Hybrid: Aurora Edition

by SairaCrystaline

A story in the Pokemon world with a trans protagonist who lives through some of the worst life has to offer, but refuses to back down and always does their best to do the right thing. Lots of hurt/comfort, comedy will be in places, don't expect much hetero stuff to happen. And plenty of filled in holes the canon of the games leaves.

15. Chapter 15: Judgement

I felt a tug.

Suddenly, a force enveloped me. Purple and pink like what Metagross forced me into before. But this one felt gentler but firm, rather than rough and overpowering.

As Silas' claws ripped through the flesh on my face, scraping against bone, coating my vision with blood, I felt myself get yanked backwards. Away from him. Away from the fight. Back towards my family.

A streak of blood flowed through the air as I was hurtling back, Silas quickly turning and bolting towards me. The spears of agonizing pain starting to stab relentlessly.

Cooling ice suddenly stemmed the flow of blood, halting the river of scarlet as I felt the sudden block of ice form all the way down to bone. A huge wall of earth erupted between me and Silas, one he couldn't easily cut through.

I could feel the ice against my bone. Could feel it against muscle, skin, blood impacting where it should've flowed freely. All my other senses dulled; light blurred, scents dissipated, taste of blood receding, chaos of battle falling quiet, emotions' lines hazing together.

All that consumed my mind was the blistering, stabbing, agonizing pain of my flesh having been rent apart. It took every ounce of strength, drop of willpower I had to not tear at the flesh, hoping in some desperate bid for relief that would make it stop. My heart raced unimaginably fast, every alarm in my head, my heart, my soul blaring. The bone wasn't supposed to feel air or ice. It wasn't supposed to be touched, let alone scratched.

I couldn't think. There was only one thing screaming through every fiber of my being; agony. Abject, unrelenting agony. I began to howl in pain, but was forced to shut my mouth just as quickly; the movement made it worse, stretching it from unimaginable to unthinkable torment.

{Aurora!}
Mama's voice rang out, horrified as she kept me close. Curling her tails around me. I tried to move. Twitched in pain. She kept me still. {Hold, please. The ice will hold until Mabel or Haley can arrive and heal you properly. It is only stopping the bleeding, but you require more than what I can provide. I am sorry…}

Her heart was overflowing with sorrow, horror, fury, vengeance, hate as she stayed right by my side, eyes glowing with vehement power. Tears forming at the corners of her eyes. I could only see with one eye, the other was covered with blood. Several Pokemon backed away in horror from Mama. Fearing for their lives

{Touch my child and I will make you regret that decision for this life and countless more,} Mama growled darkly, black fire burning from her tails that weren't around me. What few still stood, ran.

{I already did though, whatcha gonna do to me?} Silas mocked with glee, sitting on an overturned table.

She just glared at him as Shio forced him to dart away, seething hatred promising vengeance beyond what mortals could dream of. {Worse than you can imagine.}

{If you get the chance in this life,} An unamused, pampered voice spoke out.

I glanced over- even the movement of my eye painful- to see Mars and Purugly with a whole battalion of Pokemon and grunts with them. Mars' smile wasn't quite as sadistic as Silas', but it wasn't far behind.

Scizor clacking her claws together, wings buzzing. Scyther hovering in the air, sharpening her blades against themselves. Kingler snapping through a piece of rubble with his gargantuan pincer. Ninjask humming through the air, eyes gleaming with excitement. Drapion, tail raised and glimmering with poison. More I couldn't see.

"You've made quite a mess, haven't you?" Mars said, spinning a knife between her fingers as she raised an eyebrow at Silas. "I'm surprised they're not all mincemeat yet. I know you like to play with your food, but we're on the clock here."

{When you're as good as I am you get to take snack breaks,} he taunted, snickering.

Purugly just rolled her eyes while Mars looked at us again. "It could've been so easy; you just sit tight in your rooms until we come in to slaughter you all. But no, you had to make this difficult. We'll be going to finish up what Saturn hasn't once you're taken care of."

My heart beat even faster. Does that mean Saturn beat everyone else, or she's just saying he's gonna?

Paris looked back at all of us, grimacing when she saw me and Mama. "Hold the line! Stay strong!" she called out to everyone.

My strength was wrapped up in not ripping myself apart to make the torment stop.

Mars laughed. "And you still think you have a chance! That's adorable," she shook her head as she swung her knife around and got ready to move forwards. "Grunts, forward! Unless you want to deal with Silas?"

The few who were hesitating after seeing the bodies littering the floor, the pools of blood and infernos raging, immediately ran forwards with Mars and the rest of their group.

Leanne and Yvonne sluggishly shifted their focus to the oncoming wave of Galactic, shaking themselves and trying to refocus. Paris and Legolas readied more arrows, eyes darting between the new onslaught of targets. Lucia and Arden turned to face the horde, swords fading and reforming. Naoko and Shio held still in dark corners, trying to find an opening to exploit. Eclipse and Yuna fought as ferociously as ever, but their breathing was getting more labored by the moment, Yuna's boulders getting smaller.

Legolas glanced back at me and Mama for a brief moment. {You have done well. Whatever happens next, any failure of ours is not a failure on your part.}

I felt Mama's guilt grow as he said that, readying another volley of fireballs to defend me at all costs. Only one thought ran through my mind despite the clawing pain, despite the tears forming in my eyes.

Did… did I help?

Surprise abruptly blossomed in her heart, a sudden howling gale of snow and ice cascaded through the room from our left. Forcing Mars and her army to shield themselves and stop their advance.

{Such defeatist words from a fellow specter. You must know we always have a few extra tricks, even if we're not completely aware of them,} A new voice echoed throughout the room. The enemy pokemon and grunts began bunching together, searching for their new opponent. A familiar, blurred silhouette shrouded by frigid winds flew through the group. Passing through the grunts' bodies, frost growing across them as they collapsed into a shivering pile of chattering teeth. Silas watched from his perch with an intrigued grin and a cocked head.

The Pokemon beside them snapped at the figure, but failed to strike them each time. The ice began to build up around them, threatening to engulf them in a frozen tomb. Mars and Purugly watched cautiously from the sidelines before backing up. Ice began to crackle across the ground, freezing the grunts in place, and forcing the two to break the ice to make a single movement. Scizor, Scyther and Ninjask darted away while Kingler and Drapion struggled alongside them.

"You!" Mars pointed to a grunt commanding a Magmar. "Defrost-"

Her words died in her throat as she watched a Riolu blast through one of the air vents above Magmar. He landed on the back of their head, orange light focused to a point as he loosed a fully charged blast into the base of their neck. The explosive force caused the unaware Magmar to rocket face first into a concrete pillar, quickly being buried under the rubble as it collapsed on top of them. Their commanding grunt was dispatched just as swiftly with a roundhouse kick to the head before his feet even touched the ground.

The Riolu was immediately beset by several larger pokemon, but easily evaded each one with a shining blue glint in his eyes as he darted to our side. The frozen wind used this opportunity to cover the enemy in more frost, minimizing their movements.

{Finish them, now!} Dojima called out to the billowing wind.

The frost had been set. Despite how they struggled, a large section of Mars' group had been left a shivering, immobile mess. Not even the warmth of flames seemed to revive their mobility. The frosty wind manifested before me and Mama as she became corporeal.

She glanced back at us, pain in her heart alongside the vengeful determination. {I apologize for keeping you all, but I will hear no more talk of failure unless it is Team Galactic's.}

Legolas' heart eased as a grin crossed his face, his arrow shining with ghostly power as his eyes narrowed. {Of course. They fall today, in no small part because of the actions of the bravest amongst us.}

Nodding, Yukitsu turned to face the enemy, raising her hands as her body's temperature plummeted and ghastly forces began to crack throughout. {Begone!}

A frigid snap echoed throughout the room. The frost on the ground shot up, skewering all the downed grunts and resisting enemy pokemon caught in its range with icicles. The blood that emerged from the splatter immediately crystallized into elaborate arches. More frozen spires shot out, impaling more opponents who tried to escape, while expertly avoiding any of my family.

"Can't count on that lout for anything," Mars hissed as she held two fingers to something behind her ear. "Jupiter? Get you and your squad's asses down here now!"

Yukitsu lowered her hands, breathing heavier. {A taxing move, but executed perfectly. The rest shall be dealt with via more customary means with the aid of your fellows.} Yukitsu glanced toward us, her heart colder still at the sight of my face. {Prepare to fall back and recuperate. Tend your wounds and be proud of what you've accomplished.}

As if Dialga came to end our darkest hour, the second group of Hybrids and Pokemon emerged. Benny and Bors charged onwards, grit on their clothes and determination on their faces, at the front of the group. Mabel and Haley were right behind them, everyone who could heal following their crusade to our side. A cascade of people of every variety- Hybrids, their partner Pokemon, Pokemon I'd befriended, those I'd only heard about- all came rushing in. Bringing us support, bringing us hope.

The entire battlefield began shifting as the second group, our lifeline, formed an unbreakable line at the front amidst the chaos Galactic was in. We, the first group, moved towards the back. Exhausted. All the while, the able bodied grunts and Pokemon attempted to strike us when we were most vulnerable as we still established ourselves.

Randel, the Chesnaught Hybrid, and his partner Saguaro moved to the very front. Calling forth wide spiked shields of vines, bark and leaves to deny anyone trying to get too close. With a powerful shove, they shot pins from their shields to keep the more agile enemies away. The sudden hail of thorns forced an opportunistic group of grunts, Golbat, Croagunk and Houndour to retreat or get impaled like their brethren.

Others of our family stood amongst them; Mila, the Lopunny hybrid and her partner Ryuko let out devastating kick after kick, sending our assailants flying. Doug the Darmanitan hybrid and his partner Tephra sent burning strikes hurtling in the middle of grunts, sending them careening to the sides from explosive eruptions. Grabbing debris and flinging it at the Zubat and Tranquill trying to fly overhead. Each fought defiantly, furiously fending off Scythers, Glameows and Zangoose from getting too close to a retreating Leanne and Yvone.

Yukitsu shrouded Mama and me in a controlled cloud of hail as she ushered us to the backlines, Mama firing frigid beams at any pokemon that dared come close. Many didn't- didn't come close, or didn't survive the blast.

Mama coaxed me onto her back so she could carry me faster as we made our way to Mabel, Yukitsu helping keep me steady. I didn't have the presence of mind to resist or help, I was trying too hard to not claw at my face in sheer pain and make things worse.

After the second group came I lost track of Silas. Legolas had shot close by to him in order to keep him off some of our newly arrived fighters, but that was the last I saw him. We weren't safe in the hail cloud, not from him, but Mama and Yukitsu were on high alert for him. And the further back we retreated into the safety of our family, the harder of a time he'd have getting to us.

On the other end, I could see some of the pokemon friends I had made fighting alongside each other. Dojima was darting throughout the battlefield, firing blasts into enemy ankles, rears of their knees and other vital joints so Rampan could stampede them over with little resistance. Nini followed suit, rolling across the battlefield, digging his spikes through every grunt that got in his way as a spray of grit was left tumbling through the air behind him.

Closer to the backlines, I saw Lyle, the Croagunk Hybrid, helping Yvonne and Leanne treat their wounds with hasty sprays of potions and bandages. His partner, Alkali, was darting further towards the rear and coming back with more supplies in hand; they must've found a stockpile or taken them from fallen grunts.

In the distance, Yuna and Eclipse were trying to get treated, but judging by their burning red eyes and aggressive fidgeting, it was challenging for them to settle down surrounded by all this combat. Emmeryn, the Cherrim Hybrid and her partner Cherry did what they could before Yuna and Eclipse shot right back into the fray as soon as they were able.

Near the rear, Paris and Legolas were surveying the field, taking fewer pot shots and more vital ones in between restoring their stamina with ethers. Lucia was taking a swift break as Arden tended to her injured hands, wrapping them in bandages quickly but gently.

Naoko and Shio stood behind Hardin and his partner Aggron, Adamantine, gathering themselves before vanishing back into the chaos. I couldn't make out everyone who was in the group, but most of them ran past to help the others, while others ran towards the others who needed attention.

{Ivane! Aurora!} Haley called as he and Mabel rushed over to us. Their hearts plummeted once they saw me, but they immediately pushed the feelings down as they gently removed me from Mama's back and set me on the floor against Haley's soft body to begin treatment.

Yukitsu turned to us quickly, a somber expression clear on her face. {I must rejoin the fight. Be well, snow kit.} Mama nodded at her as she flew into the air, keeping Zubat and Carnivine from flying over the conflict and attacking us from the rear with volleys of ice.

"Silas?" Mabel asked quickly, pulling out bandages and focusing their whirlwind of emotions so a soft pink glow could emanate from their hands.

{She could only evade him for so long and got overwhelmed,} Mama replied, struggling to keep her voice from shaking. {She will recover, yes?}

Haley grimaced as a pink glow shone softly from his hands as well. {If we get the time and a little more help, definitely.}

Mama's vengeful gaze returned as she nodded, turning to face the chaos of the battle. {Time I can provide.}

Three of her tails shot condensed fireballs at the roof above, bathing us in sunlight. Several grunts' screams were silenced as chunks of metal and stone were blown free, crushing them. She then glared dangerously onwards, the orbs of flame she sent hurtling into enemy backlines growing in strength as they passed beneath the sun before erupting in howling domes of fire.

"Where the fuck is- oh finally," Mars groaned as a new group of footsteps came running in. "Get over and heal- oh come on!"

Mars only barely dodged the star of flames aimed straight towards her. The distracted grunts behind her weren't so fortunate. They were engulfed by the blaze, their allied water types turning their attention away from the battle to douse their grunts before they were burnt to ash.

{I used to believe I wasn't one for violence,} Eir said, leading all of her Chansey friends while wearing an oversized pair of boxing gloves. Her Chansey friends looked a mixture of unsure about joining the chaos and wonder at the damage Eir had caused. Natalie walked amongst them, carrying supplies. {But I think I found the exception to my rule. Chansey, find your soldier and heal them up! Galactic has gotten more than enough of our eggs to last a lifetime!}

Bolstered by her words, the Chansey scurried into the battlefield. Expertly dodging whatever enemies tried to come their way, with practiced skill no one should have to have as they began helping everyone heal. A Mightyena, Mankey and Bagon beset one of the slower Chansey, but Eir leapt into the fray. Uppercutting Mightyena's maw with an explosive punch. He fell to the ground in genuine disbelief before being helped by his allies.

{After all this time you betray Galactic? You want your egg poached that bad?} He demanded. {You've been with them longer than us, why the sudden turn!?}

Eir glanced at him as though he was gruel she had just stepped in. {Is it truly betrayal when I've been fantasizing about all of your deaths since the day I was forced into Galactic's service? That I might loathe the humans that ripped me from my life to become their personal nurse, aid and servant? To treat the most despicable, vile pokemon I had ever met that would frequently attack me during treatments.} Eir gurgled from the back of her throat and spat the ground before the trio. {You three are all participants of the abuse. Anything you do to any of us Chansey comes back to me and they deserve retribution.}

Mightyena sneered at her. {You're a fool, Chansey! There's a pecking order, ya know? The strong survive and prosper within Galactic. All the food, luxuries and mates we could ask for.}

Mankey stepped up fuming. {I prefer hunting live prey! Been meanin' to poach one of ye' eggs for a loooong time. Or maybe the egg carrier wil' taste betta'?}

Bagon stamped his foot alongside his comrades. {We gotta smash the carrier first.}

Eir's vague boredom turned to absolute vitriol as she began to shine. {You want to break me? Do you think me helpless? I have spent years putting you all back together again every time you were broken, smashed or dropped.} The light grew even brighter as she changed to a fighting stance. {I know exactly how to pull you apart all over again!}

The three pokemon jumped towards her with different attacks. Eir hopped back, firing pinpoint lasers through Bagon's eyes and Mightyena's legs, crippling them both. Mankey managed to slam his fist into Eir's gut, but she held her ground. Switching to an orange glow, she raised her fist and smashed against Mankey's knee, shattering it.

Tackling him into the others she switched back to a dazzling shine, condensing all the energy she had and exploded into a blinding light. All three of the pokemon were burned by the brilliant gleam of her attack. They each laid writhing on the ground in agony, the fairy essence etched into their skin.

Eir paid her own wound little mind as Natalie, who had been hiding behind Eir, pointed in my direction. Eir's eyes widened, waving over Shio and pointing to her downed opponents. She ushered Natalie through the battlefield while Shio sent three well placed kunai into the hearts of Mightyena, Mankey and Bagon. They wouldn't be getting up again.

{I- we are here, Aurora,} Eir corrected. {Natalie and I are here.} Immediately, she began applying her healing force to my injuries along with Mabel and Haley.

Natalie began taking out more medical equipment as she began getting to work. "This is an egregious wound, but it narrowly avoided her eyes. She won't suffer any ocular disabilities from what I can tell, but this is…" Natalie muttered as she busily attended me.

{Silas' work,} Mama hissed, sending another volley of fireballs hurtling towards Galactic. Each burst sent a new gust of embers, smoke and ash flying from the now blazing conflagration on Galactic's side of the room. I could still see the wet sparkle of tears from her eyes. {She sent the signal and survived. I aim to assist you in keeping it that way.}

As Natalie injected something into my arm, the urge to claw at my face lessened in seconds. It went from all encompassing torment to vaguely throbbing, and I could now more clearly think. Feel the wedge of ice being pushed out of my face as the muscles knit themselves back together. The pain slowly subsiding. Thanks to Mabel, Haley and Eir.

I gave a weak thumbs up to Eir, and she smiled at me gently before addressing Mama.

{It's sloppy considering the circumstances, but she's out of the woods now. The drug Natalie administered will have her back on her feet for quite some time before she crashes. By that point, the battle will be won.} She turned back to me. {You will be able to rejoin the fight.}

I gave her a weak smile, holding one of her hands gently. Haley breathed a huge sigh of relief before patting Mabel's arm, then looking at Eir. {Thank you. Words cannot express our gratitude.}

Eir sized him up before shaking her head. {You underestimate yourself. You and your allies got to the wounds before myself. The abilities of a miserly Chansey cannot match those of a devout Blissey. I simply patched up the loose ends.}

Haley shook his head as Mabel pushed themself up, then helped me stand again as I gently ran my hand across my face. Where bone had been exposed just moments before was newly formed skin on reknit muscle. {Your 'miserly abilities' helped a child stand tall much sooner than she could've otherwise. This warzone is far from the first myself and Mabel have been on. And in every instance, every hand that helps heal is just as invaluable as the others.}

Haley gave a respectful nod to Eir while Mabel hugged me. "You're tougher than hell itself, Aurora. You don't have to fight if you don't want to, but…" They smiled softly. "I can already feel your choice."

I nodded, clenching and unclenching my fists. I still need to get my bearings, but as soon as I do, I'ma help beat the shit outta Galactic some more! Help Eir and everyone get out okay!

Eir turned to Mabel, pointing towards Natalie. {I have a select few grunts and pokemon I need to set ablaze, while supporting our allies and keeping the Chansey in order. This one is hopeless without me, so can you ensure her safety while I get things done?}

Mabel nodded. "Of course. If you need backup, just ask Benny and Bors; I'm sure Galactic knows to Bewear them already, so they should give you space should you need it. And they'll ensure your safety, like they've ensured mine and Haley's."

Eir turned around and immediately spotted Bors grappling directly with Mars' Purugly, still finding time between haymakers to send grunts flying. {I'll take you up on that offer. Stay alive, all of you.} With that she adjusted her boxing gloves and fired beams of light at the Stunky sneaking up on Bors before tossing a small healing egg at him, restoring some stamina.

Benny glanced over for a brief moment, nodding when he saw Eir and getting back to fending off grunts while Bors nodded in thanks for the egg and help. Mama turned away from the fight to nuzzle me, keeping me close. {My child, I-}

I shook my head and hugged her tight. You saved me. You made sure I didn't die. That's what matters.

We stood like that for a moment amidst the chaos. We weren't in the clear yet, not by a long shot. But we had a moment to breathe.

"Hey! Aurora, Ivane!"

{Mama! Rora!}

Two voices caught our attention despite the madness that surrounded us. I turned around, wiping away a couple tears in my eyes as I smiled at them. Koko, Li and several baby pokemon ran over to us. They were covered in soot and ash, but overall, none seemed harmed. In the back, I noticed a small Mienfoo carrying a crate of pokeballs.

Koko's smile turned to shock once she saw my face. Even Li skidded to a halt, staring up with wide eyes.

"O-oh my gosh…" Koko's words failed her a moment as I felt her re-live her own trauma at the talons of Silvally. A feeling of guilt settled in as well. A feeling that she should've been there, to stop it, to help. But no one could've stopped Silas. Not forever.

If anyone had to get hurt, almost die to make sure everyone gets out okay? I'm glad it was me.

A shimmer of glass caught my eye. I glanced over, finally seeing my reflection, what everyone was so horrified by. A jagged, haphazard scar tore through my face diagonally, starting closer to my left ear and ending at the bottom of my right cheek. It was still discolored, more reddish than my skin usually was.

There was a rush of emotions- uncertainty, fear, relief- that got pushed to the back of my mind.
Usually, scars are a sign of me losing a fight. Let's see if we live long enough for this one to be different.

|Silas.| I signed simply.

Mama took a breath, steadying herself. {Aurora's bravery knows no bounds. Even after sending the signal and evading Silas, she took it upon herself to distract him for as long as she could. And she made it through alive, despite it all.}

Li nuzzled my leg. {Rora okay?}

I picked him up and held him close, Mama grimacing. {She is no longer in danger of leaving us. But she will need rest soon; the same drug keeping her from… the pain she was in before will result in yet more exhaustion. She should be alright after that.}

Li relaxed a little more. {When it's quiet, let's all take a long nap.}

I nodded, nuzzling him in my arms. I want the longest nap ever.

Koko absorbed those words as she turned to me again. Looking at my scar specifically. "You're so amazing, Aurora. I thought I could do what Paris wanted you to do, but I'm nowhere near that clever to outrun Silas…" She shook her head, clenching her fists. "But since you played your part, I'm gonna keep playing mine. I wanna help the adults and I was hoping you might wanna join me. Only when you're ready."

I smiled, helping Li hold onto my shoulder so I could sign. |I've played my part when everyone's outside and free again. I wanna help as much as I can.|

Koko gave me an excited grin as she raised her hand for a high five. "Let's get to it then! Time for real life co-op!"

I high fived her, putting Li down gently. |Please stay safe, okay?|

{Okay!} He affirmed, hopping giddily.

{Can help? I chomp.} I looked down to see a Sandile, almost definitely Li's friend, speak up.

{I've got hands!} Mienfoo chimed in, raising the box of pokeballs.

{I have legs!} Woo chimed in cheerfully.

{We can help too!} Stripe, the Zigzagoon Hazel had been forced to fight months ago, stood along ready with a bunch of other Zigzagoon with him.

Li nodded affirmingly at his friends. {Wanna help family! Wanna see sun and snow!}

Mama smiled warmly, her heart easing slightly as she looked at them. {You can all help. My child and Koko will need to return behind the front line often to stay safe. And some will almost certainly try and tail them. Can some of you get supplies to heal, while the others stay with me and support our family?}

{Suppriez?} Sandile questioned.

{The spray bottles that make you feel better!} Li answered before he turned to Mama. {Right Mama? You want those?}

Mama nodded. {Exactly. Ask for the purple, red and square gray ones, if they have them.}

The baby pokemon all responded affirmingly in their own ways. It seemed like they were confident about what we needed. Probably because they've been stuck with Galactic all their lives.

Hopefully, it'll be a really short part of their lives.

{And you do not venture out alone,} said a voice I'd only heard in my dreams for the longest time.

Walking up came a Samurott, with gleaming shells and seamitars at the ready. Sue stood tall, not without more scars and disheveled whiskers than last we saw her, but alive. And floating right beside her was Mango, cotton grown out even if strands were sticking out in places. He felt more somber than he did before, but his joy wasn't gone. He just needed time. Danica flew close by, cheeks sparking as she helped carry more supplies to the people who needed them. Baltasar was running up as well, some Bidoof and Bibarel with him as they started to build a wall to help defend everyone.

Beside them stood dozens of other Pokemon, now without their partner Hybrids but here. Simba the Pyroar, Titania the Lilligant and many more. Mama looked at them, then me and Koko.

{I would say a sizable force stands with you now. Are you ready?} She asked calmly, hope burning in her heart.

Koko lifted the artificial arm, patting herself on the chest with a stern expression. "I have to be. So I am. I don't wanna die, so I'll suffer through this so we can all be free."

I nodded in response. |We're gonna make it out of this. And we're gonna help make sure of that!|

As we surveyed the chaos, looking for where to enter, a cloud of noxious gas drifted towards the battlefield. Conspicuously staying away from Mars' squad and making its way towards us, forcing our allies to spend time blowing it back. Leanne and Yvonne amongst those sending out gusts of spiraling wind to keep the fumes from getting any closer.

Mango covered his mouth. {That smell is horrendous. It could seriously mess up a lot of us if we get too close to those gas clouds.}

And it's a smell I know way too well.

Jupiter, her Skuntank and another huge squad of grunts and Pokemon marched forwards. She smirked at Mars, glancing down at her. "I thought you could handle a little rabble."

"Shut up," Mars hissed in response, "And get to work!"

Jupiter waved her hand dismissively before pulling on a gas mask, the filter hissing dangerously with her breathing. "Gladly. Bronco?"

Bronco stepped forward in combat gear, goggles and a new confidence in him I had never seen before. He held six ultra balls in his hands with even more in the pouch around his waist. "This is my element, Commander Jupiter. It will be my pleasure."

He tossed them all into the air releasing a blue Jellicent, Nini's dad the Scolipede, the Linoone fighting for her kits Linea, a mean looking Dragonite, Grumpig and the Rhyperior that tormented me and Mama. They all stood tall and ferociously, clearly a cut above the rest of the grunt pokemon. Especially Rhyperior.

I grimaced, looking at all of Bronco's team he sent out. The Dragonite was the only one I wasn't familiar with, but my ears perked up when I saw Linea. I tapped Koko on the shoulder quickly, pointing at her. |Do you remember her?|

She squinted at Linea quizzically. It took her a few seconds, but finally it clicked. "That's the Linoone that Ivane had to convince she wasn't tryna eat her or her kid, right? Linea was her name, I think?"

I nodded, standing a little in front of everyone and signing. |She's only fighting because Galactic has Stripe and his siblings! But they're here now, Galactic doesn't have them anymore! We just gotta show her that they're safe and she'll help!|

Koko nodded. "Great idea! We just need to get her to notice them before she hurts anyone or we hurt her, hmmm."

She gave it some thought before turning back to me. "Linoone run really fast in straight lines, right? So she's prolly gonna attack the first person she can take out that's in her way. So we need to watch her eyes and go where she's looking with one of her kits, right?"

I nodded. But how do we make sure she goes after someone we're paying attention to, and not anyone else? Even with this many people, keeping track of everyone in this fight is almost impossible…

My tails stood on end for a moment as I looked right at Stripe, began to sign, then shook my head and looked at Koko. |Can you carry him if he's okay with it? I'm sure Eclipse and Yuna will help if we ask, and Linea will definitely look then!|

"They absolutely would. We always love a family reunion," Koko agreed as she knelt down before Stripe. "Hey Stripe, we can see your mommy in the crowd and she wants to see you. Aurora and I can take you to go see her. We won't let anyone hurt you, okay?"

Stripe wagged his tail excitedly. {I can go see Mommy now?}

Koko sheathed her hatchet and outstretched her arms. "Are ya ready to go?"

Stripe leapt into her arms without hesitation. He looked really prickly, but it looked like Koko didn't seem to mind much. Her and Eclipse had thicker skin than me, and Stripe's fur bent softly against it. She held him underneath the artificial arm, making sure he was secure before nodding at me.

Mama smiled at me, pride beaming from her before turning around. Her tails splayed out, fireballs flaring to life above her once more. {Our plan is set. Go forth, and may the Blazing Star of Fortune guide you.}

I nodded and we all shot forwards together. Ready to make things better.

First things first, gotta get to Eclipse and Yuna!

Koko couldn't attack with Stripe, not without putting them both at risk. We knew that. And we wouldn't let them get hurt. Sue ran right beside me, each slash from her blades clearing away scattered Pawniard, Meditite and Rhyhorn trying to stop us. I took care of the grunts, white light enveloping me again as I darted around her; kicking the legs out from under one, slamming my fist into the stomach of another so Mango could blow them away, grabbing the arm of one who tried to recall a Pokemon helping us and hurling him towards Mila.

In seconds, we stood next to Eclipse and Yuna's section of the battlefield. Bodies made up their own floor beneath them as they pushed forwards relentlessly, blood coating the area. Mouths curved into furious snarls, growling as Eclipse ripped a whole part of the front desk up and threw it in tandem with one of Yuna's rock spires.

"Eclipse! Yuna! We need your help!" Koko shouted. She had her focus squarely on her sisters. It was all she could do to ignore the stench of blood and the sight of gore that surrounded them.

Instantly the two looked over at her. Yuna howled again, a huge wall of stone offering temporary reprieve as they looked at us, Stripe, Sue, Mango, everyone. Both of their eyes went back to green.

"What d'you need? Are you hurt? Aurora what the hell, point us in a direction!" She sputtered out, looking between Koko and my face and back again.

Koko held up Stripe. He waved innocently at them. "Stripe's mom is fighting us, but she'll join our side if we show her her kits are with us. We need to get to her safely, but she's too close to Bronco's other pokemon. I think we can guess who she'll attack next though."

Eclipse punched out a section of the rock wall, a grunt screaming at the sudden stone hurtling his way. She saw Bronco standing close to Jupiter and Skuntank, Linea's attention having been drawn by the sudden appearance of the wall.

Her eyes turned blood red again. "You fuckin' got it."

Yuna licked Stripe and Koko quickly. {It does us good to see you safe.} Her eyes turned crimson as she pivoted towards the battle. {And tonight we dine on Galactic's bones!}

She howled again, the rock wall ripping itself up from the floor before hurtling towards Grumpig. He caught it psychically, but had no time to throw it back; my fireballs were already blasting against each piece he caught, sending a spray of shrapnel rocketing towards Bronco.

Rhyperior took the hit without even flinching, looked at us, then at the oncoming storm that was Mama's blizzard alongside Vika and Proton's, the Electivire Hybrid and partner duo, electrical surge. Rhyperior glanced down at Linea.

{I'll hold the line, you pick off the weak,} She ordered Linea.

I felt Linea's heart wrench at the thought, but she nodded. Her body glowed with a similar white energy to mine, readying herself. The volley of Water Pulses sent towards us by Jellicent were cleaved to shreds by Sue, giving us time to keep hurtling forwards.

Koko dashed next to me. "She's looking at Proton, but he's too strong for her to take down. So she's prolly gonna dash towards him and then turn…" She scanned the battlefield instantly and found a Chansey healing a distinctly injured Kazuki, the Farfetch'd Hybrid and his partner Kenage standing protectively in front of the two. Directly perpendicular to Proton's position. "Left of Proton! She's going to attack Kazuki!"

"No she fuckin' ain't!"

Eclipse rushed forwards with Yuna, crushing grunts' bones with a single blow each as they led our charge. Yuna focused on tearing the Pokemon in our way to shreds, tossing them aside after a brutal crunch or clawing them mercilessly. Sue followed right behind them, running with both swords unsheathed and cutting through anyone who entered her range.

Bolts of electricity came hurtling towards us, and I threw up an ice wall. They crackled against it, sizzling for a moment before the wall shattered in tandem with the assault. A spray of poison was met by a gust of frigid wind, razor sharp leaves engulfed in erupting fireballs. Any attack aimed towards us, I deflected.

My ears pricked, and my heart dropped. Shit shit shit shit Silas shit talking hard shit how do I alert Sue shit-

Through some miracle, Sue looked back at me at that exact moment and turned in the direction I was looking. Moments before Silas would've gone for another swipe to cleave me in two, she met his claws with her blades wreathed in water.

Her eyes bored into him. {You will not take away more of my family.}

He beamed sadistically at her. {You're not gonna live this time! No more mercy for you, naughty otty!}

The sudden spray of sparks from their clash caught Linea's eye. And Eclipse was about to make sure she focused on us.

"JUPITER!" She howled, voice shuddering with unfettered rage. "I'M GOING TO BATHE IN YOUR BLOOD!"

{I'll make sure your death is slow and painful, filthy scum!} Yuna snarled, baring her fangs.

Jupiter looked over and rolled her eyes. "You don't know when to quit, do you."

Skuntank glared at them both. {If you're so desperate to die, far be it from me to deny you.}

The two went hurtling towards the Galactic admins, and while they did? I saw Linea's eyes had turned to us. A downed Kazuki was easier to take out, but we were kids. And Sue was busy making sure Silas didn't cut us to ribbons.

Her body shone brightly as she rocketed towards us. I could see her better this time, but she was still far too fast for me to catch. And I couldn't call out.

Koko, you got this!

I threw up my hands, a gleaming dome of green shimmering to life around us. The Protect shuddered as she slammed headlong into it, threatening to crack. But it didn't. The impact left her dazed, shaking her head to get her bearings.

Koko moved in front of me, swiftly holding Stripe forward. "Linea, please, we don't want to fight you! We've got Stripe and all your other kits on our side. You don't have to listen to Galactic anymore, please join us!"

{Mommy we miss you!} Stripe pleaded, squirming in Koko's arms. {I wanna help Mommy!}

She looked up, her eyes going wide in shock. The bubble around us faded to nothing as she ran up, looking at Koko, Stripe and me. {Stripe! Hybrid fox, Aurora, you-} She shook her head again, looking at Stripe. {This young wolf Hybrid, she's your friend? You and your littermates are safe?}

Stripe wagged his tail. {Yah! Rora and Koko kept us safe, so we're all together helping the Hybrids!}

I nodded, smiling a little and pointing back towards everyone. Relief flooded her heart, and she nodded back. {Thank you. Thank you. Come, let us-}

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bronco. Pulling out the same ultra ball he'd imprisoned Linea in before. Ripping her away from her family. Like he ripped away Spiri, murdered him because they thought he wasn't worth anything. Because they didn't think any of us were worth anything. Just existing for their use and ready to be tossed aside if we refused.

Not this time. Never. Fucking. AGAIN!

I bolted in front of Linea, the red beam of light sparking harmlessly off of me. Bronco didn't have time to be annoyed before I raised my hands, fire roaring in tandem with my hate as tears of fury steamed from my eyes.

BURN FUCKER, BURN!

A searing inferno, hotter and brighter than anything I'd made before, came sizzling out from my hands. The fires roared, clawing at everything they came close to. Plants close to the howling blaze burst into flames, the room around it turning an angry golden scarlet. The floor below hissed as it began to glow red, sharp tile edges melting together while the air itself cracked at the heat.

Bronco's eyes went wide as the flames consumed him, letting forth a scream as Rhyperior glanced back and dumped sand on him to put him out. His stupid hair needed more sand before that happened.

The ball he was holding clunked to the floor, sinking slightly beneath the liquid metal. As I pulled back my hands, the funnel of fire ending, it sank further into the floor before the metal solidified once more. The Pokeball now stuck deep within, impossible to use.

Koko gave me a curious look. "When'd ya learn that move? Never seen you do that before."

I turned, flicking my hands to clear them of stray embers while Stripe and Linea watched me as I signed. |Right now.|

"I hope you can do it again! That was awesome!" Koko turned to Bronco impassively, who was getting treated for his burns. "Guess that armor ain't all that fireproof."

Linea nodded at me. {And yet again you save my family. Thank you. Let us go now, quickly this time.}

I nodded, running back with her, Koko, Stripe and Mango. He was tossing cotton balls at any enemies that got too close to us so we could outpace them or for Sue to slash down. His heart was determined and his face stern, I knew he was fighting for himself and Arvis in his stead. He gave us a tiny grin when he saw we succeeded in our mission as he flew beside us.

Sue stood ready with us, the arrows embedded in the wall beside her making it exceptionally clear why Silas had darted off. She smiled at me, pain and relief in her heart simultaneously.

We quickly made our way back to Mama and everyone else. Another barrage of fireballs cleared most of the ones trying to tail us away, while Sandile's bite on a grunt's leg sent him hopping away in pain.

{Well done, my child!} She nodded at Linea. {And to you as well, for enduring them. You stand among better company now.}

Linea nodded back. {Thank you, but where are my other children?}

{Your Mama is back!} Chimed a familiar, gleeful voice.

{Mommy!}

{You're back!}

{We missed you!} The sudden rush of Zigzagoon piled onto Linea gleefully, Stripe joining them. Linea's heart swelled with joy as she curled them close, a lot like Mama would with me and Li. Flanking them was a happy little seed, her big eyes gleaming with hope.

Shine!

I ran over and hugged her tight. She nuzzled me back since she didn't have arms, but my heart leapt seeing her again after all these months. The first Pokemon who wanted to play with me. The first one who accepted a name from me.

{I missed you so much, Aurora! I tried so hard to see you again, but they wouldn't let me!} Shine cried, sniffling into my shirt. {I told all my friends about you and your Mama! That you two were nice and were a great playmate! When they told me you had to fight the bigger mons I was so scared! I tried to talk to them so they wouldn't fight too hard. Did it help?}

Tears welled in my eyes as I nodded, hugging her tighter. Mama walked up and sat with me. {It helped immensely. And now you are together again. A day did not go by when my child did not worry about you, and now that is finally at an end.}

Tears fell freely from my eyes as I sat down roughly. It'd been so long. So long. I was sure Galactic had killed her, or made her evil, or made her how Nini was before we helped him, or so many things. And she was here. She was okay. She was her.

A dam in my heart still held, but right now? It was overflowing.

Shine leaned back. {I didn't come here alone. My other friends came too!}

Dodging the trampling feet of countless battlers, I spotted a tiny Pichu skirting past them all while zapping someone behind him. On his back, he struggled to carry an ether almost as big as him. By his side was a flying Igglybuff, attempting to keep a relentless Beedrill from stabbing them both. Koko, her face stern, jumped into the fray and punted the Beedrill's face straight into Sue's Water Pulse. They went cascading helplessly backwards, slamming against the wall with their wings too wet to fly.

The Pichu and Igglybuff stopped running and looked up at her with relief, giving her thanks. Koko smiled at them, but tilted her head in curiosity to the arrivals. I knew exactly who they were

Cookie!? Maya!?

"Aurora, aren't they-"

{Aurora?} Maya questioned as she and Cookie turned to me, holding Shine. Their eyes went wide, Cookie dropping the ether while they each jumped into my arms. I quickly pulled them into the same hug as Shine, Mama wrapping a couple tails around us.

If my eyes weren't flooded with tears before? Now it was a monsoon. I was hiccuping faintly, clutching them all close.

They're here they're alive they're okay they're here they're not dead I get to see them again they all remember me we're together again!

{I can't believe you're here!} Maya wept even harder than Shine.

Cookie discharged an involuntary spark from excitement, but quickly settled it. He nuzzled me more calmly after. {We finally found you…}

Koko smiled fondly at us all. "Awww, all your old friends are coming back. I love reunions." She rubbed her eyes, sharing our joy.

Even if I was okay to speak, I didn't have words. I just wept openly, holding some of the first friends I ever made. After everything- despite everything- with all the countless deaths around us, the relentless clamor of battle, tensions thick and the fate of everyone in the balance?

For this moment, I was vulnerable. For this moment, nothing could replace the relief, the joy, the hope for the future that I had.

I didn't want to give it up. I didn't want to leave them ever again.

But Galactic's still over there. And if we don't escape… if we don't fight back and make sure they don't kill us all…

I looked at the three of them- Shine, Cookie and Maya- my throat tight. They looked up at me in confusion, concern, worry.

Mama walked next to me and kept me close, looking down at them. {Aurora is scared of losing you again. And this battle is not yet won. She wants nothing more than to sit here with you, catch up, spend time and enjoy each other's company after so very long. But she cannot let herself sit idle while Galactic threatens us all. And so she would hope that you stay with me, where it is safe, so the moment the battle is won you can reunite and stay together.}

She looked at me gently. Pain in her heart, that I couldn't just stay with them. That I couldn't do what I wanted, do what kids should be able to do, not yet. And at the same time, pride in who I was. That I was willing to do whatever it took to protect my family. {Do I have that correct, my child?}

I nodded, giving a soft hum of agreement. They each looked up at me and Mama, relenting. Maya looked like she really wanted to protest, but Cookie patted her on the head, keeping her from crying.

{You're right… we're too small to carry things into battle. People might step on us and we're just babies,} Cookie sighed.

Shine shimmied. {We can still help though! Remember, we trained really hard to help out!}

Maya's eyes widened as she remembered. {Oh yes, you're right! While I wanted to show you how good I've gotten at singing, first I wanna help you win!}

They all jumped out of my arms and got into a circle. First, Shine glowed a brilliant gold before a yellow barrier began to manifest around me and Koko. Mango and Sue, who had stopped fighting to rest, were also enveloped in the shield that vanished as soon as it appeared. Cookie followed suit, manifesting a rainbow shield around us. Finally, Maya spun around and sent healing waves cascading through all of us, Mama included this time. I could feel the faint throbbing of my face dull further. Once they finished, they each fell to the ground tired. I passed them the ether quickly for them to share, snapping the top off so they could drink more easily.

Koko flexed her arms as she pinched her skin. "I do feel tougher… thanks! Like I could stop a train! What were those moves?"

{Light Screen, Reflect and Heal Pulse,} Mama said quickly, her eyes turning back to the battlefield. {And something tells me the support will become invaluable momentarily…}

I hugged each of them again gently, wiping my eyes as I stood up. I don't know what's coming, but I'll die before they get through me and hurt my family. Not again.

"Neither side is aiming to win this fight. The clock ticks against us all," The wicked clack of heel to ground resonated through my ears. Spinel walked up behind Mars and Bronco in full combat armor. It consisted of a Galactic G emblazoned silver chestplate, gauntlets, boots and a visor helm, her usual glasses missing. Each metal piece was equipped with vents emitting a spectral mist.

At her waist, hi-tech two curved blades at her sides held on by magnetic plates, shining with a turquoise glow. Underneath the armor she wore a smooth black skinsuit.

"But we must take out as many as possible in order to secure our Galactic's survival. Too many mistakes have been made and we're lost too many people. Turncoats are to be exterminated and loyalists supported. Together we must strike back as a cohesive unit or so help me- this is not where my story ends!" Her heel slammed on the ground as her armor pulsed with dark energy.

YOUR story- bitch what?!

"Now is not the time for petty squabbles," a cold, collected voice rang out from the speakers around us and in front of us as Cyrus strolled onto the battlefield. His arms were crossed behind him as always, but he'd come prepared. Instead of his usual jacket, he was wearing some kind of gray metal fabric coat that went down to his knees with a raised collar. Two black stripes wrapped around the bottom third of his coat, and the yellow G of Galactic was emblazoned on his shoulder. He wore boots and gloves of a similar material, his sleeves looking vaguely padded. An earpiece with a small wire leading to a microphone in front of his mouth sat on his head. From what I'd heard, barring a helmet, he was wearing what someone would if they intended to go to space.

Behind the both of them came more grunts, but these ones like how Jean and Indra were. Actual hair, and not the turquoise stuff.

Fuck. At least they're here so we can punch 'em.

"We bar their exit and push them back," his voice echoed. "They will not obstruct our goal."

He tossed out a cluster of master balls with one hand, each one erupting into a different Pokemon. The Honchkrow from before, flapping above the battlefield and gazing down at the chaos. Several Murkrow immediately fell into line behind him. A Crobat, four wings beating to keep him aloft and fangs sharpened to a razor's edge. Blue and black flames crackled out of the Houndoom's mouth, tail lashing dangerously. Gyarados' roar shook the walls as he took flight, already deciding who to devour. Claydol's eight eyes trained on eight different people as they gyrated slowly, arms aimed forwards and prepared to fire.

Paris grimaced. "They bring out everything they have to bar our exit! Show them their best isn't good enough!" she called out.

Silas darted out of the shadows, landing on Cyrus' shoulder with a snicker. {Livers for lunch, your spirits crunched, bloodstains starting to dry. I've got a hunch that your sorry bunch, well you're all going to die!}

My blood boiled watching the Honchkrow glaring down at us, as aloof and uncaring as Cyrus was. That's the fucker! That's who ate Spiri!

Mama glanced at me, at Honchkrow, and nodded. There was one friend I'd made who couldn't join Shine, Cookie and Maya. {The atrocity shall not go unpunished.}

Spinel removed two timer balls from her hi-tech belt. Koko's breath hitched at the sight of them. "I summon you, Castor, Pollux!"

From them emerged the classist Gothitelle I had seen too frequently and a Pokemon I'd seen before in battles, and as one of our family who'd died in Helheim. A fully metallic body with red helmet, shoulder plates and rounded triangular shorts legs. Silver boots, gauntlets and circular axe blades on their torso adorned his form. The same silver edge crested another axe blade protruding from his head, with yellow coating the rest and a black striped torso and arms. Castor squinted at the carnage before them while Bisharp looked interested.

Koko exhaled after they were released, but didn't relax as she clenched her artificial arm. "I thought she was going to send out Silvally again… that new pokemon doesn't look much better though. Anytime she sends someone new out, bad things happen."

|And each time we'll kick their ass,| I signed, looking defiantly at them.

Koko shook her head, psyching herself back up again. "You're right, I'm just nervous… Arvis told me about these pokemon, Bisharp. They're really dangerous in Unova. They're sharp like Silvally and Silas too…" Koko tugged at the metal arm subconsciously. "We can't allow Galactic to butcher anyone else…"

|We're gonna stop him. It won't be like before. None of this is, and we're gonna show them how different it is.|

The Bisharp, Pollux, stretched beside Castor. {So we're called to duty, eh? Must be serious if the boss lady even has got you fightin', right Bro?} He surmised.

{Desperate times, Brother. While I loathe the struggle of battle personally, the situation demands our best to be here. Even Cyrus' team has joined us,} Castor noted.

Pollux scanned the bloodstained, burning battlefield. {So these are your beloved Hybrids, huh? I see why you two were so invested, they're even more neat up close. They don't look too happy, though. If this is all so much trouble why not we just let 'em all go?}

Spinel turned to the duo. "I will inform you afterwards, but for right now we cannot afford to let up. Castor, the Chansey unit has defected along with various individuals from the others, save the Aromatisse unit. You're in charge of leading our remaining support pokemon. Pollux, protect the support pokemon, kill whomever gets in your way. There's enough traitors to last."

{Metagross and Eloise's presence would be appreciated here. Or better yet, I should be aiding them in whatever duty they are charged with,} Castor insisted.

"They are dealing with data transference and cargo. If need be, summon Metagross on my command. Until then, get the job done. Rememberwhat we are fighting for," Spinel commanded.

Pollux sized up her armor and the ghastly smoke emanating from her. {Don't you think she would be more useful fighting alongside us rather than… doing whatever you two are doing?}

Spinel smiled, my blood boiling instinctively in response. "What would be the point of all that training if we never get to utilize it? Now go."

Satisfied with her answer, Castor and Pollux flew and dashed into the fray. While no more Chansey stood beside Galactic, they still had several Chimecho and Aromatisse doing their best to heal grunts and pokemon. Castor immediately took charge, diverting supportive efforts to those he deemed worthy. Meanwhile the grunts began running around, shielded by his psychic powers allowing them to heal some of the downed pokemon.

Pollux, while slower than Silas, proved himself to be anything but a slouch as he dashed across the battlefield. The whines of his blades sliced through the air, keeping our friends from targeting Galactic healers. Unsettlingly similar to the way Silas did. Mila came at him with a punch glowing with orange energy, but he somersaulted over her shoulders, manifested silver blades and slashed deep into her back before she could turn around. Mila screams filled the air as she collapsed onto the ground, unable to retaliate.

My breath hitched, the white light around me shining brighter as I got ready to bolt to her side.

She's gonna die! We can't let her die! Not here, not now!

{Hold, the both of you!} Mama called urgently.

"NO!" Koko jumped up to try and save Mila, just as I had, but I grabbed her arm tight, my heart beating a mile a minute. Mama said wait. So I'd wait."Pollux cut Mila! We have to help her!"

I kept holding on, feeling fire and ice beginning to swirl around me as Mama rushed over. {I understand both of your urgency to help, but neither of you are healers. Nor are you strong enough to hold back Pollux yourselves. You are not the only ones on this battlefield, and far from the ones responsible for everyone's well being. Rushing in blindly would only cause more havoc.}

As much as I didn't want her to be right, she was. I'm not strong enough to help yet…

Koko's arms trembled in anger, but she relented at Mama's words. I looked down, noticing the artificial arm steaming. It didn't do that usually. Once Koko eased up, I let her go. As she began to calm down she rubbed the artificial arm that had been flowing with elemental energy, as if to ease it.

That arm is connected to her body, so she just can't take it off. Is it uncomfortable when she gets mad and her powers fill it up?

We watched as Mila's partner Lopunny, Ryuko, pursued Pollux with a vengeful fury only to be sprayed down by a noxious acid from Jupiter's Skuntank. He swiveled around to fire a volley of air slices at Ryuko whilst running. She narrowly avoided direct impact.

Eclipse and Yuna's fury that they were ignored for even a moment forced Skuntank's attention back on them, however. Hardin and Adamantine stood ahead of Pollux, denying him any further advancing while Sue led Ryuko, carrying Mila, to the rearguard. Slashing relentlessly at anyone who came too close.

Bronco's pokemon and the rest of Jupiter's group took the battle well, hitting us hard. While we had fought his pokemon countless times before, none of us had ever seen his Dragonite in battle as they savagely assaulted our aerial fighters. Grumpig was pulling up chunks of rubble and throwing them at us, forming the destroyed kiosks into a sort of barrier. Jellicent floated around, launching blasts of water and spectral energy down from above. Nini's dad was on their front lines, trying to rip us apart with toxic horns. Rhyperior dominated the land, channeling their energy into the ground, tripping us up and launching rock spires from the ground when we were vulnerable.

Spinel and Jupiter remained closeby, shouting orders at grunts when to push and when to retreat. Staying out of the fray for now, letting others die for them. Cyrus spoke infrequently towards the battlefield, mostly relaying orders into his earpiece. But when he did, the Pokemon following his orders tore at any gaps in our defenses. Any weakness shown was immediately exploited and worsened.

Koko and I watched anxiously as Sue led Ryuko and Mila back to us. I could feel Mama's mind racing with her heart, formulating a plan as quickly as she could, standing protectively in front of the babies. Paris looked over. "If you've got any ideas, now's the time for them."

Mama nodded. {If Eclipse and Yuna could break the ceiling above us while others shield or make use of the debris, I can clear the field given time.}

Paris nodded, her eyes darting around. Legolas, noting the momentary ceasefire, flew beside her and waited for her signal.

"Aurora! Koko! Ivane!" I whirled around to see Hazel, gripping her wand tightly, and Vivian running over to us. They each gasped when they saw my face, Hazel covering her mouth in shock. "W-what happened? Are you alright?" Hazel asked.

Mama grimaced. {Silas. She's well enough for the moment, but we need to end this quickly. Her energy will not last much longer.}

"Aurora and I are working together to help the adults. We've got each others' backs," Koko affirmed Hazel before she began to grow even more concerned.

|Are you two alright?| I asked swiftly, shuddering slightly.

{We're okay, but…} Vivian scanned the battlefield. {This is awful…}

Hazel clenched her chest scanning the battlefield before turning back to us. "Are the others alright?"

I shook my head and pointed to Hardin and Adamantine struggling to hold everyone back, then at Mila and Ryuko. They were limping towards us, leaving a trail of blood in their wake. Hazel dashed over to them without a moment's hesitation, catching them before they fell and helping them reach us.

Ryuko's fur was singed, patches of her skin were exposed from the acid. With each movement she winced, but the urgency paled in comparison to the deep gash in Mila's back, her clothes soaked with blood. Her breath was labored, her focus gone. All she could do was grit her teeth as we laid her onto her stomach. Mama froze her back to stop the blood flow, but she had already lost so much. The potions couldn't shoot blood back into her system.

{What do we do? I… I can't lose her, not when we're so close!} Ryuko pleaded with Mama as Hazel sprayed her with a potion and antidote.

{This wound is… grievous. My apologies, but this is the best of my healing capabilities,} Mama lamented as she scanned the field for Chansey. Mabel and Natalie were attending to Doug who nearly had his leg broken by one of Rhyperior's spires. Haley was tending to Eclipse and Yuna from afar, trying to stem the poison. Eir was still with Benny and Bors. The other Chansey were frantically running around trying to help everyone else. Even Maya was doing everything she could to heal an ally Mothim.

Hazel held back tears as we could feel Mila's lifeforce begin to fade from her body.

"Miss Mila doesn't deserve this…" Hazel whispered. "None of us do. To be surrounded by violence. To hurt others in ways we never wanted."

She trembled with each word she said, a new force welling up inside her as she wiped her tears. "But Rhodo said I have to keep my faith. So I have to believe she'll be okay. That we'll all be okay. So, I need to act on my beliefs."

Vivian looked up at her in confusion. {I agree, but… we aren't healers. We don't know how to mend people's bodies. Everyone is busy… what can we do, Hazel?}

Hazel gently rubbed Vivian's head, held up her hand close to her chest, looking at me and Mama. "You two gave me this wand because you believed in me. I can't fight, it's not in my nature and I don't think it ever will be. But I want to believe I can still help others. That there are ways I can be useful."

{What is your plan, then?} Mama asked gently.

"I'm going to do my best," Hazel affirmed as she pointed the wand towards Mila's back and closed her eyes. A pure white energy began to course through her body as she blocked out all of the violence, chaos, suffering erupting throughout the battlefield. Her heart was filled with determination, all directed and making sure Mila was okay.

"Please, deities above. Give me the strength to help my friends, my family and all who wish for peace. I pray for the ability to aid others through their trials, to keep their hearts full and bodies firm. I ask you with all my being, grant them restored vitality. Allow me to restore others in your stead," Hazel pleaded with Arceus, every deity that stood with them and her own body until the power from inside her channeled to her wand. Mystical energies surrounded her, stars twirling around her body as she continued to glow. "I wish upon The Star of Hope, the miracle of healing."

As she finished her prayer, the tiny stars congregated towards her wand and filtered onto Mila. Floating gently around her gash. Pouring all their energy into her wound, flesh knitting itself back together. We all watched, feeling Mila's lifeforce return to her body until the wound was completely sealed, new skin forming overtop with a scar like mine. The stars, their work done, dispersed into motes of light. She let out a weak groan as Ryuko knelt down to ease her partner.

Hazel finally exhaled the breath she had been holding, smiling at their reunion as Vivian nuzzled her.

{You did it! You healed her!} She cheered.

{That was glorious, child. The miracle of Wish has answered your call. A sign of one pure of heart and mind,} Mama affirmed.

Hazel bowed lightly, seemingly recovering from the spiritual high she was on. "Thank you, Miss Ivane. I couldn't have done this without everyone believing in me."

Hazel then turned to Koko. "I… I'll watch you and Aurora's back. Just like I promised. I can do it now!"

Koko patted Hazel on the shoulder. "I always knew you could." I smiled, nodding in agreement.

She's not a fighter like us, but she's a fighter in her own way. She won't just let Galactic have their way.

Ryuko hugged her in thanks. Hazel was still a little stunned, but returned the hug anyway. {I can't thank you enough. I don't know what I would've done, but you've made sure I don't have to find out. You're not just a lifesaver, you're a miracle worker.}

Hazel shook her head. "I-I just did my best. I'm glad I could help, Miss Ryuko."

My heart at ease that another one of my family wasn't going to die today, I focused back on the battle.

The moment Paris had laid eyes on Eclipse and Yuna, relentlessly assaulting Jupiter and Skuntank, the two had let loose a dozen rapid-fire arrows each. The sudden assault caught Eclipse and Yuna's attention. Paris needed only her nod her head towards us for her to understand, her scowl deepening. The two hadn't finished, but they weren't going to abandon us. Not when we needed them.

"Who needs to die?" Eclipse growled furiously, rushing through the crowd with Yuna beside her.

{All of them,} Mama replied darkly, {And we need an opening. Make one in the roof, clear the debris, and I can create that.}

{Destroy their base and their bodies, a worthy plan,} Yuna snarled as she and Eclipse leapt up. Randel and his partner, having just been patched up by Mabel, Haley and Natalie, were charging over. They quickly put up another shield of vines and bark as Eclipse and Yuna tore the roof apart.

Sunlight shone through the dust and debris falling, large chunks of metal and stone slamming into the shield. It held, barely bending as the pile fell forwards and settled. As soon as Eclipse and Yuna began to fall, the defending duo tilted the shield forwards so they could slide down next to the pile.

Eclipse began pelting Galactic with chunks of roof, forcing Castor to focus his efforts on defending himself and not as much the other supporters. As soon as they ran out of rubble, they shot back into the fray, heading for Jupiter again.

Mama nodded to herself, curling her tails above herself. A familiar ball of greenish white light began to form, the sunbeams seeming to almost bend into it and fuel its growth. It expanded much more quickly than it had when we fought Rhyperior underground, with only her artificial sun to speed it along. And she didn't stop when it reached the same size it had then.

I clenched my fists, glancing back at Shine, Cookie and Maya. At Linea keeping Stripe and his siblings safe. Mila just now getting up, and the mixture of relief and familiar pain from Mango, Sue, Danica, the others who'd lost their partner.

We've gotta help somehow! We can't just sit back here and wait for everyone else to fix things! I won't let anyone die if I can help it!

Mama glanced back at me. {There is a battle I believe you and Koko would be interested in, my child.}

I hummed curiously, looking at her with Koko. "What's up?"

She gestured towards the battlefield with her head. Following her gaze, I saw a group fighting far on the other side of the room. Paris and Legolas had flown forwards, darting around Spinel wielding her dual blades. Overwhelming her with their airborne assault. My mind went back to when Spinel had shoved me in the void room, attacking relentlessly when I couldn't fight back and forcing me into a Pokeball. I shook my head quickly.

Not the time. And things are different now.

Clive and Elpis clashed with Rhyperior, each side vying for dominance over the other. Isadora and Wilona stood closer to the back on a balcony, protecting Lyle and Alkali as their hands darted across the box of supplies and concocted new items to help us.

While I couldn't hear her voice over the din of battle, I saw her mouth move. Vika and Proton sent crackling thunderbolts searing through the air, Honchkrow weaving around them both. A Murkrow wasn't so agile.

A triplet of streaks clashed around them all, only the briefest of moments betraying the lightning quick battle taking place. Naoko, Shio and Silas rocketing across the battlefield, clashing knives against claws, each side attempting to slaughter the other.

Mars was busy trying to not get impaled on the same icicles that'd laid waste to her squad, while also not getting flattened by Benny and Bors. The two handled her and Purugly all on their own, the bruises and scrapes on Purugly outnumbering the scratches on Benny and Bors combined.

Jupiter darted between clouds of noxious gas, her gas mask allowing her to move through them freely. It was the only reprieve she got from Eclipse and Yuna tearing the battlefield apart to get to her. Skuntank kept spewing toxic fumes everywhere, but the sudden eruptions of stone and the building crumbling around them kept causing gusts of wind and dust that blew away the clouds. Once they were in open air, they dissipated quickly.

From another hallway, I could see Saturn, Toxicroak and the rest of his team being pushed back. Jean and Indra were howling furiously at him, the whole of her squad backing her. Worse for wear, but Saturn's grunts were nowhere to be seen with him.

Charon was skittering around, screaming in abject terror as he tried not to get crushed by falling debris, killed in one hit by a stray attack, or just tripping and falling through a hole in the floor before splattering against the ground of the floor below. A young Klefki jangled their keys after him, following after. I wasn't even sure if they were trying to attack him or not, but Charon certainly thought they were.

Bronco and his squad were turning away from the main battle to help, falling in line behind Cyrus. Castor kept his psychic shields up around the grunts and Pokemon healing Galactic's leaders as much as they could. Pollux and his squadron of Glameow, not Pawniard, were also moving back from the main battle, focusing more on them.

{Our family could use some more help dealing with the orchestrators of this tragedy,} Mama said, the orb of sunlight still gathering in her tails. {I would imagine you two would love to be among them.}

I nodded quickly, clenching my fists. We get to go help our family AND beat up Galactic? Yeah! I wanna do that!

Hazel looked uncomfortable about the prospect. "Um, you know a lot more than me, Miss Ivane, and I know you trust us all very much, but… that area looks really dangerous…" She scanned the field. "Well, everywhere is dangerous, but are you sure about over there?"

{I am, because I would not expect them to go alone,} Mama continued.

As if on cue, Yukitsu floated down from above, Dojima slamming away the grunt whose arm he just broke before darting over. Sue stood tall with us, and Mango floated over. Rampan trundled up, snorting softly. {Would my assistance be beneficial?}

Mama nodded, glancing at Koko. {Everyone's assistance, no matter how small they believe it to be, can prove invaluable in this instance.}

Rampan nodded in return. {Then we charge together.}

I turned to Koko, holding her hand gently before signing. |You're not gonna be alone. None of us are. We're family, and we've got each other's back. Right?|

Koko looked over to where everyone was fighting with a determined expression. "I wanna go where I'm most needed. If they need us over there, then we have to head over there. As a family."

I nodded, the fire burning in my heart stretching to my hand as I clenched it. Sue looked over at Pollux, grunting in agitation. {I will handle the bladed one.}

Feeling resentment, fury and pain all mixed in one from her, I understood. He's too much like Silas. And she couldn't save Owain… he almost killed Mila. She'll make sure he doesn't get the chance to do that to anyone else.

Yukitsu addressed Sue. {Sue, yes? As a warning, Pollux the Bisharp is one of Spinel's favorites. I do not know his whole story, but I do know he's trained with Silas. He's not as callous, but that won't stop him from cutting us down.}

Sue's eyes narrowed further, the hate bubbling hotter within her. {All the more reason he will not be allowed to run wild.}

"Just take care of yourself, please," Koko begged.

{Go with my blessing, and may you make Galactic rue the day it dared put into motion such cruel plans,} Mama said, fire burning in her heart. I nodded, glancing at everyone else before we all charged together as one group.

As we ran through battle and between overturned benches, I could hear the scuffle between Paris, Legolas and Spinel over the relentless clamor of battle. Energy blades humming through the air, fizzling against arrows and the clatter of strikes against her armor. Already several of the vents spewing mist were clogged with feather after feather from arrows, forcing the spectral gas to fume more violently from other ports. Not to mention the myriad of gashes and dents on her armor, and how she'd begun to favor one leg over the other.

"While I loathe you on a deeply personal level, you've proven once again that your bloodline's respect has been dutily earned," Spinel noted, her eyes slits. She launched herself forwards with a flurry of slices, Paris darting upwards and away from each one with practiced ease. "In fact, they've earned so much of my respect it may be best to put the whole family down."

Paris snorted in disapproval, sending an arrow fly and nearly knocking one of Spinel's blades out of her hand before nocking another. "As if you could. You believe my skills, that of my family are from blood alone? We work tirelessly for that. You assume you were unknowable, that you could so easily catch them unawares?"

A small smirk crossed Legolas' beak as he fired a quick volley, forcing Spinel to block and leaving marks on the armor. {I will give you this; security has tightened since Kanto. Well done, we had to make ourselves known this time.}

Spinel's armor mumbled in response, as though the mist itself were translating for her. "Whatever relation you think I have with Kanto was made all on your own," She feigned ignorance. "You must have me mistaken for another mad scientist."

Raising her left arm launching spectral smoke toward them both. Using it as cover, she raised her right arm firing darts toward them.

I pointed urgently towards them, Sue getting the message. {We strike while she is distracted. Onwards!}

Without a moment more to waste, we all quickened our pace towards Spinel, Castor and Pollux. C'mon, keep being a dumb bitch! Talk! You love the sound of your own voice, we all know you do!

Paris suddenly darted forwards, spiraling through the darts and sweeping past her retaliatory slashes before kicking her squarely in the back. Legolas followed up with an arrow that slammed into her chest, knocking her stumbling back onto her feet. "Of course. We just so happen to have been tailing another scientist with a god complex, attempting to outdo the divine and harming countless lives in the process. I'd suppose the RKS project means nothing to you as well, then."

Spinel smirked, catching her breath. "Type:Null was a gift from a friend. Those who wish to test the limits of what is possible have to stick together, wouldn't you say? I must say I am grateful I got to toy with the escaped model for a while, at least. Quite educational."

Legolas sent a volley of arrows humming with spectral energy hurtling towards her, as though drawn to the same energy pulsing from the armor. {As much as you may believe, your Ciphers are not as secure as you may think. Perhaps to another, your schemes may have gone unknown. But we know better, without a shadow of a doubt. A trip to Orre will be most enlightening, I think.}

Rampan cleared a path for us, knocking aside grunts and Pokemon alike as we hurtled towards them. The longer she keeps blathering on, the closer we get! She's too busy doing an evil monologue to know we're about to fuck her up!

Spinel wasn't as easy to disturb as she was before, she wouldn't blather like Charon. But she also wasn't invincible. She was tired and injured, she couldn't hide her emotions or expressions forever. I could see her looking beyond Paris, watching her fellow commanders occupied in their own battles.

She collected her breath, sending more darts their way as she began to strafe to a more favorable position. "Think whatever you want, I've no obligation to tell you anything. You could tell me the planet is flat or that prokaryotes possess nuclei and I would deny it to the same level as if you said I assassinated the champion!"

Paris smirked, knocking aside the darts and flying between where Spinel was attempting to strafe to. "Perhaps not. But your reaction says enough. And you're floundering now, your actions catching up to you. I doubt you expected for your plot to crumble around you as spectacularly as it is."

"Tch," Spinel grit her teeth, preparing for close combat again, releasing gas to cover herself.

Legolas took the advantage to rake her back with his talons before darting away again. {And your own lack of skill betrays you. Sight isn't the only sense you use in a battle. I would figure you'd learned as much after all the fighting you've seen us do, but apparently not.}

Spinel leaned against the wall, tapping her intercom. "Miss Eloise-"

Paris shot the intercom before Spinel could finish, the device shattering into useless fragments and forcing Spinel to flinch. "No, I don't think so."

Spinel chuckled darkly, her laugh not remotely hiding her clear anger. Her armor began to spew more gas as her eyes glowed golden, her muscles strengthening. Paris fired three arrows that Spinel barely deflected each time. She combined her dual swords into a glaive to slice down at Paris, missing narrowly as she rolled to the side. Paris leapt to her feet, pivoting with a kick to clash to Spinel's own roundhouse kick, each staring daggers into their foe.

Except Spinel didn't get the time to try and follow up as I ran up and slammed my fist squarely into the back of Spinel's head, leaping away before the sudden pulse of ghastly energy could catch me. Darting towards Isadora, Wilona, Lyle and Alkali with Koko, Yukitsu, Mango and Dojima.

How d'you like that, bitch?!

Spinel flipped through the air, managing to maneuver properly before landing. She looked up in fury only to see us all stare her down. I wiggled my hands next to my face, sticking my tongue out at her. "Nyeeeh!"

{Ever the reliable soul, unlike you,} Legolas taunted while pelting her with more arrows. Spinel rolled out of the way, pulling up gnarled steel from the chaos to block the shots.

Paris glanced over at us. "Assist the others, Legolas and I have this under control." She turned back to Spinel. "All of you would be more trouble to take down than this one."

Spinel got up, rubbing her neck, eyeing the rest of us. The spectral mist whispered to her again as her muscles pulsed and eyes widened. "You'll find when I'm pushed against the wall, I'll destroy everything before I accept failure." Spinel tapped her chest plate, the gas beginning to pour into her mouth and ears, fueling her body. Her eyes flashed a brighter gold before turning to normal. "Level one limiters, released. Engaging second bout."

While Paris wasn't ignoring the statement, she wasn't overly concerned either. "Still won't increase your skill," she muttered before focusing solidly back on the fight, Legolas gliding above at the ready.

Hearing a sudden cascade of footsteps, I looked over. Pollux led the charge alongside several Glameow, encircling him in a tight formation. Lyle, reeling back to throw a water balloon, had his hand stomped mid throw by Pollux as he picked him up.

{Now what is this?} He mused, squeezing it out of his hands. The Glameow began to surround him and Akali as he tried to struggle out of his grip. {Hmmm, modified Galactic curatives. Cute, but I think it's best I confiscate them.}

"Lyle!" Koko screamed.

My heart skipped a beat, yelping quietly. We've gotta help!

A sudden tidal wave rushing towards him blew them away as Sue rode the wave, crashing into Pollux with her seamitars grinding against his gauntlet blades and freeing Lyle. Lyle darted forwards, catching the water balloon before it burst against the ground. At the same time, Pollux glanced behind him to see his Glameow posse sulking over their wet fur.

{And this is why I asked for Pawniard subordinates,} He grumbled, rolling his eyes and brandishing his blades.

Sue speared him with the shell on her head clashing with his helm blade, rushing after him as he darted back for space. {Fitting for a pawn like yourself,} she growled furiously.

They clashed again, locking blades sheathed in water and darkness. {Hmmm, this is getting personal. Can't say I've fought any Samurott recently. I rub ya the wrong way? Or is it my brother and you're taking it out on ME!}

On that last word, his helm blade extended in shining silver, prepared to slam into Sue. She hardened her skull with light green energy, slamming her head against his. {Nothing so petty, a new concept to you. You train with the bladed darkness who killed my brother. Any who stand with him will fall.}

Pollux grit his teeth as his razored foot glowed bright orange, kicking Sue back in the chest but not before she slashed his arm. A gash in the metal on his gauntlet now had a dull shine, with a bruised cut burdening Sue.

{Bladed darkness? That could apply to so many pokemon species. A bit of originality wouldn't hurt,} Pollux shifted his stance, performing an odd dance by sharpening his gauntlets over his body as swords appeared around him. {Not that it's my business who you hate. I'm just here to fight.}

Sue's eyes glowed a murderous crimson as similar blades spiraled around her. {Must everything be some repulsive game with you people,} she hissed furiously. {I fight for my fallen brother, while you stand for nothing but your blind loyalty. And for that I will tear you apart.}

Pollux's expression remained the same, but his eyes were focused solely on her now. Now that I was closer, I didn't feel any malice or anger. He was rather impassive about everything around him. He seemed better than Castor, but the bar was already subterranean.

Of course he gives just as little of a shit about people as the rest of Galactic. Sue's got him covered.

"It's good that you're here," Isadora said quickly. "We can use the support."

Lyle rubbed his wrist, shaking it a bit as he smashed the balloon against it. A somewhat viscous liquid splashed out, coating it. Quickly, the redness began to fade as he looked at me and Koko, gesturing to the box behind him. "If you can dart in and out of fights, that'd be a huge help. Me an' Alkali can only aim so well with all…"

He gestured his hands towards the absolute chaos of battle ahead of us, bodies and attacks flying everywhere. "That."

"Where did you find balloons?" Koko asked, peering into the box, picking one up and sniffing it. "Smells like potions, berries and… you two a little bit."

"Someone's birthday, I guess. There were a lot more pies though," he shrugged. "Purple're potions, red're super potions, pink hyper, green ethers, yellow max ethers, blue're poison, orange full heals. The berries help amp 'em up and make up for the little bit lost in transferring."

"That's so cool! When'd you learn how to make these?" Koko asked.

Alkali smirked. {We worked it out ourselves. Family special.}

I nodded, signing quickly. |Anywhere we should go first? Who needs what?|

Wilona gestured with a paw towards Jean's group coming towards us, pushing forward from a stairwell below our balcony. {They're too far to throw to, and they've been without support this whole time. Even a little help would be quickly welcomed, I'm sure.}

"B'fore that," Lyle turned to Yukitsu and Dojima with super potions, and an ether balloon for Mango. "You'll wanna prepare before goin' out there."

They all took the balloons inquisitively before they each popped them over their heads. Yukitsu thanked them, smashed it and moved on. Mango smashed it across his face energetically and shook the splash out of his cotton. Dojima sighed deeply as he popped it over his head, soaking himself, before quickly shaking off the excess.

I made an ice bubble with an opening in the top, holding it up. Alkali chuckled. {That'll work.}

He, Lyle and Koko quickly put supplies into it, the balloons squishing together so no space was wasted. I looked at Koko once it was filled, nodding towards Jean and Indra.

"We're ready to move out," She affirmed for me.

I smiled quickly at everyone before we rushed back onto the battlefield. To our side, Bronco's Dragonite began sending a hurricane towards us. Yukitsu flew up first, shielding us all in a dome of ice as the winds banged against it. Mango turned in her direction before looking back at us.

Koko caught his meaning immediately. "Mango, are you sure? That's a Dragonite! They're as bouncy as they are deadly."

Mango floated over and held her hands. {I have to. I've got to carry my own weight now. Ar-,} Arvis died in his throat. {He carried far too much for the both of us. I may be a grass type, but I'm also a fairy. This is a battle Yukitsu and I can win. Trust me, I'll be fine. I've been training for moments like this.}

Dojima looked satisfied. {Good. Let's keep going,} He ushered us.

Koko sighed, hugging Mango quickly. "Show him the power of fluff over bounce."

I looked at him and Yukitsu, worried but nodding solemnly. Good luck. Stay safe, both of you, okay?

Yukitsu glanced backwards, nodding as she began pushing back against the hurricane. Launching icicles through the shield, forcing Dragonite to cease attack and dodge. Mango gave us one last thumbs-up as he flew beside her throwing a Moonblast directly into Dragonite's flaming fist. In the ensuing explosion, we continued our rapid dash.

I took a breath, steadying myself as we kept rushing forwards. Some stray Murkrow harried us, peeling away from the flock behind Honchkrow momentarily, but Koko and Dojima knocked them away from me as we rushed past. In the background, I could see Rhyperior struggling to get a clear shot at us without hitting her allies. Rampan prevented Castor from getting anything done; the moment he tried to stop him, put a shield around anyone else, anything? Rampan's horns glowed with dark power, slicing through the psychic force and forcing Castor to stay on the defensive.

{Pollux!? Spinel is cornered, what are you doing!?} Castor demanded as he now had to fend off Rampan while keeping his allies safe. There was panic in his voice. He was scared.

Good.

Pollux was occupied clashing blades with Sue still. He launched a bevy of air slashes at her, but she coated herself in water and charged through them all. It took everything in Pollux's power to not get skewered. {Busy!} He shouted back. I couldn't sense his emotions amidst the chaos, but it didn't sound like he liked that either.

Double good.

We turned towards Jean's group, overhearing a conversation. "At least we won't have to worry about your batch of traitors after today," Saturn spat as he, Toxicroak, Nidoking and the grunts with him were slowly pushed back by Jean, Indra and everyone with her.

"Traitors to what, cruelty? I'll betray that any day of the week," Jean shot back- literally, a blast of crackling draconic energy hurtling towards Saturn. Nidoking stepped forward, tanking the blast easily.

{She lost her loyalty a long time ago and should've lost her life sooner. To see her alive and a fusion…} He sneered. {Undeserving.}

Fuck you, I'm a Hybrid and proud of it! She is too!

{Far more deserving of life than any of you,} Indra howled in response. The shockwave forced him to continue guarding, several grunts moving behind him to not add to their bruises and cuts.

The select few that were left were caught off guard as Koko and Dojima knocked them aside with ease, clearing a path for me to run onwards with the medical supplies.

Saturn glanced over, groaning. "And now the children return with a disco ball, great. What's in it, bombs?"

A grunt leaned in near Saturn. "Appears to be… water balloons, sir."

"And they raided the birthday supplies, what haven't you ransacked?!" he screeched.

Koko frowned. "He's just lucky we didn't get the pies."

Still wanna see if we can get Spinel to choke on one.

Jean's group quickly moved aside for us, giving us a moment of safety in the midst of their group.

"Ragna, take over!" Jean called. Ragna and Liepard nodded, running to the front as she and Indra came to us. "What's up? It's gotta be important if you've come all this way."

Koko pulled out a balloon. "Lyle and Akali gave us these balloons filled with potions, ethers and toxins. Throw them on people that are tired or hurt and it'll work fast!" She then rapid fire explained what each color meant.

Jean's smile grew as she nodded. "Good work getting us these, we definitely need 'em." She looked over. "Quincy, bring over that box by the conference room! Gerald, Sally, you're in charge of making sure these get to who needs them most!"
The trio saluted quickly. "Yes ma'am!" They and their partner Pokemon all ran to do what Jean'd said, while me, Koko and Dojima helped make sure the people in the back nursing wounds got the help they needed.

Jean gave me and Koko a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for that, we'll be fine now. There's other people who need your help, right?"

"Yup! So let's see who needs a few extra players," Koko pondered as she scanned the battlefield, trying to discern who from who from our high vantage point.

She squinted to a particular area with a thick, purple cloud. Koko gasped as the gas blew away revealing Eclipse kneeling down, coughing as though her lungs were about to fall out.

Yuna was fending off Skuntank and a crowd of Stunky, but judging by her dizzy movements and tear streamed eyes, the poison and smell had taken a severe toll. A Sableye darted between each of them, stealing away the rocks they were using for defenses and sending small electrical shocks at the two.

Koko's first instinct was to leap forward, but she held back. Every fiber of her being wanted to jump in and save them, but we'd just end up the same way. She was panicking, but I could tell Mama's words earlier held their effect.

"They need back-up, but we aren't enough… we need someone who counters Jupiter's cheap tricks…" She scanned the field, nerves on edge, pointing to Hardin and Adamantine. "Steel types like Aggron can't be poisoned and have terrible noses. They can help defeat Jupiter's stink army!"

Jean pushed a few pink, orange and yellow balloons into our hands. "They need these more than us. Trust me. Now go!"

I nodded quickly, bumping my head gently into her torso before looking for the best way to get to them. Running straight into the poison is gonna hurt more'n help. We gotta figure out a way to dispel it long enough…

Indra looked over. {You may be able to help more than you believe… a myriad of the gasses Skuntank produces are flammable. They wouldn't cause an explosion, not in these conditions, but you'd neutralize a lot of the poison through burning it.}

I smiled at Koko and Dojima. And I just figured out a way to burn stuff really well.

{Is that enough? So any flame coming their way could set them off?} Dojima inquired.

{Of enough intensity and heat, yes. Now go!} Indra confirmed.

We nodded before bolting out of the group, Koko holding the balloons this time while I was in front and Dojima brought up the rear. As we rushed out of the group, Toxicroak came hurtling towards us. I held out my hands, a Protect bubble shimmering to life in front of us. Cracking slightly under the twin purple jabs he loosed towards it, but holding long enough for Indra to send howling gales of wind his way.

{Fuck!} He shouted as he hopped out of the way, brandishing his blades. {You first, eh?}

{It's a low blow to target children,} Indra growled before hurtling after him.

The two engaged in combat once more while we ran past, Nidoking being distracted with Jean, Ragna and Liepard.

This time, it wasn't the flock of Murkrow we had to worry about as we darted through the main battle. Nor Nini's dad steamrolling across the field, keeping Hardin and Adamantine busy.

A thundering crash shook the ground. To our left, Rhyperior skidded backwards, Elpis following up her assault. Her crest now shone a dark brown, along with the center of the fin on her tail. Her claws glowed with similar light as they raked through the air, carving gashes into Rhyperior's armor.

{I would offer you mercy if you deserved it,} Elpis growled furiously between swipes. Rhyperior clenched her right arm enduring the vicious onslaught, glowing a furious orange, before uppercutting Elpis' underbelly. Her beak clenched, one of her eyes closing in pain. Rhyperior whirled around slamming her wrecking ball tail back into her spine.

She's got ground energy right now so the fighting energy didn't hurt as much as it would've, but… a punch is a punch.

{Save it for yourself,} Rhyperior spat, as she prepared to slam Elpis into the ground only to have her arm tackled off balance by Clive, missing her strike.

"She won't need to," he hummed to himself as he grabbed hold of her tail and slammed it into the ground, planting his feet and doing his best to hold her in place.

{Insufficient,} Rhyperior snarled as her feet glowed, swirling the ground around, turning it into a giant sandpit. Clive lost his footing and got flattened by her tail as she returned her focus to Elpis.

"Dunno, did my job," he smirked through the pain. Clive's gambit had bought just enough time for Elpis to regain her footing and clash full force with Rhyperior again. As he dragged himself out of the sand he spotted me, Dojima and Koko running past. He just gestured onwards. "We've got this, believe it or not."

I'm not sure if I do, but I believe in you both, so hopefully that'll be enough.

Soon, we drew close to the battle for Eclipse and Yuna's lives.

"You know, I will admit. You're both more tenacious than I gave you credit for. A shame that tenacity is wasted on you," Jupiter's voice hissed through her gas mask. She felt as calm as ever.

"Stuff it… hag," Eclipse choked out, punting away a Stunky while Yuna sent rocks hurtling towards every enemy she laid eyes on. Both despite the small yellow bolts crackling across their bodies.

As I made an ice barrier around the two, Sableye's emotions spiked. He looked excitedly at it, then tore himself away to look at us, then Skuntank and Jupiter. {Some kind of child support taken literally, I think,} He noted.

Skuntank looked over, groaning as she saw me lighting a fire in my hand. She swished her tail around just enough to dispel the gas around her, Jupiter and Sableye before we arrived.

I threw the sputtering ball of fire in my hand, burning with the same intensity as the roaring rivers I'd just learned how to produce. It cracked angrily, hissing through the gas clouds. Purple specks turned red, then orange and black as the cloud ignited in moments. The sudden blast of heat and roaring flame consumed the Stunky, scattering them as they tried to put themselves out.

Koko planted several rock spires in the ground that I reinforced with ice, protecting Eclipse and Yuna from the conflagration. I stood in front of Eclipse, Yuna and Koko, facing down Jupiter. Koko quickly began smashing the balloons on Eclipse and Yuna while Dojima made sure the Stunky didn't have enough time to reorganize.

"We're here, sis. I'll take care of you two now," Koko comforted them as she doused them in the antidotal balloons. Their noses and eyes were still heavily irritated, but their bodies seemed to be coping.

"Where'd you learn that trick," Jupiter mused with intrigue. "You're not old enough to understand the relations between chemicals and gas well enough to know which ones are flammable from smell alone." She glanced back where we'd come from. "Jean helped you, didn't she? Oh well, there's more where that came from."

Skuntank just narrowed her eyes. Her face still looked way too much like a butt. {You'd survive longer if you weren't so intent on stalling for time for the walking dead,} she noted irritatedly.

I just clenched my fists.

They're not gonna die, and I'm gonna make sure of that!

Eclipse's eyes were still red, but she was struggling to regain her composure as she looked at Koko. " 's not safe…"

Koko smiled confidently at Eclipse, whatever it took to ease her discomfort as she held her hand. "I can't fight like you two, but as long as I'm here I'll be there to keep you both steady. I don't care if it's unsafe…" Her face turned to steely determination, her hair standing on end. "I'm tired of losing everyone I love. So I'm gonna do whatever it takes to make sure the people I love most don't leave me too!"

Eclipse grimaced, hugging Koko tightly before she began to strain. "I know…" She struggled to her feet, the potion still working its way through her system. "I know. I am too. An' I aim to keep m' family alive, no matter what."

Yuna shook herself slightly, being careful to not shake off the solution. {As do I. So long as we draw breath, so will you, Koko.}

Koko reached over to hug Yuna's head. "And I'll do my best to make sure you both breathe for a long time."

I threw a blast of cold air, freezing a blob of toxin Skuntank sent glorping at them and sending it harmlessly to the side. "That's sweet dear, but we're on a battlefield," Jupiter mocked. "You'll have plenty of time to be together in the afterlife."

Koko whirled around from her hug with Yuna sending a small rock shard directly at Jupiter's head, Sableye catching it out of the air deftly. Jupiter didn't even flinch.

"I'm tired of hearing all of you psychos speak. It's time I shut you up for good," Koko snarled dangerously, glowing in a russet flow as she stood beside me.

She turned to Dojima who had jumped back to our side. "They're gonna try and spray us again. Get Hardin and Adamantine quick. Please."

Dojima didn't even answer as he engulfed himself in white light, dashing over to where they fought. Clearing the toxic cloud allowed him an easy beeline straight toward them, although the stench lingered in the air.

Jupiter raised an eyebrow at me. "We've found you can tolerate fire. Can you absorb it as well?"

To punctuate the point, the fur on Skuntank's tail tip opened up, a huge stream of roaring flames hurtling straight at Koko, Yuna and Eclipse. My eyes widened as I ran in front of them, spreading out my arms.

C'mon, Mama said that this would work, I'm not big enough to stand in the way of the whole thing please work!

My body glowed light orange, the flames going from expanding outwards to bending inwards. All cascading right towards me. I could feel Eclipse and Yuna's worry, but I just focused. My inner flame burned hotter than it ever had before, flames engulfing my body as I absorbed the Flamethrower completely.

Once it became clear I wasn't about to stop, Skuntank did. And as soon as I felt the last embers be absorbed into the blazing inferno around me, Koko and I exchanged a glance.

This was her fight, but we'll win it together.

My body shining white through the flames, I streaked around the two sides staring each other down. The Stunky, slowly organizing themselves again, were sent hurtling away. A sudden slam, grabbing one and throwing it as hard as I could up on the roof, dispersing each of them as far away as I possibly could. The whole while, a searing trail of flames following my every step. Preventing backup from anyone but Hardin and Adamantine.

They're gonna need help too, if they'll come here!

I sent a quick volley of fireballs towards Nini's dad, hoping that'd be enough before turning back to the battle at hand. Sableye's gaze darted between each Stunky sent flying. {Maybe we should make sure our troops can't be literally tossed aside by kids in the future.}

{Is now really the time to be thinking in the future?} Skuntank asked, her annoyance clear.

{I guess not, no,} he shrugged before grinning. {Back to work then!}

He slid through the shadows cast throughout the battlefield, darting towards Koko and her family. Ghostly, multicolored orbs wavered out of his gemstone eyes, wobbling towards the three. Yuna prepared to take him on, but Koko put a hand forward stopping her as she continued to glow.

"It's my turn, Yuna, stay here please," Koko asked as she dashed forward, hatchet in hand, straight into the multicolored orbs. "I won't let you through, Sableye!"

Sableye cackled as he dashed straight on as well. {Looks like you lack your pal's acumen for combat! Oh this'll be hilarious!}

Koko ignored him as her face contorted into a snar. Baring her fangs, her nails growing stone claws, leaning closer to the ground and making herself a smaller target. A beastly desire to protect her family fuelled her spirit, but her mind remained as sharp as ever. This wasn't a wild gambit or feral attack. She knew exactly what she was doing. Fearlessly, she ran head on into the strange orbs, each one dissipating harmlessly off her body.

Sableye's confusion was written all over his face as Koko smashed her foot into the ground, taking advantage of his expected confusion. Improvising, he readied himself to slash her with spectral blades, but Koko wasn't done. The russet energy turned a pure white as her body began spurting clones out in all different directions. Sableye slashed at the first one only for it to dissipate in his hands as the real Koko slammed her hatchet into his back, sending him flying sideways away from her sisters.

"Or maybe you're just a dummy, how about that!?" Koko spat, sticking her tongue out. "Nyeh!"

Jupiter pursed her lips. "So, she has an ability as well. Confuse Ray didn't work… She must have Own Tempo. She's never used Double Team beforehand either. A new move for her toolkit."

Sableye got up, shaking his head out of shock. The power difference was too vast between them for a plastic ax to hurt him much less cut him, but he wasn't heavy enough to avoid being punted. Regardless, he jumped right back into battle.

Skuntank began to make her way over firing globs of poison at us. Koko and I rejoined in the middle dodging each lob while Sableye chased after us. As an experiment, I began sending fireballs into where the poison landed. It quickly burst into toxic flames and fumes. Sableye only barely managed to avoid running into a fire pit as Koko began throwing rocks at him and Skuntank.

Under the cover of the smoke and using her clones, Koko began to make her way over to Jupiter while I kept her pokemon distracted. Words were unneeded, we each knew exactly what role we each had to play. Distraction or not, we were gonna make this count.

Occasionally she'd throw a rock to keep them off me that they'd have to smash, but I'd send more fire to keep their eyes on me. It was an exhausting game of balance, but we had to do something against Jupiter. She wore some armor, but it wasn't as advanced as Spinel's and clearly Yuna and Eclipse had done some damage as some pieces were missing. Hopefully enough for Koko to get a good shot.

Meanwhile, Jupiter was complaining from the sidelines. "I never did like kids. I have a whole list of why I've always hated kids. Of course, the utility stunky were no help either. They can't even distract children; do our trainers sit on their hands?"

As she continued her tirade I spotted the real Koko hide behind a destroyed counter. It was time.

Not leaving anything to chance, Koko threw four rock shards at Jupiter's back. Hoping at least one would make their mark. To distract her pokemon I set everything around me ablaze, Skuntank's flames fueling me. Unfortunately, Sableye was more attentive than we thought.

{Behind you!} Sableye shrieked at Jupiter.

Jumping into the shadows he swam over to where she stood. Confused as to why her pokemon had begun to target her, she turned around, lifting her arms up instinctively. Sableye got to her first, tripping her over in hopes the shards would miss her.

Two of them missed, but one embedded itself into her forearm while the other found her thigh. The sudden jolt of pain and Sableye tripping her over caused her to stumble off her podium and crash to the ground, unceremoniously knocking her head on a granite countertop. All the while making the most audacious shrieks.

"Add another reason to that list of yours," Koko huffed, raising her middle finger.

Aggravated, Sableye left Jupiter on the ground and made a mad dash to Koko. Too tired to run, Koko gave an uneasy grimace as she prepared herself to face off against him until a beam of silver shot divided them. We all turned our heads to see Adamantine dispel his Flash Cannon as he and Hardin charged into the fray. Nini's dad still far from us, kept at bay by Simba.

Skuntank jumped away from me, spewing flames at Adamantine as he stampeded through, swinging his head violently and smashing her into the air. Hardin began throwing chairs at the injured Jupiter only to have them deflected by Sableye's lightning bolts as he called Stunky to help attend to his human. Koko, seized her chance. Sneaking her way back to me, Yuna, Eclipse and the returned Dojima. Jittering nerves, slightly stinky and dirty brows, but we were both alive and unharmed. We had bought enough time.

Koko leaned forward, hands on her knees panting heavily, but managed a smile raising a fist forward towards me. With a wide smile of my own I bopped her back.

We saved our family. We kicked ass. We did good.

Eclipse walked up behind us, patting Koko on the back. She felt proud, relieved and a bit bashful. There was a lot more to it, but right now she was glad to see her sister safe again. "Thanks, Koko."

Yuna nodded in agreement. {You helped us get back on our feet.} She wrinkled her nose a little. {Though you'll need to bathe once this fight is over.}

Koko's mouth went agape. "You're telling me!? I can barely breathe around you two!" Koko sighed deeply, exasperated.

Eclipse chuckled, her laugh gravelly from the toxic air she inhaled, shaking her head and looking at me and Dojima. "You saved our asses too. Now go save s'more ass while we kick theirs."

I nodded, tugging at Koko's sleeve gently. We were out of balloons, out in the middle of a chaotic battlefield and out of energy. We needed to get back.

Koko furrowed her brow, turning to her sisters. "Um… we're out of supplies and you two are still hurt. Don'tcha think it's time for a break? You can come with us," Koko offered them.

Eclipse shook her head, cracking her knuckles as her eyes went scarlet again. "Nah. Someone's gotta handle this bitch, an' you didn't bring help all the way here just for us to fuck off. We're gonna make sure she ain't a problem for anyone else. And if her skull gets caved in, well." She smirked devilishly. "That's just perfect then ain't it?"

We all looked over to see Jupiter nursing her wounds. An enemy croagunk had found herself over to Jupiter's side, removing Koko's rock spires while trying to apply bandages as the stunky lacked hands. The commander nursed her cut forehead, trying to regain her footing.

Koko sighed. "I was so close…" She turned to her sisters, humming to herself. "Well, if you guys are still gonna fight… you need a bit more healing." She turned to me. "Do you think you can signal our star?"

I blinked in momentary confusion before nodding in realization. Focusing inward, I raised my hands and fired a swirling ball of flame and frost upwards, hovering above us before falling dissipating and falling again. It was a bit exhausting, but I hoped the message was received.

Mere seconds later, several stars began to descend upon us. Eclipse and Yuna were skeptical, but Koko pushed them closer to them. As they made contact, they slowly became more revitalized. The wounds the potions had been unable to fix completely soothed as their energy was restored.

More vitality restored, the two then charged back into the fray, knocking Sableye off of Adamantine's plating before sending boulders and haymakers flying again. Me, Dojima and Koko silently thanked Hazel as we attempted to skirt around the sides of the battles going on. Get back to where Lyle, Alkali, Isadora and Wilona were.

Keyword, attempted.

"Look out!" Hardin shielded our flank, blocking a flurry of psychic shards that had been sent our way. We each jumped back in surprise as Hardin brushed them off his arms.

Castor floated well above us, his eyes shining a menacing purple as more shards began to form. {Contacting Squad G! Commander Jupiter was nearly incapacitated by the Vulpix and Rockruff fusion! Do not underestimate these two; take them out before they can pass supplies anywhere else!}

Dojima helped, fuck you!

"It's nice to know we've been helping, but we didn't want you to know!" Koko panicked.

Dojima scoffed. {Seems I'm not worth notice. Just means I have to try harder.}

I clenched my fists, readying myself for a fight, but I didn't need to. The ground shook as Rampan's hooves thundered against the ground. He leapt into the air, his horns leaving black streaks behind them as he slammed headfirst into Castor dispelling his attack. The two went hurtling back towards the ground, Rampan burying his opponent under a pile of rubble.

{You fight for a cruel purpose, attacking children.} He snorted angrily. {You are not fit to lead.}

Castor gagged under Rampan's foot, pushing him into the ground. {Must you lecture me with that rancid breath!} With surprising speed, he reached forwards with an orange fist, punching Rampan square in the nose. Using the recoil, he pushed him off psychically, ascending quickly.

Rampan snorted, glaring up at him. {Do you expect height will save you?}

Castor gave a wicked grin. {No, but this will.}

Suddenly, a purple pink light surrounded Castor. With a flash, in his place was Pollux. His eyes darted about before he saw Rampan, coming down with a brutal dual slash. Rampan tried to use his hair poof to block, but Pollux sliced through it with little resistance before tearing gashes into his side. I let out a short gasp.

No, he can't die! Not now!

Rampan fell to his knees, blood coating his fur and dripping down his head. Pollux strolled up the fallen bull, his right foot gleaming in an orange glow, as he kicked him straight in the gut punting him over to Elpis and Rhyperior's battle. Satisfied, he glanced towards where he was before. {Could've given me a heads up, bro.}

Castor was flying around, dodging water blasts and crescent strikes whining through the air from Sue. {I would've- can you not-}

{Die, scum,} was all Sue said in response.

The same light enveloped Castor again, and this time I could see it envelop Pollux as well before the two swapped places. Sue was ready this time though, and speared Pollux with her horn before sending him crashing to the ground.

Meanwhile, Mabel had run over to Rampan and was treating his wounds quickly, gently moving him to a less chaotic section of the battle as swiftly as possible. Castor went to aim a blast at the two, but was shot out of the sky by Adamantine.

He went hurtling into a pile of rubble, picking himself up out of it and glaring. {Would you people not?!}

Hardin turned to us. "Okay kids, we've bought you som' time, but they're gonna be on ya any second now. Hightail it outta here, ya hear?"

I nodded, grabbing Dojima and Koko's hands before rocketing back to where the others were. Wind whistling past my ears, flames burning in my wake. Castor's residual attempt at psychic bolts and the quick barrage of razor leaves from Weepinbell fell to the wayside as I dashed forwards, weaving through each of them.

As we got closer to where Isadora and Wilona were, though, there was another problem.

Now, rather than just being behind other people, Isadora and Wilona were actively fighting a flock of Murkrow. Lyle and Alkali were frantically keeping the box of balloons safe from the assault, otherwise all their work would be for naught. Vika and Proton were standing with them now, sending bolts of lightning crackling into the flock. Here and there a Murkrow would cry out and fall jerkily to the ground, but the others simply dove around them.

Leading them all was the same Honchkrow I'd seen with Cyrus. The same one who'd had the Murkrow begin to follow him before, when Cyrus entered the fight. The same one who'd eaten Spiri.

My blood ran hot, the dam in my mind overflowing slightly. The memory of trying desperately to save Spiri, with everything I had, and falling short flashed through my mind. Of Galactic ripping him away from me, his family, everyone.

I won't let them do that again. They tried with Rampan, and I WILL NOT LET THEM!

We skidded to a stop with Lyle and Alkali, leaving Koko and Dojima to ask what was going on. Their words were a blur. I wasn't focused on them.

Snarling angrily, I grabbed one Murkrow's leg and slammed them into another, the two thrown off balance and only just dodging a burst of ice shards hurtling towards them. I leapt up, kicking another in the beak and spinning around to kick another in the chest. Doing my best to keep my family safe, and the things that'd heal them intact.

Koko eyed the pitch black flock in the sky. "Sheesh… we were gonna ask for more supplies and where to go next, but you guys look like you're havin' enough trouble here."

Lyle grimaced, sending some poisoned darts at the invading murder. "You're tellin' me," he grumbled to himself before pulling his arms up to block a spiraling mass of wind blades. I threw up an ice wall in front of him, barely withstanding the attack, and he nodded in thanks.

I'm more tired than I thought.

"Galactic's decided I'm too good at my job, best we can figure." He looked back at Koko. "You got some rock blaster hidden up your butt or something?"

Koko gave him a dour look. "Haha, but I'll let ya know when I do. I've got something better though. Me and Aurora need ethers first, we used our powers a bit too much."

He nodded, glancing at Alkali. {Cover me, will ya?}

We did, beating back the Murkrow that cawed relentlessly at us with claps of thunder punctuating the background. I shoved one through a window, howling furiously at another as they dodged my strikes. He quickly pulled up ether balloons and tossed one each to me and Koko, and we slammed them on ourselves.

"There's also another problem," Lyle growled while punching at a Murkrow.

{And that would be?} Dojima questioned.

He jabbed a thumb to the side. Rhyperior and Elpis had an entire section of the foyer devoted to their violent struggle, rubble and stone marking the range of their duel. Rhyperior's armor was riddled with cuts, scrapes and blast marks, meanwhile Elpis' body was heavily bruised all over. Rhyperior grabbed her head, swinging her into a pillar and throwing her into a kiosk. Injured, but not slowed, she dodged the following earth power. Elpis fired back a current of water, washing Rhyperior several feet back whilst reducing the solidity of her armor.

Clive was a good distance away nursing the side of his torso, the scattered fragments of rock lodged in it making it all too clear what'd happened. He called out to Elpis, making sure she knew what Rhyperior was up to, but he couldn't take part himself anymore.

{What's it say that you're being held back by someone intentionally weakened for months,} Elpis growled.

{That whatever monsters they used to create you were actually of some merit,} Rhyperior snarled, hardening her armor again.

{Afraid to admit your own weakness I see!} She howled, sending another blast of water her way before darting in and raking her with her claws. From the backline of the main group, a sudden column of fire arced out, making contact with the water swirling around. The two combined, a sudden rainbow spray sending Rhyperior skidding backwards with the sudden glimmers of light blinding her briefly. Elpis took that chance to tear into her armor, clawing out a deep gash before retreating away. Readying herself again.

That was pretty, but you got this Elpis! I know you do!

"So we're close to that too," Lyle sighed in exertion. "And the occasional boulder flying at us ain't good."

Dojima fixated on the bout between titans as he stepped forward. {I'll distance them from the rest of the fight. Their mayhem could cause collateral damage for both sides.}

Koko stared at him as if he were crazy. "Yeah, for good reason, you'd be smushed if they even slapped you!"

Dojima sighed, stretching his arm. {I've been falling behind you both and am not even perceived to be a worthy threat. Call it foolish pride, but I want to give Castor a new contender to be concerned with. I know my brother would do the same if he were in my place and I did not train all these months to be an onlooker to freedom.}

Koko looked at me. "What do you think?"

I looked at Dojima. His face and heart were set. He wanted to fight with us all. Make sure we get out together. Rhyperior is really scary, but he's fast and good at dodging. I know that firsthand. Fighting Pokemon also aren't great against flying ones, and there's a LOT of Murkrow around. Elpis could use the help…

I nodded, hugging him quickly. You got this. I know you do.

He patted me on the back, nodded toward the other two before dashing behind Rhyperior, leaping over her tail swipe and blasting into the back of her head. It didn't do as much as any of us hoped, but Elpis was gonna make use of anything she could to gain the upper hand.

"Okay then… so we lost some help. Great start," Lyle noted. "Hopefully he can keep them away from us."

|I know he can,| I signed quickly. |He's strong,| the Murkrow diving towards us requiring me to use my hands to blow them back with a frigid wind. Despite the constantly shifting air around us and cacophony of flapping wings, I heard a familiar shriek.

Glancing over, I saw Minerva and Enrique, her partner Talonflame, soaring towards us. Alkali smirked. {And there's more backup. Let's clean up for our guests.}

Me and Lyle nodded, him sending poison darts flying at the Murkrow around us while I launched ice shards nearby. That, combined with Koko's swipes of her hatchet and frequent rocks she chucked at them, were slowly scattering the flock. They were a lot hardier and coordinated than the Stunky, but they couldn't keep going forever. And we were the ones with supplies and backup.

"Minions that don't go down in one hit are the worst!" Koko groaned as she beat back the same Murkrow for the third time before they finally went down. "And they're never ending, ugh."

Noticing the swarm around Vika, Proton, Isadora and Wilona slowly thinning? I didn't think so. There's a lot of them, but they're not infinite. We can do this!

And, seemingly, Honchkrow thought so too.

His wings flapping powerfully beneath him, he surveyed the battlefield before letting out a caw. {You're spread too thin. With me.}

Immediately, the Murkrow harrowing us ceased and flew back towards the boss Honchkrow. If it was hard to hit them before, now that they were actively dodging and moving away? It was way worse. Even the Murkrows attacking the adults fell back, forming into a feathery black sphere loosely surrounding Honchkrow.

Vika sighed deeply, putting her hands on her knees for a moment before standing straight again. "Well, no doubt they're plotting. But the breather is nice."

Lyle and Akali splashed ethers and potions on the adults before anything else. "What do you think is up next?"

Wilona traced Honchkrow's gaze, which was aimed squarely at Minerva and Enrique. {Trying to end this before backup arrives, I'd assume.}

"Or slow them down and give themselves more time," Isadora noted.

{Nightstalker,} Honchkrow ordered as he sent gusts of shining wind spiraling around the murder. The tailwind at their backs, he joined in with their crowing as they split into half a dozen versions of themselves each. Like Koko had. Except this time, it wasn't just her. There were dozens upon dozens of Murkrow flying, some flying through each other.

It didn't matter whether we knew some were illusions. The swirling mass of jet black bodies and feathers was impossible to parse any individual from. Once perfected, they began firing a volley of dark pulses and air blades upon us.

Or both. They could be mean and do both too.

Isadora grimaced as Minerva and Enrique slowed, not wanting to fly right into the mass. It didn't help that they had to dodge thin waves of electricity and shadows leaping up at them. We had to defend ourselves from the bevy of attacks too. "Bad news, no way are we getting anything precise done. Good news, that's the size of a house. Throw everything at them, try and disperse them!"

She and Wilona sent out spiraling stars rocketing towards the flock, while Vika and Proton sent voltic waves sizzling through the air. Even though each one burst through scores of illusions, there were so many it almost didn't matter. Me, Koko, Lyle and Alkali had our own shooting gallery; with the adults on the offense, we could shoot down almost all the attacks that came towards us. The ones we couldn't, a wall of ice or rock helped provide cover where the knocked over benches and tables didn't.

There's a lot of them… but if they're making it look like there's even more, then there's probably less than usual. We've already taken out some.

Koko only barely managed to block an air cutter from hitting the balloons. "First we had to deal with Skuntank's awful stink and now these crows won't stop flapping and shrieking. Any new plans?"

Well my ears hurt, but so does everything else so that's fine. I think.

As one of the bolts from Vika hit a clone of Honchkrow, it burst into a cascade of feathers. They were quickly caught up in the spiraling wind, further obscuring the Murkrow and Honchkrow commanding them. I paused for a moment, throwing out a hail of ice shards so I had enough time to sign. |Feathers burn, right?|

Alkali nodded. {Easily. Unless they're from a water type.}

Okay, I think I have a plan then.

The flock slowly advancing on us, I looked at Isadora hopefully. She stopped aiming at the swarm, aiming at the attacks instead. "You got something?"

I nodded. |They'd blow away anything fiery I throw, so we need a big ball of fire to go and light the feathers. And then they couldn't bunch up in one big ball like they're doing.|

Her brow furrowed. "So you want to run into that?"

|Just for a second or two, yeah,| I nodded in response.

"Can you back her up, Proton, Vika?" Isadora asked quickly.

The two nodded as I took a breath. Okay, here goes nothing.

As flames enveloped me, several streams of Murkrow began to divebomb towards us, glowing either black or light blue. My own white light shone around me as I hurtled forwards, dodging around the streams Koko, Vika and Proton couldn't knock away.

Even closer up, the cloud of bodies was deafening. What sounded like hundreds of voices, thousands of wings flapping created an almost all consuming wave of noise. I had to hold my ears down against my head, otherwise they'd start bleeding. Covering my face as best I could while I did that, I leapt up anything I could find to reach the swarm and jumped right into it.

There were impacts, of course. And I could feel the talons of several Murkrow clawing at me. But not nearly as many as it looked like. Illusory copies vaporized, little sparks trailing behind as the edges faded away. Feathers spiraling throughout them all caught ablaze in moments, the sea of black being lit up gold and orange from the inside. Streaks of flame and smoke swirling throughout, more Honchkrow doubles burst into feathers. And those feathers caught on fire just as fast.

Landing with a roll and keeping my hand against the ground, I pivoted and shot back. Pebbles and bits of metal kicked up in my wake. The embers flying around and smoke helped conceal me a little, but the Murkrow struggling to find places to bunch together without getting set on fire was really what kept me safe.

A group of Murkrow split off, trying to dive bomb me. I slid under a table, cutting off their angle of attack for a brief moment. And in that moment, a hail of stars came flying over, slamming into the Murkrow and stunning them long enough for me to scramble back to everyone else.

The moment I got back, I whirled right around and began firing ice shards. The murder was splitting up now, less bunched into a ball and more spreading out to cover us all under ebon wings.

"Good job kid!" Vika yelled over the screeching chorus of crows. "Now get behind somethin', cuz it's time for us to let loose!"

Koko hid behind a table with Isadora and Wilona, hunkering down and fortifying themselves with debris. I threw up my hands, a wall of ice reaching skyward and shielding me, Lyle and Alkali.

Proton howled, his tails humming with electricity as yellow streaks of lightning shot out in a gargantuan sphere around him. Vika couldn't do that, but the lightning now crackling around both their bodies helped her punch away any Murkrow who thought they could dodge the strikes.

A couple Murkrow's incessant cawing stopped momentarily as they became more urgent and quieter. A quick glance over and Minerva and Enrique were closing in again. But right now, as the lightning dome faded? We darted out from behind our cover, more stars launching forwards from Isadora and Wilona, accompanied by shards of rock from Koko.

Lyle checked the box the balloons were in quickly, seeing that none of them had broken. He opened his mouth to say something while Alkali continued making more, then stopped when he saw my expression.

I was glaring directly at Honchkrow. And he was glaring at us.

He doesn't wanna just let us live. He wants to kill us, or do as much damage as he can before he has to retreat. He'd kill us just like he killed Spiri.

I clenched my fists, flames beginning to hiss around me.

I won't let him.

-Lyle letting the group know Aurora's feelings, Alkali approving, and Wilona telling Aurora that with Minerva and Enrique helping handle the swarm, if she goes with Vika, Koko and Proton to fight Honchkrow directly then they should be able to push him back proper. Koko is hesitant, but seeing how this is pretty similar for Aurora how Jupiter is for her and Eclipse, she goes with it. They get topped off by Lyle and Alkali as best they can before heading in.

"Yo!" Lyle called out. "Rora's aimin' for Honchkrow!"

{Risky, but…} Alkali nodded. {I get it. Clobber 'im.}

Isadora and Wilona looked between us and the flock before Wilona spoke. {With Minerva and Enrique arriving, and provided Vika, Proton and Koko go with you? It's survivable.}

Koko grimaced. "Survivable doesn't sound great, but…" She looked at me. "You're not gonna back down on this, are you?"

I shook my head, the flames hissing around me saying all I'd ever need to. Vika slammed aside another Murkrow with a sparking fist. "We're with ya!"

Proton nodded, his horns letting out more bolts. {We will help you with your closure.}

Koko sighed, gripping her hatchet. "And I'm not letting you go this alone. Here we go, I guess!"

The four of us hurtled forwards, backed by a tailwind from Enrique. He shrieked as he soared into the murder of Murkrow, wings shining brightly and flames trailing behind him in a brilliant wave of red. And below his rain of fire, we ran. Flames sparked in my wake, Proton and Vika slamming aside any Murkrow in our way with thundering blows. Rocks had encrusted Koko's hatchet as she swung it at any who tried to attack us from the side, while the rest didn't want to assault us from the rear for fear of burning.

And then, oddly, they stopped harrowing us. I heard a crow from Honchkrow, but hadn't thought much of it. And yet, most of them looked like they were focusing on the others now. Only Honchkrow and a dozen or so Murkrow around him actively watched our approach.

He wants to take us out himself huh? Then bring it!

Vika and Proton shot out their hands, lightning lashing forwards. Honchkrow spread his wings to the side, feathers appearing from them and forming a wall as they gained a silvery sheen. The lightning redirected, drawn to the feathers and sparking against them harmlessly.

The Murkrow began to harry Vika and Proton, but he just shrugged it off while Vika dealt with them. Fist crackling with lightning, he surged forwards as a trail thundered behind him. I ran beside him, sending dozens of ice shards hurtling for him as quickly as I could make them.

Four Murkrow flew to Honchkrow's side, cawing at once as all their eyes gleamed as black as their feathers. The shadows nearly ripped themselves from the ground before rushing towards us, leaving an eerie silence in their wake even amidst the howl of battle.

Proton stood in front of me, blocking the wave while beckoning with his tails. As soon as I set foot on one, he lashed them quickly forwards, launching me right towards Honchkrow. My fists clenched and brass knuckles gleaming under the sun, snowflakes and shards of ice trailed behind them as I reached back for a punch.

A quick brush of Honchkrow's wing, bolstered by a pair of Murkrow, called forth a gust of air that sent me off course. Opening my hands, ice cracked to life ahead of me in a thin sheet before curving back in a ramp to send me back towards Honchkrow. Wind whistling past my ears, I grabbed the edge of the ramp before I leapt off of it and snapped it off. Now holding a large slab of ice, I spun forwards, creating a wide arc of ice ready to slam right into Honchkrow's dumb face.

His wings shone silver as he thrust them upwards, the slab cracking into shards that fell all around him. Before they even hit the ground, I was grabbing each one and pelting him with them as hard as I could, Proton and Vika backing me up with discharged volts. One went right down the throat of a Murkrow who tried to block it, and I heard him hacking in an attempt to get it out.

Spinning around, Honchkrow clawed at me with talons outstretched and hissing with darkness. The thought of trying to grab on crossed my mind for the briefest moment, but I thought better of it. Instead, I ducked down, making a shield of ice on my arms to send it skidding away from me before snapping the shield down the middle and trying to slam him with the sharp part of both halves.

The shuddering impact of the slabs against his breast made a fire burn brighter in my heart. Even as he slammed me to the side with his wing, threatening to fall right in the center of a group of waiting Murkrow, my heart felt lighter. Even as frost now made his feathers heavier.

That was for Spiri you bastard.

Rather than wait for myself to fall, I made a Protect platform beneath myself and launched back into the fight. The clash dragged on, even as we could watch rocks fall as slow as dust towards the floor. Messing up here would almost certainly mean a gash across my face in the other direction, and who knew if I'd live this time.

But I had to do this. For Spiri.

Skidding to the side, flames seared the ground behind me as I went to knee Honchkrow in the beak. He swept his wings forwards, pushing me back as he and his Murkrow teammates created a wind tunnel to force me to step away. Another group sent blasts of darkness at me, Koko drawing the ire of the rest.

I just grit my teeth, dug in and ran directly into the wind. Murkrow dove into it, using the current to try and jab with their beaks, slash with their talons. As the flames enveloping me burned hotter, they swooped away before they caught fire.

A chill wind at my back, pushing even slightly against the whirlwind forcing me back, I managed to stay in place long enough for bolts of lightning from Vika and Proton to disrupt the current. Nearly falling over, I quickly caught my balance and shot forwards again.

The roaring fires around us had begun to die down, but Minerva and Enrique quickly brought them back to full strength. Their fires strengthening my own, I threw everything I had at Honchkrow. Blazing strikes, volleys of frozen shards, battering him from every angle I could get to quicker than he beat me back. Each hit I took just fanned the flames of my anger.

He won't beat me. I won't let him. I won't let him just get away with murdering Spiri!

Ducking under a dark swipe of his wing. Slamming a blazing knee into his chest. Barely getting an icy shield up to not get carved by talons. Planting my hands against the ground, forcing my body to stop before I hurtled back in. A torrent of feathers, burnt through. Blasting back a barrage of darkness with howling fire. Protect bubbles cracking, barely keeping my bones from being shattered. The fires around us began to illuminate Honchkrow's body, as the flames latched onto his feathers. The shields around me that Cookie and Shine had made sputtered and died from the repeated attacks, but kept me alive.

Glancing at himself, how many Murkrow we'd beaten back, and how Lyle and Alkali were keeping us going, his brow furrowed. {Retreat,} was all he had to say before he and every Murkrow following him flew away. Some watched their rear, beating back as many attacks we aimed at them as we could.

But they'd left. We were alive. And we hadn't lost all the healing aids.

-A short celebration of managing that and everyone recovering themselves, talking a bit and seeing the continuing chaos of battle before Aurora and Koko go to help out Benny and Bors against Mars and Purugly.

Breathing heavily, I fell to the ground for a moment. Lyle ran over, slamming a balloon against my chest before grabbing my arm and helping me up. A wide grin was spread across his face. "That? That was cool."

"Also crazy!" Koko called out. "But definitely cool!"

Proton put a hand to my back, ushering me back to where Isadora and Wilona were. {You fought valiantly. But you're young. You need to rest.}

I shook my head, clenching my fists. |I can't rest until everyone else can. We can't afford for me to just relax.|

Isadora grimaced. "I hate to say it, but she's right. We need all hands on deck to get through this." She smiled at me gently. "But you've made this deck way safer."

Koko let out a sigh of exhaustion before looking over. Eclipse and Yuna were still holding their own, but even Adamantine and Hardin helping against someone like Jupiter wasn't quite enough. Jellicent was still bombarding the battlefield, and Naoko and Shio were still caught up preventing Silas from slaughtering us all.

We're barely holding on. We can't afford me just resting because I'm tired.

"Yeah… Yeah, you're right," she agreed slowly before looking at Isadora. "Who needs help next, then?"

She pointed over to where Benny, Bors and Eir still fought Mars and Purugly. "They're handling themselves well, but they could definitely use help. The admins are no joke."

I nodded as Alkali walked over, holding two balloons in his hands with a smirk. {Ready for another payload?}

I nodded, forming another, smaller ice sphere. With just three people to go to this time, we didn't need quite as many as before. Again, Lyle, Alkali and Koko quickly filled it up while Vika and Proton kept stray Galactic Pokemon away from us. Isadora and Wilona still surveyed the chaos, keeping watch of what needed to happen.

Another bundle of balloons enclosed safely in a frozen orb, me and Koko ran off into the fray again. Skirting around the wall of stone and metal piled up around Rhyperior and Elpis' continual struggle, even as the ground shook we stuck close to cover this time.

My ears pricked up, hearing a familiar groan. Rounding a haphazard pile of stone and wood, we saw Clive still nursing his torso. He gave a pained grin at seeing us.

"Toldja we could handle ourselves…" He coughed. "We're not down yet."

We didn't even need to deliberate. Koko pulled out two pink balloons and handed them to Clive. "Please, to help you and Elpis feel better."

He tried to push them away, but the sharp intake of breath as he moved made him rethink it. "Maybe… maybe you're right." He took them, splashing it on his torso. The rocks slowly pushed themselves out of his body as his wounds healed. Slowly, but healed all the same.

He stretched a little, looking at us both. "I'll give this to Elpis. You keep on keepin' on, okay?"

We nodded, moving on again.

Please, be okay.

As we got closer to Mars' battle, the rumble of earth beneath us began to fade into the repeated clash of blow after blow. The Scyther that was beside Mars before wasn't anywhere to be seen. Kingler, Drapion and Scizor were fighting the main group where our family was, where Mama was still charging up her attack. Hazel and Vivian watched the battle from afar with nervous anticipation. Only Purugly and Ninjask stood between Mars, and Benny and Bors.

Even though they were both handling themselves well, the repeated slashes from Purugly and darting strikes of Ninjask were taking their toll. Both of them could handle Purugly, but with Ninjask streaking about everywhere and slashing whoever wasn't paying attention, it was hard for them to keep at it. Eir, who was standing with them, was having trouble aiming a fire blast at such a nimble target.

When Bors noticed us coming, he beckoned to Benny and Eir. Benny nodded, forcing Purugly's attention on him while Bors swatted away Ninjask if he ever came close.

Eir ran over to the two of us quickly. {Good to see you two still breathe. Got supplies?}

I nodded, making an opening in the ice ball I was carrying and holding it ready for her and Koko. She explained quickly, while I made sure Ninjask couldn't break it or the balloons with Bors. Eir splashed an ether and potion on herself, while Koko and I lobbed some at Benny and Bors, their cuts fading and energy returning.

It won't last for long if they don't get a bit of help. We need to even things out a little.

My eyes tracking the black and yellow streak and ears attuned for the hum of his wings, I held my hands up in front of my chest, waiting until they got close enough. When they began to dart in for another strike, I sent out a wave of frigid air. Even though it wasn't anywhere near strong enough to damage him, he still shivered passing through it, slowing down slightly. Just enough for Bors to land a direct hit, paw glowing with white energy.

Ninjask's buzzing stopped abruptly as he spiraled into the distance, flailing and trying to reorient himself before he slammed into a boulder from Yuna that'd hurtled past their fight. Mars groaned, grabbing a Pokeball and recalling him before glaring at us. This time though, she didn't say anything and just kept her knife brandished, looking for any opportunity to strike.

From the sky descended red stars, surrounding Benny bolstering his muscles as he exuded a new level of fierceness. I turned around to see Hazel, her arm and wand glowing a bright red, having just finished using Helping Hand on him.

Koko cloned herself and began tossing small sharp rocks at Purugly from every angle forcing her to play cautiously, giving Benny a chance to get in a quick flurry of blows. Her thick fur dampened the blows, but Benny knew where to strike. Each hit sent her slightly back, doing her best to keep Mars from getting her skull caved in.

When Mars went for a quick slash of her blade, hoping Benny would be distracted enough to get the hit on, a blast from Eir forced her to retreat again. She grunted in annoyance before waiting for her next opportunity. But with Bors now coming in to bombard Purugly alongside his partner, it didn't seem like that'd be coming anytime soon.

As Koko dispelled her clones, Eir turned back to the two of us, giving us a thorough once over. {We've got this covered for now, but keep in mind your limitations. If everything goes according to plan our reinforcements should be here in around five minutes, ten if they're incompetent. Pace yourselves and we shall see this final stretch through.}

Feeling exhaustion slowly creeping into my limbs, I just nodded. I knew from all the battles that we Hybrids had way less energy to use our powers than pokemon and since I was a kid, I had even less to spare. Whatever medicine Natalie gave me for my face and my desire for vengeance kept me going, but Koko looked ready to keel over.

Just supporting people would be easier, but I dunno if we're gonna be able to just worry about that soon…

"G-got it," Koko affirmed with labored breaths, she turned to me with an excited, but desperate grin. "Hear that Aurora? Just a couple more minutes and we'll finally be safe."

I nodded slowly. How long is a few minutes our time though, when things look like they're going so slow? It feels like it's been half an hour, but that can't be right.

The two of us darted back the way we came, skirting around the edge of Elpis and Rhyperior's battleground. A rock wall dangerously close to us shook violently, forcing me and Koko to dart away as it collapsed. I heard Elpis grunt in pain, but she felt… sad? Not upset that she was losing or something. It was more of a familiar pain. One I'd hoped to not have to feel again.

I looked over instinctually, wanting to help with what was hurting her.

And then my heart stopped.

She was battered and bruised, several rocks lodged in her. Dojima looked worse for wear, covered in hot mud and nursing a bloodied head. That wasn't what made my blood run cold.

Laying in the rubble from the collapsed wall, I saw Rampan. Crushed underneath a huge boulder. One Rhyperior had fired. Blood coated the boulder and the stones beneath him, trickling down onto the ground below and pooling.

I ran over. Koko yelled something at me. I didn't hear it. Something tried to hold me back. I just pulled away and kept going. I was close enough to feel him. Feel him dying. Like Mila was. But this time, Hazel wasn't close enough to help. And even if she was, she healed a bad cut. This… this.

His chest was crushed. One of his horns was broken, blood dribbling out the center of it. The other badly cracked. One of his legs jaggedly angled at five different places. His hair filled with stones.

No. Nononononono, we're so close! We're right there! It's- I got outside! I sent a signal! I made sure Silas went after me for a while and not everyone else! We've been running around helping people, he can't die!

Despite how desperately I wanted to call out his name, yell for help, anything. I couldn't. It was like a rock had been shoved down my throat. I could barely breathe, let alone speak.

Skidding to a stop, I hugged his head. Hoping, somehow, I'd be able to help. I could feel ice beginning to crackle around me. What presence of mind I had left, I tried to use to focus on closing his wounds. Like Mama had.

But I wasn't her. I couldn't fix it.

{Aurora…} Rampan coughed, blood trickling out of his mouth. I looked at him, tears streaming down my face. {You're… alive.}

I nodded, quietly sobbing. He used what little strength he had, what life hadn't faded from him yet, to shake his head and smile. {You… saw the sun. I… helped you see… the sun. We're… under the sky. Together…}

I nodded again, feeling more ice crackling upwards around me. The air chilling more and more by the second. He nudged his head into me weakly. {Don't cry. You… gave me purpose. Helped… me see what's right…} Even as the light faded from his eyes, as energy left his heart, I could feel peace. Acceptance. Something I'd never felt before. He knew what was happening. And he was okay with it.

But I'm not! You deserve to live! You gotta!

{Thank you…} His weak smile grew wider. {For… my name. For… being my friend.}

I saw his eyes close for the last time. Heard his last shaky breath escape his lungs. Smelled his blood pooling around us. Tasted the salt of my own tears in my mouth. Felt his pulse disappear. Felt the life leave him, slowly.

It was like his life took a part of my own with it.

I wailed, clutching him tightly. I didn't have words. I didn't know what to do. I just didn't want him to be gone.

But I couldn't do anything about it. I wasn't good enough to save him.

{He died how he wished to,} I heard Elpis say softly behind me. {In the heat of battle, fighting for a just cause. We are not all so lucky. I…} She hesitated. {I am sorry, Aurora.}

{His death was pointless and could've been avoided.} Rhyperior's callousness stifled my breathing, as she stepped forward her footsteps shaking the ground with a raised cannon. {His injuries were too severe to pose a threat to me and yet he refused to return to the rear. This is why he never performed well without direct instruction, not to say he would've been of use regardless. I must say, in his final moments he pushed harder than I expected, but in the end he was an unbelievably insignificant grunt who at least had the dignity to die nobly on the battlefield.}

Dojima stepped up, paws swirling with aura as he growled. {You're just as elitist as the humans that raised you. Absolutely no respect for anyone you deem below you!}

Rhyperior scoffed, her gravelly voice burning my ears. {So sentimental, Riolu, I didn't know you had it in you and frankly it doesn't suit you. This is mortal combat, do not be surprised when your allies end up dead as well. A wild beast such as yourself would know better, yes?}

The ice around me hissed angrily, vaporizing as a howling blaze engulfed me. Raging red flames burned brightly, the metal floor around me bubbling in response. My eyes were locked directly on Rhyperior, the conflagration roaring for vengeance. For retribution. For her to get what she fucking deserved.

I'm going to fucking DESTROY her.

You're gonna die trying.

I. Don't. Care.

The stony behemoth hummed at the sight, eyeing us all. {You'll burn yourself out with your antics, girl.}

At that? My flames just burned brighter. Angrier. Hotter. Metal hissing in response as it melted.

Rhyperior laughed, aiming the cannon towards me loading a shot. {Maybe I underestimated your kind, perhaps fusions were a worthy investment.}

Elpis stepped in front of me. Between me and Rhyperior, facing her. {I understand your fury,} she said gently but firmly. {But this is not your fight. Not here. Not now. I know in the future, you would tear her to shreds. But now, you must go.}

{Yes, run along. The big girls are playing,} Rhyperior taunted, eyeing Dojima. {And the mutt.}

I clenched my fists, blood evaporating off of me as I glared at Rhyperior. Even if Elpis' form hid her from view? I could sense her. Feel how bemused she was by my anger, my sadness. How little of a shit she gave about Rampan, his death, any of us. It just made me want to rip her apart all the more. Tear away that armor she was so callously proud of, show her for who she really was. A pathetic, stupid, insane-

I was yanked out of my thoughts. I could barely understand what was happening as I watched Rhyperior, Elpis and Dojima recede, resuming their brawl. My flames still lashed, but began to fade as I was pulled away behind a kiosk, decently away from any fights. Only when we stopped did I realize it was Koko. She clapped her hands on her pants, giving me a somber look.

"I'm sorry about Rampan…"

I looked at her, tears still hissing as they evaporated from my cheeks. None of my anger was at her. I hadn't had the strength to resist her. I was still too caught off guard.

Why?

She analyzed me, thinking of something to say. To do. She reached forward, rubbing my head in an attempt to soothe me. "I know you're sad, I'm sad too… but we… no. I'm just sorry, I know he was your friend."

We'd gotten used to comforting each other during Helheim. Family dying was normal. But this… I couldn't calm down. I was frenzied.

I looked at Rhyperior. Clashing against Elpis, the ground quaking in response to every blow they landed against the other. I couldn't break through Rhyperior's armor. Not like Elpis, strong enough to rip and smash through it. I wasn't fast enough. Wasn't strong enough. Not yet.

I looked back towards Isadora, Wilona. Gazing in our direction, no doubt having seen me erupt in flames. Lyle and Alkali already preparing a bunch of balloons. Proton and Vika holding strong, making sure they were safe.

I looked over to where Spinel, spectral mist hissing from her armor, was locked in battle with Paris and Legolas. Both flying around her, barraging her with arrows. And yet still finding time to look across the battlefield, at us, seeing what needed to be done.

I clenched my fists.

I can't fight Rhyperior. But I CAN hurt her.

I looked at Koko, then pointed at Spinel.

She gave me a confused look. "What about Spinel? She's been busy this whole time."

I took a breath, steadying my hands well enough to sign. |I can't fight Rhyperior. Spinel's a human. I can fight her. I can fuck her up. That'd hurt Rhyperior.|

She still wasn't convinced, instead her face became sterner. She took a deep breath. "Be tempered," She whispered to herself as she addressed me. "If you're doing this to only hurt Rhyperior, you're fighting for the wrong reason. Tell me, what did the adults say we have to do?"

|We have to support everyone,| I signed back. |Elpis and Dojima need support. Rampan needed support. Fucking up Spinel means Rhyperior doesn't kill anyone else. Supporting people means keeping them alive.|

Her expression softened a little, liking my reasoning. "Go on."

|Rhyperior is a dumb fucker. She'll focus on if Spinel gets hurt. Even if she's supposed to be murdering our family. I won't let her kill anyone else.|

Koko furrowed her brow. What I said wasn't shocking or even anything new to her, so that wasn't it. That look she gave me. It was the same one she gave Eclipse when she mauled Gurdurr. She gripped my arms, hands shaking.

"Aurora, tell me the truth please…" Her voice was shaky. "What you said. I won't let her kill anyone else? What you meant was: I won't let her kill anyone else, even if I die trying. Didn't you?"

I nodded. Her heart plummeted with my answer. Like she had lost something. Someone. She pulled me into a deep hug, a hug so strong I found it difficult to even fidget.

"I know you love us more than you love yourself," She whispered. "I think that's why you're so brave. You'd do anything for us if it meant we'd live."

She rubbed my back gently. "Except we can't do everything, so we shouldn't blame ourselves for everything. Like your Mama told me, I can't replace my dead big sister and we can't replace you. We've been working so hard to save as many of our family as we could and while we couldn't save Rampan… we shouldn't blame ourselves for that."

But if I'd just been stronger, or better, or something, I could've done something.

"If we had gone to stop Rhyperior with Dojima, we prolly would've died with Rampan. Then Isadora and the others would've had to fight Honchkrow without your big ideas and they could've died. Then when help arrives and your family comes…" Koko gulped, attempting to control her shaky voice. "It's not all on you to save everyone, but the only way you can even try to do that is by staying alive. So don't go dying on us cuz you can't stop me from jumping in right after you."

I looked down, then back up at her. |I'll…| I trailed off. I didn't feel like I should be alive, really. Just because Galactic was interested in me, and weren't in others, shouldn't mean I get to live and they don't.

But if I jump in now, then Koko could die too…

|I'll try not to die so you don't die.|

With a deep sigh, she patted me on the head. "Not exactly what I was going for, but good enough for now. I'll try not to die so you don't die, too."

I took a breath, looking around. Glancing back at where Rampan lay.

We gotta help make sure nobody else dies. That Elpis and Dojima get help. We need to go make sure Rhyperior focuses on us, not killing everyone else.

I picked myself up, the rage in my heart still burning.

I'm not as good as everyone else. I can't do as much as everyone else. But I'm gonna do my best to make sure nobody else dies.

How're Dojima and Elpis-

Dojima soared through the air towards us. My eyes going wide, I dashed forward to catch him before darting back to Koko, holding him close. Barely conscious. His fur splintered by rock shards, his left leg oddly bent. His entire body caked in blood and mud, he touched his throat trying to find the strength to speak. His neck was bruised.

Fuck. No. No no no no no, we're not doing this again!

"Are you serious!?" Koko quickly splashed a balloon on Dojima, but it barely had any effect. "No no no, we don't have any revives! The potions aren't working! Call Hazel, she can save him!"

My eyes darted across the battlefield. We had only seconds before Rhyperior tried to finish murdering him too. Or Elpis. Or someone else. Elpis needed the help he was providing, and without it, who knew if she was too tired to hold back Rhyperior much longer. Everything was fucked. I closed my eyes and focused, a small burst of fire and ice rising into the air before erupting into an arrow that hung briefly in the air above us.

After a second or two, the same stars that healed Mila began descending towards us. I held Dojima closest to the center of them; we were in pain and tired. He was dying. I felt the pain in my arms soothe slightly, but that wasn't nearly as much of a relief as Dojima. The rock shards began being pushed out of his body as wounds closed up. Blood and mud still mixed, matting his fur, but at least there wasn't any more blood being mixed with it.

A tiny breath of relief escaped me. Okay. Hazel got it. Dojima's gonna be okay. We just need to make sure he's safe, bring him over to the others. We need to distract Rhyperior NOW.

Koko breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay so uhhh Dojima is out, Elpis is about to go out, no one else can stop Rhyp-."

I shuddered suddenly, a rush of air hurtling towards us. I grabbed Koko and dove forwards, pushing us both against the ground. A volley of razor sharp stones almost nicked my tails, screaming over us as they slammed against the wall and embedded themselves deep within it with threatening thunks.

That's. That's a good start, I guess?

I peeked through the wall of rock to see Rhyperior, still being attacked by Elpis but now with enough time between attacks to send out blasts to other fights. Rhyperior aimed towards Sue and Pollux's battle, her horn beginning to spin. Electricity crackled as she fired a deadly bolt straight towards Sue. She barely had time to parry Pollux before she raised both her seamitars in defense, the impact slamming her through the wall. Pollux took a moment to finally breathe before gathering his Glameow troop and making his way over to Castor's fight with Leanne and Yvonne.

We gotta go. We gotta go RIGHT THE FUCK NOW!

As we darted back towards Lyle, Alkali, Isadora and Wilona? There was no time for words. Lyle grabbed a pink balloon and slammed it on Dojima before we laid him next to the crate to rest. We just had to hope he'd live till we got him to a real medic. I could see Isadora looking over at where Rhyperior was, racking her brain for anything that could help.

I looked at Koko, just my gaze conveying everything. We needed to go fuck up Spinel to distract Rhyperior. There were no other options.

None that have a hope in hell of keeping everyone else alive.

"We need to attack Spinel so Rhyperior gets distracted." Koko spoke fast. "She's obsessed with her cuz she's her lady or whatever, so if we beat up Spinel more, she'll come to protect her. Then everyone else can go crazy while she's distracted!"

Isadora looked over and grimaced, looking between us, Rhyperior was now threatening a huge section of the battlefield, and Elpis. From our perspective, we could see just how battered she was. She was holding herself upright, but only just. One of her eyes was covered in blood from a wound on her head, and she kept having to reaffirm her stance before striking out again.

Rampan's body was still lifeless, crushed beneath an avalanche of stone.

Bronco, even though his team was being held back by our family, was dangerously close to Rhyperior's fight himself. Vika and the others couldn't focus on him without letting his team do what they want, and he was inching closer to Rhyperior. Probably to heal her or something. Tears were streaming down my face again.

No. No fuck you. She doesn't GET to be okay after killing Rampan! I won't let you!

Isadora's gaze and heart were heavy, looking at me. "Go. Take this as my permission; go do what you need to. I'll get the others."

I looked at Koko, the tears on my face vaporizing from the flames around me. We get some balloons to help, and then we break Spinel.

She sighed, still unsure. I could feel how completely over everything she was right now. She desperately wanted some calm, but we couldn't afford it till everyone was safe. "Eir said that help will be here really soon, so… let's just do this and hope they'll come already."

Lyle and Alkali ran over, giving us a couple balloons in a small bag they'd just found. Both their faces were deadly serious. Lyle nodded at us both. "Make it count."

Isadora and Wilona nodded to us. "Good luck, the both of you."

We nodded before running out again. A fireball bursting to life in my hand, I sent it hurtling towards Rhyperior in the distance. I didn't pay attention to if it hit. She'd look over anyway. We kept sprinting for Spinel while I aimed to kick her legs out from under her. Paris, noticing us, sent a trio of arrows screaming forth.

Spinel barely blocked them before I slid into one of her legs. She fell to the ground, only barely rolling out of the way to avoid Koko stomping on her face. She swung at Koko's head, but she created a rock to block the strike while I sent another wall of roaring fire at her.

I chucked healing balloons at Paris and Legolas. Each was laser focused, but the bruises and slight breaths of exhaustion showcased they were beginning to feel the toll. Whatever Spinel was pumping herself with was working if it had managed to hold them off this long and strike back. We couldn't spend all day dealing with her and we didn't have the energy for it either. We needed to end this now.

We gotta stop her, whatever it takes. We gotta fuck her up. Make her hurt like she's hurt us all.

Spinel extended her hand, pushing my fire back with her spectral gas as Paris and Koko flanked her from both sides with arrows and a flurry of sharp rocks. Spinel divided her glaive into dual blades, smashing both sides away, but not having enough time to block Paris' kick to the chest. She skidded back towards Koko who was prepared to bring her hatchet down on Spinel's head. Unfortunately, Spinel roundhouse kicked her in the head, preventing the follow-up.

I spared a brief glance towards Rhyperior and Bronco as I bolted forwards, making sure they were looking at us. They were. Our allies were trying to beat them up, but they were definitely focused on us now.

Good. Now let's see if she can be accurate when we can both move fast and're fucking with Spinel.

A burning trail blazing from my hand, the metal on my brass knuckles glowing red hot, I punched her squarely in the back and sent her lurching forward.

Just 'cuz doing this is helping everyone else doesn't mean I don't get to make you fucking hurt. You deserve anything Mama would do to you.

Spinel's body jerked as though she had considered turning around to swipe at me. Instead, she dashed forward. Kicking Koko in the stomach, distancing her from us. She was launched through the air before rolling unceremoniously on the ground, her face bloodied by the kick. Spinel didn't stop with her onslaught, slashing at me next.

I ducked beneath her slash and attempted another sweep only for her vents to spew right in my face. I gagged as the scent of death filled my lungs as she kneed me in the stomach, slamming the hilt of her sword into the back of my neck causing my gash to burn as I fell to the ground. She backed up only because Paris shot her off me, but her strikes hit harder than I had expected as I put a hand over my wound.

The ghost in her ass is making her stronger. I won't let that be enough to take us down.

I glanced behind me to see Koko slowly getting up, rubbing her head and holding her stomach. "Urgh…" She groaned.

"Koko?" Paris asked in concern, not taking her eyes off Spinel.

I glared at Spinel, my hands lighting aflame despite the burst of tiredness I felt. I was running out of energy, but my rage was only rising.

If you did something to mess with her head, I'm gonna sear you into that fucked up armor.

"Save your concern, she'll survive that. Besides," Spinel spat before smirking, her golden eyes laughing at us. "I have much worse in mind than a few kicks."

"You're disgusting," Paris hissed.

Before Spinel could reply a low rumbling emerged behind us. We all turned to face Koko as she began to glow in a russet sheen, the artificial arm amping up in power. Her hair stood on end, her tail was on high alert, her face contorted into a snarl as she bared her fangs. Her fingernails became proper claws and her blue eyes turned to slits as she began to growl savagely.

Paris gave Koko a concerned look, looking at me, but I knew everything was alright. She was just getting amped up.

She's had enough of all this shit. Like me.

Paris relaxed slightly, seeing that I wasn't freaking out but still worried about the both of us.

Spinel on the other hand seemed interested. "Taking after your sister are you, but rather going all in with the mad dog routine so more akin to her Dusk Lycanroc? An unexpected, but educational development."

"Shut up! I hate you!" Koko barked at her furiously, preparing to hunt.

"Hmmm, Rockruff are known to get more rambunctious as they get older. Perhaps the stress of the situation activated more of your instincts? Seemingly a common theme among you fusions. Subjecting you to more mayhem-"

Spinel's musings were cut short as Koko dashed over to Spinel with a savagery reminiscent of Yuna. Koko's stone claws tore at Spinel who only just blocked with one of her swords. She didn't stop with one slash, the artificial arm manifesting a boulder around her fist as she punched Spinel in her armored gut.

Koko prepared another slash, but Spinel knocked the hilts of both her swords over her head. It only stalled her onslaught as she shook off the pain. Dividing into countless clones, she forced Spinel to fend her off with both blades. Me and Paris didn't even need to question; now was the time to go fuck her up.

Twin arrows flanking me, I bolted forwards and began slamming my fists against her armor. Every little chink, if there was even the slight possibility it'd be torn off, I tried to tear it apart.

Spinel attempted to spear me with her swords, but I just dodged and aimed a punch directly on the back of her knee as Paris shot the other one. I could feel her panic as the spectral force within her pulsed deflecting the arrow and cushioned my punch. Seizing the moment she managed to slice at my left thigh causing me to back up and ice it. I winched at the sharp pain as blood began to drip. Focusing ice onto the wound, I limped away, trying to close it. Koko, sensing something was wrong, had backed up before me and skirted to Spinel's exposed flank.

With instinctive form she jumped onto Spinel's back, her fangs coated in ebon aura as she bit into Spinel's left bicep. Spinel's eyes bugged out in agony, releasing a gasp as Koko dug in her nails in between the chinks of the armor, trying to get a better grip. The armor's vents expelled terrible fumes right into Koko's nose, forcing her to let go and allowing Spinel a chance to slash down on her. Koko's good arm flashed blood, the barriers around her sputtering and fading away as she stumbled back before being kicked aside. She laid on the ground choking on the fog, gripping her shallow but painful wound.

Spinel backed into a wall, bleeding from her left arm and back. Losing grip on her weapon as she quickly sheathed her left blade holding her right defiantly. Her sweat belied her exhaustion and agony although she had yet to scream.

Yet.

Koko attempted to get back up, but fell forward on her knees holding her bleeding arm and nose. I wasn't sure which stung more, the wound or the smell. "It… stings… somuch! I-I tried…"

I shook my head.

You kicked her ass. You did good. It's not your fault.

Paris kept her cornered while I darted over, putting my hands on her wound. She flinched, but I kept them there as a cold wind began to blow from them. She gave a sudden yelp, caught off guard by the cold but not it being painful. The blood slowly began to darken, hardening into a scab overtop.

When I finished, she exhaled deeply, nodding towards me gratefully. We both looked over to Spinel, the armor vents released more gas that seemed to seep directly into her open wounds. Pulsating through her body. The flowing blood slowly began to stem, but not without her talking throughout the process.

"Overstimulation, danger and rage-" Spinel panted, catching her breath. "-must've triggered her basic rockruff instincts in a dire situation. Perhaps caused by the genetic corrections? Her sister has not exhibited the same type of lupine aggression thus far." She continued to mutter to herself as her body kept doing things bones shouldn't allow for.

What the fuck even is she?

I looked back at Koko, tapping her gently before pointing at the icicles that'd impaled Dragonite. |Rock?|

Koko raised the artificial hand pooling energy together to create a nice sharp rock that could easily fit in my hand. The arm fell flat, exhausted of its fuel. "Rock."

Bitch, meet rock.

Paris' arrows had forced her to lurch forwards, getting her away from the wall and doing everything she could to deflect her arrows. I nodded to Koko in thanks, grabbing the stone spike she'd made, careful with the sharp edges.

The armor's better than what they forced me in, but it's bulky in similar places. And she's not been moving in certain ways. Maybe she's just shit at fighting and relying on it to do the work, it'd be accurate for her, but maybe…

I darted forwards, ignoring the searing pain in my leg, hand tight around the spike. Even though Spinel saw me coming this time, she was missing one blade and too busy, too injured to take a swipe at me. That ignoring how her current blade had to be focused on deflecting arrows, alongside the lashing spectral tendrils of the armor.

Skidding past in front of her, I grabbed one of her boots. Ice crackled from my hand, quickly encasing it and lodging it firmly to the ground. Getting traction again, I glanced at Paris. Hoping that she understood I had a plan.

She did.

She landed, closing one of her eyes as she pulled back an arrow, the tip gleaming with ghostly light. I sprinted just behind Spinel, on the side she still had the blade.

And since she's her, she'll try and hit me. So if I stand right about here, without her being able to move her other leg…

The energy blade crackling through the air, she swung backwards in an attempt to cleave my head off. And in response, I stood there.

I can dodge, but if I'm right, right aboooout-

Her arm suddenly jerked to a stop, the ice keeping her from pivoting any further. Usually, most people with spines the way Hybrids and humans had them could swivel like she needed to. But because the armor was shit? Not when she was in it.

Now.

I held the stone spike firmly in both hands, aiming right for her stomach as Paris loosed an arrow screaming with energy straight for Spinel's heart.

The ghostly mist suddenly stopped venting from the armor as Dusknoir erupted in front of her, taking the arrow full force. Her form shuddered from the impact, spectral energy crackling across her body as the arrow collided against her thick skin.

And at the same time, I plunged the spike right through the armor, into Spinel's stomach, and through the armor on the other side. There was a sudden burst of crimson as blood began pouring from the wound, even more so once I ripped the spike back out.

Eat shit, you sadistic bitch.

Spinel's expression turned blank as blood flowed out of her body. She looked down on me, reaching for her stomach as blood began to come up from her mouth. Dropping her blade, she reached out, grabbing my wrist. I glared back at her. Blood squelched from her open wound as she exerted her body beyond what should be safe.

At that moment, I saw her true eyes. They were silver. Chilled. Blank without the golden swirls of Dusknoir infecting her body. An unrelenting level of agony and disbelief fueled her now as she glared into my very soul. There was remarkably less hate than I had expected. More… disappointment?

"If y-you're going… to stab… a bitch…" Spinel coughed, blood gurgling her words. Her tone filled with a new level of malevolence I had never felt as she pulled herself closer to ensure her statement was heard. "Don't stop till she's dead."

She fell to her knees, violently coughing as she tried to keep her insides inside, tears rolling down her face as she struggled to breathe. Satisfaction, finality and an unnerving sense of dread pooled in my own stomach, along with a bunch of other feelings I was too tired to discern.

Let's see if Rhyperior thinks your death is worth something. I sure as fuck don't.

Paris eyed Spinel ruefully. "If I'm so pathetic for needing children to fight with me, what does that say about you?"

{It means I'm through with entertaining them,} Dusknoir's voice echoed, chilling my bones to the core. It was the first time I had ever heard her speak directly. The first time I had seen her directly. And I never wanted to see her again.

Her sheer size rivaled Rhyperior's, looking down upon everyone smaller than her. Her golden accents glowed dimly through the fog, the only reminder she truly floated before us. There was an ancient, dangerous eminence seeping from the gaping maw that was her stomach. The pupils on her stomach darted around, absorbing every detail of her surroundings as it began to rumble. As if she was keeping other forbidden creatures within the void she called a body.

Now released into the corporeal world, the atmosphere surrounding us heavied as the scent of death thickened, becoming difficult to breathe forcing Paris and I to cover our mouths lest we be choked. Whatever emotions she felt were either too foreign or forbidden from my senses. Even the battles in the distance halted as the fog traveled toward them. Castor, Pollux and Rhyperior all shirked in fear while grunt humans and pokemon moved away.

All I could sense was danger. An overwhelming sense of danger. The fear of death on an instinctive level flooded my mind.

We gotta go. RIGHT NOW.

My instincts moved me before I could think, but my injured leg's pain shot right through me making me stumble. Dusknoir raised her hand, catching me in her psychic grasp as my legs halted. I shot right into her giant hands. I raised my hands to pull her off as she began to squeeze. Out of her sheer reflexive panic, I summoned a Protect around my body before Dusknoir popped my skull, blood already flowing from my gash. I could feel myself begin to suffocate from panic, pain and terror.

Fuck shit fuck damnit fuck fuck fuck-

Ever since I first encountered her in that dismal, lightless room I'd had vivid nightmares. Nightmares of sinking into the void she calls a stomach and never returning. Becoming whatever the hell Spinel considered herself. I still wasn't sure if she had eaten me and spat me out, ensuring I was infected by whatever wicked curse she wanted or if that was some sick illusion she filled my head with. Even now I wasn't sure what was real and fake with her antics. I just did my best to refuse whatever she did.

My imagination couldn't compare to what was happening right now. But everyone was counting on me to help, so I had to hold on, do my best. I just had to think about how after this Mama would hold me close, consoling me. My eyes landed on Paris who had nocked an arrow, but she did the same with her pulling her head directly into her hands. Paris' struggles emulated my own as Dusknoir began to crush her skull. The unholy spirit raised herself a couple meters into the air before she slammed us both face first into the tiles.

As my head slammed into the metal floor, cracking through and crushing the wood beneath to sawdust, the pain in my face throbbed more intensely. I stared up into the sky, only to regret it as I watched Dusknoir's imposing figure loom down on us as she had shoved us deep into the ground. Her golden eye shone ominously as her stomach seeped fog. Last time, Galactic needed us alive. Not anymore.

The Protect crackled against the floor, likely the only reason why my brain remained within my skull, why my bones were still bones and not powder. I could barely see, but I saw Paris do something similar concentrating foliage through her hair to cushion the blow.

Noting we were still alive Dusknoir prepared to apply the finishing blow before reeling back, nearly receiving an arrow to the face that she just barely caught in her hands. I could hear Legolas from my position flap over as Koko tried to lift me up from the crater I had been planted in.

Dusknoir turned to the dying Spinel who had crumbled to the ground, barely conscious, holding her stomach. She knelt down before the dying scientist, pouring more spectral energy inside her to heal the wounds, but it only made Spinel wretch more.

{You've reached your limit,} Dusknoir echoed, retracting her hand. {We are leaving.}

{We're not done-} Was all Legolas managed to say before Dusknoir turned around and fired a massive Shadow Ball at us all with nearly no charge up time. Legolas flew through the air, landing firmly in front of us as his wings shone with a metallic sheen. Digging his talons into the ground he grimaced, wincing in pain but held on as the ball erupted against them. Everything around him was leveled as Koko tried to shield my body from stray debris.

His bloodied wings shook as countless corrupted feathers fell to the ground disintegrating into dust, he glared at Dusknoir and nocked another arrow. {No, you're not leaving,} he crowed, the arrow glowing with ghostly streaks as he let it fly directly at Spinel. His aim was shakier than it usually was, but still plenty clear enough to fire at a stationary target.

Unfortunately, Dusknoir was all too ready to counter using Legolas' exhaustion to her advantage, enveloping Spinel and herself with a large Protect. Legolas spat in annoyance, but eyed Dusknoir. She wasn't dispelling the move. Realization dawned as he whirled around to us, flapping his wings desperately grabbing me and Koko by the shoulders with his talons as Paris wrenched herself from the ground and leapt up, gliding after him.

There was no time to be gentle as where we were just sitting began to rise as the ground erupted violently. Tiles and rock launched everywhere. Struggling to keep us both aloft with his injured wings he tossed away as far as he could as the debris knocked into his back.

Koko and I rolled out of the attack's range several meters away, neither of us having the energy to properly land. Paris could only just catch herself, holding onto Legolas as he came tumbling towards us. When we finally stopped we each laid on the ground, battered, bruised and dazed. The gash on my face reminded me of its presence once again, the agonizing pain beginning to return with a vengeance and more blood streaming down my face. I wanted to cry so bad, but I couldn't afford to expend energy on even that.

Koko's arm laceration reopened with another new head wound to go along with it. The metal arm attached to her was bent, broken and missing several fingers damaged by the blast, blinking a bright red. A pained groan told me more than enough about how she felt right now as she lay barely conscious on the ground.

Okay. Everyone's still alive. That's good.

I saw Dusknoir dragging an Aromatisse over to Spinel as Rhyperior stood glaring down at us.

God fucking damnit.

In her wake, several of our allies laid defeated or trying to find their umpteenth second wind. Hardin and Adamantine were struggling to keep themselves upright, and Garland and Dijon were breathing heavily from the sidelines, slightly burnt. Clive was tending to Elpis' wounds as best he could, Haley and Mabel helping stabilize her. They had been doing everything they could to take her down, but she was a behemoth.

I pushed myself up, my arms screaming at me to just lay down as I put my hands on Koko's head and arm wound, the same cold wind slowly closing them. Much more slowly than before, as I was as exhausted as she was. She was too tired to flinch.

I stared at the mangled metal arm, almost definitely unusable and causing her tons of pain if her wincing and panic were anything to go by. I couldn't just tear it off, it was still attached to her. We couldn't leave it on either though, since she could still feel a little bit with it on. Unsure whether to burn it or ice it, I left it alone. I didn't want to accidentally make it worse.

I'd probably make it worse really easily.

Rhyperior stepped forward. {First, you benighted wretches kill one of my oldest comrades in Dragonite. Second, you've put The Eldritch Reaper's faith in me to question. Thirdly and most importantly, you have injured Galactic's most revered lady, the only one who knew my true potential. I shall not spare any resource in exterminating you all!}

The inner linings of Rhyperior's armor and eyes began to glow a shining gold, as if she was about to burst. The entire world shook as the tile surrounding her turned into a muddy swirl, lifting her into the air. It carried her towards them as pillars of molten rock began jutting out of the ground chaotically.

Paris took the lead, picking up Legolas, as she used vines and acrobatics to skirt in between each spire, while avoiding the molten splashes as best she was able. Rhyperior began diverting her efforts more directly chasing after the duo when a frozen lance, multiple psycho cuts, poisonous blobs and countless stars smashed into their back.

She fortified her defenses as she sent a wave of molten earth towards her offenders: Yukitsu, Lucia, Arden, Lyle, Akali, Isadora and Wilona. Yukitsu formed an ice barrier protecting everyone she could fortified by Lucia and Arden, creating a dome that encircled them entirely, blocking strikes from above and below.

Dusknoir, not so easily distracted, focused on me and Koko again. Firing another giant shadow ball. I felt a sudden rush of air as I watched Shio grab hold of Yukitsu, Mango and Dojima before she disappeared as quickly as she came. And right with her was Naoko, gently lifting me and Koko off the ground before darting back towards the others, avoiding the blast radius.

For a brief moment, I got to see the world how they did. Every rock and the plume of grit surrounding it, globs of magma almost floating through the air like clouds. The world stood still, even the speed me, Koko and usually everyone else went at looking like they were stuck underwater.

Silas was giggling to himself on the side, munching on someone's liver.

Dusknoir's singular eye stalked us the entire time.

And then we were back with everyone else. Away from Rhyperior, away from Spinel, Castor and Pollux. Away from Bronco and everything that'd been threatening us. They were still easily within range, but not being directly underfoot was a relief.

Moments later, Paris and Legolas appeared next to us, Naoko and Shio nodding at us all respectfully before darting off again, going to bring more people back to the group. We needed to be together, now more than ever.

Meanwhile, dozens of shimmering bubbles filled the air along with a beautiful song. My ears swiveling towards it, I glanced over to see Ninian and her partner Primarina Tethys singing defiantly. Huge bubbles floated across the battlefield, detonating and engulfing Galactic in blasts of chill water. Smaller bubbles drifted around us, popping gently against our bodies. While it didn't do much for me, I saw Dojima and Koko's burns melting away. For Yukitsu especially, the water quickly froze and shifted, helping patch up cracks in her form and recovering her vitality.

"Aurora, Koko!" Hazel shouted in the distance. I tilted my head towards her voice watching her and Vivian dash through the battlefield, their own safety barely in mind, only barely dodging stray moves with Quick Attack.

Unfortunately, an explosion from behind caught them off guard. Hazel, using her wider frame, stepped behind Vivian blocking the brunt of the blast, wincing as the blowback struck her back. They were each blown several feet into the air before stumbling to the ground, but they didn't stop until they reached us. They refused to.

Hazel immediately dropped to her knees, hesitant to touch us in case she hurt us. Koko could barely move a bone of her body, completely drained, but she managed to twitch her hand a bit. Hazel took it gently before taking my own, lightly rubbing each as if to make sure we knew she was here and going to help, radiating overflowing kindness.

Once she knew we knew she was there for us, she removed her wand and pointed it at us. "I've got your backs. I promised."

Use your energy for Koko. Please.

White energy began to condense around her, but slower than it had the first time. I looked on as her hands began to shake, her breath became heavy and she winced in pain. Vivian looked on in concern. {Hazel…}

"I can do this. I can do it. They need help, and I'm going to help them," Hazel repeated, the stars barely forming around her. "They got hurt fighting for us and I promised I'd look out for them. I won't let them down."

Sweat was pouring down her face, her own untreated wound antagonized by the overextension of her mostly unused powers. I wanted to scream at her to stop. To not destroy herself to save us both. If she had to choose, it had to be Koko. But I knew she'd never do that. If she could choose she'd die saving us both. And I would never forgive myself if I allowed that to happen.

I'd burn myself to ash before I let her die for me.

As I began trying to pool whatever strength I could find in my body, red stars began to surround Hazel. Her eyes shone with new light, white stars shining to life faster. We each looked at Vivian channeling as much power as she could into Hazel with Helping Hand.

{We do this together!} She yipped defiantly. {I promised to always have your back! And I'm gonna!}

Her partner's eyes glistened with tears before blinking them away, focusing on her energy. "Thank you, Vivian."

With the added oomph, stars twinkled around us all. The glimmering lights descended into our skin soothing some of the endless agony we each felt. While I could move a bit, I still felt completely drained. Koko's robot arm twitched less after the healing too. All we could do was muster grateful smiles, as Hazel and Vivian breathed sighs of relief.

Once Mabel and Haley finished with their other patient they right came over, treating us all quickly as Gregor and his partner Mamoswine stood before us. One of the last people who could hold back Rhyperior and everyone else, even if only for a little bit.

We're running outta energy. But we're not gonna give in. Not ever.

Sue was exhausted from her fight with Pollux, her limbs shuddering as she sat in the back with us. Lyle and Alkali were running around, throwing potions and ethers at everyone. We all needed them desperately. Vika, Proton, Minerva and Enrique were battered, soaked and nursing headaches from their bout. Paris and Legolas struggled to their feet, aiming dead between Rhyperior's eyes despite their overwhelming injury.

Eclipse and Yuna were being treated again, with large dents in Adamantine's armor and bruises all over Hardin's body. Jean, Indra and her whole group were back with us, only just slightly doing better than we all were.

But slightly better wasn't enough to stop Galactic, currently reorganizing themselves. Taking back the space we'd had to abandon, unless we wanted to die. Mars rallying the grunts left, Jupiter and Skuntank sending out more poison gas, Saturn taking stock of what they still had, Charon hiding behind everyone.

Cyrus simply glared impassively at us all, no remorse, anger or joy in his gaze. Silas was a different story, cackling to himself on Cyrus' shoulder. Dusknoir was staying closer to Spinel, but ready to rain hell on us all.

I looked around, trying to see if people were getting better quick. They weren't. None of us were. We were exhausted, battered and pushed back.

Clenching my fists, I forced myself to my feet. If I'm gonna die… if this is where it ends, I'm gonna end it on my feet. I'm not gonna bow down to Galactic. Not now, not ever. Maybe if she kills me, everyone else will survive until help arrives.

{If I had known you all would've been so meddlesome when we first crossed paths, I would've taken the time to ensure your tricks did not get the better of me. Alas, better late than never, you will all die right before your hope arrives.}

I glared at her, holding my arm. Letting go for just a moment to aim my hand towards her, sending out a couple snowballs. They broke against her armor like I hadn't even tried. Tears still streamed down my face as I stumbled, trying to muster up enough energy to blast her.

She readied an arm cannon, her eyes as cold as Spinel's. {Embrace nothingness.}

{I will see you reduced to it,} Mama's voice echoed across the battlefield.

The room was enveloped in a verdant glow as all eyes turned to her. The orb, still held within her tails, was barely larger than when I last looked. But now? Now the light shining from it nearly outshone the sun above us. Beams of light threatened to shoot out, escape from the orb, but they were all held firm. Just the heat from the light was causing the metal around Mama to hiss and glow.

Her eyes were firmly on Rhyperior. Hate, burning even hotter than the sun she held, seared from her heart. {You dared try to rip me away from my child once before,} her voice boomed, {And you attempt it again. You make her cry, hurt her relentlessly. Without regard for how much better she is than you could EVER hope to be in ANY lifetime. You nearly broke her. And for that, I will break you.}

Her tails curled forwards, forming almost like a funnel with the Solarbeam orb held firmly in the center. For the briefest moment? Nothing happened.

And then the orb's glare shone even harsher, shrinking as a gargantuan beam of light screamed out.
Gigantic. Enormous. Larger even than the beam of combined attacks loosed against Saturn. The ray engulfed the floor, the roof, slowly expanding as it threatened to vaporize the entire building in front of it.

For Cyrus, Mars, Jupiter, those enough to the side? They managed to dive away. Spinel, despite being in the very center of the beam, was rushed out of the way by Dusknoir. She didn't have time to escape the blast herself.

Rhyperior, Bronco, Grumpig, Gurdurr who had been summoned earlier, and several others were dead in the center.

I saw Bronco's mouth moving, the words lost among the howl of the cascading green laser, the light from it growing brighter and brighter as it threatened to burn the skin from his face. Rhyperior aimed her arms ahead, a gargantuan boulder forming within fractions of a second and hurtling into the beacon.

It vaporized to nothing like a drop of water on a roaring fire.

Her eyes went wide, focusing energy to attempt to stop it herself. She didn't even have time to gather that as the ray utterly engulfed her.
A microsecond later, Bronco, Gurdurr, Grumpig, Jellicent, Nini's dad, a few Aromatisse, and Dusknoir were consumed by the blast of light and heat. Krokorok fell backwards away from it, scrambling away in fear.

Whether any of them said a word, we couldn't know. The whine of the beam was too loud to hear anything. Wind, screams, heartbeats, the building crumbling, nothing. It was all engulfed in the all consuming howl of the laser ripping through everything and anything in its path.

The beacon still expanding, still hurtling onwards, it blew through the walls in its way like a muffin wrapper. The walls closest to the blast collapsed inwards, their supports too weak from the battle and being thoroughly pulverized by the beam. I looked up, watching through the roof as the tower on the front right corner of Galactic's headquarters crumbled, falling into the path of the ray.

All of it was vaporized.

After several seconds, the beam began to fade. The blast slowly shrank into itself, falling from an unstoppable torrent of energy to a small cylinder stretching into the distance. And soon, even that faded into motes of light, natural light taking center stage once more.

The room, for the first time since we'd entered, was silent.

An entire section of the building was gone. Turned to ash, dust, I didn't know. All I knew is that the edges of it, where the beam had been searing against, were still smoking. Where there were once walls, a floor and a ceiling, there was now a view of the open sky, of the forest beyond. Clouds in the distance had been blown apart, despite how far they were from us.

A green orb of energy, Dusknoir's Protect, was broken but stable. The far half of it still stood, protecting a single Aromatisse who was cowering beside an injured Spinel. The edges of the Protect were cracked, jagged, Dusknoir's hands burnt, her whole body smoking. She looked at herself inquisitively.

Bronco, his allies save for Krokorok. Vaporized. Razed. Completely and utterly. Nothing remained; Ultra Balls, armor, anything. All of it had been atomized.

In front of where they once stood, Rhyperior lay within the trench dug by the laser. Her horns, burned away. Orange armor, pulverized to dust. Rocky exterior, seared away. Much thinner than she'd been just moments before, only fragments of her rocky armor remained. Beneath was light, gray skin, burned harshly from the beam and burning more from the light it was never supposed to see. She still drew breath, but it was labored.

My Hybrid and Pokemon friends and family rushed forwards, taking the space Mama had opened up for us. Mama simply strolled up to Rhyperior casually, splitting the still spinning orb of energy between her nine tails as she'd done before.

She stood above her, looking down at her with disgust and vitriol. Rhyperior couldn't choke out a word, her throat having been burnt too badly.

{Some advice, for your next life,} She sneered coldly. {When you decide to thoughtlessly follow someone's every order, at least think beforehand. Whether or not you should listen to the disgusting, depraved, insane fools who think this world is theirs to do with as they see fit.}

She nodded her head towards Spinel, before looking back down. {Because their fate is always the same; to die alone, unloved, unsubstantiated visions crumbling around them as those who believe in the heart of the world triumph. As you will here.}

Rhyperior gurgled something ferociously, likely her last attempt to voice her hate. Mama paid her no mind, her seething fury manifesting. The orbs of light she held darkened into burning ebony spheres, each glowing the same ominous light as when she cursed someone before. She aimed her tails down, rays of fire scorching through Rhyperior's now undefended form. Her eyes rolled back into her head as her heart was burned to a crisp, the black flames quickly engulfing her body.

I stared in awe of Mama as she walked back to me, while Mabel, Haley, Eir and Natalie tended to all our wounds. {You are safe now, my child.}

I had no idea what to say, what to feel. I just knew that all I wanted right then was to hug her tightly. And as she lowered her neck towards me, I got to do that, burrowing into her warm fur.

We stayed there for a moment, despite everything.

And then the ground shook.

We whirled towards the noise, hope flaring in my heart as we saw it was from the door.

Did people come?

Outside, before the now empty doorway, stood a girl. Older than me, but familiar. With blonde hair like the sun trailing down to her back, contrasting with her gray eyes and jet black attire. Two black teardrop stones with a yellow ring around the middle hung from either side of her head, her long, billowing cloak of ebony lined with similarly dark fur. She stood flanked by a towering Pokemon.

Faded blue scales and a red underbelly, spikes on her upper legs and outside of her arms. Long fins of the same blue jetted out from her forearms, her tail with fins like Clive and Elpis' slamming against the ground. On her head was a yellow five pointed star at the peak of her crest, twin oval horns on either side of her head. Her yellow eyes, surrounded by black sclera, were narrowed at the battlefield before her. The fiercest Garchomp I'd ever seen.

Pokeballs around her waist erupted into light as five more Pokemon formed at her side; a howling spiral of spectral energy, purple and green hissing from the stone that now lay on the ground. The Spiritomb glared furiously right in Galactic's direction as a chill went down my spine.

A humanoid figure, two bouquets of brilliant red and blue at the end of each of her arms. A light green crescent covered her eyes, with openings for her to glare out at our assailants. Her dark green cloak of leaves flowed behind her as she readied herself, the red eyes of the Roserade focused squarely on the Admins.

A leviathan, carrying herself with grace and power entwined, coiled beside the Roserade. Long scarlet whiskers framing her eyes and similarly scarlet fins trailed down from either side of her pale, tan body. Her tail faded from the tan into deep blue hexagons, black scales lining the outside of each as her four finned tail swept through the air. The Milotic surveyed the scene before her, water already bubbling up around her.

Flying above was a white birdlike Pokemon, small red and blue squares sparsely patterned across her belly. Each of her wings swirled further back like clouds gliding through the air, little feet and small rear feathers fluttering through the air. Three horns curved gently above her head, the middle one the same pure white as her body while the other two were tipped with red and blue. The Togekiss' eyes were filled with sorrow at the misery unfolding before her, wanting nothing more than to bring peace to it at last.

And finally, another humanoid stood directly on the other side of the girl, blue and black in exactly the same shade as Dojima. His ears were turned towards the battle, the spike on his tan furry chest gleaming. Blue fire began to burn around his black fore paws, his tail lashing from side to side. The same blue fire burned from behind a black cloth band around the Lucario's eyes, completely covering them both, but not obstructing the Aura burning from him in any way. If anything, strengthening it.

My heart leapt, seeing the girl. There were others behind her, but I didn't care.

Sis! She's here! Is she gonna save us?

Cynthia's eyes darted across the field, seeing how desperately we were fighting. How Galactic was bruised, but not yet beaten. How we were trying with everything we had to fight, to escape. Her eyes paused on me and Mama specifically.

She thrust out her hand. "Aphrodite, Idun, Athena, defend anyone fighting Galactic. Hel, Heimdall, destroy their escape routes, prevent any teleportation. Reginleif?"

The Garchomp beside her rumbled, ready.

Cynthia's eyes narrowed, glaring directly at Cyrus. "End this."

With a bone shattering roar, she streaked across the battlefield. The few grunts in her way were reduced to nothing but a fine red mist as Cyrus' Gyarados clashed with her. Even with his fangs coated in ice, Reginleif barely flinched. Her momentum sending the two crashing through a wall as she slammed him to the ground.

Hel, the Spiritomb, hovered into the air, howling furiously at every grunt they came across. The light went out of the eyes of each one she passed, their bodies slumping limply to the floor.

Heimdall, Lucario, ran forwards. Any attacks in his way, he dodged or neutralized effortlessly with bursts of Aura. The blue flames around his eyes burning brighter for a moment, he stopped, aiming towards two different sections of the building and sending huge blue orbs of energy rocketing through the air. Twin blue explosions erupted at the same time, as complex mechanisms hidden from view were turned to scrap.

Milotic, Roserade and Togekiss- Aphrodite, Idun and Athena, if the order they moved in affirmation of Cynthia's words was any indication- swam, ran and flew over to us. They took place at the front lines, and with a serene howl from Aphrodite, a glimmering barrier erupted in front of us all. Next, a swirling mass of vines and leaves erupted from the ground as Idun fortified the wall, each vine adorned with bright roses and thorns dripping with poison. Athena flew over us all, gleaming water droplets falling from her eyes. Each one that hit one of us glowed brighter, flowing over the person's wounds and helping close them. Her heart and soul poured into helping us survive.

Cyrus' Houndoom eyed the battlefield until his glance fell upon us. Likely hoping to distract Cynthia's team, he opened his maw firing a thick, burning dark pulse that leveled everything in its wake. Mama jumped to our defense, still behind the barrier but readying to deflect it in case it broke through. I braced myself for impact… but there was no need.

Right before us a psychic energy began to crackle and warp the air around it as a human boy and a giant Electivire manifested themselves right in the path of the projectile. The Electivire caught the menacing beam with an electrified palm, crushing it in his fist, dispelling the destructive attack easily. The human boy stood back to back with the Electivire, hands in his pockets.

He had blonde hair akin to Cynthia, but yellower like lightning. He wore a blue jacket with three yellow circles at the top of each sleeve, the collar flaring up a little. He wore simple gray pants and matching gray sneakers. He didn't seem all too happy, but I wasn't sure if that was normal for him or because of all the dead people and almost dead people everywhere. His cerulean blue eyes were cool, but not cold. I knew the difference all too well.

The Electivire though was huge. Way bigger than Proton. His fur was yellower, his body fitter, and he looked way healthier than Proton was. The electricity sparking amongst his fur made my fur stand on end just being close, even through the shield Cynthia's team had made. From what I could feel, he seemed focused.

"Good timing, Roland," The boy said, patting Roland, the Electivire, on the back. He grunted in reply as the boy turned to us. He raised an eyebrow at the Hybrids, seemingly confused, but otherwise he felt… neutral? It was always harder to discern a stranger's emotions. They were both an enigma, but they did protect us. Galactic only ever 'helped' us till they no longer needed us.

"I'm Volkner and this is my partner Roland, we're with the Sinnoh League," He explained, gesturing to his giant friend. "There's medical personnel outside to attend to all of your injuries. How many of the able bodied can funnel children and the injured first? My team and I will secure your exit."

"We've scant few that are well enough to escort them out, but too many of us are gravely injured to move far. We need more assistance," Paris responded swiftly.

He nodded, about to respond, when Roland manifested a large shield blocking several more attacks. Several grunt Pokémon had begun to make their way over to us, flinging attacks, each dissipating against Roland's barrier. Volkner squinted his eyes reaching into his jacket when another psychic warp formed several meters above us, midair.

From it formed another boy and huge figure, but this duo red to match the new one's yellow. The human boy had curly red hair afro, with a yellow shirt stitched with a red flame insignia on the back. A red belt kept his baggy gray pants up, his sandals clapping in the wind.

He sat on the shoulder of another towering Pokemon, his entire body wreathed in flame. Twin bonfires blazed from his shoulders while brilliant orange and yellow fires engulfed his torso. He had shorter black legs with red feet, each one with two talons at the end of it. Meanwhile, his arms were two yellow cannons, smoke spewing from their ends.

The Magmortar pointed his cannons downward, firing cannon balls of pure fighting energy at the enemy pokemon. Huge blasts of energy erupted, decimating everything in their radius. Whoever was fortunate not to have run directly into blast range simply gawked at the crevice of destroyed ground separating us and them, looked up, and surrendered. With a ground shaking slam, the Magmortar landed on the ground, aiming his cannons at the stragglers. They all turned tail and fled.

The boy jumped off his shoulders with gusto and a grin. It was one thing to see one behemoth accompanied by a human teenager to pop in to our rescue, but three? All the pokemon had to be around Legolas' level, but if he was healthy.

Volkner's eyes eased at seeing the boy as he made his way over to him. "Flint and Mordred reporting for du… ty?" His voice trailed off when he saw us hybrids. Morded, who I'm assuming was Magmortar, looked equally perplexed. "Uhhh, am I… missing something here?"

Volkner ignored him as he reached into his jacket retrieving five pokeballs. "We both are, but the mission remains unchanged."

He tossed all five into the air revealing a Luxray, Ambipom, Octillery, Magnezone and Raichu, each in peak physical condition and their bodies coursing with electricity. Whether their species usually did or not.

"Marsil, Zerbino, Zola," Volkner addressed Ambipom, Magnezone and Raichu in that order. "Help escort the survivors to the medical personnel outside." He turned to Octillery. "Ganelon, shoot down any enemy fliers." His eyes finally landed on Roland and Luxray. "Roland, Froberge, we stand the rear guard. Make sure the survivors have no reason to worry about any back attacks."

Each member of his team nodded at their instructions as they began helping us get to safety, while keeping us away from stray attacks. Froberge, the Luxray, sauntered over to Roland's side and released a surge of electricity covering the terrain. Roland's muscles pulsed as he absorbed the current through his tails before he began channeling electricity through the ground, sending all consuming shockwaves into any enemies that stepped into the terrain's radius.

Once they were all situated Flint reached for his belt, removing pokeballs of his own as he touched the com in his ear. A shiver went down my spine, seeing the two and all the other humans with so many Pokeballs.

Are they just everywhere? Does everyone have them?

"Flint, chiming in. Beginning safeguarding of survivor escape routes all the while denying the enemy of their own," He smirked, tossing his pokeballs into the air. From them emerged an Infernape, Drifblim, Lopunny, Houndoom and Steelix each radiating burning passion, matching his own.

Once they were all released, Flint pounded his chest addressing them all. "Alright guys, here's the drill. Everyone with an ugly ass wig or a bad attitude you've gotta take down! Everyone else we protect! Capisce?"

Despite the vague instructions each of them seemed to have complete confidence in them as they dispersed into the battlefield helping Cynthia's team. Whenever grunts tried to get too close to us, they were burnt to a crisp. Whenever they tried to flee the scene, a blast destroyed their exit. The room temperature of the entire foyer increased once they started raving, but they made sure none of their flames came close to anyone we liked.

Satisfied, Volkner touched his own com. "Volkner, reporting. Evacuation has begun and Flint's team has got mine and yours covered." His glare intensified. "Cynthia, your team is free to rain hell. Go on the all-out-offensive."

All Aphrodite, Idun and Athena needed was a nod from Cynthia. The three then charged forwards, every Galactic grunt in their way falling like wet paper. Headed right for Cyrus.

While more humans and Pokemon poured in from outside, Cynthia ran over to us. Galactic, having just been taking back ground, was now being forced into a tight group of their own.

Cynthia's heart was filled with concern, sorrow, relief, more as she stopped next to us both. "Ivane? Aurora?" Mama nodded in response and Cynthia let out a sigh of relief, putting her hands on my shoulder. "Come on, we have to-"

"All personnel nearby, retreat within three meters of my position," Cyrus' voice boomed on the speakers.

Almost all our allies looked to Cynthia for guidance. Her mind raced before she called out. "Be prepared to follow a mass teleport! The survivor's lives take top priority!"

They all gave various motions of acknowledgement, continuing to beat back Galactic. But now, wary of what was about to happen. Mars, Saturn, Jupiter? All recalled the Pokemon they'd sent out, standing around Cyrus. Charon skittered from the back, desperately clinging onto a Grunt who was within range. Dusknoir snuck Spinel over to the rear, Pollux and Castor running into range. Cyrus recalled all his team, all except for Silas. Who was cackling at the sight.

{Buh bye suckers! Catch ya later!} he called out with glee.

And then, when as many grunts as could fit had entered the radius? There was the slight hum of a device. Volkner squinted at the device, taking out his phone to begin recording.

And then the air shattered.

White streaks sliced through the air, carving out a sphere around Galactic, a purple aura quickly surrounding it. Inside, a dark mass swirled, white specks dotted throughout as a faint howl rushed throughout the room.

What seemed like a tear in space itself engulfed Galactic, the floor they were standing on, and parts of rubble that lay nearby.

The roar quieting, the orb and tear in reality closed, taking Galactic's leaders with it. The new hole in the floor had unnaturally smooth edges, air rushing in to fill the sudden gap. A table fell flat, a curved section of it now simply gone.

What even was that?!

Some grunts who weren't able to fit in began to try and flee, but were quickly stopped. Cynthia grimaced, but shook her head. "We can stop them later, people's lives are at stake now," she muttered to herself. Volkner clicked his teeth, but pocketed his phone before slapping the stunned Flint on the back. He motioned for Zerbino, his Magnezone, to hover over to us, likely to begin our group's evacuation.

So much was happening. I didn't know what any of it meant. I just missed my family, and wanted them to be okay. As I went to step forwards, to hug Cynthia, thank her for saving us, something shut off. The overflowing adrenaline through my system fading, I realized the medicine Natalie had given me had worn off.

Exhaustion crashed down on me, all my limbs as heavy as the tower Mama felled. The pain, not as sharp as before, still throbbed angrily all across my body.

Before I could hit the ground, I felt myself stop suddenly as Cynthia picked me up, cradling me close while Mama kept a tail around me.

"Easy, easy…" she spoke softly. "Let's get you outside, there's lots of people ready to help you heal there."

Feeling her gentle footfalls reverb up her body to where she held me, and with Mama walking next to me? I just went with it. I didn't have the strength to think, to move, to affirm or deny. I was barely conscious.

Time almost seemed to jump forward; from inside, to being carried down the steps I'd seen outside earlier, to hearing the soft crunch of grass around, to being laid on a pale blue sheet with humans and Pokemon tending to me. Cynthia was by my side for most of it, but wasn't there sometimes.

The whole time, Mama was.

When my vision began to refocus, when time began to flow in a continuous stream again, I looked around. My family, the friends I'd made- we were all outside, laying among the trees, on the grass, staring up at the brilliant blue sky.

A Cherrim was by my side, talking with Mama when they noticed I was awake. I tried to get up, but Mama just gently nudged me back against her body.

{Be still, my child,} she whispered. {We are free now. It is time to rest.}

Cherrim gave me a smile, holding my hand gently. {It's gonna be okay now. It'll still hurt for a while, but it'll be better soon.}

I nodded weakly, looking up. The wind blew gently through my hair, the soft rustle of leaves music to my ears. In the distance, up on a hill, I saw the building I'd run around. Where Silas had chased me, where we'd made our final stand against Galactic.

I saw holes through the walls, windows broken, one of the towers entirely gone, the ring around it cracked.

I had the briefest moment to worry it'd be fixed before I saw an azure streak shoot into the sky. The same one I'd seen before, behind Mount Coronet. It had to be Reginleif.

My eyes couldn't follow her, but they saw the aftermath. The shockwave that followed was impossible to miss, clouds above being torn through effortlessly as the gleaming star continued upwards.

She hung there, gleaming high in the sky for a moment, before it fell.

Just as swiftly- no, faster, than she'd risen, she rocketed to earth. The sapphire energy trailing behind before now formed a gargantuan spear. Crackling with energy, plummeting towards the building.

As it impacted, the ground shook. Even from how far away we were, leaves fell from trees as the earth shuddered from the impact. A roaring, brilliant blue dome of crackling energy grew outwards, utterly engulfing the building and a huge part of the hill itself. Dirt and stone flew into the air, quickly vaporized by the bolts of energy crackling along the outside of the sphere.

A blast of wind came screaming towards us, rushing past us all. Mama and the Cherrim held onto me, shielding my eyes as I watched in awe of the azure glow bathing us all.

As it faded? My heart leapt.

The building was gone.

Where once stood a monument to our misery, it was utterly destroyed. What was once a hill was now a crater, caving into the earth, any hint that a building had once been there erased from the face of the planet.

Galactic was gone. And all but one of us still lived.

We'd won. I gazed up at the sky.

It's over.

Galactic Status Log, 20/10/8520:

Project: Populous Results

As expected, after the events of 20/18/8520, the fusions #001 through #201 made their escape from our custody on 20/18/8520. The records of the DNA from each of the escaped fusions has been safely transported and categorized. With this body of research, in time every DNA sequence of potential fusion combinations will be recorded. Only the Pokemon incompatible with Human DNA to the point of catastrophic failure will be omitted, as the Fusion Chambers are limited by their current state. Professor Spinel, Doctor Mecharis and myself will continue improving upon their designs until such failures are impossible.

First hand records of the fusions' actions during the battle at our previous Headquarters in Veilstone have provided us with ability data that puts that of the combat tests to shame. As expected, #133 was capable of using its abilities and was even able to produce multiple instances of Wish. #001 continues to stand out as the most experienced, as its extended usage of Quick Attack and spontaneous usage of Incinerate began to show potential usage of Flame Charge. As of this writing, we have no reason to believe that any Pokemon 'move' is outside the potential grasp of a fusion.

While incapable of truly matching a Pokemon at present recordings, they seem capable of perception and calculation as quick as Pokemon. This, combined with Human ingenuity and adaptability, makes them a force that can stand against either and come out superior.

The only true failure of this project was the goal of creating beings without spirit. The fusions veer towards the other extreme, being more in tune with spirit than the sum of their parts. This, however, is not a complete failure. Due to the current laws that govern reality, spirit is a fundamental aspect of it. The fact that fusions are more in tune with that law of reality suggests that in a world without spirit, they would be especially adept at seeking out and neutralizing any instance of it.

With this in mind, Project Populous can be considered a resounding success. There were losses, but each utterly dwarfed by the gains.

The losses were custody of the fusions, which was planned for. Through termination rather than release, but the end result is similar enough to be inconsequential in relation to this project. Eighty seven Grunt class personnel were terminated throughout the span of the project, with seventy nine happening throughout the escape attempts. This in addition to the fifty seven Grunt class personnel under previous Elite Grunt #0971, Jean Hawks, who defected. Seventeen Scientist class personnel were terminated in the escape effort on 20/10/8520, as well as nine Elite Grunt class personnel. Two hundred and sixty three Pokemon were lost between termination in battle or defecting. Some notable members of this category are the entire Chansey corps and the Rhyperior Professor Spinel devoted time towards crafting into a weapon. Losses higher than the median of projected outcomes, but not unsurprising given the improvised weaponry. Further education on how any and all items can be utilized as a weapon by anyone with enough ingenuity is required in the event of a similar project being put into motion.
Both our bases on Iron Island and within Veilstone City were overrun and destroyed respectively. The public outlook of Team Galactic is now unshakably negative, as was predicted in the outcome the events of Project Populous were made public. We no longer have the positive association with the Galaxy Federation my ancestor helmed in part, but we do not need it. We have more than enough information to make Team Galactic a prime ally to those who live outside the law. Rebuilding will take time, but it is far from impossible. Especially so on the remote island we now reside on giving us ample opportunity to gather ourselves.

Meanwhile, the gains we have procured. The creation of a new species altogether, which exceeds any achievement of humanity before us. A species that appears to be the ideal candidate to populate a world without spirit, our ultimate goal. I must no longer ponder if it will truly still be plagued with the humans and Pokemon that infest this world. It will have only perfect beings walk its surface, move through its reality. This information is invaluable.

Galactic Personnel Status:

While we have suffered heavy losses, it is nothing that cannot be regained. Humans can be swayed by honeyed words, as has happened in the past it shall happen again. Pokemon can be caught or purchased, and some simple rollbacks in the code for Silph Corporation issued Pokeballs has given us control of them broken only by strong will or intense stress. I am already in contact with Hunter J. She works simply for a reward she deems worthy. Crafting tools she would take on the job of capturing Arceus itself to attain will be trivial, and be far less resource intensive than the monetary compensation she typically requires.

None of Team Galactic's Professor, Doctor or Commander class personnel were lost. Such tools are more difficult to replace than the average rank and file, and the revelation of the Spatial Rending Device was a trivial cost compared to recovering personnel of these classes.

Commander Jupiter and Commander Charon are those present in the battle within our Veilstone Headquarters on 20/10/8520 with the most superfluous wounds. Neither of their duties have been impacted meaningfully. Jupiter continues to handily manage the Research Corps sections she surveys. The Chemical and Combustible research continues without hindrance.

Charon continues to spout drivel, but inevitably he will continue to do the only thing he has ever been capable of. Be a wonderful insight into what failures a Human who thinks themselves important will unearth.

Commander Mars and Commander Saturn had more notable injuries. It was expected for Commander Mars, such things happen to the Commander heading the Defense Corps from time to time. Any autopsies she is required for will have to be postponed temporarily, but her insight into the autopsy data we already have will be more than sufficient to occupy her. The more pressing matter is resupplying her with suitable combat adept personnel. Until then, she will have adequate time to further train Grunt and Elite Grunt class personnel from other Corps.

Commander Saturn, as the Commander heading the Supply Corps, was less prepared for battle as expected. While his injuries will impact his duties in the short term, the bargaining with outside contractors he is capable of and assets with which we have to barter now will more than make up for the temporary loss in productivity. Resupplying his Corps will be a much simpler task than Commander Mars' Corps.

Professor Spinel is handily the most grievously injured of our Administrative personnel currently. She is currently being treated with what emergency care supplies we have access to. Fortunately, the maximum capacity for grievous injury care I planned for is more than sufficient for her condition. She will recover in due time. Her bioengineering prowess cannot be understated, nor replaced with any degree of ease. As such, she will be given the resources to recover in full. While those under her direct command in the Bioengineering Corps will no doubt be without direct orders, she will doubtless return and continue her work in due time.

Commander Bifrons and Doctor Mecharis were not present at the battle and were notified of the evacuation procedure early enough to result in both of their safe arrivals. Commander Bifrons is already conducting sermons to shepherd the flock we have left. A valued endeavor, as I have more pressing matters to attend to. Doctor Mecharis is unperturbed by the recent turn of events, as expected. He has his workshop and robots, and is content to work on what I give him with minimal support personnel.

I sustained only minor injuries during the battle. Nothing that will impact my own productivity, but my appearance on the battlefield was necessary for morale and combat strength. In the coming weeks, I expect the action will spur the remaining Grunt, Elite Grunt and Scientist class personnel to further action.

Rhodo has been stripped of his temporary Commander status for assisting in the release of the fusions. Professor Spinel requests he be kept alive, and seems to be quite intent on that request being followed. While keeping him alive is a liability at best, it is a liability worth tolerating for the continued support of Professor Spinel. She has requested alternative methods for keeping him in line, as the curse her Dusknoir placed upon him is all but broken.

Factoring in that she has intentions to create more fusions under different conditions this time, and would have Rhodo oversee these as well due to his experience with the escaped fusions, the most effective solution is clear. Isolate both him and this future group of fusions, and leave select personnel in the area. Professor Spinel to make use of the data acquired, the personnel she requires to most effectively do her job, and personnel fiercely loyal to Team Galactic as guards. Any other personnel can be selected by Commander Bifrons, as the religious ideologies he is adept at weaving have a long history of commanding unconditional loyalty and submission from the weak minded.

Without anyone in a position of power to ally himself with and away from anyone who may help, Rhodo's kindness will be exploited for the weakness it is. For he would not save himself if it meant the slaughter of those he views as innocent and undeserving, and thus will keep himself under our control.

Galactic Organization & Goal Status:

As stated previously, a significant number of personnel and the two largest establishments within the Sinnoh region are no more. Nothing vital was taken from us; the bulk of information was transferred and wiped prior to Sinnoh League intervention. While the Fusion Chambers themselves were lost, the schematics for them are still in our possession, as are the improvements that were and were planned to be made for them. Raw materials and supplies have also been lost, but enough of them were relocated to allow us to rebuild.

While this is far from an optimal course of events, it is one that necessitated the planning I had done prior. And, as it is still several steps ahead of the worst case scenario, the situation of Team Galactic is currently well within speculated and planned parameters.

Morale is low, but my appearance as well as Commander Bifrons' will soon raise it once those remaining see what we have at our disposal. Productivity has taken a notable, but manageable hit and will recover. All vital personnel were transported alive. Non-essential personnel were given superfluous promotions and monetary compensation if morale was too low. So long as they believe they are being recognized for their efforts and do not fear for their survival, Humans are impossibly easy to manipulate.

Despite the revelation of our actions as part of Project Populous, my precautions were effective in limiting the spread of information to the public. Commander Bifrons suggested the project be named Eden's Apple, and Professor Spinel was partial to it. Recognizing the boons of obfuscating our true goal, I allowed it. And in an apt turn of events, those actions have borne fruit. Despite #201's knowledge of the secondary project name, all it has informed those outside of Team Galactic about is that we were gathering information for a purpose. Our true goal remains shrouded in mystery to the layman, and as such makes further endeavors much smoother to conduct in secrecy.

We have taken a step towards our ultimate goal, a world free of spirit so as to be free of strife, and survived. The world may not look upon us fondly, but that in and of itself is one of the core aspects we intend to erase. Fondness, misery, rage, apathy, greed- all fundamental aspects of the spirit that is currently ripping the world apart from the seams. And in order to save the world, spirit must be destroyed in its totality.

At projected timeframes, the planet will not collapse before we are done with our work. Despite the spike in chaotic energy our actions and the negative feelings of the fusions have resulted in, there is still more than sufficient time to ensure stability and recovery.

We will succeed. There is no alternative. And our actions in the present ensure the everlasting prosperity of the future. A vital step has been taken as we prepare for the next.

Team Galactic will recover. It will prevail. And it will ensure the continuation of our world. Project: Populous has assured that.

-Cyrus Akagi

Author's Notes:

Sweet mother of mercy, that was LONG. These last two chapters were originally one, but I was pretty sure we couldn't upload them at once because of how ungodly long it is. You know how there's been breaks because I've not written before? Yeah no this wasn't that. It took this long to write this towering behemoth.

But gods was it worth it.

There were little nuances here and there that we've worked out through writing the rest of Helheim, but most of this? This was in my head since the beginning. This is what we've been working towards.

There's still a few more chapters to go before this arc is done, but rest assured. Helheim as you know it is over. Things are different now. The scars of this event won't heal for a long, long time, but the healing process can begin.

Getting this done is my birthday present to myself, and Lux's to me for helping me throughout getting this towering titan of a section done. I hope y'all look forwards to the next one. To the future.

Cuz I know I am.

Lux Beacon Author Note

-This was a lot of fun to write… but also a lot to write. So much happened in these chapters and a lot of characters got their time to shine. Hopefully everyone is satisfied. The last few chapters will be the aftermath, wrapping up everyone's loose ends and then the end of this section of Aurora's life. Frankly, I am excited to not write any battles (for Aurora's side) for quite some time. If you have questions or comments please let us know! These chapters had a lot of people, it's easy to get lost.