o0o

The dark mist swirled in the wind before their shades faded into the night. Time had halted at the given coordinates. The shadows of the night danced in the moonlight.

The pale light of the waning moon was dull. The moonbeams cut through the tall stalks and outreached branches of a White Pine Tree forest.

The gaps in the trees darkened and brightened. The shadows swayed and crept in an unsettling dance.

Missy diverted her gaze and looked down the long and lonely path. The shadows fled from her gaze. They removed themselves from the road and crept back into the forest.

Their movements were slow. She wondered what these fleeting shadows were. It could have been nocturnal pokemon, but she wanted to be sure. These sort of things were unnatural, like the Vashta Nerada, but perhaps less deadly.

With a wave of her screwdriver, she checked the area. When the results came back she was startled, according to its sensors she was alone.

The feeling itself was strange. She dismissed the emotion and told herself it was a reflection caused by the moonlight. Still, she didn't want to be alone, so she teleported Giovanni to her side.

After a moment he appeared. They looked at one another before he glanced around.

" The shadows," he said as he looked on. " Why are they moving?"

" It's just a reflection of the moonlight, it's completely natural," Missy explained.

" I've never seen shadows like this," he replied.

" The screwdriver says were alone. Common it's the eve of the dead, I thought humans believed in ghost and that sort of thing," Missy replied as she began to walk down the path.

" Not all people believe in such things," Giovanni explained as he took her lead.

" Do you believe?" she asked as she pointed her screwdriver ahead.

" If the legends are true, then it is a fact, not a belief," he replied.

The crystal at the end of her screwdriver blinked before it pinged. It informed her that they were on the correct path. They were a short walk away from the cave entrance.

The pair walked a short distance before they reached a stone stairway. At the entrance, a staff had been placed upright at the base of the stairs.

A doll bound with string had been tied to it. A purple ribbon was tied like a noose around the neck. The doll that hung before them had a strange vibe of its own.

Missy glanced at the black-haired doll, it reminded her of an old Japanese tradition. They were known as Teru Teru Bōzu dolls, they would be hung inside of window sills to represent the soul of a departed loved one.

The thought of other worlds was just a reminder of how she missed traveling to them. She shrugged and shook it off. Disregarding the recollection to cabin fever she looked at the stairs ahead. They were illuminated by the flames of many candles. Hundreds of small vigils lined the stairway.

Missy bent down and examined one. There was a picture of a small brown haired boy. He was riding piggyback on a much older man, the boy's father she presumed. It was accompanied by a red toy airplane and a card; May your spirit soar.

She got up and departed the memorial. It reminded her too much about the events of the Time War. The children of Gallifrey were frozen in the stars. There was nothing she could do about that.

Without a second glance, she dismissed the remaining vigils. People died all of the time, she couldn't keep allowing herself to give in to those petty emotions. Giovanni glanced at a vigil, but he had nothing to say.

They began to climb the stairs before them. Silently they made their way up the steps. They passed many memorials as they climbed to the top. The path ahead winded deeper into the mountain.

Missy waved her screwdriver again. According to the sensor, they were getting closer. They would arrive in a few minutes.

" The entrance is just ahead," she explained.

Missy held the device before her. Her screwdriver hummed as it illuminated the area. It's yellow light meshed with the ebony shades to the night.

The silhouettes of the white pines closed in on them as they continued down the path. Ahead of them was Turnback Cave. The entrance to the cave was hallowed, dark, and foreboding. The mouth of the cave was darker than any night she could recall.

They stopped and gazed into the mouth of the cave. To spite the assistance of the screwdriver she could only see a few steps ahead of her.

Giovanni seemed worried, he glanced over at her. " Do you have any other light sources?"

Missy pondered over her inventory inside of the tardis. She focused briefly on a torch she had stowed away. After a moment it materialized in her bag. She fumbled the umbrella to her other hand before she fished it out.

She handed it to him. " I've got a torch."

He took the beacon and clicked it on. " Not exactly what I would call a torch."

She gestured to the torch. " What would you call it?"

Giovanni pointed the light ahead. " A flashlight."

" Is that a pun?" Missy asked, she had noted the move flash, but she never expected to have any use for it.

He let out a laugh. " Never thought of it that way."

They stepped inside the cave. Their lights cut through the shadows and revealed amethyst walls. The beams gleamed on the obsidian exterior and bounced off the purple stones. In the distance, was a doorway. The entrance was flanked by lite torches.

" Now that's a torch," Giovanni said as walked to the door.

They hastily made their way to it. They entered the room and discovered three more doors inside. There was a door in the north, the east, and the west. The torches light dully illuminated the room.

She teleported the silph scope from inside the tardis. " Let's see if the spirits can show us the way," Missy said as she placed them on.

It took a couple of seconds for her eyes to adjust to the contrast. Her vision went in and out of focus before she could see a perfect image.

Missy looked at the outline of the room. Everything from the walls to Giovanni was in a negative image. She thought it was odd to look at a white room when it was so dark.

The outlines of the people and pokemon really stood out. When she realized what she was looking at she nearly jumped back in fright.

" What do you see?" Giovanni asked as he took her side.

His entire body was a ghastly white, she looked away and noticed the image of a woman standing at his right. She ripped off the goggles.

" Oh my gosh, we've got company, " she said. Missy offered him the goggles. " It's like looking at an old Polaroid, but everything's negative and moving."

He took the goggles and placed them on. After a few seconds, he looked around the room. He remained calm as he observed the specters. He turned his head and looked at the west entrance but his gaze stopped short at the spot where she had seen the woman.

Giovanni frowned." No," he quietly said. He removed the goggles but kept his eyes on the spot. " I.." he trailed off. " Moved on."

He handed the goggles back to Missy. She took them and curiously leered at him.

" What was that about?" she asked.

Giovanni's eyes lulled as he looked down the corridor. " Don't worry about it."

" Who was she?" Missy pried.

Giovanni crossed his arms the way he glared at her that got her attention. He was truly bothered by the question. His cold black eyes leered at her.

" That's none of your business," he coldly replied. He offered her the silph scope.

" Sheesh, fine I'll leave it alone," she said as she took the goggles.

Missy placed them back on and took another look around. The woman had vanished. She watched the specters glide from room to room and hall to hall. She took note that they were mostly entering and exiting from the north door.

She took a gander and stepped in that direction. " Are you still with me on this?"

He stepped behind her and followed her down the hall. " Till the end."

They followed the specters through many rooms. They encountered a room with a large Roman like pillar. The spirits paid little attention to it. They continued on and strolled past. They walked through more vacant rooms some of which were in ruins.

They encountered a second pillar that was similar to the first. Once again the spirits ignored the object. They carried on and persisted deeper into the cave.

Missy gulped, they had traveled so much that it was becoming difficult to keep track of where they were. Nearly all of the rooms were similar in size and shape, spare the pillars.

She grinned they could always teleport out and start anew. They entered a room illuminated by many torches. The light was so bright she had a hard time discerning the spirits from the torchlight. The specters seemed to be alive in the flames.

A large pillar dominated the center of the room. The shadows of the dead congregated in the well around the stone monument. At the base of the pillar was a placard. The entire tablet was black in the lens of the silph scope.

Missy stepped down into the well and lifted the goggles off her head. She looked over the strange letters and noticed a few had been scratched out. The words on the placard were shrouded in a golden light as the inscribed message was translated.

This is...

That where life sparkles...

That where life has faded...

A place where two worlds overlap...

" I wonder what the rest of it said?" Missy mused as she read over the inscription again.

" I think it might be a reference to the spear pillar," Giovanni said as he looked over the inscription. " According to the stories Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina were created on this very mountain."

She supposed that would make sense. She had to admit, she didn't have enough time to study the entire history of this world. It was good to have someone like Giovanni as an ally. His knowledge and resources made him invaluable to her.

Missy placed the goggles back on. " Let's see where this portal is."

She looked around the room and noticed the ghostly figures. They all stood around the pillar. She watched them briefly before she witnessed a specter zip up into the ceiling. It was quickly followed by another.

She followed them up. Above them was a massive swirling vortex of shadows. White and grey mist mixed with its counterclockwise current. As the shades entered they blended into many hues of black.

" I found it," Missy enthusiastically proclaimed.

Giovanni stepped next to her. " What do you see?"

" A vortex in the ceiling," Missy replied. She removed the silph scope.

Giovanni put his hand to his forehead. " I'm not flying on that pidgeot again."

She looked up and noticed the light in the room was being sucked into the ceiling. The shadows above them loomed like a fog.

Missy flicked her screwdriver like a wand as she scanned the portal. The device informed her that the energy in the portal was becoming stronger with every passing moment. It could not calculate how long it would remain open. It also informed them that traveling through the portal without a shield could be fatal.

She spied the yellow crystal in her screwdriver. " Of course not that would kill the both of us."

She knew they were entering Giratina's ghostly realm, she recalled what she had learned about ghost type pokemon. They were weak to dark type attacks. She had a dark type pokemon, perhaps hydreigon would be immune to the effects of the portal.

Missy took hydreigon's ball from her belt and gently tossed it. The mighty dragon materialized before them and hovered. She caught the ball and placed it back on her belt.

She approached the three-headed dragon and caressed its flank. It cooed at her praise. She took the tardis from her jacket pocket and held it out. The pokemon's eyes widened as it sniffed the ball.

Missy offered the dragon the tardis. " Hydreigon, I want you to hold on to this." She pointed to the ceiling. " There's a portal up there. When we go inside, I want you to fly up as high as you can, until you can fly no more."

The dragon nodded as it reached its clawed maw out. The pokemon gently took the ball from her hand and clutched it tightly. She was sure her pokemon would not drop her tardis.

Missy focused on the controls and teleported them inside. With a wave of her screwdriver, she changed the dome into a complete projection of the outside world.

After a moment the dragon took flight. The pokemon fearlessly soared into the portal.

They peered into the swirling shades of darkness. The hues pulled together and tightened into a singular swirl as they traveled upward. Hydreigon roared as it charged into the swirling shadows. The pokemon flew deeper into the thick black fog.

" Are you sure about this?" Giovanni asked.

" Dark types have the advantage over ghost. I think this is a safe bet," she replied.

She gazed into the vortex. Purple bolts of lightning crackled as they traveled upward. Hydreigon twisted and barrel rolled as it avoided the bolts.

The mist shifted and became a singular shade of black. Then the lightning subsided. All that surrounded them was darkness. They flew deeper into a seemingly never-ending void.

As they traveled onward a fog misted around them. As hydreigon courageously pressed on, the mist formed a cloud. The pokemon charged through the portal and broke out of a cloud. The dragon flew into an indigo sky.

Missy walked over to her computer. She began to run a physical diagnosis on hydreigon. The last thing she needed or wanted was another crash. The tardis informed her that her pokemon would be fine.

Giovanni stepped over and took her side. " Good idea."

Missy breathed a sigh of relief. " One less thing to worry about."

Below them was a forest that had perished long ago. The blackened husk of trees stuck out from the earth. A purple brick road winded through the forest. Its dull path gleamed in the light of a full moon.

Missy's eyes followed the path, in the distance a modern day city stood. The lights inside the buildings were emerald and gold. It was an odd city reminded her of an old story she had read long ago. The city was known as Obedience, it was a place that one could never leave.

The sky above them was a pristine shade of blue. Large puffy white clouds floated in the night sky. As she gazed at them she could have sworn she saw another city.

She dismissed the idea, she must have been matrixing, an illusion created by reconstructing shapes. She had seen so many things in such a short time that her mind could have made it up. She looked at the clouds again and saw nothing in them.

On the outskirts of the city was a carnival. The bright and colorful lights of games and rides penetrated the surrounding forest.

The Ferris wheel moved slowly as its carriages rose above the forest. The teeth of a zipper ripped through the night like a chainsaw. The glittering lights of the other attractions meshed with the nearby stalls.

Just beyond the carnival was a large circus tent. Black flags adorned the top of a massive tent. Outside of the entrance, a performer breathed fire into the night.

Missy gazed at the scenery. She wasn't sure where they could find Giratina. She decided on the next best thing and began a search. The computer made some quick calculations and scans. After a moment she had her answer. According to her computer, Giratina was at the carnival.

Giovanni stepped behind her. " I would have never guessed."

" This certainly makes our task easier. Let's get down there and join the festivities," she replied.

Missy teleported onto hydreigon's back. " Hydreigon, let's check out that fair."

The dragon grunted before it slowly glided down. It took the pokemon a moment to land. When it did Missy dismounted the dragon. She took the tardis from its claws.

She smiled and tenderly caressed its cheek. " You did very well."

The pokemon had a warm and toothy smile of satisfaction. Missy recalled the dragon and placed the ball back on her belt. She carefully tucked the tardis back into her pocket. She then placed her screwdriver in her jacket.

She checked the area. There were a few patrons entering the fair. They paid little attention to her. She waited for them to enter.

Missy focused on Giovanni and after a moment he appeared by her side. He looked ahead to the entrance of the fair. They took a step forward and ventured down the purple brick road.

Ahead of them was a wrought iron gate and beyond it was the colorful lights of the fair. A sign parked at the front read: All souls welcome this Hallows Eve.

" I guess that's us," Missy mused.

" We're not dead Missy," Giovanni replied.

" Do you really want us to be?" She huffed as she stepped forward. " The sign says all souls welcome, I'm sticking with that," she said with a smirk.

" The souls of the living, in the realm of the dead. I'm expecting things to go well," he replied with a hint of sarcasm.

They stepped past the gate and encountered a framed poster: The Circus of Souls. Hosted by the one and only Giratina. Tonight's show starts at seven pm. Missy glance over to Giovanni he peeked at his phone.

" It's six forty-seven," he said as he placed his phone back into his pocket.

" Then we should be on our way," she replied.

They strolled down a temporary boardwalk. Skull lights crossed the walkway from above. They strolled past a fortune teller tent. A young couple dashed out. They were both and tears.

An old gypsy peeked her head out. " I told you death is not a bad card, it's a positive change for the both of you," she called out to them.

The gypsy scowled as she watched them run away. She muttered something about them not paying for their fortune as she re-entered her tent.

Giovanni rolled his eyes. " Fortune tellers."

They passed a stall selling a sliced bread with chives on top and a red beverage. The wares reminded Missy of a Hispanic tradition.

She gestured to the table. " On earth, in a country called Mexico, they have a tradition, on the day of the dead, they serve Fambre and Colada Morada to feed the souls of the departed."

Giovanni glanced at the stall. " This isn't earth."

" No, just a strange coincidence that it could be found here," she explained. " It makes me wonder if these customs have traveled from galaxie to galaxie. A morphic field perhaps."

" Morphic field?" he asked.

" Yes, a morphic field is a telepathic field that can be telepathically created when enough members of a species share a similar idea," she explained. " It's usually bound to a single world system. I've seen the universe work in stranger ways."

They stepped into a circular courtyard. Cast iron street lamps circled the exterior. Paper skull cutouts adorned the street lamps. Black pots filled with orange marigolds lined the curbside. The flowers complimented the Jack-o-Lanterns. The carved pumpkins were mounted on a dry fountain. The dim flames of candles gave them a false essence of life.

" In stranger ways than this?" Giovanni asked.

" I visited a place called the Land of Fiction once, believe me, it was a place where anything could happen," she said. " Immagine living on a world that catered to your every desire."

There was a glint of astonishment in his eyes. " Why would you leave such a place?"

" Because it got boring," she replied.

They passed by the ghost of three merry revelers. The men walked with drinks and loudly boasted with one another. A few children ran past them in the direction of the carnival. A ghost arcanine and herdier walked together like old friends.

" I can understand that," Giovanni said. " Tell me what else have you seen that's stranger than this?"

Missy playfully smirked at him. Giovanni was becoming curious again. Like a child, she could tell him stories all day and it still wouldn't have been enough to satisfy his curiosity.

That's what he was after, her knowledge. She would never give him real insight into her actual power. The things she knew could destroy her very existence if known by the wrong people. With this in mind, she humored him.

" Stranger than that. Well, I once encountered an order known as the Headless Monks. They cut off their own heads to follow their heart," Missy replied.

Giovanni placed his hand in his pocket. " That's a brilliant way to start any order."

" That's what I thought, apparently if their belief is strong enough and true to their being they live," Missy explained.

He leered at her. " That's impossible."

" I didn't think it was possible either, didn't believe it until I saw them for myself," she replied.

" What are they?" Giovanni steadily asked.

" Not sure, the last bunch I saw were human and at the church. Oh, the power they wielded..." she trailed off at the thought of swords and the energy they used." They can wield energy like a wizard. That's what you get for losing your head, raw power," she explained.

Giovanni glanced over, Missy could tell he was amused by the information. " The Church, that sounds like some kind of twisted joke."

" The Church of the Papal Mainframe is what it is, you've got to believe in something if you want power like that," Missy replied.

He scoffed. " What if you don't?"

" Then it's best to run," she said with a smirk.

They strolled through the courtyard and continued to the show. The burgundy tent was the most prominent feature in the fair. They passed a stall selling funnel cakes and a kiosk with candy skulls.

They passed the Ferris wheel. The carnie stood before the ride and called out to the crowd, " one last seat, get your ride in before the show!"

A young girl dressed in a lacy black dress ran up to him. She handed him the ticket and took a seat next to a girl dressed in pink. Missy shrugged it was going to be an awkward ride for the both of them.

Ahead of them was a large burgundy circus tent. Black and orange pots filled with marigolds adorned the entrance. The flowers had a peculiar stench that reminded her of a funeral home or a graveyard. She had to admit to herself the decorations for the fair were elegantly placed for the event.

A pair of skeletons stood at the door. One wore a jack-o-lantern on his head and a black suit. His attire reminded her of the tale of the Pumpkin King. She shuttered, someday she would travel the universe again.

The other was naked. He paraded around with a cane. Something that seemed inconceivable, but they managed to do so with ease.

He showcased the tent. " Ladies and Gentlemen step right up, come tonight to see the dazzling dead, a talking head, and death-defying spectacles." He leaned into his cane." Tonight on this eve of the dead, for one night only, Giratina invites all to the one, the only, the spectacular, spectacular," the skeleton paused for dramatic effect.

His counterpart took his side. " Would you quit leading them on, tonight's show is supposed to be macabre."

" Does this look like a dance to you?" he shot back.

" He's certainly not doing a violin solo," the jack-o-lantern replied.

They looked at one another. Neither acknowledged the large crowd that had formed around them.

Missy knew a good showman when she saw one, it was all part of their act. She wondered what that look would have looked like had they been alive.

The skeleton showcased the tent. " Ladies and gentlemen come and see the best show of your lives."

The audience burst into laughter. Missy cracked a smile, she had to admit it was a good pun.

" They're quite the showmen," Giovanni said.

" Not too shabby for a couple of dead guys," she replied.

" Reminds me of the old Halloween films from the forties," he said.

" This is more like a kids film," Missy replied.

The pair of skeletons approached them with show programs in hand.

" We've got blood bags," the skeleton said.

The hallowed eyed jack-o-lantern looked at them. " The living are not supposed to be here."

Missy gestured in the direction of the gate. " The sign parked out front says all souls welcome."

They looked at one another. " She's got a point."

He offered Giovanni a show program. He cocked a brow before he took it.

The skeleton pointed his cane at the entrance. " I hope you and your girlfriend enjoy the show."

Missy gawked, to her the idea was appalling. Giovanni shrugged as he carried on. She chased after him. Together they entered the circus.

The stage was a large center ring, in the center was a purple podium. It was surrounded by marigolds. The seats around the stage were nearly all taken, by pokemon and people.

Missy spied past one of the tents massive support beams and gazed at the audience. The crowd was loud and annoying. Chatter filled the tent as they waited with anticipation.

She and Giovanni approached an isle on the outskirts of the ring. Missy looked at the tiers of the bleachers. Nearly all of the seats had been taken. A few children chased after one another in the upper levels. She looked elsewhere and spied the few seats at the top.

" How about here," Giovanni said.

Missy looked around again, she couldn't find the seats he was referring to. " Where?"

He gestured before them. " Here."

Missy looked down and wanted to smack herself. There was a pair of seats where they stood. She huffed before she sat down. He sat next to her and took his phone from his pocket. He glanced at a message.

" That skeleton was right in a way," Giovanni said as he leaned back into the bleacher.

Missy peered at him. " In what way?"

" You and I are, well together. It's a misconception that we are dating, in a similar manner you are my friend," he explained.

Missy crossed her arms in disappointment." Humans are so quick to jump to conclusions."

Giovanni let out a laugh. " I guess that's just a human thing."

She rolled her eyes then diverted her gaze to the ring. Was he taunting her or humoring the idea? A human and a Time Lord, what am I becoming? she asked herself. The Doctor! No, she rejected the thought. She knew what she was doing here.

She had to save this world, to save her future selves, for the sake of all her lives she had to do this. She had so much left to do, there was so much more that she wanted to do. For the time being this was nothing more than an amusing inconvenience, she told herself.

The sound of crinkling paper caught her attention. Giovanni had opened the pamphlet. Missy leaned into him and looked at the show program.

Welcome

to

The Circus of Souls

A non-stop showcase of talent of the long since departed.

The show starts at seven.

RingMaster Introduction

Your Host: Giratina

Opening Act

10th Annual Vampire Duel

Another year another battle, watch our beloved ruler whimsically destroy another freakish abomination.

Missy and Giovanni looked at each other, but before either could utter a word the lights began to dim.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as black zubat began to circle the ring. Purple smoke poured out from the podium. As the bats circled the smoke swirled in a mystifying display. A violet spotlight turned on and highlighted the shrouded podium. As the smoke cleared the bats scattered in the tent.

A tall man with dark hair stood on top of the podium. Three elegant sets of long black wings protruded from his back. The first looked like that of a dragonite, the middle set comprised of a zubat, and finally, the long darkened wings of a crobat trailed down to his calves. His wings blended well the train of the grey ringmaster jacket that he wore. His amber eyes had a jovial look of pleasure. They complimented the golden orb that was bound to his neck.

He spread his arms and grinned. " Good evening ghouls and gals! How's everybody doing tonight?" his voice boomed through the tent.

The crowd cheered as he spun around. Giratina abruptly stopped and looked up at the crowd. He smirked as he waved to a group of girls. They reeled with excitement as he blew them a kiss.

" How about that, we've got some first timers here tonight." The girls squealed at his whim. " I love meeting new arrivals." He turned and faced a different section of the audience. " As for the rest of ya, welcome to the show, I'm your host for tonight, the one, the only, ruler of the Distortion Realm, and a ladies man, Giratina!"

" We have one hell of a show for you tonight. We got the Pyroar Kissers, and Minun Sisters, those guys are twisted. I watched them once and it was shocking." He put his hands out and shrugged. " What folks will do for the sake of entertainment. And we have loads more in store for ya, including our special guest Susie and Banetts."

The crowd cheered. Giratina waited for them to hush while he peeked at his watch. His smile widened as he looked at the entrance.

" Well, well, well, would you look at what we have here folks." He showcased the entrance with his right hand. " This guy is faster than all of his predecessors. I haven't even been on stage for a minute, now I have to perform." Giratina spread his arms and looked through the crowd. " Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls should leave now! The kids really shouldn't see this folks."

There was a groan throughout the audience. A couple of kids trudged through the bleachers and made their way down the aisle. Others hid under their seats. Missy got the impression they all knew what was about to transpire.

The crowd turned their attention to the entrance. An eruption of boo's and cheers filled the tent. Missy looked over, a man with sharp red glowing eyes stood close to her. His long black hair fell behind his trench coat. She recognized him instantly, he was the vampire they had encountered at the chateau.

" This is going to be one hell of a show," Giovanni said as he spied the pair.

The few children that did leave darted past the Vampire. His eyes didn't even glance at them, he just looked on.

Giratina burst into laughter. " Let's see what the Professor brought me this year. Did she send you with grenades or a machine gun?" He smiled beamed with excitement. " I hope so because last year was a riot!"

" I think we should hop back a year and see that for ourselves," Missy suggested.

Giovanni playfully glanced over at her. " I think we'll have better things to do after this."

Giratina smiled as he stared down his opponent. That excited look in his eyes, that look, it was as if he looked forward to the duel. With his right hand, he beckoned the vampire to join him at the podium. The audience cheered for him to come up.

He bore his fangs in return. " None of those things."

Giratina frowned. " Awe man, with all of these awesome presents I was starting to think she was like Santa Clause or something, she's always bringing me stuff." He stomped his foot. " Now I'm disappointed."

The Vampire snarled at him. " You'll be more so when we've taken your power."

Giratina laughed again. " Look pal, Team Flare and all of your defective friends never had a chance." He placed his hand on his hip. " Haven't you realized it yet? Vampires were never long for this world."

" We belong to every world," the Vampire replied.

" Oh right, that's why there are only a few of you. Because making Vampires is real easy." Giratina spat on the ground. " Let's see what else don't you have..." he trailed off and put his finger to his chin. Giratina pointed it up. " That's it! Team Flare has no Kahunas," he paused as the audience burst into laughter. " But somebody here does."

Giratina spied the crowd, he looked directly at Missy and Giovanni then cracked a smile. " Would you look at what we have here folks," he mused to the crowd. " Ladies and Gentlemen introducing a man with a plan, the fearless leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni."

The spotlight cast down on them. Missy winced at the light but Giovanni was unphased. He glared at Giratina. The crowd had a mixed reaction to the announcement, some cheered while others booed.

Giovanni growled. " Demon."

Giratina smirked at the remark. " You got that right!"

The God gestured to Missy. " And here we have his lovely friend, Missy, the Mistress, or was it the Master?" Giratina mused to the crowd as he curiously leered at her. " Ugh, so many names, you know what, I don't know what to call her folks but hey she's pretty."

Missy blushed at the compliment. " He's got that right."

Giratina looked at the vampire. Missy glanced over and witnessed him draw a bastard sword from a sheath hidden in his trench coat. The vampire stepped forward with his left foot. He held the sword at shoulder length and kept the blade behind him. She knew that position, it was a wrath guard.

" Whoa," Giratina said as put his hands before him. " Look pal I don't even know who you are?"

" I am Marcel, Guardian of the Stones, I have come here to avenge my slain coven," he said.

" For the sake of tradition and honor, I am Giratina, Ruler of the Afterlife and the Distortion Realm. I accept your challenge," he said.

The audience gently applauded. Giratina drew a long sword from the side pocket in his jacket.

The action itself was remarkable. It was like his pocket was a pocket dimension. Missy quickly came to the conclusion that he was using his own power to produce the weapon.

Giratina stepped back and placed his right foot behind him. He held the sword to his right, with the blade pointed to the floor. The God remained relaxed, he had taken a fools guard.

Marcel's eyes lite up and burned a fiery red. Giratina leered back and kept the position. The crowd fell silent as they stared each other down.

Missy watched with glee. She loved a good sword fight. She had seen in so many over the years and had been in a few herself, but a fight between a God and a Vampire was going to be exciting. She hadn't witnessed this level of entertainment since the closure of the Death Zone on Gallifrey.

Giovanni crossed his arm as he watched them. " This is going to get interesting."

Marcel charged into the ring. He brought his sword up before he leaped into the air. Giratina spread his wings and braced himself.

The vampire brought the blade above his head preparing to strike. Giratina brought his up and counter-thrust. A sharp ping rang through the tent as the swords made contact.

Giratina had successfully blocked the first blow. He held his sword steady as locked the block. The Vampire twisted his blade releasing it from the hold.

Giratina smirked as stepped back. He gained a decent distance from his opponent. Giratina charged at him and leaped into the air. The God thrust his sword and struck down. Marcel leaped to the right and rolled on the ground. The longsword cut through the air as he missed. The God brought it to his right side and kept the blade up.

Marcel pointed his blade up and charged him. The god smirked as Marcel thrust his blade down. Giratina counter thrust and the swords locked once more.

He kicked the Vampire square in the chest. The blow Knocked Marcel into the far wall of the ring.

Marcel was fast, he got up and lunged at the God. Giratina took flight and charged at him. He kept his sword out a swiped at Marcel. His sword cut through the air as the Vampire ducked down. He rolled and darted to the left.

Marcel leaped up and raised his sword. He attempted to strike Giratina again.

The God countered by flying further to the right. He soared up and flew over the bleachers. He circled and flew over the audience. The crowd squealed and cheered as he swooped over them.

Giratina took a sharp left and dove down. The God raised his sword and prepared to attack.

The vampire waited for him to thrust his blade. As it drew near he bolted to the right. He leaped and grabbed one of the main support beams. The wood splintered as he climbed the tall beam.

Giratina swooped up and over the crowd. He kept his distance from the Vampire. Missy looked in between the support beams. A tightrope crossed between them. Giratina did another fly by.

From what she could tell Giratina was causing a standoff in an effort to force Marcel to attack. He made another pass before he flew over the ring.

The vampire ripped the wire from its support. Marcel held his sword forward as he swung down. The tightrope jolted as he thrust his sword at Giratina. The God was no idiot he turned and pointed his sword forward. As they collided they fell near the outskirts of the ring.

Marcel grunted as the sword penetrated him. The opposite end of the blade gleamed in the stage light. Giratina kicked the Vampire off him. He knelt down before he stood up and dusted himself off. The crowd whistled and cheered as he did so.

" Would you look at that, Team Flare is getting better with their science projects," Giratina said as he walked deeper into the ring.

As Giratina walked off a few skeletons approached the body. They picked it up and began to drag it off the floor.

He raised his sword in victory. " Well folks that was quick and easy. The Griseous Collar is not up for grabs."

The sword was shrouded in a purple light before it vanished from his hand. He smirked as the crowd cheered some more. He spied Missy and Giovanni and approached them.

Giratina spun around as he waved to the crowd. " I've got to have a quick word with my guest. Please take a moment and visit our concession stands, we're given away free candy apples for the next five minutes!"

The crowd cheered as they rushed to the exit. Others decided to stay and watch.

Giratina smirked as he leaned onto the ringside. " Hello again, I've got a present for you," he said.

Missy scowled at him. " I don't want it."

" Oh common, It'll be fun. You can take the vampire, drop it off in Lumiose City, Team Flare will find it and we'll all live happily ever after," he said with a sinister smile.

He was trying to threaten her and she didn't like it. She bit her lip The lowly God held no power over her.

" We're not carrier pidgeys," Giovanni said.

Giratina raised a brow. " Of course not, it's more like you're gonna listen to me or be sorry. You can stay and enjoy the show, like the sign says all souls welcome but if you don't take that Vampire with you when you go, when you return I'm gonna make you the final act, forever," he replied.

Giovanni's glare was overpowering. Missy could tell he was outraged, possibly beyond the point of rage. He clenched his fist, was doing his best to keep control of the emotion.

She playfully peered at the God. " It's not very classy to threaten a lady, especially a girl with an umbrella."

" It's not very classy to reject a gift from a God," he playfully replied.

Missy rolled her eyes. " He's just a little too drab for my taste."

Giovanni leaned back and relaxed. " We'll take that abomination if you can help us stop Team Flare."

Giratina's eyes narrowed at him. They looked at one another, from what she could they were attempting to read one another.

" Alright, I get it you actually came here because you're concerned about your world. Got it." He flicked the orb. " Look Team Flare is never gonna get this."

Giovanni scoffed. " Palkia warned us, said that weapon will fire no matter what."

" He said it was a fixed point in time," Missy explained.

Giratina raised a brow as he peered at them. His eyes wandered to the ceiling. He hummed to himself and seemed to be in a deep state of thought.

He pointed his finger at the top of the tent. " Oh yea." He leaned into the ring wall. " That was about three thousand years ago. I remember that happening, I made a lot of friends that-" a sharp screech stopped Giratina cold.

The remaining members of the audience shrieked and screamed. Missy looked over to where the Vampire had laid. His body was gone. In his place, a zoroark stood. The pokemon didn't have a single mark on its body. It snarled as it swiped at the skeletons that had surrounded it.

Giratina turned around. In the center of the ring, Marcel stood. In his hand, he clutched a small remote. Next to him was a small black box.

Missy looked it over the best she could. She noticed a small series of speakers at the bottom. A tall antenna protruded from the base. She listened to its soft yet subtle frequency. He paid them no attention as he looked at his watch.

Giratina took flight. " Cheap shot!"

Marcel said nothing in return. He pressed a button on the remote instead. As he did so a black spot formed at the opposite end of the tent. As it grew blue and green lightning shot out of it. The bolts crackled through the ring.

Giratina flapped his wings back in an attempt to stop himself. Marcel leaped up and grabbed him. He attempted to pin the God. Giratina twisted as he crashed to the ground. He abruptly kicked the vampire off of him.

They stood up and faced each other. The wind howled through the tent as the portal grew. It was too late, both the vampire and Giratina were slowly being sucked into the portal. Giratina attempted to fly away, but it was too late the portal sucked him inside. He shrieked as he was consumed by the swirling shadows.

Marcel smiled, the look in his eyes was one of tremendous arrogance. The vampire turned and leaped into the portal.

" What's happening?" Giovanni asked as he gazed on.

" I'm not entirely sure," Missy replied.

She watched as the portal ceased its growth. Bolts of green and blue lightning shot out from its bounds. As she watched the darkness swirl she listened to the soft and subtle notes of violin strings. It was followed by the distorted notes of a piano. It was a dreadfully delightful piece of music.