Shattered Crests Bk #1 Lines Broken

Chapter 37


Fell, I think.



I feel "pissed off" is too causal for the narration. Maybe "a furious Rosa" might sound better.



Quite a bit of passive voice there. Even though the confrontation is over, active voice would make these passages run smoother.

I take it the scene with Daemon is a flashback of Rosa's? If so, liked last chapter I got a bit confused there. Perhaps italicizing that flashback could work there to make that clearer.

Hm, wonder what Demteri's dream means there.

I admit, feels kinda weird reading a chapter not featuring Jaron, Vragon, Ciecro, and the others, but it's by no means bad. Kinda amusing Lesath's Mirror Coat really got Rosa off guard there.

Chapter 38

Okay, before I get with the content, oh my gosh dude the passive voice "let out a sigh". Like, "sighed" isn't a bad word, use it. Okay, here's a solution. When you're editing, use the find and replace feature and search "let out a sigh" and similar phrases. Replace those with the active verb, and the writing should be more streamlined. Have this saved somewhere or else I'll keep harking you on passive voice. = P



Two big editing notes with this. One, the "let out a sigh" passive voice I mentioned earlier. Second, you know that '"I'm sorry", he apologized' line from Eragon everyone made fun of? This is the same thing here. We already know "I'm sorry" is an apology and you're just repeating it. Have "Swift said" instead.

Actually, I noticed these last two chapters you seem to almost avoid "said." Always using "reply", "answer", and similar words instead. "Said" gets the job done much better. Okay okay okay, done with editing notes, onto the content!



Getting a bit ahead of yourself huh Swift, lol. Siegfried knowing about Swift's family history though pushed his buttons there.

I admit, I thought that Snorlax was Plagues, and then the Ditto. So yeah, what is up with that Snorlax hanging around?

The forest looked dark and creepy, not too different from the jungle he grew up in except for the trees. At least, it felt that way for Ciecro. Something about the darkness in there made him when he was younger. The charmeleon let out a sigh as the memories started their unwelcome return.

“Something wrong?” Garon’s curious voice inquired, looking at Ciecro as they walked on the plain path in the forest.

“Huh?” Ciecro looked back, a little thrown off by Garon suddenly saying something.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” The large garchomp scratched one of his hammerhead horns.

Tck. Ciecro rolled his eyes before shifting them to the path behind them, attempting to avoid looking at the forest or Garon. Instantly, Ciecro widened his eyes upon noticing something off. Seliph and Swift weren’t behind them on the path. “Dey’re not dere.” Immediately Ciecro began browsing the area.

“Not there?” Garon repeated, looking first at Ciecro and then to the path. Sure enough, neither were there. Garon widened his eyes as he went on high alert, quickly spinning around as he called out to Vragon and Jaron, both of whom were a bit far away at this point in time. “Vray, Jaron! Hang on, something’s wrong!”

Perplexed by the abrupt shout, the two turned around to see what the fuss was about.

“What‽” Vragon yelled back to the two, breaking slightly away from Jaron to backtrack to Garon and Ciecro, while looking a little irritated at the interruption.

“Seliph and Swift aren’t here,” Garon informed, before starting to browse the area again. Leaning his head closer to the charmeleon’s head, Garon whispered while his eyes peered around in high alert, “Go stay with your brother and Vragon. I’ll find Swift and Seliph.”

Ciecro paused for a second, displeased with being sidelined, but complied with a nod and jogged over to the two posthaste. He gestured for Jaron to join him and Vragon, explaining the situation once Jaron arrived.

While Ciecro was getting the two up to speed, Garon returned his fierce gaze to the path behind them. The path to the plains was pretty far from where he stood, in fact, it was no bigger than Garon’s talon. He squinted his eyes as he leaned forwards to get a better look. Slowly his eyes glowed a solidified purple color as he tapped into his gift, True Sight. The world around him went a dark purplish and red as the synergy in the area become visible as bright red and yellow. Their concentration of emissions became his line of sight for the area. Slowly and Carefully, Garon browsed from left to right finally stopping right at something weak synergy blob that seemed to move. As he focused more on it trying to figure out what he was seeing, Garon noticed it wasn’t one but two synergy blobs moving around through the woods, making odd collisions and jumps like they were dancing as they ran parallel to the road. “Guys! We’re not alone!” he roared to the three nearby, all of which shifted their gazes to him at his sudden yelling.

Ciecro snarled as he looked around. “Come on, let’s get tah Dolly an’ Jaz.” The other two nodded as Ciecro called out to Garon, “I’ll join yah lateh!”

Garon nodded, watching the three sprint away down the path. The garchomp then turned his purple glowing eyes towards the path, keeping watch over the three as they ran. He then spotted something coming from their left and immediately darted into action. His head went low, his body bent forwards so his fin was upright, and his arms spread like a bird’s gliding. As his eyes switched out of True Sight, Garon spotted a little light coming from the same spot. “Guys get down!” he roared.

The three dropped, just as a focus blast was sent hurling through the air. To Garon and their surprise, it wasn’t heading for them but instead struck a tree nearby. Its trunk snapped and it started to fall onto the path. Ciecro was getting up unaware he was in the way of the falling tree.

“Ciecro!” Jaron shouted, as he quickly grabbed his brother’s arm and pulled with all his might.

Jaron’s action on Ciecro alerted Vragon to the tree. Without getting up, Vragon rolled to the side as Jaron fell onto his back from his pull, Ciecro landing on top of him right as the tree hit the ground with a loud “thwomp”.

Ciecro turned his head, gazing at the now grounded tree. It took him a second to notice Jaron wiggling underneath him. “Huh, oh,” he rolled off so Jaron could get up. As Jaron sat up, taking slow long breaths after, Ciecro leaned in closer, putting a claw on his brother’s shoulder asking, “Yah okay?”

Jaron just sat there staring at the tree, almost as if the image of something bad was filling his head.

“Hey, Jaron,” Ciecro said again, shaking Jaron’s left shoulder. “Snap out of it.”

“Uh? Hey! Knock it off!” Jaron smacked away Ciecro’s arm, resulting in a growling response from Ciecro. Jaron rubbed his shoulder a look of remorse covering his face. “Sorry, bro.” Jaron looked forwards, towards the tree again, a bothered look on his face. It stays was short due to Jaron remembering Vragon was on the other side. “Hey, Vray you okay?” he said, standing up to look over.

A bit of indistinguishable grumbling came from the other side. “Just fine, Jaron.” The fraxure stood up, dusting himself.

Jaron sighed in relief. “Good he’s okay.” The croconaw sighed in relief as he looked at Ciecro. “How about you Cie-? Ciecro?”

Ciecro was busy looking around, ready for a fight. “Did yah forge’ abou’ dat attack?”

Oh yeah, Jaron said in his head. Before he could reply, Garon had joined up with them, panting slightly as he put his talons on their shoulders.

“Are you two alright?”

They nodded in response.

After taking a sigh of relief, Garon turned around to try and find out where their attackers were. “You two watch over Vragon. Try to get to Jasmine and Dolly if you can.”

Jaron nodded and rushed to the tree. “Vray, keep an eye out. We’re coming.” Jaron started to climb over while Vragon was busy keeping watch on the other side. “Come on bro.”

Ciecro didn’t answer. His eyes were glued to the tree as Jaron was working on climbing over. Why does it have a shadow on it? It didn’t take long for it to click. “Jaron! Lookou’!” Ciecro shouted, rushing over to his brother and firmly wrapping his arms around Jaron’s upper stomach.

“What are yo-” was all Jaron could say before Ciecro pushed off the tree just a second before something huge landed straight on it. The force of the impact sent Jaron and Ciecro flying right into the back-side of Garon’s right shoulder. Garon stumbled a few steps forwards, trying to avoid from face-planting, while the brothers hit the ground. Since it was Jaron’s face that planted into Garon’s shoulder it was Ciecro’s face that his the dirt first.

Vragon, on the other hand, didn’t fly as far from the shockwave but wound up rolling on the ground to make up for it.

“Blegh.” Ciecro spat the dirt out of his mouth as he pushed Jaron off of him. “Yuck,” he stated, shaking his head and brushing his tongue with his claws. His clawing at the mouth stopped upon once more looking forwards. “Oh no.” His eyes widened as his arms dropped from his open mouth. His arms started shaking a little from both anxiety and anticipation.

Meanwhile, Jaron was rolling off the ground with a bit of dirt stuck on his face from Ciecro’s push. “Did you have to push me that hard?” Jaron grumbled, wiping the dry dirt off his face. The scowl on Jaron’s face instantly changed to confusion once he noticed his brother was slowly standing up, wearing a scowl that looked defensive and cornered. “C-Ciecro?”

Jaron slowly looked in the direction Ciecro was facing, his jaw-dropping as he saw a towering snorlax getting up from the little mini-crater he had made. The tree he had landed on was nothing more than splinters harshly shoved into the dirt with no sign of any cuts on the large mon’s stomach.

“Wh-What is that?” Jaron stated, still processing the behemoth in front of them.

Instead of answering Jaron’s blunt question, Ciecro dashed towards it without a second thought.

“Ciecro wait!” Jaron shouted, but Ciecro didn’t comply.

The charmeleon swiftly closed the distance between him and the giant mon. His tail started readying Dragon Tail as he did a little hop, landing on the ground and bending down to aim his jump where the mon’s head was going to be. Right as he was about to jump, something flashed in the corner of his eye. He stopped, turning his attention to this new thing. His eyes widened upon seeing an orange Focus Blast fired at him. Ciecro tried to jump away, but the orb as too fast, grazing him on his side as it flew onwards to explode in the deep woods. He let out a painful shout as he landed on his side, grabbing his rib where his scales had been singed, stinging even more as he touched them. Angrily, he got on a knee, browsing the area for this new assailant.

The sight of his brother narrowly escaping a direct hit from the move was enough to spring Jaron into action. Quickly, he pulled out a blast orb and threw it where he guessed the stranger was.

A silhouette in the dark sprang away from the blast radius, rushing away from them while following alongside the path from the forest. Jaron quickly rushed over to cover his brother. Damnit, Jaron grumbled in his mind at this miss. Jaron didn’t dwell on it and hurried over to Ciecro, who by now was on his feet.

“You okay?” Jaron asked, trying to get a peek at the wound.

“It’s notin’” Ciecro replied with a determined grin. He took his hand off, showing that the burn cut on his scales was rather light. “Not deep.”

“So you screamed like you were stabbed, over the pain of a cut,” Jaron jeered with his own snarky grin.

“Shudup an’ back me up,” Ciecro replied, turning around to face the snorlax, who by now facing them standing up straight.

“You two alright?” They both didn’t take their eyes off this new enemy as Garon joined them in the middle.

“Never better,” Jaron optimistically said. “So, you have any ideas on how to handle this guy?”

Garon raised his talons as his eyes narrowed. His jaw gritted as his legs firmly pushed on the ground as if he was going to jump any second. “Keep an eye out for that mon in the woods,” Garon whispered to the two. They nodded as the three readied for whatever the large snorlax to make his move.

As the snorlax took a rather slow step forwards a purple and yellow flame struck the snorlax’s head from behind, causing him to wobble forwards a little. Vragon’s voice from behind it yelled, “Guys! Follow up!”

Jaron was the first to act. With a determined growl, he quickly rushed towards the mon. He started to form a Slash in his arm, aiming to chop at the right let before the mon could get an attack off. “Bwa?” he uttered as his attention was shifted as his gift, wary sent an unsettling feeling throughout his nerve system.

Before he had a chance to confirm an attack heading his way, Jaron stopped committing to finding it and instead rolled to the side. Once he was right side up again, Jaron was distracted by the impact of a move on the ground nearby. The resulting dirt cloud blinded him, causing him to rub his eyes prone. Damnit no! He roared in his head as he struggled to get the tears flowing to get the dirt out of his eyes.

The snorlax raised its right arm, to do a sweeping strike upon the temporary blind Croconaw.

Without looking at Ciecro, Garon ordered, “Cover me!” Without wasting another second, Garon rushed forwards to help Jaron.

Thankfully, Ciecro got the message easily and jogged after him, keeping a watching eye and taking big breaths in case he needed to spout Flamethrower fast.

As Garon approached the large snorlax diverted its attention towards this new incoming foe. Its swing arced away from Jaron to strike Garon directly from above in a very choreographed attack.

This didn’t deter Garon’s incoming assault but merely provided him with ample confidence he was battling an idiot. As the arm was coming down, Garon pivoted lightly of the foot he had on the ground spun halfway so his back was to the mon, landing with good balance on his other leg. As the snorlax’s attack struck the ground where Garon had been about a second prior, the dragon leaped onto the mon’s arm and with his teeth infused with Crunch, bit as hard as he could into the mon’s flesh.

The snorlax bellowed in a mix of pain and surprise, quickly leaning back while pulling Garon and his arm off the ground. Garon took advantage of this to run a little on the arm to leap and slice at the mon’s head with his talon.

Suddenly, something caught Garon’s eye for a split second before he was nailed in the chest by a smaller, faster made Focus Blast. The orb pushed onto his chest, making him grunt in pain as it pushed him back a little before blowing up, sending him to land a few steps in front of Ciecro.

Oh no! Ciecro immediately rushed over to Garon, trying to help him up.

“Help Jaron!” the dragon commanded, gritting his teeth a little as he rose to a knee and placing a talon on his chest. A small amount of smoke was coming off the area on his chest that was struck by the move, but thankfully, it was no deeper than a scale wound. “I’m alright. Now hurry!” Garon affirmed, standing up to bolster his claim to Ciecro.

Ciecro didn’t hesitate any longer. Dashing towards the large mon, Ciecro took a deep breath as he hurried to defend his vulnerable brother from the brute. As the snorlax was readying a strike Ciecro got in front of Jaron and unleashed a Flamethrower at the mon’s head.

“Hey,” the snorlax bellowed, more out of how deep his voice was than actually aiming for an imposing tone. “Stop it.” It moved its arms to shield his head from Ciecro’s fire move.

“Don’t stop it,” Jaron ordered, blinking as his watery eyes started to get a clear picture again. “Whatever you’re doing,” he added, making Ciecro chuckle in his head as he turned up the pressure on the mon.

As that was going on Garon hadn’t left his spot, panting a bit as he kept a firm gaze on the two. I think they’re fine, he told himself in his head. His gaze turned to the left side of the path, focused on the dark woods. Let’s see where you are.

Garon’s eyes started glowing purple as his gift activated. He gasped as he spotted the mon, but it was behind the snorlax’s position. Vragon! Garon quickly jogged forwards, ignoring the stinging from his chest as he darted into the outskirts of the forest to go around, moving in low and fast.



The searing flame hitting the snorlax’s arm flew overhead. Below its fiery path was Vragon, merely watching it as he tried to see how he could help. Maybe…if I can strike it somewhere else. Yes, that’s it. Vragon slammed a fist into his other one, happy with the idea. His eyes immediately focused on the snorlax’s large feet. Bingo, he stated in his mind.

As he formed a Dragon Claw and took a step something tapped his right tusk, making his head wobble to that side a little. “Huh?” Vragon looked to the right to see a smiling Zoroark looking down at him with a malicious grin.

“Made you look.” Before Vragon had time to grasp the situation Plageues swung his leg into a firm smack onto Vragon’s chest.

The air inside the fraxure’s lungs was forced out as Vragon tumbled a few feet before stopping on his belly. “Oww,” he groaned, moving his left claw at the point of impact. He slowed his breathing down to try and lessen the pain.

“My, my, you’re an interesting specimen.”

Vragon shifted onto a knee as he looked upon his assailant. Plageues was slowly walking towards him, eyeing him like one would a juicy berry within reach. A feeling of dread filled Vragon as he started shifting back.

“Oh, don’t go.” Plageues grinned as he stopped, gazing down upon the shaky fraxure, no more than two feet away now. The zoroark did a squat as he leaned in closer, whispering in a low tone, “Aren’t you the least bit curious about who you are?”

Vragon tilted his head, though didn’t dare to reply or give this creep any sign of compliance.

“Of course you are, Vragon.”

Vragon stayed quiet, his shaking slowing down. “Why are you hunting me?” he asked, his tone a bit high since he was still staring at a mon that could stab him at any moment.

“Hunting you say?” Plageues’s grin grew as he leaned in closer. “I wouldn’t call what we’re doing, ‘hunting’.”

“Then…what would you call it?” Vragon’s eyes turned to a scowl, not one out of anger or rage but defensive curiosity.

“I would call it-” Plageues swung around, surging a Night Slash over his arm like a thin gauntlet to block Garon’s talon swipe for his head. “Excuse me sir, we’re in the middle of a conversation. Couldn’t you have taken the long way around the snorlax, Mr. impatient?” the zoroark dramatically said with a chuckle.

Garon growl in reply as he pressed harder with his talon, pushing Plageues’s defense closer to the zoroark’s face. The fierce gaze of Garon shifted its focus to Vragon, who was just sitting there mentally buffering. “Assist!” Garon ordered, snapping Vragon back to reality.

“Aww, no fair,” Plageues answered, adding a little bit of exaggerated disappointment in his tone. He pushed up against Garon’s talon with surprising strength that while wasn’t enough to overpower the surprised Garon did give him the room to twist his arm so the talon would slide down the dark type move. Once free from the move lock, Plageues shoved his weight on his right leg and did a backwards leg swipe at Vragon’s incoming Dragon Claw, knocking the fraxure off-balance. With Vragon taken care of, Plageues planted his other leg and rolled forwards to evade Garon’s second talon swipe and spring forwards to land at a safe distance. He did a heel turn and crossed his arms as he smirked at the two. “Tsk, tsk,” he mocked as he pressed a finger to his forehead. “If you must, I suppose I can play with you first.”

The garchomp stepped in front of Vragon, keeping a firm gaze upon the zoroark.

“Well, then let’s play tag.” Plageues pushed off to the side and formed a Focus Blast in his outstretched hands.

Garon reacted immediately. Lunging towards the dark type, Garon’s eyes changed to a glowing dark blue, as the manifestation of a dragon’s head of the same color formed in front of his head. Its mouth was open, bearing its fangs like it was roaring, as waves of the same color began to split from this head around Garon.

That qui- Was all Plageues managed to think before his instincts cut the Focus Blast short to switch to a dual Night Slash block. Unfortunately for Plageues, he hadn’t landed yet and Garon’s strong legs gave him a strong push-off. The force of the Dragon Rush struck Plageues like an arrow to a head as the two went straight into the forest, the sound of wood and dirt ripping followed, with a few upset dust flinging itself out onto the path.

Vragon just sat there; his mouth agape in awe at so fast yet so strong clash that just happened. It took the large yell from behind him to wake him from his stupor.

“Vray!” Dolly’s voice called out.

He turned around and there she was. “Dolly! Jasmine!” he shouted back but as he was about to run to them, he noticed something. The ground in front of him was starting to be covered in some kind of shadow creeping over the area. Oh no! Vragon spun around to see the snorlax’s had turned its attention to him and was already halfway through an underhand swipe.

“Ah!” Was all he could say before being slammed in the chest by the mighty snorlax swipe. The move sent him twirling in the air before striking the ground on his side, just stacking on the pain in his chest. He cried in agony as he held his ribs, gritting his teeth. “Argh! My side.”

“Vray!” he heard Dolly call behind him, but he didn’t dare move again. He just sat there holding his ribs as the mon, slowly walked closer, undeterred by Ciecro’s Flamethrower striking his back.

What did deter it, however, was a Focus Blast to the face, from a pissed off Dolly.

“I hope that hurt you fucking coward!” Dolly roared, as she stepped in front of Vragon, huffing and puffing from the rush over here.

When Jasmine got there she immediately stopped to check on Vragon, while a snarling Dolly was forming and throwing a new Focus Blast at the snorlax. “Are you okay?” She said, and after a mere second of seeing his condition felt stupid for saying that.

“How is he?” Dolly asked, with a little growl at the end of it.

“Not good,” Jasmine replied, helping Vray sit up. “Dolly, I’ll help Ciecro and Jaron keep him busy so you can treat him.”

Dolly gave an angry sigh as she turned her head slightly and nodded in agreement. She then faced the large mon once again and shouted over to the boys on the other side. “Ciecro, Jaron! Vragon’s hurt!”

On the other side of the behemoth mon, Jaron had finally gotten his eyes cleared, though this was dwarfed by news of Vragon being injured. “What?” he replied, getting on his feet as Ciecro stopped his flame after finally conceding he could do nothing to the back. “He’s injured?” Jaron pressed further in worry, as he took a few steps forwards.

“We don’t know yet!”

Jaron scowled as he gave a glance to Ciecro saying, “Let’s mess him up.”

Ciecro nodded in concurrence and the two started their attack.

Ciecro surged a Dragon Tail as Jaron formed a Slash. “Dolly!” Jaron shouted as he rushed to the right with Ciecro going left. Jaron got near the edge of the forest, where Dolly could see him and did a gesture of a fist hitting his vertical arm and letting it fall to the ground.

Good plan boys. Dolly nodded as she formed another Focus Blast. “Jasmine,” she called back, getting Jasmine to look up at him. “I’ll treat Vragon; you help the boys kick his ass.” Jasmine gave an understanding nod as Dolly pointed her arm straight at the snorlax’s head, who was busy trying to reach Ciecro and Jaron albeit in vain.

Jasmine, stepped away from Vragon after ensuring he wouldn’t fall over and readied to pounce into action. “Ready,” she whispered to Dolly.

Dolly’s reply was firing her waiting Focus Blast straight at the snorlax. The impact of this one was stronger than the first, making the mon stumble and groan.

Ciecro spun around and sliced his left foot with his Dragon Tail as Jaron did likewise on the right with his Slash. This caused the creature to stumble back more from the pain in his feet, but the snorlax managed to avoid falling on his back by using the nearby trees as catchers of his fall.

“Damnit!” Jaron shouted in frustration, as he and Ciecro rushed past the mon and joined Dolly and Jasmine.

“Anyone gotta plan?” Ciecro asked as he focused on the snorlax, who was getting back upright. He suddenly felt a firm grip on his left shoulder. Twisting his head, Ciecro looked at Dolly firmly in her brown eyes.

Dolly looked at him and then Jaron, keeping her hands on their respective shoulders. She then looked at the snorlax, leering at it as it bluntly looked back while scratching its head. “Boys,” she said, her tone a lot calmer but serious. “Keep him busy so I’ll have something to clean up afterwards.”

The two smirked aggressively as she pushed them forwards by their backs. They sprang into action, Jaron forming Slash in his right arm and firing an Ice Beam while Ciecro formed Thunderpunch in his right, Dragon Claw in his left, and activated Dragon Tail.

Dolly turned around and looked at Jasmine. “Try to keep them from getting too into it.”

Jasmine smiled with a nod. “As always,” she replied before leaping to join the two, who were already attacking the mon.

Dolly got on a knee as she propped Vragon up with her arm, asking with a soft tone, “sit still. Try and take deep breaths if you can.”

Vragon obeyed but found it very hard to just breathe normally. “D-Dolly, I…I can’t-” his breathing sped up again.

“Easy, I know it hurts something bad, but if I’m right on the money on your injury you need to keep your breathing spaced. Try breathing normally.”

He nodded and attempted that, having better success on that front.

In the meantime, Dolly pulled her shoulder bag in front of her, opening it and rummaging through it before pulling out a little bottle. “Okay, Vray this should help with the pain.” She took the cork off the top of the rather nice smelling liquid as she moved it towards his mouth. “Try and be still. This is my only Duller.”

“Duller?” Vray stuttered as he looked at her with squinting eyes.

“Don’t worry about it, just drink,” she urged him as she propped him forwards with her strong, right arm and with the other tilted the cap to his opening mouth. She kept it very still, only tilting it slightly to avoid spilling, despite the noise and chaos of the fighting happening behind them. Once the bottle was empty, she set Vragon down on his back. “Just lie down for a second so it can work.”

He nodded. “T-thanks D-D… Dolly?” He noticed she stood up and now had her back to him. His curiosity at what she was doing temporarily trumped his focus on the pain as he noticed her flipping the bottle in her hand.

“Hey! You!” She suddenly shouted, bringing a temporary halt to the fighting going on. Once the snorlax looked in her direction, she threw the bottle straight for its head.

The snorlax easily saw it coming so he merely tilted his head so it would fly by. What didn’t fly by was the following Focus Blast, hitting him in the face like all the others.

Dolly gave a pleased nod at seeing the mon stumbled backwards a few steps. “Keep your focus up. Might save you from getting blasted.” She gave herself a well-deserved laugh while Vragon slopped onto his back, groaning at the return of her puns.

“Oh come on, Vray,” Dolly said with a satisfied smirk, walking over and helping him sit up. “How do you feel?”

“Huh?” He felt his body and even twisted himself a little to see if he could incite the pain again, but to his surprise, it had been dulled very quickly. “How?”

“Woah, hold it,” Dolly put her left arm on his shoulder, trying to keep him from moving. “Whatever injury you have is still there, just dulled.”

“Dulled? Already?”

“Yep,” Dolly replied with a big grin. “You’d be surprised how useful a concentrated Stun Spore potion can be when it’s added to a few components to sparse its effects to dulling the nervous system instead of you know…paralyzing you.” Vragon just kept a perplexed look at her as she moved her left hand down to feel his gut and torso. “Well, I know a thing or two about medicine. Not too much, just what’s been done to me and all.”

“O-oh? Done to you?” Vragon said aloud, turning his focus to the trio and the snorlax’s fight.

“Yep, I’ve been injured a few times and all in the battles I’ve fought and stuff…Well, more skirmishes but hey, the more you know.” Dolly kept feeling around chest and stomach till she finally felt something off. “Yep, there it is.” She said aloud, prompting Vragon to look at her. “Damn, it feels like a big bruise. Vragon.” He looked at her as she took her hand-off. “Vray, before I gave the duller to you, what did breathing feel like?”

Vragon paused to think amid the rather ugly, recent memories of the experience and stated, “Well…it felt like breathing fast worked. I had to push to breath at a normal pace like you wanted.”

The kangaskhan’s eyes narrowed a little with concern as she asked. “Does it still feel like you need to push to breathe?”

Vragon attempted to take a big breathe but found himself coughing slightly. It didn’t hurt, but his throat didn’t feel clear. He answered her with a nod with his head, leading Dolly to respond with a worried sigh.

“Sit tight, bud.” Dolly stood up and faced the three. “Jasmine!” she shouted, gaining the absol’s attention. “Vray’s condition is bad, I’m taking him to town. Help the boys and get to the town when you can.”

Jasmine nodded, quickly swinging her head to fire another Psycho Cut straight at the snorlax.

“Stop it!” the snorlax yelled, rubbing the spot where the move struck. With an angry growl, he started to walk in Dolly’s direction. “Wait!” He rushed on as fast as he could, even though it was about as fast as a normal jog.

“Oh no, you don’t!” Jaron shouted as he ran at its side, firing an Ice Beam at its face. To his surprise, the mon just shrugged it off as he kept going. He growled as he formed Slash in his left, swiping at the fat flesh at his side, not even leaving a scraping mark. “Damnit, Jasmine!” he rushed a little ahead so he was viewable by the group, “Get ready. Go for the head and don’t stop till I signal you!”

Jasmine nodded, leaping in front of Dolly and Vragon ready, to assist.

Meanwhile, Jaron quickly darted in front of the mon as he shouted to its right. “Ciecro! Try and trip him! I’ll handle the rest!”

It wasn’t long before a scaly energized tail struck the snorlax’s left foot, stopping right over the foot as if he was trying to trip him.

This forced the snorlax to stop himself, turning his focus to Ciecro. Forgetting about the two in front, the snorlax was left open for a barrage of Psycho Cuts hitting his face. He thrust his arms in front to shield his head from the oncoming energy slices. “Can’t lose the target,” he muttered to himself. “Sylphiel said to….wait, did he say tha-” His words were cut off by an orb bursting open near his face, spawning an Electro Net that latched onto his head and started shocking him. He let out a mixed shriek of pain and surprise.

“Now! Topple him!” Jaron shouted to Dolly and Jasmine.

The three fired their respective ranged attacks straight into the stomach of the snorlax, who was busy trying to pull at the shocking net. Ciecro removed his tail from its spot, spinning around before he whacked the back of the same foot, attempting to get the snorlax to tumble.

The snorlax waved his arms frantically, but slowly as he tipped over and landed with a thud, shaking the ground upon impact. This grounded foe moaned in pain as the net continued to shock him.

“Good job kids,” Dolly cheered with a big smile, prepping the trio with pleased smiles. The kangaskhan then turned around to Vragon and put a hand on his shoulder. Dolly’s eyes shifted to serious. “We need to get you to the town.” She started to try and pick him up.

“What? No, we can’t just leave everyone else!” he protested, trying to escape her grip.

“Vray, don’t squirm.” She let out a sigh as she explained in an understanding tone. “I understand you want to help but we need to get you to town. I think that snorlax’s hit may have fractured one of your ribs.”

“My ribs?” Vragon repeated, almost as if this news was alien to him.

“Yep, that pain earlier was most likely from that. I’d go into detail about how it correlates, but it’s gross stuff anyways and we should probably get you to a doctor before the duller wears off.”

Vragon’s eyes lowered, angry and upset.

Dolly’s eyes narrowed and curved into a caring frown as she moved one of her hands to brush his cheek. “Hey, look at me,” she asked in a gentle tone.

Vragon didn’t comply.

She looked down at him. His right hand was clutching onto his ribs, near the spot he was doing when in pain only this time it was a clench out of frustration like one would do for a wound that hurt their pride more than their body. “Vray.” She looked back at his downcast face and in turning her frown upside-down, said, “We all have limits, Vray. Not being able to help doesn’t make you useless; it just means wherever you can help you’ll do even better in.”

Vragon sighed as he released the tension he was putting through his claw onto his side. “But what if they get hurt?” he inquired, still looking down.

“They know the plan Vray. Keep you out of harm’s way since you’re their target after all. I’m sure they can manage. But if you can’t assist what good can we do then? The duller won’t last forever and I doubt heading back to town when it’s stopped will be a pleasant experience.”

“I’m not fragile,” Vragon answered, finally looking up at her brown eyes, this time with a look of reckless determination.

“No, but as you probably felt, that thing hits like a machamp after a bulk-up. And it’s not a good idea for you to be running around with range attacks when your rib is cracked; it could make your situation even worse, Vray. You understand that right?”

Vragon slowly nodded, reluctantly accepting that her points made a stronger case than what he felt he should do. “I just…” he began but didn’t continue, instead of looking to the side.

Dolly tilted her head at Vragon shaking his head a little. “You just?”

“It’s okay, I understand.” He returned his gaze to her, this time with a smile. He removed his hand from his side and instead let it prop his back up as his other one was. “I’ll sit this one out.”

Dolly rubbed his head, saying, “Thanks Vray. Don’t worry they’ll be alright.” She stood up straight as she stood in front and bent down. “Now get on. I think it’d be faster if I let you tepigback ride me there.” As Vragon started getting settled on her back, Dolly stood up and with a little jesting grin said, “be careful not to get too embored while you’re up there.”

Vragon looked at her with an annoyed glare, saying, “Ribs broken, remember?”

Dolly giggled as she started jogging off with him bobbing on her back. “Don’t get pulverized you three!” She shouted back to the trio, who had their gazes firmly locked on the snorlax.

“Oh thaaaaaaaanks,” Jaron replied with a hint of annoyance. “If you hadn’t noticed we have the thing grounded.”

“Uh, Jaron.”

Jaron turned his head, asking “what‽” in a frustrated tone carried over from Dolly’s sarcasm. His annoyed face shifted to surprise as he spied the snorlax getting up once more, reaching for the net that still shocked his face. “Are you kidding me‽” He roared, firing an Ice Beam straight at the mon.

The snorlax moved his free hand in the way of it so he could quickly work on tearing the net off of him. The shocks it unleashed on his temple were less effective now that he’d gotten used to them.

Jasmine growled, darting to the side shouting, “Ciecro, let’s hit him from the back.”

Ciecro nodded and, once joined by Jasmine, the two unleashed Flamethrower and Psycho Cut upon the creature’s back. To their dismay, it hardly seemed to do much.

“Grrrrr….jus’s go down yah big, fat freak!” Ciecro shouted. “Jaz!” He gave her a sharp look and ordered, “Keep its attention. Try tah keep it from tearin’ dah net off till I’m ready.”

She nodded and jumped in front as Ciecro ran into the woods. What’s he up to now? She wondered, raising a brow as Ciecro started looking around for something among the trees. She redirected her focus back to the mon. Okay, so range moves aren’t working on it, so let’s try something that can hit harder. She took a breath as she pointed her head straight down. Her absol horn began to glow a green light as a transparent spiky horn grew from it. With her Megahorn ready, Jasmine charged headlong for the Snorlax’s back.

The snorlax was still busy trying to tear the electro net orb off his head, while also fending off Jaron’s Ice Beam with his other hand so he didn’t notice her till he felt the sharp sting of the Mega Horn run into his back. “Owww!” He cried, swapping behind him in instinct as Jasmine leaped back before he could hit her. “Stop getting in the way,” he said, almost like a kid would say to a group of bullies.

This tone of reproach left Jasmine confused. “Huh?”

“Stop attacking me so I can get this off.” The mon started pulling at the net once blocking Jaron’s Ice Beam again as he kept messing with the shocking net.

Gee, it’s like he wants me to continue, she chuckled to herself, looking for a new spot to attack. One that would do the opposite of what the snorlax wanted. Her eyes focused on the hand pulling at the net. Her eyes widened at seeing the snorlax had made more progress in removing it then she thought, I’ve got to slow him down.

With a self-confirming nod, Jasmine surged a white aura around herself that disappeared after about a second. She rushed to the side of the snorlax, Quick Attack taking effect. With great speed, she leaped onto the trunk of a tree and shot like an arrow straight for the snorlax’s hand that was trying to get the net off. With a swipe of her claw infused with her Quick Attack move, she succeeded in knocking it away, making the snorlax swing his body to the side from the force of the attack.

However, the snorlax had fiddled with the net enough so that this sudden pull from his hand was enough to tear the part of the net caught on his head, allowing him to pull it off.

As Jasmine landed on the ground, doing a roll to avoid hurting herself, she looked back and immediately was disappointed she had managed to assist. “Oh come on,” she bluntly said, getting back into attack poise for another strike, but before she could something happened.

The snorlax suddenly began coughing, arching his back and puffing out his belly like he was leaning back to get his head wet from a waterfall. What the-? She began but didn’t take long to spot two reddish-orange arms around the snorlax’s neck.

“Jasmine!” Jaron’s voice called out to her. She looked to see him waving for her to come.

“Ciecro’s got him in a chokehold!” He added excitedly, almost as if it was all according to plan.

“Uh…wait so is that why he said ‘till I’m ready’?” Jasmine asked, jogging over to Jaron with a perplexed look on her face.

“I guess so,” Jaron said, looking back at the currently being choked snorlax. “Anyways, let’s see if we can-” He stopped mid-sentence as he and Jasmine were forced to back up before they would be caught up in the snorlax’s mad swinging spree.

“Ack, let go!” the mon bellowed, struggling to get air. Ciecro just tightened his chokehold on the mon, making it begin a phase of “attack everything”. It’s both opened wide as a ball of white energy formed. The snorlax then fire his Hyper Beam straight into the woods, dragging’s its area of destruction with him as he swerved around like a chaotic giant in a small town.

The two observers fell to the ground, covering their heads as the damaging beam passed overhead, blasting up dirt down the path and shredding more of the trees.

Jaron uncovered his head and looked up at the pandemonium happening before him. “Of course it would have a strong beam to shoot too,” Jaron complained in a sarcastic tone.

“I liked him better when he was more docile,” Jasmine uttered, slowly and cautiously standing up. “So, Jaron, any ideas on how we take down Mr. Mountain or are we just going to let Ciecro do all the work?”

Jaron gave her a little snarky grin. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

“You sure we shouldn’t assist? I mean, even if he has a chokehold on it, the thing is a forest cutter.”

The two’s conversation was interrupted by another the loud noise of the snorlax, still flailing around, smacking at the trees nearby.

“So anyways,” Jasmine said, returning to the conversation.

“Like you said, it’s a walking forest cutter.” Jaron crossed his arms as he looked at the snorlax. “One swipe from that thing could do some hefty damage and right now Ciecro’s in the safest spot. I doubt the brute is smart enough to simply fall backwa-”

Jasmine clamped his jaw shut with her paws, eyeing Jaron with a tense gaze. “What’s the matter with you? Want to share anymore ideas with the walking canon?”

Jaron quickly tore off Jaron’s paws from his snout and started rubbing it. “Jasmine, we’ve been over this. You don’t clamp my snout; it’s demeaning.”

“Oh boo hoo,” Jasmine replied, with a tone showing how little she’d cared about his snout ego at the moment. “If you hadn’t noticed we’re busy fighting a tanker. You can rub your chompers all you want when we aren’t in a matter of life and death!”

Jaron growled, still rubbing his snout. Not because it was hurting, but because his pride was. “Okay, okay, I get it,” Jaron hastily answered, taking his hands from his precious croconaw tool. He vented with a little exhale and some nasty words in his head as he watched the snorlax carefully, trying to come up with a plan of assistance.

“So any ideas?” Jasmine asked, her tone reflecting her shift back to the battle at hand than their squabbling.

“…Maybe, if we can get it to fall into the forest, you and Ciecro can cut some trees to fall on him so I can Ice Beam him and pin the guy.”

“That…might actually work.”

“Of course it will. I came up with it.” Jaron gave her a cocky grin, indicating he hadn’t fully moved past their squabble.

“Ha, ha,” Jasmine lazily said. ”Can we move on now?”

Jaron nodded as he pointed to the forest to their right. “Jaz, get in position. I’ll see if I can help Ciecro get him down.” Jasmine spurred to the right as Jaron headed forwards, towards the still raging snorlax.

The mon once more unleashed a powerful Hyper Beam, but thankfully this one went to the sky at an angle so Jaron didn’t need to do any evading work.

Once Jaron felt he was close enough to help without endangering himself, he shouted, “hey Ciecro! We have a plan! Try and see if you can get him to turn to the side!”

Unfortunately for Ciecro, the firm grip he had on the snorlax’s neck had been mostly undone by the constant Hyper Beam blasting, this last one causing his arm to slip from the mon’s front neck and instead hold on the side to just stay on the upper back, pissing the charmeleon off.

“Hey, did you hear me‽” Jaron asked.

“Try an’ do it yahself, puny arms!” Ciecro ranted, struggling to avoid slipping while also steering his swinging body from going into the mon’s grabbing range.

I’m on your team, you retard. Jaron grumbled in his head, trying to spot his position for the frontal assault.

His thoughts were interrupted by a bit of movement out of the corner of his eye, prompting him to roll for safety. Once up, Jaron stopped to watch the large mon swinging around while Ciecro still held on like a cape flying from the back of an exaggerative dancer. Okay, so I need to shove that guy down. But I don’t think direct attacking is smart with those arms of his and my range moves aren’t strong enough to push him, he reasoned, rubbing his chin in contemplation. One hit from that guy could make me down for the count. Argh, there’s got to be something I can do. He kept watching the scene, desperate for any means to land an attack or at least slow it down so they could carry out their plan.

As he watched, he spotted the snorlax do something strange. It aligned itself with the path, his back to one side of the forest and started swing his arms back and forth. Wait, is he going to fal-? It suddenly clicked for Jaron.

“Ciecro!” he shouted, “Get off him now! He’s going to try and squash you!”

Ciecro’s furious stare was substituted with a horrified look at the thought, although, this didn’t deter him from reacting and quickly letting go as the snorlax fell backwards onto a tree. The sheer weight of this mon was not only enough to snap part of the tree after applying pressure for a couple of seconds, but it also provided him ample support to easily get back up.

Ciecro darted from the creature as it got back on its feet, now free from his Ciecro neckpiece.

“Damnit,” Ciecro said with a growl, fists tightening. “How do we beat this guy‽” he shouted.

Jasmine leaped out of the woods, charging a Psycho Cut to launch. The snorlax looked at her while she shouted to the two, “It’s no use. I don’t think we can do that plan now, Jaron.”

Jaron shook his head. “Our best bet is getting it down on its back. Let’s tr-”

“Three mons?” the snorlax said in what felt like a curious tone. The three stayed silent and merely focused on him as the snorlax started tapping his head with his paw. “Wait, didn’t Sylphiel say. Uhm…three mons. Three mons. Oh right.” Without any warning, the mon gave a big clap right in front of him. Something akin to a red X marked the surface he stood on as a little ways down both sides of the path became fenced with large energy walls also possessing the same red X.

“Wha’ de?” Ciecro said, getting a bad feeling from the obscuring walls.

Jaron looked at the transparent, red energy like walls behind him and his brother as well as the rows stretching down the path to cut off the forest access. “Is that…block?” Jaron inquired, putting his best idea of what was going on.

Ciecro grunted with a nod and a serious look. “It means we ain’t gettin’ outta here anytime soon.”

Damnit. Jaron tightened his fists. So was this what fatty supposed to do? Just coup us up here? The angry croconaw grabbed his snout angrily at this idea.

“Jaz, yah okay‽” Ciecro shouted over, trying to think of a way to handle this new set in arena.

“Yeah!” she shouted back. “What are we going to do?”

Planning would have to wait though, because the snorlax broke his form for the move, walked to the center to cut Jasmine from Ciecro and Jaron, and turned to face the two brothers. “Alright, so you both are…” He started thinking again, almost as if he had forgotten what he was saying mid-sentence. “How did he say it? Oh, that’s right. You both are ‘wanted intact for boss Plegees’.”

Ciecro and Jaron looked at each other, bewildered at this statement. Jaron was the first to look back at the large mon and said without thinking, “Thanks?”

He didn’t stay that way for long, since the snorlax then turned around and bellowed like a child would when they had their eyes set on something.

Jasmine started backing away as the snorlax focused his seemingly closed gaze towards her. “W-what are you looking at?” she demanded, as the large mon scratched his head.

“Sylphiel didn’t mention an absol as ‘wanted intact for boss Plegees’. I think that means I’m clear for mushing you.”

“Well…” Jasmine fiddled through her head for something to say till finally blurting out, “maybe Sylphiel just forgot.” She gave a little weak laugh afterwards.

“‘Forgot’?” the large mon repeated, scratching his head even more as he tried to recall his conversation with Sylphiel to double check. “Maybe, but I know he said was to keep a croconaw and charmeleon from being damaged and keep everyone away from the target.”

“Yeah, great job in the ‘from being damaged’ part.” Jaron crossed his arms and gave a harsh snort at the mon, who scratched the back of his head as he looked at Jaron.

“I’m sorry, I forgot Sylphiel said that about you.”

“Well, maybe someone should try working harder to remember these things. You almost smushed my brother, who’s the charmeleon, you smashed berry. What kind of idiot fails such a simple task of remembering the God damn assignment?” Jaron eyed him coldly, Ciecro just rubbed his arm at the image of him getting squashed by the snorlax coming back, and the snorlax made what sounded like sniffle noises.

Jasmine looked at Jaron with half-open eyes and said, “Really?”

“What? You think Ciecro wants to get squashed ei-”

“Okay, can it wit deh ‘squashed’ talk, already!” Ciecro crossed his arms and snarled.

“Anyways.” Jasmine let her Psycho Cut’s light fade from her horn. “’Away from the target’?” she repeated, walking over to one of the newly formed walls.

Jaron did the same on his side, gazing upon the red and slightly transparent walls that built their new battlefield. Clenching his fist, Jaron gave a firm jab right into the wall, leaving a thud sound and a little bruise on his hand. “No use,” he uttered, his mood a mix of anger and despondent.

“Seems like it, damn.” Ciecro surged a Thunder Punch in his hand as he planted his right foot forwards and looking up to the snorlax’s head shouted, “Drop de barrier or I’ll drop yah here and now!”

The snorlax turned his body enough so he could see Ciecro as he stopped rubbing his head. “Sorry, but Sylphiel said those were my orders and if I don’t do them, he’ll get mad.”

“I don’ care!” Ciecro roared, running towards the snorlax and thwomping its side with a firm jab.

“Ouch,” the snorlax cried as his right paw started rubbing the hit spot.

“Just fucking get damaged already!” Ciecro ranted, getting fed up at this monster’s apparently infinite endurance. He kept punching and punching at the snorlax in desperation. Finally after about fifty punches, Ciecro, with his head downcast and angry, took a few steps back and just sat down defeated.

“It’s fine, I remember not to hurt you now. So we don’t need to fight, just stay put till the Boss Plegees is done,” the snorlax replied, still rubbing the spot. “Now can you please stop hitting me? I don’t want to forget to not hurt you two again. As for the girl.” He turned and looked towards her, causing her to grow alert and the two boys to watch. “I think hurting her is fine. So, I’ll do that.”

“What‽” Jaron shouted as he started rushing toward Jasmine, but the large snorlax cut him off. “You can’t hurt her! She’s my friend!”

“Sorry, but the orders were to just not hurt you two for Plageues. I think she’s still on my attack list.” The snorlax’s tone didn’t seem rude or hostile, but Jaron didn’t care.

“How do you even know you’re supposed to hurt anybody other than the target? You forgot to not hurt me and Ciecro!”

“Y-y-yeah.” Jasmine backed him up with a rather weak add on. “I mean, did they really say, ‘hurt the absol too’?”

The snorlax began scratching his head, trying to remember if that did happen. “Nope, didn’t really say. Just mentioned to not hurt the two boys for Plegees and keep as many of the group here pinned while finishing the members….Oh, finishing the members.”

“Oh come on!” Jasmine shouted defensively, backing up a little as the snorlax started stepping towards her. “Jaron, Ciecro, a little help please” she shouted over to the frustrated charmeleon and the angry croconaw.

Jaron’s eyes narrowed as he charged an Ice Beam and fired it squarely at the snorlax, who blocked it with his arm. “I don’t care what you say, nobody hurts my friends!” Jaron yelled in angry defiance. “You touch her and I’ll make sure to tear your head off!”

Both Jasmine and Ciecro looked at him, slightly bewildered at his tone and honest aggression. Ciecro, however, could see something additional. Jaron was shaky, his eyes quivering slightly. Almost like he was scared.

Ciecro stepped in front of Jaron, surged a Thunderpunch in his left arm at his side and said. “Yeh, sorry, but you won’ be hurtin’ her. Not witout hurtin’ us.”

Jaron nodded and formed Slash on his arms like blades and the two readied to fight.

The snorlax just looked at them, staring with his blank face at their determined ones. He then let out a sigh. “Sorry, but orders are orders.” With a massive swing of his arm, the snorlax brought down a Brick Break straight to the ground in front of them.

The suddenness and force of the move was enough to knock the two back a little, Jaron hitting the block wall upside down with his back and Ciecro managing to roll and push his right leg back to stop himself before planting into it as well.

With the brothers pushed back, the snorlax once more turned his attention to Jasmine, who resumed her backing up as he walked towards her.

“We need to get him to stop using block,” she stated, a hint of intimated fear in her voice at the colossus targeting her.

“Any ideas, Jaz or is that blocked as well‽” Jaron said with angry sarcasm, as he rolled onto his side and started getting up.

“Save your fuming till after my life isn’t in danger, jerk!” Jasmine shouted back. A little gasp came from her mouth as her backside pressed against the block, preventing her from backing up further. “L-Let’s just try knocking this guy out!” She focused her energy into her head horn, causing it to grow and glow green, as well as forming a cone shaped force of energy over it. “I’ll ram him; you two follow up.” She pointed her head down so her Megahorn was aimed directly at the mon.

Oh yes, of course, follow up with what‽ Jaron grumbled in his head as he flicked his wrists, activating Slash once again but forming them this time as white lines of energy, flowing from his claw tips to the center of his palms both inside and out. Extension of my power. Jaron said in his mind, calming his rage and focusing it into determination. Jasmine won’t die as long as I can fight. She’s strong and I’m strong. This guy may be large, but when there’s a will there’s a way. Jaron opened his eyes and put on a very serious frown.

Ciecro got the message and formed Dragon Claw in his right hand and made a fist for Thunderpunch with his left. “Ready?” he said to Jaron, who replied with a nod. “Ready‽” he shouted to Jasmine, ready to charge at the back with Jaron.

“Ready!” she shouted, rushing towards the snorlax, who was swinging down his arms at her.

At Jasmine’s confirming reply, the two rushed upon the snorlax from behind.

The snorlax formed two Brick Breaks from his hands, swinging them around, one hand to meet with Jasmine and the other for the boys.






Swift rolled on the ground a little before pushing up into the air using his feet, spinning horizontally, landing back onto his feet, and slowly sliding down to a defense knee pose.

The gallade held his right arm in front, covering his face before slowly lowering it to his side. “Hmph, I felt less force on that one." Siegfried dropped the Psycho Cut surge from his arms as he gave the heliolisk’s struggle against him a rather bored look.

Seeing Siegfried wasn’t going to follow through, Swift back on both his feet. “Am I boring you?” Swift jested, giving a smirk while he panted slightly.

Siegfried merely raised his head a little as replied with a disinterred and ‘talking down to’ tone, “I would expect someone claiming to be strong enough to ‘own our asses’ be able to at least get past my blocking.”

Swift gave a little chuckle as he rolled his neck. “Well then, perhaps I should throw some moves into the mix.”

“Perhaps you should,” Siegfried stated, raising his arms to resume the fight. “Because yes, you were boring me.”

This answer only made Swift enjoy the thought of pounding Siegfried’s smug bland face in. He slowly lowered to a pushing position, placing his hands firmly on the ground as his eyes squinted. He pointed his ready gaze towards Siegfried’s but kept a careful close look at the gallade’s legs. After one more deep breath, Swift tensed up as he pushed off his back foot in a low charge. The grass served good cover as Swift weaved around in it as he sped onwards.

The gallade didn’t seem concerned by this oncoming attacker, raising an arm forward and horizontally for a basic block as he turned his body to the side to brace for it.

As Swift approached, he quickly darted left, starting to form a little orange orb while he rushed to Siegfried’s right, where he could get a shot at Siegfried’s back.

With rivaling speed, Siegfried pivoted off his back foot as he shot his arm down, firing a Psycho Cut to slice lizard as a counter to the range attack.

Swift took this chance to leap forwards and roll underneath the incoming move. He quickly pointed both his arms in Siegfried’s head’s direction as he fired Focus Blast.

The orange sphere soared straight at the gallade, but Siegfried merely leaned to the side, avoiding the blast while giving Swift a mocking, bored looked. Siegfried straightened his body, staring at the lizard as the Focus Blast gravity brought it down and caused an explosion a ways away.

“You plan well, I’ll give you that, sneak.” Siegfried moved his right leg back as he bent his knee, like he would push off to run.

Swift got low too, waiting for Siegfried to move.

“Of course, that’s all you have, isn’t it?” Siegfried pushed forwards, closing the small distance between him and Swift only two seconds. Mid-lunge, Siegfried surged Psycho Cut once more in his arms and began a horizontal slice aimed for Swift’s head.

Swift pushed back, leaping out of range. However, he didn’t have time to plant his feet before having to push off to a roll to the right to evade Siegfried’s swiping down to catch him. Once clear, Swift tried to push off to back flip-twist into an axe kick. To his dismay, Siegfried blocked it early with his left and sliced with his free arm.

Swift twisted his body, managing to replace what would have been a deep cut with only a minor cut. He landed on his hands and pushed off forwards, landing on his legs and running to put some distance. Huh? He thought as he heard something behind him. He rolled to the side, narrowing avoiding a Psycho Cut that struck the ground where he was going. That wa- Was all he could think before he pushed off for another roll, escaping Siegfried’s slice upon him.

I can’t beat him like this, Swift reasoned in his head as he got up, only to start evading more of Siegfried’s onslaught of attacks. He’s too fast and has the height advantage. I’ll have to play the range game. But first, I need to get some distance.

Siegfried didn’t relent his strong yet speedy array of slices, each one being avoided by Swift. However, this was a set-up. After doing another slice at Swift’s head, Siegfried spun and aimed a kick.

Bingo! Swift jumped back, forming a Focus Blast to fire, thus giving him some time to make distance. Despite this rather good situation, Siegfried was one step ahead of him, firing his Psycho Cut to meet the slightly earlier thrown Focus Blast. The moves canceled, allowing a second one to emerge from the smoke. Swift gasped. He was unable to evade due to being in the air and got sliced on his right shoulder, sending him further than his jump would have.

“Grrr…” Swift tensed as he grabbed his shoulder with his left hand. It’s not too bad thank Arceus. Swift stood up, returning his focus to Siegfried. At least I have some distance now. I’ll take what I can, but I need to get this guy off guard. His eyes narrowed as he pointed his right arm forwards, forming a Focus Blast.

Siegfried surged a Psycho Cut in one arm, ready to fire if Swift did.

Hmph, guess I’ll just have to bore you a little longer, Swift thought, forming a smile as if he hadn’t been injured at all. Underestimating me is something I love to take advantage of.

Siegfried stood, stoic and strong, thinking to himself as his eyes focused on his opponent as his arm waited for Swift to unleash his move. Hmph, false pride I guess or maybe he just smiles to help his mood. Doesn’t matter, keep it clean and there’s nothing he can do.

After about a minute of the stare-down with their moves at the read, Swift shot his Focus Blast.

Siegfried swung his Psycho Cut infused arm upwards, sending the pink crescent move to meet it.



Vex gave a big yawn as he watched the two moves strike before the two clashed again. Geez, does he really need me? Vex grumbled in his head. Like, it’s almost like I want something to go wrong so I can at least stop standing here watching Siegfried and the halfpipe taking turns swatting at each other. I mean really it’s so far pretty one-sided and I get Sieggy is being cautious, bu-

Vex’s mental complaining was cut short as a little noise started to sound off from his shoulder bag. He set it on the ground and quickly took out the flashing com orb. A pleased smile crept on his bored face as he whispered to himself, “Finally.”

He set the com orb back and started digging into the bag. I’ve been anxious to try out these things Sylphiel and Bruno brought when we met up. Boy am I glad I get to use it. With a joyful “Aha!” Vex pulled out a circular band with some empty slots aligning its exterior. He clipped it on his right arm, as far up it as he could, before pulling one more thing out of the bag. Without another word, Vex floated up and shouted to Siegfried, “Try not to let this end up like how it did with the Absol!”

Vex gave a satisfied, troll smirk as Siegfried looked at him with a very displeased look. “Get out of here,” he ordered with a scowl as he sidestepped another Focus Blast from Swift.

Vex chuckled to himself as he flew towards the forest, leaving the two to their battle.

Swift watched the ghost go into the woods, but had to break off watching him to not get caught off guard by Siegfried’s rushing toward him. He sped to the side, running away from Siegfried’s charge till Siegfried stopped.

“Heh, did you go to a school of how to fight cowardly?” Siegfried mocked.

“Dunno, did you go to a school of attitude?” Swift smirked, rolling his right arm, which had a few streams of blood flowing down it from the wound.

“Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Half-bloods like you would only be in a school of half-wits.”

“What’s your deal?” Swift stopped his arm spinning to look at Siegfried with a look that while serious indicated curiosity. “Do you really think that or are you just trying to touch my nerve?” Swift put his arms behind his head and leaned over. “Because if that’s the best you’ve got, well let’s just say I’ll take a real ‘Norfarion’s’ word over a turncoat.”

Siegfried gave a little displeased grunt. “One would think you’d be less benevolent to Norfarions or are you suggesting that I’m the only one who has called you ‘half-blood’?” Siegfried looked at him with a mild scowl, waiting for an answer.

Swift gave a smirk as he stared straight back. “One of my good friends called me that at the start.” Swift lowered his arms and got low. “I don’t know about you Phynecions, but Norfarions don’t care about your origin just what you bring. I’ll always be welcome there because I’ve proven myself moreover.” Swift rushed towards Siegfried, forming a Focus Blast.

Siegfried tensed, ready to react.

Swift threw the sphere, but not to Siegfried, but instead in front of himself.

“What?” Siegfried managed to say before having to shield his eyes from the incoming dirt. It wasn’t long before he felt a firm kick land right into his gut, making him spit. Next Swift pushed off of Siegfried, back-flipping once as he formed and shot an electrical ball towards the unbalanced gallade. It stopped midair and the Parabolic Charge let out a discharge of electricity, zapping Siegfried for some minor damage. “Ack, why you!”

“Why what? Power isn’t always up-front.” The dirt from the move cleared, revealing Swift. Swift kept his eyes closed as a little healing glow of light gleamed all over his body before fading in about two seconds. “Norfarions can respect tact too. So tell me again, turncoat.” Swift stood up, opened his eyes, and rolled his neck. He paused for a bit before putting on a goofy grin and saying, “What school of attitude did you go to?”

Siegfried snarled as he lunged at Swift, who broke his mocking stance and met in kind. Their Psycho Cut and Iron Tail meeting with a powerful clash.

Leaping from branch to branch, Seliph desperately attempted to evade his attacker. The bite wound on his shoulder was causing irritating pain, not helped by having to cover it with his right hand to slow down the bleeding from the bite. I need to treat this. He looked behind him as he landed on another limb, listening carefully for the buzzing noises the ditto had been making during the chase.

Narrowing his eyes, Seliph peered around the area as he positioned himself adjacent to the trunk of the tree. Quietly taking off his vest, which had been ripped a little from the bite and stained from the bleeding, Seliph began searching the pockets. Thanks to his familiarity with what was in each pocket, it didn’t take him much time to remove both the red eyes vial and a small bottle labeled ‘Potion’.

Okay, now gently, nngh. The wound jumped up in stinging as he poured a little bit of the potion on his wound. Keeping his mouth firmly shut, Seliph carefully finished covering the entire wound before setting the bottle between his feet. Alright, so now I need something to bandage this. To his dismay, he remembered it was Dolly that was given most of the bandages. Damnit, what do I-…

Seliph held his old vest in front of him, looking at it with a little bit of disappointment. Guess you’ll do. He set it down in front and began emptying its contents, placing them in his pouches on his belt. As he was doing this, he suddenly heard a small noise. He froze. His breathing halted as his eyes shot forward. Is he here? Slowly, he looked around as his nerves began to crawl with dread at the silence around him.

A slight noise like a slither reached his ears from above. Every nerve in his body screamed for him to jump, but he held fast since he hadn’t finished moving his items to his belt. Just, quietly. Steadily, Seliph move his hand to one of the orbs, but sadly he was out of time. In an instant, the noise of harsh snap came from above, prompting his body to almost jump away for him in whatever direction that wasn’t here. As he did, a large arbok’s fangs sunk into the branch where he was. Despite this close call, Seliph wasn’t safe due to essentially jumping off the branch in a random direction.

Doing a mid-air spin to look up, Seliph spotted a branch nearby he could aim for. He spun downwards into a dive, thrusting his arms forward as he ejected a stream of water beneath him. The powerful Hydro Pump sent him sailing, as he flipped forward to land on the branch safely.

Seliph then drew a Night Slash dagger as he flicked it towards the arbok, who was traveling down the branch in pursuit.

With an evil smirk, Sylphiel pushed off the branch and morphed during his fall into a scyther, flying fast around the many trees to keep safe from Seliph’s attacks.

Seliph growled in his head, but his frustration was replaced by horror at remembering something. My Items! He looked forward at the branch where the attack started and thankfully it hadn’t snapped. Without hesitation, Seliph rushed forward, forming two Water Shurikens just in case his attacker came back. As he neared the base of the limb where all his prone items and vest were, the branch snapped.

Sylphiel was clinging to the trunk of the tree in the form of a scizor and used his new claws to snap the branch to engage his trap.

Before Seliph could react, he was in the middle of a fall, his items scattering around as they made their descent together. Once he gained a grip of the situation, he quickly nabbed his vest and scooped up a handful of items before pointing his body in a direct and shooting out his tongue to a branch below. The wood tasted bad, but thankfully it was solid enough to not give splinters. Using his tongue like a rope, Seliph swung himself in an arc, using the momentum to sail upwards. Once complete, he retracted his tongue and began looking for a landing spot.

“No, you don’t!” Sylphiel exclaimed, flying towards Seliph in the form of a beedrill.

Seliph twisted and drew a Night Slash to defend himself, however, Sylphiel remained out of reach and simply dove on him from above. Managing to block the airborne dive, Seliph pushed off Sylphiel as he dropped the Night Slash stick to reach for a nearby branch. To his dismay, he hadn’t jumped far enough. If that wasn’t bad enough, he didn’t see any branches to grab on his way down. As a last resort, Seliph pointed his free hand down and fired a Hydro Pump, but sadly it was only useful for propelling his fall further from Sylphiel.

If I can just remain airborne just long eno- His thoughts were interrupted by a painful jab hitting his arm.

Sylphiel was once again upon him, jamming his needle into Seliph’s Hydro Pump shooting wrist. “Not this time,” Sylphiel said, gleefully looking at Seliph, who responded with a hard headbutt. “Ouch!” This caused Sylphiel to let go and rub his head, but his actions had worked.

With a firm thud, Seliph landed on the ground firmly on his back.

“Ack!” he groaned, rolling over onto his stomach which he held with his free hand. “Damnit.” He got on a knee as he tried to assess if he had broken anything. I…I need to get moving. While he was trying to get back on his feet, Seliph took a look at his assailant.

Sylphiel had landed about ten feet from his location, walking towards him with those creepy black dotted dittos eyes focused on him. “Ouch, that was painful to watch,” Sylphiel jested as his stinger shook a little with anticipation. “Look, make it easy on yourself. Just give up before I have to break your legs.”

As Sylphiel drew nearer, Seliph stood up and formed a Night Slash dagger as he readied a defensive stance. “Go ahead and try, slime.”

“Rude,” Sylphiel rolled his eyes.

“I’m not keen to be mannerly to someone trying to kill me.” Seliph flipped the Night Slash around in his hand to hold the blade part.

Sylphiel grinned as he eyed the move in Seliph’s hand. “Heh, you think that will do much?” Sylphiel mocked.

“Every hit counts in my book. More damage than simply stinging me with your fake needles,” Seliph replied, throwing the Night Slash dagger at Sylphiel, who sidestepped it. Of course, Seliph was ready with a Water Shuriken that Sylphiel attempted to evade but got nicked thanks to Seliph’s good aiming.

Sylphiel angrily buzzed as he held his side, dripping a little bit of some purplish liquid.

“Even a fake like you still bleeds.” Seliph formed a Night Slash sword as he pointed it at the creature. “Come at me. I’ll enjoy cutting down my first ditto.” Seliph gave a confident grin at the creature.

Dang, even in a tough spot this guy’s a piece of work, huh, Sylphiel complimented in his head. Well, then I guess I should see what else this guy has in store.

With a smirk, Sylphiel said, “Well, then ready yourself, ‘Slayer Seliph’.” The fake beedrill blinked as his eyes started to glow a white color.

“Stop!” Seliph yelled, dropping his Night Slash sword in exchange for a Water Shuriken, which he promptly threw at Sylphiel as fast as he could.

As Sylphiel started to morph again, a strange light engulfed him, one akin to evolution. Steadily, the shuriken whizzed through the air to its target, it was smitten away by a quick swipe from the being engulfed in light. “Because this fight just got more personal, for you.” A smile crossed the face of a red eyes Seliph, leering at the real one as the light from Transform faded away.

Scowling as he formed another Night Slash broadsword with both hands, Seliph pulled it back to the side in a defensive posture after cupping his vest to be a bag for the items he had managed to save. Great, now he has my moves and abilities. Seliph’s grip tightened as he thought, meaning he’s a healthier Seliph…If he figures out my gift I could be in trouble. I’ll have to keep him occupied. Without any indication, Seliph charged at the copy, who was still marveling at himself in a little creepy way.

“Interesting physique,” Sylphiel commented as he watched Seliph charging him without worry. “Should serve me fine. Especially since-” Sylphiel stopped midsentence to leap back and spray Hydro Pump from both hands straight at Seliph’s chest.

Seliph, shifted the broadsword Night Slash from side to horizontal front to deflect them. Angling it enough to get both, Seliph struggled against their powerful impact on his move weapon. Despite the power striking from the front and the pain increasing from the strain from his shoulder, Seliph held it firm as he took a glance at the area to his right. Bingo, he said to himself as he spied a tree almost adjacent to the fake him.

“I’m not the one wounded right now.” Sylphiel sprayed harder as he started advancing, but was caught off guard when Seliph used the broadsword to spin his body out of the Hydro Pump’s way, letting it disintegrate as he swung his arm. Sylphiel immediately leaped from whatever Seliph had thrown, thinking it was aiming for him.

Seliph didn’t wait to see the results of his work. Darting into the forest to the right, Seliph just kept running as the sound of a blast orb explosion happened followed by a tree crackling as it fell according to plan. What followed was the sound of a surprised Sylphiel and a tree plopping. Assessing he needed to hide now, Seliph quickly climbed another tree, sat on a limb that had many leaves to cover him, pressed his back against the trunk of it, and just panted.

“I…hate…fighting…dittos,” he said amid his breaths. After ensuring he was safely hidden, Seliph quickly opened his vest, which he managed to hold onto in his left hand. Carefully, he removes the items from, putting them down on the branch at his feet. Once all the items had been moved, he started making an impromptu bandage for his shoulder. I hope the water didn’t wash too much of the healing potion off, ngh. The shoulder wound stung harshly as he applied the slightly wet vest onto it, tying it around and knotting its ends to keep it in place. Despite being in a constant state of pain, Seliph focused on the items, cupping them in his hands to inspect them. Okay, so I used one of the blast orbs. All I have now are the four sitrus berries and com orb I put in my belt, and here I have one Luminous orb and one… he paused for a second as he looked at the last item in his possession, an escape orb. Slowly he put the other items away as he pulled out the red eye’s vial and held it next to the escape orb in his hands. I can use it to escape…but. His head sank a little, trying to not look at the temptation he held directly in his face.

There Seliph was, sitting in silence and stuck in a heated debate between these decisions. I’m wounded and if that thing gets this vial all of my efforts will be wasted. I can’t risk this…I can’t…right? No, I can’t. Seliph returned the red eyes vial to its spot on his belt and was about to start inputting coordinates for the escape orb till something crossed his mind. The conversation he had earlier sprang up, one part specifically.

“I can’t imagine what it feels like to carry something like that…but if you ever need someone to take it for a few days. Hit me up.”

Motionless, Seliph just stared at the orb, the feelings inside him fighting with the reasoning in his mind. Should he go? But if he did, he would be leaving all of them behind. All of them to danger. I… Seliph pulled the vial out once more as if to be some sort of debate settler. If I lose this, all of it won’t matter. That guy is still after me and I can’t hold out against him. None of them are nearby an-

Once more, Swift’s voice crossed his mind, but this time it was a less kind memory.

“Eight fucking years, Seliph! You had eight years to return. Yet you claim you researched on that formula and here you are not even closer to solving it than your mother. You basically let them grow up without you and didn’t even bring anything from it.”

I just needed more time, okay! Seliph shot back to the memory in his head. I need more time to solve this! I… He froze. He looked down at the vial, staring at its still mixture in his hands. Something in there looked calming…understanding…agreeing. I need to preserve this. Else, how can I ever face myself? My mother and father died to keep this safe, so I need to…to… He sat down, cupping his legs and pulling his head in, a mix of uncertainty and anger. He couldn’t care less if Sylphiel was still hunting him down. Nothing mattered right now. What would you do mother? He asked in his mind, lost and feeling alone. How can I make the hard choices if I let them in? Losing you both almost destroyed me! He slammed his fist down on the bark of the branch, only a few seconds later retracting it upon realizing he was making noise.

He pressed against the trunk and listened. Nothing but silence followed.

A light sigh escaped his mouth as he slid down the trunk slightly, slouching on the branch as the pain in his shoulder amped from his shift movement. Father…Mother…would you do it? Dad, would you?

Almost as if it was called, he thought about one memory that stayed with him. His conversation with his father that one day before the incident. When life was simpler and his father was alive. He recalled them sitting down, talking, confessing. Slowly Seliph started tearing up as he recalled him yelling at his dad, demanding an answer followed by his father calmly telling him a story. A story of his weakness and worry. How different it was from his story now.

Seliph looked up to the darkness above, teary and sad. He took a breath and in a little whisper said. “I’m not strong enough, am I dad? Swift was right about me.” Seliph put the vial and orb back as he stood up and looked around. Okay, I’ll wait. If I can’t then…I’ll just have to get out of here. Seliph started leaping from branch to branch, trying to see if he could find his way back to the path.

Slowly he made his way along, making sure to pause now and then to listen. After traveling some distance via the branches, Seliph started to question if he had lost Sylphiel. He stopped on a branch and looked around as he listened. I know that tree didn’t kill him…even if he’s transformed he could just revert back or evaded it. No, he must be either searching or tailing me. Lowering his head, Seliph focused on the sound of the leaves around him. Remember…just like hide and seek.

Keeping very still, Seliph waited. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before Seliph had his answer. A slight noise of rustling leaves resounded from his right. The amount of shaking implied the ditto was still in the transformation. With a sharp twist, Seliph stood up and yelled at the top of his lungs, “Hey!” Instantly, rustling’s noise amped up from the startled sneaker. In a split second, Seliph drew a Night Slash and threw it where he guessed Sylphiel was.

What followed was a surprise shriek as Sylphiel stumbled from his spot, ruffling the leaves as he did. He had no time to recover from his free fall before Seliph threw a duo of Water Shurikens. With a snarl Sylphiel twisted his fake greninja body to evade both, quickly grabbing a branch nearby to stop his fall. A little grunt came from Sylphiel at the repercussions from breaking his fall with his arm. “Argh…damn it. Huh?” Upon looking up, Sylphiel’s face was met with a powerful Hydro Pump from Seliph, causing a large blast of water that left no trace of Sylphiel.

“Good riddance,” Seliph grumbled as he started back on track. Suddenly something grabbed his shoulder. Seliph immediately spun, but not before he was stabbed in the side by a Night Slash. The seething dark energy from the dagger sent a surge of feeling in him more of dread than actual pain at least for now. His eyes went wide open as he looked up to the fake greninja staring back at him.

“You know,” Sylphiel said, his a tone that was more boredom than arrogance. “I heard stories about you Seliph.” The Night Slash dagger ran deep as Seliph was pushed against the tree, and Sylphiel got his head close to Seliph’s scowling one that twitched from extra dark surge into him. “About how you managed to kill a council member by your lonesome and you know what? Maybe that guy was just plain dumb because I’m finding it hard to believe you managed to pull that off if you can’t even handle me let alone utilizing your own move set to outwit you, specifically substitute.”

“You mean y-” Seliph started but Sylphiel interrupted.

“Yep, substitute.” Sylphiel cocked his head as he gave a rather proud smile, adding, “Wondering why he didn’t dematerialize? Well I just added a bit of me to it. Although, I guess you could say you did give me some real damage since I had to hurt myself to make the dummy real enough to take a hit.”

Seliph’s right hand went to a fist and pressed against the trunk of the tree. “I hate dittos.”

“Heh, I don’t blame you.” Sylphiel rubbed his head with his free, right hand. “I would too if someone could pull off my own move better than me.”

A grimaced look of disgrace and fury crossed Seliph’s face as he moved to strike. “You…you!”

Sylphiel raised his other hand as a “hold on” and shook his head. “You’ve got my dagger in you, bud. Move and the wound tears more.”

This action confused Seliph, however, he didn’t show it. “Why don’t you just kill me now then?” Seliph demanded.

“Simple, it’s not my call. Mister annoying Plageues gets the call.”

“Plageues?” Seliph’s eyes narrowed at hearing that name.

“Yeah, funny thing about that guy. He wants the honor of offing you himself and well, if you die by me I doubt he’d be pleased with it. If he didn’t straight up punch me, he’d probably just soil my rep and all, but eh details, details.” Sylphiel rubbed his nose and looked at the side.

Seliph’s head fell, knowing he was essentially at Sylphiel’s mercy. If he tried to escape, he’d tear a large wound and bleed to death before he could find help or die sit and wait for Plageues’s in person execution. Though, there was a third option. Seliph raised his head to look at Sylphiel and asked, “Who are you?”

“Oh, nothing too special.” The fake Seliph gave an eye-closed and shrugged with his right shoulder. “Just a red eyes doing his job.”

“Nothing special, huh,” Seliph repeated, almost as if he was mocking it.

“Not all of us get popular for murder you know.” Sylphiel gave him a cold stare. “Some of us work hard and still get the short end for now and all.”

“Then why not kill me and take the credit?” Seliph asked, slowly shifting his legs as he planned his options. However, the way he did it was enough to look like he was simply adjusting his position for comfort.

“Weren’t you listening, wise guy?” Sylphiel gave him a sour look as he grumbled, “Plageues isn’t the best guy to double-cross.”

The two remained silent. Come on, think Seliph, think. If you don’t get out of this you’re gonna end up dying anyway. He slowly began to shift, only for the pain to jump up again from the Night Slash dagger still held in him. He grunted from the pain.

“I’d advise against trying to escape. Right now, I’m keeping you from bleeding, so please don’t waste my efforts.”

“From bleeding?” Seliph repeated aloud, turning his head downwards to finally look at the dagger wound with a more analytical gaze this time. Sure enough, no blood was dripping outside, thanks some minor dark energy emitted by the dagger. Like a mini energy wall covering the rest of the wound for the dagger. Seliph sighed. So he knows how to use my infusement then.

With a defeatist face and low sigh, Seliph leaned against the trunk and just stared upwards.

Noticing this change, Sylphiel took an inner sigh of relief. “No hard feelings you know.”

“No hard feelings,” Seliph repeated in a monotone, almost as if he was too depressed to be offended.

“Well, like I have nothing against you and all. Just doi-”

“Doing my job,” Seliph impatiently finished for him, making Sylphiel pout a little.

Sylphiel moved his free hand towards Seliph’s head and pointing outward for emphasis. “Well I am. You think I’m having fun hunting you down or whatever?”

“You seemed to be having fun a few minutes ago,” Seliph continued, distrusting Sylphiel’s words. “I bet biting my shoulder felt fun.”

Sylphiel grumbled. “That’s just blood rushing to my head and anticipation for a fight. More or less just that part of me.” Oddly, Sylphiel paused, frozen.

“Part of you, huh.” Seliph looked at him, with an expression that looked more bored than Sylphiel had a few minutes ago. Maybe there’s a chance for me. Seliph started planning. Looking at the dagger for a second then recalled his torn vest bag for his items were still tied to the back of his belt. Okay, I think I have a chance. Seliph crossed his leg as he looked directly at Sylphiel, asking, “So how did you pull off that snorlax?”

“Huh? How do you think?” Sylphiel answered, a little annoyed at the stupid question. “I’m a ditto, of course I can mo-”

“You used moves in that morph.” Seliph pointed towards Sylphiel with his right, and slowly moved his left behind his back hoping he wouldn’t be noticed. “So there’s a snorlax in your crew now, hmm?”

Sylphiel paused before give a little chuckle. “Fair enough, you got me. Yes, we have a snorlax here, though not like knowing about him is gonna help your situation.”

“Who says it has to?” Seliph offered a challenging grin, making Sylphiel raise a brow. “After all, bringing a snorlax into a fight might be bad.”

“I hope you’re kidding.” Sylphiel rolled his eyes. “You could hardly handle me when I was a snorlax.”

“Well, you never really landed a hit with that big body. Plus look around us.” Seliph gestured around with his right hand. “This place is covered in trees. More obstruction than beneficial. Mon, I’d like to meet the idiot that brought a snorlax to a fight like this.”

Sylphiel’s face started to heat up from anger. “Look, pal, just shut up, okay. Right now, Bruno is making splinters out of your friends so just sit tight and all. I don’t wanna hear another word from you.”

By now, Seliph’s left hand had gotten the orb he was hoping for and he stared directly into Sylphiel’s ditto eyes. “Very we-” Seliph shot his arm forward midsentence, pressing and activating his Luminous orb.

Blinded by the light, Sylphiel stepped backward, moving his free arm cover his eyes. It wasn’t long before Seliph was upon him.

Seliph tackled him off of the branch, taking advantage of the mon’s blinded state to wrench his grip from the knife and grabbed his arm. Quickly, the greninja turned Sylphiel around, pulling on his arm as he pushed the back of the fake greninja’s head down to keep a lock.

Sylphiel tried to struggle but to no avail. Seliph’s grip was too strong on him to break free and it wasn’t long before his face hit the ground while Seliph jumped off and did a safe roll. In a dazed state, “Sylphiel tried to get up, his head all wobbly from the hard-hit of the ground.

Meanwhile, Seliph was back up and not ready to let Sylphiel get a second to himself. He rushed towards his Doppelganger, seizing the fake greninja’s head with both hands and forcefully bringing it down into an upcoming knee thrust.

Sylphiel was knocked squarely onto his back, groaning in pain as he held his head.

Despite Sylphiel’s weakened state, Seliph wasn’t done. With wasting a second, Seliph cupped his arms, pulling them back over his head as he surged a Night Slash claymore. With a little grunt and stiffening from the damage, Seliph surged more synergy into the move via his gift. Dark Energy shot from the tip to halfway down the claymore, as a fan-like beams of the same color floated on both sides of the weapon. With a fierce shout, Seliph brought it down upon a still dazed Sylphiel’s head.

The claymore struck squarely between the eyes, while the fans of dark energy on the sides crushed the rest of the face.

Panting, Seliph let go of the weapon, took a few steps back before stumbling onto his bum, winded. “P-please be d-dead,” he said amid his breaths. Upon getting back some of his breath, Seliph turned his focus on treating his stab wound. After forming a small Night Slash knife, he cut a square patch from the bandage on his shoulder. Okay, Seliph prepared himself as he let his impromptu knife dematerialize and move his free hand to the one still in his side. You can do this. Just try not to think about it. He braced himself as he slowly began to pull out the knife.

I don’t have a lot of time, so ngggh, don’t mess this up. Squinting his eyes and holding his mouth firmly closed, Seliph pulled the Night Slash dagger out of him, letting it fall from the force of the pull. Next, he placed the patch directly on the wound, which was starting to. Quickly, he moved his packet’s belt up and tightened it so it served kept the bandage patch on the wound, although feeling a bit award to wear.

“T-that…was too close.” Seliph panted, rocking back and forth from fatigue and blood loss, sitting down so his body could rest for a minute. Unfortunately, his mind new he didn’t have a minute. As he got up to regroup with the others, he stopped to stare at the body of Sylphiel, which was starting to melt. Oh no no no, Seliph whined in his head, getting to his feet but having a hard time steadying from his fatigue.

The fake greninja melted, collecting into a little puddle before starting to collect into a taller blob. An angry voice spoke out of it as a pissed of face emerged. “First you blind me, then you knee my face, and then you smash it with a club? What kind of a psycho are you‽”

Seliph scrambled backwards, quickly trying to make some ground. Despite how weak his legs were before, they were now brimming with energy or rather fear energy. Fleeing from the scene, Seliph pulled out his orb and tried to work on setting up some coordinates all while being chased by a raging ditto morphing into a charging stantler. He didn’t pay attention to what he was setting, anywhere but near the ditto aiming to murder him.

“I hate dittos!” Seliph shouted as the chase began once more.






Come on, come on, where is he? Plageues complained in his head while trying to evade Garon’s relentless attacks with his firm talons. After a couple of minutes of the thrashing from Garon, Plageues finally put up enough distance between them to make a snide remark. “My, my, aren’t we in a destructive mood today?”

No reply came from Garon, just vicious lunging at the smirking zoroark, his fangs bearing as they were imbued with a dark aura from Crunch.

With a carefree smile, Plageues bent backwards to evade Garon’s snapping jaw, forming a little bridge with his body. Quickly, he pulled his legs up and lightly bumped Garon’s chin as he concluded the bridge kick over back in a standing up position. Once back on his feet, Plageues crossed his arms as if he had just finished doing a gymnastics act, staring at the angry garchomp with a smile that just oozed of ‘yes, I just did that’.

Provoked by the taunting, Garon slammed his right talon into the ground channeling a faint tannish energy into the dirt, forming a small circle of the same color around himself.

Plageues cackled as he watched a similar tannish circle form around him. “Not too quick when grassroots are involved,” Plageues mocked, pointing his finger to the small swirls of tannish energy struggling to push around the circle thanks to the grassy terrain. In broad steps, Plageues walked out of the circle slowly, just seconds before the Sand Tomb forced the ground to give way into a spiraling whirlpool of dirt and roots.

Garon didn’t change his stance but gaped his mouth to fire Flamethrower.

With a cynical smile and a raise of a brow, Plageues shifted his right foot behind his left’s ankle, twisted his head slightly while maintaining eye contact, and said with a little challenging tone, “You sure you want to start a forest fire?” Seeing Garon wasn’t backing down his ready to fire Flamethrower, Plageues swung his arms in front. Daringly, Plageues puffed out his chest and dared, “Alright then, go ahead big boy. I’m fine with you trying to blast me, but I’m sure the poor mons in the town wouldn-” He stopped.

Subtly, Garon’s talon was surging the same light tannish energy into the ground. Once Plageues stopped mid-sentence, Garon dropped his Flamethrower and forced his energy into Sand Tomb. A very vibrant tannish ring surged around him as Garon gritted his teeth, intensifying the strength of the new, larger circle appearing around Plageues.

“Such a snea-” was all he could state before the ground beneath him gave way to the dirt spiral. The whirlpool of dirt rolled up to his waist, inflicting damage with its snare.

Seeing Plageues was well contained, Garon stood up and walked over to the edge of the Sand Tomb’s area of effect. Coldly, he eyed the zoroark in the middle, taking the damage as if it wasn’t doing much.

Plageues simply stared back at Garon with a fiendish smile that occasionally twitched showing he was still feeling the damage. “Well, I guess I’m finished.” Plageues raised his right claw over his forehead as he gestured the left outwards for a dramatic pose. With a mocking, wailing tone, Plageues called out, “Oh, if only I had been smart and noticed you were trying to distract me. Oh, woe is me.”

“Are you done?” Garon grumbled, eyes narrowing with displeasure. “You are going to answer all the questions I ask an-”

“I’d love to sweety,” Plageues jested, cutting Garon off with a snarky grin. “But what’s the fun in that?”

Garon squinted as light blue energy began swirling around him. The dragon head of Dragon Rush formed over his unflinching face like a mask, as if it was ready to pounce from Garon’s face onto its captured prey. “I’m not joking with you.”

“I can see that,” Plageues replied, unaffected by Garon’s power display.

“Then ready yourself.” Garon leaned forward, the energy of Dragon Rush angling with him as they both prepared to lunge straight at the zoroark.

As Garon readied, Plageues moved a finger to his chin in thought. “You know before we resume there was one thing I wanted to ask you.”

Garon remained silent, not taking his focus off Plageues nor giving him the benefit of backing down his power.

Plageues sighed. “Oh well, guess since you won’t talk with me like gentlemons I guess I’ll just have to be nasty too. So here’s my other question.” Plageues moved his right hand under his left’s elbow and positioned his left claw over his face. “How long before your friend gets impaled by his opponent?”

Garon remained firm, though his eyes widening slightly clearly showed Plageues’s words had some effect.

“You know, the heliolisk you were with. Shame really, that he’s all by his lonesome fighting. If I was a betting mon I’d put my money on him…for getting it between the eyes-”

“Enough!” Garon roared, the energy around him surging as he started to push off to do the ramming attack.

Just as Garon did this, Plageues flicked his right hand forward. A glowing orb flew straight to a surprised Garon, who couldn’t avert his gaze before the Luminous orb triggered a bright flash of light.

“Gah!” Garon stumbled forward, the timing of the temporary blindness being perfect to messing Garon’s aim and preventing him from pulling back on the attack. He stumbled towards Plageues.

Quickly, Plageues lined up his left arm, which had a Focus Blast forming and propped it with his right. “Aaaaaaaaaaand the dragonair,” he muttered as he let it fly at the rim of the Sand Tomb. The force of the impact propelled the Dragon Rush slightly upwards, and with Garon currently unable to see properly the poor dragon hurled over his target’s head and crashed into the ground on the other side, rolling from the momentum till a tree trunk stopped his tumbling.

Garon let out a painful moan, as he slowly tried to get back to his feet, while Plageues started stepping his way out of the now motionless Sand Tomb.

“Aw that’s sweet,” Plageues mocked as he stepped onto the solid grass of the forest, shaking his legs to get some of the soil off. “You got all angry for your friend. How very loyal.” With a smirk of a jerk, Plageues walked closer to the struggling garchomp. “Let me give you some advice, all tall, dark, and stupid.” With a firm swipe of his leg, Plageues kicked Garon in the chest, right on the spot his Focus Blast from earlier had hit.

Garon let out an angry cry as Plageues thrust his hand at the dragon’s neck, clenching it with a firm grip. The garchomp opened his eyes, still blurred by the flash from earlier, his breathing speeding as his instincts started going crazy.

As Plageues started forming a Night Slash dagger, he whispered in a low tone, “You should focus on handling yourself before going to your friend’s corpse.”

This was enough to send Garon into a rage. Blindly, Garon lashed out at Plageues, who easily sidestepped every strike that was near its mark although it cost him his Night Slash dagger. Unfortunately, this angry attacking only allowed Plageues to sneak behind and kick him in the back. Garon hit the ground on his stomach, but quickly rolled halfway and pushed off his right leg to half twist back to land. Get a grip, Garon the garchomp urged himself, calming down. His words are just words. He’s toying with you so just let him play his game.

Seeing his opponent was emotionally stable now, Plageues just let out a huff. “Well sorry for giving some constructive criticism. Perhaps I should have been more thoughtful for his majesty.” Once done, the zoroark gave an arrogant bow.

By now Garon’s sight was almost back to normal, but he let the zoroark continue his little antics without giving Plageues any kind of satisfaction.

“Done talking?” Plageues rhetorically asked as he straightened back up and eyed Garon with a mischievous stare. “Aww, and here I was hoping to have a nice chat.”

Without a word, Garon bent low and horizontally flattened his arm fins. Narrowing his eyes, Garon slid his left good back and firmly planted it on the ground, ready to push off at any moment.

Plageues grinned darkly at the garchomp’s aggressive stance. “Hope you can fight twice as hard for your friend.”

“I won’t have to.” Garon shot forward and raced towards the waiting zoroark. Forming a Crunch in his teeth, Garon lunged at Plageues’s neck.

Plageues in return cupped his hands together and swung them down with a firm force, emanating a dark energy around himself. The Night Daze surged like a repulse throughout the area, striking the nearby trees and Garon, although he managed to cancel it with his Crunch.

Once Garon had cleared the repulsing move, he looked back at the Zoroark, only to wince at seeing Plageues had vanished.

“Yoo hoooooo,” Plageues called from a tree limb above.

“Huh?” Garon looked up to the zoroark, who was leaning against the tree on his elbow. “Perhaps you can start. Shame it’s predictable.”

“Are you going to keep dodging or fight?” Garon stated, forming a defiant grin of his own.

Plageues gave a little giggly grunt as he turned to lean his back against the tree. “You know it’s cute that you’re trying to act tough and all, just to impress me.” Plageues laughed in his head as Garon’s smile faded, clearly annoyed at the flirtatious mockery. “You know, Garchomps like you would probably make the best subs for certain alpha mon fantasies. All tall and strong, but has a nice tail with a nice a-”

“Enough already!” A blushing, fed up Garon shouted.

“My apologies.” Plageues gestured his arms outwards as he got off his leaning spot. “I just enjoy playing around with sexy, down to planet dragons.”

Garon looked to the side, nearing his tolerance limit. “What do you want with the fraxure?” he demanded, trying to look back at Plageues without backing down.

Plageues gave a little smirk as he noticed something. He stretched his back for a second as he held up a finger as a ‘one moment please’ gesture. “Well, tell you what scalester. If you want to know, catch me.” He leaped away from the fight, going from branch to branch.

“Hey! Stop!” Garon shouted, rushing after Plageues. Unfortunately, Garon’s rushing on the ground made it difficult to keep chase up with the branch leaping zoroark. Whenever he was starting to close the distance Plageues would just jump in an inconvenient direction for Garon to be forced to follow, while avoiding any surprise trees or rocks.

I’ll never catch up with that guy this way, Garon ranted in his head as he kept up a pretty decent pursuit. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. Wait, is he… Garon stopped, quickly shifting on his gift to see the synergy around him. His eyes fell on the situation between three smaller synergy blobs and one big one. So they’re still fighting…wait.

Garon quickly looked back at Plageues’s direction, who had stopped. Narrowing his eyes, Garon quickly faced his enemy, deactivating his gift. “Is that your game then?”

Plageues gave a little huff, rolling his eyes like a toddler caught with some stolen candy. “Alright, fine, yes I’m leading you away. But it’s for a good reason I swear.”

“Shouldn’t have confessed.” Garon turned around and was about to start running off when some little shadow of purple in some bushes caught his eye. Diving forward, Garon barely evaded a Shadow Ball, quickly rolling up to raise his talons in defense.

“Finally,” Plageues grumbled as Vex flew in and landed, putting Garon between himself and Plageues. With a bored look, Plageues made a brushing of his hand and said, “You two have fun now.” Without another word, he started leaping to the left, heading in the direction to the town.

Garon tried to pursue him but was forced to block an incoming Shadow Ball.

“Sorry,” Vex said with an evil grin. “But I can’t let you do that.”

“So he’s going to get Vray then,” Garon replied, leading Vex to raise a brow in surprise.

After a second of processing, Vex just shrugged with a grin, saying, “Dang, put that much together? Heh, too little too late.”

“Not on your life.” Garon quickly rushed off in the direction Plageues went.

Vex smiled, quickly levitating slightly off the ground and flying after him. “Sorry, but I’ve been antsy to try this out all day.” Dark aura surrounded Vex as he formed twin Shadow Balls, one in each hand. He began to barrage Garon with ghost ball after ghost ball, trying to trip the dragon up.

Garon wouldn’t get hit easily though. Weaving amid the trees while keeping his pace strong, Garon pretty much was untouchable for Vex. Unfortunately, this required him to focus on evading Vex, leaving him open to a Focus Blast from Plageues in the front. Thankfully, he caught eye of it and quickly rolled to the side, letting it explode with a thunderous force.

“I said keep him busy,” Plageues commanded, this time with a firmer, serious tone. “I’d rather not have to pull more work for you than I already have to.” With that said, Plageues resumed his path as Vex landed to keep Garon away.

Growling, Garon got back to his feet, baring his teeth. Dark energy began to surge in them as Crunch started to activate.

“Heh, nice teeth. Too bad though.” Vex stretched out his left arm. “Time to give this a nice test run.” Slowly, something began to emerge from Vex’s arm, something like a bracelet.

Keeping a firm eye on this new object, Garon watched from a safe distance as Vex pulled something from his side and moved to put it on this bracelet. Briefly, the object in Vex’s hand was visible to Garon. A rainbow-like pattern dotted its exterior, swirling down in a diagonal formation making this object instantly recognizable to the garchomp.

Without hesitation, Garon fired a flamethrower, unconcerned with where the flames would hit aside its target, knowing full well what would happen if he didn’t act now. But sadly, he had no chance from the start.

Vex clicked the Awakening Emura into place, energy surging from the spot with a radiance of white light. Violently, Vex began shaking, power rushing throughout his body as he laughed uncontrollably. He was so caught up in his transformation he didn’t even notice the fire about to strike him, not that it mattered due to the energy flux being more than enough to vaporize the flame like a wave upon rock.

Covering his eyes, Garon braced against the surge of energy. It felt warm, violently warm. Such things emuras were, especially the more unstable ones.

Finally, the light faded. The forest seemed to feel darker, the small pockets of light from the trees nearby looked thinner and hazier. The grass and trees looked like they were watching, spying. Every nerve on Garon’s body was on edge, but even as his body demanded he move he couldn’t.

All the noise in front of him was nothing more than surging crackling and unintelligible giggling, the kind one would hear from a madmon. Perhaps it was accurate, Garon had no idea of telling. He’d never gone mega or had the means to, but he understand the implications of becoming transformed by the enormous unstable synergy inside.

As the light faded the silhouette of a deformed Gengar showed barely in a dark, grey mist. It craned its body upwards before two, bloodshot, red eyes opened followed by an eerie white smile.

As the smile showed, a strange line of black light shot towards Garon. It struck Garon on the arm, startling him but not harming him. “What the?” he said, as the black line wrapped and orbiting around his arm, forming strange letters bearing resemblance of a dead, ancient language. Looking back at the gengar in the misty he noticed something like a thin black fire encircling their location, forming like a mini-forest arena.

With this new detail, Garon easily determined what was going on, and internally groaned at what this meant. “So…that’s how you’re keeping me here,” Garon said in a monotone.

“Yes, with Shadow Tag,” Vex elaborated, in almost a maniacal tone. He dragged his body towards Garon with his large arms. Keeping his mouth open and letting his tongue hang like a famished mon staring at some food through a window, Vex crawled closer and closer while Garon started defensively backing away.

Okay, you can handle this. You’ve got to. The garchomp’s stayed in his boxing stance as he waited for the mega gengar to make the first move.

Vex firmly slammed his fists on the ground, stopping his approach and oozing shadows like liquid from his phasing palms. He opened his mouth to a rather frightening level as a chaotic Shadow Ball formed in his gaping mouth. With a dark laugh, Vex shot a larger, dark, and sparking Shadow Ball towards Garon.

The garchomp braced himself, waiting for the orb to draw closer as he spun off his foot, twirling to the side in evading. During his twist, he formed the dragon head of his Dragon Rush above his one. Once landing he planted his feet, aimed at the oozing gengar, and pushed off, spinning in the air as he rocketed towards the mega ghost with his move cutting through the air behind him.

Vex raised his arms, growing them as he clamped them above his head. He brought them down upon Garon’s Dragon Rush, infused with a dark energy of two Shadow Claws.

The two moves locked, but the upwards angle of Vex’s attack forced Garon to pull his feet out to prevent landing on his stomach when his move was grounded. Desperately, Garon pushed up against his powered up foes’ fists. Snarling as he looked at his Dragon Rush struggling against the mighty dark blobs of his enemies fists.

“I hope it looks like it’ll hurt,” Vex said, drooling from his mouth. “Because that’s only the beginning.” He detached one of his fists and under slugged Garon, who was sent spinning in the air till hitting a nearby tree on his stomach.

Despite the damage accumulated, Garon pushed off the tree and landed on his feet, shaking his head to regain his focus.

“Ready for more huh‽” Vex laughed as his shadow started creeping around, moving up trees and flowing through the grass, leaving a toxic aura in the area. “Because Vex gonna give it to you.” The gengar formed another Shadow Ball as Garon raised his defenses, bracing himself once more.

“Hitter up!” Vex laughed suddenly snatching the shadowy orb with his palm and spinning around to throw it at high speed.

Garon quickly leaned down to evade but was met by a frightening stare from Vex, phasing from his shadow spot. “Peekaboo,” was all Garon heard before getting slammed in the chest with a Shadow Claw.

Garon tumbled a little ways before stopping himself with his talon, panting slightly. He moved his other talon to his chest and discovered a slice on his chest. Argh that last one might have been a critical. Ugh, it burns. Garon went on a knee as he looked down at the triple slice wound on his chest. It didn’t look too deep but it had an odd purple substance on it. Poison? But he wasn’t using a move nor an ability to-…maybe it’s the slime off his body. Garon looked up to see Vex laughing, forming another Shadow Ball in his gaping mouth.

I can’t believe this is happening. Garon said in his head, watching the move aiming for his body. Some good I’ve done. I’m trapped here with an opponent that will be a struggle and they’re off on their own.

The gengar unleashed the black sphere in a swirling maneuver, however, Garon managed to track its movements and leap at a gap in its pattern to evade. He then fired a Flamethrower straight at the gengar, who responded with a Shadow Claw slicing down upon it.

Seeing his attack doing little to his enemy, Garon’s heart started sinking even more. His mind started to be filled with the dread of an unwinnable battle. A battle he needed to win, but couldn’t…A battle he would lose and as a result, those relying on him would fall. Being…unable to stop it. Powerless.

Garon firmly planted his back foot and slammed his talon into the ground, tannish synergy straight into the ground. I’ll never let that happen! He roared in his mind as he engulfed the cackling specter in a Sand Tomb; the sand rose like a miniature tornado, striking Vex from all sides and getting into his eyes.

“What the fuc-” Vex started, his maniacal smile now replaced by confused bumbling. As Vex tried to wipe the sand out of his eyes he was firmly struck in the face with another Flamethrower. Vex screamed as the move scorched his head, shoving his hands in front, trying to shield his face.

Garon kept the fire squarely on the ghost, unconcerned if anything else was set aflame. Nothing like that mattered, not till they were safe. Not till they were all safe.






“Come on, ‘full-blood’, are you too slow because you’re full of it,” Swift mocked with a carefree smile as he light hopped away from Siegfried’s Psycho Cut infused right arm.

The gallade snarled in anger, quickly swinging his left vertically upwards, hurling a ranged Pyscho Cut straight at Swift. To Siegfried’s frustration, Swift met it with a quickly made Focus Blast with the resulting collision sending a minor shockwave. Siegfried blocked, grunting from the force exerted upon him, while Swift just did a slow backflip as he rode the shockwave, putting further distance between the two.

“Or maybe I’m wrong.” Swift giggled as he stood up and brushed some of the blood of his right shoulder. “Maybe, you are going fast and I’m just faster, which is sad because you were doing so well before.”

Siegfried didn’t reply, just eyed Swift. “You’re making it obvious.”

Swift raised a brow, but didn’t stay still for Siegfried was rushing towards him. Imbuing his arms with another round of Psycho Cuts. “Making what obvious?” Swift inquired as he activated Iron Tail and awaited Siegfried’s onslaught.

“How true my words are.” Siegfried slashed and slashed, as Swift either parried with his tail or evaded it. “You may like to pretend they mean nothing or are swinging in the dark.”

Swift blew off this comment in his head. Once an opportunity showed itself, Swift quickly did a fast handspring backwards, firing a Focus Blast from both hands as he landed.

Siegfried leaned his body to evade, swinging the arm closest to Swift to fire his ranged attack. Like many times before, Swift leaped away from its path, but Siegfried quickly swung his other arm to meet the land where Swift was going to land.

The impact harshly pushed Swift to the ground early, rolling away from Siegfried. He groaned from his right shoulder’s pain, irritated by the dirt it had touched along the way.

“Even if you managed to get a minute ahead of me, you won’t stay for long. You’re simply wasting my time while your allies fight for their lives.”

Swift gave a defiant huff, almost like he was about to laugh. “Yeah sure, whatever. I get it.”

“I’m not sure you do.” Siegfried crossed his arms, eyeing the wary heliolisk with a stern but strangely without the hostility from before. “But then again, all you lot have is words.”

“Really now?” Swift sarcastically asked, brushing his snout with moxie, “Was it words that helped me last long?”

Siegfried shook his head. “No, but while I admit you can fight, you’re quite lacking in prowess.”

Swift’s eyes narrowed. Without a reply, he started brushing the dirt in his wound, while keeping a firm gaze on Siegfried as he winced slightly from the stinging.

“You’re weak and all you have to fight me with is survival.”

Swift gave a little grunt and a cocky smile followed. “Whatever you say, runaway.”

Siegfried smirked, shifting his arms to his side thus putting Swift into alert mode. “You know, I’d consider a half-blood like you lucky.”

“Pffft, I thought you said a ‘half-blood’ like me is physically inferior.” Swift lowered his body, angling in an aggressive, quadruped stance.

“I did and it’s true.” Tensing his arms in case Swift tried something, Siegfried looked to the side of the path. “But, it’s interesting. You, Half-bloods are lucky to not have a burden of a strong society thrust upon.”

Disbelieving what he just heard all Swift could do was laugh. “Okay wow, you put the phrase ‘pompous Phynecions’ to a whole new stage, huh?” Pointing at the stern gallade with his right hand, Swift bluntly accused, “Look, I don’t know what kind of mopey tale you have to say about how Phynecions treated you or whatever, but unlike an arrogant ass like yourself, I earned my place in society. And you know why? Because I learned from the Norfarions I was around and they got to know me. They judge me for what I can do, not where I’m from and most certainly not for what I desire. It’s not all about me.”

“So akin to Averia and Daemoria, then.” Siegfried’s arms slowly folded behind his back as he returned his gaze to Swift’s, his eyes looking a bit more invested in the conversation. “Just focused on how to ‘benefit everyone’, huh? Pitching in to make things better? Utter nonsense.”

“Nonsense?” Swift repeated, almost offended by the random claim.

Siegfried raised his head a little in a belittling fashion and said, “You seem surprised at me being a traitor yet haven’t you ever wondered why someone would betray such a collected society like the clans?”

Swift mimicked Siegfried’s arms and started pacing to the right.

Ensuring Swift wouldn’t get an opening to dart for the forest, Siegfried matched his pace, mirroring Swift’s movement.

“Explain,” Swift inquired, trying to see if he could build his way to an opening.

Siegfried’s eyes shut slightly. “Do I really need to? It’s obvious your society is fixated on the needs of the many above an individual. It’s all fine till someone is thrown under for the sake of the group.” Siegfried’s head leaned towards Swift while bearing a serious, honest gaze at Swift. “What is the purpose in a number?”

“Number…” Swift paused, stopping his pacing as he looked directly at the copying gallade. “Is that how you see yourself as a Phynecion?”

“Yes…do you disagree, half-blood?” Siegfried folded his arms once more, waiting for an answer.

Swift crossed his arms to think, making sure to glance at Siegfried a lot as he thought. The gallade gave him the time to think this over. If he’s going to give me time, the least I can do is use it wisely. As he closed his eyes, Swift used his gift, listening around. “Yes, I do disagree,” Swift said amid his pinging.

Siegfried grunted as he rolled his eyes. “I take it you have pride in joint cooperation and self-sacrifice, then?”

“No,” Swift said, listening around. “It’s-” Swift stuttered for a second as a noise returned to him. It sounded like some manner of talking or at least he guessed it was. “M-more than that. I don’t expect to be in charge of everything or have everything go my way.” Swift drew his attention to the strange conversation he was hearing, which, unfortunately, cut out Siegfried’s reply. Not that Swift was honestly invested in debating with his attacker.

Some conversation? Let’s see… “Here’s”….uhm…”Devon. You go on ahead and ci-…”

His thoughts were interrupted by the screeching sound of an energy spike from his front. Swift flung open his eyes and quickly ducked, covering his head as a Psycho Cut sailed barely over him and sliced some blades of grass before it collided with the ground.

“Clever little half-blood. Perhaps I’ve been too kind to you. Sorry to cut your little searching short, but I believe that’s enough for a break,” Siegfried said, with a smirk that almost seemed amused at this sneaky play by Swift.

Swift got to his feet. Guess there goes that. Swift kept a sharp look at Siegfried, who was walking towards him ominously. I didn’t recognize the voice and it was from behind me, I think. Is…is someone comi-?

Suddenly, Siegfried leaped into the air and started spinning, attacking with Vacuum Wave.

In response, Swift dove to the side. He spun around to defend himself, but to his surprise, Siegfried wasn’t there. With a troubling revelation, Swift looked directly upwards just in time to see a grouping of rocks hurling upon him. He tried to evade the Rock Tomb but was nailed by two. One hitting his rib and another striking his right shoulder, both planting him into the dirt as they rolled a little ways after. He hissed in pain as he grabbed his hurting shoulder, the wound only starting to get worse.

“Let’s see how far you go without speed.”

Swift quickly spun around to see Siegfried getting up from what was most likely a landing. Running out of options, Swift formed a Focus Blast with his right hand and pointed it straight at Siegfried, who just eyed it without fear.

The gallade let out an annoyed grunt as he surged Psycho Cut once more in his extended elbows and awaited Swift to move, ready to meet the move and then land a decisive hit on his slower target.

Swift scowled as the sphere of fighting synergy started spinning as he readied to fire, while Siegfried’s Psycho Cuts glowed from the more synergy Siegfried put into his.

This was it. Time to end this. As Swift was about to release the orb, he heard a noise coming from his left. Siegfried heard it as well. The two looked in the direction of the sound’s origin, only for Siegfried to be struck by a powerful, green wave of force.

The sound of a high pitched buzzing filled Siegfried’s ears as he locked his arms in front to shield his head as the sound wave of Bug Buzz, coming from Devon’s flapping wings. The move struck Siegfried’s newly made guard hard and traveled past the struggling gallade and tore into the grass and dirt path to Swift’s right.

Looking at the scene in complete bewilderment, Swift just stood there with his mouth agape. He was startled as a voice called out to him. “Sir, are you alright?”

Swift spun around, only to look up at a grumpig standing on a pair of rocks, looking down at him with a serious look. Letting out a sigh of relief at the sight of the stranger’s cerise eyes, Swift asked, “Who are you?”

“My name is Demetri.” The grumpig hopped down from his duo of stones but kept them afloat. “Where’s your group?”

A reminder of his friends being in danger prompted Swift to look back at the forest. “They’re-”

“I see, the forest,” Demetri interrupted, leading Swift to look at him with a little bit of confusion. Demetri closed his eyes as he began to slow his breathing. “How many are in your group?”

Swift started counting on his fingers. “Uhm…including myself, eight.”

“Alright, then we shouldn’t waste time.” Demetri opened his eyes and turned to Swift, examining the wound on the heliolisk’s shoulder. “Can you still fight?”

Swift nodded. “Uhm mister uhm…” Swift started snapping his right hand as he tried to remember this stranger’s name.

Demetri sighed. ”Demetri.”

”Demetri, that’s it.” Rolling his neck and then looked straight at Demetri. “Sir, I can find them in the woods. I have echo vizor.”

“Echo what?” Demetri replied, his ears perking up with curiosity.

Swift mentally facepalmed. “My gift.”

“Oh? And Echo Vizor does?”

Swift groaned as he blurted out. “It’ll help me find the rest, but I need to get to the forest.”

Demetri nodded. “Okay, I’ll handle this mon and send Devon to assist.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Swift smiled as he cupped his arms behind his head. “Devon?”

With a little bit of annoyance in his eyes, Demetri pointed to the vikavolt that was still unleashing Bug Buzz at Siegfried. “Go around Devon’s back.” Demetri was about to rush off, but stopped mid-step saying, "Oh, I almost forgot.”

“Forgot wha-?” Before Swift could finish, he was seized by Demetri and pulled in front, where the grumpig applied a finger to Swift’s forehead and closing his owns eyes to focus.

There we go.

The grumpig smiled as Swift blinked in confusion. Demetri’s voice now echoing in his mind like a thought. Wait…what di-

Set up a mental connection. Demetri hastily replied. Just so we can keep in sync. Now, I believe we have a group to save. Demetri grinned, releasing the startled mon.

After a few seconds to process what just happened, Swift finally gave an understanding nodded. “Thanks, but try not to be too rough next time,” he said with a jesting smirk and without another word, Swift rushed towards the forest, running as if his own life was depending on it. He didn’t avert his gaze at all, not even when the angry shout of Siegfried ordered him to halt. It wasn’t till he was safely in the forest that he slowed to a standstill and listened to the sounds once more with Echo Vizor. Come on, Come on! He shouted in his head as he tried to identify anyone’s direction.

As he listened, the sound of a grunting managed to reach him. That sounded li- Swift’s eyes shot open as he stopped using Echo Vizor. “Seliph?”

Are you alright? Demetri inquired telepathically.

Uh…yeah, I found someone. I’m going to help him. Demetri just gave him telepathic grunt in reply. “Okay, hand in there Seliph, I’m coming.” Rushing forward, Swift shot forward, following the sound and hoping his friends were still alright.





Meanwhile, Siegfried was still struggling against the powerful Bug Buzz from Devon. In a raging tone, Siegfried roared, “Enough!” Leaping to the side and swinging his arm, Siegfried sent a Psycho Cut straight for Devon’s right-wing.

The bug easily saw the pink crescent coming and twisted his body enough for it to miss, dropping the barrage of Bug Buzz in the process. Immediately, Devon flew towards Siegfried at ramming speed.

Siegfried responded with bracing his arms for impact; however, Devon shot upwards, did half a twist, and flew straight for the woods. “What the‽ Hey!” Before Siegfried could give chase, he was promptly smacked on the back of the head with a rock. He fell flat onto his stomach, moving an arm to his hurting head.

“Argh, wha-?” He pulled his hand back and saw a little blood on it. Growling, he got back to his feet and with a scowl, faced his new opponent, Demetri.

Demetri slowly stretched his arm forward, causing the levitating rock behind him to start spinning while just floating in the air. Clearing his throat for a second, Demetri put his serious face on and ordered, “By order of the core, I hereby demand you cease hostility with the group you’re targeting. They are now under planet nerve protection.”

Siegfried didn’t answer, just kept a scowl up and rubbing his head wound as he defiantly asked, “The heck is a planet nerve?” His tone was less than savory due to the added stinging from his head.

“Well,” Demetri said with a following sigh. He closed his eyes and took a breath before opening them again, revealing a solid green color that glowed slightly. “This is what you’d call my badge of office.”

Siegfried removed his hand from the back of his head, grunting a little from resulting pain and looked at Demetri. “Never heard of them.” He surged a Psycho Cut in his arms and readied a battle stance. “And I don’t listen to a group with a name as lame as ‘Planet Nerves’.”

“Not my naming choice, sadly,” Demetri said with a little smirk, closing his eyes to return them to his normal cerise ones. “So I take it you won’t be complying.”

“Do you need to state the obvious, pig?”

Demetri snorted and his eyes narrowed. Hard way then. He turned to the side and focused his psychic energy on a few rocks in view, levitating them and pulling them to join with his one rock.

Siegfried just stood and watched as the grumpig starting letting them orbit himself, standing there with his arms crossed and a smug look. “Well, then I won’t trouble you with talking about how outmatched you are let alone your current injury hindrance. So without further interruptions.” The stones froze in midair. Demetri moved his arms to the side, aligning the rocks into a line before stretching out his right hand in temerity. “Catch!” Demetri said with a gleeful smile as he sent all the small rocks Siegfried’s way.

The gallade jumped up in the air, flipping upside down to spin and surge Vacuum Wave to cut them up. However, he was struck by something from the side. The hit knocked him out of his move and to the ground, rolling a little. “Ugh, a…?” When looking for what hit him, he spotted a bigger stone like the one Demetri had earlier. “Typical psychic,” Siegfried grumbled as he stood up. “Can’t fight direct-” He stopped. To his surprise and dismay, Demetri was no longer in front. Siegfried spun around and sure enough, Demetri was running towards the forest. In fact, Demetri was so close to the thick forest that he vanished into the brush in only a second.

“Damn it. Get back here!” Siegfried yelled, chasing after the tricky grumpig as best he could.

This is the long overdue review for shattered crests.

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Chapter 1

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Chapter 2

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Chapter 3

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Chapter 4

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Chapter 5

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Chapter 6

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Chapter 7

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Chapter 8

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Chapter 9

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Chapter 10

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Chapter 11

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Chapter 12

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Chapter 13

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Chapter 14

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Chapter 15

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Chapter 16

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Chapter 17

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Chapter 18

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Chapter 19

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Chapter 20

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Chapter 21

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Chapter 22

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Chapter 23

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Chapter 24

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Chapter 25

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Chapter 26

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Chapter 27

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Chapter 28

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Chapter 29

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Chapter 30

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Chapter 31

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Chapter 32

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Chapter 33

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Chapter 34

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Chapter 35

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Chapter 36

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Chapter 37

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Chapter 38

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Chapter 39

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Chapter 40

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And that’s the whole Review!

"angry black dotted eyes" feels a bit weak descripiton wise. Maybe just "looked up to Sylphiel's glaring eyes"?



Of course he's hurting because he has a wound lol. Maybe "his wounds opening more"?



I would've use a facial expression/reaction of Swift feeling guilt but relieved instead of outright stating it.



Okay, I chuckled at that line.



Also this part is cute.



You used the phrase "little blue light" twice.



"Gap" has been used twice here.



Big mood. I don't blame Sylphiel for being so over with this assignment.



Hm, I feel it would be easier of you just mention One being Siegfried and another Sylphiel instead of being two Siegfried, but probably that's just me.

(As I read further though, you later pointed out both Siegfried and Sylphiel, so you fixed that already lol).



"Glee" in two successive sentences was repetitive. You can just have "Vex laughed" there.



I'm gonna be honest, the cuss there is a bit too comedic and unprofessional to my tastes. Maybe just the normal f word and one exclamation point should do. On another note, kinda forgot Vex has Mega Evolved due to not refreshing myself what happened last chapter.

All right, so overall the fights on this chapter were solid, but I'm wondering when this huge clash will end since it felt like it keeps going and going and going. Hopefully this fight will come to a close fairly soon. I also thought everyone's reactions to Demetri able to have everyone communicate through telepathy was kinda funny. What held back the chapter for me was some of the awkward phrasing and repetition I pointed out earlier.

“Doing okay, Vray?” Dolly inquired, glancing slightly back as she walked at the edge of a cliff where a river ran far below.

“Yeah,” he replied, before letting out a big yawn.

“Drowsy?”

“Sort of, but I can’t feel any of the pain anymore.”

Dolly sighed in her head, glad that it was still working. As she looked forwards, there it was. “Oh, thank Arceus, the bridge.” They both looked at the wooden rope bridge, the only source of entry across the steep cliffs into the forests surrounding Plainier town. Dolly started rushing towards it, but suddenly noticed some rustling at her left. Quickly, she pushed backwards with her foot as a purplish claw stuck itself outwards, right where her head would have been.

“I must say that’s quite good reflexes you got there,” a devilish, charming voice complimented from the bushes.

Both stiffened, Dolly scowled, Vragon held onto Dolly’s neck tighter as a zoroark stepped out of his hiding place, letting the dark move ripple away from his hand and instead offer it towards her in a gentlemonish gesture.

“From the look on your face, I probably should skip the threats and bargaining.” Plageues licked his chops, walking towards the two.

Her muscles tensed as Plageues surged a Night Slash in his right arm and lunged towards her. Sadly, Dolly could only respond by jumping away. Dodging the move did little since Plageues suddenly planted the move into the ground. A powerful, dark, and purple chaotic energy erupted towards Dolly. Quickly, Dolly dug in her heels and took the hit, sliding backwards as the trees to her left were skinned of their bark from the impact.

Once she stopped, Dolly quickly asked with a small pant, “You okay?” The only reply she received as a painful groan. A horrible thought crossed her mind. “Vray, did the number wear off?” she hurriedly asked as she looked back at the zoroark in front.

“I don’t…know…that last a-…attack,” Vragon replied, amid strained breaths.

Dolly gritted her teeth. After taking a big breath, she eyed the zoroark and calmly said, “Listen, he needs a healer. His rib is cracked and he’s on a number.”

Plageues cocked a brow, muttering an “Oh?” as he looked down towards the river running down at the base of gorge. Pausing for a second, the zoroark kept his eyes on the stream, a little grin slowly appearing after an idea came on. With a confident smile, Plageues returned his attention to her and answered, “Well, that’s not very good. Tell you what miss motherly mon.” Plageues stretched out and open palm as if asking for her hand, offering, “Give him here and I’ll make sure he’s patched up.”

“This is serious,” Dolly said, slamming her right foot into the ground. “If he moves too much with a cracked rib it could bruise his lungs or Arceus forbid puncture them.” Vragon after she said that. “So please, let me get him to Plainier fo-”

“I’m being serious.” Plageues’s smile dropped as he interrupted her, bluntly stating, “My patience is thin so I’ll give you one more chance to make the right choice. We have no intention to harm him and will make sure his injury is treated.”

“How can I trust that?” Dolly backed away a few steps. “All you guys have done is attack us, like your Haxorus friend.”

“You don’t have a choice miss motherly mon.” Plageues withdrew his hand and started surging Night Slash in his claws. “Either you give him here so he can get the help he needs, or…”

Dolly snarled at that last part making Vragon feel a bit uneasy. He could feel Dolly’s arms keeping him upright were tightening on where they clenched. Everything about her felt stiff, like a mother protecting her young. Despite this assuring feeling of protection, Vragon couldn’t really forget about the obvious dilemma they were in. Cliff on the right, and forest on the left, both not the best options for him and his carrier.

Suddenly, Dolly spoke, making Vragon focus back on the exchange. “And why would Vray going with you be ‘best for him’?”

Plageues raised a curious brow, surprised by the answer but not dismissive of her question. He knuckled his right claw, and peered at the sharp nails on it as he answered, “Well, I can’t tell you everything, but I can say we aren’t trying to hurt him.”

“Your haxorus friend left a bad impression.” Dolly took a step towards the forest, slowly and subtly.

“Yes well…” Plageues put two fingers to his forehead and sighed. “Trishula is a rather…unique and grouchy individual. He wasn’t supposed to hurt him, just get the boy.”

“And why is that?” Dolly asked, attempting another step to the forest. All she got for an answer from the Zoroark was a dark chuckle, the kind that would disturb all who heard it.

“Well I tried to be nice.” Plageues put a hand to his head as he gracefully extended his right arm, tossing something.

A blue object landed in the bushes where Dolly was aiming for, causing her to quickly take an arm from holding Vragon to shield their heads. Her instinct paid off, since a Blast Orb erupted right at the spot, the explosion’s repulse brushing against her arm and body.

“But if you’re just talking to stall then I guess I’ll be rude too.” Plageues smirked and Dolly snarled.

The kangaskhan started backing away once again, moving her hand back under Vray till she suddenly felt him pat her shoulder. Before she had a chance to respond, Vragon whispered.

“Dolly, stop, there’s a drop.”

“Let me know if he moves,” Dolly whispered, taking a quick glance at the drop. Damnit. She looked back at Plageues, who in the meantime had moved right a little to force her more into a corner.

Seeing the duo trapped brought something out in the zoroark. A dark smile crept his face as he licked his chops for a second, wiggling his claws at the side as they started glowing a purple from Night Slash.

Her breathing grew heavy, her eyes narrowed, everything around her seemed to blur as Dolly kept a firm gaze on the looming zoroark, ready to strike. Her body was pleading to find a way out, but each way either led to a steep drop or the claws of that creature ahead.

“Dolly…”

The Kangaskhan paused, feeling the slight trembling in her grip. Vray’s claws wrapped around her neck, anxious. Taking a moment to gather herself, Dolly whispered with a smirk, “Vray, we’ll make it worry just sit tight.”

Encouraged by these words, Vragon pulled closer to Dolly’s back as they both stared at their opponent.

Suddenly, Dolly challenged Plageues, “You look like you could use a breather; you seem to be dragon.”

Vragon raised a brow confused, while Plageues dropped his aggressive stance to answer.

“Me? Breather? Where did this moxie come from all of a sudden, heh?” Plageues took a few steps forwards, but stopped once Dolly stepped back.

“Don’t come any closer.”

“What‽” Vragon shouted, looking at her like she was insane.

“Oh? Going to die and take him with you so I can’t get him? How very un-motherly and selfish.” Plageues’s frowned as he shrugged. “Please, your acting was more convincing when you feigned interest for a deal.”

“Then stay back and give us some space to breathe,” Dolly stated, squeezing Vray’s thighs right as she said the word ‘breathe’.

His eyes widened for a second from the sudden surprise, before realizing she was signaling something. Breathe?...Ah I see. Sneakily, Vragon pushed his upper body against her thrice to signal he got the message, and moved his head directly behind Dolly’s, slightly pressing his nose to her head’s rear.

“And what? You’re going to jum-?” Plageues stopped as Dolly suddenly charged at him. The zoroark hastily stepped to the right, ready to plunge his claws into Dolly’s side but realized too late that Vragon was aiming at him with a Dragon Breath forming in his gaping mouth. A small, quick flare of purple and yellow cored fire shot and struck the zoroark’s chest, blasting him back although not strong enough to topple him. Clasping his chest for a second as the mystical fire stung the area of impact, Plageues pushed through the pain, giving chase to the two, who were making a break for the bridge.

“Good plan,” Vray complimented his carrier, with a gleeful smile on his face.

“Thanks, but focus Vray.” Dolly reminded, glancing back at their pursuer. “Try and slow him down.” She ordered, and Vragon nodded, leaning enough to the right so he could point he could see Plageues.

Taking a second to get a bigger breath, Vragon unleashed a stronger shot, though the newfound discomfort in his ribs started acting up once more. He powered through it and unleashed his Dragon Breath once more upon the dark type. Despite his flame engulfing their chaser, Vragon watched with surprise as Plageues leaped out of the flames, his body angled and right-hand housing a forming Focus Blast.

The Focus Blast smashed on the ground behind them, erupting an explosion that flung the two forwards. Dolly let go of Vray in an attempt to avoid crushing him and instead directed her arms to slow her own tumbles. Once she had managed to halt her rolling, Dolly activated Dizzy Punch in both her arms and crossed them in front of her body to defend. Her reaction paid off, as a hastily made Focus Blast struck her defenses, too weak to budge the bulky arms of the kangaskhan. From the gaps formed by her arms, Dolly spotted Plageues charging her and she quickly countered by dropping Dizzy Arm in her left and instead firing a weak Focus Blast of her own.

Plageues swatted the orange sphere like it was a pebble and came down on Dolly’s hand with a claw coated in Night Slash. He was forced to pull back as Dolly tried to grab him.

Dolly used the momentum of her failed grab to twist into a ground slamming Dizzy Punch, angling in such a way so to fling dirt at Plageues from the impact.

Plageues covered his eyes in time to avoid eye sting, but soon felt the stinging pain of a quick Focus Blast to the chest again, carefully aimed for the singed mark from Vragon’s earlier hit. A yell of pain and anger erupted as Plageues back stepped a little, clasping his chest once more.

Dolly took this chance to glance at Vragon and shout, “Vray, can you make it to the-?” She froze, her eyes fixated on the fraxure, lying still. “Vray!” She shouted, resisting the urge to rush to him with all her willpower. Instead, Dolly snapped back around, just in time to swat away an incoming Focus Blast with a quickly formed Dizzy Punch.

Plageues just stared at her, with a serious and unsettling glare. The two were silent as the Focus Blast exploded somewhere in the brush. Slowly, he retracted his hand, browsing her defensive posture and raised Dizzy Punch fists.

Dolly’s eyes narrowed. Great, so he learns from his mistakes. “Vray!” she called back, moving her head slightly to the side but not enough to take her eyes off of Plageues. “Vray! Please ge-” She stopped mid-sentence, noticing Plageues extending his arm. Dolly readied to swat away another Focus Blast, but surprisingly, he just held it out there.

Without warning, Plageues’s serious scowl slowly morphed to a sadistic smile, squinting his left eye and opening his right.

Dolly instantly felt a rush of disgust and dread fill her spine. It didn’t stay for long, since Plageues’s arm quickly grabbed her attention. Dark energy crept from his shoulder, flowing over the extended arm like it was a living black goop. The eerie energy solidified into what looked like a Night Slash in gauntlet form.

Wiggling his fingers in the sharp claws of the gauntlet, Plageues moved the gauntlet to the right and gave it a nice look, eyeing the engraving decorating its exterior as an artist would to his craft. “You’ve done it.” Plageues looked straight at Dolly; his red irises glowing slightly as if responding to a feeling inside. “You’ve made me invested. Now this is a battle I want to enjoy.” Slowly, he strode towards her, dropping his gauntlet covered arm to the side. “I can’t wait to see what sounds the boy will hear as we clash, because I love to take my time when I’m having fun.”

A low growl came from Dolly’s throat as she scowled in revulsion. She didn’t reply to the sadistic freak, instead once again calling out to the fraxure with, “Vray get up.” All she heard in reply was small groans and no matter how much she wanted to check his condition, she couldn’t afford taking her eyes off the cretin in front.

“Oh no, let him rest. I think you’d want him to experience the aftermath rather than him witnessing it.” Plageues stated, his tone low and raspy. With a fiendish glimmer of anticipation in his eyes, Plageues picked up pace, moving his body low as he went for a swipe at Dolly’s abdomen region.

Dolly blocked with her left, planning to retaliate with her right. However, her timing was off due to the odd painful feeling that echoed in her left arm’s nerves. She winced from it as she finally committed to her right jab, but her chance was already wasted.

Plageues backed off, his smile still as wide as ever. As he stood up straight, he crossed his gauntlet right arm across his chest and tightened its fist, causing the gauntlet to flash slightly with a shade of purple light from its interior.

“Ack!” Dolly arced backed as her left arm suddenly began stinging from the inside. “What the-? What did you-?” she uttered, holding her bleeding left arm. To her horror, the bleeding oozed out what looked like blood with small traces of something purple inside.

“I told you, I want to enjoy this now.” Plageues smiled as he gazed once more on his gauntlet. “Surprised?”

Dolly growled and started to back away, holding her left arm desperately. “No, I’d expect a coward like you to use injector tactics.”

“It gets the job done and it's fun. So, let’s play.” Plageues grinned gleefully, charging towards Dolly as he surged Night Slash through the nails in his left claw. He thrust them forwards, but they were parried by a swipe of Dolly’s right arm. This prompted Plageues to slash with his right, forcing Dolly to step back. All according to plan, since Plageues pushed off into a strong hook kick right onto Dolly’s chest, forcing her back.

“Pacing won’t save you my dear.” Plageues landed, eyeing her left arm as one would a choice dessert.

Dolly glanced at her left arm, now starting to drop the infected blood as it kept stinging like a needle being moved inside it. Gritting her teeth, she eyed Plageues with a fierce scowl as the zoroark formed a Focus Blast in his left.

Narrowing her eyes, Dolly waited for him to move closer and closer, before charging straight at him. I can’t let him near Vray so no more holding back! She roared in her mind, surging Dizzy Punch in both her arms with the most synergy cost so far.

Plageues shot his Focus Blast, but she merely pummeled it to the side with her right as she went for a jab with her left. Despite the pain, she carried true with hit, although it was parried resulting in a minor pain spike. She quickly went for a right, but it was cut off by Plageues thrusting his nails, coated in Night Slash, up into her arm from below. The nails weren’t strong enough to pierce the move surrounding her arm, but it left her vulnerable to a kick from Plageues right onto her left arm.

“Argh!” Dolly yelped as started to fall back and for a split second she saw Plageues swing his right claw towards her head. Her eyes widened as she saw the incoming attack and proceeded to pull back, but her left shrieked its agony making her flinch. She yelled in pain as the claw swiped across her face, sending a small grouping of blood towards the forest. Clasping her face with her right, Dolly stumbled backwards, now affected by two areas of stinging pain.

Plageues went towards his prone enemy, but instantly regretted it when he saw Dolly slam a small Focus Blast in the ground to cover herself. Plageues was knocked a few feet on his back, spitting out dirt. As he started to get up, he couldn’t help but laugh a little at Dolly’s predicament.

The kangaskhan wiped some of the blood off with her right. Looking at him with a fierce stare amid the claw mark across her face dripping blood. She didn’t say anything, just stare at him with heavy breaths, clenched fists.





Vray lay on his side, holding his ribs as he groaned a little. His head was still feeling fuzzy after the landing, but he hadn’t forgotten the danger. He could hear noises and sounds, but they all felt a little muffled or at least hard to distinguish.

I’ve…gotta…get up and help, He urged himself as he rolled onto his stomach. As he opened his eyes, he got up on a knee and shook his head a little. Slowly, his hearing started to clear, hearing some kind of voice coming from his left.

He turned and what lay before him was Dolly about ten feet away. “Dolly!” Vragon shouted relieved, trying to stand up and go to her.

“Vray stop!” Dolly ordered without turning her head.

Vragon stopped, staring at her confused. It was then he noticed her left arm was bleeding a bit, but his focus was disrupted by a question from her.

“Vray…can you walk?”

“Yes…I think I can,” He answered a little bothered by Dolly’s tense tone.

“Get to the bridge.”

Vragon’s eyes widened. “But you’re hur-”

“Get out of here and don’t look back!” Dolly shouted, still keeping her back to him.

Vragon froze. Dolly’s rasp tone sent a chill down his spine, only added by seeing a few streams of blood managing to flow down the side of her head. “O…Okay,” he quavered, turning around and heading for the bridge. His heart was screaming to go back and help her, but he couldn’t shake that tone she had. Perhaps it was scarier to see what she would say more than if she would lose.

He shook his head harshly to focus. The hurting in his side was becoming more noticeable, to the point he had to stop at a tree to take a break from the hurt spike caused by his staggering. With a hesitant gaze, Vragon saw bridge ahead. Don’t…look back, he reminded himself as he pushed off the tree.

Suddenly, he noticed something move in the sky, coming into view from behind the tree line. It appeared to be some kind of bug maybe? Vragon squinted, managing to identify airborne mon as a vikavolt. Who is that? Wait, what’s he- … Is he…nodding at something?

While Vragon stared at the bug, the sound of rustling came from his left. Quickly, he looked into the forest, just in time to see a something yellow leap out of the brushes. Vragon fell over in surprise, but as he kept his stare on the creature, he became exuberant. He shifted onto all fours as he exclaimed with a jaw dropped smile, “Swift!”

The heliolisk sped furiously towards the kangaskhan, peering to the cluster of trees on the edge of the forest as he did. As he neared collision with Dolly, Swift leaped to one of the trees that was almost aligned with Dolly and sprang towards Plageues, pulling his legs forwards into a hook kick.

Despite the surprise, Plageues was able to block the kick with his left arm and attempt a counter swipe with his right.

However, Swift pushed off, did a back full twist, and landed a little in front of Dolly’s right. Swift thrust his arms forwards and fired a quickly made Focus Blast at Plageues.

Plageues easily sliced Swift’s Focus Blast apart with his gauntlet, only to gasp as another, larger one came straight towards him. With a growl, Plageues blocked with his Night Slash gauntlet to avoid heavy damage, though the force of impact was strong enough to make him slide a little and breaking his guard. Plageues held his right arm, now becoming exposed as his damaged gauntlet slowly disintegrated away into purple particles mixed with the orange fire sparks from the Focus Blast.

“Great hit,” Swift complimented Dolly, facing her. “Sorry it took us so lon- Dolly! Your fa-”

“It’s just a flesh wound,” Dolly calmly replied, rolling her left wrist slightly. Her right hand was covering the wound.

“Dolly, if you’re-”

“I’ll be fine.” Dolly sighed as she took her hand away from her face. There were three parallel cuts across her face with two going over her left eye, which was currently squinting from the wounds bleeding into it. “I’m going to have trouble using my left for a little bit, so Swift can you handle the right.” Dolly raised her hands, cupping them together and forming another Focus Blast.

Swift remained silent, unsettled by the sight. However, he shook his head and focused back on the task at hand and with a serious, ready tone replied, “Gotcha.” He thrust his arms forwards, forming his own Focus Blast.

Plageues sneered as he awaited them to fire, cautiously walking towards them.

Dolly leaned over a little and whispered, “I’m going to fire first and get him to jump, try and hit him then.”

“Alright,” Swift replied with a nod.

“Oh, and Swift.” The heliolisk glanced at her for a second as Dolly continued with a new formed smile. “Keep a sharp eye on him.”

Swift smiled back, relieved that Dolly was confident enough to make a quip, as inappropriate as it was. His smile faded, focusing on his aiming as Dolly pushed forwards and her Focus Blast shot towards Plageues.

To their surprise, Plageues swung his arms upwards, coating them a mix of dark colored energy and slammed it to the ground, sending a Night Daze repulse to meet Dolly’s Focus Blast. The resulting collision sent a lot of dirt in the air as the force of impact forced the two to look away and shield their heads.

In a split second, Swift heard activated Echo Vizor. As he dug his foot in as the force passed and started wiping the dirt off his face, Swift could hear footsteps. Using his gift to hear where Plageues was, Swift jumped onto Dolly’s arm, grabbing on to pull himself on top of her.

“What are y-?” Dolly started.

“Trust me!” Swift shouted, leaping blindly into the thicker dust cloud and engulfing his tail in a white light that faded as a metal coating appeared on it. With a twist of his body, Swift swung his Iron Tail downwards, just in time to meet with Plageues’s Night Slash claw. Swift pushed off the claw and formed a Focus Blast, firing it in the direction he guessed Plageues still was.

Plageues jumped back, quickly slamming down for another Night Daze. The dark energy shattered the Focus Blast, pushing away the dirt with such force that even Vragon had to quickly shield his head to avoid getting dirt in his eyes.

Despite the force, Plageues’s Night Daze stopped as he looked up in surprise to see Dolly’s firm Dizzy Punch right fist pressing hard against it, halting its progress.

Dolly opened her eyes finally, staring at Plageues, who was still surging synergy for his move. With a smirk Dolly nodded to Swift, who without hesitation surged Iron Tail and jumped up to slash down on the spot Dolly was pressing on.

Seeing they were going to break his move, Plageues stopped fueling it and instead thrust his arms forwards, shooting out a small Focus Blast at the heliolisk.

“Look out!” Dolly grabbed Swift mid jump by the arm and pulled him towards her, managing to save him from impact. “Vray! Incoming!” Dolly shouted.

“Huh?” Vragon looked ahead to see the dirt cloud was gone but an orange sphere spiraled towards his direction. With a squeal, Vragon dove to the side and covered his head, avoiding the move which struck the dirt close not too far from where he is. As he uncovered his head to look at the impact, Swift called out to him.

“Vray! Get to Devon! He’s on our side.”

“Devon?” Dolly said, perplexed.

“Who?” Vragon asked, equally confused.

“I’ll introduce you to him later, but that Vikavolt is on our side.” Swift pointed to the sky where Devon was buzzing near the bridge. Devon, cover Vray. Swift then formed a Focus Blast and threw it in retaliation at Plageues as Dolly joined him in keeping Plageues back.

With a nod, Vragon got back to his feet, holding his side as he turned around, and saw the bug Swift was talking about. The Vikavolt started buzzing towards him, as Vragon also headed towards the mon, having his free hand. As an answer to Vragon’s wave, Devon did a few barrel rolls, making Vragon smile at the sight of a new ally. It was short lived, as a white flash slightly flashed from the tree line, at an angle that Vragon couldn’t see what caused it.

Suddenly a surge of soundwaves with green particles sparkled around them, crashed straight into Devon, hurling him into the side of the cliff’s side.

Vragon watched in horror as the Bug Buzz pelted on poor Devon as the attacker slowly appeared from behind the forest line. Blinking for a second, Vragon was dumbfounded at seeing a second Vikavolt, this one looking exactly like the other.

It wasn’t till peering closer that Vragon noticed the difference between the two. “A ditto?” Vragon mumbled his thoughts quietly to himself. A scowl formed as he looked back at Devon’s pinned position before deciding he had to do something. Vragon attempted a Dragon Breath attack, but the doppelganger spotted it and did an aerial loop to evade. With an angry buzz, the fake flew towards Vragon, so startled by the action he fell backwards. Vragon froze as the mon landed right in front of him, their gazes locked.

Its eyes glowed as it became engulfed in a white light before morphing into something that stood on two legs. Vragon eyed curiously as the light faded, revealing an almost exact look alike of him.

The fake Fraxure smirked at the sight of Vragon’s reaction at seeing a ditto eyed version of himself. Without another word, he opened his mouth, the purplish flame of Dragon Breath surging inside his throat.

“Wait!” Vragon shouted, reaching his hand out, but it was too late.

Sylphiel twisted his head and fired a powerful blast of Dragon Breath straight to where Devon was currently picking himself up from the attack. A powerful explosion happened as rubble, dirt, and the Vikavolt all fell into the water below.

Vragon crawled to the cliff’s edge, trying to see the bug. His breathing sped, his eyes widened, his heart raced. All he could see was the running water with no Vikavolt anywhere.

Suddenly, the fraxure arm was seized, by some kind of pincer. Vragon looked in horror as Sylphiel, now a drapion, pulled him into his arm before chucking him forwards. Letting out a cry as he hit the ground hard, Vragon rolled on his side and held his aching ribs. “Arck…” Vragon struggled to roll on his stomach and try to pick himself up, but instead of seeing forwards his face was shoved right onto the dirt.

“You’re coming with us kid,” a low, menacing voice threatened.

Vragon could feel a pincer pushing down on his tusks as another one grabbed his right arm. “Let me go!” Vragon shouted, struggling before he got into an arm lock, but sadly was too weak to stop.

“You’re more trouble than you’re worth,” Sylphiel commented. “Quit making this difficult. I’ve already had enough today. A little more and I might take it out on you, so best lie still, welp.”

“Vray!” Swift’s voice called out in front. Vragon tried to look up, but his head as still promptly shoved down. “Let him go!”

From his position, Vragon couldn’t see Swift but heard him coming. Taking that chance, Vragon struggled against the mon’s grip and managed to loosen his head. However, he was blinded a second by a bright white light. Not again! Vragon blinked for a second to get back his vision, but could feel that he was freed. He rolled on his back, opening his mouth to build up Dragon Breath. Holding his breath, Vragon froze as he saw a Kangaskhan tower over him.

Sylphiel, now in the form of Dolly, surged a Focus Blast in his left as his right hand cupped around Vragon’s neck although not tight enough to choke him. “Stay back!” he ordered the heliolisk, who instantly complied.

“I thought you wanted him alive!” Swift shouted in anger at the zoroark.

Plageues glanced at Swift with a scowl before ordering, “Sylphiel. Don’t harm him.”

“I’ve had it boss. I’m not gonna take any more of this stupid ring around game of capture the welp. Now you two,” Sylphiel pointed to Swift and Dolly respectively. “Let Plageues through.” With that, he formed a Focus Blast in his free hand and moved it so it was aiming at Vragon’s left leg. “Or I’ll have to make sure he can’t make it to the bridge.”

“No don’t!” Dolly shouted.

“Sylphiel, we aren’t supposed to harm-”

“Too late for that boss.” Sylphiel snarled at the zoroark. “If you hadn’t noticed, we’re on our last wind. Besides he’s already gotten rib damage, right, so it’s too late not to hurt him! It’s up to those two whether we add his leg to the collateral.” Sylphiel pressed harder on Vragon’s neck, making him whimper in fright.

Dolly snarled, looking back at Plageues. “If he hurts Vray, Arceus help me, I’ll-”

Plageues calmly raised a finger, indicating he was going to speak. “Don’t provoke him. I don’t think he’ll listen to reason. If you want to help your friend, don’t prolong this anymore. I’ll be sure he’s properly cared for, but I can’t assure that if his leg is gone.”

Dolly’s heart sank, while Swift snarled. With a heavy grumble, the heliolisk closed his eyes, vibrated his frills subtly, and pleaded, please hurry Garon or somebody.




“The bridge should be up ahead,” Seliph informed, as he and Garon sped along the path after making the sharp right turn.

Garon replied with a grunt and picked up his pace. “You hanging in there?” He asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

“It’s not exactly a smooth ride, but I’m hanging in there.” Despite the upbeat reply, Seliph was finding it uncomfortable to hang onto Garon’s dorsal fin while having to hold his wounded side.

As they neared the bridge, Garon suddenly skidded to a halt. The abrupt stop made Seliph fling forwards into the fin, making his wound sting from the impact. “Argh!” Seliph cried. “What was tha- Wah!” Seliph wasn’t prepared for Garon to stand straight up and thus couldn’t prevent himself from landing on the ground. A groan emerged from Seliph, even if the dragon’s tail broke the fall a little, the wound didn’t seem to care about that. “The hell, why did yo-”

Garon gave him a sharp, “Shush” and focused on the forest.

A grumpy Seliph, rubbed his back muttering to himself, “Next time warn me when you’re going to stop.” Seliph annoyed look shifted as he noticed Garon’s eyes glowed the purple, solid light they would do when in True Sight. Garon’s eyes widened as he muttered to himself, “What’s going on over there? Wait…Vray’s in trouble.”

“Wait, he’s captured?” Seliph walked in front, anxiously pressing for answers.

Garon nodded slightly. “He’s pinned.”

Seliph paused as Garon stood silent for half a minute.

Swift? Swift answer me! “Damnit,” Garon snarled. “He isn’t responding. He’s only using Echo Vizor.” Garon’s eyes narrowed as he rushed off.

“Wait, where are you-?”

“Get to the bridge and stay safe,” Garon commanded as he rushed into the forest, leaving Seliph to finish the trek on his own. Swiftly, Garon sped through the forest, using his gift to keep an eye on the scene happening. He finally stopped once he had the synergy image of larger mon pinning a smaller one down. With a low tone, Garon spoke aloud, “Swift, I’ll be rushing and fire a flamethrower. Once I do, do what you need to save Vray.”





Swift’s eyes narrowed as he muttered in his head. Alright Garon. Swift stopped listening with Echo Vizor, quickly glancing to the forest’s edge. His eyes trailed over to where the Focus Blast was being held midair. Okay, just a basic diversion tactic. Once his head is turned, hit the left shoulder, then run like mad.

Plageues gave Sylphiel a disapproving grunt, as walked closer to the hostage scene. “I’ll have words with you later about obeying orders.”

Sylphiel scoffed. Suddenly, a sound of cackling resounded as a surge of fire rushed between the space between Sylphiel and Plageues. Both pulled back in surprise and from the heat.

Without hesitation, Swift swung his left arm as fast as he could, forming a Focus Blast that he sent straight at the fake Dolly through the flames. The orb struck dead onto Sylphiel’s chest, knocking him back.

“Strike!” Swift shouted to Dolly as he rushed past a still processing Plageues, leaped through what was left of the flames and smoke from the Focus Blast and hook kicked Sylphiel’s chest. Quickly, Swift pushed off, making Sylphiel have to take more time to regain his balance.

“Why you!” Sylphiel was about to move his arm to blast Vray no matter where it would go, only to suddenly hear a roar from his right. As he looked in that direction, his face as met with a firm, tail swipe by Garon. The force of this hit sent him twirling over the cliff.

Plageues was dumbfounded. His eyes focused on Swift, who had just landed, and was about to pounce on him before a powerful grip clenched around his arm. Plageues was wrenched back and received a massive punch into his gut, making him spit out all the air he had.

“How’s this for an injector?” Dolly trash talked. She shifted her left into an open palm and lifted him up, grabbing Plageues’s leg with his right and quickly tossing him down the path away from her friends. “Courtesy of my left arm!” With that said, Dolly dropped to a knee, placing a hand gently on Vray’s stomach. “Vray, are you alright?”

The fraxure didn’t reply, though he clearly was happy to see her. His claw was firmly placed on his ribs. His firmly shut eyes and mouth indicated he was in a bit of pain, along with heavy breathing from his snout.

“Hang on just a little longer, Vray.” Dolly wrapped her hands underneath, picking him up in her arms.

“Swift! Cover our rear!” Garon shouted, as Swift nodded and readied for Plageues’s inevitable pursuit. With that, the two started their sprint for the bridge, only for Garon to suddenly halt, extending his arm in front of Dolly.

Getting the message, Dolly looked where Garon was. She gritted her teeth as Garon stepped in front of her, opposing a Pidgeot that just landed.

The bird’s head angled upright and its black dots for eyes peered at them with a scowl that seemed just as intense as when he did his threat. “The fraxure now,” Sylphiel commanded, spreading his wings outwards at an aggressive angle and standing at his fake form’s full height.

“Dolly,” Garon whispered as he shifted his head slightly so she could hear him better. “I’ll make an opening so you two can get through. Go left, into the trees if you need to.”

Dolly nodded and watched as Garon dug his feet into the ground, ready to spring off at the first move the foe made.

Sylphiel looked from one to the other, before scoffing and saying, “Just try me buddy.” With that the feathery creature morphed into some purple sludge in a violent fashion, like the bird had been engulfed by something from inside.

Both watched as a second later, a massive Golurk that towered above the tree-line stood where the feathery Pokémon was before.

Sylphiel then extended his left arm, bringing it down towards them at an arching motion.

“Get back!” Garon shouted as the two hopped backwards, evading the reach unlike the trees in the motion’s path.

Once they were at a safe distance, Dolly looked at the carnage covering the path she was going to take.

“Dolly?”

Dolly looked down to see Vray, looking up at her. “Vray, oh good.” She smiled as she looked back at the large golurk and said, “Good, you’re awake.”

Vragon blinked a few times before following Dolly’s eyes to see the massive foe in their way. “Dya‽” he squirmed a little from the scare, as Dolly kept from dropping him. “Wh-what is that?”

“It’s that ditto from earlier.” As she said this, Garon started firing Flamethrower to keep Sylphiel back, which worked albeit only for stalling. Taking a second to asses Vray, Dolly set him down and checking him. “Are you hurting bad? Can you stand?”

“Less bad and I think so.” Vragon stood up, but was immediately wobbly, thankfully having Dolly steady him.

“Forget it, you’re in no shape to walk.” Despite saying this, Dolly couldn’t escape the reality that they were pinned again, this time with a large opponent and an even smaller path to utilize. Her eyes trailed from the trees to the mon blocking the fire with his hands to the back of Garon’s head. Pausing for a second as an idea formed in her mind, Dolly looked at Vray, whispering to him, “Vray, if can sit on Garon’s fin, do you think you could hang onto him?”

Vragon looked at Garon, before giving Dolly a big nod. “I think so, what’s your plan?”

“Ride Garon to safety.” Dolly picked him up by his arms, almost like he was a baby and sat him on Garon’s fin. “Garon, Vray can’t walk so you’ll need to get him across. I’ll cover you both, so keep it up till I take over.”

Garon winked with his eye as a sign he was on board.

“But what about you?” Vragon asked, giving her a worried look as he grabbed onto Garon’s large shoulders. “And Swift?”

Dolly rubbed Vray’s head, making him grumble a little. “We’ll see you in town. I promise.”

With that said, Dolly stepped forwards till she was past Garon and standing next to the stream of flames. Once she took a big breath, she formed two focus blasts in her palms and extended her arms fully. She brought her arms down and formed two as the first ones remained floating where she left them. She repeated this process till she had eight glowing orange spheres floating around her sides. The strain of keeping them up wasn’t easy; she could feel her arms tense as if they were lifting something and her legs buckle a little under some form of weight.

But she held firm and once ready to aim, Dolly scowled and shouted, “Now!” Quickly, Dolly grabbed the two closest ones and hurled them right for the Golurk, who moved his other arm to cover his face.

Immediately, Garon dropped his flame and glancing back to Vray spoke, “Hang on.” He shifted his body low quickly, almost causing Vragon to slide off. “Hang on tight.”

Vragon’s arms wrapped tightly around the larger dragon’s next as he pulled himself closer, shaky as Garon pushed off into a sprint for the tree rubble.

While Garon was fast at maneuvering through the area, it was slower than either wanted. Vragon occasionally would glance right at the golurk currently blocking Dolly’s Focus Blast barrage and hoping that he wouldn’t spot them.

“Hang on, I think we’re almost past.” Garon hopped on a downed tree and rushed upwards, heading to the branches above. “Cover your face,” he ordered and Vragon shut his eyes and pressed as close as he could to Garon’s back.

Leaves and branches hit the two as Garon pushed his way through the thick brush. Both giving grunts as they neared the other side of the tree. Once they reached a spot where they could see the dirt of the path through holes in the leaves, Garon looked at Vragon.

Vragon gave a nod and the larger dragon hopped down, and quickly looking at the distraction still going on as he landed. Seeing Sylphiel was still shielding from Dolly’s Focus Blast, Garon turned and jogged away, trying to be as quiet as he could. “Hey Vray, can you keep an eye out for him?”

“Sure.” Vragon looked at the golurk and instantly gasped.

“What?”

Vragon didn’t answer immediately, mainly due to the site of the golurk’s head looking at them as they were fleeing. Once the initial shock wore off, Vragon quickly informed, “He sees us.”

“Great. Hold tight.” Garon’s pace picked up as Vragon had to quickly grab on so he could stay balanced on top. Once he felt he had a good enough grip and was used to the new speed, Vragon resumed looking back, but sadly what met his eyes was a blinding white light. “Arck!” Vray squinted.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know.” Vragon quickly looked back, and despite the flash earlier he was able to see the golurk was gone. Instead it was another Garchomp, chasing after them, jaw open as if he chasing to bite them.

As he watched Sylphiel behind them, Vragon spotted something in Sylphiel’s mouth. “Garon! He’s gonna fire something at us!”

“Okay, let me know when he does!”

“Here it comes!” Suddenly, Vragon felt Garon’s arm fins press on the fraxure’s back. “Huh? I tho-YAH!!!” Vragon wasn’t prepared for the Dragon to press off his right and barrel roll to the left and landing in a continued sprint as the Flamethrower raced past them.

Garon watched the flame soar past, and strangely explode not too far up ahead. Garon halted, arcing upright so Vragon wound up sliding down on his back fin, pulling him back a little.

“Ow,” Vragon grumbled as he shifted one of his hands to pull his squished tail out of its suffering. “Why are you sto-” Vragon stopped as he and Garon watched something head their way.

Garon didn’t move since it wasn’t aimed for them, simply watching an Ice Beam shoot past and forcing the fake Garchomp to hop back. Seeing the out of nowhere move missed, Garon readied for an airbornee attack from Sylphiel, only for the doppelganger to get struck by a fast-moving Power Gem, knocking him back.

“Guys! Over here!”

“Jasmine?” Vragon said aloud, recognizing the voice.

Garon and he looked back at the bridge, both pleased to see Demetri, Jasmine, Ciecro, and Jaron all at the start of the bridge.

“What are you guys waiting for? Come on!” Jasmine shouted again, at the pausing two.

Without a word, Garon started up again, though Vragon was ready this time to grab and hang on.

“Vray, Garon, glad you both are okay,” Jasmine greeted as the two stopped right in front of the four.

“Likewise, but…” Vragon started, prompting the absol to cock her head.

Garon was about to explain the situation till Demetri stepped in, interrupting with. “No time for conversation. Jasmine.” The grumpig snapped, getting Jasmine’s attention. “Take Vray across an-” While in mid-sentence, Demetri thrusts his hands to the right, telekinetically pushing a charging Siegfried back a little-ways.

The gallade used his extended elbows to slow his momentum by dragging them on the dirt, snarling as he started surging Psycho Cuts while he slowed down.

Demetri quickly got in front, crossed his arms and emitted a large amount of little, blue lights that spiraled into something like a barrier. One of these started to form around everyone in the group, before the particles flew into their bodies, causing them to glow the light’s color for a second.

After the light show concluded, Ciecro looked back at Siegfried, spotting the Psycho Cuts being flung their way. “Look out!” Ciecro shouted, rushing in front and punching at it with ThunderPunch.

“Look out!” He heard Jaron shouted, as another Psycho Cut flew straight for Ciecro.

“Ah!” Ciecro tried to guard it, but it hit his stomach before. “Huh?” he clasped the spot where the move had struck, confused at the lack of stinging or pain in general. “What dah?”

“Demetri!” Ciecro heard Garon state, turning his attention to the grumpig like everyone else.

Jaron tried to help him stabilize, as Demetri dismissed it saying, “I’m fine, it’s just my Reflect’s effects.” He gently moved Jaron’s hands away, indicating he was fine just a little worn. “Don’t worry about that right now.”

Just like the others, Siegfried was confused about the move that struck Ciecro, only affecting Demetri. Why didn’t i-…wait, that blue light. That’s Reflect…so does he have a skill to… His thoughts were cut short as he heard Demetri shout.

“Hit him with all you’ve got.”

Siegfried’s eyes widened as in no time at all, a bunch of moves headed straight for him. Shit! Despite his best attempts to avoid, it was only a matter of time before he was struck, the move being Jasmine’s Psycho Cut. The direct hit right in the stomach sending him tumbling down the pathway a little, bruised and holding his stomach, while resting on his knees.

Seeing that they had some time, Demetri faced the group. “Everyone, I have a plan so listen closely.” Demetri pointed to Jasmine first. “Jasmine, take your fraxure friend across.”

Jasmine nodded, moving in front of Garon so he could lift Vragon onto her back. Jasmine’s legs buckled as she stated in a struggling voice. “Ack! What did you eat to be this heavy?”

Vragon looked at her with an annoyed stare. “Funny…” he sarcastically said.

Jasmine giggled, standing up straight on all fours. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

While Jasmine was messing with Vray, Demetri turned to the brothers, saying. “Jaron, Ciecro.” The two looked back at him as the grumpig commanded, “You both help Garon fight that ditto, and get Swift and Dolly to the bridge. I’ll guard the bridge here from our gallade friend.”

“Right.” Jaron answered as Ciecro nodded, both rushing past Demetri to engage. Garon followed right behind them while Jasmine turned and dashed across the bridge. Giving a self-affirming nod, Demetri turned his back to the bridge and stared down at Siegfried, who was almost on his feet. Demetri tapped two fingers against the side of his head, telekinetically calling out to Devon. Damnit, Devon, where did you go? Demetri said in his head as he growled in real life.

Demetri had to stop though, seeing Siegfried was readying Psycho Cuts in his arms again. The grumpig smirked as he crossed his arms outwards and jestingly challenged, “Ready for round two?”

Siegfried responded by hurling Psycho Cuts straight for Demetri.

With a knowing smile, Demetri fired two quickly formed Power Gems in response, the moves canceling each other in a mild explosion.

Siegfried shielded his face as the smoke raced towards him, clearing in about the same amount of times the moves flew towards each other. Once Siegfried looked back, however, his jaw dropped. There was Demetri, racing across the bridge. “Coward!” Siegfried shouted, completely fed up with these tricks and angrily dashing after Demetri.

That’s right, keep following, Demetri goaded in his mind as he crossed the bridged. Once Siegfried was finally on the bridge, Demetri shifted his attention forwards, watching the two ahead reach the other side. Demetri halted his dashing, shifting around and forming a Power Gem, quickly shooting it at the pursuing gallade.

Expecting a cheap trick like that, Siegfried stopped himself and shielded his face from the attack. Next, Siegfried formed Psycho Cut in his arms and was about to charge again, but stopped.

Demetri was standing on two planks from the bridge, moving them up as he looked over to Jasmine and Vragon, who were watching at the other side. “Stand Back!” He commanded, forming three Power Gems that orbited his upwards stretched arm.

“Fuck you!” Siegfried tried to dash back, but Demetri threw the Power Gem, blasting Siegfried with the shockwave. Siegfried’s tumble almost set him over, quickly grabbing the side of the bridge, grunting from the strain.

With that, Demetri strangely flung his arms in the other direction, hurling the orbs to strike the supports for the bridge at the end. It swung down towards the other side of the cliff, as Demetri simple stood on the levitating planks that he directed to where Jasmine and Vragon watched, mouths hanging open. While Demetri hopped onto the ground with ease, Siegfried was almost sent hurling down as the bridge slammed into the side of the cliff. “Arceus, damnit! Argh!” Siegfried ranted, swinging his body to try and get a second grip to try and pull himself onto the front to begin the long climbing process.

“That should handle him for a while.” Demetri brushed his snout with a smug fist.

“Uhm…I’d hate to rain on your festival.” Demetri turned to Jasmine as she strolled over to one of the now bridgeless stakes, pointing as she pointed out, “How are the others going to get across?”

Demetri rolled his eyes as he passed the two, informing as he gestured his right out for them to follow. “I’m not a buffoon; I have another way to get everyone across.”

“Another bridge?” Jasmine asked.

Before Demetri could answer, the group were greeted by a not so pleased Seliph. Seliph pointed at Demetri and demanded, “Why did you three cut the bridge? How a-”

“If you three would stop talking for five seconds I’ll tell you!” Demetri shouted loudly. After clearing his throat, Demetri formed a Power Gem and with a flick of his arm to the right, sent it hurling into the trunk of a tree, sending it crashing down. “Cut down a few trees and look for any large rocks.”

Seliph raised a skeptical brow. “You’re not serious, are you? Can you even hold that many objects up?”

Not pleased at Seliph’s questioning, Demetri walked up to him, stared him directly in the eyes, and with a slightly cold tone stated, “Are you the psychic?”

Seliph paused till finally shaking his head.

“Then stop wasting time with doubtful questions and get me what I need to save your friends.” Demetri turned to continue getting materials grumbling, “Amateurs.” as he did.

Vragon and Jasmine stared at Demetri in awkward silence. Seliph did as well, but with an annoyed scowl. The two looked at Seliph, unsure of what to actually do till Seliph sighed, scratched the back of his head, and said, “You heard him.”

Jasmine nodded, charging at a tree while starting her Psycho Cut and slicing at it.

Vragon was about to go as well, but dropped to a knee. Seliph immediately came to his aid and helped him sit down.

“What’s wrong? Did you get hurt?”

With a melancholy sigh, Vragon nodded.

“I see. Then sit tight, we’ll handle this.”

After an encouraging pat on Vragon’s shoulder, Seliph rushed off to assist. Vragon curled up and watched the fights across the cliff, worried. Please don’t die, Vragon thought as he sniffled, his eyes glued on Dolly.





Grr! I can’t win like this! I’ve got to do something else. Sylphiel ranted, at being stuck in the middle of the three’s attack and retreat strategy. An idea came along, which prompted him to take a deep breath and attempt to spin around while firing Flamethrower. To his surprise, his left leg suddenly wouldn’t budge as an icy chill filled his lower body. “What?” Sylphiel looked to see Jaron firing Ice Beam straight at his feet, distracting him long enough for Ciecro to slam him in the face with Thunderpunch.

The powerful his was enough to knock Sylphiel backwards, awkwardly having to twist around his caught left leg. As Sylphiel was about to regain his balance, his stomach was whacked by a swipe from Garon’s tail swing. The force was so powerful, not only was Sylphiel knocked out of the ice, but he tumbled all the way down to the start of the now destroyed bridge’s entrance.

“Alright! Hit it with all you’ve got!” Garon barked as the two fired Scald and Flamethrower simultaneously at the downed Sylphiel.

Sylphiel gasped in horror and quickly covered his heads, bracing for more pain. An explosion resounded, but to Sylphiel’s confusion there was no impact, not even a force of a missed hit was felt. Slowly, Sylphiel uncovered his head and looked up, his eyes widening and a gleeful, mouth open smile showing at the site of a large, red wall in front. “About time Bruno,” Sylphiel mumbled to himself, working on getting back to his feet.

The three on the other side of the wall were just as shocked as Sylphiel was.

Jaron gulped and look to the left, muttering with a quiver, “Don’t tell me it’s…” Ciecro and Garon joined him in a stare at the forest.

“Back up,” Garon ordered, moving his arms in front of the two. The two complied, but not before all three could hear the loud thumping of something approaching.

“Yah gotta be shittin’ me,” Ciecro growled as the large snorlax came out of the trees, cracking a few of them in the process.

“Thanks for the save.” Sylphiel nodded at the big brute as Bruno dropped the Block wall without so much as twitching.

Bruno looked at the uneasy trio as Sylphiel joined his side. “Now they’re in for it.” Sylphiel, gave a wide grin, staring at Garon with ideas in his head of what to do to the Garchomp. His dreams for payback were interrupted by a loud, low question.

“Where’s Siegfried?”

“How should I know?”

“I’m down here!” a voice shouted from below the cliff area.

Sylphiel quickly sprinted to the bridge’s entrance, peering down. “Heh, how did you get there? Ran in headstrong like an idiot?” Sylphiel mocked.

“I’ll break your head if you don’t get down here and help me!” Siegfried yelled, slipping a little due to his aggressive push up. “Just help before this gives way!”

Despite enjoying the site of an asshole getting his dues, Sylphiel replied with, “Fine hang tight, I’ll get yah.” As Siegfried growled at Sylphiel’s choice of words, the fake Garchomp looked at Bruno and ordered. “Beat their asses, but make sure I can a piece of that dragon.”

Bruno nodded as Sylphiel started morphing into a pidgeot, flapping his newly formed wings and diving off the cliff.

Garon tried to strike him with a Flamethrower midflight, but the snorlax covered for his friend by sticking out his paw to take the hit. After Sylphiel was out of harm’s way, Bruno turned back to the group and started walking towards them; no words; no moves; just silent, imposing steps.

“Ciecro, Jaron, cover me!” Garon shouted, charging at the imposing mon, as the two followed with their duo of Flamethrower and Ice Beam. With the time bought by the distraction, Garon slammed his talons into the ground, making a tannish energy ring form around the Snorlax’s feet. The ground spiraled, pulling the snorlax down into a sinkhole.

“Hrm?” Bruno looked downwards, not really that concerned. Despite his large size and strength, he couldn’t pull his legs out Garon’s Sand Tomb. He apparently was stuck between his legs caught and having to keep his face shielded from the two’s moves.

“Bruno, we’re going after the rest!”

Bruno nodded to Sylphiel, currently carrying Siegfried with his large talons.




“Hrm? Incoming!” Vragon shouted, getting to his feet as everyone stopped what they were doing.

Seliph dematerializing a Night Slash axe he was using and instead focused on forming two Water Shurikens, quickly hurling them at the two as he joined Vragon’s side. “Let’s drive them back!”

Jasmine leaped into action, throwing a Psycho Cut as Vragon fired Dragon Breath as best he could.

“Keep them back, I’ll keep working on our plan,” Demetri ordered. To his relief, no one objected, but instead focused on keeping the Red Eyes back.

Despite Sylphiel’s good dodging, they had very little openings to get close. “It’s no use, we’re not getting over there this way!” Sylphiel complained.

Siegfried, however, wasn’t paying attention to Sylphiel’s ranting nor the moves surging at them. Instead, Siegfried had his gaze focused on Demetri, watching the grumpig down a few trees and lift a couple of big rocks all to a pile. Suddenly, a theory crossed Siegfried’s mind. Is he trying to build a bridge? Siegfried looked down at the deep drop, pondering the plausibility further. That would explain why he destroyed the bridge. Typical Psychic assho-

A quick barrel roll from Sylphiel disrupted Siegfried’s thoughts. “Sylphiel, we’ve got to stop that grumpig!”

“Sure, and just how do you expect either of us to get close enough?”

Siegfried didn’t answer, instead realizing they were in a bad spot. Amid his thinking and being jerked around by Sylphiel’s evasion, Siegfried remembered something. That blue light from before…could- His eyes widened as he looked up at his carrier pidgeot, shouting “Sylphiel, drop me near Bruno!”

“What? Why? Bruno can handle those thre-”

“Just do it!” Siegfried barked, with a hasty expression on his face.

With a grumbling compliance, Sylphiel started flying back.

Siegfried ignited Psycho Cut in his arms, waiting to get close enough to be dropped. “Now! We’re close enough.” he ordered and Sylphiel let him go. Please still be active. As Siegfried fell towards the cliff, he spiraled swiftly and unleashed as many Psycho Cuts to the crew as he can.

Meanwhile, Jaron was in the middle of an Ice Beam to the snorlax’s face. He stopped as he felt a dread feeling surge in his spine like his senses were pinching his back.

“Wha is it?” Ciecro asked, shifting from firing Flamethrower from his mouth to using his hands so he could talk.

Jaron also shifted to his hands, but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, Jaron’s eyes darted to the right, where he felt his wary pulling him towards and sure enough there was a barrage of pink Psycho Cuts flying towards them. Unfortunately, Jaron only had enough time to see them before all three were struck by them all over, sending all of them to the ground and uprooting a lot of the dirt in the process.

“Ugh, yuck,” Ciecro grumbled, spitting out some of the dirt in his mouth. Shaking some of the dirt off, Ciecro started getting back up when he noticed a blue light coming from in front of him. “Huh?” He peered closer, seeing the blue aura slowly fade as the image of Jaron became more visible. “Jaron? Yah okay?” Ciecro asked in fear, hurrying over help his brother up.

“Urhm, yeah…I think so…wait.” Jaron right back into Ciecro’s eyes, his eyes wide with horror. “I’m fine, but that means-” They both froze and quickly looked across the cliff area. “Demetri!” Jaron shouted, as he saw the grumpig sprawled on the ground, holding his side like he was in massive pain.

“Ciecro, Jaron!” Garon called out, browsing the area for them.

“Over ‘ere!” Ciecro shouted with a wave as Garon came out of the forest area, about as covered in dirt as the two were.

“Why didn’t you answer me?” Garon inquired, hurrying over to the two.

“Huh? You didn’t say anything.”

Garon glanced back at them, answering. “What? I telepathically called out to-”

“Oh no.” Jaron froze.

“What do you mean?” Garon asked, glancing at the dust cloud for a second that separated them from the snorlax.

“We were protected by Demetri’s move.” Ciecro joined Garon’s side, explaining to the dragon’s face, “So all dat damage went tah ‘im.” Suddenly, Ciecro was pushed aside by the large dragon.

A fast moving Psycho Cut, surged through the remnants of the dust cloud in front and struck Garon on the chest. He went tumbling back near Jaron, before twisting his body so he could land on his feet and raising his guard for an incoming hook kick from the aggressive gallade.

Siegfried pushed off with his leg, avoiding a Slash from Jaron, by doing a few backflips. Once landing, he instantly swiped his arms wide, sending two Psycho Cuts straight at the duo.

Jaron ducked while Garon simply blocked the other with his arms in front of his head. Slowly, he lowered his defense, eyeing the gallade. “Jaron, range support,” he ordered as he angled his body for a charge.

The croconaw got up to a knee and gaped his mouth, firing an Ice Beam straight at Siegfried, who merely hopped to the side and threw another Psycho Cut in retaliation.

It was intercepted halfway on its course by a Thunderpunch swipe from Ciecro. Ciecro walked in between his allies and enemy, eyeing Siegfried with a determined look.

Siegfried’s eyes narrowed, as his extended elbows glowed from another surge of Psycho Cut in them. “Hmph, how juvenile. You win one encounter against me when you had twice as many allies and now you think you’re a match for me on your own? You haven’t even done half of the fighting.”

Ciecro rolled his eyes as he readied his fists. “Den get ready fo’ me tah do a lot more fightin’.”

Siegfried cocked his head for a second before narrowing his eyes and raising his own arms. Hearing Bruno’s large steps behind him, Siegfried starting going left, walking down the cliff’s edge.

Ciecro moved so that he remained between the other two and Siegfried, while keeping his eyes squarely set on Siegfried’s returning gaze. Suddenly, Ciecro noticed his opponent’s red eyes start to glow a little strangely. He readied his fists and tensed up, but to his surprise the gallade simply snickered with an eye closed smile.

“You really do think you can handle me. Such youthful overconfidence, but by all means. Indulge me, orphan.” Siegfried looked up at Ciecro, keeping his arms to the side almost like he didn’t even consider they were in a match.

Ciecro, on the other hand, was startled by what he just heard. The confident smiled shifted to a scowl as he raised his fists to confront once more. “How do yah know dat?” Ciecro demanded.

“Your eyes say it all and more.” Siegfried smiled in a mocking manner, as he angled his head slightly back as if he was talking to someone lesser. His eyes glowed again.

Ciecro immediately shielded his face.

“Don’t bother,” Siegfried mocked with a calm tone and a confidence grin. “If I really cared to learn about the circumstances of your orphaning, I’d probably lose interest about three seconds in.” Siegfried kept his guard down, arrogantly peering towards Ciecro, who by now moved his arms back to a sparring position. “Besides, it’s not that hard to figure you out. You clearly want to be better than me no matter how cheap your wins were.”

Ciecro growled as Siegfried gestured outwards, almost as if inviting Ciecro to try something.

“If there’s anything more insulting, it’s a Norfarion that takes advantage of weakness.”

“Hey! Yah were deh one dat attacked us!” Ciecro reminded Siegfried.

“And? Didn’t stop you from attacking that one time with the monferno.”

Ciecro winced back.

The gallade raised a brow. “What’s wrong? You think I was lying when I said it wouldn’t be hard to read you? I was able to access such a focused memory of yours before you even knew what was going on.”

Ciecro’s teeth gritted as he surged a Thunderpunch in his hand. Just at that moment, a loud blast came from down the path. Both looked to see Garon, doing his best to halt Bruno’s progress from escaping the now inactive Sand Tomb.

“Such a stronger, more controlled fire.” Siegfried watched the line of fire striking Bruno as Ciecro focused back on the gallade. “A true Norfarion stands and protects what he values. So, what does that make you?” The gallade’s red eyes looked directly to Ciecro’s angry orange ones. “All you’ve done is fight with your friends and beat a kid’s face into the dirt for making fun of you. Truly, you’re a disgrace to that crest on your shoulder.”

“How would yah know abou’ bein’ a Norfairion, traitor!” Ciecro shouted, putting slamming his foot forwards. “I have halfa mind tah punch yah lights out fo’ yah kin in Phonecia.”

Siegfried merely shrugged. “I guess you haven’t grown at all. Willing to punch my lights out because I said something mean. Whatever.” Siegfried raised his arms, crossing them in front of his chest as he bent his knees. “You’re boring me anyways.”

Ciecro didn’t need any more incentive. He rushed towards Siegfried and the two began a close spar of attacks and deflects.

While Ciecro’s aggressive strikes were well controlled and tactful, Siegfried bought his time, merely defending against the onslaught. Ciecro, fed up with the stalemate, went for a leg sweep. As Siegfried hopped above it, Ciecro went for an uppercut post spin finish, until he noticed Siegfried was leaping over him and bringing down a slice with his extended elbows.

Ciecro managed to swap to a cross block over his head, but sadly Siefried’s elbow was Psycho Cut infused. The charmeleon grunted from the resulting cuts as Siegfried pressed harder.

Suddenly, Siegfried broke off his pressure, quickly hopping out of the way of Jaron’s slash. He landed nearby, scoffing at Jaron’s interruption.

“You okay bro?” Jaron asked, as he fired an Ice Beam afterwards.

Ciecro looked at his wounded arms, bleeding a little from the forceful tear and his fists tightened. Slowly, he moved to Jaron’s side and with a thrust of his arms, fire Flamethrower from his hands. “Go help Garon,” Ciecro said as his flame was parted by Siegfried’s upward swing with his Psycho Cut infused arms.

“What? Are you kidding?” Jaron gave him a tense look. “Garon has that snorlax pinn-”

“Jus’ do it!” Ciecro roared, thrusting his arms forwards as a larger Flamethrower soared from his claws towards Siegfried, who realized he couldn’t repeat what he did on this one and thus had to roll out of the way.

It was then Jaron noticed blood dripping from Ciecro’s arms. He gasped, as the image of Ciecro hitting the Block wall before entered his mind. “You’re hurt,” Jaron pointed out, quickly cupping his arms to his side, readying a Scald.

“I’m fine!” Ciecro fired once more, with Siegfried evading it and it almost hitting Bruno, who was almost out of the sand pit.

“This is serious!” Jaron yelled back, thrusting his arms forwards to fire. To his surprise, his right arm was seized and pulled backwards. Jaron found himself staring right into Ciecro’s angry stare.

“I’m serious! Now stop bein’ a brat an’ help Garon!” Ciecro shoved his arm towards the startled Croconaw, giving him once last firm look before once more firing another Flamethrower at Siegfried with his claws.

Jaron just paused, mulling. Staring at his wrist where Ciecro grabbed him, Jaron’s eyes narrowed and despite hating Ciecro’s roughness and tone, Jaron figured fighting with Ciecro wasn’t going to help anything. Reluctantly, Jaron softly answered, “Alright…” and proceeded to the left before dashing forwards to Garon.

He and Siegfried were running towards each other in parallel, till a Flamethrower forced Siegfried to dodge to the gallade’s left. Jaron watched the horizontal pillar of fire and in his mind said, Doofus. Just…don’t let your guard down, brother.

As he neared the garchomp’s position, he stopped and assed the situation. If Garon’s flame can’t even get past, I don’t think me aiding it would get us through. I’ve got to hit him somewhere else. Moving to the side a bit so he could see past the flames striking Bruno’s blocking arm, he could see a small cap in the mon’s arms. Gotcha, he grinned, positioning himself before unleashing a minor Ice Beam on the mon’s face.

“Wha?” Bruno bellowed, as ice crept on his face. He started clawing at the ice with his free hand.

“Garon! Follow up!” Jaron shouted, quickly switching to fire a Scald from his hands right at the spot Garon was striking with his Flamethrower.

Understanding Jaron’s plan, Garon dropped his flames and charged forwards, going for the mon’s legs.

However, Bruno responded by doing a belly flop forwards.

Garon quickly stopped, but the resulting crash on the ground shook the cliff enough to cause Garon to lose his balance and have to catch himself.

Jaron about fell over too, but due to his size he managed to keep steady.

Bruno then lifted himself up slight with his right arm, giving him enough reach to go for a blind Brick Break swipe.

“Garon!” Jaron shouted as the move slammed straight into the garchomp’s side. He watched as Garon hurled tumbled a little-ways down the path. Once stopped, the dragon growled as a talon held his side.

Jaron was about to rush to his aid, when the snorlax getting up grabbed his focus. Standing there in helpless fear, Jaron watched as Bruno hit the ice slightly with a Brick Break, cracking it enough to tear it off. Once again, Jaron’s and Bruno’s eyes met, well as one’s eyes could stare into a snorlax’s.

The big mon stared at him in silence, noticing Jaron’s slight shakiness despite trying to hold some kind fighting stance. The snorlax then looked past him to where Garon was still trying to back on his feet. Without a word, Bruno started walking, intent on completing his orders.

“Stay back!” Jaron desperately yelled, forming Slash blades on his arms.

Bruno stopped to look at the small one daring to challenge him alone. It was sort of sad to look at, the croconaw’s desperation and yet defeatist look on his face and by the shaking of his arms. With a low, yet strangely lenient tone, the snorlax stated, “Move little guy.”

A surge of dread filled Jaron’s spine. His breathing picked up, and his nerve was buckling. Calm down! He ordered himself, but his body wouldn’t stop. It was like his shaking wasn’t his to control anymore.

“Jaron.”

Jaron looked behind in desperation.

Garon was there, holding his side on his feet. The large dragon was panting heavy as well as some new scrapes from the tumbles earlier. “Don’t worry, just a bruise,” Garon wheezed, with a confident grin.

A small feeling of relief filled Jaron’s body almost like an antidote for poison. Garon was okay, or at least hadn’t given up yet. Jaron started to calm down, taking a deep breath as his heart slowed and his arms fell to the side. He looked back at Garon, till he noticed something behind the dragon.

It was Ciecro and Siegfried, still going at it. For a few seconds, Jaron washed the two winded warriors violently clash, neither gaining any sort of decisive hit. The bleeding from Ciecro’s earlier wounds seemed powerless to slow him down or at least weren’t enough to damper his resolve.

Quickly Jaron faced Bruno once more. The towering snorlax sent a chill down his spine, but something else surged in it. Jaron, resurged his Slashs in his arms as he bent slightly low with a scowl. His brother and Garon hadn’t given up despite their wounds, so why the hell should he? “Garon, back me up!” Jaron shouted, not taking his eyes off the mon as he charged forwards.

Garon took a deep breath before unleashing a Flamethrower straight towards Bruno’s big head.





An explosion resounded as Swift leaped from the blast smoke, rolling before quickly thrusting his arms towards it with a Focus Blast, firing blindly into the cloud of dirt. As it pierced through the smoke’s exterior, another shot out towards him. He dove to the right, quickly covering his head as it struck the ground nearby. He curled up as he endured the dirt shrapnel that grazed over his legs and back.

Arceus, this guy is tough. Swift shot up, just in time to see Plageues leap from the smoke, spotting him on the ground at about half a second after leaving. Without hesitation, the zoroark lunged for Swift, who quickly pushed up onto his hands and sprung forwards before leaping for a tree to avoid Plageues’s slice.

“Hold still you little-!” Plageues cupped his hands, forming a Focus Blast in between them and threw it at the heliolisk climbing up the tree.

Desperately, Swift leaped from tree to another, but Plageues was one step ahead. Swift didn’t have time leap from his new location till another Focus Blast struck close to his spot. He uttered a surprised and painful shout before hitting and tumbling to the center of the path.

His right shoulder wound spiked in pain as he clenched his mouth shut and moved his left hand over the spot. However, he couldn’t rest for long since he spotted Plageues, relentlessly coming for him. All Swift could do was evade, run back, and wait for a chance. Finally, Plageues left himself open, allowing Swift to fire a small, quickly made Focus Blast right into Plageues’s side.

The move sent the zoroark back a few steps, holding his new blast mark.

For a minute the two just stood there, panting and holding their respective wounds. Finally, Swift broke the silence. “Temporary break?” he jokingly stated, with a snarky grin.

Plageues growled as he moved his hand away from his fresh wound and scoffing at the heliolisk. “Very optimistic of you.”

Swift brushed his snout with his left as he answered amid a few wheezes, “Just offering a chance for us to catch our breaths. You know, since we’re both nearing our ends.”

“Speak for yourself, Norfarion.” Plageues surged a Night Slash in his right, slowing cultivating it outwards into a kunai and chain. “You’re just an annoying little prick I’ve yet to catch. But when I do, that overactive tongue of yours is first.” Plageues swung formed Night Slash chain towards Swift, who easily rolled in evasion.

Swift readied for another attack, but to his surprise, Plageues was staring at something past Swift. The heliolisk quickly tried to capitalize with a Focus Blast, but it missed due to Plageues sidestepping it.

Damnit, and he complains about me stan- Suddenly, an orb of orange light shot past him, striking the ground near Plageues and forcing him back.

“Swift!”

The heliolisk turned around. “Dolly, I thought you were helpi-”

“Vray’s fine.” Dolly hurried to his side. “We need to get ready.”

“Ready for what?” Swift cocked his head. To his surprise, rather than answer him, Dolly grabbed his head with one of her big hands and twisted it to look across a certain area of the cliff. His eyes widened as he saw a grouping of logs and rocks forming a path across the bridge, despite the massive drop beneath. Tracing its source, he spotted that grumpig focusing on the task while Seliph was helping him stay on his feet as Vragon and Jasmine were keeping Sylphiel back with their moves.

“For that.” She shoved her fists together and cracked her knuckles with a smirk as she faced Plageues.

Dolly’s confident smile was rather contagious, making Swift wear one himself before they engaged Plageues.

“So, what’s the plan?” Swift inquired quietly, raising his fists.

“Blast him.”

“With pleasure.”

The two began firing Focus Blasts towards Plageues, who desperately tried to avoid them. Thanks to their range battle that didn’t allow Plageues much room to fight back, Swift asked, “So, how’s the eye?”

“I’ve gotten used to the pain.” A smile formed on her face as she threw another Focus Blast in their game of ‘hit the Plageues’. “But that may be me just looking on the bright side.”

Swift awkwardly chuckled at her statement, glad she was still confident and all, but a little disturbed at how lightly she was taking her wound.

“Something wrong, Swift?” Dolly asked, her face becoming more mischievous by the second. “You act like you just got served a slice of something distasteful.”

“Good one,” Swift sarcastically stated. “Now let’s focus on hitting this guy.”

“Why?” Dolly suddenly said, after firing another.

“What do you mean why?” Swift looked at her with a confused look. “This was your idea and he’s been trying to kill us.”

Dolly stroked her chin as she gave a big and somewhat evil grin. “I see your point.”

At the end of his patience, Swift was about to chastise her when suddenly, Dolly lunged and caught Plageues’s arm before he could slice them both with Night Slash.

For a second, Plageues wore a dumbfounded look like Swift’s current expressions as Dolly just looked at him with a big grin. “Nighty night.” With that said, Dolly promptly swung him overhead with one arm, slamming him onto the ground behind the two.

Swift just watched stunned as Dolly slammed Plageues over and over till finally she surged a Dizzy Punch in her arm.

As she lifted him up, Dolly stated with a victorious smile, “I suggest you rest a spell, you look a little dizzy.” With that, Dolly drove her Dizzy Punch right into Plageues, sending the zoroark tumbling down the path.

With their enemy down for now, Dolly looked at Swift and jokingly said, “You alright, you look like you’ve seen a spirit.”

Swift blinked a few times before looking at her. “Remind me to never, ever get on your bad side.”

Dolly chuckled a little, patting his back gently so to not upset his wound too much. “Let’s hurry over there. I doubt he’ll fall for that again.”

“Right.” Swift dashed ahead as Dolly followed with a jog, the two finally coming to a stop in front of the forming path. They watched Demetri slowly moved another large stone in front, only about thirteen feet away from them. “Okay, so we need to get the others here.”

“That is the path to success.”

“Huh?” Swift looked at her, confused. “Path to-…oh…” Swift crossed his arms. “The distraction thing was kinda cool, I admit, but can we focus now?”

“What? Can’t a lady have a bit of fun?” She playfully asked, as she crossed her arms and tilted her head, inquisitively.

“Yes, but this is a matter of life and death.”

“Hmm…” Dolly walked past him, eyeing the fighting going on ahead. “I suppose you have a point…given the grave circumstances of our deathly situation.”

Swift moaned and put his hands on top of his head saying, “Alright, I surrender, now tell me what you’re plan is please?”

Dolly nodded, as she explained. “If you can get Garon and Jaron over here, I’ll get Ciecro.”

“Yes ma’am,” Swift replied with an affirming nod as they both headed to enact her plan.

During their haste, Swift looked up to her and complimented, “Hey Dolly, you know you’re a pretty good battler.”

“Thanks.”

“You fight better than some soldiers I know.”

“We’ll I’ve had such experience.” Noticing Swift’s curiosity, Dolly quickly pointed forwards. “But we can talk about it later. Right now, focus.”

Swift nodded, lower his body and picking up pace, leaving Dolly behind. He weaved around the Ciecro and Siegfried duel, keeping his eyes firm on the large snorlax, currently swiping at Garon while Jaron kept annoying him with Ice Beam.

“Garon!” He shouted, as the three looked towards him. “Lift!” Responding to the code word, Garon cupped his talons for Swift and threw him in the air. Once in the air, Swift pelted the surprised snorlax’s face, shouting, “Topple!”

Right after hearing the word, Garon charged to the snorlax, currently feeling the Focus Blasts strike his face. Garon then leaped into a flying kick, landing right into the snorlax’s belly with enough force to make the mon lose balance and topple over.

“Jaron, ice him!” Swift shouted.

Jaron immediately fired his Ice Beam on the flailing snorlax, freezing his left side to the ground slowly.

Meanwhile, Garon had gotten to his feet and caught Swift and set him down.

“Good throw,” Swift complimented.

“Just like that one time in Mevirro?”

Swift moved his arms behind his head. “Nah, that one was your best.” The two looked at the snorlax, struggling in vain to not be encased in the ice. “That’s enough ice, Jaron. We need to go.”

Despite not sure what Swift meant, Jaron did obey, jogging over once done. “Are you sure?”

“Trust me, we’re getting outta here.” Swift moved a hand on Jaron’s shoulder as he looked at Garon. “Garon, can you cover the rear? I’ll handle the front.”

Garon nodded, focusing on the snorlax as Swift’s hand swung down to Jaron’s hand, quickly pulling him on.



Meanwhile, Ciecro was struggling to land a hit on the evasive gallade, his arms starting to tire from the mix of many attacks and the wounds they carried wearing him down.

Noticing this, Siegfried mocked. “Heh, typical of a feckless youth. Always ‘attack attack’ and never thinking. How similar to that incident with that monferno.”

“Shut up!” Ciecro growled, doing a firm punch to Siegfried, who did a backwards handspring away. “You keep leaping away like a coward!”

“Tck, is it so hard for you to fight me that you need me to stand still for you?” Siegfried surged Psycho Cuts in his elbows. “Listen to yourself.” He was about to send the moves Ciecro’s way when he spotted a heliolisk run past. Wait that’s-

“Ciecro!”

Dolly? Ciecro looked behind to see Dolly running his way. Despite his relief to see her, he faced Siegfried once more, charging again.

“Ciecro wait!” Dolly called out, but Ciecro ignored her.

The two began clashing once more, with Ciecro desperately trying to find that decisive blow on Siegfried. Come on, come on! He ranted in his mind as one by one his punches were either dodged, blocked, or parried. Fed up, he directed his Flamethrower to the ground between them, shooting a scorching flame that pushed Siegfried back.

Siegfried dropped to a knee for a second, the heat wave from the fire being enough of a surprise to catch him off guard.

Seeing his chance, Ciecro was about to charge till suddenly an arm moved in front. Startled by this, Ciecro could only just gasped as Dolly stretched her other arm out and fired a Focus Blast at the prone Siegfried.

Despite throwing up a guard, the combination of the strong move and the fact he had little time to brace was enough to send him on his back.

“Come on, Ciecro, we’re getting out of here.”

“B-Bu-” Ciecro started but stopped as Dolly gave him a serious scowl.

Dolly placed her arms on Ciecro’s shoulders, leveling her head to his and saying, “Please.”

He replied with a small growl, before looking at the spot where Siegfried was trying to get back up. Slowly he turned around and started jogging on, without another word.

“Good,” Dolly substituted her scowl with an assuring smile. She waited for him to leave, seeing the visible frustration as he dashed onwards. “Now, just the oth-…nevermind,” Dolly muttered to herself, seeing Swift run with Jaron past her as Garon followed. Seeing Siegfried getting back on his feet, Dolly threw another Focus Blast at him.

The gallade jumped to the side, right into Garon’s trap. Siegfried found himself in a tannish lit circle as the sand spiraled, pulling him in just enough to keep his legs sealed. “Grr, damnit, let me go!” He shouted, pulling at his legs as Garon stopped giving the Sand Tomb power.

“Nice job,” Dolly applauded, as Garon rubbed the back of his head.

“All in a day’s work.”

Dolly nodded and added with, “Here. Here.” The two then dashed after the rest, confident the two were stuck enough so they would have all the time they’d need. As they neared the rest, congregated where the path was almost made.

“Dolly, you and the two head across first,” Swift suggested. “Me and Garon will cover for you in case they come after us.”

With an agreeing nod, Dolly nudged Ciecro towards the path. “Can you cover the front for us, Ciecro?”

Ciecro looked across, spotting Sylphiel in the distance, evading the attacks from his friends across the chasm. Looking back at Dolly, he gave a nod as his scowl shifted to one of serious rather than frustration.

“Good,” Dolly praised, patting Ciecro on his shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

“Yeh.” After that, Ciecro walked to the edge, staring down at the drop right in front of him till it was slowly covered up by two sets of logs. Taking a second to compose his nerves and after a long breath, Ciecro stepped onto the logs. It didn’t shake much, but the experience sent a chill all over.

“Not trying to rush you, but try to hurry,” Swift requested, seeing Plageues in the distance was picking himself up.

“Uh…sure.” Ciecro carefully stepped further onto the logs and reached out his hand for Dolly. To his surprise, she was already on the logs with him.

“Thanks, but I’m fine,” Dolly said with a smile as Ciecro looked to the side with a scowl of awkward blushing. “But I wouldn’t mind when our lives aren’t in danger.” She gave him a wink as he grumbled, turning around to keep going. Dolly made some space for Jaron, who, like his brother, cautiously made his way onto the logs.

Steadily, the three trekked across the path, taking their time while occasionally glancing back to their friends back at the start. When they were about near the middle, Dolly glanced back and noticed the two forming moves. She then looked down both sides of the cliff, seeing Plageues and Siegfried were closing in, along with Bruno starting to get free from the ice.

“Boys, we need to move,” Dolly calmly but seriously informed.

With that knowledge, Ciecro picked up pace. By now he was used to the levitating collection of objects and the feel you’d get when jumping on one. He was about two thirds of the way when suddenly, something caught his eye. Stopping, Ciecro looked to see Sylphiel in the air, out of range of his allies.

Shit, He cursed as the fake pidgeot flew into a speedy descent towards the trio. “Brace yahselves!” Ciecro shouted to the two behind as he quickly snapped back to fire a Flamethrower at Sylphiel. The bird easily maneuvered around it and instead flew in between the space where Dolly and Ciecro were, sending a ripple of wind due to his speed.

Ciecro wobbled on the log he was on, but he quickly leaned his weight forwards so he’d simply fall back onto the logs. He glanced back at the two. With a sigh of relief, Ciecro saw Dolly was alright.

“Ciecro!” She called out to him, “Keep moving, we’re vulnerable here!”

Ciecro looked at Sylphiel, his eyes narrowing. “I’ll cover yah!” He shouted before taking a deep breath and firing his Flamethrower at the bug.

“No, we need to keep moving!” After seeing Ciecro not slow down, she sighed and gestured for Jaron to hurry. “Let’s move.”

“But what about, Ciecro?” Jaron asked, hopping onto the next rock on the path.

“We don’t have time. He’ll come, he’s not stupid.”

Meanwhile, the ditto weaved through the sky as each blast of Flamethrower soared past him. Once he was at a relatively safe distance, he did a large one eighty before flying back to the group, this time targeting the duo behind.

Stay away from ‘em! Ciecro shouted in his mind, firing a powerful Flamethrower to disrupt Sylphiel’s path. Dolly halted to fire some Focus Blasts of her own, the moves all striking right where Sylphiel was and caused a minor explosion in their collision. Both Ciecro and Dolly looked over the edge to see where Sylphiel was, but strangely enough, he was nowhere to be seen. “Wha?” he absent-mindedly spoke.

Dolly was just as confused. “He can’t hav-” Suddenly, something shot through the log Dolly was standing on, sending onto her side.

Jaron yelled in surprise as the broken log slammed onto the rock he was on. With the addition of the wind turbulence, Jaron fell onto his side, rolling over the edge, and barely managing to grab onto the rock.

“Dolly! Help!” He cried out in terror.

“Hang on Jaron!” Dolly rushed over, but to her surprise, a large creature landed on the log she was one, right behind her. She raised her fists, but Sylphiel morphed into a donphan on the logs, the added weight making them crack. She froze at the side of the log she was creaking.

With a fiendish scowl, Sylphiel hopped, intent on breaking the log, taking Dolly down with him. Dolly tried to whip out a Focus Blast to stop him, but she had no need to, for suddenly a yellow flash of electricity slammed into the airbornee donphan, taking the two down. Dolly just stared in awe before looking at where the two went.

A relieved breath escaped her lips at the sight of Devon confronting Sylphiel, who had morphed back into a pidgeot in response. She didn’t let this distract her, however, quickly ordering Ciecro to help cover them and running to the edge of the log where she could see Jaron climbing up onto the rock.

“Jaron!” She called over to the rapid breathing croconaw, “Look at me! Don’t focus on anything else but me!”

Her words fell on deaf ears, or rather overwhelmed ones. Despite Jaron staring directly down at the solid ground beneath his legs and claws he could see the river below. See himself falling down and the rush that came with it. His shaking had returned, stronger than ever and his pulse pumped fast enough that it felt like it was trying to escape his chest.

After a while, Jaron’s nerve calmed down enough for him to notice Dolly’s call. Hesitantly, he looked towards her, eyes wide and body tingling. Dolly offered a hand to him.

“That’s right Jaron, now come over to me.”

Jaron shook his head, seeing the three-foot gap between him and her. “Get him to fix the path,” Jaron demanded, his voice high from fright.

“He can’t, you need to jump over.”

Jaron jerked back slightly, almost as if she said something that he couldn’t believe. Jaron held his snout, a few tears forming as he shook his head.

“Jaron…” Dolly’s voice softened as she wore a sympathetic frown on her face. “I know it’s scary, and I hate to ask you to do this. But you know we need to hurry.”

Jaron looked at her, still holding his snout like a five-year-old.

Dolly smiled as she said, “Trust me…I won’t let you fall, but I can’t catch you if you don’t jump.” Dolly moved her other hand outwards, facing them in an almost offering way. “Just, pretend like you’re hopping into my arms.”

Jaron’s breathing slowed. Slowly and shakily, he stood up. His mind begged him to looked around and see reason but he fought it with all his nerve. He focused on Dolly’s eyes as his feet started nudging forwards. As he reached the edge, his snout started to lower, giving into his fear of what was below him. Seeing he was losing this fight, Jaron forcefully jumped forwards, letting out a high-pitched squeal as he did.

Dolly caught the croconaw in her arms, pulling him into her chest. “It’s okay, you’re fine.” Dolly said, brushing the back of the shivering corconaw as he slowly calmed down. “You did awesome, Jaron.” She backed up, placed her arms on his shoulders, and smiled at the terrified boy that just did a brave thing.

After a few seconds of consoling him, Dolly stood up, grabbing his hand in the process. “Come on, let’s go.”

Jaron didn’t reply, but followed her.

“Ciecro, hurry on over. Once you’re across, cover us if you can.”

Ciecro nodded and raced on ahead as Dolly led Jaron across.

After a little-ways, Dolly let go of Jaron’s hand, letting him take the lead. “I’ve got your back,” she said with an assuring smile.

Jaron gave a still shook version of his grin back for her sake at least. After taking a moment to calm down, Jaron carefully headed onwards, closely followed by Dolly.

As Jaron hopped from the last rock to the other side he was instantly grabbed and pulled into a tight hug squeeze by Ciecro. “Heh, sorry for making you worry,” Jaron chuckled with a stutter.

“Shuddup yah shrimp,” Ciecro answered, pulling back his embrace to show a relieved smile. “Jus’…shuddup.”

Jaron paused, looking in awe at his brute of a brother looking like he was about to cry. However, he didn’t mention it, for in all honesty, he felt immensely relieved to be on safe ground with his brother in front.

“Good to see you safe.”

“Yeah, Jaz and I were nervous wrecks.”

The two looked over at their friends, walking over. The group were about to converse before Dolly’s voice got their attention.

“Alright, all that’s left are Swift and Garon.”

“How can we signal them?” Seliph inquired, adjusting his grip on Demetri.

“I’m…ugh…can use the…telepathic link.” Demetri muttered, in a heavy and tired tone. “I may need to drop…some of the path…so I can.”

“Any objections?” Seliph asked, looking at everyone.




Swift covered his face as his Focus Blast collided with Siegfried’s Psycho Cut. With a smirk, Swift heard Siegfried coming for him and in response he quickly rushed forwards and swiped with Iron Tail. To his surprise, his move clashed with Siegfried’s Psycho Cut infused elbow, extended down to deflect.

Siegfried went for a downwards slice with his free arm, but Swift managed to disengage and space himself once more. “Hey, Garon!” Swift shouted, backing up as Siegfried walked after him. “You hanging in there?”

“Yes!” Garon replied, parrying a Focus Blast from Plageues before firing a Flamethrower of his own.

Plageues evaded it, lunging towards him with Night Slash claws.

Garon quickly blocked with his arms, using his arm fins to shield his face. However, his block was broken as Plageues did a swing up with his leg. As Plageues flipped back onto his feet, he drew a Night Slash knife and threw it at the garchomp, grazing his side.

Garon winced as he held his side, quickly firing Flamethrower to force Plageues back. “Keep fighting!”

Suddenly, they heard a loud voice call out in their heads.

Cross now!

Demetri? The two muttered in their mind.

Doubting Demetri would reply, Garon quickly ordered, “Swift, move!”

Swift nodded and the two rushed towards the path,

“Stop them!” Plageues ordered, throwing a Focus Blast at Garon as Siegfried obeyed with a Psycho Cut of his own. Unfortunately for them, Swift and Garon reached the path and rushed onto it as the moves barely missed their backs. The two rushed as fast as they could in pursuit, but stopped as the two logs in the front were instantly dropped.

Plageues growled as Siegfried asked, demoralized, “What now?”

A loud crack resounded to their left, beckoning them to watch Bruno pull himself out of the now shattered ice and heavily walking over to the two. Plageues brushed past Siegfried and ordered, “Bruno, blast them.”

Bruno tilted his head. “But you sai-”

“I’ll take that chance. We need more time to capture that stupid child and vile!”

The large snorlax looked at the path, the two hurrying across, Garon in front and Swift directly behind. With a scowl, Bruno browsed the cliff before asking, “Stand back.”

Unsure of what the big mon had in mind; Siegfried immediately complied. Plageues was slower in backing up as well as crossed his arms.

Bruno slammed his paws together, sending a surge of red energy from the ground that formed a line on their side of the cliff, save for the older opening for the path. From these lines, Block walls shot up from them and lining across the side of the cliff.

Aggravated, Plageues stomped the ground shouting, “I told you to stop them, not seal us on thi-”

Suddenly, Bruno gaped his mouth, forming a white sphere, the starting phase of Hyper Beam. Plageues quieted down as Bruno looked all the way to the left and fired his move directly into the furthest on and moved his head till all the left were touched by the beam.

Siegfried raised a brow as he noticed a white like energy surging chaotically inside them, collecting at the center of these vertical planks. What is he up to? Siegfried pondered, while Bruno did the same for the right.




“Huh?” Swift stopped, quickly looking behind before halting at what he saw. Almost the entire cliff they had left was covered with those red Block walls from earlier, except they had a much shinier core. “What the-? What are they thinking?” Swift mumbled aloud, nerves tense at how strange this tactic was. They weren’t stupid, he knew that much, but what were they planning to do.

“Swift!”

The calling from Garon, snapped him out of his mulling. He looked back at the other side where everyone else was, including Garon, telling him to hurry over. “Hopefully, what they’re planning doesn’t matter.” Swift broke into a low sprint, running across all the pathway objects with good speed as Demetri started to let the ones behind him fall into the river below.

As everyone was full of glee as Swift was joining them, Garon was focused squarely on the walls on the other side. “What’s he doing?” Garon thought aloud, peering over at the surging walls.

“The snorlax?” Seliph asked, prompting a nod from Garon.

“I don’t know,” Demetri replied, able to converse better since most of the path had already been dropped. “Maybe it’s a...” Demetri froze.

“A what?” Garon inquired, but the grumpig was too focused on the walls in front, looking at each wall individually. Squinting his eyes, Demetri peered at them before noticing a little oddity about them. Are they at an…angle? Indeed, some of the walls were turned slightly more or less than their neighbors.

When looking down the path the further out ones had the bigger turns while the ones closer to the center were only slightly twisted. In fact, in trying to look at them as a collective, all could be seen as looking at their position, emphasized by the white light in each.

Wait…why would he angle them with…Block doesn’t have white light at its core.

He suddenly felt a nudge on his shoulder.

“Demetri, what’s wrong? Do you see something?” Garon worriedly asked.

Demetri turned, looking up at the garchomp and opened his mouth to say his theory. When suddenly, a loud surging sound of energy resounded as powerful white beams shot from the center of each block, all headed right for their position.

Both of them immediately looked and for a split second a line of line light lit their horizons before colliding with the cliff they stood on. Dirt, rock, and plants were thrown high into the air as the cliff’s surface was all but uprooted from the damaging impact of the powerful beams. Rocks and dirt slid downwards, descending to the river below.

Swift only got to see the carnage firsthand for a moment before the rest of the path dropped beneath his feet. Flailing about, Swift plummeted, trying to grab onto something out of the desperation of free fall.

“Grab on!”

Swift looked to the origin of the voice to see Devon, next to him in a diving position. He latched onto the bug like a mon that couldn’t swim would to their savior.

“Hang on!” Devon pulled up his body as there was a brief jerking, that while scared Swift wasn’t near enough to break his terrified grip onto Devon’s back. Flying upwards, Devon gently tilted so Swift could crawl up onto his back better.

With a calmer but still frantic pant, Swift thanked Devon. “That was close,” Swift wheezed, taking a moment to look at the watery grave below he had been spared from.

“Yeah…but the otherzzz.”

The two looked upwards to the cliffside. The cracks on the side and large gashes in the cliff left the two unsettled and anxious. “Let’s hurry, they might be in critical condition.”

Devon ascended higher, giving Swift time to adjust to the new speed boost. Once the two surfaced over the cliffs, they looked in horror at the impact zone. Neither couldn’t spy their friends from the still fresh dirt cloud. “No good, I can’t zzzee any of them.”

Swift looked back at the snorlax, who was currently resting from his attack. “If he fires again…” Swift leaned over and suggested, “Devon, we need to take out that snorlax.”

Devon agreed albeit didn’t have time to say so, due to needing to swirl into a barrel roll thus managing to avoid a ramming from Sylphiel.

“Wah!” Swift exclaimed, trying to hang on as Devon started trying to lose Sylphiel off his tail.

“Hang on tight; thizzz might be a bit rough.” Devon spun around toward Sylphiel and fired Bug Buzz right at the mon.

In response, Sylphiel morphed to a heracross, flying up before the move could hit. Once free from the move, he immediately dove, attempting to ram them from above.

“Alrighty, thizzz endzzz now!” Devon angrily buzzed, quickly diving down, making Swift scream in fright as Sylphiel followed them.

“Are you sure about this?” Swift asked, clenching on for dear life.

“Truzzzt me!” Devon replied.

Swift’s nerves weren’t helped when Sylphiel started glowing a white light. “He’s transforming into you!”

“I zzzaid, truzzzt me!”

Devon’s speedy descent toward the water showed no sign of stopping. Swift hugged Devon’s exoskeleton and closed his eyes, bracing for impact.

However, there was no massive splash, for Devon quickly pulled up and flew barely above the river’s surface.

Sylphiel followed in suit, about read to fire a Bug Buzz at them once level. To his surprise, all he saw in front was a massive splash of water shot up by Devon’s Bug Buzz. Sylphiel was sprayed in the face causing him to crash into the water.

Swift panted as Devon smirked. “Told you to tru-”

“We’re fucking upside down!” Swift cried aloud, shakily clinging to Devon with all four of his limbs as they however right above the water. Swift’s head was almost touching the water’s surface, not that he’d know since he was too overwhelmed to look.

“Oh…right.” Devon quickly flipped back upright and quickly started ascending.

“This is why I’m not a flier,” Swift complained.

“Come on, flying izzz not that bad,” Devon encouraged.

Swift grit his teeth as he elaborated. “No, I can take flying in the air or wind hitting my face, but your ride is so janky and freaky that I want off after one go!”

“Calm down. I’m zzzorry for zzzcaring you. But hopefully that’ll keep him buzzzy zzzo I won’t need to be zzzo extreme”

The two quickly faced the snorlax; Swift’s eyes narrowed as he leaned over and whispered in Devon’s ear. “Try and get close to the snorlax so I can jump on him. If you can keep those two busy, I’ll get the snorlax to the edge. When I shout ‘now’ strike the ground where he is and his fat body will do the rest.”

Bruno noticed the two coming, but was still recovering from the Hyper Beams, so there wasn’t much he could do to stop them. Swift easily leaped down onto Bruno’s head as the snorlax tried to grab him with awkwardly swinging swipes from his paw. If his fatigue wasn’t an obstacle enough, Swift’s small and fast body made it next to impossible for Bruno to catch or outwit Swift, who sliced at shoulders, neck, and head with Iron Tail. “Stop it! Get off of me!” Bruno shouted, but only kept getting more slices. “Guys! Help!” Bruno pleaded, blindly swatting around his head in vain.

“Can’t right now,” Plageues grumbled, trying to stay out of Bug Buzz’s force of destruction. “Siegfried, give me a hand!”

Siegfried charged towards Devon, jumping onto a tree to go for a slice at Devon’s back, only for the bug to do a somersault over him and pelt him in the back. Siegfried tumbled past Plageues, who scoffed at how unhelpful these allies were. “Bruno!” Plageues yelled, leaping away from another Bug Buzz. “Try swatting the bug; he’s pinning us down!”

Taking the advice, Bruno turned his attention towards Sylphiel, but in doing so left himself open to a slice across his face from Swift. “Ouch!” Bruno cried, clasping at his nose

“No, you don’t!” Swift challenged, quickly grabbing Bruno’s small ears and pulling them so the snorlax would lean in whatever direction he was pulled in.

Plageues angrily watched the rather hilarious scene of Bruno whining while flailing for the heliolisk out of his reach that was slowly pulling him towards the ledge. “Damnit, Siegfried give me a hand, you useless scum!” Plageues yelled to Siegfried.

Siegfried stayed on all fours, panting heavily as blood dropped from all his wounds. He attempted to stand up but wound up falling to a knee, right when Plageues was knocked into a tree from a decisive hit by Bug Buzz.

Devon tittered as Plageues hit the ground, upside down. He glanced at Siegfried and was about to fire when he heard Swift shout the signal. He quickly buzzed up flying to get into position as Swift pulled with all his might on Bruno’s ears and moved his body so that his tail, currently covered by Iron Tail, wrapped over Bruno’s neck.

“Wha? Hey!” Bruno tried to reach Swift’s tail, but it was too late.

Swift pulled with his tail and arms with all his might, almost causing Bruno to fall over the edge. Come on! Swift pleaded in his head.

On cue, an explosion sounded from below his position, weakening the cliff enough for Bruno to topple over as planned.

“Yes!” Swift exclaimed mid-fall as he hopped away from Bruno’s head, twisted to catch onto Devon, and pulled himself up. The two watched Bruno fall down the cliffside, loudly shouting before crashing into the water with a back flop. “Awesome, perfect shot, Devon!” Swift exclaimed.

“Uhm…Zzzwift…that wazzzn’t me.”

“What? Then-” Swift noticed Devon looking back across the cliff and looked over as well. Gasping before a smile crossed his face. “Damn, I’ll never complain about rangers again.” Devon hurriedly flew over, where a squad of mons, with ranger bandannas were helping the others out of the upset ground.

After landing, Swift hopped off, rushing over to Garon, who was covered in dirt. “Garon!” Swift uttered as he hopped up and hugged Garon’s neck, relieved he was okay.

“Swift,” the larger dragon happily said back, pulling his friend close, before setting him down. “How? Where did-?” Swift stuttered asking half questions till one of the rangers walked over, tipping his hat towards the two.

“We could see the dust cloud from the watchtower so we hurried to investigate.” The bisharp ranger offered his hand to the heliolisk. “Captain Orgul.”

“Swift Rubris.” Swift shook the mon’s hand.

Orgul nodded as he walked to the edge, looking down at the snorlax standing up in the river below. “Good hit, Somwei.”

An Inteleon, hopped from a branch and jogged over, saluting the commissioner upon arrival.

“Good, join the others and help them to town.”

“Sir!” One of the rangers called out. “Foe incoming!”

The four looked up to see Sylphiel flying towards them and firing a Bug Buzz.

Swift was about to form a Focus Blast, till Orgul placed a hand on Swift’s shoulder. “Easy son, we’ve got this.” With a confident smile, the commissioner pointed right at the bug and the incoming move and shouted, “Squash the bug, boys!”

From the forest, a barrage of Razor Leaves soared through the air and collided with the Bug Buzz, before the rest headed straight for Sylphiel. In a panic, Sylphiel tried to avoid the sea of Razor Leaves, but several managed to slice his body and wings, sending him lower to the ground. “That’s it!” Sylphiel flapped his wings viciously, sounding a massive Bug Buzz that blew the rest away. However, his anger was soon replaced with doomed despair as he watched a massive Rock Wrecker heading straight for him.

The giant boulder burst apart upon impact, sending rock shards and an unconscious Sylphiel falling towards the river. During his free fall, Sylphiel reverted from his vikavolt form back into his blobby ditto body.

“Sylphiel!” Bruno quickly stretched out his paw, catching Sylphiel goopy body before the ditto could hit the water and be broken apart by the water. “Sylphiel…” Bruno solemnly looked at his fainted friend with concern although glad he saved Sylphiel. Bruno sighed in relief, looking upwards to see the group above but both sides were too high up to see well.

Meanwhile at the top, Plageues angrily gazed across the river at the rangers the group.

The zoroark ground his teeth and clenched his fists.

Holding his side, Siegfried limped over to the ‘too angry for words’ Plageues and joined him in watching the last of their targets disappear into the forest with the rangers. “Tck, lucky bastards.” He walked forwards to check on the two in the river below “So…what’s the plan now, Plageues?”

Plageues didn’t reply, merely keeping his gaze locked forwards.

“…Sir?... What do we do now? Try and find a way into Plainier?” Siegfried raised his brows, surprised at Plageues’s lack of ranting or just responding in general.

Without a word, Plageues turned and walked around Siegfried, heading downstream.

Siegfried felt a rather cold chill down his spine when seeing that zoroark’s face pass him. Slowly, he waved to Bruno below and signaled him to follow them downstream. Once that was done, he limped after Plageues dreading at the thought of whatever Plageues had in store for the failure.

This is a Review of Chapter 42

So this chapter concludes the major event in this Arc, Least that’s the impression you get judging by how it ends. The contrasting characters and Pokémon being used does lead onto an interesting fight. I think since you change the perspective I first read this chapter, it seems to compliment it a bit better. I think in some places we do get to see lots of clashes. Not just in terms of fighting clashes, but in terms of personality as well.

Dramatically, I think the chat but seems alright. I can only support a few mistakes, and that is with the capitalisation of species being done in some places, and not in others. However I am aware that you are going through and fixing this, particularly in your rewrites. Therefore this is not such an urgent issue. Also there is a line in which you have, ‘Vragon after she said that’. I think you are missing a word in the sentence. I don’t know what that word is.

Are you enjoyed watching Plageues Dolly banter a bit while they thought, I think cutting out the long talk between them works much better. What are you up to see the dangers of having a disco in existence – they truly are monsters. I think ending it how you did help to break things up. Especially because the last three chapters have been quite long, due to the content in them. Overall, a good end to the fight. Keep going Vray!

Your mileage may vary, but having the color be referred to jewels like ruby, emerald, and sapphire sounds weird. Me personally I would just use "red eyes" or "ruby-colored eyes."


The t in "town" is supposed to be capitalized since Plainiar Town is a proper noun.

I enjoyed Dolly and Jaron's conversation there. Poor Jaron bottling up all those feelings there and heh him making a pun of his own. I agree Jaron is too young to understand a female's intuition. =P

I admit because it's been a while I kinda forgot what the Pokemon antagonists looks like saved for Plageues. Lots of tension between the group there, huh. I'm also worried about Siegfried's outburst there.

A more calm and relaxed chapter where the focus is not on the protaginsts this time around. Heh over Trishula fumbling over his order and confused over "mate" meaning one thing. Trishula's teasing over Daemon's complaint with the lady seems to almost gone a bit far but forgiven quickly.
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Look at Harry go.