From: Zephyr: Soldier Through This (zephyr@1stconnect.com) Subject: [PW!] Rise of the Naiad: Last Resort Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2000-12-01 15:47:38 PST PokeWars: Rise of the Naiad Part II [REWRITE] "Last Resort" The fires of the canyon glowed brightly as the shadows of the two warriors danced on the walls. Phacelia had chosen herself over the others in an attempt to protect their lives and the kingdom. Hariko, large and bulky, the Sandslash had no fear in its eyes and seem prepared to die in a moment's notice. The guards had brought out the queen's family weapons, a pair of claws similar to that of a Sandslash but a tad smaller, and equipped them on to the queen as she eyed her opponent attempting to gauge its strengths and weaknesses. "That's it! Hariko battle the intruder!" Kotetsu's voice, loud and commanding, echoed off the canyon walls. "Now that neither of us has a weapon advantage, I think its time we test each others skills" Phacelia spoke, calm and bravely. Hariko howled as he charged at Phacelia, missing her by a few feet before jump-kicking off the canyon wall instead. Phacelia saw the large mass come towards as she rolled out the way. A small wind blown into the canyon, rustling the few leaves found in it. Tumbleweed would sporadically roll by, almost giving this setting an old western like appearance. Hariko, disgusted by not having made contact, decided a fast charge would do her in. The Sandslash quickly charged its target, as Phacelia dove out the way. She quickly span around and initiated a charge of her own. The members of both clans cheered on their own. This duel would distinguish the winner and the fate of the Aster Clan members. Hariko, using what agility he had in him, flipped over the queen and attempted a slash. Phacelia noticing the impending danger quickly span out the way and jumped to safety. As for Hariko his flip didn't quite complete as he quickly landed on his claws before flipping onto his feet. Phacelia, observing the Sandslash's attacks, attempted a jump-kick of her own as she ran past Hariko and jumped off the canyon wall with her claws extended. Hariko, already predicting where the queen will land, moves out the way and kicked her. Phacelia landed on her feet with a grunt before brushing back her petals. A flock of Spearows soon arrived, ready to feast on the corpse of the defeated. Not taking any chances Hariko ran towards the queen before turning that run into a fast roll. Impressed by Hariko's speed, Phacelia, with the reflexes of a mother, flipped over Hariko and attempted to slash at him. The large Sandslash managed to evade the attack before back flipping to his feet, before attempting another charge. This time Phacelia was ready as she quickly climbed a nearby tree, before taking refuge. The large ground mouse stood there as he waited for the queen to come back down. Phacelia quickly looked around, looking for something that will give her the advantage. A vine was spotted; it looked sturdy enough to inflict damage. Hariko growled as the vine hit, his slash failed to block it as Phacelia continued whipping. Hariko continued his fury swipes, however, the vine soon became tangled around Hariko's arm. Phacelia saw this as her opportunity and quickly tied the other end of the vine to one of the tree's branches. Her petals flowed as she landed on her feet. Now that Hariko was immobilized she would make her move, and hopefully, final charge. However, Hariko was not slow to react as he swiftly cut off the other vine with his free claw. The spiky hedgehog soon rolled out the way of the queen's attacked. Frustrated Phacelia attempted yet another charge, this time it would be different. Phacelia ran towards Hariko before flipping and attempting a spinning slash. The large Sandslash was too powerful as he knocked the queen down with his own claw. Phacelia tumbled to the ground, where she struggled to get up. Now that the enemy was down, Hariko decided he would finish her off as he charged at her, claws extended. Phacelia screamed as she jumped out the way, before climbing yet another tree. She would not have this primitive pokemon end her life and the future of her clan. Hariko, annoyed, decided not to wait and quickly slashed the tree. The tree swayed as Phacelia quickly jumped towards Hariko with her claws extended. Once again, Hariko managed to evade her attack. With a yell Phacelia ran towards the canyon wall and attempted another of Hariko's jump kicks. Hariko yawned, as he pushed her way with his own claws. Landing with a back flip Phacelia noticed a large flat rock to her right. The idea struck her as she lured Hariko over to it. "You have shown great vigor, Hariko, but we'll see how your vigor compares to my resourcefulness", her voice timid, yet, wise. Hariko shrugged his shoulders before attacking. However, Phacelia retreated to the back but soon changed directions and ran upwards on the boulder. She reached the top and without hesitation back flipped off it and over Hariko. She landed and quickly spun around slashing Hariko. Hariko looked down, blood began to trickle out from his chest. Another howl was let out as Hariko lunged towards the queen. Phacelia was cut off guard as she attempted to spin out the way. Petals fell, as did red liquid. Hariko managed to take off a few petals with his attack. However, he looked disgusted as he failed yet again. "Surrender before one of us bleeds to death" the please of the Queen were ignored. "You fool, this is a fight to the death. Either you kill or be killed" Kotetsu snorted as he replied. He wanted to see more blood and a carcass soon, if not then he would be doing the killing. "NO. I will not kill for sport. The thought being entertained by these savage actions sickens me. PLEASE stop this at once. Before one of your clans members meets their doom. And for..." Phacelia was cut off as Hariko secretly made his attack. A large gash appeared on her arm as green blood trickled down and on to the floor. Hariko, ruthless and wanting to end this, slashed again. Phacelia jumped back as she attempted to reason with the Sandslash. "Do you wish to die such a honorless death?" "To die in battle is to die with honor!" his tone of voice thirsty for blood. "No, I can't go on" Phacelia spoke almost frantically as she dropped to her knees. "Then so be it, finish me off. I refuse to kill out of sport." She looked at Kotetsu bravely she would welcome the great beyond. Hirako raised his claw to deliver the final slash, "Then you will die without honor!" he yelled as he charged. "It's a shame I really thought Kotetsu would train his men to be stronger and perhaps more intelligent. I guess we can't all have high expectations", Phacelia quickly spoke as she rose to her feet and lunged at Hirako with her claws extended. Hirako grunted, another gash appeared, this time it was his tanned belly that was injured. With a great deal of blood lost Hirako fell to floor as he looked up at the queen. "No... Hirako... must... get up..." Hirako struggled to get the words out. With another grunt he got to his feet, shaky but still up. "You have chosen your destiny. I hope you do not regret it", the words tumbled out of Phacelia's mouth as she charged. This was her last resort. She quickly spun and delivered a backhanded slash, before continuing and giving another slash with her other hand. Her "battle dance" ended as she delivered another backhanded slash. Hariko, covered in blood, stood there. He was shaking, out of fear or out of shock; he knew what his fate would be. "You lived by the sword, and so you will die by it, with honor!" Phacelia finished as she raised her hand. The strike came quickly as her claw quickly penetrated the skin, and finally it punctured the heart. Hariko stood there, he lost to the female intruder, but he died a worthy death. Hariko let out his final gasp of air before slumping over and falling onto the ground. "You have defeated Hirako. Your account is true", Kotetsu said, disturbed that he lost one of his best warriors to a female Vileplume. "I thank you for believing me, however the price was much" Phacelia panted as she caught her breath. "That is the way of life. Now, what do you seek here?" "I seek permission to finish Gardena's ferry to the mainland. We only plan to build a small station on the coast. I also wish for you to release my people who you captured." "Release them." Kotetsu commanded as a pair of Sandslash released the group from their imprisonment. "As for the ferry?" "We will allow you to finish this station, but we ask for something in return. What can you offer us?" "We have many valuable jewels, seashells, supplies, and so forth." "Supplies?" "Yes, we manufacture our own potions and healing materials. If you should ever need them we will be more than happy to oblige." "Make us a better offer." Kotetsu said, as he thought over his decision. The supplies seemed good, but he knew they had more to offer. Phacelia sighed as she thought her choice. "We will offer ourselves as Allies to your clan. If ever a war arises that you cannot overcome alone we will come to your support, with warriors and supplies." Phacelia stated, hoping that she would not regret it. "In exchange for your supplies and alliance, we will allow you to finish this ferry station of yours." "Thank you. We will not disappoint you and your clan." said Phacelia as the clan regrouped. "I'm sure we will meet again. Again, thank you Kotetsu, though we both paid a heavy price the outcome from it is well worth it." The group left quietly, the workers would return tomorrow to finish their project and soon enough the ferry would be complete. Not a single word was uttered as the group made their way across the sea. It was sure that they would not forget this experience anytime soon. "An alliance with the Kilik, maybe something good might come out of it. However, the price for it was much. I only hope that Hariko did not die with regret. I sometimes wonder if I'm fit enough to be Queen, my husband is nothing but a general. I'm always stuck with the diplomatic problems. I hope that this feeling of distress leaves me soon, it is not wise to be preoccupied with oneself, when the balance of an entire society is at stake", these thoughts, among others, raced through Phacelia's mind. Phacelia closed her eyes as she dipped her claws into the ocean water. The blood was soon washed off by the water and with it the guilt that was attached to it. The killing was her only resort, her last resort.