Chapter 96: Vs. Lance Wataru (4)

Chapter 96: Vs. Lance Wataru (4)

~Third POV~

[Kanto Region, Seconds Earlier, Cerise Island – Volcano]

High above the sky was the Legendary Lugia Spirit, which was drawn in by the badge's energy. Just as it was brought in, controlled by Lance, it was attacked by a powerful psychic attack.

*BOOOOM*

Lugia roared, regaining control as its eyes darted towards two figures. Two with unbelievable power. Mew and Mewtwo unleashed a Psychic attack, breaking the connection it had with Lance.

Mewtwo is an artificial Pokémon. It is a bipedal, humanoid Pokémon with some feline features. Its body is primarily gray with a long, purple tail and a large purple underbelly. On top of its head are two short, blunt horns, and it has purple eyes.

A tube extends from the back of its skull to the top of its spine, bypassing its neck. It has a defined chest and shoulders, which resemble a breastplate. The three digits on each hand and foot have spherical tips. Its tail is thick at the base but thins before ending in a small bulb.

Mew is a pink, bipedal Pokémon with mammalian features. It has a rounded, wide snout; triangular ears; and large, blue eyes. It has short arms with three-fingered paws and large hind paws with oval markings on the soles. Its tail is long and thin with an ovoid tip. Its fur is so fine and thin, it can only be seen under a microscope.

Lugia gaining free control of itself left it seeing that it was drawn and trapped by Lance down below, looking shocked. It turned and left, glaring at him.

*Fwp*

Lugia left once it was freed from Lance's control. Mewtwo gazed at Mew, confused by its appearance, asking telepathically, 'Mew… why have you come here?'

Mew sensing a kinship with Mewtwo tilted its head cutely. Hearing Mewtwo's question, it answered childishly, 'To help my friend! I don't want him sad or hurt, how else would I get his Poke Blocks for my good deeds!'

Mewtwo was stunned by Mew's bold claims. It only interfered to help Azure and see if it could get a reward out of it.

Mew, seeing Mewtwo for the first time, is now genuinely curious about its existence. Mew saw Mewtwo flinch, sensing its brother's pain as it teleported away, being too far away from Blaine.

Mew, tilting its head, confused by this, made a mental note to find Mewtwo later. Mew looked down at Cerise Island. And with one simple raise of its paw using Psychic...

*Swoosh*

All the Gym Badges used for the Cerise Island Badge Amplification Device rose up. And with Mew closing its paws…

*CRACK*

… shattered those Badges into pieces. The energy from the badges didn't even affect Mew in the slightest as it looked down, sending a telepathic message to Azure.

/////

[Kanto Region, Present, Cerise Island – Volcano]

Lance stood frozen, seeing his grandmaster's plan fail. And for Azure, he got a message from Mew, surprising him, 'Oi! I've dealt with Lugia and destroyed these toys, doing bad things! Praise me with treats!'

Azure was momentarily dumbfounded by the situation. But he chuckled as he mentally thought with Mew listening, 'Hahahaha! You got yourself a deal, Mew! I'll be sure to make 2 Boxes worth of Psychic-type Poke Blocks for your hard work!'

He could feel Mew's emotions being delighted at the news. However, for Lance, his plan failed as he could read the emotions of Mew, gritting his teeth, looking down on Azure hatefully, "YOU!!! The magnificent new world that we will create! A world for Pokémon alone – free of humans!! AND YOU TOOK THAT AWAY FROM US!!!"

As he says his words, Lance's memory flashed by him, the tyranny of humans. Lance has a brief flashback where he, as a child, witnessed the death of Pokémon as a result of human industrialization and swore revenge.

Azure sighed as he replied, trying to change his ways peacefully, his voice steady, "Lance. What you're doing is wrong. You can't just erase the bond between Pokémon and humans. It's a partnership, a friendship."

Lance scoffed at his words. His eyes glaring hatefully at him as he waved his arms at his words, "Friendship? You call it friendship when humans force Pokémon to fight for their amusement? When do they exploit their powers for selfish gain? I am ending the cycle of abuse. I am creating a utopia where Pokémon can finally be free."

Azure clenched his fist. Adjusting is that with his Pokémon by his side, said sternly, "Utopia built on forced control and eradication? That's not freedom, Lance. That's tyranny."

Lance raised his hand, a signal to his Pokémon for the final battle between them. He announced in a determined tone, "You are blinded by sentimentality, Azure. You cannot see the inherent corruption within humanity. Prepare to be enlightened. Prepare to be… eliminated."

The battle began. Lance's Dragonite unleashed a devastating Hurricane, forcing Azure to take cover behind a boulder with his Pokémon.

*Swooosh*

Arcanine responded with Flamethrower, forcing Dragonite to dodge and weave. Gyarados roared, unleashing a powerful Hydro Pump that carved a trench in the earth, narrowly missing Pikachu.

*SPLASH*

Azure's Dragonite countered with Thunderbolt, its electric energy clashing against Gyarados' aquatic onslaught. It climbed to where it landed a devastating attack on Lance's Gyarados.

*Bzzzz*

The battle raged, a whirlwind of elemental attacks and strategic maneuvers. Azure commanded his Pokémon with precision and care, utilizing their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses.

He dodged a devastating Hyper Beam from Aerodactyl, a close call that sent shivers down his spine. He saw the exhaustion creeping into his Pokémon, the strain of battling such powerful opponents taking its toll.

He knew he had to act decisively. Clenching Scizor's Poke Ball, hurling out Azure commanded, his voice ringing with determination, "Scizor. This is it. We show him what the true power of our bond means!"

*Pop*

Scizor materialized, clenching its pincers tightly, determined for what was to come. Holding his hand tight, the glove embedded in the glove was the Key Stone, its surface gleaming with a brilliant light.

He gazed at Scizor, his companion, and a surge of energy coursed through him, forging a powerful connection between trainer and Pokémon. Azure yelled, alerting Lance, making his eyes widen at what was occurring, "Scizor! Let's enjoy this to the fullest! A worthy opponent has appeared before us!! It's time to reveal the fireworks inside!!"

*ZZZZZZZ*

The Key Stone and Scizor's Scizorite resonated, unleashing a blinding flash of light as Azure yelled to the heavens, "The sparkle of our stone! Shall be our bond! Go beyond! MEGA EVOLUTION!"

*SHIIII*

Scizor roared as its metallic body contorted and reshaped, becoming larger and more menacing. Its pincers lengthen and develop serrations, growing barbs. The lower half of the pincers turns white and gains three-pointed spikes on the underside. Its eyespots, along with its actual eyes, are now blue; the former additionally gains a black rim.

Additional pieces of black armoring appear on various areas of its body: a three-pointed crest on its forehead and striated coverings on its shoulders and thighs. Mega Scizor's legs are less detailed and resemble large, tapered spikes with white tips.

Mega Scizor stood tall, a testament to the unbreakable bond between Pokémon and trainer. It radiated an aura of deadly power.

Lance stared in disbelief. Even his Pokémon felt the sudden shift as Lance thought his anger halted by the new presence of Scizor, yelled, "Mega Evolution… What's this, Sky?! How could your Scizor evolve using your power!!"

Using the Viridian Force Lance could tell something extraordinary had happened. He saw the life force used for healing his own Pokémon to see something within Mega Scizor's life force shuddered at its presence.

What Lance saw shocked him to his core. He could feel the overwhelming life force of not only Scizor but Azure's own tied together at its core, empowering it in a rainbow-colored aura radiating with powerful life force.

Azure didn't reply. He knew words were useless now. He needed to show Lance, through action, that his vision was flawed, that the bonds between humans and Pokémon could be a source of incredible strength and mutual respect.

Azure commanded, "Mega Scizor, Slash on Dragonite!"

*Swooosh*

Mega Scizor moved with blinding speed, its metallic wings slicing through the air. It lunged at Dragonite, its massive pincers slashing down with terrifying force as the Dragon Pokémon recoiled in pain.

*SHINNG*

Dragonite cried out in pain as the Slash tore through its scales. Lance, momentarily stunned, quickly regained his composure.

Lance ordered swiftly, "Gyarados, use Ice Beam!"

*PEW*

Gyarados unleashed a freezing torrent of ice energy, but Mega Scizor dodged with surprising agility, propelled by its newly enhanced speed. Azure commanded, "Now! Strong Style. X-Scissor!"

*Shiii*

Scizor's claws glow light green. It retaliated with a swift and decisive X-Scissor, striking Gyarados with devastating power.

*SHINNG*

It then slashes at the Gyarados with its claws in an 'X' formation, leaving behind a trail of light green energy from each of its claws. The Gyarados roared in pain, "ARGHHHH!!!!"

*BOOOM*

The attack from X-Scissor was too strong for Gyarados to tank. The Atrocious Pokémon reeled, its immense bulk faltering.

The battle continued, but the momentum had shifted. Mega Scizor, empowered by the bond with Azure, was a force of nature.

Lance, seeing the threat Scizor posed, sweated, concerned, etched on his face. He gazed at his hurt Gyarados as he thought gravely concerned, 'How!! Gyarados should be resistant to Bug-type moves! Just how strong is this… Mega Scizzor attack stats!'

Despite being resistant to Bug-type moves, Gyarados' defense stats were 79. But when compared to Mega Scizor Attack stat, receiving an increase boost to 150 and STAB defenses meant little in this case.

Lance swiftly called his Aerodactyl as he ordered, "Aerodactyl! Hyper Beam!"

*PEW*

Unleashing a powerful beam attack from its maws directed it at Mega Scizor. Yet Azure calmly countered, "Scizor. Strong Style. Tera Blast!"

*Shiii*

Mega Scizor's eyes widened as it lifted one of its Pincers at the incoming Hyper Beam. It then gathers energy at its lifted pincer and fires a powerful beam as it pierces through the Hyper Beam.

*PEW*

Aerodactyl's eyes widened as its Hyper Beam was pierced through. And the incoming Tera Blast made contact, exploding upon Aerodactyl.

*BOOOOM*

Lance's eyes widened seeing Aerodactyl fall. Disbelief was drawn on him as Azure thought calmly, 'Good. Teaching Scizor Tera Blast was the right call. This move inflicts damage using the Attack or Sp. Atk stat—whichever is higher for the user. Perfect for Scizor using a move where it can attack long range, and is extremely powerful with its 150 Attack Stats. Add with Strong Style, increasing its base power from 80 to 100… It's a force to be reckoned with.'

Lance recalled his Aerodactyl disbelief written on his face. He gazed at Mega Scizor, gritting his teeth as he ordered, "Dragonair! Thunder Wave!"

*Zzzz*

Just as Dragonair prepared its Thunder Wave, building up electricity, Azure countered, "Use Metal Claw! Then Tera Blast!"

*Shinng*

Mega Scizor intercepted Dragonair's Thunder Wave with Metal Claw, shattering the paralytic energy with its might. Grabbing them both by their pincers unleashed a Tera Blast at point-blank range.

*BOOOOOM*

Both his Dragonair fell to Mega Scizor Tera Blast. Mega Scizor simply tossed the Dragon Pokémon at Lance as it said boredly, "Sci. Scizor. (If you try to change the world with your actions? The answer is obvious. You'll never win against a True Trainer who fights for Pokémon. Accept defeat as you were strong.)'

Lance watched in growing frustration as his Pokémon fell to Mega Scizor's onslaught one by one. He called them back, his face a mask of disbelief written on his face gritting his teeth at the situation.

He had underestimated the power of the bond, the strength of the connection between human and Pokémon. Finally, only Lance and his Partner Dragonite remained as he used the remaining Viridian Force, healing his Dragonite, and having his Pokémon returned to their Poke Balls.

The air crackled with tension. Lance admitted, his voice laced with a grudging respect, seeing their bond with his Viridian Force, "You… you have shown me something I hadn't considered. The power of Mega Evolution… it is undeniably potent. But it is still a tool of human control, a way to force Pokémon to battle even harder."

Azure countered, his voice calm but firm as he placed his hand over Mega Scizor's shoulder in a calm tone, "It's not about control, Lance. It's about bonds. Friendship. Mega Evolution is a result of the bond we share, a mutual desire to push beyond our limits and achieve something greater together. It's about trust, respect, and working together for a common goal."

Azure paused, taking a deep breath. He explained to Lance in a calm tone, trying to convince his mindset, "You want Pokémon to be free from suffering, but eradicating humanity isn't the answer. We need to learn to coexist, to understand each other, and to treat Pokémon with the respect they deserve. We need to build a better future, together as we move forward."

Lance looked at his partner Dragonite, its eyes filled with a weariness that mirrored his own. He looked at Azure, at Mega Scizor towering beside him, radiating an aura of power and shared purpose.

He saw the unwavering determination in Azure's eyes, the genuine care he held for his Pokémon. The weight of his actions, the gravity of his misguided crusade, crashed down upon him.

He lowered his head. Admitting his defeat as he ran away from battle, "Perhaps… perhaps I was wrong."

*Fwp*

Using Extreme Speed, Lance's Dragonite vanished. The battle was over.

*Shiii*

Scizor returned to normal panting with a sly grin. Azure finally used his Viridian Force to heal. Scizor thanked him proudly, saying, "Thanks, buddy. You showed that guy who was the boss. And thank you, everyone, too."

Pikachu nuzzled his cheeks against his face him rubbing his head. Arcanine let out a confident bark, satisfied having battled. Dragonite flexed its muscles, indicating ready for action at any time.

The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the bond between Pokémon and humans, forged in trust and strengthened by shared experience, was a force that could overcome any obstacle.

He understood that the journey to coexistence was not about domination but about working towards a world where Pokémon and trainers could thrive together, side-by-side, in a symphony of mutual respect and unwavering friendship. The azure sky above seemed to reflect the boundless possibilities that lay ahead.

/////

[Kanto Region, Cerise Island – Elsewhere]

The mind-controlled Bruno was freed, and Lorelei, weary but unharmed, was subdued; however, Agatha managed to escape. Green, Red, Blue, Yellow, and Blaine emerged from the surrounding forest, their faces etched with relief.

The fight had been won, but the real work was just beginning. Back in Kanto, Misty, Erika, and Brock witness the collapse of the Elite Four's Pokémon armies.

Giovanni, watching from elsewhere, realizes that Azure won as he clenched his Beedrill's Poke Ball, muttering, "No great surprise. I didn't think Lance would be any match for that! The interference of Mew and Mewtwo. Not only that…"

He gazed at Beedrill using his Viridian Force to detect its state. He muttered slyly, grinning, witnessing the final moments of Lance's battle with Azure in an excited tone, "… you were highly stimulated witnessing that… Mega Evolution. Could it be possible that we haven't reached your true power partner?"

Just as Giovanni contemplates this, he also recalls Azure's Scizor with his Viridian Force, giving proof that there was something beyond. But as he thinks this, a voice interrupted his thoughts, "Boss!! Wait!!"

Giovanni halts as he meets with Sabrina and Lt. Surge, who swear allegiance to him, as the lightning American says, "I knew we'd meet again, Boss! As you can see, we've been getting things ready for the organization to rise up again! Now's the time to strike back – together sir!!!"

Giovanni halts as he looks at his Admins with a neutral expression as he states coldly, scolding them in the process, "Lt. Surge… and Sabrina. I take it that Koga is afraid to show his face. And does getting ready for the resurrection mean seeking help in defeating the Elite Four… from Children?!"

Giovanni berates them for having relied on children to help them out. Informing the two in a serious tone, turning his back, "I'm still in the middle of a training journey, seeking to build up my strength enough to realize my plans. I suggest you go home for now. Tend your gyms!"

As Giovanni bluntly says that Team Rocket cannot yet be revived, he orders them to resume their Gym duties and leaves. Left in shock, Giovanni mutters to himself, "That Mega Evolution is more powerful than the usual evolution and can be called upon at any given moment. Is there even one among us who can produce as much power as he?"

Giovanni wasn't sure, but today he certainly saw his grasp of what was beyond. But for now, he'll be busy solidifying his own power.

/////

A/N: Remember to reach the goal of 200PS to get an extra Chapter!