Hard Enough

Chapter 127: I see fire~

Moltres beat its wings.

They werent the biggest wings Id ever seen; that honour went to a specially bred carrier Pidgeot. Each sweep of its wings had caused dust storms as it carried an entire family.

It paled in comparison to the raw power of a Legendary bird.

The air shook with each mighty sweep of Moltres wings. I shielded my eyes as heat radiated out from the mountain that must have been kilometres away. I felt Sabrinas Espeon and Selene raise barriers in front of us. I still had to squint at the intensity of the flames coming off Moltres. I did get to watch as Moltres beat its wings to rise off the peak of the mountain.

I noticed things while watching it. Like how, while the wings were smaller than that Pidgeot, there existed a shell of flame that formed around the Moltres making it glow like the sun, extending the reach threefold.

The wind swept through me, and I felt my mouth dry as the parched air sapped me. Around me, leaves shrivelled instantly on trees or browned entirely.

Mt Silver burned as though it were merely a matchhead that had suddenly sparked to life. Parts of the crags tumbled down the mountain, becoming highways of flame that devoured everything that came close to the path of fire.

It felt like the world continued to hold its breath as a Legend took flight.

It soared into the sky, creating its own thermals to ride as it circled its mountain once. Embers followed in its wake, sparking into fires with its passing. I could feel its gaze sweep over us, hot and heavy, like a tear of the sun had landed on me. My skin burned, and I felt baked. Its gaze continued on, and it locked its eyes onto the mountain that the Psybeam had come from.

It narrowed its eyes and screeched its rage before descending, talons extended wide and fire streaming behind it as it blazed forth. It hit the top of the mountain like a meteor. Fire erupted out with great boulders blasting high and arcing down like deadly missiles.

It vanished for a moment into a mere inferno atop the mountain as it screeched.

Good, it was fighting Mewtwo. And not just circling like a great flying calamity.

I stiffened as that thought took all of a moment to settle before I realised the implications of two Legendary pokemon fighting.

While we were within sight of them.

I grabbed Sabrina. We need to get out of here! Now!

Sabrina shut her eyes and a painful look claimed her face. I-I cant Brock; there has been too much dark energy thrown around!

I adjusted. Alright, we need to head out of here now, then! If that Moltres is fighting whatevers attacked it, we dont want to be here for the fight or the aftermath! I swept Sabrina up in my arms. Jormungandr! Lets ride out I paused atop him as he turned to the south, away from the danger, only for me to pause.

I took a breath. Sabrinas smell, mixed with sweat and smoke, filled my nose as clarity took hold. No, we can probably go to ground. Avoid all this madness.

Even as I said it, I knew it was a leaky bucket that couldnt hold any hope. Atop the other mountain, Moltres screeched once more, and then the world shook. I cursed as all the pokemon that had been holding their breath all over the Silver Mountain ranges began to fight, flee, or feast as madness returned to them.

Sabrina looked up at me. Were not going to be able to tunnel down.

And no way Im flying out with a Moltres flying about, I said. We go south-east. It was in the direct opposite direction of the fight taking place atop the mountain behind us. Sabrina nodded, and Jormungandr started to move.

I turned to the rest of my pokemon. Were getting out! If you cant keep up, get atop Jormungandr or Tide! Tide nodded as Shrek, Hypnotoad, and Selene hopped atop either pokemon. Slowking was levitated atop Tide, where he blinked in delayed surprise a moment later, only for some of Sabrinas team to join him. Xatu, Don, and Zephyr took flight and began to circle us.

Sabrina looked up at them. Stay low to the ground, she ordered, earning nods from all of the pokemon. I held in a smirk, so Don respected her enough to follow her orders?

I checked my pokemon only to pause when I noticed Titan urging his mother to come with us. She was still kneeling where wed left her, looking hollow while her claw nudged at eggshells.

Ty! Tar! Ty! Ty! Titan said urgently.

Empress shrugged him off. I worked my jaw back and forth as Sabrina turned her head to see what the issue was. Bertha also turned and huffed. Then she marched up, snorted, and punched Empress in the face for the third time in minutes.

The Empress stood and growled, only for Bertha to snort in her face again. Rhy! Rior, Rhyperior! She pointed at herself and then at Empress before flicking her fingers dismissively. She then made a small pinch and wobbled it. Bertha then pointed at Titan. Perior!

Titan flinched, and was he looking bashful?

The growling Tyranitar stilled and frowned before nodding slowly and marching over to our group.

I shot Bertha and Titan a look, with Titan rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly while Bertha looked smug.

I gestured, and Jormungandr started forward. Hold tight, everyone! I said as I settled in on one of his body parts as, behind me, my pokemon clasped onto other parts. Tide swept forward and began to fire off a long ice beam that let him skate after us while ferrying half the pokemon. Sabrina shifted in a manner that I felt was more about her comfort than security, but I also felt psychic energy wrap around us both.

I shot her a look. Did I even need to hold her?

She shot me a look and patted me on the cheek patronisingly while remaining in my arms.

Alright, so she never needed me to sweep her off her feet, but she apparently appreciated it.

I tapped on my transceiver as we started moving. Hank we have an issue.

An issue!? he roared in response. An issue is a Donphan migration through town! This is a damned calamity! I can see that damn Legendary bird burning the mountains and I'm not even close! Itd be easier to have a herd of Rapidash rampaging! Lance and Claire, along with all of my aerial Rangers, have had to be grounded or are tied up!

I blinked. What!? Why?

Weve just been swarmed Brock Im going to lose good Rangers and pokemon if I dont start evacuating them!

Cant see Lance liking being on evac duty, I said.

No, he was not happy. He was about to be some big damn hero and fight it! I heard Hank mutter something about dragon-brained idiots. Thankfully, theyd come in to drop off some injured pokemon when Moltres took wing. Clair tackled him off his Salamance and made him see sense.

I blinked at a moment of amusement playing out as, in the space of one breath, Hank berated one Dragon trainer while praising another.

Well, good to know we will have reserves. What are we doing about Moltres?

Were getting out and letting this disaster play out. There will be hell to pay, but Im not throwing my Rangers or anyones lives away fighting it!

I merely grunted. I suppose thats what you had to do when the disaster you were facing had as much right to the mountains as we did from a natural preservation standpoint. I had to frown, though. How did Moltres survive? Did they hunt for prey like Pidgeot or Fearow? The Rangers hadnt known what was atop Mt Silver. Just that it was powerful enough to make any of their pokemon avoid the place.

Hanks voice came through again. Brock, just get out. Well form a cordon to the west and east to protect the towns if it comes either way, but after a day or so, it should settle down. Well help what pokemon we can, but this zone is going to need careful nurturing going forward.

Ah, I said articulately. What else could I say to that? I looked around and saw that there was a lot of pokemon hunkering down, fighting against fires, or fleeing even as we charged past them. Roger that, I said eventually, having to settle for a less-than-satisfactory answer.

I clicked my transceiver off and sighed. This this suddenly felt like one of the biggest failures of my life. Id gone in to stop Titans mother from worsening the situation, only to find her catatonic with rage over her nest being destroyed.

Then Id been blindsided. I had expected the situation to be better? I really couldnt help but shake my head at applying that idea to Team Rocket. It felt like theyd crossed a line, but then again, a line had never been drawn in the first place, had it?

Was this their response?

Wed pushed them, and now the world was burning. I heard a screech and the sky brightened for a moment. Something powerful had just been used. I looked around to make sure my pokemon were still with me.

Bertha was jogging along next to Titan and his mother. Sanchez tumbled along and bounced past them. Golem! he said, introducing himself.

The Empress eyed him and shot Titan a dubious look. Titan didnt meet her eyes, while Bertha just chuckled as she ran straight through a tree.

I shot her an annoyed look as the snapping crunch echoed across the mountain, heralding our presence.

Bertha just kept laughing.

Alakazam floated after us, his spoons in hand, and his eyes glowing as he orbited Sabrina before sliding over to bow to Titans mother.

Empress huffed in exasperation and ignored the other pokemon giggling. It was good to see they were still joking and in good spirits even as the screech of an enraged Moltres chased us down the mountain.

Sabrinas eyes started to glow, and Alakazam stiffened. Xatu squawked and flapped its wings to go above the tree line for a moment before ducking back down.

I dont mean to alarm you, but Moltres appears to have stopped fighting. The other pokemon appears to have vanished, and Moltres is now searching for it. A screech shook the mountain, and the sky brightened momentarily. It is searching in an expanding circle, I suspect that if it doesnt find what it is looking for it will begin fighting anything it encounters.

I see, I said with a nod. Rock Polish everyone! I then turned to Tide and returned him and the others atop him as Sabrina recalled some of her own.

Underneath us, Jormungandr gained a distinctive sheen to his body before he started to speed up. Then he did it again, and again. I hunkered down while rocks and trees broke as my pokemon and I formed an avalanche. A roar from another pokemon announced an Ursaring stepping in front of us, only for it to yelp as Jormungandr flipped it over his head.

That help? I asked Sabrina.

Sabrina looked behind me.

I blinked as I realised how easy it was to see right now, despite the sun having set. We should have been in the shadow of the mountain. I glanced over my shoulder. Oh Arceus damn it! I said, as flames rippled across the top of the mountain wed been on only minutes ago.

The Moltres soared past to the west, and I shut my mouth as the air once more dried out and I was hit by a wave of heat. I tried licking my lips to wet them, only to find that a futile effort. I reached for a pouch and took a sip of a water bottle I kept on my belt before handing it off to Sabrina who copied me.

We descended the mountain in a manner that Id have never suggested to anyone else. But then again, having an inferno chasing you down the mountain while a Moltres soared overhead and roasted anything too slow to avoid it gave us all the haste we needed.

As we hit the base of the mountain and started to relax, my transceiver started to blare a warning.

Brock! Hanks voice shouted at me. Weve got a problem! Ive got a squad of Rangers that have been overrun with all the pokemon that have stampeded them! You and Sabrina are the closest! Can you get to them?

I toggled the Ranger maps and noted the position of everyone. There was a line forming up to the east and west and a few stragglers, but there was a very obvious group that was definitely out of position. Worse, there was a significant distance between them and any support bar us. I could see aerial Rangers moving on the other stragglers.

I shot Sabrina a look, only for her to lean into the transceiver. Well get to them, Commander, she said.

My thanks! he said, Make sure you look after yourselves first. If you cant reach them, dont force it.

Now whos raising flags? I said as I directed Jormungandr in a new direction. We werent going as fast as before, since we now lacking the inertia of charging downhill, but we were still moving quickly. Especially with how we were charging through anything in our way.

I glanced over my shoulder and noticed a few weaker pokemon were even following after us, chasing us along the impromptu highway and firebreak that wed created. Underneath me, Jormungandr groaned sadly.

Shrek, I said to the only water type I had out still. Shrek turned his head towards us.

Swampert?

I indicated Jormungandr and how dried out he was getting with all the fires around. This couldnt have been pleasant for him. Think you can cool him off a bit? Swampert frowned, and I hummed. If you shoot some water in front of him, he can run through it. Maybe even give him a protective mud layer?

Swa! Shrek said as he leaned out to do just that. Jormungandr groaned in relief as I felt his body start to cool off.

Rhy! cried out Bertha with a fake-sounding weakness. She swung her arms about as though she was feeling weak. I shot her an unimpressed look. Youre not a steel type. Im not slowing you down with mud all over you.

Bertha huffed and punched a Haunter that leapt out of the woods at her. Her fist glowed with energy as she grumbled. Don took the chance to sweep past her head and cackle.

We closed in on the group of Rangers only to find ourselves having to race a line of fire that was itself hurtling along in front of us. I hummed. How wide is it?

Sabrinas eyes glowed and her Xatu rose up to inspect the flame. Too wide to run through or wait out.

Hmmm, I said understanding what she was implying. Tide, Hypnotoad, Shrek, Bertha, Slowking, and Starmie?

She considered it before nodding. That should be enough. Theyre all strong enough.

Good. We got as close as we dared before we released our water-type pokemon. Then we pointed straight ahead, through the fires. Surf! I barked as Sabrinas eyes glowed.

Our pokemon channelled their energy, and as one they rose up on a gigantic wave that surged forward. Rhyperior! shouted Bertha as she rode the wave.

Titan laughed only to shut his mouth and glance at his mother. I shot her a look and found her nodding, impressed with the display as we smothered the fire and advanced. When we reached the other side, I shot Bertha a thumbs up.

Good work not tripping into any mud, I said. Bertha gasped, apparently just realising she could have gotten away with it, before grumbling and following us through. I glanced behind us to once again find a good swarm of smaller and weaker pokemon trailing after us.

I feel like a pied piper, I said.

Sabrina merely shrugged. We represent their best chance and they seem to know it. Especially the grass and bug-type pokemon.

Ah, thats true. I gave the trailing pokemon a look and noted the Parasect and Heracross scattered through the swarm. I glanced down at the map and noted that wed closed in on the Rangers. Slow down up there! I called out to Jormungandr.

Rangers! Can you hear me! I shouted. I shifted Sabrina out of my arms, and she stood, her eyes glowing as she turned her head slowly.

There! She pointed towards a tree that had snapped in half and fallen. I could just make out a hand limply poking out of some of the branches. I cursed and leapt off Jormungandr. Sabrina pointed her hand and raised it up, causing the tree to lift.

Brock let me work; check over there as there are another three over there. She then pointed in another direction And one over there that is still conscious.

I nodded and followed her directions. I followed her lead and having my pokemon move the trees out of the way before having Selene lift up the clearly injured Rangers. A number of pokemon were strewn around them, trampled, and also injured. One of the pokemon, a Rapidash, was still alive, I activated the pokeball recall feature so theyd remain in stasis.

Then I quickly ran through first aid for the others. The lone conscious Ranger was deposited to the side. They were lucid but confused. I was surprised to see Andrew blinking at me deliriously.

What happened? he asked.

You got overrun and then run over by the looks of things, I said as I put my ear to another persons mouth. They were breathing, so into the recovery position they went. I snapped my fingers at Hypnotoad. Monitor their breathing. If they change, tell me!

Hypnotad knelt near their head and watched them seriously. I turned to the next person. Oh yeah, arms arent supposed to bend that way. They must have really gotten hit hard.

I remember there was a fire? said Andrew as he tried to stand, only for Bertha to put a hand on his shoulder and keep him sitting on the ground.

Alakazam! Sabrinas shout made me look up to find her kneeling next to an older woman. Alakazam floated over and looked at the woman before nodding. He leaned down and put his hand on the womans chest and the side of her ribs. He waited a few moments before I saw a jolt of electricity arc through his fingers.

Eh?! What are you doing? Andrew said as he tried and failed to stand up, obviously not liking what he was seeing.

Sabrina continued to watch the woman. Alakazam knows Thunder Wave and has attended medical seminars. He is quite capable I assure you.

I swallowed down my worry, trusting Sabrina to know what she was talking about. Andrew didnt share my trust, however. Youre not supposed to do that! Pokemon moves can damage the heart if the person is weak.

"Technically, shes already dead, Sabrina dryly replied. I furiously splinted the broken arm on the Ranger Id found before moving on, still listening as I assessed and moved the next Ranger. Alive, stable, unconscious, and breathing normally. Recovery position, set a pokemon to monitor them and move on.

So Alakazams fingers sparked again, and the woman twitched before relaxing. Sabrina leaned in and nodded as Alakazam removed his fingers and smiled.

Normal sinus rhythm has been achieved.

No way a pokemon just did that! said Andrew groggily.

Sabrina hovered up to a standing position. Alakazam are considered some of the most intelligent pokemon around for a reason. They make wonderful doctors, as they never forget anything they learn. My Alakazam is quite motivated to learn quite a lot. She patted him on the shoulder, and he smiled at her.

But electricity doesnt work that way?

Sabrina shot the Ranger an amused look. For pokemon this smart and powerful? They find ways to surprise us.

I checked over the last of my group and pronounced them stable. Then I sat up and looked them over. "Alright, we have a squad of eight people. Injured, mostly unconscious, and in need of evac. Think we can get them atop Tide to get out of here? I then made a gesture, indicating her. I didnt want to mention that she might be able to teleport us out. Andrew might not understand if she couldnt.

Sabrina subtly shook her head as she considered Tide. He was certainly large enough to carry us all out, but theyd be in for a rough ride. But then again, theyd be alive. I checked the map and hummed. Weve got ten kilometres to cover to make it to the line to the east and twenty to the west.

Sabrina considered the map as her Alakazam approached and stroked his moustache. He indicated a pathway directly south. I tilted my head. South? To the ocean?

Sabrina nodded her head slowly. That makes the most sense, actually. Most pokemon that went that way won't be as agitated, and they might not have thrown around as many moves. I nodded, realising that she really meant we might be able to teleport out earlier.

I think that sound My transceiver blared to life, and I answered quickly.

Brock watch the debris!! Moltres is thrashing a juvenile Tyranitar on a nearby peak!

I swept my head to the north in time to spot a large meteor really a destroyed part of the mountain that was molten hurtling towards us. I didnt stop to think. I just acted.

Don, Jormungandr, Tide! HYPER BEAM! I shouted, stabbing my hand towards the oncoming meteor.

My pokemon pivoted onto the oncoming threat and fired. The beams slammed into the meteor and detonated as it broke apart, falling to the ground and causing the fire to the north of us to be smothered.

I exhaled in relief, only to tense up as I saw Moltres flying once more. Apparently, that young Tyranitar hadnt lasted long.

It must have seen the Hyper Beams, as it turned around on us. It was like being in a safe area and watching a landslide tumble down the mountain, only for it to twist at the last moment and angle straight for you.

Sabrina. I licked my lips. You ready for a doubles battle? I asked.

Always. She reached out and clasped my hand, unafraid of the dark energies I was starting to emit. I controlled them so they wouldnt disrupt her.

I glanced back at the injured. Jormungandr! Dig down and form a tunnel for the injured! Hold it steady! Jormungandr nodded and did just that. Sabrinas Hypno led Andrew down into the tunnel before remaining down there as the others were quickly levitated in. When I shot Sabrina a look she shook her head. Hes not strong enough to fight this battle.

The pokemon that had been trailing us squeaked in fear. Some ran back the way theyd come, while others threw themselves into the tunnel. Sabrina and I donned goggles and neckerchiefs around our faces. It took me back to the time wed gotten caught in a sandstorm in the Hoenn desert.

Only now, we were facing an inferno that had to come to life.

I glanced at the transceiver; it was still linked to Hank. Hey Hank? Any chance Lance still wants to fight Moltres? I asked jokingly.

Hold out, hes coming, Hank replied.

When Moltres came at us, it swept over and inspected us, and in doing so, it lit the forest around us on fire.

Sabrina squeezed my hand. I can handle defense.

Right, so Ill just drive it off then? I joked.

Titan growled and shifted about, keeping Moltres in sight as Bertha began to settle into her stance, her drills whirring to life as she built up for what I really hoped would be a One Hit K.O.

Empress took up another position with Sanchez at her side, a stoic expression on his face. Alazakam landed and stood at Sabrinas side. Slowking stared to the north. At my side, Zephyr had landed as his head swivelled to track the Moltres, his eyes locked on the threat.

Tide, Hypnotoad, and Shrek all spat water at nearby burning trees to limit the embers that threatened us. In doing so they caused gouts of steam and smoke to billow up. Well, Lance wouldnt have to look hard to find where we were, at least.

Then Moltres tilted and swept itself down on us.

Stone Edge! I ordered to my pokemon capable of it before following up with Hydro Pump! to the others.

Moltres banked to the side and evaded the onslaught of rocks while a corona of flame blazed towards us. Sabrina and the Psychic pokemon all grasped the airborne rocks and used them to disrupt the flame before it could reach us.

Moltres broke off its dodge and twisted itself into a barrel roll that caused a Fire Spin that was more like a fire tornado to be formed. I lost sight of it then, in the fire and smoke.

Sandstorm! I said to Titan. He nodded and stepped forward, only for his mother to match him and stomp her feet in time with him to hurl a wave of sand into the oncoming fire attack. Don and Zephyr, I need a Whirlwind to back it up! I said as my pokemon leapt up and snapped their wings into the Sandstorm to send it forward to break up the Fire Spin.

Sabrina grabbed my arm and wrenched me in another direction, and I swore as I noticed another fire spin whirling to life. Followed by another.

Hows it doing that? I asked.

Its staying low and using the fire thats already about to hide its movements. It doesnt need to remain in place to unleash the Fire Spin, merely move and spin itself! This is not a young pokemon; it knows how to use its environment! Sabrina said as she gestured sharply to the side and a tree that had been alight and starting to fall was grasped and hurled to the side. I could see the sweat on her skin as she worked.

It helped that Moltres created its own hellish environment just by flying overhead, I couldnt help but think. I needed to work against that.

Tide, Hypnotoad, and Shrek! Get a ring of mud and water around us! Now! I barked causing them to begin blasting water around us while giving us a dry, stable central area to walk in. I spotted another Fire Spin form up and hissed in annoyance as we worked to crush it.

This was followed quickly by a fifth and final Fire Spin appearing before Moltres burst out of the middle of it and trilled at us. I could almost feel the dark amusement it seemed to radiate as it looked at us.

No wonder the other variant of this pokemon is a dark type if theyre all like this.

Sabrina pointed, and her pokemon all unleashed Psybeams. All of them but Espeon and Slowking who were glowing softly.

I pointed my own pokemon to the Fire tornadoes, more than happy to switch to defense. Lets put those out! Massed Surf from here! Dont ride them out though! Hold the formation!

My pokemon nodded and fired off Surfs that roared into the Fire Spins and at least halted them for the moment.

I suddenly became aware of Espeon and Slowking swapping locations and snapped my head away from the still-present Fire Spins to glance up. Through the sweat and smoke that clouded my vision, I could just make out Moltres high above us.

Sky Attack? I asked Sabrina.

She nodded. Sky Attack.

Moltres plummeted, its form coated with an armour of fire and wind that made it faster in its descent.

I pointed upward. Sanchez Thunder! My pokemon slammed a fist into the air and unleashed a torrent of lightning that had the pokemon around him stepping away.

I squinted and channeled darkness into my eyes to see if that did anything, only to find Moltres powering through the attack. Stone Edge! I shouted to the others as Sabrina stabbed her hand upwards in time for Espeon to unleash a Psybeam that caused the ground to buckle under the purple cat-like pokemon.

Moltres tucked its wings and barreled on, avoiding some hits and ignoring others, only to cut off and sweep its wings down at us.

Protect! I shouted to my team as Sabrinas pokemon set up Barriers or Reflect against the attack. Some of my pokemon werent fast enough, and I heard cries of pain ring out even against a move that, for most of them, should not have been very effective.

Moltres hovered for another moment, and I stabbed my hand up as our defences dropped away.

Hyper Beam! Once more, Don and Tide unleashed their attacks straight at the threat.

The Moltres inhaled and unleashed a Flamethrower to match the attacks, only to have the Hyper Beams slowly drive up the fire and slam into it, causing it to falter. Nice! Pile on now, team! Use Stone Edge and Hydro Pump!

Sabrina matched me with her team, firing off Psybeams and Hydro Pumps of their own, which Moltres avoided for the most part, only to sweep its wings and screech in rage.

A wave of embers rushed down on us, most of which the Barriers and Reflects stopped, only for a line to sweep down on Sabrina. I tugged her out of the way, but instantly had to hiss in pain. A glance down revealed that my flame-resistant coat was on fire. I punched my fist into the ground, paused for a moment, and then ripped it back out.

Sabrinas eyes widened. Brock are you

Ill deal! Focus on the Moltres! I said, even as I raised my own head upwards.

Our attacks had torn through the fire, only for the fire to power onward. Despite Sabrina and my own momentary distraction, our pokemon had accommodated. Zephyr, Selene, and Alakazam both stared at the fire coming down on us. Their eyes glowed, and then the fire broke apart and was swept aside to protect us, unfortunately also causing the fires around us to build.

Where is it? I said to Sabrina as I searched the sky, which was deceptively clear of a Legendary bird.

Sabrina tackled me.

I had a moment to wonder what she was doing as the fire behind her exploded to reveal a pissed-off Moltres Flare Blitzing us.

Titan stepped forward and formed a Protect line with Shrek, Alakazam, Espeon, and Claydoll.

Moltres hit the line but rolled itself up and over the rounded shell, only to step into Empress Protect and slow down a little more.

Bertha saw her chance and leapt. Arm cocked back with her drills screaming in anguish as she lined up the shot.

Moltres eyes widened as Berthas maw stretched into a triumphant grin.

It tried to twist again, only to find Sanchez leaping at it, crackling with Thunder. It tucked its wings in and glowed, attempting a different move, just in time for Berthas fist to reach it.

Berthas fist slammed home, and I felt a dark satisfaction fill me as Moltres cried out in shock.

Moltres buckled from the hit and then rocketed away as if launching off its mountain. Flame exploded out of Moltres and then followed in its wake from the hit. I grinned as Bertha roared her triumph.

The grin died as Bertha collapsed to her knees and grasped her arm. Hypnotoad was at her side in an instant, blowing a light stream of water onto the clearly burned limb.

I stood, only to chastise myself. Make sure its down! I called to my team. Titan and the others broke their line and started to reorient themselves to where Moltres had fallen. The flames rose and my pokemon stepped back as the heat got to them.

Which is when the Moltres struck back by exhaling a Flamethrower straight at Bertha and Hypnotoad.

A single Hydro Pump launched into the attack to weaken it, coming from the ever-slow Slowking.

Hypnotoad whirled around, trying to use dark energy with her Darkest Lariat to protect herself while Bertha groaned in pain.

The fire washed over Hypnotoad, and her attack stopped Bertha from taking any more damage. It still left her gasping in pain before the rest of Sabrinas team grabbed a hold of the fire and broke it apart.

Stone Edge into the flames! I shouted, trying to grasp how Moltres had survived Berthas one-hit K.O connecting.

It should have been a sure thing with how much power shed built up. Moltres had glowed a little before it got hit had that been a move? I cursed as a memory occurred to me of some of my pokemon using Endure. But if it had used that move, then it was weak.

Bertha weakened it! Lets end this! I said, only to watch Moltres rocket into the sky. It was fast, but the flames that surrounded it were definitely faltering.

Before I could formulate a plan, Don pursued it, smelling the blood in the water. Don! No! I called only for the roar of flames to drown out my orders. Shit! I said.

Sabrina stepped up next to me. Do you want me to call him back?

He wont follow your orders, and I dont want to distract him. Hes going for it and I need to back him up now. Ill deal with it later, as this is terrible timing, but I need to move with him not stumble right now. He did well holding himself back before this.

I glanced at Zephyr. Go after him; back him up as much as you can.

Zephyr nodded and leapt upwards, the wind howling as he performed a Tailwind to give him a fighting chance of catching up with the Moltres and Don.

I glanced around, taking in the destroyed landscape with steaming puddles, burning trees, and earth.

I swept my arm out wide. Everyone else! Start putting out fires! My pokemon nodded and started doing just that. Bertha tried to stand and help, only to grimace and kneel down quickly. I clicked my tongue, looking over the injury. She had a rather large burn on the arm she punched Moltres with, despite the armour.

I raised her pokeball. You fought well, girl. Lets not worsen your injury, I said as I recalled her.

I ended up having to do the same to Hypnotoad after noting how she was cradling her shoulders. I almost turned away to give some orders, but only for a pained, Golem, to make me turn to find Sanchez rolling through some mud to coat his body.

I stepped up to catch him. Tide! I need some water here! I said, causing Tide to pour a deluge of water over Sanchez and me. We both groaned in relief. After a quick check of his injuries, I ended up recalling Sanchez as well.

When had he been hit?

The only instance I could think of was when Moltres was hit past him by Bertha. Had Moltres gotten in an attack then? I could only curse. I could return them to the field if needed but they would be weak points in the formation and I would be averse to making that happen. Better to just reform the defenses if I needed to.

I stared straight up at the coming aerial duel. Moltres had stopped moving, and Don was catching up rather quickly, in fact. Is it going to fight him? I said, unsure of what was happening.

Sabrinas eyes glowed, and it took a moment before she growled. Its used Rest a flying Rest.

So, it just restored most of its health, no?

Sabrina nodded, only for a fire to explode out of the Moltres. What the? I said. I thought it was asleep?

It would appear that it knows Sleep Talk, Sabrina said tightly.

I felt my heart sink as I saw a form drop from the sky. Don had taken an attack from a Legendary head-on; hed likely thought he was going to take it out while it was weak, only to have the equivalent of a Sucker Punch from Titan slam home.

Is he alive? I asked.

Sabrina stared at the plummeting form and nodded. Knocked out, she said.

I was about to curse, only for Zephyr to alter course and intercept the falling Aerodactyl. I breathed out in relief before turning my eyes towards the Moltres that was still hovering high in the sky, like a second sun brought into the world.

Which was extremely off-putting with it being night.

Were getting whittled down, I said noticing that Sabrina was having Tide sprinkle some water over her Starmie.

Weve held long enough, she said cryptically. I tilted my head in confusion, only for Sabrina to point to the Northwest. I followed her finger and blinked as a team of draconic pokemon charged in to attack the still-resting Moltres.

It countered with further explosions of fire, and I could tell when it awoke as it started weaving through the flock of dragons. It then flapped its wings once more and gained some more height only to screech in rage and sail away as the slower dragons caught up with the others.

It swept away from them, breaking off the fight before glancing down at us. It screeched once again before turning and flying off to the north.

I exhaled and caught Sabrina as she leaned into me. Brock, lets not do this again, she said.

Heh, yeah, true. Lets not. I turned my head towards her. You doing anything later?

Im going to sleep in your bed with Ralts and you, with the door locked and my transceiver turned off, she said.

I wanted to grumble that that wasnt the answer I wanted to hear, but then I realised just how good that sounded right now. "Yeah, meet you there?

She hummed as we watched Lance and what had to be Clair descend towards us while their Dragonite and Charizard continued to circle overhead.

Brock! Lance called out before he dismounted. He raced toward me and clapped me on the shoulder. Sabrina! Its wonderful to see you both! He then inspected us. And youre both well!

I nodded. Yeah, damn good to see you as well Lance. I then nodded to Clair. Clair. Thanks for coming.

Wouldnt have missed it! Clair said shakily. Lance laughed before turning and looked over the mountains. His expression turned stoic. This will be a nightmare for PR Im not sure the public will buy that this wasnt enemy action. The question becomes which enemy to pick.

Team Rocket, I said instantly as my eyes took in the still-burning mountains and forest. I wasnt so worried about what the public thought right now. Now that the adrenaline was leaving me, I was starting to notice some small aches throughout my body that I had no idea about.

When Lance shot me a look I shrugged. Theyre convenient. That and Mewtwos inclusion pretty much guaranteed it was them.

Which I considered that point for a moment before speaking up. Also, I saw something weird, a pokemon that awoke Moltres. It had armour on.

Lance frowned. Armour? A flying Nidoking or Rhyperior? I shook my head and relayed what Sabrina and I had seen. Lance accepted it with a worried nod. Right that is extremely worrying. If Team Rocket have a pokemon that can do that well need to mount watches on all the known locations for legendary pokemon as well as monitor that this Moltres departs peacefully.

He scowled after the glow that told where Moltres had flown. More demands on time and people. Damn them!

Lance glanced upwards. Im impressed you were able to get that Moltres to go into its Sky Roost like that.

I blinked. Something about that was odd.

Sabrina lifted her head off my shoulder, with her eyes narrowed. Youve seen that move before when you fought a Moltres no? Thats where your Dragonites Rest, Sleep Talk trick came from.

Lance nodded sheepishly. Indeed, when I was fighting the northern tribes, I tangled with a younger Moltres and learned that such a combination was possible. It impressed me, and I worked very hard to learn it. It seems to be a move that many of the species know.

Lance lowered his head to inspect the area around us before his eyes paused on a bit of rubble that was now trembling. Jormungandr raised his head, and a number of much smaller pokemon trickled out to inspect the world around them. Hypno led them out.

The small pokemon gaped at the destruction before turning and bowing towards us in thanks. I chuckled and made to wave them off only to sigh. Sorry little ones, I need to send you off to the Rangers. The mountains theyre not fit for you to survive on right now. Well replant and have it well again in a month at most. the pokemon considered this and nodded. I started tapping them with Ranger balls only for them to fail to vanish. I blinked in surprise.

Huh, still too much dark energy? I said with surprise. Then I recalled catching another pokemon with the Ranger balls. Shit, I caught some other pokemon with Ranger balls. I hadnt even thought of it at the time Had it vanished back then? I didnt pay it any attention.

Lance raised a hand. Dont worry, there are markers, and the balls themselves are quite strong. The pokemon will be safe.

I relaxed at that, only to notice that other pokemon had refused and begun running away. I could only sigh. Theyd be in for a rough time going ahead but I didnt have the energy to Sabrina whipped a few ranger balls of her own into them and I chuckled.

For other pokemon Lance raised a hand. Leave the grass types. Theyll kickstart the regrowth of the forest and see this burnt hellscape turn back into a green forest.

Makuhita! Golduck! said two pokemon as they bowed towards Sabrina and me.

I blinked in surprise. Eh?

Sabrina chuckled. They want to join me. It seems they were impressed by Hypno helping Jorms cave while we fought.

I shot them an unimpressed look. Didnt half their protection come from Jormungandr with that logic? Then I felt a small clawed hand grip my jeans.

Teddiursa! wailed a small pokemon. I looked down to find a Teddiursa looking at me with an adorably cute fierce expression.

This one wants you to catch it and train it to be strong, Sabrina said. I snorted and locked eyes with it.

You want to be strong huh?

It nodded and adopted a clenched fist pose. I hummed in thought before pulling out a pokeball and tapping it on the head. Welcome to the team, I said, ideas for how far I could take a Teddiursa already forming in my mind.

Sabrina inspected the other two before nodding and tossing out two pokeballs that caught the Golduck and Makuhita. They tried to vanish only to twitch and blart out a warning as the pokeball teleport feature failed to engage.

I nudged Sabrina. Congratulations on your new pokemon, I said as she swept them up.

She nodded before nudging me back and indicating with her chin the slumped-over form of Empress the Tyranitar. She crooned lowly, all the fight taken out of her. I considered her. She was a wild, albeit powerful, pokemon. The Rangers would have a tough time accommodating her. Theyd be very clinical, perhaps, which might be a terrible thing.

Still, shed gone through something highly traumatic tonight. I considered passing the buck on to the Rangers for half a second before shaking my head.

Shed heal up best with support. I looked to Titan, who put a hand on his mothers shoulder. And as they said, there was no better support than family.

Titan shot me a look, and I hummed before stepping up to her. I felt Lance stop talking with Clair and turn his attention on me as I approached Empress.

Hey, I said eloquently.

She glanced in my direction before huffing and looking down at the ground. Im sorry you lost your eggs. I think that might be one of the greatest tragedies of this entire evening.

I heard Clair hiss in surprise before murmuring something about a Tyranitar rampage. Empress didnt respond beyond sighing long and low. Her eyes had an emptiness Id seen in trainers that had lost their starters. Those trainers invariably wilted and lost all motivation as they became shells of themselves.

Would you like to come with me? Not forever, I hurried to say, Unless you decide you want that? But maybe you should come and heal for a while. I gestured towards Titan. Spend your time with Titan and Terra? That had her perking up slightly. She turned her head towards Titan in thought. He shot her a large smile and warbled something before waving his hand at me and then the surrounding landscape. She warbled something back before looking at me and nodding.

Tar? she asked looking me in the eyes.

I nodded knowing exactly what she meant. If you want to leave, just say the word. I held out a pokeball, the weakest pokeball I owned, to make it that much easier for her to break it if she wanted to. She nodded and tapped it with her claw before being absorbed.

I watched it click once before it settled. It, like Sabrinas pokeballs from earlier, blarted out a warning that it wasnt able to teleport before it settled in my grasp.

You realise when she realises how good trainer pokemon have it, she wont leave your team, dont you? Lance said, an inscrutable look on his face as he eyed the pokeball in my grasp.

Thatll be up to her. Its about letting her heal. I opened my mouth to point out that shed probably ignore any orders I gave her, before shaking my head. Id said enough.

I looked back over the burned landscape. So reckon we can get out of doing paperwork?

Lance, Clair, Sabrina, and I shared a look.

Then, as one, we burst out laughing together.

It was a good joke.

Lance wiped his eyes. Oh, thank you for that Brock. Oh, I needed that. Oh this day He shook his head and sighed as he looked down at his transceiver, a much better model than my own, I noted. He sighed loudly again. Brock, this day will go down as one of the worst in my tenure as Champion.

I looked over the mountain and nodded. Yeah, the Silver Ranges I trailed off when Lance shook his head.

This wasnt the only incident thats made news today, Brock. I could only frown. Had Team Rocket attacked two different places? Shit! They could, couldnt they?

Pewter is safe? I blurted immediately.

Lance nodded. Yes, its fine. Surge is on the ground at the site and he said its all over he sighed. It was still bad though.

Where was it? I asked, deciding to get some facts.

Porta Vista, Lance said.

I felt a sudden chill run down my spine. Why did that name ring a bell?

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