Connecting to Partners

by zcritic88

A few days after the war against chaos, something stirred in the cosmos once more. What was a mystery prior, is soon to be relieved as a particular boy and his band if misfits get swept up into the on going battle between Light, Dark and the Truth. New bonds will be forged, and older ones will be stronger than before as the conflict takes a turn

46. The Traversing Ogre

At the base camp, Wanda and Stalwing noticed that Litzia and her crew haven't returned from their patrol, even when the dark outbreak was occurring. The Gryphon noticed the dark flow cutting off and evaporating to a pulsing twilight, bringing about a night sky that blended well with Volcarona's radiance. "Squawk!" Flap! (I think our friends did it! The Chaos is cut off.)

A watching Roselia couldn't agree more. (And maybe with time, the damage can be healed.) Wanda and the campers looked to each other and waited, finding a crescent dragon taking off. The teenage quartet and child descended down, with a Magneton keeping by and a masked Ogre keeping at the hip of Denryk. Who's own mask complimented the little one. Donald tapped his foot at Mortimer as the nervous Ogre hopped in a hello. Wanda approached by an inch and asked. "So this is the lass that's been quite the stir?" She waved and was waved back as Denryk reported in pride. "We taught the dark stuff a lesson it better not forget, so now we got time to clean up and round up the pokemon that are out here."

Roxas put a hand on Denryk's shoulder and showed a dusk ball, Namine and Dupmic showed they've caught something and in sync to the leader, sent out the "Loyal" Three. Roxas gave a salute to the General. "We also have these guys with us now. So we won't have anymore problems from them."

The three bandits scratched themselves nervously as Wanda pointed to the trainers. "As long as you keep them in line, we won't be bothered by this. But some of this escalated because of them. I'll have to pass word to Resira about this, but I'm reckoning it will do you all fine." Mortimer raised a hand. "What about me? I've didn't make that mess for the town." The bald mercenary cackled at the swindler. "You were a greedy lot that was hunting for treasure like these three bastards. That's a nose looking for trouble." That is agreed upon and Wanda tensed. "Unless we can instill discipline through honest work." She raised her tone in authority. "You'll learn this if you know what's good for you!" Mortimer cringed as the last of the drama blew away.

Lauriam had a chance to look at Denryk's costume and change the subject. "Before we continue with our next task, Denrick, is it?" He raised a brow. "Is this get up still necessary? You're looking ridiculous for a mercenary."

The Ogerpon growled cutely as Denryk was feeling nervous. "I'd like if I have a better way to talk with people. It's better if no one sees my face, besides-" He hopped. "won't this call for some celebrating?"

Lauriam felt the odd breeze, unseen from the hoodlum. "Maybe, if we can finish our patrol soon. There's a sleeping bear somewhere and unless you all have the misplaced bravado to wake it up, it will have to be let be. Although, Litzia and the others still haven't returned yet." That fact was troubling and Roxas promised. "We'll go have a look if you can point the way." He, Namine and Dupmic went to call the Loyal Three back in their balls, promising the bandits. "We'll let you out if we need something or when we get back."

The squad of five and the Blaziken headed to the directed south west, far from the mountain and glimmering a lake. Where Litzia and Wander were entertaining a cluster of seven, floating meteors with five craters having a white spike sticking out. Poppy was quite surprised. "This explains everything."

Sylvia and Leonhart turned to the noise, the equine agreed. "No kidding, you won't believe how long it took for us to dig up these guys." The human of the two asked. "You know anything special about these Miniors?" Poppy showed the Dex. "They're a native to one of Alola's mountains. A Meteor Pokemon that's rock and flying. They feed on dust up in the atmosphere and fall to the earth once their shell grows too heavy. It's a part of their life cycle and it's good that we've found them before those shells crack." She wondered how they survived this long. "They must have kept dormant so their shell doesn't crack. When the colorful core is exposed, it makes them easier to capture but it also makes them at their most vulnerable."

Litzia guessed. "There's nothing protecting that delicate core from the atmosphere around here and if they're rock types-" Poppy raised a third finger. "They'll be at the final stage of this cycle. Where they fade away back into dust that flies back up into the atmosphere, where the dust becomes food for any pokemon that live so far in the sky."

Wander gasped. "Say what?" He was in a panic. "Then we got to do something about this." Litzia promised she would as Yuffie asked. "Since those balls can put them in a better spot, would it work for rescuing them?"

Poppy nodded. "It would." She noticed a yellow duck at the Ninja's feet. "Yuffie, I see you brought one of our workers along?" The Psyduck held his head as the girl read the ability he has, the ideal of a dampness. Yuffie wondered. "Just in case we need some demolition or construction. He has something we'll need?"

Namine read the ability out loud. "Apparently, damp prevents explosive moves like self destruct from being used. Miniors make it a habit of blowing themselves up?" Poppy smirked. "Correct. It's an early move they can use as well and we won't help these guys if they knock themselves out. All we got to do is crack open those shells and a ball of any kind would do the rest."

Roxas brought out a Meowth that needed some attention, Namine sent out the in zen Meditite as Dupmic brought out the springy Spoink. Denryk looked to Ogerpon and brought a Cornerstone mask for her to switch to. "We can help with that. Everyone, meet Ogerpon." Ogerpon hoped and showed off her orange face, earning a swoon from the ladies as Yuffie gushed. "So cute." The Leonhart saw the pokemon and her partner resembling each other perfectly. "Is this why you went into a costume?" Denryk appreciated the view point. "You like? You know that Spiders are a welcome sight in most homes, keeping to their webs until night and plucking off the real pests that bother thee."

Roxas thought out loud. "We're thinking of celebrating once we're back in town, but first." He ordered and pointed to one of the Miniors. "Fake that one out and go for metal claw!" The Meowth sprinted for a fast clap and back flipped from a rock tomb toss before clawing in a shine. The six rose up for battle and Litzia brought out Solrock while Yuffie had Psyduck face a meteor. Poppy called Moa back and had her Raichu out to face the seventh.

The Minior the Meowth faced, glowed in an attempt to self destruct and found the damp conditions making the explosion fizzle out, exposing it to another metal claw that caused the rocks to crack.

Crack! Crack! Spin!

Spinning out of the shell was a light blue core with swirling white eyes and a simple white mouth, it resembles some candy that is making Roxas salivate. He tossed a fast pokeball for a capture, right before Litzia had Solrock toss a rock slide barrage on the rest. Namine's foe rushed at Meditite in acrobatics and was countered with a force palm. It cracked to reveal a yellow color. The Spoink handled his own acrobatics and countered with a psybeam as Denryk faced his foe and ordered Ogerpon to use horn leech. Crack! Crack! Pop! Out of the shell came a purple color that nearly hypnotized the hoodlum. He took out a great ball and tossed without much thought, securing a capture as Namine did the same. The Minior facing Spoink rushed for a take down and cracked it's own shell open, showing a bright red. Dupmic used a pokeball to catch that one as Psyduck took a rock tomb and countered with a water pulse, cracking open a lime green core that brought about a sense of treasure in the Ninja that gave a swift toss of a ball.

The Alolan Raichu fired a fast psyshock to expose a dark blue Minior as Solrock use a zen head butt to crack open an orange color. Poppy and Litzia captured those two with out much difficulty, marking a successful mission. The Meowth raise his claws up and began to glow, turning slightly bigger and growing horns on his head as his mane looked something like a beard.

Pew!

Becoming a Perrserker that showed off claws that turned into something like blades. Roxas was left impressed as Poppy explained the next step in the procedure. "Now all we got to do is get these guys healed at the ranch and we can show these fellas a good time. For now." Litzia wondered. "All those colors are a mystery that's worth checking out." The girl agreed as Sylvia guessed. "That's a whole rainbow, but there's got to be more like that."

Poppy winked. "If it's an shiny, I would let you know. The prism color where all come from." The band imagine a black Minior as Roxas admitted. "You can make a ton of candies that would look like them." Namine imagined with a peckish pucker. "You're thinking about putting those on an ice cream or something?" The Squad leader nodded as Ogerpon took interest, Serah waved a hand. "I know the kind your talking about and they do exist. Come to think of it, those cores look a lot like them."

Poppy and Raichu salivated, the trainer kept to a professional mind. "Anyways, we've finished some exploring on our end, so now we got to gather up what we've found and prepare to head back." Denryk sighed. "And it would mean that I have to take off the costume, don't it?" Dupmic sighed. "It's just going to get more dirty out here. But you can keep the mask, it would look good in the hoodie anyways."

Litzia giggled. "Besides, we don't want anyone mistaking him for some Jedi." Denryk paused as Dupmic asked.

"A what?"

Litzia hand wave a fast explanation. "Wielders of a power from a Far Away Galaxy. Some call it the Force and it holds potential that can rival and even outdo those with a Keyblade." She thought blankly. "I never did get the chance to write down notes after I've visited that far off place. I've been passed out for... a long while."

Sylvia cringed. "Hoo boy!" She asked the patrol mates. "We should get on ahead, this is about to get tense." In a strange, cartoonish fashion, she, Psyduck and Yuffie got Squall and Serah out of there, letting Dupmic think more freely. Doesn't Ken and his mom know about the the stories from that place?"

Denryk looked over to Roxas and Namine, who realized something while they looked to something at the hoodlums hip. Litzia was left in a gasp. "That could be useful in my studies. How's that happening?"

Dupmic explained, remembering comic book characters that turn out to be real. "Sometimes the worlds have ways of talking to each other. Just go to any movie store and you'll get what you need." Ogerpon saw Denryk staring in place and nudged to snap him out of it. Poppy was wide eyed and realized. "Say, didn't that bat of yours turn into some fancy laser sword?"

Denryk searched his hip to feel a tube. "Yeah, some way, some how, it transformed." He picked up to have a look at the simple device, with a button that could spring up a laser beam if pressed. Litzia was left speechless as the Hoodlum pleaded. "Can we talk about this later? You might have clues that can help me figure this out."

The Star Sage nodded in a vow of silence. "Keep that hidden, because if someone knows about that, they'll make a scene if they see." The band hurried back to the camp, where the patrol showed off their captures and explained something that the General approved of. "Sweets like that would be divine. We might have a few more of this critters out here, but there wouldn't be much for the Dark Forces to get their hands on. We'll have to make some patrols and see if we'll spot anything. So, once Stalwing gives the caw, we can head back to the town." She turned to the squad and promised Ogerpon. "The Town's rebuilding but there should be something you'll enjoy with your new friends. We'll need to settle matters with those villains before we begin the next assignment."

The thought of meeting all kinds of people made Ogerpon freeze up, Denryk returned the favor with a gentle nudge. "It will be fun, you're gonna be the talk of the town."

It wasn't long until Stalwing returned from his patrol, cawing that the coast is mostly clear and warranting an expedition completed. The band begun their return trip and left the Squad with Poppy and Magneton. Namine took the chance to ask the Hoodlum. "Ken use to watch those movies a lot and it's something on the back of your memories, even before you know about anything?"

Denryk looked to his hip. "And they inspired a lot of that wonder. Do you think that idea might have spilled over and turned it into a perk I can copy?" Roxas had the sudden urge to smack Denryk in the back of the head. "Copy smopy, what do you know about it?" Denryk took a deep breath and recalled the lessons with the voice in his head. "It's kind of vague, but it's the energy from all living things. Your feelings are made into a power through the Force. Through you, the Force works it's ways."

He stood upward and raised a finger in a warning. "And it's a Power that can and has been abused by those who think they can bend it." Dupmic shrugged. "Which is news to anyone?" It really wasn't and Denryk thought. "So when I get riled up, I can make something very much like that and use it to talk with those from far away? Or hear a call for help?"

Poppy doubted that it was a forgery of the anomaly. "I don't know much of what you're talking about, but the stuff you were doing back there felt real enough. Why do you think otherwise?"

Denryk answered in a harsh whisper. "That thing I was doing when I came to be isn't something I can just forgive and I'm one of the last people who should have that power." He listened to himself and his eyes glanced away from his companions. "Is this the next thing I got to let go?"

Ogerpon growled and stomped. (If you weren't a nice person, you wouldn't have tried to be my friend.) She hurried to where the camp was gathering. (Come on, I want to see the town!) The children laughed to that and Denryk lighten up before they got ready.

Some time later, at the Town Hall.

Wanda finished marking an expedition as finished and set it to a cabinet of accomplishments, all the while, leaving Mortimer at the faint mercy of Resira. The police chief looked down upon the unaware swindler with contained contempt and decided to head to another room with Donald and Goofy. She recited what was told as a bald mercenary of a subordinate was brought to listening "He's tried to cheat his way into the throne by parading himself as a hero through others deeds?"

Donald felt scalding disappointment at someone who hasn't improved much. "I think he was trying to talk his way into some easy treasure too." Resira deducted a particular detail of what occurred. "Once the so called Loyal Three figured that out, they were all the more happy to leave him to your Judgment as a meaty distraction?" She snorted in humor. "At the least, there's a standard that even they have to meet." She looked to her bald headed subordinate. "But if even the most dubious could be broken through the sense of duty, then this Mortimer won't be any different." The mercenary laughed. "Poor lad, wait until he realizes that you're doing him a kindness."

The police officer smiled slyly. "I've honed myself through Hater, haven't I?" The four headed back to the office, where Wanda was awaiting a verdict for the unaware rodent. "Have you came to a verdict?"

Resira decreed. "We can't just let this scum go, now that we know his scheme and it wouldn't do our image if we dispense judgment on sight for someone who hasn't committed any crimes here." Mortimer nearly jumped off his seat. "Judgment?! What's the big idea?"

Resira tilted her head towards them as a group of children entered. "The big idea, is that you will assist us in maintaining the town peace while you're visiting this place. Extra insight is always a welcome among us. You will be let go, on the premise that you behave and not stir any trouble. Least you face the consequences, do you understand?"

The rodent shivered like a leaf and nodded meekly, Resira clapped and greeted the Secret Squad and Poppy, among them was a sixth, an Ogerpon that wield a Cornerstone Mask. "It's you again, with one our guests of honor." She smiled to the fabled Ogre. "By all means, you and those like you, are assigned to be protected from the dark forces that loom beyond the veil. Yet the ferocity I've heard about could mean much more."

Ogerpon was thinking it might have something to do with how she cudgels a lot of her problems away while the officer smiled gently. "It will be interesting to witness more."

Ogerpon tilt her head left and right as Denryk showed the friend ball he used. "She's with me, also Flingy's got a new name now. Launch!"

He took out a net ball and sent out the Forretress, Resira gasped at the living cannon ball. "By the Emperor, what devastation are you plotting?" The Forretress hopped as Denryk promised. "As much as possible when you throw an exploding boulder at someone." He laughed. "It can make a point across and can make a door out of a wall."

Ogerpon imagined a Graveler rolling down a hill at high speeds and setting off explosions as part of a right of passage, she giggled in amusement while Resira's mind went to darker places. "Impressive."

Roxas, Namine and Dupmic readied the dusk balls to explain their part. "We're having our Three stay with us as a way to fix what they caused." They sent out the Loyal Three; Dipiti twirled into light as Dogi realized he's in the comfortable insides of a building, he wagged as Dori had a look at Resira and trembled. Poppy explained. "Our Loyal Three: Fezandipiti, Okidogi and Munkidori. I think they were trying to rob Ogerpon of her masks and were responsible for her being as reclusive as she was."

Resira wasn't amused and rolled her eyes. "And if your insight is right, they are Retainers to another." She ordered the three teenagers without hesitation. "Straighten them out before they do something that can't just be undone."

Roxas, Namine and Dupmic understood as the police officer requested to the "Loyal" Three. ""As for you, you are to do what they say without question! What ever benefits you'll have will be through them. Do I make myself clear?" Dori heard it loud and clear as Dipiti looked to him puzzled, Dogi didn't pick up the threatening tone and grunted. "Oki!" Resira nearly laughed. "Oki, indeed. Now-" she set her eyes to the Squad. "do try to find the whereabouts of whom ever they served before this gets out of hand. Those like stir trouble over having their toys taken away."

Dogi cringed and growled defensively. (Hey, the Boss is our friend! He made us stronger-) Dori tapped the side of his head (smarter) as Dipiti posed magnificently. (and glamorous!) Even if Resira would have understood what was said, she cared not. Denryk and Namine looked to each other as Poppy thought. "So, this leaves time for preparations in our project?"

Donald nodded "We start focusing on can on digging out Registeel." and Goofy suggest. "His Majesty ought to be about finished with some of that training." Roxas was imagining a much stronger set of pokemon to go along with the ones who've faced the impossible. "We could use some of that time to think over new strategies. These Three are pretty strong."

Poppy expected that concept. "They're on the low end of the spectrum of Legendary Pokemon. But they're still legendary pokemon. You'll need all the patience you'll need to bring about their potential, to match with the rest of your team." She was envious of Denryk and Ogerpon. "And the Ogre opens a lot of possibilities with the power of the masks. With the Teal Mask, she can use items to compliment that while the other masks would change her type to compliment grass."

Denryk sorted out the options. "So I can go for with a tricky grass type or use the elements of fire, water and stone?" Poppy added. "As well as the abilities that make it all worth while." Denryk blushed. "Today's nothing but adventures." Ogerpon saw that and giggled as Namine declared a vote. "We should consider using the Arena after we do some exploring. Denryk, do you mind?"

The hoodlum doesn't as Resira thought. "I suppose I should go to the Bastion while you prepare and help oversee the excavation. You'll arrive when you're prepared, for we won't be able to start without you." She called out. "Dismiss!"

She and the shady duo left swiftly and the Squad called back their partners. "Denryk and I are going to check up on that Peach. If he gets the idea, that his friends won't be too far away, then we should be alright if we can't capture him." Denryk felt a squeak of dread in the friend ball holding the Ogre and promised her. "We'll do something fun after that." The two headed off as Goofy promised. "We'll be at the door to the Arena after we get some lunch." Roxas and Dupmic felt peckish as Poppy took the lead. "It has been quite the morning."

At the street.

Namine and Denryk were at the twilight shining road, taking pride in what they've accomplished. Denryk felt himself in a zen at the peace. "Believe in the Force, you do. But you still doubt yourself?"

Denryk answered the voice in bitterness. "It's something Nobodies are stuck with. Something from their other carries over to them as a perk or power. It's nothing like that micro... what ever and the idea of the Force being all the way over here's a stretch." He thought deeply. "But all living things really does mean it so for those who can tap into it. Once upon a time, Litzia tried discovering that to compare to what those picked by the Blade can do."

The voice grunted. "You do, or you do not. It is as true as what you believe." Denryk nodded. "It's awakened for a reason and I'm wanting to see it's work through. For now, I only got my friends to help me along. And I guess you too." The voice laughed in amusement. "I'm but a voice in your head, young one. Know someone who can teach you, you do?" Denryk kept himself from laughing out loud. "So I guess you'll be out of here when I talk with Litzia. Bottom of the barrel, I'm in."

"MHMHMHM! The concept of Padawan and Master is not the same as the tales of yor. Training has only just begun."

Denryk stuck his tongue out and was back in focus, he looked to find Namine giving him a stare. She broke the long silence with a humble request. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Denryk felt the witch staring into his essence and confessed. "I've had a strange dream this morning, projecting myself towards Ogerpon again and I think I'm hearing something that's been sticking in my head."

Namine sighed and deducted. "The Realm of Dreams exists and if that Force is ever reaching, it could have made a cognition to guide your subconscious into your conscious." That, made sense. "Least so I can understand anything in a way I can."

Namine gave a sisterly advise. "The longer you deny that potential, the worse it will get." Denryk didn't wish to be reminded. "Once it spikes, I just don't think about it too much. I just do with what worked. Not exactly discipline that's been enforced. But if the best we got was self taught, then that's what I got to put up with." He realized something particular. "Hey, speaking of connections. Do you find that Magneton to be a weird one?"

Namine felt it was a strange coincidence. "You mean to ask if that Magneton is Magney? I think that particular one was involved with stopping a crisis before and he came just in the nick of time to help me handle Munkidori. Should I go find him while we have the time?" Denryk saw it as an opportunity. "Go for it! He's been as much of a handy friend as Volty was to Xion. You got the team and the smarts to pull it off."

Namine blushed at the compliment. "Thank you. Once this is all over, we'll be in for a celebration to break out." She mellowed. "Speaking of which, are you going to take off that mask one day?"

Denryk rubbed his arm. "Maybe, I really do like this Mask. No one has to ask anything about what I am as long as they see me in this. Only the who." They saw that house in view and Namine readied to let out Munkidori. "It's a fine work of art and you've painted it well." Dori focused more on the hideout, sensed who was there and hurried. He checked it out and judged. (Well, Dipiti wasn't lying. This is as good as it's gonna get.)

The band entered to find the Peach sleeping on a couch. Dori gave a snickering call that woke the Peach up. He gave a yawn in his shell and recognized the visitors, gasping in excitement before popping his shell open to show the pit. (You're back Dori!)

He looked to the humans and was startled by the spider mask, squealing in fear and making the boy lift the mask up to show his face. "Easy, easy! It's me!" Dori sweated nervously. (So the boss knows ya? This ought to be something.) He explained. (We got good news and bad news.) The Peach huhed. (Bad news?) Munkidori scratched the side of his head. (Yeah. We didn't get the masks and we're not going to be getting them anytime soon.) The Peach quickly realize that's the case and whined. (Come on! You, Dipiti and Dogi promised!) Dori raised his paw. (We did, buuut that brings the good news. We got a contract work that can be our meal ticket. We just need to be on good behavior and keep our heads down.)

Namine explained, having an idea of what is said. "If you're not going to let us catch you right now, then you need to lay low and stay out of trouble. Bad forces were going after Ogerpon because she was staying up in the mountain and you guys where the whole reason she kept herself there."

Denryk felt the sensation of a selfish brat that needs correcting. "And they tried to make her look like the thing behind it."

The Peach was quite surprised. (They were trying to steal those masks too?) Dori shifted his eyes sideways. (That and... other things that are pretty messed up.)

Denryk explained. "That force wants to do things that are beyond vile, to pokemon like you and losing those Masks for good would have been the least horrible thing about that. If you're wanting to help us set things right, there's a ranch up the road and to the upper town. Can't miss it."

The Peach perked in a cheer. (I know the way to that one!) He closed his shell and was wanting to sneak into the shadows as Dori suggest. (Just don't serve those things up yet. It might not be needed.) The Peach might have listened. (We're gonna make a lot of friends.)

The group got out and watched the Peach sneak around, once he was out of hearing, the witch was blunt to Dori. "We could use some help on this one. Babysitting isn't exactly our job." The Retainer knew that was going to be said and advised. (Least no one's gonna guess where he'll be. Just, take it from me, if you see any pink mochi lying around, don't eat it unless you want something from the Boss.) The humans had that noted and headed enroute to the Power Plant.

At the market place.

Roxas and Dupmic had a set of supplies for their downtime and were heading back to the Ranch. Roxas was pretty surprised at what was accomplished. Still can't believe we've actually caught Legendaries." Schemy faced his head up proudly as Dupmic second that. "Believe it!" He raised a finger. "We got one more job around these worlds before we get to do what ever we want." He envisioned quite a relaxing time for the four worlds. "This has gone a lot smoother than I thought it was going to be."

Roxas wondered. "Once we're done, does this mean you'll have to go back to the Dream Realm?" Dupmic smirked slyly. "As of right now, we might be enroute to having things under control here, but there's still places that could use our help. Don't think you'll get rid of me that easily." Schemy laughed to that as the boys arrived at the ranch and found a Volbeat and Illumise dancing together under the twilight sky. They spotted Denryk and Namine making a route to the nearby power plant and followed, finding the witch entering while Denryk stood in guard and brought out Scraggy. Dupmic eagerly approached as the hoodlum makes a resemblance to a sentinel, Denryk noticed and gave a thumbs up. "Here's the layout. That Peach is definitely in charge of the Loyal Three and acts a lot like a spoiled kid, but I think this town has ways to keep him entertained until we are ready to face him." He lighten his town playfully. "Hopefully this doesn't come back to bite us."

Roxas shrugged. "Too soon for that. So, how are you feeling?" Denryk recalled some relief. "I'll have to talk with Litzia, she knows more about the Force. I'll be fine once I understand about what I've been messing with." He point his thumb to the building. "Namine picked up a clue about that Magneton and is about to catch another partner. No one goes in or out besides her and her friends. This means us!" The boys took a moment to realize Denryk wasn't joking about that part and appreciated the dedication.

In the Power Plant

Namine and Arty entered the main generator room and didn't take long to find that particular Magneton admiring the machinery. The witch called out. "Magney, is it you?"

The Magneton beeped in surprise and turned in sync. (You finally found us?) Arty posed as the girl smirked gracefully. "Thanks for helping us when we need it. You know what needs to be done?" The Magneton pulled apart as one and clanked back together. (Face us! Let's continue to build the world.)

The trio beeped as one. "Magneton!" Namine ordered fast. "One taunt is all we need!" The Smeargle did so and the Magneton fell for the taunt, halting his attempt at a thunder wave. Arty made a run for it as Namine sent out Paint Squirt, who took the blunt of a thunder bolt and was thankful for his draconic abilities. "Now fire the dragon pulse!"

The Naganadel flew high and blasted a pulse, the Magneton floated back and countered with an analytical flash cannon. Paint Squirt dived down for another pulse and Namine say the electric type shine. "Roll out of the blast!" The Naganadel dodged the attack at the well timed shout. Namine brought out a timer ball and sneaked around as the Magneton was aiming again.

Fling! Tap!

The electric type was dragged in a cluster of clocks, the ball fell to the ground and shook three times. Click! Namine giggled in victory and hurried to pick up her capture, letting out a Magneton that wiggled his magnets in eagerness. (How have you known? There are many who are like us.)

Namine knew what was asked as her partners gave a hearty welcome. "You've shown up when we least expect it and give it everything you got. So, are we going to see the rest of this through?" The Magneton gave an affirmative beep. The band turned back to make an exit, something about the band of misfits connected well and Denryk stepped back. The Witch ahemed. "Now then, we've heard that Litzia's taking some time in the Ranch, so let's go see if she can help."

The band made their way over the fence and didn't take long to find Litzia at the craggy biome, sitting on a rock and studying the stars with Pix, Solrock and the dormant Miniors. She sensed their presence and turned to wave a hand. "You've came at a good time. Between the celestial pokemon and the study on this Blood Moon Bear-" Roxas was spooked. "Blood Moon?!"

Litzia smiled in excitement. "The Blood Moon is a phenomenon where the moon undergoes a complete eclipse from the light of our Sun and we see it in the shade of red. It's often perceived as a grim omen." She asked hopefully. "What brought it over to those woods and why is it slumbering so deeply?" Namine wondered. "Maybe there's a big mystery behind or it could be really simple. Anything particular about it we need to know?" Litzia recalled a log. "According to Poppy, it could have relations to Ursaring and the form she's been wanting to evolve into."

She finds the mystery quite strange as Denryk focused on topic. "Hence, this is something she and her partner need to see with their own eyes. Speaking of which Litzia, you know some stuff about the Force? What do you make of it?" The Star Sage was taken a back and curled up. "The power emitted from all living things? An energy that few can hope to wield, least of all understand. It sounds familiar to how one needs to be in sync with their heart, for the Keyblade's potential to be reached. It would have been the next step in an evolution of the profession."

Denryk sent out his merry band, with Launch rolling as a ball and opening, as well as Ogerpon hoping and landing on one foot. The Hoodlum was sounding more excited at the insight. "I get how you'd think that. Like how it goes with the heart, the Force is something you feel. Your feelings become a power for it and it guides you." He focused a finger on Launch and had him float towards a cluster of rocks that would make a nest for a round steel type. Displaying his potent power. Litzia gasped. "No way!"

She stood up fast. "You're actually a Force Sensitive?" Dupmic raised a brow and scratched the back of his head. "Force Sensitive? Could it be anymore literal?" Denryk nearly laughed. "And everything with the Keyblade is tied to locks of every kind, literal and metaphorical. Doesn't make it any less awesome."

There was little point in arguing with that logic and Denryk went along with a cover story. "Weird things have been happening when I get to a spike in what I feel. I see and sense things from far away, it's how I met Ogerpon and knew she needed help." He smiled to the Ogre that was quickly making friends with the roaming pokemon. "It lets me feel what someone else is feeling and have a good guess on what others are up to. Everything immediate, feels like I know by instinct."

Litzia's fascinated by an accuracy to her old studies. She tensed as a mentor. "That instinct, I heard of what happens when you let those feelings get the better of you. Bad things happen when you get so furious at someone that you want to hurt them back."

Namine took interest in that warning. "Anger has always been something that can lead us to choices we can't back away from. But how is this connected with the Force?" Denryk raised a finger to his curious Sister in Arms. "I think I know." He calmed himself. "Emotions like that are a darker side of how we think and act. Often called the Dark Side and for good reasons."

Litzia raised three fingers. "There's a little of that in everyone. But the three aspects that can drive anyone over to evil are as followed. Fear, Anger and Hatred." Denryk looked back and heeded the words of the mentor in his head. "Fear is a big one that can lead to the other two and we've seen a little of that back in Twilight Town. When people don't understand what is going on and get scared, they do the first thing that comes in their heads to try and deal with it. When it doesn't work, you get Mad and try to chase it out with force. It will linger to where you're hurting someone over it, because you want to."

Litzia had a chill at the definition of the Third aspect of the Dark Side. "A hateful person can be envious, spiteful and demeaning towards anyone and everything that's not them. That's just about every definition of the word, Evil. Then you had it with them, fight back and beget more violence. The other two come more natural, from heart to heart, but they can lead to ugly places if not checked."

Denryk agreed and spotted a rock to sit on. "And we've seen enough ugliness in the worlds as is." Litzia saw the boy was trying to meditate on that. "Try to calm yourself and let your feelings flow. See where that goes and if you can reach it." Denryk went into a zen, Ogerpon and Scraggy took notice and tried joining in while the Feraligatr went to a creek right by the rocks and rested, going into a zen of his own. Denryk focused to his friends. "This could take a while, you don't got to be hold up if you don't want to. Try to meet up with Donald and Goofy for that training, we'll catch up."

The three allowed Denryk to have his moment of quiet and head back to the Central Square, finding Donald and Goofy surprised by something occurring. A ring in an intersection, giving a strange purple hue as it spat out a strange Sorcerer from a familiar land and his eel familiar. The Sorcerer growled, got up and saw the ring fading away, he rushed in a panic. "No, no!" The ring was gone and the Sorcerer glowed in blue. "You're going to pay for that!" The eel looked around, nervous at the odd band of bystanders. "Erk, Master. They're people watching."

The Sorcerer glared at the Eel. "I know that, Xerxes. This whole town can be our little playground until I figure out how to get back to the desert and-" Suddenly, Poppy approached with a particular, yellow Jellyfish that's mere presence gave Namine flash backs. The trainer asked. "Crossed a Hoopa's bad side, I see-" she asked inquisitively. "What did you say about a playground?"

The Sorcerer gave a faint laugh. "Did I stutter? What are you going to do about-" He fired magic from his glove. "it!" Flicker! Burst! The jellyfish flickered from behind the girl and took the magical blow, no worse for wear as the trainer ordered. "Jenny, subdue!"

Flicker!

The Jellyfish disappeared and appeared behind the Sorcerer, grappling him with her tentacles and putting him under the bell before forcing him to the ground. Poppy relaxed to a neutralized threat and crouched. "Now, don't move. Someone will be here to deal with you shortly."

The Sorcerer growled as Resira hurried to the scene, completely taken aback as she recognized the wear while a particular gang in her force followed behind. Namine screamed out. "Poppy, what is that Jellyfish doing here?"

Poppy turned to find the witch spooked and knew she had to introduce. "That would be Jenny, a Nihilego that got brought out of Ultra Space during that incident. We were busy aiding the Scientists in a report when this was happening. Have you been attacked by one these or something like it?" Namine remembered. "We have and the Seafarers have been attacked by a whole colony of them."

Poppy didn't deny the fear. "I see. Remember, it isn't a black and white picture. If provoked, Nihilego is a very dangerous pokemon and knowing of Ultra Space-" Dupmic's aware. "then it was a bad encounter just waiting to happen." He kept Namine in an embrace as Poppy explained the rest. "I've caught Jenny for her own protection and she protects the family."

Resira heard that. "Do we need to look into the details of this particular Ultra Beast? Do we need to know why this one needed the protection?"

Poppy was about to explain that it's pretty redundant as the Nihilego lifted the Sorcerer up and left him to dangle, the Eel was ready to attack the girl as a set of purple chains shot out from nowhere and tied itself around him. Sending to the ground and forcing him into a purple haze with his eyes taking a glow of purple. He hovered by the will of the chain and spoke in a trance. "Let scary lady take us away!" The Sorcerer was shocked and kicked. "Xerxes, you incompetent-" Namine followed the direction of where the chain had gone and found a certain peach boy closing into his shell and sneaking into the shadows.

A blue haired berzerker came around with a hole lid jar to scoop the eel into as Resira went to confiscate the Sorcerers magical items. "So little time," In a few moments, the small band was at a station with a jail cell. The Sorcerer was powerless in his cell as his assistant was confine in another room. Jenny was keeping by Poppy, holding her hand like a lost girl would. Goofy recognized from the attire. "He really does look like he's from Agrabah." Donald imagined what happened. "I hope Sora and the others are okay."

Poppy comforted the Nihilego. "I'm sure they'll be fine. There are a lot of dangerous people out there who would go for violence when given the chance."

The group hurried out, even if Resira was wishing to investigate the case of the chains. Poppy asked. "So, what's this I hear about a Hammer Heart Arena? Leon informed me that it's special training," Namine offered to lead, while still having some tremor of the Ultra Beast. "It's something I've had a hand in making, a collection of experiences, made into data to simulate certain battles. Aqua and her friend, Ana, had the idea that we need to toughen ourselves up for some of the most dangerous forces that we've faced and so-"