Chapter 62: The Shadow's Sacrifice!
All the orbs above Zeta's head began to spin around at high speed as countless of the familiar small orbs broke away from them. Enough had been said, the fronts had shifted and forces were released. For Aurora's victory, the group of the Plot Elite, minus Eternatus, who had become Zeta, had to make the impossible possible. Move the being, which was still Eternatus in terms of body. What not even Elementareon had managed to do. And on top of that, his own strength this time was worlds more powerful than anything he had ever been able to do before.

Zeta quickly used one of his new techniques, an attack that followed similar principles to Epsilon's spinning of space. An attack that changed the environment in such a way that it would be more difficult for any Pokemon except himself to orientate itself and move. However, in the case of this Pokemon, it was a strong wind, which was almost a relief for the group. Because now they didn't have to keep their claws dug into the ground so that they didn't fall victim to the portal that was supposed to bring them victory. But this was only a small advantage in a duel like this. Theoretically, the cards weren't stacked badly against Aurora's group, with two ice types against a dragon, but in this fight, type advantages seemed to be the last thing that would make a difference. Especially since it almost seemed as if Zeta didn't even have the same typing anymore. It was more in the direction of Elementareon, which meant... pretty much everything! And the giant orbs personified all of the different types represented.

A large part of the attack power also came from these objects. Much of the dragon's strategy was still based on his small orb attacks, but it seemed as if they were different now. Controlled. As if Zeta could control exactly which types he wanted to use, when and how, all through the giant orbs. However, this also presented an obvious weakness: If these flying balls dominated the entire battle, then the team only had to destroy them to rob Zeta of his powers! There was just one big problem. In keeping with their massive structure, each individual giant orb could withstand a lot of damage. And with all the small orbs that Zeta could now control came the healing orbs. And these not only affected Pokemon, but also giant orbs. It was therefore impossible to inflict enough damage on one of them to burst it before Eternatus healed up all the damage done!

At the same time, all these facts also showed that Aurorus words were true. A victory according to normal rules was completely impossible against this enemy. The only way out was the portal, but even this way seemed impossible. Thanks to Marshadow, the power of the Plot flowed through Aurora's veins, but at the same time she also saw, Epsilon had been immune to Plot power, the relegation duel had proven this. And if the Plot couldn't harm her, what would it be like with her successor? Probably a very similar story... that's why it simply made more sense for the Ninetales to keep the power and use it like Darkrai did on the iceberg. But this just didn't help either. And Marshadow seemed almost incapable of fighting anyway.

At that moment, Darkrai made a momentous decision. All the others present could only fight a flying opponent from a distance, apart from Marshadow, who was generally unable to do anything having given most of his power to Aurora. Darkrai was the only one who could move into close combat. It was risky, but perhaps the only chance. However, he was immediately expected and attacked by sharp claws. While the orbs took over the main fight from a distance, it was Zeta himself who took on the direct duel. Marshadow also watched his indirect team partner go into battle and decided to lift his inability to fight, even if it cost a price.

"Aurora... your Plot power. I need it again. I can't fight without it. I want to support Darkrai."

The Ninetales gave the strange power back with understanding and Marshadow immediately felt refreshed. He took his chance to create his copies, his specialty, which he mastered mainly through the Plot energy within.

"Aurora... take care of yourself, alright? And say hello to Kel from me!"
"What..."

Before the Plot Warrior could even finish her question, all the Marshadows followed Darkrai into a direct fight. Elementareon's team partner already seemed to be close to his limits, Zeta was an opponent far too powerful for him. Only a collective blow from the Marshadows caused the dragon's focus to change.

"Darkrai... what are you willing to give for this victory? For our redemption?"

The one addressed immediately seemed to understand more than Aurora. Both of the shadows immediately began to glow in the familiar ?Plot orange.

"Aurorus! Lend us your strength!"

In a rare fit of selflessness, the fossil immediately followed Darkrai's words. He too began to glow, but the light quickly floated in the wind to the two shadows. Zeta observed the situation, but seemed unimpressed.

"What is your goal? Are you trying to use the Plot as a weapon against me? You are wasting time and energy! Die and spare us all this fight!"

Without listening to the derogatory words, Marshadow, who had now returned to being one, cast a glance at Darkrai.

"We all know that we can never defeat you, Zeta. Whether with Plot or not. But that is not why we are giving up. On the contrary. Today we can only lose. But as long as you fail with us, we are the winners."
"A few days ago, you almost cost my team the title as the immobile force you are. Since then, you have become a lot stronger."

Both Darkrai's and Marshadow's bodies seemed to dissolve into Plot energy that became one with the power of Aurorus. The fossil himself had simply disappeared when Aurora cast her gaze to the side. A trio of voices rang out from the glaring light, all saying the same thing in unison.

"The shadows that cover the sun, in times when the light gives way to darkness. This is the bond of an elite! And the power of Plot against him who is made of nothing else!"

Zeta's entire body was enveloped in the orange light, but it seemed to have no effect. Unfazed, the Plot Dragon turned to Aurora.

"The futile attempts of your fake friends are worthless. Now you are left all alone, Aurora. Do you think you can match the power of Zeta?"

Without hesitating for a moment, the dragon shot down towards Aurora. But... in the middle of his dive he stopped.

"Wh... what's going on! Let me go!"
"Oh no, forget it, Zeta!"
"Today we stand for the peace that we ourselves fought for. And Aurora must go on for this peace to happen!"
"And she will, as much as I hate it myself! And there's no room for you in that plan! You are Plot! But if we combine all our Plot, we might just be able to control yours as well!"

The light flashed again, brighter than before. Zeta seemed frozen in motion, no matter how hard he tried to free himself. Only Marshadow's voice was still heard as the invisible urge plunged the dragon to the edge of the huge portal.

"Aurora... I believe in you! Go and fulfill our dreams!"
"And tell Elementareon about what happened here. And that I'm sorry."

With these words, Zeta disappeared into the portal for good, which closed immediately. And with him, the Plot Elite disappeared as well. All the Pokemon that were gathered here were gone. Sealed, according to Aurorus words. Forever. For a moment, Aurora struggled to process the events. Zeta was gone. But with him, Marshadow too... the entire Plot Elite, minus Zeta, had sacrificed themselves, banished forever, to pave the way for her. She had to complete the last few meters of this journey alone. All while knowing that she had lost her brother again, for the second time...

For a moment she just stood there in shock. Aurora felt the tears gathering in her eyes. And yet... she immediately wiped her eyes, more determined than ever before. These three Pokemon... friends, enemies and family. Darkrai, Aurorus and Marshadow. They had all sacrificed themselves so that Aurora could face the author and bring true peace to the world. She had to move forward now, for the will of the vanished. And for Kel.

The Ninetales immediately began the steep climb, crossing the mountain range. In itself it was a difficult and exhausting affair, but Aurora did not even feel her own pain. All that mattered was the destination, she ignored the path. And so, after just a few hours, she reached the top of the mountain. What now presented itself to her was a special sight. An eternal expanse of rock, dark and grey. Strange, rainbow-coloured clouds hung over this almost empty place. Only one natural wonder stretched out in the middle of this place. A grotto, the entrance looked pitch black. This was it. The Mind of the World.

Even shorter than the climb was the time it took for Aurora until she stood in front of the strange black gate. Even directly in front of the entrance, no view of the interior seemed to be granted. The colored mist had almost clung to Aurora on the meters of the valley, following her like the trail of a shooting star. But after a final breath, when Aurora took the decisive step, the floating colors also disappeared. All that remained was the pure blackness around Aurora.

For minutes she walked straight ahead, with no path to follow. At some point she had to reach the center of the cave, didn't she? With every step she expected to see something in the distance. Huge flames, a flash in the darkness, glowing eyes. Something worthy of the aura of this place, something that personified the horror.

And after what felt like hours, a long, long time in the darkness, she noticed a small green light that seemed to appear at her sides. With every step, the space around her became brighter, taking on a shape. And each time Aurora slowed down a little, until she soon stopped. On an eternal green meadow under a sunny sky. Only a few clouds floated through the blue unity and some flowers broke through the grass. Nothing about this place made sense, as simple as it might be. There was nothing that broke through the eternal expanse of nature... almost nothing.

A small dot in the distance, small but influential. Almost like a kind of force field, Aurora was drawn there, not really knowing what to expect, but knowing what could be. After many more steps and an ever-growing golden point in the blue, a shape became recognizable. The outline of a lion. An Arcanine. The Arcanine that Aurora was looking for. Carefully but determinedly, she stepped forwards. The grass rustled under her feet. The chirping of birds filled the air, but not a single animal was to be seen. Kel had turned his back to his partner, his gaze fixed on an object that seemed to float in the air as if by magic.

"Kel..."

Only now did the golden Arcanine notice Aurora's arrival.

"Aurora..."

He nodded silently in the direction of a spot right next to him. Without hesitation, Aurora sat down, not a second of doubt passing through her. Kel had not been himself when they last met, but this had changed here. She knew it. She felt it. This place was not one of deceit, struggle and betrayal. This place was peace. And that despite the fact that a symbol of the greatest war was floating here, surrounded by purple lightning, held like a force field. The Feathersword. And as if the environment itself were speaking, a voice rang out as Aurora sat down.

"You have arrived. Aurora. I want to congratulate you. Much lies behind you. Great adventures. Great torment. Betrayal, pain and uncertainty. And despite all of that, you are now standing here, before me. You have fulfilled a destiny that only the strongest of the strong could survive. And on the way, you accompanied a broken man. He was a guide, but also an obstacle. Plagued by himself, a false past, the eternal pain of something that has never happened."
"Who are you?"

Aurora already knew the answer, but at that moment it seemed to be the only right question to ask. There was a depth in these words that not even the questioner recognized. A contemplative calm.

"I am the one who called you. The onw who created this world. Who created your ancestors. I am the one who has to test his creations. In my world they call me Jason, but you might know me better as the author."