"...!"
"Hmph, Thundurus use discharge!"
The genie pokemon responded quickly, emitting a powerful blast of electricity in response to Articuno's ancient power attack. Both attacks countered each other, creating a huge explosion in the middle of the road. Fortunately, the police had cleared the area out, giving Red and his pokemon all the space they needed to exercise their real power.
"Use thunder!"
The skies split open and before Red could call out a counter, a huge blast of lightning crashed onto Articuno. The legendary bird shook off the powerful move much to Saturn's surprise. Even from where I was stood, I could tell that he felt uneasy after seeing how easily his opponent disregarded the powerful move.
"...!"
Thundurus had no time to evade as Articuno connected directly with a powerful ice beam attack. The genie pokemon crashed to the ground, part of his body frozen solid. Saturn grimaced before calling out for Thundurus to continue the battle. In no time, the legendary pokemon returned to the skies, letting out a powerful battle cry to show that he was still far from done.
Red only motioned with his arm but that was all he needed to do for Articuno to follow his earlier attack with another powerful ice beam. This time Thundurus was equal to the move, countering with an equally strong focus blast attack.
"Don't let up, Thundurus use thunder again!"
"...!"
Once again, the skies split open as the clouds began to spark overhead. Then, just as the bolt of lightning came crashing down, Articuno countered with blizzard. The arctic bird directed the icy gale wind upward to counter the electric attack.
Both attacks collided mid air, way above the city, creating an explosion that could be seen from miles away. The coming together of two insanely powerful attacks caused a huge shockwave which nearly took the top story of the department store clean off the building.
"...!"
Articuno wasn't letting up, cloaking itself in a deep blue light. Then in the blink of an eye, the legendary bird crashed into Thundurus, sending the genie pokemon crashing into a tree on the side of the road. This time, Thundurus was furious, enraged that he was being pushed around like nothing.
Saturn looked a little nervous, unsure how to deal with this pokemon while it was in an enraged state. Thundurus' newfound anger seemed to awaken something within Tornadus, both pokemon letting out deafening battle cries. Both genie pokemon returned to the battle, staring down Articuno and Red.
The silent trainer didn't seemed fazed at all, even in the face of two enraged legendary pokemon. Articuno landed on the road in front of its trainer, patiently waiting for its next move.
From where I was stood, it was clear that Red was in his element. His full focus was on the battle and there wasn't a single moment where I thought he wasn't in control. This resounding strength and battling prowess reminded me of Aaron, and how I hadn't seen him since this fight had broken out.
Team Galactic were holding off the police who had arrived on the scene, keeping them from entering the building. That was the last I had seen of Aaron. He hadn't regrouped with us but there wasn't a doubt in my mind that he was doing just fine wherever he was.
"Now you've gone and done it Saturn!"
A voice called out to the Galactic admin. The blue haired commander had a look of shock on his face, his eyes narrowing for a second. There was a screeching in the air and as I looked up, a red and white scaled pokemon soared overhead.
The pokemon landed beside Saturn, another Team Galactic admin on its back. The jet pokemon was calm, even among the ensuing chaos. A short red haired woman climbed down from atop the pokemon, clearly furious with the man in front of her. Latias remained calm, ignoring the raging battle ahead.
"You of all people should know better! Do you want those others to think we're a joke?"
Saturn had given up on trying to regain control of the two genie pokemon. Both were fixed on Red and Articuno who were keeping the two at bay. Quickly, the blue haired man turned to his colleague, a serious look on his face.
"You think I had a choice? I mean, look what I'm up against!"
Mars turned her attention to the battle, her eyes falling on Red who was still in the midst of battle. She rolled her eyes before looking back to Saturn, shaking her head slowly.
"It doesn't matter, you know what the boss is like. And now with those others here, we aren't going to hear the end of this!"
Both the admins turned to the eon pokemon who had been waiting for them. I knew that I might not get another chance as good as this to deal with the two Galactic admins. With Red being preoccupied and Dawn not at full strength, I realised I had to do something.
"Primarina use sparkling aria to stop them from escaping!"
I called out the move with confidence, letting the spirit of battle take the reigns. The fairy pokemon leapt into the sky, firing a huge swarm of glistening bubbles toward the Galactic admins.
Before another second passed, there was a harsh screeching sound as a glowing reflective barrier appeared in front of the two admins. Primarina's attack crashed into the barrier, the protective move standing firm.
"Well what do we have here?"
The wall of light dissipated, Latias now hovering in front of the two Galactic admins. Mars stepped forward, a devilish grin on her face. From the look in her eyes I could tell that she recognised me even though this was the first time I was meeting her face to face.
"You're nothing like Aaron and yet, you're trying so hard. I don't know what he sees in you." Mars' lips were pulled into a smile and I could see she was enjoying herself. "I guess I'll have to show him what a real woman can do."
I gritted my teeth, my hands balling up into fists. I could feel anger slowly rising up within me as Mars kept spewing out nonsense. Quickly I parted my lips to make the next call but no words came out. Primarina noticed this as she turned her face partly, seeing me in her peripherals.
"Mars, whatever you've got going on, we don't have time for it. We're retreating."
Mars kissed her teeth, spitting out onto the road between us. "Hmph, you're lucky I don't just deal with you here."
Before I could respond, Latias had swooped up the two Galactic admins, taking off into the skies. I still felt my nails digging into my palms, pissed that I had let them escape so easily.
I turned around, seeing that the two genie pokemon were battling fiercely against Articuno and Moltress, who Red had called out alongside the legendary ice bird. The battle was still raging on but it was clear that Red was still in control.
"...!"
Articuno and Moltress moved in sync, firing off their most powerful moves. The icy gale blended with the scorching blast of fire, the attacks crashing into the genie pokemon. Their cries of pain could be heard through the thick smoke, the two pokemon turning tail from the battle. Without looking back, both pokemon took to the skies, escaping any further damage.
The two legendary birds turned to their trainer, ready to pursue the fleeing pokemon. Red paused for a moment, looking up to the skies. After a moment of deliberation, he shook his head, deciding against chasing after the genie pokemon.
I looked over to the Galactic building atop the hill, seeing that the police had successfully broken through the ranks of grunts. Many tried to escape but most were detained by the numerous officers who had set up a perimeter around the building.
Dawn was back to her feet, Empoleon by her side. The three of us reconvened in an alleyway, out of the public's sight. Our pokemon had returned to their pokeballs, leaving only the three of us to our thoughts. The blunette was unusually quiet and I could tell that a lot was on her mind. Red's gaze was lowered to the ground, no doubt fixed on the uncertain future ahead of us.
Even though we had dealt with Team Galactic here in Veilstone, the air was heavy around us. Without Aaron here, there was a huge hole in the group. In times like this, he would always know what to do and now he was nowhere to be found. Neither of the devices on their wrists connected to Aaron's, meaning he was completely off the radar.
Both Dawn and Red were used to this, having gone on their own solo adventures in the past. But since we had started this journey as a group, being incomplete threw us off.
"Aaron will find us, it's just what he does."
I spoke up, hoping to lift everyone's moods. Dawn looked up from her thoughts, a serious look on her face. She nodded in response, "Yeah, you're right. We should get going as soon as possible."
It was settled. The three of us couldn't afford to waste any more time here, leaving Veilstone for our next destination, Verity Lakefront.