Dawn entered the room containing the Pokérus Mark IV. There was a whole box full of the stuff, and five needles. Dawn studied the needles: as long as Dawn could get close to a subject, these would be great for conversion.

"Doing something?" a young voice asked. The door shut behind Dawn.

"Who are you?" Dawn asked.

"My name is Shauna Sagaci. I am immortal. And you just turned my foster aunt into a monster," the girl said. Dawn tossed her head contemptuously.

"Immortal? That's simply not possible. If anyone deserved to be immortal, it would be Lucas. Now, if you don't mind, I have a society to be the breakdown of," Dawn said. Shauna growled.

Time to battle! Team Surge Dawn is challenged by Immortal Wanderer Shauna!

Team Surge Dawn sent out Infernape!

Immortal Wanderer Shauna sent out Delcatty!

Shauna immediately realised she had made the wrong decision. Maybe she was in a bit too much over her head. She watched in horror as Dawn had already used Close Combat on her Kitty, finishing it in one blow.

Immortal Wanderer Shauna sent out Gardevoir!

Princess' Gardevoirite is reacting to Shauna's Mega Necklace!

Princess has Mega Evolved into Mega Gardevoir!

Time for a tactical option. Her Princess' Hyper Voice attack had Infernape on the ropes, followed by a Psychic for a sure-fire kill.

Team Surge Dawn sent out Absol!

Angel's Absolite is reacting to Dawn's Mega Scarf!

Angel has Mega Evolved into Mega Absol!

Angel stood her turf. Princess prepared a Hyper Voice, which was cancelled by Absol's Night Slash. Absol followed up with a Shadow Claw to take down the Mega Evolved Pokémon.

Immortal Wanderer Shauna sent out Chesnaught!

Chester stepped forward, and aimed for a Brick Break. Absol dodged lightly, and used a Psycho Cut attack. This attack cut into Chester, and left it on its knees.

Immortal Wanderer Shauna sent out Lucario!

Korrina prayed, and shot an Aura Sphere. Aura Sphere was a guaranteed connect, and thus, it did. Angel used a Shadow Claw, cleaving through Korrina's defence. Korrina fired another Aura Sphere, which Angel cleaved in two.

"Not making that mistake again," Angel said. He used a Psycho Cut, and got Korrina.

Immortal Wanderer Shauna sent out Blastoise!

Shelly got on all fours, and prepared her cannons. Angel jumped up and Night Slashed at Shelly's back. It was a critical blow.

Immortal Wanderer Shauna sent out Aurorus!

Aurora let out a long, serene note. She spat an Ice Beam, which Angel easily dodged. With one last Night Slash, Aurora was down.

Immortal Wanderer Shauna has fallen!

"What? How?" Shauna asked. She stared at Angel, whose Mega Evolved form vanished.

"As a member of Team Surge, Kaiah Sofé has granted unto my Angel a great power. The funny thing about Pokérus Mark I… it is Pokérus Mark IV, for Pokémon. Now…" Dawn said. She picked up one needle, and withdrew a sample of the Pokérus Mark IV. She turned about, and looked at Shauna. Shauna quivered, but Angel levelled her horn.

"Absol? What Dawn is doing isn't right!" Shauna cried.

"You think I do not know that. I have foreseen catastrophe… but I must continue to serve by Dawn's side," Angel said. Shauna looked up at Dawn, who had walked straight up to her, and had the needle at her neck.

"You will turn," Dawn said. The needle pierced into her neck. Shauna screamed, and dropped to her knees. Her legs shortened, and turned into claws. Her arms turned into very weak wings with colourful plumage. A brunette crest appeared on Shauna's head and rear, with a long beak also coming from her face.

"You… you will pay for what you've done!" Shauna called out.

"That's nice to know," Dawn said. She threw Shauna from the room, leaving it up to the labyrinth of passages she was in to sort her out until she figured out how to use Sacred Fire. She filled all five needles, and boxed the remaining substance for later use.

"Dawn?" Katherine asked, walking into the room.

"Hello, Katherine," Dawn said, adding the needles to a sash to put on under her coat.

"Dawn, I have a headset for your use. Please alert the home base whenever you are in need of something, or discover anything about applying the Pokérus Mark IV," Katherine said. Dawn nodded, and slipped the headset underneath her earmuffs.

"Oh, and Katherine? There's an Infected One in our halls behind that door somewhere. She looks like a Ho-Oh cross," Dawn said. She hopped on Bravo, and began her journey.


Leaf was pacing the Celadon Gym. Various ideas of hers were floating around her head, and her psychic thoughts were creating and discarding them in turn. Sun sat by, simply terrified of what might be happening. They were spared further patience by a tap at the door.

"May I come in?" Dawn asked. Leaf nodded. Dawn crossed by gratefully. Sun watched Dawn walk. Her eyes narrowed.

"Leaf? What is that?" she asked. Leaf's own eyes narrowed, as she examined Dawn's mind.

"Oh my… Sun! Get out of here!" Leaf cried out. She threw aside Dawn's jacket, and pulled the last Pokérus Mark IV needle on her person, and crushed it mentally. She checked the other four needles: they were empty. Sun ran to the door, her eyes still drawn to the events. The purple liquid expanded along the ground, not being drained into the grassy field of Celadon Gym. Red knelt down to touch it.

"Red, NO!" Leaf cried out.

Red's fingers expanded to the size of sausages. Small runic symbols appeared on his hands and shoulders. He ballooned larger, and his legs widened. His body turned into a kind of stone, and several cracks overlay him.

"A Golurk…" Dawn said. Leaf ran over to Red, and hugged him in tears. A blue light passed between them, and Leaf began changing. She shrunk to a much smaller size, and looked up. Her limbs became tiny: simply short sticks with hands and giant feet. A long tail came up, and reached past her head and back down to her legs. Her cute face shrunk down, and became catlike. Her skin became a pinkish hue.

"Mum… Dad…" Sun cried. She saw what happened to Leaf. She quickly realised that she couldn't go near her parents. She left the Gym in tears.

"…That could've gone worse, considering she destroyed it…" Dawn said. She looked down at the Pokérus Mark IV. Plans began forming in her head.


Sun was running through Celadon City in tears. A few people began to look out their windows nervously, but weren't quite sure what to say. Kris left the Celadon Department Store, and looked up to see Sun.

"Sun! What happened?" Kris asked worriedly.

"Mom… Dad…" she said. Kris began to run home to the gym, before being stopped by Dawn.

"Hello there, Kris..." Dawn said lightly.

"Dawn! Sun's parents, Red and Leaf… something's happened!" Kris said.

"Kris… it was her…" Sun said.

"…What?" Kris asked, looking down at Sun.

"She… she changed them… they're monsters…" Sun said, tears starting to stream down her face.

"Aw, boo hoo. You think I give a damn, girl?" Dawn asked. Kris looked up at Dawn, her eyes widening.

"You just crossed a line, Dawn!" she said, sending out her Kingdra. With her Mega Bell ringing, Kingdra Mega Evolved into Mega Kingdra. Dawn smiled, and sent out her Mega Evolved Absol Angel.

"You're the apprentice… and I've already taken down the master!" Dawn boasted. Angel charged forward, and used a Night Slash. Kingdra shook her head, and Hydro Pumped Angel into submission. Angel got to his feet, and growled. She charged forward, and used another Night Slash. Kingdra, not used to foes not being defeated so easily, was taken down by the sudden blow. Kris sent out Granbull, Meganium and Shuckle all at once. Sun gulped, and sent out Audino.

"No… Sun, get out of here…" Kris said.

"NO! Kris… I've lost mum and dad! I don't want to lose you, too!" Sun pleaded.

"Please, Sun… leave…" Kris said. Angel blasted away the three Pokémon Kris was using, and stepped forward. She whistled, and Leaf soared forward. She gave a gentle mew, and stepped forward. Kris gasped.

"I'll hold her off! Sun, go! NOW!" Kris said. Sun's Altaria sent herself out, and scooped up Sun. Sun was dragged high into the sky, looking down on the scene. Leaf stepped forward, and touched Kris. Kris cried out in pain, and started to morph. Sun was too far away to make out her exact shape.


"Altaria… how could we abandon Kris?" Sun asked.

"When I was first entrusted to you, Leaf told me one thing: protect you at all costs. That is my duty as your trusted partner," Altaria told her.

*Sniff…* Sun sniffled.

"Cheer up, Sun! No use crying!" Altaria said.

"What's there to smile about? Mom, Dad and Auntie Kris are all monsters in Dawn's pocket, and those empty needles… she's probably hit everyone else. And if that wasn't enough, Rosa's gone completely and utterly insane…" Sun cried. "What can I do? I'm just a little girl."

"Sun Seto Ardour, you drop that attitude right now! How old was Leaf when she learned how to become a psychic? How old was Michael when he saved his father from a criminal syndicate?" Altaria asked.

"Eleven and nine respectively, Altaria. But that was different-"

"How so? Michael was younger than you, and he went up against essentially this exact situation! I believe you can save your parents, and take down Dawn!" Altaria told her.

"Thank you for the faith…" Sun said.

"You're welcome, Sunny. Now allow me to take you somewhere where a possible way to save your parents lies… it is a place Kris explored on her travels," Altaria said. "There, the people live a vastly different lifestyle to what you are used to. It is this lifestyle that may save your parents… but, to avoid offence, I would recommend not using your Poké Balls that much."

Sun nodded, and sent out Mew. She checked her other partners, but she knew she couldn't send out the rest of her allies from up this high. Altaria soared up high, and then took a sharp nose-dive to Almia. Mew followed behind.


Calem woke from his nightmare. The day had passed in a flurry of hatred. He had attempted to follow Serena, but he couldn't fly Charizard after Dawn fast enough. He had felt… something else. He pulled out his old Holo Caster, and called Shauna for the first time. The image he got was horrifying. A mutated bird-human thing was roaring about in a small pen. Scorch marks peppered the pen, indicating she was trapped here. The beast looked at the Holo Caster, before swivelling it around. Calem saw her. A half-human, half-Gardevoir.

"I have absolutely no idea what's going on… but I'm going to find out!" Calem said. He looked at the tracker he had installed on his Holo Caster, and sent out Charizard. He flew in the direction of Pokémon Tech.


Early that morning, Ranger Kate found a girl asleep outside the Ranger Union of Almia. She had dragged her in to the conference room, and called the nearest Top Rangers and other similar top Ranger affiliates to the floor. The girl had two partner Pokémon with her: an Altaria and a Mew.

"Aw… I've heard tales of Mew… but I never thought it'd be this cute!" Ranger Solana said, grabbing Mew, and scratching her forehead. Mew let out an adorable giggle.

"No… she prefers her belly…" the dozing girl said, stirring lightly. She went back to sleep, looking adorable and sweet. Lunick and Kellyn, Solana and Kate's Ranger partners, swooned slightly at the sight of her.

"Yes yes… she is adorable. But the question is: who is she, and what is she doing here?" Chairperson Erma said. The six Rangers looked between each other. Lunick and Solana's partners, Plusle and Minun, walked up to the girl, and cuddled in with her. The girl got a little shock, and sat bolt upright.

"Don't zap me like that!" she cried out.

"Sorry… Plusle, that was very naughty!" Solana said.

"Minun, you tried your best… but try not to charge your electricity…" Lunick added. The Plusle and Minun bowed, and bounded up back to their Rangers. Mew flew from Solana's arms, and back into the girl's lap.

"How did you even get a Mew, anyway?" Ranger Summer asked. "Those things are rare…"

"Not rare… there's only one Mew. My godmother did her a favour, way before I was born, and she came to be a friend of my family. When I was born, Mew took a shine to me, and she became one of my most trusted partners," the girl said.

"So, what is your name?" Erma asked.

"Sun Seto Ardour, daughter of the great Psychic Leaf Ardour-Green, and her trusty bodyguard Red Ardour. You heard of either?" the girl said triumphantly.

"Nope," Erma said. A circle of nopes came from around the meeting. Ranger Ben was the last to say it, after a brief reconsideration.

"Thought as much. The way Altaria went on about you, you seem quite detached from our style of life. Though… you heard of Kris Sylva?" Sun said.

"Yes. Heard of her," Summer said. "And I must say, this whole idea of Poké Balls is quite odd… So you're from the same area?"

"Yes… so you don't mind the Poké Balls?" Sun asked.

"Like she said… it is rather odd. If you've still got some, you can release them now," Kate said. Sun smiled in gratitude, and her Lopunny, Audino, Alakazam and Dewgong came from their Poké Balls. Professor Hastings and some of the Rangers took a few moments to marvel at the Dewgong and Audino before turning back to Sun.

"So, now that we've gotten all of that out of the way, what has happened to you that brings you here?" Kellyn asked.

"Right…" Sun said, beginning to breathe heavily.

"If you don't want to, it's all right…" Summer said nervously. Sun inhaled.

"Mom and Dad and Kris and who knows how many people have been mutated into monsters by Dawn and Rosa has gone nuts and I'm all alone and it's up to me to stop Dawn and whoever else she's working for and…" Sun said, letting her entire story out in one breath.

"Whoa, whoa…" Lunick cried out.

"Slow and steady…" Ben added. His ukulele Pichu played a comic tune, and was nudged by Ben.

"No matter… it was clearly hard for her. She's only…" Kate said, turning to Sun.

"Ten years old," Sun said.

"And I caught most of that…" Summer said. "There has been some sort of pandemic that has caught her parents and that Kris girl we met earlier. Another girl, Rosa, has become odd. And it sounds like it's all up to Sun to fix…"

"Poor girl…" Solana said. She edged forward slowly, and when Sun didn't react, she threw her arms around her. Kate and Summer followed suit, while Professor Hastings began stroking his beard.

*Ahem*… "Miss Ardour, my name is Professor Hastings. I am the head scientist when it comes to a device known as a Capture Styler. The Capture Styler is a Ranger's best friend. By circling a Pokémon, a Ranger can temporarily befriend it and calm it down. In some situations, a captured Pokémon can even use its abilities to aid the Ranger. Like I said, it's a handy tool," Professor Hastings said.

"And what does this have to do with anything?" Kellyn asked.

"These creatures… if they are really people dear to Sun, then perhaps fighting them like she's used to will be a poor decision. But if she were to, say… befriend them with the Capture Styler…" Professor Hastings said, trailing off. The Rangers and Erma shared knowing looks.

"So… I can use the Capture Styler to save them?" Sun asked.

"We can only hope…" Professor Hastings said. "I've honestly never seen anyone try to befriend a human with it. But I can easily construct a Styler that might overcome this…"

"Please, Professor Hastings. Make that Styler, and help Sun!" Solana said.

"It will be my pleasure. Solana, Kate, Summer… could you please instruct Sun in how to capture Pokémon?" Professor Hastings said.

"With pleasure!" Summer said.


Calem blasted his way through a window, and entered Pokémon Tech through one side. He clambered through, and looked around. There was the bird-girl and the Gardevoir-girl he saw in the Holo Caster. Now that he got a good look at both, he began to recognise them.

"Shauna? Serena?" he asked.

Yes, Calem… it's us. Um, Calem… please? Serena asked, gesturing to the chains on her arms. Calem nodded, and went to her side. She went to reach for Serena's hand.

NO! Shauna squawked. Calem withdrew in time to avoid Serena's touch.

"Wise move…" a voice said. Calem turned to face him.

"Who are you?" Calem asked, his eyes narrowing.

"My name is Tslye Laromi, leader of Team Surge. And that is my slave there," the voice said, revealing himself. He looked familiar to Calem.

"You're… you're Serena's father, aren't you?" Calem asked.

"If you're talking about the girl she used to be," Tslye said, pointing at Serena. "Then yes, I am her father."

"You have tortured Serena beyond forgiveness. You have kidnapped her, beaten her, even stolen her. There can be no return from the path you have chosen. I will smite you where you stand, and you will rue the day you first fondled your own daughter!" Calem roared, sending out Aegislash. He grabbed his hilt, and slipped the shield over his arm.

"Oh, I am? That girl, who you insist on calling Serena, for whatever reason… I have every right to do what I have done. You're the thief here, you little boy!" Tslye said, pulling out a small laptop. He kicked open Shauna's pen, and started typing. Before Shauna could rebel, her eyes glazed over, and she turned to face Calem.

"Shauna! You know who I am! I am Calem Amor, your adoptive uncle! Shauna, please! I can't kill you!" Calem said.

Damn right, boy! I'm immortal! Shauna said. Calem backed further and further away, before nudging Serena's bed. He dropped Aegislash, and dropped his hands. He suddenly felt a cold feeling at the base of his wrist. He turned around.

Sorry, Calem… Serena said. Her hand had grasped his, and a blue light shot up Calem's arm. Calem felt his arms change shape, into long swords that shot past the elbow. His legs bent in some odd ways, and a green helmet shot over his face. A lot of his body turned white and green, and his eyes became a red colour.

"A Gallade?" Tslye asked. Calem looked down at his blades. He felt powerful. He felt like he could do anything. Shauna's attack had ceased, as Tslye began to manically grin. Calem levelled his blades, and charged. He tossed aside the laptop, and pushed his blade onto Tslye's neck. He pushed Tslye into a wall.

You will let Serena go. Now, Calem said, his blade pressing into Tslye's neck.

Calem… I can't! Serena cried out. She shattered the chains encircling her, and ran up to Calem's side.

Why not? This… monster has done nothing but make your life a living nightmare. Why should I let him live? Give me one good reason! Calem said, his blade still pressing into Tslye's neck. Tslye was starting to screech, and began reaching in vain for Calem's blade.


Professor Hastings was done. He had assembled a new Capture Styler that could capture human DNA as well as that of Pokémon. He bestowed it to Sun, with the promise that Sun would destroy it as soon as she had eliminated the threat that had encompassed her parents. Making any sort of capture device meant for humans was simply too dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands. And speaking of wrong hands…

"Hello, Sun," Dawn said. She broke a hole in the wall, and stood facing the psychic's daughter.

"Dawn…" Sun stuttered. "How did you…. how did you find us?"

"I followed your Altaria. My own Altaria is a magnificent tracker of flying Pokémon. It's the only reason I keep her, to be honest," Dawn said.

"What are you doing here?" Erma asked.

"I'm here for her. When I learned of these regions, I grabbed myself some extra Pokérus Mark IV, and came over here. Sun, come join your family," Dawn said.

"Where are they?" Professor Hastings asked.

"Not here. But I will take Sun to them once she's taken her shot," Dawn said.

"Never!" Sun cried out.

"Is that so… Angel, subdue her!" Dawn cried out. Sun held out her Capture Styler, and began looping. Circle upon circle was drawn around Angel, as he attempted to catch the Styler. Upon one final loop, Angel had become captured, and dozily began licking his paw.

"What? How?" Dawn asked.

"Capture Styler, Dawn!" Sun said confidently, throwing the Styler up, spinning on the spot, and thrusting it forward.

"You… taught her a Ranger pose as well?" Professor Hastings muttered, looking at Kate and Summer.

"I won't forget this, Sun. You forget… I still have your parents!" Dawn said. She summoned Bravo, returned Angel, and flew off into the sky. Sun hopped on her Altaria, returned all of her Pokémon, and hurriedly flew in pursuit.