- Blessed by Divinity -

Humanity's Last Stand

Slowly, I felt myself being pulled out of the dream world. My eyes readjusted to the dimly lit open room that I found myself in.

Lysandre was stood before me, my palms still pressed against the temples of his head. His ruby eyed opened with force as his lips twisted into a smile. This time, I could not detect any animosity in his expression. However, I remained on my guard, not wanting to let it slip at any moment.

"Now Aaron."

His loud voice bellowed through the room, landing directly in my ears as the sound rang for a few seconds. He stood back up to his full size, taking a step back.

"Will you take your rightful place in the new Heaven as I remake this world into something beautiful?"

Lysandre's offer sounded agreeable at first but I shook off any doubts from my mind. I had scolded Malva and the Elite Four for this exact situation. Soon enough, queries about the rest of the humanity crept into my mind. It was clear that Lysandre saw no plan for them, seeing them as waste and casualties for the greater good.

My body tensed up as my lips parted to give my response.

"I will not turn a blind eye to the brutality and devastation that you would bring to the world. The Elite Four may not have been strong enough to deny your proposal but I have a completely different resolve."

Slowly, I took a deep breathe, composing myself. The distance between Lysandre and I had grown as he was now stood at the other end of the battlefield. I could tell that he already knew of my response as his calm smile twisted into something more sinister.

"Hmph. I shouldn't have expected anything different. You're the only threat that stands between me and the beautiful world of the future."

I knew what was to follow. Slowly, I let out a deep breathe, readying myself for the battle that was to ensue. As the Elite Four had fallen to Team Flare's corruption and Diantha's whereabouts unknown, I now stood as humanity's last stand against the rising tide of Lysandre.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Lysandre."

---

"Slowbro, I'm counting on you!"

The hermit crab pokemon emerged from his pokeball, an unusual determined expression on his face in place of his natural obliviousness. He exchanged a knowing nod to me, showing that he was ready for anything Lysandre would throw out. Slowbro was always a good battling lead as his extreme endurance and defenses meant that we couldn't be at a disadvantage, even if we acted second.

Silently, Lysandre sent out his first pokemon. A sky blue scaled dragon with stiff brick red wings hovered over the field. It's jet like body giving the pokemon great maneuverability in the air.

"Start the battle with psychic."

Lysandre didn't need to give his pokemon the order to avoid the attack as the dragon pokemon swiftly evaded the orbs of psychic energy. With great speed, Salamence charged forward, his body glowing a mixture of yellow and white as he headed toward Slowbro.

Taking advantage of his speed, Salamence was able to catch the psychic pokemon off guard, colliding into him with tremendous force, cloaked in a faint yellow light. However, Slowbro stood steadfast to the attack. He appeared injured but his nature wouldn't let his opponent see that. The recoil damage seemed to impact the flying pokemon as he shuddered with pain before quickly shaking it off.

I thought back to my battle with Calem, deciding to employ some of those tactics now.

"Slowbro, use scald on the field."