The city was a mess. Natsu could smell it miles away. So many Pokémon scrambled around in a frenzy that it seemed more like a pandemic was happening. In a sense, it was.

"This way!" The Fire Dragon Slayer sniffed the air, smelling more whiffs from the alley opening on his left further up ahead. Instead of slowing down to turn into the alley, he flipped to the adjacent wall and made his feet explode in flames, propelling him into the narrow passage, as well as leave a dense crater of cindered brick on the wall. He barreled down the alley until he got to the edge of the passage. What he saw made his eyes widen in shock and gasped.

Pokémon. As far as the eye could see; all of them sported some kind of wear on them reminiscent to humans. From sweatbands, to open vests, to some even wearing pants. He watched as a Hariyama was trudging through with humungous pants that he wasn't sure Droy could fit into. Even the Pokémon that flew above the streets had some form of safety vests on them for traffic control.

One of them was a Fletchinder, who had a small headset with a small voice-amplification lacrima attached to it. "Attention! Everyone, please remain calm! Please follow your nearest officers to guide you to the designated non-hazardous stations!" He shouted, making an echo as though speakers were in the surrounding area.

However, when the sounds of rumblings echoed from the stadium several blocks away, many Pokémon's hearts pulsed, making them jump in fear and rush further away.

Natsu observed the carnage from left to right, knowing well what was going on. "Damn, looks like Nic wasn't kidding when he said he'd cause a panic alright."

"There you are!" Behind him, labored pants came from Charmeleon as he was followed by Tyrunt and Darumaka.

"T-Tyrunt needs a minute-gngh!" Tyrunt yelped when he was bumped brashly by Darumaka from behind. "Hey, watch it!"

"Whoops! Sorry! Feeling my mojo on fire with all this running around." Darumaka explained.

Tyrunt bit the air between them, making Darumaka take a step back. Unlike the fire in his belly, Tyrunt was in no mood to be tampered with.

"Sssh! Quiet, you two!" Charmeleon hushed them. He turned to look at the streets with awe. "Woah…you serious?"

"Yeah, you know it." Natsu responded. "Looks like they're just experiencing the end of the world or something. Really, it's not that bad when you think about it."

Charmeleon turned and frowned. "You can say that because you've broken worse things than entire colosseums."

"Hey, not my fault those walls aren't sturdy enough. Wait…" He turned to Charmeleon, furrowing his brow. "Are you still upset about that whole sewer job? Like I'd know the canals were right there, alright!"

"That's not the problem right now…" Charmeleon groaned. Though really if he was being honest, he would have preferred it if Natsu was slightly more mindful or considerate of others. Though, he also had enough awareness to know that there was a border between common sense and idiocy. And Natsu sat on that line, though slightly leaning towards the latter. "Look, the point is, we've made it to the city, but where do we go from here? Any ideas?"

Natsu hummed. There could have been numerous ways that they could go about it. There was already enough panic as it was. They just needed to shut down the factory that made Human Cubes and breach the palace. Sounded simple enough, right?

Then he remembered how that some of these Pokémon were also possibly carrying Human Cubes, filled with mages that had collars on them. If they had spare cubes on them, they'd be at risk being caught and end up in a similar situation Nic and Erza were in. And being pacified was not something that sat well in his gut.

"Eh? Salamander, that you?"

With him so lost in thought, he almost missed the familiar voice that came from behind. He turned around, recognizing Gajeel, Pantherlily, Elfman, and Happy. "You guys!" He gasped.

"Natsu!" Happy glided over towards him with comedic tears running down his face. "Where've you been, buddy!? It was so scary without you!" He whined as he nuzzled him.

Natsu smiled as he rubbed his head. "Hey, c'mon pal, it's alright, see?" He gestured to his body. "I'm fine. What, you get paralyzed again or something?"

Happy grew flustered. "Hey! Don't bring that up!"

"Looks like you made it in just fine." Gajeel spoke matter-of-factly. "Guess we didn't have to worry about you after all."

"Not for long, it seems." Pantherlily interjected as he looked out at the panicking streets. "If we stick out longer than this, we'll be exposed."

"But, isn't that kinda the point? I mean it's a mess anyways. Don't you think they'll be more focused on keeping the public in check?" Happy pointed out.

"They also got those cubes on them. Pretty sure Luminous made it clear that we've gotta shut those down as soon as possible." Gajeel pointed out.

Elfman nodded in agreement. "He's right. We should be real men, and try to divert them away from the others instead. Give them something to really focus on."

Gajeel turned towards him, raising a brow. "You don't say…huh?" He blinked. "Hey now…"

Noticing his fellow Dragon Slayer's change in tone, Natsu raised his own brow. "Alright, spill it. What're you up to in that metal head of yours?"

"Tyrunt wanna know now! Tyrunt starting to get antsy!" Tyrunt complained, stomping his heel into the ground repeatedly.

"There was an alley not far from here that we passed by. Looked like the end of it had a lot of crowded Pokémon gathered. I had to bet, that had to have been a 'safe zone' they've been talking about."

Pantherlily spared a glance of realization. "You're not suggesting…"

Even Elfman looked like he was catching on. He balled his fists, steeling himself for the insinuation.

"I was thinking. The others might be around, and these officers are a pain. I'm sure there'll be plenty at these safe zones." A smirk crossed Gajeel's face. "What do say, Salamander, you in or what?"

Natsu blinked, registering what Gajeel was implying. It didn't take long before the epiphany shot like a bullet train right above his head. A wave of eagerness overwhelmed Natsu's psyche as he was barely containing his flames. He knew well enough that doing so would alert certain Pokémon who could have been attracted to heat or had sharp eyes like he did.

When he looked down at his Pokémon, they all looked readily at him with nods of understanding. It was a no-brainer to him. He grinned enthusiastically at his guildmates with pride. He knew they'd follow him if that was his command.

"Like you had to ask." He rammed his hand into his open palm. "Point the way! Let's go, guys!"

"Right!" Charmeleon, Darumaka, and Tyrunt all cheered.

The small group raced back through the alleyway towards the nearest safe zone Gajeel mentioned. All while the officers were blowing whistles and minding the streets, not minding the bodies and small tail flame fading in the shadows.

On another avenue several blocks farther inwards, many Pokémon were scrambling for these so-called 'safe zones' that were marked by large orange signs, for safety purposes. The hundreds of populaces were gradually finding themselves following most of the bandwagon and followed the signs posted at the edge of streets that were blocked off by large white and orange striped barricades.

"Everyone, please direct your attention and follow the signs posted on your left. Please follow and orderly file towards the nearest safe zone marked. Thank you." An Electrode officer voiced, its uniform being nothing but metal straps to help keep its badges and identification close.

Fortunately for it, the public's exodus led to them following the large-scale avenue around the corner into smaller ones. With their anxiousness, they were only focused on what lied ahead rather than what was around them. That included their own feet.

As a Kangaskhan was hauling her young in her pouch, she was oblivious to how black her shadow was. The young looked down at the ground as she noticed the black shadow for a second before it suddenly pulled away to the connecting shadow of a Tangela.

"Huh? Mommy? Do our shadows get darker like that?" she asked.

"Not right now, dear. We need to keep up, otherwise they'll run out of room in the shelter for us by the time we get there!" The mother Kangaskhan quickened her pace, trying to get further ahead of the pack.

"O-Okay…" The child sheepishly snuck back into her pouch. She looked back down at the ground, seeing the shadow get darker as it linked and snuck to other shadows further away. Unfortunately for her, her curiosity would never hear the end of this mystery.

Meanwhile, the populace continued roaming as the shadow snaked and hastily jumped from one shadow host to another. It continued slithering its course until its nearest host was near an abandoned alley. The darkened shadow thinned out and quickly shot into the alley's darkness away from the populace.

Once it had cleared far away enough out of any perceptive eyes in the crowd, the shadow made a small pool, with Nic slowly emerging head-first into the open in his Spooky Form. Sure, perhaps simply teleporting back into the city limits would have sufficed, but then it would have been a drag if he overlooked anything along the way.

No sense in being too careful. Better safe than sorry.

'They were all moving in a panic from how hastily everything was put together. Looks like they don't have a sense of security.' To an extent, that's what Nic wanted. The lack of security was a key to one's mental stability. If they were unstable, they'd easily overlook something and become narrow-minded. That was warfare 101. 'Looks like they were also blocking off certain roads to file the citizens to compact areas.'

In his hindsight, his sixth sense felt a shadow descend sharply from above. Just by looking at it, he knew that it was avian based. That's when he eased himself and looked up at Staraptor descending to his side, Junior holding onto her feathered back.

"I figured you'd be around here." Staraptor chimed. "It wasn't easy to keep track of you."

Nic flashed a mild grin. "If I did, it'd mean I'd be too obvious, wouldn't it?"

Staraptor countered with a snicker of her own. "That's fair."

"Cooo…" Junior cooed softly as he looked between Nic and Staraptor, his yellow eyes wide as he saw the two communicating without any issues. His cheeks puffed out in a pout as he huffed. He was starting to feel restless as he beat his mother figure's back with subtle taps.

"Junior, not now. Hush." Staraptor shooshed her child, making Junior stop his pouts. Though he didn't seem completely pacified, Junior was conscious enough to simmer his fidgeting.

Suddenly appearing out of thin air behind them, Nic and Staraptor glanced behind just as Mest and Kirlia teleported out of the blue. "Looks like you guys made it. That figures." Mest mused.

Nic remained unfazed by his sudden appearance. "Were you able to get in without drawing attention?"

Mest nodded. "Yeah, Kirlia and I got here earlier than expected. We were really looking around to find you and the others so we can regroup."

"I see. What about Natsu? Pretty sure with his sense of hearing and smell, it's more likely he'll find you than him."

Mest shook his head. He wasn't going to try and deny Nic's statement about those facts, especially when they might be proven right. "He doesn't stay in one place for very wrong. If he's found others, they must be following his lead as well trying to keep up. That is, if he and the others were able to get past those other rogue Pokémon from before."

Nic grimaced at the notion. To a degree, he and Mest were most likely the ones who got off easy. Unlike the others, they were able to teleport and/or use evasive means to get by the Apostles. Sure he could have teleported all of them at once back into the city, but traveling so in a large group would undoubtedly bring way too much attention. At least this way they had the element of surprise.

But even so, after the initial counter with the Apostles, he vaguely wondered how the others would adapt to such opponents. He didn't doubt them per se, but more like he was concerned with their well-beings.

As he mulled, he picked up the sounds of footsteps hurrying towards them. He and the others braced for whatever came their way and felt yet another wave of relief wash over when Vanessa and Sophie came into sight.

"Nic!" Vanessa raced up to her older brother.

"Vanessa." Nic responded, figuring out how she found them. 'She must have used her Aura Magic and tracked us.'

The two women stopped as soon as they were grouped in front of the two men and Staraptor. The small group of five – six counting Junior – were able to take a moment to collect their thoughts and lower their heart rates after all the pacing around they've been doing.

"You both alright?" Mest asked.

Sophie nodded. "Yes, we're alright. We were able to get around just fine thanks to Vanessa's sensory."

'Yeah, figured as much.' Nic didn't need to say it aloud, but his small smirk showed how confident he was in his sister's caution. "That's good. With all the Pokémon panicking, I doubt they'd even notice us unless we were in plain sight."

"It's a panic out there. The streets are full of rowdy civilians, and the police are spread thin." Sophie noted. "I think it's fair to say that this is full-blown chaos?"

"You're right about that, Sophie. At least for the time being." Mest responded. "It's only a matter of time before it starts to settle down. Once that happens, the people might be kept in those safe zones while they dispatch more reinforcements from the arena and other areas to search for any strays. And once that happens, it's just going to be us all paddling around till we get somewhere."

Nic turned towards his sister, a serious look in his eyes. "Vanessa, you able to pick up the others' aura?"

Vanessa closed her eyes, focusing on the cognitive part of her brain. She focused on any auras that she would have deemed as familiar. "I'm picking up Natsu, Gajeel, and Elfman close by…they're several blocks down. They don't seem distressed. Happy and Lily are with them, too."

"So they got grouped together. Wonder how that'll go?" Mest chimed, witty sarcasm in his tone. With his luck knowing Natsu, he doubted they would stay low in cover.

Nic pressed the matter at hand. "What about the others?"

Vanessa closed her eyes again, trying to maintain her composure while she was trying to familiarize the thousands of signatures scattered across the large-scale island. "…I'm picking up Lucy and Cana's auras, as well as Juvia's and Gray's…" Her brow furrowed. "They're all together as well, but…their auras are faint."

"Does that mean they're not within range?" Sophie questioned.

"No, they're in range…but it's like I said. Their auras are all vague."

Nic squinted, the concerns he had before starting to rise. His gut was screaming at him that what Vanessa had described was the exact opposite of good news. But his mind immediately leaped towards the other possibilities as well.

"And…what about Erza? Can you sense her?"

Vanessa focused again, pinpointing her sister-in-law's aura's shading. "…it's strong. Oddly enough, it's underground. Could she still be in the jail you got out of?"

"She must be held up by something." Mest figured. "And if I were to bet, I'd say it's an Apostle's work."

Nic sighed out his nostrils, feeling slightly more at ease knowing that Erza was holding her ground. On one hand, he was happy to know she wasn't in any immediate danger. However, he was equally as stalwart knowing that the Apostles could have more tricks up their sleeves. And given the timespan that they've been apart and now, he had an ample enough reason to be worried.

"If she bought enough time for the prisoners to escape, she should have followed behind." Staraptor pointed out. "We should probably go get her before we resume our mission."

Before any of them could say anything, a loud explosion was heard from a close distance. The ground around their feet vibrated loosely for a second, but a large smokestack could have been seen as clear as day from a dense spot within the city confines. Nic and everyone else paused what they were doing and looked in the direction of the billowing wake.

"What was that?" Sophie gasped.

Mest lifted his head. "An explosion of that size…don't tell me…"

Nic looked on as well, immediately getting the notion of who was responsible for such a loud ruckus from out of nowhere.

Another explosion went off, expelling flames that scared off numerous Pokémon nearby from one end of the plaza to the other. Screams of fear echoed through the air like a symphony as they tried to get as far away from the ruckus as possible.

"Oh no you don't."

Suddenly, an alley way was blocked off by a massive iron column jutting out from the ground. The Pokémon that attempted to get away found their exit blocked off. It didn't stop there, as more iron columns crossed in front of the other at various entrances to the plaza. Those that were also getting in with officers directing them found their paths blocked.

"Hurry, call for reinforcements! We have a breach in Mystic Plaza!" A Mienfoo officer shouted into his Communication Lacrima. He was so distracted with making the call, he was oblivious to a Graveler officer being thrown overhead, smashing into others nearby. "We have three hostile humans! All of them are-gwah-!"

"MANLY THROW!"

Before the Mienfoo could finish his protocol warning, he was thrown by Elfman in a fast-pitched swing straight ahead without warning. He crashed head-first into a Hawlucha officer, making both collapse into the earth.

"Yeah, now we're talking!" Natsu shouted. He ducked from an officer's mage's lunge from the side and uppercut his abdomen. He gripped his clothing and pivoted, swinging him into two other mages and downing them in an instant. "C'mon! These small fry ain't nothing! We've had way worse than this!"

"Over there, Natsu!" Happy shouted above, pointing at something that caught Natsu's attention.

Another mage with a collar cried out as his fist had grown considerably in size, becoming a massive size equal to his body's height. The well-fit mage brought his fist down directly over Natsu's head and smite him with enough force to seemingly smash him into the pavement.

"Heh." The guy looked confident…until he saw something that made him sweat bullets.

"Nice try." Instead of being squished like he was supposed to be, Natsu stood firmly in place, his right forearm blocking the hammer fist without budging even an inch. What's more, the massive hand looked like it had a bruise from how hard he had hit it. Natsu smirked. "Now, guys!"

"Right!" Around the guy, Charmeleon, Darumaka, and Tyrunt were cornering him in a triangular angle position.

The mage looked horrified. "Huh!? Wait! Hold on-!"

Sadly, his pleas for mercy fell short when Charmeleon and Darumaka sprung first, both their jaws opening as broiling flames erupted around their sharp teeth. Their Fire Fang met their marks, biting down on the guy's legs with searing explosions of flame and embers making him cry out in pain. As he did, Tyrunt snapped his glowing jaws down with Bite on his regular-sized right arm. With no time to register the pain, he was tossed away by Tyrunt's jaw power into bodies of officers and mages just like him close by.

The rampage didn't stop. Pantherlily slashed his Musica Sword, while Gajeel covered his back with a slash of his Iron Dragon's Sword. Mages and reinforcements alike fell like flies before them, if not by Elfman's Beast Soul barreling through their lines of defense.

"Crap! Just who are these guys!? They're so strong!" A Marowak citizen panicked, before being stamped by a flaming heel straight into the wall.

Natsu didn't bother commenting as the flames diffused around his feet. Charmeleon jumped beside him.

"Aren't you worried that maybe the citizens aren't actually brainwashed either?"

"Yeah, I know that." For a brief moment, Natsu remembered the initial outbreak, how everyone in Magnolia had suffered and lost much of their property. How despite needing to go easy, he still knocked out Pokémon during the capture plan. But that wasn't what made his blood boil. No, what made him tick…was how Lucy was brought to tears with everything that's happened to her because of them. It was taking every ounce of willpower to keep himself in check.

When a Girafarig officer's human mage drew close with a hand covered in what looked like poisonous toxins, he was about to swipe when a firm grip clutched his head. The pressure on his skull was so much that it felt like it was gonna crack in.

"But…" Natsu pivoted, his hand erupting in explosive flames to send the guy flying in a heaping fireball. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS CRAP!"

The Girafarig was too slow to act when her human collided with her body, sending both straight through a wall. The many officers and their human mages looked on with a mixture of shock and horror at the power in Natsu's throw.

"Brainwashed or not, this has gone on long enough! We're shutting this thing down…even if I have to burn my way through!"

"Yeah, go get'em, Natsu!" Happy cheered.

"Plan to, pal. So…" Natsu rammed his knuckles together, generating searing embers. "Who wants some?"

Charmeleon, Darumaka, and Tyrunt let out cries for battle at their trainer's motivative words against the mages and Pokémon trying to keep them at bay.

Along numerous adjacent avenues, whistles were blown as several Pokémon dressed in police officer uniforms hurried through the crowds to rush towards the scene.

"Let's move, move! C'mon! We've got a code red hostile Level 2 in Mystic Avenue!" A Sableye officer shouted through his Communication Lacrima. "We need any excess reinforcements to head to that area and contain the threat, on the double!"

"Roger!" An Octillery with a tight-fitting officer uniform tailored to her size squirmed as fast as possible, along with the rush of other law enforcement officers that hauled themselves towards the next few blocks down.

Watching the scene unfold from the alley, Nic and everyone else remained silent as they saw waves of officers fan into the direction of the massive skirmish.

"Cooo…!" Junior shuffled on Staraptor's back, the explosion startling him to where it looked like he was gonna cry.

Staraptor hurriedly used her beak and plucked Junior off her back, nestling him under her wing as to muffle out the constant clashes heard.

Mest blinked, visibly disturbed. "What in the hell did those guys get into this time?"

"Well, whatever it is, it's garnering enough of a fuss to corral the law enforcement away from around us." Sophie realized.

Vanessa lightly gasped, putting a hand to her chin. "She's right. With Natsu and the others keeping the authorities distracted, we can have less eyes on us while we search for our respective objectives."

Nic looked up towards the air, seeing smoke rise. He didn't seem too thrilled knowing that even now, Natsu couldn't fully grasp the concept of infiltration, even if he did try this time. 'Somehow, I'm not surprised at this point.' He thought. 'But, Vanessa has a point…and knowing Natsu, he's doing this on purpose to draw in the fodder.'

Another roguish smirk crossed his face. It was simple, but there were radical differences that Natsu had that Nic could benefit from. This was no exception. He turned towards everyone else.

"Then we'll use their skirmish to our advantage and split up again. While they keep the officers and other Pokémon busy, Mest and I can teleport between the dungeon and a direct line to the palace. Meanwhile, you and Sophie will find the factory where they make the Human Cubes and cut off their supply."

Vanessa nodded in understanding of the strategy. "Sure thing."

"Also, if you find the others…tell them to head to Cana and the others' location gathered where you said earlier." His glare was dead serious. "I have a feeling of what happened."

Vanessa knew what he meant. She didn't need to ask when it was best not to think about such possibilities. She turned towards Sophie to direct the blonde. "Sophie…"

"Right, let's hurry!" Without a beat out of place, she took off with Vanessa back into the alley's darkness, taking a sharp left up ahead to parts unknown cutting to different avenues.

With them heading off, Nic turned his attention onto Mest. "Mest, you go on ahead towards the palace. Try to get an idea of what's inside if you can. I doubt they'd want company just snooping around."

Mest nodded in understanding. "Alright." He turned towards Kirlia. "Kirlia!"

To the adjacent wall beside them, Kirlia was banging his head against the sturdy brick. He did so much that bits of the brick chipped of with every thump of his cranium against the construction mineral.

Mest, Nic, Staraptor, and even Junior simply stared with displeased stares fixed on their faces. They waited until the message got through the air for Kirlia to sense and soon made him stop and turn around to see them fixed on him.

"What? Don't judge me!" he sniped.

Mest groaned. "Just follow me already. To the palace!"

Kirlia eyerolled with disinterest. "Sure thing."

With that, Mest and Kirlia teleported with the former's magic from sight, leaving Nic alone to do his part. In a brief flash, Nic closed his eyes as he shifted to his Mind Form.

"Hang tight, Staraptor." He told his Pokémon.

Staraptor nodded in silence. As Junior cooed and clutched her abdomen for comfort, she subconsciously veiled him with her wing. She knew if he freaked out, he could teleport them away like before.

Nic turned away, keeping his back to her. He silently hoped nothing went wrong on his wife's end. 'Hang on, Erza.'

In a split, second, he vanished with Teleport.

More of Phelicia's thick scarf stretched outwards towards Erza as she held up the heavy armored cleavers that came with the Armadura Aggron Armor. With one massive swing, she deflected the cloth without any trouble.

"Cof, Cof! Raelf, Gold Bullet, now!" Dahab ordered.

The Gold Mage spread his heels and held out both hands, generating another golden magic seal. From the incantations in the center, golden projectiles like bullets unleashed in multiple rounds at Erza.

Erza crossed her cleavers to brace for the onslaught. The projectiles flew straight at her and bombarded her relentlessly. It was like gunfire. However, due to the sheer density of having shed Aggron and Lairon armor, the golden energy bullets bounced off, barely so much as buffering the female knight.

The sight made Dahab's smirk widen. "Oh, what's wrong? Don't tell me all that bravado you had before was just for show."

Erza didn't offer a response. She knew it would only add fuel to the fame. She didn't need to give her opponent any ammunition that she could use for herself.

Instead, she separated her crossed cleavers in a harsh swing, creating a gust that was strong enough to deflect the golden projectiles past all her opponents. With them veering from the wake of her attack, she requipped again, this time into her Flight Armor with her Purgatory Armor's spiked mace in her right grip. With a swift lunge, she glided off the ground with an airwave rushing everywhere, She sped directly past Phelicia and Raelf and went straight for Dahab.

'She's going straight for the head!' Dahab realized this as he saw Erza jump in front of him

"HRGH!" She swung down with all her might with both speed and raw power.

"Protect!"

At the last second, Erza's mace met the translucent turquoise barrier. The force behind the attack made a harsh thud that only made the barrier ripple energy waves throughout its epidermal layer. But an intense shockwave went everywhere else, pushing both Phelicia and Raelf away as they covered up from the wake. The impact was strong to the point that the surrounding bars to cells snapped apart.

Erza gritted her teeth. No matter how much force she put into it, she wasn't breaking through the Protect's surface. It only added fuel to her ire when she saw Dahab sneering cynically at her endeavors. Such little details always got under her skin.

Unable to break through, she repulsed off the barricade and flipped onto a knee.

"Raelf, Gold Prison!" Dahab ordered.

Erza's breath hitched. In a hurry, she requipped again as she backpedaled moments before a massive empty prison of pure gold dropped from a magic seal above. The glow from her vanished as she slid to a halt, revealing herself in her Flame Empress Armor.

Dahab's barrier faded as he had violet and hot pink wisps all around him. He launched the Will-O-Wisp in multiple streams that swerved about towards their target. Erza remained put and used a simple slash of her sword that dispelled the wisps upon impact.

"Your Will-O-Wisp won't work on me in my Flame Empress Armor." She told him.

"Cof, Cof! So it would seem." Dahab sneered. Raelf and Phelicia regrouped in front of him, neither seemingly fazed by any recoil from before. "I've gotta say, for a human, you're pretty entertaining. Makes it all the more musing being down here."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Erza didn't like how he worded it. She brought up her blade in case he tried anything. "Do you take pleasure in the efforts of others?"

The Cofagrigus couldn't hold back a sneer. "Cof, Cof, Cof! Well if you mean their achievements that got them down here in the first place, then sure. It'd be my delight. Because…" he narrowed his eyes. "The key to winning your case is control."

"Control, you say?"

"Yes. Observe." Dahab held up two Human Cubes, more specifically, the ones that belonged to Raelf and Phelicia. He held them up for Erza to bear witness to. When he tightened his shadowy grip on the cubes, the lacrima that were the buttons shined red.

A similar shade of red lit up in the segmented rings in the collars around their necks. A sudden yet powerful electric shock coursed through their bodies, making both humans cry out in pain.

Erza watched with surprise and horror in her eyes as she bared witness to the cruel sight before her.

Phelicia and Raelf yelped and grunted as Dahab was cackling lowly at their screams. "Oh, how I adore the sounds of human screams. Like music to my ears."

Though he liked what he was seeing, he knew there were limits. As much as he could have gone for a little longer, he lightened his grip on the cubes, allowing Phelicia and Raelf to relax and hunch forward. Though their bodies were sizzling from the heat the electricity gave off.

"Cof, Cof! That's for not reacting fast enough!" he snapped at his humans.

Erza stepped forward, glaring daggers. "You thoughtless coward! Aren't they your subordinates?"

Dahab snickered lowly at her. "Subordinates, you say? They're more like pets that need to know how to do their job. You humans have to train animals to behave and obey your commands, and if they step out of line, don't you give them a scolding?" he countered. "Besides, I'm their trainer. I don't see how what I'm doing to my humans is any of your damn business."

Phelicia and Raelf gradually lifted their heads. Though they seemed to be in pain from the shock, they knew better than to speak up about the verbal abuse, less they'd get off worse than before.

"What you are doing is restricting their freedom." Erza scowled.

"Freedom?" The smirk Dahab had fell to a frown. "Were you not listening? I told you, control is the key to everything in life. Establish yourself as the superior one and the rest will follow. And those who resist, it's your obligation to make them know their place. Once scum, you'll always be scum…that's all there is to it!" He broke out to yet another cynical cackle, this one seemingly more twisted, if not subtly forced.

Erza could tell that in an instant, but she was more concerned with this thing's malicious behavior. The fact that he was willing to harm his own for a sick kick was enough to get her blood to boil. It was taking everything within her to keep her cool.

"Enough chattering now, it's time to get to business! I gotta mummify this one that has a bad mouth on her!" Dahab didn't bother telling his humans to do anything. Instead, he opened his mouth and inhaled.

"Ominous Wind!"

A voluminous purple wind expelled from his mouth, quickly enveloping the corridor and rushed in Erza's direction. The knight braced herself for the ghastly exhaust by bringing her sword back…

However, just before the Ghost-type whirlwind was about to reach her, another barrier went up on her side that looked a lot like a Protect. The round, indestructible barrier deflected the wind around her, causing drafts to diffuse down the corridor.

"Heh?" Dahab grunted.

Erza gasped. She looked ahead at her savior, who took the form of a large purple bivalve. "Cloyster!"

From above, a loud caw was heard, garnering Dahab's attention as he continued blowing. "Eh?"

A shimmering bright blue glint zigzagged through the air at high speed, like a sharp-angled bullet that made a dive down onto Dahab. The speed was so fast that it rivaled Erza;s Flight Armor. As such, the projectile collided with Dahab in the headpiece, causing a searing shock to run through him as he instantly floored from the assault.

From the dust that was scattered from the impact, Talonflame ascended, the light from her Acrobatics fading away. She let out a proud caw that shrieked across the corridor.

"Talonflame!" Erza gasped.

"Erza!"

Erza whipped around, seeing the rest of her Pokémon follow behind. They all caught up to her as she was still processing. "Everyone!"

"We've got all the prisoners out of their cells. This floor should be all clear." Scizor informed her.

This bit of news was enough to bring a smile to her face. "That's good. I'm grateful to you all for your assistance." She turned back towards the dust, which Dahab was rising out of. "That just leaves this thing."

Dahab grunted as he reeled from that attack. He looked back at Erza as she poised to strike should he make another move. His sharp teeth gritted as his sinister eyes lit up deep red. He reached a shadowy arm out in retaliation. "Phelicia, Snare! Raelf, Gold Bullet!"

His two humans obeyed their given orders, wasting ni time in alternatives. Phelicia fired her extendable cloth across the corridor, whereas Raelf fired more golden projectiles from a golden magic seal at the party ahead.

"Slurpuff, Flamethrower! Houndoom, use Fire Fang! Erza ordered.

"Right!" Both Houndoom and Slurpuff exclaimed. At the same time, Slurpuff leaped into the air while Houndoom sprinted forward. Slurpuff's jaws opened with broiling fire that she fired at the golden projectiles. The projectiles met the searing flames, melting on the spot in a bombastic flare.

Meanwhile, Houndoom lunged towards the flying cloth with his mouth wide open, broiling flames searing along the edges. With caution, Phelicia gasped and hastily pulled back on her material. The mass was yanked away a split second before Houndoom was able to sink his burning fangs into it. He landed on the midground between the two sides.

"What's the matter, afraid to get your pretty dress charred?" He teased.

Phelicia bit her bottom lip, offended by the accusation. It was true her cloth was flammable, but her opponent didn't need to know that. In fact, if they found out that critical weakness, she'd likely find herself in a situation worse than having bandages wrapped around her by Dahab.

"Cof, Cof! I'll shut you up, mutt!" Dahab shouted. "Again! Do it now, or I'll mummify you!"

His threat prompted Raelf and Phelicia to repeat their spells and attacks again. More golden energy bullets fired ahead, whereas Phelicia fired her scarf at them.

However, Erza already knew how to counter. "Aegislash, King's Shield!"

"Right, of course!" Aegislash drifted past her, pulling herself towards the front of everyone and stiffened. As soon as she did, a hexagonal barrier appeared before her and blocked off both attacks at the same time.

The bullets diffused into the energy barrier, whereas the scarf jabbed straight into it and bounced off, like a fly off a windshield. Phelicia pulled it back, but as she gnashed her teeth, a dense blue aura lowered her Attack considerably.

With a defense up, Erza was readying her next step…when suddenly, Nic appeared beside her. "Erza!"

"Nic!?" Erza gasped, shocked at her husband's return for her.

"Did all the prisoners escape yet?"

Quickly pulling herself together, she nodded. "Yes, everyone made it out safe and sound." She passed a glance at Dahab. "Sorry for the wait, but as you can see…"

"It's fine. We need to go now."

"Right."

Dahab's eyes glowed bright red, fueled with ire. He opened his mouth and expelled another Ominous Wind that blasted through the corridor into Aegislash's barrier. The impact with it manifested a powerful, dark purple typhoon that made everything shrouded in a ghastly veil for several seconds.

As soon as the winds settled and the dust dispersed, the Cofagrigus was shocked to find the corridor completely vacant.

"Wait…what?! Where did they all go?!" he snapped. He felt his ire beginning to boil. If it weren't for his eyes already being so red, they would have been bloodshot with insanity. First the prisoners escaped, now the perpetrator as well.

"What you are doing is restricting their freedom."

Those words, though brief as they were, they clung to Dahab like a parasite gorging. He didn't know why, but the way she said it, the way she looked, how she was so composed despite having been seemingly broken before…it pissed him off. It could have been because of his Ghost-type nature, but he could tell there was a kernel of…compassion behind that aura she had.

And that compassion was something that got beneath his coffin. His conscience boiled with an image of a middle-aged man in a familiar cell, weak to where he could have been considered dead. Fixtures of many other inmates and officers with weapons of their own fixed on him.

It was an image that made Dahab's sclera sharpen with a burning thirst for satisfaction.

'You all won't get away from me.' Beneath his subtle composure, an intense, burning lust for punishment on those many human faces made him almost die all over again. 'I'll show you what happens when you try to challenge control! I'll hunt you all down, and make you beg that death will be kinder to you!'

The next thing Erza and her Pokémon knew, they were met with fresh air the moment their feet planted firmly on new ground in a narrow alley. The vacant area that was left behind for only ten seconds was suddenly flourishing with healthy bodies.

"Well, talk about convenient." Houndoom snorted. "And just when we were about to get to the good part."

"Sorry." Nic apologized, though far lackluster in tone, it wasn't like he didn't know how Houndoom felt at that instant. He turned towards Erza. "You okay?"

Erza offered a small smile of comfort, happy to have seen Nic come to her. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me." She smirked. "You know, I would have come and find you myself."

"I know…but this was important. The crucial part was that you were able to bide time for the prisoners to escape, right?"

From the side, Staraptor hummed, garnering their attention. "I believe what Nic meant to say was that he was worried about you." She turned towards him, grinning. "Shall I tell her how anxious you looked?"

Nic furrowed his brow, trying to suppress a low growl at Staraptor's little play at that instant. He looked back at Erza to find her smirking endearingly at him. Of course, him being worried about her was the factor for the most part, but he wasn't wrong with what he said before about doing her part and getting them out if the prison cells…of course, that wasn't any reason to stop his wife from leaning in, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Nic." She spoke softly.

Though embarrassed, he decided to let it go. Seeing her well under the circumstances was enough for him. He smiled back and pulled her into a soft embrace.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I did not want to spend another second down there. The air was so stale, I thought that my nose was gonna fall off." Slurpuff complained, changing the topic.

"We could have heard the shouting from down the hallway from how rowdy those humans were. But now…" Talonflame took a moment to ascend above everyone. She glided just high enough to where she could peer from afar. Her hawk vision picked up on the many bodies flying from the distance as panic could be heard echoing blocks away.

Erza pulled away, finally requipping back to her Heart Kreuz Armor. "Sounds like you held up your end of the deal. Where is everyone else?"

"I'll explain along the way. Right now, we need to start moving, while there aren't many eyes around." Nic insisted.

Erza nodded in understanding. "Right." She turned towards her Pokémon, pulling out their capsules. "You all did a fine job. Please rest for now."

Nobody objected to her plea as they all allowed the many lasers to hit their bodies, converting them into energy that sucked them back into their respective capsules. Once they were all secure, she fastened them and turned towards Nic to signal she was ready to head out.

"Let's move."

"Right." With everything set, Nic turned towards the direction of the white palace along the high cliffs. In an instant, he, Erza, Staraptor, and Junior all teleported from sight towards their next destination.

Vanessa and Sophie hurried down the alley, harrowing a sharp right into the adjacent passage that led to an avenue that was far less crowded and blocked off. With Vanessa's Aura Magic on high alert, she was picking up far less signatures in the vacant street than the other ones.

"Vanessa, how much farther until we're at Lucy and the others' location?" Sophie asked, keeping her pace closely to the single-stranded blonde.

"About two avenues south! They're still faint, but not life-threatening!" She answered. She continued maintaining the pace as she was detecting everything. 'I haven't been to such a province this complicated since Lumiose City. This city might be even on a greater scale than that!'

She didn't want to digress though. She had to remain focused. "Sophie, you keeping track of where we're going?"

Sophie nodded. "I am, don't worry." She smirked. "Not sure if you recall, but my Memory-Make has me have a pretty good memory. Don't worry, I'm mapping out everything as we go along."

"Right…" Vanessa trailed off, her tone almost flatlining. Though her focused expression didn't show it, she felt particularly uneased a bit with how Sophie referred to her magic as such. It wasn't that she didn't trust what she had just said, but no means. She could always depend on her Memory-Make for when she couldn't recount anything that was important. By all means, she was actually happy for Sophie that she was speaking so confidently about her magic…especially after everything that happened before.

However, this also worried her just as much. She knew very well of how uneasy Sophie was a little while ago with her magic. With all the help that she had gotten from Rufus, she was at least able to refine herself with basics, but her arsenal of magical spells otherwise was supposedly extremely limited now. Though, she was also more pressed with how motivated Sophie was. Not because of anything that had to do with her. Now that she actually had time to process it, much of her confidence and the way she seemed lately had contributed from particularly Joey. Again, the capabilities of that party-loving, luck-induced nutcase of a man found itself surfacing to make her feel more disturbed than anything else.

By no means did she hate Joey. How could she? He didn't do anything wrong. And yet, knowing that he played a big part in Sophie's mental state when she was also there made her feel less important. She didn't like this feeling.

'Now that I think about it, I can't sense Joey or The Freaks anywhere. Are they even on the island anymore?' In her wonders, her eyes widened when she picked up something from up ahead. "Sophie, up ahead!"

The blonde was on guard. "What is it?"

Vanessa turned the corner into the open avenue. When she pivoted, she immediately registered the street's vacancy. It was all baren, except for something that Vanessa sensed from the west straight ahead. The figments were coming into view for the two to process.

As soon as they were within their line of sight, Sophie gasped. "Is that…?"

Farther up ahead, Carla was gliding down the avenue in her human form, carrying Wendy in her arms as they had finally ventured their way into the city confines. Right behind them, Swablu and Amaura were keeping in a steady pace so as not to fall behind.

"Looks like we're finally here, Wendy." Carla noted.

"Yeah, sure looks like it." Wendy sighed. "That was a close call, that Dragonair almost got us there. It's a good thing Amaura had Mist to buy us that time we needed."

"Well, for now, suppose we won't have to deal with her." Carla glanced at the street. "But something isn't right here."

Wendy frowned, immediately catching on. "Yeah, you're right. Where are all the Pokémon. Wasn't this supposed to be some big utopia for them?"

"Yes, that's true. A lot of these streets also looked blocked off…!" Carla glanced ahead, gasping in shock of something that was coming into view. "Wendy, look!"

Wendy glanced ahead at what Carla was referring to. Her brown eyes widened at a sense of shock and ease when she recognized the two women that were trotting to a halt, seemingly spotting and recognizing them as well. "Are those…?"

"Wendy! Carla!" Vanessa called out.

Now certain with her voice and familiar scent of lemons and maple syrup, Wendy knew it had to be them. "Vanessa! Sophie!" She and Carla glided to a halt in front of them. Carla let go of the former and folded in her wings. Swablu and Amaura were able to catch up shortly after, with the former finding a suitable spot on Wendy's head.

"You were able to get into the city just fine?" Vanessa inquired.

Wendy nodded. "Yeah, we're just fine."

"There was a little trouble along the way, but we were able to pull out of it just fine." Carla folded her arms. She wasn't in the mood to rave about the Dragonair that attacked them when they had more pressing matters at hand. "More importantly, what's this about anyway?"

Sophie gave her a serious look. "They're trying to route the panic to enclosed areas, to keep the public at bay apparently. They're blocking off streets and directing them to safer areas"

"We're able to maneuver easier this way because Natsu started drawing the law enforcements over to him. I assume that was his intention to buy us some time to find the factory and the others." Vanessa noted.

"Of course, leave it to him of all people to make such a scene." Carla chimed dryly.

"Yeah, that sounds like him alright." Wendy added, before redirecting the subject. "So then…did you happen to know where the factory might be?"

Vanessa paused. "We have an idea, but we actually have another reason. It was fortunate that you showed up when you did."

"Really? How come?"

"Listen, Lucy and the others are in trouble. They're not too far from here. We need you and Carla to go and find them."

Wendy nodded, understanding that it was serious. "Right! How badly is it?"

"They should be fine. They're not far from here, actually. Should be two blocks on your left. They're all grouped together."

"We'll take a look over there, then." Wendy turned towards Carla. "Let's go, Carla!"

"Right, Wendy!" Reactivating her wings, Carla flapped and hauled Wendy back into the air. Swablu drifted off her head and followed the two with Amaura closely behind them. "Be careful, you two! If we come across anything, we'll signal!"

"Understood!" Vanessa shouted back. She turned towards Sophie with a serious look. "We need to keep moving…!"

Sophie blinked, seeing Vanessa's sudden pause. "What's wrong?"

The Pularis woman felt partially disturbed by something. Her aura picked up something. A massive surplus of signatures that made her turn her head in the direction it was coming from. 'This feeling...is it what I think it is?'

Back on the streets, officers were blowing whistles to direct civilian Pokémon in a general direct towards the nearest safe zone. They were all fretting over enough space to help keep them secure from the staggering mess that was being made outside, when in reality, they had no idea that they were overthinking it.

Regardless, the precautions dragged the wary along. And overseeing all this as he exited the arena was Chief Hugo. The Pangoro turned towards Flora with a glare. "What's the status?"

The Sunflora gave a salute. "Sir, the entire stadium had been secured! All the citizens inside had been evacuated towards the nearest safe zone. Those who were injured within the first row were taken to the emergency care facilities to be treated for trauma."

Hugo gave a gruff huff. "After today, trauma is going to be the least of our troubles. We're going to be up to our necks in grievances and complaints from the administration." His bamboo shoot sticking out of his mouth tasted awful. He knew it was a bad sign. "What's the situation on the northeast safe zone now?"

"We have reinforcements heading over there right now. We're trying to suppress them, but…" Flora nervously held up the radio that had Communication Lacrima installed into it.

Curious, the police chief furrowed his heavy brows as he turned on his own Communication Lacrima's setting to the open channel. Almost immediately, he was flooded with loud noises.

"We need backup over here! These humans are too strong-GAH!"

"Mayday! Mayday! Officer Brooks down! Dispatch, we need more firepower over here!"

"We're sending waves of our best forces right now! Quick, keep them contained in the area and evacuate the citizens to another safe zone!"

Chief Hugo clicked the button on the side and brought the device closer to his mouth. "All units, this is your Chief talking to you! Remain at your posts! Follow all your proceedings and reroute all the civilians in your areas! Reroute all from the northeast to the southern end at once!"

Flora turned towards the chief. "Chief Hugo, what about the emergency bunker area along the cliffs? We can evacuate everyone there, can't we?"

Chief Hugo raised a brow. He was about to scold her for suggesting something so surreal, but when he considered weighing his options, it didn't sound too bad of a fallback. He groaned. "Perhaps…we need to get in touch with Professor Penelope for clearance. This is now a Level 4 emergency! Get to the station and make the call!"

However, Flora remained still, staring out at the streets.

"Hey, Officer Flora! Did you not hear me?! I said get going to make the call!" He shouted. Again, no response. He raised a brow. "Officer Flora…?"

The Sunflora was unresponsive for several seconds before directing a leaf in the general direction of the avenue. Hugo turned as his bamboo shoot was starting to twitch madly. Something big was coming…and it was coming into view. It was also bizarrely flashy, and even from the distance, low cries echoed as bodies were either sent flying or toppled over.

As the herd drew closer, Hugo's eyes snapped wide in shock. "WHAT THE-?!"

Farther up ahead, a Piloswine and Sandslash were blasted onto their sides by a forceful jet of water. A barrage of small pebbles bombarded Spearow and Taillow that took the air, bringing them down. There were even large roots that shot up from below in the form of knuckled fists that landed decent uppercuts on numerous chins, be it civilian or officers alike.

As all the bodies fell to the ground with harsh thuds, the attacks kept coming. Long-ranged spell and people that were holding magical tools were racing down the street in a full-scale mob. They were all humans, and they had a mixture of anger and vengeance spilled on their faces as they let out cries for battle.

"Finally got to be topside after all this time!"

"Hell yeah, now you 'mons are gonna get it!"

"This is for putting us behind bars with that damn jailer!"

"It's time we take back our city! Who's with me!?"

Nobody was prepared for it, not even the chief or the officers. In their shocked stupor, many were vulnerable to the onslaught of magical attacks that projected in their general directions. One by one, many fell from sucker blows to their faces, and others tried retreating out of range. The mages made a mad spree across the avenue, fanning out to a larger scale and going as far as blasting retreating citizen Pokémon that were too slow.

Spell after spell, and all the mages didn't let up as the short-range fighters moved in to deliver blows with their fists endowed in magical energy; large ape fists, or energy muscle fibers, they all used their brute strength to knock out the ones they could with grim satisfaction.

"That's right! Take that!" A PC escapee declared, towering over an unconscious Diggersby that was wearing trousers. "Got a lot of rage built up from being under for so long, now to put it to good use…and get back my property!"

A Golett officer stammered away from the onslaught, falling onto its backside and looking horrified. "W-what in the world is happening…?"

"That's exactly what I want to know."

The gruff tone sent a shover through his entire body. The Golett looked down at his feet, noticing a shadow with bear-like features that cast him out of the sunlight. When he slowly turned his head to look up, he felt dread strike him upon recognizing the Pangoro. "C-Chief!"

"What is the meaning of this!? What has happened to Professor Penelope!?"

"W-we don't know, sir! We've lost contact with the lab a short while ago! There's no response!"

"Who was down with the Apostle when this all happened!?"

"Sir, I believe that it was officer Layla and Sune. You assigned only them to help accommodate the increase in security for today's, uh…events." Flora pointed out.

Unbeknownst to them, the open communication system on their lacrima continued distributing the distress the other stationed officers were located.

"Safe zone breach! I repeat! We have a safe zone breach on Twinleaf Avenue!"

"Where are those reinforcements! Crap…!" The line for the one officer went dead.

"Shit! We're outnumbered over here! The civilians are in a panic! The humans are attacking everything!"

"Chief Hugo, are you there?! We need backup! And medical aid, stat!"

"Chief, what now? The system is breaking apart!" Flora panicked.

The Pangoro stood completely still, trying to wrap his head around the wave of disasters that were rolling in one after another. It was bad enough that he had his hands full with having to ensure the public's safety – and now failing – but also a swarm of renegade humans that crawled out of nowhere.

But though his anger didn't show physically, his bamboo shoot's excessive twitching was a firm indicator that he was at his breaking point with this whole melee.

"Get me that damn fox on that lacrima right this second! Tell all personnel this is a Level 5 emergency!"

The onslaught was no different at every other safe zone and packed avenue. Numerous mages didn't waste time targeting civilian Pokémon, mowing them down with extreme prejudice and gusto. They all panicked as they either watched others get blown away or were too busy scrambling for a quick escape.

Of these many safe zones, the one that Natsu, Gajeel, and Elfman occupied and caused a fuss suddenly had a flux of explosions and attacks being blasted that weren't their own.

Pantherlily kicked a mage in the chest, grounding him before turning towards the ruckus. "What's going on?"

"C'mon everyone! Let's make some noise!" Harrison cried out, leading the charge. "Let them know that this is our home!"

"YEAH~!" The numerous mages that followed his lead all had the same looks of revolution spelled clear as day.

"Where did all those guys pop out from?!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Beats me, but they sure know how to look like bad guys." Happy added. "Look!"

They all saw the officers that were too occupied with commanding their humans turning around, only for Harrison to blast them with stored-up lightning. The voltage spread to a large area in front of him, stunning the Pokémon long enough for other mages to launch their attacks, knocking them to the ground.

For a moment, Harrison and Natsu stopped dead in their tracks and noticed each other. Neither moved or spoke as the chaos around them all seemed but moot to their epiphanies.

Finally, after a long break, Harrison spoke. "So…take it that you're some of Erza and Nic's friends they said they had coming?"

"Wait, how'd you know that? Who the hell are you supposed to be?!" Natsu shouted. He was so focused on the surprising aid that he was snuck up from behind by a skinny mage with a spiked hammer. He was about to raise the weapon when Harrison suddenly turned towards him, firing a blast of blue lightning.

The lightning past Natsu's shoulder, conducting into the metal and electrifying the guy. He yelped in haughty squeals as he fell backwards in smoke and static. The Dragon Slayer looked stunned at the act.

"You wanna ask questions or kick some walking, talking alien animal ass?!" Harrison shouted back.

The tension in Natsu disappeared, turning to one of adrenaline and delight. A roguish smirk crawled on his face. "Heh, like I need to answer that." He held up his fists as flames enveloped them. "Just fill me in while we're clobbering these guys!"

Harrison's hands sparked in static. "Fine by me, just hope you don't talk too much."

"Oh don't worry, he totally does." Happy teased.

"Shut up, Happy!" Natsu retorted.

The two turned their backs to one another as hordes of officers were remaining a safe but wary distance from the increased threat before them.

Well over the city's limits, Adelita flew into view, her daughter having to wrap a coil around her slippery, smooth skin to not get dropped so easily. Not that there was any other alternative. If Adelita had arms, that wouldn't be an issue, but sadly, fate hasn't given her such a luxury just yet.

The Dragonair-Dratini duo drew closer to the city. Adelita flapped her wings on her head to keep herself airborne as she looked down at the state she saw their beloved Pokétopia was in. It was enough to leave her eyes wide with sheer shock. "Wha…what's the meaning of this…?"

All around the streets, there were civilian Pokémon running for their lives from the wake of human mages that were blasting them in their backs with spells. They dropped like flies, whereas the humans continued racing about for any other Pokémon close by.

"I…I can't…how is…?"

"See, Mom? I told you it wasn't safe to get home like this." Arcelia chimed, though she looked how far up from the ground she was. 'Of course it wasn't this bad when I squirmed my way out…and this is totally unsafe even for my standards!'

Adelita scouted the streets across, seeing Pokémon and humans alike running about like their lives depended on it. She looked pissed. "What's the meaning of all this? How did all these humans appear?" she snarled. "They shouldn't even be out unattended like this! What's His Majesty thinking!?"

"M-Mom, calm down!" Arcelia pleaded with her mother, only to be given a deathly stare that make her tender skin stiffen almost instantly.

"Arcelia, come with me this second. We're not spending another moment out here. I'm taking you home this instant!" The Dragonair didn't spare any expense. She knew she had to protect her daughter, no matter what. Whatever the cost may be. She didn't bother seeing her daughter's uneased reaction when she suddenly took off and glided in the direction of their stay.

Before Arcelia knew it, she found herself closing in on their abode. Across the entire district, her and her mother sailed towards a narrow section of a street where there were numerous apartments clustered together. It wasn't the prettiest or most lavish area in all of the housing district, but it accommodated them well enough.

Adelita descended into a spiral decline towards the foot of a narrow apartment that sat between lookalike housing, though their abode had dark brown brick cemented on its exterior rather than bright red bricks. Adelita lowered herself closer towards the ground to allow Arcelia to slither off her and onto their steps. In the Dratini's tiny mouth, there was the bento box that her mother had yet to eat.

"Arcelia, get inside right now." She ordered.

"O-Okay…" Arcelia slunk to the doormat, stopping to turn around. "Uh, Mom. You gonna take a quick break first?"

Adelita careened her head around, still glaring. "Sorry, sweetie, but mommy still has work to do. She'll have time to play and lie down once this whole mess is cleaned up."

Arcelia grimaced. "But when was the last time you ate anything? You've gotta be starving, right?"

"I told you, I will eat when I am done with my work. But right now, mommy has to take care of it, okay?"

The strained tone the Dragonair had was a clear indication to the Dratini that she was anything but fine. When she got a good look at her eyes, she noticed there were stress wrinkles beneath the irises. They weren't too visible with the rest of her skin being smooth, but Arcelia could tell from how often she'd come home, only to sleep a couple of hours and not eat much. She was worried about her before, but now she was feeling anxiety skyrocket.

Arcelia slunk further up. "Mom, I'm serious. Have you looked at your own reflection? I know you're providing for both of us, but even parents have to rest sometimes, don't they?"

Adelita's glare didn't deter. She turned towards her and slunk closer to her face. "Sweetie…Mommy is being as patient as she can be right now." She spoke in a low, grim tone. "Now listen here, get back inside. Do not open those doors or come out for any reason. I will not tell you again, do I make myself clear, young lady?"

"But Mom, I'm just-"

"I SAID INSIDE, NOW!"

Arcelia flinched in fear. The sheer anger and ill-patience in her tone made it clear that she will not have it. For her own safety, she shrank closer to the door, reaching for the key that was hidden underneath the mat and used her mouth to hold it. She held it up to the lock and turned the key to open the door. As soon as she did, Adelita didn't give her a chance to step in herself when she budged her daughter in with the bento box.

"Now, close this door, and lock it." She ordered. "And don't ever talk back to me again…are we clear?"

Arcelia kept her head down towards the wooden floor, unable to bring herself to fight against her mother's cold-hearted demeanor. "…yes, Mom. I'm sorry."

With a snort, the Dragonair slammed the door shut. She locked the door back up herself with the same key and gave it one more look. Glancing around, she realized that nobody was watching. Nobody was even around. She noticed the small shrubs planted on the side of the stairwell and tossed the key into the foliage.

"There, that'll keep her safe from breaking out." She sighed. Her attention turned towards the chaos happening all around her. Her scales crawled with dread and uncertainty unfolding. 'What's His Majesty thinking, letting humans out like this! I need to have a word with him about this, and find out what's really going on!'

Enlarging her wings on her head again, she flapped them and ascended back into the sky with grace towards the direction of the palace.

Watching from his balcony, Quinlan did not appear too particularly pleased. The straight frown on his calm face was a clear indication of displeasure, for those who were close to him that is.

Standing in front of his table on the balcony, he saw the numerous projections around him, showing various instances happening all at once around his domain. It should the police officers being pushed back, eventually taken down by humans. Another image showed Natsu unleashing a fireball at the mages and Pokémon in front of him, crumbling an entire building stacked behind. There were also visions showing the roadblocks being torn down as many humans scrambled back to get into their homes again.

The shouting, the chaos, the panic; until a short while ago, everyone was but bright oblivious smiles…now that seemed like a distant memory.

Silently, the king reached over and grabbed the lacrima projecting these battles and onslaughts happening. He turned away from the balcony and paced slowly back towards his lavish, massive, vaulted room. He couldn't stand to see anymore of the chaos that his utopia had been enduring.

'I had expected Nic's sudden outbreak to spark concern…it would seem that there has been a grave miscalculation made here. How vexing this situation has become.' He thought, keeping calm even within his subconscious. 'There's no doubt that this was an inside job. And the chaos strewn below in my precious sanctum started with the outbreak from the PC. Dahab nor Professor Penelope would never have allowed this mistake to unfold, they're both well-oriented to the point of fixation for that to happen. If I were to wager my sources…'

He didn't have to think too hard about it to understand where the fault lined up. Everyone seemed just fine up until the tournament's finale, when Nic suddenly went rogue. When there was supposed to be mutual trust, he wasn't at all wearing a collar to keep him at bay. He hadn't had any doubts after putting the pieces together.

Once he made way inside, he glanced over at a Communication Lacrima sitting on a purple pillow. He walked over and waved his arm in front of it, activating it and making a message.

After a couple seconds, the blank lacrima had a visual of Dahab. "What is it now?! Can't you see that I'm busy here?! I don't make the deposits or withdrawals here, talk to the Professor about it!"

"You seem to be rather moody…Dahab." Quinlan chimed.

After a moment of realizing who was on the other line, Dahab blinked and hesitated before His Majesty. "Er…" he cleared his throat. "Yes…Your Highness?"

"By the instance that you decided to answer for once, I assume that Penelope and her entourage are currently on hold?"

Dahab frowned. "…Your Majesty…it pains me to inform you about this…it really does…but we have come across an impasse. There was…complications involving one of Adamantine's new humans that, well, how should I say this…?"

Quinlan frowned. His suspicions were on point. 'So then, I was right. It was those humans from that guild affiliated with Nic Pularis…so, they were able to weasel themselves through our security just for this skirmish.'

On one hand, Quinlan actually felt impressed. He never in his wildest dreams could have imagined that someone had found a flaw in his system like that, especially with Dahab of all Pokémon watching over the place. And that guy was the best at keeping an eye on his prisoners, even though he was extremely nasty; it was meant to ensure that everything was kept in line as pertained.

On the other hand, it left a dense void of insecurity in his head. He was thankful that he was able to formulate and compensate for such a huge misstep. He was the king after all. He had an image to pertain. The safety of his people – or whatever was left of them – was on his shoulders.

Finally weighing his options, he looked at the lacrima with a straight face. "What's the status with the lab?"

"About that…it's not pretty." Dahab grunted. "…those humans that escaped…they stormed the whole lab, wrecking the equipment and worst of all, destroying their host cubes. The Professor and that Ninjask were found lying unconscious…they'll be out for a while."

"I understand. Was there anyone else other than you present at the time?"

"Tch, only two low-class noobs of officers that those damn officers sent. I was going to have a little…'chat' with them about how they think it's suiting to send an Apostle inadequate rookies to do their job."

"Indeed. Something that I can agree with. A grievous oversight by our officers." Quinlan paused. "…very well then. Be on standby, my Apostle. I believe that I may have a solution that is most appropriate at this time."

Dahab raised a brow. "Like what?"

Quinlan closed his eyes, lowering his chin towards his feet. "They say desperate times call for desperate measure. I wasn't intending to play this card, but…" He raised his head towards the ceiling, opening his eyes to stare at the bright chandelier. "Considering who conspired this, it all comes down to whoever plays their best hand the best."

"So, you were a neighbor in the cells, huh?" Natsu socked another mage coming at him as he continued keeping his eyes on the chaos around him. Pokémon and mages were either piling up at his feet, or were running for their lives elsewhere.

"Yeah, more or less." Harrison evaded a blast of ice, countering with a dense blast of lightning that stunned the attacking mage. "Still a little pissed I had to play the bait, though. I thought Nic was supposed to be noble, but he's more underhanded than I pegged him to be."

"Heh, yeah, I know." Natsu watched another mage head his way with spiky energy around his arm. The punch headed his way, put all he did was use his bare hand to block it and stop the guy dead in his tracks. The mage was too shocked to react before Natsu narrowed his glare, flames erupting around his crushing grip.

"Fire Dragon's Grip Strike!"

With an intense clutch, a point-blank eruption of flames incinerated the area in of him. A wake of broiling flames created a magnitude that shook the entire plaza. A shockwave of intense flames pushed the mage and dozens of other officers and standard citizens outwards in hoarse cries.

Harrison looked back, his forehead sweating from the intense heat in Natsu's attack. "Hey man, you trying to barbecue all of us?!"

"Nah, that's just Natsu for ya. Always going for a bang." Happy chimed in.

Harrison grunted low, unsure of what to say. First thing in the morning, he was lounging inside of his cell. Next thing he knew, it was hysteria in his city. 'These guys are either gonna be our trump cards to getting our lives back, or be the death of us all.'

As the city was in a panic, there was a sudden flicker of an image in the sky overhead. An image gradually faded inti view as a projection, revealing the upper body of a prestigious figure that had silky, long, white hair that framed his face.

"Huh? Natsu, look!" Happy turned towards the sky, seeing the projection.

Natsu pivoted and looked up towards the sky. "Who the heck is that guy?"

Harrison's eyes widened, his shocked showing. "That can't be…His Majesty?!"

Natsu turned towards him, looing baffled. "Wait, hold up! You saying that guy's calling the shots around here?!"

"Have I been wrong up to this point?" Harrison argued back. He furrowed his brow as he kept his eyes on the large projection in front. "Looks like he's using a Thought Projection broadcast. If he's doing something like that, it's gotta be a big deal."

'My fellow citizens, please lend me your eyes and ears.' Quinlan started.

For the time being, citizens and officers who were scrambling around the city stopped what they were doing and turned towards the large projection that stood in the middle of the city. It was so grand that it could have been seen from the far ends of the utopia's limits.

As they were hurrying along, Carla looked up at the projection. "Wendy, look!"

"Huh?" Wendy glanced up, looking shocked at the sight. "Who's he?"

Carla furrowed her brow. "I have an idea as to whom."

Vanessa and Sophie came to an alley's end where they stopped and looked up at the side view of the unknown figment that towered above.

"Vanessa, is that who I think it is?" Sophie inquired.

Vanessa leered at the projection with the same thoughts in mind.

'For those of you who are unaware, allow me to introduce myself. My name is King Quinlan Zel Vansley IV. As this nation's leader, I ask that you hear my call, all of you.'

Nic, Erza, Staraptor, and Junior made a small break along the cliffside to glance back at the massive illusion cast in the center of the city. The looks on the Pularis couple's faces showed anything but displeasure at the sight.

"That's him." Erza said low. "The one orchestrating all this."

'As many of you are familiar with, up until a few short hours ago, we were all minding ourselves in our peaceful lands. And as of recently, that peace of mind has also been so apprehensively breached by the likes of a certain human that is considered a legend to many. His name is Nic Pularis, and despite how we have strove for the humans to coheres into the lifestyle that you Pokémon have come to love, it seemed that not all could come to such understanding as others. I believe that it is within my power to ensure that the prosperity that we've had to retain itself, even in the face of certain despair.

'I understand that many of you have suffered a great deal because of this sudden uprising. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to find the means to properly secure these humans due to our monpwer being below adequate means. And so, to help compensate for this, I have come to an ultimatum.'

"What's he on about?" Elfman grunted.

'In times of crises like this, I believe that one has the right to defend themselves. Therefore, my ultimatum is the following: I, Quinlan Zel Vansley, wish to enlist the citizens and their own humans to help partake in bringing in these rogue humans. As I have said before, this outbreak must be secured to ensure all of your futures. I believe that you are entitled to the right to defend yourselves and what you believe in. If you are a Human Trainer, I plea for you to do your civic duty to give aid to our law enforcements. For every human that you are able to capture or bring back into custody, you shall be given 75,000 Jewels.'

At this, many Pokémon who were scurrying looked shocked.

"Wait, we get paid if we just bring them in?"

"Well shit, looks like I don't have to worry about food expenses for the next month if I get my hands on just one!"

"I could be rich by the end of the day! Ladies love a rich 'mon!"

'The humans that have infested our province have no trainers, in other words, they are fair game. Help recapture and suppress these forces, and you shall be rewarded for your endeavors. I have already sent the 12 Apostles to help aid you all in this revolution. If you are uncertain in your abilities as a trainer, or lack a human of your own, you can rely on them to fight in your stead. But…should that not ease the discomfort, until the revolt is fully suppressed…I shall allow the citizens the free use of their moves in the name of self-defense.'

Once again, a wave of shock overcame a lot of people. They knew that it was against the law to use their moves, especially in public. However, some were already starting to get behind the concept that their leader was going for.

'And, to the fortunate who are able to bring Nic and Erza Pularis into custody, you shall be given an even greater monetary reward, as well as an endorsement from myself personally. You shall be given special privileges as well as recognition and access to a noble status.' He continued. 'As Pokémon, I believe that you all should be given the chance for the lives that you deserve in this world. Now, I plea with you, prove to the world that you are willing to fight for your future.'

"YEAH~!" Numerous Pokémon raised their arms or available appendages towards the air in cheers. The mood around them went from sheer panic to one of revelation. Despite the peril they've felt only a minute ago, they were rejuvenated by the gains that their king promised them.

The Thought Projection faded to thin air, leaving the remaining conscious citizens to mull over their options.

Inside his throne room, Quinlan looked away from Dahab, who was still on the small screen the Communication Lacrima provided. "Your Highness, was that necessary?"

"It seemed to be the most practical. It's as I have said, though I believe that there may be repercussions with the reprieve from these laws, the pros will outweigh the cons." Quinlan explained. "This method, we can guarantee the remaining citizens can pertain freedom and morale. Besides…it should down the infestation enough for the Apostles to make their next move."

Dahab blinked, slowly coming to understand his motives. Another crude smirk came across his face. "Cof, Cof! Well, no matter to me! So long as those busy bodies up above get those troublesome humans down here…or at least low enough that I can drag them down myself. Cof, Cof, Cof!"

"Yes, you'll have your way yet, Dahab. But should matters come to be pressing, I expect you to contribute your share as well. You are an Apostle after all."

Dahab snickered. "Oh, Your Majesty, it would be my pleasure to do so. Count on it."

The Communication Lacrima flickered off, ending the transmission then and there. This left Quinlan to stare back out towards the balcony to see the view of the city once more. His expression remained calm, but he looked serious to a point that it was almost ominous.

"I've sworn myself, no matter what happens…the Pokémon shall prevail in this world. I won't let the humans of this world ruin lives like they did back on that other planet." He spatted. "Humans…truly are selfish creatures."

The broadcast's reception was almost instantaneous. What was once a chaotic riot full of panicking Pokémon turned to a standoff. Sure, it was extremely shocking that the king had given them the permission to use moves, but it was even more shocking to know that they would all be rewarded and compensated for their endeavors. Of course, many instantly jumped at the monumental gain once the Thought Projection faded to nothing.

Any civilian Pokémon that were still conscious turned their attention towards the nearest human. Those who were trainers that participated in the tournament a few short hours ago instinctively jumped at the opportunity and threw their Human Cubes, sending out their humans to counter against their initial assault. Commands were called out, and unable to bend away from the control, they were forced to unleash spells and attacks at the opposing party.

Of course, that went without say for the other Pokémon who weren't trainers. They took up arms themselves against the onslaught of mages, firing attacks or status moves that turned the body count of humans against pavement well into the double digits in the first minute.

A cluster of Exeggcute faced a mage that was chasing them. They all opened their mouth, expelling Bullet Seed directly in his face and caused the mage to stammer back in the onslaught. With him unable to attack, an Octillery that had a clear shot flank his right side with a Psybeam, blasting him to the ground.

"Hey, what's the big idea!? We had dibs on him, first!" The Exeggcute complained.

The Octillery raised his arms up in defense. "Hey, don't turn on me! Not my fault he was distracted!"

The Exeggcute groaned. "Fine, guess we can, uh…split the bounty on this one then?"

"Meh, sure. Why not. Better yet, I have an idea." Octillery countered. "Let's just team up and knock down all these suckers. It's half half for each, plus if we get enough, it won't even matter! How about it?"

"R-really?" Exeggcute blinked, before surmising a conclusion. "Uh, s-sure! We can do that!"

Nearby, a human was charging at a Skorupi, but before his root-coated fist met her, she stuck all her pincers out, firing multiple green missiles. The Pin Missile attack met its mark, bombarding the guy's upper body four times; each one made him cringe and ache in pain.

"Now use Snow Wave!"

He commanded his mage, who was a young, dark-skinned woman with a bright blue and white dress to fit her winter theme. She brought her hands forward and generated a bright blue magic seal that unleashed a large wake of pure snow like an avalanche. The mage was unable to get away in time and was swamped with a slippery snow blast that buried him in an instant.

The wave continued on, reaching a few other mages that were about to strike a cowering Hoppip. They were all swiftly flanked by a blanket of white from the side and buried beneath the sudden rush.

The Skorupi jumped atop the snow-covered bodies, pinching with delight. "Hehe, sorry suckers, but I'm gonna be feasting like a king with all the bounty money I'm poaching tonight!"

"Well…can't say I didn't see this coming." Harrison deadpanned, turning towards Natsu. "Yo, what now?"

Natsu raised a brow. "How the heck should I know? As far as I can tell…" He turned away, planting a flaming leg against a Nuzleaf charging after him. "Them just fighting back gives us a better reason to beat them in!"

"Right, so the usual. Got it." Harrison could feel how unceremoniously obvious that was. He wanted to backhand himself for something that seemed so apparent. 'This guy and Nic sure work on different levels, that's for sure…'

As he was checking around constantly, Charmeleon noticed a shadow beam right over him. He followed it behind him, drawing closer towards his trainer. "Natsu! Watch it!"

Natsu glanced up, picking up something zooming his way. "Huh?"

"SURPRISE~! THIEF!"

It happened so fast that Natsu didn't have time to blink before a pair of balloons at the end of two long tails went and smacked his side, causing him to step off to the side followed by a harsh yank that he felt along his neck. The force of the sudden pull was enough to almost land him on his backside, but he caught himself and spread his legs.

"Woah! Are you okay?!" Happy worried.

Natsu shook his head, fixing his field of vision. "Don't worry, that was nothing…" He trailed off and blinked. Almost immediately, he noticed something felt off about himself. But oddly enough, he couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

"Uh, Natsu?" Happy muttered.

"Huh? What's up?"

In his confusion, Happy directed him to his neck. When Natsu looked down to what he referred to, he noticed his naked neck. "What the-?! My scarf! They hell it go?!"

"Look!" Darumaka pointed at something. Natsu and the others immediately turned towards a purple figure that flipped from the air onto its feet. In one of its hands was Natsu's scarf that was stripped clean off his neck.

Almost immediately, Natsu recognized the culprit. "Huh…?" He pointed an accusing finger at her. "Hey, I know you!"

Turning around, Amaryllis flashed Natsu a toothy smirk. "Oh-ah-ah! Man, you're a wily one, aren't y'a? Sure made it easy to find you all! You sure can leave a mess, that's for sure!"

Natsu wasn't having it. "Gimme back my scarf! That ain't yours!"

"What, this?" Amaryllis waved his scarf in her tail hands side-to-side, deliberately teasing him. "If you want it, come and get it~!" She chimed. The look on Natsu's angry face made her snicker. It was entertaining to say the least.

"Why you…" Natsu wasted no time charging for her. Amaryllis hastily fled through the crowd of humans and Pokémon, using them as scapegoats to block off Natsu. "GET BACK HERE YOU THIEVING MONKEY!"

"Natsu, wait!" Happy shouted, but realized it was too late. "Well, here we go again. Come on, guys! Let's give him some backup!"

"You can say that again." Charmeleon chimed, tone painfully obvious. He hunched forward and sprung ahead on all fours to follow the clear trail treaded by his trainer through the toppled crowd of mixed species. Darumaka and Tyrunt briefly exchanged looks before following his lead.

Harrison watched them take off unexpectedly. "Hey, hold up! The hell you going-?!" He was cut off and hastily pulled back when a streaky telekinetic blast barely grazed his fingers. "Yeesh! That was close!"

A roguish snort was heard from close by. He turned towards the supposed culprit, which was a Grumpig. However, unlike others of his kind, he had on a very large, white dress shirt that remained unbuttoned, exposing his belly. He had a piercing on his left ear with a golden hook, which matched the belt buckle that supported his broad dark pants. From a small hole in the back, his large spiral pink tail stuck out.

"Aye, I's! The heck you be doing out here? Thought I stuffed you back in the PC. What gives?" Grumpig complained.

Harrison's glare hardened. "Oh, great…just the 'mon I wanted to see." He spread his legs. "Enjoying your new life just mooching on the couch much?"

Grumpig sneered, his breath snorting obnoxiously. "Hmph! Sounds to me that you were cooped up for too long if you're this crabby."

"You would know, you stuffed me down there the whole damn time, fatass!"

"Hey, I would have brought you back out…" Grumpig paused, looking to contemplate on his choices. "…okay, maybe for a holiday, but hey, they feed you down there, don't they? I don't see why you should be complaining."

"Yeah, I get fed alright. Fed crap!" Electricity sparked between his hands. "Which is what you're gonna be feeling when I shock the daylights out of ya, you overgrown swine!"

Grumpig's tail spring yanked. "Hmph! I wasn't planning on leaving the house today, but after hearing that prize money, guess I actually have a reason to get out." He grinned impishly. "I'm gonna get a buffet once I bring in my haul!"

"We'll see, cuz either way, one of us is gonna be eating dirt. And it sure ain't me!" Harrison scoffed.

Lucy struggled to open her eyes. She had no idea what to feel, but the first thing she registered was the dizzy spell briefly washing over her. "Gnnngh…w-what…?"

"Lucy? You okay?!" A familiar high-pitched tone chimed in her ear.

Lucy moaned as she turned further onto her stomach. "Mmmm, five more minutes…Klefki…!" As if by a stroke of realization, her eyes shot wide open. "Wait, Klefki?!" She shot up, sitting on her rump with a shocked look. "Klefki!"

"Right over here, Lucy!" Lucy turned towards the voice and saw her precious Klefki and Staryu together. However, she noticed how both had some form of minimized chains to fit their bodies so they wouldn't be going anywhere. Klefki had a chain around her key horn, whereas Staryu had a body chain strapped on one corner and lacing around the opposite corner to keep it pinned.

Lucy processed what was happening. When she looked around, she saw that she was in a large, metal cage with crossed bars welded together. When she looked at the flooring, she noticed how there were only a few pillows and covers laying around her for only a miniscule sense of comfort. The only source of lighting that brightened up the place came from the ceiling that was lined with long white lacrima.

"What happened? How did we end up in this place?" she muttered.

"Looks like someone finally came around."

Lucy nearly jumped at the familiar blunt tone. She turned to her right, seeing Cana slouching up against the bars with an arm over her knee cap. She looked laid-back, if not annoyed. Around her were Liepard and Prinplup, all conscious. "Cana!" Lucy quipped.

"Hey Lucy, you alright?" the brunette chimed.

"Y-yeah, I think so." She sheepishly rubbed her head, clearing away any confusion that threatened to give her a migraine. "Where are we? I don't remember how we got here?"

Cana craned her head, looking at the blank walls that lied beyond the boundaries of their cage. "Your guess is as good as mine. If I had to guess, we've gotta be in some low-brass storage area or something. All I know is that when I came to, I found myself in this cage with you…and a bad taste in my mouth."

Lucy blinked, the last statement leaving her less than assured. Bad taste in her mouth? Now that she had her sense of taste bad, she noticed how her lips had a slight taste on them…like sugary lipstick. Why did she feel this disturbed about something so cognitive?

The last thing she remembered, she and Cana finally had that Grovyle pinned, and then she recalled something large, pink, and wet making contact with her mouth. Just thinking about it made her face tingle all over again.

'Wait…were we ambushed by something? If so, then…?'

Suddenly, something rattled not far on her left. Lucy and Cana found themselves looking at another cage that sat right next to theirs. Inside, they recognized the figures that stirred. They were none other than Gray and Juvia, with their respective Pokémon around them coming out of their own daze.

"Gnngh, my head. What happened?" Gray groaned, clutching his hair. "…oh, right. That damn wolf sucker punched me and I got buried in rocks. Great."

Juvia looked down, seemingly more upset than angry with her position. "I'm so sorry, Gray. They caught me, too."

Around her, her Pokémon were in a no better mood than her own. Wartortle especially had his head down in shame. "I'm so sorry, Boss-Ma'am…I failed you."

"H-hey, it's okay. You did your best out there." Azumarill assured, patting his shell.

"Juvia, you too?" Gray gasped. "Who else…?" While scouting around, he saw Lucy and Cana, as well as their Pokémon gathered and chained. "Lucy! Cana!"

Lucy gasped loudly. "Gray, it's you!"

"Well now, got ourselves some caged lovebirds next to us. Ain't that a sight." Cana mused.

"Real funny…" Gray sourly groaned. "Anyways, what's going on? Why are you guys here?"

"Isn't it obvious? You're being held captive behind bars, you morons." A gruff sneer echoed.

Lucy gasped again. 'That voice…!' She knew she'd recognized that annoyed tone. She turned her head and saw a familiar green body sitting up against a wooden cargo crate. His legs were crossed as he used his hands to cushion the back of his head. He glared at them all like he was sizing them up.

"You…!" Cana recognized the Grovyle in an instant. She reached for her tarot cards, but when she was trying to activate them, they were left blank. "What…?"

"Don't even bother. Those cages are made of Magic-Sealing Stone melted into the metal of those bars." Blade explained, folding his arms. "You'd have as much luck using your magic to bust out as you'd have winning the lottery." He eyerolled. "Not that it matters around here, considering the point of damn currency to begin with is just a whole bunch of nonsense. You damn humans and your cockamamie concepts..."

Lucy shot up to her feet, stepping towards the bars with her guard up. "What have you done? Where are we?!"

Blade raised a brow, looking disinterested. "Don't look at me, I didn't do nothing…aside from knocking down all your Pokémon a peg." He glanced at the scowls Prinplup and Liepard gave him, but didn't seem to care. "Yeah, that was all Suria's doing. She smacked you two girls' daylights out with her signature kiss. Gotta say, you were both heavy sleepers."

"Kiss…?" Lucy blinked. She thought back to the strange taste in her mouth. Cana was no different. 'Then what happened to us was actually…!'

As soon as the epiphany struck the two, both Lucy and Cana felt like a rock fell and crushed their heads. They had faces of contorted disbelief and confusion at the last bits of memory they had that finally resurfaced – the very reason they were asleep from the start.

'So that thing that I saw pucker lips on me really…'

'You can't be serious…'

In a state of overwhelming shock and disgust, Lucy and Cana sank to their knees, their heads down with shivers running all over their bodies. They looked ashamed to say the very least; Lucy more so than Cana. "I can never get married now…"

Blade hummed. "Believe me, you wouldn't be the first ones to feel that way. That frisky Jynx has a serious thing for humans…something even I don't wanna know."

Lucy couldn't get over it. She looked like she was gonna cry. 'My first kiss…and it was with a Pokémon? Not what I had in mind!'

Juvia gasped, having hands over her mouth with rosy cheeks. "O-Oh my…I didn't know Lucy was the type to go in 'that' direction…"

"Don't you even start going down that rabbit hole!" Lucy snapped. "We were all just caught off guard, that's all!"

Cana furrowed her brow, choosing to fix the subject on the right foot. She eyed Blade with dense scrutiny. "So tell me, what's the deal now? You guys ain't gonna just lock us up in an actual cell?"

Blade glared at her, shaking his right foot that was crossed over. "Hmph, that would have been a good idea. Could have saved me a whole lot of time for myself and not hear your complaints bring me closer to being deaf." He complained, his tone as dry as sand under the hot sun. "But apparently, the whole so-called 'PC' is trashed because that damn Cofagrigus looked away for one second. So, we're settling for this until we get everything sorted out. As far as you two ladies go, Suria wanted to add you to her collection, but she had to head out and get some Human Cubes for you. She'll be back soon enough."

Lucy nor Cana felt too happy knowing any of that. For one thing, this was the same Pokémon that left them petrified with her large lips. Just thinking about was giving them nightmares to last for a long time.

Blade turned towards Gray and Juvia. "Now in your case, Akando said he didn't want any part of this, so he just left to deal with the mess being made outside. And Lumina said she'd want to keep that blue-haired girl long enough for herself, saying something about 'testing her magic and spells' or whatever. She's picky that way."

Nobody said anything, which left enough room for the Grovyle to stand up and take a few paces forward. "To be honest, I would rather take that damn wolf's part, but due to our 'lack of security details', they needed someone 'capable' to watch you until at least another Apostle showed up. So I'm stuck listening to you bunch of ding-dongs for a while."

Juvia frowned, not appreciative of Blade's demeanor. "You…have a very crude mannerism."

"Yeah, well what'd you expect? Like hell I wanna be here to begin with. Same boat as you, we were just given the short end of the stick. Bet your other pals are doing a number out there."

"Well, that's reassuring." Gray grunted.

Snover looked uneasily at Blade, scratching the back of his snow cap. "Um, not to change the subject again, but, uh…w-what would happen to us exactly?" He gestured to the other Pokémon gathered with him, all of whom had at least one chain connecting them to a bar.

Blade walked over, raising his head like he was sizing up Snover. The action made the latter uncomfortable. "Well Snowflake, things don't look as bleak for you lot. You'd most likely get thrown into jail for conspiring with these invaders. Maybe if you play your cards right, His Majesty might give you all a pardon…possibly after spending five years of probation." He folded his arms tighter. "Of course, with the state we're in right now, you'd be lucky just to get a life sentence."

"S-Snowflake…?" Snover quipped.

"Oh, we're that chummy that we're doing nicknames now, is that it?" Liepard smirked. "I think Whiskers is kinda cute, right?"

Blade turned away, raising his arms. "Nope, not doing this!"

Suddenly, the sound of a large door opened, followed by a brief increase in volume from the shouting and mayhem outside. Everyone turned their heads and saw a Vulpix and Sunflora walking in, both dressed in police officer uniforms. The looks on both their faces indicated that they were in very depressing moods.

"But none of that was my fault, how many times do I have to tell you that!?" Sune complained. She looked fuming, her tails flexing in and out. It was a very clear sign of stress.

"And I believe you, Sune. I really do." Flora assured.

"Then how come I get chewed out so badly by the chief? I wasn't my fault that we were short on staff to help in the 'PC'. If anything, that stupid Pangoro should have distributed the working officers better! I was just put down there because he said so! Besides, I didn't even have a human of my own yet…"

Flora frowned, catching how one-sided it was against Sune's favor. If she could, she would have tried to say something to help alleviate her position, and quite possibly her career. But she had her own problems, mainly the sake of keeping her own job if she didn't get out to help stop the revolution. "…I know, it's not your fault. I don't know why they put those at the bottom of the barrel into a corner like that. But…I know it wasn't your fault. You'd never do such a thing."

Sune sighed, dejection overwhelming her. "So…now what? I'm just grounded here till the whole thing's over?"

"This was a request from an Apostle. They needed someone to keep an eye on these captives they've found along the outskirts. If this actually pulls through, maybe the chief will go easier on you." She placed a leaf on her back. "Just…try to do your job this time, okay?"

Sune lifted her head, seeing the humans and Pokémon trapped in cages. She didn't expect this to go wrong in any way, but after the painful experiences she's been having the past two days, she didn't have such high hopes in regards to her potential. If anything, it was getting to her so that that she felt like she was going to get chewed out regardless…again. All because she was doing what she was inscribed to do.

But ultimately, she couldn't muster herself to reiterate her points. It would have been a waste of breath. Instead, she slowly nodded. "Okay."

Flora nodded. "Good! I'll be back with company as soon as this mess is fixed! Be careful!" With a quick pivot, Flora skipped her way out the storage house, the massive door creaking to a shut behind her.

Sune turned towards the Apostle before her. Though upset, she knew she had a job to do regardless, and she was going to go through with it. She trotted up and saluted at him. "Officer Sune, reporting for duty!"

Blade crossed his arms, glaring at the Vulpix sauntering towards them. "Oh, so you're the backup I was told about." He was more indifferent than disappointed, but Sune took it the wrong way based on how discouraged she looked.

"Er-yes! I'm here on behalf of the law enforcement of Pokétopia as your relief guard watch." She noted.

Blade shrugged indifferently. "Well feel free to crash here just like the rest of us. Not like there's an even better point getting caught up in something so pointless as per yonder." He craned his head, nudging towards the door where the sounds of muffled explosions came.

Gray furrowed his brow at the moody Grovyle. "You know…for an Apostle, you certainly don't seem all that committed to your beloved utopia. Aren't you guys supposed to be like symbols for other people to follow?"

Blade raised a brow back at him. "You all take the idea of images way too seriously around here. You think I like people coming up to me for answers and guidance? I always just tell them to get lost and I walk away right after. But I don't think they have all five senses because every time I step out, twice as many come to me for something simple as how to get stronger or whatever philosophical Tauros crap like that."

Lucy frowned. Something about this vaguely reminded her of Nic's own attitude against titles and loathing attention. Unable to sedate her curiosity, she chose to pop the question in mind. "N-not that it's any of my business, but if you don't like the attention, how come you ended up an Apostle?"

"What is this, 20 Questions? Because I already counted at least 10." Blade complained. "You're all so damn nosy! Where the hell is that damn Jynx?! At least that'll cut the annoying voices here down by two!"

Lucy slumped her shoulders. "Uh…sorry?"

Blade groaned for the umpteenth time, eyerolling as he walked closer towards the crates again. "You really wanna know? Well, hate to disappoint ya like this, but as high and mighty as the position itself holds, you don't receive any special care packages, I tell you that." He turned towards his side, and leaned against the crate with an elbow. "Really, the whole Apostle gig is just a big write-off of Pokémon who've had complexes with humans from the past. Basically a bunch of loonies who were reined in by the king who could manipulate their experiences and get something positive out of this whole damn mess."

Liepard snickered sourly. "Well what do you know, guess the justice system is as screwed up as the human version. Figures."

Sune fired her a serious look. "Be quiet! That's a verbal offense, and you know it!" she huffed. "Besides, you're the ones behind bars here, so that says plenty on whose system is better!"'

Liepard was about to open her mouth, but the realization dawned to where she subtly backed off. Her tail swayed the other way. "Huh…guess you ain't wrong there."

"Maybe so, but at least we don't get put in cages." Prinplup sneered, putting his flippers to his sides. "Our trainer has a serious drinking issue, but at least she treats us better than you treat your own 'mons."

"Heh, knew you'd always had a soft spot for me, Prinplup." Cana playfully winked. Prinplup turned away, scowling as a light pink flushed his cheeks.

"But how does that relate to what I asked? What's that got to do with why you're an Apostle?" Lucy wondered. "Did…something happen to you that humans did to make you hate them?"

The Grovyle shot a brief glare at Lucy, meeting her gaze. For a moment, the two were in a brief standoff with the more pure-hearted woman waiting for what the crude wood gecko would have to say. The way she seemed so genuine gave him mixed feelings of impartial guilt and disgust. In order to sedate this contorted feeling, he obliged to her inquiries with a loud groan and eyeroll, shifting himself to lean his back against the crates and folded his arms.

"You really wanna know that bad? Well, it's not all that hard to understand." He started his tale as he reminisced on his past. "Where do I begin…? Well, in case no one gave you the memo, my particular kind is rather important in certain regions. You see, Treecko are one of the starting Pokémon for trainers in the Hoenn region, that's where I'm from."

Lucy blinked, looking surprised. "So then…you were somebody's first Pokémon?"

"Hey, did you hear me say that? Let me finish!"

"S-sorry…geez…"

Blade groaned before resuming his tail. "Anyways, I wasn't born on some farm or wherever us Treecko are supposed to be bred at…that was actually my mother. She was a starter for her trainer that chose her. Anyways, got taken to a Day-Care facility, she was put in there with some other Pokémon. That's where I was made. With me so far?" He didn't allow time for anyone to respond to his question, mainly due to how sarcastic and swift he was when addressing to the next point. "So I was taken around by that same trainer, rolling up and around wherever he went. As soon as I hatched, he had me put back in that joint since I wasn't 'adequate'. And the longer I was cooped up and watched trainers cycle on by, the more I watched…and then, one day, it just hit me…" His face contorted into genuine annoyance. "Just straight up don't like people!"

Lucy and everyone cringed at how tense his tone was, like it was a painfully obvious statement. As much as they were baffled, Blade didn't let them but in.

"Seriously! All you don't know how to keep your damn mouths shut, especially about your passions and completely nonsensical delusions. You're supposed to learn from your mistakes, yet nobody had the brains to take others' advice and get their own experience the hard way. Seriously a big waste of time." Blade paused, shooting a glare at Lucy again. "You see my point now? You wouldn't be behind bars if you had just used common sense, girly. I was your enemy, yet you still hesitated." He crossed his arms. "You have to be one of the biggest sissies I've ever met."

BEEPBEEPBEEP-BEEP! Staryu blinked tediously.

"Yeah, that's right! That isn't nice at all! She's a nice lady!" Klefki countered.

"Klefki…Staryu…" Lucy breathed out. She was touched by the simple gesture.

Blade snorted again. "Not gonna judge you on your tastes. You got your reasons, so do I." he shrugged. "Really, I want nothing to do with humans. The moment I came to this world, I figured it'd be my chance to get away from it all…then I realized it was filled with even bigger idiots! So, that brings me to here. Happy?"

Cana raised a brow, looking unamused by it all. "So if that's the case, why are you an Apostle then?"

The Grovyle shrugged again. "Beats me, guess that king could read my mind about my dislike for humans. In fact, I'm the only Apostle who doesn't have a human."

Juvia gasped. "But then…why are you an Apostle then?"

"I just told you, you idiot!" he snapped, facepalming himself. "God! You see! You just asked the same question! Of course you'd get the same answer!"

Juvia shriveled back, unnerved at how prudently harsh – yet accurate – he was. "Oh…um…m-my apologies."

Blade groaned, his frustrations having finally fizzled out. "Whatever. That's all about me and how I got this gig, not that I did anything special at all. Just a 'mon who wanted his peace and quiet and got the opposite. What a life."

"Sounds to me you got the short end of the stick." Gray pointed out. To an extent, he could understand what Blade was on about regarding not liking people. Though it wasn't as intense as his or Nic's loathing of people, he had to admit that having to fight people who just recklessly charge at him knowing he could freeze them from a distance made him want to facepalm. He had Natsu to thank for feeling this way after being stuck with his gun-ho demeanor.

"I just think we've just found a grouchier version of Nic, Lucy." Cana chimed.

"Y-yeah, looks like it…" Lucy trailed off, unsure how to respond to everything spilled out before her. 'Geez, didn't think Pokémon couldn't have a reason…guess they're just born that way like some people I guess?'

Sune cleared her throat, stepping between the Apostle and the other captives. "Alright, that's enough. I'm gonna have to ask you to stay quiet for the time being until Apostle Suria returns to the premise." She turned towards the Pokémon. "That goes for you all, too."

The group went unsteadily quiet for the time being. The short but notable response was enough to make the tension all the more awkward between the two sides. Sune, of course, took it in stride and was actually pleased for once that someone listened to her authority.

With a huff, she lifted her snout and started trotting about in a routine circle around the cage, checking every corner. Though it seemed strange by others and their standards, she continued to do so with a strict glare.

'I won't be at fault this time. I just can't be!'

Carla continued carrying Wendy as they glided across the avenue; Swablu and Amaura doing their best to keep up with them. As they went down the street, the effects of the large-scale proclamation were as clear as day. In front of some homes and businesses lined up they passed by, there were humans breaking into them, presumably to reclaim them by force. Some, however, were met with resistance with the owners and shopkeepers that were none other than Pokémon.

"Look at all this…it's like Magnolia all over again…" Wendy was practically speechless. She didn't even want to think back to what happened just a few days ago. She could still remember the painful cries of the innocent as they fled their homes.

"Focus, Wendy! We need to hurry and find the others to stop this!" Carla insisted.

Wendy shook any grim thoughts out of her head to redouble on their part of the plan. "Right, sorry!"

"Can you smell them anywhere?"

Wendy used her intense sense of smell to pick up on any familiar scents of her friends. Though not nearly as strong as Natsu's, she could still make out something that was particularly close by. It smelled very similar to the strong liquor that a familiar somebody always drank.

Her eyes widened in realization. 'Is that…Cana?' She smelled the air again. She not only got a whiff of Cana, but she could make out small scents clustered around her that she recognized. 'Yeah, that's definitely them for sure! No doubt!'

"Which way, Wendy?" Carla shouted.

"Up ahead! We're close!"

Carla nodded, before gripping her partner tighter. "Right, then hold on tight!" With a sudden burst of speed, she glided through the air, zooming down the avenue.

The awkward silence pressed in the room for what had to be minutes on end. To everyone in their cages, it felt like a few seconds had only passed and they were just waiting for somebody to break the silence. With how Blade was slouching without a care in the world, they weren't betting their luck on getting any valid answers from him. Especially when he made it very clear how he had no interest – nor care – for humans in general.

Sune continued to routinely pace around the cages, not bothering to glare anywhere else. She was eyeing each and every one of them like a hawk that was ready to swoop at any second at a single misstep out of line. Her tails were straight up, but her fur looked rather prickly for some reason. It looked like just even a single tap of a finger against the bars would trigger her. As tempting as it was, they'd rather not being threatened with fire in their faces, especially since they can't use magic to defend themselves.

The unsteady tension didn't last forever. Snorunt felt his stomach gurgle again, making him grunt. "Uh, Miss Fox? Can you let Gray out so he can make ice? I'm getting hungry." He chimed.

Snover shot him a look. "But didn't you just ate a little while ago?"

"Well, yeah…but I'm not full. So I'm still hungry." Snorunt chirped.

"Implausible, you are." Bergmite complained.

Sune stepped in front of them, staring through the bars like they had committed a serious crime. "Be quiet in there! You won't be fed around this time, period!" she barked. "Besides, our resources are being refocused at the moment, so you're gonna have to hold off for the time being."

"O-Okay…" Snorunt looked down, deeply distressed. It was worth a shot though. 'But I actually am hungry.'

Sune turned her head away and paddled around Lucy and Cana's cage. Prinplup looked down at her with his chin up, looking deeply unimpressed by her attitude. "You know, for such a small fox, you've got a loud bark, has anyone told you that?"

Sune's tails briefly curled as she glanced at him. "What did I just say? No talking until Apostle Suria returns!"

Prinplup scoffed, undeterred by her threat. "And if I don't? What're you gonna do about it?"

Sune's tails curled in and out, her stress showing so easily. "You're starting to test my patience. Either you're just doing this just to stall for something you're not telling me, or you just want to extort more personal information." She whipped her head away. "Well guess what, this time, it won't work! You won't be getting anything out of me like you did the Apostle Blade, crooks!"

'But you're making it so easy for us.' Liepard and Cana thought, brows raised at the obvious.

"Uh, not to burst your bubble, but that gecko over there told us because he wanted to." Cana sidenoted, earning a gleam from Blade.

The Grovyle turned away, scoffing. He wasn't doing this.

Sune sighed heavily. "Doesn't matter. You humans clearly don't know the very meaning of authority, do you? That's why you're put in those cages. Look at these." She beamed her chest out, showing her badge. "As long as I am wearing this uniform and badge, you're gonna treat me with respect. I'm no ordinary citizen, understand?"

Cana folded her arms, frowning. "You say that, but from the sounds of it, seems like you aren't faring any better than fodder if you were sent here as a punishment."

Sune's ears flipped up, shocked at how Cana and the others heard in on that. "T-that's none of your business! They just had me reassigned here to safeguard the captives, that's all. The jail is broken because of you humans, so we have to improvise!"

Liepard crossed her paws as she sat leisurely, her tail swaying. "Look, uh…"

"Sune. Officer Sune." She corrected.

"Right. So then, officer, let me ask you this, because it sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Hypothetically speaking, what would happen if this whole…fiasco settles. What are you expecting to happen to you after?"

Sune raised a brow, genuinely curious. "What are you on about?"

"Look at it this way, furball. You want respect, don't you? And yet it sounds like those guys who are in charge don't seem to give a Rattata's ass about you. You really think that by doing this one thing will get you on their good side when they have far more important matters on their plate?"

Sune's snout scrunched up, her annoyance showing, much to Liepard's pleasure. "That's not your concerns! I'm just doing what I'm told, alright?"

"You don't say…" Liepard swayed her tail again. "And you think whatever they say must go? Not to sound picky…but you know how this world operates, don't you? In other words…no matter how much you shake your little tail, they're just gonna use it like a mop till it gets filthy."

"Hey!"

Liepard turned her head away, smirking. "Hey, I've seen it before. I'm just saying, if they didn't respect you before, why bother with them? What's written in stone ain't always the just…at least that's how we roll."

Sune huffed, choosing to turn away from the Dark-type. "You Dark-types sure have a way to get under others' skins. Of course you would say that, and yet I'm the one not behind bars, am I?"

"True that, but am I wrong?"

The Vulpix's tail flexed in and out, as if trying to fluctuate her stress. She worked too damn hard the past few days, that was a given. But she was a well-trained officer of the law, and she knew her duties lied with the protection of Pokétopia. That was always what she told herself.

…and yet, somehow, what Liepard said wasn't bouncing off her cranium. It was clung onto there like a parasite that made her look more distressed than before. She had to be wrong. She was the criminal, not herself! She was just getting inside her head to extort more information, yeah…

Sune bit her lower lip, turning away from Liepard. 'No, Sune. Don't think like that. Remember your training. The law is the law. You're just having a hard time because you're at the bottom of the barrel, not because they don't respect you. I'm an officer, the citizens know to acknowledge our authority.'

As if sensing her distress, Liepard added another layer. "No matter how right you think you are…there's always gonna be someone out there to prove you wrong."

A sudden explosion of air came from the large doorway that was shut. It slammed open, filling the storage unit with a dense draft that brushed past everyone.

Blade covered himself from the breeze. "What is it now?!"

All eyes turned onto the entrance as they saw a girl with cat ears and white angel-like wings hauling a blue-haired girl. They both dropped to their feet and fixed on the others as they were soon accompanied by an Amaura and Swablu close behind them.

"Wendy, there they are!" Carla pointed at the captive group.

Wendy gasped. "You guys! Are you okay?!"

"Wendy! Thank goodness you're here!" Lucy smiled brightly.

Blade stood up, glaring at the intruders. "Oh, that's just great. Looks like the calvary arrived."

Sune flinched, looking genuinely surprised. 'How did they find us? I-I have to call for backup immediately…' She paused, realizing something. 'Wait, every available unit is fighting! Damnit!'

Liepard turned towards Prinplup. "Now!"

"Right!" Prinplup raised his right wing, making it shimmer with a metallic gleam. In a swift, steep slash, he chirped as he used Metal Claw, shattering his, Liepard, Klefki, and Staryu's chains. The action adverted Blade and Sune's attention back onto them.

"Hey! Wait-!"

Liepard turned towards Staryu. "Hey, can you use Brine?"

BEEP Staryu blinked a confirmation.

She smirked as she turned towards the top of their cell, more accurately the bars. "Then how's about we get some aging on that metal already?"

Beeping again, Staryu complied and pointed its top at where the iron bars met the cage's top. It expelled a steady and powerful jet of saltwater at that point and doused three bars clustered together. The stream continued pouring, and the others remained confused.

"What's that supposed to do?" Cana questioned.

"Hey, wait a minute…that's it!" Lucy realized. "I get it! The saltwater is to make rust accelerate!"

Cana perked up. "Really?" She smirked at her Liepard. "You sly cat!"

Liepard smirked back, huffing. "Thank me after we get out of here." She noticed the water diminishing in volume, and already there were levels of rust gradually appearing. "Alright Cana, handing it to you!"

Cana readily took the initiative. "Right! Prinplup, Metal Claw! Liepard, Fury Swipes!"

Liepard and Prinplup crouched down before springing into the air towards the bars' rusted tops. Their claws reached out and shined brightly as they bridged the gap and ferociously slashed or swiped repeatedly, chattering at the weakened stronghold. With a massive snap of each bar severed, the storage area echoed as the loud clangs of magic-sealing metallic restraints levered off stable ground and onto the floors.

With an opening presented for Lucy and Cana, they perked up and immediately went for it. "Alright! We're out!"

Blade scowled. "Not on my watch, you don't!" With a swift lick off his feet, he jettisoned towards them.

Wendy reached her arm out, readying a counter. "Amaura, Icy Wind! Swablu, Disarming Voice!"

Amaura and Swablu both opened their mouths, both glowing bright blue and pink respectively. Once they had the momentum, they lurched forward, expelling cold air that rushed with large soundwaves made of bright pink energy.

Blade was on guard, but even though he put the brakes on and backpedaled, the Disarming Voice mixed with the cold air made it impossible to avoid. He was pushed off his feet and yelped in surprise.

"A-Apostle Blade!" Sune cried out, before she was struck by the joint attack. Granted, the attacks together were not very effective, but they were enough to make her slide off to the side with a squeal.

With the added time to get out, Lucy, Cana, and their Pokémon found themselves outside the cage.

"Alright! Now that we can use magic again…Klefki, gimme what I need!" Lucy energetically chimed.

"Here you go!" Klefki unhinged her key ring, reaching and lobbing a Zodiac Key towards Lucy with perfect aim.

Once the key lodged to Lucy's grip, she smirked at her choice. "Alright! Now, Open: Gate of the Golden Bull – Taurus!"

In a golden flash, the earth suddenly shook as Taurus appeared, fists clutched. "MMOOOOOOOO~!" He lowly roared.

Recoiling, Sune opened one of her eyes. "What…? She can use other beings can Pokémon?"

"I told Suria to take those away! Damnit, that classy wannabe!" Blade cursed.

Lucy turned towards Gray and Juvia's cage. "Hang on, guys! Help is on the way!"

Understanding the notion, Taurus crouched and sprung after the cage. With another loud cry, he brought his labrys around and swung it forward.

"Tension Axe!"

He slashed with the labrys' sharp, strong hilt, using brute force that cleaved the bars to halves. Gray, Juvia, and their Pokémon looked shocked for a moment as they watched the bars drop to the floor with loud clangs.

Taurus pulled the weapon back, grinning. "No thanks are necessary, just helpin' out a dude and a smoooothe-looking lady in distress!" he beamed.

Gray took the comment in stride. "Thanks."

Juvia nodded in gratitude. 'He's still a big perv.'

Wendy's small group hustled over, finally making the group whole. Wendy spoke up first. "You guys okay?"

"Don't worry, we're just fine." Lucy answered. "We're just glad to see you made it in one piece too, Wendy."

Wendy sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "Hehe, well, Vanessa gave me a tip-off."

Carla folded her arms, taking the conversation in her own hands. "We have to get out of here. We still have a mission to catch up on, and the streets are littered with Pokémon and people! We've got to clean it all up!"

Gray nodded, smirking. "Copy that. But first…" He turned towards Blade and Sune as they were recovering. "What do we do about those two?"

"Don't worry, they're not going anywhere." Cana smirked, holding up two blank cards. "Actually, this'll help lighten the load a little…"

Blade scowled as he got up. A blue aura enveloped him and Sune, reducing their Speed. He turned towards the latter. "Get up! We've got trouble!"

"But…but I don't have a human to battle!" Sune pleaded.

Blade blinked, facepalming himself with annoyance. Sune cringed at how she disappointed yet again. "I-I'm sorry! I'll follow the protocol and call for backup!"

"You're not calling anyone, sweetie!" Cana pointed two fingers at them. "Card Dimension!"

Blade and Sune only had enough time to gasp before they suddenly found themselves cloaked in a powerful light. They were distorted and reappeared in midair in smaller versions of themselves, trapped within tarot cards that Cana held between her fingers.

"Hey! What are you doing?! This is attempted kidnapping! Return me to normal!" Sune demanded.

"Sorry, fluff-butt. But we've got a society to fix." Cana turned towards her friends. "Let's go."

"Right!" Everyone headed for the exit of the storehouse, escaping the isolated place's confines.

Meanwhile, a normal-sized door to another area opened with a turn of a knob. Emerging was none other than Suria, who shook her hips as she had a cardboard box in hand with four fresh Human Cubes. "Darlings~, I'm finally back! So sorry for the holdup, I had to make a few stops and traffic was…hm?"

When she looked, she blinked multiple times. She had expected to see Blade casually minding himself, as well as the humans that were captured…but instead, she had found what looked like a sheer mess made. The cages were broken, with evidence of being cut or broken by a weapon or having chipped by rust. Once it registered to her, her eyes widened with disbelief.

"OH MY GOODNESS! WHERE HAVE ALL MY SWEET DARLINGS RUN OFF TO?!" she wailed. She turned towards the doorway, hearing the echoes from outside. "Oh…nu-uh! This girl ain't having this mess around! Where'd that Blade saunter off to? And where'd that extra help when it was needed?"

She sighed. "Darlings…when I find you, I'm gonna have to make it so that you'd never wanna run off on me again."

Meanwhile, while everyone was making their way through the mayhem happening below, it was different on a higher scale, literally. The white palace remained out of touch, even as an arrange of spells and attacks went off beneath its surface. With the carnage spewing beneath, it was all but a forgotten treasure over their heads.

And yet, within this treasure, there were the lavish halls that were decorated with chandeliers and gilded paintings. This was where Mest had found himself, along with Kirlia. The two found themselves between two decorative suits of armor.

'Okay, good. There weren't any problems breaking in. Guess they expected us to head through the front entrance.' Mest figured. He gave a quick glance at his surroundings for insurance, seeing no sign of any human or Pokémon guards. 'Given the situation, I find it hard to believe they'd have this place unguarded. They can't seriously be that undermanned. They should be around here somewhere…like closer towards the king!'

With a plan in mind, he looked towards Kirlia, who slowly turned towards the wall. As he was readily bringing his head back to bang it, Mest out a hand on his head.

"Don't. Not here."

Kirlia frowned with a small groan. Mest sighed, but he dismissed it and gave out his instruction. "Listen, I'll try to search the upper levels. You search the lower levels. If you find anything suspicious, find me."

Kirlia slumped his shoulders. "Alright…"

Mest frowned. 'All that banging against walls and yet he still doesn't have a concussion. Must be thick-skulled I guess.' Though he could have dawdled on it, he chose not to. Instead, he focused himself on the objective and teleported off the scene, with Kirlia doing the same.

Though appearing in different locations, it became essential a game of hide-and-seek, along with a scavenger hunt. The two found themselves teleporting to various corners; sometimes they had to vanish instantly due to soldier Pokémon being only a second's glance away from them. When they thought they saw a human or a Kirlia without proper armor, they rubbed their eyes or shook their heads to cast it off as an illusion, presumably from overwork. They went left and right, sometimes even meeting on the same floor next to each other.

In one instance, Mest teleported between a Gurdurr and Herdier with their backs turned to each other. With Mest being so close, the Herdier's sense of smell kicked in and he snarled. He turned around and glared at Mest, threatening to bark.

'Crap!'

Herdier started barking, immediately alarming the Gurdurr. Mest teleported in time to avoid the steel girder that ended up smacking Herdier, putting him to the ground in an unconscious heap. The Gurdurr blinked and looked around, only to realize he had just knocked out his associate.

"Oh…crud. I'm gonna get fired for this…"

In another instance, Kirlia teleported to another area within the grand halls. He found himself having been teleported atop an armored Pidgeot. The extra weight on his back was enough to get the gliding avian's attention and make him look back, shocked at the sudden intruder.

"W-what the-?!"

Kirlia didn't give a second thought when he teleported again. The startled Pidgeot didn't look ahead in time when he was met with one of the prestige chandeliers head-on. A dazzling, loud clash was heard, followed by the snapping of chains and glass with feathers mixed in with the plummet. The shattering noise and loud squawking was heard from across the entire floor, alerting the other Pokémon guards clattered in armor.

Teleporting to a corner, Kirlia looked over his shoulder at the mess made down the corridor. He blinked once, before a meek smile crept onto his face before he vanished again.

Mest was faring no better, but he was able to make a breakthrough as soon as he noticed a set of guards were around the corner. They were joining the other royal guards to safeguard what seemed to be the stairway to an upper level.

'There's more guards around this area than the other ones. I must be getting closer…' He told himself.

"Out of my way!" A loud, crude tone was like nails on a chalkboard. Mest gasped and pinned himself against the wall for good measure. He glanced back at the passageway to find the guards stepping off to the side in a hurry. Arriving to the floor's level with heavy hooves was Adamantine, his cross-shaped glare as dense as he remembered it.

'An Apostle. Here?!' Mest furrowed his brow. He didn't expect such bad company here, but he remained well hidden and out of sight when the sounds of Adamantine's hooves drew near.

The Golisopod stomped his way past the corridor, looking to be fixed on something that had him seem unapproachable. He suddenly perked up, his antennae picking up something close by. He froze in place as he slowly glanced back to where he came from…but stopped when he was only a mere glance away. It was like he was sensing his surroundings.

Mest made sure not to make a single sound, let alone breathe. He knew that the slightest provocation could set off his position and jeopardize his scouting of the castle. His heartbeat was racing immensely as he was keeping his eyes wide on Adamantine the entire time.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the antagonistic Golisopod chose to brush off this estrange feeling and focused on walking his way down the corridor towards the castle's exit. He kept a steady pace until he was out of Mest's sight.

As soon as he was gone, it was like a lead weight fell off his chest. He finally breathed a dense sigh. 'That…was too close.' He silently glanced back the way the Apostle came from. 'He must be heading out to the kingdom below to join the rest. If I had to guess, if the exit is in that direction, then the king must be in the other direction. I think I'm starting to understand it now.'

A small tug on his pants got his attention. He glanced down, acknowledging his Kirlia that appeared out of nowhere, for seemingly who knows how long.

"Oh, Kirlia. You're here." Mest sounded genuinely pleased with his convenience. "Listen, I need you to teleport back to Nic and Erza, tell them that an Apostle is heading in their direction."

Kirlia seemed to understand, but he bent his wrist and gestured Mest closer to his face. Curious, he bent down and furrowed his brow as Kirlia seemed like he wanted to tell him something secretly. He took the gander and let him whisper into his ear.

As seconds passed, Kirlia kept whispering something that made his trainer's eyes gradually widen. His lips parted as his pupils became the size of salt grains. He turned back to give this look to his Kirlia.

"…wait, and you're sure about this?" he breathed. Kirlia nodded, only confirmation Mest's worries. He looked down as he distressed of the information given to him. 'If that's the case…then we've got even more problems to deal with if this propaganda persists.' His focus returned. 'We've gotta tell the others about this, fast!'

He turned towards Kirlia. "Kirlia, show me where it's at."

"Fine…hold on tight." He reached out and touched Mest. Together, he used Teleport and warped them off the spot.

A mage cried out as he charged, only to be grabbed by a large, muscular hand. With a wild battle cry, Elfman was in his Beast Soul Form as he threw the mage into a half-dozen other mages. All of them were struck down like bowling pins that toppled along the streets.

"C-Crap! That human is strong!" A Koffing nervously scowled, just having witnessed his bodies of human mages fall one after another.

"Just what is this guy made of?!" A Skiploom fret.

Elfman roared towards the atmosphere, causing the entire avenue to shudder. Any conscious Pokémon and humans gathered around were feeling extremely uncomfortable to approach him, let alone engage in battle.

Suddenly, a foot stepped onto the avenue. "So, you're one of the culprits behind this mess?"

Elfman paused from his spree and glanced over his shoulder. Immediately, he recognized the blue humanoid bodily frame that was draped in fighting-themed clothes. "You…"

Standing several meters behind Elfman stood Martial, with dozens of human bodies sprawled along the streets behind his wake. He stood poised, showing no wear as he eyed Elfman with his studious glare.

Instantaneously, many Pokémon citizens were taken back, with some partially relieved and joyous to see the Sawk arrive.

"It's Martial of the 12 Apostles!"

"It really is him! What's he doing here?!"

"Obviously to beat this oversized joker down a peg! Knock in a good one for us, Martial! You rock!"

"Oh, that human's gonna get it now!"

The spree of citizens around them kept their distance as their panic was replaced with cheers. Elfman nor Martial paid them any heed as they found themselves locked onto one another. Though Elfman's seemed more vindictive than stoic.

"I remember you. You're that Pokémon who used that brawn guy before." Elfman clarified.

"That 'brawn' guy, you say?" Martial clarified. "His name is Bruce…and yes, I seem to remember that as well."

"Good, cuz I was getting myself ready for a rematch." Elfman rammed his fist into his palm, making an airwave explode. The sound of knuckles cracking echoed as his Beast Soul glare intensified. "A real man doesn't stay lying down after getting hit like that."

Martial narrowed his glare. "Strong words, human. As much as I respect the dignity in your words, your actions have been anything but justly to our establishment." He reached down, tightening his black belt. "For my honor as an Apostle, I shall test you here now with my discipline."

Elfman breathed so hard between his teeth that steam expelled from the sides of his mouth. He braced himself as he and Martial took their stances to face each other.

New chapter up, and for once being under 25K after such a long time! Nothing too climatic other than some minor backstories, small NicxErza fluff, and setting up for some battles to follow. Finally, we're getting into the thick meat of the arc with FT on two fronts, amongst other matters! Still a ways to go, but this arc is gonna be a long flight still before it reaches its final destination.

Please show your support with favoriting, following, and leaving reviews; all appreciative of course. Hope you guys enjoyed, and get ready for some drama and combat from here on!