Crosscurrent (GORE AND ANGST WARNING)
Before I start, I'd like to say thank you for all of the support I've been getting for this. I never would have posted it otherwise. This fic is entirely my work, and I spent an all nighter writing it because I was afraid I would lose the inspiration. Once again, thank you all. I hope you enjoy!
It's been three weeks now since the leader of Team Aqua has gone missing. I must say I am concerned. Not for his wellbeing, Arceus forbid. I just want to know what those imbeciles are planning. After all, we ARE their.. I suppose you could say rivals, but I daresay more than that. No, we are Team Magma. We are their arch enemies.
Recently it's been raining much more than I'd like. This region has too much water as is. I suspect it has to do with that thick-skulled gang of lowlife pirates. They've already taken the blue orb, and the red orb is nowhere to be found. But, despite that, Kyogre is.. Kyogre is missing as well. Something is wrong.
Two full months have passed since Archie's disappearance. The storms have only gotten worse, and there's been reports of hurricanes and tsunamis down by Pacifidlog. I was never fond of it myself, but.. he always loved that place. It hurts to know that he might be out there somewhere, watching his hometown be demolished.
No, what are you thinking? You hate each other. Why in the world would you, the great Maxie, care about some hooligan such as HIM? Absolute nonsense.
Despite this, I can't help but to wonder. Where in the world could he have gone..? I'll be setting out tomorrow, regardless of the panicked pleas of my coworkers. I had to find him. Things would only get worse if I didn't. I could feel it.
My first stop, though I hate to admit it, was in the heart of Sootopolis itself. The Cave of Origin. The resting place of both Kyogre and Groudon. As my Crobat and I flew, I got an uneasy feeling in my gut. There was a solid black cloud above the beautiful city. The storms seemed to be coming from here.
When we land, my poor Crobat was exhausted, too much so to fight. Out of pity, I return him to his ball, tucking him into the pocket of my coat and I walk towards the entrance to the cave.
As I had suspected, the entrance's Alpha pattern was glowing, and the sealed entrance had been broken. The ground rumbles several times as I approach, and I could faintly hear a roar from inside. It wasn't Kyogre's... not entirely, at least.
My hands shook as I pushed the entrance open just enough to slip in, closing it back behind me. I wasn't near ready enough for this. What was I going to do? My team is only fire types! I push this thought aside, however. This creature, whatever it was, needed to be stopped. My heels click against the slick rocks inside the cave, accompanying the frequent drips of water from the ceiling. This entire atmosphere made me incredibly uncomfortable.
The beast seems to hear me approaching, it's roars growing louder and angrier. I could have sworn I heard a human scream, distorted, deepened, and hidden within the beast's voice. I keep pushing forward, even though I had a sinking feeling in my chest.
After only a few minutes, I was there. In front of a giant glowing pool of water. A lone rock sat in the middle, and on top of it... a familiar figure, large and intimidating. The same markings on the cave door decorated his body, glowing just as brightly. The sleeves of his suit had ripped open, his arms disproportionately sized according to his body. But the most striking features were on his face. It had twisted beyond recognition, revealing a jaw full of razor sharp teeth.. and his eyes... I'll never forget the look of pure hatred in those yellow-orange eyes.
Before I could speak, he was rushing at me, letting out another terrifying screech. All I could do was send out my Camerupt, praying it would protect me. It shoots out a strong flame, but to my dismay the beast seems unaffected. Within seconds my beloved partner was fainted, leaving me open to attack again. I just barely dodge a swipe from his massive claws, them digging into my cheek. I could feel the warm liquid running down my face. With a shaky breath, I send out my Mightyena. This was my last chance. I close my eyes, bracing for impact. I hear a whimper and a thud, followed by the steady drip of blood. The cave reeked of iron.
I scream out his name, desperate to reach him. But he can't hear me in his crazed state. I remember feeling a unimaginable, burning pain course through my stomach, and being slammed against the wall, my injured pokemon beside me. I return him, looking back just in time to receive another slash to the face, my glasses easily snapping in half as my right eye and cheek were torn open. I was begging for mercy, only able to watch as the beast lunges forward, digging its fangs into my throat. With one last attempt, I squeak his name once more, barely keeping myself alive. "Ar..chie...."
Suddenly, I was freed. The beast backs up, it's eyes softening. I could barely hear anything he said, my vision blurring out quickly "Max...... MAXIE..!" He roars, running towards me again. He barely had time to say my full name before my vision had blacked out.
I remember waking up to bright, blaring lights. A muffled conversation was just within earshot. "Sir, you got him here just in time... if he had lost any more blood he would have.."
"I know." A familiar, gruff voice replies. He sounded normal again...
"I know 'e would've died. And it was my fault." He continues.
I lay my head back, closing my eyes. The excruciating pain in my stomach was still there, but I no longer felt the blood dripping down my sides. I attempt to call his name once more, but all that escapes my mouth is a groan.
"He's awake!" I hear several people exclaim, including the man who had almost taken yet saved my life. There were suddenly people surrounding my bed, each and every one a familiar face.
"Leader Maxie.." a gentle voice begins, but stops, instead turning to sob into her girlfriend's shoulder. Courtney.. Shelly.. girls, I'm so sorry..
"Boss. You're gonna be okay. This IDIOT- ow!" He hisses, the nickname earning him a playful punch from his oversized boyfriend. He clears his throat. "Archie brought you in, nearly dead. If he had waited any longer there's no doubt you would've been. But apparently he cares about you."
With that, I turn to the man, who's been silent this entire time. He had bandages around his hands, no doubt from the damage those claws must have wreaked.
"I'm sorry, Max. I... I didn't think ye'd chase me down like ye did. And I never woulda thought it'd end like this.. truth is, Tabby's right. I do care about cha. A lot, actually. I just.. never had the courage to say it. I'm glad yer okay.." he sighs, looking down.
I smile softly to comfort him, even though my face still had a fresh wound across my cheek. "It's okay, Archie... it's not your fault... I tracked you down because I was worried and.."
Archie cuts me off. "Shut up, ya big nerd. Save your breath. Ya need rest, arright? You can do at least that for me, kay? That'll make me happy."
I laugh softly, nodding. Everything hurt. But... that didn't matter. Things were sorted out. Even if I was injured, I doubt Archie and I will fight for a long time after this.
I wrote this fic after finding a certain picture in my gallery. The post can be found here: https://mayucva.tumblr.com/post/108426487248/you-guys-wanted-possessedarchie-and-beat-up-maxie
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