Pokemon: Radical Redux-Chapter 352: King of destruction?

500 stone Chapter

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The salty sea breeze drifted through the open-air patio of the seaside café, where Ash, Yellow, and Jasmine sat around a table shaded by a striped umbrella. Plates of fresh rice bowls, crispy croquettes, and berry smoothies were spread in front of them. Pikachu sat between Ash and Yellow, nibbling on his own bowl that he'd covered in ketchup.

"I wasn't joking," Jasmine said with a small, proud smile as the waitress placed steaming plates of curry rice in front of them. "This place really does have the best curry in town."

Yellow giggled as she watched Pikachu dig into his monstrosity. "You're really living your best life, huh?"

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded happily as he grabbed another bottle and started to chug it.

Jasmine watched Pikachu with an amused look. "I still don't understand the ketchup thing..."

"I've given up trying," Ash shrugged. "I tried everything, and his favorite food is still ketchup. And it's not even a Pikachu thing, Chuchu hates ketchup."

"Yeah..." Yellow scratched her cheek. "But I think Chuchu might like mayonnaise."

"Err, can't even imagine drinking a jar of mayonnaise," Jasmine said, shivering and holding back a gag.

"If Chuchu likes it, I don't mind, even if I do think it's a little gross," Yellow admitted.

Ash took a sip of his smoothie as he looked up. "You know, Jasmine, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

Jasmine flinched slightly, then quickly steeled herself. "I-I mean, yeah, of course! I can help you with whatever you need!"

Ash pulled his phone out and showed her a picture of his Onix, his Crystal Onix. "You see, I have this special Onix, and I want to evolve him. Can you help?"

Jasmine deflated slightly, she didn't know what she was expecting, but this seemed disappointing. Still, she nodded. "Of course. Let's see what we can do!"

[Countdown until Ash returns: 30 minutes]

—-

In Cianwood, the trio stood in front of the boulder and removed their hoods, revealing the uniforms of Team Cipher.

"Let's remove it now and take this Legendary Pokémon," the leader said, placing a hand on the boulder.

But before they could do anything, they heard another voice.

"Hold it!" freeweɓnovel.cøm

From a building came jumping down three people in Team Rocket uniforms, Ken, Al, and Harry of the Team Rocket elite.

"That Legendary Pokémon is ours. Step away!" Ken said.

One of the Cipher members, a shorter man, scoffed. "Please, you probably don't even know what Pokémon is here."

"Don't need to. We have orders, and so we will deliver," Harry said.

Another member of Cipher, a woman with a red bun, stood up. "What a coincidence, we had the same order. Don't suppose we can convince you boys to back down if I offer you a date~?"

Al scoffed. "Nope. We already failed one mission and the Boss spent too much to save us, so we won't just let a pretty face tell us what to do."

The third Cipher agent, probably the leader, stepped forward. "Well then, I suppose we'll have to get ugly, won't we? Though I suppose you three are already there."

Just as everyone was reaching for their Pokéballs, another voice spoke up as a third group appeared, dressed in white uniforms with a Meowth, it was Jessie, James, and Meowth.

"Wait just a sec! You have orders? Well, so do we, we have our own orders!" Jessie said, striking a pose.

"We do! So if you don't mind, you all can go," James followed, also striking his pose.

Meowth, wanting to be included, jumped in. "Meowth, that's me!"

"Who are you..." the Cipher agent asked.

"Who are we? Who are you!?" Jessie shot back.

"What, you don't know who we are? Well, we'll show you!"

"No, us!"

"Not if we do it first!"

And so, the three groups started chanting their mottos over each other, trying to outdo one another.

—

Meanwhile, back with Misty and Brock, they were walking with Horace as he showed them around town and caught up with them since the last time they saw each other.

"Man, that sucks," Horace said after Brock told him about losing the breeding competition. "You're great, it's really a shame those judges are biased against battles..."

"No, really, it's okay," Brock reassured him. "I'm actually kinda happy I failed. Now I can do things my own way."

"Well, that certainly is one way of looking at it," Horace chuckled as he led them to a diner for lunch.

Brock and Misty were also silently communicating whether they should tell Horace, since, on one hand, they felt like they could trust him, but on the other, it was literally Celebi. You could never be too careful.

As they reached the diner, however, Brock and Misty noticed someone they recognized, a girl around the same age as Ash and Yellow, with purple hair. It was Shelly, but this time, she had two other people with her.

One was an older kid with a goofy smile. He wore a purple jacket left open to reveal a fishnet shirt underneath. He had silver earrings and had painted his nails black.

The other was probably a younger girl, with pink hair. She kind of looked like a mini version of Whitney and was pretending not to enjoy herself as she stuffed her face.

Shelly's eyes lit up briefly when she spotted Brock and Misty, until her gaze darted around and she realized someone wasn't with them. Her smile faltered just a touch, but she quickly put on a shy smile and gave a little wave.

"Hey!" Misty called out with a wave. "Shelly, right? It's been a while!"

"Y-yeah," Shelly said, fiddling with the strap of her bag. "Nice to see you again..."

Cain popped up behind her like a spring-loaded jack-in-the-box, hands flaring outward. "Oooh, are these more friends of yours?" he asked with a teasing lilt. "Name's Cain, and color me curious. Especially the tall, broody one with the nice muscles." He gave a smirk. "You single, bro?"

Brock blinked, taken aback. "Uhh—"

"Yes," Misty cut in dryly. "But not interested."

"Oof," Cain grinned, undeterred. "Just asking for a friend. That friend is me, but if he's not, then how about you? You're also a hottie~"

The girl who was called Heather grumbled through a mouthful of fries. "Do you ever not flirt?"

"Of course I do," Cain said, flipping a fry into his mouth with a wink toward Brock, Misty, and Horace. "But only on weekends, and today's a maybe."

Cain's grin widened as he leaned casually against the booth's divider, clearly amused by Misty's dry tone. "Feisty. I like that in a—"

"Cain," Shelly whispered, tugging gently on his sleeve.

He gave a dramatic sigh. "Fine, fine. Shelly's giving me the look again. Truce," he said, raising his hands in surrender and backing off just a little. "But for the record, I still think we'd make a great double battle team... in any sense."

Heather rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they stayed in her head. "You flirt like a Loudred with a mic problem."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Cain beamed. "Being loud and being bi, that's my favorite thing."

Cain clapped his hands together. "Well! Since fate has brought us together and the lunch gods are generous, why don't we all sit down and break bread? Or fries. Or whatever they've got."

Shelly looked like she wanted to melt into the sidewalk. "I-I mean, if that's okay...?"

"We don't mind. It's been a while," Misty said with a smile to Shelly as she, Brock, and Horace pulled up a chair, much to Heather's annoyance, though she didn't say anything.

"So, I see you're traveling and have some friends with you. That's great to hear you're doing well," Brock said as he put in his order.

"I–erm, well, I just, you know—" Shelly stammered as she held up a badge shaped like a fist, the Storm Badge. "I wanted to participate in the League so I can prove to everyone that I can be strong too."

"Yeah, I get that," Misty said as Brock nodded. "Story of my life, living in the shadow of my older sisters. But I'm doing better. So, how did you guys meet and start traveling?"

"Umm, w-well," Shelly began nervously.

Heather saw that and quickly swallowed her fries before jumping in. "Me and Shelly have been friends since we were kids. I saw her talking with my sis about a gym battle, and once I found out, I wasn't letting my friend go out alone."

"Wait, gym leader? Who's your sister?" Brock asked.

"Hmm, well, not that it matters, but my sis is Whitney," Heather said blankly, offering no further elaboration.

Before they could ask more questions, she pointed at Cain. "And this idiot here just showed up and hasn't left us alone since."

"Well, someone has to take care of these two cuties," Cain said in a playful, non-flirty way. "Besides, why can't I have fun while we do it?"

As they continued talking and eating, the topic of why Brock and Misty were in town came up.

"Well... it's kinda hard to explain," Brock said. The medicine part was fine to share, but they were also helping search for Entei for the other group.

Cain tilted his head, intrigued. "Ooh, secret mission stuff? Are you guys, like, undercover spies? Gym leader spies? Oh! Star-crossed lovers on the run?"

"Absolutely none of those," Misty said, her eyes twitching with annoyance.

"Speak for yourself," Brock muttered as he put a hand on his chin. "I am mysterious."

Misty pulled his ear. "You're about as mysterious as a Slowpoke in a hot tub!"

—-

With Roy, Liko, and Dot, they were breathing heavily, trying to catch their breath after the intense workout Chuck had put them through. Bea was also doing the workout, but she wasn't showing any signs of stopping her training. Since she saw that they couldn't keep up, she hadn't bothered making conversation.

Liko leaned against the wall, sweat dripping down her brow. "Okay... so... Chuck's idea of 'light warmups' is not normal."

Dot flopped to the ground, arms spread out like a fainted Jigglypuff. "I think I saw Arceus halfway through those push-ups."

Roy was bent over with his hands on his knees. "Haaaah, I can't feel my legs, but this is fun," he said, trying to sound excited, though he felt like he was passing out halfway through.

"You kids did great! Now it's time for a break!" Chuck said as he reached for his bag. For a second, the trio thought he was going to hand them some disgusting protein shake or maybe a granola bar, but they were immediately shut up when he pulled out a cake. Not a protein cake, an actual sugary cake.

"Eat up! There's plenty, my wife made this one. There's a lot more. Let's have a dessert picnic!" he said with full seriousness.

"Oh yeah, this is my kind of training!" Roy said excitedly, with Cyndaquil jumping up and down in happiness.

Liko and Dot also looked relieved, but then Liko glanced over at Bea, wondering if she wouldn't like sweets or have anything to eat. That thought was quickly shut down when Bea was already sitting down, face smeared with frosting, chewing calmly. She looked back at them.

"Are you getting some or not?" she asked with a mouthful of cake

"I don't understand anymore," Liko said helplessly as she went over to sit down.

—-

Team Cipher, Ken, Al, Harry, and Jessie, James, and Meowth were all standing on opposing sides.

"We got here first, so the Pokémon is ours," the Cipher leader declared with a smug grin, pushing the others aside as he moved toward the boulder.

Ken pointed a finger dramatically at Cipher's leader. "I'm telling you, pal, this mission's ours. Step aside before someone gets hurt."

Cipher's leader crossed his arms. "You first. Or are you scared your hair gel might catch fire if you think too hard?"

Harry frowned. "That doesn't even-what? That doesn't even make sense."

Jessie stomped her heel. "Listen up, trench coat rejects! We've been chasing legendaries since before you could spell 'shadow augmentation'!"

"Big words for someone whose last successful plan involved balloon animals and mayonnaise!" Al shot back, looking annoyed.

James huffed, clutching a Pokéball. "It was artisan mayonnaise!" he yelled as Wobbuffet jumped out of his Pokéball and saluted.

"WOOOOBUUUFFET!" he echoed in agreement.

Meowth had both paws in the air. "Can we not start another mayonnaise fight?!"

Ken rolled his neck and cracked his knuckles. "Alright, you know what? Fine. Let's settle this Rocket-style."

"Yeah?" Cipher's leader stepped forward. "You want a battle for it?"

"Exactly," Ken snapped, pulling out a Pokéball and spinning it on his finger before tossing it. "Let's make this quick, my lunch break ends in ten."

From the shadows emerged a Machamp, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Cipher's leader smirked and threw his own Pokéball, revealing a Shadow Absol, its aura crackling ominously with dark energy.

Jessie pushed between them, brandishing her Pokéball dramatically. "Hold up! If anyone's stealing this battle spotlight, it's us!" she declared, throwing out her former Lickitung, now a Lickilicky after some much-needed training.

James nodded, already releasing his Victreebel, who immediately jumped back and almost swallowed him. "Ow–ow–no, not me! I forgot you do this!!"

Meowth leapt in front, claws out, as he started charging his [Dark Pulse]. "I'll take that Absol on myself if I gotta!"

The Cipher woman with the red bun stepped up, sending out a Shadow Mismagius, the air distorting around it. "Let's show them what a real enhanced Pokémon can do."

As everyone else released their Pokémon, they all jumped into the center and started fighting like Looney Tunes characters, barely calling out moves, just brawling.

During the chaos, Meowth lunged in and was almost immediately smacked back, crashing into the boulder and causing it to roll out of the way. As soon as it moved, the air became heavier.

A bright light shot up like a beacon, piercing the sky, as the hole under the rock started growing. The ground cracked and widened until a massive black arm shot up and pulled itself out.

Jessie took a step back, eyes wide. "W-what is that?!"

James grabbed his book and started flipping through it frantically. "There's nothing in any entries," he whispered, clutching Victreebel like a stuffed toy. "That thing looks like it eats Pokémon for breakfast."

As it continued pulling itself out, a large head burst through the ground, it was a Tyranitar. But not just any Tyranitar... this was the legendary Black Tyranitar that nearly destroyed Johto.

Meowth yelped, fur fluffing up as he scrambled behind Wobbuffet. "We're outta our league!"

Wobbuffet nodded sagely. "Wobbu."

Suddenly, the arm swept down, striking the ground near them. A shockwave exploded outward, sending half the Pokémon and their trainers flying. Ken tumbled over a heap of stones, clutching Machamp's arm.

"Retreat! Tactical retreat! It's not worth it!"

"No!" the Cipher leader shouted. "This is the culmination of our work! Attack!"

Shadow Absol and Mismagius launched forward, only for the Black Tyranitar to raise its hand. A pulse of red-black energy erupted, making the Pokémon drop limply to the ground, unconscious.

Al stared, slack-jawed. "Okay. Now we run."

"...Agreed," the Cipher agent said as all nine of them turned and started trying to run.

But the Black Tyranitar wasn't about to let that disrespect slide. With a roar, it punched the ground, causing energy to pulse beneath them and explode, sending them all flying.

"Ahh, come on, not again!" Jessie cried.

"Why couldn't you idiots let us take care of it?!" the woman with the bun shouted, pointing accusingly at them as they were launched into the air.

"Hey, you weren't much better, your Pokémon got taken out in one hit!" Al shot back.

Meowth flew past them, looking more sad than scared. "Not like it matters now, ya know why?"

All: "We're blasting off again!" they said in unison as they flew away from the island.

But that wasn't the end. It wasn't even the start, as the Black Tyranitar pulled its body the rest of the way out. It roared into the sky, shaking buildings with its fury.

After 500 years... the Black Tyranitar had returned.

—

In the diner where Brock and Misty were, the shockwave had blown out the windows of the diner, and everyone was ducked behind overturned tables, trying to recover from the blast.

As they looked up they saw a giant Black Tyranitar stomping through town, and pushing buildings

"You've got to be kidding me!" Misty said with her eye twitching,

"Well...i guess this confirms Ash isn't the cause of our problems...maybe it's one of us," Brock said scratching his cheek

"Not the time!" Misty yelled at him

Heather, clutching Shelly's hand tightly, peeked over the booth with a scowl. "So... uh... is this like, a new regional form? Because I hate it."

Cain, for once, wasn't grinning. "You and me both, pinkie. That thing gives me the creeps,

Shelly quickly went into her bag and pulled out a history book from Cianwood, and flipped the pages until she got what she was looking for, "I-I think that's the Black Tyranitar... the one from the legends, 500 years ago it nearly destroyed all of Johto!"

Horace's face went blank. "That's not a legend anymore.

"Brock quickly turned to Misty. "We need to find a way to stop that thing or at least keep it away from civilians. There's no way we can beat it alone, but maybe we can stall it."

"Well i hope you don't plan to have all the fun," Cain said with a smirk,

"We are not arguing with this, fine but you are staying in the back!" Misty said as she got up and grabbed a Pokeball from her belt.

—

{With the other gang}

The cake picnic was ruined. The table had flipped over, and frosting was splattered across the grass. Roy was halfway underneath it, and Dot had somehow landed in a bush. Chuck had shielding the younger three.

Bea stood at the front of the group, staring out toward the monstrous Pokémon now visible in the distance, where part of the town had collapsed into a crater.

"That's not natural," she said, voice even but eyes narrowed, "What is it?"

Chuck looked up with a horrified look, "It's the legendary Black Tyranitar!!"

"Black Tyranitar?" Liko exclaimed as she looked at Roy

"Do you think it is connected to the Black Rayquaza?" Roy whispered

Liko looked at Terapagos in her bag, seeing if it had a reaction, for now it looked like it didn't, but they couldn't be sure.

"It was supposed to be sealed away at Cianwood gym. It's said to be the most powerful and evil king of destruction!!" Chuck explained

"King of destruction?!" they exclaimed

Chuck nodded, "The Uncontrollable excessive power of this monster has wreaked havoc on the Johto region before! It's rumoured that its power can crush mountains and change the flow of the rivers!"

Dot looked at him urgently, "Then we have to put that Black Tyranitar back into the hole immediately! Otherwise."

"If I could do that," Chuck said as he clenched his fists, "I would have done so already..."

[Countdown until Ash returns: 20 minutes]

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And next extra Chapter is at 1000 stones