Charizard could sense the evil waiting to radiate throughout the land as he held his head pointed up at the ceiling. The feeling permeated his bones. He knew he had to make a decision.

Finally, he opened his eyes and his mouth, promptly charred Ash, and then looked at Ho-oh with a gleam of what seemed to be admiration in his eyes. I accept.

Mew suppressed a sigh of relief.

The red light issued forth, Charizard gaining a rainbow-colored sheen to his wings and Ho-oh gaining strange orange ears on her head.

Mew turned to Lugia, somewhat amused at Ho-oh's appearance but trying to hide it. At last, it's down to you and I, old friend. And then, with a flash of purple light, the last joining of the Bonded Ones was completed.

The small white feline looked at Ash, whose mouth was now gaping open in sudden surprise. "I...I know all their moves and your moves in my head now...I don't know how, I just do..."

Ashura looked with approval at Mew, gleaning the connection. "That's an amazing thing."

The Psychic-Type rolled her eyes. She now had ridges on her back, and Lugia had protusions from his head that looked like Mew's ears.

The New Spirits and the Ancient One have bonded with the Legendary Eight and Celebi. The Evil One has risen again. Now, the Chosen One is to embody all Pokémon types but Water, which the Guardian's Tear will receive, Mewtwo said solemnly. Bonded Ones, gather your strength and that of others unable to be here, pouring part of yourselves and them into the boy, save for that element of Water, which you shall pour into the girl. He held his head high and watched as the Bonded Ones began to concentrate.

Ash and Misty were lifted up into the air, and they looked startled. Ash was surrounded with a multi-colored light, and Misty was surrounded in blue. They slowly spun into the air as power was poured into them. Misty was the first to be gently set down on the ground. It took a while longer for Ash, but, at last, he, too, was placed upon the floor.

Misty recovered fine, but Ash remained on the ground for a few moments, inhaling deeply, becoming accustomed to the great power he had been given. It was a feeling no description could match. It was as if the mere human strength he had possessed before was but a drop in an entire ocean that he now held power over.

The elements have been poured into the Chosen One and the Guardian's Tear, Mew said, and now it is time for them to bond, so that all of the elements are truly united.

Misty and Ash looked at each other, both slightly red. "Uh, what are we supposed to do?" Ash asked.

Take one another's hands, instructed the floating feline.

The two did so, refusing to meet each other's eyes.

Now, lift them up.

The pair lifted their hands up into the air, and many colors of light surrounded them. This time, they were joined, and the lights wove more intricately together, linking the two of them. When at last it was done, Ash had a strange red lock of hair hanging over his eye amidst his sable strands, and Misty had a black lightning bolt-shaped mark on her cheek. The two stared at each other in surprise; they felt a closeness they'd never experienced before.

Ashura watched his son for a moment, then turned to Mew. "Is that all?" he asked, running a hand through his dark hair.

That is not all, Lugia said, moving forward and receiving everyone's attention. There is another rhyme.

Three who served the Evil One
And oft troubled the Chosen One
Will drop in during a crucial time
When the Chosen One is in a bind.

Thrice will beams of power great
Be thrown at Him as decreed by Fate;
Whether blocked these beams will be
All depends upon the Three.

If their selflessness prevails,
Perhaps the Chosen One sha'nt fail,
But if the beams the three let fly,
Evil has won and doom is nigh.

"Who are these three?" Shura asked the great white bird.

But Lugia shook his head. All will be revealed in time. In a few moments, we will leave.

Misty used her time to touch and talk to her Staryu and Starmie, which she had forged a new bond with: the bond of Water. The Bonded Ones chatted among themselves, and Ash spoke in a low voice to Pikachu.

"I can't believe this is happening, Pikachu," the boy said. "How could I be the Chosen One?"

Your destiny is great, Pika-pi, the Electric mouse told him. Even I know that.

Ashura moved toward Ash, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You nervous, son?"

The dark-haired youth turned slightly and swallowed. "Yeah."

"You'll do great, kid. I have faith in you."

After some discussion, the journeying order was decided. Zapdos was to carry Ampharos, Moltres was to carry Flamekist and Squirtle, Articuno was to carry Bulbasaur, Lugia was to carry Ash and Misty and Pikachu, Ho-oh was to carry Ashura and Brock, and Mew and Mewtwo were to aid the Wanderers in leaping the distance with the help of Psychic powers. Staryu, Starmie, Charizard, Pidgeot, Delibird, and Celebi were to simply fly (or hover) solo to the strange island that Mew claimed Giovanni resided on.

Strange dark clouds hovered in the vicinity of the newly arisen island. Every now and then there would be a rumble, and lightning would flash, illuminating the ominous sable castle resting on the small island.

Ash stared at it from his perch on Lugia as they all got closer and closer. He shivered. He had a bad feeling about what he was getting himself into.

The shield keeps all opposing the Evil One out, save for those in the legend, Lugia said in their heads quietly. I must sing for us to be able to pass through. And an eerie melody was emitted from the Guardian of the Sea.

"I don't like this," Misty mumbled as the song sent chills down her spine. "I don't like it at all."

As they approached, a massive black Dragonite rose from somewhere atop the castle, flying toward them, his eyes gleaming with blue fire. At last, Lugia was able to stop singing.

Welcome to Dark Island, the Dark Dragonite said with an evil grin. All found they were able to understand him. My master has been expecting you. You have all passed through the shield, so you are all welcome...In a manner of speaking. The black Pokémon's smile became even more sinister. Follow me. He turned tail and flew back toward the castle, his tail beckoning them on.

Mew flew up to Lugia and his passengers, though she still kept an eye and her mind on the floating Wanderers. All of his Pokémon are dark now. The rise of the Evil One brings darkness upon those who serve him. With that darkness comes great strength that we will be hard-pressed to fend off. Then the feline floated away, concentrating more on the three Wanderers.

The sable Dragonite led them to the front door of the castle, setting down on the ground. The others followed his lead. The doors opened, and the Dragonite disappeared into the darkness.

Ash glanced at everyone before he, too, allowed himself to be overcome by the pitch black.