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

50. A Dark Mirage

Over at Agrabah, the merry band of Desert Explorers finished their afternoon rest and are taking off for another round. In preparation for the nocturnal adventure to come. Koraidon, Raging Bolt, Great Tusk and Zygarde took off to the desert and gave the ladies a reason to follow them, while Sora, Aladdin and Leon begun to head to the town together. Which left Flygon and Talonflame to check on a particular hiding spot and left Riku and Terra with a lead to follow.

The fliers reached a ways in the middle of the desert as the humans did what they could to keep up. There was someone seen, resting up the mountain and keeping an eye on the Midnight Lycanroc as well as the Gliscor. Talonflame flapped and chirped mellow as the dragon shifted his eyes and turned to Riku. (I know you have your job, but you've been looking at me quite a lot.)

The silver haired boy knew he was being found out, took a deep breath and readied a repeat ball and a dive ball. "Got to catch you all before we can head back home." He aimed the two at the fliers, took a deep breath and asked. "Are you two ready for this?"

Flygon and Talonflame looked to each other and flapped their wings in a plan against the challenge. Riku tossed and called out. "Darter, King, let's show ourselves!" Pop! Out came the Sneasler and Slowking.

The Talonflame's wings ignited with the blazing sun. Riku pointed. "Fake the Talonflame out while King chills the place out." The Sneasler sprinted for a fake out clap and halted the Talonflame before back flipping, Flygon was quite impressed and flipped forward. (Not bad, but let's see you handle-) He slammed his tail to make a shock wave of sand that rushed across the arena, Talonflame flew over the earthquake as Darter and King were knocked back. The poison type of the two was sent flying to the ground and was knocked out in an instant as the Slowking chuckled. (Boy that was sure sandy.) … The bad joke left a chill, bringing about a cloud of snow as King returned to his ball in embarrassment. Riku called Darter back, appreciating the borrowed time as he tossed a quick ball. "Raz, it's your turn!"

Pop!

Out came a Weavile that flipped a landing and crossed his arms as Riku juggled the dive ball and let King back out, the Slowking looked refreshed from a fast regeneration. The boy called out. "Raz, use icy wind to chill these two out! King, blast Talonflame with an icy wind!" The Weavile frosted up and kicked a breeze that caused Flygon to fly back in a frost shock and the Talonflame to shiver. The bird blew a tail wind to bring Flygon back to speed, the dragon darted after the Slowking in a fast thunder punch. King was sent into a spin and caught his landing with his hand, he tensed and fired a precise water pulse that forced the Talonflame into a backwards flip. Riku brought out an ultra ball, glided around the arena and tossed fast. "Go!"

Fling! Tap!

Flygon was taken aback by the swift speed as the ball brought Talonflame in and gave three shakes before clicking.

The dragon ascended high and gave a fierce draconic dance. Riku and Raz nodded to each other and high jumped as one, wanting to prevent Flygon from unleashing another earthquake. The Flygon saw he was surrounded, Riku and Raz channeled a frosty aura for a double blast. Flygon flipped a dive to dodge and circled around the duo, using a fast dragon claw to cleave the two. Riku parried as the Weavile use the snow to endure the blow. King sighed and gave a yawn to the Flygon, making him drowsy as Raz tossed a fast ice shard, sending the dragon falling to the sand. Riku hurried to get a luxury ball in hand as the dragon sparkled electricity and darted after the Weavile. Riku called out. "Dive!"

Raz let himself fall to avoid the fast thunder punch and kicked icy wind at Flygon's belly, the dragon was sent flipping back first to the ground and dozed off. The partner used the opening and tossed the black ball. Fling! Tap! Bop! Bop!

Shake...shake...shake... click!

Flygon was caught. Raz crossed his arms proudly as King hopped and waved his hands in victory. Riku went to pick up the two balls and turned to Terra, who watched the whole spectacle. The boy waved to his senior and let the battered pokemon out, using some fast medicine to refresh them up. Flygon was waking up, giving a light shrill of a whine. (Ah man, we lost!)

Talonflame lowered his head in disappointment as the boy gave him a petting. "Don't sweat it. You guys gave a good fight." He looked up to the late afternoon sun about to turn into evening. "And right before nightfall too." The timing left Terra thinking out loud. "Should we get ready to spy on that mountain and give those guys a head start?"

Flygon nodded at the idea as his new partner called Talonflame back for a nights rest. "Just so we'll know they won't run into trouble." Riku asked the dragon. "Now, Earthquake's pretty strong, but there isn't a lot in the team that can handle the shock. You have something that can keep us mobile and ready for an impact?" Flygon buzzed. (Yeah, there's one I can learn, haven't really needed to use it for a long time.)

Weavile guessed. (Dig, right?) The dragon grunted and made a dive into the sand, disappearing with in and causing a trial of a plow. He emerged fast as Riku glided to him and joined in a dual dive, repeating the attack. Riku followed with a lightning blast and dived again, on emerging again, the two delivered a fast thunder punch combo before diving a final time and emerging for a dragon claw, Way to Dawn slash. King clapped. (Nice combo.)

Flygon admitted. (Didn't think we'd do that together already.) Riku was ready to call the ground dwellers back and head over to the mountain shade. "You and I both got some experience in fights. You won't believe the kind of people we've fought with. King, Raz, ride in here."

Pew!

The duo were called back as Terra turned his blade into a glider bike. "It could still take a while for the two of you to handle things together. But this looks to be for the best." Flygon let Riku on his back in agreement. (His partners need to keep up, but it really shouldn't take long.) Flap! The dragon took off in a race against the glider.

At the outskirt of the town.

Kairi and Jasmine were looking around with Azu and Torracat, making sure the coast was clear before they let out the Pheromosa that was bewildered by the change of lights. She took a moment to sit down on a rock and cross her legs in a manner to a spoiled queen while adjusting her sight. Kairi took the initiative and asked the Beast. "Pheromosa, we got a chance to track down the mystery behind some of our friends, who are appearing and going in the strange places we'd find out here. You want to help us get to the bottom of this before night fall?"

The Ultra Beast didn't quite understood what was said and noticed a small detail of foot prints in the sand. One was similar to a prehistoric lizard she knows of. Torracat had a scent of something and spotted more tracks that match as Jasmine asked. "Kairi, why are we following those guys?" The Princess shared a secret to her fellow of royalty. "We're gathering clues about who they are and where they came from. They've always appeared mysteriously and vanish just as we're wanting to know more. Unless Ho-oh is as ancient as we can imagine, then Raging Bolt contradicts what is known about the Three Beasts. The legend is centuries old, while the Raging Bolt's entry points it towards the age of the Jurassic Period. An era of the Dinosaurs and older than us humans."

Jasmine shivered. "It looks more like the Aksar than any beast we'd find across the land." What ever beast Jasmine has mentioned, has a distinct otherworldly dread to it. Pheromosa and Torracat looked to the tracks and lead the way across the desert, while Azu provides some moisture to counter act with the heat. All the way to a rugged hill with a crystal cave way, the mouth shrouded in mists. The band entered and found themselves within the confines of a great oasis, grown to that of a jungle with a vast lake. Zygarde, Koraidon, Raging Bolt and the Great Tusk were under shade, with the canine reporting to a distinct woman in an attire of an ancient sage. The Scientist in disguise. The strange woman listened to what Zygarde spoke of and petted him in gratitude. "You all have helped in thwarting a great evil, but I'm fearing that Mozenrath fellow's just a smaller fish in the wide lake. I hope the Guardians finish their task this nightfall, before things escalate further."

She noticed arrivals and turned to find Kairi with a band of misfits, Pheromosa was taken aback by the crystal taking shape to match with the outside world and begun to stare into space. Koriadon turned to find the ladies and give an eager bark while the Raging Bolt turned his head silly and stood up fast. The Sage was quite amused. "Speaking of which, it appears the Princesses have delved into this unknown den. Seeking answers that will come."

Kairi know of the catch provided. "Just not in a way we'd expect." The band had a closer look at a river flowing to the unknown as the Sage confessed. "I didn't expect that the man Arceus called upon, would find the cave we seek, crack open the puzzle and reach the borders of the golems heart. If there wasn't a greater concern, then that would mean that tonight would simply be a phase for tying up some loose ends before hurrying home."

Jasmine put her hands to her hips. "We'd hope so, for these guys, but it's always when we think we have everything figured out, that we end up in a bigger trap." Kairi agreed with her on that. "The Heartless follow who ever calls upon them. If Mozenrath wasn't doing that, then it's someone who's staying in the shadows, waiting for us to show a moment of weakness. Now that Regirock is freed, it would mean that he'll be able to fight back against that evil. Not that he'll be safe from it."

The Sage frowned in concern. "He's weary of those who are bestowed the power of the Keyblade and that could be a weapon they'd use." She pressed the side of her head. "The Forces of Evil, know to strike here in order to get to-" she pointed to her chest. "The only true assurance as of now, is that the nocturnal pokemon are smart enough to know if someone is snatching up their neighbors while everyone is sleeping." She thought about how to manage such a task. "I think these fellows." She addresses the ancient pokemon. "Could be of help in spreading that word quickly while staying on the wait. You and the others would then be able to focus on the evil that still plagues the land."

That is considered and a ball popped open to let out Iceberg, who recognized the sage and flapped his wings in a hello. Kairi nodded in thought. "We could use all the help we could, but would you mind telling us who you are? What's even your name?"

The Sage laughed. "I don't think there's a record anywhere close to where you live, that would tell you more about me. Let's just say, I'm a spirit who can only be seen when called upon. A traveler in between the Realm of Dreams, Imagination and the Hereafter. I've been observing the worlds for a long time, until a decade ago when hope was starting to wane. Then a certain three brought it back." She pointed to Kairi in particular. "You and those boys will forever have my gratitude for that." She bowed gracefully. "I am Lady Suiten." The Princess felt a shine of a connection. "The Hereafter?! You mean the Final World?"

Jasmine turned in confusion. "The Final what?!" Kairi covered her mouth and answered nervously. "Just a special place that me and my friends traveled too. Let's just say it's way too soon to be thinking more into that."

Suiten conjured a blade of Starlight and tapped it to the ground to emit a powerful shine. "Indeed, you're aware of what lies beyond that place. I've seen hearts come and go to that Hereafter and back to the Cycle... or Circle as the Pridelands call it" She looked nervous speaking more into it as she crouched to the Iron Bundle and petted him. "If it wasn't for this little rule, about being reborn as a different person for every trip back, I would have done more to prevent this crisis from happening." Azu pointed to herself eagerly. "Which is why you need us to do it?"

Suiten giggled. "Well, it would be a serious problem if my direct help is needed." She hurried to a smooth stone and sat upon it, allowing the Bundle a spot on her lap. "There's still some time before you need to face the coming dangers, take a spill, if you want?"

Jasmine politely refused "We've already done that." and looked to the ancient pokemon that were anxious about their task. "Reborn as a different person..." Kairi thought with her. "I've heard that some people believe in reincarnation and there are some out there who are able to do it." Suiten agreed with the young one. "Everything your heart remembers from a past life is used as a building block for a new experience. Sometimes the material comes to be from scratch when a vessel is formed. You can't tell one from the other from the side you're in now."

Jasmine imagined the experience. "A new you, ready to experience it all again." Kairi looked to Koraidon, Raging Bolt and a Great Tusk that is awaiting the next mission. "If someone's more focused on what they are now, then that heart is still in the current cycle. We need to know who that heart use to be before hand, to really tell." Suiten cringed in a sigh. "Most of the time, it's really hard to tell unless you know someone from a previous generation. By then though, it's too little too late."

Kairi knows her home has secrets yet to be uncovered and even the town under Twilight has mysteries left forgotten. "If we find out through some books, then we could tell. It looks like you watch over these guys when they're in between worlds."

Suiten ahaded at the accurate statement. "Me and my partners lend a guiding hand for these children. It just so happen that the Great Tusk has taken that higher calling and is tagging along too."

Koraidon grunted as the Raging Bolt tapped his feet in hope. "Oka's quite the brave one and Denki's quite cautious with the storm he brings." The Sage sighed and scratched the Iron Bundle. "They still have a long ways to go." Kairi realized. "Wait, you're naming these guys too? Why?"

Azu guessed from her own nickname. "Must be special nicknames." Suiten had a blink in her eyes and shifted her attention to the ancient pokemon. "Quite the special ones. As of now, the Labyrinth and those tied to it are what they have. It wouldn't be fair if they're just be the Great Tusk, the Raging Bolt, the Winged King or the Iron Bundle."

She shook her head and her breath slowed, Oka went by the visitors as the Iron Bundle looked up in concern for the woman. The Koraidon woofed. (It'll be late soon, we need to start preparing.)

Pheromosa looked to Suiten strangely and turned towards the exit as the Lady of the Labyrinth let Iceberg off her lap and stood up. "But whether it is Palírroias or Iceberg, you wish for them to be more than just creatures you'd find in a story."

The Iron Bundle returned back to Kairi as the lady gave another bow. "I'm sorry that you'll have to come out of this one empty handed. Just keep working about this Miracle, Princess. Things will make more sense, once you find the connections." The ancient pokemon and Zygarde, got to work in escorting the ladies out, who gave a respectful nod to the Lady before being brought out. Koraidon had one more look at the cave way and lowered his eye lids before breathing out and offering to give a ride back to the city.

Over at Agrabah.

The city squad were keeping sight at the streets in an attempt to find any traces of lingering pokemon. Leon asked out loud as he had a set of binoculars in use. "So, the other reason we need to find the remaining pokemon, if there are any, is because there might be an incident where the local children were disappearing?"

Quill, Decidueye and Castform were at the high ground and the smaller owl hooted. (Could have been helpful a while ago.) Aladdin didn't think to much into it as his pet monkey and the Morgrem were looking into small open cracks. "It's kind of hard to figure out if our new friends are part of that problem." Leon nodded and walked a ways. "Hence why some of the locals weren't liking Castform."

Sora wondered. "You don't think that has anything to do with where the Heartless are coming from, do you?" Leon turned around. "Taking the chance while we're all busy? It is either that or the few pokemon that are known to make children disa-"

Thud!

Ooof!

Leon was suddenly knocked over by a youngster who wasn't watching where he was going. The boy landed on his stomach and was quick to get up and noticed a street boy with knocked over fruit. Leon urked. "You're okay mister?" The street boy got up in a hurry and tried to gather up the food. "The names Wahid and I had the right of way." Aladdin tried to intervene. "You got to be more careful with-" The youngster asked. "The disappearances? Kids vanishing? Poof?" He dismissed it. "Not scared of that or those monsters."

Castform descended down in surprised as a voice called out. "Hey, you little thief!" Wahid wasn't event bothered with being caught. "Faruk, not scared of him either."

The band looked to each other at what is a common occurrence in the city, homeless children having to pilfer what they can to get by. Wahid was in a hurry to get out of there, knowing what the look was about. "Hey, I know it's wrong to steal, I'm not needing any lectures! I'm not going to be a street rat forever you know, someday I'm gonna-" Aladdin ended up in a slight trance of something he's heard before. " make something of myself." The boy was pretty spooked. "Hey how'd you know that?"

Sora guessed. "We've been there before and Al's heard this before." He turned to see his friend spacing out, the boy took the chance to sneak out of there as Sora waved a hand to Aladdin and saw he wasn't noticing. The Keybearer took another moment to realize something was going on as Genie appeared. "Sheesh, what happened?"

Leon shrugged and notice from the space staring. "I think something said has triggered something. My Daddy kind of does this when we hear about bad things happening to someone." Genie eeked as Aladdin had a moment of shock and spoke out in repeat. "Amal?! Amal?!" The Djinn hurried to snap a finger to his friend, trying to snap him out of it. Aladdin was back to reality. "Woah, that was the strangest-"

Genie asked fast. "Al, who's Amal?" The grown up recalled from a flash back of his. "My best friend, when we were kids. Until he disappeared." He looked around frantically. "One second Amal was there, then I turned my back and he was gone. I chased after a shadow of something but that disappeared too."

He and Sora widen their eyes at the word shadow, the thief asked. "You don't think-" He realized. "Hey, I was talking to a kid, where did he go?!" Leon answered fast. "He took off. Is it connected with the rumor we have now?" Sora nodded. "It's gotta be and that shadow isn't leading to anything good."

Come nightfall.

The band were flying over the city and keeping a sharp eye out for activity bellow. Along the ride was that parrot that was complaining. "I knew this would happen! I knew I should have migrated with the other birds this season, but no! I'm here for Monster Hunting Seasons with you bozos."

Sora was on a very unamused Pidgeot. "Relax, Leon told us about what could be out here tonight." The parrot repeated what he was told. "Hypnotizing bakus, balloons from the underworld oh and get this, a treasure stealing ghoul!"

The Pidgeot cawed to a Flygon that had Riku on his back, a signal to call out to a section fo the town. Riku knew what it was about. "And if it isn't any of those, then we'll kick their butts a new one." BZZZ!

Down bellow, Leon, Kairi and Terra set up a more subtle approach in flushing out the mysterious phantoms. With the grown up of the bunch having a local mother hide in a building while Pueo, Shooter and the Princesses were hiding in a roof top. Obstagoon and Torracat were hiding in an alley way while Leon heard a buzz and found a spot to use a mat in. Pretending to be a homeless lad who was settling down for the night. Kairi recalled the general plan from Leon, flashing back towards the sun set. The youngster used a drawing of himself. "So, it looks like this something is one to wait until the kid is alone and lost before they snatch them up. With a little bait and a set up, we could get the jump on them." Jasmine recalled protesting the moment Leon took a bow of grace. "Are you serious about this?! You don't have a way to defend yourself if they strike fast." Leon snickered. "That's what they'll think."

The ladies returned their thought to the present and looked to each other over the convincing trap. With Pueo feeling a chill at his neck and seeing the youngsters shadow take shape. Leon felt his heart racing, saw his shadow on the left and quickly tossed a blast of snow at a green claw that emerged from the shadow. The boy eeked and rolled fast, giving Kairi and Pueo the chance to dive after it. The claw retracted into the darkness and something shifted with the moon light. Woosh! The Flying Carpet and the fliers descended fast. Sora was quick to look around as Riku set his sights at the street way. "What happened?! Did the bait not work?"

Leon was fast to get up as Kairi helped him up. "Think it went a little too well. What ever is in the shadows, knows how to use them." Leon asked fast. "Are there any monsters like that, with a green color to them?"

Sora recalled that there isn't a heartless of that color that could sink into the shadows. Riku and Flygon hurried after the shadow as Terra showed up and felt a chill. The band hurried to split up and intercept, with Aladdin and the Carpet taking the high route. Reaching a dead end.

Flygon was inspecting for claw marks as Morgrem got out of the ball and was sniffing around. Riku looked around fast. "Everyone, keep an eye open for anything pulling a fast one."

Snarl!

The sound of something snarling behind caused the group to turn fast, with Genie puffing up in smoke and holding an orb containing a net. "One monster catcher, right up!" Morgrem scurried into hiding of a door and signaled that the band wait in ambush. Riku silently let out Raz and Darter, signaling them to get ready. Aladdin counted from three to one and lead a jump out of the darkness, getting the jump on a familiar child that screamed in shock and caused astonishment from animal and pokemon alike. Aladdin whispered fast. "Wahid?! What are you doing out here?"

The child was pretty spaced out. "I saw something... weird-" Riku felt his heart racing. "If those rumors are true, then you know what that something might want!" Darter nodded in dread as Flygon buzzed harshly. (You shouldn't be following rumors!)

Raz grabbed the kid by the hand and pulled him close to the dragon. (Stay by us until we take care of this.) Aladdin turned to Genie and whispered. "Alright, now we gotta-" The Djinn noticed something up a wall and froze. A hissing noise that brought attention, a green scaled lizard beast descended upon those who deny him his prey. Wahid screamed out as the grown up picked him up and put him on the flying carpet. "Take Wahid and go!"

The carpet flew off without hesitation as Riku drew his blade. "So you're the punk that's been snatching up kids?" The lizard beast roared and swipe his claw. Riku and the Sneasel brothers back flipped before countering with a fast dash, the beast dived to the ground and disappeared as a shadow. Flygon turned left and leaned back from an dive down from a building. Genie was ready to line up a throw as Riku glided to Flygon and called. "Ready?"

The dragon grunted, grabbed Riku by the body and dived into the earth, burrowing as the Shadow Beast sprinted after the Djinn and lunged with his teeth. Genie side stepped as Mogrem ducked and used his hair to give a stab, the hair bounced off as Aladdin picked up a board and smacked the Shadow Beast on the head. It simply shattered and the thief realized. "We're in trouble!"

Rush!

Riku and Flygon use the vibration to pounce on the Shadow Beast, giving a dual slash as they dived back in the earth. Darter followed with a dual slash dire claw as Raz blew an icy wind to give a chill and toss an ice shard. The Shadow Beast head butted Darter down and toss the wind back.

Burst!

Riku and Flygon leaped for a dual slash, only to be smacked back. Genie used the chance to toss the net orb, it burst open the bindings and wrapped around the beast. Sending it falling to the ground. It disappeared into the shadows and emerged on the wall, giving the Djinn a spiteful look before something fell on his head. A particular pet monkey dropped that and drew it's attention, with the Shadow Beast crawling up with fangs to bare. Riku hurried to toss a dusk ball. "Penumbra, we need your help."

Pop!

Out of the ball came the Flutter Mane that was seeing the moon shine city and the Shadow Beast. She darted behind the creature and wrapped her hair around it's arms before delivering a vampiric draining kiss. The Shadow Beast howled in pain, grabbed a hair and yanked her off before smashing her face to the wall and tossing her to the ground. It scurried off into the darkness as the Flutter Mane caught her fall and half dropped her eye lids. (Vile beast!) She flew after it and prompted the brothers to follow.

Elsewhere.

Sora and the others heard the sound of roaring and fighting before they were ambushed themselves. The spikey haired boy and his bird duo were taking to the sky and bombarded a purple scale Shadow Beast with little effect. Kairi and Jasmine dodged from a gray scale beast, giving Torracat the chance for a fake out smack. The Princess of the Isles sent out the Pheromosa, who twitched her antenna at the sense of danger. Leon hurried over to Terra, who faced a red scale Shadow Beast that tried to pounce him. The grown up countered with a fast cleave and sent out Ursaring and Primeape to assist the Obstagoon.

"Smash it!"

Ursaring raised her paws in a roar and sprinted with Obstagoon as Primeape leaped at the beast and followed with a cross chop. The Shadow Beast rolled into the wall and dodged the counter as Pueo had his eyes on the shadow. Leon let out Kilokilo and ordered. "We got a shadow sneaker, you know what to do!" The Hatterene hovered in a twirl and picked up a malevolent presence. The Shadow Beast sprinted after the boy with the plan, Leon stepped back in sync with Pueo flying back and drawing out his arrow. The Shadow Beast emerged with a claw and Kilokilo unleashed a dazzling blast, sending the foe falling as Pueo fired at the shadow.

BURST!

Primeape use that chance to deliver an ice punch that was forced back. Irritating him as the Shadow Beast bit him on the head and thrashed. Terra, Ursaring and Obstagoon charged for a punch combo as Primeape's fist glowed in gloomy power.

PUNCH!

The rage fist pushed the Shadow Beast into letting the ape go, Primeape jumped in a stomp and delivered another, forcing the Shadow Beast to pill the arrow off and toss it away before it retreated.

Sora glided after his foe as Quill extended his shadow and delivered a shadow sneak smack. The Purple Shadow Beast leaped from the dive and countered with a claw, sending Sora rolling and the Dartrix vulnerable to a pounce. Quill flapped above and used a confuse ray, the Shadow Beast swatted the orb away as Sora's necklace moved. Comfey flew after the Shadow Beast and delivered a draining kiss that made the foe roar in shock. The Posey Picker flew back to dodge and gave a spin of a flowery aura.

(This ought to help!)

Sora was surrounded by a floral power and felt a great relief, the boy cheered "Nice one!" and tensed before drawing out a blade of a Kept Oath. He gave off an aura of water and spun fast. "Rain!"

Pulse!

The sky was shrouded in clouds that brought about rain, giving Pidgeot an opening to dash in a hurricane blast. Blowing the Shadow Beast away and giving Sora an opening to let loose a shine that caused his clothes to turn white. Flowers clapped in a helping hand as Sora focused and had the blade spin into a barrage of stars. The Shadow Beast wasn't liking the bombardment and retreated into the darkness.

Kairi and Jasmine's roof top sprawl escalated just as fast. The girls dodged a double clawing as Pheromosa countered with a triple axel spin, the Shadow Beast took one blow and blocked the other two. It countered with a punch that sent Pheromosa flipping, Kairi glowed into a star and counter rushed with Azu. Fighting roughly and sending the Shadow Beast at the edge of a roof, giving Jasmine the opening to charge Torracat up in flames and call out. "Blitz!" The cat roared and gave rushed a flare blitz tackle that sent the Shadow Beast falling off.

It landed in a thud and roared up before getting distracted by a radiant glow at the side.

Slide!

Rushing side ways in a fiery pulse was the Koraidon and Great Tusk, looking ready for a brawl. The Shadow Beast glared, dipped his finger in the shadows and used it to draw a hole, escaping into it for a fast escape. Kairi grabbed Jasmine by the hand and lead a descent. They spotted the hole shrinking close and turned as Pheromosa picked Azu up and jumped down with the ladies. The Great Tusk growled and kept a look around as Koraidon barked. (Glad we got here when we did. Are you all okay?) Azu put her hands to her wide hips. "Could be better, but we got that one running." She gasped in a realization as the Princess hurried to where the others explored. "Come on, let's check on the others."

Heading to the meeting square.

Riku and Flutter Mane were on watch as Morgrem asked around. (So... any idea what that demon is?) Raz shrugged. (Got me, but there wasn't much we had that was working.) Riku asked the locals. "Al, Genie, you know anything about that?" The thief shrugged. "I don't know," Genie thought about. "Me neither-" The parrot, who spent his time hiding wasn't having much of it. "Oh you don't know? It's a first class, bona fide, legitimate argument for- and yelled in irritation. "migrating!"

The Flutter Mane laughed to that. (If we weren't out here for a reason, we'd be following the Sun. But alas-) She pointed to the night sky as the band caught up with a gathering of squad mates that had a brawl. Leon turned to the lot who were shaken the most and hurried. "Guys, what happened?"

Riku looked to the others as Parrot answered sarcastically. "What do you think happened?! We chased some kid all the way to the Shadow Monster!"

Leon squinted his eyes as Sora guessed. "A kid? Is it the same one that was causing trouble?" The youngster guessed. "Wahid? What's possessed him to come out here?" Riku's eye lids raised in astonishment. "Who knows, but there's got to be a reason. Trouble makers like that are always looking for something."

Swoop!

Descending down was a magic carpet that didn't have a kid on it. It circled around Aladdin and tried pushing him somewhere. It didn't take long to realize something happened to the child, Raz cringed. (Sheesh, that thing wasn't giving up.)

Leon eased his breath. "This is bad. Those things could be anywhere and we got a trial of what's taking those kids." He hmmed and looked to Pueo and Kilokilo. "I think-" Aladdin realized. "We got a way to find them before they get away?" Riku gasped. "You know, I think we do." He asked. "Penumbra, can you pick up the scent of those Shadow Monsters?"

The Flutter Mane closed her eyes and sniff. (Maybe...) Pueo noticed something and flew ahead as Kilokilo shivered and followed. The Wild Shriek considered that a lead and hurried ahead, picking up a stronger sensation. (Yes... now I do.) Riku and Leon gave each other a high five, the self appointed leader asked around. "Anything else we should know about those monsters? So they don't jump us like that again?"

Koraidon grunted. (They can make get away holes, kind of like how a Hoopa Ring works.)

Jasmine thought out loud. "They're able to make a hole or something to sneak away in." Great Tusk aimed his trunk to the shadow and used it to show how the trick was done, Riku nodded and smiled. "They use the shadow?" The Parrot asked. "The shadow?!" He flapped off in dread. "Ohhh boy, I've heard of this one! The Shadow Walkers!" Terra raised a brow. "The Shadow Walkers?!"

The Parrot landed. "Yeah, the El Khatib! They come out for three nights, every seven years and only during the full moon!" Ursaring gasped and looked up to find the moon in a full shine. (The Full Moon?!) Terra thought fast and remembered something in his bag. "That could be the surprise we need."

The band in the know realize what's about to happen as Riku could tell by the bears eagerness. "If you guys need a moment, then just try to catch up." He clapped to the others. "Alright, I think I know what we can expect. As soon as our friends find out where this is heading, we need to approach this carefully."

Terra found the carefully wrapped Peat Block and Leon cursed that he was about to miss out on a phenomenon. "Drat! Are you about to use that?" Flygon called the youngster out as he and Riku lead ahead. The band hurried and left Terra and his companions behind.

The grown up took a deep breath and asked the bear. "Ursaring, once you do this, there's no going back." The Bear grunted. (I know.) Her eyes widden. (But if we're going to stand a chance against this dark legend, then we need a tale of yor to drive this darkness away.) She roared. (Bring me the peat and I won't ever let you down!)

Primeape showed a smile and hoped. (Let's make a legend of our own, sensei!) Obstagoon laughed. (You're gonna get real big, real soon and mess those shadow bloaks up!)

It was an unanimous vote and Terra smiled in eagerness, he gave Ursaring the block and watched her scoop the block with her paws. The Bear looked up to the moon shining upon her, back to the block and covered her face with the dirt, the light caused a shine across her body. The dirt spread across her shoulders, arms, legs and tail as her whole being enlarged. So much so that she went on all fours to manage her weight. The dirt around her paws look akin to gauntlets and boots while the rest evened out. Pew! The glow ended and in place was a gargantuan, green eyed bear with a full yellow moon of a forehead. With peat covered eye brows that resemble clouds. The parts of her body that the peat reached solidified into something of armor and the half tired face kept to a charm. The bear looked eye to eye with Terra and gave a deep growl, giving the grown up time to check on what Ursaring became. "Ursaluna: The Peat Pokemon: Normal/Ground: The burly physic is widely believed to be a result of swampy terrain. Giving it the ability to manipulate Peat at will."

The Ursaluna approached to Terra's side and grunted. (Now we can charge after those monsters without any problems! You're thinking what I'm thinking?) Terra knows the bear is suggesting he gets on her back for mounted combat and Obstagoon noticed someone descending from above. A Hoopa that was quite impressed. "You followed your friends gut instinct and awaken something lost to the ages. A treasure that has a stronger shine than any jewel you'll find."

Primeape turned on shock as Terra kept a guard and relaxed. "It's you again?" The Hoopa took a ring and had it spin on his hand. "You guys weren't the only ones investigating the case of the missing kids and those Shadow Guys. As soon as I picked up that sensation of determination, I'd split up from the kid. We got a trial of someone who's behind all this and this could help ol' Regirock see you guys for who you are."

Obstagoon snickered and readied his claws. (We're going to knock that boss a peg?) Primeape pressed his fists together, eager for that plan as Ursaluna growled. (What's the catch?) Terra asked along with her. "We've just told our friends that we'll catch up with them. How much is this going to help?"

Hoopa tossed the ring to a wall and had it enlarge. "You and you're friends will end up seeing the truth about this anyways. This will get you ahead of the others while meeting a Regirock that's... got a good reason not to trust you if you were alone." His cheeks raised meekly. "Think you can earn it before sunrise?"

Terra and his companions looked to each other in confidence before heading to the Hoopa Ring. They stepped over to find the after math of a brawl, with an Incineroar and Mimikyu tossing a blue El' Khatib into the shadow of ancient ruins, while a Gliscor hoisted a brown Shadow Walker for a dual wing beat. The Shiny Midnight Lycanroc leaped high and partook in close combat before sending it falling to a Regirock that gave a body pressing shoulder bash and a canine Zygarde that unleashed an outrage. Sending it running off while a man in blue phewed from a close call. "Hoof! Nice one guys!"

Ursaluna was surprised and roared out while Hoopa followed. Elio and the Incineroar turned to the new faces. The ex champion waved. "So that's what you were doing?"

Regirock turned to find the burly pokemon and lit all of his dots and the sight of Terra with his blade in hand. The dots flashed in a particular pattern as the golem was about to raise a fist. Elio gave an eek and put a hand on the golem's shoulder. "Easy, easy! The guys a friend to these pokemon! He's here to help us."

Regirock turned with a harsh beep, Elio pat him to calm him down. "He's not like those jerks. Think a little deeper, was there anyone with a blade that didn't try to attack you?" Regirock lowered his fist, in a strange, dream like trance. Elio guessed. "You met a Key dude that tried to be a friend?"

He looked over to Terra, hoping he knows more. The grown up sighed. "We've been looking for his brothers once we've found out that some jackasses abused the power of the Keyblade and used it to hurt everyone they could. As soon as we deal with these El' Khatib, we can talk about the rest." Regirock listened to the certain tone, gave a strong beep in a pattern and marched onward to the ruins. Elio hmmed. "He likes that tone you give. I like to think, he knows about that weird lady too." Rumble!

"Rai-GOOOH!" Zygarde followed the sound of a roar that came from where Regirock was heading, the grown ups and their partners hurried right behind.

At the City

The pokemon lead band kept close watch as they followed across the street. Even if few would dare to cross a fight with Koraidon or the Great Tusk. Penumbra felt a strong sense and gave a light shrill. (It's close! A very close shadow.) She sprinted forward, prompting Riku, Leon and Al to follow. Reaching a well that sparked a memory in the thief. "The old well where Amal disappeared!" Pueo noticed a child sitting by the side and having a grouchy scowl, he hooted to call out. (Found the kid!)

Leon gasped and recognized the trouble maker as Riku felt a sharp odor. He widen his eyes as Leon and Al hurried ahead, the older boy called out. "Wait something is-" The two were already half way when they were called out and Leon shouted harshly. "There you are! What the heck are you doing out here?"

Wahid growled as the youngster crouched to help him up. "We all thought some monster or something snatched you up when that carpet came back without you. Let's get out of here and-" Shove!

The trouble maker shoved Leon to Aladdin and knocked the two off their feet. "I'm not going anywhere!" The band gasped in astonishment as Aladdin was confused. "What are you talking about?"

Wahid was concealing his right arm for a reason. "Nobody snatched me, I've went with that monster because I wanted to." Leon gasped. "What?! Why?" Wahid raised his right arm and revealed something growing into a muscular claw. "Power!" Morgrem caught up with astonishment. (Wait, wait, hold on-) Wahid lifted the grown up boastfully. "I can do all kinds of neat things, cause I've joined the kinship of the El' Katib!"

He hurled Aladdin to a darken wall as Kilokilo used her power to drag Leon away. Morgrem leaped to get in between the adult and child as Riku. "Kid you're making a huge-" Wahid leaped to get close to the dazed grown up and tore his top off, showing a hunched back form metamorphosing. "I'm not a lowly street rat anymore. I'm finally making something of myself and the best part, the El' Katib are immortal!" He raised his hands gleefully. "I'm going to live forever!"

Sora hurried to get Aladdin on his feet and realized. "Then that means Amal must have-" Snarl! Aladdin turned fast to find that green Shadow Walker, baring his fangs as it lifted him by the vest. Aladdin realized what the creature really was. "Amal?"

The Shadow Walker calmed down for a moment, as if that name hasn't been heard of in years. "Yes... Amal. I too have made something of myself." Quill sprinted ahead of Sora and readied a dual wing beat as the Shadow Walker tossed Aladdin over to Sora and the bird before Wahid hurried to the well. Amal followed and jumped in with him as Genie flew after the two and watched the Shadow Walker use his finger to make a get away hole. They jumped in and had the hole shrank, only for Genie to catch it with his fingers and stretched it wide. "Step right up, see the amazing living shadow painting go to who knows where!"

Riku hurried to look into the well, with Penumbra, Koraidon and Great Tusk looking down with him. The older boy looked back to the band that were catching up to the chaos as Leon was helped up his feet. "Well, at least we figured out what those monsters were wanting the children for. This is just madness!"

Riku agreed with him there and blew to the air. "But expected, give an idiot the promise of being a big shot and they'll do anything." Jasmine caught up as Kairi was thinking silently. "Does he know about the price he's paying for this?" Her fellow Princess shook her head as Azu, Flygon and Pidgeot were heading to the well. "Immortal monsters that can only show up for three days, every seven years. There's a huge catch a kid like him isn't seeing and I'm thinking Amal's not the source either."

Riku turned back to the well with the hole. "He didn't know of the catch until it is too late. Something, or someone offered him that deal in the first place." Azu cringed. (And if we follow them, we can find the source and punch it out!) Penumbra looked to the rabbit silently and descended down. (We should, for the sake of those lost in the night.)

Raz and Darter looked ready to climb down with her as Koraidon and Great Tusk notice a Hoopa ring appearing close by, they hurried towards it in an instinct as Leon was ready to climb down. "Come on, let's snap that kid out of it before he's too far gone!"

At the strange ruins.

Elio and his trusty Incineroar wrestled away a four way pounce of ghouls as the Mimikyu went to ripping them apart. Terra, Ursaluna and Obstagoon bull rushed a hulking, kangaroo like shadow as Primeape ice punched another. Zygarde sent a pack of burning harpy like heartless falling to the earth with his thousand needles, giving Regirock an opening to crush them in stone.

Crackle!

A mighty lightning bolt struck somewhere in a boom. Out in the open, by a series of collums, was the Raging Bolt. Unleashing a fast thunder clap at a house size Roc to send it falling to the earth and finishing it off with a mighty dragon pulse. The beast stomped and let out a mighty roar, earning a cackle from Obstagoon. (Hahahaha! Rumbling like a big thunder storm, eh?)

The sound of terrified crying caught the bands attention, four children who were trapped in a green magical cage. They'd rather be back home than the predicament they're in. Elio, Incineroar, Mimikyu and Primeape hurried as Terra and the others were keeping a look around. The Ex-Champion looked for any part to have smashed as the Midnight Lycanroc simply went for attacking the cage. "Now what kind of low life is doing this?" He crouched at a particularly scared one that sobbed. "Please, get us out of here!" The grown up was thinking fast. "We will, I think this Dinokou's trying to help but the roaring's making it-" Clap! Clap! Clap!

Terra and Usaluna set their sights on the source of a slow clapping, on top of a ruins throne was a rather sinister looking, dark cat woman in a red dress and golden cap head dress. Her green eyes gleamed as she sat all smug as Terra whispered fast. "Local Mastermind, dead ahead!"

Elio and the squad turned fast and were ready for a brawl as the cat lady took delight. "Impressive, impressive! And you all figured this out by yourself too!" She was near laughing as Primeape stomped furious. (Just what the heck is going on here?!)

Elio looked to the ape and back to the cat lady that pointed over to the Ex Champion. "I'd half expect this to meddle in my affairs when you've freed up my... competition and solved the mystery of the Rock Titan on your own. What would bring you into something so foolish." In a sudden, Hoopa appeared from the shadows and looked the cat lady in the eyes. "We've got the hint that something funny was going on and this kid just happens to follow a trial when he sees one." He gave a rather irked smirk. "We didn't have to do much to make sure things go right, ya know."

The Cat Lady had a green glow. "That" sarcasm hissed out. "bravery, will be your doom!" In a sudden, two holes opened up from behind the band, letting out the investigation squad from the City. Aladdin gasped in surprise at the children as Jasmine and Genie took notice of the cat lady, gasping as one. "Mirage!"

Kairi gave her fellow Princess a slid glance. "The one behind the heartless, the El' Katib and some other things we can talk about later?" Mirage gave a slow clap. "Bravo, bravo! You've figured this one out by yourself too?"

The Destiny Trio were ready for a brawl as Leon commanded to Kilokilo. "Blast away that cage with a dazzling gleam!" Sora and Riku followed to their own faeries. "Flowers!" "Penumbra!" The Comfey and Flutter Mane flew to the magic cage as the Hatterene listened to Leon clapping a helping hand and blasted away in a stylish twirl. The other two applied a draining kiss that caused the cage to fizzle out and give Hoopa the chance to fly towards the children. "One get us out of here ring, coming right up!"

He tossed a Hoopa ring that expanded bellow the confused children and caused it to open, dropping them down into somewhere safer. Flygon looked to Gliscor and Lycanroc, giving a hiss to suggest they follow and keep them under watch. The nocturnal pokemon hurried as Mirage wasn't caring. "Fine, take them!" In a sudden, Amal and Wahib stepped out from the shadows. "Those brats are useless cry babies. Not fit to be El' Katib! For you see, every seven years brings new blood into the kinship. The promise of power and immortality entices them-" The band heard hissing and looked around to find half a dozen of the Shadow Walkers encircling them. "Those with the seeds of true evil are perfect additions to the legion."

The Raging Bolt turned to Koraidon and gave a fast whisper, the scarlet lizard grunted as Mirage gave Amal a pet, akin to that of one a dog. "Amal was an exceptionally fine specimen and I have high hopes for young Wahib."

Riku shook his head, ready for a fight. "You're not taking the kid with you!" Mirage laughed at the dawn walker. "Hahaha! Wrong! Say your goodbyes!" Ripple! In a sudden, a giant shadow rift appeared behind her, giving a blue glow akin to an eclipse. "Wahib really must be going." The trouble maker turned confused. "Going?! Where?"

Mirage pointed at the rift. "Into the Shadow Realm my little minion. Quickly now, for when the full moon sets, the portal will close." The youngster shook his head to that. "Nah, I don't wanna go!" He leaped to a ledge in a playful manner. "I got things to do here!" Riku gave a silent gasp as Mirage insisted threateningly. "No, you'll enter the realm, now!" Aladdin called out. "What's wrong Mirage? Did you fail to mention that with power and immortality comes eternal servitude?" That gained the youngsters notice. "That the El' Katib can only walk the earth for three nights, once every seven years?" Wahib barked back. "You're lying!"

Riku scoffed. "Don't believe us?" and pointed to the Shadow Walker. "Go ask Amal over there." Amal gave the youngster a stoic stare and walked off, not denying it. Wahib jumped down and pointed at his dealer. "You didn't say anything about that."

Mirage didn't quite care. "Never mind that, the portal's closing!" Wahib scoffed. "Good, let it! I'm not going!" Mirage was surprised by the open defiance, grabbed the boy by the arm and tried to pull him with her. "You'll do as I say minion!" The youngster struggled to break himself free. "Nobody tells me what to do, and I'm not your minion!"

Mirage crossed her arms and squinted her eyes. "Fine, stay, when the moon sets, you die!" The band were surprised at that catch and Terra turned to the full moon. "Wait, what?"

Mirage playfully teased. "Oh, I forgot to mention that too! Bad Mirage, bad!" She tapped her hand and kept adding insult to injury. "Bad, bad, Mirage. All part of being El' Katib, everything has a catch." Wahid stepped back in a panic for his life. "I don't want to be El' Kaitb anymore! I don't want to!" Kairi and Jasmine hurried to pull the youngster away and placed a hand on the boys chest. Mirage realized something as the local Princess called out. "That's more than enough." Kairi agreed with her and asked the youngster. "Finally learned your lesson? You want out of this?"

The youngster was about to beg as the ladies gave a shine of sunlight. Causing a reaction to an green energy that coursed through the youngster, the light burst brightly and zapped the boy into energy, his hunched back form straighten out and his arm strunk back to normal. Slightly singed and is clearly going to feel that on the marrow.

Mirage crackled in dark power and yelled out before aiming at the girls. Koraidon hurried to pull the youngster away as Kairi back flipped from the blast and Jasmine rolled side ways. The lizard tossed Wahib on his back and made a dash out of the ruins. Mirage beckon to the portal. "El' Katib, arise!"

Crackle!

She pointed. "Stop them!" At the order, the Shadow Walkers sprinted for the attack. Four rifts opened at the exit, spilling out a blockade. Great Tusk sprinted after them and gave rush as Koraidon stood up and caused his head and rear to shine in light, sprouting feathers and shining a pulse of oricalcum. Great Tusk, Flutter Mane and Raging Bolt gave a surge in their eyes as Regirock went to one flank and tackled a body press. Sora picked up Quill and glided to a pillar, firing fast feathers of light. Riku and Flygon dived into the ground and burst out for fast clawings. Terra and his band tackled the flank by Regirock, with Ursaluna delivering a head long rush that sent a Shadow Walker into a wall. Elio was fast to order as he kept guard of his son. "Brimmy, fake the one close by the Princess lady! Lost, go nuts!"

The Incineroar grunted and sprinted on all fours as the odd colored Torracat rushed to one by Brimmy's target and joined in the fake out. Giving Jasmine time to conjure flames and blast away. Aladdin and Mogrem sneaked to the prehistoric brawl and made the attempt at distracting the blockade, giving Koraidon the chance to lead the first dragon claw. The lizard beasts wrestled as Raging Bolt calmed his mind and shocked another in a thunder clap, giving Great Tusk the chance to rapid spin a fast brick break chop.

Kairi pointed to Azu and Pheromosa. "Come on, if we can get away, we got this!" She and Azu enveloped in water as the Ultra Beast gave an elegant dance and jumped high to buzz at Amal, sending him flying to the shadows as the duo jetted all around. Raz and Darter looked to Genie, who was using his tail to conjure a faux Keyblade with the markings of a lamp, they sprinted to where Riku and Flygon were fighting as Pidgeot ascended and flew down a tail wind. Sora and Quill kept a fast momentum, switching to a toss of confusing light as the Shadow Walkers clawed back at the fighters and used the ruins to get an upper ground. Pidgeot felt the heat from Koraidon, crossed his wings glowed, mega evolving into his magnificent form and rushing at the climbers. Spinning into a flame missile and blasting the foes with a no guarded, sun powered heat wave. Pheramosa dashed with Kairi and Azu as they used the aquatic jets to deliver firm blows, assisting in a well timed kick. The brawl escalated more and more to where debris were flying and Wahid had to get off the Koraidon before his pulsing heat scorched him. Aladdin and Morgrem took the chance to take the youngster by the arm and make a run for it, the grown was about to blow a whistle, not realizing he was running straight into a familiar, green Shadow Walker. He bumped into Amal, who wasted no time roaring and seizing the grown up with one hand, Wahid and Morgrem scurried to try and scratch at the demon. "Hey, let him go!" Only to be swatted away. The band heard the roaring and turned to find Aladdin in quite the trouble.

Mirage cheered for her minion. "Yes! Now, destroy him! Squeeze him! Crush his spine!" Jasmine felt her heart sinking as Amal lifted the thief and had a moment of pause. The Shadow Walker looked up once more, looking like he was at a limit. Mirage grew impatient and barked. "What are you waiting for?! Do it!"

Amal growled. "No, he was my friend." Mirage twitch her right eye "No?!" and crackled green lightning, scaring Amal to where he let Aladdin go and cowered. The rest of the Shadow Walkers paused from their attack in fear for their kin, with Mirage eerily calming down. Raging Bolt and Ursaluna took notice of the moon setting as the band noticed the portal closing. Mirage turned to the portal before turning to her rebellious minion, hissing softly. "Then die Amal. Die." She laughed as she flickered. "Farewell! Huahahahaha!"

The moon set and morning was coming, Amal and his fellow Shadow Walkers watched the rift close up, realizing they've been left behind. They opened their mouths in shock and some took a look at a surprised Koraidon while the Raging Bolt asked. (She didn't just-)

Ripple! Suddenly, the El' Katib felt their beings glow in blue energy, disintegrating from the limb to their heads. Some looking confused as to what is going on, while others look disappointed and regretful at their undoing as they returned to the dust. Amal in particular was looking to his right arm, having that same glow. He sighed in regret to his old friend. "Goodbye Aladdin." Raging bolt turned fast to Koraidon and growled out a plea. (We got to do something! This is just-) The lizard growled back. (What can we do? We don't have a lot of time until-) Aladdin noticed something off about the energy around the arm.

The arm was taking shape. "What?!" In a matter of seconds, the arm turned to that of a humans. The local princess was astonished. "What just happened?" Amal wasn't sure either. "I don't know." Genie realized something and put his weapon away. "I do! He wouldn't kill Al! Which means, he doesn't have what it takes to be El' Katib." Riku gasped. "So he lost that seed of pure evil that would have killed him by now?"

Penumbra looked to the sunlight and gave a light dance. (Or he had the chance to do away with it before he knew. Quite the shame that the others didn't get that chance.) Azu agreed with the specter. (Were they a bunch of kids that got lead around on that deal too?) She shook her head in disgust and looked to Flygon and a powering down Pidgeot. (Nothing about this is right.)

Kairi shifted her eyes downward in agreement. "Lead towards becoming monsters, only to die at a whim." Quill and Sora looked to each other in disgust as Elio kept his hissing Mimikyu calm. "She's not getting away with that-" He went to his bag. "If she does, she'll only come back to try this all over again. Some of you guys mentioned a name, where did she gone to?"

Genie was feeling justice is over due and showed a billboard of one world and cosmic rift. "A good question. She's taken off into the dark realm of Morbia. As an elemental of pure evil, it has to be a pocket dimension of cosmic proportions. Untouched by mere mortals since time immemorial."

Leon hmmed. "So it's tricky for us to storm into, even if we have the aid of a Keyblade or one of Little Horn's rings?" He shifted his eyes to his father as a Hoopa ring opened to let out the imp. "You rang?"

Elio pulled that strange bottle from his bag. "Yeah, the kid ought to get back home where he can stay safe. We got an evil spirit that's hiding out somewhere and it's out of our jurisdiction. Unless we're unbound by those cosmic rules."

Hoopa was listening as the old Mimikyu went to grab the child by the hand and insist he comes along. (Let's get you home before you end up in trouble again.) She hissed. (Don't make this difficult.) Something about the hiss caused Wahid to look to the band and to Leon, who insist. "Lost is good at helping you get to where you need to go. You might want to follow her before she gets too strict."

The trouble maker almost jumped and followed the Mimikyu across the ring as Sora, Quill and Flowers approached the former Champion. The spikey haired lad could tell by the decore. "That bottle's going to help us get over there? Does it have another Hoopa form or something?"

The Hoopa prepared himself with stretches as Elio chanted a tale. "Left Unbound, a Hoopa would swipe that Palace over there like it's a giant treasure chest. And then replace it with one from a paralel world. In fear of that mischief, the ancients confine the power into this bottle. Even when unleashed again, Hoopa can only be Unbound for three days. Next to the Ultra Wormholes, you can expect that a Hoopa can and will bring out something you wouldn't expect to find."

He had a floating Pokedex bring about a log while hiding a picture. "Hoopa Unbound. The Djinn Pokemon. Psychic/ Dark." The Hoopa smiled smugly at the Genie and waved to the sky. "So we got a deal. If I can open the way to this Morbia joint, we can make sure she doesn't mess with us for a long while. She's probably seeing this coming through. Spirits have a way of knowing."

Quill flapped and hooted. (I hope she does, because we're going after her!) He took a stand as Sora notice an emerald gleam in the sky. He turned to Riku and crossed his arms. "What do you think? We should do this." The squad leader raised his hand in agreement. "No duh! She's been sowing chaos and destruction across the desert for long enough!"

He pointed to Amal. "You stay out here and let us handle Mirage. Who knows what kind of hold she can still have on you." The ex minion growled deeply as Riku asked the rest. "If you need to change out a partner for this, now's the time!" Kairi was ready to talk it out with the Pheromosa as Terra looked over to Obstagoon. "Think you should give someone else a chance?"

The Obstruct groaned and let his imagination wander. (I'd suppose there's someone who can scorch and chop em better.) As the band begun talking, Quill raised his wings in a spike of energy and began to glow. Growing taller and having his legs take a familiar shape to Pueo. His wings looked shorter in comparison and the feather on his head changed to resemble something of a straw hat. The talons looked thicker and sharper. Pew! "Hoot!" To the bands surprise, Quill evolved into something with a striking resemblance to a Decidueye. His leaf like feathers are of a red autumn, his strap is shorter and his neck feathers were like that of a collar.

Sora tilt his head left and right in a confusion as the Decidueye mimicked and raised a brow. (Something funny?) Flowers chirped. (You look different from what we were expecting.) Leon used his Dex to get a log and approached for a closer look. "This doesn't make any sense. But a Hisuian Evolution is a welcome."

Sora guessed. "It's a special evolution that can only happen over at Sinnoh?" Leon corrected him. "Thus far, the most known environment isn't there anymore. Hisui became that region and you won't be able to find too many similarities anymore. Instead of being part ghost, they become the fighting type and acquire a really special move that should come in handy."

The Decidueye hoped as the emerald comet approached. Lost emerged from the portal, looking in a blush as she returned to her partner. Elio asked outloud. "This isn't the kind of region that can trigger this. But that's a mystery for another day." He readied to uncork the bottle as Kairi switched Pheromosa for Iceburg. Terra, meanwhile, switched Obstagoon for Armarouge. "Alright, is everyone ready?"

Great Tusk and Zygarde lined up, giving Sora the idea to let Biven out. The prehistoric beasts focused upon the sky as Aladdin took a deep breath. "Let's show Mirage that we've had enough." Elio gave the cork a twist and opened it, allowing a pink power to flow into the Hoopa. His body curled up and enlarged into something with six spikes across a round body. A head with a mighty set of horns, a bushy top knot, a great tail with a pink spike at the end and feet resembling curved shoes. The mist blew up to reveal a face of teeth, a ring on his chest and a surprise as the spikes pulled out to flip disembodied, clawed hands with a ring at the spiked end. The Hoopa roared out.

"Hoopa Unbound!"

He raised his upper hands to show off to the Genie. "I told you I had a surprise!" The fellow Djinn was impressed and flew around. "That boost gave you more rings on top of rings and a bar that might be on the Cosmic level. Ho ho!"

The emerald comet descended to reveal Rayquaza, Koraidon looked up as the dragon revealed itself and gave a light roar. Rayquaza nodded and roared back as Hoopa took a couple rings, enlarge it and called. "Let's do this!"

Regirock beeped and marched onward, the humans and their side by side partners followed as the larger pokemon took the second ring. Finding themselves stepping into a realm in the outer reaches of space. With large asteroids floating in the cosmos and a particular one holding a sphinx like temple with a looming flame. Laying on top of the head was Mirage, more impressed than angry.

"So the little heroes decided to reach into the infinite, just to get at little ol' me."

Riku was setting his focus on the instant as Flutter Mane channeled a ghastly aura. "You're not the first, what you've pulled was a new low." Kairi and Sora agreed with him.

"Real low!"

"All because someone said no to you."

Mirage was ready to jump down. "Please, the El' Katib are little more from the countless shadows you've slain." She descended in a float as Aladdin was pretty crossed. "Even after eternal servitude, that's as much as you feel about Amal and the others?" He and Morgrem readied a stance as Jasmine and Torracat heated up, the Princess vowed. "We'll show you why that isn't okay!" Mirage echoed a laughter across the realm. "Fools, haven't you forgotten that you've entered my realm?"

The surroundings transformed into a whirlwind of blades. "With but a whim, I can have you all torn apart. Nothing but blood will remain!"

The Great Tusk looked around and rolled up a rapid spin, he rushed at the blades in a whirlwind and blew them away before making a rush to the next planetoid. Rayquaza danced with the fury of a dragon and rushed in extreme speed, Mirage flickered to the dragons right and countered with a blue blast of power. The band followed behind and the plantetoid began to crumble. The couples and their were split into one direction. Riku, Leon and Elio were in another. Terra, Regirock and his band were at another. The Primordial Beasts were brought to their own. Riku's group in particular caught up with the Great Tusk, who saw a blue light take shape.

Zygarde looked over to Terra's direction and leaped for him as Hoopa and Genie flew ahead to help out. Only to face a giant, burning blue cobra. Hoopa sent out rings and threw his fists in them as Genie conjured a cosmic blast of his own and use the distraction to bring about the faux blade.

At the three platforms, the lights shape twisted and turned. Biven and Iceburg were the first to brace for a fight as the blue light took the form of what looked to be two ethereal children. One looked to be something of a blue feline, with horns on his snout and the wears of a mechanic. The other looked to be a dark skin boy in a one piece, ocean blue wears, medium length white hair. He hid behind the Mechanic that looked to him and gave a protective flex. He reached to the surroundings and unleashed a stream of lightning before raising his hand upward. Parts of metal flew towards him and took the shape of a shield with tesla coils. Iceburg eeked and hid behind Biven, who stomped his feet and was ready to roll onward. Sora sparkled and tapped the ground. "Terrain!"

Pulse!

Electricity rushed through and activated the machines quark drives, giving them the speed to maneuver around as the couples avoided a rapid fire tesla blast. Aladdin and Jasmine gave the order for their partners to give a double fake out, giving Quill and Sora the opening to charge. Quill was given a helping hand and kicked the shield side ways before sliding back and firing a triple arrow, Sora followed with a blitz as the timid boy came through and was knocked a ways by Kairi and Azu. The timid one back flipped, channeled water around him and unleashed a glacial splash. Forcing the ladies to roll a dodge as Iceberg fired a hydro pump at the Mechanic. Biven rolled up with an iron head and tackled the Aequormancer.

The Mechanic was sent on a roll and was given a slash from Aladdin and a foul play toss from Mogrim. The foe caught a fall and was launched by a twister of metal that put itself together into a top with a cockpit. The Mechanic landed in and had it's gears rotate into a spin, firing fast air at the foes as the Aequormancer summoned a pulse of ice to freeze away the electricity and enable the twister into a blizzard. Pidgeot countered with a heat blast to shoot away the ice.

Simultaneously.

Riku was looking around at the frantic movement as Flutter Mane and Flygon watched the blue light take shape into a Rhino Warrior and what looked to be a red haired woman in a dress that was predominantly orange, with details of black at the hips. Her hair looked akin to ribbons and she had a smile of sun shine. She raised her hands to the air and twirled with a ribbon of fire as the Rhino Warrior pressed a fist to his chest. The Great Tusk stomped in a grunt as Flutter Mane took interest in the Sun Dancer. Elio ordered fast. "Brimmy, fake out that big guy!"

The Incineroar sprinted for a clap as Leon called Kilokilo back and sent out his Moltres. "Pō, we need to blot out the sun before it scorches us!" The Galarian Moltres twirled out of his ball and channeled an aura that made the Sun Dancer wave her hands side to side. Great Tusk huffed, bulked himself up and gave a mighty. "RWOOOOOR!"

To alert the Rhino Warrior, the beast charged head fist and clashed with the Rhino Warrior's cleaver blade. Riku readied his blade and whispered. "Flygon, I'm not sure how well digging will go. Claw as I cleave! Penumbra, you help Pō out!" He rushed to attack the Rhino Warrior that stomped up a tree stump and used his weight to slam down. Riku and the Great Tusk stepped back as Flygon gave a fast dragon dance and gave a quick thunder punch. Elio followed. "Darkest lairate that Sun Lady!"

He and the Incineroar gave a spin, with the cat spinning towards the Sun Dancer that leaped into a heated ray and fired down a barrage in radiance. Pō and Penumbra flew together to bombard a fiery wrath and a shadow ball as the Rhino Warrior spun with his cleaver. Riku and Flygon leaped up and dived down for a blow to the head.

Simultaneously.

Terra and his crew followed Regirock as they realize they've been split up from the rest of the team. A dark could seeped into reality as Mirage projected herself to the sky. "Already you're trusting yourself to another Keybearer? Hasn't that worked out well for you the last time you've opened yourself?"

Regirock's face flashed and braced himself for what the clouds have to offer. "Omph! Omph! Omph!"

Cadet and Terra braced like typical soldiers as Primeape stomped and yelled out to the spirit. (If you're trying to pull mind games, we'll thrash you a new one!) Ursaluna kept by Regirock and growled. (What ever you got to show, is nothing like Terra! He's a good person.)

The Wayfinder blushed as Mirage laughed in spite and had the clouds flash in brown and took the shape of a brown hooded figure with the keyblade resembling a bear. The illusion growled at the golem. "You and you're monsters should've been buried away from the light a long time ago!"

He smashed the ground to unleash a binding of pillars. Regirock leaped high and gave a shine of iron before crashing into the foes personal. Ursaluna was knocked side ways and rolled to regain balance as Terra cast a scorch of flame on his partner. "This should toughen up those guts!" Scorch! Primeape dodged the pillars and dashed for a kick to the foes legs. The Brown Bear back flipped and cleaved wide at Primeape and the Golem, the ape ducked as Regirock took the blow and slammed his body as a counter attack. Terra and the Cadet intercepted and fired a dual blast of fire and light. The Brown Bear took the blast and leaped over Regirock as Ursaluna intercepted with a facade smack from her paws. The Brown Bear parried the blow and was nearly at the ground as Regirock turned, punched the ground and unleahsed a stone edge.

Punch! The Brown Bear was punched upward and gave Primeape an opening for an ice punch, shoving it towards the Cadet that twirled a fire spin and back flipped for Terra, who blitz into the gap and gave a mighty cleave. The Brown Bear stomped a shock wave, warped to intercept and countered with his own, Terra rolled from the swipe and gave a faster swipe that sent it to a head long rush of the Ursaluna. The Brown Bear was knocked into the dirt, caught himself and stabbed the ground in a yell. Unleashing glowing chains upon the Regirock and having them trap him, they glowed and caused the golem to give a single tone screech. Primeape glowed his fist in rage and rushed in as Terra yelled out with his own fist, joining in a double rage punch that shattered the figure into two clouds. Regirock thrashed against the binding that dissolved into mist and surrounded his being, bringing him in a haze as the clouds gave off a beep to match with the chains.

Regirock looked around frantically and saw the clouds take the shape of Regice and a Registeel that is lime green where the gray metal should be. The golem relaxed in relief as the Registeel illusion stood before Regirock and Terra, crossing it's arms defensively as the Regice skid with a glow in it's hand. An ice beam aimed for Ursaluna. Terra sprinted in between and blocked the blast, he shouted out. "Regirock, listen to us! Those are not your brothers!"

Regirock's vision was in between the Brown Bear with a dark glowing band of pokemon and reality. The Registeel gave a beep and leaped at Primeape for a heavy slam.

The Cadet rushed in the way to take the blow as Regirock leaped after Terra in a body press. The Wayfinder rolled as Mirage was laughing in spite and unleashed a crackle of electricity, Zygarde rushed after her to take the shock and fired a thousand needles in an attempt to keep her occupied. Primape readied a low sweep as Terra ordered. "There's only one way we can break this phoney! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Primeape gasped and punched the Registeel away with a rage fist. Giving Terra the opening to cleave it away and deal with Regirock swinging a punch. Regice fired a flash cannon at Primeape, sent him in a roll and brought the ape in a frenzy. The Cadet tossed an intercepted mystical fire at another blast as Ursaluna tackled Regirock away. Registeel jumped back and leaped for a body press, Terra glided away and turned his blade into halberd. He swiped a fast counter attack and caused the illusion to fall on it's back and burst into darkness. Primeape punched into the Regice illusion and caused it to break apart into the darkness, bringing the ape's heart into a shake. His head was feeling light and the color of his eyes were slipping.

Terra flipped his halberd into a blade of light and aimed it at the golem. "Primeape, as soon as I blast out the haze, let it have it!" Primeape focused and felt his head rushing, the light fired out and washed over Regirock, blasting the chains into a dark cloud of chaos. Primeape punched his fists and yelled out as he blitz and delivered a punch that scattered the cloud. Regirock was in a daze and regained his senses, he looked around to find his companions well. Beeping frantically as Terra put a hand on his shoulder. "Easy, easy. None of that was real."

BLAST!

The band heard explosions and saw Zygarde leaping above a blast of explosive energy before tacking the illusion and zipping over to the sphinx. Primeape was regaining his breath and stood up in a daze, Cadet saw the eyes fading and the ape struggling to keep conscious. (Not yet... not yet. Sensei needs... needs.)

Glow!

His body glowed, his body grew and his arms swelled to where it's bindings broke. The right bracer fell off and the mane grew long and waved upward. Like that of an ever burning flame. Hair covered parts of Primeapes face and flowed gently. Pew! In the Primeapes place is a gray ape with dark gray skin. His eyes were red and the veins across his face were pulsing. His breathing was under control, yet there was a seething rage at the spirit spectating a battle. He looked to a rather surprised Terra and growled. (Spirit... must... pay!) He turned half way to Regirock, who was shaking from his ordeal. (She'll... pay for all of this.) Regirock beeped frantically, the Ape knew and closed his eyes. (We'll find them soon.)

He marched to the edge going to the Sphinx as Terra had the chance to look up the name. Blip! "Annihilape. The Rage Monkey Pokemon. Fighting/Ghost. When its anger rose beyond a critical point, this Pokémon gained power that is unfettered by the limits of its physical body. It imbues its fists with the power of the rage that it kept hidden in its heart. Opponents struck by these imbued fists will be shattered to their core."

The trainer held his breath, looked to the concerned Cadet and an Ursaluna that followed behind the ape. Terra took a deep breath and made sure Regirock was following. "Annihilape. Let me try something." Annihilape looked to the ledge. (She's over there, Sensei.)

Terra focused his blade and channeled a shine that reflected to the ape, bear, cadet and rock peak. "We can't let people like her, get away with what they've done to people. Every word they've have said has brought hearts into the darkest depths of the abyss. And for what?!"

The thought sparked a rage in his being as Annihilape grunted. (Nothing that ever ends well for us. You're scared of what I've become?)

Terra felt the tone turn to a whisper and felt his eyes water. "That anger built up into something that's evolved. This evil needs to be punished... and that's what you know, deep within your heart. What your anger is showing. Do you trust that feeling?"

Annihilape looked to Terra and the pokemon he's called his friends, he snorted proudly. (Let's be done with this and bring these pokemon home.)

Over at the electrical platform.

The Mechanic and his top machine was knocked close to the edge of the platform as the Aequormancer rushed through Aladdin and Jasmine with a blizzard gust. The Princess stood by her loved one and channeled a protective heat, making the attack bounce off harmlessly. Morgrem snickered and bellowed a taunt at the Mechanic, iritiating him to where he couldn't call upon his machines. Aladdin found it as his chance to sprint at the Mechanic and grapple him. "Alright, I got him!"

The Mechanic crackled out a flow of electricity and shocked the thief away as Sora and Quill gave the foe a slash and stepped back, bombarding light and arrows for a follow up. Biven leaped over them in a roll and tackled the Mechanic into the ground. The Aequormancer gasped and shot a gust of wind that funneled a blast of sea water. Kairi flowed in the way and deflected the blast as Iceberg went to the illusions right and fired out a freeze dry blast. Azu lunged for rough play as Sora gave a strange dance that brought upon rain. "Pidgeot, blow this one away with a hurricane!"

The Nimbus explorer ascended high and unleashed a mighty twister as Biven rolled off the Mechanic. Sora took out the strange tera orb and aimed it at the machine, it glimmer out a flow of light that brushed against his hair and clothes. "Are you ready to finish this and get over there?" The Iron Treads gave a toot of a roar as the Aequormancer was sent flying, turning to the machine as Sora tossed the orb over. It burst in a power that washed over Biven and encased him in a crystal yellow that crackled in electricity.

The Aequormancer funneled a water spout that sent the Iron Treads rolling as Kairi raised her blade. "Terrain!" Pulse!

Biven and Iceberg felt their drives activate. Kairi commanded. "Blast that Mechanic away with ice beam!" Sora followed. "Ram that Water guy with iron head!" The Iron Bundle flew to the Mechanics side and blasted fast as the Iron Treads rolled, left behind an electrical line and rushed the Aequormancer over the ledge. Sora called back. "Volt switch!" Biven let loose his spark and blasted the magi, using the pulse to return to the platform. The figures were sent over the edge and convulsed into a dark cloud that pulsated. They emerged as a confused duo of an Iron Treads and Iron Bundle before dissolving.

Biven's crystal hue flickered away as he focused on the Sphinx. (Now, how are we going to get over there?) Iceberg kept by him and saw the distance to be much. (Jumping isn't going to work.) Biven hmmed. (There isn't enough force to fling us over safely... so.)

Pidgeot turned to a not so distant platform with a brawl ensuing, one of primordial light and thunder. (Um... that's not our biggest problem.) Aladdin looked with him and gasped. "Woah! Check this out." The rest had a look and were a gasp in horror.

At the Sun Lit Platform.

Leon watched Brimmy and Great Tusk get sent flying by the Rhino Warrior as the Sun Dancer brought about waves of a flare upon Riku, Pō and Flygon. The Dragon type was able to shrug off the worst of the blast as the Moltres was in a berzerker rage. Elio was about to order his Incineroar as the youngster deep breath and gave a quick dance, causing the sun to be blotted out by a rain cloud. Penumbra felt her zeal dimming as Great Tusk rolled on his legs, Riku phewed as the youngster switched Kilokilo out for Mahi Mahi and turned on his mega stone. "It's gonna have to do! If you can sneak behind that dancer, you can stop her from calling that again."

The Sun Dancer was looking annoyed and halted her dance before getting ready for a high jump. Leon activated the stone and raised it high, empowering the mud fish into his swollen form. Riku snapped his fingers and grabbed Penumbra and Flygon by the shoulders. He gave off a glimmer of light and warp behind the Sun Dancer. "NOW! Fly up!"

Penumbra did so and intercepted the Sun Dancer, using a shadow ball to send the foe falling back to the earth as Flygon gave a dance and rushed in a double slash. The Sun Dancer rolled far, landed in a spin and channeled a radiant light before blasting a scorch at Riku. The boy rolled as the Mega Swampert tackled the Rhino Warrior in a swift swim water fall, sending it skidding and forcing it to buckle down in strength. He tossed Mahi Mahi back as Great Tusk rolled in a rapid spin and twirled into an ice spinner, rushing the Rhino Warrior a ways.

Pō and Leon looked over to Riku and his companions, who were dealing with a nimble dancer. "Berzerker storming typhoon! Blast that dancer away!" The Moltres cawed to make himself known and flapped up a mighty twister that sent the Sun Dancer spinning towards the Rhino Warrior. Fling! The Dancer saw the Rhino Warrior in peril and flipped to get by him, she pressed her hands to his side and caused them to heat up into orbs of bright light. Penumbra twirled to their side and tossed a dazzling gleam in style as Riku and Flygon dashed side to side, slicing the does into a juggle. Leon flexed with his Swampertand dug his hands into the earth. "Alright, it's time to bury this hatchet!"

Slash! Slash!

Riku and Flygon back flipped as Mahi Mahi mimicked his partner, Penumbra ascended and shined akin to the sun before the Swampert tossed up a rock slide. Great Tusk rolled away from the rumbling zone. Elio watch a rock slide bury the duo into dark clouds. They melded together and pulsating before a vane Flutter Mane pulled from above and a battle ready Great Tusk pushed out. The two vanished and left Penumbra with questions. Riku noticed on the far platform, Terra and his crew at a ledge, ready to take the fight to Mirage. He squinted his eyes and noticed the odd ape. "He actually did it?! He let Primeape evolve?!"

Elio gasped and turned, finding the grown up talking with the ape. "Woah, haven't seen an Annihilape in person before!"

Riku groaned at the grown up. "Look, that wouldn't have been allowed if we'd had better options. What do you know about that pokemon?" Leon sighed, powered down his Swampert and readied a net ball. "Unlike Primeape, Annihilape can actually take a hefty amount of damage at one time and really start to dish it out with a ghost boosted rage fist. It keeps ramping up even if he gets knocked out and has to be woken up with say... a revival blessing." He saw Pō was at his side. "And it so happens to be a special move that only two pokemon can learn."

Elio clapped to his son. "One of them happened to a pokemon you've picked up from your mission?" Riku and his companions gasped, the teenager smirked. "You're going to do it, aren't you?"

Leon bobbed his head as he saw Terra and his companions warp in light. "I'm still not much of a fighter, but just the right call can win us the night." Burst!

The cosmic battle above was reaching a stalemate, with two dragons clashing against the wicked spirit. Leon got on his Moltres and had him take flight as Elio brought out a Master Ball. "Just in case-"

Over at the far off platform.

Koraidon and Raging Bolt were face to face with a pulsating cloud that took the shape of two strange ones. A duo of teenage sized humanoids, one in a hooded coat of black with red details and a white robe harpy with electrical talons and an aura of static. The black coat flexed to show dark skin and undid his hood to show a feral blood lust, snarling teeth and wild orange hair.

"RWAR!"

He screamed out. "Forget them all! Crush them all and get back Home!" He commanded. "Denki' take the air while I show them a monster!" The Thunder Bird flapped to the sky and disappeared into a thunder cloud as the Raging Bolt was spooked by the name, Koraidon gasped as the black robe flexed to enlarge himself. Grow a set of three horns, a spiked lizards tail and stretched his mouth to show razor sharp teeth. His nails turned to sharp, curved talons and is feet raised a curved claw. He sprinted after the Koraidon in all fours, the dragon rolled away and flipped as the thunder cloud crackled fast blasts of lightning.

RUMBLE!

Raging Bolt blasted a dragon pulse to counter the lightning as the Dino Beast dashed into a flicker and pounced on Koraidon. The Ancient Mount blasted out heat to make the Dino back off and rolled into a wheel for a Collision Course that sent the black robe rolling. Raging Bolt clapped a spark of thunder that sent the Thunder Bird falling out of the sky. It crackled its talons and stomped the ground to unleash a circuit. Woosh! A gust of wind and a geyser of frigid water carried over Sora and the crew. The Dino Beast stepped back at the arrivals as Kairi and Sora noticed the familiar, black coat and the Thunder Bird. "Nobodies?!"

The Dino Beast growled and flexed to shrink back into his humanoid form. He conjured a flail with a spiked club. "So what to ya?! We're not interested in what ever crud that freako wants with us!" The Thunder Bird perched on a rock as Aladdin raised his hands. "Hey, hey! What ever you're talking about, is something Mirage is tricking you into!"

The Dino Beast looks like he's about to cry. "They've ruined us and they think they're in the right to tell me and Roru what to do!" The Thunder Bird stretched his wings to bring about a cluster of thunder clouds, he shrieked with the rumbling of lightning. Causing it to go wild, bolts went for Kairi and her water types.

Roll! Block!

Biven got in the way to take the blast. The Raging Bolt calmed his mind as Pidgeot blew a tail wind, Jasmine sneaked around and fired a fiery Torracat at the Thunder Bird. A fake out clap along with a flare blitz combo, The Dino Beast tossed the spike end of the flail at the Princess, only to be shocked in the back by Mogrem and forced to confront a blade swinging Aladdin. Koraidon growled out to Biven and had him charge while keeping guard of Kairi. He turned to the girl and gave a smile. (Just wait, we got this!)

He ignited into a flare blitz before rushing after the Dino Beast, who shifted to his bestial form and gave a head butt. The Thunder Bird crackled in astonishment and saw a shadow giving a swift smack, it turned to find Sora gliding to it's rear and raised its talons for a smack. Sora smashed to the ground and brought about raised earth to reach the nobodies wings, making a quick shock as Biven leaped to the cage and stomped a blast. The Thunder Bird was sent flying as Torracat leaped and grabbed it by the talon, it was falling down and left exposed to a might dragon pulse from the Raging Bolt. It was rolling over the ledge and is frantic, only for Jasmine to channel a condensed heat into the Jurassic Beast. Sora channeled lightning with the Raging Bolt and fired a thunder clap blast that sent the nobody into a dark cloud.

Morgrem sent the Dino Beast rolling in foul play and Aladdin used his scimitar to parry. The Dino beast roared a fast slash and was given an upper cut from Koraidon. He spun to swipe the beast with his spiked tail. Kairi found the chance and glided with Iceberg, delivering a leftward ice blast. The Dino Beast was sent in a roll, went on all fours and flickered to the girl. He pounced with sharp claws as Kairi took a step back and blocked, Azu rolled, grabbed the Dino Beast by the tail and swung him back. Giving Koraidon the opening for a Collision Course. The Dino Beast took the impact, warped and shifted to his human form before using his flail for a head on smack. Morgrem rolled and blasted a thunder wave, shocking the Dino Beast into a roar. Koraidon lowered his eye lids, sparked into a flare blitz and tackled the foe across the land scape.

The nobody dissolved into darkness that flew to the other cloud. Shifting as it spilled a frantic, if determined boy in a bright white vest and a pale skin, gray haired boy with a black vest. Looking both terrified and exhilarated at a discovery. They faded away into the darkness as the sound of an escalation was heard. Coming from where the Sphinx is.

Azu and Pidgeot had a moment to see both Koraidon and Raging Bolt surprised by what they've seen from the foes as Sora wondered. "What was that about?"

He looked to the beasts that had a crestfallen look, Koraidon in particular was wanting to say something and chose against it as Aladdin guessed. "If I don't know any better, I'd say they had something to do with those weirdos in the Black Coats." Sora gasped and remembered. "Oh yeah, the ones that talked the Peddler into-" Kairi realized. "You know, I think you're onto something. Not every Nobody wanted in on Xemnas's big plan and that must have been the start of the infighting."

Koraidon crouched as Raging Bolt growled. (Stop it. We...) He stopped himself as Sora realized from the behavior. "Hey, take it easy. Those guys are long gone." He sighed. "They won't be hurting anyone else ever again." The Koraidon gave a silent smile and looked on to a conflict ahead.

Blip!

Terra and his crew warped over to the land mass with the great Sphinx. Rayquaza and Zygarde used their nimble speed to tear into Mirages barrier, only to be blasted away in a pulse of annoyance. Terra opened a great ball and commanded. "Cleave!"

Pop!

Out came the shape of a Kleavor that nearly vanished in a blip and rushed to Mirages personal space, tackling the barrier and swiping with his stone axe. Mirage wasn't too surprise and countered with a blast, Kleavor back flipped as the Cadet bombarded with psyshock rocks. Ursaluna stood up to give a roar and brought the spirits attention. With Terra and Annihilape marching side to side, looking quite done with the spirits games. The Cat laughed at what she's looking at. "Such anger, the Darkness calls to you again and you've brought another with you."

Terra and Annihilape clenched their fist, the ape bursting in spectral power as his partner took the lead, disappearing in the blink of an eye and punching the barrier so fiercely that it shattered in an instant.

Mirage floated back and ascended to the chest of the sphinx. "Very well, you all will die here anyways."

Rumble!

The Sphinx begun to animate and leap to the other side of the land mass, the eyes glowed brightly and fired heat vision rays. Woosh! Rayquaza and Zygarde took the chance as the band sprinted fast, the ray made impact and let loose an explosive blast as the rest of the beast contended with the dragons. Terra gave a quick focus and cast a mass warp to get up close with the giant as Regirock set up his near iron defense. The golem slammed his body against the stone beast and left a crack as Ursaluna followed with a head long rush. Cadet and Kleavor leaped after the spirit, the fire type tossed a mystical fire as Kleavor slashed a fury cutter. Mirage felt the fire siphoning her power and deflected the axe blow before countering with shadows. Terra leaped for a fast cleave as Annihilape delivered a swift ice punch. The ape followed with a rage fist that went through the barrier and punched the spirit into the statue. Mirage had a moment to gasp, realize she's been struck and roar a beam of dark fire, knocking Annihilape across the land mass.

The Sphinx ascended in dark fire that forced Terra into casting a mass shield. Annihilape got up and watched the Sphinx open it's mouth. A dark blast fired out, the ape scurried on all fours to get up close with the construct.

Ripple!

The Sphinx distorted and warped to another end, to begin it's bombardment a new. Rayquaza ascended to the sky and speared down as an emerald comet as Zygarde was annoyed and pressed his paws to the earth, bringing about a shock wave that caused the earth to turn green, rupture and close in to keep the Sphinx from getting away. Terra focused on Kleavor and Annihilape, enveloped them in light and rushed after the construct, leaving the slower ones to charge. Kleavor leaped after Mirage, raised his axes upwards and slammed them down against the force field. Terra leaped to join in and shatter the protection, knocking Mirage down and giving Annihilape an opening for a rage fist. Shoving her into the Sphinx and making a wide crack.

BLAST!

A dark blast fired out, sending the ape howling in flight as the spirit tossed rightward, sending him over the ledge. "Annoying ape!" Terra and Kleavor felt their hearts sinking, glared at the spirit and roared as one, cleaving wide and getting into a lock of blows with magics. Cadet, Ursaluna and Regirock arrived to see Annihilape get tossed over a ledge, only to find something stop him in place. A gentle glow as a Lunala ascended, by her was Pō and a smug smiling Leon who's brought about Rabsca. He whispered something to the rolling beetle and had it channel a strange light, waking him up. The Lunala warped after the Sphinx, with Annihilape at hold.

Mirage sensed that power and had a moment to see a glaring Lunala letting the ape jump back into the fray. Terra and Kleavor jumped towards Annihilape, who was channeling a stronger rage into his fist. The mantis looked to his partner and grunted. (How are you wanting to finish this?) Mirage raised her hand and had the statue mimic it. "Stand still for me!"

Woosh! The paw came down and was stopped by Ursaluna and Regirock's combined strength, the Cadet leaped over the paw and unleashed a fire spin to trap the spirit. Mirage gave off an unhinged glare, raised her hands upwards and fired sharp daggers. Kleavor got in the way and swiped into the earth to make pillars of stone, giving Terra and Annihilape the chance to leap as one and pressed knuckles together. Both having a glow of just rage. Mirage hissed. "This won't ever be the end! Strike back as much as you can, I'll just keep coming back and one day, you'll slip!"

She fired a wide beam as Terra and Annihilape felt their hearts roaring, a roar that's taken form in their fists. They punched the blast as one and forced their way through, the aura of punishment split the magic away. Mirage cringed at the imminent delivery that turned into a meteor, colliding against her being and letting loose a scream. A cosmic light charged and pulsed, engulfing the Wayfinder and his misfits, then Leon, Pō and the Lunala. Hoopa and Genie were kept in a stalemate as they felt a power overwhelming, the Cobra disappeared and the Djinn pokemon turned to realize. "Ohhhh boy!" Genie laughed with him. "Looks like Ol' Mirage will be feeling that one."

Riku, Elio and their partners watched the cosmic power flow out. The former Champion felt victory and cheered. "Whoot! Looks like we got it!" His Incineroar pulled him to get him behind a Great Tusk that kept in front of Riku. Koraidon and Raging Bolt saw the burst and shielded the couples from the brightest of the light.

Burst!

In a blink of an eye, the band found themselves back in the ruins. The shadows bent to the rising morning sun as Amal looked like he saw a pillar of light ejecting them. "Could it be?" Rayquaza and Lunala were floating mid air in their daze as Hoopa and Genie were completely flabbergasted. The smaller pokemon and the humans were quick to adjust their sights, with Terra and Annihilape having their fists side to side. They were the first to come through, realizing they've accomplished a great feat in punishing the wicked spirit. They were calming down and looked to each other, with Annihilape looking up and his glare lessening. Terra eased up more and breathed out. "That felt good."

He pat the ape on the head and caused it to tap his foot in glee. Ursaluna growled in a smile. (You two showed that evil thing who's boss.) She pushed up like it was an attempt at a hop. (Almighty Sinnoh's smiling on us now.)

Kleavor and the Cadet smiled with her, the mantis noticed something shining with in the ruins sands and hurried to give a look. The Destiny Trio were the next to come through, followed by the father and Son. Riku quickly picked up the scent from Annihilape and was left impressed. "Despite everything, he's still himself!"

The royal couple were next, Jasmine gasped at the altered form. "What happened to Primeape?!" Quill laughed in a hoot. (He evolved with that anger, that's what.) Leon imagined what was said. "He's undergone a unique evolution, based around the conditioning of a move. Just because it allows him to control that anger, doesn't mean it's not there. There's a focus in that power, it can be directed at where it needs to be." Aladdin was left in a whistle. "Anyone who won't take the hint by now is going to ask for it."

Annihilape grunted in agreement. (They never see punishment coming, even when it walks up to them.) "Kleav!" Kleavor called out, Terra went to have a look and saw a sand colored slab that would have been mistaken for a simple stone brick. He picked it up and flipped it over to see writings. "It gathers power from the Plates, listening for the flute's song."

Azu gasped. (Another one!) Kairi wondered out loud. "How often have we been seeing those?" The ladies looked up to the morning sky, wondering if they're work is being judged.