I Will Cut My Own Path Forward

However...

What he did not take into account was Zygarde pushing past the 50% Forme.

WHEN? Did his data collection actually... fail?

Metagross was a Pokemon meant to help him counter Zygarde, but not the Complete Forme. To think, he had allowed this to happen? This is a problem.

Infuriating.

Hands clenched into fists, Spinel was a moment from lashing out... But Malamar moves quickly. It was time to escape. The Pokeball still within Spinel's pocket began to shine. It is mere moments from going rogue. There is no need to entertain this battle any longer, and now its' puppet is at such a disadvantage...

Spinel took a deep breath, regaining his composure.

"You've been busy, Amethio. I'm almost impressed."

"Metagross, Iron Defense! Get close to Amethio, now."

Upon Spinel's call, Metagross covered its' body in iron, before lifting itself from the ground to take a leap towards Amethio. Landing just behind him.

"... Explosion."

Forget Zygarde, Spinel is not foolish. He's going after his rival again and ending this right now. He'll take part of the city with him if he must.

And as soon as the move was spoken, Spinel took a swift turn on his heel... He's leaving, rushing towards the only open exit... The other one is closed off by the gate. There is still no sign of Beheeyem; this is his only choice.

"GARDE!!!"

Unfortunately, the force of the explosion would send Amethio flying, right past Spinel...And into the waiting arms of the towering Bloodmoon Ursaluna, who would gently set the youth down as Hamber chose to reveal himself - right in Spinel's path, his left eye gleaming a downright malicious color of red as he spoke with an almost chilling cordiality.

He'd been forced to witness the one child who was like a son to him get tortured, and hurt...Though he understood his position, he didn't have to like it one bit. The only solace was that Amethio wasn't fatally wounded, even if he'd need medical attention. And Zygarde was on the other side of Spinel, as well...To be honest, Hamber had doubted it at first, when Amethio had told him of everything.

But...The more he had thought, the more things made sense. After Maria had died, Gibeon had lost what grasp he'd had on himself, throwing himself completely into his obsession with Laquium...And, it explained why Spinel had been brought on without any prior vouching or training, as well. It did not justify Gibeon's crimes, either...It only compounded them.

But...That was why he had ultimately agreed to do this.

"And where might you be off to, Master Spinel? You're surely not thinking of...Oh, fleeing a Trainer Battle, are you? I daresay this would not be a very good look for you, especially after Master Amethio and I went to all of this trouble to arrange this...Showdown. Ursaluna, if he attempts to move past you...Force him back. But, do not harm him; we need him intact, my friend."

The Peat Pokémon would roar at Hamber's command, stepping in front of Amethio's collapsed, paralyzed body as the butler took a step towards Spinel. That was five Pokémon...Only one remained, if Amethio's words were correct.

But...It was also somewhat satisfying to see Spinel so willingly fall for such an obvious trap. And while the red gleam in his eyes was gone...Hamber's voice still carried that chilling, cordial tone. Even as he took another step forward, arms behind his back almost casually. To use more vulgar language...Hamber was completely pissed off right now.

"Let me guess, you believed you could get away with your crimes and flee Lumiose City like a gutless coward. Is that not correct, Master Spinel? You believed you had Master Amethio cornered, paralyzing him and attempting to murder him with tactics that would legally see you stripped of your Pokémon under a more...Fair world. But...I'm afraid you underestimated my young Master and his comrades. How far they would go to protect this world, and those they care for. And that...Has cornered you, rat. You have made a mockery of the Explorers...And your punishment will come in due course, Spinel."

As he spat the final insult, he would look back towards Amethio...Who, despite his frankly absurd amount of injuries, was still able to roll himself over and speak up, briefly. Hamber would just wordlessly have his Rotom Phone call for some paramedics when this was done, but...The matter of Spinel would need to be resolved, first.

"...U-Urgh...Y-You...You were almost late, Hamber..."

The attack could have gone in so many directions depending on what choice was made... But logic said; Corviknight was bound to protect its' trainer, and take a direct strike as a result. That was one way to balance such a dire disadvantage.

What Spinel didn't expect was the Steel Raven still breaking through Blizzard, enough so to deal Ninetales a devastating blow as well... Of course, it also went down as Steel Wing hit its' mark.

"Hmph. Surprising."

Even though Spinel still had two Pokemon to use, as far as he's aware, he is now down to one. With a sigh, he recalled Ninetales, before glancing back to Amethio. His rival's anger seemed to be building. Spinel only clapped, a mocking applause at the determination shown in the face of paralysis.

"Gibeon clearly had an eye for talent. That's why he saw nothing in you. I can think of so many words to describe you, Amethio, but talented is certainly not one of them. Meanwhile, I was not handed anything. My excellence within Exceed spoke for itself, and your grandfather noticed."

"Just as he also saw how unfitting you were for your own role. I still believe, if not for your weakness, he would still be here. He was a man capable of bringing us to great heights." Spinel continued, placing a hand on his chest. "Thankfully, I am not wasting his ambitions."

He took a few steps back. This could get dangerous and Spinel is already considering a way to escape should the situation call for it. A hand in his pocket followed, his 'last' Pokeball taken out.

"By the way, Amethio. While you've been so busy focusing just on this one city, Exceed have reached further into Kalos. You're so careless, as always. Easy to distract, and now you're too late. Did you really think I was doing all this just for fun?"

"My staff brought me something quite interesting when they arrived... Now, come out!"

He tosses the Pokeball, unleashing what was inside.

But...There was one massive, four-legged problem in the way now.

"...A M-Metagross!?"

That wasn't part of the team Alhazred had warned him of...But, before Amethio could decide who to send out next, Zygarde would take to the field by releasing Itself from Its Poké Ball. Its gaze was fierce, locked onto Spinel...Despite his circumstances, It felt that Spinel had crossed a line. And so, Zygarde couldn't ignore that, sharing a look with Amethio and nodding Its head.

Fine...If Spinel wanted to throw a curveball, then so would they. Zygarde...Amethio got the feeling It wanted to catch him off guard. 50% Forme...That would probably be expected by now. But even as the paralysis wracked him, he would be defiant.

"U-Urgh...Z-Zygarde! Power Construct, now! Y-Y...You know what to do!!!"

"Zeh!"

Suddenly, Zygarde would surge forward, instantaneously shifting into Its 50% Forme and reshaping Itself into a more humanoid shape. A tail would emerge from Its back, and four green wings would shoot forth and take shape, before It would pull Its arms to Its sides and strike a dramatic pose in midair. Once more...It had assumed Its true Forme, Its Complete Forme.

"GAR...DE!!!"

It was a reckless move...But, against an unexpected variable like this Metagross, Amethio couldn't afford to be careless. So, revealing his trump card, Zygarde's Complete Forme, was going to have to be his answer. But...That left one question.

"Pathetic, really. Perhaps you should sit down?"

He's still the real target here in Spinel's eyes. He hoped that Ninetales wouldn't miss its' mark if the chance arose again... But he couldn't risk taking his focus away from Corviknight, either. Not with the grudge it carried against him.

Spinel's smirk dropped as his eyes shifted to the conflict. Ice Beam hit regardless, it was time to keep pushing... At least, that was the plan before Hurricane was unleashed, and the force of the gales make quick work of the mist which his Pokemon summoned.

Ninetales was once again out in the open. He had to think quickly before Corviknight swooped in, that Steel Typing will swiftly be his Pokemon's end should an attack meet it.

...

What if he simply allowed that?

"Ninetales, Blizzard."

A point towards Amethio.

"Do not stop, no matter what."

Ninetales' moved its' gaze away from Corviknight, towards Amethio. The fox growled, its' call then echoing as frosted winds of its' own picked up.

"C-Corviknight...! Rgh...C-Curse you, Spinel...! You won't see me kneeling s-so easily...!"

...Spinel's words were getting to Amethio, as well. What did he know of the upbringing Amethio was forced into? He didn't know how hard Amethio had worked to try and make Gibeon proud of him, how his efforts to prove himself to the other Explorers Administrators and Generals had borne nothing...And it was that same indignation that was now forcing him to slam his right fist into the ground as he went numb again, a blatant refusal to drop from his paralysis.

...And though he didn't know the real Spinel's thoughts on him...Amethio couldn't ignore this fake personality's mocking.

"You don't...K-Know the first thing about me, anyway! You were...A-Always Grandfather's little favorite toady! You never had to prove yourself like the rest of us! You don't know the amount of work I tried to put in to prove I deserved my position to the rest of you! B-But...Bu-But you? You were just...H-Handed your position. And you have the n-nerve to call me pampered...? I am ignorant...B-But, I am not pampered. And all I hear from you is arrogance...!"

As Amethio spoke, Corviknight would force itself to draw closer to Ninetails...It was so very close to fainting. But, the moment it did, Amethio would be at risk...And Corviknight refused to allow that to happen, its wings shimmering a bluish-white as it attempted another Steel Wing. It just...

It needed to be closer. Just a little more...!

"Croooooaw...!"

...

Right at the perfect time, as Spinel planned to take full advantage of the opening he was given... It's ruined his scheme. He recalled Umbreon nonetheless, letting out an annoyed "Tch".

There was no time to consider it in the middle of battle.

"... Indeed. Dragon Pulse must have been stronger than expected. How lucky for you. But do not think you've escaped, Amethio. In this conflict, I'm ending our game."

And the next one was up. Corviknight, who Spinel also had the pleasure of capturing within his lab on that day. He only threw a smirk in its' direction. It was aggressive towards him from the start? Good. Rage within the Pokemon themselves is also a useful tool in his eyes.

Steel Wing was soon unleashed, the Pokemon flew to hit its' mark. If it struck, it would deal great damage to Ninetales... Time for a different approach.

"Use Mist. Then if the chance arises, Ninetales, Ice beam."

"..."

"...Tch...Corviknight, are you alright!?"

Thankfully, Corviknight had avoided suffering from being Frozen...But, it wasn't built to take Special Attacks as well as it was Physical Attacks. Though Ice-type Moves weren't super effective on the Raven Pokémon due to its part-Steel typing, he wanted to avoid taking too many...And he'd need to find a way to dispel this mist, himself.

After all, if Spinel could exploit it...Then, he couldn't suffer it to linger. Unfortunately, Amethio would grit his teeth as he suffered a jolt, his body feeling like dead weight for a moment due to the effects of Thunder Wave...It was all he could do to grit his teeth as he tried to force himself to stand up , his legs unsteady as he shot a defiant glare towards his opponent.

He just needed to force Malamar to the field and best it...There was no time to hesitate or doubt.

"...Hurricane! Blow this a-accursed fog away...!"

There was no telling when he'd collapse again...But, Amethio wouldn't roll over and let Spinel have his way. Not when the latter still needed to be saved, himself. And so, Corviknight would croak loudly, flapping its wings intensely and releasing a powerful gale of wind with the intent of exposing its foe.

Malos paused to watch the way Ceruledge's armor shattered in the wake of his attack, and the subsequent surge of aura to surround the Pokemon was another bit of data to store away. An Ability of some sort? He would have to cross-reference later to determine what it was exactly. It clearly meant some sort of power-boost; did that make for a more interesting fight?

Even for the lack of banter from Amethio, it's clear the boy is taking this more seriously. Ceruledge vanishes into a whirling portal of shadows, in a manner that he could imitate if he wanted but instead remains corporeal. Waiting to see and sense where his opponent would resurface from the darkness.

"What's that look for?" Malos taunts when he meets Amethio's gaze briefly, "There's no way you can beat me, there isn't anyone on this forsaken planet who can." His words have a cruel mirth to them but then Ceruledge reappears and it's own blades cut high across Malos' shoulders. And even though the blow made his body jerk, he laughed. It did not seem to cause him much distress at all.

"That was a neat trick, but it won't be enough."

Malos swings his Blade for Ceruledge again and they trade several blows, with the Aegis pushing the Pokemon closer to Amethio with each advance. The kanji glowing in his weapon's hilt changes, flickering with violet radiance, "Monado Jail!" A pulse of ether energy and glinting yellow chains materialize around Ceruledge; sealing it's movements and any ability to use Moves as well. But the chains wrap around Amethio too and paralyze him in place.

With them both shackled, Malos slams his Blade into Ceruledge and sends the 'mon careening into Amethio. "Pathetic," he sneers and makes a gesture with his free hand. Shadows pool around the pair, cold and viscous, swallowing the boy and his partner into their abyssal embrace.

They would be deposited moments later on some random street in Lumiose City, no longer bound in spectral chains at least.

A man, capable of fighting Pokémon on equal ground...Capable of powers he'd never even thought possible. And worse yet, he was pushing Ceruledge back, keeping them from getting even an inch of ground against him. And then...The kanji in his sword changed, and he used some kind of Move to entrap both him and Ceruledge. What was this power...?!

But...That wasn't the worst part. He'd been expelled from the Sewers, alongside Ceruledge, deposited in the middle of one of Lumiose's streets. And left feeling wholly inadequate, weak, from just how strong the other was...But, their assailant had made one critical error, Amethio noticed as he thanked Ceruledge, recalled his brother.

He'd let Amethio go with his life...And this had outlined just how weak Amethio truly was. He needed to become stronger, to better himself, if he wanted to oppose that kind of dreadful might.

"Who was that man...? I need to let Mable now, immediately...!"

"We simply need to deal with one little problem; you. Calling me a villain, however, how rude. We, at Exceed aim to do nothing but help people and Pokemon alike."

Though his expression soured with what followed. What was that? A Pokemon untrained, and stumbling the moment she left her ball. Unforgivable. An insult to a Researcher who was giving it his all.

"I won't forgive you for mocking me like this."

The blast itself though was dangerous, more powerful than what Deino's actions would make one believe. Umbreon dodged a direct strike, but Dragon Pulse burned the fur on its' side, the Pokemon letting out a yelp.

Wasting no time after the display of power, Spinel released another Pokemon...

"Ninetales, use Dazzling Gleam."

The Ice Fox was frustrated from the moment it emerged, looking upon this enemy as if insulted that it had to deal with her. Fine, it planned to end this quickly, and brutally.

It was quick to gather its' power within a sharp pink glow, energy becoming solid in the form of many small diamonds which would be directed at both Deino, and Amethio.

"Umbreon, use Snarl..."

"On our dear Amethio also."

It was time to make use of the paralysis which was set up when this battle began, since Amethio dared to send out such a weak Pokemon in front of him. Emotions were an issue for Malamar when they first show themselves. But it has learned to twist both anger, and joy into deep malice. Give into it, edge closer to the abyss and disappear.

Umbreon let out a huff at the order, the damage it sustained weighing on it. It had a choice to make here... It chose to believe in not only Alhazred, but Amethio also.

Stepping forward, Umbreon unleashed Snarl, putting all it had left into the blast, but purposely aiming it off to the side...

Allowing it to clash with Ninetales' Dazzling Gleam. Both attacks would no longer be perfectly on track, splitting them off into a joint eruption of energy which scattered near to their targets.

So, Spinel was targeting him, as well. And considering his paralysis...Amethio had no chance of evading. And neither did Deino. So, to see Umbreon misfire like that, so soon after realizing his predicament...There was no way Spinel would have intended that, right? So...Did that mean Umbreon had intentionally disobey...No, that couldn't be it.

Regardless...Deino had still been hit, fainting immediately from the force of the Fairy-type move. And the paralysis was still working its way through his system, too...A fine time to have no Cheri Berries on hand, truly. Still...He'd recall Deino, thanking her quietly before he chose to mock Spinel again. He still had Alolan Ninetails out on the field...And, Umbreon had, seemingly, fainted from Deino's attack despite still having energy before.

...He could ask Alhazred about it later. He knew who he was sending out next.

"...Thank you, Deino...Y-You seem to have had a misfire, Spinel! Now, I'm going to make you regret it! Corviknight, go!"

Once more, it took all of his strength to resist the paralysis, grasping the Raven Pokémon's Poké Ball and flinging it before he was wracked by a wave of immobility. Fortunately, the sphere would open, returning to Amethio as Corviknight stared down their opponents.

"Croooooaw!!!"

Corviknight's beady, red eyes would narrow upon recognizing its opponent...Spinel. Oh, how it had a score to settle...And with the state its Master Amethio seemed to be in? It was time to repay Spinel in spades. It would fluff out its tail and wings, displaying steel-tempered feathers in a show of aggression.

It was riled up, now...And it wanted to ensure that Hell itself was paid out.

"...Confounded paralysis...! Corviknight, use Steel Wing on Ninetails!"

"Which means your fate is concluded. I've decided to finally remove the thorn in my side."

A chuckle followed. Spinel took the chance to recall Magnezone as the battle continued. That was one annoyance out of the way. He could only assume how much of a grudge Ceruledge held against him. A shame Spinel didn't get the chance to return him to his lab.

Now he's gone... A Steelix is quite the foe to deal with. Not a fitting match for Umbreon. The Moonlight Pokemon braced itself, a much larger foe charging at it sent a chill down its' coat...

... But Umbreon waited for orders, brave in the face of this danger.

"Confuse Ray."

That made perfect sense; it would have a small window to meet its' gaze with with the Steel Snake as the attack came closer... Just a little more. Now. Umbreon attempted to lock eyes with Steelix and unleash Confuse Ray just moments before it was sent flying.

It managed to force itself to stand after scraping across the ground, huffing as the pain riddled its' body.

"Moonlight."

"Sh...Sh-Shut up, already...!"

Spinel still didn't realize he was the one who was trapped...That was good. Amethio just had to play the role set out for him, and then...Then, one nightmare could finally be put to bed. Amethio was glad he'd recalled Ceruledge so quickly, though...Even with his paralysis, he would protect his brother.

It wouldn't save Steelix from veering off course at the last moment, though, his massive body writhing as he struggled with confusion. Confuse Ray...Well played, he hated to admit. And that Moonlight undid any damage Umbreon had taken, as well...A battle of attrition it was, then. And the way "Spinel" spoke...It got on his last nerve, too.

Fine...If it kept the other busy, he'd feed into it a bit.

"Listen to you...Going on and on like you're in control. But, I know for a fact there's things g-going on...That you have no part of! C-Compared to that...You're nothing but a two-bit villain, Spinel! Steelix...R-Return!"

Amethio would recall Steelix with that, his body struggling to move from the Thunder Wave's effects...But, finally, he would manage to send out Steelix's replacement...A Pokémon that looked wholly unprepared as she stumbled around blindly.

"Nodei."

...He'd sent out Deino, having grasped the first Poké Ball in his possession. She wasn't ready for this...But, he had no choice right now; Spinel wanted his head, and they had to fight regardless. So, since he'd sent Deino out unwittingly...He'd put his faith in her, calling out to catch her attention.

"Deino, l-listen to me! Right in front of you...Th-There's an enemy! I need you to use Dragon Pulse on that enemy! Fu-Full power! I'll g-guide you!"

Thankfully, Deino understood and began to gather energy in her mouth...And then, she would fire, launching a multi-colored, dragon-shaped blast of energy at Umbreon. And also proceed to get knocked onto her side from the kickback of the attack. This was going to be tough...But, they'd make it through.

It was Spinel's mind on the line, after all. And even Spinel deserved to be rescued. But first...Deino needed to stand!