At Arceus' Behest Ch. 01 - What happened.. ?
More than once Zero had faced destruction, twice even to the point where a whole new body had to be built for him. Not once did he ever experience what humans would call a 'near death experience', though. This strange series of visions continued to assault him while he lay against a large boulder, unconscious yet aware. He couldn't force his mind to stray from them, even to check his surroundings. He could feel rock beneath him. He could feel the air dancing around him. He could feel the grass of what he thought was the resistance encampment beneath him. He could even feel his muscles trying to respond to his commands. But he could not for the life of him get his mind to focus and regain his composure. It unnerved him, not being in control of himself like this. He was forced to relive the moments of the destruction of the Ragnarok repeatedly...
A thought occurred to him. What if this near death experience really happened? Am I really on another world? Such a thought wasn't so alien to him, considering his time spent in the Cyberspace dimension. It was an alternate universe that existed alongside the reality he knew. It was almost like an afterlife or alternate reality where a reploid can pass into, as well as return from almost at will. While inside this Cyberspace a reploid's abilities are increased tenfold, since matter no longer held any authority. The body was converted to a type of digital information that could survive outside of a computer terminal. The mind was the sole driving force there. But even then, Cyberspace and his reality were more or less side by side. They closely resembled each other...
This being, Arceus, said it needed my help. It offered me peace.. final rest, but I declined. I feel like I have more to do. I know I'm the oldest reploid in existence, but age holds no bindings to me. I saw first hand what the Elf Wars did to my world.. to my friends. His thoughts strayed to the blue armored reploid he considered his closest friend. X.. Damn, X. I could use your guidance right about now. To think, when we first met, it was you asking me for pointers. Would you have went with Arceus, X? What am I thinking, of course you would. You'd do it because you'd not want others to suffer like we did.
A surge of energy suddenly ran through his body. His eyes opened and he saw a red glow emanate from his chest, the reserve tank in his system now dispersing its power throughout his body. My reserve tank never took so long to activate before.. it should be an almost immediate occurrence whenever it was needed. I need to talk with Ciel about this when I find her in camp, and also tell her about this near death experience. Zero began to get up slowly, wrapping the brown cloth he found over him, then recognized that the terrain around him was not like the resistance camp at all. He was standing in a cold, hilly, rocky region. There were so few trees, and the patches of grass were sparse and not at all lush like vegetation in the forest around the resistance camp.
Another thought occurred to him. His leg was no longer bent crooked towards the inside of his stance, and he had no trouble walking. His Buster arm also had no problems responding to his commands. He didn't even look like he sparred with one of the others at camp, let alone destroyed a satellite. Someone must have repaired me while I was out. A shame they couldn't stick around so I could thank them, he thought dryly to himself.
A rumble, and then a quake shook him out of his thoughts. The ground began to shatter below him. He quickly dashed backwards away from the fissure forming beneath his feet. Well, time to see what the cat dragged in..
The little cream and black colored puff ran as fast as she could and ducked behind some shrubs after the man started glowing red. It scared her senseless, it would scare ANYONE senseless! The man practically rose from the dead! She felt no heartbeat, nor breathing. Her senses couldn't detect even the slightest indication of life. Yet here he stands. She was thankful she didn't make much noise as her padded toes took her across the ground to her hiding spot. As she calmed herself down, she thought it would be best to make sure this thing didn't see where she ran off. She closed her eyes. An azure hue began to glow behind her eyelids. She then opened her eyes and turned around to look through the tree at the man. An amusing thought passed her mind as she wondered what a walking corpse's aura would look like. It couldn't be any stronger than the rocks around it.. only living things had auras that stood out.
The sight she saw in front of her eyes was definitely not a corpse's aura. Whereas most living things just had a smooth pulsing aura around them, this being had many different things in his. Lots of fine lines pass through his limbs and muscles, glowing brightly. A lot more of these lines were in his arms and hands. She wasn't sure about human anatomy but a Riolu's heart is off to one side of their chest and beats to a fluid rhythm. This person's heart was a bright light blue in the center of his chest that seemed to just.. hum? She could see small vibrations in the light around it. And where she could normally see a person's emotions by looking at the aura around their head, this man seemed to have no discernible 'brain' at all. She then noticed the aura changing around him like it was gathering into this one bright spot on his chest. MAN was this human's aura bright!
Just then she started feeling the earth quake below her. A large chasm started forming below her at lightning fast speed. The human's aura began to read like one of frustration. Crap! Did he find me?! Is HE doing this?! She then saw another aura begin appearing beneath her feet. A bright red, ANGRY aura. _Oh no! Oni---_AAIIGH!
Zero heard the scream, following the cracks as they streaked across the ground towards some bushes. A huge eruption of rocks and dust tore up the whole area, and he saw a huge snake like creature made of rock that must have been at least 30ft long shoot into the air! There was something else in the air too... through all the dust he could barely make out the shape of a -- Oh no! It's a child!
Now with the sense of urgency snapping his body's reflexes into action, he sped towards the chaos in front of him. He saw the great creature open up its mouth, rocky teeth that seemed impossibly sharp gleaned in the sunlight. Damnit! It's going to eat that little one in one bite! The gem on Zero's forehead flashed a menacing mix of violet and cyan. He pulled out his Z-Saber and began glowing a bright red again. He took his stance, then screamed at the top of his lungs, " HIENKYAKU-SENTSUIZAN!"
The Onix, still flying upwards, turned to where he heard the voice only to see a bright red streak fly over him, catch his meal in its free arm, stop AND turn in mid air, then fly at him with a great green blaze in its hand. The Onix didn't even have time to close his mouth. The most agonizing pain he has ever felt in his entire life began to run through his body, rending the bonds that held it together. He felt his lower jaw turn to molten rock in microseconds. The brutal agony of a million suns began bearing down through each segment of his body, incinerating them and turning them into slag. The sudden change in temperatures caused the slag to explode with violent force. As the green blaze this demon held passed through every inch of him he felt his body spasm, then explode, blowing chunks of slag away. The last thought that passed through his mind was how such a small and pitiful human-thing could command such power....
AAIIGH! The Riolu screamed in pain as the Onix launched her into the air with its tail with a powerful aerial spin. Horror stretched across her face and screamed from her eyes at the sight of the jagged teeth that began to show as the Onix opened its mouth, grinning with anticipation of its next meal. The thing's intent was plain as daylight. I... I'm ... The Riolu heard the man scream something she didn't understand. She turned her head towards where he was standing, and just caught a glimpse of the red glow again, as well as a violet flash before he blurred. She also saw some green flame like thing in his hand, then he suddenly appeared beside her and with his free arm grabbed her and held her close to his chest. Fear ran through her again, making her quiver and shake uncontrollably, forcing the thought into her head that she was going to be the dinner of the victor. She began to kick and squirm as hard as she could. She had to try to break free from his grasp! Then the red glowing man raised that green, humming blaze she didn't recognize. I'm not even going to land on the ground... I'm not even going to get a chance to run... And then rammed it right through the Onix's mouth. The Onix couldn't even let out a scream. As soon as the green flame hit, it melted through the rock snake and passed with such force that the Onix exploded as it turned to slag. She never noticed that not a single ember or spark touched her fur during the whole time this occurred. She felt the force of their falling slow down, and then barely registered the man landing. Fear finally overcame her, and she passed out.
Zero laid the brown cloth around the little creature. It was definitely not what he expected to see after he barely snatched it from the jaws of that rock snake. It was a small creature with cream colored fur, with black mask like markings over its eyes. It had a long cream colored tail, and white nubs on its wrists. It also had a blue tuft of fur around its neck. I've never seen any creature like this before.. Then again I've never seen a sentient collection of rocks. He was, however, well familiar with Pseudoroids, and this was not one of them. There were no mechanical parts to it at all. For all that he was aware of, that thing he just cut in half should not exist.. Arceus' words echoed in his head again, "I need your help. My world is in danger.." I guess it wasn't a near death experience.
The little one began to thrash and kick in her sleep. Zero wondered what to do about the situation he was in. He was unsure if he could communicate with the creature he just saved. At any rate, he knew from experience with what few animals he found in his world that food was always a good way to establish at the very least that he wouldn't be a threat. He saw some large berries in a nearby bush and grabbed a bunch of them. Even if these weren't the usual fare for what these creatures normally eat, he hoped it would at least show his intentions. He placed them next to the creature and sat down, thinking over what all had happened.
The little Riolu slowly began to stir. She tried to remember what had happened earlier. As she opened her eyes she saw the darkened slag of the Onix and the day's events suddenly train wrecked in her mind. She jumped up, looking around. She saw the red armored man laying against a nearby tree stump and tremors started running up and down her spine. She quickly started looking for a way to escape but before she could act, she heard a voice.
"It's alright, you won't have to worry about that rock monster anymore. My name is Zero." She jumped again when she realized it came from the red armored man. "I don't know what you normally would eat, but there are some berries next to that blanket I put over you." There was calm and sincerity in his voice. When she looked at him again he didn't appear at all the monster she feared he had become. She then saw the berries next to her and her mouth started watering. It then hit her like a ton of bricks that this thing she called a walking corpse had saved her life. She looked at him.
"Thank you, my name is Tundra." She doubted he would understand what she said, but felt the need to at least be kind, and then started eating the berries he had gathered for her.
Zero's eyes widened at this, in almost the same manner as Arceus' did when Zero spoke to him. "It's good to know you can talk, Tundra."
Now it was the Riolu's turn to be startled, "Wait, you.. understand me?"
"Should I not?" was Zero's reply.
"I'm told humans can never understand our language."
Zero chuckled to himself, "That would explain much, then. I'm not a human. I'm a reploid."
Things started to make a little more sense now to the Riolu, even if it was only why he didn't look like a human did with her aura vision. Confusion was still written on her face though, "What's a reploid?"
Zero tried to think of an easy explanation, "I am like a human, but made from metal and circuits instead of flesh and bone." He picked up a rock and scraped it across what looked like his unarmored hands. The sound was unmistakably rock on metal.
Tundra had never heard of anything like this before and her curiosity got the better of her, "That's really strange.. where are you from?"
"Before I answer that, I need to ask. Do you know of a creature named Arceus?" Zero asked.
Tundra laughed, "Yes, it's the god who made our world.. but surely you know that!"
Zero then told her where he was from, and about his last day on his home world, how Arceus came to him for help after he had prevented a great disaster masterminded by a crazed man named Dr. Weil. He recounted the events that took place on his world leading to the near destruction of both reploids and humanity.
Tundra then felt bad that she had laughed at Zero, she thought he was just trying to be funny. "I.. I'm sorry.. I ..."
Zero only smiled, "It's okay, you didn't know. So what about you? Where are you from? And can you tell me more about these strange creatures? I've never seen a living rock before."
Tundra then recounted how she was born on Mt. Coronet, which is where they're currently at, and how she was the only sister in her family of 5. She told him that all her family except one of her brothers, Taiga, were killed in a cave in during one of the harshest winters the area had seen, and how her brother was caught while leading kidnappers away from where he told her to hide. She told him about why her kind and many other different creatures are driven into hiding because of their great fighting skills and about her kind's ability to read and manipulate Aura. She then told him about the creatures that she knew of in this world, and how humans referred to them all as Pocket Monsters, or Pokemon.
The story struck a chord with Zero, reminding him of his past, "I see.. no wonder you were afraid when you first woke."
"I'm glad to get to know you, Zero." It never occurred to Tundra to ask how he learned to fight, "How did you become as powerful as you are? You obliterated one of the nastiest creatures in this area, almost without a second thought."
"I was created to fight."
"What?!" gasped Tundra.
"Much in the same way as humans here use your kind and other Pokemon to fight their battles, Me and other reploids were made to fight theirs. My creator made me to be his weapon of revenge. I was put into stasis for my rebellious nature, though. I did not want to be a tool for other people to use. When I first came out of stasis, I still believed humans to be as bigoted as my creator was, and tried to kill any who came my way. I was labeled as a 'Maverick', and elite teams of Maverick Hunters were sent to destroy me. Eventually the leader of the Maverick Hunters himself challenged me. His name was Sigma. He was a skilled warrior, and was almost as good as myself. I was about to finish him off when an unimaginable pain crashed through my body. Sigma took advantage of this the second it happened, and shattered my sensor crystal." Zero pointed to the cyan colored triangular gem on his forehead. He considered telling Tundra about the Sigma Virus and its mutations, but thought she might not understand.
"I was then brought to a man called Dr. Cain. He was the first human I met that I sensed truly wanted to help me, not use me as a tool in some game. He told me about what the Maverick Hunters do. They try to protect people from the rampaging monsters that my creator had tried to turn me into. He inspired me to join the Maverick Hunters. If I had never met Dr. Cain, I'm sure I would still be convinced that all humans were ruthless monsters."
They talked through the rest of the day, and well into the night. They learned a great deal about each other, with Zero also learning much about the surrounding area, as well as finding a kindred soul here as well. Zero shared some things in common with the young Riolu, more so than he would have imagined. Tundra was happy to learn that not all humans use everything they can to further their own agendas, even if they were few and far between.
It was well into the early morning before Tundra started getting tired and let out a big yawn.
"You get some rest," Zero commented.
"Would you stick around? After the example you made of that Onix yesterday, I don't think anything will want to pick a fight with you." Tundra giggled.
"Good point." Zero grinned. "I think I'll get some rest as well."
Tundra looked confused, "But from what I understand, don't you not need it?"
Zero laughed, "One would think after hibernating for over 100 years, I wouldn't." Tundra busted out laughing at this. "But yes, we do have to rest, though it's not like sleep as you and humans know it. It is simply a state of non exertion."
Tundra nodded and yawned again and wrapped herself up in Zero's brown cloth, "Then I'll see you when I wake up, rest well."
Zero was deep in thought throughout the rest of the morning. Well, X.. I just finished my first day in this new frontier, and I've seen things that would make even Dr. Cain's head spin. I saved a young creature called a Riolu from being eaten by a snake made of living stone. She calls herself Tundra. Yea, I know. I was as surprised as she was that we could understand each other. She called that rock snake an Onix. The creatures here are fully organic, yet they are hunted and kidnapped and forced to fight, much like the reploids back home were used as pawns on a much larger board.
I feel for Tundra, though. Her short life is already full of sorrow. She was orphaned with her brother Taiga after a cave in. Shortly after that she and her brother were ruthlessly hunted by kidnappers. It reminds me of the first time I came out of stasis, but she didn't even have the power to defend herself.
I have a feeling these kidnappers are some of the humans Arceus wanted me to stop. When she wakes up I'll ask her where I can find these miserable piles of scrap. I don't look forward to saying goodbye to her, but it's something that has to be done...
Tundra found it difficult to fall asleep. She knew that this would be one of the few nights she shouldn't have to worry about being ambushed, but she was afraid the nightmare would come again. It was the same one every night since Taiga was kidnapped. Eventually sleep did catch up to her, though. The nightmare did return, but there was something different this time. She didn't feel the fear she normally did, even while watching him get sucked into that weird ball. She turned to her side, and Zero was there. They nodded to each other and began circling an encampment, quietly positioning it between them. Just as one of the black and silver suited men recalled a Fearow to its ball, both of them charged into camp, where they began to lay waste to their enemies. She saw the black pokeball that her brother was held in, as well as the remains of other pokeballs, and Zero released him. They hugged each other for a long time before she finally began to wake up.
The morning sun began to rise over the horizon, and with it so did Tundra. She brushed the grogginess out of her eyes and went to a nearby stream to clean up. Making her way back to Zero, she saw him stand and begin his training regimen. She sat down and watched. Zero began a series of sword kata. The speed reminded her of when he saved her from the Onix. As his training went on he began to move faster and faster, until his form was only a red and green blur. He then began his cool off routine, and was soon resting next to her, breathing hard. It was amazing to her watching him train. Wow, he moves with such grace!
"Zero," Tundra began, "I want to ask if I could join you on your journey."
Zero turned his head in her direction and was about to ask why, but then she continued.
"I've been plagued by nightmares ever since my brother was kidnapped. I couldn't escape them, even by running myself ragged. Last night was different. Instead of me watching my brother get kidnapped and cowering helplessly nearby, it was us attacking their camp and saving Taiga."
Zero smiled, "And here I was about to ask you where those guys could be found and take them out myself. Will you be okay though? You were almost eaten yesterday."
"I know I don't look like it, but I can fight. You have to if you're going to survive in places like this," replied Tundra.
Zero looked around and found a relatively straight branch nearby, then motioned to Tundra, "Then show me what you got!"
Tundra cheered at Zero's acceptance then dropped into her stance, circling around and summing up her opponent. She couldn't find any openings, so decided to move in. She rushed at him with a speed that caught even Zero off guard. He barely managed to parry her flurry of attacks. He quickly followed up when the barrage stopped, then took a low swipe at her feet. She deftly jumped it, then rushed forward. An azure flame formed on her paws as she worked her way into his defense. With a howl and a dash forward, she caught Zero square in the chest. As her punch connected the azure flame on her paw exploded, blowing Zero backwards about 10 feet. Zero was glad he braced himself. The force of the attack was incredibly strong from one of such small stature. He inched forward, unsure of what other tricks Tundra was about to pull out of her sleeve. Then she stumbled, and grabbed her foot. He got up and went towards her to help pick her up, only noticing the ploy when she jumped at him and kneed him in the chest, breaking the branch he was using to guard with.
Zero couldn't help but laugh, "You got me that time. You're much stronger than you look. I assume those flames that formed when you punched me were Aura?"
Tundra looked up at Zero, happy that she was able to impress him, "Yes. I'm still learning how to use it though."
"I've learned that with time and training, anything is possible. You have an amazing talent there. If others around here fight as well as you do, I fear more than your brother will be taken from their homes. Let's rest some, then start looking for him."
Tundra ate some more of the berries that Zero had picked for her, "Okay.. and thank you Zero, for letting me join you."
Zero nodded. Such impressive fighting skills! And she's still a child no less.. Even some reploids I know would stand little chance of winning.
The two took another break, and then headed off for the last place Tundra saw her brother. Long after they left, the remains of the shattered Onix began glowing with a white light. As it intensified, the slag melted and began to converge. The light became brighter still, and began to retake the form of a snake. As the light faded, a behemoth of a metal serpent stood in its place. The rage could be seen in its eyes as it surveyed the area for the man that almost killed it. It spotted two sets of tracks heading off in the same direction, and began to follow them.
After trekking through the highlands and mountains, Tundra recognized more familiar landmarks; the path she always took to go to the river to clean up, the large oak tree that her and her brothers would play under, and finally the collapsed entrance to the cave she called home. She then led them down to where she last saw her brother before he was badly beaten and enslaved to some sort of ball. She found his scent, and then started moving further south. As they passed through the sparse treeline they both noticed that it was unusually quiet. She stopped, then closed her eyes. Zero watched as an azure hue began to wash over her face. How strange.. I don't understand how she does that. She says that her kind are very sensitive to this Aura, but the skill she has wielding it shows a very disciplined training. She opened her eyes, then turned more towards him.
"Everything's aura is the same, dark shaking blue. They're afraid for their lives. That's why the forest is silent."
"Then we must be on the right track. Lead the way," Zero replied.
Going through the woods was slow, but easy. They soon found some tracks on the ground. One looked like an animal's, the other a pair of boots. They were able to move more quickly now that they had a trail to follow. Soon enough they were out at the edge of the woods, staring at a small camp, with 5 or 6 people. The sun finally set. One was standing watch with his Fearow on his shoulders. As the two turned around to face them, Tundra and Zero ducked behind some dense bushes.
Zero started thinking out loud, "It doesn't look like they've spotted us. We caught them as they were having a meal."
Tundra nodded, "I think we got lucky that time though. Let's try to be more careful."
Zero started going through plans in his head. Should we move in head on? No, we don't know what else they may be packing. A surprise attack would be best. Their camp is closer to the woods on the far side. If I can get around there, Tundra can get off a few surprise hits before they notice the trick.
"Tundra, I have an idea," Zero began, "Let me make my way around to the far side of the camp where it's closer to the treeline. I'm going to get them to focus on me. When I have their attention, I want you to rush in and knock out as many people as you can."
Tundra nodded in agreement, but held out her paw, "Let me see if there are any more around before we start this. I don't like interruptions." Zero nodded.
Tundra closed her eyes again and adjusted her vision to the Aura. What she saw shocked her. While there were no other men around, the Fearow, and the other Pokemon still in their balls had the most disturbing aura she had ever seen. The Fearow's aura was a violet tinged pitch black, and had dark murky blue wisps and tendrils coming from it. There was a single black length of aura running from it to the ball the man had on his waist. The ball itself was almost pitch black, with a violet light coming from the center button.
"Zero," the uncertainty of her voice brought Zero out of his planning, "There's 5 humans, but there's something wrong with that Fearow. Its aura is unlike anything I've ever seen, even yours. It's almost pure black. There are violet and blue .. wisps.. coming from the black part. It's like the black aura is trying to contain it."
"Those enslaved show no emotion, no sense of self, no life. They coldly follow commands of those who have taken their wills." Arceus' words echoed in Zero's mind again. "They're enslaved. We need to figure out how to release them."
Tundra nodded, "The black part of the aura is connected to the ball on that man's hip. It must be what's controlling the Fearow."
"Okay, I'll go as easy as I can on the Fearow and take out the man. You ready?" Zero asked.
Tundra nodded, and they both made their way to opposite sides of the camp. She looked over the camp again while she watched for Zero to make his move. She saw the other men finish their meal, and one of them stood up and started walking towards the man standing guard with the Fearow. He recalled it to the ball, and started talking with the other who approached him. Just then Zero broke the treeline and started walking towards them. The men saw him and looked at each other, a wide grin on the new guy's face. He turned and ran towards Zero while the other yelled and motioned for the rest of the crew to come.
Zero saw the man approaching him and looked him over. He looked pathetic. No muscles showed through the silver and black uniform. Tundra started making her way towards the group as they gathered. The new guy reached for his side, pulled out a round black pokeball, and threw it at Zero. The ball flew through the air, but to Tundra's surprise it didn't activate mid flight like it did with Taiga. It hit Zero square in the chest and fell to the ground, motionless. The men gawked at what had just happened.
Tundra breathed a sigh of relief as the ball just fell to the ground, then charged the man on the far right. Even moving as fast as she was, she didn't make a sound until she howled as she quickly knocked the guy in the head with a well placed jump kick. He fell to the ground unconscious. Zero sped towards the one on the far left, shoving the guy who threw the ball at him to the ground. His target was reaching for his pokeball when Zero grabbed his arm and flipped him over his extended leg. The lone pokeball he had on him shattered, and out popped the Fearow. She looked at the Fearow again and its Aura was no longer black, just the violet and dark blue she had seen before. The Fearow immediately flew away from the scene, released from its captivity. She then turned to the man next to the one she had knocked unconscious, and azure flames formed on her paws again. She charged him and hit him with such force that he flew into the trees, his head smashing hard against one of them. The other man started to run away, but Zero would have no such thing. He dashed in front and tripped the man, then followed up with a nasty overhead slam of his fists into the guy's chest while he was still falling. The final man without a pokemon of his own cowered in fear. As she looked his way, she could smell urine. She smiled to herself, glad to finally instill in the man what she had felt ever since her brother was taken.
"Zero can you release the others? I don't want to get near one of those things. I don't trust them," asked Tundra.
Zero nodded, and proceeded to take all of the balls off the unconscious men. They then went to the center of camp and he placed them on top of a rock that had been used as a bench. One by one, he smashed them with his fist. A Blaziken appeared and looked around. She then realized she was moving at her own will.
Tundra was the first to speak, "My name is Tundra, and this is Zero." Zero nodded. "We've released you from your captors."
The Blaziken looked confused, wondering why a human would be helping her after seeing all the ones she's been around, and what they did to her. Zero then shattered the second ball, and a Gallade formed in front of the group. Tundra was about to speak when it held up a hand to her, then tapped the side of his head, smiling. Zero then shattered the last ball, and a familiar face came forth running right towards Tundra. She knew exactly who it was. She finally found her brother Taiga and ran to him. They grasped each other in a big hug for the longest time. Taiga then noticed they weren't alone. He turned to Zero and immediately took a fighting stance.
"No, don't!" Tundra cried, "He helped me save you, all of you."
Zero smiled, happy to see his friend reunited with her brother. "You can't blame him for his reaction. First thing's first, though."
Zero then picked up the one guy who wasn't knocked out. He was still paralyzed by fear from what he just witnessed. Zero bound him with some rope he found in the camp, and then gathered the unconscious and bound them as well. Zero then introduced himself.
"Is everyone comfortable?" Zero waited. "Okay, my name is Zero, and there's something you should hear before you leave."
He then recounted everything that had happened since he appeared in this world, and of Arceus' request. Taiga took it well, since Zero DID help his sister and on top of that rescue him. The Gallade was a little less convinced; he felt that something was off so he tried to read Zero's mind. At first he was surprised that someone could conceal their thoughts from him so easily, then was shocked when he realized that there wasn't a 'mind' for him to see into. It felt odd that he had to talk to Zero using his voice. If that wasn't proof enough that this man's story was true, seeing Zero charge his Z-Buster and fire it into the air, and then showing the group his Z-Saber was. The Blaziken was rather indifferent to the whole affair. She was upset and vowed to train harder and grow stronger so such a thing could never happen to her again. She wanted to leave, but was convinced to stay for a while by Tundra. She thought the idea of getting a night's rest before heading out was a good one, so agreed. Then the rescued pokemon introduced themselves. The Gallade stepped forward.
"Greetings. Before I was captured, my previous trainer called me Rathien." He then bowed and stepped back.
Taiga stood up, "I am Taiga. Thank you for saving my sister, as well as me. Being enslaved to that ball was not the most pleasant of experiences." He then sat down next to Tundra.
The Blaziken rolled over, "Thanks for the rescue, but don't worry about my name. Once I wake up I'm go-"
The Blaziken was interrupted by a massive earthquake, knocking over the tents and sending Zero to his knees. He spun around to see rocks and earth spew into the air, and a familiar figure came out of the dust storm.
"OH GOOD... NOW I HAVE A FULL COURSE MEAL! THANKS FOR THE FLARE!" Zero realized what it was at the reference of eating. He back-flipped and drew out his Z-Saber. The Steelix looked at it and then back to Zero's face. "NOW I WILL CRUSH YOU LIKE THE PITIFUL INSECT YOU ARE!!!" and then charged at the reploid.
The whole group fanned out around the Steelix. Zero laughed, "You really think you can beat me? Fine. I'll let you try." The Blaziken was amused by the brashness in Zero's voice. Zero then charged at the Steelix and unleashed a series of sword swings. Each hit did little more than enrage the Steelix. It then dove its head into the ground, barely missing Zero as he backed away. The two Riolu looked at each other and nodded, then charged the metal snake as it rose from its dirt meal. Rathien saw what they had planned and used his psychic abilities to hold the snake in place as best he could. There was a loud eagle like screech as the Blaziken jumped into the air and began spinning.
Zero laughed, "I guess the heat wasn't enough the last time we fought. Let me crank it up for you! RYUINJIN!"
Zero started glowing red again, and his Z-Saber was engulfed in flames. He then rammed it forward into the charging Steelix. An ungodly cry of pain that sounded like metal grinding came from the snake. Zero then leaped into the air, dragging the sword through its body. As he reached its head, Zero unleashed a blast from his Z-Buster into its face. Just then a mighty whirl of flames fell from the sky above it; the Blaziken righted herself as she reached the Steelix's head and she bore down on it with a punch engulfed in white and yellow flames. They began to wreathe their way down its body, fully consuming it. The two Riolus' paws became wrapped in azure flames as they approached the metal beast. Tundra jumped at the last second, catching the Steelix's face with a mighty punch; Taiga came in from below, letting out a battle cry as he drove his fists forward into the snake's midsection. Both hits connected at the same time and the flames exploded. The force sent the Steelix spinning in circles in the air as Rathien released his psychic hold. Zero and the Blaziken landed next to each other as the Steelix was writhing, trying to put out the incinerating white and blue flames. It then righted itself and looked around at the party below it, then began spinning its body in circles, like it was chasing its tail, kicking up a duststorm. Tundra and Taiga ran into the storm, their eyes glowing azure blue. Seconds later there as a great crash, and a scream of pain, and then Tundra was thrown into the air as the dustorm began to settle.
Zero was near where Tundra landed, so he rushed over to see if she was okay. When he reached her, he froze. Tundra had a huge gash across her upper chest, and a jagged bite mark on her neck that was bleeding profusely.
"NOOOOOO!!" Screamed Zero. He held Tundra's head in his arms. He glowed a bright red again, the jewel on his forehead flashed a menacing violet as well. He slowly turned towards the Steelix. His calm face could not hide the anger in his voice. "You will PAY!! SOUGENMU HEAT HAZE!"
Zero flashed, and then 4 afterimages of him appeared as he charged towards the Steelix. As he closed distance, they began to split up, going to the left and right of him. The others backed out of the settling dust storm as he dashed forward and began hacking furiously at the metal snake, his shadows following suit from different angles. Taiga ran to where his sister lay on the ground, trying to tend to her wounds. The Blaziken began firing gouts of flame at the upper half of the Steelix, and Rathien was launching glowing indigo blades of energy at the openings he could find. Each of their hits tore chunks of metal off of the Steelix, which voiced its pain at each blow with that same grinding metal scream. Try as it might, it couldn't block or fend off the onslaught. The number of assaults from all around it caused its body to freeze up.
As the Zero shadows faded the Steelix looked at the red blur that remained, about to collapse from the agony of the assault. The ice blue eyes stared back at him with an anger and killing intent he had never seen before. He knew he made a mistake, and now his death was upon him. " REKKOHA!" He was engulfed with a barrage of energies that shot up from the ground beneath him, and the roar he made could never match the pain which assaulted his body. His voice failed him shortly after, then the incinerating torture seemed to fade, and then his vision waned. He started collapsing, but never touched the ground as his body vaporized.
The others were awestruck at the power Zero unleashed upon the great serpent. None of them had seen an attack of such magnitude. Taiga was the first to shake the feeling as he returned his attention to Tundra. He desperately tried to hold the gash on her neck closed.
Then the Blaziken appeared beside him with a canister. "Hold her still, this is what those guys used to heal our wounds," she said. Rathien and Zero moved closer to help where they could. Taiga moved to the other side of his sister to allow the Blaziken to see where to apply the medicine. She took the cap off and began spraying it on the open wounds. The smell assaulted everyone, stinging and numbing their senses. I'm glad she passed out. If just smelling it is this bad, I would hate to have to feel it. "Someone try to find some bandages, we need to close these wounds so they don't get infected." Rathien lifted his hand and a bunch of medical supplies began floating towards them, a roll of bandages landed and unwrapped in her hands. Rathien then psychically lifted Tundra gently into the air as the Blaziken started wrapping the bindings around her neck and chest, and slowly put her down after she finished. Zero sat down beside her. A look of worry was written across his face as he examined her.
"That's all we can do for now, except pray." the Blaziken stated as she stood up.
Zero stood up and walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder, "Thank you-"
"Call me Catziah," the Blaziken finished for him.
"Thank you Catziah, for helping her." Zero said again, this time joined by Taiga, "Yes, thank you."
The group then did the only other thing they could do, they sat and waited.