Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story.


BGM: Wyndon (Pokemon Sword/Shield)

"Everyone!" Luminary ran over to the others. "I know where the Crystal Star is located!"

"You do?" Marisa asked.

"Yeah, it's up at the top of that tower over there." He said, pointing over to where he was originally.

"Sweet! Mission accomplished!" Marisa smirked.

"Alright, so we can just go in the tower, right?" Chrom asked.

"No, it's not that simple. They have security inside the tower."

"So we fly up and nab the Crystal Star." Marisa suggested. "Simple as that."

"I dunno… they might be expecting that." Reimu said. "It can never be so simple."

"Bah, what do you know?" Marisa waved it off. "I'm gonna go try it."

"I don't know if this is a good idea." Patchouli said.

"There might not be any security up top!" Marisa grinned, summoning her broom. "I'll take a look, I'll be back!" She said and flew up.

"Wait a minute!" Reimu exclaimed, but Marisa took off. "Ugh… you better not do anything stupid!"

"I think she'll be fine. It's Marisa." Meiling said. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"Mmm, I suppose you're right… she knows how to take care of herself, but… given how we're facing against the Shadow Queen…"

"That would be a legitimate concern." Erik nodded. "Hmm, I hope she'll be okay."

"She'll be fine. For now, we need to get the others." Luminary said as the rest nodded. "By the way, where's Tharja and Robin?"

End BGM

BGM: Luma (Super Mario Galaxy)

Tharja sat down on a bench, looking out toward the water as some small boats gently floated across the river, completely carefree. "There you are." A voice said as she looked up to see Robin behind her.

"Oh, hey honey." She said as Robin sat down next to her.

"Something got you down?"

"No, I'm just thinking. Taking one last look at the beautiful sights before I eventually die." Tharja said.

"Mmm… I'm wondering if the Bombinomicon was just trying to scare us all."

"You weren't the one who used powerful spells against Merasmus while using the Bombinomicon."

Robin sighed. "Fair enough."

"…Robin, if you were to die within a few hours or possibly minutes, what would you do?"

"I would probably read a book."

Tharja rolled her eyes. "Bookworm." She teased.

Robin chuckled. "I would also reflect on the life that I lived. I'd feel… humble."

"Humble? Humble that you lived a good life despite living in a war and killing those who got in our way?"

"Sometimes… we don't always live on the straight and narrow. We have to make difficult decisions…"

Tharja chuckled. "I suppose you're right." She said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Anything else?"

"I would probably speak to everyone one last time and say my goodbyes before I eventually croak."

Tharja smiled a bit. "I see… you were always cheesy when it comes to things like that."

"Hey now, I say it from the bottom of my heart."

Tharja let out a chuckle. "I can't argue with that."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"I am. I'm calm about it." She said, closing her eyes. "Let's just spend our next few moments together in blissful silence… just the two of us…"

Robin closed his eyes as well, leaning his head on her head. "I'd be okay with that."

End BGM


With Marisa

Marisa landed on the roof of Rose Tower. "Hmm… ah! A vent!" She grinned as she walked over to it. "Let's go find that Crystal Star!" She exclaimed, taking off the door of the vent… and then saw a mine inside the vent. It immediately detonated and enveloped Marisa in purple smoke. "Ack!" She cried as she fell on her knees, coughing. "Wh-what… what is… this?!"

"Hmmhmmhmm, it seems my beautiful trap worked~" A voice said as Marisa looked up to see Widowmaker through her coughing, though her vision blurred through her tears. "On dirait qu'une sorcière était assez stupide pour la faire jaillir." (Looks like a witch was foolish enough to spring it.)

"Nnngh… you're…!"

Widowmaker kicked Marisa in the head to knock her on her back, and then raised her foot up in the air. "Bonne nuit." (Goodnight.) She smirked and slammed her heel into her head.


Meanwhile, with Gloria

Gloria approached the stadium field once more, ready to face her next opponent. Her next opponent was none other than Hop. "Hey there!"

"Hop! Looks like I'll be facing you next."

"Yes, that's right." Hop chuckled. "You have beaten me time and time again… and I've learned so much, especially when Bede knocked me to my senses earlier. This time, I'm ready to face my brother in the finals! All I have to do is defeat you once and for all, Gloria!"

Gloria chuckled. "We shall see!" She said, pulling out a Pokeball. "Ready to get your arse kicked?"

Hop chuckled with her. "No Gloria… it's time I kicked your butt!"

BGM: Hop Final Battle (Pokemon Sword/Shield)

Hop closed his eyes while everyone started cheering. He opened his eyes, slapping his cheeks a few times to get his head in the game. "Dubwool, let's go!" He threw his Pokeball just like Leon, calling out Dubwool.

"Baaaa!" Dubwool cried.

"Roserade, let's go!" Gloria called out.

If I didn't know any better, she'll definitely use-

"Toxic Spikes!"

Called it! Hop thought. "Dubwool, Cotton Guard!"

"I'm leaving you out for a while!" Gloria declared after Roserade used Toxic Spikes.

"Rade!" Roserade nodded.

"Tackle that Roserade with a Body Slam!"

"Baaaa!" Dubwool charged at Roserade, ready to slam into it, lowering its head to try to slam into Roserade with its horns.

"Dodge that and use Grass Knot!"

Roserade quickly avoided the Body Slam, and then used Grass Knot to trip up the Dubwool, making it fall over. "Petal Blizzard!"

"Rooooose!" Roserade called out, hitting Dubwool with the Petal Blizzard.

"Hang in there! Zen Headbutt!" Hop ordered.

Dubwool charged at Roserade, taking the Petal Blizzard in stride and slamming into Roserade, knocking it back. "Roooose!"

"Body Slam it!"

Dubwool leaped into the air and slammed into Roserade as it had fallen from the Zen Headbutt. "RAAADE!" Roserade cried.

"Shite! Giga Drain it, hurry!"

"Oh, I don't think so! Stomp on its belly!" Hop called out as Dubwool lifted its leg up and attempted to stomp on it.

"Roll out of the way!"

Roserade rolled out of the way and used Giga Drain to get some of its health back. "Alright, now we're talking! Petal Blizzard!"

"Tank that as hard as you can and use Reversal!"

"Baaaaa!" Dubwool charged at Roserade, taking the sharp petals as best it could and then slammed into Roserade.

"Roooose!" Roserade cried, as it was knocked into the air and fell to the ground in defeat.

"Yeah! That's one Pokemon down!" Hop grinned. "Way to go Dubwool!" He complimented, and then Dubwool fell over a few seconds later. "…Oh." He winced and then called Dubwool back. "Take a good long rest."

"You too, Roserade." Gloria smiled and called out her next Pokemon. "Noivern, let's go!" She yelled, calling out Noivern.

"Noi!"

"Heh, I was expecting that." Hop said. "Pincurchin, let's go!" He threw Pincurchin out.

"Pin! Pin!"

Gloria sweatdropped. "Uh… Noivern, return!" She said, calling Noivern back and then called out Espeon.

"Aww, what's the matter, afraid of a little lightning?" Hop teased.

"Oh shut up!" Gloria laughed. "Use Confusion!"

"Let's even out the odds! Poison Jab!"

"Oh, I see." Gloria smirked as Pincurchin jumped up in the air after dodging Confusion and attempted to use Poison Jab with its spikes. "Stop it in place!" She ordered as Espeon used Psychic to hold Pincurchin and slammed it into the ground, then used a Psybeam to send Pincurchin flying. "Alright, Future Sight!"

"Espeoooooon!" Espeon cried, firing up a psychic beam of energy up in the sky, and then took a hit from a Thunderbolt. "Espe!" It winced.

"Don't count us out yet! Use Thunder-" Espeon used Psybeam to hit Pincurchin to knock it out. "-Bolt… ouch." He winced and called Pincurchin back. "Let's go, Corviknight!" He threw the Pokeball up in the air as Corviknight came out.

"Cooorv!" Corviknight cried.

"Espeon, return!" Gloria ordered, calling Espeon back. "Cinderace, let's melt this sucker!" She called out Cinderace.

"Cinder!"

"That's a bit dark, even for you!" Hop teased.

"Oh, don't you worry about it!" Gloria smirked. "Pyro Ball!"

"Dodge that and use Steel Wing!"

"Corv!" Corviknight quickly flew toward Cinderace, nimbly dodging the fireball that was kicked. "Corvi…"

"Stay still, Cinderace!"

"Race!"

What on earth is she?

"KNIIIIIIIGHT!" Corviknight cried, its wings starting to glow and was a few feet away from Cinderace.

"Counter that!" Gloria yelled as Cinderace got into position and grabbed Corviknight's wings despite getting hurt by Corviknight's sharp feathers, then Cinderace flipped Corviknight and slammed it into the ground and then kicked a rock over to Corviknight, turning it into a Pyro Ball and slammed it into Corviknight's head, knocking it out.

"Crud, I forgot about Counter." Hop frowned, returning Corviknight. "Snorlax, let's go!" He called out, calling out Snorlax.

"Snoooorlaaaax!" Snorlax cried.

"Stay in position!" Gloria ordered.

"Race!" Cinderace nodded.

"Hammer Arm!" Hop called out as Snorlax ran over to Cinderace.

"Use Bounce!" Gloria ordered as Cinderace jumped high into the air right before Snorlax could use Hammer Arm on Cinderace.

"Lax…?"

"Above you!" Hop called out as Snorlax looked up and Cinderace came flying down and axe kicked Snorlax on the head.

"Snor!" Snorlax grunted as Cinderace jumped back, then noticed something in the corner of its eye and quickly dove out of the way… right as Future Sight came crashing down on Snorlax. "LAAAAAAAAX!" Snorlax cried, falling on one knee.

"Shoot!" Hop exclaimed.

"Thank you, Espeon!" Gloria smiled. "Alright, Cinderace, return!" She called back Cinderace and then called out Darmanitan. "Finish it off with a Hammer Arm!"

"Darmana!" Darmanitan cried, jumping up in the air.

"Snorlax, dodge it!" Hop ordered as Snorlax tried to get up, but electricity crackled against its body.

"Snor…!"

"Oh no… Bounce paralyzed it!" Hop exclaimed in fear.

"I knew exactly what you were gonna do with that because your Snorlax gave me trouble before!" Gloria smirked. "Now, FINISH IT!"

"MANATAN!" Darmanitan yelled, slamming the Hammer Arm into Snorlax to finish it off, making it fall over on its belly in defeat.

"No!" Hop exclaimed as he called Snorlax back. He clenched his fists. Come on, you can do this! You HAVE to defeat Gloria! He thought as he pulled out his last Pokeball. "Rillaboom, let's go!" He yelled, calling out his Rillaboom.

"Rilla!"

"I know just what to do with that." Gloria said, calling back Darmanitan. "Noivern, let's rock!" She yelled, calling out her Noivern once more.

Hop closed his eyes. "Release all the thoughts poured into my Wishing Star… it's time for a Gigantamax!" He called out, pulling Rillaboom back and then throwing the Gigantamaxed Pokeball behind him, as Rillaboom Gigantamaxed.

"Booooooom!"

"Heh, I see your brother gave you one that can Gigantamax too." Gloria said, and then proceeded to Dynamax her Noivern.

"Noiiiii!"

"So this is it… you have five Pokemon, I have one Pokemon left…" Hop said. "It's sad… I know I might lose this, but I know for a fact that I have cherished this time I had with you on our adventure. I don't regret this one bit! Leon… I'm sorry that I'm not going to be the one who will face you…"

"Hop…" Gloria whispered.

"Rillaboom… Max Overgrowth!" He called out, his voice slightly cracking.

Forgive me, HopGloria thought. "Max Airstream!"

Both Pokemon unleashed their Dynamaxed moves, slamming into each other but the Max Airstream prevailed and slammed into Rillaboom. "Do it again!" They both called out as they unleashed their moves once more, the Max Airstream prevailing and slammed into Rillaboom once more. The Max Overgrowth doing some damage to Noivern as well, but Rillaboom wasn't looking so good. "One more time!" They yelled, but Rillaboom was a bit sluggish as the Max Airstream powered through and slammed into Rillaboom.

"RILLAAAAA!"

Rillaboom exploded, shrinking back down to normal size and groaning right as Noivern shrunk back down to size. Hop called back his Rillaboom… but Gloria did not cheer at all.

End BGM

Hop stood there, clenching his fists and falling on his knees, pounding the ground in frustration. "Dang it!" He quietly sobbed, tears rolling down his cheeks. A hand reached out for him as he looked up and saw Gloria.

"Hey. You fought well." She smiled.

"Gloria…"

A pair of hands clapped as they turned their heads to see Leon approaching the two. "That was a glorious battle, bro!"

"I… I lost… I can't even face you…"

"While that may be true, I still can't deny that you gave it your all against your toughest opponent! That is champion material! You have definitely improved, and I can see it in those eyes." He smiled. "Dry those tears, save them for when you defeat me one day." He softly said before giving him a hug, then turned to Gloria. "Hey, aren't you going to hug him too?"

"O-oh! Right!" Gloria nodded and gave Hop a hug as well.

Leon noticed something. "Hey, Rotom! Hand me that mike, will ya?"

"Roto!" A Rotom nodded and flew off, then came back with a mike. "Roto Ro!"

Leon took it. "Thanks." He then looked to the crowd. "Everyone! It is almost time for the finals! I will be facing Gloria soon!" He said as everyone cheered. "However! I want to give a shout out to a certain someone here tonight. Someone who has faced Gloria time and time again and had given it his all no matter what was thrown at him! Let's give a big round of applause to my little bro, Hop!" He said as everyone in the audience started cheering as Hop looked around, tears swelling in his eyes.

"Leon…"

"You earned it, bud." Leon smiled at him.

Hop looked around once more, seeing everyone cheering and whistling at him. He fell on his knees again and silently sobbed, then Leon wrapped his arms around him. "Come on, let's go get ourselves some dinner. Gloria, you might want to come with us. Tomorrow is a big day, after all."

Gloria smiled, wiping some of her tears. "O-Okay!" She said as they all walked out of the stadium, but then Leon's phone went off.

"Hello? …Oh… I see… okay, I understand." He nodded and then put his phone away. "How about you two hang back at the hotel for a while? The chairman wants me for something… but I'll be back soon."

"Okay." Hop sniffed a bit, drying his eyes.


A little bit later, at the hotel

"You feeling alright?" Gloria asked.

"Yeah… I'll be alright." Hop nodded.

Gloria sighed. "Normally, I don't say this after creaming my opponents but… I'm sorry…"

"Wha? Don't be!" Hop grinned. "It's fine that you beat me!"

"What? You were crying just a few minutes ago!"

"I just needed to hear those words from my brother. I was definitely feeling down…"

Gloria sweatdropped. "Oh you…" She said, playfully punching him on the shoulder as she saw Serena, Veronica and Alice approaching them. "Oh hey, you three!"

"That was a spectacular battle if I say so myself." Veronica said. "I was cheering for you the whole time!"

"Oh please, you were going to get me and Serena, but the Pokemon battles drew you in." Alice teased.

Veronica blushed. "D-Did not!"

"Did too!" Serena teased with a wink.

"Ugh… well, I wonder how the others are doing?" Veronica asked as the doors opened up to reveal the others, sans Marisa, Robin and Tharja.

"Ah! That circus was spectacular! Can't believe you missed it!" Sylvando grinned.

"Heh, never thought being in a circus would have been fun! Heheheh." Bowser smirked.

"I agree. It was pretty fun." Luigi agreed.

"Hmm?" Gloria looked at the group. "Where's that dorky witch of yours?"

"She's not with us?" Natsu asked. "She was with you guys, right?"

"She was… but she went to go nab the Crystal Star up at that huge tower. I think she's still trying to find it." Reimu said. "I swear, if something happened to her…"

"Speaking of people missing… where's Leon? I thought he would've been here by now?" Gloria wondered. "Hmm…"

"Think we should go look?" Hop asked.

"Yes, you could do that." A voice said as they turned to see a man approaching them. "Goodness, is there some sort of birthday party that I wasn't aware about?"

"Piers!" Gloria exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"What, can't a guy cheer their little sister on?" Piers chuckled. "So, who are these blokes?"


One long introduction later

"Heh, nice to meet all of ya. Name's Piers." He greeted. "So, you're waitin' for Leon, eh?"

"Yeah, that's right." Gloria nodded. "He said he had to go meet up with the chairman, but he hasn't come back yet."

"Interesting…" Piers mused and then chuckled. "How's about we go and make some noise?" He smirked.

"You sure about that?"

"Of course, there's something fishy goin' on… and we need to find out why!" Piers smirked. "So let's move out!"

Gloria nodded. "If you say so."

"And one other thing!" Piers pointed to Gray. "Why is that boy in his underwear!"

"ACK!" Gray yelped.

"He just likes being naughty, don't worry about him." Happy waved it off.

"Don't make me hurt you, you stupid cat!" Gray yelled.

"Oh my, he can be so bold!" Juvia exclaimed as they all walked out of the hotel while Gray put his clothes back on.

"Alright, where are those devils!" Piers said. "Leon! Chairman! Where the devil are you!" He called out.

"Brother, what are you yelling about?" A voice asked as they saw Marnie walking over.

"Ah, Marnie… I was wondering where you were." Piers chuckled. "We were wondering if-"

"Wondering about what, Piers?" A voice asked as they turned to see Oleana approaching them.

BGM: Villains of a Sort (Kingdom Hearts)

"Oh, what would you know, you old bat?" Piers waved her off. "You're the chairman's faithful lapdog that would do anything he asks. I'm surprised he hasn't given you dog treats."

An anime tic mark appeared on her forehead. "Old?! DOG?!"

Piers gave her a shit eating grin. "You heard me."

Olena clenched her fists before regaining her composure. "Hmph. If you are looking for the chairman, he is in that tower over there." She said, pointing to Rose Tower. "However, he is not expecting any guests at this time. So why don't you run along and leave the chairman alone."

Piers smirked. "Oh, and I'm sure you wouldn't leave him alone, ya old lapdog?"

"…I have no comment." Oleana said, tossing the keys to a guard. "Do not let them get this key." She said and walked off.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Snooze!" Luminary yelled, launching a Snooze spell on him that made him fall asleep immediately, then Veronica ran over and grabbed it.

"Got the key!" Veronica grinned.

"What on earth?!" Oleana exclaimed in shock.

"You were sayin'?" Piers smirked.

"Nice one, bro!" Marnie smiled.

"…Fine, you leave me with no choice." Oleana said, throwing down a flashbang that blinded them all and then Oleana took off running.

End BGM

"After her!" Luminary exclaimed as they took off after her to Rose Tower.

Oleana got into the elevator. "Make sure no one gets in!" She ordered the guards as they nodded, then she went up the elevator.

"FIRE DRAGON…"

"Do you hear that?"

"I do."

"IRON FIST!"

The doors came flying off the hinges and slammed into the two guards, knocking them over. "Alright, where is she!" Natsu yelled.

"I have a feeling she's at the top!" Reimu said.

"Let's go!" Akira said as they nodded.


Up at the top

Oleana calmly walked away from the elevator. "Things will go as planned, chairman." She said, walking over to him talking with Leon… then she heard footsteps approaching her from behind as she turned around to see the Gensokyo girls, Mercy, Echo, and Erza standing right there. "You aren't normal… you can fly."

"Yeah, what of it?" Patchouli asked.

"Hmph. I will deal with you personally myself." She said, pulling out a Pokeball.

BGM: Battle! Oleana (Pokemon Sword/Shield)

"Froslass, freeze them to the core with Icy Wind!" She yelled, calling out her Pokemon.

"Fross…" Froslass quietly said and unleashed Icy Wind, but a wall of fire prevented such a thing from happening.

"What?!" Oleana yelled as she saw Patchouli aiming her hand.

"You will do no such thing." Patchouli said.

"Froslass, Will-O-Wisp that witch!" She ordered.

"Laaaass!" Purple fire balls surrounded Froslass and shot at Patchouli, but she conjured up a water shield to block this. "Meiling, go!"

"Right!" Meiling charged at Oleana, ready to kick her in the gut but Oleana called out another Pokemon and then Meiling was knee'd in the gut, knocking her back. She looked up to see a Tsareena standing there.

"Tsaree!" Tsareena cried, getting in a fighting stance and doing a 'come at me' taunt.

Meiling smirked, running over and kicking Tsareena, but it jumped out of the way and quickly did a few front flips and then an axe kick for an Acrobatics attack, but Meiling blocked the attack and punched Tsareena in the face, knocking it back. Alice saw her chance and flew over, calling out Shanghai and a few dolls, but a poisonous fire breath shot out at Alice and her dolls. A water wall from Patchouli blocked the attack as Alice would see a Salazzle that Oleana called out.

"Salazz~!"

Reimu flew up high in the air, firing Yin Yang Orbs at Oleana, but she side stepped out of the way and then called out her next Pokemon, where Milotic jumped in the air and slammed its tail into Reimu, knocking her down and then wrapped its body around her. "Nnngh!"

"You cannot defeat me!" Oleana smirked as Echo, Erza and Mercy looked at each other with a nod and then Mercy and Echo flew overhead.

"Requip!" Erza called out, switching to Flight Armor, and in a blink of an eye, Erza darted to Oleana and before Oleana could react, she punched her hard in the gut, delivering an uppercut as Echo fired electric shots that hit her Pokemon while Mercy swung her Caduceus Staff at Oleana to send her careening into the ground. Oleana got up and then blocked an attack from Erza where she quickly delivered a roundhouse kick to Erza to knock her back.

"Just because I have Pokemon does not mean I am defenseless!" She said, cracking her knuckles while Erza got back up and ran straight to Oleana, punching her with a right hook to the cheek, but Oleana blocked this and punched her in the gut, delivering several jabs and hooks but Erza would block these. Unfortunately, she didn't protect her gut as Oleana swung her knee up and delivered a hard knee struck that made Erza bend over and then she delivered a flip kick to knock Erza back.

"I'll destroy all of you! None of you shall live to see the chairman!" She yelled, pulling out her last Poke Ball and threw it up in the air, which was none other that Garbodor.

"Garboooo!"

"Gunk Shot her!"

Erza quickly ran around to avoid the Gunk Shots, but Oleana swiftly kicked her in the chest and then Garbodor hit her in the face. "Argh!" She cried out as Oleana delivered a round house to knock her back to the others. "My beauties, return to me!" She ordered as the Pokemon returned to her. "Now Garbodor, hit them with a Rock Blast!"

"Garbo!" Garbodor picked up a slab of concrete and threw it at the others, but it stopped in midair and was thrown back to the others, smacking into Oleana's other Pokemon that knocked them out, luckily not killing them but they were buried under the rubble.

"What?!"

"Not so fast!" A voice said as they looked to see everyone else coming up, and Gloria had Espeon out who has used Psychic.

"You…" Oleana clenched her fists. "Now that I have you all here… I'll make this easy!" She smirked, aiming her Pokeball at Garbodor and quickly calling it back, but then her Pokeball grew huge and pink as she threw it behind her, as her Garbodor Gigantamaxed.

"GARBOOOOO!"

"Kill them with G-Max Malodor!" Oleana yelled, as Garbodor unleashed such a move… but it was suddenly stopped in midair and tossed to the side as she looked up to see a Dynamaxed Espeon.

"ESPEEEEOOOOOON!"

"Use Max Mindstorm on that Garbodor!" Gloria yelled, before reaching into her bag and pulling out a crowbar. "And keep doing that on that Garbodor… I've got a little present for Oleana!" She smirked, running over to Oleana with a smirk.

"Garbodor! Keep that Espeon at bay!" Oleana ordered as she readied herself as Gloria swung her crowbar at her, but Oleana weaved to the side and then punched Gloria in the face, and then punched her in the gut right after, before delivering a sweep kick to knock her down and kicked her back.

"Nnngh!" Gloria got up and wiped her mouth. "Alright, now you asked for it!" She said as she ran over and swung her crowbar, delivering a clean hit to the face, but Oleana punched her in the gut and then a flip kick before delivering a knee kick that knocked Gloria back.

"You won't win." Oleana growled, but then heard a pained cry as she looked up to see Garbodor exploding and falling to the ground in defeat. "Garbodor, no!" She yelled and clenched her fists. "What have you done... WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" She screamed and turned around, only to get a flying crowbar slammed into her head. "ARGH!" She grunted, holding on to her forehead, and then two mini missiles hit her in the gut... and then Gloria came running in and delivered a powerful knee kick to knock her down for good. "Ooogh..."

"Good work, you two!" Gloria turned to her two Pokemon.

End BGM

"Cram!" Cramorant smiled, who had shot out the crowbar from its mouth.

"Draga!" Dragapult nodded, who had shot the two Dreepy missiles as the Dreepy returned to the Dragapult.

"And this is why you keep spare Pokemon on standby." Gloria told the others, recalling the two and picking up her crowbar.

"The fact that you used those two as weapons... that's incredible." Luminary said.

"This is why you shouldn't make her mad..." Hop said.

"Heh! I knew she had fire in her!" Piers grinned as they took off, leaving Oleana by herself, groaning.


With Leon and Chairman Rose...

"With all due respect, Chairman, don't you think it's a little early to be worrying about such a thing?"

"You don't understand, Leon. In a thousand years, the Darkest Day will be brought upon this region. Look around you, all the energy spent around the Galar region will be gone."

"Yeah, in a thousand years. I don't see why you need to be so worked up about this. Besides, I'm sure the Darkest Day will be dealt with in a millennia. Relax, it'll all be fine!"

"Bro!"

Leon turned around, seeing the others. "Oh shoot! Sorry about worrying about ya, bud... and Gloria and... everyone else." He sweatdropped. "Who are you people?"

"We'll explain on the way back. Let's go." Gloria said as they all walked off.

"I thought for sure we'd find Marisa and the Crystal Star... where are they?" Jade asked.

"I wonder if Marisa has the Crystal Star and is probably looking for us." Meiling said.

"I hope you're right." Reimu nodded as they went down the elevator, leaving Rose by himself.

"No, Leon... You're wrong. We have to be worried about the Darkest Day right now." Rose said.

"Ah, isn't that cute. Worrying about your precious region." A voice said as Rose turned to the source of the voice as Yukari approached him. "Hello there."

"Who are you?"

BGM: The 13th Discretion (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories)

"I am but a humble servant to the world. You may call me Yukari or the Shadow Queen. Take your pick."

"Mmm... what do you want?"

"I, too, am worried about Galar... but I'm a more 'outside the box' kind of gal myself. I am more worried about the world. I want to save it. You want to save Galar. How's about a deal? You bring about the Darkest Day early, and together, we can save the world from it."

Rose folded his arms. "What's in it for me?"

"I can... persuade you with riches... such as this beauty." She said, holding the Ruby Star in her hand. "What do you say?" She asked, handing him the Ruby Star.

Rose looked at the Ruby Star in his hand, something about it was calling him... tempting him. "I... I am not sure about this."

"Then perhaps you can be persuaded with this." She said, snapping her finger as they heard a yelp as Rose turned his head to see Marisa thrown to him at his feet. He also saw Doomfist approaching him, his arms folded.

Marisa was tied up, bruises all over her face. Her body ached and was screaming for medical attention. Pained tears rolled down her black eyes, meshing together with the blood coming down her nose and side of her forehead. There was a faint scratch on her cheek, seeming from her encounter from Widowmaker.

Rose lightly gasped at the sight of the witch. He did not know her, but seeing her in this state horrified him. "What did you do to her?"

"Simple, really. She opposes our cause. I would have finished her off, but I thought it'd be best if... she were kept alive for a little longer." She smiled. "So, what's it gonna be, Rose? Do you want power your own way... or do you team up with me? Your answer will decide the girl's fate."

"D-don't... don't do this... P-please..." Marisa lightly said, her voice sounding broken.

Rose clenched his fists, looking away from the damaged girl. "I'll do it."

"That's my boy." Yukari smirked. "Take her away." She ordered as Doomfist dragged the magician away.

"...I don't like this... but I will do what I must for Galar... no... the world." Rose solemnly said.

"Yes." Yukari smirked. "You most definitely will."

End BGM


Meanwhile, with Robin and Tharja...

Robin opened his eyes, stretching. "Mmm, must've fallen asleep..." He yawned as he gently nudged her wife. "Hon... wake up. Honey?" He nudged her, but she didn't move. He quickly felt for a pulse on her neck. His eyes widened, a tear rolled down his cheek. "...No..." He could only say as he cradled Tharja in his arms, silently sobbing.


Meanwhile, with the Hylians...

"You three are strange... why do you want to go in that forest?" Sonia asked.

"Because I sense something." Zelda responded, walking into the Slumbering Weald with Link and Impa.

As soon as they entered the Slumbering Weald, Link and Impa drew their swords. "I don't like this." Impa said.

"Neither do I." Link agreed. "Zelda, we should head back."

"No, not when we came this far." Zelda said and kept walking.

"Loooooooard!"

Zelda turned her head. "This way!" She said, going deeper in the forest, as Impa and Link reluctantly followed her in.


The plot thickens! Wonder what'll happen next?

Mario

Peach

Hendrik

Administrator

Pauling

Kanako

Medic

Daisy

Fairy Tail

Tharja