Ambyssin
Winter can't come soon enough
This is a bonus part. Be sure to read Chapter 12 in the above post if you haven't already.
"Thanks for coming with me, Vulpix. After these last few days, I just didn't feel comfortable walking to Sunrise Village alone."
Shane yawned and brushed his snout against a foreleg. "It's no biggie. But that leppa berry bread better be worth it."
Tessa smirked. "You know, for someone who's only just recently taken up the local diet, you're growing to like it quite a bit."
"What can I say? The food here is way better than the garbage I cook back home," Shane said. "It's just surprising. Where I'm from, canines have terrible senses of taste. I expected everything I would eat here to taste, I dunno, bitter or something."
"Well, I can say with certainty the stuff Sylveon bakes is anything but bitter," Tessa declared. "I see the house up ahead. Let's go."
They jogged down the hill and approached the house. Shane stood beside the door while Tessa knocked. "Hey, Sylveon. I'm here to babysit Eevee for you."
"Tessa!"
The door flew open. Shane yelped as it smacked him into the wall. Eevee sprinted out the door and Tessa stuck out her arms to keep herself from getting body slammed. "Hi, Eevee," she chirped. "Great to see you."
"I missed you," Eevee cooed, rubbing his head against Tessa's belly.
Fwump!
Shane collapsed beside the open door, his eyes spinning in their sockets. "When is a door not a door? When it's a jaaaaaaaaaaar…" he moaned.
"Oh, hey, it's Mr. Weirdo Vulpix," Eevee said. "Did he follow you here?"
"Actually, I brought him along. Hope you don't mind," Tessa said. "C'mon, Vulpix, let's head inside."
"Hang on, I'll be with you as soon as everything stops spinning," Shane groaned. Tessa rolled her eyes, walked over to her teammate, and hoisted him up to his feet. Shane made it about three steps forward before collapsing on his side.
"Did he forget how to walk again?" Eevee wondered.
"No, he's just being melodramatic," Tessa scoffed.
"I don't know what that word means," Eevee chirped, wagging his tail.
"Tessa. Great, you're here!" Sylveon called from inside the house. "I just finished making the leppa berry bread, so–"
"Outta the way! Outta the way!" Shane bellowed, bolting to his feet and booking it inside the house.
Eevee gave Tessa a confused look. She simply shrugged and led Eevee back into the house. Sylveon bid everyone farewell and departed the house. "Hey, Vulpix, don't drool on the bread," Tessa said, glancing at her partner. "We're all supposed to share it."
"It just smells so goooooooood," Shane whined. "Hurry up and break me off a piece. You're the only one here with hands."
"Then step back and let me divide it up," Tessa said. She approached the bread and split it into three. The trio proceeded to eat their meals. All the while, Eevee asked Tessa about the guild. She replied, with the help of some occasional tidbits from Shane. Eventually, the sun had set and Eevee yawned loudly.
"Sounds like it's almost bed time, kiddo," Shane said.
"Wait, don't I get a story?" Eevee asked, looking at Team Radiance with pleading eyes. "I haven't had any bedtime stories since last week."
Tessa and Shane exchanged looks. "Uh, sure," Shane muttered. "Once upon time, there was a very loud Eevee who slammed a door into an innocent little Vulpix. The Vulpix forgave the Eevee because his mom made some delicious bread. Then, the Eevee went to bed and the Vulpix returned to the guild to put a big bag of ice over the lump on his head. The end." He threw the door to Eevee's room open. "Okay, there's your story. G'night."
Eevee frowned. "That was a terrible story!"
"Hey, I didn't come up with it," Shane quipped, earning a confused look from Tessa.
"I want a fun story," Eevee demanded. His eyes lit up. "Oh! Tell me the story about the big boom that made Voltaic Crater. I like that story."
Shane raised a confused eyebrow. "Um, I don't know that one."
"Then you tell it, Tessa," Eevee requested. "Pretty pweeeeeeeease?" He batted his eyelids at Tessa.
"I don't know, Eevee. It's been awhile since I've heard the story for myself."
"Aww, don't say that. I'll bet you can tell it great," Eevee said, jumping up onto his bed. "Come on, can't you at least try?"
"Yeah, Riolu. Can't you?" Shane parroted, giving Tessa a cheeky grin.
"Okay, fine," Tessa relented. "Let me just gather my thoughts for a moment. Okay, so, a long time ago in the Horizon Continent this fearsome black dragon appeared in the sky." She stuck her paws up into the air and bared her tiny fangs at Eevee.
Shane raised a forepaw. "Lemme guess. It was Zekrom?"
Tessa and Eevee gave Shane unamused looks. "Please hold your questions until the end of the story," Tessa deadpanned. "Now then, where was I? Let's see…"
Zekrom hovered in the air, looking over the land. He saw nothing but rolling green hills around him. This made him mad! He craned his head up and roared, "Hear me, Land Spirit! Your boasts have reached my ears. I do not believe you speak with ideals in your heart. Face me, and I shall show you true strength!"
He hovered there, searching for any sign of the Pokémon he was addressing. But no one appeared out of the fields. "… hmph. So, you have the audacity to taunt me like this? I will not stand for it! If you will not show your face, I shall cover these plains in a mighty lightning storm!"
Zekrom heard a loud caw cut through the sky. He turned around, smirking. A bright ball of yellow electricity raced up from the ground. It flew up to Zekrom's eye level. Then the electricity dispersed, revealing one of the continent's protectors: Tapu Koko!
"Finally decided to grow some backbone, have we?" Zekrom bellowed. "Well, it won't do you any good. My strength is unparalleled. None can wield electricity like me!"
"Ha!"
Zekrom narrowed his fierce, red eyes. "You laugh?"
"Course I do, dude. Your voice puts an Exploud to shame," Tapu Koko responded. "Not everything needs to be shouted at the top of your lungs, you know."
"SILENCE, WELP!" Zekrom thundered. His tail started glowing blue and electricity crackled around it. "Being true to one's sense of self is a key facet of expressing ideals. And I am the very essence of lightning. It is only appropriate that I roar with the intensity of rumbling thunder! Anything less is unacceptable!"
"That line of thinking's totally bogus, dude," Tapu Koko exclaimed. "And there's more to harnessing electricity than just firing a really big Thunderbolt or whatever."
"Enough! I know when I am being mocked," Zekrom shouted. "Your lack of respect for one of the world's mightiest Legendaries is insulting. Therefore I, Zekrom, will knock you down!"
A big ball of blue electricity encased Zekrom and he raced forward. Tapu Koko closed up his protective shell and sped into the air, dodging him. Zekrom screeched to a halt and opened his maw. A giant blue Dragon Pulse bolt raced forward. Tapu Koko burst out of his shell and divebombed Zekrom. The dragon was taken completely aback as his attack harmlessly struck Tapu Koko. Next thing he knew, a blinding pink light erupted around him.
"Grooooooaaaaaaah!" Zekrom roared in pain. He spread his wings to the side to stop his fall and looked up at Tapu Koko. The Land Spirit hung in the air, intently studying Zekrom. "So, you are fairy-type, huh?"
"Like, I'm surprised you didn't catch on from the get-go," Tapu Koko scoffed. "As I said, my strength is not something to take lightly."
"Ha ha ha ha! Maybe I do not have the most effective attacks to strike you with, little Land Spirit. But what I lack in effective moves, I make up for with RAW UNBRIDLED SPEED AND POWER! BEHOLD!"
Zekrom's tail whirred to life and he raced forward. Psychic energy gathered around his head. But before he could get anywhere close to Tapu Koko, the Land Spirit flew away. He thrust his armored limbs to the side and, suddenly, electric particles filled up the air. The sky turned yellow before Zekrom's eyes.
"What sort of trickery is this, Land Spirit?" Zekrom snarled. "To employ deceit in a duel like this is the ultimate insult! It spits in the face of ideals! I will not stand– or, rather, float for such insolence!"
"Whoa, chillax, dragon dude," Tapu Koko exclaimed, "We Land Spirits are, like, one with nature around here. It lets us craft terrain to suit our abilities. Pretty righteous, huh?"
"It is blasphemous!" Zekrom bellowed, sending sound waves shooting toward Tapu Koko. This took him by surprise. He could dodge some of the Hyper Voice, but a few sound waves struck and disoriented him.
"Ugh, not very bodacious of you, bro," Tapu Koko groaned. "If you'd given me a sec to finish splainin' things to you, you'd have known my Electric Surge boosts all electric attacks for a short while. You say you're the embodiment of thunder? Then come at me, bro!"
Zekrom roared and encased himself in electricity yet again. He charged toward Tapu Koko, but the Land Spirit withdrew into his shell and sped away. Zekrom's tail crackled and released a burst of energy, sending him speeding forward. But Tapu Koko curved upward and Zekrom raced underneath.
"Quit flying about and let me hit you," Zekrom whined. He abruptly stopped himself and sent Thunderbolts streaking toward Tapu Koko. The Land Spirit retaliated with Thunderbolts of his own, but Zekrom's proved move stronger and seared Tapu Koko's arms. "Ha ha! See? Even with your deceitful trickery, my lightning far outranks yours, puny whelp!"
"Yeah, well it's not a total bummer, dude. Because I can still do this!" Tapu Koko replied, filling the sky with sparkling pink energy. Zekrom engaged the booster in his tail and tried to speed away, but the Dazzling Gleam still hit him and sent him reeling. Tapu Koko sped forward, shooting lightning bolts to spear Zekrom's backside.
Zekrom whirled around and dispelled Tapu Koko's attacks with his own Thunderbolts. Tapu Koko had to withdraw into his shell to minimize any damage. He spun around and his momentum deflected some of the bolts down toward the ground. The electricity struck the ground and started to race across the grass.
Tapu Koko noticed the electricity. "Um, dude, maybe we ought to take this out over the ocean? I don't want to zap any little critters down below."
"You should've thought of that before spitting on my pride!" Zekrom roared. "You have made your bed and you will lie in it." He tucked himself inside another ball of lightning and shot forward. Tapu Koko stood his ground this time. He thrust his arms apart and a Dazzling Gleam exploded outward. Zekrom's electric cage managed to slice through most of the attack. He slammed into Tapu Koko from above.
Tapu Koko rocketed toward the ground. He hit the dirt with a loud THUD, leaving a sizeable impact crater. And electricity exploded out from his body, vaporizing the grass and racing around the nearby rocks. Tapu Koko looked over and saw the lightning from Zekrom's attack had not dissipated. In fact, in continued arcing through the fields, leaving barren rock behind.
"Dude, no way!" Tapu Koko gasped.
"Do you see now the power that I wield, puny whelp?" Zekrom bellowed. "Withdraw your comments on my strength and I shall forgive such insolence and leave you be."
Tapu Koko rocketed back into the air, letting out a brilliant, blinding Dazzling Gleam. Zekrom howled as the attack washed over him. Now it was the big lug's turn to plummet toward the ground. But he managed to stop himself before he hit anything. He fired up his tail and shot upward. This bathed the hill beneath him in electricity, burning up grass in the process.
"Enough!" Zekrom roared. "I have grown tired of this affair. You are as annoying as a Beedrill buzzing about my domain!" His crimson eyes crackled with electricity. "Have a taste of this!"
Zekrom thrust his arms forward. Tapu Koko braced himself to dodge, but noticed no attack came out. Before he could say anything, however, a tremor wracked his entire body. He gasped and found himself struggling to keep his altitude. "What did you do to me?" he asked.
"Ha ha ha! Just as you have your frilly little terrain-making trick, I too have my own ability. It is one that stands a true dedication to pursuit of ideals!" Zekrom replied. "It is Teravolt! And with it, I shall strike you with Earth Powers even as we float in the air. And now I shall use my ability to thoroughly beat you into submission. Then you will know my fury!"
"Your vocabulary needs serious work, dude."
Electricity crackled across Tapu Koko's arms. It gathered in front of him and took the form of a crystal sphere. He shattered the sphere and spread his arms out to the side. Orange beams of energy raced across his body.
"I will let you employ no more trickery!" Zekrom snarled. He slammed his fists together, sending another shockwave racing forward. But Tapu Koko ducked under the Earth Power. He raises his arms skyward, and the orange energy surrounding him started expanding and turning yellow. Zekrom's eyes widened as it rapidly took the shape of a four-limbed giant! Tapu Koko withdrew into his shell and soared to the top of the creature, planting himself on what appeared to be its neck.
"Th… this is… impossible!" Zekrom roared. "What is this madness?"
"The power of nature, dude!" the giant boomed in Tapu Koko's voice and swiped at Zekrom. He barely managed to dodge.
"No, I will not back down! I never back down!" Zekrom thundered, surrounding himself with electricity and charging forward. At the same time, the giant brought its arm up and then sent it crashing down. The instant Zekrom slammed into the giant, its fist connected with his skull. Both Tapu Koko and Zekrom exploded back from each other and hurtled toward the ground.
They impacted at the same time. A pair of massive craters ruptured the earth, sending with them waves of lightning! The first wave vaporized the remaining grass and evaporated all the water in the ponds. And the remaining waves bathed the rocky remnants in electricity. In fact, so much electricity was dispelled from their duel, that it continued to linger around the crater even to this day. It became a habitat for wild electric-type Pokémon. Hence, we now call the place Voltaic Crater.
Tessa sat back and let out a deep breath. "… and that's it. That's all I know."
Eevee jumped about excitedly. "That was great! That was great!" He turned to Vulpix. "Didn't you think it was great? I really liked your Zekrom voice." He reared up on his hind legs, spread out his forepaws, and shouted, "Grooooooooar! I'm Zekrom and I'm a big, fat, jerk-head!"
"Oh, brother," Shane muttered, rolling his eyes. "So, let me get this straight, Riolu. Zekrom battled this Tapu Koko thingy and they caused an explosion so big it made a Mystery Dungeon?"
Tessa shrugged. "That's how I interpreted it."
"But how would the terrain change if it's just a giant crater?" Shane wondered.
"I know this one," Eevee said, raising a forepaw. "That's cause the Tapus have the power to reshape the continent. When they do, all the Mystery Dungeons change." He beamed at Tessa. "Did I answer that right?"
"You sure did, buddy," Tessa said, tussling Eevee's head. "Unlike Vulpix, who forgot I told him that a few days ago."
"Gag," Shane muttered, pointing a forepaw at his open mouth. "So, there are other Tapus, then?"
"Yup," Tessa replied. "Any other questions?"
"Yeah," Shane said. "What the heck was that move Tapu Koko did where he summoned a giant energy monster? That sounds incredible! What can we do to learn something like that?"
Tessa scratched the bridge of her snout. "Hang on. I swear my dad told me about this once." She rubbed her temples. "Something about the Tapus being able to grant Pokémon the power to turn one of their moves into an extremely powerful attack during a battle. I don't remember what he called it, though."
"… knock, knock. I'm home, Eevee!"
Eevee jumped to his feet and ran to the door. "Hi, mommy," he greeted. "Did you have fun with your friends?"
"I did, thank you," Sylveon replied. "Tessa, how was Eevee?"
"A little angel. We had a nice, long story session," Tessa explained.
"Wonderful," Sylveon chirped. "You two are more than welcome to say the night, if you'd like."
"We'd love to, Sylveon. But we really should get back to the Observatory," Tessa said. "The guild's leaving on this big expedition tomorrow and I don't want to get locked out."
"Okay then. Safe travels." Sylveon waved farewell and they exited the house.
"See, Vulpix, that wasn't so bad," Tessa said. Shane didn't respond. She looked over at her partner, and noticed a gleam in his eyes.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked.
"Probably not. But I'll bite," Tessa said. "What are you thinking?"
"That we find one of these Tapu guys and make them give us that special ability!" Shane declared. "I'll be able to save the world for sure with a power like that."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "Let's take it one day at a time, Vulpix," she sighed.
If they could shoehorn Megas into Super, you can bet we're getting Z-Moves here. How they'll factor into the story proper I'll leave to your imagination.
XxX
Bonus #2: An Electrifying Spirit
~Sunrise Village, Sylveon's House~
Bonus #2: An Electrifying Spirit
~Sunrise Village, Sylveon's House~
"Thanks for coming with me, Vulpix. After these last few days, I just didn't feel comfortable walking to Sunrise Village alone."
Shane yawned and brushed his snout against a foreleg. "It's no biggie. But that leppa berry bread better be worth it."
Tessa smirked. "You know, for someone who's only just recently taken up the local diet, you're growing to like it quite a bit."
"What can I say? The food here is way better than the garbage I cook back home," Shane said. "It's just surprising. Where I'm from, canines have terrible senses of taste. I expected everything I would eat here to taste, I dunno, bitter or something."
"Well, I can say with certainty the stuff Sylveon bakes is anything but bitter," Tessa declared. "I see the house up ahead. Let's go."
They jogged down the hill and approached the house. Shane stood beside the door while Tessa knocked. "Hey, Sylveon. I'm here to babysit Eevee for you."
"Tessa!"
The door flew open. Shane yelped as it smacked him into the wall. Eevee sprinted out the door and Tessa stuck out her arms to keep herself from getting body slammed. "Hi, Eevee," she chirped. "Great to see you."
"I missed you," Eevee cooed, rubbing his head against Tessa's belly.
Fwump!
Shane collapsed beside the open door, his eyes spinning in their sockets. "When is a door not a door? When it's a jaaaaaaaaaaar…" he moaned.
"Oh, hey, it's Mr. Weirdo Vulpix," Eevee said. "Did he follow you here?"
"Actually, I brought him along. Hope you don't mind," Tessa said. "C'mon, Vulpix, let's head inside."
"Hang on, I'll be with you as soon as everything stops spinning," Shane groaned. Tessa rolled her eyes, walked over to her teammate, and hoisted him up to his feet. Shane made it about three steps forward before collapsing on his side.
"Did he forget how to walk again?" Eevee wondered.
"No, he's just being melodramatic," Tessa scoffed.
"I don't know what that word means," Eevee chirped, wagging his tail.
"Tessa. Great, you're here!" Sylveon called from inside the house. "I just finished making the leppa berry bread, so–"
"Outta the way! Outta the way!" Shane bellowed, bolting to his feet and booking it inside the house.
Eevee gave Tessa a confused look. She simply shrugged and led Eevee back into the house. Sylveon bid everyone farewell and departed the house. "Hey, Vulpix, don't drool on the bread," Tessa said, glancing at her partner. "We're all supposed to share it."
"It just smells so goooooooood," Shane whined. "Hurry up and break me off a piece. You're the only one here with hands."
"Then step back and let me divide it up," Tessa said. She approached the bread and split it into three. The trio proceeded to eat their meals. All the while, Eevee asked Tessa about the guild. She replied, with the help of some occasional tidbits from Shane. Eventually, the sun had set and Eevee yawned loudly.
"Sounds like it's almost bed time, kiddo," Shane said.
"Wait, don't I get a story?" Eevee asked, looking at Team Radiance with pleading eyes. "I haven't had any bedtime stories since last week."
Tessa and Shane exchanged looks. "Uh, sure," Shane muttered. "Once upon time, there was a very loud Eevee who slammed a door into an innocent little Vulpix. The Vulpix forgave the Eevee because his mom made some delicious bread. Then, the Eevee went to bed and the Vulpix returned to the guild to put a big bag of ice over the lump on his head. The end." He threw the door to Eevee's room open. "Okay, there's your story. G'night."
Eevee frowned. "That was a terrible story!"
"Hey, I didn't come up with it," Shane quipped, earning a confused look from Tessa.
"I want a fun story," Eevee demanded. His eyes lit up. "Oh! Tell me the story about the big boom that made Voltaic Crater. I like that story."
Shane raised a confused eyebrow. "Um, I don't know that one."
"Then you tell it, Tessa," Eevee requested. "Pretty pweeeeeeeease?" He batted his eyelids at Tessa.
"I don't know, Eevee. It's been awhile since I've heard the story for myself."
"Aww, don't say that. I'll bet you can tell it great," Eevee said, jumping up onto his bed. "Come on, can't you at least try?"
"Yeah, Riolu. Can't you?" Shane parroted, giving Tessa a cheeky grin.
"Okay, fine," Tessa relented. "Let me just gather my thoughts for a moment. Okay, so, a long time ago in the Horizon Continent this fearsome black dragon appeared in the sky." She stuck her paws up into the air and bared her tiny fangs at Eevee.
Shane raised a forepaw. "Lemme guess. It was Zekrom?"
Tessa and Eevee gave Shane unamused looks. "Please hold your questions until the end of the story," Tessa deadpanned. "Now then, where was I? Let's see…"
Zekrom hovered in the air, looking over the land. He saw nothing but rolling green hills around him. This made him mad! He craned his head up and roared, "Hear me, Land Spirit! Your boasts have reached my ears. I do not believe you speak with ideals in your heart. Face me, and I shall show you true strength!"
He hovered there, searching for any sign of the Pokémon he was addressing. But no one appeared out of the fields. "… hmph. So, you have the audacity to taunt me like this? I will not stand for it! If you will not show your face, I shall cover these plains in a mighty lightning storm!"
Zekrom heard a loud caw cut through the sky. He turned around, smirking. A bright ball of yellow electricity raced up from the ground. It flew up to Zekrom's eye level. Then the electricity dispersed, revealing one of the continent's protectors: Tapu Koko!
"Finally decided to grow some backbone, have we?" Zekrom bellowed. "Well, it won't do you any good. My strength is unparalleled. None can wield electricity like me!"
"Ha!"
Zekrom narrowed his fierce, red eyes. "You laugh?"
"Course I do, dude. Your voice puts an Exploud to shame," Tapu Koko responded. "Not everything needs to be shouted at the top of your lungs, you know."
"SILENCE, WELP!" Zekrom thundered. His tail started glowing blue and electricity crackled around it. "Being true to one's sense of self is a key facet of expressing ideals. And I am the very essence of lightning. It is only appropriate that I roar with the intensity of rumbling thunder! Anything less is unacceptable!"
"That line of thinking's totally bogus, dude," Tapu Koko exclaimed. "And there's more to harnessing electricity than just firing a really big Thunderbolt or whatever."
"Enough! I know when I am being mocked," Zekrom shouted. "Your lack of respect for one of the world's mightiest Legendaries is insulting. Therefore I, Zekrom, will knock you down!"
A big ball of blue electricity encased Zekrom and he raced forward. Tapu Koko closed up his protective shell and sped into the air, dodging him. Zekrom screeched to a halt and opened his maw. A giant blue Dragon Pulse bolt raced forward. Tapu Koko burst out of his shell and divebombed Zekrom. The dragon was taken completely aback as his attack harmlessly struck Tapu Koko. Next thing he knew, a blinding pink light erupted around him.
"Grooooooaaaaaaah!" Zekrom roared in pain. He spread his wings to the side to stop his fall and looked up at Tapu Koko. The Land Spirit hung in the air, intently studying Zekrom. "So, you are fairy-type, huh?"
"Like, I'm surprised you didn't catch on from the get-go," Tapu Koko scoffed. "As I said, my strength is not something to take lightly."
"Ha ha ha ha! Maybe I do not have the most effective attacks to strike you with, little Land Spirit. But what I lack in effective moves, I make up for with RAW UNBRIDLED SPEED AND POWER! BEHOLD!"
Zekrom's tail whirred to life and he raced forward. Psychic energy gathered around his head. But before he could get anywhere close to Tapu Koko, the Land Spirit flew away. He thrust his armored limbs to the side and, suddenly, electric particles filled up the air. The sky turned yellow before Zekrom's eyes.
"What sort of trickery is this, Land Spirit?" Zekrom snarled. "To employ deceit in a duel like this is the ultimate insult! It spits in the face of ideals! I will not stand– or, rather, float for such insolence!"
"Whoa, chillax, dragon dude," Tapu Koko exclaimed, "We Land Spirits are, like, one with nature around here. It lets us craft terrain to suit our abilities. Pretty righteous, huh?"
"It is blasphemous!" Zekrom bellowed, sending sound waves shooting toward Tapu Koko. This took him by surprise. He could dodge some of the Hyper Voice, but a few sound waves struck and disoriented him.
"Ugh, not very bodacious of you, bro," Tapu Koko groaned. "If you'd given me a sec to finish splainin' things to you, you'd have known my Electric Surge boosts all electric attacks for a short while. You say you're the embodiment of thunder? Then come at me, bro!"
Zekrom roared and encased himself in electricity yet again. He charged toward Tapu Koko, but the Land Spirit withdrew into his shell and sped away. Zekrom's tail crackled and released a burst of energy, sending him speeding forward. But Tapu Koko curved upward and Zekrom raced underneath.
"Quit flying about and let me hit you," Zekrom whined. He abruptly stopped himself and sent Thunderbolts streaking toward Tapu Koko. The Land Spirit retaliated with Thunderbolts of his own, but Zekrom's proved move stronger and seared Tapu Koko's arms. "Ha ha! See? Even with your deceitful trickery, my lightning far outranks yours, puny whelp!"
"Yeah, well it's not a total bummer, dude. Because I can still do this!" Tapu Koko replied, filling the sky with sparkling pink energy. Zekrom engaged the booster in his tail and tried to speed away, but the Dazzling Gleam still hit him and sent him reeling. Tapu Koko sped forward, shooting lightning bolts to spear Zekrom's backside.
Zekrom whirled around and dispelled Tapu Koko's attacks with his own Thunderbolts. Tapu Koko had to withdraw into his shell to minimize any damage. He spun around and his momentum deflected some of the bolts down toward the ground. The electricity struck the ground and started to race across the grass.
Tapu Koko noticed the electricity. "Um, dude, maybe we ought to take this out over the ocean? I don't want to zap any little critters down below."
"You should've thought of that before spitting on my pride!" Zekrom roared. "You have made your bed and you will lie in it." He tucked himself inside another ball of lightning and shot forward. Tapu Koko stood his ground this time. He thrust his arms apart and a Dazzling Gleam exploded outward. Zekrom's electric cage managed to slice through most of the attack. He slammed into Tapu Koko from above.
Tapu Koko rocketed toward the ground. He hit the dirt with a loud THUD, leaving a sizeable impact crater. And electricity exploded out from his body, vaporizing the grass and racing around the nearby rocks. Tapu Koko looked over and saw the lightning from Zekrom's attack had not dissipated. In fact, in continued arcing through the fields, leaving barren rock behind.
"Dude, no way!" Tapu Koko gasped.
"Do you see now the power that I wield, puny whelp?" Zekrom bellowed. "Withdraw your comments on my strength and I shall forgive such insolence and leave you be."
Tapu Koko rocketed back into the air, letting out a brilliant, blinding Dazzling Gleam. Zekrom howled as the attack washed over him. Now it was the big lug's turn to plummet toward the ground. But he managed to stop himself before he hit anything. He fired up his tail and shot upward. This bathed the hill beneath him in electricity, burning up grass in the process.
"Enough!" Zekrom roared. "I have grown tired of this affair. You are as annoying as a Beedrill buzzing about my domain!" His crimson eyes crackled with electricity. "Have a taste of this!"
Zekrom thrust his arms forward. Tapu Koko braced himself to dodge, but noticed no attack came out. Before he could say anything, however, a tremor wracked his entire body. He gasped and found himself struggling to keep his altitude. "What did you do to me?" he asked.
"Ha ha ha! Just as you have your frilly little terrain-making trick, I too have my own ability. It is one that stands a true dedication to pursuit of ideals!" Zekrom replied. "It is Teravolt! And with it, I shall strike you with Earth Powers even as we float in the air. And now I shall use my ability to thoroughly beat you into submission. Then you will know my fury!"
"Your vocabulary needs serious work, dude."
Electricity crackled across Tapu Koko's arms. It gathered in front of him and took the form of a crystal sphere. He shattered the sphere and spread his arms out to the side. Orange beams of energy raced across his body.
"I will let you employ no more trickery!" Zekrom snarled. He slammed his fists together, sending another shockwave racing forward. But Tapu Koko ducked under the Earth Power. He raises his arms skyward, and the orange energy surrounding him started expanding and turning yellow. Zekrom's eyes widened as it rapidly took the shape of a four-limbed giant! Tapu Koko withdrew into his shell and soared to the top of the creature, planting himself on what appeared to be its neck.
"Th… this is… impossible!" Zekrom roared. "What is this madness?"
"The power of nature, dude!" the giant boomed in Tapu Koko's voice and swiped at Zekrom. He barely managed to dodge.
"No, I will not back down! I never back down!" Zekrom thundered, surrounding himself with electricity and charging forward. At the same time, the giant brought its arm up and then sent it crashing down. The instant Zekrom slammed into the giant, its fist connected with his skull. Both Tapu Koko and Zekrom exploded back from each other and hurtled toward the ground.
They impacted at the same time. A pair of massive craters ruptured the earth, sending with them waves of lightning! The first wave vaporized the remaining grass and evaporated all the water in the ponds. And the remaining waves bathed the rocky remnants in electricity. In fact, so much electricity was dispelled from their duel, that it continued to linger around the crater even to this day. It became a habitat for wild electric-type Pokémon. Hence, we now call the place Voltaic Crater.
Tessa sat back and let out a deep breath. "… and that's it. That's all I know."
Eevee jumped about excitedly. "That was great! That was great!" He turned to Vulpix. "Didn't you think it was great? I really liked your Zekrom voice." He reared up on his hind legs, spread out his forepaws, and shouted, "Grooooooooar! I'm Zekrom and I'm a big, fat, jerk-head!"
"Oh, brother," Shane muttered, rolling his eyes. "So, let me get this straight, Riolu. Zekrom battled this Tapu Koko thingy and they caused an explosion so big it made a Mystery Dungeon?"
Tessa shrugged. "That's how I interpreted it."
"But how would the terrain change if it's just a giant crater?" Shane wondered.
"I know this one," Eevee said, raising a forepaw. "That's cause the Tapus have the power to reshape the continent. When they do, all the Mystery Dungeons change." He beamed at Tessa. "Did I answer that right?"
"You sure did, buddy," Tessa said, tussling Eevee's head. "Unlike Vulpix, who forgot I told him that a few days ago."
"Gag," Shane muttered, pointing a forepaw at his open mouth. "So, there are other Tapus, then?"
"Yup," Tessa replied. "Any other questions?"
"Yeah," Shane said. "What the heck was that move Tapu Koko did where he summoned a giant energy monster? That sounds incredible! What can we do to learn something like that?"
Tessa scratched the bridge of her snout. "Hang on. I swear my dad told me about this once." She rubbed her temples. "Something about the Tapus being able to grant Pokémon the power to turn one of their moves into an extremely powerful attack during a battle. I don't remember what he called it, though."
"… knock, knock. I'm home, Eevee!"
Eevee jumped to his feet and ran to the door. "Hi, mommy," he greeted. "Did you have fun with your friends?"
"I did, thank you," Sylveon replied. "Tessa, how was Eevee?"
"A little angel. We had a nice, long story session," Tessa explained.
"Wonderful," Sylveon chirped. "You two are more than welcome to say the night, if you'd like."
"We'd love to, Sylveon. But we really should get back to the Observatory," Tessa said. "The guild's leaving on this big expedition tomorrow and I don't want to get locked out."
"Okay then. Safe travels." Sylveon waved farewell and they exited the house.
"See, Vulpix, that wasn't so bad," Tessa said. Shane didn't respond. She looked over at her partner, and noticed a gleam in his eyes.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked.
"Probably not. But I'll bite," Tessa said. "What are you thinking?"
"That we find one of these Tapu guys and make them give us that special ability!" Shane declared. "I'll be able to save the world for sure with a power like that."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "Let's take it one day at a time, Vulpix," she sighed.
XxX
If they could shoehorn Megas into Super, you can bet we're getting Z-Moves here. How they'll factor into the story proper I'll leave to your imagination.
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