Team Templar-vs Azure

   Spun grinned and met Spark’s eyes. Turning back he said, “We need to overthrow our ‘queen’. She's holed up in our library, that large castle-looking building in the center of town. It used to be more modest, but ever since she took up the role as overseer here, well, let's just say she uses the town money for her own good. And lucky for us, we now have two guilds to storm the library.”

   “But stay here and gather your strength for today,” Spun said, raising his stone cup to Ama. “Tomorrow, we'll have a little chat with the queen.”

*~*~*

   It was near midnight, and the members of Ama’s guild were sprawled out across the floor, most asleep. A few were awake, talking softly to each other. A Kirlia was staring at the wooden ceiling, trying to form a strategy.

   I wish Spun would give us more information about the ‘queen’. Attacks, strategies, or even what species she is. I don’t want to go in blind, and risk injuring myself or my teammates. Or any member of the guild.

   “Galahad?” The Kirlia turned his head to see his second-in-command’s navy blue eyes focused in his direction. “You awake?”

   “Yes. Having trouble sleeping?” The Meditite shrugged.

   “A bit. It’s slightly disturbing. The vagueness of Spun, how he’s the only one who seems to want to take charge, and the general air of the town. They’re all captives, but it appears they are living average lives. It doesn’t sit right with me.”

   “I feel the same way.” Galahad agreed, sitting up and glancing around to see if anyone was listening. “In fact, something has me on edge, and I don’t know what. It’s been following me ever since we passed through the Espurr’s dimension.”

   “You too?” A disembodied female voice came from their right, and they turned. “炎-光 (Honō-Hikari).” The girl’s voice said, and a tongue of fire came to life, illuminating the darkness.

   “Pīṛā!” Brendan groaned, covering his eyes. “Morgana!” There also came several whispered complaints from the others who were awake, and the youngest member of Team Templar let the ofuda drop to the wooden floor, allowing it to extinguish itself.

   “Why are you so sensitive to the light?” The Fox Pokémon’s orange eyes drew closer to where Galahad and Brendan were. “It wasn’t even a strong one.”

   “We’re sitting in near darkness, Morgana. And some of us are more sensitive than others.” Brendan rubbed his eyes, trying to get rid of the spots. “Anyway, what were you saying?”

   “I was going to say, I feel as if something’s watching me.” The Fennekin blinked, then glanced around her. “And now that we’re in town, it’s like someone is acutely aware of why we are here. If I were to name this feeling, I would say ‘Disconcerted’.” She let Brendan and Galahad sink in this information, then continued. “And the queen. From what Spun spoke of, I would say she is a Pokémon not to be taken lightly. We should proceed with extreme caution against this enemy.”

   “I agree.” Galahad nodded. “That’s why if it gets too dangerous tomorrow, I want you to pull back.”

   “Excuse me?” But Brendan nodded alongside Galahad.

   “We’re going in blind. And if this queen has managed to keep the whole town under her control for the past three years, she’s not to be underestimated.”

   “This Pokémon is not like the ones you’ve fought before.” Galahad looked Morgana dead in the eye. “All those Pokémon were common criminals, and this sounds like a serious boss fight. She’ll probably have sentential and guards, which will also need to be treated with caution.”

   “So if it gets furry, you want me to retreat?” Morgana fumed. “You want me to run away like a kit, and leave you behind?”

   “Charizard released you into our care.” Galahad continued, despite the dark gleam that came into the Fennekin’s eyes. “We are not going to betray the trust he placed in us, to keep you safe. Your safety is our main concern.”

   “Oh, I see.” Morgana gave a low growl. “I’m not able to handle myself, and that I’ll just distract you in a fight? I’ll remember that, next time you need my help.” With that, she grabbed her bag and went off into one of the corners, muttering under her breath.

   “...” Brendan looked at his leader. “Stirring her up before a major fight? I thought you learned not to do that the last time.”

   “This is a different league.” Galahad sighed before lying back down on his side. “You know that as well as I do. She needs to know it’s for her own good.”

   “Tell her all you want, she’s not going to believe you.” Brendan sighed. She’s just going to get more determined, and then do something stupid.

   “Can’t handle it?” Morgana fumed as she dropped her bag onto the floor, earning a few reproaching looks from one of the teams still awake. “‘Charizard released you into our care’? Gah! It was my own decision, and you know it Gala!” She sat steaming for a few minutes, then stood up, retrieving a candle that was sitting nearby. Setting it down, she released a small flame to light it, then reached into her bag, pulling out her ink pot and several blank ofuda. “You’re gonna need my help tomorrow, and I won’t take no for an answer!” She dipped her brush into the red ink, then began to draw the first magic circle that came to her mind: the Balance.

*~*~*

   “Ready, everyone?” Ama asked her guild, as they stood at the doors of the library-turned castle. There were murmurs of agreement, and so the Pikachu turned, leading her guild down the stairs and joining Spark’s guild.

   “Yah set, Ama?” The Raichu asked, surveying both their guilds.

   “We’re ready.” Ama replied coolly.

   “Good, let’s go.” Spark pushed open the doors, and the guilds entered. The first room was an entrance hall, with small passageways shooting in different directions. But the moment everyone was inside, the doors slammed shut of their own accord, making everyone jump as they were thrown into the darkness.

   “光 (Hikari).” Morgana lifted an ofuda and activated it, causing it to throw light around the round room. Brett of Blue, L of Flame Spike, and Zaphod of A-Team were using the fires on their tails to illuminate the area, and other Pokémon were doing similar tactics.

   “Well, it’s a sure bet to say she knows we’re here.” Spark glanced up at the ceiling, searching for anyone hiding up in the rafters. Kona of WaterAura shut his eyes, aura appendages rising.

   “Someone’s down that tunnel, but I can’t get a reading on who.” He pointed to one of the tunnels.

   “Good job.” Ama nodded to the Riolu. “That’s the way we’ll go.”

   The two guilds made their way through a narrow hallway and down a small set of stairs. As they were going down, Sliggoo tripped, and fell unceremoniously down to the bottom.

   “Whacha’ self, Sliggoo!” Spark told the Soft Tissue Pokémon as he passed.

   “Pla!” Sliggoo stuck his tongue out at male Mouse Pokémon’s back.

   Galahad tapped Brendan on the shoulder. “Something doesn’t feel right.” The Meditite nodded silently, and the Kirlia picked up his pace so he was alongside Morgana. She turned her head to look at him.

   “Remember what we told you last night.” The Fox Pokémon rolled her eyes, deciding to ignore the Emotion Pokémon. Brendan sighed. Knew this was going to happen. The air was growing heavier, like a weight settling in his stomach. The team emerged into a huge circular room, joining the other teams.

   Morgana’s eyes lit up at the sight of all the books and scrolls that were stacked along the walls, and she gave a small sigh at the thought of the knowledge they might contain. Her paws took her over to where a tablet of smooth stone was mounted on the wall, and her eyes rested on the image of Ho-Oh.

   “Kami...” She whispered in respect, then glanced around. There were crystals surrounding the room, but the light they gave off was dark, and barely illuminated the room. There was a small hiss from the ofuda she had as it crumpled. Okay...getting unpleasant feelings now... She glanced around, noticing a hunched figure in one of the corners.

   “Azure?” Ama and Spark were approaching the figure. “Is that you?”

   “She’s one of your lot, right?” Spark asked, but Ama didn’t answer.

   “You must...turn back.” The Absol said in a scratched voice that sounded like she hadn’t spoken in months.

   “What do you mean? What’s wrong, Azure?” Ama tilted her head as the teams watched. Some of the older members of Ama’s guild recognized the Absol, and were quietly asking each other questions. Team Templar, who had never known her, wasn’t quite sure what was going on. A deep growl filled the air, as the navy stone around Azure’s neck began to glow, engulfing her in a blue light.

   “Traitor...” Someone whispered. Azure emerged from light, transformed into a monster that looked both an angel and demon in one. Team Luna Flare stared in shock at the Pokémon who had been on their team, who was now leering at them.

   “GET OUT!!!” The Mega-Evolved Absol screech-howled, causing everyone to flinch and cover their ears. Spark was the first to respond.

   “All right, you lot! Prepare for battle!!” He growled, and the Raichu’s guild dashed forward, as Galahad sensed the air shifting around them.

   “Teleporters!!” He yelled, firing a barrage of Magical Leafs at the ceiling. There was a loud cry, and balls of blue, green, and yellow began to surround the various teams, warping them away to different spots in the room, to where Claydol, Natu, Kadabra, Duosion, and Elgyem were appearing from thin air or dropping from the ceiling. Divide and conquer! Galahad recognized the strategy.

   “Ipe!!” He looked over and choked when he saw a Claydol drop in front of Morgana, who leapt away from the Clay Doll Pokemon.

   “On guard!” He jumped toward her, but Morgana screeched, blue light surrounding her before rings of water twirling into the Ground-type, causing it to buffer away. Galahad raised an arm, slashing downward. Psychic-infused leaves appeared, each one hitting their target. Claydol cried out, collapsing on the ground. “Morgana-”

   “I’m not running!!” She cut him off, turning toward the Absol who was watching their every move.

   “Stand together!” Brendan yelled, powering up a Thunder Punch before running at the Mega-Evolved Absol. She braced herself, and when he pulled back, she let her guard down slightly. He then rammed his shoulder into her chest, hitting her with Feint and Thunder Punch. Azure snarled, slashing at him with the horn that protruded from her head, and he leapt back, joining Galahad and Morgana.

   “I don’t recognize you...” Azure’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you?”

   “Team Templar.” Galahad answered, cerise eyes holding her gold one. He raised his arms, pointing at Azure. A blue glow surrounded the Disaster Pokémon, and then Galahad was surrounded by an identical glow. “Trace complete.” He said calmly, then clapped his paws together. “Shihō! Come forth!!” When he pulled his paws apart, a glowing pink blade of energy appeared, hovering in the air before Galahad grabbed it. Crouching, he sprung at Azure.

   “A Psych-Blade!” Azure laughed as she dodged the thrusts. “I’ve heard of such manifestations. But against a Dark-type? You don’t know the basics of type-matching!”

   “It may not damage you...” Galahad paused, lifting the blade, “but it’ll still do this!!” He slashed downward, catching the Absol’s shoulder. The manifestation passed through her, but Azure suddenly found her leg paralyzed. “Brendan!” The Meditite jumped in, Bullet Punch lashing out.

   “Kiya-kiya-kiya!!!” He yelled, striking again and again. Azure growled, angling the horn on her head down, blocking the attack.

   “ENOUGH!!” Azure howled, a dark glow surrounding her.

   “Dark Pulse!” Galahad yelled, before the attack slammed him into one of the bookshelves, and he slid to the floor. “Argh...” He groaned, watching his limbs twitch. That hurt badly. A Dark-type...why couldn’t Spun have told us...? His vision began to fade, then a pink light surrounded him, and he felt his strength returning. What? He looked up to see Morgana kneeling near him with her eyes shut. Wish. He pushed himself to his feet. “Thank you, Morgana.” He rubbed her head, then re-summoned Shihō, as the blade had dissipated when he’d been thrown into the air, and lost contact with it. He then rejoined the battle.

   Brendan had only a moment’s notice when Galahad yelled, but it had been enough. Crouching, he had crossed his arms over his chest, and the attack washed over him when he used Detect. He then had leapt back into battle when he saw Galahad crash into the wall, and Morgana rush to heal him. He was alternating between Thunder and Bullet Punches, but was having a difficult time landing a hit. Azure moved like shadows fleeing light, and she was using her new wings to dodge him. Then he came up with an idea.

   Retreating for a moment, he ran directly at Azure, but before meeting her head-on, leapt into the air, planning to use Thunder Punch from above. But the Absol grinned, her horn glowing red as she slashed upward, meeting the attack directly. The Swords Dance-Psycho Cut combo proved to be stronger, and Brendan crashed into the ceiling, before collapsing on the floor.

   “No!” Galahad yelled, bringing Shihō down on Azure before she could use Psycho Cut on the defenseless Meditite. She screamed, and collapsed on the floor, allowing Galahad to pull Brendan to his paws.

   “I wish, I wish, upon the stars...” Morgana said, shutting her eyes. Pink light surrounded Brendan, restoring some of his energy.

   Once again, it’s Morgana saving our hides... Brendan managed to grin, before turning his attention to the Absol, who was rising slowly.

   “They are crying...” Azure said, her eyes focusing on the two Pokémon, then on something only she could see. “The ghosts are crying...mourning...angry...”

   “...She’s lost it.” Brendan slowly said, eyeing the Disaster Pokémon.

   “You...” Azure stared at Brendan. “I see an angry Pokémon. A Machop.” Brendan froze. “He’s angry at you, and won’t pass on.” Brendan gasped.

   “Brendan, focus.” Galahad said, angling Shihō so it was ready to block any attack. “She’s trying to mess with you.”

   “And you...” Azure looked at Galahad. “I see a knight. A Samurott. He’s standing beside you. And a group of other Pokémon. They are disappointed that you didn’t save them.”

   “I-I-I...” Galahad stuttered, eyes wide. “N-N-No. I-I tr-tried...” Azure smirked.

   “And you’ll join them.” She opened her mouth, and a blast of ice enveloped the two explorers, leaving them trapped in a block of ice.

   “Hi-Moeru-Imochi.” Azure turned to the Fox Pokémon, who stood with her feet braced, an angry gleam in her eyes as she created a burning ring in the air with a triangle floating in it. “Kōjō-Honō-Tasukete-Ima!!” Morgana roared, aiming a super-powered Flamethrower at Azure, who was knocked over. Taking the opportunity, Morgana leapt forward, grabbing an ofuda from her bag. She pounced on the Absol’s back, attaching the slip of paper on the spot in-between her wings, and jumping away, began to chant.

   “Yami to hikari, hiru to yoru. Saigo ni, soko ni shimashou baransudesu. Soko no jikan wa, kyōdo no tamedeari, yowa-sa no tame. Saigo ni, soko ni shimashou baransudesu. Yami to hikari, hiru to yoru. Saigo ni, soko ni shimashou baransudesu. Soko no jikan wa, kyōdo no tamedeari, yowa-sa no tame. Saigo ni, soko ni shimashou baransudesu!” The ofuda glowed red, covering Azure in a red light, and she rose to her paws.

   “I don’t know...what you’ve done...” She swished the horn on her head, testing her strength. It seemed to have doubled. “But...you’ve doomed yourself.” Azure leapt with Psycho Cut at Morgana, who barely dodged. The power of the attack put a deep gash in the floor. The Fox Pokemon continued to dodge Psycho Cuts, making her way over to where Brendan and Galahad stood frozen, and stood directly in front of them. I hope this works. Azure lunged, and Morgana used Flamethrower. The Disaster Pokémon continued at her blindly, not noticing that the Fennekin had dodged until it was too late. The Psycho Cut shattered the ice, and Morgana used Hidden Power, yellow stars crackling toward Azure, shocking her upon contact.

   “Little fox...” Azure growled, red light still surrounding her. “You’ll pay...”

   “No, you will.” Brendan’s voice came from behind her, and the Meditite leapt into the air, and came down with Thunder Punch. Azure howled, and jumped away before he could attack her again, but a swarm of multicolored leaves followed, sinking into to her fur and wings.

   “Shihō! Come forth!” Galahad yelled, and when the Psychic manifestation appeared, he ran forward, slashing at Azure. He caught her wings, and she powered up Dark Pulse, but he formed a black sphere in one paw, throwing it in front of him. The Shadow Ball spun, expanding into a disc that shielded him. Brendan used Detect, and Morgana took shelter behind him.

   “Thanks, Morgana.” Brendan muttered as the Dark Pulse passed.

   “You’re welcome, Bren.” She smiled. Azure knocked Galahad away with Psycho Cut, and he retreated, rejoining Brendan and Morgana.

   “You are strong...” Azure glared at them. “But I-” There was a loud crack, and the red light that surrounded her vanished. She fell onto her stomach.

   “About time.” Morgana gave a sigh of relief.

   “What...have you done?!” Azure managed to rise, but her wings were drooping, and she seemed to be struggling to stay on her paws.

   “‘There is a time for strength, and for weakness.’ Everything balances.” Morgana quoted. “Now is your time for weakness. In addition, you have taken a lot of damage.”

   “It’s time to finish this.” Galahad focused his energy into Shihō.

   “Sahamati.” Brendan nodded, electricity beginning to dance across his clenched fist.

   “Hi-Moeru-Imochi-Kōjō-Honō-Tasukete-Ima.” Morgana finished her chant, flames beginning to curl from the corners of her mouth. “Shall we?”

   “Let’s go.” The team leapt forward, ready to finish the fight.