Pokemon The Revolution

by LandofGaming

After years of evolution and drifts and new ages, the Pokemon world has advanced to a modern state where politics and ideals flourished and many Pokemon began searching and striving for the idea of a perfect world. However, due to the corrupted government, a single Pokemon stands up to fight for his freedom...and ends up starting more than even he had anticipated.

13. Vapors of Darkness

Authors' Note: If there are any questions, please leave a review and we will do our best and try to answer it!

Disclaimer: We don't actually own Pokemon.

---

Chapter Thirteen: Vapors of Darkness

"Ralph!"

The Lucario's ear flitted up at the bloodcurdling scream. He spun around, ready to attack, as Xeno and Rachiel burst out of the bushes into the temporary camp. Xeno looked battered, with multiple wounds showing along her body. Rachiel looked worse off, however. One eye was swollen, her tail was held out awkwardly as if her balance was off, and her wiry body was covered in bruises and cuts. Nonetheless, the Houndoom managed to stand up straight.

"We need to leave," she panted. "Now. Gather the citizens and head towards Accumula!"

"What?" Ralph was confused. "Why?" He glanced at the horizon, where the magic fires from Striaton City were starting to dwindle. "Now that the fire's dying, we can go back and rebuild the city, ri―"

"Do you honestly think we have the time to wait?" Xeno snapped, finally out of patience from being stuck in the miserable temporary camp and being ragged on by the angry Striaton citizens. "Maybe you haven't heard 'cause you're sitting here relaxing, but the Shadow Force isn't done with us yet, you idiot! We have a defensive front out there right now, but they're not going to last. Move your brain cells and get the Pokemon here moving!"

Ralph, shocked by her angry tone, was momentarily stunned. Rachiel snorted and limped towards the swaths of Pokemon.

"Hurry!" she barked. "The Shadow Force army is almost on us! Get your sorry rear ends moving and head towards Accumula! Follow the Riolu holding that pathetic white banner with a waffle on it!"

"Hey!" Jason complained, but led the anxious Pokemon out with Victor and Mark flanking him.

"Where are Charnette and Amethyst?" Lumiere shouted through the roar of the panicking Pokemon. "I need Charnette's help!"

"They're back at the front lines holding back the enemy! And if you're thinking about creating a portal, Lightbulb-Head, forget it! We don't have the time and those angered stampeding fools aren't gonna listen to us!" Rachiel yelled back impatiently.

"I need Charnette's psychic ability to send a message to Mayor Airavata!" Lumiere replied.

"Don't you have enough magic yourself, Candle-Arms?" Rachiel yowled over the noise of the evacuating Pokemon. "I hate magic!"

"Since when did you come up with all of those nicknames...?" May murmured.

"It's easy when your target is an evolved lamp!"

"Fine! Does anyone have a potion to help with messaging?" Lumiere pleaded. "Like an energy potion, or an extra-fuel potion, or..."

"I have a potion. Message Potion. Telepathy Potion. Three minute connection." Vindictus appeared next to Lumiere, fluttering silently in the air. "Ingredients: Mystic Water, Big Pearl―"

"Heaven's sake, just give me that... please!" Lumiere snatched the potion away and uncorked the vial. Grimacing, the Chandelure dumped the contents down his throat and started chanting like a mad priest. A misty smoke swirled out around Lumiere, rippling with multicolored bubbles and swirly puffs of white, showing the image of a Dewott wearing a fedora, seated comfortably in a plush armchair as he read an edition of newsapapers.

"Mayor Vata!" Rachiel bounded towards image. The mayor looked around, a surprised look on his fave. "Over here, Onion Head!"

"Rachiel... when did you come up with those nicknames?" Xeno grumbled.

"Quiet, Mushroom Scalp," Rachiel yapped. "Mayor Airavata! There's been a bit of a problem-iski over here, and we need your help quick. We've unfortunately failed to secure Striaton City, so we're now heading back towards Accumula Town. Could you send a small patrol of Pokemon to help us?"

Mayor Airavata may have been surprised, but as he had been a mayor for quite the length of time, there was no doubt that he'd seen weirder things then this sudden mist-made-Vindictus-potion-certified-insta-messages. He nodded grimly and stood up. "I'll do my best," he said firmly, and waved his blue paw over the mist, dispelling it.

"Five months to make potion. Used up in under twenty seconds," Vindictus muttered. "Not worth it."

"Ralph, why are you standing there?!" Charlez fluttered over and grabbed his paw, pulling him along. "Come on! We have to go, now!"

Ralph shook his head warily, and stumbled after his elderly adviser, tripping over sticks and stone. His once-fluid movements became shaky, and weary, as if he was running out of energy. He was well aware of Charlez shouting at him, urging him to hurry on. He could sense the auras of the defensive front retreating, barely tail-lengths from his back as the Shadow Force Army charged forward. He could hear the trampling footsteps of the terrified Revolutionists and citizens alike as they fled blindly, following that white waffle flag of salvation.

But he didn't feel anything. His body regulated neither heat nor cold. His mind was blank, empty. His limbs moved like a machine in jerky, robotic movements. His narrowed, red eyes were unfocused and vacant. His heart, which had once been fueled with happiness and the sparks of the Revolution, was now as frigid as ice and as brittle as dried leaves.

"Rachiel! Rachiel!" He dimly heard Charlez shout. "I need your help!"

"What is it, Guitar Stomach?"

"It's Ralph! I think he's―"

"Move it!" Charnette howled, making a 180 degree turn as she darted down the road, blasting a wall of deadly, green flames at the unfortunate front lines of the Shadow Force Army. The poor souls screamed as the poisonous flames wrapped around them, slowly solidifying into gelatin-like substance, trapping them inside green slime like Durants in amber. "They have us on the run!"

Rachiel made no further objections. She rushed back, scooped the hopeless leader onto her back, and fled after the retreating citizens. Charnette and Amethyst, along with several other brave Revolutionists, plus Trent, did their best to delay their enemies. There were so many of them, crammed into an orderly formation, that it just wasn't possible to keep them busy for long. Amethyst seared their ranks, giving many soldiers a new, do-over hairstyle. Charnette cast spell after spell, depleting the enemy in energy and numbers as they scampered towards Accumula. Trent kept doing a hit-and-run cycle, roaring into the ranks, scattering the soldiers, and quickly rushing back out.

No one could say that the pawful of Revolutionists fighting off the attackers weren't brave. Trent's thick hide was pierced with arrows and spears. Charnette's normally silky fur was ragged, and she gasped for breath. Amethyst was showing signs of exhaustion as well, although her attacks were as bright and fiery as ever. But it wasn't enough. A nimble Nuzleaf Revolutionist fell, swallowed up by the dark ranks of the Shadow Force. Trent stumbled as a volley of flaming arrows were fired into him. Charnette dodged, nearly twisting her body beyond healing, as a magical blast blazed by. Amethyst was in a serious game of tennis, using two fire-sticks to bat back the bolts of magic.

"We can't hold them anymore!" Charnette shouted. She slammed her paws into the ground for a final retort, and a jagged spiral of black rock shot up into the air in the middle of the road like a fourteen-wheeler, driving the army back as the Revolutionists turned tail and fled for their lives.

---

At Accumula Town...

"Hurry up!" Mayor Airavata was shouting as the mass of Pokemon surged into the little town, where the Accumula citizens were separating them into categories based on their injuries.

Charlez stumbled over, flanked by Rachiel, who was carrying the lost-looking leader.

"He needs medical attention. Where's Lumiere?" the Kricketune demanded.

Mayor Vata pointed vaguely at the Accumula Hospital, where the blurry purple and black shape of the Chandelure could be seen floating above the others. The mayor then waved at a squad of Accumula militia, led by Jason, Victor, and Ron, as they rushed out of town, headed straight for the Shadow Force Army.

The army had finally blasted through Charnette's wall, and was closing in on the small group of fleeing Revolutionists.

"When are reinforcements coming?" one panicked Revolutionist yelped as a jagged arrow of sparking lightning blazed over his head.

"We have reinforcements?" Amethyst yelled back.

"Mayday!" Charnette, whose energy was quite depleted, managed to scramble out of the way of a dangerous Dragonbreath.

"We can't keep on going like this!" another Revolutionist cried as she tripped. Amethyst yelped and dragged her back onto her feet. The fox quickly cartwheeled away as a barrage of attacks that would've put her out of the fight real quick zoomed over her head.

"This is a life-and-death situation. Where you think you goin', tripping like that? Next time, I ain't pulling you back up!" the fox snapped.

"Incoming!" Charnette jerked her head up as Ron shouted over the noise. Five gleaming muzzles of the Garchomp Cannons glinted wickedly in the sun. There was a pulsing sound, then multicolored blasts from the cannons soared over the retreating comrades' heads, creating craters among the enemies' ranks. "Eat that!"

Aided by the Accumula citizens, Garchomp Cannons, and new reinforcements, the momentarily fleeing Revolutionists spun around and launched themselves at their rivals with new zeal. Amethyst bonked a Shadow Force demon over the head and kicked another into his brethren as she wielded her flaming stick of power. Charnette was firing Shadow Balls and Dark Pulses into the enemy regiment. Pretty soon, the tables were turned, and the Shadow Force Army turned and fled with the victorious Revolutionists nipping at their heels.

"Charna?" Amethyst panted as she slowed to a stop to watch their fleeing enemies, pulling on her scarf.

"Yeah?"

"That was too close."

For once, Charnette agreed.

---

"Jebodiah, Jason, Lumiere, and Victor," Mayor Airavata called. "Our town is too small for all of the wounded. Could you lead half of the Striaton citizens to Nuvema?"

"Sure thing," Jason said, munching on a poffin. "Come on, Lumiere!"

"Let me report things to Ralph first."

"Um... about that..." Jason look hesitant about the idea, but kept his mouth shut as Lumiere entered the hospital and moved in front of Ralph.

"The total death count is over 300 hundred," Lumiere reported, consulting a magical tablet. "More than a hundred citizens were left in the city. None of them survived the fire. More died during the attack in the forest." He eyed the Lucario in front of him. The magical tablet disappeared with a flicker. "Ralph... are you okay?"

"He won't talk. He won't move. I don't know what's wrong with him," Charlez whispered, "I'll take care of it. You should go lead the citizens."

"Okay, then."

May floated over. "What's wrong...?"

"It's Ralph..."

Ralph could faintly hear their whispers. But they were as silent as the sound of a feather falling. He felt empty, like an old shell of himself. He wasn't sad, but he wasn't happy either. It was that strange feeling when you're not necessarily emotionless, but you feel empty.

Who am I?

"... something happened."

"But he was so happy only..."

What am I doing?

"Is he sick...?"

"Shh. Leave him alone..."

I think I failed something, or someone.

"... but he needs our help..."

"He won't listen to you..."

What's the point of doing this?

"Well... at least let him know I'm here..."

"I need to talk to you..."

I always fail in the end.

"He won't respond..."

"But Charlez..."

What's the point of going on?

"You can't heal wounds that aren't physical..."

"... what do you mean...?"

What's the point of trying so hard?

"May, I need to talk to you..."

"Is it okay to leave him like this...?"

What's the point of believing?

"It's not... but it's the best we can do for him..."

"... okay..."

What's the point of even going on?

"Charlez, what's wrong with him?" May begged the elderly Pokemon as they sat outside the hospital. They could clearly see Ralph through the sliding glass doors, but he couldn't see them.

Charlez let out a sigh, her expression weary and fretful. "It's happening again," she murmured. "I thought he came out victorious, but I suppose the feeling still resided deep in his heart."

"What?"

"Depression."

"What?!" May glanced at her leader. "How?"

"You're a healer, May. You see the wounds on the outside... but you don't see the scars on the inside. Losing anything has been a big impact on Ralph, ever since he was small. He was so happy a few days ago, because he finally thought he had a grip on everything. The truth? He didn't know. He got overconfident... and that overconfidence nearly brought his fall. Imagine jumping from the heavens of happiness to the hell of sorrow. It's a hard fall. Even if you survive, you'll never be the same. You can't climb back into the world of optimism. It took him three years to fight off depression last time he had it..." Charlez let out another long sigh. "But we didn't have a war back then..."

"B-But how?" May stammered, sneaking glances at her leader. "He doesn't look sad or dark..."

"But his aura is." The two looked up, shocked, as Charnette materialized beside them in a lapcat pose. "I've been studying his aura ever since the Striaton Bombing. It used to be bright, but his aura has turned dark, like dye in water. It's slowly spreading over his entire aura, consuming his soul." She wrinkled her nose delicately. "It's not a pretty sight, if you ask me."

"We need to cheer him up before it overtakes him completely," Charlez determined, then gave a helpless shrug. "But I've never seen him so deep in it..."

"That's what the prophecy meant," Charnette realized with a start. "'Upon the chosen ones, a great battle shall befall. But will it be in their hearts, courage is installed? Or shall it be impudence that destroys them all?'"

"Don't tell me..." May whimpered.

"The great battle was about Striaton City, since it's the first major city we've tried to liberate. We should've learned something from the battle. We should've learned that as long as we keep trying, we can do anything. Instead... we thought we were invincible, especially Ralph. That's what the last line meant―'Or shall it be impudence that destroys them all?'" Charlez speculated.

Charnette flicked her tail. "I admit I'm not very good with prophecies, but I've heard that they cut both ways. I'm sure there's more to those verses then what just happened. The Striaton City Revolution wasn't a 'great battle'... it was more of a magical debate of strategies. But I'm guessing that one of the meanings in the prophecies meant this, and if we don't help dear Ralphie get back onto his paws again, the Revolution will be destroyed."

Charlez nodded grimly. "But first, we have to fix the problems with the mayors."

"Right," Charnette agreed. "Meeting in an hour. Get the original Revolutionists and those sorry mayors together.

---

Near Undella Town...

"Do we attack now? This place is seriously foul," Melodia whispered as she and Marcus hid behind a dumpster. "Oh, yuck. Muck."

"Shhh..." Marcus stared intently at the supply truck in front of him. From what the two had found out over the past couple of days, four supply trucks were delivering materials for a bomb to Darkrai. Of course, there were only three remaining right now, thanks to the duo's ambush several days earlier. However, there was another supply truck that had arrived in Undella just when the two were about to go after another one, so they had decided to stay for a while and annihilate this truck.

"Hey, it's the group from before... what a bore," Melodia grumbled.

"Shut up, will you?" Melodia obediently clamped her mouth shut as Marcus hissed at her. He narrowed his eyes at the supply truck in front of him. The Mightyena and his little buddies were talking to the Banette driver and his chums, who were unloading strange crates from the back of the truck. "You go straight for the truck and freeze it into an glacier. I'll hold back the officers. Got it?"

Melodia nodded, her tail waving excitedly. Marcus tensed his hackles, preparing to leap. Not now, he thought, as the Mightyena officer looked around suspiciously. Let them lower their guard. He settled down patiently behind the dumpster in the dark alley. Marcus was well-known for his patience. He could wait out any Pokemon in their own homes. He curled his paws under his chest and watched the officers wandering about.

"We need another shipment of Dark Stardust," the Mightyena said. "We'll deliver this truck personally to Darkrai. You and your squad go back to the mines and look for more."

"I hope you have your own truck and a good explanation of why your supply truck was blown up," the Banette driver said drily.

"I do," the Mightyena growled. Marcus tensed as the Mawile officer wandered nearer. "Don't worry. Go back to the mines. I'll take care of this. Annie!" He turned and barked at the Mawile. "Give us a paw here. Demo,"―he turned to the Exploud officer―"carry these crates."

The Banette driver snorted and stepped on the gas pedal. Marcus saw his chance for a successful ambush.

"Now!"

Melodia burst out of the dumpster, making rubbish rain on the officers, and fired a solid Ice Beam at the truck. Marcus lept out after her, but was immediately encased in a gooey, clear membrane. He scrambled helplessly in the chrysalis. He turned around to see Melodia trapped as well, stuck to the ground and wrapped in the weird, clear slime.

"Please." The Mawile―Officer Annie, Marcus remembered her name―snorted. "You honestly think we weren't waiting for you? It's the two of you against all of us. There's no way you can win."

"Nice trap." The Mightyena paced over, his intelligent glare sharp and fierce. "We'll take them to General Nova to have them questioned."

"Why not have them questioned right here?" A Linoone officer turned towards them, her blue eyes glittering with amusement. "Oh, look! The mighty Revolutionists. I am so scared."

"Look at you two!" Ero, the officer Marcus had mangled with earlier, hissed with laughter. "Aww, getting a nap?" he laughed in Marcus's face. "You're so lame and incredibly dense. You think we'd fall for the same ambush twice?"

Marcus's cheeks flushed with anger. He used a vine to grab his sword, but Ero smacked him, and the sword dropped to the bottom of the trap, out of Marcus's reach. Marcus struggled to get it back, but it was too far out of reach.

"And you, beautiful little serpent. What do you think the most beautiful little fish-face is doing on land?" Ero went on.

"You measly dork!" Melodia snapped. "You look like your face caught on fire and someone tried to put it out with a fork!"

The Linoone officer howled with laughter. Marcus tried using Leaf Blade on the slippery trap, but it didn't work. It seemed to be completely frictionless, made to encase Pokemon of varying sizes.

Ero's eyes glowed with anger, but the Linoone laughed.

"Oh dear. Look at this little kitten," she said, walking towards Marcus. "Did you think you were smarter than us? Please. If you were twice as smart you'd still be stupid... and pathetic." Marcus growled with rage.

"Hey, he's getting mad!" Ero leaned into Marcus's face. Marcus bit back an insult. "You're the one who went ballistic and blew up Striaton, right?"

"I didn't! It wasn't the Revolutionists!" Marcus snarled. He lashed out at Ero, but the snarky Pokemon dodged.

"Too slow!" he sang, "You Revolutionists are just filthy tyrants. You want power, that's all, huh? Idiots!"

Marcus opened his mouth, but thought better of it and clamped it shut.

"Eh? What was that?" Ero teased. "You just got a brain derp?"

"Wouldn't that actually require a brain first?" a Gothitelle laughed.

Marcus bit his tongue.

"You're pathetic!"

"You're stupid!"

"Worthless!"

"Idiot!"

"Dense!"

"Fool!"

"See, these are Revolutionists," the Mightyena growled. "So clever, huh? Tricking others to their ways, and then annihilating them in the end."

"We aren't like that!" Marcus exploded.

"Shut up!" The Mightyena spun on him. "You think you're so great? I bet others got killed on your behalf. I bet you murdered your best friends. I bet you think you're so great at everything, but you're just a failure!"

The world spun dizzily around Marcus.

I bet you murdered your best friends.

That's true, isn't it? Marcus thought painfully, a red cloud of anger and helplessness blurring his vision. Harmony... I... killed... His mind flashbacked to the annihilated clearing after the explosion.

"Marcus... she's gone," Mark yelled in Marcus's memory.

"No way! She was with me!" Marcus replied.

"Marcus, listen to me..."

"She must've fallen off the cliff, or maybe she's buried somewhere!"

"Marcus..."

"I have to keep searching for her!"

"No, Marcus."

"What?"

"You killed Harmony."

"I... what? No! I would never..." Marcus screamed.

Marcus flinched as a dark whisper suddenly hissed in his ear.

Painful memories, huh? the curse hissed. Need help?

No!

You know you killed her.

I didn't...

You forced her to go, blind of the truth. She followed you... trusted you... with her life. And you let her down.

It wasn't... Suddenly, Marcus was filled with horror. The Shadow Force officer was right, wasn't he? He was a killer. A murderer. A traitor.

I can control your evil nature. Marcus struggled to keep the curse down. Let me do it for you... the curse whispered.

"No!" Marcus cried out, aloud. Then he realized that all eyes were on him. He swallowed back a sob. "No..."

"No, what?" the Gothitelle sneered. "Finally realized who you are? Pathetic loser."

At that same moment, Marcus finally lost it.

This is who I am,he thought, mortified. I... can't... control...

The dark cloud covered his soul and changed his aura to something more sinister than anything imaginable.

BOOOOOOOOM!

The next explosion that ripped through the alley radiated pure chaos. The three closest Pokemon―Ero and two Banettes, were immediately turned into gleaming crystal statues. Marcus, eyes glowing lamp-like yellow without pupils, a very un-Marcus-like thing smiled a fanged grin as he rose into the air, his yellow eyes narrowed and he hissed as his body turned glimmering white, accompanied with a pair of feathery white wings. Translucent chains appeared, circling him from neck to tail. The leaves on his body disappeared, melting into glistening white fur... like a pure-white Eevee's.

Foolish Pokemon,the new creature hissed, flapping its multicolored wings of death. You thought you had finally won? You haven't! He spread his wings as wide, creepy grin spread across his face. Two rings of energy appeared in an orbiting X-shaped pattern. Die!

Melodia gulped and quickly fished a protection and invisibility pendant from her knapsack, disappearing from the creature's sight.

Fight me! the creature laughed, hovering in the air. The Sword of Dreams was encased by a gold light and levitated into the air. For I am the great Psycho Eevee―the dark side of the Moon Goddess... The Curse of the Dream-Bloods!

"Stop him! He'll blow up the whole town!" the Mightyena lieutenant yelled.

The Linoone officer shook badly. From her position, Melodia noted the fearful look and the scent of terror coming off of her body.

Stupid officer. Haven't you learned to keep an emotionless posture? the Milotic thought distastefully. When faced with a creature beyond the limits of hell, in your heart negativity shouldn't dwell.

This is Psycho Eevee, after all. Upon all creatures within his strike, death shall befall...

---

From a different perspective...

Rob knew he was in trouble with the hell-delivering, stark-white, winged Eevee appeared.

It had been going well. Annie, unable to hack into the GPS, had been able to call in one of the supply trucks so they could use it as a bait. Thanks to Mina, they had been able to create the magic gel chrysalis to trap the two idiots. They'd nabbed the two, both of whom Rob suspected were spies, and had everything all set up for the benefit of Group R and of the Shadow Force.

Which goes to show you how badly a presumably good day could turn out. His vision obscured by the rotating X-shaped blast the creature had just fired.

At his side, he could see Jazz shaking with fear. He knew the signs enough to know that she was going to make a run for it any moment. That was Jazz, after all. The Stalker, the Ambusher, and the Runner. She wasn't good in a face-to-face fighting situation.

The dust swirled faster. Rob could see a glittery image moving through the dust. Although he could see the stone blocks of the alley straight through the figure, he recognized the serpentine shape.

Invisibility? he wondered, then shook his head. It wasn't time to apprehend the Milotic. The Leafeon that'd just morphed into a creature from the underworld was much more dangerous. He had to be stopped first.

"Annie! Demo!" A blade of whistling wind sliced through the churning dust, showing an image of Annie and Demo trying to attack Psycho Eevee. Annie was shouting orders and using Ice Beam in an attempt to stop the psychotic Pokemon. Demo was obediently following orders, using huge, supersonic waves as attacks.

Rob narrowed his eyes and lunged forward, firing a Shadow Ball as he did. He could see the faint shape of Mina yelling in defiance as she battered Psycho Eevee with pulses of pink light.

But the winged devil was fast, and his personal rings of energy spun around him, deflecting most if not all of the attacks as he dove to and fro among them.

This is all you have? Psycho Eevee taunted. So this is the great darkness from this era?

Rob smashed into one of the glowing rings and was sent flying. The glowing yellow ring had burned a painful mark into his skin. Excruciating pain flared through his body.

"Use ranged attacks!" he commanded over the screeching, slowly backing up. The translucent chains around Psycho Eevee seemed to be holding back the creature a little, limiting his movements as he spun and snapped. Could Rob use that to his advantage? Probably not. The energy rings were too fast and too strong; they would send him flying before he could even get close.

Annie appeared at his side, panting. "He's too strong! I've never seen a Pokemon like him before! It's like fighting a devilish dragon!"

Mina teleported over. "Let's ditch this fight! We're all going to die!" She whipped out of the way as blazing bolt of energy struck the ground, burning a hole through the cement. Psycho Eevee rose over them. The rings of light had disappeared, and two strange L-shaped objects were levitating on either side of the creature, with the sword floating beneath him.

"Wh-What are those?" Jazz appeared behind them and swallowed.

"One of the rebels used them in the Nuvema Rebellion. It was a Treecko, I think," Mina said, trembling. "They're called 'revolvers' or 'guns', or something like that."

"Well... what can a gun do?" Gran wondered, half-jokingly. "Fire energy bolts?"

The muzzles of the guns glowed white and bolts of fiery hot energy orbs started blasting out a them.

"Correct me," Gran grumbled as he dodged. "What can't a gun do?"

"The guns are probably the other form of those rings of energy," Mina determined. "So if he uses the guns, he won't have any defense!"

"I'm not worried about the gun―its shooting speed is too slow to hit us," Jazz said shakily. "What about the sword?"

"He can't possibly use the sword, can he?" Annie murmured.

Psycho Eevee lifted the sword, whose blade had changed from a brilliant silver to a dark obsidian, with chains and barbed wire, using Telekinesis. The demon grinned, and charged at them. The officers darted to one side as the dark blade, glowing with gold light, struck the ground. The pavement cracked and a huge fissure erupted through the alley.

"He has Telekinesis," Mina noted drily, "I think he can... if he's any good at swordplay. Can we teleport away now?"

"No." Rob's eyes were as steely as the points of diamonds. "We'll fight him to protect this city."

"Are you stupid?" Mina whirled around to face him. "He has weapons that can end your life with a single shot and he has a sword that can tear the earth in two. He has more magic than all of the mages in the Shadow Force combined. He can turn living Pokemon into crystal. We'll all die!"

"Hold on... crystal?" Rob blinked. Psycho Eevee yanked his sword out of the ground, but Annie cleverly aimed a well-placed Ice Beam accompanied with Demo's Uproar and Jazz's Hyper Beam into his side. The levitating guns disappeared with a flash and the sword clashed against the ground as the creature was thrown clear into a wall.

"Not important!" Jazz rushed over. It seemed like a miracle to Rob she hadn't made a run for it yet. "Finish him!"

Annie bounded after the Linoone, her jaws opened for a Hyper Beam...

CRAAAAASH!

Both Annie and Jazz were tossed into the air like rag Pokedolls as Psycho Eevee batted at them with a glowing wing. He flew forward in a diving pose, scooped up his sword with Telekinesis, and stabbed―straight at Annie's head.

"No!" Seemingly breaking the laws of velocity and gravity, Jazz shoved Annie out of the way. An illusion shifted around her into a Double Team, all using Echoed Voice simultaneously. Psycho Eevee roared in outrage and clamped his paws over his ears. Jazz, along with her doubles, landed back on the ground. The air was suddenly electrified, and a huge Thunder attack ripped through the sky, impaling straight through Psycho Eevee.

The smoke cleared, and Rob crept slowly forward, along with the other officers.

"Stand back!" Jazz was frozen in place. "Don't come any nearer!"

"Jazz! No!" Annie suddenly screamed with horror. "Stop it!"

Stop what? Rob thought, confusion clouding his mind.

"Aghhh!" Jazz flew past him and slammed into the sturdy rock wall of the alley. Psycho Eevee stood in front of her, his raised wings blocking Rob's view.

You've played a good game,Psycho Eevee laughed. But I always win! He yanked out the black blade, which now dripped scarlet liquid. Jazz crumpled to the ground without a sound.

"Jazz!" Rob rushed forward, but Psycho Eevee's two rings activated again, slamming him away with a scorching pain. The lieutenant was losing consciousness. The pain seeping into the marrow of his bones was unbearable, and he collapsed to the ground.

But nothing was more painful than the ache in his heart that told him he had failed Jazz.

Psycho Eevee lifted his blade―formerly the Sword of Dreams―now the Blade of Nightmares, over the Mightyena's head. The other Pokemon in the alley had been tactically knocked out. Psycho Eevee liked delivering death to the sleeping minds.

A cold presence caught his infrared radiation-adapted eyes. He turned away from the fallen Pokemon momentarily to see a white shape moving towards him. It was a living creature, with a serpentine shape. The guns fired, breaking through Melodia's charms and illusion. Psycho Eevee laughed and descended for the kill.

Tell me, Marcus, the Milotic said in his mind, her voice hauntingly merry. Her voice stopped him mid-air. Doesn't killing make you lose your focus?

Marcus? I know no Marcus! The pathetic dream-blood you once knew is dead! I am Psycho Eevee, the Bane of―

Fight the curse, my friend. The voice became louder, even more unbearable for the normally silent and bloodthirsty mind of the expert killer. This is not something you can't apprehend. Don't let your mind be condescend. This is is a life you can control. Over this curse―you can rule!

You foolish― Psycho Eevee raised his blade, his movements lagging. He does not control me! I control him!

Psychotic fiend―you're the fool. Marcus's body may be just your tool... But this mind of his, he controls. He can and will break through and win this duel. Listen to me... Melodia sent her thoughts into the corrupted creature's mind―memories of a cream-colored Pokemon with wide golden eyes. Marcus, do you not remember... Harmony?

Harmony...

The word pierced through the haze slithering in Marcus's mind.

That's right... He struggled to regain control. We were lovers. We fought together, did missions together... He fought against the curse. She always cared for me when I got sick and hurt... but... He tried to open his eyes, which seemed to be sealed by a searing cloud of darkness. This curse... this fiend I'm giving control over to... killed her!

NOOOOOO! Psycho Eevee screamed as Marcus opened his almond-colored eyes. The wings disappeared, and the stark white image of an Eevee shifted back into the features of a battered Leafeon. The Blade of Nightmares shimmered, the black retreating as it turned back into the Sword of Dreams. Gone too, were the rings of light, leaving only a weary and confused Marcus standing in Psycho Eevee's place. He stumbled and sank to the ground, exhausted.

Melodia picked up her shattered pendant ruefully, and tossed the pieces into her bag. They could be repaired later. She floated over to Marcus and laid him over her back like a limp rag Pokedoll. She glanced at the officers. Three of them were already beyond salvation. She flew over to the three crystal statues. Of course, it would be better to take measures and knock the three out of the fight. Even if they had enchanters that could turn them back, their last years of life would certainly be miserable, due to the side effects of being crystallized. Melodia decided that they would rather die than live in a world full of darkness and betrayals. Their own comrades would abandon them, and they would become wandering ghosts.

Without hesitation, the Milotic swung her beautiful tail in a deadly arc and smashed the three statues. The life energy trapped in them immediately dispersed, the spirits lifting off to Afterlife. She then turned to the other officers. One had been impaled through with the Blade of Nightmares, it seemed. Melodia decided against healing her on the spot. She also concluded that it would be a bad idea to drag away the Mightyena she longed to have a talk with. The best choice was to wake them up and let them figure things out.

Don't meddle with affairs that aren't our own, her superior had warned her.

This was certainly not Melodia's affair. But she did badly want to talk to the young lieutenant. A plan snuck its way into the serpent's mind. Without a word, she raised her head, her body glowing blue. The scent of moisture filled the air, and it began to pour.

Marcus, partially revived by the icy rain, lifted his head as Melodia swam through the air gracefully in a wave-like fashion, moving away from the officers.

"H-How..." he murmured. "... did you know Harmony?"

"None of that matters now, dear friend." Melodia kept her scarlet eyes fixed on the horizon. "There are more urgent matters now to which we must attend."

Marcus tried to protest, but darkness started to overtake him as he struggled to stay awake. An odd feeling in his chest told him that the Milotic was dangerous behind her cheerful mask of pretense. She definitely knew a lot... a lot more than she should know.

He couldn't trust her.

---

Back in the Accumula Town Hall...

In the trusty meeting room of the Accumula Town Hall, the Revolutionists, plus the three mayors―Mack, who was attending via Psÿche, Airavata, and Akhelios―were attempting to plan their next moves.

"Maybe..." Ralph said falteringly, struggling to form the words, "we should counterattack immediately with a combined army from Nuvema, Accumula, and Striaton..."

"We have a bigger problem on hand," Mark reminded him. "The bombing planes. How do we counter them?"

"Their bombs were filled with potions of magical fire, too," Airavata said worriedly. "I'd rather not counterattack until I'm sure my city's safe from aerial assaults."

"Me too," Mack agreed, his voice crackling over the speaker. "Although Nuvema and Accumula both have good enchanters and enchantress, and Nuvema already has the defensive walls and measures set up, I don't see how we can fend off an attack that destroyed Striaton City like it was nothing... err, sorry, Akhelios."

The Panpour mayor lowered his gaze. "So you're saying that my Striaton City―a city five times as large as yours―which has been driven to the ground by a dark organization we're supposed to be united against, is of no more importance to you."

"I-I..." Mack cleared his throat. "We must keep a tight grip on what we have first. I promise you, Akhelios, that once we've regained our footing, we'll recover your city."

"That's good," Akhelios said halfheartedly. "Because I hope you know my brother Vulcan died running back to save the trapped citizens."

The whole room fell as silent as death itself. A stormy and tense atmosphere formed in the room. Ralph stared at the wooden table.

It's my fault, he told himself coldly. I was the leader. I should've thought of a good plan...

"Right," Charnette spoke up. She seemed to be, along with Amethyst, one of the only ones not bothered by death. "So these aerial attacks―how to block them? Ralph?" Her emerald eyes gleamed encouragingly. "You always come up with good plans that work 90% of the time. I'm sure you'll think up a good one this time, right?"

"That's right. Ralph has always been such a great leader," Charlez said warmly.

What a bunch of liars, Ralph thought darkly. I'm no leader. They know as well as I do that Vulcan's death was my fault.

"Ralph?" May prompted gently.

He coughed, trying to clear his throat. "Maybe we can set up a magic globe, just like they did for Striaton City..." he added, with a glance at Akhelios. "Except that it's a defensive shield, and doesn't block oxygen or sunlight from coming through."

"Problem number one," Mayor Vata interrupted. "I'm no expert on this evil witchcraft stuff―"

"Evil witchcraft?" Charnette snarled softly across the table.

"On this magic matter," Vata ad-libbed hastily. "But wouldn't it be easy for another enchanter from the enemy side to turn the magic globe from 'helpful' to... exactly what the Shadow Force did to Striaton?"

"Besides, won't the casters run out of energy?" Mack asked.

"We can use a shifting schedule," Ralph suggested warily.

"You do know, as part of your elementary school education, that there are always weak points in a magic barrier as you shift posts, right?" Akhelios said drily.

Everyone looked at Charnette for confirmation.

"True," Charnette admitted, "Even if you start casting the spell with the other caster before he or she stops casting the spell for the shift, the magic barrier will be in a weak state several minutes after the original caster stops casting the spell."

"So that idea won't work. Period," Akhelios finalized. "Any other ideas?"

"It seems quite hopeless," Mack admitted. "But I'm sure there's a way."

Ralph kept his eyes on the table, completely out of ideas and motivation.

"Ralphie?" Amethyst asked, "Ideas, any?"

"I―" I have to think of an idea, but I don't have any. We've already lost, haven't we? In the end, it'll just come crashing down. It's hopeless. "I'm sorry. I don't."

"Well, I guess that's it," Akhelios sighed. "My poor citizens died for nothing, then."

"Akhelios!" Vata and Mack snapped simultaneously.

"You should be grateful the Revolutionists reduced the amount of death in your city! We all know you were the one who wrote that stupid declaration of anti-Shadow Force independence. The Revolutionists cleaned up your mess, and this is all you say?" Mack said hotly.

"It would not have happened had the Revolution not started. The Shadow Force weren't doing anything bad, after all," Mayor Akhelios said darkly. "If you ask me, the idea of a Revolution is a mistake in the first place. And you, Mack," he added with a glare at the Mudkip. "You should've held a council with the rest of the mayors of Unova before choosing such a rash decision like this to join in, even encourage this Revolution!"

"You little―" Vata looked mad enough to bring the entire Town Hall down on the little sulky Panpour, but thought better of it. "How can you―"

"He's right." Everyone looked up as Ralph stood. "It's my fault. I should've never started this Revolution. Now Striaton City is gone because of me. I'm sorry." Then he turned and fled.

My fault.

All my fault.

He ran down the hall, stumbling and tripping, ignorant of the calls that rang out after him. He didn't know or care about what he was doing. He just wanted to get away. To get away from that dreaded meeting room.

To get away from the Revolution.

---

"Akhelios, ya stinkin' ape!" Amethyst shook the Panpour so hard that his eyes started rattling in his skull. "Ya brotha made his own decision! Why blame it on Ralphie, ya idiot?! It wasn't his fault―it was yours! Ya should've stopped ya brotha, but you let him run back. Stupid, selfish jerk! And you go on blaming our Ralph for yer mistake!" She was about to strangle the stupid monkey, but Charnette stopped her.

"You'd better go after him," the Liepard said quietly with a nod at Charlez. The Kricketune left the room quickly, followed by Jason, Ron, and May. Charnette started for Akhelios slowly, cornering him between a bookshelf and her body.

"Let's end the meeting now," Lumiere sighed, then floated over to Charnette. "Well?" He looked from Charnette's emotionless face to Akhelios' panicked one.

"Do you honestly think that your brother, Vulcan―a Fire Type, can die by magic fire?" Charnette asked slowly, "Do you not know the basics of elemental magic? Your brother, who is a Fire type, can be badly injured by the magic fire, but he cannot die from it, because he is a Fire type. Are you stupid?"

"D-Does that mean..." Akhelios' eyes glittered with hope. "He's alive?"

"He's stupid," Charnette decided. "Anyhow, I honestly doubt your brother died in the fire. Or most of your citizens, actually."

"What?" Lumiere, who was listening, stammered and checked his tablet. "But I did a head count of the remaining citizens and Revolutionists..." He regarded his tablet again. "And there's definitely over two hundred missing in action..."

"The ones that died in the forest died for real," Charnette said simply. "But the ones in the city disappeared."

"What?" Akhelios became agitated. "How? Why? Where are they now, then?"

Charnette bared her fangs in a malicious smile. "I―have―no―idea―" she said playfully, poking his stomach. "But they're not around here anymore."

"Then..." Lumiere looked around. "Where are they?"

---

Somewhere far away...

A dark green communication pendant with a gold crescent carved into it gleamed as its communication magic was activated.

"Well?"

A green snake with golden designs was using the said pendant. He sighed, and looked at the dark cavern around him. Several darkly-clad figures formed a circle with him around the pendant. Behind them, the snoring sounds of Pokemon could be heard.

"Did you hear about the Striaton bombing?" the Serperior asked warily.

"Yes, I did." The voice of the leader was flat, but tinged with sadness. "Hundreds dead. Their Revolution destroyed. It's a beautiful tragedy, but it wasn't a story I enjoyed."

"Um... about the 'hundreds dead' part..." one of the darkly clad figures winced as it spoke up. "That's not exactly accurate... you see..."

"You saved them?" The leader's voice was shocked. "How? Why? Zamza! I told you only to raid, not interfere with those pesky Revolutionists' business!"

The Serperior called Zamza winced. "I'm sorry, but my team happened to be in the area, along with Lunis, Pearl and Monnie. Pearl foresaw the bombing and convinced us to save the ones she saw dying in her clairvoyance." He glanced at a purple Vaporeon seated beside him.

"H-hey...!" she said quietly. "I d-didn't want any more deaths..." She flattened her web-like ears. "We've had e-enough of that a-already..."

There was a long sigh. Zamza's group and Pearl bowed their heads in apology.

"I guess it was all meant to be, then. But please do come up with a good plan to throw those citizens back," the leader said, not sounding annoyed, which surprised Zamza. "What about the supply trucks? I already know two are destroyed―what about the other two?"

"We already destroyed another one, so there's only one left," Zamza said tiredly. "But... this time, that last supply truck seems to be a decoy. We don't have the coordinates of the real one. I'm not even sure it's a truck."

"I scanned the final truck. It only contains fake Dark Stardust. We've already destroyed it." One of the dark-robed figures stepped forward. It was Lunis, the spy that had clashed with the Revolutionists once before. "My guess is that the final truck contains the Shadowia Bomb."

"Can you pinpoint its location?" the leader inquired.

"Unfortunately, even with Monnie's searching magic and Pearl's clairvoyance abilities, we could not," Zamza said apologetically.

There was a silence as the leader contemplated the thought. Then she decided. "Zamza, lead the Revolutionists to the underground cavern you're hiding the citizens. I want those Pokemon out of our way. Pearl, Monnie, and Lunis; you three report back here. I have some private missions for you. The rest of you―keep searching for the final supply truck. Or, if Zamza's assumptions are correct―which they most likely are―the Shadowia Bomb," she commanded. "Stay out of sight, or have disguises on. Ambush and destroy all Shadow Force supply trucks. And most of all―keep out of those Revolutionists' ways. We have enough problems on paw right now."

"B-But..." Pearl spoke up nervously. "A sort of psychic wave went through the c-clairvoyance dimension not long before the Striaton Bombing―"

"I felt it too. And I was able to decipher the warning and the message it sent," the leader finished calmly. "Monnie―you felt it too, right?"

The darkly-clad figure with golden eyes sitting beside Lunis nodded solemnly.

"She said yes," Lunis translated.

"What is it, then?" Zamza asked.

"It..."―the leader hesitated―"is the second part of the Prophecy of Doom."

---

Back at the Accumula Town Hall...

"Ralph!" Charlez called out worriedly as she walked down the hall with the other three Pokemon fanning out behind her. "Where are you?"

Jason closed his eyes. Concentrating, he sensed his brother's dark aura curled up behind a door―a spare meeting room. "He's over there," the Riolu confirmed.

Charlez went over to the door and rapped a claw softly against it. "Ralph?" she inquired gingerly. "Are the there? Can we talk to you?"

No reply. The door had been locked from the inside, and Charlez decided to refrain herself from busting it down. She doubted that Mayor Airavata would appreciate her karate-chopping one of his doors into pieces.

"I could bust down the door," Jason offered.

"I doubt that Mayor Airavata would appreciate that," Charlez said drily.

"Should I teleport us in, then?" May suggested nervously.

Jason glanced at Ron. "What do you think?"

"He can't deal with this on his own," Ron replied steadily. "We may not be able to comfort him, but at least we can give him a listening ear."

"No, no," Jason said impatiently. "I'm asking you whether we should teleport in or bust down the door. What do you think?"

"Or,"―Ron pulled out a bobby pin―"we could pick the lock." He stabbed the pin into the lock and pushed it around a couple of times. There was a satisfying click, and the oak door swung open.

Charlez peered into the unlit room. "Ralph?" she whispered softly. "Are you alright? It's me―Charlez."

"Don't come over here." Ralph's voice was muffled. "I don't want you near me."

"Then we'll stay over here," May said determinedly. "Please, Ralph... we're your friends. I'm not leaving you like this!"

"Eat a waffle, bro!" Jason added. "Life is too short to keep on going on and on and oooon about who, whom, and what we've failed or what we didn't do or whatever. Look at the golden waffle! Life is always trying to drag us down. Don't let the freak do it, man. Look at the bright side of life! Look at the―"

"Stop it. You're making it worse." Ron slapped the Riolu.

May drifted over to Ralph. The Lucario leader made no response to her presence.

"I remember," May said quietly, perhaps a bit idly. "When I was a Ralts, I was the only Psychic type in my class who couldn't use Telekinesis or any Psychic-type moves. All of my classmates, even my best friends and siblings, teased me about that. At that time, I wanted to kill myself. I felt so useless, so unneeded. I thought that the world didn't need me. I felt like my entire existance was a mistake." She pursed her lips. "But I kept on going, because..."

"... because you believed in yourself," Ralph continued, a tang of sourness in his monotonous voice. "You believed that you could do it and you did it. That's how it always goes for your fairytale story, right?"

"Well... yes, but..."

"That's cool," Ralph said darkly. "But that's not how it is with me."

"Ralph..."

Ralph stared at the dark ceiling. He felt desperately in need to let out all his rage and sorrow, but he couldn't quite find a way to do that.

"Ralphie!" Jason hopped over lightly and handed his brother a waffle. "When in doubt, eat waffles. Why don't you tell May over here about... about your past?"

Ron's gasp of horror could be heard as it echoed throughout the room. Charlez winced at Ron's vocal chords and smacked him over the head.

"Not so loud, dolt," the old granny muttered.

Ralph, however seemed not to have heard. "I'm so naïve," he mumbled. "I kept my emotions inside in order to continue the Revolution." His auburn eyes were translucent in the light spilling in from the doorway. "Do you really want to know my reason for going to war with the Shadow Force?" He didn't wait for the others' reply. "I am and have never lived my life the way I wanted to." He looked up at May with despair. "I want to be successful in everything I do. I want to be good at everything. I know you're going to tell me that's not true, that nobody's perfect... but don't you see? Everyone wants to be perfect. We all see another person as perfect and us as flawed. I know the basis of that. But even so... I can't convince myself that being flawed is okay. I'm not sure anyone can convince themselves too. I... I thought that by defeating the Shadow Force, such an unjustified and corrupted group, would make me feel successful. It really did... I mean... before the bombing..." He shut his eyes tight. Tears trickled down his face.

May looked at Charlez and Jason questioningly. Why? There's always a reason for an action. Why is he like this? Why does he act this way?

Jason had a staring contest with Ron and Charlez.

You tell her.

No, you tell her.

Charlez, tell her.

Why me?

You're the granny.

Why do we need to tell her?

He's acting like this because he used to fail big-time, right?

Why does everyone think that?

Well, maybe because he did.

I nominate Jason.

Me too.

Hey!

Jason, you're up.

Darn it.

Jason cleared his throat, looking placidly at May. "When Ralphie was small, he... wasn't exactly living life the way he wanted to, like he said before. I mean, he went to school like any other kid, but he tried too hard to "fit in". Like, can you imagine that? Trying to fit in... even though nobody does? Try to be 'normal' although nobody in the world is normal? How crazy can he―"

"Jason, focus," Charlez said.

"Uh, right. Due to this, he didn't have many friends. Most of them either left because they've changed or moved away. The remaining... well... they didn't like Ralph. They all abandoned him and went to join other groups of friends. Soon, there was nobody left but Ron and me." Jason glanced at Ralph cautiously.

Ralph sighed, and took up the story, speaking as if every word were burned into his tongue. "Eventually I learned that fitting in isn't how you live life, since the famous are and have always been unique people. I figured that I was treated this way because I'm special. I thought I was meant to do big things, which was why others were treating me this way. I... I thought that I was different because I was a game changer." He stared at the ground. "But in the end, I'm just as much of a sucker as Darkrai. I've already given up on doing history-changing things when I was small. That's why this Revolution was doomed to fail. It's because I was never special enough to do anything big like that.

"After that, I... well, I tried to set legacies or basically just doing things that can be remembered..."

"But that didn't work," Charlez continued gently. "Dear Ralph joined clubs and such... but... I guess creativity and purpose was a problem for him. After unsuccessfully doing things, he became more and more isolated from his parents and friends and those who cared about him."

"Dude, how do you even know that?" Jason demanded. "Mom and Dad didn't hire you until... until..." He suddenly became quiet. "Until they went off and abandoned us."

"They loved you both," Charlez assured them. "But they just had things to do. And they did tell me about Ralph's... history. They loved him enough to tell me. And I am a retired therapist, after all."

"You were a what?" Ron exclaimed. "But―"

"Not important. Your turn."

Ron sighed and muttered to himself, but caught up on the story. "Well, long before Charlez, who was an old friend of his parents, moved in with them before his parents... went missing, he started to fail school. Truth is, he was so caught up in finding ways to keep his motivation and creativity functional. He was sure that school was bound to take all that away from him."

"True," Jason muttered. Ron shot him a harsh glare. "After that, Charlez basically started tutoring Ralph," Jason went on, ignoring Ron's glare.

"I used to be a school teacher after I retired as a therapist," Charlez explained.

"She's the Wonder Nanny!" Jason cheered. Charlez rolled her eyes and waved a go on motion at him. "Um, anyhow, thanks to Charlez's teaching skills, Ralphie was able to maintain both his goals and school. It was epic! He set a straight path to success and as for that entire school semester, he got a Best Student Discipline Award!"

"But..." Ralph said heavily, drained completely of hope. "Then that happened..."

---

In the Accumula Hospital...

Vindictus and Jebodiah stood over Billy's hospital bed, worried. As they weren't part of the original twelve Revolutionists, they'd taken a hike when Charnette called a meeting.

"Does it hurt?" Jebodiah fussed. "Are you sure?"

Billy locked eyes with Vindictus, who shrugged solemnly.

"You haven't found a cure?" Billy asked helplessly.

Vindictus lowered his head. "Apologies. Fire stronger than Grass. No cure. Yet."

Jebodiah looked to and fro between them, a confused look on his face. "What are you two conspiring about?" he questioned suspiciously, glaring at Billy. "What aren't you sharing with me? I thought we were best friends!"

"We still are," Billy said faintly. "It's just..." He looked at Vindictus pleadingly.

"Magic fire. Labyrinth," Vindictus explained. "Eternal fire. Extreme pain. Heart pulse slowing... slowing... approaching death. Thread of life magically enhanced. Potion. Yes, potion made by Vindictus extended thread of life." He looked very pleased with himself and started muttering under his breath. "Fire.. water... healing..."

Jebodiah shook his head in disbelief. "And you didn't tell me anything?"

Billy stared guiltily at his paws. "I didn't want to be a hinderance to you. You were so caught up with being a Revolutionist, I thought I'd be getting in your way."

"Oh, Billy," Jebodiah sighed and grabbed his best friend's paws. "We've been friends for as long as I remember. We went on imaginary quests together, did reports together, worked together... we did everything together. You weren't and will never be in my way."

Billy laughed. Then his expression grew serious. "Dia, I know you're going to stop me from doing this. But I have to do this. It's a part of me. I hope you'll forgive me for being so terribly selfish."

"What is it, then?" Jebodiah asked nervously.

"I want to fight."

"What?" Jebodiah nearly hit the ceiling. "Are you crazy? In your condition―"

"I know, buddy," Billy said sadly. "The point is... I'm going to die anyways. It's inevitable. I want to die an honorable death my family can be proud of―and that's fighting for our freedom, not dying helplessly and uselessly in a hospital bed."

"But..."

"I know you're going to stop me, Dia... but this is want I want," Billy said levelly, looking Jebodiah straight in the eye. "Are you going to stop me?" He seemed to be challenging and begging Jebodiah at the same time. Don't stop me. I don't want to die like this. Let me be useful―it's the only way I can die happy.

"I―" Jebodiah wanted to stop him. He wanted to strangle a miracle cure out of Vindictus. He wanted to hammer something sharp into Darkrai's noggin. Most of all, he wanted to turn back time. He wished that he'd been able to push Billy out of the way when that magical laser activated.

But no matter how much he convinced himself that battling was bad for Billy, he didn't want to restrict his best friend. Billy had only months to live. As he was nearly on the doorsteps of the Spirit World, Jebodiah wanted his friend to be happy for the rest of his life. He had to be selfless and let Billy do what he wanted to do. I can't be selfish and make him miserable. He knew that it was the worst idea and decision that he'd ever made in his life... but what Billy needed was a supporting friend, not another Pokemon to tell him what he already knew.

"Fine," he agreed. "Let's fight together."

---

In the Undella Hospital...

"Jazz!" Annie pawed desperately at the limp Linoone and turned on the doctor―an Audino. "Can't you do anything? She's not waking up!"

"The wound was caused both physically and magically. We can heal to flesh wound... but the third-degree Dark Taint, the magical wound caused by dark magic, has no cure. I'm sorry, ma'am." The Audino bowed deeply and left, leaving behind a lingering air of depression.

Jazz's eyes were closed, and the sword wound that had pierced right through her stomach was tinged purple and black. The heart monitor beeped devastatingly slowly. Every single sound sent a pang through Rob's chest, slowly suffocating him. The atmosphere was so tense, he doubt that he could've taken a breath, anyways.

"W-What is Dark Taint, anyway?" Gran asked shakily.

"Dark Taint is a magical wound caused magic or by a great deal of Dark or Ghost type moves. Moves like Hyperspace Fury, Phantom Force, or Shadow Force would be sufficient enough to cause Dark Taint," Annie explained quietly. "There's also another wounds called Dark Burns, but Dark Burns are usually caused by moves like Shadow Ball or Will-O-Wisp."

"What's the diff?" Gran asked. "Other than the magical and physical causes and names."

"Dark Burns," Annie said slowly, "can be healed."

The room resumed its gloomy mood after Annie's words. Rob found that the stuffy feeling in his chest was growing more and more unbearable. The slow clicking of the machine drowned him in a wave of guilt and sorrow and pain. A single sentence swept him off his paws.

It's my fault.

"You're kidding, Annie!" Gran snapped angrily. "I refuse to believe it! Dark Taint can be healed! You're lying!"

It's all my fault...

"I'm sorry, Gran..."

If only I'd helped Jazz...

"It can be healed!"

I was there...

"Gran―face it. It can't be healed. Research has been done on it for centuries. No progress. A laboratory that guarded the one vial of antidote, given to Pokemon by Arceus himself before he went into his slumber, was blown up."

I should've never let her charge into danger...

"... and we don't have the technology or magic that our God, Arceus, has. Listen, Gran. Some... some problems, no matter how much you want to solve them, cannot be solved. This is life. We... we have to accept this."

Why didn't I stop her?!

"Screw your life! I won't! I refuse to!"

"Well, if you had helped her," Annie growled. "Then maybe this wouldn't have happened!"

Why didn't I do something?

"She was trying to save you!"

"Oh, so it's my fault now?!"

What kind of leader am I?

"If you look at it from my way, then yes!"

Rob hung his head. "Stop it, you two," he whispered.

"Oh yeah, why?" Gran snarled back hotly. "Why should we?"

The truth hit Robert Shaw like a rock. Gran was right. Why should he listen to Rob? In fact, why should anyone listen to him? He was a worthless leader―one who hung by behind the battlelines while others went on ahead and took the brunt of the damage for him. He'd done nothing for his teammates except to hinder them. He was just a problem, an obstacle in their way. He should've never became leader. He didn't deserve to be leader.

"Um, Rob?" Gran asked anxiously. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean―"

"No." Rob raised his head. His eyes, which had once contained dancing flames of energy, now looked empty and sad. His tail drooped, and his uniform looked heavy on him. "No, you're right. You don't have to listen to me. I'm a horrible leader. This is all my fault. I'm sorry." The last word came out as a mere movement of the air. Rob turned on his heels and fled.

"Wait! Come back!" Gran shouted. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Damn it!" he growled as he prepared to go after his leader. Annie stopped him.

"It's best if we let him think things out. Everything we say will just make him miserable."

"What? Are you crazy, Metal Mouth? Who knows what he's gonna do out there! I have to go out there and stop him!" Gran tried to step around the Mawile, but Annie simply shifted her position and blocked him again.

"You can't save him the way he is right now," Annie said quietly, her voice deadened by a bleak sadness. "We can't save him. We have to let him save himself."

"Why?" Gran challenged. "What makes you think you know him this well?"

"We entered the Shadow Force at around the same time," Annie replied tiredly as she shifted the covers over Jazz.

"So? Have you seen him like this before?"

"Yes."

Gran was stunned. "Wha―How―When?"

Annie climbed aboard Demo's back and made comfortable. "I've only seen him like this once, a long time ago." Her eyes clouded. "Two years ago... after Kona's death..."

---

In a room of the Accumula Town Hall...

"... It was a day like any other," Ralph continued in a somewhat bitter and sarcastic tone, his voice dripping with both longing and anger, "Which goes to show you how horribly wrong any normal day of your life could turn out." He paused, probably thinking back to the good old days. "It was the last day that Jason and I ever saw or heard of our parents..." He stared at the ground. Jason's normally cheerful smile turned into a frown, and Charlez pulled him close to her.

"Do you... do you want me to tell this part?" Charlez asked softly.

"I know all of it."

"If you're sure..."

Ralph kept his eyes focused on the ground. "After a tutoring session with Charlez, my mom took Jason and I out for a walk and some ice cream."

"I got chocolate double scoop!" Jason remembered. Ron let out a groan of annoyance and yanked a length of duct tape out of his tool pouch.

"I swear, Jason. One more word. One more word," the Treecko growled.

Ralph ignored them both. "When we got back, our house was robbed. At first, we were all panicked and scared, but nothing was stolen... or so I thought. During the days after the robbery, both dad and mom were both paranoid and shaky. I don't know why... but... maybe because I was scared, or because I was in middle school, I started asking for things. Expensive watches, popular clothes... everything. Even though I knew I wasn't going to fit in, I wanted to. I... still wanted to. I remember one day, my dad and I had a fight over this... this video game I wanted. Several days later, our parents told us that they were going on a business trip. They sent us things from time to time; souvenirs from different cities, trinkets, money..."

"Poffins," Jason added, "lollipops, stuffed Pokedolls, candy..."

"And then three months later, during a regular school day, we were suddenly called to the office, where Charlez was waiting to take us home. She got us home immediately and started crying..." Ralph glanced at Charlez. "It was the first time I've ever seen her cry.

"At first I didn't know what was happening, and Jason was scared too. We both were, actually. Then Charlez told us that... that our parents weren't coming back. She said they died in a car accident." He looked questioningly at Charlez. "But I don't think that was the truth."

Charlez stared silently back, her eyes dark and unanswering.

"So I thought it was my fault. I thought it was because I was asking for so much stuff, our parents were no longer able to afford our living expenses. I thought it was all my fault―that I should've been more considerate and caring, since I knew they were going through rough times."

Charlez cleared her throat nervously. "I guess... I guess I have a confession, then," she said uncertainly. "Are... are you ready to hear this?"

"Um..."

Charlez didn't wait for the reply. "Ralph, your father was a rebel leader, just like you―except he was rebelling against the rich Pokemon who had taken advantage of the last Supreme Leader's weakness and were dictating the world. The robbery that you mentioned was focused on your father's papers and his computer, which contained all sorts of evidence against the rich. Your parents were well aware that if the royals found out that you and Jason were their children, harm would certainly befall you. So they left, partially to gather supporters for a revolt, but mostly to protect you."

"So..." Jason looked up at Charlez with wide eyes. "Papa and Mama weren't killed in a car crash..."

"They..." Charlez said darkly, "were murdered."

---

In a cavern...

"We're here."

A silver flash momentarily lit up the dark cave that served as a meeting room for those who knew the secrets of the dark and shadows. Lunis, along with the spy now recognized as Monnie, and the shiny Vaporeon known as Pearl appeared before their leader. Lunis' silver communication pendant shone as the blue crescent symbol glittered. Another pendant―a purple one―gleamed alongside his usual pendant.

A quiet voice sounded through the room, reaching their ears. "I trust that the teleportation pendants worked well?"

"Good for new instruments recently put out on the field," Lunis replied. "I find that its teleportation magic is much easier to use and a lot more accurate than a regular Teleport."

The leader stayed in the shadows, but Lunis' eyes were already accustomed to the dark light and he could see his leader nod. Her eyes were cold and silent, as usual. But, considering what she was like before, this was one of her good days.

"What a-are your o-orders?" Pearl asked, waving her tail.

The leader stood, her eyes glowing eerily. "Pearl, I want to have a talk with you about the newly uncovered passage of the prophecy. Could you wait for me inside the Mirror Pool Chamber?"

"S-sure thing." Pearl turned and headed down a dimly lit tunnel branching off from the room.

"Lunis." The leader set her eyes on him. "I want you to tell the Revolutionary Leader Ralph about some of Darkrai's plans."

Lunis twitched an ear, but he was wise enough to not question her. He knew that the leader usually had a plan within a plan within a plan and in the end, their group would one way or another benefit from it. That was the way things were run here. "Sure thing. Which part of his plans?"

"His purpose."

"Which part of his purpose?"

"The one we found out about first."

"That's not much..."

"Well, we can't have those little Revolutionists running around with too much information, can we?" The leader stepped out of the shadows, her gaze drifting across the dark room. "They're hopelessly naïve and inexperienced. They will ruin everything."

"And your plan?"

"Plan?"

"Oh, come on. I've known you since we were kids. I know you're plotting something," Lunis said comfortably. "Well? What is it?"

"Hmm... I'm thinking about a certain item that I think would be better off out of the Shadow Force's paws." The leader paced the room. "But I'll inform you later when you get back. It will be a joint mission between you and H... I mean, Monnie. Sorry about that."

Monnie shrugged, her ears prickling uncomfortably.

"Well, then. I should go." Lunis tapped on his teleportation pendant and promptly vanished from sight. Monnie walked up to the leader. The leader, knowing what she wanted, closed her eyes and listened to the spy's thoughts.

You feel guilty, don't you?

"I'm not. What are you talking about?"

The bombing.

"Ah..." The leader turned away. "It's really... not of your concern."

Letting it out is better than keeping it in.

The leader sighed, but finally admitted. "I do feel guilty for not sending out an aerial unit to stop the bombs. The decision would've save the city, their little Revolution, and the many lives that were lost in the forest ambush. Instead, my mind got better of me. I convinced myself that their revolution was none of our concern. I was wrong."

So what do you plan to do with them? Use them as a distraction?

"I have another idea in mind," the leader said darkly. "I'll tell you later." She took two steps forward, then suddenly stopped. "Would you like to join Pearl and I for the meeting about the prophecy?"

Sure.

The two wandered into the tunnel leading to the Mirror Pool Chamber.

You still feel guilty nonetheless, right?

"Of course I do," the leader sighed. "We've all had a hard start with our own Revolutions. Regular Pokemon would say it's only right for us to help others starting their own revolutions. I say they're wrong. Do you want to know why some Pokemon want to start a revolution?"

I guess so. I've never thought about it myself.

"It's for themselves." The leader canted her head to face Monnie. "Pokemon are willing to start Revolutions for themselves, with no thought of others. They start it because they want to do something big. They start it because they want to change history. They start it because they want to be immortalized in other Pokemon's memories forever."

And?

"It's selfish, really. Same with those Revolutionists." The leader let out a hiss of disgust. "That Lucario... he thinks he's doing good? I say no. He doesn't even know what he's doing! He's doing it for himself as well."

I see. And our Revolutions?

"You know why I did it."

You couldn't bear to let others suffer anymore.

"Yes." The leader's gaze was clouded. "War is a horrible thing, only resulting in deaths over stretches of the dead earth, or this unconscious thing we call power. I had no wish to start it."

But you did because the others wanted you to.

"I'm afraid so. And look at what we've done―two years of fighting, yet Darkrai has risen to the top already. Our work was almost nothing."

I wouldn't say that.

"Why?"

You talked to the empress and emperor of the Sea Empire, the only area beyond Darkrai's sphere of control. You've successfully recaptured Kalos, from where your family originated. And...

"Hoenn, the place where I was born, is still under attack. Two years of fighting, Monnie. Two years! So many dead. So many missing. So many..." She glanced at Monnie. "So many Pokemon lose the things most important to them... like you."

I don't mind. I like being this way.

"If you say so." The leader straightened. Monnie could tell that she was recovering her posture, thinking best for their Revolution and not herself. The leader was selfless that way. That was why she was so well-respected. That was why their Revolution had been able to come so far, because the leader put others ahead of her, but never pushed herself too hard. She was careful that way. "But enough of that. Let us speak of more important matters."

Okay.

---

Outside the Undella Hospital...

Rob ran blindly through the rain. He didn't really think about where he was going. He was just running for the sake of running. A burning sensation flared in his chest, and he knew that he was out of breath. He didn't stop running, though. His legs ached and his throat was scratchy, but he loped through the winding streets, trying to clear his mind.

Slam!

"Oop! You just appeared. Are you going somewhere?"

Rob staggered backwards into a pile of what seemed like glass shards. He stepped awkwardly into the shards and yelped, tenderly licking the new scratches welling up on his pads.

"Perhaps this dry towel and bandage will help. You look like a sodden piece of kelp." Rob took the towel and bandage from the stranger and wrapped his wound. He looked up to thank the kind stranger―and saw the Milotic from earlier.

"You!" he snarled.

"Hello!" The Milotic didn't seem angered or unnerved by his angry tone. "Why are you following that lord of misrule?"

"You..." Rob tore off the towel and threw himself at her. "You deserve to die!"

The Milotic shifted to one side. "Do I?" she asked. "Why?"

"You're with the rebels!" he accused bitterly. "You're the ones ruining our Golden Age."

"Interesting." The Milotic mildly dodged his next blow. "Could you explain your idea of a Golden Age without being so mean?"

"It's an age without rebels like you stirring up rebellions and killing so many innocent Pokemon!" Rob said angrily. Are you stupid?! You know what you were doing!

"I see," the serpent said. "So that's how Darkrai lied so you would answer his decree."

"What?"

"Look at it from the reversed view, Robert Shaw. Are you sure you're on the right side at all? You know Darkrai sentenced General Blobby to an unruly torturous death. Are you willing to follow that lord, unconcern of the aftermath?"

"I... General Blobby... what?" Rob spluttered. "It's not possible!"

"That is what we call deception, my dear," the Milotic sighed. "Even in a Golden Age it is everywhere."

"Just..." Rob backed away. "Who are you?"

The Milotic smiled. "My name is Melodia, Seer of the Future. My job is to listen to the future's murmurs." She spun around suddenly. "But let us take a walk and have a little talk. Our time is running out, and a great danger is coming about." She stared at Rob. "You say that the rebels are the cause of darkness, and I say it's you. However, I respect your opinion, so you should respect my view. This world of yin and yang so dark and bright―it's not possible for one to stand purely in the light, nor being able to see themselves in the darkness. The differences between good and bad are faint. Yet we always blame others for the evil taint. What I'm telling is the truth, not a silly rumor like the Fountain of Youth. Do you think Kona dying was a mere accident? Do you need any more hints?" Her eyes flitted past his face. They contained neither anger or sympathy. "What makes you think that you're on the right side? You obviously don't know what your 'lord' is trying to hide."

"I don't..." Rob backed up. "I don't have to listen to you!" He let out a roar of rage and flew at Melodia. She whipped aside, catching him before he fell into the pile of glass shards.

Rob writhed and fought, but Melodia simply held him at a tail's length and studied him with her dark eyes.

"Are you fighting?" she asked quietly. "You won't win, if you know what I mean."

"Wha―" Rob twisted his head to see that the Milotic's aqua blue tail-fins were deadly sharp and canted at an angle so that they were directed at his neck.

Rob understood her warning; she'd already cornered him. He could die, or listen to what she has to say, none of which Rob was very interested in doing. He let out a bitter laugh.

"It's hilarious, really," he said, half-mad with the entire event. "I'm a police officer and a lieutenant of the Shadow Force Army. I'm supposed to be a good and wise leader―yet I can't even defeat a silly rebel like you."

"Oy, but I am not a rebel, you see." Melodia set him down. "I just want to help you get better―so tell me."

"About what?"

"Anything. My hearing is keen, and my patience an endless ring. Go on and spill it all out, but please don't shout." Her gaze flicked nervously around the alley. "There are some Pokemon who are looking for me. I think it'd be bad if with me you are to be seen."

Rob sat down glumly. He had to secretly admit that he appreciated having someone to talk to. He didn't want to talk about his backstory with Group R. They knew enough. Besides, it was too painful to share with a close friend. Better a stranger than Group R.

"I was abandoned on the streets when I was young―because my parents were too poor to raise me and I was so weak that they thought I'd soon die anyways. Luckily, I was adopted by a chief police officer. That's why I've always and have succeeded this dream of becoming a police officer myself. But..." he looked down at his ash-black paws. "... I was bullied at school all the time. No one thought much of me except as a victim and pathetic pup who couldn't fight back for his life. It kept going on and on and I kept suppressing the feeling that I ultimately needed to die because I didn't want to hurt my foster father's feelings. One day, while some of the regular bullies were picking on me, a Poochyena and Mawile came over and knocked them down. The Mawile was Annie―who you fought with earlier. The Poochyena was someone called Kona..."

"Your late wife," Melodia supplied.

"I don't know how you know that, but yeah. They taught me how to stand up for myself and a whole bunch of other things that really helped me improve with my social skills. Together, the three of us enrolled in the Police Force and Sinnoh Military. In the end, all three of us became soldiers in the military. Then we quit the army and joined the newly formed Shadow Force for several reasons―one, we wanted to fix the racial problems that were hurting the Ghost and Dark types, and two, because Kona's father was one of the creators of the Shadow Force, a great general, and Lord Darkrai's right-hand Pokemon and adviser. We quickly ascended the ranks from drummers all the way to soldiers. Kona became a lieutenant, too. Sometime later, the Shadow Force became completely in charge of all the police forces in every region, so Annie and I were sent to the Kalosian Police Force. Kona came with us, too." His eyes glazed over at the pleasant memory that was so far away. "I proposed to her, and she accepted. We got married and had Lily―our daughter. For the first time in my life, I was so happy. I thought nothing could ever go wrong again. I thought to myself, 'This is what happiness is. This is what will last forever.'" He let out a long sigh. "But as most tragedies go... my foolish happiness wasn't to last."

Melodia studied the sad Mightyena's expression. She recognized the sadness, the heartbreak, and the hopelessness in the lieutenant's eyes. It was an expression that she'd seen several times before.

It wasn't depression. Depression was different. Depression usually came after failure. But Rob hadn't failed anything big-time yet. Not even Jazz. Jazz's injury was just the switch that set off this chain reaction of sorrow.

Yes, it was pure sadness. It was something that reminds you of every time you've failed, or of heartbreak. Melodia could tell that Rob wasn't ready to give up yet, but he needed a listening ear, someone he could talk to about his inner voice.

He needed a friend.

---

At the Accumula Town Hall...

"So they were murdered." Ralph's eyes started watering. "Because of me. Because I was so stupid and didn't see that they were being targeted. And I thought they were abandoning us when they left! I... I'm useless," Ralph finished sadly. "I can't do anything. I've failed everyone and everything. I was born to fail over and over again. I shouldn't have done something big like this."

"Well... you did," May said slowly, "And you've succeeded as well. We've already come so far. Remember why you started this? I don't think you started it for yourself. It was for the Pokemon who were and are still suffering from the new bill."

"That's right," Charlez soothed. "You're alive for a reason. There's a reason for all of your actions. You just don't know that they were for other Pokemon, so you thought you were being selfish and doing it for yourself."

"Really?"

"Follow your heart," May said gently, "and it will never lead you awry."

"How can I trust my heart when I can't even trust myself?" Ralph asked soberly.

"You have to believe," Ron said. "Even when everyone else is going in the other direction, you have to believe that you're going in a better direction. There is no right direction or wrong direction―there's only your direction, and others' directions."

"Are you sure?" Ralph stared unsteadily at them, unsure of himself.

"Definitely!" Jason cheered. "Believe in yourself, bro! Have some faith! It doesn't matter which road you take or what happens―know that stuff will get better! Believe! Trust! Waffles! Poffins!"

"That was the most inspiring uninspiring comment you've ever made." Ron commented drily.

"Hey!"

Ralph got slowly to his paws. Determination flowed through him like an unyielding river of lava. "You're right," he declared. "I'm not going to let this put me down. We might have been beaten back, but as long as we keep trying―we can win! We have to believe in ourselves and not let those down-lookers bring us down! We can do this!"

Everyone smiled at him.

"Oh, yawn. Sob story." Five heads swiveled in all directions as a bright blue flash emitted from a pendant. "Are you done with all the gushy stuff now?"

"Lunis?" Ron asked in amazement. "I thought you were done spying on us!"

"I am." Lunis stepped forward, his yellow eyes serious and his neon blue rings flashing. "But I thought I should come to dissolve this misunderstanding you seem to have with me."

"You were spying on us," Charlez noted.

"It's my job. If there's a war―there are spies. Where there are spies―"

"Back to the point. What do you want?" Ralph demanded.

"Ah, question and answers, I suppose. You ask me a question, I'll answer. Then I'll ask you a question, and you'll answer. I go first." His eyes flitted from face to face. "Why are you rebelling against the Shadow Force?"

"Because they're evil!" Ralph replied instantly.

"Are they? Or are you?" Lunis challenged. "Why do you insist so strongly in your point of view? The world doesn't rotate around a single Lucario, you know!"

Ralph started to panic again. Lunis was right... who was the evil one over here. Him or Darkrai?

"Our turn," Charlez spoke up. "Whose side are you on?"

Lunis grinned, showing fangs. "Not on yours, but not on Darkrai's either. What makes you think there are only two groups here? There has always been a third group―the one in the shadows, the ones hiding. The ones secretly helping both sides and neither side."

"Thank you for not talking in riddles," May muttered.

Lunis scoffed. "My turn, then. Do you know Darkrai's true motives?"

"He wants to make us the Dark and Ghost types' slaves!"

"Oh? Then why are there multi-type Pokemon in the Shadow Force?"

"You said one at a time," Charlez reminded him.

"No, this is a statement."

"There was a 'why' in it."

"It's a challenge! If you know, tell me why!"

Ralph looked at the Umbreon with uncertainty. "Maybe if they join―they'll get the privileges that were stated in the new bill?"

"Ha-ha no. You're obviously stupid," Lunis snorted. "It's not that bad of a guess. My point is―have you seen any Dark or Ghost types taking advantage of the new bill yet?"

"That's three questions right there," Ron grumbled.

"Answer me, great leader of the Revolutionists," Lunis said sarcastically. "Tell me!"

"Well... I guess... not."

"Exactly. Do you know why?"

"... No."

"Your turn," Lunis replied. "Ask me."

"Do you know why?" Ralph demanded.

"Why what?"

"That's like, five questions," Ron noted.

The two ignored him. "Why the Dark and Ghost types aren't taking advantages of the bill," Ralph answered.

"You see―most of the Dark and Ghost types are respectable citizens, right? If they use the new bill to their advantage, everyone will hate them and basically destroy their peaceful lives. They have no wish to do that because they, like us, are Pokemon," Lunis informed him coolly, "Who do you think is actually benefiting from the new bill?"

Ralph's blood turned cold. "Darkrai," he guessed. "And his supporters―the Shadow Force."

"Precisely. He is the only one gaining from it. He has gained supporters, money, and a military force from the new bill. But do you know why he wants those?"

"Uh... no."

"Darkrai wants to be a legendary," Lunis said darkly. "Not just a minor legendary merely in charge of nightmares―but a legendary like the God Arceus. A full-fledged immortal in charge of the universe. He does not care for supporters―they are mere tools to him. He wants the world turned dark. He want's to pull it all into the..." At this point, Lunis's blue pendant sparked, and Umbreon hissed in rage. "Never mind that. He wants the world. That's all."

"Why?" Ralph asked. "What does he want that?"

Lunis bared his fangs in a snarl. "Doesn't matter right now. My point is―are you going to give up now? Are you still unsure about who your enemy is? Do you still have doubts about your revolution? A flame that burns in the day is of no use to anyone."

"I..." Ralph stared at the ground uncertaintly, then made up his mind. "I'm sure. I've decided."

"Good." Lunis straightened up. "My work here is do―"

FLASH!

A gold shimmer appeared and a clothed Pokemon fell on top of Lunis. Lunis let up a yeep of surprise and hit the floor face-first.

"Mother of Arceus!" he yelped. "Who is that?"

The new arrival got up carefully, the brown cloth hiding most of its body from view. But Ralph recognized the emotionless golden eyes that gleamed from beyond the folds of the cloth.

"You!" he snarled immediately. "Lunis―that's a Shadow Force officer! He fought us back then to help that Mawile officer escape."

"Chill," Lunis grumbled. "That's a she and that's Monnie. She's one of the―she's one of us. Now, for heaven's sake―what are you doing here?!"

Monnie made no noise. Her eyes drifted aimlessly as she passed a note to Lunis.

Lunis peeped at it and growled. "We're giving away too much info!" he complained. "They don't deserve..." His blue pendant sparked again. "Okay, fine." he groused and passed the note over. "It's the second part of the Prophecy. Apparently, it's an apology gift for stealing your friend Scarlet's letter."

Ralph scanned it quickly. The paper read:

Fallen cities burn with ease

Bitter emotions for the deceased

Hopeless wishes made by and by

Waking jewels, deathless sighs.

The great that rise the weak that fall

The light that fades; dark overpasses all

Death and life watching over time and space

Eternal rest, closed eyes a waste

'Tis not a battle of yin nor a fight for yang

Neither one victorious but both feel pain

Thus let the true souls be release

The void will nevermore rest in peace.

"What does that mean?" Jason, who had been peeking at the letter over Ralph's shoulder looked up and asked. "Hey―where'd they go?"

The two spies were gone. They'd simply vanished into thin air, leaving behind an eerie silence. Charlez gently took the letter from Ralph's shaking paws of doubtfulness.

"Let's think about that another day," she advised. "First of all, shall we recall the meeting?"

"Yeah." Ralph got back onto his hind paws with a new sense of purpose. He knew that he was fighting for justice, although he could not yet comprehend the darkness he was fighting―he knew he was doing the right thing. Every marrow in his bone was charged with renewed zeal. He was ready to do anything. "Let's."

The door creaked and Mark stepped in cautiously. "Everyone's worried about you, Ralph. Are you oka―" He suddenly froze and looked around frantically, as if there was a fly zipping about his head.

"I'm fine," Ralph said. "Let's go." He headed towards the doorway, but Mark didn't budge.

"Is something wrong?" May asked.

"Was..." Mark looked at them with clear puzzlement on his face. "... was Harmony here?"

---

Back at the Undella Alley...

Melodia pulled Rob under a chunk of the broken alley that stuck out like an outcropping, sheltering them from the rain. She probably shouldn't have pulled off a Rainy Day like that, but oh well. Life was a lot more exciting with major bonehead mistakes.

Rob shivered, drenched to the bone. The fight seemed to be fading from his very marrow, but he went on talking, somewhat fiercely. "Some time after, the rebellion started in Hoenn. We called it the Petalburg Rebellion, and Kona's father died in that battle, as well did his entire army and nearly half of the Police Force. Kona was mad, you know? I was, too. The rebels killed a entire regiment of justice fighters and just... got away with it. Kona went straight to Lord Darkrai and he granted her the status of a general. Kona, of course, ordered a counterattack immediately. But she didn't attack Petalburg, since the rebels were already prepared for an attack. She targeted Mossdeep, because it was the center of all of the rebels' firepower and where they got all of their weapons. Mossdeep was also the only city so far with a Space Center, and in order to prevent the rebels of having the advantage of the ability to fire bombs from space, she wanted to eliminate that possibility."

Melodia studied him. "Yet she didn't know why the rebels chose to fight. She didn't investigate why their rebellion was right."

Rob's eyes opened wide. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing that you should know of now," Melodia answered darkly. "It is a subject that I cannot speak of, something I sealed with a vow. But do go on. Your interesting story so far has not caused me to yawn."

Rob looked at her, but it was clear that Melodia wasn't interested in telling him any more than she should.

The Mightyena took a deep breath and continued his story. "Kona didn't tell me what she was planning, or why she chose it to be that way... and she didn't tell me about her plan to attack Hoenn... until the day after she left for Mossdeep along with several units. The unit that Annie and I were in weren't included, and we were given patrolling duty along the the coastal border of Kalos. I felt betrayed, of course, but I figured that Kona wanted to protect me. Later, I learned that her army was forced to retreat due to the lack of arms. I thought that was okay, too, since she was returning using the Shadow Force's naval support, and our ships were strong enough. Besides, Hoenn wasn't exactly into naval stuff... or so I thought."

"You forgot about Pacifidlog Town, Ever Grande City, Slateport City, Dewford Town, Lilycove City, and Sootopolis City. The fact that Hoenn's naval skills are the strongest of all the regions, that thought is quite silly," Melodia said. "Mossdeep is an island, don't you see? Why would their naval force be weak, would you please explain to me?"

"Th... that's what the lieutenant in charge of the unit I was in told me."

"It was an obvious lie. You're so gullible to get by," Melodia sighed.

Rob flattened his ears with guilt. "I know, I know," he muttered. "Anyhow, she... she didn't make it. There were..."

"Warships hidden in the Shoal Cave, to escape there was no way." Melodia finished.

Rob's eyes welled up. "Her entire force was forced to go back to Mossdeep because their ships had been destroyed. She decided to to resume the attack on Mossdeep, even though it was obvious that she'd lose. A warehouse containing the bombs and firearms exploded... and she didn't escape in time. The explosion knocked her off the cliff." His expression grew angry. "If only does rebels weren't so intent on killing! Why don't they just let us rule!" he spat out.

"Tsk tsk, to that I have to disagree. You're only angry because the deceased is your family. But if you look at it from the reversed view, you'll learn thing that you never knew. One of my friend's sisters died by Kona's claws. She died when she tried to save her from the fall. She used Telekinesis, to no avail, when Kona got back on the cliff she didn't say thanks but killed. It was a double death―such tragedy... all because of Darkrai's decree. Killing your savior is a fatal crime―a grudge that will never be forgiven through the passage of time." Melodia took a deep breath. "The world does not rotate around a single Pokemon, you see. You must see everyone's point of view, like me."

Rob was suddenly frightened. What if this crazy rhyming snake right? Which one was the right side, the side he should be fighting on? He shifted on his paws, unsure of himself. He started to shake, his emotions mixing like ingredients in an egg beater. What if I was wrong from the start...

A calming sensation suddenly surrounded him. Rob looked up to see the Milotic, eyes closed, glowing with a vivid pink light. The glow seemed to reach his heart and mind and restore peace to them.

"W-What is that?" he croaked.

"It's a special ability we Milotics obtain. It's also my apology gift for causing this rain," Melodia said. "But do go on with your story, I plea. It is quite interesting to me."

Rob looked at her suspiciously, but without his usual hostility. "I'd just returned from patrol and was taking care of Lily when Annie came over... she said... she said..." He closed his eyes. "She said that Kona's entire force was wiped out. Not a single left alive. That was the end of my beloved wife. It also marked the end of my so-called happiness." Rob lowered his head. "And as of now, I suppose it's also the end of Jazz."

"You have seven minutes before her death, but this potion can restore her breath," Melodia suddenly spoke up, waving a green potion with her tail. "For my sins against you, I think this parting gift shall do."

"What... how? Annie said the only antidote for that was destroyed!"

"The lab was destroyed, the potion was not. You'd better get this to your friend on the hospital cot."

Rob took the potion reverently. "Even though you're an enemy who must be destroyed by all costs," he said gratefully, "I'll let you go... not that I captured you in the first place." He didn't know why she was helping him, or how she knew everything was going to happen, but he was sure that she was someone who could be trusted with a life. She had a strange aura, one would say―neither evil, nor good.

"Then shall we compromise? So we don't lead to each other's demise." Melodia waved her tail. The rain was really coming down now, slamming against the pavement in silver sheets of water. "Promise me you won't attack me during seven days―a week, the amount of time it'll take your friend to get back on her feet. Agree?"

"Yes," Rob said without hesitation. It wasn't a stupid promise, though. He could tell she wanted to get away from him as much as he did her. He didn't blame her. They were supposed to be enemies, after all. "I promise."

"Very well, Lieutenant Shaw. I suppose there's hope for you after all." Melodia smiled and started backing up, her image blurring behind the cover of the rain.

"One more thing." Rob judged the time. He had five minutes to get back to Jazz, but he desperately wanted a answers. "What did you mean―that you apologize for the rain, and about your sins against me?"

"The rain will allow a companion of mine to use invisibility," Melodia said darkly. "As long as it's a form of water, to that Pokemon it's a key. As for my sins, I must admit―it would be the three I killed with a single hit."

"What?" Rob was about to take his words back and strangle the serpent. "Why?" He whirled around. Suddenly, a mystery flew into his mind. Where were Ero and the two Banette drivers? Horror overshadowed him. "Those three... you killed them! Why?" he repeated.

Melodia simply flicked her tail. "They would not like their future paths, had they been restored. Darkrai would see to it that from everything they'd be moored. Being crystallized does not cause one's death, but if restored to animated―one must think of the aftermaths."

Rob stared in alarm at the seemingly shards of glass scattered around his paws. "Don't tell me that..." Something that Mina had said earlier flashed into his mind; He can turn Pokemon into crystal. We'll all die! It suddenly became clear to him―the three officers had been crystallized. As the remaining officers had hurried straight to the hospital since Jazz had been impaled, they had also inadvertently given Melodia the time to kill off Ero and the two Banettes. "You killed them?!"

"It had to be done―not just for murdering's fun." Melodia's shape was blurry now. "Remember our pact, newest friend. In a little while, you'll understand..." The wind rose and the cold raindrops fell. A hailstone smacked Rob on the noggin, almost causing him to ditch the potion into the hard cement ground right there and then. "... you have three more minutes―go save your friend, dimwit!"

Rob wanted to chase her down and give her a thrashing to remember, but Jazz was more important. He gritted his teeth and ran through the hail.

---

Near Route 14...

"Was the hailstone a necessity?! Look at all of the bruises you gave me!" Melodia scowled as she applied healing paste to her body. "I helped you with the rain―and this is what I gain?" She huffed and swirled around a blazing bonfire in the middle of the tent she'd temporarily set up. Marcus was sleeping near her, wrapped in several layers of blankets.

"Apologies, mon chère copine." said the darkly-clad figure standing as far away from the fire as possible, in a rather heavy Kalosian accent, "It's been quite a long time since I've been put on ze field, so I zought using ze beautifully devastating power of ice as a grand entrance would work, n'est-ce pas?"

"You're an idiot, you midget." Melodia glared. "You think it's easy to start a power with a sodden and half-frozen match! I knew I shouldn't help with any of the 'grand entrances' you hatch!"

"La sévérité you're treating me, snake oracle. But I'll repay you by 'elping you with zose quests you've been refusing to commit. Zat is why I was dispatched, isn't it? Kalos is a nice place, but Unova 'as so much more imbeciles to play around wiz! I zink I'll like it 'ere, after all. I guess I'll start wiz les trois in Undella, zen move to the one in―"

"Enough―you sicken me with your words. With you I wish not to exhaust my poor vocal chords," Melodia muttered.

"Sure, I'll leave now, copine. I know you're just jealous of my perfect Kalosian, non? Au revoir, Melodia!" The Pokemon's features shimmered, then disappeared in a swirl of snow.

"How I hate Agent Frost," Melodia grumbled. "Bloody plans to me are just plain fumes of disgusting exhaust." She sighed and settled down to make lunch. "What a tiring day. Why did things have to end up this way?" she complained as she brought out the ingredients.

Marcus opened his eyes, his teeth chattering from the frigid air. Melodia was stirring a pot that wafted delicious fumes of something warm and tasty. He stumbled over to bask in the warmth of the fire. Without a word, Melodia handed (with her tail) him a wooden bowl and spooned a piping hot scoop of soup into it.

"Fuel up, mate," she advised. "Health isn't something that you should negate."

Marcus sipped the soup cautiously and eyed Melodia suspiciously. He had a ton of questions to ask her, but wasn't sure where to start. He guessed that she knew much more about him and all the mysteries that surrounded them, but was secretive about them and wouldn't be easily swayed as to giving those answers away.

"We should get going soon," Melodia said, looking up. "And hurry before the moon―"

"Harmony."

"What about Harmony... what do you mean? No traces of her recently have I seen..."

"You know something, don't you?" Marcus said accusingly. "Why did you mention her? And when I turned into Psycho Eevee―you didn't seem surprised. You activated your invisibility pendant immediately and got out of the blast zone. You knew anyone within my blast zone would be vaporized instantly!"

"Not vaporized instantly, you see―"

"That's what happened to Harmony!" Marcus didn't even wait for Melodia to finish her sentence. "She just disappeared! She died because she was close to me! She... she..." He suddenly stumbled. "What... did you... put... soup..."

"Sorry―it had to be done. Those are questions I can't answer―not even for fun."

"But―"

"The final supply truck was just a simple fake―now to your friends I shall take." Melodia tossed water over the fire. It spluttered out instantly.

The last thing that went through Marcus's mind as the serpent leaned over him was a single word:

Betrayal.

---

At the Accumula Town Hall, Meeting Room...

"I'm telling you―there was no Harmony!" Ron explained exasperatedly to Mark. "Lunis was there, yes, and so was the other spy called Monnie. There was no Harmony! And pardon my harsh words―but you yourself said she died."

"I know, I know," Mark said glumly. He figured that he must've been hallucinating or something... but it was still queer, He was so sure he'd felt her presence in the room. Okay, the feeling might've been different―darker, colder, and much more confident―but it couldn't have been wrong! As different as it was now, he was definite that it was Harmony's aura he had felt, not Lunis's.

Who are you, Monnie? Mark wished he'd busted into the room sooner. He wasn't sure if Harmony had siblings, but Monnie must've somehow been related to Harmony. She had to be!

"Mark!" The Blaziken snapped to attention as Lumiere called him again. "Hello?! Please fetch your consciousness, I beg of you. We're recalling the meeting!"

"Ah... yeah. Sorry," Mark apologized.

"Well, back to it," Mayor Airavata said briskly. "Mark?"

"Yo!"

"And... Ralph." Vata turned to the Lucario hopefully. Ralph could see the trust and faith the Dewott had in him. He couldn't let the mayor down. He was doing this for the Pokemon now, now himself.

"Present," he said.

---

At Sinnoh, at the Three Lakes...

Three lakes.

Acuity.

Verity.

Valor.

We all know the names deep in our hearts as the resting place of the legendary three. But now, a change was coming over the lakes that had remained unstirred for so many centuries.

Knowledge.

Emotion.

Willpower.

Those are the three forces that often balance our daily lives. Without willpower, you cannot control your emotions. Without emotions, you cannot use knowledge to the best of its use. Without knowledge, you would have no willpower for anything.

Such was the power of those three simple terms, yet we often never notice them in our everyday lives.

Although the day was bright, no Pokemon in the bright country of Sinnoh saw the luminous red flicker pulsing from the waking guardians. Most of this, of course, was due to the inhabitants attempting to regain control of their lives from the Ghost and Dark types, not to mention subordinates of the Shadow Force, that had used loopholes in the new bill to gain to their advantage.

Pokemon fighting over power? A clash of emotions. Pokemon using loopholes? A misuse of knowledge. Pokemon struggling to survive while others mercilessly murdered? The dark side of willpower.

The three factors of balance were not meant to be used this way.

The wind blew softly across the surface of Lake Valor. The being hidden away by a swirling pool of silt and cold water shifted, disturbed by the unbalance that was pulsing through the scales of the world. Slowly, the red gem on its forehead and tails began flashing as it struggled to stay asleep.

It was useless, however. Once the three factors forming the Scales of the World were unbalanced, this creature, along with two others, would wake to balance the scales, then return to slumber again. This is how it had always been, and how it will always be.

Sisters...

The lonely thought edged its way through the clairvoyance dimension, sending the jolt some of our Revolutionists had felt earlier.

It was silent for some moments, then another voice joined in.

Unbalanced...

The two voices waited for the third, but it never appeared.

Wake up...

Sister, where are you?

Why won't she wake up?

It's been so cold. So long.

Why is it this way?

Legendary...

Can only be a legendary...

We need to wake her.

Together.

Energy of Willpower.

Energy of Wisdom.

Wake up, Being of Emotions!

Wake up!

The world has been unbalanced for so long.

We must balance it once more.

Wake up, sister...

Wake up, our sister...

Far away from the other two, the last being of power twitched uncomfortably. Something was calling out to her...

Wake up...

It sounded like her sisters.

Come to us...

A pair of yellow eyes flickered open, the glare of its gaze slicing through the swirling silt and mud. The gleaming red jewels that shone from her head and tails flashed brightly. She could hear her sisters clearer now. They were repeating a single phrase over and over again.

Wake up.

---

Credits:

alpha2275: LoG Representative on Fanfiction and Fanfiction Manager

MarcusUCOD: Dialogue Writer

Esther Hung: Chief Writer, Editor, Video Maker, and Character Creator

Anisa Krieg: Writer, Artist, Character Creator, and Tweaker

(More TBD...)