At a sandy ledge, splitting off to an island and a canyon. The Seafarers headed over in search of the rumored Kingler, Sora finished giving Leon a recap of what transpired in the ocean world. The youngster gasped. "Oh my goodness! You, the Guard and Ariel had an adventure together around a year ago?" Mahi Mahi grunted and turned an eye to Ariel. "Made you want to see bigger world?" Leon coiled and swam backwards, quite impressed. "At the least, we don't got to make anything up about what's been going on."

The Princess held a giggle as Sora remembered one souring complication. "But her dad, King Triton, knows about the other worlds, he said that a Keybearer brings nothing but trouble... until we went to fix the mess."

Kairi sighed and gestured to Ariel, keeping side to side. "And lately, you're face to face with the whole reason I got the seal suit, which lead to me and the Seafarers meeting." Azu jetted to catch up with Starmie. "And thus, all of this is happening." Ariel blushed proudly as Leon turned to see where he was going and confessed. "We owe you a lot." Starmie blinked and beeped. "Close! Close!"

They found an ascent splitting off into two paths, bellow is a collection of stone huts with some creatures either keeping watch or spectating a match. A blue and green Gastrodon looking to the vast sea, a blue Qwilfish, a barking Drednaw a Wimpod watching in aw of a brawl between a rugged Kingler and a black Qwilfish. Who's tail had a marking resembling a lower case q. The challenger squeaked menacingly. "You're challenge by the Black Spike of the Seas?!"

Crinoid was holding onto a slow moving Seafang, heard the aggression and rolled his eyes. "Hoo boy, a black Qwilfish." The local Qwilfish turned around in a puff. "Hey, my cousin's worked to perfect that puff, show some respect." Leon had a look at the black Qwilfish swelling and causing his spines to expand into sharp barbs. "Part Poison, part dark, a fouler temper and knows a few surprises that we're about to see."

The black Qwilfish fired a fast barrage of barbs that the Kingler braced for the venomous blow and sprinted for a high horse power swipe from his giant pincer. The fighter called off a match. "Enough, you've finally learned barb barrage." Leon explained to the bystanders. "A very potent poison move that in addition to being stronger against poisoned targets, will allow the black Qwilfish to evolve." Riku whistled. "We got one foul tempered puffer fish."

Kairi felt some studies paying off. "Some creatures down here develop ways to defend themselves from any predator that would be wanting to scoop them up in those jaws." She and Sea Fang mimic a bite. "Any who do so will often be in for something prickly and venomous. Or have so much toxins in their body that it can make a whale belly up." Leon found the tale chilling as Penumbra and Shooter looked across the make shift town. They found a Finneon playing around with the tail of a rather playful Huntail, who was distracted by a Gorebyss spinning across the town freely.

Kingler helped himself to some medicine, remedying the toxin while pointing his smaller claw at the merfolk. "Seems you lot are finally getting ye facts straighten out." He noticed Ariel and snipped his pincer at the Starmie. "This is the one you've been swimming with, ya Sea Star."

The mysterious star fish had his back spin like a propeller. "Ariel! Princess!" The girl waved to the crab. "Things are trickier than you think. I think there's a misunderstanding that my father needs to see before we can actually get started."

The blue Qwilfish puffed proudly. "They'll understand when they see that we can be strong and smart." His cousin swam by and smirked confidently. "Is there any sea beasts that need to be taught a lesson?" Kingler sighed. "That didn't work with the Tatsugiris and Dondozo?" He shook as King brought up. "That did more to make them afraid of us than anything that could help."

Riku agreed with his starter. "So lets get everyone gathered and get over there to try again." The Gastrodon turned in a squeak. "You all better try soon, some of us have wandered of and haven't returned." She turned her head upside down. "If you can find the two Basculins, Elektross and this Wishiwashi school, that would be great." The white stripped Basculin gasped as Kairi looked to the various paths. "We might have to split up."

She saw the strange canyon and headed over with her misfits, there's a calling current. Riku looked up to the island and advised. "If me and my team look up there to find any divers, that would help show what's going on at the surface. Sora, you and the Dreepy's should check to see if the missing pokemon are getting trapped by some Heartless."

Sora and the Dreepys kept on the ready as the squad leader pointed to the youngster and the local Princess. "You should go find the perfect ambassador that will explain what's been going on." Crinoid and Shooter looked to each other and asked back. "What that make us?" "We know how to pass a few good words." Azu agreed with them. "We are, but we haven't been the ones stuck here like Rhydon is. For all they'll know, we could be an escalation."

Sea Fang grunted with her. "Bad word." Leon fondled his focus and caused an aquatic ring to appear around the Kingler, soothing his puncture wounds from the barb barrage. "So, the rest of us should use the time to work out our skills until we find someone."

The three squads split off.

Sora's quite aware what a Wishiwashi is and looked around to find a tunnel at a pillar of smooth earth. He turned to the three Dreepys and warned them. "I heard enough of Wishiwashi to know, it's one fish that never really fights alone. A ton of them make a school that fights together as one."

The playful Dreepy barked. "Giant!"

Sora imagined quite the test and lead in to what looked like a grand, underground lake. Where a fight was ensuing against what looked to be a gulper fish with a dark rift for a maw. Having markings of ambition as it tried to suck a pack of washy sardines into its maw. The Wishiwashi fired shots of scales and scurried behind rocks. The Sucker Gulper wasn't quite aware as Sora took the hot blooded Dreepy and lead a dart toss, following with two others that sent the monster tilting. The boy jetted at its belly as a jet and gave a one two slash. The monster turned, came alive at the sight of the boy and fired a green burst of hot flames. Sora and the Dreepys back flipped and swam to it's side. The timid Dreepy charged for a thunder wave as the playful Dreepy unleashed an infestation, stunning the monster to where Sora and his partner had priority on the forehead.

RUSH!

They struck as one and watched it burst into dark power. The danger is adverted and the four swam together. They were being watched and at a gleam, heralded a Wishiwashi with a feminine, quiet tone. "Strong." Another swam by her to ask. "School?"

The Wishiwashi thought as Sora laughed to them. "I fight together with my friends all the time, same as you guys." He looked around to see more of the glimmer as the Wishiwashi giggled. "You want to see that power for yourself?" The two kicked up silt and disappeared. "Find us and see!"

The glimmering lights vanished in the darkness, a challenge to find the washi fish. Sora looked around as the Dreepys set off to a particular direction and jetted, whether it is by instinct or the sense of spirits. They dived into the kelp and spooked the Wishiwashi into swimming out, Sora channeled water magic and swam around the herded fish, catching them in a vortex bubble and having them gather into the center. He headed to the upper corner of the lake and used a gust of air to blow the fish out of hiding. The lead Wishiwashi yelped and puffed her cheeks, she headed over to the center of the fish school and asked. "Why did you come here, really?"

Sora had the Dreepys return to him. "Because we know those monsters are after you guys and the King around here's leaving you alone at a bad time. He needs to know about this and the only way to do it is for us to tell him together."

He tensed. "How about you show me what you are, together as one." The Wishiwashi nodded and joined the school formation, causing the form to speak as one. "We will, Dragapault boy."

The fish banded together into a single school that resembles a giant submarine composing of many blue fish. Darken all over save for a set of white brows and having glowing blue dots all across. The eyes of the many fish. A size that while lesser than Dondozo, is still mighty. The many Wishiwashi in the form formed a combined jet of water that condensed into a hydro pump. Sora and the Dreepys swam right to dodge the hydro pump blast. The boy spun his blade and launched the three Dreepys at once, making for the various sides while the giant mass of small fries spun for an aqua jet. The Wishiwashi school unleashed a barrage of mighty scales that forced the group to split off, Sora gestured to the Dreepys and had the timid one split off and call upon an infestation of insects, nibbling against the soothing aqua ring. The playful one laughed and shined a confuse ray as the hot blooded one clapped to give Sora a helping hand.

The Wishiwashi were dazed from the confuse ray and charged after Sora, shining their combined tail with iron and trying to smack him. Only to miss off course and rush straight into a wall, hurting itself to where the Wishiwashis nearly split off and wiggled to get into the mass. Sora pointed to the timid Dreepy. "Now's our chance, thunder wave and we got this!"

The Dreepy grunted, zipped to the disoriented fish and gave a jolt of electricity that caused it to stiffen. Sora tossed the other two like they're darts and invited the timid Dreepy to join. Fling! Pow! At that blow, the Wishiwashi School broke apart into a cluster of battered fish, leaving the quiet Wishiwashi dazed in defeat. Sora readied a remedy and gave them credit. "Alone, you're just a small fish in a big ocean. But together with your friends, you're a giant that doesn't go down easily."

Pulse!

The heal of the potion calmed the fish down and the leading Wishiwashi had tears in her eyes before calling her kin together into that School Form, demonstrating her power. "Together, we match many. Together we become the Demon of the Seas." Sora and the Dreepys nodded to each other, the boy insist. "That's why Triton thinks you guys can sort this problem out by yourselves. But we still need to show him what we can do if we work together to get out of this mess." He offered. "Some of my friends have to be on standby because they can't really take this much water. You want to help me show the sea what we can do?"

The Wishiwashi gave a combined cry in gratitude. "We shall, but there is one other who needs to be shown this." The school ascended to the surface, showing the three a rather narrow roof, although there is a water fall to ascend up from and a side ways creek. Sora's aware there's a secret up the island and swam his band to the creek, allowing Wishiwashi to focus on their own ascent. Sora leaped and flowed across the creek to ascend up to the island and find a hidden grotto up above, overlooking a fresh feeling lake.

With a cluster of rocks going into a hole to the sea water bellow. Leap! Out of the hole comes the Wishiwashi School, who brought attention to the inhabitants in the grotto. A Beautifly protecting sleeping Cascoon, a Masquerain helping himself to some nectar. A sandy Wormadam hanging blissfully and keeping guard is a pecking Farfetch'd that notice the new arrivals and readied his leek. "Who comes to this hidden Spring?"

The Wishiwashi intercepted in her answer. "A friend who might get you off the islands and to bigger lands. We need to talk with BD-04, is he back from his search for RDD-2O?"

The Farfetch'd tried to count the time, lost track and stared awkwardly. Just then, a shadow loomed over the hidden floral, slowly descending as a board. A purple insect with a cannon on its back, connected to a red cassette pack. The insect landed and unfolded, showing a hunched back creature with single digit talons and light red eyes. He looked to the busy Farfetch'd and reported. "Alright, I tracked down a smoke stack that wasn't there before. Every-" He noticed the Merboy and his Dreepys, turned in surprise and stopped, analyzing while intrigued. "How did one of those Sea folk find their way here?"

Wishiwashi answered for the boy. "He isn't from that Kingdom, he followed our trail and drove off those dark monsters that have been harassing us. He and his Dreepys friends managed to defeat us too." Sora's amazed by the form and spoke out on instinct.

"A Genesect?!"

The Genesect with the red drive nearly jumped to a name he hasn't heard of in years. "You know about what I am?" Sora nodded as his heart started to race. "Friends of mine told us about you. An old fossil that's been brought back and turned into some weapon by these wackos."

The Genesect hissed at an accurate statement. "We were made to be weapons, so we showed what we could do and escape to find the light beyond." He wondered if the boy knows more. "Me and the Alpha ended up stranded in this strange sea and she disappeared a couple days ago. You know anything about where she's gone off to?"

Sora shook his head and waved his arms into the water. "If I known, would I have been surprised to find you here?" The Genesect sighed. "Good point." He pressed his claws together in a request. "So, here's the deal. You four got the set of skills to beat Wishiwashi, so you got the skills to help me out. We need to know what happened to the rest of my unit."

The implications that there's more of these is a freight for another day and Sora looked out of the hole and towards the sea. "There's a whole bunch of pokemon on the islands, have you been keeping to yourself?" The Genesect tilt his head left and right. "Kind of. That Rhydon doesn't need us, but we keep an eye for any humans showing up. The Guardian of the Sea doesn't take too kindly to those."

He flew over to the creek and gave a sharp screech, calling upon the Orbeetle that was intrigued. "With that distiller in place, it won't be long until we have a renewable source of drinking." He saw the merboy, felt a familiar thought and gasped. "I zay, iz he with that girl and the Seafarers?"

Genesect found that more knowledge to use. "He didn't come here alone and he's with more who want to help. It's time to get these guys moving, I think by the time we search bellow, we'll finally set off to safer grounds." The Orbeetle nodded and had Farfetch'd get ready for flight, while Beautifly and Masquerain worked together to carry away the Cascoon. Leaving the Wormadam to glow in psychic power and float off by herself.

As the pokemon migrated, Genesect asked the merboy. "So, you know about me, your squad knows about me but do you know what I can do?" Sora laughed as the hot blooded Dreepy asked. "Gun enough of a clue?" The Genesect laughed. "Ha! Now's the question, whether or not you know to respect-" He let loose a mighty bug buzz. "THIS!"

Sora and the Dreepys back flipped out of the water and dodged the buzz before diving down. Genesect glided to the other side of the lake as the four readied for a fight. "You face off against the Burn Drive Blaster of the Genesect Squadron! Even the waters scream against my power! What can you do against that?"

Sora called upon his blade, enveloped the Dreepys in water and called back. "How about!" Fling! "This!" He tossed three Dreepys at once, the Genesect dodged two and was smacked by the third. The Genesect stared at the keyblade, downloading fast information. "Strange weapon, seems attuned to elemental energy." He charged green energy into his cannon and fired an energy ball at the boy, using it as a way to get him moving while the Dreepys retreated to him.

The Genesect charged after Sora with an iron head fist, the boy parried him away and the three Dreepys tackle in a barrage. The Genesect took one in a roll and leaped over the other two before charging a fiery orb of techno power. Blasting it out of his gun, Sora and the Dreepys glided to a rock and watch the blast make contact with the water. It steamed up as the blast made impact and exploded. The boy enveloped the Dreepys in water and tossed them again, making Genesect focus on dodging as the boy jetted out spear first.

He and the Genesect clashed before back flipping, the boy aimed with a charge of fire and shot it at the Genesect. Burst! "ARG!" The fire caused the insect to give a scream before he fell into the water as a smolder. Splash!

He was left floating, completely knocked out. Sora splashed into the water and followed with a fast healing spell, getting the Genesect back up and awake. The Paleozoic Cyborg's eyes showed a blink and he gave an impressed buzz. "Didn't think you'd be a commander yourself." He swam back to the grounds and looked to the chirping Dreepys. "Taking these small ones in and play the Dragapault."

The Wishiwashi laughed as Orbeetle followed the insects as an escort. "Glad we weren't the only ones who saw that in him." The band swam to the creek and jumped over to dive into the sea, splashing as one and watching the Genesect dive deep into a place he'd call home. The cyborg asked the boy. "So, you've over heard where I've tracked, we're heading there next?"

Sora thought about the offer. "It can help us find your friend, but maybe you and Wishiwashi could help us show that we can work together. I got others who are looking around too." Genesect looked forward to who he'll meet as Sora lead the way to the slope.

Splash.

At the same time; Riku, King and Penumbra were bobbing their heads out of the water to have view of a lush island of great trees. Kept under watch by an Alolan Exeggutor that only slightly towers the trees. By a pond going into the sea is a napping Tangela and returning from his swim was the Slowbro, who was spacing out. The three spied and found a blue flowered Floette following a rather fast sprinting Slowpoke who has a yellow cranium, yellow ears and a yellow tip of a tail. She carried a collection of twigs, each with three orange flowers and a set of leaves. At the sudden she slowed down, spaced out and started to lay down in a blank.

The Floette saw her stop and put her hand to her mouth. "Oh my. Slowpoke, you're forgetting why we went through all the trouble for these twigs? You remember what we're making?"

King was curious, swam to the island and emerged. "What's you doing?" The Floette turned and gasped in aw. "A Slowking!" She gave a bow and leaned with her flower. "We're trying to help this Slowpoke start a small clinic with this Shellder and we've agreed to search high and low for a special wreath."

The Slowbro might have heard and wandered towards the water that Riku was hiding in as Floette was quite troubled. "I'm sure Slowpoke will remember to call Shellder... eventually."

The Slowbro took a dive in and swam towards Riku and Penumbra, the Flutter Mane stared awkwardly as her partner realizes they've been spotted. The Shellder on his tail gave a slight nibble and Slowbro sighed out. "Friend?" Riku took a deep breath at the intention. "Yeah, a friend." He and Penumbra headed over to the shore, startling the faerie type who noticed the merboy. "Now I see why it took forever for a Slowking to show up. What are those locals saying down there? Are our friends hurt at all?"

King hesitated to correct the Floette. "We're not from that Kingdom. We're trying to figure out how to get in there and let them know about us."

WOOSH!

Suddenly, a Shellder came jetting from the southern water, making a desperate attempt at escape. Following was a stretched shadow, splashing half a dozen of humanoid shadows with finned claws, glowing antennae and the face of angler fish. They burst tendrils from their maw and lunged them at the desperate shellfish. Riku and Penumbra gasped and readied a fast, dazzling slash that made short work of half of them. King stepped back with a glow and fired a wide water pulse as Slowbro turned around at that glow and pointed to a side wave, making it rise as a surf and wash the three off their feet. One of the Deep Shadows dissolved and Slowpoke had a moment of clarity, perking in vigor and asking. "You're coming after Shellder?!" She tensed and breathed deep. "Get-" spew! And shot out a stream of acid. "Lost!"

A Deep One sizzled in acid and gave Riku the opening to fire a blast of purple fire, leaving behind one more that was shot away by a moonblast from Floette. The Deep One rolled, took a fast water gun from Shellder and channeled a pool of darkness before getting washed away in a high end flamethrower, blasted out by a roaring Exeggutor. "ROAR!" "Off the island!" "You'd attacked us enough!" The heartless scorched away and the dark presence faded.

Slowbro hurried to the shore and sat by the scared Shellder as the Exeggutor looked down at the vistors and growled out. "Thanks there." "We've been hearing about this mess bubbling." "We heard enough."

Riku guessed what was transpiring. "Heartless are showing up and going after the pokemon, but these look different from the ones that tried to attack Sora." He laid forward and rested his head to his right fist. "So, what are we doing with this Slowpoke here?"

Floette explained. "We're trying to help her evolve with Shellder, so they can help us. We had some seeds that this kind of Slowpoke likes and with some growth, it can grow into a plant that would make these twigs. Which we can use to make either into a cuff or a wreath."

Slowpoke was quickly losing her focus as Shellder was calming down and squeaked in caution. "Cuff, Slowpoke becomes quicker. Wreath...I become smarter." Slowking felt his crown bite down in concern and asked confused. "You get smarter?"

Riku looked to his starter and back to the Shellder. "Not the Slowpoke?" The shellfish hopped. "Slowpoke's head has spices. It grows me as it does her. She gives me the power." Slowpoke had another moment of focus. "My power and blood is mixed with Shellder's venom. We reach a higher potential that way." It made some sense to the boy. "I've heard that unlike King, you've grown up eating special spices that sometimes triggers in your brain and make you focus for a moment. You came to Shellder first, to become that Slowking?"

Penumbra nodded. "Has to be more to it for the agreement to be needed. But they trust each other to see it done."

She asked the two. "We could use some help down there. To keep some glimmer down in the depths of the sea. Would you lend us some if we allow this?" Shellder's heart raced as Slowpoke had another moment of focus and nodded, Riku remembered his hand in crafting a boat and crawled to the twigs. "Let me see those."

He was allowed to take the twigs and assemble them into a wreath that would fit on the Slowpokes head. King watched, sat down and suggested to his partner. "What ever comes out of this, it was going to happen until those monsters tried to put a stop to that." Riku agreed as he was careful to tie the twigs together. "So they don't want them to evolve together. Let's make this happen and make sure they don't interfere."

It wasn't long until he finished making the wreath, a rather fulfilling craft that Slowpoke was eager to wear. Riku placed it on the dopey pokemon that was blushing and giving a small dance. Shellder felt her instincts taking over and she jumped for a bite on the head. The two glowed as one and took on changes similar to King, only the crown mutated to look much bigger, the tuff appeared longer and the Slowpoke's head tilted forward.

Pew!

In place is a strange union, the Shellder crown was grayish purple, save for the horns and what is covering the Slowpokes face, which is dark purple. The crown had a green gem at the forehead of the face and the Shellder grew a set of eyes with black lashes.

The Slowpokes shoulders, head and chest was purple, her tuff was two shades of purple and the tip of her tail was purple. The Slowking spoke with a different tone of voice. "Ah, that went better. You know, I was surprised that Slowpoke wished to have a wreath made. It would have simpler to take the cuff, take the path of a Slowbro and make me into her hand cannon."

A certain word caused Riku to crawl back in shock. "Wait, wait! What did you do?! Is Slowpoke still there?" The Slowking tapped the body on the shoulder. "Very much so, as of now, she is experiencing a never ending dream. I make use of her latent power as she thinks with me."

The Slowpoke muttered something softly. "He's frightened by this." The Crown blinked at the mutter, saw the terror in Riku's eyes and stepped back. "Oh...oh my." She wasn't sure on what to say. "Regardless... our power has reached ten fold and my toxins can be of more use. Now, about the monsters that are trying to ruin our..." She looked to the smaller than desired island. "lovely home." The two's voices spoke as one, even if Slowpoke's end is a mumble. "What are they wanting from us?! We're already in enough trouble, just trying to survive."

Penumbra was quick to get over her shock and spoke for her partner. "Something vile, detestable and very much something Riku has experienced first hand." She growled. "It simply will not do."

The toxic Slowking agreed and asked King, who was in a zen. "You seem to have a stronger sync with your power, how has that potential come to be?" King looked to Riku and tried to shake him back to reality. "He's guided me along since I was a Slowpoke and when I evolved with this Shellder. It wasn't long between the two moments for me to tell you more."

The Toxic Slowking pressed her hands together, impressed that Riku's guidance reached a feat. "Perhaps, but it matters not once you bond with the Shellder." She gave a light bow to Riku. "Edged one, I need more time in preparations before I can set shop up here for my friends. Until then, what are we to do?"

The boy realized he's being asked, listened to what was shared between the two Slowkings and gasped to a solution. "That's it. King and I can provide what we need for the locals to know what we can all do together." The idea was something he was grateful for and he calmed down. "If I've bothered studying you from this log, I wouldn't have went along with this. I've... been dumb enough to let something like a Shellder bite down around here." He pointed to his heart. "And it didn't saw me as anything more than a puppet. So seeing this doesn't go well with me."

The Toxic Slowking had a laugh at the description, until she heard the part of Riku being used, abused and likely having no say in anything. "O...When you realized you've made that mistake, you're seeing yourself doing things that you've would have never agreed with?" The Slowpoke muttered. "Far more terrible than he wishes to remember. Brought to places we'd see in our nightmares."

The Crown grew nervous, looked to her kin and tried to calm down. "Slowpokes are slow witted, but given motive, they can think faster and let out their potential." She pointed to Slowbro. "Whether it is a point of focus as you see from constantly having my brother biting down on Slowbro's tail." Then to King. "Or awakening that power themselves, to where the psychic focus would be more prominent." She confessed. "That kind of duplicity and misuse, would only cost me a host in the long run and the host far worse off than if they'd gone about it another way." Slowpoke muttered to her crown. "We want to help others, you and me." The Slowking blushed as Riku felt the crown didn't have ill intent. "It's just nature at work. Had Slowpoke took the cuff, I'm guessing things would get one sided for you instead. But you decided that a Slowking could be a bigger help for these guys." He looked to the local grass types and the faerie. The Toxic Slowking confessed. "They're the entire reason we've under went this pact. You have a better solution than making shelter, you know where we should go next?"

Riku nodded as Slowbro went to diving in the water. "If you can handle water as well as a Slowpoke, you can come along." He waved the others. "The rest of you stay put until we can get help. Okay?" Floette nodded as the Exeggutor grunted as one. "Good luck!"

The band dived into the water and headed back to the Slope. Only to have another ambush by a dozen Deep Shadows, who sprouted impaler tentacles as a way to get a shot at Riku. The boy dodged effortlessly and slashed at three fast as Penumbra sneaked by him and fired a shadow ball. Slowbro calmed his mind as King focused on the farthest Deep Shadow and gave a glow of psychic power.

The Toxic Slowking thought of a nasty plot in her chant as Riku and Penumbra finished three and made for another three that tried to crawl at them in high speeds. King and Slowbro washed over the third wave with water pulse and surf as the Toxic Slowking chanted an eerie spell at the second farthest and blasted it away in an eerie spell. Riku and Penumbra kept moving from a bombardment of sharp spikes and swallowed their foes in fire and lightning. Giving King an idea as his target was blasted away in a one shot future sight, he set to the other and focus a heat in his core before firing a scalding blast at the sole Deep Shadow. It was left in a burn as the Toxic Slowking shined her gem and fired a finishing beam.

The battle was over and the band kept moving in watch, the Toxic Slowking skipped toed and asked King. "Learned scald on your own?" The Slowking thought about his decision. "If enough heat could last down here, then maybe if I bring the fire where the water won't snuff it out, I can use a blast of hotter water."

Riku heard that. "That could be useful," He asked the other Slowking. "I don't suppose you can do better with those toxins you got? Do ya?" The Toxic Slowking crossed her arms and the crown gasped to an idea, spewing a green goop from her horns while the host channeled them to her hand, making a orb of a sludge bomb to toss. Poof! She had another plot in mind for later as Riku was impressed. "So that venom really has done something to you, if you're producing a toxin that's coming out of the horns."

The Toxic Slowking laughed to the boy. "But of course, we adopt the rare union of psychic power and deadly poisons. Much as the Slowbro we speak of." She kept behind the Slowbro as Riku wondered what else she would plot.

At the Canyon.

The ladies and the youngster watched Starmie jet ahead and get blown back by the strong push of the current. Ariel watched her partner spin backwards as she was concern for the cause. "It's normally not this strong. It hasn't started up this badly since a few days ago."

Which means, there's something or someone at the other end of the course. Azu gasped and clapped to an insane idea. "Well, there's only one way to check it out, we got to swim against the current."

Sea Fang grunted and charged up his speed boost as Kairi held on to his fin and kept Basculin in an arm. Leon shined his keystone with Mahi Mahi. "An excellent idea, we need speed and power to muscle our way through. Kairi, Starmie, are you feeling it?"

The Princess called her blade and had the highest flower shine a keystone. "Shooter, Iceberg, just use your shot to guide you while we steer. Starmie, can you rapid spin and use your psychic power to let them know ahead of time?"

The starfish readied it's back like it's a propeller.

"Yup! Yup!"

The trainers shined their keystones and cause the two water types to transform into their mega form. Ariel was amazed at the change as Leon invited her to hold onto the mudfish with him. With speed boost, swift swim a rapid spin, there shouldn't be many complications pushing through. The band readied as Leon counted down. "Three... two... one..." He aimed. "Jet!"

The Cradily and Princesses held on as the mega pokemon gave a rush, Azu jetted with Starmie while Shooter and Iceberg fired water to propel. Pushing through the current like it was mere air, even the stragglers were given direction with Starmie's mental blink. They zipped across various directions until they saw a slope going down into a cave, a mighty wave shot out and knocked the band out of their rides. They regained balance and felt the force dying down from a disruption of power. A deep, feminine voice echo'd. "You finally have the audacity to challenge the current I've made?"

The band's vision returned to show an old age looking blue crowned sea horse. Leon gasped. "A Kingdra?!" The Kingdra has a small scar, lifting her head upwards and commanding that her presence is known.

Kairi let Basculin get off and approached the dragon. ""What are you doing with this current?" The Kingdra hmphed and closed her eyes calmly. To keep you intruders away from my domain. You've challenge the Dragon of the Sea and I've answered."

The Princess felt a fast idea and looked to Iceberg for a request. "Well, we got nowhere else to head to right now. Think we can handle her?" The Iron Bundle nodded and kicked his feet to battle as the Kingdra wiggled her back fin to build up a swift swim.

Kairi let loose a crackle and aimed her blade downward. "Terrain!"

Pulse!

Electricity rushed through and caused the Bundle to feel his quark drive activate, he beeped. "Speed, maximized!" He jetted fast as the Kingdra swam side ways and charged draconic energy in her tube of a mouth. The Bundle dodged the dragon pulse and unleashed a blast of freeze dry, Kingdra jetted away and spun fast, rushing at Kairi with the speed of a water fall. The Princess flowed away and intercepted for a fast clash, impressing the Kingdra before Iceberg tried again with freeze dry and connecting. The dragon was frozen in place by the ice and collapsed as the ice cracked, knocked out in an instant. The battle was won and the rest of the band had a peak of what Kingdra was guarding. It was a cave going down into the darkness, where little light shined. Sea Fang kept himself at a calm and turned to bark. "That your den?"

The Kingdra got up with a stubborn growl and breathed out. "Yes, it is. What do you have to gain from intruding?" Ariel explained to the sea dragon. "I know you'd like to fight your own battles, but you guys need help and we're not doing anything about it. We need to show who you are to my father if anything can be done."

The Kingdra was surprised for a moment and her eyes shifted to Starmie giving a blink, a signal that the mermaid can be trusted. She grew somber and decided. "Fine, we'll hear what you have to say about this."

As she was deciding, Leon looked down into the darkness and squinted his eyes, a glimmer of silver shined, showing hints of something massive. He nearly gasped and kept quiet out of respect before turning and pretending he never saw anything. The band headed back through the canyon and not long, the shadows began to slither. Kairi felt it in her sense and turned to find a Deep Shadow bursting in a cloud, setting an ambush. It would have been a concern, had it not been for Mahi Mahi tossing a rock slide at half of the pack, with Sea Fang rushing at the other as a berzerker. Starmie ascended in a blink.

"Monsters! Monsters!"

It fired a fast hydro pump at the pack blocking ahead and gave Basculin an opening for a rather mighty wave crash, Leon turned to find a back attacking pack and pressed his hands together to make an orb of heat. He fired out a scalding blast, with Kairi and Ariel swimming together in a spin and rushing as a torpedo.

At the Slope

Riku was left impressed at Sora's choice of companion, the mighty Wishiwashi school and the analyzing Genesect are quite the finds. The Toxic Slowking spoke out. "Seems this one has gone places if he's able to reach out to you."

The Genesect nodded in agreement. "As the other if you've joined up on your own. Anyone who calls themselves a King has got to have an ego." King tapped his foot in offense as a distant voice spoke out. "Oh my!"

The boys and the Kingler turned to see Leon, the Princess and a band of powered down pokemon that had a hearty fight. Leon and Ariel swam close to study the Genesect, the youngster asked. "This kind of pokemon is actually out here?" Sora nodded. "Yeah. Genesect is thinking that something's going on, so we need to let Triton know about this as soon as possible."

Kairi joined in and showed a more impressed Kingdra. "We found this strong girl making a current strong enough to repel anyone who comes close." The dragon looked around as a respectful figure head and announced. "It's finally time to put an end to this stand still. The most our efforts would do is buy us time before greater needs arise. A decision must be made for all of us." Kingler bubbled astonished. "So says you? Lady Kingdra?" The Kingdra nodded like a queen. "The Pokemon who are meant for the land are cramped and some of us are disappearing. Both will come back to haunt this Kingdom if we don't do something." That is agreed upon and the pokemon of the slope got ready for a trip back to the Coral Reef, where Dondozo and the Tatsugiri brothers were talking with the Baron that proposed with them. "If they respect strength" "then they need to see an example."

The Jellicent saw the band returning with a school and gasped. The sushi fish turned with some shock and kept by the Dondozo. Kingdra gave the school a look and announced. "We're to take this to the Kingdom and let them hear our pleas, are there any objections?"

The Curly Fish squeaked. "Oi! Yes!" The Stretchy One perched on the tongue of a confused Dondozo. "We lose our fought land if we go there." They called to Dondozo. "Back to the ship!"

The catfish obeyed without much thought, leaving the band quite confused. The merfolk and their partners looked to each other and gave chase to the clearing of the kelp, finding Dondozo turning as the Stretchy Fish swam out of the Dondozo's mouth. Ariel and Kairi approached forward, with the annoyed Kingdra, Clawitzer and a confused Starmie, the dragon asked. "What is the meaning of this?"

The Dondozo rumbled deeply. "We won this spot! All of it!" The Tatsugiri agreed with him. "Through thinking." "Timing." "And the Dondozo!" The Curly Fish took command. "We no going." As the Stretchy Fish kept to the side. "Unless you make us!"

The Dondozo flared an aura of power and roared, Leon cringed. "Hoo boy!" Sora asked confused. "Hoo boy? One of those sushi's swam into the big guys mouth, what does that do?" Leon explained fast. "They're using their ability, Commander, to give Dondozo a focus. Increasing his potential in all fronts... by a lot. The other fish is keeping to the side as a powerful special attacker that's going to support Dondozo even further!"

The Kingdra puffed her cheeks as Kairi recalled the Sea Dragons speed and asked. "Kingdra, you got a way to handle this boost?" The dragon nodded and the Princess of Heart commanded. "Use that as soon as possible!" As the Dondozo readied for the first move, Kingdra rushed over to him and fired a glob of clear smog, making the aura die down.

The Dondozo growled and stuck out his tongue, letting the Curly fish join in a call. "Order up, attack boost!" Kingdra took the blow as the Stretchy fish hissed. "No one gets rid of boost!"

He fired a fast dragon pulse as Starmie flew in the way to take the blow and counter with a psyshock barrage. The Stretchy fish back flipped as Dondozo slammed his belly on the starfish, he readied an earthquake as Kairi ordered. "Crinoid, get him with Giga drain!"

The barnacle inhaled for a fast drain as Starmie crackled in lightning and used the shock to make the catfish tilt back, the Curly fish swam out in a panic. "Oh nos!" He glared and raised his flippers to the sky. "You go now!"

Suddenly, meteors rain from the sky and smashed the Starmie for a finishing blow. The Stretchy fish protected himself from Kingdra's second dragon pulse as his brother spun fast for a rapid spin. "You strong, but we're smarter!" Kairi called. "Crinoid, switch out for Shooter!"

The Barnacle wiggled away as Shooter swam into position and aimed, forming draconic energy. The Stretchy fish gasped and intercepted for a fast dragon pulse, Shooter took the blast and fired his own from his mega launcher.

POW!

The Stretchy fish was sent flying as the Curly Fish rained down meteors at the Kingdra that back flipped away and fired a dragon pulse. The orange fish saw his brother was passing out and growled before getting shot away by an aura sphere from Shooter, putting an end to the brawl. The battle was won and Shooter approached to lecture them, the Tatsugiri came through and swam together, raising their fins up and waved. "Wait!" "We surrender." The Clawtizer blinked and raised his tone. "After that?! What are you even doing? Why?"

King joined in to ask. "It really doesn't make a whole lot of sense with how they acted with us before." Riku followed, having seen enough. "Hold it!"

He looked around to find the remains of the infamous shark, then realized something. "These guys were the biggest, scariest fish around. They've caused a few scenes with the locals and are the reason no one wanted to risk coming here." Crinoid followed and realized. "But... since we've beaten them, they're not the big fish anymore. They'll behave, knowing that we're in charge."

The Tatsugiris were found out and bubbled as one. "Oi!" "We're not the biggest ones anymore." Dondozo pouted as Kingdra realized they got bamboozled moments ago and asked. "So when we go there to show our achievement, no one will doubt it?" She laughed rather heartily. "Ha! You two really are smart ones." She turned. "So, let's get back and hurry this along."

The fish returned to the reef, show casing the results of a finished battle and headed over to the Kingdom of Atlantica without much worry. The local merfolk were minding their own business when they saw the menagerie arrive, astonished by the familiar shapes and intrigued. Dondozo had bruises to be shown and the Tatsugiri brothers were held in Ariel's arms, the Princess headed over to the palace and as she was at the gate, she was stopped by two sword fishes. "Halt!" "All outsiders are forbidden from entering the Palace on any circumstances."

Ariel gave the two a firm stare in authority. "Guys, we're fine now. These trouble makers and the Dondozo aren't going to make another scene if they know what's good for them." King approached calmly and joined her in the request. "It's pretty important that we talk with the King about this. This is just going to be a disaster if you keep this up."

Kingdra swam close and was about to saw something as a voice called to his guard. "That's more than enough." The travelers looked to the gave, where a muscular merkin with a long gray beard, a crown and a trident approached. By him was a small red crab and a yellow fish that was quite worried. Starmie hovered and blinked awkwardly, earning the annoyance of the King. "You again?" He saw a familiar boy and looked content. "Seems you've brought more company to these lands again, Sora."

The spikey haired boy smiled nervously. "What can we say, Triton. When trouble comes swimming, we're often close by." Triton guided the band to the throne room, willing to listen. It was half an hour as Ariel and King explained everything. "It's a mess on the surface and across the sea." Triton was feeling a head ache as King finished. "A lot of us don't even know where we are and we're needing to find a place to go."

The King groaned. "Ariel, why did you bring this Starmie into the palace in the first place? You've seen the kind of destruction they can cause if provoked!" Ariel protested. "Daddy, you know these guys need our help!" The King sighed. "They do need aid, but we don't know anything about them besides the clear fact that they can fight and win their own battles."

He pointed to Sora. "Not too long after they've appeared and caused trouble, you've appeared to escort them away from that danger." That was a striking truth and Leon spoke in the pokemon's defense. "We could handle that easily. But we need to find every last Pokemon in this part of the sea before we can just leave. They can provide quite the partners."

Triton rolled his eyes. "By fighting alongside them or even directing them towards managing their power?" Leon nodded eagerly. "Back where I come from, Pokemon trainers battle each other as a way to get stronger with their partners." The King put a hand to his own face, knowing what that could bring. "The last thing we need is a blood sport in a place that isn't suited for it." The youngster froze, his suggestion was completely shot down as Kingdra swam by the King and spoke for him. "And that's not even the greatest danger we would pose."

Triton tried to hide his regret. "Time and time again, when word of a great power is spoken. Those with ill will in their hearts would come to tear apart everything to obtain it. Kingdoms have fallen because of that." He focused on the odd bug of the bunch, the Genesect. "Some of you look like you've been built for war itself." The cyborg gasped and screamed out. "Hey we didn't decide to have a gun built on our backs!" He turned to his kin. "As helpful as they are."

Leon cringed at a very precise point. "Sadly, Genesect is only a byproduct of those schemes and he isn't the only one. Some of the worst people you can imagine have tried to break apart that connection between Trainer and Pokemon, just to warp the system to their own ends of domination. So I can imagine why you wouldn't want these guys sticking around. As soon as someone gets the idea to force a pokemon to attack people..." He shook his head and looked angry with both Genesect and the King who agreed back. "That is precisely what I mean. It does seem that you've all are handling this situation well." He breathed out. "So our visitors can use the city for shelter. But only until every last one of them accounted for."

That caused the pokemon in hearing to be quite surprised and somewhat pleased. The King focused on his daughter. "Ariel, one of these days you need to learn about how dangerous the world can be. When even your friends are aware of them." He advised. "You should go investigate the missing pokemon and let the surface dwellers know that help is happening."

Genesect was on that notion. "Yeah. My pack mate could be in a whole lot of it the longer we're wasting time." He swam off in a hurry, with Azu and the Seafarers following, the Keybearers and Youngster followed with their partners, leaving Ariel quite miffed. She was ready to leave with Starmie as her father spoke out. "Ariel, you know that people from the Land, Sea and Sky are never meant to stay together. When something, or someone forces ideas that don't belong in another world, all manner of chaos will be wrought."

The word Chaos caused the Princess to be shaken to the core, some matter of that has a truth in where all the conflict has lead to. She breathed out silently and was more determined to set things right, she swam off with her partner as the bystander pokemon made their way out and got ready to settle down. Leaving Kingdra alone with Triton, the dragon turned to suggest. "They all mean well and if things go about it their way, we'll be long gone before evils from their world and from ours come looking."

Triton nodded, sharing that sorrow. "That, the Guardian of the Sea has known too well." Kingdra closed her eyes calmly. "The girl will understand this one day as well. Their hearts are determined enough to see this through."

At a hidden hide out out too far from the city.

Kingler, the Baron, Drednaw, the black Qwilfish, Genesect, the Wishiwashi School and the Corsola kin were keeping watch as the band were in a cove of a collection. Ariel curled up in a pout as Kairi pat her on the back. "Looks like we don't have much of a choice like we did before. We'll work about capturing them later."

Sora crossed his arms at the painful detail. "The pokemon that travel the sea fit right in." Riku agreed with him and had to explain the bitter truth. "Which is exactly why someone's looking for them. Those heartless aren't just showing up on their own. We need to find the source as soon as possible." Leon hmmed and swam out with Mahi Mahi, bringing Sora's attention, the spikey haired boy felt something odd. "Thinking about what we're dealing with?"

Leon turned and nodded. "Yeah, There's something we're just not finding that connects everything together. How much does Triton know about other worlds? Enough to know the kind of ugliness that's out there?"

Kairi and Riku swam out, prompting Ariel to eventually emerge for a listening, Sora felt something was suspicious. "He knows that a Keybearer goofing off is a door way to disaster. It kind of feels like he's talked with Kingdra before and was able to figure out the problems that come from your world." He gasped. "Wait, is Kingdra the Guardian that the Wishiwashi's are talking about?"

The School gasped and laughed as Leon shook his head. "No, buuuut-" He slithered over to Kairi and the Seafarers. "Hey, have any of you heard about the The Guardian of the Sea?" Crinoid nodded. "We know of the legend and that Kingdra's acting a little too high and mighty to be typical dragon stuff."

Kairi gasped. "Wait, is she posing as that to fool the locals?" The Seafarers nodded as Leon saw Ariel wasn't in much of a mood, Azu put together how that plot worked. "If you go around saying your someone important, everyone will find out that you're not real quickly. But if you back up that claim, you won't even have to say anything. And believe me, Kingdra's can make themselves known when they want to."

Leon readied his tail fin like it's a stylish fan and closed his eyes in a zen. "That they do. Ariel, there's a story you need to hear." The Princess saw the boy posing like a calm sage and sat on a rock to listen, Leon focused as Mahi Mahi gave a light tap and rose two pillars. "Once upon a time, in a distant land of Johto, there were two towers that stood across the region. A Tower of Brass and a Tower of Tin." He directed Starmie for the other, the psychic took it as the que to swim over and shine like a sun with prism rays. "As some of you have known, the Tin Tower is the roost of the Sacred Bird of the Sky. Ho-oh."

Kairi gasped and joined along, using a flashing glow of electrical looking power to make the other topple down. "But the other tower, the one of Brass, was struck down by lightning and burned." Leon continued as Starmie had the dust take the form of three familiar beasts. "Three pokemon perished in the fire and Ho-oh granted them another life as the Three Beasts." He swam to the broken tower and channeled a shine of light, having it bend take the shape a dragon like bird with hand like wings. "The Brass Tower was the home of the other bird. Who is said to calm down the forces of nature," The Destiny Trio joined in to display a showing of ice, lightning and fire. "Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. The birds of Ice, Lightning and Fire." The trio had the elements clash into havoc. "Someone has to bring harmony to the elements that make up the world. Someone who can calm the storm shakes apart the seas." water burst to quell the fighting and Leon had it shift into a whirlpool. "That sacred bird, took refuge in an island of whirlpools. Where few dare to tread." Ariel gasped and realized. "Kingdra was causing the current as a way to look the part?"

Leon relaxed. "Indeed. On behalf of someone who wants the fighting to be quelled. In hope that these worlds can leave each other be. We can do that and maybe show that we both want harmony to return." Kairi swam by him and brought about a shine if silver, Leon chanted with a strange passion of tears. "The true Guardian of the Sea, watching the world from bellow the waves." Kairi focused to bring about the silhouette of the great bird as Leon speaketh the name.

"Lugia."

He and the Princess of Heart gave a gracious bow to their audience, the Baron clapped in delight. "Oh, ho, ho, ho! Such reverence." Azu tensed and was ready to swim to the surface. "That's makes sense. We need to find Rhydon, she needs to know." She swam up as Kairi was ready to take off with her. "You all stay here, we've figured out something big." Woosh! The Seafarers looked to each other and to the ones who've never met a Lugia, unaware that they're being watched. In the shadows were two phantoms, sharing a glowing eye.

Peering from their vision, in a dark lair, was a particular cephalopod sea witch that pressed her hands together. Just seeing the end of the show and the two ladies ascending, with Ariel and the band of Seafarers following regardless. Ursula observed Leon hurrying with them and schemed. "Well, well. Look who the current brought in."

By her was a blank staring Eelektross who has a hypnotic shine in his eyes. He was given a finger scratch under his chin as the witch with an identically shining shell broach thought. "Had they've come sooner, I'd be worried. This little mishap couldn't have happened to a better place than this sea." She laughed in the presence of a Stunfisk waiting in the sand, two placid basculins of a red stripe and a blue stripe. All on guard of an enthralled red Genesect with light blue eyes and a blue cassette drive in her blaster. She brought out a purple meteor with red linings. "That precious Guardian of the Sea is just what I need to give ol' Triton what's been coming to him." She whispered to her spies. "Flotsam, Jetsam, keep hiding and see where they're going."

As the eels readied to sneak, a shadow loomed, they turned to find Jellicent staring down at them with red glowing eyes, scaring them into a retreat. Even the observer was startled and realized information won't be easy to obtain.