Chapter 455: Mars
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Valley Windworks]
*WOOOSH*
The roar of the wind seemed to intensify within the structure, echoing off the metal walls, creating an unsettling cacophony. As the doors fully opened, something metallic and round shifted in the darkness just beyond the threshold.
A faint, bell-like clang preceded its appearance. Slowly, deliberately, a Bronzor floated out, its single, glowing red eye fixed directly on them.
Its metallic body, emblazoned with an ancient, enigmatic pattern, glinted dimly in the muted light filtering from outside. It hovered there, an unblinking, silent guardian, blocking their path deeper into the Valley Windworks.
A bronze, bell-like Pokémon levitated out of the darkness. Azure identified, "Bronzor. And it's not wild."
The Bronzor began to spin with terrifying velocity. It glowed with a dull, silver light—a Gyro Ball.
Pearl shouted, shoving Diamond and the girl toward the floor, "Get down!"
*BOOM*
The Bronzor slammed into the wall where they had been standing, leaving a massive crater in the concrete. Platinum whispered, her eyes wide, "This is an organized takeover. They've taken the manager hostage."
The girl pointed toward the back of the facility as she cried out, "The maintenance room! Papa would be there!"
They sprinted through the corridors, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the howling wind outside. They reached the observation deck overlooking the main generator. There, they saw him—the manager, tied to a chair, looking battered and pale.
Behind him, a shadow loomed. A Zubat, its fangs bared, was latched onto the collar of his shirt, ready to sink its teeth into his neck.
A woman's voice rang out. It was cold, sharp, and carried an irritating edge of superiority, "Don't move…"
Through the glass of the maintenance office, they saw her. She stood by the window, her hair a shock of crimson red, styled into what looked like Saturn's rings.
Despite the gale-force winds buffeting the building, she stood perfectly still, a smirk playing on her lips. She mused playfully, "The wind brings such interesting things to my doorstep today huh…"
She looked at the Drifloon Diamond that she was still carrying as she assumed, "Ah, the messenger returned. I suppose that means the 'help' has arrived."
Pearl shouted, his face flushed with rage, "Let him go! You're hurting him!"
The woman—Mars—tilted her head and replied bluntly, "Am I? Zubat, give him a little reminder of why he shouldn't call for help."
The Zubat hissed, lunging for the manager's shoulder. Azure commanded, "Pikachu, Agile Style Iron Tail."
He didn't scream it. He didn't need to.
*SPARK*
A yellow blur streaked across the room. Pikachu's tail glowed with the brilliance of forged steel...
*KLANG*
The Zubat was swatted out of the air like a common fly, crashing into a stack of crates. Pikachu landed gracefully in front of the manager, cheeks sparking with electricity as it cried out, "Pika! (Great, another evil organization…)"
Mars's eyes narrowed. For the first time, her smirk faltered.
She looked past the boys, past Platinum, and locked eyes with Azure. Her pupils contracted. She recognized that stance.
That wasn't the posture of a rookie trainer. That was the posture of a predator. She thought cautiously, 'Him. The one the boss warned us about. The problem child.'
Mars said quickly, recovering her composure, "How rude. Interrupting a lady's work. My goal is simple: the electricity of this station belongs to Team Galactic. Your 'interference' is merely a footnote."
Diamond stepped forward, his face unusually grim as he stated, "Taking things that don't belong to you… making people cry… that's not 'interesting.' That's just being a bully."
Mars laughed. It was a dry, mocking sound as she asked, "Oh? And what are you going to do about it, little boy? Show me something 'interesting' then."
To everyone's absolute bewilderment—including Mars's—Diamond looked at Pearl. Pearl looked at Diamond.
They nodded. Diamond shouted in a determined voice, "Right! You want interesting? You want a performance?"
Pearl added, "It's time for the Floaroma Town Special!"
They began their Manzai routine.
Diamond started, "You know, Pokémon are like Berries!"
Pearl asked, playing the straight man, "How so?"
Diamond replied with joking expression, "Some are sweet, some are sour, and some just make you want to explode!"
Pearl shouted, delivering the signature slap, "THAT'S JUST AN ELECTRODE!"
*WHACK*
The room went silent. The wind howled.
Mars stared at them, her mouth slightly agape. Then, she started to clap as she sneered at their performance, "Bravo. Truly. I haven't been that bored in years. But I'm afraid I have a schedule to keep."
She reached for a remote on her belt and clicked it. Simultaneously, she slid the heavy industrial window open.
*WHOOOOOOOSH*
The pressure difference was instantaneous. A wall of sand and dust, whipped up by the Bronzor's Sandstorm from outside, poured into the room.
Pearl yelled, shielding his face, "Gah! My eyes!"
Platinum cried out, "It's a diversion!"
Azure didn't blink. He felt the grit of sand against his skin, but his mind was already three steps ahead.
He saw Mars moving toward the open window, intending to vanish into the storm. Azure barked over the roaring wind, "Platinum! Use Abra! Teleport everyone—the manager, the girl, Diamond, and Pearl—out of here. Now!"
Platinum started, "But Azure—"
But Azure didn't give her the chance to refute as he commanded, "That's an order, Platinum! Get them to safety! I'll handle the cleanup!"
Azure reached for a Poke Ball at his belt. He hurled it against the incoming sand as he yelled, "Ursaluna, come forth!"
*POP*
The massive, peat-covered bear materialized, its sheer bulk occupying half the room. It stood like a mountain against the encroaching sand.
Azure commanded, "Cover them!"
Ursaluna hunkered down, its massive body acting as a living shield, blocking the worst of the Sandstorm so Platinum could focus. Platinum cried, "Abra! Teleport!"
*VWOOOM*
With a soft sound, the group vanished in a flash of blue light. Azure was now alone in the room, save for his partners and the woman in the window.
He looked at Ursaluna. Azure said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous growl, "Headlong Rush. Through the wall."
*CRASH*
The Ursaluna didn't just move; it became a wrecking ball. It smashed through the reinforced glass and the outer masonry of the Windworks, creating a gaping hole as it roared, "GRAOOO!!"
Azure leaped through the opening, landing softly on the grass outside amidst the swirling sand. The wind was vicious out here, turning the beautiful flower fields into a blurred wasteland of petals and grit.
Standing fifty feet away, her cloak billowing like a flag of war, was Mars. Her Bronzor hovered beside her, its eyes glowing red.
She looked at Azure, and for the first time, she looked genuinely annoyed as she cursed under her breath, "You're persistent. I suppose the reports were right. You aren't just a bodyguard."
Azure brushed a stray petal off his shoulder. Pikachu shifted into a battle stance, electricity dancing between its ears.
Eevee hopped down, its fur bristling, and even the Pichu (Mew) in his jacket poked its head out, its eyes glowing with hidden, ancient power. Azure said calmly, his voice carrying clearly through the storm, "I know who you are, Mars. And I know what Team Galactic is trying to do. You're an Admin. You're supposed to be one of the best."
He stepped forward, the ground cracking slightly under his boots. Azure continued, "But you made a mistake. You touched people under my protection. And in this world or the last, that's a debt that gets paid in full."
Mars's eyes narrowed to slits. The air around them began to hum with static. She had seen him coming, but his speed and audacity had clearly surprised her.
The presence of Ursaluna and the immediate recognition of her confirmed her earlier internal assessment as she thought, 'This one… he truly is a problem.'
Mars said, her voice betraying a hint of annoyance, "A waste of time, truly, but perhaps… diverting. Bronzor, handle him!"
Her Bronzor, having recovered, floated towards Azure, its metallic body glinting. Azure commanded, his voice sharp, "Absol! Dark Pulse!"
*Pop*
With a flash of light, his Absol, sleek and foreboding, appeared. It wasted no time, launching a terrifying sphere of dark energy as it cried, "AB-SOOOOOL!"
*CLANG*
*CRACK*
The Dark Pulse struck Bronzor squarely. Bronzor wobbled, then, with a metallic shriek, shattered into fragmented pieces before being recalled by Mars.
Mars's eyes widened slightly, her composure momentarily slipping. She conceded, scoffing, "Impressive speed… But one Pokémon won't be enough to stop me. Magnezone! Purugly! Let's go!"
*POP*
Two more Poké Balls flew from her hand as they snapped open. A massive, multi-magnet Magnezone, crackling with electricity, and a sleek, surprisingly agile Purugly, its tail lashing, appeared beside her.
Azure countered, his strategy already forming, "Ursaluna, use Headlong Rush on Magnezone! Absol, focus on Purugly with Psycho Cut!"
Ursaluna charged, a living battering ram, slamming into Magnezone, "URRR-SALUNA! (One tin can coming up!)"
*CLANG*
*BZZZZT*
Magnezone retaliated with a mighty Discharge, arcing electricity around it. Absol, a blur of white and black, moved with deadly grace, its horn glowing with psychic energy as it launched a swift, precise Psycho Cut at Purugly.
*SHINNG*
Purugly hissed, swiping with its claws, but Absol was too fast, landing a glancing blow, "PURRRR-GLY! (Stay still, you damned mutt!!)"
The battle raged.
Ursaluna, with its immense bulk and power, traded heavy blows with Magnezone, shaking the very ground with each impact. Absol, meanwhile, danced around Purugly, its attacks proving highly effective against the Normal-type feline.
Azure, with Pikachu and Eevee ready for intervention, directed his Pokémon with precise commands. He was exploiting type advantages and environmental factors, such as the swirling winds.
Mars, despite her initial confidence, found herself steadily losing ground. Azure's Pokémon were too strong, too coordinated.
Bronzor was already down. Ursaluna was immune to Magnezone's electric attacks with surprising resilience, and Absol was pushing Purugly hard. The tide of battle was turning decisively against her.
Mars cursed under her breath, eyeing Azure cautiously, "This is not going as planned. More variables than anticipated. He truly is a problem."
A cold, tactical glint entered her eyes. Prolonging this battle would be pointless and detrimental to Team Galactic's larger plans.
She needed to escape, and quickly. She barked, her voice cutting through the din of battle, "Magnezone! Self-Destruct! Now!"
Magnezone let out a high-pitched, metallic shriek "MAG-NEEE-ZOOOOONE!"
*SHIII*
Its core began to glow with an intense, blinding white light, growing exponentially in size and intensity. The air crackled, resonating with immense power.
Azure shouted, instantly recognizing the suicidal attack. "Ursaluna! Absol! GET BACK! Protect!"
But it was too late to fully escape the blast radius. The light expanded instantly, swallowing everything…
*KABOOOOOOOM*
A deafening explosion ripped through the air, sending a powerful shockwave that slammed into Azure and his Pokémon. Dust, debris, and raw energy erupted outward, momentarily blinding everyone.
Azure instinctively threw an arm over his eyes, shielding Pikachu and Eevee. The force of the blast sent him skidding backward, his feet digging trenches in the dirt.
When the blinding light finally began to recede and the ringing in his ears subsided, he blinked, trying to clear his vision. Mars was gone...
*Zzzzt*
A faint Zzzzt… sound, almost imperceptible beneath the fading echoes of the explosion, confirmed it. She had used her Electivire's Teleport move from within its Poké Ball, a desperate but effective escape.
The Windworks, already damaged by Ursaluna, now bore the fresh scar of Magnezone's self-destruction, a gaping, smoking crater where it had once stood. Azure slowly lowered his arm, his eyes scanning the desolate scene.
He muttered, a hint of frustration in his voice, "She got away."
But a small, triumphant smirk touched his lips as he added, "But she knows who I am now. And she knows she's made an enemy."
He patted Pikachu's head as he praised his partners proudly, "Well done, buddy. And you too, Absol, Ursaluna."
The battle had been briefed as explosive, and ultimately, a clear message had been sent. Azure looked up. A faint shimmer of psychic energy lingered in the air as he muttered under his breath, "Teleport. She had an Electivire or Electabuzz based on the static in the air… or another hidden Pokémon that can use Teleport under the cover of the blast."
Azure muttered, recalling his Pokémon, "Coward."
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Minutes Later, Valley Windworks]
A few minutes later, the rest of the group arrived, running toward the scorched battlefield. Platinum asked, her voice uncharacteristically frantic, "Azure! Are you okay?"
She scanned him for injuries, her eyes lingering on the charred grass. Azure said calmly, dusting off his jacket, "I'm fine."
He looked at the manager and his daughter as he apologized, "I'm sorry. I couldn't secure her. She escaped."
The manager shook his head, hugging his daughter tightly as he replied, "Don't apologize. You saved my life. I don't know who those people were, but… thank you."
Pearl looked at the crater where the Magnezone had detonated as he scowled, "She blew up her own Pokémon just to get away? That's cold."
He then turned to Diamond, who was still looking a bit dazed. Peral couldn't help but ask his friend curiously with his arms crossed, "Though, seriously, why the comedy routine? She was a dangerous criminal!"
Diamond scratched his head, a thoughtful look on his face as he answered, "Well… she was being mean. And when people are mean, I just gotta try and make 'em laugh. It's my way of dealing with stuff I don't agree with, ya know?"
Pearl stared at his friend, a soft smile spreading across his face. He said curiously, a touch of admiration in his voice, "You know Dia… I've never actually seen you truly angry, not really. You always find a way to make things lighter. You really do have a soft heart, Diamond."
Before the moment could linger, two new figures emerged from the swirling dust and debris, their arrival as unexpected as it was timely. One was Looker, his eyes already sweeping the scene for clues.
The other was Green, who had a playful smirk, walked with a familiar ease, her gaze immediately finding Azure. Looker, exclaimed, a groan escaping his lips as he surveyed the remnants of the battle, "Blast and botheration! Missed them again! Team Galactic, always one step ahead!"
He began meticulously examining the ground, a magnifying glass already in hand. Green approached Azure, her eyes twinkling mischievously. She playfully nudged his arm, asking knowingly, "Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite trouble magnet. Seems trouble follows you like a persistent Mareep, doesn't it, Sky?"
Azure chuckled, shrugging playfully as he helplessly replied, "Just another day for me, Green. You know how it is."
He then turned to Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl as he introduced her to the Sinnoh Dex Holders, "Everyone, this is Green. And that's Looker, a good friend of hers. They're both with the International Police."
Green offered a charming smile and a wave to the Sinnoh Dex Holders as she introduced herself to her Dex Holder Juniors, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you all! My name's Green, and I work under my Senior Looker here."
Her gaze lingered on Azure for a moment, a warmth in her eyes that was clear to anyone observant as she asked helplessly, "Looks like you had quite the tussle. Always the hero, aren't you?"
Azure merely deflected with a wider grin as he shook his head helplessly, "Just doing my job, same as always. As a good citizen, I've managed to get a name. Apparently, a Team Galactic Admin named Mars, if it helps."
Looker, having completed a preliminary sweep, straightened up, a look of grim determination on his face as he stated seriously, "Indeed. It certainly does help. And it seems Team Galactic's activities are escalating. We must pursue them at once. Green, let's see if we can pick up their trail."
Green nodded, her playful demeanor replaced by a professional focus. She turned back to the group as she said seriously, "You all be careful out there, alright? This region is more dangerous than it seems. You kids should head to Eterna City, that's where the next Gym should be. And good luck on your journey!"
With a final nod, she joined Looker, the two detectives vanishing into the twilight haze, leaving the group alone once more, the lingering smell of ozone and burnt metal a stark reminder of the battle they had just witnessed.
Azure watched them go, his smile fading into a thoughtful expression. Then he looked at Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl. They looked tired, dirty, but more determined than they had been that morning.
Azure agreed, "Eterna City it is."
As they began to walk away, the Pichu (Mew) in his jacket let out a tiny, melodic trill. Azure reached down and patted the hidden Mew. Azure mentally thinks, 'Let's see how I could ruin Team Galactic's day…'
/////
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!