Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 79: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos Pt. 2: A Noble Sacrifice

"We have to save them!" Preston yelled, rushing forwards towards where Clara and the rest of the sacrifices were. With a grunt I managed to haul him back by the collar of his shirt as a ball of fire blasted where he had just been a second ago. 

"Idiot!" I pulled him further back as Lucario bashed the Chandelure with Bone Rush. "Are you trying to get yourself killed!"

A yell made my head whip around to see Looker struggling in the air above Sebastian, a Dusknoir holding him in place with Psychic. The old Cultist laughed in glee as he picked up his knife.

"Mawile!" I yelled to my nearest Pokemon as I ran forwards. The Fairy type leaped forwards, jumping off of Sebastian's shoulder and used the momentum to drive herself into the Ghost type. Looker dropped to the ground as I jerked Sebastian's wrist and knocked the knife away. I kicked him in the side, sending him rolling across the ground.

Looker pulled himself onto all fours, groaning, but alive. "Thanks, Zeno." All around us, chaos reigned. All of my Pokemon were engaged in battle, Lucario and Greninja doing their utmost to protect Clara and the rest while Preston and the other Pokemon engaged the Cultists themselves.

"I-I don't even know what's going on!" A cry made both Looker and I look towards where Emma was kneeling next to a dying Xerosic. Tears had formed in her eyes, both clouded in sorrow and confusion. "Why!?"

Xerosic reached up with a shaking hand, and before it could fall, Emma grasped it. "Dear Emma," Xerosic coughed. "Your whole purpose was to be a sacrificial pawn. Somewhere along the line I-urk!" He coughed again, blood dribbling down the side of his face. "I... I must thank you. For your pure innocence. You don't deserve to die so young." His gaze wandered over to me. "You stopped Lysandre and his plans. You can stop this. My blood is indeed bringing Chaos back, but it is slow and painful for her. I wasn't the proper sacrifice." He stopped, paler than ever before and his breathing weaker. "I have done so much wrong. Perhaps this is my punishment."

"Xerosic, I-" Emma began, but Xerosic stopped her. "Emma, I created you and nearly damned you. Your love for others is both a strength and weakness. Think before you give a fool like me a chance ever again." He reached up his hand and this time cupped Emma's cheek. "Protec-urk!" He coughed up a glob of blood, struggling to hold on to this life. "Protect all you love. I have given you the power to do so. So use it..." His hand fell and he stared blankly skywards.

I yanked my attention away from them as an energy blast headed straight for us. A blur and Arcanine put himself in the way, taking the attack. He growled and stood over us as several Chandelures began charging attacks.

"We must win this battle," I said, standing next to my partner Pokemon. "Arcanine, Heat Wave!" I stared across the battlefield towards where Greninja was forcing back another Chandelure. I reached out my hand, fingers outstretched. "Greninja!" 

"The strongest of bonds must be forged."

"Only the strongest of bonds can overcome the darkness ahead."

"This is it," I breathed, water surging around the Water type. His eyes flashed red from within as his gaze met mine. I let my eyes settle on each Pokemon of mine, each one fighting their absolute hardest. Corviknight soared over the battlefield, attacking one Pokemon then flying off to attack another. Mawile was fighting bravely against the Dusknoir, not letting a single attack from the opposition hit her. Bisharp, not as strong as the others, yet was showing just how powerful he could be as he fought alongside Preston's Raticate. Lucario was fighting beside Greninja against the Cultists to protect everyone they could. And Arcanine sped along the battlefield, using his speed and strength to fight.

Images of Alex, Robert, Clara, Preston, and everyone else I've forged friendship with flashed through my head. "These are my strongest bonds, the ones that matter. I trust my two friends to make it back in time and they trust me to stay alive until then." I clenched my hand into a fist, feeling a multitude of emotions swell within me. "Alright, Greninja! Let's take them!"