As the Legends Team split off from the Starfall Team to accomplish their goals, some of the group couldn't help but wonder about what Himiko was going to do after the adventure in Paldea was over. Bow was the one who couldn't help but ask the question.
"Hey, Himiko. After we're done here in Paldea, have you been thinking about entering the Perfect Link Tournament?" he asked.
"Huh? Me?" Himiko asked.
"Adora, Balthus and Yuri are gonna enter. I'm sure you'd be great too. I mean, you and Meowscarada are really in sync and you've proven to be a great battler." Bow reminded.
"Nyeh… I-I'm not really that special. Not compared to some of the others." Himiko said.
"Are you kidding? Against all the Titans, you kicked butt!" Bow said.
"And don't forget, you were the one who defeated Tatsugiri all on your own." Adora added.
"Bow, I think she needs to be in a full battle herself before she can see if she's ready." David said.
"Speaking from a veteran's perspective, I'm surmising?" Trish asked.
"Yeah. Last time I was in that tournament, I could not complete the task at hand." David said. "The Perfect Link Tournament is a completely different beast. You need to be ready for any and all challengers. And I saw one of Shun'ei's Gym Battles, so I know how much Terastallization changes up the formula. Everything you thought you knew about type matchups goes right out the window."
"Terastallization is looking to be a real game-changer, if that's true." Tsumugi said.
"Especially with its many uses." Yuri said. "Anyway, perhaps we should save this conversation for another time, we still have an appointment to uphold after all." he said as they soon reached the south lighthouse.
"Here we go." Arven said as they entered an old looking lab that was covered in a large amount of dust. "It's been sometime since I've been here."
"Ah…you've made it." some voices said as appearing on a screen were both Professors Sada and Turo.
"We've been waiting." Sada said.
"Mom…Dad…" Arven said.
"Oh, and Arven's there too. Good. This works out perfectly." Turo said.
"Alright, you said you wanted to talk when we arrived." Ace said.
"Right…we'll get to the point. We would like you to come to Area Zero to sort out an unexpected outcome we're having." Sada said.
"That's right. We would specifically like the two who have been caring for Koraidon and Miraidon to go there as well since only using those Pokémon can you safely make it down from the top." Turo said.
"Wait…but isn't going there…sort of a big no no?" Usopp asked.
"Yes. But we don't have many others we can turn to for something like this." Sada said.
"And Arven, you'll need to bring the Scarlet and Violet books with you." Turo said.
"You've been using them to research the locations of the Titans, haven't you? Those two books you've been carrying?" Adora asked.
"Of course." Arven said, showing them. "They're my parents' all time favorites. But what good will these do?"
"You'll see once you arrive in Area Zero." Sada said.
"...Okay. We'll come to Area Zero, and we'll make sure Rutega knows about all this and brings Koraidon with her." Hope said.
"Understood." Turo said as the screen cut out.
"First time seeing each other in so long and they leave just like that. Well fine…I guess I'll just have to ask them in person once I get there." Arven said. "Now then…meet me outside in a couple minutes."
The group looked at each other before heading out where Arven stood tall.
"You know…since we started this journey…we've faced fearsome titans together. All for the Herba Mystica…all for saving Mabosstiff. Now…I have a chance to learn about all my parents have been up to. But…I doubt you all have the same motivation as me. So…that's why we're doing this." Arven said as he drew a Pokéball and pointed it at the group. "Fight me…Hero Alliance!"
(Cue: Price of Freedom- FF7 Crisis Core)
"Whoa, hold on a second, Arven. There's no need to be so rash about this." David said.
"No, he's serious about this." Balthus said. "I can see it in his eyes, and he's not going to back down."
"And this isn't just to test us, he wants to prove to himself he can handle whatever's inside Area Zero." Adora said.
"But still…" Tenko said.
"Alright. I'll do it." Himiko said.
"H-Himiko?" Tenko asked.
"But know…we're not gonna make this an easy fight!" Himiko said.
"Three…Two…One…Go!" both called out as Himiko sent out Annihilape as Arven started with Greedent.
"On the course of this journey, I've gathered many perfect Pokémon. Each and every one of them is an all star! A 5 star course!" Arven said.
"Ah right, each of the Pokémon he called out when he helped against the titans." Yuri said.
"Well, I've assembled my own great troupe too! I've caught a lot of Pokémon. Most of them animal based. They're the Ultimate Mage's Familiars!" Himiko said.
"Let's see what you can do with them, then! Greedent, use Psychic Fangs!" Arven said as Greedents fangs glowed as it bit into Annihilape.
"Good job taking that. Now pay him back with Close Combat!" Himiko said as Annihilape pummeled Greedent before the large squirrel fell.
"Return! Now…a little shellfish. Go, Cloyster!" Arven said sending out Cloyster.
"Return!" Himiko said, recalling Annihilape. "Let's go, Luxio!" she said as she sent out Luxio.
"Why'd she do that? Cloyster's part Ice type, she would've beaten it switching out or not." Bow said.
"Cause Arven isn't the only one who wants to show off his results." Jexi said. "Shun'ei, Himiko, Rutega, Rinkah, Mark…a lot of people from our groups have grown while traveling Paldea and they wanna show all they've gotten from them. The fruits of their labor."
"So that's why…" Bow said.
"Cloyster, hit that Luxio with Rock Blast!" Arven said.
"Avoid it, then use Thunder Fang." Himiko said as Luxio dodged the incoming rocks with its agility before biting into Cloyster and shocking it.
Arven recalled Cloyster. "Now, how about I serve you up a little spice in your life? You're up, Scovillain!" Arven said sending the Spicy Pepper Pokémon.
"Return." Himiko said recalling Luxio. "Go, Grafaiai!" she said sending out a Grafaiai.
"Take out that poisonous fiend with Zen Headbutt!" Arven said as Scovillain rammed into Grafaiai only for the Toxic Monkey to grab onto one of the heads as it seemed to dance.
"Heheh. Nice one. Now use Acid Spray!" Himiko said as Grafaiai sprayed in the pepper's face. "Followed by Poison Jab!" she said as Grafaiai landed a clean shot.
"Return!" Arven said. "Next, we show off a dish involving mushrooms. Go, Toedscruel!" Arven said sending out a fungus look alike of Tentacruel.
"Bzzt! Toedscruel, the Woodear Pokémon, and the evolved form of Toedscool! A Ground and Grass type! It coils its 10 tentacles around prey and sucks out their nutrients, causing the prey pain. The folds along the rim of its head are a popular delicacy." Rotomphone said.
"Return!" Himiko said as she recalled Grafaiai. "Let's go, Lokix!" she said, sending out Lokix.
"Ah, Gonta remembers that one!" Gonta said.
"So, some of Himiko's Pokémon are based on her closest friends." David said.
"Loxix is Gonta, which means Ahnnillape must've represented Tenko earlier." Hope said.
"What?! Himiko would never choose such an angry Pokémon to represent me!" Tenko denied.
"Um, I think you just proved our point." David said. "I think the reason why she picked him out is because she envisioned you as a very strong fighter."
"And Grafaiai must represent Angie because of their artistic skills."
"Um, maybe. I thought it was Espartha." David said.
"Besides, Angie's a sculptor, not a painter." Adora reminded.
"I'd better put that Lokix to sleep, better safe than sorry! Use Spore!" Arven said as Toedscruel prepared to scatter spores that would put Lokix asleep.
"Lunge!" Himiko said as Lokix dashed past the spores as it landed a lunge strike on Toedscruel.
"Agh, guess we were too slow…" Arven said.
"Toedscruel's ability is Mycelium Might, so status moves like Spore will be slower to get out, but have much more power. Himiko really took the initiative there." Adora said.
"This next one's gonna serve up pain with a side of salt!" Arven said recalling Toedscruel. "Go, Garganacl!" Arven sent out a large golem like creature that had salt growing all over it.
"Whoa, it's huge!" Bow said.
"Bzzt! Garganacl, the Rock Salt Pokémon and the evolved form of Naclstack! A Rock type! Garganacl will rub its fingertips together and sprinkle injured Pokémon with salt. Even severe wounds will promptly heal afterward." Rotomphone said.
"Now that's rubbing salt on the wound." Rebecca said.
"Return! Now come out, Copperajah!" Himiko said as she sent out Copperajah.
"Flatten 'em with Body Press!" Arven said as Garganacl leaped into the air and prepared to slam down on the Steel Type.
"Iron Head!" Himiko said as Copperajah rammed into Garganacl before it went and collapsed to the ground.
"Not bad. Now…our final course…a full dessert of darkness. Go, Mabosstiff!" Arven said as he sent out Mabosstiff.
"Return! Go, Meowscarada!" Himiko said switching to Meowscarada.
"And here's a little something extra!" Arven said, revealing he had a Tera Orb up his sleeve. Charging it up, he then Terastallized Mabostiff. He gained a Tera Crown that depicted a sort of comic-like evil face. "Now let's give it to 'em, buddy! Use Crunch!"
Mabostiff charged Meowscarada with his jaws open wide as he bit down.
"We won't surrender that easy. Flower Trick!" Himiko said as Meowscarada dropped a flower on Mabosstiff as it forced the dog back.
"Play Rough, Mabosstiff!" Arven said, aiming to capitalize on Meowscarada's weakness.
"Play Rough right back!" Himiko said as both Pokémon were playing rough together.
"Y'know Himiko? I'm glad you were the one who went with your friends to help me out." Arven said. "I couldn't have asked for better friends like you and yours to get me through this ordeal… but still, don't think I'll lose easily because you got me this far!"
"Sorry…but it's over now!" Himiko said as Meowscarada landed the finishing blow as Mabosstiff fell to the ground.
(end song)
"And, that's that." David said.
Arven breathed. "Yeah… I'd say we're all ready to head into Area Zero now." he said. "But, we can't just go in with me and all of you guys. The other groups gotta get in on this too. Also, we'd need someone really good at Pokémon battling, and an experienced hacker to deal with all the technology set up in Area Zero."
"Thankfully, the others know just where to find them." David said.