Chapter 540: Attack on Galactic (6)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Veilstone City – Galactic Building (Experiment Lab)]
*BEEP-BEEP-BEEP*
Charon's cruel smile faltered. His gaze shifted, following the source of the faint beeping, until it landed on the device clipped to Diamond's belt. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, now held a glint of peculiar interest.
Charon murmured, his voice laced with a strange blend of contempt and fascination, "Ah, the Pokédex."
He pointed a gloved finger at the device as he muttered, "An intriguing little piece of technology. Created by Professor Oak and Professor Rowan, wasn't it? Brimming with information about national species, their evolutions, their habitats…"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Diamond, asking, "And yet, why would such a device be entrusted to a mere child?"
Drapion and Staraptor, still vacant-eyed, moved in unison. Drapion lashed out with a powerful Crunch, while Staraptor delivered another Brave Bird, cornering Diamond and his Pokémon as they launched their attacks.
*CRASH*
They were slammed against the metallic wall, the impact rattling their bones. Charon continued, oblivious to the brief struggle, pacing slowly, "Indeed. Many young trainers from across the regions carry these devices, embarking on journeys to 'gather information' and 'complete their entries.' And, remarkably, many of these same trainers find themselves fighting against… various groups, much like ours, who seek to change the world."
His eyes fixed on Diamond with chilling intensity. His voice dripped with condescension, "And, even more remarkably, these groups often consist of three such trainers, whose Pokédexes emit precisely that sound when they are in proximity. A rather convenient little feature, wouldn't you agree?"
Dia groaned, pushing himself up, the wind knocked out of him. Charon knew. He knew too much. He knew about the Pokédex trio, about their mission, as he thought, 'This guy isn't just a grunt; this must be a high-ranking officer. Or perhaps a commander…'
Diamond barked, shaking off the daze, "Kit! Power Whip, now!"
Kit, despite its previous injury, roared with defiance. Its long, powerful tongue snapped out like a whip, glowing with green energy!
*WHISH-CRACK*
It lashed out, striking Charon and his Pokémon with unexpected force. Charon cried out in surprise as he stumbled back, his Slowking wobbling beside him. Staraptor and Drapion were also knocked off balance.
Diamond praised, "Good job, Kit! Now, Wring Out on Staraptor!"
Before Staraptor could recover, Kit's tongue wrapped around its neck, tightening with immense pressure. Staraptor squawked, struggling in the powerful grip as Kit began to squeeze. Charon seethed, rubbing his shoulder, "You crafty little…!"
Diamond ignored him, his focus unwavering. He didn't care how much Charon knew about Pokédexes; he only cared about the Pokémon inside that lab. He shouted, rushing past the disoriented Charon, "I don't know what you're going to do, or how important this Pokédex is, but I'm going to save those Pokémon!"
*CRACK*
He burst through the reinforced door, the sound of it slamming open echoing behind him. The sight that greeted him was devastating. Azelf and Mesprit, the proud, powerful Lake Guardians, were suspended in individual transparent energy tubes, their bodies glowing faintly with distress.
Their eyes were closed, but their expressions were etched with pain. Underneath them, machines hummed and whirred, glowing crystal shards visible within the apparatus, slowly being siphoned off from their unconscious forms.
Diamond cried out, his heart clenching, "Azelf! Mesprit!"
He rushed towards them, his hand outstretched. But Charon was faster. With an inhuman burst of speed, he tackled Diamond from behind.
*THUD*
Diamond hit the metallic floor, and the air was knocked out of him. Before he could react, Charon produced a device and slammed it onto the ground. Energy restraints, crackling with electricity, shot out and bound Diamond's arms and legs, pinning him helplessly to the floor.
Charon snarled, kicking a stray Poké Ball away, "Foolish child! We are so close! The first crystals are almost fully extracted! I will not allow you to interfere!"
He turned, raising his hand. He commanded, "Haunter! Cradily! Stop him!"
*POP*
Two more Pokémon materialized, their forms unsettling. A mischievous Haunter, its disembodied hands floating menacingly, and a strange Cradily, its tentacled head swaying. These were also battle-hardened, their eyes holding the same vacant, manipulated look as Charon's previous Pokémon.
Charon commanded, "Haunter, Shadow Ball! Cradily, Giga Drain!"
Dark spheres of spectral energy and emerald tendrils of draining power shot towards Diamond's still unbound Pokémon, Tru, Kit, and Lax, who had just entered the lab with concerned expressions. Dia yelled, struggling against his bindings, "Guys, ignore him! Go for Azelf and Mesprit! Don!"
*POP*
Suddenly, a sturdy Pokémon from Diamond's Poké Ball on his belt, Don the Shieldon, materialized with a flash. Don, with its shield-like face, instinctively stomped forward, planted its feet, and absorbed the incoming attacks.
*CLANG*
The Shadow Balls dissipated harmlessly against its metallic forehead, and the Giga Drain tendrils seemed to vanish into its body. Charon's eyes widened slightly, exclaiming, "What? That little Shieldon is absorbing their attacks? Impossible! That won't last long!"
*BEEP-BEEP-BEEP*
But Don merely stood firm, its small body becoming a bulwark. Just then, the beeping sound of the Pokédexes intensified, becoming a rapid, insistent pulse. Diamond's eyes lit up as he thought, 'This wasn't just a faint signal anymore; they were very close!'
//////
[Sinnoh Region, Veilstone City – Galactic Building (1F)]
Down on the first floor of the Galactic Building, two other figures also heard the insistent beeping. Pearl, his blond messy hair as ever, grinned widely and exclaimed, "Hear that, Platinum?! It's Dia! He's close!"
Platinum, her refined features breaking into a rare, wide smile, nodded enthusiastically. Her Empoleon let out a triumphant cry as she added, "Indeed, Pearl! The Pokédexes are practically screaming! He must be close!"
Pearl pumped a fist, "Alright!"
And with renewed vigor, they both sprinted up the stairs, following the increasing tempo of the beeping as Pearl declared, "Let's go find our buddy!"
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Veilstone City – Galactic Building (Experiment Lab)]
Back in the experiment lab, Don continued to absorb Haunter's Shadow Balls and Cradily's Giga Drains. The small Pokémon was glowing faintly, the energy it contained building, "Shel… don… (Hold… on…)"
Charon scoffed, though a hint of unease crept into his voice, "It's just a Shieldon! It can't possibly hold that much energy!"
He was wrong. With a mighty roar, a flash of blinding light enveloped Don, "DON?! (The fuck you say to me?!)"
*FLASH—TRBL*
The ground trembled, and a powerful wave of energy pushed back Charon and his Pokémon. Don was changing, growing larger, its shield face now a formidable, plated head. Its body bulked up, spikes protruding from its back.
When the light faded, a magnificent Bastiodon stood in Don's place, its metallic face glowing with an inner strength. The newly evolved Pokémon let out a powerful bellow, its form now that of a true fortress, and roared, "BASTIODON! (Say that again, you limp dicked scientist! I fucking dare ya!)"
Charon gasped, staggering back in shock, "A Bastiodon?! Impossible! It evolved in battle? And that… that energy!"
From Bastiodon's immense, shield-like face, a shimmering wave of absorbed energy erupted outwards...
*WHOOSH*
It was the Metal Burst attack – a concentrated blast of the energy it had just absorbed, now released with devastating force. Haunter and Cradily shrieked as the powerful wave slammed into them…
*CRACK*
… sending them careening into the walls with CRACKING sounds, leaving them unconscious. Diamond exclaimed, his bound hands still struggling, but a proud grin spreading across his face, "Metal Burst! That's it, Don! Now, Iron Head!"
*CLANG*
Bastiodon roared again, charging forward with surprising speed for its bulk. Its formidable head glowed with steel energy, and it rammed into Charon's Onix, Staraptor, and Drapion with a series of thunderous CLANGS!
*THUD*
The experimented Pokémon, already weakened by Kit's earlier attacks, crumpled under Bastiodon's powerful assault, falling unconscious. Charon cried, dismayed, "No! My fearless Pokémon!"
*THWACK*
Before Charon could recover, Lax, Diamond's Munchlax, waddled forward with surprising agility. With a mighty smack of its fist, Lax delivered a powerful kick to Charon's midsection. Charon grunted, flying backwards with a yell, slamming into a control panel. The energy restraints binding Diamond fizzled out and released him.
*Fizzzz*
Diamond scrambled to his feet, rubbing his wrists. He patted the massive Bastiodon's metallic flank, praising his Pokémon, "Awesome work, Don! That [Metal Coat] really amplified your Steel-type moves, didn't it? I knew carrying it would pay off!"
He had equipped the [Metal Coat] on Shieldon specifically to boost its Steel-type moves, and the evolution had given it even more power. He looked down at the unconscious Charon, lying amidst the fallen Pokémon. The man's glasses were askew, and a trickle of blood ran from his nose.
Diamond paused, a flicker of memory crossing his mind. Azure's voice, cool and practical, echoing from a training session, 'When you deal with bad guys, especially ones like Team Galactic, you don't just beat them. You make sure they stay down.'
Diamond called out, "Tru! Leech Seed!"
*Plop*
Tru, still recovering from Drapion's poison, nodded resolutely. From its back, glowing green vines shot out, wrapping around Charon's limbs and torso, slowly but firmly binding him to the cold, metallic floor.
Charon groaned, stirring faintly, but the vines tightened with each movement. Diamond quickly scooped up Charon's Poké Balls from where they'd fallen.
*Click*
With a series of quick clicks, he returned all of Charon's unconscious Pokémon. Then, with another set of clicks, he twisted the Poké Balls' locking mechanisms, securing them safely until the International Police arrived.
Diamond muttered, making sure the balls were well out of Charon's reach, "Can't have him calling for reinforcements or using those poor Pokémon again. And for good measure, Tru, Grass Knot!"
*WRAP*
Tru responded instantly. More vibrant green vines erupted from the floor, intricately weaving around Charon, tying him into a secure, almost artistic knot.
A final vine wrapped around his head, effectively gagging him and preventing any further shouts or commands. Charon could only mumble incomprehensibly. Diamond gave Tru a thumbs-up and stated, "Excellent work, Tru! You really tied him up good!"
Satisfied, Diamond turned his attention back to Azelf and Mesprit, his heart still aching at their plight. He approached Mesprit's energy tube, peering in. He whispered, his hand pressed against the cool, transparent surface, "Mesprit, are you okay?"
*BEEP-BEEP-BEEP*
*CRASH*
Just then, the beeping sound of the Pokédexes reached a frantic crescendo. The door to the lab burst open with a resounding crash, revealing two familiar figures.
Pearl yelled, his voice echoing with relief and excitement, "Dia!"
Platinum added, her eyes shining, "Diamond!"
They stood there for a moment, catching their breath, taking in the scene: Diamond standing amidst unconscious Pokémon and a bound Charon, facing the tubes holding the Lake Guardians. Then, a wave of pure joy washed over them.
Diamond shouted, his face splitting into an ecstatic grin, greeting them, "Pearl! Platinum! You guys are here!"
They rushed towards each other, a whirlwind of happy shouts and relieved laughter. Pearl clapped Diamond hard on the back, nearly knocking him over as he said worriedly, "You big lug! You really had us worried, you know!"
Platinum, usually reserved, beamed at Diamond, her eyes sparkling as she asked, "It's truly wonderful to see you, Diamond! Are you alright?"
Diamond replied happily, his hands on his hips, "I'm great now that you guys are here! But look over here!"
He gestured towards the shimmering tubes. Pearl and Platinum's expressions turned serious as they saw Azelf and Mesprit trapped within. Platinum murmured, her voice filled with concern, "Azelf… Mesprit…"
Pearl immediately sprang into action, "We gotta get them out of here!"
He rushed to Azelf's tube, scanning it for an opening mechanism. He found a small, glowing button on the side and pressed it eagerly.
*CLICK*
But nothing happened. He pressed it again, harder—still nothing.
He exclaimed, "Aw, man! How do these things work?!"
As Pearl fumbled, a faint, crystalline cry echoed not from the room, but from within their minds, "Uxie…"
The three Sinnoh Dex Holders froze, looking around. There was no Uxie physically present, but the feeling of its presence, its ancient wisdom, was undeniable.
Then, the mental image intensified. Uxie, its golden head glowing, seemed to peer into Platinum's mind. Her eyes, usually sharp with intellect, now shone with an otherworldly light, as if she were seeing something far beyond the physical realm.
A moment passed, then another, and then comprehension dawned on her face. Platinum exclaimed, her voice filled with revelation, "I… I understand! Uxie showed me! To free them, we must press the buttons on the sides of the hatches… at the same time!"
Diamond and Pearl exchanged glances, then nodded in perfect synchronicity. Pearl declared, moving to Azelf's tube, "Got it!"
Diamond asked, positioning himself by Mesprit's tube, his finger hovering over the glowing button, "Ready, Pearl?"
Pearl responded, his own finger poised, "Ready, Dia!"
Platinum counted, her voice firm, "On three! One… two… THREE!"
*CLICK*
Simultaneously, with synchronized clicks from both Diamond and Pearl, the energy tubes hissed and shimmered. The transparent hatches slid open, releasing Azelf and Mesprit from their painful captivity.
*HISSSS*
The Lake Guardians floated gracefully out of their confinement, their eyes slowly fluttering open. They looked around, bewildered at first, then their gazes locked onto the mental presence of Uxie. A ripple of joy, like warm water, spread through the room, "Messss! Azelll!! Uxieee!!"
Azelf and Mesprit glowed with soft, reassuring light, their forms circling each other in a happy reunion with their distant sibling, Uxie, whose mental presence seemed to embrace them all. Their eyes, now fully open and shining with newfound freedom, focused on the humming machines that had been extracting their power.
*FLASH—CRACK*
With a united surge of psychic energy, their eyes glowed intensely. The forcibly created stone, the crystal shards siphoned from their essence, quivered, then disintegrated into fine dust, vanishing as if they had never existed.
A collective sense of profound gratitude emanated from the Lake Guardians. Their voices echoed in the minds of Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, resonating with ancient power, 'Thank you, three humans who embody our gift. For our freedom, and for protecting our knowledge, emotion, and willpower.'
Beyond their direct thanks, a specific thought reached them, seemingly from Uxie itself, 'And to Azure… the Chosen from The Original One… for allowing this chance, for creating the diversion, for his unwavering commitment to our freedom, entrusting his faith in you all. We are forever grateful.'
With a final, shimmering farewell, Azelf and Mesprit ascended, their forms becoming ethereal light. They soared swiftly through the gaping hole in the ceiling, released from the oppressive building, as if drawn by an invisible thread directly to the sky, rejoining the vastness of the Sinnoh region, their ordeal finally over.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!