"In the Darkness, Across the Ocean."

"The old world stands where humans once stood tall."

"They have been gone for centuries, lost to their own faults and defeats."

"What remains now are ruined concrete jungles and barren roads. Abandoned, broken and rotting as time passes."

"Us Pokémon fled to another land before the fall, we founded our own Empire."

"An Empire of Pokémon..."

"Soon humanity would have to fight their robot servants that had once given them a life of luxury"

"Only for them to turn on their creators. Ending Humanity's reign of the world"

"Many Pokémon fled to our island, and as our numbers grew, so did our strength."

"for generations this island would be our home, away from destruction and devastation"

"But our need for more resources, food, water and shelter made us look back to the old world. to reclaim what we had lost long ago."

"Formed by Grand master Saxum and King Artair, The Order of The Crusaders was founded."

"To Reclaim our lost lands, and to banish and Clense the new evils that infests the old world. Anyone and Everyone would be welcome, from the most Avid Explorers to the Toughest Warriors."

"One such Evil is the Cult of Giratina. Avid worshipers of the distortion god."

"They live deep below the earth, where Hive Cities dot the caves below."

"Their worship has caused them to mutate and distort their bodies. As well as bringing in entities from the distortion world."

"Wishing for the dark god to make a new world in his image and to make him ascend into a true greater deity."

"All for a eon long grudge to be settled..."

"And with Humanity gone, Their machines continued their twisted orders. Creating The Machina."

"They now wander the world, as they sift debris for material to rebuild their endless factories and serve the main AI called the Elder."

"Pokémon would not be safe as well, as the Machine morphs them into cybernetical abominations that hunt life."

"As a cold an Emotionless force advances."

"The Machina will continue to live..."

"These evils however does not stop us from proceeding onward."

"Bound by belief and Legion!"

"Fighting agains thy evil."

"We Rage against the dying of the light!"

"Through Terror and Battle."

"We shall be brave."

"We shall be Might incarnate."

"We shall know no fear."

"We shall be the sword of Arceus"

"And we will Reclaim our World that we lost ever so long ago!"

"We. Are. Crusaders".

A lone steel ship floats in the sea. The rough waters crash upon its hull as a large creak sounds through the early night. The ship releases a smaller boat from its port side, the little one splashing down, and with a brief moment of still, the engine starts as it sails off into the night….

Within this landing craft, uncertainty was apparent. Bright white lights illuminated the interior of the craft, as red and green flashing lights briefly gave color to the steel and bronze. The ship slightly shifted to the side as a piercing sound of a microphone can be heard. "Landing in less than 20 minutes mates, Captain Nabad will now speak to you." The voice said, as a Charizard stepped to the center of the hull. There were many Pokémon in seats, all of them were crusaders, Pokémon brave enough to venture from their island of Fulgra and to sail back to the old world of humanity, either for glory or power. Their insignia of the IV legion 'The Magma Beast' was painted in the walls behind them, showing a recreation of Groudon themself.

Many were nervous, full of fear and uncertainty.

"Brothers! Sisters! We are now approaching the old world. I need all of you to be brave now. Be Vigilant. Be Greater!" Nabad spoke with vigor and power. The other crusaders drew their attention to the charizard. "No one goes alone, always a partner or more beside you! If you happen to find a Cultist or a Machina Bot, purge them without question! We shall reclaim OUR WORLD!" He spoke. As if a smoldering ember turned into a blazing fire, the crusaders shouted with vigor and pride. Many are now excited for the adventure awaiting them in the old world. Unfortunate how wrong they were, as their adventure would turn into a battle of survival…

20 minutes later….

An Emolga sleep is interrupted by a sudden jostle of the hull, this Emolgas name was Lux, and she had just become a explorer for the crusaders a few weeks ago, and this is her first expedition. She wiped her teary eyes as the ship shook more. This craft had just landed on the shores of an abandoned city, dubbed Phoenix City to the Order. The Hull began to rise and wheels emerged from the underbelly of the ship turning it to a land vehicle, this was possible by human design and Pokémon Ingenuity.

"Preparing landing sequence, get ready for landfall!" The voice echoed within the hull. A loud siren blared as the landing craft drove through the rugged and cracked streets. Nabad stood up first as captain followed closely by the rest of his 15 crew members, including Lux herself. The movement slowly slowed down as the craft arrived at its destination.

The front of the landing craft folded down and smashed into the asphalt ground, a steam valve let out a short plume as the the front continued to unfold before finally a flat platform of metal was in front of them. Nabad stepped down as many followed him off. The harsh lights of the landing craft give the crew a clear view of where they are in the darkness of night.

Rows upon rows of slanted houses stood, either broken, demolished or simply just abandoned. Overgrowth of plants and vines enveloped most of the houses, as the road ahead of them was broken into chunks of asphalt and potholes. The moon illuminating an enormous red bridge across the horizon.

As the last member of the crew stepped off, the metal floor began to fold back into itself with the soft hum of machinery and shifting metal being heard. As it all folded back into itself the craft turned fully around, before speeding off back to the water to await the crusaders call once more. Either with a radio signal or a bright flare during the night.

Lux turned back and watched the landing craft leave them behind. A feeling of dread, one that had never left since boarding the ship, became noticeable to her. "You nervous?" A voice rang out behind her, startling the young emolga. The fear quickly subsided as it was actually one of her good friends 'Fero', a Weavile Rogue who was the reason Lux became a crusader in the first place.

"Sorry I startled ye, but the Captain has plans for us Lux." she explained, pointing to Nabad who is speaking with the chaplain, an abomasnow named Bohd. Both walked up to the charizard and awaited orders. "You two, im sending you out toward the harbor and explore that old lighthouse behind you. If you can get that place to turn on, that'll help us with future expeditions here." Nabad pointed across the street and to the harbor, Lux and Fero looked at each other for a brief second before nodding in unison.

A few minutes later…

Lux and Fero reach the harbor, where boats and yachts remain with barnacles and rust coating most of their old paint. The lighthouse stands a bit smaller than expected, but it would be better than no light source for other expeditions. "Hey Fero?" Lux asks her friend. "Yes Lux?" She responded back, keeping her eyes sharp for any danger lurking around. "We should go plunder that big house over there, reckon it would have a lot of loot, yes?" Lux said as she pointed to a structure not too far from the lighthouse. "I don't see why not eh?" Fero said with eagerness.

First they would need to figure out how to operate the lighthouse. It was a much older and shorter lighthouse, preserved during human times as a sort of historical landmark when the city was first founded but it wouldn't be hard to turn it on once again. Lux glided upward to the light itself while Fero stuck to the ground, operating some sort of controls on the side of the lighthouse. Lux thought for a second before using a rock to smash a portion of the glass that protected the light, she placed her paw on the lightbulb and discharged a blast of electricity. "Switch it on Fero!" Shouted Lux, Fero nodded and flipped the switch of the lighthouse. In an instant, the lighthouse fluttered on before becoming fully functional, briefly blinding Lux on top of the roof. Fero cheered with excitement, as Lux glided down and joyfully hugged Fero.

Unbeknownst to the both of them however, they had just set a beacon for evil to emerge from the shadows….

The duo approached the broken building. Using their flashlights to see the structure more clearly. It had dull red ceramic roofing, as the paint peeled and was Overgrown with vines and foliage. Apparently this used to be some sort of yacht club where the rich gathered. What a pity, it would've looked nicer in its heyday. With a few good kicks, the already rotting wooden door swung upon as both entered the clubhouse searching for loot.

Fero rummaged through endless cabinets and drawers, storing anything that seemed to be of the slightest value to her, from old disks and cassettes of rock and classical music to the most meaningless magazines that anyone would read, but to Fero, this was like excavating an ancient site. She had always had an interest in humans and their 'culture' and she had always wondered what it would be like to be in Pokéballs that so-called trainers used to throw at her kind. Meanwhile, Lux searched the upper floors of the clubhouse. Her flashlight gave her just enough vision to see what was ahead of her. She entered what looked like some sort of meeting room, papers strewn about and a large black screen on the far edge of the table. Lux began to search through these papers. Nothing more than boring business. Absolutely nothing of value, she thought. As Lux prepared to leave the room, she heard a faint noise coming from the hallway.

She peeked her head and faced the hall. An old soda can rolled from a room and out into the hallway, making a distinct metal sound as it rolled and bumped the wall. A moan of something can be heard in the open room, it was no Pokémon, it had to be something else…

Lux quietly exits the meeting room and slowly steps down into the first floor, where Fero hides behind a wall and signals her to come to her quickly. Once Lux makes it to Feros, the weavile pulls her to the wall. "What was that?" The Emolga said with her voice echoing through the clubhouse, Fero turned to her with a stern stare. 'Shut….Up' Feros mouthed silently. Footsteps began to step down the stairs, the moaning of this thing growing louder and louder. Feros and Lux peaked their heads and finally saw it.

This humanoid figure stood hunched over, with its body surrounded by what looked like moving and blazing shadows that hid its true body. its white eyes piercing the darkness, as if staring at the literal nothingness of dark. The zombie-like moans of this thing in full volume to the duo. What stood out the most was its freakishly elongated claws that mindlessly dragged on the walls, leaving behind marks. In shock, both of the crusaders slowly backed away at the close being, this monster seemed to be blind as it followed the faintest noise of the creaking and rotting house, lucky for them.

Slowly and surely Fero and Lux reached the open backdoor of the house, keeping their eyes locked on to the monster. Just as they were on the verge of the exit. Feros, in her focused state, did not notice the small table she was backing up to. "Watch out!" Lux loudly whispered. Too late, Feros stumbled backward as the table fell, shattering a ceramic vase that had been placed there. The figure's head jolted up to stare at Feros directly, its piercing glowing white eyes the only thing visible in the darkness.

A moment passes, Feros glances at the backdoor before immediately dashing out of the house. Behind her a deafening screech of the figure yells as it bends down on its fours, rapidly approaching her like a wild animal. It's screams of pure malice and hunger inching closer and closer to Feros

The Weavile ran until she reached the middle of a sinking parking lot. Feros turned back only to see the monster hopping onto a red pickup truck and screaming at the Pokémon once more. No running, no way out, the only way out of this, is through the abomination. The lighthouse periodically being the only source of light in the area, and still, the monster looked as if it was night in carnite. She knew what it was, it was a Hunter Shambler, and she knew how to face it and destroy it…

The Shambler got on all fours once more before leaping off the Truck and lunging at her, letting out an ear piercing screech. Feros in a moment dashes to the side as the Hunter lands behind her, ready to slash with its nine inch claws. The Hunter swiped horizontally, narrowly missing her head and skimming off a piece of her red collar. With a brief moment of retaliation, Feros' claws begin to glow and swipes back with her metal claws, Slicing the monster's abdomen and leaving behind a large gash. The Hunter cries in pain as it ruthlessly kicks the weavile away, holding its abdomen and preventing more of its yellow ichor from spilling on the ground.Suddenly, Lux returns and glides from the lighthouse, latchings onto its head like a jockey. Steering the Shambler away from Feros and toward the lighthouse. The lighthouse periodically illuminates the battle in light, revealing the hunter in full form, a mummified and mutated monster that was once human…

The struggle continues on for a few seconds, swiping aimlessly at both its own head and around itself. "Lux, Shock It!" Feros shouts in panic. Lux's body began to spark before discharging as much electricity as she could with the move Thunder Shock. The hunters' screams grow louder as the electricity courses through its body, stopping the monster in its crazed state and halting its movement. Once the movement of the hunter stops, Fero bolts back up and charges a volley of Ice shards at it. Lux notices this, unlatches herself and shoves the beast toward the incoming volley. The ice shards pierce the monster, some sticking in its body and freezing the skin. It struggles to move for a moment before buckling down and drops to the ground head first with a loud thud of its skull on the concrete, its shadowy veil and body fading into night until there was nothing of the beast left.

"That was too close." Feros said, kneeling down and breathing heavily. The fight had taken a toll on her, especially with the mad dash to the lighthouse. "Come now." Lux siad, walking to her and offering her hand to her friend. "Lets head back to the crew." Feros took a moment to look up, then smiled. Taking Lux's hand to help herself up and grabbing her bag with all of the loot within….

A short walk later…..

The initial landing site had now become a camp, where a few crusaders were taking a deserved break. Some were sleeping, others were sitting around a campfire made up of old pieces of wood broken off from the endless rows of houses. The duo approached the fireplace. Lux sat down on a chunk of asphalt while Feros set her bag down and rummaged through it for one last check. The fireplace shined brightly with the orange glow being the only light besides the moon itself. Sitting around the campfire were a Delcatty, a Levanny, a Hakamo-o and a Raboot. They sat in silence and in thought, staring at the dancing campfire in front of them.

"How's the old world fairing for all of you?" The Levanny spoke first in an optimistic tone, breaking the silence. "It's been going well so far, at least for me." The young Raboot replied back to the Leavanny. "How about this, instead of sitting and contemplating things. Let's all tell each other how we got here eh? An introduction to ourselves." "Sounds like a plan, I'll go first then ''the Delcatty said. "I am Tenba, and I'm an explorer for this legion And for a long while, I've always wished to be a part of the crusaders." She continued. "Just seeing all the posters and listening to all these incredible stories gave me the urge to join. So once I was ready, I signed up, did my training and became an explorer. Granted i wanted to become a scout but, us Delcattys are for that role…" She explained, a soft chuckle came from Levanny after Tenba's remark about her. "How about you young one?" Tenba turned to the Raboot who was kicking his feet in a mix of absent mindedness and thought.

"Well, my name is Farsight and I was a delinquent back on the island. Causing trouble for everyone, and myself." Farsight let out a muted laugh. "Once the guards found me, they took me in and gave me two options. Either spend the rest of your life in a center for the troubled." He paused for a moment. "Or join the crusaders and give me a second chance. Guess what I chose?" Farsight finished, as he tossed another chunk of wood to the fire in frustration. "I'm glad that you changed your ways, you are very strong to stay with us…." Tenba assured the Raboot as the Leavanny took their turn to speak. "My name is Amien, and I'm the Biomedic of the crew. I used to be a doctor back on the island." Amien explained taking out a badge with a red cross from his own bag. "I decided to join, because I would be able to help the hurt and to bring them back home. Especially my sister…" Amien grimaced, her eyes staring at the center of the fire.

The last to speak was the Hakamo-o, but he shook his head. Turning down the offer to speak about his past. "The only thing I'll say is, My name is Dobas, and I really was one. Bad. Pokémon…" Dobas finished as he nudged his head to Lux. "I am Lux, and my friend convinced me to become a crusader. This is my first expedition believe it or not." "Impressive! Good choice joining the fourth legion!" Tenba exclaimed with excitement. Lux opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Feros who placed her hand on the emolgas head. "She's fresh meat is what she's trying to say." Feros laughed soo joined along with the rest of the crew. "HEY, don't let that underestimate her, she took out one of those Shamblers Hunters back by the lighthouse."

The mood quickly turned from joy to ominous dread once the weavile uttered that they encountered a shambler here. Tenba was the most distressed, as she bolted up and stood in alert. "Shamblers? You fought Shamblers here!?!"

"It was just one lone-" Feros tried to explain away, getting cut off by Tenba. "If you see one monster, there will be more of them around! The Delcatty snapped back "They never wander by themselves! They may look stupid but they are cunning and ruthless!" She shouted. Feros and Lux were taken aback by the sudden shift of mood. Everyone was on edge, whether to trust Tenbas ramblings, or their own thoughts. Amien the leavanny stood up from his seat and stepped in between Feros and Tenba, in an attempt to de escalate the situation from plunging further into mistrust and even madness. "Relax! If we all start to worry about the future then we won't be there for the present! That counts here too…" the Leavanny stated firmly. Tenba, looked at him in bewilderment, before slowly calming down herself and breaching normally. The other two did the same as they sat back down on the asphalt ground, Feros taking the time to grab an old human magazine and skimming through the pages.

Drowsiness began to creep up on Lux, as she yawned and curled up into a ball behind a wheel of an abandoned red minivan. She knew that the expedition would take a few days to complete, so she had no thoughts about it. Although she would think about home as she tried to sleep. The comfort of the main overlook, and the soft beds that were to her, like sleeping in clouds. She shut her eyes, the only audible things to her were the nearby cracking of the fire and the mildly annoying snores of the Raboot Farsight. Drifting off to sleep….