A/N: Having issues with the site, not letting me upload the chapters with formatting correct and I dont have time to proofread and edit the chapter back up to par right now. When I get the site back up and running, the chapter and others uploaded during this period will all be fixed. I gope you enjoy, I wasnt happy with how long it took me to write up to where I got with action being the next scene so.. I just rushed it. Next chapter should be better since Im twking my time with these issues pwrsisting for a couple weeks now..

Chapter Six

Familial Support

Orre Southern Dock, An Hour or so Later..

Nick stopped the hover truck as he, Sameera and Angelina gained sight of the should-be abandoned dock from their vantage atop a high dune of sand. But the dock didn't look abandoned, albeit pretty run down from lack of attention over the years in the harsh environment. There was indeed a boat stationed at the dock, but it wasn't big enough to warrant reporting to Cynthia just yet. Instead, Nick scanned the area. "It's pretty deserted. I see a couple of still-functioning trucks sitting down there, and maybe half a dozen people milling about."

Sameera nodded, seeing the same. "That's what it looks like. So, what's the plan?"

"We find a way to infiltrate that boat. If those guys down there are either Cipher or Rocket, there's a chance that boat may have some of the cargo from the bigger freighter. And if that's the case, then this is a supply point for their smuggling operations to distribute the Shadow Pokémon."

"That sounds easier said than done, Nick. You both are wanted fugitives to Rocket, they'll stop you in a heartbeat if they recognize you."

"That's true. What do you suggest, then?"

Angelina smirked. "You're lucky I happened to grab some of these before I left the base in Driftveil. Here, put these in your bags for now, if we need them you'll have easier access to change." She tossed two balled up bundles of clothing to Nick and Sameera, who caught the Rocket uniforms. "If we need to, we just blend in and hope those guys are as dumb as your run-of-the-mill Rocket members."

Sameera frowned. "You just happened to grab spare Rocket uniforms as you were deciding to run away from them? That's ingenious but still so sus."

"I get it, you don't trust me. But without those uniforms, it would be battle after battle and possibly even without a break in between. Even with his rep, Nick can't keep up a continuous onslaught against those odds."

"I mean, the average Rocket member carries one to two Pokémon, so I probably could. I have my Frogadier, Riley, the Orrean Ekans I caught before we left the Lab here. That gives me a fighting chance against everyone down there, not including possible Shadow Pokémon they have in their possession."

"So are we going to go get a closer look or not, then? If you're so confident?" Angelina asked, arms crossed in annoyance.

"Oh, of course we are. Follow me." Nick said, chuckling as he crept around the sand dune they had been looking over, taking care to stay low to the ground so the people they were approaching didn't notice they were there.

Fortunately for the trio, it seemed the group at the dock were too distracted with their business to notice them as they settled behind another dune much closer, one that gave them a good look at the group now. "It has to be a supply point. Seven people, four with a giant red R on the front. The other three are either Cipher, or just locals looking for some easy cash in helping Rocket and Cipher distribute the 'mons." Sameera observed.

"And they're so focused on their work that, if we change into the Rocket uniforms, they may not notice there are even extra hands at work. The issue then would be where to leave whatever we take from that boat so they don't notice ties missing or that we in fact infiltrated their tiny little operation here." Angelina pointed out.

"I agree, it seems like they have differently sized crates in there, from what they've already brought out. Not much else, but if we can get a couple of the smaller ones, they may not notice. You think you can handle channeling your mother for a bit, if we get confronted, Meera?"

Sameera frowned. "Yeah, but remember that I hate acting like that now, Nick. I don't have to be that bitch anymore."

"I know, but it's only just in case. We need to get this done and make sure that the freighter doesn't leave for anywhere else, wherever they have it stashed away." Nodding, all three teenagers changed into the Rocket uniforms and attempted joining the group of thugs..

TSC~TSC

Meanwhile, Gateon Port..

Leon and Lizzy looked at the far dock of the port town, their vantage of the lighthouse working to their advantage. "It's not a lot of people over there, except there's obviously someone involved with this smuggling business. The lady I asked about it before we came up here said they've been coming and going with little boats like that for about a week. What did the harbor master say? They obviously have full run of that dock, right? It probably has to be rented out for that."

Lizzy nodded. "Yeah. He told me it was still rented out for another three or four days, but all of the latest Intel we have about this ring is they're supposed to be out of Orre by the day after tomorrow headed for whatever region is next on their itinerary. So officially, we have two different stories which could mean the freighter has already left Orre, and this is just them smuggling what they already had left here at a forward base. Ugh, I honestly hate this spy mission crap. Why couldn't I just stay back in Unova? Or better yet, a trip to Kalos would be lovely this time of year.. Maybe Paldea.."

"I know this isn't what you wanted to do, but this is our current project for school, helping our friends stop a global catastrophe. Think of it like in Paldea with their annual Treasure Hunt at their Academy. Even though we're here to stop the crimes against the world Rocket, Cipher, whoever is truly behind it, we can still go catch Pokémon or, if the time allows, participate in a local contest or whatever may be happening. Nick's mentioned wanting to go check his luck with the Bug-Catching Game in Johto."

Lizzy rolled her eyes as they continued watching the dock. "Please, no. The last thing we need is for Nick to come back to the Lab with some gigantic Heracross that probably wound up there from, like, Hisuian times. An Alpha Heracross, I mean."

Leon laughed. "That's true. Nick has the most insane luck imaginable, even for the son of Ash fucking Ketchum. Next thing you know, Nick's gonna contact us saying that they found some of the Pokémon or some shit, right? Some that we've never even seen or heard of before, because that's their luck, while we're probably going to- at the most- find details about their shipping and what it really looks like."

"Agreed, but don't shoot the messenger if you just jinxed us about Nick and them. It's like a bad habit that it becomes true."

Nodding, Leon leaned forward slightly with his binoculars up. "Uh huh, we got actual movement. The boat's started up."

Lizzie looked and indeed the boat had started moving away from the dock. Leon smirked as he took out his Poké Ball from the Preserve at Saguaro's Lab. "Go, Skarmory." The large Steel and Flying type cared as it was released from the confines of its Ball. "Follow that boat, Skarmory." The bird nodded and flew off towards where the boat had disappeared. "Lizzy, call a Corviknight taxi." Lizzy nodded and got on her phone.

Minutes Later, the two teens were skyward. "Follow that Skarmory, whatever the price. Just bill it to Cynthia."

"Cynthia the Champion?" Asked the pilot as they began following where Skarmory had gone.

"Yeah, she's the one who has us going around, big world-saving mission. I can call her if you 2ant confirmation."

"No, that's alright. No one just throws Cynthia's name out there, so it makes more sense for you two to be telling the truth. Unfortunately, where that bird of yours is going? Not someplace I recommend. To anyone."

Looking, Leon and Lizzy saw they were flying towards a sinister-looking island. "Why is it covered in storm clouds?"

"No one knows exactly why. They call it Citadark Isle, and it was the last known location of Cipher's base when the last time they rose out of the sands occurred. Are you sure you want to go down there?"

Leon nodded. "We have to. The fate of the entire Pokémon world is at stake. Take us down, we'll figure out our own way back off the island."

Leon's confidence had the cabby nervous, but he nodded all the same. "Alright, just call on us if things get too dicey. Wouldn't want Cynthia's chosen helpers getting caught up in a situation too big for them."

"Alright. Thank you, I understand why this place gives you the creeps. It's unsettling." Just then, his phone began ringing.

He answered it, seeing Nick dressed in a Team Rocket beret. "Leon, we found some of the smuggled Pokémon, but according to the listing here where we are, they've been pushing 'mons out of this dock for at least a week. We took control of the boat they were using after taking the Rocket and Cipher thugs out. Weirdly, none of them had any Shadow Pokémon. The boat is on autopilot, so we're just seeing where this takes us. What's your situation?"

Leon looked at Lizzy, who gave him a look telling him she knew it would happen. "We're in a Corviknight taxi right now, heading to a place the cabbie calls Citadark Isle. It seems it's where the Shadow Pokémon may be coming from."

"Then we may be on our way to you. We'll all meet up on the island and discuss where to go next."

"Got you, Nick. See you soon." Nodding to the cabbie once again, the taxi went down towards the storm-covered island.

Citadark Isle, Fifteen Minutes Later..

Nick stretched as he, Sameera and Angelina unboarded the boat on the eerie shore of Citadark Isle. Nick looked around. "This is where they manufactured the Shadow Pokémon the second time Cipher tried taking over. The kid who took the place down reported the island sunk below the ocean not long after he finished off their leader.."

"Maybe it's like Mirage Island in Hoenn?" Asked Lizzy as she and Leon approached them. "Only visible or in this case surfaced for a short while at a time?"

Sameera hummed. "That could make sense, actually. But if that is true, then could this Shadow Pokémon manufacturing ring have been going on well before Cynthia ever caught wind of it?"

Nick shrugged. "I guess that's possible. Either way, let's get in there and see if we can't figure out what the deal is with this place. Why it's so important for them to keep using an otherwise derelict and frankly impossibly working facility in any kind of use." The other four teenagers nodded as the five followed the narrow path from the small beach into the heart of the volcano that stood in the center of the island, Nick being last to enter dye to his phone ringing. "Hey, mom. So, we did find some new information out.."

Minutes Later, Juniper Lab..

Ash sat around a table in the lab alongside Jessie and James, the three reminiscing about the past when Ash's Rotom Phone hovered in front of him with an incoming call. Ro-to-to-to. He answered it. "Hey, Cyn. What's going on?" He asked, seeing the sun setting outside the lab.

"Ash, there's a problem. It seems the kids are going to need some extra help."

Ash's eyes widened comically. "You don't mean..?"

Cynthia nodded before explaining the situation Nick, Sameera, Leon and Lizzy had currently found themselves. "Nick would have found out sooner or later, Ash. He already knows it was my fault, in the end."

Ash chuckled. "It takes two, Cynthia, although I guess we did get pretty wild in those last couple months before I went into hiding. I think the real shock will be how many of them are related to him. But I'll make the call. Where are they so I know where I'm sending the others." Cynthia gave him the location in Orre as Ash hung up, Jessie looking at Ash woreiedly.

"Are the kids alright?" She asked.

Ash nodded. "For now. It seems the operation in Orre may have been going on longer than we think. So, Cynthia wants me to send some backup because, according to the data Nick and them have already found, this Shadow Pokémon situation might have been a lot worse than we already thought."

"Well then why aren't we all going? They're our kids and-"

"They can handle themselves, Jessie, you know how this goes. It's the kids who are at the center of all this crap, and as much as I don't want to send them continuously into such messes, it's not something we can choose to avoid, unfortunately. The real problem is that, if Cynthia is correct, Volo is after her and I, to start, in order to make sure no one can stop him and the Shadow of Giratina's plans. That's why I need to get the rest of them gathered before those four get into a situation too hard for them to handle by themselves."

"Rest of them? Who are you talking about, Twerp?" Jessie said, her usual agitation levels rising.

Ash looked at her, smirking. "The rest of my kids, Jessie. And those of my old traveling companions that aren't mine, if they want. I'm not trying to send these kids to thwir deaths you know, my own on my conscience is enough really."

James nodded. "This has something to do with the whole thing about Aura Guardians having harem-based families, isn't it?"

Ash nodded. "I figured you might know about it, since it is your family Sameera gets her abilities from. But, yes, essentially. The last year before I went into hiding, Cynthia was.. insatiable to the degree of a Snorlax's hunger. I couldn't walk for a week after that insane night.."

Both former Rocket members looked at him like he'd told them how to kill an actual God. "Wait, so those stories weren't just something my parents used as some odd way to set me up with women?" James asked, scratching his head. "That might explain some things about my childhood before running away, actually.."

"James, it doesn't bother you that our daughter is- or will be- involved in this harem business?"

James shrugged. "No, but my parents told me the same stories Ash has heard, if I had to hazard a guess. Plus, he just told you how Sameera is important to that familial situation." Jessie eyed him, waiting for James to continue. "Jessie, it isn't Nick's harem, not when it comes to Aura Guardian families."

Jessie was still confused. "Wait, but then wouldn't that mean.. No. You mean to tell me that everyone's favorite Champion is a harem master?"

Ash nodded. "Mistress, technically, but yeah. And you know plenty of the others involved with me and Cyn, too. You'll be seeing them all here soon enough, I think. Cyn and I were already thinking of having the whole family together, even though Nick knows nothing of his siblings, all eight of them."

"Eight siblings? Including Cynthia, how many mothers?"

Ash counted off his fingers. "Seven wives, nine kids. Nick's the only boy, too."

"The poor thing." Jessie said irritably as she got up and walked off.

"She gonna be alright?" Ash asked James, who shrugged.

"She's never heard anything about the Aura Guardian customs, so she's just a bit in shock, I think. Especially now knowing our daughter is going to be the one who arranges more in her and Nick's relationship."

"If it happens with them, it just might not. Especially seeing how perfect for each other those two are."

James laughed. "Yeah, our kids are a match made in heaven, it seems, even while we weren't always friends."

"That's the truth, but you guys would always help when I got caught up in some Legendary conflict, so you guys were always just as much the good guys, even if you'd go back to trying and stealing Pikachu. Go make sure she's alright. Last thing we need is Jessie going after Cynthia for this.."

James nodded, eyes wide. "You're probably right. I should go make sure she isn't packing a bag. I don't feel like catching a taxi to follow her all the way to Orre."

Ash shook his head. "Jessie realizes she'll never be in the same league as Cynthia, right?"

"In terms of battle prowess at least. Despite her attitude, even you admitted once Jessie was a beautiful woman."

"Doesn't count, you two were in one of your million and one disguises. And Jessie's a bit too old for me, and this is coming from the guy who hooked Cynthia while underage and drunk. Honestly that's a stroke of insane luck if I've ever encountered one. And I've met Victini."

"Ah, another little similarity to Nick, right? Juniper mentioned he's searching for one, himself."

"Cynthia has told me the story, berating herself for not being there for Nick. He had been practically missing for an entire day before he showed back up at Neela's place spouting on about meeting a white Victini. I have no doubt he'll find the little guy. Now go make sure Jessie isn't about to take off. I don't need another fight between her and Cynthia, the other day was bad enough and that was just over the phone."

James nodded and left the room, Ash typing a group message out to the rest of his children: You all need to go to Orre, exact location Citadark Isle, immediately. Your brother needs you, girls. Hitting send, he sighed and hoped all eight daughters weren't otherwise busy..

Cerulean City, Kanto..

The sixteen year old girl with orange-red hair threw it back as she surfaced in the gym-wide pool of Cerulean Gym, seeing her mother waving at her with the girl's phone in her hand. "Seana! Your father's messaging you." Misty called out to her daughter.

Seana Waverly looked at her, surprised. "Dad never gets in touch unless.. Omigod, it's finally happening. He needs me and the rest of the girls to go help big brother out." She grinned. She had been waiting for the day she'd finally meet her older brother, the one their parents had always said would wind up fighting off the end of the world. "I'll go pack." She said, drying herself off as she plucked the phone from Misty's hand and rushed off to pack.

Misty giggled, watching her go. "She has your enthusiasm, Ash. You better not let our little girl get hurt out there." She murmured before walking off herself.

Shamouti Island, Orange Archipelago..

The resident Slowking paused it's walk down the beach as it noticed the Rotom Phone lying in the sand first, followed by the sleeping form of the future shrine maiden. Noticing the phone was going off, the Slowking extended its tail towards the girl, poking her in the cheek until she woke.

Sixteen year old Rini Seaflower opened her eyes and screamed as she saw the Slowking tail so close to her. As she scrambled up from the sand, she growled. "Slowking! What the hell, man?"

"I apologize, Rini, but your phone seems to be trying to get your attention." The Pokémon said as the girl looked at her phone, seeing the screen flashing as a reminder of a notification.

The teenager picked the phone up and, after unlocking it, looked at the incoming message with a grin. "Yes! Finally, I can meet my big brother." She said rushing off from the beach.

Slowking chuckled as it looked over the water, thankful nothing like the Lugia Incident had happened in all the years since. "Well, Chosen One, your child seems just as eager as you." The intelligent Pokémon said before resuming his walk. "If only Melody could be here to see your daughter grow up." Rini had been orphaned by her mother, the previous shrine maiden Melody, passing away when the girl was only a couple of years old. And instead of going off to live with Ash, being her father, the villagers on Shamouti Island were adamant about raising Rini themselves, especially after Ash's warnings that it wasn't safe to have anyone around him, even his children.

Twinleaf City, Sinnoh..

Sixteen year old Arezu Brillia sighed as she looked out of the window of her bedroom, watching the Starly fly through the sky. Her peace was interrupted as her sisters Jade and Amber, the three of them triplets, burst into her room. "Arezu! Dad says we have to go to Orre. Big bro Nick needs us." Said Jade, her blue hair still settling from their intrusion.

Arezu frowned. "Really? What's mom say about it?"

"I told them that they should go pack their things, not dilly-dally around." Came the voice of Dawn as she entered the room as well. "You should be excited, Rezu. All you girls ever talk about at our summer reunions is how badly you all want to meet your older brother."

Arezu shrugged. "Yeah, but what if he doesn't want that? Aunt Cynthia said Nick hates dad, and adding in eight sisters from seven different mothers, even if Nick knows about the familial harem thing, can not be good for him."

Amber frowned then. "But he doesn't know us, sis. He can be mad at dad for not telling him, but we want to know him. Plus, as his sisters it's our job to protect him according to Aunt Cynthia, even though as the oldest it should fall on Nick to protect us. Either way, we're going, with or without you."

The three sisters began squabbling amongst themselves, making Dawn pinch her nose in frustration. These three are a different breed. She thought as she left the room.

Lumiose City, Kalos..

The honey blonde girl watched her mother performing a contest with her Sylveon, the broadcast televised earlier in the day when the girl had otherwise been in school. Serena herself walked in and smiled at her daughter. "Watching my contest from this morning, Aurelia?"

The blonde smiled back at her mother. "Yeah. You always look so graceful. I can't wait until my Rank's season starts next week." Serena's smile turned to a frown. "What's wrong, mom?"

Serena sighed. "I'm afraid you may not be able to make it to the show next week, sweetie."

"What?! Why?" Aurelia shouted, upset.

"Your father just called me." Aurelia calmed down, still frowning. "It's Nick. Him and his friends may have gotten into some trouble in Orre and he's sending all of you girls to help him. He needs you out there yesterday, being perfectly honest."

"But I just got that move down with Bounsweet! We were going to win the whole conference this year!"

"Aurelia, you have all the time in the world to go perform like I do. But, your family needs you, as estranged as they are from us and I expect you to go. Now, march upstairs and get yourself packed, the triplets in Sinnoh are already on their way to pick you up."

"Ugh, fine! Fucking Sixteen years without anything from dad and now he's sending me halfway around the fucking globe and for what?! I'm not even meeting him, am I?"

"Probably not then, but you'll most likely run into Cynthia, since she's the one who identified the problem in Orre in the first place. I know it isn't you, but you are a part of this weird, very extended family and things such as this are just par for the course. So get used to it, Aurelia, because if you don't remember, you're transferring to Juniper's school like the rest of your half-siblings come the next quarter."

Aurelia, fuming, threw her hands up as she went to her room. "Whatever, mom."

Serena groaned as her daughter walked out of earshot. "Ash, you need to make up a lot for these girls, just as much as Nick. You better not go off the radar again, we've all just gotten you back in the public light, after all."

Melemele Island, Alola..

Lunette, daughter of Lillie and Ash, was already packing her stuff. After all the stories her mother and uncle Gladion had told her about their adventures with her father Ash when they were kids, Lunette was excited to know she was being called on to help, even when the situation included the brother her and the rest of the Ketchum daughters had only ever heard about, to the point it was accepted that Nick didn't even know about his sisters in the first place. She was also excited to see another region similar in climate to Alola, having stayed on the Archipelago since she was born.

Her Rotom Phone rang, the girl grinning as she answered the call from her half-sister from Galar. "Omigod, Lav, I'm so excited!"

Spikemuth City, Galar.Galax..

Sixteen year old Lavender winced as her half-sister squealed on the other end of the call. "Yeah, that probably makes one of us, honestly. I've been getting blown up by texts from Aurelia and a couple of the others that say they aren't too thrilled to be sent out into what could be a deadly situation, even if Aunt Cynthia is out in Orre as well."

"Well, what about you, then? Are you second-guessing going?"

Lavender shook her head. "Of course not. I understand the reasons dad had for what he's done our whole lives, but he was only trying to protect us all. Look at the siege at Juniper's Lab, where Nick has always lived. And Giovanni supposedly wasn't even after Nick, didn't know he existed just like he doesn't realize Ash has eight other children out in the world. Kind of weird Nick's the only boy of the bunch, though."

"Yeah, like that's the only weird thing about our family, sis."

"Well, dad's a literal harem master, because of him and Aunt Cynthia adhering to the old traditions of Aura Guardians. Nick probably has powers like you do, Luna."

"I doubt that." Scoffed the blonde girl as her ebony haired sister rolled her eyes and turned as she saw her mother Marnie tapping her wrist where a watch would usually be situated.

"I gotta go, Luna. Don't start any fights with the others if you get to Nick and whoever else he has with him before I do, alright? I know you like to defend dad but we all have our reasons for being bitter towards him, in whatever varying degrees that is to each of us."

"I'll be fine, Lav, honest. I'll see you in Orre, then."

"Until then." Lavender said before ending the call, looking at her mother. "Dad isn't sending us all into possible death, is he?"

Marnie smiled softly. "Knowing your father? Oh, it'll be a pretty deadly situation, most likely. He never was one for subtle, something I believe your brother inherited from him in spades. Thank Arceus, Nick got just as much brain power from Cynthia. Now go get ready, I already have your Corviknight waiting."

Lavender nodded. "Alright, mom." The girl gave her mother a big hug. "Love you."

Marnie giggled. "Love you too, little Moltres. Now go show your brother just how tough his sisters are." Her daughter nodded before Marnie left the room.

Medali, Paldea..

The teenaged girl sighed as she looked at her Rotom Phone, waiting for whatever her mother was trying to text her to fully come through, the dreaded symbol of three periods flashing in the text thread. Finally, the long reply showed up as the girl read it:

Sorry, Isa. I know you're doing great with your Treasure Hunt assignment, but me and the Headmistress have something more important for you to do. Forget the escaped Paradox mons, your friends can take care of them without you. Instead, you need to go to the Orre region and help your brother out of whatever mess he's gotten himself into. The rest of your sisters are already on their way there, and I have a Squawk-A-Taxi on standby at the Medali Pokémon Center. Make haste, your aunt made the situation seem pretty important to everyone's survival.

Isabella cursed. Really? And I was just about to get my sixth badge. Being the child of Ash Ketchum sucks sometimes. Her thoughts drifted to Nick, the brother she only ever saw a few pictures of as well as the coverage of the end of the Juniper Lab Siege. Oh well, I wanted to see what big brother is made of, with his supposed talent inherited from aunt Cynthia.

Hours Later, Citadark Isle..

Nick and the others had regrouped and were now making their way through the large facility, sabotaging anything they could in order to stop the mainline production of Shadow Pokémon. "This place is fucking huge. Even the map on our phones isn't helping as much as it should. The real question is where is the generator? We need to blow this place up, or the Shadow Pokémon can still be manufactured here."

Angelina frowned. "But with the map not helping, how are we-" She was cut off by a commotion as a far wall exploded in, followed by the cry of a Pokémon no one had ever heard before as a towering shape loomed in the smoke made from the hole. "What the hell is that?" She asked as the Pokémon became illuminated in the lights of the facility.

It stood on two powerful legs, and the general shape reminded the teens of dinosaur reminiscent Pokémon like Tyrantrum. It had two tails that moved with the grace of flowing water and Nick was perplexed by the crest on the mon's head. "That crest.. isn't that similar to Suicune?" Nick whispered to the others.

Sameera nodded as a voice rang out. "Good work, Walker. Big bro?! The cavalry has arrived, courtesy of Aunt Cynthia!" Came a voice that had an accent to it that only Leo recognized.

"Paldean? Do any of us even have family in Paldea?!" He whispered.

There was a groan, followed by a giggle. "Hold on, Isabella. Remember, he doesn't know about any of us. Hell, I didn't know there was another of us Ketchum kids in Paldea in the first place. You are the best-kept secret in this family." The voice that then spoke up had a distinct Galarian accent.

That made Nick stand up straight. "Ketchum kids?! The hell is all this about, then?"

"There he is. Told you guys, he hates dad." Came another voice, this one having a Kalosian lisp to it.

"I loathe him, not hate. But seriously, who the fuck are all of you?"

The friends from Juniper's Lab looked at the group of ten girls, all sharing a vague resemblance to Nick, proving what the one with the Galarian accent had said even as Nick asked the question. The one who spoke with the Paldean accent giggled as she recalled the giant dinosaur-esque Pokémon. "I'm pretty sure he has an idea already, girls. You'd be right, bro. Your little sisters have come to save the day!"

Sameera gasped. "Holy Arceus, I knew it! Cynthia dodged the question all too well. Nick, your mom and dad had a wild time of things." She said irritably.

"Meera.. Alright, I guess that tracks with what I know. So who's kids are you all with my father, exactly?"

The girl with a skirt built for beach going spoke first, raising her hand. "I'm Seana, oldest of all of the girls. My mother's Misty."

"Misty? Like, as in Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty?" Seana nodded. "Ash did conquer all the gyms around each region."

"Shut up, Leo." Nick said, pinching his nose as the next girl spoke up, this one with dark hair and a flute attached to her neck.

"My name's Rini, and my mother was Melody, shrine maiden of Shamouti Island." The girl said, her voice

"It's alright, Rin. You got the worst of us girls, that's all. We're all together now, though." Said the next one, hugging the girls to her immediate left and right. "I'm Arezu, oldest of three and these two are Amber and Jade. Our mother is Dawn from Sinnoh."

Lizzy scoffed. "Not only the Champion but the Festival Queen as well? Wait, Ash traveled with Dawn, didn't he?"

Nick nodded as the next sister spoke, flipping her honey-brown hair over her shoulder with a showy twirl. "I'm Aurelia, future Kalos Queen, daughter of Serena and Ash, the match made in heaven itself."

The next girl giggled, rolling her eyes as she took some hair from her face, the blonde hair falling lower than the other girls' own did. "I'm Lunette, daughter of Lillie of the Aether Foundation and Ash, first Champion of the Alola Region. And this shy one right here is Lavender, daughter of the current Galarian Champion, Marnie, with our father."

Finally, the Paldean girl fist pumped the air for her turn. "And I'm Isabella, but you all can call me Isa. I'm from Paldean, daughter of Ash and current Top Champion Nemona. The Pokémon I sent out before is known as Walking Wake, a supposedly ancient form of Suicune."

"I know who Nemona is," Nick said. "Recklessly battle-obsessed but doesn't have the best record at actually catching Pokémon."

Isabella sulked, sighing. "God, mama, why is your reputation so odd? Yes, yes, that's all true I suppose. I, however, am more like dad in that way. And I'm not battle-obsessed."

"Hop off it, Isa. You tried battling Lav as soon as we got to this damn island."

"Is it so bad to test your skill- as the child of two Champions- against other children of similar standing?"

"Still unnecessary, girl. Alright, now I think we should let big brother and his friends introduce themselves." Said Seana, making it obvious she was in fact the oldest of the group.

Nick laughed. "After such introductions, how do we compare? You all know me in some way, we're all apparently related thanks to the Aura Guardian family dynamic dad and my mom started and adopted. So, this is my girlfriend Sameera, daughter of Team Rocket," This made each of his sisters glare towards Sameera, the girl frowning and squaring up. "Hey, hey. Her parents aren't an issue. Unexpected, but not an issue. Otherwise, these two are our best friends Leo and Lizzy and this one is Angelina, also a daughter of Team Rocket, but her parents run the organization these days in Giovanni's new absence." Each of the group said their hellos as an alarm suddenly began blaring. "And that means we've been discovered. Alright, so we split into two groups, then? There are.. fifteen of us? So eight and seven. We're looking for evidence at manufacturing the Shadow Pokémon as well as possible dossiers or something telling us where these Pokémon are going. If any Shadow Pokémon are here and being used by the Rocket grunts or Cipher peons, then one of us with the Capture Devices will take the battle. Everyone agreed?" The whole group nodded as the half-sisters split themselves up, some standing with Nick while the others stood by themselves, all ready to take on whatever still lay in wait in the Citadark Isle facility.

Later, Manufacturing Plant..

Both groups met back up in what was obviously a factory floor for creating the Shadow Pokémon, but it was more than that apparently as Nick investigated a pod with a number of Houndour inside it, one plopping out of the liquid onto a conveyor belt with the Shadow Aura prominently glowing in Nick's vision around each. "They aren't just turning Pokémon to Shadow ones, they're literally cloning them."

Sameera frowned. "Are you sure? How do you-" Nick pointed at the monitor attached to the tank of Houndour. The readout began with the specific words of: Genome- 98% Houndour, 2% Shadow Giratina. "Oh. But, how did they..?"

"It's this Volo character you mentioned, right Nick?" Asked Seana, holding her chin in thought.

Nick shrugged. "Not sure. Supposedly he only just recently broke out of his stone prison, but Arceus knows how long he has actually been active. The real question is how he got DNA of something said to only be a shadow of the real Giratina, the hatred embodied in the reverse of its physical form. No matter, though. We need to destroy this place. There's already been enough Shadow mons spread around according to the dossier we found with the boat that got us to this island. Not to mention, we aren't sure if this is the only plant for making these damned things. Cipher has supposedly abandoned labs all over the region, and maybe even a few not found before."

"Then it's a good thing you have all of us here with you. Go!" Seana released a Pokémon, the light forming the body of a Pokémon Nick hadn't thought he'd ever meet, although not the one he was dedicated to finding.

The Mewtwo stood at its full height, looking at the other teenagers around him before focusing on Seana. New friends of yours? The Pokémon asked with it's telepathy.

Seana shook her head. "Partially, Mewtwo. This one here," She pointed to Nick. "Is my brother, from Ash. We need to destroy this place. You may feel a bit inclined to do the dirty work yourself." Seana shrugged as Mewtwo looked around at the machinery, growling.

This place.. it reminds me of my mistakes on New Island.. Who would do such things again? Mewtwo asked.

"An evil organization just as bad as Team Rocket, but working at even worse goals than just domination. Will you help us destroy this place?" Nick asked.

Mewtwo nodded. Of course. Anything for a child of the Chosen One.

The other sisters all looked at each other, Isabella releasing her Walking Wake again as the others all did similar. Rini released a small Articuno, looking just as determined as an adult version of its species as it warbled and flew around Rini, who played a few notes on her flute. The Articuno replayed the notes as Rini laughed and pet the icy Pokémon. Arezu released a pink Pokémon that looked like a pig-snouted turtle, this was the Therian Forme of Enamorus, the fourth member of the Forces of Nature Quartet. Jade released a Regigigas, the massive Pokémon shaking the factory they stood in as it roared.

Amber brought out Mesprit, the Sinnoh-based Mythical Pokémon of Emotions, who happily trilled as it flew around the group. Next was Aurelia who brought out a strange-looking dog-like Pokémon, Nick knowing it was actually the 10% Forme of Zygarde. The telltale sign was the hexagonal, no-pupil eyes. Lunette then brought out a large jellyfish-looking Mon. Not only was it smaller than the average example of the Nihilego species but it was also a shiny Pokémon, being black instead of the opaque white normally associated with the Ultra Beast. The jellyfish flashed, it's form taking that of an older woman who looked a bit like Lunette and back before it seemed to laugh, undulating up and down. Lavender was last, sending out a black and red Moltres, the Galarian regional version of Kanto's own Moltres (or was it vice-versa? No one truly knew).

Nick looked at his younger half-sisters, amazed. "You all have at least a Mythical. How in the world..?"

"Some of them were gifted from our parents, like Lavender's Moltres. Others, we all found and because of our association to Ash Ketchum, they just captured themselves." Arezu shrugged. "No joke, Enamorus literally activated its own Poké Ball when I encountered her."

Rini and her Articuno touched foreheads. "This little guy wasn't supposed to exist, because the deal with my mother's duty is to keep the Kantonian Birds calm when otherwise they decide to attack each other. When the previous Articuno died, it left behind a single egg that hatched into twins. This little guy and his big- and I mean big- brother. But, because the balance must be maintained, my mom caught this one before she died and I inherited her. She's my most reliable Pokémon."

Nick nodded. "Still, it's kind of unfair. I mean, I have Temporally Displaced mons, and a shiny Frogadier, but nothing as important or world-ending as a Mythical. Not one like Articuno, at least."

"Oh, we know all about your quest for this elusive shiny Victini. Aunt Cynthia told us all about how you've been looking ever since you saw it when you were little. We know you'll find it eventually, though. Your Ash's firstborn. No way are you going to encounter- and possibly bb- anything lower tier than a pseudo legendary when it comes down to it. I even have it on good authority that a certain King of the Sea is awaiting your visit." Smirked Rini then, Nick knowing what she meant but just nodded mutely about the mention.

"One day, I'll go see him. I was born on the water." Something else Cynthia had told him during a conversation on the phone. She had actually both gone into labor and given birth to Nick right in the Castelia harbor, minutes before the ship had docked so Cynthia could- originally- be near her sister for the extra support since Ash had already gone into hiding.

"Enough talk! Aunt Cynthia asked us all here to help take down this conspiracy going on, and all we're doing is-" Began Seana as an alarm began blaring again, a swarm of Cipher and Rocket members filing into the large factory floor. "Nevermind. Mewtwo, let's take care of these chumps. Then afterward, we're destroying this place and going back to Unova to see dad."

The Genetic Pokémon nodded, it's eyes glowing blue as it used the Psychic power within to immediately slam a few of the incoming enemies into a wall. "No! Jeez, Mewtwo, show a little restraint, will ya?"

My apologies. Came the reply, although Mewtwo's tone was anything but apologetic. Then, the teens met their enemies in the center of the factory space, and the battles began as Nick sent out Frogadier, Sameera following suit with Bayleef. Lizzy and Leo each sent out their own Pokémon as the true chaos of battle erupted, machines being damaged in every corner of the space the teens occupied.

Hours Later, Saguaro Lab..

The teens all sat down around the large conference table as Cynthia watched a recording of Seana's Mewtwo literally imploding all of Citadark Isle with its psychic powers. "Very effective. Ash was right to keep you with Misty and out of the public eye, Mewtwo."

Thank you, Lady Cynthia. Mewtwo replied proudly.

Cynthia smiled at the teens. "And thank you to all of you for answering the call. I know some of you feel you're here forcibly, but soon enough you all would have met anyway at Juniper's School anyway. With their main production means gone, I doubt even Cipher will be pulling anything unsavory for a while, so I want all of you to head back to Unova. Go hang out with your father a bit, Arceus knows he needs some more influence from his kids. Except, I have something else for a few of you to go and take care of. Nick, Sameera, Isabella and Arezu are to go to Paldea on Professor Juniper's orders. Your assignment is to bring her back a Paradox Pokémon that we do not have on record. I know it's a tall order, but.."

"I know where some are. I haven't even told my mom, or uncle Arven, about these ones. I only brought Walker out because I love Suicune and dinosaurs, and he can run on water! He was too cool!" Isabella said excitedly as she turned to Nick and Sameera. "And I know Nick feels miserable without something powerful like Walker or Mewtwo at his side. Not with how things keep getting worse out there."

Nick nodded. "Never even known me before today, but you all get how I work. How is that?"

"Simple." Seana laughed. "You may loathe him, but you're too much like dad for anyone's liking. Kinda surprised the Rocket Princess fell for you."

Sameera pouted at Nick's new sister. "Fuck off, you girls don't know me." She crossed her arms as Nick sighed again.

"Oh, this will be interesting.. Alright, mom. Anything else we need to do? I'll keep an eye out for anything even resembling more Shadow Pokémon," He took a Poké Ball off of his belt, squeezing it as he felt the pain the encaptured Pokémon no doubt felt with the corruption of its heart. "I can't let them be in pain like this.."

"Oh, sweetheart.. You always were just as empathetic as your father. Seriously, you hate him so much but you're literally a younger twin of him. Please, please go talk to him once you get back home?" Nick opened his mouth to say something but, knowing Cynthia was right, shit it again and nodded. "Good. Otherwise, just have some fun over there. The weather in Paldean is lovely this time of year, isn't it, Isa?"

Isabella nodded. "Only place better would be Alola."

"That's not exactly fair. Alola is always perfect summer weather."

"Alright, kids, that's enough. Let's get you all to your father and you four over to Paldea. Safe travels, kids. If anything comes up over here and we need any of you, you'll get the call." Nodding, the teenagers all filed out to get their things ready to depart for their next destinations.

Cynthia called out for Nick to come over to her before he left the room, being the last one to reach the door. "Yeah, mom?"

"I just want you to know I'm proud of you, alright? I know you're going to do such great things in the future, but.. Hmm. Don't let what your sisters have that you don't get you down. I bet you'll have a bunch of Mythicals and Legendaries by the time all this save the world shit is over and done with. You were the one Arceus is entrusting with the protection of the next generation. And don't forget. I love you, Nicky." She pulled him in for a hug, Nick grinning as he hugged his mother back.

"Love you too, mom. And I'll be fine. I'm too much like dad, remember? He's as stubbornly optimistic as I am. Or was, at least."

"Fair point, Nick. Alright, get going. You have work to do before you get to go home yet, little soldier."

"Yes, ma'am." Nick rolled his eyes but left the room to go get ready to depart. Destination: the Paldea Region.