____________________CHAPTER 19_____________________
_______________THE BATTLE OF INDEGO________________
Nurse Joy entered the ICU. Her day began early, as she was concerned for Ash and Pikachu. Ash had remained in the room ever since his Pokemon had gotten out of the Critical Status. However, he was looking out the window once again.
"You're up early." she said, examining the clock on the far wall. It read 6:05 a.m. "Want some breakfast?"
Ash seemed calm, yet uneasy. "See that?" he said. Nurse Joy came over and looked out the window. The view of the distant Indego Plateau was nothing more than a mere shadow of hills from Saffron City.
Ash continued. "Everything is going to be decided this day. Victory, or defeat... Life or death..."
Nurse Joy was beginning to feel uneasy hearing him say this out of the blue. "What are you talking about?" she said, while continuing to look out the window.
Ash simply looked at her and smiled. "Don't worry... Everything is going to be alright..." was all he said, as he looked out the window once again.
A batallion of Airships could be seen from the walls of the fortified Indego Plateau. They approached at a creeping pace, as the walls were now lined with Pokemon. Behind the barricaded doors that sealed off the main entrance, a legion of Fighting Pokemon stood in wait, like a well-disciplined army.
In the air above the city, Pidgey, Taillow, and various other Flyers hovered in wait. The sight was truly magnificent, despite the terrible ordeal that awaited the City. It was as if Fate was on the side of the League, and this break was much-needed, considering that the entire Pokemon League rested on the outcome of this battle.
Lance, Kyra, Chezni, and Roan had boarded the Super Nova over an hour ago, and were preparing the main weapons for the upcoming battle. The crew acted hastily, and efficiently as always, and the Airship was already fully armed.
MewTwo and Jirachi headed the group on the forward walls of the City, while Lugia, Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno, Latios, Latias, Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Celebi led the Flyers in the sky. It would be up to those two groups to prevent the City from being breached by the Airships.
Entei, Suicune, and Groudon headed the Fighters behind the walls. They would be the absolute Front Lines, should the City be breached.
The rear lines, which included the Civilian Trainers, Gary, Misty, Brock, Max, May, and Tracie, were led by Mew. Their duty was to protect the Headquarters, should the other three Lines fail.
The City was quiet, with a sense of unease. The suspense was more than enough to cause the most disciplined of the League Officers to panic, but there was a sense of ease as well. But, perhaps it was simply the proverbial 'calm before the storm'...
Jirachi looked onto the Road with a sense of concern. They were more than close enough to attack, yet they didn't... Were they waiting for us to make the first move, he wondered. In an instant, his question was answered.
"INCOMING!!!" one of the League Officers shouted. As if like an army of Archers simultaneously firing their bows, every Airship in the front fired their beams in synchronous fashion.
MewTwo realized what needed to be done, and formed a Psychic Barrier in the area around him. Seeing this, every other Psychic Pokemon on the wall did the same, and the entire front wall was protected by the Barrier.
The beams and the barrier met with an unparalleled force that could be heard for miles. A few Psychics could be seen fainting from exhaustion, but the Barrier successfully blocked the attack, despite this.
It was the Flyers' turn. Lugia began forming a Hyper Beam, as did the others who were able. As if commanded to fire, the Flying Pokemon released their attacks in sync. Hundreds of Hyper Beams headed toward the Airships. Despite the shields, the Beams were able to penetrate a few hulls, and two of the massive Flying Machines could be seen losing altitude, eventually crashing into the ground in the distance.
Tracie looked on with satisfaction. "Nice shot, Lugia!!!" he yelled. Lugia turned his head and nodded, as if to accept an award.
As he turned his head to look back, he saw a large blast of light, just before it hit him. The force of the blast sent Lugia into a house. Tracie could only stare at the mangled Pokemon. A gaping hole had been created in Lugia's chest, and burns covered the barely recognizable form of the once majestic creature.
The entire group looked in disbelief. Asmodia held an opened hand in the direction of where Lugia once was. "One down." was all he said, in response to his own handiwork. With that, he flew directly at the Psychics. As he did this, he held out both of his hands, as glowing red balls formed. He proceeded to launch the Balls in succession, reforming each, as he launched the opposite one. Despite the Barriers, the Psychics couldn't block the oncoming attacks. Clouds of blood and red flames were easy to spot, as hundreds of Pokemon fell to the barrage of attacks.
MewTwo and Jirachi proceeded to protect the surrounding Pokemon, as it seemed that Asmodia had no interest in the two... for the moment, at least. It was then that Asmodia looked directly at MewTwo.
"Latias is next. Are you going to protect her???" he asked. MewTwo needed no further urgings. He flew at Asmodia with a velocity that rivaled Pikachu. Upon collision, it was apparent that Asmodia was damaged. He clutched his side, at least seeming to be injured. "My turn..." was all he said, as he pointed at MewTwo. "Here's a classic." MewTwo attempted to move, but was unable. "Bang."
Gary monitored the scuffle between Asmodia and MewTwo. It was at that moment that the color on his face changed. "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" he screamed, but to no avail.
A small beam passed through MewTwo, as he plunged into the ground near Gary. Mew flew directly to the injured Pokemon. "Mew! Mew, mew, mew!!" she said. Tears began to well up in her eyes.
MewTwo looked at Mew. "Don't... cry for me... I... am a part... of you... and always shall be..."
Gary began shaking. "Stop talking you fool..."
MewTwo looked at Gary and seemed to smile. "Hmm... hmm hmm... You... fool... Isn't that... my line??........" As he finished, he laid his head on the ground and closed his eyes. At this, Mew finally broke down.
Gary stared at the Pokemon. "This isn't right..." he said, as tears began rolling down his cheeks. "Why do Pokemon and Humans have to suffer like this?!!!" he screamed.
Pikachu seemed to be sleeping with a sense of unease. As Ash looked on, his eyes widened. Without warning, Pikachu's eyes were open. Nurse Joy immediately turned off the Needle Light above the ICU door.
Ash looked at Pikachu and smiled. "Are we ready?"
"Pikaa!" Pikachu shouted. With that, Ash picked up the Pokemon and headed to the Lobby.
He turned toward Nurse Joy once more. "Thanks for everything." he said.
The Nurse nodded. "Not a problem. You just go out there and do what you need to do!" she stated, as Ash nodded.
With that, Ash proceeded to a phone. "Pikachu... Yeah..." Pikachu nodded as Ash continued. "You're looking better than ever... Whoa!" Ash felt the new surge of power coursing through Pikachu. "I can't believe how strong you are!! Yet, you're so calm..."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu responded.
Ash nodded. "Yeah, we'll get him..." Ash said as he turned toward the direction of the battle. "I know that I've been out for awhile guys, but I'll make it up to you, I swear! There'll be no more suffering for anybody!!" As he finished, he turned back to the phone and turned it on. "Don't worry. I'm on my way!"
A picture of Professor Oak could be seen on the monitor. "Ash! How have you been?" he asked. It was then that he could see Pikachu. "PIKACHU?! What the heck happened?! Did he Evolve?! I've never seen that type of Evolution before!"
Ash shook his head. "No. He didn't Evolve. I don't have time to explain. Do you have my Poke-Balls?"
Professor Oak nodded. "Yes! Do you need to switch Pokemon?"
Ash responded right away. "Yes." He looked in the direction of the battle once again.
After a moment, he looked back. "I need you to send me Ho-Oh!"