Chapter 861: The Brave Fear Not Death
Before the battle here had even begun.
The wristwatches worn by the four of them lit up.
Those were wristwatches forged from Tree of Beginning crystals.
Due to the limitations of technological equipment in League Calendar Year 150, this wasn't a particularly advanced communication device.
It could only emit light.
A green light meant everything was normal, with no Demon Gods approaching them.
A yellow light meant important information had been received, and they needed to return for a trip.
A red light meant the situation was extremely critical; either Shadow was approaching them, or some other situation had occurred.
"Red light."
Mewtwo glanced at the crystal stone on His wrist, His expression changing slightly, and turned to look at Kazuya.
"If Shadow was coming, He would have been here already. The incident probably isn't on our end."
Kazuya looked up at the three Demon Gods hovering in the sky.
Demon Gods have no reasoning.
Upon seeing life, They would immediately begin slaughtering.
Especially a guy like him whose entire body was entwined with over a dozen "divine auras."
Demon Gods would be even less able to hold back.
Unless.
Shadow was controlling Them.
Controlling Them to not rush into battle with Kazuya's group, delaying time as much as possible.
Therefore...
"These three guys are used to delay us. Shadow's objective is Sootopolis City, it's AZ and the others."
Kazuya's eyebrows twitched, instantly understanding everything.
He truly didn't expect this.
Over a hundred years since the Great Darkness, Shadow, who had never laid a hand on humans, was actually using this method to target humans this time.
It seemed.
He was truly out of ideas.
And truly perceived the trouble brought by those immortals like AZ.
AZ and the other three had been gathered together for seventy years.
They had helped Kazuya and his group with many things.
For example.
Acting as Kazuya and his group's "eyes."
Just like Shadow had a group of Ghost-type Pokemon in the past, Kazuya and his group were also utilizing the Tree of Beginning crystals with the help of AZ and the others.
Not to mention the most basic supply of materials like Reversion Pills.
Various matters had also caused Shadow a lot of trouble.
Presumably, Shadow couldn't stand Them anymore and prepared to completely erase them.
At this time.
The "red light" of the Tree of Beginning crystal on their wrists extinguished.
And turned into a "green light."
Everything is fine.
But this was clearly impossible.
Presumably.
AZ and the others had already guessed what was going on.
They were preparing to sacrifice themselves.
"We have to go back and save everyone," Lucario spoke.
"I'm afraid these three guys won't just stand by and watch us go back."
Kazuya glanced up.
The three Demon Gods were positioned in three directions, blocking all the paths they could take to leave.
He raised his hand and opened a spatial wormhole nearby.
The red light in Dialga's eyes flickered, the Roar of Time in Its mouth ready to be unleashed, but It didn't rush to fire it.
Kazuya lifted his foot.
Boom——!!
A black and white energy pillar shimmering with cosmic light crashed across space and time.
In a split second.
The Roar of Time bombarded the spatial wormhole, instantly disintegrating it.
The speed was so fast.
That Kazuya almost didn't react in time.
A drop of cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
Roar of Time doesn't have the ability to cross space; that attack just now was purely because the move had been "accelerated."
Accelerated to the point where Kazuya could only barely perceive it.
[Controlling the speed of moves]
Presumably.
This was one of the abilities the Roar of Time gained after evolving.
A bit troublesome, but not overly broken.
At least Kazuya wasn't intimidated in a fight, it was just that using the Power of Space to escape would be very difficult.
After one strike.
Dialga immediately stopped.
It had no intention of continuing to attack.
"It seems I cannot leave. You guys give it a try."
Kazuya raised his hand again.
A spatial wormhole instantly appeared in front of Scizor.
He lifted his foot and tried to step towards the vortex.
Dialga didn't even spare a glance, focusing entirely on Kazuya throughout.
"So that's how it is. These three guys are used to hold me back. You guys can leave, but I cannot."
Kazuya understood.
Shadow was afraid that he would return to Sootopolis City and then use the Power of Space to take AZ and the others and escape.
Therefore.
Any other Pokemon returning to Sootopolis City was fine.
Except for him.
"Can we use the Red Chain to restrict Dialga, and then leave together?"
Lucario asked.
"No, Rayquaza and Kyurem won't just sit by and watch. Moreover, how strong the restrictive power of this Red Chain created by Team Galactic is unknown. It definitely can't compare to the Lake Guardians personally using Mystical Power."
Kazuya shook his head.
"Since that's the case, at least two of us three need to stay behind, otherwise Kazuya, you might be killed," Mewtwo said.
None of the three Demon Gods present were easy to deal with.
Especially with Dialga only staring at Kazuya.
If all three of them left.
By then, Shadow might accidentally end up eliminating the Boss.
"Of course we can't go back. Even if we went back, it would be meaningless. Could the three of us possibly be a match for Shadow? Going back is no different from throwing our lives away."
Scizor's expression was plain. He turned to look at the conflicted Lucario, his words holding a specific meaning. "There is no way to have the best of both worlds. We only have two choices."
"Either abandon them and eliminate these three Demon Gods at the fastest speed."
"Or abandon one of us, sacrificing one person's life to stall for enough time for them to escape."
"Of course, no matter which one, there is a possibility of failure."
Abandoning AZ and the others.
Kazuya and the other three might not be able to kill the three Demon Gods in the air before Shadow arrives.
But abandoning one of them.
Might not be able to stall until AZ and his group all safely leave either.
And the probability of killing the three Demon Gods was even smaller.
Almost non-existent.
These words.
Were meant for Lucario to hear.
Because Scizor understood that the most conflicted one present was the dog.
If it were Mewtwo and Scizor...
They would choose to stay and try to kill the three Demon Gods.
It wasn't being heartless.
It was just that in necessary sacrifices, they chose to preserve the greater hope.
"..."
Kazuya's gaze fell on Lucario, seeing the torment in his heart.
As a fellow Aura Envoy.
He could understand Lucario's feelings.
Aura Envoys are best at prioritizing the big picture.
But the premise is that this big picture only requires sacrificing themselves.
Asking Lucario to sacrifice companions and the weak to stabilize the big picture, he couldn't do it.
"Lucario."
"Lord Kazuya..."
Lucario raised his head, looking at Kazuya, a hint of expectation surfacing in his pupils.
He couldn't make a decision.
So he wanted to get an answer from Kazuya.
"If you want to go back, then go back."
Kazuya lowered his head, his eyelids dropping.
"...Yes!"
Lucario's eyes widened, and he finally nodded heavily, his eyes incredibly resolute.
At the same time.
In his heart.
He felt immensely relieved at this moment.
Since the direction was set.
Then he only needed to move forward bravely.
If Kazuya forced him to stay.
It would only make Lucario live the rest of his life in self-blame and pain.
Fortunately.
Kazuya was also an Aura Envoy.
Buzz~
The spatial wormhole opened again.
The abyss-like vortex seemed ready to swallow Lucario's life.
But he had no hesitation whatsoever.
An Aura Brave would not fear death.
Just as Lucario was about to step into it, Kazuya's voice sounded beside him: "You will die."
"...I only seek a worthy death."
Lucario turned around and bowed deeply to Kazuya, "Thank you for your constant guidance."
There was so much he wanted to be thankful for.
It was just that.
He didn't have the chance to finish.
Kazuya looked at him, his eyes gentle.
He reached out and gently rubbed Lucario's furry head: "If your master knew your choice, he would definitely be incredibly proud of you. You are already a qualified Aura Brave."
The helpless voice fell.
The corners of Lucario's mouth lifted, and two tears fell from his lowered face.
"Scizor, Mewtwo, I leave the rest to you. I'm sorry..."
He turned and left.
Disappearing before the eyes of Kazuya and the other two.
The spatial wormhole vanished.
Lucario embarked on a Brave's path destined for death.
"He still followed the faith in his heart."
Mewtwo sighed heavily.
Another companion was going to leave them.
"This is an Aura Envoy."
Scizor clenched his pincers tightly, a trace of sorrow flashing in his eyes.
They are companions.
So they can understand Lucario.
An Aura Envoy.
Is an existence willing to bet their life for their beliefs, and finally smile as they scatter and wither.
Lucario was no exception.
Protecting the weak.
Was his belief.
It was also the reason he embarked on this path.
He chose to protect the beings in Sootopolis City, to protect the weak ones there.
This was something they had expected long ago.
Even though this would greatly lower the success rate of their operation here.
But they wouldn't blame Lucario.
No one in this world has the right to demand that others sacrifice themselves for them.
Besides.
They are companions.
A friendship spanning a century.
Could they not respect each other's beliefs and choices?
"Then, next, it's our turn."
Kazuya clenched his fists tightly.
He turned to look at Dialga in the sky.
Having lost Lucario, this powerful combatant, the pressure on their side suddenly increased considerably.
But even so.
There was still a chance.
Kazuya said no more.
Bzzzt~
Leaving a blue electric spark in place, he charged towards the God of Time in the sky.
"Mewtwo, you hold off Rayquaza. I'm going to kill that guy with my own hands."
Scizor spoke at this moment, turning his head to look at the Ice Dragon not far away.
A hint of hatred surfaced in his eyes.
Even though more than half a century had passed.
The humiliation Kyurem left behind back then was still vivid in Scizor's mind.
"Alright!"
Mewtwo nodded.
He raised His hand and swallowed three Reversion Pills at once.
What Mega Rayquaza's strength was like.
He had become very clear over these years.
Knowing He was not a match for Rayquaza, He didn't dare to be overconfident and decisively maxed out on Reversion Pills.
If it was just holding It off...
He could still hold It off for a quarter of an hour.
Teleport.
Mewtwo disappeared from the spot, appearing near Rayquaza the next second, drawing the other party's attention.
On the ground.
"It's our turn."
Scizor raised his arms and snapped his pincers.
He had said before.
He would definitely kill Kyurem and retrieve the Icicle Plate for his Master.
Today.
Is the time to fulfill that promise.
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