Ch.62: Battling up the Tower's Defenses! Two Thunderstorms Meet!

Planning and preparation were put into their upcoming battle with the Storm Mage. Team Ravenfield, as always, were ready for whatever challenge lay ahead of them. In most of Tony's absence, the team went about every possible scenario they might reasonably encounter in the alternate temple.

Thankfully, Tony eventually joined them in better spirits, though Griffin and Wes could tell there was so remaining, maybe even suppressed, anger inside him, though he never went on to explain the source of his spite. Even so, he cooperated with the plan and mentally jotted their approach.

They haven't seen Gunnar or any of the other apprentices in the morning, which raised some brows. They were left a full breakfast, though, so they were probably around somewhere. If they had to guess, Gunnar was getting himself and his fellow apprentices prepped for today, too, either by setting up the temple defenses…or setting up as the temple defenses.

After eating and reviewing their notes, they marched towards where Gunnar showed them the magic tunnel access point: near a wall between two suits of armor, swords held down with both hands around the hilt. Wes could feel the hidden portal's presence as he pressed his paw against the wall.

"Anyone have any idea what we might see?" he asked.

Flint smiled nervously. "If we're going by a theme, I want to guess crazy weather."

"I like that answer!" he exclaimed.

Tony crossed his arms and smirked lightly. "Heh, anything crazier than the weather outside? I might get invested into this."

"Oh come on!" The group turned their heads towards Ella, who had Griffin's crystal orb between her paws as she spoke with Morgan and Ava. She suggested they try and keep the two up to date on their progress, which was a valuable idea in case they ran into trouble. Though, knowing Ella, she at least wanted some advice on the quick and easy routes. "You have to have something we can use! Weak spots?! Flawed fighting style?! A counter to Storm Magic?"

Morgan smirked as he held his chin. "Now, now, Ms. Cipher, let's not get hasty. It's true I recommended the Storm Key next, but I'm not going to start handing out free strategies for your benefit. I figured you six would be better off learning on your own."

Ella deadpanned in annoyance. "You're a real jerk, Morgan."

"And you're a good kid."

Ava smiled. "You didn't need our advice before. You should put more faith in your skills."

Ella vigorously tapped on her forehead gem. "I can't even lift this stupid orb with my telekinesis!"

"Ah yes, you overexerted your psychic capabilities. Never had that happen to myself," she shared.

Ella grunted. "Woo-freakin'-hoo, for you…"

Tony hooked his arm around and snatched the ball from her paws. "Keep that up and it won't be just your psychic abilities that get overexerted," he joked, earning a hard shove from the Espeon. He laughed it off, then looked at Morgan and Ava. "Still, Pops, you sure you can't give us a teeny bit more info…" His eyes fell into a glare. "Perhaps a bit more on the…Storm Mage…" he growled through his teeth.

Morgan shook his head, seemingly ignoring his hidden aggression. "I told you once and I'll tell you again and again, you all won't get anywhere if you need to rely solely on us. Our assistance is limited to helping you six grow for the inevitable, not to serve as an easy solution to your problems. If the universe is relying on you six, then there's an untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. You just need to figure out the parts of yourselves that need to be training the most."

"Aside from magical power?" Gwyn asked in confusion.

Ava continued, "Battle smarts, magical ability, and the like are important, but it's the state of mind that usually wins out. Who you are as a fighter, but also as a Pokémon."

Griffin closed his eyes. "Funny…I think my dad once told me something like that. Relying on destructive power and strength alone doesn't always guarantee victory. A simple solution can take out the biggest of threats."

Morgan pulled out his flask and sipped on his alcohol. "Exactly. So, when you face the Storm Mage…well, one of you might see this as a learning experience that needs to be taken to heart." He winked at Tony.

The Dewott narrowed his eyes suspiciously and angrily. The old doctor knew something and he didn't like it. Once more, it just added to his confirmed suspicions about the Storm Mage if this little lesson was being directed at him.

"Right…" he mumbled.

Flint stepped into view. "Though, perhaps you could at least tell us about the other mages. One of the Storm Mage's apprentices informed us that they're…less forgiving than the last three we fought."

Ava chuckled a bit with an impish smile. "The mages are obligated to kill all who try and take the key for themselves. It's their job to protect it. Thing about you six, at least, they know about the prophecy and your connection to it. Think of this as more them testing your resolve and dedication. After all, they want to make sure you all are up to the challenge."

"Even so, watch your step with them. From here on out, less sympathy will be given to you. All or nothing battle from here on out. Count yourselves lucky if they spare you from further harm." Morgan sighed. "We shouldn't hold you up any longer. You've got work to take care of."

Wes nodded. "Of course. Thank you both." He clapped his paws together and bowed.

Tony smiled wearily. "Give my mom and Cheri my regards, Pops. They're doing well, right?"

Morgan laughed. "Oh, never better. Angel's getting along fine with the other adults here. I think Cheri took up an interest in juggling flaming bowling pins."

The Dewott's eye twitched, then his face shaped into a scowl. "She's doing WHAT?!"

Morgan threw himself back into the chair behind him and burst out into an uproar of laughter. "I kid, I kid!" Tony blushed in embarrassment and retreated back. "Oho…sorry, kid. But seriously, she's doing good. She's with her friends right now." He winked. "And don't worry, Faye's keeping a close eye on them."

Tony sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Okay…" He had enough pent up stress for one day, and probably had more awaiting him for later. He didn't need his sister doing any more dangerous stunts…not that he could stop her now.

Wes took the crystal ball. "We should get moving. We'll call you when we get the key."

"Best of luck to all of you," Ava wished. "Take care." The group waved (Griffin, halfheartedly) as Ava waved her hand over her own orb and dissipated her connection into a colorful fog.

Griffin took back his orb and stuffed it in his jacket. "So, how should we let ourselves in?"

"A good ol' fashion riot?" Ella joked.

Wes walked up to the wall. "Let's focus on getting our bearings in check before we decide to go that route."

Gwyn folded her arms behind her back. "If Gunnar and the other apprentices are waiting for us…" She gulped nervously. "If they're supposed to be this Leroy guy's successors, they're going to be really tough."

Wes smirked excitedly. "I know. This is a first. I'm pumped!" He pressed his paws against the wall. "Alright, let's get a move on. Gate of Foribus!"

His Star Amulet burst with light and momentarily turned his fur purple as energy traveled down his forelegs and wrapped around the wall in a circular fashion. He stepped back, Star Amulet depowering, and gazed in awe as the portal opened up in front of them.

Wes gestured his team to enter. "After you."

Tony wasted no time as he marched into the portal with firm strides in his steps. Griffin saw his anger was rising while Wes read the tension in his body language. Wes showed some concern while Griffin kept a straight face.

Gwyn glanced at Wes. "He, uh…is doing better today, right?"

Wes narrowed his eyes. "I…wish I knew. Wish he would tell me what's bugging him so much."

Ella sighed. "Only one way to find out. He seems the most eager to fight the Storm Mage." She stepped through next.

One by one, Team Ravenfield vanished into the portal until Wes was the last one through, closing the entrance behind him.

Ava waved her hand over the crystal ball and ended the call, then let out a deep sigh as she rubbed her forehead. "I do hope Leroy doesn't get too rough with them. He takes his job as a mage of order seriously. Maybe too seriously."

Morgan walked around the room, waving his flash around. "The kids will be fine. Heck, they're hardly kids. Not like we weren't like that."

Ava glanced his way and smirked. "We were experienced back then."

"And so are they. Nothing to raise concern over." He tipped his head back and chugged on his flask. He pulled back and sighed contently, running his hand across his mouth. "Honestly, I don't think Leroy will intentionally try to kill them. He's serious, but not bloodthirsty."

"Yeah…you still haven't explained why you sent them there," Ava reminded him of their previous conversation of the topic. "You wanted this to be a personal test for one of them, didn't you? If so, why so soon?"

Morgan shook his flask around mindlessly. "Bah, who knows? I just do shit when I feel like it." He smirked over his shoulder. "Or maybe I just wanted a certain someone to learn his or her lesson the hard way. You don't get this far if life's all peaches and rainbows."

The Medicham held her hip and raised her brow dryly. "And the only way you could've possibly known Leroy would be the perfect test for this someone is if you knew both would be able to test the limits of each other."

"Care to take a guess who?"

Ava narrowed her eyes. "Do I need to? If I were to wager such a guess…" She closed her eyes and thought it over. After a couple of seconds thinking, she opened her eyes. "…you're talking about the Dewott, Tony?"

Morgan snorted a chuckle. "Who else? I've known him the longest." He sipped from his flask.

"Okay…so why do you want him to fight Leroy?"

"Ava, we both know I'm not always going to give the straight answer. I simply had Tony's best interest in mind. You saw that bitter look in his eyes, didn't you?" he asked, raising curiosity in the Medicham. "He's angry…he knows what he being set up to do. This is a day of catharsis for him. A learning moment."

"With Leroy?" Ava questioned.

"Think harder. What do those two share in common?"

The Medicham paced back and forth in the room, tapping her chin. "I barely know the boy. The only thing I can remotely see in common between those two is their…" She stopped, then slowly turned her glare on the Hypno as he refilled his flask. "…is that it?"

Morgan understood what she said, making him smirk. "You hit the nail on the head." He set the bottle of alcohol to the side, then capped his flask. "Now, what do you suppose that entails about their relationship?"

Ava crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall. "So, that's what you're doing. You want Tony to face a part of his past."

Morgan looked down at his flask for a moment, then shoved it in his back pocket. "I've known that boy and his family ever since I went to Fuego Village. I know pretty much everything about him." He shrugged. "Started calling me 'Pops' at some point. Can't remember when, but it feels like forever." Morgan's eyelids lowered. "I know what it feels like to go through the stages of grief and anger. I felt them for a long time…a really, really long time. I've made mistakes in my time that I wish to forget."

His friend shook her head. "Oh Morgan, don't de hard on yourself. You're exaggerating things."

"You don't know what my life was like before I met you and the others. I choose to keep it that way. My past is my own. I've atoned for my countless mistakes and try to be the better man." He sighed. "That's what I want out of Tony. He doesn't look it, but he's a brilliant young man. Astute, crafty, talented with his magic…but he can just as easily make mistakes and be overcome by senseless rage. He nearly made the same mistake, which could have costed him Angel and Cheri's lives. So…I want this to be his first steps into becoming the better man. I want him to be a better man than me…and his father."

Ava closed her eyes. "I see…" She sighed and glanced off to the side. "You work in mysterious ways, Morgan."

"I just do what I think is right. Trust me, both Tony and Leroy need this." Morgan's eyelids lowered. "A world filled by hate and suffering is not the world I want either to live in. Tony needs to exercise acceptance and forgiveness…and Leroy needs to realize responsibility."

Ava's lips twitched up a bit as she suppressed a short laugh. "Heh…you really do want to help these kids out. You just don't want to be obvious about it."

Morgan shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not." He walked towards the trailer door and grabbed the handle. "I just don't want another war to come from this." He glared. "And I don't want another tragic fate resting on my shoulders again." He opened the door and stepped out. "I'm going to see if there's a liquor store nearby. Want anything?"

Ava shook her head. "No…I'm good."

"Your loss. Be back soon." He shut the door behind him.

Ava crossed her arms and looked around the room. Better get Charlie and the kids some lunch. She took the alternate exit through the trailer and walked through the connected carts. She closed her eyes and thought over her conversation with Morgan. You seem fixated on putting a stop to the shadows, Morgan. Even more than them. I wonder why that is. She shook her head. Still, if you know what's best for them, then I hope they improve as people.

Stepping into alternate dimensions always came with its fair share of surprises. While being the second one they've ever entered (or first for Tony and Griffin), it still brought newfound surprises around the corner.

Exactly what they expect from a Storm Mage, they stood on a stone dock that connected to a land mass where a huge tower sat. Everything else, however, was miles upon miles of raging ocean water with strong gusts of wind blowing from whatever direction, shifting drastically and unnaturally without warning. The darkest of storm clouds shot roared with thunder as lightning rained down in continuous streaks. Through the miles of water, they could make out other islands in the distance much like the one they stood before, difference being a lack of a tower.

Wes pulled his hat's rim over his eyes and grinned. "Hey Tony, I found a nice vacation home for you!"

"Shut up," Tony joked dryly, keeping his eyes at the top of the tower.

Gwyn groaned as the heavy rainfall completely soaked her sweater. "Darn it…and I just got this dry, too!"

Ella dug through her bag, then threw her a teal colored rain slicker. "Here, put this on. Something tells me we're going to be out in the rain for a while."

As Gwyn placed the jacket on, she asked, "So, is this place just raining nonstop?"

"This dimension seems to take on the properties of the Storm Zone and took on the form of an endless ocean world," Griffin guessed. "I'm willing to bet there's nothing but ocean and islands beyond what we can see."

"Huh…maybe this would make a good vacationing spot…you know, if you don't mind the storms," she added meekly, then shrieked as a bright flash boomed over them, causing her fur and hair to stand on end. "Eep!"

Flint narrowed his eyes at his brother. "Remember the last time we went through one of these things?"

"Yeah. Instead of a sentient cave trying to kill us, we got miles of ocean to look forward to." Wes scratched his chin. "Question is, is this place anything like that cave? Are we surrounded by a sentient ocean?"

Ella grimaced with an uneasy grin. "Heh…I'd rather deal with the cave again."

Tony shoved his hands into his pockets and took the lead. "Let's not waste time standing out here." He glared at the top of the tower. "I sense a strong magical presence on top of the tower, with five other ones inside."

"One of them must be Gunnar," Wes guessed.

Tony gritted his teeth. "Meaning Leroy is at the top. All we need to do is fight our way up there."

Ella raised her brow. "You don't sound all that happy about fighting the Storm Mage."

"Oh, my dear, you misunderstand." Tony cracked his knuckles as he marched towards the large double doors. His fur glowed and crackled with lightning. "I'm positively looking forward to meeting this almighty Storm Hero…looking forward to punching his teeth out, too."

Ella blinked in bafflement. "Um…wow, you did not act like this when we fought Calder."

"That's because Calder isn't him." Tony gripped the two door handles. "But no, I'm just going to take Wes' advice and at least try to make an effort of reasoning with him."

Flint glanced at the wide eyed Umbreon. "Make an effort…? What did you two talk about yesterday?"

Wes blinked a couple times as pieces slowly fell into place. We weren't talking about the Storm Mage…we were talking about his…oh crap! "Tony, hang on!" Wes ran up to Tony and grabbed him by the shoulders, but the Dewott mostly ignored this as he tried to pry the doors open. "Think about this rationally! If Leroy is the man you think he is, you need to take a step back and reassess your intended actions!"

"What's…there…to…think…about?!" Tony growled as he pulled harder on the door. "The hell?! Are these doors being locked down with anchors?!"

"Tony, are you even thinking about the key or are you thinking about revenge?!"

"Revenge?!" the others exclaimed in confusion.

Tony stopped pull on the door and faced his team leader. "Of course I'm going to be mad at the prick, but at least I'm going by your rules first before I think of going AWOL. I'm angry, not unreasonable."

Wes narrowed his eyes worriedly. "Tony, really think about this. You get overemotional when you're angry. I can see that anger in your eyes. Maybe you should sit this one out-"

"I'm not leaving until things between me and that asshole are settled!" Tony shouted, his voice booming over the nonstop thunder.

"Can someone PLEASE explain what the hell he's talking about?!" Ella screamed impatiently. "Tony, do you know who the Storm Mage is?!"

Tony opened his mouth to answer, but closed it when he saw a vortex of lightning forming in the clouds. His eyes widened. "Guys…DUCK!"

The Dewott shoved Wes to the ground while the others dropped to their hands and knees as a bolt of lightning fired from the sky and blasted the dock with destructive force that shook them. They quickly looked up as more of these vortexes formed in the sky, with a cloaked figure riding along a storm cloud: a female Alolan Marowak, of all things.

"Team Ravenfield!" she shouted down at them as she twirled her flaming bone club. "We have not been formally introduced! Alis is my name! I apologize, but I've been ordered to stop you by any means necessary!" She swung her club down and commanded dozens of thunderbolts to strike them down.

Griffin quickly pulled out his Endless Regret and swung. "Exosus Release!" The unstable energy spread over them and countered the lightning with matching force, exploding on impact. He spun his sword and rested it over his shoulder. "Tsk. I didn't think you'd start us off with pathetic sneak attacks."

Alis floated down a little, then clapped her hands. Her storm cloud spawned six miniature clouds that orbited over her head. "As I stated: by any means necessary." She commanded the clouds to fire condensed, electric needles down on them.

"I got this!" Flint shouted as his Guardian spawned by his side. The crystal warrior cracked its knuckles, then punched down the needles into powder with incredible speed and precision.

Alis raised her hands and summoned a vastly larger vortex in the clouds, this one sparking with intense pressure and lightning surging into the center. Tony narrowed his eyes, then glanced back at the door. Just because he was ticked off now didn't mean he had a plan.

"Wes, that Dark Mirror of yours can reflect pretty much any magic, right?" he shouted.

Wes activated his Star Amulet and nodded. "Got a plan?"

"It's stupid and risky!"

"I like the sound of it!"

Alis' mini clouds spun into a ring and fired a beam of electricity down at the ground. Gwyn immediately slammed some seeds into the dock and sprouted a thick wall of vines. They absorbed the impact of the beam before catching fire, which snuffed out in the heavy rainfall. Alis quickly dodged an Exosus Release from Griffin, which he fired in a continuous beam, as she surfed through the air like a caffeinated Ninjask.

"Storm Magic focuses of speed and technique," Griffin mumbled aloud as he tracked the Alolan Marowak's movements with his Exosus Release. "Notable show of it so far, but I'm not impressed."

Alis reached high in the clouds and raised her hands and club, performing a dance as she spun her flaming club around her. "Storms are raging! The right conditions have been met! Daranu Devastator!"

The larger vortex channeled a mass of electricity into the center, forming into the shape of a tightly condensed sphere, then rained down on them as a sky shaking, erratic beam.

Griffin held up Endless Regret while Gwyn reached for another batch of seeds when Wes jumped directly into the beam's bath. He pulled the Dark Mirror out and faced the glass at the approaching beam. Since he was literally in midair without any ground to anchor himself, the beam blasted against the mirror and slammed him into the dock. His aura cushioned the blow for him, thankfully, as he focused on keeping the mirror straight.

Alis' eyes widened. "Is that the Dark Mirror?!"

The last of the Daranu Devastator was absorbed, allowing Wes to spin on his back and flip to his feet. "Thanks a bunch, Ms. Alis! Just the right key we need!" He turned the mirror to the door, flipped the mirror upside-down, and released the stored electricity with double its power.

The once locked door didn't even stand a chance, blowing up into flaming wood that scattered into the endless ocean. Tony covered his head with one arm as splintery wood sprinkled over him. He glared into the entrance, seeing the spiral staircase that led to the many floors, eventually to the roof.

Flint grinned. "Nice going! Let's get moving-!" His eyes widened as Tony dashed inside first without. "Tony?!"

"I'm scouting ahead!" he shouted back, rushing towards the staircase.

Griffin gritted his teeth. "Anyone else thinking he's lying through his teeth?"

"Who cares?! Door's open!" Ella shouted. "Move it, you lazy bums!" She rushed inside as well, soon followed by the rest of her team as Alis fired down more lightning bolts from the sky to deter them.

The Alolan Marowak glared briefly before pulling out a crystal orb. "They've breached the entranced."

"Really? I just thought that loud explosion downstairs was more thunder," a sarcastic voice answered first.

Alis rolled her eyes, then surfed on her cloud to the destroyed entrance. "I'm heading after them! Cut them off by the stairs!"

"Right!" Four voices, one that sounded like Gunnar, exclaimed.

Tony raced towards the stairs, glaring up at the ceiling high above him, reaching to the second floor of the tower, then eventually to the roof. He sneered, then sprinted up the stairs with his fingers tightly gripped around his scalchops.

The rest of his teammates ran in and watched as he went up the stairs. "Hey, Tony! Can you slow down?!" Ella barked in irritation. "I thought you said you'd stick to the plan!"

Tony glared. "Like I said, I'm scouting ahead!"

"We don't even know what's in here!" Wes shouted. "Stop for a moment!"

Tony glared down at them before stopping. They assumed it was because he finally complied to orders, but then they saw the Dewott avoided a shower of bowling ball sized hail raining down from above, bashing into the stairs and the first floor.

"Holy hailstorm!" Ella shrieked.

Flint let out a battle cry as his Guardian materialized above them and rapidly shattered the ice. "Storm Magic utilizes weather like hail, too?!"

Tony landed on the bottom floor and activated his electrified Razor Shell. "Wind, lightning, storms…pretty much anything sky related!"

"Bahahahaha!" They glared up as a dark gray cloud formed over them. Riding on a darker storm cloud below it was a robe-wearing Walrein, laughing with his head thrown back. "That's right! Now face my merciless wrath!" He fired a light blue beam from his mouth into the cloud above.

The team held their guard up before seeing the icy sparkles forming over the bottom of the cloud. Before they knew it, larger chunks of hail rained down on them, far faster than the previous batch.

Tony threw his scalchops in the air, then flipped back until his back was parallel to the ground. He aimed both index fingers and shouted, "Lightning Shot: Lotus Bullet!" He rapid fired the piercing lightning beams through the center of each hail chunk aimed for his team. The pieces that broke apart were further broken down with even more bullet hell beams.

Alis flew into the temple with her mini storm clouds following behind her. "Nice job keeping them occupied, Androwe! Now take this!" She swung her club down and fired thunderbolts from her drone clouds.

Flint quickly placed up a wide Blockade Reflector and bounced the opposing bolts out of harm's way. "I thought the weather outside was bad enough!"

"Trust me, it gets worse!" Griffin shouted as he jumped across falling ice chunks to meet Androwe on the same level.

Androwe smirked. "Bahahahaha! You're a determined fellow! I like that!" Crystal like stars gleamed off his body, confusing Griffin. "Haglaurora!" Very thin, crystal light spears bounced off his body and fired straight for the Grovyle. They refracted light like a prism, giving off rainbow colors.

Griffin held out Endless Regret and sponged the magical attacks with the magic negating blade, eating away all the light spears. The rest, however, met with the ground and caused Team Ravenfield to jump around frantically.

"Eep!" Gwyn squeaked as she dove for the ground and rolled out of their way. "Griffin, please be more careful up there!" She pulled out her whip and slashed down any approaching spears as she dashed towards Alis. She reached into her bag and pulled out her Spike Berry. "Let's give this one another go!"

She quickly munched down the berry until it was completely eaten, then her body erupted into neon green light, transforming her body into its spiky form. Her long, needle-like hair stood on end in anticipation for a fight.

Alis' eyes narrowed in intrigue. "Neat trick…" She fired thunderbolts right at her.

Gwyn curled her whip up, then curled herself into a ball and spun across the ground like a wheel. She easily maneuvered through thunderbolts before bouncing off the wall and slamming into Alis' blind spot, knocking her off her cloud.

"WAH!" the Alolan Marowak cried out in shock.

Gwyn uncurled herself as she rested on the slowly dissipating cloud, then jumped off. "We're not done yet! Needle Assault!" She spun again and fired green glowing needles, much smaller than what she used against the shadows, down on Alis. The force took her down faster before crashing into the floor on her back.

Her body flared with pain from the hundreds of needles sticking all over her. "Ow, ow, ow, ow…"

Androwe laughed at her misfortune. "Still got a lot to learn, Alis!"

"Pay attention, Hail King!" Androwe pulled back on his cloud and avoided a close shave from Griffin's sword. Griffin kept jumping along the falling ice as he chased after him. "I've trained in the worst conditions offered in the Storm Zone. You better have something better than falling ice and sparklers."

Androwe smirked excitedly. "Bahaha! You're a cocky bastard! Good on you! In that case, how about an even flashier light show?!" His body shined with aurora lights, coating him in the intense flash.

Griffin kept jumping between falling ice and glared as the Walrein's body seemingly split into separate bodies. Several Walrein with the colors of the rainbow, constantly shifting between colors. They all mirrored each other's movements in perfect sync. It was a cluster of illusions piled together.

Griffin leapt off the ice and soared for the walrus. "What's this about?" He slashed through the seven split clones, but he flew right through them like they were ghosts. "What the?!"

The light clones, as Androwe spun around, swirled into a condensed aurora orb, revealing the Walrein, and fired it at the Grovyle. Griffin spun the sword and slashed through the orb. The two halves collided and exploded into the wall. Androwe laughed as his body split apart back into the aurora clones.

I can sense him, but his body's completely hidden. He can create illusions and change his position on the fly. He pressed his feet on another ice chunk and sprung right at him.

Ella, the only one who couldn't legitimately protect herself, did her best to dodge the raining hail and thunderbolts blasting at them. "Hey! I'm not bullet proof, you know!" She rolled away from a boulder of ice. "Definitely not hail proof, either!"

Just as she got to her feet, a lightning dagger flew past her cheek, graze the surface of her skin. It struck into the ground, leaving her stunned from shock. She blinked, then looked over her shoulder, spotting her attack as a Hawlucha in the same robes as his fellow apprentices. He wielded a sword of electricity in his right hand while wielding several electrical knives between the fingers of his left.

"That was a warning shot," he stated bold and clear.

Ella blinked again, then her face fell into a deadpan, exhausted expression. "You've got to be kidding me…" She shrieked and dodged his electrical knives.

The Hawlucha stuck his finger out and swiped it across the air, guiding the daggers to home in on the unfortunate Espeon. "Flee all you can, young lady, but none shall outrun my lightning fast weaponry!"

"I'm willing to test that claim for the sake of my life!" she screamed as she avoided the incoming daggers.

Indeed, though, the daggers moved fast. Ella kept her focus on their position to the best of her ability, but she wasn't on the same level of reaction time as Wes or the others. Bit by bit, a dagger would graze her fur and cut just along the surface of her skin. She didn't have any way of defense outside of one of her friends' weapons or amulets.

I hate not having psychic powers! She rolled out of the way as five daggers struck down on her. "A little help, please!" she called out.

The Hawlucha sprung for the fleeing Espeon and slashed right for her while her back was turned. Suddenly, a streak of lightning zipped around before appearing right next to Hawlucha and striking him across the cheek.

Ella felt a strong breeze and turned in time to see her attacker sailing away from the counterattack. She sighed with relief and turned to Tony in thanks. "You saved my hide…"

Tony glared, then looked up at the spiral staircase. "We're wasting time down here. We should be heading for the top."

"Hey, I want the key, too, but why are you in such a rush?" Ella asked with an annoyed brow raise. "What were you and Wes blabbering about out there?"

Tony held his face. "Look, it's complicated. I-" He cut himself off as he blocked a surprise sword strike from the Hawlucha, catching the weapon between his hands. His electric blade sparked down his arms as he held it in place. He groaned inwardly. "Didn't I kick you into the ocean?!"

The Hawlucha smiled boldly. "It'll take more than a sneak attack to down me!"

"Good thing I've got more than that!" Tony rolled back, bringing the Hawlucha with him, and kicked him in the gut into the air. He spun on his back, then flipped to his feet before pointing up. "Lightning Shot: Double Barrel Shockwave!" The twisting electrical beam blasted into the wrestling bird and shot him up.

Androwe avoided another one of Griffin's sword strikes with his feint technique as he watched his ally fly upward. "Hey Jose! Ground's the other direction!"

Jose spun himself and extended his arms, catching air under his wings. "Yeah, I know!" He formed several electric daggers in his hands and threw them at Tony.

The Dewott sneered. "Fine then." He electrified his Razor Shell and jumped straight into the knives. "If I have to fight my way to the top, then so be it!" He slashed through the knives, then crossed electrical blades with the Hawlucha.

Ella stumbled back, then ducked as Wes came flying down in a cloud of smoke, taking a hit from one of Alis' active storm clouds. She gritted her teeth and asked, "Wes, is there any reason Tony's acting…crappy?"

Wes picked himself up and shook his head. "Kind of hard to explain…" He glared up as the storm clouds compiled together. "Honestly, it'd be best to explain when we get to the top. We'll be at this all day if we don't start making ground."

Ella nodded. "I'm clearly useless right now. I'll start heading up."

"Don't engage any fights without us!" Wes jumped towards the charging storm cloud. "Mystic Beam!" He fired at the cloud just as it fired its lightning bolt at him.

Ella glared at the stairs and started making her way up. She kept her eyes on the battle and repeatedly avoided stray thunderbolts. It was hard to do complex dodges on limited space like the stairs, but it was the best she could manage.

Alis saw Ella running up the stairs as she picked up her club. "One of them is heading for the top!" She stood up too quickly, then flinched from the needles still jabbed into her skin. "Ow…"

Androwe took his attention off Griffin for a moment, unintentionally ending his feint ability. "I got her!" His body glowed with crystal sparkles. "Haglaur-!"

Griffin used the falling ice to jump directly above him. He pulled his fist back. "Malignitas Force!" He struck the air, sending forth a condensed shockwave that pummeled the unfortunate Walrein into the ground. He glared up at the fleeing Espeon. "She has the right idea! Everyone, start moving!"

Tony clashed with Jose when he heard the orders. "Finally!" He swiped the Hawlucha's weapon from his hands, then pressed his fists against his stomach. "Impetus Pressure!" The shockwave fired through the wrestling bird before blasting him through where the doors once stood. He used his freefall to catch the edge of the stairs and pull himself up before pursuing after his ally.

Wes waved his team to follow after them. "Go! I'll cover you!" Gwyn and Griffin raced up the stairs, but Wes held Flint back before he could flee. "I need your help with this one."

Flint narrowed his eyes. "Tell me what to do."

Alis raised herself high up and spawned dozens of mini storm clouds from her personal cloud. They sparked with agitation as they prepared to fire. "I won't let them escape!"

Flint clapped his paws together. "Halucidate!"

Alis recoiled in shock as multiple Umbreon appeared on the stairs, each smirking cheekily. "Can't risk letting one of me in close, can you?!" They each used Warp Pad and rocketed right at her.

The Alolan Marowak spun her club, then threw her palm out at them, commanding her clouds to shoot down all the clones. They shattered like glass as the lightning pierced through the stone walls in their failed attack. She quickly shot through the illusions until all of them were completely destroyed.

"Missed one!" Alis spun around, then received a surprise kick to the face from the Umbreon, who got in from under her while she was distracted. "Flint, give her the finisher!"

Flint clapped his paws again. "Now, Verto!"

Wes swapped places with Flint's Guardian, who was immediately ready to throw a strong punch into the storm apprentice and send her flying into the walls. The Ravenfield brothers grinned at each other and high-fived before racing after their friends up the stairs.

Gwyn looked down the spiral staircase and saw them running up. "Nice job, you two! Think we beat them?!"

"Hard to say!" Wes shouted up. "They might get their second wind in a moment, but we're not sticking around to find out!"

Tony clenched his teeth. "Agreed! The Storm Mage is what we want!"

Ella narrowed her eyes. "You still sound like you want to beat him to a pulp."

"Trust me, that's not all what I want to do if that bastard doesn't explain himself…"

Griffin glared at his ally. "This sounds like more a personal vendetta for you, Sparky."

The Dewott's body erupted with electricity. "More than you know…"

Flint panted heavily as he ran alongside his brother, asking him, "What's he on about, exactly?"

Wes bit his lip. "I…think I know, but we need to reach the top to make sure. Just make sure Tony doesn't do anything stupid or it'll cost us."

"We still haven't run into Gunnar yet," Flint pointed out.

"Yeah…by the way, aren't there five apprentices?" Wes brought up.

Jinxing himself, wide lightning beams fired down at them. Wes grabbed Flint and, without warning, used the Warp Pad to bounce up to the others and avoid falling. Flint turned a little green from the takeoff, not used to the sudden change in speeds like his brother.

The others watched as the Ravenfield brothers plopped down in front of them, just as they reached the second floor of the temple. After the two recovered, the team spotted the fourth apprentice: A Midday Lycanroc wearing the same robes as the others. His eyes were set on them in a focused gaze. Floating by his sides were two Lightning Guardians, their eyes gleaming red in a sharp glare.

Ella grinned irritably as her eyes twitched. "Oh goodie, I was wondering when we would run into the Guardians."

The team quickly escaped onto the second floor as the Guardians fired lightning beams at them. The second floor, while spacious like the previous floor, provided stone statues of Genie Trio in their Therian Forms. For their sake, the statues hopefully won't come to life and provide more pressure.

The team spread themselves out as the Lycanroc floated in with the Guardians readying another attack. "You six are difficult to put down. I didn't expect you to get passed my allies so quickly." He narrowed his eyes. "But this is the end of the line for you."

Tony glared at the wolf and pointed up. "Sorry Fido, but nothing's keeping me from teaching that bastard a lesson."

The Lycanroc narrowed his eyes. "So be it." His Lightning Guardians flew right at him.

"Ventusphere!" He threw the spiraling wind sphere, knocking one away before dodging the second one. "Quick Step!" His legs sparked with electricity before running along the wall, lightly digging his feet into it to provide footholds.

The Lycanroc channeled electricity through the rocks in her mane and fired frantically moving thunderbolts right for him. Griffin intercepted the attacks with his Endless Regret before pulling out Infinity Breaker. He aimed the polearm and extended it at the wolf, forcing him to dodge immediately.

The two Lightning Guardians rose in the air and held their hands out, combing both their electricity to create one massive sphere of it. They dove down with the electricity sparking frantically between them.

Gwyn curled up into a ball and spun right towards. She jumped off the ground and collided with the electrical sphere. Her needle hair grinded into the sphere, wearing it down until it exploded. The explosion of lightning sent Gwyn bouncing around in her curled-up state, her hairs singed from the blast.

One of the Guardians flew after her with a lightning sword conjured up, but was intercepted by Flint's Guardian who smashed the blade to pieces with a single punch. The Flareon glared at them as he ran over. "You're dealing with me!"

The Guardian narrowed its eyes at him before throwing a punch at the Celestial variant. Both collided fists in a brief stalemate before locking themselves in a rapid-fire punching standoff.

The Lycanroc scanned the room before blocking a surprise attack from Wes. The Umbreon smirked. "You guys are pretty good, but we're better!"

The wolf showed his teeth as he grinned. "Then allow me to even the scales." He inhaled deeply, then blasted compressed air against the Umbreon's underside and launched him against the wall.

"GAH!" Wes cried out as the winds viciously pressed him down to the wall. He kept one eye open as he glared at the Lycanroc. "Big bad wolf coming in like a hurricane, huh?" Wes focused magic in front of his open mouth.

The wolf stopped his attack and lunged at him. His hindlegs kicked the air, causing it to ripple and launch him towards the Umbreon. "I sense a great deal of concentrated magic there. Pure, raw magic. You have mastery over one of the Mystic Spells."

Wes grinned. "See for yourself! Mystic Beam!" He fired the concentrated, purple beam directly at the wolf.

Using his forelegs, the Lycanroc spun himself into a tornado that coated itself in electricity. "Fluctus Spiral!" He collided with the Mystic Beam and pushed against it with matching force.

Wes smirked, then used a Warp Pad to ricochet around the wolf, moving faster than his Mystic Beam as it ended, until he was right behind him. "TerraSlash!" A ring of purple light appeared on the ground he floated over, then fired fast moving shards that pierced through the lightning covered tornado.

The Lycanroc was ejected from his attack, crossing his forelegs as he endured the attacks. He nearly hit the ground until Alis appeared from downstairs and grabbed him. "Gotcha'!"

The other two flew in on their clouds. "Pembroke! How's the situation?!" Jose called out.

The Lycanroc known as Pembroke reformed a new cloud and stood on it. He glared as his two Lightning Guardians fired down lightning arrows to keep the team from reaching the stairs. "They're persisting rather stubbornly."

Androwe smirked. "Then let's add on the pressure!" He raised his head and let out a deep, bellowing call.

As Griffin slashed through one of the Lightning Guardians, he noticed the dark clouds forming overhead. He grimaced. "Not again…"

The team glared as the four apprentices floated above them, readying their attacks. Tony's attention kept wandering to the stairs. The closer they got, the more familiar the aura above them felt. The familiarity alone made him growl under his breath. It was definite proof the Storm Mage was that Leroy. He recognized this aura ever since the day he last felt it.

No more games. Tony glared at the apprentices and raised his scalchops. He was going to settle the score and get his answers.

The rumbling felt below the temple was undoubtedly intense. The collision of raw magic and the rush of attacks connecting could be felt by the Storm Mage as he sat in the very center of the spacious rooftop. He kept his gaze towards the sky as rainwater pelted furiously against his hooded face. Aside from his large form, a notable feature revealed from his appearance was the horn sticking out from his hood, which sparked with electricity.

"…is that so?" the mage asked his loyal apprentice, Gunnar, who stood near the roof entrance, a hatch in the floor.

The Druddigon bowed his head. "Tony Sapienti is his name, my master, without question. Aside from name, there are…similar attributes that point him to being the very Dewott."

The Storm Mage, Leroy, was quiet for a moment before huffing a deep breath. "How unexpected. I didn't expect him to be a part of these treasure hunters."

Gunnar narrowed his eyes. "There is…a lot of anger in him. Towards you, specifically."

"I'm not surprised."

"You don't sound upset about it, Master."

Leroy raised his arm and waved it off. "He's a child. Always has been for as long as I've known him. He'll get over it."

"He's intent on getting the key, Master." Gunnar looked down as he sensed the influx of colliding auras below them. "How do you intend to greet him after so long?"

Leroy huffed. "I don't have to do anything…except my job."

Gunnar narrowed his eyes. "Master, while it isn't in my business to meddle, perhaps you should consider another option. I don't know the boy at all or his mental state, but he doesn't seem to be fighting his way up here just to have a reunion sparring match or something as simple as a hug. There's actual…spite in his eyes."

"Familial matters do not concern me. Do your job and keep them from coming to the roof. I shall face them if they are truly worth my time."

Gunnar didn't approve of the answer, feeling his face fall into a disappointed frown. He would've said something else to maybe convince him otherwise, but he was right: he had a job to do. Judging from the fighting below, Team Ravenfield has surpassed the expectations of their first encounter with the mages. The others won't be able to last much longer.

"Get to work," Leroy ordered in a quiet, serious tone.

With no reluctance but dissatisfaction, Gunnar opened the roof hatch and walked downstairs. His claws sparked with electricity as he prepared to enter the fray.

Leroy resumed looking up at the sky. Through his hood, his eyes could be seen narrowing in a brooding manner. That boy is more trouble than I gave him credit for.

Tony and Jose collided their electrical weaponry, sparking madly as they pushed against the other's weapons. Jose kept putting pressure against Tony with one hand as he formed a dozen electrical knives between his fingers. He threw them up, then guided them with his finger to dive bomb the otter.

The Dewott, however, anticipated them and jumped back from Jose as the knives tracked after him. He held his finger out and blasted them with Lightning Shot. Jose enlarged his sword and rushed down the fleeing Dewott, spinning his sword like a buzz saw.

Tony landed on his hands, then flipped into the air before vanishing in a flash. Jose stopped immediately, then unexpectedly took a kick to the back. He stumbled around before facing the Dewott, but ended up receiving a Dragon Thunderclap at blank point range, knocking him off his feet.

The fallen Hawlucha tried to stand up, but Tony pushed him back down as he raised his sparking finger. "Yield," he ordered in a quiet, serious tone.

"Well, now where have I heard that tone before?" Tony shot his glare up the stairs, spotting Gunnar hanging above on a cloud. He wielded a broadsword over his shoulder, which was infused with his electricity. "Oh yes, about half a minute ago." Gunnar narrowed his eyes. "For all that hatred for him, you've still picked up a few of his mannerisms." Tony adjusted his posture, almost appearing relaxed with his arms hanging loosely. "Though, I doubt you'd admit it."

Tony's fur glowed with the static appearance. "My fight isn't with you, Gunnar. It's with that shitty bastard upstairs."

"I'm more than aware of that, young Sapienti." He lifted his sword, swung it a couple times with a show of great strength, then pointed it towards him. "But I have my job to do. Forgive me, but I can't let you pass without giving it my all."

Tony closed his eyes for a moment, then glowered. "No hard feelings, then."

Tony activated Light Speed and zipped up the walls, appearing right over Gunnar in the blink of an eye. He raised his electrified Razor Shells and swung down against the readily prepared broadsword. Gunnar grunted as the lack of grounding pushed him down a bit. He pushed Tony off his sword, who caught himself on the wall, then charged for him with his sword pulled back. Tony bounced off the wall and collided his scalchops with his blade.

Down below, Griffin swung furious at Androwe as he kept using his aurora feint technique. The Walrein laughed. "Fight away all you want! As long as I know how and when you'll strike, it's a matter of dodging your attacks before they connect. If you can't see my exact location, I can easily predict your strikes!"

Griffin narrowed his eyes, then stood up straight. "Countering you directly wouldn't work given your preferred method of mid-range fighting." He held Endless Regret out before switching it with Justice Flyer. "In that case, if I can't slash you before you dodge, I'll just attack faster than you can move."

The rainbow Androwe illusions recoiled. "Huh?!"

Griffin crouched down before kicking off with Justice Flyer thrusted forward, propelling himself at breakneck speeds. He passed through the cluster of illusion, but took note of the change in mood from the Walrein. He looked spooked. This made the Grovyle smirked as he dug his claws into the ground and propelled back to him.

Androwe frantically kept track of Griffin's whereabouts as he flew through the cluster, frantically adjusting his hidden position within the clones. He nearly paralyzed in fear as he received nicks through his robe and whiskers. He gritted his teeth and roared his body sparkled brightly. "Haglaurora!" The crystal light spears fired from the illusions and flew right towards Griffin.

Griffin, however, smirked boldly. "You gave away your position."

He quickly traded out for Quicksilver, then unsheathed the sword. Androwe didn't see it coming outside of a silver blur. Suddenly, his body received severe slashing damage that penetrated through his protective aura. Griffin's blurry form spun the sword and returned it to its sheathe, ending the speed boost. Androwe's feint technique vanished before he collapsed to the ground.

Alis fired down thunderbolts at Ella and Gwyn as she chased them down. She spun her bone club, generating lightning in the center. "If this storm won't deter you, then I present to you the mother of all storms!" She swiped her bone club and channeled the electricity through her mini storm clouds.

Ella and Gwyn stopped running and glared up as they turned darker and charger with even greater electrical power. The Espeon glanced at her friend. "Please tell me you have a lightning proof potion or something!"

Gwyn dug through her bag. "Now that just sounds ridiculous!" She pulled out her Informis Oak berry and pushed it into her open mouth. She swallowed quickly before taking on yet another transformation, this time into her oak form.

Alis waved her club down and commanded her mini clouds to combine their forces for a devastating electrical beam towards the girls. Gwyn raised her hands and shaped theme into thick wooden shells, wrapping around her and Ella as a protective dome. The beam engulfed the wooden dome and incinerated the outside layer, wiping it out in a bright flash.

The Alolan Marowak flew down to assess the damage as the light and smoke cleared. She waved the smoke away, then raised her brow upon finding a hole with blackened burn marks surround the edge. "I must have blasted them back to the first floor." She looked down to see for herself.

Suddenly, the floor behind her busted apart, with Ella flying through on rising tower of wood. Just as Alis turned around in her shock, Ella leapt off and grappled her around the neck. "Enough funny business!"

"Hey!" Alis' cloud flew out of control as she tried to pry Ella off. "Get off me!" She lit the end of her club in ghostly flames and smacked Ella in the side.

"Agh!" Ella grunted. She swung her feet back, then kicked the club out of her hands just as she went for another swing. She switched up her hold and restrained her under the arms. "Gwyn! Now!"

Wooden tendrils shot from the floor and wrapped around Alis while plucking Ella off. Alis let out a gasp as she was cocooned in the roots. Gwyn appeared from under the floor and ran up the wooden spire with her glove slipped over her left hand. She held up one of her explosive fruits. "Nutrient Transvoro!" She absorbed the berry into her glove as she reached the top and jumped in the air. She pressed her fingers together and aimed down. "Detonation Wave!"

With a snap, the wooden spite lit up in a fiery blaze, exploding into burning debris that sprinkled over Ella. Gwyn landed next to her and raised her hand, making Ella grin as she went for the high-five. "Yeah!" they cheered, then jumped when Alis crashed right next to them. Thankfully, she seemed to worn out to continue.

Wes and Flint were keeping the Lightning Guardians and Pembroke occupied as they dodged thunderbolts and powerful wind strikes. Pembroke kicked across the air and soared above them as he fired shots of air from his mouth, basically air bullets. Flint's Guardian kept him mostly protected, since the near-invisible air bullets could still be seen since they were made from magic, but it was difficult to fend off against them and the Guardians. Flint took a few nicks from some bullets.

"Mystic Burst!" Wes slammed his body into one of the Guardians, then kicked it right in the chin. It, however, grabbed him by the ankle and sent a current of electricity running through his system. "Y-Y-Y-Y-YOOOOW!" he yelped. It bashed him repeatedly into the ground, then pinned him down as it charged an orb of lighting into its hand.

Pembroke narrowed his eyes. "I order you to yield."

Wes struggled to turn his head, then smirked at him. "If I had a bronze bit for every time some ordered for my surrender…" He got his paw up, then slammed it down. "TerraSlash!"

The Guardian recoiled as stone shards pelted into its face, forcing it off the Umbreon. Wes spun on his side, then swung his leg into its neck and threw him through the air. Wes activated Mystic Burst again for a quick charge on the Mystic Beam, blasting the Lightning Guardian into oblivion.

Flint's Guardian clashed with the Lightning Guardian into a second rapid-fire punch standoff, only Flint wasn't going to let it stay at a stalemate. He clapped his paws. "Time Halt!" With time now frozen, his Guardian rapidly punched all the Guardian's exposed weak points. It jumped back and crossed its arms as it stood by its caster's side.

Time resumed and the Guardian fell apart into sparks from the stacked force of the punches.

Pembroke lunged for Flint and slammed his paws down on the Flareon. "GAH!" Flint cried out as his face was shoved into the ground.

Pembroke inhaled for another air bullet attack, but was forced to flee from the Celestial Guardian. He inhaled once more and fired his air bullets at Flint, who was immediately protected by his Guardian. Once he landed, he immediately blocked a surprise speed attack from Wes, combining Warp Pad and Mystic Burst.

Pembroke smirked. "You are a worthy fighter, Wes Ravenfield!"

Wes grinned. "Thanks! That means a lot!" His eyes twinkled impishly. "But I should warn you, I'm not the fairest fighter of them all!"

He suddenly grappled the wolf with his legs, restraining him. Before Pembroke could muster the strength to escape, Flint ran over with his Guardian cracking its knuckles. "I'm got him, bro!" Flint shouted before roaring a battle cry, ordering his Guardian to deliver a punch that twisted the air around its fist, slamming it into the wolf's cheek and blasting him into the wall.

Wes stood up and grinned at his older brother. "Man, for a dorky Flareon, you pack some muscle!"

Flint blinked, then looked away with a drained grin. "Uh…thanks."

All that remained was Gunnar, who was now fighting Tony on the stairs. Though, he seemed to be having a bit of an off day, because the Dewott was forcing him backwards upstairs. He readily blocked each of his slashes, but didn't make the real effort to attack this time.

The burning determination in Tony's eyes told him he really wanted to set things straight with the Storm Mage. He wasn't even fighting like a speedster would. He was using brute force more and more the closer they reached the top.

Having enough, Gunnar forced Tony back and slammed his sword against the stairs, sending an electric wave towards him. Tony endured the wave and barely tingled against it. He lunged at the Druddigon and slammed his fists into his chest before firing Impetus Pressure, pushing Gunnar against the steps.

The dragon coughed, feeling his bones tingling after the hit, then lifted himself up by the sword. He panted steadily, looking Tony dead in the eye. Tony's posture relaxed itself after a moment. The Druddigon had to give the Dewott some credit. Even for his burst of anger, he retained his rational thought to not strike an enemy who was clearly at a disadvantage.

"…how long have you been training?" Tony asked seriously.

Gunnar panted for a moment, then smiled in exhaustion. "Not particularly long, if I'm being honest. Maybe two years…you've been practicing ever since you were a young lad. Guess you one-upped me."

Tony took a deep breath, then placed his scalchops by his sides before stepping past him. "We'll be taking that key."

Gunnar frowned. "You and I both know that's not what you truly want." He glanced at the still Dewott who stood a few steps over him. "You better know what you're doing."

Tony clenched his fist tightly, taking a couple breaths to ease himself. "I…hope so, too." He started walking. "Guys! We can pass now!"

The rest of Team Ravenfield looked up and saw that Gunnar was on one knee with Tony walking right past him. Though, from the looks of it, Gunnar didn't look anywhere as injured as the rest of the apprentices. Perhaps he's letting Tony pass by. Why, though?

The team glanced at each other, deciding it was best not to waste time. They started ascending the stairs and chasing after the lightning thief.

The storms seemed to get worse outside as the Dewott closed in on the roof hatch. He pressed his hand on the bottom and pushed it open, let the rain pelt him as he stepped outside. He could hear his friends running up over the thunderous weather. They'll be up in a moment.

Tony took his first step onto the wet stone, rippling the very shallow puddles. Nothing but oceans and storm clouds for miles. The kind of element he would love to live in.

But for right now, it was the perfect setting for this battle.

"You can turn around now!" Tony shouted to the yellow-robed mage that stood on the opposite side of the temple roof. "So, you going to tell me how long you've been expecting me?! Or do you want to skip to the part where I slug you in the cheek for being a shitty bastard?!"

The mage remained immobile as he stared out into the ocean. Only a moment later, he shifted a bit. "…that's some foul mouth you've picked up, boy."

Tony scowled lightly at him, just as his team finally made it to the roof. Flint panted from the running, holding his chest, then looked ahead. "It…It's the Storm Mage…"

Wes stepped forward and gripped his hat. "Hello! Storm Mage! We've come to challenge you!"

The mage stood silent for a moment, then turned himself around. "I've been aware…I've been keeping up to date with your progress from my colleagues. You all have piqued my interest…especially you, Tony."

This raised a few brows from all but Wes and Tony. Gwyn tilted her head. "Um…why Tony?"

The mage gripped his hood. "Oh…he knows why." He ripped the robe off his body, letting it fly away in the wind.

Ella, Flint, and Gwyn gasped in surprise while Griffin's brows dipped a bit. Wes bit his lip nervously as he dared a look at Tony, whose fists were shaking with tense muscles. The scowl on his face couldn't be any more apparent.

Standing before them was a full grown Samurott, clad in deep blue battle armor on his forelegs, hindlegs, and body, with a long sleeved, gray shirt and dark green pants. What really stood out to the team was the familiar, electric glow in his fur that came and went, with a static appearance to it.

Leroy narrowed his eyes at the sullen Dewott emotionlessly. "Tsk…of all the things to come with this job, I didn't expect one of the prophesized heroes to be my own son."