Okay, well here's the final chapter of Legends of Sinnoh. In terms of content it is my favorite, but I wrote it a while ago when I was struck by the idea. I've rewritten it some, but it's not as good as it should be. *shrugs* Well, I hope you enjoy it anyway:
Blazing Dreams: Legends of Sinnoh
by Duncan McNeil
Chapter 12: The End of the Line
Smoke billowed from the top of Spear Pillar; several pillars fell. Dialga and Palkia stood frozen, opposing each other. Fire raged all around and the place where Roar of Time and Spacial Rend had connected was gone. A black hole hung in the air in it's stead. All around it Time and Space were distorted.
Duncan bit his lip, the sound wave of the explosion taking his breath away. The only comfort was that he knew it would all stop soon. He would see to it. Blaziken gave a loud cry and, with a powerful bound of his legs, the pair streaked off into the night sky. Duncan's thoughts turned to his friends, and he hoped that they were away and safe. He knew Salamence would get them several miles away by now, so he wasn't worried. The only thing on his mind as he flew down the mountain was Dusek, and if he would make it before either Dialga or Palkia would win out.
-----
"We're clear now." said Tay, looking back at the mountain. He gasped. The top of the mountain was bathed in a red glow, flames rising as high as the pillars. He moved his gaze down the mountain, searching for some sign the Duncan had made it off the mountain.
"Do you see Duncan?" asked Michelle nervously. Tay looked to her. She was clearly searching the mountain as well.
Tay smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sure he's fine. I'm more worried about what's going to happen now."
Michelle looked up at Tay, her face a mask of anguish. "What are you talking about?"
Tays' eyes widened. "Are you kidding me?" he demanded. "Did you not notice? Dusek already has Dialga and Palkia!"
Michelle frowned. "They were frozen," she said uncertainly. "Do you think he can really control them?"
"You've got to be joking!" exclaimed Tay. "Of course he can control them! Even if we get away, I have no clue what we're going to do now..."
"There he is!" cried Michelle, pointing at the mountain. "That's Duncan!"
Tay reached into his pocket, pulling out a pair of small binoculars. "That's not Duncan," said Tay darkly. "That's Dusek, escaping with a Tyranitar."
Michelle gasped. "No! We can get him, right?"
Tay groaned. His instinct was telling him to go for it and attempt to end Dusek once and for all. Fear, however, was telling him to turn tail and run. "Okay," said Tay after a moment. "Salamence, turn back and head for that plateau there."
Michelle smiled faintly, looking back at the fleeing Dusek. "This is insane...To think, I was just wanting to go on a simple journey..."
Tay laughed nervously. "Yeah right. You see, this is what I do on the weekends."
"I'd hate to see what you do on the weekdays..." said Michelle.
-----
Duncan and Blaziken landed in the middle of a depression in front of a cave. Duncan got off Blaziken and looked around at all the houses around him. It seemed remarkable that less than two days ago he had stayed up all night, worrying for Michelle...
Michelle. She didn't know. It really hit him then. Duncan knelt down on the ground, trembling. Could he really do this? He looked down at his shaking hands. Never had he had to do anything remotely similar to this. True, he had been any many life or death situations, but he had never thought that he was walking to hid death. Always, there had been something inside him, willing him to continue.
This was different. There was nothing. No hope. Just death. He took a deep, shuddering breath and looked down. He couldn't say goodbye. It was far too painful, even to stand here was a struggle. He would leave her a letter. The idea inflamed his mind. That's the only thing to do, thought Duncan. A small noise made him look up.
"Blaze?" asked Blaziken.
Duncan opened his mouth, then closed it. He smiled at Blaziken.
"Blaziken..." said Duncan. He paused. A flood of memories filled his mind.
"That's a Torchic?" asked Duncan, disappointed. He had expected a large, muscular Pokemon, not the small Fire Pokemon that stood in front of him, now looking at Allen curiously. It was barely taller than Duncan's shoe, and probably didn't weigh anymore than it, either. It looked like a red chick with a yellow tuft of hair on its head. Cute? Yes. Six foot tall with muscles like a Machoke? No way.
"Torchic?" said the Pokemon, now looking at Duncan with its' head tilted to one side.
"Isn't it cute!" squealed Michelle, clapping her hands in delight. Instantly, Duncan and the Torchic rounded on the girl.
"You think my Pokemon is, cute?" said Duncan icily.
"Tor?" said the Torchic, glaring at Michelle..
"Um, no... Of course not. I meant, erm..." stammered Michelle.
He smiled. At first he was disappointed with the small Pokemon and he didn't like him at all at first. They had grown to be best friends, however. How could he say goodbye?
"Thank you."
-----
Dusek flew into the air, clinging to the back of his Tyranitar. The days events washed over him. After sixteen years of planning, it had all gone to plan. His debt to Giratina had been payed now. For the first time in all those years, he was free to do whatever he wished. It was a surreal feeling.
All of the elements of his plan were ready now. He closed his eyes. There was no stopping it anymore. The second he laid the Red Chain down, it was over.
Still, strong doubts plagued his mind. Was this really worth it? The second either Dialga or Palkia fell, Arceus would awaken and put an end to the second eternity. He would be spared, protected because he was already dead. The entire universe would not be so lucky, however.
And Duncan...An interesting problem. He was the embodiment of Time. Though he didn't not know it, his destiny was inextricably intertwined with Dialgas'. Neither could die if the other was living. If Palkia feel first, then Duncan would be spared alongside him.
"Stop here, Tyranitar."
Tyranitar landed on a small outcropping of rock overlooking another. Dusek stepped off of the Pokemon, looking out at the scenery. The bright moon shown down on him, casting a long, dark shadow behind him. It was a perfect representative of the struggle that raged within Dusek.
"Dusek!"
The man looked down. Tay and Michelle stood on the outcrop below him. Salamence landed right in front of them, roaring loudly at Dusek.
"Well well." said Dusek quietly. "What a pleasant surprise."
-----
"There's nowhere to go, Dusek!" yelled Tay. "It's over!"
Dusek laughed, a laugh that carried around the mountain and echoed back. It was an eerie feeling, listening to the sounds of Dusek laughing all around you. "A bit excited, aren't you?" asked Dusek, still smiling humorlessly at them.
"Shut up!" yelled Tay. "This is it, Dusek!"
"You've been a thorn in my side for a long time..." said Dusek quietly. "Lily was, too. But I, ah, took care of her."
"You killed Duncan's mother!" screamed Michelle. "I'll kill you!"
"Michelle." said Tay, setting a hand on her shoulder. Michelle looked at him. He stood, staring at Dusek with a repulsion on his face.
"Duncan's mother," said Tay quietly. "And Dusek is his father."
Michelle felt as though something heavy had been dropped through the pit of her stomach. "He's... Duncan's father?"
Tay nodded slowly, keeping an eye on Dusek. "Yes."
Dusek smiled. "Do you really think you can stop me? How foolish..."
"Dusek, this is over!" yelled Tay. He knew, however, that it wasn't. Already, he was planning his and Michelles' escape.
"Every second that passes, Dialga and Palkia are growing closer to destruction. Get out of my way, now."
"Michelle," whispered Tay. "We need to get out of here!"
"Okay," said Michelle quietly.
"Not planning on leaving, are you?" asked Dusek, smiling. "I have no intention on letting you leave."
"I didn't think so..." said Tay, reaching his hand down for his holster. This was going to get ugly.
-----
Duncan set down his pen and folded the paper over. He set it on the ground and stood up.
Duncan looked at the cave and shuddered. It was much more menacing now that he knew what it contained.
But the alternative was much worse. He knew that this was the last, no, the only hope left. Resolve hardened, he took off his Pokeball belt and set it beside the note, then walked into the cave.
-----
Dusek's eyes flashed with vengeance. "Tyranitar!" he called. "Use-"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dusek stumbled backward, three bullet holes in the front of his vest. He fell to the ground and stared up at the sky. He then smiled slightly, and opened his jacket and pulled out the Red Chain.
Tay lowered his smoking gun, smiling at Dusek. It didn't last for long, however.
BOOM!
The entire outcrop of rock where Dusek sat literally exploded. The huge fireball imploded again, utterly destroying the entire side of the mountain. Tay, Michelle and Salamence were flung from their perch, flying backward off the mountain.
As he was falling, Tay got a glimpse of a helicopter flying away. "No..." he moaned, before flying backward and impacting the ground.
-----
Dialga and Palkia froze in mid-attack. The very air seemed to freeze with suspense. But then a massive explosion rocked the mountain, and Dialga and Palkias' bonds to the Earth were severed.
The powerful hold of the Red Chain broken, Dialga and Palkia ceased fighting. The Spear Pillar smoldering, two massive portals opened up behind each of the Legends. But they were Legends no more. As they disappeared into their respective portals, someone was watching from above.
"All is safe for now." said a deep voice. "All is safe..."
-----
Michelle opened her eyes. Miraculously, she was still alive. A shimmering white shield was surrounding her and Tay, and then she realized it was a Protect.
Then a loud call was heard, a sound more soothing than anything Michelle had ever heard before. She looked up. A huge Phoenix-like creature was above them, calling out in its wonderful voice. It had huge, rainbow-colored wings and brilliant plumage. It circled above them for a moment, then began to glow gold.
"Mence!" roared Salamence, standing up and looking up at the Great Phoenix.
Tay moaned loudly, rolling over. Michelle rushed over to his side.
"Are you okay?" she asked, helping Tay to sit up.
"Yeah..." he said, looking up. "What's going on?"
"I am Ho-Oh!" cried the Great Phoenix. "I have saved you to tell you that your friend is in grave danger. He is, at this moment, preparing to sacrifice his life."
"What?" exclaimed Tay. The shock of the sudden explosion had not yet wore off and his brain seemed to be moving in slow motion.
"He has made a deal with Giratina, the Ruler of the Middle Life, to exchange his life for Dusek's." said Ho-Oh, circling overhead.
"No!" cried Michelle. "He can't have!"
The circling Ho-Oh gave a call. "You must stop him."
Tay nodded, his face pale in the moonlight. "Okay. Where is he?"
"Celestic Town. You must hurry. If he gives himself up to Giratina, your world shall be in for much pain and suffering." cried Ho-Oh.
"Yeah!" cried Michelle. "Let's go!"
-----
Duncan was always the hero. The thought had inflamed Michelle's mind.
Duncan always saved me. Always.
Michelle wiped away a tear as she watched the landscapes rush by from the back of Salamence.
He was always there for me, even before Allen died. All of those months... He never complained, always made sure I was okay but never asked for anything himself. Michelle looked up at the night sky, the full moon shining brightly over them and the distant stars twinkling.
But I won't let you do it this time. After all you've done for me... "I won't let you do it!" cried Michelle. Tay looked sideways at her, his face a mask of pain.
"I know." he whispered. "I know."
Michelle wiped her sparkling eyes. "How could he have done this? It's so stupid..." All other thoughts had been driven from her mind, she could only think about one thing.
"He's doing what he thinks is right. The only thing that matters right now is stopping him." said Tay.
Michelle nodded, and looked forward to see a small cluster of brown buildings approaching. "Hang in there." she murmured.
-----
"You are here." said a deep voice, shrouded in the shadows.
Duncan nodded. "Yes." he said, his voice cracking.
Giratina appeared out of the shadows, and then the cave seemed strangely warped and much larger. But Duncan didn't notice. His eyes were firmly on Giratina.
"This will end it? Dusek will be finished?" asked Duncan quietly.
"What can be done, can be undone." said the Ruler of Dimension.
Duncan blinked and tried to nod, but his muscles seemed to have seized up. Giratina seemed to understand, and bowed it's head to Duncan. A light blue portal appeared in front of it, and Duncan knew what he had to do.
He took a step forward, then stopped. Michelle flashed across his eyes, and a flood of images appeared in his mind's eye. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to continue to walk toward the portal.
It seemed to take an eternity, but finally Duncan stopped in front of the portal. He rocked in front of it like he was about to jump off of a diving board. Every second that he wasted meant that Dusek was that much closer to having the Legends, so Duncan took a deep breath and walked forward.
"Duncan!" cried a voice. Duncan turned his head to see Michelle running through the entrance of the cave, and time seemed to stop. Duncan slowly passed through the portal, and then he fell, a look of apology on his face. Then Giratina and the portal disappeared and Duncan fell onto the ground.
"NO!" screamed Michelle. She ran up to Duncan and knelt down beside him. "Duncan, no! Duncan wake up! Wake up!"
But Duncan did not stir. Michelle grasped his shoulders and shook him violently. "Damn you Duncan! Why?"
I couldn't do it... After everything he did for me, I couldn't do something as easy as this... I don't deserve to live, he does...
Then she remembered something. A black tombstone... Her name... Tomorrow's date... She came back to the cave, and she saw Duncan's watch flicker feebly.
11:57
Three minutes to go...
Michelle suddenly stopped crying and felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Tay knelt down and checked for Duncan's pulse, and Michelle stared down at Duncan's cold, empty eyes staring back at her.
She shuddered and looked away. Tay groaned softly and raised a hand to Duncan's face and gently closed his eyes.
"Michelle..."
"Why? Why..." asked Michelle.
11:58
Tay stayed silent for a moment, then wordlessly handed a folded piece of paper to Michelle. She took it without really paying attention and unfolded it.
To Michelle,
I'm sorry. I never should have dragged you into this. If I hadn't, then maybe Allen would still be here, too. But let me tell you this: I love you. Without you, I would have given up a long time ago. I know you will hate me for what I've done, but at least you will have a world in which to do so. Thank you for everything.
Duncan
Michelle set down the note with a shaking hand.
He really is gone. The truth was threatening to set in, but Michelle shook it off.
Duncan's watch flickered in the dark.
11:59
-----
Well there you go. The end of Legends of Sinnoh, or close to it. I'll post the Epilogue in a couple of days, then the real fun will begin. Currently I'm about half way done with a Blazing Dreams One-Shot, which took place a week before LoS and is written in a different style (much better) than this, so look for that in early January. Well, thats' all for now. Hope you enjoyed!
