A haunting experience hounds Darien and Serena, as the woman who took them in put her life on the line. Serena realises now, more than ever, that her commitment to Darien is far more than frolicking and romance. However, there is no time to continue. The Dragon Realm lies before them, and after that… the Dark Pit.
"You did what?" Malachus asked. Dusk started shivering in fear: his attempt to kill Amber seemed embarrassingly feeble now.
"She survived… and her girls now have a lot of confidence," Dusk said.
"Confidence means squat. They'll die under our might, just as they should. You're extremely lucky this failure hasn't made you outlive your usefulness. Get Lydia to meet them in the Dragon Realm," Malachus said.
"Lydia?" Dusk asked.
"She's psuedo-legendary, is she not? Queen of base stats? Pit her against that miserable ragtag bunch! And Dusk? Do not question me again. Or I might just decide finding another amorphous blob of something easier than keeping you around," Malachus said.
"Sir… yes sir…" Dusk said, now officially terrified.
"Hey, brother?" Luna said. Artemis turned to her, somewhat concerned.
"What is it, Luna?" Artemis asked.
"When this is all over… will we have to go back to live with the other Legendary Pokémon?" Luna asked.
"Of course, Luna. That is how Arceus dictated. Legendaries aren't compatible with other Pokémon. In fact, we shouldn't even be here in the first place!" Artemis said.
"But… I have a friend down here…" Luna said.
"A friend?" Artemis asked.
"Serena… her companionship makes me feel so… so…" Luna said.
"Luna, we do not belong here. That's final," Artemis said.
"I'm not going back with you, Artemis. Why can't we get along, anyway?" Luna asked.
"We're high-tier powerful. We're like Rayquaza down here," Artemis said.
"…Not really. What really separates me from Serena in powerful-ness?" Luna asked.
"…" Artemis had nothing to say. Luna took that as her cue to turn away.
"So… Amy…" Lita said. Amy looked up, and noticed Lita.
"Oh, hey…" Amy said nervously.
"You still want me as den mother? After seeing Amber in action once more?" Lita asked.
"Lita…" Amy said.
"I know I called you a horrible sister. I'm sorry. I guess it was a little crazy to expect Amber survived. But she's back, and she's not dying anytime soon. But Amy…" Lita said.
"Lita…" Amy said again.
"I… I know you and Mina… but I want you to know that, no matter what, I will be there for you. Sisters stick together…" Lita said.
"…Thank you…" Amy said.
"Your welcome!" Lita said.
"…I will be there… after this fight…" Amy said.
"Huh? Why?" Lita asked.
"We enter the Dragon Realm…" Amy said.
"…Oh. Well… it can't be too bad, right?" Lita asked.
Gwarhar chanced upon Nephalem standing at attention. He looked at him curiously.
"Are you all right there, buddy?" Gwarhar asked.
*I am perfect. There is no need for alarm.* Nephalem said.
"Ah, for Lugia's sake, buddy. Nobody's perfect. Not even the Legendaries. Everyone has their own definition on what perfect is, and trust me, Amber comes closest in my book," Gwarhar said.
*Interesting… unit Amber warrants further investigation.* Nephalem said.
"You haven't met her yet? You're a weird one… so where you from?" Gwarhar asked.
*I have been manufactured for the express purpose of serving Lord Darien.* Nephalem said.
"…You interested in coming aboard my ship? I need crew members," Gwarhar said.
*I have been manufactured for the express purpose of serving Lord Darien.* Nephalem said.
"…Did you not just say that? …You're a weird one," Gwarhar said, walking off.
*Did he not just say that?* Nephalem asked.
"You are a Special Attacker, are you not?" Suzin asked. Xarnorth looked down at Suzin, completely stumped.
"And you are?" Xarnorth asked.
"Suzin, defender of the Psychic Spoon. And it is my duty to train Special Attackers. Prepare yourself!" Suzin said.
"…You're not going to take this slow, are you?" Xarnorth asked.
"What is slow? I must teach quickly if there is to be any progress against the forces of evil," Suzin said.
"That would be where you are wrong, Suzin. I fear not the foe who has practiced over a hundred and fifty moves once, but the one who has practiced one of those moves over a hundred and fifty times," Xarnorth said.
"One hundred and fifty-nine," Suzin said.
"And no one Pokémon can learn each and every one! That Darien and Serena couple are on an ambitious hunt for moves, and even they're learning only eighteen total," Xarnorth said.
"Must be prepared," Suzin said.
"If you know Giga Drain, do you really need to know Absorb? If you know Flamethrower, is Ember that big a concern? Not all moves need to be learned… if you must have a massive moveset, eighteen is plenty," Xarnorth said.
"…I will consider this at length, Chandelure," Suzin said.
"Name's Xarnorth," Xarnorth said.
"We're not very north at the moment," Suzin said, leaving.
The Dragon Realm. An impressive home of stunning sights. Lita sighed, memories of her days here haunting her.
"Well… gotta get to the Dragon Flame," Justyn said. Everyone walked forward, Lita lagging behind somewhat. She felt uneasy, walking through this place again… almost as if…
"Hey there," a voice asked. Lita spun around on the spot, noticing a Garchomp standing around.
"Who are you?" Lita asked, extremely uneasy now. Gibles, Axews, Bagons… she started regretting not hiding in the pack.
"The name is Lance… you know, I actually used to know a Goomy. She was the most stunning Goomy I'd ever have the fortune to meet… and you're even hotter! That Goomy couldn't even dream of growing up to be you!" the Garchomp said.
"Wow… you're…" Lita said.
"Flattering? Tell me something I don't already know," Lance said.
"EVEN WORSE THAN I REMEMBER!" Lita yelled. Garchomps, Haxoruses, and Salamences emerged from Lita's surroundings, looking at Lita with a hungry expression in their eyes.
"Monsters, the lot of you…" Lita said. She shot a Dragon Pulse at Lance, before being grabbed from behind by a Haxorus.
"Hey, wait a minute, where's Lita?" Amy asked, turning around.
"She was…" Mina started.
"We've gotta go back…" Justyn said.
"Darien! The Flame!" Serena said.
"Best conversation ever!" Darien said, running forward. Everyone else fanned out, spreading their search for Lita. Artemis found himself alone- Luna had darted off with Serena.
"Hello there…" a dark voice said from behind him.
"What are you?" Artemis asked, not even looking.
"Me? A disgraced servant to the future conqueror of this world…" the voice said. Artemis used the corner of his eye to look at the voice's direction.
"And?" Artemis asked.
"Well… we're not exactly going to be… well… taking over your world," the dark voice said.
"And?" Artemis asked.
"You'll be safe from us… but your sister won't," the voice said.
Arthur, a small Dratini who had only recently learned some half-decent moves, heard a commotion in one of the other parts of the Dragon Realm. He nervously approached to see Garchomps, Salamences and Haxoruses all gathered around one specific spot, where a female cry was echoing.
"…Wait a minute… isn't that…" Arthur said to himself. He spat a Dragon Rage at the nearest dragon, getting him a tad bit of experience. The experience was enough to push him up to growing longer and a darker shade of blue, with a pair of wings on his head.
"Dragonair, you get your business out of our business!" the Haxorus said.
"No thanks, I'm good," Arthur said, launching forward with an Extreme Speed. He spun back, and slammed down with a Dragon Rush. The dragons all surrounded the Dragonair, and his attacks struck them one by one. A few Dragon Pulses came from behind the Dragonair, and it wasn't long until the dragons became non-issues. The Dragonair turned to the target- a rather striking Goodra. She was starting to cry.
"Are you… all right?" Arthur asked.
"No… I'm just… I've just been…" the Goodra said.
"…Say no more. I know that gang. Where's your family? Your friends, your companions?" Arthur asked.
"Lita?" a voice cried out.
"Over there," the Goodra, presumably Lita, said.
"…Do you think you'll be fine?" Arthur asked.
"…You came to my aid…" Lita said.
"Lita… relax…" Arthur said. Lita nodded, not even recognising that Arthur had named her.
"Lita! Thank goodness… we didn't know what to think, you running off here…" a Lilligant said.
"Don't tell me…" a Delphox said, looking sombrely at Lita. Lita nodded, and the Delphox joined in the hug. With a little hesitation, the Lilligant followed suit.
"Um…" an Absol said, looking at the group nervously. Arthur extracted himself from the group hug, and looked at the Absol.
"Oh… didn't see you there… what's your name?" the Absol asked.
"Arthur Pendragon, the best Dratini in the Dragon Realm," Arthur said.
"You're a Dragonair," the Absol said.
"Evolved five minutes ago," Arthur said.
"Reasonable. This might be a bit of a, well… family moment, maybe… you might want to go to the Dragon Flame, find a Lucario and/or his Gardevoir friend… help them out…" the Absol said. Arthur's ears picked up, as he felt something he had only really felt once or twice before in his life.
"…I'll get back to you on that," Arthur said, using his Extreme Speed attack to get moving.
"Um, excuse me, sister…" Artemis said. Luna turned around, and saw Artemis coming up to her. Serena looked up, too.
"What is it, brother?" Luna asked.
"…Rayquaza sends his regards… and his stern instruction to return to where we belong," Artemis said.
"What? I heard no such message," Luna said.
"Do you really think Rayquaza would trust you with that message. We're not waiting this war out," Artemis said.
"Artemis…" Serena said.
"That doesn't sound like you… and you're normally uptight like this…" Luna said.
"I will give you one last chance. Return to our home now… or I will not hesitate to use force," Artemis said.
"Brother!" Luna exclaimed.
"Luna!" Serena said.
"No… this is something I have to prove myself…" Luna said. She took in a deep breath, and launched a Dragon Pulse at her brother. Artemis shook himself, and took a deep breath.
"EONS OF ENERGY, TO ME!" Artemis exclaimed. His body turned a light purple, and his arms and wings merged. A not altogether impressive transformation, but context alone was enough to make it apparent why this was bad news.
"Artemis…" Luna said.
"Luna. You have already decided to fight me… it is time you stood up for your beliefs!" Artemis said. Luna nodded, and shot her Mist Ball. Artemis took it, and launched his own Dragon Pulse forward. Luna took the blow, starting to feel a little uncomfortable. She tried a few Dragon Pulses, all of which Artemis dodged. Artemis fired a second Dragon Pulse, pushing Luna to the ground. Serena rushed to her side.
"Stand aside, foolish girl… it is time she returns to where she came from," Artemis said.
"Not on my count!" a voice called out. Serena looked about, to see a semi-glowing orange dragon with tiny wings and an adorable head and limbs. Said dragon slammed itself into Artemis, sending it careening.
"Dragonite? Wow…" Serena said.
"All this pent up energy, these high stakes battles… I've pretty much matched all the training I received in my lifetime in the past hour. Granted, that might say a little about my teacher, but… not every day you knock out a Latios," the Dragonite said, looking at the limp form of Artemis.
"Did you… kill him?" Luna asked.
"No idea. Why, you and he related?" the Dragonite asked.
"He's my brother…" Luna said. She came up beside her brother.
"…Beaten by a Dragonite…" Artemis said.
"Hold on, brother," Luna said.
"…Not happening, sister. Wow… that was powerful… anyway… I guess if I'm going down… might as well help you…" Artemis said. He sighed, and his body began rolling up into a ball. The ball became smaller and more spherical until all that was left was a glassy orb containing both blue and white. Luna picked it up gently.
"Soul Dew… I'll treasure it always, brother," Luna said. She turned to Serena.
"…Let's move," she said.
Darien found the Dragon Flame, flickering about in its torch. Silently celebrating his luck, he made his approach, only for a dragon to slam down in front of him. This one was a Salamence. She was looming, but not a whole lot else.
"So… are you the Type Guardian?" Darien asked.
"No… that was Boomer over there," the Salamence said, gesturing towards a Noivern that was lying on the ground, twitching slightly.
"…Do you want me to put him out of his misery, or…?" Darien asked.
"…It is my job to stop you here. Lord Malachus wants your head, and I'm here to get it," the Salamence said.
"…You seem like a reasonable girl. Malachus is destroying the world! Literally- the fabric between dimensions is unstable! Glitches have been ripping into our world… and they're not exactly easy to beat," Darien said.
"…I know this," the Salamence said.
"But… but why continue, then?" Darien asked.
"…I… Lord Malachus saved my life. I owe a debt of gratitude to him… even if he does somewhat abuse that sometimes. I will not turn back… I will not turn back. I will defeat you today, Lord Darien, and I will bring you to Lord Malachus," the Salamence said.
"…So this isn't to be a battle between mortal enemies… nevertheless, it is my duty to stop Malachus's designs. And if you desire to act against me, well… I guess that makes us enemies," Darien said. He opened using his Psychic attack, realising almost as soon as he began the battle that he knew no effective moves.
The Salamence launched a Flamethrower attack, which Darien sidestepped. The flames brushed against his back fur, which he hurriedly created a Water Pulse to cool. He spun around on the spot, and launched his Air Slash. The Salamence took it, charging through with a Zen Headbutt. Darien took the attack right in the chest, sending him flying back several feet. The Salamence was reeling from her head making contact with his chest spike. Darien got to his feet, and started jumping around. The Salamence watched his movements, as he landed in front of the Dragon Flame. She shot a Flamethrower then, which Darien had to dodge. He quickly realised that, if he was going to have a chance at getting his Dragon move, he'd need a few moments for his soul to grow.
Like that. A pulse of water launched from far behind the Salamence, distracting her. Darien took the chance to let his soul grow, dark blue energy about his hands. The power of Dragon Pulse called out to him, and he had to learn it quickly. By the time the Salamence turned back to Darien, it was directly into a faceful of Dragon Pulse. She dropped to the ground, and Darien approached her.
"There is no shame in loss… you know, we could take care of you…" Darien said.
"Lord Darien… I cannot abandon my ideas… I cannot abandon Malachus…" the Salamence said.
"No, you can. Come, Salamence… there are women with us who once served Malachus," Darien said.
"No… No, I can't… please, don't make me… don't make it harder than it is…" the Salamence said.
"Weak… weak and pathetic…" a gravelly voice said. Darien turned, to see Malachus take the Dragon Flame.
"Malachus…" Darien said.
"Darien! Sorry I haven't the time to chat… I've a very important job to do, and I'm in a bit of a rush. I'd kill you now, but…" Malachus said.
"Malachus… help…" the Salamence said.
"Lydia? You failed to keep Darien away from this?" Malachus asked, holding up the Dragon Flame.
"Yes… I mean… I didn't mean to… there were…" Lydia said.
"Excuses. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I am so sick of excuses. Nisba, Dusk, even the other two fellows, whatever their names were…" Malachus said.
"The Escavalier and Accelgor? They never did much," Darien said.
"Quiet, you. And now you, Lydia. After everything I've done for you, after everything we've had… you failed to put an end to Darien…" Malachus said. By now, much of Darien's group had actually gotten within earshot, and were anxiously watching Darien, Malachus and Lydia.
"Please, Lord Malachus, please! Just give me one more chance! I beg of you, let me prove that I am worthy of being your wife!" Lydia said.
"Save it, Salamence. When this is all over, I'll have a better wife… I guess that means there's no need for you anymore…" Malachus said. Before this wanton cruelty had sunk in to Darien's mind, Malachus had launched a Dragon Pulse directly at Lydia. She took it to the chest, writhing in agony. Malachus disappeared into the horizon, and Darien grabbed a hold of Lydia's arm.
"Hold on… just hold on…" Darien said. He looked up, and noticed everyone approaching.
"Melody, Serena… Softboiled! Heal Pulse! Please, just let her live!" Darien said.
"Save it…" Lydia said.
"Huh?" Darien asked.
"…Malachus… even after everything you've done… even with everything you plan to do… I still loved you… you cared when no one else could… I… If you don't want me… I don't know if I could… please, Lord Darien… it would be kinder if I died… here and now… than live on with that heartbreak…" Lydia said.
"You're defending Malachus? Even after what he did to you?" Darien asked.
"…He only wanted what he thought was best for his kind… even if he was a tad misguided, I am obliged to support him…" Lydia said.
"…I see…" Darien said. He saw Boomer vanish, the power of the Dragon Flame lost… Malachus had them all…
"Lord Darien… if you desire Malachus's end… if you truly desire to stop him… find the Fairy Bow…" Lydia said.
"What?" Serena asked.
"The Fairy Bow… Malachus was no match for his heel… Lord Darien… I know you will do what is right…" Lydia said. Her head slumped down- this Salamence had fought her last opponent.
"…You were a great foe, Lydia… I can only hope wherever you go next, there will be greater lives than the one you led…" Darien said.