FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The guarded island...

The Guardian was aware of the intruders the moment their boats ran aground on the shore of his island. He could hear their voices, speaking in a tongue unknown to him. Immediately on alert, he stepped of his hut and crept toward the sound, ducking behind shrubs to conceal himself and crouching low into a crawl. He crept through the brush until he could see the beach beyond, and there he saw them. A Lycanroc, and a strange fox-like being with a mustache stepped onto the beach, accompanied by multiple others - at least twelve that he could count, varying in species and size.

He narrowed his eyes, wondering briefly if his previous island visitors were somehow involved in this intrusion. With that thought, the Zeraora crept back through the brush, and sought a more advantageous location to prepare his defense.

"It seems almost a joke," said Asya as Seji and his hired hands came to stand by her. "I looked upon this place a thousand times from the shores of my homeland and never thought of it anymore than a mere rock in the sea, and now I find out that the source we've been seeking in these isles, for nearly half a year, was here all this time." She grimaced. "In hindsight, brilliant... they put it in the last place anyone would ever think to look. It would seem there were some among the ancients who were yet wiser than ourselves."

"Ah, but even the wisest of beings are susceptible to hindsight." Seji remarked, ordering their sentries to fan out and begin searching the island with but a wave of his hand. "They did well in hiding this source of the Corruption from us, but in the end, all it took were members of the Guilds to stumble upon the guardian of the source. Even if it seemed to be by mere chance, it ended up working out in our favour."

He then added with a small smirk, flexing his hand in front of his face. "And dare I say, I had quite a time in extracting the information from our dear Agent Fisher..." He added, before turning to look at Asya. "And what about our other guests? I imagine you're treating them as well as they deserve?"

"I have ensured they are being kept docile enough that they'll still be breathing when their comrades come for them, which they surely will," she answered. "Well, except for the bug of course. He won't trouble anyone anymore."

Seji raised an eyebrow at Asya curiously. "His wound was that deep, was it?" He asked, then turned his gaze forward and watched as their sentries disappeared into the thick jungle ahead. "A shame... I was looking forward to tearing into his mind later, but it is what it is, I'm afraid." He remarked. "On that topic, I must ask. When our next batch of guests do finally arrive to come to the rescue, how _do_you plan to take care of them?"

"They'll be looking for their friends, and we will know the moment they set foot inside the castle. Once there, it will be unleashed and we shall move on," she replied. "Once the Nexus is ours, we won't need the castle anymore - we'll be leaving these islands behind. So, once it removes that annoying pestilence that hounds us, it will have served its purpose."

Seji couldn't help but smirk at that. "Delightful." He remarked. "The moment they arrive will be a day long remembered... Where the largest threats to our plans will finally be no more, and we can move forward without worry of any further interference." The Alakazam added as he twisted his moustache in his finger idly.

"Indeed," she agreed. "Now, let us find and secure the source. Keep a lookout for that Guardian. For now, the home field advantage is theirs."

"Understood, m'lady." Seji returned, proceeding forward himself and keeping his hands behind his back while his spoons levitated around him in a protective manner. He also used his Psychic abilities to subtly create mind links with the sentries that were already searching farther ahead, so that in the event they found what they were looking for, he would know right away.

The island was small, and would certainly take only minutes, maybe a half hour to cross, and at least one hour to circle on foot. Even so there was an impressive amount of vegetation present, offering plenty of cover to potential attackers. Multiple fruit trees dotted the landscape - coconuts, papayas and even several berry bushes. A sparse but sustainable food source for a single island inhabitant, assuming they could top it up with fish or crustaceans from the sea around them. At the center of the island was a large stone mound, and they decided to start their search from there.

Asya's ears twitched. She raised her head, and began to sniff the air. She let out a low growl. "They're close," she said, her red eyes searching the thicket.

Seji brought his right arm out from behind his back, holding his basket hilt in his hand and glancing around the area cautiously. He didn't have any means of detecting aura like a Lucario, or the heightened senses of a Lycanroc, but he did have the ability to sense thought patterns. He concentrated silently, focusing his power into reading the minds of everything sentient around them in an attempt to find where exactly the guardian was hiding.

He quickly found them, hiding in the nearby bushes. A mental energy he did not recognize. But as he started to call out, the figure moved. One of the sentries ahead let out a cry, and he saw the sentry cartwheeling through the air, hitting the incline behind them. The second sentry didn't even have a second before a yellow paw struck him across the face, and then he screamed as he was electrocuted by a Thunderpunch that sent him flying into a tree.

The Zeraora turned to face the intruders, claws extended and hissing as it faced them. Asya's face brightened with awe as she saw the being before them, studying them as one might appreciate a piece of art.

"How very interesting," she said. "So this is the Lightning Warrior. Such a fine specimen. Don't you think, Seji?"

"I could not agree more..." The Alakazam concurred, grinning as well before he held up his basket hilt and brought forth a thin purple blade composed of Psychic energy from it. "I look forward to studying what makes it tick both in and out of battle." He added, holding his blade upright in front of him as a salute to his opponent before spinning his blade once and holding it point-down in front of him.

The Zeraora shouted something at them, speaking in the language of the islands. Seji only knew bits of the language, enough to know that the Zeraora was demanding that they leave his island. Likely followed by a threat. Asya stepped forward, and spoke back to the electric cat, ending her sentence with a grin that made him bristle.

"Try not to kill him," said Asya. "There's no doubt in my mind Calhoun will want this one for our army. He will make a formidable asset, once he's a Shadow Pokémon."

"Understood. Non lethal blows only." He said with a nod, then motioned for the Zeraora to approach, giving him a taunting grin as he did.

The Zeraora proved swifter than he expected as he dashed at him, a flash of light causing Seji to blink, and the moment he opened his eyes, there was the cat, paw raised and a second away from clawing him. The Alakazam was surprised. The cat had closed the distance between them in a fraction of a second and was already poised to strike, but his spoons quickly shot forward from their holsters on his waist and intercepted his opponent's claws just before they could reach him. Instinctively the elder Psychic-type jerked his head back even after the attack was blocked, then raised his blade and went for a lunging thrust for his opponent's stomach in retaliation.

The cat dodged aside, bending his body away from Seji's sword before pivoting and attacking him from the right with his other paw, but Seji was already following through with his thrust and pivoting on his right foot, turning and slashing back at Zeraora with his blade right at his claw, forcing Zeraora to retreat or have his paw slashed. He then followed up immediately with a Psychic hold, grasping him telekinetically by his neck and throwing him firmly into the ground before blasting him away, then teleporting behind Zeraora before he hit the ground and smacked the hilt of his blade into his opponent's cranium, sending him crashing back into the ground next to him.

The Zerarora lay there in a daze for a moment, struggling to fight it off. His body crackled, and he shot up with an explosion or electricity from his body, expanding from him like a lightning dome. A Discharge, Seji realized, forced to teleport away before the lightning dome reached him. But the moment he appeared, there was another flash of lightning, and the Zeraora was behind him this time.

Fortunately for Seji, the fight had moved closer to Asya, and she intervened. Using Accelerock to launch herself forward, she struck Zeraora with the full weight of her body, sending him tumbling away. Zeraora was back up again, now facing two opponents. The henchmen had formed a ring around the battle, but dared not interfere, knowing their leaders would want them out of the way while they worked.

"His last movement," she remarked. "I could not follow it - it was as though he became lightning itself. This may be the fastest Pokémon I have ever seen."

"Perhaps, but speed alone will not win him this battle." Seji remarked. "He is swift, but his technique is primitive and raw - easy to predict." He added as he held his blade in front of him again. "I shall act as the lure. Once he appears, I leave it to you to deal the crushing blow, m'lady."

"No," she said, firmly. "Skilled as you are Seji, resilient you are not. This being may be unskilled but the power in those paws is far greater than any here," She narrowed her eyes. "I will bring him in, and when you have your moment, strike."

Seji hummed for a moment. "...You have a point." He concurred, silently admitting Asya had a far greater constitution between the two of them. He lowered his blade and stepped back so that Asya could take the lead. "Very well, but do be wary. Durable as you may be, even you will be affected by his Electrical attacks."

Asya would only have a second to strike, but if she could, she could very well end the fight herself. But she was counting on Seji to be ready if she could not. She let out a provoking howl, to draw Zeraora to attack. Like the undisciplined sort they had figured him out to be, he took the bait. The cat sped toward her, claws ready. She raised her arms and took the slashes, which barely made a groove in her hardened flesh. Then, she struck back with Counter, landing an uppercut that would have impressed a Hitmonchan directly into the Zeraora's chin, sending his head snapping backward with such force a sense of whiplash followed. Seji had his moment of opportunity.

He reached out with Psychic, grasping the Zeraora with Psychic and yanking him forward before he could recover. When he was within arms reach, the Alakazam quickly spun out of the way and dealt a crippling slash right along his opponent's back as he passed by him, hitting him at just the right angle so that he avoided killing the lightning cat, but still managing to draw blood from that singular strike. Zeraora shrieked in agony and fell onto his front, reaching behind himself and clutching at the wound in pain.

Asya called for their reinforcements, who brought rope and shackles to secure the warrior. They bound his arms and legs first, placed bandages over the wound on his back at Seji's direction - they didn't want him bleeding out or getting an infection after all. As soon as the cat was secure, they took him aside, and two sentries - a Hakamo-O and a Scrafty, stood guard over him.

"Now that that's done, we can take our time finding the entrance," said Asya as she let another of their troops check her arms. Some blood was barely visible on her crimson fur, but she seemed otherwise unhurt.

"Considering how quick this young warrior was to act, we must be very close." Seji remarked, extinguishing his blade and returning his hand behind his back, dusting his shoulder off with the other hand. He then turned to a couple sentries to his right. "Resume your search. Stick to small groups and remain cautious. This one might be captured, but there could be other wildlife that might attack you for invading their territory." He ordered.

They nodded in reply and began to scout as ordered, heading for the mound.

The rattle of chains caught Seji's ear. He turned, and he saw Asya had also heard it. The Zeraora was moving again, pulling against his restraints. The rope kept his arms pressed tight to his body, and the chains kept him from separating his hands or feet.

"Even injured and bound he continues to fight," said Asya. "Well, he won't be a problem once Calhoun turns him."

Seji sighed and shook his head. "Another mind controlled puppet." He remarked helplessly. "Well, it is what it is... So long as his abilities won't be hampered, I don't believe we can afford to be meticulous in who we recruit to our cause."

"Hey, if the source of the corruption is here," the Scrafty guard asked, "can't we just turn him now and get it over with?"

"No, you fool. None of us can control it," replied Asya. "Only Calhoun knows how to do that, and we'd need him to guide us through it if we were to make the attempt. If we simply expose this warrior to the source, he'll be attacking us all over again only now he would be even more violent."

"Understood. Sorry ma'am," the guard replied.

"Keep the curiosity, soldier," said Asya, encouragingly. "Inquisitive minds are something we are in short supply of these days, having lost so many of our forces recently."

Then, Zeraora shifted again, moving onto his back. He growled as he continued to struggle. Asya sighed, and seemed about to say something, when the cat's eyes glowed, and his body surged with power.

"What's this? Is he about to use another Discharge?" she asked, warily.

Seji narrowed his eyes as the Zeraora charged up an attack before them. It seemed to resemble a Discharge attack, but something about it caught his attention. The electricity he was building up wasn't surrounding his body, but rather being focused onto a single point on his body... but where?

His eyes widened as he noticed more erratic sparks of electricity along his back... or more specifically, where his paws were being restrained. Thinking fast, he quickly grabbed Asya and yanked her away from Zeraora. "All of you, retreat! Distance yourselves from it!!"

The guards tried to move away, but the Scrafty was too slow. Blue lightning surged below the Zeraora, and suddenly the ground below the Scrafty exploded, lightning exploding forth from the earth and utterly engulfing him as it shot skyward. The Scrafty, barely alive after taking the full brunt of the attack, spasmed and collapsed to the ground, twitching erratically. Another explosion of power, and the shackles on Zeraora's feet became red hot. He snapped his legs apart, breaking the chain, before drawing back his legs, kicking up and throwing himself back to his feet.

Then, his body crackled again, seemingly preparing another Discharge, until they saw the electricity going to his paws. The chains heated up, and the rope curdled as it burned. With a sharp pull, his paws were free, followed by a mixed cry of triumph and pain from the hot metal shackles still covering his ankles and wrists, which he promptly ripped off.

"Astounding..." Asya breathed, unable to hold back her admiration.

Seji quickly pulled out his weapon and ignited the blade again, holding it in front of him as he stood ready for another round. "Indeed... I did not anticipate for this raw warrior to possess such an attack." He concurred, though through his intrigued demeanour there also lay a sense of urgency. "I believe we are outmatched, m'lady... We should retreat to the castle and rethink our strategy."

Asya hesitated to reply, but with a sigh, she nodded. "You're right," she said. "We'll need time to prepare for this one." She called out at the top of her voice. "All forces, back to the boats! Regroup at the castle!"

The guards complied, making for the cover of the trees even as Zeraora brandished his claws again, ready to attack. Asya used an Accelerock to dash at him - he dodged, but he hadn't been her target. Somersaulting through the air she landed at Seji's side, the unexpected maneuver buying him the second he needed to take them both away.

The Alakazam quickly extinguished his blade and gave a small wave of his finger as Zeraora turned to face him. "Until next time, young warrior..." He bade before he and Asya vanished, teleporting away from the battlefield and back to the boats in a blink of an eye...

The Zeraora watched as the boats retreated from the island, finally giving him a moment to calm himself as they faded out of sight. But as the adrenaline faded, the pain and fatigue set in. He tensed and let out a strangled cry and bared his teeth as he folded his arms across his body, clinging to himself. Everything seemed to hurt... His back, his limbs, and his body was aching from the overuse of power. He had pushed himself too far.

Still, he forced himself back to his feet, and limped up the hill to his hut, hidden behind a wall of rocks. He picked up a bowl of water with shaking paws, taking a drink from it before he sat down on the floor, dipped a cloth inside, and began to clean his wounds as best he could. He had to be ready... Had to be well enough to fight when the invaders returned...

After retrieving a few reinforcements, and better planning their assault with the guardian of the island, Asya and Seji returned to the island. This time, Crane and Zann were also present, followed by a few Ground-types who could better stand against the Zeraora. Their forces were limited, but they had brought a Sandslash, and two Marowak.

One was a common Marowak, frequently seen across the west, bearing a club of solid bone with the joint at the tip being the focus of force. The other however was a variant of the islands, possessing the same anatomy, but with a body the colour of charcoal with gray undertones. Their bone club, unlike their common cousin, was like a femur, even at either end, and the ends themselves were ablaze in an otherworldly pale green fire.

"Alright," said Asya. "Crane, the lead is yours. You will take our three appointed fighters to confront the Guardian."

"As you wish," returned Crane, motioning for the three to follow him as he walked ahead.

They were barely halfway up the hill when they saw him, stepping out from his hiding place. Zeraora had not tried to ambush them as Crane had expected, narrowing his eyes as he studied the cat. He stood tall, and firm, but there was a hint of weakness he could make out. His paws were shaking, and his eyes showed his fatigue, partially lidded and seemingly forced to stay open.

"Hmph," he snorted. "Barely even able to stand. This won't be difficult." He raised his arm and pointed. "Take him."

The regular Marowak made the first move upon being given the command, twirling his bone in his hand quickly before launching it as hard as he could for a quick Bonemarang attack. He followed its path, anticipating the Guardian would defend. The cat warrior indeed slapped it away, but the Marowak had moved in a precise manner, seizing the bone in midair before throwing himself at the cat and swinging at him. The cat tried to move aside, but his reflexes were slowed, suffering a blow across the face.

The Guardian reeled from the hit. The darker Marowak moved in to attack, undeterred as the Guardian swiped at him. He passed harmlessly through the swinging claws, and he followed up with a Bone Club of his own, utilizing his own weapon more like a staff than a mere club. His attacks came in a flurry, swinging this way and that while the Guardian struggled to defend himself.

Suddenly the Sandslash joined the battle, bursting from the ground behind the Guardian. He rose up with a Slash attack up the length of the cat's back, drawing blood from a grizzly wound. While he was airborne, he spun once and brought both claws over his head just as gravity took a hold of him, coming back down on Koa with a crippling Crush Claw attack right for his head. By some miracle or instinct, the Zeraora managed to move himself out of the way, but the claw still grazed his shoulder, opening another wound in his arm.

Then came the clubbing, both Marowaks bludgeoning him again. The guardian's legs buckled, his vision swam, and finally he couldn't stay up any longer. The moment he fell to his knees, the three attackers backed off. The Cacturne came forward, stopping a few meters away before dropping to one knee and striking the ground with his fist. Green tendrils exploded from the earth, swarming around the Guardian. He could barely even move as they wrapped around him, forcing his arms against his body and his legs together, winding around his torso before stopping at his neck. He could not put up a struggle, too tired and weak from the one-sided battle.

"And Asya said you'd be a challenge," Crane said scornfully before regarding the Sandslash and two Marowaks. "Well done." He complimented them.

"It was easy," The darker coloured Marowak remarked, spinning his bone along his wrist before catching it and resting it across his shoulders.

"I'm almost upset that it's over so quickly... I still have that itch to hit somethin'" The other Marowak remarked, scornfully looking at the weakened Zeraora. "This guy barely put up a fight at all."

"Seems he was more weakened than we previously thought," Asya's voice piped up as she and Seji came to join him, followed by Zann. "Well done, Crane."

The Sandslash huffed, crossing his arms. "Can't help but feel like I wasted my time here..."

"Well, if you're that keen for a fight, perhaps you can challenge Calhoun once he returns... Or perhaps you'd like to take on my pupil in one-on-one combat," Seji remarked calmly. That alone made the Sandslash gulp nervously, and he stayed completely silent afterward. "...I thought not." Seji added with a slight chuckle.

"That won't be necessary," Asya stated. "We'll all see battle soon enough when our prisoner's rescue comes. There will likely be many strong opponents among them. You will all have your fill."

At her direction, they moved to restrain the Zeraora, sitting limp in the cocoon of vines Crane had summoned. They prodded the cat, making sure he was really out, and prepared to put on new restraints as they cut away the vines. The ground-type Marowak felt a shadow pass over him, and looked up to see if a bird had passed over or some such.

Out of the sun above, a foot appeared in his vision, and stars exploded across his eyes as he took a direct hit to the forehead, his skull helmet the only thing saving him from an immediate concussion as he was sent flying through the air...

Volcan's attack was on point as he landed his falling drop kick on the Marowak, launching them through the air and nearly hitting Asya and Seji with their own cohort as a result. Right behind him was Tristan, landing with a _boom_behind the other, dark colored Marowak, who turned to face him, and had to crane his neck to look up at the huge Aggron looming over him, wearing a devilish grin of steel teeth.

"...Ohhh no," the Marowak muttered, dropping his club and wearing the most fearful look on his face as he stared up at the giant tower of Rock and Steel looming over him.

"Gladiator Kiss!" Tristan bellowed before bashing his skull against the Marowak's, sending the small reptilian stumbling in a daze. "Greetings from the homeland, half-pint!" He growled, smashing his fists together.

Asya shot to her feet, throwing off the Marowak off her in the process. "They're already here!" She exclaimed as Seji rose to his feet next to her.

From behind Asya and Seji, another crash came down, sending dust clouds billowing over them. They both turned, and were met with the massive form of a Typhlosion glaring murderously down at them, neck flames ignited and smoke flowing from his nostrils.

"...Sup bitch," was all the newcomer said before he haymakered Asya right across the cheek, sending her flying off to the side with his monstrous strength.

Seji ignited his condensed psychic blade, teleporting and moving to attack the Typhlosion from behind before he could react. But from the side, came another sword - a glowing blue, single-edged blade, seemingly carved from a bone, but it was almost see-through. It stopped Seji's blade in its path, and he turned to face its wielder, shocked to see a familiar Lucario in a long, black coat gripping the sword at the other end.

"Minato?" He whispered softly.

"In the flesh," The Lucario growled before pushing Seji away from the Typhlosion.

Both warriors quickly escalated into a deadly dance of swordplay, utilizing similar combat style to the other, but with their own spins on the art. Seji committed only one hand to his weapon, the basket-hilted guard from which he projected his blade only large enough for the single hand. Minato, while having the same footwork and technique as Seji, made his sword large enough to commit both hands, and was not beyond holding the blade in a reverse grip to keep the pressure. Seji was experienced and tactical, Minato was youthful and more aggressive.

Crane moved to help Seji out of instinct for his client. He barely made it three steps before a paw seized him by his shoulder shoulder, turning him around to meet two red-orange eyes he knew well. The sight of those eyes and the face which housed them sent him rocking back on his stumped heels.

"Lashanne?!" He demanded.

"Long time no see!" She shouted as she clubbed him with her branch wand, and then cast a Flamethrower at him, forcing him behind a Spiky Shield hurriedly..

Only the Sandslash remained by the Guardian as the battle around him grew. From a dirigible craft floating overhead, other fighters descended to engage the forces of the Crusade. The two Marowak were both engaged by the Blaziken that had initiated the assault, and despite the fight being two against one, the Blaziken was holding his own, and his comrade - the Aggron, engaged a Golisopod from the Crusade's ranks. The hired Machamp, Zann, was similarly accosted by a Samurott in a kimono as he joined the battle, the two wrestling each other in a contest of might that seemed evenly matched.

Desperate, and unsure of their odds, the Sandslash turned on the Guardian. "If any of them threaten me, I'll just make them back off with you," he said, reaching for his hostage.

"Get away from him!"

The Sandslash turned and looked up as another Lucario wearing a blue scarf fell from above, a Bone Rush held in his paws. The Sandslash darted aside, and then slashed with his claws at his new opponent. He never even came close to landing a hit, the Lucario easily warding off his attacks until he forced an opening in his defenses. With a blur of movement, the Lucario thrust his paw into the Sandslash's chest, and the unfortunate Ground-type went flying, stunned by the Force Palm.

Behind Luke, Serena arrived. Her attention was immediately on the yellow cat, bound in vines. Luke banished his Bone Rush to free his paws, extending a Metal Claw instead and cutting the cat's bonds. The unconscious Guardian slumped forward, and Luke caught him before hit hit the ground, easing him onto his side - keeping the grizzly wound on his back away from the sandy grown, and looking at Serena as she approached.

"See if you can treat his injuries. I'll keep you covered." He said to her before he stood up and summoned his weapon again.

"Right away," she replied.

Asya, dazed by Sol's attack, lay on the ground for a moment before finally managing to collect herself. She stood up slowly, wiping some blood from a split lip on her face and looking at it with some surprise. "Quite a punch," she commented.

A shadow fell over her. She spun around, and saw the Typhlosion was back for more. His fist was already raised to strike. In haste, Asya leapt away, narrowly avoiding his punch before striking back, propelled by Accelerock and driving her fist directly into his stomach. He fell back a step, but didn't seem truly hurt by the attack.

Sol scoffed, and lunged at her again. But what she didn't have in might - compared to Sol at least - Asya still possessed greater agility. She dropped to all fours, swinging out with her leg to catch his in the midst of his punch, and Sol stumbled forward. Then, with his back to her, she raced toward him with another Accelerock, throwing her full weight into a flying drop kick that sent Sol falling on his face.

She took a step toward Sol, but as she breathed in through her nose, she detected a scent. A scent that was vaguely familiar to her. Spinning around again, she met the face of a Greninja - the same Greninja that she had mistaken another for - the youth she had faced in Hadleigh, now stood before her again.

"Remember me?" Hageshi asked in a low tone as they fell, then puffed his cheeks out and shot a Scald attack directly at her.

Asya was too close to dodge the attack, managing only to shut her eyes before the searing water splashed over her face. She howled in pain, throwing her paws over her eyes. Her ears caught the rasp of a blade leaving its scabbard, and she knew the attack that would follow. Using her nose and ears to guide her, she turned on the Greninja, and when he struck, she Countered, turning the force of his attack back on him and sending the Greninja flying. But she knew that defense would not avail her a second time.

In her mind, there was no other choice. "Seji!" Asya called, loud enough for the Alazam to hear. "Get us out of here, now!"

The Alakazam was caught in a deadlock when he heard Asya call to him, causing him to look over his shoulder toward the Lycanroc and leave himself exposed for that split second. A moment that Minato capitalized on by disengaging the stalemate and socking Seji in the stomach with his off hand.

"Keep your eye on the ball, old man." He growled, then sent him flying back with a Force Palm with the same paw.

He tumbled about along the ground until he managed to roll to his feet, barely standing up in time to block another strike from Minato's blade as he closed in once more, keeping the pressure on him. "Hmph... Victor's training seems to be paying off for you, boy. You've improved substantially." He remarked, complimenting Minato's swordplay. "Alas, we will settle this duel another time. For now, I bid you adieu."

He then vanished in a blink of light before Minato could react, sending him stumbling forward and having to stop himself from falling on his face with his blade. Seji appeared beside Crane first, grasping his shoulder and teleported to Asya's location in the nick of time. Seji turned on Sol as he charged the three, and struck back with a powerful Psychic blast that sent Sol flying off his feet and landing heavily on the beach behind him.

Crane blocked Hageshi's incoming strike with a Spiky Shield, and forced the Greninja back with a Pin Missile flurry. Hageshi leapt to and fro, avoiding the barrage nimbly while parrying aside any needles he couldn't avoid. He struck back with a shuriken of ice, hurling it at Crane, but the Cacturne used another barrage of Pin Missiles to cause the shuriken to lose momentum and fall harmlessly into the sand below.

With the seconds he needed bought, Seji teleported away with Asya and Crane in tow. Zann, still grappling with Katsu, subsequently disappeared as well, causing Katsu to stumble as his opponent vanished into thin air. Many of the other Crusade warriors followed suit, vanishing in a flash of light, those who were not teleported covered their retreat with a Sandstorm cast by one of the Marowaks and made a break for their boats, successfully escaping the island before Minato or Luke could close in on them, relying on their Aura Senses to guide them until they felt their feet touching water, hearing the boats racing away across the waves.

"Too late," said Minato with a huff, lowering his sword.

"Dammit!" Volcan cursed as he arrived to join them. "We could have made one of them lead us to the base!"

"We'll worry about that later. Right now, that Pokemon needs our help." Luke said, gesturing back to Serena healing the strange yellow cat's wounds.

Volcan calmed himself and nodded in agreement to his boyfriend. "Right," he said, and followed Luke and Minato back to where their teams were regrouping.

Below, Lashanne held out her arms as Toby dropped the medical supplies, down to her. She first caught it with Psychic, slowing its descent before catching it between her paws. With that, she hurried over to Serena. "I got the kit," she said.

"I need someone to check his pulse and take his temperature," Serena instructed, never taking her eyes off her healing as the rejuvinating waters coursed over the cat's body.

"I'm on it," said Minato, stepping forward and kneeling beside the cat, resting his paw gently against his neck to feel for the beat, counting the seconds between each one. "Pulse is there, but it's weak."

Opposite Minato, Lashanne took hold of the cat's paw. "He's cold too," she added, and then grimaced when she saw the cat's wrists. "And the fur on his wrists looks burnt, like he was shackled and the bonds got really hot."

"He's lost a lot of blood," said Serena. "We need to properly dress all his wounds. I need someone to get a fire going so we can warm him. Can anyone find some firewood?"

Sol, arms crossed and digits tapping his arms impatiently, let out a huff of annoyance. "Fine, I'm on it," he remarked, heading over to the nearest tree. He wound his fist back, his arm gleaming with white light before he punched it, sending the tree falling onto its side. "There. Firewood, if someone can chop it up," he said.

In response, Katsu stepped over, brandishing his Seamitars and hacking into the tree mightily. Splinters flew as he separated the tree into logs, and then cut them once more, vertically, while Wade gathered the pieces. The younger Samurott brought the wood over to Serena, ushering Lashanne and Minato aside while he stacked some of the wood for a firepit. He drew one of his own seamitars, intending to use it with a piece of flint, but Volcan was quicker. The Blaziken motioned Wade to back up before he breathed a Flamethrower on the stacked wood, maintaining the flame until it began to pop and crackle as the fire caught.

In the midst of their work to care for the cat creature, Jora climbed down from the ship via the rope ladder. When safely on the ground, she stepped over to join them and saw Serena's patient. She studied the cat carefully, a glimmer of recognition in her eyes. "Lunala's stars," she said, eyes wide in awe at the sight of the cat.

Lashanne looked at the Salazzle, seeing the expression on the Salazzle's face. "Do you... Know this guy?" She asked.

"Not him specifically, no," she answered. "But I know his species. He is a Zeraora. They are rarely seen, even among the islands. I once thought they had died out."

"Seems like at least one managed to survive." Minato pointed out, gently drying up the lightning cat's wounds on a clean rag while Serena moved to disinfect them afterward. "Though he might very _well_have kicked it had we not intervened."

"Peh, doesn't really matter to me either way." Sol remarked off handedly.

Hageshi shot a leer at the Typhlosion. "And here I thought I was once the only one who cared little for others lives. That is a rather callous disregard for someone we just rescued from the very people we are hunting."

"The pot shouldn't be calling the kettle black, Hageshi." Luke warned the Greninja, reminding him of how he used to be before his sudden change.

"Don't either of you start picking fights," Volcan cut in before an argument could start. "Both of you, go keep a lookout. They might come back."

"Yea, yea whatever." Sol growled, snorting irritably. He made a point to push Hageshi away from him as they both walked toward the beach, each opting instead to keep watch from another side of the tiny island.

"...I get the feeling those two are going to make things difficult." Wade remarked.

"Agreed," Volcan said. "Tristan, mind keeping an eye on them? Give a yell if they seem like they're gonna scrap."

"Can I join the scrap if they do?" Tristan asked.

"No, just let us know, alright?" Volcan asked, not trying to hide the annoyance in his voice. "We don't need any infighting here - we're already in hostile territory."

"Right, right," replied Tristan, turning and walking to a higher spot where he could see the Typhlosion and Greninja.

Lashanne let out a huff, crossing her arms as she looked down at the cat while Serena treated him. "Infighting or not, with this detour we've already lost our one edge - such as it was," she said.

"Be that as it may, we've come too far to back out now." Luke pointed out firmly. "Of course, that's not saying we were going to back out in the first place."

"I never implied that," said Lashanne. "But think about it, Luke. We already came here with a rather half-baked plan - the Crusade knows these islands, we don't, and when we diverted to this little rock." She gestured around them. "We've given ourselves away and lost any surprise advantage we might've held. They know we're here now."

"Well, no, but... We already were going in blind and now they're going to be ready for us," she went on. "I know we came here to save Kage but I'm starting to think we're rushing into this, Luke. Maybe you should've listened to what Romulus-"

Luke shot the Delphox an intensely furious glare, lifting a paw to silence her right then and there. "Do _not_mention that name to me again, do you understand?" He practically growled at her. "It's _his_fault that Kage and the rest of that undercover team are here to begin with, and we're going to save them _our_way. Is that clear?!"

Lashanne took a step back from Luke, paws up defensively. "Whoa! Chill out!" She replied. "I'm not the enemy here!"

Minato stepped in then, putting himself between Luke and Lashanne, his glare on the former. "Back off, Luke!" He growled "She merely brought up a valid point. Just because you have issues with 'he who must not be named' doesn't mean you can take your frustration out on her!"

"Hey, hey!" Volcan yelled as he stepped in between the two. "Didn't I _just_say we can't have any infighting here?"

Both Lucario glared around Volcan angrily, though it would be Luke that relaxed first, taking in a deep breath and slowly exhaling in order to clear his head. "...Sorry love. We just had... a disagreement." He remarked, trying to conceal the reason behind their argument.

An awkward silence bell over the four of them as they stood there. Eventually Lashanne broke the silence by clearing her throat and speaking up.

"Okay, so next question then," she began. "Why would Asya go to the trouble of attacking this little island? There's nothing here but our yellow friend over there." She gestured to the Zeraora.

Minato, finally taking his eyes off Luke to look at his girlfriend. "Well... We know Calhoun is always looking to expand his ranks, and he doesn't take kindly to being told 'no'," he pointed out. "Still... This island does seem little out of the way. We saw no electric types among the enemy ranks while we fought, right? So, the lightning we must have come from him-"

Volcan suddenly stiffened, his shift in body language so sharp that it made Minato stop speaking, wondering what had alarmed his friend so. "Guarded..." Volcan whispered, his gaze slowly drifting to the Zeraora. "By a warrior of lightning."

Luke understood clearly what Volcan was getting at, then turned to look at the Zeraora, the gears turning in his mind as he pieced it together. "A Pokemon that's rarely seen, even by those who inhabit these islands," he glanced at Jora as he spoke, "and the Crusade attacks a seemingly unfascinating island who's only resident is this cat who wields lightning, and the legend said one of the Nexuses is guarded by a warrior of lightning... It _can't_be a coincidence - the Southern Nexus must be here!"

"But... where?" Lashanne said, shrugging. "Like I said, there's nothing here."

"Nothing on the surface," Volcan chimed in. "The nexus up north was below a mountain, hidden deep underground." He followed the slant of the mound they stood on, until his gaze settled on the island's highest point, where the mound turned into a large, stone ridge. "I bet my last Pok it's up there. Luke?"

"On it." He answered, looking over to the mound and quickly tuning to his Aura Sense. From there he scanned the mound, looking for any clue as to where the archway containing the Shadow Energy might be located. It didn't take him long to find a familiar signal from far below the mound, the chaotic black aura signal standing out like a sore thumb to him.

"Found it." He announced. "Looks like it's pretty far underground - below the sea level even We'd probably have to dig our way down in order to reach it." He added, tuning out of his Aura Sense and grinning slightly. "Good thing we brought along our Demolitionist. Let's get Doug down here."

"Hold up. If it's buried that deep, why have this guy here at all?" Lashanne asked, gesturing to the Zeraora again. "There aren't many Ground-types on these islands, right? Nothing else could get down that deep."

"She's right. Maybe there's a way in up on that ridge somewhere," Volcan suggested. "Maybe a door like the one in the north." He looked at his team. "All of you stay here for the moment. Luke and I are going to have a look. Minato, can you bring Doug down from the ship? We might need him soon."

Minato scoffed, but nodded in return to the request from his captain. "Stay alert up there," he said.

"Will do."

At the top of the mound, in the shadow of the rocks they saw, Luke and Volcan came upon a small, thatched hut which could only have been the home of the island's lone occupant. Curious, they moved over to the hut and peered inside - there was no door to speak of, only a small bamboo curtain that lifted easily, granting them access to the interior of the home.

Inside the hut, they were greeted by the most spartan living accommodations either of them had ever seen. In the center of the round hovel, they found a small cookfire, blackened from previous use. In the ceiling above, the top of the roof opened with a stilted cap that allowed smoke to escape from the interior of the hut that would otherwise fill it whenever the fire was lit. Resting atop the cold coals of the fire was a stone platter with the remains of a recent meal, consisting of fish and berries, and a wooden fork with two prongs.

Opposite the door was a cot composed of palm leaves, woven together to create a thin mattress. The leaves were already drying with wilt, suggesting that this cot was only recently made - likely by hand. To the right of the fire lay a large tree stump that appeared to be used as a table, holding various items including a stone bowl of reddened water, various pieces of cloth and cups filled with an unknown substance. The cloths were dark with blood that was fresh, which evidently the Zeraora - previously injured in another attack, had used to treat his own wounds.

"This is how that Zeraora lives?" Volcan asked.

"It's so... Primitive." Luke added as he surveyed the interior for himself. "I... Guess that's to be expected. He wouldn't have any access to modern day amenities here."

"No... But someone made these," said Volcan as he moved over to the stump table, picking up one of the bloodied rags hanging over the edge of the bowl. Between his hands, he tugged at the cloth, studying it. "This was hand-stitched, and it's fairly new. It's not even discoloured aside from the blood, but I don't see any knitting tools - or, anything that looks like it could be used for it, in here and these cups look like some kind of medicine. So, somebody _gave_these to him, and not too long ago if I'm not mistaken."

"Then the question is who, or what, was supplying him with these items?" Luke asked out loud, gently taking the rag from Volcan and giving it a once over himself, humming in thought. "I guess we'll just have to ask him when he comes to. In the meantime, we should continue finding out how to get into that Nesus."

"Right," said Volcan, taking a moment to rinse his hands in the bowl of water before following Luke outside.

Approaching the crest of the mound again, they found a warping in the rock that was well concealed. A single, natural shaft feel into the ridge like the throat of a beast, overhung by stones that made it unsurprising they hadn't seen it from the air. The air coming out felt eerily cold, and through the dim light that made it inside they could see stairs had been hewn into the soft rock, leading down.

"Well this has to be it," said Volcan. "Can you see the source from up here?"

"I think so. When I sensed it earlier it was straight down from this mound." He answered, peering into the entrance and humming in thought. "I'm gonna go down there. Get Minato to follow me and have Doug on stand by to bury this thing when we come out." He said to Volcan.

"Wait," said Volcan, the nervousness in his voice all to clear to Luke. "Do you really want to approach it? We may not know precisely what happened up there, but Calhoun was corrupted by one of these things. This one is still very much active."

"Which is why I'm asking you to get Minato for me. Alone I won't be able to cleanse the Nexus, but with someone as strong as Minato with me, we stand a far better chance." He explained.

"C-can't we just... bury it, like we did the other one?" Volcan asked.

Luke knew Volcan was grasping at straws with his suggestion. Volcan was afraid for Luke's safety - understandably so, knowing the circumstances of what Luke was facing with this Nexus. The first had corrupted Calhoun, and even a residual essence had been enough to corrupt Master Zheng - that same essence, which, had caused Luke to also become corrupted... Volcan was afraid. This time, Master Chen was not around to free Luke if he should be corrupted again...

"Come here..." He said softly, tugging him to his knees gently and wrapping his arms around Volcan tightly, rocking him slowly back and forth to try and comfort him.

Volcan embraced the Lucario without hesitation, holding him tightly in his arms as he frowned. "Dammit... there really is no other way, is there?" He asked, almost crying.

"No, there isn't. Even if we bury it, it'll still be overflowing with Shadow Energy. Adding to the seal only delays the inevitable." He said softly, pulling back a bit to look at Volcan square in the eyes. "We have to cleanse it. If we do, then that's one less source of Shadow Energy that Calhoun can try to use to gain even more power." He reasoned with the Blaziken, rubbing his cheeks as he saw tears running down his eyes.

Volcsn nodded. He understood the truth behind Luke's words, and gently released his lover. "Okay... Just... Don't go in without him," he said.

"I won't. I'll wait here until you go get him." He assured Volcan with a smile. "I love you, Volcan... I promise you I'll return."

"I will hold you to that," said Volcan, pointing at Luke as he got to his feet, and added in jest. "We still have our wedding to plan."

"He's a_kid?!_" Lashanne asked, utterly floored by what Serena had told them.

"No more than fourteen, maybe fifteen," replied the Vaporeon.

"How can you tell?" Minato asked.

"I may know nothing about his species, but I'm basing it on what I know of other felinoid Pokémon I have treated and there is a consistency." She used her tail to point at the Zeraora, gesturing to the locations which led to her hypothesis. "The colour of his claws - pale and clear, likely from a recent shed. His youthful features beneath the fur around his face, and most telling of all, his teeth."

"They're fully developed but mostly colorless - even the food stains are only slight. Without access to modern dentistry that can only mean his teeth grew in only recently. As he's a bipedal specimen, he likely doesn't mature as quickly as the Luxray line which would be the closest to him, I'd guess.." She grimaced. "Putting it simply, and acknowledging it may be a shot in the dark... He might be in the middle, between Caulin and Wade." She gestured to the young Samurott.

"That's incredible..." Minato remarked, hovering over the resting feline pokemon with Doug at his side, seeing the powerful Aura that burned within him. "He's carrying so much power within him, yet he's so young... I can only imagine the potential he has."

"Yea, but I mean... He still got his ass kicked by Calhoun's forces." Doug piped up, lowering his three heads slightly. "I don't want to even imagine what woulda happened if we weren't here to save him..."

"Then don't." Wade interjected. "Focus more on the fact that we were able to repel Asya and that Alakazam away and save his life."

"But still! Why is he out here, all alone?" Lashanne asked. "What parents would put an adolescent boy in charge of guarding a place like this?"

"Things are very different here, Lashanne," Jora chimed in. "Most Pokémon of the islands do not live past what you would call their 'prime'. Some do not even make it that far. It is a common tradition that tribes across the islands have passages to adulthood, where boys and girls take tests to prove they are readt to hunt with their parents. They don't have a... Legal adult designation as your society does." She pointed at herself. "Like myself. I was considered of age to become a matron when I evolved, and at the time I had only seen twelve summers."

"What's going on?" Volcan's voice interrupted their conversation as the Blaziken returned. "How's our patient? He's still breathing, I hope?"

"He's still alive, just resting at the moment." Minato returned, standing tall and fully facing the Blaziken. "Did you find what you were looking for?" He asked.

Volcan nodded. "We did," he said. "Luke's waiting for you and Doug at the top of the mound. He'll explain his plan when you get there."

"Alright." Minato returned, then motioned for Doug to follow along with him. "...You holding up alright?" He asked Volcan as he placed his paw atop his shoulder.

"The man I love and my best friend are about to play pat-a-cake or something with a literal void of evil," he replied lowly, his shoulder shaking. "I'm only not panicking right now because I'm restraining myself..."

He sighed softly, understanding his concern and patting his shoulder a few times. "I'll make sure he comes back to you..." He said softly, then he released his shoulder and headed up toward the mound with Doug right next to him.

"You make sure you come back too," Volcan called after him.

Lashanne shot to her feet, moving to intercept Minato. "I should come with you," she said. "Maybe I can help. I study places like this all the time."

"Lashanne, if you come with us, you might end up getting corrupted too, and you don't know how to manipulate aura like Luke and I can." He said softly. "I appreciate the thought, but I don't think this is something you could help with, nor will I risk you getting corrupted by this stuff..." He added, lifting his paw to touch her cheek. "I can't lose you... So please, stay here where it's safe."

"I'm not ready to lose you either," she said, bringing her paws up to stop him as he tried to walk past her. "I know i said relationships in the west don't last long but... We just started!" Her eyes were pleading, showing a more vulnerable side of the Delphox that Minato had not even known was there. "I can't just sit on my paws and-"

She was cut off as Minato stepped forward and kissed her, immediately silencing her. He slowly brought his arms around her back and held her in a comforting embrace as he shared this moment with her, tilting his head to the side to push deeper into the moment and help ease her worries.

The others watched them kiss, all of them feeling a slight twinge in their hearts as if they knew it was possible that this might be the last moment they shared together, but dared not say anything that would ruin this moment between them. Slowly, reluctantly, they parted, and rested their foreheads together. Lashanne's eyes opened and she met Minato's, frowning.

"You leave me to raise Caulin alone, when I get to the other side, I will kick your ass so hard you will bounce off the walls," she warned him.

"Heh, I love you too." He whispered back softly, allowing a small smile as he lightly brushed her cheek with his paw, then he slowly stepped around her and headed on his way to the mound. He wore a much more determined expression on his face as he reached the summit where Luke was waiting. Like with him, Minato now had something to keep him going, a reignited passion that he was going to fight tooth and nail for in order to keep that spark lit... for both his, and Lashanne's sake as well.

Luke nodded to Minato and Doug as they approached, then gestured down to the entrance leading to their target. "It's just down this shaft here. There's a stairway leading right to it." He explained. "Minato, you and I are going to go down there and cleanse this nexus together. Once we're done, we hightail it out of there, and Doug will seal off the nexus with an Earthquake." He said, looking to the Dugtrio and smiling at him. "Once we're clear, don't hold back. Go as hard as you want on this thing."

"With pleasure." Doug answered. "Just... make sure you guys make it back period, okay?" He asked.

"That's the idea." Minato said with a nod.

With that, the two Lucario ventured into the entrance of the mound, quickly descending the steps leading toward their target and steeling their nerves as they made their approach.

Earlier, at the castle...

The four warriors appeared suddenly in the main hall of the castle, Asya still holding her burning face. Her growls of pain had only lessened slightly, still unable to see what she was going. Crane, at Seji's order, kept an arm on her to make sure she did not hurt herself.

"Good save, boss," said Zann, looking at Seji. "Things were getting dicey out there-"

"Shut up and find some medical supplies." Seji interrupted angrily, slowly guiding Asya to a nearby chair for her to sit in while she waited for medical treatment to arrive.

"Right away," replied Zann, leaving Seji to tend to the Lycanroc.

"Damn brat," she growled, slowly taking her paws away from her face and raising her head.

Her fur was still damp from the Scald she had taken. Her eyelids had visibly reddened with irritation and the skin was showing signs of burn damage. With some effort she managed to open them, though with her eyes already having a red colour, it was difficult to see signs of irritation in them. But she did respond to movement, looking at Seji as he knelt in front of her which he took as a sign she could still see.

"At least you are not permanently blind." Seji said with a sigh of relief, then he looked back over his shoulder toward the entrance of the castle and growled slightly. "Damn... They arrived sooner than we could have anticipated, and of all the places for them to show their faces as well."

"It cannot merely be coincidence we encountered them there," said Asya in agreement. "They must have seen the battle taking place from afar and came to investigate, allowing for their interference when we launched the second strike. We were too slow..."

"Am I to take that as there has been a complication?"

The voice caused both Asya and Seji to start. Seji turned to the voice, and there stood Calhoun. With him as always was Sash, walking silently by his side. The Alakazam immediately turned to fully face him before lowering himself to one knee, bowing his head to Calhoun as they approached. "You... might say that." He said with a bit of trepidation.

"Was the guardian more trouble than expected?" Calhoun asked, crossing his arms and waiting.

"No, m'lord. In fact he was rather easy to dispatch once we understood what made him tick." Seji returned, then lifted his head to look up at the Dark Blaziken. "It's them.... Our adversaries from Valiant and Phalanx. They arrived on the island where we discovered the Nexus and drove us back before we could adapt."

Calhoun's expression turned to one of shock. It caught Seji off guard, finding such a look on the face of Calhoun. Nothing ever seemed to surprise him. Sash too took notice of this shift in demeanour for the Dark Blaziken, his intense glare softening slightly as he addressed his thoughts to his colleague.

"You do not suppose... They know, do they?" He inquired, placing clenched fists against hips.

"I think they do," replied Calhoun. "Some time ago, I sensed something from my... homeland, let's call it. Some anomaly. As though the power that made me what I am now," he looked at his hand. "Had found a second host. One who felt familiar. It was too far away for me to make contact but somehow I knew it was someone I had met before. Then, it changed, infecting someone else. Someone else I also knew, but not as familiar - though, short-lived. The presence vanished soon after."

He lowered his hand. "I believe our enemies have visited my homeland, perhaps seeking information about me. Through which, they may have uncovered the secret of the focal points, and the Nexuses built upon them. Now control the island where the nexus is hidden. That cannot be allowed - the Nexuses must be ours."

"What shall we do then?" Sash asked, lifting his arm and flexing one of his arm blades. "Shall we go and take care of it personally?" He asked as a diabolical grin ran along his face.

"Yes, and quickly," replied Calhoun. "Ready any troops we have left, get them all to the boats and prepare to move out." He looked at Seji. "See to Asya. We will need her as well."

"I have already sent for some medical supplies, but with great respect I would advise against setting out to attack them." Seji urged, slowly rising to his feet. "It seems Phalanx has added to their ranks...Namely, that Typhlosion you tried to corrupt after you broke him out of the Siphon Prison along with Eberon and the other convicts. With his Divine powers, he might prove more than a match against you, especially now that he is back to full strength."

"Be that as it may we cannot risk leaving it," replied Calhoun. "If one of those fools blunder into the source - whether or not they understand it, it'll drain into them and the Nexus will become useless to us. We still have not found the remaining two." He lifted his head and turned away from Seji, heading back to the door. "If the Typhlosion intervenes, we have an asset that can easily deal with him..."

Serena called out to the others the moment the Zeraora began to stir. They gathered around, watching him as he awoke, but Serena motioned for them to give him more room. He did not know them, and after being attacked by strangers he would likely not appreciate being surrounded...

Slowly, he sat up, lifting himself off the blanket they had laid out for him. He blinked multiple times, before his eyes found the Vaporeon and Samurott. Exactly as Serena had anticipated, his expression shifted to one of alarm, and he immediately tried to jump to his feet. But the movement proved costly, as his eyes crossed and his head turned awkwardly, dizziness sending him falling back onto his hindquarters.

"Please, try not to move!" Serena exclaimed, taking a step forward, but having to jump away when the cat swiped at her. His paw hadn't come close, but the warning was clear.

Katsu swooped in and held Serena away with one of his arms, standing between her and the Zeraora, giving him one of his species signature glares, while Wade gently moved closer to the lightning cat, paws up in surrender to show he meant no harm. "Please try to calm down. We are not your enemy." He tried to explain. "You were critically wounded, and we treated your wounds after driving away those that attacked you."

The cat tilted his head at them, his expression showing he didn't understand what they were saying. But he let out a sharp hiss as Katsu moved again. He could not understand them, and he was still in a fight or flight mentality, with the former winning out despite his weakened condition. They puzzled over what to do, until Jora intervened.

The Salazzle stepped into view, down on all fours and head lowered as if in a show of surrender as she spoke in a tongue alien to all present - except, evidently to the cat, who immediately turned his attention to her. "'Speaklelo wau i k?u ??lelo, e ka hoa. E ?olu?olu e ho?olohe ia?u," she said, her voice taking on an even raspier tone as she spoke.

The cat looked at her, blinking in comprehension as her words became clear to him. "Hoa?_"_He asked.

"Ae. Hoa,"_she replied, rising onto her hind legs slowly. _"Ua ho?ouka ?ia ?oe. Hele mai m?kou e k?kua i? ?oe. Ua ?eha ?oe. Ua ho??la ?o ia i? ?oe." With the last sentence, she finished by pointing at Serena.

The Zeraora looked at Serena briefly, studying the Vaporeon with clear trepidation. He had likely never seen one of her kind in his entire life, but Jora had likely told him that she had been the one who healed him. Jora took another step forward, but the cat retreated again, still hissing. Jora frowned, and then cast a warning look at Katsu and Wade.

"Both of you, hold your breath for a moment," she instructed him.

"Understood." Katsu returned, sucking in a deep breath and holding it in. Wade, rather than hold his breath, backed away to give them plenty of room.

Jora faced the Zeraora again, a faint, pink fire was seen burning in the shadow of her tail. They also saw they saw the pink markings on her body illuminating briefly. She began to speak, slowly and in a gentle voice to the Zeraora. "Maluhia. ?A?ole m?kou kou ?enemi," she said. "Ua ?eha ?oe. Makemake m?kou e k?kua wale i? ?oe."

The Zeraora blinked several times, each blink slower than the last, his gaze wandering as though he were drifting off. He grit his teeth as he laid his paw against his side, near to where the Sandslash had opened the deep wound in his back. He did not react as Jora moved closer, still speaking to him. _"Noho i lalo. Nui kou koko i lilo. Pono ?oe e m?lama i kou ikaika,"_she said.

Slowly, the Zeraora lowered himself onto his knees, but no sooner was he down that he buckled, falling forward as though he were blacking out. Jora, more out of instinct than opportunity, moved immediately to catch him in her arms, stopping him from faceplanting into the grass. The Zeraora raised his head, looking at the Salazzle as she moved back to meet his gaze again.

"O wai kou inoa?" She asked him."Na?u ?o Jora."

"Ko... Koa," the Zeraora returned, leaning against Jora, his eyes half-lidded and barely staying open. "O Koa ko?u inoa."

Jora held the Zeraora gently, letting him rest his head against her chest as she stayed beside him, petting the back of his neck in a comforting manner until he was relaxed. She looked at Katsu and Serena, nodding to them. "He needs water," she said. "The wound on his back has reopened as well."

"I will get the water." Katsu returned, slowly lowering his arm to allow Serena to pass now that she was no longer in any danger.

Off to the side, Hank was watching Jora tame the injured Zeraora, listening intently to the language they were speaking and huffing, more out of confusion than annoyance. "I have no idea what they said, but that's a language I gotta learn now." He commented. "Sounds exactly like the kinda language that screams 'nature buff'."

"I'm just glad she was able to calm him down," said Volcan, who was standing just behind him. "So that was her pheromone trick, eh? Seems it isn't only for enticing males like those books at Aerendyl's said. She can make them docile too."

As the Zeraora - introduced as 'Koa' by Jora - lay resting in the Matron's arms, Serena applied her healing powers to his back to heal the reopened laceration, and clean away more of the dirt around it. Meanwhile, Katsu returned with a canteen of water and held it to Koa's mouth, helping him drink it. When Serena was finished, Jora eased Koa back onto the blanket he'd been lying on, turning him onto his back and resting his head against her belly as Katsu then helped feed the young feline, giving him small portions at a time while he regained his strength.

"It is hard to believe how young he is, yet he has lived on this island on his own for so long..." Katsu whispered. "What did you do to him that eased his trepidations?"

"I used a small amount of my pheromone power," she replied. "In low concentrations, it helps make males more responsive to my suggestions, so long as they don't know I am doing it. I had to calm him before he caused himself further harm."

"His cuts all seem to have stopped bleeding," Serena said. "He's still weak, but the fact he woke up is a good sign. I think he will recover but he'll need to rest for a few days."

"That is a relief." Katsu remarked with a nod. "With that being said, communicating with this young man will be a challenge. He does not seem to understand anyone here but you." He added, looking to Jora. "I would hate to trouble you so, but would you kindly serve as a sort of translator for us when he awakens?"

She nodded to him. "I had already intended to do such," she said. "Of course, that will only work while I am present. I will be sure to let him know that he can trust everyone on the ship as well, in case I am needed elsewhere."

"Much appreciated." Katsu remarked with a smile.

The peaceful moment was, however, soon brought to a swift end, as Sol and Hageshi came running up the mound at full sprint, Hageshi in the lead.

"Volcan." Hageshi stated, standing before the Blaziken. "They're returning, and in bigger numbers this time." He informed him.

"And they're bringing in the big guns as well." Sol added, narrowing his eyes at Volcan. "He's comin, cap - the big boss himself. What's the game plan here?"

Volcan, needing a second to recover from the shocking revelation that Calhoun himself was coming, looked at the two and immediately put his mind to work on a defensive strategy. "Okay... Hank," he said, turning to the Zoroark. "I need you to put up an illusion over this side of the island. Conceal the airship - better yet, make it look like it's leaving. Make it appear like we've_all_left."

"Oohohohoo, I'm gonna enjoy this." The Zoroark remarked, rubbing his claws together and grinning maliciously. "Time to work the magic." He added before he turned invisible, slinking off to a quieter location so he could concentrate on materializing what Volcan had in mind.

"Everyone!" Volcan called. "Form a battle line! Ranged fighters at the back! Hageshi, take cover in the shrubs and conceal yourself!"

Hageshi understood what he needed to do. Without a word, he vanished in an icy mist, leaving no trace that he was even there to begin with. Volcan then moved over to Katsu. "I need you to help get Koa up to the top of the mound, leave him with Serena and Jora in a place with good cover. Doug is up there - tell him I want him guarding that shaft in the mound. No one goes in until Luke and Minato come out. Once Koa is safe and Doug is informed, get back down here."

Katsu nodded in response, quickly looking to Serena and Jora and ushering them to move to the mound with Koa and stay hidden while they prepared for another coming battle.

Sol grumbled, not liking the idea of being shoved to the back of the line for this battle, but he knew his role in the team and nodded to the Blaziken before moving into position with the rest of the distance fighters among the groups, namely Lashanne and Eagle Eye.

"Hageshi," Volcan called out, not actually knowing where the Greninja was but certain he could still hear him. "If you see any dragon types that seem like they may know Draco Meteor, take them out as fast as you can, otherwise your first target will be any other ranged attackers. Keep the ball in our court - strike, and retreat. Avoid direct engagement for as long as you can."

Volcan took position at the front line, flanked by Wade, Tristan, Hank - who had finished putting up his illusion, and Katsu as he returned. The two Samurott had their blades in hand, and Tristan had already reinforced himself with iron defense in preparation. Volcan saw through Hank's illusion, transparent from their side but opaque on the other, leaving the enemy none the wiser as they saw a fake airship flying away, but the real one had descended behind the island where it had cover and, if they had to retreat, they could still easily reach.

"Everyone," said Volcan as he took his place at the front of the battle line. "Coming to this island wasn't our original mission. But, fortune favours us by finding this place, because as of this moment, we have a chance - not only to hurt the Dark Crusade, but take another step in bringing their plans crashing down. Without the power that lies hidden beneath this island, we stop the creation of more Shadow Pokemon, or seeing the greatest threat on earth become more powerful than ever."

He rotated his harness around his torso, revealing his mega stone. "No matter what it takes, they do _not_pass us until Luke and Minato destroy the Nexus hidden on this island. If they succeed, we are one step closer to defeating the Crusade once and for all, but only if we hold the line here!"

"They will not make it past us, that I promise!" Katsu remarked, clanging his blades together in preparation for the upcoming battle.

Wade drew the singular blade strapped to his back, extending its length with the installed mechanism in the hilt before taking it into his mouth. He then drew both his Seamitars and spun them around his body, flipping his offhand blade into a reverse grip and holding it in front of him as he crouched low into a fighting stance of his own.

"I'm the armour and shield of Team Phalanx, and this is where the line gets drawn," said Tristan. "They'll have to go _through_me if they want to get up this hill!"

With the final word from his comrades, Volcan tapped his mega stone, never taking his eyes off the approaching enemy even as he mega evolved...

~~~~~

The boats ran ashore and the mixed variety of Pokemon stepped out onto the beach after Calhoun and his lieutenants, forming a line behind him as the Dark Blaziken himself took the lead. The island was quiet, and from what they could see... deserted. They had seen the airship flying away, and he had already stopped Sash from pursuing, hoping perhaps the meddlers did not know about the source after all. Given that there was no sign of the guardian, they may have even taken him with them.

Asya sniffed the air, taking several deep breaths through her nostrils. "I still smell them," she said. "But... We just saw them leave, didn't we? Perhaps just residual scent."

"...Something is amiss." Seji remarked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "It makes no sense for them to leave. They were supposed to be coming to rescue their comrades."

"It makes no difference in the long run." Sash remarked. "What matters is that they escaped, and will most likely bring reinforcements with them at a later time." He said, then cast a side long glare at Calhoun. "You shouldn't have stopped me. I could have ended them before they even took off."

"You, against twelve - maybe more, one of whom is a Blessed, alone?" Asya asked, not even trying to mask the incredulity in her voice. "Don't be ridiculous."

"She is right, my apprentice. You wouldn't last five seconds against them on your own." Seji remarked in a stern tone. "You're letting your bloodlust cloud your judgment. Focus on the moment, not on what could have been."

Calhoun made no response to them, taking a few more steps forward as he studied the island. He too sensed something was off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Someone is still here," he said. "I sense the Nexus. Its energy is being... I can't explain it. It feels as if it's fluctuating. Someone is tampering with it." He started walking. "I must get to it. All of you-"

The appearance of the Mega Blaziken was so sudden, Calhoun - even with his honed reflexes and incredible speed, had no chance to stop the kick as his attacker materialized seemingly from nothingness. He landed the drop kick perfectly, nailing Calhoun square in the center mass... and the Dark Blaziken went flying, eyes wide in astonishment as he watched his untainted counterpart go from being inches away, to nearly twenty feet in an instant.

Calhoun felt his back collide with something solid, and several arms bear hugging him securely, but he knew his rescuer - Zann, most likely, was skidding across the sand, even before they both fell into the water, splashing in the shallows.

"The first blow is ours!" The Mega Blaziken declared as the illusion dissipated, revealing him and seven other fighters behind him, all eight advancing in unison. "You are not leaving this beach, you scum!"

Sash's gaze met with the Mega Blaziken's, his initial shock turning into sadistic glee as a wide smile crossed his features. Without another word, he teleported to Volcan, appearing before him and already swinging one of his arm blades right for his opponent's jugular.

His attack never met its mark. The second his blade was about to connect, he was suddenly smashed from his flank by an unseen attacker, sending him skidding along the beach and unable to strike back at his attacker as he disappeared into the treeline again at incredible speeds. Sash went to rise to his feet, but he winced and shivered as he felt something cold on his side. Looking down, he saw a patch of ice on his hip that was quickly spreading along his body, aiming to freeze him in place if he did not act quickly.

"Damnit!" He growled, striking at the ice growing along his body with his fist and shattering it before it could progress any further before looking around frantically for whoever attacked him.

An opponent which had vanished nearly as quickly as it appeared. Sash heard Asya let out a growl. "It is the Greninja!" She said. "He is lurking here somewhere!"

"As I said," Volcan spoke out again. "None of you are leaving this beach. Not until you beat us."

From behind the lieutenants, Zann and Crane stepped forward, joining their leaders. Zann supported Calhoun until the Blaziken was able to return to his feet. His usual confident grin was back again as he regarded Volcan.

"Clever trick," he said, turning his head to the side until his neck popped. Then, he raised his hand, and pointed ahead. "Take them down." He ordered. His three lieutenants and multiple hired muscle advanced.

Volcan backed away to rejoin his friends, standing with them in a group as the enemy advanced.

"Plenty enough for all of us, ain't there?" Tristan asked Katsu, once again pounding his fists together.

"Aye! Let us make a contest out of this! Whoever downs the most shall taste the glory of victory today!" He bellowed, clanging his blades together again as he hunched forward, ready to charge.

"Sol!" Volcan called out, "Scatter them!"

"Yea, yea I'm on it already!" The Typhlosion hollered back, then he sucked in a deep breath and puffed his cheeks out. Dribbles of what looked like lava leaked out of the corners of his mouth as he held in his attack, then lurched forward and fired a massive Lava Plume at the incoming attackers.

The inferno forced them to scatter, and Volcan ordered them to charge. The battle was on...

Down below, in the otherworldly glow of the source, stood the two Lucario, hard at their work. The glow, cast by the swirling portal of darkness, as dark as the midnight sky before them, yet somehow emitting a faint light that cast both of the Aura Masters in a deeper blue hue. The cold that crept out from the portal was like feeling a Gengar pass through them in ethereal form, and many times both of them felt like something was looking out at them, daring them to come closer.

Trying to draw them... to their doom.

But the two were steadfast, and didn't give into the temptation. However, both of them heard the shaking through the ceiling and understood what it meant was happening on the surface.

"Seems like they started without us!" Minato said in a strained tone, struggling to keep the shadow energy from taking control while he and Luke extracted the darkness before them. "Better wrap this up quickly before we miss out on all the fun!"

Luke, who at this point was Mega Evolved so that he gained a boost in his Aura control, could only nod back to Minato in response. He was pooling all of his focus into not being corrupted again, not wanting a repeat of what happened the last time he attempted to rid the Shadow Energy off of another pokemon.

Minato sensed he was struggling more than he should have been, and slowly started to step toward Luke and bump his shoulder with his arm to get his attention. "Don't let it see your fear." He urged Luke. "It's feeding off of that and making it stronger. Push it out of your mind and focus your thoughts into destroying this hunk of rock."

"E-Easy for you to say!" Luke growled back. "You haven't been corrupted before! You can't imagine the kind of trauma it can bring! B-Because of it, I nearly killed Katsu, and Volcan was forced to fight me before I was cleansed!"

"I may not have been corrupted like you have, so I can't really refute that argument, but I can tell you right now that I'm probably just as scared as you are." He stated through grit teeth. "It's what I'm fighting for that's propelling me forward! My friends, my son... and especially Lashanne!" He remarked, picturing the Delphox in his mind. "If I don't stop this, then I risk losing her... I've already lost one wife, I will NOT lose another!" He growled, using that drive to fuel his power and push the influence out of his body, taking a step back and taking his portion of the Shadow Energy with him. "Think about what_you're_ fighting for, Luke! What's the one thing that propels you forward; to continue doing what you do?"

Luke lowered his gaze, taking Minato's words to heart and remembering the sole purpose as to why he enrolled into the Guilds in the first place. He remembered his drive to protect those that couldn't defend themselves. His family back in Azure, his mother and brothers. All of his friends both in and outside of Team Valiant, hell even outside of Azure's borders...

...Then he pictured Volcan, the Blaziken he had taken into his care upon first arriving in Azure, befriending him, helping him regain his lost memories and rescuing his own friends and family. He recalled the night they first confessed to each other, and the time where he first proposed to Volcan in the West after falling through a sand funnel and nearly losing his life.

Finally, he remembered the promise he made to Volcan while they were working at princeport to earn enough for a cruise back to Azure. The words resounding loud and clear in his mind.

'I will_never _abandon you... no matter what.''

Luke's eyes shot open, his fear replaced with determination to protect everyone he loved. He suddenly let out a loud roar that echoed within the cavern they were in, and his Aura Surge spiked tremendously as a result, growing larger as he fueled more of his willpower into extracting the evil ahead of him.

Minato smirked as he watched Luke finally push away his fear, and his eyes widened as he once again saw it, the same phenomenon that occurred when Luke was freeing Lugia from the corruption back in Hadleigh; an even larger blue aura surge that encompassed his already active red surge.

"That's more like it!" Minato said through his smirk, then turned his attention back to the Nexus and gave a roar of his own. From that point on they made significant progress, taking slow steps back as they continued to pull the Shadow Energy from the archway and toward their bodies. Their reinforced determination repelling the corruption as it tried to take them and turn them into mindless savage beasts.

Finally they both gave one final pull, and the energy was ripped out of the Nexus. They both held the writhing mass of shadow energy between them, nodding to each other before they hurled their arms upward and shot the Shadow Energy toward the ceiling of the chamber as if they were discharging a massive blast of their own power.

The Shadow Energy tunnelled through the rock above until it broke through the mound, where it continued travelling skyward until it could never be seen again. The resounding explosion caught the attention of everyone outside, making them turn and watch the spectacle that ensued because of Minato and Luke's efforts.

Calhoun, having never left his base form throughout the fight, was in the midst of trading blows with Volcan when the explosion rocked the island, bringing an immediate halt to the fighting as they looked to see the dark mass shooting into the sky. They all watched in stunned awe as it climbed higher and higher, until it eventually seemed to fly into the sun... and then burst. The world was briefly cast in shadow, as the energy expanded to seemingly mimic a solar eclipse...

Then slowly, light returned to the world as the darkness vanished entirely.

Calhoun's face was pure, horrified anguish, turning to look at Volcan with eyes so wide they seemed like they might roll out of his head. "What... What have you done?!" He demanded.

"Stopped you," returned Volcan, plainly. "Whatever you were planning to do, Calhoun, with the same power that made you what you are, it's never going to happen now."

Calhoun's scream was otherworldly, seeming to carry not only his voice, but a second that sounded almost dragonic in nature. The sound briefly distracted Volcan, his mind reeling at what he had just heard, and he took a whirling kick that sent him tumbling up the hill before flipping back to his feet. The attack did not stop there, as Volcan and Calhoun traded multiple blows, speeding all over the island - several times nearly colliding with already ongoing fights taking place all around them, until their battle carried them to the top of the mound.

Volcan blocked a kick from Calhoun, but the Dark Blaziken followed the failed attack immediately with another, twisting around and landing on his hands before slamming both feet into the Mega Blaziken, sending Volcan crashing into the wall of the mound behind him. Calhoun had not even Mega Evolved, and yet he was keeping pace with Volcan, matching him in speed and power alike.

Calhoun lunged for him again - Volcan tumbled aside to avoid the powerful kick. But when he tried to get his back away from the wall, Calhoun intercepted him, and a second time, rolling and bouncing like a living tumbleweed in a whirlwind every time Volcan made a move, until he landed another kick that threw Volcan into the wall again. As Calhoun lifted his leg for another kick, aiming right for Volcan's head, that was when Luke and Minato emerged from the darkness below.

Luke's eyes went wide at the sight of his downed, stunned lover. Despite having devolved from his Mega state and exhausted most of his power, Luke's Extreme Speed was unhindered. He intercepted Calhoun before he could make the finishing blow, slamming a Force Palm straight into his chest and sending him flying away as he stood before his lover. Minato came over seconds after, coming to stand by Volcan and offering him a paw as the Blaziken shook off his daze.

"You've seen better days." He remarked with a soft chuckle.

"You fought him before - did you expect me to come out much better?" Volcan returned, getting to his feet with Minato's help.

"Just lightening the mood." He returned.

"Minato," Luke said in a firm tone. "Get Volcan to a safer location. I have some words I need to say to Calhoun."

"I'm not going anywhere and leaving you alone with this guy," said Volcan firmly, shaking himself and moving to stand beside Luke. "You'll have to get Arceus himself to move me from this spot."

"Touching," the Dark Blaziken returned as he approached, stopping a few short meters from the trio. "Now... Tell me... What did you do to the Nexus?" He demanded, his tone menacing despite his grin.

Luke took a step forward in response. "Before I tell you... There's something I have to say." He said, taking a moment to gather the words he needed to say.

"Do I really look like I'm in a mood to speak with one of the ones who have_, repeatedly_, gotten in my way?" Calhoun asked, the grin fading as he took a threatening step forward.

"You will SHUT UP, and listen to what I have to say!" Luke roared back at Calhoun, giving the Dark Blaziken a momentary pause that gave Luke the time he needed to speak his mind. "...I've been to the Monastery where you were raised. I've met with your master and his brother, and in doing so I've learned a great deal about who you once were."

He began, his ears flattening a little before he continued. "We know who you were, Calhoun. You were once a kind and generous soul, one who went out of their way to help improve the fighting techniques to those you sparred against... And then you stumbled upon the northern Nexus and became corrupted. You tried desperately to fight it, but it eventually became a part of you, turning you into the monster that stands before me now."

"As evil as you have become, I have to give respect where it's due. Had you and I met before you were turned... Perhaps we could have altered this outcome, but right now that's wishful thinking. As of this moment, all I care about is stopping you; honouring the man you once were by destroying the monster you've become."

Calhoun allowed Luke to finish, never taking his eyes off him as he spoke. When the Lucario finished, Calhoun seemed to relax his posture. "...Is there some point to that little speech?" He asked. "Were you hoping to find some trace of my old self remains?" He chuckled. "That maybe underneath this madness, is a desperate boy waiting to be saved?" His chuckling rose into a brief fit of laughter before he continued. "I remember everything about who I was... but bound with this power, the power to make everything I touch turn either into a monster, or into my puppet... How could I _ever_want to give that up?"

His eyes seemed to glow as he continued. "There's nothing left of my old self in this body, my friend. I fought against the corruption because I was raised to believe it was evil. At the time it first infested my body... Well, it terrified me, to tell you the truth. But, the longer it stayed bound to me, the more familiar it became. I felt it no longer trying to consume me, I felt it _evolving_me. I no longer felt fatigue, pain was dulled, my body repairs itself even from life threatening injuries. So I stopped fighting it. I welcomed it, shielding my mind as needed, but letting it sink into my body. From that day forward, I was forever transformed." His eyes flared again. "I'm not just a Blaziken anymore. I. Am. A GOD!"

He shot forward with blinding speed, his hand drawn back and alit with black fire. "Now, join my legions!" He screamed as he closed in, aimed directly at Luke..

Volcan shot into Calhoun's path, bracing himself as the Dark Blaziken closed in, his left arm held horizontal and the other drawn back, tensed to strike. Calhoun's hand reached for him, Volcan swept his arm up to push the black fire palm aside, then twisted himself to drive his other fist into Calhoun's chest. A perfectly timed Counter, robbing Calhoun of all momentum and sending pain coursing through him like lightning.

Then Minato dashed around to Calhoun's flank, drawing his blade and swinging it down on Calhoun's arm as he raised it to defend himself instinctively. The blade cleaved through it like a hot knife through butter, severing the limb from his body, then he flipped his blade into a reverse grip and stabbed Calhoun through his stomach. Calhoun froze, and Volcan struck, turning on one foot to spin around and put the momentum from the motion into a single, well-aimed kick that launched Calhoun backward, sending him off the sword and laying on the ground, blood pouring forth from his missing arm and impaled belly.

The sword-bearing Lucario then stood tall, flipping his blade back into a forward grip and pointing it at the injured Dark Blaziken. "You're done, Calhoun." He said with a slight growl in his tone. "Make this easy on yourself and give up."

Calhoun sat up, clutching the wound in his stomach with his free hand. He looked at his dismembered arm, which still moved as though responding to his commands. Then, to the shock of the three, it left the ground, flew over to Calhoun and slammed itself back into place, the bleeding stopping immediately, though the arm itself hung limp and useless.

"I will _never_be stopped!" The Dark Blaziken declared, his voice once again seeming to take on its double-vocalization, as it had when he had screamed with outrage before. "Not by you, not by the Guilds, not by the Guardians! Not even by Arceus himself! You now know the secrets of the focal points - I may not know _how_you learned, but it is irrelevant. I'll not suffer your interference any longer!"

Then, behind the Dark Blaziken, a familiar form materialized into being. The alien, cat-like form with ash-gray skin, sporting a long tail ending in a bulbous tip appeared from a blink of light behind the Dark Blaziken, and slowly rose into the air above him. Its violet eyes - matching Calhoun's own, staring emotionlessly down at the two Lucario and the Mega Blaziken. Mewtwo's eyes glowed with malice as he regarded them, the look in them matching the murderous glare on Calhoun's own face as he spoke, slowly and wickedly.

"It is time... For you... To _ die _."