Episode 32: This Is Who We Are -PART 1-

"It's crazy scary to think about. He rearranged the terrain of the Inner Storms right before our eyes," Kuri remarked. He was on Phoenix's back while Lute was on Sophitia's back, and the duo leapt across the broken debris, closely followed by Genesis who flew with her psychic.

"I wasn't expecting this. His mastery over V-Waves is truly not to be underestimated," Genesis agreed. "I made a grave error in giving into Spirle and leading them here. I honestly didn't think he would figure out how to work with the Mega Stone this quickly."

"Well he wouldn't have stalled us like this if he really knew how to use it all. He already knew how to rid the world of mystery dungeons, so really and truly, he's done nothing new so far. Besides the rapture," Sophitia said. They were headed for the rainbow light, and now that they were close, they could see powerful flashes of electricity from the area in front of it.

"You did what any sane Pokémon in your position would do. Things have played out the way they have thanks to all of our efforts," Phoenix said. "Do not beat yourself up about it."

"Hmpf. If only it were easy to feel that way, Phoenix," Genesis sighed. "That must be Esther and Infia."

"Wow, they got there first." Lute smiled.

The group had to hop off of a few small bits of debris to safely reach them, and landed behind the battle. Esthia took on Victor and Victoria without breaking a sweat, even though she was moving at blurry speeds. Esthia and Victor kept crashing into each other with punches and tackles, but the fusion's electric attacks looked like they were won every time. Eventually, Victoria interrupted with a Moonblast, making Esthia backflip and make space.

"Aww oops, you almost got me that time," Esthia teased, leaning toward them with a finger on her lip. "Why don't you try just a little teensy bit harder? I might actually let you hit me then."

Victoria slumped forward, her face red with rage. It was clear she was being pushed beyond her limits. Her fluffy body was badly ruffled and covered all over with burn marks. "This isn't happening."

Victor was no better as he hit the ground in front of her. He was paralysed to the spot, and let out jittery gurgles in an effort to throw a tantrum. He could barely wiggle his fat.

"Whoa, but how?" Lute whispered, drawn to Esthia. She spun her glowsticks to slip them into her shirt, and then put her paws on her hips.

"C'mon, I'm not done playing yet! You guys have gotta have some ace up your sleeve, right?" Esthia complained. Victoria started growling even more, and put a foot forward. "Yeah, c'mon, that's it. Come at me. Do all the desperate bad guy speeches and pull out your secret weapon! I'm ready for it."

The Aromatisse didn't say anything, however. Her fists were clenched and her body trembled. She had a look that could kill, if only she wasn't so scruffy and beaten up. Esthia waited though, to which she pulled her foot back and started snickering.

"Huh? Oh wow, did you actually think of something?" Esthia said.

"Your friends have shown up. If your fused state can defeat the two of us, then attempting to defeat the rest of you would be a suicide mission," Victoria admitted. She held her arms forward. "So I concede to you. I hate to admit it, but we have done our jobs of stalling for time against you annoying children."

"Aww what? But I'm supposed to teach the kids not to give up," Esthia cried.

"Hmpf. Take it or leave it. I'm not risking my health continuing to fight an unwinnable battle," Victoria said. She walked off to the side. "Between you and me however, I don't believe you stand a chance. The Spirle King is on an entirely different level to anything you may have ever seen. If you leave him to make his new world now, then he may just spare you and make you a slave or something."

"What're you talking about?" Lute jumped forward.

"Lute!" Esthia said cheerfully.

"You heard Lassic's public announcement, right? The Spirle King is going to use the Mega Stone to wipe out all life. Only the smartest and most fortunate will survive. If you do as you're told and don't try to fight him, he might spare you," Victoria said. "I mean, he got Lassic to do it! Anyone who can get that genius to do their bidding is not to be underestimated."

"We ain't kiddin' when we say the king's on a whole other level. We're talking like, this guy might be Arceus in disguise or something. He's so powerful that you won't be able to touch him! And now that he's got the Mega Stone on his side," Victor said, bouncing back to his feet. "Man, us losing to you guys isn't gonna keep him happy, though. Is he even gonna accept us anymore?"

Lute's eyes diverted for a moment. Don't they know who the Spirle King is? Do they not realise that Lassic might be the Spirle King?

"That doesn't matter, you lardy lump! We're alive and we're in his safe zone. We will live regardless." Victoria stomped angrily.

"Wait, so which is it? Are we fightin' for him or are we fightin' for ourselves?" Victor cocked his head.

"Ourselves, you nugget! Argh, forget it," she cried.

"Actually, if you guys are gonna come quietly, then that actually means you're both under arrest," Sophitia said, a snarky smile on her face as she held up her King's Shield badge. "You can join Storm in our comfy cells. Marina will deal with you."

"You guys beat Storm?" Victor cried. Victoria didn't say anything. "… Y'know, we might be wrong on this whole hero thingy."

"Will you shut up? There aren't any 'heroes' in Aseria. Heroes don't exist. It's just a stupid title the authorities give themselves to become the idols of some snotty little child. The world isn't going to magically become a better place because of a ragtag group of no-lives decide to follow the story of some crazy old coot," Victoria ranted. "The only way the world will ever change is if everyone makes it. And that is what is going to happen! Our king is going to wipe out all of the unworthy, and rebuild the world with Spirle as its rulers. Only then will we get what we deserve."

"That's what you held onto. You do realise what's really going to happen, right? Can you imagine wiping out everybody and leaving only certain Pokémon alive?" Sophitia said as she approached them.

"That's what it takes to create the perfect world. The world where I sit upon a throne. A peasant like you wouldn't understand these feelings," Victoria said.

"Well this is an interesting development. And here I thought you wouldn't need me," Tetra said, floating down from above. Sophitia flinched back, while the others reassumed their poses for battle. The Klefki looked them over with blank concern, and of course, locked his sights on Lute.

"Why is it always me?" Lute cried.

"I'm not going to fight you now. The Spirle King has finished his preparations, so I'm more interested in seeing what's going to happen. Lute, if you can beat him, you might stand a chance against me!" Tetra said with an upbeat giggle.

"What're you babbling on about now?" Victoria snapped.

"The only reason I stay for Spirle is because I want to engage in interesting battles. But if the new world gets created, I won't be having any battles, will I? So Lutey has to win so that I can get what I want," Tetra reasoned. He had an eerie smile on his face the whole time. "So how's that, everyone? I'm on your side now! Ish. Sort of, anyway."

"You're so messed up. But I'm not complaining," Kuri said, arms folded.

"The thing is though, if you lose and Spirle's world gets created, that means you were never worth fighting in the first place. So you better not lose," Tetra said. "Well then? Get on with it. Send those two back to your prison and go challenge the king!"

"Wait, you're not gonna help us? You're a traitor!" Victor shouted.

"Oh shut up. You are so loud and childish! How did a fat lump like you get into Spirle anyway?" Victoria slapped him.

"Well ya'see, it all started—" Victor said.

"That wasn't a serious question you overweight sack!"

"Ya'know, I'm actually getting' really tired of all the tubby names you keep callin' me, you smelly old Gogoat."

"Smelly old- how dare you! You know and love my fragrances full well!"

"Ugh, they're awful together. They were arguin' the whole time we were fighting," Esthia groaned and shrugged. Sophitia gave a tired sigh and swiped her badge to the side, and then pointed it at the arguing fairies. The badge reacted, engulfing them in a cylinder of light that made them vanish.

"And you?" Esthia said.

"I just told you kids. Don't worry, I'm not going to pull any nasty cheap shots or dirty moves. It'll be too easy to kill you all if I did that, and I want fun fights, remember? So I'll just be waiting back here to see what happens," Tetra said. "I think you better hurry up before I change my mind, though."

"Should we trust him?" Lute tiled his head.

"Well you're the one he's obsessed with. That's your problem, not mine," Kuri said as he walked off. Genesis and Phoenix followed, leaving him to gawk.

"Aww c'mon guys, after we got this far? Ah, those guys still don't think of themselves as part of the team, do they?" Lute complained.

"I'm surprised, but considering where we are, I think he's being serious. We did just see Victor and Victoria give themselves up," Sophitia said. "So c'mon. We don't have time to lose."

"And if he does turn out to be fibbing, we were already prepared to have to pound him along with the rest of Spirle anyway, so that won't be anything new," Esthia said. Everyone turned to stare at her. "Er, what? Do I have something on my butt?"

"No it's just, who actually are you? Are you another High Point, too?" Sophitia said. Esthia's eyes widened.

"Huh? Oh no, not me. I'm uh, ah, oh gods, girls wait, stop please—" she said, beginning to panic and rub herself.

All of a sudden, the fusion's body began to mold in and out of shape, turning completely white in the process. It eventually split into two much smaller Pokémon, and both of them thrown apart by their un-fusing. Infia and Esther were left on their backs, both surprised with blank stares for a moment.

"Oh. My. Gosh! That was so amazing what the heck was that?" Esther screamed and kicked herself to her feet. She kept rambling in excited squeaks as she charged over to Infia. She locked paws with her to spin her around, all the time laughing and hopping.

"A-ah, Esther please!" Infia squealed.

"Sorry, but no I can't!" Esther broke free to throw a fist up high. "That was just, so freaking cool! I was all like, ready to sacrifice myself and everything and you were all like, no 'cos I'm totally in love with you and then everything turned into light and then the next thing I know I'm that awesome- thing! That, whatever that was!" The Pikachu squealed.

"It was… our fusion, yes." Infia held her chest and let out a breath. She looked at the floor.

"Our fusion? You didn't tell me you could do that, that felt so damn good! Let's do it again!" Esther cheered.

"I-I uh—"

"But first!" Esther suddenly froze. Infia looked up at her and went bright red, and gulped. "You meant that, didn't you? You really like, like me?"

"I-I-I'm sorry, that just sorta slipped out. I'm so sorry, that must be super weird and stuff. I mean, we're both girls, and I'm younger, now everybody's watching, and—" Infia gasped. She kept huffing and couldn't stand or look straight.

"Oh who gives a shit what they think? That was like, what do they call it? An epiphany and all that stuff. Totally woke me up from a rut!" Esther said. She tightened her grip on Infia's paws. "Hey c'mon, look at me. You meant what you said, right?"

Infia could barely manage that. One look at the pudgy Pikachu's sparkling eyes and she knew she was out of her mind. "I-I was just s-saying stuff that came to mind! I didn't mean to."

"Wait, is that really true?" Esther said. Her tone made Infia snap to reality, surprised to see Esther's genuine look of disappointment. "Look, forget that the others are here now. Forget everything else. This is just one question from me to you. Y-you really mean it?"

"I… I really look up to you. You've helped me open my eyes to so much more and stuff. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gone on this journey. But you're so beautiful and confident and capable compared to me, I just love that you keep pushing me so hard. I-I-I love everything about you. If I could live with you, I know that's what I really wanna do," Infia said. Her face was redder than a tomato. "But that's just like, super weird, right? Ahaha, I'm just a crazy superfan who got to be too close to you for too long. We're both girls, too."

"Oh stop it, you're killing me!" Esther said, and rubbed her face. "Look. I've heard a lot of it. But those lines? I've only ever heard 'em from cocky guys who get to meet and greet after a show. You, you're saying this after months of getting to know the real me. I'm a loud mouth, I don't care about cleanliness, I mean well I do, but you know what I mean – I'm a slob and I know it. I dunno, I feel like you're genuine."

"Esther," Infia whispered, finally able to stare back.

"Every other Pokémon who's seen me swear or play in mud, or chug food twice my weight has just gotten freaked out and pretended they didn't see it. But you, even though you're a girl too, you still did and said everything and stuff with me and everything. That's gotta be special, am I right?" Esther said, squeezing Infia's paws again. "I've never been in a real relationship before. But all that really, really spoke to me. S-so what I'm saying is like, I-I'm happy? To have you around? I-I mean I want to have you around. I wanna give this a try, a proper relationship! With you!"

Infia was frozen to the spot, now. Both of them were blushing deeply and wouldn't take their eyes off one another. She couldn't believe what she had just seen and heard. Her, a nappy wearing weakling that had all these strange powers and the max volume of a Whismur? What could Esther really see in her?

Then it hit her. The reverse of Infia's own affection was true. Esther was the only Pokémon who, when learning about Infia's strange disabilities and powers, accepted it at face value and just went about her way. It wasn't that Esther didn't care or was simply trying to train her, or perhaps it was, seeing as the Pikachu didn't realise how much affection she had for her. It was that Infia had long since been accepted for who she was. She could be herself around this Pikachu, and never once would she be judged or joked about or pitied.

Realising that, Infia began to snicker. Her blush disappeared as she broke into giggles and light laughter. Esther seemed surprised until she leapt into the Pikachu's arms and connected their lips, only briefly. Esther reacted fast, and began to laugh and nuzzle back. She wrapped her arms around her as Infia did the same. They twirled, nuzzled, laughed, and danced on their toes without a care in the world, and after a while, began to glow white. Their yellows, blues, reds, and pinks all began to mix together until they were the shape of one figure, which manifested as Esthia, who was laughing and hugging herself just as blissfully.

"Ha ha, yes! Today is the best day of my life!" Esthia cheered, raising both fists. She froze upon realising that Lute and the others had been watching the whole time, and their jaws were on the floor. "Umm, yo."

"What? Ain't you ever seen a couple before?" Tetra laughed while jiggling his keys.

"It's not that, that's super sweet and all. I-I'm super happy for you, honestly, I am, but," Sophitia said as she dozily walked forward. She examined Esthia, lifting her arm, tapping her ear, tugging at her clothing and all else. "This is unprecedented! I never imagined Infia could do something like this. And this form made them strong enough to beat Victor and Victoria?"

"Well sorry if you like what you're seeing, but this beauty's taken," Esthia said, half-lidded and teasing with her skirt. Sophitia flinched away. "But it's alright, Sophie. Just get a guy who looks at you the same way Lute's looking at me."

That drew all eyes to the Eevee, and he flinched away to rub his face. "Aw geez, why would you say something like that?"

"Still seems like Esther to me," Phoenix said.

"I'm not Esther anymore, it's Esthia. This might come as a shock to you, but I'm my own Pokémon. I bet if Marina saw me, she'd be able to explain it better," Esthia stated.

"You look alright, but I do still have to ask: you're ready for this, right? You don't need a rest or a Cheri Berry or anything?" Sophitia said.

"The Spirle King stuff? Oh yeah, no sweat. Perfect setting for my real debut. I won't un-fuse unless they want me to, or I get defeated, so we won't have any sudden emergencies on our hands or anything," Esthia assured. "Intros outta the way, tummy's full, underwear's dry, nothing to stop me from showing you guys up."

"You've got spirit. About time someone in your group had that," Kuri praised. He threw his arms up and stormed off, to everyone's surprise.

"You don't have to be rude about it. This is special to them!" Genesis said.

"I know that. But it's still something born outta Lassic's twisted shit. If she can beat him, I won't be satisfied with myself," he admitted. He snickered and rubbed his chin. "Or maybe it's a good thing. It'd be pretty cool if he got beat by a product of his own mess."

A little way ahead took them into the rainbow light. Inside wasn't as blinding as they anticipated it would be. In fact, it turned out to be the opposite. They had walked into a large dome of rainbow light, only for the darkness from outside to pierce through the light and keep the dome eerie. Bubbles of various colours streaked all around them in random directions, while a watery texture of smoky black outlined the area. The rumbles of lightning from the Inner Storms could still be heard, but they were muffled as if the group was underwater.

Lute was surprised there was even solid ground in here. The ground matched that of outside. Dark red, cracked, hard, and rocky towards the edges. Humidity kept his heart beating fast as he walked along its zigzagging pathways, which descended into the heart of what felt like a mountain. The closer they got to the core, the more there appeared to be vines that swirled towards their goal. Thick vines that were harder than metal.

As the path descended, these vines became so abundant that they shielded the background from view, soon joined by an unattractive array of computers and machinery. Pipes had been weaved between the vines, computers were stationed to hang from them and stick up in the middle of the path, and there were even some tiny, floating, Spinarak drones scuttling across it all.

Kuri let out a yelp and kicked one away, making everyone freeze. "Damn things. What the hell is all this?"

"Kuri," Genesis said. He gave her an intense glare, and then glared back to the path ahead. There were here.

The core of Planet Aseria. One more winding path that led into the heart of all the vines and light in the area. It became a final descent to the edge of a cliff, surrounded on all sides by the smoky black abyss, wavering lights, and swirling vines. The vines all congregated to where the cliff faced, where they entangled an enormous, shiny stone.

"The Mega Stone," Lute whispered, awestruck.

Everyone else, even Genesis, was the same. The core was a gigantic, perfectly spherical stone that shone every single colour in existence. These colours flowed about the inside of the stone, but with an illusive pattern that made it look as though they were both inside and outside of the stone. It was difficult to look at.

Lute shook his head and redirected his gaze to the edge of the cliff. There, at the foot of the Mega Stone, was the back of a tall Delphox. His chest churned, and his breath became shaky, yet he walked with his friends until they were within his presence. The Delphox's fur perked up as they neared, and he turned to address them. Lute wouldn't ever forget that charming, welcoming smile, or the strange earpiece that covered one eye with a visor.

"It's exactly as destiny willed it. Perfect timing, all of the expected Pokémon present," he said, and slowly stepped to the side. He had an entire computer attached to the surface of the Mega Stone, with wires and pipes linking directly to it.

"S-say it isn't so," Sophitia said, stepping forward first. "Is there someone controlling you, or someone hiding right now, or whatever petty thing – this isn't really you, is it?"

He was quiet for a moment. "You do not believe your eyes. Then let me assure you, and welcome you here personally. I, Lassic, the current leader of Aseria and soon to be king of New Aseria, am truly here at the core of the planet."

"It really is you. The High Points made it seem like they didn't know who you were," Sophitia hung her head.

"They do not," Lassic replied, and she instantly looked up. "Spirle and their High Points are a perfect example of how flawed Aseria currently is. And today, I seek to correct that in one grand action."

"But I don't get it. It can't be true," Lute said. "All the evidence was pointing to you and yet I still can't understand it. You've done so much for Aseria, why make Spirle and do all this?"

"And in case you haven't already realised, we're all here to kick your ass so hard that you'll regret ever being born with one. So you better have a good reason for this," Kuri warned, his signature cocky smile on his face. With a tilt of his head, that smile switched into a focused frown of dark fury. "Who am I kidding? Regardless of what you blather, I'm going to tear you limb from limb until there's nothing left."

"And I'm surprised that you've lived long enough to feel you have the chance to do so. It truly is destiny at its finest, isn't it?" Lassic replied. He raised a claw, and then hovered a palm over the Mega Stone. "It's magnificent, don't you think? The source of Aseria's energy. Not just the battery for the planet, but the source of all Pokémon powers and abilities. To think that the secret to our progress has been the core of our planet the whole time. With this, we have evolved, discovering our latent abilities, new moves, new forms, and so much more. Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, all possible because of V-Waves from this magnificent stone."

"Er, I know you plan to do something really weird with it, but don't you think that because it's the planet's core means we shouldn't mess about with it? If you broke it, the whole world would be in trouble," Esthia remarked.

"Broke it? And who do you take me for?" Lassic faced them again.

"I dunno, some mad scientist who thinks he rules the world or something? Get to the point already." She shrugged

"I founded the Agents of King's Shield in order to further this world. A mere rescue team with the aim of helping all Pokémon in need. But my talents went beyond that. I discovered how our powers worked, I discovered how mystery dungeons work, and I discovered the way to manipulate those things into my preference. Do you understand that? My natural knowledge enabled me to shape the laws of this very world into my being. I was a god in mortal flesh long before I made it here!" Lassic explained. He stepped forward and smiled. "But the current rulers of the world, the kings and queens of times that are now ancient, they declined my progress. When I sought to further this world by taking control over the source of all V-Waves, they declined and shunned my aims. They held the progression of all of the Pokémon world back, and for what reason?"

"To protect us from truths that we don't understand, dangerous potential that could threaten our world in generations to come. We weren't to step out of line because nobody knew what would happen," Genesis answered.

"So while the Pokémon of the world continue to suffer in broken communities, torn apart by the feral monsters of mystery dungeons, we were expected to suck up to monarchs that sat upon unearned riches? I took matters into my own paws, all to progress this world. I worked with V-Waves and gained the power to conquer those fools. I wiped them out of existence, and then evolved Aseria into what it is today," Lassic bragged.

"Yes. A world with withering nature that lacks seasons, so close to the point of irreversible destruction that ancient heroes had to awaken. We are here because of your callous actions," Phoenix said.

"I am literally about to resolve that crisis. Will you patriotic fools look with your eyes and use your own heads for once in your lives?" Lassic raised his voice. "What have I done for your world? I rid it of mystery dungeons, I created technology to enrich the lives of the common Pokémon. I enabled those who could not live normal lives to exist as peacefully and normally as possible. All I care about is evolving this world for the better, to bring about the best in Pokémon. To bring us beyond the feral creatures we once were. To evolve us beyond what is expected of Pokémon, beyond the domination of humans, beyond the supposed gods that created us!"

"Evolve us… beyond… humans?" Sophitia said, going blank.

"But I began to notice a fatal flaw in our current world. As I rose in recognition and achievement, more and more Pokémon began to look up to me, began to rely on me. Fewer Pokémon were taking matters into their own paws," Lassic continued. He glared at Lute. "Lute, you're a perfect V-Pocket. Surely you must have this feeling sometimes. When all but a few can keep up with you, and soon enough, you become relied on to do even the simplest of tasks?"

"What? No, I… I've never had a feeling like that. I've only been able to get this far thanks to everyone. My friends," Lute answered, and glanced at them all. Lassic's fury returned.

"Then you are as pathetic as the rest of them. Within time, I became adored to a fault. Pokémon called me a leader. But do you know what happens to the leaders of worlds? Pokémon are extremely quick to take them down for doing things they don't like. For not being absolutely perfect, despite being not being perfect themselves. For not taking matters into their own capable paws!" Lassic said. He raised his claw again, and curled it into a fist. "I will evolve this world into absolute perfection by all means necessary, if it's the last thing I do. I am the sole reason this world has evolved to its current state, and I will not let that be destroyed thanks to the aged beliefs of some backwater, fantasy-loving children."

"You're even more deranged than I thought. You actually think you're a god," Kuri shook his head.

"When the world is this easy to manipulate into your favour, can you consider yourself anything lower? Seeing only adoration from Pokémon the world over, I created a foe for myself, Spirle. Without ever revealing my true identity to a group of criminals, I was able to create an organization that I was called a hero for taking down. I pushed myself up through the hierarchy until I became the leader of this generation. But this, this is greatly flawed," Lassic said, and shook his head. "I couldn't stand it. Pokémon wouldn't evolve or progress without me. So I began to create my own Pokémon. I experimented with V-Waves to create powered up Pokémon that could do anything I wished."

"The V-Pockets," Sophitia whispered.

"And now, with a source of infinite power within my paws, and the perfect theory, I have discovered the secret to evolution. With the Mega Stone, I can control the world, the very laws that bind it, and the evolution of Pokémon, to my every command. I will erase this current world and create a new one. A new world occupied by my perfect Pokémon, where we rule as the powerful creatures Pokémon can be," Lassic announced. He slowly turned back to the group, and hung his arms to his sides. "And yet, here you are. Pokémon with the belief that I am wrong and must be taken down, exactly as I feared. I can evolve you all into perfect beings capable of so much more than even I currently am, and yet here you are, thinking of ways to argue against everything I have just told you."

"You're in danger, you know!" Lute cried. "You're going to use the same theory you used on Project Dragonlord. But that didn't work, that turned her into a Risen!"

"I know that," Lassic said. He snickered at Lute's dumbfounded look. "You underestimate me. I wouldn't go into this with a knowingly flawed theory. You have seen the Spinarak drones on the way here, have you not?"

"Aren't those just robots?" Sophitia said. She flinched. "Wait a minute, don't tell me—"

"All living Pokémon. Every last one of them. Powered up through V-Wave technology. Like perfectly behaved little soldiers, maintaining this area flawlessly."

There was silence.

"I don't believe it. It's all so sound, yet it all sounds so… wrong," Lute said.

"Lute, what're you saying? You actually pity this guy or something?" Naivie shouted, coming out to bash him on the head. "If you let him do what he wants, the seasons will never return. Nature will become nothing but his robotic, digitalised dream. He'll destroy the whole world and he doesn't even know it."

"You know Naivie, Artemis isn't happy that you've interfered so much," Lassic said, tightening his gaze. Naivie yelped and went totally silent. "With this stone, I can control everything. The seasons, the powers of Pokémon, everything you can imagine. I will evolve the world into perfection. Knowing that, will you still oppose me?"

There was silence again. Eventually, Sophitia stepped forward, and she smiled eagerly. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that there's a reason you need to step down from your leadership position. 'Cos somewhere along the line, you forgot what it means to live, and I mean on a serious level."

"To live?" Lassic replied.

"You seriously think that you're perfect? For ditching Marina and Silver, for creating a terrorist group that's ruined the lives of millions, for creating a society that destroyed the concept of the seasons? You've single-handedly destroyed the whole planet and killed millions, and all in the name of your apparent 'evolution'? You're living in your own head, just like the kings and queens of the Ancients you were so happy to take down for not agreeing with you," Sophitia revealed. "You've done exactly what you're criticizing other Pokémon for. Your solution is to just wipe out everything you don't like and make artificial Pokémon to rule some new world. That's crazy! I don't need to be some ancient hero to know that that's totally screwed up dictatorship."

"Lassic. This is who we are. Pokémon. Not humans, not gods, and certainly not useless creatures who spend our lives serving fools like you." Kuri pointed at him.

"All kinds of Pokémon live in this world, and not all of them will be born wanting to be who you want them to be," Genesis said.

"Do you truly wish for society to regress? To go back to the days of suffering in mystery dungeons? For the less fortunate to suffer at the claws and fangs of mindless ferals who prowl our wilderness?" Lassic argued.

"Maybe you have good intentions, but the way you have gone about them is unforgiveable. We cannot allow you to destroy that which makes us Pokémon," Phoenix threatened.

"The only way the Pokémon world is gonna evolve is the way that everyone wants it to, not the way you think it will!" Esthia said.

Lassic seemed to calm down completely. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Then so be it. Destiny saw us never coming to an agreement, and so, destiny will see us deciding this through conflict."

"We don't have to kill each other, you know. Marina's blaming herself for what you're doing," Sophitia said. "You could apologise and come quietly. We can talk about this to everyone."

"Her pity would not sway me even if she were here now. But it doesn't matter. Words have no meaning, now. You who believes that the world the ancients ruled is the way forward for society, versus me, who wishes to evolve Pokémon beyond what nature dictated for them. Don't hold back, or you will lose," Lassic warned. He slammed a claw onto the Mega Stone. The stone released several streams of light from around where he touched. "I will show you what we can become. I will evolve further than a Delphox has ever been believed to!"

"Wait, what? But Delphox can't evolve any further!" Genesis gasped.

The lights swirled through the air before closing in on Lassic, completely covering him in pure white texture. He let out roar of agony at such a volume that the group cringed from it. They expected the worst to come out of his apparent evolution, but after a few seconds, the very miracle began to take place, and gasps took over.

He grew taller. His ears vanished into more defined head fur. His chest grew shapelier, whilst an alarming amount of fur fell off his body. His pained roars turned into a triumphant cry that told of a complete change of voice. And to finalise, the light burst from his body, revealing his new form.

"Y-you've got to be kidding. He actually freaking evolved?" Kuri shifted back.

The robe-like flow of red fur that normally covered Delphox from the waist down had completely fallen off, leaving long, thin, exposed legs that looked like they were covered in foil armour. The white fur of his chest had turned into a magenta carapace, exposing arms of a similar nature to his legs. The upper body yellow fur remained similar to a Delphox's original appearance, but it no longer connected to a complete fur coat. It flowed behind him like a cape, split behind him into two loose shapes. His ears had all but vanished, invisible behind five bushy bundles of red fur that flowed like live flames. He still had his stick wand, but boasted new powers. With the click of a single paw, he created a fireball above the tip of one nail.

"So this is it. An evolution beyond Delphox," Lassic said, playing with the flame. By using that one nail, he was able to fill the air around him with heat, and controlled it with perfect majesty. Without any visible effort at all, he made that fireball turn huge, and then threw it at the team with a flick of that nail.

"Watch out!" Sophitia shouted. No one needed to be told to avoid it though, and dove away as it exploded in middle of where they all were. The fireball remained in that spot as a sputtering flame for a while, and then burst into a searing wave of hot air.

"Don't let his power intimidate you. We came here to destroy him!" Kuri said as he crossed his arms. He unfurled them to unleash his Overgrow powered state. He was first to run at Lassic, prompting a maniacal smile from the fire type.

Lassic formed two giant fireballs, one on each claw, and threw them one after the other. Kuri growled as he approached, having to shift to the side to avoid them. Both fireballs exploded as dangerously as the first, creating a wall of flame that kept everyone else back and unable to help.

With an arm pointed forward, Lassic released a whole stream of fire that swamped the ground and almost stopped Kuri's approach. With an angry roar, the Chespin leapt right over the flames and struck Lassic's face with a bone-crunching punch.

The battle was underway from there. Lassic released flames and fireballs with more ease than had ever been seen of a Pokémon, and hovered over the ground with psychic power. Like this, he slid all around the cliff, flinging fireball after fireball and occasionally a Flamethrower with his palm. Kuri could barely keep up, skidding and diving desperately to gain a clear footing. Whenever he got a moment, he'd throw himself at the fire type to punch or kick him. None of it looked like it had any kind of effect however, and soon, he was stumbling in the middle of a storm of flames.

"I can't get close with all this fire," Sophitia growled, holding onto a Moonblast. She fired it, but it was avoided by both combatants. They didn't even look at her.

"Esthia, can you still use Rain Dance? We've gotta help him!" Lute glanced at her.

"Of course! And Helping Hand doesn't seem to be doing jack," Esthia said. She stopped pumping her fists and resorted to a prayer instead, which she raised into the air. The sound of thunder rumbled, and then a blanket of dark clouds covered the battle.

"My flames?" Lassic said, surprised to have one of his fireballs fizzle out so suddenly as rain poured over the area. Genesis appeared above him then, and trapped him in her Psychic. He growled and wrenched about in her grip, but with a mere glare in her direction, he was able to shock her into letting up. "Do not get cocky. You may have weakened my fire, but my new powers are above anything a Pokémon has ever seen. You cannot defeat me with Psychic!"

"Tsk. Gen, rock Rollout combination!" Kuri ordered.

"Got it!" she replied as she recovered in mid-air. She put her paws together like she was to receive a ball, and held her position in the air.

Kuri had to dodge a few more fireballs, but none of them were lingered on the floor thanks to the rain. This enabled him to build up speed, and then he skipped into a forward roll. Surrounded by brown energy that resembled rock, Kuri rolled into Lassic, where he finally hit him hard enough to earn a curse.

Kuri's first strike had sent him sailing off the cliff, where Genesis was ready to receive him. She punched him right back with a shove of her paws, and he hit Lassic again, this time so hard that the fire type stumbled. Genesis flew off in Kuri's direction and caught him again, knocking him back even faster.

They kept it up. Seven hits, all at increasing speed and power every time. On the last strike, Kuri released his Rollout attack and pulled an arm back, putting all his energy into that one attack. He punched Lassic's face with that arm that bulged with overflowing energy.

"Frenzy Plant!" Kuri roared at the top of his voice. The energy came out as giant vines that engulfed Lassic completely, huge vines that squeezed and crushed him into a ball of blindingly bright green energy. It all exploded into a mighty blast that pushed everyone back, but they remained on their feet.

No one dared to say anything, eagerly watching the smoke. No one expected him to be defeated despite the heavy hits, and they were right to think so. With a snarl and a swipe of an arm, Lassic blew the smoke away, revealing a livid appearance.

"You? Where did you get this kind of power?" Lassic growled.

"It's a little thing called training and growing. You seem to think Pokémon can't do it, even though it only takes a little effort," Kuri said.

Lassic snarled again, and gripped his right arm with his left. His body trembled and strained while he grit his fangs so hard it looked like he might draw blood. "You, you!"

"Wait, something's happening," Sophitia warned. She kept everyone back with her feelers.

"I… you… m-my arm, what is—" Lassic growled. He suddenly let out a painfully loud roar. His grip on his arm looked to get even tighter, and the fiery appearance of his fur got wilder. And then, in a flash of light, his right arm burst off, leaving a spray of blood in its wake. Gasps and screeches rang out, and several of the group covered their mouths and faces.

Even Sophitia had to look away, sickened by the mutilation. But she kept him in his sight, further speechless by the fact that his bleeding stopped instantly. A fleshy gash healed over as quickly as it appeared, leaving behind a brown bulge where the arm once was. In response, Lassic's left arm began to get bulkier and its nails grew longer.

"Hah, hah, I see," Lassic panted. He curled that one claw up to test it. "This isn't a mere evolution, but an adaptation."

He pointed at Kuri and instantly trapped him in an agonising Psychic hold. The Chespin couldn't move an inch, only growl and cry out pathetically.

"Kuri!" Genesis hissed, curling her paws up. She quickly used Shadow Ball, prompting Lassic to dismiss his target just as quickly. He flung his arm to guard himself, which in turn threw Kuri into a scrape across the floor.

"Are you nuts? You just lost an arm. That can't be okay!" Sophitia cried. Lassic replied with a snicker, and then trapped her in Psychic.

"Sophitia!" Lute cried.

"Okay, no more little miss nice girl, this guy's playing for keeps. Can you guys keep 'im busy?" Esthia said.

"We're fighting him anyway," Phoenix said, and charged forward.

"He's right. We have to try," Lute added, looking up at the struggling Sophitia. But I can tell. You want to try and save him, too.

In his moment of hesitation, the battle had resumed. Sophitia had been set free thanks to Phoenix shooting Flamethrower in Lassic's direction, once again blocked with ease by that single bulky arm. Phoenix, Genesis, and Kuri kept close to him, only to have all of their attacks deflect off that arm. It was big enough to swipe them all back in a single slap as well, a backhand that scraped across the ground so hard it left an indent and shook the arena.

"It's like he just gained the defence to stop us all of a sudden. I doubt Frenzy Plant is gonna work again," Kuri said.

"Then just pelt him with special," Genesis said, ears raised and Shadow Balls held in both paws. The group nodded and resorted to Energy Ball and Flamethrower attacks, forcing Lassic to guard himself. Seeing their attacks not end however, he growled, stepped forward, and swiped them back once again.

"Your efforts are wasted. You can't hurt me anymore!" Lassic boasted.

He grunted as he realised that the air was changing. The clouds above him had gotten thicker and louder, telling of a Thunder attack. He growled and raised his arm to deflect it, only for the electricity to pierce right through and shock his whole body. He roared out as electricity streamed through him. It stunned him to the spot and then exploded moments later in a blast so large it smothered the area in smoke.

"Nice Thunder! That ought to pin him," Genesis said, giving Esthia a cheerful wave. The fusion giggled and waved back, but kept her eyes on the fight.

Lassic was pinned down, slumped forward and sizzling with electricity. The rain had stopped, so his grunts could be heard loud and clear. Seeing his high damage, Sophitia stepped forward and signalled for everyone to stand back again. "You really don't care, do you? You're that determined to just, kill us and go about making your world. But look at yourself, Lassic! You can still reverse this."

His response was a light snicker, and then he wrenched his body back and roared aloud again. He sounded like his was in more pain than before, but this time, there was a warning before the next gruesome evolution happened. His remaining arm glowed the colour of flames moments before it blew off, once again spewing blood in its place.

"Lassic!" Sophitia cried.

"Do you know… what evolution means, Sophitia?" Lassic said with heavy breaths. His body grew as he spoke, getting thicker legs and longer nails on his feet. His yellow fur had begun to change colour as well, almost as if it was deteriorating into a nasty brown. "Right now, I am physically linked to the Mega Stone, the source of natural evolution. As this fight rages on, my body will adapt specifically to each and every change in the circumstances. The longer you fight, the more effective my form will become."

The group shifted back as his new form finalised. He was now armless, but possessed a fierce face with large fangs and huge legs that looked as though they could crush them in a single step.

"This fight is unwinnable!" Lassic declared.

"Sophitia! I know you're concerned about Marina. But you have to let those feelings go!" Kuri said. Sophitia gasped at him, appearing terrified. "This isn't someone you can reason with right now. He isn't going to stop fighting until he gets his way."

"It can't be kill or be killed, though. He's too smart for that!" she cried.

"Trust me damn it!" he raised his voice. She gawked at him in silence. "I've spent the last twenty years of my life watching this guy, waiting for this chance to take him down. Trust me when I say this: he isn't going to let up."

She looked back at the fight, disheartened by the weight of what was happening. Having lost both arms, Lassic had resorted to using his legs and his fire breath for offense. He was no weakling in those areas, almost as if now that his body only had those things, those attacks had multiplied. Every Flamethrower he let out swamped the area and set the group alight, while his ruthless stomps throughout the area shook the cliff like an earthquake.

"The only way out of this now is to kill him. Kill him and let Aseria know the truth!" Kuri stated.

She couldn't take her eyes off the conflict. Even Lute had gotten involved, bracing the walls of fire to charge through with Quick Attack. Esthia had used Rain Dance again, but the water was barely enough to douse his attacks anymore. Angered by their inability to hit him, Sophitia formed her sword and shield, and sighed.

"That's it. No more words. Let's take him down and save the day," Kuri said, bringing up his Overgrow boost again. She ran with him and drew attention to them by grinding her blade against the ground as she approached.

"Do we have a plan? He's going to keep changing form," she asked.

"Just pulverize him! He can't adapt to getting beaten to death," Kuri said as he skidded to avoid a stomp. Lassic attempted to step on him several times, and then just as he brought up flames, he was slashed from behind by Sophitia's blade. His Flamethrower went haywire, forcing Genesis to fly through the air evasively. His attack came to a stop thanks to a combined Thunderbolt and Swift from Esthia and Lute, all before being tackled from the front by Kuri and Phoenix together.

As the battle raged on, Sophitia kept her distance and held her sword and shield at the ready. She became focused as the time went by, rigidly waiting for her chance to end it all. Every move, every dodge, every stumble, she was beginning to predict it all. And then the perfect opportunity came, and her feelings vanished. She held her breath, tightened up, and blacked out every mental thought that held her back. She Leapt forward and drove her sword deep into Lassic's chest.