Rain poured down over the capital, drenching the fleeing citizens as the revolting circus troupe terrorized everything in sight, smashing through windows and firing guns in the air. Though, everyone soon realized the rain wasn't entirely normal as the sparks from the gunfire released explosive flames that spread rapidly through the streets.

Only the performers seemed unaffected by the flames, their clothes seemingly warding the flames from spreading onto their bodies despite being drenched as well.

"Run, you fools! Run!" a Primeape taunted, throwing out Fire Punches that reacted to the soaked down and sending streaks of flame after the fleeing citizens.

A Kilowattrel flew by and yelled, "Quit fooling around! We've got some loot to swipe!"

Primeape groaned. "Come on, let me have my fun."

"The knights will be here any second. We're supposed to serve as the distraction for the boss."

The pig monkey just shrugged. "Please, those knights will be torched the second they step out into this rain. We're completely protected thanks to Iris treating our clothes with the neutralizing formula. And the added rainwater from her Rain Dance just keeps us further protected from the rain."

A Haunter cackled excitedly. "He's right! What do we have to worry about?" He formed a Shadow Ball and threw it at the crowd, exploding the ground and setting loose more flames. "Let those damned knights come! We'll kill them all before they can read us our rights!"

"Oh. You think you deserve rights?"

The three raiders froze before slowly turning around. Standing atop a burning lamppost and glaring down at the terrorists coolly was a Raboot cladded in armor pieces. He balanced on one foot while keeping his hands tucked away in his pockets.

"Well, unfortunately for you, our justice system is a tad swayed against criminals. You can blame your unlawful punishment on decades of laxed management."

Haunter growled. "You should've stayed home, knight! Shadow Ball!" He threw the sphere of darkness.

Angelo reared his foot back, charging electricity through it. "Heaven's Flame." With flames and electricity exploding off his foot, he kicked a ball of blue plasma that burst through the Shadow Ball and scorched the air in reaction with the rain. It struck the Haunter dead on and blasted him through the street, setting off more of the rainwater to explode under him.

"What the?!" Kilowattrel and Primeape gasped, staring at their scorched comrade as he lay unconscious in a ring of flames.

Angelo jumped down from the lamppost, snuffing out the smoke seeping off his sole. "I don't know what's up with this rain, but it seems I don't have to worry about Rain Dance's effects against me." He put two fingers to his lips and whistled.

All the raiders in the street ceased their looting as knights came marching out from the smoke-covered streets, armed with shields and fully encased in armor that the rainwater slid off of.

Angelo raised his hand toward the enemy and yelled, "First unit, suppress the raiders! Use whatever force necessary, but keep them alive! Second unit, secure the people! Get them out of this rain!"

"Yes, Sir Angelo!" The knights ducked behind their shields and charged headlong toward the raiders.

"Shit!" Primeape tried to scare them off with Fire Punch, sending explosive flames their way, but they barreled through the flames and rammed the pig monkey together, trampling over him. "GAH!"

"You're under arrest!" A Pyroar knight stomped down on the battered pig monkey and slapped shackles over his wrists.

Angelo leapt to a higher vantage point and rained down his Heaven's Flame attacks onto the fleeing raiders, taking them out one-by-one in a single shot. As he balanced another plasma orb on his foot, his attention briefly wandered to the castle hidden behind the rising smoke.

Asterio's probably going ballistic over this. For his sake, he better stay indoors, or he's going to get himself killed…after he kills everyone else.

Castle Visconti

Melissa and Monica lay sprawled out on the library floor, the former panting from the close encounter with the downpour. She hadn't moved that fast since fighting Amos. For lack of a better word, she dodged a bullet with the rain.

Monica quickly overcame her shock and sat up, looking around in confusion. "Who? What? When? Where? Why? So many questions!" She turned to Melissa, then gasped. "Hey, wait a minute! Aren't you that nice Buneary who sold me pancakes the other day?!"

Melissa picked herself up and rubbed her head. "Um, maybe?"

"What are you doing here? And why are you wearing that Forester uni—" Her eyes widened. "Oh. Oh, I see what's going on here now. I see."

"…"

"…AAAHH!" She sprung up and pressed her back to the bookshelf. "Stay away! I don't want to be kidnapped!"

Melissa gasped. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Time out!" She stood up and said, "I'm not trying to kidnap you! I just saved your life!"

"A likely story!"

"It's true! That rain is super dangerous!"

"Look, I get I'm a sentient blob of cream, but rain alone isn't strong enough to just—"

"Ugh, no!" Melissa took a moment to calm herself. After breathing out, she looked the Alcremie in the eye and explained, "Look, this is a lot to explain, but I'm sure you've noticed what's going on outside. That rainstorm is part of the raid. It's filled with a volatile potion that reacts like gunpowder, only ten or twenty times worse."

"…" Monica eased her posture, but kept one brow raised cautiously. "You're not here to kidnap me?"

"No!"

"Huh. W-Well still, I know what the Foresters did in Senbo! How do I know you aren't in on this scheme? Maybe this is all just one giant distraction to rob the castle!"

Melissa growled and facepalmed herself. "I can assure you we're not working with the circus—"

"Aha! You know it's the circus responsible for this!"

"Everyone's been suspicious of the circus for the last few days!"

"…Good point." Monica scratched her chin. "W-Well, um…"

"Monica, please," Melissa pleaded. "You have to trust me. I know the Foresters haven't exactly looked favorable these last few months, but we're not the bad guys. We want to stop this just as badly as you and the rest of the capital does."

"…" The Alcremie scrunched her face. "Why are you in Castle Visconti then?"

Melissa sucked in a breath. "Oh boy. Um, that's kind of a long story. One I'm not quite obligated to mention." She shook her head. "L-Look, I just…things are complicated right now, and the only thing I'm asking from you is your trust. I don't want you getting hurt by what I know."

"Hurt…by what?"

She grimaced. We're almost sure Grim Deadlock is one of the Visconti children. She seemed so close with Asterio, too. If I told her the truth, it could destroy her. And then there's this heir system thing. If she found out what was conspiring through her own kingdom…

"Please just trust me." It was the only thing she could say.

Monica was tempted to say no and run out of the library screaming for help, but she spent a good while studying Melissa's mixed expressions. Though it was hard to get a read on what she was thinking, she could tell there was genuine concern and seriousness in whatever internal debate she was having.

"…" Monica sighed and straightened up. "Alright. Alright, I'll trust you."

Melissa smiled. "R-Really?"

"Truth be told, after what I heard when the Foresters stop that train crash, something told me you guys weren't all bad." She frowned. "But don't you dare hurt the prince and princesses! They're my friends, especially Star Prince and Gospel Princess!"

The Buneary laughed nervously. "Never crossed my mind." She relaxed her shoulders and pushed aside her troubled thoughts for later. "Anyway…" She looked at the rain falling outside. "That is a bit of a current concern."

Monica shuffled toward the window and examined the rain. "So, this stuff is volatile, right?"

"Some kind of potion, though I never expected it to spread like this."

"Hmm…" Monica raised her arm and found a wet stain on her sleeve. "Did you have a plan for stopping it?"

"One of my allies is going to try and find the recipe for the neutralizing formula. Hard to say when he'll get back with it."

"Well, I'm not an alchemist, but we might find something in the archives that could at least tell us more about this stuff. Better to have a heads up of its capabilities."

Melissa nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

"The archives are this way. Let's hurry."

The girls turned and ran out of the library, unaware of the brief, unnatural swaying in Monica's shadow.

Evangelina glared out her window as flames started to pop up in the streets, their red glow magnifying in accordance with the heavy downpour. She looked back at Romano and said, "This is exactly what I mean. This is why we have to work from the shadows. Destroying corruption like this and preserving the peace of others. Now I have to take drastic measures to ensure this stops."

Romano shook his head. "Princess, I can't allow you to go outside. This isn't about working from the shadows anymore. You could die. If this man is willing to go back on his word, then he won't have any qualms with ending your life."

She scoffed. "Then maybe I'll get what I deserve." She floated over to her wardrobe and dug around in the back, producing a black sheet. "Besides, I've got to keep that idiot, Asterio, from worsening his injuries." She threw the sheet over herself and manifested a dark mist around herself. "Don't follow me."

Romano frowned. "Princess…"

"I'll be fine." She reached her fin to the window and pushed on the glass. "These are my mistakes to rectify—"

SNAP!

Hers and Romano's eyes widened as a black cable snapped around her tentacle and pulled her away from the window. She collapsed to the ground, dispelling the shadows around her, and held her sore wrist before glaring at the ceiling.

"What the…?"

Jason jumped down from hiding, retracted his phantom grappler back into his sleeve. He glared at the princess. "Fascinating. Mind giving me the complete version of your sob story?"

Evangelina picked herself up and growled. "You're…!"

Romano pulled out his halberd and charged the Pikachu. "You dare invade Her Highness' bedroom? You shall be—"

"Spare me the lecture." Jason sidestepped the attack and grabbed Romano's wrist. Despite their differing sizes, Jason used the Swampert's weight and momentum to throw him off the floor and into the bedroom doors, smashing them to pieces. "I'm not in the mood."

Romano lay sprawled out on his back, having had all the air knocked out of him. W-What just…happened?

Jason set his sights back on Evangelina and brandished his dagger at her. "I've got business with you, Princess Evangelina. Or should I refer to you as the one half of Grim Deadlock?"

"…" Despite the accusation, Evangelina kept an even and cool glare. "You Foresters have a funny way of greeting royalty. Rumor has it you beat Darby into a blood pulp." She smirked. "Are you here to exact the same treatment on me?"

"Don't toy with me. I've easily neutralized your knight, and we both know what I'm capable of." His brow furrowed. "Based on your lack of burns, you weren't the one who nearly killed me the other night. A conspiracy heralded by the two eldest children of the Visconti family. No wonder you were able to get away with your identities for so long. The aloof prince and the secretive princess could cover each other's stories."

Evangelina straightened up and sighed. "The illusion falls, it seems."

"You admit it?"

"Why would I talk circles around you?"

"Then you understand the position you're in. If word of this gets out, your people will revolt."

She smirked. "I'm well aware of the consequences." She chuckled darkly. "What a wonderful meeting of legends. The bloodlust of Grim Deadlock clashes with the Fairy Knight in mortal combat, and now a battle between the brains of the operation vs. the unflappable leader of the Foresters. You have the distinct honor of dueling both our halves."

Jason inched forward, gripping his dagger tighter. "I'll have no regrets revealing your secret. You've got nothing over me. I'm in control here."

"Heh, you're fairly confident about that, aren't you?" Evangelina took a deep breath and laughed softly at the ceiling. "What power do you have over me precisely? Your word? Funny, because I do recall you being involved in an assassination plot and beating up two well-beloved princes during what was essentially a union of fellowship."

Jason growled. "Don't you start…"

"All your evidence is your own reasoning and deduction, but that's not evidence. That's testimony." Evangelina grinned. "If you came here to bargain with my identity as leverage, you've woefully wasted your time."

"…"

"Still, I do enjoy partaking in banter." She clapped her fins. "Romano. Stand watch by the door so the mouse and I can have some privacy."

Romano picked himself off the ground. "M-My lady—"

"It's fine. I'm not afraid of him."

"…As you wish." He bowed before stepping out of sight from the door.

Jason narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Is this your elaborate attempt at a trap?"

"Ohhhhh-ho-ho-ho-ho!" she laughed. "A trap? You're adorable. I don't go to violence as the first resort. I prefer a battle of wits over brawn. You seem like an intelligent sort, so maybe you can humor me with an explanation. What were you snooping around for in the first place?"

Jason kept an even expression of his own, hiding the bits of doubt creeping in. Melissa said to be wary of her. This woman…she's crafty. Playing her game of words is tantamount to a losing battle, but torturing an answer out of her wouldn't do me any favors even if I wanted to resort to such tactics. She might even anticipate something like that. Worst of all, I still don't know where her brother is, and I don't know the full scope of his injuries.

Reluctantly, he sheathed his dagger and sighed. "We know about your connection with the circus. They're here to recruit you into Last Autumn's heir system."

Evangelina smirked. "Ah, you know about that. I do admire you Foresters and your ability to snoop on people's secrets. I find it quite inspiring."

He growled. "Just tell me what you know about the heir system."

She shrugged. "If you were eavesdropping on my conversation with the mime, then you know as much as I do. A sacred treasure that grants the true heir dominion over Virdis. The fact they've been rounding up prominent royal children to take the role. I was actually tempted to give my answer until this mess started up."

"You would agree to a deal you barely understand yourself?"

She chuckled. "Well, not necessarily. I did take the time to study up on whatever history we had on the old kingdom. As I'm sure you're aware, we have access to some of the lost history of the Elysivine Kingdom. Not enough for a complete answer, but enough to fill in some blanks."

"Is that so?"

"Tell me if you're familiar with this fun fact: the original arbiters who came to this land were said to be some of the greatest intellectuals of their time. They say their genius was so unparalleled that their descendants inherit this intelligence." She smirked. "Funnily enough, just under four decades ago, two children disappeared from a fire that mysteriously broke out in the Paradise District of our lovely capital. Rumor has it they were twin brothers who were descendants of an arbiter. It's amazing the kind of people you can find in this world, don't you agree?"

"What's your point?"

"All I'm saying is that the arbiters were always thinking ahead. They could see things far beyond the scope of the common creature, just lacking the resources to turn their visions into reality. It got me wondering if they managed to bypass these limitations of their era. Perhaps even created something far beyond our current technology."

Jason's glare deepened. "Do you know what the sacred treasure is?"

"Hard to say. Some texts claim it's the remnants of Arceus, and others think it's just treasure. Plain old gold and jewels." She shrugged. "Guess I won't know until I have my word with Last Autumn."

"Do you have any idea the kind of people you're dealing with? They were terrorists thirty years ago. They started wars that got people killed—"

"And now they're rectifying their barbaric actions with a more subtle approach." Evangelina winced as a particularly loud explosion sounded from the streets outside. "Well, mostly subtle."

"Then how's this for subtle? We weren't the ones who poisoned Dimitri. Darby instigated that whole trap under Last Autumn's orders! Those are the kind of people you'll be working with!"

Once again, all the Frillish could do was laugh. "Well, no wonder you beat him to a pulp."

"How are you not taking this seriously?"

"You were eavesdropping on me, weren't you?" Her eyes shimmered red as a dark haze encompassed her. "I'd be a hypocrite if I said such tactics were uncouth."

"…" Jason clenched his fists. "What did you and the prince do? Why was Grim Deadlock created in the first place? And why are you so dead set on taking this treasure?"

That seemed to get Evangelina to loosen her confident expression. Almost solemnly, she looked back out the window and watched the flames spread outside. "Heh. What a foolish question."

Jason's glare softened as he saw a tear run down the Frillish's cheek, yet her expression remained confidently neutral.

"Is it too much to say I've given up on trusting people to manage their own morals?"

Echo Bell Streets

Avel's hunch proved correct. As he, Wyatt, and Frediano neared the location being spared from the Heliolisk's terror, they saw a tower of mist rising above the buildings and into the sky, forming the storm clouds that brought upon the sudden rainstorm. They moved cautiously, running under any cover they could.

They found their way to the open space where the ceremony was taking place and gazed upon the pit of ice with mist erupting out from within. Standing atop the ice pit was the circus' alchemist, Iris, as she laughed and danced along the pit's edge like she was in a drunken haze.

"Pretty, pretty, little flames~! So full of sparks~! The priestess sings her song as the flame harks~! Pretty, pretty, little flames~! So full of life~! Reduce this land to ash, burn away their strife~!"

"Ice Beam!"

Iris stopped dancing and sidestepped the crackling beam of icy blue. She grinned over her shoulder as the trio stepped out of hiding. "A personal audience? Ooohhh, the nerves are aflame tonight!" She held her cheeks and giggled feverishly. "I'm feeling so nervous~!"

Wyatt winced. "Am I crazy, or she giving off some bad vibes?"

Avel glared. "Undo your ritual, alchemist, and you may be spared of excess punishment."

Iris danced on her toes, skipping around the ice pit. "Undo my ritual? The Foresters come to ruin my fun again." She sighed dramatically, a hand pressed faintly to her forehead. "You're just like all the others, telling me I was bad and a monster for my infatuation with flames. A demon born of a grievous sin."

"We did not say—" Wyatt tried to explain.

"I came to Virdis for a fresh start. I wanted to find myself again, to really figure out who I am." She ceased her dance and folded her arms behind herself, gazing wistfully up at the rain. "I had nothing going for me. I had to curb my love of flames just to fit in. Only my brothers understood my pain. I was just another anomaly of this world.

"But then Ringmaster Itzal came into my life and showed me the truth." She turned around and giggled. "He encouraged me to become my true self, to let that passion explode and burn everything to cinders. I finally feel free from my shackles and can become the wildfire I was destined to be. He made me into his Scarlet Priestess. He chose me to continue with the Scarlet Flame as his successor. I am the flame!"

Avel's eyes widened. "What?!"

Frediano lowered his stance. The brothers heard something of a growl coming from behind the mask. "So, that's the truth behind the Lord of Shadows."

Iris paused on the Weavile. "Hmm?"

He took off his mask and glared at her. "Do you not even remotely understand what he did to you? Look at what you're doing. You could've become a great alchemist with this level of ingenious, and yet he twisted your mind and trained you to become his successor. He didn't choose you. He turned you into his successor!"

Iris rolled her eyes. "You dare speak with such blasphemy against Ringmaster Itzal? I'm simply carrying out the will of the Scarlet Flame as he is. He's ridding this world of corruption as the original texts stated."

"Original texts?" Avel mumbled.

"That doesn't matter!" Frediano yelled. "You're sick! Just stop this now. You can still be saved from this delusion."

Iris glared. "Why would I want to be saved from this? For the first time in my life, I finally feel like I know who I am! I'm not a devil or monster! I've been reborn as this world's savior!" She laughed and spun, gazing up at the clouds. "I bring forth the cleansing rains that will burn the sins of this world away so that happiness and joy may prosper! I speak for the eternal flame! I am its voice given form! My body is a vessel for its touch!"

Frediano growled. "When I get my claws on that sick freak's neck…!"

Wyatt raised his arm in front of the Weavile. "Maybe we should focus on the immediate issue before murdering her boss."

"…Fair enough." Frediano placed his mask back on. "Well, my dear, it seems you have no interest in cancelling your show. Fortunately for me, I have a natural talent for improv." He summoned his Dark Frostbite Claws and pointed dramatically at the Alolan Marowak. "The Great Frediano shall conquer this stage and disrupt your twisted wonderland of pyre by the end of the climax!"

Iris smirked. "You think you can ruin my moment? Jasper! Gasparo! Remove these party crashers!"

The brothers and Frediano felt the ground shake as two giant icicles crashed down behind them. Backing away toward the ice pit, they saw the twin Sandslush brothers leaping down from the icicles and scraping their claws together.

"Stay away from our sister!" they shouted.

Wyatt pulled out his metal pole. "Well, this just complicates things."

Avel glared. "Focus on neutralizing the ritual."

Frediano laughed. "The Great Frediano is a master at multitasking! Come, icy shrews, let the performance commence!"

With all the explosive barrels in tow, Armant raced to the capital wall's main entrance, where he saw a group of people gathered trying to break through the electrified forcefield. They threw everything they had at it, from Ground-Type moves to even the less effective Electric-Type moves out of sheer desperation.

"Armant!" He turned as Raffaella came running over to him, bundled up in a large cloak. "It's terrible! We've tried everything, but nobody can get past the forcefield." She winced as another beam of electricity rained down on the street, setting the wet stone ablaze. "And there are fires breaking out everywhere!"

Armant glanced warily at the barrels he had in his possession as the protective coverings he provided were starting to get soaked. "So, the rain's volatile. Shit." He cracked his knuckles and turned toward the forcefield. "Raffaella, make sure nothing sets those barrels off."

"Right!"

He charged into the crowd, yelling, "Out of the way! Move!"

A path formed for the Machamp as he raced toward the forcefield. Stretching out his fingers, he plunged all four of his hands through the electricity and attempted to pull it apart. It was a strange sensation. It had the properties of a barrier, yet it felt almost malleable to the touch. Flexible and self-sustaining so long as there was electricity to fuel it, perhaps?

He dug in deeper and managed to rip through the first layer of the barrier, only to find the electricity seeping from his fingers and fusing back together. Annoyed, he delivered a direct punch to the barrier, though found that its malleable nature prevented any significant damage. It passed through like he was striking into quicksand.

He pulled his arm free and stepped back, shaking off the sparks lingering on him. "That's problematic."

"What are we going to do?!" an Excadrill cried. "We can't even go underground! The barrier is leaking below the city, too!"

Armant crossed his arms and pondered. "That Heliolisk is the one supplying power to the barrier. Taking him out would guarantee a gradual decline until it fades. However, he has the aerial advantage, and I don't want to destroy the city by accident."

Raffaella approached and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Armant, the city is already being destroyed. Whatever you do right now won't make a difference. If there's a chance you can stop this at the source, please take it!"

"…" He closed his eyes and sighed. "It was worth the chance to get everyone out without resorting to violence." He rolled his shoulders and turned away from the barrier. "Continue trying to find a way through the barrier. I'll seek out the Heliolisk and—"

"GYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Armant, Raffaella, and the panicked crowd froze as an unholy shriek boomed over the heavy downpour. It sounded as if some creature from the deepest depths of the underworld had unearthed itself from a thousand-year slumber. It echoed off the buildings, making it difficult to pinpoint its origin.

"W-What was that?!" a Jynx cried, holding her cowering Smoochum child close.

Armant kept one arm stretched out in front of the crowd. "Everyone, stay where you are. I'll deal with it myself."

Raffaella's eyes wandered to the crossroads up ahead and saw deep red flames engulfing the right side. "A-Armant!"

He lifted his gaze and saw the flames as well. However, he didn't hear an explosion going off like the other fires, and these flames seemed to be spreading from…something else. Moreover, if he focused hard enough through the noise, he could hear lumbering footsteps around the corner.

"Don't let those flames come near the barrels," Armant warned. He approached the crossroads, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, whoever you are, come on out with your hands up. I don't want to hurt—" He stopped and stared ahead in disbelief. "—you?"

Stepping out from around the corner was the last thing he expected to see. It was a Quagsire, or at least he thought it was a Quagsire. The axolotl appeared cloaked in the vibrant red flames, its skin blackened from the exposure. Cracks of heat spread along its charred body, reaching up to the eyes that also glow in the same red. Flames jettisoned from its back and spewed from its gaping mouth that looked like the inside of a volcano. It lumbered with a lifeless stare, almost like it was unsure of where it was going.

Armant gritted his teeth. "What in the…?"

"What the hell is that thing?!" one of the bystanders yelled.

"Is that a zombie?!" another screamed.

The undead axolotl reacted to their screams and tilted its head. Seeing all their terrified faces, it widened its mouth and let out another unholy screeched. The flames billowing off its body reacted to the rain and spread a torrent of flames ahead.

Armant reared his hands back. "Earthquake: Clap!" Slamming his palms together, he extinguished the rushing flames instantly and even briefly stopped the rain from falling in the affected area. "So, this is the power of the Scarlet Flame. Are you the one called…Paride?"

The corpse hissed at Armant, setting its sights on him. It lumbered toward him, leaving flaming footprints as it stumbled.

Armant sighed. "What a waste of a life. Still, if you are him, that means you're already dead. Makes this next part so much easier."

He blitzed forward, taking the corpse by surprise, and hammered his fist down on its head. The resulting impact caused the street to split open and nearby windows to shatter. The corpse's head caved in under Armant's fist, seemingly knocking it out of commission.

He pulled his fist away and brushed the flames off his knuckles. "Sorry. May you find salvation in the afterlife and escape this damnation—"

"GYYYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Armant's eyes widened as the corpse suddenly snapped its neck and twisted its head around to glare at him. He instinctively stepped back. "What the—"

The corpse known as Paride twisted its whole body around and slammed its fist into the Machamp's abdomen. Then, something unusual happened. Something almost foreign to the unstoppable titan, who believed he became numb after so many years traveling.

He felt pain.

The flames exploded off Paride's knuckles, blasting Armant across the street. Everyone barely jumped out of the way as the Machamp flew past them and slammed into the electrified capital walls, taking down a huge chunk of debris that fell on top of him.

"Armant?!" Raffaella gasped.

Everyone stared in horror as smoke seeped out from rock pile, but the true horror forced their attention back down the street. The infernal zombie staggered forward as it manually fixed its neck and head. After stretching out the stiffness lingering inside, it seemed to move with greater flexibility. Now with its sights set on the citizens…

Paride can finally carry out his orders.

"GYYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

The rioting performers collapsed over the flaming street, effectively trampled and neutralized by the Echo Bell knights as they swarmed the streets. Many who could fly or scale buildings attempted escape, but were promptly shot down by the pinpoint attacks of Angelo, set ablaze in fiery plasma.

Angelo landed on the soaked streets, glaring as a handful of rioters fled down connecting paths. He raised his ears and listened out for more raids further ahead. "This could take all night."

"Your orders, Sir Angelo?" a Nidorino knight asked.

"Continue cracking down on the raids. Make sure these knuckleheads don't wake up until the sun rises." He glared at the sky. "Speaking of which—"

An electrical beam flew over the street they were on and struck the roof of one of the buildings. It reacted to the tainted rainwater, setting fire across it. Embers rained down over the street, reacting and spreading more flames around them. The flames barreled toward Angelo, who merely stared them down unflinchingly.

Without moving a single muscle, two jets of water fired over his shoulders and blasted through the flames, instantly extinguishing them. Through the haze of steam, a Sealeo and Lanturn knight slid across the slick street. The Lanturn, despite being out of water, seemed to move just fine on the wet streets.

"(Don't get many opportunities to enter these parts of the city,)" the Lanturn knight commented.

The Sealeo knight saluted. "(We await your orders, Sir Angelo.)"

The Raboot glared. "(These flames are getting out of control. Work to suppress them and minimize the damage to the city.)" He kicked off the ground and hopped off the windowsills of a building toward the roof.

"Sir Angelo?" the Nidorino knight called out.

Angelo waved back to them. "(Just stick to my orders and stop the raids.)" He set his sights on the flying Heliolisk and made his way toward him. "Meanwhile, I'm going to get to work barbequing this scaly bastard."

Despite their best efforts to defend their sister, it became clear to the Sandslush twins that they were woefully outmatched by the experienced fighters.

Jasper set his sights on Wyatt and Avel, rushing them down with Poison Jab. He threw a few close punches, but the brothers managed to dodge his attacks with little adjustments. Wyatt glided gracefully across the slick stone streets while Avel kept a watchful eye on the Lombre's blind spots.

"Gyro Ball!" Jasper hooked his claws into the ground and slung himself after the brothers like a spinning top.

Wyatt raised his pole and blocked the icy shrew's attack. The sparks being generated off the collision ignited the rainwater and spread flames around them. While it did very little to Wyatt and Avel, Jasper recoiled and hissed as his arms smoked from the direct contact.

Avel scoffed. "Looks like your little fire-juggling act was just that. An act. Wyatt!"

"Right!" The Lombre skated toward the disoriented shrew and swept his legs before delivering a hard smack across the face.

"GAH!" Jasper skidded off his ice quills and slammed into the ice pit's walls.

Over with Frediano and Gasparo, the former chased the shrew down, who was firing Icicle Spears. Frediano molded his claws into a shield and charged through the attack with no trouble.

"Aha! The Great Frediano laughs at your pitiful attack! This is how you do it!" He leapt forward majestically and skidded along his knees, morphing his claws into a cluster of ice. "Flying Claws of Majesty!" He fired an endless barrage of icicles as the fleeing Alolan Sandslash.

"Focus Blast!" Gasparo formed a sphere of pure energy and threw it, smashing through the icicles on a direct course for Frediano.

The Weavile sprung off his knees and gracefully twirled over the energy orb, landing as it exploded and bathed him in the shockwave that beautifully fluttered his cape.

"Majestic Sickle!" He leapt forward, morphing his dark ice claws into a sickle, and hooked it around the Sandslash's neck.

"GAH!" Gasparo was spun around and around, each rotation picking up speed, before being thrown into his downed brother. They both crashed back into the ice pit's walls and collapsed over each other in a daze.

Frediano skated across the soaked street and twirled back toward Wyatt and Avel. "Aha! The Great Frediano is without equal! You dare fight me on a stage designed for my impeccable dancing skills? I laugh! AHA!"

Avel glared. "Enough, Iris! Call off this ritual, unless you want us to thrash your brothers around some more."

Iris hopped down from the ice pit and scoffed. "You just won't give up, will you?" She held her arms out protectively. "My brothers protected me from those wretched fools who dared call me a monster, and I shall not let you harm them any further!"

Jasper picked himself up, groaning. "S-Sis, these guys are way too strong for us. M-Maybe it's best to call it quits here…"

Gasparo pushed himself against the ice pit and nodded in agreement. "I rather not spend the next few months eating through a tube."

Iris closed her eyes and chuckled. "Worry not, my dear brothers. All hope is not lost yet."

Wyatt aimed his pole at them and said, "No offense, but we're actually kicking your butts. You're gonna have to pull out something extra spicy to stand a chance against us."

Iris smirked. "Spicy? Not a bad suggestion." She grabbed her brothers' hands. "You two trust me, right?"

The twins shared an unsure look with each other, but the feeling quickly washed away as they confidently nodded at her. "We'll follow you wherever you go, sis!"

"I knew I could count on you two."

"What are you—" Avel started.

Scarlet flames surrounded Iris, spreading along her skin and moving up the arms of the Sandslush twins. The Alolan Marowak grinned as a scarlet glow enveloped her eyes.

"By the power of the Scarlet Flame, hear my decree. Bless my brothers and I with the raw, destructive nature of your glorious inferno. Grant us the strength to incinerate these non-believers for their transgressions so that we may enact your will and burn this city in your name!"

"What the—" Avel and Wyatt gasped.

Frediano took a step back. "Didn't that Basil fellow say something about—"

The trio of siblings became engulfed in scarlet flames. An explosion of red erupted from them, blasting across the wide space and pushing the brothers and Frediano back. The Good Brothers slid into a wall while Frediano flipped off his hands and landed beautifully on his feet.

"—curses?" he finished.

Wyatt and Avel pulled themselves back up and looked ahead in shock. "Oh…crap!"

"Didn't Basil also say those flames were fueled by joy?" Avel muttered.

Frediano nodded slowly. "And that girl is as happy-go-lucky as you can get in a death cult…"

From the inferno of scarlet, flames spewed out and surrounded the large space, trapping the trio inside. Three sets of scarlet eyes pierced through the intense flames followed by a chorus of mad cackles. The shapes of the trio emerged from the flames, and they stepped out into the open.

The Slashslush twins had flames spewing out from each individual quill that somehow wasn't leaving them in crippling pain. Their claws glowed red hot, hissing with an eternal aura of steam. Cracks of scarlet heat formed over their bodies, partially burning through their costumes, and traveled up to their eyes which were solid scarlet. They both wore equally devious grins as they laughed.

Iris stepped out from between them, completely cloaked in the flames. Her clothes barely stayed intact under the intense heat she surrounded herself in, partially due to her working with alchemical potions. Her body was completely silhouetted in the flame cloak with only the scarlet red glow highlighting her grin and eyes. The flames jettisoning from the back of her flame cloak resembled a pair of feathery wings.

Her bone club flew out from the ice pit and into her open hand, each end erupting in the intense flames. Even without the club's assistance, the ritual continued on spreading the volatile vapor into the sky.

"Hehehehehe. HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Iris advanced toward the Good Brothers and Frediano, each step sending an eruption of flame out from behind her. Her fiery wings extended out from either side of her, manifesting another flame wall due through the soaked streets.

"Pretty, pretty, little flames~. So full of light~. Bring forth your beauty and burn away this blight~. Pretty, pretty, little flames~. Filling the weather~." She held her cheeks and giggled manically. "Come, my friends, let's all burn together~!"

Castle Visconti

After a quick search through the archives, Melissa and Monica sat around the table and skimmed through the scrolls the latter collected. As she did, she instructed Melissa to apply a minute amount of heat to the collected samples. As before, they rapidly increased the volume of the flames upon ignition, where Melissa immediately snuffed them out.

Monica scratched her chin. "I see…"

"Well? Anything?" Melissa asked.

"Well, I've got some good news: I do recall hearing something about this way before I was born. I read through all the scrolls during my shift." She glared. "That's where the bad news comes in. It's different, but there was one person recorded in recent history who performed this kind of storm. A man named Vladimir Nightbane."

Melissa frowned. "Vladimir Nightbane?"

"Are you familiar with him?"

"I don't know much about the criminal underworld."

"Hmm." Monica spun the scroll around and tapped on the text. "He's an alchemist from the Arcania Kingdom. Incredibly talented and dangerous. He's developed several potions during the earlier warring times for the sole purpose of wiping out his enemies. However, while he was gifted, he was also a bit too…excited to run experiments on captured soldiers. Rumor has it he would sneak away captured soldiers and test his latest potions on them. When the mages of Arcania uncovered his dark secret, he fled and became a black-market mercenary. You'd have to go through the deepest, most wretched channels of the criminal underworld to get an audience with him."

Melissa frowned. "And…he's the explanation for this rain?"

"It seems whoever is performing this storm got a hold of his notes. See, Nightbane developed a number of enhanced moves due to his talents with alchemy. The Arcania Kingdom regularly experiments on themselves with potions to alter their biology, thus increasing the capabilities of their moves. It's rooted in their culture. I don't know all the details, but it is said the Nightbane clan was the most progressive in their experiments.

"While's he known mostly as the Toxic Alchemist, he was referred to as Vladimir of the Purple Rain. They say when he entered the battlefield, purple rain poured down on an invading army. Days later, those who retreated from battle lost their lives due. The rain was tainted with poison, and it left the survivors in agonizing pain before they died. Some still say he regularly tweaks the poison to increase the length of suffering."

Melissa winced. "That's…horrible!"

"The Arcania Kingdom has a bad reputation because of people like Nightbane. That's why my sister is currently working as a restoration manager to help rebuild what they lost." She smiled. "She hopes to bring peace between Arcania and Echo Bell to gain us a powerful ally and to help Arcania trust the other kingdoms again."

"That's…rather admirable of her."

"Heh, yeah. Rubina is pretty amazing." Monica looked down at the scroll again. "But anyway, whoever is performing the storm is likely converting the volatile potion into vapor and mixing it with the atmosphere to produce these clouds. Cut off the source, and it'll stop on its own in due time." She winced. "Though, it may take some time to clean the entire city."

Melissa scratched her chin. "What if we performed the same technique?"

"Eh?"

"Like I said earlier, one of my allies is searching for the neutralizing formula to the rain. If we can recreate it, we could just send up our own storm and dispel the compound in one go."

Monica grinned. "Ooh, that would be useful. How long will it take them to get the recipe?"

"Hard to say." She glared at the table. "I hope everyone's okay out there."

"Hoohoohoo~! You…have other problems to intend to, little thief."

The girls gasped, jumping up from their seats and looking around the room. The voice echoed off the walls, yet it felt like it was whispering directly in their ears.

"Who's there?!" Monica yelped. "I'm warning you! I'm armed with a quill and ink! I'll stain your eyes black and write my name on them!"

Melissa reached for her dagger, cautiously scanning the archives. "Mysterious voice." She glared. "Don't tell me you're…"

"You catch on quick, little bunny."

Melissa's eyes widened as her shadow started to move. It elongated itself, stretching across the floor and onto the walls. The girls staggered back as the shadow eclipsed one half of the dimly lit room. Clawed hands stretched out from the shadow and wrapped around the room. Red eyes and a jagged red grin glowed off the face of the specter, cackling down at them.

Monica gripped to Melissa's hood, shaking like a Yamper who was caught in the rain. "W-W-W-Whaaaaaaaaat?!"

Melissa growled, feeling a bead of sweat dripping down her forehead. "Itzal Abasolo…"

The shadow cackled mockingly at the girls. "Oh, I'm going to have fun with you, Skill Hunter Harlow. If all goes poorly, at least I'll have you as a bargaining chip to get me out of trouble with Terrowin."

Melissa frowned. "Terrowin…"

"But either way, I invite you to join me as we burn this city to ash. Allow me…to personally escort you to the shadows~!"