Love in the Time of Trepidation

Chapter 28: A Bond

The final battle concludes here! The end of the conflict between Akari and Volo. I hope it lives up to expectations. Chapter 28!

Chapter 28

A Bond

Stone rained upon their heads, a merciless onslaught mixed with the dripping shadows. Some smote the side of the mountain, the debris crashing into those parts of the mountainside that were once inhabited. From where Akari stood, she could still feel all of the cuts of shadow traveling through the temple. Not that it could be called that anymore, all of its features warping and shaving off until all that remained were spear-like pillars.

She and Kamado flew back, their Pokémon with them. Sneasler was tossed as well, unable to drive Giratina back in the moment they had needed to most. She hit Snorlax, both buffeted by the great winds that cut at them. Kamado held tight to Akari, even as their bodies once again hit the stairs and rolled down them. The echo of Volo's laughter followed.

"Not...done yet!" Akari roared, pounding at the ground. She used it to help her stand, but it became no easier. The very aura that Giratina exuded was sickening, an absolute hatred that would see the entire world rendered to ash if meant getting revenge on Arceus and all the people that gave it power. Akari spat, some blood mixed in with the saliva as she stared at the creature in its eldritch glory.

"Commander!" The cry of Beni's voice put a pause in Akari's steps, and she looked back. He had arrived, bruised but far from alone as he ran to Kamado's side. Zisu was with him, what appeared to be her calmed Infernape scanning the perimeter. It was a small bit of hope before reality returned with the commander's bodily reaction to his wounds. Kamado coughed, but allowed himself the support. "Kamado, you're wounded."

"I'm fine. We don't have time to worry about our individual wounds."

"Where's Adaman?" A tap to Akari showed Mai approaching, and she breathed with relief. Her message had been passed on. That relief caused her to stagger, exhaustion filling her, but a tap to her back said that Arezu was there, smiling.

"We're here to help. All of us."

"Tell us what to do," Palina said, nodding whilst her hand intertwined with Iscan's. Akari blinked, her eyes focusing on those joined hands, as if a harmony being combined together. Like Adaman and Irida above. Or Dialga and Palkia. Or all of their Pokémon.

It didn't provide the answer, but it felt like the start of one. Fueling herself with willpower, Akari ascended the stairs, almost limping as she did so. She hadn't realized just how much her legs were hurting her. "I'm not sure what to do. But...we need to stop Giratina. Before Mesprit, Azelf and Uxie get here, we need to force Giratina through that rift."

The rending Shadow Claw still cut through the air, making it impossible to approach. Behind the half-pillars that remained, Akari could see her partners hunkering down, refusing to be swept away by it all. Closer to the dais were Adaman and Irida, hiding behind the still wounded forms of Dialga and Palkia. In the center of the storm stood Volo, laughing, calling for the spirits to arrive. To start over.

The one thing that wasn't there were all of the people that had been fighting alongside them. Swept away by Giratina's assault, they may as well have been ghosts, pulled to their time and then vanishing. Akari shook her head, taking a step forward to weather the storm that was rolling over all of them.

No. They were here! I held their hands! Heard their voices! Akari screamed inside, taking each step more and more. She would reach them, push it through by her own hands if she had to. Because people like them, like her, who wanted nothing more than vengeance didn't deserve to build that future. "A connection...is never...broken!"