Our heroes split up upon starting their attack. Each team ran into trouble quickly. Gonzap, Walkin and Wes were attacked by Ardos himself. Meanwhile Rand and Blade...

Mega Gallade and Zanbamon stood in front of Swampert and Houndoom. Blade glared and Dakim's sickening grin. Rand could only watch with his defeated Ravemon. "Houndoom, Protect!" His Fire/Dark Type formed a barrier. "Swampert!" Earthquake!" Swampert shock the ground again. Zanbamon, and Gallade lost their footing. "Now go Swampert! Shadow Wave!" His Pokemon summoned twin blasts of purple energy at both targets.

"Zanbamon!" Blade ordered.

"Right! Vorpal Blade!" His Digimon sliced the attacks in half.

"What a weak attack." Blade scoffed. "Is this what you consider improving Pokemon?"

Dakim grinned. "That wasn't the attack. That was the distraction."

"What?" Blade looked at Houndoom. Its mouth was glowing green. "Look out!"

"Solarbeam!" Dakim's Pokemon shot a green laser towards Zanbamon. The Digimon jumped over it and charged towards Houndoom.

"Stop him, Swampert!" Dakim ordered.

"Oh, no you don't! Gallade, Leaf Blade!" Blade's Pokemon rushed in with his arms glowing green and swiped at Swampert, knocking it into a wall so hard it bounced off it and went back towards him. "Now, Close Combat!" Gallade let lose a ferocious assault of attacks until Swampert could stand no more.

"Awesome Quake!" Zanbamon slammed the ground with his sword, toppling Houndoom. "Nightmare!" He then unleashed a purple blast. Houndoom rolled across the floor and got up glaring at Zanbamon. It was about to launch another Fire Blast when Gallade punched it in the face from the left, slamming it into a wall and knocking it out.

"Well done." Blade said.

"Just two more…" Rand said. "Come on Blade…"

Dakim chuckled as he withdrew his Pokemon. "Very good. It truly is a shame you left Cipher. That battle ability would have secured you a place as an Admin."

"I told you, I want nothing to do with your kind anymore!" Blade replied. "My only objective is atonement for my crimes! To right the wrongs I wrote! That is why my master made me his just sword!"

"But you could have been so much more. You could have obtained so much more." Dakim held up two Ultra Balls. "I will show you by crushing you with the power you could have claimed. The true Power of Cipher!"

Rand's eyes widened. "Don't tell me…!"

Blade narrowed his eyes. "Here it comes."

"Go! Entei! Articuno!" Dakim tossed the two Ultra Balls and two legendary Pokemon appeared.

Blade gritted his teeth. "They're both Shadow Pokemon with the Dark Bond aren't they? You used their bond with Ben and Summer to strip them of their free will! Have you no shame?!"

"Pokemon do not need free will! They only need power to carry out their orders!"

"You see not just Pokemon, but all those who are not part of your group as a resource." Blade said. "That's why my master has sent me to destroy Cipher and cleanse Orre of the chaos you unleashed."

"Ha! Save me the self-righteous speech! Didn't you try to take this entire world for yourself Purple Eyes? We know about the Sky Fortress. And the Golden Armor."

"That's old news. And much like it, Cipher's about to be buried and forgotten."

Dakim laughed. "You're the one who will be forgotten! Entei, Shadow Rush!" The Fire legendary roared as it charged towards Gallade.

"Dodge it!" Gallade stepped to the side and let Entei dash past it. But Entie was quick to turn to the side and ram itself into Gallade sending it hurling across the room. "Gallade!"

"Entei was never anywhere near that fast!" Rand growled.

"Do you see it then?" Dakim asked. "Shadow Pokemon are superior! Articuno! Shadow Sky!" The Ice/Flying legendary shot a purple orb into the air that exploded, making purple rain. Zanbamon and Gallade were gradually drained of their strength by it.

"Finish this quick!" Blade said. "Zanbamon!"

"Vorpal Blade!" Blade's Digimon came charging at Entei and brought his sword down towards it. Entei simply blocked it with its forehead. "W-what?!"

Dakim smirked. "Shadow Rave!" A shadowy trail crawled from Entei to Zanbamon. It then created spikes that rose up at him.

Gallade jumped up towards Articuno, but with a flap of its wings a gust of wind slammed him back to the ground. "Shadow Storm!" Articuno howled as a purple hurricane swept up Gallade and tossed him.

Dakim laughed. "Excellent! Now show them your true power! Shadow Chill! Shadow Fire!" Both his Pokemon attacked at once. Entei with a jet of fire with a purple aura. Articune with a beam of purple Ice. Gallade was burned and knocked out. Zanbamon was frozen in purple Ice.

"No…!" Blade shuddered.

"Bwa ha, ha, ha! Do you see it now?! What more proof do you need?!"

Blade withdrew Zanbamon and Gallade into his Megavice and drew his Sword of Order. "Don't get ahead of yourself. It's not over yet. Let me show you what a proper bond looks like." He drew a new Guardian Sign. "Sword of the colt! Guide a new generation, and bring peace to this world! Go, Guardian Sign! Come! Keldeo!" A small horse like Pokemon with blue fur and orange hair appeared.

"What…is that puny little thing?" Dakim asked. "Are you mocking me?!"

Blade sighed. "A true mindless brute to the core. So quick to judge by appearance. Keldeo is a legendary Pokemon."

Rand scanned it. "Keldeo, Water/Fighting Type. By blasting water from its hooves it can glide across water. Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion taught it how to fight. The Swords of Justice?"

"Yes. During the war that made the trio distrust humans they saved a small Pokemon that was separated from its family and raised it like their own." Keldeo galloped to Blade who stroked its hair. "An apprentice to just beings. Just like me. Keldeo was my very first Guardian Sign."

"Is that so?"

"Interesting." Dakim replied. "A legendary trained by other legendries. Let's see how strong it is! Entei! Shadow Fire!" His Pokemon shot a blast of dark flame at Keldeo, who dashed to the side.

"Aqua Tail!" Blade ordered. Keldeo jumped up high and slammed its tail down on Entei. Articuno shot a Shadow Chill at it, but it leapt away and dodged the beam as it got close. "Sacred Sword!" It's horn glowed as it leapt towards Articuno and dashed through it. The Pokemon winced but immediately turned around as Keldeo hit the ground again and shot another Shadow Chill. As Keldeo jumped back Entei attacked with Shadow Fire again, but it rolled out of the way. "Now! Hydro Pump!" Keldeo shot a jet of water into Entei that pushed it back that trailed to Articuno.

Both Pokemon straightened out and roared. "You're annoying little Pokemon is fast." Dakim admitted. "But it lacks the strength to do any significant damage.

Suddenly something came rushing towards Entei. It reacted fast enough to catch Ravemon's blade in its teeth. The weakened Digimon grunted as it pushed. "Ravemon?!" Rand gasped.

"You annoying pest." Dakim scowled. Ravemon gasped as Entei snapped his sword to shards with its fangs. It then rammed into him, knocking him back down.

"Ravemon!" Rand hurried to his side.

"You'll destroy yourself at this rate." Blade said. "Stand down."

"No…" Ravemon grunted as he slowly got back up, holding his broken katana. "We have…a mission to complete…And I must see it through."

"Ravemon…" Rand stood next to him. "You're right. I'm a Pokemon Ranger. I'm not standing back at the sidelines while Blade fights for us. If he can keep going so can I."

"Are you saying you trust this man?" Dakim asked. "Even after he made you and your family suffer?"

"What would you know about my actions?" Blade asked.

"We looked into the backstory of the Cyber Rangers. We know that you kidnapped this man's daughter and wife. We know you tried to banish him to another dimension. You ever tried to coax Arceus into eliminating all humans and make you a king. Tell me Rand. After all you, your family, your friends and your region suffered at the hands of Purple Eyes, can you truly say you don't resent him at all?"

Rand looked at Blade. "Perhaps you're right. I…I hate Purple Eyes. Always have. Always will." Blade said nothing. Just glanced away. "But not Blade."

Dakim blinked. "Hmm?"

Blade looked at him in surprise. "Rand…"

Rand flashed a smile. "When Arceus made this man see the error of his ways and turn over a new leaf, the man I hated so much was destroyed. Purple Eyes of the Pokemon Pinchers is gone. And I believe in Blade, Arceus' apprentice."

Blade smiled. "Rand…thank you."

"You think simple trust will see you through this?" Dakim scoffed.

"Why not?" Rand asked. "When I think back to everything I saw Ben, Takumi, and those other kids accomplish… I see the trust they put in each other. In their Digimon and Pokemon. And the courage they showed in the face of danger. Back then I could barely do anything. But this time it's different. I have Ravemon. A partner of my own. And we got each other's backs."

"That's right." Ravemon replied. "Rand has become a part of me. And I'm a part of him! And together we're going to defeat you!"

Red light shined from Rand's Styler. Slowly it coated his body. "Huh?"

Blade looked at him. "That radiance…"

"What is this?!" Dakim growled as he shielded his eyes. Rand and Ravemon looked at each other and nodded. The Ranger shot his Styler and spun it around his Digmon.

BURST DIGIVOLUTION

Light swallowed Ravemon. "Ravemon Burst Digivolve to…" He came out in a new form. Black and white armor with a black scarf. Both arms had glorious purple wings. "Ravemon Burst Mode!"

His purple shine glowed. "What is that?!" Dakim asked.

"This is the power to surpass one's limits." Rand said. "The power to fight forward. The power of a legitimate bond." Keldeo clutched its eyes shut and shuddered. "Huh? What's happening to Keldeo?" A fiery aura formed around Keldeo. Images of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion appeared around it. "The other Swords of Justice?"

Blade watch in awe. "Can it be…?"

"Remember Blade. Keldeo is a very special Pokemon. It was trained by the Swords of Justice after all. However… I believe it has great potential locked away. Perhaps enough to surpass its masters. It just needs to learn to surpass its limits. You must help him realize this potential of his."

"Is this what Master Arceus told me? Did seeing you and your Digimon transcend inspire Keldeo to go beyond its current power?!" The images turned into light that flew up and slammed down on Keldeo, turning it pure white as it slowly changed shape. The horn on its head extended. It's hair and blue fur grew and in its hair were a blue, green, and yellow feather. It howled as light erupted from its body. "Amazing Keldeo…So this is your Resolute Form!"

Rand smirked. "Well then. Shall we put our newfound power to the test?"

"Lets." Blade replied. Keldeo and Ravemon started walking towards Entei and Articuno.

"Don't get cocky now that your pets slightly changed shape!" Dakim glared. "Articuno! Entei! Attack!" Both the Pokemon charged.

"Speed Break Field!" Ravemon raised his arms and swung his wings down. Entei and Articuno glowed blue as they became sluggish as they got close. Keldeo turned around and slammed its back hooves into Entei's face. Ravemon sidestepped Articuno as it dashed at him and grabbed its tail. He spun it around a few times before throwing it into Entei.

"Entei, Shadow Fire!" Dakim's Fire Type blew ominous flames at Ravemon.

"Keldeo, counter it with Hydro Pump!" Blade's Pokemon stepped in front of Ravemon and doused the attack with a torrent of water that blasted Entei.

"It's stronger now…! Articuno, Shadow Chill!" His Ice Type shot a beam that started to freeze Keldeo's feet to the floor.

"Ravemon, help him!" Rand ordered.

"Status Barrier!" Ravemon Burst Mode held out a hand towards Keldeo and the ice at its feet shattered.

Dakim shuddered. "What?!"

"Go, Keldeo! Secret Sword!" Keldeo raised it's head and its horn glowed gold before extending. It charged towards Entei with the horn held forward and lifted its head swinging it upward and knocking it into Articuno who was above it.

"Mourning Dance!" Ravemon Burst Mode dashed towards Articuno and Entei at high speed. Moving with an agility that made it impossible to track, it bombarded both Pokemon with consecutive blows. For his last hit he swopped in front of them with his hand glowing purple and slashed. The two of them dropped to the ground unconscious.

Dakim fell to his knees. "This can't be! The mighty Dakim loses again?"

"Now what was that you were saying about Shadow Pokemon being superior?" Rand grinned.

Dakim punched the ground. "I…the mighty Dakim…lost to a traitor and a weak-hearted Ranger?! How?!"

"You just don't get it do you?" Blade asked. "I didn't either at first, but now I see clearly. Bonds with people and Pokemon are what make a heart strong. You couldn't be bothered to bond with anyone. So, you stole bonds from Ben and Summer. Ones you didn't know how to use."

Dakim roared as he stood up. "I will not accept this!" He charged past Ravemon and Keldeo and towards Rand and Blade.

"Look out!" Ravemon shouted.

Rand and Blade moved aside as Dakim threw a punch that banged loudly against the wall. He grabbed Rand by the collar and threw him into Blade. He roared as he stampeded towards them again. "Rand!"

"Right!" Rand grabbed Blade's arm swung him around and threw him. Blade kicked Dakim in the face, making him stumble back.

Rand then rushed him and rammed him into a wall. He threw a punch at him, but Dakim grabbed his arms. They wrestled a bit before Rand headbutted him. He then threw a flurry of punches at Dakim before the giant pushed him back. Blade threw his katana and the hilt hit Dakim in the face. "RGH!" Dakim winced holding his face. He stood up, swinging his arms wildly. "I'll crush you!"

Rand and Blade charged. Rand punched Dakim in the gut making him hunch and wince. Blade jumped, spinning in midair and slammed his heel atop Dakim's head knocking him out. "What a brute." Rand said as he went over to him and procured the Shadow Pokemon Dakim had. "Power without purpose is tyranny."

"Indeed." Blade picked up his Sword of Order as Keldeo and Ravemon approached. The man smiled and kneeled to his Pokemon. "Keldeo… You've grown so strong. Your masters must be so very proud of you. I know I am."

Keldeo pepped happily and backflipped. Rand smiled and looked at Ravemon. "You've grown strong too. I can't wait to get home and show Nema this."

"Heh. You've come a long way as a Digimon Tamer my friend."

Blade turned to the Ranger. "Rand…" He bowed. "I am honored to have your trust. I will not let you down."

"I know you won't…Blade. Let's go. We need to make up for lost time."

"Yes. We should join Red Eyes and Blue Eyes. I hope they found Ben and Summer." They walked out of the room. Blade it the button and the door slammed shut. He then slashed the panel with his sword. "That'll keep Dakim in there. We'll come back for him when this is over."

"Alright. Let's go!" The two men sprinted down the path.

Gonzap withdrew his fainted Pokemon as Wes stood his ground with Typlosion and Feraligatr out. Megidramon, Darkdramon and Omnimon stood with them as Zygardee approached. "Okay…Any ideas?" Yuuko asked.

"Oh! I got one!" Nokia said.

Arata groaned. "I swear to Arceus if you say "let's hit it really hard" I'm gonna…!"

"That's not what I was going to say geek boy!"

"Then what's the plan?" Wes asked.

"Look at the size of that thing. I bet its legs are supporting a lot of weight. If we use our Digimon to distract it, Wes' Pokemon can aim for the legs, and we might be able to topple it. The shin's a common sensitive area after all."

Wes smirked. "Not a bad idea."

Arata and Yuuko stared at Nokia. "Yes. A very good idea…" Yuuko muttered amazed. "Especially for you."

"Okay spill it, who are you and what did you do to our blockhead Nokia?" Arata asked.

"Hey! I can think too ya know!"

"It seems like Takumi's been an influence on you as well." Yuuko said with a smile.

Arata grinned. "Yeah. Only his is a good influence."

"Enough talk." Wes said. "Let's go."

"Right!" Nokia said. "Get em boys!"

Omnimon charged first. Once he was in front of Zygardee the massive Pokemon swiped at him, but he veered to the side to evade. "Supreme Cannon!" He fired a blast that Zygardee blocked with its arm. Omnimon flew away from another swing, then Zygardee's hands started glowing green. Omnimon flew away from it as it dodged green lasers.

"Destruction Cannon!" Megidramon shot a purple pellet that exploded in Zygardee's face as he flew by. The Pokemon swiped wildly at it. Megidramon tried to circle around the large Pokemon, but it grabbed him by the tail and threw him to the ground. It's arm glowed as it aimed a laser at it. Omnimon rushed in to assist but was batted aside by Zygardee's other arm and sent flying. It then looked back at Megidramon ready to fire.

"Dark Roar!" A black sphere flew into Zygardee's hand, knocking it out of its trajectory. It fired next to Megidramon who got back into the air. Darkdramon charged his lance into Zygardee's arm. It howled in pain before shaking Darkdramon off.

Omnimon then came back and the three Digimon assembled. "Attack Charge Field!" He glowed red and so did Megidramon and Darkdramon.

"Dragon Pulse!" Ardos ordered. Zygardee shot a blue beam at the three who flew around it.

"Guard Break Field!" Darkdrmon howled and Zygardee glowed blue.

"Megiddo Flame!" Megidramon shot fire in its face making it step back.

"Transcendent Sword!" Omnimon slashed it with his blade.

"Zygarde, stop messing around and eliminate these pests!" Ardos demanded. "Thousand Arrows!" Zygarde screeched as a green shell formed around it. Green lights fired off everywhere. The Digimon did their best to dodge as many as they could, but one by one they were hit and knocked to the ground.

"Hang in there, guys!" Arata said.

Wes' Typlosion and Feraligatr were close enough to Zygarde's legs to attack. "Now! Flame Wheel and Aqua Tail!"

Ardos grinned. "Fools. Thousand Waves!"

Zygarde roared as green shockwaves emitted from its feet. Not only were Feraligatr and Typlosion knocked out and was blown away, but when the Digimon on the ground were hit they were flung. "What?!" Wes shouted.

"Oh, no!" Nokia panicked.

Ardos laughed. "A clever tactic, I'll give you that. But far too predictable."

"Well, that didn't work." Arata groaned as Wes withdrew his Pokemon. "Now what?"

"Now you perish! Zygarde! Aim for those brats this time!"

As Zygarde pointed an arm at Nokia and the others Omnimon tried to get up. "N-Nokia!"

"Flying Kick!" Hudiemon flew in and batted its arm aside before it fired. The laser flew past Wes and the others and exploded in the distance.

"Now what?!" Ardos growled.

"Giga Blaster!" HerculesKabuterimon shot a golden been, catching Zygarde off guard.

MarineAngemon flew over to the fallen Digimon. "Ocean's Love!" It shot hearts at them and healed their injuries.

Keisuke and Yu hurried over to them. "Is everyone alright?" Keisuke asked.

"Heh. You kids know how to make an entrance." Gonzap grinned.

"HerculesKabuterimon, go for the legs!" Yuuko shouted.

"You got it!" The beetle Digimon flew low and rammed into Zygarde's foot and started pushing.

"Zygarde, crush him!" Ardos ordered. "Thousand Waves!"

"MarineAngemon!" Yu shouted.

"Safety Guard!" His little Digimon summoned a barrier around HerculesKabuterimon, shielding him from the green shockwaves. But it quickly started to crack.

"Tch! RAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Keisuke's body turned blue.

DIGIVOLUTION

"HerculeKabuterimon Digivolve to… TyrantKabuterimon!" Upon transforming, Keisuke's Digimon pushed harder and knocked Zygarde off balance.

Hudiemon flew up to its face. "Infinity Dream!" Hey eyes flowed blue, dazing it.

"Now! Hit it hard!" Keisuke shouted.

"Get back, Hudiemon!" TyrantKabuterimon said as it flew up. "Shine of Bee!" He released a red, fiery blast that pushed Zygarde, making it fall.

"Timber!" Nokia shouted. It came down with a loud crash.

Everyone looked at the Pokemon on the ground. "Did that do it?" Yuuko asked.

Zygarde's eyes flashed, and it unleashed another Thousand Arraows. Hudiemon and TyrantKabuterimon were caught off guard and blasted to the ground. "Erika! TyranntKabuterimon!" Keisuke shouted.

"Fools! You let your guard down!" Ardos sneered. "Now Zygarde, get up and pulverize them!" His Pokemon started to sit up and was about to get back on its feet.

"Hyper Beam!" A golden laser came down on Zygarde's head and exploded, knocking it back on its back.

"What?" Ardos looked up. Michael and Lunick were on his Dragonite. "You again!"

"Long time no see Ardos." Michael glared. "Or is it "Grandmaster Ardos" now?"

Ardos growled at him. "Zygarde! That boy is your primary target! Destroy-

"Boomburst!" A powerful shriek let loose an intense shockwave at Zygarde. Once it died down it tried to lift itself up but collapsed unconscious. "That is enough, Ardos." Everyone looked next to Dragonite. A Flygon was there with Solana and a man with a uniform similar to Ardos'. But his was red instead of blue.

"Huh? Michael, who is that?" Nokia asked.

"I told you my friend was coming, didn't I?" the boy grinned.

Ardos glared at the newcomer as the dragons landed. "You have some nerve showing your face to me."

The man dismounted with Solana. "Someone has to stop you…brother."

Everyone looked at him in surprise. "Brother?!"

Wes pieced it together. "Michael…Is this guy…?"

Michael nodded. "Guys…this is Eldes. Former member of Cipher. And son of its former Grandmaster."

Eldes stepped forward. "It has been a long time Ardos."

"Not long enough for me traitor."

"Brother how can you continue to cling to Cipher so desperately? Can't you see? It's over! This brave young man already proved that Shadow Pokémon is not the answer!"

"It is only beginning for Cipher." Ardos scowled. "If it weren't for you destroying our Grandmaster's resolve-

"Don't you mean our father's resolve?"

"How could you so heartlessly destroy everything we strived to create together?! We came so far! We could have been so much more! If you had just let me destroy Citadark with that brat on it-"

"That would quite literally be destroying everything we strived to create!" Eldes replied. "Brother…have you forgotten what the original goal behind Cipher was in the first place?"

"Cipher's…original goal?" Michael asked.

Eldes closed his eyes. "My father…He grew up enjoying the spectacle of Pokémon battles. Whether it be watching passing by Trainers up close or tournaments on television. Naturally when he had us, we also watched those battles with him. The fierce competitions. The willpower of Trainers and Pokémon alike. The spirit and drive for victory they showed…We lived for that. It breathed life into us. That's why father suggested that we research ways to improve Pokémon's battle capabilities. To create more exciting battles to inspire people. Just as they inspired us."

"That was what Mr. Verich wanted?"

Eldes nodded. "Then one of our contributors named Edvice suggested something."

That name rang through Wes's ears. "Edvice…"

"He suggested we closed the hearts of Pokémon. Made them ruthless fighting machines. I was against this idea. Father was reluctant. It was Ardos that convinced him to give it a shot. After seeing the fighting prowess of a Shadow Pokémon father got obsessed. He slowly started to change. He lost sight of his goal of making people happy with Pokémon battles and soon he decided he wanted to take over the world with what we created. So, he sent Edvice to Orre to conquer the region for a foothold of our campaign against the world." Eldes looked at Wes. "After you stopped him, father bid his time to prepare more Shadow Pokémon and a bigger army to conquer Orre himself. After learning that you found a way to undo the heart-closer process, we started working on how to make a Pokémon impossible to purify. Five years later we started the XD program. The rest you know."

"All this started because your father wanted to make people happy with Pokemon battles…" Lunick said. "To think it led to all of this…"

Wes folded his arms. "I can easily believe Edvice was the one to make that call. In a way, he was using your father."

Eldes turned back to Ardos. "Brother… father has come to see the mistakes we made. Cipher shouldn't exist any longer. Neither should Shadow Pokémon."

"Silence! Cipher is supposed to rule all! The victor of the battles takes from the loser! Those with power become the victors! That is what our father wanted! That is how it should be!"

"You're letting your pride blind you just like father Ardos! You're not thinking clearly! If what you say is true, it's all the more reason Cipher should disappear! It already lost twice!"

Ardos sighed. "Enough! We will clearly never see eye to eye. That is why I did not contact you when I started reforming Cipher. I knew you'd try to stop me."

"Indeed. And I will do so right here and now. Your crimes…father's crimes…my crimes…The crime named Cipher…I'll burry it once and for all."

Michael looked at the siblings sadly. "Eldes…"

Ardos cackled. "You will try brother. But you'll find I stepped up my game. My Cipher is far superior to what our father had."

"Get in line Eldes." Solana said as she and the others stepped forward. "We all have a bone to pick with this guy."

"That's right." Arata nodded. "He's made our friends suffer. We're going to make sure he answers for it."

"You mean the Rangers, yes?" Ardos asked. "They should be honored. They provided Cipher with the tools we need."

"You're acting mighty confident even though you just lost your legendary Shadow Pokemon." Yu said. "What can you do without your ace in the hole against all of us?"

"Heh. You think Zygarde was my ace in the hole boy? It was just an exhibit! A mere display of the Shadow Pokemon far beyond it!"

"What?!"

Eldes narrowed his eyes. "You've done it haven't you?"

"Indeed. It took time, research, and a lot of recourses. But we found a way to make the Dark Bond compatible with father's masterpiece." Ardos took out a Master Ball. He held it up and it burst open, unleashing a wave of darkness.

Everyone shielded themselves. They looked up to see a massive bird. "W-what the…?!" Wes gapped.

"No…" Michael whispered.

Yuuko stepped back. "Is that…Lugia?!"

The legendary guardian of the sea was now mostly purple with a white belly. Its eyes were an eerie red. "Gyaaas!"

"What happened to it?!" Omnimon asked.

"I don't even need a special program or whatever to see that it's a Shadow Pokémon!" Nokia gapped.

"I've never seen a Shadow Pokémon like it." Wes said.

"What did they do?!" Gonzap asked.

"XD001." Eldes said. "Shadow Lugia. You recreated it."

"Indeed." Ardos smirked. "And with this Dark Bond, it is now stronger than ever before."

"Maybe." Michael glared. "But I've also gotten stronger since I last fought it. And this time I've got all of my friends here to back me up. It's gonna take more than this to stop us!"

"More you say?" Ardos took out another Master Ball. "Very well."

"What is that?" Wakin asked.

"One XD Shadow Pokemon was not enough to secure victory before. So, it became clear to me I needed more."

Michael froze. "You mean…You made another?!"

"Behold!" The Master Ball opened, and another dark wave enveloped everyone's vision. Then they saw…

"Ho-oh…not you too!" Nokia yelped.

The Pokemon was purple with a white belly, tail, hair and beak with red eyes. "Shaoooh!"

Ardos laughed. "Meet XD002! Shadow Ho-oh!"

"Ho-oh as well?!" Wes yelled.

Ardos laughed. "Spectacular, isn't it? Now not only do I have Shadow Lugia back at its' full glory, but I have its counterpart as well! Not only that…" Ardos took out one more Master Ball.

"Not another one!" Arata yelled.

"That's right. I had just enough resources left to make one more. Since you made it this far, I'll grant you the honor of witnessing all three of Cipher's greatest creations! Come out! XD003!" The Master Ball burst open. It was a pitch-black Pokémon that was summoned. One with a long tail and purple eyes. "Shadow Mewtwo!"

"Mew!" The Pokemon had a purple aura anyone could see around it.

"Mewtwo…" Yuuko trembled. "No…"

Eldes cringed. "Brother…you have taken this too far! You can't continue to do this to Pokémon!"

"Sadly, you're right." Ardos replied. "As I said my resources are currently limited. But three XD Shadow Pokémon should be enough for now. Once I own the world and all its resources I will upgrade all Shadow Pokémon to XD models, and Cipher we be truly unstoppable!"

Michael glared at Ardos. "I won't stand for this Ardos! I'm not letting you corrupt Pokémon like this any longer!"

The three Shadow Pokémon hovered over Ardos. "Do you think you can stop me boy? I am now the strongest Trainer in the world!"

Keisuke stepped forward. "Challenge accepted. We will stop you!"

The true battle with Ardos beguines next week.