raboot’s eyes widened. It immediately boosted forward with flame charge, its feet screeching against the cable. Steenee barely even had time to turn around before a blazing foot bashed it on the side of its head, sending it careening off the side of the cable car. Raboot looked over the side of the cable car and spotted Fomantis falling towards the city lights below. It shouted its name before jumping off after it.

Fomantis’s eyes blinked open. It now found itself falling through the air. It screamed in terror as it spun wildly through the air. Raboot pointed its body straight down and used flame charge to propel itself towards Fomantis. Raboot stretched its arms out and caught Fomantis. They spun through the air, Raboot making sure that Fomantis stayed close to its chest. Fomantis whimpered about, asking what the heck was going. Raboot said it had simply come to save it. Fomantis thanked Raboot, but asked how they were going to land safely. Raboot looked down at the rapidly approaching ground and scratched its head, saying it hadn't thought that far ahead.

Before the two could panic scream, Raboot heard a yell from behind. Steenee came flying in from above with zen headbutt. Raboot used flame charge to boost out of the way. Steenee growled and faced Raboot, saying that it ruined everything. Fomantis would’ve been given to its master and everything would’ve gone according to plan. Raboot threw its arm to the side and declared that Steenee’s plan would come to an end. It wouldn’t let Fomantis be stolen for anybody.

Raboot immediately boosted down upon Steenee and bashed straight against its abdomen. Steenee coughed up spit, but then grasped Raboot’s leg, saying that it didn’t understand anything. Raboot scoffed and kicked Steenee’s face with a blaze kick, making its release its grasp. Raboot then wound its body before releasing a huge flurry of blaze kicks down on Steenee, each hit leaving a scorched indentation upon its body. Raboot attacked relentlessly until the two crashed on the top of a tree. Raboot hit Steenee so hard that it was sent straight through a tree, splitting it right down the middle.

Leaves fell and branches crashed on the ground. Raboot forcibly removed its foot from Steenee’s face, its eyes were swirled. Raboot scoffed before walking off, cradling Fomantis in its arms. It could feel Fomantis shivering in fear. Fomantis sheepishly looked up at Raboot and asked if everything was going to be okay. Raboot sighed and said that everything was going to be just fine.

Just then, a shadow ball rocketed through the air towards Raboot. Raboot noticed just in time to jump away. But the resulting explosion was so large that the air pressure itself sent Raboot flying back further than it expected. It backflipped, holding Fomantis tightly, and slid to a halt. A Froslass stood before it, hiding its face with its arm while staring intently. Raboot stood in a battle stance, shifting Fomantis away from Froslass.

“Froslass!” said a distant voice, reversing against the building. “Get back here and do not step out of line again!” Froslass shifted its eyes to the side before looking back on Raboot. It floated up to the roof of the building behind it. Raboot’s eyes widened. Up there waiting for it were three more Pokémon. A Liligant, a Lopunny, and a Gardevoir.

“I must say Scorbunny, or Raboot now. You’re quite impressive for taking out my newest recruits like that. I only pick those I see the greatest potential in. And I must say, I see great potential in you.” The Pokémon on the roof all shifted to the side and the sound of footsteps approached. Raboot stepped back in fear after seeing who it was.

It was Kade, standing smugly with his arms crossed. But now his hair was disheveled and scraggly. His blue suit and gold dress shirt was unbuttoned at the top, showing off his bare chest and his chains. He looked down on Raboot and gave a smirk full of ill-intent.

“I could compliment you all day really, but let us not forget what you did to me.” Kade’s smirk immediately changed into a serious expression and held out his hand. “You have cost me a lot of time and resources today. And now I refuse to leave empty handed. Fomantis! Hand it over, now!” Raboot stepped back, adamant in keeping Fomantis safe.

“As I thought. We will simply have to do this the hard way.” Kade snapped his fingers at Gardevoir. Gardevoir nodded and its eyes glowed blue with psychic power. It’s psychic energy enveloped the rest of the Pokémon except Froslass and they all lowered to the ground. They all spread around Raboot, backing it up against the wall.

Suddenly, a flash of purple shined in the sky behind Lopunny. But Lopunny noticed and leaned to the side right as Noibat flew in with a drop kick. In that instant, Lopunny used strength and kicked Noibat on the back of the head. Noibat bounced off the ground before throwing a pot shot air cutter at Lopunny, to which it deflected away with strength with a swing of its arm. Noibat landed on its feet and slid to a halt.

“Quite bold of you to take a shot like that while we weren’t looking. But seeing that you’re here, I also assume the other one is here as well.” Kade turned around. “You hear that Ceailean-kun! You little shit! Show yourself before I put the hurt on your Pokémon!”

“I’m right here!” said Ceailean with his arms crossed, seemingly appearing next to his Pokémon.

Kade jumped and flipped his arms in the air. “By Arceus! How the hell did you do that?!” He waved away his own question. “Whatever! Now that you’re here, you can hand over what I seek without your persistent Pokémon getting in the way.”

“I’m not backing down either.” said Ceailean.

Kade scoffed. “Do you even understand the position you’re in?!” he asked while gesturing to all of his Pokémon. “Do you even know why I’m doing this?”

“It's because of Fennekin right, at least that’s partially why.”

“You’re not as dumb as you look. Yes, this whole thing was partially because of Fennekin. Though this day was wrought with failures, for you see-!”

“You sent Steenee and Roselia to spy on us, specifically on Fennekin.”

“I sent Steenee and Roselia-! Okay, when and how?”

“As soon as you showed up in your Kantonian mafia cosplay.”

Kade growled. “Mother-”

“But they were found out almost immediately by Scorbunny. But since they hadn’t done anything too suspicious, they used Scorbunny’s kindness as a way to integrate into our group. And I unfortunately made things easier for them by bringing up the idea that they were looking for their lost trainer. By then they had our full trust. But now we’re here and there’s still one thing I don’t understand. Why go after Fomantis?”

Kade chuckled. “Is it so hard to believe that I simply want whatever I want?”

“No. But considering the kind of Pokémon you have, I am detecting a trend.”

“Oh? Are you a man of culture as well?”

“More like a person that has the basic fuckin’ ability to see the red flags in people. Don’t you dare lump me in with you.”

“For shame. But your suspicions would be correct.” Kade took out his pokédex and scanned Fomantis, despite Raboot’s best attempts to cover it. “Fomantis evolves into this Pokémon named Lurantis.” He showed an image of Lurantis to Ceailean. “Quite dazzling, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I think your definition of dazzling is way different to mine.”

“Of course you’d say that. But this was only chump change compared to the real prize I seek.” Kade then showed a picture of a Pokémon. “Braixen, the pokemon that Fennekin evolves into. Already, its physique is top notch. The fur, the colors, the mannerism. I must have one of my own, but just any old Fennekin. Once I saw Marie’s, I knew I had to have it for myself. I can only imagine how its shiny colors would look like evolved.”

“Enough about Fennekin. Why did you go after Fomantis right now? It was wild and I didn’t plan on taking it back with me. You could’ve caught it after we went separate ways.”

Kade threw his hands up in the air, then placed them on his hips, hung his head down, then sighed. “As soon as I decide I want something, I want it now. Is that an explanation you can swallow?”

“You have the patience the length of a pinky finger.”

“Good! Glad you’re paying attention! So let's get back to business,” Kade held out his hand. “Fomantis, if you’d please.”

Ceailean tightened his fist, trying to think of a way out of the situation. Noibat however, grew impatient, not wanting any time to be given to pondering. It immediately burst into 100% dragon rush, shrouding itself in energy in an attempt to achieve its dazzling aura.

Kade scowled. “Please.” He waved his hand in a bored manner. “Use psychic.” Gardevoir’s eyes flashed blue. Immediately, Noibat’s dragon rush energy suddenly caved in on itself. Noibat felt as if it was being crushed under the weight of the ocean 3,000 feet deep. Then, the aura exploded viciously. Ceailean and Raboot were both blown back by the explosions blinding purple flash.

“Noibat!” said Ceailean. He quickly picked himself up to see what happened. Noibat stood in the middle of a giant 5 foot crater. Its head was pointed to the sky with its mouth agape. It then fell to its knees, then collapsed onto the ground. Its eyes were whited out. “No!”

Raboot’s anger flared up to an uncontrollable level. It tossed Fomantis into Ceailean’s arms and used flame charge to close in on Gardevoir. Ceailean reached his arm out desperately. “Raboot no!” Raboot zig zagged its way forward, yelling loudly.

Kade stretched his arm. “Psy-chic.” he said somewhat more whimsically. Raboot jumped forward and thrust its blazing foot as hard as it could, but it was stopped dead in the air. It body was only used with blue psychic energy. Gardevoir looked directly into Raboot’s eyes and cackled a bit. Gardevoir’s eyes were wild and wicked, sending a wave of fear down Raboot’s body. Gardevoir then blasted Raboot away like a cannonball. Raboot rocketed through the air and crashed through the metal bars of a restaurant's outside dining area as well as a few wooden tables. Pedestrians scattered away, scared as to what was going on.

“If you were to ask me what Pokémon move is the most useful of all time, it would have to be psychic.” Kade then fluttered his fingers at Gardevoir. “Good work, Gardevoir.” Gardevoir inhaled with a shaky and excited breath, bowing slightly at the compliment.

“Bastard.” Ceailean said to himself.

“Aw, look who just ran out of options.” Kade then advanced towards Ceailean and stopped halfway, holding his hand out demandingly. “Fomantis, now.”

Ceailean growled quietly to himself. Fomantis subtly tugged on his shirt, desperately looking at him hoping he could miraculously find a way out of this. He looked down on it and sighed sadly, dipping his hand into his jacket pocket as he did so. “Sorry Fomantis, but it's either you or us.” Fomantis’s eyes widened. It pulled Ceailean’s shirt even more, telling him not to give it up to Kade.

“Listen,” Ceailean took out his hand from his pocket. “Sometimes in life, you just need to learn to ‘let go’.” Fomantis was on the verge of tears, that was until it felt something rigid in his hand. It knew he had a plan, but that didn't stop it from shivering in fear. Ceailean held out his hand and presented. “Here is Fomantis. I’ll come over to you.”

“Hurry! I’m waiting.” said Kade, beckoning Ceailean. Ceailean took a step forward. In that instant, Raboot boosted its way back and slid to a halt behind Ceailean, asking just what the heck he was doing.

Ceailean turned his head in Raboot’s direction. “Raboot please, this is for our own good.” Raboot was lost for words. It spread its arms out, gesturing at the situation and the confusion it brought to it. Ceailean walked the rest of the way to Kade and held out Fomantis just in front of his hand.

“Good. There there now, Fomantis. Daddy’s gonna take care of you better than this peasant ever could.” Kade gentle rubbed the edge of his finger around Fomantis’s chin. Fomantis shivered as he ran his hand around its body and closed its eyes in disgust. “Come here now.” Kade reached out both hands, slowly encroaching closer.

Ceailean sighed, calming himself as best he could. “Go!” He threw his arm in the air, throwing Fomantis back high in the air. It screamed in fear until it landed snug in Fomantis’s hands like a football.

Kade was flabbergasted. “What-?!” Ceailean then gave him a left hook, punching him in the jaw so hard that Kade flipped around 180 degrees. Ceailean then quickly grabbed his face from behind, clasping Kade’s mouth shut with his right hand and holding the box cutter near Kade’s with the other hand.

All of Kade’s Pokémon advanced on Ceailean, but he held the knife closer, just grazing his skin enough to spill a drop of blood. They all hesitated. “Now now, let’s not do anything we would regret.” Ceailean said, dragging Kade away slowly.

“You crazy son of a bitch! Do you know who I am?! Just what do you think you’re doing?!” said Kade, his voice muffled through Ceailean’s fingers.

“You’re the one trying to practically mug me. I’d say my reaction is more than justified.” said Ceailean. Raboot watched in horror, unsure of how to feel about the way Ceailean was handling the situation. “Now here’s the plan, Kade’s Pokémon. You let us go, and I can marginally promise that Kade will still have the ability to speak after this. We will go and you can collect him once we dump him off on the outskirts of town.”

“You really are some kind of idiot aren’t you?!”

“I do my best. Now come on! We’re moving!” Ceailean tried tugging Kade away, but Kade shook his head around enough to get mouth free.

“Screw that! Psychic! Now!” Ceailean braced for the attack, but nothing happened. Kade looked around confused. “Someone do something!” All of Kade’s Pokémon tried to move, but couldn’t. Their faces showed strain as they struggled to even put a step forward.

“I knew the Herahtaki family were up to something.” said a voice. Ceailean looked to the side and saw Crisis jumping down from the side of a building, followed by all of his Pokémon. “Get back Ceailean!” Ceailean forcibly pushed Kade away and Decidueye shot an arrow into his shadow, completely immobilizing him.

Ceailean fell on his butt and dropped his box cutter, his hands shaking from the sheer pressure of the situation. “Thank Arceus you showed up Crisis, I was freaking the fuck out.”

Crisis gave him an accusing glance. “I take my eye off you for a second and already I find you causing unbelievable amounts of trouble.”

“But I didn’t start it.”

“You rarely ever do. But the situation always ends up being a shit show. It’s like you’re just a magnet for these kinds of people.”

“It’s not on purpose, I swear.”

Crisis looked away. “I question that.” he said to himself. He walked up to Kade. “You, just what happened here?”

Kade smirked. “Ceailean-kun doesn't know the meaning of sharing is caring.”

Crisis sighed. “My mistake, I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Kade gave a confused expression. “Wait, really?”

“Yes. Ceailean, just what happened here.”

Kade sighed. “Right, okay…”

Ceailean summarized the best he could of the events that happened for the past few hours.

Crisis pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Like… how? In such a short amount of time?”

“I didn’t ask for this.” said Ceailean with a deflated voice.

“Whatever.” Crisis looked to the side. “And that would be Raboot huh?” Raboot gave a quick salute. Crisis then crouched down next to it and looked at Fomantis. “And you must be the one who started this whole mess.” Fomantis hugged Raboot tightly, shy of Crisis. Raboot then shifted Fomantis away from Crisis, upset with him for shunting all the blame on it.

“Take it easy on the little guy, won’t you?” said Ceailean, patting a hand on Crisis’s shoulder. “It didn’t ask for any of this either.”

Crisis sighed. “I apologize. I was being irrational.” Raboot took a breath of relief and told Fomantis that Crisis was usually “less intense” than this.

“But what do we do about him?” Ceailean asked, gesturing to Kade.

“Yes, do tell. My leg is getting itchy.” said Kade. He then caught something in the corner of his eye and subtly gasped. “B-But by all means, tell me what a Team Harmonious lap dog has planned for me.”

Crisis growled in anger. “You watch your tongue boy, I refuse to let your family slander me our organization any longer.”

Kade snickered. “Oh, you’re just gonna sit there and comply? Why don’t you just do it, huh?”

“Do what exactly?”

“Hit me. Do it. I want you to do it. I know you want to. You so called resolver of conflict. If everyone at Team Harmonious is just like you, the whole thing is just about ready to explode. Peacekeepers whose pride is too strong to truly resolve themselves in any conflict. If that’s the case, I assume you must think you’re so much better than everyone else for doing ‘the right thing’.”

“We have to set an example. We are the ones who will bring true unity in our generation!”

“Unity is a myth! And your organization is a cult!”

Crisis angrily walked up to Kade’s face. “A what?!”

“An organization based around delusional beliefs and lies! Indoctrinating lost souls who search for meaning into following a false hope! I gotta ask, just who really is the bad guy here?”

“You dare place yourself higher than me!?”

Kade gave a smug smile. “So you do think you’re better than me?” Crisis growled and wound up his arm for a punch.

At that moment, Ceailean saw something in the corner of his eye. “By Arceus! Raboot use flame charge and stop Steenee!” Raboot looked over, confused. It saw a battered Steenee tugging on the arrow holding Gardevoir in place. Raboot tossed Fomantis into Ceailean’s arms and used flame charge to boost itself at Steenee. But just as it got there, Steenee pulled the arrow out from the shadow and Gardevoir exploded with blue psychic energy. Raboot was flung back through the air and it slid to a halt back at Ceailean’s side.

All the arrows were knocked out from the shadows from the blast and all of Kade’s Pokémon were free. Crisis turned around, “What?!” Using the confusion, Kade shoulder tackled Crisis down to the ground. He then ran behind the protection of his Pokémon.

Kade ran his fingers back through his hair. “Ah ha ha! You really had it, but you screwed it up! That name of yours is really fitting, isn’t it? Your whole life must be a Crisis!”

“You will not slander my name!” Crisis snapped his fingers, summoning all of his Pokémon to his side.

“Why don't you try and stop me then? Not like I’ll let you ever have that chance again.”

“I’ll help too!” said Ceailean, running up with Raboot at his side. “These new Pokémon ought to be no joke, considering how tough just Steenee and Roselia were.”

“We’ll show him just the kind of place he belongs!” said Crisis.

“By all means you two, show me just where I belong!” said Kade, spreading his arms out as if he were some mystical deity. “I will have Fomantis by the end of this day!”

The Pokémon all faced each, raring to go. Decidueye against Froslass, Farfetch’d against Lopunny, Gurdurr against Liligant, and Raboot against Gardevoir.

Steenee also limped up to the frontlines, by Kade threw his arm to the side commandingly. “No! You’ve caused enough trouble today!” Steenee protested, saying it could still fight, but Kade cut it off. “Don’t think I didn’t know about your plan to free Roselia!” Steenee gasped. “By no means does one failure mean that I’d throw out such valuable assets like that. I have already retrieved it, so you can ‘rest easy’. You two will be keeping a close eye on each other.” Steenee expression turned to that of horror as it fell in the ground in despair.

Ceailean felt his anger flaring up. “No! Did we screw all of this up?” he said to himself.

Kade looked back to Ceailean and Crisis. “Now, let us begin-!” Just then, the sound of sirens started approaching. Kade tsked at the sound. “Damn, and I was about to have some fun too.” He pulled out a pokeball and returned Steenee to it.

“What are you planning?!” demanded Crisis.

“I tell you two what, I’d consider myself a calm and reasonable person. Fighting while cops are surrounding us sounds like no fun at all. So I’ll just let you off the hook today, Ceailean-kun.”

“This is far from over, you bastard!” said Ceailean, tightening his fists.

“You’re right! This IS far from over! But both of us will have to settle with retreat. You wouldn’t want to get arrested would you?” Ceailean grit his teeth, but knew Kade was right. Cops showing up complicated things too much after he alone caused havoc across town without Kade showing his face for most of it. “Tis a shame really. Gardevoir, use psychic!” Gardevoir glowed with blue psychic energy and enveloped Kade and his other Pokémon with it. Kade then took out another pokeball and held it in front of his face along with Steenee’s pokeball. “I have plans for the two of you. I’ll ensure that the two of you never bring a disservice to me again.” he said in a sinister tone.

Raboot’s instincts took over and it flame charged at Kade. “Raboot wait!” As soon as Raboot got close, Gardevoir launched everyone up into the sky.

Kade looked down on Ceailean. “I will remember this day Ceailean-kun! Your day of reckoning will come, count on it!” He then laughed maniacally as he and his Pokémon quickly flew away in a v-formation.

Crisis growled, but then turned his head towards the approaching sirens. “We gotta get out of here, Ceailean. Follow me and I’ll get us out of here.”

“No, going together will slow us down.” Ceailean took out Raboot’s and Noibat’s pokéballs and recalled them. “I’ll meet you back at the Pokémon center we first arrived here at.”

“No Ceailean! Just what are you thinking!”

“Crisis,” Ceailean placed Fomantis inside his jacket and zipped it up. “Trust me on this one, I’ll see you there.” He then ran off towards the alleyways.

“Ceailean! Dammit!” Crisis recalled his Pokémon and ran off in his own direction. “Thinking you can escape the police all by yourself! Just who the heck do you think you are?!” Crisis then found himself inside a big crowd, gave a quick glance around the surrounding area, and blended in as best he could just as three police cars came rushing down the street.

They screeched to a halt in front of where Ceailean and Crisis used to be.

“The suspects were reported to have been here.” said an officer.

“Looks like they’re already gone.” said another.

“Spread out and search, they couldn’t have gotten far!” said Officer Jenny.

“Ma’am!” The other two officers said before running in opposite directions.

Ceailean hid behind a dumpster, eavesdropping in on the conversation. “No tracks leading to us I hope.” He then felt Fomantis shivering in fear inside his jacket. It looked up to him, seeking comfort. “It’s gonna be okay Fomantis, we’re past the worst part already. But we’re not out of the woods yet, so keep quiet and keep your head down. I’ll keep us safe.” Fomantis hesitated for a moment before shakily nodding its head, trusting Ceailean. “Okay, let’s go.” Ceailean stood up, looked around, then walked off as silently as he could as he slipped into the darkness.

----------------------------------------

() An officer ran up to Officer Jenny. “Ma’am! I think I found something!”

“What is it?” she asked.

The officer gestured to a box cutter on the ground, its blade stained with a tiny amount of blood.