Four days later...

Cypress looked at the two devices with pride. They were his own invention, begotten from the knowledge taken from Jirachi. They were the key to his plan, the final piece.

Charon was adjusting some value on the Extruder, while the Intruder was being prepped for absorption. Cypress called Emrett over, beckoning dangerously. Emrett bowed before Cypress, and slowly got up. "Emrett, do you worship me?" Cypress asked. Emrett fell on his face again. "Of course, my lord. I have seeked you ever since I was a child. You are the one, the only. None may stand before you."

"Very good, faithful servant. But I have a issue on my mind." Emrett somehow bowed lower. "What would that be, my lord?" Cypress scowled. "I know of your defeat at the hands of the Swords of Justice. Despite all my guidance, you have little ability to fight others when not prepared." Emrett remembered his punishment. "I am terribly sorry, o great one. What would you have me do?"

Cypress summoned his glowing blade and swung it around. "I do value you, Emrett. So, I have a task for you. Take the most promising soldiers, and train them in my works." Emrett looked up. "What do you mean, my lord?"

"Train them in my arts! My power! I want saviors! Prophets! Messiahs in my name! The world must hear and see wonders as the day of judgement approaches. Are you capable of this deed?"

Emrett bowed his head again. "Yes, o lord, I shall teach those who I choose to wield the arts you have taught me. Let your will be done!"

Cypress dismissed Emrett, and summoned Eric, along with several other well-trained soldiers. Eric bowed, and the advanced soldiers saluted Cypress. Cypress put them at ease, and addressed Eric.

"Admin Eric, tell Admin Jake that I have reevaluated my decision to spare the girl and the Pokedex Holder Bronze. He may react with displeasure at this. Also, report to the hanger. Your vehicle is complete." Eric bowed again, and turned to leave with his soldiers.

The demon then turned to Charon. "Commander. Is the machine capable of a test run?" Charon bowed his head. "Yes, my lord. We may use the residual energy from the machines formation to make a slight effect, for proof of function, in about..." Charon checked his watch. "One hour." Cypress was pleased. "Well done, Commander. You may resume your duties." Charon nodded and continued calibrating.

Cypress smiled at all that he had accomplished. He truly was Chosen of the One! He was almighty! Supreme! He was greater than any who ever had been, or would be-

"DO NOT THINK SO HIGHLY OF YOURSELF." The terrible voice rang through Cypress's being. In terror, the Eclipse Lord ran from the room to his throne as fast as he could. Then the voice continued.

"HA! YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE THE GREATEST BEING IN THE EARTH OR THE HEAVENS! PERHAPS MY POWER HAS SOAKED INTO YOUR PITIFUL MIND TOO STRONGLY. REMEMBER, I AM YOUR LORD! I AM THE ONE WHO IS THE ROOT OF YOUR BEING! YOU HAVE WHOLLELY GIVEN YOURSELF TO ME. YOU ARE A VESSEL! A CLAY POT! A DWELLING FOR MY GREATNESS!"

"Yes yes yes yes, wonderful master, you are very good to me, who is like you, who, who?" Cypress grinned and his eyes rolled in his sockets as he cradled his head.

"DISGUSTING...BUT I STILL HAVE USE OF YOU. ONCE YOU HAVE CREATED THE WORLD IN MY IMAGE, I WILL LEAVE YOU AND BECOME GREATER THAN ALL THE POWERS OF THE FALSE ONE! WITH MY NEW STRENGTH, I WILL ASCEND HIGHER THEN THE HEAVENS! I WILL SET MYSELF HIGHER THAN THE THRONE OF ARCEUS! AND I SHALL REIGN FOREVER!"

"I HAVE NEW GUIDANCE FOR YOU. WHEN YOU OPEN THE VEIL BETWEEN WORLDS, EVERY EYE MUST SEE YOU AND MY POWER. ONCE THE LEAGUE IS READY, YOU ARE TO BEGIN THE FINAL CREATION THERE. THEN ALL THE WORLD SHALL SEE THE NEW WORLD COME IN FIRE!"

Cypress continued to cower, but from the small portion of his mind that was still his, a question arose.

"O Great One, Evening Star, Mightiest of All, in your infinite divinity, how shall we deal with those at the League who wish to oppose us? Surely there will be fools that continue their hopeless campaign against you!"

"SILENCE!" The voice roared. "I WILL LEAVE THEM TO YOU! SURELY THE RIFT WILL NOT BE CLOSED BY MERE FORCE! THEY WILL FOLLOW YOU, BUT THE FORCES THAT I HAVE RAISED WILL BE ENOUGH TO DEFEAT THEM! DO NOT DOUBT ME, MY LOYAL PUPPET..."

The voice left, and Cypress was now given control of himself once more. He held up his trembling hands, trying to comprehend his master's latest command.

"It will be done, my lord." Cypress whispered, as he left the throne room.

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Bronze and Tess took in the expanse of the great peaks of the Frostveil Mountains, all while on the back of Charizard. They were, in fact, at the same height as Anthien City, albeit much colder. Uninhabitable in winter, the small city of Frostveil lied near the base of the highest peak. It was the site of the Dark-type Gym, contrary to most peoples assumptions that it would be a Ice-type. It was chosen to be a Gym site simply because it was so difficult to access.

"BRONZE! WE NEEDED TO GO AROUND THE LAST RANGE! TURN AROUND AND DIVE INTO THE GORGE!" Tess screamed. Bronze yelled back. "THE MOUNTAIN IS AHEAD! THE OTHER RANGE BEING HIGHER IS JUST A ILLUSION! THE POKEDEX SAYS THAT FROSTVEIL IS AHEAD!" Tess glared. "WELL, IF WE DIE FROM THE COLD, THANK YOURSELF!"

Sure enough, Frostveil was located only another few minutes flight away, a cluster of stone buildings lay precariously at the base of Mount Celebidel, overlooking the far-away ruins of Atun-Kaah, and the remains of the northern Logarian outpost Shaaman-Pah. Charizard swerved down, heading for the gates. In fact, the city was located in such a way that only after a long trek through the mountains, and a short flight, could it be reached.

The two jumped of Charizard onto the packed snow ground. Nearly every building in Frostveil consisted of black rock brick and ice. The whole impression of the city was grim, dark, and hostile. Very few people moved about, and it was deathly quiet. Bronze felt as though he could not speak to loudly, or something unpleasant would surely happen.

Bronze and Tess silently walked along the streets to a rather old hotel. Inside the main floor was a bar, with some trainers and journeyfolk eating and drinking. Instead of being dark and uninviting, the interior was warm and bright. A man in dark robes spotted them from behind the counter, and smiled and waved. Bronze and Tess assumed that he was the owner, and walked over to meet him.

"I can see that you two are not from Frostveil...I certainly am not. Boy, what is your name? You seem familiar."

Bronze raised his eyebrow. "Maybe if you tell me your name first, I'll consider telling you mine." The man grinned wider, and pulled out a coin from his robes.

"Let's settle this over a toss, hmm? Heads, I tell you my name. Tails, you tell me yours." The man flipped the coin into the air.

The coin landed in the man's palm, and heads was face up. The man chuckled. "I will hold up the end of my deal. The names Grimsley. As I said, I am not from Frostville originally. Unova is where I call home, back with Champion Black." Grimsley huffed. "I still think I recognize you. But then, I have met quite a lot of people. What is your business here, anyway?"

"Uh, we're doing the Gym challenge, and we need a room for a few days." Tess blurted. Grimsley turned to a door, and yelled. "BISHARP! Guide these two guests to their rooms. And don't bother with getting payment." The Pokémon popped out, and Bronze and Tess followed it from the counter to a upstairs room.

As Tess was unpacking, Bronze stared out of the icy window at Frostveil Gym. It seemed to be bursting with light coming from all of its massive windows, but Bronze knew better. It was simple trickery. The interior was actually as dark as midnight, which Bronze assumed was part of the challenge. Who knew what horrors lurked in the dark? Gym Leader Zephan was a master of fear, a skill that aided him in battle.

Bronze looked at Onyx through its Poke Ball. It was definitely going to evolve soon, except that Bronze did not have a Metal Coat. He would have to get one somehow...wait, what was that?

In the sky, a faint glimmering was visible. A small, thin line seemed to gradually trace its way through the cloudy sky. And as soon as it had appeared, it faded away. However, several dark masses could be seen in the sky, attracting the attention of several people on the streets below.

The masses formed into shapes that looked like some sort of writing, and Bronze quickly pulled out his Pokedex to photograph them. The shapes vanished soon after, but Bronze felt a static feeling in the left in the air.

Somehow, Bronze knew that this was not a natural phenomenon. Perhaps Jake would know what this was, or if it was a result of Team Eclipse's schemes. But Jake was gone...for now. Despite everything, Bronze still felt optimistic about saving his parents and Jake.

Bronze's Pokedex beeped, alerting him of a new entity registration. Bronze looked through the ID numbers, and saw that directly infront of the glitched slot, was a new entity. It seemed to have no information whatsoever, but the description read; 'closer proximity needed. data cache failed. please repeat process.'

So, the things that came out the light were some sort of Pokémon. I wonder what that text said, since it seems to be in a unknown language. Distortion is common with these sorts of occurrences...but what really made it?

In his heart, Bronze realized that he may never have a answer. Bronze put the Pokedex away, and began reviewing his strategy for taking on Gym Leader Zephan.