Liko -To uncover the ever-elusive mysteries involving my, Sarah, and Race's Terapagos, we, the Rising Volt Tacklers joined by the Alolan Royal Family and their friends (old and new), have returned to the Paldea Region. We stopped by a nearby beach where we had a lot of surprises and fun encounters waiting for us. And, now, we're out shopping with everyone else at a seaside town close to the beach.
Two days went by following the heroes' beach escapade with Ludlow's old friend, Palafin, and on August 20th, they were busy sticking up on food and supplies for the continued duration of their journey together.
Liko was with Orla and Metagross as they loaded a stocked food box onto his head with the mechanic telling her partner, "Phew! That looks pretty heavy, think you can lug it back to the ship, Metagross?"
"No problem!" Metagross grinned, not minding the heavy load on him as long as everybody still has something to eat during their travels together.
"Well, that's all the shopping done on our end," Liko announced happily, seeing that they got everything on their list.
"Sure is. Mmm... Ah, what a relief!"
Mollie and Chansey, in particular, were satisfied themselves as they found a cluster of supplies that had surprisingly good discounts and prices they could afford as they joined the pair and Metagross.
"Everything's hunky-dory with us, too," smiled Chansey.
"This town really outdid itself. With all the freshly-made food at affordable prices, no wonder it's popular this side of Paldea," the traveling doctor remarked with a satisfied grin, carrying a loaded shopping bag.
"Well, you're in a good mood today, Mollie," Orla quipped.
"Mainly from these bargains I got for a steal."
"Good job!" Hatenna chirped happily at Mollie and Chansey.
With Sarah and her family, they managed to load up with the food and supplies they and their group needed at bargain prices as the little princess poured through her checklist over what they were looking for.
"Well, I think that's everything. This should be more than enough to last all of us another extension of the journey in our search for Laqua," she quipped in satisfaction, seeing that they have everything they needed.
"Correct, Princess, everything we bought is exactly what Ms. Mollie wanted for us as well as our own provisions," Tsukumaro confirmed after loading one of the last food and supply boxes they have on them. "Hopefully, we needn't worry about her blowing her head off on us about going 'off-list' as she would've put it."
"How do you suppose the others are doing with the supply run on their end?" Hiccup questioned.
"Last I heard, Roy and Friede were in a long line at a cafe that sells these Wiglett cookies everybody around here is falling head over heels for. Apparently, they're quite popular with the locals and tourists that tried them out for some reason," Asha replied.
"We did hear those cookies were supposed to be good based on what the people told us," Diane nodded.
"That's great and all but don't they think they can hold their stomachs off until we've wrapped up our supply runs? There's still something about the weird tower that the trash-collecting swimmer told us about two days ago," Race informed.
"Don't worry, Race, Mollie is a taskmaster in her own right. And, if anybody can get those two hungry-hungry hippos of ours back on track, it's her," Fishlegs smiled in reassurance.
"Sarah!"
A frantic voice got the group's attention and they turned to find Reader approaching them with her Reader Crystal in her arms, looking rattled.
"Reader!" the little princess gasped as she went to her NightWing advisor and held her gently. "Take it easy, Reader. Now, tell us, what's going on?"
"...M-M, My visions! I-It's almost time; Lucius' Rayquaza, he's coming!"
"What?! Are you serious, he's finally coming?! Where?"
"I don't know, somewhere around this area but away from the town! Also, my visions told me two of the Explorers' Big Three are coming..."
This drew an immediate frown from the little princess; after recalling Mr. Swimsuit Man telling her and the others about a group of suspicious people erecting a tower on an island close to Levincia (which Ludlow found in one of the Palafin photos the Snap Kids had given to Roy), she, Cap, and Friede had a good idea as to who would be responsible for it. And, now, it seemed as though their suspicions were spot on for it could only be the Explorers who are responsible for it.
Then, curious as to which members of the Big Three were moving out, she asked Reader, "Which ones, exactly?"
"You're not going to like it: Coral and Sidian. I'll bet Chalce will be with them, too, but working from the shadows wherever she's at. What's worse, I have a feeling Spinel will be coming back and he'll likely have joined forces with them."
Now, Sarah was more worried than ever; the Explorers are now changing their game plan to find, lure in, and capture Rayquaza and further their search for Laqua as part of Gibeon's plan for who-knows-what. What's more, they are now taking a more tactful approach to challenging the powerful Terastal Sky High Pokemon and the tower could be part of what could be their game changer.
"Oh, dear... This is serious," Delilah gulped worriedly.
"Something tells me we'll be in for a real fight with them if they've gotten smarter with what they're trying to pull this time," Astrid replied.
"Bloody hell, this is bad, extremely bad. If those foul-mouthed ruffians are here within this vicinity and they've made the tower we noticed days ago, our next confrontation with Master Lucius' Rayquaza will soon begin," Tsukumaro frowned darkly.
"Yeah, and Amethio won't be far behind them with what else he has up his sleeve. No doubt he would've learned something from his failed battle with him. That means we need Diancie and all of her friends ready and waiting for them if he's still that powerful to deal with," Fishlegs nodded.
"There's still her Kubfu friend to find even though we've gotten most of them with us. And, Island Girl managed to get the Necrozma in her temporary ownership back to his Ultra Forme so, okay, we're not exactly helpless," Race interjected.
"But, what about the others Diancie mentioned?" Ruffnut reminded.
The "others" Ruffnut mentioned (in addition to Diancie's Kubfu friend) were the wild counterparts of Kit and Ella and Sarah's Latios and Latias, Sarah's Lugia friend from her and Lana's escapade with the Pokemon Poachers trying to capture him and Kyogre (who was also amongst her friends), Groudon, the wild Zekrom, Kyurem, Reshiram and Tao's counterparts, and the male counterpart of her Ho-Oh:
- the counterparts of Tao and Reshiram along with Zekrom were convinced to join forces with the heroes as was Kyurem despite him being the empty husk of the opposing Unova dragons
- Kyogre and Groudon also agreed to set their rivalry aside for the sake of the greater good and help fend off the Explorers from throwing the world into chaos with their goals and hidden agenda involving Lucius' Rayquaza
- Sarah reunited with her Lugia friend and Diancie's Ho-Oh friend at a small island in the northeastern end of North Province Area One (who was pleased to hear she had been doing well since they last met each other and agreed to join her for his sake and Diancie's) and at a small raised hill by South Province Area Four's waterfalls respectively (with her Ho-Oh helping to convince her male counter part to assist them if needed as well as being concerned for his well-being after seeing the Legendary Beasts and their Paradox Pokemon ancestors)
That only left Diancie's Kubfu friend to find which wasn't too hard as Diancie told the heroes that he was somewhere in North Province Area Two. However, they don't know how much time they had until the Explorers strike and Rayquaza reappears so they're effectively racing against both their enemies and time.
"As Race said, we only have Diancie's Kubfu friend to find but if they plan on getting through Liko and Roy for leverage points, we'll have to be extremely careful and keep an eye on them so nothing happens to them," Zenna replied.
"That's if we're lucky and we get a Hail Mary if the worst does happen," Stryka said.
"And, if Rayquaza doesn't play any wild cards to throw us off and make our counterattack against the Explorers harder than it already is," added Tyson as he and the Jungle Guard approached.
"Essssssssentially, we're going through with another gamble to sssssstop those basssstards from achieving the impossssssible for their sssssselfish wantsssss," Medusa noted.
Sarah nodded grimly in reply as she then said, "Well, if Sidian and Coral show their faces again while Spinel and Chalce, wherever they are, man the preparations to catch Rayquaza on their end and jump ahead of us in finding Laqua and uncovering the mysteries behind our Terapagos, let them come. We'll give them a big bang they'll never forget..."
Sarah was right; Coral and Sidian and the rest of the Explorers would be in for a big bang because the agents in question were close by and going incognito to avoid being found out by the heroes in preparation for bringing in and capturing the leader of the Six Heroes (even though Coral wanted a taste of the town's Wiglett Cookies much to Sidian's disgruntlement).
(Opening)
Now, head forth! Pierce through the clouds~
(Our opening for Part 2 of Pokémon Horizons (i.e. The Gleam of Terapagos) begins with Liko, Sarah, and Race in a triangle formation (Liko up top, Race from the bottom right-hand corner from her left, and Sarah from the bottom left-hand corner on her right) as their pendant and Terapagos Three shone in darkness before the former turned into Liko's Terapagos)
(We swiftly pan across the oceans akin to the beginning of the opening of Attack on Titan S4 Pt. 2 (The Rumbling by SIM) before stopping amongst the horizon as the titles for Pokémon Horizons: The Gleam of Terapagos appeared amidst a sunset/sunrise)
When I remember the words I couldn't say
I dove down to hide myself
Swimming my way through in uncertainty
I cut through the clouds and head for the blue sky
(We see a young Liko walking with her parents through a marketplace before we see her as she is, her uncertainty lifted as she holds and looks at her pendant underneath a moonlit sky from the rooftop of her family's house along with Sarah as she enjoyed her life in Alola growing up before she is shown holding her family's Sun Sword in its powered-down form as the young woman she is and held it above her head underneath the Alolan sun in a split-screen sequence. Then, in a flurry of Leafage and cosmic energy, we see the pair with their three Terapagos, Sprigatito, Hatenna, Blitz, Curly, and Silvally enjoying the breeze together on the observation decks of the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft)
One day, I'll look back
At that fiery red sunset
And burn it all into memory
(A young Roy is shown being fascinated by stories his grandfather was showing him until we see him as the boy he is (looking dirty all over and wearing the Brave Olivine's flag like a cape) eyeing the Ancient Pokeball that once held Lucius' Rayquaza in his right hand and raising it high above him in the rising or setting sun while Race is seen being found by Brandon, enjoying life with him and the other Frontier Brains, and being the man he is now as he eyed the camera and held a Pokeball in front of him while glaring at the camera in the same split-screen sequence before they're shown via Flamethrower, Shadow Claw, and Thunder watching the sunset on the Brave Olivine's Wing Deck and the Dragon craft's sun deck watching the sunset with Bella, Robbie, Tou-Tou, Wattrel, and Fuecoco)
Even if I can't reach the truth of the world~
Or the feelings of that girl~
It's okay to not understand~
Just shine like a rainbow~
(We are shown their friends and Sarah's family including a few of their Pokémon in five/six slot group sequences as follows: Friede, Orla, Mollie, Dot, Ludlow, and Murdock with Charizard, Metagross and Elekid, Chansey, Quaxly, Rockruff and Alcremie, and Quagsire; Burnet (with the cute addition of Lei) and Kukui with Munchlax, Incineroar, and Braviary joined by Diane, James, Nikki, and Johnathan with Romeo, Dragonite, Lucario, Clover, Catnip, Juliet, and Melon; Ash, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, Lillie, and Sophocles with their respective partners; and Delilah, Doug, Donna (former queen), David, Asha, and Gladion with Mischief, Persian, the Tomoe Squad, Flicker, Flicka, June, Proud, Ziracon, Umbreon, Silvally, and Lycanroc; Goh, Nemona, Arven, Penny, and Team Star with Meowscarda, Pawmo, Killowattrel, Cinderace, Inteleon, Grookey, Mabostiff, the Eevees, Bisharp, Torkoal, Skuntank, Revavroom, Azumarill, Wigglytuff, Passimian, and Toxicroak; and the Blueberry Academy students with Hydrapple, Mightyena, Toucannon, Magmortor, Empoleon, Reuniclus, Whimsicott, Granbull, Flygon, and Haxorus)
(We see a smirking Cap from the Brave Olivine's bridge and Friede taking the wheel along with MK-1 on the Dragon Craft's Bridge at its controls with an eager bark, the three of them preparing to take everyone aboard their respective ships to new heights and continue discovering all the world has to offer among the horizons)
Now, head forth! Pierce through the clouds~
Stumbling, staggering~
Standing firm and reaching farther~
Now, run forth! Towards my future~
(In the horizons, with the heroes riding their respective ships, they dash forward with Lucius' Rayquaza roaring and flying alongside them before Liko, Roy, Dot, Murdock, and Ludlow are shown with their partners stumbling, running, or sliding along Rayquaza's body with Mollie, Chansey, and Orla following on Metagross and Sarah and Race tailing their new friends aboard Bolt and Winter with the rest of their family joining them before Marena and Stormcloud joined them. Meanwhile, Amethio is shown training with his Ceruledge and Corviknight with the former forced back by the latter and their master staggering to the floor and sitting on his ass from the intensity of the training battle. As his partners sparred, he gritted his teeth and tugged his shirt, feeling unsatisfied about the current progress he was making and wanting to do more to improve themselves and himself on something while Hamber and Dusknoir watched on)
At the end of this long, long journey
I'll remember you
One day, we'll shake hands
And laugh
(Lucca, Diana, and Liko were seen together with the final Terapagos in the young girl's arms who cried out and unleashed an energy wave, showing Moltres, Arboliva, and Rayquaza with the second half of the Six Heroes: Entei, Lapras, and Kleavor, in small bursts along with Lucius and Liko's Terapagos, before Sarah, Race, Liko, their Terapagos Four, Sprigatito, Rosie, Chili, Crest, Silvally, Tou-Tou, Robbie, and Bella along with a tearful Marena come across Lucius on a cliff point before they joined the Ancient Adventurer on his current spot)
A light appeared
At the end of the rainbow
And I found my dream
(We see the Explorers in short bursts along with a Tera Orb in Sarah's hand, Lucius' gear and records, one of the Terapagos Four in Stellar Form, and someone reaching out in between the heroes looking out to the horizon and the sun in the heavens before Sarah, Liko, Marena, and Race are seen face to face with the Six Heroes as the opening ends)
(End Theme Song)
With no time to waste until the Explorers make their move and Rayquaza reappears at any time, while her family and friends and the Rising Volt Tacklers wrapped up their stock resupply run, the little princess went to a small clearing a short distance from the town to ready herself (keeping Reader's warning about the Explorers in her mind).
After a short round of meditation, she brandished her wand to practice a trio of new spells she developed that would aid them in their upcoming struggle against their pursuers and Rayquaza's would-be captors.
"Ignis Tornadio!" she began, casting a flaming vortex from her wand's tip as it spiraled upward with intense heat.
As she held onto her fiery vortex, it danced and roared as it whirled about, shining brightly in the clearing thanks to her wand's unique magic, eventually creating a perfect ring of fire she managed to control easily from its enhanced power and precision.
"Aqua Tonitrus!"
Next, the little princess conjured a mass of electrified water and sent it crashing down, lightning crackling across the water as it lit up the clearing.
"Glacius Tempestas!"
Finally, Sarah conjured an ice-inspired spell that caused dark clouds to form and bring in freezing rain which fell upon her and mixed with sharp hailstones, eventually canceling the spell and lowering her wand as she became satisfied with her magic.
"Well, now, Princess... I see you've gotten stronger and better with your magic," Lugia smiled as he, Tsukumaro, and the Jungle Guard watched over her while readying her new spells.
"Most impressive, Princess, stellar work! Your bond with your wand has grown tremendously since it chose you after it was first crafted. The magical properties it possessed are now in perfect sync with your Nephilim Physiology and offered you greater control and precision over your spells than I could ever imagine from a wand of that caliber. Especially for a witch or wizard so young and so small," Tsukumaro praised.
"Thanks, Lugia, Tsukumaro. I wasconcerned about how it'll take the new spells I've worked on, I'll admit. But, from these test runs, I have no reason to worry, after all," the little princess replied, smiling in relief as she examined her wand.
"Princess, no need to concern yourself. You've dealt with those savages enough times to know what they are up to by now and Sir Race's Kevin has his Damp ability to deal with Glalie's Self-Destruct. You may not have all the answers to their ploy yet but we'll find out what they want and why, somehow."
"We have Diancie and nearly all of her friends piggybacking us when they show up. What's more, your variation of the Fidelius Charm helps prevent them from being seen by Amethio and his colleagues, too," Tai Lung added reassuringly.
"I know, I just hope it's enough this time..."
"I'm sure it will all be worth it. Come, we should see how everybody else including Ms. Liko and Roy are all getting on," Tsukumaro said as the group returned to the beach where the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft were moored.
Upon arriving, they saw Lazuli (now wearing a large bandage over the gash on her chest left by the Klawf from the heroes' previous adventure) training again with the Circle of Twelve as she was training with her father's sword.
When the swordswoman came to, she was devastated to see her father's sword two from one of the Klawf group's X-Scissor attacks (which was powerful enough to break it in half after she shielded Woobat from the blow intended for her). Hiccup, Sarah, and Zenna offered to make her a new sword but Lazuli was adamant about using it only since it was all she had left of Seiya and she couldn't bear parting with it.
So, the trio relented and rejoined the two halves together, making it much more durable so it wouldn't break so easily again by anything including a Pokémon's attacks, new intricate lightning patterns etched onto the blade, and a gem in a deep shade of sapphire at the base of the hilt (now wrapped in dark leather).
But, the more durable and repaired blade, the lightning patterns, the leather wrap on the hilt, and the gem were just the start; after some modifications on Sarah and Hiccup's part (akin to the Dragon Blade and his Inferno sword (made during his first term in the Ranger Academy)), it now possessed the ability to ignite into deep violet flames with a twist of the hilt. Also, a hidden compartment in the hilt contained a canister of Zippleback gas and the pommel now launches Rain Darts for sneak or quick-strike attacks.
But, as she was training, much to the worry of the Zodiacs (particularly Hu and Mistral) as they watched her train, the gash on her bandaged chest wasn't completely healed and she nearly collapsed when it flared up on her, using her father's repaired sword to prop herself up.
"Ah! Ngh!" she hissed, doing her best not to fall over or collapse on her knees.
"Am I the only one worried over how far she's pushing herself since the day before yesterday?" Rabbit asked her fellow Zodiacs.
"Yer not the only one, Rabbit, dear. Our little crouching tiger's not doing herself any favors after one of those Klawf attacked her and Woobat and left a nasty cavity on her chest," Horse replied worriedly.
"I'm surprised with how long she lasted this morning since the princess and two of her Viking pals fixed up her father's blade and gave it those strange mods," Dog nodded.
"Hey, guys, what's going on?" Sarah asked, the little princess and her group getting the Circle of Twelve's attention as they turned to them.
"Wouldn't you like to know? Kid's gone AWOL since she found out her father's sword broke while she saved her little bat and you and your Berk Brainiacs whipped it up from the forge as good as new," Rooster snarked.
"She was training with it for over four hours since dawn and she's never put it down once even after you, Zenna, and Hiccup repaired it," Pig concurred.
"Is that so?" the little princess blinked just as Hiccup and Toothless arrived, looking just as surprised and worried as she and the Zodiacs were.
"Uh, Lazuli, aren't you supposed to throw in the towel for today? You look like you're running a Kung Fu marathon given how you're sweating and you've never let go of your sword," the male half of Berk's former Viking underdogs quipped to Lazuli.
"Not with those morons out and about, I'm not. Plus, I can't afford to lose my father's sword again, and if any of them try to-hey!" the swordswoman began before she noticed Sarah pulling away from her with her Chi.
She glared at her with a raised eyebrow as she grumbled, "Uh, hello! I was training with my father's keepsake and I'd like it back right now, thank you very much."
"Nuh-uh, four hours since dawn this morning refining your swordplay without a break ANDwhile the Explorers are at large right now? Not with that gash on your chest, you're not. You took a hit from one of those Klawf the day before yesterday before Palafin came to help us courtesy of me shielding him from the Snap Kids and you should be resting right now," Sarah retorted, glaring back at her as she held onto Seiya's sword.
"We only patched you up after that entire incident two days ago; your wound is still playing up, and you're not helping yourself by training when you shouldn't have at a time like this, young lady. You won't be of much help to us against the Explorers if you put any more stress on it and it keeps you down no matter what you do to cover it up," Tsukumaro added firmly, looking unimpressed at Lazuli.
"But, I'm still the only one who knows the ins and outs of how they work and fight! I can help take them on, even if I have to use my entire body to do it no matter how bad I get it! You won't last a minute without my help if they jump the gun again!"
"We know that and you've been a big help to our friends, Kiddo. But, right now, you're still recovering from the Klawf attacking you after you and your Pokémon tried to save the Snap Kid who barked up the wrong tree on their turf. We all want what's best for you in and out of the playing field and I'm sure your parents wouldn't want to see you hurting yourself more than you already are," Hu chastised as he and Mistral came up to her.
"We've done all we could to heal you but you can't help us with that gash on your chest still playing up. What you need to do right now is to stay in bed and rest; let us deal with the Explorers for now. Please, stay out of trouble today for our sakes and that of your parents," the Dragon Zodiac finished.
"...Fine. Still, thanks for fixing Dad's sword, guys. I can't believe you and the Viking It Girl fixed it up like that," the swordswoman huffed at her in defeat before turning to Sarah and Hiccup.
"Zenna and I had practice when it comes to forging and repairing weapons and we worked closely with Sarah while she helped us get to know Toothless and Stryka and make a few things for them after we befriended them," Hiccup replied modestly.
"And, don't sweat it, we crafted swords and weaponry since we could walk. It's an occupational Viking hazard thing, too. A gift, really," Zenna concurred as she and Stryka appeared to join them.
"Hey, guys, are Liko and Roy back yet?" Sarah asked, wondering where Liko and Roy were with Friede, Orla, and Mollie.
"Not yet. Last we heard, they offered to help the bakery owner sell his shop's famous Wiglett Cookies after the manager threw his back. But, I did see Coral while I was walking earlier before doubling back; no doubt she'd want a taste of them before getting to the job given to her and Sidian by Gibeon and Hamber. But, judging from the line and the people packing the place, I know she'll be on Tantrum Street for a while."
"Please, let her try and score a hit on us with her baby fits when we see her. Hookfang and I will blast them to kingdom come until they cry 'Wee, wee, wee!' all the way home," remarked Snotlout from Hookfang's neck as they, the other Viking Teens, their dragons, Glimmerand Gleam, Sparks and Spew, and Pincher joined the group.
"I'm all for that and melting her exploding ice block!" smirked Hookfang, sharing his rider's sentiments.
"Easy, Glalie tried to blow the others up back at Diana's castle base in the Galar Region and the Jungle Guard barely got them out of there by a last-ditch game of Hot Potato they pulled. I'm sure Coral and Sidian wised up to a ploy like that and have their own plan of attack in mind for something like that," Fishlegs warned, knowing that things won't be easy this time.
"And, it's not like Liko and Roy are helpless given Char and Serrate's arrival after we met them following our adventure with the Maushold," Astrid added in agreement before she snarked at Snotlout, "They're making great progress in their Junior Rider lessons; at least Roy and Char's relationship was more balanced and smooth sailing unlike how you and Hookfang bounced off each other."
Snotlout only mockingly laughed at her and sighed, "Very funny, Astrid."
"Hey, guys, Sarah!"
The heroes turned and noticed Liko, Roy, Sprigatito, Char, Serrate, and Fuecoco returning to them with a box of Wiglett Cookies they got from the bakery manager as a reward from him and his family for helping them after he hurt his back.
"Hey, Liko, Roy, perfect timing! We were just talking about you!"
"How'd it go with the Wiglett Cookies? We heard from Lazuli that the manager selling them hurt his back," Tuffnut and Amber questioned.
"Sure, he's alright. We took him back to his nephew and helped him with his bags while Sprigatito gave him an aromatic massage. They were so grateful for our help that they gave us a box of Wiglett Cookies for free!" Roy grinned as he showed the group the box of Wiglett Cookies before he realized his partner was missing. "Huh? Uh, Fuecoco? Are you there, buddy? Where are you?"
Soon, the tiny Fire Croc Pokémon came up from behind but he was looking agitated by something stuck on his back (which he tried and failed to get off).
"Hmm, what's this on your back?" the young adventurer quizzed as he pulled off what looked like a piece of paper with a crudely written message on it which was just clear enough for him to make out, "It says, 'You stole something very important'."
"Stole something important?" Liko echoed, confused.
"Yeah... The only problem is I can barely read it."
"Roy, wait! Let me see," Lazuli demanded, having Roy hand the message over to her and she snatched it before groaning angrily, "I should've known! This ditty was Coral's handiwork!"
"Coral?!" everyone else exclaimed in shock.
"That little queen of tantrums again?!" Toothless balked.
"Who's Coral?" Pincher asked his sister, raising an eyebrow.
"A nasty piece of work who loves big bangs, that's all you need to know, little bro," Stormfly replied simply.
"I thought that petty princess of darkness and her ice cube were history after the Jungle Guard punked them with their little Hot Potato game back at Diana's castle base!"
"So did it judging from the explosion that conked her Glalie and her big guy's Rock Salt Man out!"
"Aww, man!" grumbled Barf, Belch, and Ruffnut and Tuffnut.
Liko and Roy gasped in shock and Snotlout also couldn't help but groan, "Normally, I'd laugh over how she writes like a toddler but she's really getting on my nerves right now. I mean, where did she even learn to write crap like that, anyway?"
"Oh, great...! By the looks of it, she and Sidian arrived earlier than I thought. Reader did tell my family and I they were close by according to her visions which means they're already trying to kickstart their, Chalce, and Spinel's plan to lure in and capture Rayquaza when we least expect it," Sarah sighed.
"Rayquaza's coming back?!" Liko cried, horrified.
"This is not good. But, what did Coral think we stole from her according to her message?" Roy quipped before returning to Coral's message.
"Most likely the Wiglett Cookies you two got from the owner and his nephew; if there's one thing she can't control, it's her sweet tooth. She probably saw you with the cookies she wanted to try out so badly and is now hopping mad, wanting compensation as she sees fit," Lazuli replied.
"That is a problem... But, what can we do? If she finds us and starts a fight over something like us getting free Wiglett Cookies..."
Liko nodded but then told the wounded swordswoman, "You're still hurt from the Klawf's X-Scissor attack to your chest, Lazuli. You won't be of much help to us when she does pick a fight with us."
"Now, who said I'm-ngh!" Lazuli hissed again as the gash on her chest flared up a second time before she tried to come up with an indignant response.
"Oh, no...We'lldeal with the Explorers this time, kiddo. You're staying right here until that gash on your chest is gone," Hu ordered firmly with a guardian's fatherly aura as he held her before she collapsed again, not wanting her to push herself further.
"Where did Coral say she was waiting in her letter, Roy?" Sarah asked the young adventurer.
"She told us she'd be waiting for us at a seaside cliff point called Snorlax Rock, why'd you ask?" Roy answered, confused by Sarah's question.
"Why don't you, Liko, and I pay her a visit as per her battle letter? She'll be waiting for a meal from the Wiglett Cookies you got after she was cheated on them. But, rather than give her a sugar rush, I want to ask her and Sidian why they and the other Explorers want Lucius' Rayquaza and our Terapagos, who Gibeon is exactly, and why and how they intend to find Laqua."
But, she then gave a firm motherly glare as she told them, "But, Liko, Roy... If things get hairy all of a sudden and Coral throws down the gauntlet once Sidian joins us, I want you two to make a run for it back to the others and tell them to get ready."
"You're not using yourself as bait again, are you, Sarah?!"
"We'll stay with you, we can help!" Liko and Roy protested.
"You're not ready to take them on yet and there's still a lot about their latest plan for Lucius' Rayquaza we don't know about. I can't let you two, your partners, Serrate, and Char get hurt and be used as leverage. If they try anything funny, I got a special surprise waiting for them."
The little princess approached the pair and softened her motherly glare before she told them, "Liko, Roy, listen to me... I realized now, given how you're both growing and becoming true trainers day after day despite picking up on my and my friends' bad habits along the way, you've probably forgotten..."
She took a deep breath as Liko and Roy stared at her, not knowing how to reply while she continued and held their left and right shoulders respectively, "But, since we're facing our greatest challenge to date from the Explorers, think back for a moment... Think back, Roy, remember that oath we and Friede made after our first struggle with Amethio when he failed to steal Liko's Terapagos in his dormant form and when you two and the Rising Volt Tacklers vowed to protect Race and I and our family after we revealed our ranger identities to him? I have no right nor business of any sort to tell you how to live your lives, it's not my place... I'm sure your parents and your grandfather will never let me hear the end of it if they found out you somehow got hurt by anybody, especially the Explorers, under my watch. So, I guess, in a way, when you break it down... This is really just more of a lingering hope I have for you should I not come back and you all continue your journey with me."
The young trainers were speechless as she gently held and patted their heads and finished, "Liko, Roy, you two, and Dot... If I do return or if I don't, promise me... Live a life you three can be proud of however you three see fit."
Later, the little princess, Liko, Roy, Sprigatito, and Fuecoco arrived at Snorlax Rock in the middle of a seaside clearing where the disguised Coral waited for them as per her battle letter challenge (with Serrate and Char tailing the group from above so they could bail the latter quartet out should things get sticky).
"Took you long enough, y'know. Still, better than nothing, I suppose," she snarked at them, making Hatenna squeak worriedly from Liko's hoodie (and prompting her to gently shush her Calming Pokémon so she wouldn't be too scared).
"Yeah. Are you the one who wrote this letter for us?" Roy questioned, holding her message out to her.
"'Course, it was! Why wouldn't it be? You did bring them, right?" she smirked, holding her hands out to them.
"Bring what exactly?" Sarah asked, feigning innocence.
"Come on, you know, don't ya? The limited edition Wiglett Cookies everyone in the nearby town goes crazy over, remember? You did bring them, right?"
Liko turned to Sarah, seeing her nod and allowing her to pull out the free box of Wiglett Cookies she and Roy got from the shop manager and his nephew, "You mean these cookies?"
"Yes, yes, exactly! Y'know, I really have to thank you for bringing them here," Coral replied sweetly, keeping to her current guise, "You know, you've done a good turn for me given that you've stolen them earlier. Do you know how long I've been waiting in that line to get 'em? But, I'll let you off easily if you give them back."
Roy was surprised over her sugarcoated accusation as he replied, "'Stole them?' But, Liko and I didn't steal them; the shopkeeper and his nephew gave them to us after we helped him with his shopping."
"Get your own!" Fuecoco added, not trusting the disguised and disgruntled Explorer before them.
"Well, how do you think I felt when I couldn't get my hands on any after they were sold out for the day? You know I've waited hours in that dumb line like everyone else to get a taste of them let alone a box-full, right?!"
"But, it's not really our fault..."
"Uh, well... I guess, if you want these cookies so badly," Liko offered meekly as she opened the box and offered to share them with Coral (who could only twitch in horror as she wanted them complete in an unopened box). "You can have one if you want, go ahead..."
"Hey! Why did you open the box when you shouldn't have, huh?!" the Explorer snapped angrily in Liko's face as she slapped the opened box away.
"Well, you'd have to open the box and take them out if you want to eat him, right...?"
"There's nothing wrong with sharing a culinary rarity, what's the point of keeping them in a box if you can't eat them with friends? They're not collector's items when they go bad, really," Sarah shrugged in agreement.
"Those cookies, complete in a box, are a limited edition...! A rarity, a foodie's dream item! And, you had to go and ruin them by opening it! That kind of disrespect makes me so stinkin', flippin', HOPPIN' MAAAAAAAD! GLALIE, COME OUT NOW!" Coral raged, bringing out her partner and causing Sarah, Liko, and Roy to gasp knowingly, immediately recognizing the Face Pokémon.
"It's Glalie!"
"It is her!"
"It really was you, after all, Coral!" they barked, bracing themselves.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha! Took ya long enough to piece together, huh?" Coral mocked as she raised her left wrist and revealed her Wrist Com.
"I don't think so! Mechanae Discombobulus!" Sarah countered, brandishing her wand and blasting Coral's Wrist Com off (effectively destroying it and canceling her disguise before she could do so voluntarily).
"Hey! You sneak, my Wrist Com doesn't come cheaply, ya hear?! That was the only one I got and you're gonna pay for that!" she barked, annoyed.
"Then, you won't mind putting it on the Explorers' bill if you didn't waste your time and money building that weird tower we picked out days ago, right, Coral?" Sarah retorted, undeterred.
Coral snorted at her but she sneered again and replied, "Just dropping in for a treat before our latest endgame until you came along, Princess! I never thought you would be involved in getting those perfectly good mint-in-box Wiglett Cookies, and now, I'm gonna have to make you and your little friends pay for ruining my treat!"
"Enjoy them while you still can before we pound ya, runts!" Glalie sneered in agreement.
"You're not making any sense here!"
"You big baby!" Roy and Fuecoco snorted, annoyed.
"I'll call Friede right away," Liko told Sarah quietly.
"No time, you two double back on Char and Serrate as we agreed. I'll fight her and Glalie along with Sidian and Garganacl when they arrive with Tommy's Brachio power and buy you time to escape," Sarah whispered back as she brought out Tommy's Dino Gem and her key.
"Alright, Glalie, let's have some fun with our special guests!" Coral smirked, continuing to sneer at the trio.
However, before anybody could make a move, Garganacl appeared and landed before his and Sidian's fellow agents and the heroes as he bellowed, "Garganacl, standing by for battle!"
"Now, what?!" Liko blinked.
"Hey, look! Garganacl's here, too!" Roy added in surprise at the Rock Salt Pokémon.
"Well, Sidian, I had a feeling you'd be here as well given Garganacl's presence," sighed Sarah as the Explorers' Big Three's man of brawn arrived and joined his fellow agent and partner's side. "I knew Coral wouldn't be the only one poking her head around here knowing what you're in for."
"And, what gave that away, Princess?" Sidian replied indifferently before he turned to Coral, looking unimpressed at her. "You were taking too long on your end so I had to come and reign you in until I noticed you found one of our targets."
"Tch, and of course, you had to ruin the fun of it all, Mr. Killjoy," sniffed Coral, giving him an annoyed yet snooty look.
"Oh, man, Sidian as well!" Roy gulped.
"Oh, I see. You're also here with the kids from the Rising Volt Tacklers, too, Princess? And, even if she couldn't join us today, I'm guessing Lazuli is still with you all, correct? I see our chance has come again."
"Then, I guess you won't mind tag-teaming with me again so we can give her an Explorers-One-Two as payback for humiliating Glalie and I months ago with that Hot Potato gag, right?" Coral snarked at him, glaring daggers at Sarah.
Sidian was in no mood to argue as he eyed Sarah, eager to have a proper battle with her and see what she was capable of, "So, then, Princess, would you do the honor of battling us again for old time's sake?"
"I will but I would also appreciate it if you two leave Liko and Roy out of this. Whatever happens between us right now has nothing to do with them," the little princess agreed, not wanting to drag Liko and Roy into the crossfire.
"Sorry, no deal, Ms. Royal Pretty Pants. That little girl of yours has someone we need to fulfill our team's ultimate goal and you and your man are just as guilty for harboring three more like it even if they hold no significance to what secrets it has. Why not have them stick around and enjoy the show while we're at it? At least give them a show before we have them kick the bucket, deal?" Coral sneered, smirking at Liko and Roy.
"You sick monster!" Sprigatito snarled.
"Let me at 'er, let me at 'er! LET ME AT 'ER!" Fuecoco bellowed angrily as he and his friend knew Coral was talking about Terapagos, Larmina, Garnet, and Topaz, hopping in place and eager to teach her and Glalie a lesson.
"Your fight is with me and me alone; you and Sidian challenged me, I made the rules, and we're sticking to them as we battle, so there," Sarah retorted before she told Liko and Roy, "Roy, Liko, get back while you still can! I'll join you later once I'm done with these clowns!"
"But, Sarah, two against one?! That's not fair!"
"We can help you!" Liko and Roy protested, not wanting her to fight Sidian, Coral, and their partners herself.
"I'm aware; that's why I've got a triple threat ready for them. And, besides, with your lives on the line, I'm not asking! Char, Serrate, now!"
"Right!" the two dragons shouted, appearing before their riders and scooping them, Sprigatito, and Fuecoco on their backs before they darted back to the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft to get help and be ready.
"Nooooooooooo/Nooooooooo!" the young trainers and their partners screamed as their dragons carried them away and left Sarah on her own while the little princess summoned Chili, Crest, and Rosie to fight Glalie and Garganacl.
"Will a 3-on-2 battle with my Paldea Starters be alright with you two and your powerhouse Pokémon, Sidian?" she asked the Rock-Type Explorer.
"That's fine, come at us with what strength you and your babies have," Sidian replied indifferently.
The little princess nodded as she decided to pocket her key; she was tempted to reveal her new DinoThunder power to the pair but felt it was unnecessary to give the Explorers a heads-up about the new ace of her sleeve. What's more, Chili, Rosie, and Crest wanted to prove themselves in their new forms and she wanted to see how they fared now that they've evolved.
She looked between Glalie and Garganacl and looked at the Rock Salt Pokémon before directing Rosie to the powerful Rock Type (with her initiative to make the first move getting Sidian's intrigue and approval, showing him how honorable she was as an opponent in a proper Pokémon battle), "Go, Rosie, use Quick Attack on Garganacl!"
"Yeah!" Rosie grinned as she zipped toward the Rock Salt Pokémon, her eyes trained on him but ready to react should her adversary make a move.
When she did ram into Garganacl, she could only push him back a few centimeters but that was all she could manage before she heard him chuckle, "What do you call that? Hmm-hmm, it kind of tickles."
"Huh?!" gasped Rosie as her eyes widened and she jumped back.
"Hmm, is that all you got right now, Princess? And, I thought you were a formidable foe from what you've demonstrated along with your friends in the Galar Region," Sidian noted, feeling as though she was holding back on him.
"I was just having Rosie gauge you and Garganacl, Sidian. That's all I was doing," Sarah replied, undeterred as she turned to Chili and Crest. "Crest, stand by and be ready to defend! Chili, now use Flamethrower on Glalie!"
"I am READY, Mom! Burn, baby, burn!" Chili smirked as she fired a powerful Flamethrower attack at Coral's Face Pokémon off the bat.
"Weak," snorted Glalie in snarky amusement as he dodged the attack.
"That was, like, so totally predictable. You really should come up with a better game plan, Princess. Glalie, use Blizzard," Coral sneered, still smirking at her and Sidian's royal opponent and allowing Glalie to attack.
"Time to chill, royal baby! HAAAAAA!" Glalie smirked as he fired his Blizzard attack.
"Oh, believe me, Coral, I'm more than ready for you. Chili, Spinning Heat Wave, then close in towards Glalie!" Sarah retorted, having Chili spin like a top without getting dizzy (thanks to a recent array of training lessons to help her learn how to use the Counter Shield) and unleashing Heat Wave to look like a fire Tornado before she darted towards the shocked Glalie as he continues to fire Blizzard.
"Glalie, look out!" Coral screamed, her Icy Type barely managing to dodge (after his Blizzard attack was cancelled out) but not without feeling the heat from Heat Wave and wincing from it much to her annoyance. "Hey! Did you just learn to try and burn up my Glalie with an intense fire, you sneak?"
"I'm sure you and Glalie are aware by now, Coral, I'm just full of surprises and so are my family. Chili, Crest, and Rosie will be no different despite how bigger and more powerful you two, Sidian, and Garganacl are right now."
Impressed by Sarah's wit, Sidian made the next move as he had Garganacl attack Rosie this time, "Garganacl, use Salt Cure on the princess' Floragato!"
"Dodge it, Rosie!" Sarah countered, having Rosie dodge Garganacl's Salt Cure as the Rock Salt Pokemon aimed and fired at her. "Now, close Garganacl in with a Magical Leaf barrier!"
However, Garganacl waited it out until Rosie canceled her move and braced herself, seeing how durable her, Chili, and Crest's Rock Type adversary truly was as Sidian told their human mother, "A move like Magical Leaf no matter how powerful has got no chance against Garganacl as you should already know, Princess. If you're going to prove yourself a worthy opponent as before and in more traditional circumstances, you and your babies will have to step it up a bit. Garganacl, use Salt Cure!"
"Yes, Master," nodded Garganacl and he fired Salt Cure again, forcing Rosie to dodge again while Sarah looked over the situation.
"So far, so good... Their attention's completely on me, Char and Serrate should have no problem getting Liko and Roy back to the others. But, despite our being prepared, Coral, Sidian, and their partners have become more tactful in their approach this time despite how they never seem to change based on their personalities and relationship as co-agents. And, by all accounts, they've gotten stronger, too. Our only chance is to get them in a corner long enough for us to send them running and leave another clue to the trap they, Spinel, Amethio, and Chalce set up for Rayquaza," she thought, narrowing her eyes.
"Uh, Mom... Problem!" Rosie gulped as she found herself stuck between a literal rock and the hard place that is Garganacl.
"End of the line, kitty-kitty-kitty," the Rock Salt Pokémon sneered with a dark chuckle as he towered over her.
"Show no fear, Rosie! Stay calm and wait for the right moment!" the little princess called to reassure her trapped Grass Cat Pokémon.
"Hey! MOM!" Chili cried as she skidded on some ice, forcing Sarah to turn and see her trying to regain her footing (as despite her Heat Wave Counter Shield, Glalie's Blizzard had managed to freeze the ground around them and handicap her ability to stand or walk as she slipped).
"I can't get a grip on this stupid i-i-i-i-i-ice-UGH!"
"Chili! Hang on, girl, try and hit Glalie with Flamethrower but stay calm and hold your ground!" Sarah shouted, having Chili keep her footing and try to hit the Face Pokémon
"Too slow, too bad. Now, Glalie, use Ice Spinner!" Coral smirked, having Glalie ram at Sarah's Crocolar and knock her down.
"Chili, no!"
"Ngh, man! I, hate, cheaters!" Chili snarled in disgust as she picked herself up and shook off her dazed state, glaring at her Ice Type foe.
"Anytime, Mom!" Crest called to Sarah, eager to step in and give his sisters a hand as he saw them handicapped by Garganacl and Glalie.
"Okay, on my signal..." Sarah nodded, staring at Rosie.
"Nowhere to run nor hide now... Garganacl, use Salt Cure!" Sidian said, deciding to end things on Rosie's end.
"Nighty-night," Garganacl mocked as he readied his Salt Cure attack while Rosie and Sarah exchanged a brief look before steeling themselves (with the little princess giving Crest a small nod, allowing him to get into position to jump in).
"Hold, Rosie... NOW!" Sarah barked, having Rosie dodge Salt Cure with Quick Attack from under Garganacl and tagging out with Crest as he jumped from behind the Rock Type (much to Sidian's surprise as he watched on). "Now, Crest! Hydro Pump!"
"So long, Rock Man! HAAAAAAAA!" Crest sneered as he fired a full-powered Hydro Pump attack from behind and got Garganacl in the back.
"DYAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!" the Rock Salt Pokémon screamed as Crest's Hydro Pump made contact with him.
"Incredible! That Floragato not only managed to escape and tag out with that Quaxwell but it was able to strike Garganacl from behind with Hydro Pump?" Sidian breathed in astonishment, realizing the little princess had utterly outwitted him.
"Nice one, Bro!" Rosie thanked.
"Worth the wait!" grinned Crest before returning to his battle stance and readying for Garganacl's next assault despite the Rock Type being greatly weakened by his Hydro Pump.
"Hey, Mom! A little help!" barked Chili, still trying to figure out how to counter Glalie's Ice Spinner attack as he continued to ram at and humiliate her.
"...That Counter Shield worked with Heat Wave so if we're to use that same tactic Glalie and Coral are using with Ice Spinner but with another Fire Type attack, mayb-hey! Chili, I got it! Try a spinning Flamethrower plus Flame Charge!"
"WHAT? You want me to fight on equal footing with that face only a punk woman could love?!" Chili barked at Sarah.
"You got any better ideas, Chili?!"
"No! But, anything's worth a try!"
"Trust me! It's the only way for you to pound him! Just do it!"
Taking a chance, Chili activated her Flame Charge to melt the ice around her (and increase her speed as she did so) before breathing out Flamethrower and spinning like a top before she charged toward Glalie. Of course, when he felt the heat and noticed the ice around him melting, Glalie flinched and he was forced to cancel his Ice Spinner move and back off. But, Chili wasn't about to let him off the hook for humiliating her like he did as she chased after him.
"Oh no, you don't!" she snapped as she quickly caught up to the Face Pokémon and knocked him toward Crest and Garganacl. "FORE!"
"Little Glalie!" screamed a shocked Coral as Glalie crashed into Garganacl and Crest saw his chance.
"We're taking you...DOWN! HAAAAAAA!" he bellowed, unleashing Aqua Jet on Garganacl and Pound at full chat on the two Pokémon, clinching the match for him, Chili, Rosie, and Sarah.
"Great shot, Chili!"
"Nice work on that combo!"
"Thanks," bantered the little princess' Paldea Starters as they regrouped before glaring at Sidian, Coral, and their partners as they regrouped on their end (with Glalie and Sidian barely recovering and picking themselves up despite the damage done to them).
"I'm Impressed, Princess, you've managed to land a few well-timed and powerful hits on us throughout our challenge," Sidian praised monotony despite sounding impressed.
"Ha-ha! What do you know? Looks like an old dog such as you can learn new tricks with only a few evolved babies, Princess. Pretty cute if I may say so," Coral sneered with a mocking laugh.
"However..."
"...Playtime's over," they finished darkly as they, Garganacl, and Glalie prepared to go all out.
"This isn't good, guys, Mom."
"Yeah, they're ready to go on full blast now."
"Should we brace ourselves for the moment of truth, Mom?"
"I know," Sarah nodded as she brought out Tommy's key and his Dino Gem, bracing herself as she, Crest, Chili, and Rosie all eyed their enemies until...
A ringing sound came from one of Sidian's pants pockets (his upper pants pocket, specifically), and realizing he and Coral were being called over by one of their fellow agents, the muscle-bound Explorer decided to have them withdraw as he told Sarah and returned his partner, "Forgive us, Princess, but we'll have to settle this another time. Garganacl, return."
"Huh/What/Hmm?"
"Sidian?" Sarah and her Paldea Starters blinked in surprise as they also heard the ringing sound coming from his right pants pocket.
"I'm afraid we're needed elsewhere, Coral," Sidian told his partner, ignoring their opponents' surprise.
"No way! Let's pretend we have no signal and keep going with the princess, things are about to get good!" Coral snapped back in annoyance, stuffing her Rotom Phone away as she had also gotten the signal Sidian was given.
"Our duty takes priority."
"That island's really boring! I really seriously HATE it!"
Sarah gasped as she heard Coral say 'island' and quietly echoed, "Island?"
"You heard me."
"Why can't we finish things up here and end the princess right now? Then, after that, we can go back to calling Rayquaza and kill off the Female Battousai should she be around there and snatch those turtles while we have the chance and they appear!"
"Call Rayquaza?!"
"Then, that means you creeps-!?"
"You're still after Lucius' partner!" Rosie, Chili, and Crest gasped in shock as their eyes widened.
"Wait, hold on! Coral, Sidian, call Rayquaza? You knew he was going to appear somewhere in this area, too? Then, I guess Spinel and Chalce are involved in whatever plot you cooked up this time and they're spearheading it behind my and my friends and family's backs as we speak. Now, where are they?" Sarah demanded, glaring at the two Explorers and now wanting to know more about their latest ploy after recalling her last meeting with Lucius' Rayquaza.
Sidian and Coral stared at her before the former demanded to his fellow agent, "Stop talking."
Coral, however, just ignored him and continued to chat away as she prepared to finish the battle between them, "We're going to get the Shiny Rayquaza for ourselves while you all lumber about doing your own thing. But, first things first, my little Glalie is about to totally put you and your Pokepals on ice so get ready and-!"
"That's enough!" Sidian grunted as he summoned his second Pokemon partner, an Areodactyl, to pick Coral up and take her with him to their next destination where they were needed by Spinel and Chalce (wherever they currently are).
"HEY! Put me down, what are you doing!? STOP IT!" Coral snapped as she threw a tantrum while struggling in vain to break free from Areodactyl's grasp.
"Coral? Sidian, hey! Where are you going?! Come back! WAIT FOR ME!" Glalie cried in surprise as he followed his comrades to Spinel and Chalce's location, wondering why they were leaving and withdrawing from the battle.
"Put me down, you-!" Coral barked at Sidian's Aerodactyl.
"Okay, then," the prehistoric Pokémon replied simply as it let her go and allowed Glalie to catch her while they left.
Of course, this left the poor Rock Type to bear the brunt of Coral's tantrum as she ranted at it while they went off into the distance (before she turned her attention to Sarah and her Paldea Starters), "Why did you let me go while we're in mid-air?! OH, COME ON...! HEY, YOU, PRINCESS! I WON'T FORGET ABOUT THE WIGLETT COOKIES!"
"You all heard that too, right?" Sarah asked her Paldea Starters.
"Sure did, Coral did say they were going to call Rayquaza somehow."
"From what you told us during your meet-up with him in the dreamscape, he would be appearing somewhere around here in the region."
"Yeah... Reader's visions are also coming true; if Sidian and Coral are here, Chalce and Spinel are not too far away," they nodded at her in reply.
"I'm pretty sure Amethio will be on his way to try whatever luck he has on him now a second time, too..."
She sighed as she recalled her last conversation with Lucius' Sky High Pokémon and mused while looking out onto the horizon, "...In a way, while it does make it easier for us to be ready for the Explorers, this would also make reuniting with him difficult if they push him to his wit's end and leave him in an agitated state again after calling him somehow. And, if there are any innocents on the island where they are drawing him to..."
With no other options, the little princess decided to take a chance and call Lucius' Rayquaza, drawing her family's sword and pointing it in the air as her Rayquaza Gem shimmered and sensed his presence from an area nearby. She knew she had to tell him about the Explorers' trap in place for him as she promised, knowing she couldn't back out on it for Lucius and Marena's sake and that of the rest of the Six Heroes.
"WELL, NOW, LITTLE PRINCESS... I ASSUME THE BATTLE YOU HAD WITH THOSE TWO WENT WELL?"
"...Well, I now realize you've been watching me since we started. Listen, Rayquaza... I overheard from Coral that the Explorers are already getting a trap set up for you as we speak. They're thinking of calling you over to the island where they're waiting for you."
"...SO I HEARD JUDGING FROM THAT PIPSQUEAK'S RANTING AS SHE AND HER COHORT LEFT THE AREA, I'M NOT SURPRISED. BUT, YOUR WARNING TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN WE MET IN MY DREAMSCAPE WILL SERVE ME WELL. IF THOSE FOOLS THINK THEY CAN CATCH ME, THEY'VE GOT ANOTHER THING COMING... "
"That's all fine and dandy, but as I promised, we'll do everything we can to protect you... How long, though, if the Explorers have a Plan B to try and throw us off and leave you exposed, I can't say... But, regardless, Marena and your family...have you made your decision yet?"
"...WE SHALL SEE; YOU WILL FIND OUT AFTER THESE EXPLORERS ARE PUT ON THE RUN... UNTIL THEN, I'LL BE WAITING," Rayquaza finished as the Rayquaza Gem finally dimmed and Sarah sighed before sheathing her father's sword again.
"Still on the fence with his family again, Mom?" asked Crest as he, Chili, and Rosie frowned with concern.
"...I hate to say it, but... Yeah," the little princess replied, unsure of how to tell Marena and the rest of the Six Heroes of Rayquaza's eventual choice as she sat down and held her head. "Ugh, what am I going to tell Marena along with Entei, Lapras, Arboliva, Moltres, and Kleavor...?"
"Princess/Sweetie!"
Sarah, Chili, Rosie, and Crest jumped in surprise at the voices that spoke up from behind them, and immediately after, they turned to find their entire family, Reader, the Viking Teens, their dragons and Partner Pokémon, the Circle of Twelve, Lazuli, Marena, Kukui, Burnet (who was still holding Lei in her arms), the Rising Volt Tacklers, and all of their friends rushing towards them.
"How could you take on two of the Explorers alone after they challenged you kids to a battle without warning and send Ms. Liko and Roy back to us for their own safety? You shouldn't have been so reckless, Princess!" Tsukumaro snapped at his goddaughter.
"You had us worried sick when they told us everything!" Delilah agreed angrily as they arrived.
"Mom, Tsukumaro," Sarah blinked.
"Sarah, thank goodness you're okay!"
"What happened, where did Coral and Sidian go? Did you take care of them?" Liko and Roy asked, feeling relieved for their friend's safety.
Sarah shook her head as she got to the heart of the matter, "It seems the Explorers are moving forward with their new plan to capture Rayquaza. They've been called away after getting a signal from somewhere; I'm guessing that Spinel and Chalce have everything ready on their end and radioed Coral and Sidian to join them just as our battle was about to get down and dirty."
Liko and Roy gasped, "Does that mean-?!"
"Is Rayquaza nearby somewhere?!"
"This is bad, if Reader's visions are true, then... Sarah, did you see which way Coral and Sidian went?" Friede replied darkly, feeling worried about the situation at hand.
"They went out west into the sea to an island nearby. I'm guessing that's where the tower we just heard about is."
"Is that so?" mused Cap, his suspicions and Friede's dark sentiments about the Explorers growing.
"Okay, anything else from them that you, Chili, Crest, and Rosie heard of before they left you in the dust?"
"Coral did say that Rayquaza's going to be arriving soon and he'll most likely be drawn to the island she mentioned so there would be no innocents getting caught in the crossfire."
"No innocents? So, maybe the island's empty... " the unconventional professor thought before he turned to Roy. "Hey, wait a sec! Roy, do you have that picture of Palafin from the Snap Kids?"
"Yeah, here it is," Roy nodded, pulling out the picture of Palafin that he showed him previously which also had the weird tower Ludlow pointed out. "Is this the one?"
"Didn't that swimmer at the beach mention something about suspicious people putting up that tower a few days ago before we arrived the day before yesterday? If the Explorers really are responsible for it, I don't think this is a coincidence..."
Determined to uncover the farce behind the tower, Friede came aboard Charizard as they and Cap prepared to head out, "Sarah, head back to the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft with the others. I'm gonna go with Cap and Charizard and see what that island's really all about."
"Alright," the little princess agreed.
"We'll let Clavell and everyone else in the know be ready for what's to come," Burnet suggested as everyone else nodded and she, Lei, and Burnet returned to the heroes' aircraft first to call Clavell, his fellow faculty, and the Paldea Gym Leaders.
"Oh, hang on a second! Cap, Charizard, catch!" Roy called, throwing Cap and Charizard two Wiglett Cookies for them.
"Thanks a bunch, Roy!" Cap thanked as the two Pokemon and Friede went off while everyone else doubled back, knowing it was time to save Rayquaza from the Explorers.
To Be Continued...