A talon caught into Misphisto's chest. He held the stinging gash. Misphisto felt lucky, it was a shallow cut. It would hurt more than it would actually bleed. He kicked Ultra in the face. He watched with satisfaction as UltraMew reeled.
Misphisto wanted this fight since he first laid eyes on his genetic clone. Giovanni's wife was not satisfied with Mewtwo, she created her own pair. Using DNA collected from the dead Mew she built Cassandra. When she felt a Mewtwo clone was not enough she created a stronger more muscled male.
His arms were twice the size of Misphisto's. He could see the muscles bundle and twist as the creature slashed at him again. Misphisto hated Ultra from the second he heard Cassandra say he was to be her mate. She was built like UltraMew, very muscled, little psychic power inside.
Misphisto wasn't going to win a physical bout with the clone. Another kick landed solidly into Ultra's gut. Doubling over it was out of breath. Mewtwo laughed! Now was his chance. He leapt into a kick.
As he flew at his target he saw Ultra suddenly upright. It caught his foot. Leaping Ultra howled as it swung Misphisto over it's head. Then Misphisto found himself in a seismic toss. The ground shook as he hit. Screaming Misphisto tried to stand.
Ultra landed next to him. Misphisto remembered the day he swore he would free Cassandra, it was Ultra that got the drop on him. UltraMew hid in Cassandra's room, when he came to meet his love Ultra had knocked him out with a quick punch.
A trap! That was how he was caught, Cassandra was the bait all along. Yet, even now Mewtwo thought it was worth the cost he paid. He shivered as he forced himself to stand. Once again his hands went into a mediatation pose. He knew when he had to hit Ultra with all his psychic attacks. Ultra could battle with fierce strength but, his body couldn't keep it up for extended periods. He learned that by watching UltraMew train.
"You wish to fight still?" Ultra vented steam from his mask. "Just kneel! Kneel before me Mewtwo and I'll make your death quick with little pain!"
"Cassandra will be mine!" Misphisto tried to catch his breath but, his lungs hurt. He was sure he had internal damage.
"Then die painfully like the mother!" Ultra soared above him.
"The Mother?" Misphisto sprang away as Ultra crashed behind him.
Cassandra mentioned the Mother so many times to him. Mew was the Mother to her, she gave her life, to give birth to the Mewtwo's. Misphisto understood that when he fought and killed Mew the Rocket scientists found the body and used the DNA to create Cassie and the demon Ultra.
So UltraMew wanted to kill Misphisto for the death of the Mother. Misphisto wondered over the horror he helped create. Cassandra would hate him if she were to find out his true role on New Island. Misphisto felt a sharp pain.
Ultra stabbed him in the shoulder with the spurs that grew from it's back toe. Wrenching free, Misphisto held his bloodly shoulder. Wincing he faced Ultra. It laughed with glee. The odd ears on it's head flopped.
Misphisto saw so many similiarities in Ultra and Cassie. The Queen wanted perfection, it was getting close Misphisto realized. Ultra was close to the Queens ideal image of a perfect pokémon.
Ultra vented huge clouds of smoke from the helmet sides. This was it! Mewtwo surged his powers into a massive glowing orb. Ultra screamed as the light blinded it. Then he released the power, the orb exploded into Ultra. Dust blanketed the courtyard.
All was silent. UltraMew lay still. Rockets nearby fell stunned, The Queen fanned dust as she tried to see what happened. Below UltraMew lay with cracks in it's helmet. Pieces fell away as it rose from the ashes. Ultra staggered as it searched for Mewtwo.
He was gone! Mewtwo had fled. Ultra threw it's arms back as it let out a chilling howl.
"Nooooooo!" Misphisto was free and now it had to answer to the Queen.
It had been ten days since word from the outside world had been severed somehow. Ace had led them within a two day hike from Emerald. Fighting Rockets in the deep forest was easy but, out here near Emerald less cover made it harder to attack Rockets with ambushes.
James was lauhing as he reenacted the latest encounter with Big Sue. Three times they sent her and her men packing. Ace seemed to be getting some vicious pleasure out of defeating her.
Ace was shaving by a small stream. James watched, he rubbed his chin to find he had quite the stubble patch growing there. He thought he would look quite dangerous with a beard. Meowth sat counting the money he found.
Ash wondered how Greenfield was fairing. He worried about Molly, she would be only fifteen now. She would be asked to defend her hometown. Liza would be twenty-five, she would help. Gary and Misty fighting Rockets alongside one another. Where was Brock? Richie? He could only hope they survived the invasion.
Pikachu came running. He was shouting.
"Guys hide!" Ash grabbed his pack.
The others quickly followed in suit. As they hid several horsemen trampled down the road. Ash saw they were Rockets. He was tired of hiding but, what else could they do? They were only three men and pokémon. Twenty or more mounted soldiers galloped by.
"That's new." Ace whispered.
"Huh?" Meowth turned toward him.
"I assumed the Rockets would use something to hack the trees down to bring vehicles through. Never thought about horses. If they use horses this will speed up the invasion."
Above several flying pokémon soared overhead.
"That will defintely speed up things." Ash whispered.
"So is it safe to move yet?" James tried to keep a sneeze in.
"It was amazing! The adventures they had and the ones I had with them Veronica! I want to be a Raider now!" Nero couldn't keep the excitement in. "I was brave and daring! It made me feel so alive!"
"Don't get your hopes up Nero. Gary is very strict about who joins his army." Veronica tried to calm her brother.
"It's not his army alone dear sister! Misty has a say in these matters as well."
"Like I said Nero, don't get your hopes up."
Two days later he was brought before Gary. He recalled pleading his case. Gary was silent while Misty seemed interested. Yet, when he finished his request, Gary took a long stare at Nero.
"I'm sorry Nero but, Nero? Right?" When Nero nodded Gary countinued. "I'm sorry but, I have to say no. You are a scribe. Be happy at that!"
"Gary give him a chance." Misty scolded.
"No! Misty I have taken in alot of kids you said to give a chance and they all failed us! This time my foot is down for this one!" He rubbed his temples.
"I won't let you down! I have proven myself to Ash and his friends!" Nero insisted.
"And what do I know of this Ash? Nothing!" Gary shouted. "I'm sorry Niro but, you need a lot of training. That means a lot of time which we can't spare right now."
"It's Nero!" Nero wrote furiously.
He sat on the tree watching the Raiders train. He wanted to be like that. Fighting for his people. He tore his eyes away to finish his letter.
Veronica, I have to go. I have a destiny in me and it tells me I have to fight this war to free our people. If Gary won't give me the chance then I will rejoin Ash. I watch the army training below and the only thing that comes to mind is: "If I could be like that I would give anything." I'm sorry dear sister but, I have to do this it's in my soul now. I'll try to come back alive. We just found each other again but, fate is drawing me closer to Emerald each day. Your brother Nero.
Leaving the letter Nero set off with a sack slung over his shoulder, a few purlioned necessities. In his hand he held a heavy pack which held more supplies. In his heart he held noble ideals and a sense of importance.
It had been the week of unbearable pains for Brock. He passed only five purity tests in ten days. The first ones were easy then came fire, then ice he spent two days trying to figure out how to tell a rock and a swinub apart when they both looked similiar to each other in the darkness of the Ice Cavern. He managed to grab one, he brought it back to Pryce along the way the little beast made some new bruises in a place Brock rather not mention.
Wind gave the challenge of capturing a wild Fearow yet again bare handed. It took Brock four days to catch on. He had bandages over his head were several of the brutes pecked him. His hands were also wrapped up from pecks.
Now Pryce pulled a surprise category, Night. He had to go into the woods at night and bring back a Golbat. Brock was sitting in the darkness contemplating cheating. All he had to do was run toward Blackthorn City which wasn't too far off he discovered while hunting swinub. He could have his female Zubat traded out for his male Golbat.
Would he be pure? No it was dishonest yet, Brock was getting the feeling that Pryce was hiding a dark secret that he did not want to share. Brock realized that these tests of "purity" were ruses to discourage him.
Brock began the hike toward Blackthorn. With Luck he could get there by morning. He could make it back by nightfall tomorrow night with his Golbat in hand. It was time to fight fire with fire!
To be continued.......
-JLB