Lydia's attack is a sobering experience for Darien. Not only was her experience a taste for what Malachus would bring to the table, but she fought alongside Malachus willingly. Darien, unaccustomed to the idea, becomes doubtful of the nobility of his intentions, but knows that Malachus will stop at no ends to personally kill him and marry Serena, and his designs still unravel the fabric of their world. Whether he wants to or not, he must press on. However, Serena hears a whisper in the winds.

"So you're our new Dragonite," Sierra said, looking up at Arthur.

"Emphasis on new, Togekiss. The name's Arthur," Arthur said.

"Arthur, hm? I'm Sierra- the youngest of the Sisters of Pegasus, and the supporting team member," Sierra said.

"You? A supporting team member? Spent too much time a Togetic?" Arthur asked.

"Hm?" Sierra asked.

"It might just be Dragon's crippling weakness to Fairies talking, but Togekiss are supposed to be really good annoyances! You've got the Serene Grace and Air Slash combo, Aura Sphere… sure, you're not too good in the Fairy department, but there are potent moves you could use…" Arthur said.

"You think so?" Sierra asked.

"I know so. Maybe I could show you a couple of strategies?" Arthur asked.

"That would be fascinating, and helpful. I'd love to see your moves, Arthur," Sierra said.

"Um… pardon me, miss…" Justyn said, approaching Lita once her sisters had gone for a quick nap.

"Justyn… here to flirt again?" Lita asked.

"Of course not… Lita, you're a strong woman… but I'd… well… I just wanted to talk to you…" Justyn said.

"Hm?" Lita asked.

"I… I admire you, Lita. I won't deny that. But I'm not like those dragons. I… it's your caring spirit I admire. You, Mawhile, Madeline. You all make me feel like a horrible king," Justyn said.

"That's just…" Lita started.

"A good problem to have… Lita… let it be known that, for now and for ever, you have my trust. With all the power I have, I will make sure that your future contains none of the horrors of your past," Justyn said.

"Justyn…" Lita said.

"…I hope my words weren't as cutting as my earlier ones. I hope our bond of trust will prosper in times to come," Justyn said.

"…Thank you, Justyn. You always mean well…" Lita said.

"Even if my deliveries leave something to be desired…" Justyn remarked. That gave Lita a smile.

"You doing fine, Luna?" Serena asked. Luna was staring at her Soul Dew, so she expected an answer.

"…Not really…" Luna said.

"…Did you like your brother?" Serena asked.

"Serena? What kind of question is that?" Luna asked.

"Luna, I've never had a brother. My only sisters are adoptive. Did you like your blood relative brother?" Serena asked.

"…He was inflexible and callous… but he was the only brother I had. He also treated me nicely, too. He must've thought I was foolish and naïve," Luna said.

"…You were right, Luna. Maybe we aren't so different, after all," Serena said.

"And what makes you say that?" Luna asked.

"I'm the foolish, naïve little sister, too. Legendaries may seem all powerful and stuff… but you and me aren't that different," Serena said.

"Wow… you're right, though. I guess Legendaries do have the same family dynamics. Maybe we could make good friends?" Luna asked.

"If you don't have to go back to the Legendary domain, I'd be honoured to have you as a friend, Luna," Serena said.

"That's that settled," Luna said.

"A Crobat… you look to be a fascinating fellow," Xarnorth said.

"Hm?" Loot asked, looking up.

"Oh, I'm sorry, forgot my manners. My name is Xarnorth, honourable ghost sage, talented in all things Special," Xarnorth said.

"You lost me at honourable. I'm a thief- that's all I've ever known," Loot said.

"Well, of course it would be, a name like Loot. If you really don't want to, you could be something else: I know Crobat as good with speed. A lightning bruiser!" Xarnorth said.

"I can't do lightning," Loot said.

"Oh... it means that you're as fast as lightning," Xarnorth said.

"What an insult!" Loot said.

"Hm?" Xarnorth said.

"I far outrace any Electric type… barring the odd Electrode or a really good Manectric," Loot said.

"…I had no idea the speed of a Crobat was that swift…" Xarnorth said.

"Well, then… I suppose I must study the applications of my speed," Loot said.

"If that's the case, then maybe you should change your name… maybe Lute? Keep your old name, sort of?" Xarnorth said.

"I dunno… too female, too Special…" Loot said.

"Oh… I guess you'll find your identity someday," Xarnorth said.

"The Dark Pit is just ahead…" Justyn said.

"Wait, what's that?" Serena asked, looking over her shoulder.

"I didn't hear it…" Madeline said.

"I did…" Amber and Sierra said in unison.

"As did I," another voice said. Everyone turned, to see a Clefairy approach.

"A Clefairy…" Darien said.

"You are the Riolu boy, the one said to thwart the malicious designs of Malachus, and repel the Glitches' return," the Clefairy said.

"I believe we have met before?" Darien asked.

"Twice we have encountered, once as a sweet child, and once as a journeyman. And yet… silly me, I don't believe we've been introduced. The name's Pisky," the Clefairy said.

"Pisky? I recognise that name…" Suzin said.

"True. I guess it's also time for me to reveal my true identity," Pisky said. She pulled out a Moon Stone, and called upon its power. With the ease of someone practiced at evolution, she grew in size, growing impressive wings, shrinking her facial features, growing bigger limbs.

"Clefable… Type Guardian of the Fairy Bow," Suzin said.

"Wait, she's still the Guardian? Didn't I appoint Sylvia for that role?" Justyn asked.

"I'm the standing guardian still. What you call absences, I call scouts. Besides…" Pisky started, before revealing a beautiful, pink ribbon. "I never leave the Fairy Bow unattended."

"You… you've been watching us," Darien said.

"Yes. I needed to hide the Fairy Bow and get the hades out of dodge, and what better way than to use my patented Devolution Spray and hide as a Clefairy? Nobody suspects Clefairy, after a certain incident," Pisky said, before shooting Stanley a glare, "and I've always used this form to hide and gain true bearing on threats to our land."

"Why so interested in us, though?" Darien asked.

"Well, there's this one thing… are you aware of Deep Blood?" Pisky asked. Darien and Serena shook their heads.

"Deep Blood is a special essence, born in eighteen Pokémon at any one time, one of each type. They are the spiritual descendants of the Pokémon whom Arceus deemed ruler, passing down the generations to whoever seemed most deserving. I don't want to know how Malachus got his grubby little maws on the Deep Dark Blood, but I've been keeping an ear out for who has what bloods," Pisky said.

"Well, that explains why you keep listening in on the Psychic Spoon," Suzin said.

"I don't suppose it will come as any surprise to learn who has the Deep Fairy and Deep Fighting Bloods?" Pisky asked.

"…Us?" Darien asked.

"You. Darien, I regret to inform you that Blood Awakenings cannot be performed without the Type Trinket relevant to that type. However, I just so happen to have the Fairy Bow, so Serena… would you like your Awakening?" Pisky asked.

"Me? Have the blood of queens?" Serena asked.

"Had to be somewhere," Madeline said.

"Pisky, I'm flattered, really, but I don't think I can accept this," Serena said.

"Why not? Fairy is Malachus's weakness, and Deep Fairy Blood can help give you an edge," Pisky said.

"Pisky… I cannot accept the Blood of a killer," Serena said.

"…I understand. Deep Blood was once considered a heavy burden to bear… I can see the wisdom of abandoning it. But if you refuse it…" Pisky said. She whistled, and a small horde of Clefable, Wigglytuff and Florges appeared behind Pisky.

"Huh?" Serena asked.

"A small tester before we actually fight Malachus, yes? Sorry I didn't actually have Dark types, but I'd imagine much of the tactics would remain fine just the same.

"I… see…" Darien said. "Then I accept the challenge."