Medicham grasped Nebby tightly as she burst through the archway, following Guzma and Masquerain closely. Her foot nearly slipped on the tiling, but she managed to keep her footing as she raced out of the building, reflexively casting a glance behind her even though she knew neither Darkrai nor the Aberration would be seen.
How long had it been since she'd seen Darkrai? Had it really been only a couple days? It already seemed so long ago. Her heart ached for a moment as she remembered his kind words, his patience, his comforting advice-
He betrayed me. He was working with them all along.
He just saved my life!
Why wouldn't he? It's not like the Heralds want me dead. In fact, they want me alive so that Marcus will continue on his journey. Of course he saved my life. Because I'm still useful to him.
"Find them!"
Necrozma's voice filled the air, his booming tone audible even though Medicham could not see him. So the Aberration's already won. Worry crept into her mind. Does that mean Darkrai-
No. Of course not. Legendaries can't kill Legendaries. Don't worry about Darkrai. Focus on survival.
"This way!" Masquerain cried, turning to fly down a narrow alleyway. Guzma and Medicham leaped after him, Medicham still holding onto Nebby. A rumbling noise began to sound in Medicham's ears, a noise that grew louder and louder until it was nearly deafening. Medicham, Guzma, and Masquerain shrank against the wall of the alleyway as Celesteela flew past, its twin arms propelling it like a rocket with massive surges of Blaze.
"Come on!" Masquerain resumed her flight. Guzma and Medicham followed, running side by side as they burst out of the alleyway into another part of Ultra Megalopolis. This appeared to be some sort of central square, a wide-open area surrounded by buildings; Masquerain flitted right, keeping close to the edifices and as far away from the open square as she could.
"THERE!"
The thundering voice of Xurkitree nearly deafened Medicham again; she twisted to see the Electric-type Ultra Beast standing on one side of the square, both wiry arms outstretched. "ONE MILLION VOLT EXPULSION!" His arms flared with Lightning; the base form of Electric energy burst out from Xurkitree's body in a wave, arcs of electricity leaping from tile to tile as the wave surged towards the fleeing group.
"Down!"
Vikavolt burst out of his Pokeball; Medicham hadn't even realized Guzma's Pokeballs were unsealed. Of course, they had to be, with Golisopod's Pokeball-phasing shenanigans. "Levitate!" the Electric/Bug-type cried; a monumental wave of force burst from Vikavolt's body, and before Medicham's eyes an entire section of the town square exploded upwards, forming a wall of debris between the group and Xurkitree's attack. Medicham heard what sounded like a hundred miniature explosions as Xurkitree's attack slammed into the wall of scattered detritus. The barrier collapsed, a thunderous rolling crash echoing as the pieces of the square fell back to the ground, but it had done its job; Xurkitree's attack was no more, dissipated by the upraised wall.
But even as the wall crumbled, so too did VIkavolt, the strain of such an extensive use of his Ability too much for the already injured Pokemon. Guzma recalled Vikavolt without pausing his stride. Masquerain turned into another alleyway, and Medicham and Guzma followed, a petulant blast of Lightning from Xurkitree licking at their heels.
"goT yoU!"
Buzzwole lunged into view, the wings on his back fluttering badly as he pounded down the alleyway. "Roiling Winds!" Masquerain cried; her wings flared with Flying energy and she flapped them forwards, sending a pair of miniature tornadoes at Buzzwole. But Buzzwole was fully prepared. "musculaR energY duaL-puncH!" One of his massive arms lit up with Electric energy, the other with Ice energy, and Buzzwole hauled back with both arms and punched them forwards. The sheer force of the twin punches sent Masquerain's Flying-type attack back into the group's faces, forcing them all to a halt.
Buzzwole lunged straight at Guzma, fists glowing with Aura. "musculaR stronG puncH!"
"Shell Armor!"
In a flash Golisopod materialized between Buzzwole and Guzma, his back to the Ultra Beast, armor shining with Water energy. Buzzwole's fist slammed into Golisopod's shell; a nasty crack sounded and Golisopod let out an agonized cry, but Masquerain took full advantage of Golisopod's distraction. "Searing Winds!" Two blades of Flying energy flew at Buzzwole; the Bug/Fighting-type Ultra Beast reared back, arms crackling with Electric energy as he raised them to deflect the attack. "Through here!" Masquerain cried, lunging for an open door nearby. Guzma and Medicham followed, the former recalling the now completely unconscious Golisopod as he did so; Buzzwole emanated an enraged howl. "musculaR swifT flurrY puncH!" But Medicham was already through the doorway, holding tightly onto Nebby; Buzzwole's fists struck empty air.
Medicham looked back, satisfying herself that Buzzwole was too large for the doorway. That relief lasted all of half a second before Buzzwole decided that he didn't care.
"musculaR charginG puncH!" Buzzwole hurled himself forwards, main strength prevailing over the building's construction. Tiles of roofing shattered under his charge, entire support columns practically disintegrating before his wildly swinging massive Aura-infused fists. "RUN!" Medicham screamed, the word ripping itself from her throat as she lowered her head and forced her body to move faster. "Aura Avoidance!" she cried, adding her own natural Aura to her flight.
Unfortunately, that was the wrong thing to do near a powerful Aura practitioner like Buzzwole. The Bug/Fighting-type's gaze instantly focused entirely on Medicham. "sustenancE!" he bellowed. "musculaR stingeR strikE!"
Buzzwole's stinger-nose suddenly seemed a lot longer as it flared with Bug energy and he jabbed it forwards. It came so close Medicham felt the wind on her shoulder. Her Aura suddenly pulled her sideways as another jab came in. Masquerain glanced back; her eyes widened as she beheld Medicham's situation. "Searing Winds!" she cried, but this time she was far enough away for Buzzwole to react. "musculaR energY duaL-puncH!" Again he thrust his Electric and Ice energy-wreathed fists forwards, blasting the Flying energy back at the group, and Medicham felt herself lose her footing as the expulsion of energy struck her back. She tumbled hard to the ground, skidding for several feet. Buzzwole's pounding feet filled her ears, his voice echoing loudly. "sustenancE!"
"no!" Light filled Medicham's vision, and then Medicham was rolling across the ground. Buzzwole roared furiously, but it sounded far away. Adrenaline drove Medicham to her feet, and she realized Nebby had teleported her again; she was about twenty feet in front of Masquerain and Guzma, who were still running hard, and Buzzwole had, from the looks of it, rather painfully jabbed his lengthy stinger into the hard floor of the building.
"i…think i did that…" Nebby was breathing hard as well.
"Never mind that, let's go!" Medicham lunged forwards, Masquerain pulling up alongside her and Guzma sprinting along behind. Buzzwole did not pursue, more concerned with his injured stinger.
The group rushed out of the building, entering yet another alleyway. Masquerain lunged towards a small opening in the other side of the alleyway; Medicham followed, and as they passed through she saw a small open room with another door on the side that looked to have once been some kind of communications booth. Masquerain slumped against the wall, coughing; Medicham and Guzma followed suit, and Medicham only now realized how exhausted she was. It had only been a couple minutes, but she felt like she'd been running for hours.
"Nebby?" Masquerain asked, panting heavily. "Is what you said true? Can you control your teleportations now?"
Nebby screwed up his face in concentration. "um…it's not working now…"
"Of course not," Masquerain grumbled. "Well, we don't have much time to rest. I highly doubt Buzzwole and Xurkitree are the only Ultra Beasts nearby."
"So what's the plan?" Medicham asked.
"I have no idea!" Masquerain retorted. "You're the one who said we just needed to run!"
"Well, we did!" Medicham cried, all her patience exhausted.
"please, stop arguing!" Nebby cried. "we can't just keep running! there are so many of them, and we can't run forever!"
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Guzma asked. "We can't hide, because they've got a Legendary-level Psychic. And I sure as Distortion ain't surrendering. So, Cosmog, or Nebby, or whatever you wanna call yourself, you'd better figure out how to get us out of here quick."
"He's trying his best!" Medicham telepathically protested.
"I don't care!" Guzma shouted. "If his so-called best gets us all killed, it's not enough!"
"Hide!" Masquerain threw out her left wing and pressed Guzma against the nearest wall. Medicham quickly grabbed Nebby around the middle and shrank against the same wall. A few seconds later, Pheromosa sprinted past, her rapid clicking footsteps echoing on the smooth ground of the alleyway as she disappeared from sight.
Medicham let out a slow, shaky breath. "All right," she said telepathically so that all three of her allies could hear. "We need shelter. The Ultra Beasts are all really large. Even Buzzwole was struggling to fit into that building. So we move from building to building, and with any luck we can take it slow and save speed for if they catch up to us. Until Nebby finds a way to activate his teleportation and get us back home, I think that's all we can-"
All of a sudden Medicham;s mind was overloaded by a surge of Psychic power so vicious that she was forced to her knees, clutching her head tightly to at least lessen the pain. A cruel, mocking laugh came from above; the entire room around them was Psychically ripped out of the ground as Necrozma floated into view, Guzzlord and Stakataka moving in on either side.
"Telepathic communication in the vicinity of the most powerful Psychic in the area?" Necrozma asked. "Not very smart. I must admit, I'm not very familiar with your kind. In fact, I've never seen one of you alongside any of the Lusamines or Guzmas I've faced. So why? Why risk your life for this…thing?"
"He's my friend," Medicham retorted.
Necrozma sighed. "I don't even know why I bothered asking. Shadow Shield."
Medicham had no time to react before the shadows all around the group suddenly twisted and lunged straight for them. Several wrapped around her limbs, pinning her to the ground; Masquerain and Guzma were bound as well as several of the shadows twined around Nebby and held him in midair.
"Guzzlord, Stakataka," said Necrozma. "They're all yours."
"FOOD!" Guzzlord opened his stomach-maw wide.
"COMMENCING MATTER ABSORPTION." Stakataka's body rearranged itself, his front opening up and his stone-like components rearranging themselves into a vaguely mouth-like shape.
Masquerain strained against the shadows holding her, trying vainly to get between the Ultra Beasts and Guzma. Medicham squeezed her eyes shut, hoping that Guzzlord would be the one to get her. Being eaten would at least be a lot quicker than Stakataka's 'matter absorption'.
Marcus, everyone…I'm sorry.
"STOP IT!"
Medicham felt her heart still as she realized that was Nebby's voice, louder and more pronounced than Medicham had ever heard. A blue glow filled Medicham's vision, dazzling her even through her tightly closed eyes. "What is this?" Necrozma cried. "You…what are you-"
His voice suddenly felt as if it was coming down a long tube, growing quieter and quieter as it faded into the distance. Medicham was aware that Nebby was in her arms once again; she kept them around Nebby, even though for whatever reason he seemed a lot heavier, and something was digging into Medicham's stomach. She knew she was flying, or at the very least she could tell no part of her was touching the ground.
Medicham did not open her eyes. She kept them squeezed tightly shut and allowed whatever was happening to happen. As wind whistled in her ears, deep in the back of her mind Medicham knew that, somehow, they had escaped.
Marshadow flitted swiftly from bush to bush, following the small group as they made their way towards the nearby Pokemon Center. They drew a few glances from passersby as they walked, but no one stopped them. Marshadow knew this was a bad idea. Cosmog was gone. He should have already left. Gone off and did his best to forget this ever happened.
But every time he was about to leave, his gaze fell upon Lillie, walking stiffly with Snowy clutched protectively in both hands. And guilt flooded him anew, compelling him to follow.
Why? To apologize? What would be the point? She doesn't even know I exist.
But Marshadow followed anyway.
As the Pokemon Center came within sight, on the opposite end of a fairly large, open town square, Lillie finally spoke up. "Marcus," she said. "Can we…talk for a moment?"
"Sure," said Marcus. "You all go on ahead."
The rest of the group nodded and continued to walk, though Gladion cast a wary glance back at Marcus as he did so.
Lillie took a deep breath. "Marcus, I'm really sorry about-"
"What happened to Medicham's not your fault," said Marcus.
"I know," said Lillie, "but it still hurts. I know she meant a lot to you."
Marcus sighed. "You know, this isn't the first time."
Lillie stared up at him uncomprehendingly.
"I…" Marcus hesitated. "In Geosenge. Things went…wrong. And for a moment I thought I'd lost her for good. Part of me…part of me wishes that makes this easier to deal with."
Lillie placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder. "She'll come back," she said.
Marcus hesitated before answering. "I hope you're right."
The two of them turned to resume their stride; by now the rest of the group was halfway across the town square. But even as Marcus and Lillie took a step forward, the air in the center of the town square rippled.
It wasn't a slight ripple, either. It was as if someone, or something, was trying to pierce through the sky, for the air itself was bulging and wriggling madly. Marcus and Lillie stopped moving; Marshadow was faintly relieved that the rippling sky wasn't just a product of his imagination.
"What is that?" Marcus asked, but Lillie's response was lost in the surge of noise and energy as the air burst open and expelled a flailing group of figures onto the stones of the town square.
Marshadow felt familiarity pierce him as he scanned the figures. He knew some of them, but not well enough; for a moment his mind blanked. There was a human with shocking white hair, a badly wounded-looking Masquerain, a strange golden spherical creature Marshadow didn't think he'd ever seen before, and-
"Medicham?"
Marcus's shocked expression morphed into one of joy as he beheld his Medicham, sprawled out amidst the figures and tightly holding the golden creature. Marshadow looked closer at the strange creature; only now did he see the eight golden fins, one jutting out on each side and corner of the creature. In the midst of the golden body, a smaller sphere was now visible, dark with white dots, looking very much like a starry sky. And in the center of that sphere was none other than Cosmog, gazing out at the world around him.
Marshadow's heart leaped even as Marcus broke into a run towards the group. Medicham saw him coming; releasing Cosmog, she rose to her feet just in time to barely not get knocked onto the ground by Marcus. The Trainer wrapped his arms around Medicham tightly; Marshadow had to admit he'd never seen a Trainer hug their Pokemon before.
"Guzma?" Elio asked. "What are you doing here?"
The white-haired human - Guzma - stood up as well. A grin split his face. "Thank Distortion. Not gonna lie, I thought that was it for a few seconds."
Masquerain remained on the ground; only now did Marshadow see blood pouring from her abdomen and pooling on the ground. Guzma saw as well; with a muffled curse he recalled Masquerain and rifled through a pouch on his side. Finding it empty, he cursed again. "Gotta get my team to a Pokemon Center. They're in bad shape."
"And we're just supposed to let you leave?" Gladion challenged.
"Gladion, are you insane?" Hau asked. "You saw his Masquerain. Get out of the way."
Gladion stepped back reluctantly.
Marcus had released the rest of his team, all of whom swiftly crowded around Medicham, relief and happiness glinting in every one of their eyes.
Lillie, for her part, raced towards Cosmog, who was still lying on the ground. She knelt beside him. "Nebby? What…what happened to you?"
"I don't know," said Nebby. "I feel…different."
His voice was different as well as his body. Before it had been small, barely audible; now it was more natural and louder. Lillie tried to pick him up, but clearly she found it far more difficult than usual; Nebby was much heavier in this new form, and Lillie staggered and nearly fell as she lifted him up from the ground.
"I'm so glad you're safe," Lillie whispered.
Marshadow smiled himself, muttering a short prayer of gratitude to Arceus. The terror was over. Cosmog was safe. Marshadow could talk to him later…
The smile disappeared as an awful thought came to Marshadow's mind. Would Cosmog be willing to talk to him? Even see him? After all, Cosmog had asked for Marshadow's help, and Marshadow had instead stood by and done nothing as he was taken. Would Cosmog even want to be his friend after that kind of betrayal?
"Um…" Serena's voice disturbed Marshadow from his thoughts. "Why is that there?"
Marshadow looked up to see Serena pointing; he followed her finger, and saw another distortion in the sky. A hole was forming, a glowing blue gridlike pattern extending out from it in a vaguely conical shape. The hole radiated with energy, a dull rumbling noise emanating from it as it grew further in size.
"That's…the same thing Nihilego came through," said Elio.
Medicham heard Elio's comment; she looked up, her face paling. "We need to get out of here now," she said.
But before anyone in the square could make a move, something did indeed come through.
It wasn't a creature Marshadow recognized at all. This creature was black in color, with a thin, angular body covered with dark red glowing highlights. Two legs extended from the creature, starting skinny and growing larger until they ended in massive clawed feet. Two massive blue glowing wings flared from the creature's sides, embellished with black spikes at the tips. The creature glared down at the clearing with blood-red eyes; its gaze moved from Guzma to Cosmog to Medicham, and then swiveled back to Cosmog.
"Well," the creature rumbled, his voice echoing across the town square and into the city. Screams arose from several citizens as they beheld the monstrosity. "This is certainly interesting."
To Marshadow's shock, other creatures began to emerge from the hole in the sky, creatures that Marshadow had never seen before in his life. Eight creatures in total followed the first, though unlike the first, all of them landed on the ground. They practically radiated power, extreme amounts of it. Marshadow narrowed his eyes. It felt like some of them were radiating more power than others. Almost as if that power had been stolen.
"You've evolved." The black winged creature was speaking directly to Cosmog. "So you're not just another being birthed by my missing portion. You are my missing portion, regressed into a weaker form. I should have guessed they were lying once again."
"What in Distortion are these things?" Marshadow heard one of Marcus's Gym Trainers - he was pretty sure his name was Theo - utter.
"You know what?" The black winged creature turned to face Theo. "You're absolutely right. Introductions are indeed in order. I am called Necrozma. These are the Ultra Beasts. We're here to…how shall I put this…destroy your entire world and slaughter everyone on it. And, of course, recover my missing portion."
"You stay away from Nebby!" Lillie cried.
Necrozma's gaze swiveled towards the white-clad girl. "Ah…you must be Lillie," he said in a tone of recognition. "Your mother told me plenty about you. In fact, she convinced me to make her a very particular promise about you."
And then a tenth creature floated through the hole in the sky, and Marshadow recognized this one. Nihilego floated gently towards the ground, and as he moved closer Marshadow realized that he was in his alternate form, the form that he seemed to take upon possessing a human. Sure enough, a human was dangling from the center. A female, clothed in white as well, her eyes shining black as she grinned at Lillie with a smile that was far too wide.
"Mother?" Lillie's gasp was horrified.
"I promised her that she would be the one to kill you," said Necrozma. "Nihilego? Let us start."
"UNDERSTOOD," Nihilego stated in what seemed to be two voices at once. Five Pokemon appeared in the square. A Bewear, a Milotic, a Lilligant, a Mismagius, and a Lopunny, all of them with the same dead-eyed stare as the woman inside Nihilego's body.
"Incineroar!" Elio shouted as the five Pokemon lunged for Lillie. "Z-Move, now!"
A bipedal black-and-red Pokemon, looking not unlike Zeraora, materialized out of one of Elio's Pokeballs. "Malicious Moonsault!" Incineroar roared; an aura of mingled Blaze and Oblivion surrounded the red-and-black Pokemon as the Z-Crystal imbued it with power far beyond what it could normally wield. Incineroar hurled himself forwards in a diving tackle, his Z-Move propelling him towards the Pokemon assailing Lillie with shocking speed and power.
"Moongeist Beam."
Necrozma reacted instantaneously; his wings glowed blue, and from each of them came a beam of Distortion. The two beams collided with one another, coalescing into a single massive beam that flew at the charging Incineroar. Incineroar was halfway to his targets when the Moongeist Beam slammed into his back and drove him into the ground. A cloud of dust burst outwards from the impact point; when it cleared, Marshadow saw Incineroar unconscious in a crater, the energies surrounding his body fading away as the Moongeist Beam dissipated.
Marshadow gulped. If he needed any more confirmation that Necrozma was Legendary-level - perhaps even a Legendary himself - that was it.
"Incineroar!" Elio cried.
"Resistance is futile," Necrozma stated. "But please, by all means, keep trying. I'm just going to kill you all anyway. The least you could do is actually make it enjoyable."
Lillie was backing away from the five dead-eyed Pokemon, keeping a firm but shaky grip on Nebby. Gladion released what looked like a Type: Full, but with its mask removed. The maskless Type: Full seemed to be in a small amount of pain, for it winced as it swiftly moved between the five and Lillie. The five stopped; Nihilego, judging by the aura of fury and a little apprehension emanating from him, knew exactly who Type: Full was and what its capabilities were.
The other Pokemon in the town square moved between the Ultra Beasts and their respective Trainers. Necrozma spread his wings, and the Ultra Beasts began to move towards the Trainers, snarling menacingly.
Marshadow gritted his teeth as he surveyed the clearing. The various humans and Pokemon looked understandably terrified. It was painfully obvious that they were completely outclassed in power by Necrozma, and that wasn't even counting the Ultra Beasts, whom Marshadow knew had plenty of power as well.
He had to run. There was no way he could fight these monsters. Better to leave now than to risk being discovered.
No.
Marshadow clenched his fists. He'd stood back and watched as Cosmog was taken once. There was no way in Distortion he was doing it a second time.
But what could he do? Against all of these adversaries, he'd never be able to win. Not unless…
Not unless I use my Zenith Form.
Marshadow sighed. I'll probably get sent to Distortion for this. But if this works…I guess I'll consider Distortion well worth it.
Marshadow reached into the innermost reaches of himself and tapped into a power he hadn't called upon in a thousand years.
No turning back now. Let's do this.
Distortion exploded out of Marshadow's body, a roiling burst of power surging out from his form, coalescing into a pale green-and-yellow suit of Distortional armor. The undergrowth around Marshadow was ripped apart, rendering Marshadow visible to the entire clearing. A few days ago Marshadow would have been terrified at the prospect. Now he just didn't care.
Necrozma turned towards Marshadow. "What is-"
"Spectral Shift!" Marshadow moved, propelling his body forwards with a Shadow Sneak. Space folded around Marshadow as he accessed the realm of Distortion for a brief moment; then he was back in reality, up in Necrozma's face. He saw the mysterious Legendary rear back, body glowing with Distortion of his own. It wouldn't help him.
"Technician!" Marshadow cried. "Soul-Stealing…Seven-Point…STAR STRIKE!"
Time seemed to slow around Marshadow as he raised his fists. He tapped into his Technician Ability, identifying the exact places on Necrozma's body he needed to strike in order to properly utilize the technique. Seven points on his body, arrayed in a perfect circle.
He thrust his fists forward. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.
The seven points where his blows had landed flared with Distortion; a seven-pointed star formed between the points, lines of Distortion crisscrossing Necrozma's stomach. There was a brief pause, and then the star erupted, a massive Distortional explosion sending Necrozma flying across the town square. His body slammed into a nearby building, collapsing part of it onto himself.
"Marshadow?" Nebby's voice was resplendent with surprise.
Necrozma snarled in rage. "Kill him!"
The Ultra Beasts lunged, some moving faster than others, but Marshadow only had eyes for five of them. The one that looked like a hundred wires coiled together, bursting with Lightning; the tall and skinny one that looked like a female human with antenna and exaggerated proportions; the skyscraper-like one with the twin rocket-esque arms; the one that seemed akin to a tall stone tower with legs; and the one with a gigantic mouth in its stomach that was roaring for food as it descended on Marshadow.
All five had excess power compared to the others. Power that did not seem to be theirs. Marshadow raised a hand. "Technician!" he cried.
Ordinarily, Technician was a fairly simple Ability. When a user of that Ability aimed a blow, the Ability let them know exactly where to strike to cause the most damage. But Marshadow had honed it over many millennia. As he tapped into it now, Technician told him precisely where the Ultra Beasts' stolen power was, and how to access it for his own use.
"Spectral Thief: Power Absorption!" Marshadow cried, and gouts of Distortion flew from his hand straight into the shadows of the five Ultra Beasts in question. The five targeted Ultra Beasts cried out as their stolen power was leeched from them by Marshadow's Distortional technique. The others were forced to a halt, buffeted by the sheer power radiating from Marshadow's body as he used his signature technique. Marshadow spread his arms wide, allowing the stolen power to flood into his body.
These Ultra Beasts had absorbed Legendary-level fighters, Marshadow could tell. Adding their power levels to their own. But now all of that power was Marshadow's. The strength of half a dozen Legendary-level beings now coursed through Marshadow's body. Despite everything, despite the fear, despite the danger that Marshadow faced, he couldn't help but feel giddy about the sheer amount of power he now wielded. He had to admit that he hadn't felt this alive in a thousand years.
Marshadow clapped his hands together. A wave of Distortion burst from the point of impact, buffeting the Ultra Beasts. All of them stumbled backwards, unable to stand against such a powerful attack.
"I am Marshadow," Marshadow uttered. "I am the Zenith." He glanced back at the gathered humans and Pokemon, all of whom were staring at him. "And if you want to get to them…" He turned back to Necrozma and the Ultra Beasts, his Distortional armor flaring.
"…you're going to have to go through me."
On a nearby island, three gigantic Pokemon rested. One was white and bipedal, blindingly white flames billowing from several points on her body, wings flaring as she surveyed the nearby ocean. The other two were four-legged, one blue, one red, the red one stockier, the blue one leaner.
"Why are we still here?" Reshiram asked.
Zacian sighed. "You know very well things are volatile around here. Surely you've sensed the disturbances as well?"
"Are those not the Tapus' jobs to handle?" Reshiram asked.
"Yes," said Zamazenta. "But it's not like we can't wait a little. Just in case they need our help."
"That is a lie," said Reshiram.
"No, it's not," Zamazenta retorted. "You know very well-"
"Not what you said," said Reshiram. "You spoke a truth. But you did not speak the truth. You are trying to delay your visit to Hoopa further. Because you know Marshadow was right. It is Giratina's doing, and you are hiding from that."
Zamazenta sighed. "You know, Reshiram, when all this is over, I'm going to be thankful that I don't always travel with a living lie detector."
Zacian side-eyed Zamazenta. "You might have phrased that a little more delicately."
"If Reshiram wants the truth," said Zamazenta, "then why shouldn't we tell the truth?"
"Seriously, Zamazenta, now you're just being petty," said Zacian. She sighed. "Reshiram's right. We shouldn't put off the inevitable any longer. Let's go visit Hoopa, and then-"
She stopped, her entire body tensing.
"You sense it too?" Zamazenta asked.
"Yeah," said Zacian.
"So do I," Reshiram growled. "I suppose…there may have been a kernel of legitimacy towards your decision to remain here."
"But why?" Zacian asked. "He said it himself. He hasn't gone Zenith since the War of Legends. So why now?"
"Don't know, don't care," said Zamazenta. "Either he'll tell us, or we'll beat the answer out of him."
"Hopefully the former," said Zacian. "Let's go." Her voice lowered to a growl. "Marshadow had better have a very good explanation for this."
In the last few minutes, Medicham had gone through a very wide range of emotions. Pain as she tumbled to the stony ground. Relief as she gazed around to see the familiar surroundings of her world. Joy as she saw Marcus and her team again, as they crowded around her, fighting to make their personal gratitudes heard. Alarm as she saw the portal opening in the sky. Panic as Necrozma and the Ultra Beasts emerged, and she realized that after everything she'd been through, she was still going to die by their hands, only this time she'd have to watch her team, her friends, die around her.
But now all of that emotion was forgotten. Now, Medicham could do nothing but stare at the small black and pale green creature before her. The creature looked like a tiny wisp of Distortion - the raw form of Ghost energy was clearly recognizable - with two glowing red eyes, its hands stubby. At a glance, Medicham would not have imagined this thing would have the power to blast Necrozma across the town square and stagger all nine of the Ultra Beasts at the same time.
Medicham spotted Nebby staring up at the new arrival with recognition in his eyes. "Who is that?" she asked Nebby telepathically.
"Marshadow," Nebby answered. "He's…a friend. I didn't expect to see him again."
"Is he a Legendary?" Medicham asked. Nebby nodded. Medicham looked back up at Marshadow, and saw him glance back at Nebby. "Get them out of here!" the Ghost-type Legendary cried.
Seeing the writing on the wall, the various members of the group began to make a run for the roads leading out of the town square, endeavoring to put the upcoming Legendary clash behind them.
"No."
Necrozma's wings flared again. Glowing blue barriers of Mind arose around the town square, blocking off every way out. Nebby let out a grunt of anguish. "What's wrong?" Medicham asked.
"I…he's shut off my teleportation!" Nebby cried. "His Psychic hold's too strong! I can't do anything!"
Medicham looked back at Marshadow. The Ultra Beasts were descending on him once again. Marshadow's eyes narrowed. "All right, then. Spectral Shift!"
His body flickered with a telltale Shadow Sneak; in the blink of an eye Marshadow materialized in Pheromosa's face. "Technician! Soul-Rending Black Hole Strike!" Marshadow's punch emanated an almighty thwoom as it slammed into Pheromosa's face; Pheromosa tumbled to the ground, her jaw stove in and several bones clearly broken. There she lay, stirring feebly. Medicham felt shock rush through her mind. One punch? He can bring down an Ultra Beast with one punch?
Kartana was on Marshadow with his trademark insane speed; the Steel/Grass-type still looked slightly burnt from Medicham's Fire Punch, but it didn't seem to be slowing him down. His blade-arm swept out, aiming for Marshadow's neck. Marshadow used Shadow Sneak again, teleporting through the slash. Kartana twisted with his failed swipe and swept his blade-arm around again, but this time Marshadow was facing Kartana.
"ecilS gnicreiP-romrA."
"Technician! Bone-Crushing Sucker Strike!"
Marshadow's fist blazed with Oblivion and Aura as he sent a swift punch under Kartana's sweeping blade-arm. Kartana was sent flying, bouncing off the pavement with an odd metallic tink and disappearing into a copse of nearby trees. Marshadow stumbled slightly as well - striking Kartana's blade-like body had not left Marshadow unscathed - but he recovered just in time to Shadow Sneak away from a burst of Lightning from Xurkitree.
"miNd BlOwN!" Blacephalon's head flew towards Marshadow. Celesteela and Guzzlord rose up on either side, the former extending one of her rocket-like arms towards Marshadow, the latter simply opening its mouth wide.
"Technician! Soul-Sundering Supernova Strike!" Marshadow hauled back and punched Blacephalon's flying head right out of the air with a Distortion-infused fist. "Spectral Shift!" he cried as the head exploded; in a flash he was beside Blacephalon's headless body even as Celesteela and Guzzlord were staggered by Blacephalon's Mind Blown. "Technician! Soul-Rending Black Hole Strike!" Marshadow let out a cackle not unlike Trevenant as he punched Blacephalon square in the stomach; the Fire/Ghost-type Ultra Beasts was knocked into another nearby building, and Marshadow twisted to face his next opponent, sliding away from another Lightning blast from Xurkitree as he did so.
Medicham could not take her eyes off the spectacle. Was Marshadow seriously going to defeat all of the Ultra Beasts by himself?
Buzzwole lunged. "musculaR stronG puncH!" he cried, hauling back with one massive fist.
"Technician! Bone-Crushing Supernova Strike!" Marshadow met Buzzwole's fist with his own. Impossibly, Marshadow's tiny fist won out against Buzzwole's massive one; the Bug/Fighting-type Ultra Beast stumbled backwards. Stakataka now reared up behind Marshadow. "MATTER ABSORPTION!"
"Spectral Shift!" Marshadow blinked behind Buzzwole, evading the grasp of Stakataka. "Technician! Soul-Sundering Supernova Strike!" He punched Buzzwole in the back with an explosive burst of Distortion; the Bug/Fighting-type Ultra Beast went flying towards Stakataka. "MATTER REARRANGEMENT," Stakataka droned; his body split down the middle and his stony components bent to either side, allowing Buzzwole's body to fly through the newly created gap.
Stakataka shifted back to his original form just as Marshadow lunged at him. "MATTER REALLOCATION." A flurry of Ancient projectiles flew from the various stony components of Stakataka's body. "Technician!" Marshadow cried. "Bone-Shattering Strike Flurry!"
Marshadow's stubby fists flared with Aura as he lunged into the teeth of Stakataka's barrage. Any Ancient that came anywhere near Marshadow met a swift fist of Aura and disintegrated under the blow. Marshadow came on, ripping through Stakataka's barrage, and lunged at Stakataka's midsection.
"MATTER REARRANGEMENT," Stakataka intoned, shifting his body to try and create a gap where Marshadow's punch was about to land.
It didn't matter. "Technician! Bone-Crushing Supernova Strike!"
Marshadow punched into the gap, and Aura exploded out of his fist, ripping Stakataka in two; each half of Stakataka's body flew into a separate building. By now, most of the buildings in the surrounding area were destroyed or damaged in some way by the battle, either from stray Lightning attacks by Xurkitree or by Ultra Beast being thrown into them.
"GET HIM!"
Marshadow twisted to see the fusion of Nihilego and Lusamine - no way was Medicham getting that image out of her head for a long time - and all five of Lusamine's remaining Pokemon charging him. His expression shifted; swiftly, he clapped his hands again, unleashing another powerful wave of Distortion at the group. "ANCIENT WAVE!" Nihilego bellowed, but his defensive wave crumpled even as it formed under Marshadow's blast. Three of Lusamine's Pokemon were sent flying, but her Lopunny and Bewear charged unheeding of the ineffective attack.
"Locking On." Celesteela hurled herself at Marshadow, raising one gigantic rocket-like arm. "Single Engine Burst."
"Spectral Shift!" Marshadow cried, but unlike Marshadow's previous opponents, Celesteela was ready for the dodge. Even as her missed Single Engine Burst consumed Lusamine's Bewear and Lopunny in a wash of Blaze, sending them flying, Celesteela swiveled, bringing her other engine-like arm around as Marshadow rematerialized a ways back. "Single Engine Burst."
Marshadow's eyes widened; in one swift motion he drew his hand back and punched it forwards, glistening with Distortion. "Technician! Spectral Thief: Copystrike!"
Distortion flew out from Marshadow's fist in a perfect copy of Celesteela's Single Engine Burst. Medicham's jaw dropped. Copycat? On top of all the power he's displayed already, he knows Copycat? How strong is Marshadow?
"Enough!"
Necrozma burst out from the rubble he'd been lying in, gazing around at the scattered Ultra Beasts. "Fools! I will deal with this myself! Moongeist Beam!"
Another Distortional beam flew from Necrozma's flared wings. "Spectral Shift!" Marshadow cried, blinking out of the way of the Moongeist Beam; Celesteela shifted backwards, and the Ultra Beasts still standing did the same, not wanting to get in Necrozma's way. Marshadow rematerialized next to Necrozma. "Technician! Soul-Rending Black Hole Strike!" Marshadow cried, drawing back a Distortion-infused fist to punch Necrozma in the face.
"Shadow Shield."
Marshadow froze in midair, fist drawn back. He grunted, trying to punch forwards again. His body refused to move, paralyzed completely. Marshadow's eyes widened.
"My Ability in this form, Shadow Shield, grants me control over shadows," said Necrozma. "And you appear to be made entirely out of shadows. What a shame…you might have actually saved them had that not been the case." Necrozma telekinetically shifted the struggling Marshadow a small ways away from him. "But since it is…Xurkitree. Finish him."
"WITH PLEASURE," Xurkitree rumbled. "ONE MILLION VOLT EXPULSION."
The Electric-type Ultra Beast raised both hands and unleashed a terrifyingly large beam of Lightning straight into Marshadow's body. Marshadow screamed, writhing in Necrozma's grasp, the evil Legendary's Ability preventing him from escaping via Shadow Sneak.
Medicham watched in fascinated horror, unable to look away as Xurkitree continued to pump Lightning into Marshadow's form. For nearly thirty seconds the Ultra Beast assailed Marshadow, the Ghost-type Legendary's screams growing weaker and weaker, until at last, mercifully, they stopped.
"Enough." At Necrozma's command, Xurkitree ceased his barrage. The crackling of electricity remained, though; as Medicham watched she beheld Marshadow hanging in Necrozma's grasp, stirring feebly, his fists wreathed in dissipating Electric energy, his pale green armor fading to reveal a dark shadowy body underneath.
"Impressive." Necrozma telekinetically twisted Marshadow so that the Ghost-type Legendary was facing him. "Using Thunder Punch to dissipate enough of Xurkitree's attack to survive. You are quite powerful. Perhaps you would be willing to take that power and use it for a greater purpose. Join me and I can give you that purpose."
Marshadow looked up at Necrozma. "A thousand years ago I made the mistake of accepting an offer just like that," he said, his voice thin and feeble. "No more." One of his eyes swiveled to the side; at first Medicham thought it was rolling back in Marshadow's head as he descended into unconsciousness, but then she realized it was looking at something. She turned to follow it, but through the trees and a plume of smoke from one of the many houses damaged by the battle, she could only see a momentary flash of blue fur.
"Then you will die as you lived," said Necrozma. "A waste. That's all you've done here. Pointlessly waste my time. These people, these Pokemon, they will all be slaughtered. All you have done is pointlessly drag out their deaths even further."
Marshadow smiled thinly. "I wouldn't call it pointless."
"And why not?" Necrozma asked. "My Ultra Beasts will heal. You will not. So tell me, Marshadow, before I kill you. How is this not pointless?"
"Because…" Marshadow coughed before finishing his sentence. "Because I just bought them all the time they needed."
"Please." Necrozma scoffed. "Do you not see that they are imprisoned? The people and Pokemon in this clearing are-"
"You misunderstand." Marshadow coughed again. "I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about them."
Necrozma frowned. "What's that supposed to-"
"Intrepid Sword: Behemoth Blade!"
The loud cry pierced the air; Medicham saw a massive blue-furred being lunge out of the smoke, a massive blade nearly the length of the creature's body materializing in its toothy mouth. The creature twisted its head and slashed the sword straight through one of Necrozma's Psychic barriers, hurling itself through the dissipating remnants of Mind. The being landed lightly on the ground, setting her stance and turning her head back towards the way she'd come. "Now!"
Four figures surged over the rooftops after the new arrival, and these figures Medicham recognized from Geosenge. They hadn't been there, but Medicham had watched as the Lifebringer called upon them to grant him power. Koko, Lele, Bulu, and Fini. The four Tapus.
"NATURE'S MADNESS!" All four of them raised their voices as one, and a colossal wave of Life surged out from the group.
Of the four Ultra Beasts that were still standing after Marshadow's one-Legendary assault, none of them took it very well. Guzzlord howled as the quad-super effective attack slammed into him, knocking the massive Ultra Beast to the ground. Xurkitree remained conscious but was bowled over by the sheer force of the wave, as was Nihilego, while the three remaining Pokemon Nihilego was possessing were quite literally blown away by the wave. Celesteela's size, resistance, and bulk enabled her to stay on her feet, but even she was shoved backwards.
"Shadow Shield!"
Irritatingly, Necrozma swiftly summoned forth several nearby shadows and formed them into a barrier that deflected the Tapus' attack. But he was forced to drop his hold on Marshadow. The Ghost-type Legendary fell to the ground, unable to recover before he landed with an audible crack.
As Necrozma's shield dissipated, two more figures followed the blue-furred being with the sword and the four Tapus. The first of these figures looked similar to the blue-furred creature, but was colored red, with his head and neck resembling a fairly ornate shield. The other was a blindingly white Pokemon that Medicham recognized from multiple stories; this was Reshiram, the Lord of Truth, a Legendary often spoken of by parents to dissuade their children from lying, especially, she'd heard, in Unova.
The beings with the sword and the shield must be Legendaries too, Medicham realized, especially judging by how the humans in the clearing were staring at all of the new arrivals with equal awe. Medicham felt a little faint at just how many Legendaries and Legendary-level creatures were standing or lying in the clearing. Eighteen, judging by her count - no, nineteen, there was Silvally, still standing protectively in front of Lillie. And if Nebby counted as Legendary-level - which Medicham was pretty sure he did, at least in theory - that made an even twenty.
Necrozma glared at the blue-furred creature as it stepped forwards, the sword dematerializing from her mouth. "I am Zacian," the blue-furred being said, "of the Dogs of War. You come for death. You will find none here but your own. Leave, and your life may be spared. Or you can attack us." Zacian smirked. "Go ahead. Make my day."
The red-furred being with the shield-like head and neck stepped up beside Zacian; Reshiram and the four Tapus moved up behind them, readying blasts of powerful energy should battle break out.
Necrozma glared at the new arrivals, but Medicham could tell even he was nervous. Five Ultra Beasts had been felled by Marshadow, leaving Necrozma outnumbered by the new arrivals, all of whom were clearly Legendaries. His gaze swiveled to Nebby, who was sitting in Lillie's arms, gazing at Marshadow with horror in his eyes.
"You are not useful to me yet," he snarled. "But you will be eventually. In time, you will return to your true form. And when you do…I will return with an army, and I will regain my missing portion. And then…when I have reached my full power…nothing will stop me from tearing this world apart."
Necrozma spread his wings, and at his behest more portals began to open, dragging in the conscious and unconscious Ultra Beasts. Lillie's eyes widened as the Nihilego/Lusamine fusion moved towards one of the portals. "Mother! No!"
One of the Tapus - Lele, Medicham recalled - lashed out with a blast of Mind at Nihilego. "Psychic Surge: Alola's Grasp!" Nihilego halted momentarily, body shuddering under Lele's Psychic grasp. But Necrozma, with an enraged snarl, sent his own blast of Mind at Nihilego; Tapu Lele stumbled from the Psychic backlash as the two Mind-based projectiles impacted, and Nihilego was freed, diving into the portal before Lele could make another attempt to hold him back.
The rest of the Legendaries watched as Necrozma and the Ultra Beasts disappeared; only when the last of them was through the portals did Medicham finally, finally, dare to relax.
"Lele, are you all right?" another of the Tapus - Bulu - asked the Psychic-type Tapu.
"I'm fine, Bulu," said Lele. "That creature's Psychic strength was immense. I was unprepared for the level that I faced."
"The entire place was surrounded by barriers of Mind!" the red-furred creature scoffed.
"Not now, Zamazenta," Zacian chided. "We have further business to attend to. Tapus, Reshiram, we will handle Marshadow."
With dips of their heads, the Tapus and Reshiram began to move over to the various humans and Pokemon scattered around the square. Tapu Bulu floated up to Marcus's team, eyes scanning over the various Pokemon he released. "You all look like you've been to Distortion and back," the Tapu commented.
"You have no idea," Medicham murmured.
Marshadow had never thought he'd be glad to see the Dogs of War. But that gladness was replaced with apprehension as the two of them moved up to him, Reshiram and the Tapus stepping away to check on Cosmog and the rest of the Trainers and Pokemon in the square. Marshadow tried to stand, but the pain from Xurkitree's bombardment was too much, and his body refused to obey his command.
"You all right?" Zacian asked - not the first words Marshadow had expected to come out of her mouth.
Marshadow tried to nod, but the pain overwhelmed him at even that small amount of movement. "Ow! Ow. Okay, no, I'm not." He chuckled softly. "Took you all long enough."
"You planned this, didn't you?" Zamazenta accused. "You used your Zenith form knowing we'd be on you faster than a starving Ninjask."
"That was…the backup plan, yeah," said Marshadow. "How long were you…waiting in those trees?"
"Well, you clearly seemed to be building up to something with your speech, and I figured it would be prudent to wait until you called us in," said Zacian.
Marshadow chuckled again. Zamazenta frowned. "I hate to say it, Marshadow, but you becoming the Zenith was…perhaps the best thing you could have done in that situation," he admitted. "You saved a lot of lives. But that said…you know the rules. Any sign of the Zenith's return means obliteration of your physical form."
Marshadow sighed. "Yeah, I figured that was coming. Honestly, that Electric-type Ultra Beast did most of the work."
"Yes," said Zacian. "It's such a shame that he knocked you out of your Zenith Form before we could arrive to investigate the surge of power."
"Zacian-" Zamazenta began.
"And that, without evidence of your assumption of the Zenith Form, we were unable to ascertain the true nature of that power surge, and as such were forced to conclude that it was the invaders who caused that surge," said Zacian, shooting a glance at Zamazenta as she did so. "Truly a shame."
Zamazenta sighed. "Indeed," he muttered reluctantly. "What a shame."
Marshadow looked from Zacian to Zamazenta. "Th…thank you."
"Zamazenta, screens," Zacian ordered. Zamazenta did as told; Psychic energy surged out from the red-furred Dog of War, wrapping around Marshadow's body.
"The screens should keep your injuries from worsening," said Zacian. "Find Bulu, he'll get you healed up."
With the aid of the dual screens, Marshadow managed to haul himself up. "Oh, and Marshadow?" Zacian called.
Marshadow turned towards Zacian.
"Well done," said the blue-furred Dog of War, and then she and Zamazenta turned and trotted away.
Hope you all enjoyed this two-part climax! Next chapter will be the end of this arc.