And now, the long-in-development conclusion of Chapter 2 of Luck and the Heavens:
The strange airships began to descend, and Red could see small black dots emerge from them.
“Pikachu!” cried his friend.
It was then that Red realized what they were: missiles. Giant black missiles. And they were coming towards Cerulean City. Others were realizing this: children were fleeing, some were screaming, and none wanted to face what was coming. Cerulean City, after all, wasn't a place that was troubled very often.
But Red wasn't going to run. No, maybe these were some kind of new Pokemon, or maybe they were just missiles. But either way, they were coming after people and Pokemon, innocent people and Pokemon, and he wasn't going to let that happen. Not while he, or any of his Pokemon, were still standing.
The lead missile was getting closer, Red could see a vile smile upon it, and eyes. Heck, for second he thought he saw it blink. No, it couldn't have. It was time to battle.
“Pikachu, go!”
“Pika!” cried his companion, who leapt forward. Only it wasn't just Pikachu who leapt forward, the little Pichu leapt forward too. The Jigglypuff, at least, was still standing back. For now, at least.
In the distance, faint booms went off- other missiles were hitting the outskirts of Cerulean.
“Those people...” said Red, “They...”
The missile was becoming even closer. Pikachu turned around, waiting for instructions. He wasn't going to wait forever- self preservation overrode even loyalty- but Pikachu had a lot of loyalty. He would wait until the last possible second.
He wouldn't need to. Thrusting his finger out for emphasis, Red commanded Pikachu:
“Thunderbolt!”
Pikachu's cheeks flared with 100,000 volts of electricity, and then, like lightning, it was sent out with a hefty “CHUUUUUUUU!”
It hit the missile dead-on, and the missile, the bullet, fell to the ground, dead, no longer a threat. The Pichu took to the air, cheering as it jumped up and down. But another missile was incoming, and Pikachu didn't even have to wait this time, almost as if psychic, it knew full well was Red was about to say: “Thunderbolt.”
And soon, another bullet fell from the sky.
---
Beyond, the beings watched. The invading army was meeting resistance: Red and his Pikachu were shooting down the Bullet Bills that were being sent near their location, the trainers of the Cerulean City Gym had emerged, their water Pokemon already going after the fires. Now, though, the actual attackers were nearing. The waters knew what they were: airships of the Koopa Troop, carrying Shy Guys, Goombas and Koopa Troopas. But not just them, but elements of the army of the dread king of evil, Ganon. Bokoblins and Moblins.
“How?” said Second, who had been called from his viewing of some archives of the timelines and worlds that 'oblins usually were found in.
The others remained silent. They didn't know. And with the exception of Free- who had gone to scour Universe 0781, they weren't doing a thing besides watching. The Shy Guys- the fly guys, really- came first...
---
“Go, Blastoise!” shouted Red.
Red wasn't sure what these were- maybe they were some kind of new Pokemon- but they were definitely living and thinking. And they really didn't seem to like him or anybody else very much: he saw one of them shoot at a youngster with a slingshot before it turned towards him and Pikachu. There had to be about four of them now, although there were hundreds in the sky above. Red, most of them were, small- perhaps the a little big larger in size than Pikachu- with strange white masks.
And, well, now they were in troubles.
“Blastoise, here we go! Hydro Pump!”
Blastoise aimed it's two giant water cannons at the approaching creatures, and, unleashed it's cry as water came blasting from them. The lead invader was knocked back, hitting the other that was behind it- they both fell to the ground, the lead one having fainted.
One down, three to go, thought Red.
The Pichu leapt forward and charged at the fallen invader, but he wasn't going to reach it. Jigglypuff, rolling like a bowling ball, passed him. The invader was just getting to it's feet, but it only had time to jump up in shock before the puffball struck it, sending it backward to the ground, fainted.
Okay, two down, two to go.
The next two invaders were getting ever closer- one of them had pulled out a slingshot again. They wouldn't be a threat for much longer, though.
“Pikachu! Blastoise! Take them down, Thunderbolt and Water Spout!”
Pikachu jumped forward, taking a place alongside Blastoise. Beams of water and electricity emerged from them, and soon, the other two invaders lay fainted.
Red stopped for a second, looking to the sky as Pikachu and Blastoise celebrated their victory with a high five and the Pichu and Jigglypuff tried to join in. It wasn't over yet. No, it most definitely wasn't. Because coming straight at him was... an airship. It's shadow moved over him and the Pokemon, and they too looked upwards. Strange figures looked down upon them, and with cries and war-calls, they threw down ropes.
“Pikaaa!” yelled out the electric mouse Pokemon. It turned and faced it's master, concern upon it's face.
“I know, Pikachu....”
Down the ropes came strange creatures. Some of them appeared to be large, human-like beings, but with the physiognomy of a twisted version of a Pignite or Grumpig. The others resembled something like large Squirtles, only of a yellow color with green shells.
“...We're surrounded...”
Pikachu leapt upon Red's shoulder.
“...so they're in trouble!”
With quick movements, Red reached down, and, one after another, called forth his team to join Pikachu, Blastoise and the two wild Pokemon in the struggle.
---
It had been a long time since he'd seen Red, the man in black thought.
Too long.
Over a decade had passed since that final showdown at the very gateway of the plateau.
Red. So much potential, so many possibilities. And yet, here he was, still fighting with that Pikachu and the others that he'd used back then.
One of the Pignite-like henchman- Moblins, he was told they were- was knocked backwards by the Snorlax. One of the hammer-wielding Koopas was being slashed and burned by that Charizard of his. Some sort of Jigglypuff- a Jigglypuff of all Pokemon, had sent a heavily-armored “Dark” Koopatrol to sleep and was now pounding it into submission.
No matter, thought the man in black, time is already running out for him. He looked to the sky. The Magikoopas had arrived. A broad smile came across of the man in black's face.
Red's Lapras hit the final Moblin with a full-on ice beam. It fell to the ground, frozen and unconscious.
Now was the time.
---
“Who are these jerks?” asked Red, to nobody in particular as he took a second to catch his breath. The only ones who were around to listen were Pikachu, Pichu and the Jigglypuff- he'd put the rest of his team back in their pokeballs.
“Pikaaa...” said Pikachu, which Red figured meant “I don't know.”
More airships were cutting through the sky. And now some sort of blue-cloaked creatures were flying alongside them. These weren't Pokemon- he thought he'd seen some kid try to throw a pokeball at one of those harmless little red ones, only for it to bounce off the invader, same as if he had thrown it at a human or a rock. He couldn't help but worry that he could kill them, or something, or, worse, that they'd kill him. He had to get to the Cerulean Gym - Misty would be able to help.
Pikachu heard the newcomer first, and let his master know it with an angry “Pi! Ka!” The other Pokemon spun to attention as well, although they didn't recognize him. Red, however, still was focused on the foe that was in the skies, thinking.
That is, until he heard the newcomer speak. It was a voice he never wanted to hear again.
“Red of Pallet Town,” said the voice, male and a bit deep, “I always said we'd meet again someday.”
Red spun quickly to face him. He had a sharp black suit, slick black hair, and a smug grin across face.
“Giovanni of Viridian City,” said Red, “You are behind this!”
Giovanni tugged down on his suit and let loose a hushed and sarcastic laugh, “Team Rocket is over, boy.”
“I heard, Ethan shut you Rockets down in Johto, Giovanni,” said Red.
Giovanni sneered at the champion, “I'm well aware of the Johto champion, Red of Pallet Town.”
“So whatever happened to devoting your life to studying Pokemon, Giovanni?” asked Red. More of the blue-cloaked creatures flew overhead, like witches on brooms. He was getting worried, really. There seemed to be a lot of them.
“Did I say I was studying, or trying to become stronger, boy?” he paused, once again tugging on his suit, “I can't quite remember.”
Pikachu's cheek began to spark. Red moved his hand down. Stop, he was signaling, not now.
“Why are you attacking Cerulean, Giovanni?”
Giovanni again gave off his hushed laugh.
“Who said my associates were attacking Cerulean City, Red? It just happens to be in the way of our real target,” he said, “A very powerful target, one you are familiar with, Red of Pallet Town.”
Red's eyes widened as he realized what Giovanni spoke of.
“The monster of the Cerulean Cave, hidden away from the world in an unknown dungeon. The ultimate Pokemon...” said Giovanni.
A loud explosion echoed in the distance. Red knew what it meant.
“Mewtwo,” he said. Pikachu threw in a “Pi-ka!” for emphasis.
Red then blinked: “You won't find it in the Cerulean Cave, I captured him. Years ago. He's in Bill's box right now.”
A silence fell upon the two old foes. Even the Pokemon weren't saying a thing. Only distant explosions could be heard.
And then Giovanni, once again pulling on his suit, replied: “I know you're bluffing, child.”
“I used the Master Ball on it!” shouted Red.
Giovanni's laugh was no longer hushed, it was a far louder one.
“Fwahahahahahahahaha! You very well did, Red of Pallet Town!”
He stopped, and then, menacingly, without a touch of humor, added: “And then you let it go.”
Pikachu's ears popped up: “Pika!?” He was shocked that the Rocket-man would know.
“It was too powerful for anybody,” replied Red, “Especially you, and I swear, I will defend it from you.”
“Fwahaha, What are you going to do to me, Red? You can't get to the cave in time! You've already lost!”
Another, very loud, explosion. Red knew what had to be done.
He pulled out a Pokeball, turned his hat backwards, and, with a mighty heave, called forth his Flame Pokemon:
“Here we go, Charizard!”
He shouted at Giovanni something simple:
“This isn't over.”
---
The cave is cold, dark and dangerous, but it is home. And I am the master of it, I am the lord of it. I did not choose to be born- none of us are- but I was not truly born. I was created. Spliced and grown, given great power, but also so much pain and anger.
I fled here, far from the humans, alongside the Ditto, the Kadabra, and the Rhydon. Here, I could rest. Here, I could be at peace. Alone. A self-imposed dungeon.
Occasionally, some souls would wander in. But never far enough to see me. They would run away, their scared cries echoing as they and their Pokemon rushed back out of the cave. After awhile, they stopped entirely. I sensed that somebody had sealed my dungeon off, so that only the best could attempt to conquer it.
Only once did somebody actually reach my inner sanctum to face me. It would likely have been a brutal battle. But the trainer, the boy, simply produced a purple ball, and threw it at me. And so, I was captured.
The boy- Red, he said his name was- seemed to be of a good heart, not like the evil men of my youth. But after a few battles, against the most powerful of foes, he and I both realized it was not to be. I was just too powerful for this world, something that would tip the balance too far.
So I returned to my cave. And waited. Undisturbed.
Until today.
I heard the explosions long before they breached my home, and I sensed that some great force had struck the nearby city. But it was not my place to care.
I heard the cries of battle, but it was not my place to care.
I heard the airships near my home, and the cackle of the invaders. But it was not my place to care.
But now, now they were entering my home. Now I care.
I reach out psychically, and sense them coming. They are not from here, not man or Pokemon. They seem to call themselves Magikoopas, and they are coming for me. I prepare for them- they are not like Red, who's intentions I did not know. They aim to take me. Not even as a trainer takes a Pokemon, but rather as a tool or slave. I will not let that happen. Not without a fight.
I begin to form a ball of energy, a Shadow Ball. The Magikoopas burst into my domain, wearing strange blue robes and holding out what I believe would be called wands. I release the first Shadow Ball at the lead, and knock him down into the water. I send another, one that is smaller, at another one, and similarly send him downwards, shouting as he falls.
But there are more of them, I cannot stop them all. One of them knocks a hanging stalagmite towards me. I am barely able to dodge it, I smell the soil and dust it kicks into the air. It is then, however, that something hits me, and I fade away, I am sleep.... sleeping... sleep...
…
…
…
I awaken! And I see light! So much light! The sun above, and Cerulean City... below?
I realize that I am floating, trapped inside a bubble. And I am flying. The Magikoopas surround me, and I can see airships, like human boats, flying through the skies. Such strange creatures inhabit them, and so filled with darkness. A darkness that now fills me. I must escape! I will escape! I unleash a small Shadow Ball, but it hits the sphere without effect. I send fourth a psychic strike in the form of a wave, and it dissipates harmlessly against my bubbly prison. I slam my tail with quick ferocity, but feel only the pain as it hits the bubble. It has no give. One of the Magikoopas turns and laughs at my predicament.
And I become more angry.
Suddenly, though, I sense some type of hope. I feel him coming at us, upon his Charizard, his Pikachu by his side. It is Red. The lone person to capture me. The lone person, perhaps, to show any care or love to me. And he is trying to save me now! I see him fly past the airships, and soon I see him near my captors. But one of the Magikoopas is ready. It fires a ray at Charizard, and I see and sense it hitting him.
And the wings of Charizard disappear. His long horns shorten, he grows smaller. He is not evolving... he is... devolving?
And I see Red and Pikachu falling.
And I feel anger! Anger! Anger!
---
Red had seen many things in his days as a trainer, but never this. And, he had to be honest, this wasn't the way that he thought he and Pikachu would go to the big Pokemon Center in the sky. Getting his Charizard de-evolved while trying to save Mewtwo from invaders that had come from a rift in the sky wasn't really on his mind this morning. There were some things he could do, though. He reached down to his belt, grabbed Chariz- Charmeleon's- pokeball.
“Charmeleon, return!” he yelled, and soon Charmeleon was back safe in the ball. Now time for Pikachu. Maybe he'd die, but Pikachu...
A roar echoed through the air then. And, looking down, Red saw the one thing he thought could make the day worse:
A Gyarados flying at him and Pikachu. Truly, this day couldn't get any worse. He looked over to Pikachu, still falling.
“Pikachu, Thunderbolt!”
Pikachu shook his head. But why? Why wouldn't he want to take down the Gyarados, avoid the possibility of getting devoured?
And so, Red closed his eyes and prepared for the end. And then, he felt a tug, and a brief shout of “Pika!” He couldn't help but think out loud:
“Ugh... am I dead?”
“Not today, Red,” said a woman's voice, a voice that Red had heard before.
He opened his eyes, and he saw her: Misty of the Cerulean City Gym.
And then, exhausted, everything turned a little black and hazy.
---
Coming Soon, Chapter 3: An Unusual Visitor at WarioWare
