Darien and Serena have encountered Malachus and Dusk in the act of stealing a Type Trinket. Serena moves to attack them, but is handily defeated. This new development shocks the entire group. Serena is lucky to have escaped Malachus's clutches. Darien's mind is sent whirling into confusion, doubt, and planning. There must be a way to take down Malachus. And Darien vows to discover it.
Malachus passed the Poison Vial to a minion, and began growling.
"Sire…" Dusk started.
"That damn Mawhile… always ruining my plans… it's her we need to start with," Malachus said.
"Will she be your concubine, like the last one? Or do you have other plans?" Dusk asked.
"No… kill her. Slowly," Malachus said.
"Killing… I always loved that. The Ghost House will be prepared for their arrival," Dusk said.
"Sooner," Malachus said.
"You want a trap closer to them? Sure, that would be unexpected… but their guards will also be higher. Plus, as a Ghost Pokémon, I have certain powers that are enhanced within the Ghost House," Dusk said.
"Fat load of good that did you in the Poison Marsh," Malachus said.
"Ghost is easier for trickery. Plus, this time, we know our target…" Dusk said.
"That was…" Amber said, pacing. Darien, Serena and Madeline watched her, all thinking about Malachus.
"How do we beat him?" Madeline asked.
"The prophecy did say it had to be Darien and Serena… which probably means I won't be an option," Amber said.
"We don't know that…" Serena said.
"It's better for you to fend for yourself anyway. I can't nibble at everything, now, can I?" Amber asked.
"…Right," Serena said.
"Teamwork. And get rid of the Gengar first," Darien said.
"Best bet…" Amber said. She put her hand to her chin, a plan forming in her mind.
"I'm done here… you lot can keep planning whatever comes next," Amber said, wandering off in deep thought. Darien's eyes widened, and he bolted towards his tent, leaving Serena and Madeline alone together.
"Um… are you planning anything with Darien?" Serena asked in a completely non-threatening tone.
"Oh… uh… no, don't think so…" Madeline asked.
"That didn't seem very confident… are you sure you don't have feelings for him?" Serena asked.
"Not every girl has to have feelings for a boy… but yeah, kinda do. I mean, he's rugged, he's powerful, he's kind…" Madeline said. "Oh, and he's in my Egg Group."
"That has an impact?" Serena asked.
"It's an inherited advantage type thingy… most Pokémon tend to be more attracted to Pokémon they are compatible with," Madeline asked.
"I've never heard of that…" Serena said.
"It's not something that tends to crop up much. In fact, Justyn's been planning a system that helps with couples of Pokémon in incompatible Egg Groups. But it's a thing," Madeline said.
"Which Egg Group am I?" Serena asked.
"I… don't know. Me and Lucario are Field/Human-like… I honestly don't know which group you'd be in…" Madeline said.
"…If that Egg Group thingy Justyn's planning works out, will you be the mother of my children?" Serena asked.
"Serena… that's…" Madeline asked.
"I'll understand if you say no… I just wanted someone I trust to, you know…" Serena said, wandering off in her own direction.
"…Of course, Serena…" Madeline said.
"All right, Justyn, I think I know what your problem is," Amy said, looking at the king. Justyn tilted his head, and Amy pushed one of the many tomes out. Holding it in place, she used her stick to open the tome to the correct page, and leave it hovering in thin air.
"You're just showing off now," Justyn said.
"Hey, I'm mastering my talents as a Delphox," Amy said. Justyn nodded, and looked at the words on the page. Amy spun her stick around, and started pointing.
"According to this, the first Kings and Queens were granted a special blood. That blood, collectively called Deep Blood, runs through the veins of one specific child somewhere in each of the eighteen types, presumably so that one child of Deep Blood heritage would remain on the throne. It is this Deep Blood that connects a King to the Type Trinkets," Amy said.
"Fascinating… So I must have the Deep Dark Blood, correct?" Justyn asked.
"Do you remember having your Blood Awakening?" Amy asked.
"Blood Awakening?" Justyn asked.
"Thought so. For whatever reason, probably poor foresight or desire for dramatic effect, Arceus saw fit to make Deep Blood available only through the use of a Blood Awakening ceremony. During…" Amy said, before a gust of wind blew the book to a new page, "Era of Catastrophe number three, Blood Awakenings were deemed demonic rituals, and were discontinued. The location and passage of Deep Blood has become lost to time, and in the great tussle for the crown that was," Amy continued, blowing to another new page, "Era of Catastrophe number ten, the current seated King and lineage might not even have the Deep Blood slumbering in their veins," Amy finished.
"Would anyone know where the Deep Blood is?" Justyn asked. Amy summoned a new book, and opened it.
"Deep Blood, of course, is tied to the Type Trinkets. It is said that the Type Trinkets can always identify the most suitable Pokémon of Deep Blood, so that they may have their Blood Awakening," Amy said.
"We have to get the Dark Torch… I need to know if I'm meant to be King…" Justyn said.
"Unlikely… Justyn, I direct your attention to this page. Deep Blood is said to possess arcane powers, one of which is the ability to control Pokémon of the type of Blood. Kind of sheds some light on why Blood Awakenings seem demonic, once you realise who has the Deep Dark Blood," Amy said.
"Malachus…" Justyn said.
"Justyn, we need to retrieve the other Type Trinkets. We need to learn the identity of the other Deep Blood carriers. Malachus can't be king…" Amy said.
"Thank you for what you have done for your kingdom," Justyn said.
"Your welcome, honourable Justyn," Amy said.
"How's that patch working out?" John asked, looking at Nephalem.
*Err… I seem to… unknown network error, please reboot.* Nephalem said.
"This is why we don't do robotics much…" John sighed. He swung one of his cinderblocks at Nephalem, colliding with him. Nephalem started shaking and whirring.
*I am Error. Press any key to restart. System not found. Insert install disc. Disc not found. Please confirm disc cover is closed. Read error. Insert boot disc and press Enter. No response. System may be busy or melting into slag. Application error. Save your work and quit. You lost everything. Way to go, genius. Waiting for processors. 404 computer dedennes not found. Threat level upgraded to Jelly Roll 1. Detonation imminent. Beebleblip! C:/ run query identification; C:/ run insult generator; C:/results: go away goat-ee; CTRL ALT DEL!* Nephalem said. John swung his cinderblock again, stunning him. He opened up Nephalem's head again, and hurriedly removed everything he had done. He put the hardware back in, and stepped back. Nephalem quivered and shook, before standing at attention.
*I am Nephalem, loyal follower of Lord Darien. Awaiting current instructions.* Nephalem said.
"That's the last time I try fiddling with technology…" John said.
*Instruction not parsed.* Nephalem said.
"Stand at attention until next required," John said.
*Instruction WAIT parsed.* Nephalem said.
"We need a better robot," John remarked.
Smith was staring down a bundle of hay. He pushed his palms together, and readied a Cross Chop attack. He heard a sound in his peripheral hearing, but by that point, it was too difficult to stop the blow from landing on Okemos as she arrived.
"Okemos, that was just dumb of you," Smith said, pulling his arms back.
"You could've missed," Okemos pointed out.
"No Guard," Smith said. Okemos's eyes widened.
"That's actually why I don't spar. I can't pull punches. All I'm working on is getting my attacks out faster- I know all of my blows will make contact," Smith said.
"That… is both impressive and horrifying," Okemos said.
"It's a bit of a struggle, to be sure…" Smith remarked.
"Well… I've got high defence. Want to give it a shot?" Okemos asked.
"No thanks. I'd rather not," Smith remarked.
"Hm, I suppose," Okemos said.
The group's trek had taken them next to the Ice Pole, home of the Ice types. Ignoring the Sneasel infestation as best they could, they made their way up to Castle Aren, the eloquently designed home of the Ice Point.
"Why is this one so beautifully protected?" Serena asked.
"Because it's cool. Plus, the Ice Point really blends well into the room," Justyn said. A Weavile let out a loud screech, and rushed at the group. Amy pulled out her stick, and launched an impressive Flamethrower at the Weavile. The strike sent it flying back, crashing through the ice a fair distance away, and melting a corner of Castle Aren. It shuddered, and began to crash down.
"You…" a deep voice said.
"We're in trouble now…" Justyn said. An Abomasnow appeared in front of them, and summoned a fierce hailstorm.
"The Type Guardian…" Darien said.
"Oh, that's not the Ice Guardian," Justyn said. A whisper bent the air, and a deep, chilling frost coated their surroundings.
"That's the Guardian," Justyn said.
"Leave now, destroyer of Aren…" the voice of the Guardian sounded.
"Everyone who's weak to Ice, do as she says," Darien said. He summoned an Aura Sphere, and looked around for the speaker. A song cut the air, and Darien tossed his Aura Sphere. A Glaceon appeared before him.
"Glaceon… I will tell you this now. We did not mean to destroy your Castle. But the fact remains we need to get to the Ice Point and learn the Ice move," Darien said.
"The Ice Point is gone… it's home is all around us…" the Glaceon said.
"Again, I'm sorry, but now really isn't the time for this," Serena said.
"You'll pay… don't think you won't pay!" the Glaceon said.
"No reasoning with her…" Darien said. He created two Aura Spheres, and shot both. Glaceon allowed herself to melt into the hail, minimising the impact of both. Darien growled, and turned to the Abomasnow. He spun on the spot, and used a Blaze Kick. The powerful blow stunned Abomasnow, and the hail began to falter. Serena spun around, and used a Signal Beam to take it out. The hail stopped completely, leaving the Glaceon in the open.
"Serena, find the Ice Point. Your move, now," Darien said. Serena nodded, and started jumping up and down through Castle Aren's remains, Justyn following her.
"Leave Ice alone, Lucario," the Glaceon said.
"…I hate to say this, but could you disappear like the other ones? Or are you going to be one of those super persistent ones like Suzin?" Darien asked.
"Suzin… is still… my…" the Glaceon said. She shuddered and writhed on the floor. She looked up, her expression significantly different.
"The Spoon is a trap! He wants the Blood!" the Glaceon said, her voice… calmer, somehow.
"Blood?" Darien asked. But Glaceon had dissolved into the pale coloured powder, the Ice Point now lost.
"…Blood?" Darien asked again.