Liko - My name is Liko; with the drive to discover and learn more, my friends and I have set out on the next leg of our journey after parting ways with my grandmother who left to go on her own adventure for the time being. As we prepare to search for the final member of the Six Heroes, Rayquaza, and uncover the mystery surrounding my Terapagos, the Rising Volt Tacklers, the students of Uva and Blueberry Academies, the Power Rangers Ultra Rescue, the Alolan Royal Family, and I decided to return to the Paldea Region!
It's July 29th and the heroes have begun the next phase of their journey together as the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft are flying over the Paldea Region. With Rotoscope's help, Sarah informed Clavell and Cyrano that they would be returning to the region much to the delight of both academy directors (since they were glad to hear that her and Race's BA Pokémon had safely reached them, they would know of Rosie, Chili, and Crest's evolutions, and they would get to see their students' reports on what they discovered when they found time to return to both Uva and Blueberry Academies).
"Alright! We're finally back in Paldea!"
"Hellooooooooo again, Paldea!" Roy and Fuecoco cheered as they looked through the Brave Olivine's bridge windows.
"Sure feels nice to be back home again, especially since we could do with a break from all of our Galar adventures in that short time," Arven smiled.
"And, we got our reports finished to add to our treasure hunts while we were having fun," Penny added, grinning over the prospect of extra credit.
"Eh, you get that sort of thing whenever Sarah's around. She's always a magnet for fun and trouble," Ash joked, grinning.
"...I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that," Sarah remarked indignantly.
"Well, guys, now that we're back in Paldea, where do we go from here? Do we begin our search for Rayquaza now?" Kiawe pondered.
"Yeah, we got to start somewhere should he end up here after our last encounter," Mallow noted.
"Not yet, though... We should meet up with Clavell and Cyrano along with the teachers, gym leaders, and Briar and tell them everything that has been going on with us throughout our journey. They have a right to know about the Explorers and their current motives as well as Liko's Terapagos," Sarah replied as she looked at Liko's Terapagos cooing and playing with Larmina, Topaz, and Garnet.
"Are you sure letting some of the most prominent figures in all of Paldea in on the big secret is a good idea, Sarah?" Murdock questioned.
"Yeah, Little Buddy, that's not a train I'm willing to jump onto. Remember that story you told us about Iono unintentionally putting you and your family in the open through her social media when you went to challenge her as part of her media buzz?" Arven added, also feeling skeptical of the idea.
"Okay, okay... I get that, and I'll admit, I didn't think about our arrival in Levincia through as I had hoped. But, Spinel and the Explorers' Big Three along with Amethio have forced our hands by preparing a new trap for Rayquaza and getting smarter and stronger in the process. What's more, Clavell, Cyrano, and the others I mentioned knew about my and Race's Terapagos but they didn't know about Liko's. They're the only four Tera Pokemon in existence and they also deserve to know about Liko's connection to Lucius and Marena."
"I wholeheartedly agree given what we've learned. And, as I'm sure you recall, Brassius did mention he saw Rayquaza himself back at Arboliva's old home. It's best we ring in and meet up with them so they'll keep watch and let us know where he is should they spot him," Friede noted in agreement.
"That's a truth, especially given the trouble Amethio recently put us through when we last met the big guy himself," Mollie agreed.
"Can't argue with that," nodded Orla.
"Yeah, with the timing of his arrival earlier, that spells trouble," Penny said.
"Well, since we cool cats are in agreement, I'll page Big Man Clavell and have him round up Little Lady Greeta and the rest at Uva Academy's schoolyard. Best thing to do in the meantime, plus, our big bad wolves won't stop until they get Little Dude Terapagos and snag the Six Heroes from under our noses at any point," Rotoscope suggested, getting agreeing nods from everyone.
"Well, now that we know what we're doing next... What are you all planning to do now?" Liko asked, turning to Goh, Ash, the Pokemon School Gang, Gladion, Kukui, Burnet, and the Blueberry Academy students.
"Yeah, summer vacation is almost over since we're reaching August and it's usually time for some of you to prepare to go back to school or return to your own journeys and families. How are you going to spend your last month on vacation?" Roy nodded.
"We talked it over and while it would be great for us to go back to our own journeys, we'll stay with you for a bit longer."
"After the Rayquaza debacle, we need to make sure you guys will be okay and see how the Explorers' next plan for him would turn out should we see them again," Ash and Goh replied.
"We also wondered what Paldea is like judging from the letters my husband's old students sent us that told us about their adventures in Uva Academy," Burnet smiled as Lei babbled cutely in her arms.
"And, there's something else; Cyrano proposed to us that we and our friends could be exchange students at Uva Academy to represent Blueberry Academy when the term begins again," Carmine grinned.
"...What?" Sarah blinked in surprise.
"When did he make those arrangements?" Race added, stunned.
"I never thought he would pull that off for you," Asha admitted.
"Right after you three completed your exchange student program; he was so impressed with you guys that he wanted us to attend Uva Academy in that way, too. Thought it would be a nice change of pace for us while also learning new things for the BB League Club," explained Kieran, grinning.
"What about you and your in-laws, Your Majesties? Are you planning on returning home to Alola?" Liko quizzed, turning to Sarah's human family.
"Truth be told, there's not much paperwork coming in for us so we're not too busy with political and diplomatic matters. Levi and his guard also informed us that everything is still running smoothly back in the kingdom," Delilah noted.
"It will be nice for us to return home to take a break and get away from our adventures now and then. But, given the trouble you and our daughter keep finding yourselves in as of late, we'll stay with you throughout your time in Paldea. And, after we deal with the Explorers should they appear again, once they're out of the way and we're sure you can handle yourselves from that point on, we'll leave you to your own devices as long as you promise to be careful, agreed?" Doug said, giving Liko, Roy, and Sarah a firm glance.
"Agreed/Yes, Dad," the two young trainers and the little princess complied.
Friede nodded in agreement as he declared, "Well then, it's off to see Clavell and the representatives of Uva and Blueberry Academies and after that, we'll decide where to go from there."
"Right!"
(Opening)
Now, head forth! Pierce through the clouds~
(Our opening for Part 2 of Pokémon Horizons (i.e. The Gleam of Terapagos) begins with Liko, Sarah, and Race in a triangle formation (Liko up top, Race from the bottom right-hand corner from her left, and Sarah from the bottom left-hand corner on her right) as their pendant and Terapagos Three shone in darkness before the former turned into Liko's Terapagos)
(We swiftly pan across the oceans akin to the beginning of the opening of Attack on Titan S4 Pt. 2 (The Rumbling by SIM) before stopping amongst the horizon as the titles for Pokémon Horizons: The Gleam of Terapagos appeared amidst a sunset/sunrise)
When I remember the words I couldn't say
I dove down to hide myself
Swimming my way through in uncertainty
I cut through the clouds and head for the blue sky
(We see a young Liko walking with her parents through a marketplace before we see her as she is, her uncertainty lifted as she holds and looks at her pendant underneath a moonlit sky from the rooftop of her family's house along with Sarah as she enjoyed her life in Alola growing up before she is shown holding her family's Sun Sword in its powered-down form as the young woman she is and held it above her head underneath the Alolan sun in a split-screen sequence. Then, in a flurry of Leafage and cosmic energy, we see the pair with their three Terapagos, Sprigatito, Hatenna, Blitz, Curly, and Silvally enjoying the breeze together on the observation decks of the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft)
One day, I'll look back
At that fiery red sunset
And burn it all into memory
(A young Roy is shown being fascinated by stories his grandfather was showing him until we see him as the boy he is (looking dirty all over and wearing the Brave Olivine's flag like a cape) eyeing the Ancient Pokeball that once held Lucius' Rayquaza in his right hand and raising it high above him in the rising or setting sun while Race is seen being found by Brandon, enjoying life with him and the other Frontier Brains, and being the man he is now as he eyed the camera and held a Pokeball in front of him while glaring at the camera in the same split-screen sequence before they're shown via Flamethrower, Shadow Claw, and Thunder watching the sunset on the Brave Olivine's Wing Deck and the Dragon craft's sun deck watching the sunset with Bella, Robbie, Tou-Tou, Wattrel, and Fuecoco)
Even if I can't reach the truth of the world~
Or the feelings of that girl~
It's okay to not understand~
Just shine like a rainbow~
(We are shown their friends and Sarah's family including a few of their Pokémon in five/six slot group sequences as follows: Friede, Orla, Mollie, Dot, Ludlow, and Murdock with Charizard, Metagross and Elekid, Chansey, Quaxly, Rockruff and Alcremie, and Quagsire; Burnet (with the cute addition of Lei) and Kukui with Munchlax, Incineroar, and Braviary joined by Diane, James, Nikki, and Johnathan with Romeo, Dragonite, Lucario, Clover, Catnip, Juliet, and Melon; Ash, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, Lillie, and Sophocles with their respective partners; and Delilah, Doug, Donna (former queen), David, Asha, and Gladion with Mischief, Persian, the Tomoe Squad, Flicker, Flicka, June, Proud, Ziracon, Umbreon, Silvally, and Lycanroc; Goh, Nemona, Arven, Penny, and Team Star with Meowscarda, Pawmo, Killowattrel, Cinderace, Inteleon, Grookey, Mabostiff, the Eevees, Bisharp, Torkoal, Skuntank, Revavroom, Azumarill, Wigglytuff, Passimian, and Toxicroak; and the Blueberry Academy students with Hydrapple, Mightyena, Toucannon, Magmortor, Empoleon, Reuniclus, Whimsicott, Granbull, Flygon, and Haxorus)
(We see a smirking Cap from the Brave Olivine's bridge and Friede taking the wheel along with MK-1 on the Dragon Craft's Bridge at its controls with an eager bark, the three of them preparing to take everyone aboard their respective ships to new heights and continue discovering all the world has to offer among the horizons)
Now, head forth! Pierce through the clouds~
Stumbling, staggering~
Standing firm and reaching farther~
Now, run forth! Towards my future~
(In the horizons, with the heroes riding their respective ships, they dash forward with Lucius' Rayquaza roaring and flying alongside them before Liko, Roy, Dot, Murdock, and Ludlow are shown with their partners stumbling, running, or sliding along Rayquaza's body with Mollie, Chansey, and Orla following on Metagross and Sarah and Race tailing their new friends aboard Bolt and Winter with the rest of their family joining them before Marena and Stormcloud joined them. Meanwhile, Amethio is shown training with his Ceruledge and Corviknight with the former forced back by the latter and their master staggering to the floor and sitting on his ass from the intensity of the training battle. As his partners sparred, he gritted his teeth and tugged his shirt, feeling unsatisfied about the current progress he was making and wanting to do more to improve themselves and himself on something while Hamber and Dusknoir watched on)
At the end of this long, long journey
I'll remember you
One day, we'll shake hands
And laugh
(Lucca, Diana, and Liko were seen together with the final Terapagos in the young girl's arms who cried out and unleashed an energy wave, showing Moltres, Arboliva, and Rayquaza with the second half of the Six Heroes: Entei, Lapras, and Kleavor, in small bursts along with Lucius and Liko's Terapagos, before Sarah, Race, Liko, their Terapagos Four, Sprigatito, Rosie, Chili, Crest, Silvally, Tou-Tou, Robbie, and Bella along with a tearful Marena come across Lucius on a cliff point before they joined the Ancient Adventurer on his current spot)
A light appeared
At the end of the rainbow
And I found my dream
(We see the Explorers in short bursts along with a Tera Orb in Sarah's hand, Lucius' gear and records, one of the Terapagos Four in Stellar Form, and someone reaching out in between the heroes looking out to the horizon and the sun in the heavens before Sarah, Liko, Marena, and Race are seen face to face with the Six Heroes as the opening ends)
(End Theme Song)
Returning to the outskirts of Mesagoza and landing the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft in the same places they were in last time, the Rising Volt Tacklers (joined by Dot and Ludlow) along with Sarah's family, her old friends, Goh, and her, Race, and Asha's classmates went to Uva Academy together.
Immediately, Ash, Goh, Gladion, Kukui, Burnet, and the Pokémon School Gang were amazed by Mesagosa as the Alolan Professor noted in awe, "So, this is Mesagosa, the site of Uva Academy, interesting..."
"Si, in fact, it's the best biggest city in the entire region. Lots of people come to the city's academy to learn about advanced technology and all that stuff. It even has its own hair salon and lots of shops selling tasty food with Uva Academy in the middle of hit," Nemona grinned at him.
"Whoa!"
"Amazing..."
"Unreal...!"
"It's huge!" Ash, Kiawe, Gladion, and Sophocles gasped, taking in the large size of Uva Academy.
"It sure took us by surprise with how it dwarfed the Pokemon School back home but it's a great place to learn and home to the Terastal Course, one of the programs being taught. And, as you can already guess, Island Girl, Asha, and I were enrolled in it upon arriving," Race added.
"The schoolyard's in the middle of the campus, and after getting my and Rotoscope's call, Clavell should be with the rest of the faculty staff along with the gym leaders," Sarah noted as she, her husband, and her sister led everyone to the academy's schoolyard.
Of course, the academy was practically empty as they went to the schoolyard because, as expected, the students were still out on the last stretch of summer vacation until the school term came around again (with the faculty taking time to get everything ready until then for the returnees and graduates as well as new entries with their student orientation and open house events). Eventually, they arrived at the schoolyard with Tsukumaro quietly casting Cave Inciuinum as a safety precaution against Spinel's eavesdropping.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Our favorite treasure hunter returnees with a new motley crew at hand!" laughed Greeta (the academy's chief chairwoman), grinning at Sarah, Asha, and Race as she, Paldea's Elite Four (Rika, Poppy, Larry, and Hassel who were gym leaders as well as faculty members), the AIs of Arven's parents, Clavell, Briar, Jacq, Tyme, Salvatore, Raifort, Dendra, and the academy's nurse, Miriam joined them.
"Hello, children!" Miriam smiled warmly with a wave.
"Hi, everyone."
"We're back," replied Sarah and Race.
"Ah, Race, Sarah, Asha, good to see you again. Wasn't expecting you to be back until the school term begins again," added Hassel, smiling at the trio.
"Well, we're here now and we thought we'd get a headstart again," Asha joked with a chuckle.
"We can see that, kiddos. You're all looking in top form. Oh, and all these people with you, are they your friends you mentioned in your occasional letters to us?" Rika noted as she turned to the Rising Volt Tacklers, Liko, Roy, Dot, Ash, Goh, Gladion, the Pokémon School Gang, and the trio's family with them.
"They are but the rest are my family from back home as you already know," Sarah replied.
"Hi there, my name's Ash from Pallet Town in Kanto. And, this here is my partner, Pikachu."
"What's up?" Ash and Pikachu began with a smile.
"Hey, my name's Goh and these are Cinderace, Grookey, and Inteleon. We're research buddies with Ash and Pikachu for Professor Cerise who works in Vermillion City."
"Yo."
"Hi, hi, hi~!"
"Greetings, friends," Goh, his Cinderace, Grookey, and his Inteleon greeted warmly.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Mallow and these here are Tsareena and Shaymin."
"Hello."
"Hi!" Mallow, Tsareena, and Shaymin grinned.
"I'm Lana and with me are my partners: Sandy and Primarina."
"'Sup?"
"Hello there~!" Lana, Sandy, and Primarina added.
"Hi, I'm Sophocles and these two here are my partners: Togedemaru and Vikavolt."
"Hi~!"
"Salutations!" Sophocles, Togedemaru, and Vikavolt concurred with a smile.
"I'm Kiawe from Alola's Akala Island and here are my partners: Turtonator and Pyroar."
"Hello."
"How do you do?" Kiawe, Turtonator, and Pyroar continued politely.
"Gladion, I'm Lillie's brother. These here are Silvally, Umbreon, and Lycanroc."
"Yes, it's nice to meet you, everybody. I'm Gladion's sister, Lillie, and this is my partner and my little sister from Ultra Space: Snowy and Nihilego Lillie."
"Hmm..."
"Pleasure."
"Ladies, gentlemen..."
"Hi there!"
"...H-Hello..." Gladion, Lillie, and their Pokémon went on in kind (albeit with Nihilego Lillie being cutely shy over the plethora of new faces she and her family and friends were seeing before them).
"Director Clavell, it's a pleasure to meet you. We've been given a Future Sight about you, your faculty, and Uva Academy by three of my old students since they enrolled in your school and we've heard nothing but great things about you and the region's gym leaders. My name's Kukui, I'm a Pokémon Professor from Alola specializing in studying Pokémon moves," Kukui smiled as he and Burnet shook hands with Clavell (while Kukui's wife carefully held Lei in her arms).
"And, I'm his wife, Burnet, I work as a Pokémon researcher for the Aether Foundation. It's an honor to meet you all, at last. And, this little bundle of joy is our son, Lei. Thank you for looking after Asha, Race, and Sarah while they're studying here," Burnet finished, introducing herself and Lei who babbled cutely and curiously at the new faces before him.
"Kukui, Burnet, a pleasure it is for us to meet you, too. Your works spoke volumes to Pokémon scientists worldwide and, Kukui, allow us to give you our heartiest congratulations for your recently established Alola League. Dare I say, your dream of creating it and how it played out inspired us to create the Paldea League and make it part of our Terastal Course when we first heard of it. We're honored to have Alolan royalty in our school and it's an absolute pleasure to see how they're growing from their educational foundations from Principal Oak's Pokémon School," Clavell smiled modestly, singing their praises.
"Aww, come on, you give us and Principal Oak too much credit. And, the Alola League was really something when I brought it over to Alola. I have my students who took part in it to thank for making it the breakthrough it was when it began," replied the Alolan Professor with a hearty yet humble laugh.
"Hello, children. It is good to see you are unharmed."
"And, a pleasure it is to meet your new friends as well," the AIs of Sada and Toro spoke kindly as they stood before the heroes (with the majority of them giving the pair odd looks).
"Uh..."
"Whoa... So, you're-?" Goh and Ash began awkwardly.
"Yes, the AI (Artificial Intelligence) counterparts of Arven's parents, that we are. We understand that it may be...awkward for all of you to meet us and not the actual professors as you hoped."
Kiawe shook his head, understanding what AI Sada was telling them as he reassured her, "No, M'am, it's no trouble at all. We heard from Sarah and Arven about what happened to them, and... We want to extend our sympathies to you."
"It must've been rough for you two, Koraidon, Miraidon, and Arven with everything that happened," Mallow agreed with a sad and sympathetic frown.
"But, it's still a good thing you were able to do what you do best after what happened on our friends' end. It was best for you two to remain here and keep up the ruse to protect everyone from Area Zero," Sophocles added as the others nodded in agreement, sharing the trio's sentiments.
"Our lips are sealed," finished Lana with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, all of you," smiled AI Toro.
Clavell nodded before he turned to Sarah and asked her, "Now, Sarah, I understand you called us together for a reason, correct? It's obviously not to help you, Asha, and Race prepare to return to school yet but for something more important that requires our assistance?"
The answer Clavell and the faculty, Briar, the Paldea Elite Four, and the AI Professors were looking for came in the form of Liko's Terapagos as he popped out of Liko's backpack and jumped down, toddling over to the adults and babbled cutely at them.
Naturally, Briar, Hassel, Larry, and Rika were greatly surprised by his appearance as they all spluttered, "Oh my! A fourth Terapagos!?"
"What the devil-?!"
"W-Wha-Where did that little guy come from?!"
"How is it possible?"
"Aww! Hi, you're so cute!" Poppy grinned cutely as she picked up the baby Tera Pokémon who smiled and gave her a happy coo.
Liko smiled sheepishly as she fidgeted and awkwardly said, "Uh, that's a long story..."
"The pendant that her grandmother had given her before she went to Indigo Academy and you saw during the reunion party, it was actually that Terapagos in its dormant form," Asha replied.
This took everyone apart from the heroes by surprise and even the Paldea Gym Leaders (when they arrived at the scene) could hardly believe it. The heroes went on to explain to them about the Explorers, why they were after the Terapagos Four (including Larmina, Garnet, and Topaz who were discovered by them beforehand), and Lazuli's part in their plot with her eavesdropping from the shadows before her eventual defection.
Briar was shocked; she had no idea that the swordswoman had shadowed her, Carmine, Kieran, Race, Asha, and Sarah during the Area Zero expedition that led them to Topaz. But, Lazuli told her that she knew nothing about the Paradox Pokémon or the fate of Arven's true parents which got the Blueberry Academy teacher to calm down and not go off on her. After that, when she and the others were told why she had shadowed them in the first place, she became sympathetic to the former Explorer's plight and couldn't be mad at her.
Then, Marena told them about how she knew Liko's Terapagos and her story involving her life with her late husband and the Six Heroes a century ago.
Friede followed up on the Explorers' current motives and what they had been doing to achieve whatever their master plan was including ambushing them and Diana at one of her castle bases and Ash, Gladion, and the Pokémon School Gang being forced to reveal their ranger alter-egos to protect the Liko, Roy, him, and the rest of the Rising Volt Tacklers.
When Marena and Friede were done, Liko and Roy capped off the rest including Lazuli's previous history with the Explorers, how they targeted Rayquaza who had a supposedly permanent Terastallized appearance, their eventual next attempt to capture him, and their need to kill Sarah, Race, and Lazuli so they wouldn't get in the way of their ultimate goal.
"I'm sorry, everyone... We couldn't leave you all in the dark about something like this forever, it wouldn't have been right had it all blown beyond our control. After everything on our end, you deserved to know so we'll all be ready for what happens next. That's especially true with a Terapagos belonging to Lucius involved," Sarah apologized as they finished their story.
"Well, you still have a habit of finding trouble wherever you go despite your efforts for a little quiet time," Tyme remarked.
"But, since you've told us everything, I guess we'll let this one slide given what you're up to. Thanks, Sarah," Raifort nodded in understanding.
"We know it must've not been easy to decide that given the trouble these Explorers had given you all since you first encountered Amethio and his squad," Kofu agreed.
Poppy agreed wholeheartedly as she gave the heroes a cute smile (while holding onto Liko's Terapagos), "No problem at all. We'll help you deal with those meanies when they come, don't worry!
Terapagos cooed happily in response with Ryme nodding as well, "Yeah, they won't know what hit 'em as long as we got your back."
"And, who knows? I might even have a new stream booted up for a smash hit for the ages!" Iono grinned (with Dot doing her best to keep herself hidden from her after she saw her appear in the schoolyard).
"Hey, hey, hey, hey! No streaming content on that sort of thing," Sarah warned the Levincia Gym Leader and social media celebrity.
"Sorry, Iono, but a battle against the Explorers is not one putting on social media. Especially since it involves our ranger identities; one of the golden rules of the Power Rangers is to keep their identities a secret. Therefore, nobody else must know that we're Power Rangers," Lillie explained.
"Really? That's a shame... Oh, well, if that's so, your secret's safe with me. Not a single soul in Levincia and anywhere else in the world will know about the Power Rangers' true identities," Iono replied, understanding.
"That is for the best but back to the topic at hand; this Rayquaza you mentioned, would it happen to be the same Rayquaza I came across that night in Arboliva's forest?" Brassius inquired.
"Sure is, Brassius, the very same; he's actually the leader of the Six Heroes. And, believe it or not, Arboliva is one of them, too," Roy confirmed with a determined face.
Sarah nodded before she sheathed her father's sword and showed the Uva Academy faculty, Briar, and the Paldea Gym Leaders the Rayquaza Gem on the blade and said to them (just as Reader came up alongside her), "The Rayquaza Gem resting on the blade of my father's sword can alert us to his presence. While it does that, the second of my advisors from Dragonstone, Reader, informs us of her visions involving the Explorers so we'll have a counterattack planned for them when Lucius and Marena's Rayquaza shows up at any point."
"Will that be possible?" Rika questioned.
"Hey, I have a knack for eavesdropping. The Explorers won't know what hit 'em," Reader sniggered.
"Would you mind if we give you mortals a hand?"
Everyone jumped as they heard a new voice through telepathy before they heard two sets of roars above them. Looking above them, they saw a regular-colored Rayquaza joined by a female Dragonite and male Honchkrow flying overhead alongside a third Necrozma, a male Solgaleo, a female Lunala, a second Swords of Justice quartet (a Keldeo included), and the Legendary Beasts (not including Sarah's Shiny Beasts, Lapis, Vulcan, and Sabre). The Legendary Beast newcomers jumped over the heroes and their Pokémon with them, making them yelp in surprise as they ducked and the trio landed in front of them while the wild Rayquaza, Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma hovered above them (with Dragonite and Honchkrow remained on the wild Sky High Pokémon's back).
"Whoa... Another Swords of Justice quartet, Rayquaza, Suicune, Entei, and Raikou?"
"And, Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma, too," gasped Goh and Ash.
"Incredible..."
"Amazing...! Three Ultra Beasts from the fabled and infamous dimension known as Ultra Space...!"
"And, a wild Rayquaza and the Legendary Beasts but in their regular colors! Beautiful!"
"Yah! Where did they come from?!"
"Impossible!"
"This could mean trouble!"
"But, if they did want to cause trouble, we'd be fighting them right now!" Grusha, Rika, Larry, Mallow, Gladion, Kiawe, and Lillie remarked in stunned awe, fascination, or shock.
"I can't believe it! Not only have we seen Lucius' Rayquaza but we also get to meet a wild Rayquaza in its regular colors out of the blue along with several others, a Dragonite, a Honchkrow, and three Ultra Beasts!"
"That's sheer luck!" breathed Friede and Cap in awe at the gaggle of Legendaries, Dragonite, and Honchkrow before them.
Seeing a myriad of glows coming from one of her satchels, Sarah quickly skimmed through them and pulled out her Pokémon Gem case, showing the Pokémon Gems of the Pokémon and Ultra Beasts before them giving off a soft glow.
"Wow! Sarah, your gems, some of them are glowing!"
"Could they be telling us about them?" Roy and Liko gasped in surprise at the glowing gems.
"But, what's with the Dragonite and the Honchkrow with them?"
"Sophocles is right, Dragonite may be a Legendary Pokémon like the rest but Honchkrow doesn't even come close," Sophocles and Dot noted, their attention drawn towards the Kanto Dragon and the Big Boss Pokémon.
The two Pokémon with the Legendaries looked over the entire group curiously but they soon laid eyes on Hu and Lazuli (and recognized the locket around the swordswoman's neck and the sword hanging on the belt clip), their eyes widening in shocked surprise at them. Even the latter duo couldn't believe their eyes as their memories flashed to Lazuli's lost childhood when she would play with Dragonite and Honchkrow before she was captured by the Explorers when she turned five and Mary and Seiya died in the family's tragic confrontation at that time.
"HU/LAZULI!" they squealed as they darted towards the Tiger Zodiac and the swordswoman, happily pouncing them in a double hug and knocking them down (while crying tears of joy and relief) as they took them by surprise.
"Dragonite!"
"Honchkrow, what are you-?!" spluttered a shocked Galaxagus and Panthera, stunned over Dragonite and Honchkrow's appearance.
"Wait, Lazuli, do you and Hu know them?" Liko pondered in surprise.
"...T-They, they belonged to...Mom, and Dad... T-They were able to b-b-beat Amethio's Corviknight, when...the Explorers, killed them," Lazuli sniffed, surprising everybody gathered as they realized that Dragonite and Honchkrow were Seiya and Mary's Pokémon alongside Galaxagus and Panthera.
"But, how did you-?! You-!" Hu began, unable to stop his own tears from streaking down his eyes as he eyed the relieved Pokémon before him and his original personal charge.
"They knocked us out after we took out that big bad Corviknight! But, when we woke up, you were gone! We thought you two, Panthera, and Galaxagus were dead!"
"But, now, you're here...! You're alive, all this time! Where were you?!" Dragonite and Honchkrow replied, still sobbing as the two balls of light appeared and happily circled them before Galaxagus and Panthera nuzzled their long-lost companions.
The male Solgaleo scanned the group before his eyes were then drawn upon Nebby and Nebula, speaking to them in telepathy, "Hmm... So, you little beasts were the ones with the Ultra Aura I felt earlier when we crossed over."
"Yes, Sir. My name's Nebby."
"I'm his sister, Nebula. Why are you here?" replied Nebby and Nebula.
"I apologize for our abrupt and unannounced arrival but I've gathered them to assist you against these Explorers who have been giving you grief as of late from what we've been hearing," replied a soft yet soothing voice as everybody turned to find a Shiny Diancie hopping over to join the Legendaries, Dragonite, and Honchkrow.
"Okay, what's with that fancy rock queen?" Silvally quipped, raising an eyebrow at the (female) Jewel Pokemon.
"Hey, Pikachu, is that a Diancie there?"
"Yeah! But, she's a Shiny Diancie and she's not like our old friend!" gasped Ash and Pikachu, recalling their, Clemont, Bonnie, and Serena's old friend from the Kalos Region's Diamond Dominion but noticed the Shiny Diancie's darker rock body and the hot pink "dress" she wore.
"Whoa... Who's that Pokemon?"
"Beautiful...!" Roy and Liko gasped as the former pulled out his Rotom Phone to scan the newcomer.
"Diancie, the Jewel Pokemon. A Rock and Fairy Type, as the sudden transformation of Carbink, it creates diamonds by compressing the carbon in the air between its hands and its dress is said to be the prettiest thing in the world."
"Amazing! I've heard about Diancie from Ash's stories about his adventures in the Kalos Region but not once did I imagine meeting an actual Diancie in my life!" Rotom-Dex gushed in amazement as he took photos of the Shiny Jewel Pokemon.
"Of course but you flatter me. Greetings to you all, you especially, Princess Sarah, Your Highnesses. My friends and I have heard much about you and we've gathered here to assist you in your endeavors against the Explorers," smiled the Shiny Diancie, bowing to the heroes before turning her attention to the Alolan Royal Family.
"I don't know how you found out about our ploy and what we planned to do moving forward but we appreciate the help you're giving us, Diancie," admitted Sarah with an appreciative smile.
"I promise you, the Explorers will learn to think twice should they cause trouble for you again once we join you in your mission. And, we won't be the only ones to help you make a stand against them."
As soon as Diancie said that, two loud and proud neighs were heard before everybody turned and saw what looked to be a wild Glastrier and Spectrier approaching them. The difference (to the shock and surprise of everyone gathered besides Diancie and her party, especially to Calyrex and his sons) being that the wild Glastrier has a brighter snowy white coat and the ice bits on it were lavender in color and the wild Spectrier had a red-violet mane, a bright pink strip on its mane and a tail of the same color, and hooves of a somewhat moderate red-violet shade.
"LOOK OUT!" Ash and Goh screamed as they saw the two Shinies coming at the group with Double Edge.
"Oh, bother, not again...!" grumbled Diancie with an exasperated sigh before she immediately hopped in front of everyone and used her species' signature move, Diamond Storm, to send a flurry of diamonds toward the Shiny Wild Horse and Swift Horse Pokemon, causing them to snort and neigh in bewilderment before they crashed and skidded in front of the heroes (having swirls over their eyes and birds and small Flying Types chirping around their heads).
"...Hey, guys, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"Wow! We're seeing double here!"
"There's a Glastrier and Spectrier with us, too!"
"They must also be Diancie's friends along with Necrozma, Solgaleo, Lunala, Rayquaza, Dragonite, Honchkrow, and the normal-colored Legendary Beasts!"
"But, look; they're both in different colors compared to the Glastrier and Spectrier we know!"
"They must be Shinies like Lucius and Marena's Rayquaza!" Friede, Ash, Orla, Mallow, Lillie, and Murdock remarked in shocked awe.
"Diancie's incredible!"
"She made them trip up with just one hit!" added an amazed Mollie and Roy.
"F-F-Father... Are you...s-s-s-s-seeing things?"
"O-Or...are we just, well, d-d-dreaming?" spluttered Spectrier and Glastrier, unsure of what to say as they stared at their shiny counterparts.
"Amazing... I've heard the old saying that there's a 1-5 chance that there will be two of each Pokemon or people but even with their odd colors, the resemblance is shockingly uncanny!" noted Calyrex, astonished.
"How many times do I have to tell you two? Never attack the innocence and be mindful of who you are fighting while maintaining an open mind, honestly!" Diancie chastised the Shinies before her as they slowly came too, turning to the heroes before she apologized, "I apologize. These two rascals are my bodyguards and while they mean well and care for my well-being, they have an unfortunate habit of being amazingly stubborn. I just don't know what to do with them anymore with how much trouble they caused despite their noble intentions."
"Well, if you're looking for a way to tame them and make them behave, Calyrex and I have a tip or two to give you a hand," Sarah offered as she took out her second set of Reins of Unity much to the surprise of her Alola friends, Ash, and her human family.
"The Reins of Unity!" they gasped.
"How did you two get another set? They're hard to come by let alone make as you, Victor, and Tsukumaro know!" Sophocles questioned the King of Bountiful Harvests and the little princess in disbelief.
"Well, as it turns out, while Asha, Race, and I were on our treasure hunt, I heard that this set was on auction after I cleared Kofu's gym challenge. Figured I might as well snatch them up for something useful or if someone else needs them," Sarah replied.
"And, it appears we found who they're meant for. Please try them out on your bodyguards, M'dear," Calyrex added, smiling softly as Sarah presented the Shiny Jewel Pokemon the Reins. "When your bodyguards awaken, please allow us to tame them in your stead."
"I'd be honored."
"Wow, this is amazing! I can't believe it, so many Mythicals and Legendaries in one day! And, one of them is a Shiny Diancie with her very own bodyguards!" Liko mused in wonder at the Pokemon before her.
Nikki and James sighed in exasperation but Asha pacified her parents by telling them, "Mom, Dad, please... If it helps, and if they hate being confined in Pokeballs, I'll use them as Ride Pokemon. It's not my or Sis's choice to have them come with us so they'll stay wild after they're tamed unless they want to come with us."
Sarah agreed to her sister's proposal as she added, "That goes for Diancie and her friends, too. The only reason I'd have to catch Pokemon at this point would be to give our family future mates, same with yours. I can't have them stay single."
James and Nikki thought about their daughters' words and the logic behind them before they sighed in defeat and replied, "Oh, alright..."
"I guess it was bound to happen for Dragonite and Lucario, eventually..."
"My other friends from around here will be of great assistance as well. Even a little Kubfu to your Urshifu can be greatly beneficial to your endeavors," Diancie offered with a warm chuckle.
This took Ching Wan and Hashimoto by surprise as they balked at her, "Wait, wait, wait, wait! For real? You have a Kubfu in Paldea?"
"And, that Kubfu came from the Isle of Armor?!"
"Of course, she was quite the traveler and a bear cub with a keen eye for Kung Fu while learning new fighting techniques."
Astounded by what she heard and saw, Dot carefully crept forward and cleared her throat before asking the Jewel Pokemon, "...So, apart from the ones with us now... Do you have any other Legendary Pokemon living in Paldea, too?"
"Oh, yes; they are my other friends: Ho-Oh, Latios, Latias, Zekrom, Reshiram, Kyurem, Moltres, Articuno, Zapdos, Kyogre, Groudon, and Lugia. Speaking of Kyogre and Lugia, they spoke very highly about the princess and a friend of hers when they rescued them from Pokemon Hunters some time ago."
Lana and Sarah were baffled but the Water Type Alumni grinned broadly as she excitedly said, "Hey, Sarah, she meant the time we saved them and I caught Kyogre while fishing!"
"YOU CAUGHT KYOGRE WHILE YOU WERE FISHING?"
"THAT'S CRAZY!"
"EVEN I COULDN'T LAY CLAIM TO THAT ACHIEVEMENT GIVEN HOW POWERFUL KYOGRE WAS!" Orla, Mollie, and Murdock balked at the Water Type Alumni.
"Did you really do that?!" Friede concurred.
"For real?!" Cap gawked.
"Well, now, you're quite the experienced fisherwoman for so young to achieve that," laughed Ludlow, impressed.
Lana smirked as she did a Superman pose and confirmed, "Sure did and I had Sarah, Aqua, Lugia, and Primarina with Lugia to thank for that."
"It's thanks to a poison antidote disguised as a fish lure and a Pecha Berry from Lana and Island Girl had on them they managed to cure them when they're attacked. Of course, Kyogre decided to play 'Hard to Catch' in his mad frenzy and they had to calm him down by fighting fish lure to Pokemon despite the storm he stirred up from where we were," Race explained.
"And, they gave me these so I'll summon them and their power whenever I need it," Sarah added, showing the Silver Wing and Kyogre Gem she got from Kyogre and Lugia.
"Whoa!"
"Cool!"
"Incredible!"
"Wow, Sarah, Lana, that's amazing!" Goh, Roy, Dot, and Liko breathed in awe.
"Well, looks like we've wrangled ourselves another Tao Trio in the most unorthodox of ways," joked Amarys.
"AAAAHHHHH! BEST DAY EVER! Tao Trio, Legendary Birds, Legendary Beasts?! I always knew there was a 1-5 chance of seeing double with regular Legendaries and Shiny Legendaries but this takes the cake! Imagine all the data I could gather from all of them together, IN ONE PLACE!" Rotom-Dex screeched excitedly.
"Hey, hey, whoa! Rotom, bad, bad idea; that's all well and good but gather any three Legendaries in one place and they'll start a fight. May, Brock, Max, and I went through that sort of thing with Kyogre and Groudon while we were trying to stop Team Magma and Team Aqua from carrying out their plans to create a new world of their own making," Ash warned, not wanting Rotom-Dex to get the wrong idea.
"He's right, Rotom; if even two members from any trio of Legendary Pokémon come face to face with one another, there's bound to be a fight among them. This also extends to all three members whenever possible; Ash did mention at one point, Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia fought one another during his Sinnoh adventures with Brock and Dawn," Goh added.
Sarah nodded in agreement, recalling how powerful Kyogre was when she, Tsukumaro, Race, and Lana saved him and Lugia from the Pokemon Hunters that had their eyes on them, saying, "I'll temporarily house them in the Pokémon Dragon Heart Dome at my, Sis, and Race's Cabo Poco summerhouse until the Explorers' latest gamble flops. The good thing about it is that it's more than big enough for all of them which means that Legendaries such as Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno can claim their own territories from it without getting into personal spats and that includes the central lake I've secretly connected to the ocean for Kyogre and Lugia. Once that's done, they'll decide what to do next for themselves."
Diancie appreciated the little princess' compensation as she graciously bowed to her, "Thank you, Princess."
"Agreed, Tao and I will speak to our wild companions and bring them to safety. And, with the Ho-Oh Gem and Silver Wing in her hands, the princess will locate them in this region," Reshiram nodded.
Eternatus was silent for several moments but after thinking about the logic behind this decision, he relented before glaring at the third wild Necrozma, "...Alright, fine. They can stay and help. But, a word of advice, you skeletal cretin; my Pipsqueak's babies are not to have their Ultra Auras, their life forces, sucked dry by you. We already had issues with two others before you so she'll do what it takes to give you all the light you need. If you target them behind our backs, though, I'll see to it that you'll never come out of it alive."
"Duly noted, my temperamental friend," Necrozma nodded, restraining himself.
Lillie agreed to the arrangements and noted, "If we're all in agreement, I'll contact Mother and tell her about this third Necrozma so she can inform Zossie, Dulse, Phyco, and Soliera. I'm sure like us, they'll be grateful we won't have to deal with a rogue Necrozma hunting for Ultra Aura this time."
"Sounds like a plan and he might prove himself helpful against the Explorers should they strike again," Mallow agreed.
Sarah nodded at her best friend before returning her attention to Goh (who whistled innocently as he hid a Pokeball behind him) with a warning in mind, "Thanks, Lillie. And, Goh, before you get any ideas, don't catch them. I'm leaving the choice of coming with us or returning to their regular lives before meeting us in their hands alone. They deserve to choose to remain in the wild or not for themselves and we can't make that decision for them. Remember what I told you back in the Galar Region?"
"Yeah, I know... Okay," the Mew Seeker sighed as he pocketed his empty Pokeball and heeded Sarah's words, the wild Diancie and her friends and bodyguards now officially part of the team until the heroes' next fated battle against the Explorers.
To Be Continued...
