Chapter 324: Beginning of the End (5)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Route 123]
Both Wallace and Winona watched as Ruby and Sapphire plunged into the tempestuous depths, carried by Sapphire's loyal Relicanth Relly towards the Seafloor Cavern. Their mission was desperate, the hope of the region resting on their young shoulders.
*SPLASH*
Wallace's voice, usually a melody of elegance, held a grittiness born of urgent concern, "Good luck, you two. We're counting on you!"
The Water-type Gym Leader, a vibrant splash of blue against the grey storm, turned back even as ripples of despair threatened to engulf him. He turned to Winona as he stated, "I'll lend my strength to Brawly and Roxanne. We must contain this destruction, however we can."
Nearby, Winona, the Hoenn Flying-type Gym Leader, stood at the hastily erected command tower. Her usual serene demeanor was frayed, her brow furrowed with frustration. She muttered, trying to coax life from her Rotom Phone, "This is madness… Pokémon Association, do you read? Repeat, Pokémon Association..."
But the device remained stubbornly blank, its screen a static-filled mirror of the broken communication lines. Her Skarmory circled above, a metallic sentinel braving the gale. She yearned to join the fray, to unleash her mighty Altaria and Pelipper against the raging elements, but her orders to remain at the command tower were absolute.
A sense of helplessness clawed at her, a stark contrast to the burning desire to protect her home. Suddenly, Wallace's sharp cry cut through the roar of the wind, "Winona, look!"
*RMBL*
*RMBL*
Both Gym Leaders turned towards the sea. Through the obscuring sheets of rain, a colossal shape began to resolve itself. It was massive, gargantuan, an impossible silhouette against the churning sky.
*VRMBL*
*VRMM*
As it drew closer, gaining altitude against the storm's fury, its form became clearer. It wasn't a Pokémon, nor was it a natural phenomenon. It was a structure, vast and metallic, somehow suspended in the air by a colossal, glistening balloon.
Winona gasped, her voice barely a whisper of awe and disbelief, "Some kind of… Airship?! And the logo. It's…it's the Pokémon Association Headquarters!"
Indeed, the renowned building, usually a bastion of stability, had been transformed. Its familiar architecture was now modified with enormous propellers and control fins, a true airship.
The main viewport glowed, and a stern, familiar face appeared on a magnified screen. The Chairman's voice boomed, resonating even over the storm, "It's me reporting in! Apologies for the dramatic entrance, Winona. But with Lilycove City burning and the ground unstable, we had no choice. We've turned the HQ into an emergency airship to get here. We are taking command."
Winona's shoulders sagged, then straightened with renewed determination. "Sir, with all due respect, my orders—"
The Chairman cut her off, his voice firm but with a rare hint of compassion, "Thank you, and for your hard work and dedication, Winona. I am taking over the command tower. You are free. Go. Go and fight. Join the Gym Leaders who are already fighting! Stop those Super Ancient Pokémon from moving any further into our region!! Hoenn needs every protector it can get!!"
A powerful surge of relief, mixed with fierce joy, washed over Winona. She nodded, a silent promise to herself and her region as she hopped on Altaria, ordering Wallace, "Thank you, Chairman! You heard him, Wallace! I'll head over to Dewford Town and Slateport City, where Flannery, Wattson, Norman, and Azure are to battle Kyogre!!"
As she prepared to leave, an elderly couple, their faces etched with worry, approached the Chairman's screen. The woman began, her voice trembling slightly, "Sir… our grandchildren, Tate and Liza… have you heard anything about them?"
The Chairman's expression softened as he explained to them with a soft grin, "Indeed. They are safe, my dear. We've managed to secure them from Fortree City. They are assisting with a unique energy field containment. Rest assured."
The couple's faces visibly relaxed, tears of gratitude welling in their eyes.
Before Winona departed, she and Wallace exchanged a brief, firm handshake, a silent pact of solidarity amidst the looming catastrophe. Wallace said, his eyes conveying the unspoken gravity of their situation, "May we meet again, when this is over."
*Fwp*
With that, they both left the area. Winona, on her Altaria, headed to where Kyogre is located, along with Wallace, heading to where Groudon is located.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Seafloor Cavern]
Far beneath the crashing waves, within the gloom-shrouded expanse of the Seafloor Cavern, a different kind of storm raged. Archie, the impassioned leader of Team Aqua, paced furiously before the slumbering, monumental form of Kyogre.
His usual charismatic swagger was replaced by a snarl of baffled frustration. He roared, his voice echoing off the cavern walls, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of the ancient Pokémon, "Amber! Explain this! Kyogre awoke hours before Groudon had been swimming in the vicinity of Route 108!! While that Magma fool's Groudon Heat Wave is gradually spreading everywhere!!!"
Amber, Archie's loyal and cunning lieutenant, adjusted the machine on display, his expression unreadable as he uttered, "My analyses show minimal activity, sir. Almost as if…its power is being suppressed, or redirected."
*SLAM*
Archie slammed a fist against a nearby rock formation as he roared, "Suppressed! It must be those infernal Magma clots! They've done something! Find out what, Amber! Find out what the problem is, and fix it!"
Amber replied, turning to disappear into the labyrinthine tunnels of the cavern, a shadow among shadows, "Understood, Boss!"
Meanwhile, in another section of the vast Seafloor Cavern, the self-proclaimed genius leader of Team Magma, Maxie, was struggling.
He stood before Groudon, the Red Orb clutched in one hand, while the Blue Orb, an unwelcome necessity, pulsed fiercely in the other. Sweat beaded on his brow as he attempted to harness the power of both ancient Pokémon simultaneously.
Groudon thrashed and roared, its primordial energy a searing burn against his senses, while Kyogre, though distant, felt like a constant, draining hum in the back of his mind as he panted tiredly, "Huf… huff…"
Maxie groaned, a fresh wave of exhaustion washing over him. His knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed, "Urgh…!"
Tabitha, his loyal and somewhat bumbling subordinate, rushed to his side and asked, "Leader Maxie! Are you alright?"
Maxie clutched his head, his vision swimming as he felt the throbbing pain, and uttered, "No, Tabitha… This is… this is far more draining than I anticipated. To command two such ancient beings… It's a monumental drain on my mental faculties. And…"
*THRUM*
In Maxie's eyes, controlling Kyogre was sending a sensation of great fear. Maxie saw visions of Kyogre being overwhelmed by Azure and Rayquaza beating it into submission, along with Regirock, Registeel, Regice, Norman, Wattson, and Flannery tagging in.
Maxie's intellectual arrogance, once so unshakeable, had been shattered by the sheer, raw power of the legends as he roared, "I… I need to concentrate solely on Groudon. Tabitha, take the Blue Orb. Take it a short distance away from here and control Kyogre yourself."
Tabitha's eyes widened as he grinned excitedly, "Me, sir? Control Kyogre? Sure, leave it to me, Maxie!"
He pressed the pulsating Blue Orb into Tabitha's hands. Maxie said, though his voice was strained, "You are capable, Tabitha. Just keep its activity suppressed. Keep it inert. I need to focus all my will on Groudon's rampage. Not only do the Orbs seem to repel each other's energy when they're in proximity."
With the precious Blue Orb cradled in his arms, Tabitha, accompanied by his trusty Torkoal, began to navigate the treacherous path back towards the submarine. He focused intently on Maxie's instructions, his brow furrowed in concentration as he uttered, "This spot should do. Kyogre! I'm gonna tie you down!"
From a shadowy crevice high above, Amber watched, a predatory glint in his eyes. He had found his answer.
The Blue Orb. Maxie had it, and now Tabitha was carrying it, thought, 'Perfect.'
*Ting*
*Ting*
*Ting*
As Tabitha reached the entry hatch of the submarine, a sudden, blinding glow erupted from the darkness. It was a dazzling, almost disorienting flash of light that momentarily stunned him and his Torkoal.
Tabitha squinted, shielding his eyes, muttered, "What in the…?"
The glow coalesced, revealing a small, bioluminescent Pokémon. He exclaimed, recognizing the signature move in an alerted voice, "A Volbeat! That's Tail Glow! Torkoal, Yawn! Put that troublesome bug to sleep!"
*YAWN*
Torkoal, momentarily dazed but ever loyal, exhaled a plume of soporific gas. The Volbeat was caught off guard, began to droop, its light fading as it succumbed to sleep.
Tabitha demanded, his gaze sweeping the cavern, the Blue Orb tucked securely away in a specially designed pouch on Torkoal's back, "Show yourself!"
*Tmp*
A figure emerged from the shadows, stepping forward with an infuriatingly casual air. It was Amber, he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips, said, "Team Aqua should have done more research, Tabitha. You might have discovered the existence of two Orbs. And that we'd be very interested in the one you're carrying."
Amber whistled, and two more Volbeat zipped from the darkness, their lights flaring, ordering, "Volbeat! Signal Beam!"
*PYEW*
*PYEW*
Twin rays of intense, focused energy lanced towards Tabitha. But he quickly countered, "Whoa! Use Heat Wave!"
*FSST*
Tabitha commanded, and Torkoal unleashed a searing blast of superheated air, deflecting the Signal Beams and buying him precious seconds. Without hesitation, Tabitha scrambled into the submarine's hatch, clutching at the ladder.
He thought he was safe. But as he dropped inside, a strong hand clamped onto his ankle, followed by Amber's voice, "Did you imagine you'd be safe in the submarine, Magma bastard?"
*GRAB*
Jumping, Tabitha Amber's voice, now closer, sent a chill down Tabitha's spine, "Going somewhere?"
Amber had left his own Pokémon outside, a calculated move to follow his target unimpeded. He clung to Tabitha's leg, pulling himself into the submarine's cramped interior. Tabitha yelled, struggling, "Are you insane?! You left your Pokémon outside and came after me! Let me go! My Torkoal is ready to attack again!"
Amber retorted, his grip like iron, refusing to let go, "Not a chance! That Blue Orb is ours, Tabitha. Under any circumstances."
Inside the submarine, Torkoal watched, confused, the Blue Orb still nestled on its back. Amber, seeing the stalemate, smirked as he ordered, "Volbeat! Focus light on the Orb while they're confused!"
*SHINNG*
One of Amber's Volbeats, now recovered from the Yawn, emitted a concentrated beam of light directly onto the Blue Orb. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then, a strange shimmer, a distortion in the air.
Tabitha stared, bewildered, as the Blue Orb, a beacon of ancient power, transformed. It shrank, its vibrant blue shifting to a pale yellow, its smooth surface becoming dimpled.
Tabitha gasped, his eyes widening in horror as realization dawned, "What… what in the name of Groudon…?"
The Blue Orb was now a perfectly ripe Figy Berry. Amber explained, a triumphant grin spreading across his face, "Volbeat used Trick. Swapped the items your Torkoal was carrying with the Figy Berry my Volbeat had."
*BAM*
He kicked open the escape hatch just enough for his Volbeat to zip back down. Outside, Archie stood waiting, his eyes fixed on the Volbeat as it descended, carrying the true Blue Orb.
He reached out, his hand closing around its cool, ancient surface. A jolt of immense power surged through him. he breathed, his voice filled with reverence and a chilling sense of destiny, "Magnificent… So this is the Blue Orb… and this beautiful glow has the power to control Kyogre…"
Amber called out, still clinging to Tabitha, struggling to get free inside the submarine, "Boss! I got it! Lend me a hand! I can't keep a hold of this guy on my own…!"
*JNNK*
Archie's gaze, momentarily lost in the Orb's power, sharpened. He looked at the Submarine Explorer 1, then back at the Blue Orb, a flicker of cold calculation in his eyes. Without a word, he slammed the escape hatch shut and locked it securely from the outside.
*BUBBL*
*BUBBL*
Amber and Tabitha gaped in horror as the submarine rumbled, its engines coming to life. But instead of rising, it began to sink. Deeper.
Archie's voice, amplified and chillingly calm, crackled over the submarine's intercom. His voice was devoid of emotion, "Amber, can you hear me? Excellent. I've removed the heart component of the submarine, you see. It will break apart under the immense water pressure once it reaches a critical depth."
Amber's eyes widened, a dawning horror stealing over him as he uttered, "Boss… what are you saying?!"
Archie paused, allowing his words to sink in as he coldly stated, "I'm saying… thank you, Amber, for your hard work. And you, Tabitha, for your unwitting assistance. Enjoy your tour of the ocean depths."
The transmission cut out, leaving only the ominous groaning of the submarine as it plunged further into the abyss. Archie turned the Blue Orb over in his hands, its power singing to him. He whispered, a predatory smile touching his lips, "Finally… Maxie and I are on even footing. No, more than that. Nothing can stop me now."
/////
[Hoenn Region, Underwater of Route 123]
Deeper still, in the silent, crushing grip of the ocean, the Submarine Explorer 1 groaned. Metal shrieked as its hull began to buckle, the weight of the water an unstoppable force.
Through the murky depths, a silhouette glided past. It was Sapphire's Relicanth, steadfast and true, bearing Ruby and Sapphire on its back. Their destination: the very Seafloor Cavern that held the key to Hoenn's survival.
They passed the doomed submarine, a fleeting glimpse of its desperate occupants, two faces frozen in terror, before the darkness swallowed it whole. The urgency of their mission, already immense, now felt like a desperate, crushing weight.
The fate of Hoenn, perched precariously between flood and fire, rested entirely on their young shoulders. But something interesting occurred…
/////
[Hoenn Region, 2 Min. Later, Seafloor Cavern]
Archie, still basking in his triumph, felt the Orb pulse in his hand. He focused on it, imagining the colossal power it represented.
But as he did, his vision shifted.
A horrifying, sweeping panorama flashed before his eyes—a psychic surge connecting his mind to Kyogre's senses. He wasn't seeing the deep, echoing trenches; he was seeing the surface, illuminated by devastating power.
He saw a dome of crystalline energy. He saw fire, lightning, and dragon-scale armor. He saw overwhelming strategic genius.
Archie's face, moments ago flushed with arrogance, drained of all color. He saw what Kyogre was facing.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Route 108]
On the embattled Hoenn coast, the rain still fell, but the fury had been trapped, contained. Azure Sky, the Indigo Champion, stood on a temporary platform of slick ice, directing the most complex tactical engagement of his career.
He was flanked by Gym Leaders Norman, Flannery, Wattson, and now Winona. Kyogre, the divine beast of the sea, was imprisoned.
Azure's Regirock, Registeel, and Regice had executed a flawless defensive maneuver: Block. The three Legendary Titans stood spaced out, linking their powers to form a massive, shimmering dome that contained both Kyogre and the devastating floods it produced.
Regice solidified the area inside the dome with an Ice Field, giving the trainers a solid, if treacherous, platform to fight on. Azure's Rayquaza, its emerald scales shining even beneath the rain, soared above the dome, acting as the ultimate anchor, commander, and weapon in this battle.
Its Air Lock ability negated Kyogre's Drizzle, preventing the rain from dampening the fire and electric attacks of the Gym Leaders. The battle had been brutal, but Kyogre, despite its might, was battling a coordinated unit of masters.
In desperation, Kyogre had attempted to maximize its legendary power, focusing its energy inward with Calm Mind, boosting its Special Attack and Special Defense. But Azure hurled a Poke Ball out, revealing his Alpha Golduck.
*Pop*
The Alpha Golduck stood, seeing the Sea Baison Pokémon with a sneer, "Quack. (What a puny god.)"
Azure grinned as he commanded, "Golduck! Clear Smog now!"
*Pooof*
Azure's Golduck surged forward, its psychic aura blazing. It unleashed a noxious cloud coating the sea titan. Clear Smog.
The chemical reaction forced Kyogre's power back to baseline, erasing the accumulated boosts. Infuriated, Kyogre attempted to lash out with its powerful signature attacks, but Azure tossed another Poké Ball, ordering, "Ninetales, Disable! Golduck, follow up! Don't allow that overgrown fish a chance to attack!!"
*Pop*
Azure's Alpha Ninetales appeared as its form stood behind him. Its eyes narrowed at Kyogre, forcing it to halt along with Golduck for added support as its red gem shone using its psychic powers.
The twin psychic blasts of Disable landed simultaneously, locking down Kyogre's most powerful moves, forcing it to resort to weaker, predictable abilities. It roared hatefully at them for denying it the chance to retaliate.
Next came the masterstroke of tactical warfare, aimed not at damaging Kyogre, but at maximizing the Gym Leaders' output. Azure grinned as he ordered, "Norman, have your Slaking ready! Golduck, Skill Swap!"
*SHIII*
In a flash of blue energy, Azure's Golduck switched abilities with Norman's behemoth Slaking. Kyogre's Drizzle (already nullified by Air Lock) was exchanged for Slaking's crippling Truant ability.
Suddenly, Norman's Slaking, the powerhouse always hampered by lethargy, was free. It possessed a benign weather ability, and its natural, staggering strength was unleashed without the forced pauses of Truant.
Norman slyly grinned as he roared, finally seeing his partner fight without restraint, "Slaking, Hyper Beam! Full power!"
The ensuing concentrated attack was biblical.
Azure's Rayquaza, leading the charge, unleashed destructive Hyper Beams that struck Kyogre with the force of meteors. Norman's newly freed Slaking added its own staggering STAB Hyper Beam.
*PEW*
*SSSS*
*KA-BOOOM*
Flannery's Charizard, protected from the rain by Air Lock, blasted a searing Solar Beam, turning the water inside the dome instantly into scalding steam. Wattson's Manectric added crashing bolts of Thunder.
*FWP*
Then, a swirling gale heralded Winona's arrival. Winona shouted, directing her majestic Altaria, "Kyogre, meet the rage of the sky! Altaria Draco Meteor!!"
*FEWW*
*BOOOOM*
Altaria ascended to the apex of the Regi dome and summoned a flawless Draco Meteor. The burning celestial projectiles rained down, striking the weary Kyogre mercilessly.
*BOOOOM*
*BOOM*
The Sea Basin Pokémon, despite its vast power, was utterly overwhelmed. It was not merely being attacked; it was being out-thought at every turn.
Its strategies were nullified, its boosts erased, and its opponents were fighting on their own terms. Kyogre thrashed, but the Regi dome held fast, channeling the damage inward without its power going outward.
Azure, his champion's eyes narrowed in assessment, recognized the moment of defeat. The Pokémon was exhausted, contained, and tactically checkmated as he thought, 'I suppose it's time to end this struggle. I have plans for today. And you… You'll be the perfect punching bag.'
He didn't wait for the knockout blow. He reached for his belt and pulled out a single Ultra Ball. With a powerful, practiced throw, Azure launched the tool of capture.
*Wooosh*
The Ultra Ball sped through the icy air and connected squarely with Kyogre's massive head. A flash of red energy enveloped the legendary Pokémon, dragging the struggling titan inside…
The Ultra Ball landed on the ice platform. It shook once…
*Riggle*
Twice…
*Niggle*
… A desperate third struggle.
*Wiggle*
Inside the tight confines of the sphere, Kyogre saw the faces of the trainers—the focused intensity of Wattson, the fiery determination of Flannery, the tactical patience of Norman and Winona—and above all, the overwhelming, multifaceted might of Azure. It was understood: if it broke free, that devastating coordination would simply resume, culminating in a final, painful defeat.
It was smart enough to know when it was beaten. With a soft, decisive Click, the Ultra Ball secured its prize.
*BON*
A stunned silence fell over the coast. The colossal dome of energy flickered and dissolved as the Regi Trio recalled their power.
The rain, now devoid of Kyogre's influence, began to noticeably moderate. Azure retrieved the Ultra Ball, tucking it securely onto his belt.
He glanced at the still-shaking Gym Leaders. Azure said calmly, his voice calm, yet resonating with authority, "Excellent work, everyone! I'll take it from here."
He looked eastward, toward the scorching land where the second titan still rampaged. Azure declared the victory already behind him, "Kyogre is secured. Now, it's Groudon's turn. Let's go, Rayquaza!!"
*Wooosh*
After recalling his Pokémon, his Rayquazas caught Azure up. His Pikachu clung tightly to his shoulder, and Eevee clung to his head as he was flown off with Rayquaza using Fly and Extreme Speed in Groudon's direction, all while Archie saw the defeat of Kyogre, then blanked his mind as Kyogre was captured.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!