Author's Note: Here's a new chapter for our Christmas surprise/gift for all your readers! Enjoy!


Two weeks have passed since the 'episode' with Sarah's new Lion Courage Powers and since Melody, Echo, Twilight and Dawn joined Shadow's pack.

Melody and Echo both have proven to be gentle with others, especially youngsters, like Sarah's younger pokemon, Mist and Spark and Camo's children. Normally, the Death Song and Slithersongs' instinct would drive them to hunt other dragons, but Melody and Echo were different. The Death Song and Slithersong did not spit amber at Shadow and the dragons, showing their intelligence, recognizing that Shadow and his pack along with Sarah's pokemon family were their friends not their prey. Winter, Skystorm, Mist and Spark and Camo's children loved to play with them showing the friendship they've made in the past week.

Shadow and the others had also formed a friendship with Melody and Echo as well, making their pack/family bigger.

The Deathgrippers, Twilight and Dawn, were in the Short Wing Stage of their lives, like Mist and Spark and Camo's children, which basically meant they were teenagers. The younger pair were also fiercely loyal to Sarah, Shadow and their family, acting like bodyguards for their pack leader and new friends. The Deathgrippers were well behaved despite their well known aggressive behavior. But with Sarah's compassion and kindness, the two young Deathgrippers were easy to train. Even with their intimidating appearance, they had a softer side, like Sunflare, though they didn't want to admit that.

The pair were also gentle with Sarah's younger pokemon, especially Wooloo, who was curious about their scorpion stinger. Luckily, Winter and Shadow gently nudged the curious sheep away before he accidently poked himself with the stinger.

Today, Sarah and her friends were in class for a special lesson. "Alright Class, today we're going to learn more about Shiny Pokemon." Professor Kukui told the class. "Now can anyone tell me the number one aspect that Shiny Pokemon have?"

Everyone thought hard at their desks about the abilities and qualities of Shiny Pokemon until Lillie raised her hand, supposedly having found the answer. "Lillie?"

"They have a different color correlation to the usual ones of their species," she answered. Kukui nodded in approval as everyone watched Candy and Riolu playing with Ponyta, Wooloo, Poipole, and Mai.

"Right. And, what's more, the color patterns can vary between each Pokemon from one species to another." He then drew his class's attention to the notes and data he provided for them through the billboard showing the color differentiation between regular and Shiny Pokemon such as between two Pichu and two Hawluchas. "The color differences can be major or minor in some way; some Pokemon like a Pichu can have a lighter or darker shade of yellow but others like a Hawlucha can have a completely different color pattern that'll make it unique and stand out. The catch is the chances of these Shinies appearing are very slim and very few people have seen such rare Pokemon."

"And, right now, we have a few Shiny Pokemon with us in Candy and Riolu," Ash added.

"Didn't you say you have a different colored Noctowl back at Pallet Town with Professor Oak, Ash?" Kiawe asked, turning to the Kanto Trainer. "Wasn't Noctowl also a Shiny Pokemon? Noctowls are usually brown but yours has a completely different color pattern when we saw it during our Kanto field trip."

"Oh yeah, caught him after a little scuffle with Team Rocket while I'm in the Johto Region," smiled Ash, remembering his Owl Pokemon. "A scientist Misty, Brock, and I met once tried to capture him but he would always outsmart him until he chose me. Let's say my first attempts at capturing him were duds."

"But, how many Shiny Pokemon are out there if there are any in the world, Professor?" Mallow inquired.

"That's hard to say since Shiny Pokemon, as I've mentioned before, are very rare to find with Candy and Riolu being an exception to the rule. But, you never know."

The class nodded and Sarah looked at her Shiny Riolu and Flaffy, wondering if she would discover more Shiny Pokemon. Little did she know, she would in a way that she was all too familiar with.


(Eye to Eye - Pokemon Version)

(The opening begins with Sarah, her pokemon and dragon family turning around and being faced with the Seven Sins and Sarah draws her Sword of the Sun Lion to confront them. Nebby's creators, Solgaleo and Lunala come by their side while UB-Black appears behind Team Eclipse, under their control)

Got myself a notion, one I know that you'll understand

To set the world in motion, by reaching out for each others' hand

Maybe we'll discover, what we should have known all along

(Yeah)

One way or another, together's where we both belong

If we listen to each others' heart

We'll find we're never too far apart

And maybe love is the reason why

For first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye

(Sarah is introduced next, wearing her royal attire, as she stands with her proud Nebby and Solar, her Beast Bot alongside her before they are shown getting in a battle stance together along side the Beast-X King Zord before they perform Searing Sunrise Smash together. Ash, Pikachu, Kiawe and Turtonator are introduced together as they perform 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt and Inferno Overdrive together against Team Eclipse. Lana, Lillie, Sophocles and Mallow are introduced next to their pokemon partners before they all perform Hydro Vortex, Subzero Slammer, Savage Spin-out and Bloom Doom together against UB-Black to protect Sarah and Nebby before Sarah eyes and the lion mark on her right cheek glowed and she unleashes a powerful Roar and the clouds behind her turn into roaring lions.)

If a wall should come between us,

Too high to climb, Too hard to break through

I know that love will lead us

And find a way to bring me to you

So don't be in a hurry

Think before you count us out

(Ohh)

You don't have to worry, I will never let you down

Nothing's gonna stop us now!

If we listen to each others' heart

We'll find we're never too far apart

And maybe love is the reason why

For first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye

(Nikki, James, Lusamine, Faba, Wicke and Professors Burnet and Kukui are seen using their pokemon partners against Team Eclipse's pokemon before Sarah, Winter and Nebby fly in and blast them away with a Focus Blast and plasma blast attack. Then, Absol, Zoura, and Zeraora appear and use Megahorn, Night Daze and Plasma Fists, blasting Team Eclipse away before Cresselia flies over the sky.)

Lovers always seeing it eye to eye

(Yes we are)

I knew I was seeing it

{Seeing it eye to eye}

Lovers always seeing it eye to eye

(Seeing it eye to eye, Yeah)

I knew I was seeing it

{Seeing it eye to eye}

Lovers always seeing it eye to eye

(I think we're seeing it eye to eye)

I knew I was seeing it

(Eye to eye}

(Sarah is then seen mega evolving Candy and her Lucario, Shiny Absol, Salamance, Latios, Latias, Houndoom at once, showing the powerful friendship they share together before she's seen saving a little Yamper, Scorbunny and Galar Region Rapidash from Melania's Kabutops and Lothor's Darkari by slashing them with her sword. Then, Sarah comes face to face with Lothor and his Darkari who tries to blast her but she's protected by Cresselia and Giratina, the Pokemon of Dreams and the Reserve World, who blasts Darkari with Moonblast and Shadow Ball together)

If you're ever lonely, stop

You don't have to be

After all it's only

A beat away from you to me

(Take a look inside and see!)

Yeah, Yeah!

(Tsukumaro, Absol's trainer and Doug and Deliah's royal advisor then appears and he's shown training Sarah to fully master her family's powerful sword with Zeraora and Zoura watching on the sidelines with Sarah's pokemon family, Winter and her dragon friends. Next, Sarah is seen holding the her sword in her hand before she raises her Sun Sword into the sky while her friends and family cheered and the seven gems come out before seven legendary pokemon appear; Cresselia, Giratina, Zygarde (Dog Form), Zacian, Zamazenta, Xerneas and Rayquaza and they all circle her and Nebby in their powerful magic along with more silhouettes of Legendary Pokemon appearing before the title screen comes up.)

If we listen to each others' heart

We'll find we're never too far apart

And maybe love is the reason why

For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye

(Seeing it eye to eye)

Seeing it eye to eye, baby!

Pokemon - Alola Journey: Destiny of Princess Sarah


As everybody continued their studies, Sarah turned her attention to Candy and Riolu as they continued to play with Ponyta, Wooloo, Mai, and Poipole. She couldn't deny that she had been lucky to have come across them one way or another but could it have been more than just luck that she ended up with them in the first place? She had no idea that her luck was about to get better and by whatever means she was all too familiar with.

After school was done and everybody parted ways, Sarah and her family were on their way home.

Candy and Riolu, in particular, were feeling bright and peppy on the way home as they rode on Silvally's back. While they were playing, they took a bit of time to pay attention to Prof. Kukui's lecture about Shiny Pokemon and they couldn't help but think back to their first encounters with Sarah that made them the Pokemon they are before her.

They even felt like between their brother and sister dragons and Pokemon in their family, they stuck out like sore thumbs because of their unusual color patterns. Every now and again, they would get funny looks from people around the Alola Region as they went about their lives. The citizens should be used to it by now but even so, there are still some who would want to have them as their own Pokemon, even if they didn't show it.

"Mommy, are we gonna find any more Shiny Pokemon besides Candy and me?" Riolu asked finally.

The little princess was surprised as she turned to her Emanation Pokemon and responded, "What do you mean, Riolu? You heard what Prof. Kukui told us and the others, Shiny Pokemon are rare to come by and I can't find another one at random as I had with you two."

"Why?"

"You were exceptions to the rule and there's a slim chance that a stray or wild Shiny would turn up anywhere. Candy found me after being attracted to that Mega Stone Olivia gave me months ago and she found you when you escaped from Viren a little while after you were first taken from Lucario Kingdom."

Candy went silent, blushing with embarrassment after remembering how she barreled into her trainer after hearing her Ampharosite calling out to her when she was a Mareep.

"Hell, I just got lucky when I found you two in the spur of the moment. I doubt my luck would get me far and land me next to another Shiny Pokemon when it got me into more than enough trouble for my own good or even yours and everyone else's."

"But, you never know what life will bring us given your luck, Mama. Our luck hasn't run out yet," Nebby replied.

"I'd rather not get my hopes up for anything luck-based."

"Luck-based? Mother, you're the luckiest girl alive I've seen!" retorted Silvally as he turned to her. "You've wrangled in a whole herd of dragons, you're a Pokemon magnet for your woolly kid on me, you're born a princess from the distant fancy-schmancy royal era before it was obliterated by your madman uncle, you've made a Patronus on your second try, you got two Shinies on ya, ya have a Mega Stone from that strong-boy back in Kanto, need I go on?"

Sarah spluttered, she couldn't deny what Silvally was telling her since much of it was basically the truth despite the shotty luck part on her mind. "Well, yes, it-! Uh, I mean-! It's just-! Look, much of it is a coincidence or something else, not luck!" she argued.

"Call it whatever you like but your luck's been running high ever since all of this happened."

"So, what? It's not like I'm a Pokemon leprechaun or anything, my luck's not the luck of the Irish, you know!"

"And, you don't call having the kid who's an Ultra Beast from the Ultra Dimension lucky, Mother?"

As Silvally and Sarah got into another spat with their family watching in awkward amusement, Skystorm suddenly perked as she looked around and started smelling something. It was as if she had picked up some kind of odd smell and her curiosity was starting to get the better of her before she squawked, getting everybody's attention.

"What is it, Skystorm?" asked the princess.

Skystorm continued to sniff around, trying to pinpoint where she had found the odd stench. Shadow warbled to her before the Tracker dragon warbled back, telling him that she smelled some kind of Pokemon much to everyone's confusion.

"Well?" Silvally asked the Night Fury before Shadow warbled what Skystorm told him. "So, Skystorm picked out a Pokemon's smell, eh? Is that all?"

Skystorm warbled again as she continued to sniff around, acting like a compass as she pointed herself in several directions sharpy still trying to find out where the Pokemon she smelled is.

Silvally raised an eyebrow from this, "You're saying that Pokemon you smelled is no ordinary Pokemon?" He got a nod from her but he still remained skeptical.

"Come on, girly, what if you smelled food and that's your stomach talking? Let's grab a bite to eat and get going, I wanna go home and have a brawl with your leader."

The Deadly Nadder ignored him and continued to sniff for the odd smell but then, she started to grow pale as if what she was smelling told her that whatever Pokemon she sniffed might be in trouble. She warbled to herself, wondering if there are any Pokemon that need her and her family's help.

Giving herself to her concern, she quickly ran off, surprising everyone before they all gave chase for they did not expect the Deadly Nadder to act like that.

Shadow warbled, trying to get Skystorm to stop and wait for them and tell them what she smelled but she warbled back, saying that they couldn't wait and that they need to help the Pokemon she smelled.

"Are you kidding me?! Why is it that she's trying to act like a hero based on her smell?" groaned Silvally as Riolu and Candy held onto him.

"Skystorm!" cried Sarah to her dragon as she rode on Solar, but to no avail.

"Not so fast! Skystorm, please! We can't keep up with you! Skystorm, wait!"

But, the Deadly Nadder dragon didn't stop; she was too consumed by her worries over the Pokemon she smelled to stop and wait for her family.

"Ai-yi-yi! For a dragon of her size, she's a fast runner!" remarked Solar, exasperated.

"Tep, Tepig, Pig, Tep, Pig, Pig, Tep, Tepig!" added Tepig, thinking Skystorm should try out for a marathon at the rate she's running.

"Do dragons even compete in races?" Riolu asked innocently, tilting her head.

"Sniv, Snivy, Vy, Snivy, Sni," Snivy brushed off, not wanting to think over such a funny yet crazy thing.

Before long, the frantic Skystorm led everyone into the forest where Ash and Pikachu first came across the Bewear that befriended Team Rocket, still running as fast as she could towards the Pokemon that made the odd smell she caught on and her worry unable to wane.

She didn't stop until she skidded to a halt on a cliff and looked down below, making Sarah, Winter, Solar, the younger Pokemon, Silvally, Riolu, and Candy crash into her by accident before they could slip off. The rest of their family arrived to see them narrowly escaping a nasty fall upon the cliff face as they all panted from the running they did to catch up to the Deadly Naddler.

"Osh... Osh, Osha, Wott, Wott, Osha, Oshawott," Oshawott panted heavily, trying to catch his breath.

"She... Stopped..." sighed Mai, panting as well as she got off of Mudsdale.

She had been riding on him throughout the walk home and their run after Skystorm and had a bumpy ride on his saddle, trying to hold on to the reins before they stopped at the cliff face. She felt exhausted from all the bumping about she went through as she was riding.

"All right, what the hell's gotten into you, Missy?" Silvally began, annoyed. "Why did you run off like that, let alone make us stray from the path home-DAH! Hey!"

Skystorm whacked him on the head with her tail and shushed him before directing everyone to what she saw what looked to be like a building at the bottom of the cliff face. Sarah and the others were surprised; it looked like an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere but there couldn't be any Pokemon there.

"What is that?" breathed Riolu in shock.

"An abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere?" gasped Sarah.

"It's an old dump, so what?" Silvally remarked, still skeptical. "There's no way she could smell Pokemon there."

"Skystorm's sense of smell never lies. If she was able to find me with Twilight, Dawn, Melody, and Echo after my little episode, then she could smell Pokemon from a mile away."

"Pika, Pi, Pikachu, Pika, Pi, Pi, Pikachu, Pika, Pi, Pika, Pikachu, Pik," Blitz pondered, wondering if there are any Pokemon in the warehouse even if it was abandoned.

"Only one way to find out, buddy," answered the princess before turning to Winter and Skystorm. "Skystorm, you take me and Winter down to the warehouse. We're gonna have a little look."

She then looked towards her Light Fury, "Well, girl, ready to fly again?"

Winter warbled, knowing what her rider was thinking as she lowered herself and allowed the princess to climb up onto her.

"Mother, please tell me you're not-" began Silvally knowingly.

But, she did; before everyone knew it, Sarah had already got on Winter as they followed Skystorm while she guided them to the warehouse.

"I'll go with Winter and Skystorm to see if there are any Pokemon she sniffed! You guys wait here until we give you the all-clear after we find anything!" Sarah called out to her family.

Twilight and Dawn warbled, not wanting Sarah to take too long and to keep them waiting for her, the two older female dragons, and the younger Shiny Pokemon make their big discovery. They wanted in on the action, too, if there are any Pokemon inside the abandoned building as Skystorm thought.

"Sarah, wait!" Mai called.

"Vapor, Va?" Vaporeon quipped in surprise at her.

"Jolt, Jolte, Jolt Jolteon," grumbled Jolteon, not liking having to wait on the sidelines for anything.

Silvally just groaned, "She never listens to me, never does."

Blitz patted him sympathetically as Riolu sighed and smiled sheepishly, "Oh, well. That's Mommy for ya."


Arriving at the abandoned warehouse, Sarah, Winter, and Skystorm looked at their destination. It was old and decrepit and it looked as though it had seen better days following whatever production heyday it went through as part of a previous business before it was shuttered. It looked rather spooky but Skystorm held firm as her rider nodded in approval to take them inside.

The Deadly Nadder carefully made her way through the old facility as she led the little princess and her fellow dragon towards the Pokemon she smelled, taking great care to not trip over or touch anything that could break off and kill them.

Everything was in a shotty state as if nobody bothered to find out about and restore it for some reason. It looked as though it was haunted but that didn't matter to the Tracker Class dragon as she continued to sniff around, her trail on the Pokemon getting stronger as she led Sarah and Winter further into the facility.

Soon, they came into a large storage area at the back where they found several upset cages of all sizes strewn across the floor and a Sauder Executive U Office Desk that had a taser net and a knife on it. It even had a gamer's chair behind it but it looked old and tattered as well.

The sight of the items made them a little queasy but what really threw them for a loop was what they had found behind the desk in a few other cages and quickly approached them.

Inside them were eight Pokemon, all of them miserable as if they've been through hell and back from the wounds they sported from their bodies. The Pokemon comprised of a little Skitty, an Eevee, a Braviary, an Absol, a Salamance, a Houndoom, and even the Johto Legendaries, Latios and Latios.

What made the group stand out, however, is that Salamance, Houndoom, Absol, Latios, and Latias, save for Eevee, Skitty, and Braviary, was that they had different colorations, making them Shiny Pokemon. They even had Mega Stones in specially-made silver collars giving them the power of Mega Evolution.

Horrified by this sight, Sarah quickly approached Houndoom's cage, her running and approach catching the wounded Dark Hound Pokemon's attention as it opened a dreary eye at her.

"You poor things! Who did this to you?" she gasped, reaching out to touch Houndoom.

The Dark/Fire Type suddenly bared its teeth as it snarled at her, thinking she was trying to attack it. The little princess reeled back in surprise before it could bite her; now, she knew something was horribly wrong if Skystorm was able to sniff the battered Pokemon out and find them like this.

The other caged Pokemon woke up, all of them feeling worn out from whatever torture they've been through as well and yet surprised to see a human and two dragons near them. Skitty and Eevee tried to back away in fear while Absol, Samalance, and Braviary snarled at her and let out a soft yet defiant crow at them to leave them alone and never come back. The beaten Latias tried to reach out to her as if it wanted her help but the older Latios got in front of her and glared dangerously at Sarah and her dragons, not wanting to trust them for whatever reason.

"It's all right, we're getting you out of here," she told the abused Pokemon, much to their confusion or skepticism as they twitched their ears, tilted their heads, or raised suspicious eyebrows. "Skystorm, break open the cages!"

The Deadly Nadder nodded, coming to the abused Pokemon's cages and warbling soothingly at them to keep away from the doors.

Despite their suspicions, the abused Pokemon nodded cautiously as they backed off and allowed Skystorm to light Magnesium Blasts to smash the locks and blast the doors open, much to their surprise and shock.

"This way!" Sarah whispered as she and Winter started for the door with Salamance carrying Skitty, Absol, Eevee and Braivary. Latios and Latias joined them as Skystorm keeping watch.

Houndoom remained where it was, still in shock over their noble act. "You're free, Houndoom. Come on, hurry!" Sarah called.

Giving a numb and silent nod, Houndoom snapped out of its shock and quickly joined the group, still trying to wrap its head around the fact that the young girl and her dragons had actually saved it and the other Pokemon with it.

They hurriedly ran out of the warehouse, taking care to not trip over or hitting any of the debris in the decrepit place before they made it back out into the open

"You all wait here," Sarah told the abused Pokemon before she turned to Skystorm. "Skystorm, since you found them, they're your responsibility."

The Deadly Nadder nodded as she drew closer to the Shiny Pokemon, promising to never let them out of her sight. Her rider nodded as she and Winter went off to tell the others to join them and see what they found. When the two made their return to their family, they looked expectantly at her, wanting to know what they and Skystorm found or why she wasn't with them.

"Bre?" Umbreon began.

"What did you find?" Mai questioned.

"Espe, Esp, Espeon?" Espeon asked, wanting to know what happened.

"Where's Aunty Skystorm?" Riolu put in.

"She's fine. But, you guys are not gonna believe this," Sarah interjected.

"What, Mama?" inquired Nebby.

"We looked inside the warehouse and we found what looked to be eight abused Pokemon inside several cages. And, get this, five of them are Shinies and they have Mega Stones, making them capable of using Mega Evolution!"

Everyone gasped in shock; they did not expect to hear this from her.

"What?!" gawked Silvally.

"P-p-p-p-PIKA?!" spluttered Blitz in shock.

"Flaff...?" gasped Candy, who was stunned the most from the reveal.

Even Riolu couldn't hold back her shock as she stuttered, "S-s-s-s-Shiny P-p-p-p-Pokemon?"

"What happened?" Mai asked, coming forward.

"You'd better come and see for yourself." And, with that, Sarah and Winter went back to rendevous with Skystorm and the Pokemon they rescued, forcing the rest of their family to follow by flying or finding a path leading down to them.

"I hate it when she does that," Silvally muttered quietly as he ran, exasperated.

In no time at all, Sarah and her extended family have met up with the abused Pokemon and Skystorm. The sight of so many Pokemon, the dragons, and Solar startled the Houndoom and its companions greatly, Eevee and Skitty giving frightened yelps before they ran under Salamence's body and tried to hide out of sight.

Immediately, the Dark Hound and Dragon Pokemon joined by Braviary, Absol, and Latios, dashed in front of the younger Pokemon with them and either snarled or glared at them as Sarah's entire family came into view, forcing them to stop in surprise and shock. They also didn't expect their new acquaintances to appear hostile but that was justified given whatever torture they went through when they saw the scars and bruises on them.

Latias grew even more curious as she tried to float over to its human and dragon saviors' family but Latios cut it off again, getting in front and shielding it from Sarah's family, much to its chagrin and worry at the older Eon Pokemon.

"Bri, Brionne, Bri, Bri!" gawked Aqua.

"Milo, Mi, Milotic," breathed Milotic in surprise, realizing Sarah wasn't lying.

"Snivy, Sni, Sniv, Sni, Vy, Vy," thought Snivy, now knowing why Skystorm acted out in such a frantic manner.

"Wow, guess Skystorm's sense of smell gave us a reason for coming here, after all," Solar remarked in surprise.

"Look, Candy! They're Shiny Pokemon, just like us!" Riolu gasped in awe, looking at Houndoom, Absol, Salamence, Latios, and Latias.

"Rawr! Rawr!" barked Houndoom, not trusting Sarah's Pokemon.

Skystorm gently approached the Dark Hound Pokemon and wrapped a wing around it, catching it off guard as she gave a motherly smile towards the older Shiny Pokemon.

The blue hound tried to resist as it looked between its supposed enemies and Skystorm but the genuine concern and pleading for it in her eyes won it over and it gave heavy sigh and a reluctant nod towards the Deadly Naddler.

"Damn, we've hit the motherload," Silvally commented about the Pokemon before them.

He then noticed Skystorm giving him a smug knowing smirk. It was clear that Houndoom and the other Pokemon she rescued with Sarah and Winter's help were the ones she sniffed out and her sense of smell was on the dot when she traced them to the abandoned warehouse.

The Synthetic Pokemon gulped from being proven wrong and shown up by her as he looked at the abused Pokemon before he finally admitted to the dragon, "Alright, you're not off with your smell-a-thon. You were right, happy?"

The Deadly Nadder nodded, still keeping the smug smile on her face as she gently rubbed Houndoom's head with her wing, much to the Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon's discomfort as it blushed in embarrassment. Some of Sarah's family gave small chuckles towards Houndoom when they saw it being babied by Skystorm.

Riolu decided to approach Skitty and Eevee first as she carefully walked over to them, despite Salamence's suspicions about her as it raised an eyebrow at her while she got closer to the cautious Normal Types looking from behind the Dragon Pokemon's front left leg.

"Hi," replied Riolu kindly.

The little Normal Types tilted their heads at her as she held out a paw for a handshake. Skitty went first as it slowly made her way to the Shiny Emanation Pokemon and sniffed her paw. When the Kitten Pokemon figured out she was a friend and not an enemy, it meowed happily and shook her paw with its tail before it noticed her tail shaking and proceeded to chase it until she twisted and fell down, feeling happier already and getting a giggle out of Riolu. The Eevee gave a sheepish chuckle as it sweatdropped before it greeted Riolu in turn.

"What'll we do with them, Mommy?" Riolu asked, turning to Sarah.

"Don't know, Riolu, I don't want them staying here if they're gonna get harassed by whoever captured them again. We gotta get them someplace where whoever poached Houndoom and the others won't find them."

"Can't we hide them at the Pokemon School?" Mai suggested innocently.

"The school doesn't have a shelter and who knows what Prof. Kukui and Principal Oak might think?"

"But, they'll understand once we tell them what happened to those Pokemon!"

"And, do you think Houndoom and the other Pokemon Skystorm found would be willing to trust them, Mai? You saw how they reacted to you all, Houndoom thought I was gonna attack it when I tried to pet it."

"Can't we move them to another hiding place like the bridge arch Ash told us about where he met with that pussy cat of his back when he was a puny Litten and during the Old Man's last days, Mother?" Silvally suggested.

"They'll already be picked out even if we do manage to hide them under there, Silvally," retorted the princess. "I don't want to send them anywhere where they'll be reminded of the torture and pain they went through. What's more, we need to treat their wounds first before we plan everything out."

"Then, why not take them to the Pokemon Center first?" Nebby put in. "We can explain to Miss Joy about them and have her and her friends help them."

"My thoughts, exactly, Nebby," she smiled, petting her Solgaleo. She then turned to Skystorm, "What do you say, Skystorm?"

The Deadly Nadder nodded in approval; she was also thinking about getting the abused Pokemon patched and healed up before they could work out what to do with them.

"Can't we just let Mr. Kukui and Mrs. Burnet know about them, at least? We need help if whatever bad guy comes for them," Riolu finally added.

"We'll see, we'll see," Sarah reassured as she got on Winter. "Now, come on, before whoever poached the Pokemon here gets the pinch on us!"

With all of them in agreement, Sarah and her entire family, with the abused Pokemon staying close to Skystorm as they flew or ran within her sights and keeping a wary distance from the others, made their way to the Pokemon Center to have Nurse Joy treat their bruises and wounds as soon as possible.

But, about fifteen minutes after they left the abandoned warehouse, a Pokemon Hunter of exceptional skill joined by a group of men were approaching the place. The buyers were none other than Viren and the Ravengers, who had found out about the hunter's supposed Pokemon black market deals in Pokemon hunting and smuggling in the Sinnoh Region and got word about the eight Pokemon he/she captured.

Wanting to make a quick and easy buck from stealing and selling the Pokemon he/she found, the hunter led his/her clients to the back office to where all the abused Pokemon once were. But, when they arrived at the back office, it was empty safe for an undisturbed desk but eight broken and upset cages that once held Houndoom and the other Pokemon captured.

"'EY, Viren, look!"

"What happened?"

"There's a robbery going on!" the Ravengers cried in shock as they looked at the cages.

"My Pokemon, they're gone!" Viren gawked.

"Hmm, it looks like we have a little grand theft rescue on our hands," replied the hunter coolly, as if he/she was not surprised by what had happened.

If the hunter's cool and relaxed tone of his/her voice and the lack of surprise were anything to come by, it looked as though the hunter was a master criminal Pokemon Hunter that had a few run-ins with the Law and barely escaped with or without his/her Pokemon loads for the black market. By the sound of it, the hunter managed to give whatever authorities were after him/her the slip numerous times before coming to Alola and making a deal with Viren and the Ravengers.

"RRAAAGGHHHH! Damn it, damn it, damn it!" Viren snapped, throwing a tantrum like a big baby and stomping his feet in fury before he angrily whipped around to the hunter. "Now, you'll have to find those Pokemon of mine on the double or else you won't get a single buck from me if you screw this up again!"

The hunter scoffed at Viren, "Not my fault you were one to brag about you being a Pokemon Master and how great you think you are, moron."

"What do you mean, punk?!"

"Your ego dragged us down from completing our already finalized deal and that cost us your Pokemon, need I say more? Or, how would you explain how we managed to lose your payday Pokemon I've managed to wrangle for you before we met and got back?"

Viren growled before he turned to the Ravengers with his orders. "Listen up! We've got a Mega Theft on our hands and we need to find out who stole my Pokemon so we can make do with what we can with them. We'll have to find and run the loser who stole them from us before anybody, even those doggone rogue patrol squad, rats us out! Get out there and find who's responsible for robbing us and report back!"

"Right!"

The hunter just smirked as the Ravengers set off to find their Pokemon before they could pay him/her for their required product load leaving only him/her and Viren at the warehouse. One thing's for sure, this was going to be a wild adventure Sarah would find herself in combined with the first clash against Viren and the Ravengers in a while along with her first encounter with a Pokemon hunter.


With the young princess and her family, they made their way to the Hau'oli City Pokemon Center and informed Nurse Joy and her Pokemon about what happened to Houndoom and the other abused Pokemon. She was obviously shocked when she saw the wounds and bruises on Skitty, Eevee, Braviary, Houndoom, Latios, Latias, Absol, and Salamence, although she was more thrown for a loop by the sight of the Eon Duo, Houndoom, Absol and Salamance being Shinies. Nebby was forced to remain outside due to his size but he can still see what's going on through the open windows.

As the Pokemon nurse, Blissy, and Comfey got to work on healing the abused Pokemon, Sarah phoned Prof. Kukui and Burnet to tell them everything that went on.

"What?! You're saying Skystorm sniffed out eight Pokemon captured by a Pokemon Hunter?"

"And, five of them are Shiny Pokemon that have Mega Stones on them?" they gasped.

"Yeah, whoever poached them is looking to make a quick buck in the black market selling them," Sarah confirmed. "Whoever those Pokemon originally belonged to, I don't know where they are or even who they are if I were to call them and give them back."

"Well, it's obvious they don't have any tags telling us who their old owners are but it's good that you ended their suffering as you did," Burnet complemented. "You should be very proud of Skystorm given how much she's done you wonders as a Tracker Class dragon." Skystorm purred happily as she nuzzled Sarah, hearing Burnet's praise of her high sense of smell being the reason for the abused Pokemon being saved. Sarah smiled and rubbed the female Deadly Nadder on her snout, making her smile.

"Well, what can I do with them?"

"I don't know if those Shiny Pokemon, Eevee, Skitty, and that Braviary would make headline news so it would be good for you to take care of them until we find their owners. You always seemed to have a knack for helping abused Pokemon when they need it," Kukui suggested.

"And, if whoever hunted them should turn up?"

"Then, do what you can to protect them. Otherwise, come to us, Hala, and/or Officer Jenny, or wait for us to help you. Whatever you do, don't let the hunter come for you and take back those Pokemon."

"You're their responsibility now so make sure they're away from any sign of danger," Burnet finished. "We'll tell your friends and have them meet up with you later. Good luck."

"Thanks, Professors," nodded Sarah.

Soon, Kuki and Burnet ended the phone call. No sooner had they and Sarah finished talking about the abused Pokemon, the bell for the emergency room rung while its light shut down and Nurse Joy, Comfey, and Blissey appeared looking proud.

The little princess and Skystorm, joined by the rest of their family, immediately ran to them for an update. "How're Houndoom and the others?" she asked.

"They're doing just fine," Nurse Joy reassured kindly. "Your dragon was lucky to have found them, I've never seen such horrible wounds on a Pokemon like those before."

"You know who's responsible for what happened to them before we found them?"

"I'm afraid not. Those wounds looked bad but for the most part, they're healed a bit but they shouldn't have been treated like that. They're all lucky they managed to survive such brutal beatings, especially those whip lashes we've patched up. If what you said is true, that a Pokemon Hunter is responsible, I can't bear to think how they have been captured and taken away from their old trainers."

"Can we see them?"

"Of course, but only you and a select few. I don't want them getting in a panic after how they reacted when you brought all of your Pokemon and dragons over."

Nodding in agreement, Sarah was led into the room housing the abused Pokemon with Skystorm and the Eevee Squad joining her, leaving the others to wait out their visit and continue to hope for the best.

"I warn you, it will do you good to not disturb them as best you can. At least, until one of them wakes up," warned Nurse Joy as they made their way to the abused Pokemon's medical room.

When they arrived, the scene that greeted the Eevee Squad, the princess, and Skystorm was soothing yet bittersweet; Houndoom and the other Pokemon saved were in their own healing bed pods having their wounds healed and looked at while they laid in slumber. The Dark Hound Pokemon, Salamence, Absol, Latios, and Latias had their collars holding their Mega Stones intact after they were taken off and put aside on a nearby table, none of which, thankfully, showed any signs of wear and tear.

"I must say, I was surprised when you brought them to me when you did. Not many people can turn up with or even find several Shiny Pokemon at once and in such a state, even Eevee, Skitty, and Braivary were not common to find or even reside in the region. We were lucky enough to get those bruises looked at but they weren't too bad despite the grotesque results we've found."

"But, will they be alright?"

"As long as they take it easy, yes, they'll live."

Sarah nodded, she was immensely relieved to hear that. But, Skystorm's relief was even greater than hers; unbeknownst to anybody before the princess, the Deadly Nadder had a soft spot for those who are in need of assistance despite her aggressive nature, especially younglings of any species including dragons. For her, hearing that the Pokemon she saved will live is the best reward for her.

Unable to hold her worry for the Pokemon, with her attention mainly on the sleeping Eevee and Skitty, Sylveon looked towards Umbreon and urged him to join her to see them first.

The Moonlight Pokemon understood the Intertwining Pokemon's worry for the little Pokemon and nodded. They, then turned their attention to Skystorm as she looked at them, apparently knowing what they want to do as she watched.

"Sylve...?" Sylveon asked quietly.

The Deadly Nadder gave a soft nod, approving their choice to approach Eevee and Skitty but mentally warning them to not surprise them too much when they would eventually awaken.

They slowly approached Eevee and Skitty, both of them sharing a bed as they slept. But, after they came close to them, it didn't take long for the Evolution and Kitten Pokemon to eventually notice their presence and wake up, turning to them as they felt a little tired but rejuvenated after being healed by Nurse Joy and her team.

"Vui..." Eevee cooed in awe, seeing its two evolved forms.

Umbreon couldn't help but smile at Eevee, he was already having memories of how he came across the six little Eevees that became his daughters after he ran away from his former owner.

Unable to hold back her joy and relief for the baby Pokemon, Sylveon reached out to them with one of her feelers.

"Nya...!" meowed Skitty happily, as it played around with the feeler like it was a piece of string. Eevee just smiled with Umbreon as they watched.

While Umbreon and Sylveon kept watch over Eevee and Skitty, Skystorm and Umbreon's daughters carefully approached the older Pokemon.

The Eon Duo, Salamence, Absol, and Houndoom were able to awaken after their slumber under Nurse Joy's care but after the previous abuse they went through, four of them were still on edge over any strangers or humans they think could hurt them.

The only one between them that showed a genuine curiosity and growing gratitude for their saviors was Latias, who gently tried to reach a claw out to Skystorm, remembering her as the dragon responsible for saving her along with her human rider.

Latios, who was on a bed next to his little sister, quickly held her claw and a warning glare towards her, reminding her once again that Sarah nor Skystorm could be trusted if they had any alternative motives involving them and the other Pokemon they're with.

But, the younger Eon Dragon Pokemon soon resisted her brother's overprotective nature as she softly wrenched her claw out of his, having already decided to trust them when they and the other Pokemon they were with back in the abandoned warehouse were rescued. She knew Latios meant well but sometimes, his protective nature can be a bit grating which could be something that's common between them even before they were captured in a previous life of theirs.

Latios was baffled when she defied him and inched herself closer to the Eevee Squad and Skystorm to try and speak with them, cooing gently as if to thank them and Sarah for helping her, her brother, and the other abused Pokemon from whoever hunted them and left them caged in the warehouse.

Absol and Braivary were surprised to see Latias (who was the youngest between the older Pokemon) trying to connect with the Pokemon and dragon belonging to the human girl that saved them all but Houndoom was still wary as it eyed them and Sarah.

Then, it noticed the young girl slowly approaching it and growled, baring its teeth and not wanting her to get any closer.

"Hi..." she greeted quietly.

She reached out to pet Houndoom but it snapped with a bite making her pull back with a yelp.

Nurse Joy jumped in surprise as Skystorm heard her rider's yelp and noticed Houndoom fully awake and giving her a warning snarl. She sighed knowingly, given how tense Houndoom must've felt when it first met her fellow dragons and her extended Pokemon family.

The Deadly Nadder decided to help the Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon as she crawled her way over to its own bed and wrapped a comforting wing around it again, making it turn to her in shock. It then remembered her doing the same thing when it tried to confront Sarah and her family to tell them to back off until she came to its aid and soothed its badly ruffled feelings.

Amazingly, when she eyed it with the same motherly stare towards the Dark/Fire Type, Houndoom eventually softened and relented to her plea before it allowed Sarah to pet her as it gave her a soft growl of admission and resignation. Sarah smiled thankfully towards her Deadly Nadder as she finally managed to pet it with no further trouble.

Despite feeling antsy about a human girl touching it after the previous abuse it went through, Houndoom felt strangely comforted and the princess' gentle touch was a complete contrast to what it previously went through under the Pokemon Hunter's "care".

Nurse Joy eventually smiled again, seeing Skystorm becoming something of a security blanket for Houndoom. "Well, looks like Houndoom's managed to relax and loosen up with Skystorm's help," she commented.

"Yeah, even I noticed it when she did it before we brought them to you," the princess agreed.

"What do you plan on doing with them once they're discharged?"

"They're my responsibility until their old owners can be found. So, basically, they're mine and I'm gonna look after them from now on and hopefully, keep them from that hunter that did this to them."

"I see... Well then, I'll say no more and wish you good luck, Sarah," smiled Nurse Joy with contempt. "I know they'll be happier with you than that horrible hunter."

The young princess couldn't agree more.

But, while they were talking, neither they nor Skystorm and the Eevee Squad had an idea that they were being watched by the Ravengers. The rogues had noticed Nebby when they came near the Pokemon Center and snuck a peek into the room housing the abused Pokemon. This shocked the Ravengers and they left to tell Viren the bad news.

It took some time for Sarah's friends to reach the Pokemon Center when they got word about her latest heroics. But, they were surprised when they found out about the Shiny Pokemon and were thrown for a loop when they had been informed about a Pokemon Hunter doing who-knows-what to them when she told them everything. Right now, she, Skystorm, and the Eevee Squad had left the abused Pokemon alone to continue recovering while they waited with their family and friends.

"Let me get this straight," Mallow began in disbelief. "You were on your way home from school and all of a sudden, Skystorm started sniffing around before she ran off."

"Then, she led you guys into the jungle before finding an abandoned warehouse at the bottom of a cliff face," continued Sophocles in surprise.

"Which had eight Pokemon trapped in cages with five of them being Shiny Pokemon," added Kiawe.

"But, they also have Mega Stones on them that allowed them to possess the power of Mega Evolution," Lillie said in shock.

"And, you and Skystorm managed to free them and bring them to Nurse Joy to have them looked at," Lana put in.

"And, you didn't even tell us about them when you got here?!" gawked Ash as he finished.

"Hey, I did contact Prof. Kukui and Burnet and told them first, didn't I?" retorted Sarah towards the Kanto Trainer. "Even if I did, you'd think I'd be making it up. You heard what he said; Shiny Pokemon are very rare and the chances of meeting more of them, let alone just one, are slim to none."

"Anyway, how are they doing now?" Lillie asked, wanting to change the subject.

"They're alright. Nurse Joy should have them discharged tomorrow once she's done."

"But, that leaves us trying to figure out who was responsible for hunting them and trying to sell them off," Sophocles reminded, remembering the bigger problem at hand.

"Who would want to kidnap and sell off Pokemon for money?" Mallow pondered. "Pokemon are not meant to make money like that, trainers would have to earn them and their old trainers did just that before they were picked off."

"This is an outrage!" Kiawe spat angrily. "Of course, Pokemon are not meant to be hunted, bought, and sold! It's shameful and a disgrace to both humans and Pokemon for such atrocities to be committed!"

"Yeah, I say we get out there and find out who's responsible for this!" Ash agreed, feeling the same way.

"But, whoever captured and abused them is a Pokemon Hunter and I don't know anybody in the region who would want to make money out of them in the black market," Lillie said to them. "How would we know who's responsible for profiting from hunting Pokemon?"

"The last hunters we came across tried to capture the Eevee Squad but your family, Zeraora, Zorua, and Tsukumaro helped you save them and got those guys thrown into the big house, right, Sarah?" Mallow asked again.

"Yeah, I was out cold after being shocked to near-death so I couldn't do anything to help Umbreon and his daughters."

"We better keep our eyes peeled," Lana suggested.

"And, our ears open," added Sophocles in agreement. "The hunter will be looking for them by any means necessary and we have to be ready."

"And, whoever the hunter is will have the technology to capture them again we need to counter," Lillie put in.

"What should we do with the Pokemon in the meantime?" Kiawe reminded them, his mind still on the abused Pokemon.

"I've already arranged it with Prof. Kukui and Prof. Burnet and for now, they'll be under my care. But, when I take them home and have them meet you, I want you to be very, very careful. They don't trust anybody, even humans and other Pokemon, after all the abuse they went through."

"Come on, you're a natural with helping abused Pokemon. How hard can Houndoom and the others be?" Ash puzzled, confident in Sarah's compassion for them.

"Would you rather try to have your hand bitten by a beaten and suspicious Dark Hound Pokemon who can't bear to trust humans over going through the same torture it just escaped from all over again?"

They all paused with worried frowns; Sarah did have a point given Houndoom did actually try to bite her before Skystorm calmed it down.

"Well, just do the best you can, Sarah. You and your family," Kiawe encouraged, giving a soft yet confident smile. "If anybody can get through to them, it's you. We'll help you if it becomes a hassle."

The others nodded in agreement, leaving the little princess grateful that she had so much support from her own friends over her most daunting task yet.


Meanwhile, back at the abandoned warehouse, the Ravengers have given their report to Viren and the hunter, explaining to them that Sarah was the one responsible for their Pokemon being "robbed". Viren was furious but the hunter was intrigued despite his/her own frustrations, which he/she didn't show.

"GODDAMN THAT LOUSEY PRINCESS!" snapped Viren furiously as he threw a tantrum and kicked at the destroyed cages. "I should've known that weasel was responsible for ruining me again! She's really becoming a damn thorn on my side..."

"And, is that runt a problem for you, I'd reckon?" inquired the hunter.

"Oh, gee, where do I start?" spat Viren sarcastically, still throwing his tantrum. "She foiled my bargain to buy out a barn for my hotel, she humiliated me after I bolstered the deal with her parents as my hostages, she robbed me of a Shiny Riolu, need I say more?!"

"And, you find the kid to be both annoying and infuriating, right?"

"She made a fool out of me! That rotten witch keeps ruining me and I would've gotten away with my schemes, too, if she and her posse didn't butt in and foil my plans every step of the way, you idiot."

"Well, that's all down to your rotten luck and since you didn't keep a cool head in the fight," the hunter retorted before he/she stood up from the chair behind his/her desk, a plan already in mind. "Viren, boys, this afternoon, we'll pay your 'old friends' a little visit if you point me to them. When will the Shinies, Eevee, Skitty, and Braivary be discharged from the Pokemon Center?"

"It'll be tomorrow, mate. Nurse Joy and the girl already made the arrangements for her to pick them up once they're done," replied one of the Ravengers.

"Good, good," the hunter nodded. "That makes it all the more easier for us..."


The next morning, Sarah and her Pokemon and dragons arrived bright and early back at the Hau'Oli Pokemon Center to see how the Shinies, Eevee, Braivary, and Skitty are doing. Today's the day that they'll be cleared and discharged, beginning their new lives under the little princess' care with Skystorm's assistance.

As they were working and tending to their first customers and trainers of the day, Nurse Joy, Blissey, and Comfey saw them entering. "Ah, Sarah, you came. Good timing, good timing," greeted the Pokemon Nurse.

"Hey, Nurse Joy, how are Houndoom and the rest of the gang?"

"Today's your lucky day, they're all done and looking better than ever. Blissey, could you bring them over, please?"

"Bliss, Bliss, Blissey!" said the Happiness Pokemon.

She was pushing a small trolley holding the fully-healed and happier Skitty and Eevee with Braivary, Latios, Houndoom, Latias, Absol, and Salamence flying and walking alongside them.

Everyone was relieved but Skystorm was overjoyed as she quickly made her way to them with Eevee, Skitty, and Latias being the first ones to join her and nuzzle her. The others approached her and her extended family slowly and started to warm up to her but Houndoom remained as stiff and suspicious as ever.

The Deadly Nadder noticed this but smiled kindly, knowing his suspicions as she waddled over to the Dark/Fire Type.

She gently growled to him, asking if he was alright. "Dou..." replied Houndoom slowly, squirming with his front right paw over his left front paw awkwardly.

Skystorm just smiled as she rubbed his head again with her left wing, leaving the Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon to blush and groan in embarrassment from being babied but not wanting to upset her. He didn't want to admit it but he was thankful for her and the human girl with her for saving him and the others.

He looked over to the other Pokemon that were rescued and he couldn't help but realize and see how happier they were, particularly Latias, Eevee, and Skitty as they played with some of Sarah's younger Pokemon along with Twilight and Dawn while they others watched on in amusement.

Wooloo and Ponyta, in particular, went over to Eevee and Skitty and greeted them cheerfully before the Kitten and Evolution Pokemon cooed back and they began to play Tag as they ran around their dragon and Pokemon family.

Snowflake and her family, along with Winter and Shadow, joined Latios and Salemance and she cooed at them cutely to get their attention. They greeted the Pokemon in kind but they were also slightly bewildered yet curious to see the Light Fury and a black dragon just like her, both dragons not looking like Pokemon to them.

Camo and his children waddled carefully to the Valiant and Shiny Disaster Pokemon as they held their strong stony stares at them. However, Braviary and Absol were curious about the dragons coming towards them and although they didn't show much emotion, they eventually gave them soft smiles in greeting.

"I'll hand them over to you, Sarah," Nurse Joy replied. "If they have any problems, come and see me. I'll be waiting."

"Thanks, Nurse Joy," Sarah thanked.

Nodding with a satisfied smile, Nurse Joy, Blissey, and Comfey went back to work as they tended to their next customer's Pokemon leaving Sarah and her family with the rescued Pokemon as they left to take them home to her adopted parents.

On the way home, Sarah did a bit of a mid-morning shopping spree to find some gifts and accessories for the abused Pokemon and her family in the town market. She planned on buying something for each of the rescued Pokemon in the hopes that they'll be able to trust her and her family more and forget about the pain they previously went through after they were captured.

As the little princess went around finding and buying several items for the abused Pokemon (while getting into occasional squabbles with her Pokemon and dragons over what they think their new friends would need), Houndoom and his crew looked around curiously and with suspicion over their new surroundings beyond the warehouse.

Eevee and Skitty cooed in awe over all the goodies, toys, jewelry, and other knickknacks and essentials being sold in the different stalls and stores around them, causing them to start wandering about before they were immediately picked up with a yelp by a Vine Whip from Snivy.

"Sni, Vy, Vy," she gently chastised the two Normal Types with a finger wag.

The two baby Pokemon deflated in shame but Tepig and Oshawott, joining their Unova sister, reassured them with big smiles on their faces with the Grass Snake Pokemon giving them a soft smile, too.

"Tep! Tepig, Pig, Tepig, Tep, Tep!" smiled Tepig.

"Osha, Oshawott, Wott, Wott, Osha!" Oshawott agreed with a goofy smile.

That made them feel a little better as they were quickly led back to their new family and their fellow rescued Pokemon as Sarah had finished buying her first items for them.

As they continued with her shopping spree, Houndoom and the other rescued Pokemon hoped that they wouldn't be seen by anybody, especially trainers who'd might take a fancy to them since they unofficially have a new trainer/caretaker in Sarah. But, everywhere they went in the market street, despite their best efforts to remain incognito and not stand out from the crowd, there were a few onlookers who'd stare in awe and surprise at them.

Some of the Pokemon did their best to ignore the stares and longing expressions on their observers' faces in case some of them would want to trade with Sarah for them but Houndoom, not trusting any of the humans giving him those stares, just glared darkly and occasionally gave them a small, threatening growl.

Skystorm, who was waddling alongside the Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon, heard Houndoom and saw how tense he was becoming from any prying eyes on him and gently rubbed his head with her right wing. Her motherly action made him blush in embarrassment again but he felt a little grateful to her again, this time for helping him try to stay calm and not snap at anybody by mistake with her around.

"La, Lati, La, Laaaaa?" grumbled Latios, not taking too kindly to any prying eyes staring at him and his sister as well.

Latias, on the other hand, didn't care about everybody staring at her, her brother, and her freed companions. She just looked around the market street as Sarah shopped around for what she needed, cooing with glee at anything and everything around her as if she was a child in a giant candy store. For the younger Eon Pokemon, the Alola Region's market street was something new to her from where she and her brother were kidnapped and neither they nor their companions had ever been around the region nor had the chance to look around after being in the hunter's cages for so long. Latios sighed at his sister but soon smiled for her.

"It's a thing with us Shinies and Baby Brother Nebby. You'll get used to it, eventually," Riolu reassured as she and Candy rode on Snowflake's back.

"Ab, Absol, Ab, Sol, Sol, Absol, Sol?" quizzed Absol, eyeing the Solgaleo walking with them.

"I've been with Mama since I was a Cosmog and I walked with her for months here, it's easy," replied the Sunne Pokemon.

"Bra..." Braviary nodded slowly, trying to get his head around the fact that a Legendary Pokemon can speak to him and his companions in fluent English through Telepathy.

The morning continued as Sarah went on with her shopping spree until she bought all the things she was looking for and head for home. It was Saturday during the weekend again and she had no school until the following week on Monday which gives her plenty of time to get to know her new Pokemon children.

"'Oi... All that shopping and you've nearly wasted so much money on getting all that junk, Mother," groaned Silvally, having to carry a medium-sized satchel the princess bought to carry her new Pokeballs and stones she bought and Silvally's Memory Drives in addition to her other new knickknacks on his head scales for her on the way home.

"Hey, at least my parents and I are doing what we can to make ends meet, Silvally," the princess argued. "I've volunteered in several events held across the Alola Region while growing up and my parents made money from their day jobs."

"My point still stands. You're like everybody who's going on a Black Friday or holiday shopping frenzy at a yard sale or supermarket when you find, bid, and buy anything you see like it's the end of the world."

"At least, everything we found was for sale and it was necessary just to have us ready for the future. I'm not one to go shop-happy with my money, you know. I thought it would be a good first step for the abused Pokemon to trust us more."

"...And, if they don't like what you've gotten them?"

"Can't say I didn't try. Look at them," she retorted, pointing at Houndoom and his companions with their new gifts.

Surprisingly, for Silvally, the abused Pokemon were astounded by their new gifts as they fiddled around with them. They had never been shown such kindness in a way from the Pokemon Hunter that captured, abused, and held them off for the opportunity to sell them off at the black market. None of them knew what to say or even think over how far their new trainer would go to get them to trust her and her Pokemon and dragon family and make them happy.

Salamence was given a Dragon Fang in the form of a necklace for an increase of power for his Dragon Type attacks, Eevee was given an Everstone to prevent her from evolving by any means as Sylveon and the Eevee Squad all had before her, Skitty was given a Moon Stone in case the Kitten Pokemon would want to evolve into a Delcatty should she choose, Latios and Latias had two rare Soul Dews made into necklaces and for Houndoom and Absol, she found two Expert Belts to increase the power of their Super Effective attacks tied around their necks. Braviary was even given a Focus Band he wore on his forehead, allowing him to withstand an instant or regular KO even for a moment.

Her other Pokemon were also given items the little princess thought could help them look cool and become more formidable in battle with regards to her foes as well as the Pokemon Hunter being on the lookout for her new Pokemon.

For Wooloo, Ponyta, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, they were given Everstones as well for the Galar Younglings and the Unova Starters have no interest in evolving, at all, and would rather become as strong as they are.

Three more Dragon Fangs were made into necklaces for Snowflake's parents and Vibrava to increase the power of their own Dragon Type attacks.

Four necklaces holding Mystic Water were given to Vaporeon, Oshawott, Milotic, and Aqua that would enhance and increase their Water Type attack power. The little Brionne even had a new name collar made for her after she outgrew and broke out of her old one.

Glaceon and Snowflake were given two necklaces carrying Never-Melting Ice to increase their Ice Type attack power and the little white Fox Pokemon is given an Ice Stone to evolve into an Alolan Ninetales should she choose as well.

Two more necklaces holding Miracle Seeds were given to Snivy and Leafeon for increasing the power of their Grass Type attacks.

Umbreon was also given Black Glasses to increase his Dark Type attack power and he felt cool wearing his own shades.

The princess even bought Riolu a Black Belt, used to boost the power of a Fighting Pokemon's attacks, which the Emanation Pokemon loved and had wrapped around her neck like a scarf. Blitz and Jolteon were given two Light Balls made into right arm and left leg bracelets to raise both their attack and special attack strengths. Everyone loved what they were given and they couldn't get enough of them.

Even Houndoom couldn't help but feel somewhat happy for the Expert Belt given to him as he looked at his new trainer in awe before returning his attention to his new keepsake. Also, along with the new satchel, which was yellow and had Nebby's symbol on the outer flap and was carrying much of her new gifts, she even had a silver reinforced spider-link necklace chain for her Wayfinder from Zeraora so it wouldn't fall or snap off her neck.

She even went through the trouble of getting three Moon Balls, a Luxury Ball, a Friendship Ball, two rare Premier Balls, and the one-of-a-kind Cherish Ball which she had won in a small contest.

"What'cha gonna do with that Cherish Ball, Sarah?" Mai asked, seeing Sarah look at the Cherish Ball in her hand.

"I still can't believe you won that crazy spinning wheel contest where it's one of the prizes being offered," Silvally grunted. "And, you had to win that puny thing which is the winner's grand prize. Why the hell go for something as measly as that and what if there's something in it?"

"I don't know. The hosts never told me I can use it on any Pokemon and they mentioned nothing about a Pokemon already being in it. I only hope it's empty so I can have one of your new brothers and sisters making their small home in it."

"So, how are you gonna tell Old Man Tsukumaro and your parents about all this junk you're having me lug about?"

"They'll understand why I bought them. If I know them, they probably heard everything from Prof. Kukui and Burnet about Houndoom and the others and they'll all vouch for me being their trainer."

As they were all heading home after Sarah's mid-morning shopping spree, they had no idea they were being watched by Viren, the Ravengers, and their hunter client, who were all passing by the market street and looking for the little princess before they finally found her. They even saw the Pokemon she rescued with them and, to Viren and the Ravengers' anger and dismay along with the Pokemon Hunter's growing intrigue, they were now claimed by her.

"There she is!" Viren pointed.

"Hey, are those our Pokemon?"

"She's got custody of them!"

"No way!"

"Are you kiddin' me, mate?"

"They can't be her's!"

"Not fair!"

"That's low!" groaned the Ravengers, seeing the Shiny Pokemon, Eevee, Skitty, and Braviary with her and her family.

"So... Is that Sarah, the little girl you said who made a fool out of you?" the hunter inquired to Viren.

"That's her, alright! I've hated her guts and her parents as well as her meddling friends the moment she foiled my plans for that wretched farm on Akala Island I failed to wrangle! She even has that little Riolu that bailed on me months ago after my little 'service' to it was worthless. I hate that brat of divine royalty!"

"I see, that's very interesting, Mr. Viren. You've had quite a history with her, for sure. But, we hunters have ways of dealing with sneaks and interlopers such as her. You have my permission to permit me to use the harshest measures to retrieve your prizes necessary. I do have the notions and big plans for anybody that tries to defy me."


When Sarah finally got home for lunch, Nikki, James, and Tsukumaro were most surprised when they saw Houndoom and the other rescued Pokemon in Sarah's custody and the gifts she shopped around Melemele's market street for them and some of her other Pokemon including her new satchel. It turned out they did hear about the rescued Pokemon from Kukui and Burnet after talking with her the previous night and were asked to be ready for them when they return from the Pokemon Center.

But, upon seeing the Eon Duo, Salamence, Eevee, and Skitty, James and his wife went head over heels for them. Just as James was freaking out and jumping with joy over seeing Salamence and more so from seeing Latios and Latias, Nikki gushed at the sight of the baby Evolution and Kitten Pokemon as she hugged and cuddled them after they bounded up to her, much to their joy as they laughed in her touch.

Salamence and Latios could only blush in embarrassment and flattery from James' obsession with Dragon Types while Latias cooed curiously and tilted her head in confusion as he looked them all over.

Tsukumaro's Absol was baffled to see the Shiny Absol before him and blushed while rubbing his left front leg. The Shiny Absol, while giving a feminine purr (suggesting it's a female), came up to him and greeted him warmly as she batted her eyelashes at him, making him blush harder and try to hide his face. Tsukumaro just chuckled when he saw this, he thought his goddaughter had done it again and he was going to enjoy milking it over Absol having a potential girlfriend.

James' Dragonite was also taken aback from seeing its fellow Dragon Types, let alone two Legendary Dragon Type Pokemon, with his trainer's adopted daughter but they warmed up to him and he greatly accepted them as well after a happy nuzzle from Latias.

Even Lucario and Dusk and Luna's parents couldn't hold back their curiosity and joy in seeing the new Pokemon as they warmly greeted Latios, Latias, Eevee, Skitty, the Shiny Absol, and Salamence. All the while, Braviary and Houndoom could only watch in bewilderment as they saw their fellow Pokemon immediately warm up to and trust the three new humans and Dragonite and Absol.

They were the only two left suspicious of Sarah's adopted parents and her godfather and their Pokemon when they saw them and were shocked when they saw how warm and kindhearted they all were, another far cry from how the Pokemon Hunter who captured them had once treated them like cattle.

Seeing their brief moment of culture shock, Noctowl and Riolu, joined by Skystorm, went over to the Valiant and Dark Hound Pokemon to further reassure them of their new life in safety and happiness. "Hoot, Hoot-Hoot, Hoo, Hoot, Hoo, Hoo, Hoo," reassured Noctowl to Braviary.

The wise and sophisticated Owl Pokemon placed his left wing around the still-stunned Flying Type until he snapped out of his shock and turned to Noctowl. Noctowl just nodded confidently, as if to encourage Braviary to trust his trainer's parents and godfather until he toddled over to Tsukumaro and allowed him to gently brush his feathers with a smile. Houndoom was still baffled over everything he saw until Riolu and Skystorm came to him with bright smiles and the Deadly Nadder placing her left wing over his head again and rubbing him again to his growing embarrassment as he blushed and looked at them.

"Dou...?" he asked quietly, hoping it to be a dream. He was starting to realize that his new life under a new and more-loving trainer was all he really needed after all the time he spent under the Pokemon Hunter's torture and after nearly being sold to an even worse trainer.

But, throughout his time out before coming to Sarah's home, he couldn't bring himself to fully admit it and thought she was going to kick him to the curb and wanted to be sure he wasn't dreaming. Skystorm gently warbled to him that he wasn't dreaming and that being with Sarah and her family is his new life just as his other rescued companions have now come to accept.

"Go ahead, Mr. Houndoom," Riolu chirped with a smile.

Houndoom looked down at his fellow Shiny Pokemon before he turned to Tsukumaro and steeled himself, with a gently wing rub from Skystorm, before making his way to the old advisor but still wary about the whole thing.

When he approached him and the two Absol, he squirmed, not knowing what to say or do. Tsukumaro could see this and gently rubbed him, being careful not to accidentally provoke him.

The Dark/Fire Type was intended to flinch from his touch but he felt a sense of warmth and security coming from him as well. Without realizing it, he slowly leaned in on his hand as the old advisor continued to rub his head as if he was now starting to relax and trust him just as he started to with Skystorm and Sarah.

The trust the abused Pokemon had built for Sarah and her family bolstered when it was time for everyone to eat.

While Sarah and her family were all chowing down on their lunch, their Pokemon ate away on their humans' homemade Pokemon food happily but the abused Pokemon were astonished as they had never been fed like this during their time in the hunter's captivity. Eevee, Latias, and Skitty were the first ones to try their new lunch and they quickly devoured their shares in delight but the other five Pokemon were a little antsy and suspicious of their new meals by contrast.

Skystorm could see that some of the abused Pokemon were hesitant to try their new food and once again came over to help them, offering to feed them if they will allow her. She carefully picked a piece and offered it to Salamence, the Dragon Pokemon looking between the food and her as if mentally asking her if it's good.

The Deadly Nadder nodded kindly to confirm it and, with her reassurance, the Dragon Pokemon took a nibble and his eyes suddenly sparkled and went wide from the exhilarating taste before he happily ate his lunch.

Braviary, Absol, and Latios were surprised until they took a bite out of the Pokemon food given to them and they all scarfed down accordingly.

Houndoom, however, stared at his food suspiciously until Skystorm came to him and nodded to get him to eat his lunch. He then took a bite of the Pokemon food before he yelped in delight and then devoured his first good meal in a while, to Skystorm's delight as she rubbed his head again.

"So, you'll be looking after them while the authorities look into who their old trainers are, Ponchita?" James put in.

"Yeah. Until their old trainers are found and identified, they're my responsibility and I'm to keep them away from other trainers and the hunter wanting to get them," she confirmed.

"If it is a Pokemon Hunter, honey, you have to keep your eyes open at all times until the fiend is dealt with," Nikki warned. "You do remember what Ash went through when he and his friends went through in the Sinnoh Region against the infamous Hunter J, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

"Who the devil is Hunter J?" Tsukumaro quizzed.

"Once the most notorious Pokemon Hunter in the world from the Sinnoh Region but now, she's ancient history," James told him.

"You want to know more about her, ask Ash," Sarah replied as they continued to eat.

After lunch, Sarah decided it was time for her to fully introduce Houndoom and his companions to her friends and teammates to help them get accustomed to being around others they can trust and befriend during their time with her, starting with her Zord from Grid Battleforce, King, who was in the Ultra Guardians' Zord Bay with the gang's Ride Pokemon and having the Aether Foundation and Grid Battleforce's mechanics looking it over. She had arrived at the Pokemon school with her family and the abused Pokemon and went through the portal to the Zord Bay and Command Center after arranging a meeting with the gang, Burnet, Kukui, and their Pokemon.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Mother?" Silvally asked skeptically as they walked to the Zord Bay. "You're gonna give the newbies heart attacks or nightmares introducing him so early."

"I thought it would be a good idea to get an idea of what they'll be up for until their old trainers are found," Sarah retorted. "King shouldn't be any different even though he's as big as a skyscraper."

"You're lucky he fits in this place or that woman would've had to remodel it had he wrecked the whole bay with his huge size."

"Hey, King! Wakey-wakey, buddy!" Sarah called as they arrived. "I want you to meet some new friends!"

Hearing its master's calls, King's systems booted and it looked down to see Sarah and her family along with the abused Pokemon in the Zord Bay. This frightened the abused Pokemon as they saw the giant robot staring down at everyone including them and it gently purred in greeting.

"Is he done, guys?" Sarah shouted to the mechanics working on her Zord.

"All set!"

"He's ready whenever you and Grid Battleforce need him!"

"Nothing wrong, thankfully!"

"He's good to go!" replied some of the mechanics.

On a happy note that the Beast-X King Zord was still in top condition to fight if it was needed, the mechanics decided to take a break and leave Sarah and her family along with their giant robotic companion. Once they were the only ones in the bay, the little princess began introducing her Zord to the abused Pokemon, who were all gobsmacked from seeing a giant robotic yet animalistic machine for the first time.

But, Skitty, being the youngest and smallest of the abused Pokemon, took another look at the lion-like Zord and cooed in awe over his lion-like appearance before she skitted over to King in her growing happiness to see another cat like her.

"Nya! Nya, Nya, Nya, Nya! Nya, Nya! Nya! Nya, Nya, Nya," he cheered as he jumped up and down at the Zord.

King purred in curiosity at him being so energetic and excited to see it before Eevee then warmed up to the gentle giant and she came up next to the Kitten Pokemon with awe-stricken and widened eyes in amazement. Even Latias did a double-take as she flew around the Zord and came over to its face, cooing in excitement. To the three Pokemon, it was the biggest lion they'd ever seen and it was five-times-or-so larger than Nebby even if it is a robot.

Absol, Salamence, Bravairy, Latios, and Houndoom could only continue to gawk in shock at the sight of the Beast-X King Zord and Eevee, Latias, and Skitty warming up to the large Grid Battleforce Zord. The older abused Pokemon couldn't find it in themselves to speak to King.

King knelt down closer from its position and tilted its head curiously at the rest of the abused Pokemon, wondering what they were and how Sarah managed to get them.

"King, I'd like you to meet the newest members of our family. These Pokemon Skystorm led us to and saved yesterday," Sarah began, gesturing her Zord towards the abused Pokemon. "You've already met Eevee, Skitty, and Latias. This here's her brother Latios, Mulan-"

"Mulan? Really, Mother?" Silvally interrupted, deadpanning from the new name. "That's unoriginal."

"At least, it'll differentiate the Shiny Absol from Tsukumaro's Absol, so sue me!" Sarah retorted.

Eevee and Skitty, seeing the short squabble, giggled at Sarah and Silvally while Latias tilted her head in confusion until she also smiled from the new name for her older female companion. Even King found it funny as it made some sort of noises that indicate it's laughter from their small squabble.

The Shiny Absol was surprised by the new name she was given after her new trainer introduced her to King but she thought it over and she began to smile, finding it fitting for her.

"Now, where was I? Oh, yeah! With them is Salamence and Braviary and this big blue dog here is Houndoom. He's a little shy from meeting strangers but he's actually a teddy bear with Skystorm around and he means well."

"Dou, Dou?!" Houndoom gawked with a raised incredulous eyebrow as he whipped at her, feeling insulted from being called a teddy bear.

Skystorm warbled with a gentle smile as she rubbed his head again with her wing to soothe him, making the Dark Hound Pokemon relax again as he settled into her touch.

"Now, he knows how that bot of a jackrabbit felt when he's called 'cute'," Silvally remarked.

"And, Aunty Skystorm's got her wings on him!" laughed Riolu as she watched Houndoom being babied.

"Guys, this is my Zord, King," finished Sarah, introducing the Beast-X King Zord to the abused Pokemon. "He's from Grid Battleforce in a city called Coral Harbor."

King purred gently to show he wasn't a threat to them as Eevee, Skitty, and Latias happily returned the greeting with Mulan, Salamence, Braviary, Houndoom, and Latios nodded in acknowledgment.

"Don't worry, he's a softie, too. He'll be of great help to us whenever we get into a jam too big for us to get out of alone."

"Hey, Sarah, already introducing your one and only Grid Battleforce Zord to your refugees?" spoke a familiar professor's voice, gathering everyone's attention.

Prof. Kukui, Burnet, and the gang had arrived in the Zord Bay and saw Sarah introducing King to Houndoom and his companions and seeing their bewilderment and shock turn to acceptance and intrigue at the sight of the giant lion Zord.

"Yeah, just thought they could do with a giant-sized friend of mine to start off with and they took to him pretty well so-"

Houndoom and the other abused Pokemon perked up from Kukui's voice and they wheeled around quickly to find him, Burnet, and Sarah's friends and their Pokemon all approaching them. They suddenly froze from the massive crowd of humans and Pokemon coming but Pikachu and the other Pokemon were surprised and amazed to see the new Pokemon and took it upon themselves to greet the newcomers.

"Pika, Pikachu, Pika!" Pikachu began as they walked towards them.

The kindhearted greeting, however, didn't garner the reaction and greeting he and the rest of the gang's Pokemon wanted. As they haven't trusted anybody else yet besides Sarah, her family, their Pokemon, the dragons, and King, they instead did what they could to make them back off.

Houndoom growled, Latios flew in front of his sister and gave a sharp glare daring them to attack him or her much to her surprise and dismay, Braviary spread out his wings and cawed at them, Mulan leered at them dangerously as she prepared to attack, and Salamence bared his fangs after he scooped up the happy Eevee and Skitty, who cooed and meowed with disappointment from not being able to make friends with them.

The older Pokemon's reactions caused Pikachu, Popplio, Turtonator, Tsareena, Togedemaru, Snowy, and the rest of the gang's Pokemon to jump back in surprise to see the Dark Hound Pokemon and his older companions being so hostile and jumpy towards them.

While the others were also surprised, they also expected those reactions from the abused Pokemon. Having been made fully aware of how they would react to anybody else whom they don't trust with Sarah and her family and even King being the only exceptions, they could only watch the older Pokemon pitifully and just imagine how they must've faired under the unknown hunter's hands after they were captured.

"They don't trust us or our Pokemon," Lana said sadly.

"I guess whoever the hunter was must've made an impact on those Pokemon for them to be like this, literally," Kiawe frowned understandably.

"Can you blame them?" Mallow replied in agreement. "They were captured, beaten, and tortured before Sarah came to their rescue."

"All that pain they're forced to go through is burned into their minds and none of our Pokemon understood what they had to go through," added Sophocles.

"If Gladion and I were beaten and abused by someone who doesn't care about Pokemon or humans, we'd also be wary of others," spoke Lillie.

"This is worse than we thought," Ash mourned.

"But, at least, Sarah took the necessary first step to help them ease their trust issues," Kukui said, seeing Sarah and Skystorm try to calm the older Pokemon down.

"And, by the looks of it, I think Sarah and Skystorm will have everything under control," agreed Burnet.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Come on, you guys, it's okay," soothed the princess to Mulan and Braviary. "Come on, take it easy, okay? They're not gonna hurt ya."

Skystorm warbled gently to Salamence, Latios, and Houndoom with a worried look on her face. She knew they were doing well after they got to know King but with the others' arrival, she's worried what they did for them would be all for naught.

Seeing how things were starting to go sour for everybody after Latios, Houndoom, Salamence, Mulan, and Braviary's overreactions to the Pokemon Professors and Sarah's friends and their Pokemon, Eevee, Skitty, and Latias looked at each other and gave determined nods. It was thanks to Sarah that they managed to come out of their shells and started to have friends who could help them forget the pain they had to undergo and her brother and their older companions are starting to ruin everything.

The two younger Normal Types leapt off of the Dragon Pokemon's back and Latias shoved past her brother to meet with their other fellow Pokemon and start their group's introductions over again, shocking the older hostile Pokemon and ignoring their protests to come back.

"Laaaaaa!"

"Uei, Uei-Uei!"

"Nya...!" they all cooed in greeting, Latias waving her right claw hand.

"AWWWWWW!" gushed Lana, Lillie, and Mallow.

"You're so cute!" cooed Mallow before they looked towards Skitty. "And, you're the cutest of them all, Skitty!"

Skitty tilted his head and cooed again, "Nya..."

"AAAAAHHHHHH! WE HAVE TO CATCH THEM!" the girls gushed again.

"Hold it!" Sarah called, stopping them as she skidded over. "Those three Pokemon and the other five are my responsibility until their old trainers are found, remember?"

The girls giggled sheepishly, having forgotten Sarah's intention of returning the stolen Pokemon to their original trainers after they're identified.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet my teacher, his wife, and my friends," the princess spoke to the abused Pokemon. "This is Professor Kukui, my teacher from the Pokemon School. Prof. Burnet from Aether Foundation, Ash Ketchum, Mallow, Lana, Kiawe, Lillie, and Sophocles. They're all really good people and their Pokemon don't mean any harm."

Latias, Eevee, and Skitty went around the gang and the professors' Pokemon, greeting them warmly while the older Pokemon looked on, seeing their visitors had no intention to harm them.

Ash's Torracat noticed the older Pokemon staring at them before he decided to be the first one to greet them with Lana's Popplio deciding to join him by entertaining the younger abused Pokemon, also eager to meet Houndoom and his companions.

"Tor, Tor Torracat," greeted Torracat, approaching Mulan who was poised to attack him.

He smiled at the Shiny Disaster Pokemon, causing the Absol to slowly drop her guard after being taken aback by his smile and his inability to do any sort of harm to her and her companions. The evolved Fire Cat Pokemon extended a paw in greeting encouraging the red and white/pink Pokemon for a handshake with Mulan looking at his paw before she slowly extended her own paw and accepted the handshake as a genuine smile started to grow on her face.

Lana's Popplio got to work making Eevee and Skitty smile by putting on a small show of water balloon bubbles as he blew several bubbles out of his nose. The Evolution and Kitten Pokemon cooed and laughed at the sight of the bubbles before they started playing with them, catching Braviary and Salamence's attention and making them see how happy they were.

The Flying and Dragon Types were surprised to see how happier the smallest and youngest Pokemon were as they played with Lana's Popplio and his bubbles with the rest of the gang's Pokemon like Pikachu, Snowy, Rowlet, Togedemaru, and Charjabug joining in their playdate. They soon began to smile, seeing the other Pokemon and Sarah's friends as no potential threat.

Latios didn't know what to think as he watched Latias play with Popplio's bubbles and laughing as she popped one of them and got water on herself. When he and his sister were still in their cages after they were stolen from their old trainers, they were both miserable and he made a vow to protect her against anybody no matter what. Now, under Sarah's temporary jurisdiction, she was happier. She was no longer in a sorrowful state and she even had real friends to help her forget their pain.

Latias noticed her brother still looking at her playing with her new friends in a stunned silence so she bounced a water bubble at him so she can have him play with them.

"La, Laaaa!" she called as it floated to him.

The older Eon Dragon Pokemon only had a few seconds to snap out of his stupor to his little sister's call before he noticed the bubble she bounced towards him before it popped and splattered him with a little water, making her laugh at him.

Latios was taken by surprise by this and started to snarl but when he saw how his sister was behaving while she was laughing and the others joined in when they looked at him, he started to feel warm inside himself and in his heart.

Then, a small smile started to grow until he gave off a little something that involved a chuckle. He soon realized that he was feeling an overwhelming joy within him that he hadn't felt in a long time after he and Latias were captured and taken from their old trainers when he saw how happy Latias had been after she was freed and started making new friends.

The older Dragon Type brother then began to relax, now knowing that friends were all he and his little sister needed to help them forget the pain they went through before and move forward with the future until they can be reunited with their original trainer.

So far, Houndoom was the only one who has yet to greet the other Pokemon and make new friends to help him forget the pain the hunter inflicted on him after he was forcibly separated from his old trainer wherever that person is and enjoy being around others again.

He still couldn't understand as a small but dwindling part of him still wanted to believe that it was a dream that'll turn into a nightmare in a millisecond. It looked as though the Dark Hound Pokemon was still in an internal struggle over clinging to the past full of pain, torture, and misery after the hunter's capture of him or his new life until his reunion with his old trainer after being freed from his prison.

That wasn't until, once again, Skystorm stepped in to nudge him forward in the right direction with a little help from Ash's Rowlet as he noticed the Shiny Dark/Fire Type's hesitation and fluttered over to him.

The Deadly Naddler gently warbled to him to join his companions and their new friends to have fun and play with them as she rubbed him again but he slowly turned to her and growled hesitantly, telling her he doesn't know given his earlier lingering reservations.

That didn't bother Ash's laidback Grass Quill Pokemon after he came in front of the two, tilted his head at the larger Pokemon and then, extended his left wing to him happily. "Rrrrooo, Rrrooo!" he said to him.

Houndoom looked at the wing and he looked at Skystorm again, prompting her to nod at him encouragingly and gestured to take the Alola Grass Starter's wing and join him and his friends.

Houndoom couldn't believe it; a puny Grass Type was offering him friendship just as Sarah and her family offered him and his companions the same as well as a new life coupled with a new home until their old trainers can be identified and found. Was it really possible for him to let go of his tragic past and start all over with a clean slate after being freed from his misery, should he really take a chance for everyone's sake, even Skystorm's?

Finally, he made his choice, and slowly, he raised his front right paw and gently stretched it out towards Rowlet. The little Grass Type took the paw and cooed happily before he dragged the larger Pokemon towards his friends and the larger Pokemon's companions, drawing another small smile out of the Shiny Dark/Fire Type.

Skystorm sighed happily, feeling overjoyed to see Houndoom finally give his rider's friends and their partners a chance and show that they meant no harm to him and his comrades no harm, at all. Never had she felt more satisfied as a mother figure in her own right than to assist the abused Pokemon when they needed help even if they didn't ask for it.

King purred happily as the Zord looked down upon its master's new Pokemon brothers and sisters starting to mingle happily with the other Pokemon. Professor Kukui and Burnet had watched everything play out and they couldn't be more impressed by Sarah and what Skystorm had done with the assistance of the others to get the abused Pokemon to trust them.

"Even after all this time, Sarah still finds a way to impress even me with how she tackles each situation involving rescuing and nurturing abused Pokemon," complemented Kukui proudly and with intrigue. "We don't meet a girl like her every century."

"Seems like she's inherited Queen Delilah's kindness and empathy the moment she was born and came into contact with Pokemon," Burnet added in amusement, watching Houndoom splutter in surprise after being splashed by one of Popplio's bubbles popped by Latias as she laughed at him.

As Skystorm smiled and continued to watch the abused Pokemon finally put their worries and fears aside as they played on with their new family and their new friends, little did the Deadly Nadder know that she, her rider, and the rest of her family will be put to the test to determine the ultimate fate of Houndoom and his comrades.

Following their meeting with her friends and the two professors, and with the abused Pokemon in tow, Sarah and her family went off to explore the rest of Alola and to get them fully acquainted with their new surroundings until their old trainers are found. Even though the hunter wrangled them to the Alola Region, they were confined to their cages and were never allowed to go out on account of being put up on the black market once a deal is struck with a buyer.

All throughout their tour, Houndoom and his companions were given a firsthand look at more of Melemele Island, Akala Island, Ula'Ula Island, and Poni Island as well as all the sights and people that greeted them and sink in the fact that they'll be living in their new home region for a while under Sarah's care.

They even took the time to catch a special public outdoor viewing of the Mythbusters Mega Movie Myths special back at Hau'oli City on the beach which further gave the abused Pokemon a chance to relax and take their minds off of the pain they endured under the hunter's torture.

After the movie started and as they watched with the rest of the audience, the Pokemon were finding themselves letting out small giggles, big laughs, gasps, or pained winces from the myths being busted or confirmed and how the original Mythbusters team went about putting them to the test. Even the abused Pokemon couldn't help but give off several reactions such as surprise, laughter, joy, shock, and such as they watched the myth-busting processes happening before them and what went right and wrong on some bits. None of them have ever seen such entertainment combining science with humor in such a potent and slapstick manner.

"What the hell are those buffoons doing?" Silvally pondered incredulously as they watched two of the Mythbusters, Grant Imahara and Tory Belleci, try and fail to cut a sword in half at the beginning of the Cutting a Sword segment.

"Oooh, that's gotta hurt," Mai winced, seeing Grant fail to cut a sword and hurt his hands doing so.

"Are they okay, Mama?" growled Nebby worriedly.

"They're fine, they're made out of stronger stuff," Sarah reassured. "Besides, just look at how that dummy's faring on the first myth."

They then watched one part of the first myth of the Mythbusters testing awning falls in some movies first with a dummy named Buster, leaving some of the Pokemon wincing painfully from the process. After proving the movie myth as plausible, Tory was chosen over one of the main hosts, Adam Savage, to perform the next awning fall test.

"La, La! Laaaa, La, Laa, La, Laaa, Laa?" cooed Latias, scared to see Tory hurt himself.

"He's done this for a while from what we found out, Latias," Sarah comforted as they see everyone prepare for his fall. "He's got this."

"Laa, Lati, Laa, La, Laa, Laaaaaa," Latios replied, hoping she's right.

The others and the audience watched with bated breath as Tory prepared to take the fall with his fellow Mythbusters including Grant, Adam, Kari Byron, and Jamie Hyneman watching on with their crew from the ground. However, some of Sarah's younger Pokemon, Camo's children, and Twilight turned away, feeling scared for Tory's safety with some of the older Pokemon and dragons like Candy, Mudsdale, Winter, Shadow, Melody, Lolita, Umbreon, Sylveon, and Luna deciding to comfort them.

Houndoom started to feel antsy over the element of danger in the young Mythbuster's stunt fall until he found himself in Skystorm's comfort as she wrapped a wing around him and nuzzled him reassuringly.

"La, Laaa La Laaaa!" Latias cried, burying her face in her brother's chest in fear as he held her gently.

Finally, after the countdown, Tory finally falls through the awnings, each of them prepared in a similar style to how they were done in the movies behind the camera with them pre-cut and stitched together with tape to make his descent easier. The fall was a hit after he reached the bottom and his fellow Mythbusters as well as the audience applauding and/or breathing sighs of relief.

Even some of Sarah's Pokemon, dragons, and the little princess herself cheered and clapped with the younger Pokemon, Twilight, Camo's children, and Latias finally looking to see the stunt fall over and Tory still in one piece, prompting relieved sighs from them. Dawn couldn't hold back his laughter at Twilight cowering for Tory's safety as he pointed his stinger at her in amusement, leaving the female Deathgripper to groan and try to ignore him to hide her embarrassment as she stuck her nose up in denial.

Salamence rubbed his chin with his tail, impressed and in awe over Tory's stunt fall, the Dragon Pokemon thinking if he can use that trick as an escape solution from any potential enemies coming after him and his comrades.

As they continued to watch the movie and see more movie myths being tested and then confirmed or busted (SPOILER ALERT: nearly all Mega Movie Myths in the special are BUSTED), the little princess and her ever-growing family had no idea that they were being watched.

While they were trying to locate Sarah and "their" Pokemon incognito, Viren, the Ravengers, and the hunter stumbled across the entire group at the Mythbusters viewing screaming, laughing, and gasping their heads off with the audience from what they're seeing. They even saw the Shinies, Eevee, Skitty, and Braviary amongst them, leaving the latter group completely baffled and the hunter intrigued.

"There they are!" cried one of the Ravengers.

"'Oi! Shut your trap, mate, will ya?" hissed another Ravenger quietly. "You'll give us away!"

"Hmm... Interesting, she still doesn't look like much," pondered the hunter. "I see she's already getting herself acquainted with your loot but we'll see how she does with them when we finally battle..."

After attending the Mythbusters viewing with their new family, the abused Pokemon wanted to stop for a snack and so, Sarah brought everyone to a Malasada shop before she, Houndoom, and his companions entered to decide what they want to satisfy their munchies. Unbeknownst to them, they were being followed by the hunter, Viren, and the Ravengers, still hellbent on stealing back the Shinies, Eevee, Braviary, and Skitty.

When they had finished, Sarah had bought three Sweet Malasadas, 2 Sour Malasadas, a Dry Malasada, a Spicy Malasada, and a Bitter Malasada. She also bought for her new Pokemon three Big Malasadas along with the rare Mystic Malasada for the eight Pokemon to share.

As the abused Pokemon settled down for their snacks while everyone else watched them eat happily, the little princess realized she had missed something about them.

"Oh, right, I forgot! I still need to check out your move sets!" she gasped.

"Mind if I cut in?" buzzed a familiar voice.

Rotom-Dex had arrived to keep Sarah company and to get more data on the abused Pokemon barring Eevee, Mulan, and Braviary (whose data he already had in his databanks). But, when he caught a glimpse of the Shinies, Braviary, Skitty, and Eevee, he gawked at the sight of them as they ate away at their malasadas.

He spluttered in shock before he finally found his voice, "OUTRAGEOUS! FIVE SHINIES IN A SINGLE GROUP AND AN EEVEE, A SKITTY, AND A BRAVIARY! THIS TOTALLY DEFIES THE RULES OF SHINY POKEMON HUNTING! THIS SHOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE! THE ODDS/POSSIBILITIES OF FINDING EVEN A WHOLE GROUP OF SHINY POKEMON ARE EXACTLY 0.0000985130 TO 1! HOW DID YOU EVER GET SO LUCKY?! THIS IS A WORLD FIRST FOR ME, THIS SHOULD BE HEADLINE NEWS: SARAH TOMOE, NOW OWNER OF FIVE SHINY POKEMON - LUCKIEST GIRL ON THE PLANET!'"

Rotom-Dex's rant startled some of the abused Pokemon as he zipped to each of them, trying to wrap his screen around the fact that Sarah had five additional Shiny Pokemon in her family now in addition to Riolu and Candy.

"I thought you were lucky when you had Riolu and Candy among your Pokemon's ranks but this is UNREALISTIC AND IMPOSSIBLE!" he finished, getting in her face.

"It's possible, Rotom. You can thank Skystorm for that, she found them thanks to her sense of smell," Sarah answered as she pushed him away.

"She did?" he buzzed again, now puzzled.

"She tracked them down to an old warehouse in the middle of nowhere. But, I won't be having them for long."

"You won't...?"

"Of course not, ya floating mini jukebox," Silvally interjected as he joined them. "Mother's only looking after them so whoever's their real homies can have them back."

"...What did he say?"

"He said they're living with us until their old trainers can be found and we return our new brothers and sisters to them." Riolu translated innocently.

"Didn't I just say that, kid?" Silvally questioned.

Skystorm warbled with a sigh that he didn't before she whacked him with her tail, hard. "D'OH!"

Eevee and Skitty couldn't help laughing when they saw him getting hit and even the older Pokemon had to chuckle at his expense from the scene.

"Anyway... Can you check on their current move sets," asked Sarah to the living Pokedex.

"Leave that to me! And, for your educating pleasure..." Rotom-Dex complied before he scanned the other five Pokemon, starting with Salamence.

"Salamence, the Dragon Pokemon. A Dragon and Flying Type, with its powerful desire to fly, this Pokemon shifted its cells in its body to grow wings and has the fastest flying speed out of any known Flying Type Pokemon."

He moved on to Latios and Latias, scanning them separately before completing his entries for them, "Latios, the Eon Pokemon. A Dragon and Psychic Type, Latios will only open itself to a trainer with a compassionate spirit. it is highly intelligent, capable of understanding human speech through Telepathy, and has a docile temperament. By folding down its wings while in flight, it can even overtake a jumbo jet."

"Latias, the Eon Pokemon. Also a Dragon and Psychic Type, Latias is highly sensitive to the emotions of people around it and will ruffle its feathers on its body and let out loud cries to intimidate any hostile foes. As intelligent and as capable of understanding human speech as Latios, it also covers itself in a sort of down that refracts light to make itself invisible to any prying eyes."

Latios and Latias grew intrigued by what Rotom-Dex detailed about them as they looked at each other, wondering if their species can do those things.

"Nya, Nya, Nya, Nya, Nya!" Skitty meowed as she watched Rotom-Dex scanning her before she started chasing her own tail happily.

"Skitty, the Kitten Pokemon. A Normal Type, Skitty will be completely entranced by any moving objects that catch its eye."

Skitty kept on chasing her tail before she grew dizzy and faked playing dead while everyone watched in amusement.

"I can see why since she's literally a kitten," Mai said.

Finally, he moved over to the last Shiny of the group, Houndoom, the Dark Hound Pokemon tensing himself slightly from being scanned with Skystorm providing him comfort once more.

"Houndoom, the Dark Hound Pokemon. A Dark and Fire Type and the evolved form of Houndour, it is said that Houndoom's howls can cause any Pokemon and humans within hearing range to shudder in fear."

"Slig, Sliggoo, Slig, Slig, Sliggoo?" Sliggoo asked, wondering how threatening Houndoom can be with his howls.

"Pig, Tep, Tepig, Pig, Tep, Tep, Pig, Tepig," said Tepig, not wanting to find out.

"Wott! Osha, Osh, Wott, Oshawott, Osha, Wott, Wott!" bragged Oshawott with a smug smile, acting like he's not scared of Houndoom's howls.

This caught Houndoom's interest before he gave a sly smirk for a little prank he decided to play on them to demonstrate how effective his howls really are.

The Dark Hound Pokemon took a deep breath as he got close to the trio and then... "DOOOOOOUUUUUU!" he howled.

Sliggoo, Oshawott, and Tepig screamed in panic as they held each other and shivered from the Dark/Fire Type's howl and everybody else laughed at them. They instantly regretted their earlier chat about his howls, leaving Houndoom to smile with a proud nod, his point now made known.

Even Skystorm had to hold back a few giggles at what she saw; she wasn't impressed with Houndoom's prank but she let it slide after seeing how much fun he and everyone else were having from his stunt. She was grateful to him that he decided to loosen up and have fun even for a moment.

"Tepig, Pig, Pig!"

"Sliggoo, Goo, Goo!" shivered Sliggoo and Tepig from the Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon's howl.

"Osh, Osha, Wott, Wott!" snapped Oshawott angrily.

"And, with that out of the way, it's time for the Shiny Pokemon's list of move sets! Drumroll, please!" Rotom-Dex announced after he stopped laughing, a drumroll in the background commencing.

"Are there any drums or a music shop around, Mama?" questioned Nebby curiously.

His question went unnoticed as Rotom-Dex revealed the moves Houndoom and his companions were currently capable of using as the drumroll ended when he showed the move set data he pulled out.

"Ta-Da! According to my updated databanks, Salamence knows the attacks that follow: Incinerate, Hydro Pump, Dragon Tail, Dragon Rush, Protect, and Steel Wing."

Salamence nodded, confirming that the moves listed were his current move set. "Hydro Pump, not a bad move for a Dragon such as you," Sarah commented.

"How can he learn something like a giant water spout?" Silvally asked with a skeptically raised eyebrow.

Salamence raised an eyebrow at the Synthetic Pokemon's cynicism before he unleashed a Hydro Pump at Silvally, also accidentally soaking Mudsdale as he was blasted into the Draft Horse Pokemon before they crashed. When Salamence was done, he grinned at his surrogate brother before he sweatdropped and gave a sheepish chuckle towards Mudsdale, snorting in disgust at him from his water phobia kicking in again.

"Maybe he did special training before he got himself kidnapped," Riolu suggested.

"Flaf, Flaf," nodded Candy in agreement.

"This Absol-"

"Absol!" barked Mulan incredulously.

"Sorry, Mulan knows how to use Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Shadow Claw, Hyper Beam, Flamethrower, and Shadow Ball..."

"Sol!" nodded the Shiny Absol, a bright smile on her face.

"Braviary can do Superpower, Sky Attack, Brave Bird, Close Combat, Steel Wing, and Aerial Ace as quick as a wink."

Braviary cawed with a nod, not denying his versatile range of Flying Type attacks.

"Eevee also knows Protect but she can also use Dig, Tail Whip, Helping Hand, Double Edge, and Swift. Skitty, meanwhile, is able to use Double Slap, Ice Beam, Iron tail, Copycat, Play Rough, and Double Edge as well."

"Uei, Uei!"

"Nya!" cheered the two younger Normal Types as they shared a high-five with their tails.

"Ly, Ly, Lycan, Roc, Roc," Dusk muttered to Luna.

"Ly..." agreed the older Midnight Lycanroc.

"Latios is capable of using Steel Wing, Psychic, Giga Impact, Dragon Pulse, Luster Purge, and Charge Beam. Latias can also use Safeguard, Psychic, Steel Wing, and Dragon Pulse but she also knows Mist Ball and Recover to set her apart from her brother."

"La! La, Laaa, La, La, Laaa?" Latias asked before she produced a Mist Ball.

"La, La! La, Laaa!" Latios panicked as he grabbed his sister and threw her arms up, releasing the Mist Ball into the sky.

The Mist Ball exploded but thankfully, as it was launched into the air, nobody was hurt and in its range of fire. Being the overprotective brother he is, Latios cooed in annoyance at Latias for pulling such a stunt, making her wilt and apologize to everyone with a bow for nearly putting them in danger in her excitement. The older Eon Pokemon smiled knowingly at her as he nuzzled her, knowing she didn't mean to do what she did.

"Moving on... Our final move set from Houndoom is as follows: Thunder Fang, Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower, Crunch, Stone Edge, and Solar Beam."

Houndoom just nodded, confirming the move set Rotom-Dex detailed for everybody.

"I can't believe those newbies have a wide range of moves and ones that shouldn't be damn possible for them to even learn," gawked Silvally.

"They must be really strong before Mama found them," Nebby agreed.

"With attacks like Hydro Pump, Solar Beam, and Mist Ball, you really don't want to make 'em mad," Riolu said.

"Hoot. Hoot, Hoot, Hoo-Hoo, Hoo, Hoot-Hoot, Hoo, Hoo, Hoo-Hoot-Hoo, Hoo," nodded Noctowl, knowing that the abused Pokemon can be versatile against any opponents.

"Wow, I guess if they weren't in their previous condition before Skystorm found them, they would still put up a fight with whoever hunted them down," commented the princess.

"That's putting it lightly, they'll pound anybody to the ground if they're angry enough," Rotom-Dex commented.

"Well, we're going home and you need to get back to Ash, Prof. Kukui, and Burnet before they notice you're gone."

"That's fine by me as long as Professor Kukui is satisfied with-SARAH, LOOK OUT!"

Everyone turned to find a Hyper Beam attack coming towards Sarah before Nebby quickly used himself as a shield to take on the blast but giving himself heavy damage in the process.

"Nebby!" cried Sarah in horror.

"Little bro!" Silvally gawked.

"Hey! Who blasted Baby Brother Nebby?!" screamed Riolu angrily.

"Brio, Brionne!" demanded Aqua as they looked around.

"Electivire, Thunderbolt!" shouted an unpleasant voice.

A familiar Thunderbolt Pokemon appeared after jumping in the air behind the group and launched the Electric Type attack of the same species name, making some of Sarah's family turn towards the Pokemon before Mai used Mimic to use Thunderbolt back at it with Dusk and Luna using a Twin Rock Slide to assist in countering the assault.

The four attacks collided and ended in a stalemate, the shockwave blasting them and nearly sending the younger Pokemon flying as they all held firm and the smoke covering the whole area.

"What's the big idea, who's trying to make us blast off?! WE'RE NOT TEAM ROCKET!" Rotom-Dex snapped.

"I did see a big yellow ball Pokemon with those wiggly things on it," Mai noted.

Candy narrowed her eyes in disgust, she knew what Pokemon it is and who it once belonged to. Even Riolu remembered as she slightly shivered and shook her head to rid herself of the bad memories flowing in her mind.

"Anybody besides all the newbies knows who the damn Pokemon is and the joker owning that bulb?" Silvally questioned after hearing Mai's description.

"Rrr, Muds, Mudsdale," Mudsdale nodded, knowing what Silvally was thinking.

"Pika! Pika, Pika, Pi, Pi, Pikachu, Pika, Pi Pika!" Blitz agreed knowingly.

The abused Pokemon tensed as they huddled together with Houndoom, Latios, Salamence, Skystorm, Winter, Shadow, Melody, Echo, Twilight, and Dawn quickly safeguarding them in a circle as everyone heard several cackles coming from around them.

"I had a feeling it was you behind that little heist yesterday, little lady!" sneered a familiar voice from outside the smoke. "You're quite the sneaky devil for a brat but now it's all over."

The smoke finally cleared as the perpetrators cackled again, forcing Sarah to turn to the owners of the cackles which were in front of them. And there, right before their eyes, were Viren and the Ravengers with their leader's Pangora and Electivire fully healed from before and giving malicious smirks again.

With them was the Pokmon Hunter as he/she gave a blank look with cold, narrowed eyes at the little princess and her family. The abused Pokemon gasped and recoiled in shock, horror, and outrage from their old captor and kidnapper as they growled or hid behind their new family in fear.

"So, this is the little girl legends call the Sun Princess, the last link of the last Alolan Royal Family," observed the hunter. "You sure don't seem like much but I can feel you're no ordinary girl."

"So, what if I'm not ordinary?" Sarah retorted.

"Nothing, curiosity's sake, really. Anyway, I'm so flattered to finally meet you; I've wondered how you've been when my client told me about you after you robbed us from under our noses somehow. I'll admit, you're smarter than I thought; you've even managed to open their hearts to you which I've honestly never done when they're around me."

The older abused Pokemon just glared at the hunter, knowing that he/she never showed them, Eevee, Latias, and Skitty any love or compassion during their time with the money-making thief.

"You only saw them as black market prizes with how they were beaten up when Skystorm found them! Pokemon are not meant to be bought and sold, you have to earn them! Their old trainers won them over because they proved themselves to them and they've created strong bonds with Houndoom and the others! It's the trainer's responsibility to treat them with love and compassion to help them be happy and strong, which you failed at!"

"Funny, from where I'm standing, I'd see them as another opportunity for me to reach the big top in terms of wealth and power from the shadows. Those pitiful weaklings didn't stand a chance against me when I challenged them for their prized Pokemon, their friendship only slowed them down and they couldn't move forward by simply being friends. Doesn't seem much fun that way, in my opinion, not that you would understand."

"Friendship and love have everything to do with the Pokemon we trainers meet and catch, you idiot!" bellowed Sarah, now annoyed. "I bet you couldn't achieve Mega Evolution with Mulan, Houndoom, Salamence, Latios, and Latias because of your black heart! You don't understand the meanings of friendship and love if that's what you think!"

"Friendship has no place in this world for trainers and hunters such as I. Money only matters to me and that's what'll come when I finalize the deal I made with Viren and the Ravengers when I'm through with you and I take them back," spat the hunter.

"And, this time, you'll be in for the beating of your life once I claim what is rightfully mine, kid!" sneered Viren.

Sarah was aghast by this, "You're monsters, all of you! Sooner or later, those Pokemon will have nothing left to live for after all the pain you've put them through! I won't let you hurt them just to make a petty buck!"

"You say that friendship sucks, eh?" Silvally retorted, even though the villains don't understand him. "Listen, dorks, that cheesy sentiment is what keeps us together with Mother and there's nothing you can do to change that!"

"I'd rather drown in the ocean than let you have our new brothers and sisters!" agreed Mai as she prepared a Wood Hammer attack.

"And, us too!" Riolu agreed as she and Candy prepared to fight.

The others got into battle stances to protect the abused Pokemon in agreement while said Pokemon group looked on in surprise, all of them touched by their new family's willingness to fight and even die for them.

"Nobody touches these Pokemon but us!" added Rotom-Dex, glaring at the hunter, Viren, and the Ravengers.

Skystorm snarled dangerously at the villains, the Deadly Naddler narrowing her eyes as the pupils in them turned to slits and her wings opening menacingly. She now knew who were the ones responsible for the abused Pokemon being so hostile towards them at first and she was going to make them pay for their lives.

"...Very well, young lady. We tried being nice but if you want to play games with us, we'll do it your way," said the hunter darkly as he/she took out three Pokeballs, preparing to fight as well. "I suppose you won't mind if we have a few more playmates to join us."

The hunter threw the Pokeballs and they opened to reveal a Dhelmise, a Volcarona, and what looked to be an Articuno. But, the Articuno-lookalike threw everybody for a loop when it appeared; the Articuno had purple head feathers along with a beak and a tail of the same shade, a bright lavender body with a bit of white on much of its wing feather tips, and a black chest with black legs and talons. The face of the Articuno even looked more menacing with its narrowed eyes and its mask-like features on it.

"WHAT THE HELL-?!" Silvally gawked.

"GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!?" gasped Nebby as he stepped back.

The other Pokemon all gasped in shock and horror at the sight of the Articuno before them, it was completely different from the normal Kanto Articuno Sarah and her friends once learned about at the Pokemon School. Even the dragons couldn't help but feel uneasy at the sight of the menacing-looking Pokemon as they tensed and growled at it.

"It's an... An, An... Articuno!" Riolu shivered as Candy held her tightly, the Shiny Flaffy glaring at it.

"Dou..." growled Houndoom, having an uneasy feeling where the upcoming fight is going.

"Rotom, what kind of Articuno would you call that?" Sarah squeaked.

"Two words: AMSCRAY!" screamed Rotom-Dex as he flew off in a panic.

"Mr. Rotom!" cried Mai as she reached out her shadow arm to him.

But, it was too late; Rotom-Dex had no idea what kind of Articuno the Pokemon was and it looked so menacing and malicious with its cool dude/punk-like pose with crossed wings that the living Pokedex was greatly spooked. He flew away to hide and get help, screaming with fright along the way.

"Where did you get that Articuno?!" Sarah barked once she composed herself.

"I'm guessing she either swindled it from someone or she captured it to make it do her bidding," guessed Silvally as he eyed the evil Pokemon back.

"Oh, right, I suppose introductions are in order," snarked the hunter. "This anchor here is Dhelmise the Sea Creeper Pokemon, Volcarona the Sun Pokemon, and this fellow here is our newest member, the Cruel Pokemon of the Galar Region's Crown Tundra, Articuno."

"Uei, Uei, Uei?" squeaked Eevee as she and Skitty looked at each other, frightened by the large bird looking down at them and their family.

"Cruel Pokemon?" Sarah puzzled.

"Sni, Snivy?" quizzed Snivy.

"But, you fools won't be able to see the Crown Tundra once we've taken back our Pokemon and as your end is nigh."

"It's over, Princess! sneered Viren as Electivire and Pangoro got into their battle stances again amidst the Ravengers' cackling. "THOSE POKEMON ARE MINE!"

"Not happening!" Sarah snapped, signaling her family to prepare to fight.

So, began the latest clash between the Sun Princess and her royal Pokemon/dragon family against Viren, the hunter, and the Ravengers. Volcarona was the first to charge with Tepig, Milotic, and Silvally leading the charge to protect Houndoom and his companions. The Unova Sun Pokemon first attacked with String Shot but the three Pokemon quickly dodged before Sarah decided to power up her Synthetic Pokemon with a Memory Drive.

"Mighty Beast Silvally, accept your Grass Type Memory Drive and rise again as Alola's King of the Jungle!" Sarah called as she threw the Grass Type Memory Drive at him.

Accepting the Grass Type Memory Drive into his RKS System, Silvally's head scales, tail fin, and eyes turned green again, becoming a Grass Type Pokemon again as he let out a proud roar.

The hunter was intrigued by the change he/she saw in Silvally, scratching his/her chin in thought, "How interesting, a chimera capable of changing Pokemon types through the use of only discs..."

Volcarona used Fire Spin to stun its opponents but Tepig decided to take the hit, nullifying the Fire Spin despite the little and non-effective damage it did to him.

"Tepig, use Flame Charge plus Flamethrower!"

"Tepig!" shouted the Fire Pig Pokemon.

The little Unova Fire Type Starter charged forward as he picked up speed and became a flaming torpedo before he jumped up at Volcarona and prepared to blast at the Bug Type but the hunter pointed towards him and gave Volcarona a command.

"Volcarona, Bug Buzz," he/she replied coolly.

"Vol-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l!" buzzed the Unova Bug Type, sending supersonic shockwaves at Tepig just as he got close and fired his Flamethrower attack.

"TEP, TEPIG!" cried Tepig as he tried and failed to block out the Bug Buzz.

A Pokemon's hearing is much more sensitive to ultrasonic sounds of any kind than that of a normal human's so even though it wasn't heavily effective towards Tepig, the Unova Fire Type Starter couldn't bear it.

"Tepig!" shouted Sarah.

"Vibra, Bra Va!" called Vibrava as he zipped forward and prepared Steel Wing.

"VUL!" shouted Snowflake, shocked from seeing her brother tagging himself in the battle.

The hunter noticed Vibrava coming at Volcarona and pointed Dhelmise towards the Dragon Type, "Metal Sound."

"Dhel-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l!" whirred Dhelmise, the Ghost/Grass Type creating supersonic soundwave having a grinding metal sound at the Vibration Pokemon.

Vibrava flinched from the Metal Sound attack but he steeled himself and pushed forward before finally connecting his Steel Wing to Volcarona.

"MULTI-ATTACK!" bellowed Silvally as he charged at Dhelmise and slashed the evil Pokemon with one of his claws, all the while being covered with a green aura.

The force of the blow was so great, Dhelmise was forced to cancel its Metal Sound attack.

"Hurry up, you dimwit!" barked Viren as the Ravengers grumbled. "Are you gonna keep humoring the little punk or what?! Get our Pokemon back, now!"

"Patience, kids, I need to see what she's capable of," retorted the hunter, still as cool as ever.

Tepig was badly disorientated from Volcarona's Bug Buzz attack so Vibrava had to bring him back to Oshawott, Snivy, and the others as he took his place alongside Milotic and Silvally, regrouping before Milotic decided to attack next.

"Milo...TIC!" she bellowed, sending an Ice Beam towards Volcarona.

"Vol-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l!" Volcarona buzzed again, sending out waves of heat and canceling Ice Beam before it could it.

"MILO?!" gasped the Tender Pokemon.

"BRIO!" yelled Aqua in horror.

"Mommy, what is that?" Riolu questioned, a little worried.

"Heatwave. Volcarona's heating itself up so an Ice Type attack like Ice Beam won't have any effect unless we get rid of it!"

"Volcarona, Leech Life on Milotic," ordered the hunter.

Volcarona complied and focused its energies on Milotic; it had taken a heavy hit from Vibrava's Steel Wing even if it wasn't that effective and as Milotic was caught off guard by the Heatwave attack, it left her open for the Leech Life attack. She felt herself straining and becoming weak from her health being drained by half and restoring Volcarona to full health as a huge orb of green energy was absorbed.

"BRI!" screamed Aqua, seeing her sister figure in such a weak state.

"Milotic!" Sarah gawked.

Viren and the Ravengers laughed at their opponents' misfortune but their amusement was cut short as Dragonair had enough and charged into battle, firing a Dragon Rage attack which Volcarona dodged before shooting an Ice Beam at it.

Volcarona recoiled from seeing the Ice Beam as it realized too late that the Dragon Rage was a feint by the older Dragon Type before it was frozen solid by the Ice Beam and fell to the ground, the ice shattering upon impact but giving it a bad case of frostbite, even for a brief period.

"Oh..." gasped the hunter quietly, seeing what had happened.

The Unova Sun Pokemon didn't take too kindly to being shown up by Dragonair and Dhelmise felt annoyed from what it had seen from their new opponent. Not wanting to be beaten, the Sea Creeper Pokemon performed Wrap as its seaweed-like creepers extended and caught Dragonair in a bind, the Dragon Pokemon fighting back as she strained herself to break free.

"VUL!"

"VIBRA!"

"ZWEIL!" cried Zweilous, Vibrava, and Snowflake in horror.

Volcarona saw its chance for payback when it saw the panting and downed Milotic and it attempted a suicide charge, preparing to use what looked to be the Japanese Kanji symbol for "Fire" at close range, to the point when it'll be impossible for the Tender Pokemon to dodge.

"What's that big bug doing?" Mai questioned frantically.

"It's gonna hit Milotic!" cried Riolu.

"Fire Blast! Volcarona's trying to finish off Milotic in a suicide charge and leave her no space to dodge let alone even move!" Sarah deducted.

"BRIONNE, BRI, BRIO, BRI!" begged Aqua to Sarah, the Pop Star Pokemon badly wanting her trainer to tag her sister out.

Sarah gritted her teeth, trying to think of another plan. However, someone was already one step ahead of her as Candy dashed forward in front of Milotic and used Confuse Ray while taking the brunt of Fire Blast, managing to confuse Volcarona but giving her and Milotic heavy damage.

"CANDY!" screamed Riolu again.

"Candy, no!" Sarah shouted before growling at Volcarona and taking out the Rock Type Memory Drive. "That's it, you're dead meat! Silvally, exchange with your Rock Type Memory and become a Rock Titan that'll make the earth tremble upon your feet!"

Knowing what Sarah meant, Silvally returned the Grass Type Memory to her and accepted the Rock Type Memory, his head scales, eyes, and tail fin becoming a deep shade of brown as he became a Rock Type.

He then charged at Volcarona, who was whizzing around in confusion while its trainer looked on with no change of emotion while Viren and the Ravengers were bellowing angrily at him/her. Even Articuno didn't budge an inch as it looked on in intrigue and amusement from what it's seeing from the fights below it.

"Hey, Bug Man, nobody disses my own family like that except me! MULTI ATTACK!" bellowed the Synthetic Pokemon, a brown aura coating him as he slashed at Volcarona, the Bug/Fire Type giving an agonizing screech from the pain it was dealt with.

But, he wasn't done yet as he charged and fired up a familiar Flying Type attack from his head scales as he kept his angered and determined gaze at the Sun Pokemon, "AIR SLASH!"

With that powerful assault, Volcarona couldn't hold itself against its foes despite its best efforts and besting two of Sarah's Pokemon since the battle started and was forced to surrender, returning to the hunter's side, a little miffed form being beaten.

Strangely enough, the hunter wasn't deterred or angered by his/her Sun Pokemon's defeat. His/her interest had peaked as if the Pokemon Hunter did expect to lose at some point but never before in such a way with Sarah's Pokemon being tagged and rotated, especially in regards to Silvally's ability to change types using discs and his RKS System.

Instead, the hunter patted the defeated Volcarona in reassurance. "Good job, Volcarona, you did your best," he/she said.

"I don't believe it! That chimera actually bested Volcarona, only Articuno and Dhelmise are left and we're not getting closer to getting our prizes!" panicked one of the Ravengers.

"She's not making it easy for us, as usual. If she wins, they'll be hers for the taking and we're left with chunk change," snarled another.

"Oh, so you want to play 'Top Cat', eh? Well, that's just fine! I'm ready to pound you to the ground!" Viren snapped maliciously. "PANGORO, ELECTIVIRE, GET IN THERE AND FINISH THE JOB!"

Pangoro and Electivire came in using Dynamic Punch and Thunder Punch, hoping to score a direct hit and effectively tilting the odds in the villains' favor by fighting dirty again.

Silvally gasped as he noticed the two intruders closing in on him and Vibrava. "Look out, kid!" he called, the two of them managing to dodge before their stronger foes left hard cracks and pound marks on the spot they were once in.

Meanwhile, Dhelmise was still trying to choke Dragonair to death as it kept up its Wrap attack with Dragonair straining hard to break free and keep herself alive but her efforts were taking their toll on her and it looked as though she could die at any second if she doesn't have any help breaking free from her opponent's grasp.

Snowflake couldn't bear watching it anymore as she started crying, drawing Zweilous' attention as he did his best to comfort his Ice Type daughter. He looked back to his mate and saw that she still wasn't faring well against the Sea Creeper Pokemon. He then thought about everything he and his family had been through from him and Dragonair being abandoned by their old trainer back at Mount Lanakila, their struggles together and meeting Vulpix, their encounter with Sarah, Vibrava's inclusion, and everything else after being accepted as part of the little princess' family.

They had been through many crazy adventures despite their setbacks and had become stronger than they once were because they were together and after meeting Sarah.

Ever since he defied his old trainer to stay by Dragonair's side since they were a plucky Deino and a cute Dratini, he's always had to protect her from anything menacing coming their way as well as trainers who would want to catch them and nurture her in order to survive on their own.

While they did pull through it and everything they did to stay together allowed them to evolve as the Pokemon they are now, their chances of survival grew and their lives improved after finding Snowflake and raising her as their own.

Seeing Dragonair being squeezed to death made him realize how much she really meant to him as his mate and if he didn't do something soon, not only will she die and he'll lose her forever but they and Snowflake would also risk losing Vibrava, whom he noticed was barely defending himself against Viren's Pangoro and Electivire alongside Silvally.

He gritted his teeth in frustration, feeling helpless to help his son and mate. But then, he decided to do what he should've done in order to save his family and his trainer's new Pokemon; after giving Snowflake a reassuring nuzzle, much to her confusion and worry, he charged forward towards Dhelmise to save Dragonair.

"ZWEIL-L-L-L-L-L-L-L!" he screamed as his fangs lit up with fire before he bit the Sea Creeper Pokemon hard.

A small fire had brewed from his fangs as he bit the seaweed part of Dhelmise and grew as it traveled up all over it and made the Grass/Ghost Type eventually catch fire; he had used Fire Fang to save Dragonair from Dhelmise's Wrap.

Dhelmise screamed in panic from Zweilous using Fire Fang as it let go of its Dragon Type opponent while flailing around to force the Hostile Pokemon to let it go before he burns it to death or gives it the Burn status condition. Dragonair choked and coughed to get her breath and bearings back after but when she did and looked to whoever saved her, she was surprised to see Zweilous biting down hard on Dhelmise using Fire Fang and a fire on the Sea Creeper Pokemon.

After finding himself becoming tired from holding on to the Ghost/Grass Type and cancelling his Fire Fang attack, Zweilous let go, dropped down, and landed in front of his mate, growling threateningly as if daring it to strike at his own mate again.

After finally getting rid of its burns, the Sea Creeper Pokemon snarled furiously at the two Dragon Types before it lunged at the pair again and tried to use a Flame Blitz attack but Sliggoo immediately jumped in and tackled the evil Pokemon and sent a Dragon Breath at close range before joining Dragonair and Zweilous.

Candy, despite being battered and bruised, quickly joined him and used a Signal Beam on Dhelmise, knocking it out and sending it back to the hunter who calmly returned it with an impressed smirk from what he/she was witnessing.

"Well, well, I'm impressed, kid. You and your Pokemon managed to outsmart and beat two of my partners in crime despite the odds stacked against you," he/she said.

"You see now why your Shinies, Eevee, Braviary, and Skitty are off the black market menu?"

"Oh, yes, but I'm just getting warmed up. Now that you've proven yourselves against Dhelmise and Volcarona, let's see how you do against the Crown Tundra's Cruel Pokemon. Articuno, give these meddling kids a demonstration of your true power."

Articuno cawed as it flew forward and stared down at its opponents, ready to show them its true might without hesitation.

"Oh no, you don't, you're not letting yourself out of the hook with me! Not after you allowed yourself to be beaten by a brat like her!" snapped Viren as his Pangoro and Electivire joined Articuno.

"I prefer to have my Pokemon either go down fighting or withdraw from the battle as honorary fighters should and that brat, you say, has proved herself a worthy foe along with her Pokemon. Come, Sarah!"

"You're on! Candy, Sliggoo, Dragonair, Zweilous, Silvally, Vibrava, try a group attack!"

"Whatever you say, Mother! HYPER BEAM!" replied Silvally, unleashing his strongest attack.

Flaffy, Dragonair, Zweilous, Vibrava, and Sliggoo combined their Discharge, Hyper Beam, Flash Cannon, Rock Slide, and Dragon Pulse attacks as the six Pokemon hoped to land a hit on the giant Galar bird Pokemon in front of them.

The converging attacks all managed to hit the Cruel Pokemon but when the smoke cleared, the Legendary Bird got some bruises but for the most part, it was unscathed as it casually brushed one of its wings before sending a menacing smirk at the stupefied group.

"Oh, hell no!" Silvally barked.

"No way!" gawked Sarah, horrified.

"Flaff!"

"Dra!"

"Zwei, Zweilous!"

"Vi, Vibrava, Vi, Bra, Bra, Vi!"

"Slig, Slig, Sliggoo, Goo, Slig..." Dragonair, Vibrava, Candy, Zweilous, and Sliggoo moaned in shock.

"You haven't lost your touch yet, have you, dear?" taunted the hunter coolly. "I thought you and your Pokemon were made out of stronger stuff than that when you've beaten Volcarona and Dhelmise. Articuno can't be that much of a roadblock for you, now."

"I'm not out of this fight yet! My family and I are just getting started and your giant bird can't do anything to break us!"

"Well, let's see you talk tough after this one, missy! All hands, GET 'EM!" barked Viren, pointing the Revengers and his Pokemon towards their enemies.

"YEAH!" shouted the Revengers in agreement as they sent out their Pokemon.

"Let's go, Electivire!"

"Burn them alive, Magmortar!"

"Soak 'em, Poliwrath!"

"Give them a taste of your sludge, Muk, mate!"

"Bowl them over, Golem!"

Viren gave a menacing sneer as he called his Pokemon forward, "Pangoro, Electivire, rock their world and put them out of their misery!

As the Revengers' Pokemon charged at the others while Candy, Sliggoo, Silvally, Dragonair, Zweilous, and Vibrava were occupied with the hunter and Articuno, Riolu and Mai saw their old foes ambushing them and gasped in horror!

"*MOMMY!*"

"Ms. Sarah, look!" they cried, pointing at the Revengers and their Pokemon.

"Hey! Are you seriously fighting dirty again, you weasels?!" she bellowed in shock.

"You forced our hands by fighting us and once you're all out of the way, our prizes will be with their rightful owners," Viren sneered. "AND, THIS TIME, NONE OF YOU ARE GONNA STOP US!"

Seeing the growing direness of their current situation, most of Sarah's older Pokemon and half of the dragons were forced to fend off the Revengers and their Pokemon in an all-out rumble while the others were left to protect Houndoom and his companions. However, Shadow, Winter, Melody, Echo, and most importantly, Skystorm took it upon themselves to join Candy, Silvally, Sliggoo, Vibrava, Zweilous, and Dragonair to try and give them a hand against the hunter and Articuno, the Cruel Pokemon starting to have them on the ropes as it attacked them.

The Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon, Latios, Latias, Eevee, Skitty, Braviary, Mulan, and Salamence could only watch in shock and horror as they saw their family being forced to fight on two fronts, all for the sake of protecting them from the Pokemon Hunter and the Revengers. They felt absolutely horrible for what's happening; it was because of them that Sarah, her Pokemon, and her Dragons, had to defend them from the black-hearted people who wanted them for personal gain and sell them off for money.

Articuno had managed to blast its initial foes back and leave them with heavy bruises and wounds with Mind Reader and Psycho Cut but it had to fend off against Shadow and his four fellow dragons who were small but swift and just as powerful. It tried to swat at them with Psycho Cut as well as Gust, Hypnosis, Ancient Power, and Hurricane while using Recover and Agility to heal itself and increase its speed but being extreme flyers, the dragons fought back just as hard.

Skystorm, however, was letting herself run wild with the Cruel Pokemon; she now knew who and which Pokemon were responsible for the pain Houndoom and his companions were in and this was her chance to get revenge for their sake as she mercilessly attacked Articuno with all her might.

The Shinies, Braviary, Eevee, and Skitty turned their attention to her as she attacked the Cruel Bird Pokemon in full force, all of them to protect from it being the only thing on her mind.

The other Pokemon fighting the Revengers (Mudsdale, Lolita, Blitz, Luna, Dusk, Noctowl, the Eevee Squad, and Sylveon) were doing their best to fend off their enemies but as they were cheaters along with their trainers, the two Electivire, Magmortar, Poliwrath, Muk, Golem, and Pangoro kept fighting dirty so they can get a one-up on their honorable opponents.

Eevee and Skitty flinched from Salamence's back as they watched Muk squaring off against Sylveon and Lolita, the three Pokemon attacking with all their might despite the Fairy Type Eeveelution not knowing any Fairy Type attacks which didn't deter the Intertwining Pokemon.

But then, Muk gave a devious smirk and a chuckle as it slunk under them, prompting them to attack in a double pounce using Tackle and Scratch and the Alola Poison Type grabbed them from under, causing them to screech in panic before they attacked again with Dark Pulse and Copycat allowing Sylveon to use Lolita's Dark Pulse to blast it back.

"SYL-VE!"

"ME-OWTH!" they bellowed furiously together, blushing like mad.

"Hey, that wasn't fair!" snapped Riolu angrily, seeing the whole thing.

"HOOT, HOOT-HOOT-HOOT, HOOT! HOOT-HOOT! HOOT, HOOT, HOOT!" screeched Noctowl with rage at Muk from his, Blitz, and Mudsdale's fight against Magmortar, the Sinnoh Electric Type just laughing at the humiliated females despite the pain it was dealt with.

The three Pokemon veterans fought hard at the Sinnoh Fire Type who countered with Fire Punch, Feint Attack, Flamethrower, and Karate Chop until Magmortar, giving off a sly and sinister smirk, grabbed Blitz and used him as a shield against Noctowl and Mudsdale when they performed Wing Attack and Iron Head.

"HEY, FOUL! I CALL FOUL AT THAT!" shouted Mai, jumping with fury at Magmortar.

"BRE!" gasped Umbreon, his daughters gawking in horror from what they've seen.

This was all too much for the Shiny Pokemon as they tried to tune the battles out, still blaming themselves for their family fighting for their sake.

Infuriated from being used in such a way and with Noctowl and Mudsdale howling out to him, realizing their mistake too late, Blitz snapped at Magortar and then... "Pika...CHU!" He launched a Thunderbolt so fierce from his anger at his enemies that it shocked the Sinnoh Fire Type badly, forcing it to let go of him and allow Mudsdale to use High Horsepower to bash at his group's true target.

Despite Golem, Poliwrath, the second Electivire, and Muk also pulling off dirty tricks to win during their own battles, Camo, Sunflare, Starfire, Venom, Silver, Inferno, Snivy, Mist and Spark, Poipole, Danny, and Danielle continued their assault on them, determined not to let their enemies have their way with the Shinies, Eevee, Braviary, and Skitty.

Even Camo's children, Oshawott, Twilight, Dawn, Mai, Nebby, the Eevee Squad, Dusk, Luna, Wooloo, Ponyta, Mai, Aqua, and Riolu, as well as the recovered Milotic and Tepig, maintained constant vigilance to prevent the hunter and Revengers from getting their hands on their new family members.

However, things took a turn for the worst with the battle coming to a head as Viren's Electivire, now infuriated from the fight dragging out and from Lolita and Sylveon's renewed assault and their perseverance following their humiliation, forced its way through and snagged Snowflake and Riolu, taking them as hostages.

"AAAAHHHHH!"

"VUUULLLLL!" they screamed.

This caught the attention of Snowflake's family and Candy as well as the others as they all gasped in horror and shock before Articuno saw its opportunity and blasted its opponents away with Psycho Cut and Gust in a combo attack, making them scream in excruciating pain.

"MOMMY! CANDY!" Riolu cried, tears now leaking from her eyes as she struggled and squirmed in vain.

"VUL! VULPIX! PIX, VULPIX!" squealed Vulpix, already in a panicked sobbing fit.

"Riolu, Snowflake!" Sarah called, horrified before she snarled at Viren and the Revengers.

She even noticed Candy, Vibrava, Dragonair, Sliggoo, Zweilous, Silvally, Shadow, Melody, Winter, Echo, and Skystorm being thrown back towards her and the rest of her family, now left aghast as they were dealt heavier wounds from Articuno's last combo attack.

"Candy! Vibrava, Dragonair, Silvally! Sliggoo, Melody, Guys!"

"Ow... Damn, that hurt...!" groaned Silvally as he struggled to get up.

"DOU-DOU!" bellowed Houndoom, shellshocked and horrified as he rushed over to the downed Deadly Nadder.

The rest of the abused Pokemon were also horrified by seeing their family in such a state and predicament, Skystorm more so, that they broke free from their family's protection and rushed to the wounded Pokemon and dragons' side, refusing to let the fighting continue to the death.

"UEI, UEI, UEI!"

"NYA!" begged Eevee and Skitty.

"You cowards! Let them go, NOW!" bellowed the princess furiously as the others joined them.

They had managed to finish their battles with the Revengers' other Pokemon but not without several wounds and bruises in doing so and even they were shocked and horrified by the new low Viren and his minions were willing to go while the hunter and his/her Articuno looked on in silent amusement.

"HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! You forget, my little wench, you did rob me of my precious little Riolu last time," cackled Viren. "I suppose you won't mind if I take it and your little Vulpix off your wing. It'll save you the trouble of having to raise it by yourself, which you thankfully did for me."

"You're stupid! You never loved your Pokemon, not even once; you only care about your own pathetic self! Your vanity truly knows no bounds and you're a monster if you think you're gonna make me cut a deal with you and your possie for Houndoom and the other Pokemon I rightfully took from you!"

"Oh, I'm sure you'll come around when I have my Electivire do THIS!" He signaled his Electivire to start squeezing Riolu and Vulpix to death, making them scream again.

Sarah couldn't bear it as their pained and frightened screams grew louder as she screamed, "NO!"

"VULPIX, VUL-VUL! PIX, VUL! VUL!"

"CANDY! MOMMY!" the little Pokemon screamed, unable to bear the pain they're feeling.

Houndoom, Latios, Latias, Braviary, Skitty, Eevee, Salamence, and Mulan recoiled as their own desperation and horror continued to fill them; they fully knew it was all their fault that they dragged their family into such a mess and they need to find a way to save Riolu and Snowflake from their former buyer, the Revengers, and the Pokemon Hunter before their deaths would fall on them.

"I'm waiting... We all are," sneered Viren, the Revengers cackling again at their enemies' panic and desperation. "You got ten seconds!"

"1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9..."

"DOU!" Houndoom barked, now glaring dangerously at Viren, the Pokemon Hunter, and the Revengers as he stepped forward.

His fellow former captives shared his glare as they joined him; they finally decided that now was the time to take a stand and do what they should've done to make their enemies spare their family and not hurt them anymore.

"What...?" Viren quizzed, now stupefied from what he's seeing.

Houndoom barked at their foes, demanding that the battle has gone far enough and that they're cowards for pulling such a stunt to force their new human mother to decide whether or not to keep fighting for their sake and that they release Riolu and Snowflake, willing to return to them so that they'd spare their lives.

Sarah and her family didn't need Houndoom's barks to be translated as they all knew what it meant.

"Wait! Houndoom, are you crazy?!" she begged. "Don't do it, save yourselves!"

The Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon turned to Sarah and shook his head solemnly, growling softly to her and apologizing for getting her and their new family in so much trouble and that they had to do it for their own sake.

The Revengers all gawked in surprise before they started to cackle again, realizing that the Shinies, Skitty, Braviary, and Eevee were all surrendering to them and the Pokemon Hunter for their new family's safety and for them to spare Riolu and Snowflake.

Viren sneered with a malicious smirk, "So, you finally decided to stop running and join the big boys, are ya? Well, good on you..."

"Ab, Absol, Sol! Ab, Ab, Absol, Sol, Ab, Sol, Sol, Absol, Sol!" Mulan barked angrily, not wanting Viren to waste any time letting the Emanation and Alolan Fox Pokemon go in exchange for their own lives if they return to him.

The others couldn't help but look on in horror and shock; Houndoom and his companions were willing to risk their own lives and their own freedom just to let Riolu and Snowflake go free and all because they felt responsible for their current situation. Nobody wanted them to go along with it but they all had no choice and secretly, they could tell they had a good point when Houndoom made the offer.

Skystorm opened her eyes wearily to see the abused Pokemon standing before her and her gravely-weakened companions, practically surrendering themselves for their family's sake as well as Riolu and Snowflake's release. She felt like crying after managing to hear Houndoom demanding that they let the young Pokemon go free and give themselves up to their enemies but she knew it was their choice to do what they want with their lives and she had to respect whatever they had to do.

"Well... How about..." Viren thought for a moment, the smirk never leaving his face.

He thought about the deal until he snapped his fingers at his Electivire, signaling it to lower its feelers holding the two younger Pokemon and the abused Pokemon came forward to take their place until...

It stuck out its tongue in a taunting manner and wheeled around to hold the younger Pokemon towards Articuno, wanting to give them more punishment.

"PSYCHE OUT!" Viren cackled.

"DOU!"

"LA!"

"LA, LAAA!"

"UEI!"

"NYA!"

"RAWR!"

"CAW!"

"ABSOL!" bellowed the abused Pokemon, outraged.

Sarah and her family's horror was now compounded by their rage, all of them furious by Viren backstabbing Houndoom and his companions after going back on their deal as they watched Riolu and Snowflake squirm and scream in panic again.

Viren just laughed menacingly with the Revengers as he sneered again, "Did you think I would honor your deal and just let these little pretties scot-free for your loss of freedom and allegiannce to me? You all ran away from me when that wench of a Wingull broke you free from your playpens!"

"You may want to save them by playing yourselves into our hands willingly but first, we're gonna show you what happens when you play fire with fire! Bartender, time for your big bird to roast these pretties for my trophy room!"

The hunter turned to Viren, now feeling a little confused by his demand with Articuno narrowing its eyes in suspicion. "You mentioned you wanted your prizes I've gotten for you before the princess committed her jailbreak moment for them," he/she retorted.

"What's the point of having those little rascals if you-?"

"DID I STUTTER, GET TO WORK OR YOU'RE NOT GETTING YOUR RAISE FROM ME!"

The Pokemon Hunter sighed heavily, he/she was now finding Viren and the Revengers exhausting as the latter group bellowed in agreement.

"Alright, alright, if that's what you weenies want," he/she conceded. "Articuno, how about slicing and dicing those two for them?"

The Cruel Pokemon just nodded until it prepared to use Psycho Cut at full power at the young Emanation and Fox Pokemon but as it did so, the two Pokemon let out their final screams of terror, fearing for their lives that'll end before their families' eyes.

"AHHHHH!"

"VULLLLLL!"

Their horrified screams awakened Candy, Sliggoo, Dragonair, Zweilous, and Vibrava with a start, causing them to then dash in front of Electivire and attack Articuno.

Using Discharge, Flash Cannon, Rock Slide, Hyper Beam, and Dragon Breath at full blast with renewed vigor and their family love for Riolu and Snowflake burning strong, they pushed back at the Cruel Pokemon's Psycho Cut attacks, the Psychic/Flying Type gawking in shock from its opponents getting back in the battle despite being mortally wounded back then.

The Revengers and Viren also gasped in shock, completely dumbfounded by the unexpected turn of events happening before them.

"HEY! What gives?!"

"What's with those runts?!"

"How are they still standing?!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

"NO!" The Revengers cried out in bewilderment.

Viren was gobsmacked and goggle-eyed from what he was witnessing. "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" he shouted.

Even his Electivire was absolutely bewildered from what it was watching, so much so that while it was dumbfounded, Umbreon, Mai, and Espeon nodded to each other and they quickly used Psychic on it to freeze it in place as it gasped and struggled in vain against their combined power. This allowed Noctowl and Flareon to use Fire Fang and Wing Attack on the feelers holding Snowflake and Riolu to release them, Snivy to use her Vine Whip to retrieve them, and Mudsdale and Ponyta join forces and use High Horsepower to bash into the Electric Type and knock it out completely.

"PAN!?" Pangoro cried, noticing Electivire knocked out and having swirls in its eyes.

It was in such a panic from seeing Candy, Sliggoo, and Snowflake's family still fighting and from Electivire being beaten that it left itself open to attacks, leaving Ponyta to greatly weaken it with Moonblast and Nebby to stomp on it as it screamed before it passed out after being squashed to the ground under his left front paw.

"That was for trying to kill my new brothers and sisters as well as Big Sis Snowflake and Big Sis Riolu!" he snapped angrily at the Daunting Pokemon.

He then turned to Snowflake's family, Candy, and Sliggoo, still fighting Articuno despite their numerous wounds.

The Cruel Pokemon kept on with the barrage of Psycho Cuts to force its foes back but despite its best efforts, they didn't falter and they kept up with their assault, their determination, fury, and anger over nearly losing Snowflake and Riolu powering them. They were afraid to die under its menacing might but they fought through their fear and kept on fighting if only to protect them as well as the abused Pokemon, whom they declared as part of their family now.

All the while, Houndoom and his companions watched the five Pokemon fighting Articuno in awe and amazement; despite being outmatched to a tee, they were still fighting Articuno for their sake and more importantly, for two Pokemon in their lives they loved with all their hearts.

They then looked back to see their family cheering and hollering proudly for Snowflake's family, Candy, and Sliggoo, all of them relieved and happy to see them continuing to fight before they looked towards Riolu and Snowflake, both of them out cold from their panic of nearly being killed and under Mai, Twilight, Dawn, and the Eevee Squad's care.

The eight Pokemon then came to the realization that even though they belonged to their old trainers wherever they could be, and until they would be brought back to them, they all have something new worth fighting for.

Before they were rescued, after being kidnapped, they didn't have anything left and they wouldn't dare to trust humans and other Pokemon again after being wrenched away from their homes and old trainers by the Pokemon Hunter who conspired with Viren and the Revengers.

Now, after witnessing Sarah and her family's numerous acts of kindness, her, Skystorm, and Winter's valiant rescue of them, the friendships they made with her friends and family, and seeing them fight their enemies coming after them and protecting them with their lives, they now consider them all as their own family.

They finally decided to trust them with their hearts and stand with them no matter what.

Houndoom and his companions looked at each other and nodded in agreement and, with a prompting nod from the reawakened and proud Skystorm when they looked to her for her approval, they joined Candy, Dragonair, Vibrava, Sliggoo, and Zweilous in their assault against Articuno as they attacked with Swift, Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Shadow Ball, Mist Ball, Solar Beam, and Luster Purge, with Braviary taking the charge and converging the attacks with Brave Bird.

The Pokemon Hunter, in his/her stupor and silent shock from everything that's happening right now, noticed the assault from the abused Pokemon and gasped before turning to the Cruel Pokemon.

"Articuno, LOOK OUT!"

But, it was too late. With Articuno's attention squarely on Candy, Snowflake's family, and Sliggoo, it barely heard its trainer's call and turned to see Braviary coming at it with Brave Bird and the other attacks by the abused Pokemon and it took the brunt of the second assault before the first one pummeled it hard.

Braviary flinched from the recoil by Brave Bird and much of his energy exhausted after converging the other attacks with it but he smirked as the Cruel Pokemon staggered back from the hard blows. It helped too that Vibrava's attack from the first assault was Rock Slide as the stones did major damage to the Psychic/Flying Type as it panted in shock and awe from what it went through.

"That's impossible..." the hunter gasped in shock.

"FLAFF!"

"DRAAAAAAAAA!"

"ZWEILLLLLLL!"

"GOOOOOOOO!"

"VIIIIIIIII!" bellowed Candy, Zweilous, Dragonair, Vibrava, and Sliggoo with renewed vigor.

Suddenly, they all began to glow a bright blue and white as their combined strength of heart and family love for Snowflake and Riolu allowed them to achieve their full power, at last.

Everyone gawked in shock again as they watched the evolution process for the five Pokemon taking place.

"WHAT THE HELL-?! STOP IT!" Viren shouted as the Revengers all screamed in panicked shock.

"That light...!" the hunter gawked.

"Sliggoo, Candy, Dragonair, Zweilous, Vibrava..." gasped Sarah in awe. "Y-you... You're, you're evolving!"

"Sarah!" shouted several voices coming from behind her and her Pokemon/dragon family.

Everyone in the area turned to see Rotom-Dex with Ash, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, Sophocles, Lillie, Kukui, and Burnet with their Pokemon partners as well as Tsukumaro, Nikki, and James with their own Pokemon arriving at the scene.

"Mom, Dad, Guys, Tsukumaro, Professors!" she gasped again in surprise.

"Are you all right?" Kukui asked, his Braviary in tow.

"I am, now. But, you did miss a lot, by the way."

"What's happened to you, Sarah?" Ash quizzed.

"Sarah! Are you okay, are you hurt!? Did those crooks do anything to you?" Rotom-Dex started to fret.

"We're was doing fine with these guys after you chickened out on me, Rotom!" she snapped at the Living Pokedex.

"Is that Viren?!" Sophocles pointed angrily at the villains.

"It's them and there's the hunter who's after Houndoom and his friends!" Mallow snarled.

"Those dudes are all bad," Lana agreed.

"It can't be! Is that an Articuno?!" gawked Kiawe, seeing the Cruel Pokemon.

"It's unbelievable!" gasped Burnet in shocked amazement.

"Zoinks! Never mind that, look at what's evolving before our eyes!" Lillie shouted, pointing at the still-evolving Candy, Sliggoo, Dragonair, Vibrava, and Zweilous.

The five Pokemon continued to glow as they gained new bodies and grew several inches and when the light show died down, they were all greeted by the sight of a Shiny Ampharos, a Goodra, a female Dragonite, a Hydreigon, and a Flygon before their eyes. It was indeed Snowflake's family, Candy, and Sliggoo, all having reached the final stages of their evolution chains.

"AMPA!"

"GOO!"

"RAWR!"

"HYDRE!"

"FLYGON!"

"...Candy, Sliggoo, Vibrava, Dragonair, Zweilous?" breathed Sarah. The five Pokemon turned to their human mother and nodded happily to her.

"What happened to them?" Tsukumaro asked, feeling both amazed and baffled.

"It is... IT IS!" James cheered, seeing Sarah's fully-evolved Dragon Types and Candy. "Candy, Sliggoo, and Snowflake's family have all evolved into an Ampharos, a female Dragonite, a Flygon, a Hydreigon, and a Goodra!"

"What did they do while they were busy?" Mallow quizzed in amazement.

"Whatever it is, this is getting good! That hunter, Viren, and the Revengers won't know what hit 'em!" Ash remarked excitedly.

Finally, Riolu and Snowflake woke up from their short coma, and hearing them groan as they awakened, Sarah rushed to them and hugged them with immense relief with her family watching happily.

"Mommy... What happened?" Riolu asked finally.

"Vul?" added Snowflake.

"It's alright, you're both fine now," said Sarah in response. "Everything's under control now. Your family, Candy, and Sliggoo have everything under control now along with Houndoom and the other abused Pokemon."

"Vul! Vulpix, Vul Vulpix Vux, Pix, Pix?!" panicked Vulpix, worried for her brother and parents.

"Candy, Sliggoo?! Are they okay, what happened, did they die-?!" Riolu questioned frantically.

"No, it's okay, really. I think it's better I show you..." She took them in her arms and brought them to the abused Pokemon and then, the two young Fighting and Ice Types gasped in awe and surprise at what they saw.

Snowflake was at a loss for words seeing her family fully evolved and Riolu couldn't believe it when she saw Candy and Sliggoo both fully-evolved as an Ampharos and a Goodra.

Still wanting payback for what their enemies and Articuno did to them and Snowflake, Flygon, Dragonite, and Hydreigon flew into the air together and coated themselves with a giant amount of energy that converged into the form of a dragon.

James gasped in awe as he recognized the move they were using, "Is that...?"

The hunter recognized the move as well as he/she gasped at the Dragon Types, "Dragon Rush, AH-?!"

Then, before anybody could get their bearings, Snowflake's brother and parents charged forward towards Articuno as they let out proud roars and slammed into Articuno, pushing it back hard. The Cruel Pokemon staggered again, now feeling uneasy over its evolved foes' newfound power.

Ash and his friends along with Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet were left in shock as they saw Dragon Rush being used.

"Whoa! When did those three learn to use Dragon Rush?!" Kiawe shouted in amazement.

"Do you think they might've learned it after they evolved?" Lillie theorized.

"I don't know, kids, but they picked a good time to bust it out!" Kukui put in, his awe and excitement overflowing.

Articuno snarled as it eyed Candy, the Shiny Light Pokemon in a battle stance as she dared it to attack after it and the Revengers and Viren nearly killed Riolu. Having lost its cool over its growing setbacks by now, the Cruel Pokemon now used Ancient Power as several big rocks were conjured and thrown at her.

Candy just scoffed as her stubby arms sparked with electricity and she proceeded to punch away at the rocks with grace and diligence, shattering them until there was nothing left of the Rock Type attack.

"That's a Thunderpunch attack!" exclaimed Sophocles in awe.

After she obliterated Ancient Power, tapping into a new power from within her in her final form, she opened her mouth and concentrated a speck of energy that converged and grew into a ball of Dragon-like energy. Finally, she roared loudly and released the energy in the form of a powerful shockwave that blasted Articuno back, the added normal damage adding to the punishment it was given.

"Wow, that's Candy's new Dragon Pulse attack!" Ash gawked.

"Amazing! Truly amazing; even if she's an Electric Type by nature, Candy has the heart and soul of a Dragon Type!" James commented in excitement, seeing Candy use Dragon Pulse.

Then, Goodra decided to join in as he used Protect when Articuno used Psycho Cut on the group once more.

After it held against the Psycho Cut, Goodra dropped his shield and covered his tail in a powerful energy veil of water before he jumped over to the Cruel Pokemon with great speed and force and smacked it across its face.

The Galar Legendary Bird smacked back at him with his wing but he flipped himself to his feet and skidded back, holding himself as he got into another battle stance.

"Goodra!" he bellowed daringly.

Viren and the Revengers were outraged by what they're seeing; from their family love for Snowflake and Riolu and their willingness to defend the abused Pokemon or even die for their sake and safety, Candy, the Fox Pokemon's family, and Sliggoo defied them and the hunter and got more power than ever to become evenly matched with the hunter's Articuno.

"HURRY UP, YOU IMBECILE!" he bellowed at the hunter before he turned to Sarah again. "You meddling little menace, I'll make sure you rue the day you messed with Viren and the Revengers one day even if it's the last thing I ever do!"

"Big deal, fatty! I've pummeled you bozos once, I can do it again!" retorted Sarah in a taunting manner.

"I'm telling you again; you can't just steal, buy, or even sell Pokemon, you have to earn them! While I will have to return Houndoom and his friends to their old trainers, I'll make sure they'll have happier lives living with me when that time comes. And, if they do, when they become a part of me just as they became a part of their old trainers before the hunter stole them, if they don't forget me, our hearts will forever be one! I don't need my ranger powers or my sword to beat you, my family and friends are all my power!"

"Am, Pha!" Candy agreed wholeheartedly.

But then, at that moment, something started to glow inside of Sarah's new satchel before a bright light slipped through an open crack from the top flap and hit the Shiny Ampharos, materializing into a familiar necklace holding a Mega Stone worn around her neck that started to radiate with untold energy.

"Candy, you'd-!" cried Sarah in shock, seeing the necklace on her.

Then, she noticed the left-hand glove holding her Keystone starting to radiate with pure energy as well before two strings of energy from the Mega Stone and the Keystone emerged and joined together in an energy link as the area shook violently.

The energy and power between Sarah and Candy grew until the Shiny Light Pokemon was hidden in a ball of power and light before she let out a proud roar, growing a large fluff of white wool from her head trailing to her body from the entirety of the back of her neck. Another large fluff of wool, in the design of a cloud in ancient Chinese artistry, completely covered her tail and was adorned with four blue balls with a fifth ball adoring from her woolly head. Even her conical ears had changed drastically to be like segmented balls with swirled tips.

"Candy!" cried the other kids in surprise.

"Burnet! Are you seeing what I'm seeing?!" Kukui gasped in complete awe.

"Yes, I've heard of it from Professor Sycamore from his research but I've never seen it until now!" nodded Burnet in an awe-stricken trance.

"Wh-Wha... What is this?!" panicked Viren.

"Eh-What's going on here?" gawked the hunter, completely stunned as Candy broke out of the ball of light and revealed her new look.

"ROS!" she yelled with her new power and looks plain for all to see.

"Candy... Y-y-you... You just Mega-Evolved!" gawked Sarah, stunned by her evolved Pokemon's new look and powers.

Candy looked herself all over and admired herself, knowing that her Mega Evolution power was what she needed to further protect the abused Pokemon and safeguard Riolu. Even her fellow Pokemon and the dragons couldn't help but admire Candy greatly for the Pokemon she became because of her love and sisterly friendship with the Emanation Pokemon.

"Am, Amph, Ampharos, Ros? Ampharos, Amp, Am, Ampharos!" she remarked proudly.

"Candy..." Riolu gasped, her eyes glistening in awe.

"It's Mega Evolution!"

"That pink menace has become a monster!"

"I thought it was a myth!" gasped the Revengers in shock.

"Whoa! What happened to Candy?" gawked Sophocles.

"Did she just evolve again?" Lillie gasped in awe. "I think Race mentioned something about Mega Evolution, is that it?"

"Yes, it is! It is Mega Evolution!" Ash cheered happily. "Candy and Sarah's bond of friendship has allowed them to unlock her full power!"

"So beautiful and majestic!" Lana breathed in amazement.

"Now, that's power for ya!" smiled Mallow in delight.

"I'll bet ya power like that could only come from Hoenn or Kalos!" smirked Kiawe.

"DATA UPDATE, DATA UPDATE! LATEST SCOOP OF AMPHAROS MEGA EVOLUTION!" gushed Rotom-Dex with absolute glee and amazement. "With Candy's Mega Evolution, she not only gains new power from their unbreakable bond of friendship, but she's also become a Dragon Type!"

"Dragon Type?! Unbelievable..." breathed James in stunned exhilaration.

"Our baby might have a chance," Nikki agreed.

"Phenomenal..." said Tsukumaro before he smiled proudly and looked to the heavens, thinking of his old king and queen. "Your Majesties if only you can see your pride and joy now..."

"No, it can't be!" Viren screamed in frustration. "This wasn't supposed to happen! You're not supposed to win like this!?"

"Hmm... So, you're capable of performing Mega Evolution. No matter, it's all over for you," scoffed the hunter.

"Hmph! Ampharos, Am, Ampha, Amp, Ampha, Ros, Ros, Ros!" retorted Candy before she turned to her fellow Dragon Types. "Ampha?"

Flygon, Goodra, the female Dragonite, and Hydreigon nodded in agreement, their determination mirroring Candy's as they stood together again and prepared to fight.

"Dou-Dou!" Houndoom called before he and his companions joined them, turning to Candy with a knowing smile. "Dou, Dou-Dou, Dou, Dou, Dou... Dou?"

Candy looked at him and the other abused Pokemon in surprise as they nodded, wanting to fight, too.

Finally, seeing their chance to end things once and for all, the Mega Evolved Light Pokemon returned the smile and agreed before they all got into battle stance to end the struggle between them and the hunter and Articuno.

"CAW-W-W-W-W-W-W-W!" Articuno bellowed as it charged at them.

"Am! Am Ampha, Ros!" retorted Candy again as they charged forward as well and dodged the Cruel Pokemon by jumping up.

The Psychic/Flying Type was taken aback before the evolved and abused Pokemon stomped on it, sending the Galar Legendary Bird to the ground in a faceplant.

This was their chance to finally end things as they unleashed a full assault on their giant foe, Candy using a Thunderpunch on the back of its head and shocking it from the super effective Electric Type attack.

Hydreigon was the next one to attack as he positioned his three heads at the Cruel Pokemon and fired three beams of fire, ice, and lightning at it at full power.

"Hey! That's my Tri-Attack!" cried Silvally in shock.

"Flygon!" Flygon cried to the female Dragonite.

His and Snowflake's mother nodded in agreement as they lunged forward and covered their claws with green glowing energy and slashed at Articuno's face with such speed and ferocity after it picked itself up.

"Look! Flygon and his mother learned Dragon Claw!" shouted James.

Snowflake looked on in awe and amazement at her family as they fought hard against Articuno, walking revenge on it, the hunter, the Revengers, and Viren for putting her in danger as they did. Their final evolutions for her were the power their cold-hearted former trainers could never have achieved, proof that their family love is unstoppable even in the face of unspeakable odds.

The Cruel Pokemon got back up and began using whatever attacks it still has to try to get an edge on them again as they traded blows but this time, the tables had been turned and it was Articuno's turn to have its back against the proverbial wall.

"Dou, Dou, Dou!" barked Houndoom to his comrades.

They agreed and joined in the fight to begin their own assault on the Pokemon and hunter that put them through so much pain and misery.

"Dou...DOU!" bellowed Houndoom, releasing a Flamethrower.

Articuno smirked as it dodged but it was given a pair of hard knocks when Latios and Latias charged forward with a Twin Steel Wing attack, forcing it to use Agility to try and match their speed and use Psycho Cut on them.

Latias reacted quickly as she got in front of her brother and used Safeguard in a feint, giving him enough time to use Luster Purge and blast it back.

Growing more annoyed by the minute, Articuno used Mind Reader and used Hurricane to try and blast its foes away but Candy jumped up at it and unleashed a superpowered Discharge, cutting through Hurricane to shock and stun it before Braviary flew in, grabbed hold of her arms, and then, they rushed at it.

"Ampharos! Amp, Ampha, Amp, Ampharos Ros!" she ordered to the Valiant Pokemon.

Trusting her judgment, Braviary began to use a combo attack and when they were close enough, he dropped Candy as she charged up her woolly tail and slammed at Articuno with a hardened Iron Tail with her Normal/Flying Type comrade unleashing a Steel Wing and Aerial Ace combo, not giving it any time to counter or use Recover.

Salamence then came face to face with Articuno with Eevee and Skitty on his back, the two younger Normal Types jumping up with the Evolution Pokemon using Swift and the Kitten Pokemon using Copycat to use the same attack. The Dragon Pokemon even took the opportunity to use Hydro Pump to soak it as Articuno tried to use Recover again but could only remove a third of the wounds it gained from the assault as they moved so fast.

Houndoom and Mulan charged forward to begin their own assault, the Shiny Absol using Night Slash before Houndoom attacked with Thunder Fang to keep it from escaping.

All the while, everyone watched in anticipation or shock from the final battle taking place.

The Pokemon Hunter, in particular, was shocked by what he/she was seeing as Sarah's five Pokemon and the abused Pokemon continued their ongoing assault against the Cruel Pokemon as Flygon then used Rock Slide to wound it badly from its weakness to Rock Type attacks.

"This can't be! Whenever those rapscallions continue to unleash their combined power at such a fast pace and take advantage of Articuno's weakness to Steel and Rock Type attacks and the time it needed to use Recover, Agility, and Mind Reader, my Legendary Bird can't attack. It can't even be given the time needed to use Hypnosis since it requires the full concentration of it towards a single Pokemon but since there are thirteen Pokemon in total and they're all taking turns to fight at one time, Articuno will be pummeled and even if it uses Recover, it takes a few seconds or so to take effect, then they'll attack again when it's vulnerable!" the hunter thought in desperation.

"Each event triggers the next in a neverending cycle; First-attack, then-defend, then-weaken! At this rate, with the Ampharos' Mega Evolution, its fellow Dragon Types having fully evolved, and those eight Pokemon I once captured now having no fear of Articuno and I after what we've put them through no thanks to that girl, Articuno will be forced to keep on fighting until it drops but it doesn't matter now because we're trapped!"

The hunter growled and panicked, realizing where everything was now heading for him/her. "AH! There's no way out!" he/she screamed.

Sarah, realizing what the Pokemon are getting on now with their assault against Articuno, turned towards the hunter and nodded in agreement. "That's right, Pokemon Hunter! Once my Pokemon all wear out your Articuno completely and take it down with one final assault, you lose and your captured Pokemon are mine and free from your and the Revengers' tyranny!" she declared firmly.

The hunter was stunned but the Revengers screamed again. "NO, THIS CAN'T BE!" Viren bellowed.

"As powerful as your last Pokemon is, no Pokemon is without its weaknesses. And, what's more, Articuno's current flaws lie within my Pokemon's Rock and Steel Type attacks and another thing or two from its inability to keep up with my family: Its time-consuming Mind Reader, Recover, Hypnosis, and Agility attacks! What's more, it was our unbreakable love for each other that allows my Pokemon family to outwit and outsmart your Legendary Bird!"

As Sarah's thirteen Pokemon continued to fight Articuno, with the Mega Evolved Candy taking the lead and directing her family in their assault, the Cruel Pokemon was growing more tired and worn out from trying to keep up with them even when it was able to use Agility and its other time-consuming attacks.

While Sarah's Pokemon and the abused Pokemon were growing tired, too, they pushed forward knowing that they won't rest until Articuno was down and out. Even Houndoom and his companions knew that if they and their new family were to survive and return to their old trainers if they wished, they would push forward for their sakes until the battle's won.

The Pokemon Hunter could only watch as the battle unfolded to the point when Articuno is in complete exhaustion and at its breaking point and Candy, Snowflake's family, Goodra, and Houndoom and his companions attacked one last time with Sarah's family and friends cheering them on.

"Oh no, I've no control over Articuno now that the little misfit's taken complete control of the battle!" thought the hunter, his/her desperation growing. "As long as those Pokemon continue their speedy assault with their sickening love, it won't be able to use Recover, Agility, or even Hypnosis along with Gust, Hurricane, and Psycho Cut at such a rate and it'll be forced to keep up with their pace until... NO!"

"My Pokemon have taken advantage of the power of friendship and our family love, causing your Articuno to become broken!" Sarah declared finally. "All right, you guys, let it rip!"

"Ampharos, Amp, Amp, Ampha!" complied Candy before she gave the signal. "AMPHA!"

Letting out final battle cries as they jumped at the downed Cruel Pokemon, Candy, Goodra, Dragonite, Hydreigon, Flygon, Houndoom, Latios, Latias, Eevee, Skitty, Braviary, Mulan, and Salamence attacked one final time with their strongest and most effective attacks to end the battle, for good.

"VUL, VUL, VULPIX, VUL!" cheered Snowflake ecstatically at her family.

"KICK THAT DODO BIRD'S TAIL FEATHERS, CANDY!" cried Riolu, wanting payback for what was done to her.

"DOU-DOU!" Houndoom shouted, unleashing Solar Beam.

"LA, LAAAAA!" Latios bellowed, using Charge Beam at full power.

"FLY...GON!" screeched Flygon, using Rock Slide.

"DRA!" Dragonite shouted, using Dragon Rage.

"UEI...UEI!" screamed Eevee, using Swift.

"NYA...NYA!" howled Skitty, using Ice Beam.

"HYDRE-E-E-E-E-E-E!" Hydreigon screamed, attacking with Tri-Attack.

"LA, LAAAA!" echoed Latias, shooting a fully-charged Mist Ball.

"RAWR!"

"BRAV-V-V-V-V-V-VV!" whirred Braviary and Salamence, charging forward to use a Twin Steel Wing attack.

"AMPHA...ROS!" bellowed Candy, unleashing a fully-charged Thunderbolt.

The long-range attacks all converged into a powerful beam of rocks, stars, electricity, ice, fire, energy mist, water, a cannon blast, dragon energy, and solar power as Braviary and Salamence led the way with their Steel Wing attacks.

Articuno picked itself up and saw its opponents' final assault too late as the Valiant and Hoenn Dragon Pokemon and for the first time ever since the battle started, the Cruel Pokemon's narrowed eyes widened with a feeling it never felt before: Fear.

Salamence and Braviary swiftly cut at Articuno with their Twin Steel Wing attack, making the Galar Legendary Bird scream in agonizing pain before the other Pokemon's converged attacks slammed into it and pummeled it into the ground, hard.

Everyone held their ground as the force of the blows was so great, shockwaves emerged and the smoke that billowed blinded everyone from seeing who won the fight.

When it did finally clear and a victor was made known, everyone saw Articuno completely exhausted, battered, bruised, and humbled as it panted heavily and Candy, Snowflake's family, Goodra, and the abused Pokemon all bearing several wounds of their own but panting diligently as they managed to stand. It tried to face them again but having taken the full brunt of its opponents' final assault, it fell back and passed out, breathing quietly.

Everyone was shocked; thirteen of Sarah's Pokemon including the abused Pokemon had managed to defeat a Legendary Bird despite the insurmountable odds against her and her family and even with the Revengers' dirty fighting.

Even Sarah couldn't get her head wrapped around the fact that she had defeated a Legendary Pokemon in the hands of a villain such as a Pokemon Hunter. "I won, we all won... We've beaten, Articuno..." she gasped quietly in disbelief.

"Ampha, Ros, Ros! Amp, Ampha!" Candy declared with a proud glare at her and her fellow Pokemon's enemies.

The other Pokemon with her nodded in agreement as they shared her glare, the abused Pokemon knowing that with Articuno defeated, their lives are spared and they are free from the Revengers, Viren, and the Pokemon Hunter's monstrosity.

Everyone else cheered happily as they promptly celebrated Sarah's victory and the abused Pokemon being free from the pain they went through.

The abused Pokemon finally let their victory sink in and they also cheered, finally being free from the pain their enemies inflicted upon them and having beaten their worst nightmare.

"Candy!"

"Vul-Vul! Vul! Vulpix!" shouted Riolu and Snowflake, running up to them and catching their attention.

"Hoot-Hoot!"

"Sylve!" cried Sylveon and Noctowl, rushing to meet with the fully evolved Dragon Type, who smiled cheerfully at them.

Flygon, Dragonite, and Hydreigon smiled warmly at their daughter/sister and nuzzled her happily, relieved that she wasn't too badly hurt and that she was still safe.

Candy turned towards Riolu and happily hugged her in immense relief, the Emanation Pokemon crying happily as she returned it while the Shiny Light Pokemon reverted back to her old form and her necklace holding her Mega Stone taking shape on her neck.

"Ros, Ros, Ampharos... Ampha, Amp, Ros, Amp Ampha?" she soothed her fellow Shiny.

"I... 'sniff' I-I thought I l-l-lost y-y-you..." sniffed Riolu, still crying.

The Light Pokemon cooed with a nod, not wanting to let Riolu out of her sight now that she's fully evolved and promising to always be with her no matter what.

Professor Burnet and Professor Kukui were amazed by what had transpired as they proudly walked up to Sarah and extended their congratulations to her with her family joining her.

"Sarah, I'm proud of you," commended Kukui with a proud smile. "Despite the odds against you, you and your family all pulled yourselves together to unlock Candy, Dragonite, Goodra, Hydreigon, and Flygon's true power to protect the abused Pokemon and beat that terrible Articuno."

"We all are. You never cease to amaze us with what you can do with your family love and friendship with your Pokemon," Burnet nodded in agreement.

"That was a brave and noble thing you did albeit a little reckless," agreed Tsukumaro. "But, I've never expected anything less from you as King Doug and Queen Delilah's daughter and my goddaughter..."

"We're so proud of you, Ponchita," smiled James as he and Nikki hugged her.

"We'll never let you out of our sight again," Nikki said.

"I'm okay, Mom, really," Sarah whined, not wanting to be babied again.

Even her friends came by to congratulate her and her Pokemon/dragon family for what they did against the hunter, Viren, and the Revengers.

"That was totally wicked, Sarah!" Mallow cheered.

"You were so cool!" Lana agreed.

"You, Candy, Snowflake's family, Goodra, and Houndoom and his friends sure showed that Articuno what's what!" Sophocles smiled brightly.

"That was way past gnarly the way you beat it down, girlfriend!" Kiawe smirked proudly.

"You all rock, Sarah!" Ash agreed brightly.

"That was very brave of you, Sarah. But, please don't do anything dangerous like that again!" Lillie smiled.

Sarah smiled as she remained humbled, bashfully rubbing the back of her head as she blushed. "Aw, guys, it was nothing. But, it wasn't just us; my whole family and I did what we could to save them. Viren, the Revengers, and the hunter may have had us on the ropes but after what we did today, they got nothing on us," she replied modestly.

Everyone agreed until Lillie noticed something off about the area around them; more specifically, who was missing.

"Uh, Sarah...?" she asked, looking around for Viren and the Revengers, whom she and the entire group noticed were gone.

"HUH? Where did they-?!" she started as they looked around before the hunter finally spoke.

"They're gone, kid," he/she told her as he/she returned Articuno. "They hightailed clean out of town in a panic but I can assure you, they won't be bothering you for a while, and neither will I."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You've beaten me in battle and in being loving and kind to all Pokemon; even with your Pokemon doing their own thing, the fact that they fought on their own throughout our final battle with you and your kindness to them firmly in their minds showed me how much they loved you and each other as family and friends. I see now that you're just too powerful of a trainer in your own right to deal with and I see no point in taking back those Pokemon I once stole. And, as a token of my gratitude, which may seem surprising to you, here you go."

The hunter threw an Ultra Ball at Sarah, the princess catching it in surprise. "I've decided to not have that Articuno anymore after your show of strength," he/she said.

"If you want to have it on your team, that'll be fine. But, after everything you've been through with the Cruel Pokemon and you want to send it back to the Crown Tundra for the sake of your new Pokemon, I won't stop you."

"Wait a minute, why are you giving me this Articuno? Who are you?" she questioned, not getting what the hunter was saying.

"I'm well known throughout the world by many names but to everyone I meet and every agent I cross paths with trying to hunt me down, I'm known simply as..." the hunter announced before he/she threw off the grey trench coat he/she was wearing.

To everyone's surprise, the Pokemon Hunter was... "Carmen Sandiego?!" everyone shouted in surprise.

"The master criminal?" James gawked in shock.

"That was you who hurt those Pokemon?" Nikki questioned.

"Wait, you mean you were responsible for tearing Houndoom and his friends from their old trainers?!" Sarah gasped in disbelief.

The red-headed and red trench-coated criminal mastermind snickered with a smirk from everyone's dumbfounded looks after she made herself known as the perpetrator behind the entire mess Sarah and her family had cleaned up and the one who was Articuno's original trainer.

"I'm so flattered you recognize me and yes, Princess, I'm the one who brought those Shinies, Braviary, Eevee, and Skitty to the Alola Region for the Revengers. And, since they left without claiming their prizes after we lost to you and your powerful family and you claimed them as your own, I'll leave them to you and I'll be on my way," she smirked.

And, with that, she pulled out a smoke bomb to signal her departure from the Alola Region, never to return again and continue with her other crimes, but not without a final humorous taunt from her. "Catch me if you can!" she laughed.

Then, she disappeared without leaving a trace, leaving everybody in surprise and wondering if they'll ever see Carmen Sandiego again. Then again, nobody knows given how crafty and unpredictable she can be.


A few days later, after the incident involving the Revengers, Viren, and Carmen Sandiego, Sarah and her family were having fun with Ash and the others at the beach with Houndoom, Latios and his sister, Eevee, Braviary, Skitty, Salamence, and Mulan being happier than ever now that the remnants of their dark and tragic past were gone as they played with Winter, Shadow, Aqua, Milotic, the Unova Starters, Blitz, Poipole, Mai, and Skystorm.

Candy was helping Riolu construct a sandcastle and Snowflake was playing Tag with her evolved brother with their parents watching over them as usual.

The others decided to relax and bask in the sun or sleep or even look over the horizon and think about everything they've been through throughout their adventures.

As she was resting with Kiawe and Lillie and their partners, Sarah, joined by Silvally, Solar, Nebby, Camo, Inferno, Starfire, Silver, Melody, and Echo, watched Houndoom and his companions playing with the others in their family as the rest were having fun in the water.

"You've done a great thing for those Pokemon, Sarah," Solar began in deep thought. "You must've had a lot of guts and courage taking on a Legendary Pokemon let alone Carmen Sandiego and those Revengers guys if you were able to come out of it alive. They, Candy, Snowflake's family, and Goodra were also lucky to survive despite what they've been through. How on earth did you do it?"

"I did what I normally did; I protected them with everyone else's help and stood my ground to keep them out of harm's way..."

"Are you really willing to let them go after they became so attached to you as they had been with their old trainers? I know you and your family did inform Officer Jenny and Hala about their old trainers but we haven't heard from them since we made their case to find and contact the trainers they once belonged to. Do you really think they'll find them?"

"I don't know; I'm not sure how Houndoom and his friends would react if I tell them right now."

"...You loved them as your own now, right?" Silvally replied, getting where she was going. "Mother, you can't have the newbies as your own Pokemon, not when they have old trainers who'd spoil them long before they came here."

"Why not?"

"Mother, birds of a feather should flock together. You wouldn't marry a Beast Bot like me or a Persian, would ya?" Solar interjected.

"I don't know... Hmm-hmm, come to think of it, nobody ever asked me."

Solar sighed; it was obvious her partner still loved Houndoom and his companions and even Skystorm cared for them as her own as he watched her play with them but even so, he didn't want to get everyone's hopes up. "Sarah, listen. You've got to be serious about this, we can't keep them!" he reminded.

"Oh, stop worrying, Solar. I remember; I'm still going to return them to their trainers but for now, it'll be best for me to keep them with me until they're ready to leave," she argued.

"Yes, like you, Riolu, Sylveon, Noctowl, Snowflake, and Skystorm did with and babied them along with her family, Candy, and Goodra throughout the past couple of days after tangling with Carmen Sandiego and her Articuno after you left it with your teacher and Burnet to debate with Officer Jenny and Mr. Hala on what to do with it, huh?"

"Can I help it if I wanted what's best for them?"

"Not if others already laid claim to them and treated them the same way you'd treated us, you know that! Because their old trainers that they were stripped from loved them as much as they loved you. If those Mega Stones on Latias, Latios, Mulan, Houndoom, and Salamence prove anything, whoever owned them prior must've been great friends. Even Eevee, Skitty, and Braviary could've belonged to loving trainers before they were stolen!"

"But, they don't have them right now if we can't find them!"

"People like Carmen Sandiego won't wait until we do! They'll get them once the word gets out and then, have their nets and tasers at the ready, just one snag and then-!"

Sarah flinched as she scooted back from Solar's claw strike to emphasize his point, Houndoom and his companions still firmly on her mind; it was clear that throughout her misadventure with them, she had grown to love them as her own Pokemon despite the fact that they already had trainers prior to her and Skystorm's rescue. Even Skystorm couldn't deny that she loved them as her own children if she had a mate for a Pokemon or found them as orphans.

"W-well, what are we gonna do?"

"We'll do what's best for them, Mother," said Silvally, listening to the conversation and finally deciding to add his own two bits.

"You better believe it, you name it and I'll do it. Both of you..."

Silvally nodded along with Solar, both of them approving of Sarah's willingness to do what's best for Houndoom and his companions. "Good. Then, return the newbies to their old trainers," he suggested.

"Are you crazy?! I promised them they could stay here and recover for as long as they want!" Sarah bellowed angrily as she grabbed and shook him for suggesting such a thing.

"Well, that's just the point!" interjected Solar again, but more firmly. "As long as they remain free and unless they're returned immediately, they're in danger! So, it's up to you and Skystorm!"

"Why us?"

"She sniffed them out and you decided to rescue them and what's more, you led Carmen Sandiego and the Revengers straight to us since you wanted to help them."

Sarah was silent for a moment... Then, she started to cry, knowing the truth and feeling like she wanted to deny it as she watched Houndoom and his companions still playing. "But, I loved them all, Skystorm, too... We loved them like they were our own babies!" she replied sadly.

"Then, think about what's best for Houndoom and his friends and not yourselves!"

"Gumshoos!"

A familiar cry cut their debate short and everyone turned to see Officer Jenny, Totem Gumshoos, and the Rogues of the Law approaching them.

"Hi, kids," smiled the police officer.

"Officer Jenny!" Mallow cried as the human kids immediately ran up to her.

"Hey, Officer Jenny," greeted Sophocles.

"I trust Houndoom and his friends are doing alright?" she asked, seeing said Pokemon and Skystorm joining Sarah, looking healthier and happier.

"Yeah, Nurse Joy did great. She and her team helped them out after we brought them to the Pokemon Center," Ash said.

"Grapp..." replied Grapploct with an approving nod.

"About their old trainers..." Lana put in.

"Did you find anything about them?" Kiawe finished.

"It took some time after Burnet and Kukui told us about them and we've been working around the clock to track down their owner. And, thanks to the strange and mysterious nature of how Sandiego captured them, none of us could find anything that'll bear fruit on who their owner is-"

"Wait, their owner? Do you mean Houndoom and his friends belonged to only one person?" Lillie interrupted in surprise.

Officer Jenny nodded, confirming her suspicions. "In fact, when we found out who the owner was, we know now that he was a well-respected Pokemon trainer at a local farm on the southeastern side of the Hoenn region. His name was Erwin Jaeger, he was once one of the region's Hoenn League Champions twenty-five years before a young man named Tyson became one of its recent winners," she continued.

"The Hoenn League? Hey, I've actually competed there!" Ash gasped.

"Didn't you also mention you lost to him and his Meowth when you both reached the Finals and became the Runner-Up for the event?" Sophocles questioned in realization.

"Yeah, he was a powerful trainer and he raised his Meowth well. But, how are Houndoom and his friends this Erwin guy's Pokemon?"

"My guess from what we've uncovered is that during his journey, he came across them at several points such as when he visited Forina, the resting place of the Legendary Pokemon, Jirachi, and he came across Latios and Latias when he first visited Lake May when they were in some kind of danger.

"And, he took them in as his own?" Lana asked.

"Yes. Jaeger was also a loving and humble old man with a heart of gold. He couldn't bear to see them suffering when he saw each of them either abandoned by other trainers or lost on their own by unknown means so he took them in and raised them as his own. They were indebted to him and they loved him as if he was their own father. But, a few years after Tyson became the new Hoenn League Champion, he started to develop serious problems with his health and had a prolonged illness that wore at him for some time. The citizens and his Pokemon all did what they could to help Erwin but as he grew older, he became weaker and weaker until eventually, his age caught up to him and he died peacefully two months later after he was submitted to a nearby hospital."

Houndoom and his friends all breathed quietly and mournfully, tears welling up and flowing down their eyes as if memories of their old trainer/father figure were flooding their minds.

Officer Jenny turned sadly to them as she finished, "Erwin's death was too much for them and they didn't want to stay at their old home with him gone; he was all that they had and they wouldn't find another trainer like him anywhere. My guess is that they left to find a new place to call their own, wandering about for ages until they were unfortunate enough to come across Carmen Sandiego and they were brought here."

The kids and their Pokemon were shocked and grief-stricken by the revelation; Houndoom and his comrades' old trainer was dead and there was nothing done to ensure that they would be given to another loving trainer. And, with Erwin Jaeger gone, there was nothing left for them in their old home and they left to wander about until the female criminal mastermind appeared and took them before meeting Viren and the Revengers to pay them off to the thugs.

"Oh no..."

"Oh, man..."

"No..."

"So, they're orphans...?"

"No way..."

"Man..." breathed Ash and the others.

Sarah was thunderstruck over everything she heard; with the death of Erwin Jaeger, Houndoom and his companions were forced to fend for themselves until Carmen Sandiego ambushed them and proceeded to capture them for her own profit until she and her family came along and brought them out of their misery.

"...So, what'll happen to them now?"

"Normally, it would've been a Pokemon Ranch or Pokemon Daycare in a heartbeat. We've debated with Professor Kukui, Hala, and Burnet on what to do with them until we remembered how you took custody of them after you've beaten Sandiego and freed them from their cages. So, we came to the conclusion that you would be the perfect trainer to raise them as your own and look after them just as Mr. Jaeger had before you, Sarah. From now on, Mr. Jaeger's Pokemon are yours. If he's standing right now, I'm sure he would be more than happy to hand them over to you."

Houndoom and his companions looked at Sarah eagerly, wanting her to officially adopt them. The young princess looked at them and watched Skystorm babying the Shiny Dark Hound Pokemon again as she gently rubbed a wing on his head. He was still a little embarrassed by the special treatment he was given but it didn't bother him as much since he knew she and Sarah were responsible for saving him and his friends.

Finally, Sarah made her choice and said, "Thanks, Officer, I'll raise them well just as Mr. Jaeger had."

"But, what about that weird Articuno, Officer?" Kiawe reminded.

"Yeah, I don't know how much longer I can stand seeing it here in Alola," nodded Sophocles, shivering over the Cruel Pokemon.

Officer Jenny nodded, sharing their concern, "We debated on what to do with it as well and we agreed to return it to the Galar Region's Crown Tundra. Professor Kukui's taken the Ultra Ball holding it and is calling for one of his colleagues there to send someone to retrieve it. It's too dangerous of a Pokemon to remain here after all the trouble it and Sandiego caused."

"Okay, so what about Viren and the Ravengers? They might try to take back Houndoom and the others, along with Riolu." Ash added.

Officer Jenny giggled, finding the situation with Viren and the Revengers funny for some reason.

"What's up, Jenny?" Lana puzzled.

"Funny you mention them. They were so terrified by Sarah and her Pokemon beating Articuno and Carmen that they hightailed it over to us and begged for prison time after confessing to everything. So, we complied but we've also put them on community service for a time. Hopefully, they'll learn their lesson in due time. As for Carmen, I wouldn't worry about her. She's not worth it and she's too unpredictable in her motives and what she's doing to throw off any and all authority figures who are after her. But, she'll meet her fate someday, I just know it."

"When's the person from the Galar Region coming to retrieve Articuno?" Mallow asked.

"Tomorrow morning. I will say, though, whoever Kukui called sounded relieved and awestruck to hear that it was in the Alola Region and sent someone to board or arrange the next flight to Melemele Island immediately."

"Will it be alright once it's returned to this Crown Tundra place?" Lillie put in. "It will be okay, right?"

"I'm sure it would be alright, thanks to you. Articuno's made itself known over how much it now respects you after your battle with it, Sarah, and it'll make sure to never harm you or your Pokemon again even in the hands of another trainer."

The princess nodded with a sigh of relief, "That's good. I would like to look after it but after that crazy battle, I'm gonna have nightmares about that big bad bird for weeks."

Everyone just laughed, with Houndoom and his companions as they joined in and chuckled at their new trainer/human mother. Skystorm just smiled brightly at them; they had never felt so happy and relieved in ages; since their capture by Carmen Sandiego's hands after the death of their loving trainer, they've been subjected to cruel torture and pain nobody and no other Pokemon could've possibly imagined. But, in their time of great need, Sarah, Skystorm, and their family came to their rescue and offered them a new lease on life despite their previous misgivings and concerns.

And now, with Jaeger's supposed wish for them to be happy with another trainer as loving and caring as he is, which is what he wanted for them upon his inevitable death, with a new family to call their own, Houndoom and his companions can rest easy knowing that the future looks brighter for them.

As everyone continued to laugh away at Sarah, the spirit of Erwin Jaeger looked down upon them from the cliff, his attention solely focused on Sarah and his old Pokemon. He smiled warmly at them, feeling glad to know that Houndoom and his companions were happy again and had found another trainer as loving, kind, and compassionate for them as he is.

Mouthing the words "Thank you" to the little princess, he turned and walked away, still smiling for his Pokemon as he vanished out of sight.


"Now that Erwin Jaeger's Pokemon are living happier lives with Sarah as their new mother figure in his honor and memory, they can finally rest easy knowing that the best is yet to come for them. But, they're not just any ordinary Pokemon as you and I would like to believe nor are Candy, Flygon, Dragonite, Hydreigon, and Goodra's evolutions just ordinary evolutions, they're a walking symbol and reminder of the true power of friendship and love of all forms and how there's always hope for the world and everyone living in it as long as we band together in the face of unspeakable and impossible odds."


Sarah's Team:

1. Pikachu

Moves - Thundershock, Tackle, Thunderpunch, Double Team, Thunderbolt, Electroweb

2. Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle, Rock Slide, Protect, Accelarock, Outrage

3. Lycanroc (Midnight Form)

Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle, Protect, Rock Slide, Outrage

4. Silvally

Moves - Crush Claw, Air Slash, Hyper Beam, Swords Dance, Dragon Claw, Multi Attack, Tri Attack

5. Mudsdale

Moves - High Horsepower, Double Kick, Mud Slap, Bulldoze, Iron Head

6. Wooloo

Moves - Wild Charge, Tackle, Electro Ball, Volt Tackle

7. Ponyta (Galar Form)

Moves - Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast, High Horsepower, Heal Pulse, Psybeam

8. Meowth (Alola Form)

Moves - Thunderbolt, Scratch, Iron Tail, Dark Pulse

9. Brionne

Moves - Pound, Water Gun, Icy Wind, Bubblebeam, Aqua Jet

10. Milotic

Moves - Dragon Pulse, Ice Beam, Twister, Mirror Coat

11. Ampharos (Shiny)

Moves - Thunderbolt, Confuse Ray, Power Gem, Signal Beam, Discharge, Iron Tail, Thunderpunch, Dragon Pulse

12. Sylveon

Moves - Tackle, Tail Whip, Copycat, Shadow Ball, Light Screen

13. Goodra

Moves - Water Gun, Protect, Tackle, Dragon Breath, Dragon Pulse, Rain Dance, Aqua Tail

14. Noctowl

Moves - Wing Attack, Foresight, Air Slash, Confusion

15. Meowstic (Male)

Moves - Helping Hand, Psyshock, Light Screen, Future Sight, Dark Pulse

16. Meowstic (Female)

Moves - Heal Pulse, Psyshock, Dark Pulse, Future Sight

17. Snivy

Moves - Vine Whip, Leaf Storm, Twister, Leaf Blade

18. Oshawott

Moves - Water Gun, Razor Shell, Icy Wind, Iron Tail

19. Tepig

Moves - Flamethrower, Flame Charge, Solar Beam, Rock Tomb

20. Vulpix (Alola Form)

Moves - Protect, Powder Snow, Ice Beam

21. Dragonite

Moves - Dragon Rage, Iron Tail, Ice Beam, Hyper Beam, Dragon Rush, Dragon Claw

22. Hydreigon

Moves - Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Wing Attack, Flash Cannon, Dragon Rush, Tri Attack

23. Flygon

Moves - Crunch, Dig, Rock Slide, Steel Wing, Dragon Rush, Dragon Claw

24. Solgaleo (aka Nebby)

Moves - Sunsteel Strike, Focus Blast, Teleport, Flamethrower, Wild Charge, Cosmic Power

25. Riolu (Shiny)

Moves - Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Aura Sphere

26. Poipole

Moves - Venoshock, Fury Attack, Peck

27. Mimikyu

Moves - Shadow Claw, Drain Punch, Wood Hammer, Psychic, Mimic

28. Umbreon (Shiny)

Moves - Dark Pulse, Psychic, Moonlight, Shadow Ball, Iron Tail, Flash

29. Jolteon

Moves - Thunder Fang, Thunderbolt, Double Kick, Shadow Ball, Pin Missile

30. Vaporeon

Moves - Water Gun, Swift, Iron Tail, Shadow Ball, Dive

31. Flareon

Moves - Fire Fang, Flamethrower, Double Edge, Shadow Ball, Ember

32. Espeon

Moves - Psychic, Psybeam, Iron Tail, Shadow Ball, Light Screen

33. Leafeon

Moves - Synthesis, Energy Ball, Solar Blade, Shadow Ball, Leaf Storm

34. Glaceon

Moves - Shadow Ball, Ice Fang, Icy Wind, Ice Shard, Iron Tail

35. Eevee

Moves - Helping Hand, Protect, Dig, Double Edge, Swift, Tail Whip

36. Skitty

Moves - Doubleslap, Ice Beam, Iron Tail, Copycat, Double-Edge, Play Rough

37. Braviary

Moves - Superpower, Sky Attack, Brave Bird, Close Combat, Steel Wing, Aerial Ace

38. Absol (Shiny)

Moves - Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Shadow Claw, Hyper Beam, Flamethrower, Shadow Ball

39. Houndoom (Shiny)

Moves - Thunder Fang, Solar Beam, Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower, Crunch, Stone Edge

40. Latias (Shiny)

Moves - Safeguard, Psychic, Mist Ball, Dragon Pulse, Steel Wing, Recover

41. Latios (Shiny)

Moves - Steel Wing, Psychic, Giga Impact, Dragon Pulse, Luster Purge, Charge Beam

42. Salamance (Shiny)

Moves - Incinerate, Hydro Pump, Dragon Tail, Dragon Rush, Protect, Steel Wing


Sarah's Dragon Companions:

1. Winter - Light Fury (F)

2. Shadow - Night Fury (M)

3. Skystorm - Deadly Nadder (F)

4. Mist and Spark - Titan Wing Hideous Zippleback (M)

5. Inferno - Singetail (M)

6. Sunflare - Monstrous Nightmare (F)

7. Starfire - Stormcutter (F)

8. Silver - Razorwhip (F)

9. Venom - Triple Stryke (M)

10. Camo - Titan Wing Dramillion (M)

11-15. His pack of five - Dramillions (3 F and 2 M)

Yellow Dramillions: Mimic - F, Violet - F, Sunflower - F

Red Dramillions: Ocean - M, Tidal - M

16. Melody - Death Song (M)

17. Echo - Slithersong (F)

18. Twilight - Deathgripper (F)

19. Dawn - Deathgripper (M)