The Tales of Rippose

[Brendan Savem]

Treex felt glad that Kara was trusting him now, which was a major improvement in her nature. Though she was right, if the storm really was conjured up by another Absol, then that Absol would have the ability to redirect the one Kara calls up, and thwart the entire plan. Treex then looked behind him and saw Slash and Swift heading off towards the forest.

"If you run into any trouble, send a signal and we'll come as soon as possible!" Treex called. He then turned to Kabu, "I want you to come with me, the pokemon school needs to know and get to the pass. Then we'll try and find Slash and Swift." He explained, the kabuto nodded silently in response, t henclimbed up his arm onto his shoulder. Treex finally turned to Kara with a word of encouragement, "Good luck." He said, then disappeared the same way Slash and Swift did.

(my posts are getting shorter...)

 

[Aura]

Kara turned and ran into the forest, so fast she missed seeing a dark figure moving quietly away. She needed to get higher up, and knew the best place for it. There was a ledge that rose over the sea, about 50 metres up. It hopefully would be too high to be affected by Sea Surge. It should be ther perfect place to try and manipulate disasters.

***

Kara raised her head, looking at the dark grey sky. It had taken about 5 minutes to get to the ledge, but the cyclone had already moved closer. The waves around Rippose were getting stronger. Kara shut her eyes and allowed the gold flecks in her eyes to become more noticable, not growing in size but in sheen. She opened them, and found that she could see things that one without her ability couldn't see. She could see the wind, the way the waves formed, the Koffing that could slip into the water and poison the sea. She could see exactly how to manipulate anything that could cause a disaster, from that ill placed fire, to the unstabiliy of an old podium Empor was standing on.

But they weren't her main concerns. She turned her attention to the ocean. She searched for a place in the water that was already rather hot, and started to focus.

(Kara should take a while to work her ability, so don't worry if I don't post that much ok?)

 

[Weeds]

(Time for a little gravedigging...)

Slash had managed to get hold of his balance and was hovering next to the running Swift. He had been able to compete with his friend in speed before he evolved, but he was much slower now, while Swift's speed on the contrary had only increased. Life was unfair.

The two sped along. "Who are we looking for?" Slash asked.

"We're supposed to find the Absol that created this cyclone and stop him from stopping Kara's cyclone, the one that's supposed to stop his cyclone."

Slash went through it in his head. There had been too many stops and cyclones in that sentence. He shrugged. "And where are we supposed to find this Absol? He's probably not going to be here, if he doesn't want to die himself."

"No, I bet he's around here somewhere," Swift replied. "I bet he knows Kara might be able to stop his cyclone. He'll be around here somewhere to make sure she doesn't. But he's probably in a protective area, shielded from..." Swift stopped abruptly. He'd seen someone in the forest he never thought he would see again.

Phanton.

 

[Aura]

Phanton smiled at them.

"Hello Slash. Swift." He said in a voice like velvet, but still slightly sinister.

Seeing the two's expressions, he grinned, showing all of his teeth. "Looking for Nigel?" He asked. "You just passed him. He's felt Kara's attempts to work the weather. And now he's going to stop her. Oh not kill her." he added. "Just force her to be apart of the pack."

He grinned even wider.

"And in the mean time... Shadow Pulse!" He raised his hands and black energy sprang to them.

He smiled as he released the energy and it flew threw the air, towards the stunned Pokemon.

 

[Weeds]

"Shit!" Swift screamed as the pulse came. He and Slash both managed to jump aside, both of them managing to avoid damage.

"Slash!" Swift screamed, as the storm was closer now. "Go find the other Absol! I'll take care of Phanton!"

"No! I won't leave you alone!" Slash yelled back.

"Someone has to protect Kara! That's your job. Now do it!" Swift screamed.

"Why me?!" Slash screamed. "Why do you have to face this monster all alone?"

Swift grinned at his friend. "Type advantage."

Slash ran out of words. He turned around and dashed away. "Don't you dare die again!"

Swift turned back to the threat at hand. Phanton was smiling wickedly. "A noble gesture. But useless. You couldn't defeat me alone before, and neither can you now."

Swift braced himself. "This is our battle. I don't want any innocents come to harm."

Phanton laughed. "As I said. A noble gesture, but useless. Enough of this talking. Are you ready to face death?"

Swift smiled. "Never been more." The Weavile fired an Ice Beam at the Gengar, who disappeared and reappeared behind Swift. Phanton attacked with a Night Slash, which Swift parried in astonishment. "Night Slash? He isn't supposed to be able to use that attack!" Phanton grinned and repeated the same attack over and over again. It was going to be a long battle.

 

[Aura]

Kara stood still. Very still. Her limbs were coated in sweat. She'd never done anything like this before.

The hot air was now spiraling upwards, creating a wind. Now all she had to do was increase the speed... But did she have the strength? Her limbs were already trembling. Anymore of this and she might faint...

She heard a sound as something or someone approched her, moving quickly but rather quietly. Judging by how much noise was being made, this thing was either very fat or muscluar. She didn't pay much notice to it until it spoke.

"Hello again Kara." Nigel purred, making her blood run cold.

She didn't reply. All her energy was going into the cyclone... It was draining her of energy... of life...

"My you're very weak arn't you?" He sounded delighted. "It's probably going to kill you..."

Kara barred her teeth.

"But I have the strength to complete the task. I could finish it for you. And in return you would agree to join the pack... its only one little scratch..."

But he knew exactly what she feared about joining the pack, and it wasn't that. What she feared was the fact that as one of the pack, she had no choice but to obey the Alpha. The Alpha could make any member of his or her pack murder their friends, give their life... or be perfectly still... while they did things... It was that that Kara feared, because she knew that Nigel would make her submit to him. Make her not attack him while he raped her...

"Kara. Answer me!" He commanded, and Kara heard him lunge.

Then there was the sound of metal and a roar of pain. But Kara couldn't focus on that. She'd just noticed that she could hardly breathe.

***

Phanton smiled again. "I've done plenty of things to myself in my exile. Like this."

He raised his palm and they glowed pure white. He was generating a Hyper Beam. He fired it, the white light speeding from his hands. When the light cleared, Swift was still standing, a bit weak, but grinning.

"Now's my chance!" He exclaimed, leaping forwards.

But Phanton raised his hands again and fired another Hyper Beam. And then another one right after it. The three Hyper Beam's had taken all of Swifts strength. He couldn't move.

"Too easy." Phanton said, bored. "Way to easy. Maybe you'll be stronger next time we meet... If Nigel and the Cyclone don't kill you first!" He cackled then faded away, leaving Swift lying on the ground.

***

The citizens of Rippose were panicing. The water was rising, battering the homes closest to the sea. The ones that weren't in the water's reach were being torn apart by the wind. A Primplup cried out, pointing her flipper towards the mountain pass. Even though they didn't here her, the Pokemon understood. They all ran as quickly as they could away from Rippose, towards the Mountain pass. And towards the pack.

 

[Weeds]

Slash dashed at the Absol which was in the air, pouncing towards Kara. He didn't have much time, yet maybe he could use his own speed to increase the power of his own attack...

Slash's head suddenly turned into a metallic gray, and the Scizor rammed headfirst into the Absol, his Iron Head attack's power being increased by his own speed. The Absol roared, and landed a few meters away, bleeding from the side.

He chuckled. "You must be one of those opponents Phanton warned me of. But you don't seem to be very strong. Phanton must've grown weak over the years."

"Maybe there's more to me than meets the eye," (Sorry, been watching Transformers too much lately! ;D) Slash replied, his pincers glowing in the same way as his head had before. But this time the Absol was prepared, and countered Slash's move with Slash. The absol went into a flurry of slashes, his horn coming in from every possible angle. Yet Slash managed to, with a quite a bit of effort, parry all the attacks. Slash grinned. He hadn't gotten this much exercise in years.

***

The cloaked figure leaned over Swift, checking his pulse. After confirming that the Weavile was indeed alive, the stranger's hands started glowing. As the hands were placed on Swift, he could suddenly feel his wounds healing and his energy returning. After a few minutes Swift stood up, feeling fully refreshed.

He glanced at the other pokemon. "Thank you master Magmor."

The Magmortar nodded. "You're welcome. I sensed you needed help."

Swift glanced at his former master. "How come you know a move like that?" he asked. "Magmortars don't usually learn healing moves."

"An invention of my own," Magmor said. "Phanton is not the only one who knows moves he shouldn't."

The sentence made Swift's mind jump. "We have to stop him! That's why you came, isn't it?"

Magmor nodded a confirmatory nod. "But not we. You can not battle yet. I shall face him alone, weakening him enough for you to finish."

Swift felt a blob forming in his throat. "But you're going to be killed!"

"I am prepared for death. My time has come," Magmor said, placing a hand on Swift's shoulder. "Yours has not. You still have much to do in life." Suddenly Swift was unable to move.

Magmor took away his hand. "My Thunder Wave should keep you paralyzed 'til I die. Then you must seek out Phanton and finish him," Magmor's gaze was filled with sorrow. "Goodbye Swift. You were my best student, and a great friend." Then he walked away, towards the end.

 

[Brendan Savem]

(I was your master! Traitor! >)

Treex and Kabu had little trouble getting to the isolated Rescue School, Treex immediatly burst in and nearly scared the life out of a small Munchlax raiding the food. Treex usually would have sent the early bird back to bed, but now was not the right time. Treex ignored the Munchlax and rang a bell that was used as a breakfast signal. The inhabitants immediatly awoke and came from their individual sleeping areas out of the school. Treex explained the cyclone and told his fellow teachers to escort the students to safety, then make sure as many pokemon as possible made it away from the danger, providing protection if necessary. Treex then turned to Kabu.

"You should go with them, though I'm not forcing you to." Treex told, giving the Kabuto the choice to escape or return the 3-year-old favor to his team. The answer was anominous. Treex went deeper into the forest with Kabu on his shoulder, searching for a single Absol. What Treex found, was something else.

Treex skidded to a halt when he came across a large stone, lying between the trunks of two trees, recently broken, almost definatly by this rock.

"Was that the cyclone?" Kabu asked,

"No, the winds aren't strong enough yet... it's something else..." Treex pointed out. By seeing the stone location in relation to the trees, Treex could get a good idea of where the stone came from. Only a hundred meters in that direction, there was a clearing. A large gaping hole sat in the middle. Treex looked at it absently for a minute, then memory snapped him back to attention.

Phantom: ex-mayor of Rippose, grew corrupt and nearly spiralled the town to ruin, Was thrown out by numerous rescue teams who saw what needed to be done. Treex was among them. Later Phantom tried to retake control, but was tricked and sealed in a cave within the forest itself. This was the cave...

Treex realized that if the cave was open, then Phantom was no longer in it. He turned to Kabu,

"Get back to the beach, find Kara and cover her in any way you can. She's not safe alone!" Treex ordered the Kabuto, sending him off in the direction of the beach. 'Kabu hopefully won't have any trouble getting there, his small size should keep him hidden from danger.' Treex thought, he then climbed up a tree to get a view of the forest. Kara was on a rocky outcropping near the beach, doing her job well. Treex however couldn't see Nigel just covered by the trees. What he could see was the orange light of a hyper beam. Treex hopped from tree to tree, hoping to find Phantom or Nigel before they found anybody else.

(personally, I'm not too proud of this post)

 

[Aura]

Ok. This really sucks.
Yeah I know. I should stop now and flee.
But if I do the entire town will be destroyed! And I won't have the strength to flee! And Nigel will take advantage of that!
But...
No butts. I'm finishing this task, even if it kills me.
...

Kara switched up the focus, causing the winds to whirl faster and faster... hotter and hotter... the waves below became more violent, an effect of the two winds.

Kara's vision began to burst out in red and yellow spots. She couldn't breathe at all. Air seeped from her lungs, but none seemed to return... Her legs trembled, then collasped from underneath her. But she still fueled the cyclone.

There was a roar of pain from behind her, but it seemed faint to Kara's ears. Her vision started to fade away... but she could still see the second huge swirling mass that was now fully sized.

She'd created another cyclone.

Dispite the fact that Kara knew she was dying, she felt some self satifaction. She knew that her father would be very proud of her...

But then panic sunk it's claws in. Her lungs screamed for air. She couldn't see. She couldn't hear. She couldn't taste the blood in her mouth from when she'd bitten her tongue. She couldn't feel anything, save from the pain and exaustion.

Kara fainted. But even though she was unconsious, working the cyclone still took it's toll.

***

Nigel grinned. His golden eyes became more brilliant as he opened his second vision. He knew that his father would never use this during battle because he regarded it to be honorless, but Nigel wouldn't know honor was even if it kicked him in the balls.

Suddenly, there was more to see. Everything was more detailed. Nigel aimed his power at the unstable rock that was under the Scizor. The bug cried out, then fell off the cliff.

Grinning, Nigel turned to Kara. She'd fainted. But she'd created a cyclone... it was destroying his. He knew how to make use of this... but before he could change the cyclone's direction, something his him. Hard.

It was the Scizor. And a Kabuto. Looks like it had help the Scizor.

Growling, Nigel shouted. "Shadow Ball!"

 

[Weeds]

(Forgive me master Brendan! Swift trained under other masters during those years he was away. Kinda like in Dragon Ball.)

Slash was blown into the air by the absol's attack, and when he didn't feel any ground beneath his feet, he was sure he was going to die. But suddenly he felt something grab hold of his leg and swing him back up onto the cliff. Slash recognized Kabu, who had used all the strength in that little body to get him back into fighting position.

The Absol spun around, apparently not too pleased to see his opponent had survived. "Shadow Ball!" was his way to show his displeasure. But Slash and Kabu had worked out a great teamwork-tactic years ago. (The following events must be pictured in slow-motion ) Slash threw Kabu over the sphere, while staying behind to parry the attack. The Kabuto landed on the back of the Absol, and started draining his energy with Absorb and attacking with Scratch, Mud Shot, and other attacks he'd learned. The Absol was too busy trying to get Kabu off his back to notice Slash, who rushed right into him with an X-scissor. The Absol roared in agony, apparently the super-effective move had done its job.

***

Finally, Magmor caught up with Phanton.

"Magmor. What an unpleasant surprise," Phanton said, not turning aorund.

"I didn't come here to be pleasant," was Magmor's reply.

Phanton turned around, grinning malevolently. "What a bad-ass line. Though I don't remember you as the bad-ass type. I must add that to my list of favorite quotes!"

"Spare me the joking," Magmor said. "You know why I'm here."

Phanton laughed. "Another good line. Have you been training for this moment?"

"Yes," Magmor replied. "I have." And he fired off a Fire Blast.

 

[Aura]

Nigel roared with fury. Now this wasn't fair! That bloody Kabuto was firing off attacks while draining his energy! The bastard! Then the Scizor leapt forwards and X-Scissored him torso, causing Nigel to scream. Fuckhead!

The shiny Absol kicked the Kabuto off the cliff, then turned back to the Scizor. He looked shocked and worried for his friend. Now was the moment to kill him.

"Hyper Beam!" He screamed.

Pure white energy formed in front of Nigel, a huge swirling mass of deadly force. Nigel grinned when he saw the blood drain from the Scizor's face.

"Take this!" Nigel roared as he relased the energy.

It smashed into the Scizor, who disappeared from view. Nigel grinned. He was sure that the Scizor would be hard pressed to survive this.

 

[Weeds]

Kabu was quickly thrown off the cliff, yet he didn't panic. He'd learned to keep cool in situations like these. He changed his position to a head-first drop, and drew his legs as close to his body as possible. As aerodynamic as he could get, he hit the surface at a tremendous speed. Using the speed he gained, he made a big U-turn, propelling himself out of the water, and back up towards the cliff. Naturally his speed wasn't enough to get him all the way to the top, but he was good over halfway there.

***

There was nothing Slash could do to avoid the Hyper Beam. It hit him straight on, and Slash thanked the stars for his Steel type. The Hyper Beam hurt, but not as much as it could have. Slash slammed through the trunks of four trees before stopping. Wounds had opened up everywhere, his left arm ached like hell and his right wing was basically torn to shreds.

"Arceus damn you!" he thought. "Damn it all! I have to reveal my secret technique!"

Slash's body began trembling. The blood started flowing harder, yet he was only concentrated on his attack. His body stiffened, and his eyes went completely yellow. A black flame engulfed him, and he hovered half a meter above the ground. "Frenzy Aura," he whispered, and with those words, he fell back onto the ground, and the flame disappeared. His eyes were still yellow, and tendrils of black aura still erupted from him, like he had been on fire.

The Absol barely had enough time to turn around before Slash hit him with Slash (that sounded weird). The Frenzy Aura increased his attack, his speed, his endurance; basically all his abilities. But it would take its toll. And to top it off, it made Slash completely merciless. He kept Slashing at the Absol, who desperately tried to counter.

(Maybe a little supermodding, but he's going to die or something afterwards )

 

[Aura]

(You better not. Kara needs some serious help here! And I really like that name! *feels very special*)

Nigel couldn't believe this. The Fuckhead had caught on fire. It was the strangest sight he'd ever seen. And he'd seen a lot of wierd things so far. The black flames when out, but his eyes stayed the same. They were cold. Merciless. Nigel suppressed a shiver.

Then he came from him. The Scizor slashed at everything. His head. His neck. His horn. His limbs. His torso. His tail. Anything within reach. And because of Hyper Beam, Nigel was having trouble fighting him off. He was a lot weaker and slower at the moment, but that would go eventually.

Looks like that eventually was now. Nigel felt the heavyness leave his limbs and suddenly the Scizor moved slower. Nigel focused again.

"Dark Pulse!" He shouted.

A wave of pure darkness was thrown from Nigel, forcing the Steel/Bug type backwards. He (Slash) shook his head, as if trying to ward off some evil spirit. Nigel took one longing glance at Kara's motionless form, then fled, using Agility as he went, increasing his speed so much that only Kara could hope to catch up to him. He vanished so quickly he may have just been something one could imagine. But the signs of the battle was still there.

 

[Weeds]

(You're supposed to )

Slash felt dizziness rise to his head. The Dark Pulse, the effects of his attack. Through his blurring vision he could see the Absol flee. What the heck? He was still alive? The Scizor had definitely underestimated his opponent. Slash crawled over to Aura. He checked her pulse, yes, her heart was beating, but not much. He looked around, was there anybody around that could help them? The answer was no. Until Kabu made it to the top.

"What happened?" he asked, worriedly. "Are you hurt Slash?"

"Damn well I'm hurt," Slash murmured in reply. Too bad that Kabu had missed his secret move. The Kabuto would've been impressed.

"We've gotta find someone who can help," Slash panted. Breathing felt unusually hard. "Go to Rippose. We must find someone that can heal her. And me. Do you know the place where we met Phanton?"

Kabu's face went paler at the name of Phanton, but he nodded.

Slash nodded too. "Meet us there."

Kabu ran off towards Rippose, while Slash swung the motionless Absol onto his shoulders. Slowly he made his way to the scene of the first battle. Each step felt like a limb being ripped off. Yet he continued forwards.

***

Magmor panted. Phanton was so strong... The Gengar had been able to avoid most of his more powerful moves, in fact, he'd been able to avoid all of the Magmortar's moves so far. Phanton was standing a few meters in front of the Fire type pokemon right now.

"I'll give you a two-minute break," the Gengar said with a grin.

Magmor reacted by raising his arms and firing off a Fire Blast. The move came incredibly quickly, there was no way Phanton could avoid that. Indeed, Magmor saw the shape of the Gengar being engulfed by flames.

"Yes! Got him!" Magmor cheered.

Suddenly the Magmortar's blood froze. "Not quite," a voice said behind him. Magmor didn't even have enough time to turn around before he was torn to shreds by Hyper Beam.

***

Suddenly Swift was able to move again. He stared at his arms in disbelief. "This must mean..." he said out loud. "Magmor..."

Swift clenched his fists. Magmor was dead. Now it was his time. Adrenaline flowing through his veins, Swift dashed off in the direction Magmor had gone.

 

[Aura]

Nigel sped towards where the pack was waiting for him. Damn, it wasn't like him to flee, but that Scizor... well it just creeped him out. And as much as he'd like to go kick that thing's ass, he had more important things to do.

The pack stood before him. A group of about 20 Absols, all with normal eyes. All of Nigel's mindless warriors, all disposable. One, a female stepped forwards.

"The citizen's of Rippose have left. Now would be a perfect time to seize the town."

"Ah... but Rayla, what is the point of having the town without it's people? None at all. But if we can convince them that Rippose is safe again..."

Rayla shifted slightly. "Alpha Nigel... You... you plan to hurt my Kara..." She instantly cried out in pain, for her words went against the old Alpha's orders.

Nigel understood why only Rayla of the whole pack, asides from himself of course, could utter Kara's name, for she was Kara's mother. It pained her to have to even think about her daughter, and her pain pleased Rayla. The only thing that bothered him was that Rayla's eyes were completely normal. No flecks of gold. And no one, except for Rayla of course, knew who her father was. But Rayla was willing to face the pain, even if it killed her.

"Only mentally Rayla." He said pleasently. "Now shut up before you give our position away."

Then he gave the pack his orders, all with the Alpha voice. They had no choice to but to obey. They then disappeared into the forest. Nigel grinned, then headed to the mountain pass.

***

Lupina looked around. The mountain pass was just ahead, but something didn't feel right... But she knew she had to get the other Pokemon out of danger. Her father also agreed with her. She sighed. The wind from the cyclone howled around her, making her shiver. She wondered where the four missing Pokemon were. Treex. Swift. Kabu. Slash. They were not with the rest of the Pokemon. Once again, Lupina sighed. Then the wind picked up, but not coming from the direction she'd been expecting. It came from the mountain pass.

It was beyond anything she'd ever imagined. The strength of it, was... breathtaking. Litrally. She couldn't breathe.

"Father!"

"To Rippose my dear!"

"But the Cyclone..."

"Has stopped."

The Primplup nodded, then turned around. Her father was right. The cyclone was gone. She ran away from the wind, back to Rippose.

 

[Weeds]

Tears blurred Swift's vision. Magmor had fallen at the hands of Phanton. That the Gengar could kill so ruthlessly... It was good that the Weavile hadn't been around to see his old master's death, as his thoughts would have been even more clouded by revenge then. Swift dashed, ducked under a branch and leaped out into an opening in the trees. Phanton was waiting.

"What took you so long?" the Gengar asked, the smile on his face clearly mocking.

Swift didn't reply.

"It's a shame that you weren't here to see him beg for his..." Phanton was cut off by Swift's Ice Beam. The Gengar wasn't prepared, and the move actually nudged him.

Swift was panting heavily, more out of pure hate than fatigue. "Magmor would never sink as deep as to beg you for something, even his own life. NEVER!"

Phanton chuckled. "You seem to have held him in high regard. But do you really think you knew him that well? Do you really think you could know him as well as to say if he could do something like that?" No reply. "Apparently you didn't."

Swift roared in fury and lunged at Phanton. The Gengar grinned and flicked his fingers. With no more effect than to slow down Swift a little bit. Astonishment was the look on the Gengar's face as Swift crashed into him.

***

Slash finally made it to the place were they had first met Phanton. He was panting heavily, and it felt as though Kara weighed a ton. The Scizor collapsed and fell into an unconscious meditative state.

The world around him quickly disappeared, and everything went white. Slash felt his strength return and stood up. Everything was shining white. He couldn't see any difference between the ground and the sky.

Suddenly he felt a presence behind him. He spun around to face a Gardevoir. Slash stared in disbelief. "Keira?" he whispered. The Gardevoir nodded.

Slash was about to say something, but the Gardevoir placed a finger on his lips. She pointed to her left. Slash could see his own unconscious body in all the white. Nobody had uttered a word, yet he knew what he was supposed to do. He went over and laid down on himself, his consciousness being absorbed into his physical body.

When Slash opened his eyes, he was back in the woods. Everything was as when he'd fallen. Only his strength had returned. Slash pushed Kara aside and stood up. He looked up at the sky.

"Keira..."

He quickly checked Kara's state, and after deciding that it was good enough for her to survive until Kabu arrived with help, he sped off to where he could hear the sounds of battle.

***

At the same moment, Kabu arrived in Rippose. Yelling at the top of his lungs that Slash and Kara needed healing, he found the Chansey who had healed Swift so long ago. The two headed off to where they had first met phanton, hoping that they weren't too late.