Chapter 44: The Pirate and the Prince (Part 2)

  Sophocles had made his way inside the house itself and now looked through the front door's peephole. Rook and Pangoro hadn't moved, which Sophocles figured that whatever resistance there was had managed to hold on a bit longer. "Any moment now, Noibat," Sophocles whispered.

  He couldn't get a great perspective to observe whatever altercation was about to happen, but Sophocles would know when it started. At the very top of his peephole's view, his little purple dragon-bat fluttered innocuously, its eyes focused on the Pangoro below. "Okay, he's in position. Get ready, Slugg," Sophocles encouraged himself.

  Suddenly a loud screeching came from beyond the door and Sophocles watched as Pangoro and Ruckz took a full blast of Noibat's Supersonic. Okay Sophocles, go! He felt his heart thumping in his chest, his whole body ached with exertion, and his legs refused to move. "C'mon…" Sophocles squeaked.

  An image of Ian and Hyde surrounded by Sinclair's pirates flashed in his mind. Then another, this time of Guzma and Plumeria looking down at him, venom in their eyes. Then Seraphine glaring at him, her arms crossed with her usual scowl. Then the imaginary woman opened her mouth and spoke to him: "Hurry up, yo!"

  Before Sophocles could even realize it, he pulled the door open and ran up the pathway, covering his ears as he did. Ruckz and his Pangoro continued reeling underneath the torturous sound waves, and Sophocles managed to position himself on the wall just behind the suffering pair with the gatehouse door only a few feet away and Sophocles pushed the door handle open with his elbow before shutting it.

  Noibat's audio onslaught ended and Pangoro roared angrily outside, but Sophocles focused on the task at hand. "I actually did it…" Sophocles muttered in disbelief as he looked around the cluttered office. Sawsbuck's pink Heal Ball caught his eye first, and Sophocles stuffed it into his right pocket. Next he looked for the button to sound the alarm, but he now remembered he didn't actually know how to do it. Slash's chiding words haunted him.

  "Slugg, no way I'm letting your lazy ass kick it in the gatehouse!"

  Sophocles grunted angrily, but noticed a large red button on one of the bigger of the two desks. Looks like it to me. Sophocles moved right up to it, noticing whatever warning labels had been placed around the button had been scribbled over and decided to press down for a moment. No sound hit the air, only the ruckus of a berserk Pangoro outside. "C'mon, c'mon, what the fuck?" Sophocles pressed down on it again, then pressed down a bunch of times in a row, growing more frustrated with every passing moment.

  Sophocles put his hands on his forehead, completely flummoxed. "Why does this always happen to me? Po Town needs me and I fuck up the simplest little thing…" Tears welled in Sophocles' eyes as he stared at the big red button in disbelief. "I can't even press a button right," Sophocles admitted, tears already streaming down his cheeks. Sophocles pressed down on the button in anger, holding it as he pictured all of the jeers he'd be getting in the near future.

  But then the foghorn's rumbling blast hit his ears. Sophocles froze in amazement for a econd before pulling his hand from the button and pressing down on it once more. After three seconds of holding down, another deep foghorn blast hit his ears. I did it!

  The door swung open behind him and Ruckz poked his head in, snarling. "You little sh-"

  Suddenly Ruckz was yanked from the gatehouse door and thrown like a ragdoll into the street, Pangoro's raging mass now standing at the door before charging its own trainer. Sophocles needed no words of encouragement as he shuffled through the office and broke into an all out sprint on the street.

  "Pangoro you stupid shit! Get that fucking fatass now!" Ruckz barked.

  Sophocles dared to turn his head around, seeing Ruckz holding his leg in pain, but the traitorous squad leader's eyes were fixed on Sophocles. Then the imposing form of Pangoro stopped for a moment before facing Slugg and surging after him with a battle cry. Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck!

  "And leave him alive so I can beat his ass to death myself!" Ruckz barked.

  With a raging Pangoro now tailing him, Sophocles didn't have time to realize he was running the fastest he'd ever run. He veered into an alley, panting desperately, only for Pangoro to continue closing the distance. I can't outrun it, but maybe I can slow it down. Sophocles heard familiar high pitched clicks coming from above him and looked up to see Noibat fluttering over determinedly.

  "Noibat, that was awesome!" Sophocles said between frantic breaths. "I need an Air Cutter from you, best you got!"

  Sophocles didn't turn around to gauge how successful the attack was, all he needed to hear was Pangoro howling in pain before he veered left. Oh yeah, those Sinclair guys probably got the Windward bridge I used to cross the canal, which means I have to go for the center one. Hopefully Hyde's cleared them all away from that. Sophocles found an opening in one of the fences and awkwardly stepped over it, with a ferocious Pangoro roar signaling it was done reeling from Air Cutter's wound. Sophocles ran forward through another backyard, eyes locked on the gate that led to the front yard, and The Spine.

  A loud crash indicated Pangoro hadn't bothered climbing through the gap, instead opting to bulldoze through the old wooden fence. He then heard Noibat's pained cry as he turned around to see Noibat careening through the air. Sophocles reflexively recalled his bat-dragon and tossed out Charjabug's ball.

  Pangoro charged in a frenzy as Charjabug manifested. "Sticky Web!" Sophocles shouted desperately as he turned back around and threw open the fence gate. Flustered growls hit his ears, while Sophocles hurriedly ran across The Spine. That should slow it down a bit. Sophocles then noticed a couple Sinclair goons milling about and even one Team Skull member taking notice of him.

  "Slugg, dafuq?" The Team Skull member asked calmly. One of Rook's if he's so calm.

  "Getting a workout!" Sophocles blurted out quickly, unsure of what else to say. He looked up to the main canal bridge and noticed a small group of Sinclair uniformed goons standing guard. Well that's not good… If I just get to the school maybe Ian will be near the canal. But what happens to me if I'm cornered? Sophocles dismissed the thought from his head as he scurried into another backyard he recognized, remembering it had an opening in its fence as well. Just get Sawsbuck to him and we'll figure it out from there.

  ***

  Out from its Poke Ball re-appeared Morgrem who didn't seem too messed up from Whimsicott's Moonblast the imp had tanked while using Parting Shot from earlier. Gonna need a miracle from you, Morgrem.

  Suddenly a low, booming sound drew the combatants' attention, followed by a second one. Sophocles got to the gate house! The Pearl Clan should be on their way and he might be able to get Sawbsuck to me! A hopeful warmth flowed through Ian's veins and he dared to smirk. We have a chance!

  "Raichu, Nasty Plot!" Sinclair roared, refocusing on the battle.

  "Fake Out!" Ian shouted.

  The Alolan-Raichu hadn't even begun to channel energy for its move before Morgrem's shadow appeared before the floating air-surfer, scaring Raichu off its tail-board and causing it to fall unceremoniously to the ground.

  "Now Taunt!" Ian shouted. In the blink of an eye, Morgrem's body appeared next to the fallen Raichu, enraging the surfing rodent and forcing it back up. Now we get to have some fun.

  "Thunderbolt!" Sinclair shouted.

  "Sucker Punch!" Ian fired back.

  Raichu's cheeks had started sparking as it gathered electricity, but Morgrem appeared right on it in an instant, left hand glowing with dark energy as it smashed into Raichu fist first. The surfing rodent was sent tumbling backwards, rolling well past Sinclair as Morgrem retreated closer to Ian, sniggering taunts.

  Sinclair didn't flinch however. He's still got the advantage here, and there's no guarantee Sawsbuck makes it to me. C'mon Slugg, if you can get to the gatehouse, I know you can get Sawsbuck to me here! "Back up!" Sinclair shouted coldly. Once Alolan-Raichu got its bearings back it took to the sky, surging forward as sparks crackled angrily underneath it. "Thunder Punch!"

  "Sucker Punch!" Ian shouted confidently.

  Morgrem leapt into action once more, coming upon Alolan-Raichu with ease only for the surfing rodent to jump from its tail-board, dodging Morgrem's attack. Raichu wasn't done however, as it maneuvered onto its side as its tail began glowing a bright, shocking yellow. Raichu's tail then whipped around in an instant smacking Morgrem's back, sending the devious imp crashing into the ground with a thud. That can't be good. It's what I get for using the same move in a row though.

  "Finish it with Thunderbolt!" Sinclair ordered.

  "Morgrem-" Ian stopped as he watched Morgrem lift its head and subtly giggle before its black hair darkened with black energy.

  The bolt of lightning hit the spot with a thunderous boom, only for Morgrem to have vanished. Ian turned to Raichu, hovering above the target, only for Morgrem to descend from above like a shadow, stabbing its sharpened, pointy hair into Alolan-Raichu's back with False Surrender.

  Raichu shrieked with pain as it fell to the ground, blood beginning to flow out of the wound on its back as it fell unconscious. Morgrem cartwheeled back, stroking its hair wickedly.

  "You have so many tricks, Ian," Sinclair started. "But they end here. Empoleon!"

  Out from Sinclair's Poke Ball came an imposing figure taller than Ian. The imperial penguin Pokemon's torso had the coloration of a tuxedo of all things, only Ian could see the gleam of metal reflecting off of Empoleon's skin. Its face was covered largely by a trident which connected to its beak, and it shrieked fiercely.

  Gonna have to be really careful here. "Morgrem, Swagger!" Ian called out.

  "Flash Cannon!" Sinclair shouted.

  As a light grey energy gathered in front of Empoleon's mouth, Morgrem seemingly teleported right next to the imperial Pokemon which turned its attention to the assailant. Morgrem puffed his chest out with a light glow of Normal TE before returning to its original position in front of Ian in the blink of an eye. Empoleon fired Flash Cannon where Morgrem had been, causing it to take some damage in the nearby explosion.

  "Nasty Plot!" Ian commanded while Empoleon seemed dazed. Morgrem lowered its head and began giggling menacingly as dark energy oozed all around it. Empoleon came back to its senses and fired off a Hydro Pump right at Morgrem, who barely dodged in time as it finished channeling Nasty Plot. A faint, dark cloak radiated around Morgrem's Body now. Now comes the hard part. "Dark Pulse!" Ian ordered.

  "Flash Cannon!" Sinclair demanded.

  Morgrem fired a large dark mass, using the momentum it used to launch the attack to already roll to the side. Morgrem didn't even look to see if Dark Pulse had hit, instead getting just perfectly out of range of Flash Cannon as the bright projectile detonated, leaving Morgrem with not even a scratch.

  Ian then refocused, noticing Dark Pulse had in fact connected with its enraged target with a burst of dark energy. Empoleon quickly charged Morgrem in a fury, its wings glowing silver with a Steel Wing attack. Morgrem began skipping backwards as Empoleon closed in and finally swung one of its wings like a fully wound up haymaker, only for Morgrem to fall on its back, with its hands bracing its body above the shoulders and its legs pulling back, mirroring a spring.

  The momentum of Empoleon's Steel Wing carried it around back to its body, causing the back-shivering screech of metal on metal to hit Ian's ears. Empoleon bent over slightly and Ian noticed the penguin Pokemon coughing up blood for a moment. Now's the time. "Assurance!"

  Morgrem's legs became enveloped in pure dark energy as the imp launched himself feet first at the back of Empoleon's exposed head. Empoleon squawked in surprise as the boosted attack put the Water-Steel Type Pokemon a couple feet off the ground until it landed with a metallic screech, sliding back to Sinclair. Morgrem did a back walkover away from any retaliation and panted intensely, Nasty Plot's buff having dissipated. It's been really strenuous for Morgrem, maybe I ought to play some defense for a bit and let him catch his breath.

  "I really gotta hand it to you Skull fucks," Sinclair said, shaking his head in disbelief as Empoleon got up slowly, painfully. "Never thought anyone but Rook or Guzma would push me so far."

  Ian studied the captain sternly, then checked his peripherals to see if any flank or ambush was coming, but none was to be had. That's a relief, Mina's probably giving the goons going for the school all hell, and Hyde's distracting any reinforcements. Still doesn't change the fact Morgrem won't last long against that Alpha Barbaracle. "Your guy Pete was the strongest opponent I'd faced," Ian said, a bit suspicious of the apparent pause in hostilities. Since it looks like Swagger and the attack boost have worn off, Empoleon needs some time too.

  "Pete didn't get overwhelmed by all you Skull guys?" Sinclair asked.

  Ian shook his head. "Feraligatr's Earthquake took most of 'em out of the fight. It was just me and him."

  Sinclair sighed. "You keep impressing me Ian. But I suppose we gotta get back to it."

  "Yeah," Ian growled.

  Morgrem had stopped panting overtly, and while Empoleon had plenty of scrapes and bruises, it began moving with purpose again. "Flash Cannon!"

  "Detect!" Darkness enveloped Morgrem as the lustrous mass streamed forward, with Morgrem once again dodging the attack with incredible precision.

  "Empoleon, Ice Beam" Sinclair roared.

  He's trying to catch us off balance. "False Surrender!" Ian shouted. Morgrem froze in place as Ice Beam came at it until disappearing in a shadow at the last second and moments later popping up just over Empoleon's head, Morgrem's hair awash in dark energy as it had stiffened into a blade. It then sliced Empoleon all along the side with a spine-tingling screech before bouncing off Empoleon and tumbling backwards until landing on its feet again.

  Empoleon squawked in pain, turning to face Morgrem head on and Ian got a direct line of sight to the four foot long red wound down Empoleon's side. Empoleon began glowing faintly with blue energy, the very same when Wartortle activated its Torrent ability. This could be it! "Dark Pulse!" Ian shouted.

  "Rest!" Sinclair shouted as Dark Pulse hurtled toward Empoleon. Empoleon didn't even attempt to dodge, instead reaching into a flap on its side and pulling a something out as Dark Pulse collided with it, causing a dark burst that clouded Ian's vision. Did he just eat a berry? It didn't take long for the dust to settle, but Empoleon had begun glowing with a light pink energy and its numerous wounds seemed to be shrinking into nonexistence. "Wha-" Ian gasped when he realized it. "False Surrender with everything you got!" Ian shouted frantically. All of our progress, all of that damage-

  Morgrem charged forward, its hair awash in Dark Type Energy once more as it leapt for a blow to Empoleon's throat. Instead the imperial Pokemon's eyes opened and its right wing glowed silver. Chesto-Rest? FUCK! "No!" Ian shouted frantically, but it was too late. Empoleon's Steel Wing smacked Morgrem down fiercely, the imp bouncing off the ground like a basketball and hurtling to the right before crashing into the wall harshly. That might've…

  Morgrem stirred, wincing as it did.

  "Empoleon, Hydro Pump!" Sinclair commanded coldly.

  Morgrem reached into its hair and pulled out a yellow, pear-shaped berry with spots and shoved it in its mouth, with Ian heaving a sigh of relief. Morgrem rolled backwards clumsily, but barely got out of the way of the blast as its body glowed with rejuvenation. The bruises were still there, but the serious wounds had been remedied for the time being and Morgrem barked at Empoleon defiantly. Morgrem, you're fucking amazing!

  "Alright Morgrem, let's run this back, Swagger!" Ian shouted, his spirits rejuvenated with Morgrem's apparent salvation.

  "Resilient little shits!" Sinclair barked. "Flash Cannon!"

  Morgrem seemingly teleported to Empoleon's left side aglow with energy, and Empoleon directed its attention to the little imp, firing off a partially formed Flash Cannon, only for Morgrem to re-appear in front of Ian as the blast made Empoleon stumble back.

  "Dark Pulse!" Ian shouted.

  "Hydro Pump!" Sinclair roared.

  Morgrem ran forward, gathering black energy in its hand before Empoleon fired off its Hydro Pump. Morgrem then leapt out of range and launched Dark Pulse right at Empoleon, the attack blowing up upon contact and all Ian needed to hear was Empoleon's shriek of pain.

  "Flash Cannon dammit!" Sinclair barked.

  Steel Type Energy manifested in front of Empoleon's mouth, but it suddenly blew up in the imperial penguin's face causing it to stagger back some more. "Assurance!" Ian yelled.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Morgrem leapt into action, its hair awash in dark energy as it struck Empoleon, lifting the Water-Steel Type off its feet once more. Morgrem did its signature back walkover away from retaliation and cackled maniacally.

  "Aqua Jet!" Sinclair ordered.

  Before Ian could even react, a glowing mass of water soared through the air and smacked into Morgrem, knocking the wind out of his Pokemon as he tumbled backwards just half a dozen feet from Ian on the battlefield. "Morgrem, how are you bud?"

  The wounded imp gave a strained groan but nodded, getting back up unsteadily. He can't go on much longer. It's incredible he's lasted this long. Where the fuck is Sophocles?

  "Aqua Jet!" Sinclair roared mercilessly.

  "Detect!" Ian shouted. Morgrem cartwheeled away from the attack, with it whistling right past Ian's left ear. Damn that was close. Morgrem bent over, clearly suffering from fatigue. How many seconds we got left?

  "Hydro Pump!" Sinclair shouted. Empoleon leaned back, winding up its attack but then lost balance and fell backwards, landing awkwardly on its head. Bought us what, another couple rounds?

  And then Ian heard a desperate plea in the distance. "Ian! Ian!" Ian whirled around, realizing Sophocles was running as fast as he could along the other side of the canal, tailed by a furious Pangoro. Sophocles then launched Sawsbuck's pink Heal Ball before getting viciously taken to the ground by his pursuer.

  "Sophocles!" Ian shouted, hurrying to the canal's edge.

  "Flash Cannon that ball!" Sinclair shouted.

  Time slowed down, Ian could swear he could see every individual revolution his Heal Ball made, and he heard the sound of Flash Cannon firing. His heart tensed as the lustrous orb of energy closed in on the Heal Ball mid air. The air left his lungs as he accepted the inevitable-

  Only for Morgrem's shadow to appear between Flash Cannon's luster and the Heal Ball, then its whole body. On Morgrem's battered face was a crooked, defiant grin, its thumb raised until Flash Cannon exploded, sending his now surely unconscious imp careening to the other side of the canal.

  The precious Heal Ball barely hit land, bouncing lightly as Ian scooped it up like an infielder in baseball. He then threw Sawsbuck's Ball forward, materializing his blessed stag in front of him. Sawsbuck manifested with a bleat that sounded more like a battle cry than anything. Sawsbuck's antlers were adorned with pink cherry blossoms, and Sawsbuck stood on its hooves, poised to move in any direction.

  "Son of a bitch, you actually got it," Sinclair shook his head in disbelief.

  Ian glared at Sinclair. "Po Town ain't done yet!" Ian declared. "Sawsbuck, Agility!"

  "Ice Beam!" Sinclair roared.

  Sawsbuck did its usual dance in place, with Ice Beam streaming toward until the last moment when Sawsbuck became a blur as it leapt ten feet to the right. "Leech Seed!" Ian commanded.

  "Drill Peck it early!" Sinclair shouted.

  Sawsbuck fired its green pellet and Empoleon rushed forward, its beak surrounded in a drill-like vortex of Flying Type Energy. The pellet burst just before Empoleon could reach, with vines enveloping Empoleon's torso, taking a tight hold on the adversary.

  "Aqua Jet!" Sinclair bellowed. Empoleon manifested blue energy next to one of its wings, which then shot out with tremendous force. Sawsbuck tried to dodge, only for the projectile to smack into Sawsbuck knocking it off balance more than any true damage being done. "Ice Beam!"

  Sawsbuck got up quickly and leapt aside with unreal speed, but Empoleon had predicted the movement and Ice Beam managed to land on Sawsbuck's hind leg. Sawsbuck fell to the ground as one of its back legs had become completely frozen in a block of ice. Sinclair sniggered at the sight.

  "It's over. Ice Beam again!"

  One of Sawsbuck's vines quickly maneuvered up to its cherry blossom adorned antlers and yanked a green berry from it and placed the berry in its mouth. Almost instantaneously, the block of ice encasing Sawsbuck's hind leg burst. Thank goodness for Lum Berries.

  When Ice Beam streamed forward, Sawsbuck leapt out of the way and in one bound was now upon its adversary. "High Horsepower!" Ian shouted. He didn't even see the typical cloud of Ground TE coat Sawsbuck before his blessed stag just blasted forward, crashing into Empoleon with overwhelming force.

  Multiple green bubbles of energy floated from Empoleon to Sawsbuck, and Sawsbuck's battered hind leg seemed to heal up a steady amount. "Aqua Jet!" Sinclair yelled.

  Another lightning fast projectile launched from the grounded Empoleon, only Sawsbuck deftly side-stepped it. "Horn Leech!" Ian shouted. As Empoleon got up unsteadily, Sawsbuck was already upon it, antlers aglow with green energy as it rammed one into Empoleon's upper body, knocking Empoleon back as more green bubbles of energy sprang from Empoleon's body and seeped into Sawsbuck's, making its fur look even more lush and lively than it had when it entered the battle. He should be full health now, and no Chesto-Rest shenanigans from Empoleon.

  "Hydro Pump!" Sinclair shouted.

  Ian didn't even need to order Sawsbuck, his blessed Stag faked going left then leapt right, with Hydro Pump landed a dozen feet from where Sawsbuck would have been. Sawsbuck instead charged. Finish him! "High Horsepower!"

  Sawsbuck launched itself, cloaked in light brown energy and landed a resounding blow on Empoleon. Empoleon went flying backwards, landing with metallic screeching as its metallic body slid across the road until it came to a stop. Empoleon's head fell to the ground as more bubbles of green energy left it, dissipating in midair.

  We have a real good fucking chance here! Ian turned across the canal now that he had a moment to actually look. He noticed Pangoro walking away, holding Sophocles' dazed form on its shoulder. Thanks, and sorry I can't help right now dude. But because of you I have a chance to win here.

  Sinclair shook his head in disbelief. "You plucky fuck." Sinclair recalled Empoleon then took a deep breath. "But even your Sawsbuck is no match for Barbaracle!" Sinclair roared as he tossed a dark ball forward.

  Ian readied himself, but the monster that emerged was even more terrifying up close. It towered over Ian and Sawsbuck, standing at least twelve feet tall and its four arms stretched out to almost the same length. Its eyes glowed bright red with wild might, and it announced its arrival with a gurgling roar. I'm gonna assume it's got the berry that nullifies super effective damage from Grass attacks. I'm probably going to want to re-up Agility too.

  "Barbaracle, Rock Polish!"

  "Agility!" Ian shouted. Not Shell Smash? Oh yeah, it would only take a couple hits from Sawsbuck to finish it at most.

  Both combatants glowed with their moves' respective Type Energies and Ian took a deep breath, knowing it was about to become absolute mayhem the moment they were done.

  Then the two rocketed from their positions, Alpha Barbaracle straight ahead while Sawsbuck moved at an angle. Barbaracle then redirected its course, moving with mind-boggling quickness for a monster its size. "Leech Seed!" Ian shouted.

  "Make 'em pay with Cross Chop!" Sinclair roared.

  Sawsbuck was able to launch its pellet, and it burst with vines wrapping around Barbaracle's body. But Barbaracle ignored the trivial attack and was on Sawsbuck, its four arms aglow with Fighting Type Energy.

  Sawsbuck tried to leap out of the way, only an ear-splitting gurgling roar hit Ian's ears and Sawsbuck was knocked off balance by the Alpha Roar. Barbaracle's right arms caught Sawsbuck, swinging Sawsbuck right into the Alpha's oncoming left arms and smashing his blessed stag between all four arms, crunching its body with a monstrous force. The rebound from the level of force made Barbaracle's arms whip around and stagger back.

  Sawsbuck fell to the ground, bleating in agonizing pain. Ian noticed a faint sharpness to Barbaracle's claws and realized what ability the monstrosity in front of him likely possessed. Tough Claws, no wonder he didn't need Shell Smash. Sawsbuck got up unsteadily, retreating from Barbaracle as quickly as its wounded body could carry it. Blood had begun dripping out of multiple places on Sawsbuck's torso and Ian grimaced. Can't risk getting that close again. Dammit I wish Sawsbuck could use Seed Bomb! Green orbs of energy floated out of Barbaracle and seeped into Sawsbuck's worst wounds, cutting the blood significantly but not stopping it overall.

  "Bullet Seed!" Ian shouted. Sawsbuck fired a barrage of green pellets, only for Barbaracle to charge through, completely ignoring the seeds as they burst against its body. Sawsbuck leapt to the side, firing another round of Bullet Seed before retreating further, Barbaracle closing in all the while. Finally Sawsbuck could retreat no further and Barbaracle readied another Cross Chop. Sawsbuck did something unexpected and jumped upwards, its antlers aglow with green energy as it stuck one into the attacking Barbaracle's neck. Horn Leech.

  Sawsbuck's antler stuck a little well into Barbaracle's body and Sawsbuck's lower body kept going forward until it was able to dislodge the antler, making Sawsbuck spin gracelessly in midair until it crashed to the ground. Sawsbuck recovered quickly, its dripping wounds now a thing of the past thanks to Horn Leech while Alpha Barbaracle's agonizing cry of pain faded.

  "So you do got some moves," Sinclair said. Barbaracle turned around in a fury and charged Sawsbuck, who bounded away, putting enough distance between itself and the monstrosity for Barbaracle to give up the chase. Might be able to tank another one of those Cross Chops, just gotta land another Horn Leech or Leaf Blade.

  A sudden explosion behind Ian drew his attention and he saw a group of Sinclair's men running from the central canal bridge up The Spine to the front gate. The Pearl Clan must be here, thank goodness. Ian returned his focus to the battle and glared at Sinclair. If I lose here, me and the schoolkids get taken hostage, and I don't think the Pearl Clan will be able to bail us out of that.

  Ian's attention was brought back to the battle at hand as the sound of a boulder crashing onto the road, rolling past Sawsbuck. Alpha Barbaracle gave a furious battle cry and readied another small boulder in its hands. Sawsbuck charged forward as it watched Barbaracle intently. His blessed stag was not at full speed, instead waiting to maneuver once the small boulder was launched.

  Barbaracle then charged forward before hurling the small boulder and Sawsbuck deftly dodged the projectile, which came rolling a little too close for his comfort. "Leaf Blade!" Ian shouted out. Sawsbuck lowered its head, its antlers glowing green once more, this time much sharper.

  "Barbaracle, prepare and Cross Chop!" Sinclair ordered. Ian watched as three of Barbaracle's arms lit up with dark red energy, while one reached into its torso's shell and grabbed what looked like three green berries fused together. Fucking Rindo Berry. Barbaracle placed it in its mouth as it continued charging forward, a green aura washed over it for a moment before fading.

  "Sawsbuck, get out of there!" Ian shouted.

  Sawsbuck bolted to the right, but Barbaracle pursued, its arms no longer aglow with Fighting Type Energy, but it now manifested two small boulders on both sides of its body. It then hurled one, which Sawsbuck managed to dodge, but the second was thrown before Sawsbuck could redirect its momentum, and this boulder struck Sawsbuck hard, sending Sawsbuck crashing into the side of a building.

  Barbaracle closed in on its adversary, arms aglow in red energy once more as Sawsbuck lit up, sticking its antlers up. Barbaracle dove, clapping its arms together once more, crunching Sawsbuck between its four limbs with a devastating blow that broke through the building's concrete wall. Ian couldn't see much, but he heard Barbaracle cry out in pain as it staggered backwards from the destroyed wall.

  Ian watched anxiously, fearing the worst for Sawsbuck. He sighed with relief as Leech Seed's green orbs floated away from Barbaracle and into the wreckage, signaling Sawsbuck still could fight. Sawsbuck stumbled forward, battered, bruised, and bleeding, but still somehow standing.

  "One tough cookie," Sinclair grunted.

  "Sawsbuck, get out of there!" Ian ordered desperately, and Sawsbuck leapt away gingerly. Barbaracle moved to pursue but its movements had become clumsy and slow.Agility and Rock Polish wore off. Looks like Sawsbuck was able to sneak a Horn Leech in there to save its ass. Didn't heal a ton because of the Rindo Berry, but it keeps us in the fight a bit longer.

  "Barbaracle, it's time. Shell Smash!" Sinclair ordered.

  "Agility!" Ian commanded, his chest tensing as he realized one side was going to land a blow and the other would be falling imminently. Sawsbuck did its dance in place as its legs glowed with pink energy, while Barbaracle's arms began tearing pieces of its body shell off its body, with only more jagged pieces of its body being exposed.

  Ian took a deep breath and clenched his fist. Sawsbuck, if there's anyone that can pull this off, it's you. Sawsbuck lowered its head tensely.

  "Rock Blast!" Sinclair barked.

  He's trying to catch us out of position. "High Horsepower!" Ian shouted. Sawsbuck charged forward, right into the small boulder Barbaracle had already launched, and Sawsbuck somehow got its hoof up high enough to strike the small boulder. The boulder seemingly disintegrated with a boom into a cloud of dust upon contact, obscuring the area around Sawsbuck. Barbaracle charged forward, arms glowing in dark red energy closing in on the exact spot.

  Sawsbuck then leapt to the left as Barbaracle's arms converged on the dust cloud, its Cross Chopping arms colliding with a tremendous bang as the shock wave dispersed the dust cloud. Win it HERE!

  "Leaf Blade!" Ian belted out. Sawsbuck charged forward in an instant, antlers aglow with green and as sharp as Ian had ever seen. Barbaracle put its arms up to defend itself, but Sawsbuck sliced through the top one, separating it before running Leaf Blade through the exposed gap between Barbaracle's shells, cutting the upper body straight off from the lower. The Alpha Barbaracle's upper body slid right off, falling unceremoniously forward. Its legs continued standing, and Ian remembered Barbaracle was made up of multiple Binacle, so it had some brains to spare in the case of its dismemberment.

  "Aaaaaaaaah!" Ian bellowed victoriously, the emotional load lifting from his shoulders. He fell to his knees as Barbaracle's separated body parts fell still. We fucking did it!

  Sinclair shook his head in disbelief as Barbaracle's legs collapsed. "I don't know what to say…"

  "You surrender!" Ian said, getting back up from his knees. "Recall Barbaracle, I'll take you prisoner, and you get your boys away from the fucking school! Those are my terms!"

  Sinclair nodded. "I take it there'll be some more later, but I must accept." Sinclair recalled his dismembered Barbaracle, holding a constant beam over the body parts. Sinclair placed the dark ball onto his Poke Ball Belt and held the accessory up, signaling his surrender.

  Ian aimed Morgrem's Poke Ball beam across the canal, getting it to dematerialize quickly and giving his Pokemon that made such a sacrifice a moment of reverence. He noticed people with Pearl Clan uniforms and various Pokemon running across the central canal's bridge and sighed with relief. Ian then made his way over and took possession of Sinclair's Poke Ball Belt, with the two proceeding to the school, Ian's Sawsbuck trailing close behind. "Your Barbaracle isn't dead, is it?" Ian asked.

  Sinclair shook his head. "It'll reform in the ball. Thanks for asking." Sinclair then held his hands out close together. "You gonna cuff me or something?"

  Ian shook his head. "Got nothing on me. I was in a jail cell until about three minutes before we started battling."

  Sinclair shook his head. "You don't say?" Sinclair paused then sniffed. "Ah, that's what that smell is."

  Ian nodded. "Yeah man…" The two stopped as they got to the schoolyard.

  Ian gasped as he saw Mina being carried out the front door by a pair of Sinclair goons, struggling in protest.

  "Stand down boys, it's over!" Sinclair called out. "Looks like the Pearl Clan's here." Sinclair turned to Ian. "Rook figured they'd stay neutral here."

  Ian cracked a grin. I guess Irida's thing for me did come in handy.

  "Captain-" One of the attending men called out before hesitating, seeing Sinclair was the prisoner, with Ian's Sawsbuck standing just behind. The man lowered his head, shaking it in defeat. "Damn…"

  "Mina!" Ian shouted, his heart thumping at the sight of her. She turned her head in surprise and gasped.

  "No way!" Mina shouted as she got up and ran to him. "You did it, you fucking did it!"

  Ian smiled. "Yeah…" Ian paused as he took her in his arms, the two sharing a victorious kiss together. "I didn't do it alone though."