Disclaimer: I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me.
It was a splendid day in Kalos.
Well, as far as Serena Yvonne Gabena the Everlasting, Undying Queen of Kalos, was concerned, every day in her nation was a splendid day. Kalos was the land of beauty, and as its monarch she strived to make every day lovelier than the last.
Dressed in her most regal and fashionable gown and her finest and most dazzling jewels, the Queen overlooked the gala unfolding before her elevated throne, people from every corner of Kalos and every level of society dressed in their finest as well as they mingled and feasted and took part in the marvelous dance choreographed and orchestrated by her dear friend and retainer Tierno. At her left hand stood her majordomo Trevor, smartly dressed with his Rotom phone at hand, to her right stood her beloved starter, partner, advisor, tutor, sorceress, Oracle, and sister in all but blood, Jeanne the Delphox, while her dear concubines Shauna and Korrina groveled at her feet, chained to her throne and wearing incredibly skimpy – yet fashionable – slave girl outfits.
"Another beautiful gala, just as We always dreamed of hosting when We were young," Serena said with a happy sigh. "How are we doing, Trevor?"
"The proceeds from the gala are more than three times the target we need to build that new habitat for displaced and traumatized Rotom left over from the fall of the Rotom Phone Company," Trevor reported, flashing his own phone and the electric ghost voluntarily inhabiting it a smile to let it know he appreciated it's loyalty.
"Triple?! That is good news!" Serena exclaimed, amazed. "More than enough to build a few more orphanages and fund several scholarships, We should think?"
"I've already earmarked the surplus funds for that budget," Trevor informed her.
Serena laughed. "Anticipating Our needs as always, Trevor… This truly was the role you were born for."
Trevor bowed gallantly. "I am as ever at your service, your Majesty."
"That so many are willing to give so much is proof of the kind of country you have turned Kalos into," Jeanne said proudly. "The one you were destined to rule, mistress."
"We cannot take all the credit," Serena said with genuine humility. "Kalos is the land of beauty, and that includes inner beauty as well. While there are indeed tarnished souls that no amount of polish can make pure," she said, her beaming smile fading slightly at the thought of that man. "By and large, Our subjects are good at heart, and all We have done is given them a chance to shine. We have granted them a kingdom where they need not fear poverty, hunger, discrimination, or oppression. A place where everyone has the right to be happy."
"Your Majesty, can I get something from the buffet? I'm hungry," Calem, her footstool, complained.
"Furniture neither speaks nor needs to eat, Calem," Serena reminded him gently.
"Oh, right."
"You know, I could just turn him into an actual footstool, you know," Jeanne pointed out.
"No, that would be cruel," Serena murmured back.
"Not full-time, just, you know, when you're using him as a footstool-"
Their conversation was interrupted, never to be restarted, when a susurrus filled the room. Serena glanced back at the gala, where the elegant dance patterns Tierno had crafted was starting to come apart – oh dear, the poor man looked as if he were about to burst into tears, he'd worked hard on it! – As someone walked straight across the floor towards Serena.
A someone who definitely wasn't following the dress code.
However, considering the interloper's identity, such a faux pas could be forgiven.
"Essentia!" Serena cried delight, rising from her throne and walking down the steps towards the woman clad in a very formfitting black bodysuit with orange shoulders and an orange mask dominated by a large E. "We weren't sure you'd come! And dressed for work as well…" She frowned. "We do hope Our favorite superhero isn't here on official business?"
Essentia knelt before her queen, pounding a fist to her chest. "Regrettably, your Majesty, I am. Someone in this room-"
"Hold that thought. Everyone, it's nothing to worry about, please resume the festivities!" Serena called to her guests, gesturing at the conductor to get his band playing again. As music once more filled the room and the guests tentatively and then more enthusiastically resumed their dance, much to Tierno's relief, Serena cast a spell of silence to make sure nobody could overhear as she was joined by a concerned Jeanne and Trevor. "No need to cause a panic just yet. Now, you were saying?"
Calem, unnoticed by everyone, snuck off to get a bite to eat now that he was no longer being used as a footstool.
"Someone in this room is plotting to kill you," Essentia said seriously.
While Trevor looked dismayed, Serena and Jeanne didn't seem particularly concerned. "We'd honestly be surprised if one or more people in this room weren't plotting to do so. Whether they could accomplish it, on the other hand, is a more difficult question. We are immortal after all, Our dress has so many protective spells woven into it it's practically more magic than fabric, and Our darling Jeanne is here as well to protect Us."
"As am I," Durendal said, floating by her side.
"Durendal, We specifically remember giving you the day off so you could spend it with Alda," Serena tutted.
"But my Queen-"
"Sir Durendal, a noble knight does not leave a lady waiting!" Serena chided him, shooting him away. "Go on, be with your love! We'll be fine."
"… As you wish," Durendal said reluctantly, drifting off to resume dancing with his beloved Magearna soulmate.
"Your Majesty, this is serious. There is an assassin in this room, wielding a weapon that may be able to kill even you," Essentia warned the Queen.
Serena frowned. "Is that so? Who, then, and how?"
"It would have to be someone very skilled to evade my wards and clairvoyance," a skeptical Jeanne pointed out.
"It would be much easier if the assassin had been compromised, and was someone whom your wards included," Essentia replied, much to Jeanne's discomfort.
"You are implying that one of Our dear friends is trying to kill Us, though not necessarily willingly," Serena said with a frown. "Who, then? Who do you lay this horrendous allegation against?"
Essentia glanced at Trevor and Jeanne hesitantly, then beckoned for Serena to come closer. The Queen leaned down as Essentia moved towards her ear and whispered…
"Vive la Revolution."
And then she thrust a dagger into the Queen's chest-
Only for a powerful hand to grab her wrist just before the blade could strike home. "No."
While Jeanne gasped and Trevor looked as if he were about to have a heart attack, Serena, who hadn't so much as flinched, glanced up at the interloper with a bright smile. "Well! We don't remember sending you an invitation, but We suppose We can overlook it in this instance. Would you happen to be a member of the Septentriones We've been hearing so much about lately?"
"We are," said the mysterious being, a two-headed vaguely humanoid figure that looked to be made of red and purple liquid metal, each head having a single white spot for a face or eye. "We are Gemini. Our great King Polaris learned of a threat against your life from our Oracle, Cassiopeia, and dispatched us to intervene, for your death, or incapacitation, would throw all Kalos into turmoil."
"Splendid! We must thank him personally if We get the chance for sending you to help. So, if you're Gemini, which of you is Castor and which is Pollux, then?" Serena asked.
The two heads exchanged surprised looks.
"Castor," said the red.
"Pollux," said the purple.
"Marvelous! It is a pleasure to meet you both," Serena said brightly, rising to her feet.
Jeanne facepawed. Trevor looked like he was about to faint.
"… You are taking this a lot better than we thought you would," Gemini admitted.
"We have seen stranger, and this is far from Our first failed assassination, though this is the first time one of Our trusted friends was the one responsible," Serena said, giving Essentia a hurt look. "Speaking of, Jeanne, could you perhaps tell Us why Our dear friend and favorite superhero attempted to kill Us?"
Jeanne sighed. "I suppose I might as well," she muttered, approaching Essentia, who hadn't moved since Gemini had grabbed her wrist. If anything, she seemed… Lost. Jeanne hesitated when she examined the dagger in her hand. "Oh. Well. This may explain a few things."
"What?" Gemini, Serena, and Trevor all asked.
"Examine the blade with your true sight, mistress," Jeanne suggested.
A third eye opened on the Queen's forehead, something Gemini seemed to find fascinating. "Oh," Serena said after a moment. "Yes, you're right, that does explain everything."
"If Her Majesty might deign to inform the rest of us what it explains?" An exasperated Trevor asked.
"This blade-" Serena began to speak at the same time Castor said, "The weapon is cursed."
Serena gave Gemini a surprised look. "I didn't know you aliens knew anything about magic."
"The universe is a massive place. Your world is not the only one with magic," Gemini explained.
"Oh, that explains it. But yes, the blade is cursed, specifically by the Unseelie, and it's made of cold iron so can actually pierce my magical defenses," Serena explained.
Trevor gasped. "The Unseelie! Yes, that does explain it. They must've ensorcelled Essentia into being your unwitting assassin, there's no way she would ever turn against you willingly!"
"These Unseelie are known enemies of yours?" Gemini asked.
Serena nodded. "Oh yes, while We are beloved by most of the realm of magic, much of the Unseelie Court has been seeking Our downfall ever since Durendal defeated and humiliated the agent they sent to try and manipulate dear Lillie a while back, despite Oberon warning them not to act against Us, or at least, not directly. This is just the latest in a long line of attempts they have made to unseat Us from Our throne. Could that blade have actually killed Us, Jeanne?"
Jeanne tapped the dagger with her wand, causing it to shatter, its pieces bursting into eerie flames and vanishing. "We'll never know now."
Essentia shuddered and looked around in confusion. "What? Where… What… What was I…" She gasped. "Your Majesty! I was… I was trying to warn you about a plot, someone here was trying to kill you, someone… Someone…" She trailed off, bewildered. "… Me? Wait… Why would I-"
"Calm yourself, dear friend," Serena said gently, placing a hand on the masked woman's shoulder. "You were bewitched by the wicked Unseelie. We know you would never act against Us of your own volition. Thankfully, you were prevented from carrying out their evil scheme by Our new friend here, Gemini," she said, nodding at the alien.
"Greetings," Gemini said. "By the way, your Majesty, why do you keep speaking as if you are more than one person? Are you a dual consciousness like us?"
"Oh, no, it's a classical royalty sort of thing," Serena said, tapping her head. "The only one in here is me, We're afraid."
"Ah."
"I… Again, my mind was not my own? Once more I was used as a puppet by one with diabolical plans?" Essentia cried in dismay.
"It is all right, Essentia, nobody will hold your actions against you, no blame shall fall upon you," Serena said gently.
Essentia, understandably, didn't look convinced. "Even so, to be controlled again… I… I'd thought that after Xerosic-" She gasped. "Xerosic… Your Majesty, I just remembered! It may have been the Unseelie who brainwashed me, but it was Team Flare who brought me to them!"
Serena's eyes widened. "An alliance between the Unseelie Court and Team Flare?! Sacre bleu!"
"We had thought Team Flare to be defunct," Gemini commented.
"After Malva managed to escape facing justice for her part in Lysandre's scheme, she started rebuilding Team Flare to try and fulfill Lysandre's ambitions, but with Xerosic behind bars and Lysandre and his resources gone, they've been but a shadow of their former glory," Trevor reported. "However, if they've truly joined forces with the Unseelie…"
"Then they may be an even greater threat than they were at the height of their power," Jeanne said in dismay.
"Xerosic… He was there. He helped them reprogram me," Essentia said, shuddering in disgust, revulsion, and shame. "And…" She gasped, remembering something else. "Your Majesty… This attack was just a feint! What they're really trying to do is-"
The ground started to shake, the chandeliers jingling and swinging ominously. Explosions and screams could be heard in the distance. As the guests and staff looked around in alarm, Calem quickly shoved as much food as he could in his mouth.
"Everyone, remain calm!" Serena shouted, using a spell to amplify her voice with a few charms of soothing and charisma to dampen their fears and make them more susceptible to her commands. "We will investigate this personally! Continue the gala in Our absence, with any luck, We shall be back well within the hour to rejoin the festivities!"
She glanced at Tierno, who nodded and quickly started urging people to dance again as the musicians hesitantly started playing again.
"Jeanne-" Serena murmured to her partner.
The Delphox murmured a few words, flicked her wand, and suddenly the five (six? How did one count Gemini?) Were transported to one of the many balconies on the exterior of Serena's palace, allowing them to see-
Oh.
Oh dear.
Was that… Zygarde?
No, wait, of course it wasn't Zygarde, last she checked, Zygarde wasn't made of stone. It was, however, a giant stone monster reminiscent of Zygarde's 50% Forme with a glowing red crystal for a left eye, a glowing red core, and a lower body comprised of stone vines that were rapidly pulling it across the ground, destroying everything in its path as it came at them –
No, wait, it wasn't coming at them, it looked as if it was going by them?
Serena couldn't help huffing. So, whatever this kaiju was, it didn't think her palace – big and brilliant and beautiful – was an appealing target?! Well! She'd show this thing the error of its ways soon enough!
"Jeanne, teleport Us in this thing's path, We're going to make it pay for ignoring Us-"
"Wait, your Majesty, why is it ignoring us?" A perplexed Trevor interrupted. "If this is truly the result of a joint venture between the remnants of Team Flare and the Unseelie Court, shouldn't it be coming right towards us?"
Serena blinked. That… Was actually a good point. "Where is it going?" She wondered.
"In the direction of Anistar City," Gemini reported.
"Anistar?!" Serena exclaimed, outraged. "While of course it's a perfectly lovely city and home to a major gym, what could possibly interest them here?!"
"Isn't Anistar City home to a sundial made from an enormous meteorite similar in composition to a Mega Stone?" Trevor recalled.
Serena paused. "Well, yes, but what's it going to do, Mega Evolve or something? Zygarde doesn't even have a Mega form!"
"That's not Zygarde-" Jeanne pointed out.
"Yes, We know, but it's based off of it!"
"Not… Mega Evolve," Essentia grunted, clutching her head. "I'm… Remembering more… Your Majesty, look… Look at the thing's back. Those spikes… They aren't made of stone!"
"Not made of…" Serena quickly opened her third eye again and took another look at the monstrosity, and her blood went cold.
The remnants of the Ultimate Weapon were growing from the creature's back.
"Oh," she whispered. "Oh no."
"I thought… I thought that thing was gone for good!" The horrified Trevor protested, also recognizing the spikes. "Destroyed and buried back beneath the earth!"
"With the help of the Unseelie, Team Flare were able to excavate it, integrate it into that monstrosity," Essentia said. "And… That's not the only thing-"
"We're detecting a life sign from the construct," Gemini suddenly said. "It's-"
"I know," Serena said faintly, her true sight focused on a frail, emaciated figure rising from the top of the giant rock monster. It was a withered torso rooted in stone, stone vines wrapped around it and piercing its skin, visibly wriggling beneath its flesh. It had sunken eyes and hollow cheeks, runes carved into its forehead and all around its body. A lengthy mane of filthy, matted red hair flowed down its back. "It's him. It's that man."
"Lysandre," Trevor gasped in realization. "They dug him up too?!"
"It does not seem as if being buried underground for several years has treated him well, even with his immortality," Gemini observed.
"But… That still makes no sense!" Jeanne protested. "If they really did unearth him and fuse him with the remains of the Ultimate Weapon, why is he not using it against us? Why is he going to Anistar?"
"There is a tremendous amount of energy building up within that construct," Gemini said. "We believe if it makes contact with the sundial in Anistar-"
"He'll have enough energy to destroy the entire region," Essentia said grimly. "If not wipe out the planet."
"But I will survive, as will he, as will all who have been granted immortality by the Ultimate Weapon, perhaps even by other means," Serena said in horror. "Forced to live in the ashes of an empty, dying world… Do the Unseelie truly hate me so much they would destroy an entire planet just to spite me? Wicked as they are, they are still creatures of fairy and love the natural world!"
"They would," Jeanne said in disgust. "It is not as if they would be affected, after all. The fey realms would be untouched by the devastation of the Ultimate Weapon, and it is not as if this is the only world their plane is connected to. They can always find new fun elsewhere."
"And Oberon and Titania and Diana would allow it?!" Serena demanded, outraged.
"It is not one of their subjects trying to destroy the world, but a human empowered by a deal made with them," Jeanne pointed out. "Unfortunately, the Unseelie have broken no laws that would warrant intervention from a higher power."
"Incorrect," Gemini said. "They have angered a different higher power."
They pointed into the distance, as the air shimmered and a massive spaceship covered in flashing lights appeared, looming over Kalos like a vast, predatory bird. A gigantic hologram of the inhuman figure known the world over as the Star King Polaris manifested before the rock monster.
"Lysandre Gabena," the hologram spoke, his voice echoing across the region. "I am the Star King Polaris, ruler of the galaxy. The very existence of the twisted atrocity you have become defies the laws of the cosmos, and if you are allowed to continue on your path, you will commit planetary genocide, an even more unforgivable sin. I give you one chance to stand down and surrender, lest I be forced to bring my full might against you."
The desiccated living corpse that was, technically, Serena's father pointed a broken finger at the hologram, a wordless shriek rising from a decayed throat, and stone vines lashed out at the projection, doing absolutely nothing because it was just a hologram.
"Very well done. You've made your choice," Polaris said.
The hologram winked out, and a tiny figure that could only be Polaris himself emerged from the underside of the ship, standing on a floating platform.
"Is he going to face that thing himself?" A shocked Trevor wondered.
"I should be doing the same thing!" Serena said angrily. "Jeanne, get us over there!"
"Very well."
"Wait, hang on-" Trevor protested, only for the five or six of them to be teleported onto Polaris's platform, startling the alien monarch.
"You aren't supposed to be here," Polaris said. "Gemini, they aren't supposed to be here!"
"I don't even want to be here," Trevor moaned.
"Our apologies, your Majesty. Queen Serena, like a true monarch, is a force all her own," Gemini apologized.
"I shall take that as a compliment," Serena said smugly. "King Polaris, you are operating on sovereign soil without my permission!"
"I'm not actually operating on your soil-" Polaris started to protest.
"Operating in sovereign airspace, then! That thing over there is my adversary, and so my responsibility! If you want to fight it, it will have to be with me, or not at all!" Serena declared.
Polaris shrugged. "All right."
Serena blinked. "… That was easier than I expected. Now, do you think your Deoxys is strong enough to fight something like that?"
"It will be," Polaris said, raising a hand clutching a Master Ball. "Once I unleash its true power."
Above him, the starship began rumbling and glowing magenta. Magenta particles began to emit from its hull, swirling around them and causing a band on Polaris's wrist to start glowing.
"Hang on," Trevor murmured. "I know these particles…!"
"GALAR particles?!" Serena shrieked. "You dare bring something from those wretched colonizers to my kingdom?!"
"Weren't you planning to have the Aether Foundation establish artificial Power Spots here so you can have Dynamax stadiums like the one they have at Aether Paradise?" Trevor pointed out.
"Yes, but that would be from Alola, not Galar," Serena insisted. "And construction has been pushed back again."
"Well, Kalos is a land rich in ley lines and weak points in the boundaries between here and the more magical realms," Jeanne pointed out.
"Which you'd think would make it easier to establish Power Spots, not harder!" Serena complained. "Galar doesn't have that problem!"
"Galar has had thousands of years to grow accustomed to Power Spots ever since Eternatus fell from the sky millennia ago," Jeanne replied. "We haven't."
Serena scowled. "I suppose that's true…" She admitted grudgingly.
"The energy you call Galar particles existed in space long before they came to your world, so are not purely a Galarian phenomenon," Polaris explained as more and more particles began to infuse his Dynamax Band. "And as the king of space… That power is mine to command! Go, Deoxys! DYNAMAX!"
As his Dynamax Band lit up, the Ball in his hand enlarged significantly, squares of burning magenta energy surrounding it, and he threw it away two-handed, the giant orb spinning through the air before bursting open to release a gargantuan Deoxys roughly the same size as the rock construct, tinged magenta with three swirling reddish clouds swirling over its head.
"… That's a big Deoxys," an awestruck Trevor commented.
"Incredible!" Essentia gasped.
"Deoxys! Use Max Strike!" Polaris commanded.
Deoxys punched the ground, causing glowing cracks to form beneath the rock construct before exploding in yellow energy, enveloping the monster. The construct and the husk of Lysandre both howled, cracks forming across its form as the stone vines flailed about.
"Good! That slowed it down. Now, hit it with Max Mindstorm!" Polaris commanded.
Deoxys cupped its fingers in front of his face and fired colossal psionic energy waves at the giant rock, shattering part of its body, causing its eye and core to flicker, and forcing the monster back several meters. The ground started glowing pink as Psychic Terrain formed as a side effect of the Max Move.
"I see… With Psychic Terrain active, that will only make Deoxys even stronger," Trevor observed. "A clever strategy."
"The next move should finish it," Gemini observed.
"Don't count that man out just yet," Serena growled. "Even in this state, he is not to be underestimated."
"Why do you always call him that instead of by his name-" Essentia queried.
"Because I refuse to humanize him! If he didn't care enough to acknowledge me as his daughter, why should I acknowledge him as a parent?" Serena snapped.
As if to prove her point, the giant rock shrieked again and suddenly lashed out with its stone vines at Deoxys.
"Deoxys, Max Guard!" Polaris commanded.
Deoxys crossed its arms in front of its chest, a light blue energy barrier forming in front of it. The tendrils smashed into it and shattered harmlessly.
"Good job! Now-"
"Wait… That attack was just a cover! Look!" Trevor shouted.
Indeed, while the monster had used some of its vines to fruitlessly attack Deoxys, the rest had buried themselves in the ground. The surrounding soil, already torn up by the constructs advance, began to desiccate and crumble, the surrounding plants and trees withering into nothing, Pokémon fleeing in droves to try and outrun the supernatural decay.
Serena clasped her hands to her mouth, tearing up as her true sight showed her what was truly happening. "No… The energy of the land… The spirits… It… He's devouring them!"
"This magic is forbidden! For the Unseelie to bestow it to him…!" Jeanne snarled, outraged. "There shall be a reckoning for this!"
"Sire, the construct is repairing itself, and it's building up even more energy," Gemini noted in alarm as the broken vines regenerated, the cracks in the construct's form mended themselves, the red glow in its eye and core grew brighter, and the frail form of Lysandre started bulking up. "We must strike now!"
"Right! Deoxys, finish it with Max Mindstorm!" Polaris ordered.
Deoxys concentrated and once again fired a massive psionic blast at the giant rock, the force one and a half times stronger thanks to the Psychic Terrain effect. The psychic rings raced towards the monster…
But it was too late. Lysandre and the construct roared as energy crackled around the broken spikes of the Ultimate Weapon jutting out of its back, and then the weapon's red spire erupted from the giant rock's featureless right eye and fired a horrendously massive red energy beam at them, shredding through the psychic attack in the process.
"Oh shit," Trevor gasped.
"Sire, if that strikes us…!" Gemini shouted.
"Deoxys, Max Guard! Cover all of us! Alcor, shields to max!" Polaris yelled. "And yes, I'm aware of the pun potential, which I'm not using, which should tell you just how serious this is!"
Once again, Deoxys formed a Max Guard, and the ship overhead rumbled and added its own shielding to the mix. The beam slammed into the combined barrier, enveloping everything in baleful crimson light.
But it was just light, and nothing more. The barrier held firm…
And then a crack formed.
"No… Not possible! Nothing can pierce a Max Guard!" A shocked Polaris cried as more cracks began to form in the barrier.
"Clearly, that is incorrect," Pollux observed.
Everyone gave the purple head annoyed looks.
"Jeanne, with me," Serena said, removing her rings and gloves, revealing her palms and the backs of her hands were covered in complex magical patterns which Castor took interest in for some reason.
"Of course, Mistress," Jeanne said, raising her wand.
They both began chanting spells, Serena making a series of hand gestures as mandalas formed around them while Jeanne twirled her wand around, trailing flames which took on elaborate mystical patterns. Serena formed a triangle with her thumbs and index fingers and shouted the final syllable as Jeanne completed the spell seal she'd been crafting, magical circles of light and flame blasting out from them and converging to combine with the barrier, adding two more layers of reinforcement to it. The shields shimmered and cracks started forming, much their relief…
Until more started forming mere seconds later.
"Just how powerful is that thing?!" Polaris shouted.
"It's called the Ultimate Weapon for a reason," Trevor said grimly.
"I have seen stronger," Pollux said. "Not that that is of any comfort to us now, I suppose."
"Not really, no," Castor said.
"Can't hold this… Much… Longer…" Serena said through gritted teeth.
"Come on, Mistress… We can… Do… It…" Jeanne encouraged her.
"Dammit… Shields are almost down to zero… We can't take much more of this!" Polaris cursed.
"Then it is fortunate we will not have to," Pollux said. "I believe the Weapon should run out of power in three… Two… One…"
The shield shattered…
A millisecond after the weapon stopped firing.
Serena and Jeanne staggered as everyone else sighed in relief. "That was way too close," the traumatized Trevor said.
"That does it, I'm proposing after this," Essentia suddenly said. "Life's too short."
"Our shields are completely fried," Polaris reported in dismay, glancing up at the ship, which was listing slightly, small fires breaking out along its hull. "There's no way we can take another blast like that."
"Jeanne and I are spent as well," Serena panted. "We can't pull that off again."
"We may not have to," Gemini said. "Look at the giant rock."
They did. The great construct was starting to move again, but the glow in its eye and core were greatly diminished, and Lysandre looked like he was in a daze.
"It looks like it ran out of juice, or most of it," Essentia noted in surprise.
"Oh! Of course!" Trevor gasped. "Firing the Ultimate Weapon must've used up a ton of its energy!"
"Energy it cannot easily replenish," Serena realized. "The beast was able to power itself by draining the life force from the land around it… But everything around it is dead! Nothing more to feed off! Which is… Actually pretty terrible, but…"
"It means that we may have a chance to stop it, so long as we defeat it before it goes any further," Jeanne concluded.
"Okay! Deoxys, quick, before it can recover! One more Max Mindstorm!" Polaris commanded.
Deoxys prepared to fire…
Only for it to start flashing with energy, the clouds over its head vanishing as it abruptly shrunk down to its regular size, the magenta glow fading.
"No, no, no! Out of time already?! Dammit!" Polaris swore. "Okay, guess we'll have to fight the hard way-"
"Doesn't your ship have weapons?" Essentia asked.
"What? Oh, uh, yeah, but those are busted too," Polaris said quickly. "So, if any of you feel like lending a hand or a Pokémon or six, it would be greatly appreciated."
"Actually, King Polaris," Serena interjected. "I believe this is where I'll take over."
Gemini, who'd been hesitantly reaching for a Pokéball, gave her a surprised look. "We thought you said you were out of magic."
"No, I said I can't pull off another spell of that magnitude right now," Serena corrected her. "However, I don't need any magic for this."
She produced a black and green truncated octahedron and raised it into the air. "Zygarde, leader of the Aura Trio, protector of the ecosystem, the One Who Sits Between, hear me! In the name of Queen Serena Yvonne Gabena the Everlasting, First of Her Name, the One True Queen of Kalos, I invoke the sacred pact! The balance of nature has been grievously disrupted by an imposter who dares to sully your image, and so I call upon you to do your duty and restore Order to the land!"
The octahedron began to glow a brilliant green.
WE HEAR AND WE OBEY.
100 brilliant green streaks of light shot across the sky from every horizon, converging before the giant rock and coalescing to form a titanic black figure with green and white hexagons on its body and head, four serpentine wings with blue and red hexagons, and a lengthy tail with green hexagons on it. Its head was shaped like a crown and its torso looked almost like a vaguely serpentine head with multicolored hexagons in its "mouth."
WE ARE HERE.
Zygarde Complete Forme spread their wings, Dragon heads appearing on the end of each, and bellowed at the giant rock.
"So… That's a complete Zygarde," Gemini murmured.
"It's a lot bigger than I expected," an amazed Polaris admitted.
"Truly a guardian God… And our queen can command it so easily… She truly is the chosen monarch," Essentia whispered in awe.
Trevor smiled. "Is it any question why we revere her so much?"
Lysandre's spine cracked as his torso stood upright, neck and limbs cracking as he contorted naturally, hissing in fury at the fully powered Legendary Pokémon.
ABOMINATION. IMPOSTER. HERETIC. YOU HAVE DEFILED OUR LAND AND MADE A MOCKERY OF OUR PERSONAGE. WE SHALL RESTORE ORDER.
Lysandre shrieked, and the giant rock began to advance towards Zygarde, only for the guardian God to start glowing green.
LAND'S WRATH.
Beams of green light began to emerge from the ground beneath the giant rock, piercing its body, slicing through vines, and causing it to shriek in rage. Flitting about, it launched its vines at Zygarde.
THOUSAND ARROWS.
The deity glowed green again, a thousand beams of green light firing from its body, streaking into the sky, and then raining back down on the giant rock, the energy bolts piercing the vines, pinning them to the ground, and bombarding Lysandre, who howled in agony as he was skewered by dozens of arrows of light.
THOUSAND WAVES.
Zygarde glowed once more, and a thousand waves of green hexagons blasted out from its body, buffeting the giant rock, shattering its vines, and ripping off sizable chunks of its body, leaving it a crumbling mass only barely resembling Zygarde 50% Forme.
Screaming wordlessly and contorting his body in more and more inhuman ways as the vines wriggling beneath his skin extended further and further through his broken body, some even coming out of his mouth, Lysandre ripped out several of the arrows piercing his body, then slammed his hands onto the rocky surface beneath him, vines wrapping around them will. The magical sigils on his body lit up, lines of light ripping through his body and into the stone, energy coursing through newly carved veins in the surface of the construct. The energy converged on the construct's core and spire jutting out of its face, red lightning crackling around its form and what was left of the Weapon pieces on its back as it began powering up again.
"It's going to fire the weapon again?! How?!" A shocked Trevor demanded. "I thought it didn't have any energy source left!"
"No… Thanks to the Unseelie, it does have one source of power left… Lysandre's immortality, an inexhaustible wellspring of life energy!" Jeanne realized.
"Wait, what? Then why hasn't he been just firing that thing constantly?!" Essentia demanded.
"While his life may be infinite, his stamina is not, especially since his body has been forcing itself to stay alive despite being buried underground with no oxygen or sustenance for multiple years," Pollux deduced. "As such, in his current condition, it is unlikely he will be able to generate enough power for more than a single shot before burning out, though it is doubtful even that will truly kill him. However, considering how we barely survived the last time it fired, it is unlikely we will be in any condition to take advantage of his greatly weakened state after the fact."
Serena laughed like a noblewoman, which she was. "You really think we're still in any danger from him? Zygarde, prepare to finish him! And Durendal… To me!"
She extended her hand, and the Aegislash flew into it. "You should never have left without me," the living sword chided her.
Serena rolled her eyes as she equipped her loyal blade's shield on her other hand. "It gave you more time with your one true love, I'm not apologizing. Onward!"
And with that she jumped off the platform, the back of her dress unfolding behind her in such a way that it looked as if she was gliding on a set of fairy wings as she landed on one of Zygarde's wings and began sliding down its surface as they helpfully dug the fangs of its Dragon head into the stony flesh of the giant rock to give her a place to jump off.
Everyone stared for a minute.
Trevor facepalmed. "I really hate it when she does things like this…"
"Well, damn, guess I can't let her show me up like that," Essentia commented before she also jumped off the platform, landed on another wing, and started sliding down its length.
"Of all the – when did people stop sending out Pokémon for this stuff?" A bewildered Polaris wondered. "That wasn't a rhetorical question, I'm serious, Gemini… Gemini?"
Gemini was no longer on the platform.
Polaris sighed. "They jumped too, didn't they?"
"They did," Trevor confirmed.
"Are you going to jump too?" Polaris asked him.
"Only if Her Majesty ordered me to, and even then, I'd have to think about it for a minute," the young man said.
"Good man."
As the Queen, superhero, and alien slid down the wings, Zygarde opened the mouth on their chest, an orb of energy forming in front of it. The giant rock attempted to retreat, but with all of Zygarde's wings digging their fangs into its sides, it couldn't move. Lysandre's eyes darted about, spotting the three women coming towards him as well as the attack Zygarde was charging up, and even in his maddened state he knew he might not be able to fire the Ultimate Weapon in time. He would need to either slow them down or speed things up…
Or rather, he could do both.
Some of the vines wrapped around his waist reluctantly unwound from him, then grabbed three orbs around his waist and flung them out, causing a Mienshao, Honchkrow, and Pyroar to materialize in flashes of light, to everyone's astonishment.
"After all these years, finally we're back!" The Mienshao declared.
"Long have we dreamt of taking our vengeance upon you… You trapped us in eternal darkness for so long!" The Honchkrow snarled.
"But now, it's payback time!" The Pyroar roared.
"He has Pokémon?!" A shocked Essentia exclaimed.
"Of course he does," Trevor realized. "After all, if he was buried all those years ago… His Pokémon must have as well. And since they would have been in their balls the whole time…"
"Then they've no doubt recovered from the beating my team and I gave them in our final battle, especially if the Unseelie or any of his followers healed them before sending that man on his way!" Serena said angrily. She frowned. "Speaking of… Considering his current state, I find myself wondering if any of his mortal followers are still alive, this thing reeks of blood and sacrificial magic."
"Yes, it does-" Castor started to say before Pollux quickly cut in.
"It looks like we may be in for a fight," the purple head said, taking out a Poké Ball.
"Good, I have a lot of aggression to work out," Essentia said, taking out one of her own.
"Why do you think I'm carrying a sword?" Serena quipped.
Lysandre's three Pokémon snarled, tensing for battle…
And so were taken by surprise when stone vines erupted out of the ground they were standing on, wrapped around their bodies, and began digging into their flesh, some even going into their ears, noses, and mouths. As everyone gawked in horror, energy started being drained from the Pokémon and flowing into the giant rock, causing its eye, core, and spire to begin glowing brighter.
"He's draining his own Pokémon?!" Polaris exclaimed in disbelief.
"Of course! They would have been bathed in the power of the Ultimate Weapon and granted immortality as well!" Jeanne realized. "Meaning that just like their trainer, their everlasting life can be used as a power source…"
"And unlike him, they're in a lot better shape, so have much more energy to give!" Trevor exclaimed.
"Merde! Just when I think that man's depravity has reached its limit!" Serena cried in outrage. "Zygarde, could you maybe charge a little faster, s'il te plait?"
NO. WE ALSO DRAW OUR STRENGTH FROM THE LAND, AND THERE IS LITTLE TO BE FOUND HERE. THIS IS THE BEST WE CAN DO.
"Then we shall simply have to remove them from the equation," Serena said grimly. "By which I mean save them, just to be clear. I know I'm carrying a very powerful sword right now, but I was not suggesting we kill them."
"Obviously."
"We figured."
"Just clarifying. Also, I'm pretty sure we can't kill them anyway, since, you know, immortal," Serena added.
However, as they drew closer, Lysandre grinned through all the tendrils wriggling out of his mouth. A vine removed a fourth ball from his waist, and tossed it out, manifesting into a colossal Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokémon bellowing demonically as it emerged.
"My rage knows no limits… All shall feel my fury!" He roared.
Jeanne snarled as Serena flinched. "Of course… That monster still lives as well. And unfortunately, it is now impossible to kill… It must be defeated before we have another Calista!"
"Calista?" Polaris inquired.
"One of Serena's best Pokémon, a Lucario she received from the Tower of Mastery," Trevor explained. "That Gyarados murdered her when she and Serena fought him beneath Lysandre Labs."
"I see… That must've been a devastating loss," Polaris murmured.
Trevor nodded. "Calista wasn't particularly happy about it either."
Polaris gave him a confused look.
Serena reached for a Pokéball and threw it out, releasing what looked like a skeletal Lucario with ghostly flames around its body and bandages, shackles, and a necklace that seemed Pokégyptian in design. "Calista! Want to avenge your own death?"
The undead Lucario grinned ghoulishly. "Gladly!"
Polaris did a double-take. "Is that Lucario a mummy?!"
"More of a revenant, actually," Trevor corrected him. "Long story."
However, Lysandre didn't seem particularly bothered by the presence of the undead Aura Pokémon. Some of the vines around his wrist unwound, revealing a tarnished, dirty ring. "Mega…EVOLVE!"
Lysandre's Mega Ring lit up blindingly, energy racing from it to Gyarados, the sea serpent roaring ferociously as he became bigger, stronger, scarier, and angrier.
"With my true power unleashed, you shall feel the full force of my final fury!" The sea serpent roared.
Serena gritted her teeth for a moment… And then burst into laughter. "Is that supposed to frighten me? I've already beaten that monster before!" She produced her own Mega Ring. "And besides… I have a monster of my own! Calista, Mega Evolve!"
"With pleasure!" Calista howled gleefully as she and the Mega Ring were engulfed in light, gaining more spikes and a crest resembling a Pokégyptian headdress, her shackles became clawed gauntlets, and her Aura-sensing organs unraveled into more bandages. Her grin became even more nightmarish as a Shadow Bone formed in her paws, turning into a ghostly scythe.
"Fascinating," Gemini murmured, staring at the undead Lucario in amazement.
Gyarados bellowed and slapped the ground with his tail, creating a powerful Earthquake which shook the top of the giant rock and broke off the pieces Zygarde's wings were holding on to, causing them to whiplash and fling those sliding down them into the air.
"Crobat, go!"
"Solrock, Lunatone, we choose you!"
"Jeanne, give me wings!"
While Essentia and Gemini summoned Pokémon to keep them from falling to their deaths, Serena, always looking for the most stylish way to accomplish anything, instead had her Delphox cast a spell on her gown so that her fairy wings became actual wings.
That were also on fire because why not.
She swooped down to grab Calista, and very much did not make an unladylike grunt and almost drop her as, not for the first time, she forgot just how heavy the Lucario was, gliding down to land on the top of the giant rock just as the other two arrived. Enraged, the Mega Gyarados rushed forward to attack them, only for Calista to charge towards him.
"Do you remember me, monster? We have unfinished business!" she snarled, leaping at the Mega Gyarados and slashing her Shadow Bone scythe across his face, causing him to recoil, howling in agony.
"You… You're that Lucario I bit in half! Have you come back from the dead to bedevil me?!" The Gyarados snarled incredulously, only to start laughing. "If you think I fear you, Shinigami, think again! I've been blessed by the Light of Ruin… Whatever hell you came from, you cannot drag me there! I am immortal!"
Calista only grinned at this. "You may think that your immortality means you need not fear death at my paws… When in truth, all it means is that your suffering will never end!"
As Calista engaged the sea serpent, Lysandre hissed and willed more stone vines to erupt from the ground around the intruders, seeking to ensnare and crush/drain them.
"Crobat, Air Slash!" Essentia called out.
"Go, Alita! Psycho Cut!" Gemini cried.
The Crobat flapped his wings, releasing multiple light blue glowing saw disk-like energy blades as Gemini sent out an unfamiliar Pokémon looking like some kind of mechanical fusion of Gardevoir and Gallade wielding an energy blade, slashing its weapon through the air and sending out an energy wave which sliced through the stone vines just as easily as Crobat's Air Slash, if not more so.
Serena blinked and gave a puzzled look at the strange Pokémon. "I've never seen a Gardevoir like that… Or… Is it a Gallade? Is it an alien Pokémon from the stars, like yourself, Gemini?"
"It is," Gemini confirmed. "Its name is difficult to translate into your language, but the closest equivalent is Iron Valiant."
Something about that name felt vaguely familiar, but Serena couldn't quite place it. Shrugging it off, she hefted Durendal. "You two free that man's Pokémon. He's all mine. Jeanne!"
Jeanne clasped her hands together in prayer and started chanting. "Oh Durendal, Sword of Kings, Chooser of the One True Ruler, Sword and Shield of the Throne of Kalos, Sacred Sword of Legend, unsheathe your true power! Shine with the power to repel evil!"
Ancient runes began to form on Durendal's blade as he began to shine with holy light. "I have the power!" He cried as Serena raised him into the air.
"Come on, Malamar!" Emma called, sending out the squid-like Pokémon. "Use Night Slash on those vines! Crobat, another Air Slash!"
"Alita, Psycho Cut again!" Gemini commanded.
Crobat flapped his wings, Malamar swiped a tentacle through the air, and Alita lashed out with her weapon, the vines constricting and piercing Lysandre's Pokémon falling to pieces and releasing them.
"Oh Original One… Holy shit… That was… That was vile," the horrified Mienshao stammered, throwing up noisily.
"Boss, why… Why would you do that to us?!" A distraught Honchkrow demanded.
"Take a look at your trainer. Does he really look like he's in a state to care about you, or anything else? After all, wasn't he perfectly happy to annihilate your kind along with most of humanity using the Ultimate Weapon? He's basically just repeating his original plan but on an even grander scale while also being a literal monster! Why should he spare you in that purge?" Essentia demanded.
"Maybe you're right… But don't think we owe you a damn thing!" Pyroar snarled. "Serena needs to pay for what happened to us, and I'm fine starting with you!"
"We don't have time for this. Crobat, Air Slash," Essentia snapped.
"Alita, Spirit Break," Gemini added.
Crobat hit Mienshao with an Air Slash which took him out in one hit, while the Iron Valiant glowed pink before striking the Honchkrow with so much force he was also knocked out instantly.
"What?! HOW?!" Pyroar stammered.
"You may be strong, and immortal, but you haven't fought in years, and you spent the last few minutes having your energy rather gruesomely torn from your bodies," Gemini pointed out.
"Also, we used super effective attacks, and our Pokémon are at higher levels than you are," Essentia added.
Pyroar gulped. "W-well, I won't go down as easily-"
"Malamar, Superpower!" Essentia commanded.
The squid was surrounded in the light blue aura and then slammed a tentacle into the Pyroar, knocking him out in a single blow.
"Guess he did," the Overturning Pokémon commented.
As the energy flowing into the Ultimate Weapon lessened, Serena charged towards what was left of the man partially responsible for bringing her to life. Stone vines erupted from the ground around her and kept trying to strike or bind her, but she elegantly swiped Durendal through the air, the sacred sword easily cleaving the rocky tendrils to pieces with a single cut, rubble falling all around her as she continued in her single-minded advanced towards her old foe.
"So, at last you show the world your true face, the monster that was always hiding behind that frail mask of humanity," Serena commented in disgust as she continued towards him. "You're just as ugly as I've always known you were… Your continued existence is an unsightly blemish on the face of Kalos! This is the land of beauty, and a monster like you has no place here!"
"And you think him unique? There are monsters everywhere, 'Your Majesty!'" Gyarados sneered as he abruptly slithered into her path. "This beautiful kingdom of yours is naught but a ruse, a vain, selfish, shallow attempt to hide the ugliness lurking within everyone's hearts, no more honest than a polished piece of excrement!"
"Not so!" Serena cried. "Mine is a kingdom where everyone is beautiful, on the inside and the out! Those who seek to hurt or exploit others, those with malicious hearts, are the ugly ones whom I cannot tolerate! Even a Garbodor has a place in my domain so long as they have a heart full of kindness… But a monster like you, rotten to the core? You do not belong here, or anywhere else! Your time is over!"
"I am eternal, like yourself, thanks to the Light of Ruin," the Gyarados retorted. "My time shall never end… Your empty words and sophistry do nothing but make me angrier!"
He roared as his eyes glowed red and his body was outlined in a red aura, using Outrage. He lunged forwards, head glowing as he used Iron Head…
Only to slam into her shield. Serena clenched her teeth, her arm trembling, her feet buckling as the massive sea serpent attempted to fling her shield aside and crush or swallow her whole…
But with a fearsome yell, she shoved her shield forward with all her strength, repulsing the Gyarados and allowing her to strike true with her blade, cutting open a huge gash in his stomach and slicing off one of his whiskers and fins.
"What?! Impossible!" He roared.
"My words are far from empty, beast! My ideals are my armor, an impervious defense which no spear can pierce!" She bragged.
"Also, I used King's Shield," Durendal spoke up. Serena shushed him.
Gyarados bellowed in fury and reared back to strike again, only for Calista to appear next to her trainer. "Together, my Queen?" She inquired.
"Together!" Serena echoed.
As Gyarados lunged forwards with another Iron Head, Serena and Calista dodged to the side, driving their blades into Gyarados's body as they dashed past him, cutting him open on both sides. The sea serpent howled in agony as blood gushed from his wounds, collapsing to the ground as his Mega Evolution canceled in a flash of light.
"That was immensely satisfying," Calista commented, dissipating her Shadow Bone scythe.
"As… Will… THIS!" Gyarados roared, managing to fight through his pain to turn around and lunge at Calista. "I bit you in two before… And I will do so again-"
Calista formed another Shadow Bone and thrusted it forwards, the weapon catching in Gyarados's mouth. He snarled and thrashed about, trying to dislodge it, but the undead Lucario jumped, landing on top of his broken crest. "Go! I'll finish him!" She cried, forming a Shadow Ball in one paw and an Aura Sphere in the other.
Serena nodded, saluted the revenant, and kept going.
Calista threw both orbs into Gyarados's mouth, breaking the Shadow Bone and causing him to slam his jaws shut before he realized what he was doing. His eyes widened in horror. Calista grinned. "Bottoms up!"
As an explosion went off behind her, Serena charged forwards, what was left of Lysandre her target. Shaking with rage, and perhaps more than a little fear, the husk shrieked, causing more stone vines to burst from the ground. Serena expertly dodged the obstacles, slashing through them with her blade and repelling them with her shield, teeth clenched in determination as she drew ever closer. In one last desperate attempt for salvation, Lysandre raised a barrier of interwoven stone vines to try and protect himself.
It was no use.
Serena swung her blade.
Debris flew everywhere.
Durendal cut into flesh.
And the Queen stood some distance away, her back to the man that in another life could've been her father, blade outstretched.
And then, in an explosion of stone and blood, Lysandre's mummified body was cleaved completely from the giant rock, his frail form tumbling through the air, screaming soundlessly.
The rock trembled, the glow from its eye, core, and spire dimming immensely. It struggled to keep charging up the Ultimate Weapon for one final attack-
But Zygarde beat them to it.
CORE ENFORCER!
The orb in its mouth fired a Z-shaped beam of multicolored energy which pierced the giant rock and continued off into the distance over the horizon. The beam kept firing for several seconds before finally dying down, leaving a giant glowing green Z carved into the core of the giant rock. Green light radiated from the construct before it exploded in a spectacular blast of emerald rays.
IT IS DONE.
Serena, who had been teleported off the construct along with everyone else by Jeanne at the last moment, gave the deity a grateful smile. "Thank you, Zygarde."
BALANCE HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED.
"Let me worry about that," she said, producing a Master Ball. "Xerneas, I choose you!"
In a flash of beautiful colored light, the majestic deer Pokémon appeared on the ground below. She sketched an incredibly graceful bow to her trainer. "What may I do for you, my Queen?"
"Xerneas, the life has been stolen from this land as surely as if Yveltal had taken it herself. Do your duty and restore this place to its former beauty," Serena commanded.
"As you wish."
Xerneas started emitting green and rainbow-colored waves of energy from her body which spread across the defiled land, grass, flowers, and trees growing back within seconds. In a matter of minutes, everything the rock construct had destroyed was mended, if not better than before.
"Incredible," an amazed Polaris murmured.
"A power like that could be used to terraform any number of worlds, or restore life to many places on this planet," Gemini observed.
"Oh, absolutely, but of course the governments who own that land don't want me anywhere near it," Serena snorted. "Politics."
"Your Majesty, you yourself are the highest politician in the land," Trevor pointed out.
"Yes, Trevor, I am aware of that," Serena said in irritation.
"As always, my Queen, your skill puts mine to shame," Essentia said, bowing her head. "I see I shall have to strive even harder if I'm to be a hero worthy of protecting our country."
"You've always been that hero in my eyes, Essentia," Serena said fondly, putting a hand on her shoulder. "But never keep striving for greatness. There is no beauty to be found in remaining static and unchanged, only stagnation."
"As you say, my Queen."
"So, what will you do with them?" Polaris asked, gesturing to the barely breathing form of Lysandre and his unconscious Pokémon, including a grievously wounded Gyarados.
Serena sighed. "Jeanne, do you think execution to be the right choice here? Assuming he can be killed, either by Yveltal or the deeper magic of our fairy allies? Killing him could make him a martyr, while sparing him could lead to he or his followers making more trouble for us down the line."
"Given his ties to the Unseelie, he should be brought before King Oberon and Queen Titania," Jeanne said instantly. "He used power granted him by treacherous fairies, and so he should be judged by fairy monarchs. And trust me when I say that once he is in their realm, he will be unable to escape, or ever trouble us again."
Serena nodded. "Well, they are your in-laws, so you would know better than I." She glanced at Calista. "Are you satisfied with your victory?"
"He killed me, I hurt him so badly he probably wishes he can die," Calista said smugly. "I think the scales are balanced now."
"Splendid. And as for our visitors from the stars…" Serena curtsied to Polaris and Gemini. "Thank you, both of you, for helping us. You saved Our life and aided Us in defeating a great evil. From this day forth, We promise you that the Septentriones are free to operate on Kalosian soil with Our blessing. Is there anything else We can do to repay you?"
"That's most kind of you, your Majesty, but-" Polaris started to say.
"Actually, if it would not be too much of a bother, maybe have some of the scrapings from Xerneas's antlers?" Castor interrupted. "We have reason to believe they have a variety of very beneficial properties."
"You would be correct in believing so," Serena confirmed. "We should probably be a bit more cautious as to what you might possibly need them for… But given how you saved Our life and aided Us in saving the region, We suppose We can spare a few."
"You are most kind, your Majesty," Castor said gratefully. "Which begs another question: since we aided you, are we at risk of retaliation from the Unseelie Court?"
"Oh, right, that's a good point," Polaris said in concern. "If they were willing to destroy the entire region if not the world just because you slighted them once, what would they do to us?"
Jeanne grimaced. "Something rather disproportionate, or at least from your perspective, as is often the case with the fey. While it is my hope that King Oberon and Queen Titania will crack down on those responsible hard enough to make them think twice before trying anything like this again… As a precaution, I suggest you always carry some cold iron on you. They can't stand it."
"Good to know," Polaris said.
"Now, We believe We have a gala to return to," Serena announced. "King Polaris, We do not suppose you or your subordinates would be willing to attend? You've demonstrated your trustworthiness to the throne this day, and We feel like that deserves to be recognized."
"Your Majesty, are you certain that this is a wise decision?" Trevor asked. "The Septentriones have been causing a great deal of disruption on the world stage. Giving your tacit approval for them to operate in our land is one thing, but publicly accepting them? There may be repercussions."
"Trevor, darling, We're an immortal mage-Queen and Our wife talks to God on a regular basis," Serena said dismissively. "We're not really worried about repercussions." She grinned. "Also, it'll make my Galarian counterpart furious."
Trevor sighed in exasperation. "Of course it will."
Polaris and Gemini exchanged glances. "Well… I suppose we're not in a hurry to leave just yet," the Star King admitted.
Serena clapped her hands together. "Splendid! Back to the gala, then!"
CAN WE COME?
"Certainly!" Serena told Zygarde. "The more the merrier!"
Several minutes later, Gemini observed the gala from an upper balcony overlooking the festivities. Serena was dancing with the surprisingly sure-footed Polaris while her wife, the recently arrived Metatron Berlitz, watched in amusement while waiting for her turn. Jeanne was dancing with her own wife, Diana, who was also here to take Lysandre and his Pokémon back to her parents once the gala was over to face judgment.
The rest of the Septentriones were in attendance, surrounded by crowds of amazed and curious guests, while Deoxys was hovering in a corner with a glass of sparkling cider in one hand and a blank look in their eyes, creeping everyone out. Essentia had vanished, citing business elsewhere, but shortly after a girl named Emma arrived in a flamboyant gown, apologizing for her lateness, and was quickly accepted into the queen's inner circle. Zygarde was peeking in through one of the windows and had snaked one of their wings in to eat at the buffet. Why they hadn't split into their smaller 10% Formes to come inside was unclear.
At some point a caber smashed through a window and buried itself in a large ice sculpture of Serena's head, several profanities carved into its side. The Queen had oddly been thrilled at this and insisted that they leave it where it was.
"This certainly wasn't the outcome I had anticipated," Cassiopeia, or rather, Penny said in Castor and Pollux's ears.
Or rather, Julie and ANNA's ears.
"Nyou should know that whenever we involved, things rarely go to plan," Julie said in amusement.
"I must say, I am impressed by how comfortable this costume is," ANNA remarked. "And the program used to not only disguise our voices but hide our particular accents is impressive."
"You can thank Atticus and Giacomo for that," Penny said proudly.
"Very well. Thank you, Atticus and Giacomo," ANNA said.
"You're welcome!" The Septentriones Dubhe and Megrez replied from below.
"So, what did you two think of your first mission?" Penny asked.
"Fun! We get to meet magic queen and save region from evil monster man!" Julie said excitedly.
"I must say, I was somewhat overwhelmed by Serena's abilities and skill. Is this how other people feel, being around us?" ANNA wondered.
"I think that's how a lot of people feel about the current generation of champions. Including the two of you, of course," Penny said. "Just about every single one of them is practically a whole other breed of being. Only a few of them can still be classified as baseline 'human' anymore, and the fact that they can still stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest makes them stand out even more."
"So cool!" Julie exclaimed.
"That reminds me," ANNA said. "Sister, is Queen Serena anything like your ancestor?"
Julie frowned. "High Queen Lumina? Mmm… Nyot exactly. Only met Lumina one time in vision, most what Julie knyow from stories. Lumina seem… Wise. Mature. Experienced. Been Queen for long long time. Serena just starting out. Strong, nyes. Wise? Nyot so much."
ANNA nodded in agreement. "Indeed. She seems like a responsible leader, but she has a long way to go before being like Mother Computer."
"Well, she's immortal, meaning she's got a long time to learn that sort of thing," Penny commented. "So, you two gonna actually join in rather than lurk about? I bet Julie is hungry. Plus, there's a ton of pretty girls down there."
"Julie is, and there are!" Julie confirmed.
"Perhaps in a bit. I do not feel like dancing or interacting much with these people when I am unable to be my true self," ANNA admitted. "Any relationship or dalliance we have with them would be built on deceit, and unfair to them. I understand the necessity of pretending to be someone I am not, and I do not regret agreeing to it, but that does not mean I am entirely comfortable doing so. If any of our friends were here, on the other hand…"
"Well, you know Nemona would be all for it except her moms are a little hesitant to let her participate in something like this again after what happened in Lavinia, and Arven is still on the fence," Penny reminded them.
"Shame. Hey! Maybe Penpen come someday?" Julie asked hopefully. "Getting out of prison eventually, right?"
"Indeed, there is nothing stopping you from obtaining a costume for yourself and being here in person," ANNA agreed.
"Thanks, but I think we all know I'm better off being the girl in the chair. Also I don't dance. Ever," Penny said bluntly.
"Yes, I remember what happened at prom all too well," ANNA admitted.
"So much fire…" Julie murmured, sounding haunted.
"Still. I'm glad the two of you agreed to join my little group of sci-fi vigilantes. It's… Great to work with you again," Penny said fondly.
"We have missed you a great deal," ANNA said warmly.
"Arar back! Nene back! Just need Penpen back for good and everything like it nyused to be!" Julie said happily. "Only thing better is…" She trailed off.
"We will get home," ANNA insisted.
"Julie still worried about sister's prophecy," Julie admitted.
"As am I. But remember, so long as the two of us are together, nothing can stop us," ANNA said confidently.
"Right!" Julie agreed easily enough.
Penny sighed. "It's almost unnatural how well the two of you get along. It's never been like that between Peonia and I."
"You say that, and yet she is here, alongside your father, dressing up and participating in your games of intrigue," ANNA pointed out.
"Nyeah! If she nyot care about nyou, she nyot here at all, nyeah?" Julie agreed.
"… I guess… That's right…" Penny murmured. "Maybe I should talk to her… Shit. I needed you guys more than I realized. I thought I was doing okay being the big mastermind, but I think ultimately, I was just trying to distract myself from how much I missed my best friends."
"You will not lose us again," ANNA promised. "Even once we open the way home, we will still be a part of your life."
"Nyep! Got lots of pretty girls to introduce nyou to back home! They like brainy kittens in nyour color," Julie purred.
"And I can think of a number of my peers who would love to probe you," ANNA added.
"… I think I need to spend some time with my Veevees," Penny said, voice husky. "Dad'll take you home once is over. I'll be in touch about your next mission. Uh, bye."
She hung up.
The sisters laughed.
And then Julie's stomach rumbled.
"Julie hungry."
"Very well," ANNA said immediately. "Let us see if we can get some food before Zygarde or that shirtless boy eats it all."
"CALEM!" Serena shouted from below.
"I'm off the clock, I'm not furniture right now!" Calem protested, stuffing his mouth and making a disgusting mess and keeping anyone from getting anywhere near the buffet.
The Queen sighed in exasperation. "This is why your mother thinks you'll never amount to anything! You'll never get a boy and/or girl if you remain a footstool for the rest of your life!"
"Well maybe I LIKE being a footstool and having your feet on me!" Calem replied stubbornly.
Everyone in the room stared at him.
Calem paled. "… Should not have said that."
Serena facepalmed. "For the love of Arceus, Calem!"
"They really don't like it when you take Their name in vain-" Dawn started.
"NOT NOW, DAWN!"
"'Tis well to see the ladies fair in action again," Palkia commented, watching events unfold from on high.
"Yes, their antics both amuse and entertain," Dialga agreed.
"'Tis a pity they have no idea what lies ahead," Giritina commented.
Arceus nodded grimly. "Their greatest trial shall soon begin…"