Episode 41: Daybreak Unleashed

"This is… kind of heavy," Shannon rubbed his face. Having returned to the group, Kayla and the others caught him and Genius up to speed as they made their way to the Ilex Nest. "And kind of out of nowhere, too. Why would Azu want us to have an unhinged wish so badly?"

"Yeah! I've already got my wish, so why the need?" Genius said cheerfully.

"I can actually answer this," Ashe spoke up, coming to the front of the group.

Kayla was a little wary. Their destination wasn't far, about an hour's walk from the Nowhere Scrapyard in the north and not far from the coast. There wasn't anyone who could eavesdrop on their conversation, save for some groups of ferals they occasionally passed. Flocks of seafaring birds flew over them, while Tauros charged across the hills toward the mainland. Today was pleasant, if a little cold.

"Kayla, I spoke to you about this briefly last night. About how I would tell you what Netherworld are after. I believe this is their goal," Ashe stated.

"It all makes sense!" Kayla gasped. "Their hunt for Dreamers, their goal of making a new world, that's how they're planning to do it? They actually want to make a new world by destroying this one?"

"And the only way to stop them is by taking the wish for ourselves. Doing so would end the hunt for us and change their course entirely," Ashe nodded. "It is a great task for a lowly group such as ours, but a wish for yourself doesn't sound too bad, does it?"

"… It kinda does, actually. I guess I'm expected to come out with some noble world-altering wish of my own, but I honestly don't know what I would wish for if I had no limitations," Kayla admitted, swaying casually. "But, like, I know the way Netherworld's been going about it is wrong, but is a world that treats Extraordinary Pokémon fairly really such a bad thing?"

"Are you saying you would rather cooperate with them? Jirachi would have your head for that," May commented with a snide grin.

"Well… I don't know. I don't know enough without talking to him, but the way you guys turned your back on them, Gema's idea of that world isn't all sunshine and rainbows, is it?" Kayla quietened down. "I'm just saying it's not a bad idea. A world where we aren't put down for being a little different."

"Oh no, you're not gonna wish for a world where everyone's fat, are you?" Pola gasped.

"Keep making jokes like that, and maybe I'll wish that for just you," she rolled her eyes.

"I would actually murder you."

"Couldn't we technically destroy the concept of evil? That would defeat inequality altogether, wouldn't it?" Shannon said.

"This is all makin' my head hurt! This stuff's never this simple!" Kari cried, ruffling her fur.

"You have time to think about this, and the potential ramifications that might come from each wish. And as I'm sure you're aware of as well, Azu was not telling us the whole truth," May informed, doing her usual pose. "It's good to start planning from now, but we have much work to do before we can start thinking about wishes."

"Another thing that concerns me," Ashe spoke up. "Jirachi's request to protect the comet. There is no way he did not know about this. I might be jumping to conclusions, but I almost feel like Jirachi was keeping this from us. Does he want to make a wish for himself?"

"Well that's the way his legend goes, right? He's normally the one who grants whichever wish is the strongest, out of everyone else in the whole world," Kayla reasoned.

"Yes. But for some reason, this time, he feels threatened because there are Pokémon who can make the wish in his place. Something changed," Ashe looked away.

So let me get this straight… Jirachi gathers the dreams and wishes of everyone in the world to make the Millennium Comet. When the comet grows strong enough, he uses it to grant the wishes of many Pokémon all around the world. For some reason, there's now a range of Dreamers who threaten the stability of the comet by using their abilities to take power from the comet and grant their wishes in real time, affecting the real world. Jirachi came to me specifically to stop those Pokémon, Kayla thought hard about it all, and even slowed her walk. But now we know that there's a staff that controls the whole comet, and we can use it to grant a wish unhindered by any existing law. Pokémon like myself would have the power to get that staff and use the comet this way… this must be what Gema is after, and why he was so desperate to get Dreamers under his control. It's like a race between myself and Netherworld to reach the comet, and the winner gets a wish.

"Um… Shannon? Sorry, I don't really get what's going on…" Genius confessed shyly.

"It's fine. As long as you follow my lead, everything will be alright, I promise," he assured. She perked right up, swaying her head.

"Er yo, that's a more important thing to talk about," Pola said. "What's up with you two? You gonna talk to us or what?"

"Huh?" Shannon was confused until he saw her face. "Oh right! With everything that happened, I guess I didn't get to clear things up. Me and Genius had a long talk and stuff. It's cool between us, you don't need to worry."

"But is she a girlfriend or what?" Pola swished a hand. Kayla sighed and shook her head, while Shannon and Genius exchanged glances. They shared a kiss, a nuzzle, and a giggle, to which Pola froze.

"Does that answer the question?" Shannon was half-lidded.

"Wait she's actually your girlfriend? Are you serious?"

"Er, is there some problem?" he cocked his head.

"You had a girlfriend! All this freaking time!" she cried. The others stopped ahead, giving her tired looks that made her blush. "All that flirting and trying to cheer you up could've been avoided if you'd just told me in the first place!"

"I don't get it. Shannon, who is she?" Genius asked.

"Pola, the Pokémon who's teaching me Visionary Magic. She um… it's a long story," Shannon sighed.

"Aww, she's cute!" Genius remarked.

"Wha-wha—" Pola flinched and blushed even harder. "I'm right here you know!"

"I know. And I think you're cute," Genius nodded.

Pola gawked for a moment and then she collected herself. "Er, yeah, I know. Weirdo."

Wow, that was all it took to get under her skin, Kayla cocked her head before continuing on. She caught sight of May's weirdly displeased look, but the Pichu dismissed the whole scene to keep leading the way.

"At least things are going to stay lively around here," Mog commented.

About ten minutes later, the fields turned into light forest, with plenty of trees dotted around the soft, hilly soil of the area. The grass was quite tall, while the ferals were non-existent. Kayla couldn't hear so much as a peck or a ruffle from anyone besides her team, even as they neared the forest entrance. This was about as convenient as it could get, with the woodland so densely packed together that you couldn't fit a Joltik between the trunks, except for one spot where the trees seemed to lean apart to make a forest path. The grass looked even taller inside however, making her wary.

"Whoa!" she flinched as thorny vines whipped their way in front of her just as she was about to enter. The group stood ready for battle, but nothing else came. Just this wall of spiky vines and sentient tree roots. "Okay, what's your problem?"

The PET started ringing, making her jump again. "I've really gotta find another place for this that's not my fluff."

"Hello? Am I coming through okay?" Azu asked. She didn't have a hologram.

"Loud and clear," May nodded.

"I just confirmed your location. I forgot to mention about the Ilex Nest. It has a special rule that keeps out ferals and intruders. Only innocent Pokémon are allowed inside," Azu announced.

"Innocent Pokémon? What's the criteria for that?" Kayla cocked her head.

"Exactly what you think it is. No one who has killed another Pokémon… or mated," Azu answered.

"… Oh," Kayla slowly turned to her team, who all exchanged surprised glances. Kayla quickly shut off the call. "The forest stopped us, so that means someone here…"

"Is a naughty, naughty little girl," May sung, half-lidded.

"Ugh. Okay. I don't think there's any way this isn't gonna be awkward," Kayla sighed. "I don't need details. Just, who can come with me and who can't?"

"I imagine my deeds as Mathildaath count. I was fully aware, so…" Mog turned away. "I'm sorry, Kayla."

"Don't apologize."

"Y'know what? You're right. This doesn't have to be a big deal," Shannon shrugged. "Me and Genius are ruled out."

"But you haven't killed Ditto yet," Kari said. There was a pause.

"Wait…" Ashe whispered.

"Is there someone else?" Kayla leaned away. Shannon didn't reply, and this time the whole group flinched away. "YOU?"

"So much for trying not to make this awkward," he sighed and shrugged. "Yes. We're a couple. We do couple things. Not exactly something I gloat to young girls about."

"Honestly, it's always the quiet ones," Ashe muttered, hiding a smirk of her own.

"But you! You're like… again with the way you… you're meant to be the clean, quiet one!" Pola cried. "Even I'm clean!"

"Shannon's got game and Pola doesn't! Who'd believe it?" Kari giggled, tail swaying and all.

"KARI! Fucking hell, do you guys want me to be – man, what's with this?" Pola's face was bright red. "Kari, what the heck?"

"Honestly, it's better this way, right? Shannon's one of the adults here, after all," Kari giggled.

"Alright, alright, that's enough. So we leave Shannon, Genius, and Mog behind. Are there any other dark secrets in this circle?" Kayla stepped in. Ashe ever so slowly began to raise a hand. "S-seriously? Is that just Netherworld stuff?"

"Solo explorer days, actually. But equally, stories I'm not proud of," she confessed. Kayla could only blink in disbelief.

"I warned ya about being lenient with who joins," Pola snapped her out of her stupor.

"And lemme guess," she went half-lidded, turning to May. The Pichu was silent and had her hands tucked behind her back with her eyes closed. "That's it? Nothing witty?"

"No… May!" Mog cried. "Say it isn't so!"

"A Pichu who's killed somebody? Fuck off, now you're just trying to gloat or something," Pola yanked May by her scarf.

"Pola!" May shrieked horrifically.

"See? Knew you were bullshitting. There's no way you're not little miss perfect," Pola pointed at her.

May shifted aggressively as if to respond, and then realised she'd been yanked past the entrance to the forest just fine. Something about that caused her to choke and gawk, and her eyes wavered in disbelief. It wasn't like her usual collected emotions, however. May had become almost child-like. She uttered sounds and shivered, glancing back and forth between herself and the trees.

"For a second there, I thought we were gonna be stuck as the roommates," Kayla commented.

"But this doesn't make any sense!" May gasped. "Shannon! Attempt to approach, right this instant!"

"Uh, okay," he replied, surprised to be addressed. He was slow, but surely enough, the thorny vines and roots whipped right back into position, blocking the entrance. "Yep. No Ilex Nest for me."

"Don't worry Shannon, I'm sure they'll forgive you someday!" Genius said.

"Ha ha, if only it worked that way."

"But I don't understand," May was shivering. "I… I can't even joke about this."

"It means Heaven smiles upon your good deeds," Mog said.

"But Mog, I…"

"Hey. What matters is you're here, right? Will you girls be alright back there?" Kayla called out.

"Don't be too long, or we'll get lonely," Ashe teased.

"You've got mister rizz over there, I think you've got plenty of entertainment," Pola spat.

"Y'know what? It's wonder you don't get kicked out with how dirty your mouth is," Kari giggled. Kayla couldn't help snicker at that, too.

"Seriously Kari what the fuck? I'm a punching bag today," Pola cried.

"We'll try not to be too long. May, you gonna be okay?" Kayla asked.

The Pichu was still staring at her hands, but collected herself and cleared her throat. "Yes. I will be. Let's hurry."

Not even a slight jest, Kayla's brow furrowed. She took off at that, hoping to end this exploration quick. A dungeon without ferals couldn't be too troublesome.

That's what she thought as she had to hop up a collection of giant tree roots. There was no path here, just a tangled mess of roots, trunks, and plant life that seemed to layer over itself to make an ascending path. As such, it was dark, with only a few pinhole lights that gleamed through the leaves overhead. Intriguingly, the forest had blue lighting on everything instead of total darkness.

"Uuuhhh, this place gives me the creepies," Kari said, squirming up close to Kayla all of a sudden. It was odd being in a forest this dense without anyone else around. Only the four of them made noise. You couldn't even hear the wind or the rustling of leaves.

It got even weirder when they reached the top of the climbable roots. Up here was a series of bridges made out of tree roots and branches, but all of them were thick, devoid of leaves and moss, and tangled together in a way that couldn't be called natural. The tree trunks walling this place in had the same pattern. It was almost as if it was an entire forest made out of veins, only they were wooden textured and blue. These vein bridges didn't seem to go anywhere, nor have a convenient way to reach them. The woodland tangled and bundled together in erratic formations, continuing upwards for what felt like forever, yet enclosed enough to be called a room. Contrary to that chaos, it remained quiet enough to be completely unnerving, even with specks of green dust floating around. The only saving grace was the dull, turquoise light shining down in the distance far above, illuminating a tiny wooden shrine that hung from thin spider silk in the middle of the room. The silk had no source, but let the shrine lightly sway, and its light creaks shook the still air.

"What is all this?" Kayla stumbled. "Now I'm all unsettled."

"It's an Ilex Shrine, but that is quite a way to display it," May answered, clearly concerned as well.

"Where do we even go? I don't see any pathways, unless we're meant to climb this shit," Pola wondered.

"Hello? Anybody home?" Kayla called out. The light from above flashed, making her flinch as she was blinded for a second. Once it cleared, two gleaming lights came out of the shrine, both fluttering around before settling in front of the group. One formed into Jirachi, while the other, a Pokémon Kayla hadn't seen before.

"Figures we would meet Celebi here," May smiled. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I was wondering what all the racket was. To think that after all this time, a bunch of Pokémon actually found their way here," Celebi began, hiding a smirk behind an arm. She was posh, but sounded far older than a Pokémon of her size suggested. She didn't have any wrinkles either. "And you don't seem all that impressed, having your presence graced by two mythical Pokémon."

"You tend to get a bit desensitized when you've spent many months in their presence," May shrugged.

"Do you know her? May, who is she?" Kayla asked.

"Celebi, a guardian of the forest who is capable of travelling through time. Or so the stories say," May said.

"So I was thinking of the right one. I've heard of Celebi; I just didn't know what they looked like. I'm so confused what's going on here, too," Kayla turned to the two mythicals. This Celebi was a lot more blue than green, and it didn't feel like it was because of the lighting. Their eyes were small as well, and jittered with madness. "Jirachi, I mean. We've been looking all over for you. Why've you been hiding out here?"

Jirachi had a straight face the whole time, but nodded to Celebi in silence. Celebi began to pray, and her body flashed once more. This time, a glowing objected descended toward them, and Kari caught it. "Oooh, it's a dream catcher! Shaped like that itty bitty shrine up there. That's kinda cute, it's like a souvenir!"

"You can call that a Divine Dream Catcher. It should help you out in the Dream World, far more than your old catcher did," Jirachi began. "I needed Celebi's help to build it. I did not mean to hide from you for so long. But I also needed to avoid Netherworld's presence. This place keeps out all intruders, even ferals, so it is the safest place in all of Isnomia."

"You're coming back to us, right?" Kayla said.

"Yes. We have much work to do with stopping the disturbances," he nodded.

Oh. Do I tell him we're after the Luna Staff? He'll find out eventually… Kayla kept smiling.

"About that," May came forward. She wasn't smiling. "Regarding the defence of this place. It only allows innocent Pokémon to enter?"

"That's right. I couldn't have imagined a Furret to find their way here, honestly. Ferals aren't allowed entry, even the herbivores. All of them commit a sin in some form. Somehow, you've made it here at your age, and with your natural diet. It's an almost frustrating wonder," Celebi explained.

"Ehee hee, it's a long story. Guess it's a good thing I didn't eat meat yet, huh?" Kari scratched the back of her head.

"I imagine it's more the hunting part," Kayla mumbled.

"Never mind that. You're divine, so you must know," May came forward aggressively this time. "How… how am I innocent by your standards?"

"May?" Kayla muttered.

"Now that's even more unusual. Either you're challenging my authority, or you wish to gloat about your entry to this blessed place," Celebi boredly scratched the tips of her hands. May grumbled something and her face grew intense, getting Celebi's attention. "Or you truly are perplexed about your situation. But I can assure you, my forest does not lie."

"My sins. With Dusk," the Pichu said.

"It is not pity I am taking on you. My forest spares no one," Celebi assured. May's eyes narrowed. "Come now, surely you know what that means? You are free, May Curtiss. Situations forced upon you are not sins for you to bear."

May gasped lightly, and her eyes widened.

Celebi's voice grew soft and caring all of a sudden. "If you've been carrying it, you don't need to bear the weight anymore. You're free, May Curtiss. You always have been."

"Dusk? That Morpeko, right? Er, you're gonna tell us what all this is about, aren't ya?" Pola commented, picking her ear. May didn't reply. "… Oooor keep being an ass. Whatever. Just, would it kill ya to be nice about something for once in your miserable life?"

May looked at them at that, to which they all flinched. She couldn't close her mouth and her eyes were filled with tears. Both eyes too, Kayla could see both as she wiped her eyes and sniffled. She kept crying though, so she hid herself from them.

"Uuhh… fine I'm just gonna go er, pull a Mog and stay quiet at the back," Pola backed away. "Yeesh. Today just ain't having it."

Clarity is everything, but whatever's ailing her, it's heavier than I thought, Kayla blinked in disbelief. But whatever it is, it's almost scary to look at. May can show emotions after all.

"I don't think it makes a difference. You're all going to wind up banned from this place anyway. The fact that you made it in right now, quite frankly, disgusts me," Celebi spoke up.

"What?" May managed to wipe her eyes clean and look up.

"They don't have you fooled, do they?" the mythical glanced at Jirachi, who didn't respond. "I've seen the potential timelines. You lot are after the Luna Staff now, aren't you?"

Kayla couldn't help but shiver, but she didn't respond.

"I should've added lying to the list of things that keep Pokémon innocent. But then, even Jirachi here wouldn't be able to enter my forest, which would be a shame as I quite enjoyed our little catch up," Celebi hid behind an arm again.

"The Luna Staff is irrelevant. Their objective is only to stop the disturbances," Jirachi replied.

"Oh wow, you're both stringing each other along," Celebi slumped, half-lidded. "Look. I know Azume Leder sent you girls here. You wouldn't have known that Jirachi was here otherwise. And I know that you girls are after the Luna Staff, too."

"Celebi!" Jirachi became cross.

"The game has started. The true goddess' metempsychosis. The pieces are in place and the players are on the move… myself included. Who will get the staff and grant their wish, building their ideal world? Not even I know, for my ability to see into the timelines cannot cross into worlds where my law is not in place," Celebi ignored him. "Right now, you girls haven't the slightest clue what you're up against, even though you're honoured guests. Allow me to show you but a taste."

"Honestly, this is sounding like," Kayla shifted a foot back. Celebi's small, maddened pupils came back, and this time she wasn't hiding her sinister smirk. "Seriously? A mythical Pokémon?"

"Wait, are we fighting?" Kari squeaked.

"Yes. You are. You can all come at me at once – it won't make a difference. The power you're after means the power to overcome all… even Pokémon deemed gods. Let's see if you have that potential!" Celebi raised her voice into excitement.

"Honestly, this is kinda pushing it. Can't we run?" Pola cried, posed to battle anyway.

"I'm a bit outta my mind too. If you told me I'd be fighting a mythical Pokémon this morning, I wouldn't believe you," Kayla smirked, posed for battle as well.

"This isn't the time to gloat. Our party is impaired as we have no healing. Focus!" May instructed, stood beside them with her fan out.

"Then let's get going right from the start," Kayla said, shooting off at high speed. It was tough thanks to the uneven ground, but by hopping up and running along the side of the bridges, she was able to blitz about the arena, jumping back and forth to make herself an impossible target. "Hey, c'mon c'mon, catch me if you can! Can't see me? Sorry, whee woo!"

Celebi sat there in the same spot and soon giggled to herself. Reaching an arm forward, she crawled into a hole in the middle of space, a tiny portal of her own. In an instant, faster than anyone could register it, she was right in front of Kayla with a hand outstretched in front of her. The tips of her fingers were bright blue, and once Kayla touched it, she was stuck in place. The sudden stop at Kayla's speed was like a punch to the gut, making the Buneary choke hard.

"Kayla!" Kari cried.

Not psychic! Kayla growled and squirmed as best as she could. She couldn't do a thing, even as Celebi's sinister smirk grew wider. The little legendary cocked her head and then flicked Kayla's chest, which sent her flying into trunk behind her.

"Of course, time travel," May muttered under her breath. "Speed will be against us during this fight."

"But that's not fair!" Kari cried as she rushed in. She stretched a claw to slash from a distance, but Celebi vanished just before the attack hit. She reappeared in front of Kari suddenly, making her recoil. "Yeek! Don't- do that!"

Celebi responded with that conniving head tilt again, earning a growl from the Furret. Kari hopped back and trust a claw again, once again missing at the last moment. Celebi popped up in front of her again, earning another yelp and a flinch. The scene kept repeating, with Kari distancing herself, throwing out an attack, missing, and having Celebi taunt her.

"Will you quit it already?" Kari cried and shook in frustration.

"Gladly," Celebi whispered into her ear. This time, she was shrouded in bright green leaves which circled her: Magical Leaf. Kari recoiled and tripped, but took off, only for the leaves to track her as she stumbled bout the area. She wound up guarding her front, but May hopped up in front of her with her fan opened out. The Magical leaves surrounded them both and exploded into countless tiny green blasts, leaving both combatants cut but still standing.

"Two can play at that game," Kayla growled, finally getting to her feet. Yellow leaves coated her as she twirled into Petal Blizzard. She dashed into the centre of the arena and slammed down, sending her own storm of sharp leaves all over. Celebi had to guard as the leaves struck her from head to toe, but kept a cheeky smirk the whole time.

"Kayla, that attack hits us!" May warned.

Kayla gasped, realising the others had to guard themselves as well. "But why, what about the PETs?"

"Dodging's outta the picture, but only if you can dodge in the first place!" Pola stated, thrusting a paw high. Surf came up huge behind her, a wave tall enough to swamp the whole area.

Kayla saw it and braced, knowing the wave would probably still knock her over from where she was. But when she glanced over at Celebi, she was guarding too, with her arms and feet crossed over her front. This is not time to worry about recoil!

Her little chant kicked her into high gear. Just before the wave hit, she darted off to run up one of the stems again, keeping her eyes on Celebi the whole time. Up this high, Pola's Surf missed her besides light splashback, but that didn't matter. She kicked off the vines while still using Quick Attack straight toward Celebi, who was bracing against the mighty wave. She hit head on, and it was enough to send both of them tumbling around the area as the current washed away. While Kayla was quickly protected by the PET and skidded to a stop, Celebi was left sprawled on her back, and spat out water with a groan.

"As long as we can combine our attacks like that, we can do something," Kayla smiled.

"Just takes a little effort this time," Pola bragged, posing to cast another move.

Celebi started humming with laughter as she steadily rose up from the ground. Her body was limp besides her wings, which beat slowly compared to earlier. Her head cricked into place, and then she crawled into another portal, putting the team on edge. Kayla braced for the worst, only for Celebi to spin back into place in the same spot. All the damage she showed was gone.

"Wh-what?" Kayla shifted forward. Celebi cocked her head with her trademark sinister grin, and then she was off again. "No!"

Kayla bolted off to try and combat her, but it was as if she was being toyed with. Celebi effortlessly appeared beside her at random instances, clashing against Kayla's kicks and tackles with Magical Leaf. Eventually she caught Kayla and lifted her by her ear using Psychic, and then threw her back into Kari, sending them both down the hill. Kayla got up quickly, but Celebi vanished into one of her portals again.

Ugh. As long as she can time travel, she can just meet me at the moment I'm most vulnerable. Or reverse time for herself to when she didn't take damage. Like this, she's unbeatable!

"Kayla… what do we do?" Kari moaned, struggling to get up. One look at her and Kayla's heart sank. Pola was holding back on another spell while Celebi's attention was on her, while May kept her distance, ready to guard at any moment.

If she can control time like this, then we can't stop her… if only there was a way to stop her time powers, then it'd be a normal Pokémon battle, Kayla tensed up, and then gasped. Wait, she said it herself! She can't time travel in places where her law hasn't reached. And that would mean making the world my own… that's why she called this a test!

She glanced back at Kari, who was still curled up. "Azu prepared us for this. Time for us to do what only we can do."

"Only we can do? But my stretching powers can't reach her," she squeaked.

"What if you were massive without restraint?" Kayla grinned. Kari squeaked. "You don't mind being a bed for me, do you?"

"With pleasure," she giggled, curling up for Kayla to lie back on her. She held their new dream catcher up high, and just a few seconds later, a Dream Pool formed around it.

"Ah, I see," May grinned, and then dove in after them.

"Wish you guys'd let me in on your plans before you start 'em!" Pola cried as she dove in last. Celebi watched them all in confusion, only for the Dream Pool to suddenly expand. She flinched as it overtook her, forcing her into it.

Kayla's world resembled the Ilex Nest, only they weren't in a room anymore. The arena was a flat platform made of the veiny tree trunks, but it was bundled together enough that no one could trip on it even if they tried. Surrounding them all was a night sky backdrop, this one pure black with only a few clusters of stars. The Millennium Comet sat in the centre, though it flowed as if it was on fire.

"What is this? Where is my shrine?" Celebi hissed, glancing back and forth.

"It's my world. And in this world, we play by my rules," Kayla answered, shooting off directly into her. She hit so hard that Celebi was whipped to the side.

"Ark- what?" the legendary huffed, and had to spit. She caught sight of May coming down from above her, and thrust an arm to catch her with Psychic. The moment she did, Kari's claw came in, slashing her front. Celebi yelled as she recoiled, dropping May. "My- time, I can't—"

"Sorry. I've always lost track of time when I'm dreaming," Kayla commented. Celebi's face fell out of her sadistic insanity for a moment. She was panicked. It was now or never.

"Teyaaa!" Kayla roared with increasing volume as she shot into Celebi with Quick Attack. She circled without dropping the move, hitting her again. Again and again from random angles, over and over until Celebi was in a dazed slump, covered all over in marks and bruises. For her last hit, Kayla jumped into Kari, who stretched her body tall and wide. She pulled the Furret back quite far, and then Kari thrust her gut with all her might, springing back like a slingshot. Kayla was shot even faster than a bullet.

Celebi was hit so hard that she didn't even cry out – only the nasty sound of cracked bones came instead. She collapsed to the ground, seemingly out cold. Kayla dashed right back to check for herself, nodding happily at the result. "Turns out that's all we needed. Not so tough when you can't heal infinitely, huh?"

"Yeah, I wasn't even needed," Pola tucked her arms behind her head.

"Honestly, it tracks. Are you as strong as you want to be in this realm?" May added.

"Not really. I can make what I want, but it can't affect living Pokémon, remember?" Kayla replied. "So no. I'm actually that strong and fast. Thanks to Kari too, of course. That didn't hurt, me springing off your belly like that, did it?"

"Ehehe, I saw you pinging around and just thought on the fly. But nah, it didn't hurt a bit," Kari scratched the back of her head.

"Hmm. A fair bit to take in back there," May remarked. "The main thing bugging me is Petal Blizzard. Not a move Buneary can normally learn, but we've seen you do it twice now. Last time was in the Dream World, or the crystal den's variant, so I assumed it was dream powers. But you used it in the real world here."

"Oh, you noticed," Kayla gave a toothy grin.

"A bit tough not to. That shit stings y'know," Pola said.

"Just an idea I picked up that kinda works. It's pretty weak and unruly, so I'll practice at it," Kayla explained. "I think I'm starting to get what Moby was trying to teach me. New moves sorta just come to me in the moment. I try a theory, a move comes out of it, and then I just… profit?"

"One more thing," May folded her arms. "Your world of battle didn't form this time."

"My world of… wait, you girls can see that?" Kayla flinched and went bright red.

"See what?" Kari replied.

"… You're usually in your own little world when you battle. It's almost as if your imagination causes you to get completely engrossed in battle. I've taken to calling it your 'world of battle'," May explained.

For a second there, I thought they could see the trippy stuff I see, Kayla sighed, and then tensed up. Wait, she's right. My world of battle didn't form at all this time. Even this dream is pretty normal… and it's still here!

"Ain't that kinda rude? I mean I know Kayla's doin' her own thing, but she's got her shit together in battle, y'know," Pola commented.

"And yet, you think you've won," Celebi's voice echoed across the area all of a sudden. The whole group jumped into formation, having each other's backs. "Hahaha, you truly do not get it, do you? Did you truly believe it would be so easy to topple someone who wishes to change the world?"

"I don't even know what you want. Why would you fight so hard?" Kayla asked.

"Because I have Knowledge. And when Pokémon with Knowledge have their potential threatened, their true power is unleashed. Like this!" Celebi answered. The ground started rumbling, and the tree roots below them began to glow.

"Something's coming!" Kari cried, dashing away. Kayla nervously followed, and took off fully when the roots began to rise.

The veiny roots seemed to be growing rapidly, swirling and combining to form something new and giant. Heavy vibrations and the creaking and snapping of tree branches echoed across the realm as two spiked appendages formed on a spherical body, extending forward. Spider-like legs extended below, while a head with a hollow opening formed from the monster's neck. Two branches jutted out from the head, acting as horns. Lastly, wings formed, although the tree roots could only form the bones of bat wings. A pale pink light appeared in the hollow, signifying the monster's birth.

This thing was huge. Not as big as Azu, but more than big enough to put Zude to shame. The entire thing was made out of those twisted, vein-like tree roots and branches, giving it an uncomfortably inorganic appearance. It was natural, and yet every part of it felt like a mutated beast. Parts of the tree roots pulsated as well. Kayla didn't want to go near it.

"This is Lorelei Celebi. Your last nightmare…" Celebi announced, floating forward a little. Dark energy surrounded the tips of its spike appendages, telling of an attack.

"Get back!" Kayla snapped at everyone. She took off before they were ready, and still, the sheer mass of that spike jabbing into the ground took everyone off their feet and shrouded them in smoke and rubble. Celebi's mad laughter echoed through the air, drowning out the crumbling when it retracted.

"Holy shit… what're we even looking at here? That thing ain't a Pokémon," Pola growled as she struggled to her feet.

"Her words intrigue me, but now isn't the time. How do we intend to fight this monster?" May asked, not taking her eyes off of it.

"The only way I know how, the only way we can. With our powers," Kayla replied, doing the same. One look at those pulsating roots however, and she started sweating hard. "It doesn't look like it'll pierce easily, though. This might take a lot of Blaze Kicks."

"If we're using our powers unhinged, then I can take it on, can't I?" Kari proposed.

"I—" Kayla glanced back and forth. Her heart twisted at the thought. "That thing looks like it'll actually be able to kill you."

"It won't. I know I can grow sturdier now, thanks to Azu. If it's up to me, then I'll fight it," she nodded.

"You don't have to push yourself so hard," Kayla warned. Kari gulped.

"Ok. I'll destroy it," Pola came forward. "But Kari taking it on is exactly the kind of time I need. This attack is gonna take a pretty long while to cast."

"You have something?" May asked.

Pola nodded. "I learnt all of Nature Power from that last crystal den. So if I bundle it all together into one big blast, I'll tear that thing apart. But again, it's gonna take a hella long time to cast."

"How long're we talking?" Kayla asked worriedly.

"Like, five minutes? Maybe seven, give or take?" she shrugged.

"Seven minutes to cast a single spell is costly. Can you handle it?" May warned.

"Of course! That's easy, especially if I don't have to win," Kari smiled.

"Kari, Pola, you're too cool. But please, take care of yourselves here," Kayla nodded to both of them. "Let's do this!"

This time, Kayla's world of battle really did form. More stars appeared in the night sky background, which began to circle the arena alongside patterns of faded clouds and nebulae. Only the Millennium Comet remained static, and it was still fluctuating as if on fire. Lorelei was illuminated in this background, gaining a strong white glow around her monstrous form.

Kayla was the first to take her on, shooting off to the side. Before the wooden beast could turn to her, she struck the ground to light her feet, and then flipped into Blaze Kick with all her might. The initial flip barely scratched the veiny hide, but her second kick left flames behind, which quickly extinguished to leave a charred mark. As she expected, Lorelei didn't flinch at all, and drew back a spiked appendage. Kayla hopped back and took off to try and avoid it, but the ground shook so hard with its attack that she was knocked into the air, and fell flat on her face.

Her little skirmish was all the time Kari needed to get going. Concentrating hard, Kari glowed with golden energy as she stretched and grew as tall as Lorelei. Once she was a little taller than the beast, she shook the world with a mighty cry of her own. Lorelei turned to challenge her, and the way the light in its hollow opening dimmed and glowed, it was as if the beast smirked.

"Do it Kari, give it everything you've got!" Kayla cheered her on.

Kari continued to shout as she drew a claw back, and then thrust as hard as she could, stretching that claw straight into Lorelei's head. The attack was blocked by its appendage, and then that same appendage suddenly wrapped itself around her arm. Kari gasped and pulled to no avail, growling as she was held in place. While she was distracted, Lorelei thrust its other arm, which Kari barely curled out of the way of. She wound up catching that appendage with her free claw, locking the duo in place.

"Heh, I can sit here all day!" Kari teased, sweating in effort.

Lorelei's answer was the glow in her hollow, which began to intensify. Kari didn't need to be told what was coming next, she just let go of the monster to guard her face as best as she could. A moment later, a loud beam shot straight into her chest, spreading a fire-like purple energy. Kari screamed as she was forced back and fell to all fours, where she began to whimper and shiver.

"Kari!" Kayla cried. "I knew this wasn't a good idea!"

"No, stay back!" Kari demanded, thrusting a paw at Kayla. The Buneary stopped dead in her tracks, gawking. Kari started growling, curling up her claws as she pushed herself back to her feet. "I'm… just getting started!"

"That's it, well done," Celebi's voice echoed from out of the wooden beast. "A battle with Knowledge is not worth a thing if you're falling at the starting line. Show me you have what it takes to claim this world!"

Kari only just made it back up, and now she was catching her breath. Yet still, after a moment, she managed to open her eyes and face down Celebi with full focus. Her eyes had a fierce, fiery aura in them, not impeded by the wind blowing her hair into her eyes. She spread her arms apart and bared her claws, while her tail flowed slowly behind her.

"Kari…" Kayla whispered in disbelief. She was afraid of the Furret right now, in a good way. Lorelei, she didn't want to touch simply because they looked disgusting, or that a single mistake might give her fatal damage.

But the way Kari looked right now, that was a whole different story. Kayla did not want to be fighting this Furret right now, and that made them the coolest Pokémon in the world.

Kari dove forward this time, and thrust both claws hard. Lorelei blocked both with its appendages once again, but this time was sent skidding across the floor as Kari's weight landed on it. Celebi growled from within, and then laughed as she regained balance enough to wrap her vines around Kari's arms again. Just like before, they were locked in place, though a harsh creaking filled the air as if the wooden beast was straining against her.

"Be as determined as you like, it doesn't change how strong you are. You're just mortal!" Celebi taunted, beginning to laugh maniacally as her purple beam charged.

Kari's eyes widened, and she tensed up hard. With another shout and a growl of increasing volume, she began to lift Lorelei, filling the air with rumbling and creaking. Celebi's laughter continued to get wilder in conjunction with the size of her beam, all until Lorelei's feet left the ground.

"She's doing it!" Kayla gasped and flinched back in disbelief. "You can do it, go get 'em Kari!"

Celebi's laughter turned to panic as Kari's growl turned to a roar of triumph. Somehow, Kari had lifted Lorelei up high, enough to make her completely lose her purple beam. Lorelei flailed its spikes, striking Kari across her front hard enough that she flinched with each hit. Kari resisted every hit to spin the wooden monster around fiercely, a mighty whoosh striking the floor with each spin, and then slammed them down with all the force she'd built up. A heavy blast came with the impact, shrouding the area in smoke and debris. Kayla had to shield herself from it and still was sent back a bit.

Dust made Kayla squint and keep an eye closed. With all the smoke, it would be a while before she could see again. She couldn't hear Celebi or the rumbling of Lorelei's movements, keeping her on edge.

After what felt like an eternity, Kari's concentrated glare emerged from the smoke first. Just the look of that frowning Furret and Kayla was mesmerized. Something about that look made her heart race, and all with good feelings. They were every bit cool and confident as Kayla wanted them to be, even with their usually round features at play.

"Well I'll be," May said, a smug grin growing on her face. "A team effort wasn't needed after all."

"Huh?" Kayla dared to glance at her, but got no answer. As the smoke cleared further, it became clear why: Lorelei Celebi was in pieces. Kari's attack had not only left an enormous crater in the ground, but it smashed the beast into barely recognisable ruins of broken woodwork. The actual Celebi lay in the middle of it all, breathing heavy as her body was in tatters.

"Whoa," Pola remarked. Whatever spell she had going on, her body had taken on a harsh glow that dimmed as she let up. "Anything more would be overkill. That's my girl, way to go Kari!"

"I—" Kari squeaked, bringing her hands to her face. Just like that, she was back to the chubby-faced, squeaky toy of a Furret that made Kayla giggle all the same. She started dancing on her toes and bouncing with glee. "I did it, I really did it! Yay, I did it, I did it, I dids it!"

"Wh-whoa, Kari, ahaha, easy there!" Kayla laughed as each bounce shook the floor, taking her off her feet.

"Oops, sorry! Guess I'm real heavy now, too!" she giggled.

"Unbelievable. You looked cool back there as well," Pola palmed her face.

Kayla's world of battle had faded, so she shut her eyes to pull up another Dream Pool. Kari returned to normal size too, and seconds later, they were back in the middle of the Ilex Nest. Celebi struggled to sit up to address them, and but still snarled.

"Inconceivable… I-I knew you were… but I never imagined," she growled.

"Knew that we were what?" Kayla questioned. Celebi stared up at her from the ground. "Ugh, we're back to this. Stuff's happening but everyone's being vague and not making any sense. I give up."

"Wanna beat the answer outta her?" Pola cracked her knuckles.

Kayla hesitated, staring Celebi in the eyes. The madness was gone, but serious aggression was left behind. To that, Kayla cocked a smirk and shook her head. "Whatever. May not've been my show, but I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a good day out."

"You're leaving it at that?" May said as Kayla turned to leave.

"Anytime you want a rematch, I'll be waiting."

"But you won't be able to make it here. You'll all be sinners!" Celebi hissed, crawling after her on all fours.

"Is that so?" Kayla looked over her shoulder. "I'm sure you'll find a solution to that."

…

"You're back!" Genius cheered and waved as the group returned to the fields. "How was it, was it fun?"

"Uh," Kayla replied, glancing over them all. A little camp had been set up, and everyone had been smiling until they showed up. "Looks like you guys had more fun than us. What were you guys up to?"

"We were catching the others up to speed on what's going on, actually. I doubt Genius will remember, but…" Shannon came over slowly. "You guys got into battle."

"Hee hee, yeah. But it was fine, we won," Kari relaxed, half-lidded.

"Oi, you're allowed to be proud too," Kayla nudged her, and she blushed. "Someone unleashed one heck of a new power."

"It's kinda scary, isn't it? This was something I could always do. Somehow, stuff she and Azu did just brought it out of me," Kari said, rubbing her cheeks. "I dunno, being stretchy just feels easier than before."

"Meanwhile, someone was a lazybones," Pola commented, hands tucked behind her back. May wasn't even looking at them. "Not that I was needed in the end, but still."

"Oh it actually was a battle? Who was it?" Genius asked.

"Let's walk and talk. Some old onion named Celebi," Kayla snickered.

"Some old- you know, just casually a mythical Pokémon?" Shannon recoiled.

"The actual Celebi? The time travelling protector of the forest? That same one?" Mog gasped.

"Why else would she be in a place that locks out sinful Pokémon? You naughties missed out," Pola teased.

"Aww, but you're okay!" Genius cried, suddenly scooping Kayla into a hug.

"G-Genius, gack! Don't!" Kayla reflexively kicked her, but couldn't break free. A second later, a bright light flashed within her, and she froze. The Pawmot was completely oblivious to it for some reason, and continued to nuzzle her even as the light began to flow from Kayla into her. There was some sort of smoky texture too, but a few seconds later, it was gone just as suddenly as it appeared. Seeing that, Kayla growled and kicked herself free. "Don't hug me like that!"

"Ooh oops, are you not a cuddler?" she replied, left slumped. Kayla gawked angrily.

"It's- just don't. yeah, I'm not a cuddler. Not suddenly like that, anyway. Just, ugh, I'm not explaining it. Just don't surprise me like that, please," Kayla said.

"I'll try to remember, I promise!" Genius gasped and bowed. "I'm sorry. I'll be honest, I just really felt like hugging you for some reason!"

"Uh… huh. Well I hope those urges don't come back, 'cos I won't hesitate to kick you if they do," she warned.

"Is no one going to ask what that was?" Shannon cried. "There was energy! And some kind of… er, transfer? Genius, what did you just do to Kayla?"

"I just cuddled her. Nothing dangerous, sweetie," the Pawmot giggled.

There was a long pause. He glanced at the others for some input, but everyone either shrugged or stared back. "So much is happening right now…"

"Oh and Jirachi's back with us, too. He's being shy right now," Kari giggled.

"Finally, some good news," Shannon grumbled.