Connecting to Partners

by zcritic88

A few days after the war against chaos, something stirred in the cosmos once more. What was a mystery prior, is soon to be relieved as a particular boy and his band if misfits get swept up into the on going battle between Light, Dark and the Truth. New bonds will be forged, and older ones will be stronger than before as the conflict takes a turn

7. A Side With the Hubs

At the center point of the Kings Town, Riku gave an order to the squad of teenagers, Kings Guard and the youngster, while Slowking was curious about the ice cream shop. "So, while most of us find where Scrooge lives at while you guys search the street way by the train station. If you can't find anything, then keep searching wider."

Ken nodded as he planned out a route. "We'll take it slowly for now, because zipping on fast could scare people. But if our trail sends us somewhere that you'll all be, expect it to be sudden." Riku aimed a hand dramatically. "Unless we've finished. We need to be back Traverse once that Ranch is set up. Remember, that Gimmighoul could be anywhere." Ken understood and headed towards the station, keeping himself in a trance. "He won't keep hidden for long." Xion saluted fast. "We'll keep this half of the town under control. Good luck guys."

Donald hurried west. "Come on, the Manor is over this way!" Sora and Rowlet nearly jumped. "Wait, he really does have a mansion?" Donald crossed his arms. "Scrooge is called the Richest Duck in the World and ever since he's been a world traveler, he's been making himself even richer." Leon squinted his eyes in amazement. "An entrepreneur? Oh that's going to be... interesting, to say the least."

Donald let the boy know he's correct. "We've seen him selling an ice cream that turned out to be an important clue to something, he's the one behind a Bistro at Twilight Town and he even convinced some Kharadron guys to help us out with a big one." Leon blinked. "A what now?" Riku hand waved. "A whole civilization from a universe different from ours. Imagine bigger opportunists in greater numbers. Think, are there pokemon that Scrooge would consider?"

Leon had quite a list. "Depends on if they can make more money or can do something that people will see value in. Fossil Pokemon, in this day and age are easy to get if you know a guy and do some digging and Porygon's a pokemon a rich kid would likely have as that starter."

The route looked like it was heading a bit out of town and towards something beyond an open field. A gate way to a fountain heralding a grand mansion, with a purple tiled roof, a nearby tower and right behind it, a fort with a golden dollar sign. There might have been the mental jingle of a ca-ching. They heard the sound of mischief and mayhem with in and hurried to knock. The door opened and reveled the sound of three youngsters getting into a fight with a particular trouble maker, a furless dog man butler with gray hair was doing his best to ignore that while holding a cat carrier. He recognized the mage in particular. "An excellent timing, Master Donald. Here for business?" Donald wanted to see what is going on. "Are my Nephews getting into a fight with something?"

The butler nodded and stepped aside. "Quite," Sora asked in temptation. "Donald, who is this guy?" The mage regretted not sharing too much during his travels. "This is Mr. Ducksworth, a long respected member of the staff around here." He thought of something. "Say, did you find any weird holes that showed up in the sky?" The butler raised a hand and showed two fingers. "Two of them appeared. One over at his Majesty's castle and the other over at Mr. Ducks estate." He realized. "I presume you're hear for the ruffians that appeared this morning?" Tip! The butler made a sprint to catch a falling vase as the band looked in and found three young duckling kids, one in red, one in blue and one in green, each with a baseball cap and all of them giving chase to a purple feline that was delighting in making trouble.

The feline had white markings of fur at the muzzle, neck, at the arms from the shoulder to the elbow and at the back. It stood up, showed crafty green eyes and twirled out of the way of a reckless dog pile. The three were at a wits end as Donald took a quick ball and closed his right eye. Sora gasped to an idea, looked to his Rowlet and gave a flow across the pedestals in the foyer, maneuvering around the cat that was taunting the lot. Sora tossed the Rowlet and had him dive for a silent peck, getting the cat in the back and throwing her off, she flipped a twirl and realize she was bamboozled. The Rowlet back flipped and dared the cat to try something, Leon whispered. "Yeah, this is exactly what a Purrlion is capable of doing. So... this isn't the only pokemon... or stranger that's around here?"

Ducksworth shook his head and pointed upward. "Mr. Duck is trying to address a proposition to one particular and there's been some rummaging in the armory and the Money Bin." Leon felt it made sense. "Could be someone that saw this place as a sweet one to take shelter in." The Purrlion faked the Rowlet out and leaped to a door way, standing tall and tapping her rear before taking off to the hall way, dodging a quick ball toss and giving Donald a reason to stomp in a tantrum. The nephews complained. "Ah man!" "She got away!" "Uncle Scrooge isn't going to like this!" Donald quacked. "Knock it off, boys! Was this going on all over the place?" The trio stood up fast. "We've been working on it, Uncle Donald!"

Leon raised a hand. "Or you were trying, but trying to catch a Purrlion's just going to end in frustration if you don't know what you're doing. It's a sneaky pokemon that loves stealing stuff, just to get a rise." Sora, Rowlett and Donald looked to each other with a plan, the teenager promised. "We'll just have to sneak up on her and catch her when we get that chance. Say, maybe you have a buddy who can help out?" Donald jumped. "Oh no! Licki's got a good tracker, but he drools." Goofy chuckled. "That he does, but that's got to be handy somehow." Leon imagined. "It's that tongue of his, when you have a taster that big, he can pick up the taste and it affects your sense of smell and everything. The droll does need to be cleaned up though. Now, what ever is in the other places isn't there without a reason. Remember what you have."

Riku showed the Dex. "We'll search that armory while Kairi checks the treasure hold. Are there anymore pokemon who would be happy to steal treasure, if given the chance?" Leon asked back. "Have you checked the Dex?" Riku took that as a challenge and looked up Purrlion. "The Devious Pokemon: Dark type: a rivalry between it and Nickit." He ohed. "The fox that looks like a burglar!"

He smiled at Sora and Donald. "Yeah, you four are on your own!" He took off and Goofy followed with him. "Wait up!" Duckworth turned to a hall way. "I believe I should show you to the treasury." Kairi and Leon followed along as the Nephews hurried behind and made a turn to where Sora and Donald were going.

Lickitung had a lick at where Purrlion was and rolled his tongue into his mouth. "Liki!" He waddled over to the left wing and followed a trial to living room with a piano, where something was seen going behind a drawer. Lickitung pointed to there and opened his mouth to bring out the tongue. "Tung!" (Found her!) He readied to waddle after it as Donald stopped him. "Wait! That's going to cause a lot of damage if we just toss that."

Sora pointed to the side of his head and whispered. "That's why we find a way under it. Rowlet, try using shadow sneak." The Owl fluttered to the center and extended his shadow, causing something that sent the Purrloin out of hiding and bringing her on the run. She rushed at Rowlet and had a gleam of malevolence as she gave a clap and faked the owl out. She made a dash to the piano as Donald cast a wall of ice to block the escape. "Now lick her!" The Lickitung gave a fast lick at the cat and caused her to stiffen in paralysis. Sora cheered. "Alright, now confuse ray!"

The Rowlet readied as the Purrloin gave a shine in her eyes, blew a raspberry of a taunt and stopped the attack. She kicked the Lickitung in foul play, got him out of the way and rolled to get around Donald, Sora intercepted and made a body slam to make a point. The Purrloin stopped in a skid and rolled to trick Donald into tripping over the boy. She made a dash to the door and was tackled by the duckling in red. "Got ya!" The Purrloin wiggled out of those arms and was grabbed by the legs by the green nephew. "You're not getting away this time!" Click! At the sudden, the door closed by the nephew in blue. Donald tried getting up and called. "Now do that song you got! You got him in range!" Sora huhed as the Lickitung rolled his tongue to squeak and stuck the organ out to make a bellowing song. "Tuuuuuuung!" The sound sent Purrloin in a roll, Sora gave a toss of a ball and got it to tap onto the cat. Shake. Shake... shake... click!

The boy phewed as the Rowlet flapped to the ball and gave it a peck in built up rage, before turning around and kicking dirt as an insult. Sora called the bird out. "Easy, easy, we stopped her!" He and Donald got up, a little embarrassed as the door opened to bring the blue hat duckling in, the mage gave where it was due. "Nice thinking, boys!" The blue hat nephew gestured like it was nothing. "That cat's been leading us along all morning. We got to tell Uncle Scrooge about this monster that was digging in the backyard."

Donald jumped. "Dewey, why didn't you tell someone sooner?" The green duckling answered with frustration. "Because that cat kept trying to steal stuff first!" Sora called a time out. "Louie!" He then addressed the more concerned nephew in the red hat. "Huey. What kind of monster are you talking about?" Huey stood up to mimic something with teeth. "A hammer head shark lizard with fins for elbows! Has a red belly and sharp yellow eyes!"

Sora used the Dex, checked the type of dragon and quickly found a trio of shark like pokemon. One was rather small and looked more like a mouth of teeth, the other two matched more of a description. "Gabite: The Cave Pokemon: Dragon/Ground. It loves sparkly things. It seeks treasures in caves and hoards the loot in its nest." Sora jumped from his silent reading. "Is this the one?!" He showed the image and the Nephews eeked. "That's the one!" Sora called to the Rowlet. "That big vault, do we got to tell Scrooge about this to get in?" The three nodded as Donald suggested. "We gotta, Scrooge keeps that money of his locked up tight." Hr lead on. "Come on!"

At the right wing.

Riku, Goofy and Slowking took a slower approach as they found a corridor with knight armor and portraits of royalty. The boy whistled at how various looked. "Scrooge wasn't kidding when he's said he's traveled a lot. Just what kind of places has he been to?"

Goofy wondered as well as he took a gaze on armor with a set of antlers and fur. "I've been told Scrooge liked to hunt for treasure." He gasped at a particular set of armor with a crest at the top. "And I've seen this one before!" Riku recognized it and whistled. "He's been to Herc's place!" Slowking halted and whispered. "Something's coming! Hide!" The two looked around to find curtains to use while Slowking used broom closet to hide in. At that sudden, a floating sword with a blue cloth and a single eye at the hilt, came by to marvel at the figures and weapons. Riku had the phone scan the image and show the first of an evolutionary like. "Honedge: the Sword pokemon: Steel/Ghost: The blue eye on the sword's handle guard is the true body of Honedge. With its old cloth, it drains people's lives away. Honedge's soul once belonged to a person who was killed a long time ago by the sword that makes up Honedge's body."

He checked the other two stages out, of a a purple scarf set of dual swords with a double sheath and a purple eye for each hilt and a sword using the cloth as a hand to wield a shield. Golden hilt and grant. Riku groaned. "If Slowking can use yawn, we can catch him without any trouble. But how am I going to say it."

Slowking silently opened the door and gave a yawn at the Honedge, making it grow drowsy and bringing attention. It pulled the sheath and aimed itself. "Hone!" (What is this? Are you the lord of this castle?) Slowking shook his head. (No, but we can settle nicely in a minute.) He raised a finger and wiggled it as a signal as Goofy brought a shield and approached. "Hey there, are you lost?" The Honedge's eye gave a shine at the shield. He looked like he was about to fall asleep. (Marvelous...) He gave a whistle akin to a sword being drawn. (you're in service to the king of these lands...) He closed his eyes in bliss. (maybe I can... zzzzz.) He was asleep and Riku readied a ball, Goofy raised a finger. "Let me handle it." He took a simple poke ball and tapped it at the hilt, bringing it in. It shook three times and clicked.

A simple capture, but effective. Riku was impressed by what the Slowking did. "I was going to ask you to use that move. How did you know?" The royal pokemon tapped the side of his head. (It comes with being a psychic type and it made sense.)

Goofy let out the sleeping Honedge and applied an elixer to wake up the blade, it looked around to make sure it wasn't dreaming and gazed upon the shield bearer, floating firm. (Ready to serve, sire!) Goofy felt an idea coming along. "We might be close to finishing up in the town and can get to work somewhere else. How about you stick around with me and I'll show you around?"

The Honedge put itself in the sheath and he floated to what is clearly the back hall. (But first, we must rescue Madam Carbink from this dreadful Gabite!) He erked. (He's much too strong for me to face my own.) Riku guessed. "Well, we have to check that Treasury anyways." Honedge had a smile to hide as he hurried post haste.

In the upper floor.

An elderly, but very wealthy duck in a black top hat, blue suit, a set of glasses and a cane was in a debate with a potential employee. A tall, metal red mantis with pincers for hands, yellow eyes and black plates at the abdomen was in a stand still, crossing her arms as the duck debated. "What do I got to do, to hire you for the expansion projects I got planned for the Bastion? You don't take money and simple bread and board isn't enough." The insect gave a snip with her pincers. "Sciz" (I've tried telling you, I should be doing more to earn that besides one thing!)

The duck didn't understand that. "As much as I'd like to penny pinch. There are things you don't go cheap on." In that sudden, the door was open, letting in Donald, Sora and the Nephews. "Uncle Scrooge! We got a problem!" The mantis stood up eagerly as the duck turned fast. "Oh, it's you boys!" He pointed to Donald and Sora. "What's brought you over at a time like this?"

The boy had a fast read on the mantis and picked up a name. "We got a problem around here and we got some guys showing up out of nowhere. Some cat was making a lot of trouble down stairs" that had Scrooge alarmed. "and we think something's trying to break into that vault you got there!" The duck stubbornly tapped his cane. "Nonsense! I'll have you know my Money Bin has some of the finest security in the whole town! Baring what ever you, Donald and Goofy could do." Huey insist in protest. "You don't get it uncle, this dragon can dig under real fast!"

The Scizor found that as a chance to prove herself and went for a window to open. Sora cringed. "Woah, woah, woah! You're in a lot of trouble too, if someone sees what ever you can do, they might try to kidnap you or something." The mantis stopped and smirked while snapping her pincer. (I'd like to see them try!) The Rowlet leaped off and protest. (We mean it! This is a lot more serious than you know!) The Scizor hmmphed, disappeared in a blink of an eye and was right before the owl. She tapped a pincer to prove a point. (Tap, you're out.)

Rowlet flapped back as Scrooge was seeing stubborn behavior. "Easy now, Sora and my Nephew have faced things much bigger than you can imagine. If there is a vagabond under there, it will be handled post haste." The Scizor raised a brow, looked over to the boy and is intrigued. (And he's taken in a Rowlet to have that warriors adventure?) She insist to the Rowlet. (Step aside, I want to see.) Pop! Free! Out of the ball came a Butterfree that buzzed a hello. (Um... high, we don't need to be fighting a human if we can avoid it. I've been hearing that's a bad idea.) The Scizor blinked and crossed her arms. (Is it? Well...) She thought about it. (Since you're as strong as they can get and I'm about as recent myself.) She snapped her pincers. (How about you and I go for it? This isn't even the most I can do right now!) She posed for battle as the Butterfree eeked, she looked to Sora hesitantly and flew to his defense. The Scizor flapped her wings for an attack and Sora ordered fast. "Stun spore!" The Butterfree tossed the powder with her precise eyes and halted the mantis in her tracks.

"Air slash two times!" The Butterfree gave a fast slash of air as the Scizor took a step and split into many. (You think you those compounded eyes can help?) They readied at once as the bystanders found that incredible. Scizor disappeared for a fast bullet punch, sent Butterfree tilting back and landed by the Nephews before turning and splitting into her double team. She readied her claws for a fury cutter and stopped from the paralysis. Another air slash knocked her to her knees and Sora used a fast net ball to hit her in the back. It gave three shakes and clicked. Butterfree wheezed timidly as Scrooge admitted. "Nice throw, my boy!"

Sora smiled, picked the Scizor up and tossed her out before aiming for a heal, curing the paralysis and getting her up. "There we go, now people will think twice." He gave Scrooge a toss of the net ball as the Scizor blushed in embarrassment. (Drat!) She gave a respectful nod as Sora readied to explain. "It's a long story and we don't got time to explain. These guys can be in a lot of danger when something straight up evil comes looking for an easy grab at power. Can we check on this?"

The rich duck had a blip on a screen and saw in a camera, a vault worth of gold sinking down for something to climb through. He leaped. "By jove! Something really is digging down there!" He pointed at Scizor. "Alright, you're hired! Let's go rough up a thief!" The Scizor went for the window and opened it, climbing out and getting ready with style as Scrooge readied his cane and jumped out with her. The band hurried and saw Scrooge bouncing a landing with a pogo stick of a cane.

At the Money Bin.

Leon and Kairi were taken aback by the sight of the many treasures with in the halls. Ducksworth lead the way. "I suppose, you'll like an explanation for all this?" Kairi connected the puzzle in a break neck as the group entered a room of jewels. "Scrooge is a treasure hunter! These are all things he's found when traveling the worlds!" She spotted a ruby red amulet at an with the imagery of a cobra. "I know this one is from a dessert world!" She turned to find a great pearl. "And that one is from the seas. It's no wonder he's had maps available. You got to search everywhere for this." Leon crossed his arms with a hint of envy. "Now that leaves this question, what kind of pokemon would want to hide in here?"

Glimmer!

There was something shining by a closets worth of raw gems, Ducksworth opened it to find something pretending to be among them. A rock with pieces of crystal across the body, a white neck, blue eyes and what looked to be bunny ears. It kept quiet in a careful manner and saw they weren't fooled. "Carbink?" Leon stepped back politely. "Everyone, relax, it's a Carbink. Very defensive pokemon and kind of cute." The Carbink blushed and floated. "Bink!" (Why did you have to go and do that?)

Kairi waved a hand. "Sorry about that, but we need to capture you. Do you mind taking this away from the treasures?" The Carbink eeped and simply flew in deeper, Leon twitched an eye and sent out Kilokilo. "Nice try, Kilokilo, you may." The Hatterene used her psychic power to pull the gem stone out of hiding and gave Ducksworth the chance to close the door. The Carbink gave a dazzling gleam to scare the band into letting go and flew off, giving chase through a long section of locked doors and a great vault at the end.

Oddly, the door was already opened by a creak and the Butler was astonished. Leon gasped as the Carbink flew in. "There's no way!" Kairi flinched. "Hey, didn't you say that Gimmighoul is a ghost type? Wouldn't he like... get into this?" Leon considered that possibility, it's the super natural nature of his power and the fact he's pretty small that he can adjust a lock. "BITE!" "EEEEEEK!"

The screaming made Kairi hurry to push the vault open and find the Carbink grappled down by a shark like lizard, Leon looked over and gasped. "Oh my a Gabite!" Kairi leaped over as the Gabite giggled in childish greed. "Hey, let her go!" The Gabite turned his head to find a girl diving after him and leaped with the Carbink in his claws, he snapped his fangs. (Treasure! Mine!) Kairi clapped at the Carbink. "Come on Carbink, dazzle away and blind this bully!" The gem stone heard the order, wiggled brightly and gave off a gleam that made Gabite let go and step back in a hiss. (OW!)

He scratched himself and caught his attention to something glittering among the coins. A familiar noise of a Gimmighoul. Leon looked around and found something gathering particular coins, a Gimmighoul that is trying to keep them safe from an ensuing battle. He to the band, eeked and gave a super natural hold on a bundle of ten before taking off out of site. The Garbite growled and sprinted after him. (Hey, those coin are mine!) Gimmighoul eeked, turned to Gabite and fired a shadow ball to sent him flying back, he landed back first and saw a ball coming at him from the back. Bringing him into it and causing it to shake. POP!

Kairi cursed her luck at something that didn't work as Leon and Kilokilo jumped down. "Wait, I think this Gabite would get creamed if we have our pokemon smack him. We got to improvise!" He turned to the treasure pile. "Gimmighoul, if you can hear me, try and hit Gabite in a confuse ray! We'd really appreciate that!"

The Gimmighoul used a coin as a way to slide down a slope, the Gabite clashed a fast metal claw that sent the ghoul flying, the ghost conjured a strange light that left him dazed and confused. Gabite took a step back and burrowed into the gold. The coins jingled and the Gabite made a leap after the Princess, Kairi took a step to the right and watched the dragon slide to a wall. He let loose a dragon breath to make the humans back away and leaped to escape. Woosh! In a blink of an eye, something intercepted the Gabite and stood her ground, a Scizor that turned with a flap of her wings and gave a swift fury cutter.

Gabite was sent to his back and flipped to regain some sense, Leon looked up to find a proud, rich duck lining up a black ball with golden trims with his cane. Wack! The ball was sent flying at the Gabite, tapping him on the back and bringing him in. The ball landed in the gold and gave three shakes before clicking. Making a confirmed capture. "That hit the mark!" He leaped off and had a look for a shift in the gold coins. "Drat, it's gonna take a weekend to fix this fault."

Kairi waved humbly. "Glad you've showed up, Mr. Scrooge!" The Carbink certainly was as the duck went to pick up the orb. "I got told a bit along the way, this is the kind of trouble these rascals would cause if we don't show them around?" Leon nodded and kept his ear to a jingle of coins. "Yep, Carbink wanted to find a place of gems to make into a home, Gabite wanted to play around with anything shiny and Gimmighoul is looking for coins."

Kilokilo turned her head at a Gimmighoul that was trying to escape with the stolen treasures and brought him to her, he kicked desperately as the coins had a distinct shine, showing something of a face. Leon had a close inspection of the coins as a group made their presence known. "Kairi, Leon!" Sora, Riku, Donald, Goofy and the dim witted Lickitung dropped down. Spooking the Gimmighoul to where he gave a dark glow of the spirits. The youngster pet the Gimmighoul and had a look at the coins. "I'm seeing what's going on. That's why there's always some of these around." He raised a finger. "If you stay, we can help you! Do you understand?" Gimmighoul kicked in a plea. (Yeah, yeah, just let me go!)

Kilokilo gently put him down as Scrooge had an inspect of the rest of the vault, including a pedestal with a glass case, showing a dollar sign lifting a dim in high display. He phewed. "Thank goodness, Gabite didn't go after anything too important." Donald knew what his Uncle was speaking of. "Yeah, that would have taken forever to find!" Sora huhed. "What are you talking about?" Scrooge pointed over there. "Since you're all here, every treasure here is something yours truly has earned! But the the single greatest treasure here is me first earned dime!"

Leon and Gimmighoul hmmed at the sentimental value. "A symbol of that pride you have? That first step towards something greater?" He pressed his hands together adamantly. "I can see that." Sora had a bit of an idea. "Hey, we might want to talk about this somewhere else. I don't think it's going to help if we talk it in here."

The duck agreed with that as Leon showed the coins. "It might have been a good thing we've caught who we were looking for. Gimmighouls a pretty special pokemon and I think he was trying to influence these coins to make gimmicoins. It will make sense once you know what they do." Scrooge nodded in agreement and hurried to a ladder. "We'll talk about it back at the manor and after that, you'll tell me what is going on this time!"

Out in the Town.

Ken was out of his trance after looking high and low around the alley way, spooking away a trio of beagle men while Xion and Nymble were keeping watch. "I think that's the fifth alley way. Are you sure you're not picking up anything?"

Oshawott was suspicious about the beagles and what looked to be bandit masks as Ken waved a hand. "Nothing that didn't need common sense. I don't think there's anything in this part of the town and someone ought to be screaming about something if we're going the wrong way." He looked around and found nothing of note, save for a raven that was pecking at a tree branch. "Traverse is going to have a lot of good stuff pretty soon. But we need to make sure things happen as they should." Xion smirked. "Unless that thing wants to know what you would do to it if it messes with all those people."

Ken brushed his hair calmly. "Now that we know, what it was wanting to do with that guy, it's kill on site now." The raven flew off as the boy counted down. "So many places to look and little time for one group to do it. Wished Dupmic is around, he'd like it if we end up going somewhere together again." Xion wished with him. "I think he'll know, but jumping out the Realm of Dreams is kind of weird. I'll bet those three will find something neat while traveling with us."

Ken lead on to the other side of the town. "A little adventure can change you! Just one trip beyond what is known and you'd come back gaining something, knowledge, stuff and even new friends. Something to treasure forever." There wasn't anything on the other end and further south was a theme park that really didn't have signs of anything off. Blip! Ken had a text from Kairi. "We've found someone who's going to help us with building that reserve! Turn around."

Ken, Xion and their party did so. Finding Kairi and the band with Scrooge, some curious Nephews and an impressive looking duo of an eager Scizor and a Gabite that looked like he was given a lecture. Scrooge had a bag of something and a Gimmighoul on his shoulder. Xion pointed at the trouble maker. "It's the Gimmighoul!" Scrooge nodded. "This trouble maker's been looking for a true fortune and after a little convincing, we're going to be set some discoveries he and I." Donald spoke out something completely insane. "He can turn coins with value into something that can help him evolve! He needs to gather a lot of them to do it!" Ken woahed. "Ah man! I lost my chance!"

Riku cringed. "Oh, no, no, no, no! If you two are out there, you'll be missing for days!" Ken let that disappointment go. "Exploring and finding stuff is what I do, so it's probably not a good time for that. So that makes two areas cleared out. There's been nothing on our end that would be worth making trouble over." Sora didn't mind. "Since there were only two of those wormholes in the town, I think we've found everyone. We're taking this Purrlion and Honedge with us, but Scrooge is going to have Scizor, Gabite and this Carbink help us out."

Leon smiled wide at the good luck. "Scizor is a very strong pokemon and knows how to punch, while Gabite is a good digger and Carbink has her ways around rocks." Goofy showed a ball and let out the Honedge. "I'm thinkin' this fella needs some training and we'll be able to handle any trouble that comes to this town." Ken had nothing but praises to give, especially to the sword pokemon that was ever curious. "A sync really can be found with just about every pokemon we can find?" Leon nodded. "If we know where to look. Now, I believe our lady has set up a meeting over at the Ranch, she's looking pretty excited about all of this." Xion lead on back to the train station. "Daphne made it really convincing! This is going to be great!"

At a Train Station in a steampunk Town.

Ven and Terra stepped off to get a look at the surroundings, the boy and his Porygon found nothing off while Terra looked over the outskirts and found a land that is torn from the ocean, spacing out. The Porygon beeped in glee. (Efficient Data Detected! Proceeding to find source!) Ven remembered a few details in a dex log. "I knew you'd be excited to be here. There's a place somewhere in the castle that could have the stuff you'll need to evolve. It just needs to be activated to do it's stuff!" Porygon folded into a side mode. (Excited! Excited!) She took off enroute to the castle. (Weeee!)

Ven laughed at the still image sailing across and turned around to find Terra staring at the far lands, the boy pressed his hips together and put a hand on his Big Bro's back. "Hey!" Terra snapped out of the trance and turned to get away from that, the boy asked. "While me and Virtu check out the Castle for that Upgrade, how about you look around town for anything that might be bothering the towns people. If there was something that was going to happen, it would have by now."

Terra blew out and was ready to take off as Ven advised. "If the worse case happens, Teddiursa and the Charcadets can help out!" The grown up turned his head with doubt. "Ven, haven't these guys been put into enough danger already?"

Pop! Pop!

Teddiursa and the two brothers were out of their balls, the more serious of the three gave a fiery stare. (That was nothing then and it's nothing now!) Teddiursa caught a scent of something. (Am I smelling...) She gasped. (Flowers?) She clapped. (Flowers that is used to make honey!) She gave a sprint to the town while the more carefree of the Cadets followed in glee. (If something's happening, then that means we can fight it!) The brother and Terra looked on in disbelief, they looked to each other confused and followed in pursuit. Ven used the chance to glide around and left the adult to find a gathering at a town square.

A small, gray, humanoid lizard and a brown, bipedal round nose creature with red veins across the body were setting up a sprinkler and helping out a brown haired woman with a long, tied pony tail and a pink dress restore a garden to a blooming beauty. Soil was tilled with the aid of a brown mole with blue stripes across his belly. He was pressing his claws together and spun into a drill to loosen dirt. Aerith readied a wagon's worth of potted plants and clapped pleased. "Thank you. We could use some more help around here." The three gave a clap of good will and worked to help the woman get the plants into the holes. Aerith wondered outloud. "This could help us with some major projects due this week. The lizard flexed heartily. "Machop!" (We'd be ready by then.)

The strong arm with the veins went to pick up wooden plank ever ready. "Timburr!" (We have the strongest arms in the block!) The mole clapped in excitement. (Drill deep! Make big house!)

Terra nearly smiled at the sync harmony and looked around to find The carefree Charcadet marveled the physic and the Teddiursa that nearly giggled to the flowers and caught a scent of something that made her stomach rumble. She followed her nose and found a blue eyed woman with short blonde hair and a simple, short green dress with highlights of black around the straps and belt. She had a flounce of light purple. She was carrying a basket of three sandwiches, having a hearty slab of peanut butter and thick apple slices. "You fellas been working hard as soon as you tripped over. Here's something as a thank you."

The Machop and Drillbur were completely off guard by the surprise as Timburr was getting teary eyed and tried wipe his eyes. Teddiursa ohed in aw and earned a glance from Terra and the more serious Charcadet.

Aerith blushed at the woman's kind offer to the strangers. "It was nice of you to treat them, Deborah." The strange woman admitted with a warm heart. "I put it together once I saw these guys flicker in from the light of that hole and acted like some kids that wanted to build something. Once they asked to help you all, I couldn't just stand there." The ladies noticed the odd man out of the crowd and the three small ones, Aerith sighed to keep her experience in check. "Terra, you must have been looking to find out the mystery of these guys?"

The grown up took a deep breath and went straight to the point. "They're some pokemon that fell from another world and we're trying to make sure they don't get hurt by all the dangers that are out here. These two kids have most of the answers we need and I think that's going to be public soon."

Teddiursa gasped to an idea and waved to the little construction workers. (Hey, I think you guys can help us get this home built up! Something we can use while we rescue more pokemon.) The three pokemon looked to each other in glee of an opportunity as Teddiursa pointed her thumb to the train station. (And once that is made, we can help you evolve and show these guys what you can really do.) The two fighting types looked up to Terra and checked out his physic as the Drillbur was hesitate to battle at first. The Machop picked up his sandwich and gave a chomp before winking to the grown up. (Nice build!) Terra had a hunch he got complimented as Timburr raised a brow and asked the bear. (What's the catch?) The carefree Charcadet pointed to the balls lined around Terra's belt. (We got to capture you in one of those balls and talk it over with the guy in charge of the facility. Say when and now!)

The Machop had a taste of a juicy, peanut butter covered apple and pointed to a building over a wall to the castle. (Over there, after we're done with break fast. We hadn't had something this good in days.) The Charcadet nodded in respect. (Alright.) He turned to his Snack Buddy. (We're going to be in for a tough match, Teddiursa!) The bear nodded. (Mhm!) Grumble! The two were feeling a rumble in their stomachs and were feeling peckish, Terra and the other Charcadet wanted to face palm themselves as the bear tug the man by the pantaloons. (Can we get something to eat around here?)

Terra face palmed for real. "Ven told me that you two were stuffing yourselves this morning! How can you be hungry now?" That is a mystery in itself and Aerith pointed to the exit of the town. "She's one hungry bear. There's a cart vendor over there somewhere that might keep her busy!" Deborah second that. "A snack or something to stem that appetite." Terra groaned and put his hand away. "Yeah, that can kill enough time for these guys to finish." He gave the two a sharp whistle and lead on somewhere.

Over at the entrance to the Castle.

Virtu was sailing to the unguarded gates as Ven was catching up, this could potentially be disastrous if they show up unannounced. "Hey, hey! Virtu, those guys could go nuts if they see something like you show up and asking stuff!" The Porygon stopped in place and turned in a still image. (Former objective; find a place to call home, postponed. This form in insufficient for new one! Rescue all pokemon! Upgrade for longer space travel, not optional!) The most Ven could gather is that the Porygon's was certain in it's intentions, it gave a promising smile. (You will be pleased by the Upgrade, Master!) The boy understood that part. "I've heard that inside that castle is a way into a virtual world! That's probably what you've been tracking down so you can find that Upgrade?" The Porygon beeped. (Affirmative!)

It turned back to the castle and continued it's glide, the entry was completely unguarded and they were allowed entry into the office. Where the body guards, a man with black dread locks and a man with standing brown hair, were watching two scientist. An older man with long blonde hair and green eyes, and a young man with gray hair that covered a right blue eye, were looking upon an interesting duo of spinning gears. The gears had blue buttons for noses and a set of eyes for each gear, each gear had an x for a left eye and a gaping mouth. The guards heard foot steps and turned to see the gliding Porygon and the arrival, the dread lock man raised a hand. "I'd figured you would arrive. Isn't it a coincidence." He smiled over to the spinning gears as his cohort stared bored. "This machine showed up as soon as we saw a hole open up in the sky."

Porygon flipped back to place as Ven asked the two. "Dilain, Aeleus, you've seen any others? It's a big deal." The two shook their heads as the young man turned and is pleased by the arrival. "Ven! I've been informed about your arrival since I had a call from Ms. Wanda earlier." He noticed the polygonal duck with more amazement and introduced them to the specimen. "Isn't this creature fascinating. A set of gears that came to life and are licked together as a tiny machine." The older man cringed to his brother. "Ienzo, if one of these creatures have appeared, then there could be more of them." Ienzo agreed with his older. "I know Even, there doesn't seem to be much of an emergency over here."

He hurried along with his findings. "At least none in the level that occurred over at Traverse, you're seeking to round up these creatures so that doesn't become a problem?" Ven nodded. "Yeah, if a totem is allowed to stay around for too long, it will be a complete disaster waiting. Especially if there's a pokemon that would get close." He signaled. "Trust me, you don't want to know what it does."

Porygon hovered close and the boy introduced it. "Anyways, this is Porygon, my partner for this gig. A pokemon can be just about anything, can it?" Ienzo nodded with a childish curiosity. "We won't ever know if we don't give it a look." The gears gave off a klanking noise. (Build, turn, operate. You see machine?) Porygon beeped. (Affirmative, Klink unit!)

Ven gave the dex a fast read and saw an image matching the specimen. "This is a Klink, some kind of steel type." He checked the evolutionary line and gasped. "Woah, and it becomes a bigger machine when it evolves!" He showed the image of a specimen with a larger gear behind a smaller, unchanged gear that lost a face. With the left gear being completely unchanged. The scientists had a spot at dots and an upside down v that make up for a face and mouth. Then they saw the final stage with a rotating third gear bellow the main gear, having a red button and spinning around a spiked wheel. "Klink, Klang and Klinklang. Amazing." Ienzo turned around in glee. "Simply amazing!"

Ven looked over to Porygon and apologized to the scientists. "Until that pokemon is in a ball, it won't be safe to leave him here. He might be a help for this project we're working on." Even guessed. "That sanctuary? If there are more of these machine like specimens, then it would be beneficial for someone to know about what will suit them." He and Ienzo stepped aside. "By all means, just don't make too much of a mess."

The Klink floated for battle and spun as a rotating unit. (Capture?) Porygon nodded. (Capture!) Ven took a step back as the Klink gave a glow of electricity. "Virtu, conversion!" The Porygon glowed to adopt the electric typing and took the blast of a charge beam, the Klink glowed in power and the boy ordered. "Now thunder bolt!"

The Porygon fired a fast bolt that sent the gears into a shock. It countered with a flash beam of light, not quite effective. Ven tossed a poke ball and listened to the three shakes and a click. With that captured, Virtu glimmered back to his pink and blue colors and gave a spin with it's multiple parts. Ven picked the ball up and showed it. "Problem's solved!" Ienzo's amazed by the match. "So this is the power they have." Dilain agreed and warned the young man regardless. "That still doesn't teach us everything we need to know about these visitors."

Ven put the ball away and explained while Virtu was looking at a particular wall. "That's going to take a lot more time than we have. There's another reason we're here, Porygon... or as I call it, Virtu, is a pretty special pokemon even compared to" he quoted and unquoted. "normal type pokemon. They can work their way through a lot of problems in a computer and can use a whole lot of moves. I'm just going to leave it at that." Even gasped at the word computer. "And it's found the trail all the way here?" He smirked sinister. "But is it seeking entry into the virtual world?"

Porygon was beeping at the wall and used it's beak to cause a glow, the door slid inward and moved to the side. It gave a happy pose and slid onward, the guards were ready to stop that as Ienzo aimed a hand. "Wait! Let's see where this is going. If there is a problem with this, Tron will address it." He advised to the boy. "You should follow Virtu and make sure its wish is clarified."

Ven was on it and gave chase, catching the Porygon in a high tech computer room with a giant round red lens on the right end and a keyboard on the left. The boy lectured the virtual duck. "Virtu, ask before you barge in like that!" The Porygon flipped to it's standard mode and chirped. (Apologies. Civilians acknowledged cyberspace as a world.) It floated around to analyze the crucial components and twirled in excitement. (This is a way) It looked to Ven in glee (for the two of us to travel!) it floated over to the keyboard and gave a glow if digits, typing the Keyboard rather precisely. "Slow down there and hello to you too."

A well known program spoke through the computer and made the Porygon gasp, it slowed down it's typing and Ven read what was being typed. "My apologies, Tron Unit. I've been informed of a sentient program with in the confines of Cyberspace." Tron acknowledged that. "I can imagine why. You look like a program brought straight out of a computer and into the users world." Porygon blushed and responded. "You are correct on my origins. My arrival is of a different matter. I am Porygon Unit: Virtu."

The fellow program introduced. "As you know by now, the name's Tron. I work as the lead Program of the Hollow Bastion: Mainframe Network. It looks like you're accompanied by a friend." Porygon nodded and turned it's head towards the boy. "This is, Key Wielder and Rookie Trainer: Ventus. My companion for the Prime Objective: Rescue All Pokemon."

Ven stepped into view and was blushing humbly. "Hey, Sora told me all about you." Somehow, there was a feeling that Tron blew in relief where no one was looking. "You're one of Sora's friends? That clarified things a lot sooner than planned." Porygon giggled in response. "Redundant questions, bypassed?" Tron answered back. "Many of them are not needed anymore. What seems to be the problem, Virtu?" Porygon looked a tad nervous. "For my battle functions to be at peak capacity, I seek an upgrade to evolve into the Unit. Porygon2. Requesting, upgrade?" Tron didn't hesitate to answer that request. "I believe that can be arranged, but I need to discuss this with you in person for an analysis. Stand back for a moment."

The two did so and Porygon turned around to see a lens lighting up, Ven kept to the pokemon's side and is realizing what is about to happen. "Oh man, this is going to get cool!" He smiled to the Porygon and gave it a nudge of affection as the lens gave a flash and brought the two in through a stream of polygons and data. Digitized into Cyberspace. Ven was dazed by the light and looked to find himself in a gray scale suit with green lines, as Virtu remained the same and looked upon a green blocked section of a world with digital linings. It rushed around like a typical child and begun to beep out words, probably as a result of both being made into digital data. The tone was high pitch and rough, but had a hint of being feminine. "Cyberspace! Cyberspace!" She noticed the boy in the helmet and flew by him curiously. "Appearance altered?"

Ven laughed to the Porygon in good will. "It's how we blend into these worlds and it's how we can work in the computer." He looked around to find a gate way, leading to a few turns away into a hexagonal door way into a communications room. Finding a gray skin man in a gray suit with blue lines.

He was finishing prep work with a screen, while accompanied by a very bizarre program. A large, violet, robotic lizard, with electrical bolts for eyebrows, a head that resembles a bikers helmet, a translucent, blue throat sack with a yellow current, a gray metallic belly and a long tail with that translucent under. His shoulders growths curled backwards to resemble handle bars, his legs were compressed into rocket jets and his forelimbs faced upwards, his sleek white claws looking imposing. The most distinguished part of the creature, were the screen like eyes, showing blue led irises with a slit. Porygon noticed, close by, a strange cluster of glimmering crystals that served as a gate way. Porygon beeped in shock and drew the attention of the robotic lizard, it slowly approached to get a look at the arrivals and tilt it's head curiously. Porygon grew nervous and tried to look as nonthreatening as possible. "We only seek an instillation of the Upgrade. To perform our Primary Task. Requesting Identification!"

The lizard stared mellowly and Ven whispered to his partner. "I think he heard all of that." The lizard closed his led lights to resemble a smile and he went close to give Ven an affectionate nuzzle, the boy eeked and squeaked like a typical child. Tron called to the robot. "Alright, that's quite enough." The robot turned with a disappointed frown and flew to the side, letting the head program help the boy up in apology. "Sorry about my guest. He and that gate appeared recently and he's been informing me that something is occurring in the user world. If it's brought you and the Guardians back on duty, then it's got to be big."

Virtu imagined it so. "His concerns are noted. Has he identified himself?" Tron nodded. "He goes by the alias, the Iron Serpent. Other than that, his origins are unknown." He turned to the well behaved robot. "But he seems friendly."

Ven wasn't going to wipe the image of such an imposing creature being as affectionate as this. Tron went back to his task. "He shared with me some data on what you were requesting. A refined code that would enhance your abilities. I believe that is the upgrade you were requesting." He typed away as the Iron Serpent looked to be wishing something well. Tron a ha'd and pressed a button to start something. "There we go, converting that didn't take too long."

At a distant pink platform, a beam of blue light shined upon it. "It's ready Virtu, all you need to do is step on." The Porygon happily did so, on reaching the platform, she glowed in sync and tried to keep her excitement contained. The sensation lasted a whole minute before the program powered down, leaving the Porygon to keep that glow. Her triangular form broke apart and revealed a skeleton of lines before the blocks became pixels and reconfigured back into the frame. The glow ended and reveled a round, digital crane. The textures, from beak to tail, were smoother and the pink texture looked more red, while the blue became darker. Even the eyes were more detailed. Virtu looked at herself and twirled in a more refined beep. "Hurray! My functions have been boosted by fifty percent!"

Ven gasped in surprise. "You sound clearer too!" The Porygon2 hurried with a movement akin to a tip toeing girl and agreed. "That is improved by a substantial amount, Sir Ven." She realized what she said and blushed. Tron laughed to the typical mischief. "Your evolution looks to be a complete success." He waved to the Iron Serpent. "Thank you for lending me some data. I'll have the Link Program ready soon." The Iron Serpent nodded and barked eagerly before flying over to the gate, slithering in and causing it to vanish along with him. Ven leaned by Virtu and asked. "It felt like he was saying something."

The Porygon nodded. "He's said: The times ahead are going to be a rough road. But we can over come it if we find those who wish to travel alongside us." Ven gasped. "This is what Daphne was trying to tell us. There's going to be a friend wanting answers of their own?" He crossed his arms. "I'd like to see the surprises we're going to be in for." Virtu gave a smile with him. "They will be manageable with the two of us, Sir Ven." She looked around. "Now, to find our exit, I'm not sure if my way of travel would accommodate you." Tron was already activating something. "It will be online soon. Good luck out there!" Ven waved in good will as Virtu bowed politely in thanks. "Thank you and thank you for the upgrade. More data will be arriving by the end of the day." PEW! A digital rift opened.

At a training quarter in the Town.

Teddiursa and the Charcadets were scarfing down ice cream pops while they waited, with the fire types having to hurry due to the pop melting fast. Terra helped himself to a chocolate coated ice pop and was getting amused. "You all act like little kids!" The more serous Cadet didn't mind. (Well, we need a carb break every once in a while and I think my brother and his buddy might impress.) They arrived a fighting mat and found Aerith watching over the Machop and Timburr that were working out, while the Drillbur kept to the woman's leg and watched while covered in dirt. The fighting types notice the arrivals and played rock paper scissors as the mole notice the Cadet keeping a distance and called. (Hey, you're wanting to fight in this?) The Cadet raised a brow and pointed to the others. (Not my intention, I'm wanting to see if my brother has what it takes.) He smiled and finished his pop before giving a march to a trash bin. (What of you?) The Drillbur looked to the two competing for the right to fight first. (Not sure.)

Machop gave a chop of paper while Timburr had a punch of rock, the lizard marched forward and gave a pose for battle. Aerith waved to apologize for them. "They've been acting like this ever since they've agreed to the match. It's going to be one on one for the both of them until Burrows decides. Teddiursa was hurrying with her pop Terra had a fast recollection of what the bears main disadvantage is. "Apparently, Teddiursa's type is called Normal and while she doesn't have a real advantage over anything. She isn't bad at most of them either, except for rocks, metal and the fighters."

Aerith considered that to be a challenge as a brawler with long brown hair and a two piece without sleeves and a long drape behind stepped in to intervene. "Would a normal person be able to win a fight with a skilled martial artist?" Deborah over heard and shook her head. "No they would not. But if they got a few tricks, they'll get by."

That was an excuse for the Charcadet to enter in her stead. Hopping eagerly, even if he was covered in ice cream. Terra used the Dex as a guide and asked. "Cadet, are you sure you're ready?" The trooper saluted and braced for a match as the Machop straighten her hands like a typical martial artist. Terra ordered fast. "Trap her in a fire spin!" The Cadet dashed to the Machop's side and twirled an inferno that snaked around her and closed in as a vortex. The Machop flexed to bulk up and sprinted out of the fire and readied a brick break chop, Terra remembered a fast lesson from Daphne. "Now clear smog and loosen that bulk!"

The Cadet tossed a clump of mud that splashed on the fighter and gave off some smog, lessening the bulk as she delivered a brick break chop. The Cadet twirled and caught his footing while the fire circled around her for another scorch. Machop was stepping back in a daze and Terra tossed a fast nest ball. Bop! Bop! Bop! Shake...shake...shake... click! Like that, Machop was captured.

The brawler whistled and cheered. "Come on, Timburr, it's your turn!" The heavy lifter hurried as Aerith picked up the ball holding the Machop. Teddiursa finished her pop, tossed it to the bin precisely and waddled over to the Cadet, giving him a clap on the hand and taking his place while the Timburr pressed a fist to his chest and gave tense scowl. Terra read on the available moves and watched the Timburr drop the plank. "Teddiursa, use those eyes before he throws a punch!" The bear was on it and gave a baby doll gaze before the Timburr rushed in mach speed and gave a firm punch. The bear was rolling back and caught herself. "Now claw him!"

Teddiursa extend her claws and leaped at the Timburr, giving four swipes, the muscular pokemon jumped around to escape the claws and delivered a low kick that sent the bear on a trip. "Counter with thunder punch!" The bear crackled her fist and swung to knock Timburr to his back. Giving the grown up the moment to toss the second nest ball. In three clicks, the match is over. Tifa wowed and picked up the ball and the plank, giving her congratulations to the bear. "That wasn't too bad! Give it up for these two kids!"

Deborah certainly did as Burrows waddled forward and cheered in congratulations, letting Terra try for a quick ball capture that worked like a charm. He went to pick up the ball and let out the mole while the ladies let out the tired out Machop and Timburr, the two knew they lost and gave a bow of grace to the opponents. Cadet gave a one armed flex. (Man that was fun!) Teddiursa nodded. (You were a lot faster than I thought you were!) Machop grunted and put her wrists to her hips. (Now, where's that project you were talking about?) Timburr was given his plank and gave it a light toss as a way to show off and let go of a pout. (Yeah, so we can keep building our muscles!)

Terra passed over a fast heal as the Drillbur was let out, it gave a sway of his claws as the grown up readied to ask. "We got to wait for Ven before we tell the guys about something you need to know." A man with brown hair, a scar going above the right eye all the way bellow the left, appeared with a black set of clothes that were complimented by a white collar of fluff and a white shirt. "Something?"

Terra tapped the side of his head to think his words carefully. "Leon, right? Something noticed these guys fall in and are taking advantage of that. Spreading Heartless back to the worlds and affecting any pokemon that comes close with some dark power that would... do pretty sickening things to them." The man rolled his eyes. "Great, another psycho that's wanting to twist those around them for what ever they're wanting."

They heard foot steps and spotted Ven, Ienzo and a red crane with blue feet, a blue tail and a blue beak. The Scientist recalled as he kept an eye in the rotating Klink. "We haven't found anything else in particular since the wormhole closed up above. If there isn't one over in the wilderness, then could that mean they've made their way to the Town?" Leon answered that one. "Or made their way to the Vale, do you think we should check that out?" The Porygon2 floated high to have a look at the ruins of a stronghold, having what looked to be a sinister heart shaped emblem. (It's clearly a dangerous place that few would go to willingly.)

Ven understood what was said. "It's also too convenient that it might be hiding something." He readied his blade and asked. "You mind if Virtu and I check it out?" Terra was seeing the boy have a pretty bright aura with his new friend. "Give it a check and call if it's a lot to handle!"

Ven and the Porygon took off, once they were out of hearing, the grown up whispered another warning. "Those dark beacons aren't the only things we need to worry about. One of Norts cohorts showed up in one of the worlds again. He's one the reasons that wormhole opened here in the first place." The three members of the committee gasped as Ienzo froze in surprise, he gave a bored, stoic frown. "I see, thank you for warning us." He went close to Leonhart in a whisper. "You know what needs to be done if he's caught around here again."

Leonhart understood and asked from the brawler. "Help me find the others, they need to know about this." He and Tifa took off, the Cadets looked to each other in confusion as Teddiursa looked up to the young man and asked something. (What were you talking about?) Ienzo felt the bear understood part of what was asked and didn't wish to scare her before crouching and petting her at the back of the head. "Just something, in case that man ever comes here to try and hurt someone again." Terra knew what the scientist meant and felt cold in the heart. "Yeah, thanks for pulling some strings for us." He walked back towards the train way. "Come on, as soon as we finish searching around, you all are going to need to see this."

Over at Twilight Town.

The trio of mystery loving kids gathered around a park with their starters, Olette decided to let Hoppip use her head as a platform as Hayner recited a plan. "Okay, so we a town full of wild, super powered animals that we need to find and a day before we have to give a report."

Dip!

Poliwag dipped his head out of a fountain as his trainer brought out a small map, showing directions to a mansion, a building with the image of a rat and the image of a sand box with a baseball bat. "Now that the monster got beaten out, we have three good spots to look. An empty mansion, a Bistro with good grub and a place where people fight each other frequently." He asked the girl of the group. "You and Twirly ought to head over to Lil' Chef's and see if he's in any new trouble."

Olette understood. "Got it!" He pointed over to the boy with a Magby keeping behind his leg. "You and Heater should check that mansion out and see if anyone's making a home out of it. We've seen the haul Ven got from the woods, so there's going to be a lot." The boy with the dog t-shirt felt it made sense. "While you and Amphib check the Struggle Pit and break up anymore fights. We know Seifer's a jerk and his mood right now isn't going to help these pokemon."

Hayner agreed with that and called to his companion. "So let's dose some of that fire while we're at it!" Splash! The Poliwag jumped off and waddled to the boy, prompting him to race off. Olette and Pence head over to the Bistro road with their companions in the meanwhile. As predicted, there were some of those pokemon by the sandbox, minding their own business. The scratchy cat was licking himself while tossing a ping pong ball with that hoodlum lizard. The Hoodlum noticed the duo and saw the ball at Hayner's belt, he waved to the scratch cat in a promise and hurried down the street, stopping to turn half way in hope they follow.

The three went to an alley and heard the sound of a puppy growling and giving barks that haven't developed deeply. They turned to find small brown mastiff pup, with a blonde, mohawk like mane that goes from the head to the tail was trying his hardest to look fierce to a trio of punks that had mixed reactions, the black mage kid hid being a tired looking Seifer, while a teenager with short, spikey gray hair, a purple shirt and a black coat hanging like a drape, was looking to criticize the attitude. "Growl deeper and we might take you more seriously." The mage shivered. "Seriously? Look at those teeth." Seifer tried to ignore them and saw Hayner with a Poliwag and that hoodlum lizard, the rough neck smacked himself in the face. "Are you seriously with these losers?"

The lizard closed his eyes and gave a hiss that drew attention to the pup that turned around, showing an anxious red nose face with beady eyes, an anxious air to him and a set of teeth. He growled to make himself look intimidating at the lizard that tensed a more hostile glare and gritted his teeth. The lizard charged the dog that rolled to the side and made a run for it, only to be intercepted by the Poliwag and go into a roll. Hayner found that as a chance for battle. Amphib, let's catch this pooch!" The lizard lifted his pants up and turned around, getting far away from the rough necks and hanging by to watch up close. The puppy barked a warning as the Poliwag hopped eager. "Poli!" The trainer ordered. "Soak him up with water gun and try hypnosis!"

The Poliwag squirted water that sent the dog in a roll, the pooch side stepped and sprinted at the side of the tadpoles face for a bite that looked like it hurt. The Poliwag squirted water over himself and slipped away, letting the dog fall over and wiggle his stomach in a hypnotic pattern. The dog fell asleep and the boy tossed a pokeball at the back. Hoping it was the right call as it brought him in and rolled. Shake! Shake...shake... click! The boy smiled wide and picked the ball up. "Alright!"

He laughed to the eager Tadpole that jumped up and readied his tail for a high five. Clap! "I knew that was one of them." The black mage kid was relieved to see the dog wasn't a problem, though the gang leader wasn't amused in the slightest. "You're actually serious about this?" The lizard gave Seifer a stare as Hayner puffed his cheeks at the hostility. "I'm trying to do a favor for some friends. I thought you wanted these guys gone!"

Seifer wasn't changing that take. "They're not from here. Their super powers are going to burn a building down for all we know. And don't tell me that you don't get that!" Poliwag felt his feelings were hurt and he sat down in a pout. Hayner sighed. "I get that, but that's why we're trying to round them up before some punk gets a hold of them and makes them burn more. Now."

He sent out the dog and readied lent medicine of a few blue berries while smiling over to the lizard. "Thanks for helping us, but you got to come along too." The lizard raised a brow and hissed. (Bad idea!)

The dog was coming through as the Poliwag waddled for that match, Hayner readied a ball, eager for battle. "Give this guy that hypnosis!" The Poliwag wiggled his belly as the lizard looked away in the nick of time, the lizard sighed. (Well, I warned ya!) He faced the Poliwag that realized he made a mistake and rushed at him for some payback, punching him in the chin and sending him skidding to the street. Hayner cringed and called back the Poliwag as the pup dashed between his legs and gave an intimidating bark, causing a shiver on the lizard that readied fists.

The boy ordered. "Come on, this guy's got to be bluffing!" The dog howled as the lizard gave a fierce dance to prep himself, the pup leaped at the lizard and played roughly, using his paws and teeth to put the hoodlum in place and shake him around like a rag doll. The dog finished the attack with a firm toss that sent the lizard to the street and making him loose the will the fight, it turned tail and ran for his life. That encounter could have gone better and the two felt eyes that were less amused. They turned to find Seifer giving silence and crossing his arms, looking at what was essentially, a glorified pet owner that siced their pets at a bunch of animals as part of a catching sport. Hayner knew what that stare was speaking and froze stiff as the puppy barked proudly and hopped in glee. It wasn't helping and the youngster called him into a ball and got out of there.

At the Bistro.

Olette and Twirly saw Pence take off to a tunnel and entered the restaurant, the girl announced her arrival. "Hey we're coming in for an inspection." There wasn't anyone at home, though the two smelled something fresh being baked, Olette sniffed deeply. "MMM bread!"

The Hoppip leaped off and twirled her leaves to float on over to the kitchen door, causing a sharp bark. Olette went to open the door and found Lil' Chef standing by an oven with a doughy white dog with an elongated body, stubby legs and a head with rolled up ears. On the neck, ears and blob like tail were patches of yellow that resembled butter. The dog was making a stand to guard the chef and gave more barking, it jumped off, sprinted at the two and barked some more while standing her ground. Lil' Chef gave a silent oh no as Olette brought out a ball. "Hey, no barking in here! The customers will get suspicious if they hear that!"

The doughy dachshund sat on her hindquarters and growled, the girl closed the door carefully, smelled the sweat yeast and checked on what was in the oven. Soon to be fresh bread. "Did she help you make this batch?" The rodent nodded and breathed out to show how that was done, Olette gasped. "She did it by breathing out yeast!" She apologized for what she was to do. "I hate to say this, but she's one of these critters that have been showing up since the wormhole incident this morning. I need to catch this one so do you mind if I take her off your hands?"

The chef put his hand under his chin in thought as the pup yipped. (Big thing!) She jumped on her hind legs and flopped forward in that energy. (Bread will still be there when this is done!)

The chef felt that was a good point as Olette readied an orange beanie. "Come on, let's settle this outside." She sneak the rat out through the beanie and placed it on a table while the dachshund followed and made a stand by the door. She barked to initiate the battle, Olette pointed onward. "Twirly, let's do this!"

Hoppip fluttered to battle and cheered, the dachshund sprinted after her for rough play. "Dodge!" The Hoppip ascended to avoid the tackle and watched the pup land and waddle for another sprint. "Give her a stun spore!" The Hoppip twirled a descend and scattered paralyzing powder. "Then go for acrobatics!" The plant gave a firm tackle and flipped nimbly, doing quite the damage, the dog had a wishful glow as Olette readied a heal ball and gave a toss. Taking the dog in and giving three shakes.

Click!

That was a near flawless capture, the girl picked up the ball and whispered. "Gotcha!" Pop! She let out the dog that turned, went up to her feet and raised her paws cutely. Hoppip fluttered to great a new friend as the girl thought about something unfinished. "I need to report this back to the others. Afterwards we can come back here to try the bread out." She picked the beanie up and hurried back inside, wanting to sneak the two cooks in so they could finish their business.

Over at the forest.

Pence and Heater were deep in the forest trail, having a view of the various bug pokemon frolicking about, a slithering yellow snake that was keeping hidden and on a fallen log, a pink puff ball that finished a melody for a duo of brown fox creatures that fell asleep. The puff ball puffed in in annoyance and pulled the microphone apart, showing a marker for drawing. The boy was in awe at the sites. "He wasn't wrong, but which one are we going to catch?" The Magby didn't want to deal with the puff ball and headed up the trail to a mansion, that had someone parking right by it and keeping watch of someone, a green dragon with with white fluffy fur and pink eyes. "Drampa! He's been around here for longer!" The Drampa turned felt a change to the air and turned to see the youngsters have arrived, he smiled at the new face and gave a hello. "Dramp!" Heater hurried and waved heartily. (Hey, Mr. Drampa! We're looking for a pokemon to add to our team.)

Pence asked the old looking dragon. "What's brought you all the way over here?" The Drampa pressed his forelimbs together. (Well, I saw this lost pup that was lost on the beach and I didn't want him near this Octopus. The Greavard was insisting I find a place with a lot of space and have a spooky air to it.) Magby considered that good luck. (Timing can't be better, some guys cleared out some dangerous stuff out of there and it's empty for use. Did the... Greavard?) He hopped to have gotten the name right. (Go into the mansion?) The Drampa nodded as Pence guessed by the look of an open door. "You've carried a pokemon over here? Is there something we need to know before we check?"

The elder nodded. (Yeah, don't stay around the candle for long.) He scooted out of the way and warned the two. (Try to stay safe in there, I can't fit through those doors if you don't come out.) The Magby halted at the gloom as his partner lead into the house. "Come on, it won't be that bad." The live coal eeked and hurried behind him, entering the dark shaded mansion with a history. The two searched the one spot with the darker history, a computer room. Nothing of note was in there and the boy passed along tales of an accomplishment. "We found a whole bunch of mysteries in this room, you know. A digital world that connected to a place so close to the Darkness and some old history that people forgot about."

The Magby covered his beak as the boy shivered. "I still wouldn't say this place is that much of a happy one. If the walls had eyes, ears and a mouth, they'd be telling us horror stories." The Magby brred and heard something echo, bringing him and his partner to the foyer. "Heater, did you hear something?"

"Ruff!"

That bark was heard again, coming from a dim guest room. "Did a dog get trapped in here?" Pence brought out a flash light and entered the darkness, he and the Magby looked around to find nothing of note save for a table, a wooden couch with cushions and a closed up wooden box with a heart shaped decor. The drapes of a window blew to their presence, no other doors were to be found. Heater found a purple glow from the boxes keyhole and was getting more unnerved. "Mag!" Pence heard the voice going towards the box. "You found something?"

He turned off his flash light and saw the box giving a purple glow, it's hinges were unlocked and had a dim glow. The box had scratches and wax drippings that looked fresh. The two slowly approached the glowing box, when ever something has a purple or reddish glow, it means something drastic. Magby had the nerve and tried opening the box for the boy, grabbing the lid and flipping it wide, Pence made sure the lid wasn't slammed open and peaked with in. Finding a purple candle light.

Leap!

Without warning, the purple light jumped out of the box and pounce on the boy, causing him to yell out and land on his rear. Bringing the purple light to his lap and showing a short, fluffy, long haired, gray dog with a cartoonish maw of teeth and a candle on the head.

"Woof!"

The dog gave a couple of soft pitch woofs and jumped off, wagging his tail and spinning around in joy of a playmate. Magby turned fast and asked. (Greavard?) The dog barked playfully. (Friends! Friends!) He rushed to the drapes and tried to hide out of site, the boy and the Magby looked to each other with a plan and stood up.

They gave a face one would make when taking a game seriously. "Alright, you're it. Wait here and we'll find somewhere to hide." The dog danced to the sound of that and turned to cover his view, panting in a count down. The duo made a run for it and caught the attention of the concerned Drampa, Pence rushed out his words. "Can't talk, hide and seek plan! We'll be out soon!" They hurried up the stair way and into a dusty bed room with a wardrobe at the left and a few desks with oil lamps. "Perfect."

Pence opened the wardrobe and jumped in, picking up the Magby and reaching to get the door closed, with the live coal going for the other door and keeping silent. Pence showed the dusk ball and whispered. "Okay, when he finds us, we get the jump on him and get him in this!" The Magby covered his mouth in the tricky plan and heard a howl from the other side of the mansion. They quieted down in silence and listened to the faint silence, each second the sound of their hearts became the one notable noise in the house hold.

The silence went on for a while, with the sounds of something being opened bellow. Thump! Thump! Pence and Heater put their hands to their chest to try and ease the heart beats. Click! Click! Click! The sound of nails climbed over the stair way and sniffing echo'd. Tap! Tap! Tap! It grows closer. Sniff! Sniff! "Woof!" Tap! Tap! Creek!

The dog was in the room, if the glow didn't give it away, the sniffing certainly did. Pence readied the dusk ball and waited for the glow to be at a distance, in hope the dog wasn't facing the wardrobe. He opened it silently and watched the silly dog crawl under the bed and look up. The Magby readied as Pence gave a throw to the dogs behind. Crack!

In the blink of an eye, the dog disappeared, in it's place was a lamb that was broken by the throw. The duo gasped. "Where did he-" "ARF! ARF!" The two looked to their right and saw the dog standing on the lamp, wagging his tail and leaping after them. The two rolled out and watched the wardrobe get pushed, Pence grabbed the dusk ball as the dog bounced out and turned a landing. The boy ordered in a whisper. "Heater, we lost the element of surprise! Give this dog some embers and wait! "

The Magby spat a fast ember, hitting the dog and giving a language a pokemon could understand. The dog sprinted and gave the Magby a head butt, knocking him all the way to a drawer. "Use thunder punch and throw him off!" The Magby gave a swing to knock the dog off and followed with another. Blink! SMASH! The dog switched places with another lamp and the Magby looked around fast, feeling a glow above as the trainer warned him. "Above you!"

The live coal turned behind and looked up, finding the dog jumping off to pin him to the ground and gave him a lick, Magby twitched stiff as the boy tossed the ball, tapping out a dark swirl and bringing the dog inside. It bounced into a roll, gave three shakes and clicked shut.

Pence felt down right exhausted and picked up the ball. "Phew! We did it Heater," The Magby wasn't moving, the boy checked to see it was a result of paralysis, something an urgent medical spray would fix. Heater begun to move and sighed in relief before getting on his feet and noticing his partner looking drowsy.

Was it a good idea to play with that dog?

The two left the mansion and were greeted by Drampa, who saw the two were quite beat and lowered his back. (I saw that game was going on for a while, do you wish to get back to your friends as soon as possible?) Pence and Heater took that offer. "This is going to a spooky story to fill in a school report! Bring us back to the Bistro!" The Drampa understood and flew off to the town.

At Traverse Town.

Aqua and Cyndy were taken aback by a mass report from their fellow guardians. With Jumba, Chip and Dale working on a lab with some assistance from the towns locals and a collection of balls, it was a hefty sign of progress. "This looks like it's more than enough for this Ranch to be in full function by the afternoon. Nice work." Kairi gave a respectful bow. "Thank you, Master." Daphne felt it was a good guess. "There's going to be a few things to address once it gets to it, but it's more than enough."

She looked at the Timburr, Machop and Drillbur getting to work in arranging burrows, creeks, tree house dens and even space to build a generator that gives off expendable energy. Scrooge and his insight on efficient spots were another factor to consider, with Scizor breaking apart boulders into gravel to be hauled away. "Plenty of space and it will only grow when we have more pokemon. This idea came because there's always been this one place me and Leon like to go to," She tilt her head to the grown up with a similar name. "Well, the one who's named after a flower!" Leonhart didn't mind. "That's happened a lot, hasn't it?"

Leon sighed and rest his hands to his hips. "There's a formally unbeatable Champion with the name Leon. I can't exactly be too famous in my parts without that being mentioned." Daphne continued. "Anyways, it's a conservation deck built on this head quarters in the middle of the ocean. Where pokemon who are too injured to be let back into the wild, or are recovering from the many incidents we have, go to rest before that next big step. This is the exact same purpose... until we can figure out what we're going to do with all these pokemon."

Wanda figured. "That concern will come when we reach there. But let's focus on the present." Daphne nodded. "Since most of the pokemon currently are those we're keeping on a team, or are having help out. This might seem small, but having this much from four worlds worth already is a nice start."

Kairi imagined the fate of Tauros, Bruxish, the two water types and the Ultra Beast. "This town is suppose to be a haven anyways, sometimes they just need to recover before they focus on doing good in their own way." She looked over to Ven and Virtu playing around while Terra was keeping close watch of Teddiursa and the Charcadet brothers that were play fighting. "This leaves us with one more world around here and we'll be good to go. Do we know how to handle that?"

Daphne remembered. "Yeah, this lady has an idea and will be here any minute. While that group was given some training to hopefully slow the damage down." Ken, Oshawott, Xion and a curious Nymble came at the calling.

The glove wearing boy checked the time. "I think enough time passed for us to give them a check. If they passed muster, you're going to want them over here to see this?" Daphne felt that would be appreciated. "They're on the team now, so they should see where it's all going."

Aqua gave the suggestion that the two hurry along. "After that, we'll be set for our journey out into the worlds. There's a few things I want to go over with Ven and Terra... privately." Terra hmmed. "What are you talking about?" Aqua bit her lip and promised him. "It's just something I'm concerned about, but it won't change anything about our progress."

The Destiny Trio wondered what that is going to be about and Sora asked. "Are we going to be regretting anything before we have to go?" Aqua cringed. "Some of you might, I definitely will. But it's something that needs to be done."

Daphne remembered some of the pokemon Sora has on him and guessed. "Yeah, there's a reason a trainer should only bring Six Pokemon at one time. Too many of them and you'll be in a jumble for who to bring and who to train up at the moment. While loving all pokemon is something any trainer can do, there are some pokemon that are just better than others and some that are better at a role you'll need. Switching one out when you find something better suited, is never a bad thing."

Sora huhed. "What?! You're saying there's someone I got to leave over here?" Daphne refused to make it sound like a demand. "I'm not saying that, I'm suggesting. Just think about it for a moment, which pokemon are you more fine battling with? Any that you think you won't sync with, are better off here, where they can help spread awareness at the least." She looked to the crowd of people getting by the work. "Just... wait until this air clears out. You and your partners have been awesome to catch a Scizor-" She whispered. "a very powerful and popular pokemon. Some pokemon are going to need to grow to show you what they can do, so that's plenty of time."

Leon patted Sora on the back. "I wouldn't worry about it, that pokemon will understand it perfectly if you explain it to them." He noticed a black bird watching along and asked curiously. "So... any other critters I should know about? You say that some pokemon look like something and I want to hear about that." Sora recalled a trip that showed some animals. "Well... if you're in for some homework-"

Somewhere in a Gray Castle.

With in a council meeting, a gathering of a green fairy in dark, draconic clothes, a purple sea witch with the lower half of a black octopus, a red robed horned lich that was quite sickly and a fat cat man with black fur and a uniform of a red shirt with blue straps and blue pants, looked upon a green orb that was spying on the Guardians of Light and their devours with their companions. The thug of the group laughed at something going according to plan. "Ain't it funny, Maleficent? They've still haven't figured it out that we've been spying on them for a while."

The witch was more focused on the information. "Don't presume they won't catch on Pete. It appears the Keyblades chosen are stirred yet again, with new friends to bring to their flock." The Sea Witch groaned in annoyance. "The same ones that were a thorn in my side already."

Pete raised a finger to his cohort. "And are all lost out there, Ursula. Heh, ha, ha. Think we ought to cash in on that and add them to the army of Darkness?"

Maleficent had the vision fly over to that of Ken, Xion and their charge, taking the train station out of town. "Why pass on this opportunity? They'll divide themselves once more to search the worlds, yet they can't be everywhere at once." She beseech her fellow sorcerers. "Our heroes have waited for us long enough, let us entertain them." "Hmph! You won't be able to make much of a profit without a plan."

The cabal followed the voice to a door way, a man in a black suit and a logo of a Rainbow R. Pete jumped, ready to throw some weight. "What the!? How's ya get in here?"

The man showed a purple ball with the logo of an M. "I let myself in." Fling! Pop! Out of the ball came a gray skin, deformed feline with a green tail and green eyes that glowed to blue. The horned lich pressed his fingers together. "You have a knowledge and means for us to use for this scheme?" The stranger approached calmly. "If you stay a while and listen, you'll have all you'll need for some conquest over these worlds."