The throne room of the Eclipse Alliance was quiet. Several executives sat, debating the disappearance of their lord.

"Perhaps he is dead." Faba said. "Then who may succeed him?"

"How dare you!" Henry yelled, pounding his gloved fist on the mahogany assembly table. "Have you no trust in our risen king? Or do you wish to take his throne for yourself?! It was a shame that those fools from Ultra Space rescued you, and you came lapping like a dog to our door! If I recall correctly, you completely failed in your own management of the Aether Corporation due to the actions of two children and your own folly!"

Faba recoiled and sputtered. "They had assistance!"

Eric stood and laughed. "From the sun and moon? From the dwellers of the outer lands? From the Lord of Order? Necrozma or Lusamine would have been a great jewel in your own crown, but you failed that as well. You are the least of anyone who sits here, Faba. Do not think that your opinion counts in the fate of our lord. He shall return from the void, if we have faith. Wait a little longer! Dawn is only in a few minutes, and it will be a Thursday. The master has always been stronger on Thursdays, although for what reason I cannot say."

Colress spoke next. "It would seem that our lord is not dead, but disabled. I believe that he will return, although it may be quite a long time. We must develop a contingency plan for our success, even with the vanishing of our leader."

Linda glared at Colress. "It doesn't matter! All of our missions, strategies, and campaigns have been commanded to us from the divine wisdom of our lord! If he is gone, then the only thing we may do is sustain our own existence. We must go into hiding, far deeper than we already have."

Eric and Henry seemed to agree, along with Emrett, who reluctantly nodded.

"Ha!" Mable said. "Even without our lord, we still may continue with our plan, no? Perhaps we can attempt to go the way of Cyrus."

"What foolishness!" Emrett said, suddenly rising, his robes flowing about him. "Do you not have ears to hear?! We do not know what even our own Lord will wish. His will is revealed to us upon a need-to-know basis."

Mable have him a sneer. "And why should I trust you? You're a political speaker and a warlock rolled into one! I will not tolerate you anymore, with your black magic, and your sorcery and witchcraft! I know what the master taught you, and has been teaching you!"

The former Team Flare scientist made a motion to reach for her Poke Balls.

Emrett raised his staff, and there was a dreadful sucking sound. Everyone blanched at the cold rush of air, with a purple glow to it's core.

When it cleared, Mable was spiraled out on the ground, dead, with a look of uttermost horror on her face. Emrett calmly sat down as the body was whisked away, and with that, the matter was settled.

Emrett pronounced the judgement. "Very well, if we all agree, we will disable our active operations immediately. Withdraw all troops to the various safe houses-"

The wizard was interrupted by a sudden cracking sound.

Every eye turned to see that the space of ground before the throne was cracking and smoking. Suddenly, the floor gave way to reveal a five-foot across hole, leading to dark and shadowy depths. Immense heat radiated from it, and all the Eclipse brass stepped back from the unholy portal. Screaming and insane laughter could be heard coming from the crack, and all was then quiet for a whole minute.

Then, a hand grabbed the side of the crack, causing everyone to jump and gasp. As second arm grabbed the edge as well, and with the combined force of both grasping arms, a shadowy form rose from the depths.

It was Cypress, smoking and terribly angry. Wisps of black vapors crawled off him, returning back into the Abyss as he reformed.

He then completely hoisted himself out of the hole, and opened his eyes as the gap completely sealed behind him. His eyes were no longer red, but glowing violet, which was somehow even more sinister. Cypress looked up, and howled at the dull concrete ceiling at his new rebirth.

Addressing the entire group, Cypress now smiled, uniform and hair perfect. Looking at his terrified followers with an almost serene gaze, he began to speak.

"My friends and loyal servants, I know that some of you believed me to have totally perished. Do not think so! For I have conquered death once before, and can I not do it again? Despite my failure to capture the treacherous Lord of Decay, I assure you all that my resolve in bringing about the new world is as strong as ever! We resume our battle, for I am your lord who commands you. No weapon of our enemies shall prosper, as it is written. Now, we go to victory!"

Cypress punched his fist in the air, and the other Eclipse leaders did the same, yelling with praise at their once-more reborn leader.

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"Seriously?" Tess complained. "We have to pay five hundred units for a single glass of MooMoo milk? What a ripoff! I don't care that it's from Johto. We could get a far cheaper drink just by getting our own Miltank!"

Bronze was actually confused at the high price. Usually premium MooMoo milk cost about two hundred units.

A shape moved from being the large milk dispensers. It was a young Alolan man with a attire that mainly consisted of brown. Frowning, he looked at Tess.

"The reason why the milk is so expensive is simply because of Team Eclipse, young folk! Well, not exactly, it's more about the tariffs that have been raised on companies that had Team Eclipse members as employees, even if they didn't know it, and don't even get me started on the general thieves! MooMoo milk that pure is a expensive commodity, and shady dealers are always looking to steal it to sell for high prices on the black market. Smeargle, please continue stirring!" The man covered his face in exasperation. "Anyway, I'm Illima. Alolan Trial Captain on leave! Roria is nice in early winter around here. I assume you're Bronze?"

"I'm the one." Bronze said. "But honestly, could you pull at your face for a second? Me and Tess here have an issue with a person who can imitate nearly anyone."

Illima looked confused, and a light suddenly dawned in his eyes. "Ahh, are you talking about that former Team Rocket executive? I've seen him around. He watches over this area, and is a menace to customers! He tried to sneak in and imitate visitors who have already placed an order, so he can pick up what they paid for. Trust me, if I was disguised and trying to capture you, I could have easily done so by now. No offense."

Bronze was still curious. "How did you know my name? I really don't go around using it wherever and whenever."

Illima winked. "Yeah, I hear things around. It's no secret that Cypress was the one who gave you your Pokedex. Pretty much everyone in relation to the Pokémon Association knows who you are, along with your friend Tess."

"About that..." Bronze began. "Why am I still considered a Pokedex Holder if Cypress was simply faking his position? Shouldn't I have my status revoked, because Cypress might have given a Pokedex to me for some unknown tactical advantage?"

Illima sighed. "That's the thing, Bronze. Cypress wasn't a fake Professor. He was appointed for his skill, and was legally given a post. Any action he did, including making you and Jake Pokedex Holders, is not a thing easily gotten rid of. Oak has said that he thinks that you are not just another pawn for Cypress, rather, you might be his greatest mistake."

"What do you mean?" Bronze didn't understand.

"Well, all Pokedex Holders are recognized for a certain skill or ability that they posses, and are given a title. Fighter, Evolver, Trainer, Trader...the list goes on. Oak still doesn't really know what your specialty is, so that remains to be seen. But you could be instrumental in the final defeat of Team Eclipse, simply due to your skill, or some other value that you have. The world does work in strange ways."

"Strange ways?" Tess asked. "I have seen that enough. Perhaps a legendary Pokémon may help us?"

Illima raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps. But the elohim are scarcely motivated to intervene, or are given the authority to do so. But pity, true pity at our situation, may save us in the end. Pity is a strange thing, one that can move even the most powerful of beings. If legend is fact, than it was because of pity that the ancient Enemy was deafeated. Because of pity."

"I hope I cleared things up for you. Anyway, I guess I'll give you a deal and cut the price down to a hundred units. Coming right up..."

Bronze and Tess got a glass at a bargain, and after waving goodbye to Illima, the two continued their journey through the sparse, hilly grassland to the fungal caverns. Of old, this land was once a fief of Logaria before it fell, and ruins dotted the landscape, all preserved by transparent plaster. The entire land bled history, and Bronze loved it.

Tess had gone off training and successfully caught a Haxorus. "I guess getting another friend is my replacement for a Gym Battle!" she had remarked.

Bronze couldn't help but agree. Tess would get her chance to fight the Fluoruma Gym Leader when the time came.

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Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion stood in the rocky clearing before Mistralton Cave. Great evil was afoot, and the Swords of Justice had vowed to stop it, as they had done in a eons long past.

Two figures stood before the Swords, a young blond man, and a old man in a wheelchair.

Cobalion spoke into their minds. "Why have we been called here, Sons of Earth, unless you also are responsible for the evil that now roams the earth? Why do you dare to call up the Swords of Justice? Did you fancy us pets, or mere tools for you to use?"

Terrakion stomped menacingly. "Perhaps they wish to harm the Pokémon that dwell in the cavern! I can smell the stench of past evil upon you..."

The blond man held up his hands. "I wish for no harm. We have come here to assist you to fight the evil you speak of." The young man and the old man threw their Poke Balls to the side, out of reach even if the meeting went for ill.

Cobalion was not convinced. "What knowledge do you possess that makes you think that we shall need your assistance in fighting such a great menace? Or is that more trickery of the Sons of Earth?"

The old man raised his head to face Cobalion. "I once tried to control time, and make it my own. As such, the power of the Celebi has given me foresight. I dread the future that awaits if we do not have the Swords of Justice fight alongside humanity against the Enemy. Perhaps, in your wisdom, you have seen this as well."

Virizion turned to face the younger man. "I feel as though you attempted to harm those of the world in the name of Pokémon. You have dulled your hatred, however. Is this true?"

The blond man nodded. "That time has passed. But a even greater evil than me in the depths of my hate has arisen. All need to stand together to best it. Friends, enemies, allies, rivals, it doesn't matter anymore. I swear on the Original One that if you aid us, I, Lance of the fallen Kanto Elite Four, will uphold the safety of Pokémon as I already have for the rest of my days."

"And I, Pryce, swear that on the Original One that I shall do everything in my power to defeat the organization known as Team Eclipse and its divine spiritual backing once and for all, if you stand with us."

Cobalion looked down at the two former villains, looking into the depths of their souls, searching for inconsistences and half-truths, and ulterior motives.

"I see no lie in your hearts, Sons of Earth. We shall have you aid us, and we you for the rest of the time that this evil walks free. Be warned, however, that we shall still see if our interests collide with yours. Do not think that humans have been totally redeemed from their depravity that led to the war between Pokémon and Man that we fought in, a thousand years ago. We shall see if the sin that burns in the hearts of all men can be quenched for a time, so that they will not fall to the one who devours both body and soul."

The other two followed the leaders word, and bowed before the two trainers. Lance bowed, while Pryce respectfully lowered his head. Virizion spoke to all of them about their next objective.

"We are missing one of our own. It is time to find Keldeo, and it shall leave its master that it has chosen." C

Cobalion agreed. "A wise one, is he. But we must desert him if we are to continue our mission."

Pryce interjected. "Please sir, it would be best not to abandon the Jailor Blake. He has, and will fight with us to destroy the Enemy if we extend the hand of peace to him. What will happen is clouded by evil, however. It cannot be said that all will react with friendship at our presence. We are considered criminals in the eyes of the law, so we will need to approach him quietly, and with your assistance. We will also need more allies if we are to continue this fight against the Evil One."

"And who would they be, Son of Earth?" Terrakion snorted. "Who would trust us, if not other exiles from earthly authority?"

"Precisely." Pryce said. "We go to Sinnoh, and then Kalos. We must go to the usual hideouts to to find our two estranged brothers in crime."

The five left the barren earth to other lands, ready to fight the greatest evil the world had ever seen.