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

11. The Frigid Boundary

At Finklestein's Lab, Jack and the group finished telling the doctor what happened. The doctor was quite amazed. "It brought about a giant skeleton that was leading these Heartless?" Jack nodded, feeling the shape familiar. "I think I've read about that one, some thing called" He scratched his head. "a yo...kai?"

Sora and Riku had no idea what Jack was talking about, though Kairi certainly does. "What ever it might be, it tried to use the light as a last ditch effort to wipe us out. But in the end, the Light chose to answer to us and the True Dark came to bring him to his fate. Those totems were the beacons for all those heartless and now that they're gone, this town ought to be a safer." She looked to the nervous trio of Mimikyu, Snorunt and oddly, Sneasel. "But, while we were busy here. The Christmas side's been allowed to take a hit."

Sally was feeling the worries the three pokemon were. "And it's only going to get worse the longer we spend over here." Riku looked to the band of pokemon that have helped resolve one half of the crisis. "So we need to make this quick. A lot of you guys need to stay behind, plain and simple."

Polteageist huhed and steamed a whine of a whistle. (Are you serious?) The boy didn't need a translator for that one. "Definitely, we're going to be heading into a place of snow and we can't keep track of so many in that kind of battle zone. It be smarter to bring as few as possible and take the pokemon we have on us." Sora agreed and gave Jack the Pumpkaboos ball. "So, is that going to be the plan?"

Jack tapped his cranium to try and figure out a better idea while Haunter crossed his arms, contemplating leaving his buddies behind. Jack couldn't think of anything. "It's the best we have right now. The fellas that came from Christmas Town, Haunter and the friends you have will come along; while everyone else waits here." He and Haunter lead the way. "Come on, we got to rescue Sandy!" Mimikyu hissed and scurried with Haunter, taking the lead of the eager band.

At the Hinterlands.

Dusclops was pushed more and more to her limit against a frigid darkness that shoved the door open and was spilling into the world. She took a step back in a last ditch effort to contain the growing disaster and felt a nearby presence return, her eye glowed and if she had lips, she'd smile. (We got help!)

Misdreavus flew to action and unleashed a dazzling gleam against the darkness, following her was a hearty band of Guardians that were seeing a time bomb at it's final ticks. Mimikyu rushed forward and used his tendrils to grab onto the door and give it a push as Jack and Haunter banded together and shot a purple fire at the door. Provoking the encroaching darkness to let out a horned, demon with a long tongue. Kairi called in order. "Now!"

Sora made a fast dash and made a club against the heartless, while Comfey unrolled and gave the monster a draining kiss. The two jumped back as Sally asked the trusty Houndoom. "Heat it up back to it's furnace!" The Houndoom already had a nasty plot in mind and roared a heat wave that shoved the monster back to the door, giving Riku the opening to roll forward and deliver a kick that shoved it inside, he and his closest friends band together and worked to conjure a star like flower to throw into the door. "Fire in the hole!" Fling! The heartless was bonked by the projectile of light and Mimikyu slammed the door shut. Getting to watch a flash of light behind the cracks and the frosty danger abate. Dusclops relaxed and groaned in a typical tone. (You've came at an opportune time!) Mimikyu nodded. (Yeah, it took a while from all the talking and planning.)

He kept a hand to the door as Riku gave a respectful nod to the Dusclops. "Thank you for giving us that time. We're having one team go through that, while the others stay behind and watch the door. Houndoom and Sally should tell you why." Sally was intrigued by the Dusclops wrappings and focused on the matter. "In case something tries to go through that door without Jacks word, we'll be here to see them head back in there."

Houndoom grunted, much to Dusclops disappointment. (If it must be so.) Sneasel picked Snorunt up and was heading to the door first, Riku raised a finger and went for his pocket. "And before I forget!" He turned to the Misdreavus and brought out a dusk ball to toss. "Make a wish!" Fling!

Misdreavus squeaked and floated above in a jump, dodging the ball near perfectly, the ghost was blushing badly and Riku went for another ball that was about as effective, then another and then another. Misdreavus was looking like she was about to go ill from the adrenaline, Kairi saw Riku was about to throw a fourth ball and put a hand to his shoulder. "Riku, that's enough. This is no way to invite a lady!" The team leader groaned. "Come on, she could be incredible with us!"

Sora huhed, looked to the ghost that is having a slow breath and figured what might be the reason she's pretty evasive. "Guess this is all too sudden for her?" Kairi went to poke Sora on the cheek. "Exactly! You don't rush that first kiss, even when a lady expects it. You got to be sure they're prepared." Riku flinched and blushed. "Come on, she's just a pokemon." "We can't afford to let more tagalongs, unless they're in these balls. It's just... you know."

Kairi wanted to tease him more on the matter, but agreed that there isn't a lot of time that should be spent worrying. "If you're not going to say it, I will." She coughed and gave Misdreavus a bow befitting for a lady. "You've been a great help for Riku, but if you're too nervous about getting captured right now, then it would be best if you stay here and be part of our rearguard. Nothing gets through that door but us! When this is over, then we can discuss about what we're going to do."

Misdreavus was allowed to calm down. (Got ya!) She promised heartily. (Don't worry about a thing here, we have a few tricks we've been hiding.) She giggled and floated by Riku's cheek. (and this is for some luck.) Smooch! That kiss on the cheek caused Riku to step back in an idiotic babble, he rubbed the mark before hurrying to the door, Sora covered his mouth to try not to laugh as Haunter was straight up laughing. Earning an eye roll from the Sneasel. (Ghosts!) Jack raised a hand and called for some order. "Let's focus everyone! We've spent enough time as it is."

Riku agreed and opened the door, he and his partners went close to feel the gentle breeze of a winter land, inviting them. Sora, Comfey, Dreepy and Mimikyu were the first to go in, then Riku, Sneasel and the Snorunt, then Kairi. As Jack and Haunter were about to go in, Sally wished out loud "Come back Jack!" The Pumpkin King turned and gave a courteous bow. "I will Sally!" He stepped backwards and crawled in the door while Haunter was quite impressed by the commodore and flew in behind him into a descent of night and snow flakes.

Thud!

On the other side, Sora and Comfey were face first in the snow, with Dreepy flying a bit further. The newt turned around to see Sora on his hands and knees, his attire changed up to show less of a vampire like appearance and having more festive white fluff in a black two strap jacket, black winter boots to compliment black leggings with red wrappers and a pointed black winter hat. The Dreepy tilt his head side ways as Comfey looked up to notice the difference. Sora noticed a pair of purple mittens by him and turned to find Kairi in a purple winter dress that had the same leggings of purple and black, a deflated, purple and blue coned winter hat with a bell. Her horns are gone, but her ears are quite pointy. Her single eye became two, but they had distinct eye lashes. Kairi shook the snow off and burred while Comfey was dusting the snow off. Mimikyu adjusted his cloak and looked ahead to find the path completely covered in a snow storm. Sneasel was getting up with the Snorunt and his keen eye kept a lay out of what is ahead.

"WOAH!"

Thud!

Then came Riku, who made the heaviest landing. He was in a thick jacket of yellow with white sleeves, his shoes are more akin to boots and he wore a set of yellow mitts. He was in a hoodie with a snow cap, covering his eyes from the harsh weather, as he stood up he showed something that his friends didn't expect to see for a while. A short, gray beard to compliment it all. He noticed Sora and Kairi giving him a stare and that they changed to fit with Christmas. "Alright, what is it this time?"

He checked his chin and felt a brush of hair, he used the phone to see that beard, making him look quite mature. Sneasel jumped impatiently and hiss. (Come on, this isn't the time to be checking yourself out!) He thought about it and crossed his arms. (Speaking of which, how's that happening?) Dreepy shivered from the cold and went into Sora's hat for shelter as a howl was heard from afar. Mimikyu cringed. (Oh this is bad) He asked the band. (You got a fire type on ya?)

Jack gasped to an idea and pressed his fingers together to conjure a wisp of fire, he gently tapped it and had it fly ahead from memory. "This ought to lead us to the town!" The Disguise Pokemon followed it. (Come on, I think Sneasel can help us remember the way too.) Haunter smiled and kept a close watch as the others followed the guide. Following a simple light wasn't the main obstacle they had to deal with, it was the ambush of round shadows with hides of coal.

The Coal Cores leaped at the band enmass and were met by a counter attack of blades, claws, hexes and darts. Riku slashed a cluster into a fast combo and in a burst of adrenaline, finished with a burst of purple fire that caused the coal cores to ignite and unleash fire balls. Kairi eeked and sent out Shooter before following with water magic to douse the ignited coals, the Clawitzer knew what to do and followed with water pulse shots. Sneasel twirled a twister of icy wind to cool the burning coals down as Sora brought out Rusher and had him zip across the route with extreme speed, making way for the Dreepy dart to do it's thing. Snorunt fired ice shards left and right to compliment Mimikyu pouncing on the Coal Cores in an ambush tactic. Jack fired fast snow flakes to freeze the foes in place and gave Haunter an opening to give a point and shatter the heartless in a hex. The battle went on as Sneasel and the wisp guided the band along to a visible candy cane gate.

Riku was eager to make up for his earlier mistake and channeled a bright morning light that pushed the snow and illusions away. Sending a horned demon rolling into the town and make it's way for a tree. On the other side of the town square, was a snow white, nine tailed fox, a snowy, egg shape monkey and a cowering red penguin that resembles a particular red suited man with a white beard. The bird had a white tail that resembles a sack and his whole face had white feathers. By them was a man resembling the Delibird, with black boots and cheery cheeks, commanding ice spells to knock away the last of the heartless swarm and finding himself face to face with the demon. Fighting was heard from with in the building and the ape ignited his fists before rushing after the demon.

The fox cringed. (Wait, don-) The demon brought out a whip to lash at the ape that rolled to the side and sprinted to punch the foe in the face. Sneasel and Mimikyu made the reckless charge after the Krampus. Sora glided to action and opened with a Dreepy and Zigzagoon dart while Riku watched the Krampus ready a back hand and spear dash with morning light. All the while, Kairi and Shooter floated close for long distant shooting, with Snorunt giving a helping hand cheer. Comfey unwrapped from Sora's neck and flew at the Demon for a triage supported drain. The big man of the town noticed a certain Skeleton, with a band of a Haunter and an unleashed Pumkpaboo, arriving to be heroes, much to the big man's dismay. "You again?"

Jack waved in good will. "We'll chat later, Sandy Claws." He pointed in style and brought out his green whip. "Now, let's get this holiday back on schedule!" Pumpkaboo spin a jingle and tossed a barrage of seeds that planted onto the Krampus's fur and sprouted draining vines, Haunter followed that with a sludge bomb glob. Jack had an idea and signaled to Haunter to try that again, the Pumpkin King used his whip to grab to the glob and turned it into caustic, ectoplasmic goop to smack the Krampus over the chest with. The Fox hmmed at the band of allies and gave off a shine of an aurora veil, shielding the band and herself as the Krampus leaped to the center of the arena and roared out a cloud of burning ashes.

The veil soften the worst of that blast and the Krampus used the shroud as a way to rush at Riku, the squad leader leaped out of the way and gave a light embedded counter attack. Sora flowed in light speed and gave a slash, going along with Zigzagoon's rush of a tail whip and Dreepy using Sora's momentum for follow along a head butt. Kairi and Shooter focused and fired bursts of water into a light rift, which caused many to erupt around the Krampus and blast it with aquatic light. Pumpkaboo followed along with a shadow sneak as the monkey wandered a bit lost and hopped into the snow before leaping to the Krampus's leg and chomping in an ice fang. Jack and Haunter followed with a sludge flail and caused the beast to charge up a snow blast, enveloping the whole arena in snow and cloaking himself hidden.

Riku called out to the group. "Everyone, keep an eye out! That Heartless could be anywhere!" Pumpkaboo had a glowing set of eyes on the ready as Mimikyu readied a swords dance and slowed in preparation, Sneasel spotted something from the building above and pointed high. (He's over by the big man!)

The Pumpkaboo turned fast and the big man turned fast, stepping back with his companions as the Krampus made a smashing leap and missing. It readied a flail and roared. CLAP! A surprise clap from behind made the Krampus flinch and turn around. JAB! And a fast jab in the hind legs left it in a purple hue of poison. Sneasel gasped and smiled wide before Mimikyu saw the Krampus and made a lunge of a shadow claw, ripping the Krampus at the neck and giving Sneasel time to close in and give a shadow claw swipe. Sora spun his blade and whispered something to Comfey, she agreed and rolled into Sora's battle hand, giving the blade a floral touch to compliment Dreepy.

Jack twirled backwards as the Delibird gave a weak air cutter that sliced through the Krampus's horns and followed with blizzard. Haunter enchanted the whip with a hex and watched in glee as each blow made the heartless beast burst in blisters. The Ninetales followed with a moon blast and watched the Krampus flee back to the tree, Sora glided out of the way and flung darting flowers that kept consistent tears. Bringing the Krampus to giving off an aura of fire and make the sky rain coals. Zigzagoon leaped forward and kicked snow into the beasts eyes, blinding a wide whip lash as Kairi had her moment to go to a zen and touch Shooter's tiny claw. "Focus with me."

Shooter did so and felt an aura surrounding all, various colors, with the Heartless having one as black as tar. He and Kairi aimed high and fired an sphere of an ocean blue aura that burst into a great star and rained down many upon the dark foe. Mimikyu darted across the burning arena and pounced on the Krampus's neck for a rough play as a Dreepy Dart went in deep in the beast's chest and caused it to bleed darkness and floral light. Kairi and Shooter kept to the great star and had it condensed into an aura, Ninetales blew a blizzard upon it and watched it condense into an icy heart that collided with the Krampus and let loose an explosion of light and snow.

The Heartless faded away in the snow, along with the fog and storm. The sky turned into a dark, yet stellar shine only seen in the north and the south. With that, some elves, a brown deer with a flower on her head, an ice cream cone and a grub with a frozen abdomen came out of hiding. Sneasel looked around and found foot prints going into what turned out to be a work shop as Sandy Claus put his hands to his hips and look upon the aftermath. "Goodness, I hope we don't see that again."

He looked to the band of misfits, especially to the Sneasel that is more focused on something else. "Now, would someone kindly explain to me what has been going on?" Snorunt jumped to her answer. (The Barren One's in a lot of trouble, we got to rescue him before it's too late!) Mimikyu got close, surprised at an answer he was going to make, word for word. Kairi went in front of them and asked. "Santa, could you tell us what you've seen since all this started?"

The big man brushed charcoal out of his beard. "Fear not, I understand what these visitors are saying. Is the Barren One that shooting star that fell from the lights yesterday?" Snorunt shivered yes. (And brought about that Glacier that's beyond the other side of the town.) Mimikyu turned to Shooter, who would have a way of speaking with Kairi. (You can call him, Kyurem.) Santa nodded at the name and gestured to the work shop. "Come along, I'm going to need to hear more!"

A few minutes later.

The Guardians of the Holidays were in an office with a warm fire place, Ninetales kept herself out of the shop while Delibird and a let out Slowking handled the hot chocolate. Kairi finished explaining what transpired back at Halloween. "That's why we're here to stop that." Santa repeated what he heard, looking quite furious. "Something's been trying to sabotage both Halloween and Christmas while framing these fellas?! Why the nerve!"

The reaction, was expected and Riku asked with concern. "Where else are these guys suppose to go? The pokemon on the other side weren't happy about this either." Jack admitted with Haunter trying to warm himself up. "And right when we've came up with one of the most wonderful ideas for the year!"

Kairi checked the Dex log on the mentioned pokemon, Kyurem. One of the last logs in an entry of a region called Unova. A gray, dinosaur like dragon with a frozen jaw, frozen crest, frozen wings with plug like spikes, a stub of a tail resembling an empty a generator, yellow eyes and short claws. The forehead had a yellow marking and the eyes were yellow and barren. She pressed to have a log and found a picture explaining much. Kyurem in a frozen crater, two orbs that came from him, one of black and one of white, were flying away. "Here's what we're dealing with over there and this is what those monsters are looking for if they couldn't take Halloween. Kyurem; the Boundary Pokemon. This pokemon, was once one dragon, before it was torn in a conflict between a brothers truth and a brothers ideals. Not being able to side with both, the dragon split in two. Leaving behind the remains that froze from his leaking power."

Sora's not liking the sound of a powerful pokemon being made a target. "Is this pokemon like Regice or Pō?" Kairi raised her fingers high. "Greater! We need to find where he is and keep the dark forces away from him. Fast!"

Riku heard a rustle and turned to find Sneasel missing as Sora asked. "Santa, do you know where he is?" The big man nodded. "I do!" He headed to the hallway and faced the other end. "It's this way, you can't miss it."

As the band were about to follow, Riku asked. "Just wait one minute, one of us just wandered off!" He looked around to find Sneasel missing as Slowking picked up on something and waved. (Think I might know where he went. He's talked about a brother,) Riku ahaed. "And that fake out didn't come out of nowhere. Sneasel was in a hurry to get here, so he might have someone waiting for him." He turned to the others and went into the hall. "You guys go with Santa, Slowking and I will track that little punk." He and Slowking took off before the others had a say, the Royal followed a vision, clashing familiarity and sorrow with joy and pride. Slowking had a mellow frown as he found himself with his hand at the door, he looked over to the boy with a warning, what he might see would be a bit overwhelming.

Riku raised a brow as Slowking let the boy enter, kind of expected from the trouble maker, there was a torn box and the aromas of cheese, smoked meats and sugar. It didn't take long to find Sneasel getting into an argument with a white fur Sneasel that has purple fingers, a purple muzzle, purple chest, a violet ear and trio of violet tails. The white Sneasel waved casually at the mess he made. (The Miss was telling all of us to duck and cover indoors! I've waited until that big thing left himself wide open!) The dark Sneasel smiled sarcastically. (And while you were all waiting, you'd went to stuff yourself.) He pointed to the box and hissed. (Did you save any for your brother here?) The white Sneasel burped and wiped his mouth. (Not from this one! But the others got the same kind of goods.)

The dark Sneasel growled and looked around, finding Riku staring with rather surprised eyes. Blending a multitude of emotions at once, Sneasel jumped in astonishment. (Ahk!) He stood in front of his brother, bracing for a loud lecture or a harsher punishment. The white Sneasel tilt his head to find a young man with a beard and a Slowking that was looking sorrowful, the Sneasel realized his brother met these two, got up and approached with raised fists. (So this is the guy who you saved Halloween with?) He gestured confidently. (I got this bro!)

The caught Sneasel cringed. (Dude, he's stronger than he looks and that's saying something!) Riku was over his shock, blew to the air with conflicted feelings and ordered. "Slowking, let's get this over with." The King stepped forward. (I know what will do the trick.) Riku gave a snap of the fingers as the white Sneasel gestured a taunt. (Dude, it's going to take more than a yawn to knock me down!)

Slowking twitched a brow at the taunt as the Sneasel sprinted fast and delivered a swift poison jab to the stomach, Riku changed the order. "Use water pulse, that's the two shots we need!" The Slowking fired a pulse that sent the Sneasel in a roll, leaving him dazed and confused, the Sneasel sprinted fast and missed so off the mark that he slammed into a wall, he waddled to regain balance. (I meant to do that!) The Slowking fired another pulse to send the Sneasel tumbling and Riku readied a repeat ball that made short work of the capture.

Click!

Riku took a deep breath and asked his partner. "If you're not seriously hurt, go get that ball. I'll have a talk with our friend." The tone wasn't what Sneasel expected, sounding more like the rough looking boy was trying not to cry something of joy. Sneasel lowered his claws as Riku sat down with him and smiled. "You were trying to make sure your brother was safe? You got told about someone from the other side, that could help... and that's what you came to do?"

Sneasel nodded meekly and was given a petting for his troubles, it was more of a shock that the Sneasel wasn't in immediate hot water. Riku blew out and admitted. "We got more than holidays to save. You'll figure it out soon."

Slowking approached with the ball and dropped it onto Riku's hand, the trainer let out the other that was out of his confusion and had a mellow laugh. (Looks like I got caught too!) The trainer invited the other to come close, which was taken casually. Something about the behavior felt familiar and the boy admitted. "The three of us would be lucky if we ever get back on the Nice List, but do you want to rescue a Legend and save Christmas?"

The white Sneasel didn't hesitate to jump in a cheer. (Do I?) He was given a pet behind the ear for his troubles while the darker Sneasel crossed his arms and had a mischievous smile. (Mom's going to love that we've found some really good folks over here.) Riku gave the brothers some affection and stood up to cast a heal for the battle, he tilt his head curiously and asked Slowking. "Go find the others and tell them that I found Raz." The dark Sneasel gasped in surprise, which proved a tested theory as Slowking took off. Riku saw that look and smirked even more. "Raz, Darter, we're going to make something great happen."

The laid back Sneasel paused with as much shock and asked his brother. (He knows our names?!) Raz nodded to that and thought of a plan. (Maybe he knows where Mom is.) Riku knew what Raz said and laughed. "We'd had a guess that you and your Mom are somewhere across the worlds. If we can't find any clues of her here, then she's somewhere else." He wiped a pleased tear from his eye and flicked it away. "Haaaa! But this is going to make Sora's day, so let's get this finished."

At the back exit of Christmas Town.

The Guardians of the Holidays and Ninetales were long to distant wasteland of snow, at the end of the land was a rising Glacier that grew more foreboding with each passing second. Sora wowed at the size. "That's gonna be a big mountain!" He saw stone spikes of radiating power blocking the way. "And those tell us what's going to be over there." He turned to Santa and confirmed. "That's the place!"

Kairi thought about the general plan. "We just need to fly over there, climb the mountain and be ready for one chilly fight." She pained herself to say. "Easy." Sora knew Kairi was lightening the dread, Haunter squinted his eyes to something and tapped to Ninetales to have her take a closer look. The boy had a semi carefree pose. "We got nothing but ice types out here. How rough is it really going to be."

Kairi sighed. "Half of your team are going to be a bunch of popsicles the moment Kyurem looks at them. You're gonna need some help from one of the locals, if you want to last." Sora was about to think of his options as Ninetales saw the Glacier pulsating darkness and gave a bark to Santa. The fox waved her tails to generate an aurora veil as the big man saw a blizzard coming, gave a surprised ho. He put a finger to his nose and caused the veil to expand into a town wide barrier. Sora picked up on a snow storm bursting from the Glacier, kept to Kairi and fired a multi winged heart to the barrier, giving off a pulse of solid light that stood against the snow storm that would have wiped out most of the town. Santa and the Ninetales relaxed to an immediate problem resolved as Jack wasn't thrilled. "Looks like these vandals have gotten to the Glacier first, so-" he put his hands to his back and crossed them in thought as Slowking arrived to share news. (Riku found another friend and-) He notice the current problem. (Eeeeek.)

Kairi agreed with that moment of shock. "Eek is right, we need to find another way there and save Kyurem while this gives us the time we need." She breathed out calmly. "As long as we got a little hope, that will hold. In the mean time, we got some work cut out for us here." Jack hmmd. "What do you mean by that?"

Sora felt an idea came. "We got a whole town of pokemon that could help some of ours with some training, in case we have to fight more that are unlucky enough to be over there. Santa, how were the pokemon managing here?" Santa honestly wasn't sure on the full details. "I haven't had the time to really look, but this fellow has been a help delivering messages across the town." He looked to the bird as Sora called out the name. "We've heard of Delibird and it's a pokemon that's good at delivering stuff."

The Delibird gave a humble blush as Sora thought about it. "Though if they're not making any trouble, this could make things complicated." Kairi shook her head. "I don't see a point in taking them all away from here if they're just going to make themselves at home." Santa wondered out loud. "Where else are they to go?" Haunter didn't imagine many. (Can't think of any of the other doors leading anywhere for an ice type to like.) Mimikyu agreed with that. (Me neither.) Santa recalled one incident. "There has been some outages with the lights since yesterday. Is there something else causing that?"

At the question, Riku and the Sneasel brothers caught up, Sora and Kairi found a striking resemblance to a duo they've met in an older adventure but decided to play along. Riku saw the look on their face and reported. "Raz was making sure his brother got out of that mess. Darter, do you got something to say?" Darter wasn't ashamed. (That sneak attack from earlier made me hungry, so I helped myself to one of the snack boxes!) He licked his chops as Ninetales eye lids half dropped. (Seriously?) Raz noticed the barrier and the great blizzard outside. (Woah! What's going on out there?)

Sora breathed out with some relief and reported ill news. "We won't get to Kyurem that way. While we find another, we'll see if any of these guys can help." He asked the fox. "When we find that way, do you want to come along?" The fox raised a paw. (I shall,) she gave a passive stare of a warning. (but do not think to claim me as your own!)

The boy had the idea. "I'm not." Kairi second the notion. "And the Seafarers are all sea bound anyways." She smiled to apologize to the fox. "I don't think you'd fit in," The Ninetales was a little disappointed as Sora checked the Dex to check on the odd ice type that used a fire move. The round monkey. "Darumaka." Sora read the rest in his head. "It lived in snowy areas for so long that its fire sac cooled off and atrophied. It now has an organ that generates cold instead." He turned around to find that Darumaka looking to the barrier with a focus and set his sites upon it, the monkey gave a bit of a dance for a challenge and took off to somewhere in the town. The boy felt his other ask. "But why would he still use that fire punch?" Sora blinked. "Unless" He gasped, "he can evolve into a fire type!"

He looked to Comfey, Dreepy and Zigzagoon. "He can help us!" The raccoon gave a twirl and took off to the monkey's tracks, the boy and his misfits took off, with the fairy calling out. (Hey, come back here!)

They were off and Kairi suggest to the other boy. "Riku, how about you, Slowking and those brothers try some exercise with the pokemon around here. What ever you find won't be anything like what is definitely going to be over there." Riku thought about it and smiled to his trio. "These three would be amazing. But if we end up fighting Kyurem, he's not going to be a push over." He took his leave slowly and snapped his fingers. "Come on, let's get some practice and find our clues!"

With Slowking and the Sneasel brothers following behind, Kairi asked the holiday experts. "So, what kind of gizmo do we have, that can bring us past the blizzard?" Jack had an idea spring deep. "I got it, if going through the blizzard is too dangerous, then we can go-" Shooter gasped and finished for him. (Under it!) Santa hmmed at the flaw to the plan. "A drill like that's going to take a weeks ahead of time and that would just be another dangerous toy."

Shooter looked around and snipped a suggestion. (Then we should see if we have any burrowers around here.) Kairi had the chance to look up any ice pokemon that would have a type that is good for digging, only one evolutionary line was present. A family of woolly boars, the small Swinub, the hunched back and tusked Piloswine and something resembling a brown fur mammoth with a pigs snout, Mamoswine. The Princess wanted to curse. "Darn it! Okay, any that would know dig." There were more options and the most handy, the giant steel snake known as Steelix, doesn't sound like a pokemon that would be easy to find.

At a snowy playground.

Sora and his band followed the Darumaka a wide open field, the ape leaped into a mound and burrowed out of sight. Comfey looked around and had a yip, she flew in the boys way and signaled that he stop. The boy looked around and found himself in between four snow forts. Each hiding an elf and a particular pokemon. A penguin with an ice cube for a head, a polar bear with ice for a beard, a small pink, blonde humanoid and a walking Christmas tree with snow covering the waistline. A Eiscue, Beartic, Smoochum and a Snover. The Beartic saw more players had arrived and readied to roll a ball. (Looks like Darumaka's brought our final players!) Poof! At the mound Darumaka burrowed in, rose a great fort, the ape spun round and cheered. (The Snow Wars have begun!)

Sora cringed, back flipped to avoid a snow ball and gave a stomp that brought about a snow mound for him and his misfits to hide behind. One of the elves giggled. "Let's get em!" The sound of snow filled the air and Rusher was getting to digging snow. "What are we going to do?" Comfey had an idea to stop the fight and rolled a tiny snow ball, she flew up and gave a toss, only for it to fall an inch and plop to the snow. Beartic rolled a ball the size of a paw and tossed it swiftly at the Comfey, knocking her all the way into the cold ground. Sora was feeling himself in a corner and saw someone crouching by him, a Roxas in a gray Christmas outfit that has a resemblance to Sora's attire, winter hat and everything. The other smirked in good will "Need some help?"

Sora admitted. "Yeah, they got us outnumbered!" Roxas agreed with that. "Yeah, but we can take him, we got someone with us that can help." Sora gasped to the plan and brought out the ball with his starter. "Dartrix!" Roxas nodded. "Yep, since this isn't a match, I think he can handle the cold while getting some experience. Just hold out your hand for a sec." Sora did so and closed his eyes in a zen, in a sudden, the Comfey and Zigzagoon looked over to a presence making himself corporeal.

Comfey huhed as Zigzagoon tilt his head left and right. Sora was feeling surprises and opened his eyes to see his other being notice, he let out a Dartrix that was hit with the intense cold and shivered. He looked over to the one who gave Roxas that idea and squinted his eyes. The other pressed a finger to his lips and whispered. "I got called, name's Roxas."

He and Roxas gave a wing shake to a hand and peaked to get a view of the snow battle. With some of the forts giving each other a wary look. Smoochum was using her psychic power to roll up a multitude of snow balls and whispered to her elf buddy. Dartrix hooted and ducked. (Oh that's a whole lot of them!)

Sora knew. "We just got to beat them at their own game, then catch that Snowball when we get the chance." He realized he gave the Darumaka a nickname as Dartrix warmed himself up with adrenaline, realizing what Sora actually did and shift a brow. (When you going to give us a nick name?)

Sora sighed out the frosty breath as Roxas rolled up a few snow balls to start out. "I'll think about one when I got time. On the count of three, you, me and Roxas are going to toss these." He grabbed the snow. "Comfey will be the look out while Rusher gives us snow! One, two..." He and the boys stood up and hurled. "three!"

Roxas tossed a ball at the Darumaka in a particular flare as the Dartrix scooped snow up for his feathers and hurled a snow dart at the Beartic and an elf by the Snover. The monkey yelped and ducked as the Beartic was the first to be hit, he sat down for the moment as the Snover's partner was knocked back first into the snow. The bear was surprised by the sudden boy. (Hoo no!) He used his inherit skill to hurl two snow balls at once. Smoochum hmphed and hurled snow at both Sora's fort and the Eisque's fort, the penguin was surprised by the betrayal and turned with that frozen ice block for a face. "Eiscue."

(Smoochum, why?)

The kiss pokemon clapped with no ill intent. (We're in a snowball fight and we aim to win!) The Beartic growled at the challenge. (Oh, really?) The elf by Eisque yelped and ducked. "This is getting out of hand!" The more crazed on, by the Smoochum, rallied. "But are we quitters?" The knocked over elf got up with more snow balls. "NEVER!"

Darumaka burrowed into his fort and added snow to make it grow larger, leaving his opponents to fight among themselves. Duck! Sora crouched back into hiding, trying to think of a new plan. "Great, now they're at each other too! If we take one of them out at a time, they'll see that as their chance!" Dartrix was thinking and thought of something that caused his eyes to pop open. "HOOOO!" He flapped his wings. (Hey, if you guys have ice powers, we can use that to make more snow balls and really fight back!)

The boys listened and smacked themselves at the face, Sora in particular felt more like a dimwit. "Doi! If they're going to do it, why can't we?" Roxas scooped more snow, had them glow in frosty power and tossed them to the air, Sora and Dartrix leaped high, enveloped themselves in wind and hurled a barrage. Smoochum yelped at projectiles well beyond her control and was knocked flying while her elf buddy ducked and covered. Snover frost up and tossed back fast, only to him and his partner to be knocked into the snow. Eisque stood in front of his companion and took the snow, not budging once. Beartic backed away from the barrage and scooped up a massive snow ball as his companion tossed at the descending trio, hitting Roxas with some snow as they landed. Dartrix noticed Dreepy wiggling out of Sora's hood and making a dive into the snow, wanting to help out. Roxas brushed the snow off and had mischief in mind. "You want to help out with this too?"

Sora cringed. "Dreepy, that snow is cold!" Roxas scooped him and the snow into a ball with a tail, showing it off and giving a hurl to the Eisque, the orb was flying faster and more precise with a Dreepy in the middle.

SPLAT! Crack!

The Dreepy ball made impact and cracked the ice head, the newt back flipped to the fort as the ice cracked and reveled a tiny blue head with a straight hair. Eisque was irritated and jumped up and down while blowing frost as a way to freeze his head back into shape. Sora took his chance and tossed two snow balls at the Eisque team, landing a critical blow on the both of them and knocking them back.

Sora caught Dreepy into his hand and scooped him up as Beartic showed is giant snow ball and was ready to hurl it with all his strength. Comfey rolled a rather large snow ball and offered to Roxas. (After you!) The strange boy took it "Thank you for the kind offer." and waited for Sora to hurl the Dreepy ball, hitting Beartic in the face and cause him to fall over with the giant mound, Roxas tossed at the elf buddy to keep him from getting away. Beartic pushed himself up and laughed heartily as he had mounds of snow to work with. The band got to work tossing as much snow as possible at the bear and had him fall over in defeat. The final fort finished growing and Darumaka leaped out to show a stone shape piece of ice with a snow flake. The monkey spun in a dance as he and the stone glowed, Sora cringed. "Ah man, it's evolving now?"

Roxas readied and shrugged. "Well, we've been wanting to see this anyways, let's show what we got!" Darumaka grew into something resembling more of a stocky gorilla with what looks to be an afro.

Pew!

In the Darumaka's place is a neckless ape with an afro that has three ice crystals, pattern in a horizontal line. The fur around his mouth look like a set of lips and bellow is ice crystals that look like buttons. The ape flexed and roared playfully. "Darmanitan!" Roxas was in awe. "Oh yeah, this is what you were thinking about!"

Darmanitan smashed the fort into snow mounds and scooped up snow to make head size balls. Dartrix's eyes nearly bulged out as Comfey grabbed Dreepy and ducked. Darmanitan held both snowballs and readied a hurl that made the boys duck. Sora whispered fast. "He's smashed his fort, once we get the chance, let's get him!"

Rusher leaped up the fort and barked to serve as bait, only to see Darmanitan rolling a snow mound and turning it into something akin to a bowling ball. Sora saw the unusual silence and peaked to see the Darmanitan roll the boulder. "Split! Split!" The band rolled out of the way, Sora, Dartrix and Dreepy were on the right while Roxas, Comfey and Zigzagoon were at the left. PLOW! The boulder burst through the mound, scattering a diamond dust and rendered the fort completely unusable. Darmanitan hopped and spun while slamming his fists to the snow. (Strike! Strike! Strike!)

Dartrix flew up with snow in his wings. (You got a few pins missing pal!) Darmanitan took the darting snow and closed in with another snow ball ready. Dreepy dived into the snow to make another dart while Roxas noticed the ape was focusing on him. "Crud, crud, crud!" He made a roll from the hurl and saw Darmanitan didn't throw it yet, the ape readied his real toss and knocked Roxas into the snow. Dreepy saw that and slithered to Sora's feet, the boy scooped up the dart and felt an idea. He whispered. "Zigzagoon, dig through the snow and distract him, Dartrix" Fling! "Catch Dreepy!"

The Darmanitan saw the Zigzagoon burrowing in a zigzag pattern and was distracted while Dartrix grabbed the orb found it scatter. Sora aimed a finger and drew more snow to the bird. Dartrix back flipped like an ace and disappeared in a blink, making a double collision, causing Darmanitan to go into a spin. Sora rolled forward and called. "Comfey, with me!"

Comfey nodded and flew to the boys side as the Darmanitan was seeing a straight forward match and pressed his fits to the ground in a primal pose. Sora gave a check on Comfey's moves and found wrap was replaced with synthesis. "? That would have been nice to know! Comfey, use draining kiss and see what he does!" The Comfey was on in and flew to give Darmanitan a draining pucker. The ape gave Comfey a toss and delivered a fire punch to send her in a roll. "Alright, now go for synthesis!" The Comfey gave a shine in light to heal herself as the Darmanitan stomped a taunt. (Healing's for quitters!) He jumped up and down rudely. (Come on, I want a real fight!)

Comfey fell for the taunt and went for a draining kiss, Darmanitan back flipped to kick down a crash of icicles that sent Comfey to the ground. The ape landed and showed his teeth while closing his eyes in a zen. (Got ya!) He stomped into a rampage and sparked in fire, Roxas got up on his rear to watch the ape awaken something. Darmanitan glowed and his limbs retracted to his body, compressing into a smaller form that shot out a spark of fire.

PEW!

"DAR, DAR, DAR!"

The ape transformed into a snowman with the afro looking like a melting head with a wiggly mouth, a crystal eye of fiery yellow, his hands turned orange, the skin around his eyes turn orange and his eyes turned white. He was snarling as his buttons turned to fiery orange and his mouth was like an inferno. Comfey was in a panic and went for her own attacking move, Darmanitan didn't just shrug off the fairy move, but he used it as a chance to fling himself high into the air and rain down a icicle crash that knocked the fairy out.

He flipped behind the Zigzagoon as Sora ordered. "Kick some sand in there and get ready for the speed!" Darmanitan worked himself up as, Zigzagoon kicked sand into the ape's eyes and followed with an extreme speed rush. Darmanitan rolled and made a twirl with his burning hands for a left hook fire punch. Zigzagoon burrowed into the snow to dodge and got behind. Darmanitan spun in a hop as Sora called. "Alright get out of there!" He pointed. "Dreepy, it's on you!" Zigzagoon made his escape as the Dreepy rushed in the way to dodge a fire punch. Darmanitan leaped high and sent the icicles crashing down. Dreepy wiggled around the impact and the boy checked a rather handy move. "Now hit him with thunder wave!"

The Dreepy gave a crackle and tackled the Darmanitan, instilling paralysis as the trainer ordered. "And astonish!" The Dreepy gave a sharp shriek at the ape and made him flinch. Darmanitan struggled to move and Sora reached for a great ball, rolling behind and making that throw. "Go!"

Tap!

The orb took the ape in and fell into the melted snow, it flipped in it's three shakes and gave a firm click. Sora phewed as Roxas stood up impressed. "Look at that, Darmanitan's been caught!" Dartrix picked up the recovering Comfey that saw the after math, gasped and gave her partner a hug.

(Yay!)

Dreepy barked.

(Fun! Fun!) Zigzagoon wagged his tail and gave a dance. (Really fun!) With that, he glowed and began to grow into something longer and losing the prickle fur for something sleek.

Pew!

In the Zigzagoon's place was a just as cheerful badger that is mostly cream colored with brown stripes. His paws had long nails and he had a striking blue eye, the badger stood on his hind legs and gave a cheer. "Linoone!" The evolution was a nice bonus and Sora picked up his capture, showing it to the snow throwers. "I caught that Darmanitan!"

The Beartic clapped in an applause as Roxas approached and looked amazed. "I'd figured there was something secret about him. What does the dex say about that?"

Sora would give it a read latter. "Probably that Darmanitan's fire never really went away. It just kept hidden from all the cold." He sent out the Darmanitan that was in his base form and looked pretty beat up, twitching from his paralysis. Roxas channeled a heal for the party and woke Darmanitan up, the ape jumped up and gave a bit of a dance. (Let's play that again!) Hop! Hop! (Again! Again!)

Roxas flinched at the fiery spirit as Sora put a hand on the ape's shoulder. "Maybe later." He looked back to where the Glacier is. "Right now, there's something we need to have done if we want to save Christmas and we need your help. Deep down, you hold the power of fire. Do you want to come with us and help?"

Darmanitan looked to where Sora was looking and stomped determined. (Bad things need to stop hurting us! Bad thing) He flexed upward. (need to get wrecked.) Sora felt a memory of a Wreck it Man and flexed with him. "And we will wreck em, you and me!"

Darmanitan grunted and blew frost while Roxas was giving a shine that was in sync with a glow around Sora. The ape wondered, unaware. (Now how we get there?) Roxas shrugged. "We'll figure it out."

The band looked to the boy who was disappearing and left a final word. "You and my other are going to be good friends." Flicker!

Roxas was gone, but Sora felt someone keeping by him. The boy saw the group quite confused, his team mates, the local elves and the wild pokemon that witnessed that. He pointed to his chest, in hope to not look awkward to his squad. "He's right you know. Roxas and I are close, he's still here, in sync with me." Dartrix wasn't even pretending that he understood that, but he did know that Sora and Roxas are one and the same. Dreepy flew to Sora's jacket and tried to borrow in, attempting to find the other, Comfey cringed and pulled him out, the boy petted the newt. "I'll tell you when I have the time to explain it better."

Darmanitan looked to Sora, then to the Dreepy, he gasped and pressed his fits to the ground. (Oh I get it!) He jumped at the answer. (He's a spirit!) Dartrix blinked in astonishment and hooted. (That actually makes enough sense!) Sora readied to call the shivering owl back. "You guys are getting it." Pew! He went to the ape and to his band of misfits, especially to the Linoone that sprinted fast. "Come on Snowball, come on Rusher, let's go tell the others!"

Over at a shopping district.

Riku was wondering how he talked a Swinub, an icy variant of a tap dancing, if vain, Mr. Mime and a yellow eyed Frigibax into a three on three against King and the Sneasel Brothers. Raz stood before the clown, crossing his arms and looking up as Darter squinted his eyes at the Frigibax and posed for a brawl. King kept his hands crossed behind his back and apologized to the battle ready Swinub. (Sorry about this, we need the experience.) Riku ordered. "Raz, use knock off on that Mr. Mime! Darter, rock smash the Frigibax, King go for water pulse on Swinub!"

Raz dash at the Mr. Mime and gave him a slab before taking a double kick to the torso. He rolled back as Darter gave Frigibax a punch swift enough to make the lizard spin and counter with icicle spears, Darter braced for that easily as the Swinub tossed a mud shot that blinded the King and made him waddle. Slowking calmed himself down and fired a water pulse that knocked the Swinub out in one blow, while Raz knocked the Mr. Mime out with a swift shadow claw. Darter finished the Frigibax off with a poison jab and took a step back at total victory. The three were laying together in defeat and Riku passed a fast heal. The local elves were impressed. "Wow, that was fast!"

Riku agreed as his misfits helped the defeated up. "King's got the will to keep standing and these two got what a lot of us would have looked for." He closed his eyes at the potential. "The brain to use those daggers."

The three pokemon turned to their partner, appreciating the compliment. Flicker! Flicker! In a sudden, the town lights flickered on and off, not in the same intensity as what happened in Traverse, but it is enough to annoy the locals. The red cap complained. "Ah, man it's this again!" The green cap thought out loud. "I thought it was those monsters?"

Riku felt his hair standing while the Sneasel brothers looked around and felt danger was close, Darter asked. (Is the snow getting into the generator or something?) Raz twitched his ear and felt something was above. (With how everything works here? Nah, someone should have shoveled that.) Slowking looked to a post connecting to a roof and looked to the one Riku was next too, seeing a whole lot of wires short circuiting. (Or maybe, some bad wires?)

Riku turned around to where the two were looking, finding the bundle of black wires and odd looking white lights giving that circuit. In a sudden, it crawled down, revealing flat fingers resembling copper wires. It's legs and tail resemble that of plugs. The boy felt his heart racing as the creature looked upon him in curiosity, it used it's tail to hold onto a pole and reached with those fingers. Slowking grabbed Riku by the back of the collar and pulled fast. (Nope, nope, nope! Too many live wires!)

The beast lost balance, flailed and fell face first in the snow. Riku turned to the locals and ordered. "Go find Santa, right now, we're dealing with this Xurkitree!"

The elves and local pokemon hauled it as the Xurkitree pulled itself up and wiggled his arms fast, irritated that the boy caused it's fall. It's size, standing up, was quite tall, quite lanky and it extended it's limbs to give a shriek. Bursting into a familiar aura to Poipole. Darter sprinted after the Xurktiree and gave it a fast fake out before back flipping to Riku, who was backing away while the Xurkitree gave off an electrical charge. "Darter, give him a taunt, I don't want him pulling anything funny!"

The Sneasel gestured a taunt that annoyed the Ultra Beast and caused it to leap to the square, it made a leap in an attempt to escape. Riku cringed and flowed from pole to pole as a way to intercept the Ultra, Raz hurried by his brother and kicked a fast icy wind, making the Ultra Beast's glow dim. Darter hurried to give the Xurkitree a fast poison jab that left the beast in a purple hue. The Ultra Beast raised his fingers in a crackle and shot a shock wave at Darter, sending the Sneasler flying towards Slowking and passing out. The Ultra Beast radiated a glow once more and was looking woozy from the poison.

Raz took a nervous step back as Riku flowed to Slowking and tossed a beast ball, tapping it at the back of the alien and watching the ball bring it in. It landed in the show in a spark of electricity. Shake...shake...shake... click!

To the relief of the band, the Xurkitree was captured. Riku blew out and sat on his rear as Raz hurried to his brother, who was comically twitching from the electrical shock. The trainer cast a fast heal to get Darter up and apologized. "That wasn't going to be a pretty capture, I heard this Ultra Beast can get very dangerous if he is allowed to attack and knock you all out."

Darter got up and asked naively. (Did we catch 'em?) Raz sighed and pick up the beast ball Slowking nodded. (Yeah, that marks another one.) The dark Sneasel went to his partner and gave him the ball. (So how the heck did we miss this guy before we came rushing out of town?) The boy shrugged. "Beats me, no one here was fighting before that heartless came and anyone who wasn't going to fight went into hiding."

Sprint! In a sudden, Kairi came rushing with her blade in hand, Jack was trailing behind, along with Santa and the Snorunt. Kairi saw Riku on his rear and went to get him up, she spotted the beast ball in hand. "Riku, what tried to attack you?!" The boy showed the ball while having the image of a hand of live wires reaching for him. "An Ultra Beast, a Xurkitree!" Kairi looked up the image as Jack asked. "An...Ultra Beast?"

Riku blew out and stood up, shaking from another close encounter with death. "Pretty strong, pretty confused and thus, very dangerous pokemon. This was causing the shot circuits across the town."

Kairi saw the image of the bundle of wires and showed it to Santa, who gasped. "That explains why no one was able to find him, he's got to have been plugging in with these lights and tried to hide in plain sight." The Princess nodded. "Yeah, to feed off of electricity from the tap." She showed a list of stats. "There's only one thing it can do really well that makes it a scary pokemon to fight out here."

She was definitely concerned for the boy. "Are you okay?" Riku looked over to Slowking and the Sneasel brothers. "I am, thanks to these guys." He reported. "We're definitely bringing this guy with us. It's better we have him in hand than to have him caught up by some scum lord."

Kairi had a bit of an idea and wanted to borrow the ball. "Maybe after a heal, he can help us with the glacier, did you spot anything that can help us dig under?" Riku shook his head. "Swinub's the only ground type around here who can make any use of that move. We're going to have to think of something else." Kairi pouted and whined, not unlike Sora. "Ah man."

Over at the main district.

Over at the main district.

Sora and his active band yelped in shock at something appearing in the middle of the town. A crystal pillar, with an entry way with in. Rusher, Dreepy and Snowball had a closer inspection along with the boy that was wanting to peak in, finding a set of blue lens looking at them and giving a spark of electricity. Slithering out was the specimen that Ven mentioned, the Iron Serpent. He shivered to the cold and lit himself up in an attempt to get warm, he gave the band a smile and barked. (Howdy!)

Pop!

In a sudden, Dartrix went out of the ball to see the machine up close, he was suspicious about the sudden arrival. (What were you doing? How did you even get here?) The Serpent stepped away from the crystal, letting the band know he's come to lend aid. (Helping you out. This should bring you to that Glacier, although there are some troubles down this path. A test of strength, to see if you'll survive there.)

Dreepy zipped into the crystal and found a spiral slope going into something misty, Sora and Snowball hurried in to have a see, the misty emitted a strange light, welcoming those who dare to something extraordinary. The boy felt what Miraidon tried to say and hurried back out with a wide smile. "What ever is down there, it's going to be worth putting a stop to what ever is attacking the world. Thank you, Miraidon." The lizard appreciated the gratitude, flew up to curl into an electrical wheel and disappear into a crystal light. Sora gave a head tilt as he felt more arrive, particular to Jack amazed. "Sora, did you do this?"

The boy turned to the approaching crowd and shook his head. "No, but I think someone's giving us a hand." Riku raised an eyebrow and had a look at the anonymous cave. "Are you sure about that, this could be a trap for all we know."

Sora had a pout and stepped in. "That Miraidon showed up and dug a way over to the Glacier, come take a look." Riku did so and had a peak into the spiral, mist covered descent. "The same pokemon that helped Virtu evolve and gave us that race while we were heading here." He felt a sharp instinct and whispered. "There's got to be some catch, did he say anything about that?"

Snowball over heard and grunted. (There is, we got to fight what's down there as a warm up!) The boys felt precisely what was intended and Riku begun to trust it more. He stepped out and signaled. "We got a way into that Glacier! Check it out!"

Kairi, Jack, Haunter, Snorunt and Mimikyu went in to see, the Disguise pokemon had a glimmer in his eyes. (It's like the Almighty said. When in doubt, there's always a friend who's wishing us to succeed.) He gave a call. (Come on, Kyurem isn't going to hold on forever.) He scurried down into the mist as Haunter followed him down. Kairi called Shooter back in an instant. "Come on, we didn't use these without a reason." The Clawitzer agreed and let himself be called back. Sora and Riku performed a mass call back, save for Slowking, Darmanitan and Comfey.

The Snorunt scurried, compelled to follow the two spirits, she looked to the group and asked (You mind if I come along to help? Something about this feels) with a growing smile. (right.) Riku didn't mind. "Just keep by us. We don't know what's down there." Jack looked back to Santa and waved in good will before sliding in like a child would, Ninetales followed him down into the unknown and left the Destiny Trio to a warning from Saint Nick. "Be careful down there, just because there's someone giving you what you need, doesn't mean it's exactly how you want it. There are something s that are better left unseen, even if you believe in it."

Riku readied to joke about Santa himself as Kairi gave him a tug. "This is what we've signed up for, Saint Nick. It might not be exactly what we've been wanting, but we'll be better off in the long run. We'll be back!"

She went in next, while Riku, Slowking and Snorunt hurried down. Sora, Comfey and Snowball went in last, feeling the light envelope their vision as a wonder filled their minds. Like a dream one doesn't quite want to wake up from. They found themselves in the confines of a laboratory, embedded with crystals. It was a simple lab room with a stair way leading back up to the light. Having three paths ahead, behind a sliding door. The central path was of purple crystals, the right path was dark pink and the left was of ocean blue. Jack, Haunter and Mimikyu were shaking off that wonder and noticed a note on a table, giving a stamp of a six pointed diamond. He picked it up and flipped a note, finding another symbol behind the front page. Of a single keyblade aimed high in protection over a heart. Sora had some deja vu and asked if he could give the note a read, finding the two symbols strange, yet one more familiar. "Day 01: The Maze between worlds: Through this imaginative power, the paths between two worlds can make it as if they are one once more. The Terrastal Phenomenon can make even the most silly of outcomes, possible. Even the creation of Terrastal Labyrinth, where anything is possible."

Jack asked his group. "Terrastal?" Haunter and Mimikyu looked to each other in a shrug as Kairi gasped. "Guys, remember that thing we found back home? And the thing Daphne was talking about?" Sora gasped. "The stuff that Turtle used to help us?" Kairi nodded. "Yeah, that stuff. Someone might have messed around with something and made this place as a way to help us and test us."

Riku gasped. "Like what we raced through?" Kairi took a step aside and felt a bit of dread. "Yeah, this place is giving us what we need. A way to be where we need to be. But there's something else that we're not aware of." She advised. "Before we pick a path and decide who goes with where, we'll need a refresher. Riku's caught an Ultra Beast that could be a help, if we let it know that we mean to help him."

She showed the ball and opened it, letting out an Xurkitree that was quite sickly, the Princess took a deep breath and conjured a heal to remedy that, the glowing pokemon perked up and looked around to company. Then to a laboratory with strange lights, it reached out to touch one and Riku ordered. "Hey, hey! Not here!" The Ultra Beast turned and gave a crackle, not in the mood with someone who cornered him like a rat. The older boy asked. "I get you don't like me, there was something that was trying to wreck this town and they would have tried to hurt you if they knew where you were. We'll need your help to take care of that and then we can get you home."

The Ultra Beast tilt it's head blankly as Kairi gave the Xurkitree a tap to the arm. Bringing the beast in a trance that made it much more aware of what is going on. He wiggled to the group and pointed to the phones, Sora felt his other ask. "Show him the ranch we're working on."

The spikey haired boy did so, a town in perpetual night and having signs of electricity, including a generator. The Ultra Beast wiggled even more and clapped a sparkle. Kairi kept a hand on the beast and called him back before handing the ball over to Riku. "Namine had us covered for this. She showed him a bit here and there of what you were talking about. All he's wanting is a place with a lot of zaps and he'll help out when it's time."

The older boy blushed and went to the dark pink path, with Slowking and Snorunt. "We can arrange that. Now, we're in a riddle. As if they were one. These three paths will bring us to the same place. So if we split up, we'll make the most of this place while we can."

Kairi and Ninetales went to the ocean blue path. "So we can at least figure it out for the guys." Sora, Jack and the rest took the purple path. "So we'll find each other again, like we've always have." Kairi blushed in a promise. "I don't think this place is going to bring us that far, it's just another part of the journey." The three parties felt that heartening and hurried onward.

At the Purple path.

Sora, Jack and the crew looked around the hall way that oddly, despite the darker colors, brought an otherworldly gleam, melded with the metal. With a few turns, they entered a chamber that was more of a crystal cave than a laboratory. The color was of a fiery red and many pillars at the corners. With a quartet resembling cylinders. The band looked around and split off to make any sense of the room, reflecting things unexpected. Sora was looking upon himself in the suit of armor he don when the battle calls for it, Jack was seeing himself as that fiery, pumpkin headed scare crow. Mimikyu was seeing himself with a small collection of Z Crystals, Snowball was seeing a fiery ape with a wide set of teeth and burning brows. The Haunter however, was looked upon the crystal cylinders and found an image he hasn't seen for a long time.

A black orb with purple smog, that similar, mischievous set of eyes and a mouth with two fangs. A Gastly. He hovered close before the others had the time to tell him why that wouldn't be advised and reached for the image. Crack. On the slightest touch, the crystal gave a crack that spread to the four. The crew turned quick to see something that Haunter was confused by, the ghost pleaded. (All I did was touch that!) Comfey sighed and looked over to the lack of an exit forward. (Well, one of us was going to have to do it.)

Sora didn't mind and felt it was typical. "These kinds of places are wanting you to do something like this." Crack! Crack! Crrrr! The pillars fell apart and let loose a glimmer that fed into the center of the room. Words reflected in the shine as the Gastly appeared once more. "What you are-" The Gastly enveloped in it's own gas and transformed into a Haunter. "What you'll be." The Haunter's eyes turned red. "Only you can decide that." The form collapsed into the ground and solidified into a rising spirit "Look upon your past and look upon your present!" a roundish creature with a short set of arms and legs, purple spikes all across the back and a tail. Under the red eyes was a smile of teeth and a red crystal gleaming across. "The future's possibilities are endless!"

Burst!

The creature gave a mischievous laughter, showed off a medal of fire and prepared for battle. "Gengengen!" Jack was taking a back. "This is someone you turn into, Haunter?" The ghost was just as intimidated as he was fascinated. (Yeah, haven't figured that out, but I'm a second stage. Gengar's a lot faster and stronger.) He whistled at the challenge as Mimikyu looked at Comfey, then to Sora. (The lot of us can handle him!)

He tossed Sora a white Z Crystal and took the lead, giving Jack a wave. The boy caught the crystal and looked down on it, having a flash back on some of Leon's lessons. "Z Power has been a part of Alola's tradition for as long as the history books would allow it. Use the Z Power Ring in sync to the crystal." The youngster ready a pose, had his right arm over his head and his fist clenched, turned his left arm bellow his waist and moved his fist up. Leon giggled in good will. "Through this, you can unleash Z Power and give your pokemon the boost to let loose a super strong move or have your status moves give another effect. Even a move like splash, can increase your power so greatly that you'll turn a battle around."

Sora called Snowball back. "This isn't your fight, but I'll call you out if I got to!" The Darmanitan grunted and let himself be called back, Sora pointed onward. "Flowers, it's on you!"

The Comfey rolled to battle alongside the Mimikyu as Sora placed the crystal on the hilt of his blade. "We can beat this Gengar!" The Haunter realize Sora had a plan and smiled wide as Jack smiled in confidence, the Gengar took a step back and fired a sludge bomb at the Mimikyu, breaking the disguise to a plop and leaving him poisoned. The Pumpkin King asked. "Slash through with that ghastly claw of yours!"

Sora crossed his arms, showed off the Normalium Z and gave the Z pose like in memory, light flowed out of the blade and onto the Comfey, giving her a boost in speed. "Use that speed and have Mimikyu attack after you!"

The Comfey gave Mimikyu the kind offer and allowed him to give a firm lash of a claw, sending the Gengar in a spin. The shadow had that shadowy gleam and pointed at the Mimikyu, unleashing a hex that sent the Disguise pokemon to his back in a swift knock out. Haunter floated in his place and saw there was a chance, Jack waved a single hand in a pattern. "Hypnosis!"

The Haunter knew the pose made and did just that, using Comfey's support to send the Gengar in a hypnotic trance. Sora gave a clap. "How give Haunter a help-" clap! "ing" clap! "hand!" Comfey gave that clap in a rhythm and Haunter used that confidence to aim his spectral hand and channel a hex, causing the Gengar to crack and shatter out in light. Returning the crystal cave to a simple lab with that red pedestal. Two items laid out as a reward. A cable attached to a device that Leon used to evolve Slowpoke and a diamond crystal. Sora gasped. "That looks like a link cable!"

Jack picked Mimikyu up as Haunter turned around to ask. (Am I like... the only one who's still weirded out?) Comfey turned to the ghost and whispered. (You're not, but I'd just roll with it.) The two looked to their partners, who are about as confused as they are but are trying to go forward. Jack asked in interest. "Any idea what that was about? And what is a link... cable?"

Sora shrugged. "Gengar looks and fights like Haunter does but stronger, that's a pokemon he can evolve into! With this, we can help him become one!" The Pumpkin King ohed as gave the ghost the honors. "And I've heard of this, I think if we end up taking one of these, the other is going to disappear. What do you think, Haunter?"

The ghost was surprised and looked to both the crystal and the link cable, floating from one side to the other with something conflicted, Mimikyu was waking up to see and the disguise pokemon was having a smile. Haunter raised a hand and picked the crystal, the cable was having a bit of a glow, as if asking if Haunter is certain about this. The crystal gave off a distinct crackle of electrical light as Jack hmmed. "I see, what's made you decide on this?" Haunter pointed his thumb to the cable. (Becoming Gengar would be swell, but I don't need to be one to make it far. Besides, I think a gig with this yellow light can make the mood so... switchy.) He had an idea. (Unless Pumpkaboo is going to need it.)

Pop!

Out came the pumpkin that sensed pride in victory and looked over to the cable, he immediately wailed in refusal. (And become one of the Gourgeists?! Oh by the Distortion-) The wail worsened. (no! There's one rule in that town that you must consider.) Haunter guessed without much thought. (You can scare the daylights out of someone, but trying to hurt them is completely out of the question?) He thought more into it and cringed. (Riiiiiiight, Gourgeists aren't really nice fellas and they can take people to the hereafter.) He pretended he never asked, looked to the crystal and licked it into his mouth, like a kid would a piece of candy. Chomp! Chomp! Surprisingly, the crystal's edible. Gulp!

Spark!

The Haunter had a gleam of light course through his body and let loose a crackle of electricity, his body crystalized into a familiar gleam and his chest had a medal with the symbol of a lightning bolt. The power blew against the band and something was sent rolling from a chair, to Jack's foot, a tera orb. Glimmer, the Skeleton noticed and picked it up, finding the inner crystal matching the medal. "Now what is this?" Haunter shook off the gleam and Sora gasped. "That's a tera orb! Jack, you can use this to have Haunter turn into that electric type!"

The ghost gasped and giggled. (And I got a trick that goes real well with it!) Mimikyu guessed as he jumped off. (Levitating over the ground and taking care of the your weakness to ground?) He blinked to that charm. (Handy.) Heal!

Sora passed along a fast heal and looked over to an exit. . "Endless possibilities? He chose it with his own wish." His other asked back. "He decided it, without needing something telling him what it ought to be. But where is that orb come from?" Sora had little idea. "Who knows, but we'll have to see this through anyways."

Roxas thought more of the note that was read. "Even the dumbest of things can happen if we keep trying huh?" Sora felt himself pointing at his other in a playful banter. "I heard that." Roxas gave off a mhm and gave a mental pat on the back, letting his other lead on further into the Labyrinth.

At the Dark Pink Path.

Riku, Slowking and Snorunt didn't spend too long in the hall, regardless if there is a reason to be on a guard or not, the otherworldly nature of the crystals made the scenery quite appeasing. They stepped into a turn of a glimmering light and found themselves in a temple of some kind. With windows of crystal and an orange pillar at the far end. With in the pillar was a green glowing stone. Slowking and Snorunt went for a closer look as Riku felt a mixture of unease and pride. On a closer inspection, the stone had a glimmer of an awakened eye, words glimmered from the crystal. "The marrow is never just one road." "What is one, could be another."

Riku was the only one of the three that noticed a subtle change in the area, the windows had a distinct image on each of them. At the back was that of a brown fox like creature, an Eevee. Each of the eight had a reflection of familiar looking evolutions. A fluffy Flareon, a fishy Vaporeon, a spikey Jolteon, a mystical Espeon, an mysterious Umbreon, a soothing Leafeon, a chilly Glaceon and a vibrant Sylveon. "Do you know the road you are taking?"

Slowking looked around to see the reflections and even a hidden mirror showing a blankly staring purple Slowbro with a golden shellder tail. Snorunt noticed something in the crystal and waved hello. (Hi ya!)

The two turned to the pillar and saw with in. A green haired pokemon with a body composing of a white dress, having green legs tap dancing and two red horns on the head. A Kirlia that waved back and went for the stone. Riku picked up on what the reflections speak of and alerted his team. "King, Snorunt, that Kirlia's going for the stone as another way to evolve! Be ready!" The two jumped back as the Kirlia picked up the stone and raised it high to glow in sync. Snorunt danced in cheer as the crystal shined. "By the Blade, or by the Mind. These two roads came from the same past, they will end in the same future you seek!"

The Kirlia grew tall and his arms were getting longer, the horns shrank into the head and the hair shorten to that of a helmet shape. The Crystal cracked and burst out an orange glowing warrior, a crystal humanoid with a head resembling a gladiators helmet. His white face and red eyes looked striking, his torso and arms green, his chest having a red horn, like that of a heart. His arms elbows extended like blades and his lower half, from the waist to the legs, were like white cloth. On his forehead was the symbol of a fist and a battle cry. "Gallade!"

He posed for a fight as Riku tried thinking of a plan. "Let's see-" He gasped to something as Slowking and Snorunt were face to face with the Gallade. The warrior glowed his blades green and made a sprint for the Slowking, delivering a swift, sharp slash that sent Slowking tumbling back. Riku cringed and ordered. "King, use future sight and get out of there! Snorunt, help him out!"

The Slowking foresaw an attack as Snorunt cheered a clap, the Gallade followed with another leaf blade and was given a parry by the keybearer, letting Slowking know what was meant. The Slowking hurried out of the fight as the boy pushed Gallade back. The Blade was quite astonished and glowed his blades into a blue before giving a slash for Riku and one for the Snorunt, the boy ordered fast. "Snorunt, protect yourself!"

The runt shivered a barrier to take the attack and threw an ice shard to do moderate damage. Riku intercepted the Gallade and gave him another shove before finding that burst of light, blasting Gallade on the back and causing the form to crack. Letting loose a gleam of light that blinded the three and left behind a simple lab with many mirrors and the crystal stand. On it is that light green stone, Riku gave the Dex a read as Snorunt giggled in joy, surprised by the name. "That's the name of it?"

The Snorunt cheered. (The Dawn Stone is real! The Dawn Stone is real!) Riku went to pick it up and showed it to the little girl. "Sounds like you've been wanting this for a while. Take it, apparently this stone works on two pokemon if their genders are precise. Like how a Kirlia could become Gallade instead of Gardevoir if it's a boy. For you, there's another evolution from-" He looked up Snorunt and saw two evolutions, a black horned, living hail stone with blue eyes and flat teeth. The Face Pokemon, Glalie.

The other was one looking a little more sinister. a humanoid ice spirit with the body of a red ribbon kimono, long, flappy arms dangling from her head, hail stone horns on a white skull and with in looked to be flesh of purple around the eye sockets and jawline. The sclerae of the eyes were yellow, yet the iris was icy blue and the back of the head looked up an upward curved, icy hair due. The Snow Land Pokemon. "Froslass, an ice and ghost type?"

He asked the little lady. "Are you sure about this?" Snorunt giggled yes. (I finally get to be helpful!) Slowking wanted to say ,but you were helpful, and quickly gave up on that when it's clear Snorunt was mostly a supportive trickster. Riku placed the stone down and crouched, watching the Snorunt tap a hand on the stone and glow with it, her hair fell down and her body broke apart like snow, refreezing and molding into the head and arms of the specter. The hair pressed together into the dress and made a ribbon appear.

Pew!

Riku stood up to see the given form, a Froslass that is just above his waistline. She twirled like a typical princess. (Hurray!) She held his hand gracefully. (Thank you, thank you! You're not going to regret this!) She flew over to the exit door as Riku blushed with amazement. "She chose the dawn and became one of the spirits that make the holiday!"

He realized Froslass recently evolved and called. "Hold it! If you've evolved into something like this, you're going to need to relearn some moves that you couldn't have used when you were a Snorunt." He showed the Dex. "Do you mind if we have a look?" The Froslass doesn't and winked. (I got the time between now and the exit to try them out.) She giggled in a way that is typical of a ghost type.

At the Ocean Blue Path.

At the Ocean Blue Path.

Kairi and Ninetales made a turn and step out of the stellar feeling corridor and into what looked to be a work shop, having schematics to various machines laid out upon the walls and tube like station on rotation with others. Inside the canister where mechanical claws, building something of crystal, overlooking it was a pretty eager, shining woman. With blonde hair that was tied into a very short pony tail, a lab coat that is complimented by black pants, a set of goggles and a note pad. She was having a wide smile at her creation. "After all these years, it's finally possible!" Kairi brought out her blade as Ninetales took a step and barked. (What are you doing here?)

The Scientist heard the glimmer and bark, turning fast and nearly dropping her log. "Ahk!" She kept some control and adjusted her eye wear, she calmed down, raised a hand to look harmless and showed a crystal necklace on her bosom. "Settle down, settle down. You two are about to witness something that is truly great."

She stepped back to a button on a computer as Kairi and Ninetales had a look at what is in the canister, a short bird with resemblance to something recently seen. "What's that Delibird doing here?" The Scientist raised a finger and corrected her. "Ah! It's design is based on Delibird, but it's not quite meets the eye." She sat on the computer, eager to press that button. "Beyond a machine, replicating the life form that inspired it. Even bringing about a heart if given something to believe in."

Kairi's inner Namine looked on to a smile that might be masking a complete mad woman. "Bringing about a heart?!" The Scientist insist to a theory. "As seen once before, with the formation of the Heart. If one believes themselves to be whole, alive and gazing upon this beautiful world with that wonder. Then they have a heart that is awakening... or reawakening, With all the feelings and desires that makes us whole, all it needs is to see what they are."

Kairi had a flash back of a particular adventure with a band of toys, one in particular that her Lil' Bro has with him. "They would wake up from the machine and become their own person! Not as a Delibird, a robot or a bad guy from a cartoon. It's a guide line at best." The Scientist found that last quote helpful and went to writing it down. "A guide line into becoming their own. Free from what inspired them and left with that choice."

Ding!

The machine finished it's construction and formed a water blue glow. "Ah, it's done!" She pressed the button and aimed a hand dramatically. "Through that, a new heart is born! Not quite what it was before, but a new step in it's evolution!" The canister spewed out mists as the Scientist commanded. "What ever awaits, you and your friends will face it together and continue to thrive! You and those who've taken the Lights call, face the future! Free it from the mistakes of yor!"

Blink!

"Iron Bundle! Engage!"

Leap!

Leaping out was a crystal robot with a striking resemblance to Delibird. With a cord attaching a frigid blue bundle to it's back. It's belly button glowed in the same way as the device and had a liquid flowing. It turned to the ladies, jumped in a panic and shined a marking of ice, it's device sprang into a curve, for it's right wing to hold onto. Kairi cringed. "Ninetales, jump out of there!"

The fox leaped to the side as Kairi rolled, the Iron Bundle frosted up in ice and leaped to get on top of it's device, firing an ice beam at the fox. Kairi sent out Shooter and had him on the ready. "Wait for that opening and charge that Aura Sphere, I'll make sure this lady doesn't try anything."

The Scientist huhed as Kairi flowed across the equipment and used her arms to keep the woman surrounded, her blade was used to block a back route. Ninetales flung a moon blast at the Bundle and made it fall over as Shooter focused an aura and fired it upon the robot. Causing it to crack on the instant.

The woman saw her creation at the cusp of defeat and oddly, gave Kairi a grateful smile. She and the Iron Bundle disappeared, leaving behind a simple lab and more questions than answers. Blip! The Princess felt a shine on her phone and checked to find an update to the Dex App. Scrolling all the way to the bottom, above Miraidon and bellow the Gholdengo. That exact robot, the Iron Bundle. Everything was question marks, save for the typing of ice and water. "Is this Pokemon related to Miraidon?" Namine looked with her and felt the question likely. "And like Miraidon, he isn't in that book. But we know the book is connected to the Terrestial. Something doesn't add up. Only that these two exist."

The Princess called Shooter back and lead ahead to a long hall that made a turn to the right. Finding a cave way with a slope going up to mists. Ninetales felt the frigid cold, beckoning her as Kairi noticed the two squads arriving. Sora, Jack and the ghost types arriving from the central path, while Riku, Slowking and a Froslass were arriving by a left turn. Kairi put the phone away and raised a brow at the Froslass. "Riku, what did you do to Snorunt?"

The boy put his thumb where he came from. "This dawn stone dropped from a guardian after we defeated it and Snorunt wanted to evolve. Call her Froslass." The spirit twirled in excitement and earned a giggle from the Mimikyu. (Figured you'd match one over a Glalie.)

The Froslass giggled back, letting the crowd know she's still herself, Sora noticed the way out and is charmed by the ghost's behavior. "She is a bit cuter now." Kairi had a snort in her nostrils over that, not sure if she should laugh with Sora or give him a playful smack. "We'll talk about what we found later." Ninetales agreed as she and Mimikyu hurried ahead. (I feel the cold blowing in, we must be where we need to be.) The Disguise Pokemon felt it. (It has to be.)

He gave the band a cautionary look and had them follow fast. Sora had the balls for Rusher and Snowball ready as Riku and King followed the pokemon's lead. Jack looked to his determined companions and charged with them as Kairi picked up her sprint.

Glimmer!

The band stepped out of the Labyrinth and found themselves in a cavern of black ice and foul odor. There was a slope that could lead up to the spire. Something emerged from the dark corner, in a glow of fire. A bipedal coal monster that has two distinct shoulder spikes and burning coals on its hunched back. A chain, going from the shoulders, latched horned lock on it's chest, compelling the Coalossal that has a mindless look on his eyes. It ignited it's maw in it's frenzy and roared a heat wave blast. Ninetales stood in the way with a snow warning and brought about an aurora veil to shield her companions as Riku and King ran to the left. "Come on King, give that Coalossal a yawn and we can manage that ability!"

The Slowking tapped further ahead as the Coalossal sparked a black aura and rushed after the boy, Riku side stepped as King gave a yawn to make Coalossal drowsy. The boy rushed at the chain and gave it a slash, prompting the Coalossal to give the boy a rough back hand and follow with a dark rock slide. Riku back flipped as Froslass sprinted after the coal monster and gave a crunch to a chain, Slowking followed with a water pulse that sent the Coalossal into a steam and watched him fall asleep. Riku flowed from rock to rock and aimed his blade at the lock, piercing it and finding himself in a dark void, face to face with a yellowed eyed fiend that was looking back. The boy closed his eyes and let loose a morning light.

PULSE!

He was back to reality and was seeing the chain disintegrate to the light, freeing Coalossal and waking him up in shock. The pulse of light reacted to his being and the darkness burst out, bringing life into his eyes. He fell on his rear, completely dazed to what is happening as Sora, Kairi and Jack worked together to make a stair way to the higher grounds. He looked to Riku, Slowking and Froslass, having a heat of urgency at something he remembered. (Kyurem! That thing's going to destroy everything if we don't get it away from him!)

He stood up with some shaking and Riku gave him a light heal. "Easy, easy!" King helped him up as the boy smiled in good will. "It's good to know that worked. Coalossal, you're thinking of getting some payback?"

The coal monster grunted and used his steam boost to hurry with the group. With the stair way made, Kairi and Sora lead the way up and saw something descend from an opening, a giant snow flake resembling a mustached face. Having a horned lock on it's forehead. It charged up for an ice blast as Sora readied a fling. "Dreepy!"

The newt grabbed onto the blade as Comfey gave a cheer, Dreepy made impact with the lock and back flipped as Sora flung his blade and flowed to the Cryogonal's personal. The snow flake flew to the side and let loose a dark blizzard, Kairi turned half way and swiped a prismatic barrier of light. The Princess followed with a barrage of light flowers as Mimikyu leaped at the Cryogonal and gave him a hurl back to the Guardians. Right to a Haunter that used a finger to tap the forehead and a hand to wave hypnosis. Kairi used the chance to focus a blade on the lock and focus, finding herself in a void with that fiend, showing curved horns, tentacles and a snarl. Kairi gave a righteous scowl and let loose six wings of light, shining herself back to reality and shattering the lock. The Cryogonal was near a fall and was waking up fast from a nightmare before looking down to the Coalossal and follow up mid flight, catching up with Ninetales and chiming.

(Thank you for this, we have one more who was here with the Barren One!) He conjured a reflective barrier as Ninetales was remembering right as she reached a mid point corridor going up to the Glacier. (Oh no!)

Roll!

In a sudden, a rolling ball of icy spikes and pulsating chains was rushing head first after the Ninetales, Haunter and Jack leaped in the way. The Pumpkin King charged up the mystical orb and was taken aback by the swirl of light before tossing it at Haunter, causing his body to crystalize into an electrical yellow. He blocked the iron head bash and countered with a bolt of electricity, sending a frosty long clawed shrew flying back and making a skid. Having that horned lock and a frenzy in his eyes before charging limp.

Stomp! Stomp!

The Guardians spilled in and split to let Coalossal give a counter charge on the Sandslash and send him all the way to a wall. Leap! Sora climbed on the back of the coal beast and flowed after the Sandslash, stomping right before him and pressing a blade on the lock. Finding himself going into the confines of the Sandslash's heart and face to face with that demon. He gave a stare down of justice and channeled out the light.

PEW!

With that lock broken, Sora was back to reality and watched Sandslash fall on his knees, breathing heavily as an after effect. He saw Ninetales and struggled to get up, Sora helped him on his feet and regretted. "Sorry we didn't arrive sooner! Are you going to be okay?" He gave a heal that made the Sandslash wake up more, the shrew wasn't sure if he was sound in the mind and was distracted by the Glacier emitting frost. (There's not a lot of time, this whole Glacier's going to blow if we don't get up there!) He used the snow to make a speedy dash up a stair way, bringing the Guardians up to a giant chamber that was pulsating a dark red aura.

In the epicenter, struggling to fight back, was a pokemon the teenagers dreaded facing. A purple Kyurem with black frozen ice, glowing red eyes and red mark on the head, and that horned lock, binding the dragon in chains. The band called out the dragon's name.

"Kyurem!"

The dragon flinched, like he actually heard them, he faced the band and gave a mighty stomp, as if he was warning them. He spewed out a dark red mist that was taking over, charging up for a region wide glaciate. Coalossal flinched and ran in the way to unleash a heat wave, blasting through the frosty blast. Ninetales brought about another veil as Kairi let Shooter out. "Come on, we need to blast that lock!"

Pop!

Out came the Clawitzer that was sensing a deep, black aura around Kyurem and pin pointed a dark pink veil on the lock. Shooter channeled his aura and aimed with Kairi, firing aura flowers at the lock and causing Kyurem to halt his attack. Sora ran ahead and sent his duo out. "Rusher, Snowball, let's go!" Pop! Out came the Linoone and Darmanitan, the ape gave a hearty roar and stomped the ground in a challenge as Riku called King back and sent out the Sneasel brothers. "Raz, Darter, let's go!"

Leap! The Sneasel brothers landed by their fellow pokemon and were face to face with the corrupted Kyurem, Darter's mouth was gaping in shock as Raz raised his claws in rage. (Of all the,) He rallied with his brother. (Let's teach this monster a lesson!)

Riku ordered fast. "Darter, fake him out! Raz, taunt and keep him from messing something up!" The white Sneasel dashed for a fake out clap and back flipped as his brother gave a spiteful taunt. (Bet you won't be anything without Kyurem,) He raised a brow. (Isn't that right?) The Kyurem was in a daze and a presence caused him to blow a breath from his nostrils. The Linoone sprinted to the lock and gave a tail whip as the Darmanitan worked himself up, Kairi and Shooter flowed to Kyurem's side and fired an aura as Coalossal coughed deep and fired tar at the dragon. Kyurem was gummed up with something that smelled flammable, the coal monster had a smile of a red glow. (That ought to help!)

Kairi knew what that move does. "Coalossal set up a weak spot! Everyone who can use a fire move, let him have it!" Sora ordered. "You heard her Snowball, fire punch!" The Darmanitan galloped after the Kyurem and delivered a scorching punch that left a burn, the tar made the dragon step away as Pumpkaboo gasped. (A burn! We can finish this yet!) He called upon his specters as Mimikyu finished a swords dance and advised. (Let that Linoone get a hit in before you do that!)

Sora sprinted with Rusher and slid to the under belly, the two leaped to the lock and gave a firm strike, Kyurem stood on his hind legs as the lock let loose a purple dark aura and sent the two flying in a pulse. Rusher was getting up as Mimikyu advised. (We're throwing a ghost move in there, but that did a dent!)

Linoone saw the lock was indeed, given a dent. Kyurem crashed to his crouch and made a bull rush, Riku cringed. "Out of the way!" The band jumped away from the shadow rush, Kyurem turned at the Sneasel brothers and fired a shadow pulse, Raz and Darter kept out of the way and were intimidated by the blasts impact.

Bash!

Sandslash rolled to Kyurem's side and gave an iron head ash as Ninetales swiped a moon blast, Kyurem channeled that glaciate as Riku teleported in light and was under the lock, upset that the fiend tried to attack the Sneasels. "You like some of-" Pierce! "This?!"

Kyurem jerked up and swatted Riku away as Jack let loose a fire ball barrage, the opening Pumpkaboo needed to unleash the spirits, ramming at Kyurem and letting loose the power of ghosts. Haunter and Froslass flew after Kyurem and fired a hex combo as Mimikyu leaped at the lock and gave a claw through, nearly breaking it in two. Sora glided a ways, focused on the lock and spun with Dreepy. Comfey curled to the boy's key hand and gave a bit of a dazzle, letting the boy and his newt fly at the Kyurem's lock and give an impact shot that made the lock shatter.

Kyurem stepped back in a collapse, his dark form still in hold. He thrashed wildly and roared, like he was getting into a fight with something. The darkness around the glacier worsen and heartless came scurrying. Sora and Kairi were ready to take the fight to them as Riku kept by the Sneasels and signaled. "Wait, those Heartless are drawn to what ever is possessing Kyurem! They're just a distraction from the real source!"

Kairi cringed. "So what are we going to do?" Coalossal, Ninetales, Sandslash and Cryogonal surrounded the band as Jack had an idea. "You know how to get that stuff out of them, with the power of the Key. We'll keep the Heartless busy while you finish this!" Sora understood and readied a ball. "Quill, help them out!"

Pop!

Out came the Dartrix that saw what was coming and readied his wings, Riku felt a bit unhinged and tossed the beast ball. "Xurkitree, it's time!" Pop!

Out came the Ultra Beast that flipped to a standing pose and saw the encroaching swarm, terrifying him to where his head shined bright. Riku ordered. "Once you set up, you let them have it! It will come naturally!" The Xurktiree nodded and leaped by the Dartrix, giving a glow and letting loose the electric terrain. Mimikyu gave a look to Kyurem and had an idea, keeping by Jack and his ghost friends for that stand.

The Destiny Trio had some pressure off and approached the struggling Kyurem that burst a dark aura and spun a twister of ice. Snowball leaped through the darkness and smashed an icicle crash before he was swatted to the side. Rusher bristled up and fired a pin missile as Darter rushed for a rock smash punch, letting Raz blow an icy wind that slowed the dragon down. Kyurem jerked a head butt at the three as Kairi and Shooter countered with an aura blast, giving Sora and Riku time to slide after the dragon. Snowball sparked in fire and flipped to condense into his Zen Mode, he roared and flipped for a fire punch to Kyurem's back, giving Kairi time to go under with the boys.

They aimed their blades at Kyurem's chest and caused everything to shine in light. They found themselves in a dream scape and let themselves fall to a strange, frigid tower that is pure white, with a black circle in the surroundings. It was fighting back against a pulsating, purple darkness, waiting bellow was a gigantic, hunched back, curve horned demon with a red gem head dress, green glowing eyes and a snarl.

She fired streams of green bolts that the trio dodged in their drop. Getting more and more desperate as they landed slowly. The Demon hissed, let loose a feminine voice "Meddlesome children! This vessel is-" and fired dark tentacle. "mine!" The Destiny Trio rolled out of the way, Sora, Riku and Kairi activated armor, resembling a paladin, dragoon and a red mage. Sora gave a spin with his blade and brought out Rusher, Flowers and the Dreepy as Riku pointed and called upon the Sneasel brothers, Kairi focused and called upon Azu and a Sea Fang that was carrying Crinoid. The Cradily had one look at the demon was gaping on in horror as the Azumarril cringed at the menacing form. "Hooo boy, we're in it now!"

Sea Fang agreed. "Use the stone, use the stone!" Kairi tapped the keystone and aimed her blade as Crinoid nodded. "We're definitely going to need this!" Kairi let loose the power and was smacked over the edge by the demon.

BURST!

Power flowed into Sea Fang and caused him to mega evolve, the demon raised her hands to the air. "Perish with these lands!" Pillars of spiked darkness erupted and rushed after the band, Sora, Rusher and Dreepy made a zig zag flow as Riku and the Sneasel brothers leaped from spike to spike. Kairi sprouted her six wings and flew to battle with Sea Fang as Azu jetted in between the pillars and got up close with the demon, giving it a punch in the chest and expose her to rough play as Crinoid glowed in cosmic power. The Princess and her shark gave a combined slash of water as Sora, Rusher and Dreepy gave a glimmering spearing of extreme speed. Raz leaped over the demons head and knocked the tiara off in a back hand as Darter sprinted for a poison jab spear, leaving Riku to spear the demon in the neck.

The Demon sank into the ground and slithered to her wears, emerging and making the pillars burst into darts. Kairi and Riku slammed their blades to the ground and brought out rising earth and geysers as Sora used the shield to leap over and toss his blade like a spear, having Comfey wrapped around and deliver a twinkling tackle. Making the demon scream as Sora flowed and grabbed the blade, pulling and smacking the Demon across the face. Crinoid followed with a meteor blast that sent the demon slithering into the darkness. Bolts of green power went after the boy as the barrier died down, Azu jetted in the way and conjured a light screen, giving Sora time to flow to his companions.

Riku called to the brothers. "Raz, Darter, let's try this!" The Sneasels hurried as the boy slashed open a rift of light, the three jumped down in style. SLASH! A rift of light ripped open by the Demon and let out Riku, who delivered a slash. Then Raz, who lashed out a shadow claw. Then Darter, who gave a rock smash punch. The three kept the attack up, with Raz switching shadow claw for a knock off on the tiara while Darter delivered swift poison jabs. The combo ended with the three giving a triple morning punch that sent the demon falling into the darkness.

Warp!

The three returned and Kairi had her blade split into a distinct set of fans, blowing to the sky and bringing about rain. BURST! A pillar of dark tentacles erupted from the center and revealed the enraged demon. "Do you really think I'm close to finished?"

Kairi gave a glare back. "What say we are?" She and Sea Fang rushed at a tentacle cluster that was ready to crush the group and clashed against it, as the Demon readied more, something burned from behind. A will-o-wisp that let in a Pumpkaboo, his top hair wiggled at the presence of the demon and he chimed. "We're in, let's finish this exorcism!"

Crackle!

An electrical Haunter flew in with vigor. "Then we'll be free to make this Holiday a spirit raiser!" Flow! Then a Froslass that flew through a snow flake. "A spirit that won't ever fade! For the Pumpkin King has come!"

Burst!

The Demon turned fast as a Jack-o-Lantern materialize, bringing about a burning spirit of terror. The fiend snarled at the arrival. "You!" She lunged a claw that was blasted back by a whip of flames, Pumpkaboo danced to unleash a dazzling confuse ray as Haunter pressed his hands together to conjure a thunder bolt, Froslass flew to the hand and gave a frosty bite. The Spirit of Hallows Eve raised his elbows in a menacing pose, his voice echoed. "How dare you come to these lands and treat it so shamefully!" The Demon flung Froslass away and fired a green bolt, the Pumpkin King twirled around it in style and unleashed a stream of flames. "The seasons do not welcome you, any longer!"

The Demon reeled back as Sora recognize the voice. "Jack?! But how did he-" Riku guessed. "Pumpkaboo!" That is understandable, a four sync harmony echo'd in the heartscape. A howl of a fiery snowman, a melody of a nine tailed fox, the hooting of an owl and the snips of a pistol shrimp.

The heart scape began to freeze, Jack and Haunter were in a dance and unleashed a sync blast of flames and lightning as Froslass flew back and tossed ice shards, triggering something that made the Demon realize something waking free. "No... no!" She sank her tentacles into the freezing ice in a desperate attempt to keep control. The fire rift sparked in blue and let in a Mimikyu that flew after the Demon as a specter of fire. "You're leaving!"

He leaped and sprouted a collection of tendrils, letting the Demon see the glowing red eyes under the cloak, bringing absolute terror. The Destiny Trio and their band were ready to join in when Kairi sensed Namine by her, with the Forgotten Chain on the ground. The witch had her eyes closed, communicating with someone. She opened her eyes and tilted her head side ways, unleashing a frosty mist with silence. The mist took the form of something crawling from the darkness, a dark colored Kyurem with purple eyes, a purple mark on the forehead and his frozen parts with a bluish white. The eyes had a white iris and black pupils. He glowed in frigid power and shifted between two forms in a blink, bringing the Demon to realize she's cornered. One of Kyurem's forms, was a dinosaur with black, machine like wings. The other looked more draconic with white fur. Both have tail that gave of a glow of a generator. The black one glowed green electricity, the other of burning purple. Having cords that match the color. Kyurem channeled his frigid power and bellowed in a deep roar.

"GET OUT!"

BURST!

He fired an ice ball that burned in fire and crackled in electricity, blasting into the demon and causing everything to burst in a blizzard light. The Destiny Trio found themselves back to reality, with Rusher, Dreepy, Flowers and the Sneasel brothers beside them. Right behind them was Snowball, Shooter, Quil, Ninetales, Jack and the ghosts. Taking the chance, once Xurktiree turned the tables on the Heartless, to lend some aid. Kyurem was left to collapse, his corrupted form quickly being dispelled and revealing a color that was still dark to the eyes, but at the same time had a gleam. The blizzard of light rippled across the Glacier and caused it to break apart into cracks. There wasn't much time to make a fast getaway and the band looked for an exit, Kyurem pushed himself up and used the last of his strength to blast out a hole in the wall, bringing about something to fly in.

A cosmic purple bat with the edges of her wings having a yellow arch, resembling the shape of a moon while here head looked like a moon shape crown. The Lunala saw the band had quite a fight and used her third eye to radiate a shine of the moon, making everything seem like a blink. Once the band regained their vision, they were back in Christmas Town, with the blizzard dying down and the barrier glimmering away. The Destiny Trio had enough will to look to their side and find Kyurem laying with them, snorting out some relief, along with the cosmic bat that had a gleam of concern. Then came Santa and the Elves, the big man gasped at the menagerie. "Goodness!"

He asked his helpers. "Bring as many inside as you can. This isn't the kind of weather for sleeping." Sora felt a bit of relief and passed out, finding himself in a dream of the isles. Resting by a tree, along with his two friends who've passed out themselves. The spikey haired boy asked. "Did we actually do it?" Riku wasn't even panicking from the black out. "Looks like it, we kicked that Demon out of Kyurem."

"And in turn, he kicked the Demon out of the world."

Kairi spotted Namine and Roxas approaching to give a crouch. The Princess smirked. "You've gave Kyurem that push once Jack and those ghosts started to call to him?"

Namine nodded. "Kyurem's heart might be missing some parts, but he remembers what it was like. A gray that is in sync to the feelings of bonds and justice. A Light and Darkness that became one. The Holidays ought to rest easily now."

Kairi remembered from the picture. "The parts, the Dragons of Truth and the Ideals?" Namine let her other know she's correct. "Lacking those parts made it easy for the Demon to get in there, but filling those parts in was what helped Kyurem fight back."

Roxas thought about why the other two dragons are important. "The Truth of what is and the Ideal you want? They go together and go against each other at the same time." Sora nodded in agreement. "All the time. One becomes either like the Light or the Dark depending on who you'd ask." He realized. "Oh." Kairi nudged to Sora in a tease. "A horrible truth that we don't got to accept if we want to change things as we wish. Or simple truth that someone with a darker ideal wants to change." Riku smirked to the philosophy. "Or things are as we wanted it to be. That balance, is what Kyurem is meant to contain. But now, what are we going to do with him?"

Namine shrugged. "It's as you said, we are meant to catch these pokemon and get them off world. But with that Demon gone, they ought to be able to take it easier in a world that is just right for them to make a home out of." Roxas asked for her. "Is it right for us to take that away from them?"

It was voted, no. Especially from Sora. "Not if they don't want to. We... should try asking if any of them want to come with us and help." Roxas didn't mind that answer. "I got a hunch that the pokemon we've caught are going to say yes. But it wouldn't hurt to get some consent." He focused on a more serious thought. "I hope our friends are having some luck out there too. They need to know about where those things are coming from."

Riku crossed his arms. "Yeah, now we know that Maleficent isn't behind that. But you want to bet she's got new plans once these pokemon make some noise?" That is agreed, what ever their usual adversary is up to, it is going to diabolical and as cataclysmic if ignored.

The trio found themselves waking up to the office in the work shop. Raz was wide awake, munching on a candy cane when he noticed the three waking up. He stood up fast and jumped. (They're waking up!) The trio looked around to find Jack putting himself back together, they have only a few loose ends to finish up.

Back at the Hinterlands.

Dusclops, Sally, Misdreavus and Houndoom were keeping a close eye on a door about to let loose a growing burst. It began to die down, a sign that something was accomplished. The Beacon hmmed. (Oh my!) Houndoom barked. (Oh my what?) Dusclops turned around and clapped in joy. (They've done it, they cleansed the land of the evil that tried to undo us. Now we wait.)

Sally understood what was being talked about and put a hand to her chest. "Phew! I knew it was gonna happen." Misdreavus twirled in a cheer. (They went at it like a bunch of pros.) She blushed as Dusclops pressed her fingers together. (Is there something you seek to do before they return?) Misdreavus nodded in anticipation. (I... know something that I had hidden around one of the scarecrows. I think Riku might like to know what that does for me.) She controlled her breathing. (If he's going to make me come along, he's gonna have to earn it!)

Dusclops and Houndoom envisioned a purple witch of a spirit, having a longer body to fit a dress, three red gems around the neck. The witch had a smaller set of eyes of similar color to Misdreavus. Houndoom sneezed, thinking the ghost was overreacting. (Take it easy, he's just a human.) Dusclops agreed with that. (But, this might enlighten him and the Day Dwellers, if a ghost like that lend aid.) Sally had an idea about what is being talked about. "If you got a surprise for our friends, you better get that ready. Who knows when they're going to come back." Misdreavus gave a yep yep and was ready to take off. (I got to make this special. I'll be right back!)

Woosh!

She flew off to the outskirts of the town, marked by a scarecrow watching a Pumpkin Patch. A raven was perching on a distant one and turned to notice the ghost that was looking for something under a particular scarecrow. A cloth pouch, disguised as a prop, with a push, a purple black stone dropped off. A dusk stone. The Misdreavus was nervous about what the stone would do, closed her eyes and stuck her tongue out as a way to touch the rock. It glowed in dusk and flowed energy into her being, altering her body to look like a typical witch with a wild, hair like hat. Pew! With that, Misdreavus opened her eyes and looked to herself before spinning in a chant like glee. "Mismagius!" (Hurray!)

She flew to a discarded mirror and checked herself out. (Looking good girl!) She gave a smooch to the mirror and felt a presence near, she saw in the mirror, a ripple of darkness that blotted out the light. The witch turned around and saw a green orb fly at her, one resembling a dusk ball that Riku used on her.

Tap!

The dusk ball yanked her into a shroud and landed on the ground. The ball was glowing green energy that kept it in place, while it shook in a thrash, making an attempt to escape with each shake until it gave a click. The raven in the back drop, flew over to the one who sent that ball, a particular wicked fairy that kept herself hidden until she was aware that the heroes were too busy to notice. She had the ball float to her scepter and serve as a head piece as the bird perched on her shoulder. The witch smiled wickedly at the potential and begun laughing, echoing through out the land scape as she disappeared back into the darkness.