Pokémon: Out of the Woods | A Galar, Unova & Sinnoh Fanfiction

Chapter 95: Truth Vs. Ideals

Zekrom crashed into the Scorching Sands launched by Reshiram as it tore a gash in its side with Dragon Claw. Reshiram took off. Scorching Sands rained down on Zekrom from above. It leapt up to slash at it. The entire city flashed red and blue with their illuminated tails.

Khalid had to admit he wasn't sorry he ended up there after all. This was a sight worth seeing. He didn't need to speak to Pokémon to feel the burning strength of the convictions they shared with their heroes. Reira arrived to help Lien take Jahzeel to the police station.

'Lord Pluto! It's up to you now! Defeat her and free me so I may be the advisor of your ideal world!'

Caroline promptly whacked him with the brick again. Reira told her to return to the castle to convince the scientists that Pluto commanded them to close the Ultra Wormhole.

The castle was crumbling when she arrived. Heath managed to rally a crowd of Grunts who were fans of his band. Their Pokémon rammed the royal tower. It was already weakened by Heath's Electrode exploding in it. The great tower began to topple.

Enn's Zoroark morphed into an illusion of Pluto. It joined Caroline in the lab. The scientists never even considered that 'Pluto' was a Zoroark. They certainly never considered that Caroline turned on Team Plasma. As Reshiram and Zekrom relentlessly slammed the other down to spring up and hurl the opponent back, the wormhole began to shrink. Volo's Togekiss dropped two people on the tower summit. They leapt into the hole before it snapped suddenly shut.

That was excellent news for Galar. It was terrible news for the lost and frightened N and Hilbert who found themselves in the wrong world and time.

Pluto was oblivious. His eyes were fixed on the Scorching Sands that finally burned Zekrom. Its power was halved by the pain. As it began to succumb to Reshiram's incessant attacks, Reshiram brought a blinding ball of blue flames crashing down on its opponent. Zekrom grimaced in pain. It could hardly stand. The force of Draco Meteor drained even Reshiram's power, but it gulped down the White Herb that Heather tied around its neck to restore its strength. Before Zekrom could stand, it was buried by Scorching Sands.

'No... no... Zekrom... no!'

Pluto rushed to its side. It was barely conscious. The ground trembled as Reshiram landed beside Heather. It was still raring to fight. Pluto was startled when he heard the same words from both Reshiram and Heather in perfect synchrony.

'Zekrom didn't succumb to any attack. It succumbed to the truth.'

'I am the hero recognised by Zekrom! I will keep fighting for our ideals! No matter what! Go! Zoroark!'

So Heather finally faced that Hisuian Zoroark in battle. She didn't think she would. She didn't envision ever battling Pluto on the ranch.

'Reshiram! Roost!'

Reshiram briefly rested to restore its energy while Zoroark powered up with Nasty Plot. Pluto told Heather about its signature attack, Bitter Malice, but she had never actually seen it. In fact, that Zoroark and its baby Zorua were so loving and compassionate when they were with Pluto that it was hardly possible to imagine them consumed by resentment. Reshiram steeled itself for the attack. It never hit. Zorua jumped into its path. It had no effect on Zorua and fizzled away.

'Zorua... what are you doing?'

Zorua scowled back. It wasn't quite the look of hatred that Pluto described to Heather, but it was clearly angry with its Trainer. Reshiram was about to attack. Zorua didn't move.

'Zorua... if you truly believe I can't win... that I shouldn't win... stand aside and let Heather defeat me.'

Pluto sounded more like himself then. Heather fervently hoped he was finally listening to Zorua. That little Pokémon knew the truth. Perhaps silent words were exchanged, because Zorua stood aside. It still returned to Heather's side to scowl.