And so we have the end of the beginning…beginning… That's too confusing. Climax time! Chapter 23!

Chapter 23

A Mountain

"What we need is a battle plan!" Laventon was quick to exclaim. His bag, already bulky and stuffed with objects, was dropped into the dirt, and the professor began to dig into it. Abra floated closer as he did so, prepared to relay any and all instructions to Cyllene and the clans on standby. That alone inspired Laventon to continue speaking as he looked for his aim. "What we need to do is quite obvious: stop Kamado from reaching Volo, and in so doing, stop him from springing the trap that will bring this Giratina into the world."

"I don't think it'll be that easy," Adaman said, approaching Cogita's table so they could all make plans together. The woman observed them all, removing her book and beginning to drum her fingers upon it, waiting for the Diamond Clan leader to continue. "The commander has a head start on us, and he's out in force. Climbing Mount Coronet won't be easy."

"Ah, I see! So, this is where the great Mel-"

"Will you shut it? Our clan leaders need to decide the best course, and how to put your foolish brain to use." Lian's voice crackled over the waves, and soon it sounded like there was a tussle on the other side, the pair of wardens beginning to bicker. Irida sighed, but before she could snap, someone else must have, because a muffled thud later and all went silent.

Cyllene's voice was next to echo. "Please, continue. We've no time to waste. If you need a battle plan, it's best to come up with a quick one."

"Of course," Akari said. She spared a glance in Cogita's direction. "Volo intends to cause all of those negative feelings to resonate with Giratina, enough disturbances to open the seal placed on its dimension. It's obvious he plans to use the power of the Alphas to make it happen, judging by the captain's reports. We need to put a stop to that and rally the Security Corps the right way if we have any hope of making it to the top. Cogita, in the event we don't make it in time, would there be a way to stop Volo?"

The drumming atop her book continued, but when her eyes finally settled upon the flute still clasped in Akari's hand, she stopped. "I can't guarantee anything. No one has attempted what he is attempting before."

"If we even have an idea to work with, it would be enough," Irida said. More rustling was heard, but as the professor had yet to find the object of his search, it permitted them to continue.

"Then I can only go off of everything I've studied, and what I can surmise he's learned." Cogita opened the book on her lap, flipping through pages with a speed that showed how well she had memorized it. "Volo, like our clan, spent years poring over these texts, searching for the answer to why so many of our people's ruins were left abandoned. It's clear that in those studies, he latched on to Giratina. Perhaps, in some ironic way, he felt a kinship with such a Pokémon, though it's clear he sees it as a mere means to an end."

"Can we get to the point? Time's a-wasting here," Adaman said. For the first time since Akari had known them, though, Irida didn't snap back; there really was very little time left, and they still had much space to cover.

"You're right, I'm sorry," Cogita said, snapping the book shut once more. She leaned forward. "One thing is clear: Volo needs the power of all three to reach the Original One. Giratina's emergence into this world as the great equalizer will also tear open a road to other dimensions, existing far beyond this tiny world we live in. I doubt Volo cares about any of those others, but he will care for the dimensions in which Dialga and Palkia reside. From there, he'll use the Red Chain, a tool of the Legendaries once used to shackle Giratina, but is said to hold the power of the Original One."

"The Red Chain…" Akari counted off the three objects in her mind, the ones granted to her by the Lake Guardians for an intent that was most definitely not Volo's. "Mesprit, Azelf and Uxie said to use them to bind the rift."

"I'd imagine it can. It was used to bind Giratina, and could be used to do so again, so long as it was pushed out of this world," Cogita said. "However, in Volo's hands, that is not an option. You're better off shattering it before Giratina can break free. Get Volo's plate, join it with the flute, and call on the power of the Original One through it."

"I thought that was what he wanted," Irida said, folding her arms and beginning her own nervous tapping. "Or at least, I would presume so, if he's been holding on to one of the plates, himself."

"You'd be right," was the answer. It wasn't quite one that all of them wanted to hear. "That's why the window you have will be extremely tight. You need to call upon the Original One with the completed flute and shatter the Red Chain, all before Giratina can come into our world. It's likely its mere presence will attract Dialga and Palkia to start with, which is what Volo will use to help further pull Giratina out. Then, he'll make a bid for the throne."

"What if we fail in any one of these objectives?" Adaman asked, slamming his hands on the table. Worry flooded his face, one shared by Leafeon, who hopped up and began to pace back and forth before receiving a scratch behind the ears. "What happens then?"

"Even with all my research, I couldn't say," Cogita said. She folded her hands across the book, but leaned forward with a smile. It conveyed trust to all of them, while still imparting the severity of the situation. "This is entering into a realm I know nothing of, but I believe you can all make it. Even should the road ahead seem dire, or you fail in any of those objectives, I do believe that people have the power to work with Pokémon to make miracles happen."

"Not sure the commander quite gets that, but…" Akari trailed off, her eyes finding her own gathered group of Pokémon. Each was preparing for a battle they knew was coming, not just for themselves, but for her and all the people that would be marshalling on the mountainside. She started to laugh. "But you might have a point. We're not alone in this, and even if it takes us forcing Sinnoh to intervene, we'll have it done."

"Sounds good to me and all, outside of this Dialga and Palkia business, but none of this helps us if we don't have an actual plan," Adaman pointed out. Akari couldn't help but agree with that statement.

"Then let's make one. Here we are!" Laventon sounded disproportionately giddy for the situation that was at hand. He broke the ranks of Adaman and Irida, and with a grin, rolled out a large piece of paper across the table. At first, Akari wasn't sure what she was looking at with all the lines and monochromatic colors ranging on the large sheaf. The more she looked, though, the more she saw defining features, from a river to a cave entrance, to Pokémon markings and habitats to a lake and all the like.

"It's a map of the Highlands!"

"More specifically, it's…well, it's Rei's map." Hearing her brother's name spoken, Akari knew she probably should have continued to feel the pangs of guilt. Instead, she felt a new flush of determination rolling through her veins. He was gone, but he was still here, helping them do this. He would have his hand in finding justice and meaning to his own death. Akari pumped her fists, and with that, looked over to Decidueye, locking eyes with him. "Every habitat he studied, and terrain he walked over. The caves aren't well-documented, but I'm sure Mai could help with that, as well as Warden Melli."

"Ha ha! So, you call upon the great and glorious-"

"Melli, not now!" Adaman snapped. He was still grinning, the present being delivered to them that could help them in the battle ahead, making all of them feel like they had a sudden shot at success. Adaman ran his fingers over the map, tracing the terrain and the pockets of Pokémon. "This gives an idea of which Alphas are where. Captain Cyllene, do you know how Kamado has spread his forces?"

"I can tell you that Kamado has taken his own personal unit to the Temple through the caves," Cyllene answered. "Captain Zisu is monitoring the forces on the slope."

"Then we need to break through to her first," Akari said. She placed her hand atop the map, indicating a general area of the entire region. "She's the person with the most authority to stop the Security Corps from engaging and losing more life in the process. If she's fighting on the slopes, we'll need to get an aerial view to direct people to her."

"Zisu is strong… n't expect to win…" Cyllene's cutting voice made it clear how much time they were wasting, and Akari knew she had to move things along for making a plan. Though only those present with her could see it, Akari still began to indicate the different points of interest and Pokémon populations.

"Maybe we can't, but if she and Kamado are pulling off a two-pronged attack, then stopping even one side can slow Volo down. Luckily, this map can help us direct everyone to proper locations, while our advance team can do our part." Akari straightened, now looking directly to the clan leaders across from her. "Adaman, Irida, you know your clans best. You know which Alphas they can take, and how to take out any civilians or Corps members without injury. Based on this map, can you tell them, everyone but the wardens, where to go?"

"Why not the-? Ah!" Irida's remark led to a tilted head from Adaman, but she instantly began to point at the map, ranging from the lowest valleys and scaling upwards. Laventon started to take notes. Adaman watched a moment, and soon began to give his own input.

"The caves will have to be out of the question. Our best bet for that would be to seal them off. It might make it easier for Kamado to get to the top but-"

"You're assuming he wouldn't be nearing it before we even get to the mountain."

"Okay, that's a good point," Adaman said. His face screwed up in concentration, Akari knew the dispatch of their clan members would be in good hands. She still wasn't so sure it would work out perfectly, remembering their groups on the brink of a full-on assault against one another, but she knew to trust in whatever bond there was between the leaders now lending advice to one another.

It was time to trust in her own bond, as well.

Leaving Laventon to his notetaking and discourse, Akari left the table behind to approach Decidueye, Rei's partner standing at attention. He wasn't the only one, as Sneasler looked up from her leaning position to keep an eye on her. Trying to find the words to say, Akari kept walking until she reached Decidueye and put a hand on him, holding firm for a second. She swallowed.

"Decidueye, I know Rei isn't in this fight, not physically, and I can't be for you what he was, that same comrade in arms," she said to him, making sure he could see her eyes and all the intents inside them. "But can I ask you to fight with us? To stop Volo? Because I don't-"

"Koo." Decidueye held a wing up, stopping her in all her words. His rimmed eyes watched her, discerning her, before his beak finally smiled, and he nodded. He would fight for his fallen friend, right until the very end. That meant something to her, and Akari felt herself lighten. It left just one more thing to deal with.

Sucking in a breath, Akari turned back for the cottage. Those at the table watched her, at least for a second, before they went back to outlining which groups would take the slopes and where. Their voices cut off for a second when Akari stepped inside the cottage, locating her satchel and the locket within seconds. Opening up the latter object, she could see the plate that Rei had held to for all these years was gone, back inside the flute where it belonged, and all that remained was the picture of their family. Of better days.

But those days were gone. Now, it was time for the fight.

Akari swiped the satchel, now all but empty, as well as the knife with it. It remained a symbol of her mistake, the very thing Volo had used to try and rip her apart. Now, she would keep it to remind herself of that, and she placed it on her belt. Prepared for the battle, she strode back outside, finding Sneasler standing there, waiting for her.

It took a moment, the attempt to find the right words even more difficult than it could have been with Decidueye. She truly wasn't sure what to say, or how to word it in a way that made sense. So, she let her actions speak. Akari bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Sneasler."

"Sneasel sneas?"

"I hurt you. I attacked you in a fit of rage, looking at you as this monster that had destroyed everything. I had it wrong," Akari said, keeping her head low, breathing out slowly through her lips. "Even if I hadn't, that kind of destruction from me did nothing. I don't want that. I don't want to be empty and hollow. And…I don't think you or the other Nobles want that, either."

Nothing came as a response. Akari tried to think of what to say next, to get to the question she really wanted to ask. Then, she felt the claws on her head, soft and stroking through her short locks. "Sneasah!"

It was an answer to the question she never asked. But when Akari straightened, she decided that she needed to ask it anyway. "Sneasler, can you forgive me, and can you and the Nobles fight with me? To build a future for Hisui, not just for the land, but all of the people? I know it's asking a lot, but I feel like the only way we could stop someone like Volo, a man who only cares for his own world, free of you and all those connections, is by having connections between us. It may have been violent, but I do think we share that connection and I-" Akari shuddered with her breaths.

"I want to fight alongside you."

Sneasler didn't delay herself a second. She walked away from Akari, striding into the middle of the Pokémon gathered and turned her head towards the sky. Then, she raised her voice into a great bellow. "SNEASAHHHH!"

The sound echoed, stopping all plans going on at the table. Cogita made to stand, watching the entire interaction with curiosity in her eyes. Sneasler's cries faded, but Akari didn't need to ask what it all meant. She already knew, and it was made evident by the first clopping of footsteps coming from the forests.

It wasn't the arrival of all of them, and she knew it wouldn't be, but the appearance of Wyrdeer striding forward told Akari that each Noble was prepared to fight.

"You have a plan, don't you?" Cogita said, still holding that twinkle in her eyes.

"Yes. I can't guarantee it'll work, but it's the best shot we have," Akari said, walking back to the table. Wyrdeer eyed her, then bowed his head as she passed, her fingers ruffling at his fur. "Uxie told me that Nobles and Legendaries are connected to the world, rather than people. This makes them defend a threat to the world, regardless of the life on it. But with a bond between each of us to those Nobles, then they'll care for both. The Wardens and their wards share that same bond. Only they can help lead them into battle, and having that bond on display is the only way we can manage to defeat Volo, and stop Kamado. It's the only thing that neither of them can really see coming."

"What's the plan for the Nobles, then?" Laventon asked, ready to take notes. Akari didn't bother with all of that, approaching Abra and making sure he could relay the message with clarity.

"Wardens of both clans, you've done your duty watching over the Nobles, and in spite of the frenzy many of them have endured, they still fought for the world. For Hisui." The murmurs coming over the waves told Akari that the clans had heard her, were trying to comprehend the orders she was giving them. There was still some distrust, but there was no time to stop. "It's time they fight for the people and Pokémon of Hisui instead. Talk with them, share their gratitude and the bond between you. Between the people and Pokémon, between the clans, between all of Hisui everywhere. Let the Nobles be Pokémon just like Samurott and Typhlosion, or any Pokémon at your side.

"It may have them be lords no longer, but they can instead be allies, working together to achieve a future Volo wants to otherwise destroy. Let's all create our chance for a better Hisui, together."

Adaman and Irida grinned at one another, and Laventon's entire head bobbed, the puff upon his cap bouncing up and down. They all wanted to elaborate, perhaps to add that last bit of convincing, but there turned out to be no need when Gaeric's voice cracked over the line. "What are your instructions, Akari?"

"Gaeric, you approach the summit from the north. Avalugg's presence there can at least prevent anything from attacking with that direction," Akari said, moving away to slap her hand on the map, indicating the path to take. "Lian, Arezu, Palina, I need you and your respective Lords to make targeted strikes up the mountain. The Alphas are the biggest problems, but we need to protect the citizens foolish enough to join Kamado first, and they won't have the same skills the Security Corps does. Those three are fighters, so let them do what they do best."

"Wh-what about the rest of us?" Iscan's voice echoed. Akari's hand trailed back down towards the low river, wending about the base of the mountain.

"Basculegion will patrol the rivers. Ursaluna will protect those the rest of the clan can gather at the base of the mountain. And Electrode…ugh…" Adaman snorted, already knowing just what she was going to say. "Melli, go wild."

"So, you understand Lord Electrode's power at last. You've seen the great light of-"

"I'll keep him in line," Mai crackled over. "We'll corral the Security Corps to safe spots where we can. What will yourselves be doing?"

"Going straight to Kamado with Wyrdeer and Sneasler. Sabi, you and Braviary scout the skies, rescue whoever you can and keep a lookout for any changes."

"You got it, Kari!" Sabi said, her salute felt over the waves. "Diamond Clan, let's all protect Hisui!"

"The Pearl Clan, as well. I want to still witness something even my old age hasn't shown to me yet."

"That means no arguments between any of you, understand?" Irida said, leaning forward so that her words could reach every member spanning the clans. Adaman joined her, putting an arm around her in spite of his earlier protests. "If we squabble, we'll be helping Volo and dooming Kamado. From this moment on, Hisui is one."

"And many," Adaman said, turning to Irida with a chuckle on his lips. She flushed red, but nodded, and the two clan leaders clasped hands together, just as they had when they first met. Putting away everything that had come between them, the two were ready to step into Hisui's new future. "Everyone, we'll go together!"

"YEAH!" came the shout. Akari, however, was the one to give the final order.

"For the future of people and Pokémon, for now and forever, let's move out!"

The cry was unanimous, everyone moving to their posts. A number left the communication, while Akari joined hands with the clan leaders. She still wasn't sure if they could really consider her a friend, but being united in the same purpose was enough for that moment. She didn't need more.

"Should we get going then?" Adaman said, receiving the stern approval. Leafeon jumped on his head, and Glaceon into Irida's arms. Akari turned around, returning Samurott and Typhlosion to their Poké Balls before Laventon approached her.

"Professor, I need you to stay here and coordinate with the captain," Akari told him. She expected pushback, but received none, allowing her to continue on. "Besides, if Cogita has any more information for us once we get on-site, this'll be the easiest way to communicate."

"Understood. We'll do our best. Stop the commander, Akari," he said. Without warning, Laventon pulled Akari into a hug, giving her that warmth, and when he pulled away, she found herself holding to a Poké Ball in her hand. She didn't need to ask where it came from, and with one last nod, returned Decidueye. "I'll see you when it's all over."

"Right. Let's ride! Wyrdeer, you can bear us, right?"

"Wyyyyr!" Wyrdeer said, almost like a whinnying snort. He bent low, allowing her to take charge on the steed. Adaman and Irida slotted themselves behind her, with Irida leaning too close to Adaman and wrapping her arms around him. They really were too obvious sometimes.

"Akari, be careful," called Cogita, the woman approaching. She gave a wave to Sneasler, who waved back and placed herself on the starting line with Wyrdeer. "Volo needs the flute, but he doesn't need you. And I'm sure he can figure alternate ways. Regardless, Giratina will try to stop you by any means, and with Volo trying to pull all of space and time to that spot in the temple, it will be warped. Trust in the present, and in the connections between all of you, and everything to come."

"We will," Akari said, holding a fist out. Cogita wasn't sure what to make of it, and instead wore her smile. "Right. Wyrdeer, as fast as you can."

Wyrdeer gave another bellow, and then shot off. Sneasler was quick to follow, her lithe form perhaps not as fast, but keeping pace over the flat terrain, straight for the peak. Their closeness was obvious, the mountain quickly coming to loom over all of them as they rode on. The air began to tingle with the same electricity and lightning of Giratina's negative energy, raining down from the rift that was now darkening the mountains. Akari sat up straighter, leaning into Wyrdeer to convince him to fly faster. Above them, the streaking white of Braviary could be seen, and psychic communication cut in.

"I can see the captain! She's near the ruins…er, what's left of them!" Sabi shouted over the lines. Akari nodded, their group nearly at the very base of the mountain. Sneasler sped past, beckoning them on with all her knowledge of the paths forward.

"Pretty good plan, Akari!" Adaman shouted over the wind roaring past them with their high speed. Leafeon slipped back into his robes, shaking from the plunge in temperatures. Snow was falling, or Akari thought it was snow, but Glaceon's attempt to lick it saw her recoil. "Didn't take you for such a good battle coordinator."

"I'm not, really. But sometimes Beni would talk about things with Kamado at the counter, or the captain would mumble over her mochi," Akari shouted backwards, while her eyes remained trained on the prize. "I picked up a few things."

"Let's pick up the pace! Dodge!" Irida's shout was well-heeded. Lightning flashed from the rift, that pure power coming from Giratina attempting to track them. Or the flute, Akari realized, but the distinction was unimportant.

Wyrdeer leapt, dodging over a rock that was reduced into sudden rubble by the lightning strike. Akari grimaced, grateful for the Noble's speed, and she patted his side. He reacted with a burst of energy that brought them galloping forward, dodging around more rocks. Another bolt flashed down, and with it, the air was distorted, transforming into images.

"That's not Hisui…" Adaman commented, himself grimacing. It was true, even space being ripped apart as what looked like sandy shores were superimposed on the stone cliffs. Sneasler called for them, and Wyrdeer turned in her direction, aiming for the first climbable spot they could reach. "This keeps up, and the land itself might be torn apart before we even reach Volo."

"We won't let it. And neither will your clans! We're taking him out!" Wyrdeer gave another mighty leap, his hooves digging into the stone and steep incline. His call was straight, but Akari knew he could make it. An explosion sounded out, and Akari looked up, in time to see a rolling orb of electricity making its way through the paths of the mountain.

"Looks like they've gotten started," Irida said, trying to raise herself from Wyrdeer, only to fall back down. His hooves reached over the edge of the cliff, and with a shout, Wyrdeer straightened, ready to continue the ride. "Guess it's up to us to do our part."

A sudden roar intercepted them, and Akari looked over her shoulder to the river below, where they had just climbed. A Gyarados came raging out, screaming with the same intensity always shown of an Alpha. Akari reached for a Poké Ball to call Samurott to do battle, only for a Shadow Ball to come flying, striking the Gyarados and pitching it into the rock wall.

"K-keep going! I've got the river covered!"

"Basca!" Irida's relieved breath was heard, and Akari grinned. The communications had gotten through, and everyone was ready and on the move. They needed to do their part. She patted Wyrdeer again and he took off across the mountainous cliffs.

This time, they weren't so empty.

"Are those the clan leaders?"

"A Noble? We're already dealing with one above!"

"Is that…Akari?!" The shocked expressions of the Security Corps and few citizens peppered in were all they needed.

"Jump over!" Akari shouted. Wyrdeer put the strength into his hindlegs, and used the ground as his springboard to leap high over their head in their chase after Sneasler. Already they had reached the next climb, a location looking far easier to scale than the previous one. Another bellow split the air, a giant Steelix burrowing down the mountainside for the gathered members.

"Braviary, hold 'em off, 'kay?" Sabi could be heard shouting. The girl and her ward came streaking down, just as Wyrdeer turned to begin clambering upwards. Braviary's ethereal eyes atop his head flashed, halting the Steelix in place before it could collide. "Keep goin', Adaman! Rida!"

"Right! Watch out for lightning, Sabi!" Adaman shouted, their bodies already jerking forward as they set off on another level of ground. At that layer below them, the people of the clans were moving in, their own Pokémon out and ready to take the Steelix down before it could cause the Security Corps to fall. At the least, it told them they were moving in the right direction, especially as the forces grew thicker.

"Take them out! Eliminate every Alpha Pokémon in the area, per the commander's orders!" shouted another member nearby. Looking past him, Akari could see the climbing path, the one she had created when Electrode had exploded. She frowned, but nudged Wyrdeer in that exact direction. He followed.

The lieutenant of the Corps turned, seeing them blowing past, the Lucario in his command covering himself from the dust kicked up into their vision. It cleared quick enough, revealing a snarling face left behind. "Akari, what are you doing here?! Here to help your Pokémon friends!"

"She's here to help all of you!" Irida shouted back, nearly falling off once more before Adaman yanked her back. "Stop fighting, move to the base of the mountain!"

"We won't listen to traitors like the Diamond and Pearl Clans! Aura Sphere!"

"Ru!" Lucario's shout was its signal of attack. At the same time, it made Adaman look down to his own partner.

"You're up! Leafeon, Energy Ball!"

"Leaf!" Leafeon scampered out, climbing up his partner's face to leap in the air. He summoned the energy ball and fired, the two spheres colliding in midair. They exploded, stirring up more dust and obscuring the climb of Wyrdeer. Sneasler was continuing to beckon them on, but her cries were lost to the coughs and yells of the lieutenant below.

"Contact Captain Zisu! We have a complica-"

"Lieutenant!" The sudden shout of another man, or woman…or multiple people, Akari began to figure, was enough to silence. Taking a chance, Akari looked back, watching as Leafeon fell into Irida's lap with a smile. Beyond them, however, was the bowling ball of electricity, the angry form of Electrode shooting lightning off in any and all directions. They were warning shots, but not nearly as much of a warning as the man running atop Electrode.

"AHAHAHAHAHA! REVEL IN LORD ELECTRODE'S GLORY AND TRIUMPH!" Melli shouted, spreading his arms wide as he continued to keep pace. "You now grasp the magnificence of our Nobles, then prostrate yourselves and-"

"We're trying to get them out of harm's way, not in it, idiot!" Lian could be heard shouting. Kleavor followed with him, darting quick to move all of the soldiers out of the way. The sight alone made Adaman laugh, though it turned to a hacking cough when they were back to flatter ground and racing up the stone steps.

"They can handle it. We have a date with the top." Akari kept focused, one hand on her Poké Balls in case any of the marauding Alphas would choose to appear. One nearly did, an Alpha Electivire appearing over a ridge as the rock turned to snow. It began to charge all of its electricity, something that wasn't interrupted by a charging Grotle or Umbreon, the Diamond and Pearl members attempting to catch up.

What it was instead stopped by were the launching missiles from the other side of the mountain. They were made of ice, whizzing and wheeling through the air. At first, each appeared indiscriminate in their strike on the mountain, barely visible against the crackling rift, but their targeted strike against Electivire, and what seemed to a Mismagius appearing right behind them told Akari it was anything but. It was Gaeric, sending the statement that he had their backs, and to ride on.

It was just as well, too, the shadows beginning to grow thick around the area. Akari shuddered, knowing how close they must have been to the growing portal through which Giratina would tear. They had no more time to waste.

"Infernape!" The sharp cry of the Pokémon descending from the cliffs gave each no time to react. Wyrdeer turned, barely avoiding the Infernape flying at them with a glowing fist of flames, but his legs tripped. They fell over, all three of his riders tumbling on the snow and groaning. Infernape didn't halt.

But Akari was quick to roll to her feet. "Typhlosion, let's go!"

"Typhlo!" Typhlosion roared, emerging from his Poké Ball, straight into a wheel of dark flames. He shot for Infernape, meeting his punch head-on and melting the snow around them. Some of it evaporated off in steam, searing at bits of Akari's skin, but she didn't relent. They needed to move now.

"Flamethrower!" Akari shouted, throwing her hand out. Typhlosion broke off, skidding back. Where his body touched, more of the snow sublimated, turning to steam that was obscuring them. With a nod to Adaman and Irida, the communication's intent became clear; they were going to use it as cover.

"Phlosion!" Typhlosion opened his mouth, and from it rocketed the red-hot flames. He wasn't the only one, Infernape opening his maw as well. The two jets of flame met head on, mixing, mingling and then exploding outward. It produced the steam to obscure everything, neither of the Pokémon moving until they could see again. Akari did, however, gripping Adaman's hand and beginning to lead him towards Wyrdeer, Sneasler, and where they needed to reach.

She didn't make it far.

Soon as they had started to run, a sudden beam of light cut through the ground, followed by a barrage of Energy Balls that forced each of them to duck. Akari slipped on her feet, tumbling over into Adaman, and the steam began to dissipate from around them.

It revealed to them a most unpleasant sight: a score of Security Corps members surrounding them. At its head, blocking their path to the summit with her Infernape, was Zisu.

"So, the sighting was true after all. Forgive me, Akari, but your climb stops here. As Captain of the Security Corps, I detain you for crimes against Jubilife Village. You go no further."

The sky cracked even further, the red beginning to turn black.

Author's Note: There isn't that much to say for this chapter. It was some planning, some execution of the conflict. The start of a climax is, ironically, the lease eventful most often. I'd like to hope and think that will change as we move into the coming chapters.

Before those chapters, we have thanks for those who took the time to review: PurimPopoie, AwesomeFury, Tenzalucard123, MythGirl Writes, XDiamondX90, StacheKing, potat lasaro and SirSoundwave.

We're diving full in next time, so be ready. Until then, please Review and,

Dare to Be Silly.