Over at the Hammer Heart Arena. Roxas, Namine and Dupmic were testing the cohesive power of the Loyal Three in a moon lit beach. With an upward horned Indeedee, a Slowbro and a blue Meowstic to serve as the opponents.
Fezandipiti applied a taunt on an Indeedee that was supporting a Meowstic expanding force. Forcing Okidogi to use a fast knock off to put it out of commission. Slowbro calmed his mind as Namine ordered. "Dori, set up light screen and stop Slowbro from knocking us out!" Roxas followed. "Dogi, use knock off on that Slowbro!"
Dupmic followed. "Dipiti, bring out the dazzling gleam!" The bird spun in a shine and blasted out a light that brought Slowbro into a dark purple hue. Munkidori formed a ball of misty mud and tossed it at the Slowbro as Okidogi was quick in knocking the horned psychic away. Slowbro glowed and unleashed an expanding force that knocked the Loyal Three away. Dogi was in a daze as Namine followed. "Venoshock!" Dupmic commanded. "Venoshock!"
The Munkidori and Fezandipiti got to work in firing a stream of liquid that sent Slowbro tilting backwards, giving Roxas the order. "Poison jab!"
Okidogi laughed, readied a fist and punched the Slowbro away. Ending the simulation and bringing things to normalcy. Poppy was allowed among the audience and clapped. "You were quick to strike where the venom will hurt."
She and the Kingsguard approached the three trouble makers and their thugs. "With a little bit of work, you all will blend together in harmony." They noticed Mickey approaching, having many questions that broke the momentum of training between him and a strange family of four white mice. "I see why these fellas would been a problem. Now," He looked to Namine, who has expertise with the mind. "You say that Denryk thinks he's tapping with a Force that we've only recently heard about. Are you sure that's what he's really studying?"
Namine nodded in certainty. "And he's taking it's teachings very seriously. He'll need that zen for where we're about to go to." She and the boys focus on calling the Loyal Three back as the Maushold followed the King to the door.
The strange vision ended and Denryk felt himself in a forest that only has the sound of nearby pokemon to keep the silence still. Litzia was at the end of her own meditation and sensed the change in mood. "Did you sense something?"
Denryk opened his eyes, showing the Star Sage his mask. "Yeah. I think my friends are done practicing and our next mission is about to start." He stood up and called his partners back, with Scraggy and Ogerpon getting up from their break. He asked the Star Sage in vigor. "Are you wanting to come along and see history?" Litzia closed her eyes and kept by a meditating Pix. "I will in a moment. If your sense is correct, then you are likely what you claim."
Denryk breathed out and confessed. "I don't make stuff up unless I have a good reason to. I... want to believe that I'm a better person than I make myself out to be." He looked to Scraggy and Ogerpon, who certainly believe in him. They took their leave and left Litzia to her meditation, she and Pix felt a strange cold and felt their eyes open to a strange, distorted world of shadows. Where a blue striped pillar of shadows stared down upon them. Something that would give a mortal peril to any Keybearer, if there wasn't a sense of a request and a duty.
Over at the Train Station.
The Secret Squad and their company gathered around a small expedition team. With Leonhart and Scrooge being the key figures in the expedition. The grown up summarized the plan as Resira was close by. "Once we open the chamber, we'll be split off into different groups, depending on how many tunnels we'll find. When we find Registeel, we'll let the Keybearers know and allow them to do their thing. Resira will be an insurance policy if any low lives try to ruin this."
The Police Officer smirked slyly to the Committee team. "We'll gather more volunteers once we reach the next town. We'll have a team keep patrol up on the surface as a skeleton crew, so we won't leave the town neglected." She noticed Denryk and his companions appearing to the Squad as the train opened. "This should be around everyone that is needed." The expedition squad took the train ride over to Radiant Garden, Denryk noticed Mickey was looking upon the spider mask and kept a hidden smile.
He felt some of the chosen squad mates having a strange admiration for the one who's traversed the mountain by sense of force and noticed Lea trying to make sense of the costume. He and Roxas approached, knowing there are questions to be asked. The pyromancer decided to let some obvious questions go. "So, anything we're prepared for? Once we get down and dirty in the cavern?" Denryk breathed silently. "Let the fear go. This would be my first time actually going into that Town for longer than a choir. There's a history with it and fitting in could be..." He paused in a moment. "complicated." Namine and Dupmic over heard, looking at the masked boy as Roxas patted Denryk on the back. "But you won't ever know unless you face those people. Are you still nervous?"
Denryk shook his head. "I am, but I don't want to hide from that anymore." Scraggy laughed boastfully and raised a fist in the air. (Face that fear and show it who's boss!) Ogerpon hopped in a giggle. (We're gonna make a lot of friends.)
Denryk burst into a laughter that eased the worry. It wasn't long until the train arrived at it's destination and let the passengers out. They traveled to Merlins, where Ienzo and Aerith were talking with a select few of the body guards. Resira called out. "We're finally ready. Do we have an understanding on who should go down there in the cavern?" Ienzo nodded and showed a frame of the town and the cavernous underbelly. "In case we're invaded by forces that are beyond the securities protocols to handle, it shouldn't take too many of us to keep the surface under control."
He used a stick to point to the underbelly. "The real battle is to be down here." Poppy had a closer look. "Where we are better off with as many Keybearers and dream divers as possible if something happens with Registeel?" Ienzo called to Denryk. "If we don't mind that. The rumors I've been told about could mean that just one of our special agents should stay up here." Ogerpon was surprised by Aerith's flowery scent as the masked boy promised. "If things go right, then it ought to be boring up here." That was decided on and the expedition squad got to work. Leonhart, Aerith, Cloud, Tifa, Ienzo and the body guards were to come along the Guardians, Resira and the secret squad in their venture down bellow. With Scrooge leading the way to a warping square crystal. Yuffie, Cid, Lea, Denryk and a trio of young ducklings were to keep watch on the surface.
The Expedition squad hurried to the strange warper and teleported to the chamber down in the cavern. Where the braille door awaited. Ienzo recalled the riddle and thought out loud. "Untouchable. There's only two types that are immune to one another. Ghost and Normal." Poppy nodded. "Right. And our entrepreneur just so happens to have acquired a pure ghost." Scrooge lifted his hat and let Gimmighoul jump off as Mickey let out the Maushold. The King warned the group as the two pokemon meet by the door. "Remember, as soon as it opens, we need to hurry and find the Titan. Who knows what might be ahead."
Rumble! Rumble!
The door crumbled down and opened, the strange wards begun to fade and the band hurried in, finding a split path of four. Either one of these could lead to the Titan. The Secret Squad took route route to the central left, with Poppy following by them and readying to let Blaziken out. Resira, Leonhart, Cloud, Tifa and Aerith took the left most path while Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Scrooge headed to the central right,. Leaving Ienzo, Dilian and Aeleus to take the right most path. As they took off, two strange figures followed behind. A particular blonde woman, wielding a polearm with an ax blade on one front and a club for a counter weight. Alongside her is the mighty Kastelen Robot, Sentor. Deborah blushed nervous. "Phew this is the furthest I've gone out of line. We'll bring the artillery for those who could use it." Sentor looked to the four paths as Deborah headed left. "I think the Keybearers and those who know more about it could handle themselves for a while. So let's give Miss Aerith a surprise." She smiled awkwardly as Sentor followed the request and lead the way.
On the surface.
Huey, Dewey and Louie watched in amazement at a short battle being under way. Monferno, Frogadie and Ivysaur were surprised in a show down between an Ogerpon in a Hearthflame and a two headed Pepper Monster. A manic red head and an enraged green head that took in the power of an enhanced sunlight that Lea conjured. The pyromancer ordered. "Scorch, scorch!"
The two heads blasted out a flamethrower upon the Ogerpon, who took a step back in her squeak as Denryk aimed his hand. "Bonk him!" The Ogerpon took out her ivy cudgel, had it ignite and smacked it down at the Scovillain, knocking it out in one blow. Huey was quick to declare Ogerpon as the winner as Louie and Ivysaur cast a heal for the battlers. Denryk wondered in his amazement. "That sunlight you've set up caused the both of them to be a real menace." Louie watched the two fighters get up and admitted to some research. "Chlorophyll's a pretty potent ability for a lot of the plants." Huey agreed with that. "Add that with a little heat and you can scorch anything."
Denryk sighed blissfully as Lea had the chance to ask. "So how long is the creepy mask going to stay on? Are you planning to chat with the locals with it?" The hoodlum squinted his eyes and groaned. "I like this mask and it took me awhile to get it. There's only a few people that should get a clue of what's behind this face and it will spell woe if I just show that surprise out of nowhere." He looked to the bouncing Ogerpon. "Besides, Ogerpon doesn't mind it one bit."
Considering how intimidating the Hearthflame Mask is, it could just be kindred spirits syncing. Denryk turned still and Lea felt a strange, dark scent. The Pyromancer brought out his burning chakrams and turned fast to a rooftop with a humanoid heartless with a cross bolt. Already taking aim and firing as Denryk stood up fast. The heartless pulled the trigger and Denryk aimed his hand at the bolt, causing it to stop in it's tracks before dropping it. The heartless froze in surprise as Denryk brought out his pistol and fired at the foes head, taking it out in an instant. The Ducklings had their starters circle around as Lea sent out the Torkoal and barked. "In coming!"
PEW!
In a sudden, an outbreak of shadows emerged, with snipers taking to the roof tops. Denryk, Scraggy and Ogerpon stood together at the odds. Lea had Torkoal rapid spin and tossed a disk to feed the flames together, having the two rush over the shadows. Denryk and his speedsters leaped to the roof tops to do battle with the snipers as the Ducklings cast various spells of ice, fire and flowers. Allowing Frogadier and Monferno to bombard with ice and fire while Ivysaur drained any nearby stragglers.
Scraggy disrupted formations as Ogerpon got to work with her cudgel, Denryk put his aim to use and counter snipped the snipers. Lea tossed a burning disk at a roof top and stepped back from a shot, the disk took out four snipers as Denryk focused. The chakram rushed over the roof ways and cleared away the danger before returning to it's wielder. Scovillain laughed and blasted a large body away in a solar beam, giving the security program time to activate and send the heartless swarm scattering. Denryk and his partners jumped off and hurried to the town square, finding a cluster of shadows merging together. The masked one brought out Launch and with force, had him fly after the forming core, smashing it into a scatter.
Yuffie, a Psyduck and Cid who were brawling, were quite surprised by the sudden Launch and saw the rest of the skeleton crew gather. The Forretress spun fast and scattered toxic spikes for the fresh arrival as Lea had his Chakram heated up and tossed it at a cluster that were guarding snipers, Torkoal spun with the disk and blasted out a heat wave. Denryk focused a hand upon the disk as it sliced through and had it return to the cluster before having it rush at another, and another. Pillars of digital light appeared and rushed through the dark forces, making them easy pickings for a fast moving Ogerpon that rammed through with her horns. With the disk returning, Lea had a moment to realize. "Shoot! Someone's set this up right as we're about to dig up that robot!"
Dewey gasped. "All these heartless are a distraction?"
The ladies and the ducklings gasped as the pryomancer thought fast and looked to the masked boy. "Denryk, or Denrick, you know what you need to do."
Denryk felt a sharp urge, nodded and was ready to take off. He suddenly froze at a sense of something divine. SPARKLE! PEW! BLAST! Out of nowhere, Litzia and Pix dived at an encouraging outbreak, unleashing a dazzling barrage of stars while Solrock crashed to the earth and brought about a rock slide. Picking off any straggling heartless was Regice. There wasn't much of a concern for the surface and guided Launch into a fast roll, taking off to where the warper's at. A six man pack of armored heartless appeared in the street way, swords ready. Denryk stood, took out his metal tube and raised it close to his face as Scraggy and Ogerpon danced. FFZW!
With the press of a button, the tube sprang into a sword of purple light. Launch leaped head first at a armored knight and gave Scraggy and Ogerpon the opening to dash and collide. Denryk smiled at the initiative and in the blink of an eye, dashed through two knights and looked like he warped behind them. They collapsed and burst out hearts.
Down Bellow.
The four from the Kingstown were in quite the predicament, quickly under an ambush as soon as they were deep in the ruins. Spikes, archers, tall shadows and floating wilted flowers surrounded them in all sides. The Withered brought about decay to any flames that were cast and were given a high priority. Mickey warped to the three Withered and had them in a juggle of light slashes as the Maushold stacked together and called upon light illusions before pouncing upon a Withered in a population bomb. Donald, Kirlia and Alcreamie kept together and unleashed a barrage of dazzling sparkles as Licki blew out a blizzard. Goofy and Honedge twirled together in a whirl wind and slashed through the heartless swarm after the blast. Scrooge had a Carbink set up barriers and used his cane to launch projectiles at the archers, keeping them busy as the jewel had an idea and floated by the rick duck. "Car!"
Scrooge finished a swing and looked to the eager faerie. "I know that tone, you got a plan that can really let them have it?" The Carbink nodded and looked to a neoshadow cluster that were circling to the ceiling, about to have a drop on Donald. She floated towards the rich ducks feet and glimmered, Scrooge sighed and used his cane to send the Carbink high. Right as the neoshadows dropped down, the jewel collided with them and burst into a dazzle, sending them falling into the light barrage.
With the barricade forced through, the band hurried into a chamber with a trio of Corruptors, binding a dormant, green colored Registeel. Mickey and the Maushold warped in light to interrupt the ritual, with the King completely obliterating one of the three while the Maushold pounced and bit on the other. Goofy readied his shield and aimed at the one unoccupied. "Get ready fellas, it's what we've trained for!"
Licki grunted and fed his glacial power into the shield, Donald set to amplify that and give it focus as Kirlia channeled a psychic radiance to the shield. Alcreamie set to decorate it in blue berries. The shield burst in frosty light as the third Corruptor was just realizing it was jumped. PEW! It was blasted into powder in an instant as Scrooge launched Carbink upon the Maus swarmed foe. It sank into the heartless's chest and let loose an inner dazzling gleam that caused it to collapse.
The band hurried to get together as the room darken into chains. Mickey, Donald and Goofy stood together side by side and raised their weapons high. "All for one!" Light charged around them and burst into a limit right as the chains jerked forward. The darkness was vaporized and the group knew they only had minutes to get Registeel moving. Scrooge thought out loud as he marveled the golem. "Now how are we going to get ol' Iron moving? Pushing him around won't do us any good with those monsters over here."
The King agreed with that. "Maybe if we hurry, we could wake Registeel up right here. Do we have who we need?" Donald nearly jumped as Goofy looked to Honedge and counted. "I'm thinking... we do!" He asked Scrooge. "Honedge does extra damage to other ghosts, Gimmighoul's a ghost who can wallop a psychic and Kirlia's a faerie who can blast away them dragons." The rich duck gasped and brought out a ball. "Mr. Goof, you're a genius!"
Pop!
Out came a Gabite that realized he was in ruins. Scrooge let Gimmighoul slide off as Goofy and Donald had Honedge and Kirlia gather around the golem. Scrooge asked. "Stand by Honedge and the lass, in a circle!" The Gimmighoul jingled and stood by the lower right corner of the circle. Gabite went to the upper left as Mickey focused on the sync. The four pokemon gave a tune as Alcreamie hopped on Donalds shoulder. Licki kept by Goofy and gave a humm as the Maushold stacked up like a totem pole. Carbink wiggled left and right in vigor as the partners lined together in a focus.
They found themselves diving down into a strange heartscape of ruins under way. The center piece looked to be the foundation of a fountain, enforced in metal. Behind it was a keyhole to Registeels being, on the other side was a castle very familiar to the reports. With a black door with a hexogonal pattern of dots. It was locked in white chains. The band approached and heard a frantic voice screamed out. "What do you plebeians think you're doing? This machine would seek to ruin us all if he's unleashed!"
Appearing in light was a stranger in golden robes and a blade with features akin to a unicorn. Donald pointed his thumb back. "The town's already been ruined!" Goofy readied his shield as Lickitung rolled out his tongue. "And we're going to see that things are finally fixed!" Scrooge adjusted his hat and waved his cane at him. "If you're not gonna move aside, we'll have to force our way through."
Mickey took a stance as the Golden Robe rolled his eyes and posed like one would a spear. "Imbeciles!" He warped to the rafters and charged up spears of light, teleporting fast and conjuring a multitude. Carbink cringed, flew by the King and worked with him to make a light screen. The spears were flung in the dozens, piercing into the barrier. Mickey looked to the Maushold, signaling a plan. The Golden Robe warped to the lower ground and had his blade take the form of a jousting lance. Maushold gave an encore that caused the lance to fire out a spear. Goofy saw the chance. "Disable that and we got em!" Lickitung gave a blue glow and shot his tongue towards the Golden Robe, causing the blade to cease it's glow.
The Golden Robe realized something and tapped to the hilt of his blade. "What?! My spells?!" He flipped the lance to a blade and barked. "What did you just-" Licki flung flung himself at the man and body slammed him. Mickey and Donald went side to side to fire a blast of decorated magical fire. Maushold leaped after the Golden Robe in a population bomb as Goofy charged shield first.
Pressing the man back as Scrooge launched Carbink for a gem powered blast, the Golden Robe made a sprint left as a way to get a better flank and Mickey teleported to his personal. Slashing swift beams of light brought the Golden Robe into a scream of defiance before he was sent falling to the ground and flickering away. With that resolved, the King made his way to the lock and with his blade, undid it. The door began to open and let loose a flash of flickering light.
A beep echo'd. "Ji-ji-ze"
At a flash of light, the four found themselves in a dark, humid chamber within ruins. Of steam with in a giant pool of water was Regigigas, finishing a quench of a construct of metal that has been melted by magma. From the steam pool, seven eyes opened, emerging a Registeel that was ever curious about where he is. "Ji-ji-ze-ji-joh?!"
He looked up to the Gigas that shined dots back, welcoming the newborn into the gift of life. The dream shifted into more activity with in the ruins, Registeel and his brothers witnessing their king constructing a golem of glass, rubber and an inner spark. Taking into an electrical yellow color as electrical limbs sprang out.
Regieleki bounced off his stand and hoped around in excitement. Another dream was with in a chamber of mystical crystals. Flowing energy into a red orb with a light blue draconic skull. Regidrago's blue dots lit and he shifted into a dragons skull. It gave a shine of primordial power and let loose a high pitch roar. The Gigas looked on in pride as his children were quick to gather around the Drago. The dream shifted into one in the outside world, where the Golems were assaulted by chains, cast by that old order of Keys. Mickey, Goofy and Donald knew what this is and jumped into the fray, interrupting a binding long enough for the golems to break loose. Regigigas flexed and gave a deep roar before sprinting after the assailants and punching into the earth, causing it to rupture and send the order flying off the mountain.
Registeel in particular was confused and his eyes shined on seeing the oddities. The dream became that of the chamber that was his prison. His pattern of dots lit up and he flailed his arms. "Ji-ji-ji-ji!" Scrooge laughed and offered a hand. "Those crooks won't be troubling you anymore. We're here to rescue you and get ya back to your kin!" Registeel hopped and began to march to the exit that was shining in light. The band found themselves back into reality and found Registeel shining in light.
Waking up like he escaped a never ending nightmare and found himself surrounded by those same heroes, along with a rag tag band of misfits that gave a little celebration. Registeel was looking to ask many questions and noticed a dark shadow entering the room. The band turned to see a heartless swarm approaching and the iron golem marched after the darkness before leaping at a cluster and slamming down heavily.
Elsewhere in the ruins.
Roxas and his crew were at a dead end. Dupmic and Spoink were examining old carvings of five beast like symbols, in an attempt to uncover some old history. Ceruledge picked up a dark sense and turned around, Namine took a step back as Okidogi approached the coming darkness and readied his knuckles. (Oh ho ho! We got treasure thieves incoming!) Dipiti giggled in flight. (Seeking what we're aiming to seize? That just won't do.) Dori crossed his arms smugly and guessed from Ceruledge's mood. (We're taking those out? Aren't we?) Roxas and Ceruledge readied their blades. (That's the idea.)
Namine gasped and readied a beast ball. "Come on guys! Let's show them who they're trying to jump!" She tossed the ball and let out Paint Squirt. Out of the darkness came a horde of heartless that resemble marauders, lunging with axes, bows and shields. Poppy took a deep breath and kept by the witch. "Moa, focus on the archers before diving in for a blitz!" Roxas pressed a fist to his chest, quing Dogi to do the same.
Dupmic glided over and fired a barrage of soul spears as Spoink sprang to fire power gem beams. Munkidori leaped over to build up sludge and slammed into the horde, unleashing a sludge wave that left the vast majority of them badly poisoned. Fezandipiti unleashed a dazzling gleam that poisoned more and Okidogi let loose a snarl that had the whole horde affected by the toxic chains.
Roxas and Ceruledge disappeared into shadows and rushed through the Marauders in strokes of twilight and ghostly fire. Namine pointed to a particular archer as the Blaziken performed a swords dance and blinked after a foe to engage in close combat. "Paint Squirt, venoshock and blast them away!"
The Naganadel aimed her stinger and fired, taking in a boost of power and gliding swiftly, she followed with a rapid fire barrage of dragon pulse while Munkidori sneaked away and conjured psychic rocks. The archers took aim at the girls and the Muki, they hid behind a pillar as Dupmic speared through an archer and raised his hand to make shadows pool in. A giant hand emerged to grab an archer and a few shield guards. It crushed them in it's grip and spilled a deathly aura, surprising Dipiti before he back flipped and flew a tail wind for Okidogi. The Dogi sprinted after the horde in all fours and joined the slashing duo with a firm punch to a heavily armored marauder. He paid attention to the strokes and punched through in sync, laughing all the way.
Munkidori climbed up a pillar and leaped with a psyshock cluster, tossing the bombardment down in precision. With some effort, the worst of the ambush was reduced to a lightly sweet smelling aura. The band turned the way they came from and found Ienzo and his body guards fighting for their lives.
The scientist conjured fast prisms as Aeleus smashed pillars of stone and Dilian swept the heartless away in sharp wind. Poppy signaled to Moa. "Flare blitz that cluster! We're getting to the bottom of this!" The Blaziken erupted in flames and charged as the teenagers were ready for a brawl. Namine felt her senses picking up and in a corner of the eye, found Denryk and Scraggy smashing through a spike pillar while Ogerpon used her cudgel to remove a Corrupter shaped foe. Denryk had a moment to pause and the witch felt his voice echoing to her mind. "Go help Registeel! I'll handle the one responsible!"
Launch flung himself and rolled into the hall way that the Committee members went, leaving one direction remaining. Denryk and his partners sprinted down there as Ienzo didn't notice and tried to keep calm. "Did you find anything we're looking for?"
Roxas, Ceruledge and Dogi went after the dark forces as Dupmic, Dipiti and Spoink ascended for aerial combat. Poppy spoke fast. "Other than some pictures, no Registeel. So that ought to mean-" Namine pointed at the path ahead. "Registeel ought to be over there! Once we push through, we'll take care of the rest!" Rumble! Rumble! The ruins begun to shake, there isn't much time. As the band were about to fight, a shine of starlight glimmered brightly.
At another dead end.
Resira, Leonhart, Tifa, Aerith and Cloud were up to their necks in heartless. It was a stalemate between skilled swordsmen, a martial artist and a white mage. An archer was silently aiming for the one in the dress when suddenly a polearm speared it in the back. It was lifted high and was tossed aside, giving Aerith time to see that and unleash a bombardment. Stepping out, under the shadow of a mighty construct, was a familiar pedestrian. Deborah cringed at the violence and moved. "Phew, nasty!"
Leanhart flinched at the arrival. "What are you doing down here?"
Pew! Boom!
The shadow aimed explosive rounds at the heartless swarm as the local admitted. "I wanted to see this big ol' Registeel for myself and I finally got that itch after seeing you all do stuff. Besides, I didn't come alone!"
Stomp! Stomp!
The shadow revealed itself to be the Kastelan Robot that her son salvaged and helped repair. "Sentor, purge this darkness from the ruins!" Sentor aimed his combustor at a shadow cluster and made short work of them while firing his guns at the Marauders. Deborah kept close to the fighters and Aerith cringed while finding the polite words. "Coming down here is still a mistake, when was the last time you've used your husbands dual blade?" Deborah tapped the blunt end of a polearm to the ground and confessed. "There was never the occasion. But I learned a few from watching."
Boom! Boom! The band were ready to reposition as Sentor was caught off guard by a set of dark chains. The ladies turned fast to find the sword wielders grappled fast and Deborah jumped back to dodge a chain grapple that bounded Aerith. The pedestrian felt her heart racing and turned to where she came, finding two more chairs coming at her. She slashed them in two swiftly and found the source, a cross bow wielding man in black coat. Deborah's eyes flared up as the black coat saw the familiar looking woman and tensed. The two called out harshly. "You!"
The assailant cursed. "Of all the hillbilly idiots, you had to show a nerve!"
Deborah balked in laughter. "Oh, ha, ha, ha! You can take the hood off, only those weirdos ever use them." She was ready for a fight as Braig pulled his hoodie off in annoyance. "You're telling me this runs in that kids family?"
Deborah shrugged and noticed a link that is keeping Sentors shoulder gun in place, she sprinted fast. Braig knew what she was doing and aimed. "Oh no you don't!" Pew!
Deborah swung the blunt end of her weapon and deflected the shot, it was off balance, but it got the job done. She danced around another shot and was ready to smash the chain, only to have four wrap around her arms and legs. Yanking her to a wall and knocking the wind out of her. Braig approached her in spite and had a bolt aimed for her heart. "How's about I send a message to that little monster and every single loser that keeps crawling in my way!"
Deborah struggled with her weapon hand and was trying to brace for what is to come as the group of five realize what is about to happen and made a push. The crook pulled the trigger and shot out a bolt, Deborah closed her eyes in a cringe and felt nothing, save for a small relief. She opened her eyes to find Braig completely surprised and the bolt shot kept in place. Deborah was dizzy in the eyes as Leonhart noticed a group of four at a corridor. A Forretress, a Scraggy, an Ogerpon and a masked boy with his hand directed to the bolt. Braig had enough time to direct his view towards the arrivals and Denryk swiped his hand towards his direction. The bolt flew back to it's source and sent him tilting side ways. Scraggy sprinted to fake Braig out as Denryk tossed Launch over to Sentor's chains, Ogerpon dashed over to Deborah and clubbed the chains loose. The pedestrian was freed and hurried over to the committee, weapon in hand as Denryk took his tube and raised it towards his face. "This is between you and me! Remember this voice!"
BZZZ!
The beam of light shot up like a sword and Deborah gasped. "No way." Braig kicked Scraggy away, warped high and fired fast at Denryk, who deflected the bolts away with the light saber. Denryk focused his hand at one of the crossbows, it flew out of the wielders hands and towards the masked one.
With one slash of the light saber, Denryk cleaved the weapon in two and brought Deborah out of her silence as she smashed a club at Leonharts chain. "No way! This is like that old story about-" Braig snarled and had a cross bow aimed at the woman. "I'm on to you, you little-" The other cross bow flew out of his hand and right to Denryk, who has it floating in place. He clenched his hand at the weapon and through force, caused it to compress and cave in, like it was being crushed in a trash compactor. Ogerpon gasped and giggled as Deborah simply focused. Squall saw a face that was certain of what she's seeing.
Braig saw he was disarmed and called a ripple of darkness, he had a sweat and snickered. "Just what the heck are you? Where did a monster like you crawl from?"
Denryk hissed his breath at a certain word and asked in a familiar tone. "Is that fear I hear?" He tilted his head in a condescending manner. "You're already afraid of me?" He aimed his light saber and yelled out a command. "You got one chance, run away and do not return to this town!" His voice echo'd. "We are done with you!" Braig pfth and drew out No Name. "As if!"
He unleashed a cluster of hook chains, Scraggy leaped for a low kick as Ogerpon smashed her burning cudgel. The crook danced around the kick and parried the scorching blow as Denryk deflected the chains and watch them sink into the ground. The masked one took a step and blinked in light speed. Braig warped away as Launch flung himself for a heavy slam. Ogerpon dashed in a quick attack and smashed the crook towards the ground before back flipping. Denryk brought Launch towards him and has his eyes focused on the shadows. Scraggy is seeing that and gave a whistle. Only for arrow tipped chains to shoot out after the pokemon. The hoodlum and Forretress, who are aware of what those do, flinched as Ogerpon saw the chains freeze in place. Braig realized why that's happening and watched them crumble under pressure. Denryk breathed out in disappointment. "You had to aim at them."
Braig readied something as the masked one focused a hand at him, the pressure of a tight grip was at his throat. "GRRK"
Denryk gave a gentle gesture and lifted the crook up in the air. The pokemon eeked and hurried to free the Committee from their bindings. Leonhart was freed from his and saw Deborah's amazement turn to terror, the pedestrian checked on Sentor and found a loose enough chain that she only needs to smash another. Braig kicked and struggled to scream, as much as Denryk cared for that, the masked one asked in a whisper. "All that talk, all that bolster, all the lives you've stolen?" His voice raised harshly. "And you're still a gnat before a might that is all around us!"
He commanded once more, as an otherworldly fiend that has his prey bound for the inferno. "I gave you one last chance to walk away. To forget about this place and leave the people alone." The sound of his teeth pressing together is heard. "So give me one more excuse for why I should still let you do that! The worlds would be better off if you just go away already! And this hole looks like the place to bury someone!" Launch smashed Resira's bindings loose as Scraggy kicked Clouds loose, Ogerpon shivered and focused on freeing Tifa.
Deborah felt pale, tapped her polearm and called out to the masked one.
"Here's one!"
Denryk froze in place and looked over to the woman, Deborah saw she was being looked at and put her hand to her chest. "To be real honest, we'd all be better off if he stays gone already! We've lost nearly everything because of this guy and the devil he's bargained with." She shook her head and kept tears hidden as she scowled at the masked one. "But if you send him to the devils, with the anger we're seeing, it would just bring more violence and pain to our home. Think about that before you tighten your grip."
Denryk stopped breathing at the scolding, he spaced out and felt a wave of fear. He shifted his eyes towards the warriors, who were stiff at the sight of something monstrous. The police officer with a flamethrower was having more dread at a supernatural force she knows little about but is wise enough to know that blood is about to be shed. Denryk tried to breath and closed his eyes. Thinking more about the town above, of a time when it was the pinnacle of beauty and mystery. When the land and sea were together as one and spanned over the horizon. The memory shifted to him, a mother and a father trying to escape a dark outbreak. The visions escalated to hell on earth and a rising anger towards the ones who've caused it all. Rising to that of flames. He shook out of the infernal vision and felt his mind in a spiral. He looked to the hand instilling the choke and begun to breath heavily, fuming out the anger. He clenched it like it was holding a ball as his blood boiled. Braig had a moment to realize he's able to breath again right as the masked one let loose a scream, the crook was sent crashing to a wall at the whim of a throw.
Denryk kept a defensive pose, making sure the crook knows that any step towards the patrol will be he final mistake. "No more! No more of this crud! No more of the hurting!" He kept barking. "No more! No more! No more!" Leonhart put a hand to Denryk's shoulder and drew his sword. "No more of this prick's nonsense!" Resira looked concerned as she and a freed Sentor went to scorching away the remaining darkness. The masked one eased his breathing, a built up rage faded away. Braig felt a pulsing vein, held the No Name Blade in both hands and sprinted after Denryk in a yell. The masked one was disappointed once more and parried the blade, with Leonhart joining in that push. Denryk had a hand let go and pressed it forward to let loose a mighty push. Braig was sent skidding away and towards a glimmering light that rushed at him in the back. He was knocked down by a cart wheeling Litzia and her trusty Clefairy. The Keybearer waved to the masked one. "Sorry to show up unannounced Denryk!"
She channeled a heal that helped sooth Denryk's strain as the Crook opened a dark corridor and pointed in a dark vow. "This isn't over, just you wait until you let your guard down and then everyone in this little town will"
The corridor begun to melt and Denryk felt something primordial, he turned off his light saber and stepped back as Litzia corrected Braig. "Actually, it is!"
Woosh! The corridor rippled out in distortion as the Star Sage shined in light and aimed her blade. "By the will of the Light and the vengeance of Shadow, you won't be setting one foot in this or the neighboring towns again!" Out of the distortion, came an entity that exists in shadow. Serpentine, horned and having a blue glow. Denryk and Leonhart kept back Braig turned around and froze in terror of Giratina's arrival. Litzia commanded with an angelic tone. "We decree, the Power of Banishment!"
A keyhole of light and shadow opened up in a ripple. "May the worlds beyond have mercy, for the home you forsook no longer welcomes you!" The keyhole begun it's fast suction Braig turned to grab onto something and use No Name to fire a bolt in ricochet to Litzia. Giratina flew in the bolts way and deflected it with his wing, all the while giving a haunting smile. The pure terror was enough for Braig to be yanked out of place and be sent into the keyhole, kicking and screaming. It flickered away upon ejecting the sentenced. Litzia phewed and waved to the Renegade. "Thank you, he's on his own out there now." Giratina nodded silently, indeed, he slithered back into the shadows.
Litzia turned to Denryk, who's shaking from an ordeal and gave him a gentle, sisterly embrace. Rumble! Rumble!
Denryk felt where it was coming from and gasped. "Oh boy!" He let go and asked the group. "You guys need to get out of here, stat! Something's going wrong with Registeel and it needs to calm down." He waved a hand to Sentor and had him lead the way back, Deborah was eager to follow, having relief in her eyes as she pleaded. "See that those guys make it out safe. Force continue to guide you!" Denryk called to his partners and was ready to take off. "May the Force be with you all!" They hurried out as the band followed, the excavation neared it's end.
Over at the Chamber.
Mickey and his cohorts were left quite impressed at how Registeel is battling against the darkness, like the iron clad he is. Leaping with heavy slam and being able to shrug off most damage. He applied a body press to a heavily armed marauder while the band pushed through with him. Registeel was left confused about the Keybearers actions and was about to rush against another cluster. In a sudden, dark spikes erupted from the walls and shot dark beams upon the golem. A dark figure of shadow, smoke and tendrils slithered out and made a rush at the golem, seeping into his being and making him spiral out of control. Registeel beeped harshly and begun a signal for help as he stomped against the environment and bring about an earthquake shock wave. Which caused the entire ruins to rumble. Mickey braced for the worst. "Oh no! Something's getting a hold of Regi-"
Registeel leaped after the King in a heavy slam and was faked out by the side by a Munkidori. Ceruledge and Moa charged the Golem with a combined flame and sent it flying to the side as Dupmic, Schemy and Spoink arrived in style. "Found a dead end over there!"
At command, the Murkrow and Spoink unleashed a combination of thunder wave and confuse ray, stunning and dazing the titan. Roxas, Namine and Poppy caught up and saw the spiked pillars worsening the quake. A pack of heartless emerged enmass as Okidogi, Fezandipiti and Nagandel entered to see the mayhem. The spikey haired dual wielder guessed by the active golem. "Looks like you guys woke Registeel up." Mickey nodded. "That we did. But the Dark Forces aren't letting him get out of here easily. We'll need to force that demon out of him if we're to be done with this and it needs to be soon."
Okidogi smirked and rushed over to Registeel, punching into the golem and keeping it distracted as Fezandipiti and Munkidori went after the heartless and used the power of dazzling gleam and sludge wave to wash over the forces. Dupmic focused his soul power and unleashed it upon the pillars as Paint Squirt noticed a dark power erupting from the titan and shooting at the band. The Ultra Beast fired as Roxas and Mickey flickered in light, went to Registeels personal and unleash a blast that brought about the fiend. The very one that's been creating the Shadow Pokemon outbreaks, she swatted the two away and had Registeel leap after Poppy.
The girl in glasses kept back as her Blaziken kept guard from a dark break, the golem shoved the bird away and was about to aim a blast when he froze still. Like something was holding him in place. The Demon struggled to make him move and spotted something approaching, Denryk was using both hands to force the Registeel in place. Poppy and Namine were the first to see the timely arrival of the masked one and his misfits, Launch rolled after the swarm as Scraggy and Ogerpon rush into danger. The masked one called out to his squad. "I'll hold this for as long as I can! Get in there and send this demon away for good!"
The band is going to need a chain and Scraggy spotted Honedge, who would work for a sync partner. Dori and Dipiti had an idea and joined into a circle. A dark and fighting type beats a ghost and steel type, who beats a psychic and poison type, who so happens to beat a poison and faerie type. Reaching a full circle as the faerie prevails over the hoodlum.
Namine and Poppy smirked to the idea and hurried as Roxas and Dupmic back flipped to the golem. Ceruledge and Schemy joined in as the boys and girls put their hands together, the keybearers took aim and they found themselves within the darkening heart scape of a temple. The Demon snarled at the four that brought along the knight, Murkrow, a Smeargle and floating behind Poppy, the Nihilego. The Demon let loose a purple hue to try and force the four out. "You've interfered for the last time, fools!"
Namine tighten her grip and conjured a strange gray keyblade of gray flowers and a Forgotten Chain. The witch barked back. "No, you have." Poppy ordered fast. "Jenny, ascende and give her a sludge bomb!"
The Nihilego brred, disappeared and appeared in front of the demons face before firing caustic sludge. Roxas and Ceruledge sprinted for a double slash flurry as Dupmic warped to the demons side and conjured rocks to bombard, Schemy blew a tail wind and aided Arty in delivering a nuzzling tackle. The demon roared and unleashed fast projectiles as Namine spun her blade and release six chains, clashing with the bombardment as Roxas and Ceruledge cloaked in shadows and struck in multiple places, like phantoms.
Jenny floated over to Dupmic and aided in a bombardment of power gem blasts as Schemy went after the demons neck and beat his wings. The demon swatted the attackers away as Namine picked up a sense of something rushing. An inferno Hearthflame Spirit with a great cudgel. Ogerpon blasting her way through, looking at the demon and leaping swiftly.
Bonk!
Poppy kept a focus and conjured her trusty Articuno. "Hakakā, we just need a little more to banish away this evil. Think you can do it." The Articuno didn't need much convincing and set his gaze on the demon, he fired his eye lasers for extra effect and felt a ripple. The temple lit up and shined in metal, Registeels heart is fighting back and the chant of a hoodlum, a sword, a Munki and Fezand sang. Joining in the chorus was that of a Dogi, a Kirlia, a Blaziken and a Ninjask. A hymn that brought about a shadow to compliment the light. Silently looming out of the shadows, came Giratina. The Demon wiggled back in peril. "No, no!" Roxas tossed Oathkeeper and Oblivion to the side as Ogerpon kept attacking the demon like a valiant knight would to a dreadful dragon. The blades shined in light and darkness, sucking the demon out with aid of deathly power. Namine felt a gentle force, raised her blade and aimed it at the fiend, unleashing a blast of gray that caused a blinding. The band found themselves back to reality and the demon being forcibly ejected. Ogerpon and the pokemon involved were in a wider circle that neared completion and a keyhole opened, the demon had a moment to look and find herself being sucked in. The Loyal Three came through and Dogi saw the source was getting forced out, he smiled and waved cruel. (Buh bye!) Dori waved with him and showed his teeth. (Don't let the magic door hit you on the way out.) Dipiti sang in tune. (You will be a pest no longer!) The demon wailed helplessly and was sucked through, disappearing from the world and leaving behind a darkness that faded away.
Registeel was leaning back in shock and came a light. He and the ruins were calming down from the ordeal. Poppy pat him on the back and brought out dusk ball. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." She gave a tap on the golems back and watched him go in. Shake...shake...shake... click!
With that resolved, the band looked around to find the ruins could still give way at any moment from all the shaking. They hurried out and go through the warp. Appearing back on the surface and finding the expedition group getting a report on what has transpired. Among them was Regice and Litzia, the Star Sage finished. "So if he's still upholding his end, we should be getting news soon."
Regice sensed someone and turned to find the band well. He floated and beeped. Poppy smirked and used the dusk ball to let out a worn out Registeel. Causing the golems dots to light up as they beeped together. Ogerpon spotted Deborah and Aerith, deciding to go check on them as the Loyal Three looked to their accomplishment and blushed.
Ienzo turned to see the squad made it out and pressed his hands together. "Litzia filled us in on what happened. Is it true that the Power of Banishment was invoked?"
Namine deducted. "I've been given a few clues as to what happened. Braig happened and since the Power of Banishment was invoked on him and the Demon, who were not of this world, it was easy for them to be kicked out. They won't be troubling us here ever again."
Deborah bobbed her head. "If it's at the magnitude we saw, they won't be showing up here or the worlds beyond the train either. It works out for us in the end." She smiled over to Denryk, who blinked behind his mask and looked quite ashamed. Ienzo agreed with the woman's assessment. "It's a relief to all of us here."
Cloud, Leonhart and Resira looked to each other in concern. The blonde spikey haired swordsmen stepped out of line. "But now we got another mystery to worry about. What was that kid doing?"
Deborah thought of how to speak in a way one who's never really watched movies too much, would understand. "According to my... sources, he was conducting with a power known as the Force. Something that a Jedi in training uses, a lot."
Denryk nodded his head and was thankful he was hiding his blush. "Which works in ways that are both amazing and as horrifying when that anger gets the better of you."
Resira gave a dry ha. "Horrifying is an understatement. You know the scope of what that heretic has committed on the worlds, anger and hatred are the most natural of feelings you will have towards him." Denryk agreed back. "All he does is hurt people and I wanted it to stop!"
Cloud grew stoic, almost having some pity. "You damn straight that's all he ever does and all he'll ever do. But you've still proven to be the bigger heart when you tossed him and that anger away." Leonhart second that. "It still works out for us." Dilian corrected him. "At least for now, this side of the universe is finally rid of that villain."
That is a relief and Deborah wondered. "Still. What is a Padawan of this power, doing all the way over here by himself?"
Poppy wanted to break up the debate. "What ever it is, these four and their partners really did save our bacons. Two of the golems are with us and one of them remains out there, we got a lot to catalog."
Ienzo has a dozen questions in regards to the Ogerpon and the "Loyal" Three. "Some unlikely looking heroes, new mysteries on the horizon and some answers." He asked the Secret Squad. "If you can give us some time, then I'm sure they'll be someplace in here that will accommodate you."
Namine took that offer and asked the pedestrian. ""Miss Deborah, I think you're owed some answers first?" She turned to the boys. "If you don't mind?" Denryk took a deep breath and turned. "Yeah... she does. She's dived deep enough to earn the right."
The squad headed over to Deborah's place. The Loyal Three were kept outside with the bug types, the Eevee siblings played around and Dupmic was making himself at home with Schemy. Namine and Arty were drawing a picture as Denryk, Scraggy and Ogerpon sat side to side. Roxas was on a chair, completely exhausted and Deborah took the time to whip up some cookies. After some silence and the smell of an oven, the lady of the house took the time to ask. "So Dupmic, care to explain why this is happening? You and Xion talked a lot about these two and it's hard to believe they're out and about."
Dupmic pressed his hands together and thought to make a long explanation short. "Dream projecting, otherworldly stuff, enough said?" Deborah thought so. "It's better if I don't ask for the details, I won't get it." She turned to Denryk, who's still wearing that mask. "What about you?"
Denryk sighed and looked to his partners, Scraggy gave a nudge with his elbow and insist. (Come on boss.) Ogerpon took off her mask and had a moment to realize there's a reason Denryk has his on. The masked one decided and reached for the cover. "Alright, it's better if I show you first."
He took the mask off and showed something that would have made Deborah drop something. Identical hair, an identical face and an identical form of Kendry, save for a set of gray eyes. The lady of the house gasped and yelled out. "What the heck happened?! Who are you?!"
Namine hurried to her stoic bro in arms and explained to the confused woman. "Something happened during that final battle that ripped Ken's heart from his body. Through that will, Denryk came to be." Denryk closed his eyes and nodded. "It took me a while to figure it out, while doing things Ken would have done and once he went to get his body back, I let him have it. I'm his other, sharing that same face and hired to help with the worlds while the heroes are out there."
He looked at a mother who's realized how much hell her own flesh and blood has gone through. Deborah swallowed and crouched to him. "Was that why you were wearing that Mask? Because you knew that all this was going to happen if we see it?"
Denryk shifted his eyes away in regret. "I wasn't just impersonating him, I really thought I was him. A lot of screwed up stuff has happened during that war and the last thing you need on your minds right now is-" !
Before he knew it, he felt Deborah wrapping her arms around him, as expected from a mother. She rubbed his back lovingly and whispered. "Shh... don't worry, I get it. Those monsters are gone now, because you've done what was right for all of us."
Denryk was frozen as the woman kept quiet, the boys eyes watered and he begun to cry out. "M...Mom. I... I..." He held his breath and returned the embrace, closing his eyes and embracing the warmth. Scraggy and Ogerpon joined in, the Ogre whispered softly. (There there, Mom still loves you.) Scraggy would have gave her a nudge and sniffled. (He thought he wasn't going to be welcome around here, you know how that's like.) Ogerpon blushed in understanding.
Roxas thought about the deeper forces at work. "We're thinking that Force stuff came because you two took those movies pretty seriously. Litzia looked into that a while ago and there's proof that it's a real thing. Mix that with the stuff that made us dream out of our others and he's as close to the real deal as it can get."
Denryk asked his superior. "I've been a lot more of a help than I thought I was going to be?" Roxas nodded. "You tell me. The power to feel what others are feeling, from all around you, to those far away. Then you feel that return the favor. Once you're determined about something, nothing stops you! Just..." He took a deep breath. "Don't be afraid to open up to people. We've seen Ken do too many stupid things because of that care."
Denryk blushed. "Do I got to show this to everyone around town? For real?" Roxas shrugged. "That's up to you. They'll know more than she does." Deborah let go and was quite impressed. "Hey, anyone who's been able to turn that monster into a rag doll and wrecked those fancy cross bows like they were trash, is going to be welcome around here."
Dupmic was quite surprised and was impressed by the feat. "Tell me more about that, because I doubt he saw that coming." Denryk laughed to that. "It wasn't hard to know what he was trying to do, his reaction made it even easier to predict and I figured that taking away his weapons would have made him take off. That's not why I might be in for it."
Deborah gestured in a suggestion and let the boy confess. "He kept refusing the hint that he isn't welcome around here. Tried to kill someone Ken cares about and then he had the nerve to use those dark chains on my friends here." He embraced his two partners. "So I wanted to show him how little he is compared to a Force that doesn't take too kindly to that."
Dupmic quickly imagined using the Force to break someones neck and cringed. "Sheesh! And in all that anger, you were about to put him in his place, for good! No wonder people were getting scared." The mother confessed. "I can't blame Denryk for using that ol' choke. I think we all want to strangle the life lights out of Braig by now."
The hoodlum continued along, understanding the rage filled desires. "Or shoot more of his limbs off. He hasn't figured out that lookalike was me..." He stopped and realized that for all the crook knows, the more familiar hero was the one who brought near ruin to a long scheme. "Oh..."
Deborah shrugged and sat on a table. "So, every little matter is meant to hurt Ken as an act of Hatred. It's Braig's own choice to tumble into the depths of the Dark Side, taking it out on someone who's not as skilled is just the thing of a coward." She wagged a finger to the Padawan. "Just remember, be the better person, because there are many ways you can also end up on the darker road."
Denryk understood. "*Huff* All of them are very, very easy to fall into."
With that lesson learned, Roxas moved along to the next topic. "So now that the Demon's out of here too, what now?" Namine found that up to the imagination. "There's still many things we need to have finished. Even if the towns don't quite need us anymore."
Denryk didn't mind the feat. "Some peace to go back to is a pretty welcoming sight." He felt he could melt as Deborah went to her duties. Dupmic snickered and joined Denryk on the couch. "The guys would like to see that once they come back." The Padawan closed his eyes in bliss as Namine looked out the window in hope. "Hopefully with clues about Regirock! I guess once we're rested enough, we can go see what's happening around here?" As the group were considering celebration, Denryk felt himself in a trance, meditating in the realm of crystal.
He knew there was a presence, wishing to lend some aid towards a more ideal path. That elderly voice from before, spoke out. "Do not forget how easy it is for the Dark Side to cloud your vision. Strong influence, it is."
Denryk agreed to the voice. "It's so easy for it to work its way into the hearts and minds of others. When you're face to face with someone who needs to be punished, you forget about that control and you seek to make sure that someone never harms another again."
The voice hmmed. "Stop evil, where ever it goes, we must. But revenge is not the Jedi Way." Denryk smiled to the voice. "Revenge is a cycle. A waste of time can be spent on better things than that. But, if you just let that evil" He coughed and focused away the anger. "ahem, walk away, they won't learn. They've crossed the point where the Darkness will forever more own their choices and that makes them a danger to everyone around them. Even a danger to themselves."
The voice chuckled back. "Often they are! But what would the difference between the Forces will and your own sense of revenge?" Denryk sighed. "It really depends on who is doing it. Anyone with a sense of justice, will know that the Dark Seekers have sown so much chaos that it won't ever be ignored again." He realized. "We just need to make sure that when the time comes for justice to be carried out, that the right call is made."
He nodded. "You know, I can go with that. The Force works in strange ways that things balance themselves out, we're just apart of it's will... after all." The voice was quite impressed and laughed. Denryk woke up to the squad noticing his meditation. Namine squinted her eyes at the Padawan. "Just because we've reached a point, doesn't mean it's the end of the road. Where do you suppose our next mission will take us?"