FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

*The events of this chapter take place a two weeks after Trevor's battle with Blake*

Darkrai steps out of a portal into his new destination. Seems to be several stories above a heavily forested area."This better be important Blake. Taz and I were just-"

Darkrai however was interrupted when his mind finally processed the impossible scene in front of him.

Blake was riding on Cecelia's back. A very common scene sure but it was the near unconscious someone whom Blake was almost lying on top-of as if meaning to shield the man's body with his own from some kind of assault that should have been the impossibility: Steve Lanchester North.

Steve was currently hugging an unconscious Plusle to his breast with one arm while wrapping the other arm around Blake's chest. One would assume that the hold was that to further stabilize himself while flying at this height at high speeds. That assumption would be reasonable if they wasn't currently hovering stationary upon Darkrai's arrival and Steve wasn't blubbering quite loudly; also appearing as if he was trying to melt into Blake's chest. The Magnemite hovering around the man's head seemed quite sad... but mostly confused; whether the normally unfeeling machine Pokemon was confused about his own emotions or the situation was unclear without investigation.

A human female a few year's Taz's senior was riding on Latios's back. Considering Latios despised humans just as much of the rest of the Legendaries and made it known far and wide that he would never be a mount, no matter the circumstances: this should have been an impossibility.

"What in the blazes is going on here?" Darkrai wondered out loud. The moment the words left his lips: Darkrai sensed a group composed of beings composed of mostly Light. There were a few with Taz's strange nature among them. One in particular- Darkrai's eye widened in surprise and horror when he senses what felt like two Cresselia signatures flying towards their location at high speed. Without saying a word Darkrai quickly ushered the group inside his home before slamming the door in their pursuers faces.

After taking a moment to regain his composure: Darkrai opens another small portal: startling poor Rose whom was just about to wake up her cub up to prepare for the busy day ahead. Before the Pangoro could even get out a single word Darkrai quickly said "Until further notice Taz is banned from transforming and training. When he questions why say that-" but Blake interrupts him.

"No...need...Cresselia's clone refuses... to touch Elliot"

Darkrai stiffens before shifting his focus to Blake, only now noticing something was...different about the man. Same man, just something was... off about him. After recovering from mentarily surprise Darkrai quickly asks "Why?."

"Stop...having...a...panic attack...and close the door. Only than will I-"

"We" muttered Steve and the unknown women on Latios's back

Blake huffed in annoyance before correcting himself "- we will tell you everything starting... from the beginning.

Darkrai took a moment to smother his fears and regain his normal calm composure. "Alright I'm ready. Begin before you try my patience any further."

"Uh..." The unknown female had apparently decided that she felt like sitting upright when Darkrai's attention was focused elsewhere. Very surprising considering that she was obviously hurting quite badly. At least hurt enough that she had to hold onto Latios's neck for support. "Since my brother and I are the root cause of your new drama: I believe that I should be the one to tell the story and take the fall if one is needed:."

Blake was looked as if he was about to protest venomously. But this petite twenty something women waved off this psychotic killing machine as if he was but a worried puppy-dog. "For the last time: I am a fully independent women Blake. Not a helpless little girl who needs a white knight to protect her."

Darkrai expected fury and violence from the most demonic of his henchmen. But Blake only starts pouting and sits back down as if he was a student that was just patronized by the teacher in front of a whole class full of peers .

Darkrai took advantage of the verbal exchange to size up the stranger. Absolutely nothing was remarkable about her. The only noticeable thing about the women was that she was wearing what might as well have been the remnants of an expensive outfit. Skin showing evidence of a long time abuse of heavy make-up; was probably to cover up the now blatantly obvious signs of being an enthusiastic smoker. If Taz was here: he would call the girl an emo...whatever that was.

"And just who are you exactly? Give me a reason why exactly I should care about anything you have to say"

The rest of Darkrai's henchmen tried but failed to smother a snicker. Much to Darkrai's shocked surprise this snicker appeared to be directed at him and not the women. Ironically the women matched his irritation as she replied "My name is Marci Denise Blink. Apparent clone of Latios. Sister of Kenny Parker Blink. Ken is Cresselia's clone by the way. Elliot Timothy Braxter is a beloved friend of mine and Ken's. While my goal is to keep Elliot alive and on this side: My brother says his goal is to not kill Elliot but to capture him. Cresselia and Mew appear more than happy to help him accomplish this task."

"Let. Them. Try." Darkrai was just seconds away from making the bitch implode when Blake body blocked him. In the killer's right hand was his usual katana in his right was a second katana made entirely out of... light?

"Given our new Intel: that may be easier than you think it is Master" Latios replied, also appearing to be arming himself for a fight even though he appeared quite beyond the exercise.

Darkrai quickly tried to regain his composure but is only partly successful. "Alright little girl. Start talking from the beginning. Be warned my patience with you is already wearing thin so keep it short and sweet."

In response to Darkrai's mounting fury: Marci only fires back a sweet charming small smile back at the Nightmare Pokemon while she replying "Gladly, I'll do my best."

---

Ken and Marci were currently bumping along a gravel road that definitely had seen better days. Being uncomfortable was at the bottom of the list of their problems though. The fact they were lost and the other person was being a grumpy dick/bitch was higher up on the priority list.

"W-w-hy in the h-ell d-d-didn't you p-ack a m-m-map?" Ken somehow managed to keep his teeth from falling out of his gums and not to bite off his tongue.

"B-b-because I w-was j-just as e-excited w-when I s-saw Elliot's f-face on TV" Marci internally debated whether it would be worth risking them flying off the road in order to rub the brand spanking new sore spot on her tongue. Was a close battle but reason won out.

The unknown annoying pop song both weren't listening to ended just as the road leveled out to smooth sailing. The siblings both exhaled a sigh of relief than smirked at the other the same moment both shouting "Jinx!"

"I said it first" Marci declared triumphantly

"In your dreams maybe" pouted Ken, Marci did in fact say it first.

The pair's shouting awoke passenger trying to doze in Ken's lap but failing miserably. "Huungry" whined Leslie the Vulpix. Ken scratched behind Leslie's ear "I know. I hear ya and sympathize"

"So do I." Marci sighs "Too bad that pig Rex ate all of our supplies in one sitting at the last rest stop. The only thing saving his ass from a butt-whopping is the fact I'm the stupid bitch that underestimated the distance between rest stops"

"And forgot the map" Ken thrown in shaking his head in rapt approval.

As a reward Marci thwacked him on the noggin and spat not without venom "Who do you think was practically shoving me out the door the moment I grabbed onto my car keys? And who's the dumb-ass that forgot his wallet?"

Ken resumed his near constant stare out the window, as if he staring long and hard enough he would either pick out the way to go or find Elliot trooping through the thicket.

Marci exhaled the thousandth weary sigh, practically dying for a cigarette or better yet a blunt. Would be something to take both of their edges off...if only they weren't out of those either. That mistake was on the both of them for forgetting the bare essentials.

"I'm pulling over. Gonna have that bastard Rex hunt for some grub. You need your meds anyway." At least food was an easy solution.

Ken mumbled something inaudible under his breath. In response Marci rolled her eyes as her tone became sarcastic "Sorry you didn't yell quite loud enough"

"I said I'm out. I've been out since we passed the Tennessee border."

Marci slammed on the brakes the same moment she began screaming. "WHAT!? WHY THE HELL DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!"

Ken waited a few seconds for the ringing to stop before uncovering ears "Because I knew you would react like that. Than bitch at me. Than decide to turn back around if we weren't so close enough to our destination since they probably don't carry my brand special antidepressants in a pharmacy in the middle of bum-fuck nowhere. That's even if we had enough cash on us for the damn prescription. Than continue to bitch at me." Ken shrugs "No matter how you slice it: it's a lot more beneficial of a trade for me to keep my problem silent."

Marci sighed wearily before mumbling "I hate it when you do that"

"Do what?" Ken asked now actually curious.

"When you manipulate stuff so that your 'no-win' scenarios actually become true." Marci puts the car back into gear but doesn't push on the gas pedal. "Damn it Ken! you have to tell me when a problem such of this comes out of left field so I can do my best to at least make it a bit better."

Ken opens his mouth to argue but Marci slams on the brakes again and began shouting again "Don't you dare accuse me of confusing your symptoms with stuff we can't control and just normal traits of your personality. I'm not mom! I can actually tell the goddamn difference so don't you dare compare-"

The rear end of Marci's statement however was cut-off when something large fell from the sky and struck the spot their tiny little car would have been if Marci hadn't slammed on the brakes again. Since the force of the shock-wave was large enough to pick up their car and throw into a nearby tree like a discarded toy: the threesome probably wouldn't have survived the UFO's attempt of kissing the Earth. Both of them knew this fact.

Which was why it took more than several moments to come back to themselves after the shock of the near-death experience wore off. Taken another few precious moments off the ticking clock to realize what cars typically did when a crash was bad enough to spark a fire. Than another to actually kick the only available doors in the backseat that weren't pinned closed by the ground or bent in an inoperable shape when the left front bumper grazed the tree. Thankfully the fire was small and slow moving enough that they had plenty of time to get to safety before the gas tank ignited. They were lucky to be alive!

...well excluding one member of the party.

The Vulpix hadn't been fortunate enough to be held securely with a safety belt and paid the ultimate price...

"Marci..."

Marci covered Ken's eyes and ushered him to the source of the accident; trying her damnedest to keep her tone level as she said softly. "Yeah Ken... I know... I know. Don't look back okay? Focus on the mystery that is what in the fuck just almost killed us. "

"Okay..." Marci felt hot tears behind her hands, she however said nothing. Could say nothing worthwhile. Just pulled Ken close to her,kept walking, and tossed out Rex's ball just in case the UFO was actually an alive creature and hostile. The Druddigon also said nothing as he quickly surveyed his surroundings and prept his natural weapons for possible dangers.

An action that wasn't at all needed since the Eon Pokemons lying at the bottom of the crater were way out of commission.

"Are they even alive" muttered Marci inching closer to the crater to get a better look.

Ken snorted "They better be. I can't kill them myself otherwise."

Marci thumped Ken over the head "Oh hush. You don't mean that and you know it. It was as much of a devastating accident for them as it was for us and you know it"

Ken snorted but the hard angry look on his face was rapidly dissolving for a guilty worried one.

Both siblings carefully navigated their way into the crater. Both Eon Pokemon sensing unknown presences approaching but unconsciousness was putting a damper on their efforts of escape.

"It's okay-" Marci said gently as both siblings slowly approached the wounded, unknown dangerous animals. Rex was in front ready to body block any sort of attack. Marci was making sure Ken stayed behind her for the same reason.

"-don't move all that much-" This is unbelievably stupid! Ken inwardly screams, only now just contemplating the madness to what they were doing; was too late to back down now however.

"-we just want to help." Both the siblings softly said almost simultaneously as each human gently touched the Eon Pokemon of opposite gender. The goal of this action was just to show they meant no harm with rubbing, stroking, petting, and cooing until the erratic thrashings calmed. After that they would explain what the plan of action of using their own mon's balls as a means of transport to a safer place of their choosing so that Ken and Marci or someone else of their choosing could administer any needed medical treatment.

Only destiny had other plans.

The shock of what Latios and Latias experienced with that simple touch was enough to shock their body systems back into cognition and use. Each sensing something totally different than the other but essentially meant the same thing and even had the same foundation:

Two powerful game pieces had just been found.

The first thought that came to Latas was: I need to take this boy to Cresselia. Mew will have to do for now though.

The first thought that came to Latios was: I need to take this girl to Darkrai ASAP. Blake will have to do.

The Eon duo both simultaneously used their head to place their precious cargo onto their backs, tucking their wings and forelimbs, each rotating a near instantaneous 180 degrees before taking off in that direction.

The screams of their cargo was thankfully muted by the intense rushing air.

Meanwhile the flightless dragon isn't exactly sure what to do now that his Trainer was kidnapped by a flying dragon of Legendary strength...

Maybe eating something will help him think?

---

Darkrai had been patiently waited until the girl and Latos finished their their story before locking eyes with Latios and replying "So what did you sense? I'm just comparing notes here."

Latios eyes grew distant as he replied "I'm still trying to contemplate that one myself...I could never sense the anomaly at a distance but close up it was as if I'd stumbled upon-"

"-a fortress with many protective barricades blinding you from what exactly to what it was you were sensing. But there was a faint pull gently tugging you towards the impassible gates." Darkrai finished

Latios appears quite shocked "Yeah that's exactly what sensed! Was that how it was for your boy?"

Darkrai nodded and replied "Yeah but with Ta- Elliot there were many protective barriers. I didn't know what I was looking at even though it was right underneath my nose."

"So how did you and Elliot meet anyway?" prodded Marci curiously. The girl was however openly ignored. In response the girl had no choice but to pout and mumble very colorful names under her breath.

"So what's he doing here?" Darkrai pointed towards Steve with his gaze.

Blake was the one that replied "Long story short: I was hunting him."

Darkrai gave Blake a droll look and asked patiently as if he was speaking to a small child "and why were you hunting him Blake when Trevor was the one you had tunnel vision for."

Blake heaved a sigh like melodramatic teen about to explain something that should be obvious to a stupid parent. "Recon teams spotted a man riding on the back of an Arcanine roaming around my base's territory. They informed me. At first I'd thought of just capturing the man and using him as bait for bigger prey. But his movements had been too purposeful before the chase could begin. So for once I held myself back. I was eventually rewarded when the man led me right to my prize." Blake snorted while his neutral expression shifted into one that suggested he bit into something bitter "Problem was I wasn't the only predator on the hunt. Mew was as well... but her purpose was to kill Steve and not capture."

Darkrai was absolutely flabbergasted "Why in the hell would Mew try to kill her own pawn?"

A tiny squeaky, mousy voice in perfect English responded to Darkrai's question. "Because of what my connection with Steve allows us to transform into." Darkrai looked towards the source of the voice to see that the Plusle had awakened and had de-tangled herself from Steve's grasp.

Now very confused Darkrai asked the most obvious question "Was that you?"

The Plusle nodded and spoke again "Yeah it was me." Amber held up a hand to stop Darkrai's next obvious question "Mew wasn't patient enough to wait until Jayne fell out of that sleeping curse or whatever you did to her. Cresselia tried to snap her out of it but the attack was too strong. In response to that little problem Mew hatched a plan to send Steve and Trevor into Jayne's dreamworld, then somehow use me and Herbie as disguises and their own wit to snap her out of it. The solution would have worked if the attack hadn't became a sentient parasite whose power was way out of their league and Jayne wasn't already fully aware what was going on."

The longer the Plusle spoke: the more impatient and bored Darkrai's expression was becoming "Is this explanation actually going somewhere or do you just like to talk?"

Amber thought to herself for a moment before sheepishly using a paw to rub the back of her head "A little bit of both actually. Sorry since Jayne and Herbie died: I've had like no one to talk to." At the name Herbie the Plusle expression briefly became distant and sad before fury smashed it flat. "Anyway thanks to Mew's actions: The four of us became spiritually linked with a partner. Herbie and Trevor made up one pairing . Steve and I made the other. There are benefits to this link. Such as being able to pick Steve's brain is only one of them. There are consequences. Such as Herbie's soul being slurped up by that Honedge as if he were just soda in a tin can being sucked out through a fucking straw."

At the last words Amber's composure broke and she was a mess of tears and snot. Every time the Plusle tried to speak a loud sob was torn out of her throat. Steve by this time had regained his composure. Steve took the Plusle into his arms and did his best to soothe her with physical words of comfort.

Steve picked up the baton and continue where Amber left off. "That's the source of Trevor's new power. When Trevor becomes that knight thing it's actually just the Honedge tapping power that had been already dormant inside Trevor; but Mew had unintentionally placed it inside Herbie. Now that piece is inside the Honedge along with Herbie's soul. Consequently that's how we can track them even at distance. All Amber has to do is tune into her mate's still existing frequency."

This conversation had finally became interesting to Darkrai "Now I'm starting to see the picture you're painting. But that still doesn't answer my previous question: Why is Mew trying to kill you. Especially since you're such a powerful asset"

"Because what Amber and Herbie had inside them can be considered mine and Trevor's protective armor. The only real difference between us is that I wield false light as a disguise and weapon and Trevor uses false darkness as protective armor and weapon."

Steve begins to grin one that was of actual enjoyment when he saw the gears start to turn in Darkrai's head while he continues forward with the explanation "Now imagine this little scenario. What could possibly happen if for some idiotic reason some turd of a demi-god decided that it would be a good idea to link two beings of contradicting natures together. Later on in time some unforgivable action forces one particular unconverted individual to swear vengeance on another person or thing. Problem is neither don't have the tools needed and/or the strength to wield those tools effectively."

Amber begins to grin as well as the pair spontaneously and almost simultaneously about face so that they were now facing each other. Amber picks up the baton "Now I wonder what happens-"

Steve takes the baton. During Steve's next words Amber starts to cheer quite animatly in her native tongue while her body begins to radiate with light blue sparks."-when someone bigger and stronger comes along and gives them-"

"a Helping Hand!" enthusiastically shouts Amber. Instead of releasing a bolt of blue lighting in the air as the move usually dictated: she gathers this energy into her right paw. This electrically charged paw makes an audible noise as it slams into Steve's left hand. Both beings begin to glow quite brilliantly with visible light: Steve's being pitch black while the Plusle's light was a burning bright red. Eventually the light fades away to nothing: leaving two super charged beings behind.

Those that were expecting a spectacular transformation would be sorely disappointed.

The only real difference between Steve's previous form and the one he had now was the fact that he was still human, the iris part of his eye now looked very similar to that of a Magnezone, and the man was now wearing gauntlets with a - and + logo, coloring that matched Plusle and Minun theme respectively. Oh and Steve now had two gatling hooks, one protruding out of each wrist...for some reason.

The places on the body that were red on the Plusle's body were now awash in a light purple color.

That was it...

"Greaaat another set of drama queen. Taz will either be pleased or really pissed off...most likely the latter." Darkrai grumbles while the rest of party assaulted the each available eardrum with enthusiastic laughter. Darkrai was annoyed about being let down. Meanwhile Steve and Amber were pouting about being the butt of the joke; both mumbling colorful name choices and dark promises under each of their breaths.

When the laughter finally quieted down to a low drone Darkrai asked "So what about the Magnemite? How does it fit into the drama?"

This question brought an entire world full of hurt unto Steve. Amber 'swam' up to his shoulder so she could nuzzle against his cheek sympathetically. After a brief moment Steve simply said "That's our protector since Amber's normal form is too weak without my aide and...now that Leon's gone."

Steve's hands tightened into fist. Everyone observing would have caught a glimpse of a shadow version of his usual weapon before the man quickly dismissed it. Oddly enough upon the weapon's summoning Amber stiffens and appears to almost pass out; but regained stability when the weapon vanished. Steve saw that Darkrai had noticed the oddity which forces him to explain "When I remain a positive state of mind we have amazing mage themed abilities. When I'm of a negative state of mind I unintentionally pull Amber's essence into my hand. Than I'm a physical based fighter that can use magnetism to re-position myself, allies, and some surroundings. Special attacks appear to be where I'm most talented in however."

Darkrai groans aloud before speaking his thoughts. "In battle that delicate balance is really hard to maintain...that amount of focus will take a lot of training. Probably months or years worth."

Steve cackles good naturally "I know! How do you think I feel! At least my adversary is just as balanced as I am."

Darkrai took a shot in the dark. "Trevor's powers are of similar nature?"

"No. The Honedge's powers is of similar nature on the opposite end of the spectrum. See Trevor is like a beaten-down old dog. He prefers to take punishment rather than deal it. Get him angry enough though and you'll gonna be in a world of hurt. The thing is the stupid bastard doesn't care a lick about himself. So Trevor will only get angry if you wound others in front of him. The only way it can make him fight is to keep him angry or if it possesses him like it did the other day. Something that seems to take a lot of stamina. I fought him enough times this week to learn all that."

Darkrai's eye widened briefly in surprise "You've been fighting him all this week? Why-?" Darkrai took stock of the others not participating in the ongoing conversation at all. Darkrai only now realizing just how exhausted all of them were. All of the group looked just about half-dead on their feet; but apparently were too prideful to admit their weakness. Darkrai sighs as he swallows what he was going to say in favor of the new. "Judging from your physical state and the camaraderie you've all displayed earlier: this is all one big long story that will take a little while to get out. Why don't we discuss all that went on after you've all eaten and rested. Than we shall continue this in a place most comfortable for you starting at what you think is the most proper place. Any arguments?"

Nobody dared move or say anything.

"Didn't think so." Darkrai opened a portal to the base that was Mewtwo's domain. It would be easier to spread information from there. That and Mewtwo would be sore with him if he didn't immediately come to him with Intel of this magnitude first thing. "Everyone follow me and I'll make sure you're well taken care of."

Again Darkrai's minions didn't say a word, only did as instructed.

---

"Left!" Amber had to shout to be heard over the Arcanine's loud footfalls and heavy panting. Leon shuffles to the right slightly to avoid the three Aura Spheres that immediately explode on contact. Barely a half a moment passes before Amber shouts again "Right!" Leon shuffles to the left as this time five Aura Spheres slam into the soil that his feet had been previously.

A good ten minutes pass uneventfully. Leon spends that time regaining his breath. Mew seems to have given up on the chase...the trio currently running for their lives knew better by now however. Mew's disappearance of course was trick. A ploy to establish a false sense of security.

"Barrage" Amber mutters to mostly herself as close to fifty Aura Spheres suddenly materialize around her and her friends. Leon takes a leaping twirl: shooting flame from his mouth at the ground in a clockwise fashion so that the Fire Spin move will act as a surprisingly effective defensive barrier. The move takes out a good seventy percent of the Aura Spheres before and after they are fired at the party.

Meanwhile a flying leap launches Amber skywards as she takes out about twenty percent of the wave with a Discharge attack. Satisfaction shines briefly in the Plusle's eyes before those vibrant spheres become vacant as Steve summons Origami. Steve uses the weapon as a lightning rod and takes in the electrical backlash before it can do any damage to Leon. Simultaneously swinging Origami faster than the eye could possibly follow ten or so times. Each swing summoning sonic shock-wave like projectiles that cleared out the remaining ten percent of the enemies attack. The shock-wave attack that was just used would be later dubbed by Steve as the unsurprising name: Sonic Boom.

Like usual though Mew wasn't done with the assault: evidence being the Garchomp that suddenly broken through the wall of fire: scythe's poised to cut several someones into ribbons! All it would even take would be a single cut than it would be curtains for our heroes. Fortunately Origami's three sectional staff form was just the right tool to literally tie up Mew's efforts before that possibility could happen.

...Like the other countless times this same attack sequence was repeated over and over again.

The only thing that made the maneuver even remotely effective and not too repetitive to become useless was that the number of Aura Spheres used and that Mew kept Transforming into many different physical based Pokemon to have a go at them. Course all the attempts had been foiled in the same way as demonstrated above but the continuous pressure and constant revamps were going to strike true sooner or later. Mew knew this fact. The party knew this as fact.

Fortunately the party had almost arrived at their destination.

Mew's paws were literally tied. So the Garchomp transformation dissipated since she really had no other choice; since Steve's magnetic pulses would fire back any projectile she dared summon right back at her. Which would hurt. Alot. A hell of a lot more than being blown backwards as if Steve was a particular video game character with the ability to cast Fus-Roh-Dah! Something Mew had by now become used to experiencing; the wood splinters in her backside didn't make the experience any fun at all.

If the pattern continued as it always had then Leon -who'd been the one that caught Amber on her return to Earth- would allow Steve to climb on his back again, than they would be off like a racehorse and jockey with their little rodent tag-along.

This time around though Steve broke the pattern since he withdrew both Leon and Amber inside their Pokeballs before taking off in a ridiculous fast sprint through the underbrush; a cop would probably clock the man going from zero to climbing up to at least 70 mph in mere moments.

Three guesses who the person waiting at the other end of the foliage was. Go on I'll wait.

...

...

...

"TREVOR!" Steve suddenly shouts as he leaps high in the air; his weapon now a staff at the ready to deal some major damage if this overhead swing was allowed to land.

Trevor was slow to react since he was essentially giving the blur that was distinctly human shaped 'a deer caught in the headlights' stare. Forcing Colby to take the steering wheel away from his subordinate while activating the transformation so they could defend themselves.

Steve smashes through the psychic barriers with relative ease in almost the same moment that they were summoned. Leaving the demonic blade with no other choice but to meet the approaching man's weapon in the middle. Which had obviously been Steve's plan all along.

"N-Nice to see you too?" Trevor stuttered as Steve's expression was desperate as he continued to slam Origami into Colby over and over and over again.

Steve however ignored him "Break! Gods damn you break! You fucking piece of shit!"

By now Trevor has donned his Shield Form. Which was just a carbon copy of Trevor's pre-awakened form; the only difference was the small fact that this Trevor was human. "Figured it out then have you? I guess Mew told you?"

Steve couldn't look Trevor in the eye when he responded. Steve knew the man to well. Would mistake the burning hatred in Steve's gaze to be directed at him. "Amber did. When it comes to this magic bullshit she's quick on the draw. Course being able to tap into my brain kinda makes her a genius now."

Trevor scoffs "Still the same arrogant prick as ever I see" Trevor's shield intercepts Steve's next downswing. The canaries sing their eerie warning song and Steve can do nothing to stop the shield's protective countermeasure from engaging. Luckily Trevor was kind enough to use the energy from the attack to only send Steve flying backwards about ten or so feet.

Fatal mistake.

Origami disperses as guilt over next preemptive action replaces Steve's fury. Trevor suddenly finds out that any and all escape routes have been cut-off by a small group of roughly ten or so foreboding looking black blobs that are in constant shift as though they are alive. Steve brings his hands together in a loud audible clap. This is the moment Trevor recognizes what attack Steve is mimicking. By then it's too late for Trevor to put up a barrier as the blobs suddenly swarm Trevor: attaching themselves to the man's body as he uses his own body to shield the Magnet Bomb's intended target: Colby.

Trevor offers a desperate cry "STANCE CHANGE!" A dark violet flash of light consumes the man and Honedge as the commanding spirit locked inside the blade takes control of its subordinate while it simultaneously taps into the power of the souls that dwell within its belly.

During that exact moment Steve sadly whispers "Detonate"

The bombs all simultaneously go off in one big BOOM!

Steve feels something solid, warm, and large catch him as the Fallen Knight emerges out of the dust cloud. Steve glances upward and sees Blake's ugly mug staring right back at him; the man's facial expression was unreadable as he says "I may not look it but I'm very confused at the moment. Have been for hours."

Steve laughs bitterly and replies "I'll explain later. For now I suggest we retreat unless you want to face that thing and Mew at the same time. Before you make that decision just know we don't have the firepower."

The fact that Blake didn't much care about being ordered around by this man shown plainly on his face. But even Blake wasn't insane enough to pick a fight with an adversary as powerful as the Fallen Knight and the mythical feline; the latter of which Cecilia could barely beat back even in the weakened state she was obviously in. So Blake orders Cecelia to make a hasty tactical retreat before the slow moving behemoth could finish crossing the gap between them.

Latios and a smell that Blake nor Cecelia recognized follows at their rear.

---

Karmic shift: Light.

The Fallen Knight was beyond furious that the person his subordinate sworn to protect at all cost had been taken away from him by the one they'd sworn to kill at all cost. But there was nothing this form could do at the moment besides get in the way of progress. So Colby passed the torch to his subordinate. Trevor accepts the baton. Even with the man's unnaturally high endurance and willpower: it was still a struggle to avoid passing out from the cost of the abominable form had on his stamina. More training was definitely needed. Hamleck would definitely be pleased to hear that.

Speaking of; Trevor could sense Hamleck and Mary the Kangaskhan place a hand and clawed paw on his shoulder. Apparently here to support Trevor even though he'd told them to flee and not come back. How sweet...

Like always Trevor eventually recovered enough to function with only being slightly unsteady on his feet. Which was a shame since that meant that Trevor now had to be...social. Bleck. With a person that pretty much broke the dislike meter. Double-Bleck.

Trevor glances up and is happy to see that Mew's attention is focused elsewhere. But now Trevor was curious what had the feline's attention: Trevor stepped lightly to get a better view of the object on the ground that Mew was looking at.

A boy that Trevor recognized was unconscious and appeared to be suffering from a nightmare that he couldn't seem to wake from no matter how vigorously the helpful Legendaries shook him. Now that Trevor was now actually paying attention...it seems that the boy was sucking in the surrounding light around him like a human black hole. On a unrelated note there was a red dragon thing sleeping next to the boy. What an odd location for a nap though.

The initial surprise over the unexpected sight made words come out of his mouth before he could think better of it and silence them:

"Well that's the last person I expected to see. What the hell did you do now?"

Mew rolled her eyes "Absolutely nothing. The boy was already like this when they shown up and the second Latias landed she clonked out" Mew casts Trevor a surprised glance as she replies "So you know this boy?"

Trevor shrugged offhandedly "Sort-of. I don't know his name but the boy was at the school when Steve and I picked up Elliot from school."

At the word Elliot: Ken's eyes flew open; both had apparently decided that they would dress up as two bright bubblegum colored flashlights today.

"Um his eyes weren't like that the last time I saw him...was it something I said?"

Ken's muttering became audible "Elly...why are you in so much pain?...Stop running... Let me help..." With the slow movements of a sleep walker: Ken rose slowly, holding out an outstretched hand as if reaching out for someone. Ken tried standing up but Mew lurched forward to try to ease him back down then surrounded the boy in barrier made entirely out of psychic energy; thus making the sight even more eerie since the barrier was coffin shape.

Trevor thumped Mew on the back of the head. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Oww you asshat! What does it look like I'm doing? I'm stopping him from hurting himself! Not only that but Latias brought him to me for a reason and I need to figure out why."

"I can't move...why can't I move?...I need to help Elly. Let me go..." The last phrase was repeated over and over again. Which each completed repetition of the phrase: Ken's voice became gradually more and more panicky and upset. Ken's mounting emotions brought a new light into visibility, only this one was being emitted by the surrounding beings and being quickly siphoned into the boy.

Trevor exhaled a weary sigh as the pure bright white light that haled his Shield Form consumes him once again. Trevor's grip on Colby becoming tighter as he muttered aloud to mostly himself "You obviously haven't seen enough anime."

"LET. ME. GO!" Ken screams as his body is swallowed up by a miniaturized sun composed entirely out of a pink bubblegum light as the Light Ones are blasted backwards by the resulting shock-wave.

Cresselia says nothing as she enters stage right. At first the expression on Cresselia's face is her usual stoic mask as she stares at the epicenter of the light. After a few moments of doing nothing but staring: Cresselia's expression starts to communicate sadness, grim determination, and a patience that she normally never demonstrates. Cresselia quickly spawns two psychic blades and pointing them at both the light and her allies in clear threat while placing herself in the middle.

Quickly the Lunar Pokemon says lowly:

"This is a matter between family. Leave Kenny to me or I'll be used to use other means to persuade you."

Mew is understandably startled by this sudden out of the blue turn of events "Cresselia what in the-"

Cresselia quickly interrupts. "Several somethings have happened in your absence that haven't yet been explained to you. I'll explain later."

"Can I Teleport Trevor out of here? I had to kill Jayne because the parasite won our battle and was taking control. Now Trevor seems to kinda be the king for our side. Steve is the other faction's king."

"What!?" Trevor and Hamleck exclaimed in disbelief. As Hamleck stuttered out "B-But Jayne's egg is alive,hatched, and safe in Mary's pouch so-"

Mew quickly interrupts "The coloration disappeared didn't it? It was just dull grey color before it hatched right?"

Hamleck and Trevor nods. Mew becomes sad "Than the body took it's soul when it passed. Whatever is in that egg isn't Jayne. It's someone else."

"Most likely someone with a fifty-fifty split of karma just like Kenny and Elliot Timothy Braxter." Cresselia snorts with dark amusement "Figures both kings would be underneath our noses the whole time" Cresselia shakes her head and then answers Mew's previous question "There isn't any time. Besides we might need his defensive abilities should I fail to calm him down."

Further explanations were put on hold when the bright orb slowly dwindled down to nothing; thus revealing the very strange creature at its epicenter:

First off the normally 8 foot tall teenager was now just a measly 4.8. Still had a swimmers build though, just a tad bit more scrawnier.

The creature's head was very strange. On one hand the top portion all the way down to the nose, mask, spiky ears matched that of a Zigzagoon. On the other hand the bottom half matched that of a Buizel, even had the whiskers. Was like a Buizel was wearing a Zigzagoon themed hat over his face...if that is all Zigzagoons had pink head fur styled in the same unkempt surfer hairdo in the place of Ken's usual brown. Made the hazel colored Cresselia themed eyes seem that much eerie since they were so out of place that they just made the creature appear outlandish.

Around the creature's neck there was a collar, located at the center of this collar appeared to be a pendent. The design of this pendent was an upside down crescent moon that seemed to hug an upside down water droplet.

The bottom half and bottom half of the boy's form appeared to be an exact mirror of Buizel with the twin tails and all. However due to the black and white pattern of the fur trailing past the creature's ankles; as well as the Zigzagoon hind paws: made the boy seem like he was wearing Buizel or Floatzel themed long-sleeved wet-suit. The arms had the same characteristic...or at least one of them did since the other hand paw was hidden by the ice blade increasing that arm by a almost a full wingspan; this blade was very similar to Hamleck's if located on the opposite side of the Linoone's.

Hamleck's mind was slammed by a startling revelation. Soon all that understood Poke-speak heard that revelation in a trilled enthusiastic shout the same moment he broke away from the pack "I have found my squire! None shall interfere in our sparring session or thou shall face the wrath of my blade!"

"... Please tell me he isn't serious and that coon doesn't always talk like that."

Mew and Trevor both exhale a tired sigh and both simultaneously respond "He is and he does."

Two nonsensical wordless shouts blend together the same moment as two blades clash. The battle between these swordsmen being slowly pushed together by hands of fate has now finally begun.

...

With each Clash! Klang! more mental imagery was seen flashing past Ken's inner eye like machine gun fire in the boy's brain. They seem to be deeply buried memories.

5 year old Ken and Elliot talking animatedly in the waiting room to some psychologist office in hushed tones while their parents converse. Each of them clutching animal plushies like their life depended on them; Elly's is a red and black dog and Ken's is a orange fox.

They both sneak off to the bathroom and go into a stall together. Each stick their fingers in their dolls fabric and pull out a piece of paper from the stuffing. Both unravel it to reveal it as a drawing of them playing with their 'imaginary friends' Rai and Crissy. Each of the opposing Lunar duo is somewhere in the background of the picture as if they are playing keep away. Both boys gasp as if they were suddenly punched in the gut. Then grin widely at each other. It's obvious a new friendship has now just been formed.

Kling! Klank! Clink!

Same year. Kids are playing the schoolyard. Appears Ken and Elly are trying to hide from view. Once satisfied they both show each the same piece of paper that they'd shown each when they first met. Many pictures depicting the same scene follow. Appears to be a handshake of sorts.

Kling! Klang!

Same year. Both boys are in class. Both watching teacher's back intensely. Suddenly Elly scoots his bag on the floor to Ken. Ken picks it up and separates the Cresselia doll from the rest of the bag's school-themed contents. There is a Darkrai plushie inside the bag as well. After quickly stashing the Cresselia plusie inside his own waiting backpack and admiring the handiwork briefly: Ken writes and passes a note "You're Granny is amazing!" Elly reads the note, grins, and flashes a thumbs up.

Klang! Klang! Kling!

Three years later. Seems both boy's secret plushies were finally discovered. Both sets of their parents are trying to take them away from them it seems. Both boys are seen acting violently against their parents to protect their precious items. But in different ways. Elly is using his fist, legs, and nails as if they were claws. Ken is keeping away from his parents while throwing things and using various objects as if they were weapons. Elly just seems enraged. Ken's tears and wails seem never ending.

Flash forward. Plushies seen being seen slowly burnt to a crisp. Elly is still enraged but there are some tears. Ken is very depressed and is crying into Elly's shoulder. Both are holding each other tightly.

Kling...Klink...Klang!

Same year. Both boys are seen carrying backpacks on their backs and are holding hands. Both appear to be running from red and blue flashing lights.

Kling...........Kling...........

Two years later. Elliot's family appears to be moving away. Elliot appears to enraged. Ken is once again depressed. Suddenly a look of determination shines bright on Ken's face. After quickly wiping away the crud from his face: Ken throws himself onto Elly and snogs him right on the mouth. At first Elly seems shocked, even horrified but then begins to relax and start kissing back. Both sets of parents are horrified and rip the two lovebirds apart. Ken seems happy...even as his dad starts swinging meaty fist.

...

The rest Ken remembers vividly but goes through the memories anyway

Six extremely bland years later Elliot moves back into his old mansion. The two may not remember each other but friendship once again reforms in an instant. During that time Ken develops a crush on Elliot but is way too afraid to tell. Girls start to interest Ken less and less. Attraction is there but...fading. Ken prays that the same eventually happens to his dangerous feelings but they still remain good friends.

Then that fateful horrific night happens and Ken's half broken glass house shatters into a million pieces .

...

Hamleck had just about given up trying his fight to console the loudly bawling Buizel. Was about to pass the newborn to one of the females when the world was pulled out from under him like a rug. One moment there was solid ground. The next Hamleck was up to his neck in water.

Rage was seconds away from taking over his words and actions when pure panic replaced them when he realized the crying had stopped. Immediately the Linnone's paws went straight up in a similar way a pair of robbers hands do when some police officer catches them off guard during a heist. The newborn -or "Ken"- had stopped crying and was now smiling down at him as if the crying fit had never happened.

After a few moments of this strange staring contest the boy broke it to stare fixedly at the water and began wiggling in Hamleck's grasp; arms outstretched as if reaching for the water. With a shrug Hamleck gently put him in the water. Immediately the Buizel swam over to the Linoone and the boy used his whole body and tails to wrap around the coon in a tight hug.

After a moment or two of just standing around awkwardly doing nothing but soaking up water: Hamleck trying to gently ease the Buizel off of himself. Only feel the little tyke's grip getting tighter and tighter. After a few moments of enduring this struggle: tears were starting to form in the corners of the Buizel's eyes. So Hamleck quit struggling. Immediately all Hamleck had was a happy baby. With a huff Hamleck decided that maybe one of the females would be able to help get the tyke off and went to stand, climb out of the small stream, and into the portal where everyone stood watching them both. The moment Ken's body left the water, he began bawling full blast again as if the moment of peace had never happened. Panic fueled instinct forced Hamleck to sit his butt back down. Immediately the cries were silenced. Hamleck tried again. Same result and same solution.

Hamleck shifted his gaze to the others; saying nothing as he allowed the puzzled expression on his face do the talking; particularly at Cresselia since she was the one who seemed to know exactly what to do to fix the problem.

In response Cresselia replied "I don't need to sleep. Instead I need feed in order to keep my motor running. But my primary fuel source is different from mortals like my counterpart. Instead of eating nightmares or negative energy like Darkrai does: I passively-."

Mew's voice cut in with the undertones of a snicker "-suck the fun straight out of the room"

Cresselia rolled her eyes, impatience was prominent in her response "For the last time I don't drain positive emotions. When I'm unable to basically bathe in my home's glow: I just soak in and absorb what positive energy is discarded by others through my skin. I'm basically a-."

Revelation dawned on Hamleck's face as he unintentionally interrupted "A a sponge-like raccoon." Immediately after the words left his mouth Hamleck put his paws over his mouth and muttered an apology

Annoyance was still prominent but Hamleck's words seemed to amuse Cresselia slightly judging from the small grin that broke her usually emotionless mask. "I was going to say scavenger... but I'm glad someone gets it and know how to be polite. Thank you Hamleck."

Hamleck beams back sheepishly, thanking his lucky stars that his fur was masking his blush

Trevor cleared his throat before speaking aloud "So...why were we all shown what we saw each time Ken's and Hamleck's blades clashed.

Cresselia shrugs and replies "I have no idea."

Mew was the next one to speak up. "Okaaay...so what's wrong with Latias?"

By now Ken had noticed Cresselia's presence. The very second that happened Ken swam until all that was in the water was his feet and began stretching his body out towards her; as if his body couldn't leave the water. Everyone except Cresselia groaned when they saw tears were beginning to pool out of the Buizel's eyes.

In response to this danger: Cresselia used telekinesis to pick up Ken and a orb of water that was a bit bigger then the Buizel that was placed inside. Ken's face quickly shifted to that of delight as he was gently shown the experience of flight. Cresselia seems quite pleased with her on the spot ingenuity. That is until Cresselia eventually realizes that she was in front of an audience and hadn't yet answered Mew's question; immediately she jumping on it so Mew wouldn't have to waste time repeating herself:

"During Hamleck's and Ken's short battle. I managed to pull out of her that she tried multitasking and awaken Ken as they flew over to you guys just in case there was a fight coming up. The very moment Latios tried: Ken took over and began sapping energy from her as if she was just a battery." A pause "I'm quite curious as to why Elliot was supplied with choices and why Ken's and Trevor's activation were so much more different." A thought seemed to occur to Cresselia while those that knew of Elliot's story done a reboot and she turns to Mew as she asks: "Did a portal open up before Steve when he was activated?"

Mew was understandably confused but replied anyway "No...all I know is that I'd walked in on Amber trying her current moveset on Steve. They didn't explain anything. Just turned into that the moment Amber used Helping Hand on him" Mew scratches her head "I don't understand how we didn't sense anything when they were right underneath our nose the whole time."

"I do...sort of" Trevor muttered. When the man had everyone's attention he tells of the connection between himself and the souls in Colby's stomach.

Cresselia's smirk holds dark amusement as she says to Mew "You messed up...big time. I told you your impatience was going to be your downfall."

"Shut it Ice Queen! Before I do something we both regret!"

"Anytime you're ready kitty cat. We have a few hours to burn anyway since I want to explain the whole Elliot situation to Kenny"

Everyone appeared confused again. Cresselia didn't leave them hanging for long "I've been watching Darkrai's clone for a while. During that time Elliot Timothy Braxter has demonstrated similar traits to that Kenny. The only visual key differences besides the obvious are as follows: Firstly Elliot transforms into a baby Pancham when he expels too much energy. Secondly his solution is to breastfeed from his adoptive mother instead of soaking in a bath." Cresselia glares at Trevor. "Thanks alot by the way. It's mostly because of you that I'm having so much difficulty of capturing the cub."

Mew raised an eyebrow. "There's so much what and why in what you just said I have no idea where to begin."

Cresselia shrugs nonchalantly before responding "Well firstly you need to know that Jasper -Elliot's butler- predicted that Darkrai would fetch him to babysit Elliot. Elliot's base personality is one that has to grow on you from what I hear. Until then you have no choice to put up with irritation until you learn him. Jasper correctly assumed that Darkrai wasn't the patient type but wouldn't kill Elliot for some unknown reason. So we secretly made a simple plot."

Cressila fires another smirk at Mew; but this time it just holds nothing but trace amounts of flattery."I finally pulled off a trick that you taught me Mew. I turned Jasper into a Lightling bomb who would activate via a trigger phrase. Than I wiped his memory of our little exchange and allowed Darkrai to use him as a babysitter while I watched the feed the camera was sending directly to our technological savvy troops. Was boring work for a while. Than add in the annoyance that camera broke up every time Darkrai was within a certain range. But the audio was at least clean. But it was worth it since what we got out of it was very interesting intel. Long story short: Dialga and Palkia have re-inserted themselves into the war."

Mew's were nearly eyes bulging out of their sockets at this point while her mouth was agape. Cresselia kindly closed it for her before continuing "As usual they are only expressing neutral minded interest in the war by giving each side pawns with extremely high potential."

Cresselia motions towards Ken and Trevor. Now Trevor's eyes are bulging out of their sockets and he seems to have forgotten how to breath. "Trouble is they appear to have many different flaws that are way too convenient to be birthed by accident. There is however one noticeable similarity to all of the them: they are extremely unpredictable and unstable. They however are way too powerful and resonate with their 'parent' way too much to be easily thrown away."

In the middle of saying the last part Cresselia levitates between the group and Ken; whom appears to have fallen asleep during his fun. The meaning of this wordless display is clear: You'll have to get through me to get to him.

Mew rolls her eyes "Alright I get it. I swear on all my unlimited lives that I won't touch him." Cresselia however still didn't move. But at least she began explaining again "The reason I'm having difficulty capturing Elliot is because Darkrai is using Trevor's 'as of until recently' secret past as a model. Specifically the fact that he's been thrown the boy to the wolves... metaphorically speaking of course since his adoptive mother is a very powerful and motherly to the almost extreme Pangoro female."

Trevor starts to sweat as Mew's and Cresselia's high beams land fully on him. Cresselia then violates Trevor's personal space as she sweetly asks the next question. "When were you going to tell us that you were raised by Mightyena until the age of ten. Than became a secret government project until you were ready to freely skirt between the boundaries of wild and civilized worlds?"

Trevor gulps as suddenly makes a break for it. Mew and Cresselia however blocks any all attempt of escaping. Trevor gulps again as he sheepishly says "That's really not something I'm allowed to say...Ma would've been rather sore with me and Spike if we weren't allowed to visit...That and the people that find out have a tendency to kind of...die. Whether it be by the power of the authorities that hold my leash or by Spike's fangs." Trevor's grin holds a hint of pride in it as he says "I'm happy to report that we have an nearly untarnished record. We're very careful with our secret. Even Steve doesn't know of my history." Trevor's expression becomes very sad "But if you say both sides do know then it's only a matter of time that Steve learns my dirty little secret." Trevor's hands tighten into fist "While I still have no idea why Leon -though only once- has called Steve by the name of Lanchester."

Cresselia sighs "We don't know anything either"

Mew and Trevor seem very surprised by this response. Cresselia shrugs "Steve's records are way too squeaky clean. Given the facts we can assume Steve is probably hiding a criminal past behind a false name. I can only assume their was a event that made him turn over a new leaf. Something Steve grew to love." Cresselia and Mew look to Trevor. Trevor is slammed with another crushing realization. "Just when I'm sure we have gotten rid of all the cliches...you throw this one in my face"

Mew shrugs "It's better than the possibility that he just hasn't found what only this side of justice can give him."

Trevor nodded "Good point." Trevor shakes his head almost violently "I don't really care who Steve was before we met though. Steve has changed his colors to something better! That fact is glaringly obvious based on his actions up to this point."

Mew and Cresselia both share the exact same sad look. Trevor's following growl is definitely bestial. "Don't you dare say it"

Mew -that fucking bitch- did "What has changed once Trevor...can revert at the drop of a dime."

Trevor is so angry that he tries swapping stances. Immediately the man passes out and reverts back to his normal human form.

Cresselia and Mew both share a similar sad sigh as they are left with the responsibility of setting up camp for the night. Both apparently agreeing without saying that they would investigate the Kangaskhan's newborn when dinner time was over.

---

Karmic shift: Dark

By the time each character gets their individual story off their chest the day has transitioned into night.

"Ugh my brain feels like it's gonna explode!" Cecelia groans aloud as she buries her face into Blake's lap.

Blake rubs the Dragonite's head the way she liked it being rubbed to express his sympathy. As the rest of the small rag-tag group verbally offers their agreement.

A few minutes pass as each person takes advantage of the silence to try to make sense of the tangled mess of connections in the web. Blake then asks the Latios the question that will complete the picture to this massive puzzle. "So what's your connection with the pipsqueak and why do you think that the girl shares DNA with you."

The fact that Latios wasn't used to having so many eyes on him was evident by the sudden fidgeting, stuttering, and blush. "W-well as you know the kid became quite the celebrity since he somehow survived that little skirmish with you and being Darkrai's most precious toy. The way I know him however is because we share mutual friends. Joey and Xavier visited him quite often the first time he was holed up in the med bay. They both were interested in having...fun with the boy but he'd seemed oblivious to their advances. Oh um that last part doesn't really matter sorry..."

Latios takes a moment to gather his scattered thoughts before continuing "I -like Darkrai- sensed that there was something strange about the boy. Namely the fact that the boy didn't feel Dark even though Darkrai obviously awakened him. But we couldn't figure it out no matter how much we and Mewtwo put our heads together."

Latios shoots Steve a meaningful look as he says the next part "Recently though -about two week ago to be exact- all of our questions as well as Darkrai's strange fascination with him were finally answered."

Takes a few moments but eventually Blake, Cecelia, Steve are struck with the same revelation. Each have matching puzzled expressions. Steve voices the trio's question. "What does our battle have to do with anything?"

Latios's eyes began to glow a bright pink "Allow me to show you all why what I'm saying matters" Latios pauses for a brief moment before starts backpedaling "Well technically these are Darkrai's memories so it he that showing you. Anyway-"

So Latios shares Taz's birth with the rest of the group.

Each person reacts to the events to the events they are being shown differently. Marci starts to cry. Blake and Cecelia become more and more excited until they are nearly bouncing in place like children on their way to Disney world. Steve is just confused. When the little movie clips were concluded:

Marci was reduced to the fetal position; the crying fit now dancing on the borderline of hysteria in sympathy from the pain that was being broadcast by her friend. Steve and Amber do their best to soothe the girl, their support helps only slightly.

"We gotta fight this guy again." Blake and Cecelia say in voices that seem far away. Both were still twitching with anticipation.

Steve was finally able to ask the question nagging him "So are there three war ending dark pawns then?"

Latios shakes his head "No. Unlike you Taz has an exact fifty-fifty split of Dark and Light karma in his base form and transformation. The only thing that's keeping you from turning into a being made entirely out of shadow is the Plusle's spiritual connection with you and the fact you were born a Lightling first."

Steve shivers as if someone steps over his grave. "Never thought I'd see the day that I would be forced thank Mew for anything."

Amber shakes her head in disbelief as she nearly shouts" STILL! Why in the hell were we made the main antagonist over that guy? He literally fulfills the requirements a million times over and then some!"

Latios shrugs "I'm still trying to figure that part out myself"

The group waits patiently for Marci to regain a relatively calm composure. Takes many minutes for Marci to finally comes out of it enough to voice her question "Why did you call Elliot by a different name?"

Latios extends his neck just far enough to nuzzle against the girl's face playfully "That question is answered in Part 2 of the memory. For some reason though Darkrai will only show snippets of silent memory." Latios' eyes flash and pictures flicker past the group's inner eye.

Seems to be early morning. Darkrai carrying what seems to be a bag carrying various doughnuts into his pocket dimension. Before the spectre could step into the portal's threshold the bags he is carrying are dropped as disbelief bitch-slaps him in the face. Apparently the female Pangoro holding a sleeping Pancham as if he was a baby and the astral projection of Elliot Timothy Braxter ghost hadn't been in his home when he'd left.

Before a single question can be asked the boy transforms into a Farfetch'd. For some reason this gesture satisfies Darkrai's curiosity on the boy's identity. 'Elliot' motions to the Pangoro with a nod and the Pangoro nods back. Shadow energy wraps around the Pangoro's fist like a glove and this gloved fist lightly bumps against the Pancham's open hand. The Pancham glows briefly as he morphs into 'Taz' right before the observer's eyes.

The boy turned bird takes out four paper airplanes and throws them towards Darkrai. Darkrai catches both, unfolds them, and reads what seems to two sets of paternity and maternity tests. The test detailing 'Taz's' and his human family come back negative. The maternity testing for 'Taz' and the Pangoro's comes back positive. The paternity test for the 'Current Darkrai' comes back negative.

Darkrai looks up and seems to ask a question. In response the bird points to the handing the paternity test and makes a prying motion with his hands. There seems to have been a piece of paper behind Darkrai's results.

The slideshow ends here.

Steve is the first to say something "Oooookay the only thing I got out that is that we've officially stepped into the 'Twilight Zone'"

As if to display their agreement Marci and Blake both whistle a few notes from the theme song.

All the Pokemon look at their human counterparts with understandable confusion. After a few moments Latios just shakes his head and says "Anyway...As the way things stand right now: only Darkrai and the boy's mother can approach Taz; if anyone else dares without asking permission then Taz mauls them like a rabid animal if the other two don't get to them first."

Steve snorts before saying aloud "So no touchy. Got it." sarcastically mumbling "Is that all?"

Latois completely misses the fact this was a rhetorical question. So the Eon Pokemon shrugs and responds "The only other thing worth mentioning is that Taz is a fire that burns through fuel extremely quickly. To make that problem even bigger: if Taz expends too much energy or goes too long without eating: he turns into a helpless Pancham newborn. While in that state Taz has to breastfeed and can't return to his base Pancham form or battle form for a few hours...you should be able to guess how detrimental this problem can pose to Taz's health if they're aren't guardians with him at all times."

"Damn..." was the group's collective response to that bit of information.

Latios shrugs again as he nonchalantly says "Power potential of that magnitude comes at a cost or crippling weaknesses. Taz is paying for his just as you all have, are, or will."

Latios intense gaze falls Marci: whom suddenly struck by the mental imagery of a child opening a gift on Christmas morning. Given how much pain Elliot had experienced during his opening it was completely understandable why Marci was terrified; the only thing stopping the women from fleeing was the fact that fear had locked up her muscles and thrown away the key.

So left with no alternative: Marci communicated her protest through a long, shrill scream.

---

Karmic shift: Light

Hamleck expression was unreadable as his baby blue eyes stare intensely into the hazel set of the small perfectly normal Zigzagoon that was currently perched in his lap. Ken stares back nervously. Occasionally the pup's gaze shifts to the unlatched collar still hovering under the power of Cresselia's telekinesis; a spark of deliberation flashes briefly before his gaze slowly returns to the Linoone as if beckoned by an unknown force.

The pair of tanuki had been doing this non-stop activity for several minutes, but everyone was too afraid of the unknown to move.

Finally when the strange bestial compulsion becomes too much to bear: Hamleck is forced to break the uncomfortable silence."Tilt your head for me pup."

Slowly the pup's head tilts in offering for his elder. Just as slowly the elder seizes the offering and gently bite down just hard enough to break skin and draw droplets of blood. The pup whines but doesn't offer any sort of other complaint as the Linoone begins to suck until an adequate mouthful has been taken. Once satisfied: Hamleck withdraws. Judging from the slow way the Linoone swishes the liquid side-to-side in his mouth: the Linoone appears to be tasting the coppery liquid. Once satisfied Hamleck swallows the liquid down in a big and somewhat audible gulp.

The following minor changes take place immediately. Hamleck's brown stripes turn black. The long slender unnatural blade that his claws once formed starts crumbling away until normal Linoone claws remain. Hamleck watches all these changes happen to his body to completion with a blank expressionless mask. Once finished Hamleck's expression is almost sad but only nods to show low-key acceptance.

Hamleck's gaze travels to each of his companions disbelieving expressions before smiling grimly and saying "My new quest should be obvious."

Hamleck locks eyes with the cub again as the Linoone firmly grasp the pup's paws into his and says to him. "This our new beginning. I give you permission to pursue your mate, but anything else you had as a human no longer exists. From this moment forward you will answer only to the name Giz. If you refer to me by any other than a fatherly title of your choice: punishment will be swift. Do you understand?"

Giz's eyes widen as he tries to fling himself off the clearly insane 'mons lap but Hamleck's hold has tightened to a near painful degree and becoming tighter with each passing moment. Left with no other choice Giz responds "Y-yes Daddy."

Seemingly satisfied; Hamleck smiles warmly while releasing the cub's paws. Giz is now seemingly free to go anywhere he wishes. Strangely for some reason though: the cub chooses to stay in the Linoone's lap. After a moment of hesitation Giz finally gathers enough courage to say "No matter what you or any other crazy person says: Marci will forever and always be my sister."

Hamleck ponders on this statement briefly. Eventually he nods "I can accept that compromise."

Giz grins broadly as he replies "Good because I very much like this crazy fantasy. Other than my sister I literally hate rest of my human family for good reason." As if to punctuate this statement Giz uses his whole body to tightly grasp Hamleck in a hug while burying his face into his new Daddy's fur and audibly inhaling through his nose once very deeply.

Hamleck only hesitates for the briefest of moments before hugging the little tyke back. After a few moments Giz muffled voice says "I can't seem to change back human anyway. So what I would feel regardless wouldn't matter anyway unless they were crazy enough to believe an insane story."

With this admission Hamleck can feel liquid soaking into his fur and the cub's grip is almost too tight but only says while tightening his own grip as he utters his own low-key response: "It matters to me...how you feel."

Giz's sobbing becomes audible

Seems for once in this little tale there will be no drama, only acceptance.

...HAH! Yeah right. In your dreams maybe.

A blue shimmering portal opens up beneath the pair and swallows them whole. The collar is sucked in with them as well.

Before a single Lightling could even finish processing this sudden turn events however the pair was spit back out. No longer hugging since Giz appears to be fast asleep, still in his Zigzagoon form it seems.

Before any question could be asked however: Hamleck walls them with a paw. There is a smug smirk written on his expression "We were just given the tools and strength needed to put us equal with our karmic rivals " Hamleck shrugs nonchalantly "We're both now what they call time-locked. That means we will no longer age. But in exchange since both of our life forces are tied together: we both will die if one of us is killed."

Hamleck's gaze lands on Cresselia, smug smirk vanishes as a frown takes it's place, a glint of male violence and distrust is seen clearly "Apparently that's a safety mechanism they've installed for my sake."

Giz's eyes blink open and he yawns. He looks side-to-side with a flabbergasted expression. "I only closed my eyes for a moment and you're already done?!"

Hamleck sniggers bemusedly "DP needs your mind as it is now. So you were placed in hibernation for a very long time while Daddy took care of business. Don't worry I'll tell you of my heroic adventures through campfire tales if you're a good boy."

Giz begins to pout but that was quickly ended when his Daddy quickly solves that problem by tickling that mood straight out of him. Hamleck chuckles along with his boy briefly before stopping the bout of silliness to nuzzle against him. "Come along. We both need a bath and some grub in our bellies before we go to bed."

Mew, Cresselia, Trevor, Colby, and Mary all blink rapidly in wonderment as they all tried to wake up from the crazy dream or hallucination they must be in. This wasn't the loveable goofball they knew at all! Way too serious. Sadly no such luck of dispelling the imposter's disguise with their thoughts. In time maybe the imposter would slip up and show his true colors.

Mew shook her head at the retreating duo's backs and said "Well this makes Latias's clone's awakening rather lackluster in the drama department." Mew glances to Mary the Kangaskhan and her sleeping newborn Clovis as she says this.

Trevor nodded "Yeah since all that happened was we were all suddenly overcome with playfulness and giddiness." A pause as Trevor considered the question before turning to Cresselia. "How long did we end up playing with the kids anyway?"

"About an hour" Cresselia giggles lightly before explaining her amusement. "You know it's funny. Ever since we meet I've wondered what someone was like you was doing with someone like Steve. Now that I've seen you with all your defensive barriers down: it's no wonder both Steve and Mew find you endearing. You really are just a playful pup underneath all that armor."

Trevor pouts but says nothing in response.

---

Karmic shift: Dark

"Damn...is it hot in here...or just me?" Steve said panting. A quick glance around told Steve that he wasn't the only one suffering from the sudden onset of latent arousal spreading like heat throughout his body and heading straight for his favorite organ. Why everyone suddenly felt this way the second Marci transformed didn't make any bit of logical sense. Logic however was beginning to mean less and less as Steve's balls began to turn a shade of blue that he couldn't even fathom in something any other than a nightmare.

The culprit to this madness was the Nidoqueen standing in the middle of it all. By the looks of things she wasn't immune to her own aura of influence either.

After swallowing the saliva overflowing her mouth Marci said "How...do..I...turn it...off?" The arousal oozing from her almost agonized moan was seemingly mimicking the saliva and other various body fluids being expelled from everyone's body.

No one however could hear the woman's cry over the sound of barriers shattering like glass.

No one that is except for Blake. Someone that was used to fighting overwhelming instinctual urges. Still however Blake's response was strained with the same amounts of arousal as he responded: "If you can't shut if off by yourself...than there is only one being that can...As cliche as it sounds...the only one that can help you is...your King."

Terror and panic struck Cecelia like mallet hard enough for a sudden split moment of clarity "Blake don't! Don't you remember what happened last time you transformed?! Even I'm not safe from your blood rage and right now I can't summon the strength to fly away from that explo-"

Blake silences Cecelia with a kiss. Given the circumstances the power of this small action might potentially be lethal to any aged heart if passionate enough; Blake and Cecelia danced on that border. Finally Blake broke the kiss off and whispered "Don't worry CC...nothing like that will happen...What it's thirsting for is far from blood."

There was a powerful shock-wave the moment Blake passed the baton to that damnable beast inside; so strong that any being of a certain weight limit was sent flying from the sheer force. The ones that met this unknown weight limit was knocked prone or flat on their ass. At first Blake's body was consumed in the normal Dark One black light...but then the color transitioned to the shade of amethyst at the last possible moment. Everyone involved however was way too consumed with lust to notice this oddity however. At least not until they think back on this momentous day of the King finding his Queen.

The viral Nidoking slowly stalks forward to end Nidoqueen bitch's suffering.

The resulting identity shattering orgy that followed didn't end until the following dawn. Those that participated would forever feel the feeling of being punched in the stomach every time they think back on the little snippets they hardly remember.

Unbreakable bonds that circumstance should have made impossible to create formed anyway.

Love really is birthed in the strangest of places, is it not?

---

Karmic shift: ???

Darkrai had just got to the part of the report where Hamleck kills Leon in the factions first skirmish when a very familiar entity clears it's throat and says. "What are those?"

Darkrai glances towards Elliot and nods as he responds "Nothing much. It's just the physical evidence of what you said would happen: Paul has chosen his left and right hand to form a mutualistic relationship with. Kate has secretly formed a mutualistic with an otherwise worthless pawn to help create one of the most important piece on the board. Jerome has secretly formed a mutualistic relationship with the knights. Zil and Nil still think they are safely lurking in the shadows just because they are hiding behind the innocent Kangaskhan mother."

The Farfetch'd chuckles before responding "That doesn't really sound like nothing much. Especially with the Mega Stones the rats possesses if the report I was given is correct. Trouble makers... the whole lot of them; no matter what parallel dimension they are in or what Legendary is backing them."

Both specters sigh as they both turn towards the Pancham and Pangoro playing a game of pass with the ole' pigskin. The Farfetch'd eventually asks the inevitable question. "So how are Melina and Elliot adjusting to their rebirth?"

Darkrai smiles warmly "I've never seen any two souls more happy or in love as they are even during their worst. It's as if Taz and Rose know on a subconscious level who the other actually is. Something I'm told they shouldn't remember unless I chose to tell them... and I won't. Not ever. It would ruin what we share." Darkrai is overcome with a sudden full body shiver "That and I don't want to get on that woman's bad side. When she's angry she terrifies me on more than one level."

Elliot chuckles as he shakes his head with a low whistle. "The fury of a loving mother: the Boogieman's only weakness."

Elliot dodges all of Darkrai's swipes of retribution until the specter calms down enough to see how foolish he was being, stops, and clears his throat before going back to business. "So when are the Sheep and Godslayers making an appearance?"

Elliot pouts "Aww you're not curious how my dimension is doing? Ellrai will share in my disappointment."

Darkrai shrugs "Why would I? Not only is yours the only dimension that has completed its main objective no matter the millions of reruns it's been through: but from what you told me I'm the star of that little scheme. So I cannot possibly fail sooo-" Darkrai performs a there-you-go gesture.

Elliot rolls his eyes as he responds "Yeah but this is the only one where I'm not actively pulling the strings. Just a guiding light. I've also failed once; so DP is extremely nervous with the their beloved Misfit Sky Pirate dimension. Ellrai's poor master Yveltal can't go 10 minutes without them calling from what I hear."

"You still haven't answered my question"

Elliot rolls his eyes again, this time tacking on an exasperated sigh and making his response dead-panned "They'll be here when you and Cresselia obtain your new bodies. Since Ken is probably having the same discussion with Cresselia as we speak: that time is now if you want."

Darkrai stashes the reports in his cloak pocket; knowing full well he was so giddy that he was nearly bouncing with excitement and not caring in the slightest bit.

The Farfetch'd shivers "It's really eerie to see you excited. Usually that means someone just died or is going to. Besides why are you so excited? The Ursaring body is so weak in comparison to your current one. As you already know it's only the level that Vector was on when I first met him."

Kai's laughter sends a chill down Elliot's spine as he responds "You're pretty much giving me two things I never thought I would ever want until as of two weeks ago on a silver platter."

Elliot suddenly appears confused "I know all about the family bit. But... I don't know about the second one"

"A vacation."

Elliot makes a 'O' face before the face-palm seems to smack it away "Right."

"Besides if I don't want to be a bear anymore all I have to do is put on Taz's hood."

Elliot scratches his head "I don't get it. What's stopping you from just putting on Taz's hood during every fight and taking it off in between?"

"The fact that I love a good challenge and that I see the benefit in having two powerful forms to switch between when I need them. Taz's strength also grows if I don't wear it. Cresselia will probably have the same mindset."

This time Elliot pretends to face-palm when in all actuality he is using a wing to hide the mischievous smile "Oh! why didn't I think of that?!"

Both specters are swallowed up by a blue shimmering portal.