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Chapter 93 - Gyarados Showdown!

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - The Power That's Inside https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nP6RLkO2_g

"Alright everyone!!! We're getting outta here!!!" Chris shout through his mind causing everyone on the Guardian to cheer all the more excitedly along with the Yamask around him. "Well then Ninetails, you with me?" he asked, his aura suddenly flashing brighter. Next thing everyone knew, they saw a colossal burst of energy blast from Chris's waist down, almost as if a rocket had gone off sending a golden flame shooting down into the chasm despite being engulfed by the frigid sea, and with a collective shout the Yamask released their energies as well alongside Smith and the Dusknoir causing the Guardian to slowly begin rising. "They're doing it!! They're really doing it!! What a miracle!!" Victoria clapped excitedly, looking over the railing as the ship distanced itself from the chasm below. "That our Chris..." Serenity said with a weak smile before she and the girls stumbled, the barrier dimly flickering as a result. "Easy now, easy." Sally coaxed, wiping off Serenity's face while other people helped Rose and Alicia straighten up. "Serenity!! Girls!! Just hold on a little longer!!" Chris shout through his mind causing them to jolt in surprise. "Listen to me!! I'm gonna have the Yamask take over defending the Arceanic once we're up top!!" he revealed. "I doubt those Gyarados have left, so once we're up there the Yamask will work together to lift the ship high enough to keep it outta their reach. While they keep all of you safe, Captain Smith and I will work together to take out the swarm." he added, everyone jolting when remembering the Gyarados and facing one another warily. "I've been lookin' to return the favor... Happy as I am to get a bit of payback, how do you suggest we take out so many? After all these years, the swarm's likely twice the size it was when we were taken down." Smith said, groaning as he and the others continued pushing the ship upwards.

"Simple, it's the leader giving the orders. We take out the leader, we take out the swarm." Chris replied. "Ahh, so that's the idea eh? Very good." Smith smirked. With the sea floor now out of sight, those on the Guardian faced up in anticipation for the first sign of light, eventually finding the dim glow of the sun and cheering once more. "Sounds like we're almost up top!! Alright everyone, the moment we clear the water, give it your all to lift the Guardian towards the sky!! Remember, use Power Split as necessary to ensure none of you give out, got it?!" he ordered, the Yamask shouting in response. However, as they neared the surface the passengers suddenly spotted countless Gyarado's swimming about, and once the deadly Pokemon made eye contact with the ship they froze for a moment, seemingly awe struck and dumbfounded at seeing it returning from the depths. This moment of surprise didn't last long however, as next thing everyone knew those that had spotted the ship began roaring enraged, calling to the others before rocketing towards the ship. Seeing this, everyone on board began screaming in terror, the girls wide eyed themselves. "N-Not have strength... C-Can't stop...!!" Serenity panicked, her unnerved state causing her to struggle to remain on her feet all the more. "FOCUS!!!" she suddenly heard Chris shout, and next thing they knew the barrier began flashing repeatedly, hearing both him and those by his side beneath the ship letting out a collective shout before the barrier turned a magnificent gold, with an eerie darkness swirling within now supported by both Ninetails power and the protection ability from everyone by Chris's side. Blinking in surprise, everyone and the girls braced themselves as the Gyarados began furiously slamming their bodies into the barrier, blasting it with energy from their maws while others gathered above the ship, uniting in an attempt to force the ship back down. "A-Agh!! Bloody beasts!!" Smith groaned, the Yamask and Dusnkoir struggling against the onslaught as well.

"We can do it... We can do it..." Chris thought to himself before shutting his eyes. "We can do it... We can do it..." he repeat, this time murmuring his words. "E-Eh? What's that?" Smith asked, suddenly jolting wide eyed when the blast of energy beneath Chris began erupting all the more. "WE CAN DO IT!!!" he shout, and all of a sudden he released Ninetails reservoir all at once, the blast beneath him appearing like a rocket the size never seen before as the Yamask gave it all they had simultaneously, each forming small blasts of energy beneath them as well, appearing as though they'd set the bottom of the barrier ablaze as the ship once again resumed its trek towards the surface, the Gyarados pushing down struggling to best Chris and the others power as the barrier suffered blows from every angle, more and more of the beasts joining in on the assault causing the Guardian within to tremble uncontrollably beneath everyone, sending countless people tumbling all over the place. Within the bridge, everyone was holding one another, trying to keep steady while Dragonair kept Chief Smith secure. Noticing the surface growing ever closer, Captain Rostron forced himself up and struggled his way along back to the controls, clinging to the panel and turning the communicator on. "Lad!! Can you hear me?! It's Rostron here!! The surface is but a few feet above us now!! Just a bit more!!" he shout, Chris gritting his teeth and groaning. "C-Come on... C-Come on!!" he growled. Continuing to push themselves, everyone watched as the very tip of the barrier above broke free from the surface of the sea, allowing the sunlight to shine down clearly on everyone as the barrier exposed itself to the air bit by bit. With the swarm now rampaging in its entirety around them, Chris and those by his side let out a final collective shout as they forced the remainder of the barrier out of the sea, sending the Gyarados flying back as everyone on board watched the Guardian rise over the ocean, the barrier now glistening in the sun as water streamed along it back into the sea giving the appearance of a shimmering trail beneath it.

"WE DID IT!!!" Chris shout excitedly, Smith and the others cheering while those on board did the same, watching as the Gyarados shrank beneath them and the clouds grew closer. "Alright, this should be high enough!! Listen up everyone!!" Chris called out through his mind as the energy bursting from his body ceased, leaving the ship floating in the air. "I'm leaving the Guardian in the Yamask's care!! Serenity, you girls can drop the barrier from your ends now!!" he ordered. Hearing this, the girls looked at one another before letting out a collective groan and collapsing on the deck, Serenity's mega form vanishing in a flash on her way down while landing one by one with a thud, the barrier now relying solely on Chris and the others. "D-Did it..." Serenity wheezed. "Y-Yaaaay..." Rose groaned with her fist up before flopping it back down. "I-I've never felt so exhausted... This is worse than how I felt back then." Alicia added, trying to lift her head only to wince and lay still. "You did good girls, get some rest with the other Pokemon now." he told them through his mind before facing the Yamask around him. "I'm leaving you in capable hands... Trust me on this." he added, the Yamask looking at him surprised. "Alright everyone!! Smith and I are off!! Get ready to shoulder the weight!!" he ordered, the Yamask and Dusknoir nodding before he carefully backed away alongside Smith, leaving the ship atop them all. "You keep this thing up here as best you can. Remember, those above you are your descendants, your families. We might be out of the ocean, but we've still got round two with those Gyarados to get through. You keep those people safe." he added, the Yamask and Dusknoir groaning from the strain and nodding together in response. "Captain Smith, ready for some action?" he asked, Smith punching his fists in his hands with a grin. "Aye lad... This old sea dog's been ichin' to let off some more frustration. You were a good start, but I'm lookin' for something a tad more filling." he teased, giving Chris a nudge. "Oh-ho ho! He's got jokes!" Chris grinned, nudging Smith back before the two faced the Gyarados below. "Then lets go." he added, the two nodding at one another before blasting together towards the sea while everyone behind them cheered.

"Take down enough of them and the leader should pop out!! That's how it worked for me when they attacked the Guardian!!" Chris shout. "Aye!! The monster did the same with us!!" Smith replied. As the two skydived towards the swarm, Chris jolt before reaching back and suddenly pulling Ninetails energy out of the barrier, causing it to lose its golden glow as the energy shot towards him and absorb itself within his body. "Almost forgot. Need every drop I can get." he muttered, the ship now left with only the power of the Yamask and Dusknoir protecting it. "You sure they can handle it on their own lad?!" Smith asked. "Put more faith in them sir!! If you believe in them, they'll believe in themselves!!" Chris smirked. "You should know that after what's happened up to this point." he added, Smith looking at him silently before grinning. "If this works and that lot up there makes it out of this unscathed, I think I'd like to leave you with a little something when everything's over!!" Smith shout. Looking at the Captain curiously, Chris was about to ask what he had in mind when a colossal Ice beam shot up between them, forcing the two to split up as the energy shot into the sky and collided with the barrier surrounding the Guardian. "G-GEEZ!! Even from THAT distance?!" Chris shout. "Best we not waste any time then!! TO BATTLE!!" Smith shout back before charging off into the swarm. Jolting in surprise, Chris watched as the Captain began using his bare fists to send Gyarados flying, delivering blow after blow and sending one Gyarados soaring away when it leapt from the sea and tried to eat him, only for Smith to give it a dose of Shadow Ball right in its maw. "G-Geez..." Chris muttered, blinking wide eyed before jolting when Smith sent a Shadow Ball flying past him, knocking away a Gyarados that was about to attack Chris from behind. "Focus lad!! I know I'm amazing but watching me work isn't worth dying over!!" he laughed, Chris quickly shaking his head and nodding. "R-Right!! Thanks!!" he replied embarrassed before joining in on the battle.

Up above, those on the Guardian and supporting it from below were watching as the swarm of thousands took on the Captain and Chris, cheering and applauding the two. "Easy there, just take it slow." Victoria coaxed, having other passengers help Serenity and the girls near the railing to watch. "There he go..." Serenity muttered. "Wooo... Goooo..." Rose cheered in a groggy, almost drunk kind of tone. "Y-Yes yes, fight on and all that." Alicia added, rubbing her forehead with the tip of her tail and groaning as if hung over. "My goodness, you girls really ARE out of it! You remind me of Grandmother when she has her big gatherings and enjoys one too many." Sally chuckled causing Victoria to panic and shush her granddaughter. "Really Sally!!" she snapped. "Sorry Grandmother." Sally apologized in a teasing tone. "When have... One too many what?" Serenity asked, facing the two with a dazed look on her face. "N-Nothing dearie!! Never you mind!!" Victoria replied with a nervous laugh, waving her hand to brush off the subject while Sally snickered over the scene, those around them blinking at the group. Suddenly, another Ice Beam erupt from beneath the waters surface and made impact with the ship causing the Guardian to tremble once more. "What ghastly power!! I'd wager it's coming from that monstrous leader of theirs." Victoria point out. "The barrier around us... That's coming from everyone below, right? It's not yours anymore?" Sally asked, Serenity wearily shaking her head. "Not me... Not make barrier if wanted. Barely stand now." she replied, Sally looking at her grandmother before looking over the railing. "So it's Wallace and the others... It's our families down there protecting us now..." she muttered before a smile spread from ear to ear across her face and she let out a loud squeal causing Victoria and the girls to jolt wide eyed. "My hero!!!" she shout, Victoria smacking her hand on her own forehead with a groan. "Really dear, highly inappropriate..." she lectured, shaking her head embarrassed.

Down below, Chris and Captain Smith were back to back, looking around them as the Gyarados surrounded the two in greater and greater numbers. "Aye, a lot more than I recall alright!" Smith exclaimed. "All the more to teach a lesson to!" Chris replied. "Oh? And what lesson might that be lad?" Smith asked, glancing towards him. "That just like the Arceanic, no matter what you can't sink us!" Chris grinned causing Smith to laugh before they both punched away a Gyarados coming at them together. "You're a tad lame lad, but I can respect you for TRYING to be cool." Smith grinned, patting him on the back before delivering blows to several more Gyarados together. "Trying to? I'll have you know I'M the coolest!" Chris grinned, pointing at himself with his thumb on his chest only for Smith to send another Shadow Ball flying past him into the maw of another Gyarados that was about to eat Chris. "Ahem, you were saying...?" Smith asked, blowing the tip of his finger like a gun before smirking. "Ohh, a show off now huh?" Chris asked before the two continued fighting off countless members of the swarm, Chris eventually using his staff to send a Gyarados flying like a golf ball after engulfing it in Ninetails energy. "FOOOOUUUR!!!" he shout, doing the same to several others sending them flipping away and crashing into the sea. "A spot of golf eh? Let an old sea dog join in!" Smith shout, suddenly forming a staff with his dark energy and charging ahead alongside Chris, the two slamming a Gyarados back together causing it to fly into several others knocking a row of the swarm back, the two high-fiving one another. "Are they fighting or just trying to show off...?" Victoria asked, using a pair of binoculars to get a close look at the two she'd borrowed from one of the crew. "What do you mean Grandmother?" Sally asked, the girls looking at her curioiusly as well. "Here, have a look for yourselves." Victoria replied, sharing the binoculars with them.

"They're fighting a tad oddly. It's almost like they're actually having fun." Sally point out, letting Serenity take a look. "Ohh, look at him go." she muttered before a slight blush and awkward smile appeared on her face. "Yeah, you fight. Fight hard..." she muttered before a small drop of drool appeared on the side of her mouth. "O-Okay, that's enough for you." Sally laughed nervously, pulling the binoculars away and patting Serenity on the back causing her to jolt and clear her throat embarrassed. "What? You get that way too if watch your male fight." she scowled. "My male?" Sally asked. "Wait, so you guys are ACTUALLY a thing?" she added wide eyed. "I thought that was just a bunch of fooling around and such. A spot of fun and all. So, he's really with you... In that kind of way?" she asked. "Well, it not like we make it point to hide it." Serenity scowled. "Alright dearie, I think that's enough diving into personal affairs." Victoria point out. "Y-Yeah. I just didn't think they were actually for real." Sally replied, looking at the girls. "A guy and his Pokemon, like that huh?" she asked, giving Rose the binoculars next. "Do try not to belittle us, nor' him if you please." Alicia replied. "So... You're admitting you have the same feelings?" Rose asked, looking up at the snake causing Alicia to flush and twitch an eye. "Quiet you." she replied, giving Rose a slight swat on the back of the head with the tip of her tail. "W-Wow. I just thought you were all really close, but not THAT close. A world of many wonders..." Sally replied as Alicia had a look through the binoculars for herself. "They're good though, despite their method of fighting." she point out, watching the two high five one another again. "Who knew a time would come when he'd actually enjoy rough housing?" she added before giving the binoculars back to Victoria. "I suppose, if nothing else, this little cruise has proven there's more to him than meets the eye. I admit he can come off a tad dull sometimes, always being so goodie goodie with everyone, but let it not be said he's never full of surprises. I do like the thought of him having a bit of a rebel inside, a little bad boy touch... Haven't seen him this way since that time we broke into prison." she smirked before jolting and letting out a groan, rubbing her forehead again. "I'll be glad when these dreary sensations pass." she muttered, still recovering from the loss of energy. "Ahh, you're referring to that scenario the news reported on back in the city?" Victoria asked, continuing the conversation.

"How you holdin' up lad?!" Smith shout while blasting away another Gyarados. "Me? What about you?! That age getting the best of ya yet?!" Chris replied while sending a Gyarados flying as well. "That's a bold one!! I'll have you know with age comes everything with it!!" Smith grinned before dodging a Gyarados and snatching its tail, twirling it like a lasso before using the beast to slam away its own comrades around them, giving it a toss into others in the distance. "The best of it all being talent and brains, as you can see." Smith chuckled, clasping his hands together as if brushing away dirt. "I might not be as spry as you are, but you've a LONG time before you can compete with me." he added with a proud grin, Chris letting out a "psssshhh" and waving his hand. Over time, the two took out more Gyarados than they could keep track of, having to dodge the occasional Ice Beam that shot out of the sea, each one exploding against the barrier around the Guardian above. "That leader of theirs isn't letting up on the ship at all." Chris thought. "Oy, lad! Take a close look!" Smith point out before punching away another Gyarados, the two noticing the ship starting to lower towards the sea. "Looks like the burdens catching up with the lot of them! If we can't wrap this up soon the ship will be a sitting duck!" he added, Chris jolting when several Gyarados leapt from the sea towards him, quickly dodging causing them to smash into one another and crash into the water beneath him. High above, the Yamask and Dusknoir were struggling to keep the ship afloat more and more while those on board noticed something was off, the barrier oddly flickering and the Gyarados filled sea below seemingly inching itself closer to them causing many to panic once more. "Come on lad!! Take em' out!!" Smith pushed, the two now taking the fight seriously as they plowed through group after group. With the Guardian slowly lowering back towards the sea like time ticking in an hourglass, the two went into a rampage of their own against the swarm, taking out as many as they could in a push to lure out the leader.

"Ninetails!! How ya holdin' up?!" Chris shout, thrusting his staff out sending a blast into several Gyarados, causing them to tumble into others like dominoes. "I admit, I'm growing weary... Wrap it up soon." she echoed in his mind. "The journey to the surface took a fair bit out of me. Especially that last bit you did. You're terrible with self control." she lectured. "I won't deny I'm stretching what I can do here. If this goes on much longer you'll drop into the sea like a rock." she warned. "Oy, lad!! Something wrong?!" Smith shout, knocking back several more Gyarados. "Running outta juice over here!!" Chris replied, facing the swarm and gritting his teeth. "Damn it... That's what we get for horsin' around. Knock one down, ten more show up..." he muttered. Looking up, the Guardian continued growing ever closer to the surface, and while Chris was distracted, Smith jolt when he saw the ocean seemingly boiling beneath Chris. "LAD!! WATCH IT!!" Smith shout, rushing to his side. "E-Eh?" Chris replied, noticing Smith advancing toward him before hearing the ocean stirring beneath him. Looking down, time seemed to slow around them as a hole appeared in the ocean, with teeth lining the edge of it revealing it to be the maw of the Mega Gyarados leader. Freezing up wide eyed, Chris watched as its head lift from the surface, its mouth surrounding him ready to clamp shut, and in that instance Chris found himself slammed out of the way, his body suffering whiplash before turning and seeing the Mega Gyarados rise before him with a loud swallow. "Wh-Wha...?" he muttered, his face turning pale. "C-Captain?!!" he shout, only to notice Smith frozen on the other side of the leader, his eyes wide in shock, his mouth moving yet inaudible. "Then... Who, or what?" Chris thought, looking up and quickly dodging the leader when it slammed down in his direction.

"Captain!! What happened?! What WAS that?!" he asked, referring to the force that knocked him away from danger. Remaining still and silent, Chris had to grab Smith and give him a shake, causing the Captain to jolt and blink at him. "I-Ismay..." he replied. "Say what?" Chris asked, backing away. "I-It was Mr. Ismay, saw him rush down from the ship. Right as the beast was about to devour you, Ismay reached you before I and pushed you aside. The demon caught him instead..." Smith answered in disbelief, Chris jolting and facing the water where the leader vanished. "Y-You mean HE saved me?" Chris muttered in awe himself. Suddenly, the leader rose from the surface once again, facing down at the two before turning its attention solely towards Smith, letting out a deep growling noise causing the Captain's eyes to widen. Next thing they knew, the leader let out a loud roar causing the swarm to face it and bow their heads, backing away and forming a colossal circle around them. "Wh-What's this?" Chris asked, looking around warily. "A challenge..." Smith answered, regaining his composure and looking at the leader sternly. "Challenge? For us?" Chris asked, the leader suddenly letting out more growls. "Aye. The beast says it wants to face us again." Smith translated. "Seeing us survive its attacks make us worthy of its attention apparently... Tch. So happy to be noticed." the Captain sneered, the leader continuing to growl. "Seems if we can best it we'll be left alone. If not the demon says it'll finish off us and the Guardian." he revealed, Chris looking up at the ship nervously. "After everything its done, can we really trust it?" Chris asked, Smith crossing his arms. "Sadly we're not in any position to question the odds. The plan was to force it out in the open, and its shown up willingly. Either way I'd just consider this part of the plan. It was already a win or lose situation to begin with, the only difference is now we have clear shots at the beast." he replied, looking up at the Guardian as well before the leader growled yet again.

"...So you're aware you've made mistakes? Then why?" Smith asked, Chris looking at him with a raised eyebrow while the leader replied. "That's no reason to attack others. They meant no ill will." the Captain argued, only for the leader to continue its own argument. "What uh, what's this about?" Chris asked. "Apparently it knows they took down the wrong ship. Found out after the deed had been done. Despite the mishap this fellas dedicated his life to keeping trespassers away from the area. Remember down below when you and those Dusknoir mentioned the mistakes of one resulting in the punishment of all? Exactly the same thing with these beasts. Since that entire generation worth of eggs were snatched they've been on guard ever since. And it's not just people, they've been taking down their own kind as well." Smith detailed before the leader spoke once more. "Strength is the only thing that matters to it. Say's it's willing to make an exception if we can defeat it in battle as its way of making amends, something about rarely finding others worth a challenge. Since we managed to survive its attacks thus far and found a way to return from the bottom of the sea, he see's us as deserving of... Special treatment..." Smith explained. "SPECIAL TREATMENT?!!" Chris shout, Smith groaning and rubbing where his ear would be. "Look, it's the option we've been given lad. I'm not saying it's ideal, nor am I saying I approve of this things mindset, but what it all comes down to is a chance to get out of here without any further loss of life. I believe that's all that matters to you?" Smith asked, Chris jolting with a twitchy eye before taking a deep breath and letting out a groan. "Yeah... You got enough juice left to handle this?" he asked, looking towards his forehead. "This is a simple task compared to lugging those ships. Fear not." Ninetails echoed in his mind. "Be that as it may, be quick about it." she added in a cautionary tone, Chris nodding before he and Smith took fighting stances.

"In other words, you're beat and can't take much more. Got it." he smirked, Ninetails growling in his mind from the smug remark. Up above, those on the Guardian were watching curiously, the stillness and silence of the scene beneath them leaving everyone with bewildered expressions as they muttered among one another. "I wonder what's going on. That leader thing came out and they're just, well, looking at each other." Sally point out. "It's rather odd the way they've all gathered around them like that. Suddenly not a single one is attacking, barely moving at all really." Victoria added. Next to them, Serenity and Rose were sitting in chairs, brought up by passengers while Alicia lay coiled up. "It part of plan maybe?" Serenity suggest. "Just looking at each other while we get closer and closer? I dunno... I think something's up." Rose replied. "Looks like preparation for a showdown to me. It's a common set up." Alicia added, the others looking at her curiously. "Think about it, you've got the leader, surrounded by those beneath it in rank, face to face with the intruders. Think of it as a makeshift Pokemon arena by the look of it." she explained before resting her head back down. "Say... She's right! So that means the leader's challenging them!" Rose replied, her pep gradually returning. "We work hard, now relax and watch Chris work hard. This good, this very good..." Serenity added, being given a drink by one of the crew and raising the glass with a nod. "That leader dead." she added with a smirk before sipping away through her straw. "My, you're a confident one." Victoria replied. "It no contest. You see what can do. He lift ships, he lead Pokemon beneath us. Back in city, he stop truck in tracks, blow to bits. He do lots of other stuff too. He have big heart, and big power." she explained before sitting back with a sigh.

"We really need to work on your speech. It's deplorable, and that's a compliment." Alicia scowled. "Hey! I talk good! Not need work!" Serenity snapped, jolting with a groan from the tone in her own voice causing her head to throb. "Owww... You lucky snake." she grumbled before sitting back. "Like I say, not worry. He be fine. I not like that Ninetails much, but she do okay job keeping safe. She not let him die. She let him get hurt, which make me mad... But she not let die. She prove that." Serenity point out. "That curse thing he's got... We actually kinda owe Ninetails since without it we never would of met him." Rose added with a smile causing Serenity to jolt and scowl before glancing away. "That too, I guess. I just not like attitude she have. ALMOST bad as snake, maybe worse." Serenity point out causing Alicia to raise her head with a hiss. "E-Easy now! He wants you to get along right?" Sally laughed nervously, the two glaring at one another with electricity shooting between their eyes before they grunt and faced away from one another simultaneously. Looking at the two, Rose let out a sigh and shook her head. "Even when exhausted, there's always energy for that." she said, both looking at her now causing the rabbit to jolt and laugh nervously, waving at the two as they grumbled and faced away. Looking at one another, Sally and Victoria smiled with slight sweat on their faces before they all faced the scene below. "We accept the challenge!!" Chris shout, the Mega Gyarados seemingly smirking in response. "But if we win, you leave us alone AND you give Ismay back!!" he added, Smith jolting and facing Chris while the leader looked down at its stomach before facing the two with a nod. "I-I'm not certain I wish to know how he will..." Smith muttered before quickly cutting off his sentence and shaking off the thought. "Alright Captain, guess this is it then... You ready?" Chris asked, facing Smith with his hand out. "Aye lad. Give it all ya got." Smith replied, giving Chris's hand a firm shake before facing the leader.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Showdown for the Guardian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7RJeGlLobo

With a final nod, the two suddenly rockets towards the Mega Gyarados, the colossal Pokemon letting out a powerful roar in response before ripping through the sea towards them. Seeing this, everyone on the Guardian jolt and rushed to the railing to watch, the girls raising up for a better view alongside Sally and Victoria. "There they go..." they muttered together. With the two forces charging rapidly towards one another, they suddenly made impact causing a wave of energy to burst from between them, both sides abruptly halt in their tracks. "G-Geez!!" Chris groaned. "Old boys got kick to say the least!!" Smith shout before both sides jerked back from one another, the leader suddenly summoned countless shards of ice, sending them careening towards the two. Nodding at one another, Chris held out his staff while Smith clenched his fists before they began rapidly knocking the shards away, sending them flying along the leaders body instead forcing it to inch back before the leader summoned a chunk of ice the size of a berg and sent it plummeting down. "Ah no ya don't!!" Smith shout before rocketing towards it. "I'll NOT be taken down by the same thing twice!!" he added, suddenly halting the berg with his bare hands, an eerie flame bursting around him causing Chris's eyes to widen. "Ha ha!! Go Smith!!" he cheered as the Captain dug his fingers into the ice and let out a powerful shout of his own, yanking the burg around in a circle before giving it a hurl towards the Mega Gyarados causing it to blink wide eyed before quickly ducking, looking back as the burg crashed in the water. "Heeeeeere's SMITHY!!!" the Captain shout, causing the leader to jolt and face him only for the Captain to land a powerful blow against the side of its face sending the leader spiraling into the berg causing it to explode, leader crashing into the sea with a colossal splash. "THAT'S for the Arceanic!!!" he shout.

"D-Damn..." Chris blinked in surprise, the swarm looking wide eyed as well around them as the leader rose and shook its head with a growl. "Awww, did that hurt? Imagine how WE felt!!" Smith shout with an aggravated grunt. "Come get some!! I owe you big time you ugly serpent!!" he taunt while cracking his knuckles, the leader letting out a furious roar before barreling towards the two. "Ah geez!! That's a Giga Impact!!" Chris panicked as the two gathered side by side. "This is gonna hurt... This is gonna hurt...!!" Chris winced as he and the Captain held out their hands, preparing to grab the leader. Once it made impact the two were forced back towards the surrounding swarm, causing them to split up to avoid being slammed into. Working together, they managed to stop the leader only for it to suddenly raise its head, revealing it had been storing up a Hyper Beam attack. "Oh... Sh...!!" Chris shout, cut off when the leader sent it blasting down on top of them. "My word!!" Victoria shout, she and the others watching wide eyed, Serenity and Rose standing against the railing with watchful eyes while Alicia leaned her head over. Squinting her eyes, Serenity jolt before smirking and crossing her arms. "They okay." she nodded, the others looking at her before returning their focus to the battle below. As the Hyper Beam vanished, the leader smirked before jolting back when it saw Chris and Smith grinning within a barrier tossed up by the two. "Like they say, it takes two to tango!!" Chris shout, Smith letting out a groan. "Must you keep ruining moments like that...?" he asked, the two lowering the barrier as Chris rubbed the back of his head with a laugh. "Sorry... That one's no good either huh?" he asked, Smith about to respond only for the leader to use Dragon Tail on Chris, sending him slamming into the ocean. "Gotta admit, I'm actually thankful for that one." Smith said, shaking his head before facing the leader and charging off for another attack.

After a moment, Chris splashed up from beneath the surface, coughing out water and rubbing his head with a groan. "Wh-Why didn't you protect me from that?!" Chris thought. "Simple. You said something stupid and needed punishment." Ninetails echoed before pulling him out of the sea with her aura once more. "S-Seriously?! Why do I always have everyone against me?!" he complained before charging towards the leader as well, Ninetails aura drying and warming him while the swarm gathered around them once again. "Ah! Finally came back eh?" Smith asked, turning to Chris before suddenly dodging causing Chris's eyes to widen seeing the Mega Gyarados tail careening down towards him once more, quickly shooting his hands up and catching it. "Aw no ya don't! One time's enough!" he shout before shooting up with the leader in hand. Soaring towards the Guardian, he held it up by the tail for everyone to see causing them to jolt back. "Here's your scary monster!!" he shout before backing away and swinging the leader in a circle, rapidly picking up speed until they looked like a top rapidly spinning before the ship. Suddenly, a massive burst of fire appeared around them, the blaze spinning along with the two until Chris had formed a colossal twister of flame before the Guardian, everyone wide eyed from the sheer size of it with the tortured sounds of the leader heard from within. "Yeah!! Don't like that do ya?!" Chris shout before the heat intensified causing the leader to roar and scream all the more. "Eat this!! INCINERATE!!!" Chris shout before flinging the leader down into the spiraling inferno beneath them, the Pokemon thrashed about within the powerful twister. Backing away, Chris held out his hand before slowly closing it into a tight fist, causing the twister of fire to change its form into a rapidly spinning ball that tightened around the Mega Gyarados, continuing to torture it from within.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Down With The King!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17XDrKuqc4

"You think this hurts?! What about everyone on the Arceanic?!" Chris shout, suddenly causing the ball of fire to flash as the heat increased. "You've spent all these years torturing and terrifying people and Pokemon alike!! You've treated lives as nothing more than sport!! How's it feel to have the tables turned?!" he added, the girls watching wide eyed themselves. "You lost something precious to you, and I can sympathize with that... But in turn you've done nothing but murder the innocent without mercy. You were wronged, and you've forced others to suffer in your place!! Well... You wanted a challenge, you wanted the heat of competition... Now you'll burn in the hell you deserve!!" he finished before yanking his hand up sending the ball of fire flying all the higher, its glow becoming nearly as bright as the sun as Chris grit his teeth. "You've killed off thousands... You've Threatened my family..." he growled as Smith flew up to his side. "And nobody... Nobody... NOBODY threatens my family!!!" Chris screamed, Ninetails aura now bursting around him like a mighty golden flame, releasing her reservoir once more while Smith cracked his knuckles with his own eerie flame burning around his Cofagrigus form before the two faced one another. "Alright lad, I think the fish is cooked enough, ready to finish it? Been a long time coming." he smirked. "Lets go." Chris replied with a nod, and facing the leader together the two rocket off with a massive burst of energy behind them that caused the Guardian to tremble. Launching themselves towards the leader faster and faster, Chris and Smith began rapidly spinning around one another with their fists out, causing their gold and dark powers to intertwine behind them, the two taking on the appearance of a rapidly spinning drill before they pierced through the ball of fire. Next thing everyone knew, they heard the sound of the leader letting out an ear piercing scream before the fire exploded as Chris and Smith sent the leader flying far, far into the horizon, a trail of fire and smoke following it as they saw its figure let off a bright flash, losing its mega form along its plummet. With both, those on and beneath the Guardian, and the swarm below watching the leader crash into the sea far off in the distance, there was a still silence among them all while Chris and Smith watched with their eyes squint to ensure it wouldn't come back up, grunting together with a nod before facing one another with a proud handshake. "After all this time... That's that." Smith grinned. "You did good, for an old guy." Chris replied with a smirk before they faced the Guardian, watching as it finally touched down on the surface of the sea in the center of the swarms circle, the barrier vanishing in a flash.

"Uh oh... Best we make sure the beasts respect the bargain." Smith muttered, Chris nodding with a "yeah" before they lowered themselves down to the Guardians level. Looking around, they noticed those on the Guardian still as stone, clinging to one another while looking around warily at the numbers surrounding them. "So far those Gyarados are staying as still as they are." Chris thought before the two noticed the Yamask and Dusknoir rising from the water around the hull of the Guardian, groaning and rubbing their shoulders. Facing the Gyarados, Chris and Smith held out their arms together, the Yamask and Dusknoir joining in and gathering around the ship like a line of defense. "Well! Will you honor the agreement?!" Chris shout, the Gyarados remaining silent while facing one another and looking up at the lingering trail of smoke fading in the sky above them where their leader was sent packing. "Hard to read the beasts when they're acting so queer..." Smith muttered, looking at them all. "Maybe their anger hasn't settled in yet? Probably hard to take in having something as big as that taken down..." Chris replied. "So... Are we safe now?" Rose asked, looking at all of the Yamask surrounding the ship and the swarm beyond them. "Hard to say really... With these beasts there's no brain to act upon, they're all instinct. Depends on their mood really." Alicia replied. "If they attack, they attack. Since not moving, that mean they not threat." Serenity added. "I wouldn't be so sure about that dearie. It's like the old saying goes, the calm before the storm." Victoria point out. "Come now grandmother! Be positive." Sally smiled nervously before they all continued watching warily. "While they're simmered down, I gotta say lad, you lost a bit of your cool up there. For a moment I thought you really WERE going to fry that demon to a crisp." Smith point out. "Ah... Yeah. It kind of happens when I get exposed to Ninetails energy TOO much. Its happened before. Something just kinda snaps in me." Chris replied, rubbing the back of his head.

"Their kind are some of, if not THE most vengeful Pokemon in the world. Being exposed to that creatures power..." Smith said, jolting and waving a hand. "N-No offense mind you." he apologized, Chris shaking his head with a "none taken" response. "Well, it's no surprise it would have an affect on your psyche. The same thing happened when you fought me down below. Could've mistaken YOU for a monster for a moment. It's an impressive power to be sure, but it's best you work on training your mind to handle it better." Smith cautioned. "Ah, ha ha. Yeah. You know, now that you mention it, oddly enough I did promise someone else I'd help her control her powers the same way. Guess that's gonna be kinda hard to do when I flip my own lid sometimes." Chris laughed nervously. "A her you say? Well, consider it a chance for you and this lass to bond then. Learn together, teach one another." the Captain smirked, giving Chris a pat on the shoulder. As Chris was about to respond, they suddenly noticed the surrounding Gyarados finally stirring, making their way up to the Guardian. "Tch, a deal indeed. Here we go again..." Smith grumbled, taking a fighting stance while Chris did the same. Unfortunately, just as they readied themselves to charge off, the two heard the passengers on the Guardian screaming in terror, the both of them jolting and quickly turning to see the Gyarados leader slowly rising on the other side of the ship, the Yamask gathering to block it. "H-He's STILL conscious?!!" Chris shout as Smith grit his teeth and readied himself for an attack. As the leader glared down at the Guardian, its body covered in countless wounds, those on board clung together while the Yamask continued gathering before it, gathering their remaining energy for a collective attack. Seeing this, the surrounding swarm went on a rampage once more and began charging towards the Guardian from all directions, those on board screaming all the louder, and just as Chris readied himself to attack as well, suddenly...

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - To Forgive... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kR2dokH6-Y

"STO---OP!!!" Smith ordered, grabbing Chris and pulling him back while the Yamask jolt in surprise, glancing back at the Captain and cancelling out their attack. "What are you doing?!!" Chris shout, looking at the swarm around them before facing the leader and gritting his teeth. However, suddenly the leader reared its head back and let out an ear piercing roar, causing the swarm to freeze wide eyed before everyone watched as the leader slowly fell towards the Guardian, Smith loudly ordering the Yamask aside allowing it to collapse over the side of the ship, lying limply across the bow while the passengers made way, terrified of the behemoth now lying before them on the deck, the structure slightly smashed from the impact. "H-How did you know?" Chris asked, blinking at Smith in surprise. "Saw the look in its eyes. The beast is done. You learn a thing or two like that over time." the Captain explained before heading for the Guardian, Chris looking around at the swarm warily once more before following. However, once Chris reached the deck, Ninetails suddenly cut off her power causing him to pause in the air, blinking with an "eh...?" before plummeting down into one of the deck chairs with a shout, bouncing slightly before it snapped shut on him forcing him to let out a loud "URK!!" before gasping with a groan. "A-Again...?" he wheezed, working the chair open and standing to pat himself off, taking his staff on the deck in hand. Facing the Gyarados leader as it growled weakly, he started towards it only to feel a tug on the back of his coat. "E-Eh...?" he muttered, turning back to see Sally facing up with a smile before pointing out the girls waiting together with smiles on their faces, his eyes slowly widening. "G-Girls..." he said quietly as they looked at one another before Serenity and Rose rushed up to him.

As he stood in place, Rose was the first to run into him, her arms around his waist followed by Serenity who wrapped her arms around him as well. "You did it!! We're safe!!" Rose shout. "I knew you win!! That why you master!!" Serenity added. "W-Well, that and big heart, love big heart too." she point out, patting his chest with a giggle before hugging him once more. Now frozen in their embrace, he watched Alicia slither up with a smirk on her face. "Not bad at all... Welcome back." she told him with a nod before leaning forward and rubbing her cheek against his. With all three now showing him their affection, Chris remained silent and still until his body began to tremble, all three jolting when they heard his staff fall to the deck, Chris slowly dropping to his hands and knees before them. "Y-You okay?" they asked together, blinking at him before going wide eyed themselves when they saw his tears dripping onto the deck. Looking at one another nervously, Serenity and Rose squat down, about to rub him on the back only to find themselves suddenly caught in his arms, both flushing in surprise before hearing the sounds of him hicking and sniffling. Looking at one another, Serenity and Rose smiled before hugging him once more, both rubbing him on the back while Alicia watched the three with a scowl before letting out a sigh and coiling around them, resting her chin atop Chris's head. "Girls... Girls...!!" he began repeating before turning and embracing Alicia tightly, the snake going wide eyed with a flush of her own before chuckling and patting his back with her tail. "So much for developing more of a bad boy side. Just look at you bawling away, how unbecoming." she teased as he embraced Serenity and Rose once again, all three girls grinning now that he'd finally returned to their side as he embraced them all repeatedly, keeping the three pulled close.

"So... This is your family." they heard a voice call out, Chris jolting before facing Smith as he lowered before them. "A pleasure to meet you madams, my name is Edward John Smith, former Captain of the very ship you saw down below..." he said, introducing himself properly with a hand on his chest. Hearing this, the crowd around them forgot the collapsed leader looming over the bow of the ship for a moment and turned to Smith with a collective gasp. Quickly wiping his face off, Chris cleared his throat with a nod. "Y-yeah... S-Serenity, Rose, a-and Alicia... F-Family." he replied, having the girls move in front of him as they were called and bow. "A pleasure to meet you Captain." they heard another voice call out, jolting when they saw Captain Rostron and those from the bridge making their way along the deck, medics helping Rostron limp along while others wheeled Chief Smith up alongside him. "And you would be...?" Smith asked, turning and offering a handshake. "Captain Arthur Henry Rostron the Third sir, my grandfather was Captain of the Caterpithia in your time. I'm... Sorry he couldn't reach you before..." Rostron began to apologize, Smith raising a hand. "No need... I'm glad he wasn't able to. Had he arrived in the midst of the attack your grandfather and those on board his ship would have suffered the same fate as us. They were blessed men and women that night." Smith replied causing Rostron to blink wide eyed in surprise. "And this handsome yet sorry looking fellow must be my own grandson, or perhaps great grandson?" Smith asked, Chief Smith looking at the Captain wide eyed. "H-Hello..." he replied nervously. "Looks as if I'm before a mirror of sorts, only I never looked THAT bad to my recollection." the Captain teased before letting out a hearty laugh. "Those beasts did a number on you didn't they? Can't blame ya for coming out so beat up." he added, the Chief unable to respond, still awe struck in the moment.

While the Captain went on introducing himself and talking with the Guardians Captain and officers, Chris turned back to the girls. "I'll be honest... I didn't know if any of that would actually work. If a single thing went wrong, if we were off by the slightest bit... It would of been the end. And that last battle? Sheer luck the way the leader came out when it did... I did my best keeping it in but... You don't have any idea how terrified I was. Not for my sake, but the thought of never spending another moment in this world with you again." he told them before holding one of Serenity's and Rose's hands. "We made it, we really, really made it." he added before pulling the two close to Alicia so he could hug all three. "I'm so proud of you girls..." he praised as they smiled embarrassed. Continuing their own conversation, the thousands of Yamask above began lowering down, seeking out their own bloodlines within the crowd, almost as if they had beacons within them. Although the Pokemon unnerved the passengers at first, they gradually understood and warmed up to the spirits lingering before them, seemingly able to sense their ancestors as they float up for a greeting. After a moment, Chris and the others heard a sudden scream nearby, only to turn and see Sally squealing with a Yamask held tightly in her arms with a nervous smile on its face, Victoria trying to coax her into loosening her grip. "H-Ha... H-Ha ha ha..." Chris chuckled before looking at the other Yamask and Captain Smith, his chuckle turning into laughter as tears welled and streamed from his eyes once more, embracing the girls for another round of affection causing them to blush and laugh as well, cuddling him back together.

All around them the passengers were greeting and welcoming their ancestors, the Dusknoir watching from above with their arms crossed in waiting. However, the joyous chatter didn't last long, as while the Gyarados swarm gathered closely around the ship a strange sound could be heard coming from the leader, like that of a growl... Mixed with a disturbing gurgling noise. Pausing in silence, everyone turned and froze when it groaned and weakly raised from the deck, debris falling from its underside with a sickly look on its face. "The beast looks like it's about to..." Captain Smith muttered, and no sooner had he begun his sentence when the leader suddenly arched forward. "GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!" both Captain Smith and Rostron warned simultaneously, the passengers and Yamask screaming before hurrying away from the bow as the leader sent its stomach contents spewing all over the front of the ship, countless passengers and Yamask alike urking at the scene with their mouths covered. After a moment, the leader finally stopped and swayed weakly, shaking its head with a groggy noise before facing Smith and Chris and turning away, letting out a final growl while sinking into the sea, in turn causing the swarm to back away and gradually vanish beneath the surface as well. "What... Was that about...?" Rostron asked, suddenly urking himself and having to hold his nose. "E-GAD what a stench!!" he groaned, Chris and the girls having to cover their noses as well with the bow of the ship now covered in the remains of countless meals the leader had engulfed. As countless passengers and Yamask began turning and walking away from the bow, the two Captains along with Chris and the girls suddenly paused when they noticed something moving in the muck, watching as a glob rose from the deck, oozing all over the place.

"What... IS that?" Rostron asked, Smith and Chris remaining silent, both going wide eyed when the glob suddenly thrashed about, revealing a small golden object glistening beneath. "I don't believe it..." Chris muttered, watching as a Yamask revealed itself around the object, trying to wipe it off with a sickened look on its face. "Ismay you dog!! You made it!!" Smith shout, rushing up to the spirit and quickly taking its hand with an excited shake despite being covered in vomit, Ismay blinking in surprise before smiling nervously. "It kept its word... We got em' back..." Chris smirked before facing the girls, all three of them looking as if about to hurl themselves and facing away, Serenity and Rose waving their hands at the scene while Alicia kept the tip of her tail over her mouth.

"Ahh... Ha ha ha... Yep... It's good to be back..." he smiled nervously before rubbing the girls on their backs, trying to help ease their nausea...