While exploring Hiwaka Refuge, the group stumble upon a terrible realisation: the Type Trinkets hold the world together in a stable form in a manner more literal than they had first thought. Glitches, foul beings found at the cusp of the dimensions, have edged their way into the third dimension, and have begun encroaching upon the land. Without a way to keep them at bay, Malachus's evil plot turns from one of domination to one of destruction…
"Say, Artemis… how is it you knew about Glitches?" Luna asked, looking up at her older brother.
"Hm. I guess you must've been too young or something. I was around way back when Arceus had just established the dominions… we had a lot of problems with Glitches. That was, of course, back when the world was in blacks and dull greens," Artemis said.
"That actually happened?" Luna asked.
"Yeah! Our world and theirs weren't so different, which made it hard to survive. Arceus eventually developed colour, which helped us take on the Glitches," Artemis said.
"You can fight them?" Luna asked.
"Once… I don't think anyone has what it takes anymore. They didn't look like they changed… but we did. We have long since moved on from those days… our genetic makeup is rather incompatible with theirs. I suppose, if you were in one of the earlier batches of Pokémon, and you don't use a whole lot of fancy moves and such, you might make it in there… but that's a big might," Artemis said.
"We need to fix that," Luna said.
"Yes, we need to find somebody who can fight Glitches. If you can find one, let me know," Artemis said.
"I'm on it. Thanks, big brother!" Luna said, snuggling Artemis's shoulder before flying off.
"…I was being sarcastic," Artemis said.
"Those are some Rock moves!" Angela said, the spar between her and John completed.
"Oh, you thought that was impressive? Smith's the better foe: he fights with no regard to his safety," John said.
"That would be an interesting duel…" Angela said.
"Duh. Isn't that your fighting style, too?" John asked.
"…Yeah, I fight reckless. It's… well, I have to keep my Sisters safe," Angela said.
"They seemed capable to me," John said.
"I suppose… now that means I'm holding them back... I'm far too aggressive. I don't have the guts to step back," Angela said.
"Angela… how important are your sisters to you?" John asked.
"More important than anything in the world," Angela said.
"How important are you to your sisters?" John asked. Angela looked at him, realisation dawning on her.
"You don't need to fight fiercely to fight bravely. She who steps back and conserves her stamina lives to see more duels than she who charges in and makes sure the enemy dies painfully," John said.
"…It was nice training with you, John," Angela said.
"My pleasure, Angela," John said.
"Are you going to talk to me?" Indira asked.
"I dunno. What are you jabbering on about this time?" Smith asked.
"Smith… I've seen you doing some fighting. You're amazing on the ground battlefield…" Indira said.
"Yeah, and?"
"I was wondering… if Angela allows it, would you like to join the Sisters of Pegasus?" Indira asked.
"What, become one of a group of flying girls? I'll pass," Smith said.
"…Wait, that didn't come out right…" Indira said.
"There's a surprise," Smith said.
"Would you like to work with the Sisters of Pegasus?" Indira asked, looking quite pleased with herself.
"…I'll pass. I'd rather keep my ears to the ground," Smith said.
"You don't have to fly," Indira said.
"I… meant that figuratively. If I'm an unknown, I can find problems faster," Smith said.
"Ah… well… it's been nice talking with you," Indira said, flying off.
"Finally…" Smith remarked.
"Jadit… you don't have to tell me, but what was it like, being a thief with Davuth?" Okemos asked.
"Hm? Well… it wasn't too bad, I guess. I was always practicing stealth and precision strikes, and there was always Melody to keep me company. But… I didn't really feel… the job didn't really fit me, know what I'm saying?" Jadit asked.
"So why didn't you leave?" Okemos asked.
"Melody… she's my life, Okemos. And she's one of the most talented of the thieves. I couldn't just dump her, and Davuth wouldn't let her dump the job," Jadit said.
"Poor man… so, now that Davuth's… you know, sleeping with the fishes… what's yours and Melody's plans?" Okemos asked.
"Plans? I just want to settle down with Melody, and live a nice, happy life. Melody, though… she might not want to do something like that… she might want to still be up and about," Jadit said.
"She could always do something like… I dunno, what does she like to do?" Okemos asked.
"Whatever it is, I'm supporting her 110%," Jadit said.
"How are you going this time, Mina?" Stanley asked, looking up from his tail exercises. Mina giggled at the sight of his tail wrapped around a tree branch.
"Pretty well… me and Amy have become really good friends," Mina said.
"Oh, you and Amy, huh? Nice to hear," Stanley said.
"Stanley… I like you," Mina said.
"Hm?" Stanley asked.
"Don't get me wrong: I love Amy. But I don't want you to leave me be after this is over. I'd like for you to stick around," Mina said.
"You're actually kind of tolerable. Maybe I will find a reason to keep my ears near," Stanley said.
"Thank you, Mr Pikachu!" Mina said, hugging the still-upside-down Stanley.
"You're welcome, little Petilil… now, if you don't mind, all the blood is rushing to my head now…" Stanley said. Mina stepped back, and helped Stanley off the tree.
Mina's nose started scrunching up, as the group continued on their way firmly and in the opposite direction of the Glitches.
"What do you smell?" Amy asked.
"No idea… but it stinks," Mina said. Everyone else took that as their cue to start smelling.
"…Oh, that should be the Poison Marsh," Jadit said. Everyone gagged except him.
"I always try to forget that's a type…" Serena said.
"Well… I suppose it'll always open up options?" Darien asked.
"Well, you're immune, so…" Aaron remarked.
"…Let's just see what's going on," Darien said bluntly.
The immediately apparent thing about the Poison Marsh was its overpowering stench.
In reality, what was more noteworthy, as per usual, was the prevalence of Stunky, Skuntank and Drapion. But the stench was far more prominent, and by this point, far more inhibiting than the Dark-types. Giac proved the point by focusing intently, and picking up one of the Stunkies. Ignoring the water in his eyes, he flung the Stunky at a group of Drapion, using its stench to flinch them.
"Stand back…" Aaron said. He reared back, and punched the ground with an Earthquake. Darien copied his plan, using the power of Ground moves to push back the Poison types. Another earthquake sounded, but this one wasn't Darien's or Aaron's, or anyone else's, for that matter. Darien took that as his cue to jump up with Serena into the treetops. Dark purple sludge began oozing out of the marshes, slithering around the ankles of everyone else.
"How good are you at platforming?" Darien asked. Serena focused, and jumped towards the next branch. Darien nodded.
"Go find the Type Trinket," Darien said. Serena nodded, and continued through the branches. Darien looked down upon the sludge beneath, trying to figure out what it was and how to put a stop to it.
Serena looked down on a scene, her heart aflutter from the teetering she engaged in. She looked down over the resting place of the Poison Vial, where Malachus himself was taking it. She clenched her fist, watching as a Gengar appeared beside him.
"The Poison Vial, sire?" the Gengar asked.
"Of course, you fool! We've gotta nab them all!" Malachus said.
"But…" the Gengar began.
"Are you sentimental? Want to keep that Poison type around? Give it up already! Sooner or later, all of the types will become Dark… and I will rule them all. They will rue the day they stuck us in that hellhole!" Malachus said.
"…Sire, Mudd has those meddling kids under his grasp. What should we do with them?" the Gengar asked.
"Oh, them? Kill them… except those two. You know the ones I'm talking about. I want his head… and I want it personally… and her… she'll make the perfect queen…" Malachus said.
"All right, I think I've heard enough…" Serena said, jumping down next to Malachus and the Gengar.
"…Scratch that last order, Dusk… you don't need to concern yourself with the girl… she's right here," Malachus said.
"You… you think you're so arrogant as to claim the world… and me? You have absolutely no sense of perspective. Darien could kick your butt with one arm tied behind his back," Serena said.
"Charming. Dusk, leave us… I think it's time I showed this wench what true Darkness is," Malachus said. Dusk disappeared into the marsh, and Malachus readied himself for Serena.
"DARIEN'S MIGHT TWICE OVER!" Serena said.
Darien jumped down from the tree, landing in the sludge. He jumped off it almost immediately, looking at the flow of it. He jumped across marsh to marsh, before finding one spewing out sludge at an alarming rate. Darien focused, and used his Psychic attack. A Muk came flying out of the pool, all of his sludge coming rushing back to him. Darien waited for the Muk's move. The Muk grabbed a handful of mud, and Darien hastened to dodge. Having measured the Muk's danger level, he began his attack, launching his various attacks while using the trees as cover. After several blows, including more than a few Psychics, Muk was still standing.
"This isn't…" Darien said, before thinking it over. He realised what he had to do… now just to figure out how to do it.
"Oi!" a female voice cried out. Darien looked around a branch, to see Suzin, followed by Madeline and Giac. Darien grimaced, as the Muk reached up to grab some berries from the tree above. He ingested them, and the sounds of a belch were incoming. Darien charged bravely, using a Blaze Kick. The Muk's belch was interrupted, and Madeline closed her eyes.
"TIME TO RETURN FAVOUR!" she yelled. She flicked her ears up, and they fell in knotted braids. Black began to coat her body and legs, doing an imperfect job. She pulled her hands apart, and both her hands and feet became coated in fluff. She danced lightly on her feet, ready for battle.
"No way…" Darien said.
"Who knew Amber had a Lopunnite?" Madeline asked, using her Return attack on the Muk, sending it reeling heavily. "Now I want to go back and see if she's got any other good stones."
"DARIEN'S MIGHT TWICE OVER!" Serena's voice echoed.
"…What's she fighting?" Darien asked. He and Madeline bolted towards Serena, praying that they not be too late.
Malachus fired a Dark Pulse and a Dragon Pulse in quick order. Serena lightly dodged the Dark Pulse, and took the Dragon Pulse. She was sent reeling, and looked up at Malachus. She saw him holding the Poison Vial like an item.
He's controlling the types, too… Serena realised, quickly dodging several of Malachus's attacks, not caring to identify them. Their Poison typing was enough. The sheer terror of realising that maybe, just maybe, Malachus might have them outmatched was too terrifying to contemplate. She shot a Moonblast Malachus's way, dealing heavy damage. She followed with a Signal Beam, but Malachus wasn't having any of that.
"WATCH THE POWER OF THE AURA!" sounded in her ears. Darien was here! He'd save her. Two Aura Spheres proved her point. Malachus was hardly paying attention. He looked up at where Darien would be, and Serena turned her head to observe. She caught a brief glimpse of Darien and Madeline before her vision went dark.
"Get away from her!" Darien yelled, jumping forward to try and push Malachus off. Malachus fired a Flamethrower, the Poison Vial no longer channelling his strength. Darien was blasted backwards. Madeline made her charge, avoiding Malachus's Focus Blasts with ease. She used a High Jump Kick, only to collide with Dusk.
"Heh heh… looks like we'll be making this mess easy on you…" Dusk said, beginning to disappear, Serena alongside him.
"NO!" Darien yelled.
"POWER OF MAWHILE ACTIVATE!" Amber yelled. Malachus and Dusk looked up, noticing Amber approach. A brief shiver struck them, noticed only by the trained eye gazing upon them.
"Foul beings…" Amber said. She reared back, and used her Foul Play attack. Dusk was sent away from Serena. Malachus made to approach, but the threat of a Play Rough was too much for him. The two bolted from the Marsh, their original goal met.
"What were you thinking, Serena, challenging him alone like that?" Amber asked. Serena looked down in shame, while Darien took on the Poison move, Poison Jab.
"I… I overheard him talking to the Gengar… he wants me as his queen…" Serena said.
"Stupid and cliché… why you? No offence, but out of the Hiwaka girls, you're the worst choice for queen," Madeline said.
"I suspect it's a show of dominance… what else did he mention?" Amber asked.
"He wanted to be the one to… to kill Darien…" Serena said.
"Perfect. He'll take you and force Darien to watch, then kill him and force you to watch. Vile, sadistic, and villainous. I've seen a hundred of these," Amber said.
"Heh… somehow it's not a cliché when it's happening to you…" Serena said.
"Serena, I promise… Malachus won't be killing me. Or taking you," Darien said.