I am so sorry for not being on Fanfiction for some time. I was dealing with moving back into college for my fifth year, among other things. But don't worry, my story is still happening. This story is a long one, and it has many hidden surprises within it. I'm sure you'll enjoy this story, so read and follow the adventure!


(I do not own Kingdom Hearts or Sword Art Online. All I do is form my imagination from both stories, and share it with the world!)

Known List of Pokemon Moves ( (Move)= will change in 2nd visit):

Main Heroes

Sora (Pikachu): Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, (Electro Ball)

Kirito (Sneasel): Metal Claw, Ice Punch, (Faint Attack), Ice Beam

Asuna (Snivy): Vine Whip, Leaf Blade, Aerial Ace, (Leaf Tornado)

Donald (Psyduck): (Scratch), (Water Gun), Disable, Confusion

Goofy (Turtwig): Razor Leaf, (Bite), Withdraw, (Synthesis)

Yui (Ralts): (Confusion), Heal Pulse, Magical Leaf, (Teleport)

Team Infinity

Tepig: Flamethrower, (Flame Charge), (Take Down), Rollout

Oshawott: Razor Shell, (Water Pulse), Protect, (Assurance)

Emolga: (Shock Wave), (Double Team), (Quick Attack), Acrobatics

Virizion: (Magical Leaf), (Take Down), (Double Kick), Giga Drain

Umbreon: (Faint Attack), Quick Attack, Helping Hand, (Moonlight)

Espeon: (Psybeam), (Swift), Quick Attack, Morning Sun

Lucario: Aura Sphere, Bone Rush, (Double Team), (Force Palm)


Prologue

It was the middle of the night on the edge of the 'Scorching Desert'. There was dust flying in a certain spot, followed by someone shouting "Stop!". Tepig was in front of Oshawott, who was pounded into the ground so much, a crater of sand was formed. In front of the two was the giant ice dragon known as Kyurem, its' foot raised over Tepig.

"Please, stop hurting Oshawott!" Tepig shouted to the dragon, "Sh-she's my best friend! Leave her alone!" "You have lost all will to fight." said Kyurem, lowering its' foot away from the group, "If you have no will to fight, then there's no need to crush you. You are unable to change the future because of it. Soon, the Bittercold will stir, and it will destroy everything in its' wake."

"Do you really accept a future like that? W-Why?!" stammered Tepig. "It is because…this world has grown cold." Kyurem answered, "Most Pokemon are only concerned for themselves. Their own selfish desires, not caring for anyone else. The shadow of hopelessness and despair that darkens their view of the future. This darkness grows more and more everyday, with no one paying any heed to its' growing power. It will destroy this world, and create a new one in its' place."

"The Bittercold…can do that?!" asked Tepig. "It is because of this that I shall protect its' fate." Kyurem answered, "Struggle all you want! The future cannot be altered! It is not something that can be changed so easily. So if your friend there has no intention of trying to fight that future, then I will spare her. However, if you and your allies choose to try and save this world, I will crush you with everything I have. Remember this warning! Engrave it upon your heart!" Kyurem made one last roar, and in a flash of light, he disappeared into the sky.

Tepig collapsed to the ground. "Phew… W-We survived." he moaned. He got back up again, and turned to Oshawott. "Oshawott! Say something!" he cried, looking at her, "No, she isn't even able to move! I have to do something quick, or Oshawott might…" He didn't want to finish that sentence.

Just then, Oshawott moaned a bit. "Oshawott!" Tepig cried, getting in front of her, "Please, stay with me, pal!" Oshawott looked blankly forward, into the sky. "Ki…ri…to…" she moaned, "Save…me…" And with that, she closed her eyes again, all out of strength. The shadows of Team Infinity's Emolga and Dunsparce were rushing towards the duo.

(Cue intro song)


Chapter 1: Crushing Hope

Kirito was watching through the window, thinking about what kind of an ordeal they had in the last battle. True, it ended happily, but the last fight was intense. They got new upgraded magic, Asuna got a new Soul Drive, and Sora got a new Keyblade. Not only that, they locked one of the Keyholes of Bonds. There were only a few more worlds left after this one.

It took a while to get to their next destination, but the team eventually arrived at the next world. Down below, they noticed the familiar land of the Pokemon world, including Post Town and Pokemon Paradise. "Finally, we're here." said Donald, looking at the world below. "It looks like we're gonna turn into those Pokemon again." Sora recalled. "I wonder if Tepig, Oshawott and the others are doing okay." Goofy hoped. "Let's go down and see." Asuna replied, and the team climbed aboard as Yui punched in the coordinates, and they all descended.

When they arrived, they looked to one another to see themselves as the same Pokemon as they were before again. They were at the crossroads between Post Town and Pokemon Paradise. "Let's go to Pokemon Paradise and greet Team Infinity." Sora suggested.

They started to walk a bit when Asuna stopped and looked about. The others stopped and looked at her. "Something up?" Kirito asked. "I don't know…" Asuna replied, "But does anyone feel…that chill in the air?" The team looked around, feeling. "You're right." Sora agreed. "It's not a good chill." Yui added, putting her hands together. Kirito frowned as he looked around. Where was that coming from?

Just then, someone appeared from Pokemon Paradise. It was Lucario. "I see you six have returned to this world again." he said, "However, I don't know how long this world will last." "Why's that?" Sora asked, the team startled at this news. "It's hard to explain." Lucario replied, turning to the road ahead, "Follow me. Your friends are in the woods just beyond this path." Lucario dashed forward, and the six heroes pursued him.

During their rush over to where their friends were at, guided by Lucario, who was using his powers to detect Tepig, Oshawott's and the other's aura. They encountered an abundance of Heartless and Unversed that got in their way. There were a ton of Heartless to deal with, at they came in waves. Through these fights, however, the team discovered some of their moves changed.

Sora's Electro Ball had been changed to a powerful move called Volt Tackle, which did incredible damage, but it caused recoil damage onto Sora. Kirito's Ice Beam that he used before replaced his Icy Wind. Asuna's Leaf Tornado was replaced with Leaf Storm, which was much stronger, but it temporarily becomes weaker if used consecutively.

Donald's Water Gun and Scratch were replaced with Water Pulse and Fury Swipes, respectively. Goofy's Synthesis and Bite were replaced with Mega Drain and Crunch respectively. Yui's Confusion and Teleport were replaced with Psychic and Double Team, respectively. As for Lucario, his Double Team and Force Palm were replaced with Heal Pulse and Close Combat.

It took a while for the team, but they arrived at an open area in the forest. There they found Tepig, Dunsparce, Emolga, Virizion, Umbreon and Espeon next to a small pond of clean water, surrounding an injured Oshawott, who was on her back, unconscious.

"Guys!" called out Sora, racing over with the others to see Oshawott. "You came back!" cried Tepig, "Oh, thank goodness." "Where have you guys been?!" demanded Emolga. "It's a long story." Asuna responded, looking at Oshawott, "What happened to her?" "Kyurem." Tepig sorrowfully replied, "It attacked Oshawott."

"Who's Kyurem?" Kirito asked, looking to the group. "He's a very powerful Pokemon who lives in the Glacier Palace." Espeon answered, "Tepig says he's protecting the thing that's gonna destroy this world." "WHAT?!" cried Sora, Donald and Goofy in unison. "But why would he attack Oshawott?!" Yui asked in a shocked manner. "It's because…she was a human." Tepig moaned.

Just then, the group heard moaning, and turned to see Oshawott stir a little. "Look! She's moving!" Dunsparce cried. "Oshawott, wake up!" Sora called out to her as the team gathered around her. "Oshawott…" Kirito spoke to her.

Oshawott started to open her eyes, and she looked to her side, staring at Kirito. "You came back." she moaned, smiling a bit. Kirito stared at her, swearing he felt this situation somewhere before, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Oshawott! You okay?!" asked Tepig hurriedly. "Y-yes…" she nodded, "But how did we get here?" "We needed a place secluded and where we could get the right resources." Emolga replied. "We all took turns caring for your wounds, but you were in bad shape." Espeon explained, "We're grateful you woke up. Kirito, Sora, Lucario and everyone just arrived now."

"Let me heal you up a bit better." Yui told Oshawott, raising her hands and performing Heal Pulse, restoring Oshawott's health. "Thank you." Oshawott thanked her, getting to her feet again.

"I was worried sick about you!" cried Tepig, "What if you never woke up? What if…" "Hey, it's okay now." Sora assured him, "Oshawott's fine now, that's all that matters." Oshawott looked to all of the group, glad to see that so many cared for her safety. "Thank you, everyone." she thanked them, "You don't know how much this means to me." The others smiled and/or blushed in response.

"So what happened to you guys with Kyurem?" Kirito asked Tepig, Oshawott and the others, "Why would he attack Oshawott just because she's a human?" "It's because he's trying to prevent Oshawott and all of us from changing the fate of this world." Tepig answered, "Kyurem intends to have this world destroyed by the Bittercold."

"The Bittercold?" Goofy echoed. "From what we found out, it is the source of all the negative emotions of the Pokemon in the world." Umbreon explained, "Since more and more Pokemon in the world become selfish and cruel, the Bittercold will grow stronger and stronger, capable of destroying the world and recreate it once again." "It destroys it, then it recreates it?" Kirito asked in a shocked manner, "It sounds as if its' a god."

"So let's go destroy this thing!" Sora told the group, "We should destroy it before it takes out the world!" "Yeah, but there's something you're forgetting." Umbreon warned him, "Even if we take down the Bittercold, the people of the world will still be filled with negative emotions. It'll just come back again. I bet Kyurem understood that, so he's simply accepting the destruction because there's nothing we can do."

"You're sounding like you're giving up, Umbreon!" snapped Emolga. "I'm not wanting to give up!" he retorted, "I'm just saying that we cannot permanently destroy the Bittercold. Have you ever thought about the fact that this world is already messed up without any hope, and that it'd be better to just start over from scratch?"

"I understand that." Espeon agreed, "If the bitter hearts of the world are responsible for this, then even if we destroy the Bittercold, it won't change the fate of this world." "Espeon!" cried Emolga. "I don't want to give up, but I can't deny something is wrong with this world." Virizion followed, "Every time I think of a way to stop it, or some way to change the fate of our world, I get nothing…" "Not you too, Virizion!" cried Emolga.

There was silence from everyone for a while, then Kirito spoke up. "So that's it? You guys'll just give up without even fighting?" he asked them, curling his claws into fists. "You may be right about the Pokemon in this world, but what about you guys?" Asuna asked them, "You're just gonna give up all this? Your efforts to live on?" "If you have something to live for, then you should fight for it!" Sora told them sternly.

"But what do we have that is worth fighting for?" Espeon asked as she and the rest of Team Infinity looked to them. "You have each other." Sora simply answered, "You have your friendship to look out for." Espeon, Umbreon, Virizion, Dunsparce and Emolga all looked to him, startled. Lucario closed his eyes and huffed as he smiled.

"He's right." Tepig agreed, "I built Paradise because I want friends that are able to trust one another, like all you guys. Back when Kyurem was attacking Oshawott, I was scared beyond belief. I don't want that to happen to her again, but I don't want this world come to an end! I have people like you who understand me, and I don't want to lose it for some stupid emotions. So forget about what everyone else's negative emotions! I have you guys I trust and I have you guys I call my friends. I learned so much from you guys…and from Oshawott." Tepig looked down, sniffling. "Tepig…" Oshawott muttered, looking at her friend.

"Tepig…everyone…" Umbreon mumbled, "Sorry. I guess I wasn't thinking straight. Never mind the rest of the world, we all still believe in one another! And we're probably not the only ones out there who still trust one another. We have to take them into account." "We can still change the hearts of Pokemon in the world." Espeon followed, "If we do that, then we can make a better world for everyone to be in!"

"Even I was able to regain my faith in others because of you guys." Virizion stated, "If I could change, then we know that other Pokemon can change as well as long as we share our hope and feelings with them." "I believe that we can change the world!" declared Dunsparce. "That's right! I won't give up either!" Emolga followed. "Count us in on the long run." Sora ended, with Kirito, Asuna and the others nodding in agreement. "Everyone…" Tepig said, looking at the group.

"Your stories are yet to be written." Lucario told the group, and they turned to him, "No one else can write your stories other than yourselves. Not me. Not Kyurem. Not even the Bittercold can make your story. They are not part of it." The three Keyblade wielders looked at one another. Something about what Lucario said sounded familiar.

Tepig looked happily at the surrounding team, then he exclaimed, "Then what are we waiting for, Team Infinity? Let's go defeat the Bittercold, and make the world full of happy and caring Pokemon!" "Yeah!" cheered the rest of the crew, punching the air in unison with their fists or head.

Tepig turned to Oshawott and the six heroes. "Guys, normal Pokemon can't get near the Bittercold, but you guys can." he explained to them, "Once we're there, you guys finish off the Bittercold, okay?" "You got it!" replied Donald. "You can count on us!" Sora stated, thumping his chest.

Tepig looked into Oshawott's eyes. "Oshawott, you know you're gonna have to face Kyurem again." he warned her, "Will you help us out?" "Of course!" Oshawott replied without hesitation, "I was summoned here to this world to save it. I have to save it, or else all of you guys will disappear. I'll bring all of my courage to save this world!" "Thanks, Oshawott." Tepig thanked her, his eyes glittering at her conviction.

"I would also like to join in this battle." Lucario asked, "Will you let me join?" "Sure! The more the merrier." Tepig happily answered, "Let's go back to Post Town, and ready ourselves for the great battle!" The entire team turned and ran off out of the forest, heading back to Post Town once more.

All the while, Oshawott was racing behind Kirito, staring at his back. She was transfixed at him for a while, but she smiled nevertheless at him. I'll do my all to help you, Kirito. she thought to herself, And this time, I won't run from the things worth fighting for!


Chapter 2: The Plan of Action

The team arrived back at Post Town once more. By the time they arrived, night had fallen. So the team decided to rest for the evening, and leave in the morning tomorrow after saying a few words to the townspeople. Since the Bittercold was powered by negative emotions, Tepig suggested that they would ask the people to stay positive and count on them in this crisis. That should at least help them in their cause in some way.

The six heroes didn't have a place to stay like everyone else, so they decided to rest outside for the night. They found a nice place to sleep within Pokemon Paradise, near the hut where Tepig and Oshawott slept. They gathered together some hay and made a small bed for everyone to lay on. They gathered together for warmth as they slept.

While most of the team fell asleep instantly, Sora, who was too excited to sleep, stayed up for a while, looking outside. Since there were Heartless and Unversed about, he decided to guard the group while meander around Pokemon Paradise.

Sora was just starting to feel a bit dozy as he arrived near Tepig and Oshawott's hut. He stretched his arms and yawned. "Guess I better head back." he stated, and he turned towards the direction where their nest was at.

"Sora?" whispered a small voice. Sora turned to see Oshawott creep out from the hut. "Hey, Oshawott." Sora greeted her, "You couldn't sleep?" "Hardly. I had too much before." she responded, walking over to Sora. She and Sora turned to the moon in the night sky. It was full, and it shined down upon the two.

"You scared?" Oshawott asked. "No, not really." Sora answered, "You?" "A lot." Oshawott replied, "I'm afraid to go into this fight, with the chance that I might…not save this world." Sora looked to her as she looked down.

For a while, they didn't speak, then Oshawott continued, "I'm actually starting to remember more. About myself." "Really?" Sora asked, "What do you remember?" "Just a few small things." Oshawott answered, "Like I remember this one time that I was so scared to continue on in fights. I felt like running away from everyone and everything, fearing of dying. However, I did remember someone telling me that I wasn't gonna die, and that he and some others would protect me."

"Sounds like this guy really means a lot to you." Sora stated, "So do you feel the same now?" "Not anymore." Oshawott answered, "I know I have Tepig and the others to help me, plus you guys and Lucario. However, I realized through Tepig and the rest of Team Infinity that I wasn't gonna run away from my problems. I will face the darkness, no matter how scary it might be, and that I will survive in the end."

Oshawott looked up at the moon determinately, with Sora looking at her, awe-inspired at her conviction. He then smiled a toothy grin as he said, "Then we don't have anything to worry about tomorrow, right?" Oshawott nodded in response, smiling softly at him.

Sora stretched and yawned. "Well, I'm gonna get some rest. You should do the same as well." "I'll try." Oshawott giggled as Sora ran off, "Goodnight!" "Night, Oshawott!" Sora answered, and he disappeared around the hut. Oshawott looked up at the moon again, thinking. She didn't tell Sora the full truth; about who it really was that said those words. Still, it was good enough to say for now. She turned back to the hut, and walked inside to rest a bit more.

The next morning, the team woke up again, and all of Team Infinity, the six heroes, and Lucario joined together in Pokemon Paradise. They decided that while everyone stood back, Tepig, Oshawott and Lucario would go into town, gather up all the Pokemon there, and explain what has been happening. With that plan set, Tepig, Oshawott and Lucario walked away from the group, telling everyone around Pokemon Paradise to gather at Post Town. They did so, leaving the group behind.

For a while, the team waited. Then Sora, Donald and Emolga grew tired of staying in the same place, and they suggested the team would go to the crossroads to see whether the other three were making progress. Everyone agreed, and they set out to the place.

When they got there, they could hear Tepig's explanation about what was going on with the world, and that the Pokemon would band together to bring hope in order to stop the Bittercold from growing. However, they got the opposite reaction from the townspeople, saying that it would be impossible to defeat Kyurem and stop the Bittercold, and that instead of stopping the inevitable, they should do whatever they want.

"What is wrong with them?!" Sora snarled. "Gawrsh, looks like them folks are just not gonna help." Goofy noticed. "Why won't they have some hope? Even a little?" Asuna asked.

"I'm not totally surprised." Virizion replied, "Everyone believes things just don't work out that way in real life. No matter how hard you try, things can't always be fixed, and the simple act of trying isn't gonna help. After many unsuccessful tries, you start to think 'What's the point? Trying just makes everything hurt worse.' And that pain will dig deep into your heart, making it hard to remove."

"That can't be right." Kirito stated, "Sure, sometimes, situations get worse, but they have to look at the ones that worked out. They must have at least SOME hope. They just aren't using it to help those guys." The team looked worried at this. Without their extra support of hope, what would become of them? Sora, however, wasn't gonna let this down.

"We have to let them believe in us!" he stated, "I have always believed that I needed my friends help in order to overcome any obstacle, whether they are there or not. If they just believe in us, than surely we can use that belief to overpower the Bittercold, I just know it!" The others looked at him. The other heroes weren't surprised. His idea that believing in something, that if they believe hard enough that it will happen, was always his thing. That has helped the team out as well, so they had to agree in his words.

Just then, the ground started to shake beneath them. "What's going on?!" Donald squawked. "I don't know!" Umbreon answered looking around, "An earthquake?" "Look!" Espeon cried, looking into the sky beyond the path they took before. In the sky looked like an icy blue floating island of some kind, far off in the distance.

"What is that?!" Sora asked. "The Glacier Palace!" Umbreon answered, "That's where Kyurem and the Bittercold are at. But it has changed a bit." "I don't remember it being so spiky!" Dunsparce moaned.

"How is it floating anyway?" Asuna asked incredulously. "The Bittercold can manipulate gravity, and make thing float." Espeon answered. "Though I bet because of its' growing strength, it is making the Glacier Palace move around in the sky." Umbreon assumed.

"What would happen if that palace gets near here?" Yui asked, turning to Virizion. "If I remember correctly, once it is big enough, the Bittercold will destroy everything in its' wake, until there is nothing left." Virizion moaned.

The team could hear panicked cries, and they looked into the town to see all the Pokemon in there fleeing around in terror, going inside homes, closing down shops, hiding. "What's going on?!" Emolga asked. "The Pokemon are panicking from the sight of the Glacier Palace." Yui noticed. "It's because they know that the destruction of the world is coming soon." Umbreon stated, "They don't have any hope or courage to face the doom that is about to happen. And quite frankly, I'm scared about it as well."

Just then, a bunch of Heartless and Unversed surrounded the group, surprising them. There was a lot more than before. "Not again!" cried Donald. "And it will end the same way as before." Kirito told him, "Team Infinity, I hope you're ready!" The team divided into two groups; Sora, Kirito, Goofy, Espeon and Umbreon in one group, Asuna, Donald, Yui, Virizion, Emolga and Dunsparce in another.

The Unversed were the same kind as before, but the Heartless were abundant. There were Driller Moles, Aerial Knockers, Shamans, Neoshadows, and even a couple Living Bones in the fray.

It wasn't just the six heroes that had improved attacks. Virizion was now able to use Leaf Blade, Work Up, and Sacred Sword. Emolga could now use Discharge, Electro Ball and Agility. Espeon was able to use Psychic and Shadow Ball. Umbreon could now use Assurance and Screech. And Dunsparce, who the team never actually saw in combat, could use Roost, Ancientpower, Double-Edge, and Endure. It didn't take long before the team cleared the place.

Just as they cleared everything, Tepig, Oshawott and Lucario joined the others. "What's going on here?" Tepig asked. "A bunch of Heartless and Unversed." Asuna replied, "And there was a lot more than before." "Do ya think it's because of the Glacier Palace and the Bittercold?" Goofy asked. "If both the Heartless, Unversed and the Bittercold destroy the world, there won't be ANYTHING to recreate!" Asuna told everyone.

Kirito looked at the floating palace in the sky, then he turned to the others with a determinate look on his face. "We have to get to the Glacier Palace now!" Kirito told the group, "The more time we stay here, the more time the Bittercold and everything else has to destroy the world!" "But how?" Emolga asked, "The other Pokemon aren't brave enough to support our cause." "Swanna was the only one that is believe in us." Tepig moaned, "It's kinda lonely to me."

"We still have hope. We still have courage." Oshawott pointed out, "Shouldn't that be good enough?" The others looked to her. "We might not have many on our side that believe in us, but we believe in a bright future, right?" she continued, "I mean, it would be nice if the townsfolk believed in us…but we can't be down and out with that. We must make an example on how to not loosing faith or courage that all Pokemon will become friendly with each other again!"

"Well said." Lucario acknowledged, "If you are filled with that conviction, then I have no doubt we can make the future bright." "I second that!" Emolga agreed. "Me too!" Yui added. "I think we all are agreed." Kirito stated, "Then let's get started. We may not have the support we wanted, but we will still fight and defeat the Bittercold. Let's go to the Glacier Palace, and save this world!"

"But, uh, how are we gonna get to that there palace in the sky?" Goofy asked. "Espeon and I were talking a little while ago." Umbreon told the group, "And we thought of something that might help. However, we need to go somewhere alone first. But due to the danger, we shouldn't waste time going out and back. Let's meet at the Great Glacier."

Espeon and Umbreon walked over and handed Tepig four square panels with sun-like symbols on them. "What are those?" Sora asked. "They're Entercards." Espeon answered, "They are able to open up a Magnagate, which is basically a shortcut to the Great Glacier." "I see." Sora understood.

"Tepig, I'm sure you understand how to use them." Umbreon asked the red pig. "Yeah, I think so." he answered. "Then we'll leave it up to you." Espeon told him, then turning to Umbreon. "Let's go." "Wait." stopped Lucario, "Allow me to go along with you. Any extra support is needed." "Of course." Umbreon agreed. "Then all three of us will go together." Espeon stated. With their plan set, the trio ran along the pathway, and disappeared.

"We should get moving as well." Tepig told Oshawott. "I agree." Virizion followed. "You're not gonna leave us behind." Asuna told the others. "Let us come along as well." Kirito asked. "I'm coming too!" stated Emolga.

"I'm…gonna stay here and help convince the other Pokemon to believe in you guys." Dunsparce told the group, "I don't know how much help I can be, but I will do my best to make sure everyone in Post Town will support your cause and have courage that the future is a happy one!" "Dunsparce…" Emolga muttered, happy to see his determination. "Then what are we waiting for?" asked Sora, "Let's go destroy the Bittercold!" "Yeah!" cheered the rest of the crew.


Chapter 3: The Magnagate to the Great Glacier

The team followed Oshawott and Tepig into Post Town once more. Most of the Pokemon were inside their homes and shops, scared. "I really hope these Pokemon will have a change of heart." Yui stated. "Don't worry." Virizion told her, "We can count on Dunsparce to help everyone stay positive and be brave. If anyone can do it, it's Dunsparce." "Thanks, Virizion." said Dunsparce, blushing at her kindness.

They walked up to the top of the hill in Post Town. Tepig handed two of the Entercards over to Emolga. "Before, it was Espeon and Umbreon that used these cards." Emolga reminded him, "Do you really think us two can do it, too?" "I-I think so." Tepig stammered, slightly nervous. He then shook his head, and sternly nodded. He knew he can do this.

Everyone watched as the two Pokemon placed the four Entercards in a specific way. They started to glow, and large red rings started to form around the Entercards, Tepig and Emolga. There was a flash of light, and suddenly, a vortex formed on the floor in the circles. The six heroes were awe-inspired.

"Phew… Thank goodness." sighed Tepig. "I was way nervous, you guys!" cried Emolga, "Don't ever have me do that again!" "So this is a Magnagate?" Sora asked, looking into the vortex. "Yep." Tepig answered as he and Emolga stood in the middle of the vortex, "Now come on, guys! We have a Bittercold to destroy!"

The six heroes, Oshawott and Virizion all walked into the middle of the vortex as well, leaving Dunsparce outside the circles. "Do your best out there! And come back safe, okay?" he told them. "We will." Tepig replied, "You do your part here." Dunsparce nodded in response. There was a bright light, and the portal disappeared with everyone inside of it.

Next thing they knew, the team found themselves inside what looked like a lit cave with the stone walls and floor being a purple hue and puddles around here and there. "What's this?" Kirito asked, "Didn't you say this was a shortcut to the Great Glacier?" "It is. We just have to go through this dungeon." Oshawott responded.

"It does feel a bit different from the other Magnagate dungeon." Tepig noticed, "More of an eerie feeling." "Heartless." Yui guessed, "And Unversed as well." The team looked to one another. "Stay on your toes, guys." Kirito told the group, and he, Sora, Asuna, Tepig and Oshawott led the group into the dungeon.

The place was more of a maze to the group, with several levels to deal with. And it was as Yui said; there were Heartless and Unversed in this dungeon instead of the regular Pokemon. It was fortunate that the team was able to fend them off together. Tepig and Oshawott had a few new moves to show against them. Tepig was now able to use Rock Smash and Flare Blitz, and Oshawott can use Hydro Pump and Aerial Ace.

It was really difficult to find their way around, and it took a few hours before Emolga noticed some light at the end of the dungeon. "That must be the exit." Tepig stated, "Let's go!" The team rushed towards the light, in which chilly wind was blowing out of. The team came out to find themselves surrounded by a mountain region of ice and snow everywhere. The chilly winds made some of the group shudder a bit.

"Is this the Great Glacier?" Donald asked. "Looks like it." Virizion replied, "See? We weren't on the wrong path." "So many glaciers!" gasped Emolga. "So what should we do now?" asked Sora. "We should wait here for Espeon, Umbreon and Lucario to come." Kirito replied, "I hope they can make it here in time."

Just then, the place went dark all around them, as if they were enveloped by something's shadow. "What's this?" "Up there!" cried Yui and Goofy together. Everyone looked up and gasped. It was the Glacier Palace, floating above there head. It was a lot bigger than they thought it was. And what's more, the heroes noticed a large ring of ice encircling the palace like it was Jupiter, and many small pieces of ice surrounding the palace.

"Is that…?!" gasped Asuna. "It is. But I didn't expect it to be over us like this!" Tepig panicked. "It's not just floating; it's moving as well!" Kirito pointed out, "This is how the Bittercold's gonna destroy everything; by moving all around and destroy everything in its' range!"

"Is it just me, or do you guys hear some kind of noise?" Emolga asked. The team looked around, listening. They could definitely hear something approach. "Up there!" cried Sora, pointing into the sky. Above them was what looked like a giant bird-like Heartless, and it was carrying a treasure chest in its' mouth. Its' wings were comprised of four golden cutlasses, and it had a tail made of golden skulls.

The team heard something from behind, and they turned to see two large Heartless that looked mechanical, similar to the Surveillance Robot Heartless before, only with a different color; a red middle, yellow on top and bottom, with purple arms. All three Heartless surrounded the group.

"What are these things?!" cried Emolga, panicked at the sight. "Yui!" Kirito called out. "Okay. The two Heartless on this side are called 'Destroyers'." Yui analyzed, "They aren't that tough, but you should still watch out for them. The big problem is the one in front of us." The team looked at the bird, which almost represented a parrot's face. "This one is called 'Ruler of the Sky'." Yui continued, "It's a strong aerial-combat Heartless with a strong mixture of attacks."

"We have to take them out now!" Kirito stated, his Keyblade keychain appearing around his left arm, "The quicker we do this, the sooner we can get to the Glacier Palace!" "Careful! It is immune to ice, electric and wind attacks!" Yui told him, "But some good fire attacks will work!" "Okay then." Kirito understood, "Asuna, Tepig and Oshawott, you guys handle this beast. The rest of us will handle the Destroyers! Disperse!" With the plan set, the team divided into three pairs; the three selected went for the Ruler of the Sky. Kirito, Goofy, Yui and Emolga went for one of the Destroyers while Sora, Donald and Virizion went for the other.

The fights were tough, especially the fight against the Ruler of the Sky. It was soaring high into the sky, making it hard to reach with close range attacks. It sent ice orbs down at the trio, and they dodged as the orbs made contact with the ground, producing ice pillars in its' wake.

Asuna tried her Leaf Storm on it, and it did cause some good damage. Tepig and Oshawott followed up with Flamethrower and Hydro Pump respectively, damaging it even further. However, the Heartless was still full of strength, and it turned red and charged down at the trio. It moved so fast, that the team couldn't move in time, and they were struck hard by it's attack. They sprawled on the ground, but got back onto their feet again. "Ouch! That hurt!" cried Tepig. "We're still able to fight, so let's keep going!" cried Asuna, and they continued the assault.

Meanwhile, the Destroyers could only ram into the others or fire lasers down at them. The physical attacks would sometimes come with the Destroyers shining brightly, making it hard to see it coming. Whereas if the lasers struck one of the team members, their defenses were temporarily weakened.

"I've had enough of you, you overgrown tin cans!" cried Emolga, unleashing a Discharge onto the one he and the other three were facing. The attack did some damage, and it actually paralyzed it. "Thanks, Emolga!" called out Kirito, "Let us finish the job!" He, Yui and Goofy readied themselves, and each unleashed an attack; Yui's Psychic, Goofy's Razor Leaf, and Kirito's Metal Claw. The three attacks collided, and eliminated the Heartless.

Meanwhile, Sora, Donald and Virizion were having some trouble with their Destroyer, especially when its' laser attack struck Virizion, and it knocked her down, her defenses weakened. It attempted to charge at them, glowing brightly as it did. "Not again!" cried Donald. Sora could barely see the opponent come, and was unable to make a clean shot at it. He then came up with an idea.

"Donald, use Water Pulse on the ground before us!" Sora told him. Donald looked at him, not sure why he would say that, but he did it anyway. The Water Pulse exploded on impact, creating a geyser of water. Sora unleashed his Thunderbolt at the same spot, and the water was electrified by his attack. The Destroyer came through, and got the shock of its' life when it made contact with the combo attack. The light died down, and they could see its' position.

"Now you'll see what we can do!" Sora declared as Virizion got back onto her feet again. Donald held the Destroyer still with his Confusion attack, while Sora and Virizion charged. Sora used his Iron Tail while Virizion unleashed Sacred Sword. They cross-slashed the Heartless, destroying it once and for all.

As for the other three, they were having difficulty trying to bring down the Ruler of the Sky, who shot a storm of coins from its' mouth and ice orbs from its' tail down at the trio. Asuna used a Vine Whip, binding her vines around the part where the tail meets the Heartless' body. Unfortunately, it started soaring over the edge of the cliff near them, dragging Asuna with it.

"Oh, no!" cried Asuna, seeing where she was heading. She tried digging her feet into the ground, but they couldn't dig well enough into the ice beneath her. Tepig and Oshawott came to her side, trying to grab ahold of her and prevent her from falling, but they ended up joining the ride as they were pulled off the cliff, and started to dangle from the Vine Whip Asuna had on the Ruler of the Heartless.

"Th-this is not how I wanted to go!" cried Tepig. "Whatever you do, don't let go!" Oshawott told Asuna. "I'm trying, but you guys clinging onto me isn't exactly helping!" cried Asuna, struggling to sustain her grip. The Heartless suddenly reared left, and the trio made outcries as they were pulled along in its' wake.

The outcries caught the attention of the others, and they saw what was going on. "Asuna!" called out Kirito. "We have to draw its' attention towards us!" Sora stated. "Let me!" said Emolga, and she jumped off the cliff. Since she was built like a flying squirrel, the wind caught the flaps attached between her arms and legs, and she was carried upwards towards the Heartless.

He came flying in front of the Ruler of the Sky, catching its' attention. "Hey, you poor excuse for a Pokemon, come and get me!" he sassed, and he soared away from it, with the Heartless chasing after her. It shot coins like machine gun pellets at her, but she hastily evaded the attack.

When they were finally back over the ground they were before, Emolga took a dive, and the Ruler of the Sky followed, unknowingly pulling the trio with it. Emolga landed onto the ground next to everyone else, and the Ruler of the Sky stopped and roared at them. "Heads up!" said Sora, looking up to see Asuna relinquish her Vine Whip, she, Oshawott and Tepig falling directly down upon the Heartless.

"Guys, let's clip its' wings!" Asuna declared, readying her Leaf Blade attack. Oshawott pulled out her scalchop seashell and started to perform Razor Shell. Tepig was using the speed of their descent to perform Flare Blitz, becoming consumed by a stream of blue flames as they fell. The trio landed their attack onto the back of the Heartless, making it roar out loud in agony. It then collapsed to the ground in a misty cloud, and in a twinkling of lights, it disappeared.

The trio came out of the mist, making their way next to the others. "You okay?" Virizion asked. "We're fine." Asuna replied, with Oshawott nodding in agreement. "Thank goodness…" Tepig sighed in relief, "Thanks, Emolga. We couldn't have finished that monster without you." Emolga chuckled at the compliment. "They didn't realize they were messing with Team Infinity. Those Heartless should think twice before messing with us!"

Just then, a trio of Heartless appeared out of nowhere, ready to attack Emolga from behind. "Watch out!" cried Sora as Emolga turned to see them come. Just then, Lucario came leaping out of nowhere, his Bone Rush at the ready, and with one swipe, he knocked them all down. His Bone Rush disappeared, and he turned to the group. "It's a bit early to let your guard down." he told Emolga. "Lucario!" gasped Sora. "Th-Thanks for saving me." Emolga stammered.

Lucario walked into the center of the group. "Where's Espeon and Umbreon?" Tepig asked him. "They are just up ahead." Lucario responded, "They are getting everything ready." "Getting what ready?" Donald asked. "We found a way to the Glacier Palace." Lucario told them. "You did?" gasped Virizion. "Follow me." Lucario told the others, and he walked on ahead of them. The team looked to one another, then followed Lucario towards Espeon and Umbreon.


Chapter 4: Divide at Glacier Palace

It took a couple minutes, but Lucario brought the others to Espeon and Umbreon, who were working on something. "I've brought them here." Lucario told them, and they turned to see the team there. Kirito and Tepig turned to where the two were working on, and saw three Entercards in a square panel, with the fourth outside of it.

"Are those more Entercards?" Kirito asked. "Does this mean you found a way for us to go into the Glacier Palace using the Magnagate?" Tepig asked Umbreon. "More or less." he answered, "But these are special Entercards. They will allow us to go directly to the Glacier Palace without any other obstacles." "Cool!" cheered Sora.

"But how did you get these cards?" Oshawott asked, "Did you make these?" "No. We found them. Here in the glaciers." Espeon replied. "Found them?" Tepig asked. "It seems like someone left these cards hidden in the glaciers, waiting for someone like us to find them." Umbreon guessed.

"But who would do something like that?" Yui asked. "You don't know this, you six, but there was a Pokemon who came to the Great Glacier before us, and he, too, was a Magnagate user." Umbreon explained, "And there was only one Pokemon that comes to mind that could have done this…" Umbreon looked to Virizion. "I'm speaking, of course, about Keldeo." "K-Keldeo?!" gasped Virizion.

"Who's Keldeo?" Asuna asked. "He was a friend, or was." Virizion answered, "He went to the Great Glacier before, but he disappeared. Later, I got a letter saying that he was doing this to get away from me." "Oh, so that was the trouble you were talking about during our first visit here." Sora realized, recalling the story Virizion told him, Asuna and Donald, and about how it almost made her not trust anyone again.

"He must've made these Entercards for the purpose of reaching the Glacier Palace if it ever started to float and move across the land." Lucario suggested, "It is really ingenious, if you ask me."

"And that's not the only conclusion we have." Espeon followed, looking at the Entercards, "Keldeo did enter the Glacier Palace, but he was never heard from since that time. He could have come to pick these up if he came out of the palace. However, if my intuition is correct, then he left these here because he was unable to retrieve them again. Meaning…" "Meaning he is still up there, in the palace." Kirito realized, with everyone looking up at the moving Glacier Palace. "Keldeo…" muttered Virizion.

"Let's go already!" demanded Sora, "We have to go to the Glacier Palace anyway to stop the Bittercold, so we should rescue Keldeo as well." Espeon and Umbreon nodded in agreement, and prepared the Entercards. They placed them in a certain formation, and they lit up. The same thing happened as before, with the portal opening before them. However, a burst of light shot out, connecting itself with the portal and Glacier Palace. The team stepped into it, and the portal vanished with them along with, and they became nothing but sparkling lights as they traveled along the path of light into the palace.

When the team came too, they found themselves in a room full of ice. They looked around, analyzing the place. "The place looks a bit different, but we are definitely inside the Glacier Palace." Virizion examined. "Alright! We made it!" cheered Sora.

"Hold on a moment." Emolga stopped them, "Getting up here is great and all, but what about our way back? Do we even have a way to do that?" The team looked to one another before Espeon answered, "Of course we do. We just have to use Keldeo's Entercards to return back to the way we came."

"You sure that will work?" Emolga asked. "Sure it will!" Umbreon assured him, "We'll be able to return to Post Town once this is all over." "After all, we can't have Dunsparce worried about us." added Virizion. Emolga sighed in relief.

"We shouldn't waste time talking here." Asuna told the group sternly, "We should go in and find wherever this Bittercold is at. And while we're at it, keep an eye out for Keldeo and, for safety measures, Kyurem." "Let's not forget Kyurem's servants, Munna and the others." Oshawott added, "They will go all out in protecting the future from changing."

"Since a big crowd will draw a lot of attention, we should split into groups." Espeon suggested. "Good idea." Umbreon agreed, "Let's go in three teams. I will stick with Espeon, and Lucario will join us as well. Emolga and Virizion should be a pair. And finally Tepig and Oshawott."

"What about us?" Sora asked. "Since those Heartless and Unversed are still around here, I think I should let you guys pick on which team to go with." Umbreon told him, "You can even be a group yourselves if you want."

"Thanks, but I want to make sure your safety is necessary." Kirito told them, "I'll join you, and I'll have Goofy with me." He turned to the others. "Asuna, why don't you and Yui go with Virizion and Emolga." The two nodded in response. "Guess that leaves me and Donald with Tepig and Oshawott." Sora understood.

"Since the Heartless and Unversed ARE about, even if we can't summon our Keyblades, we should at least put one wielder per team, just to be safe." Kirito told them, "Make sure you all stay safe, okay?" The others nodded in agreement. "Alright, Team Infinity, let's go stop the Bittercold!" declared Tepig. The team cheered in response, and they went into a cave that split three ways, and they went into each group.

Each group was dealing with there fair share of Heartless and Unversed as they traversed the icy maze inside the palace. Fortunately, there were no signs of the servants Oshawott talked about.

In Kirito's group, the team were continuously walking through the passageway of maze. As they walked, Espeon spoke up. "Hey, Umbreon?" she started, "I know it's a bit too late to ask this but…" Kirito, Goofy and Lucario looked to her. "When you told Emolga…that we would be able to go home. Why did you lie?" Kirito and Goofy gasped. Lucario wasn't phased.

"You went along with it." Umbreon told her, "We had to tell him that. Besides, who's to say we were lying? If we examine Keldeo's Entercards right, we might find a way back after all." "You told her that so he could still have hope for survival." Lucario understood.

"Whether it's a lie or not, one thing's for certain…" said Kirito, "We will survive, and we will save this world. And when this is over, you can live a happy life together, with your friends, your townsfolk, everyone." Goofy nodded in agreement. Espeon and Umbreon smiled at Kirito and his determination.

Lucario turned to the path ahead, looked down, and smiled a bit. "Meddlers…" he muttered. "What?" Kirito asked. "Nothing." Lucario denied, "Let's keep moving." He walked on ahead, with Espeon and Umbreon following. Kirito paused, sure he felt some sort of deja vu. He and Goofy looked to one another, then moved onwards.

Meanwhile, Asuna's team was dealing with a dozen Unversed enemies. However, Yui's Magical Leaf and Emolga's Discharge proved effective against all of them, followed by a double Leaf Blade from both Virizion and Asuna. They cleared the area of all opponents.

"I'm so tired right now." moaned Yui, falling back into a sitting position. "Do you want to take a short break?" Asuna asked. Yui shook her head, but she was breathing somewhat heavily. Virizion came next to her, and knelt down. "You can ride on my back for now." she told Yui. "Thanks." Yui thanked her, and she climbed aboard Virizion's back.

Virizion looked to Emolga, who was looking at her with a serious expression. "You still hate me, don't you?" she asked him. "Wha-! No, it's not like that!" Emolga responded, "I mean, you rubbed me the wrong way at first, and you were rude to Dunsparce and you didn't trust anyone when we first met. But since you joined Infinity, and when I heard about Keldeo, I kinda understand you more."

"You were telling me this before that you didn't trust Pokemon in the past before you joined Team Infinity." Asuna recalled, "Keldeo was to blame for that. But now, he's in this palace. What will you do when you see him?" Virizion looked to one side, wondering that same question herself. "I don't know." she answered, "Should I be happy to see my old friend again? Even after what he said in that letter? I don't know."

Asuna looked up at her, then she turned to the path onward. "If you don't know what to feel right now, then don't think about it." she told Virizion, "Let the feelings take ahold of you when you actually find Keldeo again." Virizion and Emolga looked to her, seeing her eyes shadowed. I'm one to talk, since I'm still wondering the same thing. Asuna thought to herself, thinking about Aqua. There was a moment of silence from everyone, then Asuna continued on, clearing her head for the moment, and the others followed her.

The team found themselves walking on a new path ahead of them. Yui realized that they were ascending up the path, seeing some light at the end of the path. They continued to climb until they reached the top, finding themselves outside again. "The path opens up here." Emolga pointed out. "Which means we'll be easy to be spotted." Asuna replied, "We can't let our guard down. We should get moving before we are spotted." She turned to the path onward. "Let's go there."

Just then, they heard a voice. "You guys! How did you get up here?!" The team looked around cautiously. "Who said that?!" demanded Asuna. "That voice…an enemy?!" Virizion confirmed. "And just when we said we should be careful, huh?" Emolga asked as Yui climbed off of Virizion, ready to fight.

Some ice shattered to one side, and they shielded themselves as someone came flying out of it. It was a Purugly, and it moved itself in between them and the path onward. "Pete?!" gasped Asuna and Yui. "What are you doing here?!" demanded Asuna, her Keyblade keychain produced on her tail. "That's a different Purugly." Virizion warned them, "This one is aligned with Kyurem."

"Nya-ha-ha-ha!" chortled the Purugly, "This palace is floating in the sky. I can't believe you made it herrre. But since you arrre…" She meowed loudly, and an abundance of Heartless appeared all around them. "So many of them…" Emolga growled. "We have to find a way to escape!" Virizion declared. "I don't think Purugly and the Heartless will give us a chance to escape." Yui responded, "We're just gonna have fight them all off!" Asuna stood at the ready, but she was worried about the odds they had.

In Sora's group, he and Tepig unleashed a Thunderbolt and Flamethrower combo on a swarm of Heartless in front of them, clearing the way. It was tough going through the Glacier Palace like this. "It seems like we should be almost out." Tepig informed the group. "Then let's keep moving." Oshawott answered. "I see a path on ahead!" Sora pointed out, "Let's take it and see where it leads us." Sora raced forward with Tepig, Oshawott and Donald following him.

They raced along the path, starting to descend up something. When they reached the top, they saw a ton of Heartless and Purugly surrounding Asuna, Emolga, Virizion and Yui. "Guys!" called out Sora, drawing their attention. "Sora!" Asuna replied happily. "Donald!" squeaked Yui. "Tepig! Oshawott!" Emolga followed. "Will the intrusions never cease?!" hissed Purugly.

Sora and knocked some Heartless to away to join the others within the circle. "Need a hand here?" Sora asked Asuna. "Let me get back to you on that once we're done taking out these Heartless." she responded in a sassy manner. "Okay, guys! Let's show them how it's done!" Tepig told the group. "You got it!" Oshawott answered, readying her scalchop.

"Oshawott!" snapped Purugly, "So you plan to ignore Kyurem's warrrning? How very foolish of you! Even if your friends will escape, you won't!" "I'm not running away, and neither will the rest of my friends!" Oshawott responded, "I promised that I wouldn't run away from a fight worth fighting for. I will keep on living, making sure that so many others are safe. That…" she looked to Sora and Asuna before turning back, "…That's what Kirito taught me!" Asuna, Sora, Donald and Yui were all surprised at this.

"It doesn't matter who told you that!" retorted Purugly, "You will never survive this battle. Never!" Purugly pounced at Oshawott with her Fake Out, but Oshawott jumped up to avoid her attack. The other Heartless started to attack, but the team dispersed to face them.

Donald fired a Water Pulse as Emolga used Electro Ball, destroying a group of Heartless. Virizion and Asuna joined forces with a Sacred Sword and Aerial Ace combo, defeating the crowd of Heartless near them. Sora charged at the Heartless with Volt Tackle while Tepig used Flare Blitz, both getting recoil damage in the process, but Yui fixed them up with Heal Pulse.

Purugly was attacking Oshawott with her Fury Swipes, while Oshawott used Razor Shell to counter her strikes. "I won't let you change the futurrre!" Purugly hissed at her furiously, "This worrrld is alrrready filled with so many selfish Pokemon! It deserrrves to be overrr and done with!"

"But there are many good Pokemon in this world, like Tepig, Virizion and Emolga!" Oshawott retorted, knocking one of Purugly's claws aside, then slashing at her with Razor Shell, knocking her back, "And it is for those Pokemon that I will protect the future, and that in return will help the Pokemon in this world change for the good! Why don't you see that?!"

"Shut up!" shouted Purugly, using Double Team to duplicate herself around Oshawott, confusing her. She then unleashed Hidden Power, sending a barrage of green orbs surrounding each Purugly at Oshawott. She placed up her Protect, and she was consumed by the smoke clouds formed from the Hidden Power hitting her Protect.

For a few seconds, the cloud masked Oshawott as Purugly and her Double Team clones. Then suddenly, Oshawott came jumping upwards from the smoke, then unleashed her Hydro Pump on all of Purugly's Double Team until she hit the real one. She then came soaring directly down in front of her, then unleashing Aerial Ace, knocking Purugly off of her feet, defeating her.

Oshawott placed her scalchop on herself again, and turned to the rest of the crew, who joined with her. "Way to go, Oshawott!" cheered Tepig. "That won't keep her down forever." Virizion warned the group, "She's the kind of Pokemon who will pursue us the moment she gets up again." "Then we should keep moving." Oshawott suggested, looking at the path onward. "The Bittercold is just up ahead. I'm starting to feel it."

"Hey, Oshawott?" Sora started, "You said the night before that a piece of your memory had someone telling you to keep on living. Was it really Kirito's words that told you that?" Oshawott paused as she turned away for a second, then she nodded.

"So that means you actually knew Kirito before, as a human?!" gasped Asuna. "I did." Oshawott answered, "But I don't remember a whole lot about him. But I still remember that time, and how I was able to sleep peacefully, and without worry…because I knew he was there to protect me and my friends."

Oshawott turned to Tepig. "You make me feel the same way, Tepig." she continued, "So do Virizion, Emolga, Espeon, Umbreon and Lucario. All of you guys give me the courage to keep going." Tepig blushed a bit at these words. "We should probably move on, guys." Virizion stated, "We need to go and defeat the Bittercold as soon as possible."

With that in mind, the team moved on, but Asuna and Yui hung back a bit. "If Oshawott does know Kirito as a human, does she know us as well, mama?" Yui asked. "Maybe." Asuna replied, "Come to think of it, her story does seem familiar, but I can't really figure out who Oshawott's real identity is." Both girls tried figuring out who Oshawott was as a human as they caught up with the others.


Chapter 5: Munna, Keldeo & the World Worth Living

The four heroes and the four Team Infinity members decided it was best not to split up, since Kyurem's followers knew that they were there. Before, they divided up so they wouldn't be spotted so easily, but now that they were noticed, it was best to be safe in numbers. This was working considerably well since Heartless and Unversed were popping up even more often. Yui guessed that it was because of the Bittercold and, what Oshawott described, the Winds of Despair it emanated.

It wasn't just them that were getting swarmed by the enemies. Kirito's group was also dealing with a bunch as well. No matter how many they took down, several more just kept popping up in their place. Kirito and Lucario unleashed a Metal Claw and Bone Rush combo up close, then they backed off as Umbreon used Helping Hand on Espeon and Goofy, and they unleash a Shadow Ball and Razor Leaf combo, defeating the rest.

"Huh…huh…is that…the last of them?" panted Umbreon. "For now, it is…" Kirito answered, somewhat worn from the continuous battles. "We should keep moving now!" Lucario told the others, "I'm detecting more enemies from behind nearing our position!" The team looked back and heard the sounds of the oncoming Heartless and Unversed. "Run for it!" cried Goofy, and he dashed onward, with the other four close behind.

After several minutes of running, the team found themselves outside again, nearing another part of the Glacier Palace. It was different from the rest of the palace, with electric arcs coursing around the spire of ice, and a large boulder of ice blocking a doorway into it.

"What is this place?" Umbreon asked. "A tower…of ice?" Goofy asked. "There's something blocking my ability to detect the aura inside." Lucario said, looking up it, "It could be that electrical field pulsing around the tower." "And does this looks suspiciously like a door to you?" Umbreon asked, indicating the boulder of ice blocking the hole into the tower.

Kirito stepped forward to examine it. "If you consider all of the facts, I'm guessing this building is keeping something inside of it…or maybe someone." The five heroes looked to one another, then behind them. "And I bet those Heartless and Unversed were guarding this building for some reason." Espeon guessed. "Must be something important." Umbreon stated. "Is it the Bittercold?" Goofy guessed. "Only one way of finding out." Kirito answered, stepping to the boulder of ice blocking the doorway in, with Lucario and Umbreon at his side.

After examining the ice, they realized that Umbreon was right; It was a door, and a one-way one as well. Kirito, Lucario and Umbreon pushed with all their might, slowly opening the door, until they finally opened it all the way. They entered in, with Espeon and Goofy behind them, and saw the rather spacious room.

On one side of the room of ice, they noticed a bunch of Entercards like the ones Umbreon, Espeon and Lucario found before in the glaciers. However, what drew their attention the most was someone lying on the ground in the corner of the room. It looked like a colt, with deep blue hooves, cream and light blue fur, a small curved horn on its' forehead, and dark blue protrusions around its' red, feathery mane.

They rushed over to the Pokemon's side. He looked in bad shape. "Hey, are you alive?!" asked Espeon. The Pokemon moaned a bit as it shifted its' head. "He's okay!" cheered Goofy. "Thank goodness." sighed Kirito.

Lucario bent down and handed an Oran Berry, which looked like an oversized blueberry, to him. "Here. This will restore your stamina." he told the Pokemon. The Pokemon opened its' eyes, seeing the berry, and munched it down. He then slowly got into a kneeling position. "You…came to save me…thanks." he moaned, "We should…get away…while we can."

"Slow down, kid." Kirito stopped him, "You're in no shape right now to move at the moment." The Pokemon struggled to get to his feet, but he stumbled and fell. "I'm just wondering something." Umbreon stepped in, "You're Keldeo, right?" He looked up at Umbreon, surprised. "How do you know…my name?" he asked. Kirito, Goofy and Lucario looked to Espeon and Umbreon, who were wondering where to begin with their answer.

Back with the other team, the eight Pokemon continued their way up the Glacier Palace along the Western Spire, trying their best to reach the top while taking out Heartless and Unversed. "How much farther until we reach there?" panted Donald. "Just a little further." Virizion answered, "I still remember our last time we came here."

Tepig and Oshawott looked to the path ahead with signs of concern. "What is it?" Sora asked, seeing their expressions. "We haven't ran into more of Kyruem's followers since Purugly." Tepig answered, "I thought that since they know we are here, we would run into them by now." "It could be a trap." Asuna pointed out. "That's the most likely case." Oshawott answered, "Let's keep an eye out for them."

After a while of running, the team could feel they were getting close to the top. However, the ground around them started to tremor. "What was that, just now?" Emolga asked in a frightened manner. "It definitely doesn't feel good." Virizion answered. "It's gotta be the Bittercold!" Sora guessed, "Hurry, you guys!" The team raced along the pathway onwards.

Suddenly, everything went dark as the path up ahead opened up. "Why is everything dark here?" Donald asked. Sora and Tepig heard some rustling. "We're not alone here!" Sora warned the team, "Everyone, be on your guard!"

"You!" snapped a feminine voice, "Why are you trying to save this cold, harsh world?!" "Who said that?!" gasped Yui. "Munna!" cried Oshawott. "I won't let you people stop this world from being destroyed!" the voice declared.

Suddenly, the lights went up, and the team found themselves surrounded by a ton of Heartless, Unversed, and three Pokemon. One looked like a floating black chandelier, emanating purple flames from its' four hands and one large flame on top. The second Pokemon was a blue and black-stripped poisonous toad on two feet, with a red sack under its' chin and a red claw on each hand. The third Pokemon was smaller than the other two, but it was a floating, pink, spherical Pokemon with tapered limbs and snout, and purple flower patterns on its' body.

"We're surrounded!" Asuna cried, the eight heroes backing against each other from the surrounding enemies. "The three Pokemon there are Chandelure, Toxicroak and Munna!" Yui analyzed the three Pokemon. Sora, Tepig and Oshawott found themselves facing the three Pokemon, while the others were looking at the rest of the horde.

"All of these Pokemon are sick and tired of this rotten world." Munna told the others, with the three Pokemon moving closer to them, "This absurd world, where the honest suffer, and where evil flourishes unchecked! A world like this must be destroyed!" "That's not gonna stop us from protecting the good Pokemon in this world!" Tepig snapped back, the team preparing for combat, "Everyone, get ready!" "My fellow Pokemon, as well as the creatures that follow us, attack these careless Pokemon NOW!" The enemy charged in, and the heroes started the fight.

While the rest of the team attacked the Heartless and Unversed, Sora, Oshawott and Tepig went for each of the Pokemon; Tepig went for Toxicroak, Oshawott went for Chandelure, and Sora went for Munna.

Toxicroak unleashed a Sludge Bomb onto Tepig, but he quickly avoided the attack and the pool of poison it left. Tepig shot Flamethrower back, but Toxicroak jumped high to avoid it, coming back down with Dark Pulse, hitting Tepig and blasting him backwards.

Oshawott was keeping Chandelure at bay with her Razor Shell, slicing forward as Chandelure backed off. It fired a Flame Burst attack, but Oshawott placed up Protect to block it. When Chandelure saw the Protect die down, it fired Smog at Oshawott, who coughed from inhaling it. She then started to grow weak as she got poisoned by Smog. No, not now. she thought to herself.

Sora unleashed an Iron Tail as Munna struck with Zen Headbutt. The two attacks made contact, and Sora pushed Munna away with his attack. Munna got back up to see Sora charge forward again with Quick Attack. Munna used Psychic, stopping Sora in his tracks, then flinging him over to the wall of ice, breaking pieces off of it as Sora fell to the floor.

Munna yawned as she sent a pink bubble at Sora. However, a tossed Neoshadow by Emolga got in the way, and the bubble struck the Heartless, making it fall asleep. Sora got up, seeing what the attack did. "Is it sleeping?" Sora asked. "Watch out! That was Munna's Yawn!" Yui called out to Sora, "It will put you to sleep if you get hit by it!" "Good to know." Sora understood, seeing Munna ticked off by her failed attack.

The rest of the team were handling the Heartless and Unversed quite well, but they kept coming from all over, drawn to their group. It was really giving the team a hard time, overwhelming them. Asuna defeated a half-dozen Heartless and Unversed with Leaf Storm, but more replaced them. "We can't keep up like this!" she panted, wondering how much more they had to deal with.

The eight heroes grouped together again, struggling to keep going as the three Pokemon, the Heartless and the Unversed surrounded them again. "Your efforts are useless!" Munna warned them, "We won't let you go and change this future. We, who have been hurt and betrayed for no reason, won't let this rotten world live on. We join together as the world shunted us aside. It has to be destroyed!"

Emolga handed Oshawott a Pecha Berry, healing her of her poison. The crew looked around, not sure if they were gonna make it. "Kirito, please save us…" whispered Oshawott, praying for a miracle to happen. "Okay, lot! Charge!" declared Munna, and they were about to attack the team.

Suddenly, from in between the heroes and the Pokemon, a swirling and familiar portal opened, with the red rings surrounding it. "A Magnagate!" Tepig realized, seeing it appear. Everyone turned to see the Magnagate open up, and out of it came Kirito, Umbreon, Espeon, Goofy, and Keldeo, jumping instantly into the battle.

"I won't let you hurt my friends!" shouted Kirito, coming in with an Ice Punch, knocking Munna back and sending her to the ground. Umbreon unleashed Assurance onto Chandelure while Espeon used Psychic on Toxicroak, and they were dealt the same way as Munna. "Phew. Just in time." Espeon sighed in relief.

"Kirito!" cried Asuna. "Goofy!" Yui and Sora cried out. "Lucario!" Emolga shouted. "Espeon, Umbreon! You guys made it!" Tepig said happily. "K-Keldeo!" said a shocked Virizion, seeing the extra member in the group. "He's Keldeo?!" Oshawott asked. "How did you escape that tower?!" demanded Munna, then it hit her, "You…you meddlers!"

"Umbreon and his friends informed me on everything that has happened." Keldeo told Munna, "When I came here and heard of what you were doing, I tried to convince you once before that what you were doing was wrong. However, you wouldn't listen to my words, so you captured me and locked me in that tower. Please reconsider your actions. Let these Pokemon go forward!"

"No!" shouted Munna, "This world is rotten and evil! My friends and I will work together, and we'll protect the fate of this world! We won't let you lot win!" The Heartless and Unversed charged in, and the team, now with added assistance, fought once more.

This time, the battles against the trio of opponents were fought in pairs; Tepig and Lucario against Toxicroak, Kirito and Oshawott against Chandelure, and Asuna and Sora against Munna. The rest of the members were joint in pairs as well; Donald and Goofy, Yui and Emolga, Umbreon and Espeon, and Virizion and Keldeo. Despite being at half-strength, he was quite strong, with Hydro Pump, Focus Blast, Sacred Sword, and Swords Dance.

Toxicroak used Poison Jab towards Tepig, but Lucario stepped in, taking the shot. The attack didn't do anything to him. "I'm a Steel-type." he informed a startled Toxicroak, "Your Poison-type moves don't even phase me." Tepig jumped and used Rock Smash, striking Toxicroak and weakening his defenses. Lucario then used Bone Rush, summoning a light green bone of energy, smacking Toxicroak around a few times before knocking it out.

Chandelure used Flame Burst once more, this time targeting Kirito, but he jumped to avoid it, firing an Ice Beam down at Chandelure, who used Fire Spin to protect itself from the icy attack. Oshawott used her Hydro Pump, blasting through Chandelure's Fire Spin, causing super-effective damage against it, sending it backwards, where it laid on the ground, unable to continue.

Sora and Asuna dashed forward at fast speeds at Munna, who used Psychic on the both of them, stopping them in their tracks. "No…you…don't!" shouted Sora, and he unleashed Thunderbolt, shocking Munna, freeing them from Psychic. Asuna unleashed Vine Whip, tying Munna down, then Sora came in with a Volt Tackle, striking her incredibly hard. Asuna relinquished her from the Vine Whip as Munna was sent hurdling back, slamming into the wall, then fell to the ground, where she stayed.

Everyone else combined their attacks together, blasting the rest of the Heartless and Unversed out of the way. They cleaned out the room, leaving the three defeated opponents left. "We did it… We beat them." Tepig sighed in relief.

The team grouped together, Yui and Lucario healing the team with Heal Pulse while taking some Oran Berries to heal themselves. "Thanks for saving us, you guys." Tepig thanked Kirito's team. "No problem." Kirito answered. "You weren't too late this time." Oshawott told him. Kirito turned to her, confused at those words.

"W-Wait…" moaned Munna, and everyone turned to see her, Toxicroak and Chandelure grouped together, completely out of strength, but still standing up to them. "We won't…let you lot…go any further." Munna continued, "We want…this world to end. We want…to disappear together…so we can avoid more pain from this world." The team looked at them, not with anger, but with sympathy.

"Munna, you claim you want this world to disappear along with you." Sora told her, "You say this world is cruel and disheartening. However, there is plenty of good in this world yet." Munna looked surprised at these words.

"You have your friends, right? You're all still alive because you protect one another, right?!" Tepig followed Sora, "If you all disappear, then you wouldn't spend more time with one another! Once we beat the Bittercold, we'll make this world a place worth living in! Don't you and your friends want to stick around to see that happen?!" "A world…worth living in?" Munna asked, "Can you really make such a place?" "I will!" Tepig declared whole-heartedly, "I will make that happen, for sure!"

Just then the place started to shake more violently, drawing everyone's attention. "The shaking is getting worse!" cried Yui. "It must be the Bittercold." Kirito assumed, "It's nearing the peak of its' power. We have to keep moving!"

Some cracking drew their attention, and they looked up to see a large icicle up above start to break. "It's gonna collapse on us!" cried Toxicroak. "Move!" shouted Lucario. Everyone scattered about as the massive icicle fell across the room, directly towards where Tepig and Oshawott were at. The icicle breaking the floor, dividing it in half.

When the worst was over, Tepig, Oshawott, Lucario, Munna and the six heroes ended up on the side of the room, while the rest of the crew was stuck on the other half. Munna was badly injured, while Tepig and Oshawott were knocked to the ground. "Munna just saved them!" gasped Asuna.

The six heroes, Lucario, Tepig and Oshawott all gathered around Munna as she moaned in pain. "Munna!" cried Tepig. "Please, stay with us!" Oshawott followed. "I-I'm okay…" she moaned, "But please…save this world…make it…something worth living in." The nine surrounding Munna looked sympathetically at her, then they grew serious. "You got it." Tepig answered, looking at the crew, "C'mon! Let's destroy the Bittercold!"

"We'll find our way off the Glacier Palace!" Umbreon shouted to them, "You guys go on ahead, okay?!" "Smash that Bittercold into a million pieces!" cheered Emolga. "I'm counting on you!" shouted Virizion. "Come back safe, you guys!" finished Espeon. They were getting the same cheers from Keldeo, Chandelure and Toxicroak. "Thanks!" Sora called back. The nine heroes turned to the path onward, and they charged up it.


Chapter 6: Kyurem's Wrath & Lucario's Past

The team raced through the final pathway to the top, their hearts determined to stop the Bittercold. The voices from their comrades still rang through their heads. Tepig and Lucario were starting to get short of breath. "You okay, fellas?" Goofy asked. "It must be the Bittercold." Oshawott answered, "Normal Pokemon that get close to it will suffocate from the Bittercold's energy. That's why I was sent to this world." "The six of us aren't affected because we aren't normal Pokemon either." Sora guessed.

"Guys…we will save this world." Tepig told the crew through his panting, "So whatever happens…we'll give it our all!" "Agreed!" responded Kirito, "We can't let the Bittercold destroy this world. Not when so many Pokemon our giving us support!"

After a half-hour of racing through the passageways, Lucario's appendages on his head rose as he started to check his surroundings. "I'm detecting a powerful aura up ahead." Lucario warned the team, "Better be ready." "It must be Kyurem…" Oshawott assumed, "But I won't run. We'll fight him with all our strength!"

"Kyurem is a powerful Pokemon, indeed." Yui explained, "In fact, it is considered a legendary among Pokemon." "He won't be as any different than any other enemy we faced!" Asuna retorted, "And it will end the same as the rest; with us winning!"

The team ran up some stairs made of ice, finally reaching the top floor, where they found a large room in front of them, and a door blowing purple fog out of it. Lucario and Tepig were having more trouble breathing than before. "You two gonna be okay?" Kirito asked the two. "I'm fine." Lucario simply answered, despite him being doubled-over.

"W-We must be at the top of the Glacier Palace." panted Tepig, "The Bittercold should be around here." "My guess is that it's in there." Asuna stated, looking towards the door where the purple fog was coming out of. "Let's go, you guys!" Oshawott declared, and the team marched towards the door.

"Halt!" boomed a deep voice. The team looked around, then looked up and saw something, or someone, fall from above, landing in front of the group. It was a massive dragon-like Pokemon, gray and icy blue, hunched over on two feet like a T-Rex, a cold emanating from its' body. Its' head was blue, almost looking like parts were made out of ice, and its' fangs and yellow eyes were shown. Its' ivy blue wings were mismatched, with two spikes protruding on each end. Its' tail was thick and conical, almost looking like a turbo engine.

"It's Kyurem!" gasped Oshawott. "That's Kyurem?!" Sora realized. It reared its' head as it roared loudly, then looked at the group. "So, you decided to deny my warning, and come face me instead." Kyurem told the group, "And not only that, but you brought more Pokemon from outside this world to aid you as well. It is just as I said before; If you still desire to save this world, I will put everything I have into stopping you!"

"Like we would accept that just because you knocked us around!" Oshawott yelled at Kyurem, "Not a sad fate like that! Not the disappearance of the whole Pokemon world! We will change this world for the better. Just watch and see!" "I won't watch nor see it." denied Kyurem, "Just give up. No matter how much you struggle, the future cannot be altered, nor can the hearts of Pokemon be changed."

"Well then, we'll prove you wrong!" Tepig declared, "The future is up to us! It's something we create! And if we have to fight you to make the future better, then we will!" The nine heroes readied themselves as Kyurem looked at the group. "So be it." he growled, "If you believe that you can overcome me, then prove it!" Kyurem roared loudly, and responded the same. The fight was about to happen.

Kyurem went in first by unleashing a icy storm called Glaciate, which stopped the team from moving at the moment. It then stomped towards Oshawott, unleashing a Slash at her, sending her flying. "Oshawott!" cried Sora, seeing her hit one of the pillars near the top, then she fell to the ground.

Sora turned to see Kyurem turn to him, Yui and Goofy, then it shot a Dragonbreath down at them. They got shot backwards by its' attack, falling to the ground. While Sora got back up, Yui and Goofy seemed to be unable to move. They were paralyzed from the Dragonbreath.

Tepig shot Flamethrower at Kyurem while Donald used Confusion, which did some damage, but Kyurem wasn't phased by the attack. Kyurem roared at the two, then it swerved around as it unleashed Dragon Tail, sweeping the two away. Asuna used Vine Whip, grabbing Kyurem's tail and trying to hold it down, but she got pulled along, slamming into another pillar, where she gasped in pain as she fell.

"Asuna! Tepig! Donald!" shouted Kirito, seeing his comrades taken the blow by Kyurem. He heard the dragon's growl, and he turned to see Kyurem face him. Kirito stood his ground, gritting his teeth as he prepared himself. He made a war cry as he charged forward, unleashing Metal Claw onto Kyurem's face. Since it was a Steel-type move onto an Ice-type like Kyurem, it was super effective.

Kyurem stumbled back a bit, then unleashed its' Dragonbreath at Kirito, who jumped to avoid it. Lucario leapt past Kirito, and he watched as Lucario unleashed Aura Sphere onto Kyurem's back, damaging it further. "Keep fighting, everyone!" Lucario told the group, "We aren't gonna let Kyurem defeat us like this!" The others on the ground got back up again, ready to fight as well. All nine charged from all around Kyurem.

Kyurem lived up to its' legendary status, meaning its' power. It was strong, enduring, and crafty. It kept using Glaciate, Slash, Dragonbreath, and Dragon Tail onto the crew, but they kept fighting, no matter how much they were dealt with. Kyurem seemed to specifically target Oshawott and the six heroes, since they were the ones who could reach the Bittercold. It was even able to knock out Goofy, Donald and Yui, leaving six of the remaining fighters remaining.

Asuna carried the three fallen members to one side so they could avoid getting hurt even further, then turned to see Kyurem deflect Oshawott's Razor Shell, only to be hit by Tepig's Rollout. It unleashed a Dragon Tail again, making the team keep their distance from it. Kyurem unleashed Glaciate again, freezing the team in their place. It targeted Kirito this time, readying Slash. "Kirito!" shouted Asuna and Oshawott together as Kirito looked up to see Kyurem's claw raised.

"Look out!" shouted Lucario, stepping into the attack. Kyurem unleashed Slash, and Lucario was hit by it as he and Kirito were knocked backwards into the wall, where they fell to the ground. "Lucario!" Kirito shouted as Sora joined his side. The two came next to Lucario as he raised his head, and saw that the slash left a scar on Lucario's right eye.

Kirito suddenly felt something as he looked at the scar on Lucario's eye. It was really familiar to him. Then he started thinking back on the stuff Lucario said before. "Your stories are yet to be written…They are not part of it…Meddlers…" All those words definitely reminded Kirito of someone they met in Sora's dimension, specifically in Hercules' world.

Lucario stood up straight, walking towards Kyurem, who was busy fighting Oshawott, Tepig and Asuna. "This Pokemon won't change my story." Lucario talked to himself, preparing a Bone Rush. He got into a fighting stance as he saddled the Bone Rush on his shoulder, like a sword. Like HIS sword.

"Auron…" Kirito muttered, loud enough for Sora to hear. "What?" Sora asked, surprised, then looked to Lucario, and understood what he meant. "Auron, is that you?" Kirito asked as he stepped to Lucario. He didn't answer at first, then he spoke up. "That name…was someone I was in a past life." Lucario answered, "I don't remember who he was, nor do I know what he was like. If I am like him now, maybe it's because I once was him."

Kirito and Sora looked confused at his words. He was Auron, and yet he wasn't? Kirito then realized what he meant; It was like he was reincarnated. He was once Auron, but that life was over. Now, he was Lucario in this world, and although is personality was somewhat similar, he was a different person. Still, the soul of the man they once knew still lived on in him. Kirito had to smirk. He could even say this was his sequel to his story.

They heard Kyurem's roar, and saw Asuna getting hit by a Dragonbreath attack, while Tepig and Oshawott were panting hard from the long fight. "Whether you are Auron or not, it's good to have someone we know fighting alongside us." Kirito stated as he and Sora came to either side of Lucario. They then charged forward at Kyurem, which drew its' attention to them.

Kyurem fired a Glaciate at them, but Lucario and Sora dodged to either side while Kirito charged into the icy attack. Since he, too, was an Ice-type, he should focus on his Pokemon adaption, and endure the Glaciate, which seemed to work a bit. Sora then performed his Iron Tail, slamming it onto Kyurem's head, stopping its' attack.

Kirito charged in and used his Ice Punch onto one of Kyurem's legs, damaging it and freezing it. Kyurem looked down at the condition of his foot, and it jumped high, breaking the ice on his feet. Lucario ran up a pillar behind Kyurem, jumped off it, and slammed his Bone Rush down upon Kyurem's back, slamming it back down to the ground.

As Kyurem tried to rise back up, Tepig used Flamethrower once more, distracting it enough for Asuna and Oshawott to unleash a double Aerial Ace onto it, moving too fast for Kyurem to react in time.

Kyurem got really pissed, and unleashed a Dragonbreath all around the room, attempting to strike at them. The team grouped together, and fired their best long-range attacks onto Kyurem; Sora's Thunderbolt, Asuna's Leaf Storm, Kirito's Ice Beam, Tepig's Flamethrower, Oshawott's Hydro Pump, and Lucario's Aura Sphere.

The attacks combined as one, overpowering the Dragonbreath, and blasting Kyurem head-on. The attack was enough to send Kyurem flying backwards, crashing into the wall, where it fell to the ground, its' head rolled to one side. It was unable to move anymore. Kyurem had been defeated.

The team was panting from all the energy they used in that final battle. "We…did it." panted Sora. "We just…defeated Kyurem." Tepig stated. "And now…we can face the Bittercold…" Kirito followed, looking to the doorway to where the Bittercold was at, "Let's get moving."

"I'll stay behind." Lucario told the others, surprising them, "I'm unable to pass through that door. Besides…" he looked over to where Donald, Goofy and Yui were at, unconscious, "…someone has to guard those three while you are in there." The group looked to one another, then nodded in agreement. "Thanks, Lucario." Kirito thanked him, "And thanks…for everything you have done for us before…both as Lucario, and as Auron."

Lucario smirked at him, then turned and started to walk away. He then stopped, turning back to the group. "By the way." He told the group, "I believe these will come in handy." He pulled out two objects from who knows where. One looked like a green gem with a yellow lightning bolt within it. The other was a gray, crescent-shaped claw. He handed them to Sora and Kirito respectively, and the two looked at them. "What are these?" Sora asked. "You will know when the time is right." Lucario answered, walking away again, going to where the trio of unconscious Pokemon were at.

The five heroes begun walking to the door into where the Bittercold was at. Just then, they heard Kyurem groan, and they turned to it. "I now see…the strength you carry…in your hearts." Kyurem slowly said, "But it's impossible. No matter how hard you try…this is the future. It can't be altered."

"We'll see." Oshawott replied calmly, "We can save this world, the Pokemon, and you as well from the Bittercold's despair." "That…I would be interested in seeing." Kyurem stated, surprising the others, "Prove it, then. Show me…the strength of your will." Oshawott and Tepig nodded in response. The five heroes turned to the door, where the Winds of Despair emanated from, and they stepped through.


Chapter 7: The Evolution of the World

The moment they stepped in, they felt the strength of the dark winds all around them intensify. It was swirling purple inside the room, with ice chunks floating all around. In the center of the room, for which the wind seem to come out of a vortex, was a large snowflake of some kind. It was icy blue, spiky everywhere, and something red seem to pulse inside the center of the snowflake, almost like an eye.

"Is that…the Bittercold?" Kirito asked, pressured by the dark wind. "C…can't…breathe…" moaned Tepig, feeling the worst out of the group. He then collapsed to one side, unable to move. "Tepig!" cried Oshawott, the four heroes gathering around Tepig, who was sweating from suffocation.

"These are the Winds of Despair." Kyurem's voice rang out to them, "The winds are made up of the negative emotions of the world's Pokemon." "The Winds…of Despair?" Kirito asked, looking from the entrance where Kyurem laid outside, to the Bittercold. "That is correct." Kyurem answered, "All the negative feelings are absorbed into the Bittercold through this wind. The Bittercold feeds on this energy, helping it grow. The emotions are so strong, that no normal Pokemon can go near without being suffocated by its' winds."

"So that's why Tepig is having a hard time." Asuna realized, seeing Tepig on the ground. "Guys…I'm fine…" Tepig said weakly, "Hurry up and…destroy… the Bittercold." The four nodded in response, and started moving towards the Bittercold.

As they drew near, they felt their chests tighten, making it hard for them to breath. "What's going on?" gasped Asuna, feeling the pain. "My chest hurts…" Kirito moaned, clutching his chest. "It's hard to breathe…" panted Sora, trying his hardest to breathe normally.

"But why? We aren't…really Pokemon…" moaned Oshawott, squinting up at the Bittercold and the Winds of Despair, "I can feel…the agony of these winds…inside of me… We're so close…and yet…these winds…I can't seem to…produce any strength…"

Just then, they started to hear voices in their heads. It started as one. Don't give up! You can do it! "What-" started Oshawott, hearing the voice. "I can hear it, too." Sora agreed, hearing the voice. Don't give up! You can do it! repeated the voice, which started to become voices. "I can hear more voices…" Asuna stated, looking around. "They're multiplying." Kirito added. "I…can hear them, too…" moaned Tepig. "I as well." Kyurem's voice added.

The voices grew louder in their ears, with more voices coming their way. And it wasn't just them that was getting louder. The Winds of Despair were growing quieter, the strength of it was dying down around them, making it easier for the team to breathe.

Then it hit them; These voices. They were the voice of all their friends they made. From Post Town, to the friends inside the Glacier Palace, to Donald, Goofy, Yui, and even Lucario. They kept chanting the same words over and over. Don't give up! Don't give up! "Don't go quitin' on us, now!" Goofy hollered. "You can win!" squawked Donald. "Keep going, everyone!" Yui cried out. "You have the strength to fight! Use it!" roared Lucario.

The team was starting to feel their strength come back to them. "These are the voices of Pokemon that believe in you." Kyurem's voice told the group, "They are delivering their thoughts and wishes to this place. It may not be all the Pokemon, but it is enough to weaken the Winds of Despair."

"I knew it…" moaned Tepig, struggling to get to his feet again, "If we just got everybody to stay positive, then we can change the future…" "I feel my strength coming back!" Sora stated, feeling the pain disappearing around him. "We can fight now!" declared Kirito. "Then let's use the strength of our comrades, and destroy the Bittercold." Asuna told the team, the four ready to fight on. "Here we go!" shouted Oshawott, and the four charged.

Oshawott unleashed her Razor Shell onto the Bittercold, but it didn't do anything to it. Surprised, she fell back as Asuna went in her place, unleashing her Vine Whip, lashing repeatedly onto the Bittercold, but with no affect. "My attack didn't work?!" she gasped. Sora and Kirito jumped at it, ready to strike, but the Bittercold manipulated the Winds of Despair, blowing back the duo, along with the girls, making them tumble back near where Tepig was at, weakened slightly.

"What's going on?!" asked a shocked Sora, "Our attacks aren't doing anything!" "Just keep trying!" Kirito told the group, "Let's use a team attack!" Kirito unleashed his Ice Beam. Sora used his Thunderbolt. Asuna produced her Leaf Storm. Oshawott unleashed her Hydro Pump. The four attack simultaneously struck the Bittercold head on, but the Bittercold sent a burst of energy forward, blasting the attack out of the way.

"It's not working!" said Asuna, "We can't even land a blow onto it." "But how…" Oshawott moaned, "If we can't do anything to it, then how can we win?" The Winds of Despair started to grow even stronger around them. "Argh!" cried the four, being blown over. "Guys! You can't lose faith now!" Tepig moaned, "Don't give up! I believe in you!"

Outside the room, Lucario and the other three were looking up, where they could see the swirling vortex made up of the Winds of Despair start to grow bigger and bigger. "It's not working!" cried Donald. "No matter how much we try, we're just not able to suppress the Winds enough." Yui moaned.

"C'mon, fellas!" Goofy told the group, "We have to at least keep trying!" "But how?" Donald asked him. "Well, er…" started Goofy, unable to come up with an answer. Lucario looked up at the swirling vortex, gritting his teeth. As much as he hated to admit, even he was losing faith in saving the world.

After a few second of being unable to move, Oshawott got up again. "I…have to keep trying…" she moaned, squinting with one eye as she stared at the Bittercold. She then yelled with all her might as she charged forward at the Bittercold, slamming her whole head into the center of the Bittercold.

As she backed off. The Bittercold's center started to crack, revealing the red glow inside of it. "One more time!" she shouted, and she charged in with another tackle, breaking it even further, fully revealing the red core of the Bittercold. Just then, the Bittercold started to spark, and twinkling lights shot out of it, heading to the outside.

Outside the room, Donald, Goofy, Yui and Lucario continued to look up at the vortex. The light from inside the room where the others were at shot out into the sky, making the purple vortex of wind disappear, and in its' place was a shining rainbow. "What happened?" Goofy asked. "It's a rainbow." Yui noticed. "Could it be the rainbows I heard of about." Lucario guessed, "The ones that were said to light the sky long ago. The Rainbows of Hope."

"It's disappearing!" Donald squawked, seeing the rainbow vanish, and the purple vortex reappear in the sky. "Did everyone see that?!" Yui told the group. "It felt great just to look at them, even if it were just a moment." Goofy stated. "It filled me up with hope!" squawked Donald.

"It's a sign." said Lucario, "We shouldn't be doubting ourselves. Our hopes are still there. Like that rainbow, it's shining within the darkness. If we wish to see a new future, we must sustain that hope for Oshawott, Tepig, Sora, Asuna and Kirito. Give them the strength to carry on!" The trio looked to Lucario, then into the room where the others were. "Right!" shouted the trio. They gathered all the hope they had gained, shouting their wishes into the room where the others were

Inside the room, the four were hearing the voices of their comrades, and their wishes were granting them strength to go forth. "I'm hearing their voices again." Sora told the group, coming right behind Oshawott. "Their wishes are granting us to great power." Kirito added, walking next to Sora. "And the power is much stronger than it was before." Asuna followed, going in between the two boys, "The true power…of hope!" Tepig rose onto his feet as he stared at the four. "Everyone, GOOOO!" he shouted with all of his might.

Just then, something started to glow on Kirito and Sora. Surprised, they pulled out the objects given to them by Lucario. "What's happening?!" Sora asked, seeing the stone glow bright. "This claw is granting me strength!" Kirito added, seeing the claw shine. "I'm feeling weird right now." Asuna finished, and all three of them were cloaked in a white-blue light. Oshawott and Tepig looked at them in a shocked manner.

Outside the room, the light shined out, shocking Kyurem, Lucario and the trio. "What's that?" Goofy asked. "It's coming from Sora, Kirito and Asuna!" Donald noticed. "It's evolution." Kyurem realized, "The hope of the Pokemon are granting those three the power of evolution." "It is?" Yui asked, surprised. Lucario smirked. "I knew they could do it." he muttered.

Inside the room, the Winds of Despair were distorted in the light. Oshawott and Tepig watched as they saw the trio's body grow and change form. Sora's tail grew longer. Asuna's body lengthened and grew leaves. Kirito's claws grew larger and sharper. Then the light dissipated, and the trio stood there, slightly bigger and different to what they were before.

Sora's body had similar traits to his Pikachu form, but he was bigger, with orange fur and a cream belly. His hands, big feet and bifurcated ears were brown as well. His tail was thinner and longer, with a lightning bolt at the end of it.

Asuna's body was much similar to her Snivy form, with the same colors. Now, she had a longer body, short limbs, a yellow V-shaped crest on her chest that extended behind her shoulders, two leaves protruding down her back, and her leafy tail became larger.

Kirito's body looked somewhat like his Sneasel form. Like Asuna, his colors were more the same, except his skin was more black than dark blue. He had a red crown on his head, a red collar made of feathers, one feather on each ear, two tail feathers, and he now had three claws on each hand.

The trio looked at each other's body. "What happened?!" gasped Kirito, seeing his new look. "My body has changed!" Asuna pointed out. "I feel way stronger than before!" Sora cheered, pumping his arms. "You three have evolved." Kyurem's voice told the trio, "Your body's have morphed into more powerful forms." "So this a Pokemon's evolution?" Asuna asked, looking at her short limbs.

"I don't know about you guys, but I feel like we can easily defeat this Bittercold now!" Kirito told the group, "Oshawott, you ready to fight?" "Whether I evolve or not, I won't lose my objective." Oshawott answered, pulling out her scalchop, "Let's fight everyone!" The four got ready to fight, and charged at the Bittercold.

The Bittercold unleashed an explosive red wind at the four, but the four jumped over it. Sora unleashed his Iron Tail, and since his tail was longer, he struck the Bittercold from a distance. This time, the attack did damage to the Bittercold. "It's core is exposed!" Sora told the group, "It must be its' weak point!" "Then let's target it there!" Asuna stated, and she used Vine Whip, striking the core several times, damaging the Bittercold.

The Bittercold aimed at Kirito and Oshawott, and unleashed a blast of damaging sparks of light. Oshawott unleashed Protect, blocking the attack from hitting them. When she put it down, Kirito charged forward, feeling a new attack coming onto him. His right claw started to glow white purple, and he slashed hard into the Bittercold's core, dealing heavy damage. This was Kirito's new move, Night Slash.

"Finish it off, Oshawott!" Kirito shouted, moving back as Oshawott charged in. "This is for the Pokemon of this world who still have hope in their hearts. Who want to have a new future, where everyone is happy." she declared, jumping up as the Bittercold manipulated the Winds of Despair, aiming it at her. She readied her Razor Shell, and spun-slashed through the attack, cutting through the Winds itself. "You are through, Bittercold!" shouted Oshawott, and sliced down the middle of the Bittercold, jumping back, and coming to a stop.

The Bittercold's body started to break apart on it. The core started to glow brightly. The whole room shook as the power of the Bittercold leaked out. Finally, it shattered into a million pieces, which turned into sparkling lights as they scattered about. "We…we did it…" panted Asuna. "Oshawott, you finally…defeated the Bittercold." Tepig told Oshawott. Everyone watched as she turned to the group, exhausted, but relieved. The Bittercold was finally destroyed.

Up in the skies beyond the sight of the five heroes, the vortex of dark winds disappeared, only to have the rainbow return in its' place. Only this time, it was much larger than before, and three rings of rainbows were connected to the large arch, shining just as brightly. The Rainbows of Hope were shining brightly in the sky, clearer than they had ever been before. Everyone in Post Town and in the Glacier Palace saw those Rainbows, and the miraculous feelings of happiness swelled their hearts.

However, the moment was short-lived as the Glacier Palace started to shake violently. From the outside, the Glacier Palace broke apart, the pieces of it falling to the ground below. With the Bittercold defeated, the palace could not float anymore. The last thing that was heard was Kyurem's roar as the palace collapsed to the ground.


Chapter 8: The Keyhole of Hope

When they came too, the five heroes found themselves waking up outside again. They were standing in the center of the crossroads between Post Town and Pokemon Paradise. The team looked to one another, confused. A minute before, they blacked out as everything around them fell apart. Then inside of their minds, Kyurem considered his actions before wrong, and he thanked them.

"This is the road next to…" Oshawott realized. "How did we end up back here?" Sora asked, looking around. "What is going on?" asked a confused Tepig, "We blacked out in the Glacier Palace. Now we're here?"

"Everyone!" cried a familiar voice. The five heroes turned to see the members of Team Infinity, Keldeo, Lucario, Donald, Goofy and Yui race to them from Pokemon Paradise.

"Y-You guys!" Tepig called back, the five heroes happy to see their friends okay. "Woah!" cried Emolga, seeing Sora, Asuna and Kirito's new looks, "What happened to you guys?!" "It looks like you three evolved when we didn't notice." Umbreon realized. "Sora evolved into Raichu, mama evolved into Servine, and papa evolved into Weavile." Yui explained. "I was wondering what our new Pokemon names were." Kirito replied, looking at himself.

"But how did you guys get out of the Glacier Palace?" Tepig asked the group, "Did you use the Entercards?" "Nope." Umbreon answered, "For one, we didn't have time, and we also had to worry about Munna and her friends." "We felt the Glacier Palace collapse all around us, and the next thing we knew, we were back in Paradise." Espeon finished, "It was quite mysterious."

"The same went for us." Lucario agreed, "We saw Kyurem rise up again as the palace collapsed, roared loudly, and the next second, we're right next to these guys." He pointed to the group next to him. Sora, Asuna, Kirito and Oshawott looked to one another, thinking the same thing. It must have been Kyurem that saved them all. That must've included Munna and her gang.

"Well, I don't really get it, but I guess all's well that ends well!" said Emolga, shrugging off the concerns. "I guess." Tepig replied, "There's no use thinking about it right now." "Yeah, we should be celebrating!" said Sora. Everyone agreed on that remark. After all, the world was safe thanks to their efforts.

Arriving in Post Town, they were reunited with Dunsparce and the townspeople. They cheered and thanked them for saving their world, happy to see all of them safe. Dunsparce was balling his eyes out that his friends were back. They were led up to the hill in Post Town, and saw the Rainbows of Hope, shining clearly in the sky. The team was amazed at this sight.

Oshawott and Tepig looked to one another. "You know, I'm glad I met you so long ago." Oshawott told Tepig. "Me, too." Tepig replied, "I wouldn't have believed at that moment we met, that we would start something like this." The two looked towards the Rainbows of Hope, thinking…

(Flashback) Oshawott was on her back in the middle of a forest. Her eyes were closed as she blacked out from landing. Yet she could hear someone call out to her. "Hey, you okay? Wake up!" said a voice. Oshawott opened her eyes, and saw Tepig's face. "You're awake!" Tepig gasped in relief. Oshawott was so surprised at this, that she raised her head too quickly, and conked heads with Tepig, causing the two to be dazed from the collision.

When Oshawott could see straight, she started at the person, or rather creature, she just met. Who…or what is this thing?! she thought to herself in a shocked manner, And is it talking to me? Tepig looked to Oshawott, his eyes welding in tears from the pain from the collision.

"A-Are you okay?" Oshawott asked, "I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?" "No." Tepig sniffed, "I'll be okay. But what about you? You did just fall out of the sky." Oshawott blinked, then looked up. That's right: One moment, she was transformed into a being called an Oshawott. The next, she was falling down from the sky. The moment she landed, she blacked out.

"I'm fine." Oshawott responded, "Just a little confused." "That's a relief." sighed Tepig, "But how did you end up in the sky anyway?" "I…I don't remember." Oshawott answered, "I mean, I heard someone cry for help, then I turned into this…thing, and then I fell from above."

"What do you mean 'you turned into this thing'?" Tepig asked, "You're a Pokemon, right?" "But I was human before." Oshawott corrected him. "A human? R-Really?!" gasped Tepig. "Yeah…" Oshawott answered, "But…I don't remember my life before this at all." "You don't?" Tepig asked, "Maybe you hit your head after you fell." "Yeah, maybe…" Oshawott answered.

"Well, I'll help you out." Tepig told her, "I was just going to a place called Post Town. Why don't you tag along with me?" Oshawott paused for a second, wondering if she could trust this pig. Finally, she nodded in agreement.

"Great!" cheered Tepig. "I'm Tepig, by the way. What's your name? Oh wait, you don't remember your name, right?" Oshawott shook her head. "In that case, I'll just call you Oshawott for now, okay?" "Oshawott… Okay, that'll do for now until I remember who I am." Oshawott answered, smiling at him. (Flashback ends)

"…We sure came a long way since that time, didn't we?" Tepig asked. "We did." Oshawott answered, "We had some happy moments, sad ones, awe-inspiring and scary ones. But all that time, you never left my side, Tepig. Thanks for everything." Tepig chuckled in an embarrassing smile.

"Look! Something's happening to the Rainbows of Hope!" Emolga pointed out. The team looked and saw that the ray of light was surrounding the rainbows, making them glow brighter. They were all amazed by the sight. Sora, Asuna and Kirito's Keyblade keychains appeared on their own accord on them. "This must be it." Kirito confirmed. They stepped in front of everyone, and concentrated.

A large beam of light shot into the sky from the rainbow, forming a Keyhole. The three rings formed from the rings around the Rainbow of Hope shot through the sky as they moved underneath Sora, Asuna and Kirito's feet. They each flipped around, targeting the Keyhole with the part their keychain was on; Sora and Asuna's tail, along with Kirito's arm. Their keychains glowed brightly as their body parts shot a beam of light at it, locking it up and making a sparkling of lights shower down upon them. Then everything was normal once more.

They looked to the sky. "I thought it was a group of people that made the Keyhole." Kirito pointed out. "This land is filled with Pokemon connected to each other." Asuna replied, "The Rainbow of Hope was simply connecting them into one spot." "When you put it that way, I guess it makes sense." Sora understood. "And just as its' name goes, that is the feeling that is raining down all around." Kirito stated, feeling the sparkling light rain around them, "It's the feeling of hope. Hope for a new future for everyone."

Three magic orbs fell from the sky floating down to the trio. "What are those?" Virizion asked. "They're Thunder Elements." Yui analyzed, "When you are humans, your Thundara is now Thundaga." The trio took the orbs, feeling their new powers.

Just then, Oshawott's body began to glow brightly, surprising the group. "It looks…like I'm heading home." Oshawott understood, feeling the energy. "Wha-what do you mean?!" Tepig asked. "Heading home? You mean back to your human world?" Emolga asked. "That's right." Oshawott answered, "I was sent to this world for a mission; To stop the Bittercold. Now that the Bittercold is destroyed, and the world is safe, my time is up here."

"Wait a moment!" cried Dunsparce. "You can't just leave now." Virizion told her, "Can't you stay here?" "I want to, but…I can't. I have close friends in the human world that are waiting for my return." "Close…friends?" Tepig comprehended, then he gasped, "Wait! So does that mean…?" "I remember now. Everything." Oshawott answered him.

"Is there anyway for you to stay here?" Espeon asked. "Surely, if we investigate long enough, we can find an answer." Umbreon stated. "No. Her story here has come to an end." Lucario ended, with everyone turning to him, "The Voice of Life, the being that makes this world alive, asked Oshawott here to help save this world from the wrath of the Bittercold. If she were to stay here, it would cause a distortion in this world that would be just as problematic as the Bittercold."

"So, I guess it's impossible for you stay then…" muttered Tepig, looking down sadly. The other members of Team Infinity also were sad. "Don't be sad for me." Oshawott told them, "I promise you that we'll see each other again." "When?" Tepig asked hopefully. "Right here." Sora answered, and the group turned to see him thump his chest, "She is always here, close to you guys, even if she isn't there in person."

Tepig looked down at his heart. So did the rest of Team Infinity. "I guess if you put it that way…" Virizion started. "Then you will always be with us, no matter what!" stated Emolga. Oshawott giggled at them. "Well, that's one way we'll see each other again." she stated, "But then again, I could see you in the same way as Kirito, Asuna, Sora and the others did." The six heroes looked to one another, realizing there was that way.

"By the way, you said you knew Kirito before, as a human." Asuna recalled. This bit of news surprised Kirito. "Of course." Oshawott answered, "And I'm sure we'll see each other someday as well. That goes for you, Asuna, Sora, Donald, Goofy, Yui."

"If I know you, then can you tell me your name? Your real name?" Kirito asked, "You do remember it, right?" As Oshawott started to glow brighter, she started to speak. "My real name is…" She said it, and the six heroes stared at her in amazement. Kirito was shocked the most. It was her? All this time? Oshawott's smiling face was the last thing they saw before her body became a ball of light, and it rose high into the air, and it disappeared, leaving the heroes to stare and watch her leave.

In Sora's dimension, in the world of Radiant Garden, someone was waking up from a deep sleep. She stretched her arms and yawned. The door opened, and the leader of the Moonlit Black Cats, Keita, entered the room. "Hey, you finally woke up!" he said to her, "What happened? You have been knocked out for some time."

She looked at her hands, then next to the bedside mirror, seeing her face. She was back to being a human again. She looked up at Keita. "Let's just say…I went on an incredible adventure, and met many new and old friends of mine." answered Sachi, smiling happily.


Tada! Lucario is Auron in his second life, and Oshawott was really Sachi of the Moonlit Black Cats. I may have left some obvious clues up to the point, but there you go. I hope you guys enjoyed this episode. I might slow down my story writing due to college, but I will continue this story nevertheless. So as always, leave a review, tell your friends, and wait for the next episode.


Next time on SAKII:

Yui: We got word that Nagato might actually have the Key of Darkness in him.

Sora: Then let's go find Konan, and see if we can find his body.

Asuna: That sounds awfully like were intruding someone's grave.

Kirito: We aren't the only ones after Nagato's body. Vanitas, Maleficent and this guy named Madara.

Sora: We must help Konan protect Nagato's body! Believe it!

Asuna: Sora, you only have Naruto's Soul Drive. Don't go acting like him...

Author: Next time on Sword Art Kingdom: Dimensional Bonds: Konan's Will! The Bridge to Peace!

Sora, Asuna & Kirito: We'll unlock the path to our bonded hearts!