The time for battle had come faster than anyone was anticipating it. While the singular moon cycle went about as slowly as molasses moves from a dripping bowl, the last day had gone so quickly that when it was time to go, the Heroes were almost all caught off guard. Nevertheless, they made their way, one by one, to the Crag Hills near Mt. Heatmor.

Many left abruptly. Not wanting Greta or Justin to potentially talk them out of battling, Lizzie and Mark departed earlier than anyone. Chris and Piper went together shortly afterwards. Matthew picked up Holly and Tommy and the trio made it to the fields of war next. One by one, the over 500 participants in the Battle for Arcana left their loved ones behind and braced themselves for the inevitability of war. That is, save for four lone trainers, whose loved ones were too worried about the war to want to see them go into the flames so eerily. So, while Billy Kingston awkwardly perched atop his Skarmory waiting for the others to come, Michael, Jon and Dawn stood and received a loving address from the Queen, the Grand Vizier and the boy trying to change the laws of nature. Words were being spoken by everyone, hands being shook, hugs being given, but when each of the significant other's attempted to convey their farewells and well wishes, the mood suddenly became one of terror and woe.

Of all the trio that would not be going to the site of the battle (at least at first), it did not shock Michael that Lucas cracked first. He raced over to Dawn and flung his arms around her. Though Dawn was happy to receive the loving hug from her dearest friend, she could tell almost immediately that he was absolutely petrified. He was shaking in her arms and whispering, either to himself or to her. Dawn leaned up to Lucas's head and kissed the sleeping Pachirisu on his head before properly addressing her still only recent boyfriend. "Hey. Easy does it, Lucas. I'm going to be okay. You know that, right?"

"I don't know and that's what scares me" he admitted, trying to calm himself. "You're an amazing trainer, Dawn. But I-"

"She won't be battling alone, son" Jon assured the boy. "I'll make sure she's got all the companions she could ever need to fight with."

"No one is battling alone, Lucas" Michael added. He eyed Julia for a moment, but she looked away in grief. Apparently, Lucas was not the only one who would need cajoling.

Dawn put her hands on his cheeks. "I promise you I will return, Lucas. You won't have to worry anymore." She forced his drooped face into a smile. "Perk up. Can't have you being a 'Debbie Downer' around the Queen. You guys got a lot to finish working on down there. And I've got my own work to do. We'll get ice cream when all of this is over." Seeing he still doubted her well being, she took his hands in hers for a moment before kissing him on the cheek and leaving to call out her Staraptor. Lucas seemed eager to call over to her, but he kept to himself and went back into the Castle.

Jon stepped up next to his own wife, his armor clanging with every step he took. "Well, I expect you're a bit more strong willed than the kid, right Annie?"

Annie folded her arms. "As if thinking I have a million other things to worry about over the death of my husband?"

His older cousin scratched the back of his head nervously. "I'll make you the same promise then. Annie, I will return. And our child will have a world to grow up in."

The Grand Vizier, holding her own emotions back, rushed forward and hugged her husband as tightly as she could. The couple held each other in place for a brief moment, before sharing what they both secretly feared would be their final kiss. Upon coming apart, Jon gave Annie a heartfelt smile before turning to join Billy and Dawn. He patted Michael on the shoulder and once Annie followed Lucas inside, this left only Michael and Julia alone.

"I can't accept that this is the end" Julia declared. "I won't."

"Whatever helps you feel better" Michael told his wife. He took the deepest breath he could before making his peace. "Julia, I have to do this. You know that."

"I know you do" she muttered sadly. "I just wish you didn't have to."

"You and I will have the rest of our lives to be together" he promised her. "We just have a few old scars that need to be dealt with. And for once, it's not something one of us did." He pulled Julia into his arms and was practically holding her as she began to quiver in his arms. "When Courtney and Mewtwo are both gone, we can build the world our children will inherit. James, Arya...and whoever else comes afterward."

"Just...just promise me you'll come back."

"Don't I always."

"One day...one day you won't." Without warning or much of an opposing motion, Julia yanked her husband down into a kiss that exploded inside of Michael's heart, the first time it had happened since their first kiss in Agate Village. This only magnified his own fears that this would be the last time he would be in the presence of his wife until they met again in the Realm of Arceus. If they were lucky enough to...

Michael caressed his wife's cheeks and smiled down on her. "You will always be my Queen."

"And you will always hold my heart" she lovingly purred at him, before they came apart and Julia stepped back through the doorways of Kingston Castle. Michael turned to depart, but made one last glance back and saw Julia crying in Annie's arms. His heart longed deeply for her, for him to safeguard her forever from any worries and woes, but to do that he knew he needed to bury the past now and forever. He could not raise his children in a world he shared with a maniacal freak of nature and a twisted prophetess. Even if it took every fiber of his being, he would find some way to end this. Then, they could talk about picking up what remains.

Rhaegar was out of his Poke Ball in seconds, stretching his wings and letting out a Dragon Pulse into the night skies to assure he was in pique fighting shape. As Michael mounted his Dragonite, he saw a look of sorrow and slight envy in Billy's face. His younger cousin, who's own love was far out of his reach, glanced up at him for reassurance. "Do you think she would be here wishing me luck, too?"

"Knowing Amanda, I'd expect she'd use some kind of potion to put you to sleep so you don't even battle" Michael teased. "Of course she would be here. And even on Mirage Island, I'm sure her every thought is on you." He patted his cousin on the head. "We've got you, Billy."

"I know that" he responded. "I just wish I had her."

"We've got to go" Dawn called over to them. "Cynthia's expecting us!"

"How is the girl the only one not panicking over all of this?" Jon asked jokingly as he mounted his Drampa, who let out a loud yawn, but growled to show his power.

Michael frowned as he jerked Rhaegar forward. "Because she's never experienced this." The four Pokemon launched from the courtyard of Kingston Castle and were in the air in a matter of seconds. While Rhaegar led the way proudly, it was only out of respect that Dawn kept her overly excited Staraptor behind. Billy flew right behind Michael, his Skarmory gracefully gliding through the air despite his laser focus on what lied ahead. Jon and his Drampa brought up the rear, Michael sure that he was the only one who suspected that this could truly be their final moments before their worlds burst into flames.

The trip from Kingston Castle to the Crag Hills was not a long one, thus making the anxiety in all but Dawn amplify. Tents were already pitched up, with campfires glowing like stars below a canopy of them in the heavens above. Or, at least would be if they weren't being blocked by dense, dark clouds. Though the Crag Hills were mostly separated from the seas by trees, fields and the dense and dark slopes of Mt. Heatmor, the fact that Michael got a powerful whiff of them as they neared the camps all but confirmed to him that a storm was going to be all they had to look forward to. The rumbling of the thunder far to the distance solidified it, with Jon even eyeing the skies in worry.

Michael steered Rhaegar towards the campsite, with Billy, Jon and Dawn following in suit. Those who saw the King appearing immediately stood in salute. Upon dismounting his Dragonite, who flew just behind him, he nodded to the many men and women who were willing to give their lives to protect Arcana from the terror that Mewtwo vowed to inflict upon them. One of the women in particular caught Michael's attention immediately. Though she was disguised heavily, nothing could take his eyes off of the vivacious and almost flame-like color of her hair. He had expected her to be long gone from Arcana by this point, but seeing her there gave him some much needed hope.

"What happened to running to get your son away from the slaughter?"

Olivia Novren scowled when the King recognized her. "It's just a debt I owe a friend. Nothing more."

"Where's your son?"

"Alison Kingston is taking him and Kayleigh to Kingston Castle" Olivia replied. "That way, if something does happen to me, he'll be where he was always meant to be."

"And how do you know something is going to happen to you?"

Olivia smiled sadly. "If I didn't love you as much as I do, I'd call you the biggest fool in the world for asking that."

Though Olivia wasn't the best trainer in the world, he was content to know that she was not keen to run off like he feared she might. Perhaps there might just be hope for Addison yet, but he wasn't holding his breath. Instead, once Billy, Jon and Dawn scattered to their respective tents, he pressed on towards his own. Just outside of the largest war tent pitched stood Mark and Lizzie, who walked up to his side as he approached.

"Everyone here?" he asked.

"As far as we know" Mark replied. "Not easy to keep track of this many people, but Chief Byron and Madeline both assured us that the entire strength of the Arcana Police Force is here." The trio jumped in shock at the first clap of thunder above their camp. Mark glanced upward and wore a serious expression. "Do you think they'll come at us at full strength?"

"Only if Courtney has fallen out of his favor. I suspect she'll want to drag it out and probe us for weaknesses first."

"How reassuring" Lizzie groaned. "Just let us know what you want us to do."

Michael turned to his two lieutenants and nodded. "Get everyone ready and assembled into their battle positions. I want every Trainer equipped with enough Hyper Potions, Full Heals and Revives to take a dozen fortresses. And make sure that the Queensbury Kids and Matt are looked after in battle. I can't be there to watch over them." The Crag Hills, which were just in front of their encampment, loomed above in the dark skies, though someone was standing atop it. Someone with long, flowing, almost platinum blonde hair. "I'm going to head up to see Cynthia. I have an idea for stalling a bit."

"Stalling for what, though?"

Michael shrugged. "Usually, we end up getting some kind of dumb luck to float our way." Without another word, he climbed up the rocky cliff to make it to the Crag Hills small summit that overlooked the whole encampment and the field of battle they had decided. Seeing that he was coming up to her, Cynthia reached down and pulled her almost lifelong friend up to stand beside her. In the distance, the two spotted hundreds of Pokemon fleeing from the site of the battle. "Even the Pokemon are scared."

"They have no stakes in this fight" Cynthia acknowledged bluntly, "but even they are horrified of what Mewtwo might unleash if he wins."

"There isn't anywhere they can run" Michael noted.

"Can we count on Mewtwo to spare them?"

"We can't count on Mewtwo for anything" he answered. "All but one thing." He closed his eyes, trying to find that small trace of the Singularity buried deep inside of the dark recesses of his mind. To reach out, bypass Courtney and somehow make it to the mind of the Pokemon he was once enslaved to serve. Hoping he had found the link, Michael called out to him. "Mewtwo! I think it's time you stopped hiding on Mirage Island and came back to Arcana." Cynthia folded her arms as both heard Mewtwo chuckle as if echoing the rumbling thunder.

So eager to be destroyed, are you?

"I want a discussion" Michael declared. "A Parlay. As is tradition before all battles."

If you're interested in discussing the terms of surrender Michael, then by all means. We shall meet you on that pitiful little rock you're standing on in a moment. I just want to make sure our entire party arrives by then.

"I don't care which of your little goons is ready!"

Our party, meaning yours as well. I'd like to size up this precocious little Champion you all have. As does my own.

Michael froze. "Addison?"

I do hope you're not hiding her there, Michael. Otherwise, watching your loved ones get picked off might not be as fun. You have five minutes! Mewtwo then ceased communication.

"If he expects Addison to be here" Cynthia warned, "I guess he's going to be deeply disappointed."

Michael tried to remain stone-faced, but he knew there was no way he could hide his fear from Cynthia. "I can handle his little imp of a Champion."

"Sure, you might. And Cameron and I might obliterate Courtney on our own. But who does that leave to challenge Mewtwo? Chris? Mark? Jon?" She shook her head and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Michael, unless it's Addison, you and I both know how this ends."

Michael took her hand off of his shoulder and held it for a minute. "I'm glad you didn't run out, Cee."

She gave him a reassuring smile. "Friends stick together until the bitter end."

{}

For what was supposedly the most important day in their lives, Amanda and Avery were surprised to find just how lax the security was in the Dream Harvesting Chamber. There were no guards posted anywhere inside, as all had been recruited for the coming confrontation with those in Arcana and all three of Mewtwo, The Black Knight and Courtney had to be distracted by events in Arcana as well. Though they welcomed this, they knew better than to be overly optimistic. They could feel like that once they had their reinforcements reawakened.

Though she had officially decided to rebel against Mewtwo and join their cause, Helen Wong was constantly second-guessing herself the closer they got to achieving their goals. "If he finds out I'm doing this, he's going to destroy my family!"

"Won't be the first time he's done that" Avery reminded her gently. "Never forget the Aceds."

"The who?"

"The Aceds" Amanda answered. "He single-handedly wiped out an entire family from Arcana. Their leader, the famed scientist Balthazar, his vengeful son Elezar and Elezar's daughter named Jocelyn."

"And he's trying in earnest to wipe out the Kingstons" Avery pointed out. She made several glances around to ensure the coast was clear, before opening up the air duct and crawling out. Amanda followed right behind her with Professor Wong bringing up the rear. The trio of women approached the Harvesting Machine, surprised that it was not functioning at the moment. The ninety or so filled pods were basically left in a state of limbo, snoozing a series of endless dreams. Trainers they had never seen before, some they knew from only a glance and a handful they were all too familiar with.

Amanda spied the pod containing Jeremy Lockhart, the boy dreaming his life away as if nothing was going on. Beside his was the one containing his childhood friend Annette Fiveroux, who also looked positively content despite her dreams having helped power Mewtwo to extraordinary levels. Surrounding them were dozens of others that they could only hope were friendly enough with those in Arcana to want to fight on their behalf, or risk the world falling into oblivion.

"How do you propose we get these people awake?" Wong inquired. "I suspect they're sleep was not done through natural means."

"The only way to counteract the Dark Void they were entranced in is to use Cresselia" Avery responded. The two Pokemon who were now her muses floated around the area to get a gauge in how much power it might take to wake all of these people up. Despite her initial optimism, Cresselia floated down and honked a sad noise before Darkrai did similar. "But Cresselia took a bit to wake Ryan and even longer to wake Amanda and Chris. Ninety people might take more power than she has to muster."

"Is there any way we can juice her up?" Amanda asked. "We're in deep trouble if we can only send one trainer or more."

Avery thought for a moment. "Well, there is a slim chance. If Cresselia could concentrate enough, we might be able to use it's power to wake up multiple people at once. But it will be take a ton of power and that won't go unnoticed by the people we don't want to get caught by. Darkrai and any Pokemon Amanda has might be the only ones who can fend off any goons...or worse."

"All I have is Harpy, my Fearow."

"My Pokemon should be with my husband in Kanto" Wong recalled, "assuming Mewtwo didn't cause them to run off without me being there."

Darkrai let out an eerie noise and flew around the chamber as if on sentry duty. Avery smiled. "I guess Darkrai is ready to go. But we need to hurry." She pet Cresselia on her neck and whispered something to her. Cresselia honked approvingly and flew towards the sleeping forms of the trainers. She began to channel all of the telekinetic and dream energy she could. Even though things were going well so far, Avery knew better than to be too optimistic. "And now we wait..."

"How long can this take?" Wong dithered.

"Anywhere from a few minutes to days" Amanda reiterated. "We're just going to have to hope that Michael and the others can hold the fort down until we get our things together."

{}

Addison's arrival at the Encampment caused a stir of shock, awe and excitement among those who noticed her. While many who didn't know her simply passed her off and went to their own devices, the people who knew the significance of her being there were downright jubilant. She thought she could hear Madeline Kingston cheering her name, while others in her precinct saluted her in response. Though it was stimulating to know that she was as revered and acclaimed as she was, with Galatea sharing her mind and tempering her and the Alakazam by her side, she remained calm amid the rising tides.

She wandered from camp to camp, hoping to report to the King before the battle began. She didn't find him immediately, but instead got more cheers from those who knew her. Olivia Novren looked completely in awe of her as she walked past, while both Mark and Lizzie nodded approvingly at her when they crossed paths. She diverted her plans to look for Michael and instead sought out her friends, locating them at a small tent on the outskirts of the primary encampment.

Tommy's Pokemon, having put in the extra effort of training on his own, were sparring with one another and keeping in shape. His Leafeon and his Donphan clashed, while his Marshtomp and Ivysaur also exchanged blows. Tommy himself looked every bit as plucky and childish as Addison had always known him to be. He barely noticed her while engaged in his training. Holly and Matthew did notice her, and both rushed up to see her. Holly and she embraced as Addison locked eyes with Matthew for the first time since they had parted on bad terms.

"I knew you were going to come!" Holly exclaimed cheerfully. "I just knew it! You would never let us down!"

"What made you change your mind?" Matthew asked inquisitively.

Addison sidestepped Holly and showed her emotions in front of her close friend. "You never gave up on me, so why should I give up on myself?"

"Guess that's a good way of looking at things" he winked.

"Where's the King?" she asked her friends.

"We think that Mewtwo wants to parlay with us before the battle" Holly explained. "He and Cynthia are waiting atop the Crag Hills. You can climb up if you-"

Addison concentrated with all of her might, blocking out her friend's babbling while trying to use her telekinetic power to locate her idol and Sinnoh's Champion. She located them just to the North of where they were encamped and politely held her hand in front of Holly to stop her from talking. "No need. I'll get there on my own." She closed her eyes and heard a gasp, but nothing more out of Holly and Matthew as she had teleported away. When she opened her eyes, she was only a few feet behind Michael and Cynthia. She nervously approached the man she had been so harsh to in their last encounter and stood at his left, Rosemary's scepter in her hand as they overlooked the battlefield that would soon be covered in pain and suffering.

Michael did not speak nor acknowledge her arrival, but Cynthia did. She smiled down at her before folding her arms and trying to focus as much as Michael was. Addison again concentrated with her power to locate the coming of Mewtwo. Her heart began to beat faster as she realized three enormously powerful beings were coming straight for them from a distant corner of the world.

"They're coming" she spoke ominously.

"Then we'll be ready for them" Cynthia assured her. "I hope you're ready, Addison. Because we're officially out of time."

Addison nodded. "Even if I'm not, what could I expect from hiding from what must be done?"

"You are your father's daughter" Michael spoke up, but did not take his eyes off of the impending storm.

A loud rumble from the skies signaled the coming arrival of Mewtwo. Michael clenched his fists, Addison took her scepter into her right hand and Cynthia fell back into a battle ready stance. A stray bolt of lightning struck the ground to the side of the trio, prompting Cynthia and Michael to shield their eyes, but Addison remained unaffected by Mewtwo's show of force. She expected as much that he would break them before engaging them. If he could not, she suspected that their situation would become dangerously balanced, perhaps even in the defender's advantage.

From the sight of the lightning's strike, a column of smoke and flames surrounded the area. Michael took the lead and glared down whoever would come next. "Let's get underway, already!"

The first being to emerge from the flames was The Black Knight who had haunted Addison's dreams for over a month. He wasn't as tall as she might have recalled, but he remained as terrifying a sight as she had ever known. Cynthia and Michael hardly acknowledged him, though Addison suspected that this would be the war leader for Mewtwo's forces, allowing Courtney and himself to sit out as much as they may need to. The Knight seemed to make eye contact with her, but said nothing. What made Addison nervous was that not a single portion of his armor or body exuded any light or reflection of it. This being was a pure force of absorption, a black hole of power that would give her arguably the second greatest challenge of her life.

An all too familiar giggle signaled the arrival of Courtney. She stepped out of the flames next, her lavender hair having grown down to the center of her back, but her personal Team Magma armor seemed to relish being so close to the open flames. She paid Addison no mind at all, keeping her gaze fixated on the King despite Cynthia trying to rise to the occasion to verbally spar with her. Michael showed her nothing but anger, but this only seemed to entice the mad Syndicate Leader only more. For once, Addison was glad that she would likely get to pass Courtney's destruction onto someone else.

Mewtwo himself emerged from the flames, which suddenly were wiped out by a mere flick of the mighty Pokemon's wrist. With the flames gone, all that remained was the charred earth and grass behind them and the rumbling of the thunder in their close proximity. Mewtwo looked to all three of them with a supercilious expression on his face and an almost pitying half-smile formed on his mouth.

Your Moon Cycle has come to an end, Mewtwo informed the trio, but Addison could sense that his words were echoing down to everyone on the field of battle. I hope you all have given some thought to not wasting your lives fighting a battle you cannot possibly win. I trust this is why you wanted to exchange pleasantries and words before the coming war, Michael.

Michael shook his head. "No. I'm here to make you an offer. But it will only be given once."

Mewtwo chuckled at this. I would love to hear what you have to say.

Courtney giggled as she always did to unsettle her opponents. "So would I, Master."

"Release the prisoners you're keeping on Mirage Island" Michael demanded. "Those from the Pokemon World Tournament, as well as Amanda Fouritz, Helen Wong and Ryan Kingston. Then, return back to Mirage Island to live out the rest of your days. We won't bother you and you won't bother us. I believe those terms are fair."

Fair, indeed. I expected far more ignorance to drip from your words, but you have exceeded my expectations of you. However, I'm afraid that we have a discrepancy about what 'bothering' entails, Your Grace. You see, your existence and the existence of all humans bothers me, not to mention all of the Pokemon you have gas-lit into continuing to serve you. I mean to create a new world above the ashes of your remains and the remains of those around you. So as you can see, we are at an impasse.

Cynthia glared at Courtney. "If my Pokemon were mistreated by you-"

The Magma Admin rolled her eyes. "I almost forgot about you. No, they're all good little vermin. In fact, I don't need them anymore." She tossed two Poke Balls at Cynthia's feet, who scooped them up almost immediately. "I only needed them to make Cameron Kingston into a bigger idiot than I thought she was capable of being."

"Cameron is no idiot" Addison growled. "But I'd say you are for aligning with him."

"Oh, so the little princess turned into a spitfire, huh?" She seemed eager to say more, but Mewtwo glaring down at her prompted her to silence herself. For once, Addison was glad that Mewtwo held sway over someone.

These are my terms for all of you wretched humans, he proclaimed. If you surrender now, I shall spare the lives of those I deem worthy enough to serve me in my future. That won't be many of you, unfortunately. But some of you do possess a modicum of usefulness to my cause. Cynthia, for instance, I know has not once intentionally harmed a Pokemon in her life. She can be as useful as I see Helen Wong becoming within my world order. Unfortunately for you, Your Majesty, someone else has designs on your future.

"This time, I'll make sure Julia doesn't mind leaving us behind" Courtney responded maliciously as she eyed Michael like a predator eyed her prey. "I made her almost forget you once before. But this time, I'll blank her mind completely."

Addison aimed her scepter at Courtney. "You won't harm the Queen while I'm here."

Mewtwo chuckled as he finally paid Addison attention. Ah, yes. Arcana's alleged 'champion' of this battle. I don't care what precious little performance you put on today, Miss Tenton. Because this is the day where I achieve my ultimate goals. Mankind will be obliterated and my will made before the world! This will become a paradise for the Pokemon who deserve life, not those who have chosen to be shackled. And I will not have a little girl who got pity training from a senile fool intervene where I will have victory. Which is why I'd like to introduce you to your reckoning. White Mage...meet The Black Knight. My Champion.

Addison turned to face the Black Knight once more, expecting him to berate her or degrade her as he did in her visions. But he did not respond and simply stood, doing what she could only assume was staring directly at her with a gaze that was meant to pierce her heart. But Addison was not afraid. She simply grinned at both Mewtwo and the armored accomplice of his. "I'm not afraid of him, Mewtwo."

You will be.

"I will make an offer to you" Addison interjected, catching Cynthia and Michael off guard. "No one needs to get hurt, Mewtwo. It could just be the battle that needs to happen. You versus me. If you win, we'll all surrender. If I win, you'll need to leave."

Mewtwo stared at her coldly, before scoffing at this olive branch. I don't need your offers, Mage. I have armies of followers and other tricks to use to my advantage. Why would I put myself at a disadvantage just to appease your squeamish stomach?

"I was saying it for yours" she replied haughtily.

Your arrogance oozes of your Kingston tutors. Perhaps this shall remind you of the full power of what you will be up against. He raised a hand and sent a Psybeam directly at her, but Addison used the scepter to deflect it and sent it into the skies above her. This seemed to please Mewtwo instead of infuriate him. Good. You will be a match for my Champion after all. He glared down at Michael. We've said our pieces and cannot agree to a truce. War must come. And it will result in the forfeiture of many lives. But only the Pokemon will be pitied. Our parlay is over. All that remains is the battle. I pray you do not disappoint me. Saying no more, Mewtwo caused smoke to surround himself and Courtney.

Courtney mockingly giggled at them and eyed Michael ravenously before vanishing. "See you soon, Sora."

The Knight, remaining behind, continued to stare down the trio who had parlayed on behalf of Arcana before shaking his head. "Such wasted blood. But such is the cost of my Master's vision." He back-flipped several feet away before slowly making his way towards the field of battle.

Addison stared down her apparent arch-nemesis before taking the scepter in her hands. "Let's go."

Michael glanced towards Cynthia as Rhaegar appeared out of his Poke Ball. "Get everyone in position. You cover our flank. Alpha Group is going in first."

Cynthia took a moment to rekindle her relationship with her Garchomp, whom Courtney had stolen from her to use as her facsimile during the Pokemon World Tournament. Once she was sure her most trusted Pokemon followed her, Sinnoh's Champion nodded to her old friend before jogging down the hill.

Michael mounted the Dragonite he had ridden on so many occasions before calling to Addison. "Addy. Good luck."

Addison smiled back at him and gave him a thumbs up. "No biggie. With Galatea fighting alongside me, I don't think losing is an option."

The two spun around to face The Black Knight as two massive bolts of lightning struck the grounds where the Black Knight had gone to. The dried grass immediately caught fire and two billowing smoke stacks shot from the flames into the heavens. Pokemon who had not yet escaped from the field of battle now flew and raced off into the distance in terror. From the smoke came dozens of figures. Syndicate Guards, nearly five hundred total, emerged from the smoke with a horde of nasty looking Pokemon at their beck and call. Weezings, Muks, Arboks, Sevipers, Magmars, Skuntanks, Houndooms, Golbats, Watchogs, Scolipedes, Bisharps, Weaviles, Sharpedos, Golems and Golurks marched out into the battlefield, the intent in their eyes completely fixated on one thing: war.

Addison raised her scepter for the defense, before Rhaegar flew overhead and spat several Dragon Pulses, causing a wall of fire to safeguard them and allow for the Alpha Group to make its charge. Addison was shocked to see how quickly the people in their group ran towards the line of fire. Dozens of Arcana's finest Police Cadets, with Growlithes, Stoutlands and Granbulls at their sides, rushed into the foray with little hesitation or worry. From her left, she noticed Big Mike's Machamp, Victoria's Vileplume and Greg's Rhyperior surging out into battle almost immediately. To her right, came Erin's female Pyroar, Anthony's Banette and Olivia Novren and her Clefable.

The Houndooms made it through the fire first and lunged directly at their opponents, slamming them down and biting at their throats, only to be blasted off of their prey by aerial assaults coming from Rhaegar, Crush and Mark's Charizard. Big Mike's Machamp grabbed three of Houndooms by their throats and choke slammed them into the ground as his daughter's Pokemon doused the remaining attackers in Sludge Bombs.

Addison looked on in horror as the feeling of war descended on the field more quickly than she had anticipated. But her fears quickly fell away when three people came up to her side. Astride his Donphan, Tommy Queensbury glared out into the battle before spinning around and winking at Addison. "We've been through lots of harder spots, Addy. Right?"

"Never thought I'd be this nervous at the start of something like this" Holly admitted, gulping to herself as her Roserade strode out onto the field of battle, several Magical Leafs already floating around her. "But, it has to be done."

"The rush isn't the hardest part" Matthew admitted. "It's holding it together throughout. But so long as we hold together, I think we can manage." He looked to Addy. "You concur, Miss Mage?"

Addison nodded and raised her scepter, which shined with it's own mystical power. Rosemary's Alakazam appeared by her side and aimed his spoons as if ready to enter the fray immediately. "Let's do this!" At once, all four raced into the heart of battle.