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Explorer Recruits - Mission 1 - Chapter 3

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The Rampaging Colossus -- The Bigger They Are…

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“On yout left!”

At Luke’s warning, Griffon flung himself away as a titanic limb came crashing down next to him, tumbling along the street before skidding to a stop. He cursed softly as the chunk of stone where he’d just stood was yanked from the ground and summarily crushed between the golem’s fingers. He was barely given a moment to rest before the colossus swung his arm around for another blow.

With an indignant roar, Griffon slammed his forelegs into the ground, a pair of jagged stones breaking off from the street’s surface, with a swing of his trunk he sent both missiles hurtling at the beast’s arm, holding it back. The golem adjusted though, using the shift in momentum to send his other arm crashing down, but this time, it was more than just a bare fist. The golem’s fingers clicked together sharply, igniting a spark among them that immediately billowed to life in a roaring flame that engulfed the construct’s arm.

Griffon’s eyes widened at the sight. No time to mount a counter-attack, it was already too close! The Donphan leapt aside as he curled up beneath his tough hide, just barely managing to roll away, the flames from the titan’s arm licking at his side before he cleared the blow. The groud shook as it caved in beneath the creature’s fist, its arm sinking into the earth beneath.

In a flash, Luke was beneath the beast, capitalizing on the position to launch himself into a fierce uppercut, slamming his fist against the golem’s smooth carapace, yanking its arm from the Earth and sending it stumbling back.

But that wasn’t stopping the beast. As though it hadn’t even felt the blow, the golem allowed itself to be thrown back, stretching as far as it could before flinging itself forward, both arms rushing down to crush the pesky amphibian. Luke barely had enough to leap away before both monstrous arms slammed down into the pavement, leaving little more than a crater in their wake.

This time, it was Griffon’s turn to capitalize on the construct’s position. He wrapped himself back up, hurtling along the road at the hunched behemoth.

The golem, however, would not be caught unawares. Without moving from its position, the beast reached out an arm, fingers opening as a deep red began to glow from the socket in its palm. Glowing light crackled to life between its fingers, growing into a bright beacon before shooting out in a beam of searing energy aimed straight at the advancing Donphan.

Griffon had been expecting something like that though, and quickly swerved around the beam, and the deluge of those that followed, rolling just beneath the golem’s arm. Kicking his foot to the ground, Griffon launched himself into the air, slamming his spinning body into the golem’s limb, sending it flying upward, taking the beast with it. Immediately, he unfurled himself and sucked in a deep breath, snapping his trunk forward as a high-pressure torrent of acidic slime came bursting out from its tip, slamming into the beast, sending it back further onto its heels.

“Right behind ya, Mate!”

Griffon looked back, just in time to see Luke rushing past him. The Swampert heaved himself forward and leapt into the air, slamming himself down into the ground just in front of the construct. The impact opened another crack in street, the little crevasse quickly opening into a monstrous crag as stone spires leapt from the Earth, the line of destruction rushing straight for the golem’s leg. As the rocky pillars sprang up beneath the golem’s foot, the beast fell back, utterly upended, slamming to the ground with a thunderous impact.

Griffon hunched himself down, ready to launch himself at the colossus once more as soon as the beast got back up on his feet. He didn’t know how long he could keep doing this. No matter what they threw at this thing, it just kept getting back up! And it was getting faster, stronger too. Nothing they did slowed this thing down for more than a few seconds! The Donphan glanced over at Luke, who stood at the ready as well, shoulders heaving under heavy breaths, “Luke. When’d you say that back-up of yours was gonna get here, again?”

Luke growled, body tensing as he returned Griffon’s look, “They oughtta be ready any time now! Just a little longer, Griffon! We just gotta hold on a bit lon--”

His words were cut short as a blazing red beam of energy slammed into his side, sending the Swampert flying.

Griffon snapped his gaze back to the titan and cursed bitterly. In the short time they’d taken their eyes off the beast, it had shifted its arm and aimed a shot right at the distracted amphibian, and was just about to fire another one at him!

The Donphan leapt away just as the searing streak of condensed energy ripped through the ground where he’d been standing, shredding through the street and up into the wall of an adjacent building. As soon as the beam dissipated the golem planted its hand firmly against the ground, lifting itself back up.

Griffon came to a stop beside Luke, the Swampert’s hand gripping his side, the smooth hide burnt where the blast had hit him. Before Griffon could say a word, Luke waved him off, getting back to his feet, “I’m fine, I’m fine. Just a bit singed. Get ready! It’s comin’ in for another round!”

Sure enough, the titan was already back on its feet, looking absolutely no worse for wear from the beating it had just taken. Griffon snarled in frustration. There was no stopping this thing!

The golem charged, both of its arms bursting into flame as it rushed the two weary Pokemon. Both managed to leap away as the beast rammed its blazing limbs forward, but they weren’t moving quick enough! The golem caught Luke mid-leap, ramming the trunk of its arm against the Swampert, sending him slamming back to the ground, heaving its other arm upward, slamming into Griffon’s stomach and sending the pachyderm skyward!

Griffon fought desperately to right himself in the air, if he landed askew like he was, he’d be too vulnerable to attack! He’d be mincemeat in seconds!

It seemed, however, he wouldn’t even be given the chance to hit the ground.

As he twisted himself in the air, Griffon once again faced the raging monster, and the construct wasn’t about to give Griffon the chance to launch a counterattack. Its arm was aimed dead-on at the flying Donphan, another beam already charged and ready to fire. There was nowhere to run. Nothing to do. He wasn’t even sure he could curl up under his hide in time. It was too late…he could hear the energy crackle and pop. It was over. All he could do was close his eyes and wait for the gut-wrenching scream of energy ripping through the air.

“Oi! Over here, ya big, ruddy tosspot!!”

That was not the sort of gut-wrenching scream he’d been expecting.

Griffon opened his eyes just in time to upright himself as he came slamming to the ground, feet skidding along the ground before he went tumbling to a stop. He whipped his gaze to the air watching as a blinding light streaked past, emanating from a little floating star whipping around the golem’s head.

“Private Flynn McIntyre returning from leave, sir! Sorry t’keep ya waitin’!”

Griffon watched, dumbstruck as the Staryu zipped around the titan’s head, the golem firing beam after beam at the little sea-star, always coming up short, unable to keep up with its speed.

Just as the construct swung his arm around to take another shot at the flying star, its shoulder was shoved forward, a high-pressure stream of water streaming into it, nearly knocking it off its balance.

“That’s it, star-boy! Just keep that varmint guessin’! Lead off to the outskirts o’ town! Then we can get him reigned in proper!”

Griffon’s eyes snapped up as he heard the voice ring out, searching for its source, his eyes finally settling on a Floatzel, mounted on the edge of a rooftop with a Skrelp held tight in its paws. Before he could call up to either Flynn or the newcomer, the Donphan felt a firm hand rest on his hide. He looked up to see Luke, hurt, but grinning broadly as he watched the scene.

“See? Toldja I had backup…” Luke chuckled. His body burnt and badly bruised, the Swampert still looked ready to jump right back into the frey, a fire blazing in his eyes as he stared down the rampaging titan before them. “Just wan’t quite the ones I was expectin’. But you heard him. Sounds like the egg-heads are waitin’ for us out near the edge of the city. Think you got another round left in you?”

For a moment, Griffon could only stare, stunned at the Swampert, but he quickly shook away his surprise and snapped his trunk into a salute, “Yes sir, I won’t be backing down here. Drive the beast to the edge of the city, let’s do it!”

Luke patted the Donphan’s hide, pulling up his hand to crack his knuckles, “That’s what I like to hear. C’mon! Let’s get this lummox movin’!”

The two Pokemon leapt into action, Donphan rolling full tilt towards the distracted construct. Brilliant flashes of light let off by Flynn’s core burst all around him as the Staryu worked to keep the golem distracted. With the beast’s fire drawn, Griffon slipped right beneath its defenses and launched his rolling body into the beast’s back.

Before the golem could react to the attack, Luke was already there with his follow up, driving his shoulder right into the small of the creature’s back, sending it stumbling forward, another jet of water streaking in from the rooftops to keep it off-balance.

Light flared from Flynn’s core, drawing the golem’s attention back skyward, the monster’s colossal arms flailing at a target it couldn’t hope to hit.

“That’s it, ya great lump! Eyes up here! Ya want me, come ‘n get me, eh!?”

Griffon couldn’t help but give a dry chuckle as Flynn screamed taunts down at the golem. That idiot kid always did have a mouth on him. Bigger than a Pokemon with no mouth had a right to have. But as the young Star dipped and dove just out of range of the beasts attacks, the older officer couldn’t help but feel pride swelling in his chest.

They kept up the assault, Flynn and Cassidy keeping the golem disoriented and confused from above while Luke and Griffon hammered into him from below. Step by step, the group of Pokemon drove the goliath out of Andalusst proper, just a few feet away from the city’s edge.

“We’re almost there!” Luke cried out, as his fist slammed into the golem’s back, the Swampert quickly ducking under one of the beast’s flailing arms, “Just one last big push and we’ll have him right where we him!”

One last push…Griffon looked out at the street before him. It was a solid straightaway, no buildings, no walls, just an open street between Andalusst and the rolling fog beyond. One last push, eh? A grin spread over the Donphan’s face. He could do that.

Griffon ran in close to the raging titan, ignoring the constructs wildly flailing limbs. He trusted Flynn and the others to keep the monster distracted while he did his work. As soon as he was close enough, Griffon dove between the golem’s legs, rolling forward until he had a few feet between himself in the construct. With a deep breath, Griffon heaved himself back, heaving his body forward and he threw his trunk straight in front of him, a jet of bile spewing forth. This time, though, he wasn’t aiming for the beast itself. Keeping the stream flowing as long as he could, Griffon soaked the street just in front of the golem, making sure it was coated with rancid gunk before he cut off the flow. Though the continuous stream left him out of breath, he couldn’t waste any time. He curled back beneath his hide and high-tailed it away from his position, rolling back to Luke’s side to see the Swampert waiting for him, a sly grin spread across the amphibian’s lips.

“I see your game, Griff…not bad, mate.” Luke hunkered down, feet planted firmly on the ground as he reached up to draw down the brim of his hat, “You ready for one last push?”

“Ready when you are.” Griffon replied, feet stamping at the ground beneath him.

The two Pokemon faced forward, eyeing the construct intently as it swiped uselessly at the Staryu buzzing about its head, salvos of pressurized water knocking it this way and that, until finally, its back was exposed, target primed and ready to be struck down.

In a flash, Griffon and Luke launched forward, Griffon rolling full-tilt and Luke sprinting on as they charged at the beast. Perfectly synced, the two Pokemon leapt at the creature’s back, slamming themselves full-force into the disoriented construct.

The titan fell forward, its legs lifted off the ground as it flew towards the gunk-soaked street. Its size only made it fly faster as it hit the ground, the slick slime sending it careening out of the city, far past where it could do any more damage to Andalusst or its people.

Just as Griffon was about to give chase, Luke raised an arm to hold him back.

“Hold on there, mate.” said the Swampert, wearing a satisfied smile, “No need to go chasin’ after it anymore. Your part in this fight is done. You just let me and my associates handle it from here. We’ll make sure that monster of a statue doesn’t get back up this time!”

Before Griffon could offer protest, the Swampert was gone, rushing off after the sliding beast, leaving Griffon alone in the street.

Well, not entirely alone.

The Donphan looked skyward, spotting Flynn floating up above the city’s rooftops, the Staryu watching as Luke and his partner dashed off out of the city. It seemed that Floatzel had given him the same speech. It was out of their hands now.

Griffon smiled to himself as he looked up at the young private. He knew the kid would come through in the end. He always seemed to.

Up above, Flynn’s core shined brilliantly as the Staryu looked out at the city’s edge. It was that light that had shone brightest just when they’d needed it. It was that light that had held the construct at bay while the other Pokemon could drive it out.

It was that light that had most likely saved Griffon’s life.

Light…

A little light truly does make a world of difference.

Description
Explorer Recruits - Mission 1 - Chapter 3

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The Rampaging Colossus -- The Bigger They Are…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“On yout left!”

At Luke’s warning, Griffon flung himself away as a titanic limb came crashing down next to him, tumbling along the street before skidding to a stop. He cursed softly as the chunk of stone where he’d just stood was yanked from the ground and summarily crushed between the golem’s fingers. He was barely given a moment to rest before the colossus swung his arm around for another blow.

With an indignant roar, Griffon slammed his forelegs into the ground, a pair of jagged stones breaking off from the street’s surface, with a swing of his trunk he sent both missiles hurtling at the beast’s arm, holding it back. The golem adjusted though, using the shift in momentum to send his other arm crashing down, but this time, it was more than just a bare fist. The golem’s fingers clicked together sharply, igniting a spark among them that immediately billowed to life in a roaring flame that engulfed the construct’s arm.

Griffon’s eyes widened at the sight. No time to mount a counter-attack, it was already too close! The Donphan leapt aside as he curled up beneath his tough hide, just barely managing to roll away, the flames from the titan’s arm licking at his side before he cleared the blow. The groud shook as it caved in beneath the creature’s fist, its arm sinking into the earth beneath.

In a flash, Luke was beneath the beast, capitalizing on the position to launch himself into a fierce uppercut, slamming his fist against the golem’s smooth carapace, yanking its arm from the Earth and sending it stumbling back.

But that wasn’t stopping the beast. As though it hadn’t even felt the blow, the golem allowed itself to be thrown back, stretching as far as it could before flinging itself forward, both arms rushing down to crush the pesky amphibian. Luke barely had enough to leap away before both monstrous arms slammed down into the pavement, leaving little more than a crater in their wake.

This time, it was Griffon’s turn to capitalize on the construct’s position. He wrapped himself back up, hurtling along the road at the hunched behemoth.

The golem, however, would not be caught unawares. Without moving from its position, the beast reached out an arm, fingers opening as a deep red began to glow from the socket in its palm. Glowing light crackled to life between its fingers, growing into a bright beacon before shooting out in a beam of searing energy aimed straight at the advancing Donphan.

Griffon had been expecting something like that though, and quickly swerved around the beam, and the deluge of those that followed, rolling just beneath the golem’s arm. Kicking his foot to the ground, Griffon launched himself into the air, slamming his spinning body into the golem’s limb, sending it flying upward, taking the beast with it. Immediately, he unfurled himself and sucked in a deep breath, snapping his trunk forward as a high-pressure torrent of acidic slime came bursting out from its tip, slamming into the beast, sending it back further onto its heels.

“Right behind ya, Mate!”

Griffon looked back, just in time to see Luke rushing past him. The Swampert heaved himself forward and leapt into the air, slamming himself down into the ground just in front of the construct. The impact opened another crack in street, the little crevasse quickly opening into a monstrous crag as stone spires leapt from the Earth, the line of destruction rushing straight for the golem’s leg. As the rocky pillars sprang up beneath the golem’s foot, the beast fell back, utterly upended, slamming to the ground with a thunderous impact.

Griffon hunched himself down, ready to launch himself at the colossus once more as soon as the beast got back up on his feet. He didn’t know how long he could keep doing this. No matter what they threw at this thing, it just kept getting back up! And it was getting faster, stronger too. Nothing they did slowed this thing down for more than a few seconds! The Donphan glanced over at Luke, who stood at the ready as well, shoulders heaving under heavy breaths, “Luke. When’d you say that back-up of yours was gonna get here, again?”

Luke growled, body tensing as he returned Griffon’s look, “They oughtta be ready any time now! Just a little longer, Griffon! We just gotta hold on a bit lon--”

His words were cut short as a blazing red beam of energy slammed into his side, sending the Swampert flying.

Griffon snapped his gaze back to the titan and cursed bitterly. In the short time they’d taken their eyes off the beast, it had shifted its arm and aimed a shot right at the distracted amphibian, and was just about to fire another one at him!

The Donphan leapt away just as the searing streak of condensed energy ripped through the ground where he’d been standing, shredding through the street and up into the wall of an adjacent building. As soon as the beam dissipated the golem planted its hand firmly against the ground, lifting itself back up.

Griffon came to a stop beside Luke, the Swampert’s hand gripping his side, the smooth hide burnt where the blast had hit him. Before Griffon could say a word, Luke waved him off, getting back to his feet, “I’m fine, I’m fine. Just a bit singed. Get ready! It’s comin’ in for another round!”

Sure enough, the titan was already back on its feet, looking absolutely no worse for wear from the beating it had just taken. Griffon snarled in frustration. There was no stopping this thing!

The golem charged, both of its arms bursting into flame as it rushed the two weary Pokemon. Both managed to leap away as the beast rammed its blazing limbs forward, but they weren’t moving quick enough! The golem caught Luke mid-leap, ramming the trunk of its arm against the Swampert, sending him slamming back to the ground, heaving its other arm upward, slamming into Griffon’s stomach and sending the pachyderm skyward!

Griffon fought desperately to right himself in the air, if he landed askew like he was, he’d be too vulnerable to attack! He’d be mincemeat in seconds!

It seemed, however, he wouldn’t even be given the chance to hit the ground.

As he twisted himself in the air, Griffon once again faced the raging monster, and the construct wasn’t about to give Griffon the chance to launch a counterattack. Its arm was aimed dead-on at the flying Donphan, another beam already charged and ready to fire. There was nowhere to run. Nothing to do. He wasn’t even sure he could curl up under his hide in time. It was too late…he could hear the energy crackle and pop. It was over. All he could do was close his eyes and wait for the gut-wrenching scream of energy ripping through the air.

“Oi! Over here, ya big, ruddy tosspot!!”

That was not the sort of gut-wrenching scream he’d been expecting.

Griffon opened his eyes just in time to upright himself as he came slamming to the ground, feet skidding along the ground before he went tumbling to a stop. He whipped his gaze to the air watching as a blinding light streaked past, emanating from a little floating star whipping around the golem’s head.

“Private Flynn McIntyre returning from leave, sir! Sorry t’keep ya waitin’!”

Griffon watched, dumbstruck as the Staryu zipped around the titan’s head, the golem firing beam after beam at the little sea-star, always coming up short, unable to keep up with its speed.

Just as the construct swung his arm around to take another shot at the flying star, its shoulder was shoved forward, a high-pressure stream of water streaming into it, nearly knocking it off its balance.

“That’s it, star-boy! Just keep that varmint guessin’! Lead off to the outskirts o’ town! Then we can get him reigned in proper!”

Griffon’s eyes snapped up as he heard the voice ring out, searching for its source, his eyes finally settling on a Floatzel, mounted on the edge of a rooftop with a Skrelp held tight in its paws. Before he could call up to either Flynn or the newcomer, the Donphan felt a firm hand rest on his hide. He looked up to see Luke, hurt, but grinning broadly as he watched the scene.

“See? Toldja I had backup…” Luke chuckled. His body burnt and badly bruised, the Swampert still looked ready to jump right back into the frey, a fire blazing in his eyes as he stared down the rampaging titan before them. “Just wan’t quite the ones I was expectin’. But you heard him. Sounds like the egg-heads are waitin’ for us out near the edge of the city. Think you got another round left in you?”

For a moment, Griffon could only stare, stunned at the Swampert, but he quickly shook away his surprise and snapped his trunk into a salute, “Yes sir, I won’t be backing down here. Drive the beast to the edge of the city, let’s do it!”

Luke patted the Donphan’s hide, pulling up his hand to crack his knuckles, “That’s what I like to hear. C’mon! Let’s get this lummox movin’!”

The two Pokemon leapt into action, Donphan rolling full tilt towards the distracted construct. Brilliant flashes of light let off by Flynn’s core burst all around him as the Staryu worked to keep the golem distracted. With the beast’s fire drawn, Griffon slipped right beneath its defenses and launched his rolling body into the beast’s back.

Before the golem could react to the attack, Luke was already there with his follow up, driving his shoulder right into the small of the creature’s back, sending it stumbling forward, another jet of water streaking in from the rooftops to keep it off-balance.

Light flared from Flynn’s core, drawing the golem’s attention back skyward, the monster’s colossal arms flailing at a target it couldn’t hope to hit.

“That’s it, ya great lump! Eyes up here! Ya want me, come ‘n get me, eh!?”

Griffon couldn’t help but give a dry chuckle as Flynn screamed taunts down at the golem. That idiot kid always did have a mouth on him. Bigger than a Pokemon with no mouth had a right to have. But as the young Star dipped and dove just out of range of the beasts attacks, the older officer couldn’t help but feel pride swelling in his chest.

They kept up the assault, Flynn and Cassidy keeping the golem disoriented and confused from above while Luke and Griffon hammered into him from below. Step by step, the group of Pokemon drove the goliath out of Andalusst proper, just a few feet away from the city’s edge.

“We’re almost there!” Luke cried out, as his fist slammed into the golem’s back, the Swampert quickly ducking under one of the beast’s flailing arms, “Just one last big push and we’ll have him right where we him!”

One last push…Griffon looked out at the street before him. It was a solid straightaway, no buildings, no walls, just an open street between Andalusst and the rolling fog beyond. One last push, eh? A grin spread over the Donphan’s face. He could do that.

Griffon ran in close to the raging titan, ignoring the constructs wildly flailing limbs. He trusted Flynn and the others to keep the monster distracted while he did his work. As soon as he was close enough, Griffon dove between the golem’s legs, rolling forward until he had a few feet between himself in the construct. With a deep breath, Griffon heaved himself back, heaving his body forward and he threw his trunk straight in front of him, a jet of bile spewing forth. This time, though, he wasn’t aiming for the beast itself. Keeping the stream flowing as long as he could, Griffon soaked the street just in front of the golem, making sure it was coated with rancid gunk before he cut off the flow. Though the continuous stream left him out of breath, he couldn’t waste any time. He curled back beneath his hide and high-tailed it away from his position, rolling back to Luke’s side to see the Swampert waiting for him, a sly grin spread across the amphibian’s lips.

“I see your game, Griff…not bad, mate.” Luke hunkered down, feet planted firmly on the ground as he reached up to draw down the brim of his hat, “You ready for one last push?”

“Ready when you are.” Griffon replied, feet stamping at the ground beneath him.

The two Pokemon faced forward, eyeing the construct intently as it swiped uselessly at the Staryu buzzing about its head, salvos of pressurized water knocking it this way and that, until finally, its back was exposed, target primed and ready to be struck down.

In a flash, Griffon and Luke launched forward, Griffon rolling full-tilt and Luke sprinting on as they charged at the beast. Perfectly synced, the two Pokemon leapt at the creature’s back, slamming themselves full-force into the disoriented construct.

The titan fell forward, its legs lifted off the ground as it flew towards the gunk-soaked street. Its size only made it fly faster as it hit the ground, the slick slime sending it careening out of the city, far past where it could do any more damage to Andalusst or its people.

Just as Griffon was about to give chase, Luke raised an arm to hold him back.

“Hold on there, mate.” said the Swampert, wearing a satisfied smile, “No need to go chasin’ after it anymore. Your part in this fight is done. You just let me and my associates handle it from here. We’ll make sure that monster of a statue doesn’t get back up this time!”

Before Griffon could offer protest, the Swampert was gone, rushing off after the sliding beast, leaving Griffon alone in the street.

Well, not entirely alone.

The Donphan looked skyward, spotting Flynn floating up above the city’s rooftops, the Staryu watching as Luke and his partner dashed off out of the city. It seemed that Floatzel had given him the same speech. It was out of their hands now.

Griffon smiled to himself as he looked up at the young private. He knew the kid would come through in the end. He always seemed to.

Up above, Flynn’s core shined brilliantly as the Staryu looked out at the city’s edge. It was that light that had shone brightest just when they’d needed it. It was that light that had held the construct at bay while the other Pokemon could drive it out.

It was that light that had most likely saved Griffon’s life.

Light…

A little light truly does make a world of difference.