Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 138: The 1,000 Kitsune Inheritor, a pokémon fanfic

Pokémon Virus Version Chapter 138: Inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune: Braixen

Lord Mito was gone now, and the place that was once his Paradise-his crown achievement for a lifetime dedicated to Alchemy-it was falling apart in front of the eyes of those who remain.

Tears fell from Yumi's eyes as Lord Mito closed his eyes for the last time.

No Mother should ever watch her children die in her arms. Lady Anju's weeping echoed throughout the torn sky, as Summer and Winter were no longer alive.

How could this happen? Lady Anju raised her little girls to guard Willow with their lives, but they were never raised to guard their own lives. They were so young. Why did it have to be them?

With her daughters and her husband gone, Lady Anju was left alone...with the person who took their lives.

"..." Lady Anju couldn't face the Divine Kitsune that was now her son. She was in a vegetative state that was different than the permanent one her husband and daughters were in, but was crippling nonetheless.

What was Lady Anju to do now?

Divine Kitsune: Lord Willow stared at his downed father. "...The power of the 1,000 Kitsune has been passed down. Your purpose for living has been fulfilled. I will cleanse the world of greed and corruption. For you..." He looked to his downed sisters, "And you..." It was hard to tell, but there was a hint of sadness in Willow's voice. While his Father's purpose was fulfilled, he truly did not mean to do what he did to Summer and Winter. He just wanted them out of the way, but did not realize his own strength as the Divine Kitsune. No matter what negative feelings he felt in the moment of his rage, Lord Mito, Summer, and Winter were still his family. "You were all wrong to deny me my destiny, after filling my head with hopes and dreams all my life. From Heaven, I hope you'll look down to me, and appreciate when I erase the very corruption that exiled you, Father. In the end, I'M the worthy successor to Alchemy, and the power of the 1,000 Kitsune..." His gaze slowly drifted to the figure right next to Lord Mito's body, "You..." Yumi was grieving over Lord Mito's death. She turned around when Lord Willow called out to her, "You had no right meddling in this affair. If you'd never came to this Temple, we would never have been pushed this far. Father and my sisters would still be alive."

"..." Braixen gritted her teeth, as Willow was wrong. Lord Mito chose to bestow the power of the 1,000 Kitsune to HER.

"You have no right to return to the world above. My family will be avenged...When the power of the 1,000 Kitsune sends you to HELL!" More fighting words. Unlike with his family, Willow had no qualms about charging at Yumi and Braixen. There was more passion, more anger when he set his sights on them.

"Ngh…!"

His strength was unrestrained. Yumi and Braixen flinched as the Divine Kitsune readied to strike. Yumi and Braixen, they were about to be sent opposite of where the spirits of Lord Mito and the twins were ascending to. They were about to go to the place that wasn't Heaven.

"No!"

"You will not hurt them!"

"..."

Yumi wasn't flinching because she was caught off guard. She was truly startled by the immense strength possessed by Willow. No ordinary being could match his power.

Of course, those who protected Yumi weren't ordinary.

"Zen?" Yumi and Braixen opened their eyes. Standing in front of them, were three familiar figures.

Chapel.

Rose.

Seth.

Chapel emitted a whitish blue aura of pure light. Seth emitted an aura of pure darkness. Rose emitted an aura that was white as snow. They were using the power gifted to them from the virus Missingno.

"You guys…" Yumi whispered.

"What's this?" The Divine Kitsune was astounded to an absurd degree. His eyes widened, "What are you people?!"

Lord Mito said that the power of Alchemy was really a virus power handed down from Missingno. Lord Mito encountered the virus while wandering aimlessly around the world, in exile. That same virus power now belonged to Willow. He'd never seen Missingno or any of its powers belonging to any other person. To think, the ones blocking his attack would all house the same power he believed to be somewhat mythical...

"You..." Chapel's eyes were the same whitish-blue color as the aura surrounding her. Willow didn't realize it, but it wasn't long ago Chapel merged with Missingno's purest form. Get away from her!" She was as powerful as the strongest Shadow Users, and she used this power to rush a burst of energy at the Divine Kitsune.

"Agh!" The Divine Kitsune was blown back. There was now much separation between Willow and Yumi, as Willow skidded to a screeching halt. His attention was diverted, as he was now staring at Chapel, Rose, and Seth. "You spectators would oppose me as well? So be it!"

The Divine Kitsune launched an all powerful blast of red energy at the trio-the same beam that ended the lives of Summer and Winter.

"No..." In the arms of Rose, was the evil doll Banette. As Banette was released by Rose, she ascended into the air and started glowing dark energy. She prepared a Night Shade in front of her, and the Divine Kitsune's blast of energy was sent into Banette's dark twisted fantasy, where it was rendered useless.

"What?!" Willow was shocked. How could this power be stood up by these three spectators, of all people?! "That dark power...That is the evil that the 1,000 Kitsune Temple has warded off for many years. It's appalling, how such evil could find a way in here. Fine!" Willow lunged at the trio, "I will free the Temple of your evil, and send you to Hell!"

Banette began to expand her Night Shade, until she, Rose, Chapel, and Seth were all engulfed. Willow lunged straight in. They were no longer in this destroyed Temple, they were all in Banette's beautiful dark twisted fantasy...leaving Yumi and Braixen alone.

"..." It was subdued. The storm had calmed for the moment. It was a calm before an even bigger storm. "They're all fighting for us..." One would expect Yumi to be smiling at that. She wasn't. She couldn't smile, not with the body of the late Lord Mito laying in front of her.

"I love you two..."

"Hm?"

"Zen?"

Yumi and Braixen turned, to realize that Lady Anju was still here. The panic and screaming that overcame her had now qwelled, giving way to silent mourning. "..." Tears were in her eyes as she rested Winter on her lap, while hugging Summer to her chest.

This was the first time Yumi had ever seen someone die in person. This had the potential to be emotionally scarring to Yumi, if she let it. But she couldn't. In this moment of mourning, Yumi needed to be strong. She needed to be strong for herself, and she needed to be strong for Lady Anju's sake.

"Braixen?" Yumi called the Fire type, and motioned to Lord Mito's body, "Psychic please." Yumi walked to Lady Anju, giving Braixen the hint.

Braixen used her Psychic power to engulfed Lord Mito's body in a light blue aura. He was lifted from the ground, and transported to Lady Anju's side, where he was gently put down.

"Lady Anju?" Yumi called her name.

"..." No response.

"Lady Anju."

"Zen. Braixen." Braixen touched her shoulder.

Lady Anju turned around, revealing a face of wet tears and smeared makeup.

"I'm sorry." Yumi found it hard to find words of encouragement for Lady Anju. It was strange, because in the past she'd use words to encourage those close to her whenever they'd despair. This time was different though. How could Yumi stand to shed light onto a moment of mourning?

Lady Anju gazed at her husband, "All I wanted to do was live out these years with my family. For years, my dream was reality."

"I don't get it," Yumi said, "Lord Mito is human, while you're a Ninetails Kitsune. Why did you choose him?"

"It was Lord Mito who found me." Lady Anju replied, before a moment of silence befell them, "...As a Ninetails, I've spent many years in this world, maybe more than Lord Mito. As Ninetails, I had a Master. And together, we lived happily ever after...before he mysteriously vanished. I waited over one hundred years for Master to return..." Over one hundred years...Yumi knew no ordinary human could live that long. She knew of the final fate Lady Anju's Master was implied to have met. "It seemed like an eternity passed before I left the abandoned mansion. I wandered the world aimlessly, without a particular goal in mind. By myself, I realized how lonely the world was. I passed by people and pokemon, but they were all just empty faces to me. Except for one person in particular. He was...different. In his eyes, was bitterness unlike any I'd ever seen. I wanted to ask if he was okay. Of course, he thought I was some ordinary wild pokemon, and he tried to capture me. It was when I took on the illusionary form of a human, and began talking in human speech that he began to listen. I wished to help this person. He seemed to calm down, and we just took it from there. At first, I saw him like a new Master. But really, our relationship was so much deeper than that. I thought the world was a lonely place, while he was sick of the world all together. We decided to settle down somewhere that was so secluded and out of the way, that no human would bother us. It was peaceful, and we lived happily ever after...until today."

It was Lady Anju's life story. How she was alone for hundreds of years before finding Lord Mito. But now, Lord Mito was gone, leaving Lady Anju alone once again. What was she to do now?

"Even after everything, I cannot find it in myself to think of vengeance when looking at my son." She turned to Yumi, "Yumi, it's up to you and your Kitsune to stop the Divine Kitsune."

"How can we stand up to that kind of power?" Yumi asked.

"I..." Lady Anju sighed, "I know of one method, for Braixen to inherit her own power of the 1,000 Kitsune."

"Zen?" Braixen was confused.

"But I thought Willow absorbed the power already." Yumi remarked.

Lady Anju shook her head, "That was the power of Alchemy-Alchemy used the carry on the Legend of the 1,000 Kitsune. The power of the 1,000 Kitsune at its source? It can be passed down through me.

"Zen? Braixen!"

"That's amazing!" Yumi looked to Braixen, "You can still get the 1,000 Kitsune's power!"

"Doing so will use up my life force."

Their brief sigh of relief was halted as they froze.

"Zen?"

"You mean?" Yumi finished answering the question, "You mean that you'll die?"

Lady Anju rose to her feet, her back turned while she looked into the sky, "It won't be death. It will be a peaceful passing. I will become one of the 1,000 Kitsune spirits that will aid you in your cause."

"But Lady Anju-" Yumi was against the proposal. How was Lady Anju willing to sacrifice herself like this? She's spent centuries trying to piece together the perfect life.

"I will be able to reunite with my husband and daughters. Together, we'll fight by your side. After all..." Lady Anju faced Yumi with a peaceful smile on her face, "Yumi, you said that there was something more precious to you than the world. and that you fight for this something...or someone," It did not go unnoticed by Lady Anju-the moment Yumi faced Seth when Willow asked what was more precious than the world to her, "Please, will you grant me my last wish? Let me fight alongside you."

"Braixen." Braixen looked to her trainer, awaiting an answer.

"Your wish?" Yumi repeated. She shifted her gaze to the ground, and thought long and hard about this decision.

...

The only one who was against the proposal was Yumi, but that was due to her short-sighted judgement. She had to think about the bigger picture. She fights for those who are more precious than the world. Lady Anju wishes to aid her cause, because doing so would reunite her with lost loved ones. Yumi and Lady Anju had truths and ideals that lined up with one another in order to reach a single goal: defeating Divine Kitsune: Lord Willow, and laying rest to the ruins that were now the Lost Paradise of the late Lord Mito.

There was only one answer, "Yes. Give us the power of the 1,000 Kitsune."

"Then lets proceed."

There was no change in where the passing of the 1,000 Kitsune's power would take place. If anything changed, it was the location itself. What was once Twilight's View now looked like a ravaged battlefield. Lord Mito and the twins were blooded and dead, while the many stainless steel statues were no longer moving. The statues were just as dead and lifeless as the Onvitaikayan.

The only 'view' that Twilight's View gave was an outside look at a giant cloud of dark energy known as Banette's Night Shade. Was plunging the Divine Kitsune into a nightmare enough to defeat it? Yumi couldn't take any chances, not with lives potentially at stake.

"Lets do this." Lady Anju called.

Yumi and Braixen nodded.

Lady Anju closed her eyes, and began glowing the same otherworldly aura that surrounded Braixen when Lord Mito attempted to pass the 1,000 Kitsune's power.

"Zen?" Speaking of which, Braixen began to glow this aura. This aura began taking shape into what seemed to be countless Kitsune spirits.

"..." The countless otherworldly Kitsune spirits engulfed Lady Anju and Braixen, allowing them to ascend into the air while maintaining eye contact with each other.

They began pulsing a blue-white energy that seemed somewhat transparent.

"Are you ready?" Lady Anju asked.

"Zen." Braixen answered.

Lady Anju was aware that she'd asked that question more than once, but those occasions weren't like now. This time, Lady Anju asked this question with finality. If Yumi and Braixen said yes this time, they knew that there was no going back. This was Lady Anju's passing...

"..."

"Hm?" Yumi looked to the twins.

Summer and Winter were no longer alive. But that didn't stop them from transforming into their Kitsune forms. The Vulpix with eyes as alive as the sun, the Vulpix with eyes as white as snow...Yumi watched as they started glowing the same energy as Braixen and Lady Anju. Glowing this energy, the bodies of Summer and Winter suddenly started to fade, until they transparent.

"They're gone." Yumi was only half right saying this. The twins were gone, but Yumi could still see them. They were Kitsune spirits!

"!"

Yumi was startled, as the spirits of Summer and Winter opened their eyes!

"Summer! Winter!" Yumi called.

"The power of the 1,000 Kitsune..." The voices of Summer and Winter were transparent echoes as they spoke in unison, "Our spirits will aid the one who inherits the power of the 1,000 Kitsune."

The Kitsune spirits of Summer and Winter began ascending into the air, until they were eye level with Braixen and their Mother.

"My daughters..." Lady Anju called, "I too will aid the one who inherits the power of the 1,000 Kitsune."

It made Yumi want to tear up when, as the energy surrounding Lady Anju was making her transparent, Lady Anju looked to her and gave her ominous last words.

"Take care." As those last words escaped her lips, a single tear made its way down her face. It glistened enough for Yumi to notice that she was crying, just before she transformed into her Ninetails Kitsune form one last time.

"..." Seeing that tear, Yumi knew she needed to be strong. Lady Anju, the twins, Lord Mito...Chapel, Rose and Seth...and the ideals that they all fight for. She need not acknowledge the pain she felt in her heart, watching as Lady Anju passed. She was no longer living, nor was she dead. She was, at peace with reuniting with Summer and Winter, as Kitsune spirits.

Braixen watched as Lady Anju greeted Summer and Winter. Together, they led the other 1,000 Kitsune spirits into the Fire type. "Haaaaaaa!" Braixen hollered as the 1,000 Kitsune spirits phased into her body. Her red eyes began turning a glowing white color. It was then that the fire type could feel the 1,000 Kitsune spirits infusing their power within her. "Zen!" With their power, came great knowledge. Braixen gained the memories of Lady Anju, Summer, Winter, and every 1,000 Kitsune spirit from when they were considered among the living, whether it be yesterday or 3,000 years ago. This caused for Braixen to have 'foreign' thoughts. 'Father...Master...Lord Mito...'

The power of the 1,000 Kitsune now belonged to Braixen. She descended to the ground, and as Yumi approached her, she finished Lady Anju's and the twins' thoughts.

'We will defeat the Divine Kitsune, and become your REAL living legacy.'

Location: Banette's Nightmare

Trapped in a barren wasteland of a dark white desert with black skies, the Divine Kitsune: Lord Willow was doing battle with Banette, Rose, Chapel, and Seth.

In the past, the group has had the luxury of using their virus power to grab an advantage over their opponent. But now,Rose, Chapel, and Seth were facing someone who had a virus power that was just as powerful as theirs. With the power of Alchemy and the Divine Kitsune on his side, Lord Willow was able to match their power.

Chapel, with her eyes now the pale-blue color of the Missingno she house, launched a pale blue aura at the Divine Kitsune.

"HAAAAHHHH!" The Divine Kitsune's roared echoed throughout the black sky as it launched a divine-red beam. One would've expected that the divine-red beam would overwhelm Chapel's power, but doing that would accomplish nothing but underestimating Chapel's power.

The divine-red beam was surrounded by the pale-blue virus aura. Seconds later, the pale blue aura minimized the divine-red beam into nothingness, rendering Lord Willow's attack useless.

"HAAAAHHHH!" The Divine Kitsune did not waver, as it lunged in Chapel's direction, ready to strike her down. "HAAAAHHHH!" He extended his arm, intending to slam Chapel with all the force of Alchemy.

In response, Chapel surrounded herself in a focus of pure white energy that was even stronger than before. It was virus power versus virus power-light versus Alchemy. They were set to collide, but not without Banette, Seth, and Rose taking battle stances in front of Chapel, ready to intercept the Divine Kitsune.

HAAAAHHHH!" The Divine Kitsune closed in on the group.

"Stop."

"Hm?" The Divine Kitsune seemed so 'divine', so human. One would think that all the power had gone to its head. But somewhere, deep down, remained the human in Lord Willow. This human halted his strike on Chapel, and looked into the black sky, where the transparent voice echoed from.

Descending from the dark sky...

"..." It was a Kitsune.

"..." Intrigued by the descending Kitsune, was a Seth who gave it a peculiar gaze. "The voice coming from that Kitsune...It's familiar."

"Who IS that Kitsune?" Chapel asked.

This 'familiar' Kitsune was something Seth and Chapel had never seen. As it descended closer to them, this figure became clear in their eyes.

Braixen? Lady Anju? With the twins no longer alive, those two were the only Kitsune in the temple.

"Let Braixen and I fight him."

Seth and Chapel were correct, it WAS a familiar voice. It was the voice of Yumi that echoed throughout the sky. She made her way into everyone's view as she entered Banette's Night Shade.

"Yumi!" Chapel and Rose ran to Yumi.

Meanwhile, Seth gazed at the descending Kitsune, "So that Kitsune is Braixen?"

Yumi nodded.

"So what? Is it an evolution?" Chapel asked.

No quite. Braixen's evolved form is Delphox. Braixen hasn't achieved this evolution. Rather, she has achieved something different. Mega Evolution? Maybe, but calling this legendary transformation Mega Evolution would do it no justice.

"Braixen has inherited 1,000 Kitsune spirits." Yumi explained, "Lady Anju sacrificed herself to aid Summer, Winter, and the 1,000 Kitsune spirits in the fight against the Divine Kitsune and its Alchemy."

Braixen's gold fur was now white, with sleek red markings throughout. She now had nine tails, also with red markings. And finally, the wand-like stick she had was now transformed into some sort of steel staff brimming with magical power.

"Mother Anju gave you that power?" Divine Kitsune: Lord Willow spoke, "So she would oppose me as well..."

"Are you not sorry for causing all of this?" Yumi could feel her fist shaking, as it appeared Willow was not going to dwell over Lady Anju.

"She made the decision to sacrifice herself." The Divine Kitsune stared blankly into the black sky, "She never wanted me to see the outside world. After I returned to the Temple, things were never the same. If anything, Mother Anju was worse than Lord Mito. Her eyes said it all, she looked at me with disappointment. And she would always give exasperating sighs when talking to me. She, like Lord Mito, doesn't understand the needs of the outside world." He closed his eyes, "They don't understand that what I'm doing is correct. I'll...I'll rid the outside world of greed and corruption, and make it a place Mother and Father would've wanted to live in."

"Hmph."

"What?!" Willow looked to the source of grunt. He was astounded by the audacity to downplay his intentions.

Seth was the one Willow was looking at.

"Who do you think you are?" Willow asked, "It's because of you that this 'Yumi' girl deludes herself into thinking she deserves the power of the 1,000 Kitsune."

Seth did not express any emotion, he just allowed for Willow to finish.

"I saw the way she looked at you, when I asked her if she had anything more precious than the world. If you weren't here, I'd already be ridding the world of greed and corruption."

Seth gave Willow a cold stare, "Greed and corruption are manmade sins. Even if you were to rid the world of these sins, what's to stop humanity from creating them again?"

It was as if this fact just dawned on the Divine Kitsune, as its eyes widened. Did Willow really just come to that realization? Yumi, Chapel, Banette, and Rose were also surprised by the words to come out of Seth's mouth.

"Your Mother and Father must've realized this. The reason why they refused to give you the power of the 1,000 Kitsune is because you didn't think two steps ahead when thinking about how the power would be used."

Seth's talking began to anger the Lord Willow.

"You're an idiot for thinking everything in life was just going to be handed to you."

"..." The Divine Kitsune gritted his teeth, "SHUT UP!" His roar echoed like a sonic boom, as he lunged as Seth.

"Hmph." Seth wasn't at all intimidated. As the Divine Kitsune neared striking him, Seth's right eye went from blue to dark purple, and he became surrounded a shadowy aura of darkness.

You could see it in his eyes. Seth has never shared the compassion for people that Rose, Chapel, and Yumi had. Seth was ready to kill the Divine Kitsune. But...

"Brother!"

Landing in front of Seth was the nine-tailed Kitsune that was now Braixen. From her tail, she took out her newly equipped staff.

Bewildered, Seth watched as Braixen swung her staff in the air, creating a trio of translucent Kitsune spirits. These spirits were of two Vulpix, and a Ninetails, and they intercepted Lord Willow's charge. With the Ninetails holding him with its Psychic power, the white Vulpix halted him with a breath of roaring ice. The red Vulpix then proceeded to strike him with a stream of fire, sending him crashing down into the white sand.

A cloud of smoke was created upon the Divine Kitsune's impact, "..." Moments later, the smoke cleared. Willow's eyes widened at what he saw, "It can't be..."

The translucent spirits of the Ninetails and Vulpix began changing form.

Lady Anju.

Summer.

Winter.

Standing in front of Braixen, were the spirits of Willow's family, and they gazed at the Divine Kitsune.

Braixen turned to a Seth standing behind her, "Let us fight him."

"What?" Did Seth hear correctly? Was Braixen talking?

"Seth!" Another voice called out to him from behind.

"Hm?"

"Seth!" It was Yumi, and she ran to Seth while noticing his gaze still on Braixen.

"Braixen can talk?" He asked.

"Not quite." Yumi answered, "Braixen inherited the power of the 1,000 Kitsune. Therefore, she absorbed the spiritual beings of Kitsune from the past. Lady Anju, Summer, and Winter...they're using Braixen as a vessel to communicate with Willow."

Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju's translucent Kitsune spirits were visible for the world around them to see.

"But Seth?" Yumi called, "The words coming from Braixen's mouth are also thoughts that manifest within her. She's right, I should be the one to defeat Willow."

"But why?" Seth asked.

"This is to prove to him and myself that my resolve is enough to inherit the 1,000 Kitsune's power and save the world."

"Yumi." Seth wasn't buying it. He attempted to catch Yumi with a cold glare...but he should've known better that Yumi of all people wouldn't be phased.

"I promised you and everybody that I'd help save the world from darkness, and defeating Willow and proving my worth will be a major step to reaching that goal."

"..."

"Please, Seth?" Yumi was flattered that Seth cared enough to defend her from Lord Willow, but this battle was for him. Was he really more precious than the world to Yumi? Getting the power to rid the world of the organization would surely get Seth to return Yumi's feelings for him.

It was then that Yumi could see some of that stubbornness wavering in Seth's eyes. His right eye returned to its normal, deep blue color. Staring into Yumi's beautiful, pleading eyes, Seth soon gave a defeated sigh. He didn't outright say it, but that sigh spoke volumes. It said that Seth was willing to give Yumi what she wants.

Yumi whispered a 'thank you' into the ears of Seth before facing the fight before her. In front of her, the newly transformed Braixen was staring down the Divinie Kitsune, who was looking at the Kitsune spirits of his Mother and sisters standing before him.

The Divine Kitsune: Lord Willow-an all powerful, two-tailed red Kitsune. Inheritor of the power of Alchemy.

The 1,000 Kitsune: Braixen-a majestic white-furred, red-marked Kitsune with nine tails. Inheritor of the power of the 1,000 Kitsune.

At long last, it was time for the two to do battle.

"Mother, sisters..." Lord Willow called out to the spirits standing before him, before looking into the sky and calling, "Father Mito...Ridding the world of greed and corruption is not a short-sighted goal. You'll see...YOU'LL ALL SEE!" He roared as he launched an incredible beam of red energy.

"Zen!" The transparent spirits of Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju disappeared, and as Braixen swung her staff in the air, several more transparent Kitsune spirits appeared to intercept the beam of energy. These spirits weren't of the Vulpix or Fennekin tree. Appearing in front of Braixen was a different kind of Kitsune, one that she saw as a statue when she first arrived at the 1,000 Kitsune Temple. "Zen!" Braixen charged at the Divine Kitsune, two transparent Zoroark(one shiny) aiding her.

"Ngh!" Braixen and the Zoroark struck the Divine Kitsune, with decent impact.

But then, just as the Divine Kitsune was recoiling, Braixen waved her staff once again, summoning forth more Kitsune spirits to aid her.

'At long last.' The spirit of a blue haired, female Onvitaikayan appeared, before transforming into a Vaporeon Kitsune.

'The power of the 1,000 Kitsune...' She was followed by a female Onvitaikayan with blonde hair and red eyes, who transformed into a Flareon Kitsune.

'Has been inherited!" An Onvitaikayan with short, golden hair finished the sentence as she transformed into a Jolteon.

'Let us combine forces!" The spirits of the Kitsune trio all used Braixen as a vessel to let their transparent voices be heard. "Zen!" Braixen gave one more wave of her staff.

"It's time."

Many spirits came to the aid of Braixen and the Kitsune trio of Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. Just how many spirits were summoned right now? At least one hundred. The Divine Kitsune was outnumbered.

The Jolteon Kitsune threw itself at Lord Willow. The spirit turned into its natural element of electricity, using itself to stun Lord Willow with static paralysis. Meanwhile, the Flareon and Vaporeon Kitsune spirits cloaked themselves in their respective elements of Fire and Water.

"Everyone! Charge!" Yumi let her battle cry be known, as she called out to the hundred spirits ready to follow Flareon and Vaporeon's charge.

"Gaahhh!" Lord Willow screamed. As Jolteon's static held him in place, Flareon and Vaporeon were the first to strike him. With the Kitsune turning into transparent smoke upon making contact and doing damage, it looked as if the spirits were performing kamikazi attacks. Each and every spirit collided, and the damage dealt looked to be stacking up, as the Divine Kitsune looked ready to fall over.

"Hah!" The last of the summoned spirits, Zoroark, struck Lord Willow with critical impact.

This was it, Yumi's face was bright, as Lord Willow was stumbling mightily. Were the one hundred spirits enough to finish him?

"Hmph!" Lord Willow was able to recompose himself just in time. The Divine Kitsune took a deep breath and looked at Yumi, "It's too early to think I'd go down so easily."

The two tails of the Divine Kitsune began to wave fiercely, before halting in the direction of the black sky. Suddenly, raining down on the Divine Kitsune's two tails, were two streams of lightning. The lightning carried energy so great, Seth, Chapel, and Rose could feel the warmth from where they stood.

In her 1,000 Kitsune Form, Braixen braced herself as the lightning soon surrounded Lord Willow completely.

"ROOAARR!" Lord Willow roared, sending streams of powerful lightning everywhere.

In letting out a lightning roar, the Divine Kitsune was left wide open to strike. But...

"Ngh…" There was no spot excluded from the waves of lightning, not even where Yumi was standing. The lightning hungrily coming for her, Yumi flinched in fear.

'Yumi!' Braixen had to save Yumi. Cloaking herself in flames, she rushed to Yumi's aid as the echoes of Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju called her name in worry.

Lady Anju and the twins' transparent spirits appeared, and they summoned a clear, glass-like shield to completely protect Yumi from the lightning.

The lightning was successfully avoided, but there was a second part to the Divine Kitsune's threatening roar. The lightning was so powerful that below the white sandy ground, you could feel the foundation of the world starting to crack. This foundation broke like glass, creating a continental transform fault where the white sand started falling. It was like looking at the sands of an hourglass fall, one by one.

As the shield protecting Yumi faded, and the spirits of Lady Anju and the twins faded, Lord Willow lunged, jumping over the transform fault and eyeing Braixen.

The Divine Kitsune swiped, successfully striking Braixen in the face. "Ha!" He swiped again, this time knocking Braixen off her feet. It was a combination of swipes performed before the Divine Kitsune landed a critical hit, sending Braixen sliding back. "HAH!" While Braixen was down, Lord Willow jumped into the air.

"Ngh…" Braixen was down, and unable to regain her composure in time to notice the Divine Kitsune falling in her direction.

"HAH!" The Divine Kitsune landed a haymaker, which created a crater in addition to the transform fault that was created just moments ago. Inside the crater, a pool of darkness lied.

"..." Inside the crater, Braixen was, where she was just able to regain her composure. The pool of darkness itself was no threat to her.

"Hm!" But the Divine Kitsune was, as he dove into the dark pool and rammed into Braixen like a torpedo colliding with a ship.

An explosion was created, sending white sand and darkness flying, as well as Braixen.

Lord Willow hopped into the air, and gave Braixen one last punch to finish the combination of strikes, sending Braixen back down to the ground.

"And now, you'll fall at the hands of Alchemy!"

Yumi stood wide-eyed. She, Seth, Chapel and Rose have only just realized that Lord Willow had yet to manifest the power of Alchemy.

The Divine Kitsune slammed onto the ground, causing for something amazing to occur.

"Woah..."

Alchemy: A seemingly magical process of transformation. Using this power, the Divine Kitsune transformed the features of Banette's Night Shade, seemingly at will. Stars started to appear, littering the black sky. The ground beneath the falling sand began to rise. When the transformation of the Divine Kitsune's battleground was complete, Braixen found herself lying at the edge of a cliff.

"Zen..."

Over the cliff, white sand continued to fall like the sands in an hourglass. It was like a waterfall, there was nowhere for the falling sand to land. There was no ground. If one were to be pushed over the edge, they'd continue to fall for an eternity.

"Familiar, isn't it?" Lord Willow muttered.

"Zen?"

"You're right on the edge; right on the brink, and at my mercy." Lord Willow answered, "This is what happened during our first fight. Only now..." He began glowing a red aura, "You WON'T be underestimated!"

"Brai…" Braixen began glowing a otherworldly aura that radiated translucent Kitsune spirits. "ZEN!" Cloaked in this aura, Braixen charged at the Divine Kitsune.

It was a head to head showdown, as the Divine Kitsune and Braixen clashed.

"Those who oppose ridding the world of greed and corruption should be damned to Hell!" It was a struggle between two great forces, and the Divine Kitsune was beginning to get the upper hand.

"Come on, Braixen!" Yumi cheered for her Kitsune not to give in, "The world is depending on you!"

"Zen!" Being cheered on by Yumi, Braixen refused to give in. Appearing by her side, were a trio of Kitsune spirits. Once again, these spirits consisted of Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju. Together, the quartet was able to keep Lord Willow from gaining too much momentum in the struggle.

The struggle between the Divine Kitsune and the 1,000 Kitsune would eventually cause the two forces to repel themselves. Both Braixen and Lord Willow were sent to the ground, Braixen sliding to where she stood right in front of Yumi.

"Braixen!" Yumi put a hand on Braixen's shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Braixen was starting to breathe heavy, but was able to give Yumi an assuring nod.

"How can we defeat him?" Yumi looked to the Divine Kitsune, who was also starting to breath heavily. This was no surprise. Unlike Braixen, Lord Willow did battle with Seth and the others beforehand.

"Is defeating him the only way to resolve this?"

"Huh?" Descending to Yumi and Braixen, were the spirits of Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju.

"The Divine Kitsune is powerful," The twins said in unison.

"You're right," Yumi agreed.

"You and Braixen defeated my son before, but that wasn't enough to destroy his resolve," Lady Anju stated, "Even if you were to defeat him again, what's to stop him from getting back up?"

At Lady Anju's question, Yumi drooped. How could she not have realized this? Defeating the evil inside Lord Willow would be pointless if said evil were to be reborn. It was just like Seth's stance on greed and corruption being recreated by humanity.

Yumi sighed, "It's like everything and everyone in life is caught in some sort of endless cycle. Even when you die, the world's cycles continue..."

"But greed and corruption have been accepted as among life's certainties for the millions of innocent people in the world above." Lady Anju explained, "Humanity is imperfect, but that imperfection is really a sign of perfect normality."

"Humanity is at peace with their imperfections," Summer started.

Winter finished Summer's statement with, "We can't let Brother disturb their peace."

"Is there another way to defeat him?" Yumi asked.

"There's one more way to defeat him, but it's risky." Lady Anju answered.

"Zen?" Braixen questioned.

"As the inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune's power, Braixen has the ability to absorb other Kitsune spirits," Lady Anju started, "Just imagine of Braixen were to absorb the Divine Kitsune..."

Of course. The Divine Kitsune was quite possibly the most powerful Kitsune to ever exist...but how was absorbing the Divine Kitsune risky?

"The connection that Braixen makes to the Divine Kitsune will make one other outcome possible. The Divine Kitsune's spiritual power could be more than Braixen can handle, allowing for the Divine Kitsune to absorb her and the power of the 1,000 Kitsune."

"Braixen will be lost forever, and nothing will stop the Divine Kitsune from doing as he pleases." The twins finished.

"No..." Yumi whispered to herself. 'No risk like that is worth the reward. I'd be gambling Braixen's life away...'

"Zen!"

Yumi gasped, "What?!"

Yumi was astounded. Braixen was actually willing to take the risk? Yumi knew Braixen was doing this for the lives of all the innocent people in the real world, but what about her life? What about all the progress that's been made? Was Braixen willing to risk throwing it all away?

Yumi tried to explain to Braixen, "But Braixen, you-"

In Braixen's eyes, was a cold seriousness so intense, words weren't needed to describe it.

"Zen." Braixen was calm, giving her trainer a small cry.

"She's telling you not to worry." The twins remarked.

"Please have confidence in her," Lady Anju said, "Have confidence in her NOT as the inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune, but as a friend."

"She wants you to put your trust in her..." Summer started.

"Just as your friend put his trust in you." Winter finished.

They were talking about Seth allowing Yumi and Braixen to fight the Divine Kitsune on their own. Yumi wanted to believe in Braixen, but she's already seen the Divine Kitsune's power. If Braixen were to fail...No. If Yumi didn't believe in Braixen enough to deal with the Divine Kitsune, she'd be a hypocrite for trying to pull that card on Seth. Yumi would never forgive herself if Willow weren't truly defeated. To say that this was risky was an understatement. Lives were at stake...but this was their best shot to save the perfect imperfection known as the real world.

Braixen absorbing the spirit of the Divine Kitsune would mean that Willow could no longer threaten the world with his ideals. He'd be reunited with his Mother and sisters as spirits of the 1,000 Kitsune.

Masking Yumi's insecurities was a face of pure determination as she said to everyone, "Let's do this."

...

"Zen." Braixen watched as the Divine Kitsune rose to his feet.

"Defeat seemed to be a possible conclusion, but we both has risen to our feet," Lord Willow said, "Let's see if you still have some fight!" Once again, the two tails of the Divine Kitsune summoned forth bolts of lightning from the sky. With his two tails engulfed in electricity, he let out a great roar, sending streams of lightning everywhere.

"Zen!" Braixen avoided the first stream of lightning by dodging to her left. "Zen!" She avoided the second by dodging to her right. "Zen!" Followed by a dodge roll to avoid the third. "Zen!" Braixen performs twists, turns, and flips to avoid the bolts of lightning. "Zen!" At the first break, Braixen waved her staff, summoning forth a Kitsune spirit.

"My spirit is in your hands!" It was a Ninetails...it was different from the Ninetails who was Lady Anju. It was white and looked ghostly, in a majestic sort of way. This Kitsune spirit seemed to camouflage with the white sand. It was able to harness the power of the stars summoned by the Divine Kitsune's Alchemy, and form it into a Moonblast that was sent right at him.

"Hmph!" Lord Willow was able to take the blast with relative ease.

"Why isn't Braixen going for the Divine Kitsune's spirit already?" Yumi was slightly impatient, but that was to be expected, given the stress of the situation.

"Be patient." The spirits of Summer and Winter answered in unison.

"That Ninetails is the exact Kitsune she needs," the spirit of Lady Anju added , "It couldn't have come at a better time."

"Inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune..." Facing each other, were the ghost-white Ninetails and Braixen. The Ninetails was communicating to Braixen. "What is it that you need from me?"

Braixen did not open her mouth. This was not an act of reticence. Braixen closed her eyes and began to concentrate, focusing her psyche on communication telepathically with the Ninetails. To Ninetails, she explained everything about needing to absorb the spirit of the Divine Kitsune.

"I will see to it that your wish is fulfilled..." The Kitsune spirit of Ninetails bowed to Braixen before the two faced Lord Willow.

"Braixen! Use your Psychic!" Yumi commanded.

"Zen!" Braixen used her staff to cloak the Divine Kitsune in an aura emanating the Kitsune spirits. It was as if these spirits were using their entire beings just to hold the Divine Kitsune down.

"Rgh...RGH!" The Divine Kitsune tried with all his might to break free of the Psychic belonging to Braixen and the Kitsune spirits. It was a struggle that expelled more energy than anticipated from the Divine Kitsune. "Rgh! Rgh. Ngh…."

...

It appeared the Divine Kitsune was finally showing signs of wear from all the fighting. "..." The weight of the Psychic and the Kitsune spirits was starting to bring him to the ground, against his will.

From afar, Chapel and Rose couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"Rose, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Chapel asked.

"The power of the Divine Kitsune is starting to fade!" Rose was bewildered by the sudden shift in momentum, "But how? Willow had not shown any signs of wear."

"It's not Willow." Seth's eyes remained glued as he said this.

"Huh?" Rose and Chapel, confused, looked to Seth.

"Don't you see what else is happening?" Seth asked. "Look closely."

It took a moment for Rose and Chapel to spot what Seth was seeing, but when they did, "What?!" They were astounded.

"Just as you wish, Inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune." Behind Lord Willow was the ghost-white Ninetails, and it was surrounded by illusionary orbs of light.

"..." Similar orbs of light appeared to be circling the Divine Kitsune, putting him in some sort of lull.

"No way..." Rose uttered.

"That Ninetails Kitsune is using Hypnosis." Chapel voiced the very reason why the Divine Kitsune was starting to cave under the Psychic.

Lord Willow was unaware of the Ninetails weakening him. As he began falling into a half state of rest, the Kitsune spirits called by Braixen began to smother him.

This was it: the last stand of the legacy Lord Mito wanted to leave. Braixen was about to defeat the Divine Kitsune.

"Hmmm...HaaaAAAAAHHHHH!" But then, the eyes of the Divine Kitsune snapped open, and he roared.

The roar of the Divine Kitsune sent shock waves that repelled the Kitsune spirits surrounding him.

"Zen!" Braixen's eyes widened when the repelled Kitsune spirits flew in her direction, and began surrounding her. "Zen?!"

"What?!" Yumi stood agape.

"The Divine Kitsune is starting to resist the Kitsune spirits!" Chapel exclaimed.

Rose was uneasy as she spoke with a shaking voice, "Willow is taking command of the Kitsune spirits. He is commanding them to absorb the spirit of Braixen."

"What will happen if Braixen's not strong enough?" Banette asked.

As Rose answered, the atmosphere from afar became more ominous than it already was, "If the Divine Kitsune is victorious, he will not only inherit Braixen, but he'll inherit command over the 1,000 Kitsune spirits."

"Zen..." Several spirits circled the staff Braixen was pointing in the direction of the Divine Kitsune. "Z-zen…" She gritted her teeth, as she was in a tough spot. She needed to resist the absorption, but at the same time, she couldn't let that allow her to lose sight of concentration on the Kitsune spirits still under her command.

The final struggle between The Divine Kitsune and the inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune was entering its last stretch. The Divine Kitsune was winning.

"Braixen…" Yumi's worry caused what little optimism she had to falter. The longer the struggle continued, the more obvious it became: Braixen was losing control of the Kitsune spirits.

"She's not going to win." The spirit of Summer remarked.

"We need to help her." Winter's spirit echoed.

The spirit of Lady Anju nodded. Lady Anju leading, the spirits of her and her daughters raced to the Divine Kitsune.

"HAAAHHH!" The struggle between the Divine Kitsune and Braixen continued, with the Divine Kitsune letting out a burst of energy that sent more spirits at the Fire-type.

"AGH!" This was it. The amount of spirits under Lord Willow's command was finally enough to break through Braixen. The inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune was stricken. Braixen fell to the ground, her staff knocked out of her grasp.

"Braixen!" Yumi cried, as the spirits under the Divine Kitsune's command began to surround a downed Braixen. The Kitsune spirits began absorbing Braixen's spiritual force! "Braixen, you have to get up!" Glints of tears left her eyes as she raced to Braixen.

"..." Braixen was unresponsive as the spirits began surrounding her.

"Braixen!"

"...Zen?" Braixen felt something, and to this, she opened her eyes.

It was Yumi, and she was embracing Braixen in a protective hug as the Kitsune spirits began smothering her as well.

"Zen...!" Braixen tried to raise her voice at Yumi, but she was somewhat weak. 'Why are you hugging her?' So one of the few Kitsune spirits still under Braixen's command voiced her thoughts for her. 'You need to get away, or the spirits will take you away as well.'

Yumi shook her head, "I won't leave her behind," she answered, "Lord Mito died in my arms. His dying wish was for his legacy to be carried on to tomorrow. For him and I, and everybody here...Willow is no longer the one he's chosen to be that living legacy. The chosen one now...IS BRAIXEN!"

"Yumi..."

"Is that so?" From the Divine Kitsune, Willow's voice could be heard. He could hear the passion coming from Yumi.

"We will protect Braixen too." Floating in front of the Divine Kitsune, were the spirits of Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju.

"My son..." The spirit of Lady Anju closed her eyes as she had an epiphany. Earlier, she said she couldn't bare to strike her own son. But now...she was intent on having the Divine Kitsune absorbed by Braixen. If that were to happen, Willow would be reunited with his mother and sisters as a spirit, whether or not he desires. "I will no longer hold anything back from you, Son."

"Then you'll have no qualms about me becoming your master when I absorb the 1,000 Kitsune's power." That was the conclusion Lord Willow came to as he spoke to his Mother. "You'll aid me in ridding the world of greed and corruption!"

The Divine kitsune let out an all powerful beam of red energy, which basically sliced the white-sanded ground in half. Directly in its path: Lady Anju.

The spirit of Lady Anju stood still, not moving as the all powerful beam surrounded her completely.

"Mother..."

Summer and Winter whispered their mother's name in unison.

"HAHAHAH!" The Divine Kitsune gave Lady Anju a fulfilling laugh, as he began to absorb her spiritual being, "You don't see it now, but just you wait. Mother...with your help, we will make the world a paradise you and Father would've wanted. Whether you want to or not, this is for your own good."

The spirit of Lady Anju closed her eyes, "My son, I must apologize. I'm the reason why you've become like this. However..." Her eyes opened again, giving her son a determined look, "Your actions are incorrect regardless. YOU ARE NOT THE CHOSEN ONE!"

Lord Willow gasped. Lady Anju was resisting the absorption of her spiritual being. But how?! Willow was astounded, as Lady Anju was not in any specific battle stances. "What's going on?!"

Suddenly, momentum began shifting. Just as Lord Willow did with Braixen, Lady Anju used her son's own attack to begin absorbing his spiritual energy.

"What the Inheritor of the 1,000 Kistune lacks in experience, I MORE than make up for!" Lady Anju cried as she started getting the upper hand.

"Ngh...!" It was now a struggle, and the Divine Kitsune was struggling to hold his ground, "No...! I will not lose here!"

His sheer determination was amazing, as it allowed for Lord Willow to start fending off Lady Anju's spiritual absorption.

"Brother..."

Lord Willow's name was called in unison as the spirits of Summer and Winter closed in on any sort of separation there may have been between themselves and their Mother.

"You will not win!" The girl lent their aid to Lady Anju, as they followed in attempting to absorb the spiritual being of the Divine Kitsune.

"N-No..." The large Kitsune gritted his teeth. Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju...what momentum he was beginning to regain was slowly being drained from. "..." He fell to one knee.

The eyes of Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju lit up.

"This is it!" The twins yelled in unison.

"YUMI! BRAIXEN!" With a sense of urgency, Lady Anju looked to the Yumi and her Kitsune. This was their cue to strike.

"Right!" Yumi knew what needed to be done. With the Divine Kitsune fading, it was time. "Braixen!"

The Inheritor of the 1,000 KItsune's power nodded, and hopped into the air.

"It's time for the finishing maneuver!" Yumi called.

"Zen!" Braixen let out a screeching roar that echoed, "ZEN!" Whatever Kitsune spirits not in the struggle between Lord Willow and his family surrounded Braixen, and they began glowing a rainbowish-white aura. Staff in the grasp of both hands, Braixen rushed the rainbow Kistune spirits at the Divine Kitsune.

"Ngh…!" Surrounded by the rainbow spirits, the Divine Kitsune's will began to falter. His teeth gritted as his struggle started to become in vein. Defeat was on the horizon, at long last. Taking a moment, he stared at Braixen, and then at Yumi.

Yumi's hair blew in the breeze as she whispered to Lord Willow, "You'll be able to make the world a better place. You'll see..."

"..." So this was the true extent of the 1,000 Kitsune's power? Though Lord Willow did not want to voice this, the Divine Kitsune's spirit thought otherwise. The Divine Kitsune never thought he would be defeated by the power of the 1,000 Kitsune, while Lord Willow found absurd it that he would be defeated by his own family.

"Zen..." Braixen watched as waited as the rainbow spirits were completing her guaranteed victory.

"Braixen, Yumi..." The last words to come out of the Divine Kitsune were, "Your resolve is strong."

"This won't be the last time we use the power of the 1,000 Kitsune," Yumi said, "All 1,000 spirits, along with Summer, Winter and Lady Anju...they'll all welcome you with open arms. I'm hoping you'll aid us in our journey to make the world the better place."

The eyes of the Divine Kitsune widened.

"Braixen and I are on our own journey to rid the world of greed and corruption. Help us, Willow. Help us create the world Braixen and I desire. It'll be a world you and your late Father would've wanted."

"..." The Divine Kitsune gave a long-winded sigh at Yumi's offer. Well, it's not like he has any choice. Once Braixen absorbs his lifeforce, the Divine Kitsune will be under her command. Now that it was too late, "..." Lord Willow looked to the spirits of his twin sisters and Lady Anju, "Hmph." He smiled, "Fine. Let's see if this goal of yours comes to fruition."

Words of acceptance, those were-acceptance of defeat.

"..." As his spirit began to give out, he closed his eyes. In the illusionary realm of his mind, he found himself surrounded in nothing but blackness. A moment of silence passed before sensing the presence of someone. He opened his eyes.

"Son."

"..." The eyes of Lord Willow stared blankly at the spirit of his mother. Lady Anju was gazing right back at him.

"Brother."

With his Mother, were his twins sisters. They all called out to him.

"..." Lord Willow's hair slightly brushed. It was here, in this moment of silence that he realized something. In this black nothingness, there was nothing. No pride. No greed. No corruption. The real world seemed unattainable here...but so did the world of Alchemy; a world in which the inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune ruled. Willow's Mother and Sisters were standing right in front of him, yet he would never be able to touch them. They were nothing but spirits now, and it was all because of him. If the outside world were to seize to exist, and Willow failed to get rid of greed and corruption, he wouldn't even have a family to come home to. A sudden realization that was too little too late, but Willow would've going to realize this fact eventually.

'What have I done...?' Inside, Willow began to tremble. "I traded away their lives for power..."

"But they still stand beside you."

"Huh?" Willow looked behind him, to see one more person.

Yumi...she held her hand out to a Willow who was on his knees, "Stand with us! We'll help you up!"

"Zen!" Braixen held her hand out to Willow as well.

With smiles on their faces, Lady Anju, Summer, and Winter all offered their hands to Willow.

"Summer...Winter...Mother..." Willow didn't know what to say. Yumi was correct. Even after everything he'd done, they were still willing to love him.

"Yumi is most pleasant girl I have ever met."

This voice was different from the others. Willow didn't recognize the blonde haired, blue eyed little girl who approached him from the side. Was she one of the friends who accompanied Yumi?

"She and Braixen will be good to you. I promise." Rose extended her hand to Willow.

"I hope you'll be able to help us save the world." With a smile on her face, a blonde haired, maroon banged girl was the next to offer Willow a hand. Chapel had approached Willow from the other side.

"Get up." Lastly, was the one who challenged Willow's outlook on ridding the world of greed and corruption. Seth wasn't smiling as he made eye contact with Willow. "The fight is far from over." He wasn't one to offer his hand, but his words were encouragement in their own right.

"Chi!" Besides, a smiling Chikorita extending her vine to Willow would suffice. She was perched on the shoulder of Seth.

Seth. Chapel. Rose. Summer. Winter. Lady Anju. Braixen. Yumi...Willow was still taking in the mere thought of everybody wanting to welcome him in.

The empty blackness was starting to turn into light. "You guys..." On his knees, he couldn't help but break down. He bowed his head...hiding tears that were starting to appear from his eyes.

"Son, keep your head up."

The eyes of Willow widened. As blackness turned to light, and light became white, Willow could see one more figure speaking to him. He looked up to see him descending down upon them.

"Father..." Willow's voice was shaking, as Willow seemed about ready to give way to crying. A part of him didn't mind breaking down in front of everybody, and the spirit of Lord Mito appearing in front of him was just an exclamation point. "Father, I…"

"It took me many years to see the error of my ways, Son. I was just as bitter as you were toward the world above. You and I were more alike than I thought. But by the time I realized these things, it was too late. Now? Haha, if I'm descending upon you from above, you can guess where I'm living out the rest of eternity, right?"

Amazing, Lord Mito was accepted into Heaven after all. Even after being exiled by the religious protestants of yesterday who claimed to have been Heaven's servants...

"You don't have to be like me, Son. Even as I am in Heaven, there is still a world that needs saving. Please, take your friends and family by the hand, and help them set things right."

"..." Friends and family-everybody who stood, offering their hands to Willow right now...

"Remember Son, no matter what happens, I'll be looking at you from Heaven. You have my blessings." It was then that the spirit of Lord Mito faded into the light, leaving Willow to decide what to do.

"You have my blessings..." Willow repeated what his Father said to him as the first full tear rolled down his face.

Willow had the chance to reunite with his family in spirit. He had the chance to see the outside world. He had the chance to rid the world of greed and corruption, and he had the chance to right all of his wrongs. These chances and so much more, and all he had to do was...

"..." He returned his gaze to the hands of everybody offered out to him. Slowly, he wiped the tears from his eyes and adopted a determined look on his face, "My answer is..."

Hand in hand. Willow met everybody's extended hands with a hand of his own.

"Hehe." Yumi and Braixen were ecstatic, as they and everybody helped Willow to his feet, "You'll fight with us?"

Willow no longer looked at Yumi and Braixen as unworthy. Pride could've been his downfall, but he was blessed to be given a second chance. This second chance was accepted, as Willow gave Yumi and Braixen a final nod.

Yumi's heart fluttered in response to Willow's answer. And as the light began to fade, the echo of Yumi's voice could be heard one last time, "Thank you, Willow."

Fade back to black, the light did.

Fade into but a single spirit, Willow did. "..." Eyes closed, Willow's spirit had a smile on his face.

"..."

Yumi and Braixen stood, waiting for what Willow was going to do next.

"Willow?" Yumi called.

Willow opened his eyes. "Hmm..." Looking at Yumi and Braixen, Willow seemed to be at peace. With the spirit of the Divine Kitsune defeated, there was only one thing left for Willow to do. "You've won, inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune's power."

"Zen."

The spirits of Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju appeared before Willow one last time.

"Willow."

Staring into the eyes of his Mother and sisters, Willow remembered one last thing from his past. It was something Lord Mito said to him, "My hopes and dreams, they belong to you now. You'll be my living legacy..." To create the world his Father would've wanted, that was Willow's goal. And together, reunited with the rest of his family, he'd be able to see that goal realized.

Willow and his family gathered, and they shared an embrace that was as warm and grand as the sunset. Together, they all began to fade into tiny orbs of light that went straight to Braixen.

"Zen." The spirits of Willow and his family could no longer be seen, as they were now housed inside Braixen; the 1,000 Ktsune's chosen one. "Zen..." The fight was finally over, with Braixen and Yumi triumphant. Not all was sunshine and rainbows though.

Yumi ran up to Braixen, "Braixen, we did it." The fight left a bittersweet aftertaste for Yumi and Braixen. While they were beneficiaries of new and incredible power, they also knew that many sacrifices were made in order for this to take place.

The 1,000 Kitsune Temple, with nobody alive to keep after it, now stood to be lost to the obscurities of history. The pinnacle of Alchemy, soon to be forgotten...

Braixen reverted from her 1,000 Kitsune form back to her normal self.

"Yumi!"

Yumi could hear their voices-Chapel, Rose, and Seth all making their way to her.

"Yumi." Chapel once again called Yumi's name as she stopped right in front of Yumi.

"Yumi?" Rose called, holding Banette in her arms.

Yumi's hair blew in the wind as Banette's Nightmare began to recede. Surrounding the gang once again, was the beautiful world of Lord Mito's Alchemy. In the sunset, her eyes glistened beautifully.

"It's been a long day, but our journey is far from done," Chapel said.

Yes, Yumi knew what Chapel and the others meant. They were ready to continue on with their pilgrimage. Yumi was as well, however...

"Before we go, there's something I'd like for us to do."

Location: 1,000 Kitsune Temple-The Real World

Willow.

Summer.

Winter.

Lady Anju.

Lord Mito.

As Kitsune and Onvitaikayan alike, they lived together through the light-shaded dream known as life. Their have now passed onto the next life, whether that life be in Heaven or remaining on Earth to fulfill purpose. While we continue to live the light-shaded dream of life, let us never forget the legacy this family left behind.

Kitsune and Onvitaikayan, may your bodies Rest In Peace.

Making their graves in Lord Mito's Lost Paradise would do no justice to the legacy he and his family wanted to be carried on. Instead, Yumi and Braixen wanted to create their graves in the world above. If this obscure part of the world were to be traversed by the humans and pokemon outside, Yumi wanted them to discover the legacy of Alchemy, and spread the word, just as she would.

In the twilight of this day and chapter, Yumi had one final thought about the 1,000 Kitsune. "For Lord Mito, Willow, and the rest of their family...I will be their living legacy."

"Zen." Braixen too.

Yes, Yumi and Braixen were ready to spread the Kitsune's Legacy. From this day on, Willow, Summer, Winter, and Lady Anju will accompany Braixen and Yumi as Kitsune spirits to be summoned. How will they handle the outside world beyond the endless plains that surround the 1,000 Kitsune Temple?

"Yumi?" What could only be described as a 'funeral' would come to an unceremonious end as Yumi was approached by Seth from behind.

Neither Seth nor Yumi realized this, but this whole experience has matured Yumi. Sure, she may revert to her childish ways from time to time, but that may actually be what keeps them going-even if her positivity seems like a façade at times. Yumi just needed to be herself for everybody to stand by her side and save the world.

"You ready?" Seth asked.

With a slow blink and a warm smile on her face, Yumi was ready to give everybody days to remember in the future.

"Let's go!" Yumi answered.

"Zen."

She and Braixen leave behind today. And as today becomes yesterday, tomorrow will come as they start anew.

"Onto the outside world!"

And so the sun sets, as the journey continues.

To Be Continued...