Transcendence

The Real Boss Fight part 2: Armored

A low rumble echoed through the shattered cave system, now reduced to jagged rubble and floating debris. From the dust and ruin emerged Mega Mewtwo X, its form nothing short of terrifying. Muscles rippled over its now hulking frame, twice the size of its base form. Dark violet armor-like ridges protruded from its arms and chest. Its eyes glowed with murderous intensity, its aura a violent storm that warped the very air.

"... This is gonna get messy," Victor muttered as he barely stood, only for Mewtwo to vanish in an instant.

*WHAM!*

A single punch connected with Victor's chest, launching him into a boulder which exploded on impact. The Mega Evolution shattered, and Victor collapsed with a grunt.

Arlo and Felix barely managed to react before Mewtwo's punch came crashing down on them, the air itself rupturing from the force. They were flung like ragdolls, slamming into the ground hard, coughing blood, vision swimming.

Alex, unable to move, eyes wide and breath ragged, weakly closed his eyes and projected his aura into their minds as Lily was busy keeping him up.

("This is suicidal. You should've left. You all should've left... Now it's too late.")

Arlo groaned, blood dripping from his lip, and spat back mentally.

("We ain't leavin' you, mate. Sod off with that rubbish!")

Felix, barely conscious, snapped as well.

("You think we care about 'too late'? You're our friend, Alex! Why can't you get that through your thick, battle-addled skull?")

Alex clenched his eyes tighter.

("Why?! I've done nothing but bring trouble! You've seen it-everywhere I go, someone ends up hurt. I've made your lives hell, and all I do is lose! Why the fuck would you even want to be around me?!")

Above, the sky ripped open as Mega Mewtwo X raised a hand, its voice like thunder.

"I call the storm of judgment! Let this world break as I see fit!"

A cyclonic psychic storm cracked the heavens in the region of Mythlia. It was unnatural, warping colors, splitting trees from the roots, raising shards of the earth like shattered glass. It expanded outward, a growing force that promised planetary extinction within half an hour.

Back in Lant, more soldiers rushed in, only for Mewtwo to turn and dispatch them with Psycho Cuts, each strike carving the earth like butter. The ground erupted with Earthquake, flinging even armored tanks into the air like toys.

Team Charm, revived via Reviver Seeds, charged in, only to be instantly intercepted. Lopunny barely got out a "Oi-punch me again an' I'll-!" before being uppercutted through several rock layers.

Floatzel snarled, "That kind of power? That's some Elements of Harmony Season Finale nonsense—" Then he too was folded in a single blow.

Victor rejoined the fray briefly-only to be kicked into a mountain with a sickening crunch.

Back in the minds of Arlo and Felix, Alex kept arguing, his mental voice cracking.

("You don't get it! What'll it take? The sight of your girlfriends crushed? Your bones broken? I've lost too many... I'm tired... I don't want more casualties...")

Arlo's mental voice turned quieter, but more grounded.

("We're doing this, Alex, not 'cause we've got a death wish... but because you're more than a friend to us. You're our family, ya numpty.")

Felix followed up gently.

("We know we're not Elton. We never tried to be. We couldn't be even if we wanted to. But you-Alex. We fought with that nonsense you call cookies, we laughed... mate, you once tried to make pancakes and set the bloody pan on fire.")