On The Road

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Archie?"

"Archie!"

"ARCHIE!"

"SNAP OUT OF IT!"

"WALLACE!"

Wallace jerked his head up when he heard his name, but visibly sighed in relief when he saw Maxie land in front of him. He returned his Crobat and made his way over to the two men. He froze a little when he saw Archie lying in front of him, looking into the distance.

"Archie, what happened?" Maxie asked. "Who did this to you?"

"A...A strange woman came out of nowhere and attacked me," Archie replied, struggling to sit up. "She stole my Key Stone, and muttered to herself that she was going after you next. I soon lost consciousness, but when I woke again, Wallace was here trying to get me to speak."

"The same thing happened to Arriete and Wally," Maxie muttered to himself. "What does this woman want with the Key Stones?"

Archie's eyes suddenly widened and he quickly stood up.

"Maxie! Look out!"

Maxie was suddenly pushed to the side by Archie, who was headbutted by a Salamance. Archie flew backwards into a tree, resulting in him losing consciousness again. 

"Wha-" Maxie stammered as both him Wallace ran over to Archie.

"Oh well, I guess I missed my target."

Maxie and Wallace turned to see a woman approach them, Salamance by her side.

"Who are you and what do you want with us?" Wallace asked, bracing himself for another attack.

"My name is Zinnia," the woman replied. "And I want your Key Stone, Former Team Magma Leader Maxie. I already have three, I just need yours and mine to finish what I started."

"So, you were the one behind the attacks in Littleroot and Petalburg," Maxie muttered, glaring. 

"Ah, you're right on the dot," Zinnia smirked. "That black haired girl and green haired boy didn't stand a chance against me. Now, that new Champion, the kid with the golden eyes, is something entirely different. Larance, was it? A much better Champion than that silver-haired man in my opinion."

Wallace snapped and launched himself at Zinnia, Maxie barely holding him back.

"Don't talk about Steven like that!" Wallace growled.

"Wallace, control yourself!" Maxie commanded, resulting in said person folding his arms and glaring at Zinnia.

"Ooo, seems like I struck a nerve," Zinnia chuckled. "But, back to business. Maxie. Give me your Key Stone or else you'll suffer the same fate as your friend did over there."

Maxie turned his head to face the unconscious Archie. He scowled before turning back to Zinnia.

"He is NOT my friend."

"Oh, he isn't?" Zinnia smirked. "Then why did he push you out of the way of my Salamance's attack? Why did you come to his side when you found him unconscious? Why did he warn you about me?"

Maxie's glare hardened as he clenched his fists.

"I don't know, but I feel as if I don't give you my Key Stone you'll go after other people," Maxie replied, taking off his glasses.

"Oh, you mean like your son?" Zinnia chuckled. "I told you before that I already ruled Larance out."

"How did-" Maxie flinched.

"I was a spy in your team," Zinnia merely replied. "I know everything. Now, your Key Stone."

"Maxie, don't-" Wallace began, but he stopped when he saw Maxie take out his Key Stone.

He was about to hand it over, but froze before opening his mouth.

"Before I do, tell me this," he demanded. "Why do you need five Key Stones?"

"That is none of your concern," Zinnia scowled, swiping the Key Stone away from him. "Keep your distance or else I'll think twice about not hurting your son."

With that, she climbed onto Salamance and took off.

"We should go after her," Wallace suggested.

"No," Maxie replied, turning his attention back to Archie. "Archie's injured, we have to get him to a hospital."

Wallace hesitantly nodded, and the two of them began to carry Archie towards Milotic.