Chapter 66 - Showdown Of The Millennium - Part 1 of 2
As the group stood smiling at her and Chris continued standing with his arms out, Gardevoir remained frozen in disbelief as Rose walked up, taking out a small flashlight and looking into her eye. "Alright... Everything looks good... Pupil responds to light... Flinching when shined directly inside..." she smirked while putting the light away and turning to the others. "It's a success everyone!! Gardevoir can see a hundred perc-eaaah!!!" she shout as the Pokemon suddenly rushed past, the Professor stumbling aside as she sprint towards Chris. "Ha ha!! I was wondering how long you'd leave me hang... W... Woah... Woah now... Woah now!! Stop!!! Stop stop!!! GARDEVOIR!!!!" he shout as she rushed faster and faster towards him, causing Chris to step back nervously as the others quickly moved out of the way. "Gardevoir slow down!!! STOP!!! I SAID STO---OAAAAHHH!!!!" he screamed as she ran into him, wrapping him in her arms as they fell off the building causing everyone to gasp and rush to the edge, his staff spinning like a top where he was before falling over.
"I can see!!! I can see!!! I CAN SEE!!!" Gardevoir shout over and over while cuddling Chris as they plummet faster and faster towards the pavement below. ""We're gonna die!!! We're gonna die!!! WE'RE GONNA DIE!!!" he screamed in response, freaking out as the wind blew tears from his eyes, flailing about as Gardevoir giggled and laughed the whole way down. Trying to beg Ninetails for help, the only response he could get was "and end my amusement...?" as it laughed at his fear. High above, everyone was watching as they got closer and closer to the ground, many of them covering their eyes until suddenly, right as the two were about to smash onto the pavement, Gardevoirs eyes let out a flash, causing them to rocket back towards the sky with a loud burst of energy as Chris clung to Gardevoir with all he had. Sighing in relief above, everyone watched as Gardevoir rapidly flew around the laboratory's towers, looking around in every direction with thrill in her expression. "I can see that!! I can see that!! And that!!! I see that over there!!!" she shout, pointing different directions as Chris tried to keep hold of her. Watching them zip around the buildings, all of the scientists were applauding and congratulating one another, Gerald and Rose watching with their arms crossed and a smirk on their faces. "That lad... I'll never forget him..." he chuckled, Rose nodding in agreement. "Once those two finish their little trip in the air, I'll explain how it was done for everyone... It really is amazing... He turned a project meant for one thing into something completely different... It went way beyond what we intended..." she giggled, shaking several scientists hands as they walked up and pat her on the shoulder. "Thanks to him and that Gardevoir we've truly created a revolution for the world..." she added, the group suddenly blown back as Chris and Gardevoir shot up into the sky in front of them.
"Too high!!! Too high too high too high!!!" Chris shout as Gardevoir continued looking all around. Once they reached the clouds, she suddenly stopped and tossed Chris high above, causing him to flail and scream all the more until he fell back into her arms, wheezing and... Admittedly... Slightly nauseous looking... "Thank you... Thank you... Thank you thank you thank you!!!" she told him, suddenly giving his face kiss after kiss while he struggled to keep his stomach under control. Looking towards the sun, Gardevoir began soaring along the clouds as Chris looked towards the city below, his face turning pale while clutching the excited Pokemon once more. "This... Sky... That... Sun... City... Down there..." she said, pointing everything out with an excited grin on her face. "I... I'm happy for you... More than anyone... But please... Down..." he replied, suddenly letting out an urk and covering his mouth. "Eh...? Ah!! S... Sorry!!! Sorry sorry!!" she shout in a panic, holding him out in front of her as he groaned and dangled from her arms, seemingly turning a slight green as he glanced towards the ground again and urked once more. "Altitude... Sickne... Uuuu..." he groaned as she blinked and tilt her head. "Humans... Turn different colors...?" she asked as he waved in response, pointing down with his mouth covered as she looked at him confused with a nod. Returning him to the top of the laboratory, he quickly shoved himself away and stumbled off, the group running up to congratulate him only for Chris to shove his way past the others as well and hide behind the entrance to the lab to vomit, everyone listening and groaning in disgust. "Only he would be able to ruin a moment like this..." Rose laughed nervously. "I didn't know he was one with a weak stomach for heights... Lets hope he never boards a plane." Gerald added.
Standing confused for a moment as she looked towards the direction Chris went, Gardevoir started looking around once again, suddenly jumping off the building to have another eyeful of the surrounding city. After a moment, Chris finally stumbled his way back to the others, clutching his stomach and groaning while motioning for his staff still lying on the ground. Picking it up and handing it to him, Gerald gave him a cautious pat on the shoulder. "That's a good lad... You alright?" he asked while Chris leaned against the staff, giving a thumbs up with a nervous laugh while his legs wobbled. "Just... Need time to figure up from down... What a ride..." he replied, looking around until he saw Gardevoir soaring around with various flying Pokemon and disappearing in the clouds repeatedly. "How does she not get light headed...?" he muttered before the others cautiously surrounded him. "Is it... Safe...?" the receptionist from the Pokemon center asked, holding up a clipboard. "Ah... Ha ha... Yeah... Tanks empty." he replied with an embarrassed laugh. "Sorry about that... I've never been in the sky before... Being up high is fine, so long as my feet can feel the ground beneath me... But being up there like that... Phew boy..." he told the group, shaking his head as they laughed together. "I've heard of the saying an eye for an eye..." Servine said, suddenly walking up behind Chris with her arms crossed. "...Never seen it used in a literal sense though..." she added as Buneary stepped up as well. "Are you okay...? It looks painful..." she asked as he lift her up, Servine taking the chance to jump on his arm and slither over his shoulders. "Not painful at all..." he chuckled, rubbing his nose against hers causing the rabbit to jolt and flush brightly. "Say... How are you girls talking when she's all the way up..." he asked, pausing while turning only to find Gardevoir standing right behind him with her face in his. "GYAAA!!!!" he shout, stumbling back and falling. "D... Don't do that to people!!" he snapped, still on edge from having rocket through the sky as she tilt her head. "Want to know... How you do it...?" she asked. "O... Oh... Right... We haven't explained much yet..." he replied, standing with a sigh.
"Perhaps we'd best enlighten everyone then." Rose said, walking up to the group while letting Gardevoir look at the laptop screen, the kids and elders greeting her and waving as she looked at them all bewildered and waved back. "Tiny humans..." she muttered. "Who you...?" she asked, the kids showing a sudden sad look with an "awww..." in response. "Ha ha... One thing at a time..." Chris told her as Rose motioned for the group to return to the lab. Once they got back to the machine, everyone sat in chairs spread out near the controls as Chris and Rose stood together before them, the large monitor activated showing the kids and elders once again while others flashed on around them detailing their project. "When work on this began, it was originally called the Kecleon Project... Our primary goal was to create a machine capable of swapping any ability and/or move between Pokemon, and give them this ability or move permanently... Such as making rock type Pokemon immune to water and such..." Rose began. "But... After talking with the Professor, we found a way to build off this concept and instead of swapping moves or abilities..." Chris added as Rose walked up to one of the monitors. "We managed to change its purpose... Instead of swapping what we originally intended... We sweat day and night to turn it into a machine capable of performing transplants of ones senses into another..." she explained. "As it stands, and as you now already know, it has the technology to restore sight... But with progress, it'll be able to do much more, such as restoring hearing for instance... The options are potentially limitless." Chris added. "As of now, it can only do so much... But in the future, with enough perseverance, it will be able to transplant more than just a few of the body's senses as well... Organs for example... Limbs... All painless procedures if things go according to plan. No longer will there be a need to operate for such things!" Rose told the group with a grin. "And someday... We might even be able to create something that won't need a donor... But will have the capability of artificially creating whatever is needed internally on its own to make matching implants for its patients." she added. "But... That's way off into the future." Chris reminded with a nervous laugh. "For now, what we've got on hand is enough of an accomplishment... This machine is still extremely risky to use, even for transplanting sight as you've all seen... It takes a ton of power and the odds of its success aren't the best, and tend to dip quickly when the thing is under stress... But a few years down the line, and I think this laboratory will have a machine ready that any hospital can install and use worry free, for the blind that is." he added with a nod. "He's right... It'll be a slow process... And by the time we've got something capable of transplanting more than senses, those of us here today are sure to be long gone..." Rose added. "But nonetheless, this machine holds nothing but potential... Hope for the future... For the generations that come long after we've passed. Which is why together, the Professor and I decided to rename the machine the Celebi Project, as legends say so long as you see that Pokemon, the future is sure to be a bright one..." Chris explained, the group nodding at the idea in response.
"Which brings us to the matter of you, Gardevoir... Please come up." Rose said, motioning for her to walk over while she returned to Chris's side. Once the Pokemon was standing with them, Rose held her and Chris's hand and placed them together. "You know how the machine operates... In its current state, for one to gain, another must sacrifice... And this man here is the one who did so for you..." she explained before standing next to Chris's side and brushing his bangs aside while pointing out his blind eye, causing Gardevoir to stand wide eyed for a moment before falling to her knees. "You... You gave..." she stuttered, slowly lifting her trembling hand and touching her eye. "This is... Yours...?" she asked as he smiled and nodded in response. "Yep... The whoooole time I was working as hard as I could to get on my feet in time for this things completion, so that not only could I smile for you, but so I could stand when you saw me too! It wasn't easy, but I managed to get my therapy done AND help them out a little with this thing at the same time! All for you... And the others too of course." he grinned, giving Servine and Buneary a thumbs up as tears began streaming from her eyes. "Always giving... Always giving... Never stop... What do to deserve...? Why...?" she wept, causing him to smile nervously and scratch his cheek. "Hey now... Easy on the water works... That's just what I do! Especially for family..." he laughed, pulling her back up on her feet as she tried wiping her tears away. "Oh man... I guess I really gotta stop saying that, it's sounding repetitive now..." he admit as Rose crossed her arms with a giggle. "Modesty is the best policy, but you take it to the extreme... Accept credit where credit is due for a change." she told him with a pat on the back, the others watching nodding in agreement. "Naah... You and the scientists did the real work. I just had a few ideas, you made everything a reality so you're not one to talk!" he grinned, giving her a nudge. After a moment of speaking with everyone, Chris took a moment of alone time and walked up to the machine, reaching up and putting a hand on it with a pat while smiling. "Thanks Celebi..." he chuckled, nodding while looking up at the massive creation. "Can't believe the idea actually worked... You're one incredible machine..." he muttered, a short burst of steam suddenly blowing out causing him to laugh. "You're gonna do some real miracles in this wor...??" he paused, feeling his coat tugged from behind. "Yo...? What's up-mph?!!!" he shout, his back suddenly pressed against the machine as Gardevoir wrapped him in her arms and kissed him in front of everyone, the scientists shouting in shock before quickly writing notes with a shine in their glasses, the kids and seniors on the screen letting out a combined "oooohhhh!!!" before laughing as nurses tried covering the kids eyes, Alakazam glancing away and clearing his throat while Vespiquen and Lopunny along with the other seniors swooned. "Garefwoir!!! Nwot fwere!!! Nwot fwere!!!" he panicked as everyone watched and the machine let out an even longer burst of steam. "Cat's out of the bag..." Rose giggled, looking at everyone watching as the news crew caught the kiss on camera, Gerald and N smiling and shaking their heads. "By now it should've been obvious anyways..." N shrugged. "I've gotten used to the notion myself... It isn't as terrible as some may believe. Especially when you consider just how much they really love one another... That lad and those girls have the right to be that way after all they've been through. Pokemon or not..." Gerald chuckled as the scientists glared at Gerald and N before suddenly swarming them and asking questions.
"...Bah, this once isn't so bad I suppose..." Servine said with her arms crossed, glancing at the two as Gardevoir continued kissing him while he kept trying to push her back to breathe. "...Although she could tone it down a LITTLE MAYBE?!!" Servine suddenly snapped, only to be ignored as she grumbled. "Amazing... He gave up half of his sight just for her... For a Pokemon..." Buneary muttered, looking at the two by the machine before facing down and feeling her chest. "He's really... Something..." she said with a smile. "Yeah... Something... Womanizing dog obviously..." the snake scowled. "...Are you saying that because you wanna be Gardevoir right now...?" Buneary asked, looking at the two with a slight blush. "HAH!! Smothering a human in such a way?! And with HIS filthy mouth?! I think not!!" she barked, facing away with her nose up, only to glance at the two and blush nonetheless. "I think it would be... Maybe kinda nice... Cause he's really... Nice... Ya know...?" the rabbit replied, touching her choker once again. "He risks his life for others... Buys everyone nice things... Treats us like we're equal to humans... Does stuff like this... And never asks for anything but a smile in return..." Buneary said in a loving tone. "...I like him, I really... Really like him..." she confessed with another giggle. Looking at the rabbit silently, Servine glanced back at Chris once more and nodded, albeit begrudgingly since Gardevoir was still all over him... "Yeah... He's certainly one human out of the lot worth caring about... I won't deny that. But he's so nice, so quick to put his heart and money out there it makes him vulnerable though... So he needs looking after. But... I can say I don't mind that job..." she smirked. "...And I guess I don't mind sharing that job..." she added, glancing at Buneary before looking away with her nose up once more. "Just don't make me regret the welcome." she warned. "With that lecherous cretin suffocating him I have a hard enough time... Ahh... Getting my own time..." she admitted, grumbling as Buneary looked at her surprised before holding out a paw. "Friends... Then...?" she smiled, the snake looking at her paw before facing away and shaking it. "Sure..." she replied, quickly taking her hand away before making her way up to the two and suddenly yanking Gardevoir away from Chris with her vines, causing the love struck Pokemon to flail and whine like a child as Chris clutched his chest and caught his breath at last. "Down dog!!!" she ordered, suddenly pinning Gardevoir down and hog tying her before standing on her head with a proud grin, everyone watching with a nervous look on their faces as Gardevoir yelled at the snake.
"We... We'd better get outta here... They'll ruin the machine if they lose it in this place..." Chris groaned, clearing his throat as Gardevoir thrashed about. "Aww... You look just like a Magikarp, how cute... Their uselessness matches you perfectly too!" Servine taunt with a smug laugh, holding the back of her hand under her chin until Gardevoir caught a glimpse of her tail and suddenly gave it a chump, causing the boastful snake to go cross eyed and bite her lip before shooting into the air with a scream, only to find herself caught in Gardevoirs clutches on the way back down. "I see you now... That mean you not get away mocking me anymore... I owe you for past mocking too..." she grinned with an evil look in her face, suddenly forming a dark aura in the shape of a claw around her hand causing the snake to gulp and turn pale. "Alright alright!! That's enough!!" Chris interrupted, taking Servine away and putting Gardevoirs hand down. "Rule number one!! No using your sight to hurt someone!! Especially one of us!!" he lectured. "And you... Come on Servine... Really? Tying her up like that was just overkill..." he said, raising an eyebrow while shaking his head as she shrugged. "Hey, imagine how it would have went if I did that to someone else..." she reminded Chris, motioning to look towards Buneary as she stood watching the group with a flush and look of anticipation on her face. "...Oy oy, don't bring that up, alright?" he muttered with a slight blush of his own. "Hey... Wait what's with THAT kind of face?! Are you that type too?!" she asked. "Wh... What?! NO!! Just hush about it!!" he yelled, the two suddenly going back and forth at one another as everyone watched. "Making out with one... Quarrel with another... Astounding... A man and a Pokemon harem..." one of the scientists muttered. "I've heard of these relationships, but to witness such a thing in person... Extraordinary... And for so many to simply accept such a taboo gathering..." another added. "Oh my... I do believe it would be in your best interest to get the lad and the others out of here... Sounds like they're about to become a rather... Unsettling type of test subject for this lot..." Guile laughed nervously, giving Gerald a pat on the back. "Ah... Yes... I was just thinking the same thing..." he muttered in response, noticing the gleam in their eyes and the mischievous grins on their faces. "Hey, don't expect me to hold any of them back. That's like putting raw meat in front of a pack of starving Pyroar." Rose added with her hands up. "Besides, it would be wrong to say I wasn't intrigued myself..." she admitted, crossing her arms with a smirk and looking back at the group with a raised eyebrow. "Takes quite a man to handle three young ladies... Be them human or Pokemon... Especially if they're Pokemon..." she said with a giggle. "You sure are... Strange people..." N said, walking up with a nervous smile. "Master N forgive me but... You're not exactly one to speak yourself." Gerald reminded, causing him to laugh nervously. "Hey! I said I was working on it! Give a guy some slack!" he replied as the old butler shook his head with a sigh.
Now finished with their moment, Chris and Servine gave each other a scowl before she rest across his shoulders, brushing her tail across his face to annoy him as she crossed her arms with her nose up. "Ack... Anyways... You alright Gardevoir?" he asked, looking over her arms and wrists for marks. "N... No... I.. . I mean yes, f... Fine..." she replied as he leaned in close to look her neck over before smiling close to her face, causing Gardevoir to flush brightly and stand frozen. "Hey... You girls hear that...?" he asked, looking around for a moment as Servine and Buneary faced different directions, the small rabbit twitching her ears. "Babump... Babump..." she answered, looking at Gardevoir as Chris did the same before leaning towards her chest. "Holy cow... You feeling alright?!" he asked, backing away worried as she tried to smile, only for her lips to tremble before letting out a groan and passing out, landing with a thud in front of them. "Wh... What the?!! GARDEVOIR?!!" he shout, tossing his staff to the side and rushing up to her. "Hey!! Up and at em!! Up up!! What's with you suddenly?!!" he shout, lifting her into his arms as she let out a groan and looked at his arms around her before looking up at him for a moment, only to go wide eyed and flush from the situation before letting out an awkward laugh and laying limp in his arms while babbling. "Goodness... Perhaps I actually DID harm her... I didn't mean to bind her THAT tightly... Did I mess up her brain...?" Servine said with a bewildered look. Rushing up to the two, Gerald and Rose looked over the suddenly unconscious Pokemon as the others gathered, the two letting out a sigh of relief before standing. "Overwhelmed is all I believe... Too much at once suddenly took its toll on her probably..." Rose assured before waving at the others, getting them to relax and back away. "I'm surprised it took until now for that to happen... Perhaps the madam suddenly realized how extraordinary it was to see the man she has a thing for so close... Once her initial excitement from everything settled down, the notion of "Wait a moment... I can see HIM now..." likely sunk in when you got close to her..." Gerald said, looking Gardevoir over before helping Chris lift her up.
"I'd say it's safe to say you can expect for her emotions to be rather... Ahh... Chaotic... For some time until the initial shock of everything wears off... Given she's never seen the world before, it may take a while..." he laughed nervously as Chris looked at her. "Well... As long as she's overwhelmed out of joy, it's fine." he replied with a smirk. "Alright... Lets get her to the limo..." he added as Rose brought up his staff. "You lot take care now... I'd appreciate it if you brought Gardevoir back a few more times just to make sure everything remains as it should be. We're not sure if her sight will remain crystal clear permanently or not... Or if anything might happen to your eye..." she reminded him. "No worries. We'll make a few more visits before we leave." he assured her with a thumbs up. Hearing this, the Warden glanced over at the group from within the crowd, motioning for his officers to follow as Chris and Gerald bid everyone farewell before Rose shut off the monitor, the two taking Gardevoir off with her arms on their shoulders with Servine coiled around Chris's staff and Buneary holding onto his head. Once at the entrance, the two set her down in a chair allowing them both to streatch before Gerald went off to bring the limo up leaving Chris with the girls as he looked around the lobby. "First it was farewell to the hospital... Now it's farewell to the laboratory... Lots of farewells..." he muttered with a smirk. "Hold up there... You're not saying any farewells yet." he heard an intimidating voice say from behind, turning to see the Warden standing with his arms crossed and officers surrounding him. "Oh dear... Don't tell me you've found a reason to incarcerate him..." Servine groaned. "In... Carcer... Ate...?" Buneary repeat, tilting her head confused. "Wa Wa... Warden!! Heeeeey there... Just uh... Heading..." Chris stuttered. "Heading nowhere... YET... I've been keeping an eye on you for one very obvious reason... You're on your feet and you've finished what you wanted to do..." he said, suddenly rummaging through his coat before handing Chris an envelope. "With your personal matters out of the way, this is your summons to the Millennium City Gym... You don't get to rest just yet." he told him before motioning for his officers to head out.
"Su su... Summons?!!" Chris shout in surprise, looking over the paper inside the envelope. "Be there and be ready to give it your all at that time and date... Understood?" the Warden asked as he gulped and laughed nervously. "Ri... Riiiight... Be there..." he said, giving the Warden a nervous solute in response. "...That looks pathetic. Don't ruin what respect you've garnered from me..." he told Chris, shaking his head as Gerald returned to the group. "Alright then everyone! Time to... Ah..." he paused, looking at the Warden and the paper in Chris's hand before glancing away with an irritated look. "Rather rude thing to do to the young man right after what's just occurred." he said, the Warden raising an eyebrow. "Rather rude thing to say to a man of the law who's given a criminal his freedom long enough to handle everything he wished to do before his incarceration..." the Warden replied with a grunt, the word and Chris being called a criminal causing Buneary to blink wide eyed with a shocked and bewildered look all at once. "I'll see you lot VERY soon... Be there, or I'll have every man and woman under my employ hunting you down..." he warned, giving Gerald a glare before leaving himself. "Oy oy... Did you have to make him mad?" Chris asked while waving with a nervous smile. "Do forgive me... But to do such a thing to a gentleman after he's done so much... You've more than earned your right to be a free man, with or without a battle against that man..." he replied, crossing his arms while watching the Warden climb into one of the squad cars and leave with the officers. "Still... Gotta admit I didn't think a Warden had so much power... Maybe he's more than just a Warden or something...?" Chris asked, Gerald thinking over his question with a shrug. "That man's a mystery... One thing's for sure, it wouldn't surprise me though if there is more to him than merely watching over a prison... We've all got a past..." he replied. "So... That Warden human we fighting..." Gardevoir said, suddenly standing causing the others to jump in surprise with a dark aura around her hand in the shape of a claw once again. "Was going to take care of problem here if keep talking trash... Right through back... Not looking..." she muttered, giving the claw a lick. "O... Oy... You get kinda creepy sometimes..." Chris told her with a nervous look, Gardevoir walking up and tickling his chin with the claw, a smirk on her face causing a shiver to run up his spine as he looked down at its sharpness. "Oh I never hurt you... No worry... But others hurt you or threaten you... Them I gladly take down with pride..." she giggled, her claw suddenly flashing away before she turned away and walked out, looking in the direction the squad cars left with an irritated look on her face. "G... Geez... Her emotions really ARE crazy... More-so than before... One second she's on top of the world... Then she starts passing out... Now this..." Chris muttered with a bit of sweat on his face, Gerald blinking in surprise himself. "Not sure what to say other than good luck Master Chris... To hear and imagine those around you is one thing, but to actually be able to SEE those you love... Or..." he said, glancing towards Gardevoir nervously. "Err... Hate, in this case... It'll affect her differently now... Things will be complicated until she learns to control herself..." he added, giving Chris a pat on the shoulder. "FLOWERS!!! SEE FLOWERS!!!" they heard her scream, followed by a giddy squeal as she started running up to bushes and touching them excitedly. "Yeah... Control... Not uh... Not sure if that's gonna happen anytime soon with her... I was trying to work on that when she was blind... Now... I don't think that word can exist anymore..." he laughed nervously. "She's always been quick to show how she feels about others... Especially humans... Quick to go from one mood to the next... But now that she can actually see and all... Her feelings of like and hate are gonna be a lot stronger... I'm not sure if letting her fight is a good thing either really... I was nervous about that as-is before all this..." he added before looking down silently at the summons with a worried look. "I was hoping for more time..." he muttered.
"Bah... Don't you worry about her..." Servine told him while waving a hand. "I've seen her at her worst the same as you... When push comes to shove, she's proven she can keep herself under control with the right encouragement... Whether you like it or not, you're the human we obey, the one we've accepted as master... Even if some of us do so begrudgingly..." she added, facing away while glancing at Gardevoir as she looked at the plants outside. "Tell the dog to sit, and she'll sit... No matter how out of it she may seem... You get through to her no matter how lost she is. That time back at the cliff proved it. That's how it works with Pokemon, especially her kind." Servine assured, Chris giving her a "seriously...?" look in response to her dog comment before sighing and putting his hand holding the summons in his coat pocket with a nod. "Yeah... I guess I just gotta have more faith is all... It just sucks I have to have faith in something like you girls fighting on my behalf." he replied, shaking his head with a groan while Gerald gave him a pat on the back. "Come sir... Do cheer up... It's unfair to see your mood spoiled after all you've done over something so ludicrous... Please put it at the back of your mind for now..." Gerald told him with a smile. "Yeah... He's set the match for a few days from now... I guess I have a little time to prepare..." he replied before the group walked out towards Gardevoir. "Look, look!! Lots of flowers!!!" she shout with a giggle, turning and showing the bunch gathered in her arms before noticing Chris showing a look of concern with his face lowered. "...Chris? What wrong...?" she asked while walking up to him. "Ah...? H... Ha ha... Nothing... Nothing at all..." he replied, rubbing her head with a smile. "Come on... Lets go show you some sights!" he grinned, giving her a thumbs up before heading for the limo, leaving the group behind as he took the summons out of his pocket and looked it over. "...The poor lad. No matter the good he does, he always has to be troubled by one thing or another..." Gerald muttered with a worried look on his face. "I do wish that human would have wait a tad before putting that over his shoulders... Then again, perhaps he did Chris a favor giving it to him now... It would have been worse to do so when he was already in a poor mood." Servine added, shaking her head with a sigh. "I don't understand... What's going on...? Why was he called a criminal...? He doesn't look like one to me..." Buneary asked, looking at Chris with her head tilt. "Because he NOT criminal... He only do what right. But other humans NEVER understand... Try to punish for it... Humans called police... They punish him... When he never do wrong!!" Gardevoir growled, a claw suddenly shooting out of the flowers in her arms causing Gerald and the girls to jump back. "They hurt him... Cause him trouble too many times... And they pay for it... I swear I make them pay... Happy can see when I do..." she added, walking ahead of the others while letting the flowers go, swiping her claw along a pillar before her claw flashed away, leaving huge gashes filled with dark energy in the pillar that began seeping down the stone from the cuts before the energy slowly faded away, leaving only the marks as she caught up to Chris, putting a hand on his shoulder causing him to jolt in surprise as she gave him a hug.
"Yeesh... What did the building do to her...?" Servine muttered, looking at the mark with slight sweat on her face, Gerald and Buneary looking at it silently as well before heading for the limo. "Not worry... Okay...? Promise nothing bad ever happen..." they heard Gardevoir tell Chris while walking up to the two. "Yeah... I appreciate it..." he smiled, nodding in response before climbing into the limo, Gardevoir about to do the same before pausing to glare in the direction the squad cars went once more and mouthing something in silence before changing her expression to a smile and climbing in with Chris, asking "So where going?!" excitedly while closing the door. "At least she has a few days to settle down I suppose..." Gerald muttered before helping Servine and Buneary inside as well and climbing into the drivers seat. "So... Ah... Yes... Where to exactly?" he asked, looking at the group in the mirror. "Well... Lets see..." Chris muttered, sitting back and thinking silently for a moment as Gardevoir picked up her guitar and looked it over with a grin before strumming a few notes. "Looks really fancy... Thank you again!!" she told Chris with a giggle. "Ah...? Oh yeah... No problem." he chuckled while rubbing her on the head. "Well... I don't know how things will turn out when the time comes for the match... So until then, I'd really like to show these girls as good a time as possible... And we should make sure to hit a bunch of scenic places too for Gardevoir... I really wanna show her the best stuff I can..." he said, continuing to think over what to do as the girls looked down in silence. "I don't understand... What's gonna happen...? Why are you so worried all of a sudden...?" Buneary asked, still without an explanation to anything as he smiled nervously in response. "Oh... It's nothing... But don't you worry! I swear you girls will be taken care of no matter what! I've got a plan B just in case!" he grinned with a thumbs up. "Not need plan B... Won't lose..." Gardevoir said, clutching her guitar as Servine nodded. "Quite right... No need to make any plans when they aren't necessary." she added with a thumbs up. "...Yeah. Anyways... Come on. Enough about what's to come. Lets focus on now and have some fun." he smiled as Gerald nodded and drove off, several scientists walking out on their break and noticing the gashes on the pillar Gardevoir left, gathering around confused.
"So she's one of them after all... One of the shadows..." N said, walking up to the pillar causing the staff to jump in surprise and stand aside as he walked up and felt the mark. "...She's not like the others I met at all though. The other shadows were so tainted... Suffering and wicked... Emotionless, save for a savage rage... How does a Pokemon fall into a shadow state... Yet maintain a grasp on its heart...?" he muttered, looking towards the limo as it disappeared in the distance. "You noticed as well?" Rose asked, walking up behind him and feeling the gash over herself. "During our research, we discovered that little secret ourselves... She's a Shadow Pokemon alright... No doubt about that... Yet oddly enough, she remains the same as any other Pokemon nonetheless... Save for when something seems to upset her..." she added. "We really should charge him for this... But we can let this slide I suppose..." she sighed while shaking her head. "The shadows I met in the past... They were created... Forced to become shadows by human hands... Artificially changed... Perhaps she's different because she did so willingly... From what I wager, likely for his sake..." N replied, crossing his arms. "Controlling the darkness in your heart isn't easy... I should know... I just wonder what happens when she lets it all out..." he muttered, Rose nodding in agreement. "One heck of a show I'm sure... They were supposed to be gone after those experiments were shut down over in the Orre region... I've never heard of a Pokemon becoming a Shadow Pokemon willingly, for any purpose... I wish those two would stay after the battle is finished. They're both worth researching as much as possible..." she added with a smirk. "She's not like those other... Experimental Pokemon... So her being one of them doesn't bother me much so long as he's around to keep her under control..." she giggled, N looking at her before smiling himself with a nod. "Yeah... The darkness has its hold on her, but she has a light bright enough to contain it no matter how strong it grows... That's what I believe." he chuckled before suddenly whistling into the sky, causing Pidgeot to return in front of him. "Oh... Are you a trainer as well? Or perhaps a ranger?" she asked, blinking in surprise as he jumped on Pidgeots back. "No... Just an average human being..." he replied, giving her a wave before setting off towards the sky.
Over the course of the next week, Chris insisted Guile and the others stay in the city a while longer to see the big match, hoping to have as much support as possible while doing his best to show the girls a good time, in what time he feared he had left... Holding onto his brave face, he was able to succeed in making the others forget about what was coming while giving Gardevoir a tour of the city, taking her back to the hospital to see all of the children she had played with during his stay, making a second trip to the top of the Millennium Mall and the Pokemon Center... He spent so much on Servine the snake was lost in her own world, surrounded by accessories and the like and seemingly bathing in all he had bought while taking time every day to help Buneary build up as much muscle as possible so she could confidently follow the rest on her own without being carried... Every second of every day he spent his time as it ticked away wiping away their thoughts of the match, even managing to make Gerald forget by treating him to luxurious cafes and cigar shops and browsing several book stores, allowing the old butler to spend the week in relaxation as thanks for his work on their behalf... By the end of the week, Chris had everyone in high spirits, something that helped give him a much needed boost as well. "What a week, huh everyone?" he laughed as they relaxed in his room while watching the sun rise on another day. "Week... Awesome!! See lots of things!!" Gardevoir grinned while cleaning her flute and looking it over. "Precious... So many precious things..." Servine giggled in a greedy tone, holding her accessories in her arms while trying several things on and eating a piece of one of the cakes he bought as well. "Feeling good! You've helped me a lot..." Buneary added, smiling with a slight blush and fidgeting. "Indeed... A nice change of pace after all the excitement..." Gerald nodded, enjoying tea with a ceramic cup and reading one of several books Chris had gift him. "A tad too much spoiling though." he chuckled while raising his glass. "You always so nice..." Gardevoir said, walking up to Chris and giving him a hug. "Thank you... Giving me eye... Still can't believe you give up for me..." she added before pecking him on the cheek, causing Chris to jolt and laugh in embarrassment. "Bah... I'm never gonna get used to that stuff, am I...?" he replied, patting her on the hand. "We all deserve to see the great stuff the world has to offer. Giving you that eye wasn't really because of a promise either... It was a gift of love." he grinned with a thumbs up, causing Gardevoir to flush and jump into him for another hug sending his chair back with a thud. "Love you love you love you!!!" she shout with her own voice, pecking him all over the face as he flailed beneath her causing Servine to shoot up and Buneary to flush while watching, Gerald clearing his throat and facing away while reading his book. "Now now... It's shameful to flaunt before others..." he lectured, smirking as Gardevoir pulled away and stood with a deep breath. "Sorry... Just can't resist..." she giggled as Chris pulled himself up while clutching his chest. "You'll seriously suffocate me one day..." he groaned, shaking his head while standing with a nervous laugh. "Good way to suffocate though... Right? If happen, use thing called CPR!!" Gardevoir said with a grin causing him to blush and look away embarrassed. "N... No comment..." he replied as Servine grumbled and shook her head. "Hey... Since it makes you so angry, you should do that too..." Buneary muttered, nudging the snakes side causing her to flush. "I WILL NOT!!!" she shout back in frustration, the group looking at her in surprise as the rabbit jumped away nervously. "Will not... What?" Chris asked, blinking at her confused as she froze up. "N... Nothing!! All of you... And your filthy minds..." she grumbled before heading out onto the balcony and muttering to herself.
"My word... She's become more and more sensitive over you as of late... I'd imagine something must be rather pent up inside her..." Gerald said before continuing to read. "But that's none of my business mind you... I do apologize." he added as Chris and the others looked at Servine. "I get it... Jealous she can't be open like me!" Gardevoir grinned before giving him another hug. "Ah...?! Oy oy!!! If it hurts her feelings don't make it worse!!" he lectured, nudging her away. "Geez..." he sighed before shaking his head. "I don't care when or how much any of you show your affection... If you're waiting for my permission or something then don't worry about it... The way I react doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I'm just not used to it still is all..." he told them while walking up behind Servine and suddenly lifting her up, causing the snake to shout as he pulled her close in his arm. "There... You get a hug too. Everything's even now right?" he asked as she flushed. "P... Put me down stupid..." she grumbled while crossing her arms and facing away. "You're forgetting all the kissing!! She wants kisses too!!" Buneary shout, causing both Chris and Servine to jolt and flush at the same time. "Hey hey!!! One thing at a ti...!!" they shout simultaneously, both pausing as they blinked at one another for a moment before they smiled and laughed together. "Sorry Servine..." he said while putting her down. "Oh... Quite alright... It's not you..." she replied, waving her hand with a smirk before making her way back into the room. "See...? A touch of affection with self control! That's how you behave with a male in the presence of others!" she told Gardevoir in a proud tone with a nod. "Wishy washy..." Gardevoir muttered while scowling and crossing her arms. "...Should have gotten a kiss..." Buneary grumbled with a scowl of disappointment. "Oh hush you... That's not what you do before others. Not what I do at least." Servine replied with her hand up. "Besides, you haven't gotten a kiss whatsoever from him!" she added with a smirk, the rabbit jolting with a wide eyed flush before glancing away and fidgeting. "Wh... Whatever... That's not something you just... DO..." she said before pulling an ear down over her face. "Exactly! Now you get my point!" Servine nodded before giving her a pat on the head. "Well learned pupil... Perhaps one of you CAN learn something..." she told her before scowling at Gardevoir, only to get a raspberry in response. "Oh very mature... Just like a dog, letting your tongue hang out..." she mocked with a smug grin causing Gardevoir to gasp and reach towards her, only for Chris to step between them. "Alright alright!! Enough's enough girls..." he lectured as Gerald laughed. "Oh how dull life will be..." he said while finishing his tea, the group looking at him confused. "Dull life...?" they asked simultaneously. "It's nothing... So what's the plan for today sir...? The sights? Shopping? Exercise?" he asked, all three Pokemon suddenly shouting their demands at Chris causing him to jump from the startle and back away.
"Ahh... Plan... Um... Well... First we..." he said, cut off as the girls continued shouting what they wanted. "Err... That is then we can..." he muttered, Gardevoir and Buneary giving him sad looks while Servine scowled at him angrily. "Umm... How about..." he laughed nervously, only to get cut off as they heard knocking at the door causing everyone to jolt in surprise and go silent. "How about... I answer the door? I guess..." he said, the girls stepping aside as he walked past and opened it, only for several officers to stand causing him to turn pale. "Wha... What's going on...?" he asked nervously, taking a step back before Gardevoir suddenly shot in front of him with her arms out, Servine quickly slithering atop his shoulders with the leaf on her tail glowing as Buneary poked her head out nervously from behind his leg. "Hold it now, what's this then...?" Gerald asked in irritation, walking up behind Chris with his arms crossed. "We've been sent to remind the perpetrator of his match against the Warden today..." one of the officers replied. "Perpetrator...?" Buneary asked quietly. "Another word for criminal..." Servine explained. "Not like that word... Should watch what say..." Gardevoir warned before a pair of claws flashed into view around her hands. "Need to leave..." she told the officers as they looked at her claws and muttered towards one another, looking at Servine as well. "Girls... Pleeeease behave..." Chris begged, putting a hand on Gardevoirs shoulder only to get a grunt in response as she shook his hand off. "Know what to do. Not need you here. Not need reminding... LEAVE!!!" she shout as the officers put their hands on their guns. "Better hope you win the match... Otherwise we might be putting a few "wild" Pokemon under..." one of them warned, causing Chris to show a sudden terrified look as Gerald pushed his way in front of Gardevoir. "Now you see here...!!" Gerald shout, cut off as Chris grabbed his arm and shook his head nervously. "I... I get it... I'll be there... I don't want any problems..." he told the officers, getting a nod from them in response as they looked over Gardevoirs claws once again before walking off.
"That impudent... Sending them here to insure we appear... To have such little faith in a mans word..." Gerald grumbled before walking to the balcony to light a cigar in frustration. "Just when having good time... Humans harass again..." Gardevoir growled, her claws flashing away as she put her arms down. "Do good thing after good thing... Nobody care..." she added, shaking her head with a look of disgust on her face. "Today's the day... This is it..." Chris muttered, returning to the table and sitting with a plop. "I'd actually almost forgotten myself..." he groaned, shaking his head before looking at the girls. "Not worry... Not lose..." Gardevoir assured, putting a hand on his shoulder with a nod. "Ah... Yeah..." he replied, looking up at her before looking away. "But that's not what I'm worried about... Not all of it anyways..." he added. Looking at him, Gardevoir and the girls tilt their heads in silence, Buneary confused about everything in general until Gerald walked back in clearing his throat. "I suppose we had best be on our way then... Better to be early than late sir." he said with a slight bow. "Y... Yeah..." he replied nervously, standing and clinging to his staff. "I don't know though... Whenever these girls have fought before it was for fun... Like with Guile or to actually help them out, like when Servine went up against Lia... Or to help... Like with..." he paused while glancing towards Buneary. "But to let them battle just because someone wants to pick a fight with me...? To get me out of trouble? It bothers me a bit..." he muttered while scratching his cheek. "I don't mind them battling if they're genuinely having a good time or we're helping others, but this really isn't my kind of..." he paused as Gardevoir gave him a pop on the head. "We ARE doing this to help!! To help you!!" she replied with her arms crossed. "Almost everyday you help!! Help others!! Now you need help, so we help you!!" she told him. "Quite right... To say the least we do owe you a spot of gratitude... Consider this as making us even." Servine added with a nod. "We never be even. Owe him much more than fight." Gardevoir replied with a sharp glare, causing the snake to jump back and scowl. "Well excuse me... Don't be so serious..." she grumbled. "We're... Going to a fight now...?" Buneary asked nervously. "Ahh... Yeah... Hate to say it but... I don't have much of a choice..." he replied with a nervous smile. "But don't worry... I'm not expecting you to do any of the fighting." he assured, squatting and rubbing her on the head. "Don't forget I gave you my word you wouldn't have to fight... I always stick to my word no matter the situation." he added with a thumbs up. "Well then... Shall we be off?" Gerald asked, putting a hand on his shoulder as he stood with a nod. "Yeah... Lets go." he replied, heading out before the others while they stood at the door. "Haaaah... He really doesn't want you ladies to have to go through with this... Likely more-so after that rude threat the officers tossed out concerning you... That's got him shaken up more-so than he already was..." Gerald muttered while shaking his head. "The fool should be thinking about himself, not concerning over us. We've fought before and won." Servine shrugged. "It's not about whether or not you ladies will win. I'd wager he just doesn't want to see you getting hurt doing something for his sake... Terrified of what could become of you should the Warden come out the victor... Knowing him as I do now, the man merely wanted to see the world, not so much to fight... Yet he's being forced to do so now nonetheless. And you know how strongly he cares for you... The lad merely wants peace during his travels..." he reminded them, the girls looking at Chris in silence. "That why he deserve to fight for... He give everyone else peace, make everyone else happy. Now we give him peace and make him happy." Gardevoir nodded before walking off behind him. "...Somehow I feel this will give him neither..." Gerald muttered while shaking his head. Alright ladies, lets be on our way." he sighed while walking along the halls behind the two, Servine and Buneary following.
Once the group were in the limo and making their way through the city, Gerald looked in the mirror at Chris as he kept his face lowered, looking at the summons in silence as the girls glanced at him in concern. Looking ahead, Gerald started thinking about a moment when Chris pulled him away from the others just days before. "Hey uh... I have a favor to ask..." he told Gerald as they sat on a bench. "Certainly Master Chris... What's troubling you...? Its not like you to speak behind the ladies backs..." he replied as Chris took out the summons from his coat. "About the match... I don't know if I'm gonna be able to go through with it..." he confessed, causing Gerald to look at him wide eyed in surprise. "Sir...!! If you refuse the match, they'll imprison you!!" he reminded. "I know but... I've got NO idea how the Warden fights... I don't even know what Pokemon he'll use or how many... So that's why I wanted to talk to you alone..." he said, looking towards the others as Gardevoir looked around at all of the plants, picking flowers while Servine and Buneary sat under a tree munching on Poke Puffs he'd bought. "Those girls... I don't want them getting hurt... That guy isn't gonna hold back, I can tell that from looking at em'. And I know Gardevoir and Servine won't stop even if they get thrashed... So if things get out of control... I'm gonna throw the match..." he told the butler as he looked at the girls nervously. "Sir... You need to have more faith in them... If they have the spirit to fight, even if things look bleak you should believe they can pull through for you..." he replied. "That's not all... You remember how Gardevoir gets when she starts losing her temper? If she gets too wild, I wouldn't put it past her to go after the Warden himself during the match... She's really got a thing against him..." he reminded, Gerald sitting back and rubbing his chin with a nod. "Right... She's certainly not one to hold back against a foe, be it Pokemon or human..." he agreed, remembering how she behaved at the lab. "They want to fight for me so badly... But to throw themselves out there whenever they feel the need to defend me... It scares me because who's to say a day won't come my life really is on the line? It starts with something like this, then next thing you know they're taking a bullet for me or something like that... I'd never be able to live with myself, knowing they'd risk life and limb at the drop of the hat for me... I'm scared they might not see or understand how important their own lives... Their own well beings are. They're worth way more than what they think... Their lives are as important as mine... To me even more-so..." he told Gerald as his hands started shaking. "Master Chris...?" he replied in a concerned tone, putting his hand on Chris's shoulder causing him to jolt and laugh nervously.
"I've tried to keep a straight face as best I can... Trying to act like the fight isn't happening... But fact is the clock is ticking. So... When the time comes... If things get too crazy... If I throw the match and all... I want you to take care of them for me... I really hate asking you to do more than you already have but... I'm sure the elders back at the village would welcome them with open arms... They could have real good lives there, real peaceful ones and all until I'm let out..." he said as Gerald looked at the girls. "You know they'd never accept that..." he replied, shaking his head before looking back at Chris. "I know it would take a lot of convincing... But they'd go... Even if maybe I have to sugar coat things a bit and lie a little to get them to go..." he smiled as Gardevoir smelled the flowers in her arms and giggled, Servine suddenly letting out a belch causing the two girls to blink at her in surprise and laugh as she flushed in embarrassment and yelled at them. "The village has a ton of nature... Gardevoir would have a blast... And with all the places Servine could enjoy the sun... Plus Buneary would make a ton of friends too since the Pokemon there are so gentle..." he chuckled before looking back at the paper with a sudden sad expression. "...Very well. You have my word I'll do my best should that occur." he told Chris with a nod. "Thanks... Just don't let them know about any of this... It's between you and me..." he replied, looking at the girls in concern. Continuing to drive through the city, Gerald blinked and shook himself out of the flashback, letting out a sigh before looking in the mirror again. "Don't worry lad... Everything will turn out fine..." he muttered with a nod. Taking as much time as they could, the group finally arrived at the colossal stadium that was the Millennium City Gym, causing Chris and the girls to look up in awe as Gerald drove around the structure. "Ho... Ly... Shi..." Chris muttered with a pause, covering his mouth with an "oop!!" as the girls blinked at him and Gerald raised an eyebrow in the mirror.
Driving up to the entrance, the group climbed out before being greeted by a crowd of countless people from the city and beyond who had gathered for the event, two enormous flags hanging from the stadium featuring Chris and the Warden with a flat screen between displaying "VS" with various effects. "And here we have the heroic criminal of Millennium City himself! Now arriving on scene for the fight to determine his fate!!" they heard someone shout, only for the news crew to rush up. "If he wins, the man gets to go free as the wind! But should he lose, it could mean YEARS of incarceration... How does it feel with so much on the line?!" the reporter asked with a grin, shoving the mic in Chris's face as he looked around and sweat. "N... Nerve... Wracking...?" he laughed nervously. "NOT going to lose!!" Gardevoir shout with her arms crossed and face held high. "Oh...? So the Pokemon have more determination than the trainer?!" the reporter said, rushing up to Gardevoir as Chris slumped. "Oy oy..." he grumbled as Servine joined Gardevoir on her shoulder while talking to the news crew, both giving a thumbs up as Gerald chuckled and pat Chris on the shoulder. "Learn from them lad. Chin up!" he laughed as Buneary stood by their feet, looking around in shock from the number of people and everything going on. "You heard it here folks! These two are ready to fight with a fire in their eyes! Although the trainer remains uneasy, nothing will stop these two from giving it their all!" the reporter shout excitedly, the crowd cheering as Chris straightened up with a nervous laugh. "Ah geez... I didn't expect all this..." he said through his teeth, walking along the red carpet before them and waving at the crowds. "Now THIS is a welcoming!" Servine said with a smug smirk on her face, holding her nose up and waving as if she were royalty. "Lots of people. That good. More to see Warden human go down..." Gardevoir added. "I must admit... This makes for quite a show..." Gerald said while following behind and looking around. Looking up, Chris went wide eyed as he looked at the flag featuring him. "When did they even get that picture of me...? How did they blow it up so big...?" he muttered, nearly walking into a light post only for Gerald to quickly pull him out of the way. "Do pay attention when walking Master Chris..." he said while shaking his head with a sigh. "S... Sorry..."
Heading into the stadium, the group found themselves standing before an arena suspended in the air, surrounded by countless people in the stands and stadium lights shining down with the ceiling shut. "This is it..." Gerald said as they walked along towards the arena, crossing a short metal bridge that retracted itself once they made it past. Looking around, Chris spotted Guille and Lia along with N sitting in one of the front rows nearby, waving and giving a thumbs up. "At least we've got some familiar faces cheering us along..." Chris smiled, waving back at them just before a horn suddenly blared causing the crowd to go silent, the stadium lights shutting off just before a spotlight came on over the referee in the center of the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen!! Welcome to the Millennium Gym where the battle to determine a young mans fate is about to begin!!" the referee shout into his mic, the crowd cheering as Chris groaned in response. "Really rubbing that in, aren't they...?" he said as a spotlight flashed on over the group, casing them to jump and cover their eyes in surprise. "On THIS side of the arena, the challenger Chris stands at the ready!!" the referee announced just before another spotlight flashed on, the Warden walking into it out of the darkness. "And on THIS side, the Millennium Warden stands ready to defend not only his title as a gym leader, but a renowned man of the law!!" the referee told the audience as the Warden stood with his arms crossed as countless officers walked into the light around him. Adjusting the mic on his head, the Warden motioned for the officers to head into the stands while facing Chris. "I hope you're ready for this... Be warned, you may only have three Pokemon, but that's not stopping me from pitting my six against you! I'll allow no handicaps!" he shout while reaching for his belt. "S... Six...?" Chris muttered as the referee gave him a small mic to put on as well. "T... Testing...? Uhh... Only two... Sir..." he replied as Gardevoir stood in front of him with Servine remaining on her shoulder, Buneary looking up at Chris in surprise while standing nervously behind his legs before he reached down and gave her to Gerald. "Tch... You're a fool... I was looking forward to a match with more meat to it... Those two are really all you've got to fight with...?" the Warden asked, the crowd letting out quiet "ooohhh" sounds in response as the girls grit their teeth from the insult. "Very well then, let me introduce your opponents..." he added while pulling out one of his Pokeballs from his belt. "First... Blaziken!" he announced before releasing the fiery Pokemon and reaching for his other Pokeballs one by one. "Second and third, Machokes! Your fourth opponent, Machamp! Fifth and sixth, Ursaring and Emboar!" he shout, standing with his arms crossed once more as all six stood ready to fight. "So... Just have to beat them one by one..." Chris muttered, the mic picking up his words causing the Warden to grin. "Oh no... I'm fighting against a wanted criminal, so this is a match without your usual rules in tact... If you want your freedom, you earn it MY way..." he chuckled before thrusting his arm out. "You'll be fighting ALL of them simultaneously! I want to be impressed! I haven't had an interesting battle in ages... So I expect you to live up to my expectations! Or at least TRY to..." he replied, causing both Chris and Geralds eyes to shoot open wide as Gardevoir and Servine looked over his Pokemon with a simultaneous "tch..." in response while Chris covered his mic.
"All six...? Against just them...?! Those guys look bad. I... I don't know Gerald..." he muttered, the old butler shaking his head. "Should have expected as much... There's no way this was going to be a fair fight..." he replied as the referee walked up. "I'm sorry, but only the challenger and gym leader are allowed to be on the arena from here on." he told Gerald, motioning for him to head for the stands along the bridge the officers crossed. "...Do your best Master Chris, you've got friends watching so keep this in mind..." he nodded, putting a hand on his shoulder one more time before heading to the seats, the bridge retracting away from the arena behind him. As Chris looked around nervously, Gardevoir and Servine faced back and gave him a smirk. "Still have world to see! Be done soon." she grinned with a thumbs up, getting a nod from the snake. "Quite right... I won't be defeated by a bunch of barbarians." she added with her nose up. "R... Right... Okay then..." he replied with a nod, pulling his hand away from his mic. "We accept Warden! Ready when you a...?!!" he paused as one of the Wardens Machokes came up to them, the Warden shouting furiously as the referee ordered it back only for the Machoke to wave its hand before stopping in front of the girls and eying them over with a smirk. "What... Looking at?" Gardevoir asked, both girls blinking confused at Chris before turning and seeing Machokes face in theirs causing Gardevoir to jump back in a defensive stance, the Pokemon giving them a wink and making a sudden macho pose in response. "What... Is he...?" Chris asked with a bewildered look as the Machoke made several grunting sounds in a "hey baby..." manner causing Gardevoir and Servine to look at it just as bewildered until it suddenly gave Gardevoirs side a squeeze, dragging its fingers under both of their chins before puckering its lips and leaning towards them. "...Is THAT how some Pokemon use attract...?" he asked. Once the girls heard this, Servine let out a gasp, leaning back and showing a look of disgust on her face as a sudden burst of energy shot out of Gardevoir while showing a livid expression causing Chris to stumble back just before everyone in the stadium heard the Machoke let out a blood curdling scream. Due to the mic on Chris and in the referees hand picking up the noise, everyone in the stadium had to cover their ears as several stadium lights blew out simultaneously, even the Warden and his Pokemon were having to cover their ears as Gardevoir stood with a sharp claw tightly grasping the Machokes crotch. "You... Really... REALLY... Not want these..." she growled before giving its crotch an even tighter squeeze, a sudden crunch heard loud enough for the mics to pick up causing the Machoke to scream once again before suddenly falling to the floor, all of the men letting out a groan as if they felt the pain themselves, the women letting out "ooohhh" sounds before suddenly applauding and laughing. Looking around, Gardevoir bowed before looking at the Machoke and lifting it with her abilities before sending it flying back towards the Warden, landing at his feet with eyes crossed before rolling about in pain and trying to reach up to him for help. "You've humiliated me..." he replied coldly before returning it to its Pokeball and tossing it away to the officers in the stands, motioning for them to take it away for treatment before facing Chris again.
"...I'll allow that. Five against two..." he growled as Chris blinked with an "uuhhh..." in response, Gardevoirs claw flashing away as she shook her head with a shudder. "Did not... Want see THAT..." she grumbled with a sick look on her face. "I can't believe it touched us so familiarly!! The barbarian!!" Servine shout, a shudder running through her body as well. "After this... Want bath..." Gardevoir added, feeling her side where the Machoke squeezed and shaking her head. "Want fight!!! Want fight!!!" she shout in frustration as the referee looked between Chris and the Warden with a nervous smile before returning to the center of the arena. "La... Ladies and gentlemen!! The battle begins... NOW!!" he shout, swiping his hand down as the huge monitors above the arena flashed on to enlarge the fight for everyone watching. "No mercy you lot... Take them down." he told his Pokemon, getting a nod from them in response. "G... Good luck girls." Chris said with a thumbs up, still feeling slightly weak at the knees from what happened to Machoke as the two smirked. Looking at the group of Pokemon across the arena, Gardevoir glanced at Servine with a nod, the snake giving a thumbs up in response before Gardevoir took off with a burst of energy causing Chris to stumble back once again and blink in surprise, fanning the dust away and mumbling "woah..." as the Warden shot his hand out with a grunt causing his Pokemon to charge towards the two all at once...
As the stadium rumbled from the Wardens Pokemon bounding towards the two, Gardevoir tapped her face next to her glazed eye, signaling Servine to cover her blind spot as she rocket towards their enemies. Nodding and releasing her vines, they dangled in the air behind them until Gardevoir came into contact with Emboar, the sudden stop releasing a burst of wind from between the two as Machamp jumped over Emboar, preparing to attack from above only for Servine to use the momentum gathered in her vines to send them rocketing towards it like a powerful slingshot, landing a direct hit that sent the Pokemon flying back with a crack loud enough to echo throughout the stadium above the noise of the crowd. "Big... Heavy..." Gardevoir grunt, noticing the others running towards them from every direction as Emboar readied a flamethrower towards her face until her eyes suddenly flashed. "Useful!!" she shout, suddenly grabbing Emboars wrists before spinning the massive Pokemon in a circle right as he unleashed the flamethrower, creating a wall of fire around them before letting it go. Unable to see past the blaze, Ursaring found itself smashed into by Emboar as Gardevoir shot out from the fire above, Servine making a "very nice!!" statement before giving her a five. "Alright then..." the Warden muttered with a nod. Landing in front of the group, Gardevoir motioned for them to make a move, Machoke and Machamp going for a frontal assault as Emboar stood and charged towards the two from behind, Ursaring coming in from another direction. With Gardevoir busy dodging the multitude of fists before her, Servine readied herself as Emboar got closer and closer, and just as it prepared to unleash another inferno she jumped towards it and ensnared the beat like a puppet, jerking its mouth towards Ursaring as it tried to leap towards Gardevoir causing the flamethrower to blast the bear away before Emboar managed to snatch her off. "B... Brute!! Release!!" she shout as Gardevoir suddenly blast the two in front of her back while panting. "They... Good..." she muttered before jolting and suddenly jumping far to the side as Blaziken came down from the monitors above, its foot buried in the arena from the impact. "Knew forgot one..." she growled on all fours. "Re... Lease... I said... RELEASE!!!" Servine screamed as her tail flashed before biting into Emboars hand, causing it to shout and drop her giving the snake a chance to knock it to the ground with a swift swipe under its feet. "HAH!! Be the dog small or large, it always obeys the higher being!!" she laughed, only to freeze silently as she saw Blaziken sending its foot crashing down towards her face only for Gardevoir to smash into its side sending it flying into Machoke, the Pokemon quickly catching it before impact. "Not time for gloating!!" she shout, the snake blinking with a bit of sweat on her face before nodding and climbing atop Gardevoirs shoulders once more as the Pokemon surrounded them. "Really big... Take many hits... Not easy fight..." she muttered. "Agreed... What they lack in brain, their brawn certainly makes up for it..." Servine replied.
"I'll hand it to you, those two are descent..." the Warden said suddenly. "Th... Thanks... I'm surprised too..." Chris replied while looking at the two wide eyed causing the girls to smirk proudly. As the battle continued, Gerald and the others were watching in silence. "Astounding... Two against five, obvious size and type differences... Yet still they hold their own... I just can't believe that's the Ralts I remember... Then again, she DID send a comet plummeting into my arena!" Guile said, laughing while rubbing his chin. "Servine's doin' pretty great too! She's awesome at using those vines of hers... Back at my gym she beat my Infernape using them to move around like an Ariados. It was sooo trippy..." Lia added. "Those girls give it their all for that lad, the same as he does for them..." Gerald nodded as Buneary sat in his lap watching the girls fight, making raspy sounds since she wasn't close enough to Gardevoir to speak, a guilty look remaining on her face. "I suppose... You deserve to know what this is all about..." Gerald said, looking down at the rabbit causing her to face up at him and tilt her head with a nod. "GARDEVOIR!!!" they suddenly heard Chris shout, causing them to jump as they watched her get knocked across the arena towards his feet while Servine struggled to bind Machoke and Machamp together, the others racing towards the trapped Pokemon to help release them while Gardevoir stood with a wobble and shook her head. Covering his mic while talking to her, the crowd could see her shake her head in response before blasting her way towards the enemy once more. "Master Chris will surely be furious with me... But they're up there fighting because... He saved you my dear..." he explained causing her eyes to shoot open wide. "That other fellow you were with... He was put in jail for his crimes shortly after we took you to the center... So to remove the thing binding you to that man, that is... Your Pokeball... Master Chris broke into this city's prison and fought his way through the security to obtain it... Had a bit of a tussle with the young man too once he found him... He took your Pokeball by force, and that mans other Pokemon... He not only set you free, but the others that were bound to that man as well." he said as Buneary listened. "His opponent is the Warden of that prison... The human in charge of it. And the father of the human who abused you... He struck a deal with Master Chris so that, should he win this fight, he'll be granted freedom... But if Master Chris loses... He'll be put in jail himself for his crimes... Even if they were committed with the best of intentions..." he finished as Buneary watched the battle and teared up. "Risking his freedom for the lives of others... And for Pokemon no less..." Guile muttered. "I didn't think he had that kind of side to em'... That's kinda hardcore..." Lia added with a surprised look. "Put nothing past that man when it comes to the sake of others..." N reminded with a smirk.
On the arena, the Wardens Pokemon continued their onslaught against the two, wearing them down little by little as Chris watched nervously, the Warden continuing to stand with his arms crossed. "They're descent... But not extraordinary..." he said before shaking his head. "Look at you two!! Just prancing about, landing a few punches and trying to outwit my team... They've barely a scratch!! Meanwhile you fools have worn yourselves out to the bone trying to look good for that man while you've fought... Yet what has he done?! Stood there silently like a helpless fool, looking dumbfounded instead of even trying to give you proper direction... He's worthless as a trainer no matter how much of a "precious" heart he may have!!" he shout causing Chris to jolt and glance away, the insult causing Gardevoir to freeze up and glare at the Warden allowing Servine to get caught in Machamp and Machokes clutch while Ursaring and Emboar grabbed her, only to remain frozen and silent while keeping her glare focused on the Warden. "Is this all you've got?! You'll just stand there while these two bore me with a petty dance show?!!" he added. "I wanted a true battle... But my opponent has done nothing while I've watched animals with no guidance disgrace my arena... Have you done NOTHING to prepare for this?! I give you a weeks warning... Yet you've clearly continued to waste your time. Their inexperience is overwhelming... To think I had hoped to offer up the best I had. This match is as much of a disgrace as you breaking into my prison. You may have a good heart, and perhaps you do a few impressive things for others, but you're STILL worthless as a man... What MAN accepts a challenge with no preparation?! This is a GYM battle, yet you show up with no plan and two meager Pokemon with no talent for battle?! What kind of leaders have our region allowed to control our gyms?! They lost to YOU?!" he sneered, Guile and Lia sitting shocked as the crowd let out more "oooh" sounds while murmuring. "That impudent...!!" Gerald growled. "Forcing an innocent person to fight in front of so many... Broadcasting it to the world... It took nearly everything he had to make himself go through with this as-is!! Then to stand there and ridicule him... To ridicule those he best in FAIR battle... How does a man prepare for such a ludicrous match!? You can't prepare for something that doesn't even follow the rules even if he HAD made a plan of attack!!" he added, clutching the armrests on his chair. "Can you believe that?!" he shout, looking at Guile and Lia as they sat silently with their arms crossed. "...He's up to something..." Guile muttered. "Definitely..." Lia nodded. "Err... Pardon...? Am I missing something here? He tosses insults freely, yet you've no reaction?" Gerald asked while raising an eyebrow.
"Well?! Say something!! Are you just a child I'm here to lecture and play petty games with?! SPEAK!!" the Warden shout. "N... No need for that, alright...?" Chris replied, clutching his staff tightly as his legs trembled. "The stress is getting to him... He's getting weak again..." Gerald muttered. "Pardon...? Weak?" Guile asked. "Yes... Keep in mind he hasn't been walking about for very long, nor' has he been in such a position since getting back on his feet either... I hadn't considered the toll it might take on his system..." the butler replied, murmuring in concern with his arms crossed. "So he's not truly prepared health wise either... Yet here he is nonetheless..." Guile replied while rubbing his chin. As the Warden continued speaking his mind, Chris began sweating and clutching his chest, leaning more and more against his staff to keep himself up. "H... Hey... Something's wrong..." Servine point out, tapping Gardevoir with her tail as she remained in the Pokemons clutches, noticing Chris herself causing Gardevoir to jolt as her eyes shot open wide, watching him struggling as the Warden kept lashing out. "Stop it..." she said as the Warden kept talking. "Stop it...!!" she repeat, watching as Chris clutched his chest tighter, his legs trembling all the more as he pant. "Stop it... Stop it...!! Stop it...!!!" she repeat over and over, each time shouting louder and louder. "Stop... Stop... STOP...!!!!"
"I... SAID... STOP IIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!" she screamed as a sudden burst of darkness erupt from her body causing Emboar and Ursaring to jump away. "There it is..." the Warden muttered, motioning for his Pokemon to return. Quickly nodding, they dropped Servine and lined up in front of him as Gardevoir stood within the dark energy, the glow of her eyes piercing through. "Oh man... Not now..." Chris muttered as Servine backed away, noticing Chris as he motioned for her to come back and nodding. "Is... Everything alright...?" she asked once she slithered her way over his shoulders. "F... Fine... Just a bit light headed... It'll pass... I'm not worried about that though. You okay? Hurt at all?" he asked, Servine shaking her head before he looked at the swirling ball of darkness in front of them. "Yes... Yes!! That's it alright... I finally get to face one of you after all these years..." the Warden grinned. "You don't like it when that human is disgraced...? From what I can wager he IS a disgrace!! He's nothing but a coward at heart without his "powers" backing him up... If you've got a problem with facts... Come get some..." he chuckled while touching the patch on his eye. "Lets see if you've got what it takes to deserve my full attention..." he added. Full of a deep seething rage and malicious blood lust, Gardevoir suddenly exploded out of the darkness as if a sonic boom went off, her claws dragging along the arena ripping the ground open behind her as the Wardens Pokemon gathered together and charged towards her. Thrusting her claws forward, she pinned Machoke and Machamp down under each hand, both blinking in shock before struggling to get out from her trap as Ursaring and Emboar jumped into the air. Catching the fiery pig with her abilities, Gardevoir sent it flying into the bear as it tried to swipe down at her. Suddenly lifting the two beneath her in the air, Gardevoir started squeezing them tighter and tighter as if they were dolls she were trying to pop the heads off of, both Pokemon shouting as Blaziken suddenly ran up behind her, attacking rapidly with kicks at blinding speed only for Gardevoir to remain still before catching it in her psychic clutch, slamming it to the ground repeatedly all around her before hurling it and the two in her claws aside and glaring at the Warden. "Such a malicious spirit... Wonderful... It reminds me of the war..." he grinned as she suddenly charged towards him. "Gardevoir no!!!" Chris shout as the Warden suddenly jumped over her and unsheathed his blade, halting Gardevoirs claws with a chuckle. "Blaziken!! Assistance!!" he shout, shoving her back and touching his patch once more causing a burst of light to shine from within. Jumping back with her arms up, Gardevoir and everyone else watched as the Warden lift his patch exposing a Key Stone lodged where his eye should be while on the battlefield, Blaziken began glowing as if about to evolve only to be engulfed by a cocoon of power.
"Let's see what one of you can really do..." he muttered as the Pokemon smashed through the cocoon and rocket towards Gardevoir, smashing into her sending them both towards the edge of the arena before launching into the air to battle fist to fist. Using its fire to fly over the arena, Blaziken was like a fiery comet chasing after Gardevoir who appeared as though she too had become a comet, one engulfed in a vengeful darkness as the two collided with one another again and again., sending blast after blast of energy throughout the stadium. Watching the two fight, Chris had a flashback come to mind of when he talked about Gardevoir in her shadow state, giving his word to help her control and master it. "The shadow experiments... What was it again...?" he muttered causing Servine to look at him confused just before the two Pokemon crashed into the arena leaving a crater as they fought in the center, the other Pokemon charging in for battle from every direction. "That's it... The more they release, the faster they recover..." he nodded. "Gardevoir!! Listen to me!! Shadow storm!!" he ordered causing the Warden to look at him in surprise before laughing. "You're too late to join the fight!! In this state a Pokemon will never...!!" he said, cut off as a tornado of darkness engulfed Gardevoir and sent the Wardens Pokemon flying into the air as she jumped back towards Chris, landing in front of him with her arms dangling like a puppet while standing hunched over, randomly twitching like a Sableye. "A... Alright now... You're still in there... Work with me here, alright?" he said, putting a hand on her shoulder causing Gardevoir to jolt and growl in an eerily demonic tone, her body cold as ice. "I'll... Take that as a yes..." he replied with a nod as Gardevoir slowly turned and gave the Warden and his Pokemon a malicious grin. "...Fine then, this battle will entertain me after all. GO!!" he ordered, their sudden movement causing Gardevoir to charge forward without command, dragging her claws and once again shredding the arena behind her. "Alright.. Alright... Just drain it out of her..." Chris muttered. "That looks like Shadow Rush... Alright..." he nodded as Servine tried to ask something, only for her species noises to come out. "...So you've been cut off? That means she can't control that either..." he replied, glancing at the snake before the collision between Gardevoir and Blaziken snapped him out of thought. Watching for a moment, Chris suddenly ordered "Shadow Down!!!" allowing Gardevoir to break through Blazikens wall of defense, following up with Shadow Break sending Blaziken flying back while she went to work on the others around her. "She half listens... Still does a lot on her own though... As long as we work it out of her, it's fine..." he nodded.
"To see a Shadow Pokemon after so long... One is taking on five..." Guile muttered in the seats, watching as Gardevoir charged directly into Emboars flamethrower with her claw out before grabbing its face and slamming it down and going after the others. "Such a terrifying presence... Yet he's still able to hold onto some level of control... I do wonder for how long..." he added. Watching in silence, Gerald crossed his arms while Chris's words "throw the match" continued ringing in his mind. "What will you do Master Chris...? How long will you hold out...?" he muttered. The more Gardevoir fought in her vengeful state, the more violent and uncontrollable her attacks became, Chris doing his best to hold onto his faith as she listened less and less. During one of her blind attacks, she even lashed out towards him causing the audience to scream only for her to freeze at the last second with the tip of her claws touching his face, clutching her head and shaking it with a growl before turning away and redirecting herself towards the enemy causing him to stumble back as Servine made concerned noises. "She's still in there... She's still in there..." he repeat to reassure himself. Pushing himself to let her continue fighting, the snake continued trying to talk to him nervously, even rubbing her cheek against his as she watched him continue to stress over the right thing to do, forcing himself to watch as Gardevoir plowed through the Wardens Pokemon again and again, his Blaziken giving its all to hold her back alongside the others. In the stands, as Gerald and the others remained focused on the battle, they failed to realize Buneary had left the group, nervously climbing down to the metal beams below leading to the arena as the battle intensified, putting more and more of a strain on the stadium itself while the small rabbit made her way along, having to freeze repeatedly and hang onto the beams tightly as the supports trembled. Looking towards Chris, she shook her head before continuing her climb above the pit below.
On the battle field, the Wardens Pokemon were struggling more and more, not so much to defeat the crazed Gardevoir, but to keep her away from the Warden himself as she began making him her priority to take down. While Chris tried to reach out to her and remind Gardevoir he wasn't supposed to be the target, it was to no avail as the opposing Pokemon went on the defense, working together to suppress her as best they could. "She's about to reach her limit..." the Warden said, looking at Chris as he continued yelling at Gardevoir, trying to convince her to focus on his Pokemon instead. "She no longer responds to him... I knew it wouldn't last long... So a willing transformation IS the same as when forced..." he added, reaching for his sword and unsheathing it once again. Seeing his weapon drawn, Gardevoir suddenly let out a scream and blast away his Pokemon with another Shadow Storm hurricane before stepping out of the darkness and facing him, continuing to stand like an eerie limp puppet. "It was worth doing a bit of research of my own..." he muttered as the referee quickly walked up. "Sir... I'm afraid this match needs to end... It's turning into a dangerous situation for you and the audience alike... Shadow Pokemon are illegal to battle with as we...!!" he told the Warden, only to be cut off and shoved aside. "This match ends when I say... I determine what is and isn't illegal on this arena!!" he replied with a grunt. Looking at his Pokemon as they stood and gathered around Gardevoir again, he made various motions with his hand, nodding and glancing at them to set up a trap before motioning for Gardevoir to come at him. Seeing this, Chris went wide eyed and stumbled towards the Warden, tossing his staff aside before running across the arena as best he could. "She'll kill him... She'll kill him...!!" he thought to himself as Servine clutched his shoulder nervously. Taking the bait, Gardevoir blast her way forward, her claws enlarging as she charged madly towards the Warden, laughing insanely as his Pokemon sprang their traps, Machoke and Machamp launching towards her only for Gardevoir to dodge causing the Pokemon to smash into one another, Emboar and Ursaring using a combined Hammer Arm to shatter the arena in front of her sending sharp stones shooting up from below only for Gardevoir to run through them like sheets of paper leaving a hole in each in the shape of her body as the four Pokemon tried to catch up with her, Machamp and Machoke hurling boulders while Emboar set them ablaze while they rained down, leaving craters all around Gardevoir as she dodged and used some of the falling stones to her advantage, jumping through them like a game of pinball until she reached the Warden with a thrilled grin on her face. However, just as she prepared to strike him down, Ursaring shot up between her and the Warden from the rubble and unleashed a round of blinding Fury Swipes, causing Gardevoir to stumble back in surprise just before the bear ducked and Blaziken raised up from behind it, unleashing a massive Hyper Beam directly at her as she jumped away. In response, Gardevoir shut her eyes and quickly clapped her hands together before opening her eyes again as they flashed and thrust her hands out in front of her, halting the blast and splitting the energy in two as it rushed past her on both sides. "Excellent work..." the Warden muttered while looking at the smoke, Ursaring and Blaziken glancing back with a nod before all three jolt wide eyed, the two Pokemon looking forward as Gardevoir plummeted from above and smashed her fist into the ground sending the Wardens final defense flying in separate directions. "Tch... That's it..." he muttered as she rushed up to him and started attacking, the Warden blocking and countering her swipes with his sword as the crowd screamed.
Doing his best to hold her off, Gardevoir finally thrust her claw out and shattered his sword, causing the Warden to stumble back and fall with a growl. "We... Well done..." he told her as she walked up with her claw ready to strike, grinning once again while looking down at him, the officers in the stand quickly standing and raising their guns. "A shame killing me won't help you OR him... He'll still be a wanted criminal, and thanks to you, even more-so!! He'll spend his life behind bars and you'll be executed the second you..." he said, raising an arm as Gardevoir thrust her claw towards him only to freeze as Chris shot up between the two, her claws passing by him and stopping just inches before the Warden as Servine looked at how close her claws came to his body, turning pale with a gulp.
"Stop it!!! PLEASE!!!" Chris shout as the Warden jolt and looked up at his back, his Pokemon freezing up as well as the stadium went silent. "What are...?" he muttered as Chris stood with his arms out. "Enough of this!! No more... Please no more!!!" he begged as Gardevoir stood trembling, gritting her teeth and screaming for him to move. "I didn't even want you girls to fight in the first place!!! Not because I was forced into something like this..." he told her before glancing back at the Warden. "No more of this... I'm throwing the match!! I'd rather be in prison than watch anyone get hurt anymore!!" he added, looking at the Wardens Pokemon causing them to look at one another in surprise. "A battle... This isn't even a battle... This is insanity... Please don't kill!! Not for any reason, even for me!! Don't throw your life away for me!!!" he shout, causing Gardevoir to jolt again while taking a step back as he looked at the officers in the stands ready to shoot. "Please... Your life is worth so much more than that..." he told her with tears suddenly in his eyes as Buneary finally reached the arena, climbing up and walking towards his staff where he left it while watching. Seeing the tears in his eyes, Gardevoir went wide eyed and lowered her arms, her pose remaining hunched over as she growled. "WhY....?" she suddenly asked while clutching her fists. "WHY?!!!" she screamed. "If you kill him... You'll either be murdered, or spend your life running because of what you did... A life on the run... The life of a criminal... Please Gardevoir... I don't want that..." he continued begging as the audience muttered towards one another. "You're speaking to a demon... Don't waste your breath..." the Warden said while standing causing Gardevoir to shout and raise her claw. "NO!!!" Chris replied while grabbing her arm. "She's not a demon!! She's never been a demon and she never will be!! She's just angry... Just angry..." he said in a calm voice, pulling her arm down as she glared at him. "Come on Gardevoir... Its over..." he said before turning to the Warden. "You fool... I set you up for a match... Pushed your Pokemon into turning into a beast... And now you're defending me?" he asked with his arms crossed. "I've just had enough... I don't want things to get any worse... I'm done. You might be willing to throw their lives on the line... But I can't do that... You talked about how people treat their comrades before... Look how you're treating yours now!! Setting them up for a fight you know is dangerous... Just so you can get a kick... The match you want so badly... You're no better than your son if that's the man you really are!!" he shout, causing the Warden to jolt and glance away. "All you've talked about is wanting some ideal fight... And you told me you had a small amount of respect for me... How can you respect someone else period if you can't even respect your own supposed comrades enough to put their lives before a challenge...? You knew how Shadow Pokemon are yet you played mind games with us until you made Gardevoir lose it just so you could pit them against her, knowing it would be a blood battle..." he said as Buneary picked up his staff and rubbed it while listening. "You've stood there mocking me..." he paused while looking towards the stands. "Insulting my friends..." he added before looking back at Gardevoir. " And manipulating my family..." he said while holding her hand causing Gardevoir to jolt and jerk away, only for Chris to keep a firm grasp on her hand.
"I was afraid this side of her might come out... I didn't want anyone or any Pokemon getting hurt so badly, even if they were yours... I came here for a battle, but if I had known you intentionally wanted to bring out the worst in her... To manipulate her into this state... I'd have never brought the girls. I'd have refused the match and gone to prison off the bat! You asked what kind of Gym leaders this region allowed... If this is the man you really are, you're the worst of them all and have no right to talk!!" he shout while pointing at his face. "You and your son are both lousy people!! I called you a friend, thought you were good... Invited you to the laboratory because I appreciated what you did for me... But now I see you just wanted the chance to talk trash and sacrifice your Pokemon when you found out about Gardevoir..." he told him as Gardevoir slowly straightened up. "Going to prison... There's more honor in it for me to give myself up than there could EVER be in fighting a person like you!!!" he told the Warden before turning towards Gardevoir. "I'm sorry... But jail... I'd take that over you doing all this and sacrificing your life any day..." he told her before looking at Servine. "That goes for both of you..." he added before lifting her and setting her down. "Forgive me for getting you girls into this mess..." he told them both as the Warden looked at the officers, motioning for them to lower their weapons and looking at what remained of his sword in silence. Hearing all of this, Buneary started tearing up again while clutching his staff tightly, and next thing the crowd knew, they started pointing her out as she started glowing on the monitors, Gerald and the others jumping up in shock from noticing she had disappeared. Listening to his speech, the Wardens own Pokemon were crossing their arms and nodding in response as the referee walked up to the two. "The... Challenger has forfeit the battle... The winner is the Millennium Gym Leader!!" he announced, shooting his hand up as the monitors flashed and displayed him with the winner logo, everyone in the stadium remaining silent causing the referee to sweat nervously. "Umm... So... Sir...?" he asked the Warden as he continued looking at his sword. Sighing and shaking his head, he suddenly tossed it away behind him, letting it fall down the pit below them as Gardevoir trembled in frustration. "Not... Fair..." she muttered as darkness engulfed her. "G... Gardevoir...?" Chris said nervously as she jerked her hand free from his. "Not... Fair... Not fair... Not fair... NOT FAAAAAIIIIR!!!!!" she screamed, suddenly slamming her fist down into the arena as hard as she could, sending a massive explosion of darkness right through it and into the pit below, the explosion beneath them sending the energy shooting up all around them like a wall that slowly fade away, the crowd screaming and leaning back nervously before calming back down as she slowly stood and shook the debris off her hand. "...Thank you..." Chris smiled, giving her a hug as her eyes faded back to normal and the darkness around her vanished. "So you're back with us huh...? You know how to worry others..." Servine said, causing Chris to jolt and laugh. "Oh man... You've no idea how good it is to hear your voice again..." he replied, causing her to jolt and flush as he pulled her in for a hug too before putting her back down. Looking at the girls, Chris began to hear the crowd murmuring louder and louder while pointing towards the arena, confusing him as he looked around and suddenly saw Buneary holding his staff. "...What? H... Hey... Hold up!!!" he shout, suddenly running towards her. "Get away from that!!!" he said while reaching out as he ran.
Looking at him, Buneary smiled as tears began to stream from her eyes. "What are you doing?! Don't evolve for something like this!! Seriously... Please!!!" he shout as she closed her eyes and clutched the staff all the tighter. As her form began to change, Chris reached her and grabbed the staff where the Key Stone was, causing both it and the Lopunnite to let off a blinding light making everyone shield their eyes. "Why are you evolving now?!" he shout as she looked up at him. "...I know what you did for me. Mr. Gerald told me... After everything you've done... After everything you've said... I finally have a reason to..." she told him, cut off as a blast of energy sent Chris flying back, Gardevoir gasping and running up to catch him as he shook his head with a groan. "Buneary... Please... Not for this..." he repeat, watching as her form continued to change while a cocoon of power started forming around her. "Good heavens what a glow....!!" Servine said while walking up to the two. "I've already forfeit the match!!! You've got no reason to do this!!!" he shout as the audience suddenly started applauding and pointing at the monitors as they returned to the VS screen before showing the arena once again. "Attention ladies and gentlemen!! The Warden has forfeit his victory as well resulting in a tie!! The battle is still on!!" the referee announced as everyone cheered even louder causing Chris to turn to the Warden with a shocked look. "But... I can't..." he said as the Warden crossed his arms and his Pokemon lined up, giving the Warden a smile and nodding at him as he glanced away and grumbled. Looking back at Buneary, the energy around her suddenly flashed brightly before she shot through the top of the cocoon, landing in front of Chris in her Mega Lopunny form and holding his staff up to him. "I wanna fight for my master!!!" she shout with a giggle causing a roar to echo from the audience as he looked down at her and slowly took his staff, tears welling up in his eyes. "Quite right!! Who are you to forfeit without OUR consent?!" Servine shout, standing next to Lopunny with a smirk and her head held high. "The wild beast can stand aside for this match however..." she added, waving Gardevoir off as she stood looking down silently. "...She's done enough for your sake. Now let us give our all..." she added, nodding at Gardevoir and giving her a thumbs up. "Gardevoir was really tough!! Let her relax now while we do our best this time!!" Lopunny added excitedly. Looking at the two, both Chris and Gardevoir nod in response as he wiped his eyes. "Alright then... If you really wa...!!" he said with a pause, noticing something heading towards them through the air.
Looking up, several Pokeballs suddenly flew in his direction before bouncing on the floor, causing Pangoro, Infernape and Misdreavus to flash into view in front of him before the Pokeballs soared back over the pit, returning to Gerald, Guile and Lia as they gave Chris a thumbs up and signaled for their Pokemon to lend him a hand in the battle, N relaxing in his chair with a wave and a smirk. "Y... You guys..." Chris muttered in response with a shocked look, Gardevoir looking at them all and nodding silently while standing by his side. Looking back at him, Pangoro and Infernape grinned with a thumbs up as Misdreavus nodded, lining up alongside Servine and Lopunny as the Warden looked them over. "Very well... This time, you'll get your fair fight..." he said as the referee looked between Chris and the Warden with a nod. "You just make sure to stay put this time. We wouldn't want you getting out of control again." Servine reminded, looking back with a smirk as Gardevoir crossed her arms with a scowl until Chris took her hand with a smile. "Thank you..." he told her, causing the Pokemon to face away and grumble in frustration, blushing nonetheless.
"Ladies and gentlemen!! The final round between Chris and the Millennium City Warden... BEGINS!!" the referee shout, swiping his hand down as the two groups of Pokemon took on fighting stances and charged towards one another...
A young man named Chris, now 23, discovered he was the one chosen to carry a curse passed onto him through his bloodline by a Ninetails his grandfather saved long ago, having grabbed its sacred tails to save it from falling to its demise. Burdened with this fate, Chris accepts it and allows the curse to guide him freely in life, destined to forever put others before himself, to forever follow the path the curse guides him along towards those in need most...
Along his journey thus far, Chris has come across a Ralts who was abandoned by its former trainer for being blind, hurled off the edge of a cliff that has since evolved into a full fledged Gardevoir, with the mysterious and terrifying ability to use the power of a Shadow Pokemon... As well as a Snivy who has since become a Servine, abandoned by its former trainer for refusing to evolve after a terrifying battle it had with a Serperior that left it mentally scarred.
Chris has met many people and Pokemon alike along his journey, each left as inspired by his presence as the last... He's taught Gardevoir and Servine the worth in every living being, sacrificed himself to save them after a deadly attack by a pack of Houndoom, hurling himself off a cliff and nearly dying... Provided a hospital full of children an awe inspiring play room full of wonders any child would adore... And has inspired the mysterious N from the Pokemon series as well, finding Chris a worthy man of keeping an eye on along his journey...
Now, Chris lingers on the line between hero and criminal, having broken the law by invading the largest prison in his region to free their newest friend, a Buneary that was abused by her former trainer, now an inmate thanks to Chris... In the process, he took the trainers other Pokemon as well, stripping away his right to be a trainer for his brutal crimes against his own Pokemon.
Luckily temporarily pardoned for his crimes by the prisons Warden, and coincidentally the inmates father, Chris is finally going one on one against the Warden to gain his right to leave Millennium City after weeks of recovery and sacrificing half of his eyesight to allow Gardevoir to see the world for herself... It's up to his devoted Pokemon to set the human they love and call master free at last! Its SHOWTIME!
Holy five kinds of fuck! I swear, you and your stories are gonna kill me XD Loved it, the build up, and everything else and can't wait for the next chapter! Round 2: FIGHT!!!!
Holy five kinds of fuck! I swear, you and your stories are gonna kill me XD Loved it, the build up,
YissS! Lopunny has finally joined :D and in her Mega form too <3 One heck of a chapter, such another roller coaster of emotions and tension! :)
Haha absolutely loved it, can't wait for the this fight to get under way with Lopunny (more then anything haha), Servine, Infernape, Pangoro and Misdreavus! A fair 5 on 5 fight :p
Now I need to find something to supress my excitement before I pass out much like Gardevoir xD ~takes deep breaths~
Hope your vacation goes well and I'm really, REALLY looking forward to the next chapter when you are done...truly brilliant work, hehe, they need an anime of this...of course, will have to be a more mature rating though...keep at it! ~gives thumbs up~
YissS! Lopunny has finally joined :D and in her Mega form too <3 One heck of a chapter, such another
A great written chapter, especially the fight. A surprising 5 vs 2 match sounds like a messy fight, but not when you write it. It was intense together with LWR. I’m excited to see how the 5 vs 5 match turns out. The Wardens ulterior motive was a big surprise too. And with Bunearys evolution directly to a Mega Lopunny the chapter was perfectly rounded.
But there is more to this chapter than just the fight. Gardevoir showed her own development. Showing her new shadow ability got me pumped for the fight, and maybe I notice it a bit late, but Gardevoirs speech improved too. Hmm… her speech… it bugs me a bit, that she could speak through a human device with her psychic ability… but maybe it is something like Chris pulled of back at the Pokemon Center with the incubation chamber, speaking through a turned off device.
And now there is a question buzzing around my head… What impact will the on camera captured kiss have? Evil moralizer? General disdain? Meetings with like-minded? Ah… But I don’t want to force this topic on you. Those are just my thoughts on an interracial kiss on mass media.
Now then get a dose of new inspiration and recovering yourself well, while on vacation!
Edit: Gardevoir VS Machokes crotch… is this enough for a castration tag? XD
Edit#2: Unfortunately I am not an expert. Is the initial purpose of the used technology to transplant the eye something existing in the original Pokemon Anime/Game or did you came up with it yourself?
A great written chapter, especially the fight. A surprising 5 vs 2 match sounds like a messy fight,
Whooo boy... Let's see here... One thing at a time... Ahh...
If you remember, this isn't a new ability to her. Gardevoir has been a Shadow Hybrid ever since she forced herself to evolve under a state of malicious rage, the process of becoming a full fledged Shadow Pokemon cut off at a key time by Chris leaving her at a permanent space between normal and shadow. Thanks to this, she has all of the benefits of being both types, and the risks that come with the later as well.
This is just the first time Chris has COMMANDED her when in this state, but as you can see, it is a VERY short amount of time he can battle with her when in her shadow form. I'll be going over how he learned shadow moves and such later on.
And yes, I really wanted her evolution to be powerful. It would feel like an absolute sin to have the others evolve the way they did only for Buneary to be a lackluster and forgettable experience. Glad you enjoyed it. Regarding her speech improving, Gardevoir that is, I didn't notice much myself... Perhaps it was just because she was more vocal in this chapter than usual to you?
As far as her speaking through a human device, I don't recall her ever doing that... Her abilities were SUPPRESSED by a device however while the sight transplant was going on, but that's the only instance a device had any effect on her speech.
As far as what the make-out caught by the news will do, basically... The same effect as seeing a gay/lesbian couple make-out and wed. You'll have support, you'll have your glances from those who question it, but all-in-all its something more support than most think because people just haven't been very vocal about the subject.
Whooo boy... Let's see here... One thing at a time... Ahh... If you remember, this isn't a new abil
Ah, sorry. I should have specified it. I meant her claws… or is it something she used back at the fight witch Mega Houndoom. I paused re-reading at this chapter… Looks like I really need the reread -_-
Gardevoirs speech. I had the feeling she needed more breaks between her words in earlier chapters.
Next “[…]letting Gardevoir look at the laptop screen, the kids and elders greeting her and waving as she looked at them all bewildered and waved back. "Tiny humans..." she muttered. "Who you...?" she asked, the kids showing a sudden sad look with an "awww..." in response.” I thought the kids heard her saying "Who you...?" … wait, was the "awww..." response because they just heard her Pokemon tongue?! I was probably not feeling up to the mark, while reading this chapter.
Ah, sorry. I should have specified it. I meant her claws… or is it something she used back at the fi
*I remember what you have described from the Journal you have made after her evolution. Only the “dark aura in the shape of a claw” was somehow new to me. I thought it was a development.
*I remember what you have described from the Journal you have made after her evolution. Only the “da
Hmm... It has been a while since the Houndoom attack... The claw could be new... When writing I always focus on the here and now, often thinking of everything I write as being new and surprising even if it was used before. You'll have to forgive me. Even when it comes to myself, I only memorized the key points in this series. Focusing too much on what you've written thus far keeps you from putting your all into the present/future and often causes you to create nostalgia instead of originality/new.
...Something the now infamous Sonic franchise could learn.
Also it would seem you've caught onto something I let slip my mind regarding Gardevoir communicating to the kids via the feed. I managed to catch myself in another incident but it seems I still missed correcting myself on something. Spot on and excellent on your part for being so into the series and picking up on that.
I suppose I'll leave it as is and stick with "it was simple enough for her to actually say, so she did" in that instance.
Hmm... It has been a while since the Houndoom attack... The claw could be new... When writing I alwa
Looks like you need a reread too. Just kidding. Let’s say you had a bad day or something. It was also the longest chapter so far.
Unfortunately I can not comment on the whole Sonic stuff. But I feel kind of lucky, that I only played the Sega Genesis games of the franchise. (Years after their release)
Looks like you need a reread too. Just kidding. Let’s say you had a bad day or something. It was al
About my Edit#2: Now after nearly two months I remembered something that explains why I had a nostalgic feeling reading about the Celebi Project and asking for your inspiration behind it.
It’s Bill form the first Pokemon Game! When you meet him the first time he is a Pokemon and you must activate his invention. He then transforms back into a human. That must be the cause of my nostalgic feeling.
About my Edit#2: Now after nearly two months I remembered something that explains why I had a nostal
Finally finished the chapter! That was a long one. Great chapter though and so much happening. I thought the Warden was an honorable guy. But really it turns out he's just an asshole. Complete and utter asshole. But Chris managed to pull through and recover from the trap anyways! Nice work! I had fully expected Buneary to join in the fight at some point, but I hadn't thought she would evolve first, let alone Mega-Evolve. Also hadn't expected the provocation into Shadow and all that. Like I said, I thought the Warden was honorable, but he showed multiole times here he is not. But now we got a set up for a good even fight now that Chris' friends are backing him up! I noticed a couple mistakes by the way. Like for one, you referred to Gerald's pokemon as Misdreavus then Mismagius within a couple lines. I doubt they evolved within that period so must have just slipped your mind there. Think there was another erro i saw but can't remember. Eheh, it was a long chapter...Was great though!
Finally finished the chapter! That was a long one. Great chapter though and so much happening. I tho
Error fixed, thanks much. I believe the Mismagius mistake was only at the end, which I corrected. I'm not sure of the other mistakes you may be referring to however.
Error fixed, thanks much. I believe the Mismagius mistake was only at the end, which I corrected. I'
No problem. And yeah, I can't remember the other error. I think it was just one small thing. Nothing to worry about really if i forgot and no one else noticed.
No problem. And yeah, I can't remember the other error. I think it was just one small thing. Nothing
