The Fairy Contender

by Insane Dominator

One day, Nic Pularis is drawn into a sub-dimension, where he encounters Legendary Pokemon. He is entrusted with Plates by Arceus, and send to the land of Fiore, where he encounters Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza. He must go through multiple perilous journeys with his Pokemon and Fairy Tail, and triumph and endure hardships to master all eighteen Plates and save the universe. OCxErza.

64. Luminous Falls

Chapter 64 – Luminous Falls

Many of you may have already feared for this chapter, and I don't blame you by the title. I'll still make it as hectic as can be while powering through this arc.

Guest Valvrave: Nic and Erza confessing to each other after the arc? It'll still be a short while, but that moment is drawing near, I assure you. As for Frosch wanting to be a ninja like Greninja, that's an ideal consideration.

Guest: Don't worry, Sabertooth will still be the enemy guild in the GMG Arc, with just a few adjustments here and there.

Guest: Because Nic knows his sister is mature, so he isn't too protective of her.

Time for the 64th chapter!

To Recap:

En route to Lysandre, the crew talks and comforts Nic on his worries with Erza. They soon come across the Red Sea, where they were attacked by Hydrus – Gate of the Sea Serpent. Through a gruesome fight, they all made it out and made repairs on a small island, where they told Nic's group that they must head to Comet Descent and retrieve the Andromeda Key to reach Andromeda Tower, where it'll be a gateway to Lysandre. As they left, Nic and the crew were attacked by Chamaeleon and Lacerta, both underlings of Lysandre. Nic used Kecleon to fight and defeat Chamaeleon while Nic and Greninja fought Lacerta. With their defeat, Nic and his Pokémon caught up to the crew and made way towards Comet Descent, or now dubbed the Keeper of Hell.

---

Chapter 64 – Luminous Falls

The ship was sailing on, and the seawater was clearing up again, becoming more blue than a tasteless red. It was a good sign at least, meaning they were getting somewhere.

"We're now escaping the Red Sea. The coast is clear…for now." Volans announced.

Cana stretched above her head. "Thank god! I was beginning to see red while half-asleep."

Pavo slumped to the ground, off his chair. "Hoo boy! I was worried that we'd never be free from that accursed sea." He sprung back to his feet and began spinning on one leg. "It's as if the peacock's have given us our wings back!"

"This certainly makes us feel slightly less on edge." Nic admitted. He then turned his head forward. "But what I'm concerned about is the huge gray mist ahead."

The crew looked back ahead, seeing the gray mist that was beginning to grow for quite some time. It was tough to explain, but it looked as though it wasn't dispelling, yet it looked like some form of barrier. It was tough to comprehend, but Volans was seemingly aware. "This gray mist…it must mean we're approaching the Heavenly Gates."

"The Heavenly Gates." Corvus explained. "A gateway to the Keeper of Hell, right?"

Lupus nodded. "Yeah. There's rumors that it's always surrounded by a gray mist, and once present in front it unveils a heaping gate that allows access inside." He then began to crawl up the mast.

Cana began to settle into her chair. "Well whatever the case, I think we can pull through." She turned towards Sophie, who was sitting right next to her. "Hey Sophie."

Sophie turned towards Cana. "Hm? What's on your mind."

"Nothing." She slowly looked ahead. "It's just…you never told us in depth of your family, did you?"

Nic, nearby, was listening. Greninja kept his back turned away, aware of the anticipation that might go awry.

Sophie looked nonchalant as she rested her head on her arms. "Well, I'm sure every book has a clue in it. I was always on good terms with them, nothing against. My mom and dad were just…how do I put it…?"

"I think I get the picture. Incompatible but forced to be together, something like that?" Cana turned her head towards Sophie. "I think I get the idea, though I don't think I can relate to that."

Sophie smiled and shook her head. "I wouldn't think so either. You knew Gildarts all your life, and just recently he learned you're his daughter. Talk about a one-sided shock." Cana looked away sheepishly and Sophie raised a brow. "What's the matter, trouble in paradise?"

"No." Cana rebuffed. "It's just…he doesn't have to be all mushy on me. I made it clear that he didn't have to act like my dad, yet he just goes and becomes an embarrassment." She just groaned thinking about it.

Sophie casually put an elbow on the circular table. "Well you can't blame him. He's just trying to make up for what he did wrong. He's your dad, and like it or not, he'll be by your side."

"…at least your parents loved you." The entire conversation dropped, and the two girls heard the familiar voice. Footsteps approached from port, and they knew it was a bad time to talk when Nic is around.

Sophie turned to look at him with shock. "Nic, we were just-"

Nic shook his head. "Now don't tell me you were just talking behind your parents' backs." The guilt trip had begun. "Let me tell you something important. Is it not wrong to care about family? People who broke their backs to clothe, bathe, and raise you?" He began to take a seat, a firm one at that. "People, who loved you, and protected you the best they could. People, who perhaps gave the best years if their lives to see you grow." His demeanor began to grow into a more aggressive tone.

"Don't treat it like some expense because it isn't. There are those fortunate, and there are those not fortunate, myself included. My parents, they hated me. Accused me as an 'unwanted accident'." Cana and Sophie had their gazes at the table. "They mistook me as their little punching bag, something to get their frustrations out of, and they directed all their attention and care to Vanessa, and even she didn't feel safe."

He reached for his pocket, plucking out his phone. "Do you understand what this is? It's my phone, a symbol of my grandparents, aside from Vanessa, the only other people who cared for me. They loved us, they loved their grandchildren, unlike their children."

"Nic…" Cana trailed off, unintentionally provoking a sensitive Nic.

"Cana, tell me, what can a phone do? Let me answer that in your stead. One can hold apps, one can take pictures, storing precious memories in them…but the primary function." He turned at the phone, looking at the blank screen. "To call someone. My grandparents were indirectly helping me, giving me a chance to escape from the torment. With my phone, I could've contacted 911, and yet despite the numerous chances that came, I powered through." He stashed the phone away. "I could've called for help, but then my parents would use that very reason and lie, give yet another façade, saying that it was a miscall, or perhaps turn their sadistic selves onto Vanessa." His gaze turned downwards.

"No, I stuck on for my sister's safety, and I love her…that's what family does." He turned towards Cana, his voice calming down and getting more easy. "Don't ever take Gildarts's love for granted. Treasure it, and hold it dear."

Despite the reprimanding demeanor Nic gave off, Cana and Sophie got the message. They should count themselves lucky, for being in Nic's shoes would be the last thing they want. A subtle wind shifted through their hair, and the two girls grinned.

"Got it." Cana said, some energy in her voice. "Thanks for the little reality check."

Nic lightened up and smiled. "Well that's what friends do, right? They have each other's backs, realize what's important to them."

Pavo scooted in from out of nowhere, sobbing streams down his face. "Oh! Such strong words from the heart! I couldn't agree more!"

"What the-?! Pavo?! When did you get here?!" Sophie exclaimed.

"Oh silly, there's no running or hiding from me when I hear of troubled souls." He clenched a passionate fist. "Good or bad, cherish the family you have, no matter whom."

Nic grinned and nodded in agreement. Just then he frowned as a pulse went through his body. Everyone in the crew felt this sudden pulse and they turned towards Nic, seeing his body shine a multitude of colors.

"His body…" Corvus felt an immense power beginning to low. "Is that…?"

Sophie smirked. "You're right! Nic's powers are back!"

The light faded, and Nic was seen fine, though he felt the Plates vibrate a little from finishing their reboot, but it was to be expected. "I forgot, 24 hours passed that quickly."

"I guess time goes by slightly faster than it did in Earth Land and Kalos." Greninja figured, walking up to his trainer. "So what's the next plan of action now that your powers are back?"

Before Nic could answer, Lupus howled above, getting everyone's attention. Once the howl stopped, Lupus looked down at them. "Guys, we're approaching the Heavenly Gates!"

They all turned ahead, and saw that thy were right in front of the gray mist. A closer examination revealed that it was a humungous gate, one that seemed to go on forever. On the front was a golden star on it, a huge one.

"So that's it, the Heavenly Gates." Nic said. "And the Keeper of Hell should be inside, right?"

Volans nodded. "Yes, once inside the gates, we'll sneak in, retrieve the Andromeda Key, and get out."

Sophie stepped forward. "If that's the case, then what…" She trailed off as they all heard a large gear shift. Their eyes widened a little as they heard the gear and creaking resonating from the Heavenly Gates. They were opening. Almost immediately the current began to drift inside, and the ship swayed left and right as the current was dragging them inside the large doors that seemed barely open.

Volans's eyes narrowed and he raised his arms. Taking action, he grunted and looked up. The crew huddled around as water began to rise up on all four sides. They witnessed the ship enclosed by a dome of water, catered by Volans's Deep Sea Magic.

"This should elude us from their security." Volans informed, with eyes turning towards him. "With the Keeper of Hell's immense security, there's a good chance that they may as well spot us if we get close."

Nic turned ahead. "Okay, then what should be the ideal action…"

---

About fifteen minutes later, the ship was in eyesight of a large fortress. It had a grand drawbridge and iron gate that went up and down, and all around were celestial guards. There was a watch tower that was double the fortress's height, and perched on a pedestal on the top was Telescopium – Gate of the Telescope.

Telescopium wasn't a telescope, rather he was a small goblin that sat on a stool and managed a humungous telescope. The goblin was green, and his eyes had no pupils, and had a dark purple mask on. Telescopium was looking into his telescope, not seeing any signs of enemies. He saw the gates open earlier, meaning they had uninvited guests present inside, yet his telescope didn't pick up anything but gray mist and water

"Hmm…" He mused. "I wonder what my trusty telescope will pick up for good ol' Lysandre. Let's see now…" He zoomed in on the water close by, and his telescope picked up on some form of water that seemed out of place. Unlike the waves all around, it looked spherical, and his telescope put so much emphasis on it that it never left his eye.

"What-?!" He was cut off when the veil of water had ruptured, and it revealed the ship that was concealed inside. "My telescope was right! There was something fishy!" From the ship, he was seeing a figure fly off of it and onwards towards the watch tower. The guards below were unaware of the projectile that flew in towards them.

Telescopium zoomed in, seeing Corvus fly in. "The hell is that fool thinking! No one can escape my sights, so why's he charging right at me?!"

Corvus kept a serious gaze as there was an earpiece in his ear.

"…and that's what we'll do." Volans explained. "It's bold, but stealth and speed is something that can't work in this prison/storage. We'll have to rely on Corvus creating illusions with his Daze Wing and keep them occupied long enough for us to submerge and come back up undetected."

"Once inside, we'll be able to manage with a surprise attack. We'll attack hard and fast, then descend so that we can find the floor where the key is located and get out, am I right?" Nic added, transforming and flashing into his Splash Plate Form.

Greninja's blank eyes looked at Nic. "With the outside guards dazed, we'll be able to get inside without them having a warning."

Lupus clawed the ship's boards. "I've been waiting for something like this! HAHA! Time to make a lot of noise!"

Pavo clasped his hands together and held them overhead. "Oh yes! Let the dazzling peacock showed this garbage dump that it shall not hold us down! Inside we go!"

Cana smirked. "Then let's get rocking!" She turned her head, looking at Volans, whom presented small earpieces for them. He held one out to Cana. "What?"

"These are communication lacrima." He explained. "The signal corresponds with one's condition. We should be able to stay in touch in the case we stay separated." Everyone grabbed an earpiece, having the lacrima in them. For Nic, he instead put the communication lacrima on his phone so it'd be on a more suitable level for him.

Nic turned towards Corvus. "Corvus, good luck."

Corvus smiled and gave a thumbs up. "You can count on me. I'll be a great distraction."

"Yeah, because your screaming gathers a lot of attention." Lupus mused.

"Shut up!" Corvus backlashed. With that comment, Corvus spread his wings and began to take off. Volans surrounded the remaining others in water veils, exclude Greninja and Nic, and all of them dove downwards into the water, submerging with oxygen supplied for their underwater advance.

Corvus smirked. "Time to put the plan into action! Daze Wing!" He flapped his wings once, sending a black wind at the watch tower. The black winds expanded and Telescopium's telescope saw Corvus attacking.

"What the-?!" He reached for the large communication lacrima right beside. "Attention, security, we have a-Gnnngh!" He was engulfed by Corvus's Daze Wing, making him cover up and his telescope fell over. He nearly fell off his stool and shook his head. When he opened his eyes again, he only saw blurs.

"This is the security room, what's wrong Telescopium?" A guard's voice spoke through the communication lacrima.

"H-er, what?" Telescopium looked around, seeing nothing but blurs. He tried rubbing his eyes, yet still everything was a daze. "Let me get back to you on that…just, stand down."

"Roger." The communication lacrima clicked, and Telescopium looked down all dazed.

"I think I'm going blind looking through my telescope for too long." He sweatdropped and grunted, unable to take in the disappearance of a possible enemy.

Corvus tapped his earpiece. "Alright, he's down. Time for the attack."

"Roger that, Corvus." Volans's earpiece beeped, and he swam through the water with everyone else following. "The coast is clear. We handle ground-level. Everyone, engage!"

"Right!" They all swam on ahead, where they soon got to the docks of the Keeper of Hell. The individual guards were losing all signs of care as the gates opened earlier, and they didn't seem to notice the ship far out.

"Why do we always get the outside guarding post? It's cold out here." One complained.

"Would you rather say that to Lysandre's face?" Another stated.

"…no." The guard swallowed hard and stood affirm, not wanting to think of the boss. His wicked evil tainted the world. Stepping out of line meant death.

"Well the shift is almost over. Another hour and we can-!" The other guards shriveled and turned their bodies as the port sent a strong wave splashing upwards. They all covered up briefly as the waves dialed down, yet the second they looked back, they only saw a blur.

"Trench Shredder!" Volans swiped his glowing fin-bladed elbow, slashing in a long and fast arc that sent several guards flying at once.

Guards posted nearby turned towards the commotion and were met by a swamping blast of water. "Hydro Pump!" Nic blasted them full-force with a Hydro Pump that sent more of them flying.

A few security guards were reaching into their pockets, pulling out communication lacrima. They were about to speak into them. But not a second went by as Greninja shot stars of compressed water. "Water Shuriken!" Shooting the stars, they all hit the guards, and sliced right through their individual lacrima.

With all of the guards taken down before them, Nic reverted back to himself and everyone was free to use the open drawbridge. Nic pointed ahead. "Everyone, advance!"

They all went and ran ahead onto the open wooden drawbridge, and they soon found themselves in front of the iron bars in front.

"I got this guys!" Lupus advanced forward and his claws were encased in midnight blue. "Sonic Claw!" He raked the bars that were ahead, where a sonic sound echoed through the metal. Lupus jumped off and skidded back. "What? No effect?"

Cana flashed her cards. "Let me give it a try!" Her cards glowed and she threw them at the bars. Once they reached the bars, they exploded, creating a small rupture. When the smoke subsided, it all was for naught as the bars didn't even have a scratch. "You're kidding!"

"Hang on, I remember something like this back in Edolas." Sophie commented. "There was this door that had anti-magic coated all over it. I think these iron bars are just like that."

"Then how are we gonna we inside?" Pavo asked, striking a dancing pose.

"Leave that part to us." Nic explained. He glanced over towards Greninja. "Greninja, Water Shuriken!"

The Ninja Pokémon crouched and made more compressed stars of water. With them in hand, he threw them at the bars. Several went past the bars, and mere seconds passed before anything happened.

The bars shattered, making an entrance wide enough for them to enter. The sudden assault made Pavo's eyes bulge out of his head in shock, and Lupus's ears perked up in surprise.

"Now let's go get that Andromeda Key!" Nic exclaimed, and he and everyone ran inside, following Nic as they went into the dark prison/storage.

---

On Earth Land, Erza and Vanessa were on the Infinity Castle, and Happy just informed them that the chance of saving Lucy should increase if they defeat the Reborn Oracion Seis. So off they went, and as expected, Erza and Vanessa were up against Cobra…again.

Erza and Vanessa were shot out of a wall on the Infinity Castle, both flew back and started falling, but in suspense, Vanessa was able to shape her aura and shot it at the large chain nearby. She used her other arm and grabbed Erza with her aura and reeled themselves in, both flying right into the chain.

Vanessa had a rough landing as she tumbled down the chain, barely keeping her grip. She winced as her shoulders felt pain. "Oww, I gotta work on my landings." She looked up, seeing Erza now clad in her Lightning Empress Armor. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Erza countered, glaring up at Cobra, who was higher up on the super thick chain. "His tricks don't scare me."

"Is that so?" Cobra rebuffed. "Because I can hear that pain loud and clear still from before."

Erza's eyes narrowed.

"Your still scared Titania, but not by me, or the fate that'll transpire. You fear…that Luminous won't be so easy to forgive!" Erza's grip tightening was what Cobra was looking for. "Now I'm hearing the reluctance growing, how you might not battle functionally with self-doubt on him."

Erza wanted to rebuff, but Cobra could just counter everything she would have to say. "So maybe I made a mistake, and yes I still feel guilt…"

"Erza." Vanessa muttered.

"But I won't have that stop me from saving Lucy. She's our priority, and I'll make you step into the light!" Erza jumped and twirled her spear, making lightning surge and static. She aimed the spear at Cobra, shooting tons of bolts at him. To their surprise, Vanessa and Erza alike saw that every bolt missed, as Cobra heard them.

Cobra didn't so much as blink as Erza landed back on the chain. "Is that so? Well if fail to see how I'll do that…when I lost the only friend I had!"

Vanessa hummed a low grunt. "So that's why you're so low. You lost everything, and now you want retribution." She had aura coat her fists. "That's just low!"

"Shut up!" Cobra released a soundwave that echoed out at Vanessa, hitting her Emanation Beam that she launched. The dispersing aura made Vanessa momentarily lose her footing, causing her to grow unsteady. The next time she blinked, Cobra was right in front of her face.

"I know who you are. Those eyes I've seen before, they belonged to Luminous." His glare made Vanessa swallow. "His snake caused Cubellios pain! And since he's not here, you're the next best thing!" His arms burst into poison, ripping the sleeves and showing crimson scaled with a milky underside.

In a flash, Erza appeared in front of Cobra, clocking his swing with her katana of her Flight Armor that she requipped in time. She intercepted the blow and Vanessa jumped back in shock.

"Taking your anger out on someone is never the ideal solution!" Erza exclaimed to him. "You'll fall, Cobra!" Erza slashed her katana, forcing Cobra to jerk back. The Poison Dragon Slayer scowled down at her with his one eye.

"Now you're just riling me up more, Titania!" Cobra let loose another blast of his Sound Magic, causing Erza to skid back some every few seconds. With the distraction, Cobra went in and was intercepted by Erza's katana out of instinct. "Do you have any idea on the pain that I went through? I lost my only friend! My sacrifice gave me power! What you and your pathetic friends will never do, is make the same kind of sacrifices for great power!"

Erza struggled to overpower Cobra. "You're wrong!" She shouted through the sound. "We made sacrifices! And Nic made horrific sacrifices fighting!"

Cobra was hearing her loud and clear, and he heard it all. His eye widened and his pupil began to dilate as he heard the memories of what Erza saw. He saw Nic get his gut pierced, the anguish, and he heard the ripping of his right side, and the loss of his left eye…through it all, the level of dread he heard, the boiling bloodlust of Lysandre. All of that bloodlust and hatred was on a near-infinite level. He stumbled back in a dazed state, panting from hearing the blood and horrors.

"What the…what in the hell was that…?" He was so disoriented that he didn't realize Vanessa was right in front of his face.

"HRAH!" She gave a right hook coated in a teal aura gauntlet, socking Cobra right in the face and shooting him back into a skid. "You heard that?"

Cobra wiped his cheek and his eye continued dilating. "You…what was that? The level of pure unrivaled bloodlust and vanquish against everything!"

"Then you heard it after all." Erza said, glowing and requipping into her Heaven's Wheel Armor. "The man that Nic gave sacrifices to. The one who wants everything dead. Everything."

Cobra took a step back as that vile sound was more than what he could have anticipated. In fact, it was far more bloody than what he had ever experienced in his entire life. It was so much retribution, darkness, and contempt that it couldn't leave his ears.

Vanessa pulled out a Poke Ball she had on hand. "Let's stop your poison! Mawile, go!"

The Poke Ball opened, and out came Vanessa's Mawile. The Steel and Fairy-Type stood on the chain, seeing Cobra barely focused. "You call me for poison control?"

Cobra was startled. "What the-?!"

"Feint Attack!" Mawile appeared behind Cobra, and the Dragon Slayer's eye widened and turned around, using his scaly arms to block the jaws slamming down onto him. The attack was enough to make him step back.

Cobra wasn't getting any better. His arms were coated in poison and he assaulted Mawile as swiftly as possibly. "Poison Dragon's Twin Fang!" He shot the spiral snake-like venom attack, and Mawile tensed up and took the attack in full. Cobra smirked as he saw Mawile get caught in the attack, but it turned to shock and disbelief as the poison disappeared, revealing That she wasn't even fazed.

"But how-?!" Cobra's hearing caught onto what went on behind, and Vanessa and Erza charged with aura covered arms and swords. Cobra turned around to stop them. "Oh no you don't!" He let loose a blast of Sound Magic, which caused them to fly backwards, barely getting ground back.

"Poison Dragon's Roar!" Cobra inhaled and fired his roar, sending it at Erza and Vanessa.

In a hurry, Vanessa extended her arms forward. "Aura Guard!" A dome of teal aura cascaded over herself and Erza, completely blocking the two from the poisonous roar.

"Grrr! You guys are really making me mad!" Cobra exerted another blast of Sound Magic, the soundwave roaring through the air, making it harder for Vanessa to keep her focus on her defenses. "Now that I have nothing, I have no fear! I gained power from my loss! That's what power is for!"

Mawile was on a knee as the soundwave rattled her, yet it wasn't effective enough to stop her from standing back up. "Swords Dance!" She was surrounded by blue sword, of which circled her and a red aura encased her. They crossed over her head, enhancing her Attack prowess.

Hearing the power increase, Cobra turned around to see Mawile charging after him. He lashed his arm at her, sending scales of poison that struck her and the chain they were on, yet the Pokémon did not falter, though the chain had nasty rough cuts catered to Cobra's attack.

"Crunch!" Mawile turned around and her jaws opened wide and snapped down, with the elongated and glowing fangs sinking into Cobra's arm. The Dragon Slayer grunted as Mawile's Crunch was painful to his smooth skin.

Erza flew on in towards Cobra, but she was hit when Cobra swung his arm and hammered Mawile right into Erza, sending both smashing into Vanessa, causing all three to hit the rough chain.

"Now I hear your agony, how I'm still so overpowering, yet you think I'm still wrong on the idea of power." Cobra explained. "You think that I…" His eye widened, but then squinted in annoyance. "…am a coward?!"

All three got up, coughing a little. They stared at Cobra, their eyes fixated on him. "That's right." Erza took flight in her armor, and summoned many swords in the air. "Giving all that's dear to you, that's nothing but the coward's way!" They started spinning around her. "You should learn to protect those precious to you! Circle Sword!"

Erza shot the multitude of swords down at Cobra, yet the Poison Dragon Slayer heard them all coming and evaded them all, jumping into the air and had the swords all completely slash right through the chain. Erza hurriedly grabbed Vanessa and Mawile, and the chain began to fall downwards towards the earth below.

"Thanks Erza!" Vanessa shouted in the air.

They were caught unsound when Cobra was in the air just like them. "Too bad!" He let out a massive blast of Sound Magic, hurling Vanessa and the others over to a nearby chain intact. Erza requipped back into her Heart Kreuz Armor as she was sprawled on the chain, and Vanessa was groaning as she was sprawled nearby. Mawile grunted as she had a few scratches and bruises.

Cobra landed on the chain, looking down onto them. He watched as Erza slowly got back to her feet. "Yes it's all true, but you can't see it. Your too blind to hear it, Cobra. I admit that I messed up too; I was too blind to know that Nic was hurting." Her fists clenched tightly and she began to glow. "He thought I needed Jellal, and he loved me, and how did I repay him…?" Her outfit was her Robe of Yuen, and as a bonus, she was holding the mighty hammer Jean-Luc bestowed to her before she embarked for the castle. "This is the second time I pushed him away. It's my fault, but I swear on my life, that I will make it up to him!"

Erza jumped into the air, bringing the hammer back. "Because I know deep down he'll always treasure me!"

"Your talking's pointless! Poison Dragon's Roar!" Cobra shot a poisonous roar at Erza, the attack streamed at her viciously, yet the hammer shined a golden light and she swung valiantly, her swing deflecting the poison in different directions.

However this tactic left the poison to fade, and Cobra appeared in front as soon as the poison faded away. He had a hand out and shoved Erza into the chain, slamming her down hard. "I never cared what you said about Luminous, that's your business!" He drew his hand back as it was coated in poison. "Cubellios was precious to me, and I'll do what it takes so that I can see her again!"

As he drew his hand down, he felt a tug. He looked back to find his arm suddenly caught in teal aura. "What?!" He traced the line all the way back behind himself, seeing Vanessa restraining him. With a mighty tug, she yanked Cobra off of Erza, pulling him towards her and crashing into the chain several feet in front of her.

Vanessa released her hold and the teal aura line vanished. "You were so caught in confusion that you can't hear so many things anymore. You're getting disoriented because you're being doubted." She clenched her fists. "Well if I were Cubellios, I wouldn't ever look at you in the eyes again!"

Cobra, hearing her voice pierce his mind, became shrouded in poison. "You dare…"

Vanessa was coated in teal aura all around her body. "If you really think that this is the right thing, just so you could see your friend again, then how do you expect them to think of you no more than scum?!" She fired an Emanation Beam at Cobra, the teal aura beam scoring a clean hit and engulfing Cobra in a teal explosion.

It settled, and through the smoke a Poison Dragon's Roar bellowed. Vanessa hurriedly raised a shield made of her teal aura, but the roar was too overwhelming and she was hit. She was engulfed in a venomous explosion, much to Mawile's horror.

"Vanessa!" Mawile angrily turned towards Cobra. "You slithering snake! Crunch!" Mawile flipped her jaws ahead and the fangs glowed and elongated. She lunged at Cobra, yet the Poison Dragon Slayer didn't bother flinching.

"How about you stay down this time!" Shoving an arm ahead, Cobra let loose a pulse soundwave at Mawile, making her scream and fly back. She smashed into the chain, creating a dent in it and was embedded into it. Her body had ascertained more damage, and she could barely move.

Cobra turned around, hearing Erza get back up. "You still want more?"

"I'll get up as long as you're still up yourself." She rebuffed.

"Likewise." The voice belonged to a bruised Vanessa, shocking Cobra as the poison faded away.

"What?! You should be decomposing!" He exclaimed, seeing her still in one piece. "How in the heck are you…" He saw her body outlined in teal aura. "What? Her aura shielded her from the effects of my roar?"

"Cobra." Erza voiced. "We'll make this as clear as possible, bonds are what drive us forward. That's true power."

Vanessa held her right arm forward, showing her armband with the Key Stone engraved in it. "And we'll show you just what that means. Mawile."

Slowly arising, but still exceedingly exhausted, Mawile emerged from her fallen position. She wobbled, but looked like she could keep going. She grinned. "Yeah, I know."

Vanessa raised her arm as the Key Stone glinted and the strong winds shifted her black hair and single blonde bang. "Let's finish this!"

Cobra stood confused, while Erza's eyes widened at what Vanessa was gonna show. "She's gonna do Mega Evolution like Nic?"

Vanessa tapped the Key Stone, and Cobra and Erza both began t sense great power. It was strong, very strong. Erza forgot how intense Mega Evolution was, because when Vanessa held up her armband high, light waves wormed through the air.

"Mawile! Mega Evolve!"

The light waves traveled back towards Mawile, and she exerted grunts and let out strong waves of power of her own. The light waves from her body went flailing, and Cobra and Erza felt the power escalate as the two light waves connected. Energy traced back to Mawile, and they all witnessed Mawile giving off the Mega Evolution light.

They saw the jaws separate, and her height increased. They watched her hakama enlarge, and it all came together when the light exploded, sending strong shockwaves around, though not nearly as strong as Charizard or Garchomp when they undergo Mega Evolution.

They all covered up as thick winds past them, and once they settled, Cobra and Erza felt a strong power resonating from Mega Mawile. She had a second set of jaws jutting from the back of her head, and both sets had spiky tufts of hair. The ear-like extensions on her head were longer and had tips with two points. The fur on her legs was magenta, and she had longer fur on her arms with magenta markings around the wrists.

Mega Mawile had her jaws turned towards Cobra. "Say your prayers!"

"The heck is this power?" Cobra asked.

Erza held her hammer back. "It's the power of Mega Evolution, which is brought out by bonds!" She swung her hammer, but Cobra jumped and dodged the hammer swing.

"Mega Mawile, Feint Attack!" Vanessa shouted. Mega Mawile disappeared and then reappeared moments later, startling Cobra as she was above him in midair. Hearing her, he turned and blocked her double jaw slam, but the shockwave emitted from the attack was too overwhelming for him, and he screamed as he slammed down on the chain.

"GAH!" He gagged as the shock rendered him unable to move. "Did that thing just get stronger?"

"Yeah! Huge Power helps me well! Crunch!" Mega Mawile's double jaws opened up and glowed and elongated. Cobra jerked himself back up and dodged her one jaw that completely crunched through a large piece of chain beneath him, but when she got her feet on the ground, her second pair of jaws went at Cobra on her right, catching him in her jaws.

Cobra winced in searing agony as her Crunch felt incredibly strong, stronger than before. Mega Mawile pivoted. "Try this!" Using her prowess, she swung her jaws, and Cobra revolved around her until she finally stopped with enough momentum, hurling him skywards. "Now!"

"Right!" Vanessa and Erza exclaimed.

"What?!" Cobra saw Vanessa shoot a line at him. "I'll just-!" Cobra brought his right arm back, but it hurt so bad from Crunch, and he couldn't recover in time. Vanessa's teal aura snared Cobra in the abdomen, holding him up high and positioned just right for Erza as she was above with the hammer.

"You have to hear the plea of your friend!" Erza shouted. "She wouldn't want you like this! Remember that! HRAH!" With all she had, she slammed the mighty hammer down on Cobra, creating a shining bright light that overpowered his scream of pain. The booming didn't stop there as Cobra smashed right through the whole chain, breaking it apart entirely.

The chain remains began falling, and Cobra was barely conscious when he heard one last thing. His eye widened and Mega Mawile appeared in front in midair as well. "How about you say goodnight to this nightmare! Feint Attack!" Mega Mawile swung her double set of jaws, and with her powered up might, slammed them into Cobra. The crash made the Dragon Slayer feel his being break and he fell to the earth below, a golden light around him from Erza's hammer swing.

Mega Mawile jumped back up to the chain bit still attached to the Infinity Castle, and Erza and Vanessa both looked down as Cobra fell like a star.

Vanessa and Mega Mawile turned towards the other. "Megs Mawile, great job."

Mega Mawile was encased in rainbow coloring and she reverted back to being herself. "Ain't nothing too it." She then sat down, exhaustion taking up her body. "Man I'm beat! That was the hardest thing I've done in my life!"

Vanessa was more than a little exhausted herself, scratches and bruises all over. "Yeah, me too."

The wind shifted past them all, and Erza held her hammer and her brown eyes were set on how strong Vanessa and Mawile's bond was. Her eyes closed, and then grinned. 'Nic, I'll believe in you. Just like Vanessa believes in her Pokémon. Just please…wait for me, and believe in me.'

---

Unconsciously, Nic grew a strong worry as he and the others were fighting the guards inside. Quickly, he smirked. "…Yeah, I'll believe in you."

"Nic, just who are you taking to at a time like this?!" Sophie exclaimed before she made a Memory-Make and sent flaming saucers at celestial guards, making them fall over the edge of the dark blue stone bridge connected inside. The layout was nothing but a labyrinth of dark blue bridges that seemed to even reach downwards. Suspended all around were empty cages, and they seemed out of reach.

They were currently fighting on a very large, circular intersection point, like every other point where many trails connected. They were fighting many guards, but it was nothing they couldn't handle.

"Abyss Palm!" Volans exerted a great swell of deep blue water, which erupted upon impact and sent many guards flying off.

"Sonic Howl!" Lupus opened his mouth and howled midnight blue soundwaves at the guards, pushing them back.

Nic glowed and shifted into his Zap Plate, in his updated state, Nic's Zap Plate Form had dull yellow baggy pants, and the shoes remained as they were in its past form. His t-shirt was yellow, and the sleeveless coat had become a bright solid yellow with dull yellow trimming. The belt was also a dull yellow, yet the buckle was gold.

He raised an arm up above, and storm clouds hovered over the enemies ahead of him. They all looked up, only to have a heavy bolt of lightning shoot straight down onto them. "Thunder!" He let loose a grand jolt and the bodies of the guards all zapped and sizzled as they fell downwards into the darkness below.

Corvus got a good look from the air, seeing that the circular intersection was now empty. "Alright guys, we're clear!"

"Then onto the next floor!" Pavo exclaimed. Everyone followed along as Pavo pirouetted on towards the stairs that led downwards into the darkness beneath. As they descended, they saw celestial flames flickering in the sides of the prison, which was neon flames. With each step they took, the colder and more hollow they seemed to feel.

Nic was growing weary, and his body was sensing so much hatred from this prison. But this level was weak compared to Lysandre, and yet something still felt off, and he couldn't quite get it.

They've reached the next floor, where they began to run along the dark passageway with darkness looming on the sides. One wrong step and they might fall to the bottom, as well as their own demise.

"Anybody see it?" As they ran, they tried looking through the cages they passed on by. They looked inside, and saw nothing that looked like a key. All they saw were some empty cages, pointless junk…and a few corrosive remains of rotted spirits.

They soon reached the next circular intersection, where they didn't see any form of guards so far. They seemed safe, yet something was still off as a sizeable cage was hanging above.

"Freeze!" Nic and the group were intercepted when guards suddenly began to run from all of the intersection points. The floor's point they were on was starting to loom with guards from all over. Nic began to spark and readied a counteroffensive, while Greninja readied more of his Water Shuriken.

"Looks like their numbers are increasing by the floor. Let's go!" Nic shouted.

Sophie's eyes narrowed. "This is getting out of hand. We're losing Magic again with every spell used…" She noticed the cage above them, seeing something beginning to slither out a tail.

Cana readied herself for the guards. "Then let's-!"

"Cana, look out!" Sophie screamed.

The brunette turned around, only to become entangled by a long tail. She screamed as the coils began to tighten, and everyone hurriedly traced back up to the cage above. Its door was open, and down dropped the rest of the long body that tangled around Cana. They all saw that it was a jungle green serpent with a crimson underside.

Its body kept constricting Cana, and the brunette could not bring herself to break free. "What the hell…is going on…?"

"It's her?!" Volans exclaimed, clenching his fists. "I should've known!"

"What is that?!" Sophie exclaimed. "Get off of Cana-!" Sophie was lashed by the tail end of the serpent, and she felon her back, slamming into Pavo in the process.

Nic coated a fist in lightning via Thunder Punch. "Let her go!" He rushed on in and punched the snake, and the snake's tail end slammed into Thunder Punch, making lightning crackle everywhere and caused Nic to get at a stalemate. "Damn you!"

Nic stopped his own punch and only grasped the tail, keeping it in place. "Volans, who is she?!"

"Serpens – Gate of the Snake." He explained, to which Serpens hissed at him. "She's a very durable spirit, and her heavy and long body can make her a lethal weapon…but there's a really good reason why she's locked up down here."

Greninja fended off the guards with a single Dark Pulse, driving the attack in a long arc and making dark explosions. With the explosions as cover, he turned back around. "Why is that?!"

Serpens loomed over Cana as the brunette as struggling to break free. "I can't reach my cards!" She was breathing fine, it's just that she couldn't move. She heard a tongue flicker above, and saw Serpens's jaws opening up.

"She has a nasty habit swallowing her contractors whole…alive." Volans explained. "Hurry! We'll take care of the guards, while you stop Serpens!" Volans turned around, pivoting and slashed with his fin-bladed elbow.

"Greninja, Water Shuriken!" Nic shouted. Greninja shot more compressed stars of water, and Nic extended his arm out. "Charge Beam!" The yellow beam traveled along with the shuriken, and the Electric-Type move was circled by the shuriken of water that began to static. The combine attack shot at Serpens's head, engulfing her in a large explosion. The snake hollered in pain as her jaw locked back in place and she was flung off of Cana, slamming into the ground.

Cana coughed and Sophie caught her, supporting her. "Cana, are you okay?"

The brunette angrily turned towards her. "I was almost snake food! That thing almost put me in its mouth! Of course I'm not okay!"

Serpens shook her head and hissed out at everyone present. Pavo, Corvus, and Volans were the ones fending off the massive swarm of guards, leaving the rest to handle Serpens. The 30-foot snake hissed at them, and slammed her tail against the floor.

Cana flashed some cards. "Time for a little payback! Summoned Lightning!" She threw her cards, which streamed green lightning bolts, and they closed in on Serpens. The snake slithered out of the way, dodging Cana's assault. "Whoa, she's fast!"

Serpens began to close the gap between her victims and hollered out at them with her jaws wide. Lupus jumped ahead and slashed at her with his sonic-enhanced claws, striking her right across the face and recoiling back.

"Thunderbolt!" Nic blasted Serpens with a large bolt of lightning, yet the snake's eyes opened and she slithered right past the Electric-Type move and getting a distance. "She's evasive…" He eyes Serpens as the snake Spirit hissed out at them. An idea came to mind and he lucked out a Poke Ball. "If that's the case, then let's leave this to him! Go!"

The Poke Ball opened, and out came Nic's Arbok. The Cobra Pokémon hissed as he was unleashed, and in immediately response, Serpens hissed harshly back.

Cana smirked. "Now that's more like it! We got our own snake!"

"Nic-sssssama, what issss it that you dessssire me to do?" Arbok obediently asked while keeping a foul gaze on Serpens.

Nic extended his arm forward. "Take out Serpens while we handle the guards!"

"Asssss you wish." Arbok hissed out, and without any further hesitation lunged at Serpens, his speed startling the larger snake as he slithered vigorously and powerfully. Arbok's mouth opened and he hissed violently at Serpens, while the larger snake opened her toothless jaws and lunged back out at Arbok.

Nic turned towards the others, shifting into his Stone Plate Form. "Arbok is capable of this. Come on." He ushered everyone back around, where guards and their numbers began to increase.

"Rock Slide!" Nic raised his arms and ripples appeared in the darkness above. Huge, gray rocks began to shower down from the ripples, and the guards all shouted and screamed as they were pelted and buried under rubble that shook the intersection flooring.

Pavo clenched a fist. "HAHA! Nice one! Hm…" He narrowed his eyes, and he swiftly round house kicked a guy coming up on his left. "Back off, jerk!"

Arbok and Serpens both began to serpentine slowly circles around the other, both eyeing the other and spectating their individual physiques. Arbok's mouth opened and his tongue flicked. "You're sssso low, making living beingssss assss ssssnacks! How about I make an exxxample out of you!"

Serpens snapped her jaws at Arbok, who in turn had opened his mouth and the fangs glowed light blue, elongated, and became thick ice. "Ice Fang!" Both snakes then rushed at the other, mouths wide open, and yet Arbok was the faster one, snapping his jaws down in Serpens's neck, and the snake hollered as she felt the icy cold attack pierce her scaly body. She was driven into the ground by Arbok's muscle and thrown to the side, tumbling some before recovering.

Serpens hissed and swung her long tail horizontally, yet Arbok wasn't pegged as his reflexes made him duck and dodge the tail. "Issss that all you got?!"

"Memory-Make: Charge Blades!" Sophie made a chain of memories and the ground beneath the guards all around her erupted with sharp stones from the earth coated in yellow lightning. The attack erupted all around her, and the guards were engulfed in lightning.

Corvus brought his wings back and quickly gained distance from the guards in front of him. "Night Storm!" He let loose a black twister that swirled hazardously about, sending guards flying to who knows where. "Alright!"

"Behind you!" Corvus heard the warning and turned around to see a guard aiming his spear at him, but was stopped when Greninja's Bounce landed right on the face, crashing the victim into the earth, making a crater.

"Thanks!" Corvus turned around at that instant and flung more of his black feathers at a guard he sensed.

"I think the numbers are beginning to quell!" Cana shouted as she shot cards that exploded upon impact.

Arbok and Serpens both roared at the other and spiraled around the other, semi-coiling and intertwining in attempts to restrain the other. Both snapped their jaws at the other, yet Arbok was more reflexive and reeled his head back when Serpens snapped her jaws.

Arbok was bit on the hood, but her bite wasn't lethal enough to incapacitate him. Arbok made Ice Fang and he bit down on Serpens's neck again, making her holler as she felt the icy attack yet again. With his pure muscle, he threw off Serpens and the snake screamed and slammed into the earth.

Serpens shook her head as she hollered out at Arbok, of whom was seeing how she was acting up.

"You don't like the cold?" His eyes narrowed as he hissed. "Then you're gonna hate thissss! Ice Fang!" He rushed on in and snapped his jaws down on Serpens's long body again, and the larger snake hollered and flailed as Arbok held on with all his might. Serpens flailed and shivered as Arbok's Ice Fang was starting tomake her slow down.

As she flailed, Arbok held on and his eyes narrowed. 'I sssssee, cold-blooded.'

Meanwhile, Nic backflipped and kicked several guards while in the air. Landing on his hands, he spun and spiral kicked many guards onto their backs. He rushed back onto his feet and glanced on over towards Arbok, seeing how he was briefly looking at him.

Immediately it clicked. Nic grinned. "Got it!" He glowed, shifting onto his Icicle Plate Form. He took in a deep breath and exhaled out. "Frost Breath!" He let loose a strong, cold wind with blue sparkles at Serpens. Arbok used his upper body and shoved Serpens in front of him, and the large snake hollered and shivered as she took in the entire Frost Breath.

Serpens began to shiver violently, and she could hardly move. Arbok let go and slammed his tail upwards, sending her skyward.

Nic turned towards everyone. "Everyone, grab onto someone who can fly!" Nic glowed and shifted into his Draco Plate Form, he thus began to take flight. "Arbok, Earthquake!"

Arbok hissed a low roar and he sprung upward. In the air, he arced down onto the shivering Serpens and the tail was brought down like a hammer. The whole attack emitted an immense shockwave upon impact, and Arbok slammed down, with Serpens first, into the intersection. The ground shook violently and catastrophic shockwaves boomed everywhere. Rock and stone bellowed all about and everyone on the circular intersection felt the ground cave in.

Nic had Greninja get on his back, and Arbok sprung up and Nic held on, despite the weight, yet it was still manageable. Sophie was carried by Pavo, and Volans hauled Lupus, while Corvus remained airborne freely. They all watched the ground shatter, and every guard and Serpens below fell downwards into the darkness, along with the debris.

"Well that's one way." Cana noted.

Volans nodded. "Well done. We should descend lower now. The Andromeda Key is perhaps at one of the lowest levels."

Nic pulled out his Poke Ball while holding Arbok under one arm. "Nice job Arbok, return."

Arbok hissed in gratitude and he returned back to his Poke Ball. With the weight slightly better, Nic began to fall less painfully. He flapped as Greninja was on his back, and they all looked down at the darkness below.

"I guess we'll see since this is the only way down now." Corvus stated.

"Let's see what we find down here." Pavo said.

They all took a long time to descend, and as time progressed, the temperature dropped even more, and Nic felt his spine tingling. It was bad, and it kept getting worse. It felt so mind-wrecking, yet it doesn't stop growing.

"Anybody else feel that?" Sophie asked. "It's like…my body is getting all disoriented."

Pavo felt uneasy. "Yeah, I feel the same way. Lysandre's foul and corrosive energy must have drenched this place bad."

It was so dark that they couldn't see the bottom, yet their feet all touched hard stone. They didn't see any sign of…well, anything.

Nic turned his head around. "Anyone see anything?"

"No good. This darkness is too thick, and to make matters worse, I think we're on the lowest level." Volans paused. "One of the forbidden Spirit chambers."

"What?" Sophie asked.

Pavo gulped, and his eyes shrunk. "Gyah! Y-you mean to tell us…that we're quite possibly…"

"There's no question. Everyone on your guard!" Volans tensed up, and everyone else looked around attentively.

Greninja's eyes were dead serious, and he remained still. He was beginning to turn left when his sensory picked up something rather…humungous. He turned sharply right, and his glance went upwards. 'This energy…' He had his arm all around. "Everyone, we've got trouble!"

Everyone's heads turned towards where Greninja was at, and Nic, still in his Draco Plate Form, was having his eyes wide, and he began to tense up bad. "…oh no."

"Nic, what's wrong?" Cana asked.

"In my Draco Plate, I may have the advantages of all capabilities and abilities of dragons and dragon-related tactics…but I can also…sense one."

Corvus stepped back. "D-d-don't tell me-?!"

"Yeah…we're not alone down here." Greninja and everyone else felt their eyes widen even more, and the cracks beneath the ground had begun to glow a bright red. The red glow was enough to give them a look at whose eyes opened.

Cana and Sophie both were left mind-blown, as their eyes shuddered, as well as their bodies. "Oh my god." They muttered in unison, seeing a 50-foot tall orange scaled dragon. His mouth was huge, and razor sharp teeth jutted out from the jaws. It had yellow eyes, and orange pupils with feral sclera. It had a massive snout, and bony horns jutting out from the back of the head. His long neck reached down to his armor-like scaly body, with muscular arms and legs, and a long tail with black spikes running along the back. The whole underside was yellow, and it had two, surprisingly small wings. There was a huge chain around his neck as well.

The beast glared down at them as the bright red beneath made his presence all the more gruesome.

Volans's eyes narrowed, yet still showed horror. "Draco – Gate of the Dragon!"

Draco roared up to the prison, the roaring he made bellowed all around, and Nic and everyone covered their ears in pain. They all felt the ground beneath rumble, and small flames were seen at Draco's feet. Once the dragon Spirit settled, he spectated the crew down beneath his feet.

"So why is he a forbidden Spirit?" Sophie rhetorically asked.

"You're about to find out!" Pavo exclaimed, seeing Draco growl down at them.

"His power is unmatched. He's a very powerful and untamable Spirit, hence his sentence down here." Volans bluntly stated, taking a karate stance. "Whatever you do, don't turn your back to him!"

Draco roared up once more, shaking the entire circular floor that was wide in diameter. On the sides was still heaping darkness. It was dark as it already was as they were so far down in the storage/prison, with the light from high above and the flames below being the only light possible.

Nic flapped his wings. "I'll take the lead!" He soared up after Draco, getting high above him. "Fight a dragon with a Dragon-Type at best!" He brought an arm back as Draco looked up at him. His hand glowed light blue and emitted claw-shaped energy.

Nic descended quickly. "Let's find out his durability! Dragon Claw!" Nic slashed viciously and swiftly on the side of his face, the shock from the attack making winds fly. Draco buffeted his neck away as Nic was suspended in midair. Draco's low growling confirmed it. "His scales are like steel!"

Draco's eyes opened back up, and looking at Nic, he swung his tail around. The long tail lashed at Nic, and he only had time to block with his arms as the long tail slammed into him, shooting him away.

"Nic!" Greninja appeared behind Nic in time to catch him, but all that supplied for was a cushion as they both shot back still and smashed into the wall far away, embedding them both in so they didn't fall into the darkness.

Cana swiped her cards. "Summoned Lightning!" She shot the cards that were coated in green lightning bolts and struck the dragon Spirit's body, making green static run through, and yet that looked as though it only tickled. "Not even a flinch!"

Draco opened his massive jaws and went to bite at Cana. He closed in quickly, and Corvus came swooping in. "Cana!" He grabbed Cana by the arms and zoomed out of the way, avoiding the snapping jaws and ascending upwards.

Cana looked up at him. "Thanks for the save."

As he flew Corvus tipped his witch's hat. "Don't mention it." However his heroics were reduced to cowardice once again as Draco turned to look up at them. "Uh oh…AAHHHHHH!"

Draco let loose a searing flame from his mouth that raced up at Cana and Corvus. They screamed like sissies, mostly Corvus, as he maneuvered in a panic around the flames that erupted skyward, making him bellow more cries of cowardice.

Once Draco stopped the flames and shut his mouth, Pavo was seen above, and he had the peacocks on his feet already. "Alright you lizard, tell us where the Andromeda Key is! Peacock's Awakening!" Pavo let loose a fast barrage of stretched peacock beak assaults down on the snout, retracting and kicking back so fast and so hard it was almost like rapid bullets.

Draco moved his head away, showing no visible pain, yet it did show some signs of hindrance. He swatted his tail again, hitting a gawking Pavo and the peacock man screamed as he spiraled backwards and actually straightened out in a twirl, getting his hands to the ground and jumping back, skidding to a halt.

Draco went to attack Pavo again, his mouth open and launched a blistering flame at the group below. The fire was so hot, and Volans went in front of them all. "I'll handle this!" He made a great sphere of deep blue water in between his hands, similar to a Water Pulse. The middle shined a bright light and let loose. "Tsunami Implosion!" The sphere erupted in midair, exploding volatile water in all directions. Everyone around covered up as the blast of immense water pressure countered the fire, making a great wall of mist erupt in between the two.

The mist cleared quickly, and Draco lunged through the mist, and attacked Volans with his teeth. Volans reached out and stopped the fangs, using just his bare hands. A great shockwave ruptured the earth beneath, and the fishman grunted and growled as he was barely holding on with his physical prowess. "He's so strong!"

High above, a glint was seen spiraling, catching a few eyes. The dragon lost focus and saw the spinning image coming down onto him, revealing Greninja. "Bounce!" Greninja's foot smashed right on Draco's snout, making the dragon Spirit lose momentum in his dominance over Volans. Greninja jumped off and had Volans bring a palm back.

"Abyss Palm!" Volans's right palm had deep blue water and did a palm strike on the lower jaw, making an aquatic shockwave bellow all about. Draco reeled back slowly rom the shock of his attack, and howled in pain. He got a front foot behind, keeping him from slipping, and shook his head.

Nic flapped in the air, having a few scratches from that sudden attack. "His skin is like fierce armor. It takes massive strength to slice or dent them."

"I know." Sophie said. "Let me see if I can make him slip! Memory-Make: Charge Blades!" The ground beneath shook, and beneath the dragon the red cracks began to glisten with electricity. Draco roared up and raised his front claws. His small wings flapped once, and his feet left the ground, making winds fly that everyone had to cover up from.

The attack on the ground completely missed, and the chain on Draco's neck was attached to a wall, keeping him from going so high. Once he was at his highest altitude possible, he roared down at the crew,

"He can fly too?!" Corvus exclaimed.

"This will complicate things. Fortunately the chain attached to his neck limits his mobility for us." Lupus stated.

Draco roared down at them, and that's when decided to initiate Plan B.

"Very well then." He pulled out another Poke Ball. "Aside from Greninja's Water Shuriken, there's another chance we have." He tossed the Poke Ball up. "Garchomp, come on out!"

The Poke Ball opened, and on the floor arose Garchomp. His body unfolded and his eyes opened up. His mouth bared his razor sharp teeth and bellowed out a great and fierce draconic roar that made the whole floor quake, causing everyone to cover up and barely keep balance.

Above Draco flapped his wings and eyed Garchomp, feeling a great dread arise up for some odd reason.

Garchomp growled up at Draco. "Seriously, this world just keeps getting weirder." His monstrous gaze sharpened. "Who is this scaled freak think he's fooling? Let's punish him for being a horrid inmate, Nic!"

"I couldn't agree more! Now Garchomp, Slash!"

Garchomp's claws glowed and elongated, and he lunged up at Draco, making the ground where he stood crack and rumble. He lunged up at great speeds that left Draco unable to blink before Garchomp reappeared in front of his face.

"Try this!" Garchomp slashed at Draco's side, making white trail behind. The attack gashed across Draco's face, leaving the dragon Spirit to bellow a roar of pain as his scales were torn into. Garchomp jerked back as the dragon recoiled in the air, and growled at Draco.

Volans's eyes widened while Corvus and Pavo were gawking. "Incredible. He has so much power." He stated.

Draco dragged his tail around and slammed Garchomp with it. The Mach Pokémon had his claws out and held off the blow, barely maintaining steadiness in the air above as ripples and shockwaves bellowed out.

"Grrrrr! You're nothing special! Do you hear me?!" Garchomp bellowed out as the airspace around shook. Finally he crossed his claws and swiped, his physical prowess actually making the tail retract a bit. Garchomp flew in and his claws created Slash again. With another snarl, he used Slash and slashed across Draco's face again, slashing deeper than before as the scales were bleeding out.

Pavo spun in place. "YEEHAW! Looks like Pokémon are better than evil Spirits!"

"That thing's physical prowess is uncanny. He fended against that tail swing like it was nothing." Lupus said in amazement.

Greninja turned towards him. "It's all thanks to Nic. He, as well as all of us for that matter, undergo immense combat and reflexive training daily." Greninja looked up to see Garchomp fly back from getting swat by the tail, but his feet bounced off the wall with no problem and used the momentum to lung back at Draco. "We're all gifted in immense durability and endurance."

"Dragon Rush!" The appendages on his head glowed light blue and he exerted a great swell of power. Garchomp was enveloped in draconic energy that shaped into a dragon and rushed out after Draco. The attack met its mark, and Draco's abdomen that engulfed in a draconic explosion, making the dragon Spirit roar up in agonizing pain. The shockwaves spread out, causing Corvus to fall backwards as well as land on his face.

Draco smashed into the ground, causing a great tremor that made everyone jump. Stone flew in a few places and Nic spread his wings quickly enough and ascended into the air. "Dragon Pulse!" Nic gathered energy in his mouth and fired a multicolored dragon-shaped energy at Draco, with the head chomping down on Draco and causing an explosion that expanded outwards.

Through the explosion, Cana covered up. "Geez, this is an all-out dragon showdown!"

"Just don't tell Natsu! He'll get pissed!" Sophie shouted as the explosion began to settle.

Nic and Garchomp landed on the ground beside the other, giving expectant glares as the smoke and dust began to settle. They saw Draco's figure slowly arise from the cloud and witnessed his mouth opening up, roaring out at them.

"It looks like we aggravated him even more." Nic stated, not surprised in the slightest.

"He's a rough sucker, that's why he's gonna fall harder than before!" Garchomp exclaimed.

"I couldn't agree more." He crouched, as did Garchomp. "Let's go!"

"Right!" Garchomp roared up at Draco again, and the dragon Spirit lunged his head back down at them. Garchomp ran on in with incredible speed. He stretched his claws and fins out, enabling green to glow on them. "Dual Chop!" He smashed his find into the teeth of the beast, keeping them spread out as the gaping jaws were durable at the very least.

Garchomp was holding his ground as his Dual Chop restrained and grinded against the teeth. "Is that all?!" He challenged, using all of his muscle. "Come on, tell me, can you do better, because I got plenty!"

Nic and Greninja jumped overhead and unleashed their attacks.

"Dark Pulse!"

"Dragon Pulse!"

Both attacks soared down at Draco's back, causing an explosion that made him lose momentum. The shock from the attack was more than enough to give Garchomp the advantage. Garchomp brought his Dual Chop back and skidded back a little before he lunged ahead, slashing Dual Chop across Draco's face and running down the right side of his neck in a fast, green glint.

Garchomp didn't bother looking back as a line of green explosions erupted from Dual Chop, making Draco roar in pain and flail his neck around as he was bleeding bad. His scales were all torn apart, but he caught himself and angrily turned his neck towards Garchomp.

"Garchomp!" Nic warned.

"On it!" Garchomp pivoted and reached his claws out, the tips piercing into the dragon Spirit's lower jaw when he was lunging at Garchomp. Draco reared back and bellowed in pain.

"Now we're getting somewhere!" Cana exclaimed.

Garchomp ran past Draco and stomped his foot. Coming to a halt in front as Nic and Greninja landed right beside him.

"He's annoying." The Mach Pokémon scowled.

"It looks like we're gonna have to…" Nic trailed off. He was gonna suggest a strategy he came up in less than two seconds, but everything grew cold, and it was as though everything tuned to a hollow silence, like a death silence. "Wait…do you guys…?"

Greninja began to shudder. "Yeah, this corrosive energy…"

Garchomp growled as he bared his claws, yet even he felt this foul and extremely potent energy. "This is bad." He looked up as everything above turned pitch black, enveloped in corrosive darkness.

Pavo gaped as he began to shrivel, his breathing becoming unsound. "Ah…ah…ah."

Cana recognized this energy as her spine was shaking. "Wait…oh no."

Sophie swallowed as she remembered all too well, as this energy was familiar to her. "No…no…"

Volans shuddered, despite his stern look even he was unnerved. "No! We're too late!"

Lupus's hair and mane stood on end, and growled as he got on all fours. He recognized the empty and nose-burning smell. "He found us!"

Draco stopped moving as he sniffed the air. It was as though his nostrils were rotting on the spot. He shook his head and winced backwards in freight. The bright red cracks on the flooring slowly turned purple, and they instead went from hot to shivering cold.

A maniacal chuckle started low, and then escalated into a strong and evil laugh. It was blood-curdling and vile to say the very least.

"Found you."

"Is that who I think it is?" Garchomp asked.

Greninja swallowed. "This very bad."

Nic began to sweat as the energy all around was making his heartbeat escalate uncontrollably. He heard something high above, but by the time he looked up, the high speed blue beam crashed down and engulfed him and his Pokémon in a large-scale explosion, creating a dense crater from where they stood.

"Nic!" Sophie screamed through the bellowing wails of the attack. Everyone saw the smoke clear, and Nic was lying in a crater, scratched up slightly to say the least. Garchomp and Greninja were the same as they all grunted as they slowly got up.

Looking up, they all heard the same bellowing laughter, and a stream of shadow seeped down from the pitch black darkness above. It was revolting, and that's how they recognized it once the drooping shadows swirled and solidified into a familiar someone. Lysandre.

His eyes opened, and they all saw the bloody look in his eyes. "I found you."

Nic swallowed as his eyes dilated. 'Lysandre, no. This was an ambush!'

Everyone was paralyzed in fear, unable to move. They watched Lysandre turn his back to face Draco, whom was shuddering.

"I must say, Draco, you were very helpful in buying us time to arrive." In response, Draco roared down at Lysandre, whose breath was hot and foul, yet didn't even make the man blink. "I see you're scared." He extended his hand out. "You couldn't even suppress Nic's Garchomp. If you were an actual Dragon like this Acnologia fellow, then you'd be of great disappointment!"

He clenched his fist, and that's when shadows converged and pierced Draco through his whole body, body, wings, neck, and all. Everyone watched in horror as Lysandre tightened his grip even more, and more shadows rushed out of the darkness, and the shadows screamed in shrilled cries as they encased Draco in a cocoon of sorts.

"Begone!" He opened up his hand, and the whole cocoon imploded, shooting darkness all around, as well as shrilled, scared cries. Not even hot blood remained as Draco was completely maimed in the shadows that rot away even his bones.

Garchomp grew unsound as he couldn't move his feet, but knew everyone else felt the same. "The monster."

"More than that." Volans said, barely breathing. "He's even worse than Satan. He's Satan's assassin, the bringer of all death."

"Draco, he…" Sophie could only trail off as she almost forgot how to breathe.

Pavo's eyes were wide as he shuddered like he was gonna fall over. "He just killed Draco…with just shadows!"

Lysandre turned around, his dark purple and vile aura encased his entire being. The ground from where he stood slowly caved in as his feet went in an arc, facing Nic. His blood red teeth looked at Nic, who was tense. "Surprised?"

"Lysandre!" Nic roared lowly, with Greninja and Garchomp both bellowing out at Lysandre as well.

Lysandre chuckled. "I can see you're just as determined as last time. From what I remember, I left a beauty mark in quite a few places."

Nic put a hand over his right side, and tried not to blink as his left eye was artificial. Through it all, he had to remain confident. "Lysandre, you're gonna pay for killing off so many Spirits." Nic warned. "I was wondering what happened to you while everything was in suspense, guess now I know."

"Oh, my little genocide?" Lysandre shrugged, still smirking evilly. "It was nice little hobby."

Nic's eyes widened a little, and his body began to grow restless. "…what did you say?"

Lysandre's eyes narrowed. "Oh? Did I strike a nerve?" He chucked for a bit. "Good, I'll absorb that contempt, and all that despair, and make it my power. It was all my doing. It was a little hobby, and conserving my energy all these years left me with great joy."

A jumbled up pile of dark rings were formed in his palm. "Now I can pay you back from last time!" Without warning, Lysandre shot Dark Pulse. The attack trailed on in, shattering the ground and reducing the rubble to literally nothing.

Garchomp rushed in front of Nic and coated his fins and claws in Dual Chop. "Oh no you don't!" He brought the Dual Chop down, bisecting Dark Pulse and making it smash elsewhere. However, Garchomp was not safe as the immense force was still making him skid back and lose. Finally, a dark explosion erupted, and Garchomp screamed as he shot back, slamming in front of Nic.

"Garchomp!" Nic shouted.

Garchomp had a few scratches on him, but it wasn't enough to keep him down. "You…swine! Now I'm really angry!" He bellowed as he stood back up, ready for another offensive.

Lysandre crossed his arms as he levitated up in the air. "No ordinary Garchomp could stand, let alone bisect an immense attack like that. I must say Nic, you clearly trained all of your Pokémon for upmost durability."

"Silence with your vile comments!" Nic glowed and shifted into his Insect Plate Form. He ascended into the pitch black air and let loose a silver wind with silver sparkles. "Silver Wind!"

Lysandre moved his arm in an arc, dissipating the attack, much to Nic's horror. "What?!"

"Ominous Wind!" Lysandre moved his other arm in an arc, releasing a vile and corrosive purple wind that spread outwards. Nic was struck by the wind and screamed as he fell back to the ground, and his Greninja and Garchomp grunted as they covered up, yet it was still too much for them as well as they fell over. Everyone screamed as Lysandre's Ominous Wind kept stretching out, and they were sent soaring and tumbled on the ground.

The dust settled, and Cana coughed a little. "These foul winds, it's like my skin was rotting."

"Yeah, *cough cough* he's just toying with us. I remember his demonic power." Sophie said as she slowly tried getting up.

Nic hurriedly got to his feet and rushed after Lysandre in the air. "You've gotten stronger, but that won't keep me down!" His hands glowed light blue and he crossed tem, making an X shape with magenta outlining. "X-Scissor!"

Lysandre reached his arm out, and Nic was caught in suspension. He was completely frozen as his mind processed quickly. "Ps-Psychic?!"

"Shadow Sneak!" Lysandre hollered, and a long shadow reached out from the bitter darkness afar. The shadow went behind as Nic was unable to move.

Nic! Nooooooo!" Pavo jumped up with a valid and valiant jump, twirling as he leaped up behind.

"Pavo!" Sophie screamed, only to watch Pavo take the hit and gag blood as the long shadow had a piercing end. Nic, Greninja, and everyone's eye were wide with horror as Pavo slowly fell back down head first.

"Pavo!" Corvus caught Pavo as he fell, breaking his fall by using his back as a cushion. Corvus ignored the agent his back had felt glanced over his shoulder. "Pavo! Are you okay?!"

Pavo grunted as he could barely move. He coughed a little blood as he was helped up. His abdomen was bleeding, and he took a pierce hit.

Nic's eyes were wide as he gazed down at Pavo, seeing his friend take the Shadow Sneak that would've pierced his back. He saw everyone gather around below, and then Nic began to shutter violently.

Lysandre smirked. "Hmph."

Nic's pupils were small, feral, and filled with bloody anger. He was mad. Very mad.

"You…" Nic's fists clenched so hard they almost stopped circulating blood. "You hurt Pavo! You hurt my friend!"

"SO WHAT?!" Lysandre slammed his arm down, and Psychic completely smashed Nic into the earth, making the whole area violently quake as rock fell everywhere. Nic screamed in riling agony as his back felt immense pain from the surprising force.

The dust cleared, but Nic never had the chance to get up as Lysandre suddenly appeared atop and grabbed his neck and clenched tightly, holding Nic down to the ground. The hands clenched Nic's throat tightly enough that it was actually making his skin burn.

Seeing Nic in trouble, Cana flashed cards. "Get away from him!" She shot cards, and Greninja crouched and fired his Water Shuriken move. Both attacks spun into Lysandre, whom reached with his spare hand unleashed glowing stars with golden sparkles.

"Swift!" Lysandre's assault glided through the air, colliding into the Water Shuriken and Cana's cards. Through the small explosion, Swift went on, and Cana and Greninja covered up as they were pelted by Swift.

"G-guys-GLAH!" Nic's neck was squeezed tighter and he was driven into the ground even more.

"I think it's more fitting for you to perish down here. It's cold, desolate, and very much fitting for someone of your poor stature." Lysandre readied a Shadow Claw, the corrosive energy all gathered up and poised at Nic.

"Hands off!" Garchomp came down above with his Dual Chop, ready to strike down Lysandre. Lysandre's purple aura continued to seep and he changed tactics. He instead picked up Nic and threw him up at Garchomp, making both collide. Lysandre then used a vicious Dark Pulse that exploded in the air, engulfing the two.

Sophie and everyone watched his horror as Nic and Garchomp smashed into the ground, both heavily damaged, yet tumbled onto a knee.

Volans stepped up. "Lysandre."

Lysandre looked over at Volans, seeing his grumpy and vengeful expression. The heinous man thought little and scoffed. "You are not my priority. I leave you to my subordinates."

He snapped his fingers, and all around the passages that led to the darkness all around. Everyone began to feel overwhelming pressure, and they all turned their backs and saw the enemies advance.

There were six. Two were clearly Cetus, and the other being Sirius. The remaining four were much different. One was a tall guy, who had tanned skin and fancy sunglasses, much fancier than Nic's. He had his highly muscular body showing without a shirt. He had a loose chain like a collar that was golden bling with red jewelry. He had very short golden hair as well, and a golden belt with blue laces that crossed. While his shoes were magenta colored, as well as his pants, he had a very large rainbow-feathered coat draped over him in a way similar to Laxus.

The second new face was an average-sized person. He had a purple t-shirt and dark red pants, and yet the rest of his body was orange fur, like a human fox almost. While the underside of his arms were bare, his arm and legs had orange fur, and his bare d\feet and hands had claws. He had a large, bushy tail jutting out. He had headgear similar to a fox's upper head, but without eyes. His eyes were a cynical green, and he had bushy orange sideburns. His sharp teeth were added by whisker marks on his cheeks.

The third new face was a seemingly calmer man. He had a white, feathery crown with a golden jewel in the center, complimenting his slicked-back white hair. He had a thin, brown mantle that covered his shoulders, and the arms had skin-tight brown sleeves. Under the mantle was a brown shirt that stopped at the abdomen, where it was covered in black armor. He had brown pants stopping at the shins, revealing his eagle-like talons, sharper than Corvus's. Much like the Crow, the man himself had more elegant brown feathers attached to his arms. His eyes were a serious and shrouded blue.

The last new face was distinct. He had long legs and arms that had sharp hooves. He had black pants and black jacket with orange lines running down the arms and middle, with an orange handkerchief in a pocket. He had a spotted, long neck and had sharp brown bristles along the back of the neck. He had a large, round and brown snout and angry-looking eyes and a sadistic grin.

The six stood all around, surrounding everyone and leaving them speechless.

"L-Lysandre's…top subordinates." Volans shuddered.

"They're all here…we're so dead." Corvus muttered.

Sophie looked uneasy. "This level of power…and this overwhelming dread." She couldn't even swallow as she became stiff. "Nic-!"

The tall man in the rainbow-feathered coat appeared in front with a large smirk. His appearance startled Sophie as he also brought an arm back. "Sorry little lady, but…" He pushed forward, sending a spiral of rainbow feathers at Sophie, sending her flying. "Your friends are gonna drop dead!"

Lupus snarled at the enemies all around, turning his head. When he looked ahead, he met by Sirius, who leaped in front and dark sonic kicked him hard in the chin.

"L-Lupus!" Corvus exclaimed.

"It would appear you have met defeat, novice." The eagle-like man said.

Corvus turned ahead, looking at the Spirit before him. "N-no…A-Aquila?" His surprise turned to anger as his teeth began to grit. "HOW COULD YOU…"

He trailed off as he suddenly began to feel light-headed, and he collapsed. Aquila appeared behind him in a flash and looked unfazed as Corvus fell behind him.

"There's no room for utter remorse, you fool." Aquila backlashed.

Volans watched Cetus advance before him, and the two glared heavily at the other. Former master and student had a long stare down before Cetus began opening his mouth.

"Well now, seems now we can pick up from where we left off, old man." In a flash, Cetus lunged after Volans, reaching a fist across and Volans punched back, both releasing a strong shockwave that rattled the ground. Volans grunted while Cetus sadistically smirked with glee.

Cana pulled out some cards. "There's so much Magic and darkness, but we can't-!"

She was cut off when the fox man appeared in front, startling her as he didn't even make a sound. Cana gasped, but that was all the time she got before the fox man's fox was engulfed in shadows and kicked Cana across, making her scream and slam into the ground.

Lysandre stood with a devilish presence, chuckling at Nic as his Pokémon were panting as well. "Now you see? You're finished!" He suddenly disappeared, yet reappeared behind Nic. Nic turned around and blocked the tail swing that was Lysandre's Feint Attack, yet skidded backwards on his feet.

Greninja jumped backwards and made ninja hand signs. "Smokescreen!" He huffed out smoke, encasing Lysandre in a huge and thick smoke cloud.

"Tch, annoying." He swiped his arm, dispelling the Smokescreen, yet it revealing that Nic, Garchomp, and Greninja were all not present. "Hm?"

"HRAH!" Nic descended downwards, clad now in his Iron Plate Form. Greninja descended downwards using his Bounce, and Garchomp sailed down with Dragon Rush. All three rushed down at an unsuspecting Lysandre.

Lysandre's eyes closed, and then opened once more. "Don't make me laugh!" A large spatial hole appeared above him, and Nic and the Pokémon's eyes widened.

"What's this?!" Nic, Greninja, and Garchomp all fell in, and traveled through what seemed distorted and suspended space before another hole opened back up, and they all went through and smashed into the flooring some feet away from Lysandre, crashing and failing hopelessly.

As the dust settled, they hurried to their feet, but a swift Dark Pulse trailed across the stone flooring, shattering it and striking Nic right in the abdomen. Nic screamed in agony as Dark Pulse struck him hard and engulfed him in a dark explosion, having his Pokémon get caught up in it as well.

The explosion was restless as darkness swelled all about, and Lysandre smirked as his bloody fangs showed. His purple aura began to thicken and his power was escalating further. He watched the dust clear out, revealing Nic with a badly damaged abdomen, gagging blood on the sides of his mouth.

Nic was huffing in and out as he dazedly glared at Lysandre. "His power…it's even more corrosive, and deadly…these years have been very unkind to him."

Lysandre chuckled. "Thank you for the compliment. All of the hatred and hopeless despair I put this world through made me crave even more malevolence. I said it before Nic, I feed off of despair and dread, and as of now, you don't have a PRAYER!"

His eyes turned bloody red and vermilion, and feral enough that it felt like bleeding Hell. A grand shockwave bellowed all around, leaving him in a very deep crater beneath, and the subordinates of Lysandre covered up while the injured screamed as a vile and deadly Ominous Wind expanded out, making them slam to the ground.

Nic and his Pokémon grunted as they felt so much pain. The last seven years left Lysandre extremely powerful. His eyes shook as he refused to give up, despite the painful injuries he's taken.

"COME ON LYSANDRE! I'M RIGHT HERE!" Nic challenged.

"Very well!" Lysandre morphed into shadows and he disappeared into a hole of pure hell and darkness, and he disappeared fully as the distorted space shrunk into nothing.

Nic panted as the level of power Lysandre had was more than what he could take. All of his attacks had more power and hate in them; the rage and vile in them was making him a little dizzy, and Greninja and Garchomp were holding up no better. Despite their strong will, this near-infinite level of dread was more deadly than last time.

The air above them cracked, as though space was literally cracking up above them. They all looked up and saw the huge cracks finally shatter.

While on the ground, Pavo got back up and his eyes widened, and tears fell. "NIC!"

"Legendary Arts – Shadow Force!" The shattered space revealed the same distorted darkness. Lysandre rushed through with his jacket collar glowing light blue, yet the pure darkness and shades were a compliment to his dark purple aura.

Nic, Greninja, and Garchomp all widened their eyes as they only saw pitch black, and everything became a flash. A devastating shockwave bellowed all around, and the entire stone flooring with darkness on the sides completely broke apart, shattering and crumbling. The rebellion screamed out as they barely held on to what little possible yet skin-rotting ground they had.

Their gazes all turned downwards, where they saw sheer horror as Lysandre floated above darkness, unscathed as he had a smirk on his face as Nic, Greninja, and Garchomp all screamed as they fell into the pitch black darkness below.

"NIC!" Everyone screamed in despair as the last images of Nic, Greninja, and Garchomp faded below.

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On the Infinity Castle, Erza and Vanessa were running along, and they suddenly came to a stop and their eyes widened, as though a wave of dread washed upon them. It was quiet for a moment, and their gazes were forward. They didn't know why, but it felt like something went wrong, very wrong.

Vanessa turned towards the redhead. "Erza, I have a bad feeling."

Erza tightened her grip. "…me too."

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This wasn't as well-written as what I had intended, but it'll suffice until the next chapter comes out. I know this went by fast, with the fights and all, and I wanted to make Nic VS Lysandre more epic than intended, but I'd rather save that for another confrontation. I will say something else that'll be big and important will go down, so expect another chapter shortly.

As for Erza and Vanessa, I wanted to show them in relation to where Nic and friends were, plus she needed to show Mega Evolution as well, so that's a plus.

Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys are enjoying every fight written!

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Next Time: Going Out in Style