Chapter 537: Attack on Galactic (3)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Snowpoint City – Pokémon Center]
The sterile scent of disinfectant bit at Platinum's nostrils, a stark contrast to the crisp, clean air of Snowpoint City she dimly remembered. Her eyelids fluttered, heavy, resisting the pull of consciousness.
A dull throb pulsed behind her eyes, a remnant of the turbulent energy she'd witnessed at Lake Acuity. Groaning softly, she pushed herself up, her muscles protesting with a weariness that seeped deep into her bones.
A familiar, cheerful voice exclaimed, "Oh, she's awake!"
Platinum blinked, her vision slowly sharpening. Leaning over her bed in the Snowpoint City Pokémon Center were Maylene, the Veilstone Gym Leader, and Candice, the Snowpoint Gym Leader.
Both wore expressions of relief, though worry still shadowed their eyes. Candice practically chirped, a wide smile spreading across her face, "Platinum! Thank Arceus, you're finally stirring. We were getting worried."
Maylene nodded, her usually stoic face softened with concern as she said, "You really gave us a scare. Thank you for… for bringing us here."
Platinum, however, felt a wave of confusion wash over her. She mumbled, her voice hoarse. "Bringing… you here?"
Her memories of Lake Acuity were a fractured mosaic of flashing lights, booming sounds, and the chilling presence of Team Galactic's Jupiter. She remembered the near-capture of Uxie, the terror in the Pokémon's eyes, and then… Azure.
Azure, with his steady gaze and powerful Pokémon, stepped in like a force of nature. He had defeated Jupiter, a battle Platinum had watched with awe, using an unknown Pokémon too big, and then, with Uxie safe, he had helped her guide the unconscious Gym Leaders to the safety of the Pokémon Center.
That was her last clear memory before she collapsed with exhaustion. Platinum said, her brow furrowed, "But… Azure was with me. We… we brought you both here after… after he saved Uxie and defeated Commander Jupiter."
A prickle of unease started to spread through her as she looked around. The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of medical equipment and the distant chirping of Pokémon. Azure wasn't here. His Pikachu wasn't perched on her shoulder, nor was Eevee on her head. The mischievous gleam of the baby Pichu (Mew) wasn't peeking from his jacket.
Candice and Maylene exchanged a glance. Maylene confirmed, her voice quieter now, "Yes, he was. He stayed long enough to ensure we were stable, thanked Nurse Joy, and then… he left. Said he had to be somewhere."
Candice added, a thoughtful frown on her face, "He mentioned something about a 'plan' he needed to be a part of. Didn't elaborate much. He just said to rest up, and that things were about to get very busy."
Platinum's heart sank a little. Azure, ever the enigma, always slipping away when things settled. She knew he had his own mission, his own secrets, but a part of her wished he'd stayed, if only to reassure her that everything truly was alright.
She thought, a small comfort, 'Uxie is safe, at least. Thanks to him.'
Maylene clenched her fists, her expression hardening with resolve. She declared, her voice ringing with renewed determination, "Still, we nearly failed and got nearly killed off. Team Galactic almost got Uxie. And… and Azelf and Mesprit were taken. We must train. No more half measures, no more underestimating them. Not when the Pokémon we tried to protect are still in danger."
*Click-clack—click-clack*
The sound of Nurse Joy's heels echoed down the hallway as she approached their room. Nurse Joy said sweetly, holding out a Rotom Phone, "Excuse me, Candice, dear. You have a call. It's urgent."
Candice took the phone, a quizzical look on her face, and held it to her ear. Seeing a familiar face, she began, but her expression quickly shifted from curiosity to exasperation as she answered, "Hello? Byron? Byron! What is all this noise? I can barely hear you over the… thump… clatter…bang! …what is going on over there?!"
From the phone, a gruff, booming voice could be heard, punctuated by various metallic clangs and the frantic squeaks of gears, "C-Candice! Is that you? I can barely hear myself think! Professor Rowan is experimenting with a new gear ratio for the Ancient Gear Assembly, and Mr. Berlitz is… Ah, well, he's Mr. Berlitz! Always optimizing!"
Byron's voice, though loud, seemed strained, as if he were trying to shout over a small, contained industrial revolution, "Look, Candice, I need to talk to you guys. Get Maylene and Platinum on speaker!"
Candice winced, pulling the phone away slightly. She activated the speaker function, placing the phone on the bedside table as she continued, "Honestly, Byron, must you always be so… loud? And what's with the shouting? Are you trying to wake up the whole Pokémon Center?"
Byron's voice boomed from the speaker, making Platinum flinch, "Sorry, sorry! Just… a lot of moving parts here! "Look, Candice, about Lake Acuity…"
Candice cut him off, her voice rising in indignation, "Lake Acuity! You should have warned us, Byron! Warned us that the enemy was quite so powerful! We didn't manage to defeat them! Azelf and Mesprit are still gone!"
A palpable wave of frustration emanated from her. Maylene nodded gravely, her arms crossed. Platinum felt a surge of agreement within her. They had faced Commander Jupiter, a formidable opponent, and while Azure had ultimately prevailed, the Gym Leaders hadn't been able to prevent the capture of two of the Lake Guardians.
Byron roared back, sounding genuinely distressed, "I know, I know! It's been a chaotic mess! But that's why I'm calling."
Candice exclaimed, interrupting him once again, her voice laced with fervent determination, "Listen, you two, you need more training. You need to be stronger. Send someone to train us, Byron!"
*WHIRRRR—ZAP*
There was a moment of silence on Byron's end, broken only by a distant sound as he continued, "Yes… Yes, you're right. I've been thinking about that."
Byron sighed, the sound like a gust of wind as he continued saying, "I'm here watching over Professor Rowan and Mr. Berlitz while they do their research – they're essential to understanding the Ancient Symbols and the Plates. Roark… Roark would normally be my first pick, but the enemy you faced… even for him, they might prove too powerful. Especially with Commander Jupiter's strength. Hmm."
Platinum listened intently, a growing sense of dread mixing with the lingering exhaustion. The enemy was strong. Stronger than even the Gym Leaders, stronger than Roark. What kind of power were they truly up against?
Byron continued, his voice gaining a more serious tone, "I have a person in mind, even if he's not the perfect candidate for intensive training, given the circumstances. But… we might not have the time for that anyway."
His voice dropped, becoming grave, adding, "We've been issued a direct order. From the Champion. From Cynthia herself and the Pokémon League. An operation is commencing around Veilstone City."
Platinum's breath hitched, "Cynthia. An operation. Veilstone."
Byron began to explain, his voice resonating with the weight of the Champion's command, "Cynthia's plan is daring. As well as the bloody crazy lunatic who came up with it, Azure… they're at Mount Coronet, at Spear Pillar. He's baiting them. Baiting Team Galactic, making them believe he still has Uxie."
Platinum's eyes widened. So that's why Azure had left so suddenly. He was already carrying out his role in Cynthia's grand design. She remembered Green mentioning a 'Ditty' and 'Ditto' in passing, something about a transformation
A surge of understanding, cold and clear, washed over her as she thought, 'The 'Uxie' with Azure… It's a fake!'
Byron elaborated, a hint of amusement in his tone despite the gravity of the situation, "He's there with a… convincing replica. Trust me, Team Galactic will believe it's the real deal. Cynthia is with him, watching, waiting for them to take the bait."
Byron chuckled but continued explaining, "Meanwhile, the rest of us… Green, Looker, and International Police Agents are already positioned. The ACE Trainers of Sinnoh, under Cynthia's direct call, are mobilizing. And the Elite Four… Flint, Aaron, Bertha, Lucian… they're all spreading out, surrounding Veilstone City. They're waiting for the call to attack. They've encountered some grunts already along Route 213 and Route 210, ensuring no one breaks through. Routes 214 and 215 are being secured as we speak."
The sheer scale of the operation began to dawn on Platinum. This wasn't just a skirmish; this was a full-scale offensive...
Every major power in Sinnoh was uniting to confront Team Galactic.
Byron's voice broke through her thoughts, now directed specifically at the fighting-type Gym Leader, "Maylene, you are needed back. Veilstone City falls under your jurisdiction. You're to reclaim it. Candice, you'll be assisting her. The other Gym Leaders are gathering closer to Mount Coronet for backup, but Veilstone is your priority. Reclaim it for the League, for Sinnoh."
Candice stared at the phone, then at Maylene, a mixture of shock and renewed determination on her face. Maylene, however, simply nodded, her jaw set. This was her city, and she would fight for it.
Byron said, his voice lowering conspiratorially, "I can't speak more on the subject. Check your Gym Leader's Rotom Phones group chat for more info. Cynthia will be sending out detailed instructions. Stay safe, both of you. And good luck."
*Click*
With a final, resounding click, the call ended. Candice gently returned the Rotom Phone to Nurse Joy, her mind already buzzing.
She and Maylene immediately pulled out their own Rotom Phones, the screens glowing to life, displaying a flurry of messages and tactical maps.
Maylene murmured, her gaze fixed on the screen, a fierce resolve burning in her eyes. "Reclaim Veilstone City. It's my duty."
Candice nodded in agreement as she added, "And mine, to assist. To ensure no more innocent Pokémon are harmed under our watch."
Platinum watched them, her own blood stirring. She had journeyed across Sinnoh, battling and discovering, but this… this was different. This was a war, fought for the very balance of their world. She knew that so long as Cyrus had Azelf and Mesprit, his plans could still succeed. She wouldn't, couldn't stand by.
Platinum declared, her voice firm, surprising both, "I'm coming with you. I may not be a Gym Leader, but I've faced Team Galactic. I've seen what they're capable of. I won't let them succeed. Azelf and Mesprit need to be saved. I'll assist Maylene in reclaiming Veilstone City."
Maylene and Candice looked at each other, then back at Platinum. A shared understanding was passed between them. Platinum Berlitz was no ordinary trainer; she had proven her strength, her courage, and her unwavering spirit.
Maylene said, eventually, a small, approving smile touching her lips, "Very well, Platinum. Your help would be invaluable. Let's go. Veilstone awaits."
The trio quickly packed their minimal belongings. The exhaustion still lingered, but it was overshadowed by a burning sense of purpose…
Their next objective was clear: Veilstone City.
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Veilstone City – Galactic Building (HQ)]
Meanwhile, in the heart of Veilstone City, within the oppressive, angular architecture of the Team Galactic Building HQ, a different kind of preparation was underway. The air was thick with the hum of advanced machinery and the faint, acrid scent of ozone.
A voice echoed through the sterile halls, a voice brimming with cold satisfaction, "Commander Charon, the preparations are complete."
Cyrus, the enigmatic leader of Team Galactic, stood before a massive console, his sharp features illuminated by the glow of several monitors. His cold, piercing eyes fixed on the images displayed: Azelf and Mesprit, suspended in energy fields, their forms pulsing faintly with suppressed power.
Cyrus stated, his voice a low, resonant rumble that commanded immediate attention, "Excellent. Then we shall begin. The Red Chain will be forged from the crystals of Azelf and Mesprit..."
A slight smirk touched his lips as he added, "Even with Uxie still foolishly clutched in his hands at Mount Coronet's Spear Pillar, our path to a new world is clear."
He extended a hand, a single, decisive gesture. On the console, a large, red button glowed ominously. Click.
*WHIRRRRRR*
The main computers roared to life, a deep, guttural thrum that vibrated through the very foundations of the building. The energy fields around Azelf and Mesprit intensified, their gentle pulses quickening into a frantic thrum.
*SHIIII*
From their bodies, shimmering particles of light began to drift, like cosmic dust, coalescing into a transparent tube that snaked its way into a specialized chamber on the console. It was slow, agonizingly slow, a gradual siphoning of their very essence.
The two Lake Pokémon strained against their bonds, subtle whimpers of protest echoing unheard in the vast, cold chamber.
Charon, the lead scientist, a man with a perpetually unnerving grin and a calculating gaze, clapped his hands together slowly, a dry, papery sound as he said, "Magnificent, Lord Cyrus. The process is underway. How many chains do we require?"
Cyrus watched the shimmering particles, his eyes reflecting the cold, distant ambition that drove him as he replied, "Two chains, Charon. One for space, one for time. For the Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the array of monitors. Cyrus added coldly at the Lake Duo's suffering, "By combining them, we will create a double helix, a key to unlock the very fabric of creation itself."
But as the minutes ticked by, the celebratory atmosphere began to wane. 30 minutes passed, and within the specialized chamber, only a minuscule, shimmering speck – a mere pebble – had formed. It glowed faintly, a testament to its profound origin, but its growth was agonizingly, impossibly slow.
Cyrus's patience, always thin, began to fray. A muscle twitched in his jaw.
He growled, his voice edged with frustration, "At this rate, we won't have enough time. Not unless we retrieve Uxie."
He stared at the minuscule pebble, growling as he addressed, "This is unacceptable. The process requires all three. But we cannot wait."
He spun to face Charon, his gaze sharp and uncompromising, and demanded, "Charon, instruct the team to create a second Red Chain. If the true chain takes too long, we will use an artificially duplicated, albeit less powerful, copy to replace it. We cannot afford delays."
Charon nodded, his grin widening slightly, a hint of unsettling glee in his eyes, replied, "As you command, Lord Cyrus. Expedience is paramount."
Cyrus turned back to the monitors, his voice rising, filling the cavernous space with his declaration as he added, "Only then will a universe be born! A new creation that will replace this incomplete, flawed world! A world shaped solely by my will!"
The other Team Galactic scientists, hunched over their own consoles, exchanged wary glances. Cyrus was prone to these grand speeches, these pronouncements of a new order. They knew better than to interrupt.
Charon interjected smoothly, ever the sycophant, "A brilliant vision, Lord Cyrus. However, with the two Lake Pokémon, they can only contribute to one chain at a time without risking immediate depletion. We would need to allow them to recover before attempting to create another."
He gestured to the monitors as he added hesitantly, "At this rate, even creating the first Red Chain could take a full day."
Cyrus's eyes narrowed. He repeated the word, tasting like ash on his tongue, "A Day. A full day…?"
He had declared his intentions yesterday, through the monitors, with Azure mockingly displaying the 'Uxie' that was now bait. His forces were prepared to leave. He had a schedule to keep. He gave a curt nod.
He turned away from the console, his long coat swirling around him, but not before stating, "Then we proceed with the artificial duplication for the second, if necessary. But the first must be pure. The time for grand speeches is almost over. The time for action is now."
He began to walk towards the exit, his Honchkrow, a loyal and formidable shadow, gliding silently beside him. They ascended to the upper levels of the Galactic Building, where several air shuttles, sleek and menacing, were ready for launch.
Hidden within the shadows of one of the air shuttles, curled up amongst a stack of supply crates, was Diamond. He had managed to sneak aboard, a desperate hope fueling his determined heart.
He had overheard everything through the thin walls of his makeshift hiding spot. The Red Chains. Dialga and Palkia. A new universe.
He clenched his small fists, a grim resolve hardening his usually gentle features. Azelf and Mesprit. They were suffering. He had to do something. He had to save them.
Diamond thought, his gaze fixed on the glowing, pulsating heart of the Galactic Building below, 'I promise. I'll save you. Both of you.'
Cyrus and his Honchkrow passed by, their footsteps echoing faintly on the metallic floor. Diamond held his breath, hidden in plain sight, a silent witness to a plot that threatened to unravel the very fabric of their world. The shuttles were preparing for launch. Mount Coronet awaited.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!