CHAPTER 46

"Here it is," said Gallade. "The infamous North Point Route. This way is very steep, so be sure and tread carefully."

"Right," said Vulpix. "Should we split into teams like last time?"

"Well, there are seven of us," said Nidoran. "And from what I can tell, walking this steep path up the mountain will take us significantly less time than walking up one of the common routes."

"Still, I think covering more ground would be a good idea," said Gallade. "There appear to be two paths upward from here. Wingull, Nidoran, you're with me. The rest of you will travel up the other route."

Vulpix smiled. She liked the idea of traveling with both Rylan and Zorian. Nidoran looked at Rylan and then at Gallade disappointedly.

"I can see you want to travel with Rylan," Gallade chuckled as he noticed Nidoran's expression, "but he has more battle experience with his own team, and their chemistry will prove effective. His brother, of course, goes without saying."

"I understand, sir," Nidoran replied.

Rylan looked at Nidoran and smiled. "Look, Nidoran, I'm flattered that you care so much about me. It's a privilege to have you as a friend and ally. I promise you, I'll be all right."

Nidoran smiled back and nodded, then joined Gallade at his side along with Wingull. Gallade gave the other four a reassuring nod and then proceeded up the first mountain path.

"Rylan," said Vulpix. "There's something I want to say."

Rylan turned to face his teammate. "Yes?"

"You're not really a Pokémon, so technically you don't belong in this world," Vulpix said. "So when we use the Key of Renewal to stop Slowking, you'll-"

"I'll go back to where I came from, I suppose," said Rylan. "I'll become human again."

"But Buizel and I came from the same world as you," said Vulpix. "Wouldn't that mean we would go with you?"

Buizel turned away. He was evidently disturbed by the very idea of returning to the world he once called home.

"I don't know," said Rylan. "I really don't know."

Without another word, Vulpix ran up to Rylan, burying her face in his chest.

"I don't want you to go away!" Vulpix cried. "You're my friend! Surely there's a way we can all go with you…or better yet, you can stay here…?"

"I don't know, Vulpix." Rylan said. "We just have to hope for the best, right? Whatever is supposed to happen will happen."

Vulpix sniffled and stepped back. "Yes, let's hope for the best."

"Buizel?" Rylan asked, turning to look at his other teammate.

"What do you want?" Buizel asked.

"Just… Is there anything you want to say about all this? Anything you want to get off your chest?" Rylan asked.

Buizel gave Rylan a stern look. "Let me tell you what's on my chest right now," he said. "I don't want to go back to that place. I want to stay here. I have half a mind to just bury that key before anyone can play it. But the safety of this world comes first. I've made so many friends here, met so many Pokémon. I love it here. I can't let Slowking have his way with this world anymore."

Vulpix looked at Buizel worriedly.

"So, then, are we all set?" asked Zorian.

"Yep," said Rylan and Vupix together. Buizel nodded silently.

"All right," said Zorian. "Rylan, would you take point? The rest of us will watch your back."

Rylan nodded. "Absolutely," he replied.

Rylan started up the second path, his teammates following closely behind. As Gallade had warned beforehand, the path was quite steep. Nevertheless, if they all made it successfully, they would be ready for Slowking very soon.

"Based on this slope and how high the mountain is," said Zorian as they travelled, I assume we'll reach the peak by midday. Keep the focus on the path ahead."

Just then, everyone stopped moving. Rylan put a paw to his chest. "Something…something feels terribly wrong!" he said.

"I feel it, too!" said Vulpix. "What's happening?"

The sky above suddenly went pitch-black, and the Moon started to rise abnormally fast. The Moon itself appeared to be encircled by a veil of dark energy. The massive celestial sphere drifted closer and closer until it hung in the sky above Mount Maelstrom.

"That aura coming from behind the Moon…" said Buizel. "It's from the Distortion World!"

"Look there!" said Vulpix, pointing to a patch of dirt close to the path. The same dark substance was hovering in a diminutive cloud, ripping a small hole in the ground.

"You can feel it, can't you?" Zorian asked. "Slowking has interfered too heavily with the Distortion World. If we don't stop him soon, this world will be plunged into the depths of Giratina's domain."

"We need to make him realize that what he's doing is wrong," said Buizel.

"Let's not waste anymore time," said Rylan.

"Wait," said a voice.

The four looked straight ahead and saw a figure approaching them. Much to their surprise, it was Bronzong of Team Tranquility.

"Bronzong?" asked Vulpix. "Wait…You're the one who helped us get out of the Province. Why did you help us?"

"I'm more bewildered by the fact that he actually speaks," Buizel said. "Not once has anyone in the guild heard Bronzong talk before now."

"You must realize by now that I assisted Jynx and Slowking in hypnotizing the great Giratina," said Bronzong. "As experienced as we are, it took all three of us to successfully do it."

"Where are you going with this?" asked Rylan.

"I've been companions with Slowking for a long time," said Bronzong. "Ever since we joined Aggron's guild, Slowking has told me of his fascination with the Distortion World and his idea of a perfect world. He trusted me to help him, and I did so, but the only reason I helped him was…"

Bronzong turned away and looked down at the ground, appearing to be ashamed.

"What was the reason?" asked Vulpix.

"I was afraid," Bronzong replied. "Afraid of Slowking's misguided vision, afraid of his rapid advancement in power and rank throughout the guild, and especially afraid of what he might do to me if I refused to help him. Seeing how determined you all were at the Province helped me to muster up the courage to defy my own teammates."

"Fear can make people do awful things," said Zorian. "I know this all too well."

"I'm here to warn you," said Bronzong. "I barely managed to escape the Province. Slowking feels like he has been pushed into a corner. He is furious after Reshiram and Zekrom's verdict. He regrets letting you all out of the Distortion World. He fears his plan will fail, and this has made him even more dangerous. I know him well enough; he'll want to punish you in a way far more harshly than sending you to the Distortion World."

"Do you know where he is now?" asked Buizel.

"I can sense his presence. He's at the ravaging lake at the apex," said Bronzong. "He's trying to find a way to destroy the fragment of the Key of Renewal which he has in his possession."

"We need to stop him," said Rylan. "Bronzong, will you come with us?"

"I'm afraid I will be of no use to you," said Bronzong. "I was able to catch Slowking by surprise in the Province, but now that the other two know where my loyalties lie, I guarantee you I won't be so fortunate next time. Slowking and Jynx know all my strengths and weaknesses."

"Do you not know theirs?" asked Vulpix.

"I should remind you that Team Tranquility was the first and only Star Rank team in the guild," said Bronzong. "Slowking has faced more adversaries than you can imagine. I know not how to surely defeat him. However, one thing might help."

Bronzong turned to face Zorian. "You have a Dark-type on your team. Slowking will have the type disadvantage. But don't make the mistake of thinking he only relies on psychic power. Jynx is no pushover, either."

"Thank you, Bronzong," said Zorian. "If I'm the most vital one here, I must play the part accordingly. I won't let Slowking defeat me."

"Here," said Bronzong. "I want you to have this." He hovered over to Zorian and dropped something at his feet.

"That's a Power Band," said Rylan, noticing the familiar fabric.

"Zorian, put this on," said Bronzong. "It will do wonders for your physical strength."

"Thanks again," said Zorian as he picked up the Power Band. He tied it around his waist.

"I can do no more for you now," said Bronzong. "I'm going to the Magnezone Prison to turn myself in. I must be on my way. Farewell."

Before anyone else could ask him anything, Bronzong teleported away. Rylan and his teammates then continued to tread up the steep mountain path, heading for the peak as quickly as they could. All around them, the Distortion World continued to eat away at their own. They knew Slowking was waiting for them, and they felt more motivated to stop him than they did earlier.