No time for preamble! Let's get into it with Chapter 3!

Chapter 3

A Valiant

"When that old coot said the next morning, I didn't think he meant this early!" Jessie shouted into the cool air of the dew-drenched morning. "This wasn't enough time for my beauty sleep."

"Jessie, are you really at the age where you need beauty sleep anymore?" James asked, stifling a yawn. The Inkay floating above his shoulder mimicked him. "You look fine as it is."

"Are you calling me old?!"

"You guys realize it's midmorning, right?" Whatever violence Jessie was set to inflict upon her companion was halted by Arven's cutting observation. They paused, and then the quartet deflated. Juliana shook her head, and turned towards the streets of Mesagoza, just waiting for Serena to arrive.

Standing at her side like an immovable sentry was Ceruledge.

"You sure you want to come with? You looked pretty good as Arven's apprentice," Juliana said, poking the armored Pokémon. His flaming gaze watched her, a tinge of embarrassment flooding him. It made her feel like she had an understandable companion, and she patted him on the back.

Somehow, the both of them would find something they were looking for in Alfornada.

"Sorry for the wait!" Serena's arrival was heralded by her voice, the woman running up. She was exhausted, there was no doubt, but carried with her the same verve she showed in every class. "Hanna was misbehaving, and with Ash a little busy, I had to settle her down."

"Ah, taking after her Auntie Gloria, then."

"I wouldn't see that as a compliment," Arven muttered. He hitched his bag higher. "All right then, are we all ready?"

"To Alfornada!"

It was spoken with a bit more gusto than Juliana intended, but she didn't relent in leading their party through the western gate of Mesagoza and back out into the wilds. The quartet accompanying them complained before even setting foot out of the city, but the rest strode forward with enough purpose to make up for it.

Juliana hadn't expected how much the landscape had changed in just a few days, though.

Where once there were green fields and a dusty expanse of olives, now there was a whole landscape of crystal. Various pillars and structures jutted upwards, covering the air in a miasma of crystal dust. Combined with the coloration of the sky, it gave it an almost sickly feel that affected everything, down to the many Pokémon that used to gambol around the fields.

"They must be suffering," Gloria said. She leaned down next to a Skwovet nest they passed by, the Pokémon baring their teeth at her in anger. It softened when she patted them on the head, but did nothing to change their plight of diminished space. "What could have caused this?"

"Probably some symbiotic relationship," Juliana said. They approached one of the crystal structures, and she put a hand to it. It felt oddly alive, almost surpassing her own life energy, to the point she nearly slipped. Her hand came away and she felt her energy return. "Whatever Des and the rest of Phantom Zero did, I think it triggered something. Caused it to resonate across Paldea. We know from the desert that Area Zero isn't just confined to that single spot in the crater. It must have a whole network."

"Blah blah, stop being so technical. It makes my head hurt!" Jessie snapped. She was marching ahead, heedless of the few remaining Pokémon in her path.

"And remind me why we can't just fly over all this mess?" James said, his grumpy frown shared by Meowth and Wobbuffet (or as much as Wobbuffet could muster such an expression). A sudden shriek echoed in the skies above. They looked up, seeing a dark spot in the already gloomy sky. It passed over, but Koraidon still flinched, and James and Meowth snapped to holding each other. "Never mind. Ground, it is."

"Come on," Juliana groaned, taking the lead over all of them. "Alfornada needs our help."

The study of the crystals would have to wait for later. Or more particularly, she had a feeling the answer to their riddle would no doubt be found in Area Zero. She trudged on, feeling like she was walking through a sludge of crystal. In the distance, Cortondo could be seen, along with the numerous crystal pits having once been formed by Orthworm. It was a horrible sight, and one she wanted to forget.

Part of her wanted to help, too, but she knew they couldn't be delayed. Cortondo, at least, was a relative stone's throw from Mesagoza. Their feet turned instead towards a different path that climbed upwards, winding up towards coastal mountains. Once they were far enough away from the olive town, Serena caught up with Juliana, leaving Gloria to cover their rear from any troublesome Pokémon.

"You've changed, Juliana."

"Wha-?" Juliana almost slipped in her surprise, whipping around towards Serena. The woman caught her, giving her a gentle tap back on their way forward.

"The last time we came this way, you would never have thought of helping Alfornada, or of battling the Gym Leader. It's just something I've noticed." Juliana didn't have anything to say to that. She focused on her feet, making sure not to trip over a rock or any other crystal. "I mean, last time, you didn't even have any Pokémon with you. Now you've got a full team."

"I only have five, though," Juliana pointed out. To that, Serena tapped her face, moving her eyes in the direction of Ceruledge. "He's not mine."

"No, but he's following you. Maybe he's searching for his own path, like you, or maybe he's just following yours. Either way, it shows that you're not the same person who ran away from anything and everything that wasn't related to your goal."

She wasn't wrong. Having passed by Cortondo, all the memories of that night resurfaced as they always did. The fact that day was turning to night all but emphasized that. It also marked the announcement from Gloria that they would make camp and continue towards Alfornada in the morning.

Ceruledge kept watch while Arven made dinner, and Jessie, James and Meowth huddled in a tent. They refused to come out, only snatching food when Arven offered it.

"They're being weirder than usual," Gloria noted, stifling a yawn. "Ceruledge and I will take first watch."

That left Juliana sitting in front of the fire, hands crossed and reflecting on Serena's words to her. They tumbled from her mouth without meaning. "Do you really want to live life separate from everything else?"

"Huh?" Arven asked. Serena, on the other hand, perked up.

"You asked me that, one night," she said. Snores came from nearby, her Pokémon resting. Dolliv, in particular, cuddled up against Koraidon, as if to provide his ragged breathing some comfort. "At the time, I didn't have an answer. Now, I feel like I do. I can't live so separate. If there's something I have to do, I'll do it. Even if it's not my thing. In that way…Nemona wasn't totally wrong."

"But you're not happy about it?" Serena asked. It was a miniscule thing for her to pick up on, but Juliana figured that was why she was a teacher. "You're fine with engaging with the world around you, but I've seen how your smile is still rare. Or I haven't seen it."

"Smiling…" Juliana sat back, breathing out towards the secluded stars. "It's hard to smile when there's so much bad going on. Losing my parents. Watching people walk away. Getting hurt for my sake. How can I smile, or feel anything at all, when the world is falling apart? What good would it do?"

That was, perhaps, the most somber thought she'd ever had. But makes it no less true. How can I let myself smile with all this? And crying won't do me any good.

"Maybe that's when it's most important to," Serena said. She, too, leaned back, joining Juliana in her not-quite-stargazing. "Maybe that's how you find hope. Or…it was for me. I understand if it's not the same for you."

"It's not that, it's-" Juliana bit her lip, feeling as though she should be crying from hearing that, but being unable to. "There are just times when you feel like you're drowning and can't find air. So, you cut yourself off. Teach yourself to keep going. No crying. No smiling. You just have to…endure. Or that's what I learned to do when my parents died."

"Makes sense to me," Arven said. Instead of watching the stars with them, he was leaning forward, gazing into the fire. "My parents were always so busy. Crying wasn't going to make them less busy, so you learn to just shoulder it and keep going. You carry it with you."

"Carry your pain?" Serena's question was met with dual nods. She stopped staring at the stars. A small chuckle escaped her lips. "That's something that's difficult for me to reckon with."

"What do you mean?" Juliana asked, now taking the time to look at the teacher.

"I try to impart smiles to everyone, be a beacon of hope. But some people are hurting, and they're the ones that need smiles the most." Serena let loose another chuckle, this one sounding more self-deprecating than most. "But I always forget that they're not going to. Not everyone can. And if you want smiles, there's going to be pain along the way. I'm sorry for not realizing that for you, Juliana. And you, too, Arven."

"You're not to blame for anything," Juliana said. She inched a little closer towards the woman, hesitating to put a hand on her shoulder. She eventually decided to, and turned her lips up in a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I think we all carry things."

"Of course. But I needed to see that sometimes, tears are worth just as much as any smile. It's hard for me to wrap my head around. Because all I see is her fa-" Serena shook her head, no doubt banishing some horrible memory she didn't want to deal with. Her arms reached out, grabbing Juliana and Arven both, pulling them close. "It's fine. Whenever you're ready, your smiles, your tears and any other feeling will be precious. I won't push you. I just want to walk it with you."

Juliana didn't know what to say. All she knew was that Serena's warm arms were comforting. Those of a mother for people who didn't have a home. She wasn't perfect, and the tiny shakes she had in their embrace showed her holding on to something that Juliana couldn't fathom, but it was nice. So, Juliana accepted it with two words. "Thank you."

The night wound on.

Morning, of course, brought no significant changes to the landscape. If there was any change at all, it was that their minds were orienting from thought towards action. As the caves approached, each steeled themselves for whatever strange Pokémon they would find inside. Only Koraidon kept a sluggish pace, as if not wanting to get near.

"Dolliv dol!" Dolliv expressed, her leaves flexing as if showing off strength to the great lizard. He shook his head. At the sight, Juliana fell back, allowing the overly whispery former Team Rocket trio to take lead.

"Koraidon, why are you so scared?" she asked, running her hand along his feathers. He didn't reply. That made her frown and cast her mind around for what to say. All she could think of was the moment they first met, and his ability to take out the pack of Houndour. "Come on, you're so strong. You don't need to be scared. You have an unmatched power. If you're in a pinch, just use it, like when Quaxwell pulls out Torrent, or Lokix uses Swarm."

"Korai kor."

"He's sayin' dat it takes a lot out of him," Meowth shouted back, breaking from his whispers.

"What, that move he used?"

"Kor korai!"

"Apparently, it feels like it takes all of his life away. Da more he uses it, da more it hurts him."

"Okay, but Koraidon, you're strong even without it."

"Tink!" Tinkatuff agreed, bonking the lizard on the head in affection.

"Koraiiii!"

"He's still sayin' he don't wanna," Meowth offered with a shrug. It was an unhelpful dead end. At least it was until Meowth pulled back to converse with him as the caves came within sight, loud noises echoing from within. "Apparently, he lost real bad. Now, any time one a dose creatures shows up, he tinks whatever beat him is gonna show up too."

"Geez, what were my parents up to…?" Arven said with a shake of his head.

Juliana leaned down to Meowth. "Is that really what he said?"

"If you got a problem wit my translation skills, go hire a different Meowth." He marched off to join his compatriots.

With nothing left but that kind of statement, Juliana patted Koraidon once more. "Well, I don't know what beat you, but whatever it is, you're not the type to lose again. We've got this in the bag!"

GORAAAAAADE!

The sudden cry from deep in the caves pulled them all to a halt. The quartet up ahead fell over themselves, while Serena braced Arven. Gloria and Ceruledge went on high alert. Every eye split in multiple directions, from the cave entrances, to the rocky coastline that it bordered. Koraidon whimpered, padding back until Lokix held him in place and refused to let him budge.

Maybe we don't have it in the bag. But we can't stay still forever.

"Let's move forward. With caution," Gloria said, slowly inching to take place at the front of the line. Serena laughed a little.

"Who are you and what have you done with Gloria?" She listened to her nevertheless.

The party approached the entrance of the caves quietly, each of them keeping low. Koraidon needed to be pushed forward, but he too reached the cusp of the cave entrance. Some Pokémon were scattered on the outskirts of the cave mouth, looking like they had set up their own triage unit, but it was nothing compared to the inside.

Unlike other cave systems, the Alfornada Cave was a rather roomy one. Multiple passages led to what looked like a central hub, with the only confusion being which path led to which exterior. Only one other tunnel seemed obvious by Juliana's reckoning, the salty smell and sound of the sea breeze indicating a path to the coastline. Many rocks rested in that direction, as though the Pokémon that called the cave home had set up a sort of mining system for themselves, clearing out the refuse.

It made the sight of those same Pokémon scattered in the widening passages all the worse. Numerous Diglett and Dugtrio were slumped, while more than a few Sableye were huddled together, whimpering. At the sight of them, Serena rushed off to help, as did Arven, pulling berries and potions from their pockets. Juliana, however, noticed the group of Gible and Gabite, all looking cowed by the loud noise emanating from the center of the cave. Some were injured, great slashes across their bodies. It was them that Meowth approached.

"Gab Gabite."

"Uh-huh… I see… Makes sense…" Meowth said, nodding his head.

"What's the skinny, Meowth?" James asked, whipping out a pad as if to take notes.

"Some real big baddie showed up a few days ago. Apparently came from da human town. Dere's a pit dere or sometin." Meowth folded his arms. "It got to the central cave and started challengin' everyting. Some stood up to it, but da ting is too strong."

"Raido…" Koraidon's sigh summed up his fear, one that empathized with all of the Pokémon in the cave. There was no denying the utter strength of the Pokémon found within Area Zero. The memory of the dueling Titans in Asado Desert was enough for that.

"So, if we beat up the baddie, we save the cave?" Gloria asked.

"Sera!" Ceruledge clashed his swords together, agreeing with the idea. Juliana was a bit more hesitant.

She glanced over all the defeated Pokémon, realizing the one thing they had in common. While some were injured and others weren't, they all shared the same defeated feeling. The same weakness and worthlessness that Juliana had felt. That Koraidon felt. She shook her head, and soon matched gazes with Serena. The woman read her in an instant, nodding before returning to her ministrations.

"No, just beating it up won't be enough," Juliana said. She cracked her knuckles, putting her gaze to the center of the cave. "If we just beat it up, there's no telling when another threat comes in. They'll be just as scared then."

"Good point," Gloria admitted. A smirk began to widen across her face. "Alright, kiddo, what do you got?"

"First, a bit of recon. Hey, Meowth, you and your buddies wanna help?"

"So, yer sayin' I'm da top cat. I like da Honorary Twoipette."

"I'll show you honorary!"

"Jessie, save it for when we're not in a cave full of a dangerous Pokémon!" Before Jessie could throttle the cat, James pushed her towards the center. Juliana was quick to get ahead of them, letting their other companions treat the Pokémon. Those same Pokémon continued watching them, whimpering just the same as Koraidon. Still, they watched.

The cavern soon opened up, numerous rock formations of different angles, heights and structures covering the central hub. There were other Pokémon there, hiding, and each of them were flinching at the conflict within the very center of the cave. Before either of the participants could notice them, the quintet skid behind a large stony plinth for cover, only peeking their head over the top.

"Who's dat Pokémon?"

"It's a Gardevoir!" Jessie almost shouted. Wobbuffet was quick to cover her mouth so as to not draw attention.

"No, it's clearly a Gallade, Jessie."

"Wobb wobba Wobbuffet."

"You tink it's a fusion? Looks like a robot to me."

From appearances, they were all right.

In the middle of the cave, a Hariyama was trading blows with an alien-looking Pokémon. It wasn't a very even battle, however, as the Hariyama looked sluggish, each of its hits barely connecting while the creature it dueled danced around as if with cherry blossom petals. Said creature had the upper body of a Gallade, while its lower body resembled that of a Gardevoir. Valiantly striking, its very blades looked to be made of iron, resembling the robot that Meowth so aptly described it as.

A deadly robot, as it were, for the creature made a great blooming slash across Hariyama's chest and sent it sailing backwards, where it crashed into stone.

"Gardade! Gar-dade!" Even the intonations sounded electronic, like flesh and blood had been replaced with circuitry. Its booming voice was clearly a challenge, though.

"How the heck do we beat something like that?" Jessie whispered. "I'm not looking to get kebabbed by some iron valiant looking thing."

"Dose are big words for you, Jess."

"Cool name, though. Iron Valiant. Let's copyright it!"

Leaving their now-typical squabbles aside, Juliana surveyed more of the cave. Hariyama's defeat looked to have sent all other Pokémon into submission, none of them stepping up to the plate. It was disappointing to all present, but Juliana thought more on a way to stop the "Iron Valiant" that had taken over the cave.

That was when she spied the passage leading to the coast.

"We don't need to beat it. We just need to push it out into the water," Juliana said, slapping the trio on the back. "If it is iron, it may just sink. But we'll need everyone to-"

"Gade!" Their discussion had invited unwanted attention, and before Juliana knew it, the stone they were hiding behind was split in two. The Iron Valiant stared them down, its bladed arms already glowing with another move.

"Ceruledge, buy us time!" Juliana shouted, the need for stealth gone. She scrambled back, the quartet moving with her, straight for the mouth of the passageway where she'd left her friends. From there, Ceruledge ran forth, blazing fire on his feet.

The Iron Valiant slashed, a Psycho Cut of considerable strength splitting the air. Ceruledge ducked under it, and his flaming blades slashed upwards to match the sword-arms. They grated, sending fire flying, before they disengaged and whirled around to match blows. It looked almost like a ballet. For one second, Ceruledge looked back, the fire in his eyes burning brighter. His message was clear: he had this for as long as they needed. Juliana threw him a thumbs up.

She sprang to her feet and dashed back into the cave where her Pokémon, save for Koraidon, stood at attention.

"I have a plan," she gasped out. Many Pokémon backed away, the sound of renewed fighting giving them pause. Serena, Gloria and Arven watched her, nonetheless. "We're kicking it out of here. Koraidon, I'll need your bulk to-"

"Koooooooor." The whine was enough to tell her everything. He wouldn't move or budge. There was too much fear there. He stamped back a bit, and the wound inflicted by Kingambit suddenly became visible.

Guess it makes sense he'd be afraid of blades. But only Tinkatuff could have that force. I'll need the others to rally the cave Pokémon… Juliana groaned, not seeing a way of resolving the situation. Ceruledge would only last so long.

"Doll." The short, sharp cry put attention on Dolliv. The small grass type waddled forth, her leaves reaching up to pat Koraidon's cheek as the same fire as Ceruledge's eyes burned in hers. It took Koraidon by surprise, but the only one more surprised was Lokix. He walked up to her, the two of them beginning to talk.

"Kix. Lokih."

"Doll. Dolliv dol!"

Juliana needed no translation for that. She knelt. "You want to fight. Show 'em how strong you've become."

"Doll!"

"Then we'll do just that." Juliana straightened, feeling a bit like a general commanding troops. "Gloria, Serena, Arven, protect this area. Quaxwell, Lokix, Kilowattrel and Tinkatuff, soon as we're clear, go to the other Pokémon. They need to help move them out of here, so keep all eyes on us. Leave the Iron Valiant to me, Dolliv and Ceruledge!"

"You're sure about this, Juli?" Arven asked. She slapped him on the back.

"No more running! Dolliv, let's show that thing we mean business with your newest moves! Pepper it with Energy Balls!"

"Doooool!" The Grass type's leaves fluttered and she led the charge straight into battle. Juliana was right on her heels, dashing into the larger cavern. Her Pokémon were right behind her, splitting in numerous directions to the Pokémon that flinched when chunks of gravel were tossed at them from the collision between bladed forces. Soon as Dolliv slid in, she formed the crackling orb of energy and fired. It soared and blasted the Iron Valiant in the face.

"Sera!" Ceruledge slashed up, his blades a bright purple that rent itself along his foe. The Iron Valiant stumbled back, but soon both blades were alight with a brimming, pink energy. It began to spin.

"Gadade-dade-dade!" Ceruledge crossed both blades at the cry as it came close.

"Trip it up! Earth Power!" Juliana called. Her eyes flitted over the battlefield, noting where they needed to move the robotic Pokémon to. Dolliv's leaves entered the ground, breaking it up with a golden glow. It stretched and cracked all the way to the Valiant's feet, setting it off-kilter. The blades still struck, but were weakened in their intensity, allowing Ceruledge to recover.

His blade slashed outward, manifesting a shadowy, jagged claw on their edge. It knocked the blades aside, and with a flaming slash, sent the Valiant skidding backwards. It wasn't closer, though. "Ceruledge, to the ocean, okay?"

"Ser!" Ceruledge's acknowledgement was all she needed. He whirled his blades around, their violet color attracting the attention of the cave's occupants. They were almost amazed.

But not as amazed as they were by Dolliv, who nimbly moved across the battlefield. Juliana nodded. That's right. Keep hitting with as many Energy Balls as possible.

"Doll! Doll! Doll!" Dolliv darted across the open cave, circling around to be in a better position. The crackling orbs collided with either the ground or the Valiant itself, pushing it back in the direction they wanted. In those gaps, Ceruledge moved in, slashing up with a burning strike that was unfortunately blocked.

In a one-on-one, there's no way we move them. Juliana looked up at the fearful eyes of the Pokémon watching, and the downed form of Hariyama. She pumped her fists. "Hey, Alfornada Pokémon! You just gonna keep watching?"

"Seredge!" Ceruledge's grunt was matched by his body being impacted with a particularly nasty strike that sent him skidding back, embedding his blade in the ground.

"This Pokémon is gonna wreck your home unless you do something! We can protect you, but you need to protect yourselves! Dolliv, Sunny Day!"

"Liiiiiv!" The light gathered around her giant olives until it finally exploded, filling the cave with a clear sunlight that hadn't been seen since that day. Some Larvitar came out of hiding, their eyes filled with shining joy at the sight of it. Even better was Ceruledge's heavy slash, exploding with fiery fury against the Iron Valiant that sent it flying towards the intended passage.

"Two are better than one," Juliana noted, looking back to her companions in the passage. They all nodded, throwing a thumbs up, but none moreso than Jessie, James and Meowth who appeared to be cheering her on with gusto.

"Gadade!" The Iron Valiant flipped over, its skirt allowing it to gain air and its blades slicing in the ground. Its eyes flashed, all of its malicious intent focused on Dolliv now. Ceruledge stepped in the path, blade burning bright with protective energy. "Gade!"

"SERA!"

The bladed combatants ran at each other, and soon clashed, sending a smelting haze that made the Pokémon retreat once more. It didn't stop Dolliv, though. She was shaking, but firmed herself up and dashed forward, an Energy Ball forming on each of her leaves. She had Ceruledge to protect her, and a trainer to command her.

They would stop the Valiant together.

"Dolliv!" She skirted to the side, watching as Ceruledge's second blade rocketed upwards to snap into the Valiant's jaw. He got a smarting blade to his torso for his trouble, but it left his opponent open. With a flick of her whole body, Dolliv sent the Energy Balls jettisoning forward where they converged on the Valiant and exploded.

It stumbled backwards, but didn't topple. Instead, its body flooded with energy that pulsed the whole cavern over. Its blade became longer, pinkish energy circulating around it. Then it slashed down, transitioning to a purple crescent on a collision course straight for Dolliv.

"Dolliv, move!" Juliana ordered, her own fear suddenly gripping her heart. The Valiant emerged from the smoke, its descending blade becoming like a spear.

Only, Dolliv didn't move.

Juliana's eyes went wide, mouth open and unable to utter anything. Orthworm appeared before her mind again, her Pokémon throwing themselves in front of her in protection. It felt just the same, especially as the multitude of Pokémon cries echoed around the cavern. Dolliv refused to budge, though. She wasn't running.

No, we're not running anymore. Juliana stood up a little straighter, emulating her partner. Then the blade flashed down in full, and Dolliv's leaves shot up to block it.

"Doooooooooll…" Dolliv's cry was immediately strained, her whole body holding back the powerful attack. Ceruledge was recovering, but wasn't fast enough to take the Valiant off his target. Not that Dolliv was leaving. Her eyes bored right into the emotionless, pitiless eyes of the Valiant until, finally, she started to push upwards.

And her body started to glow.

Leaves became great branches covered in foliage. The olives multiplied. Her body became slimmer and taller, stretching until she was nearly Juliana's own height. Her eyes flashed, her body glowing as all of the dark olives now dotting her figure glowed green. With greater strength, her branchlike arms pushed up, throwing the blade off. And with a twirl, she sent the Energy Balls careening into the Valiant. "Arbo!"

"DAAADE!" The angered, robotic cry sounded, and another blade descended. Like before, Dolliv…no, the newly evolved Arboliva refused to move. She took the hit, her rooted feet digging themselves into the ground and refusing to be taken out of her spot. Her body snapped backwards, and Ceruledge lunged forward, catching the Valiant in a strike that removed it from Arboliva and pushed it back towards the coastal passage.

Arboliva snapped forward, and with her came a collection of seeds from her leafy arms. They scattered on the air, shining in the artificial sun of the cavern. Every eye followed them, and soon they touched the cave floor, and blossomed. Grass sprung up where the seeds landed, a light, refreshing green haze entering. Juliana sucked it in, her body becoming lighter as the Grassy Terrain spread across the cave, complete with flowers and olives.

And on Arboliva's body, her darkened olives began to secrete a purple pollen. She brought her arms together, and all the scattered pieces began to join in her new move. Its bright nature brought more Pokémon out of hiding, each overjoyed by the change in atmosphere. Tinkatuff even smacked one of them, throwing it into the cavern, as if to show everything was okay.

And it will be. Juliana slapped her cheeks. "One last push! Everyone, let's get this thing out of here!"

Juliana now stomped her foot, pointing forward, hoping for something to happen.

At first, nothing did. The Iron Valiant shook its head, eyes glaring at all of those who dared threaten its dominance. It wasn't sure which way to look, but soon decided that Juliana was just as much a threat as Arboliva and Ceruledge. It slashed its blades wickedly, soon beginning to whirl them as if they were scythes. The robotic Pokémon took a shuddering step forward.

"Liva!" Arboliva's attack finished coalescing, and with a flick of her large branches, the globule was flung. The Valiant turned its head, just in time for the purple patch of pollen to collide with its face. It exploded into scattered puffs, causing the Valiant to stumble back and gag. Robotic or not, the poisonous aspect of Arboliva's Pollen Puff was enough to stagger it.

More than that, as the puffs dispersed on the air, they landed all across the cavern, to the many Pokémon watching, filling it with a healing glow that only those she was protecting could feel. It was the signal all needed.

"Tinktuff!" Tinkatuff sprang off a rock, whirling with her hammer and a giant grin. It wasn't just her, either, as a whole horde of Larvitar was right behind her.

"Maku maku!" That was the cry of a pack of Makuhita, led by Quaxwell straight in front of them.

They were all surging forward, emboldened by Arboliva's stand and Ceruledge's strength. Juliana dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the stampede of Pokémon surging for the Valiant. It wasn't just the large cave they were coming from, either, as the Gible and Gabite were rushing out from where Serena and the others had been taking care of them.

They all joined together in a glorious stream. Juliana watched them, managing to eke out a smile. It was proof that challenging the Valiant on their own did nothing, but together they could protect their home. By being more than their own world, they could make miracles.

The Valiant recovered, attempting to slash at the Pokémon, but soon found itself overwhelmed. It could knock away a few, but there were so many Pokémon rushing it, its very circuitry looked to be overloading as it was carried into the passage. Juliana watched it, creeping closer to make sure the goal was met, only to witness something she didn't want to as it got close to the edge.

"DADE!" The great, cleaving slash knocked all of the Pokémon back, bowling them over and preventing them from completing their mission. The Valiant huffed, its eyes turning a deep red, as if a horrific new mode had been activated. Its blades whirled once more.

Not a chance. Juliana pointed forward again. "Ceruledge, Bitter Blade! Knock it out!" "Seraledge!" Ceruledge flashed forward, fire alighting at its feet. Its blades blazed with that same flame, and he became a rocket. The Valiant slashed, but this time Ceruledge was faster, turning his blades into a lance that impaled it. The momentum passed through the Valiant's body. A second passed and then the kinetic force of the lunge sent it flying out the mouth of the cave, plummeting towards the sea.

Juliana jumped over the Pokémon, dashing quickly until she reached Ceruledge's side to watch their opponent's fall.

It wasn't a particularly long one. The Iron Valiant dropped, unable to gain purchase. Yet just before it hit the water, its eyes looked up…and it vanished. A crystal haze dispersed from where it had been, but a few seconds later it was gone, as if it had never been there at all. Juliana and Ceruledge shared a look of disbelief.

"Liva?" Juliana turned to her leafy Pokémon, walking over with a curious set of eyes adorning her thin face. It was remarkable how much her once wimpy partner had changed, now belying a nurturing strength that none of the others showed. They appeared to recognize it, as well, for Arboliva was soon swarmed by Lokix and Kilowattrel, the latter hugging her tight. "Arbo? Liv?"

"It's gone, Arboliva. Disappeared."

"Well, dat's just weird…" Meowth commented, popping up in the crowd and acting like he'd always been there. "Disappearin' Pokémon."

"That thing wasn't really a Pokémon, was it?" James asked, sweat pouring down his face.

"It looked like one. Sounded like one. Get with the program, James!" Jessie snapped. "And Meowth, get over here, we still need to finalize plans."

"What plans?" Serena's question went ignored, but it was a sign that she and the others were approaching. Koraidon was in tow, looking ashamed. He padded forward and butted against Arboliva, as if thanking her for her show of strength. Arboliva gave a sweeping pat in response.

"Not bad, kiddo," Gloria said, joining in with a slap to Juliana's back. Arven laughed, but ducked under Gloria's attempt to rope him in. "You encouraged all these Pokémon to drive out the threat and showed your own strength. I think Alfornada will be in good hands with us. Now, fellow cave Pokémon, your home is yours again!"

The great outcry of cheer and happiness made Juliana's own heart leap with it. She threw herself into the mess of her Pokémon, complete with Quaxwell's dancing and Tinkatuff's bashing. The caves became so lively, no one would have thought there was a marauding creature there just moments before. Even if the back of her mind told her she hadn't truly proven her own strength, that she needed a Gym battle to do it, her heart was given over to the celebration.

Just Ceruledge was left standing alone.

Juliana reached out to him, dragging him into their group. Although he was awkward, he soon relaxed and held his blade up to the ceiling with a cry and howl of victory. It was joined by many other Pokémon, those frolicking and gamboling around the cave.

There was one Pokémon that broke away from the celebrating group, a Gabite, who strode up and angled his arms in the direction of a sloping passageway. "Gab. Gabite."

"I think he wants us to follow," Serena said. It brought the group down from a high, though it didn't remove the overall elation and enthusiasm in the caves. Gabite nodded, uttering some more words, and everyone turned to Meowth for a translation.

"Tink he wants ta show us where dat ting came from. Just in case dere's more dey need to be ready for." It made sense, and Juliana didn't need three guesses to know exactly where the Gabite and his shiver of Gible were leading them: Alfornada.

The group issued another hearty farewell to the celebrating Pokémon, with many hanging around Arboliva to thank her in particular. Koraidon looked a little jealous of her attention, his mouth indicating he wanted to roar them off, but Juliana and Arven both slapped him on the back, helping him to get a move on. His movements were still sluggish, but he obeyed. Arboliva was a little less nimble than in battle, leaning down to each Pokémon until, finally, they were free of the crowd and each of them climbed the slope into the passage leading upwards.

The trek took a bit of time, becoming darker for a stretch before the pale light of the unsightly sky began to fill the cavern. Juliana increased her pace, curious for her first look at the town where she would challenge a Gym just to challenge it. Her Pokémon matched pace with her, all except Koraidon, who snorted and stamped but nearly stopped moving. It didn't stop her, and she passed the Gabite to emerge in the wide plains that led to Alfornada.

Or they should have been plains.

Instead, what Juliana found was a crystal wasteland, a road cutting through it towards the town in the most secluded part of Paldea.

Just outside it was a pit made of crystal, stretching to the depths.

Author's Note: This time we finally got some more action! And an evolution! Some of the fun with being able to do a story like this is to change things from the games. So obviously into this stretch we needed the stakes a little higher than the games, where the stakes were fundamentally nonexistent until you reach Area Zero. In this case, having the Paradox Pokémon around as a physical threat felt logical and allows me to do things like this. I hope you enjoyed it.

Next time, we reach Alfornada and all the fun story content that will take place there. Please look forward to it, and in the meantime make sure to review or comment! Of course, don't forget, Dare to Be Silly.