Paragon

Remnants of the Great War [24]

PARAGON

Remnants of the Great War Arc [24]

Chapter 33 : The Second Battle of Cameran Palace

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Ash, Sabrina, and Riley raced across the stone viaduct, the lake below still and calm— a mirror, in more ways than one, for the chaos unfolding above. Not much time had passed between their arrival at the palace and now, their departure, yet already, it seemed like the war had begun in earnest. Smoke billowed up from multiple spots amidst the forest, and Ash could smell the pungent stench of violence permeating the air.

Upon stepping off the bridge, Ash saw a perimeter of Guardians surrounding the palace, their pokémon deployed and ready to fight at a moment's notice. There were Guardians in the air as well on the backs of their pokémon, keeping a lookout for any approaching enemies, either from land or sky. Riley nodded a thanks to them quickly as they rushed past, pushing into the forest toward the town of Rota.

Within the forest, they enjoyed a brief respite from the roar of battle, shielded by the battalions of trees that stood tall between the town and the palace.

Ash's heart hammered in his chest as he ran. Just like before, he could sense AZ nearby. Somehow, he could pinpoint his exact location as a fellow Platebearer, and each step along the shaded path brought them closer. He closed his eyes, dispelling his anxiety, then opened them again. AZ would not best him this time. He and his pokémon had worked themselves nearly to the bone this past month, and finally, it was time to put that effort to the test.

"So, Ash. I know you were once the World Champion and all, but is there a reason King Aaron believes you'd stand a chance against AZ?" Riley asked as they ran. "I don't mean to doubt you, but this AZ is supposed to be like a force of nature. Even King Aaron didn't sound like he wanted to face him."

Right, he doesn't know about the Plate. "I guess he didn't tell you," Ash said.

"Tell me what?"

Ash tried organizing a cohesive explanation in his head, but gave up after only a second. "Uh, basically I have these powers now, kind of like a Guardian, actually. I've been working with Albr—er, Sir Aaron this past month, so theoretically, I should at least be able to hold AZ off until he arrives. I can explain the rest when this is all over."

Riley stared at him for a moment, then faced forward again. "Right. I'll hold you to that. So don't go dying on me!"

"Same to you!"

After another minute, Sabrina's gauntlets glowed, and she floated into the air just above the ground. Her stamina left much to be desired and clearly she'd run out of it. As they ran over the shallow rivers and gentle hills of the forest, she cruised along beside them all the way to the town.

As they broke out of the forest and the town came into view, Ash's eyes widened. The whole town had already become a warzone, and even from above, he could make out civilians among the Guardian fighters and AZ's hooded acolytes, hiding behind smoking buildings or other similarly damaged architecture.

"Arceus above," Riley breathed. He glared at the decimation below, then swiftly turned to Sabrina. "Sabrina, if you please."

"Right." Her gauntlets glowed, and suddenly, all three of them were in the town.

The sound of angered shouts and savage roars filled the air as the two sides clashed against each other. The Guardians down the street ahead hurled azure Aura Spheres at their enemies, but their enemies had come prepared, knowing full well who they were assaulting, and they reacted calmly, ordering their pokémon with quiet precision.