The Tale of Seven: Kidnapped Hope

[Rikugurl]

"Meta..." Riku whimpered, not noticing the gravel and debris all around him as the dragon continued to rage, obviously hurt from the electricity. Everyone was silent... nothing moved... all he could see was the spot where Metagross had been flung carelessly. He... he was his first friend... ever, human or pokemon. Why...

Everything came back to him as if he had been shell shocked, the roaring of the Gyarados and the cries of his friends as he was pulled out of the way of a beam.
"COME ON!" Ven cried as he pulled Sora up to his feet, running towards the gym as well. Even if that was where the kids were going, they seemed to know where the safest place was right now.

Fuu grabbed Aqua's arm and they followed in suit after Terra and Ven, watching the ones in their arms being dragged along. Axel was up on his feet next, running after Roxas who didn't paused after seeing his lover following. What the two didn't realize that there was a ball missing on Roxas's belt, a seventh one that had been knocked off and rolled away behind a building. It shifted from the inside but the energy didn't release.


Ven was the first inside the gym with Sora, than Terra and Riku, Fuu and Aqua and Roxas with Axel.
The door closed but they could all still hear the dragon rage outside, making them pant and hope that these doors wouldn't kill them if they were blasted open.

"He was very naughty, no fun at all
Can't he take some damage and not fall?"
They heard a familiar voice up on the stage as the pink haired girl pouted, crossing her arms before they both seemed to stop their conversation, slowly turning to their new guests.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING!?" Axel suddenly called, snapping a few back into reality and realizing that they were here and now.
"What did you do to all those people!? POKEMON!? WHY!?" He screamed in anger, his knuckles turning white with how tight he squeezed them.

"You ask too many questions at one time
I can't answer them all and they do NOT rhyme!"
The girl pouted but then a wicked smile ran over her lips.
"But I suppose I can tattle
If you win a battle.
You'll get one answer for each win
Lose; and you'll be added to the trash bin!"

[Reno]

The race to the gym was a short one, luckily no one having time to look about them and see the further horrors this town from hiding.
Terra huffed some as he dragged Riku in through the gym, looking back at the man with silver-hair but he was lost in a whole other world, his eyes unfocused. "Riku..." He called but the other did not respond to him at all. He wished there was something he could say, something he could do for the silverette, knowing how terrible it must feel... if it had been Houndoom...

The call of the twins made everyone glance up, Axel's angry voice bouncing off the walls. But it was her proposition that made everyone's eyes go wide.
...A battle?

"Oh, yes yes, what a contest!
And it was time for a perfect test!" The boy reached for the whip at his side and there was a crack, smacking a panel in the wall. The main lights jumped on, lightning the gym and revealed the battle field of water, platforms on top of it for Pokemon not of the water able to move. For those who had battled in this gym, they remembered how unique it was. There was a second field through the doors, one of ice as well.

"The leaders, they were so vain.
Cameras up in every pane!" There was another crack, the whip cracking against the panel again. To everyone's surprise, two TVs in the corner of the room suddenly turned on... and reflected in the screen was themselves.
"W-What the...?" Roxas waved his hand, seeing the reflection of himself doing the same. His eyes widened.
"They wished the world to see them as great,
but only Wallace was able to pass the gate.
Now though, a battle of such degree!
A fight for all the world to see!"

Most of them, who were still computing this beyond the horrors of the outside world, were confused. Well, almost everyone.
"What the hell does that mean?!" Aqua snapped, anger lacing her voice.
"Wallace and Juan set up cameras here, so their battle could be seen live." Terra answered first, the rhyming grating on his nerves. He rubbed some at the bump on his head, comforted that it had stopped bleeding. "Mostly for Wallace's publicity since he's part of the Hoenn Elite. So, in other words... we're on live television right now."

The others processed this slowly, but Terra was in his domain now. He walked forward a few steps, looking up at the two. He noticed the six Pokemon on their belts and his eyes narrowed. "Alright, a battle. We win we get answers. We lose you kill us. Simple enough. We accept."
"Terra! You can't honestly-" Aqua started to fight but the brunette rose his hand, silencing her.
"However, a battle of one to eight will take forever. There are two of you and eight of us." Terra said. "I proclaim four double battles. Two on this field, two on the ice field. And if we're doubling the people, why don't we double the stakes?"
The boy shared a glance with his sister then grinned.
"You have our ears, I suppose.
What do you propose?"

"Each battle the Pokemon chosen will be by us first. If we win, you have to give us your Pokemon we defeat in that battle." Terra said.
"And if you lose?
Do you have an offer we can't refuse?"
Terra's eyes darted to the side, glancing a glance at a shock of red hair, then focused on them. "We offer... our knowledge of legendary Pokemon."
"Ooooh?" The boy rose an eyebrow in surprise.
"Eight of them. Ho-Oh. Suicune. Celebi. Shaymin. Giratina. Zapdos. Articuno. ... And Moltres." He ignored how Axel started behind him at the last name. "Do you accept?"

The two looked down at Terra for a long moment before Rant turned to his sister, whispering to her.
"It is a good deal,
A history of a steal.
I see truth in his eyes,
These are no lies he cries.
And what to we have to fear?
The winning side is clear."

[Rikugurl]

Riku was slouched against a wall as Terra walked away, his eyes still distanced as he seemed to not register anything around him. Voices were nothing but an annoying sound that his ears could hardly take. All that he could see was Metagross, a hole in his body and falling to his death in the waters... then there were flashes of the battle with Sora... how Jolteon made him sink and almost died as well by electricity.

There was suddenly someone in his face, his eyes slowly focusing on... Sora. It was Sora's Jolteon and---
"G-GET AWAY FROM ME!" He suddenly cried, his eyes widening until they no longer could as he gripped his hair. "Why does everyone want to hurt my friend!?"

His cries were drowned by the rest of them as their thoughts were on what Terra was doing. Was he trying to get them killed!?
Eyes narrowed as the gym leader changed the twin's idea... and making it a bit better... though Axel's voice was caught when he heard Moltres's name. "N--..." He stopped himself, not wanting the two to know he had said legendary.

The girl turned and looked at her brother, leaning in closer to take in what he was saying. A smile continued to play on her face as she nodded, pulling away and suddenly turning so she was easily seen on the TV.
"This is Rant and I am Rave,
Our new contestants are very brave!
The old gym leaders have gone to pass
But don't worry, all you'll see great battles at last!
Four double battles and that's the show,
Against me, them and my bro!
First up, who will it be?
Step right up, your choice is key!"

She giggled before whirling around, looking down at the group before both her and her brother jumped back to one side of the arena.

Fuu frowned, looking down as she tried to think. She was no trainer... so she was guessing that Terra, Sora and Roxas would be the best at deciding who should battle with who... and where.

[Reno]

A hand flipped through the channels boredly, trying to find a news report that wasn't saying the same damn think again and again. The channels passed quickly, hardly any of the stations still running except a few news stations and the every odd rerunning cartoon channels.

He started to reach a marathon of nothing but snow channels his reddish-brown eyes narrowing with boredom. then there was a blast of color then snow. His finger hesitated, then he pulled back the channel he just passed. He watched the screen, catching the last of the words before his eyes widened just a little.
The Mightyena at his feet rose his head as his master suddenly called. "Ida get the fuck out here!! Our fucking son is crazy!"


Another person was doing the same, just flipping through channels, hoping maybe today the story of Chapi the Buneary would be on today even though it had not been running for days. Her fingers paused however when she landed on a channel that made her stare.
Then her eyes widened.
"GWEN! GWEN COME HERE! TERRA'S ON TV!"
And she was jealous when her friend had gotten lucky enough to get Terra's autograph...


Blue eyes went wide as the yell echoed in his ears. He frowned a little before reaching out, taking pale hands gently. He knew exactly what he was thinking about. Before Rant, he had been the one to nearly kill Metagross. Even this time... it was still his fault. If Rave had not known him... if he had not lashed back...
"Riku... I never meant to hurt him." He pulled the man's hands out of his hair before drawing his arms around the other, pulling him close as he rubbed his back. Tears spilled down his cheeks uncontrollably, feeling how much pain his lover was in. He was hurting too... Metagross had been his friend as well, though certainly not as close. "Ri... I'm so sorry."

"Terra this is nuts!" Aqua hissed while the girl 'Rave' was making her announcement. "There never going to keep there word!"
Terra just shook his head, smiling. "That isn't the point. Now is it? Since we have to pick first, they'll take type advantage on us. So whatever you do, choose Pokemon of different types." The others, at least the ones who were listening, were confused.

He turned to look at Ven, and smiled. "Come on Ven." The blonde's eyes widened and he started to shake his head, that old fear of losing battles coming back to him. He had never been successful in those...
Terra grabbed his arm, looking at him seriously. "Ven, don't you dare act like a coward. You can do this. Besides... you have the perfect Pokemon for this field." He rose an eyebrow then turned and walked to the trainer's ring reaching for a Pokeball at his belt. "My idea, I guess I'll go first. And my choice is..." Remembering how his last battle had gone on a field like this, everyone expected to see Leafeon...

And were shell-shocked when he made his choice. "Houndoom!"
WHAT?!
Rant's eyes widened, then he started to laugh. "A fire type on water!
This'll be a slaughter."

But no... Terra did have something up his sleeve.
And it made Roxas shake with excitement, able to see exactly what he was doing, for he had seen Houndoom's battle again Moltres! He understood why Ven had the perfect Pokemon for this match, why Terra was choosing the dog beyond all else!
"Moltres use sky attack!" The bird called and started to glow before she flew down at a high speed.
"Houndoom! Now!"
The dog growled before he jumped TOWARDS the flying bird, his fangs opening and there was suddenly sparking lights all over.
He was backing them up into a trap! The dog had an attack neither of fire or dark, one that would help them win if they just choose...

"Well well, I know a dragon of red,
who will make that dog dead."
The whip cracked and Rant suddenly whistled.
There was a pause, then suddenly a roar as a blood-red dragon emerged into the field, having swum from the underwater pipes that lead from the lake to here. He roared loudly, looking even more pissed then before. The water started to turn a little murky but Rant hit the panel again and closed the paths so it wouldn't get any dirtier. Terra just smirked, looking up at the dragon. He knew it.
"Why are you smiling as if you are feeling glee?
Soon that dog will be dead in the sea!"

The dog looked up at the angry sea serpent and growled, a large grin on his face. Oh this one will be fun. The brunette met Rant's eyes, his stance proud as he smirked. "I think you better think again before you get too confidant. My name is Terra Tellus, leader of the Sandgem Town Gym! I battle with pure strength. And only two people have ever walked out of my gym with the badges on their first try. I'm not about to let some punk kid who probably still needs a fucking nightlight on at night to chase away shadows beat that record."

[Rikugurl]

"WHAT!?" There was a call from the kitchen before a pale woman ran out, an other woman following as they both looked at the TV.
"YENA!" Another Mightyena called as she looked at the pup she knew since she was young. Ida leaned on the chair her husband was sitting on, watching her son on the TV. He wasn't in his gym obviously... so where was he? And what was he doing?

She smiled though when he heard him speaking so highly of himself and---
"Huh?" She blinked, seeing the boy next to him that she knew rather well... and something shimmering around his neck. A sandgem...


"TERRA!" A girl cried, rushing out of the bathroom and jumping onto the bed with her friend, her houndoom pajamas sticking close to her wet skin. Her eyes widened as she saw the man before giggling uncontrollably.


Riku panted, his body starting to shake and hardly felt the hands on his. But he felt the warmth when it came close and he swallowed, hearing a voice that soothed him and that he loved more than anything. Hot tears started to run down his face before he started to sob, being brought closer to his lover's body and wrapping his arms around his neck.
"Why Sora.....why....?" He sobbed, his shoulder's shaking and not even realizing of the battle beginning.

Axel swallowed as he watched Ven get onto the platform with Terra. He knew Ven never had the confidence in himself as a trainer... but he was a great choreographer. Even some of his pokemon had the same worries as him... like Moana.
However, he took Roxas's hand and started to move behind Terra and Ventus to watch... just like he did five years ago.

Fuu watched Axel and Roxas, sighing as she realized they were really doing this. With a glance to her lover, she nodded towards the bleachers as well.

Ventus walked up to the stadium slowly, his legs feeling like jello. This... would be his first official battle on a stadium gym... and instead of losing the chance of a badge, he might be losing more than that.
He listened to Terra explain to the others about what was going on and slowly his hand reached down towards a ball that held a cute, pink little sheep.... but it hesitated as he thought.

No....

His hand passed the ball and picked up another before tossing it out. "GO, SWAMPERT!" He called, the ball popping and releasing a mud fish who landed next to the hell hound. "SWAAAAAAAAAAAMP!" He called before looking around then up at the large pokemon glaring down at him.
"Alright, alright, how fun is this,
I have a cutie you cannot miss!"
The pink haired girl called as she reached for her belt, smashing it against her palm for an energy to pop out, revealing a little pink squirrel.

[Reno]

Dark eyes narrowed, seeing what his wife saw as well. "The fuck....?" There was no doubt in his mind of where that Sandgem had come from. It was the same one he had given Ida years ago when he asked her for her hand in marriage.

The old wolf at his wide slowly sat up, inclining his head as his mate came near while Ida found a seat to sit in. He looked at the magic box that always had pictures in it, tilting his head some at the sight of Terra who had his daughter. "Miii..."
Something about this show seemed strange...


Blue eyes watered, hearing his lovers desperate question. It was one he had asked himself time and time again after Rosa had...
And unfortunately he had never found an answer for himself. He couldn't give one to Riku. His fingers curled in the other's shirt, another pair still soothingly running through his hair, sobbing softly as well. "I don't know Ri... I just don't know..."

Across from them though, there was a bit of surprise.
"Pachi!!!" Came a chattering call, the squirrel landing on a platform and racing around it speedily.
Terra rose an eyebrow at Rant's choice, and almost couldn't keep back a laugh as a shared a look with Ven. Even Houndoom couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the small pink squirrel. What a foolish choice. "This is going to be easy." The man said confidently.

"This is still the start of this fight!
Gyarados, take him out with a bite!" Rant called angrily.

[Rikugurl]

Riku never knew the pain Sora had felt when he lost Rosa. he never had the chance to meet her... but now... he realized that if he ever were to see a wild Beldum.... he would act the same way Sora did...
He knew.... in his heart that Metagross was gone... and the only person he could blame was himself. He knew these two... children were murderers. He saw what they had done to humans and Pokemon alike and still he called on his friend for help... putting his life in danger.

How selfish was he?

"He's gone Sora..." He sobbed out, eyes finally closing as more tears ran down his face.


"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" The dragon called as he heard his master's call. He suddenly went back under waters, making Ventus rather nervous. Was he... not listening to Rant or--- "AAAH!!" he called as he stepped back as the large dragon suddenly appeared out of the water again, his powerful jaws coming down towards Houndoom.
"SWAMPERT! USE MUD SHOT!"
"PEEEEEEEEEEERT!" The pokemon called a a muddy filth came from his mouth, spitting it into his hand before he suddenly threw it up at the beast coming downwards.

"DOOOOOOOOOOS!" The dragon called in raged, his whole face covered with the muddy sludge. He rose his head, shaking the filth from his face as Rave started to call her attack.
"Pachirisu, use Discharge!
Show that fish he's not that large!"

[Reno]

Sora's lips trembled, and he shut his own eyes, whispering softly. But worst yet, he could hear the horrible tone of guilt in Riku's voice. He knew that well too. Was feeling it too. "I-I know..." He held the other as he cried, rocking him softly. But when the other calmed down he took a deep breath pulling away some, cupping Riku's face in his hands gently.

"Riku... Ri look at me." Teary eyes opened slowly, the beautiful color focusing on him. Sora took a breath, "I know... I know you may not want to believe or even understand what I'm about to tell you... but please try." He brushed back some of the silver hair, wiping at the still falling tears on his cheek.
"It... It wasn't your fault." He could already see the man rejecting his words, but Sora shook his head. "No Ri... it wasn't. The only one who should be blamed for this is the heartless person who pulled that trigger. You were just doing what you thought was right at the time. You didn't know it would happen. Metagross... he loved you Riku... He would of done anything to protect you. That's why he listened."


"Paaaachiiii!!!" Called the squirrel, the yellow sacs on his cheeks started to spark as he charged for the attack.
Terra smirked. Perfect. "Houndoom use crunch. Throw that rodent in the water!"
"Hooow!" Howled the dog, jumping across the platforms quickly, just as the other was ready to attack. Blue electricity started to form, but teeth clamped hard around his bushy tail.
"CHIIRISU!!!" Called the squirrel loudly, blue electrcity started to fly, hitting the dog first.
The dog shut his eyes before he flung the rodent right into the water, shaking his head some to shake off the slight pain. His tail wagged as the water sparked all over... and started to hurt Gyarados instead.

"Ah that was unfair!!" Rant called angrily.
"Not you better beware!
Gyarados, make a splash.
Use Thrash!"

Terra rolled his eyes, getting annoyed. Now if only he could of heard what his dad was saying right now...
"What the fuck is with all the rhyming?!"

[Rikugurl]

Riku continued to shake his eyes, sniffling and whimpering as Sora tried to calm him... explain to him that it wasn't his fault. How couldn't it be? He had put him in danger and...
His sore eyes closed again, puffy from crying as he took a sigh of relief. How could someone.... just kill a Pokemon... without feeling bad... or wronged? How did Reno do it? How did this Rave girl do it? How did any of those horrible people stand themselves? Sleep at night?

She didn't even know Metagross?
She didn't know that he had hearts for Froslass but was too bashful to move forward. She didn't know the countless games he played with him when he was a child. She didn't know his cold, metal exterior was far from the warmth he gave to others he knew.
She didn't know that he was given to him... as a gift.
She didn't know... anything.
All she knew was she could take him away... and she wouldn't have to deal with it.

His eyes opened again, red as he looked up into his lover's eyes. There was a nod before he pulled Sora closer.
They needed to stop these two... before they killed anyone else's friend.


The girl grinned as she watched the little pokemon run across the stage, sparking up and---
She gasped as the dog grabbed her, throwing her into the water below and making it spark up much like what they saw not too long ago.
Before a rhyme could be called out, the large red dragon roared in pain, flailing his neck around as angry eyes beamed down at his master before he was given his next order.

The gyarados gave out a louder roar, one that shook the whole stadium, making Ven almost fall over it Terra wasn't there for him to balance against.
He growled before water started to fly all over the place, splashing against them and the pokemon below as a tail came flying, hitting Swampert and Houndoom straight into the water. Luckily for them though, as the dragon rampaged, the squirrel was thrown out of the water as well, stopping the electrical current.

The water affected Swampert none, though the tail coming down towards him wasn't helping much.
"SWAMPERT! GRAB THE GYARADOS'S TAIL AND PULL HIM DOWN!" He was hoping that if he kept Swampert in the water longer, Rave would order the Pachirisu to use a lightning attack... which would only hurt Gyarados.

"Come on, get up! You worthless thing!
You can't give up till the fat lady sings!"
The girl called as she kicked the pink rodent, making it go flying. Axel grit his teeth, hearing the poor thing cry as it hit the ground.

[Reno]

Arms wrapped around the other, before squeezing tightly, an offer of comfort and love. Sora was known for his very tight hugs, so well-known there was no better name for it THEN a Sora Hug. When he and Riku had first met, it was a wonder to him to learn Riku had never hugged anyone before except his mom. He was so awkward at it, Sora had to teach him how to...

But over the years Riku had gotten used to Sora's over-dramatics and massive bouts of affection. In fact, had rather begun to like it and over time sought it out, becoming a constant in his life. And right now, more than anything, Riku needed those hugs. It was more than just a show of affection... it was a promise of something that was still there. That not everything was lost even though a great friend had been.

Sora knew... the times ahead would be hard for them both. But they had managed to get through everything else... they could get through this too.


"How?" The dog barked in confusion when his eyes widened and a tail smacked him in the face! "OOOOW!!" The dog howled before he splashed in the, being dragged down some by the force and the pressure. Lucky for him, he was further away so he was able to escape and go swimming for the surface.

Ugh... so... cold...

"Riiiisu!!!" Called the squirrel as the splash sent her up high. She flailed and squeaked as she hit the floor right at her master's feet, dizzily started to get to her feet. Then she felt a boot hit her from behind and she gave a little squeaking cry, being flung back onto the stage, luckily hitting one of the platforms. She shook a little, getting to her feet more slowly.
Roxas winced at the sound of the poor thing crying in pain. His heart twisted sympathetically as he started to move, trying to go to it's aid but Axel reached out for him, pulling him back. "Axel..." The blonde said, looking at the other. The red-head stared back at him sadly, but he knew what he was saying. They had to follow the rules for now... they didn't want to twins to get angry and try to kill anything else...

Terra's eyes narrowed in fury at the sight, and realized his second guess was correct as well. Of course they were abusive. But at least... as long as they kept their word they would be able to save eight of them. All twelve if they managed to overpower them... which at this rate shouldn't be hard. His gaze darted across the water seeing a spot of black, then Houndoom emerged, huffing angrily as he climbed onto a platform, shaking himself off.
"Houndoom." Terra said calmly, not seeming worried at all for the dog. Why would he be? He'd had to deal with trainers taking a type advantage on him all the time.

They both knew how to handle it.

"Overheat. Knock that rodent out."

Red eyes snapped open, then the dog grinned, his voice rumbling with a growl as he started to glow red, steam wafting off of him. Despite being wet and cold he was easily and quickly building up power, warming his body so it was if the damage from the water never happened. His red eyes spotted the little squirrel and pounced, landing right in front of the squirrel, his mouth opened flames able to be seen in his throat.
"PAAACHIII!!!" Cried the pink squirrel, zipping to the next platform but the dog simply aimed and blasted out a huge torrent of fire. "EEEEEEE!!!" She cried again being hit dead on and thrown threw the air before she splashed in the water once more.

Rant scoffed in annoyance and lent over the railing. "Gyarados don't be a chump!
Use hydro pump!"

[Rikugurl]

"NO!" Fuu called as she saw the little pokemon being kicked and landed hard. She bit her lip, wanting to go over there and hit that girl upside the head! She was going to but like Axel, Aqua took her shoulder and held her back. She looked back, sighing before sitting back down, glancing at the rescuers that seemed very uneasy.

Riku, in the mean while, smiled slightly as he received a Sora Hug. It didn't last long... before the whole world shook and--- a huge explosion made debris fall everywhere, making everyone cry out.


"GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" The dragon called as he was suddenly tugged under neath, the strong arms of Swampert finding it easy to do his task. This gave Houndoom enough time to get up and out of the water.
Unfortunately, the side effect of Thrash... is confusion and as his attack was halted, small little torchics started to circle his head. He was still in raged however, making his powerful tail fling the water pokemon out of the water, his blue body rolling easily onto the stage again.

Swampert shook his head just in time to see the poor little squirrel being flung into the water again.
Hydro pump was the next attack called and gyarados shook his head, trying to clear his raged mine from confusion but at another call, he roared before aiming his gaping mouth at the dog.
"DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!"

A powerful blast of water and misjudgment made the dragon fall back into the water, making the attack miss Houndoom completely and instead... shot a hole through the ceiling.
There was an explosion and debris fell into the lake below, the stadium taking most of it however.
"Now, Swampert! Use Rock Slide!"
"PEEEEEEERT!" The mud fish called before closing his eyes, concentrating on the rocks outside of the gym. They started to glow, slowly raising before moving towards the hole in the roof.

Rant and Rave were too busy yelling at their pokemon that they didn't notice the rocks suddenly coming down on said beast, hitting the gyarados hard and making it cry out in pain.
As for the Pachirisu, it was nowhere to be found.

Axel's eyes widened as he watched the gyarados fall into the water under the rocks and realized a huge flaw in this deal. "TERRA! THEY WON'T FORFEIT WHEN THEIR POKEMON ARE HURT! THEY'LL KEEP MAKING THEM FIGHT UNTIL THEY DIE!"

[Reno]

Sora blinked when he heard the yell... and then shortly after Axel's words registered. His eyes widened, surprised he hadn't even NOTICED the battle going on.

The gym leader looked up, hearing Axel's yell as the large Pokemon went down and the Pachirisu still had not surfaced. His eyes narrowed angrily but then clicking claws made him look forward and - "Houndoom!" He yelled but the dog had already hit the water. What the hell was he doing?!

The devil dog was, by no means, a fan of water. But he had his own little experiences in it and like most canine took to swimming like a duck. He really could never understand why it was so hard for his master...

Red eyes narrowed, catching site of something floating towards the bottom and was pink, close to a red Gyarados pinned the the pool's floor. He swum downwards, hooked his horns under the small squirrel. He opened his mouth before shooting a dark beam at the Gyarados, but rather then hitting him he hit the rock atop him knocked him lose so he could swim freely again. His eyes narrowed at the dragon before swimming upwards.

Terra started to get a little nervous when his dog didn't come back up immediately. He was just about to call to Ven and have him have Swampert go looking for him when suddenly-
"How!" Came a bark and a slight splash as the dog surfaced. Nestled on his horns was the little squirrel coughing a bit and blinking big eyes all around before she grasped the dog's horn, confused while the larger beast started to swim towards a platform.
"Pachiii...?" Had he... saved her?

"What in the world is this?!
Something is certainly amiss!
A dog saving his dinner,
thinks he can be the winner?"

[Rikugurl]

Axel frowned as he got up, rushing over to the stage and up to where Terra and Ven were standing.
"Peeeeert?" The water pokemon called as he slowly walked over to houndoom, carefully taking the squirrel and placing it on the ground.
"Are you alright?"

Narrow eyes looked out at the teens who didn't seem to react at all as the gyarados slowly pulled up his head, seeing that the color of his scales were seeming to leak, dying the water around him the same color.
"Look at what you're doing! You have to call a loss or you'll kill them! Don't you care!?" His fists gripped but the twins only seemed to chuckle.
"Nice try, talking us out of it?
Don't you know Team Riot does not quit?
Watch! We will show you that we never lose
It's their death that you have to choose!"

She giggled as she looked the squirrel, so close to the others.
"Pachirisu, use quick attack now!
Hit them good and make 'em scream 'OW'!"

Axel's eyes widened as he looked back at Terra. "Do they want you to kill their pokemon or..."
He paused before slowly looking up at the TV. They were being broad casted to the world. They wanted them... to make them look like murderers...

"Swampert!" Ven called his his friend was hit, making him growl. "Use Water Pulse!"
"VEN!?" Axel called but it was too late, the pokemon following his master's call and hitting the little pink rodent with circles of water, making it fall back hard.

[Reno]

Terra grit his teeth, realziing it as Axel did. It looked like he wasn't the only one to have planned a trap... They were trying to force them to win. "Fuck."
Houndoom sighed, lifting himself up and out of the water - only to bark in clear surprise as the squirrel double crossed them and Swampert went flying past him. He jumped off the platform as the water went flying but winced as the poor rodent hit the stage. Little swirls were in it's eyes.

What were they going to do...
"Terra! Ven! Just don't fight back!"
The brunette glanced back, surprised to see Sora who was now standing close to the stage, looking at the battle, Riku by his side.
"How the hell do you have a battle without fighting back?!" Terra snapped but before the brunette could answer...

"Gyarados, you worthless fish,
A hyper beam and don't miss!"

Everyone's eyes widened as a orange beam shot down at them and the two trainers quickly called for a retreat. Swampert dove underwater and Houndoom made it to the next platform. A huge torrent erupted, soaking everyone.
Rant's eyes narrowed before he grinned, noticing the squirrel hadn't moved.
"Gyarados, aim for the rat.
Hydro pump, make her flat!"

"YOU CAN'T!" Roxas yelled from where he was, jumping to his feet. The rest of them watched in horror as the stream of water came flying down...

Terra shook with fury. "HOUNDOOM! USE OVERHEAT!"
The dog howled, making everyone in the room shake from the fear it caused before he jumped in front of the unconscious little squirrel. He glowed red and blasted out more fire hitting the water dead on....

But overheat grew weaker the more it was used, and he was more wet and cold. He couldn't burn all of it up and the water sucked up the rest of the flames. Houndoom only had enough time to turn around and lay down, his paws protectively curling around the squirrel as his head hovered over her, just like he protected his own children.

Terra's hands curled around the bars of the trainer's ring angrily, watching as the water cleared and Houndoom still lay there, his body shaking some from cold. But Pachirisu was okay...
Red eyes slowly opened and he lifted his head some, looking back at the Gyarados.
"Aha, What a wet pup!
I guess his time is up!
Let's end this with a smash,
Gyarados, Thrash!"

[Rikugurl]

"Hey brother! What's with that call?
It's not your job to make MINE fall!"
The girl growled at her brother, stomping her foot as the pokemon tired to save HER pokemon's life.
The two seemed to get into a rhyming argument but not one was interested in that. All they cared about were the poor pokemon unfortunate enough to survive this long to do their deeds.

"NO!" Axel called as he watched the dragon turn onto the little Pachirisu. How could he... how could they! This was worse... than the elite! At least they didn't want to torture and KILL their pokemon.

Ven's eyes widened as well, seeing poor Houndoom do his best to help out Rave's pokemon.
This enraged the hurting dragon though, easily seeing the rage in his eyes as he roared out. It seemed like he was going to use trash even if his master didn't call it.
"SWAMPERT! HELP THEM!" He called out, seeing his mud fish quickly surface, jumping in front of Houndoom and Pachirisu just as a strong tail came down at them.
Strong hand grabbed the tail, pushing against it so that it wouldn't come down on them.

Odd shaped, flat, fin like feet pushed hard as his arms started to shake, the ground actually breaking under the pressure.
"Swaaam......peeeeert....."
He winced, his teeth clenching as he slid back.
"Get..... out of here......"
Just as the other started to do so, he was pulled up in a rage and fling around. "PEEEEEEEERT!" He cried as his eyes widened, grabbing onto dear life as he was smashed into the water over and over.

"SWAMPERT!" Ven cried in fear as he watched his friend hold onto the angry pokemon as if he was riding a bull.
His teeth grit and his eyes closed, remembering Sora's words. There was no way they couldn't fight. They would order their pokemon to kill theirs... all they wanted was death.
His eyes snapped open as he thought of something. "Wait... they can't make their pokemon fight if... we give them status problems!"
He looked up at Swampert, seeing he was still handing on, avoiding the powerful jaws easily.

"SWAMPERT, USE YAWN!"
"SWAAAAAA" He called in confusion but the next time the dragon came for him with his mouth, the smaller pokemon yawned, making Gyarados stop... and blink before yawning as well.