Daten City; a city between Heaven and Earth. Its location makes it prime real estate for countless anomalies; from ghosts to gods to everything in between. In Daten City, humans and Pokemon are equals, with Pokemon living out independent lives. In fact, many individuals find purpose in life not by trading blows. Rather, they use their unique skills to aid their communities; through artistry, entrepreneurship, or simply acting out their civil duty. However, there are those who use their powers to become Daten City's top athletes. These superstars entertain people and Pokemon alike through triathlons and gladiatorial combat.

Our story begins at a cafe, where a bunch of boys are having a discussion. At the table sat a Pikachu and a pair of Axews.

"I'm telling you, dude. There's no way Hercules can beat Vulcan in a fight! Vulcan's got the advantage of flight!" The Pikachu claimed.

"Charizards are good at flying and all, but all Hercules has to do is toss a rock and that lizard will go down like a paper airplane!" One of the Axews argued.

"Hikari's right! Have you ever seen a Machamp? Those guys crumple up steel like it was aluminum foil!" The other Axew added, distinguished by his golden-beige scales and magenta collar.

"You have a point, Teruo. But boulders are useless against the unmatched power of the sun! Seriously, no one can outmatch the sheer might of Vulcan's transformation. Once his flames turn blue; anything in his path is reduced to cinder." The Pikachu said, taking a bite out of his sandwich.

"But getting burned makes Hercules even stronger! Volt, have you seen his fight with Moltar; the Mad Magmortar? After Moltar unleashed his hidden technique; Inferno Overdrive, Hercules proceeded to pummel Moltar and drove him straight out of the colosseum!" Hikari explained.

"Oh yeah? If Hercules is so great, then why isn't he the one fighting the ice titan on Saturday?" Volt smirked.

Teruo spat out his coffee. "Wait, what!? An ice titan?! Who's crazy enough to challenge such a behemoth?"

"Who do you think, dude?" Volt wiped his face. "None other than the almighty Vulcan, of course!"

"A fire-breathing dragon versus an ice monster, huh? Gee, I wonder who'll be victorious…" Hikari snarked.

"This ain't your run-of-the-mill ice cube, Hikari. Rumors say that Vulcan's opponent is a dragon capable of freezing the air solid! And some have reported that the beast comes out during nasty blizzards to devour any unlucky wanderer. Could you imagine that?"

"No fucking way, man! That's just a folktale meant to scare kids from going out past their bedtimes. Are you sure Vulcan's opponent isn't a Mammoswine?."

"And even if this titan exists, why would it bother crawling out of its cave to fight some random 'mon? I'd reckon it'd be wiser not to show yourself to a populous that fears you unless you want the flurry of torches and pitchforks." Teruo wondered.

"Heh. Maybe it sees Vulcan as a worthy opponent. Either way, I'm freaking stoked for this! A clash of the titans; televised to show the whole world what Daten City is made of!" Volt exclaimed, raising his fist.

"Sounds like we should get our tickets now. I wonder who'll come out on top: White-hot flames or ever-freezing ice? My blood's pumping just thinking about it!" Hikari gushed. Being a scrappy little 'mon, Hikari loved the thrill of competition; whether it be through video games or plain ol' fisticuffs. "Who knows? I might even learn a new technique or two!" He teased, rolling his shoulders.

"We'll just have to find out." Volt turned to the other Axew. "Are you in, Teruo? Your older brother seems enthusiastic to witness this legendary battle."

"Honestly, I never understood the appeal of watching two dudes beating the tar out of one another. In fact, I'd rather watch tennis; at least that's peaceful competition." Teruo protested. Unlike his sibling, Teruo was the type to avoid conflicts, but the idea of witnessing a legendary creature piqued his interest. "Ah what the heck? It's not like I can back out on an opportunity like this." He faintly smiled.

"That's what I'm talking about! Now let me just order the tickets and…" Volt reached into his shoulder bag and took out his phone.

Hikari pulled Teruo close and reassured him. "Don't worry, Teruo. If any ice shards come flying at us, I'll pull you out of harm's way."

"Gee, thanks. Knowing I'd be killed sure makes me feel at ease." Teruo rolled his eyes.

"What else can I say? Sometimes ya gotta take chances if ya wanna enjoy life to the fullest."

"Okay and… Bam! We're in, baby!" Volt cheered.

"Aw, yeah! This weekend is gonna be a hoot!" Hikari chirped. "How much did those tickets cost, anyway?"

"Well, there were only 10 spaces left, which are at the top row. But even so, my wallet ain't gonna forgive me for this… But fuck it, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event! Now I gotta see if I have enough to buy those engine parts…"

"Is your dad still sending you on fetch quests? I get that he's a mechanic and all, but maybe he shouldn't solely rely on you for his projects. Us young adults gotta live life while we still can, ya know?"

"Ah, don't worry about me! Pops is a 'mon who puts his heart and soul into his craft. You give him a tank set for the scrapyard; he'll have it battle-ready the next morning! It's truly awe-inspiring and I hope to run the family business someday. Out of twelve children, I'm the only one with the 'cheeks of Zeus'; as he likes to call them." Volt explained, referring to his red cheeks which donned the signature lightning bolt birthmarks. "Who knows? Maybe I'll find myself working on a Gundam or something!" He chuckled.

"That's commendable, Volt. Your dad must be proud of you continuing his legacy." Teruo commented.

"Believe me, I'm his right-hand 'mon!" Volt grinned. "Anywho, do ya wanna come with me to O'Ridley's Auto Parts? Heard they got a sale on oil filters."

"Would I?!" Hikari leaned forward; eagerly smiling. "We could stop by at Game-Go on our way there! There's a new fighting game in town and I wanna give it a whirl! They say it's like Skullgirls but way crazier."

"Sounds like a hell of a time! Maybe we can do a little one-on-one tonight after I help pops."

"Well, I'm looking to see if they got any new spices down at Fred's Emporium. My fajitas aren't getting that desired kick. I tried marinating the meat the night before; but that's not enough. I swear, the people of Daten City can't make a decent seasoning to save their lives. Isn't that right, Hikari?" Teruo ranted.

"Daten City food isn't that bad once you get past all the fast food chains. If ya want good food, eat local. That way you can taste the love and soul put into your meal." Hikari said.

"You raise a decent point. Let's see what Fred has in store for us, shall we?"

"What are we waiting for? It's time to blow this popsicle stand and stroll through the big city!" Volt exclaimed, setting his share of the bill on the table.

"You read my mind, compadre!" Hikari replied. The brothers paid their bill and followed Volt through the bustling metropolis…

The flourishing city was where man and 'mon mingled. Many Pokemon wandered the streets alongside humans. Others took to the skies, swerving through the heaven-piercing high-rises. A Pachirisu hops off a typical bus while a Tyranitar stomps into a reinforced shuttle bus. A kebab vendor is swarmed with customers as his beef was flawlessly roasted by his Heatmor partner. Hikari even caught a glimpse of a street performer breakdancing with a troop of Aipoms.

"Seems like the afternoon rush has arrived. Let's skedaddle to the shopping district before it gets packed!" Hikari commented.

"You're right. I don't want any scalpers swooping in on my car parts! Thankfully we only got a couple of blocks left." Volt said.

"Thank goodness, my legs are killing me…" Teruo whined.

"Whatever happened to taking daily strolls, Teruo? We said we'd do it before we cook to get that brain blood flowin'. Don't tell me you've become a shut-in!"

"Oh shut up. Sometimes I get so focused on a recipe that I forget everything else, that's all. What if I have insufficient ingredients? What if I overcook it? There's a method to this, ya know. Can't just throw a piece of chicken onto a skillet and call it a day!"

"I understand wanting to make the perfect meal, but ya just gotta relax and let your mind wander before settling on a plan. I also want you to get some cardio in, as you know stamina is important for chefs like us."

"That's true… Remind me to go out for a walk later tonight; and don't be afraid to snap me out of my overthinking."

"You got it, bro!"

"I'm eager to hear what gourmet meal you two will conjure up. Save me some, alright?" Volt smirked.

"Only if you bring your own to-go box." Teruo replied.

Before they knew it, the trio found themselves at the gates of the shopping district. Towering over them was the signage saying 'Legends Market', welcoming the gang to the various shops dotting the area; ranging from retail to specialty outlets that sold ancient artifacts and powerful stones. Being one of the largest malls in Daten City, this place had something for everyone.

"So what's the plan, man? We're gonna hit the shops together or...?" Hikari wondered, looking at Volt.

"I was thinking of the three of us splitting up, that way we can check off our shopping list before sunset." Volt suggested.

"Right. But where's the rendezvous?" Teruo asked.

"You see that cool-ass fountain over there?" Volt pointed towards the plaza. Even from a distance, the three could see the elegant fountain depicting a gilded Dialga and Palkia, crowned with Arceus rearing on its hind legs. "That's our checkpoint. And if anything comes up, gimmie a call and I'll be there in a flash."

"Roger that, captain! Now if you'll excuse me, I got a game cartridge that's calling my name…" Hikari said as he set out on his adventure.

"I also better get going before they sell out of Ned's Pepper Powder... I'll try not to take too long!" Teruo farewelled.

"Guess it's just me, now. Ah well, gotta get those spare parts. Pops will be so proud of me." Volt smiled as he went off to do his errands…

Later that evening…

"Dad, I'm back!" Volt shouted as the three amigos pushed an overfilled crate into Richard's repair shop. The shop was an engineering showcase littered with gizmos and doodads; from fancy wrist watches to hulking generators. You name it; the Raichu can fix it. "I got pistons, valves, and even an intercooler in mint condition! It's funny how people drop off perfectly good parts."

"Eh, set it aside. I'll be there in a jif!" A gruff voice replied; it was Richard. He was performing maintenance on a car. "Just gotta… urgh! ...tighten this bolt! ... Ah! That's the ticket!" Richard set his tools aside and approached his son. The middle-aged Raichu had a white, petite handlebar moustache and goatee. He donned a backwards cap marked with a lightning bolt, matching the family birthmark on his cheeks. "Oh hey, ya got yourself some helping hands on your little field trip. Say, how have things been with you two?" He said, referring to the Kiryu brothers.

"Oh you know, living out life to the fullest. I'm stoked for Vulcan's big battle at the colosseum, though. It's gonna be a thrillseeker's dream come true!" Hikari replied.

"Well… I just got these new spices that I'm eager to taste-test. I've been working on a recipe and so far it's lacking that 'oomph'. I hope to goodness that it goes well tonight…" Teruo said.

"Really now? Ya should save me some grub! As you can see, I'm putting the finishing touches on a client's hybrid car. All it needs is some engine parts and it'll be purring like a kitten." Richard laughed. "As for you, Hikari... As a fan of gladiator battles, you are aware that Vulcan has the tenacity of a loose cannon, right? You don't want to be in the splash zone when he unleashes his ultimate attack."

"Oh don't worry, we're gonna be watching from way back." Hikari said.

"Good. Last thing I want is you and my boy getting third-degree burns. He is coming along with you, right? Ya know he's a martial arts geek."

"You're darn right, pops! The three of us are gonna have a hell of a time!" Volt answered.

"Hold on, is the little golden chef coming along? I figured he'd be nose-deep into a magazine instead of enjoying the action."

"Normally I would but apparently Vulcan's the best fighter in Daten City so my curiosity was piqued. As long as I don't get scorched, I should be fine…" Teruo explained.

"You're gonna change your mind after seeing the Big Man in-action. I remember my first gladiator match like it was only yesterday. I was messing around with my buddies when we waltzed into the colosseum during the middle of a match. We sure as hell didn't know what was going on, but it sure got our adrenaline flowing! After that fateful day, I committed myself to watching every tournament I could; witnessing Daten City's strongest warriors duking it out for the chance to be the champion. That is until my old man handed me the keys to the shop, so now I don't have the luxury of seeing matches in-person…"

"I'm sorry to hear that, sir. We'll bring you some souvenirs, I promise!"

"Don't worry about it, boy. I can still watch Vulcan kick ass. Thank Arceus for television! Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get back to work. This hybrid's ain't gonna fix itself!" Richard grabbed the crate full of parts. "Mind giving me a hand, Volt?"

"But of course, dad!" Volt nodded, pushing the crate. "Sorry guys, but duty calls."

"Ya sure ya don't need help with that, Volt?" Hikari asked.

"Nah, Pops and I will be fine! Catch ya at the colosseum; Saturday afternoon!"

"I'm looking forward to it, dude! Let's go, Teruo. Time for you to be a culinary scientist while I fiddle my controller into top-tier with this new game."

"Alright, alright. But I'm gonna need a helping hand, so don't get too invested." Teruo replied. The Kiryu brothers then made their way out the door, leaving the electric mice to their business.

"Man, what a day! But it's finally time to put my game face on!" Hikari exclaimed as the brothers entered their apartment. Hikari scampered to the television and turned on his gaming console; inserting the CD. Before he knew it, he entered a virtual world of scantily-clad women, ferocious monsters, and big band swing.

Teruo smiled at his brother. "Welp, better get started on dinner." He sighed. He went to the kitchen to sort out ingredients. He hopped onto a stool and got to work. He started by dicing bell peppers, onions, and garlic. He then cut the chicken into fine slices before sprinkling them with his new spice. After the ingredients were ready, Teruo drizzled oil onto a skillet. He dumped the vegetables first so that the meat could take up flavor through the oil; which was slapped on a few minutes later. The savory aroma wafted throughout the home.

"Sniff… Sniff… Damn! That smells awesome, Teruo! My mouth is already watering!" Hikari complimented while in the middle of a campaign battle. He was controlling a goth girl who specialized in melee combat; tearing her opponents to shreds with her hand claws. "Come on, just a little more! … Yes!" Hikari landed the final blow, his character barraging her foe with a flurry of blades. "Would ya look at that? I'm getting the hang of this!" After entering the stage select screen, Hikari turned his head back. "Hey Teruo! If ya need any help, I'm always here for ya! I may not be Gordon Ramsey, but I sure as hell can make a scrumptious cornbread!"

"I'm handling myself just fine." Teruo insisted, flipping over the chicken; the tinge of spices hitting his nostrils. "Ooh yeah! Now we're going somewhere! But don't worry, Hikari. If any last minute decisions spring up, I'll keep you in mind."

"Perfect! Say, how much longer 'til grub's ready? I can't get my game on with an empty stomach!"

"I'd say… Ten more minutes. Gotta make sure the meat's cooked thoroughly… In the meantime, I'll get the table ready." Teruo hopped down to settle the plates and cutlery while Hikari blazed through his campaign.

Dinner time had arrived. The Kiryu brothers sat at the table; across from each other. The fajita already looked delectable on the surface; cooked-yet-firm vegetables, chicken freckled with spices and golden brown onion that elevated a savory, harmonious aroma.

"Holy shit, you really outdone yourself!" Hikari exclaimed. "My taste buds are tingling just looking at it."

"Why thank you. It took a lot of sleepless nights but-" Teruo was interrupted by Hikari devouring a piece of meat.

"Nomf! Mm-mm-mmm! This chicken is the fucking bomb! It's so juicy and tender! And how the flavors catch your tongue off-guard so that the spice uppercuts you and leaves you flat on your back; begging for more!" Hikari moaned, scarfing down another piece.

Teruo smirked, eating his meal in a more refined manner. "What good is gamer fuel if it isn't scrumptious? Plus it doubles as a healthy meal, so it's a win-win. Ya do want to be the strongest you can be, right, Hikari?"

"Mmf! But of course! I hope to someday fight in the colosseum and take on Daten City's fiercest warriors! I want people to look at me and say 'Oh hey, isn't that Hikari? The 'mon who single-handedly fought off a ghost?'. This city can always use more heroes, right? We can't let the Anarchy Sisters have all the fun."

"Those hedonistic angels? I'm surprised that this city's still standing when those whores have more scandals than the film industry."

"Heaven works in mysterious ways, lil' bro. Just be glad that we aren't taken over by the demons of Hell."

"Yeah, I suppose so… Remind me to write down the recipe after this, can't let a golden idea go to waste."

"Mmhm! Sure!" Hikari nodded as he devoured his dinner. After a satisfying meal, the Kiryu brothers returned to their nightly activities. Teruo read a good book; listening to serene music while Hikari gamed on throughout the night…

The following morning…

Hikari groggily lifted himself from the couch; having fallen asleep during his gaming session. He blinked at the television; displaying the game's pause screen. "Oh man, looks like I lost track of time. Is it morning already?" He vigorously shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Hikari hopped down and went to the kitchen to make his morning brew, but he had the feeling that something wasn't right…

"Nothing that a cup of joe can't fix…" Hikari sipped his coffee. He took another look at his arm and noticed that it was black as coal! He spat out his coffee. "What the hell!?" He checked his other arm… Black! "What in the fuck…" Hikari then scampered to the bathroom. When he checked himself in the mirror, his entire body had darkened!

"Oh no no no no… This can't be happening!" Hikari touched his face. Orange, glowing eyes stared back at him, even his pupils became bright yellow! "This has got to be some weird dream! Come on, wake up!" Hikari washed his face with cold water, slapping himself for good measure.

Nothing had changed. If that wasn't enough, Hikari's hand was surrounded by a dark aura. "Fuck." Hikari winced.

"HIKARIIIII!" Teruo's voice called out.

"Oh no, not you too…" Hikari sighed, rushing out the door to meet his equally panicked sibling.

"Please tell me this isn't real! When I woke up, I suddenly lost my golden scales! Not only that, but I somehow have access to the dark arts! I-I think I'm possessed!" Teruo stammered, demonstrating by coughing up dark energy. Unlike Hikari's pitch-black skin, Teruo had dulled into a dreary grey. His eyes were more yellowish than Hikari's.

Hikari shook his head. "Unfortunately it is, Teruo. Trust me, I checked..."

"A-Are we gonna die, Hikari? Has the devil already marked our souls?! Please tell me we still have a chance!"

"I-I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for this. Arceus isn't gonna give up on us that easily."

"You better be right, 'cause I'm not leaving this mortal plane until I achieve mastery in the culinary arts! Or at the very least make something worthwhile in my art career…"

"Oh? What have you been working on lately, Picasso?" Hikari smirked.

"Just a piece showing the beauty of Daten City's countryside. These city dwellers don't know what they're missing. They're all too caught up in their fast-paced, hedonistic lives to stop and appreciate the wonder that is mother nature."

"Wooow. I sometimes forget that Daten City isn't just a concrete jungle. Say, speaking of nature, wanna chill at the park? The scenery will take our minds off of this whole 'dark powers' fiasco."

"Eh, sure. Sitting here and worrying about it isn't gonna change it, anyway." Teruo shrugged.

"Great! We'll set off after breakfast!"

After their hearty breakfast, the Kiryu brothers strolled down to Daten City Central Park. Much to their surprise, they found more victims of the umbrous affliction: A Clefairy taking her child on a walk, a Swellow taking a drink at the water fountain, and a Dedenne going on a morning jog to name a few.

"Looks like we aren't the only ones going through a goth phase…" Hikari commented.

"This has to be a dream; or at least some crazy illusion! There's no way all these 'mon were possessed overnight!" Teruo said, in utter disbelief at this dark, new world.

"Whatever's going on, it's certainly the work of the supernatural. But I'm sure it'll blow over soon. This city's no stranger to spooky phenomena."

"Y-Yeah, I'm sure it'll be over soon. Besides our new look, nothing else has changed. We'll just live our lives until everything's back to normal!"

"That's the spirit! Now let's head to Volt's place to see how they doin-" The Kiryu brothers stopped in their tracks as they came across a dark Toxicroak; the ne'er-do-well harassing a man resting on a bench.

"CROAK! Hey buddy, you're in my seat!" The Toxicroak protested, leering at the park-goer.

"Your seat? This is public property. I don't see your name on it!" The man argued.

"Doesn't matter! Whenever I want something, I always get my way. Even if I have to shank a bitch!" The Toxicroak shook his claw at the man.

"Oh yeah? Prove it. Punks like you are all bark, and no bite! If you want this spot so badly, either ask nicely or take it from my cold, dead hands!"

Toxicroak smirked. "You asked for it." The amphibian drew closer, reeling back his arm as his hand became surrounded by dark energy…

WHAM!

The blow knocked the man onto the ground. "Urgh…" He groaned, struggling to get back up.

Toxicroak looked at his fist and clenched it. "Damn. That felt amazing! I never knew dark magic was so powerful. Ribbit!" The frog cackled, taking another look at his victim. "Might as well have some fun!" Toxicroak chittered right before landing a brutal kick, sending his prey sliding across the grass.

"Yeesh. This ain't ending well." Hikari winced.

"H-Hikari, I wanna go home. That 'mon means business and if we're not careful, we'll be next!" Teruo worried, staying close to his elder brother.

"Now wait just a second, Teruo. I have an idea…" Hikari sized up the hooligan, concentrating his new powers of darkness to form long, shadow claws.

"What are you-Oh no!" Teruo pulled Hikari's arm. "I refuse to let you take on that Toxicroak! Did you even see how he mangled that guy!? Who knows what else that 'mon's capable of. Ya might as well commit suicide!"

"We can't just stand here and do nothing! It's either now or never, dude!"

"Can you at least study your opponents movements before pulling a Leeroy Jenkins?!" Teruo insisted.

Hikari sighed. "Fine."

The Toxicroak rushed towards his victim and struck with an uppercut. With fists raised to the sky; a ghostly aura started to manifest itself. The amphibian's smooth, raven skin deteriorated into ectoplasm. Knuckle claws form 'hooks' at their tips while its middle toes keratinized into a second pair of blades. "Oh yeah! I feel the power coursing through my veins!" Toxicroak bellowed, spectral swirls finalizing his transformation. "Just wait 'til I get my hands on those thugs downtown. After I pulverize them, I'll be the king of the criminal underworld! CROAK!"

"H-Hikari!? What just happened!?" Teruo stammered, trembling at the now-ghastly 'mon. "D-Did that guy just-"

"B-Become a ghost? Your eyes aren't deceiving you…" Hikari replied, trying to keep his cool. "And if we have the same curse… Then that means… gulp!"

"What!? What's gonna happen to us, Hikari!? Are we going to be corrupted if we use our dark powers? I don't want to die, man!" Teruo panicked, beginning to hyperventilate.

"Take deep breaths, Teruo. From the looks of it, only crooks get ghostified. And as far as I know, we'd never terrorize the innocent."

"So if you decide to fight that ghost, you should be fine, r-right?" Teruo pointed at Toxicroak.

"Exactly!" Hikari cracked his knuckles. "Stand back as I give this chump a taste of his own medici-"

"HEY YOU!" Toxicroak roared. "The fuck you looking at, pipsqueak!? Ya wanna tussle!?"

"I dunno, do you kiss that mother with that mouth?" Hikari witted.

"Leave my mother out of this, runt! I'll show you who you're messin' with!" Toxicroak chittered and charged at Hikari.

"Taste the claws of justice!" Hikari swiped at his opponent. Shadows seeped into his claws right as he scratched the ghost. Hikari stepped back and inspected his hand. "Well I'll be damned!"

"Hikari! Don't let the darkness consume you, too!" Teruo gasped.

"I couldn't help it, it just slipped right outta me!" Hikari admitted. He glared back at the Toxicroak and smirked. "Just gotta keep my head in the game!"

The Toxicroak clutched its wound. "Rrgh… You got balls, kid…" He winced. "But the doctors aren't gonna recognize that smug grin once I'm through with you!" He took a deep breath, churning the toxins in its venom gland before launching a sludge cannonball at Hikari.

"Holy-" Hikari nimbly dodged the sludge bomb; the park's path now covered in a poisonous pool.

"Hikari, that frog's got murder in his eyes. We should split before we're turned into a purple paste!" Teruo suggested.

Hikari looked at the sludge; intense heat radiating from the puddle. "You know what…" He quickly nodded. "Maybe I do have to hone my new powers before playing with the big boys." He then pulled Teruo's arm and began their evasive maneuver: Running the fuck away.

"Hey! Just where do you think you're going!?" Toxicroak snarled, about to give chase before realizing a couple of Axews weren't worth the effort. "Heh. Figures that dweeb was blowing smoke…" He snickered.

The Kiryu brothers stopped to take a breather at the entrance gate. "Huff… Ya think… Puff... We lost him?" Teruo panted, looking at Hikari.

Hikari turned around. "Looks like we did… That was some crazy shit back there. First it was everyone going emo, and now we got 'mon turning into ghosts! Something fishy's going on, I can feel it." He scratched his chin.

"Oh yeah? What are we supposed to do? You can't take them all by yourself. You nearly got yourself killed back there!" Teruo stated.

"While it is true that one 'mon can't take on the horde of vengeful spirits… But you know who can?" Hikari held Teruo close and pointed towards a church in the far distance; sitting atop the highest hill, its bell echoing throughout Daten City.

"Don't tell me… You think that our guardian angels are gonna listen to a couple of nobodies like us? And do you expect me to walk the whole way through? My legs are already burning from your little stunt!" Teruo protested.

"We'll take a bus, it'll be fine! And if the angels are too busy partying, then at least the priest will hear us out, right? It's practically his job." Hikari said.

"If it's the only way… Alright, let's go visit the priest, but only because I demand an explanation for this madness."

"Then we're off to church! If we play our cards right, we'll be back to normal by sunset."

"I hope so. Let's hurry before we're ambushed by another phantom!" Hikari and Teruo then scampered to the nearest bus stop…

Hikari and Teruo were dropped off at the center of Celetubby Hill; the hotspot for Daten City's rich and famous. Mansions as far as the eye can see. Up at its peak was the church, exuding its dominion over the masses.

"Isn't it ironic that the holy core of Daten City is located within the hive of greed and hedonism?" Teruo observed.

"Explains a lot about the angels. But they're our only hope, so let's get going." Hikari said before the brothers made their ascent. But as they scaled the hill, it began to rain. "That's strange… The forecast didn't call for precipitation…"

"Oh boy… God must be pissed about uninvited guests. Do you think he senses our dark aura?" Teruo said.

"Surely he'll calm down once he hears us out. And if he could see into our hearts, he knows that we come with righteous intentions."

The Kiryus continued their hike, but as they neared their destination they felt a million gazes pierce through their souls. Glaring at them were flocks of Murkrow; hidden within the trees. The corvids weren't alone though, as Pawniard ghosts also slipped through the bushes.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Hikari… It's like heaven itself is judging us. And if we don't turn back now, we're about to get smited!" Teruo worried.

"Just keep walking. If we turn back, who knows how many more lives the darkness will consume! I've made it my mission to get to the bottom of this, and by Arceus, I'm gonna bring light back to everyone. Even if it means getting blasted to bits by angels!" Hikari vowed.

"We're really doing this, huh? I wish I could be as optimistic as you… I'm only tagging along because someone's gotta look out for my big bro." Teruo smiled.

"I appreciate the sentiment. And maybe by the end of this, you'll be as brave as yours truly." Hikari smirked.

"Don't bet on it, but I'll try my best… Hey! I think I see the church!" Teruo observed, right before the brothers skedaddled to their final destination.

When Hikari and Teruo reached the top of the hill, the first thing they saw was a lingerie-themed stone statue. "Hah. This really is Panty and Stocking's home base!" Hikari snickered. Behind the statue lay the church, in all of its ornate, gothic glory.

"Damn, even the church is swanky! And is that a freaking hummer!?" Teruo exclaimed, referring to the pink, roofless vehicle parked just outside. "Shame it's gonna get all rusted." He shrugged.

"Ah, well. Let's head inside before we start to rust!" Hikari joked. The Kiryu brothers climbed the stairway to heaven and entered the sanctuary.

Hikari and Teruo left the cold outside world and entered the sacred temple; angelic stained glass illuminating the cathedral. Down the aisle, the priest was giving a sermon to a pair of girls. But as the brothers drew closer, they noticed those girls were none other than...

"Panty and Stocking!" Hikari exclaimed, rushing to the altar. "Hey-hey! Sorry if I'm interrupting something, but my brother and I need your help. We and many of Daten City's Pokemon have been afflicted with a dark curse! We just came from the park where we witnessed a 'mon turn into a ghost right as he was beating a man into submission! Something like that must be the work of some unholy apparition, which is why we came to you for guidance. You of all people should know about hunting ghosts. So I was thinking that maybe you can help us by exorcising our curse?"

"Just who the flying fuck do you think you are?! Why would we help a pair of Land Before Time rejects?!" Panty snided.

"Yeah, how dare you barge in here? Don't you know it's rude to meddle in a lady's business!?" Stocking scoffed.

"Please, all we ask from God is to cleanse us from this darkness." Teruo begged.

"Hm… Pokémon suddenly going ghost…" Stocking scratched her chin. "Sounds like bullshit to me. Are you sure you didn't just stumble into a Hot Topic?"

"If we were lying, could we do this?" Hikari formed his shadow claws.

"Or this?" Teruo demonstrated by creating a dark shock wave.

The afro priest stepped forward. The broad, black man towered over the brothers. "Sounds like you got a Poke-ghost on your hands. And if this ghost formed from pure malice, then this is some witchcraft which only the pits of Hell can muster."

"Oh don't tell me you buy their bullshit, Garter. These could very well be kids trying to score with us!" Stocking complained.

"Listen here, woman! First off; we're nineteen years old. Second; while you are attractive, I'm just an Axew so it'll never work out." Hikari explained.

"Not everybody wants sex, you useless cum dumpsters! It's obvious that God led these two poor souls on a righteous path, why else would they have made the pilgrimage? It is your duty to protect and serve Daten City." Garter proclaimed.

"Yeah, right! They barge in here and expect us to clean up their mess. Let the other Pokemon take care of it, they have magic powers, don't they?" Panty said.

"You know damn well that the average citizen; even Pokemon, pales in comparison to the might of a Poke-ghost! And if this curse makes it so that a living Pokemon can become ghostified, then the city will soon be swarmed with vengeful spirits hellbent on destruction! Do you see the big picture now?!" Garter argued.

"I get where you're coming from… Too bad that's not how ghosts work! You have to be dead to become a ghost! Why are we even wasting time with these bozos?" Stocking groused.

Panty waved the brothers off. "Yeah, get lost! Can't you see Stocking and I are having an important conversation about the ideal thickness of-"

CRASH!

A horde of ghost Pawniards smashed through the windows. The church found itself swarmed with the spectral infestation.

"WHAT THE SHIT!?" Garterbelt bellowed. "Who dares break into the house of God?!"

A tall, ghastly figure bust down the door; leading the army of Pawniards. It was a ghost of a Bisharp, gazing fiercely at the brothers.

"Well, well, well. It appears that there are a couple of cogs in Master Tetsuya's vision. Typical mortals, always seeking the heavens for salvation." The Bisharp chuckled, approaching Hikari and Teruo. "But it's hopeless. The plan is already set in motion. Soon the denizens of Daten City will realize the error of their ways and embrace the shadows."

"Just who the hell are you?!" Hikari exclaimed.

"The name's Akihiro; knight of the shadows and disciple of Lord Tetsuya. And I have come to make things right. I won't allow the heavens to interfere with my mission! Why waste the effort when you can give into the darkness in your heart? You'll attain power beyond your wildest dreams!"

"Because those who succumb to your darkness become mindless, destructive ghosts just like your pawns! That Toxicroak at the park might've been a dick but he had his own life to live! Your little scheme will take away all of our livelihoods! I won't allow you or your 'lord' to succeed!"

"You poor, deluded thing… This world has been ruled by light for eons. What has it ever done for us? Shackle our true potential with its tyranny! I shall ask you once again… Will you embrace the darkness and achieve true power? Or will you die to satisfy your vain sense of heroism?"

"Bite me! We'll never become your slaves! In fact, now that we've got angels on our side; we won't stop at nothing until every inch of darkness has left our bodies!" Hikari protested.

Akihiro sighed. "Very well... Men! Eradicate the vermin!" Akihiro commanded. "Rest assured that your deaths won't be in vain as I'll fulfill Lord Tetsuya's ambition!"

The horde of Pawniard surrounded the Kiryu and angel siblings, sharpening their blades as their commander disappeared into the shadows. The Anarchy sisters had no choice; it was either fight or be diced up into a million pieces.

"Fucking hell, you pissed off Tokugawa's army! Why do we always get the hard jobs!?" Stocking grumbled.

"We'll fuck me in the keyhole, you fuckers were right." Panty wondered.

"We told you, but you bitches were too busy being know-it-alls!'" Teruo argued.

Panty shifted her glance towards her sister. "Do you see what I see, Stocking?"

"A bunch of pissy metal beetles?" Stocking snarked.

"Fuck no! We found ourselves the Heaven Coin motherlode! And to top it off, we got a pair of 'mon eager to help us! This could be our lucky break!"

"Oh yeah, I guess Littlefoot was onto something… No matter! Let's show these guys how it's done!" Stocking unsheathed her swords.

"Awright! Let's fucking do this!" Panty cocked her gun.

"Don't forget me, girls! I'm 'boutta fill these goblins with God's undying love!" Garterbelt pulled out a gun from his comically large afro.

"I know you're gonna hate me for this, Teruo. But we're gonna have to use dark magic if we have a shot at beating these mooks." Hikari whispered to his sibling, honing his claws with dark energy.

"Are you crazy!? You'll end up like that Toxicroak!" Teruo protested.

"Just unleash your inner dragon, then. If I become a ghost, then I'll have the angels execute me on the spot."

Teruo sighed. "I guess we have no choice…"

The Pawniards lunged forward; the brawl had begun. Hikari started by chopping down ghosts with Night Slash; eviscerating minions while his brother enshrouded the army with his Dragon Rage.

"Take that, ghost scum! Sorry to cut your plans short!" Hikari quipped as he stabbed another spectre.

"'Cut your plans short'? You call that a battle cry?" Teruo said.

"I don't see you coming up with cool catchphrases!" Hikari retorted, ducking from an incoming attack. "Part of being a hero is having fun with your foes. Impress them with a good one-liner before giving them the K.O punch!"

"Then I guess there's some merit to battling… And look at you; giving ghosts a taste of their own medicine… Yet you're still uncorrupted!" Teruo admitted.

"What did I tell ya? Black magic isn't exclusive to villains and scoundrels. Go on, try it!"

"I-If you say so…" Teruo gulped, standing back from the gang of approaching ghouls. His body shook as dark energy began to flow through him; building up within his jaws. "Remember, this is to protect Daten City… And to make Hikari proud!" He thought to himself. He opened his eyes and unleashed a wicked dark pulse; decimating the phantoms. "H-Hey! It worked!" Teruo gasped; eyes ogling his intact body.

"Now yer gettin' it!" Hikari cheered, slicing another foe with his shadow-infused claws.

Meanwhile, the angels weren't so fortunate with the ghostbusting. After riddling a ghoul with bullets, Panty finally put it to rest. "What the fuck is up with these ghosts? I swear these pecker-faced cunts eat Bullet-Bran for breakfast!" She growled.

"How the fuck do you think I feel!? I just sharpened Stripes yet slicing these gremlins is like using a butter knife on frozen pudding! It's easier to stab the bastards." Stocking skewered several ghosts with her sword. "Go for the head, numbnuts!" Stocking barked.

"That's what I've been fucking doing, bitch! But their helmets keep getting in the way!" Panty snapped, punting a Pawniard.

"How many times do I have to tell you cumbrains? They're Poke-ghosts! They're vengeful spirits fueled by the Pokemon's elemental signature! No shit they require the most firepower out of every other ghost!" Garterbelt barked, blasting away a ghost's torso.

"Wait, are you telling us those axe-jawed squirts are more powerful than us angels?! That's bullshit!" Panty protested.

"Who gives a rat's ass?! Just think about our jackpot and keep blasting!" Stocking urged, blocking an incoming Pawniard before driving her sword into its head.

The Kiryu brothers continued their onslaught as Teruo used Night Daze, finally putting his dark powers to good use.

"Koff! I think I'm getting the hang of this…" Teruo realized. "And if I'm gonna help my brother save the city then I must get stronger!" He vowed, delivering another dark shockwave.

With his shadow claws still in-tow, Hikari leapt into the Pawniard horde and mowed them down. "This is your army, Akihiro!? I've fought Sunkern with harder shells than your Pawniard's tin-can armor!" Hikari taunted.

"Holy shit, they're good. No wonder people pay money to watch this shit." Panty observed, watching the Axews in amazement.

"Less talk, more fight! Mama's got a fat check and I ain't letting those twerps have it!" Stocking snarled, joining Hikari as she unsheathed Stripes II. She proceeded to tear through the horde like a saw blade.

"Hold it right there! You ain't hoggin' all those Heaven Coins like they're made of chocolate, ya fuckin' fatass!" Panty rammed Stocking, launching into ghosts all guns blazing, shooting anything that stood in her way.

The battle raged on as the Kiryu brothers and the angels joined forces to wipe out the ghastly gang of Pawniards.

BLAM! SLASH! POW!

Panty smirked, blowing the final ghost's brains out. "And that should do it."

"Whoo! What a rush! I haven't had a good scrap since that time I pissed off that Druddigon." Hikari said, having lacerations all over his body from the close combat.

"Oh don't even get me started on that, Hikari! You bumped into him, called his jewelry crap and-" Teruo took another look at his brother. "Holy shit, dude. You look like you're about to faint from blood loss."

"Fret not, Teruo! I'm a Pokemon. I just need one power nap and I'll be right as rain!" Hikari reassured his brother.

Garterbelt let out a belly laugh. "Well suck my cock and call me Black Jesus, you two pimp slapped those ghosts like they owed ya cold, hard cash!"

"It was nothing special. I'm just grateful that you helped us fend off Akihiro's army. And thanks to you, we finally have a lead as to how we're gonna stop the ghost-pocalypse!"

"I'm Garterbelt, by the way; Daten City's holy father and disciple of Lord Jesus. Please pardon us, I was just giving these whores a lecture on how not to cause a spunk tsunami in a cafe!" He sneered at the angels.

"Hey, that waiter was askin' to get a handie! It ain't my fault he cummed so hard it went into Stocking's coffee." Panty shrugged.

"Ew…" Teruo cringed.

"You whore. No wonder my drink was extra-salty... You owe me a damn coffee cake, ya know that?!" Stocking snided.

"And what? Blow up your thunder thighs so hard that each asscheek needs three chairs? No sane man wants to date you if you're a nominee for My 600-pound life."

Stocking snarled. "That's it, I'm replacing your hair spray with glue! Not that'll make a difference seeing how it's already held together by dried baby batter."

"Ladies, please!" Hikari interrupted the angelic bickering. "You can have your catfight later. Now that you've seen what we're dealing with, will you please help my brother and I lift the dark curse plaguing our city?"

"And what's in it for us? I'd rather have a Machamp on my team, at least then he can Harden and Pound me all night long!" Panty protested, biting her lip at the thought.

"Would you get your cum-guzzled brain out of the sewers for one fuckin' minute?!" Stocknig barked, pulling Panty's dress. "These are goddamn dragons! After watching glimpses of Pokemon battles, I can safely say that these kinds of 'mon can fuck shit up six ways to Sunday! Shit; just look at the gold horde they've brought us!" Stocking pointed at the thousands of Heaven Coins scattered across the church.

Panty's eyes turned into dollar signs. "On second thought, maybe this partnership can rake us in serious dough..." She smirked at her younger sister before turning to the Kiryu brothers. "Alright fine, we'll help you with your curse or whatever. As long as we get 100% of the profits, capiche?"

"You got yourselves a deal, Miss Panty! Heaven Coins are useless to us, anyways. We just wanna see our lives go back to normal." Hikari said.

"And since you're our Pokemon now, ya gotta crash at our place. It's actually a chill place with a spectacular view; the only thing you should worry about is overhearing Panty's fuckfests. That bitch has no filter." Stocking explained.

"Now hold just one goddamn minute! These guys are fuckin' ghost magnets! Just look at what those Pawniards did to my sacred sanctuary! Ain't no way in Hell it's gonna survive if they bring upon the ghost of Poké-Satan!" Garterbelt protested.

"Can you at least bless them with the power of Heaven? They're on a holy mission to cleanse evil from this city, after all. You wouldn't want to let demons take over, do you?" Stocking suggested.

Garterbelt rolled his eyes. "Fine. I guess I can give them the power to put spirits to rest. That should keep spirits away from my temple." The priest opened his Bible and began the incantation. "By the power vested in me, I grant… Er, what were your names again?"
"Teruo and Hikari." Teruo answered.

"...I grant Hikari and Teruo the power to slay the wicked and put wandering spirits to rest; guiding lost souls to the Kingdom of Heaven. And may Hikari and Teruo's journey be righteous and use the will of our lord Jesus Christ to cleanse this city from this new evil." Garterbelt made the sign of the cross. "Amen."

CRACKLE!

All of a sudden, a wicked lightning bolt struck the Kiryu brothers. "Ow… I thought you told God to bless us, not smite us!" Hikari groaned.

"That is the Lord's blessing, my son. That's His way of showing gratitude for those who wish to be delivered from evil. Now go forth, Hikari and Teruo. Seek the demon causing your strife and may Almighty God cast judgement upon them!" Garter commanded.

"We owe ya one, priest." Hikari smiled.

"Guess that means we're the angel's new roommates 'til this curse is lifted… This should be interesting…" Teruo said.

"We should call Volt about this. He's gonna be so psyched that we'll be partnering with the Anarchy Sisters!"

"I hope that his family's doing okay. This crazy curse has turned life upside down… W-Who knows, maybe they'll be next!"

"Don't give up hope yet, Teruo. If I know Volt, then he's a 'mon who doesn't even know the definition of 'giving up'. Hey, if it'll make you feel better, we can pay him a visit tomorrow and tell them about our little pilgrimage." Hikari patted Teruo's back.

Teruo nodded. "Y-Yeah… That'd be swell…"

"Come on, let's make ourselves at home while these girls bicker amongst each other." Hikari took his brother down the aisle. That fateful day marked the beginning of Hikari and Teruo's journey to become the saviors of people and Pokemon in the city between Heaven and Earth. The gods only know what lay in store for the heroes…

To be continued...