Power Struggles

Lance ran out of the vault room excitedly, carrying the Dreepy egg, and Alice followed him, carrying all the items I had picked out for her and her team. Personal PSPs were not allowed into the family vault for security reasons, so she had to carry them alongside her using her psychic powers. I took one last look around the vault room with my observation skill to make sure that I hadn't missed anything.

Right after I confirmed that I hadn't overlooked anything, just as I was about to step out of the vault room, I heard a sudden commotion from outside the vault door entrance.

"Young Master Lance, please leave the Pokémon egg behind. The Elder Council has passed an order to seal the vault for the time being, and all the items from the vault need to be returned for proper inspection. Each item from the expedition has to be accounted for, so you need to return everything you took out from the vault."

Elder Jonathan, accompanied by a group of other family members and guards, was confronting Alice and Lance. Lance was a bit shaken by the aura emitted by the party and hid behind Alice while holding onto the Pokémon egg tightly.

"Elder Jonathan, you are crossing the line. Do you think that I will not retaliate just because you are part of the family? And why was I not informed when the Elder Council was convened? Last time I checked, I was also part of the said Elder Council."

Alice was fuming with anger because the group was trying to intimidate Lance with their aura. What Elder Jonathan and the group were doing right now was touching Alice's bottom line.

"Alice, it was an emergency, and the issue involved you, so you were not advised of the meeting. Now that the council has made a decision, the rule applies to everyone. Even if you are an elder, you are no exception. Now that the vault is to be sealed, you are to leave all the items behind. That includes all the Pokémon eggs and Pokéballs that you are carrying."

Jonathan couldn't help but gloat at Alice's misfortune, and the thought of acquiring all the items that Alice had personally selected left him feeling exhilarated. He knew that any of the things Alice personally chose must be extraordinary in nature.

Normally, Jonathan would not have been so bold to confront Alice, but now that the Elder Council had passed the order to seal the vault, he couldn't help but use it to his advantage. Basically, everyone wanted a piece of the pie because the amount of resources collected from the expedition proposed by Alice was a truly monstrous amount, and other family members did not want to see Alice monopolizing such a rich haul. The Elder Council knew that Alice would not acknowledge such an order, so as a precaution, they had also appointed a team led by a senior elder, who was an Epic-level trainer, to secure the vault and enforce the order. The elder was more than a match for Alice's strength, so Jonathan knew that Alice would be contained in case she exploded with anger.

As tensions in the vault room continued to escalate, an imposing figure stepped forward from the group that accompanied Elder Jonathan. It was the Senior Elder, Theron, an accomplished Epic-level trainer and a highly respected member of the Blackthorn family. With a commanding presence and an aura of power that rivaled Alice's, he was one of the few individuals who could make her think twice.

 "Enough of this squabbling," Theron declared, his voice filled with authority. "We shall not further delay the Council's orders. Alice, you understand that even as an Elder, you must adhere to the family's rules."

Alice met Theron's gaze, her frustration evident, but she nodded. "I understand, but I won't let my efforts go to waste. These resources were gathered through my careful planning, and they are meant to benefit our family."

Theron nodded appreciatively, acknowledging Alice's commitment to the family's welfare. "I have put together an elite team to oversee the sealing of the vault and the inventory of the expedition's treasures. We shall ensure that everything is properly accounted for and secured."

Alice couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, intrigued by the mention of the elite team. "Elite team, you say?"

Theron's expression softened slightly, and he inclined his head. "Yes, we have some exceptional talent among us. This is a matter of great importance to our family, and we want to ensure it is handled with the utmost care."

With that, Theron signaled to the group that had accompanied him, and four highly skilled trainers, each holding the family crest on their uniforms, entered the room. They radiated power and experience, and their presence alone was enough to bring a sense of gravity to the situation.

Theron's voice remained calm and unwavering as he continued, "Little Alice, I understand that this may appear unjust to you. The incredible gain from the expedition is causing quite a stir within the family. To avoid further conflicts and maintain our family's unity, the Elder Council believes it is best for these resources to be under their direct control. This way, we can ensure they are used for the family's benefit as a whole."

While the situation was undeniably challenging for Alice, Theron's adherence to the family's rules and protocols was evident. He was steadfast in his duty, acting as an enforcer of the council's decisions.

Theron's age and seniority bestowed upon him a deep understanding of the family's inner workings. He was from Alice's grandfather's generation, more than half a millennium old, and held a unique position within the family. Not only did he sit on the Elder Council, but he also possessed the privilege of approaching the core elders for counsel, a privilege reserved for very few. This familiarity with the Blackthorn family's core structure allowed Theron to make well-informed decisions regarding the family's future.

Despite the tension and uncertainty that hung in the air, Theron was determined to find a resolution that would maintain the family's cohesion while acknowledging Alice's invaluable contributions.

Alice's anger was still palpable, but she knew that resisting the will of the Elder Council would not be easy, and she didn't want to create further divisions within the family. However, the resources that she had acquired through her proposal and the expedition were exceptional, and she was determined to ensure they were used wisely.

Alice, well aware of Elder Theron's unwavering resolve, understood that the situation was not in her favor. The tension in the room had made her momentarily forget Aron's special status within the family's core echelon. Despite her seething anger and her desire to confront Jonathan, she knew it was futile against the combined forces of the Elder Council and the family's longstanding traditions.

In the midst of this intense atmosphere, Jonathan, who was standing on the sidelines, gave a subtle signal to one of his personal guards. The guard stealthily moved towards Lance, intent on snatching the Dreepy egg from the young boy's grasp. When Alice saw this, her anger flared uncontrollably. She released her dark-type aura in a sudden burst, causing the surroundings to tremble. The sheer pressure from her aura pinned the guard to the ground, rendering him immobile. But before she could unleash her full fury on Jonathan, a formidable steel-type aura counteracted her dark aura, preventing her from causing harm. It was Elder Theron who had stepped in to protect Jonathan from the full force of Alice's power.

Amid this clash of auras, Absol, Alice's companion who was by my side, reacted instinctively. She went into battle mode and flashed to Alice's side, ready to confront the perceived threat. The sudden appearance of an Epic-level Pokémon, radiating an intimidating bloodlust, sent most of the people in the room stepping back involuntarily. The pressure was stifling, and the potential for conflict loomed.

The centuries of battle instincts honed within Elder Theron made him release his Pokémon without a second thought. The elite trainers from the family also moved to release their Pokémon, recognizing the tense situation.

[SCIZOR] 

Species: Pincer Pokémon 

Gender: Male 

Status: Healthy 

Level: 3847 

Stage: Epic 

Height: 2.0 m

Weight: 128.4 kg

Type: Bug/Steel 

Potential: Dark Blue

Ability: Technician 

Hidden Ability: Light Metal

 Stats:

HP: 2064 

Attack: 2364

Defense: 1968 

Special Attack: 1374

Special Defense: 1704

Speed: 1506 

Moves: 

Bullet Punch, U-turn, X-Scissor, Iron Head, Pursuit, Quick Attack, Night Slash, Swords Dance, Roost, Aerial Ace, Bug Bite, Fury Cutter, Metal Claw, Agility, Baton Pass, Double Hit, Dual Wingbeat, False Swipe, Iron Defense, Iron Tail, Laser Focus, Leer, Magnet Rise, Mean Look, Reversal, Scary Face, Screech, Slash, Struggle Bug, Wing Attack, Air Slash, Bug Buzz, Lock-On, Focus Energy, Mind Reader, Tri Attack, Counter, Detect, Meteor Mash, Psycho Cut, Guillotine.

However, what none of them expected was that the flaring auras had put their Pokémon in a heightened state of readiness. Before their trainers could even issue commands, the Pokémon, sensing a potential threat, instinctively began to engage in battle.

Without warning, Absol lunged forward, a dark blur that seemed to melt into the shadows. It was a Quick Attack, a lightning-fast strike aimed at catching Scizor off guard. Scizor, however, was no slouch in speed. In the blink of an eye, its metallic form came alive, dodging Absol's assault with agility that defied the laws of physics. The room reverberated with the swift movements of the two Pokémon.

A collective gasp escaped the onlookers as they realized the room had become a battleground. Absol was the embodiment of grace and agility, while Scizor exuded a mechanical precision. The two Pokémon were evenly matched, and the crowd watched in awe, held captive by the spectacle before them.

As Absol's Quick Attack ended, it pivoted gracefully, facing Scizor. Sensing an opening, Scizor retaliated with a series of blindingly fast Metal Claw strikes. Its bladed arms gleamed as they sliced through the air, reflecting the ambient light, creating a mesmerizing display of combat expertise. The audience held their breath as they watched, wondering how Absol would respond.

Absol, not to be outdone, showcased its elegance and precision. It moved like a dance, a mesmerizing ballet, avoiding the bladed strikes with graceful twirls and fluid movements. Only a few of Scizor's Metal Claw attacks found their mark, grazing Absol's fur, causing minor nicks and scratches. Absol's agility and evasiveness were a sight to behold, and the crowd couldn't help but cheer for the dark-clad Pokémon.

But the battle was far from over. Absol was ready to counter. With a sudden burst of energy, it summoned a Razor Wind. The room seemed to shiver as razor-sharp gusts formed around Absol, creating a controlled tempest. The air filled with the sound of whirling blades, yet the powerful winds avoided any direct impact on the spectators or the fragile surroundings.

Scizor knew it had to act quickly. It shot forward, its metallic exoskeleton glinting, intending to execute its iconic Bullet Punch. This was an attack as precise and swift as a bullet, intended to intercept Absol in the midst of its Razor Wind.

The room held its breath as the battle reached its zenith. Scizor's bullet-like fist struck true, connecting with Absol. The impact was intense, and the dark Pokémon was knocked back, its fur rustled by the sheer force of the punch. But it managed to regain its footing with a graceful roll, landing back on its paws.

Absol's eyes shone with a determination that could not be dimmed. It retaliated with a Dark Pulse, summoning a controlled burst of dark energy. The dark waves rippled through the room, but the Pokémon maintained the attack's focus, avoiding collateral damage.

Scizor, determined as ever, was not to be outdone. It replied with a gleaming X-Scissor, slashing its scythe-like blades through the air. The collision of forces created a dazzling explosion of energy, illuminating the room, but the metal-plated walls and fixtures stood resolute, showing no signs of distress.

The battle between Absol and Scizor had the room's occupants on edge. As the intense clash of forces continued, the pressure from the battle was palpable. People whispered among themselves, and a mix of excitement and concern filled the room. Some couldn't tear their eyes away from the spectacle, while others exchanged worried glances, aware that the battle had the potential to escalate into something more destructive.

Absol, determined to maintain the upper hand, lunged once again, summoning a Psycho Cut, the room's atmosphere seemingly thickening with the dark energy it exuded. Scizor responded with a Swords Dance, its movements a carefully choreographed defense against the impending psychic attack.

The two Pokémon were engaged in a deadly dance, where each move held the promise of victory or defeat. The audience could feel the weight of every action, the room's air becoming charged with anticipation.

As Absol's Psycho Cut sliced through the air with menacing intent, Scizor moved with incredible precision. Its bladed arms shifted, parrying the psychic attack in a dazzling display of skill. The crowd couldn't help but marvel at the intricacy of the battle unfolding before their eyes. It was a testament to the sheer strength and agility of both Pokémon.

But the battle was far from over, and the room seemed to grow more compact as the two Pokémon moved at lightning speed. Absol released a focused Blizzard, the temperature in the room plummeting as icy shards whirled around. The spectators shivered as they witnessed the controlled chaos, appreciating the finesse with which Absol had managed to contain the icy storm, preventing collateral damage to the room.

Scizor, always ready to adapt, emerged from its icy prison, breaking free with a Superpower. The shockwaves of energy reverberated through the room, causing minor tremors, but the reinforced walls and fixtures held steady. The onlookers watched in awe as the Pokémon continued to test their limits.

It was in the final moments of this incredible battle that the pressure and tension reached their peak. Both Absol and Scizor had pushed themselves to their limits. The room's occupants watched with bated breath, knowing that the battle was about to escalate to a stage where the room itself might not withstand the fury of their moves.

Absol and Scizor stood locked in a final exchange, poised to unleash their ultimate attacks, their trainers recognizing the impending danger. It was a moment of truth, and they knew that any further escalation could lead to significant damage to the room and potentially endanger the people inside.

Alice and Elder Theron, recognizing the perilous situation, promptly reined in their Pokémon. Scizor, a mid-stage Epic-level Pokémon, took up a protective stance in front of Elder Theron, prepared to shield him should Absol decide to take action. Alice, mindful of the gravity of the situation, was determined to avoid escalating it into an all-out conflict. After what felt like an eternity, Alice made the difficult decision to step back. She retracted her overwhelming Dark-type aura, and Elder Theron followed suit. Absol, too, withdrew its battle stance and positioned itself protectively in front of Alice and Lance.

The tension in the room began to ease as the immediate threat of confrontation subsided. The vault room returned to a state of uneasy calm, but the underlying issues remained unresolved.