At an dead end used as a movie theater, Poppy and her assistants finished setting up a worthwhile stand with a trio of ducklings. It was enough for performers to express the fullness of their moves. An Alolan Raichu, a Galarian Darmanitan, a Scizor, a Solrock and a purple Articuno, finished setting up stage lights and streamer launchers. The girl nodded her head and addressed a rich looking duck man who helped over see the procedure. "This will do in case we're tempted to try again this during an evening. Mr. Duck."

Scrooge imagined such an event would charm in locals and travelers alike if allowed. "Providing that this fiasco has proven to be a success." The girl headed to a stand with a list and called to a gang that were helping with the décor. "Given how limited the pokemon are here, thankfully, it could prove difficult to pull it off again. But with some worthwhile contestants, once ought to be enough." She brought out a pen and tapped it. "Now, I'll need some names and the pokemon you'll bring along?"

Litzia squeed to Lauriam and hurried to the receptionist desk, signing Solrock and herself up as the pink haired man signed Roselia up. A rock star came along with a Jigglypuff and felt nervous. "So we just got to make a show that's good enough and that will be it?" Poppy nodded. "If I heard right, the first thing you did when you captured those two, was making a small band. You can't go wrong with a head start."

Isa looked to the exit. "Speaking of which, Lea should be back here by now." Poppy didn't wish to imagine what was keeping the pyromancer busy. "And the lightning lady said she saw a swimming light bulb in a fountain." She started with the first three and found a four man band of teenagers arriving. The two in particular was a boy with blondish spikey hair and an elegant blonde lady. The boy having a Charcadet that was looking around and the girl had a Smeargle that was drawn in by the simple structure. The hooded boys had a Murkrow on a shoulder and a Scraggy by a foot. The four whispered in a plan, with the leader guessing by the two stands. "Despite everything, people are actually showing up for this?"

The hooded boy with the Murkrow hurried to a bench. "You guys go sign up if you want to do this, I'll make sure no one makes a scene. Good luck."

The lady of the four noticed Poppy serving as a receptionist and approached first. "Poppy, I'm presuming? Who's going to be tallying up the scores for this?" The girl in glasses pointed to herself. "Me and my cousin, once he shows himself, will be the judges. He's a Top Coordinator for a reason and he knows moves that go together. I happen to be the harsh critic."

She was ready to sign some participants in as the bystanders recognized two of the arrivals. The lead boy leaned, wanting to whisper to Poppy's ear. "Do... you mind if you keep our names hidden, anything can work as long as you know." The serious looking youngster put the end of a pen in her mouth and thought about it, there's definitely a reason. She looked down to the pokemon and found most of them relatively happy. "Well... a mystery could draw in a bigger crowd." She allowed it. "Alright, I'll still need your names. Please."

The regal lady took the initiative. "Namine." Poppy started. "Nme" She giggled as the unhooded boy whispered his. "Roxas." "Rs" The hooded boy whispered his. "Denryk." Poppy finished. "Drk." She had the names listed. "And that makes an even six. Hopefully we'll have more soon, we only have a first place prize though... so expect a tough crowd. Now for your partners." The teenagers showed theirs, Poppy placed the name Charcadet by Rs, Smeargle by Nme and Scraggy by Drk. The receptionist admitted. "I'm hoping we get an eight to eight or greater, someone said something about finding a light bulb by the fountain that could participate, if she can get it ready in time."

That is pretty odd, the mysterious girl asked. "And much longer until the contest starts?" Poppy checked her phone. "In a few hours. If there's any changes you like to consider, now's a perfect time."

Denryk and Scraggy crossed their arms like gangsters. "Scraggy and I have it figured out already." The fighting type nodded confidently as the Charcadet gave him a dull stare. Namine looked over to her partner, who was quite passionate about the activity and decided. "How about, for the sake of this contest, we go figure out what's holding some of our participants up? They got to have caught something by now."

That is agreed upon and Roxas had an idea on where to look. "I'll check by the tower, you'll search that fountain and Denryk," The hoodlum was willing to listen and let his superior continue. "Try talking with some of the participants, you're going to need that." Denryk grew a smile, one of a competitor that is wanting to see what is going to be offered as a challenge. "Looks pretty fun. I'll see what we're going up against for good measure."

The rough neck duo went to have a look at who is competing as the couple took off and split into separate roads. The witch and the Smeargle took their time enjoying the sights, either the moment of freedom was that intoxicating or Kairi has witnessed something most pleasing.

The Smeargle gave a merry hum and asked as he took the tip of his tail and waved it around. (Do you think we're in for a show today?) Namine nodded in a way fit for a lady. "Everyone feels like they're going to put their hearts into it, what ever happens, it will show the naysayers what can be achieved if they stop being afraid. Speaking of which, I'm aware that every move you can learn, has been copied from your real one. Sketch. Where have you learned some of them?" Smeargle wasn't one to sell out a fellow pokemon. (It's an artists secret, but they've been provided for by some aiding fellows that are hiding over there.)

He pointed to a road going to the deeper town. Flap! Flap! Perch! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! (Hey, you're not suppose to tell anyone about that.) Smeargle looked up to a post, showing a gray body starling that was getting defensive. The artist waved. (Do not fear, Namine's a trusty friend!)

Namine looked to the bird and gasped at a pokemon she recognizes. She pointed dramatically. "A ha! Starly, you must be a pokemon that have taught Smeargle a utility move? To go along with sticky web and nuzzle?" The Starly nodded. (And one other.) Namine realized what move a Starly could teach. "On it's own, whirlwind isn't too special. But if used with sticky web and nuzzle, you might be able to play around with your opponent before going for-" She pressed two fingers together and pointed with deadly precision. "that finishing blow."

Smeargle blushed at the dramatic acting as Starly tilt his head side ways and chirped. (Are you another artist or something?) Namine nodded and watched the bird get hit with a realization, Starly fell off the post in a comedic reaction. Namine gave a noble woman's giggle and readied a poke ball. "In the mean time." She tossed it casually and watched it snag the bird in, it landed three times and clicked before the girl let him out.

Starly was standing upright and had a pulsing vein. (Hey, that wasn't funny!) The witch put a hand to her chest and apologized. "Sorry about that, but it had to be done. A town like this has got to be scary for a bird like you." The Starly sighed. (Tell me about it.) Namine invited the bird to perch on her shoulder, at the least having a shoulder to stand on would calm some nerves down.

The band continued to a rest area that had a fountain in the center. Where a certain blonde woman with a Joltik at a stone ledge, was tying a piece of lemon candy to a string of a make shift fishing pole. She cast it to the water, if to attract a light bulb with a tadpole's tail. Namine felt many triggering memories of a sadistic she devil that made the first moments of her existence a complete nightmare. But the tadpole was a bigger priority, the Starly felt a shake and chirped to snap Namine out of the moment and they had a closer look, finding the tadpole had a cartoonish face with white dots for eyes, having a circle of orange around each one. Along with a line for a mouth that had yellow cheeks.

The Tadbulb gave off an electric shock and swam over to the bait, the woman readied a dive ball and licked her lips. "Just a little closer."

The tadpole got close at her own tempo as the sweet dissolved, she had a few licks and delighted at the sour taste, unaware of a ball that was flung right at her and catching her almost flawlessly.

Click!

The Joltik jumped in excitement over a plan that worked as the woman gave a girly giggle. "We did it Statik, we finally caught her!" She reached to pluck the ball out. "You're going to be a darling." The seductive voice was certainly new and triggered Namine's instinct for fight or flight, the woman let out the Tadbulb that floated in mid air and wagged her tail. She gave an enlightening croak and directed the duos attention to the bystander. Joltik jumped back at the instinct as the woman turned, recognized Namine and rubbed her eyes. "Wait, wait, wait!"

She shook her head in hope that clears her vision, the three were still there and the woman cringed. "I'm not really hallucinating this, am I?"

Namine shook her head coldly. "Afraid not Elrena, my guess is that Tadbulb was swimming in the one place where people would stick their hands in." The woman recalled being given a sharp jolt that didn't phase her too much. "Figured that out the hard way," She puffed her cheeks and pressed her lips together. "So... what are you doing out of Kairi?" The witch felt there wasn't any harm in answering. "Me and Roxas found a stronger means of dream projecting, so we could spend some time and help where Sora and Kairi won't be present."

She raised a brow. "So, how bad is this clean up coming? One of Smeargle's art friends flew by and made himself a pretty quick capture." Elrena felt a bit of venom in that voice. "Have you tried telling these guys how to get it done? I had to spend some alone time just so I don't get distracted? Some of these guys kind of look like any ordinary animal at a distance too." That was agreeable. "Touche! Well... at least the progress is something. Do you know what kind of moves this Tadbulb has? There's that contest that's going to happen in a few."

Elrena recalled seeing the Tadbulb in a few short fights. "Yeah, she charges up and lets loose a parabolic charge. Sapping out the jolt in the nerves you need to move, other than that she's a muddy one." She guessed by the Smeargle who is having some talent. "You signed up for that thing too?"

Namine admitted. "Totally, think you can come up with something big in three hours?" Elrena quickly felt an idea and watched Tadbulb light up. "If something of her size can make a spark that big, it'll make a point."

Joltik climbed up her arm and made for the hair as the adult asked. "You picked up a special pokemon or something? The more the better?" Namine petted Smeargle and showed a beast ball, if to let out a Poipole that was off guard by the twilight shine. "Poipole is my starter, but Smeargle can make any move possible if he can sketch it." She pet the artist and turned back where she came. "After this contest, we'll handle some of messes that's still in this quiet little town. If you all are helping, then it would be fine enough as long as we don't get in each other's way."

Elrena sighed at something close enough to cooperation. "Thanks for the hand." She confessed. "To be honest, might have better luck talking things with my bestie. She's been all over this ever since she took the job." That's considered an option as the ladies kept a distance and head back to the theater.

At the Bistro.

Lil' Chef was in the quiet restaurant, during the post lunch hour, and read a poorly written and short resume. Looking at him in excitement was small reptilian, green, pepper kappa with no arms, a white cap and a single tooth. It was incident the other day, where this Capsakid was wandering in hunger, when the Chef took some pity on him and treated him to some soup that was made of left over vegetables. The creature wanting to return the gratitude wasn't the ordeal though, most of what this creature understands involve Spanish spices, which do nothing but burn the rodent's noses on the memory. There was one particular spice to show, if to keep the Capsakid from getting disappointed, he took out a card and showed a red pepper known as Espelette. Something the Capsakid could specialize in, he gave a dance in glee. (Yeah, yeah, yeah. That bit of spice is going to be real nice!)

Click! Jingle!

The interview was interrupted by a teenage boy in a hoodie and a Charcadet arriving, the boy closed the door and raised his hands. The Chef and Capsakid hid behind a decorative plant as the boy turned and promised. "I know what you are, because I've worked close with Sora. No one's going to tell." That completely blew the Chef's cover and he stepped out of hiding with his aspiring employee, Roxas saw the green pokemon and called it by name. "A Capsakid?! Is he thinking about making something spicy around here?"

The two nodded and the Chef rubbed his nose to signal heat, the Charcadet crossed his arms and guessed. (That's nice, but the food here isn't meant for that level of spiciness.) He asked the kid. (What brought you here in the first place?)

The Capsakid had a nervous giggle. (I was starving when I got here and those greedy Raticates were hogging all the food they stole. I got a quick sniff and followed it all the way here to ask the Chef. The soup here's good stuff.) He asked. (Have you guys cooked here?)

Roxas had a guess the Capsakid was asking if he been to the place before. "While I got to experience it, Sora was the one who did the cooking." He had a look at a card with the red pepper and thought of an idea to get Capsakid a place to say. "Hey, if we can get this, maybe he can get some lessons?"

The duo didn't feel like it would hurt to try and Roxas offered the Chef a ride up the arm and behind the hoodie, the rodent went to get some munny for an errand when the door jingled once more. A Torkoal barged in and gave a bellowing. "Koal!" (Hello, I would like to ask if you've met anyone with a spice to them!)

Following behind him was a man with red spikey hair, knowing that the Torkoal was going to irritate anyone inside. "Careful going in here, this is a high class restaurant that you're smoking up!"

Torkoal huhed and looked up to find a white sign with a black bar that had spoke coming out of the end. Marked with a red circle with a cross. He cringed. (Hooo boy.) He took a few steps to get out and apologized. (We have to burn the coals we store up, so all we do is smoke.) Charcadet sighed at something in nature. (I think that sign is talking about a different smoke, but it is smoke regardless.)

The red head kept the door open and promised. "Yeah, yeah, I'll ask if they have some when we're done asking-" He noticed the odd kid in the room, almost not recognizing him under the hoodie, Roxas undid it and had a casual smile. "Lea right?"

The pryomancer knew he didn't ingest anything to make him hallucinate and kept an awkward stare, Roxas crossed his arms and knew a question that was to be asked. "It's a long story, I'm technically safe inside Sora while dreaming I'm out here. We got pokemon to catch in this town and a contest that's going to start today. How you've been?" The pyromancer laughed in defeat, his former partner in crime in a past life knows enough of the whole story. "Oh the expected. Getting by until we get conscripted into another gig." He gave where it's due for something he decided to partake in. "I didn't think partnering up with these guys would help, but this Torkoal's pretty brash and he's got the heat!"

Roxas smirked at the wishful thinking and went for his backpack. "It's going to be a long while, before we figure out what we're going to do with all these pokemon. But until then, being their friend is for the best. Speaking of which," He was envisioning something spectacular. "Are you planning to do that contest with Torkoal? I read some good stuff about him?"

Lea readied to refuse, when he felt an inner temptation in the heart, he saw Capsakid waddle to him with a wide, one tooth smile. One wanting to see a fiery show. The grown up rested a hand on his hip, contemplating letting his heart make the choice, he looked over to the eager Charcadet, who's clearly Roxas's main partner, then focus on the boy. "That depends, are you doing it?"

Roxas nodded. "Totally, I'm still thinking about whether or not I should evolve Charcadet today or later." He opened his back pack and showed the set of malicious armor. "The brother that's with Terra, used a bright looking set of to evolve into an Armarouge. This one would turn a Charcadet into the other, Ceruledge."

The Charcadet took a distance to look upon the armor and he was tempted to hop like a child, the pyromancer saw that desire and asked. "But why aren't you letting him?" Roxas answered with his eyes squinting to a possibility of ignorance. "Ceruledge is part ghost and people here will think the worst if they see that." Lea laughed sarcastically. "And that's a problem because? What is the point of this show again?"

Charcadet remembered. (To disprove the peoples suspicions about us. This could make it a greater challenge.) Roxas knew what the Charcadet said and felt both points were reasonable, there was one other that brought him towards bringing the armor out. "And I also think you had enough of waiting, Charcadet!" He laid the suit out and raised a finger. "But, we're going to be honing out the habits we heard about, once we see them. Understand?"

The Charcadet nodded and approached the armor, he fit right in and lit up with building excitement. The armor gave a blue glow and surrounded the fire type in that power, causing him to ignite in cerulean. The two were engulfed in the glow and the Charcadet grew taller, the armor shot extra plating for the arms and legs. The Charcadet's hands ignited short fiery blades, his ears grew longer and pointy, while his hair turned into an rising pony tail.

Roxas felt his heart leap at the drastic evolution as the glow ceased, revealing a Charcadet with blue skin to go with the black armor and having small blades of violet tips. A violet that matched the eyes, the Ceruledge whistled at his form and used a nearby mirror to check himself out, he focused upon his blades and had them expand. Lea and Torkoal were quite speechless as Lil' Chef was fascinated by the growth. The Ceruledge laughed a little. (Now we can get started!)

The dual wielding pose gave Roxas an idea for a spectacle. "I think I know something that can help us get that edge! If you need an overhaul on moves, now's the time." Capsakid clapped to the idea as Ceruledge was ready to head out with his partner, Lea remembered what he came inside for. He brought out a nest ball and asked. "Capsakid... want to come with us? We need more to catch a pokemon that's been getting on our nerves."

The pepper snickered and hopped. (Oh yeah! I'm liking this!)

Fling! Tap! Shake! Click!

The capture itself was pretty swift and it wasn't long until the grass type was let out. It was quite the mellow outcome to leave the bistro on, with a small audience present, Roxas had Ceruledge go to one end of a street while walking to another. The boy drew out his two keyblades and let the knight know he's not alone in the pose. "You look like the kind of pokemon who can use a move like swords dance."

He gave his blades a spin before crossing them fiercely. The Ceruledge saw a complication with the pose, due to his blades being his hands, but being more a rebel is more of his specialty anyways. He crossed his blades into an x pattern, spun his arms and use the momentum to slice his blades together. It was a simple change, but it was effective.

Roxas repeated his pose in a faster pace. "Try that again, you know how to do it now!" The Ceruledge did so to invigorate himself and to compliment that, ignited in blue flames and charged across the street. He followed with a ruthless shadow claw and back flipped to kick will-o-wisps at the imaginary foe. That after the repeat, caused quite the impression for the small crowd. The trainer and his partner crossed blades once more, into a sync battle pose. Roxas felt that vigor and lowered his blades. "Excellent, now for the next lesson. We're going to heading back to that theater and people are going to be talking about this. If they're saying any crud, ignore them. They're not worth the trouble."

The Ceruledge nodded, waited for Roxas to be at his side and followed him, with Lil' Chef having nostalgia of his own struggles and Capsakid squeeing. Lea and Torkoal looked to the little one with an agreement. "It's one thing to keep trying and a whole different level to pull it off. But the way I'm seeing it, it's going to be natural." He conjured his chakram and gave it a spin. "Furnace, you're seeing this?" The Torkoal realize that's his nickname and grunted, he curled up into his shell and demonstrated a rapid spin, the pyromancer smirked. "You saw it, and you got it. Now, what can go well with the spinning flames?"

Back at the Theater.

Denryk and Scraggy tried to socialize by having a chat with some of the competition, if to amuse themselves with challengers towards their stunt. Only to be completely astonished by a story Medy had to share, with his mild humming Jigglypuff and an hopping, scythed, red cricket with a long mustache and resemblance to a violin. "You caused Kricketot to evolve into a Kricketune just by starting up a band together? What?"

The rocket star was about as surprised and admitted. "Yeah, we kept getting some stink eyes around here and I needed a break." He shrugged. "Who knew that some of these guys like music that much." He had a rather proud smile. "So we had idea to make a band right before we were told that this gig was happening." He laughed to that as Jigglypuff admitted. (We might need a rising tune, but we're going to knock out the crowd soon enough.)

Scraggy half lowered his eye lids. (We're still gonna beat ya.) Denryk sensed the arrogant tone, pressed his lips together and whispered. "Hey, hey, hey! I want to see where this is going, stay sporty, ya hear!" He spoke up his own idea. "We're not going to be a bunch of slackers, try to knock us out of our socks and we'll show we got the beat. Ya hear?"

Medy's imagining a duo of hot blooded hoodlums pulling off brutal dance moves, inhaled and lost himself in thought before blowing out. "Why haven't any of the kids try that one?" Lauriam shrugged elegantly as Litzia was practicing a small dance with Pix and Solrock. "Between the prejudice, the attacks and the aggression, they wouldn't be intertwined enough for even that."

Litzia agreed with that much and noticed something about the boys face. "Hey, Denryk, you look a bit familiar. Have we've visited a store together or something?" Denryk's gray eyes showed a lack of concern for the suspicion. "Nah. I'm just some hired muscle."

He was interested in the meteor with squinted eyes showing black lines and each having a spec of red. "So how did you catch this sun rock? Looks like something you find in outer space." Litzia blushed fondly. "Me and Pix thought we saw something shooting in the sky. A burning comet and a flying moon, dancing together. I spotted the burning comet getting close to the town and I... took a flight to get at it's tail. After that, the other noticed and took off to the mountain."

Pix felt it was about right and giggled in mischief as Litzia regretted a miss timed judgement. "Should we have focused on catching the both of them while we had the chance?" Denryk shook his head. "Nah, it might be your job, but this place was a mess and if that moon cares, he'll start coming down more often once he see's his buddy hanging out with ya."

Lauriam noticed two members of the Destiny Trio, a band of a Slowking, two Sneasels, a dancing wild ghost, Azu and a youngster who was looking around in excitement and spotting the cousin at the receptionist desk. "It appears our other judge has arrived."

Denryk turned around to find familiar faces and adjusted his hoodie, cursing out dryly. "Ah great." The grown up shrugged and pat the teenager on the shoulder. "We'll be fine as long as we don't blunder."

Denryk had a jerk reaction to push the hand away and chose to try and ignore it, he looked over to his partner. "Hey Scraggy, you mind if we practice before the game?" Scraggy watched Kairi pick a seat and send out a band of a Cradily, a Clawitzer and a Sharpedo that caused him to shake and hid behind the leg for protection. To his misfortune though, Leon spotted the odd one of the group and pointed at the hooded teenager.

Denryk saw his chance to try and chase away attention and approached with a rough tone. "Hey, don't ya know that pointing like that is only gonna make some of us point back?"

Leon saw the rough behavior and squinted his eyes, he countered with a princely tone. "You and Dupmic did us a favor, so of course that's going to recognized." Denryk saw that didn't work and realize some bodies are missing. "Speaking of people who are recognized, where did Sora go off too?"

Leon expected that since their is a few missing faces. "He, along with his buddies, Donald and Goofy, have taking a detour to finish this report and likely pick up Terra." He addressed the Flutter Mane that was giving praise to the twilight sky and exploring the technological wonders, much to the stress of Riku and the Sneasel brothers. "I think you can see one of the reasons for that?"

Denryk was drawn in by the spectral beauty and notice it had parts of a feathered reptile. "Oi, that's one of the odd ones!" He gasped and asked out loud. "Are Riku and Kairi going to join up on the gig? That ghost could be a show stopper!" Kairi over heard that and looked pained to hear a familiar voice, she approached and pretended that she doesn't know of his origins. "I'm not, it's pretty late for us to think of something that big. But maybe next time we'll give it a go Lil-" She realize what she nearly said and stopped at a heart skip, Denryk saw that pained look and shifted his gaze to the side. "Come on, I wouldn't have stopped you."

Riku signaled his three partners stay put and was seeing a pause in lively talk, the oldest boy saw a difference in the tone he was hearing and played along. "I'm only wanting to bring King and the brothers for this show. I'll be cheating if I have her-" He point his thumb to the wild ghost. "perform in this when everyone's just picking up on that trend."

Denryk flinched and whined out. "Come on, I want to see it! You and Kairi both know something about where she came from and this is big!"

Tap!

The hooded teenager felt a slight tap on his right leg and looked down to find Darter giving a stare at him, Riku took a deep breath in response to the rather rude remark, made sure Denryk was paying attention and put a hand to his shoulder. Forcing the hoodlum to look at a squad leader eye to eye, at a certain aura of authority. "Denryk, you know that this pokemon is not normal! Even the guys who've worked with enough pokemon, would know that this pokemon isn't normal." He let go and worsen his frown. "Your name's got a difference, I'll tell you that much."

Denryk felt intimidated, but something about it enticed him. "So... once you guys seen enough, you're going to take off for the next spot? We're about to make a lot of noise as it is."

Flap! Tap! Tap! Tap!

Riku felt something land on his head and give him a light peck on the beanie, he shooed away a Murkow as Dupmic sneaked by Denryk and wrapped an arm around him. "You already are big shot!" The gray eyed hoodlum tensed and blushed, what ever stance he had has faltered and he tried to think of a way to escape. In a sudden, they heard a high pitch, almost electronic trumpet of an elephant.

It was a noise that especially caused the Flutter Mane to cease what she was doing and look over to the direction of the clock tower. Kairi and Riku were given a fast text from Sora. "Running a bit late, found big news and a new friend. Is Scrooge around here?"

Riku found it as his chance to leave the conversation and headed to the rich duck. "So, where did the other two walk off to?" Kairi picked up anxiety that simmered to tolerance as Denryk didn't feel it hurt. "Rs and Nme, as the judge is going to call them. Are making sure we get enough contestants to make this show happen. I got left behind to socialize."

The teenagers noticed Leon had already went over to his cousin, being given an offer he wouldn't refuse and squeeing. He took a spot at a stand in seat while setting up notes and his Rotom Dex. Kairi whistled. "This might be a tough one, kid's a professional coordinator."

The band noticed a few figures arriving, an odd sight of Namine and Elrena of all people sharing a few tips for the event. Namine was with Smeargle, Poipole and had a Starly on her shoulder as Elrena was keeping watch of an excited Tadbulb. The witch let the electric specialist take off and spotted Kairi with an encounter of her own. She hurried as her spirit sister was amazed by the dress, waiting to whisper. "Namine, where did you find that dress?"

The witch blushed and gestured to Dupmic. "One of the boys bought me and Roxas some new clothes, we got pretty drenched in some heavy rain. We've done some work this morning." Kairi noticed the chirping bird and had one look at the Smeargle and gasped. "I heard of this one!" She crouched to pet the artist. "This pokemon would suit you if you got some things in common." Smeargle blushed as Namine confessed. "He is an inspiring artist and he's a clue towards some interesting pokemon that could be hidden in the town. Sketch helps him lean moves from all kinds of pokemon, make that as you will."

"Eek!"

The group had their conversation interrupted by a few noises of terror, Roxas was making a return as Lea was giving a few people a look and deciding to focus on something more important. A Capsakid that was by him was taking off with a sneaky rodent, all the way to Scrooge. The Torkoal at the hip gave off a rapid spin and hurried to the receptionist stand, encouraging his pyromancer partner to hurry along. Roxas had his hands to his hips as a partner by his side, a Ceruledge that was more in a zen. Riku and Dupmic were blown away by the drastic change from a Charcadet as Namine was blushing. "And thus, the other brother has don the armor of regrets and honed a power befitting that disciplined aura. The two approached as Namine gave a cordial bow. "Good to see you've made the choice, Twilit Knights."

Roxas blushed as the Ceruledge hesitated to accept that term. (I...I've only put on this armor a few minutes ago, haven't done anything yet.) He scratched the side of his head as his partner flushed and asked. "Hey, didn't I sign you're name as Charcadet? Wouldn't someone complain if they find out you're not that anymore?" The partner realized that. (A real big jerk might and it only takes one to kill the mood.)

The duo hurried over to the receptionists that were drawn in by the Ceruledge, Leon had hearts in his eyes as Poppy was already working on crossing a name out. "This is unusual. But this has happened, sometimes a trainer saves the item for the show as a way to display evolution."

Leon was under the spectral sway. "Which isn't always a bad idea, especially if the evolution is drastic." He sighed. "But I can think of a lot of good reasons why you didn't do that." Roxas pointed out the most important. "He's got moves that are way too different from when he was a cadet and that evolution wouldn't matter if we botch the performance." He smirked arrogantly. "Ceruledge and I got something figured out." The Ceruledge grunted and crossed his arms as Poppy written the name. "Ceruledge." She dusted the list and smiled in gratitude. "This is convenient to know ahead of time. This isn't our first time seeing a ghost and fire type in action, but the ones we've known about have always had a dangerous... if mesmerizing charm to them."

Leon agreed with her on that. "We'll be extra critical on you two." He shifted his eyes over to Namine and the Smeargle. "and a few others, it's a common mistake for any new coordinator, to use as many of the fancier moves as possible... without giving a momentum to go with them. A fiery wrath, by itself, won't be nearly as impressive without a nasty plot to power it up or a hurricane to make it into a storm."

Roxas knows the youngster is talking about Namine and got defensive. "Hey, hey! I like her drawings and she knew what she was doing when she caught that Smeargle." Leon pretended not to believes it. "That's what all the Smeargle Trainers say before they learn that there's a fine line between art and imitation! So they better blow us away with some crafty thinking."

Roxas picked up on a clue, half turn to see Namine with that bird and realize that if Smeargle was being picky, then he picked up on distinct moves with a connecting theme. "They will, if Smeargle's focuses on what he's good at, then Namine's figured it all out by now." Leon winked and had the Rotom Phone go along with the boy. "Just in case, a really crafty Smeargle who's trying to survive out here, would have found his moves by now. Make sure they double check that, because the moves they can learn can be the really exclusive ones that mesh well if they had another to go along with them."

Roxas did so and left Leon to be given a stare from his cousin, as the youngster was being lectured, the boy returned with the lent phone. "Hey Namine, were you also figuring out the rest of the moves that Smeargle has?"

The lady in the dress nodded. "There's one more of the four that remain, nuzzle doesn't do much damage but it always paralyzes, sticky web can tangle someone who steps on it and whirl wind can blow someone away. Which I hear that for matches, can force a pokemon to step onto that web."

Roxas had the dex analyze the Smeargle and pick up on the remaining move, showing one with a black logo. Smeargle looked up to it as Namine squinted her eyes. "Like this one, taunt. The target is taunted into a rage and can only use offensive moves for..." She's impressed. "A masterwork of a trap."

She petted the Smeargle. "It's nothing too stellar on their own, but I think we can manage something by show time." Denryk put together what those moves would do and imagined a distinct attitude. "That be cool to see. So it looks like we got eight in this contest, which is enough." Rumble! Schemy turned to the feeling of a vibration as the Flutter Mane noticed something and descended. A black mage eeped and made a run for it. "In coming!"

Roll!

Suddenly, a duo of wheels rolled to the theater and halted to uncurl, revealing a duo of Donphans. One of them looked robotic and gave a whistle at the workings of a stage. He gave a small dance with his stubby feet as Sora, Donald, Goofy and Terra sprinted behind them. The spikey haired boy called out. "Hey, don't take off like that!" Flowers and a Quill that was standing on the boy's head, got off and advised that the Treads calm down when experiencing something this new.

Trailing behind as a Lickitung, Honedge and an Armarouge, the Cadet had a sweat as Kairi noticed that Sora had signs of an adventure. "Sora, who is this robot and did you run into a you know what?" The teenager blushed and introduced. "Sorry that we took so long, but we found something big!" He sent a text with a picture, his friends gave it a read and the Princess immediately went over to Leon to pass news. Riku was impressed. "So there was a chamber bellow the town? Nice find."

Terra gave the robot a pet. "You can thank this kid for finding the trial. His log calls him, Iron Treads." Sora whispered. "Or call him Biven, he likes that name." The Flutter Mane gotten close and flew around the robot. (How did you, show up before them?) The Iron Treads blushed. (I was racing with a couple of humans when I was brought to the Steam Castle Town. Right when Sora and his friends appeared.) He beeped. (But why didn't Cloud come along?)

Sora filled in the rest of the story. "Biven wanted to check out all the gizmos in the town and he noticed that cavern under the town. So Cloud helped us check it out again when one thing led to another. We stopped one of those totems from getting into Registeel's chamber and we found out something else."

Terra warned the teenagers. "The demon behind it, is another one of those, she tried to make it look like Biven was leading us to a trap and use that to cave us in. When that didn't work, she tried to zap the two Donphans into you know what's." He tensed and felt his blood boiling as Riku wasn't surprised. "And what's going to stop her from sneaking in there again?"

Terra didn't know where to start. "A friend from that Labyrinth set a few things up to give us time. We figured out the puzzle, but we'll be heading out to another world soon. We need two types of pokemon that can't do anything to each other. A normal type and a ghost type. Dual types aren't going to work and there's only one pure ghost around the towns."

Donald nodded and headed over to his kin. "That's why we came here." Terra added in. "The only other catch, is the fact that ahem, needs to be captured and legendary pokemon aren't a joke."

Sora smiled wide. "Leon and the others agreed to help with training up an expedition team." Wiggle! Wiggle! Hop! Hop! (An Expedition Team that would fight a legendary?) (Nice, we're going to be having some fighters in the town!)

Kairi turned to see Crinoid and Azu joined in, Biven beeped in good hope and approached the two. (Hey ya! So... what's going on over here?) Crinoid shifted his eyes to the stand. (A Contest is setting up and our crew's joining in.) Azu clapped. (Say, you want to join in?)

The robot blushed, hesitate as Sora guessed that he was invited. "Maybe next time, a lot of that got us thinking and it's hard to say it all out here." Biven grunted, the sights are a lot to take in. Suddenly, Donald and Goofy returned with the richest duck in the worlds. Scrooge lifted his top had to let Gimmighoul slide down from the beak. Jingle! Jingle! (You had me at ancient chamber!) The duck laughed with him. "Sora, Terra; you know this kind of expedition is going to require me to have an audience with his Majesty. It cannot be ignored for long."

The teenager agreed with that. "Mickey's working on... something, and will be here soon. How are you all going to be doing this?" The duck started with the basics. "For starters, until we open the way, nothing is going to get in or out. We'll have to put Gimmighoul's treasure fiasco on hold until we train our assistants enough to face a legend. An expense that is already being covered, so long as we spend the time and effort. There's no telling what else lies in that tomb, so you'll need an expert treasure hunter to lend a hand."

A claim that Scrooge has every right to be entitled too, Roxas guessed. "Until then, you're going to want most of us to be ready on stand by in case something goes wrong?" The rich duck nodded. "Exactly my lad. You still have a ways to go with this town and the other. But seeing the progress you've made thus far, it won't be long."

Kairi returned with a fast breathing Leon who is drawn in to the mechanical friend. The youngster knew enough and advised. "And the most important detail, is that under normal means, we have control of that area. We have time to tackle this procedure." He took a deep breath. "Because of that other problem, we'll have to leave this one to you. Rs, Nme; have you managed a section of the town while we were busy?"

The maiden recalled. "A majority of the reported pokemon are either captured or they've migrated to the town, with the exception of this Dunsparce." Denryk stepped out of line and shared his findings. "We'll give it a double check after we handle something that's a bit more important." He pressed a fist to his chest and asked his superior. "Rs. 'Won't be long until I can stop saying that.' Did Lil' Chef mention any food shortages... at all?"

Roxas shrugged. "I didn't ask, but that Capsakid wanted to get a job to repay a favor. Does that have anything to do with that big rat that bullied Scraggy and Schemy?" Denryk thought about it. "It might, we'll need to ask and issue a stakeout." He was looking more furious over an assumption, Roxas realized something and tensed. "Let's handle this problem first, we've done most of the hard part and we're going to make a scene." Denryk nodded and took off to a door at the side building. "Come on Scraggy, let's get some practice in and let out some steam."

Riku felt that was oddly refreshing. "Something happened to that restaurant and it pissed him off?" Roxas nodded. "And we'll know if Lil' Chef knows about it, that dirty Raticate has crossed it." The teenagers put a few things together and gasped as Leon asked. "A Raticate? By a restaurant? We're talking dark looking one too? Because that one's pretty bossy, and pretty greedy."

Dupmic looked over to where Denryk took off. "That's what our scout said, when you say bossy... that means this pokemon is likely not alone?" The youngster shook his head. "While clearly keeping the lions share. It's active at night as well." He looked over to Donald, his partner and Goofy who was bringing out the Klefki. "Moving along, we're always open for even numbers. Are you wishing to partake in this too?" The Kings Guard nodded, Donald admitted. "I taught Licky some handy moves and we could use the practice." Goofy chuckled. "And Klefki needs the practice for later."

Leon nodded and hurried back. "Right, right. The rest of you should find a seat and be ready, as long as it makes a point across, we'll accomplish our goal." He admitted. "We rented out the nearby building and made it into some waiting rooms for the contestants. That way you can make some last minute plans and clear out some stress. If you feel there isn't anything more important to address, then you're all set." Roxas and Namine looked to each other, called to their partners and headed to the door. Leaving the rest to sort out the preparations.

They heard noise in a nearby locker room and entered to find Dupmic clapping in a cheer for Denryk and Scraggy. The hoodlum gave an intimidating look, rushed at an empty back pack for a fake out clap, then twirled to the boy who gave a fierce spin. Pretending to dodge an attack while using his right hand to cover half his face and use his arm to rest his left hand. Scraggy finished a fierce dragon dance and rushed at the bag for some payback, with Denryk following behind him and punching a wall before back flipping for a kick to a face. Scraggy went for a low kick on the back pack and made it fall over. Denryk panted and stood firmly. "That's right, let them know that they won't be getting away with crossing us if they try it."

The Scraggy wiped a sweat as Dupmic hand waved. "Take it easy, it's just a greedy rat that's crossing a line." Denryk turned to agree, not caring that his superiors are in the room. "If that Raticate so helped as take that stuff, from a fellow rat, then we need to stop that as soon as we can. All that good food and it's gone. No one's going to be having it."

Dupmic cringed, that is a point. "And some of those ingredients aren't easy to come by either." Schemy nodded to that. (A tragedy that would be.) Scraggy guessed. (Food must be that good, huh?) The boys sat down on a bench together and Denryk looked around before undoing his hood. "Did I make a little too much noise?"

Roxas and Namine used a bench on the other side to sit down and drown out the outside world. The squad leader hoped. "Long as no one out there was hearing that, then you're fine. Dupmic, was he getting along with the others?" The Replica undid his hood and smiled. "For the most part, even when that kid showed up. He got a bit upset when Riku said he wasn't going to have that fancy ghost of his join in the fun." Denryk raised his hands. "Holding back, man! Holding back!"

Namine corrected him. "And while Flutter Mane has the power, she and Riku don't like each other that much. So he's in the right to say no. You also know that Sora and his friends had gone through some pretty heavy stuff too."

Denryk agreed with that. "If that demon or what ever, shows up in town or any spot we're working on, she's dead." He smiled. "Sora and Terra saw through that bull, so that's gonna be cool to hear more about."

Roxas admitted. "Sora's always followed what his heart knows, but it sounded like Terra spotted through something that would have worked on a lot of people." The gray eyed boy respected that. "Follow that gut and try some common sense." He tried calming down as Namine perked. "That's another major step for him. Now, all we need to do for the day is to perform well enough in sync and the people will see for themselves, that these pokemon aren't looking to cause that much trouble. Even if that Raticate is an exception, we have ways for him to learn. Are you looking forward to what this is going to bring for this lazy little town?"

Denryk grunted. "Ken likes this town a lot and keeping it safe and sound's something he'd like." He smiled in good will. "It's a little slice of heaven that's worth protecting."

Roxas and Namine felt genuine care as Scraggy kicked his feet and admitted. (We take care of our turf,) He nodded. (We take care of it.) The couple looked to each other, tempted to ask something before letting it drop. Namine stood up with Smeargle. "So I guess it's my turn? There isn't a lot of offense with this one, but I'm feeling it can work all the same."

Roxas looked forward to it. "If it's coming from you two, it's going to be great." Denryk agreed with that. "She's got a big plan alright." He lowered his eye lids. "Not that isn't expected, she's a genius." Roxas blushed and was a little tongue tied. "That's the best part about her." Namine blushed, looked over to the boys with a cunning giggle. "Stop it you two. I have to make it up somewhere." Denryk laughed to that as Roxas wanted to ask something and decided. "Yeah, show us why you're the brains around here and get this guy to shut up."

Denryk asked. "You're thinking I'm making fun of her? That thinking isn't over-" Dupmic gave Denryk a small chop to the back of the shoulder and gave him an aggressive smile, telling him to shut it up. Namine was amused and focused. "Alright Smeargle, let's see if we can add a spark to the first step."

A couple hours later.

The final preparations have been made and a healthy crowd of people made their way in, to see what the contest is going to be about. Poppy approached the center stage, with a microphone in hand and tapped it for testing as a rich duck and his trio of Nephews turned the recording on. "One, two, three, is this thing on?"

Zip!

Her Raichu sailed to her and flew around her to let her know that he heard her loud and clear. Poppy waved heartily and cracked a smile. "Good afternoon; ladies and gentlemen! On behalf of this town, the next ones over and the pokemon who were dropped in, I am more than pleased to announced Twilight Town's first ever Pokemon Contest." She spun in style and winked. "Where trainers take upon the path of a Coordinator and work with their pokemon to make some dazzling stunts that will light even the cloudiest of days. I'm one of your hosts, Poppy-" She directed the camera to the boy on a judge booth. "and this is my cousin, Leon. The Top Coordinator in a region called Alola."

Leon blushed with his Hatterene and Decidueye close by, he gave the Alolan greeting rather meekly. "Alola!"

Poppy had the camera focus on both her cousin and herself. "And we'd be more than honored to be the judges of this break through. Our volunteer Coordinators have gotten out of the way to get their partners ready for this event, so I'd hope you're excited about this as we are!"

A short teenager dressed as a black mage with a talking hat raised his hand and hopped. "Oh, hey, hey!" Poppy aimed her mic at the teenager. "Yes, you with the hat?" Vivi was honored to be noticed and asked. "If you're the judges, who's going to announce the cool moves?" Poppy felt it was a just criticism. "To be fair, no on volunteered, but we are quite resourceful. Leon has made a few adjustments for this event and has a trusty friend be the announcer. Give it up for Rotom!"

ZIP!

A Rotom Phone appeared from behind the stand and flew over to Poppy, activating a speak feature. "Howdy, howdy! If you'z looking to know the movez! I'm your dex!" The girl explained. "Until further notice, Rotom's been equipped with a speaker, the occasion fits." Another Rotom Phone plugged itself into a projector and emit a ray, showing a roulette wheel with the contestants pokemon. "As soon my assistant decides on who goes first, we'll be in for quite the show.

The wheel landed on the image of a Torkoal. Ding! Ding! Ding! The Rotom Phone shined over to the back row of contestants, focusing on Lea and Furnace. "The first to light this show and it's a heat wave, give up for Lea and Furnace the Torkoal." Only Isa and Dorlu gave any form of an applause, much to the duo's misfortune. The pyromancer rolled his eyes without a care. "Well we're all off to a cold start, aren't we?" He approached with his hands to his pockets as Torkoal blew out smoke of disappointment. (The nerve of these people,) He smiled and blew heartier. (We'll have to warm them up with a puff.)

Lea put a hand out and spun a finger "Let's start with a spin of clear smog and smoke." the playful pose caused some anticipation as the Torkoal let loose a rapid spin and spewed out white smog that smoked up the sky. Rotom flashed an exclamation point. "That there is a rapid spin that is comboing with clear smog and smoke screen. Clear smog clears away any set up the opponent uses, while smoke screen blinds them. What's more, rapid spin clears obstacles and make the user that much faster!" Lea spun the finger faster to gave Torkoal give a faster spin, smiled deviously and turned his hand into an upward clench. "Now heat it up!"

WOOSH!

The Torkoal unleashed a heat wave that fed into the smoke pillar and created a cloudy twister. Rotom gasped. "And the best wide effect move a Torkoal could be using if eruption isn't available. Now we're feeling the heat wave!" The Torkoal moved to all corners of the stage, if to make the twister dance and turn, the crowd were reminded that the trainer is a well honed pyromancer who has the skills to back up the ego. The crowd felt their eyes light up as Torkoal gave a burst of a smoke screen and halted his heat wave, letting the heat and smoke die down as he slowed his spin and stopped by the pyromancer's feet.

As the stunt near the end, the crowd gave a heated applause to where even a particular Princess and her Seafaring companions gave a hand to make the crowd more wild. Lea and Furnace appreciated that as Poppy and Leon talked with each other and written down their thoughts, clearly the contest is up for a good start.

The fire duo took their leave with some pride as the Rotom made another spin on the wheel. Showing a mystical blue color with a Lickitung. Ding! Ding! "And here's number two, one of the last to sign up and apparently a well known celebrity who's a master of the magics of the realm. Donald Duck and Licki the Lickitung!" The mage marched on proudly as Licki waddled behind and show cased that long tongue, doing more to weird the crowd up as the tongue creature rolled it back in his mouth. Donald asked. "Work yourself up and leap with surf!"

The Lickitung closed his mouth and worked himself up for a mighty leap, conjuring water before flipping. "And blow down a blizzard!" The Lickitung unrolled his tongue and flipped into a minature gale of ice and snow, freezing the water in place as Donald back flipped and applied gravity magic for a slam to the ground. "Huya!"

The Lickitung dived down with a body slam and shattered the frozen water into a cloud of snow, bouncing and rolling his tongue to make a smile. The crowd, which were unnerved by Licki, gave a rather hearty applause, a particular spikey haired boy and some ducklings were going the most wild amongst them.

With the participants taking their leave, the Rotom spun the wheel once more and the crowd were enticed to see who's going to be up next. Spiiiiiin! The wheel slowed to a panel looking sky blue with a bit of white towards the center, showing of the Smeargle with the purple paint. Rotom ohed and flipped. "This is a special one! Nme and Smeargle! With the move sketch, these two can bring just about anything!"

Namine realized she and Smeargle were called upon, the witch felt quite nervous as Smeargle had a shake and took a step forward. He turned to see if his partner was following, the girl steeled her nerve and kept behind him. "Let's put all this together Arty," She and the Smeargle dashed onto the stage, having quite the stage friend as the girl took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Seeing her partner by her, having that growing confidence, she aimed her hand. "Start with that spark and dash forward to web up the stage!" The Smeargle hoped and formed a spark before dashing ahead and spinning his tail. He flung a glob of sticky web as Namine twirled in sync with him. "And whirl in our prey!"

Woosh!

The Rotom Phone felt himself caught in a whirl wind, Pueo hooted and flew in place to try and see what that was about. Only to be caught in that very web and feeling himself tangled. Leon gasped as Smeargle and Namine took a step back and gestured a taunt, irritating the owl as the judge called to him. "Pueo, that's just how those moves work when put together!"

The owl had an aggressive smile and took flight. (That's definitely true,) He laughed at that and returned to his partner as the Rotom flapped his bolts in irritation. The audience gave an elegant applause for the elegant duo, Namine had a blush as Arty took a bow. They hurried to the waiting room, Dupmic saw that and signaled to the boys. "I got this, if that wheel lands on you, then you need to be out there."

They understood as the Replica hurried to catch up with the two. At the locker room, where the witch had a moment to regain her composure. Arty was worried. (We did amazing, was this your first time in a stage?)

Namine confessed as she breathed easily. "I never been in front of a crowd of strangers before. Not even when I was with a spirit sister of mine. All those eyes, only wanting to know what we're going to bring." Dupmic and Schemy made themselves known, the Murkrow cawed. (And you brought will and cunning! I see the judge was amused there.) The boy knew what was said. "You guys were amazing. Soon as you caused that Rotom to get swept away, I knew it was going to be a laugh." He admitted. "You have a talent for piecing all of that together and making a canvas out of it."

Namine blushed with some confidence. "Got to make the most of this, now that we're out in the real world." She eased her breath, ready to return to the outside world. "But, that's done now. All we need to do now, is wait and watch."

Click!

In a few minutes, Dupmic, Namine and their partners were back out. The boy signaled to the judges and the Rotom. "It's cool, this was just her first time." Leon waved back. "I've been there, I'd speak what I think right now, but that wouldn't be suspenseful." Namine puckered herself in spite. "Oh you would do that, but it is fair."

The Coordinator clapped to the Rotom. "Let's spin once more, who is number four?" The Rotom spun the wheel and landed on panel of pink, showing. The phone shined an exclamation point. "Oh boy! Well, it's time we get to see this thorny combo at work. Lauriam and Roselia, everyone!" Namine cringed as the pink haired gentleman and his elegantly posing flower took their turn. Lauriam looked like he was going to regret something and had a strange, eerie plan in mind.

Denryk whispered to his squad. "Hey, Roselia's some kind of grass and poison type, right?" Namine shivered. "Grass and poison? That being a rose, she's about as pretty as she is deadly." Roxas realized something in terror. "What is this guy actually up to?"

Lauriam raised his hand upward and conjured an earthy squash of all things. To serve as a testing dummy, he and Roselia twirled in a silent command. The rose scattered toxic spikes and a leech seed at once, inflicting a parasitic sapping as the man caused the plant to prick itself on the spikes. The Roselia danced towards the dummy and sprayed a venoshock that caused the plant to sizzle in it's wither before she and her trainer raised their hands up as once. The grass type channeled a giga drain to finish off the plant and make it collapse. The ruthless nature and the grace caused the audience to have a step back at the horror as Lauriam relaxed himself and gave a bow. It was a thrill to say the least and the crowd begun talking among themselves as Poppy had a chill. "That's not too common."

Leon agreed there. "There's always the one that sparks a particular emotion to the crowd. It's intimidating to say the least." The gentleman heard that and asked humbly. "Even the most beautiful of creatures can leave a sting that would herald that finality. Is this suppose to be happening?"

Leon wasn't so sure. "Well, it is no science that pokemon can become potentially dangerous creatures and in a more advanced round, this would be a crowd pleaser. You can learn much from them as they can learn from you."

The Roselia nodded in deadly pride as clapping was heard from behind. The few that had the nerve to appreciate the beauty of the movement, it was more than enough for the gentleman to feel progress is made. Denryk mustered the courage to approached the man and admit. "Yeah... toxins that mix together like that can mess you up once they get in ya. I'd like to think that this would show that while we can be friends with these guys." He pointed to Scraggy and Roselia. "We should still treat them like they're living things with their own hopes." He puffed his cheeks. "Because they can mess ya up if they have a good reason to fight ya."

The gentlemen felt that would be an appropriate lesson. "You beat on the caged bird enough times and they'll peck your eyes out once you let your guard down." Namine got behind Denryk and gave him a tug, admitting to the gentleman that was informed. "Now imagine of that bird has super powers to make that part easier?" Denryk gave a strange heh. "They'll still have it coming, but it would be funnier."

Lauriam had seen enough idiocy in general and recalled a particular teenager who orchestrated ruination for a man who attacked a friend of his. "That's proven true and more amusing as it goes by."

Denryk opened his mouth to give a childish glee and laughed to that. The witch didn't wish to know what was going on in their minds as Denryk went with her. The boy sighed and looked back at someone who was more pleased by his handiwork, Namine tapped him on the shoulders and called for his attention. "Denryk, not every lesson needs to be sunshine and rainbows. Some stories don't end well because the protagonist does things that go against common sense. We'll end up better off learning on what not to do." That much the rough neck was satisfied with hearing as he looked to his eager Scraggy. "You don't respect these guys and we'll be right back where we started with everyone being scared of them."

The Rotom Phone spun the wheel once more, showing six remaining and was stopping at the color of gold and green. It has the image of a Klefki. "Now it's our half time. Goofy Goof and Klefki, come on down!"

The shield bearer hurried ahead and showed a rather clever idea, having Klefki on the shield. The shield bearer chuckled and aimed forward, letting Klefki set up a reflect and a blow of fairy wind. Goofy tossed the shield towards a bystander Donald and let the keychain scatter a glittering set of spikes, as the shield reached it's end, the Klefki opened it's key ring, grabbed the glowing shield and make it disappear. In it's place was a staff that Donald uses, while the mage realized he was holding a shield. The mage quacked in astonishment as the Klefki twirled with it, letting the crowd see what happened as it and pretended to toss it back at the duck. It vanished back to it's wielder and took back the shield before flying back to Goofy. The children of the crowd, clapped in laughter while some of the grown ups were amused. Sora and the Donphans nearly forgot about some of their ordeals in that showing.

It was time for the wheel to spin once more as the performers left the stage and faced a temper throwing Donald. The Rotom sliced the wheel into segments of five and spun with the next segment. Landing on an yellow panel with the image of a Tadbulb. The Dex buzzed. "Well, look at that, our electric specialist is next to-" Elrena and Tadbulb didn't hesitate to get on, with the adult hurrying up the introduction. "Show what she found swimming by a fountain. This ought to be easy." She had a nervous smile while looking at a watching bestie and called to her partner. "Tadbulb, get to the center this is going to be real simple."

The bulb lit up and floated to the center as instructed, Elrena took a deep breath. "Jump up using water gun and when you're at the end of it, use mud shot!"

The Tadbulb swelled her cheeks and fired a fast stream of water at the ground, using it as an improvised jet before reaching above the screen. She broke it off with a mud shot and made a splatter to the ground before flipping a charge and sync to her partner firing a small current, like a wire. The Tadbulb use the charge to let loose a parabolic shock wave, rippling it across the open roof for a quick appeal.

The bulb descended to her partner and wiggled to her shoulder, the electromancer turned off her current and blushed. Litzia went out of line and clapped. "Whoot! Nice one Elry! You too Tadbulb!" Elrena tried to deny it. "Hey, hey, I'm only doing this out of obligation." She puffed her cheeks and hurried over, leaving a quad spin. Landing on a black panel with the image of a Solrock.

Litzia and Solrock entered, with the trainer giving thanks to her bestie. "Thanks for warming them up, now we're going to bring a solar smasher!" The Solrock spun and hummed adamantly as the two made it to the stage. Litzia pointed a finger to Solrock and aimed it up, letting the psychic ascend and give a spin. Shining itself in a polish as the girl chanted. "As the meteor falls into the barrier between the world and space, it feels a tug that invites it to the earth."

The Solrock reached higher to where the crowd couldn't see much and glowed in a zen. He dived down with psychic energy as the girl raised her arms to the side. "From the drifting vacuum of space, into a great fire." The Solrock lit itself into a flare blitz as it returned to the space of the theater. "Burning ever more until it reaches the earth it gazed upon." The Solrock made impact, smashed against the stage and let loose a wide rock slide toss. "But is there anything remaining to be discovered?"

The Solrock rose from the impact zone, having dirt all over his body. Litzia pretended that it was her first time seeing him and gasped. Rotom and the judges had a sweat from the story telling as the duo gave a bow and took off. The phone buzzed. "Right, that's gonna leave an impact. Can someone clean this up?"

Ten minutes later.

The mess of rocks was cleaned up and the cracks were filled in with the help of a Swampert's mud and a Blaziken's heat. Roxas was getting impatient and asked his subordinate. "The luck's making us wait for so long, how are you holding?"

Denryk saw Ceruledge looking a little anxious and admitted. "The show's keeping me from getting bored and we're having to wait on those Rotoms picking us."

Scraggy tapped his foot as the Phone showed three panels of a Ceruledge, Jigglypuff and a Scraggy. An arrow was at top and it rushed through the three, slowing to a stop. Ding! Ding! "Well, well, well! Looks like our two loners are our eighth! Let's warm up a welcome for Rs and Ceruledge!"

Roxas tensed. "Loners?!" Ceruledge had a distinct, blue glow and hurried with his partner. To the Rotom's credit, the two do look like a match set with a hoodie and a dark knight. Ceruledge went to the other side of the arena, extended his fiery swords and half turned as Roxas aimed his arms downward and conjured his blades. He spun them in a sword dance in sync to the knight crossing his blades into a matching x pattern. He spun his arms upward and use the momentum to slice his blades together, the knight ignited into a flame charge as he and his partner rushed together into a collision of swords.

The two back flipped and Ceruledge gave a horizontal slash of a shadow claw that Roxas parried with a spin. He pretended to give a counter attack as the knight kicked back and launched a will-o-wisp. Roxas side stepped from the attack meant to miss and dismissed his blades as his partner shorten his swords.

Rotom had a sweat as his squadron, the Destiny Trio and Lea clapped impressed. Bringing some of the more astonished crowd towards doing the same. The duo returned to the side to find a greatly impressed Denryk and Medy, who was flabbergasted. "Wait, wait, wait! Rs?! Nme?! Those two keyblades right there?!" Scraggy backed away intimidated as the Jigglypuff tilt side ways. "Puff?" (A what now?)

Roxas sighed and flipped his hoodie. "Complicated, Lea will tell you the details." Denryk gave the rock star credit. "This guy's was actually doing pretty good around here and was working on something that would totally be in sync with this." He called Scraggy back as Medy scratched the side of his head. "Ah man, how did we get bamboozled for this long?"

Roxas put his hands to his hips. "Because we'd cause a lot of problems if we showed up anywhere else." Denryk confessed. "Roxas is my boss and that right there is why."

Medy begun to blink, realize something and saw a face that was familiar. Ding! Ding! Ding! "Get your ear buds ready, the Jigglypuff duet's coming on stage to lull you all to dream land." Medy groaned as the Jigglypuff swelled in offense, Denryk tensed. "That Rotom's making fun of us now. You got something that's gonna shut him up?"

Medy brought out his guitar. "Totally! Let's rise the tune Quaver!" He and the Jigglypuff hurried, looking pretty crossed, the guitarist played an aggressive note to get the rotom to back away while he and Jigglypuff took side by side. The guitarist started with a rising tune that the Jigglypuff followed along in song. As the crowd were starting to get sleepy, Medy broke the tune with a deep boom that caused the balloon to change into a disarming tone. Medy kept the tune rising as the Jigglypuff followed with a rising echoing voice. The beat became higher and higher until the guitarist changed to a decay to match with the Jigglypuff's song of gloom.

3.

Roxas and Denryk felt that the duo brought about something dreadful.

2.

The squad leader knew this was a tactic his former cohort has committed to. "These two figured out-" 1.

The Rotom Phone flashed an exclamation point. "Hoo boy they rose up the melody and brought upon the count down of the Perish So-"

0.

The Rotom instantly shut off and fell to the ground as the song reached it's end and caused the duo to fall over, Jigglypuff passed out as Medy was on his knees, nearly losing consciousness. "Urk, too much-" He was losing his vision. "too much-" Sora got up from his seat and hurried over there to cast a heal, getting the two awake as Poppy stood up to get her phone and bring out a revive. "Impressive, I still wished this wasn't my phone. But impressive."

She applied it to the Rotom and brought him back into consciousness, he shivered and zipped as far away from the duo as possible. Poppy thought to take over, who having a calm air to a startled crowd. "That's the power of Perish Song, anything that is close enough to the song will get knocked out by it's power on the count to zero."

The Jigglypuff looked to an amazed crowd as Sora whistled. "Some tune." He turned to the performers in a smile. "Not bad at all." Quaver blushed as Medy dismissed that praise. "Come on, you're just saying that." Sora blew to the air. "Pff! "Not when we can hear the heart put into that."

Poppy looked to the crowd and saw some of the audience had hearts in their eyes. "Perhaps, but we still have one more performer before we can say anything." She asked the musical duo. "Go rest up and think about it, we'll be finished soon."

They did so as Denryk and Scraggy were the most astonished, they looked to each other as the grown up blew out. "Maaaan! That was over kill." Roxas cringed. "Next time, be careful about playing that tune!" Medy agreed with that. "It's like playing a tritone in a cathedral, that tune can get ya killed."

Denryk laughed to that. "It might, but I think Scraggy and I just lost before we got the chance to mess it up." Roxas could tell by the tone and the smile. "But you're still going up there anyways, are you?"

Denryk and Scraggy nodded as one, the hoodlum was more ecstatic. "Dang right, we're no quitters!" He hurried over as the Rotom was figuring out how to make the fanfare for the final contestant.

Scraggy kept behind as his trainer barked. "Alright enough of that roulette! You know there's one more for this epilogue and we're going to smash our way through." He stepped back in style. "Clap and dance! Clap and dance!"

Scraggy rushed forward for a fake out clap and back flipped to spin in sync to his partner, presenting the combined aura of a dragon while using a leg to kick. They stepped back as if someone dared to swing at them and worked together for a brutal pay back punch. The intimidation was a factor and the duo looked over to the crowd, noticing up a ledge, something flying down for them.

A tiny, light blue bird with the tips of her wings having what looked to be fans. Her crest looked like a tied up hair piece that has a cross pin keeping it in place. Rotom flashed an exclamation point. "Who let this Oricorio in here?"

Denryk had a passive stare for a bird that unfolded her wings and posed them like one would fans, swaying elegantly with a passion. "Don't know, but I know where this is going." He clapped. "Scraggy, let's give an encore!" The hoodlum doesn't know that move, but he let loose a dragon dance regardless. The Oricorio followed the momentum and copied the dance before swiping slashes of air, Denryk ordered.

"Roll!"

Scraggy rolled out of the way. "And get some payback!" The Hoodlum followed with a fast sprint to the birds personal, the bird flinched at a rough face of death and punched hard enough that she was sent rolling to the ground, Denryk intercepted and used a great ball to toss at the bird and send it into a bounce. It shook three times and clicked, letting Denryk grab his find and raise it forward.

"Heh!"

The Rotom had a sweat. "Well that was unexpected, give our rough necks a hand." Dupmic certainly is and the crowd were pleased by the efficiency. The duo took off back to who they were talking with, Denryk wiped off a sweat and put the great ball to his belt. "A dancing bird that can copy a dance? She'll fit right in!"

Medy took a step back as Roxas smiled pleased. "All the stunts and dancing must have drawn her in. Trouble always comes in the smallest of packages. We should ask about that once those kids tally up the score." They and the participants looked to the two judges, who were talking it over.

Some time later.

The crowd was returning back to their mundane lives, with some enlightenment towards what's actually going on in the town. Leaving a few people to stay behind in clean up, with the Gang looking in envy at a Jigglypuff wearing a Twilt Ribbon. Medy was slowing his breathing at something that paid off much more than expected. Dorlu and Meowth shook the musician to reality with a tug. "After that melody, you shouldn't have been surprised."

Medy smiled nervously. "It's a one time gig anyways, got to spread the awareness around, am I right?"

"And that was the hardest part. Now we can focus on cleaning up this town." The Gang looked over to Roxas and his crew, the guitarist remembered and asked the pyromancer. "Right, so how is this happening again?"

Lea answered swiftly. "Roxas and Namine are dream projecting, just roll with it." He realized. "Speaking of which, we all know Dupmic's found a job that sends him somewhere far away from here. But where does the fourth kid come in?"

Denryk gestured in style. "I'm just a hired hand that Dupmic heard about, so he brought me along to get these two out in the real world for a spill." That was actually believable enough, Dorlu raised a brow as Roxas moved along to the next topic. "Now that the contest is over with, we got a whole town to work with us. That bird is one of the reasons we can't screw this up."

Denryk agreed as he looked to the ball and to his trusty Scraggy. "I got plans for this one, but we got a big trial that we need to talk with Lil' Chef about." Roxas felt something sneak into his jacket and hiding behind his hoodie as Namine went to the point. "We've been hearing about something going on near the bistro that's been stealing food. Is there anymore that pepper monster would know about it?"

Capsakid hopped and squeaked as a particular group walked into hearing. (It's some mean Raticate that's bullying everyone out of that!)

Lea noticed Kairi with an Azumarril that heard that and relayed the message. The rabbit growled as Sea Fang flopped by the Princess and barked. (Let us at 'em, we can teach him some manners!) Kairi gestured. "Wait, this is their case!" She translated what was said. "There's some Raticate that's stealing ingredients and is muscling through anyone in his way."

Namine added in. "A dark looking one if we've read it right." Leon let the witch know. "You'd be correct. Alolan Raticates are nocturnal, they command the Rattatas under them to get the food for them and are generally dirty fighters with the Normal and Dark type. Those guys are picky, so of course they'll focus on the best restaurant above all others." Roxas felt someone holding off his urge to laugh. "Ha, ha. We still got some hours before we can look."

Namine raised her hand to suggest. "So we'll do it like this." She asked the gang members. "You all should find any trails and focus on toughening your partners up. We'll take the night shift and deal with the Raticate."

The Ceruledge nodded to that one as Elrena felt that made sense. "If there's too many of us, the Raticate would figure out he's heading into a bust." Litzia second that. "And there could be more nocturnal pokemon that we won't find in broad daylight."

Namine agreed with the Star Sage. "Most of you have been through enough before this. So we can lighten some of the load and take care of that district in a whole day." That was agreed upon as Leon guessed. "So, the four of you are going to be resting up for tonight? That could be a wise move."

The witch knew something was requested and smiled at him. "It would make sense, so we don't tire ourselves out." She asked the gang. "We'll report about the rest and set to finishing up by tomorrow?"

The grown ups looked to each other and felt there wasn't much harm. Litzia advised in advanced and let her hair sway side to side. "We'll keep out of each other's way until then. If we do it fast enough, we can head over to Traverse for a deeper search."

Denryk imagined how that would go. "Most of us know the ins and outs of this town, but that one..." He widen his eyes. "There's new things there that none of us know anything about."

Litzia agreed with the strange boy. "Lot's of new things." She turned over to the visiting crew and called over. "Hey, Sora, Kairi, while me and the gang take off to the town, do you mind going with these guys? You all might have a lot more to talk about."

The Destiny Trio agreed with that and let the Gang get ready to leave, with Terra, the Kings Guard and their partners that were tempted to learn more about contests. Poppy asked her cousin. "I'll need some help with settling in, once you're finished with this mission."

Leon had an idea. "Meet me at the station, I know a place that can help." He smiled to the group in glee. "Our damage control is a success and we've discovered more that we need to know. We might end up taking off a little later than we'd like, but that would be okay." Riku wasn't too worried. "Our friends should be making due with that time by now, so worse case comes, we'll be in for a real road trip tonight."