Pokemon Adventures: Where Legends Cross

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon Adventures/Special.

Ahh, I'm glad I can still write about a chapter per week for now. Looks like I might be able to finish Arc 1 b4 November after all...

Began writing on September 4th, 2011. Currently drafting Chapter 14 of Arc 2, finished revising plot for Arc 3.

Chapter 32: Vs. Terrakion: Mending the Broken

Why did Platina feel as if it was her insides that was being frozen when it was the other girl who was offering her life as a sacrifice?

When she had first seen Yellow descending from the sky with a Butterfree on her back, Platina was first suprised by how fragile she looked; that surprise had soon turned into amazement upon seeing her prowess in battle, her astounding powers to heal and understand Pokemon, her absolute devotion to her friends and junior Dex Holders.

And now she was going to die.

As Platina watched in horror a bluish aura rose around Kyurem's body, quickly swelling up to envelop Yellow in its cold embrace as she held onto the Boundary Pokemon's head. Recognizing the aura as the very one that had swallowed Reshiram and Zekrom while they were trapped within Kyurem's Glaciate, the fourteen-year-old Dex Holder gasped as she realized that Yellow's energy was being drained.

Quickly shifting her gaze to the Guardians, Platina saw that Cobalion and Virizion looked just as shocked as everyone else. Keldeo had joined his bigger comrades, sticking to Cobalion's side with a worried expression. But Terrakion's face was stony as he stalked forward Kyurem and Yellow with a warning growl, his thick horns lowered for an obvious Sacred Sword attack. (#1)

"Terrakion, no!" Reshiram suddenly cried out, turning all gazes toward herself. "There is no point in using violence here. Do not harm the child!"

"He wants to attack Yellow?" Blue exclaimed, dashing out several steps toward Yellow with her Pokemon scrambling behind. However, within seven steps she was forced to halt as Virizion stepped in her way, horns swinging dangerously and his orange eyes gleaming with a stern edge.

"Don't you dare - " Silver snarled as he stepped beside his sister, his Crobat and Weavile right behind him. As hostility rippled through the Dex Holders Platina also prepared for battle, but Green's harsh yell stopped her in her track.

"Stop this right now! There's no time to fight among ourselves," Green snapped, giving a stern look to Terrakion and Virizion - Yellow's Pokemon were now blocking the Cavern Pokemon from reaching their Trainer - before turning to the source of the massively-glowing blue aura. "Yellow, you get out of there as well! What makes you think even all of your energy can sustain Kyurem?"

"I - I don't know, Green-san..." To Platina's alarm, Yellow's voice already sounded fainter as the draining aura took hold of her; by the looks of it, she was only managing to hold onto Kyurem's head by friction. "... but I know I need to try, I need to..."

"Yellow-senpai..." Sapphire gasped, looking horrified as she stepped closer to where Yellow's Pokemon were holding off an angry-looking Terrakion. At this point Red's Pokemon had joined the blockade, along with Red himself.

"Hold'em off a little longer, 'kay?" Platina heard him quietly request Poli, Saur and Vee, who warily nodded agreement as their Trainer slowly turned his back on them, walking towards where Yellow stubbornly held onto Kyurem. The Boundary Pokemon was almost still, only occasionally twitching.

"R-Red-san..." Yellow whispered weakly as the Fighter approached her, looking close to collapsing. "P-Please don't try to stop me. I have to do this..."

"But you can't, Yellow," said Red softly, putting his right hand on Yellow's left as she clung onto the shivering Kyurem.

Platina relaxed a little; if anyone could convince Yellow out of this madness, it was their de facto leader. He would get her out of this mess, then they would think of a more reasonable way to either bring down Kyurem or help him out.

Red's hand stayed where it was.

"... Red-san?" Yellow slowly looked up to Red's smiling face.

"You're right, we can't risk either harming the Unova region or sacrificing Kyurem to save it. But you said it yourself; not even your powers are enough to do this," said Red slowly, an amused look glinting in his eyes as he observed Yellow's shocked expression. "Not alone."

"Red-senpai!" Diamond exclaimed from behind Platina, but she didn't dare turn back to look at her friend, shocked as she was. What was happening?

"Two is better than one."

The blue aura soon rose to include Red as well, but unlike Yellow - who had staggered quite visibly when she entered it - Red only gave a slight shiver as the cold enveloped him. At once the aura glowed crimson for a split second before returning to its blue hue, this time somewhat toned down. Kyurem moved no longer.

A furious snarl from Terrakion distracted Platina from the shocking scene that unfolded in front of her, and she turned in alarm to see that Terrakion was very close to breaking out in a brawl with Red and Yellow's Pokemon, some of which were actively lashing out at the Cavern Pokemon to stay his paws.

And Green was approaching them.

"Let me through," spoke the Trainer as he stood in front of Red's Pokemon, completely ignoring Terrakion grumbling angrily from behind - in his defense, he did have Scizor, Machamp and Golduck guard his back.

The blocking Pokemon rustled at Green's ominous request. In detail, their reactions varied; Saur, Dody and Kitty threw doubtful looks at each other, but Poli, Snor, Sear and Omny shrugged and looked ready to move through.

"Must I force my way through you?" Green asked again as he sensed the Pokemon hesitating, and Platina almost flinched from the ice in his voice even though she was ten feet away from him; sometimes, without even meaning to, the Trainer's words seemed to chill the very air.

"'course not, mate. Come on over," invited Red with a smile, his voice only slightly faint. That seemed to assure the Pokemon (though they were, obviously, sharply conscious of their Trainers being sapped of their life behind them) enough for them to part ways slightly, only enough for Green to walk through. His numerous Pokemon gathered around Red's and Yellow's to form a living barrier against Terrakion, who was beginning to stomp his feet in frustration.

Platina locked her gaze onto the reasonable Dex Holder (the most reasonable so far) as he stepped in front of the motionless Kyurem. What would he do?

"... I won't say about how absurd you're both acting, or how ridiculous what you're planning to do is," Green spoke finally as he stood in front of Red and Yellow, his expression giving away no emotion. "I just want you to tell me... how far are you willing to carry this?"

"'till the end," Red replied with a small grin, which turned into a slight grimace as Kyurem shuddered lightly. Platina wasn't sure if he was trying out his humor, but she assumed so; and it must have been a very funny one, for what joke was powerful enough to make Green actually smile?

"I've no doubt of that," the Trainer chuckled, holding out his hand to a surprised Red. "That faith alone, I trust. Tell me what I must do."

Platina heard gasps rising from all around her, hers not the quietest. Was he serious?

"Are you serious?" Even Red asked back, his eyes round as Yellow's.

"You think I'm joking?" Green inquired, raising his eyebrows with his hand still raised. Apparantly, the idea of Green joking was so funny that his Pokemon - and most of Red's - burst out laughing; in front of a sulking Terrakion, too.

"Not unless the world's ending," Red laughed as well, despite the cold that was probably eating him from the inside. "Just grab onto me or Yellow. She'll take care of the rest."

Yellow nodded tensely with a weak smile. Green seemed hesitant at first, but his viridian eyes quickly hardened as he set his hand upon Red's, which was in turn above Yellow's hand that held Kyurem's frozen face. The blue aura quickly rose to take him in as well, but to his credit Green only grimaced slightly as the cold took over him.

"Red-san, Green-san, I'm..." murmured Yellow as she looked up at the two senior Dex Holders, guilt apparant on her face.

"You'll be fine; this is the right thing to do. You were the first of us to know that," reminded Red with a kind smile. "Admittedly I wasn't expecting any company myself... but, well, three is better than two."

"I detest that, Red!" Several heads shot up as Blue lightly leaped over her Blastoise, walking confidently over to the three Dex Holders as Virizion stared dumbfoundedly behind her; for some reason, the Grassland Pokemon made no move to stop her this time.

"Noisy woman, not you as well - " Green groaned as she stalked over to them, only to flinch slightly as Kyurem let out a low cry; his eyes were now glowing more dully and were half-closed, as if he was falling asleep.

"Oh, you were worried for me?" Blue asked cheekily as she came over to his side without hesitation, twining her arms around Green's left hand, which was free. Green looked away with a snort remained concerned; probably because unlike him and Red, Blue flinched quite visibly - even letting out a sharp gasp - when the cold aura washed over her.

"Blue, you - "

"You called me by my name," Blue spoke out with a smile, giggling slightly at Green's exasperated grimace. Then, more seriously, she added: "You didn't think I'd just stand back and watch while all my friends have their lives sapped out, did you? And besides... four is better than three."

"Your funeral," Green muttered, but argued no further.

Platina looked at the four Dex Holders caught in the blue, not knowing what to do. What could she do? What was she supposed to do? Almost for the first time in her life, she felt powerless... or rather, having the power but too afraid to use it.

Damn her if she was the only one who thought so.

An angry snarl caught her attention again, and Platina's eyes rounded in alarm to see that Terrakion was reaching his limits; now he was actively slashing at Red's and Yellow's Pokemon, who were also getting ready to strike back.

"Terrakion, I said don't!" Zekrom yelled in dismay as he struggled to get to his feet, but before he could do so another small shape suddenly darted out of nowhere, standing in front of the surprised Cavern Pokemon with a defiant look, his single horn braced for the Pokemons' defense.

"K-Keldeo!" Diamond gasped from behind Platina.

Terrakion growled something incoherent at the Colt Pokemon (how Platina wished she had Yellow's or N's powers!), who in return cried back in a pleading tone. The Cavern Pokemon still looked dubious, but before he could protest again another shape appeared from behind his back.

"...Thank you, Cobalion," Reshiram spoke softly from further away, as the Iron Will Pokemon gave a stern look at his brother, murmuring some quiet sounds into Terrakion's ears. After standing still for a while the Cavern Pokemon shrugged, somewhat reluctantly following his leader as they backed away from Kyurem and his four victims. Keldeo followed after them with Virizion, relief apparant on his expression.

With an immediate threat gone, the Pokemon quickly gathered nearby their Trainers, just close enough that the deadly aura didn't consume them as well.

And they were just being joined by the three Dex Holders from Johto.

"...Let me get one thing straight, pal," spoke out Gold as he reached out to hold Silver's sleeve, who was at the lead of the small party as they walked through their seniors' Pokemon.

"You're holding me back?" Silver asked back as he looked into his friend's golden eyes (so much like my own! thought Platina).

"If you plan on going in there alone, the hell I am," stated Gold firmly, sharing an affirmative look with Crys. "Hey, don't you dare complain. You're going to save our seniors (and your sister). So are we. It's all of us or no one."

Silver looked as if he'd protest, but after a deep look into Gold's eyes relented. Platina blinked as the three Dex Holders resumed their walk together, amazed by Gold's ability to persuade the apathic-looking redhaired boy. And what was the feeling of familiarity in her own heart that stirred slightly whenever she saw him? (#2)

"Guys, all of you..." Blue murmured, sounding slightly guilty (and obviously worn) as Silver grasped her free hand, leaving Gold to hold his other hand and Crys onto Gold's.

"Don't say it, senpai," said Crys with a smile, though it was distorted slightly as the draining aura washed over her, Gold and Silver like a tidal wave. "If we're really gonna do this, we'll need everyone's help... seven is better than four, right?"

By now Platina was breathless. Who WERE these people? Being fearless and loyal in a battlefield was one thing, but now they were willingly making sacrifices (possibly with their lives) to a deity that had very little chance of salvation. What made them so devoted to this, what inspired them to take this gamble without the slightest hint of hesitation?

Glancing back at Diamond and Pearl as they slowly walked up from behind her, she thought she could glimpse the reason why.

Turning her attention back to the Dex Holders within the aura (which had turned from navy blue into a lighter shade of cerulean), Platina blinked yet again - goodness, when was she going to stop being surprised today? - to see that Ruby and Sapphire were standing not ten feet away from a very-still Kyurem. The boy was standing in the front, looking back at the girl with an unhappy expression; what was going on between them?

"... I know what you're gonna say if I say this, Sapph..." began Ruby with a frown, but before he could speak twelve words Sapphire cut in:

"Like what, 'I can't let you come any further' or some kinda that crap?" Snorted the wild girl as she swung her head around deliberately. "I don't see any cars for ya te lock me in this time, so cut the crap and let's go already, will ya? 'cause I WILL pull you back if you're thinking of going alone, ya know."

"So you're with me, then," to Platina's surprise, Ruby's expression was strangely peaceful as he accepted the fact that Sapphire was coming with him. He held out his hand.

"Through drizzle and drought," the said girl replied with a small grin as she took the hand. (#3)

Platina could still only watch as the couple slowly walked to their snared seniors, but someone had already beat them to Crys at the end of the line.

"... Well?" Emerald grumbled as he dully looked up at them, sulkily reaching out his right hand for them as the left one held Crystal's firmly.

"Thanks, Emerald." Was all Ruby spoke as he took the shorter boy's hand, connecting him to Sapphire and bringing the long line up to ten Dex Holders.

Platina looked at them all, from the eldest to the shortest, united with a single heart to risk their lives to deliver the unmoving deity back from his insanity. She couldn't doubt their justice anymore, but what gave them the courage to do it? What had they seen that she hadn't that saved them from showing her cowardice?

"I... I don't believe it..." Reshiram's amazed murmur distracted her attention to the rear, and Platina looked behind to see the Vast White Pokemon's cerulean eyes wide and shimmering as she beheld the sight before them. "It... it's working... but will it be enough?"

Unable to bear the fear and doubt in her eyes, Platina dropped her gaze... only to stare into N's face. The green-haired Trainer had not shifted position on his knees between Reshiram and Zekrom, but now his attention had fully turned to Kyurem and his feast.

It was the astonishment in his grey eyes.

How long had he been living in an illusion of a cruel world, where humans didn't deserve the companionship of Pokemon? That world was collapsing in front of his eyes, by the very sight of humans willingly offering their lives to help a Pokemon that was very intent on devouring them - that was devouring them right now.

This was what he deserved to see. Her cowardice wasn't something that should be entering his innocent mind right now.

If she didn't have hope for herself, at least she had to bear it for someone else.

"Well," a sudden familiar voice broke her train of thought, and Platina turned forward to see that Diamond had slipped over by her side. His face was surprisingly serene comapared to the worried expression he bore moments ago, perhaps catching onto the mood of Pearl as he stood in front of them while facing their suffering seniors.

"What are we waiting for?" Pearl finished, turning back to grin at his friends.

"... you're right," replied Platina with a sigh as she exchanged a smile with Diamond. "It was weak of us to hold back when all our seniors are trying so hard... let us not keep them waiting."

Their hands interconnected naturally, with Pearl's with her left and Diamond's with her right. With Pearl leading they hurriedly made their way toward the mass of blue aura, which was slowly getting thinner in color.

"... welcome back..." Sapphire breathed with a smile as they approached her as one, but Platina almost gasped at how haggard she already looked; the draining process was especially unkind to her and Ruby, who looked as if they would collapse within moments.

They would surely fall unless more energy came to aid them.

"Pearl, quickly - " Platina spoke as Pearl nodded, quickly taking Sapphire's hands and taking them under the veil of Kyurem's aura.

Despite all she had seen so far, Platina almost let out a gasp as the cold immediately took over her; it felt as if an icy talon had suddenly grasped her heart, slowly squeezing it and draining all the heat out of it. How did Red-senpai or Green-senpai even STAND this?

"Don't falter!" Diamond whispered urgently from behind her. Turning behind to reassure him with effort, Platina was relieved to see that her friend seemed less affected by the cold than she was.

"Well, at least we didn't hit last," Pearl grinned uncertainly from in front of her, his gaze directed towards the very front of the line. Following his stare, Platina blinked to see that Black was joining Red's spare hand with White clinging nervously onto him; both Red and Green were holding onto Yellow, so one of Red's hands were free.

Hm. So every Dex Holder had joined to bring back Kyurem...

And it was working.

She could feel it; already she was a slightest bit less cold, the icy talon on her heart had its grip loosened ever so slightly - though her exhaustion continued to amass. Daring to look above she could see that the once-navy blue aura had now dilluted into a light silvery-blue, a color similar to that of the Boundary Pokemon's frozen body.

"All right!" Platina could barely hear Black's excited whisper over a fog gathering in her depraved mind. "Now that we know we can do this, what are we waiting for? Not all of us has joined yet!"

"Of course!" Red cried, still managing to sound energetic despite being the longest inside Kyurem's aura besides Yellow. "We went through all our troubles together with our Pokemon. As long as that bond lasts, we will go through this together as well. Get over here, everyone, share your energies with Kyurem!"

The responding cries were enthusiastic as all their Pokemon heeded his call, glad to finally be able to take action for their Trainers. Platina almost lost her grip on Diamond and Pearl as her Empoleon, Rapidash, Lopunny, Cherrim and Froslass crowded around her, holding onto her, sharing their heat with her. Upon looking above she saw that her Pachirisu and Chandelure were clambering over Kyurem's wide back with several other Pokemon (including Aero, Manbo, Togebo, etc.) that didn't have enough room around their Trainers. The Pokemon just kept on coming and coming, until Kyurem was almost buried alive under their sheer bulk.

"That's more like it!" Laughed Gold weakly as he raised his shivering head to see the sight, a wide smile enlightening his blue face. "Fifteen's a good number, but who cares when you've got 96?" (#4)

And indeed the Pokemons' energies were vital; already Platina could feel the cold lessen ever so slightly, the thick flow of their power almost visible through the now ice-silver aura. Of course, that didn't stop the chill from building up in her body, and her consciousness was only loosely connected to her body now. They were all nearing their limits...

"Impossible...!" Despite that, Zekrom's gasp sounded a bit stronger now. "It... it really is working...!"

"Kyurem! Can you hear us?" Reshiram cried out to the motionless Boundary Pokemon, desperation clear in her voice. "Open your eyes, brother! See what you are doing to these humans! Kyurem! You've been saved. Listen to our voice! Kyurem!"

"Please... hear her..." Platina whispered as the cold built up, tugging at her consciousness to let go. But before her sight faded to black, however, a strange, grating voice like grinding ice entered her ears:

"... Sister?"

The cold faded.

Kyurem's voice would have sent Red leaping up in joy, if it weren't for a dearest friend fading away in his arms.

"I... I can stand, Red-san..." Whispered Yellow weakly as she squirmed out of his embrace, somehow managing to pull an embarassed face as she staggered away. Only after two steps she suddenly swayed widely and swooned, leading Red to rush forward to catch her again.

However, just before he could do so, a short, stubby arm shot down from above and broke her fall, pushing him carefully into Red's waiting arms.

"Thanks, Kyurem," spoke Red gratefully as he gathered the sleeping Healer and lifted her up, looking at the Boundary Pokemon's saffron eyes. They no longer glowed with insanity, but it was instead replaced with grief.

"I don't deserve you gratitude, fiery one..." Kyurem whispered in his grating rasp as he gazed around them morosely; with the exception of a handful of Dex Holders (namely Red, Green, Diamond and Black) and Pokemon, everyone were on the floor, either passed out from having been drained too much or simply exhausted to the bone. "Why... why again... I can't believe this happened again..."

"Kyurem... are you well?" Reshiram's voice was gentle and fearful at the same time as she approached the Boundary Pokemon with Zekrom, and Red could tell that she was afraid of their brother's reaction.

"...How can I be well after seeing this...?" Moaned Kyurem as he waved at the fainted people and Pokemon with his claws, looking as if he wanted to choke himself. "Look at this! Look at YOU! Look at what I've done to you, by the bidding of a human! Look at these lives already spent to save my wretched hide... why did you let them save me? I should have died today..."

"... What's done is done," murmured Zekrom guiltily as he knelt down in front of a gasping Pearl, stroking his sweaty blond hair with a sigh. "None of us is free from blame of the tragedy today... but we must repent in life, not death. Is that not our way? But tell me, how much are you... erm..."

"Fed?" Kyurem finished dully for the Deep Black Pokemon. Then, to Red's surprise, he raised his head higher with a glint in his yellow eyes. "Amazingly... a lot. The energy they offered me was enough for me to last for months, granted without any harsh actions... and I didn't even sap them to death."

"They are an astounding band of mortals," observed Reshiram as she lowered her head in front of Red's, giving him a grateful blink before breathing softly on Yellow's forehead. She stirred and didn't awake, though Red did glimpse her smile lightly.

Slowly carrying his sleeping angel over to a nearby pile of rubble, Red gently sat down with Yellow still in her arms, fearing that any sudden movement would jostle her. As their Pokemon quickly scrambled over to join them, Red looked around pleased to see that everyone were slowly coming to save a few; Crystal was busy wrapping up a sneezing Gold in a makeshift blanket, Ruby and Sapphire were both out cold, and quite a number of their Pokemon didn't work well with ice - Saur and Aero looked quite chilled, for an instance.

"It's over," he breathed half to himself, realizing that he spoke the truth; it was done. Team Plasma was no more, Ghetsis and his plot was vanquished, and Kyurem delivered from his induced insanity. They had done what they had came to do. But there were still some matters that needed solving.

Spotting movement near the broken entrance of the throne room, Red shifted his gaze to see that a dark figure was silently trying to slip by while everyone was busy helping each other recover. With a jolt he realized that they'd forgotten all about Giovanni.

Still carrying Yellow he rose and took a step forward as he prepared to call out the Team Rocket Boss's name, but another voice spoke before him:

"Father!"

Red whirled left to see Silver stagger to his feet, facing Giovanni with an unreadable expression; not because it was apathic, but so many emotions were mingled on his face that Red couldn't tell them apart from each other.

"Father...?" "What - " "That man is - ?"

Red did his best to ignore the confused murmurs that rose all around them - there would be time to explain the awkward familiy relationships of the Exchanger later. For now he focused his gaze on Giovanni, whose expressionless face made a stark contrast to his son's. How would he respond?

"... I'm not ready to face you, not yet," the dark man murmured as he pulled down his hat, hiding his eyes from view. "I understand that you've been searching for me during the past four years... don't waste you time over me. When the time is right, I will come to you."

"But when is that supposed to be?" Silver shot back, sounding frustrated and angry. Then, in a quieter voice, he dropped his head before murmurung dejectedly: "And why?"

"... You and I are both accustomed to the path of darkness," Giovanni replied slowly, sounding reluctant to speak his thought out. "You found your way out of it, and for that I am grateful to some of your friends. I... I have yet to achieve my path... something that can make me stand proud in front of you."

Though the Team Rocket Boss was being very vague with his words, there was no mistake in his tone as he turned his piercing gaze to Red.

"You mean beating me," spoke out the Fighter, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Being the only person who has ever succeeded in defeating Giovanni one-on-one (twice, too) had its drawbacks: becoming the target for his obsession. Without a doubt his will was bent on overcoming the one man who had beaten him, which was probably what made him cling so desperately to life even after achieving his yearning to find his son. Besides, of course, the newfound desire to rejoin him.

"You speak as if it's a very trivial thing," chuckled Giovanni, his eyes glinting with a similar light to how they used to glow when they first battled, almost a decade ago. "I will admit, after three years of waiting I was almost ready to give up, spent from both inside and out. But then you came along... even under that foolish cloak I recognized you at once, fiery and passionate as ever! You indeed have a talent for inspiring people, Red, and I will have to thank you for that; you rebuilt the fire in my soul."

"Er, you're welcome?" Red muttered, wondering how he was supposed to respond to that. Was he flattering him? "If that's the case, why wait? You've been keeping you're eyes on me all along."

"Now, with you and your Pokemon in shambles?" Giovanni snorted. "I am not without dignity, Red. And today has only proven that I am not ready to challenge you once again. You are strong; moreover, you're growing stronger. So keep your instincts sharp and remain at the zenith, Champion, because when I at last stand before you again... the battle will come swift and sudden."

"I'll look forward to that," Red couldn't help answering, even almost grinning in anticipation; what were the odds that one would hear such words from a Boss of a criminal syndicate? In reality he spoke with a frown, because he was perfectly aware that what Giovanni was actually doing was fleeing; fleeing from the one thing that he desired, because he felt that he didn't deserve it. Not yet.

"Wait!" Silver exclaimed as he watched his father turn around, now sounding upset. Red could tell he was at a loss for words, but his thoughts were distracted when Yellow abruptly stirred in his arms.

"... an old man's memory wavers," Giovani muttered as he turned around to glance at Red, fishing a small object out of his coat and flining it over his head. Silver caught it with expertise, and Red scooted over to the younger boy to see his father's last gift: a Poke Ball with another object attatched to it. "The Ursaring you've left me with four years ago, and - "

"An Everstone?" Silver's brow furrowed in confusion as he looked into the little rock in his glove. "What does this mean, father?" He asked as he looked up at Giovanni, who had his back turned on them again.

"It means that what you've experienced here is far from over," said the Team Rocket Boss, so quietly that Red could barely hear him. "This is only the beginning of a storm that's about to rise... and someone's controlling it. Someone is behind everything, causing chaos and destruction all over the world. The stone is a key to revealing the thing's identity... you're a clever boy, so you'll be able to figure it out."

"What - " Red and Silver blurted out at the same time, but before they could question him further Giovanni had already exited the broken door and vanished out of sight.

"Remember the stone, Silver!" Was the last words they heard from the dark man before the shadows engulfed him.

Ah, world of apologies for the awful wait! It's been over two weeks since I last updated, hasn't it? This. Is. The. Freaking. Longest. Chapter. I've. Ever. Written. And who knows if they might get longer?

#1. How does Platina know about the attack? Well, what DOESN'T she know? XD

#2. If any Darkstoneshippers are to be excited by this quote, well, I didn't intend it to sound like that... but, oh well, the readers' thought counts too :)

#3. Kudos for the awesomeness of Kyogre and Groudon! XD Though they won't be showing up in this arc...

#4. Just a rough estimate. Don't know the actual number of all their Pokemon. :)

The Violent Tomboy, in fact I have seen the latest part, translated or no. I'll say it was... shocking. 0.0

G.F.T.W, they took care of her... by choosing to follow her! XD Ah, I love these guys.

Ah, just like Giovanni to stick to his own secrets. Ah well, his words won't be remembered for a LONG time, so for now, let's just savor the triumph of the Dex Holders, and watch them unravel the last string of the chaotic thread that composes this arc in Chapter 33. What will they do with the first human who had been in this chamber? Until then, R&R!

Writing completed on September 14th, 2011. This is Yowl of Time, out.