Guess what, guess what? It's finally here! That's right: it's WAR time!

…After a lot of shenanigans and scenario set-up. I'm sorry, it does need time to get there. But, yes, there is some fighting in this chapter, as it sets up the main amounts of combat to come.

Also, I tried to make this shorter so that people would be more into it. Enjoy!

...

[Chesnaught]

Just a short moment passed before Empoleon sat back on his throne, releasing a heavy sigh. He returned his attention to us.

"Chesnaught, Mienshao, join the others to prepare for combat. They—"

"General Abomasnow is alerting them already, milord," interrupted Mienshao. "Apologies, but I passed him en route to you."

"No, that is good, thank you." Empoleon nodded. "Chesnaught, go, you need to get ready. Mienshao, give me the rest of the report, and hurry after him."

"Yes, milord."

Mienshao glanced at me as turned away with only a nod and a slight bow. He had a frown, but not scornful…sympathetic, maybe. I barely paid much attention as I bustled from the throne room and off to meet the others. Bell chimes sounded as I went, ringing throughout the palace. They were long gongs, and would be beautiful, if they didn't signal the worst coming.

Making my way back over to the main hall, I made my way to Greninja, who already had my equipment prepared. He opened his mouth, maybe to ask about everything, but closed it. Hastily, I attached the daggers and broadsword to my belt. I looked him over, checking his attire; I still worried it was too light, but that's what works for him. Sheathing his sword behind him, he turned back to me.

"It's kind of funny," he started. "Nidoking recruited me for potential war, but I was expecting it would be for Grass Fields." So did I.

Greninja placed his Mystic Water around his neck, and tucked it beneath his robes. He pulled out my Miracle Seed, and glanced around. I guided his hand past my armor, pulling part of it open, and he pinned it inside. Smirking, as he closed it up, I rested my hand on his shoulder.

"Sometimes, you move too fast."

"Now's not the best time for flirting." In spite of that, his hands lingered on me.

"You're right." He pulled his hands from me, and I wanted them back.

We turned to Alakazam and Machamp, who were quietly muttering to one another. I chuckled and assumed they were whispering some sweet nothings. Getting closer, however, proved otherwise.

"…It wasn't really what I had expected to learn."

"You still shouldn't have snooped like that," reprimanded Machamp. "And now I know, so now it'll be even more obvious."

They glanced over at Carracosta, and it clicked. Alakazam frowned as Machamp folded his arms.

"Well, now what?"

"About which?"

"Both."

"Him, I have no idea." He shook his head. "If he hasn't come to us in all of this time, even after we got together, then nothing would prompt him."

"And—?"

"My apologies don't excuse anything," Alakazam murmured. "I don't know, I just became relaxed with you, and he's my friend, so…" He blinked as Machamp gazed up and made eye contact with me. Alakazam spun around and his shoulders fell. "Ah, Chesnaught, Greninja. Um. Hello?"

"Smooth."

"Oh, honestly, that's unnecessary." He sulked at his boyfriend. "This isn't the time for you to get bitter with me, now is it?"

"You've got a lot to make up for," persisted Machamp.

"This is about before?" I scratched behind my head.

"Alakazam was out right invasive," declared Machamp. "I don't care how long it's been, or how curious everyone is about it. He had no right—"

"Ok, ok, I can rip myself apart well enough, Machamp, thank you," chided Alakazam. He turned to me and deflated again. "He is right, and I shouldn't—"

"Have gotten so excited?" I smirked. "Come on, you already apologized."

"Yes, but that's still inexcusably vile to have, well, violated—"

"Goodness, Chesnaught," quipped Greninja. "He completely threw your trust to the wind and treated you on the same level as his boyfriend. It's almost like he was comfortable around you."

"That doesn't excuse me," snapped Alakazam. "I don't understand how you two are fine with that, while Machamp is appropriately furious."

"Right, so, mistakes are unforgivable, then," I concluded. "Gosh, it's almost like that was part of the foundation of your relationship, forgiveness, but that must not be—"

"That was, again, all on me," repeated Alakazam. "I've made too many careless decisions, hilariously for someone that's meant to be smart, so—"

"Chesnaught has a point, though," interrupted Machamp, finally dropping his lower arms and softening his expression. "And you're wrong, because I…I screwed up too."

"Why are we trying to excuse my behavior?" Alakazam shook his head. "I'm an adult, I can handle taking responsibility for my actions—"

"No one's excusing you," pointed out Greninja. "Chesnaught is forgiving you, and Machamp is relating and understanding. Mistakes happen." He wrapped an arm around Alakazam. "Why are you harder on yourself than anyone else, anyway?"

"Because I…I don't know." Alakazam sighed. "I feel like I should have all of the answers to every situation, and when I'm wrong, I feel as though it shouldn't have ever been such an outcome."

"No one is all knowing, Alakazam," I reminded. "Not even the prophet could predict the future exactly."

"…Still—"

"Nope, there's nothing else you need to carry on about," I asserted. "I'm the one that you offended, and I was over it pretty much after it happened." I laughed a bit. "With everything else that I could have to worry about, my friends getting comfortable around me isn't one of them. It's natural for you to do that, and learned to respect boundaries as you learn with others. Don't feel bad for learning."

"If you insist…" He heavily exhaled and nodded. "Sorry, this isn't even the best time—"

"It's not at all," I agreed. "Don't worry about something like that. Especially with what we're dealing with now." I picked up his hand in mine and squeezed it a bit. "We're friends. Friends bond, and friends forgive. It should be that simple."

"Thank you."

"Huh." Carracosta's voice broke the four of us apart, as we turned around to him. "Have I missed something, or are you boys just clearing some air before the fighting, or whatnot?"

Machamp and Alakazam nervously glanced at one another. I rubbed behind my head, while Greninja stepped forward.

"Just spending some time together while we can." He smiled to Carracosta. "Did you want to join us?"

"Ah…no, I mean…sure, but…" He rubbed his arm and frowned at Machamp and Alakazam. "I still need to grab something, but…after everything, how about the six of us go out?"

"Six?" Machamp raised an eyebrow. "That's including—?"

"My partner, yes." He rolled his eyes. "I'm understanding how it took you and Alakazam so long."

"Hey, it could've meant anyone," protested Machamp. "Besides, you never—"

"No, I usually don't." He raised his shoulders. "Not with anyone, but…maybe I've been wrong. And I want to fix that before it's been too long, and I can't." Carracosta grinned at the four of us, softly clapping his flippers together. "It might actually be cute, getting all of us together…we'll have to plan it out."

"Carracosta, are you actually gushing over this?" Alakazam smirked. "I don't think I've seen you get so…gleeful."

"Yes, well—" Carracosta roughly cleared his throat. "D-don't get used to it."

He trudged off as Machamp and Alakazam stifled their giggle fit. I glanced around to Delphox, who was instructing Mewtwo about spells, if I had to guess. Greninja and I wandered over to them and listened in.

"…Now, we haven't had much time, but I think I've taught you the basics." Delphox nodded. "You should at least be able to defend yourself, ok?"

"These are nonviolent, so that is comforting," mumbled Mewtwo.

"True, but this means you're better off avoiding combat at all costs." Delphox shook his head. "I don't know what to do if they actually capture you, provided that they don't incapacitate us."

"This group survived the Frozen Fields," revisited Mewtwo. "Surely, all of you can handle other obstacles."

"Combat is different." Delphox's ears lowered. "Fighting isn't something you can predict in the moment. We don't know our opponents, and we don't know what they're bringing with them. They're on our grounds, so we have an advantage there, but I'm positive they've schemed up counter strategies for it."

"Again, I do have full confidence in everyone."

"Good for you." Delphox tapped his stick against his palm. "I'm afraid to hope."

My mouth opened to contend Delphox's point, but he made a valid one. They would be prepared to go against the colder environment that we were adjusted to. Well, mostly adjusted to; I shivered a bit but shook it off.

Surveying the room, I watched Weavile aiming her bow, keeping her arms locked and narrowing her eyes. Relaxing her posture, she let her claw fall, grazing her dagger on her belt. Not far from her, Froslass read a book in one hand while drifting back, twirling her icicle staff with her other hand.

Across from them, Politoed and Poliwrath chattered to one another as they prepared their weapons, and they laughed with one another. Golduck muttered against the wall, while Delibird nodded to him, both glancing toward the gates outside.

Between all of them, though, was Quagsire, who was…stretching? He looked like he was working himself up, twisting his body, lifting his arms up, and bending down. I don't recall seeing him do this often, though he did rough up Greninja on their first practice, so his strength makes sense.

"Very good, you're all here."

Everyone turned their attention to General Abomasnow, as he lumbered forward. Unlike us, he didn't seem quite ready for combat yet, still lacking his upper armor. I raised an eyebrow at that.

"General, are you not leading us?" Delibird noticed too.

"I just returned from speaking with the Emperor quickly," he explained. "He will have me remain here with him, lest the worst happen." Abomasnow shook his head. "I find that very unlikely, given this army's fortified unity."

"Ah, I don't know if we've bonded that much," argued Golduck. "But sure, let's pretend we can function as the cohesive unit we're meant to be."

"You'll need to," insisted Abomasnow. "Now, all of you, they're nearing the city border, according to the report. Head out near the Frozen Fields and stop them from coming any closer. Carracosta, Golduck, you lead in my absence."

"Lads, you heard him," called Carracosta. "Let's get a move on!"

Greninja and I watched the others march from the hall and out toward the bridge and the gate. Something seemed…wrong about leaving the palace defenseless, but sending each of us out to protect the city itself felt like it was the right strategy, perhaps a bold one that our opponents wouldn't be expecting.

"Not you."

Jolting up, I whirled around to watch Abomasnow approach Mewtwo, who had trailed Delphox and Froslass. He turned back, gazing up at the General.

"But I am part of them," insisted Mewtwo. "I must be with my allies."

"You haven't practiced enough," contended Abomasnow. "It's best for you to stay with us."

"Sire, I have been training him," protested Delphox. "Leaving him here would be a crucial misstep in our strategy."

"No arguments."

"We need him, General." Froslass floated back over to him. "Mewtwo may not be the best fighter, but he has raw power at his side, and that's enough to change the tide of battle. Even if he's not fighting, he can help others, should anyone breach the city." She shook her head. "If we leave him here, that leaves you with two liabilities. They must not engage the Emperor, even if he can handle them. If we have both Mewtwo and Emperor Empoleon here, then the enemy will have exactly everything that they desire."

For a moment, Abomasnow gazed quietly as Froslass drifted up, meeting him at eye level. And I followed her stare, gazing at…Abomasnow's eyes. For some reason, they seemed a bit off in color; they were usually a pale purple to pink mix, but it seemed a darker today. Could he be ill? Was that why he couldn't lead?

Regardless, Abomasnow shut his eyes quickly and nodded to her. She lowered herself and swayed backward, near us.

"Very well." He nodded to Mewtwo. "You will follow any and every command they give you, even if that's not normally in your nature. We absolutely cannot risk losing you."

"Understood."

He turned back, and smiled to Greninja and I, before following Delphox and Froslass out. I started after them, as Greninja slipped his hand into mine, and we hurried to meet the rest outside of the palace gates.

"Think we've got what it takes?" Greninja glanced at the water as we crossed the bridge.

"I hope so," I murmured, and turned back to look over the palace once more, and then followed Greninja down the iceberg's stairwell.

Mewtwo and Delphox stopped at the bottom, as Golduck directed a few soldiers forward. Carracosta folded his arms, looking up at us, as Alakazam and Machamp turned around as well.

"You'll have time for hugs and kisses later, boys."

Greninja's hand slipped away from mine, and again I miss it there. But there's little time for that now.

"Alakazam, you need to coordinate with Delphox, Froslass, and Mewtwo," instructed Carracosta. "The four of you need to balance out your skills together once we enter combat, so get that sorted."

"Meeting of the minds, then." Alakazam lightly touched his head. "On it."

"Machamp, Chesnaught, you'll bring up the rear with me for now. Greninja, you're keeping the mages covered. We shouldn't run into anyone here, but just in case, stay close."

"Yes, Carracosta."

He followed after Alakazam, who uttered something to Greninja before going ahead by the others. Weavile wasn't too far ahead of them, so I'm assuming that she was the other lookout for the mages.

I walked ahead with Machamp, Carracosta trailing us slightly. Machamp had his lower arms folded, but touching the blades on his waist. Nudging him, he blinked and shook his head, turning to me.

"What's wrong?"

"Ha, I was going to ask you that." I glanced at the buildings past him, and noticed that no one was out or about in the city. "Did someone already alert them?"

"The palace bells did." Machamp surveyed the emptied city streets as well. "No one should be out once those sound."

"Sad, really," called Carracosta. "They weren't always used for warnings. Been that way for a while, now, though."

"Right, I've heard, very sad." I slowed a bit, and turned back to Carracosta. "What about your—?"

"They'll be fine."

"Are you—?"

"Yes."

"Ok." I returned my attention to Machamp. "And you're not still annoyed at Alakazam, are you?"

"Not at the moment." Machamp chuckled. "We do tend to get on one another's nerves now and again, but it's nothing that we can't get past. Been together for years and all that."

"Then why do you seem so uptight?" I rolled my eyes. "Besides marching off to go to war, probably."

"That's pretty much what concerns me." Machamp scratched behind his neck with an upper hand. "None of the other kingdoms want to start this, because that leads to what we've been trying to avoid. So, I don't really see how forces were allowed out like this." Machamp shook his head. "It can't be those three little louts from the Mountains, could it?"

"Only that Lucario guy was little," I joked. "The other two are as big or bigger than us. And I thought we were pretty big."

"Sure, but I still don't know how they amassed such forces so quickly."

"Hasn't this tension been brewing for a while?" I shrugged my shoulders. "If anything, I expected something to erupt sooner, given the incident with Mewtwo unfolding not that long ago."

"Yeah…"

"But knowing that doesn't make it easier," I deduced. "So…I'm not really sure what else to add in."

"Don't worry, I'll…actually, I guess I'm the one worried."

"About Alakazam?"

"About everyone." Machamp shook his head and his voice dropped lower, to avoid Carracosta overhearing. "Delibird's never really was exposed to heavy combat; we trained him, but he's not our best. Him," his eyes flicked back to Carracosta quickly, "for the obvious reasons now. And, ok, yes, Alakazam, now more than ever." Machamp kicked a bit of snow to the side, and it hit a tree trunk. "I know I need to quell it, but…"

"You'll manage once we engage them," I soothed. "And maybe they're not at the best possible standards, but everyone here can hold their own, I'm sure."

"Holding your own isn't the same as winning absolutely," contradicted Machamp.

"Come on, we'll manage." I smiled. "We get this over with, you get to spend more time with your boyfriend. And maybe more."

"Ah…m-maybe." Machamp shrugged, blushing a bit. He cleared his throat. "Still…we do have to go through others to do that."

"True, but, they are the ones challenging us, so…we can't control that much." It didn't make it easier, but I had to justify it for us somehow.

"You boys sure are chatting up a storm of your own, there!" Carracosta laughed and I glanced back to him.

"Sorry, just…wondering about enemy motivations."

"Think too hard about who you're about to fight, right now, and you'll hesitate too much." Carracosta's smile vanished and he patted his chest. "The time for that has passed."

"We don't even know what they want."

"And maybe we'll get a little insight once we meet them." Carracosta pointed ahead, and we were nearly outside of the city's limits. "That doesn't mean we're likely to get them to stop using words. Stay focused on what we need to do: defend."

Hurried crunching came from behind us, and I stopped cold in my tracks. Twisting around, I clenched my sword, but relaxed my grip as Mienshao slowed, heavily panting behind Carracosta.

"S…sorry." He shook his head and wiped his brow. "I was…explaining to the…the Emperor, and…had to get ready…"

"Breathe, Mienshao," instructed Carracosta. "That's what you're always telling me."

"Yes, yes…" Mienshao panted as his chest and shoulders lifted up, and then fell, repeating this for a bit. "Didn't want…to miss anything."

"Don't worry, you didn't miss anything," eased Machamp. "Just marching out now."

"Right." Mienshao twirled his kabutowari and smirked. "Good."

"Hey, what formations are we using, anyway?" I scratched his head. "I missed the strategy talk for the knights."

"Not much to it." Carracosta shrugged. "If you're a good defender like I am, block any of the enemies from breaching into the city. Others like Weavile and Golduck can hunt down and strike the enemies first. Mages are responsible for responding to unpredictable situations." He tapped a flipper against his cheek. "First, we need to formally greet them, though. They haven't started the siege yet, so they've given us that much of a courtesy. We're obliged to do the same."

"And if that's a trap?"

"Golduck planned ahead for that."

"There isn't much else we can anticipate?"

"You know how the cold snow works out there," offered Carracosta. "Use that to your advantage as best as you can. The enemy shouldn't be as equipped to handle it as we can."

"Sure." I smiled confidently, but my heart rate quickened still.

Marching onward and out into the Frozen Field, I glanced back as the city faded from sight; it was left in the distance behind mounds of snow, probably from the last blizzard that piled on. It didn't take long from there: ahead, a cluster of warriors were lined up, each brandishing weapons such as swords, spears, and…

"Cannons?" My eyes widened. "They…actually transported those out here?"

"Yes." Mienshao's tone darkened quickly. "This is how I knew they were hostiles, even from the palace's towers."

"Blast," cursed Carracosta.

"They certainly will."

"Not…ah, forget it." He rolled his eyes as Mienshao chuckled. "Well, they haven't fired, even with that artillery, so…let's find out what they want."

We closed in on our allies, and Golduck waited as Carracosta moved ahead of us. Greninja glanced back and nodded to me, patting a small shield on his back; I hadn't even noticed that he brought one with him. I nodded back, and he returned his attention forward.

The enemy banners were white with a black, diagonal cross, supposedly showing their unaffiliated status, and dark cloaks over their uniforms until combat begins. Kingdoms wouldn't want themselves represented regardless, and origins for groups like these were spread throughout the continent, making it impossible to place blame on any one kingdom. They're a type of mercenary unit, though, and are typically hired by forces of a major kingdom, so it's just a terribly kept secret.

Among their ranks, I can spot Lucario and Flygon immediately, across and on my left; neither have cloaks nor carry banners, though we already fought with them. Oddly, their fox companion was missing. Next to them, a little further up, is a small brown reptile-like being, with a white skull-like head and armed with a bone club, hood already lowered. Another stands next to him, the cloak covering the body…except for long, red knifelike limbs sticking from the sleeves. Overhead, a dark bat-scorpion circles around above us, snipping with its pincers.

Back below, two more, larger cloaked figures wait, both with clawed, furred arms from the sleeves, one pair with white fur and the other red. Behind them, a slightly taller creature shudders, but I can't make much out, even as the hood wavers from its oddly shaped head. Next to that one, an even taller figure waits, stiller, maybe calmer than the others.

Coming toward us, meeting Golduck and Carracosta in the front, walked a large creature, around my height, with a bulky body colored like fire. Flames seemed to dance atop the figure's shoulders and head. Next to him on the left skipped a grinning, spiky purple ghost. Opposite to that one, a dark squid floated along with the pair, though…its body seemed upside down for the usual shapes. Still, its face was upright, glaring and scanning each of us as it came forward.

"This it, then?" The flame creature rumbled as he spoke. "This ragtag misfit cluster makes up the elite of the Empire's soldiers?"

"Ah, we're starting with words for weapons!" Golduck clasped his hands. "I don't know what your expectations were, but I was certainly looking for something beyond an overstuffed fireball, a misdirected squid, and…what, a smiling shadow?"

"Eheeheeheehehee…" Shivers coursed up and down my body just listening to her laugh. "A sharp tongue on you. Will your blades hold up?"

"Are you looking to find out?"

"At ease, Golduck," ordered Carracosta. His posture remained uptight as he returned his attention to the enemies. "We were hoping to find out why you've come so near to our capital city with heavy artillery."

"Our intentions couldn't be clearer," disclosed the squid. His voice mirrored the ghost's, with an icy echo to it. "We're attacking."

"That much is obvious," snapped Carracosta. "But why?"

"You have something we waaa-aannt," sang the spirit, her red eyes fixating on the mages. Specifically…Mewtwo. "And some of us just don't like you."

"Well," Carracosta exhaled to calm himself, "if you can contain yourselves for a moment, we can explain that he's not the prophet or seer of whatever legends you've indulged in."

"He's powerful," whispered the ghost, floating from the ground and forward, nearing Carracosta's face. "Can't you…feel it?"

"You mind backing up?" Golduck stepped toward them. "My comrade has no interests in your kind."

"Eheehehee…not a fan of the dead?"

"You're not dead."

"Aren't I…?"

"Shut up, Gengar," rumbled the flaming creature. "We're not here to toy around."

"We aren't?" Her grin somehow widened. "Isn't that the whole point?"

"As much as I delight in watching your work, Gengar," interrupted the squid, "Magmortar is right. We should show a bit of urgency here."

"Aw…why?"

"They're right in front of us now."

"Ssoooo…?"

"Gengar, dear, we do have schemes to enact."

"True."

"On behalf of the Iceberg Empire," reiterated Carracosta, "I implore that we seek out a more peaceful negotiation regarding these matters—"

"We're not interested." Magmortar lifted his arm and his hand…vanished into it? "Let's get on with it."

Fire crackled and lit up inside Magmortar's arm. Carracosta quickly smacked it upward and away, as a stream of fire gushed from it like a cannon all his own.

"Fight it is," called Golduck, quickly drawing his blade. He barely glanced back. "Front line, with me!"

Front line consisted of the more offensive group, quicker with reflexes and tactics. Weavile was the fastest forward, already prepping an arrow and aiming as she ran.

"Special delivery is up first," called Magmortar, and Weavile jolted her head back.

Delibird had his hand in his sack-like tail as he dashed, but slowed behind Weavile as he pulled out his Present.

"It's a coincidence," bellowed Golduck. "Fire!'

"Please do," beckoned Magmortar.

Tugging back on the bowstring and forming her icy arrow, Weavile nodded to Delibird, and he lobbed his Present forward and through the air. Her arrow soared on a collision course with it.

One of the cloaked soldiers threw off his hood, and I gawked as its massive mouth. With a deep inhale, the soldier opened it and roared out, a barely visible sound wave flying out and connecting with the attack. The explosion triggered early, and blasted in front of no one.

Shaking my head, I tried to focus on the purple creature again, staring as he slouched back and shuddered, his wide mouth clamped shut. Pipes were on his face, I think, but…I couldn't even make out what he was.

As the exploded Present cleared, both clawed soldiers had raced forward, a cat-like ferret and a sloth. They leapt up and slashed down at Weavile and Delibird, as blasts of water knocked them back. Poliwrath and Politoed ran up beside Delibird, as Weavile pushed up from the ground.

Both clawed attackers, however, recovered quickly, and bounced up from the ground.

"No, Vigoroth, Zangoose, down!"

Both ducked as a scarlet beam ripped across the Frozen Fields. Everyone parted as it blasted beyond us, and I heard ice and…wood shatter, a tree or a…building.

"That tears it!"

Froslass lifted her scepter and flew upward. The bat-scorpion zipped ahead and forced her back, snipping at her as it went.

"Come on, pretty thing," he hissed.

A shuriken whizzed up, but was batted away by the creature's tail. Greninja tossed another at him, as Froslass's staff lit up.

"Chesnaught!"

I jerked my head back down as red blades flashed out at me. Raising my shield, I blocked the strike and staggered back a bit.

Machamp swung down, but the red creature flipped backward. It was a bug of some kind, a cricket or beetle. And it leapt forward again as it landed, swiping at Machamp now.

Thrusting past him, my sword jabbed out at the bug, but clanged off of armor. She grunted and jumped back, rushing away.

"Barricade, now!"

Carracosta had hurried back over to us, along with Quagsire, and I nodded. With someone trying to charge past the army, they would go for the city.

I raised my shield as Carracosta slammed the ground, raising an icy barrier with his Wide Guard. Machamp gazed forward, pointing his swords; anyone we stopped, he and Quagsire would hit. Mienshao shuffled some distance behind us, a failsafe.

"Ooh, a sturdy and solid defense, huh?" My eyes widened and I whirled around, looking for her. "Would be a shame if someone didn't attack with physical force."

Gengar rose up from the ground and tossed a dark ball of energy forward. It connected with Quagsire, who yelped as he flew back and crashed into Carracosta's left wall. A cannonball whizzed through the air and shattered the right wall just seconds after.

"Machamp…!"

Swinging his swords at her, Machamp swiped at Gengar, and merely cackled as she evaded his attacks. She sunk back into the ground, and I watched her shadow travel behind me.

Pulling back my sword, I drove it into the ground. The shadow stilled and I blinked, glancing up at Carracosta as he watched. Frowning, I unearthed my sword, watching the snow, ice, and dirt slide from it…but nothing else.

A sharp shout rang out and I whirled around, as Carracosta was blasted away from us. Gengar laughed and disappeared behind an iceberg as Machamp slashed his swords at her, missing entirely.

"Damn it!" Machamp swung at the air. "How do they know our strategies?!"

"Hey, I got my big guy involved," I heard Lucario call out. "How about you get yours in this already?"

"My, my, we're pushy, aren't we?"

"Shut it, squid!"

"Very well, only because you've asked so nicely."

Searching for the taller figure among them, a blast of fire obstructs my view, and Machamp drags me away from it. Looking again, the taller robed figure has disappeared from the distance.

Something spiked off of my head, and I clutched it. I've got a hard shell up there, but that knocked me around. Glaring, I watched as the bone returned to the skull-faced soldier, catching it with no effort. A fireball whizzed ahead, and Delphox ran at reptilian creature.

"Flygon, now!"

My eyes darted up as Flygon carried Lucario into a downward sweep, flying at Mewtwo. Alakazam and Greninja rushed before him, as a shuriken and a spell blast shot up at the dragon. Both connected, as Flygon yelped and tossed Lucario before crashing down.

"You two again…"

"Miss us?" Greninja drew his sword.

"You, sure, you're easy enough." Lucario narrowed his eyes at Alakazam. "You, however…"

"Please," protested Alakazam, "you don't have to do this. I can help."

"Shut up!" Lucario's blade clanged off of Greninja's.

Machamp took a few steps toward them, but Mienshao blocked him. He glanced down as Mienshao shook his head.

"There are three of them," he insisted. "Stay with us."

"But—"

"He can handle it."

Mienshao nodded and Machamp turned back to me. His eyes widened and I twisted around as another burst of fire streamed out.

Barely, I sidestepped it, as the flames flew ahead. It came toward me and I backpedaled from the fire. I turned and ran at Magmortar, who only grinned as I neared him.

The ground quaked briefly before ice, dirt, and snow blasted up at me. I stumbled back as a bluish shark-dragon sliced at me. Its claw clanged against my armor as I fell back, and I gaped at its dark, glowing eyes.

Crashing down above me, I crawled back as the dragon raised its claw again.

"Garchomp? Gar, is that you?!"

The dragon hesitated, and glanced up, past me. I looked back at Flygon, who pushed up from the ground.

"It's me. Gar, it's Gon!" A smile broke out on Flygon's face. "Gar, I can't believe it!"

His fellow dragon stared coldly at him as I turned back. His eyes flicked down at me, and I kicked as his legs before his claw swung.

It bounced from my shield, and I forced myself up at him, knocking the dragon back.

"No, Garchomp! W-wait a second!"

"Flygon, what are you doing?!"

"Lucario, I'm sorry, but it's been years—"

"Ah!"

Blades clashed again, and though I couldn't look, I'd imagine it was Greninja striking at him. I whirled around, finding Magmortar, who had his arm cannon on me already.

"Learning…good." He smirked. "But we're just starting."

Fire pumped from him once more, but his arm was smacked down. Magmortar blinked as Quagsire glowered up at him. A burst of water gushed from his mouth and blasted Magmortar back.

"You ok?"

I blinked at Quagsire's softened expression and nodded. He smiled, but dropped it quickly as he turned, with the bat-scorpion tackling him. I moved to help him, but he shouted and I returned my attention to the rising Magmortar.

Dark spells flashed above and behind him as Froslass twisted away from Gengar's assault. I drew out a shuriken and threw it at Gengar, who grinned as it flew right through her arm.

"Not yet, big guy," she called. "We'll play later, and that's a promise."

Bringing my sword back up, I pointed it again at Magmortar, catching a sight of Carracosta hammering down at the…pipe-head beast. Magmortar only grinned at me, pointing his cannon forward again.

In spite of snow being around me, I couldn't believe that I missed the cold.

...

The fighting has only just begun! …Which is why the "bad guys" seem pretty underwhelming.

But yeah, actual antagonistic forces! How exciting! You know, instead of common thugs and unreasonably angry citizens. Because mercenaries are way more exciting to have as enemies. (Seriously, I still haven't gotten to having knight against knight combat, it's taking too long, and I torture myself.) Gengar is my favorite to write for so far; she's particularly entertaining with dialogue alone. I'd list them all by name, but I want to see who is recognized and who isn't; they'll all be named by the next chapter anyway.

Pretty sure everyone has something to do this chapter, whether it was fighting, or some kind of important dialogue. Even Delibird did something! Yeah, Delibird is a character! I don't forget about anybody…not even the obvious missing folks.

Other stuff: Chesnaught's pretty forgiving to friends, Machamp isn't, and Alakazam still hates himself. Go figure! Carracosta is coming out of his shell, ohoho! Yes, I've been waiting to make that joke. Bet you all forgot that Golduck is liked by his superiors, didn't you? I did too, don't worry. And yeah, cannons! They're…kinda mobile, but not the best for it.

Also, yes, I specifically wrote this shorter than previous chapters, because the folks that complain about it are louder than those that don't. And I should be able to tell just as good of a story in less words, but we'll see if I actually can. I remembered the environment here, but details were lacking, what a shocker.

Well, that's all the time I have before work starts. I might have forgotten to look things over, so this will be a potential chapter to delete and revise, if it's that bad. I've never done that before! Anyway, feedback is appreciated, so I do hope you guys will give me that. Comments, criticisms, and questions are all welcome, though I'm going to be picky with spoilers between this chapter and the next one after. (It'll hopefully be up this month as well, which would be magical if I can pull that off.)

As always, thank you for reading!