The group gathered in front of Carmine and Kieran's house as they stood before the grandfather of the two.
"So…you all saw it then? To think it is still gracing our festival after all this time." the old man said.
"Some of us saw it, yeah." David said. "But what's the big deal about it anyway?"
"So…you want to know about Ogerpon." the man said.
"Ogerpon? Is that what it was called?" Sachiko asked.
"Yes. Though most just call it the ogre now. Let me tell you…the real story." the old man said. "Long ago, from a foreign land, there came a traveler and his partner Pokémon, Ogerpon. However, the villagers were frightened of their appearance and forced them to live in a small cave. But they didn't mind since they had each other. However, a kind mask maker took pity on them. They crafted four masks for them and let them join in the festivities. The villagers were in awe of their brilliant masks. However, legends of the masks reached beyond Kitakami and attracted three devilish troublemakers. They went and attacked Ogerpon's friend and stole all but one of its masks. With their friend gone, Ogerpon donned the Teal Mask…and descended down to take revenge. It defeated the three of them before returning to the mountain to live in loneliness. The villagers believed the three were trying to defend the village and praised them as heroes. So goes the true tale of Kitakami."
"Then… All this time, the villagers had the whole thing backwards." Throne said.
"These three troublemakers, they were the Loyal Three weren't they?" Simon asked.
"Who else would it be? They were causing trouble and Ogerpon got stuck with the blame." Theo said.
"Dang…so Kieran's got the right idea." Mark said. "He just doesn't know it."
"Okay, so if this Ogrepon thing has my girl…" Panty said. "Then she's safe?"
"Not for much longer, we believe." David said. "If Mark's statement is right, someone's out to get their hands on them. And I think we all know who."
"Flux…" Mark seethed. "We have to find Ogrepon first. I'm not letting Esther fall into their hands again!"
"Unfortunately, we can't bring this up with the other villagers. They'll never believe us." David said.
"I think we should also keep this from Kieran too." Hope said.
"Wait, hold on." Mark said. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"No, I'm with them on this one." Carmine spoke up. "I'm not sure what this Flux guy is all about, but if this guy's dangerous, I want Kiki as far away from it as possible. I'll go with you all instead."
"Okay, but if the Universal Villains are after Ogerpon, and it's been distrusted by humans for years, we probably need to do something so we can have it trust us." Catra said.
"Well…that's an easy one. We give back the mask it dropped." Theo said.
"Good idea, Theo. The legends say Ogerpon treasures its mask a lot. If we give it back, it's bound to know we're on its side." Hope said.
"Hmm…it's cracked a bit…but I'm certain I can repair it." Hayase said. "Better to have it in top condition instead of a shoddy one."
"Mark, you still have that orienteering thing with Kieran, right?" David asked.
"Oh yeah. We're supposed to meet somewhere called the Paradise Barrens." Mark said.
However, the group was unaware that Kieran had overheard their whole conversation as he departed for the barrens to wait for Mark.
"(Why have you accompanied us?)" Asura asked the Galarian Starters as Mark headed for Paradise Barrens.
"(It's our duty to protect little Esther. We cannot let her kidnapping go unanswered.)" Margaret said.
"(We'll do whatever it takes to save them!)" Germaine said.
"(Don't get too cocky. The Universal Villains are not to be underestimated, no matter how foolish its members may act.)" Corviknight warned them.
"(Please! We've been training with Charizard, and he's tough!)" Margaret said. "(We can take on a few Sableye no problem!)"
"(It's not just Sableye they have.)" Kingambit spoke up. "(You would do well to remember that.)"
"(Well, you advising caution, Kingambit? There's a surprise.)" Skeledrige remarked.
"(Actually…call me by my true name: Deus.)" the king asked.
"(Deus? Ah…your memories. They've started to return.)" Asura said, getting an edge in his voice.
"(Yes. And before you say it, I was wrong to do what I did.)" Deus said. "(Though I admire the power I used to have, a king that puts himself above his subjects…has no right to call himself a king at all.)"
"(Hm. Usually wise words from you, your majesty.)" Laura said as they arrived to the barrens where Kieran stood and looked at the group coldly.
Mark let out a sigh as he saw Kieran's expression. "...How much did you hear?" he asked.
"...Battle me." Kieran said.
"...Of course." Mark nodded.
"I know it seems silly of me to request this, but… There are things I need to know. Things that a battle can give me answers for." Kieran said.
Mark was downcast as he brought out his Pokéball. "Let's go then."
(Cue: Battle! Kieran (Normal)- Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask)
"Okay…let's go, Yanma!" Kieran said as he sent out Yanma first.
"Go, Chakravartin." Mark said, sending out his Galvantula. Surprisingly, he had at least 20 Joltik with him. "What the…?"
"(Go and get them, great spider god!)" the Joltik cheered.
"...Do I want to know?" Mark said in a tired tone.
"(I'm not going to tell you either way.)" the ElecSpider Pokémon waved its trainer off.
"(You're a strange Bug Pokémon. But that's not gonna stop Kieran from beating you.)" Yanma replied.
"Yanma, Air Cutter!" Kieran said as Yanma sent out air slashes at the Galvantula.
"(Hmph. Fool.)" Chakra scoffed as he used Fury Cutter to deal with the attacks, then used String Shot to bind Yanma in place. "(Now, my subjects! Attack Order!)" he declared as the Joltik scurried across the String Shot to Yanma.
"(Hello! Would you like to hear of our lord and savior, Chakravartin?)" one of the Joltik asked.
"(No, I don't!)" Yanma yelled.
"(Okay then! Thundershock, everyone!)" the Joltik said as they went and electrocuted the Yanma.
"Return!" Kieran said, calling it back. "Let's go, Furret!" he said switching to Furret.
"Return, everyone." Mark said, sending Chakra and his followers back. "Alright Corviknight, you're up." he said, sending out the Raven Pokémon.
"(Your trainer has a great deal of turmoil within him.)" Corviknight remarked. "(Are you all going to be alright?)"
"(...I don't know.)" Furret admitted. "(Maybe he'll feel better if he wins…?)"
"Furret, use Super Fang!" Kieran said as Furret leapt into the air as they bit right into Corviknight's wing, but not causing much damage.
"(For what it's worth…we are sorry about this.)" Corviknight said as he used Steel Wing to knock Furret off, damaging him greatly.
"(I…I don't think that's enough!)" Furret said in distress.
"Return!" Kieran said recalling Furret. "Go, Poliwrath!" he said, sending out the burly-looking Pokemon.
"Return." Mark said, switching out Corviknight for a Pokémon he hadn't used in an official battle before: Froslass.
"(Aren't you a fine catch?)" Poliwrath said, banging his fists together.
"(Creep! My heart belongs to the king, and the king alone!)" Froslass declared as she used Snowscape to make a snowstorm.
"Poliwrath, use Earth Power!" Kieran said as Poliwrath struck the ground and made it erupt, striking Froslass.
"(How dare you!)" Froslass shrieked as she used Powder Snow to freeze Poliwrath in ice. "(I'll teach you a lesson for daring to oppose his majesty's army! Hex!)"
The Ghost type move hit Poliwrath hard, taking it down in an instant.
"Return!" Kieran said. "My last one…let's go, Dipplin!" he said, sending out a candy apple looking creature.
"Return." Mark said. "Your last one, huh? Okay. Asura, go!" the half-angel said, sending out his Perfect Link. "Though…never seen that one before." he said, looking it up on his phone.
"Dipplin, the Candy Apple Pokémon and the evolved form of Applin. A Grass and Dragon type! Dipplin is two creatures in one Pokémon. Its evolution was triggered by a special apple grown only in one place." it said.
"Wait, it's Dragon type too?" Mark realized. "Wow…pretty cool, Kieran."
"Thanks. And that one special place those apples come from…it's here in Kitakami." Kieran said.
"(It won't help you!)" Asura declared as he charged Dipplin.
"You can do it, Dipplin! Cover them with syrup with Syrup Bomb!" Kieran said as Dipplin launched a ball of red syrup as it covered Asura.
"(What is this nonsense?!)" Asura said, working to get the syrup off.
"(It's the syrup coating my body. Its super sticky and works to slow down the target bit by bit.)' Dipplin said. "(Just give up, and let Kieran have this!)"
Mark was quiet before he stared Kieran in the eyes. "You want answers, Kieran? You can have them. Asura…Vajra."
With a nod, Asura powered up, managing to flip all the syrup off of his body, letting Kieran and his ace see the four arms the Mushroom Pokémon had grown.
"Now…end it." Mark ordered as Asura dashed towards Dipplin, unleashing a volley of Dynamic Punches on the Candy Apple Pokémon, before finishing them off with a Focus Punch that sent them flying, Kieran's ace landing on the ground unconscious.
"And…that's all from me." Kieran said, recalling it. "You saw it…didn't you? You saw the ogre before me."
(end song)
"...I…I can't say." Mark said, sounding remorseful. "It's…it's not up to me."
"You don't have to lie to me just so I can feel better." Kieran said. "You know what the last part of the legend is? It's some stupid myth about avoiding the ogre seeing your face. How stupid. They wrote it…all out of fear of something they don't understand."
"You're right. It is stupid." Mark said.
"So you know it's a lie." Kieran said. "And you didn't plan on telling me?"
"That's…Kieran, I-" Mark started.
"Just stop lying!" Kieran interrupted them. "It's because you think I'm weak, isn't it?! That I'll just get in the way! Just like my sister!"
"There's a difference between being weak, and not being ready." Mark said. "I stand by what I said. You have potential. You will be strong. You proved it with this battle."
"Then why won't you let me help?!" Kieran asked. "I heard you stand up for me! So why won't you let me prove myself?!"
"Because its too dangerous!" Mark said. "If it was just the ogre, I'd happily let you come, but…we're dealing with villains. Actual, dangerous villains, who wouldn't hesitate to kill you if you got in their way! I'm not putting someone else's younger sibling in danger to save my own!"
Kieran looked surprised by this. "Your…sibling's in danger?"
"My younger sister." Mark said. "If the villains find the ogre before we do…she'll be in a lot of trouble. I…I can't let her get hurt. And, believe it or not, Carmine feels the same way towards you…even if she is a biiiig bully. Can you…please, just trust that?"
Kieran was silent for a moment before he sighed. "I…still want to help."
"Hey, that's great. As long as you don't throw yourself into danger, then we'd appreciate the help." Mark said. "Just…I want you to be alive to fulfill your dream. And you can still do that! You understand, right?"
"...Yeah. I understand. Let's just take the last picture and you can do your thing." Kieran said.
"Yeah." Mark said as the two did so, Kieran looking sullen, yet accepting.
"...Well, that's all of them." Kieran said. "I'm…I'm gonna head home. I have to get stronger with my Pokémon."
"I know you will." Mark said. "If you want to battle again…I'm always willing."
Kieran managed to give Mark a small smile before he walked off. "I will save you…ogre." he whispered as he walked off.
Meanwhile, with the three villains…
"Ugh…I can't believe we stayed up all night only to be chased by a bear." Twice said.
"The bosses are gonna tear our heads off if we come back empty handed." Spinel said.
"Well, it's not a total loss." Boba sighed. "We've gotten a partial map of the route it took before it jumped. If we follow it, we should figure out where its lair is."
"On the mountain? Please." Twice said as they arrived at the Loyalty Plaza. "That's stupid. It's huge. I mean, those three couldn't do it." he said pointing to the statues. "No way we can."
"Yeah. Not even if we did something like this." Spinel said, splashing some liquid on the altar.
"What is that stuff?" Twice asked.
"Revival formula the bosses have been working on. They said it wasn't to their specifications, so no reason to keep it around." Spinel said as the three statues started to shake.
"...Spinel, you actual-" Boba started before the statues and the altar were broken apart in a pillar of light as rising from it was a green dog, a blue monkey and a red pheasant. All of them wearing purple poison chains.
"Whoa…are those…?" Twice asked.
"The Loyal Three from the sign legend!" Spinel said.
The three Pokémon were confused for a moment, before they locked eyes with the three villains.
"Hmm…hey, hold on a second." Boba said as he got out a screen and showed it to the three. On it, the surveillance video from the night Ogrepon took Esther and the Emblems played. "Do you three know this Pokémon?"
The Loyal Three watched the video before they nodded.
"Well…it seems we have ourselves a common enemy." Boba said. "Maybe we should discuss what we all can do for each other."
"You help us…and you get your revenge." Twice said.
The three gave off wicked smiles as they nodded and bowed before the three.
"(Ogre…we will make you pay!)" all three of them thought.