Markus was standing in the fourth row from the back when Ryme let out a shout and caught him off-guard. He watched Giratina tear itself into reality, take the Griseous Core and transform, and as it took down Meowscarada and Amara passed out, Markus stood, watching as a few crewmen took Amara off the stage. "If you can't handle yourself, you don't get to break bread with the queen!" Ryme shouted, and the audience went wild. Markus lifted his head to the sky and let out Ho-Oh's shout, causing the entire audience to go quiet. He walked through the crowd to the emcee, took the mic, and stared daggers at Ryme.

"I'll take that bet. You want to go toe-to-toe with the best there's ever been?" Ho-Oh flew down from the sky and landed on a post, watching. "I win, you tell me where you learned that technique. You win, name it."

Ryme smiled wide and let Giratina's shout from her lips again. Reality tore, and the dragon reappeared. Ho-Oh and Giratina began to battle in the air above the stage as Markus started to sing.

"You think you're fuckin' hot shit but you're dealin' with the devil.

If that's what it takes for you to beat a child, then I'm on another level.

Watch my phoenix soar through the sky and tear down your ghostly knight,

so close to the grave you'll be out here sayin' good night."

Ryme gave a wicked smirk as she stood opposed to Markus and started to launch a verse of her own.

"Fuckin' white boy out here thinkin' he can rap,

Asshole standin' 'gainst the queen spoutin' cringey crap.

I ain't about to be demolished by this fuckin' twinky ass,

You may beat my demon but you can't fuckin' beat my sass."

It was Markus's turn to chuckle as he took a few steps in time with the beat. He spotted Miriam shaking her head as she watched his antics. Then she saw Amara and Penny holding hands as Amara staggered. He had done what he'd come for, but now there was a win on the table, so he continued.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, you so called queen of rap,

I came to steal your fuckin' thunder, makin' all these people clap.

You actin' like you hot shit 'cause you out here double platinum,

I ain't even got a record but you see me out here keepin' pace, in your place,

Workin how im gonna crack'em."

Ryme stepped back for a minute as Ho-Oh unleashed its Sacred fire and knocked Giratina off balance. The bird picked Giratina up in its talons and squeezed, causing the ghost to vanish, and reality to start to mend itself.

"Well damn, New guy's got some fuckin' chops." Ryme called as she gave light applause. "You ain't on my level yet, but that tongue's on its way to a fuckin' collab. What do you think, audience, should I let him off the hook?" The audience responded with a rowdy cheer. Ryme smiled and offered Markus a handshake. He took it, then brought Ryme into a bro hug before they both walked off the stage. "You put on quite a show, I'll admit, but how the hell do you know how to shout?" Ryme asked as soon as her mic was off. Markus narrowed his eyes.

"I could ask you the same question. Who taught you that technique? I learned it from Ho-Oh." Miriam walked backstage with Amara and Penny. He tossed Amara a Love Ball and smiled. "Good show, kid." His words brought a small smile to Amara's face as he turned back to Ryme. "Now, who taught you that technique?"

"Cynthia Volothorp." Ryme responded. "She has no heir and didn't want the technique to die. We've been best friends since first grade." Ryme shrugged. "I didn't really know what to do with it, I'll be honest. That show was the third time I've used it since she taught it to me." She shuffled nervously. "Did I fuck up?"

"That's a resounding maybe. If you did, you'll be hearing from Cynthia directly, I'm sure. I'll advise against calling an almighty force of death, decay, and devastation to the world for a big boost in your crowd numbers. These are kinda all-powerful forces here." Markus stuck out his hand. "Vaughn, Markus Vaughn." He said as Ryme shook his hand. "I'll keep in touch, and I actually needed to give Cynthia a call. I haven't had the chance with Sinnoh's time change." He turned. "Amara, Penny, Mirri, let's bounce." He turned, and the four of them made their way away from the venue. Amara and Penny led the way through Montenevera and back to their hotel room.

"You didn't even spring for a suite? Damn, Amara how do you live?" Miriam asked as Amara and Penny led them inside. The four of them sat quietly for a second, letting the residual ringing leave their ears, then Markus spoke.

"Plowman system, we'll be honest, we haven't been really forthcoming with a piece of information. This is a big trust right now, and I expect you and Penny to not share this information with anyone." Then he let the world go black and another Markus took the front. "We're like you. We have DID as well."