45 Time and Tide
Despite the League's efforts to deploy Pokémon Jammers to paralyze the Blackthorn family's primary defense lines, which were guarded by countless trainers employed by the family, the fortified borders maintained by the Blackthorns were the only effective bulwark against the onslaught. Their thorough preparation stood in stark contrast to the crumbling defenses of other regions, which fell like a line of dominoes under the relentless pressure of the Pokemon tide.
Johto as a whole fared much better, as the entire northern Johto border was under the control of the Blackthorns. Even in the south, from Tojo Falls bordering southern Kanto to the shores bordering the Crystal Sea and all the way to the Whirly Seas, the Blackthorns provided protection.
As for the remaining Johto borders, many other Legacy families rallied themselves to fight against the Pokémon tide from the sea. However, Kanto took the brunt of the damage. It had only taken a mere two days for the massive tide to cross thousands of miles. As the tide passed through more untamed territory, more Pokémon got added to it. Zapdos only bothered to direct the Epic Pokémon into the tide, while the rest were delegated by wild Pokémon themselves. Their hierarchy was settled using bloodlines and strength. Countless wild Pokémon perished in the clash that occurred, and the fights were brutal.
Even the colonies that didn't want to take part were torn apart by the wild Pokémon under Zapdos's coercion. What had started as a tide with hundreds of Pokémon now numbered in millions, and this was after the wild Pokémon tore through each other to assert dominance. Every wild Pokémon was in a frenzy, and the stimulants along the way only added to the chaos.
In the League HQ, within the most secure meeting room, everything had gone haywire. Their initial estimate was completely off. What was supposed to be a tide directed towards Johto now affected both regions, with Kanto suffering while Johto held on. The League had yet to launch an all-out attack on the Blackthorns, as the Blackthorns were still mobilizing forces towards their borders to mitigate the situation. The League had taken care to intercept most communications that went in and out of these two regions because if such a disaster were to be known, then their entire plans of dominating the new Hoenn and Sinnoh regions would crumble to dust.
"How, how? Where did we go wrong? The tide has already completely breached our upper mountain defensive line. The Outer Kanto region is now a ghost territory razed by the Pokemon. The tide has already made its way up to the Indigo Plateau. Even the Pokémon on Mt. Moon are stirring. If we don't hold them back, then we are looking at a second tide from within our own borders. What are those damned so-called Legacy families of the Kanto region doing?" The chairman roared.
For the past two days since they had initiated the plan early, everything has been going south. However, he couldn't question the legendary-class trainer, so he started venting to his subordinates. Currently, he was involved in a high-profile meeting involving all the parties that had originally supported the cause against the Blackthorns.
"Chairman, you should forget about the losses on your side. You should concentrate on how to bring down the main target. Such losses are inevitable as long as the Blackthorns are taken care of; then all these losses are simply nothing," Mr. Clover, the CEO of Silph Co., commented. As a megacorp, he did not care about anything else. He knew his assets were safe, and he was not involved directly in the matter.
At worst, he would lose some money and resources, and he could simply wash his hands clean of this matter. But he could not have the League backing down now because he needed the League to go forward with the plan regardless of the League's losses.
"You... you still entertain thoughts of proceeding under these dire circumstances? Are you mad?" The chairman spat. If he was not currently in a fix, he would have ripped the man's head clean off. He was already stretched thin because of the devastating losses. He was not anxious because of the tide, but because of the losses the League was taking.
If this continued, would he still have a league to lead at the end of the day? Wouldn't all these vultures sitting here just swoop down and take away the lion's share, leaving him with nothing? He had to think of something, something that would put him back on top or at least find something to divert public opinion.
"Mr. Chairman, you misunderstand. This was not a request. We have invested a considerable sum of our resources because you promised us the monopoly of all four regions without the interference of the legacy families. So I suggest you stop your whining and get back to what you promised us." Mr. Clover's tone shifted abruptly, shedding its usual amiability as he began to strong-arm the Chairman.
"Are you telling me what I can and cannot do?" The chairman's face contorted with anger at the CEO of Silph Co.'s audacity. He knew these people were greedy, but he wasn't about to let them push him around.
"Oh, not at all, Mr. Chairman. I just wondered, say, for instance, if everyone came to know that the League was responsible for such a disaster, what do you think would happen? I am sure you will be hunted down. Even if you were caught, you sure wouldn't have a quick death," the man chuckled, his words draining the blood from the chairman's face, leaving him pale and shaken.
They were right. If word were to get out regarding this matter, death would be the least of his worries.
"Calm down now, gentlemen. Not everything is lost. We can still achieve all our goals with the league coming out on top," Giovanni interjected, his presence commanding attention. Thanks to the update from Sierra, he was able to reschedule all his plans.
With Giovanni's words, the Chairman felt a glimmer of hope reignite within him, and he quickly turned to him, eager for him to continue.
"We can still use this situation to our advantage. Start a rumor that it was the Blackthorns who caused the massive tide and that they have the means to put a stop to it. The League still controls the media, so use it to your advantage. Don't worry about the lives you will lose in the aftermath. Redirect all the League's forces towards the Blackthorn. The public would think that the League redeployed to put an end to the tide. No one would blame the League for abandoning the border defense," Giovanni proposed, presenting a cruel idea. He condemned millions of lives to achieve their goals, particularly his own.
Unless the League actively attacked Blackthorn City, he could not move forward with the plans he had prepared for Mt. Silver. Stuck at the epic rank for centuries, he had been mocked by countless powerhouses for his inability to ascend to the legendary rank despite being from a nobel lineage.
As the Empress's direct descendant, capturing Moltres and forming a bond with it was crucial for his ascendance. Unlike other natural legendaries, Moltres on Mt. Silver was a juvenile, just a couple of centuries old. If it weren't for it being within the Blackthorn family's territory, countless parties would have pursued such a young, legendary Pokémon.
As Giovanni's words resonated with everyone in the meeting room, they began to see the practicality of his approach. Why should the League concern itself with the loss of lives when their ultimate goal was to annihilate the Blackthorns? By using them as scapegoats, they could easily shift blame and influence public opinion. It was a tactic as old as human history itself—a one-sided narrative crafted by the victors.
"Sigh, fine," the Chairman relented, his tone heavy with resignation. "Mr. Giovanni's words have merit. I will have the media start the propaganda immediately. We will strike the Blackthorns tonight. According to our intelligence, by tonight, the Blackthorn city must be left with only the bare minimum of a skeletal defense. I hope, Sir," he turned to address a figure tucked away in a corner, "you can lead the attack personally."
To the surprise of everyone present, an old man leisurely sipping on a chilled drink was revealed. No one had detected his presence in the room until now, despite the meeting having gone on for more than an hour.
The old man set down his drink, his eyes glinting with a calculated intensity that demanded attention. "Rest assured, Chairman, I will lead the bloodbath myself," he replied, his voice carrying the weight of authority earned through centuries of carnage.
As the others exchanged uncertain glances, the Chairman nodded, his resolve bolstered by the assurance of the legendary rank powerhouse. "Very well, then. Let it be known that the League strikes against the Blackthorns in the name of justice and order," he declared, his words echoing with a sense of righteous conviction.
With the plan set in motion, the meeting adjourned, and the League's forces mobilized for the impending assault. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the media apparatus churned out carefully crafted narratives, painting the Blackthorns as the architects of chaos and the League as valiant defenders of peace.
Outside the confines of the meeting room, the world remained oblivious to the machinations of those in power, unaware of the impending clash that would reshape the very landscape of the region. And amidst the chaos and deception, the fate of millions hung in the balance, mere pawns in a game played by the elite few.
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In the small town a few thousand miles north of Pewter City, chaos reigned as the frenzied Pokémon tide surged toward its borders. Despite its size, the town boasted a formidable outpost manned by hundreds of League-employed trainers. These defenders stood as the last line of defense while the townsfolk scrambled to evacuate, the suddenness of the tide catching everyone off guard.
As news of the Blackthorns' alleged involvement spread, it sparked extreme reactions among the populace. In Kanto, cries for vengeance echoed through the streets, demanding justice for the havoc wreaked upon their region. The people clamored for the Blackthorns to be held accountable, their anger fueling a desire to see the powerful family brought to swift and decisive justice.
Meanwhile, in Johto, a different sentiment prevailed. Here, the Blackthorn family was revered as guardians, their longstanding legacy intertwined with the region's history. Many viewed them as protectors, attributing their actions to a desire to safeguard Johto from external threats. In the face of calamity, there were whispers of support for the Blackthorns, a belief that their intentions were noble and their actions justified.
Amidst the turmoil and conflicting emotions, the fate of the town hung precariously in the balance. With the Pokémon tide closing in, the defenders braced themselves for a desperate struggle, their resolve hardened by the knowledge that the outcome could shape the destiny of all these people who were clamoring for their lives.
"Where the hell are the reinforcements that we asked for?" The leader of the outpost, a peak Elite Level Trainer, barked as he directed his five remaining Pokémon to keep the tide in check. Originally, he had three diamond-stage Pokémon and five platinum-stage Pokémon, but due to the relentless tide, he had already lost his diamond-stage Rapidash and two of his platinum-stage Pokémon. Although the loss of his companions hurt him, holding back the tide until the civilians could escape weighed more on his mind.
"Sir, we have received new orders from HQ. We are to be redeployed towards the Blackthorn territory. It says that the Blackthorns have a way to put an end to this tide," a subordinate who was in charge of communications shouted out, ducking away from a Raticate that tried to bite his head clean off. Immediately, the diamond-stage Victreebel of the Captain sent out a barrage of Razor Leaf from quite a distance away, severing the head of the Raticate. Corpses littered around the temporary defense line that the trainers had built.
"Are you a moron? You still believe that bullsh*t! Aargh!" The leader screamed as a flamethrower from a wild Magmar grazed through his side. If not for one of his Pokémon tackling the Magmar down just at the last second, he would have been burned to a crisp. Although he was an aura user, he was still just a level 3 aura user, and the attack from a peak platinum-stage Magmar was too much for his aura to bear.
"Captain, are you alright?" The young man screamed while directing his Pokémon to clear a path towards the captain, who was in the thick of the fight. The young man used his four platinum-stage Pokémon to cut down a bloody path to where his captain fell. Many other trainers also quickly converged to assist the leader.
"You little bastard! Go to hell!" The leader managed to lunge forward and coat his combat knife with aura, plunging the knife right through the spine of the downed Magmar, which was being pinned down by one of his own Pokémon despite the searing flame. Blood splattered, and life left the wild Magmar's eyes.
However, the Machamp that held down the Magmar had one of its arms burned due to the flame on the Magmar's body, and despite the injury, it jumped back into the fray to protect its companion. The leader was jumping around, coordinating his Pokémon, and also personally intercepting any Pokémon that tried to overwhelm or sneak attack his remaining Pokémon. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but he knew he couldn't give up. Giving up meant death for all his team and the people who were evacuating.
As the trainers valiantly defended, holding back thousands of wild, berserk Pokémon proved an insurmountable challenge with only a few hundred Pokémon. To truly shift the tide, they needed Pokémon of high caliber—perhaps a Peak Palladium or even an Aurora stage Pokémon. They suspected that Diamond stage Pokémon still lurked nearby, along with the possibility of one or two Palladium stage wild Pokémon.
However, even amidst the chaos, the stronger Pokémon exhibited a degree of cunningness. While the cannon fodder fulfilled their role, why risk personal safety? Self-preservation was ingrained in every creature's essence. Why did lower bloodline Pokémon instinctively defer to those with greater power? Not out of reverence, but out of survival instinct.
If a platinum stage Arbok confronted a silver stage Larvitar, would it yield due to the Larvitar's pseudo-Legendary Bloodline? No, it would eliminate the threat and prevent a potential future challenger. "Survival of the Fittest" resonated throughout the Pokémon world, applying equally to both Pokémon and humans alike.
As the battle raged on, the trainers fought tooth and nail to hold the line, but the sheer force of the berserk Pokémon onslaught proved overwhelming. Despite their efforts to maintain a tight defense, gaps began to appear, allowing wild Pokémon to slip through and charge into the town.
In a gruesome display of carnage, a pack of Houndoom tore through a mother and her child with merciless efficiency. The air filled with the agonized screams of the victims as the Houndoom's fangs sank into flesh, their bloodlust unquenchable. Nearby, civilians armed with makeshift weapons attempted to intervene, but their efforts were futile against the ferocious Pokémon.
For the common people, Pokémon were a luxury beyond reach. Affording even a single Pokémon required sacrifices that many could not afford, let alone a Pokéball. Those fortunate enough to bond with common species like Butterfree or Beedrill did so purely for leisure, never expecting to face such horrors. In this unforgiving world, success in raising Pokémon depends solely on one's ability to provide resources and nurture their companions.
The scene painted a stark picture of the disparity in the Pokémon world. Only the elite and those associated with them could afford the luxury of Pokémon ownership, leaving the common folk to fend for themselves against the merciless tide of wild Pokémon.
"You, take a few of our men and reinforce the town; take out any stray Pokemon that might have slipped past." The leader barked out orders, his tone urgent.
"But sir!" The man he commanded wanted to protest, knowing that diverting more manpower from the defense line would only hasten their downfall.
Before the argument could escalate, a piercing screech shattered the air, commanding the attention of all the trainers. They turned to see a shocking sight: thousands of flying Pokémon rushing towards them, led by a massive Pidgeot. Judging by its size and presence, the captain estimated it to be a Palladium stage Pokémon—a recent rank-up seeking dominance.
The trainers knew they were ill-equipped to handle a Pokémon of such caliber. Even attempting to engage it would result in a one-sided slaughter.
They realized they had no way out; they were completely doomed. The Pidgeot screeched, and its aura seeped out like a tide, organizing the frenzied Pokémon into a coordinated force. Until now, they had been like headless chickens, but with the Wild Pidgeot's arrival, everything changed.
"Fall back! Fall back, you fools! I will hold that monster back; just help the people in the town evacuate. Don't look back; I will buy you as much time as I can!" The captain's voice rang out desperately. He knew it was all lost; the idea of reinforcements faded as the realization sank in. With his two diamond-stage Pokémon, he could hold on for a while against a newly ascended Palladium-stage Pokémon.
The Pidgeot quickly zeroed in on the leader and the strongest Pokémon holding the line. It launched a full-powered air slash as it flew within range, a transparent air blade ripping through the tide, disregarding the presence of the other wild Pokémon frantically attacking the trainers' Pokémon.
"Shit! It was a damn good life!" The leader resigned himself to his fate, realizing there was no escape. Suddenly, a crisp shout echoed through the defense line: "Mantine, protect!" A glass-like transparent barrier surrounded the leader, the nearby trainers, and their Pokémon, shielding them from the Pidgeot's attack.
The airslash clashed with the barrier with a resounding boom, but the barrier stood strong, barely scratched. The leader turned to see a large Mantine gliding through the air, with a man and a woman atop it.
"Mantine! Hyper Beam, let's go!" The woman commanded, and with a few seconds of charging, a massive Hyper Beam tore through the wild Pokémon lines, its final target being the Palladium-stage Pidgeot. However, the Pidgeot swiftly dodged the attack using agility and fell back, sending other flying Pokémon to the forefront.
Dozens of diamond-level Pokémon seemed to emerge from nowhere, joining the tide, along with three more palladium-stage Pokémon. "Flint, what are you gawking at my ass for? I know I have a nice figure! Get down there and get the job done; I will take care of things up here while you clear the ground," Lola scolded her partner for the mission, as well as her husband, as they were both apprentices training to become Aura Guardians.
"Yes, darling, here I go!" Flint replied, shaking off his distraction. He dropped from the Mantine's back, hundreds of meters in the air, directly into the thick of the Pokémon tide. As he descended, Flint pulled out three Pokéballs from his belt and released a behemoth.
"Rhydon! Giga Impact!" The Rhydon released its peak palladium-stage aura, completely engulfing the battlefield. Using its free fall momentum, it crashed into the center of the massive Pokémon tide, creating a massive crater. The shockwaves shredded the wild Pokémon caught in its range, while just outside the newly formed crater, two more Palladium Pokémon made their presence known.
One was a massive Steelix, with Flint atop its head, and next to it stood a larger-than-average Golem, ready for a rollout attack. Pokémon trying to approach were crushed without mercy under the Palladium stage pokemon's weight. As the Pokémon broke through higher stages, especially Palladium stages and above, they altered their species' limits of height and weight. Once a Pokémon crossed the Palladium stage, it was common to see abnormalities in size. Most Pokemon at this stage could alter their sizes to a certain degree. However, some were unable to control their growth and became gigantic in size, posing a threat to their surroundings.
