Chapter 34

Back at the Jubilife Village, Akari watches as the Security Corps rush out of the Jubilife Village with Commander Kamado. She is very worried that something might happen. But while she's thinking, she notices Alice and me rush into the village and head towards the Galaxy Hall.

"Alice, Rei, and Ash?!" Akari gasps as she rushes towards us. "Welcome back. It's been grim here. We in the Survey Corps hardly even speak to one another lately...But with you back, maybe Captain Cyllene's appetite for potato mochi will return!"

I nod. "Really nice knowing that she cares for us a lot."

"Anyway, wait here a minute, will you? I'll go and let the captain know you're back," Akari says as she rushes first. After a while, Akari comes back with Laventon.

"Oh, my dear Ash, Alice, and Rei..." Laventon says as he hugs all of us.

"The professor has been awfully worried about you, Ash, Rei, and Alice," Akari says.

"Of course, I was worried! But I don't think I could hold a candle to the distress you showed, Akari," Laventon says.

"T-that's blowing it out of proportion!" Akari frowns. "I don't think it's appropriate for an adult to make things up just to hide their embarrassment. But, um, where is the captain? Wasn't she coming along with you, Professor?"

"She's buried under a mound of work, I'm afraid. We're to join her in the Survey Corps office," Laventon says. "It seems her hands are more than full now that Commander Kamado's gone."

"So he has already set off, huh..." I ask.

"Well, he set out for Mount Coronet with the Security Corps in tow," Laventon says. "He's determined to handle this whole space-time rift business himself...including dealing with the Pokémon that's been spotted on the other side."

"That's why I was filling in for the regular guards, with Pikachu at the ready," Akari says.

"Well, we aren't getting anywhere out here. Let's head inside and report to the captain," Laventon adds as we all head to the Galaxy Hall.

Alice, Rei, and I are now in the Galaxy Hall with Cyllene, Laventon, and Akari. Cyllene says, "So you three managed not to die. Just as I ordered. Well done."

"Thanks to you, Captain," I say, referring to her lending her Abra so that we can switch out our Pokémon from the pastures.

"I have no idea what you're implying. All I know is Abra vanished of its own accord - inconveniencing me greatly," Cyllene says. "Before moving forward, I must ask...I assume that you are here again because you've managed to learn something of use?"

Alice holds the Red Chain and says, "We have this, the Red Chain."

"Go on," Cyllene urges as Alice and I recount our visit to the three lakes.

"A legendary tool said to bind the very world...Commander Kamado is no longer here in Jubilife Village. The Security Corps had been scouting the area near the space-time rift...and they reported sightings of something on the other side of it. Something that resembled a Pokemon. The commander made the decision to take the Security Corps to the mountain so as to prepare to fend off any possible threat. They were to make for the temple at the peak."

Akari says, "However strong the commander himself may be, he should've gotten Ash, Rei, and Alice to help..."

"As the captain of the Survey Corps, I hereby order you to proceed as follows. Ash, Rei, and Alice. Take that Red Chain to Mount Coronet, make your way to the peak, and put an end to all this. Not only you're officially reinstated at your former rank, but you also have my permission to get another star in your rank."

I widen my eyes, now an officially Nine-rank member. Alice and Rei too, beside me, sharing the same rank. We also receive 10 Rare Candies and 20 Grit Pebbles from the captain. "Continue to dedicate ourselves to completing the Pokédex if we hope to rise higher in the ranks," the captain advises."

Akari voices her concerns and asks, "Are you certain you can do that with the commander away, Captain?"

Cyllene closes her eyes with a sigh, then opens them with determination. "If he didn't wish me to decide things in his place, then he should not have left me in charge here!"

Laventon says, "Then I'll go as well! We're all in this together, we members of the Survey Corps!"

"Naturally. No one suggested you should not," Cyllene nods in agreement.

As we step outside the Galaxy Hall, we spot Irida waiting for us at the gateway.

"Did you find the commander, Ash, Rei, and Alice?" Irida inquires.

"No, the Commander is already at Mount Coronet," Cyllene responds on our behalf.

"Already?! How could a grown man like Commander Kamado be so reckless?" Irida exclaims. "First expelling you, Ash, Rei, and Alice, and now this! I think he needs a stern talking to! As the leader of the Pearl Clan, loyal to almighty Sinnoh who reigns over all space...I can go anywhere in vast Hisui that I please - and now I am going to go stop the commander!"

With urgency, she dashes off to catch a carriage. Cyllene sighs and remarks, "Hm...who is the reckless one?"

At that moment, a boy and a girl approach us, the boy addressing us, "Hey, you got run out of the village, right? But you...still tried to find a way to help us all?"

We nod at them, and Akari continues, "That's right! They worked hard to get that Red Chain to help us."

"Too right - and a fine job they did, too!" Laventon adds. "The Survey Corps is always hard at work for the sake of everyone here in the village - as well as for the sake of our relations with Pokemon!"

The girl steps closer and says, "Thanks! Here, take this!" She hands over a Max Revive, and I respond with a smile, "Thank you."

The boy and the girl then dash off, leaving Cyllene to declare, "Your orders are three. One: Make for the Summit Camp and, from there, the Temple of Sinnoh. Two: Use the Red Chain to resolve this mess. And three: Return here...alive!"

"Indeed, ma'am," we say in unison as we swiftly secure a carriage headed for the Coronet Highlands. We finally arrive at the Summit Camp, near the very location where we battled against the Noble Hisuian Electrode.

Volo arrives and remarks, "I've heard the latest. So you've been accepted back into the Galaxy Team, have you? I suppose congratulations are in order! Here, some Max Potions from me to celebrate!"

He hands us three Max Potions, continuing, "It looks like the big moment is upon us at last. But no doubt it'll be fine! After all, you worked so hard to earn that Red Chain. Both Adaman and Irida have headed to the peak as well. My good friends Ash, Rei, and Alice. I wish you great fortune in the battles to come. I would truly regret losing one of our most beloved and loyal customers. It seems Kamado intends to use the Summit Camp as a base of operations for this undertaking. As for me, I think I will set up a shop closer to the temple itself."

With those words, he departs, making his way toward the summit. However, before we can proceed, we are intercepted by Melli, a member of the Diamond Clan whom we hold disdain for.

"Things certainly seem to have gotten out of hand. Well, if anything goes wrong, the great Melli will be here... for moral support, at least," Melli remarks.

"Well, thanks," we respond with a slight smile before hurrying toward the peak.

Once we pass the guard guarding the path to the Temple of Sinnoh, we stop abruptly as we see Beni, the Potato Mochi maker at Wallflower, standing in front of us.

"Oho. Still alive and kicking?" Beni inquires. "Sorry about having to shutter the Wallflower. I'd much rather be there now, serving up some freshly grilled potato mochi. But that taskmaster Kamado's gone and left me to oversee our food supply. He always finds a way to put even these old bones to work..."

"It must be hard for you..." Alice remarks.

"No need to worry. While I'm handling that, I suppose I'll handle you as well. Time we got rid of you once and for all." Beni suddenly turns serious, and we're surprised by it, as we exchange glances, equally taken aback.

"What do you mean get rid of us?" I exclaim with horror.

"I'll make myself plain. As Kamado's right hand, I'm charged with executing all the gritty deeds Kamado can't or won't do himself. I gave him my word I'd get rid of any fools that might dream of getting in the way of his plans," Beni explains, his tone resolute and unwavering.

"We're not getting in the way of his plans! We just want to help!" Rei insists.

"And besides, it's not just Kamado who longs to live in a new home free of fear or strife. His dream is mine now, too," Beni expresses. "You've seen my Smoke Bombs before, right? Well, this is how you're meant to use them!"

We are momentarily blinded as he skillfully tosses a Smoke Bomb, but as soon as we regain our vision, we are taken aback by the unexpected transformation of Beni into a ninja clad in white attire.

"When I heard you managed to quell those nobles one after another, oh, did it ever make my blood run hot and my heart pound...At last...at last...One final opponent worthy of my great ninja techniques that have been left to molder all these long years!"

We let out a slight sigh of frustration as we find ourselves confronted by a skilled ninja. In response, Beni releases her Mismagius to engage in battle. Alice, determined to take charge, declares, "Ash, Rei, leave this battle to me. Zoroark, I require your aid!"

Alice deploys her Hisuian Zoroark, which successfully intercepts the Shadow Ball assault and retaliates with Bitter Malice, causing the Mismagius to freeze. Despite Mismagius' attempt to counter with Power Gem, Zoroark effortlessly evades each one and ultimately triumphs with Hex.

Beni's second Pokemon is Sneasler, and Alice decides to switch to Braviary for this battle. However, Braviary sustains significant damage from the powerful Dire Claw attack, which also leaves it paralyzed. Despite this setback, Braviary shows resilience and remains on the field, ultimately defeating Sneasler with its Esper Wing attack.

Beni's Gardevoir, the third Pokemon in their lineup, defeats Braviary with a powerful Shadow Ball attack. In response, Alice switches to Goodra and strategically utilizes Shelter to enhance its defense and evasiveness. Goodra then delivers a decisive blow by landing an Iron Tail attack, successfully eliminating Gardevoir from the battle.

Gallade emerges as the final Pokemon, utilizing Close Combat to overpower Goodra. Due to the significant decrease in Gallade's defense, Alice strategically switches to Typhlosion, commanding it to unleash the Infernal Parade and secure a decisive victory.

"It seems my ninja techniques will soon be consigned to history..." Beni furrows his brow as his last Pokemon is defeated. "Very good, young one. Very good indeed. It's only a foolish ninja who tries to keep after a target they know they cannot beat...And to be honest, I don't hate you. Might actually like you, after a fashion. At least for the skills you show in battle."

"We're happy to know that," I say.

"But listen well, Ash, Rei, and Alice: Pokemon are truly terrifying creatures. Kamado and I saw our hometown burned to the ground by maddened Pokemon running amok - we lost plenty of friends and comrades that day. That's why Kamado came here to Hisui to try to build a new home where people could live free from fear," Beni explains.

"We heard the whole thing from Commander Kamado," Rei nods.

"But to achieve something truly great, you sometimes have to take extreme actions. If - hypothetical as it may be - a Pokemon were to appear from within that space-time rift...Kamado might lose hold of his reason. Save Kamado from himself. By force, if you must. Do that, and I'll stuff you full of more delicious potato mochi than a human stomach can handle." Beni says while stepping aside to let us through.

"Don't worry, Beni. We have already promised that we are going to save the whole world from whoever is inside the rift, and we will also save Commander Kamado as well, "We nod as we quickly rush to the exit of the cave.

Here is a new chapter, and now we just finished the battle with Beni. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be the battle with Kamado.

Ash and Alice's Pokemon (Hisui):

Pikachu, Arcanine (Hisuian), Electrode (Hisuian), Typhlosion (Hisuian), Espeon, Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Lucario, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Cresselia, Manaphy, Samurott (Hisuian), Lilligant (Hisuian), Zoroark (Hisuian), Braviary (Hisuian), Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Goodra (Hisuian), Avalugg (Hisuian), Decidueye (Hisuian), Wyrdeer, Kleavor, Ursaluna, Basculegion, Sneasler, Overqwil

Ash and Lillie's Pokemon (Ultra Dimensions):

Charizard, Butterfree x2, Lapras, Meganium, Steelix, Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir, Milotic, Absol, Glaceon, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha