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        If I could describe Pokémon Rangers in one word: badass.

        I grew up in the early 2000s, so I’m very familiar with Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Rangers. A story like this was bound to happen eventually, especially since I’ve always wanted the Diamond and Pearl anime crew to travel to Almia with Top Ranger Kellyn from Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. What’s funny is that this is actually a rewrite of the very first story I wrote in 4th grade: Pokémon Ranger and the Mystery of Time and Space! I’m finally revamping it and will make it make sense this time—LOL!

        I guess you could call this story a crossover of Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension anime; however, it is based more on Shadows than Battle Dimension and includes two Fakemon I created and played with when I was a kid: Parity and Blue-Bird!

        If y’all don't know what Shadows of Almia is, it’s the second Pokémon Ranger game for the Nintendo DS—and one of my all-time favorite Pokémon games! It has one of the best stories I have ever seen in a video game, which I doubt I can top, but I can always try and have fun with it.

        I’m most excited about blending Pokémon Ranger elements into the main Pokémon anime series, as they did a few times in the early 2000s, and bringing back my favorite Ranger, Kellyn! I will attempt to give him a whole character arc, almost like an evolution of his role in Shadows and the anime, and have him learn from Ash and co. that he can’t do everything by himself, even if he is a Top Pokémon Ranger. The cherry on top will be Parity and Blue-Bird!

        I’m not expecting this story to be as dark as Infrared, but I tend to add darker twists to the franchise in my fanfics.

        That said, that’s enough babbling from me. It’s time to jump into the world of Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of Almia!

- Victoria/Viktoria

Please do NOT plagiarize this story! While I don’t own these characters, I DO own this plot, and I don’t need you guys taking advantage of it. If you want to write your own Pokémon story, you have to do something different. Please do NOT make me turn on my bad side.

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        Like the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, the Pokémon Ranger games are relatively underrated compared to mainstream Pokémon, so I expect not everyone has heard of them, which is why I'm here.

        Let's talk Pokémon Rangers!

        Pokémon Rangers are people who dedicate their lives to the protection of nature, people, and Pokémon, just like regular Park Rangers, but with a Fantasy twist. Unlike Pokémon Trainers, they don't train Pokémon; instead, they use special devices called Capture Stylers to convey feelings of friendship to Pokémon, temporarily capturing them, and then releasing them.

        In Shadows of Almia, specifically, the second Pokémon Ranger game, there are School Rangers (those still attending the Ranger School), Area Rangers, and finally, the best of the best, Top Rangers, which is what you eventually become in Shadows.

        Top-notch Top Rangers can use a Vatonage Styler, an improvement of the Top Ranger's regular Fine Styler—gauntlet-like and worn around the forearm—to befriend Pokémon under nefarious or evil influence, such as let's say Team Rocket, but it was Team Dim Sun in Shadows.

        Top Ranger Kellyn made his debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension, the second season of the Diamond and Pearl anime, in the two-part episode Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu. However, he's not the first Pokémon Ranger to make an appearance in the anime. Solana from the first Pokémon Ranger game made her debut in the Pokémon Battle Frontier anime of the 3rd generation, the generation that came before Sinnoh, which is what Shadows and the third Ranger game, Guardian Signs, are based on.

        That said, here are ten Ranger terms for you guys to familiarize yourself with as you dive into the story:

1.) School Rangers: students still attending Ranger School in Almia.

2.) Area Rangers: Rangers stationed in a specific part of the region. They have their own base, Leader, etc.

3.) Top Rangers: the best of the best Rangers, who have more leeway than Area Rangers and can assign Missions themselves. They work for the Ranger Union in Almia.

4.) Capture Styler: a device Rangers use to convey feelings of happiness and friendship to a Pokémon to capture them.

5.) Fine Styler: a gauntlet-like Capture Styler worn only by Top Rangers.

6.) Vatonage Styler: an upgraded Fine Styler only to be worn by top-notch Top Rangers.

7.) Capture Disc: a spinning top that escapes the Styler when a Ranger announces, "Capture on!"

8.) Capture Line: a rope-like line Rangers use to convey their feelings of happiness and friendship to the Pokémon during a Capture. In the anime and games, the Rangers draw loops with them (don't ask; it's science-fantasy).

9.) Friend Pokémon: the Pokémon a Ranger befriends to help them, but they eventually release them.

10.) Partner Pokémon: a Friend Pokémon who has formed a special bond with the Ranger and has become their Partner. They are usually not released.

        With these ten terms, I hope you have a better understanding of Pokémon Rangers now. I'm not going to go into detail about Shadows of Almia, as I will slowly unfold the region, the game, and the lore throughout the story. As long as you know these ten Ranger terms, you should be good to go.

        Capture on!

- Victoria/Viktoria

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        “Capture on!” Kellyn pressed the Ranger Union button on his red gauntlet, and it released a spinning top that circled Heracross, a Bug/Fighting Pokémon sitting on a branch in one of the forest’s thick trees.

        “Hera?” it asked, lowering its berry and studying the halo around its rigid, navy torso and strong hind legs.

        A blue, rope-like Capture Line appeared between Kellyn’s gloved fingertips, and he moved it in quick circles, yelling, “Vatonage! Ha! Ha! Ha!” There was something so satisfying about drawing loops to capture Pokémon.

        Still in awe, Heracross didn’t move.

        It wasn’t long before a white light washed over it, and it stood on its branch. Its wings buzzed open, and its horn knocked a few berries down. “Hera!” the Pokémon cried out, clenching its fists.

        “Yes!” Kellyn said, his green eyes sparkling. “Capture complete!”

        Just when Heracross hopped down from the branch and waited for his orders, he reset his Capture Disc and sprinted forward, jumping. Kellyn pointed it at a Burmy, hanging from another tree branch like a bat, next. “Capture on!”

        “Burm?” said the Bagworm Pokémon. A few leaves dropped from its cloak, and it frantically shook its head at the sight of them and the Capture Disc.

        Again, the Capture Line appeared between Kellyn’s fingertips, and he drew his loops. “Vatonage! Ha! Ha! Ha!” His arm no longer grew tired when he did this, so he was in perfect shape to practice before returning to Almia.

        The familiar white light blanketed Burmy, and it broke free from its branch, dropping before a group of ferns and facing Kellyn.

        He landed, brushed sweat from his brown hair, and announced, “Capture complete!” Two perfect captures, but they weren’t the hardest Pokémon. However, Kellyn had to use all his resources to practice for Parity. Show the Union that he still had it in him as a Rank 10 Top Pokémon Ranger—and was the perfect Ranger to capture Parity and check the Luminous Crystal in Altru Tower.

        Something flashed in the shadows, leaving Kellyn to pass Heracross and Burmy and release his Capture Disc on instinct. “Capture on!” He gasped, though, when a figure appeared from the shadows, and his Capture Disc smacked him in the face.

        “Ow!” Ash Ketchum, a friend Kellyn met while on a mission to help a kidnapped Riolu, fell onto his backside and snatched his nose.

        His Partner Pokémon, an Electric Mouse named Pikachu, leaped from his shoulder and landed before him. “Pika! Pika!” he yelled.

        “Ash!” His traveling companions, Brock and Dawn, appeared behind him and stood on either side of him. Dawn, a girl with long blue hair and blue eyes, was Ash’s age, and Brock was a little older, around Kellyn’s age. They both wore bags on their backs and knelt to Ash, who massaged his nose.

        At first, Kellyn stared, but then he recognized the trio and blushed, closing his eyes. “Oops. Capture incomplete.”

        Maybe he was trying too hard to prove himself to the Ranger Union.

Chapter Text

        While on their way to Hearthome City and Ash's fifth Sinnoh Region Badge, our heroes rushed off after hearing shouting in the forest, only to run into their old friend, Top Ranger Kellyn.

        "Sorry, Ash. I thought you were a Pokémon." Kellyn returned to Ash and his friends after soaking a cloth in a nearby stream and handed it to him. He adjusted his Ranger jacket and glanced at Heracross and Burmy behind him.

        Ash placed the cloth on the Capture Disc indent on his nose and grumbled, "Aw, it's okay. It's great to see you again, Kellyn."

        "Pika! Pika!" Pikachu agreed, leaping onto Kellyn's shoulder.

        "Oh?" he asked, but then he scratched the Pokémon under his chin, and Pikachu smiled, lowering his ears.

        "We were having lunch in the forest when we heard you," Brock explained, examining the forest. Unless it was a girl, he was usually calm, but even his knees shook at seeing Kellyn again.

        Dawn rushed to Kellyn and put her hands together, leaning close to him. "What are you doing here? Are you on a mission? Please say you're on a mission!"

        Her penguin-like Pokémon, Piplup, emerged from behind her boot and flapped its little wings, saying, "Piplup! Piplup!"

        "I'm actually on my way to the Almia Region," Kellyn explained, facing Heracross and Burmy. He pressed the Union button on his gauntlet, and the two Pokémon scurried away, now released. "My ferry leaves at sunset."

        "Almia?" Ash said, standing.

        "Oh!" When did Brock grow excited? He reached into his knapsack and pulled out a small book. Brock flipped through it and said, "The Almia Region, home of the famous Top Flying Ranger, Wendy!" He stopped on a page and showed it to the others. "Right, Kellyn?"

        "Um... right," Kellyn stuttered, studying the picture of the young, green-haired Top Ranger in the book. He wondered how Sven and Wendy were doing. He hadn't seen them since the Shadow Crystal Incident.

        "Oh!" Brock's voice cracked. "Your face tells me you know Wendy, Kellyn!"

        Kellyn tittered and backed away from him. "I do, Brock. She's known as the Flying Ranger for a reason."

        "Then there's only one thing to do!" Brock argued, lowering his book. "Take me to Almia so I can meet her!"

        Before Kellyn asked, a flash of light came from Brock's belt, and his Croagunk appeared before him. Its hand glowed purple, and it jabbed Brock in the belly. The Toxic Mouth Pokémon stood tall and chuckled, "Cro, Cro, Cro," as Brock sank to the ground onto his belly.

        Kellyn, Dawn, and Ash giggled, but then Kellyn's mind returned to his mission and Brock's request to meet Wendy. Pokémon Trainers didn't travel to Almia often, so he already had his answer if Brock asked again. However, it was nice to see him, Ash, Dawn, and Pikachu again.

        A crashing sound soon came from the forest, and the friends asked, "Hm?" simultaneously.

        "Quick, hide!" Kellyn ordered, looking at Ash, Dawn, and Brock. He took Pikachu off his shoulder and handed him to Ash before leading the way to a bush behind the trail. They hid in it, and Kellyn pulled out an olive green cloak from under it. He had to blend in, so he put the cloak on and narrowed his eyes.

        Two covered jeeps with spaceship-like roofs pulled into the area where Kellyn had been practicing and stopped.

        The doors opened, and out stepped a group of men wearing Pokémon Hunter uniforms, but not just any Pokémon Hunter uniforms.

        "That's Pokémon Hunter J's goons," Dawn explained, holding Piplup close.

        "What are they doing here?" Ash wondered.

        "Whatever it is, it can't be good," Brock guessed. He had changed from swooning over Wendy to being serious in a matter of minutes.

        One of the henchmen lifted his hand and ordered the others, "Spread out and search the area. Blue-Bird was last seen here."

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn turned on bewildered faces, but Kellyn kept his eyes narrowed and nudged them. He wanted to complete his mission himself, but he didn't want to put Ash, his friends, and Blue-Bird in danger by confronting Hunter J head-on. The longer they stayed hidden, the better it was for it, Parity, and Almia.

        "Follow me, but stay down," Kellyn whispered.

        "Are you kidding?" Ash clenched his fist. "I want to see what those no-good Pokémon Hunters are up to!" It seemed he was still a bit reckless.

        "It's safer if we stay low," Kellyn explained.

        "He has a point, Ash," Brock elucidated. "We shouldn't confront them unless we know what they're after and have a plan."

        "But—!" Ash groaned—it looked like he wanted another adventure—but soon sighed and nodded.

        Kellyn took the lead, and the group tiptoed through the forest, heads lowered. "The port town where the ferry leaves for Almia isn't far from here," Kellyn explained. "We can take refuge there."

        Once the group was far enough from the Pokémon Hunters, they straightened themselves and jogged toward a hill.

        Ash, still wanting to poke his nose in Kellyn's business, said, "Kellyn, those Hunters mentioned something called a Blue-Bird?"

        Kellyn temporarily peered over his shoulder and said, "Sorry, Ash, but that's classified information." The Union gave him the super-secret mission, so he needed it to stay classified. It was a job only meant for a Rank 10 Top Pokémon Ranger... unless the little booger caused mischief again.

        Behind, but hot on the group's tail, Team Rocket eavesdropped from a tree with binoculars.

        Jessie and James, both wearing white uniforms with an R on their shirts, looked at each other.

        James, a young man with purple hair, asked, "Did you hear that, Jessie? Those Hunters mentioned something called a Blue-Bird, and that Ranger said it's classified."

        "Ho, ho, ho!" Jessie brought her gloved fingers to her mouth, but soon lowered them. "Then you know what this means, James."

        Their Partner Pokémon, a talking Meowth, lifted his paws and reached for his cheeks. "A super rare Pokémon is just around the corner!"

        Jessie clenched her fist. "And where the twerps go, we follow!"

        Like Brock earlier, a pokéball flashed open from Jessie's belt.

        "Wobbu-Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet's tall, cyan body shimmered under the rays of the sun, but its weight caused the branch to bend.

        Team Rocket gasped and hugged each other. The branch snapped, and they toppled onto the forest floor, landing on top of one another.

        Jessie, James, and Meowth groaned, while Wobbuffet again said, "Wobbu-Wobbuffet!"—but then Jessie shot up when a lightbulb clicked above her head of magenta hair.

        She sat on James's back and snapped her fingers. "Ah ha! I have it! It will be us! It will be us!" She slid off James and grabbed his head, squeezing his cheeks. "This is the best idea I've come up with in a while!"

        Meowth and James gulped, and Meowth clutched James's arm. "Like, should we be worried?"

        "I don't want to worry!" James complained under Jessie's grip. Jessie freed him, and he yelped, embracing Meowth.

        Jessie stood and paced for a moment, then faced the others and turned on a wicked smile. "Imagine this: we, the notorious Team Rocket, tell Hunter J about the twerps and the Ranger."

        James and Meowth fell silent for a few minutes while they let Jessie's plan sink in, and then James admitted, "Bold, Jess, but I think that would end very badly."

        Within seconds, Jessie glared and swatted the back of his head.

        "Ow!" James groaned, rubbing it.

        Jessie smacked her gloves together and said, "Well, as I always say, as the famous Jessilina, there's only one way to find out."

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        "Algarve Town," Ash read on the sign when he and his friends paused at the top of the hill at the end of the forest path. His face paled when he saw the hill almost went straight down; however, at the bottom was a tucked-away seaside community surrounded by a beach and tall cliffs. Houses stood clustered together on cobblestone streets and hills, but it looked like there was a field for Pokémon Battles, too. It was one of the most unique communities Ash had seen, and it just so happened to be tucked away in that part of Sinnoh.

        Beside Ash, Brock checked his guidebook and explained, "According to this, Algarve Town is the international gateway for Pokémon Rangers and tourists who want to visit the three main Ranger regions: Fiore, Almia, and Oblivia."

        "That's right," Kellyn confirmed, looking at Ash and his friends. "There's a Pokémon Center for Trainers and a Ranger Depot for Rangers here."

        Brock flipped to the next page in his book. "Hey, listen to this! Algarve is known to have the best sandwiches and quiche in the world!"

        "Quiche?" Ash didn't know what that was, but his and Pikachu's tummies rumbled at the mention of food. "I wanna try some quiche!"

        Dawn giggled and asked, "Why am I not surprised? What about a Contest Hall, Brock?"

        Brock turned his book and carefully studied it. "It doesn't look like they have one, Dawn, but they do have regular tournaments for Pokémon Battles. This appears to be a major hub for Rangers and Trainers. It's almost a straight shot from here to Pueltown in Almia."

        "Then what are we waiting for?" Ash whooped, followed soon by Pikachu. "Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

        He started down the hill, and Dawn yelled, "What about that quiche, Ash?" She chased him first, then Brock, and then Kellyn.

        If Ash and his friends were going to face Hunter J again, and whatever this Blue-Bird was, Ash needed to ensure he got some training in before accompanying Kellyn to Almia. Although he blurted it, Brock had a good idea in case Kellyn needed extra help. It was also a brand-new region, and Ash was always excited for a new adventure.

        Train first, though, he thought to himself, after some food.

        Once they reached the bottom of the hill and the beachside, Kellyn gestured Ash and his friends forward and took them to a small café. It looked like he didn't want people to know he was a Ranger because he kept his cloak on while they ordered and grabbed their quiche and sandwiches. They found a table outside and sat under the hot sun.

        Piplup and Pikachu munched on some poffins, and Ash bit into his quiche, gagging. Ugh, what was that? It tasted like spinach and cheese that had been out of the fridge for too long.

        Ash quickly sipped his water cup and brushed his tongue, and his friends chuckled.

        Before long, a few Trainers approached them, giving them knowing looks.

        Ash and Dawn grinned at one another and rested their hands on their pokéballs. They took their Pokémon Battle out to the beach, which had smaller cliffs and hundreds of rocks of all sizes. Pikachu and Piplup were growing stronger every day. They launched their attacks, knocking their opponents back, who slid across the sand.

        Just before the Pokémon collided with one another again, an enormous wave smashed into them from out of nowhere, and everyone was knocked off their feet, even Kellyn.

        Ooh, that was chilly, but it felt great, and Ash laughed. He reached for Pikachu, who had been thrown onto his hat.

        Kellyn seemed a little spacey and serious because he searched the area after standing and checked his Capture Styler.

        Once the sun lowered a little in the sky, the group said goodbye to the Trainers and left the beach.

        Kellyn took Ash and his friends toward a building near the ferry port on the other side of town. It had a leafy roof, and the Ranger Union's logo was on the door. It resembled Kellyn's Capture Disc.

        He pointed at the building and stopped before it, saying, "This is the Ra-Ranger Depot." Did he stutter? "Wait for me out here," he ordered Ash and his friends. "I need to do something before I leave."

        There was no doubt about it—Ash saw it in his gait—Kellyn was nervous. His arms didn't sway while he walked, and he pushed his shoulders back when he straightened his posture. Ash wished he would tell him that "classified" information. Kellyn looked like he needed a few friends to accompany him to Almia.

        It appeared that even Dawn picked up on Kellyn's uneasiness because she asked, "Is it just me, or does he seem spacier than usual?"

        "He does," Brock agreed, clutching his chin. "Hm, I wonder..."

        Kellyn exited the Ranger Depot a few minutes later, looking even more uncomfortable—and a little annoyed—than before.

        He stopped before Ash and his friends, studied them for a second, and then scratched Pikachu under his chin before leaving them. He headed toward another large hill surrounded by houses. Something that looked like an old clock tower was at the top of it.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn chased him and soon hiked up the towering hill with him, although they fell behind because they had to rest a few times.

        Kellyn examined them and seemed to sigh, but he didn't push the trio away.

        A flock of Starly took off in flight as they got closer to the tower, which had a crumbled-up rock wall around it. The tower itself wasn't very tall and had lost its roof. While the clock was cracked, it was there, and Ash wondered if it still worked.

        The group eventually reached the top of the hill and stepped over the rock wall together.

        "Wow," Ash, Dawn, and Brock said at the sight of the view. There was the ocean, town, beach, and tall cliffs—all on the edge of the Sinnoh Region. A cool ocean breeze passed through their hair, and Pikachu leaped down from Ash's shoulder, Piplup from Dawn's.

        Ding! Ding! Ding!

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn whirled around at the sound of the broken clock tower. It worked after all, and Kellyn stood at the base, Pikachu and Piplup around him.

        Kellyn reached up and called, "Blue-Bird, you were supposed to wait at the Ranger Depot for me until we leave for Almia."

        "Huh?" Ash and his friends inquired. There was "Blue-Bird" again. They joined Kellyn and looked up at the clock's hands with him.

        A rainbow light shimmered from one of the hands, and a figure the size of Ash's Staravia, or a little smaller (he had to see it up close), emerged from it, clutching the hand with its claws. It resembled a parrot, with a black body, shimmering blue eyes, and rainbow-colored wingtips and tail feathers.

        It flapped its wings and squawked, "Bored, bored! Play, play!"

        What on Earth was that thing?

Chapter Text

        “Bored, bored! Play, play!”

        Kellyn understood that Blue-Bird wanted to play, but with Hunter J on the loose, he was putting himself in danger by being out in the open. It was why they needed to get to Almia. Blue-Bird came to Sinnoh to look for Kellyn, and he had to get him back and check on the Luminous Crystal.

        Blu hopped off the clock tower’s hand and turned upside down, flapping his wings. “Bored, bored! Play, play!”

        Kellyn swore—he had never had such a complicated Pokémon.

        Pikachu and Piplup rushed off together and climbed the crumbled rock tower, reaching for Blu. They strained, slipped, and soon found themselves on the hand with him.

        “Piplup! Piplup!” Piplup yelled when it saw how high up it and Pikachu were.

        Ash finally leaned into Kellyn and asked, “Kellyn, what is that thing?”

        Well, so much for “classified” information.

        “One of the two Rainbow Birds, Blue-Bird,” Kellyn explained, glancing at Ash, Brock, Dawn, and back up at Blue-Bird, who flew around Pikachu and Piplup. “He’s a Legendary Pokémon who’s been watching over the Luminous Crystal with his sister in my absence.”

        “Rainbow Birds? Luminous Crystal? Sister?” Ash added. “Most of the Legendaries I’ve seen are a little… bigger.”

        “You want to see big?” Blu suddenly asked from the clock tower. He swooped past Pikachu and Piplup.

        They toppled onto the tower’s foundation and rolled down it to the base.

        Blu hovered before Ash and pecked him on the head. “Sister in danger! Rainbow Forme: activate!”

        “No, no Rainbow Forme,” Kellyn ordered. Blu needed to stay small so Hunter J wouldn’t suspect anything.

        Kellyn pulled him from the sky before the others got too close and turned to them, saying, “Follow me, guys.”

        Although bewildered, the others nodded and obeyed. They started back down the hill, and Ash and Dawn drew their Pokédexes, typing “Blue-Bird” into them.

        “Unknown Pokémon,” both machines stated.

        “You won’t find the Rainbow Birds in those Pokédexes,” Kellyn said, peering over his shoulder. “They’re from another region. I’ll let you guys come with me to the ferry stop, but after that, I need to finish this mission myself.”

        “Bu-But, Kellyn,” Dawn argued, “we’re always in the mood to travel to a new region and learn about a new Pokémon.”

        Brock caught up and jogged beside her, gripping his knapsack’s straps. “And I want to meet the famous Wendy!”

        “You may need some help, Kellyn,” Ash chimed in, studying Blu.

        Kellyn saw concern and hope in the trio’s eyes, but still said, “Sorry, guys, this is something I must do myself.” Almia was where he became Top Ranger Kellyn, so he had to do this alone.

        “¡Casita, casita!” Blu squawked in Kellyn’s arms. “Help, help.” Without warning, he disappeared from Kellyn’s grip, and a light flashed in the house they were passing, about halfway down the hill.

        “Huh?” Kellyn inquired, stopping and checking himself up and down.

        Shouting soon came from the house, and the door swung open. A family and their Pokémon rushed outside, followed closely by Blu, who repeated, “Help, help.”

        The family and Pokémon cowered against a small car parked on the cobblestone road.

        Ash and Pikachu groaned, and Ash said, “A parrot. Why did it have to be a parrot?”

        Now that the trio got a good look at Blu, Dawn’s face lit up, and she squealed. “Oh, my gosh! That’s the cutest little parrot I’ve ever seen!” She clenched her fists, and steam puffed out of her nostrils. “I want one!” Without warning, she grabbed Blu and hugged him to her chest. “Hi there, little guy.”

        “Wait, Dawn!” Brock warned, but it was too late.

        Blue-Bird shocked Dawn and Piplup like it was Dawn’s Pachirisu, and she yelled. Blu released himself, and Piplup dropped from Dawn’s shoulder, leaving her with snarls in her hair.

        “Ah!” Dawn shrieked when she saw her hair. “My beautiful hair!” Anger flashed across her face. “All right, you little devil, you’ve crossed the line.”

        “Yay! Yay!” Blu cheered, flying away from her toward a cliff. “Play! Play!”

        Dawn chased him through the cobblestone streets, but she soon reached the cliff over the beach, and her foot slipped. “Ah!” Dawn cried when she went over and hurtled toward the beach.

        “Dawn!” the others yelled behind her.

        Blue-Bird appeared before Dawn hit the ground, and his blue eyes glowed. A light surrounded Dawn, and she floated back up to the clifftop.

        Blu set her down beside her friends and circled her head, saying, “Help, help,” while occasionally looking at Kellyn.

        Dawn’s face was ghost white, and she stood frozen. Her lips moved, but nothing escaped.

        Brock chuckled and told Kellyn, “I think you need our help, Kellyn.”

        Kellyn’s face dropped, and he lowered his head. He knew Ash, Brock, and Dawn were great Trainers—Riolu proved that—but… He just didn’t know.

***

        Ash and his friends returned to the other side of Algarve and dipped into the Pokémon Center beside the ferry port. It was tucked under one of the tall cliffs, and boardwalks and piers led to the main port, where three ferries were moored on their own lines.

        Compared to the Ranger Depot, the Pokémon Center was relatively large, with glass windows and an enormous lobby.

        Ash, Dawn, and Brock shuffled over to a group of telephones just off the main entrance, and Kellyn sat at one of the tables across from them.

        He drummed his fingers on the table, and Blu pulled on the two tufts of hair on the top of his head.

        Kellyn reached for him, but the Pokémon vanished and reappeared before his face. He landed, gave Kellyn an encouraging smile, and squawked, “Help, help,” gesturing at Ash and his friends.

        Where Ash, Dawn, and Brock were, the telephone’s computer screen booted up, and an older man with short, gray hair and wearing a lab coat appeared on it.

        “Ah, Ash!” he said. “It’s been a while!”

        “Professor Oak, hi!” Ash cheerfully returned. “You won’t believe where we are!”

        “Professor Oak?” Kellyn asked from where he sat. That was the name of the famous Kanto Pokémon Professor who invented the Pokédex. Ash and co. knew him?

        Kellyn stood, took off his cloak, and moved toward the telephones.

        Professor Oak, who was eating dinner, brought a chopstick to his mouth and bit into a rice ball. He chewed, swallowed, and said, “Ah, I’m intrigued. Where?”

        “We’re in Algarve Town, Professor,” Dawn explained before Ash spoke.

        Ash momentarily glared at her, but he lost his glare and grinned again when Oak questioned, “Algarve Town, really? May I ask what the occasion is?”

        Ash nodded. “We’re going to the Almia Region to help our friend, a Top Ranger. We found a new Pokémon today, and we’re going to figure out what it is with him.”

        “A new Pokémon, you say? And a Top Ranger?” Oak moved closer to the screen when Kellyn squeezed into the group.

        “Oh, wow!” Both Oak’s and Kellyn’s faces brightened.

        “Hi, Professor Oak.” Was Kellyn really talking to him? “I’m Kellyn, the Top Ranger.”

        “Well, what do you know?” Oak said. “You’re a young Top Ranger, aren’t you? How old are you, son?”

        Kellyn blushed a little and gulped. “I’ll be seventeen in a few weeks.”

        Oak chuckled. “Well, I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect team to help you on your mission.”

        “My—?” Kellyn cut off. It looked like he couldn’t leave Ash and his friends behind now, especially after speaking to Professor Oak.

        “Now, about this new Pokémon…?” Oak’s voice trailed, and he jumped when Blu appeared before Ash and his friends. “Oh, my!”

        “Help, help,” Blu chittered, flying in a few circles. He soared to Dawn and landed on her shoulder.

        “Whoa!” she exclaimed.

        Down below, Piplup’s face paled, and it chirped, “Piplup! Piplup!” Was it jealous?

        Ash and Kellyn tried to pull Blu away from Dawn, but he maintained his grip, so Brock stepped in.

        “It’s called Blue-Bird, Professor. Kellyn says it’s one of two Rainbow Birds.”

        “Blue-Bird?” Oak rubbed his chin. “I’ve never heard of it.” Lowering his hand, he beamed and admitted, “I think you guys are in for a great adventure in Almia.”

        “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell Kellyn,” Brock said, beginning to look excited.

        Ash finally pulled Blu away from Dawn and squeezed him. “Oh, I know we are, Professor! New Trainers, Gyms, and a new Pokémon League to check out!”

        “Hey! Don’t forget the Contest Halls, Ash Ketchum!” Dawn fought. “As soon as we get there, we’re going to find one.”

        “Wait, Ash!” Oak quickly said. “There’s something you and your friends should know about Almia.” He looked at Kellyn for help, but before he opened his mouth, the Pokémon Center’s loudspeaker came on.

        “Attention, Trainers, guests, and Rangers, the next ferry for Pueltown in Almia departs in ten minutes. Would all passengers please proceed to the dock?”

        “Ah!” Ash yelped, releasing Blu. “We’re going to miss the boat!”

        “Pika-Pikachu!” Pikachu announced. He jumped onto Ash’s head and batted his hat with his little paw.

        “Race you to the dock, Ash!” Dawn challenged. She turned and sprinted toward the Pokémon Center’s exit. “First one there decides if we do a Contest or Gym first!”

        “Oh, you are so on, Dawn!” Ash said, glancing up at Pikachu. “Right, Pikachu?”

        “Pi-Pikachu!” Pikachu held up two fingers and shifted his body when Ash turned his cap backward.

        He lifted his fist, closed his eyes, and cheered, “Almia Region, here we come!” Then, just like that, he rushed after Dawn, and they disappeared outside.

        Kellyn, Brock, and Professor Oak remained quiet for a minute, exchanging apprehensive looks, and then Brock questioned, “Should we tell them?”

        Oak chortled—“Nah”—and waved his hand. “Let them figure it out themselves.” He closed his eyes and opened them again. “Good luck, kids, and Kellyn, if you ever find yourself in a bind, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ash and his friends make a great team.”

        “Tha-Thank you, Professor,” Kellyn stuttered, but his chest tightened, and a few sweat drops ran down his forehead. He thought he would be excited to return to Almia, especially with Ash and his friends, but no.

        Kellyn was the furthest thing from it.

Chapter Text

        Kellyn attempted to free the negative thoughts from his mind, but it was nearly impossible when he was on Algarve Town's dock, looking at the four-deck ferry with Almia Tours painted on its side.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn hurried onto it, but Kellyn took his time and hid Blu in his cloak.

        The ferry's main deck featured a sitting area and a designated space for Pokémon to play. Tucked inside, much like how Algarve's houses were tucked into the cobblestone streets, were the cabins. It was a simple ferry, much like Almia, which was simpler than the main regions. Ash, Brock, and Dawn had no idea what they were getting into. But on the upside, at least they had escaped Hunter J.

        Once everyone was on the ferry's deck, Dawn lifted her hand, and she and Piplup jumped up and down. "We win, Ash!" she gloated. "Pokémon Contest, here we come!"

        Kellyn smiled feebly, but he lost his smile and turned his head. He didn't try to grab Blu, who disappeared from inside his cloak and knocked it onto the deck.

        "Aw, man," Ash groaned. "I wanna do a Gym."

        Dawn grinned. "No worries, Ash! We'll do one after the contest."

        Without warning, Kellyn narrowed his eyes and said, "Now, listen, guys."

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn looked at him.

        "You may come with me to Almia," Kellyn added, "but keep your distance. I want to complete this mission myself."

        "But—!" the three argued.

        "I've made myself clear," Kellyn interrupted. He kneeled and picked up his cloak, standing again. "Come on, Blue-Bird."

        "Blu, stay, Blu, stay," the Pokémon fought. "Blu play, Blu play."

        Brock stepped up. "We'll look after him, Kellyn."

        "No," Kellyn protested. "As ordered by the Union, I need to keep him near me."

        A bewildered look crossed Ash's face. "But what about Riolu?"

        "Blue-Bird isn't Riolu, Ash." Kellyn wondered how much of that was actually true. "He's a Legendary Pokémon." One that only a Pokémon Ranger could protect.

        Blue-Bird shook his head and said, "No, Blu, stay. Blu, stay." The little devil would not separate Kellyn from Ash and his friends, would he? If only Kellyn knew why.

        The boat's foghorn blew, and Ash, Dawn, and Brock beamed. They hurried to the railing and grasped it as the ferry pushed off from the dock and followed the line of Algarve's cliffs toward the open ocean.

        Ash's legs jiggled, and he yelled, "This is it! This is it!" He and Dawn faced one another and began a game of Patty Cake.

        "Patty Cake, Patty Cake, here we come!" they cheered. "Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Almia, Almia!"

        Pikachu, Blu, and Piplup also tried their own Patty Cake game, but Piplup tripped over its foot and crashed into the deck, wings outstretched.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn laughed, and even Kellyn smiled again.

        However, he soon became serious and opened the screen of his Capture Styler, pressing the voicemail button. No one answered—odd—so Kellyn said, "Professor Hastings, this is Kellyn. We just boarded the ferry and will be in Almia tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to seeing you again."

        Now, if only he could prove himself before that happened.

***

        That night at dinner, Kellyn kept his hands in his lap and stared at his plate while Blu, Ash, Brock, Dawn, and their Pokémon ate vigorously. They sat at a table on the main deck, and the Pokémon had found a section near them.

        The full moon's rays coated the ferry in a luminous, warm light, reminding Kellyn of the Luminous Crystal. What was wrong with it? The last thing he heard was that the Rainbow Birds left it because it had suddenly grown weaker, and they couldn't fix it. And Kellyn just learned recently that Parity, Blue-Bird's sister, had gone missing. Hastings had dubbed the mission "Search and Rescue" with some help from Chairperson Erma.

        Kellyn returned to reality when Brock looked at his, Ash's, and Dawn's Pokémon teams and said, "Now, slow down, guys. You don't want to get sick."

        Dawn nudged Ash, who stuffed his dinner into his mouth. "I think we should be more concerned about Ash, Brock."

        "I'm fine," Ash grumbled behind a mouth full of food. Regardless, he coughed and batted his chest, and Kellyn sighed. He was ready for bed, but couldn't even sleep that night.

        Kellyn tossed and turned while Ash, Brock, Dawn, and Blu slept peacefully on their bunk beds in their shared suite. It had a single porthole, and Kellyn stared at it, counting Mareep, but nothing happened. He pulled his covers over his head, released them, and hid under his pillow.

        Nothing, but then Kellyn's chest tightened, and he reached for it, clutching his cloak. Breathing heavily, he shot up in bed and banged his head on the bottom of the upper bunk.

        "Whoa!" Brock shouted, waking with a start.

        Pain pulsed behind Kellyn's eyes, but he didn't grab his head and instead got out of bed, sinking to the floor in the center of the suite. His chest tightened further, and breathing became hard. He had to train, he had to train. He was still that Rank 10 Top Pokémon Ranger who purified the Shadow Crystal. He had to prove that to the Union and the Pokémon.

        "Kellyn!" Brock tossed his covers off and slid down his bunk's ladder, rushing toward him, and Blu followed from behind.

        Ash, Dawn, and their Partner Pokémon also woke, and Ash groggily asked, "What's going on?"

        Pikachu Double Slapped him and said, "Pika! Pika!" gesturing at Kellyn and Brock.

        "Brock, what's wrong with Kellyn?" Dawn inquired from the top bunk. She grabbed Piplup and climbed halfway down the ladder before jumping onto the floor. She and Ash surrounded Brock, Kellyn, and Blu.

        Remaining calm, Brock faced Kellyn. "Deep breaths, Kellyn," he ordered. "Like this." He inhaled and exhaled, then repeated the process several times.

        "Listen to him, Kellyn," Ash pushed.

        Dawn put her hands together. "Yeah, Brock knows how to make anyone feel better!"

        Kellyn didn't doubt that, considering Brock was a Pokémon Breeder, so he followed his breathing exercises.

        Within seconds, his chest loosened, and his muscles relaxed, and he finally reached up and rubbed the sore spot on his head. That would leave a bump.

        "Feel better?" Brock questioned, and Kellyn nodded.

        "Yes. Thank you, Brock."

        Brock grinned and stretched his arms toward the ceiling. "You just leave it to Brocko! He's got it all: medicine, massages, and anything else someone may need on a journey."

        Ash and Dawn tittered, but then Ash said, "What happened, though, Kellyn?"

        "I just got nervous, that's all," he answered. "Almia was where I became a Top Ranger, where I made a name for myself, and I have mixed feelings about returning to it." That was all he would say because he still needed to keep the specifics of his mission classified.

        Before Ash and his friends said anything more, Kellyn stood and headed for the suite's door. "Sorry, guys, sorry for waking you. I need to get some air." With those words, Kellyn opened the door and ducked into the hallway, moving toward the ladder at the end of it.

***

        Under the full moon's light, the forest surrounding Algarve Town was quiet, but three figures, dressed in their best Pokémon Hunter clothes (black and gray suits), stood before a few of Hunter J's goons.

        Jessie, James, and Meowth smirked at one another, backing up only when there was a gust of wind, and a large ship landed before them. From the front, it looked like a face with a gaping mouth: black, menacing, and adorned with two enormous engines that resembled feet and shoulders.

        A shadow emerged from the ship, and Team Rocket stood tall.

        Still half-asleep, Hunter J ran her fingers through her silver hair and said to her goons, "This better be good to wake me." She wore a trench coat over a burgundy bodysuit, tall, high-heeled boots, and a gauntlet on her left forearm.

        One of J's henchmen stiffened his posture and said, "Sir, forgive us, but these three nincompoops have seen a Ranger and think he may have the Pokémon you're searching for."

        "Excuse you! Nincompoop?" Jessie threatened the man with her fist, but James and Meowth pulled her back. "I am the famous Jessilina, eager to catch rare Pokémon like you, J."

        In a hopeful voice, James said, "Maybe we should retreat, Ms. Jessilina."

        Meowth bobbed his head. "Before the bidding gets too good." He and James tightened their grip on Jessie when the henchman drew a pokéball and faced J.

        "Should I have Crobat give them a Whirlwind?"

        Team Rocket flinched and studied J.

        She shook her head and answered, "Not yet. You said they saw a Ranger?"

        James and Meowth nodded, but let Jessie do the talking.

        "Sure did! Top Ranger... something about a Blue-Bird, a town on the beach, and a group of three twerps."

        "Top Ranger?" Scorn overtook J's face, and she ripped off her gauntlet. "Not him!" She lifted her arm, but stopped herself before she threw her gauntlet and sneered. "It looks like it's time for another game of cat and mouse." She gestured at Team Rocket and gave her henchman a quick nod. "Bring them aboard. We're going to find that Ranger—show him no mercy—and Pokémon."

        "Sir!" At once, J's henchmen surrounded Team Rocket and escorted them toward her ship, leaving them baffled, especially James and Meowth.

        It worked, it really worked. One of Team Rocket's plans had succeeded.

Chapter Text

        Kellyn sat at the bow of the ferry, his arms over each other, staring at the Puel Sea before him. He recalled what it looked like underwater: vast, open areas, ocean trenches, currents, and coral reefs. Riding a Mantine through the currents to catch a Sharpedo who had swallowed the key to the drawbridge in Pueltown had been one of his most exciting missions, next to Almia Castle and the Shadow Crystal. There were so many amazing adventures in Almia, and now Kellyn had to keep up the momentum to prove his worth. He hoped nobody would recognize him, but given Almia’s size, he doubted that.

        Something sounded beside Kellyn, and Blu appeared, chittering, “Help, help.”

        Ash and his friends appeared behind him and Kellyn as if on Blue-Bird’s command.

        “Guys, please,” Kellyn said, looking back at them. “I want to be left alone.”

        Ash narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist. “No way. As a team, we work together.”

        Slightly excited, Dawn said, “We want to learn about the Rainbow Birds just as much as you.”

        “And you didn’t push us away with Riolu,” Brock stated. “So why is Blue-Bird any different?”

        Kellyn pushed off the railing. “Because this is Almia, not Sinnoh.”

        “At least tell us what your mission is,” Brock added. “There must be something we can do to help.”

        Kellyn caught onto his coldness and replaced his irritated look with a subtle smile. “Thank you, guys, but if I’m going to prove myself to the Union, I must complete this mission alone. I’ll tell you this.” Maybe it would get them off his case.

        Kellyn moved closer to Ash, Dawn, and Brock. “There’s a powerful Crystal in Almia. It’s called the Luminous Crystal, and it provides the region with light, energy, and serenity. According to the Union, the Crystal has been slowly weakening over the past few weeks. My mission is to figure out why and find Parity, Blu’s sister, who’s gone missing.”

        “Missing?” Ash, Brock, and Dawn questioned.

        Kellyn nodded. “Parity and Blue-Bird are Pokémon who serve as Pokémon versions of Rangers. Their duty is to look after people, Pokémon, and nature, like us. They’ve been serving as Guardians of the Luminous Crystal in my absence, but they can’t reverse its weakening for some reason. They left it to look for me, but only Blue-Bird made it.”

        “Why you?” Ash inquired before blushing. “Sorry! That came out wrong! I meant—!”

        Kellyn held up his hand. “No, it’s okay, and this is why I must prove myself.” He inhaled and exhaled. “Because I was the one who purified the Luminous Crystal in the first place.”

        Silence. Waves brushed against the ferry’s bow and sprayed Ash and his friends.

        “You?” Ash, Dawn, and Brock finally blurted.

        Kellyn pulled back the sleeve of his cloak and removed his Capture Styler, showing it to them. “That’s how I got my Vatonage Styler. In Almia, ‘vatonage’ means to ‘reawaken light that has been submerged in darkness.’ Therefore, I’m the only one who can do this mission. Please…” Kellyn exchanged glances with Ash and his friends. “How you guys can help me, for your own protection, is to keep your distance.”

        Kellyn grabbed Blue-Bird and stroked his head. “I’m going to try to go back to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.” Holding Blu close, he passed Ash and his friends and headed back toward the ladder he had climbed.

        Left behind, Ash, Brock, and Dawn were quiet for a few minutes, standing under the moon’s light cloak.

        Finally, Ash said, “Whoa,” followed by a few “Pikas” from Pikachu.

        “Kellyn… a Guardian alongside Parity and Blue-Bird?” Dawn guessed. “It’s like he’s a king. No wonder he feels pressured.”

        “Hm.” Brock lifted his eyebrow and clutched his chin, lowering his head.

        “Hm?” Ash gave him a bewildered look. “What are you thinking, Brock?”

        “I’m thinking,” Brock answered, “that no matter how much Kellyn fights, we need to find a way to see that Luminous Crystal ourselves.”

        Ash and Dawn wasted no time in saying, “Right!”

        Brock dropped his hand from his chin and folded his arms. “And as a team, we need a plan.”

***

        Well, so much for sleeping that night. It was the longest night ever for Kellyn. He kept an eye on his Capture Styler, in case Hastings returned his voicemail, but he never did. Was something wrong? The Union always answered a Ranger.

        Kellyn distracted himself by quietly pacing and watching the porthole, just waiting for that voicemail, but he got nothing. Oh, gosh! Did he already fail?

        When the morning sun’s rays passed through the porthole and woke Ash, Dawn, and Brock, Kellyn took off his cloak and threw open the door, rushing into the hallway and sprinting up the ladder. He set his Capture Styler and searched the early morning atmosphere for a Pokémon. Come on, give him a Mantine or a Staraptor.

        Kellyn’s eyes caught a piece of land on the near-horizon—Pueltown. Almia was right there, his old stomping grounds.

        Not only that, but a large Bird Pokémon passed through the sky, flying toward Pueltown. It looked like a bird of prey, with black and white feathers and a red-tipped crest on its head.

        Ash and his friends emerged from below deck, right when Kellyn aimed his Styler at Staraptor and released his Capture Disc. “Capture on!”

        “Star?” the Pokémon said, examining the ring around it.

        Kellyn’s Capture Line appeared between his fingers, and he twirled it. “Vatonage!” However, he soon noticed he wasn’t drawing as fast as usual. Aside from friendship, the key to a good capture was speed, but he didn’t have it that morning, and Staraptor broke the ring around it with a cracking sound.

        “Huh?” Kellyn inquired. A drop of sweat ran down his temple. What happened? Kellyn had never had an unsuccessful capture, not even in Ranger School when he was still learning.

        Not only that, but Staraptor faced him and growled, opening its beak. A bright light appeared, and it aimed the Hyper Beam at Kellyn.

        “Pikachu, quickly!” Ash shouted. “Use Thunderbolt!”

        “Pika!” Pikachu leaped before Kellyn, and Blue-Bird appeared, too. Together, they launched a lightning bolt at Staraptor and shocked it.

        Kellyn closed his eyes against the light and backed away from the ferry’s bow.

        The light faded after a few seconds, and the weakened, frightened Staraptor flew away, back toward Pueltown.

        Pikachu and Blu landed before Kellyn, their faces serious. Sparks crackled from Pikachu’s cheek pouches and the tips of Blu’s wings.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn glared at Kellyn, who removed his Capture Styler and fell to his knees.

        His chest tightened again, and something prickled behind his eyes.

        Kellyn punched the ferry’s deck and yelled, “I don’t deserve to be a Top Ranger anymore!”

        “Huh?” Ash lost his angry look. “What are you talking about, Kellyn?”

        Dawn kept her stern face and said, “You’re deciding your worth after one sloppy capture?”

        Brock, being the Pokémon Breeder, remained calm. “You need help, Kellyn. Please, let us help you.”

        Pikachu and Blu approached Kellyn, and Pikachu said, “Pi-Pikachu!”

        “Blu help, Blu help,” Blu chimed in.

        But Kellyn didn’t want any help. It was for Ash, Dawn, and Brock’s own protection.

Chapter Text

        If Kellyn had become a Top Ranger and made a name for himself by “purifying?” the Luminous Crystal in Almia (and considering his age), it made sense why he was scared about returning. Regardless, he still didn’t push Ash and his friends away with Riolu. Although, part of that was because Ash had the strongest aura connection with it, so he could tell the others where it was.

        There was no connection here, though—at least, Ash didn’t think so. He didn’t feel anything around Blu, but he had picked up on his “Help! Help!” Kellyn didn’t want it, though, but he was clearly suffering from an identity crisis, given his reaction to the failed Staraptor capture. But as Brock said, no matter how much Kellyn fought, they were going to help him, starting with Pueltown.

        The closer the ferry approached Almia, the more excited Ash grew. He scarfed down breakfast and spent the rest of the time bouncing like a little kid at the ferry’s bow with his friends. A new adventure, Gyms, Contests, and Trainers waited for them only a short distance away.

        The water surrounding Pueltown was a mix of light blue and deep blue, depending on depth, and it was smaller than Ash initially thought. It looked like the size of Algarve Town, and he didn’t see towering skyscrapers.

        The ferry port, small too, was on the east side of the town, tucked into a few buildings and an alleyway. A minute group of people waited there, and Ash saw a few Raticate scamper away. He was so tempted to dive off the ferry and swim the rest of the way, but he locked his knees, and Pikachu wrapped his paws around his neck to steady him.

        There was the pier, and the ferry pulled up beside it.

        The crew tossed the lines to the dock workers, who caught them and tied them off.

        Finally, the ferry’s loudspeaker turned on, and a man announced, “Attention, passengers, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Pueltown, the largest town in Almia.”

        The largest town? Almia was small, compared to Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. They still had Gyms and Contests, though, right?

        “If this is your first time in Almia,” continued the captain, “please consider stopping by the Visitor’s Center at the end of the pier. We hope you enjoyed your cruise on Almia Tours, and have a blessed day.”

        “Yeah!” Ash, Brock, and Dawn cheered.

        Brock blushed and reached for his cheeks. “I get to meet Wendy! I get to meet Wendy!”

        After checking his Capture Styler, Kellyn moved before them, looking nervous and excited. “Follow me. I’ll take you to the Visitor’s Center.” He was still kind under that anxious façade.

        Blu soared around him, saying, “Blu, home! Blue, home!”

        “Yes, Blu, we’re here,” Kellyn quipped. He had good patience with that Pokémon. Ash wondered if he had a little sibling.

        With Kellyn leading the way, Brock, Dawn, and Ash lined up behind other passengers and headed down the ramp to the pier.

        “Man!” Ash said aloud. “Can’t these people move any faster?”

        “Ash!” Dawn bumped him, and Ash turned red.

        “Whoops. Sorry.” He didn’t mean to be rude—he was just so pumped for Almia.

        The people around them didn’t scour; they merely smiled at the excited, young man, so Ash guessed he was okay.

        He almost sprinted when they reached the pier, but stopped himself when a little girl suddenly rushed down it, moving toward his crowd. She had long, brown hair, Kellyn’s eyes, and wore a pink dress with barefoot sandals.

        “Big Brother!” The girl opened her little arms. “Big Brother!”

        Hold on, did Ash seriously guess it?

        “Huh?” Kellyn asked, blinking, blinking, and blinking again. “Molli?” He grinned. “Molli!” Within seconds, he sprinted for her.

        “Big Brother!” Molli said.

        “Little Sister!” Reaching Molli, Kellyn scooped her up and twirled her. He brought her to his chest and hugged her.

        Ash and his friends froze and studied them. Kellyn never told them that he had a sister. If she were there, did that mean…?

        A man and woman approached next, out of breath (probably from trying to catch up to Molli). Both had brown hair, but only the woman shared Kellyn and Molli’s eyes. The man’s were blue, and he had tufts in his hair. He wore jeans and overalls, and the woman sported a dress with leggings and an apron.

        Their mouths dropped open, and they said, “Kellyn?”

        “Huh?” Kellyn asked again. Ash saw another smile tugging at his lip. “Mom? Dad?”

        “Kellyn!” At once, his parents surrounded and embraced him.

        Tears streamed down his mother’s cheeks. She grabbed Kellyn’s head and pulled him to her own chest, kissing him. “My baby boy! You’re home!”

        Ash and his friends giggled.

        Squirming, Kellyn coughed and pushed his mother with his free hand. “Mom… I can’t… breathe.”

        “Oh, baby! I’m sorry!” His mother released him, and Kellyn gasped. She grasped his cheeks. “Look at you! You’ve grown!”

        “Ahem!” Molli crossed her arms, and Kellyn’s mother chuckled.

        She pinched her nose and said, “When did you start growing, too, Molli?”

        She smiled after that and rested her hands on Kellyn’s shoulder.

        “What are you doing here?” he inquired, examining his parents.

        “Well,” his father explained, “the Union called your mother and me and said you were coming home for a mission.”

        His mother hooked her fingers. “And we wanted to be the first to greet you! We came from Chicole Village yesterday and stayed at the Ranger Depot.”

        “I beat Mommy and Daddy in our race to get here!” Molli playfully gloated.

        “Yes, you did,” her father said, shaking her little foot. “She was so excited to see you, Kellyn.”

        “And I’m excited, too,” Kellyn agreed, hugging Molli again. “Oh.” He turned to Ash, Dawn, and Brock. “Mom, Dad”—he bumped noses with Molli—“Molli, these are some friends I met in Sinnoh.”

        Ash and his friends stood tall, and Ash waved. “Hi, I’m Ash, and this is my partner, Pikachu.”

        Pikachu’s ears straightened. “Pikachu!”

        Dawn rested her hand on her chest. “Hi, I’m Dawn.”

        “And I’m Brock,” Brock said. “Nice to meet you.”

        “Pokémon Trainers?” Kellyn’s father guessed, gesturing at them.

        Ash and Dawn nodded before gasping.

        “Oh, the Visitor’s Center!” Ash said, batting Dawn’s shoulder. “I need to sign up for the Almia League!”

        “And me the Contests!” Dawn included. “Let’s go, Ash, but don’t forget our deal!” She and he took off down the pier, leaving the others to exchange looks behind.

        “They don’t know?” Kellyn’s mother asked.

        Kellyn waved his hand. “We thought it’d be best if they found out for themselves.” He set Molli down. “I guess we’d better chase after them. Come on, Blue-Bird. Hm? Blue-Bird?” Kellyn searched the area, but Blu was nowhere to be found.

        A panicked look with a tinge of guilt crossed Kellyn’s face. “Brock, have you seen Blue-Bird?”

        Brock also looked around. “No, but he was with us when we got off the ferry.”

        “Big Brother?” Molli tugged Kellyn’s shorts. “What’s a Blue-Bird?”

        “The Pokémon we came here with.” Kellyn pulled his hair and pushed past his family, looking to be on the verge of another anxiety attack. He breathed heavily and clutched his jacket’s collar. “I’ve got to find him. The Union, my mission.” Kellyn tightened his grip on his collar. “I’m sorry, Mom, Dad, and Molli.” And just like that, he took off down the pier after Ash and Dawn.

        “Big Brother!” Molli started forward, but her parents grabbed her and pulled her back.

        “Brock…” Gulping, Kellyn’s mother met his eyes. “Wha-What’s wrong with our little boy?”

Chapter Text

        “Kellyn, what’s wrong?” Ash said, once he reached him and Dawn.

        “Blue-Bird’s missing,” he answered, inhaling, “but don’t worry—I’ll find him. You guys head to the Visitor’s Center.” There he went again, trying to push Ash and his friends away.

        Kellyn gestured at a building just off the pier. Unlike the buildings surrounding it, it sat on a platform and had a triangular-shaped roof, whereas the rest of Pueltown’s buildings were flat-roofed. A sign before it read Almia Region Visitor’s Center. A few people entered and exited it, using both the ramp and the stairs.

        Signing up for the Almia League could wait; Blue-Bird was more important.

        Ash and Dawn faced Kellyn, and Ash said, “We’ll help you look for him.”

        “Yeah,” Dawn encouraged. “I’m sure he hasn’t gone far.”

        “No, you don’t understand.” Kellyn seemed to have forgotten that Brock and his family were standing right there. He backed up toward a pile of crates. “I have to do this mission myself. I have to. I need to prove myself to the Union.”

        “But why?” Ash challenged. Hadn’t Kellyn already proven himself by becoming a Top Ranger (probably one of the youngest ones, too)? Did he think that Almia saw him as perfect? That’s what it sounded like to Ash. He learned he wasn’t perfect and needed his friends early in his journey.

        Kellyn didn’t yell, but he did snap. “I just need to!” He whirled around and crashed into the crates, toppling over. One broke and dropped berries onto his head.

        Kellyn’s family gasped, but Ash and Pikachu sighed. This was what happened when someone didn’t sleep.

        A few Rattata and Raticate scampered over and grabbed handfuls of berries, backing up.

        One Rattata, a purple mouse/rat-like Pokémon, smiled and chittered at Kellyn.

        “You’re welcome,” he said, wincing and rubbing berry juice from his cheek. He rose to his knees, and Rattata hopped onto his shoulder, biting into its berry.

        The remaining Rattata and Raticate left, but Kellyn’s Rattata stayed behind.

        Kellyn’s family, Ash, Brock, and Dawn helped him stand.

        “Baby, are you okay?” his mother said, checking him. “Did you hurt yourself?”

        “I’m fine, Mom,” Kellyn said.

        But Ash knew he wasn’t. It looked like Kellyn had made a friend, though.

        Wait, hold on.

        The Rattata finished its berry and suddenly vanished from Kellyn’s shoulder. When it reappeared on his other one, it was Blue-Bird.

        “Blu play! Blu play!” Blu flapped his wings.

        “Blu, there you are!” Kellyn loosened his shoulders and let out a slow exhale. He held Blu before him. “You know you’re not supposed to do that.”

        “Blu excited for Almia!” the Pokémon chirped, releasing himself. He soared around Ash, Brock, Dawn, and Kellyn’s family members.

        Molli squealed. “So cute, Big Brother! Molli wants one!”

        “That’s what I said!” Dawn played along.

        Blu returned to Kellyn’s parents and hovered upside-down before his father.

        He giggled and held his finger out to the Pokémon. “What is that, Kellyn?”

        Blu moved to Kellyn’s mother and turned right-side up, pulling on her hair.

        “He’s your Legendary Pokémon?” she inquired.

        Kellyn nodded. “His name is Blue-Bird, and”—he looked at Molli—“he’s your age, Molli.”

        “Blu six! Blu six!” Blu flew into Molli’s arms, and she squeezed him.

        “My age! Can I keep him, Big Brother?”

        Kellyn chuckled and knelt to her. “How about this? You hold onto him with Mommy and Daddy, and I’ll take Ash, Dawn, and Brock into the Visitor’s Center?”

        There he went, asking for help, but it was to his family, not his friends. Ash guessed that was a step in the right direction, but he wondered how long it would last.

        At least Kellyn decided to keep his promise about taking Ash, Brock, and Dawn to the Visitor’s Center because Ash was ready to sign up for the Almia League. In fact, he was so ready that he and Dawn sprinted up the staircase into the center, and they immediately headed for the Information Booth, not bothering to look at the mini museum about Almia’s history or the gift shop.

        Ash barely caught a “Tears of Princes” label in the museum, but brushed it away and leaned into the lady behind the desk, saying, “Hi, I’m Ash, and I wanna sign up for the Almia League!”

        “Now, hold on, Ash!” Dawn pushed his face and cut before him. “Don’t you remember our deal?” She met the lady’s eyes. “I wanna sign up for the Pueltown Pokémon Contest—or whatever the closest contest is.”

        “Um, where are you kids visiting from?” the lady asked.

        “Sinnoh,” Ash explained. “I have four badges already, but I can take a small break.”

        “And I’d love to showcase my Pokémon in a different setting,” Dawn included.

        “Yeah, um, sorry, but…” The lady dragged a pile of brochures over to her and handed one to Ash and one to Dawn. “There aren’t any Gyms or Contests here.”

        Instantly, Dawn and Ash’s smiles vanished. Their faces were white, and they yelled, “Whaa?”

        A few people roaming the Visitor’s Center glanced at them.

        “No Pokémon Gyms?” Ash whined, shoulders slumping. “Aw, man.”

        “I can’t show off my cute little Buneary and Pachirisu?” Dawn whimpered, shaking her head. “That’s so not fair!”

        Behind them, Brock and Kellyn exchanged looks that said, “Well, they found out.”

        Brock handed Kellyn his guidebook, and he approached Dawn and Ash, smiling gently.

        When he spoke, his voice was calm, not anxious for once. “You see, Ash and Dawn, compared to Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, Almia is a natural region. We don’t have many Trainers here. Vien Forest takes up most of Almia’s main areas, but we do have outliers with Boyleland and Harbua Desert; however, you must take a boat to them.”

        “Oh.” Ash and Dawn blushed.

        “Does this make us outsiders?” Dawn said.

        “No! Of course not!” Kellyn quickly answered.

        Dawn gave him a funny look.

        “Well, a little,” Kellyn added, “but that’s not the point. The point is that Sinnoh or not, Almia is still a brand-new region for you guys to experience.”

        He was being friendly, but Ash still couldn’t help but feel Kellyn was trying to get rid of him and his friends; have them explore Almia while he went alone with Blu to complete his mission. Did he see them as outsiders? What was happening to him? It was as if sudden darkness were attempting to overcome his light.

        Before Ash reached too far into his thoughts, the voicemail button on Kellyn’s Capture Styler flickered. He lifted the screen and pressed the button, saying, “Kellyn here.”

        “Kellyn!” a voice said on the other line (he sounded older). “It’s been a while, kid!”

        “Professor Hastings?” The nervous look returned to Kellyn’s face. “Well, yeah, hi. We just got in.”

        “Sorry for not answering you sooner, son,” Hastings apologized. “We were having trouble connecting with your Styler, so we’ll do a quick diagnostics test when you arrive. Wendy’s coming now with her Staraptor and two others to pick you and your family up.”

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn’s jaws dropped. “Wendy?” they whispered.

        Kellyn examined them for a minute before returning his attention to the Styler. “I brought some friends, so I’ll capture a few more.”

        Oh, wow—Ash didn’t expect that, but he mouthed, Thank you to Kellyn.

        “Eee!” Brock squealed, reaching for his lips.

        “Some friends?” Hastings questioned. “I’m intrigued. All right, then, we’ll see you soon and will go over the next step of your mission.”

        “Understood,” Kellyn said. “See you, then.” With that, he ended the call and turned to the others. “Well, what are we waiting for? It’s time to prepare for the Union.”

***

        Hunter J’s ship, invisible in the clouds, soared across the open ocean toward Almia.

        Team Rocket, sporting cleaning supplies with their disguises, mopped the ship’s bridge. It was a large area with rows of chairs, tables, and computers, but J’s throne was at the front, facing a TV and the windshield.

        She sat in it, quiet but serious.

        James groaned and said to Jessie, “Tell me, Jessie, how we wound up mopping floors when we’re supposed to catch rare Pokémon with J?”

        Holding a small mop, Meowth flipped his paw and answered, “Because she thought it would be oh-so-wise to fight the man who called her a nincompoop.”

        Jessie growled and smacked him on the head. “Shut up! We’re here, aren’t we?”

        “But I miss the submarine,” James complained. “It’s too spacey here.”

        Meowth checked his claws. “And my claws can only do so much.”

        Jessie closed her eyes. “Look on the bright side. At least we don’t have to peddle after the twerps and Ranger now. If it wasn’t for my amazing observation, too, with the town and Blue-Bird, we wouldn’t be here and on our way to Almia.”

        “I think we observed that together,” James corrected.

        Jessie glared.

        “But you’re always right!” James said, getting back to his mopping.

        The trio stopped when the TV in front of J turned on, revealing one of her henchmen. They ducked behind a wall and poked their heads out.

        “Sir,” J’s henchman explained, “we’ve looked into the Luminous Crystal in Almia and found that while Parity and Blue-Bird do guard it, they are not the main Guardians.”

        J narrowed her eyes. “Then what is? We’ll capture them and Parity and Blue-Bird.”

        “That’s just it, sir. We don’t know yet,” the henchman added.

        “So you’re telling me you failed?” J snapped.

        Her henchman popped up. “Negative, sir! Apparently, the Luminous Crystal was the Shadow Crystal before, plunging the region into darkness before it was purified. We just need to figure out what purified it. Whatever did is the one connected to it.”

        J clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. “It’s the Ranger. Why else would Blue-Bird leave to get him?”

        “Hm?” Team Rocket wondered, exchanging glances.

        “The Ranger?” the henchman questioned. “Are you sure?”

        J punched her chair’s arms and rose. “Are you questioning me?”

        “No, sir! Of course not!” Her henchman moved a few inches away from the screen.

        “We have a new assignment, and you three will help!” Hunter J whipped around to Team Rocket, and they quickly leaped out from their hiding place. “We will still capture the Rainbow Birds, but the Ranger is our top priority.” She sneered. “After all, there’s nothing more dangerous than someone who has something to prove. We could use him.”

Chapter Text

        “That’s the Vien Forest.” Kellyn pointed at a large forest before him, his family, Ash, and his friends. They had just cut through Pueltown and were now at the main entrance, where the Ranger Depot was. Behind and above them was a bridge-like platform that Kellyn remembered taking to his friend Isaac’s house. He would visit him, but he was on a mission and couldn’t risk detours.

        Ash asked Kellyn, “So, where are we supposed to go if something happens to our Pokémon?” He opened Almia’s brochure and examined it.

        “The Ranger Depot, Union, and Ranger Bases have services for visiting Trainers,” Kellyn explained. “Operators are trained to help them and Rangers.”

        Now, it was Brock’s turn to look surprised. “You mean—there aren’t any Nurse Joys here?”

        Nurse—? Okay.

        “I’m sorry, Brock,” Kellyn apologized. Almia was so different from other regions.

        “What about cars?” Dawn said, scanning the area.

        Kellyn’s mother stepped up with that question. “Very few, dear.” Her husband wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held Molli’s hand with his free one. “We mostly get around by walking or riding Pokémon.”

        “Speaking of which…” Kellyn’s eyes caught a few Staraptor flying overhead. He turned serious and aimed his Capture Styler. This time, for sure. “Capture…!” Kellyn started.

        “Wait, Kellyn!” a voice yelled from above. One Staraptor flew before the others, revealing a young woman with long green hair and green eyes, sporting a Fine Styler on her right forearm.

        Instantly, Brock blushed, squealed, and shook from where he stood.

        “Wendy!” Kellyn said. What the heck? First, he almost caught Ash; now, Wendy. Why was his head in the clouds so much?

        Wendy and her two other Staraptor landed, and Wendy slid off hers, showing off her tall form, knee-high boots, and uniform, different from Kellyn’s. Hers almost looked like a dress with a Ranger jacket over her torso.

        Wendy was in her early twenties, but that didn’t stop Brock from sprinting to her and taking her gloved hands in his. “The Flying Ranger, here!” he yelled. “My name is Brock, and I’ve heard so much about you!” He lifted Wendy’s hands. “Now that we’re finally meeting—”

        Croagunk popped out of its pokéball, but before it jabbed Brock, Wendy freed her hands and approached Kellyn, placing her palm on her hip.

        Gosh, was she really still taller than he was? Maybe Kellyn was going to be a shorter man. He still wasn’t as tall as his dad.

        For a good minute, there was silence.

        Wendy seemed to glare at Kellyn, and he gulped. His breath hitched when she moved closer, but Kellyn exhaled once she grinned and hugged him.

        “Kellyn! It’s so good to see you!” Wendy freed him. “How long has it been?”

        “A year,” Kellyn murmured. A year since the Shadow Crystal Incident, and since he had been stationed in Sinnoh.

        Blue-Bird soared by Kellyn’s head and flew to Wendy, saying, “Blu here! Blu here!”

        “Aw, you named him?” Wendy said. “It’s good to see you, too, Blue-Bird.” She looked at Kellyn’s family. “And you, too, Kellyn’s family.”

        Wendy was usually a stoic and serious Ranger—Kellyn learned his seriousness from her—so seeing her human was peculiar, especially since she didn’t like Kellyn at first, but now it seemed she idolized him.

        “Oh!” Wendy said, looking at Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “Are these the friends you told Hastings about, Kellyn?”

        “They are,” Kellyn answered. He felt heavier under the sudden pressure, but gestured at Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “Wendy, this is Ash, Brock, and Dawn, Pokémon Trainers from Sinnoh.”

        “Pokémon Trainers, really?” Wendy inquired. Her face brightened further. “We don’t have many here. Welcome, guys.”

        Before Ash and Dawn spoke, Brock returned to Wendy and grabbed her hands again. “Then this must be destiny: the Flying Ranger and the Pokémon Trainer!”

        “Croagunk!” That time, Croagunk jabbed him, and Brock flinched, slumping to the ground.

        “Of course, we could always talk about dinner another time.”

        “Cro, Cro,” Croagunk slowly said in its deep voice.

        Wendy chewed her fingernails, but the others tittered.

        Eventually, Kellyn told Wendy, “They want to see the Union, if that’s okay.” He caught Blu and started for the Vien Forest. “I need to grab a few Staraptor, but I’ll return soon.” With those words, Kellyn sprinted, but Molli chased him.

        “Big Brother!” she called.

        “Molli!” her parents shouted.

***

        Just get them to the Union, and that’s it, Kellyn thought while hiking down the dirt path into Vien Forest. The Union was safe; they would look after Ash, Dawn, Brock, and his family while Kellyn completed his mission. They just had to.

        Returning to Vien Forest—memories of Kellyn’s early Ranger days flashed through his mind. Only three days in—he fought a forest fire with Crawford and Luana from Vientown and used his first Field Move. However, Blastoise was aggressive at first.

        Kellyn’s eyes landed on the river that cut through Vien Forest, up to Crysta Cave, and into Hia Valley.

        Pokémon scampered about, and three Staraptor drank from the river.

        Kellyn nodded and took a deep breath. Group Capture time—he could do it.

        Kellyn cleared his head the best he could and aimed his Styler at the Staraptor. “Capture on!” Out spun his Capture Disc, and it circled all three Staraptor.

        Kellyn’s Capture Line appeared between his fingers, and he spun it as fast as he could, even though his eyes drooped slightly. “Vatonage! Ha! Ha! Ha!” He wasn’t falling asleep today; he would remain active, and it worked!

        The white light washed over the Staraptor, and they cried out.

        “Capture complete!” Kellyn announced. Maybe he still had it in him, but he still wanted to complete his mission himself.

        Beside him, Blu squawked, “Little sister! Little sister!”

        “So cool, Big Brother!”

        Kellyn glanced over his shoulder and saw Molli sprinting for him. “Molli! Why aren’t you with Mom and Dad?”

        “Because I have the coolest big brother!” Molli answered, reaching him. She ran in a few circles around Kellyn and stopped before him, placing her hands behind her.

        That was sweet, but Kellyn didn’t feel like an idol. If Molli saw him as one, though, he needed to prove himself to her, too. He was still that Rank 10 Top Pokémon Ranger. He was still that Rank 10 Top Pokémon Ranger.

        No! The negative thoughts!

        Kellyn closed his eyes and clutched his head. All he saw in his mind was an endless swirl of darkness.

        Molli’s smile vanished, and she gripped Kellyn’s shorts. “What’s wrong, Big Brother?”

        Out of nowhere, the Staraptor Kellyn had captured cried out again, and they began flying in circles repeatedly.

        A few other Pokémon in the area, Shinx and Bonsly, also moved in circles.

        “Kellyn!” Molli tried again, but Kellyn still saw darkness.

        It wasn’t long before the others hurried onto the scene, and they froze at the sight of Kellyn and the Pokémon.

        Kellyn’s parents started for their children, but Wendy stopped them. “Hold on.” Now she was serious.

        “What’s wrong with our little boy?” Kellyn’s mother whimpered.

        “What’s wrong with the Pokémon?” Ash asked right after.

        “We need to snap them out of it,” Wendy stated, glancing at Ash and his friends. “Ash, you and your friends are Pokémon Trainers. Try weakening the Pokémon running in circles. See if it helps.”

        “But…” Ash protested, looking guilty.

        “It’s for their own good,” Wendy elucidated. “Trust me.”

        “Uh…” Ash lowered his head, but soon lifted it and nodded at Pikachu. “All right, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on the Staraptor.”

        Dawn faced a group of Shinx and tossed a pokéball forward. “Piplup, use Bubble Beam!”

        Finally, Brock threw a pokéball toward a few Bonsly, Rock Pokémon who resembled plants. “Croagunk, Brick Break on the Bonsly!”

        All three Pokémon dove for their targets and unleashed their attacks.

        Pikachu shocked the Staraptor with an enormous lightning bolt, Piplup spat a line of powerful bubbles at the Shinx, and Croagunk smacked each Bonsly on the head, yelling, “Croagunk!”

        “Blu help, too!” Blu said. He flew before Kellyn and Molli and flapped his wings so quickly—it was hard to see them. A blast of wind knocked the Pokémon back.

        Once the wind died, the affected Pokémon shook their heads and surveyed the forest.

        “It worked!” Wendy said, cheering. “Mission complete!”

        “Pi-Pikachu!” Pikachu agreed, holding up two fingers.

        Piplup, Croagunk, and Blue-Bird straightened themselves, appearing like a rescue team.

        What happened?

        The darkness left Kellyn’s mind, and he opened his eyes, releasing his head. Why were the Staraptor and Pokémon bewildered?

        Kellyn soon noticed the others studying him and peered down at Molli.

        She stood on her tiptoes and opened her arms for a hug.

        Kellyn bent his knees and picked her up. He held Molli close and felt her heart pounding against his chest. “I’m okay, Molli. I’m okay,” he encouraged.

        But was he?

        Molli wrapped her arms around Kellyn’s neck and rested her head on his shoulder.

        Kellyn placed his hand on Molli’s head, whispering, “Shh, shh,” before facing the others. “Please… What’s happening to me?”

        While she was still firm, Wendy gave him a subtle smile. “That’s part of the mission, Kellyn. Come…” She turned and gestured toward Pueltown. “Let’s make way for the Ranger Union.”

End of Act I: Return to Almia!

Current Word Count: 12,088

Chapter Text

        What had happened to the Pokémon? Ash and the others had chased after Molli into the forest, only to find them running in circles and Kellyn suffering from another panic attack. How and why? Ash felt something was amiss in Almia, so hopefully Kellyn would allow him and his friends to intervene. He needed all the help he could muster.

        Before returning to Pueltown, Wendy scouted the area, and Kellyn, still holding Molli, checked the wildlife.

        Everything was fine now. The three Staraptor followed Kellyn, and the other Pokémon went about their business.

        The two Rangers soon approached one another, and Wendy said, "I don't see any Gigaremos."

        Giga—what? That was a new one for Ash and his friends.

        Ash tilted his head and asked, "Giga—what?"

        Wendy faced him. "Machines used last year by an evil team that corrupted Pokémon."

        Corrupted Pokémon? That was awful—as terrible as Hunter J.

        "We'll explain at the Union," Wendy included, "but we must get there ASAP. The Staraptor are ready to go."

        What did she mean by that? Ash hoped it wasn't what he thought it was. He embarrassed himself the last time he tried riding a Pokémon.

        Nope, it was precisely what Ash thought.

        Back in Pueltown, Kellyn and his father climbed onto the back of one of Wendy's Staraptor, and his mother and sister mounted the other.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn stood beside their mounts with Blu, who communicated with Ash's bird. Oh, gosh, they already knew he would fail.

        "Now," Wendy elucidated, patting her Staraptor, "patience is the key to riding any Pokémon. You get excited—you excite them, too."

        Piplup on her shoulder, Dawn backed away from her mount. "You know, why don't we walk, Piplup?"

        That's how I feel, too, Dawn, Ash thought. He didn't mind remaining an outsider a little longer, but then he saw Kellyn's face.

        It read both That's a great idea and No, I need my friends.

        "On second thought," Ash said aloud. He mounted his Staraptor and landed in a body of soft, black feathers. "Okay, no-not too bad," Ash added, but then he accidentally kicked Staraptor's flanks.

        "Raptor!" the Pokémon announced. It opened its wings and shot into the clear, blue sky.

        "Ash!" the others yelled.

        "Ahh!" Ash screamed, wrapping his arms around Staraptor's neck.

        "Pika!" Pikachu's paws slipped from his shoulder, and he plummeted for Pueltown.

        "Pikachu!" Instantly, Ash leaped off Staraptor and dove after his Partner. He grabbed him and hugged him close.

        Ash's Staraptor stopped for a second and searched for its rider, seeming to gasp at the sight of Ash and Pikachu. It folded its wings and nose-dived, catching Ash by his backpack with its claws.

        He jolted and asked, "Huh?" looking up at his mount. "Gee, thanks, Staraptor."

        Staraptor nodded and tightened its grip.

        Below, Kellyn whistled, and Staraptor flew toward him, holding Ash out to show he was okay.

        Kellyn and Wendy giggled, and Wendy questioned, "Why don't we try that again?"

        Ash and Dawn held on for dear life the entire way to the Union, but Brock rode his Staraptor like a pro (kudos to him for being a Pokémon Breeder) and remained near Wendy.

        Croagunk popped out of its pokéball at one point, but when it saw how high up it was, it hugged Brock's torso and shut its eyes.

        Wendy shooed Brock away and said, "I think your Pokémon needs you more than me, Brock. It may actually be interested in younger men."

        Ooh! Shot through the heart! Brock spent the rest of the journey cuddling Croagunk after that.

        The Staraptor followed the river in Vien Forest, but Ash barely saw a large, shadowy building on the horizon.

        He removed one hand from Staraptor's neck and gestured at it, asking Kellyn, "Kellyn, what's that big tower?"

        "Altru Tower," Kellyn explained, a slight quiver in his voice. "That's where the Luminous Crystal is."

        The Luminous Crystal—right! Kellyn said it was an energy source for Almia and that he purified it at one point. Wait, did that mean...? Nah, that was ridiculous.

        Ash focused on his Staraptor and said, "May we go there at some point, Kellyn?"

        Kellyn shut down, but still refused to speak when his father nudged him.

        He remained quiet, even when the river narrowed, and a building appeared in an open, circular forest area on the right—the Ranger Union. A staircase led to it, and there was a dock at the foot of it.

        The building looked around three or four stories tall—Ash couldn't tell with the enormous tree at the top of it. It reminded him of the Tree of Life in Hoenn, where he helped a conflicted Lucario and a mischievous Mew.

        The Staraptor landed on and around the dock, but Ash and Dawn's mounts tripped and accidentally tossed them into the river.

        This was why Ash preferred walking over riding.

        He and Dawn coughed and dragged themselves onto the sandy riverbed.

        Pikachu shivered on Ash's head, and Piplup shook like a Growlithe.

        "Are you two okay?" Brock said, helping them stand. "Maybe bird riding just isn't your guys' thing."

        It looked like his Croagunk didn't enjoy it, either, because it cuddled up to Brock's leg.

        "Blu had fun! Blu had fun!" Blu cheered, circling Ash, Brock, and Dawn before glancing at Kellyn and the Union. "Help! Help!"

        Dawn rose to her knees and squeezed water out of her hair, patting her ear. "I'm walking next time, Brock."

        Ash was, too, but at least they had made it this far with Kellyn, even with his pride.

        He and Wendy released the Staraptor, but one stayed behind. That was why Wendy was called the "Flying Ranger". Staraptor was her Partner Pokémon.

        Wendy led the way to the staircase, but Kellyn stopped at the bottom and studied the Ranger Union.

        A minute passed, and he broke out in sweat and backed away from the staircase.

        His family surrounded him, and his mother and father clasped his shoulders.

        Molli grasped Kellyn's hand and gently jiggled it.

        He patted it in return and left his family, stiffly climbing the stairs.

        The others followed.

        Ash and his friends scrutinized their surroundings and said, "Wow," at the sight of the Union.

        Everyone soon reached the front doors, and they opened, revealing a large lobby with a desk and the Ranger Union symbol on the floor.

        An applause broke out without warning, and Ash and his friends looked forward.

        A group of people, Rangers and not, yelled, "Welcome home, Kellyn!"

        Kellyn jumped, and his green eyes widened.

        That was when Ash and his friends saw refreshment tables, a play area for children, and one for Pokémon in one corner of the circular lobby. A surprise party—now Ash saw that Kellyn was a celebrity.

        Everyone grinned, and two older people emerged from the group, using canes to support themselves. The professor-looking man wore a lab coat and a pink uniform with a vest, and the woman, who sported pigtails, wore a long-sleeved red dress with a white vest.

        The two approached Kellyn, and he said, "Professor Hastings! Chairperson Erma!" He motioned at the party. "What is this?"

        "Oh, dear, welcome back!" Erma hugged him.

        While Kellyn initially hesitated, he returned her hug.

        Erma released him, saying, "Your parents and the Union wanted to throw something to welcome you home. You've been gone a year, dear."

        The guilty look returned to Kellyn's face, and it only worsened when the group of people lifted their fists and cheered, "Top Ranger Kellyn! Top Ranger Kellyn, the best Ranger in Almia!"

        Ash heard a "Humph," and noticed another Top Ranger standing at the end of the crowd, arms crossed. He looked around Wendy's age and wore a red hat, a white-and-red uniform with long pants, and a white-and-black vest that matched his tufty, black hair and brown eyes.

        Kellyn was definitely the youngest Top Ranger there and did not look pleased about the title.

        He gripped his jacket and told Hastings and Erma, "No, I don't deserve this," in a shaky voice.

        Beside him, his mother took his shoulders. "Oh, come on, baby—you saved Almia from the Shadow Crystal."

        Kellyn ripped away from her and headed for the front doors. "No, I don't deserve this." He turned on his heel and sprinted out the door.

        "Wait, Kellyn!" Ash bellowed. He, Brock, and Dawn chased him outside, followed by Hastings, Erma, his family, Wendy, and the other Top Ranger.

        They found Kellyn, whose mask had crumbled. He looked aggressive and caught Pokémon one after the other, scaring a few away.

        No! That was not the Kellyn Ash and his friends knew. Where was his kindness, the most significant skill of any Ranger?

        A sudden spark came from Kellyn's Vatonage Styler, and Ash gasped, begging, "Kellyn, stop!"

        But Kellyn didn't, not until he flinched and closed his eyes. His legs gave out under him, and he collapsed onto his front. His Styler sparked one more time before stopping, but Kellyn didn't move from where he rested.

        "Kellyn!" Ash, his friends, and Kellyn's family shouted, and they hurried toward him.

        Blu appeared over him and cried, "Help! Help!"

        In that moment, Ash looked up and squinted. Was it just him, or was the Almia sky a little dimmer, even though it was midday? And why on Earth did Kellyn believe he could get through the day without sleep?

        Whatever was happening to Almia, Ash couldn't help but feel like it had something to do with Kellyn, the Rainbow Birds, and the Luminous Crystal.

        But what?

Chapter Text

        The second floor of the Ranger Union was the size of the lobby, but Ash noticed a conference room, the Rangers’ sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and a medical bay for people and Pokémon. The Rangers had a lot of room there, enough for Ash and the others to wait in with their Pokémon while the Union examined Kellyn. The stubborn boy had knocked himself out, but that wasn’t all bad. Maybe he would be back to normal after a nap.

        Kellyn’s parents comforted one another and watched Molli, who colored for a bit before playing with Blu and Piplup. She still had a few years before understanding what was happening to Kellyn, so distracting her was best for her.

        After playing with Blu and Piplup, she and Dawn styled each other’s hair.

        Dawn brushed her bangs like a professional, and Molli copied her.

        She had just finished styling her hair with beads when Hastings, Erma, and the Top Ranger from before exited the Ranger quarters.

        “Hastings! Erma!” Kellyn’s parents stood and rushed to them. “How’s our little boy?”

        Seeing their love for their son reminded Ash of his mother. She chased him down in the Orange Islands when the Legendary Kanto Birds and Lugia pitted against one another because she was worried about him and his friends. Now, he was witnessing that same love with Kellyn’s family.

        “Oh, don’t worry,” Erma sweetly said with a gentle smile. “He’s fine—no injuries—just exhausted. We’re going to let him sleep for right now.”

        Hastings paced and twirled his white mustache around his finger. “We’ve sent his Styler to the Operator for a diagnostic test. What happened outside wasn’t normal.”

        Was anything about Kellyn’s behavior right now normal? Ash had seen a few identity crises during his journey, but none like Kellyn’s. He had been so confident and friendly with Riolu, so what was happening?

        “Oh.” Hastings gestured at Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “Are you three the friends Kellyn told us about?”

        “They sure are!” Ash turned and saw Wendy coming up the escalator from the party downstairs. She approached Hastings and said, “They’re Pokémon Trainers from Sinnoh—a rare treat in Almia. I think they may be helpful for the mission after what happened in Vien Forest.”

        “Whoa! Whoa!” Hastings held up his hand. “What happened in Vien Forest?”

        Molli ran Dawn’s brush through her hair and unintentionally answered, “Big Brother made Pokémon mean.”

        “Wait, what?” Hastings checked on Molli and paced again.

        Wendy gripped her chin and lifted an eyebrow. “He was holding his head, and the Pokémon were nearby, Hastings. They ran like they were under Gigaremo influence, but we didn’t see one.”

        “Then it’s settled,” Hastings said (he was a little impatient, wasn’t he?). “As soon as Kellyn wakes up, we’ll hold an emergency meeting and make our way to the Peace Tower.”

        Peace Tower? Were there two towers in Almia? Also, wasn’t Hastings pushing it by immediately calling a meeting after Kellyn woke, or was that Ash? He almost asked, but it came out as, “What’s the Peace Tower?”

        Wendy answered, “It’s the name we gave Altru Tower after Kellyn purified the Luminous Crystal.”

        That was when the final Top Ranger spoke up for the first time. “And it’s not something Pokémon Trainers should get involved with.”

        Well, excuse him! Ash and his friends hadn’t saved the world more than once.

        Wendy slightly glared at the Ranger. “Hold your high horses, Sven. These Trainers snapped the Pokémon out of their trances by weakening them, so I think it’s necessary to involve them.”

        Silence, and then Hastings looked at Ash and his friends. “Pokémon Trainers, we Rangers need to discuss something privately. Why don’t you enjoy the party downstairs, and we’ll get you when Kellyn wakes up?”

        “But...!” Ash and his friends fought, but Hastings focused on Erma. “Erma, if you may. Just until Kellyn wakes.”

        That was the first time Ash really felt like an outsider.

        On their way down the escalator to the Union’s first floor, Erma said, “I’m sorry, dears.” At least she was kind. “Hastings and Sven can be stubborn when they’re worried. Wendy will convince them, though. She used to be cold, too, until Kellyn showed her true kindness.”

        “It’s okay, Erma,” Brock said. “We know you guys aren’t used to Trainers.”

        “But we really want to help,” Dawn nearly begged, stepping off the escalator. “We’ve helped Kellyn once before.”

        “That’s why we followed him here,” Ash elucidated. “We’re no Top Rangers, but we worked as a team to save a kidnapped Riolu.”

        “Oh, it was you three?” Erma inquired. “Kellyn said he had help but didn’t mention you were Trainers.”

        Ash hoped that was merely a mistake on Kellyn’s part. “Please,” he tried, “just let us help.”

        Erma gave him a warm smile and winked. “I’ll see what I can do, dear.” With those words, she turned and headed back up the escalator.

        That was an excellent start for Almia—Ash and his friends getting kicked out by the Ranger Union. These Top Rangers and higher-ups meant business, so they had to try a little harder to convince them to let them help.

        Ash knew his friends, though. They would come up with something. They always did.

***

One year earlier

        Standing on the roof of Altru Tower (now Peace Tower), Kellyn remembered the Shadow Crystal Incident only a week and a half ago. Team Dim Sun had activated the Incredible Machine, nearly plunging Almia into darkness. Then, Kellyn caught Darkrai with his newly acquired Vatonage Styler and purified the Shadow Crystal into the Luminous Crystal, saving Almia. Now, he was back because Darkrai wanted to speak with him.

        The Luminous Crystal, an enormous, shimmering crystal, floated above Altru Tower (Kellyn wasn’t used to the new name yet) with the Tears of Princes, three gemstones that powered Kellyn’s Vatonage Styler. It was a mesmerizing sight—nothing like the Shadow Crystal.

        A chill passed through the area, and Kellyn turned, mouth dropping open.

        Darkrai, a black, shadowy Pokémon with striking blue eyes and a fog-like plume, hovered before him. At first glance, it seemed like a terrifying Pokémon, but Kellyn remembered its kindness when it spoke to him telepathically.

        “Kellyn.”

        “Darkrai.” Kellyn smiled. “What did you want to see me for? Hastings said you’re good to go.”

        Two leg-like features emerged from Darkrai’s underbody, and it stood like a human, arms dangling. “I wanted to see you because I can’t be here anymore, and my Crystal—and Almia—need a new Guardian.”

        A new—? Kellyn checked behind him before turning back to Darkrai and pointing at himself. “Me?”

        “Yes,” Darkrai said. “You saved Almia and me. There’s no one I trust more.”

        This... was... huge. Kellyn, a Guardian? However, he was a Top Ranger, meaning the Union could station him anywhere. “What if the Union stations me somewhere else, though?” he asked Darkrai.

        “I know two Pokémon, Rainbow Birds, who’d be willing to stand in for you temporarily,” Darkrai answered.

        Really? Rainbow Birds? The only “Rainbow Bird” Kellyn knew was Ho-Oh. He wanted to ask, but it seemed Darkrai was trying to keep them in the dark for now.

        “You purified the Shadow Crystal,” it continued, “which means you’re already connected to it through Vatonage—not just your Styler, but inside you, too. You may not realize it, Kellyn, but you have a power: the power of Vatonage.”

        Kellyn shakily lifted his arm and studied his Styler. “Vatonage: to reawaken light that has been submerged in darkness,” he repeated.

        “So, please, Kellyn,” Darkrai said. “As long as you keep Vatonage inside you, you will be a great Guardian, just as you are a Ranger. I know you will continue to do amazing things.”

        Kellyn examined his Styler a little longer, then lowered his arm and inhaled. A power. “I promise I won’t let you down, Darkrai,” he finally said. It was his duty as a Ranger—no, as a Guardian.

        Darkrai’s blue eyes sparkled (Kellyn guessed that was a smile), and it said, “Thank you, Kellyn. I will watch over you and send the Rainbow Birds if you are temporarily stationed elsewhere. You have my word.”

        Again, what were the Rainbow Birds? Perhaps Kellyn would discover that one day.

        He watched as Darkrai created a shadow in Altru Tower’s roof and sank into it, leaving Kellyn alone with the Crystal, the gems, and Vatonage.

***

One year later

        “Vatonage!” Kellyn jolted awake with the memory and found himself in the Ranger quarters of the Union. Each Top Ranger had their own bed and section, but they shared a room like a dormitory—although part of that had to do with the Union’s size.

        Kellyn threw off his covers and sat in bed. He snatched his jacket from his dresser beside him and felt himself up and down. Where was his Styler? He needed it to use Vatonage to find Parity and check the Luminous Crystal. He told Darkrai he wouldn’t let it down.

        Why was Kellyn sleeping? He had a mission: prove that he was still Top Ranger Kellyn and the Guardian of the Luminous Crystal. Ash, his friends, and the Union could try all they wanted, but at the end of the day, Almia’s fate rested in Kellyn’s hands—and his hands only.

Chapter Text

        “Kellyn?” Chairperson Erma lowered her teacup and stood from her chair at the sight of him hopping off the escalator onto the Union’s third floor. A line of monitors covered the back wall behind the counter, and two Operators wearing headsets worked them. It looked like there were three Operators total, but the chair on the far right was empty.

        “Chairperson Erma.” Kellyn jogged to her. “Where’s my Styler?”

        “The Operator is running a diagnostic test on it.” Erma checked her wristwatch. “You’ve only been asleep an hour, dear. You need to go back to bed.”

        No, that was a weakness, and Kellyn couldn’t afford that right now. “Is the Operator Rhythmi?” he asked Erma. He hadn’t seen her or Keith in a long time.

        “No, dear,” Erma answered. “She and Keith are still overseas. Rhythmi’s in Oblivia right now.”

        Great, not only was Almia’s future in Kellyn’s hands—he didn’t have his Ranger School friends to look up to. He was still the youngest member of the Union.

        “I have to get to Peace Tower,” Kellyn told Erma. “Parity… the Crystal… my mission.”

        “No.” Erma took his hands and sat him down in the chair she had just sat in. “You will sit right here, and I’ll get the others. You’re not going anywhere today, dear.” She flicked his nose. “It’s your first day back. You’re resting and spending time with your family. We’ll continue the mission tomorrow.”

        Tomorr—? No, Kellyn couldn’t wait that long.

        He tried standing, but Erma pushed him back down. “I have spoken.”

        How was Kellyn supposed to prove himself to the Union, then? He filled his mind with the thought, but replaced it with a happy one when his family, Ash, his friends, and Hastings arrived on the third floor a little later.

        “Big Brother!” Molli leaped into Kellyn’s arms, and Blu appeared beside him.

        “Happy!” Blu chirped. “Happy!”

        After an eternity, Kellyn relaxed and hugged Blu and Molli.

        His mother kissed his cheek. “Oh, dear, are you feeling better? You slept for only an hour.”

        Kellyn blushed. “I’m fine, Mom, I promise.”

        “We’re sorry about the party,” his father apologized. “We just wanted you to feel at home, not hurt you.”

        “It’s okay,” Kellyn said, moving Molli to his right thigh and arm. “I’ll try it. I might as well.” He stood and bounced Molli.

        Hastings banged the floor with his cane. “We need to have a meeting, though, Kellyn. Wendy and Sven are waiting in the Conference Room. However, I spoke with Erma, and we’ve agreed that you can take the rest of the day off afterward. You need your Styler to examine the Luminous Crystal, so we’ll push that to tomorrow.”

        Why was everyone treating Kellyn like a kid? He was fine.

        “What about us?” Ash asked Hastings. “Can we sit in on the meeting?”

        Hastings sighed and shook his head.

        Erma nudged him. “Come on, Hastings. They came all this way, and remember what Wendy said.”

        What did Wendy say? Kellyn decided to figure that out for himself.

        It took a minute, but Hastings finally said, “Fine,” and turned to Ash, Dawn, and Brock. “You guys can sit in on the meeting.”

        “Yes!” the three cheered, high-fiving.

        That didn’t mean they were cleared to help—only to learn what was happening.

        Kellyn’s parents took Molli downstairs to the party, but Hastings led Kellyn, Erma, Ash, and his friends into the Conference Room on the second floor of the Union. Kellyn had forgotten how small it was—and the fact that the entire floor was a green, computer-powered Underfoot Monitor that showcased Almia’s map when turned off.

        As Hastings said, Wendy and Sven waited for them, Wendy with her hand on her hip, Sven with his arms crossed.

        Ash, Dawn, and Brock examined the room, amazed, but then Sven asked, “What are they doing here?”

        “Excuse you!” Dawn clenched her fists and puffed out her cheeks. “We’re here to help Kellyn.”

        Kellyn didn’t need help, though. What happened outside the Union was a fluke. He was tired, but he had rested some.

        Hastings banged his cane again. “That’s enough. This is a business, not a school.” He didn’t look thrilled about Ash and his friends being there, either, but he let it slide and performed his notorious Professor Hastings pace.

        “Now,” he explained after a minute. “We’re here because we need to devise a plan to find Parity and discover what’s happening to the Luminous Crystal.”

        Erma jumped in. “The Crystal began weakening a few weeks ago, and there have been moments since then that darkness has temporarily shrouded Almia. Kellyn…” She faced him. “Have you noticed anything different with your power lately?”

        Erma had to say that before Ash, Dawn, and Brock.

        “His power?” Ash asked aloud.

        Erma smiled warmly. “Oh, yes, dear. Kellyn has a power, Vatonage, which he acquired after purifying the Shadow Crystal.”

        “You’re kidding!” Ash whipped around to Kellyn. “You’re a superhero, Kellyn?”

        Well, Kellyn wouldn’t call himself that (he couldn’t shoot lasers from his eyes), but the Crystal and Darkrai did gift him with a divine power as thanks for saving Almia.

        Erma chuckled and answered Ash’s question. “He’s not a superhero but the only Ranger who can wield a Vatonage Styler.”

        Sven huffed and lowered his hat over his face.

        “I don’t know if he told you three,” Erma included, “but ‘vatonage’ means to ‘reawaken light that has been submerged in darkness’.”

        “Hm.” Brock rubbed his chin. “So that means you have the power of purification, Kellyn.”

        “Correct,” Hastings confirmed, “and he gets it through the Luminous Crystal. The Rainbow Birds help balance that power when he’s not around.”

        “And that’s why we need to find Parity,” Erma concluded. Her eyes moved to Blu, who fluttered around the room without a care. “Blu’s still young, so he hasn’t yet fully grasped his Rainbow Forme, unlike Parity.”

        “And Parity was last seen at the Luminous Crystal,” Hastings elucidated. “So, Kellyn, tomorrow, you will go with your friends, Sven, and Wendy to Altru Tower and see if you can find a clue to her whereabouts.”

        “Wait, what?” Grins flashed across Ash, Brock, and Dawn’s faces. “We’re helping?”

        “Yes!” Ash quipped, lifting his fist.

        Pikachu mimicked him. “Pi-Pikachu!”

        “Hold on!” Kellyn and Sven said simultaneously, but Sven flicked his wrist at Kellyn and opened the stage.

        “Professor,” he protested, meeting Hastings’s eyes, “I agree—Ash, Brock, and Dawn are amazing Trainers, but I’m the Guardian. I need to do this myself.” He bit his lip to hold back his anxiety.

        Hastings scoffed. “You are not doing this by yourself, Kellyn.”

        Those words. Those words. They confirmed that the Union didn’t see Kellyn as the Ranger who purified the Shadow Crystal anymore.

        Erma must’ve seen his face because she stepped forward. “It’s not that we don’t trust you, Kellyn, but you carry a divine power. If another Team Dim Sun is out there, they may try to exploit you. It’s safety in numbers. Wendy also said that Ash, Brock, and Dawn helped weaken Pokémon in the Vien Forest when they seemed to fall under that Gigaremo-like trance. They snapped them out of it.”

        But Kellyn was the Guardian. He brought Ash, Brock, and Dawn to the Union so they could stay and explore Almia while he completed his mission. They would be safe there. He wouldn’t have them risk their lives for something he had to do alone. The same went for Sven and Wendy.

        Kellyn had to do something, but what? Right now, he forced a smile and said, “Okay,” to Erma and Hastings.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn whooped again, Wendy clapped, but Sven remained serious. Kellyn sometimes wondered if his Partner Pokémon, Luxray, had hit him in the head at one point with its lightning.

        “Then it’s settled.” Hastings banged his cane one last time and slipped his free hand into his pocket. “You leave early tomorrow morning. Ash, Brock, and Dawn, I’ll show you to the dormitories.”

        “Sir!” they said, saluting and following him out of the Conference Room.

        “As for you, dear...” Erma focused on Kellyn. “I’ll make you some tea, but you need to spend some time with your family today and rest.”

        Kellyn swore he tore off a piece of his lip with how hard he bit it now. The Union meant well, but no.

        What Kellyn needed was a plan.

Chapter Text

        Kellyn loved his family, but now was not a good time to spend with them. He didn’t return to Almia for family time—he returned to complete a mission. Yet, Erma kept pushing it when she approached him in the kitchen with his tea and a temporary Fine Styler to use while his was still in the lab.

        “It will be good for you, dear,” Erma said, sitting at the round table with Kellyn. “You haven’t seen your family in a year.”

        Kellyn didn’t intend to sound rude, but asked, “Could you stop calling me ‘dear’, please? It makes me feel like I’m a kid.”

        Erma giggled. “But you are a kid.”

        No, Kellyn became an adult when the Union promoted him to Top Ranger—and a middle-aged adult when Darkrai made him a Guardian.

        “If it will make you feel better,” Erma stated, “I know a Ranger who was just like you when he was your age.”

        Kellyn gripped his teacup and thought for a second. “Hastings?” he finally guessed.

        “Oh, yes,” Erma said. “He wanted to do everything himself, but ended up hurting himself. He hasn’t worked alone since.”

        Hastings had hurt himself? He never told Kellyn that. Still, he preferred to confront the Luminous Crystal alone. He didn’t care if he hurt himself—he just wanted to protect Ash, his friends, Sven, and Wendy.

        Kellyn sipped his tea, and Erma said, “Just think about that, okay, Kellyn?” She patted his glove. “This is a dangerous, Shadow Crystal-sized mission. You need help.” With that, she stood, began leaving the kitchen, and then turned back. “Your family is waiting for you downstairs with Blu.”

        Kellyn sighed and watched her leave, finishing his tea. He sat there for a few minutes, thinking, before standing and removing his jacket. He plopped it over his chair and cut across the kitchen to the refrigerator. Kellyn opened it, and a delicious smell—berries and vegetables—overtook his nose. He collected salad supplies and a cutting board and set everything on the granite counter behind him.

        Kellyn chopped lettuce, carrots, berries, and meat for the next seven minutes, then tossed them into a bowl. His attention shifted from his Styler to the knife he held several times. He topped the salad with dressing, put the ingredients away, and washed everything in the sink. He then grabbed his jacket and took his snack into the Ranger quarters, sitting on his bed.

        While Kellyn ate, he occasionally stood and tried to channel his power without his Styler.

        “Vatonage!”

        Nothing happened.

        “Vatonage!”

        Nothing.

        Kellyn brought the Fine Styler close to his face and whispered, “Vatonage?”

        Nothing.

        Kellyn groaned and plopped onto his bed, arms outstretched. He must have just gotten lucky with the Shadow Crystal. Maybe Kellyn never deserved to be a Top Ranger in the first place.

        He shot up when the Ranger quarters’ door opened, revealing Molli and Blu.

        “Big Brother!” Molli shouted, hurrying to him.

        Kellyn quickly stood and said through gritted teeth, “Molli, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you with Mom and Dad?”

        He scooped her up, and Molli answered, “Grownups are boring!”

        Well, Kellyn couldn’t argue with that.

        “Blu and me wanna play,” Molli added. “Will you play with us?”

        Wasn’t Kellyn a little old to play, though? At the same time, what would happen if Molli saw him as a boring “grownup”, too? Moreover, Erma was right… He hadn’t seen his family in a year. He would have the temporary Styler, just in case.

        “Please, Big Brother?” Molli said, followed by Blu.

        “Blu play! Blu play!”

        “Sure.” Kellyn bumped foreheads with Molli. “Let’s go outside, though.” He picked up his salad bowl and dropped it off in the kitchen. Kellyn set Molli down and said, “Wow, you’re getting heavy.”

        Molli and Blu jiggled in place, and Molli lifted her fists. “Soon, I’ll be bigger than you, Big Brother!”

        Giggling, Kellyn rinsed his bowl and placed it in the dishwasher. He dried his hands and knelt to Molli. “Do you want to be bigger now?”

        Molli grinned.

        Kellyn lifted her over his head and set her on his shoulders, holding onto her legs.

        “Wee!” Molli said, stretching her arms. “I’m bigger than Big Brother!”

        Kellyn couldn’t help but laugh. He carried Molli down the escalator to the homecoming party on the Union’s first floor. Where were Ash, Dawn, and Brock? He thought he’d see them down there, but no. There were his parents, though.

        His mother looked worried, but her eyes landed on Kellyn and Molli. “Molli!” She exhaled and hurried to them. “There you are, sweetie!”

        “Hi, Mommy!” Molli said. “I’m bigger than Big Brother.”

        She tittered hauntingly, but her shoulders relaxed when Kellyn’s father squeezed them.

        “See, honey? I told you she just went looking for Kellyn.”

        “I know, but still…” Kellyn’s mother’s voice trailed. “Well, at least she dragged you out of your room, Kellyn.”

        Kellyn bobbed his head. “She did, and she wants to play, so I’m going to take her outside.”

        “Um…” His mother’s lips twitched.

        Kellyn’s father released her. “I think that’s a great idea, Kellyn.” He nudged his mother. “Don’t you think so, dear?”

        Kellyn’s mother stood on her tiptoes and searched the lobby. “Is Blue-Bird going with you?”

        “Yes! Yes!” Blu emerged from out of nowhere and hovered beside Kellyn and Molli. “Blu go!”

        “Don’t worry, dear.” Kellyn’s father kissed his mother’s cheek. “Kellyn’s a Ranger.”

        “And I’m his mother!” she fought.

        “We’ll be fine, Mom,” Kellyn said. “We’ll be back for dinner.”

        His mother fell silent before saying, “Oh, all right, but dinnertime, and ensure Blu doesn’t leave. We’re going to eat as a family tonight. And Kellyn… Molli’s getting big, so don’t try carrying her the entire time.”

        “I won’t,” Kellyn said. “And thank you, Mom.” He looked up at Molli. “You ready, Molli?”

        She pumped her arm. “Let’s go!”

        Kellyn nodded and waved at his parents. Then, still carrying Molli, he left the Union and stepped outside.

        As Erma mentioned during the briefing, Kellyn first noticed that the Almia sky was a little darker than it had been. He returned to mission mode for a second, but then he remembered his promise when Molli squirmed on his shoulders and took her off, grasping her hand.

        Aside from the dimmer sky, everything else was normal in Almia’s wilderness.

        A fresh scent from the trees and river passed through Kellyn’s nostrils, and the Pokémon looked okay.

        He led Molli down the stairs and turned left on the path. They walked along Union Road until encountering another dock with a boat tied to it.

        Molli pulled away from Kellyn, and she and Blu rushed to it.

        “Molli!” Kellyn followed her to the dock, smiling when he saw Blu in the river, splashing around with Water Pokémon and performing a few tricks like Magikarp or Goldeen.

        “Go, Blu, go, Blu!” Molli cheered.

        Blu emerged above the water, a bright blue light outlining him, and landed on the boat’s side.

        Kellyn saw what he was trying to say and asked Molli, “Would you like to go on a boat ride into Vien Forest, Moll?” He knew a place filled with berries just down the river.

        “Ooh, yes, yes!” Molli hitched her dress and stepped into the boat. She sat on the seat at the bow and wiggled her legs. “Let’s go, Big Brother!”

        Kellyn stepped in after her and untied them from the dock. He sat in the stern and picked up the boat’s two paddles. He pushed them off, and they began their journey down the calm river, surrounded by playful Water Pokémon and Blu, who fluttered around the boat.

        Kellyn had to admit—it was nice being out in nature with his little sister and away from the Union for a bit. It allowed him to clear his head and play with Blu and Molli when they splashed him. That happiness only grew once they reached his area of interest: a grove of berry trees about fifteen minutes down the river.

        With so many berries, it’s no wonder many Pokémon were there, bathing in the Sweet Scent. None were aggressive and kept their distance from Molli, Blu, and Kellyn, who paddled the boat onto the riverbank.

        Instantly, Blu fluttered to a berry tree and landed on a branch, snapping a berry off its stem. He swallowed and cheered, “Blue-Bird, Blue-Bird!”

        Kellyn and Molli approached him, and Kellyn picked a few berries, sniffing them. He and Molli spent the next twenty minutes gathering and eating berries with Blu and the Wild Pokémon. They played in a pool off the river afterward.

        Molli jumped into a puddle, and the water caught onto Kellyn’s shorts.

        “Oh, you got me,” he said, playfully dropping onto his back on the bank.

        Molli giggled and clapped. She ran to Kellyn, who sat, and crawled into his arms.

        He tickled her and blew a raspberry into her belly.

        Molli laughed.

        Blu did, too, but suddenly, he stopped, and his smile vanished.

        Kellyn noticed his shift in attitude and said, “What’s wrong, Blu?”

        The Pokémon in the clearing scattered, and Blu cautiously searched the area.

        Kellyn’s adrenaline spiked. He stood and held his arm up to Molli, watching the clearing with Blu.

        “Big Brother?” Molli said, clutching his arm.

        Something sounded from across the river, and Kellyn snapped his head. “Molli!” He snatched her and dove onto his front, shielding her.

        A beam of light emerged from the forest treetops and splashed into the river, drenching Kellyn with an enormous wave.

        He coughed, hugged Molli, and shakily stood.

        A shadowy figure appeared above the river before him, and Kellyn’s jaw dropped. “Hunter J!”

        Sure enough, Hunter J emerged from the shadows, standing on the back of her blue and red Dragon Pokémon, Salamence. How did she—why was she in Almia? She could destroy the whole region with that Salamence.

        Hiding behind a visor, J cackled. “Hello, Ranger.”

        Kellyn turned and started to run, but he stopped when three of her jeeps pulled onto the scene, mowing down a few berry bushes.

        The doors opened, and out jogged J’s henchmen and Team Rocket.

        “Ooh!” Jessie said, clapping. “Our first mission!”

        “Rare Pokémon time!” James included.

        “I can’t wait for that raise and new cat bed!” Meowth said, as if entering a temporary dream world.

        Who were those three? Kellyn didn’t remember them from last time. Ah, it didn’t matter! Molli!

        “J,” Kellyn called to J, “I would love to battle you, but could we hold off until I don’t have my little sister with me?”

        “Your little sister?” J sarcastically asked, tapping her chin. “Hm… No.” She held out her hand. “Salamence, use Hyper Beam. We need to knock him out.”

        “Sala!” Salamence launched another Hyper Beam at Kellyn and Molli.

        Molli screamed and shut her eyes, wrapping her arms around Kellyn’s neck.

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu created a barrier between them and J, and the Hyper Beam collided into it, knocking him back a bit.

        While he distracted her, Kellyn set his Capture Disc, and his eyes caught a Torterra watching them, begging to be captured.

        The large, turtle-like Pokémon with a tree growing out of its shell nodded, and Kellyn returned it.

        He aimed his Capture Styler—“Capture on!”—and released the Capture Disc.

        Torterra watched as it circled it, but didn’t fight the Line.

        Kellyn drew his circles, and the white light flashed.

        “Torterra!” the Pokémon cried out.

        “And capture complete,” Kellyn announced. “Torterra, quickly! Use Sandstorm!”

        “Terra!” Torterra lowered its head to the ground and kicked it, unleashing a blast of sand that engulfed the entire area.

        The sandstorm hit Team Rocket, and they yelled, “Eee!” when the wind threw them into a few henchmen.

        J’s Salamence stumbled in the sky, and she held her arm up to her face.

        Once the Sandstorm vanished, Torterra remained behind, but Kellyn, Blu, and Molli were gone.

        “Ugh!” J grumbled, rubbing sand from her visor. “Smart Ranger.” She flew into the clearing and said, “All right, you three!” to Team Rocket. “Let’s see what you can do. You take care of that Torterra. I’m going after the Ranger.”

        “Excuse you!” Jessie argued. “We’re here to capture rare Pokémon!”

        J growled and threatened her with another Hyper Beam, so Jessie shut up and gave her an apprehensive look.

        “Of course, we could always share the Ranger’s power and Legendary afterward.”

        “I don’t care what you do,” J said. “Just get rid of that Torterra. Stall it until I get the Ranger.” She glanced down at Salamence. “Let’s go, Salamence.”

        “Sala!” Salamence flapped its curved wings and broke away from Team Rocket, flying to the left toward one of the deepest sections of Vien Forest.

        “Don’t think you can escape me that easily, Top Ranger,” J told herself, pressing a button in the corner of her visor. “You, Parity, and Blue-Bird are mine.” She snickered. “And maybe all the Pokémon in Almia, too.”

Chapter Text

        J and her Salamence searched the overgrown section of Vien Forest, threatening Pokémon that got in their way.

        Kellyn, Molli, and Blu hid in a cluster of berry bushes that blended with the plants and trees, keeping quiet.

        Molli kept her arms around Kellyn’s neck, and he pulled a few branches aside, peering out, before putting them back.

        Salamence’s growl soon sounded in the area, and Kellyn held his finger to his lips, nodding at Blu.

        He disappeared, and it wasn’t long until a loud crash came from the other side of the forest, across from Kellyn and Molli.

        Salamence whipped around and opened its mouth, but J said, “Stop, Salamence. He’s trying to outsmart us.”

        Kellyn clenched his teeth and begged, Please leave, in his head. Suddenly, though, the voicemail button on his Styler began beeping. “No!” Kellyn whispered. “No! No! No!”

        “Bingo,” J said, turning Salamence. She gestured at the berry bushes. “Salamence, freeze them in there with Ice Beam.”

        Kellyn quickly grabbed Molli’s hand and pulled her out of the berry bush, right when Salamence’s Ice Beam froze it. His Styler continued beeping, but Kellyn didn’t answer (his adrenaline was too high).

        Blu entered the scene, and Kellyn pushed him and Molli aside, holding his hands up to his face. One of Salamence’s Hyper Beams crashed before him, spewing up a cloud of dirt that threw him back.

        Blu put up another barrier to protect Molli, and she yelled, “Kellyn!”

        J hovered before the dust cloud, hand on her hip.

        The cloud dropped, revealing Kellyn, who propped up on one elbow, covered in dirt and dust.

        He panted and shook his head, coughing. Kellyn clutched his arm and sat, turning to J.

        She lifted her lip into a snarl and said, “Give up, Ranger! You can’t beat me!”

        “Maybe not,” Kellyn said, shakily standing, “but I can protect my little sister.”

        “Kellyn!” Molli ran around Blu’s barrier and approached Kellyn, hugging his leg.

        J clenched her fist and looked from Blue-Bird to Kellyn. “Your empathy will be your downfall. Salamence, use Hyper Beam.”

        “Rainbow Forme: activate!” Blu flew before Kellyn and Molli, and his blue eyes glowed rainbow, his body, too.

        “Blu, wait!” Kellyn shouted, but it was too late.

        Blu grew, and a rainbow light appeared in his beak. He cried out and launched it at J and Salamence.

        The attack smacked Salamence’s wing, who roared, dropping onto the forest floor.

        J jumped off and pointed her gauntlet at Blu, unleashing a beam to petrify him.

        Just before it struck, Blu returned to his normal height and dropped into Kellyn’s arms, right when he, Molli, and him teleported.

        “What?” J said, searching the empty forest. She clenched her fist and glanced at Salamence, who rested on its left wing, its right one limp and lame. Yet, it stood, and it and J met eyes.

        J sneered and studied the area where Molli, Blu, and Kellyn used to be. “Let’s see how those three nincompoops did, Salamence.”

***

        Kellyn, Blu, and Molli reappeared over the Vien River, across from the Ranger Union.

        Kellyn and Molli yelled and splashed into it, but Kellyn swam to the surface, Blu in his arms and Molli clinging to him. He helped her to shore and said, “Are you okay, Molli?”

        She sputtered and spat water, checking herself. “Yes, Big Brother.”

        Oh, thank goodness, but Blu didn’t look good.

        Curled in Kellyn’s arms, he shut his eyes and shivered, a pink tint on his face.

        “Kellyn!”

        Kellyn looked up and saw Sven, Wendy, his parents, Erma, Hastings, and even Ash and his friends rushing toward him. It looked like Ash, Brock, and Dawn never left the Union.

        They reached Kellyn first, and he said, “Please,” showing them Blu. “Blu.”

        Brock placed his palm on Blu’s forehead and said, “He’s got a fever.” He took Blu from Kellyn and wrapped him in his vest. “We need to get him inside.” He, Ash, and Dawn turned and passed the others back into the Union.

        “Molli!”

        Kellyn moved aside and let his parents dart past him to pick up Molli. They took her into the Union as well, leaving Kellyn behind.

        He gripped his arm and noticed Hastings, Erma, Sven, and Wendy glaring at him.

        It was official… Kellyn was the worst Ranger ever and unworthy of Darkrai’s gift.

        Hastings, Erma, Sven, and Wendy soon went inside, followed by Kellyn, but he sat in the Union’s lobby, noticing that the party had finally concluded—no more civilians, just him.

        Kellyn buried his face in his hands and ran his fingers through his hair. Now no longer in shock, his arm throbbed, and he reached for it. He was weak; a true Ranger didn’t get hurt. He protected Molli, but at the cost of Blu, who was still too young to embrace his Rainbow Forme fully.

        After another fifteen minutes, Ash, Brock, and Dawn came down the Union’s escalator, and their eyes landed on Kellyn. They exchanged slow nods and approached him.

        Hugging Piplup to her chest, Dawn said, “Hi, Kellyn,” and sat beside him.

        At first, he didn’t look up, but Brock placed his hands behind him and said, “Your sister and Blu are fine.”

        They were? Kellyn unburied his face.

        “Molli’s a little shook up,” Brock continued, “but she’s still smiling and playing, asking where you are. And Blu needs to rest for the rest of the day. He’ll be back to normal tomorrow.”

        Ash crossed his arms. “What happened, though, Kellyn? Didn’t Erma and Hastings give you orders not to leave the Union today?”

        Kellyn cringed, and his bottom lip twitched. “I thought we’d be fine. Molli wanted to play, so I took her into the forest, and J ambushed us.”

        “J?” Ash, Brock, and Dawn asked.

        “You mean…” Dawn’s voice trailed. “Hunter J… in Almia?”

        Kellyn nodded. “She wanted Blu and me, and there were three weirdos with her henchmen.”

        Realization flashed on Ash’s face. “Team Rocket. But why are they alliancing with J?”

        Team Rocket? Did Ash and his friends know them?

        Dawn confirmed that. “Uh, hello, Ash!” She gave him a funny look. “Why else would Team Rocket? They must have learned that we have Blue-Bird.”

        “Oh, right.” Ash scratched the back of his head, tittering nervously.

        “Pikachu,” Pikachu said, sighing.

        Brock spoke up. “I wonder if J used Team Rocket to track us here. She must know that you have Vatonage, Kellyn. That’s why she went after Blu and you.”

        It was just as Erma and Hastings warned Kellyn. “I needed to protect Molli, though,” he said, squeezing his arm (it hurt a lot more now).

        Brock held out his hand. “Your heart was in the right place, Kellyn. I’m sure the Union knows this.”

        Kellyn did, too, but he still smelled a demotion around the corner.

        Brock gestured at his arm. “But for now, Doc Brock is in the house. Let me look at your arm.”

        No, Kellyn wasn’t weak. He would endure the pain.

        He stood and said, “It’s okay, Brock. I’m more worried about Blu.”

        “Blu is fine,” Brock repeated. “Don’t worry. You need to take care of yourself, Kellyn. Let us help you.”

        “Yeah.” Dawn smiled. “Nobody’s perfect—not even Ash.”

        Oh, Kellyn knew that. Ash tossed himself into the fray first with Riolu, and he had to rescue him. It now looked like the other way around that time, but still.

        “Oh, Dawn,” Ash said, “you had to rub it in?”

        “Uh-huh,” she answered, chuckling.

        Brock and Ash did, too, and even Kellyn felt a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Maybe he needed his friends more than he thought.

        Eventually, he said, “Okay, Brock,” and sat back down.

        “Yes!” Brock punched the air and removed his knapsack. “My favorite part of being a Pokémon Breeder—helping others feel better. Scooch over, Dawn.”

        She did, and Brock took her place.

        He set his knapsack down and unzipped it, shaking out his hands. “Let’s see what we got here.” Brock gently took Kellyn’s arm and examined it, jabbing his fingers. “Ah, well, good news is that it’s not broken, just bruised.” He reached into his knapsack. “We’ll clean it, put a patch over it, and voilà! It will be better in no time.”

        Kellyn wished he felt as confident as Brock sounded. He puffed out his cheeks to hide the pain while he cared for his arm: cleaned it, sprayed medicine on it, and covered the scrape and bruise with a patch. At least it wasn’t his main capture arm.

        “And all done,” Brock said. “That wasn’t hard, was it?”

        No, what was hard for Kellyn was hiding his anxiety and humiliation. Ash, Brock, and Dawn were friends, not higher-ups like Hastings and Erma. A demotion still couldn’t be ruled out. Kellyn likely deserved it after what happened.

        Sven soon appeared at the top of the escalator and called, “Kellyn!”

        Kellyn, Ash, Brock, and Dawn looked in his direction.

        Kellyn’s heart pounded.

        Sven gestured behind him and added, “Hastings and Erma want to see you in the Conference Room.”

        Oh, no.

        Kellyn’s heart snapped, and all color drained from his face.

        Goodbye Top Ranger status.

        Kellyn did not speak the entire way to the Conference Room, even though Ash, Brock, and Dawn were right there. Hastings, Erma, Wendy, Sven, and Kellyn’s family waited there for him. The whole crew—now Kellyn knew what was coming wasn’t good.

        He massaged his arm and stopped before Hastings and Erma. Although they looked stern, Kellyn saw kindness in their eyes.

        Hastings jumped right to it and rested both hands on his cane. “Kellyn, could you please tell Erma and me what exactly happened?”

        Kellyn did, and he tried his best to keep his voice from shaking. He didn’t argue or try to defend himself because he already knew he had broken Ranger protocol. His knees shook when he finished the story, but Kellyn locked them.

        For a good minute, a long silence ensued.

        Molli tried to run to Kellyn, but her parents pulled her back.

        Kellyn asked the question before Hastings and Erma confirmed it: “You’re demoting me, aren’t you?”

        They remained quiet for thirty more seconds, exchanging glances, before focusing on Kellyn.

        “Yes, Kellyn,” Hastings said.

        Kellyn’s shattered heart dropped to the bottom of his tummy. He felt heavier all of a sudden.

        “You risked the mission, disobeyed orders, and endangered Molli and Blu,” Hastings continued. “If Blu didn’t get you out there when he did, you could be captured right now. We warned you of another Team Dim Sun that may try to exploit your power.”

        Kellyn didn’t have that power anymore.

        Erma opened her mouth, but Kellyn’s father beat her and raised his hand. “Erma, Hastings, in Kellyn’s defense”—he hooked hands with Kellyn’s mother—“we told him he could play outside with Molli as long as he had Blu.”

        Kellyn appreciated his parents sticking up for him, but Erma and Hastings were Professor Hastings and Chairperson Erma.

        Erma gave his parents a warm smile. “Thank you, but Kellyn still should have known better than to leave the Union and expose himself, Molli, and Blu when Almia’s natural balance is struggling, and he can’t yet harness his power without his Styler.”

        Kellyn’s parents lowered their heads.

        “I’m sorry, son,” his father apologized.

        “Now, Kellyn,” Erma included, “don’t take this wrong. You are an amazing Ranger, proving today that you still carry the heart of Rank 10. You saved Molli and fought off the Hunter the best you could. That’s true bravery. But…”

        There it was: “But”.

        Kellyn rubbed his eye and clasped his arm again.

        “As of right now,” Erma elucidated, “you do not have the mentality of Rank 10 and cannot fight this new threat alone.”

        Hastings finished for her. “So, Erma, Sven, Wendy, and I talked, and have decided that until you learn your lesson, Kellyn, Erma and I are reducing you to Ranger Rank 9, and you will retrain under Sven, Wendy, and your friends during this mission. You’re still a Top Ranger—and still one of the most prestigious ones we know—but you’re young and need to reflect on who a Ranger truly is again.”

        This was the worst day of Kellyn’s life. While relieved that he was still a Top Ranger, he humiliated himself, the Union, his friends, and his family, putting Almia in danger. What was Darkrai thinking?

        Hastings removed one hand from his cane and held his palm out to Kellyn.

        He took his Rank 10 badge off his jacket and studied it before handing it to Hastings, who gave him a new one—Rank 9. Rank freaking 9.

        Hastings said, “This is best for you right now, Kellyn. I hope you will learn why soon.”

        Kellyn covered the badge with his hands and pressed it against his chest. “Understood, sir.” He blushed so much that he swore he was on fire and turned on his heel.

        “Get yourself to the medical bay to get your arm checked out,” Erma gently ordered, “and go to bed, son. Tomorrow will be a new day.”

        “We’ll find a way to counter Hunter J,” Hastings encouraged. “Erma and I merely need to discuss it tonight.”

        “Understood, sir,” Kellyn whispered that time.

        He slowly walked out of the Conference Room, refusing to make eye contact with his family and friends, and waited until he was outside to cry.

Chapter Text

        "Yoo-hoo! Look at this, J!" Team Rocket gestured at Torterra, unharmed, but trapped under a net. "We took care of the Torterra!" They high-fived and danced a little, leaving J's henchmen to smack their palms to their faces.

        Meowth clutched his cheeks and said, "Just imagine, the Boss wakes up on a hot day—no shade—and Torterra's there with a chair under its tree. It escorts the Boss around, keeping him cool and happy. You know what he will say? 'Say, this Torterra Meowth and friends got is great. I was wrong about not promoting them sooner.'" He laughed at his daydream, and Jessie and James laughed, too.

        J swore—why did she have these three nincompoops again? However, they did capture the Torterra, and... Hold on. Did the Ranger ever release it? If he didn't... A wicked smile crossed J's face.

        She left Salamence, and her henchmen stood tall while she approached Torterra. Instead of petrifying it, she cut the net and pulled it off the Pokémon.

        Instantly, Torterra roared at her and sprinted away, disappearing into the Vien Forest.

        "Whaa?" Team Rocket yelled.

        James almost looked like he was going to cry. "That was our prize for the day!"

        "All right, lady!" Jessie leaned into J and lifted her finger. "What's your deal? We captured the Torterra!"

        J crossed her arms and backed away from her. "Yes, you did," she said, examining her bewildered henchmen, "and we're using it to track down the Ranger and Legendary. He never released it."

        Instantly, Team Rocket retreated, and J's henchmen said, "Oh."

        "So, what are you standing around for?" J snapped. "Back to the ship, and follow that Torterra. We're catching that Ranger off-guard again, little sister or not."

        "Sir!" announced her henchmen, but Team Rocket still looked annoyed that they had lost their prize.

***

        Under the rising moon, Kellyn sat at a fountain under the Tree of Harmony on the Ranger Union's roof, covered in its chilly shade. He had brought everything: an office trash can, a stack of empty papers, and a handful of pens.

        One at a time, Kellyn set a paper on the fountain's rim and scribbled on it until it ripped, chucking it into the trash can. He had made it through half the papers when his father, mother, and Molli came up the escalator and focused on him. Kellyn's mother carried a plate of food, his father a drink, and Molli a folded paper.

        Sensing them, Kellyn crumpled up the paper he was working on and tossed it away. He moved around the fountain's rim and hid on the other side, away from his family and deeper in the shadows. He covered his Rank 9 badge and panted. He couldn't face his family right now.

        "Oh, Kellyn," his mother said when she, Kellyn's father, and Molli stopped at the fountain. "Please, don't hide from us. We just brought you some dinner."

        His father clamped Molli's shoulder. "And Molli has something for you."

        "Go away." Still panting, Kellyn held his head.

        His family waited a few more minutes, but Kellyn didn't come out.

        Finally, his parents exchanged looks and nodded.

        They sat on the fountain's rim, and Kellyn's mother gently told Molli, "Go on, Molli."

        "What if Big Brother hates me?" she asked, squeezing her paper.

        "Oh, sweetie, he could never hate you." Her mother tapped her nose. "But we think he needs his sis more than us now. It's okay."

        Molli inhaled and loosened her grip on her paper. With her parents watching, she walked around the fountain into the shadows. She stopped before Kellyn, who released his head but tilted it away.

        "Big Brother?" Molli softly questioned. "Di-Did I do this? Am I bad?"

        "Oh, no!" At once, Kellyn faced her and helped her onto his lap. He brushed tears away from Molli's eyes and hugged her like a baby. "This isn't your fault, Molls—it's mine."

        Molli sniffed. "But Molli wanted to play."

        "This isn't your fault, Molli," Kellyn repeated. He whispered his following line. "And between you and me, grownups are boring."

        She chuckled and held her paper out to Kellyn. "Here, I brought you something."

        He accepted it, unfolded it, and smiled himself.

        Molli had drawn a picture of her and Kellyn holding hands under Almia's sun. Written above it was I'm sorry, and below, Your still my hero. She had spelled "You're" wrong, but that was the least of Kellyn's worries.

        "Thank you, Molli," he said, hugging her again and standing. He still couldn't face his parents, but he knew they were patiently waiting until he was ready (he didn't hear them leave).

        Kellyn sang Molli a lullaby to distract himself, comforting her until she fell asleep. He removed his jacket, flinching, and wrapped her in it. Then, with her note in his hand, Kellyn carefully stepped out of the shadows and approached his parents.

        They stood, and Kellyn handed Molli to them. "She fell asleep," he lowly said, clutching his arm. "I'm sorry, Mom and Dad." He felt like the biggest disappointment right now.

        "Don't be." His father waved his hand. "If anyone should be sorry, it's me. I think I forgot that you're still my son, Kellyn."

        Kellyn's mother giggled and peered at the trash can, pens, and papers. "He did the same thing after that meeting. Like father, like son." Her eyes diverted to Kellyn's arm, and she lost her smile. "Did you get your arm checked out, dear?"

        Kellyn fell silent. The aftermath of the meeting was a little fuzzy, but considering how much his arm hurt right now, he assumed he didn't. That wasn't that long ago, though. Why was it fuzzy? Maybe Kellyn merely drowned himself in his own tears.

        "I'm going to put Molli to bed," his mother stated, looking at Kellyn's father. "Kellyn, why don't you go with your father to get your arm checked? Moral support." She kissed Kellyn's cheek. "Goodnight, baby, and please... make sure you eat." With those words, she left Kellyn and his father, leaving Kellyn with the same question to close out the night.

        Why was everything fuzzy?

***

        Kellyn gave himself credit for sleeping two hours that night instead of just one, but he still tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. His whole body ached, not just his arm. And while he had taken a shower before bed and put his uniform in the laundry, it didn't wash away the pure shame he felt.

        The medics had wanted him to stay in the medical bay overnight, but Kellyn felt safer in his own bed, even though Sven snored and Wendy muttered in her sleep. He also had to be careful of Ash, Brock, and Dawn, who slept in their sleeping bags in the dormitory, when he got up around midnight and walked stiffly to the door, Fine Styler in hand.

        That was when he said, "Oh, no!" and turned his Styler on. "I never released that Torterra!" Was it okay? The last Kellyn saw of the Pokémon was when he escaped the Sandstorm.

        He instantly pressed the release button on his Styler and begged that it wasn't too late—that J had not petrified it while it distracted her henchmen and Team Rocket. Now he wouldn't sleep until something told him Torterra was safe.

        Kellyn half-sprinted out of the dorm and nearly jumped down the escalator, gasping when he reached the bottom.

        Speak of the devil—there was Torterra: a Wild Pokémon sleeping in the Union's lobby. That would surely confuse Hastings and Erma. Regardless, Torterra had followed Kellyn to the Union, like the Mime Jr. who stuck with him during the heist aboard Team Dim Sun's ship, the last mission he did as an Area Ranger.

        "Torterra!" Kellyn whispered. He jogged to the enormous Pokémon and pushed on it, but it was too heavy.

        Torterra merely turned onto its side and took Kellyn with it.

        "Whoa!" he added, now holding onto Torterra's shell.

        "Tor?" The Pokémon opened its eyes, and Kellyn dropped from it when it stood. It faced him, seeming to grin. "Tor!"

        "Shh!" Kellyn said, struggling to stand with his stiff body. It looked like J hadn't hurt it, but there still couldn't be a Wild Pokémon in the lobby. "I'm sorry, boy," Kellyn included. "I meant to release you earlier. You're free now."

        But Torterra didn't move. Instead, he circled Kellyn and tapped his large feet. It was almost as if he were asking... But Kellyn just got demoted. He wasn't worthy of Darkrai's gift or a new Partner Pokémon.

        Torterra said otherwise, since he was still circling Kellyn. He didn't have his Vatonage Styler yet, though, so even if he deserved it, he couldn't register him as a new Partner.

        "Well, look at that, Kellyn," a voice said from nowhere.

        He jumped and turned to see Professor Hastings emerging from his quarters, wearing a nightcap and gown.

        "Professor Hastings!" Kellyn pushed on Torterra again. "I'm sorry. I was getting him to—"

        "Wait," Hastings said suddenly. "Is that the Torterra you caught when fighting the Hunter?"

        "He is," Kellyn answered. "I forgot to release him, and I guess he followed me here." Why did Hastings appear nervous? Another wave of anxiety settled in Kellyn's tummy, and he wrapped his arms around Torterra's neck.

        He closed his eyes and nudged Kellyn, grinning, but his smile vanished when Hastings paced and removed his nightcap.

        "There's been a change of plans, Kellyn," he said. "You, Sven, Wendy, Ash, Dawn, and Brock must leave now instead of in the morning."

        Wait, what? Why?

        "Now," Hastings repeated. "Get changed quickly, Kellyn."

        That was when it hit Kellyn. No! Not again! He made another mistake, no, no!

        He had waited too long to release Torterra.

Chapter Text

        “Pikachu!”

        Ash and his friends yelled when Pikachu shocked them.

        “What the—?” Wendy and Sven shot up in bed, and Kellyn lifted his hands, stepping off Pikachu’s tail.

        “I’m so sorry, Pikachu!”

        Behind him, Torterra giggled.

        Dawn quickly started on her messed-up hair, but Brock and Ash faced Kellyn.

        Ash studied his uniform and asked, “What’s going on, Kellyn?” Did he actually try to sneak out while they, Sven, and Wendy slept? And what was that Pokémon behind him? It hid in the shadows, but it looked like a Torterra, the final Evolution of Ash’s Grass Starter, Turtwig.

        Kellyn’s alarmed face changed to… slight disappointment? “I made a mistake, and now we must leave now instead of in the morning.”

        Had he slept? What was he talking about?

        Ash’s brown eyes widened when the Pokémon stepped out of the shadows. It was a Torterra. It was hard to miss that tree on its back.

        Kellyn patted its shell and explained, “I caught Torterra when J ambushed us, but…” His voice quivered. “I released him too late, and he followed me here.”

        “What?” Sven and Wendy got out of bed and approached him.

        It was strange to see Wendy upset. “You know better, Kellyn!”

        “That means the Hunter may have tracked us here with your Capture Signal.” Sven clicked his tongue. Was there a hidden rivalry between him and Kellyn? It seemed so because Sven added, “I’m surprised you haven’t been demoted to Rank 8, too.”

        Dang, talk about tough love!

        Kellyn turned a bright red, but he didn’t fight Sven.

        Wendy turned to him. “You didn’t have to say that, Sven.”

        He glared. “He needs tough love, Wendy.” Why did Sven remind Ash of Paul?

        Kellyn appeared too embarrassed to speak, so Sven took the lead. “If the Hunter is coming, then we need someone to defend the Union, just in case.” He looked at Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “How about you Pokémon Trainers do it?”

        What? Excuse him! What was with these Top Rangers?

        Ash and Brock growled, but Dawn stood and clenched her fists, leaning into Sven. “I don’t know what your problem is, Sven, but we’re helping! So cool it!”

        Brock remained calm. “We can’t come to a new region and not be dragged into an end-of-the-world scenario.”

        “I’m sure we’ve saved it way more than you!” Ash fought. Lighting flashed between him, Brock, Dawn, and Sven.

        “Stop it!” Wendy said, pulling them apart. “We can’t teach Kellyn about teamwork like this.”

        “But—!” Kellyn tried.

        “Hastings and Erma made themselves clear,” Wendy included. “We’re doing this mission together.”

        “But, but…” Kellyn and Sven said.

        “Shush!” Wendy clamped her fingers into a duckbill. “Together! That’s final.”

        From there, Ash knew the mission wouldn’t be as easy as he hoped.

        He and the others changed and packed their things, and then Ash, Brock, and Dawn accompanied the three Rangers to the Conference Room for one final briefing.

        Kellyn still appeared embarrassed by Sven’s tough love, but he straightened up once they entered the Conference Room.

        Ash didn’t like the looks Sven gave him and his friends, so Wendy intervened and shooed him away.

        Erma and Hastings were up and about, but Ash didn’t see Kellyn’s family (then again, it was midnight).

        Hastings approached Kellyn and held his Vatonage Styler out to him. “Sorry about the delay, Kellyn, but here’s your Styler.”

        My Styler, but I don’t deserve it, Ash saw in Kellyn’s eyes. Hands shaking, he removed his Fine Styler and traded it for his Vatonage one.

        Hastings banged his cane. “Now, before you leave, everyone, take a look at the monitor underneath us.”

        Ash and his friends’ eyes lit up when the monitor turned on, revealing a picture of Kellyn’s Vatonage Styler and a plan beside it.

        “So cool,” Ash squealed, but he quickly became serious again, especially when Sven huffed and crossed his arms. Why did he hold a grudge against Ash and his friends? They were merely ready for another end-of-the-world scenario involving Legendary Pokémon.

        “Now, Kellyn,” Hastings elucidated, his tone discreet. “All three Operators and a Mechanic ran a diagnostic test on your Styler, but they didn’t find anything wrong with it.”

        “Uh, okay?” Kellyn seemed just as confused as Ash and his friends. They literally saw his Styler spark.

        “That means that what happened, dear,” Erma said, “had to do with your Vatonage power. Hastings and I believe that you momentarily gave in to darkness instead of balancing it and light, and it overpowered the Styler.”

        “Okay,” Kellyn repeated (he looked even more bewildered now). “So, what does that mean?”

        It meant that Kellyn needed a therapist, but since Ash knew that whatever was happening to him was more than that, he listened.

        Hastings tossed him the tough love again. “It means that you’re unbalanced, Kellyn, and cannot harness Vatonage on your own if you don’t rest and work with the others. It means that if you continue giving in to darkness, you could make the same mistake as the King of Olde, break your Styler, and create a new Shadow Crystal.”

        King of Olde? A new Shadow Crystal? Ash didn’t know the whole story, but he knew it was serious. He remembered catching a glimpse of the “Tears of Princes” in Almia’s Visitor’s Center. Did that have to do with the King of Olde?

        Wendy, and even Sven (though it was subtle), gave Kellyn a concerned look.

        Erma said, “We fear, dear, that if you don’t leave now and are captured by the Hunter, she will exploit you—and maybe even the Rainbow Birds—and turn you into a human Gigaremo. That would be deadly for you, Almia, and the Luminous Crystal.”

        Was that what happened in the forest: Kellyn temporarily became a human Gigaremo by giving in to darkness? Wow, he really carried a divine power, didn’t he?

        Sven opened his mouth, but Hastings held up his hand. “Before you argue, Sven, we’re recruiting a few Area Rangers to look after the Union in your guys’ absence.”

        He argued, anyway. “But the Pokémon Trainers…!”

        Hastings narrowed his eyes. “Would you like a demotion, too? Wendy told us that—mind you—Ash, Brock, and Dawn can weaken Pokémon if Kellyn’s power accidentally spirals out of control again.”

        Sven shut up and lowered his hat.

        Ash noticed Wendy giving him a Watch yourself, Sven, look.

        Erma focused on Kellyn. “Don’t worry about your family, dear. We will take care of them until we can get them back to Chicole Village. Would you like me to wake them?”

        “No.” Kellyn shook his head. “Let them sleep. Just tell them that I love them and am sorry.”

        “Dear…” Erma’s voice trailed.

        Kellyn turned on his heel. “I guess I should get Blue-Bird.” He placed his Styler on his arm and walked out of the room toward the medical bay, Torterra following him.

        “I’m worried about him,” Erma said. “Please”—she glanced at Ash, his friends, Sven, and Wendy—“you’ve got to help him before the worst happens.”

        Brock smiled gently. “No worries, Erma, Hastings. Ash, Dawn, and I are experts when it comes to helping people and confronting Legendaries.” He moved near Wendy with his following line. “I’m happy to work with the famous Flying Ranger. Thank you, Wendy!” He grasped her hands. “Maybe after all this is over…!”

        Croagunk popped out of its pokéball and Poison Jabbed him before he got too far.

        “I think I’m living in the shadow now.” Brock sank to the ground, and Croagunk dragged him away.

        “Cro, Cro, Cro.”

        Ash and Dawn chuckled (Brock couldn’t help himself), but then something crossed Ash’s mind.

        Brock wasn’t wrong. Kellyn was living in the shadow, the shadow of the Hero of Almia, and only they, Sven, and Wendy could save him.

Chapter Text

        “No, Torterra, I need you to stay here.” Ash noticed Kellyn still favoring his left arm. He removed his hand from it and patted Torterra’s nose, but the Pokémon whimpered. “You can become my Partner after this,” Kellyn added, “but for now, look after my family, especially my little sister.” He met Torterra’s eyes. “Can you do that for me? Please?”

        He, for sure, had the heart of a Ranger, and it left Ash wondering how they registered Partner Pokémon vs. Trainers. He hoped to find out eventually, but for now, the mission called.

        Torterra and Kellyn exchanged glances for a little longer, and then Torterra slowly nodded and nipped at Kellyn’s uniform.

        He giggled. “Yes, I promise to register you as soon as we return. Thank you, buddy.”

        There was one clue for Ash: registering had something to do with a Ranger’s Partner Pokémon, but where did they register them?

        After saying goodbye to Torterra, Kellyn sauntered to Brock, who held Blu, and took him from him.

        The Rainbow Bird was still asleep, breathing soundly, and his face was no longer red. If only Kellyn could rest, too.

        Before leaving, Erma and Hastings approached the group, and Erma said, “Be careful, dears.”

        Hastings nodded. “Head for Altru Tower, find Parity, and help Almia.” He looked at Kellyn. “Kellyn, I know you don’t feel like it, but I have confidence in you. I know you’ll grow into a wonderful Guardian.”

        Ash noticed a lump forming in Kellyn’s throat.

        He scrunched his face, but still turned red. “I’ll try, Hastings. I don’t want to be the downfall of Almia.”

        Which was why he needed Ash, his friends, Sven, and Wendy.

        Everybody turned and waved goodbye to Erma, Hastings, Torterra, and the Ranger Union. They headed toward Union Road, and for the first time in a while, Ash felt that he was back in the game.

***

        In a thicket further down Union Road, Team Rocket huffed and puffed while they dug a pit hole and covered it with a net, leaves, and dirt to blend in with the environment.

        James and Meowth bumped into each other and slid onto the path.

        “I’m pooped,” James said, and Meowth agreed.

        “Excuse you!” Jessie clenched her fist. “There’s no resting here—not until we have those Rainbow Birds and the Torterra!” She held her shovel over her head for a second before lowering it.

        “But I miss when we just went after Pikachu,” Meowth admitted. “It was always one Pokémon to another.”

        “Hey!” Jessie said, stomping her foot. “I don’t like this, either, but think of the riches! We’ll finally be rich!”

        Meowth and James thought for a minute. “True.”

        James cracked a small smile. “And the Ranger is injured…”

        “Uh-huh.” Jessie crossed her arms. “So, all we need to do is get him alone, catch him, and voilà!”

        Meowth jumped up. “I can finally get my cat bed and a taste of the Rainbow Birds!”

        James stood, too, and all three teammates clapped and cheered, “Let’s go, Team Rocket! Let’s go, Team Rocket! Let’s go, Team Rocket!”

        Jessie and James high-fived, and then they and Meowth hopped into the bushes and waited for their prey.

        Jessie picked up a remote with a single button and held it close.

***

        Ash and his friends, walking on Union Road, kept their eyes and ears open for any signs of danger.

        Brock neared Kellyn, while Wendy and Sven searched the sky with their Partner Pokémon, and asked, “Why don’t you let me carry Blu for a bit so that you can rest your arm?”

        “No.” Kellyn tightened his grip on Blu. “I’m fine, Brock—I can do this. I’m supposed to look after Blu until I get him back to Parity.”

        Ash was 100% sure Blu reminded Kellyn of Molli, but even big brothers needed help occasionally (Brock himself was one). And Kellyn looked like he was about to fall over. They needed to find a safe place for him to rest and head to Altru Tower in the morning. No Torterra meant that J had hopefully stopped tracking them for a bit (again, hopefully).

        It appeared like Brock wanted to argue with Kellyn, but he, Ash, and Dawn turned when Wendy clenched her fist and said to her Staraptor, “Staraptor, let’s fly up there and see if we can see anything.”

        “No, no,” Brock said, blushing slightly. “Don’t do that, Wendy.”

        She gave him an annoyed look. “Why, Brock?”

        “Um… Um…” Brock’s stutter was real, so Dawn intervened.

        “J has a spaceship.”

        “Which means it’s safer if we stay down here,” Ash explained. They were in a thicket, so it wouldn’t be easy for J to spot them from the sky.

        “Ex-Exactly!” Brock quickly stated.

        Sven must’ve taken that the wrong way because he gripped his hips and said, “I think Wendy’s capable.”

        “Lux.” His Luxray’s fur sizzled with electricity.

        “Hey!” Dawn was getting really good at standing up for her, Brock, and Ash. “How many times have you fought Hunter J, Mr. Know-It-All?”

        Sven gritted his teeth.

        Wendy held out her hand. “Guys, let’s not fight. I trust you, Ash, Brock, and Dawn.”

        “Thank you!” Dawn said, giving Sven a sassy look. “That’s what real maturity looks like, Sven.”

        He growled that time, but Wendy snorted and hid behind her hand, leaving him to glare at her instead. He then turned back to Dawn. “I’m the oldest here, so you follow my lead.”

        Dawn snickered. “Well, lucky for you, Ash, Brock, and I don’t follow the rules.”

        That time, Kellyn snorted. It was weird and wonderful to see him, for once, amused, not serious. He and Wendy continued laughing while they jogged after Ash, Brock, and Dawn into the thicket, but Sven stayed behind for a bit, his cheeks puffed out.

        “Pokémon Trainers,” he muttered. “Why’d it have to be Pokémon Trainers?”

        “Luxray,” his Luxray agreed.

        Even though a small, conflicted look crossed Sven’s face, he chased after the others and occasionally glanced up at the sky again.

        The group moved quickly in the opposite direction from Team Rocket’s trap and, an hour and a half later, found themselves outside the thicket in a large park.

        The Algarve Town-like cobblestone and concrete sidewalks reminded Ash of Pueltown, and then he heard Wendy say, “Welcome to Altru Park, just outside of Pueltown.”

        So they were close to Pueltown. Considering that they reached it on foot after leaving the Union only an hour ago, Ash had forgotten that Almia was smaller than Sinnoh.

        “If what you three are saying about J is true,” Wendy included, exchanging looks with Ash, Brock, and Dawn, “then yes, we should wait until morning, when Peace Tower is open, to climb up to the Luminous Crystal.”

        Wait, climb? Could Kellyn do that with his arm?

        Wendy turned on her heel. “Follow me to the Ranger Depot. We can stay there tonight.”

        “No,” Kellyn fought (he had remained quiet since Dawn sassed Sven), “we need to get to that Crystal tonight. If you guys won’t, then I’ll do it myself.”

        He kept trying to push the others away and refusing rest, and Ash was honestly getting a little sick of it.

        Wendy looked like she felt the same. “And how are you supposed to get up there, Kellyn? There’s no way I’m lending you Staraptor.”

        “And Blu can’t teleport yet,” Brock explained, placing his palm on Blu’s back.

        Kellyn removed one hand from him and clenched his fist. “I’ll figure something out, but I’m the Guardian of Almia.”

        “You’re hardly a Guardian,” Sven mumbled.

        While Ash hated it, he somewhat agreed with Sven. Kellyn definitely had potential, as shown with Torterra, but he had to learn to ask for help to become a true Guardian. He wasn’t there just yet, as proven there; then again, he had been stationed in Sinnoh for a year, away from the Crystal, so perhaps he wasn’t able to practice that title enough.

        As if his morale wasn’t already in shambles, Kellyn now looked offended and scared.

        He closed his eyes, clutched his head, and said, “No, I need to get to the Luminous Crystal.”

        Right when he said that, the wind surrounding Ash and his friends picked up. There was a rumble of thunder, a flash of lightning, and it began to rain… hard.

        “Whoa!” Ash said, and Pikachu’s cheek pouches sparked. “Where did this come from?” Did Kellyn cause it? Was he giving in to darkness again? It was late, so there weren’t many Wild Pokémon around to check his theory.

        “We’re going to the Ranger Depot right now,” Wendy said, taking Kellyn’s hand. “We’re all tired and need to rest.” With those words, she dragged Kellyn away, and the others followed.

        Pikachu jumped with another thunderclap and fell into Ash’s arms.

        “Sorry, bud,” he apologized, soon hearing Brock.

        “Ash!”

        Before joining them, Ash noticed a shadow further in Altru Park: Altru Tower. Whatever was happening to Kellyn, the Rainbow Birds, and the Luminous Crystal—everything would be answered in the morning, and Ash couldn’t wait to learn it all.

Chapter Text

        “Blu, play! Blu, play!” In the Ranger Depot, Blue-Bird soared around Ash and pecked him.

        “Ow!” Ash said, eyes fluttering open. He rubbed his head, and his gaze landed on Blu. “Blu!”

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn had set their sleeping bags up in the lobby, while Sven, Wendy, and Kellyn had taken the bunks in the back quarters. There were only a few, so Ash and his friends had decided on their sleeping bags. They also had more room to let their Pokémon out and have them sleep near them.

        “Blu, play!” Blu repeated. He landed between Pikachu and Piplup and nudged them.

        The two Pokémon mumbled and sat, rubbing their eyes.

        In that moment, Blue-Bird teleported and appeared behind Piplup.

        “Piplup!” Dawn’s Pokémon leaped onto her belly, waking her and Brock.

        Blu giggled and performed a midair somersault.

        Brock said, “Good morning, Blu. Are you feeling better?”

        Blu nodded. “Blu, play! Blu, play!”

        Ash covered his ears. “Oh, yeah, he definitely feels better.”

        Noticing him, Blu calmed down and hovered. “Blu, sorry.” He searched the Depot. “Kellyn, Kellyn.”

        “He’s in the back,” Dawn said, pointing behind her.

        As if on cue, the door in the back slid open, revealing Sven, Wendy, and Kellyn, who held his arm.

        “Kellyn!” Blu left Ash, Brock, and Dawn and flew to him.

        “Blu!” Kellyn said. He reached for him but grabbed his arm again. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

        He looked a little more awake that morning. Did he actually sleep? His emotional state was okay because Ash saw it wasn’t raining anymore outside. In fact, early morning rays of sunshine passed through the Depot’s windows. Despite that, it was apparent that Kellyn’s arm still hurt him.

        A sound came from the Ranger Depot’s front door. The Operator Ash and his friends met overnight unlocked it and stepped inside. “Good morning!” she said, waving. “Did you guys sleep okay?”

        Blu glided to her and said, “Slept well. Thank you! Thank you!”

        The Operator tittered—“You’re welcome”—and patted his head before focusing on the group. “Peace Tower opens in an hour for your guys. You’re welcome to have breakfast here.”

        Ash’s tummy rumbled, and he reached for it. It talked at any mention of food.

        Brock, Dawn, Wendy, and Kellyn chuckled, but Sven kept his distance, especially from Ash, Brock, and Dawn.

        Brock whipped up some pancakes and Pokémon Food for the Pokémon. While the others ate, he checked Kellyn’s arm (he didn’t hesitate to push him away that time).

        Blu switched from energetic to anxious when he saw that Kellyn had hurt himself. He even hopped onto his right thigh and asked, “Blu hurt Kellyn? Blu hurt Kellyn?”

        “I’m okay, Blue-Bird.” Kellyn petted him. “I’m sorry I hurt you.” Brock sprayed some more medicine on his arm, and he winced, closing his eyes.

        “Sorry,” Brock apologized.

        Sven, being Sven, inquired, “Do you need someone to hold your hand?”

        “Sven!” Wendy stomped on his foot, and Sven flinched.

        Kellyn glared, but then he lost his angry look and said, “You know, I think I’m beginning to get used to your insults, Sven.”

        Oh, wow, look at that! Kellyn had definitely gotten a little more sleep. He sassed Sven like Dawn—threw the tough love right back at him.

        Sven didn’t speak throughout the rest of breakfast, even when the group left for Altru Tower thirty minutes later.

        Before long, Ash found himself back in Altru Park in the daytime. He only realized it was a giant square, adorned with four fountains on each side, benches, and a stage in the center.

        There was Altru Tower, too, up close. It almost looked like an enormous, window-filled cylinder. A giant grate covered the Tower from top to bottom, and it appeared as if the roof were a circular platform. It was an impressive building. Ash got shivers just looking at it, knowing that somewhere up there was the Luminous Crystal and answers about Parity.

        “Welcome, Pokémon Trainers.” Wendy bowed to Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “This is the Jewel of Almia, Peace Tower, home of the Luminous Crystal.”

        Sven huffed, but Ash, Brock, and Dawn said, “Wow.”

        Ash was too impressed and excited to put up with Sven’s tude. “What are we waiting for?” he challenged. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

        “Pikachu!” Pikachu cheered.

        Ash broke away from the group, ensuring he was the first to enter Peace Tower, and repeated, “Wow.” He stood in the lobby, an impressive display of offices and exhibits, with a purple carpet that cut through it to an elevator at the back, beside what looked like three portraits on the wall.

        “Ash, wait up!” Dawn entered the lobby next, followed by Brock and the Rangers.

        Brock and Dawn examined the lobby, but Sven wasted no time and jogged to the reception counter on the left, which was before a sitting area.

        Wendy gripped her hip and told the others, “Such a ray of sunshine, isn’t he?”

        Ash noticed she blushed when she said that. No way! Did Wendy—ouch.

        “Huh?” Brock said, blushing, too.

        Luckily, Kellyn came in. “Let’s see what sort of trouble he gets into next.” It was strange—he was much calmer that day than yesterday. Did something happen overnight that Ash didn’t know about? He had to learn, but now didn’t feel like the best time to ask Kellyn. Instead, Ash chased after the others, and they stopped in front of the reception counter.

        One of the receptionists, a woman with long brown hair who wore a nametag that read “Melissa”, said, “Oh, Rangers!” She patted her skirt and placed her hands in front of her. “Kellyn!” she added at the sight of Kellyn. “Oh, my gosh, it’s been a while! You’re finally back in Almia?”

        “Hi, Melissa,” he said, smiling gently. “Yeah, Blu was getting lonely.”

        “Blu, hi! Blu, hi!” Blu said, hovering beside Kellyn.

        “Oh, my gosh!” Melissa nearly squealed. “Parity’s little brother… here, too!”

        Wendy gestured at Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “And a rare treat: Pokémon Trainers from Sinnoh.”

        “Sinnoh? Really?” Mel examined Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “Well, welcome. We’re happy to have you here at Peace Tower. Would you like a tour?”

        Sven cut before Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “Maybe later, but we’re here on a mission.”

        “Oh, Sven,” Wendy muttered.

        Ash would argue—he wanted to see all of Altru Tower—but the Luminous Crystal was the top priority.

        Sven rested his arm on the counter and met Mel’s eyes. “We heard that Parity was last seen here. Have you seen her lately?”

        “Parity?” Mel tugged on her shirt collar and thought for a second. “I saw her a week ago.”

        “A week ago?” Kellyn said. He held his right arm out to Blu, and he landed on his Styler.

        “Mm-hm.” Mel scratched her cheek. “Beautiful Rainbow Bird. I’m thinking of nicknaming her Melissa II.” She chortled. “Anyway, she was worried because there were a few days when Almia’s light dimmed. So, she came back early from looking for you, Kellyn. I haven’t seen her since.”

        Ash and the others exchanged looks.

        “So, she went missing after returning,” Wendy concluded. “Hm.” She grasped her chin.

        Blu jumped off Kellyn’s arm, appearing worried. “Sister in danger! Sister in danger! Help!”

        What was he saying?

        Kellyn faced Melissa and opened his Capture Styler screen. “Has anyone been up to the roof in the past week?”

        “I went up a few days ago.” Melissa picked up a few papers and stacked them, pushing them aside. “The Crystal looked okay. I mean—it did blink a few times like a lightbulb, but I assumed that was normal.”

        “Sister in danger!” Blu peered over his shoulder toward the elevator.

        Kellyn waved his hand and asked Melissa, “And nobody has seen any signs of her since a week ago?”

        “Right.” Mel bobbed her head. “I thought she was maybe just out getting dinner when I went to the roof. Even a Rainbow Bird must eat.”

        “Sister in danger!” Blu tugged on Kellyn’s hair tuft and tried dragging him toward the elevator.

        At the same time, Pikachu said, “Pika?” and his ears twitched.

        “Hm?” Ash inquired. “What is it, Pikachu?”

        “Pika! Pika!” Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder and gestured at the elevator.

        After a few hours of almost being himself again, Kellyn clenched his teeth and gripped his head again. “No! This is all my fault!” His foot twitched, and it looked like he would rip out his hair.

        “What are you talking about, Kellyn?” Ash questioned.

        “I did this!” he said, not answering him. “Darkrai, why?”

        “What are you talking about?” Ash said again.

        “She never left.” Kellyn sank to his knees, and the others surrounded him. “Blu, I’m sorry.”

        “She never left?” Dawn’s jaw dropped. “What does that mean?”

        Kellyn stood quickly and joined Blu and Pikachu on the lobby’s carpet. “I need to get to the roof right now.”

        “Not without us,” Brock said, bringing his fist to his chest. “You just need to tell us what’s happening. Please, Kellyn.”

        Nonetheless, Kellyn had already taken off toward the elevator.

***

        Clouds covered the darkening sky outside, creating a thick fog that covered the Luminous Crystal at the top of Peace Tower.

        A flock of Starly and Staravia left it when it and the Tears of Princes pulsed—first with a rainbow light, and then a shadow that turned parts of the Crystal and the Tears of Princes blackish-purple. They still floated, but inched closer to the roof with each passing second.

        The fog hugged the Luminous Crystal before something inside sucked it in and created another shadow pulse, soon replaced by the Crystal’s light blue glow.

        In the heart of the enormous cocoon, past the fog, rock, and light... opened a rainbow eye.

Chapter Text

        The ride up Peace Tower wasn’t awkward at all.

        While the elevator music played, Kellyn and the others remained quiet, Sven’s Luxray standing between Sven and Ash, Brock, and Dawn. There was no way it could climb to the roof, so Kellyn wondered what Sven’s plan was.

        More importantly, if what Kellyn feared about Parity was true, he really had let Darkrai down—both as a Ranger and a Guardian. There was only one way to confirm it, though.

        The elevator stopped, and the doors opened, allowing a gust of wind to pass through.

        The group piled out and found themselves on the other side of the grate, peering down at Pueltown’s tiny buildings and the rest of Almia: Vien Forest and Puel Sea specifically.

        “Piplup!” Instantly, Dawn’s Piplup leaped up to her and hugged one side of her face with its little wings.

        Even Pikachu appeared a little queasy, so Ash told him, “Just don’t look down, Pikachu.”

        Pikachu quickly nodded and pulled his attention away from the grate.

        “Staraptor should be waiting on the roof,” Wendy said, moving toward a tall ladder on the left.

        Sven faced Luxray and said, “You stay down here and keep watch, Luxray.”

        “Luxray.” Luxray’s fur sparked.

        “Thanks, Partner.” Sven took the lead and began climbing the ladder, followed by Wendy, Kellyn, Ash, Dawn, and finally, Brock.

        Piplup moved down to Dawn’s neck and shut its eyes.

        “Don’t worry, Piplup—I’m right here,” Dawn encouraged. “Just keep your eyes closed.”

        “Piplup, Piplup!” Piplup whimpered.

        That was the first time Kellyn had really seen Piplup scared.

        Brock looked up at him. “Kellyn, if you need to stop at any time to rest your arm, go ahead.”

        That was nice, but Kellyn could do this.

        Sven called down to Wendy. “The same goes for you, Wendy.”

        “Oh, Sven.” Wendy rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a worrywart.” She tapped Sven’s boot. “Go on—the Luminous Crystal is waiting.”

        Why was Sven worried about Wendy? She seemed fine to Kellyn; she even hummed with Blu as everyone climbed.

        Kellyn’s arm throbbed, but he pushed through the pain and told himself, Parity needs me.

        After three minutes of climbing, the group reached the Peace Tower’s roof.

        Sven crawled onto it and offered Wendy his hand, but she slapped it away and finished the journey herself.

        Kellyn made it right when another wind gust blew Sven’s hat off his head, and it hit him in the face.

        “Whoa!” Kellyn said, tightening his grip on the ladder with one hand and removing the hat with his other. He tossed it to Sven and crawled off to the side, inhaling and holding his arm. That hurt… a lot… but at least he was there, and wow—the memories flew back: the Shadow Crystal, Blake Hall, and Darkrai. In addition, there it was… the Luminous Crystal and the Tears of Princes floating high above the roof in an overcast sky.

        Just as Wendy said, Staraptor waited under the Crystal. “Staraptor!” it said, flapping its wings.

        Blu flew to it and turned, calling, “Blue-Bird!”

        “We’re coming, Blu.” Wendy approached him, and the others followed.

        Dawn said, “It’s okay, Piplup,” and pulled it off her neck. “We’re here.”

        “Pip?” Piplup opened its eyes and searched the area, sighing.

        Altru Tower’s roof was large, a little wider than the Tower itself, and was a perfect circle. The cherry on top was the view, as well as the view of the Crystal and Tears of Princes. If only it were sunny.

        “There it is, Ash, Brock, and Dawn.” Wendy pointed at the Crystal. “The Luminous Crystal.”

        The Crystal flickered, as if saying hi, and the three friends said, “Whoa.”

        “It’s beautiful!” Dawn’s eyes sparkled just as much as the Crystal.

        “But what are those three things around it?” Brock inquired, studying the Tears of Princes.

        “The Tears of Princes, special gemstones,” Sven explained. “What, are you Pokémon Trainers unfamiliar with Almia lore?” He clicked his tongue. “Shame.”

        They glared, and Wendy said, “Oh, Sven. When will you realize that they only want to help?”

        He folded his arms. “After they prove themselves.”

        “Oh, we’ll prove ourselves. Just watch,” Ash threatened, facing Wendy. “What’s the plan, Wendy?”

        She shifted her weight. “Kellyn and I will fly up and see what we can find. You guys stay here in case Hunter J shows up.”

        She was going to go with him? But Kellyn had the Vatonage power. What if something happened?

        “Wendy, I need to go myself,” he tried.

        “Nope,” she refused. “If J is up there, she’ll wait until you’re alone to get you and Blu. Remember what Erma said?” She tapped her head. “‘Safety in numbers.’”

        “Exactly!” Sven said, punching his palm. “So, why doesn’t he stay down here with the Trainers, Wendy, and we’ll check the Crystal?”

        Okay, what was with him and Ash and his friends?

        Dawn looked like she was about to erupt. Steam seemed to puff out of her nostrils.

        “Sven, please,” Wendy said, smiling cheekily, “Kellyn is the Guardian, and you yourself said that Ash, Brock, and Dawn must prove themselves, right?”

        “I-I am not going to be these Trainers’ babysitter,” Sven stuttered.

        “Babysitter?” Dawn stamped her foot and dove for him, but Brock and Ash grabbed her and pulled her back. “All right, you! You’ve asked for it!”

        Wendy winked. “Oh, it’s good practice for you, Sven. You’re also not the best Staraptor flier.”

        He blushed and tightened his stance.

        Those two were so hitting on each other, and it was amazing—the best thing Kellyn had witnessed in a while. That didn’t erase his urge to protect Wendy, though.

        She flicked her wrist. “Well, ta, ta. Let’s go, Kellyn and Blu. I see a few more Staraptor out there.”

        “But, Wendy—!” he tried once more.

        “Safety in numbers,” she repeated.

        Kellyn finally had no choice. He went with Wendy toward the edge of Altru Tower, and sure enough, a flock of Staraptor soared by them.

        Okay, here it went.

        Kellyn lifted his Capture Styler and yelled, “Capture on!” The spinning top left it and circled the outermost Staraptor. “Vatonage!” Kellyn moved at his usual speed that time, drawing the loops, but only because he had tried to remain calm.

        There was the familiar white light that washed over Staraptor, and Kellyn released his breath. “Capture complete.”

        “Well done, Kellyn,” Wendy congratulated.

        Well, of course. It wasn’t Kellyn’s first rodeo. At least he controlled his power. For how long, though?

        His Staraptor landed beside him, and Kellyn patted its wing. “Hello there. Could you take me up to the Crystal?” He gestured at it, and the Staraptor looked with him, nodding. “Thanks,” Kellyn added, hopping onto its back.

        Wendy petted her own Staraptor. “Let’s go, girl.”

        “Star!” Wendy and Kellyn’s Staraptor opened their wings, flapping. They lifted off the roof, left the safety of Altru Tower, and began their flight.

        The first thing Kellyn noticed was that it grew increasingly colder. Also, were the Luminous Crystal and the Tears of Princes lower than usual? It had been a year, so he may have been seeing things.

        As he and Wendy drew closer, Kellyn’s eyes caught something: corruption in parts of the Luminous Crystal and the Tears of Princes. It was purplish-black and resembled a shadow. No, was Kellyn too late? There was a lot of negative energy there.

        “Everything’s corrupted, even the Tears of Princes,” he observed, voice quivering. “Parity, are you there?” he shouted at the Luminous Crystal. “If you are, give us a sign!” Kellyn whispered his following sentence. “Please.”

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu cried.

        “Kellyn, don’t get too close,” Wendy warned. “Remember, your power is unstable.”

        “I have to save Parity! This is my fault!” Kellyn rushed past Wendy and flew higher. “Come on, Parity. A sign—anything.” The negative energy grew stronger, and he held out his hand. “Vatonage, please! Please don’t be too late!”

        Nothing happened.

        “Vatonage!” Kellyn repeated.

        Nothing.

        “Kellyn!” Wendy cut him off and ordered, “Staraptor, use Whirlwind!”

        “Raptor!” Staraptor unleashed a blast of wind that chucked Kellyn and his mount back.

        The Luminous Crystal pulsed, releasing a shockwave that shook the surrounding sky. It struck Wendy and her Staraptor, knocking them right out of the sky.

        “Wendy!” Kellyn hollered, kicking Staraptor’s flanks.

        A rainbow light flashed from within the Crystal, soon replaced by the corruption that spread to another part of it and the three gemstones.

        No! Parity was trapped, all thanks to Kellyn, but he couldn’t do anything now. His Vatonage refused to work, and now Wendy and Staraptor were falling toward Peace Tower.

        “Wendy!” Sven yelled below. He sprinted away from Ash and the others and hurried forward, his eyes fixed on her.

        “Sven!” Ash, Brock, and Dawn snatched Sven’s arms before he ran off the Tower, and all four of them fell back.

        Wendy’s Staraptor caught herself, but began flying in circles, leaving Kellyn to dive and catch Wendy’s shoulders before she crashed.

        “Wendy, are you okay?” he asked. She didn’t answer, and Kellyn began to sweat. No, he hurt her! He tried to tell her not to go with him!

        Kellyn rushed down to the others and dropped Wendy into Sven’s arms. He landed and immediately dismounted. “Sven, I didn’t mean to…”

        “Get back!” Sven shoved Kellyn, and he fell onto his injured arm, yelling.

        “Kellyn!” Brock and Dawn hurried to him, but Ash focused on Wendy’s Staraptor, still flying in circles.

        “Okay, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt,” he said.

        “Pikachu!” Pikachu unleashed an enormous lightning bolt, and it struck Wendy’s Staraptor.

        The Pokémon cried out before sinking onto the Tower’s roof and shaking her head.

        The Luminous Crystal and Tears of Princes pulsed again, and then everything returned to normal, leaving Kellyn with nothing but another wave of guilt that proved everything.

        He was not a Ranger, not a Guardian, but a traitor.

End of Act II: Unbalanced

Current Word Count: 28,804

Chapter Text

        It was strange, seeing how vulnerable Sven was now, but that didn’t excuse him from pushing Kellyn. What had happened, though? One minute, Kellyn and Wendy were flying on their Staraptor—the next, Wendy and her Staraptor were falling. Maybe Ash himself underestimated the mission. It was not just about Legendary Pokémon now.

        Sven jiggled Wendy’s shoulders and begged, “Wendy, wake up! Please!”

        Kellyn sat, clutching his arm, and he, Ash, Brock, and Dawn anxiously watched Sven.

        Finally, Wendy stirred and shot up, almost banging heads with Sven. “Whoa!” she said.

        “Wendy!” Instantly, Sven blushed and crawled away from her. He stood, cleared his throat, and returned to his stern demeanor. “I tried warning you. You and I should have checked on the Crystal.”

        What? That was it? He wasn’t even going to apologize to Kellyn or ask if Wendy was okay? What did she see in him?

        Wendy smacked her hands and admitted, “To be honest, Sven, I think I would’ve lost you quicker than Kellyn. I haven’t had a fall like that in a while. Wow!” She grinned. “Talk about an adventure!” Wendy rose, but her legs jiggled, and she held out her arms. “Whoa!”

        “Wendy!” Sven’s mask cracked again, and he hurried to her, taking her hand and arm. “Come on—we’re getting you checked out at the Ranger Depot.”

        “Let me help,” Kellyn said, standing. He still looked as guilty as ever.

        “Stay back, Kellyn!” Sven spat. “I don’t want to see you right now!”

        Kellyn flinched and backed away.

        Okay, that did it! No one bullied Ash’s friends when he was in the room!

        He lifted his fist, but Wendy stopped Ash by grabbing Sven’s shoulder and meeting his eyes. “Sven, please, don’t take it out on Kellyn. We’re okay.”

        Her Staraptor joined the group. “Star!”

        Sven lowered his voice. “We’ll confirm that at the Depot, Wendy.”

        “I’m sorry,” Wendy apologized to the others. “He just needs some time to cool down.” She smiled gently at Kellyn. “You’re okay, Kellyn. Why don’t you show Ash, Brock, and Dawn Peace Tower, and we’ll come up with a plan later, once Sven’s head is out of the clouds?”

        “I’m sorry, Wendy,” Kellyn said back. “I’m so sorry.”

        “No, thank you,” Wendy corrected. “You saved us, and now we know what we’re dealing with. If anything, this was a successful practice run.” She poked Sven’s ribs. “Don’t you agree, Sven?”

        Sven released Wendy and turned. “We can talk after the Depot.” He headed toward the roof’s ladder, and Wendy shrugged, following him with Staraptor.

        While they left, Brock’s shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head.

        Dawn finally gave him the hard truth. “Sorry, Brock, but it looks like you’ve got some competition.”

        “Ugh.” Brock sank to the ground and buried his head in his knees.

        Croagunk popped out of its pokéball and comfortably rubbed his back, slowly saying, “Cro, Cro, Cro.”

        Ash giggled, but then he lost his smile, and he and Pikachu examined the Luminous Crystal and the Tears of Princes.

        Now what were they going to do?

        Ash tried to think, but still didn’t know what had happened, so while Brock checked Kellyn’s arm, he asked, “Kellyn, what happened?”

        More guilt overtook Kellyn’s face, so Blu set his head on his thigh.

        “Everything is corrupted, even the Tears of Princes.” Kellyn sniffed, and his voice trembled. “Wendy tried warning me not to get close to the Crystal, but… I didn’t listen. It hurt her, all because of me.”

        “Kellyn, don’t blame yourself.” At least Brock recovered quickly from Wendy’s rejection. “As Wendy said, that was a practice run.”

        “And at least J wasn’t up there,” Dawn tried encouraging. “So, we still have time.”

        “But what are we supposed to do now?” Ash folded his arms and tapped his left one.

        “Pika,” Pikachu said from his shoulder.

        “I don’t know.” Kellyn hit himself on the head. “Think, Kellyn, think!” He removed his arm from Brock and stood, beginning to pace, his hands in his pockets. While he paced, he thought aloud. “Parity is trapped in the Luminous Crystal. If it’s corrupting her and the Tears of Princes, then…” Kellyn paused before snapping his fingers. “The Gem Guardians!”

        “Gem Guardians?” Ash said. “And Parity is trapped in the Crystal?” How did that happen?

        Kellyn faced him and his friends. “The Gem Guardians are the Guardians of the Tears of Princes: the Yellow, Red, and Blue Gems. Parity must’ve fused herself with the Crystal to try to fight the darkness until Blu and I could get here.”

        Now, he was beginning to think like a Ranger again, but Ash still had trouble understanding. “Uh, okay.”

        “The Gems are acting like a barrier around Parity,” Kellyn continued, “but since the darkness is spreading, it must be overpowering her light, so it’s corrupting the Gems—and maybe even the Guardians, too. That means…”

        “Oh!” Brock punched his palm. “We need to save the Gem Guardians first! That’s the only way we can weaken the barrier so you can get to Parity, Kellyn.”

        Kellyn nodded. “Right. But we have to be quick. J may figure it out, too.”

        “We”? Was he, Top Ranger Kellyn, beginning to ask for help? Ash hoped so; he wanted to meet a Gem Guardian and learn Almia’s lore.

        “Let me quickly show you guys Peace Tower,” Kellyn said, “and then we’ll return to the Depot and call the Union. Sound like a plan?”

        “Yeah,” Ash, Brock, and Dawn said.

        Before leaving, Kellyn released his Staraptor and said to the Luminous Crystal, “Hang on just a little longer, Parity. We’re going to get the Gem Guardians.”

        “Blue!” Blu called to his sister. “Blue-Bird, Blue-Bird!”

        Within the Crystal, as if she had heard Blu, Parity opened her eye again and flapped her wings. She opened her beak, but nothing escaped.

        Corruption spread across Parity’s long, glowing legs, and the Pokémon shut her eyes when it hit one side of her face. She folded her wings and bent her body.

        Down below, Ash and his friends sprinted for the Tower’s ladder.

        The Luminous Crystal pulsed, sinking it and the Tears of Princes closer to the Tower’s roof, the more Parity fought.

Chapter Text

        Considering how Sven was acting toward Kellyn lately, he probably wouldn’t apologize for pushing and yelling at him, but Kellyn wouldn’t force it. Sven had always been a tough Ranger, but he seemed tougher now than a year ago. Not that it was Kellyn’s business; if Sven didn’t want to be friends, fine. At least he had Ash, Brock, Dawn, and Wendy. There was always one outlier.

        Kellyn took Ash, Brock, and Dawn back down to Peace Tower’s lobby, where he gave them a tour, starting with the three portraits on the back wall. “These are the presidents of Altru Inc. over time: Doyle M. Hall, the founder, his son Brighton Hall, the second president, and his son, Blake Hall.”

        “He doesn’t look shady at all,” Dawn admitted, examining Blake Hall’s shades, ponytail, and black suit.

        “Piplup,” Piplup agreed.

        “He’s not a bad man,” Kellyn recalled (Kincaid was worse), “but he gave in to darkness last year, threatening Almia with the Shadow Crystal. I think he learned his lesson, though.” Now Kellyn had to learn his.

        An image of Wendy falling from the sky because of Kellyn’s mistake passed through his mind, but he shook it away and next took the Sinnoh trio to an exhibit that displayed the “Tears of Princes” legend. It included a replica of Almia Castle, the three gemstones, and the Crystal.

        Kellyn inhaled. “The legend is that there was once an ancient king, the King of Olde, who lived in Almia Castle. He had three sons, two of whom he sent away. Each Tear represents a prince, but the king became overwhelmed with darkness and ended up creating the Shadow Crystal.”

        “Oh,” Ash and his friends said.

        “Darkrai has looked over the Crystal for a long time,” Kellyn continued, gesturing at the replica, “but Team Dim Sun disrupted it last year when they dug it out of Chroma Highlands to the east of here.”

        “Darkrai?” Ash stood tall. “We saw one in Alamos Town not so long ago.”

        Kellyn gave him a funny look.

        “It’s in Sinnoh,” Brock elucidated. “Darkrai was trying to protect the town from Palkia and Dialga.”

        Shut up! Ash and his friends had seen Palkia and Dialga, the deities of Time and Space?

        They giggled, seeing Kellyn’s face, and Dawn gloated, “So, you see, Mr. Big Shot, this isn’t our first rodeo with Legendary Pokémon.”

        Which was why they wanted to help, but a piece of Kellyn still felt conflicted.

        He snapped out of his trance when his Styler’s voicemail button beeped. Kellyn opened the screen, saying, “Kellyn here.”

        Sven appeared on the screen, not Wendy. Oh, no! However, Kellyn relaxed when he saw that Sven was no longer angry.

        “Wendy made me call you,” he explained. “I didn’t want to, but… Anyway, the Depot checked her out, and”—Sven stumbled over his words but quickly recovered—“they’re fine… Aw, shoot! You guys can come to the Depot now.”

        It was strange. Sven appeared flustered and hung up the second he gave his order. What was with him?

        “Was that Sven?” Ash faced Kellyn, irritated.

        “Yeah,” Kellyn answered, trying to shake off Sven’s behavior. “Wendy’s fine, so we can head to the Depot now.”

        “Yay! Let’s go!” Blu soared around Kellyn and the others, heading for the exit. The little bird was desperate but still cheerful. Kellyn wondered how he did it.

        He and the Sinnoh trio returned to the Ranger Depot, where they reunited with Wendy and Sven outside. Wendy sat in a chair, and Sven paced.

        “There you are!” Wendy stood and waved.

        The guilt returned, and Kellyn said, “Wendy!” He almost reached her, but Sven came between her and him. He held one hand up to Wendy, his other to Kellyn, to stop him.

        “Stay back, Kellyn.”

        Kellyn flinched, stopping in his tracks. Luckily, Wendy rescued him.

        “Sven, stop. He’s not going to hurt me. What happened with the Crystal was an accident.” She and her Staraptor approached Kellyn and his friends. “It’s nice to see you guys. Don’t worry—we’re fine.” Wendy placed her hands behind her and playfully swayed in her spot. “It looks like you’ve got a plan, Kellyn. I’m eager to hear it. But before we do…” She stepped aside, revealing Sven. “Do you have something to say to Kellyn, Sven?”

        He cringed and clenched his teeth before sighing and approaching Kellyn like a little kid in trouble with their parents. He had some growing up to do, too, but at least he didn’t insult him for once.

        “I’m sorry, Kellyn. I was just so worried about Wendy.” Sven’s flustered face returned. “Let’s forget the whole thing and start over.”

        Okay, Sven was tough, but he had a heart.

        Kellyn gave him a small smile and offered him his hand. “Deal, Sven.”

        Sven took a deep breath (Kellyn saw him fighting a smile himself) and shook Kellyn’s hand. “Deal. However”—he pulled away—“that doesn’t excuse the fact that you gave in to darkness again.”

        “I know,” Kellyn said, “but I know how we can save Parity and the Crystal now.” He looked at Ash, Brock, and Dawn, who encouraged him, and focused on Wendy and Sven. “We need to help the Gem Guardians first.”

        “The Gem Guardians?” Sven said, returning to his stern self. “What gave you a crazy idea like that, kid?”

        “Because everything up there is corrupted, even the Tears of Princes.” Kellyn gripped his chin. “The Tears are acting like a barrier around Parity. We save the Guardians—we reach her. Which means…” He beamed at the Sinnoh trio. “Congratulations, Ash, Brock, and Dawn. We’re going to Almia Castle.”

***

        “Wake up, nincompoops!” Meowth scratched Jessie and James’s faces, and they snapped awake, lying on top of one another in the forest, their pitfall still untouched.

        “Why, you little—!” Jessie threatened Meowth, bopping him on the head.

        “Hey!” Meowth said, rubbing his crown. “Not my crown!” He scratched Jessie again. “We fell asleep and still don’t have any twerps!”

        “Huh?” Jessie and James exchanged looks before yelling.

        “Eee!” James said. “J will be here at any moment!”

        “Wait, what’s that?” Rustling came from the thicket, and Jessie turned, hearing voices. “I think that’s twerp voices.” She grabbed James and Meowth and dragged them into another bush, giving her a clear view of where they put the trap.

        “Please, please,” Team Rocket begged, putting their hands together.

        Wobbuffet popped out of its pokéball, announcing, “Wobbu-Wobbuffet!”

        “Shh!” Team Rocket said, covering its mouth.

        Ash and the others soon appeared on the road, Kellyn, Sven, and Wendy leading the way.

        Kellyn, studying Hastings and Erma in his Capture Styler’s screen, said, “We’re heading to Almia Castle now to free the first Gem Guardian.”

        “Ooh,” James whispered from where he, Jessie, and Meowth hid. “Gem Guardian?”

        “That sounds rare… and shiny,” Meowth said.

        “Hush!” Jessie snapped. “No distractions!” She lifted her fist. “We need that Ranger and Pokémon before J gets here.”

        “But how are we supposed to get him alone?” James asked. “They’re having a whole powwow there.”

        “Like J, but the Team Rocket way,” Jessie answered. She waited for a second, until Kellyn was a little further from the group, then pressed the button on her remote.

        The ground under Ash, his friends, and the other Rangers rumbled.

        “Whoa, what’s that?” Ash inquired.

        Sven and Wendy glanced down. At once, they snatched the trio and pulled them back.

        Right when they did, Team Rocket’s trap triggered, dumping dirt into a deep hole.

        The group tripped over each other’s feet, and Ash’s shoe snagged a vine, releasing a net that scooped him and the others up.

        “Guys!” Kellyn shut his Styler’s screen and hurried to them.

        Staraptor and Luxray squirmed at the bottom of the net, followed by the Sinnoh trio, Sven, and Wendy on top of them.

        “What’s a trap doing here?” Sven said before knocking himself on his head. “Oh, heck, who am I kidding? Who else wants us?”

        “Ha, ha!” Team Rocket leaped out of their bush.

        Jessie, keeping her thumb on the button, said, “Prepare for trouble!”

        “And make it double!” James included.

        Ash crawled past Sven and Wendy and gripped the net, glaring. “Team Rocket!”

        It took a second, but Kellyn recognized the trio and quickly searched the area for J or a Pokémon he could catch. He wouldn’t risk Blu that time. He would fight for him, Vatonage or not.

        Dawn joined Ash and asked Team Rocket, “Can’t you three be dumb somewhere else?”

        “Dumb?” Jessie yelled. “Mind you!” She stepped forward. “I mean—we were supposed to catch the Ranger in the net, but this works, too.”

        “Who are they?” Wendy asked Ash, Brock, and Dawn.

        “Team Rocket,” Brock said. “They’re nothing but trouble, and they’re working for J.”

        “Not on my watch.” Sven shook the net, but almost kicked Ash. He stopped when his eyes landed on a skunk-like Pokémon stepping out of a few of the thicket’s plants. It was purple and white, and its tail covered its head like an umbrella.

        Sven smirked and called to Kellyn. “Kellyn, behind you! Remember the Chroma Highlands and oil rig?”

        “Hm?” Kellyn turned, noticing the Pokémon. “Skuntank! Perfect! Thanks, Sven.” He aimed his Capture Styler at the Pokémon, flinching, but still yelled, “Capture on!”

        Skuntank growled. It lowered its head and charged for Kellyn, but stopped when the Capture Disc surrounded it.

        Okay, Kellyn could do this. Darkrai didn’t visit him in his dreams overnight for nothing.

        “Practice, practice,” it had said. “Start with weaker targets. And remember… balance.”

        Kellyn inhaled, cleared his head, and nodded. “Vatonage!”

        It took a few seconds, but while he drew his loops, his Line pulsed like the Luminous Crystal and changed from blue to a bright, divine light that blinded Team Rocket.

        The halo around Skuntank transformed into the same divine energy and expanded, unleashing a burst of golden sparkles that quickly faded.

        Once the halo vanished, Skuntank hopped back on its hind legs, outlined by the divine energy.

        From the net, Ash and his friends’ jaws dropped. Even Sven looked impressed.

        “Kellyn, your power!” Wendy said, grinning. “You controlled it!”

        How, though? Only a few hours ago, Kellyn had hurt her.

        Beside him, Blu cheered and circled him. “Go, Kellyn! Go, Kellyn!”

        “And capture complete,” Kellyn said, remaining calm, even though he cheered on the inside. “Skuntank, get rid of those nincompoops with a good spray!”

        “Skun!” Still outlined by the golden light, Skuntank dove for Team Rocket and pointed its backside at them.

        “Eee!” they screamed, hugging one another, but it was too late.

        “Eeeewww!”

        Jessie and James grabbed their noses and ran in circles with Meowth, soaked with Skuntank’s spray.

        Jessie smashed into James and Meowth, and they yelled when they fell right into their pit hole, shouting, “Team Rocket’s falling down again!”

        Crash!

        “Skuntank!” Skuntank landed before Kellyn and bent its body. The light around it vanished.

        By then, Kellyn couldn’t help himself. He laughed, as did his friends. “Now, that’s how you get rid of villains!” He pinched his own nose. “Thank you, Skuntank!”

        “Skuntank!” Skuntank high-fived Kellyn with its back foot.

        “That was amazing, Kellyn!” Wendy cheered, coughing through the smell. “Almost as amazing as—!” She cut off when Sven gave her a quick look. “As this mission,” Wendy corrected. “Anyway, do you think you could cut us down?”

        “Got it!” Kellyn glimpsed at Skuntank. “Skuntank, Fury Swipes.”

        “Skuntank!” Skuntank’s claws glowed, and it sliced the net.

        “Yikes!” Ash and the others cried. They plummeted and hit Union Road.

        “Oops, sorry.” Still giggling, Kellyn helped them to their feet.

        Further down Union Road, hidden in the shadows, a striking blue eye watched Kellyn.

        Cold air surrounded the figure, and it said, “Well done, my friend.” The Pokémon closed its eye and opened it again. “Keep finding balance, and I’ll see you at Almia Castle.” With those words, it sank into the shadows, and the cold air left the atmosphere, replaced by Almia’s familiar warmth.

Chapter Text

        Now that Kellyn had mastered Vatonage, even though he didn’t know how, his confidence skyrocketed, growing more when he, Wendy, Ash, Brock, and Dawn reached Hia Valley, home of Almia Castle, that evening on their Staraptor. Sven, being Sven and having a Luxray as a Partner, took Crysta Cave.

        “I’ll meet you guys at Shiver Camp,” he had said outside the cave, located at the back of Vien Forest. He tightened his coat around him.

        “Be careful, Sven.” Wendy lifted her hand and lowered it again. “Call if you need us.”

        Sven gripped his hips (Kellyn had forgotten that was normal for him—he guessed to make himself look tougher). “I’m the eldest. I think I know what I’m doing.”

        That was the first time in a while Kellyn had seen Wendy fearful. “You’re twenty-three,” she fought, and Sven blushed.

        “I’ll be fine,” he quipped, turning on his heel. “Let’s go, Luxray.” Those were the last words he said before flicking his wrist and disappearing into the towering mouth of Crysta Cave.

        And Kellyn thought he was the Big Shot. Whatever, Sven would be Sven. The most important thing was that the Gem Guardians would be a breeze, now that Kellyn had channeled his power. It only took a day, too. Now, he could complete the mission on his own, hopefully.

        The Ranger Union had provided Kellyn, Wendy, and Sven with coats. It was a good thing, too, because Kellyn had forgotten how nippy and snowy Hia Valley was. A kind, elderly woman, Ms. Winter, lived in a log cabin at the foot of Ice Lake, which Kellyn would take to reach the castle. He had a plan; he merely needed to wait until everyone else was asleep that night. While he hated lying to Ash, Brock, and Dawn, at least he got them that far.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn, wearing their own coats, looked down at the white plain below, with trees grouped in clusters around the area.

        “Ooh, it’s cold.” Ash blew on his hands and tucked Pikachu into his coat.

        “Oh, Ash, man up,” Dawn giggled. “I’m sure you’ve suffered a lot worse. Even the Staraptor are toughing it out.” She patted her mount’s neck.

        “But to be safe...” Brock looked at Kellyn. “Where’s Shiver Camp, Kellyn?”

        With Blu cuddled in his arm, Kellyn peeped over his shoulder at him, smiling. “It’s just a short flight from here.” He noticed storm clouds on the horizon, covering the area where Ice Lake and Almia Castle were. “Come on, follow me. It looks like a storm’s coming.”

        “A storm?” Wendy, too, noticed the clouds. “What about Sven?”

        “He’s big, tough Sven,” Kellyn argued. “I’m sure he’s fine.” It was actually a little peaceful without him around.

        “Still…” Wendy opened her Capture Styler. “Rangers need to look out for one another.” She pressed the voicemail button on her Styler. “Sven?”

        “Hey, Wendy,” Sven soon said on the other line. “What’s up? You guys at Shiver Camp yet?”

        “Almost,” Wendy answered. “Where are you?”

        “We’re about halfway through the cave,” Sven said. “The Pokémon are feisty in here.”

        “Feisty?” Did Wendy sweat? “Do you need help?”

        “No, Luxray and I can handle it. You need to get yourself to Shiver Camp, Wendy, before you both freeze.”

        “But, Sven, a storm’s coming…”

        “Wendy, you heard me. We’ll be there soon.” And just like that, Sven hung up. Kellyn guessed that would be a new thing for him.

        For a minute, Ash, his friends, and Kellyn examined Wendy, who eventually said, “You guys go on—beat the storm. I’m going to help Sven.”

        Great idea. Wait, no! What was with the sudden dark thought? Kellyn had mastered Vatonage.

        “Yes—no!” he argued, shaking his head. “We’re going with you, Wendy.”

        Brock nodded. “Yes, if anything, we can stay in the cave until the storm passes.”

        “I have Chimchar,” Ash explained. “It can keep us warm.”

        “Are you sure, guys?” Wendy inquired. “You heard Sven: the Pokémon are feisty.”

        Ash clenched his fist. “It’s nothing we can’t handle. Brock, Dawn, and I have our teams backing you guys up.”

        “Kellyn, what do you think?” Wendy glanced at him. “Hm? Kellyn?”

        Why was there so much negative energy all of a sudden? “Yes—no!” Kellyn closed his eyes and gripped his head.

        “What’s wrong with him?” Dawn wondered, backing up her Staraptor.

        Brock’s mouth dropped. “Not good. He’s giving in to darkness again.” He parked his Staraptor beside Kellyn’s. “Change of plans. You guys help, Sven. I’m going to get him to Shiver Camp.”

        “Good idea, Brock,” Wendy agreed. She pointed at a cluster of trees a short distance away. “See that tree cluster there? Turn right, and you’ll be in Shiver Camp in no time. There’s a Ranger Depot.”

        I’m not good enough, I’m not good enough. “No!” Kellyn fought. “I’m going.”

        “You used your power today, Kellyn,” Brock calmly recalled. “I think it wore you out.”

        I need to prove myself. “No,” Kellyn tried again.

        “Please, Brock,” Wendy begged. “Get him out of here. If the Pokémon in the cave are already feisty, I don’t want to think what will happen if Kellyn goes with us.”

        “Me, either.” Brock examined Blu, who now hovered beside Kellyn. “Blu, I hate to do this to him, but do you know Hypnosis?”

        “Blu, yes. Blu, yes,” Blu answered, facing Kellyn. “Sorry, Kellyn.” His eyes glowed, and rainbow rays escaped them, hitting him in the face.

        Kellyn’s mind cleared, and he slumped over Staraptor’s neck, breathing steadily.

        “Perfect,” Brock said, nodding at the others. “Good luck, guys. Blu and I will take care of him.”

        “Thanks, Brock,” Wendy said. “We’ll be back soon. Let’s go, Ash and Dawn.”

        “Lead the way,” Ash returned, grinning. He followed Wendy first, soon accompanied by Dawn, and Brock, Blu, and Kellyn went the opposite direction, toward Shiver Camp.

        An image soon formed in Kellyn’s mind. There he was, standing in the iced-over throne room of Almia Castle.

        Sunlight passed through the cracks in the castle and shimmered over the ice.

        The six torches surrounding Kellyn burst into flames, warming him, and a cry sounded before him.

        A bipedal Pokémon appeared: tall, muscular, and corrupted with shadow energy.

        “Balance,” someone said behind the Pokémon from the throne. “Teamwork. Don’t be like me. It’s the only way to save Lucario and the other Gem Guardians.”

        “Car.” Lucario stepped aside and raised the four appendages behind its head.

        Kellyn closed his eyes against a gust of wind. He waited until it settled to open them again, and his eyes widened.

        All torches had been blown out, and a new figure emerged before the throne, standing on two shadowy legs.

        “Don’t be like me.” Darkrai’s plume wafted behind it, and Kellyn saw doubt and hope in its blue eye. “I can’t lose you, too. Practice, corruption.”

        Silence, and then Kellyn stumbled. No way! He dropped to his knees before Darkrai and lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Darkrai.”

        “Balance,” it repeated. “Teamwork. Balance. Don’t be like me.” With those words, a shadow appeared on the throne’s head, and Darkrai flew into it, leaving Kellyn alone with the Gem Guardian.

        How had he not figured it out sooner? It was so simple.

        But why couldn’t Kellyn stop himself from giving in to darkness? He thought he got it that day, but no. The King of Olde said otherwise, and now Kellyn was trapped, once again, between an endless battle of light and darkness.

        That said, he still had to protect the others before another Wendy Incident occurred.

        Kellyn never meant to hurt her, but he was growing stronger. However, as of now, it was more a curse than a blessing, and Kellyn didn’t know how to fight it.

        One thing was sure, though: Almia Castle would determine everything.

Chapter Text

        Crysta Cave looked cold.

        After flying for thirty minutes, trying to beat the storm, Ash, Dawn, and Wendy had just landed before the cave’s entrance. Ash saw ice, water, a few docks, and shimmering crystals inside, but none were as large as the Luminous Crystal.

        Despite the cold, now was the perfect time for Ash and Dawn to prove themselves to Sven. A single person couldn’t take on a bunch of feisty Pokémon himself—at least, not for long.

        Sven and Kellyn both had big egos, but Kellyn’s was based on fear, whereas Sven’s came across as the golden boy trying to impress the girl he liked. Obviously, it worked because Wendy remained worried.

        She opened her Styler again, hands shaking, and asked, “Sven?”

        He didn’t answer that time.

        “Sven?” Wendy tried again.

        Nothing.

        “Lux!” Ash, Dawn, and Wendy turned with Luxray’s cry.

        It hurried to them and stopped behind Wendy, nudging her forward.

        Of course. Of course, the golden boy would get himself in trouble.

        “Luxray.” Wendy sighed and gripped its muzzle. “Okay, what happened, boy?”

        “Lux!” Luxray released himself and sprinted, shocking a few Golbat who tried jumping him.

        He led the way to an open area of the cave, where a deep ditch cut it in half. There was also a bridge, but it had snapped, and Sven hung from one of the boards, dangling over the meandering river below.

        “Wendy!” he said, not even acknowledging Ash and Dawn. “Wha-What are you doing here?” It looked like he had lost his coat when he fell. “I-I told you I could handle this.”

        “Yeah, you definitely did,” Wendy joked. “Well done.”

        Sven shuddered.

        “What?” Dawn called. “Are you, Tough Guy Sven, cold under all that muscle?”

        Sven glared at her. “I’ve got it.” He started climbing, but his boot broke through a lower board, and he fell one board down, yelling, “Ow!”

        Wendy held out her hands—“Don’t move!”—and turned to Staraptor. “Staraptor, could you get him, please?”

        Ash couldn’t help but chuckle.

        “Star!” Wendy’s Staraptor flapped her wings and soared down to Sven, soon hovering beside him. “Staraptor! Star!”

        Sven grunted and let go, crawling onto Staraptor, but he ended up sitting backward.

        That time, Ash, Dawn, and Wendy giggled.

        “Sven dear,” Wendy called, hand around her mouth, “you’re backwards.”

        “Do-Don’t rub it in!” he yelled, fixing his position and holding on for dear life on Staraptor.

        This was amazing to watch. “He’s cold,” Ash tittered.

        “And not the best Staraptor flier,” Wendy repeated. She blushed and chewed on her fingernail. Was Sven’s ego why she liked him?

        Staraptor brought Sven up and dropped him off before Ash, Dawn, and Wendy, folding her wings.

        He was so red that Ash swore he was on fire.

        “Luxray!” Luxray jogged to his partner and licked his cheek, cuddling him with his black and blue fur.

        Dawn removed a blanket from her backpack and tossed it to Sven. “Here you go, tough guy.”

        “Tha-Thank you,” Sven stuttered, wrapping the blanket around him. Was that the first time he had said that? Did Ash smell change?

        Wendy cleared her throat and kneeled, grasping Sven’s shoulder. “What happened, dear?” She played with him with her following sentence. “Do you need me?”

        “I-I had it under control!” Sven argued. “But then those Piloswine and Golbat chased me to the bridge, and it broke.” He quickly changed the subject and scowled at Ash and Dawn. “Why are they here? Where’s Kellyn?”

        Well, so much for change.

        “We came to help,” Ash fought, clenching his fists. “Brock and Kellyn went ahead to Shiver Camp.”

        Wendy’s concerned look returned. “Kellyn gave in to darkness again, Sven, so Blu put him to sleep. And you said the Pokémon were feisty, so Ash and Dawn wanted to help.” She nudged him. “Isn’t that nice? And Dawn did give you that blanket.”

        “If we didn’t get here, you and Luxray would’ve frozen,” Dawn pointed out. “I don’t know what your problem is, Sven, but we’re sick of your attitude.”

        Ash stood beside her. “That’s right. We work as a team, so suck it up.”

        “Guys, stop,” Wendy said. “It’s not you. Sven’s gotten really protective in the past few weeks.”

        Ash tried bribing. “Why?”

        Wendy paused before helping Sven stand. “We can’t tell you until after the mission. Come on—we need to get out of here before more Pokémon attack.” She faced Sven. “Were they moving in circles, Sven?”

        “The Piloswine were,” he explained, “but I think the Golbat belonged to someone. I heard shouting.”

        Ash and Dawn thought for a second, but Ash’s mind veered to what Wendy told him: “We can’t tell you until after the mission.” It seemed that even she saw them as outsiders, but in a kind way.

        Ash stayed quiet, so Dawn confirmed it: “J. She’s tailing us. Following us to Almia Castle. Those were probably her goons, Sven.”

        “I’m not surprised.” Wendy crossed her arms. “She’s likely waiting until Kellyn’s alone with the Gem Guardian.”

        Ash nodded. “Which means that no matter how much he fights, we can’t leave him alone in the Castle.”

        “Right,” Wendy agreed, her playful face returning. “Well, then, when we reach Shiver Camp, we’ll wake Kellyn and come up with a battle plan.” She clapped and jiggled in her spot. “This is so exciting!”

        It was, but Sven didn’t seem to think so. “Don’t overwork yourself, Wendy.” With Dawn’s blanket still wrapped around him, he took the lead, but quickly glanced from the broken bridge to Ash and Dawn. “Don’t mention this to anyone!”

        Aw, but Ash was looking forward to seeing Dawn sass him.

        Maybe if Sven tried being the golden boy again.

        For now, hopefully, they could escape Crysta Cave before the snowstorm hit—if it hadn’t already—and reach Shiver Camp.

        However, before the group got too far, something sounded, and a team of black shadows appeared before them, their eyes red, and their fangs loose.

        Piloswine.

***

        On the Vien Forest side of Crysta Cave, a group of J’s henchmen stood before a few ferns, her before them.

        She glowered and said, “You mean to tell me that you were too slow to begin picking off the Ranger’s friends?” She kicked a log, and her goons flinched. “We need him alone!” She had already lost time freeing Team Rocket from their failed pit hole, but they told her that they witnessed Kellyn’s power, so she hadn’t gotten rid of them… yet… but, boy, was she tempted!

        One of J’s henchmen said, “Negative, sir! We nearly had the oldest Ranger, but the bridge broke, and his Luxray attacked.”

        “That was a powerful Luxray,” another goon complained.

        Idiots.

        J would chase Kellyn herself, but her Salamence was still injured from Blue-Bird’s attack and couldn’t fly—useless Pokémon.

        “Fine!” she snarled. “Then we’ll wait for them at the Castle and pick them off as soon as they reach it.” Her frown switched to a wicked smile. “I, myself, am looking forward to getting not only the Ranger, but also the Guardians and King.” Her mind returned to Team Rocket. “If what those three said about his power is true, then I will overthrow the black market.”

        No one would doubt her skills again. It was payback time, and J had never been so ready. All she needed was Vatonage to grab the Rainbow Birds, Guardians, and King. Once she did that, it would be as if Riolu had never happened. J would have something even better.

        She turned away from her henchmen and examined Almia’s darkening sky. Before long, it would be nothing more than a memory—a victory to remind J that even Vatonage couldn’t stop her.

        If only that Ranger could make her a new Shadow Crystal sooner. After all…

        J snickered. “He’s nothing but a tool.”

Chapter Text

        “Piloswine,” Ash said, examining the Ground/Ice Pokémon before he and his friends (well, Sven was more of an ally). Each one had brown hair and a snout like a pig.

        Wendy observed, “But they’re not running in circles. I think they’re just aggressive. Sven and I can catch them.”

        “No.” Ash stepped before them, along with Dawn. “Let Dawn and me battle them.” It was time to show Sven that they weren’t useless.

        Ash drew a pokéball and tossed it forward. “Chimchar, I choose you!”

        Ash’s Fire monkey Pokémon appeared, beaming, and announced, “Chimchar!”

        “Piplup, help out Chimchar!” Dawn said, releasing her own Pokémon. “Use Bubble Beam!”

        “Flamethrower, Chimchar!” Ash ordered.

        “Chim!”

        “Piplup!”

        The two Pokémon unleashed their attacks, but before they hit the Piloswine, a new Pokémon jumped in and took the hits for them.

        “What?” Ash and Dawn inquired.

        “Pika!” Pikachu said, pointing forward.

        Before them, Mamoswine shook its tusks and rubbed its enormous feet on the ground, yelling, “Mamo!”

        “Mamoswine!” Wendy and Sven said. Instantly, they aimed their Fine Stylers.

        Piloswine and the Mamoswine charged for the group, but before they tackled them, a shadowy figure appeared between them.

        “Dark Void!” Darkrai lifted its arms and released a group of shadowy rings that captured the Piloswine and Mamoswine, putting them to sleep. “Just until the corruption’s lifted,” Darkrai added. With those words, its blue eye glowed, and Ash, Wendy, Sven, Dawn, and their Pokémon vanished.

        While Darkrai transported them, the group barely caught a glimpse of Almia Castle, surrounded by shadowy corruption, and then a figure that resembled the Aura Pokémon, Lucario.

        The image faded, replaced by a village with igloo-shaped houses set against a backdrop of a snowstorm.

        Ash and his friends crashed before Shiver Camp’s Ranger Depot, Sven on top of them, and Darkrai vanished, but not without saying, “Help.”

        The Depot’s door opened, and out stepped Brock, holding his hands up to his face. Wind and snow blasted it, and he yelled, “Guys!”

        “Brock!” Ash’s group said, untangling themselves and standing.

        “Hurry!” Brock gestured them inside, and the others nodded, sprinting into the Depot.

        What on Earth had just happened? Ash was eager to demonstrate teamwork to Sven, but then Darkrai appeared. It had transported them, and now they were there. What was Darkrai trying to tell them, and why did it flash the image of Almia Castle before them?

        The inside of the Depot looked like any other, except for the storm blowing on the other side of the windows.

        The Operator behind the desk, wearing a heavy coat, bowed to Ash, Dawn, Sven, Wendy, and their Pokémon. “Welcome to the Shiver Camp Ranger Depot,” she mused. “You must be the rest of the group the Ranger Union sent over.”

        “We are,” Ash said, brushing snow off his coat. He glared at Sven. “And we were getting ready to prove ourselves to Mr. Hotshot there when Darkrai appeared.”

        “The King?” The Operator’s jaw dropped. “Wow, I’m jealous.”

        Wait, King? What was she talking about?

        It seemed that even the others couldn’t believe it, as they stopped what they were doing and focused on the Operator.

        Chimchar hopped onto Ash’s backpack, and Piplup jumped into Dawn’s arms.

        “Oh, I’m sorry!” The Operator blushed and hooked her fingers. “I meant to tell you guys in the morning.”

        “Darkrai’s the King?” Ash’s jaw dropped. “You mean the King of Olde?” Before he knew it, his friends surrounded him. The wind whistled outside, and while Ash was cold and tired, he listened.

        The Operator giggled. “Well, I guess I have no choice now.” She clutched her hips. “He left Kellyn in charge of the Luminous Crystal, so he could return to Almia Castle and train, according to Ms. Winter. She’s the Elder of Hia Valley. Lives at the base of Ice Lake.”

        Ms. Winter? An appropriate name, considering the area, but that was beside the point.

        “You guys should visit her in the morning on your way to the Castle,” the Operator continued. “She’s been lonely since her husband passed.” Her eyes landed on Sven and Wendy. “The Union told me to take care of you guys tonight.” She gestured at the door behind her. “Kellyn is still asleep, but Brock and I set up your guys’ quarters.”

        Ash had so many questions, but they didn’t erase the fact that Darkrai messed up his and Dawn’s attempt to prove their usefulness to Sven. They would’ve had it under control with the Piloswine and Mamoswine, right?

        Sven cringed and said, “No, that can’t be true,” to the Operator. Why did he look jealous? “The King died a thousand years ago.”

        “But his corruption remained,” the Operator corrected. “Ms. Winter will explain everything.”

        Ash still wasn’t sure if he 100% believed her, but if it was true, did that make Kellyn a…?

        It looked like Sven had some competition himself, but Ash was too worn out to fight with him anymore that day.

        He and Pikachu yawned, and then Ash asked Wendy, “Wendy, could we save the battle plan for the morning?”

        She looked deep in thought and nodded, answering, “Sure. I think we all need to sleep on this. At least Darkrai got us here, though.”

        True, but now Ash had to think of another way to convince Sven.

        He brainstormed on the way to the quarters, relaxing when Brock and Dawn joined him, saying, “Wait for us.”

        Back in the Depot’s lobby, Wendy gripped Sven’s muscular arm, leaving the Operator to say, “Oh! I nearly forgot!” She bent over and soon stood again, handing them a folder. “These came from the Pueltown Depot today. Gentle—they’re fragile.”

        Another flustered look crossed Sven’s face, but Wendy grinned. “Thank you so much.” She accepted the folder and squeezed Sven’s arm. “We’re going to figure this out, Sven, but you need to give the Pokémon Trainers a chance.”

        He sighed and lowered his head, facing Wendy. “But I’m worried about you, Wendy.”

        “Don’t be,” she sweetly encouraged. “Everything is okay.”

        Wendy’s words seemed to echo throughout the night; Ash even heard them right before he found himself in what looked like an iced-over throne room. Was he inside Almia Castle? How did he get there from the Ranger Depot quarters? The vision reminded him of the one the Alamos Town Darkrai gave him, warning him of Palkia. This didn’t look like a nightmare, though.

        Ash stumbled around the room, slipping on the ice, and stopped before a dusty table with a shelf behind it. He picked up an old painting and blew on it, flinching.

        The dust glittered and expanded, revealing a lively throne room with people and Pokémon.

        Golden figures, children and adults, danced, but four figures stood before the throne.

        The tallest, a man wearing a jeweled crown, put his foot down and pushed two of the figures (one red and one yellow) toward the exit.

        “Whoa, what’s happening?” Ash asked himself and Pikachu.

        “Pikachu,” his Partner replied.

        As soon as the two figures vanished out the door, the golden figures broke, revealing the man sitting on his throne, his head in his hands.

        Shadow energy surrounded him, but the Lucario figure Ash had seen before rested its hand on his thigh, softly saying, “Car.”

        The man yelled and shoved the Pokémon away.

        “Hey!” Ash rushed to the man, but flew right through him, ending up on the other side of the throne.

        “You’re kidding me!” Ash argued, clenching his fist. “Pikachu, try Thunderbolt.”

        “Pikachu!” Despite his effort, Pikachu only succeeded in shocking Ash, who coughed and grumbled to himself.

        The man held his head again, the shadow energy consuming him into a cocoon.

        “Car!” Lucario reached for him, but fell backward when the man’s cocoon pulsed and faded, revealing a shadowy being with a white plume and a striking blue eye.

        “Darkrai,” Ash said. No way.

        “You’re trying too hard,” the Pokémon explained in his head. “Force does not replace what you must learn: teamwork is more than winning. I never learned this, and look what happened.”

        Ash stepped back, his eyes fixed on the vision. But that Sven!

        “Just… listen,” Darkrai ordered. With those words, the vision changed into a whirlpool, and Ash spun through it, hugging Pikachu.

        He woke with a start in his bed, drenched in sweat, and took deep breaths.

        The snow still fell outside, but it had slowed to a shower instead of a blizzard.

        Ash checked the remaining five beds in the quarters, clustered in pairs. He and Sven were one cluster, Brock and Dawn another, and finally, Wendy and Kellyn.

        Ash crawled out of bed and sauntered to the room’s back window, looking outside at the fresh snow blanket, houses, and trees. He then glanced at Sven, who held something close, and turned onto his side. What was it?

        While Ash understood Darkrai’s warning, he couldn’t make amends with Sven until he knew what was bothering him.

        And the only way to do that was not to fight, but listen.

Chapter Text

        Kellyn understood what Darkrai had told him in his vision, but still didn’t want to risk the others—not even Blu—since he was the Guardian. So, he woke up in the middle of the night, still a little foggy from Blu’s Hypnosis and a sudden, sharp pain in his arm. No, Kellyn wouldn’t let a little Hypnosis and an injury stop him: Parity needed him.

        He rolled out of bed, changed his clothes, and put on his coat, zipping it up. Then, clutching his arm, Kellyn entered the Depot’s dark, quiet lobby and headed for the exit, where snow was softly falling outside. He had slept more, so he wasn’t as exhausted, but Kellyn still yawned and tightened his grip on his arm. He probably was using it too much, but he needed both arms to handle his captures.

        With that in mind, Kellyn inhaled and stopped before the door, but he paused and stared at it instead of walking out.

        “Teamwork. Balance,” echoed Darkrai’s words. “Teamwork.”

        Finally, Kellyn sighed and stepped away from the exit, only to notice a tall figure sitting in a chair in the darkness. “Sven!” Kellyn quickly took off his coat and tried to hide it behind him.

        “Relax,” Sven said. “I don’t feel like insulting you right now, Kellyn.” He reached onto a table and picked up a glass of water, sipping it. “I can’t sleep, either.”

        Where was his tough boy façade?

        “Did Darkrai visit you, too?” Sven asked, resting his arms on the table.

        What? Why did Darkrai visit him?

        Kellyn turned on a light, revealing Sven, and grabbed a chair. He sat at the table with him and saw that they were next to a group of phones and a hot cocoa machine.

        Sven prepared two cups of cocoa and handed one to Kellyn. He grasped his with both hands and said, “Darkrai said that I’m too reckless and need to open up more. Can you believe that?”

        “Um…” Kellyn’s voice trailed, and he sipped his cocoa.

        “Yeah, I know,” Sven added. “I’m a jerk.”

        “I wouldn’t say that,” Kellyn argued. “It’s more that you’re acting older than you are.” He shifted his feet. “Darkrai told me that, too. He said that I need to work on balance and teamwork to master Vatonage.”  It felt strange, carrying on a conversation with Sven without either of them insulting each other, even though Kellyn had tried sneaking out. It was even stranger to see Sven without his hat. Was his hair that tufty?

        “You know… I’m trying to figure it out.” Sven drummed his fingers. “While I understand why Darkrai chose you, you’re a little young to look after an entire region.”

        And they were back with the insults. Kellyn knew where Sven was going with this.

        “I don’t know if you’re ready to look after a region yourself, too, Sven,” he shot back. “At least, not by yourself.”

        Sven blushed before saying, “You’re probably right.” He ran his fingers through his hair and dropped his hand. A long silence ensued, and then Sven continued: “Kellyn, may I ask you something?”

        Seemed like a strange request from someone who insulted him, but whatever. A Ranger listened to another Ranger. “Shoot,” Kellyn said, sipping his cocoa again.

        Sven lifted his eyebrow. “You were ten when your sister was born, right?”

        Molli? What did she have to do with anything? “I was,” Kellyn answered. Boy, that first year with a baby sister was something.

        Kellyn noticed a lump forming in Sven’s throat. “Wha-What was it like when she was a baby?”

        The second he asked that, Kellyn spat out his cocoa, and it splattered on Sven’s face. “Oh, I’m sorry!” he apologized.

        “Thank you, Kellyn.” Sven picked up a napkin and wiped his face. “I deserved that.”

        What on Earth did Kellyn miss while stationed in Sinnoh? 

        He opened his mouth, but Wendy entered the room and said, “Oh, there you two are!” She gestured at the boys. “What’s all this?”

        “Nothing!” Instantly, Sven slid his chair away from Kellyn and stood.

        “Wait…” Wendy’s smile vanished. “Did you tell him, Sven?”

        “Ranger to Ranger,” he answered, pressing his back against the wall. “No Trainers, that’s final. It was bugging me, Wendy!”

        She glared. “We weren’t supposed to tell anyone until after the mission!”

        “It was bugging me!” Kellyn jumped when Sven punched the wall.

        “Um… I’m just gonna leave.” Kellyn slowly stood and faked a yawn. “Big day ahead: Gem Guardians and freeing Parity, ya know?”

        “No, stay,” Sven begged, grabbing Kellyn’s arm and pulling him to him.

        “No!” Kellyn groaned.

        “I didn’t want you to take this mission, Wendy!” Sven fought.

        “I can take care of myself—thank you very much!” she retorted. “You heard Hastings and Erma: we need to work as a team! And considering that you’re a terrible Staraptor flier, Sven, you need me!”

        Sven clenched his fist. “And considering your situation, Wendy, you should not be on this mission! Don’t you see—I’m trying to protect you.”

        “Really?” Wendy scoffed. “Last I checked—you needed saving in Crysta Cave, not me.”

        “Can I go to bed now?” Kellyn whimpered.

        “Yeah, sorry.” Sven released him. “But!” He held his finger up to him. “Do not mention this to the Trainers.”

        Kellyn felt the anxiety bubbling inside him, but instead of saying, “I’ll try,” he nodded and quickly left the scene, entering the quarters.

        Kellyn climbed into bed, pulled the covers close, and thought for an hour. He pretended to be asleep when he heard Wendy and Sven enter, but in reality, he was still wide awake.

        Adults. Maybe Kellyn wasn’t ready to be one after all. Maybe Sven was right—perhaps he should’ve gotten Darkrai’s gift instead of him. How could Kellyn protect everyone on the team when he couldn’t even protect himself and not trust himself to fess up to Ash and his friends?

        Ugh, why was being a Guardian so hard? That question bombarded Kellyn for the rest of the night.

        Evening bled into morning, and Kellyn still felt the tension between Sven and Wendy at breakfast in the Depot’s lobby. Not that his own mental health was suffering with the thought of not telling Ash and his friends.

        Distract yourself, Kellyn, distract yourself, he told himself.

        “So, Wendy,” Ash said, quickly finishing breakfast, “what’s the battle plan for today?”

        There he went, wanting to get straight to it.

        “Well…” Wendy didn’t look at Sven. “I was thinking that we start by visiting Ms. Winter and going from there. Unless, of course”—she snarled at Sven—“Sven doesn’t think I can handle myself.”

        “Oh, boy,” Kellyn mumbled, trying to swallow his rising anxiety.

        Sven huffed and folded his arms. “Well, excuse me for looking out for you.”

        Blu came between the two, squawking, “Blue-Bird! Blue-Bird!”

        “Yeah, did we miss something here?” Brock inquired.

        “Nothing at all, Brock,” Wendy replied, standing. “Sven and I are just having a little spat right now.”

        “Wait! Does that mean…?” Brock shuffled in his seat, grinning.

        “No, it doesn’t, Brock,” Wendy admitted.

        “Aw!” Brock lowered his head, and Ash and Dawn chuckled.

        Wendy turned on her heel. “Well, are we going to Ms. Winter’s or not?” She zipped up her coat and left the table, stepping out into the fresh snow.

        “Wendy!” Sven stood and started after her, but tripped over his chair and crashed into the floor, his foot caught in the chair’s legs. “Ow!”

        “Sven!” the others said, rushing to him.

        Dawn, hugging Piplup, knelt down and jokingly asked, “Did you hurt yourself, tough guy?”

        “No.” Sven released his leg and puffed out his cheeks.

        Wait, had he actually hurt himself? Sven didn’t seem like someone who would feign an injury to get a girl’s attention, right?

        He rose and half-limped to the door, only for the Operator to yell, “Hold on, young man!” behind. She tossed Sven a fur coat, and he caught it. The Operator smiled and flicked her wrist.

        Kellyn and the others watched as Sven pulled on the coat and limped outside, again yelling, “Wendy, wait!”

        Kellyn swore… He would never understand love. 

        He and the others waited a few minutes, then grabbed their coats and went outside to Shiver Camp.

        Children played in the snow, while their parents watched, and a few people skated on the ice rink in the center of the village.

        “Guys!” Wendy sprinted to Kellyn and the Sinnoh trio, her Staraptor and the rest following. She stopped before them and asked, “Have you seen Sven?”

        “Sven?” Kellyn gave Wendy a funny look. “He came out here looking for you.”

        “Well, he’s not here. Do you think he might have...?” Wendy faced Shiver Camp’s west exit. “I did say that I wanted to go to Ms. Winter’s to prepare us for the Castle.”

        “I’m sure he’s fine,” Dawn argued. “After all, he’s tough guy Sven.”

        “But he hasn’t been himself for a few weeks,” Wendy explained. “Not since…” She paused and looked at Kellyn, clearing her throat. “I’m sorry, guys, but Staraptor and I need to find him—especially with J out there.”

        That was Kellyn’s chance to head for Almia Castle himself, but then he once again heard, “Teamwork. Balance,” in his head. At that point, that hurt more than his arm.

        “No, we’re going with you,” Kellyn told Wendy. “Sven’s tough, but he’s also part of the team.” Would he have said that merely forty-eight hours prior? Kellyn looked at Ash and Pikachu. “Right, Ash and Pikachu?”

        Ash paused before stuttering, “Uh, right. As a team, we work together.”

        Wendy smiled weakly. “Thanks, guys—this means a lot. Sven couldn’t have gone far, and he does have Luxray, but still…”

        Brock still looked a bit upset about Wendy’s rejection, but he said, “We’ll find him, Wendy. Anything for you!”

        “Aw, thank you, Brock.” Wendy leaned forward and pecked his cheek, causing Brock’s jaw to drop. “That’s for helping me.”

        Blu came in and offered his head to Wendy, so she kissed it, too. “And that’s for you, Blu.”

        Blu sighed and floated around her.

        Wendy clenched her fist and faced the others. “Let’s find Sven before J does and head to Ms. Winter’s!”

        There was the Wendy Kellyn knew, but no matter what happened in Hia Valley, it didn’t change the fact that he had sworn to keep Ash, Brock, and Dawn in the abyss until the end of the mission.

        How hard could that be?

Chapter Text

        Although Kellyn understood why Wendy was worried about Sven, he was Sven—a Rank 9 Top Pokémon Ranger—so there was no doubt he could handle himself; however, with J out there, it wasn’t safe for anyone to leave the team.

        So, keeping that in mind, Kellyn and the others thoroughly explored Hia Valley.

        Ash drew a pokéball and threw it into the cold, sunny morning, commanding, “Staravia, I choose you!”

        Staravia, the pre-evolution of Staraptor, but the evolution of Starly appeared, announcing, “Staravia!” It was a little bigger than Blu, but still not the largest Bird Pokémon.

        Ash approached Staravia and said, “Staravia, fly out there and see if you can find Sven.”

        “Staravia!” Staravia flapped its wings, turned, and headed toward a few snow-covered trees in the distance.

        Below, Kellyn and the others dug through mounds just in case, but they didn’t yell Sven’s name for safety reasons.

        It felt strange to Kellyn to work as a team, but it distracted him from telling the Sinnoh trio and helped him focus on the mission. There was no way J would make things easy, so he remained vigilant. It was the only thing he could do. He thought about that as they searched.

        A little later, Kellyn and the others heard, “Staravia!” Staravia appeared and hovered before Ash.

        “Staravia!” he said. “Did you find him?”

        Staravia nodded—“Star!”—and led the way to a large lake farther north. Lines of ice blocks—not icebergs—floated in it, and Kellyn remembered the occasional whirlpools in the water.

        At the other end of the lake was another snowy field, followed by a shadowy form hidden among a few snow clouds: Almia Castle.

        “Whoa!” Ash exclaimed, admiring the scenery. “What is this place?”

        “Ice Lake,” Kellyn answered. “Almia Castle is on the other end of it…” He moved his index finger and pointed at the shadowy figure. “There.”

        “Wow, so beautiful!” Dawn said. “How do we get there?” She examined the ice blocks and whirlpools.

        “Piplup! Piplup!” Her Piplup squirmed and jumped out of Dawn’s arms, running to the left.

        “Piplup!” Dawn called.

        Pikachu hopped down from Ash’s shoulder and chased after Piplup. “Pika!”

        Ash raised his hand. “Pikachu.”

        But Pikachu kept moving.

        Working together, the Pokémon led the team to a snowbank near the beach. Sven’s Luxray and an Empoleon, the final stage of Piplup, hovered over a motionless body in the snow.

        Wendy gasped and yelled, “Sven!” sprinting.

        Oh, no. What had Sven done now? He really was out of it, trying to protect Wendy and forgetting that he wasn’t invincible.

        “Luxray!” Sven’s Partner settled down beside him and pressed his furry body against him.

        Pikachu approached him, and the two began communicating with each other.

        Dawn’s Piplup paused before the Empoleon and tried to stand tall. It was incredible how such a small Pokémon could become so huge.

        Pikachu soon approached Ash, who kneeled to him and asked, “What is it, Pikachu?”

        “Pika, Pika, Pikachu!” Pikachu explained, shuddering.

        “Mm-hmm.” Ash shifted his focus between Pikachu and Empoleon, then back to Pikachu.

        Wendy kneeled and clutched Sven’s arm. “We-Well?”

        “I think I’ve got it,” Ash said, looking at her. “Pikachu says that Sven was trying to reach Ms. Winter’s cabin when he collapsed.”

        Brock approached Sven next and removed his knapsack.

        “Is he sick, Brock?” Wendy’s voice quivered. “He’s pale.”

        “Hm. Pikachu,” Brock ordered, “could you ask Luxray how long Sven was exposed to the cold when he fell yesterday?”

        “Pika.” Pikachu faced Luxray. “Pika, Pikachu?”

        “Lux, Lux,” Luxray replied.

        It was incredible how Ash understood Pikachu when he talked to him. That was helpful; if only Sven were awake to see it.

        Ash told Brock, “Pikachu says it was between fifteen and thirty minutes, but Luxray isn’t 100% sure because he came and got us.”

        “Yeah,” Brock said, pulling a blanket from his knapsack and draping it over Sven. “It’s hypothermia—a mild case, but still one.”

        “Hypo…” Wendy’s voice trailed. “But that was yesterday, Brock.”

        “Symptoms can show up a little later,” Brock explained. “The most important thing is that we get to Ms. Winter’s before he gets worse.”

        Ash, looking a bit guilty, explained, “Dawn gave him a blanket when we got him yesterday, Brock, but I guess it wasn’t enough.”

        “Wait…” A scared look crossed Dawn’s face. “Is this my fault?”

        “No,” Wendy quickly replied. “Sven’s just reckless, Dawn.” She and Brock helped him onto her Staraptor’s back.

        Brock giggled and glanced at Ash. “Reminds me of somebody.”

        Ash blushed and scratched the back of his head.

        Brock then said to the Empoleon, “Thank you, Empoleon, for looking out for him until we got here.”

        “Empol!” The Steel/Water Pokémon saluted with its wing.

        “We’ll be back,” Kellyn explained. “We need to get to Almia Castle.”

        “Empol!” Empoleon said again. It dove into Ice Lake and swam toward one of the ice blocks.

        Everyone watched as it charged at full speed and shattered the ice, pieces scattering like glass. It then dipped back underwater.

        The memories of Almia Castle from Kellyn’s first visit returned, and he told Ash, Brock, and Dawn, “That’s how we’re going to get to the Castle—once we help Sven.”

        “By smashing ice?” Ash inquired, and Kellyn bobbed his head.

        “While riding on the back of Empoleon.” With those words, Kellyn passed the Sinnoh trio and headed toward a forest beyond the lake’s snowbanks. “Follow me. Ms. Winter’s cabin is just up ahead.” Sven nearly made it, but not quite. However, hopefully, he had learned Darkrai’s lesson. Kellyn still wasn’t sure if he had learned his, but that could wait.

        Ms. Winter lived on a small hill in the forest at the foot of Ice Lake. Kellyn recognized her one-story log cabin through the frozen trees and signaled toward it. “There it is.” It had been a while since he saw Ms. Winter, so he wondered if she would recognize him. Even if she didn’t, surely, she would help Sven.

        The group passed a few Wild Pokémon, who watched as they reached Ms. Winter’s cabin.

        Kellyn inhaled and raised his fist, knocking on the door. Just as he did, a cold gust of wind swept through Hia Valley, and he and his team shivered.

        The door opened after thirty seconds, revealing an older woman with long, white hair tied back in a bun, dressed in a warm, puffy-sleeved dress with a sweater over it. Ms. Winter’s baby blue eyes fixed on Kellyn, who bowed.

        “Sorry for disturbing you, Ms. Winter, but I’m Kellyn. I met you last year.”

        “Kellyn!” Ms. Winter tossed her wooden cane aside and hugged him. “It’s good to see you again, dear!”

        Okay, whew. Kellyn’s shoulders relaxed.

        Releasing him, Ms. Winter looked at the others behind him. “Oh, you brought me a new husband?” she asked, waving her hand. “You shouldn’t have!” Ms. Winter chuckled at her joke.

        Kellyn weakly smiled. “Not exactly. This is Ash, Brock, and Dawn. I met them in Sinnoh.”

        “Hi,” Ash said. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Winter.” He and Brock were the only ones who smiled; Dawn still looked guilty.

        Kellyn gestured at Wendy and Sven next. “That’s Wendy and Sven from the Union. We’re here because we were headed to Almia Castle, but Sven needs help.”

        “Uh-oh,” Ms. Winter playfully said. “Another young one who thought they could brave Hia Valley on their own?”

        Wendy pointed at herself. “He was actually looking for me.”

        “Oh!” Ms. Winter grinned. “A lovestruck one—even better!” She laughed when Brock blushed and stepped aside. “Come in, come in, and bring your Pokémon. I’ve got cookies and tea, and we’ll get him warmed right up.”

        “Thank you.” Kellyn entered first, followed by Wendy, who released her remaining Staraptor.

        Ash returned Staravia and said, “Great job, Staravia. Now, take a good rest.” He was the last one to enter the cabin.

        Kellyn explored Ms. Winter’s cabin, taking in the familiar sights: the living room, TV, and winter-themed carpet. Three doors led off from the den, but he didn’t open them.

        Kellyn gripped his arm and soon noticed the crisp scent of chocolate chip cookies coming from the kitchen.

        Brock, Wendy, and Ms. Winter helped Sven onto the couch by the roaring fire, and Ms. Winter gathered a few blankets. Wendy removed his hat, and Ms. Winter covered him with the blankets.

        “There we go.” Ms. Winter smacked her hands together. “He should be fine now and come around soon.”

        “Thank you, Ms. Winter,” Wendy said.

        It wasn’t long before Kellyn noticed Blu was missing, but he reappeared on the couch with Sven. “Thank you, thank you!” he squawked. “Sister in danger.”

        “Oh, is he the famous Blue-Bird?” Ms. Winter inquired.

        “He is,” Kellyn replied.

        Blu walked in a few circles, then settled by the fire with Sven and folded his wings.

        “I’ve got to hear this. Sit, sit,” Ms. Winter told the others. They did, and she went into the kitchen, reappearing soon after with a tray of tea and cookies. She set them on the coffee table between everyone. “Fresh out of the oven, and three different types of tea.”

        At least she enjoyed the company. Kellyn no longer felt like he was intruding. However, he didn’t like that J hadn’t ambushed him and the others yet.

        He tried to push the thoughts away and listened when Wendy asked, “So, Sven’s okay, Ms. Winter?”

        “Don’t worry,” she encouraged. “He’s not the first. Young people come out here, thinking they can beat the cold, and boom! Hypothermia. I’ve made tea and cookies for plenty of people and Pokémon. It adds a little excitement to my day, you know?” Kellyn saw a flash of sadness in Ms. Winter’s eyes. “My dear husband would want me to do this.”

        “We’re sorry.” Brock poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip.

        Ms. Winter smiled again. “Don’t be. I love the company. You guys must be trying to save the Gem Guardian if you’re heading to Almia Castle.”

        And she knew how?

        Ms. Winter must’ve read Kellyn’s mind because she glanced at him. “The King visited me a few days ago. Said I would have company.”

        “Darkrai?” Kellyn said aloud, and Ms. Winter nodded.

        “Prince of Vatonage, aren’t you, Kellyn?”

        Oh, gosh. Kellyn nervously giggled. “Oh, I’m not a prince.”

        “Oh, hush.” Ms. Winter handed him a teacup. “The King chose you personally. I’m sure your lovestruck friend’s jealous.”

        Well, true, but Sven wasn’t awake to insult Kellyn.

        “So, let’s see it.” Ms. Winter leaned back in her rocking chair and focused on him.

        “Huh?” he asked.

        “Your power,” Ms. Winter continued. “You can use Vatonage, right?”

        “Oh, well…” Kellyn gulped. “I’m still learning.” Last night’s darkness wave proved that.

        “Then practice,” Ms. Winter said.

        Oh, gosh. Well, Kellyn should have expected this from Hia Valley’s Elder. He set his cup down and pulled back the sleeve of his coat, resting his hand on his Styler.

        “Nah-hah-hah!” Ms. Winter rolled up a newspaper and bopped him on the head. “No cheating. You can’t rely on just your Styler with Parity.”

        How much did Darkrai tell her? Kellyn didn’t ask that aloud and shuddered as he removed his Styler. He placed it beside his teacup and flipped his hand so his palm faced up.

        The others and the Pokémon observed, curious, but they only made Kellyn uneasy.

        “No!” he said, standing up and stepping back. “I can’t do this.” He bumped into a lamp and gasped, turning around.

        Blue-Bird soon appeared beside him and used his powers to prevent the lamp from falling.

        “Blu saved the day!” he cheerfully announced, but Kellyn didn’t acknowledge him—the darkness.

        He clutched his head with his good hand.

        Ms. Winter stood and started toward him, still holding her newspaper. Once she reached him, she bopped his head again and said, “And that, young prince, is your problem.”

        Kellyn was not a prince.

        Ms. Winter fell silent, but finally admitted, “You’re scared of Vatonage.”

Chapter Text

        Scared of Vatonage? Now that Ash thought about it, that was probably true. While he had never been a “prince”, he had been the chosen one a few times, so he understood Kellyn’s fear, minus looking after an entire region. However, that fear was the reason why he needed to practice.

        “Teamwork,” Darkrai kept trying to say.

        Ash put his foot down. “Kellyn, why don’t we go outside and practice until Sven wakes up?”

        “Ash!” Kellyn glanced at Ms. Winter.

        “That is a great idea!” she said, pushing Kellyn’s back. “Chop, chop, young man. Your friend’s safe.”

        Kellyn, though, nudged her away. “I don’t want this. I’m not a prince!”

        “You can’t go into Almia Castle with that attitude,” Ms. Winter explained. “You need balance, and you’ll only learn through practice.”

        “I don’t want this!” With those words, Kellyn spun around and raced out of the cabin, Blu following him.

        The others started after him, but Ash said, “Wait, let me talk to him. I know what it’s like to be the chosen one.” He exchanged glances with the others. “I was chosen to quell the Legendary Kanto Birds in the Orange Islands.” He remembered that he almost died, but hey… That was part of the adventure.

        “You did, Ash?” Wendy stood from her chair beside Sven. “Really? Well, then, you’d be perfect.”

        Ash nodded in response. “Just give me thirty minutes.” He focused on Pikachu and scratched him under his chin. “Are you ready, Pikachu?”

        “Pi-Pikachu!” Pikachu said.

        “Then let’s go.” Ash flicked his wrist at the others and then left Ms. Winter’s cabin.

        Snow clouds had rolled in, leaving Ash to enter a new winter wonderland as snow fell softly. Still, it had grown darker.

        There was Kellyn, clutching his head as the wind picked up, with his back turned toward Ash. Ash wondered if he had caused the snowstorm.

        Blu, hovering beside Kellyn, faced Ash, his blue eyes full of fear.

        Ash paused briefly before exchanging glances with Pikachu. He then stepped closer to Kellyn and said, “Kellyn, I know what it’s like to be the chosen one. I was selected in the Orange Islands to calm Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres, the Legendary Kanto Birds.”

        Kellyn, still holding his head, replied, “I don’t want this, though, Ash.”

        “I didn’t, either,” Ash argued, “but we were chosen for a reason.”

        “Pika,” Pikachu agreed.

        “What reason?” Kellyn’s voice cracked, and he spun around. “All because I purified a little Crystal? I’m too young to manage a region on my own, Ash.”

        “That’s why we’re here,” Ash admitted. “To help you, Kellyn. Come on—Darkrai’s not going to let a teenager save Parity on his own.”

        Kellyn kicked a snow mound. “I should have never returned to Almia.”

        “Why?” Ash narrowed his eyes. “So, you can hide from your problems? We can’t escape our destiny, Kellyn—it’s destiny.”

        “But Darkrai shouldn’t have chosen me,” Kellyn said, sitting on a log. “I’m too young.”

        “Age is just a number.” Ash sat beside him and patted his thighs. “To be honest, Kellyn—if I were Darkrai, and a brave, young man saved Almia and me from darkness, I’d choose him as the next Guardian, too.”

        Kellyn lowered his head and raised his hand again, inspecting his gloved palm.

        “Pikachu.” Pikachu hopped down from Ash’s shoulder and landed on the log. He and Blu started communicating with each other.

        “What’s Pikachu saying?” Kellyn asked Ash.

        Ash chuckled. “He’s saying that although he didn’t choose to become my Partner, he’s glad he stayed. It just took time.”

        “Pika, Pikachu,” Pikachu said to Blu before facing Ash. “Pi, Pi.”

        “Hey, that’s not a bad idea, Pikachu,” Ash quipped. “Kellyn...” He looked at him. “Why don’t you and I have a battle, and Pikachu and I will teach you about teamwork? It might help you.”

        “A battle?” Kellyn gave Ash a funny look.

        He stood and explained, “We need to practice, too. Darkrai visited me yesterday.”

        “He did?” Kellyn shifted on the log. “What’d he tell you? He visited Sven and me, too.”

        “You’re kidding…” Ash’s voice trailed off. “Dawn, Brock, and Wendy haven’t said anything. I guess you, Sven, and I need to learn something—that’s why Darkrai visited. He told me that I’m trying too hard to prove to Sven that Trainers are just as important.”

        But they were. Ash had handled many end-of-the-world scenarios, but few involved people who didn’t trust him and his friends.

        “They are, Ash.” Kellyn also stood up. “You proved that today by having Staravia and Pikachu help us with Sven. I wish he were awake to see that. Darkrai told him that he needs to open up more, although”—he lowered his voice—“I understand why he’s acting this way.”

        “You do?” Ash said. “Why?”

        Kellyn shuddered. “I-I can’t tell you right now, Ash.”

        Ash slightly glared. But Kellyn just said that Trainers were just as important.

        “It’s not that I don’t trust you,” Kellyn included. “Why don’t we get through Almia Castle first? Deal?” He offered Ash his hand.

        Ash relaxed his face. Considering Sven’s recklessness and overprotectiveness, a few theories came to mind, but he decided not to pry. Kellyn was right that Almia Castle was the priority at the moment.

        Ash raised his hand and shook Kellyn’s. “Deal.” He smiled. “May we have that battle now?” A battle against a prince was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Even though Almia didn’t have Gyms or Contests, its lore was one of the most fascinating things Ash had ever experienced. He didn’t want this to end anytime soon, even though Sven was tough on him and his friends.

        Ash’s smile turned into a grin when Kellyn said, “Let’s do it since we both need practice.”

        And Ash’s day had just gotten a lot better. “Yes!” he whooped, releasing his hand and jumping up and down. “Let’s do this, Pikachu,” he said to his Partner. “Let’s teach Kellyn about teamwork.”

        “Pika!” Pikachu jumped up and high-fived Ash with his tail.

***

        The wind in the area died down, and now only a few snowflakes drifted from the sky. The area brightened, and a flock of Bird Pokémon soared over Ms. Winter’s cabin.

        She opened the door, saying, “Ash, Kellyn, your friend is…” She paused when she saw Ash and Kellyn battling in her yard. “…awake,” Ms. Winter finished. Giggling, she crossed her arms and shook her head.

        “Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!” Ash commanded.

        “Pikachu!” Pikachu shouted, releasing his Thunderbolt.

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu teleported and appeared behind Pikachu, who spun around.

        “Iron Tail, Pikachu,” said Ash, “and then Quick Attack to confuse Blu.” He was lucky that Pikachu was a fast Pokémon.

        “Pika!” Pikachu’s tail glowed, and he struck Blu’s head, stunning him. Before Blu could recover, he hurried away and ended up in front of Kellyn.

        Brock, Dawn, and Wendy soon joined Ms. Winter outside, followed by Sven, wrapped in a blanket. His color was back, but he still looked a little chilled and put less weight on his right foot than his left. But he was awake, and his eyes widened.

        Kellyn grinned at Ash and clenched his fist. “Amazing, Ash!” He glanced at Blu, who finally recovered. “You good, Blu?”

        “Blu good!” the Pokémon squawked. He disappeared and reappeared beside Kellyn. He and Pikachu locked eyes.

        Lightning bolts shot out from Pikachu’s cheeks and Blu’s wingtips.

        “The key to good teamwork, Kellyn,” Ash explained, “is patience and understanding your Partner. It’s like your Vatonage power—only when you two are balanced will you succeed, whether you win or not.” He had never seen himself as a mentor, but Ash hoped he was doing okay. He and Pikachu had been Partners way longer than Kellyn and Blu.

        “Right,” Kellyn said, nodding. “Balance equals teamwork.”

        “Age is just a number,” Ash repeated.

        “Age is just a number.” Something glowed in Kellyn’s palm when he said that—the divine light from before.

        “Kellyn!” Ash said. “Your power—you’re doing it!”

        “My power.” Kellyn stared at his hand.

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu said, nudging him.

        “Hm?” A worried look crossed Kellyn’s face. “Wait, are you sure, Blu—after what happened with J? You’re still young.”

        “Balance,” Blu said. “Sister in danger. Practice.”

        Wait, was Kellyn going to try what Ash thought he would? Yep.

        Blu moved to Kellyn’s front, floating a few feet above him. “Balance,” he said again.

        Kellyn gulped but said, “Okay.” He raised his glowing hand toward Blue-Bird, and Ash saw him relax his shoulders. “Vatonage!”

        For the first time, the divine energy left Kellyn’s hand, enveloping Blu in a golden light.

        The trees nearby seemed to perk up, along with a few Wild Pokémon.

        Ash couldn’t believe what he was witnessing!

        Blu grew bigger in the light, reaching the size of a Staraptor, with his wings expanding. He spun around and reappeared looking like a mix of a phoenix and a parrot. Black, phoenix-like feathers extended from his tail and behind his head, while his body and inner wings were rainbow-colored. His feet were black, and his blue eyes shimmered like crystals.

        “Blue-Bird!” he cried, flapping his wings.

        Wow, what a stunning Pokémon!

        “Your Rainbow Forme, Blu!” Kellyn beamed. “We did it!”

        “There you go, young prince!” Ms. Winter suddenly shouted from her porch.

        Dawn, Sven, Brock, and Wendy jumped and covered their ears.

        “Pi-Pikachu!” Pikachu hopped on two legs and flashed a peace sign with his fingers.

        In the sky, the sun peeked out from a few clouds and shone on Blue-Bird.

        “Blue!” he cheered, soaring around the area like an excited fairy. He approached Pikachu and tossed him onto his back with his neck.

        “Pika!” Ash’s Partner announced while holding a few of Blu’s feathers.

        Ash laughed and clapped, cheering his Partner on. “Go, Pikachu!”

        Blu soon dropped Pikachu off and went back to Kellyn, transforming into his small form again. “Blue!” He threw himself into Kellyn’s arms and hugged him.

        “I can’t believe we did it,” Kellyn told his Partner.

        Ash could. What happened was exactly why Darkrai chose him. It also meant that Kellyn was ready for Almia Castle. Hunter J, her goons, and Team Rocket didn’t stand a chance.

        Gem Guardian Lucario, they were on their way.

Chapter Text

        Vatonage. Kellyn couldn’t believe he had actually done it; however, he still didn’t fully understand how he had channeled the power, especially since he was the least princely material on the team. He almost wondered if there was a way to transfer Vatonage over to Ash; he had been chosen more than Kellyn.

        The thought bombarded him. Kellyn would hold onto Vatonage until after the mission—and then talk to Darkrai about choosing someone else. He was a Ranger, not a prince.

        Ash yelling at Sven snapped Kellyn out of his trance. “Good morning, Sven!”

        Oh, so he had woken up. Hopefully, he had changed his mind about Pokémon Trainers now. Kellyn couldn’t tell because Sven’s face was blank. He was probably still in shock like him.

        Ash didn’t push Sven that time. Instead, he gestured toward Kellyn and said, “I think we’re ready for Almia Castle now.”

        Kellyn wished he could disappear into the void.

        The team waited until late afternoon to go to Almia Castle, hoping to catch J off guard, and spent the day developing a battle plan while letting Sven rest a bit more. His foot was still sore from getting caught in the chair, and he seemed to have caught a slight cold from the cold exposure. He fixed that by bundling up in layers before they left Ms. Winter’s.

        While they were preparing to leave, Ms. Winter said, “Now, you kids be careful.” She approached Kellyn and, like a mother, tightened his coat and scarf. “I’ll see you when you get back.” She released Kellyn and rested her hand on Sven’s Luxray’s mane, telling him, “I’ll look after your Luxray, Sven.”

        “Achoo!” Sven sneezed, sniffing. “Thank you, Ms. Winter.”

        Kellyn and his team would have taken the Luxray if Sven had been a Trainer or if they hadn’t been crossing an icy lake. It was too cold for Luxray to swim. Kellyn didn’t need another case of hypothermia. Sven was still a little embarrassed about getting rescued again two days in a row.

        The Sinnoh trio left Ms. Winter’s cabin first, then Wendy, Sven, and Kellyn.

        As he was leaving, Kellyn noticed a picture sitting on a dresser, hidden behind a lamp. It was an ultrasound, but Kellyn never saw a picture of a child elsewhere in Ms. Winter’s cabin. Not that it was his business, but he wondered something and would ask after the Castle.

        As the sun sank lower on the horizon, Kellyn and the others returned to Ice Lake and stopped at its edge, examining Almia Castle in the distance—still mysterious and hidden.

        A splash sounded, and Empoleon hopped out of the lake, landing before the team. “Empol!” it announced, approaching Kellyn. “Empol!”

        “Hello, Empoleon,” Kellyn said. “We’re back as we promised.”

        “Empol!” Empoleon raised its wings as two more Empoleon emerged from the lake, joining it. It seemed like they had their own powwow before Kellyn’s team arrived. They were prepared just like them, but Kellyn still felt nervous.

        Wendy soon met eyes with her Staraptor and said, “Are you ready, Staraptor?”

        “Star!” Staraptor lifted into the sky and tucked her feet. A cold wind chill passed through her feathers, but she looked as ready as ever.

        “We’ll meet you on the other side,” Wendy added.

        “Star!” Staraptor turned and soared across Ice Lake toward Almia Castle.

        “All right.” Wendy faced Kellyn and Sven. “Ready, Kellyn and Sven?”

        Kellyn wasn’t, but as long as they followed the plan, they would be fine.

        The three Rangers each chose an Empoleon and set their Capture Stylers, yelling, “Capture on!”

        Three spinning tops shot out and circled each Empoleon. Sven bent his knees as he drew his loops, and Wendy stood tall.

        “Vatonage!” Kellyn shouted. However, his Capture Line didn’t turn golden that time. Why? He thought he was balanced.

        While Kellyn managed to catch Empoleon, it did not get the extra Vatonage buff. What did he do wrong?

        No, Kellyn couldn’t give in to negative emotions. He had to stay focused. “Capture complete,” he said, inhaling, but still feeling his chest tighten.

        “Capture complete,” Wendy and Sven said after him.

        Kellyn turned to Ash, Brock, and Dawn. “All right, Ash, Brock, and Dawn, I’ve crossed this lake before, so I’ll take the lead. Dawn, you ride with Wendy, and Brock… you ride with Sven. Ash, you’ll ride with me.”

        “Right,” Ash said, excitement in his voice.

        Sven clutched his hips when Brock gave him a nervous look. “Don’t worry, Brock. I may not be a great Staraptor flier, but I can ride an Empoleon.”

        “I trust you, Sven,” Brock said, gesturing toward his knapsack, “and I have everything ready in case something happens.”

        A moment of silence passed, and then Kellyn asked, “Are you guys ready to storm Almia Castle?”

        “We are,” they replied, and Kellyn nodded.

        “All right.” He gestured at Ash with his head. “Come on, Ash.”

        With Blu hovering nearby, Kellyn’s Empoleon dove into Ice Lake and reemerged at the surface, offering its back to him and Ash.

        Kellyn jumped onto it first, then helped Ash and Pikachu. “Wrap your arms around me,” he ordered, “and make sure you don’t let go. Empoleon is fast.”

        “Right.” Ash hugged Kellyn’s waist, and Pikachu embraced Ash’s neck.

        Sven and Wendy’s Empoleon also jumped into the lake, and they, along with Dawn and Brock, climbed aboard.

        Sven looked at Wendy, who said, “I’ll be fine, dear.” She still needed to be careful, though. Therefore, Kellyn would watch from afar.

        “Blu,” he said, peering up at him, “you know what to do. If you see a whirlpool, flicker your feathers so we can jump over it.”

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu said, seeming to salute with his foot.

        Kellyn moved to the front of the group, focusing on Ice Lake’s ice blocks, and took a deep breath. Almia Castle, then he would ask Darkrai to transfer his power. “Let’s do this thing,” he said, kicking Empoleon’s sides.

        “Empol!”

        And just like that, the siege began.

Chapter Text

        Stay focused, Kellyn. The thought swarmed Kellyn’s mind, but the closer he and the others approached the Castle, the more negative energy he felt in himself and the atmosphere. While there were no apparent signs of corruption like the Luminous Crystal, he guessed that it would change in and just outside the Castle.

        As the sunset overlooked Ice Lake and Hia Valley, Kellyn moved faster, but not so fast that he would lose the others, or worse, Ash or Pikachu.

        “Hold on tight, Ash!” Kellyn said as the first row of ice blocks appeared.

        “Empol!” His Empoleon ducked its head and broke right through the ice.

        “Whoa!” Ash laughed behind Kellyn. At least he enjoyed himself and wasn’t scared. That was why he deserved the Vatonage power instead.

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu called from ahead. Lightning flickered from his feathers, and he added, “Whirlpool!”

        Sure enough, a whirlpool was before Kellyn, but he hugged Empoleon’s sides, and it leaped out of the water, sailing over it and landing on the other side.

        Kellyn glanced over his shoulder. The others remained close behind, and they nodded at him.

        Dawn closed her eyes and squeezed Wendy as if her life depended on it, while Brock looked like he was talking to his and Sven’s Empoleon. Brock had a way with Pokémon, didn’t he?

        A new batch of ice blocks appeared, and Kellyn broke through them, too. “Good job, Empoleon,” he said.

        “This is so awesome!” Ash cheered, and his Pikachu lifted his tail.

        “Pika!”

        “Get me off this thing!” Dawn shouted from her and Wendy’s ride.

        “We’re almost there, Dawn,” Kellyn called back to her. Blu’s feathers flickered again, so he prepared himself and sailed over the incoming whirlpool like before.

        Okay, so far, so good, but Ice Lake was only the beginning.

        After navigating a few more ice blocks and whirlpools, the team reached the other side of the lake and stopped their Empoleon. There it was—Almia Castle. It was across another snowfield and, like Hia Valley, was surrounded by occasional clusters of trees, but mainly ice and snow. The castle’s icicle-shaped towers pierced the sky, and snow gently fell in the area. J, Team Rocket, and the Gem Guardian were right there, and the negative energy…

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu hovered before Kellyn and lifted his legs. “Balance.”

        Brock looked at Kellyn. “Do you feel the corruption, Kellyn?”

        He nodded.

        “It’s almost over,” Wendy encouraged him.

        Not quite. There were two Gem Guardians left, and then Parity, but the Almia Castle hassle… Yes.

        “There’s Staraptor,” Wendy said, pointing at the darkening sky. “It looks like she found a few more.”

        Her Staraptor swooped down and landed by the lake, with three more following behind her.

        The Empoleon escorted the team to the beach, waiting until they dismounted before hopping out themselves.

        Still good so far.

        Wendy and Sven mounted Wendy’s Staraptor, and Wendy told the others, “Wish us luck.”

        “Good luck,” they responded.

        Sven furrowed his brows. “And wait for the signal.”

        The signal—right. Kellyn studied his Capture Styler.

        Wendy waited until Sven was comfortable, then they both lifted off the ground. With a flick of her wrist, Wendy urged Staraptor forward, and she and Sven soared toward Almia Castle.

        Left behind, Kellyn faced Ash, Brock, and Dawn, becoming serious. “Now, we wait,” he said.

***

        Sven and Wendy flew in a wide circle and approached Almia Castle from behind. It may have stood silently in the snow, but somewhere inside was a corrupted Gem Guardian.

        Wendy placed her finger to Sven’s nose when he nearly sneezed again, stopping him. She gently kicked Staraptor, and she landed on one of the Castle’s broken towers, above a balcony.

        As they expected, two of J’s henchmen paced on the balcony with their backs to the Rangers. Bundled up, they blew on their hands and rubbed them.

        Wendy and Sven quietly slipped into a hole in the tower and came to rest behind the balcony, out of sight. They were in the wrecked library of the Castle, with old books and scrolls scattered around.

        Wendy’s Staraptor hid behind a bookshelf, and she and Sven tiptoed toward the guards. They stopped and nodded at each other.

        Wendy counted down from three with her hand. At “one”, she and Sven dove for the guards and covered their mouths, dragging them into the library.

        The guards squirmed, but Sven and Wendy pulled rags from their coat pockets and gagged them. They lugged them into a small reading area behind a bookshelf, then grabbed some rope hanging from their belts and tied them a smidgen on the tight side.

        Wendy’s Staraptor appeared and guarded the room.

        “Nice,” Wendy whispered, dusting snow off her hands.

        Sven collected the guards’ pokéballs and lifted his Styler, pressing the Voicemail button.

***

        Where Ash, Dawn, Brock, and Kellyn waited near Ice Lake, they each sat on one of the Staraptor Wendy’s had brought, the Empoleon under them.

        Kellyn’s Voicemail button on his Styler beeped, and he jumped. Everything felt so real now. Vatonage had to cooperate with him so he could activate Blu’s Rainbow Forme in the Castle.

        “We got the signal,” he told Ash and his friends. “This is it, guys.” He gestured with his head. “Follow me.”

        With Blu beside them, Kellyn and the Sinnoh trio’s Staraptor headed toward Almia Castle.

        The Empoleon dropped onto their bellies and slid after them, breaking snow mounds and more ice.

        Ash, Brock, and Dawn each drew a pokéball and narrowed their eyes.

        As soon as Almia Castle became clearer, as well as a group of figures standing before the entrance, Ash chucked his pokéball and announced, “Staravia, I choose you! Use Whirlwind!”

        His Staravia appeared and called, “Staravia!” flapping its wings.

        “You, too, Blu,” Kellyn said, looking at him.

        “Blue-Bird!” Blu also released a gust of wind.

        “What the—?” J’s henchmen asked before the Whirlwinds knocked them back.

        The Sinnoh trio landed, but Kellyn quickly shot into the Castle while the guards were stunned.

        The Empoleon soon reached the Castle, too, and one of them hurried into it after Kellyn.

        The first Pokémon Hunter to recover from the Whirlwind ripped a radio off his belt and said, “J, they’re here. The Ranger just entered the Castle.”

        “Fight them off,” J ordered on the radio’s other line. “I’ll take care of him.”

        “Sir!”

        J’s henchmen stood and threw their pokéballs, releasing Crobat, Golbat, Golem, Rhyhorn, and Tyranitar.

        Grinning, Ash said, “I’ve been waiting for this all day!” and released the rest of his Pokémon: Aipom, Turtwig, and Buizel. “Let’s kill it, guys!”

        “I need everyone’s help!” Dawn said, sending out her Piplup, Buneary, and Pachirisu.

        “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you,” Brock calmly said, releasing his Croagunk, Happiny, and Sudowoodo.

        The Pokémon charged at each other, but shortly after the battle started, Dawn nervously looked around and asked Ash, “Ash, where’s Team Rocket?”

        Ash also surveyed the battlefield. “They may already be inside. Let’s hope that Sven and Wendy can make it to Kellyn.”

        “Just follow the plan, guys,” Brock ordered, extending his hand to Croagunk. “Croagunk, use Brick Break!”

        “Croagunk!” Croagunk’s hand glowed as it struck a Rhyhorn on the head, knocking it down.

        In Almia Castle, the first room Kellyn entered was the iced-over dining hall. Inside, three large doors leading to each wing of the Castle surrounded him.

        He dismounted Staraptor, gasping when he heard, “Ha! Ha!” and saw Team Rocket emerge from the North Wing, where he was supposed to go.

        “Team Rocket!” Kellyn said, clenching his fists, but he soon clutched his arm.

        “It’s Payback time, Ranger!” Jessie threatened, tossing two pokéballs forward. A snake-like Pokémon, Seviper, and her Wobbuffet appeared, soon followed by a Mime Jr. and a Carnivine, a Venus flytrap-like Pokémon, from James.

        If only Kellyn had another Skuntank. He wouldn’t waste Blu’s Rainbow Forme on these nincompoops, though.

        “Empol!” he soon heard behind him. One of the Ice Lake Empoleon appeared at the Castle’s entrance and jumped onto the long dining room table, running toward Kellyn. “Empol!” It hopped off it and launched an Ice Beam at Team Rocket.

        “Eee!” they shouted, ducking behind Wobbuffet.

        “Quick, Wobbuffet!” Jessie shouted. “Light Screen!”

        “Wobbu!” A bright light surrounded Wobbuffet, and Empoleon’s Ice Beam bounced off it, but ended up hitting Jessie’s Seviper and freezing it.

        “You good-for-nothing—!” Jessie bopped Wobbuffet’s head.

        Well, that was easy, but Kellyn wouldn’t relax because he knew J was waiting ahead.

        He, Blu, Staraptor, and Empoleon passed Team Rocket, and Jessie yelled, “Hey! We’re not finished yet!”

        Just before they could attack Kellyn with Mime Jr. and Carnivine, Sven and Wendy rushed onto the scene from the Castle’s West Wing, with Wendy’s Staraptor, a few Gengar, and Glalie following behind.

        “Kellyn!” Sven called, tightening his fist and looking at one of the Gengar. “Gengar, use Shadow Ball.”

        “Gar!” The fully evolved Ghost Pokémon cupped its hands, and a shadowy blob crashed into Team Rocket’s Mime Jr. and Carnivine, chucking them into their Trainers.

        Kellyn turned to look at Sven and Wendy, who waved him on. “Ri-Right,” he said, glancing at his Empoleon. “Stay behind, Empoleon, and watch my back.”

        “Empol!” Empoleon saluted him and spun around, bending its knees.

        Kellyn remounted his Staraptor, and he and Blu took off, soon reaching a room with a line of ice blocks. He followed them outside to a damaged part of the Castle, recalling the last time he was at Almia Castle. The ice blocks showed he was heading in the right direction. He especially knew he was almost at the throne room when his head exploded with searing pain from the corruption.

        “Fight, Kellyn,” Blu chirped at him. “Do this, do this.”

        Kellyn thought to himself, Don’t give in to negative emotions. He needed balance to succeed. Darkrai was right about everything.

        With that in mind, Kellyn hurried toward another tower of the Castle—the one that contained the throne room.

        Back out at the Castle’s main entrance, Ash, Dawn, and Brock’s Pokémon attacked J’s henchmen all at once.

        Pikachu and Dawn’s Pachirisu shocked the Golbat and Crobat, and then Ash commanded Pikachu, “Pikachu, use Quick Attack and then Iron Tail!”

        “Pika!” Pikachu dodged a Hyper Beam from a Golem and struck it with his tail.

        To Happiny, Brock said, “Metronome, Happiny.”

        “Happiny, Happiny!” the little Pokémon playfully said, moving its little hands back and forth. A lightning bolt escaped them, striking three Golbat simultaneously.

        Dawn, panting, told Piplup and Buneary, “Just a little more, Piplup and Buneary. Use Bubble Beam, Piplup, and Ice Beam, Buneary.”

        Her Pokémon launched their attacks at a few Golem and Tyranitar, but they kicked up a Sandstorm and tossed them back.

        Right when that happened, a flash lit up the sky, and something dropped in front of Ash, Brock, and Dawn.

        The Sandstorm subsided, and the Sinnoh trio’s jaws dropped.

        “Darkrai!” Ash yelled.

        Sure enough, Darkrai stood before them, towering like a king. Wind gusted through his plumage, and he seemed to clench his fists.

        Now, J’s henchmen gasped.

        Darkrai raised his black, claw-like hands and declared, “You will not hurt them or the Prince! Dark Void!” Shadowy blobs escaped his hands and trapped J’s henchmen’s Pokémon in bubbles.

        Their eyes widened when Darkrai released them, but the Pokémon were fast asleep, twitching from Darkrai’s nightmares. “What? No!” they belted out.

        “Wow!” Ash said, eyes sparkling. “Thank you, Darkrai.”

        Darkrai nodded and lifted off the ground, flying toward Almia Castle, the Sinnoh trio chasing after him. “My kingdom, my heir,” he told them. “No distractions. We need to help him.”

        “Just lead the way, Darkrai,” Ash said. “We’re ready for anything.”

        “Balance,” Darkrai explained, entering Almia Castle with Ash and his friends. “It’s the only way we’ll succeed.”

        Realization soon crossed Brock’s face, and he punched his palm. “Of course! The only way for Kellyn to successfully purify the Gem Guardian is if he has all of us. Right, Darkrai?”

        “Right,” Darkrai responded, “and we need to move before it’s too late.”

Chapter Text

        Don’t give in to darkness, Kellyn kept telling himself, but the corruption was overwhelming.

        Balance, Blu repeated to him. Kellyn swore... Without him there, he probably would be a Human Gigaremo again by now. But how could he stand up to J and Lucario? Blu was still too young to activate his Rainbow Forme on his own. Kellyn would come up with something once it reached that point.

        He followed the ice blocks a bit longer and eventually returned to the Castle. He was now very close to the throne room. Kellyn could tell because the negative energy was strongest there, and he recognized the two Riolu statues guarding the chamber that led to the throne. An old, blue carpet was beneath him, but that was all. The area looked like a secret room with a crumbling ceiling.

        Kellyn hovered for a minute, then headed toward the Riolu statues; however, Blu suddenly shouted, “Look out! Look out!”

        A beam of light appeared from the shadows. Noticing it, but just barely, Kellyn and Blu broke apart from one another, but the light hit Kellyn’s Staraptor’s wing. Instantly, a sheet of stone spread across it like ice, and the Pokémon crashed into the floor, taking Kellyn with it.

        Yelling, he flew from Staraptor’s back and smashed into the ground, sliding toward one Riolu statue, but his head missed it.

        Regardless, once the dust and snow settled, Kellyn lay motionless on his side, and his Staraptor painfully called out to him. It tried lifting its petrified wing, but only managed to get it a few inches off the ground before dropping it again.

        Blu squawked and rushed to Kellyn, looking up.

        J stepped out from another room, her hand on her gauntlet, with her Salamence and a Drapion beside her. She sneered and said, “I meant to petrify you, Legendary, but this will do as well.” She focused on Kellyn. “I finally got him.”

        Blu glared, examined Kellyn again, and said, “Hurt Kellyn! Hurt Kellyn!”

        “Annoying, little Pokémon,” J growled, pointing her gauntlet at Blu. “Come on, use your Rainbow Forme.”

        Blu seemed to growl. He left Kellyn and faced J, his eyes glowing. “Rainbow Forme—!”

        “Stop, Blu!” someone shouted from where he and Kellyn had just come from. It sounded like Brock. “You can’t successfully use your Rainbow Forme without Kellyn!”

        He and the rest of the team rushed into the room, with their Pokémon teams following behind. Kellyn’s Empoleon wasn’t there, but Darkrai, the King of Olde, was.

        Brock gasped and rushed to Kellyn, while Dawn and her Piplup approached Kellyn’s Staraptor.

        Dawn leered at J and yelled, “Release the Staraptor, J!”

        “Piplup! Piplup!” her Piplup said, aiming a Bubble Beam toward J, who quickly leapt aside.

        Darkrai jumped between the team and J, anger flashing in his exposed eye. “You hurt my heir, and for that, you will pay!”

        “Heir?” J inquired, but then she cracked a sinister smile. “So, he is the Prince.”

        “Hold on, Darkrai,” Ash told him. “You need to be careful not to give in to darkness again. That will make it harder on Kellyn.”

        “Pikachu!” Pikachu exclaimed, jumping down from Ash’s shoulder.

        Where Kellyn lay, he squirmed and slowly opened his eyes. Brock was hovering over him, but his mind was fuzzy, and it took a moment to remember where he was and what had happened. Then he saw J, and everything came back.

        “J!” Kellyn sat up but bumped heads with Brock.

        “Ouch!” they said together, falling on their backsides.

        “What are you guys doing here?” Kellyn inquired, studying him and the rest of the team. Even… Darkrai? “I’m supposed to be doing this myself.”

        “Not according to Darkrai,” Brock responded, helping him to his feet. “Are you okay, Kellyn?”

        “Enough of this!” J faced her grounded Salamence. “Salamence, use Hyper Beam.”

        It nodded and stepped forward, opening its mouth.

        “Oh, no you don’t!” Ash said. “Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!”

        “Bubble Beam, Piplup!” Dawn ordered, and then Sven and Wendy looked at their Friend Pokémon.

        “Shadow Ball, Gengar,” Sven said in not his usual harsh guy voice, sneezing.

        Wendy jumped in. “Finally, Glalie, use Ice Beam.”

        All four Pokémon launched their attacks at J’s Salamence, and they collided with its Hyper Beam.

        There was a flash of light, and during the process, Darkrai shouted, “Dark Void!” Shadowy blobs shot from his hands, trapping J’s Salamence and her Drapion. “Leave my Castle,” were Darkrai’s final words, and his eye glowed.

        By the time everything settled, J and her Pokémon were no longer in the room with Kellyn and his team, although the tower shook slightly from the collision of Pokémon attacks. Darkrai must have teleported them out of there.

        Kellyn’s Staraptor smiled as its wing glimmered, and the stone faded away.

        “Whoa!” Kellyn said, seeing that. J didn’t stand a chance with Darkrai by his side. He wasn’t part of the original plan, but Kellyn didn’t regret it.

        Seeming to huff, Darkrai nodded.

        “Wow,” Ash said. “Remind me not to anger you, Darkrai.”

        “Where did you teleport them to?” Dawn inquired as her chilled Pokémon team hugged her ankles.

        Darkrai answered, “Somewhere where they won’t bother us until we purify the Gem Guardian.”

        “Tha-Thank you, your Highness,” Kellyn said, flinching. He bowed to Darkrai, and the others mimicked him.

        “Please... rise,” Darkrai said. “I only wanted to protect you guys.” Did Kellyn see a smile in his eye? “You did well, working as a team to infiltrate the Castle and get Kellyn here.”

        “Yeah, I’m sorry, Ash, Brock, and Dawn.” Sven sneezed again but exchanged glances with them. “I was wrong about you. Trainers are just as important as Rangers.”

        He accepted them… Finally! It only took nearly freezing to death and infiltrating Almia Castle for Sven to realize Ash, Brock, and Dawn’s importance.

        The Sinnoh trio smiled and nodded at Sven.

        “Thank you, Sven,” Ash said, looking at Kellyn, “but this isn’t over yet.”

        “Right,” Darkrai responded. “You all need to team up to weaken Lucario so Kellyn can safely channel his power and purify her. I wish I could help, but...” His voice trailed off, and he examined himself up and down. “I’m a Pokémon of darkness now.”

        “Don’t worry, Darkrai,” Ash stated. “We won’t let you down.”

        Kellyn bit his lip and lowered his head. Ash still deserved the Vatonage power more than him, but he had to wait a little longer to ask Darkrai about it.

        “I know you won’t,” Darkrai said. Did he sound a little too confident to Kellyn? “As long as you guys are balanced.”

        Well, Kellyn wasn’t, so this would either end badly or by pure luck. Sigh, he just wanted it to be over.

        Darkrai stayed back, but Kellyn led the team past the Riolu statues into a torch-filled chamber he remembered from his vision. There were those six unlit torches, which all lit up at once. Behind them was the entrance to the throne room.

        Kellyn stopped, his heart pounding, but then Sven gripped his shoulder.

        “We’re right here, Kellyn,” he softly spoke. Was he, tough guy Sven, finally showing empathy? Kellyn wondered for how long, but he would enjoy it while it lasted.

        He inhaled, patted Sven’s hand, and met Blu’s eyes.

        Ranger and Partner exchanged Let’s do this gestures with their heads, and then, with the team close behind, entered Almia Castle’s throne room.

Chapter Text

        Kellyn’s panic increased when he saw the throne at the end of the blue carpet in the large room. It was covered in ice, made of bronze, and the seat was blue. But where was Lucario? Kellyn didn’t want to stick around to find out.

        Ten steps into the throne room, he turned and tried to run out, but the others stopped him.

        “No, no!” Kellyn said, fighting them, but they pushed him back into the room.

        “We’re right here, Kellyn,” Wendy reassured. “But you’re the one who’s going to have to purify Lucario.”

        “No, I can’t do this!” Kellyn argued.

        “Yes, you can.” Dawn gave him a weak smile. “Come on, Kellyn—man up.”

        Kellyn didn’t want to be a man, though. Ash deserved Vatonage. He probably wouldn’t have been caught off guard by J twice.

        “Balance,” Blu said to him again.

        This was about to end very badly.

        Kellyn and the others stopped before the throne, and Kellyn’s head ached as black-and-purple shadowy corruption erupted from it. He jumped when a figure emerged from it, and Sven coughed beside him, covering his mouth.

        The figure sprinted around Kellyn and his team, with its long arms trailing behind.

        Pikachu and Piplup followed it, but they ended up falling on their backs.

        The figure halted before the team, revealing a large Lucario, the Aura Pokémon. Corruption outlined her like shadowy fire, and her eyes glowed white. The Pokémon stood on two legs, and the appendages behind her head spread out as she summoned her aura.

        Kellyn did this; he was the one who had corrupted the Gem Guardians—another reason why he didn’t deserve his power.

        Ash even sounded excited behind Kellyn. “Gem Guardian Lucario. All right, let’s do this, Pikachu.”

        His Partner stood and announced, “Pika!”

        “That’s a big Lucario,” Dawn remarked, and Brock scratched his chin.

        “I think that’s because she’s a Gem Guardian.”

        That was exactly right. It was strange—Kellyn wasn’t scared the first time he faced Lucario, but now he was terrified. How could he focus when he felt unworthy, and his arm and head hurt? Not to mention Sven’s coughs and sneezes, too.

        Sven had gotten a little worse since they left Ms. Winter’s, but he was still good old Sven because he ran ahead of the group and raised his arm to Wendy, saying to one of his Gengar, “Gengar, use Psychic.”

        “Gengar!”

        However, Lucario said, “Car!” and deployed a Light Screen. Gengar’s attack bounced back, knocking both it and Sven toward the throne room’s exit.

        The team’s jaws dropped, and they stepped aside so Sven and his Partner wouldn’t hit them. That was what he got for trying to act like the oldest.

        “Sven!” Wendy hurried to him and knelt, helping him sit. “For Pete’s sake, dear! We’re supposed to weaken Lucario together.”

        “But I’m the oldest,” Sven complained, coughing. “I’m supposed to keep everyone safe.” He emphasized with “everyone” there, then looked down before glancing back up at Wendy.

        “I don’t care! You’re exhausted!” she argued, pulling Sven up. “You can’t protect all of us on your own right now.”

        Truer words were never spoken, and Kellyn took them to heart. “Blu,” he said, gulping and looking at him, “we need to try to transform.”

        “Car!” Lucario yelled before Blu responded. She leaped into the sky and aimed a few Aura Spheres at the team.

        They split up, and the Sinnoh trio, Wendy, and Sven watched Kellyn lift his arm toward Blu. “Vatonage, Blu!” However, nothing escaped his hand, and Kellyn gasped. “No! Please, Vatonage!”

        Nothing.

        Kellyn sweated and tried to think of something else. Ash likely would’ve activated Vatonage on his first try.

        “Capture on!” Kellyn yelled, releasing his Capture Disc.

        Lucario quickly broke the Line before he could say “Vatonage” and launched another Aura Sphere that flew toward Kellyn and Blu.

        Without warning, Sven shouted, “Kellyn!” and broke free from Wendy. He, tough guy Sven, grabbed them and pulled them out of the way of the attack. His hat ended up on Kellyn’s head, and the others hurried over to them.

        Kellyn couldn’t believe what just happened. He thought Sven was jealous of him. He loved Wendy, not him.

        Brock reached for his knapsack and asked, “Are you all okay?”

        “I think so,” Kellyn said, glancing at Sven and returning his hat. “Thank you, Sven.”

        “Don’t get used to it,” he grumbled as he helped him to his feet. “We’ll cover for you while you try to channel your power.”

        But Kellyn couldn’t. Why did Ash and Ms. Winter think he was prepared for Almia Castle?

        “Teamwork. Balance,” echoed Darkrai’s words, and Kellyn studied his team.

        “Let’s try a defensive approach first,” Ash told the others, his eyes fixed on Pikachu. “Pikachu, use Quick Attack to confuse Lucario.”

        “Pika!” He stayed calm and began running around Lucario, who tried to follow him with her eyes.

        She set up another Light Screen, so Brock told Croagunk, “Croagunk, use Brock Break.”

        “Cro!” His Pokémon leapt into the air and slammed Lucario’s shield with its glowing hand.

        The shield shattered into tiny pieces, and Dawn immediately told Piplup and Buneary, “You two work together. Think of it like a contest. Use Bubble Beam, Piplup, and Ice Beam for you, Buneary.”

        “Buneary!”

        “Piplup!”

        The two Pokémon launched their attacks at Lucario, who tried fighting back, but it seemed she was overwhelmed by Pikachu’s agility.

        At the same time, Wendy and Sven focused on Sven’s Gengar and ordered, “Use Psychic, Gengar.”

        “Gengar!” Gengar picked up Lucario and pushed her toward the throne.

        She hit it and dropped to one knee.

        “Now, Kellyn!” Ash barked.

        “But Blu’s Rainbow Forme…” Kellyn tried protesting.

        Ash waved his hand. “Don’t worry about that. Just use your Styler.”

        But Kellyn was meant to be the Prince—not the bystander who let others do his bidding. So, how was he supposed to succeed unless he blocked out everything again? It seemed that was the only thing he could do now.

        “Capture on!”

        Lucario swung at the Line, but tripped over her feet and fell into the throne.

        Clear your head, Kellyn. Just do it this once. Please.

        Kellyn closed his eyes and felt Blu land on his shoulder.

        “Blue-Bird,” he said, and a warm feeling washed over Kellyn’s mind.

        “Vatonage!” he shouted, opening his eyes. He successfully looped his Capture Line around Lucario a few times, but the Line didn’t change color, and the Gem Guardian ended up breaking it again at the last second.

        Kellyn groaned in frustration. He was so close!

        “Confidence,” Blu told him in his head. “Teamwork. Balance. Darkrai.”

        The team regrouped to try a new tactic.

        Buneary and Empoleon slowed Lucario by freezing her feet with Ice Beam, and Croagunk stayed on standby to break any barriers she tried to activate.

        With Pikachu taking the lead, Sven and Wendy’s Friend Pokémon approached from behind to catch Lucario off guard.

        Kellyn watched the entire thing, and his jaw dropped.

        “Confidence. Teamwork. Balance.”

        Those three words. Wait, that was it! Ash had taught Kellyn about confidence during their battle, and Darkrai and Blu had tried teaching him teamwork and balance.

        Confidence, teamwork, and balance—those were what a Ranger and a Guardian needed. Kellyn had been so hyper-focused on trying to prove himself to the Union lately that he forgot. He hadn’t yet mastered Vatonage, but he didn’t need to be an expert to succeed. He didn’t need to be a prince or a Ranger—just himself. Age was just a number.

        With that in mind, Kellyn aimed his Styler again and announced through Sven’s coughs, “Capture on!”

        The Capture Disc spun out, circling Lucario.

        Kellyn didn’t yell “Vatonage” that time, but his Capture Line changed from blue to gold. Wait, he was doing it!

        Don’t try to be a prince or a Ranger, Kellyn. Just be yourself, he thought as he drew his loops, speeding up his arm with each motion.

        A rainbow light shone on his face as the Line changed again—that time from gold to rainbow, just like the night Kellyn caught Darkrai on top of Altru Tower.

        The rainbow light washed over Lucario, then it spread to the throne and throughout the rest of the room.

        Blu opened his wings, glowing himself. Before Kellyn knew it, he had grown again, and Blu cheered when he saw his Rainbow Forme.

        Lucario, still glowing, ran around the room, touching furniture and walls before returning to the throne.

        Kellyn saw her in the ballroom—the day the King of Olde sent his sons away. She hid behind the throne, crouching low as the King yelled at her next and over the sound of the vielles.

        Lucario darted out from the throne, knocking over the King, then hurried past the line of party guests toward the exit.

        The King shouted at her the entire time—and even threw a wine glass. Kellyn saw the grief in his eyes from sending his sons away. What had they been arguing about before the banishment, though? It looked like he would have to wait a little longer to get that answer.

        The vision blurred, and Kellyn gasped when he realized he was sitting on Almia’s throne instead of Lucario, his hands gripping the armrests.

        Ash and the others stood in front of him, smiling, while the Gem Guardian bowed with her hand over her chest. The corruption no longer surrounded the Pokémon, and Kellyn’s head no longer burned. When did he sit on the throne, though? Was his memory getting worse?

        Lucario nodded at Kellyn and opened her eyes, which now shimmered a reddish-brown instead of white. Her blue, black, and light fur seemed to sparkle just as much as her eyes.

        Was Wendy crying? She rubbed her nose and said, “You did it, Kellyn. You did it.”

        Kellyn’s eyes widened, and he studied his hands. He vaguely recalled his Capture Line turning rainbow before Lucario pulled him into her vision (or was it Darkrai?).

        Lucario stood and approached him. Grinning, she lifted her arms and embraced him.

        Kellyn couldn’t believe that he actually did it, even without mastering Vatonage. He had purified Lucario.

        Blu was still in his Rainbow Forme and hovered nearby, appearing proud of himself.

        Kellyn returned Lucario’s hug and said, “You’re welcome, Lucario.”

        “Car,” she said, releasing him.

        Kellyn may never understand how he pulled it off, but he definitely didn’t do it alone and smiled at the others—though it faltered slightly when Sven coughed. It was time to leave Almia Castle.

        Kellyn stepped down from the throne and placed his hand on Lucario’s shoulder. “One Guardian down, two more to go.” He looked at Sven one last time before nodding. “Capture complete.”

***

        Early morning sunshine shimmered over Altru Tower, warming it and Parity, who finally opened her eyes again.

        Outside the Luminous Crystal, a gust of wind blew the corruption off the Blue Gem, causing it to lift higher than the others and carry the Crystal with it.

        Parity lifted her head, then lowered it and closed her eyes as the Red and Yellow Gems pulsed, sending a weaker but still new wave of corruption into her bubble. One Gem Guardian was down, but the other two were much tougher than Lucario.

        “Keep fighting, Parity,” the Pokémon told herself. “You can do this; you just need to keep fighting.” She tightened her legs under her until her feet dug into her flesh.

        “Just keep trying.” But that was the last thing Parity told herself before her head drooped, and a blast of purple and black blinded her.

End of Act III: Gem Guardian Lucario

Current Word Count: 47,526