The New Normal - 18-6 - Interlude - Pokémon

The New Normal – 18-6 – Interlude – Pokémon

After they pulled away from their trainer’s hug, many of the team slumped to the ground as the battle against the Legendary was finally over. Even though this was their second time fighting against one, it didn’t make it any less difficult or tiring.

They were all completely exhausted after that battle. And many of them sported many notable injuries that needed to be treated.

But despite their exhaustion and injuries, there was one other feeling that surpassed both of these – joy.

For they had won. For they had taken part in a battle for the future of an entire region and came out victorious. For they had gone against a Legendary going fully all-out, and had held their ground.

“I can’t believe we did it!” Euphie chimed up happily, “I can’t believe we actually took down a Legendary.”

“Never mind that for now. Is everyone doing okay? Does anyone need any healing?” Klee asked around worriedly, “Don’t try to tough things out. If you need healing, then come get it right away.”

“Relax, Klee. I can sense that we are all fine. No one’s in need of immediate care – you can take your time.” Klaus replied gently, “And you should get some rest yourself too, Klee. You worked just as hard as everyone else here.”

“…I’m hungry.” Smough moaned out pitifully as he gestured to his stomach, “Anyone got food?”

“Of course not.” Ornstein growled, “And you’re not the only one that’s hungry. We just fought against a Legendary and expended all of our energy doing so. We’re all starving.”

But Smough didn’t seem to hear him as he simply continued to complain, “Food…” he moaned out piteously.

“Don’t worry, Smough. I’m sure we’ll get some food later.” Luna comforted him, “John’s probably just going to be tidying things up, and then he’ll feed us. Just give a bit longer.”

“…Okay.” Smough nodded, before rolling onto his back and immediately falling asleep, his snores echoing throughout the empty field.

“…Smough really doesn’t care that we just defeated a Legendary, doesn’t he?” Vordt chuckled, though he winced in pain as he did, “Oh if only we could be as carefree as he is.”

“His laziness is his greatest weakness.” Wraith snarled, “But he did fight well.”

As everyone continued to bicker, especially after John had rushed over to congratulate and thank all of them for their hard work, Tyrant had separated from the group as he limped over to where the Regis were standing there idly.

He fell into an uncharacteristic bow, his waist fully bent in a display of utmost respect, “Thank you for protecting our trainer during that battle. You did what we could not.”

Regirock was the one to respond, “ÜN ÜN ÜN”

Much like how humans couldn’t directly understand Pokémon, neither could Pokémon directly understand Legendaries. They were just too different from each other. However, they could understand the general intent of what they were saying, so Tyrant understood what Regirock was trying to convey.

It said that they were simply following through on their assigned duties. Regigigas had assigned them to John for the duration of this battle, so they would naturally protect him as well.

“Nevertheless, I must thank you anyways.” Tyrant insisted, “John would not have survived if it was not for your assistance. So thank you – thank you for protecting him. To us, he is everything, and his loss would have been an unfathomable tragedy for us.”

Regirock didn’t reply to that as it walked away, though the small tilt of its head told Tyrant that it had acknowledged his thanks.

Satified with that, Tyrant was about to turn around and head back to the rest of his family when he heard Regigigas stomping over to him.

“REGI.”

A single question was asked. Regigigas was asking Tyrant why he rejected the Zekrom’s visions that he was forced to see. It could sense that Tyrant had been the first to break free from Zekrom’s influence, and all Regigigas had to do was give him a slight nudge.

To that, Tyrant could only let out a chuckle, “I knew it was not real, and I knew my trainer was still out there battling for his life and the lives of others. I could not allow myself to indulge in mere fantasy while he still needs me to fight.”

“…But, the more important reason is that I simply do not care all that much about ‘other Pokémon’.” Tyrant admitted, “To me, my priority has always been protecting those that I deem are my family. No matter what happens, so long as they are safe, then I can accept that outcome. Which is why I do not care about creating a paradise ‘for all Pokémon’. Because John would not be in it. Because I knew that he would not be there for us. Therefore, it would not be a paradise for me. And so I would always reject that reality with every fibre of my being.”

It was an answer that came from his very heart. He wasn’t like Klee, Luna, or even Vordt. They had far more compassion for other Pokémon than he did. They cared more, and were more willing to lend a helping hand to others. That was why he usually remained silent whenever they encountered and spoke with new people, because they were often friendlier and more welcoming than he could ever be.

He did not mind that, because he knew that John was always someone that treasured and welcomed new friends. But if it was a choice between them and those that were a part of their team? He would abandon them all in a heartbeat. He would break them all apart before they ever posed a threat to them.

Was it selfish? Absolutely. But his family was always the reason why he fought so hard. It was why he managed to find the willpower to stand against a direct attack from a Legendary, and strike back as hard as he could.

It didn’t matter that it was a Legendary. It didn’t matter of Zekrom had enough power to possibly annihilate him with a single attack.

Zekrom was a threat. And threats had to be taken down, no matter what they were.

So while he was proud of his victory over Zekrom, the feeling that he most resonated with was relief. Relief that everyone was safe. Relief in that he had managed to protect them once again. Relief that they could all go home safe and sound.

That was all that mattered.

“In fact, I could ask you the same question.” Tyrant fired back, “John has explained that you fight to help preserve the natural order of the world. So why did you agree to join up with John and fight against Zekrom, when it wasn’t doing anything to upset the natural order of the world?”

To most Pokémon, asking a question like that to a Legendary would be seen as immensely disrespectful. After all, the ‘common’ expectation was that you were simply meant to bow and obey whenever you were in the presence of a Legendary.

But Tyrant knew that Legendaries couldn’t care less if you bowed or flattered them. They did not care about your respect, or lack thereof. Likewise, ‘pride’ was not a concept they understood or cared about.

And most importantly, Tyrant was no longer afraid of them. He respected them, but did not fear them. Which is why he had the courage to ask them the question.

“GIGAS.”

The reply came quickly. Regigigas explained that N’s ideals would not have allowed humans to coexist with Pokémon. It was a false utopia, one that would have only benefitted Pokémon, not humans.

A world where humans were forbidden from controlling Pokémon meant that our current state of peaceful coexistence and cooperation would be destroyed. And in return, the world would be split into ‘humans’ vs ‘Pokémon’, and both would be worse off for it. When that happened, the Pokémon would, over time, devolve into their more primal instincts, and they would lose all sense of cooperation and unity.

After that, it would be inevitable that humans would eventually be wiped out by Pokémon, due to the sheer difference in strength between the two.

As a result, N’s utopia was built on a false assumption. He dreamed of a world where both humans and Pokémon could live both in freedom and harmony.

Yet, human and Pokémon civilisation would not survive in his reality. Not in the way he dreamed of.

Therefore, Regigigas could not allow that to happen. Its very concept forbid it, which is why it fought Zekrom.

And with that answer, Regigigas turned away and returned to doing what it was doing with the other Regis. Meanwhile, Tyrant returned to his family, a small yet content smile spreading across his injured face as he saw that they were all hale and hearty – happily chatting with each other as they all celebrated in their victory.

Yes, this was why he had fought.

It had all been worth it.

A.N. I know we haven’t had an Interlude that focused on Tyrant before, and I felt like now was a good time for it. It’s a bit late, but I wanted to showcase more of Tyrant’s personality and why he acts the way that he does. I know I’ve shown him off as menacing and protective, but I wanted to give a bit of insight as to his reasonings. I also wanted to demonstrate that while he is John’s closest partner, he does not have the same personality as John himself, and can even have differing thoughts from him. Yet that doesn’t detract from the unbreakable bond that the two share. I hope you enjoyed!