Author's Corner. Side Story: Competitive Bolero! (PART 1)
Slybill is hard at work when Awesome, atop her pogo-stick, hops into the studio with a big grin on her face.
Scarlet: Someone's happy. What've you gone and done now?
Awesome: Guess what Sly? I signed you up for the Budding Fanfic Author of the Year Award!
RIP goes the script as Slybill flinches and turns with a nervous look in his eyes.
Slybill: W-what?
LP: What? Why's everyone so tense?
Cynthia: Well, that award is probably the most prestigious one any rookie writer could ever dream of touching. Plus, Sly's gonna be competing with over 200 competitors of unimaginable writing skill and prowess. Nice one, director.
Slybill: Don't "nice one" her! I'll lose! My writing is childish! And my story-
Brycen: What's in it for you, Awesome-sama? No director signs a rookie up right off the bat.
Awesome: Perceptive as always, Brycey. If Slybill wins, I'll gain more than enough recognition! *twirls with dollar signs in her eyes* I'll be the richest and most critically-acclaimed director in the world!
Alphinia: Doesn't she have enough fame already?
Awesome: You can never have too much fame! So, be ready to bust your ass, Sly! We have to hand in this story at the end of the year!
White *raises a hand uncertainly*: Um, I've got a question! What happens if Sly loses?
Awesome smiles broadly.
Awesome: Then you're all fired! Now let's work hard everyone!
White: YAY- wait, what?
Slybill *bangs head against the table*: I'm done for. I'll never think of something in time.
Awesome: I heard Omega is in it too. You don't wanna lose to him, do you?
Slybill: EH? *Rolls sleeves* White, Pen! Scarlet, Laptop! Burgh, Inspiration! Lightning, Juice! Everyone else, get to your positions!
Lightning: WHY DO I HAVE TO GET THE JUICE-DE ARIMASU?!
Awesome: OK! I want your suggestion by the end of this episode, Sly! See ya! And can someone get that disclaimer please?!
DISCLAIMER: SLYBILL DOESN'T OWN POKEMON! ELSE, ASH WOULD'VE BEEN VOICED BY VIC MIGNOGNA!
Underground Plasma Castle, Unova.
"What're you making now?" Alphinia asked, peeking over Camille's head. The latter stopped welding and pushed up her goggles before wiping off the ash and oil smudges on her face.
"Since when were you interested?" she remarked before stepping back to view her work. "It's the blueprint Draco handed to me. Since this, by the looks of it, appears to be the hardest and most important one to create, he suggested that I do it in a more secluded area where I won't get distracted."
Mismagius floated over with a mug of coffee at its side and handed it to its owner. Thanking her pokemon, Camille took a sip and slumped into the nearest couch.
"But seeing as you've found me then I guess I can't call it completely distraction-less."
"Everyone has a distinct smell. I could track your sweat from a mile away," Alphinia remarked and gestured to the unfinished device on the table. "So? What is it?"
"Um..." Camille scrunched up her face in thought. "Draco called it a...DNA Wedge."
"And what does it do?"
The young technician huffed. "I don't know. Draco changed the subject every time I asked. But I've got a guess though. It looks like a cell splicer except in reverse. I may be wrong...but I think it fuses two pokemon together."
The blonde blinked and gave a bored yawn. "Oh. Nothing interesting I guess."
"Why am I not surprised," Camille deadpanned and took another sip.
"Hey...give me some," Alphinia stated before backtracking. One isn't supposed to order something from a friend. "Sorry, what I meant to say was can you give me some?"
Camille looked from knight to drink before shaking her head, much to Alphinia's annoyance.
"I can't. Remember what happened last time?"
Alphinia folded her arms and huffed in contempt. Of course she remembered. Camille had given her a sip and she suddenly found herself very, very active. In the course of two minutes, she had wrecked the training room, scattered her bedroom AND spilled Aqua's make-up kit. As expected, the effects had worn down by then but the deed had been done and Aqua cried herself senseless, obstructing any hope of a good night's sleep that night.
"I said it wouldn't happen again," the blonde muttered and sat down next to Camille before picking up a screwdriver and toying with it absent-mindedly as she recalled the events of three days ago.
"My lord, welcome back!" Bronius greeted with his head bowed low as Ghetsis strolled into the throne room with his shredded clothes. "How was the outing, my lord? Was Scarlet up to standards?"
"Of course," Ghetsis huffed and sat himself down on the throne with a contented sigh. "Fetch me some knew clothes, will you? I'm starting to feel a draft."
"Yes sir!" the nearest grunt exclaimed and hurried out to carry out his order. Ghetsis watched him go before running a hand through his waist-length hair.
"His eyes were still as defiant as ever. But he broke of course," the man remarked and slouched in his seat. "I loved that raw fear in his eyes. It sent that warm feeling I always got when things went according to plan." Slowly, his yellow eyes turned and he directed his gaze to the surprised-looking blonde knight standing in the corner. "And whose permission did you have to enter, Alphinia?"
"Forgive me, Lord Ghetsis!" she stated, dropping to one knee. "I felt that I'd ask you how you fared as it would've been otherwise impossible with your busy schedule and whatnot."
Ghetsis stared at the girl before briefly tilting his head to the door, signalling for Bronius to leave. "I'll discuss our next line of action, Bronius."
"My Lord," Bronius hailed and vacated the room, leaving the knight and her master alone.
"Rise, Alphinia," Ghetsis ordered and the girl quickly got up and looked to her feet. "There's something you wish to clarify, no?"
"You're right sir. Earlier on today, I heard a terrible roar from afar and in your direction too. If I may ask, what was that?"
The king crossed his legs. "Impeccable sense of hearing, Alphinia. It was Scarlet. Why do you ask?"
Alphinia chewed her lip. "Why was he sounding like that? The only one who possessed such a roar was-"
"He foolishly used his gloves to absorb the power of Draco's pokemon." Ghetsis smirked. "But it wasn't enough to defeat me. The boy was tenacious but fear gripped him soon and that was all I needed to finish him off."
"Finish him off?!" Alphinia blurted and shut her mouth with her hands, wondering why her voice spiked. Ghetsis arched an eyebrow and his frown deepened.
"I didn't kill him as he is needed for our plans. But I'm curious. Why do you ask?"
Because she cared? No that would annoy Ghetsis. "Um...because...I just wanted to know how badly you made him suffer. Who wouldn't want to know how their enemy is punished, sir."
Ghetsis' yellow eyes continued to bore into her.
"Are you surprised at seeing my face for the first time?"
The girl rapidly shook her head. "No sir!"
"Then raise your head and face me. Or are your feet more interesting than the conversation at hand?"
Was that meant to be a joke or an order?
Slowly, Alphinia raised her head and her crimson eyes went wide as she found the seat empty. Hands gently rested on her shoulder and the girl found it hard to look back. Slowly, Ghetsis' head came to rest on her shoulder and she marvelled at the deceptively-handsome smile on his boyish face.
"I'm don't blame you. I'm very sure Terra and Aqua would be surprised to see me sporting the face of my dead arch-enemy. But I needed a younger and stronger body for the rigorous work ahead and Black's was the first one that came to me. It was also to spite him but that's not very relevant when he's dead."
Alphinia kept silent. She had known that Ghetsis' body was currently not his own but she'd never guessed that it was Black's of all people.
"Do I sense fear?" Ghetsis gently prodded, noticing the way her breathing quickened. "Do you want to know how I did it? Got Black's body? Quite simple really. I had his body dug up and transported to the P2 Laboratory, a place you should know very well as it was the venue of your rebirth as a dragon-human hybrid. From there I had a Dusknoir rip my soul from my injured body and stuff it into Black's hollow cadaver. Unbelievable, isn't it?"
"Yes sir..." was all the confused knight could mumble.
"It wasn't too hard performing the ritual. The old notes from the Abyssal Ruins in Undella Bay definitely assisted me. But that isn't something I expect you to understand. Look me in the eyes in the near future and get used to this face for I shall "ditch", as you teenagers say, the mask. It was getting stuffy anyway."
"Okay," Alphinia mumbled, still confused. Satisfied with that, Ghetsis smiled again and took a moment to bask in the music provided by Alphinia's heartbeat and quick breaths. Ghetsis had never been this close to her and that somehow made her face grow quite hot. Suddenly, she felt his hands lift her top. "Sir...?"
Ghetsis observed the bandages wrapped around her middle, clearly ignoring the look on her face.
"Your injuries are finally healing."
Alphinia nodded slowly and drew a sharp breath as his fingers traced the bandages lightly.
"That's good. If only your regenerative abilities were up to speed...I would've surely placed you on the frontlines when the plan is executed."
The knight froze. Was he saying that she was too weak to participate on the Promised Day? Was Ghetsis...underrating her like the others...?
"So...you're the same..."
"Hm? I didn't quite catch that?" Ghetsis remarked, slowly releasing the knight from his hold. Alphinia gave a small smile and turned to face him.
"It's nothing important, my lord. I will take my leave now."
As she left the room, Ghetsis' eyes went half-lidded and he muttered something under his breath.
"So you're awakening...Felicia..."
"Hey! Blondie!"
Alphinia casually turned her head and gazed at Camille's quizzical expression.
"You've been staring at that screwdriver for like forever. You're not thinking dirty thoughts, are you?" Camille remarked coyly.
The blonde knight simply scooted closer and said in an airy whisper. "Who knows. Maybe I was." The confused look on her friend's face made her giggle. Wait...did I just call Camille my friend?
"Whatever weirdo," the goth said with a shrug before downing her mug. She got up, stretched a little and returned to the work table with a wave. "I'll probably be ignoring you while I'm working so you'd best clear off."
"Yeah yeah," the knight replied and also got up. With a curt wave, she walked through the door and right into Draco who was leaning against the wall with his head bowed low as if asleep.
"Zzzz..."
Oh wait, he was asleep.
"Figures. Stop following me, you creep," she hissed and walked past him.
"Alphinia. You're getting quite close to the human," he piped up suddenly and she stopped in her tracks. "Let's not forget who's higher on the food chain."
"I know," Alphinia said and twirled a strand of her curly hair which, by now, was nearly waist-length.
"You never liked growing your hair out. What's the sudden change?" Draco asked, walking up to her. "And you're not wearing your face-paint either."
"She looks nice like this," Aqua called from behind them. "Like the true sky princess that she is."
Alphinia simply stayed silent and pressed her headphones closer to her ears. "I want to know. The retrieval is a week before the ball, right?"
"Yup. Reshiram will be found by then and the party preparations will be getting their finishing touches!" Aqua squealed ecstatically. "I can't wait to show off my new dress and-"
"Am I coming for the retrieval?"
Draco and Aqua faced each other before looking at their youngest member with semi-apologetic expressions.
"Sorry Alphy," the man laughed and put a hand on her shoulder. "It could get rough and with the state you're in, we don't want you injured again. You do need to be at your 100% best on the Promised Day after all."
In other words, you're too weak to help. So stay back and play like the baby dragon that you are.
That was what Alphinia heard and that was what she had swallowed down every time she was prohibited from doing major things. It had taken a lot of persuasion to allow her to watch over the base in Castelia and even after all she did, she was still deemed too weak.
"Okay."
Aqua must've been wrong but she swore she heard something snap inside Alphinia as soon as she made that statement. The girl's expression was unreadable as her eyes were shadowed but the older woman could guess what emotion was conveyed and it shocked her to know that Alphinia actually had those feelings.
"I'm going to my room to sleep. See you."
Draco watched his sister's retreating form before throwing a puzzled expression at Aqua. "What's gotten into her?"
"Not sure," she replied and turned before walking off. "Maybe it's puberty."
...
Alphinia tore off her clothes and stepped into her bathtub with a sigh. Natu popped out of her hair before flapping its tiny wings and hopping onto the enamel side.
"They're looking down on me," its mistress hissed and sank deeper into the warm water. "Terra, Bronius, Aqua, Draco and even Ghetsis."
The psychic bird stared at her before pointing to her middle, making reference to her injury.
"I know I'm injured but it's almost healed now. I haven't pushed myself at all this month and I've reduced my training time too." Alphinia put a hand on her belly and sighed again. "Sometimes I get the feeling that I'm not of any real relevance. Just a super strong doll to be played with now and then."
Natu rolled its eyes. This was all Scarlet's fault. Ever since they had met, Natu remembered its mistress getting all angsty all of a sudden. Then Camille and her Mismagius came in and it was bye bye to the emotionless doll-face.
"Hey Natu." She cupped the pokemon in her palms and brought it close to her face. "I'm tired of having to prove myself. And all these unknown emotions keep piling up in my head. What should I do?"
The pokemon closed its eyes and imitated a snore.
"I've tried sleeping it off. Doesn't work."
Natu flapped its wings and imitated flight.
"Salamence is just as moody as I am. He won't fly me anywhere."
Sighing, Natu shrugged and hopped back onto the enamel, leaving Alphinia to brood. Injuries aside, her brethren normally restricted her from making too much contact with the weak trash known as humans and that made her start to wonder. Why? Why had Ghetsis taught her to hate human beings? Why was she only sent on missions where little contact with them was a rule? And why did her feelings often spiral out of control every time she encountered them?
Alphinia got out and carried her dripping body to the nicely-sculpted towel rack before picking out a green towel. As she wiped her face, she caught sight of herself in the full-body mirror and stepped closer to observe herself. She was the same and yet different at the same time. Her eyes weren't narrowed like they used to be and she didn't have that permanent troll-face on.
"Pretty," she remarked and touched her reflection's forehead. "Yet sad at the same time."
Did she say sad? Why should I be sad? It's not like I care, right? So what if they're looking down on me? I'm still me, Alphinia F. Quincy and an important piece in Ghetsis' plans! Why should I feel such human emotions when they underestimate me...?
Her reflection simply stared back at her and the knight grit her teeth as frustration set in. Frustration? Another emotion?!
"Damn it! Why? Why am I being so human about this?!" she hissed and held her head as it started to pound again. "I'm not like this! I am a Dragon Knight! An evolution!"
"Are you?"
Alphinia froze and her eyes went wide as her reflection continued to stare sadly at her, not bothering to reciprocate her actions. Was the knight hallucinating? She couldn't care less as she found that sad expression infuriating.
"Of course I am. A higher being who has no need for these foolish emotions! That is what I became when I was reborn!"
"Then why do you yearn for recognition from not just your brethren but from the humans themselves?" the reflection asked in genuine wonder like a curious child who knew nothing.
"I don't!" Alphinia cried and fell to one knee as the pounding worsened. "Alphinia F. Quincy wants nothing from trash! I kill them just so they won't bother me!"
"Really? How did it feel?"
"Exhilarating, duh! Wasn't it I who slaughtered the scientists responsible for my rebirth? I relished their screams! I bathed in their blood! I loved it!"
The reflection bent a little to face Alphinia. "Lie."
"It's true! I even remembered when Joid stabbed Skyla! I enjoyed that look of pain when I pulled the blade out! I watched her bleed to death and I laughed at how pathetic she was!"
"Then why were you crying afterwards? Why was your soul wrenching that day?"
The question only made the blonde angrier and she would've smashed the curious reflection into shards if not for the pain in her head and chest.
"Why...are you asking this...? Why is my heart tormenting me?" she muttered in between huffs. The pain spiked and the knight winced before facing her reflection again with angry eyes. "Answer me!"
"You're not yourself. You're not who you think you are."
"Then who am I? What am I to Ghetsis?! What is my relevance to this world?!"
The reflection smiled and pressed a hand against the glass. "A sad little reminder. That's what you are. Fated to wane in strength and will, just like the woman you were modelled after. Find out for yourself, Felicia."
Her head threatened to split open but Alphinia still felt a certain wave of nostalgia wash over her at the mention of the name. Felicia. Why had it felt so fitting for her when Ghetsis had renamed her that? Come to think of it, among all the other knights, she was the only one who rampaged upon rebirth but she instantly quietened down when Ghetsis called out to her. She didn't even need rehabilitation. It was just like magic that she found herself used to her basic human functions like thinking rationally and walking on two legs. Alphinia didn't know why any of this mattered but one thing was for sure. She was different in mould from the others. She was special.
"Get up, Felicia and accept your emotions. Only then will you remember who you truly are," the reflection stated and extended a hand to the writhing girl. "The pain and uncertainty will disappear too."
Her hand stroked Alphinia's hair and lifted her chin to look into her red eyes. The knight's eyesight was hazy but she could make out a slightly older yet similar version of herself smiling at her.
"Who are you...?" she stuttered between breaths. "And how do you know all these things...?"
The reflection tilted her head and touched Alphinia's forehead. "I'm yourself. You're myself. We both know these things because deep down...those is all your incomplete soul and chained humanity have been wanting to hear all along."
Alphinia stared at herself in the mirror. It was back to normal now but the searing pain from the pounding was still there.
"Medication..." she murmured weakly and stretched a hand to reach the bottle on the cabinet above her. "Need medication..." Her hands touched the bottle but she had lost consciousness by then and Natu jumped as the bottle smashed and shattered against the bathroom floor.
A single driving force
built to keep the king going.
But 'twas clearly for the wrong reason
you were created.
Fortunately, the seal over your heart is starting to shatter
and your true self is finally starting to reawaken.
So shed this shell, Alphinia Felicia Quincy
and set yourself free.
Relish in the fact that you are human.
A simple species they may be
but within them lies great inner strength
that rivals that of even the dragons' Ghetsis so foolishly hoped to emulate.
No amount of cell grafting or species fusion can sheath your humanity.
For it only makes one imperfect and incomplete.
So shed this shell, Felicia Harmonia's reincarnate
and set yourself free.
Relish in the fact that you are human.
"Alphinia!"
"Alphinia!"
"Wake up, Alphinia!"
Alphinia opened her grey eyes slowly and looked up to see Camille standing over her with a worried expression on her face. Mismagius and Natu hovered above her head and chirped in joy to see her awake.
"Camille...?"
Camille hugged the girl tightly and sniffled. "Jeez! Don't do that again, idiot! I almost thought you'd died!"
Alphinia stared at the girl hugging her and slowly, her own arms wrapped around Camille's back. "Sorry."
They withdrew after a minute and Camille held up a towel. "Cover yourself already before I get jealous over your increased bust size."
The knight would've gone ballistic and shoved the goth out but she suddenly felt herself giggling before bursting into a soft, hearty laugh, way different from her previous mad cackles.
"Is it something I said?" Camille asked her Mismagius who shrugged and suggested checking for insanity. Alphinia on the other hand pointed her grey orbs to the mirror and observed her reflection again. A pretty girl of 17 with curly strawberry-blonde hair and grey eyes stared back at her with a small smile on her pink lips.
"Thank you," she said airily and the girl beside her tilted her head in confusion.
"For what?" Camille asked. Alphinia turned to face her before grabbing the towel and wrapping it around herself.
"Everything."
...
Ghetsis shoved his hands into his pockets and turned in front of a large mirror. Sporting a simple black dress-shirt and jeans with his hair tied into a messy bun, one would've thought they were looking at normal teenager without a care in the world.
"My Lord..." Bronius began and held up a cloak. Ghetsis stopped spinning and eyed the cloak indifferently before shaking his head.
"I think I'll go with just this for now. Besides, cloaks are heavy."
Bronius sweatdropped. Ghetsis always loved cloaks. It was now obvious that Black's teenaged body was beginning to scale down his maturity though only by a small fraction. The real Ghetsis was still there, calculative, ingenious and dreadfully sadistic.
"Bronius, how are Anthea and Concordia faring?" the king piped up suddenly.
"They're still in null consciousness, sire. Neither of them have shown any signs of breaking it," he replied. "Do you wish to see them?"
The teenaged-looking man tapped his chin before a smile graced his face. "Yes. I'd like to hear one last lullaby from the lips of goddesses."
Bronius bowed low and clapped his hands twice. The throne room instantly went dark and Ghetsis let the teenager in him take over as he cooed at the way the Chandelure-shaped lamps slowly began to glow and illuminate the room dimly. At the end where the lamps glowed brightest was a purple curtain which pulled apart to show what looked like a cage big enough to fit Dialga in. The base had soft mattresses for floors and two girls lay side by side on them as if in deep slumber. Above was a beautiful chandelier that bathed the cage's interior in a soft but eerie purplish light.
"Anthea. Concordia. Time to get up," Ghetsis said and strolled over to the cage before gazing at the beautiful girls who stirred and slowly sat up. "Good evening. It's been a while."
In perfect unison, both girls opened their eyes and Ghetsis whistled at how dull and lifeless they seemed.
"Broken. Nice," he remarked smiling cruelly. Null consciousness was another one of Ghetsis' many twisted methods of utilising pokemon. The target would often be subjected to a round of emotionally scarring events until that exact moment when they'd lost their will and hearts or broke as Ghetsis liked to call it. Then a highly trained psychic-type pokemon was employed to put them under the influence of its hypnosis. The twist is that this hypnosis, coupled with the emotional trauma, heavily suppresses the victim's willpower and mental control, putting them in a trance-like state of null consciousness (the state just closest to unconsciousness) where their normal brain functions are restricted to the bear minimum aka survival (breathe, eat, sleep). Quite a suitable way of using people without having to apply force of any kind.
"I still wonder why you caged them, sire," Bronius remarked, stepping closer. "It's not like there's a possibility of them escaping the castle in this state."
"No one breaks out of Null Consciousness," Ghetsis said and pressed a hand against the glass separating him from his daughters. "But if by some chance they do, there's plan B which is the cage. Besides, beauty must be kept locked up for the beholder to gaze upon once in a while. Isn't that right, girls? If so then sing for me."
Anthea and Concordia didn't reply. Instead they gave dead smiles to him, parted their lips and sang in blissful harmony. Their song had no words, no meaning and no purpose. Just a perfectly-coordinated rise and fall of tones. But nevertheless it made the world cease and stop to listen to them quietly and in admiration. That activity was the only extra function they were allowed to have and they did it with all their broken might, broken souls and broken spirits.
"It's sad," Ghetsis remarked, basking in the song's melodious clutches. "They're crying for help. But deep down, even they know that there is no hope for them."
A knock rang through the room and Ghetsis glared hard at the door before ordering for the interrupters to enter. The girls continued singing, unperturbed or even sparing the intruders a glance. The people in question were Camille and Draco.
"Ah, Miss Dark!" Ghetsis greeted and shook hands with the surprised girl. "I believe this is the first time we've met. How have things been?"
Camille nodded cautiously and withdrew her hand. "Uh...Fine. May I speak with the head of this organisation please?"
"You're talking to him," he replied with a smile.
"The fuck?"
"Beg your pardon?"
Camille shut her mouth and cursed herself. But who was to blame her, anyone would've mistaken the tall young man before her for a person of lower status.
"It's nice to meet you, sir!" she greeted nervously and bowed low.
"Nice to meet you too, esteemed inventor. Is there something you'd like to say?"
The goth nodded and pulled out a palm-sized, prism-shaped device from her case. "Took me a month but I've finally finished the DNA Wedge, sir."
Ghetsis' smile broadened and he accepted the cube from the young technician.
"Perfect," he cooed as he inspected the device. "You've really outdone yourself, Miss Dark. I'm truly grateful for it."
Camille blushed and laughed bashfully. "You're welcome, sir. So does that end my mission or is there something else?"
Ghetsis clasped his gloved hands together and smiled again. "Actually, there's one more thing I need you to do. You said you were good with poisons, right?" and with that, he drew her close and whispered his request into her ear.
Five minutes later, Camille nodded and turned to take her leave. But not before inquiring as to why two pretty girls were singing in a glass cage.
"Actresses," Draco replied with a laugh and gently ushered her out. Ghetsis' innocent smile remained until they left and then it turned menacing.
"It's finished," he stated and eyed the golden prism again. "My plans are finally finished. Now all that remains is to put them into action. Sage Bronius! Prepare the Red Moon Ball. Unova is going to see a celebration like no other."
"You are perfection my lord," Bronius hailed and bowed before raising his arms. "There is no way your plans shall fail."
"To the glory of Team Plasma!" Ghetsis boomed.
"And to the destruction of Unova!" Bronius declared and both men parted ways with the goddesses remaining to sing Ghetsis' proclamation to the world.
...
Aqua slipped on her sunglasses and strolled over to the meeting room where Draco and Terra sat.
"Where's Alphy gone now?" she asked and Terra simply shrugged.
"Haven't seen her since earlier this afternoon," Draco replied and fiddled with a pen. "You're off to your concert in Opelucid City?"
"Yup!" she replied and struck a pose. "Aqua Mareen is currently on its live tour of Unova. And we just conveniently happened to be slated for Opelucid City next week!"
Terra raised a brow. "Isn't that the week when we retrieve the innocent one?"
The brunette's smile widened and she twirled ecstatically. "Retrieval Day is coming soon and I'm gonna paint Opelucid red at the same time!"
"And you think they'll be in Opelucid by then?" Terra asked.
"Of course!" Draco replied and got up. "The Shadow Triad informed me of their recent developments. They should be in Opelucid by now."
"So! All three knights will be gathering at Opelucid with one goal in mind!" Aqua declared. "To retrieve the innocent one and put her under null consciousness."
"Make that four knights. Ghetsis said Joid is coming," Draco said and struck his own pose. "Let's paint Opelucid red!"
"I'll stand in the distance and play my own part," Terra remarked and took on a similar pose. "I'll finally get my revenge."
"To the glory of Team Plasma!"
"To the retrieval of the innocent one!"
"And to the destruction of Unova!"
"ALL HAIL TEAM PLASMA!"
Author's Corner. Side Story: Competitive Bolero! (PART 2)
Slybill: I've come up with a solution!
The cast gathers round and Slybill opens up his book with two words on the page.
Scarlet: "RADIANT SUNRISE" What's that?
Slybill: It's the final volume. That's my submission.
Awesome: Radiant Sunrise...I think I like the sound of that. Let's see how it will fare.
Burgh: Alright everyone! Let's put in our all.
White: Okay! So watch out followers! Vol3 is almost over and Radiant Sunrise is well on its way! Oh I can't wait!
PREVIEW.
Scarlet and White enter Opelucid.
White spots an old friend with a unique look.
Scarlet meets the Champion of Unova who knows something about White that he'd never dreamed of.
NEXT CHAPTER: DAT BEARD!