Its shell was covered with thick, red stripes, and its triangular head and yellow, sharp jaw moved slowly like a robot. Suddenly, black wings, like that of a bat, protruded out of its back, and flew around, as if searching for something, until it stopped infront of Archer. Its red eyes met his gaze, and floated in the air until it landed on his head.

"Gi...gi...gi..."

"Gi..ra...Gi...ra..."

"Girana!"

Wait, I've never heard of a Girana while watching Pokemon. Maybe it's from the Pokemun Sun and Moon version? Alolan fossil perhaps?

Archer grabbed the Pokemon sitting on his head and had a closer look at it. Girana's red, round eyeballs stared at him as its bat-like wings flapped a bit, almost half a meter in length. It weighed a bit heavy, like carrying half a kilo of rice. He traced his hands on its shell, noting that it was sleek and hard, and lucky for him, it did not hurt him while it was on his head. He opened its left wing and felt that it was leathery in texture, its hair shiny to look at. He laid it down, its belly exposed, and observed that its six golden legs were sharp and hard, like a tusk of an elephant. He poked its belly when the Pokemon made a sound.

"Gi, gi, gi."

Did it laugh? Hmm let me try it again.

"Gi, gi, gi."

Hehehe this is fun.

"Gi, gi, gi, gi, gi."

How about I poke you here just below your belly?

"Giiiiiiii!" Girana shouted, flying up as its body began to shine. "Giiiiii...giiirana!!!" A sudden blinding light blasted in the room.

"Ooooh no!"

"Help!"

"We're being attacked!"

"You're touching my butt, pervert!"

Archer could hear crashing and breaking sounds as he stood still because he could not see anything as of the moment. The flash was so dazzling that it made his eyes almost blind, and all he did was close them and wait until its effect would pass. After a minute or two, he squinted his eyes until it did not hurt anymore.

Girana was still hovering, looking at him straight in the eyes, as if angry. Archer gulped loudly, scratching his head as he smiled apologetically. "Girana, I'm sorry, I didn't know that it was your butt - "

"Girana!"

"Okay, I know everyone's butts are off-limits, but please understand that I was just curious. I never expected that it was your butt, okay."

Girana shook its six legs, as if signaling something, and landed back onto his head. Smiling sheepishly, Archer folded his arms on his chest and asked, "So are you going to make my head into your nesting place?"

"Girana," it sounded, as if making a 'yes' statement.

"Ugh."

"So the pre-ascended name is Girana..." Archer heard Cyrus mumbling to himself, as if in deep thoughts. "Interesting...interesting."

Archer couldn't feel the presence of Girana, even though its aura was kind of intimidating earlier. Even as he moved, it was as if he was just wearing nothing on his head. While pondering, he saw the worker who woke him up earlier came to him and said, "Hi, Archer. Can we ask your permission to let us borrow this Pokemon for further study? Our database has no records in it, and it would be a great help if you would agree on this, yes, in the name of science."

Archer did not comment right away. Whatever they planned in the name of science, Archer thought that it could just wait after he caught Girana. He didn't trust them, for they might try and steal this rare Pokemon, making it their own.

"Sorry, I couldn't agree on it today, since I have something to do. How about this, you can give me your contact details and I'd call you if I have some time to spare, what do you think?"

"How about you give me your contact details so we can call you?"

"Nope, I don't want to be pestered by calls from a person whom I do not know," Archer rejected his proposition as direct as he could. He knew how these scientists feel and act, since he was one of them. They could be as manipulative and persuasive on things they found fascinating, so he had to be firm in his decision. "Take it or leave it, your call."

"Do not be like this," the worker answered as five or more people, in white labsuits, surrounded Archer.

Archer gripped Girana while he stood in a fighting stance. "Girana, can you use, uhm, what do you call it, Optic Blast?"

"Gira?"

"That's a no then. Then attack them with any blasts you know and save our asses. Do you know they want to harm you?"

"Giragiragi!"

Girana soared into the air and beat its wings as hard as it could, only to fall down. Archer caught the falling Girana on his hands, looking at it in wonder. "Are you tired?"

"Gira."

"I don't really understand you but I hope you understand me. I think we are in trouble."

The crowd was closing in as they encircled him, as if they were preventing him from escaping. Archer was scared, but he stood firm, decided that he would thrash these Four-Eyed minions in any way he could. He could scratch, kick, punch, and elbow them like a champ. Hell, he could even bite them; the only thing he won't do was to do nothing while they take away something he considered his.

"I think you are forgetting my existence. What I hate the most is ignoring me, especially from weaklings like you. A king like me should be respected, and yes, I demand respect." Archer heard Cyrus speaking powerfully, his eyes gleaming.

Was he speaking about me? Or them? Or am I included? Did they somehow trigger him off??

_________________________________________________________________

Cyrus' POV

So this is your pre-ascended form, Giratina? Who knows that a beetle-like critter like you could turn into a Legendary Pokemon?

I could just easily kill you right now as payment for thwarting my plans back then. Hmm, now I'm having second thoughts. Should I just kill this brat and make you my own Pokemon?

Too bad the deal is stopping me from doing that.

Interesting, this could lead into many possibilities. What if...what if my Honchkrow evolve and ascend to become one of your kind, Giratina? That would be...interesting...

Let's see where it goes.

Well, a legendary ruler like me deserves legendary Pokemon for my plans are grand.

For now, I'll follow the deal. Hehehe.

Wait, this looks off. What are they doing to that kid?

Are they not scared of me? They already know I am with him, yet they have the guts to do that? The nerve they have to treat me like I was nothing.

Huh, I think people forgot the name that once shook this World. It's me Cyrus, yet they don't cower.

Blast it, I've been planning to raise my reputation once again. This can be my stepping stone in letting the World know that Team Galactic still exists. Yes.

Saturn, Jupiter, Mars. Just wait wherever you are.

I'll show this fuckers a thing or two about coercion.

They never learn.

Weaklings are meant to be ruled!

_______________________________________________________________

Archer gaped at Cyrus in fear and amazement.

He floated! He floated! Wow, he's like Son Goku floating, and his spiky hair made it more convincing.

"Weaklings! Pawns! All you deserve is a good beating after you offended your King." Cyrus stretched out his glowing hand, his onyx eyes gleaming like a gem. The scientists tried to move but couldn't, their feet were covered by black mists. "Yes, be scared. Know that my name is Cyrus, the Captain of Team Galactic. Remember my name. Instill it inside your hearts and mind. I will show you true fear and horror, so you will know how foolish it is to offend your King." He cackled and said, almost whispery, "Reverse World: Nightmare!"

Archer was sweaty as he heard Cyrus' monologue. Looking around, he saw them trembling, their knees buckling up as their eyes were red. Their mouths were gaped open, drooling as they breathe raggedly. Their skin complexion were pale, like a vampire, as they began making a soft 'Aaaaaah, aaaah' sound. Soon enough, they were scratching their faces until they bled, still creating that eerie 'Aaaaaah, aaaaah' noise. As if not yet contented, they then pulled out their hairs like it was not theirs, and blood dirtied the once white floor. Finally, they all fell down.

Archer was trepidating, his knees shaking, as if he was seeing Sadako of the Ring in flesh. He wanted to run, but his feet were firmly pasted on the ground. Black mists surrounded him until all he could see was blinding darkness.

"Cyrus?"

Nobody answered. He panicked as his surrounding was getting smelly, like a rotten body. It was getting stenchier as the minute passed by, and he felt suffocated, gasping for breath. This is getting scarier as fuck. Wait a minute, where's Girana. He just realized by now that Girana was gone, it was already too late to look for it.

"Hahahaha...this is it. Fear! Yes, you weakling, fear me."

Archer heard Cyrus still shouting out the same sentence. What the fuck is his problem?! He could only stare at the darkness as he waited for his final fate to come.

"Grimer!"

What is this?

"Grimer!"

Nononono...

"Muuuuuuuk!!!"

"Grimer! Grimer! Grimer!"

All he could hear was them shouting "Grimer" in unison as he saw countless eyes blinking, staring at him, when suddenly blobs of sludges jumped out, covering him.

"Aaaaaaah!!!!!"

He could feel his skin melting as the corrosive acid touched him. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't get the Pokemon off his body, and he was melting, suffering from great pain, until he became a puddle of blood.

_______________________________________________________

"NOOOOO!!"

"GIRAGI?!"

Archer was breathing loudly. He felt some liquid dripping from his nose. Wiping it thoroughly with his hands, he saw that they were now tinted red. Blood? Pinching his nose to stop the bleeding, he tilted his face up as he breathe through his mouth. He gazed around, seeing that Cyrus was just standing infront of him, looking grim.

"Are you alright?" Cyrus asked, with a hint of concern in his voice. "I'm sorry that you were affected by my - "

"You killed them?"

Cyrus stopped for a bit, and replied, "No. It is the only way we can escape without killing them."

Archer nodded. Releasing his grip, he was glad that his nose didn't bleed anymore. He stood up and saw Girana perched on his head, as if without a care in the world, and he couldn't help but smile at seeing its antics. Shifting his gaze back to Cyrus, he then asked, "What did you do?"

"Reverse World: Nightmare, a Ghost type skill I know but with a touch of the energy from the Reverse World. Unlike the usual Nightmare, it can only be targeted on awake people, not asleep. It was a group attack, that's why you've been affected by it. It comes with a cost, though," Cyrus cooly answered. "You've never asked, but I was once a Pokemon Gym Leader, and the Captain of Team Galactic. Having such skill is just a simple thing for me to have."

"But will the police look for us?"

"No. They were trying to force you into things you didn't like, and I've already contacted my friends working inside the Police about what happened. I've sent them proofs as well."

"But they still have my record."

"I've burned the papers, destroyed the video in the camera, and deleted the files in their hardware. Trust me, they won't be able to know who you are," Cyrus assured him.

"You're very thorough."

"Of course, I am. I've learnt my lessons." Cyrus halted, as if in deep thoughts.

"What happened?"

"It's none of your concern. Anyway, I am glad that it was over."

I am really weak. Fuck this, I really hate this feeling of helplessness. I want to get stronger, so that no one can bully me or forced me into things I do not want to do. What should I do?

"Cyrus, can I ask you for a favor?"

"What is it?" Cyrus just stared at him in curiousity.

Archer knelt down infront of him and kowtowed, saying, "Please teach me. I want to be stronger."