I have to keep going. I need to protect them. There's no time to worry about myself. It's all in the past now, right? My friends are the ones who are important to me, and that will never change.

Selena floated in the air, her eyes glowing as the eight tentacles granted through her fusion with Nihilego gathered behind her.

"Perish."

Magical gems floated into the air, flying towards the assembled Chosen. Lewis brought up his barrier, blocking the brunt of the attacks as the others dodged the rest of the attacks.

Aaron and Kai ran forward, Aaron summoning his sword. A tentacle slammed the ground where Aaron previously stood, sharp poisonous rocks sprouting from where it hit.

Kai dodged another tentacle aimed at him, leaping away from the rocks that appeared shortly afterward. He barely had time to land before another tentacle was upon him, forcing him to slow his advance and move back.

Those appendages are poisonous. Said Marshadow as she drew level with Kai. They inject poison into the ground, making it hazardous for me to permeate through it. To make matters worse, the physical body of Nihilego is almost impervious to physical attacks due to its gelatinous nature.

"We'll find a way," said Kai, his fists glowing with water as he ran forward.

Lewis charged forward with his shield out as he closed the distance between him and Selena. He caught up to Aaron and threw his shield, aiming straight for the Nihilego's head.

The shield bounced off, only causing the bulbous head to wobble. Lewis caught his shield and used it to fend off three slashing tentacles, powering through.

Using this opportunity, Aaron reached Selena and slashed at the nearest tentacle. The tentacle, despite appearing malleable, blocked his strike and wrapped around his weapon. Aaron let go of his sword and kicked the tentacle, only for his foot to sink into it.

Instantly, visions of his parents and siblings began to fill his mind. A feeling of betrayal and anger threatened to consume him as his mind turned to his parents' mysterious disappearance.

The vision faded as Lewis rammed his shield into the tentacle, causing it to release its grip on Aaron. He grabbed Aaron and leaped away as sharp rocks flew in their direction.

"You good?" asked Lewis as they hit the ground, a barrier coming up to shield them.

Aaron paused for a moment. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Cyan was at a loss for what to do. She had to help them; it was her duty as a Chosen to fight the Gloom Organization. Also, these were her friends; she couldn't just sit here.

Yet, her body refused to respond. Covered with frost, she was on the verge of collapsing. She didn't get it. No one else ran the risk of receiving harm upon using their powers. Was she not meant to be a Chosen?

She struggled to her feet, fighting off the sluggishness she was feeling. She focused her powers outward, tapping into all the slowly melting ice around her.

Multiple sharp spears of ice formed in mid-air, shooting toward Selena. Selena raised her tentacles to block the jagged spears of ice, but the ice shattered and reformed around them, freezing them and preventing them from becoming malleable.

Aaron saw this and threw his sword, the blade spinning end over end before cutting through the frozen tentacle, shattering it.

Selena cried with pain as she fell back, the Nihilego echoing her scream. She clutched her head as the tentacles around her trashed about, attacking anything in their paths indiscriminately.

Marshadow seized the opportunity to close the distance, using her agility and small size to avoid the crashing tentacles. Kai followed behind her, his fists surrounded with water as he caught a tentacle mid-swing.

Instantly, visions from his past began to fill his mind. A ruined world surrounded him, people crying for help as broken bodies lay around him. One of them was a woman in her early twenties. Her blood-stained hand weakly reached for him.

Kai let the visions wash over him and then pass as he recentered himself. Focusing his energy, he switched the position of his feet as the aura around his hands turned black, throwing the heavy tentacle upwards and giving him and Marshadow an opening.

Reaching the main body of the Nihilego, Marshadow and Kai leaped into the air, their fist back as they readied an attack. Selena tried blocking, but ice formed around her tentacles, locking her in place as Aaron and Lewis held her back.

Kai and Marshadow's fists hit the Nihilego's head simultaneously, dark energy exploding around them. The Nihilego screeched as it and Selena flew backward, hitting the ground and lying motionless as Selena fell unconscious.

There was an explosion of electricity as Luke dashed forward, reaching Selena before anyone else did. During the short battle, he had been recharging his electricity via car batteries and damaged electrical lines.

Grabbing Selena's arms, he tried to pull her out from the Nihilego's grasp. But the Ultra Beast refused to give up its host so easily.

Despite losing consciousness, Selena summoned multiple chains from her arm that wrapped around Lucas' arms, beginning to glow. Luke's eyes widened in surprise as he struggled to break free, sending out a pulse of electricity to force the Pokémon to let go.

Lewis grabbed Luke and pulled him back, using his shield to block a tentacle that lashed out at them. Before anyone else could approach, the Nihilego used Sludge Wave, forcing the Chosen back.

"Who's controlling who?" asked Aaron as he watched Selena's limp body rise into the air along with the Nihilego.

Marshadow stepped forward. Nihilego is a parasitic Pokémon. The girl was foolish to try and control it after fusing with it. Nihilego uses neurotoxins to amplify its host's emotions and make their minds unstable to exert control over them. Considering the girl's mental state was bad already, it was only a matter of time before she became a puppet.

"You know about these Pokémon?" asked Lewis.

Of course. We know of many ancient stories about Arceus. One of them is about how he fought and banished giants across space.

"And one of them was Nihilego?"

I doubt it. Nihilego is no great fighter. Remember, the longer the Nihilego stays attached to the girl, the longer the toxins persist after separation.

"Nihilego isn't exactly making this any easier," said Luke, rubbing his arms.

Cyan looked at his arms. "Y-Y-You've B-b-been p-pois-s-soned."

"And you're frozen from head to toe. I think we can worry less about me."

"Let's focus people," said Aaron, brandishing his sword. "We can't just wait around here. I may not have much of a clue as to what's going on. But what I do know is that we need to defeat the Ultra Beasts and protect Marshadow."

Marshadow gave him a look. I'd be perfectly fine on my own.

Kai shook his head. "We can't rush into battle without a plan first. The Nihilego is currently on the defensive, waiting for us to make a move."

"Then we hit it with something it doesn't expect. You heard Marshadow, we don't have time to think and wait. Maybe that's just not your style, and I totally get it. But action is something that has to be done. And in this case, done quickly."

Lewis held out a hand. "Maybe-"

Aaron dashed forward, his sword glowing. He knew that the Nihilego was not something to be taken lightly. Underestimating his opponent was something he never did. But they were running out of time. There was no doubt the Gloom Organization wouldn't be willing to give up two Ultra Beasts.

He leaped away from a tentacle, slashing at a cluster of rocks that came for him. He slid under a blast of poison, droplets splattering on his tracksuit.

Another tentacle came for him, but a bolt of electricity forced it back as the Nihilego gave a screech.

"Be more careful!" shouted Luke, appearing right next to him.

The Nihilego screeched as Luke dodged its attacks, shooting bolts of electricity whenever he could. The Nihilego injected its tentacles into the ground, rocks, and poison flooding through the battlefield.

Aaron slashed through as many obstacles as he could, dodging when he could. As he deflected a tentacle with his sword, Kai slid in next to him, ice moving beneath his feet. He smashed through a layer of rock, shards of stone hurtling toward the Nihilego.

"You're not in this alone. Remember that."

Aaron nodded. To his side, he saw Lewis charging forward, using his shield to blast his way through any obstacles.

Aaron continued to fight his way through, refusing to let anything impede his path. He had something worth fighting for, he always had. He wasn't going to let his friends, his fellow Chosen, disappear as well.

He leaped into the air, bringing his sword down onto the Nihilego's main body. Lewis followed suit, swinging his shield with enough force to crush stone. Both attacks threw Nihilego back. Struggling to reorient itself.

The Ultra Beast gave a screech as it brought its tentacles together, attempting to block any further attacks. Marshadow appeared from the shadows, sailing through the air and landing both feet directly on the Nihilego before it could fully defend itself.

Sinking into its body, Marshadow grabbed Selena's legs and tried to separate her from the Ultra Beast. Kai and Lewis ran forward to help, the rest of the Chosen providing support as they fought.

Suddenly, chains burst from the ground, wrapping around Lewis, Kai, and Marshadow. Aaron sprang into action, slashing his way through the chains as Lewis brought out his shield to try to break free.

It's happened sooner than I expected. Shouted Marshadow, struggling against her bindings. Nihilego has assumed total control of its host. It's too late Chosen, you can't save her!

"You can't expect us to kill her," argued Kai, despite the situation.

We have no time to argue! It's either her or us, surely you have to understand that!

Kai snapped the chains holding him, reaching for Selena. However, Aaron was there first, his sword poised to strike.

"Inaction isn't a choice," he whispered, his sword continuing in its deadly arc.

Unfortunately, the Nihilego wasn't ready to give in. Its aura condensed before exploding, sending everyone in the plaza flying. Aaron cursed and leaped for Selena, but chains erupted from the ground and caught him, wrapping around him and forcing him to the ground.

He struggled within the chains, but poison, both from Selena and the Nihilego, began to fill him. His vision faded as his mind began to blank, trapping him within his thoughts.

Aaron opened his eyes, his mind foggy. Where was he? What happened?

He looked around, registering his surroundings. He was standing on a random street, the sky settling into the evening. Wait, this was his street, where he lived.

As he looked around, he realized he was wearing a normal school uniform, a backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Hey, you standing over there!" shouted a voice.

Aaron turned, spotting a pink-haired girl with two twin-tails. She was also wearing a similar school unfirm, this one having a skirt instead of long pants.

"Aren't you Aaron Steele? The guy who saved the world or something?"

Aaron stared at her. She seemed familiar, but he struggled to place a name. "I- suppose. I'm having a bit of trouble recalling."

"That's okay. Come on, we're going to be late for school!"

"U-Uh, sure."

Feeling very confused, Aaron followed the pink-haired girl down the street. As he watched her, he knew there was something very familiar about her. Everything about this seemed wrong.

"I have a question, Aaron."

"Yeah?"

The girl stopped in place, turning around with a smile. "Have you ever wondered what it's like to give up?"

Aaron paused. "What?"

"No need to answer the question, you already have. Your parents, you've given up on them."

Aaron was thrown off guard. "What the hell? How do you know about my parents?"

The girl laughed, twirling around. "Oh Aaron, I know lots about you. Go home Aaron, and return to your siblings. They need you more than your parents do. Your parents abandoned you, they never loved you. Stop looking for them you'll only find disappointment and heartbreak."

Aaron looked behind him, his twin siblings laughing as they ran down the street. "I can't give up. My parents didn't choose to disappear, it's my job to find them."

"No Aaron, it's not. You've already abandoned them, focus on what's important. Give in Aaron, go to your home, and stay with your siblings. Submit. You and I aren't so different, y'know? Our parents didn't love us, they abandoned us. You must do the same, and free yourself of this self-imposed responsibility. Go home."

Aaron hesitated. He barely knew himself anymore, the girl's words were so compelling. He should go home, he didn't owe anybody anything. He could abandon it all, give up fighting. After all, everything was over now, wasn't it?

There was an explosion above them as the evening sky split apart, a gigantic, armored hand reaching out for him.

"Aaron! Are you-"

The voice was cut off as the sky resealed itself. Aaron felt a chill run down his spine, the voice was familiar, but from where?

The girl laughed, a placid smile on her face. "Well, you don't see that every day. Such a strange thing to see. After all, this is reality."

Aaron looked around. "You're wrong."

"Huh?"

Aaron's confidence began to grow. The voice, it was Lewis! He'd been trapped within chains by this girl!

"I said you're wrong!" shouted Aaron, his sword appearing. "I know for sure this ain't reality, and you'd be damn wrong if you thought otherwise!"

Selena stepped back, an annoyed expression on her face. "Give up Aaron, you can't win here. Forget-"

"Like hell, I will! I didn't abandon my parents, and I'll never stop looking for them! I have something worth fighting for, and your little sweet talk won't tell me otherwise. I'll never abandon my family, and my friends, and I'd never abandon myself!"

As he spoke, the world around him began to deteriorate. His school uniform was replaced with his street fighter outfit, Selena devolving into her Nihilego fusion.

Selena laughed darkly, chains sprouting all around Aaron. "Have it your way, I can still kill you whilst you're in our shared mindscape."

"Go ahead and try," said Aaron, raising his sword. "Iron Will!"

There was an explosion of energy as gold light surrounded Aaron, his sword increasing in length. He leaped forward, spinning mid-air and slashing his way through the chains. He dodged multiple attacks from Selena and landed a mid-air kick, sending her plowing into the ground.

The world around him exploded, poisonous shards falling around him.

"Aaron!" shouted Lewis from next to him. "Glad you're okay."

Aaron shook himself, his body still glowing from his Iron Will state. "Nothing happened that I couldn't handle."

Kai looked to Nihilego, it was currently reeling from Aaron breaking out of its control. "Let's take the Ultra Beast out and finish this once and for all."

"No need," said a voice.

A cluster of shadows swirled together in front of Selena, taking the shape of a man.

Marshadow's eyes widened. She dashed forward, sinking into the shadows and appearing in front of the figure, sending out multiple shadow clones.

However, she was too late... There was an explosion of red energy as the figure solidified. Marshadow was thrown back, with multiple cuts over her body.

The figure standing there was now fully human. They wore black reflective armor with red lines coursing through it. A black mask of similar properties covered his face, a red glow appearing through the eyeholes. Shadows covered the man, wrapping around him like a cloak.

You should have died a long time ago. Said Marshadow, clutching her arm in pain.

"Yet, here I stand," said the man, a tone of mocking in his voice.

I'll just kill you myself.

"If the likes of Rayquaza couldn't send me to my grave, what makes you think you can?"

The man disappeared as Marshadow ran at him, he appeared several meters away, raising a hand as he deflected a bolt of electricity from Luke.

"I forgot -"

He didn't finish as Aaron rushed him, his sword cutting wild arcs. The man leaped back with inhuman speed, slamming a hand on the ground and causing red beams to erupt through the ground.

Lewis activated his barrier, the hexagonal barrier surrounding him and Aaron. The red beams lashed at the shield, shattering it into pieces.

Lewis staggered back, feeling the recoil of his destroyed barrier. Aaron leaped forward to deflect another red beam, sparks flying off his sword as it collided.

Marshadow stepped forward, making her way to the armored man as Lewis and Aaron fell back, regrouping with the rest of the Chosen.

Stay out of this. The Voidcaller is a sorcerer whose power is out of your league. How he's still alive and has an extra form of sorcery, I don't know.

"You think we're just going to stand by and watch?" asked Luke.

The Ultra Beast and the girl are still a threat, they are merely stunned for now.

"Focus on the battle!" shouted The Voidcaller, sending red slashes toward Marshadow.

The Legendary Pokémon dashed for The Voidcaller, using Shadow Sneak to avoid the beams and strike at The Voidcaller.

The man raised his arms and blocked the attack, cloaking his arm with shadows as he landed a punch. Marshadow leaped for him again, clones of her appearing as she used Spectral Thief.

The Voidcaller turned himself into a shadow, sinking into the ground to avoid the attack. Marshadow dove into the ground and followed him, the two of them clashing beneath the ground.

While the two of them fought, the rest of the Chosen were busy trying to separate Selena and the Nihilego. However, this task was not easy. The Nihilego had surrounded itself with Selena's poisonous chains in response to Aaron breaking free from its control. Not only this, but they're strength was heavily exhausted due to the long fight and the effects of the poison.

"I don't get it," said Luke. "It's almost as if Selena doesn't want to be separated from the Pokémon. Isn't it slowly killing her?"

Kai shook his head. "In her search for power, she became blind to the consequences. Nihilego is the one completely in control."

Aaron raised his sword. He slashed at the chains, breaking through them one at a time. Kai readied a Wicked Blow, aiming for the Nihilego.

The Nihilego gave a screech as the last chain broke away, rising into the air. Kai unleashed his attack, his fist smashing into the Nihilego's head and causing it to crash to the ground.

Lewis didn't hesitate. He grabbed Selena and kicked the Nihilego away, forcefully separating the two.

Both the Nihilego and Selena screamed as the link between them was cut off. The Nihilego shrunk back to its normal appearance as it landed on the ground, its aura fading.

Luke grabbed both pokéballs, using Faba's Beast Ball to return the Nihilego and the other ball to recover the Buzzwole before it could recover.

"Is she alive?" asked Aaron as Kai checked her pulse.

"Barely. I doubt she'll wake up for a while."

"I f-f-feel b-bad f-for her," said Cyan. "S-Something t-tells m-m-me she suffered a lot."

Lewis looked at her. "What do you-"

The Voidcaller appeared from the shadows behind Lewis, kicking him away from Selena. Spotting Luke, he raised his hands, red light gathering.

Kai used Surging Strikes before The Voidcaller could attack, none of his blows having an effect.

"Luke, run."

Hearing the seriousness in his voice, Luke didn't need to be told twice. He dashed out of the plaza as fast as he could while the rest of the Chosen fended off The Voidcaller.

Growling with anger, The Voidcaller blocked one of Kai's attacks, driving a shadow-infused fist into his stomach and throwing him against a wall. He was about to dive into the shadows, but Aaron jumped in, his sword clashing against the man's armor.

The Voidcaller's hand glowed red as he tried slashing Aaron with his hand. Aaron parried a strike, allowing Lewis to attack with his shield. Blocking another attack, Lewis brought his foot up and drove his knee into the man's chest, knocking him backward.

The Voidcaller brought both hands up, red energy surrounding them. "I won't hesitate to kill all of you. Hand me the Ultra Beasts and I may spare your lives."

Everyone watched him warily, no one making a more.

"I don't have forever. Make your move, Chosen."

Before anyone could act, there was a flash of electricity as Luke appeared behind The Voidcaller, landing a kick that caused an explosion of electricity to erupt through the air.

"Di-"

Rainbow crystals appeared around The Voidcaller as he released the energy around his hands. The crystals surrounding him exploded into fine dust, the rest of the magic harmlessly dispersing.

The Voidcaller turned to face his attacker. Standing there, was Galena, Tera Crystals surrounding her.

"Galena!" shouted Lewis, relief washing over him. "Where've you been?"

"Don't worry about it," said Galena tentatively. "Everything's fine now."

"A sixth person changes nothing," said The Voidcaller, shadows pulling off the walls. "All of you will still die."

Shadows poured forth, striking at the Chosen. Multiple crystals grew throughout the room, light reflecting off of them and cutting through the shadows.

The Voidcaller didn't pause. He gathered red light and threw them as red slashes, slicing the crystals in two. Galena created a wall of crystals to weaken the attack as Cyan fired back with a beam of ice.

At the same time, Aaron and Kai charged forward, unleashing a flurry of attacks. The Voidcaller blocked their attacks and tried to strike back, only for ice to freeze his arms.

Kai drove his fist forward, black energy exploding as he made contact with The Voidcaller's chest. As he staggered back, Aaron closed the distance, landing three consecutive slashes in the same area.

"All of you're efforts-"

Kai and Aaron leaped back as a ball of electricity opened above The Voidcaller, bolts of lightning shooting down and trapping him within Thunder Cage. Struggling to break free, Galena used the opportunity to launch a barrage of crystals.

The Voidcaller roared in anger, a red wave of energy shooting out from him and blasting everyone back.

He reached up and tore the mask off his face. Red energy erupted around him, magical power radiating off of him. Beneath the mask revealed the face of a young man with pure red eyes, and red and black lines coursing on his face like veins.

Before he could attack, however, blue fire rained down from the sky. Putting his arm out, red slashes appeared and slashed through the fire, but some small embers still rained on him.

A rainbow filled the sky as Ho-oh landed in the plaza, fire erupting all around him.

You'll go no farther Voidcaller. Your madness ends here. You should've stayed dead when Rayquaza fought you. Once I defeat you, I'll make sure not even ash remains.

The Voidcaller smiled, his sharp teeth giving him an almost inhuman appearance. "I'm much stronger than I was all those hundred years ago. Sorcery fills my body and fuels me in ways you don't understand. You couldn't defeat me, Ho-oh."

I know better than to take chances with a demon like you.

Behind Ho-oh appeared Suicune, Raikou, and Entei. All three beasts covered in a rainbow light, their strength boosted by Ho-oh's mere presence.

Suicune was the first to speak. Behind us gather an army of Pokémon. They are willing to lay waste upon you at a moment's call. I assure you, Voidcaller, you won't be walking away from this conflict alive.

The Voidcaller paused. Even with his power unleashed, he knew better than to take this fight.

"Fine then, enjoy your victory."

Shadows wrapped around Selena, pulling her towards The Voidcaller. Behind him, Marshadow rose from the ground, similarly wrapped in shadows.

Raikou gave a snarl. He cloaked himself in electricity and dashed for Marshadow, but was too late as The Voidcaller disappeared.

He's escaped. Said Raikou, a note of bitter anger in his voice. We failed, Master Ho-oh.

"No," said Kai. "We couldn't save her in time."

Ho-oh shook his head, folding his wings in. No one can assume blame. Too many events have transpired, events we could not anticipate. What matters now is how we push forth. You have done well Chosen, all of you.

That's high praise, coming from Master Ho-oh. Said Entei gruffly. Maybe you are worth something.

Aaron raised an eyebrow. "You thought otherwise?"

Don't mind Entei. Said Suicune, giving Entei a sharp glance. His opinion of the Chosen decreased many years ago. It is not my place to say why.

Ho-oh opened his winds, taking flight as his three Legendary Beasts followed him. Keep fighting Chosen. Even if things may not seem that way, we've attained victory today. Both Ultra Beasts are now out of the Gloom Organization's hands. May Arceus guide your path.

As the assembled group of six left the plaza, Kai stopped to introduce themselves. "I'm Kai. The boy over there is Luke, and She's Cyan."

"I'm Galena, pleased to meet you!"

"I'm Aaron, and that's Lewis," he added, pointing at Lewis, who was currently checking his damaged shield. "How'd you guys end up here?"

Luke looked up. "Urshifu sent us here."

Galena raised an eyebrow. "You were sent by a Legendary?"

Kai nodded. "Yes, I was chosen by him. He regularly contacts me. He's essentially become my second mentor at this point."

"That's so cool! I wish I got to talk to my Legendary more often. She really helped me back then. You said you had a mentor previously?"

"I know," said Luke, hopping from one foot to the other. "He's gotten some spiritual teachings and stuff. He also learned martial arts! Yet he denies living in the mountains."

Galena smiled, flinching a bit at Luke's loudness. "The mountains are fun! Is it true, Kai?"

Kai shook his head, laughing softly. "No. He has this image painted in his mind that people who meditate live far away from society."

Luke gave a lopsided grin. "Maybe not physically."

While the three of them chatted, Lewis walked over to Cyan, who looked ready to drop dead.

"Are you doing okay?" asked Lewis, noticing the layer of frost covering part of her skin. If he remembered correctly, he didn't notice any ice-based attackers. Of course, he and Aaron were late to fight.

"I-I'm f-fine."

Lewis was unsure whether to press the issue. Even to him, the girl seemed sluggish and ready to fall over. Thinking about it, he decided that it must be due to overexertion, and decided to let things be.

As for Aaron, however, he walked by himself. Quietly thinking to himself as he followed the party to the transport van Kai had left behind.

"Aaron?"

Looking to his side, he noticed Galena walking next to him, a concerned expression on her face.

"Hmm?"

"You look a little down there, anything you want to talk about?"

Aaron hesitated a moment, his mind flashing back to what he saw within his mind. Had he truly abandoned his parents by focusing on trying to get by through street fighting? Would they forgive him for taking so long?

"Nah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You can always talk to us if anything is wrong."

"Don't worry about me. Speaking of that, where were you anyways?"

"I just got held up by a swarm of Pokémon, that's all. I also got a bit lost, nothing big."

Aaron nodded. Inwardly, however, he knew that there was much more to what she was saying. He decided to drop it. After all, he wasn't being completely honest either.

He looked up to the sky, lost in thought. Somewhere, whether in this world or some other, his parents were out there, waiting for him. He couldn't let them wait any longer, he had to find them.

But until then, he was going to fight. Not just for his life, but those of his friends.

The Voidcaller walked through the halls of the underground base, Selena floating behind him as he walked. His mask had long been replaced, but his rage was still bubbling beneath it.

He trudged into the infirmary, settling Selena on a bed. He looked at the girl briefly, shaking his head before turning around.

"Were you testing her?"

He turned around, seeing The Ideal One sitting up from his bed as he spoke.

"What do you mean?" asked The Voidcaller, turning back to face the door.

"I heard what happened, about how she fused with the Ultra Beast to defeat the Chosen. I know you're abilities, you could've gotten there before anything drastic had to happen."

The Voidcaller smiled. "Very perceptive of you, Zek. However, you're wrong. I ran into… a few annoyances along the way. The Chosen of the Eon Pokémon intercepted me. They'd both be dead had Darkrai's Chosen not stepped in."

The Ideal One didn't respond, watching Selena solemnly. The girl was breathing, just barely.

"Last I remember," continued The Voidcaller. "You and Selena were on bad terms. I'm surprised you still care."

"Make no mistake, there is love lost between us. But the Gloom Organization only weakens with her out of the picture."

"Then maybe you should terminate your little resting period. I have an important mission for you once Abaddon comes back from his duties. As it turns out, destroying humanity isn't the Pokémon's only objective. They're hunting for these."

The Voidcaller produced a green worm-like creature that had a red core in the middle. The creature squirmed in his grasp, but its efforts to escape were futile.

The Ideal One peered at the creature. "What is that?"

"A Legendary Pokémon. Or at least, part of it. I guess that their leader is the whole of this Pokémon, which would explain their first attack upon or laboratory hosting some of these cores."

"And the rest of the cores are scattered around human civilization."

"Most likely."

The Ideal One nodded, getting to his feet. "I'll make preparations immediately. One last question. What are we going to do with Marshadow?"

"Don't worry about it, Zek. I'll handle that, once we find a suitable vessel. Our plans will continue from here. This invasion has only just begun."