"Hehehe. Look at all those people down there. It's almost time for the big show." Toxtricity said looking out from the kingdom.

"I know you're excited. But you can't just jump on down there. We need to continue to prep our soldiers before you go down there and…" Luxio said.

"Screw that! I'm ready to rock and roll now!" Toxtricity said.

"So impatient." Luxio said. "Still though…" she said looking at the defrosting Staravia. "To think he did this to Staravia over some fight."

"Eh. Dude's got morals. I can respect that." Toxtricity said.

"Yes...though in the end his little message doesn't worry me in the slightest. They'll have already lost." Luxio said.

Back below…

"Okay, today's the day we invade Violight." Jexi said as there was a knock on the Sunny, revealing David at the door.

"Hey… Is it okay if I come with you guys?" David asked. "I was supposed to study for a science exam tomorrow, but Odd's music was driving me and Ulrich crazy. I thought I would come here to find a quiet place to study, but...then I heard you were deploying for Violight."

"Yeah. We'll be heading up soon to take care of Luxio. If she goes down, the kingdom goes right to us." Jexi said.

"Are you certain you wish to do this though? If you come with us, you won't be able to take the exam." Cheetah said.

"Nothing a Return to the Past can't fix. Besides, the others have it covered in case XANA launches an attack." David said.

"That's not the only thing you should be concerned about. You've been a bit of a thorn in Violight's side lately." Zelos said.

"I know. I could be against Dracozolt, Luxio, or for all I know, both of them back-to-back. But that doesn't matter. If Violight has a personal stake against me, that's all the more reason to settle things. This is what I've been training for." David said.

"By the way, just out of curiosity, where exactly is Ulrich in all of this?" Captain Cold asked.

"Jeremie's room. Saw him in there earlier tonight. Especially when Jeremie forgot to cut his connection with me to talk lovey dovey with Aelita." Jexi said. "Anyway, we're going to strike tomorrow at noon."

"Will that be enough time for you to complete your exam?" Fulgore asked.

"Yeah. It's early in the morning, so I think I'll make it if I bust my hump." David said.

As David hurried off to grab his things from his room the next morning, he saw Hope and Dan standing outside Odd's room.

"Odd, come on. Wake up. We got a test today." Dan said.

"What's going on?" David asked before seeing Odd. "Oh my god…"

"He's in bad shape." Hope said. "What happened to him? All he was doing was listening to his music."

"Hmm…" David muttered as he picked up one of Odd's earbuds, before he started having a grating feeling in his head.

"Dave!" Dan said before drawing his sword and piercing the headphones.

"This is real bad. Odd's pulse and heartbeat almost slowed to a halt." Hope said.

"The music… Something about that music… It's making whoever listens to it become comatose. He has to get to the hospital, now!" David said.

"I'll call an ambulance.' Hope said getting his phone out. "Dan, notify Law."

"Already on it." Dan said.

"I'm sorry I can't go with you guys. I have to take the exam and hurry to Sunny before they deploy." David said.

"Don't worry, we'll take care of things here. You and the others go after Violight." Hope said.

"Thanks, Hope. I'm counting on you guys." David said.

The day continued as normal before the clock struck high noon.

"Hehehe. Look at that...about time for the show to hit its apex." Toxtricity said jumping off of Violight just as the Sunny teleported onto Violight.

"We've made it." Jexi said as they looked at the stormy kingdom with pylons lining across the kingdom.

"Geez… Look at the pylons in this place. Electric bills must be huge." David said.

"I see. They harvest the lightning from passing storm clouds to give power to the electric types here." Nami said.

"Luxio should be in this kingdom's power plant." Jexi said. "We should get going before…" he started before they saw a surge of energy come from the land below. "What the?"

"That light...that was a Dynamax!" Cia said.

They hurried to the edge where they saw a large lizard like creature with flowing surges of electricity over its body and two pylons on its lower back.

"Is that...Toxtricity?!" Ichiro said in disbelief.

"This is not good. Odd was comatose because he listened to XANA's music earlier. If this guy is let loose, not just the school will be affected, but everyone within a 200-meter radius!" David said.

"This had to be Luxio's plan. She sent Toxtricity down there to Gigantamax so he could take down the city for her army to invade." Leopardmon said.

"We can't allow him to play that music. We need to send a team down there to keep him occupied." David said.

"Have you forgotten...we only brought those on the Sunny into Violight." Jexi said smiling. "We have a whole troop of students on standby."

"Hey Jexi?" Hope called over the comm. "We've spotted a Toxitricity that's been Gigantamaxed. Want us to handle it?"

"Go right ahead. Take him down before he causes any massive damage." Jexi said.

Down below…

"Got it." Hope said logging off. "Time for a Max Raid Battle."

"Rotomphone, is there any info on Toxitricity's Gigantamax form?" Sci-Twi asked.

"Update! It's excessive electric energy is its weapon. This Pokémon can build up more electricity than any thundercloud. Out of control after its own poison penetrated its brain, it tears across the land in a rampage, contaminating the earth with toxic sweat." Rotomphone said.

"In other words, in this state, he's uncontrollable and deadly. We have to stop him here." Hope said.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Zephyr asked.

"For me to say…let's go!" Hope called as the Student Team approached the Gigantamaxed Toxitricity. "Hey lizard breath! Someone told me you're not all that shocking and toxic! And newsflash, my friends Low Key Toxitricity is better at music than and Amped up One!"

"Oh...seems we got a couple of hecklers in the audience tonight. Lucky for you...tonight is one night only mates!" Toxtricity said. "A show of excitement!" he said creating a guitar out of electricity.

"Heads up!" Rainbow called.

"Oh, you think you're fast? Try this on for size! MAX Lightning!" he said strumming as lightning struck Rainbow, taking her down.

"Rainbow!" Hope called. "No one does that to my friends!" he glowed with green energy. "Spectral Earth: Seismic Shock!" he slammed his hands to the ground, causing a puslation to rocket towards Toxitricity and then blast up from under him in a blast of an earthquake.

"Whoa...little guy's got guts. But can you all take this? Max Ooze!" Toxtricity said as poison erupted around the city.

"You gotta be kidding me." Eijiro said.

"Oh I haven't even begun to fight. This is the real show stopper! G-MAX Stun Shock!" Toxtricity said swinging his guitar as lighting and poison struck wherever it passed over.

"Watch out!" Mark shouted as he jumped out of the way of a bolt of lightning. "This guy's trying to take ground away from us, cage us in."

"Agh...this is all my fault!" Hope said. "I shouldn't've provoked him! I'm an idiot for doing that! I'm just pathetic…. Stain was right. I'm no…" he said before Hiyoko slapped him.

"Snap out of it already!" she shouted.

"Ow! What the hell, Hiyoko?!" Hope asked.

"I'm not sorry I did that. You've been putting yourself down since all of that stuff. Just shut up and do something if you wanna be useful!" Hiyoko said.

Hope looked up at Hiyoko and turned to everyone. "That's pathetic…" he said standing up among the lighting and poison and walking towards toxitricity.

"Eh?" Toxitricity asked.

"I want to be a true hero…. One who protects everyone. I can't do that if doubt haunts me!" Hope said. "I will be a hero everyone looks up to! I swear!" Hope said. "I'm going… to help my friends defeat you!" he entered Azure God: Burst Mode as all of the lighting was being attracted to him.

"He's attracting all the Lighting?!" Mahiru asked.

"Oh you think you can rock with the best?" Toxtricity said firing lots of electricity at Hope. "Let's see how much you can take, little man!"

"Argh… aaaaagh!" Hope yelled as he was being shocked.

"Okay, now I know he's really gone nuts." Kazuichi said. "What's he trying to prove?!"

"He's lost." Sonia said. "He says he wants to be a hero, but… he doesn't have a reason to fight. He just does."

"Hate to say it, but maybe the reason Stain said that stuff...is because he needs something to fight for." Kazuichi said.

Hope was struggling in the lighting as he was holding on for as long as he could.

"Damn...how is he still standing. This is enough electricity to fry his insides several times over." Toxtricity said.

"(Why am I still going? I don't have any reason to. Why am I fighting, why do I keep doing this?)" Hope thought to himself as he relived his experiences, all that he lived. "(That's right...How could I forget...I'm not doing it for no reason...I have all of them.)"

"Damn little...I'll just smash you into the dirt!" Toxtricity said raising his guitar. "Show's over, little guy!" he said, swinging it down.

Hope's eyes then flashed as he caught it and held it up.

"You're not taking me down… and more importantly… YOU'RE NOT HARMING MY FRIENDS!" Hope said pushing it back up to Toxitricity as he lost his balance.

"What the hell?!" Toxtricity said in surprise.

"You're not going to harm anyone ever again!" Hope shouted lunging at Toxtricity. "This is the end!" he yelled smashing into Toxitricity like a comet of blue light. "Azure Gods….. BLUE NOVA!" he said blasting Toxitricity into the air with a beam projected from his own aura, rocketing him into the sky.

"Hmm...now what was that?" Luxio wondered seeing the explosion in the sky before seeing Toxtricity crash down beside her having shrunken back to normal size. "Impossible...someone actually defeated Toxtricity in Gigantamax Form?! Whoever they are...they are a major threat."

"Oh they're the least of your worries." Jexi said as the kingdom force arrived.

"You…" Luxio growled.

"It's over Luxio. Your invasion plan is ruined. You can either surrender peacefully...or we'll take your kingdom by force." Jexi said.

"Touching...however I will never surrender this kingdom." Luxio said.

"Hmm...well then. How about a wager then?" Jexi asked.

"A wager?" Luxio said.

"I don't really get it myself but David's been keen on fighting a soldier of yours...Dracozolt." Jexi said.

"Dracozolt? That weakling? What sort of idiot is he?" Luxio said.

"But isn't it supposedly true that your kingdom has powerful soldiers? I think if you had any faith in even the weakest links, you wouldn't have a problem letting them fight. Unless of course you're afraid to admit you're scared." Jexi said.

"Grrr. One of the things I rarely do is admit to cowardice. Fine. I will allow them to fight. Name your terms." Luxio said.

"Here's what's going to happen...David and Dracozolt will battle. If David wins, we gain the kingdom and you all pack up and get out." Jexi said.

"Fine. But if Dracozolt somehow manages to pull out a win...that boy will renounce any claims of being a warrior and never fight again." Luxio said.

"Which will never happen. So bring him on." David said.

"Okay then….Dracozolt!" Luxio roared before Dracozolt came marching through the walls with a glare. "Though I should mention...he's not exactly in his right mind. He's a little miffed about him missing their first arranged fight."

"You mean the one that Staravia manipulated? That one shouldn't have even counted." David said. "Because I don't do requests."

"True but Dracozolt's always been a bit...emotional. Especially about matters like this." Luxio said.

"Alright then. Let's see how he takes his stress out." David said.

"Dracozolt...FIGHT!" Luxio ordered as Dracozolt charged at David.

"You….Dragon...Rush!" Dracozolt roared charging at him.

David coated his hands in ice in an attempt to catch his attack and counter. "Don't give in to anger, Dracozolt. That's not like you. I saw the potential inside you back in the factory, I know you can overcome this anger you feel."

"This coming from the guy who left me waiting for days!" Dracozolt roared. "Bolt Beak!" he said trying to shock David only to miss.

"It wasn't my intention to. I wanted to respect our original promise. But then Staravia...that damn pigeon-brain, he tried to disgrace my honor as a warrior and a samurai by complying with his demands. And after what he did to Arctozolt, I couldn't let him get away with that." David said.

"That the...wait...what?" Dracozolt said stopping.

"Staravia… He tried to change the arrangements to meet with his attack. He attacked Arctozolt in the process, called him a traitor, simply for refusing to sway me to the new demands." David said. "Arctozolt cared for you very much. And I got Arctozolt to fight back."

"He...he really went and did that all for me?" Dracozolt said crying. "He is the best brother."

"Please, don't cry, Dracozolt. Tears don't suit someone like you. And he wouldn't want to see you like this. He would've wanted you to fight...to your fullest potential." David said.

"Okay...for him...I'll crush you into the ground!" Dracozolt said.

"That's the spirit. Now, come at me with everything you have!" David said.

"Dragon Pulse!" Dracozolt said firing a pulse of energy at David.

David tucked his hands behind him before a ball of energy formed. "Here it comes. Shinkuu...Hadoken!" he shouted as he unleashed it into an energy beam.

"Gah!" Dracozolt said taking it head on. "Yeah...more. Give me more!" Dracozolt roared as he charged before collapsing to the ground.

"Dracozolt? Are you alright?" David asked, keeping his guard as he moves closer.

"I see...he was running on adrenaline to keep going." Luxio said. "He exhausted a majority of his energy during his rage."

"Yeah… Manipulation can do that to people." David said as he extends a hand to Dracozolt.

"So...do we have a deal?" Jexi asked.

"I'm bound by my word. I will recall all my troops and leave immediately." Luxio said.

"Hold on. If I may… I have a few more things to add." David said helping Dracozolt up. "First, Dracozolt and Arctozolt come with us. The second...is more like a question. As you can see, Pugulis is still in the airspace. Will you help us fight against them?"

"I will agree with the first. However, the second is out of the question. But that is only because there is need of a massive reform here in Violight." Luxio said.

"I'm sure there are a few of us here that can help with that. I know you really care for your people, deep down." David said.

"I do. But the reform I'm talking about is increasing the power of my people. From what I've seen today...it looks like even the weakest of grains have hidden power." Luxio said.

"Like I said, we can help you guys train. Some of us may not look it, but we've been through the wringer many times to know when small sparks start to emerge. Err… No pun intended." David said.

"We'll consider it someday. However...we have some rules to follow. No kingdom is allowed to fight against Pugulis without just cause." Luxio said. "So said the previous king."

"I see. Well, all the same, you should come by to Tokyo sometime. I'm sure that you'll all be treated well." David said as he starts scratching Luxio's ears.

"Hehehe. Perhaps we'll take you up on that someday." Luxio said.

"You like this? Seems like even the queen of Violight has a bit of a soft side." David said. "Well, I've always been a bit of a cat lover, anyway."

"And with that...we've taken two kingdoms. Just one more and we've saved this world." Jexi said as a dome of light erupted from the factory.

"We'll meet again...one day." Luxio said as they were engulfed in the light.

Back to the previous evening…

"So the casualties of the killer music were kept to a minimum?" Jexi asked on the computer.

"Yeah. Toxtricity's electricity ended up scrambling a lot of the signals across the city." Hope said.

"Well...that's a relief." Jexi said. "Seems they ended up helping us without even realizing it." Jexi laughed.

"Yep. Seems that way." David said reading through his study guide and notes.

"Hope...the one that beat Toxtricity...that was you wasn't it?" Jexi asked.

"Yeah...I did beat him. Only cause...I have things I need to protect." Hope said.

"Yeah...we all do." Jexi smiled. "Don't you dare ever lose your way again. Or I'll kick your butt."

"I won't, Jexi. That's a promise I intend to keep with my last breath." Hope said.

"Hehehe. The same goes for everyone." Jexi said.

"Here, here." David said.

"So, are you ready for the exam tomorrow?" Arctozolt asked.

"Yep. Now that I got some peace and quiet from Odd's music, and with Violight no longer a problem, I've got this in the bag." David said.

"Let's hope so." Dracozolt said.