At Traverse, it was sometime in the afternoon and Leon had Kingambit chop up vegetables to add into the curry mix. He explained to the teenagers about the festivity behind the dish. "Over at Galar, they put just about everything in curry. Potatoes, sausages, toast is used on top and occasionally they put in a Chansey egg and Slowpoke tails."

Riku and Slowking jumped at the last ingredient. "And where the heck are we going to get enough of that last one?" Leon shrugged. "Nowhere around here. Those tails grow back, yes, but they're at their best when they fall off naturally." King grunted. (It's true, they fall off every season.)

Riku was worried that was what the Slowking was concerned about, over a part of him getting eaten. Daphne came over with a few carts of coconut milk and chicken meat. "Thankfully there's one dish that's a common one in Alola. Mixing in some coconut with the meat from Crabrawler claws. Which by the way, also fall off, into the curry dish. Sometimes they use a Clawitzer claw that falls off too. We'll make due with what we can get over here."

Dupmic laughed out loud as he and Denryk went to get the ingredients, putting them to use. "Sounds like good eats. Is there anything that you weren't spoiled rotten over?" Leon puffed his cheeks as Daphne admitted. "There are things the two of us and Poppy had to work our butts over. But our pallets got a higher standard than most. Daddy taught us this stuff and just about anyone can make something good if they try."

Those who were aware of one of Twilight Towns secrets held off laughing as Leon took something resembling pea pods to chop up and place into the brew. "And a berry that's very much like a vegetable for the additional fiber."

He took over stirring for the next ten minutes and begun to smell a semi bitter, if rich and savory aroma fill the air. The secret squad hurried to get the giant rice pot placed in the center of a grand picnic table, steaming to the cool air. It didn't event take a 6th of a minute for noses to start sniffing, one in particular wandered close. A blonde kid in an orange sweater, white shorts a black beanie with a skull pin. The child opened a set of dark blue eyes and saw the humble, if inviting dish. The Sun twins notice the sweater having an insignia of a black skull with cross bones. Trailing by the child is a near adult boy in a skull beanie, white sleeveless shirt and yellow pants. He wore a black chain with a skull lock, had blonde hair hidden under the beanie and matching eyes. "Hey, hey! We don't even know what's going-"

He stopped, saw the curry pot and started sniffing as Poppy gave the Alolan greeting. "Alola! Don't think I've seen you here." She crossed her arms like a gangster and encouraged the child, who clearly sounds like a girl, to mimic the pose. "Yo, yo, yo! Smells like you're cooking curry."

The older brother flinched at what his sister was doing as a Crabominable scuttled towards him tapped a claw to his own chest. "Bominable!" The brother kept guard as the sister saw more pokemon gather around, from the Alolan Marowak to a Butterfree and a pack of Nidorans that were on watch from the Rinos and Rinas, the girl recognized some of them. "So these are the critters that are making themselves popular around here?"

She pressed a fist to her chest to greet K'ui, who laughed dim wittingly and scuttled to Leon. The older brother was more flabbergasted that such a fearsome beast is a companion to a youngster and was quick to believe it. "Is this guy with you?" Leon nodded humbly. "Yep. K'ui's mostly muscle, but he's nice when you get to know him. Just don't go starting any fist fights with him... unless you can take his punches."

K'ui demonstrated with a wide guard flex and gave a brick break chop at the fading particles before smashing with a crab hammer and throwing a frosty upper cut. A stylish point was made. A teenage girl with short, dark brown hair, glasses hiding brown eyes, a green sweater and a black cat plushie was amazed at the stunt. "Was that a tundra smasher or an invitation to a punch out?"

Ogerpon perked at the sight of the girl and hurried to her. (There you are!) The strange girl gasped at a familiar person she met, the Ogre looked to the two and guessed. (Are these your friends?) The girl giggled and pet the Ogre on the head. "They booked as soon as they smelled this fancy scented curry."

Grrr.

She was the first to show she was getting quite hungry as Denryk approached his companion. "I've should have paid more attention to who Ogerpon's making friend with, but if you guys followed that nose, then that means-" The last to arrive was a dumbfounded Neku, Denryk stood aside for Roxas, who asked smugly. "Who would have thought this would actually work." Neku thought about it and smiled wide to laugh. "Ha! Well, we haven't had any good grub for a while. So we'd all taken the bait."

Daphne cheered to the newcomers. "Alola, Alola!" She noticed Denryk disappeared in a flash once everyone was distracted and thought little of it as Roxas asked. "Since we're kind of stuck here, should we introduce each other?"

Neku nodded and turned to his companions. "Everyone, this is Roxas-" He saw Namine looking around for the missing member. "Namine," Dupmic had a moment to realize Denryk isn't around. "Dupmic and-" He realize the 4th one was out of sight. "Where did Denryk go?" Ogerpon realize something's up and hop to the girl in the glasses. (S...Shiki? Do you know where my friend went?) The girl knew she was asked. "Some of us had a peak at yesterdays festival. Name's Shiki." The rough neck was trusting. "Beat here and this-" He addressed the small girl. "is my sister." The sister waved. "Rhyme! Denryk was here a second ago, how did he disa-" Tap! FLING!

Out from a nearby window came a plate of pink mochi and the sound of a child crying. The nearby "Loyal" Three who were minding their own business staying watch, jumped in reaction and charged to the entrance. The Secret Squad, Sun Family and the visiting strangers hurried behind to find Denryk giving the strange Peach a still look. Okidogi began growling as Ogerpon saw the mochi, made her way in and realize what was going on. She stomped mad as Denryk turned and waved his hand. "The Peach was wanting to whip up some desert and it wasn't up to stuff."

Okidogi snarled and barked. (Yeah right, boss makes some of the best mochi you can get!) Dipiti and Dori realize what was happening and pulled their muscle back as Denryk spoke in defense of the Peach. "I'm sure the Peach has his reason. So anyone knows how to make some from scratch?"

Rhyme raised a hand. "I can whip some up while that pot starts to cool." She went to pick up one of the strange mochi and smelled the sweet treat, Dori was quick to take it away and get the mess gathered up. Neku had suspicions and asked. "Has anyone caught this Peach yet?"

Roxas shook his head. "Not yet. But we have an idea to bring him along for the next mission." Denryk nodded in approval. "The Peach and his Loyal Three over there were kind of trouble before we had things straighten out. I'm thinking he was trying to make some more friends, it's just you don't take sweets like this unless you know where it comes from."

Namine was in a silent gasp, realizing there was much more that Denryk wasn't telling or was straight up lying in regards to the mochi. They headed back and Rhyme went to getting a particular rice to fast boil and cool before taking a hammer and smashing the substance into a paste. She applied some red bean filling and had them rolled up for a trip in a box that was chilled by K'ui and a Cyrogonal.

While that was set, the band had plates of rice ready and a serving of milky colored umani. Rich and flavorful enough to ease off any real tension. With the mochi following being quite tasty, even though the Peach and "Loyal" Three were lifting their noses about it for some reason. With introductions out of the way, the Secret Squad took their time with wanting to know more about the visitors. "So here's the deal. Some of our friends ran into that other guy who's with you. Joshua. Him leaving you guys here while he's at a city in a far off world checks out."

Neku nearly swallowed hard as Rhyme asked confused. "What's he doing over there in the first place?" Dupmic shrugged as Schemy helped himself to a spoonful. "Feels like he's interested in Ken, Xion and their plan to get our friends ready for bigger adventures."

Denryk had his mask half way off and thought out loud. "We plan to head over there and uncover some suspicious stuff, so maybe we can run into that guy and find more clues." Shiki sighed gently as her tone turn harsh. "Good luck with that, he's often the one finding you."

Roxas sensed some bitterness and asked. "He mentioned some game or something, is that how you all met?" Beat blurted. "A game we had to play to get back into-" Rhyme interrupted him. "Get back into the lives we had." Neku nodded. "Where we got to do some self discovery by the whim of those called Reapers if we're to get back into the living world." Dupmic was about to have a bite and was so shocked he dropped his spoon worth, leaving Schemy to snack even more. "Reaper?! That's a title that Ken has."

Denryk whistled and let the Murkrow have his humor. "He has a condition where some of the dark power in his heart is a little... special and it takes into that form when we run into someone that honestly needs to die. The worst kind of people you can imagine will realize what's about to happen and they won't have a chance at escaping."

Neku was the first to get spooked. "Sheesh. But" He shrugged. "sometimes you do have to defend yourself and others to keep life going."

Namine added her view. "That dark power sometimes takes the form of the Grim Reaper, other times it looks more angelic." Neku was a little amused. "That definitely sounds like someone Joshua would be interested in. What makes you think you'll be able to spot him?"

Roxas and Namine looked to their others, who were enjoying their free time without much of a care, the witch whistled softly. "Let's see. We've dealt with Dream Projections. Which is how me, Roxas and Denryk are able to be out here. Dupmic's visited a world of dreams as something he wants to do going forward. Then we have Denryk awakening himself to the power of the Force."

Rhyme nearly jumped and put her hands to the table. "Wait, the Force?! Is he a Jedi in Training or something?!" Denryk had his Light Saber fly to his hand and he waved it around before having Dupmic's spoon return to it's wielder. "A wild one without a mentor, but a Padawan none the less." Rhyme tapped the table, trying to bring about questions she couldn't bring out at once.

Simultaneously at a familiar Kingdom.

A stinky Gloom was kicking and screaming as a band of bandits hauled her off to a cart, where a Deerling, a Cottonee and a grassy Wormadam were kept in cages. A bandit with a scar on his greasy, close shaved beard laughed as he tossed Gloom in with the Cottonee. "Huahua! Found another of these monsters looming about."

One of this two companions, who has a missing tooth, asked with caution. "You thinking that the lot over at Corona Town know about this?" The other, who had a scar over a closed eye, scratched certain. "I've been seeing the Princess with this leafy cat and that guard girl going out to talk with something..." The bandit leader scoffed at the concern. "Who cares, we're so far at the border that no one's gonna stop us from making a profit!" He adjusted the cages on the horse drawn cart. "If I'm wrong, may I get jabbed in the-" JAB!

The missing tooth mook cringed and fell over, the other was off guard by a sudden, bipedal dark blue frog with white stripes at his belly and orange cheeks. His right paw glowed purple and he delivered low sweep to trip the other. The leader turned distracted. "Whu-" Leap! Woosh!

He was suddenly blown off by a blast of petals, performed by a walking fairy that resembles a cherry blossom. She had a small bag of goods and rallied. Slash! Something cut a horses bindings loose and spooked it away, a large, white feline with a black scythe on the side of her head and dark skin.

The Absol gave a fierce stare and brought the bandit leader to bringing out a sword and make an attempt. The dark type stepped back and gave a swift sucker punch, bringing him in a spin to something descending down and wrapping a blushing white tail over his eyes. The tail belonged to a living wind chime that readied a tune. "This little rescue is finished, spirit the trapped away and may these vagabonds hear our warning."

The Cherrim eeked as Crogunk got to work in smashing the cages open. The flower used her badge to spirit the three pokemon away and leaped off as the leader tried to fight back. They and Absol made a run for it as the bandit tried to yank Chimecho off. "Get your foldy thing off me!"

He slashed upward and Chimecho leaned back to sing a gloomy tune that the leader can't quite understand. (May this be your warning. All who seek to bring harm to others will meet this song in the end.)

3.

The Bandit wasn't liking the sound and made another slash, Chimecho laughed. (Of gloom and doom that will send chills upon your heart.)

2.

The Bandit was feeling the dread and tried to yank the cloth off. "Wait, what are you doing?" (May that faint chime, haunt your nightmares for ever more.)

1.

"P...please, let me go!" The Chimecho held on to a strange seed and gave a chime like cry.

0

At the whim of the clock, the Bandits simply passed out, with the leader falling to his side. Chimecho fell over and used the seed to revitalize herself, she took the chance to fly off to the others. A far ways away from the road and to a make shift village hidden at the edge of a swamp and overlooking a distant kingdom. Finding Deerling giving a dance of freedom as a Vileplume was embracing the Gloom and the Cottonee. "Oh my, oh my, oh my! Don't ever leave the swamp, you hear me?"

The Cottonee blushed and tried to push away as Gloom whined. "But mom, there's a ton of people over at that town!" Cherrim approached and tip toed. "That was a close one, but I think that should be the warning those bandits will need to let them know that they should look elsewhere."

Absol agreed as Chimecho jingled a soothing melody. "There's nothing guaranteeing that the town will be a perfect haven for us either. Even if some of the humans look promising." Vileplume cringed. "Going over that road is what drew those bandits to us in the first place." She asked her fellow flower. "Cherrim, do we have any other spots that we can use to call your buddies?"

The flower thought. "Tried everywhere in the forest and our only clue seems to be where Eevee and Ponyta had gone to. But after what Chimecho did with that Perish Song, I think those people are going to be rightfully scared of us until we can meet with the ones Absol's been talking to."

She exhaled a pleasant scent as Crogunk asked in a high pitch whisper. "Until then, this whole swamp is ours again?" The Cherrim nodded. "Yup, you've been a real life saver, so now is the time to explore and try and get in touch with any lost pokemon. Help might arrive late, but if we can take care of each other, we'll be fine." Crogunk grunted. "Good times ahead." He was ready to take off. "See you at dusk, chieftain!" Cherrim blushed. "We'll cook something real fresh for you when you get back."

Crogunk smiled and took off to the wilderness, a realm of relative solitude, even when he was dropped off from the rift between worlds. The marshy grounds made him feel at home and the muddy water was a soothing remedy for a poison type like he. He clapped in glee at his favorite dipping spot, turned around and leaped backwards, having his view to the sky beyond the branches, the bugs and birds as well. The marsh was that of a smothered melody. He kicked and swam to his hearts delight, carefree. Each swim burying his worries away, even though the friends he's made are a bunch that understands his ways of surviving. He practiced his route and made for a quiet hollow log, filled with tiny insects to snack on for the occasion. He envisioned a particular moment he seen, with Absol guiding along a woman with short black hair and an attitude. "...Maybe if someone from the swamp were to sneak over there, I can make enough of a ruckus to make that lady bring more friends over. That be a nice adventure."

He swam into the log and before he knew it, he dropped right into a hole and found himself laying on a table in a gray castle. He blinked and heard a whimper before flipping onto his feet and posing for battle. "Alright, who's the wise guy to booby trap that log!" He saw in a council of a red robed lich, a Mismagius and a Hypno, a gathering ambush. Mismagius promised. "This is not my idea, I swear on it."

"To think that such a carefree creature holds such a potent promise."

By the Mismagius and Hypno was a green wisp that shined in a dark looking faerie. "That heroism would be better suited towards my needs. Hypno." The hypnotist sighed and waved his pendulum. "Sorry about this, but welcome to the crew."

Crogunk cringed and tried to look away, only to find his mind drawn to the wave. "Th...ba...zzzz." With a simple tap of a dusk ball, Crogunk was captured with little effort. The Horned King pressed his hands together. "This won't be nearly enough for our plans. But the Guardians have set up quite the peculiar sanctuary."

Maleficent agreed to him on that. "We just need to set up the perfect diversion and we can seize which ever prize they covet the most." By her was a preserved image of a Roaring Moon that looked down on a festive world bellow, as well as the Peach that was suggesting something to a band of misfits. "Until then, we need a back up. For some of these darklings are more protected than others."

She imagined as she had her scout jump into the darkness for another world. "How is Hades managing without us?" The vision changed to a city of columns, a sport was to be underway at a Colosseum. A duo of heroes and a muscular insect had a wrestling match of legends. Sneaking in view from a window was a candy apple with a green tail and a set of green leaf like eyes. He noticed outside bellow, something transpiring. The raven flew over to have a peak, finding a local shaking off a blue quadrupedal reptile with black fur. It was biting him in the shine, as a way to get attention and was shaken off. The local took out a bundle of flowers and used it to chase the specimen away. "A Deino?"

Maleficent had her raven flow closer, keeping track of the irate that was scampering through a crack and into a solitary garden. The little dragon hissed and caught scent of a particular purple flower that's calmed him down.

Mismagius awed. "Poor guy, I've heard they're blind for a good while and since they don't got any hands." Hypno shared the pity. "He can't really make friends by saying hello."

Maleficent had a corridor ready and asked the ghost. "Mismagius-" The ghost cringed and floated to it. "Hoo boy." She used it as a means to sneak behind the Deino who wasn't expecting a thing and brought about a thunder wave, paralyzing the dragon and giving Maleficent the opening for a dusk ball to the back. Capturing him with little effort and dragging him into the darkness. "We must seize our objective in one fell swoop, for one incantation of this Banishment would set us back indefinitely."

The Horned King agreed. "And we don't want to end up like that reckless fool, who's irked the defenders one too many times. I wonder..." Maleficent was aware of the one specimen out of the Secret Squad that's perked interest. "The... Jedi has answered more questions than he's made and it doesn't take much to realize where he's been. For Roxas and Namine, the others of Sora and Kairi, didn't arrive alone. Denryk is another result of Xehanorts schemes, because Kendry refused to yield."

Hypno gasped. (You think that force stuff came from somewhere those kids know about?) Maleficent knew what was asked. "A fictional tale that holds some merit to truth." A scheme to knowledge came to mind. "That... we can use."

At Traverse Town.

The Secret Route and the visitors were quick to take off as potential neighbors, Poppy explained a plan. "Very soon, these guys will be heading to the city your friend's sneaking in and someone's got to keep certain places warm. We have plenty of volunteers and it looks like you all could be a huge help to these pokemon."

Daphne giggled. "I know what you're thinking, Cous." Namine turned to Dupmic, who was in thought, and Denryk stared blankly in a chill. "What do you guys think?" Dupmic waved. "It be funny to see what partner these guys would match with." Roxas had a look at Shiki's plushie. "It would give the pokemon some good exercise too." Denryk was lost in his chill and shook it off. "And it can be good for you guys to connect with others outside of that group."

Namine was a little surprise. "Thought you were staring into space, is something the matter?" Denryk sighed. "Kind of, had the feeling like... someone's figuring out something that they really shouldn't and it's going to shake up our world again." He, Scraggy and Ogerpon headed to the fence. "We'll see who we can't gather while you all take the long way."

Rhyme scurried through a gap in the fence as Beat jumped over. Leaving Shiki to giggle and saw a gate the volunteers use to go in and out, all the while, Neku's keeping a distance and want to watch. Roxas climbed over the fence, gave a sharp whistle and caused a small menagerie to come rustling. A curious Raichu, Nidorans, a scurrying Venipede and a whistling Chatot. Rumble! Rumble!

Rushing from a brawl was the normal type Tauros and his fighting type cousin, they nudged each other tauntingly and Beat realized. "Wait are these two different pokemon?"

Poppy and Daphne climbed over the fence, the girl in glasses snickered. "Yes, they're both Tauros. But they've been born in different environments, with the black one taking on the type of fighting in contrast to the other one being a normal type."

Rustle. "Mwor!"

Charging behind the Tauros was the eager Galarian Meowth who waved his claws and called. (We haven't even begun to fight!)

Shiki immediately set sights on the bearded cat as Roxas clapped. "Meowth, now's not a good time." Beat was near speechless and pet the two bulls as Shiki saw the Meowth react and asked. "You've fought with this one?"

Roxas turned. "A little, before Okidogi came along." In a sudden, there was one head short and Schemy noticed Rhyme sneaking deeper, he cawed and brought Dupmic into following. With Denryk having Scraggy come along. The boy with the bird called out. "Hey, are you looking for something?"

Rhyme looked around and found a fat Greedent gathering fruits and scurrying off. "Someone more specific." Denryk pointed his thumb back. "There's nearly half a dozen Nidorans over there and that King and Queen really doesn't mind any of their kids going out for an adventure."

The girl puffed her cheeks. "I know those guys got promise, but there's got to be a lot more you have here." Zip! There was the sound of a spark and fast barking, somewhere ahead was the sound of Yamper finding something. Rhyme followed the barking to find the dog standing up against a tree and trying to pursue a white squirrel with a blue stripe across her back, blue ears and a tail with raised up patches of fur. Holding a berry smugly and giving off a spark to communicate with the dog. The boys saw that spark in Rhymes eyes, the Replica brought a quick ball as Denryk had the berry fly out of the squirrels paws, it flew around and distracted the rodent. Rhyme lined up her throw and tossed.

Tap!

The ball brought the squirrel in and gave three shakes before falling to the earth. Click! The masked boy admitted. "That Pachirisu wasn't in any of the logs. You guys might be in for some work." Rhyme giggled and hurried to get the ball, she let out a Pachirisu that was sparkling confused. (What the heck just happened?)

Yamper's ears twitched and he turned to greet an arriving Kit, who gave a strict voice. "Hey it seems the big get together is up front by the fence line! What's dragged you over here?"

Rhyme blushed. "I was wanting to find a specific partner, that's all. I think this electric squirrel's a wild one." Kit gasped as Pachirisu blushed and looked innocent, the foreman put a hand to his chest. "Phew! So that's another one account for. That hiking trip I've heard about hasn't flushed everyone out of hiding. Are you sure about this one?"

Rhyme confessed. "I like squirrels."

Rustle!

In a sudden, Beat came rushing with the Kantonian Tauros right beside him, the Combat cousin caught up in a hurry. "Hey, don't run off like-" He noticed his sister with a mischievous squirrel and was impressed. "Hey who knew." Kit had the teenagers escorted back to the gathering, Namine was chatting with Shiki, who had the Galarian Meowth right beside her. "By tomorrow, we'll all have a big adventure again. It shouldn't to be too exciting over here."

Leon noticed the odd squirrel and is surprised. "Well, this confirms that there are pokemon we've been missing." The Peach giggled as Roxas took off to find someone, Poppy noticed and suggest. "Seems to be, but thankfully we're in the catch them all phase. Pachirisu's easy to take care of and if you know your team right, they can have a niche that we've seen people bring out to its fullest."

Denryk remembered Neku's story and asked. "Say you guys have fought before, think you can do it again?" Shiki snickered and adjusted her sweater to show a gleam of a pin, Rhyme showed the pin on her hat as Beat took off his hat to show a pin at it's back. Neku showed off his. "If these still work."

Tap! Tap! Suddenly, Stalwing and a Loudred came by, with Roxas showing Wanda the event. The mayor was astonished by the new arrivals and asked. "Alright, what's this I'm hearing about volunteers?"

Neku shrugged as Loudred took notice of the head set. "We're just a skeleton crew, now that you took care of the bigger psychos." the mayor nodded. "You're a crew that's opened up some more mysteries that could be useful to uncover. We need to know where you've been staying. Because a band of lads and lasses like you shouldn't be out in the streets by yourselves."

Shiki and Rhyme looked to each other strangely as Beat froze like he was in headlights. Neku cringed. "Oh boy. You're not going to get mad about this?"

Wanda shook her head. "Lad, you're not the only one who's wandered into the town, looking for a place to stay. Most of the locals traversed from a land that was due for death and have nothing more than the clothes on their backs." Roxas looked to his squad, having an idea in mind for how the arrivals could be accommodated.

A day later.

Leon and the Destiny Trio were all ready to take off, with Leon being stuck with Kairi's ship as the three took off in one direction. They had just a moment to see Oχιά take off in a different direction. Leon sighed. "There goes Daphne."

Riku began communications in the ship vox. "I think we have more than enough people at the connected worlds, to where even Roxas and his crew can get away with that heist. Be ready for anything."

The ships flew into a strange light and found themselves in an cluster of flat planetoids with water lakes. The surroundings had a sunlight yellow glow and the ships were in danger of being sniped by blue submarines. The moment notice was made, effort was taken into keeping the submarines from firing. The route gave vibes akin to a current under the sea and Kairi was a little taken aback. "Some of these places can be beautiful. Wonder where this will lead?"

It wasn't long until the route became relatively peaceful and the three ships made it to a keyhole. In view of a planetoid mostly under water and having a grand city that Sora's familiar with. "Hey, I remember this place." Kairi felt the aesthetics familiar. "This looks like a special world and I think I know who resides here."

Riku perked. "Most of the place is under the sea and it would be a haven for water type pokemon." Leon sighed and readied to adjust his partners. "Which means, only a handful of our partners are going to be a help in any sort here."

The ship showed slots for Leon to place certain pokemon in, Pō and Mahi Mahi first and foremost. While Kairi placed the entirety of the Seafarers. Leon set the rest aside as Sora thought and put in Pidgeot and the two Dreepys. Riku had to put in King and Penumbra. Sora sighed. "Just when I thought Snowball's going to practice again."

He had Comfey called back on standby as Leon perked. "Look at the bright side, there's a reason to let that water type tag along. If this is a special world, that means we got to blend in. How would that happen, dare I ask?" Sora thought innocently. "You ever heard of mermaids?"

Some time before.

It was a looming darkness across the ship wreck cove, where few fish dare to dwell. An orange sushi fish was abandoned by a yellow colored kin and left to swim away from a vicious, sharp tooth shark. He snapped his maw through pieces of ship as the Sushi fish used his small size to squeeze through the gaps. Making way to a small canyon and panting as the shark got closer and closer with a blood lust in his eyes. Just then.

WOOSH!

The Shark was shoved towards a rock by a mighty blue Catfish that is even larger than he. The fish opened his mouth to let a yellow Sushi Fish take a peak. "Sneaky trap worked! Now let's end this, Dondozo!" He went into the mouth as the fish grunted. "On it boss!"

Dondozo enveloped himself in water and crashed was the Shark recovered and charged. POW! The Shark was shoved across once more, realized this was a fight he wasn't going to win and tried to flee. Right into a whirlpool that the orange Sushi Fish formed. The fish cheered. "He's already lost!" The Dondozo rushed and readied his tongue, attacking in sync with his commander and dealing the final blow as local fish watched on.

Back at the present.

Splash!

The Destiny Trio found themselves swimming in the middle of a reef. Sora was topless and looked down at his lower half of a blue dolphin as Kairi gave a twirl to reveal most of her body is of purple seal. They saw Riku topless, muscular and having a lower half of a gray back shark that is white at the front. By them was a merry band of Dreepys that were twirling in freedom, a dazed bunch of the Seafarers, a gently kicking Slowking and a Flutter Mane that cared not for her position.

Struggling to swim and coiling up was a topless Leon, who's lower half is that of a blue sea serpent with hexagonal scales and patches of pink. The tail looked like a blue fan with an inner of pink. Beside him was Mani Mani, who hurried to hold him and grunted. "Slither, slither!" Leon remembered the slithering of an Arbok and wiggled his tail, giving off a small dance before he coiled a twirl. "Okay, okay! I think I can handle this."

He turned to the teenagers and found it a new sight to behold. "So that's what you mean by special? Could be better... or worse." Sora recognized the sea creature Leon's resembling. "This place can only go for half. So you get to be half a Milotic." Leon didn't mind and notice small mountains going to the surface. He ascended like it was still a dream come true, giggling all the way as the teenagers saw shadows at the surface and followed.

Bop!

At the surface is a disgruntled band of fliers, Pō, Pidgeot and Flygon, who were looking around to the distant islands. Pidgeot spotted the band and squawked. "There they are!" He descended. "Hey, what gives? How come we all got separated?"

Flygon saw the humans lower halves aren't of typical legs. "Did they get turned into water types?" Pō laughed to them. "Ho, ho! Yes... and no. Me and my partner," He flew around Leon. "Ventured to a realm that is bound by a law of blending in. Where us Pokemon were fine, but Leon had to be one of us too. While Terra was that of... a lion?"

He turned to see if he had the name right, Leon nodded silently as Riku called out. "World order, this place is only really good for those who can dive into these waters or those who can fly above like a seagull."

Leon corrected him. "Or Wingull and the Pelipper. We might be more busy down there, but if you can search the surface and sky while we're busy, that would help us a ton." Pō understood as Flygon and Pidgeot noticed a tropical island in the distance. "That place ought to do." Flap! Flap! Flap! The band dived back to where they started and had a variety of paths to chose.

Shooter noticed a green fish with white eyes, and a white stripe. It was hanging by a coral reef. "Is that-" The fish gasped in shock and started swimming away, Sea Fang picked Crinoid up and swam slowly. "White stripe! Swimming away!" Leon gasped. "White stripe?! The rare Basculin?"

Azu ohed as she and Iceberg swam in a follow. They made their way to a wider coral reef, where the Basculin was hiding in the shadow of a carefree Mantine. In the center of the reef was a cluster of pink coral that opened her eyes and asked. "Are visitors coming here again?"

The Corsola pulled up to find Azu and the explorer team, she danced in a hearty. "Howdy!" Azu and her band showed their badges. "Howdy back. We're an explorer team and we're here to check out any problems you all might have. If we can find them." Iceberg waved to the timid Basculin. "Anything that's been going on?"

Crinoid checked out the Basculin. "Probably some rougher times, normally these guys aren't this worked up unless they're migrating up a river." Kairi asked curiously. "Migrating up a river?"

Leon slowed his slither towards the fish. "Yeah, that's what makes this Basculin special from the red and blue stripe cousins, besides not being anywhere near as aggressive. They always return to the river they're born in and not all of them survive that journey. I guess the Ultra wormhole diverted her path and left her shaken."

Basculin shivered. "That...that's close enough." She swam out of hiding, showing her fanged mouth, the band kept their distance as the Basculin asked nervously. "You know what happened, do you know if there are any other pokemon that got swept into the sea here? We've been trying to survive on our own for a while."

Sora thought. "We just got here, but I think we got an idea about where to look."

The nervous fish thought and gasped. "Aha! I think I know someone who can help us," Mantine swam downward and gave a small echo. "We saw that land dwellers made it to the surface by those islands and one of them seems to know what she's doing."

He and Basculin swam off to a glimmering route, Leon and Mahi Mahi followed as Kairi and the Seafarers were ready for a swim. "So it looks like we might have to split up and keep looking. Sora, do we know where we splashed in?"

Sora smiled wide and cheered. "That's what I was trying to tell you all. We're in Atlantica."

Riku gasped. "Ariel's home!" He ordered. "Let's get this under some control and see if she's noticed this stuff by now." He, King and Penumbra swam to a clearing of kelp as the main Dreepy stared into a space to the south and started swimming off. Prompting Sora and the other to swim off and ditch the Corsola that wasn't too depressed. She looked to the rippling light and whistled. "I love having new neighbors."

Across the Kelp clearing.

Riku and his companions kept a close eye for any signs of danger and were heading to a sunken ship with a under water hill close by. The Ghost type noticed the skeletal remains of a shark at the border and called out. "Someone felled this mighty creature."

Riku saw the remains and whistled, right as a blue jellyfish with two large red orbs on her bell and a small red orb on the forehead, came swimming on patrol. She has two blue appendages that look like beaks and she had quite the amount of tentacles. She saw arrivals and descended down with a menacing glow. "Who goes there?!"

She had a closer look at Riku and gasped to the Slowking and the wild looking Misdreavus. She crossed her tentacles like one arms as King explained. "We just swam to this part of the ocean and we're having a look around to see what has happened. You all here a while ago?"

The Tentacruel sighed in disappointment. "So you haven't visited that fancy den and talked to the fish people?" She pointed at Riku. "How are you going to help?"

The boy thought about the puzzling situation. "First we got to figure out what's happening." He pointed to King and Penumbra. "We figured a lot of you are stranded out here and I'm guessing the locals haven't helped you yet?"

Tentacruel bobbed and closed her eyes. "You're right about that. We've been left to fend to ourselves for over a week. Since then a lot of us were giving way to the Tatsugiri siblings and their big friend." King gasped. "Tatsugiri?!"

Tentacruel raised her tentacle. "They got rid of this evil shark that's been trying to kill who ever swims over here. Because of the size of their friend though, they're going to need a lot of this spot. If you're willing to lend some help, they'll hear you out. If not..." She paused and Penumbra guessed. "We'd have to argue with their friend?" Riku raised a brow and rested his free hand to his hip. "Is their friend mean or something?"

Tentacruel shook her head. "Not really," and stretched her tentacles to show a great size. "but who would argue with a fish that's bigger than most of us put together?"

She lead the group to a make shift village by the wreckage. A hole was used to house a sleeping Lanturn while a Toxapex was sitting by, munching on coral. Swimming by on arrival is a rather mellow looking Barraskewda, escorting a pink sun fish towards a colorful cluster of rocks. The Toxapex saw Tentacruel was escorting the visitors and gave a smile while his mouth was full, welcoming the arrivals. Riku and his companions followed to the rocks, finding Alomomola calling out in a gentle tone. "I'm back from the surface, Rhydon and the isle officials are going to need a way to communicate if they're going to manage."

At two cozy dens, was a curly orange Tatsugiri and a stretchy yellow sibling. The Curly Sushi thought. "They'll need more than Pelipper's wing mail." The Stretchy thought. "And some of them are too heavy to swim." They talked as one. "We need to think of something fast, those islands won't last them forever."

King approached in a gesture. "You're talking about islanders, they can't really last down here?" The Tatsugiri were surprised by the arrival and gasped. "A Sea Sage!" The Curly Sushi was suspicious by the color as the Stretchy Sushi saw the strange Misdreavus and the stranger mer boy. The Curly Sushi asked. "You're not the one Shellder was talking about?" The Stretchy Sushi asked. "But you brought a useful stranger." The silt bellow shifted and the fish tapped it in a command. "Not yet."

The Stretchy Sushi swam to Riku and squinted his eyes in a grudge. "You weird fish got a nerve to show up now. You could have helped us before we had to help ourselves."

Riku sighed and pointed his thumb to where he's gone. "I don't know why the King over there hasn't done anything. But now's a good time to let him know enough is enough. Me and my friends aren't really from that Kingdom, but we can still help each other out. First, what's happened?"

Alomomola cringed. "It's been terrible when we were swept away into that light. Many of us splashed in and some pokemon who were never meant to be on the land nearly drowned on arrival. It took a really determined Rhydon, Wailord and me to help them get to the islands. The rest of the water types explored and found some locals that swam away when they saw the scarier of us." Penumbra shifted her eyes to the Tentacruel. "Like this one?"

The Curly Fish nodded. "If they haven't fled at the sight of that evil sharp fang you saw on the way. He tried to get a chomp out of Alomomola, the Messenger and anyone who swims by." The Stretchy Fish hissed. "And he wouldn't leave them alone." The slit moved and rumbled. "So we made him." The silt rose up as hills worth, revealing a fearsome Dondozo that surprised Riku by the size. The Tatsugiri advised in wisdom. "Always swim to the Dondozo." "He takes care of problem with us."

The Dondozo bubbled in a growl. "Me the solution!" The Tatsugiri nodded with him. "You are." "Got food out of it too."

The three gasped and Penumbra laughed crudely. "Hahaha! Serves that evil shark right! But what then?" The Curly Fish sighed. "We got new problem. We need to keep finding food." The Stretchy Fish was regretting a decision. "But locals too scared to trade some for work."

The Dondozo pouted in shame. "Me also new Problem." The Tatsugiri rubbed Dondozo on the forehead and whispered softly as Riku put together the events. "Any locals that saw the mess, only saw a bigger fish eating the smaller one like it was only a snacks worth." He tapped his hands together. "There might be a huge misunderstanding that came from you three working together to take it down and protect your friends."

The Tatsugiri nodded as one. "After, we go to palace reef." "Dozo wasn't watching where he was going." They spoke in unison. "Knocked lots of stuff down and made Fish un with Trident mad."

The more guilty Stretchy Sushi pouted. "Great Guardian says we should leave that place be and explore away from reef. But we like this spot." The Curly Sushi pointed upward. "And Land pokemon are struggling."

Riku looked up with pity. "There are things you can't just fight your way through." He proposed. "We need to find a way to let those guys know that you didn't chose to come here and we could all help each other out. Have anyone else tried to talk with the locals?"

Alomomola gasped. "There is this weird Primarina with red hair that came swimming out here. She made friends with our blinker a while ago." She remembered a bad situation getting worse. "We only ever saw them again when the Baron came exploring with the lost Dreepy." The name had Riku gasp. "Dreepy?! Wait, how would you know about all this? Who's the Baron?"

The Tatsugiri answered in good will. "Alomomola's the local healer." "We get hurt, she helps us get better." Their voice became one. "She swims just about everywhere." The Alomomola shivered. "As for the Baron, he's a Jellicent. The only sea creature that's scarier than these three."

The Tatsugiri aren't denying the depths of their planning as Dondozo whispered. "Me can do big and scary..." The Sushi fish tapped the Dondozo on the forehead. "No!" "Not against the Baron." Riku recalled the horror stories about Jellicent. "Jellicent and Frillish are known to take who ever they get their tentacles on and drag them into the depths of the sea, never to be seen again. At least with you guys, I can guess what you did to that Shark and why that's a message to anyone else."

The Tatsugiri nodded as one. "He strange." "The city saw a scary ghost too!" King found one comfort in the knowledge. "But at the least, we know that the Baron is looking out for Dreepy. Have you seen that Dreepy call out for anyone?"

Alomomola recalled the desperation of a child. "Plenty of times and none of his friends seem to be around." The Curly Fish gasped to Riku. "But... you know someone who knows where Dreepy's friends are." The Stretchy Fish suggested. "We let someone handle that. We should find Starmie." The Curly Fish agreed. "We find Starmie, we find the girl who can help us."

King had a more convenient plan. "If we let her know what's going on. It might be easier if we head back to the Coral Reef and let our friends finish their business before we search." The Tatsugiri voted on that. "They might find the girl for us." "If not, we still know where to look."

Elsewhere in the kelp forest.

It was oddly quiet and tranquil, baring a few fish swimming away. Sora was keeping a close eye on the hot blooded Dreepy he's bet at the realm of Halloween. Keeping by him and still following was the meeker Dreepy that spent some time kidnapped and stuffed in a jar. That distant shriek was closer and closer into a precise call and the Dreepys have been calling back. It was until they heard a haunting laughter. "Oh ho, ho, ho! Trying to find any of your friends again?"

The unknown caller gave that call and was given a call back. The source of the laughter gave a "Oh hooo!" as a high pitch Dreepy came zipping out of the forest. He gasped on seeing kin and zipped in an instant to give a tackle of affection. Only to miss comedically and slam right into Sora, knocking out some wind and leaving the boy to see what happened and laugh. "Wow, you guys sensed him from that far away?"

The hot blooded Dreepy nodded eagerly as the meeker one chirped. "We know the Dreepy call!" She giggled as she and her companion gave Sora a grateful tackle. The boy embraced the two and gave a dorky smile as the goof ball Dreepy noticed something rising over the merboy, a round figure of shadow and red eyes. He gave out a high pitch. "Eek!"

Sora turned to see the menacing form, eeked and swam back before drawing out the Keyblade. Giving a determined battle face as the shadow laughed. "Oh, ha, oh, ha! The first Merfolk to draw arms instead of swimming away." He conjured dark wisps in preparation. "Have at you, brave one!"

The readied for battle and were intercepted by the Dreepy's. The hot blooded Dreepy called out to the shadow figure. "Wait, wait! Sora friend!" The meek one second that. "Friend got us here!" The goof ball explained to Sora. "Jellicent not mean. Just spooky."

That caused the two to pause awkwardly and they stood down. The shadow faded to reveal a blue Jellicent, who has a light blue, mustache like collar around his head. He waved his tentacles in a manner of an aristocrat. "My, my. Where have you've swam from? You're awfully persistent to have explored far and wide for these three."

Sora shrugged like a commoner. "It's a long story. But this guy" He pointed a thumb to the primary Dreepy. "Told me that he got separated from his friends." He gave the goof ball Dreepy a petting. "Were you looking after this one?"

The Jellicent nodded. "Only because this ocean is unfathomable for even this spirit. I do say, he eased the dreary company around here."

Sora thought out loud. "That bad huh?" He looked around. "There's no heartless in site right now, so..." He pointed his thumb to where he's been. "I got a friend at the Palace that should clear some things up. If you-" The Jellicent swelled up and laughed out bubbles. "Oh, ho, ho, ho! If go anywhere near that place again, they'll see me as a messenger of certain doom!" He admitted somberly. "To be fair, few would dare to delve into my domain and the wise ones would swim away if they know of me." He perked. "But that shouldn't be the case for gloom."

The playful Dreepy chirped in gloom. "We visited and they got so scared that they didn't want us to talk with the King." Sora sighed. "That's not who I'm talking about. Triton over does it when keeping the peace around here. Ariel though, she doesn't sit around for stuff to be done." He turned to where he came. "Maybe if she's seen this, she'll be at her hideout?"

The Jellicent waved his limbs. "To be honest, that could have been helpful knowledge... some time ago." He decided. "She'll have to see the other spirits for that kind will to truly be tested." The playful Dreepy asked. "You mean the white Corsola and the Broken One?" That is quite specific and Jellicent answered the young one. "Yes, them." He turned. "Follow, follow. They slumber in the depths." The Dreepys followed and Sora had more trust in them in comparison.

They followed a ways out of the forest and to a ledge going into a darker sea, a zone where the light doesn't touch. The Jellicent gave himself a blue glow and descended, allowing Sora and the Dreepys to follow into a darkness of which only silence accompanied them. It was enough experience to cause the boy to feel his chest making like a drum, he looked to the Dreepys that seem to know the way and kept calm as the Jellicent asked the boy. "I can hear the rhythm from your heart. You're familiar with this terror?"

Sora nodded. "I've been told that the depths of the sea is a place without any safe light. It doesn't reach here normally and anything glowing is only using it as bait." The Jellicent laughed to him. "That is truth, my boy. From the depths, my kind comes. From the depths come pokemon who only know slumber. Few would descend down here unless they are looking for something." And something, was being sought, eventually they came across few clusters of white and red coral. With a bed of purple coral being well cared for.

Jellicent asked the boy and his Dreepy friends. "Can you find your treasure? Would you like what you'll find?"

Sora's taken aback by the colors of the coral and looked around to the ghostly white coral, at the base looked to be a round rock with holes. It's shape and the feet like growths looked familiar to a Corsola he saw, he swam close and the Dreepys grew still. Sora turned his head side ways for a moment and crouched to ask. "Are you one of the ghosts around here?"

The coral opened a set of pink eyes and the holes filled with ghastly ectoplasm, resembling the branches of a Corsola that sighed in apathy. "More to rest here?"

The contrast was enough to spook Sora into wishing to learn more. "Not really, what happened to you? You look... undead." The Corsola lowered her eye lids in disappointment. "I was born, or unborn. Makes no difference now."

"We feared that no one would care to seek us."

Sora turned to the purple coral that has a spew of gray silt. Floating out was a spirit with a black core and a body of broken white coral. The matching purple eyes was a little mesmerizing, as well as the gray ectoplasm binding the spirit. Sora gasped. "I heard about you," He shifted his eyes to the Corsola. "you're the evolution to this kind of Corsola. Curse...ola?"

The Cursola humed in a gloomy tune. "Cursola. In the end though, we all break down into the silt. Why have you come here?" Sora didn't feel danger before him. "We know you all ended up stuck here and we've came to try and get you all to a place to call home. Where ever that is."

The Cursola's gaze felt like she was staring into his very being, her tone relaxed. "You're an honest one, aren't you? Have you dived into the dark depths for another before? For something like us?" The Corsola floated close to Sora and whispered into his ear. "Who don't welcome the light anymore?"

Sora felt his heart racing as he feels the purple glow swallowing the super natural bioluminescence, he could tell a bluff. "I have before. A bunch of times. A friend of mine got lead to dumb choices and I've been to a whole trench that is nothing but the dark. But the people who lived there, that tried to keep to that light, never went out. You guys are just scared that someone would think other wise." He vowed. "Not I, nor my friends."

The Cursola's glow lessened, though she looked regretful. The Playful Dreepy asked the others. "He this kind?" The other two nodded as the Cursola picked something up and looked to be in a gasp, Sora took it as a que to turn fast and roll from an ambush of five dark green, nautical, humanoid heartless that were built for diving. The screw divers missed spectacularly and used blade propellers to kick the silt loose into a cloud.

Sora gave the Dreepys a sharp whistle as the ghost types conjured will-o-wisps and tossed them at the silt, scorching three and giving Sora the opening to toss the Dreepys in a sonic speed. Two of the heartless were taken out in an instant as the third ducked and was blasted by a gloomy hex of the Cursola. Making short work as Jellicent and the Corsola caused the other two to be floating to the ground. Fast pickings for Sora to rush in as a jet and finish off the foes.

Burst!

Out of the ground came a blobby pale fish like heartless that sucked in fast. The primary Dreepy rushed at the heartless for a fast thunder wave stun and hurried to the boy. The Vacuum Muncher pulsed a mucus that got it moving again and gave off a glow of power. Irritating the Corsola to where she burned a burst of jealousy and gave the Jellicent the opening for a finishing hex. Sora saw a faint shift in the sand and swam forward to dodge a leap of two dark red bobbit worms with a wide maw and hook mandibles. They were moving fast and burrowed downwards, Jellicent eeked. "How dreadful." He glowed and caused a distortion, the worms erupted in a much slower speed as Sora felt what was cast, he slowed is movement and kept calm, using the trick room to dodge and counter with a triple dreepy burst. "Infest!"

The Dreepys burst out insects that blocked the escape route of the worms and caused them to thrash, perfectly lined up for a will-o-wisp from Jellicent and Corsola. The Cursola used her hex to eliminate one of the worms as Sora called the three Dreepys and launch them in rapid succession.

The two heartless released captive hearts and disappeared, the water was less tense as the boy explained to the ghost. "Now those, those are why we've come here. There's some really bad people out there, who are looking to hurt you for reasons that are just dumb. It be better if we all stick as a group."

He swam by the Cursola and was looking for a place to hold onto, irritating her to where she floated back in a pulse of power and wailed. "Don't! Lay a finger on me and we'll both perish on the count of three!"

The Jellicent sighed. "Of course, I failed to mention. Laying a hand on these two would leave you stiff as a passed fish." The Corsola hovered and gave a light smile of good will. "Just the company is enough." The ghostly coral floated where Sora's gone and Jellicent kept the rear guard for the boy and the Dreepys, who were keeping an eye out for anymore ambushes.

Close by the islands.

Leon was getting more use to swimming and gave an energetic twirl while in a giggle. Mahi Mahi closed his eyes in delight as the Basculin looked on in caution and kept swimming with the tempted Mantine. Kairi watched on, impressed. "Says a lot when the world order picked that."

Leon turned and let his hair flow with the water. "It takes effort, care and sometimes luck, but the feeble Feebas will repay that time as the tender sea serpent that quells the fighting. Often a Milotic is as pretty on the inside as they are on the outer."

Mantine spotted someone by the rocks and jetted ahead, squeezed in between and crawling up for a peak is a duo of an Octillery and a blue Grappleoct that saw potent battlers. "Wrestlers!"

She leaped after Kairi in an instant, the Princess flickered away from a full on grapple and Azu countered with rough play.

Fling!

The Azumarril tossed Grappleoct towards a colorful cluster that had a Seaking waking up and startling the fish to where she swam out in a yelp. "Hey, hey!" Octillery cringed. "Sheesh, save that for the Kingler dune." She waddled over to Mantine. "Making some new friends? I'm seeing one of those fish folk over here."

Mantine bubbled. "Friends that can help the surface dwellers!" Kairi watched Leon channel bubbles of a life dew for Grappleoct. "Me and friends of mine swam by, looking for you guys. We know you all fell here from a light in the sky and we know there's got to be some land dwelling pokemon that are stuck on the islands. What do you guys know of it?"

Octillery sighed. "It's been tough knowing our way around, because the locals got scared of us after this mess Dondozo caused. He's too big to watch where his tail is going. It's even worse for the pokemon up above because there isn't any huge land anywhere. The islands are split up and someone has to keep things in check as a chief." She looked to Kairi. "Maybe you can help us talk with the fish guys, if you can explain what's going on."

Kairi promised. "I know someone who can, but before we find her, we need to see how the surface dwellers are surviving." Mantine let Octillery jump on his head and ascended with a flap of his fins. The merry band followed with Seaking and a Grappleoct that was eager to crawl up with them. Up to a tropical island with small rocky hills and caves for shelter. In a center gathering, was a Pancham with a gathering of fruit, an Armaldo leading a blank staring Slowbro and an Orbeetle putting together a water distiller. All in watch of a short horn Rhydon with a badge and a bag made of leaves. She finished putting together the fire pit for the boiler as the Beetle calculated. "Unless we can make contact with Exeggutor and the grass types, this is our only other chance at obtaining fresh water without drilling the under structure of the island to do so." He raised a forelimb to Slowbro. "You may."

The Slowbro took a moment before inhaling and breathing out flames. Azu and Crinoid gasped and crawled to the sandy beach. "Rhydon?!" The Rhydon twitched her ear and turned, she recognized the voice and saw the merry band of Seafarers, the Sharpedo leaned to the sand and bark. "Rhydon!"

Shooter gave a slight smile and bubbled. "You're a sight for sore eyes." The Rhydon laughed and charged. "Finally got to finding you!" Stomp! Stomp! Iceberg and Mahi Mahi crawled to the land as Azu and Rhydon shared a full force fist bump. Crinoid snickered in humor. "It's more like we found you." He closed his right eye as two fliers descended, Flygon and Pidgeot. Rhydon turned to the dragon type and grunted. "I knew I wasn't seeing things over at the distance. How'd you trialed me down?"

Pidgeot chirped humbly. "We had some help." He turned to show Kairi crawling to the sand and using her tail to splash in the sand. She waved as Leon slithered to have a look at the locals. "Heya! Before you ask, we're not with the merfolk down bellow, but we know someone. The pokemon in the sea are left to fend for themselves and you're even worse off."

Rhydon crossed her arms in frustration. "Figured, these guys would have been here quicker if you were." Leon was quite surprised by the down to earth thinking. "We'd have news about the rest of the team as well but first." He and Mahi Mahi went over to the experimental procedure, various stones and make shift glass were used for the bottles. "What has happened up here?"

Armaldo growled. "Lot of bad getting here. We were barely able to get up here in time before we drowned, Rhydon and Wailord helped lead a big swim to the islands up above. She's part of a... Ex...explorer Team, that does these rescues a lot." Orbeetle nodded. "Evidently and made more apparent."

Kairi sighed. "If it wasn't for this really stupid rule, we'd be getting to work on getting you prepared for the trip back as soon as possible." Azu showed her badge. "This kind of thing worked with those mushroom guys. But all you guys at once could be trouble for the home base."

Leon explained. "It's... not like here, a lot of you could make trouble in the confusion and maybe some of you can be a help to us as we resolve the tension under the sea." Orbeetle found that logical. "Rhydon, Slowbro and Armaldo are among the few of us who could actually swim down there." He looked over to Kairi. "Speaking of which-" Rhydon interrupted him. "Right."

She asked the Princess. "Soon as I saw the red hair, I thought you were this one we've been hearing about. Making friends with the pokemon down bellow, when no one else is trying." Crinoid sighed. "Figured you'd think that." Shooter didn't mind. "The stress could make anyone come to that conclusion."

Kairi didn't either. "I'd get desperate too."

Leon shrugged. "There's also the fact that Rhydon evolved from the... not too bright Rhyhorn. They're still far more intelligent in comparison." Rhydon growled. "Hey, I get good ideas sometimes. It's just... Orbeetles got me beat by a megaton."

The band laughed to that as Crinoid sighed. "You learn better by doing and being there. Speaking of which, we know which mergirl you're thinking of. We just got to find her and we can start for real."

Basculin sensed something, flinched and started to swim a ways. "In coming!"

SPOUT! "WOOHOO!"

In a sudden, a pillar of water spouted out, shooting what looked to be a spinning star with a fish holding on. Crinoid had a look at the source and found the top of a Wailord that gave a deep bellow. Shooter had a closer inspection to see the purple star and red hair by the fish. SPLASH! "Speaking of her, I think she found us."

Dipping out was a very familiar mermaid with a lower half of a green fish and a Starmie that blinked fast. "Woosh! Woosh! Woosh!"

The mermaid laughed and saw quite the variety on the surface. Kairi was fast to crawl in and cheer. "There you are Ariel!" The ladies gave each other a tackling embrace and the local was pretty surprised. "Didn't think to see you here." She recognized the Seafarers and the rather nervous Iron Bundle. "Or you?!" She swam close to have a look at the machine. "Is this a new member of your crew?"

Iceberg waved meekly as Kairi pointed over to the band of pokemon. "We sneaked by here to find these guys."

Starmie lifted itself and jetted to the sand for a dramatic leap. "Have Princess here! She friend!" Rhydon called for the group to slow down. "Hey, hey! You all look like you make sense to each other, but I'm starting to get pretty confused."

The group stepped away and Ariel started by looking to the many land dwellers. "I've seen... Slowbro, swimming by every once in a while, but who are you?"

Rhydon grunted. "I'm one of the land dwelling Pokemon, the Nomad: Rhydon!" She pointed to the rest. "Orbeetles helping us set camp while we look after Pancham and Armaldo helps swim around to see what's going on down there."

Slowbro's shellder tail bit down and caused him to turn blankly. Leon and Mahi Mahi went back into the water, the youngster explained. "Some of the pokemon, who dived down under water, were talking about a city that could be a huge asset and someone over there has bothered to hear these guys out."

He slithered towards the Ariel. "That someone is you?" The Mermaid blushed and checked out the muscular Swampert. "It all started when I saw the stars in the sky and someone splashing into the water. That's when I found Blinky spinning and looking up to the surface... the sky beyond, blinking that gem he has."

Starmie blinked his jewel core. "Called for help. Help came. Kind of." Swimming close is the Wailord. "Wailord helped her learn the rest." Ariel was slowly going into a pout. "Daddy thinks these guys would make trouble around here, after we met the Fish that got rid of that Shark. We've gotten as far as following this blue Jellyfish to the deeper part of the sea."

Leon is aware of what she speaks of. "Jellicent's weird and looked spooky enough that you probably should stay away from him when you saw him descend into the darker parts of the sea. But-" he giggled to ease the tension. "he visited first and people had to be getting the wrong idea by the mere presence of a ghost pokemon like him. He and the big fish did nothing but raise flags that are looking pretty red." He thought out loud. "If your dad can do something, then have you told him?"

Ariel pressed her lips nervously. "It's hard to get him to listen and he'll be mad if he knows I've been sneaking up here again." That made sense and Basculin splashed at the limit of her patience. "It's been over a week, he needs to see what's actually happening." Leon agreed and looked down to the surface trial. "We all need to shout at him together, with every pokemon we can find."

A few minutes later.

Corsola was left surprised at the many visitors in the reef. Especially Dondozo and the Tatsugiri brothers, Riku and Slowking looked over to the path towards a city with a palace as the Curly Sushi saw more aquatic folk coming and recognize the purple starfish. "Starmie's here." The Stretchy Sushi looked to the Basculin in particular. "Corsola told us where you all have gone."

The Starmie blinked as Ariel was astonished by Dondozo's size. "Princess can help us. We need to gather more of us before we can make them hear us." The Tatsugiris looked to each other and swam into Dondozo's mouth, the cat fish closed to give them some privacy as Riku looked to the band and asked. "What have you found up there, on the surface?"

Kairi explained the general ordeal. "Pokemon that belong to the sky and land. One of them, Rhydon, is one of the Explorers and she's been trying to make the most of this." Dondozo stared blankly as Ariel asked. "What do you guys do anyways?"

Shooter explained fast and in detail. "We explore unknown places, uncover huge mysteries, rescue any pokemon that get in too deep and bust bad guys. Rhydon is one of the Pokemon that went to look for us and got caught up in this while we managed to find Pidgeot, Flygon and a few others." Ariel was realizing the larger scope of what is at play as the Sushi fish squeaked in the mouth.

"Oi!"

Dondozo let the two out of his mouth and asked. "Bosses thought of something?" The brothers nodded. "They'll trust us." "We know how to get that back."

At that, Sora arrived with a trio of Dreepys and a slowly approaching haunt of Jellicent and the pale Corsola kin. Leon gasped. "Oh my goodness! A Galarian Corsola and a Cursola have been lost here too. That would have gotten pretty nasty if someone tripped over them."

The Corsola kin agreed as Kairi saw Sora having his eyes focused on the Dreepys playing together. "And are we seeing all three of the Dreepys over there?" The Jellicent laughed like a Baron. "Oh, ho, ho, ho! What a comradery."

Leon saw Ariel a tad confused at the different coral specimens and explained. "The Dreepys were something we've been investigating for a while. But what Corsola and Cursola have gone through is something that happened in their environment, turning their whole subspecies into undead spirits. Touching them is beyond dangerous, especially if Cursola has the ability, perish body. Which triggers the effects of Perish Song."

Just the name of Perish Song was enough for the mermaid to know that's serious business and Riku asked around. So, we're going to need to find more pokemon, any other's we're missing?"

The Tatsugiris answered as one. "Plenty. These are just some of our spots. We need to find Kingler and the ones who can travel up to the surface." They looked to Armaldo and the Grappleoct as Ariel recalled a past misadventure. "That big orange crab with the claw? I remember where he's living at." She and Starmie were about to swim off as the visiting merfolk looked to each other and the Basculin.