I've never lost a Pokemon battle. Not really; even back in Hisui, I was a cut above the rest. I got weaknesses better, the moves to teach, the matchups and training. Everything just jelled together like magic. Because of that, I was constantly dragged around on every mission possible. I was considered the best in the Survey Corps at getting the job done. Everyone would always say I got my skills from Dad. I was happy to consider moving in his footsteps.
But I never stopped. Not once, Zorua, Goodra, Liligant, Darkrai. My Pokemon is from Hisui, and then the time machine. Tinkaton, Iron Valiant, Roaring Moon, Luxio, Espeon, Mawile, Vulpix, Mimikyu, Sprigatito, Alcremie and so many others. We never stopped, not even for a brief moment. Always onto the next adventure. It never crossed my mind. I won every battle. I stopped them all. Professor Turo and Sada. Team Galatic and Volo. Team Phoenix and Zephyr, the other me, Team Rainbow Rocket, and Rose.
I just cannot stop; I'm unsure what it would take to do so. I've never lost a Pokemon battle. Not really. Well. That's a lie. Everyone loses eventually.
Today is that day. I lose it all.
****
Hammerlocke was in peril; that was an understatement. Thanks to Rose's helicopter, It took us no longer than ten minutes to arrive here. In just ten minutes, the Region was falling apart by the dozen. Clutching Zorua closely, the helicopter tried landing on the powerplant rooftop as Godzilla-sized Pokemon kept appearing all around, destroying everything in sight.
"This is horrible... If we don't stop this, Hammerlocke will be reduced to dust."
Rose looked at his home, crumbling away, shell-shocked eyes wide open. "This wasn't what I wanted. No, this isn't the future I sought for Galar. What has he done?"
"Who? Just who are you working with?" Zinnia barks, looking at Rose with spite. When she realized she wouldn't get an answer, she turned away from the pilot. "How quickly can you put us down?"
"Any second, we almo-." The pilot was cut off as a Dynamax Nidoking appeared before us, striking the helicopter. We began to spiral out of control as I held on for dear life, making sure not to lose Zorua this time. But one by one, everyone else began to be torn from the cockpit. Rose and Oleana. Zinnia. I tried reaching for her, losing sight just at the last moment.
"Zinnia!"
The helicopter crashed into Hammerlocke's stadium, where I started my journey. The crash scene was spread across the stadium, and while I should have taken a major hit, luckily, Goodra came out to save me at the last second. I looked up, finding the sturdy Pokemon holding me and Zorua looking worried.
Blood began trickling down my face, and my left arm burnt. Wincing, I put on my bravest face. "I'm okay, Goodra. Thank you. What would we do without you, buddy?"
Goodra smiled, helping me out of the crash sight. The stadium was a mess, half of the entrance destroyed, and in the distance, I noticed Raihan and other trainers battling a horde of Dynamax Pokemon, holding the line. Catching my bearing, I began slowly walking towards the main entrance, my head dizzy. I began to sway left and right, falling to my knees, a constant ringing in my ears. I closed my eyes and tried echoing it out, shaking my head and pulling myself together.
Without warning again, Goodra picked me up, carrying me. "Thanks... We need to get to the powerplant... Rose said; whatever is causing this Darkest Day is there. We got to hurry, please."
Goodra nodded, running in hand towards our destination. Hold on a little longer, everyone. I promise we're going to fix this.
****
The snowfall continued hammering away at us as I pushed through the horde of Goomy, trying to escape. Zorua hopped between each set of rocks, ready to take on the impossible. I counted at least a dozen Mamoswine; one or two was easy enough for Zorua and me to handle, but even this was too much.
Standing at the heart of the storm next to Goodra, I looked to her Zorua on my shoulder. "We'll back you up. We can't let these Mamoswine through the cavern!"
Goodra roared, charging a flash cannon and breaking through two hostiles. I was swept away in shock as Zorua jumped down. "What do you think, girl? They say dragon types are the most challenging to raise; when has that stopped us?"
Zorua, getting to where I was going, looked to Goodra, barking in agreement. Feeling more determined than ever, I pointed forward. "Then we can't lose; we never lose! Mimi quickly fires a Shadow Ball; we must split up the horde!"
Zorua jumped high in the air, flipping forward and sending a stray Shadow Ball into the horde of Mamoswine. It didn't directly hit any of them, but it was enough to separate them, and a handful focused on us as they began to charge.
Taking the hint, I gripped my bag as Zorua jumped on my head, and we began running. The first Mamoswine charged directly at us, missing just barely crashing into the icy mountain. Stumbling forward, I rolled ahead, dodging another one. I reached into my bag and took out a Sticky Glob, chucking it at the third Mamoswine, stunning it. It gave us the perfect chance to strike as Zorua dived to the floor, sending off another Shadow Ball, knocking back the Mamoswine, and spooking it enough to make it flee.
"Nice work, Mimi! We can do this!"
The first Mamoswine from earlier had pulled itself free from the trap, launching an earthquake at us. As the ground began to shake, I stumbled forward, crashing and crawling along. Zorua kept fighting it as I was about to sprint for safety. That was until I saw a lone Goomy from the pack shivering in fear, caught in the stampede of Mamoswines. "Not good! Hang on, I'm coming!"
Scrambling to my feet, I ran ahead, dodging and weaving through the Mamswine battlefield, a wrong move proving lethal. Now so close I dived forward scooping up the Goomy pinning ourselves to a set of rocks avoiding the barrage. "I got you! I got you!"
Clutching the Goomy tightly, I heard the shaking ground only to see rocks falling on us. Shielding Goomy, I looked away only for a roaring heat to blow over us—a flamethrower.
Looking up, I saw Irida and her Flareon joining the battle. "Don't just stand there, you idiot! Move!"
Not letting this chance slip us by, I rolled forward, running to the main section of the cavern, Goomy in hand as I continued to avoid the mayhem as Goodra and Zorua were struggling to hold them back. "Just a little longer, come on, a little longer!"
Jumping over another earthquake, I fell to my knees, looking back to find Goodra on her last legs and Zorua in the red. Biting my lip, I looked at Goomy with a smile. "Everything is going to be alright; we'll win."
As if my words were a lucky charm, a dozen Pearl Clan members appeared, surrounding the Mamoswines and sending out a handful of Pokemon. It was enough to spook the horde, making them retreat. The fear and exhaustion caught up to me as I fell on my back, panting. "Thank Arceus, that was too close."
"Y/N, you alright!?" Irida shouted, running over.
Still holding Goomy, I looked up, nodding. "Peachy, remind me never to do that again... Go on, little one, go be with your family."
I watched Goomy take off, looking back at me now and then. "I've given the rundown of the situation. The Pearl Clan will escort the Outbreak to the pathway we take in and out. The Survey Corps will take over and get these all home there."
"That's good to hear; they're all going to be alright. I'm glad."
I must have dozed off during the changeover because before I knew it, the cavern was clear, and the mass outbreak dispersed. Rubbing my eyes I turned to Zorua a deflated sigh coming along. "Let's hope we don't have to deal with too many Mass Outbreaks sooner or later... We were so caught up in the moment we forgot to catch a new Team Member."
Zorua responded with a sad howl.
Rubbing her head, I nodded. "I know girl. Maybe next time, Mimi. Come on, we should start heading back."
Stretching, I stood up, looking at the sun as it began to rise. As I began to leave, I suddenly stopped seeing a single Goomy waiting. I had to rub my eyes to ensure I wasn't seeing things. Quickly approaching him, I kneeled to their level. "Hey buddy, why didn't you go with the others? Wait a second. Are you the one I saved earlier? I'm glad you're alright. Did you get lost?"
Goomy shook his head as I looked at Zorua, confused. "We can take you back; I bet everyone is worried."
Again, Goomy shook his head in protest.
"For a Survey Corps member, you can be a bit thick sometimes." Irida chuckled, walking back. "The Goomy are all safe; Professor Lavanton and Akari are taking it from here. But it seems we've missed one."
"Yeah, so we have."
Irida crossed her arms, smiling. "Well, it doesn't take a genius to see Goomy wants to go with you. I don't blame him; you did save his life. I'm sure he wants to return the favour."
"Really? Is that true, Goomy?"
Goomy latched itself to my leg, looking up at me and giving me my answer. Stepping back, I took out the Pokeball Irdia gave me, gripping it close. Goomy waited as I threw the Pokeball, getting a critical capture, and in moments, I did it.
The newest member of our team. "Look, Mimi, we did it, our first capture. We finally have a new family member!"
"If Goodra suits anyone, it's you," Irida comments with a smile. "They're very loyal Pokemon who protect their wielder no matter what. He'll be there through thick and thin till the very end. Take good care of him."
Holding my Pokeball to the sky, I whispered. "Welcome to our silly family, Goomy. Thank you for choosing us."
****
"I think I can carry on from here, Goodra. Thank you like always." I echo, taking the first step into the power plant. The feeling was off-putting; a faint humming echoed, the temperature slowly rising. It was helping my burns in the slightest. Forced to tear off my sleeve from my Survey Corps outfit, it felt like a part of me was being torn apart. Wiping the blood from my face, I began to ascend the powerplant slowly. I wonder if Rose and Zinnia made it. Would it be down to me?
I needed to stop this now. Making it to the bottom, my heart dropped, seeing a giant echoing room going on forever, wiring and pipes moving the energy source for Galar around. A giant fossil encased in a chamber was at the centre of the room. I stared at it, uneasy. "Is this the source of the Darkest Day? A Pokemon... It hasn't escaped yet; maybe that's a good thing. It's similar to the wall I saw in the dark future. That was bigger."
"Y/N? Is that you?" I turned around, seeing Leaf approaching. She spotted my injuries running over, checking on me. "Are you alright!? You're bleeding."
Panting, I nodded with a faint smile. "I'll manage; I'm glad to see you, Leaf. I should have expected you to get here. Have you seen Leon?"
Leaf shook her head, biting her thumb. "I heard he has his hands full with the Dynamax Pokemon popping up everywhere. He will never get here in time."
"Th-Then that just leads us. How do we turn this off?"
Leaf held me up, moving me away. "Let me get you some help; leave this to me, Y/N."
"No, no. I can help; we don't quit or lose."
"Please, Y/N, you need to leave."
"Leave?" I questioned, looking at her confused. "Why?"
"Y/N..."
Pushing her off me, I approached the fossil and looked up at it. "I've never seen a Pokemon like this before."
"It's called Eternatus. I've read about it in books, to think Rose had it locked away while he experimented on it. How awful, Y/N, please, you need to go, you need medical aid."
"No."
"Please, Y/N, you need to go."
I turned around, finding Leaf holding a Masterball and pointing it at me. "Oh, why?"
"You know why. It's better this way; I've been told no one can pass. Even you."
"Who?" I echo, approaching. "Who?"
"You know who."
"Giovanni," I whisper, holding my head, remembering slowly. "Don't tell me."
Leaf pulled back her coat, showing a Rainbow R logo on her sleeve. She looked devastated, giving me one last warning. "kids like us should forget our goals and ambitions and fall in line with everyone else."
"I refuse."
"You can't beat him; he's something else. He's a monster."
"Nah, I'd win." I proudly claim standing true. "I won't give up, not here, now, or ever.
Team Rainbow Rocket Admin Leaf is Forced to Battle.
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of my Poké Balls as I prepared to unleash my Pokémon. Three at hand, Leaf, however, only had one, the Masterball. "Stopping you here will be the best thing I can do. I'll save you from his might. Go Moltres!" Leaf's voice echoed through the cavernous powerplant, and with a swift motion, Moltres emerged from its Poké Ball, its majestic wings spreading wide. The flames on its wings flickered ominously, casting an eerie glow across the metallic surroundings.
I took a deep breath and threw my first Poké Ball into the fray. "Cookie, I choose you!" The elegant psychic type materialized with a confident demeanour, its psychic energy shimmering around it like a protective aura.
Leaf glared at me with regret, giving the first command. "Moltres, Flamethrower!" Moltres unleashed a torrent of scorching flames, engulfing the battlefield. Espeon gracefully dodged the attack with a series of graceful movements, its psychic powers guiding it safely through the inferno.
"Cookie, Psybeam!" I commanded. Espeon focused its energy and released a dazzling beam of psychic power towards Moltres. As the attack struck, the legendary bird screeched in pain, but Leaf remained unfazed.
"Moltres, Air Slash!" Leaf ordered. Moltres flapped its wings violently, sending razor-sharp gusts of wind towards Espeon. Unable to avoid this attack, Espeon was blasted into the wall, leaving a crater feinting in one strike.
My heart skipped a beat just seeing this legendary Pokemon's power. I had no choice, recalling Espeon I held his Pokeball close to my chest. "I'm sorry for failing you, Cookie. Luxio, we can't let Cookie's sacrifice be for nothing!"
Luxio jumped into battle, its shiny colour glittering in the dark. "Luxio, Thunder Fang, go!" Luxio charged at Moltres with crackling fangs. Moltres screeched as Luxio sank its teeth into its fiery plumage, delivering a shocking blow.
Leaf gritted her teeth. "Moltres, Sky Attack!" Moltres gathered energy, surrounded by a radiant aura, and lunged at Luxio with incredible speed. Luxio stood its ground valiantly, bracing for impact. The collision sent shockwaves through the powerplant, and Luxio staggered and collapsed. Feeling nervous about this, I shook my head, returning him. "You did great; thank you, friend."
"Y/N, please, give it up. It's not worth it."
"Not worth it? I can't stand by and let this Region suffer! If you can do something to save people, you must do so!"
"Can't you see I'm trying to save you here!" She screamed, tears forming. "He already messed with your mind; he won't go easy on you next time."
"You may have given up and followed his words. I know what would happen if I did the same; I will never fall to Team Rainbow Rocket! Goodra, you're up!"
Goodra charged forward from behind, roaring out with everything he had. "With Goodra by my side, we can never lose. Use dragon pulse!" I shouted. Goodra unleashed a spiralling beam of energy that collided with Moltres. The legendary bird recoiled from the impact, feathers singed from the powerful Dragon-type attack.
Leaf scowled, her confidence wavering. "Moltres, use Roost!" Moltres landed gracefully; its wounds began to heal as it rested. Leaf wasn't giving up without a fight.
But I wasn't backing down either. "Don't let them get the upper hand! Goodra Draco Meteor!" The combined assault overwhelmed Moltres, stopping it from healing. The powerplant shook as the attacks collided, creating a spectacular energy display.
As the dust settled, Moltres struggled to rise. Leaf returned her weakened Pokémon, her expression a mix of frustration and surprise. "No, am I that weak? I couldn't save one person from Giovanni?"
"Leaf, help me. Whatever Giovanni has planned, we can stop him together. Please. Help me."
"I thought I could beat him; we already did in Kanto. Red, Blue and me. But he isn't like the Giovanni of this world. He's a monster."
"Leaf," I whispered. The powerplant was beginning to shake. The lights flicked off as an explosion rippled out. The moonlight pierced down on us as Eternatus had broken out and was on the roof. The lights came back on as I turned to Goodra, nodding. "We're going."
Leaf stood idly clenching her fist. "I can't."
"Then help everyone else. Don't let his shadow consume you, Leaf." I beg pressing the elevator button.
Stepping in, Leaf approached, worried. "How are you so confident? You know what he's capable of."
"If we believe we can win, then we can never lose. Goodra and I will stop him. Just watch." The elevator doors shut as I step back, looking at Goodra and trembling, and placing my hand on his shell. "We will win... We will win. We will win... Will we win?"