Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: The Phantasmagoria

Special Episode: The World Stops For No One

Part Four: Motherhood

The afternoon sun was peeking over the ravines of Dragging Claw. Dragon-types flying overhead were shadows against the busy cobblestone roads. Everything was perfectly calm.

Gabite held her knees close to her chest as she basked in the warm rays hitting her face. She liked days like this. No school, no farming, no fighting over pointless things. It felt normal for once. Sitting on the steps leading to her cavern house, she could see the entire village and all the lives going about their business.

"You all right, pup?"

Gabite glanced to her side to see the smiling visage of her mother. "Fine, mom. Just thinking…"

Garchomp sat down next to her. "Thinking about how strong you are? You just evolved the other day." She smirked. "Bet you think you can take down Deino now."

She scoffed. "Deino fights dirty, and even if I'd win she'd just cry that I cheated. And Elder Kommo-o always believes her."

"Yeah, yeah, she's a suck-up, isn't she? But you're strong, pup - stronger than you know."

Gabite gave a toothy grin. "I feel strong! Strong enough to beat you, Mom!"

"Hehe, don't get such a big head about, or else you'll like your…" Garchomp stopped herself from finishing the sentence. She looked away, and Gabite watched her gaze into the distance in almost a trance. Garchomp then pointed at the streets. "Hey, pup, look at that."

She followed her mother's talon and saw her babysitter interacting with two Trapinch. "Miss Flygon? I haven't seen her for a loooong time! Who are those two Pokémon by her?"

Garchomp grew a warm, genuine smile. "She became a mom over the summer, and those two Trapinch are her sons."

"Wow… That's kinda gross."

Her mother guffawed loudly and pulled her close. She struggled to break free but a long tail wrapped around her prevented any movement. She eventually gave up, finding comfort as Garchomp laid an arm around her neck. She remembered her mother wrapping her up tight next to the roaring fireplace. She felt secure, safe, and loved.

But now she felt embarrassed more than anything.

"Mom! Someone could see!"

Garchomp did not ease up. "Not until you take it back."

"Ugh, fine. It's not gross, okay? Now lemme go!"

The tail wrapped around her waist shifted away as Garchomp leaned back. They stared at each other before both broke into giggles. When their amusement ceased, they went back to watching the motions around them.

"I'm very proud of Flygon. She always talked about having a few rascals of her own whenever she babysat you."

"Didn't she want to be one of those soldiers the Elder brings to fight the other clans?"

"She did. But she decided something was more important in her life. She couldn't become a warrior of the clan because of it but give and take are all parts of life."

"Give and take? What do you mean?"

"It's a compromise, pup. It means to get something, you have to give up something in return. Motherhood… It's a big compromise."

"... Did you have to, um, compromise?"

Gabite watched her mother's smile fall as she winced. Was it strange to feel guilty for one's birth? Her mother was a great explorer renowned by everyone she knew, but she could hardly recall a recent adventure she partook in in the past few years.

"Of course I had to, pup. I couldn't have all these crazy exciting adventures when I was too worried about making sure you didn't burn the place down." Garchomp laughed seeing her pout. "I had to learn how to cook, how to clean, how to… well, you get the point. Let me tell ya, as someone who used to be a dirty explorer, it was hard. And you'll have to learn all these things you never knew or wanted to when you're a mother of your own someday."

"Moooooom!" she groaned. "Don't say stuff like that."

Garchomp smirked. "You can enjoy being a kid for now, pup; I won't take that from ya. But I just want you to know something."

"What?"

"Despite what I compromised, I don't regret ever having a cute little pup like you."

Before Gabite knew it, she was wrapped up in another embrace. But this time, she did not resist. She was awesome, caring, and understanding all in one.

And she loved her dearly. Silence hung in the air as they hugged.

"Hey, mom. Have you ever met Team Moonlight before?"

"Can't say I've ever heard of them, pup."

"Oh, they're these new explorers that are getting super popular! I read about 'em all the time in the Celestic Cog.. cognee-"

Garchomp chuckled. "Cognizance, pup."

She giggled. "Yeah, that."

"Nah, I haven't, but I'd always like to meet newcomers."

"I'd like to meet them someday…."

They resumed observing the streets of Dragging Claw until Gabite felt herself grow tired, her heavy eyelids dropping as she fell asleep. The last thing she remembered was a pair of arms wrapped around her.

"I'll keep you safe here, pup. As long as I can."

"I-I'm dreaming, right?" Gabite stepped forward, mouth agape. "No way. You guys are actually-"

"We're not fakes, kid," Charizard said with a hint of amusement. He then flexed his two large wings. "Oh yeah, these babies here are the real deal!"

Jackson elbowed the prideful lizard. "Charizard here just evolved, so don't expect anything humble out of him."

"Upset you're not the only fully evolved 'mon around now, Jack?" Charizard retorted, getting an eye roll from the Shiny Lucario.

Gabite continued her slow approach. "You guys- I'm like the biggest fan of yours!" She suppressed another squeal as she extended a talon in front of Charizard's wings. "Can I, uh, touch?"

Charizard smirked. "Just don't scratch 'em, 'kay?"

Before Gabite could feel them, she felt something latch down on her tail and pull her back. She glanced angrily behind her to see Lairon spit off her tail and lumber forward. "Nice to meetcha, Team Moonlight!" he proclaimed with a wide smile. "Ahem, sorry about this excitable lass here; aye, she's quite the fan of yours." He reached a foot over an invitation.

Jackson bumped it with a paw. "No problem with fans here. Though, I didn't expect to come across them here of all places; especially not any fellow explorers."

Scyther cocked his head at Lairon. "That… Pupitar you have trussed up back there, is he an outlaw? One of Tyrantrum's crew that you have captured?"

"Him? Nah," Gabite said. "Well, um, he is- was a pirate under the Mariner. But we got captured by her and then he helped us escape, and then he evolved and couldn't move or talk anymore, so I tied him to Lairon and that's how he goes with us!" She cracked an uneasy smile and tapped her talons together. "We've had, uh, a crazy day."

"Aye, but ye should be thankful he can't gab anymore. He'll gab your ears right off!" Lairon exclaimed, giving the Rock-type a light jostle. "Hohoho - ain't that right, lad?"

Pupitar rolled his eyes.

Scyther's confused expression lingered on Gabite. "Apologies - you said you escaped from the 'Mariner', and you're running away from her?"

Gabite nodded. "There's another reason we're here, but yeah that's one of them."

"That can't be true; I've studied the Mountain Region's folklore before coming here and the tale of the Mariner is just that - a tale."

"I thought so, too," she said. "We both did - until she had us both in chains. This Liepard - she's nuts. Went off about this treasure in this volcano called the Dyna Meteorites. She wants their power or whatever and she's got a whole crew of pirates supporting her."

Scyther's face grew pale. "Wha-"

Charizard whistled loudly. "Guess ya aren't the know-it-all anymore, Scyther."

"Don't start, Charizard."

Jackson pushed both of them aside and stood before Gabite. She looked up nervously at him, only to be met with a warm smile. "You two- three," he corrected, "seem to know a lot more than these pirates around here. I guess it would be within reason to let you in on why Team Moonlight is here as well."

A pair of papery wings buzzed beside Jackson. "Jackson, I don't believe we should share details of our mission with strangers," Scizor warned, glancing at Gabite and Lairon. "No offense, of course."

"It's fine, Scy. They were battling Tyrantrum's goons the same as us, so they're here for the same reason we are."

Gabite leaned forward. "Which is…?"

The Lucario clenched a paw tight. "To stop Tyrantrum from destroying the region with those Dyna Meteorites!"

While Gabite was visibly stricken with awe from Jackson's resolve, Lairon cleared his throat. "Our goals would be the same, aye, but there's the problem of the Mariner, as well. That crazy dame's got scores of ships sailin' here right now to claim those space rocks for herself!"

Jackson rubbed his chin. "Hmm, yeah that does complicate things a bit." He threw a look at Scyther and Charizard. "Any suggestions?"

"Burn 'em. Burn 'em all," Charizard harrumphed. "We're the greatest explorers on the continent. A bunch of peg leg-wearing 'mons don't stand a chance against us."

"While Charizard is right about our capabilities, two pirate captains are too much to deal with by ourselves," Scyther noted. "If we do this, we need the backing of the Council behind us."

Jackson shook his head. "This far out? Council won't lift a paw until we mop up for them. We have to do this ourselves, but…" his gaze drifted to Gabite and Lairon, "but maybe we won't be alone in this battle."

Gabite blinked. "Wait. Are you seriously suggesting we… both of our teams together?"

Jackson smirked and shrugged. "What do you say? You did mention being fans of ours, so why not get some first-paw experience with how we work as a team?"

It took every fiber in Gabite's being to not scream at such a proposition. She limited herself to a simple smile and a nod. "It would… It would be so freaking cool if we could do this together."

"Then consider yourselves Team Moonlight's official backup now." Jackson looked at Scyther. "Satisfied now, Scy?"

Scyther sighed. "This arrangement is… acceptable."

Jackson chuckled and spun around. "Great! Let's get a move on; we got some pirates to whoop."

"You're speaking my language there, Jack," Charizard said as he swooped behind the Lucario.

Scyther remained momentarily. "It's a pleasure to meet you both… and you as well, Pupitar. I wish the circumstances were better, but we have to move fast before Tyrantrum or even this Mariner can activate the meteorites."

Gabite and Lairon shared a look before nodding. "We understand," the dragoness said. "We won't slow you guys down - I promise." Her confident expression was marred by an emerging frown. "It's just… There's one other reason we're here."

"And what is that?"

"My mom. She's a Garchomp, was part of Team Scale, and is one of the greatest explorers I know. She knew about the Mariner's plan, and she might be here to stop her. If she's here, I need to find her! Please tell me you guys will help"

Scyther looked away, making Gabite wince, but that feeling of hurt vanished when he nodded. "First things first - we secure the Dyna Meteorites and stop these pirate captains. After that, we'll search this volcano from top to bottom if we have to."

Gabite sighed in relief. "Thanks so much, Scyther. Y'know, Team Moonlight, you guys really are my heroes."

For the first time, she saw Scyther actually smile. "We help Pokemon - that's what we do," he said before flying after his teammates.

Gabite eased her nerves with a calming breath. "Wow. I can't believe I'm not dreaming."

"Best we get a move on like that yellow Lucario says. I'd hate to run into the Mariner again…" Lairon grumbled. "And ye better control yourself around these famous lot, or I'll be draggin' two 'mons behind me. Hoho!"

Gabite rolled her eyes. "I've seen the way you acted when some rocks with metal in them fell down." She leaped over the groaning pirates lying on the ground and ran after Scyther and the others.

Lairon sprinted after her. "I was starvin', lass! That's a perfectly good reason to act like I did!"

Gabite ducked beneath a roaring column of bright orange flames that engulfed the rocky ceiling as Charizard rushed past her. From her position on the ground, she could hear the clashing of Scyther's talons slicing a Numel in a frenzy. The body of a Torkoal flying overhead and smashing into a nearby wall was a product of Jackson's work, she presumed.

'These guys are scary good at mopping up dungeon 'mons,' she thought.

After the newly formed team of six entered a Mystery Dungeon blocking their path, they easily breezed through the first ten floors with their combined strength. Gabite felt powerful by merely being beside such legendary explorers. She had a lot to prove to them, and she took every opportunity she got to show it.

A Darmanitan in front of her slammed its fiery fists into the ground. She quickly scrambled to her feet and let loose a hasty Dragon Breath. The purple flames did little to dissuade the Fire-type from charging into her. She was knocked to the ground but stood up immediately to swipe at the Pokémon's legs with her talons. She bared her teeth and headbutted its face, faltering its movements.

A gray blur then slammed into the Darmanitan into the ground. It vanished with a glow of orange light as Lairon turned to flash a smile Gabite's way.

"Lookin' more fierce than before, lass. You fine?"

"More than fine," she said. "In fact, I feel great!"

'If only we could do this together, Mom. We still could - I know it.'

A chorus of shimmering noises and blips of orange light fading into nothingness resounded throughout the chamber. Jackson stood up to his full height and jabbed a paw at a nearby corridor. "That's another Monster House down. Stairs should be past here."

"These little ambushes get easier every time," Charizard remarked as he flew forward.

"Keep saying that and you'll face off against something you have no chance of beating," Jackson retorted.

"Hah! As if that'll ever happen!" Charizard shouted back.

Jackson shook his head. "Char seems to think this is a solo venture of his now. What I would give to knock some sense into him."

"He was like this when he first evolved into Charmelon," Scyther said. "Give it some time - he'll come around, I'm sure."

Gabite wedged herself in between the two of them. "Hey, so how did you guys know about these Dyna Meteorites?"

"I don't think that's information we can-"

"Oh give it a rest, Scy," Jackson said. "Most everybody knows about our goals by now. No need to be secretive about it."

"To remove the Mystery Dungeons from this world…" Gabite murmured. "I've always wondered about that because dungeons have been around, like, forever! Do you guys even know how you could do it?"

"That's what we've been trying to figure out. Adventuring across Celestic, investigating places, hearing stories and whatnot," Jackson explained. "To be honest, a lot of our first investigations were just shots in the dark - nothing really concrete. That was until we enlisted the help of some fine 'mons up in the Grit Region."

"How'd they help?" Gabite questioned.

Jackson grinned. "We made them dig a giant hole under a Mystery Dungeon's entrance - as far as they could go!"

"Woah! Was there anything under it?"

"There was something. Something I don't even know how to explain myself. These orange line things - all tangled up down there. They-"

Scyther cleared his throat. "Jackson, I think it would be best for me to explain this."

Jackson scratched his chin. "Oh yeah, sure - you're the researcher here."

Scyther reached over and dug into the saddlebag strapped to Jackson's side. He pulled out a large, worn-looking binder brimming with bookmarks. He flipped it open to a specific page and lowered the binder for Gabite to see. What she saw were depictions of what Jackson had described. A mess of golden orange lines crisscrossed at the bottom of a deep pit. Even if it was just a drawing, she felt strangely unnerved to know these things were just below them. "They're called 'ley lines'. That is what we found below the Mystery Dungeons," he explained. "And not just below a dungeon, but connecting to other dungeons in the vicinity as well - like a network."

"Scyther here thinks that these ley lines are connected through the entire world," Jackson added. "Everywhere there's a Mystery Dungeon, these ley lines are present. They worm their way through the earth like a Diglett would, but very slowly."

Gabite blinked. "Like a Diglett, huh. So these ley lines, are they a Pokemon?"

"No," Scyther shot down. "Or at least with our current information, we can conclude that. The ley lines seem to be energy incarnate. They fuel the energy needed to form a Mystery Dungeon, and the land above them is something for it to copy, to take over."

"Ah, so it's a parasite, then. Like one of them Joltiks sappin' away your juice!" Lairon deduced.

"Precisely. Look around you." Scyther threw his scythes at their volcanic surroundings. "This Mystery Dungeon emulates the real Rumblecrag Volcano, but it's all fake - an illusion. It's close, but there are flaws in it. I draw comparisons to some Pokemon that like to blend in with their surroundings but in a greater magnitude. There's nothing in this world that compares to the nature of the ley lines. It's fascinating, it's…"

"It's some pretty crazy stuff," Jackson finished.

"It's dangerous," Scyther corrected. "As long as these ley lines spread throughout the world, the Mystery Dungeons will never go away. The coordinate must be found and destroyed, and the nightmare can be over for so many Pokemon."

"But we don't know that, Scy. This is one strange world, and if there's one thing I know, nothing is ever what it seems." He bumped Scyther's shoulder. "And what'd you say? 'Nothing in this world compares'? C'mon, you know there's something stranger than that."

"Perhaps, but our friends here won't be privy to that."

Gabite felt her head spinning from the insight bestowed upon her. 'Ley lines? Coordinate? I've barely got a clue, but Team Moonlight seemed determined enough to chase mysteries.' Unlike her mother, not once did they speak of treasure. But even her mother stopped speaking of that when tragedy occurred. And she knew Team Moonlight had experienced it before the team was even formed.

"You are one smart 'mon," Gabite told Scyther. "And I'm not just saying that 'cause I'm a huge fan of your team."

Jackson chuckled and wrapped an arm around Scyther, jostling him around, much to the Bug-type's annoyance. "He is Team Moonlight's researcher, archivist, geographer, and general brainiac. Without him, Charizard and I wouldn't know where to go."

Scyther struggled and broke free from the Lucario's grasp. "This is a team effort, Jackson - like you said. I could never have started this journey without the both of you." He stowed away the binder back into Jackson's saddlebag. "As long as the three of us are together, I have no doubt we'll conquer anything in our path."

Gabite stopped in her tracks, causing Lairon to stumble into her. "Hey! Keep walkin', lass!" he barked out. She turned to look at him, deep in thought.

'Team Moonlight all trust each other's strengths. Could I ever have a team of my own like that someday? Maybe with… Lairon here. We trust each other enough. And with Larv- Pupitar - Sure, he's dead weight now, but he's helped us, and maybe we could help him by-'

"I got somethin' on my face, lass? You're staring at me real hard."

Gabite jerked herself out of thought. "Uh, nah. Still the same ugly mug."

Lairon's eyes narrowed. "Choose your next words very carefully, ye cold-blooded sack of scales."

Gabite giggled as she caught up with Scyther and Jackson. The Lucario turned to her and spoke: "But to answer your question, the reason we're sticking our noses into this business is because Scyther here believes there could be a relation between the Dyna Meteorites and the ley lines."

Gabite's eyes went wide. "Seriously?"

"It's a massive reach, but we'll take any chance there is to understand more about the nature of the ley lines," Scyther explained.

Jackson nodded. "And even if it leads nowhere, we'll still be helping some locals get rid of their pirate infestation."

Navigating a corridor and stepping over puddles of steaming lava, they took the staircase that then obscured their vision in darkness. When their eyes readjusted, they were outside of the Mystery Dungeon and within a vast chamber.

Natural, tall stone pillars twisted up to the ceiling that dripped lava into deep orange pools. Charizard could be seen flying around in laps before he spotted them and flew over. "Hand me the binoculars, Jack," he said. Jackson withdrew a set of binoculars from his saddlebag and tossed them upward. Charizard snatched them and gazed into the lens. "… Yeah." He threw the binoculars to the ground, Jackson catching them. "Northwest. Tyrantrum's crew going into an opening. Looks like those chumps are going to group up with the ships on the surface."

Jackson grimaced. "We better hurry, then. I'm not looking forward to seeing what these meteorites are capable of."

"I would like to at least see their potential," Scyther said, earning him a few looks. "... Given we could safely experiment with it afterward."

"Doubt it. The locals seem to want nobody messing with them, and maybe it's for good reason."

As they navigated through the smoldering hot antechamber, Gabite could not stop her eyes from scouring every angle of the cavern. Room by room they went through, and she still could not stop herself from searching for her mother. It was maddening in a sense; they had a true goal right now, but she was held back by her personal and selfish goal. There was a sense of dread looming over her that never seemed to go away.

'Running around like crazy, that tight feeling in your chest, that's how you felt here before, Mom. But I-' Her thoughts faded with a single step. Looking down at the ground, she lifted her foot up. Underneath was a chalky white outline sketched into the rock. It depicted a circle that sprouted wings and horns.

"Ye find somethin' there, lass?" Lairon questioned as he approached.

"Sort of. Looks like some kinda drawing?" Gabite knelt down to take a closer look. "Wait." She quickly took off her saddlebag and flipped it over to face her. She detached the badge pinned to the front flap and held it against the drawing on the ground. "It's an exact match… This replica of my mom's badge and the drawing."

Jackson heard the commotion and walked over. "Find something?"

"My mom… She drew this symbol of her badge here." She showed him the badge she held. "Same one I have that's like hers."

The Lucario knelt beside her. "Yeah, Scyther told us about her. But if she was here, it would have been recently. Looks like this was drawn not too long ago."

"She could still be here…" She perked up at the sound of buzzing wings as Scyther hovered above, his head cocked.

"There's something else besides the drawing," he said. "Look. It's faint, but you can see a pattern."

Gabite followed his gaze and scrutinized the peculiar pattern etched into the ground beside the badge drawing. It was almost as if it was burned into the ground, then scratched and rubbed to erase its trace.

"You know what, that looks like an Entercard pattern. But it's been heavily damaged - like someone doesn't want others to trace back the pattern." Scyther continued after recieving odd looks from Gabite and Lairon. "An Entercard is something certain explorers use to transport themselves using the ley lines. It's like opening up a portal."

"A portal? And Pokemon can enter these?" Gabite asked.

Scyther nodded. "We've done it before. Utilizing the long network of ley lines to travel and reach places otherwise inaccessible is very useful for us explorers. But Entercards are very rare to come across, and especially coming across those who can fabricate them." He crossed his arms. "Your mother is an explorer… Do you know if she used Entercards before?"

Gabite shook her head. "No, I've never heard of these card things. Never heard Mom talk about them either, and she used to tell me everything. But…"

"But?"

It was a sharp stab of pain to her senses for her to remember that night. The night her mother had to tell her that her father was gone. She sighed, knowing the truth had to come out now.

"My dad disappeared here a long time ago when he and my mom explored this place. He just vanished… and never returned. Mom tried to find him, and she might've gone crazy over it."

Scyther bowed his head. "I'm sorry to hear that, Gabite. These markings, however, are clear signs of an Entercard being used. If your father disappeared that day, then-"

"Look, I don't what you're trying to say, but let's end it there. I'm over it already. I can't get obsessed with this like Mom was. He's gone… and I accepted that a long time ago" She sighed, whipping her head to throw away the stray tear forming. "Can we move on? Like Jackson said, we probably don't have much time."

Scyther had concern written across his face but fluttered back to the ground. "Understood. Let's continue forward with the mission."

Gabite glanced at the horned badge she held and the badge drawn beside the faded pattern. She pinned the badge back onto her saddlebag and swung it over her shoulder. Lairon remained silent but offered her a warm smile, which she responded with her own.

'I'm not getting pulled into this any more than I already have. I'm coming out of this stupidly hot place with mom or nothing at all.'

"The entrance those pirates took leads up to the surface," Jackson noted. "That's where the meteorites will be."

"And where Tyrantrum will most likely be," Scyther added.

"Right. Let's keep our guard up, everyone."

The more Gabite trudged up the slopey hallways, the further it felt from a potential truth. But she was willing to put it all behind her, as much as it pained her to let it all go.

A sunless sky concealed entirely by clouds greeted them as they emerged from the cavern. It was a flat, barren land nestled between a bay and the towering volcanoes surrounding them. A series of beached ships upon the shores revealed the symbols of jaws upon their billowing sails.

Jackson scoured the land before his eyes landed on something in the distance. "Over there! The meteorites!"

Gabite's attention was drawn to the center of the field. Great spikes of golden orange rocks jutted forth from a scarred earth. Strange spiral patterns curled like veins around them, rooted to the very ground. Pirates of all kinds were gathered around a particular spike whose shimmering gleam could be seen from such a distance.

"Tyrantrum's not here…" Scyther's eyes went wide like dinner plates. "Unless he's-"

"Unless he's inside one of those meteorites," Jackson said. He signaled for Charizard to land as Scyther stepped to his side. "All right, the three of us are going after Tyrantrum before he can do whatever it is those meteorites do. Got it?" Scyther and Charizard gave a curt nod as Jackson turned his attention to Gabite. "You guys secure our flanks. Keep the heat of the lackeys off our backs, 'kay?"

"Got it. We'll do our best," Gabite said proudly.

"Once we're done here today, drinks are on me," Jackson ended with a wink.

Without another word, Team Moonlight rushed off toward the glowing meteorites. Gabite's heart would not stop beating as she placed a talon on her thumping chest. She was given a task by her heroes, and she was going to fulfill it to the best of her abilities.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself. "I can do this."

"Don't forget me in that pep talk of yours," Lairon chimed in before motioning to Pupitar dragging behind him. "Ah, and this lively lad back here, as well."

She laughed. "Sure, sure. C'mon, we got some pirates to beat up."

"Hopefully the last we have the deal with," he muttered.

Gabite and Lairon took off in the direction of the bay, their sights locked on Tyrantrum's ships.

"We draw attention to ourselves," Gabite explained as she ran. "Keep them from reaching Team Moonlight." They rounded a rocky hill blocking their view of the bay. "And then they can help us mop up the rest once Tyrantrum is-" She stopped dead in her tracks. Another dozen or so ships were beached just across the shore. Their sails bore the familiar insignia of a feline skull. But her wide eyes were honed in on the Wailord floating on the water's surface.

"Oh no…"

"Hello, dears!"

Gabite jumped in shock and spun around to see a smug-looking Liepard. "You! How'd you even-"

Liepard strutted forward, reinforced by a group of pirates that encircled their positions. "My, my, I gave you a head start and I still made landings before you three ever set foot here. Sadly, it appears the hunt is drawing to a close." She slowly lifted a paw and splayed it to show the razor-sharp claws that adorned it. "Now, do me the courtesy of stepping aside so I can beat that disgusting drake to a pulp and take what's rightfully mine." She took another step, eyes blazing with fury. "Or I'll have to force you aside."

Gabite puffed up her chest. "Not a chance, Mariner. Neither you nor Tyrantrum are getting to the meteorites!"

Lairon whipped the ground with his tail. "Aye! What she said!"

Liepard sighed. "What a shame." A melodious laugh flowed out of her. "Actually, no - I'm going to enjoy this!"

Gabite braced herself as Liepard leaped at her, teeth bared. Both fell to the ground and wrestled for control over the other. Gabite held her arm against Liepard's chest, preventing the Dark-type's fangs from latching onto her throat. "Lairon!" the dragoness cried.

"On it!"

A metallic tail slammed into Liepard, forcing the feline off of Gabite. Lairon was then immediately mobbed by pirates from all sides. And yet he still fought; a hissing Pupitar joined in the battle, launching his body and Lairon into the fray.

Liepard spat out some blood, grinning wildly. "It's just you and me now, brat."

Gabite stood and caught her breath. "Take your best shot, kitty."

There was an enraged hiss and a quick swipe of a claw. Gabite did not feel the strike against her fin as she tackled Liepard to the ground. She slashed in a frenzied manner but did not get so much as a scratch upon the limber feline. Liepard expertly twisted and bent her body in response to each erratic attack.

"Did your dearest mother ever teach you how to fight?"

A set of claws raked Gabite's chest as she faltered. Dust was kicked up into her eyes as something furry collided with her. She tried to blink away the sand and grime as her body was lacerated by multiple scratches.

'Can't… see!'

Gabite did the only thing she could think of. Her mouth opened as purple flames spewed forth. She whipped her head around in hopes of her Dragon Breath reaching Liepard. A yowling noise reaching her eyes directed her focus and flaming breath. Her vision now clear, she attempted to burn Liepard with all her might.

Liepard stood still, a silhouette bathed in fire. "You think you're tough, brat?" she hissed through gritted teeth. "YOU THINK YOU CAN BEST ME?!" she roared as she charged through the blaze.

Gabite countered her charge by grabbing her reared legs and smashing her head into Liepard's; the dragoness fell backward from the force. Liepard was caught in a daze and stumbled, a deep laugh stirring from within her.

"You fight like hell, don'tcha, brat? But you see - I wasn't fighting seriously, 'cause-"

Gabite attempted to stand but felt her legs crumple from an agile swipe. In a split second Liepard was upon her, a deranged look in her twitching eyes.

"I like playing with my prey right before devouring them…"

"You crazy- GKK!"

Gabite's venom was stifled by a paw slammed against her throat. She tried to hack away at Liepard's pompous-looking expression, but the Dark-type merely moved her head each time. She emitted a feral-like snarl from her very depths in frustration.

"This is rather cute. You really don't give up, do you?" Liepard taunted.

'I can't- I won't! Not when there's Pokemon counting on me! I still have… something to prove!'

Liepard put more pressure into her paw, dancing her claws along Gabite's throat. "It would be so easy, and I would linger in this moment, but I have precious time-"

A surge of bright light exploded across the land and blinded Gabite.

The ground quaked beneath her, trembling and crackling, splitting open and splintering into crevices that revealed bubbling magma. A bone-shaking roar sounded out through the skies that turned an ominous red. The pressure around Gabite's throat was released as she gasped for air and flipped her body over to stare at what was behind her.

A roaring and colossal-looking Tyrantrum, as tall as the volcanoes in the distance, engulfed her vision. Three red clouds circled the golden orange veins crystallized atop Tyrantrum's massive head. His eyes were orange and pulsating as they focused in on his immediate surroundings.

Liepard stepped back, a gleam in her eyes. "The power of the Dyna Meteorites… This is it!"

Gabite could only watch in horror as flames licked against Tyrantrum's jaw. The impossible large Rock-type slowly turned around to face the bay and his vessels - like toy ships compared to him. What happened next completely bewildered her.

Fire and devastation erupted from Tyrantrum's gaping maw and smothered the ships into a blaze. Pirates jumped into the waters to escape the ensuing fireball that consumed everything, leaving behind nothing but floating bits of burning wreckage.

"He… He burned his own ships," Gabite gasped out. "His own Pokemon…" Her head snapped to Liepard. "What's happening?!"

Liepard took another step back. "... That is no Pokemon - that is an uncontrolled beast." She whistled loudly, directing attention from all her pirates onto her. "Back to the ships, ingrates! That's an order!"

The Mariner and her pirates swiftly ran out of the area and retreated back to their ships on the shores. Gabite groaned as she stood. "Lairon?" she called out. "You still conscious over there?"

"Aye, lass," a familiar voice said from behind. "A bit winded, but still standin'."

"Good to hear." She turned. "Liepard's running away like a coward - and no point going after her when this-" she gestured a talon to Tyrantrum in the distance "-thing is still rampaging!"

Lairon gawked at what he saw. "Great Terrakion's beard! D-do all of ye drakes grow up to be that size? How are Team Moonlight gonna take down that beast?"

Realization struck Gabite. "Team Moonlight!" she broke off into a sprint, heading toward Tyrantrum. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins despite her wounds screaming at her. "C'mon, Lairon! They were just by Tyrantrum when he transformed!" Something yellow and smoking tumbled near her feet as she slid to a stop. The culprit was revealed to be Jackson as he struggled to stand, his fur singed and blackened in various places. "Jackson!" she cried out. "Are you okay?!"

"Just peachy…" the Lucario grunted. He pulled out a Sitrus Berry from his pouch, chomping it and slathering its juices over his wounds. "Saw… Tyrantrum encased in one of those meteorites - tried… breaking him out of it, but it was too… late - got caught in the blast," he said through heavy breaths.

A buzzing noise and a 'swoosh' alerted Gabite to Scyther and Charizard's presence as they landed beside her.

"Jack, this looney of a captain is torching his own ships, stomping all over his own 'mons," Charizard relayed.

"Whatever the Dyna Meteorites did to enlarge Tyrantrum, his mental faculties must have been eroded!" Scyther theorized. "He's acting more animalistic and ferocious - like how a dungeon Pokemon would act!"

Jackson bit his lip as he watched Tyrantrum fly into another frenzy, fiery breath illuminating the sky. "Isn't this just perfect…"

"We have to stop him, right?" Gabite said, receiving their eyes upon her; she winced. "We have to! He's gonna destroy Rumblecrag Volcano if we don't!"

"Aye! And think about all the Pokemon that live here!" Lairon added.

Scyther frowned. "No. Tyrantrum could destroy this whole region if he is left unchecked. We know next to nothing about this transformation process - how long he could stay in this form."

"All of you are right," Jackson said. "We're defeating him right here and right now! All of you got that?" He smirked at the nods of agreement he got. "Good - here's how we're gonna do this. Scyther's gonna fly me up to that crystal thing on Tyrantrum's head, while the rest of you keep his attention on you. I'll start whaling on him with everything I got."

"Um, are you sure you'll be powerful enough?" Gabite questioned. "N-no offense, but he's really, really big."

Jackson held up a Mega Ring with a glistening Lucarionite encrusted into it. "Trust me, it'll be enough."

A smile overtook her unsure features. "Well, now I'm feeling a lot more confident in our chances!"

Jackson chuckled as he walked over to Scyther, the Bug-type wrapping his arms around his waist. "Give us a few minutes and we'll take this sucker down." With his parting words, Scyther lifted the both of them up into the air he flew off toward Tyrantrum.

Charizard snorted. "And he calls me the showoff…" He lowered himself to the ground. "Miss Super Fan, hitch a ride with me."

"M-me?" Gabite asked.

"Yeah. Hell, I'd take both of you, but your partner over there is a pound too heavy for this trip."

She stifled a laugh. "Fair enough. You good down here, Lairon?"

Lairon nodded. "Aye, Pupitar and I will do our best when we're not tryin' to get smooshed."

Pupitar hissed in response.

Gabite hesitantly approached the Fire-type, her limbs shaking as she stepped onto his back. Being able to ride Charizard from Team Moonlight into battle was a mere dream of hers as a child, and now she was really going to experience it. Bottling up these childish urges to exclaim her enthusiasm, she gripped his heated scales. His wings then flared out, flame-tipped tail thrashing behind him.

"Hold on tight!" he warned.

Like an orange missile, he took off from the ground at rapid speeds. Gabite squeezed her eyes shut from the sudden force. Only when his flying eased into a gentle glide could she reopen them.

"Wow! I can see everything from here!" she yelled.

"We're here for a battle, kid, not a joy ride!" Charizard reminded her. He nestled his wings close to his body before diving through a barrier of red clouds. "Coming in hot!"

Tyrantrum was just below them, Scyther and Jackson closing in on his head. One swing of his lengthy tail crushed a mountainside into an avalanche of boulders. His flickering eyes full of rage were trained on Charizard as he zipped past his vision.

"GROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"Looks like we got his attention!" Gabite screamed, glancing behind her. Tyrantrum took off after them, his mighty steps fracturing more scalding earth that spouted geysers of lava. "He's getting close!"

Rows of sharp teeth grazed Charizard as a jaw dripping with saliva snapped shut, blasting Gabite with the air and steam it expelled. A rumbling noise Tyrantrum emitted sent vibrations through her body. The fear she felt from such a close encounter was something entirely new to her as his body quivered.

"Keep calm, kid! Ain't gonna let anything happen to ya!" Charizard assured.

"Y-you promise?!"

"Promise!"

Charizard flipped to face Tyrantrum and blasted a volley of fireballs at the Rock-type's snout. Mere scorch marks were left behind, but it sent Tyrantrum into another outrage. A column of roaring flames just missed Charizard as he soared underneath Tyrantrum, ducking a swipe from his stubby arms.

Energy built up around Charizard as he circled back. He hovered midair before flapping his wings repeatedly, shooting off multiple arcs of Air Slashes all over Tyrantrum's body.

Gabite squinted her eyes before exclaiming: "Jackson's on top of Tyrantrum now!"

A flash of light shone atop Tyrantrum's head and formed a glowing sphere. It then shattered with an unfettering of energy, a yellow Lucario emerging from within. Gabite could catch only a few glimpses of Jackson's new form as his elongated aura tassels drifted in the wind. "Mega Evolution… My mom said she could do that, too!" she cried.

"I gotta get me one of those one day!" Charizard responded.

The both of them watched as Jackson ran toward the golden orange crystal formation growth attached to Tyrantrum's head. He then unleashed an onslaught of rapid punches against its veins, shattering chunks of it off with ease.

Tyrantrum roared in pain, thrashing his body wildly in an attempt to shake his attacker off.

"Duck, kid!"

"Woah!"

Gabite hit the deck as the very tip of Tyrantrum's tail swung by where her head once was. Charizard launched another round of fireballs as a distraction before flying away.

"GROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The sides of a volcano were obliterated as Tyrantrum smashed into it during his pursuit of Charizard. There was another crunch of its jaws mere inches from Gabite. She breathed a steady Dragon Breath at the underside of the Rock-type as Charizard twirled and spun laps around him. Meanwhile, she could still see glimpses Jackson chipping away at the crystal.

"Jackson's really going to town on him!" Gabite exclaimed.

"For a few minutes, he can! Then he'll be all outta juice!"

Gabite was about to respond, but felt a chill down her spine as the world around her grew dark, a shadow extending beyond them. She looked behind them, jaw-dropping. Bursting up from the ground was an impossibly tall sheet of solid rock that was slowly falling forward.

"BEHIND US!" she screamed.

Charizard put his speed into overdrive as he rocketed away. Gabite began to lose her grip the faster he got, sliding off his back until she could only grip his lashing tail. Peering up, she was horrified to see the wall of stone right on top of them.

"We're… not gonna… make it!"

The slab of rock clipped Charizard's wings before slamming into the ground. Sent into a tailspin, Gabite was flung off the Fire-type and was now in a free fall, hurtling toward the earth and an impending demise.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA- Oof!"

She heard a buzzing noise in her ears as her eyes cracked open. She looked up to see the smiling face of Scyther as he hovered midair, arms latched around her.

"H-hey," she said lamely.

"Hey yourself." He safely descended down to the ground. "That was a close call there. I'm not sure what move that was, but it was like nothing I've ever seen!"

Gabite looked to the sky to see Charizard still airborne. "He's still up there! Even after that attack?"

"Team Moonlight is many things, but weak is not one of them."

She caught her breath. "That's for sure…"

"Lass!"

"Lairon?"

Gabite turned to see the Steel-type in question skidding to a halt before her. "Ye ain't gonna believe it, but Tyrantrum's own crew is helping to fight him off!" he yelled.

Gazing past him, she could see almost an entire army of pirates surrounding Tyrantrum on all sides. They would clamp their jaws on any flesh they could, or direct their elemental attacks on his lower extremities. She winced as a ginormous head smashing and dragging along the ground removed many of their numbers.

"At least they didn't run…" she mumbled.

A screeching noise filling the air drew her and Lairon's attention. Rapidly descending down from a scarlet-hued sky was a spiraling Moltres, flanked by multiple Talonflame. A winding ring of flames followed its twisting form as Moltres collided with Tyrantrum in an inferno of fire that exploded across the Rock-type's chest, causing it to stagger.

"Well I'll be - it's the guardian of Rumblecrag Volcano!" Lairon blurted. He raised a foot high. "Heeeey! It's your good lad Lairon down here!"

Seeing the pirates and the locals of the area team up and swarm Tyrantrum all at once was getting Gabite amped up. Her scales instinctively flexed as she scraped her talons against one another.

She could not stand idly by while others put their lives at risk.

Gabite turned. "Scyther, can you…" Her words drifted away as she watched Scyther spit a silky white substance onto a yellow-hued Wonder Orb. "Uh, what are you doing?"

Scyther grinned as he motioned to two long lines of multicolored Wonder Orbs and seeds all glued to one another with the same white substance from before. "I cleaned out Jackson's entire saddlebag for this." He glanced at Gabite. "You want to bring the fight to Tyrantrum with me?"

She copied his grin.

They were flying through the sky within the next minute, the sticky cord of seeds and orbs trailing behind them.

"So I climb up to his knee and wrap these orbs and seeds around him?" Gabite questioned.

"Yes. And you then ignite them all with your Dragon Breath!" Scyther yelled. "It should be quite effective!"

"You really are a genius, aren't you?"

He blushed. "A-and you are quite kind yourself, Gabite."

She could now see Tyrantrum up close and personal, and she did not like it one bit. Scyther flew her close to the Rock-type's leg and let go. She dropped, sliding her talons against the rocky scales until she felt her grip on them. She waited for Scyther to throw one of the threads before catching it.

"I'll be on the other side, Gabite - waiting for your mark!"

She flashed him a smile. "Got it!"

The sheer courage building up in her chest overwhelmed the instincts of fear. Using her talons to stab openings in Tyrantrum's massive scales, she clambered up his leg until the joint of his knee was visible.

'You're about to go down, sucker!'

Pushing herself up to stand on Tyrantrum's joint, she dragged the sticky thread over. The shift in movement caused her to stumble, but she kept her ground. She tossed the thread as far as she could over the knee. It landed just halfway across the tendon.

Gabite glanced at the other knee to see Scyther throwing his cord as well. He gave her a wink and a signal to go forward, which she did so with delight.

Purple flames burst from her mouth and coated a seed in fire.

It popped.

A chain reaction soon followed as each connected seed and orb exploded. Fire, ice, electricity, and a kaleidoscope of colors ignited across both of Tyrantrum's knees. He let a pained screech as his knees buckled, slowly beginning to fall over on his side. The world around Gabite suddenly shifted as she fell with him, getting the wind knocked out of her chest in the process. Her head was spinning; she was on her back, staring at the red sky when dozens of brown objects manifested above her.

'Are those… rocks?'

"GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"

Tyrantrum was visibly pouring his energy-induced smoke into the forming boulders that began to rain down like a hailstorm. Talonframe dropped the skies and boulders that shattered on the ground sent hundreds of fragments shooting into the crowds of pirates. Gabite rolled to the side before a falling boulder could smash her to dust. She quickly ran down the length of Tyrantrum toward his tail. A piece of rock smashing into her hip threw her off balance as she tumbled the remaining way.

"AAAA- Oof!"

"Gabite!"

Scyther was hovering beside her as Gabite picked herself up, coughing as she did so. "Yeah," she said, "but I'm gonna need a long rest after today."

"All those orbs and seeds did the trick, but it still wasn't enough." Scyther frowned. "If Jackson didn't fall off already, that crystal has got to be sufficiently damaged by now."

The legs of Tyrantrum trembled as he slowly stood up. He panted, orange, flickering eyes brimming with hatred. More smoky energy built up around him as stone walls erupted all over the cratered land.

Gabite scowled. "He's doing that thing again!"

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"

There was an echoing crack throughout the air as devastating explosions rocked across Tyrantrum. Dreepy raced through the skies, zigzagging over another to explode across various points of his body. Following another crack, multiple Ferroseed were wedged into his chest and neck region. They sprayed a shower of sharp spikes that littered Tyrantrum's scales.

Her jaw dropped. "No way." She turned to look out at the bay, seeing a Wailord with its sides turned to face the volcano. "That crazy lady is actually helping us!"

A flap of wings alerted her to Charizard landing beside them, Jackson atop his back. The Mega Lucario hopped off just as a bright light consumed him. When the light receded, he was returned to his regular form. "You guys have been bringing the pain to Tyrantrum down here?" he asked.

"Not just us, but the pirates under Tyrantrum and this Mariner character as well," Scyther said.

Jackson grinned. "Looks like we can wrap things up here. One good whack at the crystal on his head, and he should be done for."

Gabite turned to look at Tyrantrum. He was stationary, heavily panting, drool leaking from his open maw. The three red clouds circling him were constantly fading in and out. More cannon fire from the Mariner's ships would continually wear him down. "He's weak, huh?"

Oh, did she wish to get the final blow on him.

"Sure is." Charizard extended his wings out. "If you're done lazing around, get on Jack, and let's finish this bozo already."

"You got it, Char."

She was going to try.

"Guys?" Gabite swallowed down her anxiety as all their eyes were settled upon her. "CanIumtakedownTyrantrum?" she shot out.

Scyther and Charizard turned their stares to Jackson as he started chuckling. "We'd do anything for a fan. Go ahead, Charizard, take her."

A giddy smile broke out over Gabite's face as she quickly leaped onto Charizard's back. Scyther walked over, holding a purple-flushed Wonder Orb in his scythes. "It's a Knockout Orb. Break it, and it'll infuse enough energy in you to take out an opponent in just one attack." He smiled. "Saved just this one from Jackson's saddlebags."

"Which you're repaying me for - that I'll remind," Jackson quipped.

She grabbed it and held it tight against her chest. "Watch me. Big guy's going down."

Charizard lifted himself into the air before rocketing straight up. Gabite braced herself as Scyther and Jackson became mere blips below them. They pierced through the skyline, going so high that she could see the distant stars forming in the midday sky.

There was no sound. Compared to the chaos on the ground, it was peaceful.

Then there was noise.

Charizard suddenly dove back down, slicing through the clouds. She knew her time of action was coming. She shattered the Knockout Orb onto her chest and absorbed the intense energy that washed over her.

She felt she could do anything, take on anybody.

There was a fierce look in her eyes as she leaned back. 'I got this. I got this!'

The wind was whistling through her ears. A dazed Tyrantrum was in her sights. Charizard curled in his wings and straightened his flying.

'He's getting close. He's so close!'

They were mere inches from him.

"JUMP, KID!"

Gabite jumped from Charizard and delivered a final slash of her talons upon the crystal structure atop Tyrantrum's head. Great cracks formed in it, rays of light surging through the new openings before it shattered into thousands of pieces. A final, defeated cry emitted from the Rock-type.

"GRaAAAooooooooOooooOooOOoO-"

Another blast of white light blinded Gabite as she fell.

'That was… wow.'

Gabite was sitting on a piece of driftwood on the shores of the bay, collecting her thoughts. She glanced over, watching some of the local Pokemon in the distance carry an unconscious and now normal Tyrantrum away.

'Yeah, I did that, buddy,' she snarked to herself. 'Have fun walking that off in jail.'

Her heart surged with pride over their battle with the pirate captain, but problems lingered in her mind.

'I mean, I'd like to stay, shake some paws, and bask in my victory, but I have things left to do.' She frowned and stood up. 'And mom to find…'

"Hello, dear!"

Gabite flinched and whirled around to see a face she did not want to see. "Mariner? Ugh, please, I've eaten like ten Oran Berries already and I don't want to fight you again."

Liepard let out an airy laugh. "Aren't you a cocky brat? A single battle and she believes she can take on the Mariner like that…"

Gabite rolled her eyes. "Since you're not here to fight, and you did help us take Tyrantrum down, why are you still here?"

"Why, I have something to give you."

The feline strutted forward, making the dragoness back up in response. An Espeon ran up from behind Liepard with a scrap of floating envelope held up by a pink field of energy. Liepard snatched the parchment from the Psychic-type's hold.

"Thank you, ingrate. Off with you." As Espeon ran back to the ships offshore, Liepard extended the envelope forward. "This belongs to you."

Gabite hesitantly took it from her. "What is it?"

"It's a letter your mother entrusted to me when we," she scoffed, "were still considering an expedition here. It's addressed to you, and she wanted me to deliver it to you after our work concluded."

Her heart skipped a beat. "R-really?"

"I wanted to burn this in front of her once I brought her to her knees, but considering you did help me vanquish my rival, consider this thanks."

Gabite was unsure what to think. The Mariner was a terrifying Pokemon and tried to kill her more than once, but an offering like this seemed too kind for a woman who was about to tear her throat out an hour ago. "And… you're just gonna let me have it?"

"Would you prefer I did burn it?"

She held the letter close and stepped away. "N-no!"

"Then consider our business done, brat."

"Just like that? No plans of revenge or making me walk the plank since you couldn't get to the Dyna Meteorites?"

"My hunt ended here, and I've seen what that kind of power did to that disgusting drake. I will simply have to conquer the seas in another way." She turned and began to saunter away.

Gabite watched her walk across the shores and board the beached Wailord as multiple pirates pushed it back into the water. The Mariner then stood up on its large head and grinned for all the world to see.

"I am no captain - I am a conqueror! A hunter!" Liepard cried out. "But like a captain, I always go down with my ship!"

A pink force field appeared over Liepard as Wailord slowly descended into the watery depths. At the same time, all of the Mariner's ships reeled in their Dhelmise and set sail into the distance. Gabite held the letter in front of her, debating if she should open it right now or later.

'Could I even handle this? What would she even say?'

"That Liepard… I assume she was the Mariner?"

She looked over her shoulder to see Scyther walk into view. "Oh, yeah she was. Were you guys looking to go after her now?"

He shook his head. "We have other work to be done here. And seeing as how she didn't go for the meteorites and even assisted us in defeating Tyrantrum, perhaps she has it in her to turn over a new leaf?"

"Her? Pfft - no way. She's one hundred percent nuts. But thankfully she said she wasn't gonna go after us anymore." She let out a sigh of relief. "So, uh, what's happening with the Tyrantrum?"

"Most of his crew fled after he was defeated, but the locals are keeping Tyrantrum here until the Council can arrest him and send him back to Tyrantrum's Jaw." Scyther smiled. "With him and this Mariner gone, Rumblecrag Volcano is safe once again."

"That's awesome! But… what about the meteorites?"

"When the Council arrives here, they'll transport these meteorites to a safe location so an event like this never happens again."

She cocked her head. "I saw you over there messing with the meteorites. What's your, like, theory or whatever? What made Tyrantrum get so huge anyway?"

Scyther was quiet for a moment before suddenly exclaiming: "DYNAMAXING!" There was excitement in his tone as he continued. "That is what I have dubbed this phenomenon! This type of transformation could be akin to Mega Evolution's effect on certain Pokemon! The story of these crystals being meteorites may be mere mythos, but their true identity may in fact be related to the ley lines, as I hypothesized. Ah, but I need more time to study them before they are moved, and-"

A raised talon put an end to his rant. "Okay, okay, Dynamaxing - cool - I get it."

He blushed. "Apologies. I can a tad bit… too excited."

"I'm happy for you, though. You're doing something you really love."

She wanted to feel like him, to be so caught up with what she loved and not be tied down to something that could hold her back. Gazing at the letter she held, the emotions gripping her chest felt as if ready to burst out.

But could not cry in front of her heroes.

Scyther's features softened. "… I said that we'd help search this volcano for your mother. We can still do that."

Gabite shook her head. "If she wasn't here fighting Tyrantrum, then she wasn't here to begin with."

"But you came here to find her-"

"We came here to stop Tyrantrum and the Mariner," she corrected "That was what mattered most."

He smiled widely, and by Arceus did she love that smile.

"Hey, uh, before you go off do more of your nerd stuff, I'd like to give you something." Opening her saddlebag, Gabite retrieved an odd-looking metal cylinder from it. "Listen, don't tell Lairon I gave you this, and don't ask why I know why you need this, but here you go." She extended the item forward.

Scyther carefully took it from her. "A Metal Coat… These are impressively rare." He met her gaze. "Thanks so much, Gabite!"

"Nah, thank you guys for helping us keep the region safe. Without Team Moonlight, we'd get thrashed."

"I suppose I was wrong about being wary of you three. And now I won't be the only unevolved Pokemon in our team, heh." He glanced behind him. "I should get back to researching the meteorites before they're gone, but I should let you know Jackson wanted to talk to you."

"I'll make sure to do that, then. See ya around, Scyther."

Scyther offered her a gracious bow before fluttering his insect wings and flying away.

'A talk with the leader, huh?'

She found him near the beach a few yards away from the clusters of Pokemon in the remains of the battlefield. The Shiny Lucario knelt atop a bluff overlooking a sunset drenching the bay in orange and pink colors. It was almost mesmerizing to look at as she approached. Taking in the salty breeze and watching the waves ebb and flow against the shores was therapeutic after the chaos she had endured.

"You wanted to have a chat with me?"

Jackson gave a short nod. "That I did." He saw the apprehensive look on her face and chuckled. "Don't worry - nothing you did was wrong back there. Really, I just wanted to say you did one heck of a job."

She felt that surge of pride again. "T-thanks. It means a lot to hear it from you."

"The three of you seem new to being an exploration team. I'm guessing you never quite expected to deal with stuff like this before."

"You can say that again. These last two days have been the craziest and most action-packed in my whole life! But you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I know what you mean. Once you get a taste of something good, you don't wanna go back." Jackson pointed a paw out at the beach. "Almost five years ago, I was lying on a beach just like this. Nothing in my head, nowhere to go, completely lost."

"A night out after drinking?" she presumed.

He laughed. "You could say that. But Scyther and Charmeleon were there to pick me up when I was done, befriend me, and help me understand my place in this weird, weird world. And in a way, being a part of Team Moonlight was my way of thanking them."

His reminiscing stirred up thoughts of Lairon and Pupitar. Both of them lived lives they were unsatisfied with - Pupitar more so - but they each had a shared goal of a desire for freedom and adventure.

"But it was also a way for me to figure more about myself - who I am, who I was," he continued. "Maybe I'll never figure out why I'm here, or what I'm even doing, but you know what? I got two best friends by my side, and an amazing world to explore with all kinds of Pokemon to meet and help. If I'm here to be a leader and stop these Mystery Dungeons and bring some hope to the world, then I'll take up that mantle."

She never did think the Shiny Lucario was one for introspection. In all of the newspapers and all of the interviews she read about Team Moonlight, he was cocky, bold, and a bragger much like Charizard was. Was it all an image propped up for the masses to gush over? An image of confidence her own mother would display for many in her youth?

'No, I'm not being realistic about it.'

Jackson was fallible. Her mother was fallible. And even she was fallible.

Gabite sat down next to him. "I come from a village called Dragging Claw, and the only news from the outside world was the Celestic Cognizance. It's how I heard about you - about Team Moonlight. I wanted to be an explorer so bad because of you guys." She could feel the blush burning her cheeks. "I even cut out some segments of the newspaper with Team Moonlight in it so I could read it over and over."

Jackson scratched his chin, nodding. "You really are a fan of us, heh!"

Her blush deepened as she crossed her arms. "Nobody wanted me to do this - not even my own mom. And to get here, I had to get banished from my own home and not see my friends there again. Team Moonlight gave me the courage to do that."

There was still anger and resentment over that fact. But she had accepted those consequences before she even stepped through that wooden gate.

This was her life now, and she would go wherever it would take her.

"You left something behind - we all did. And me, Scy, and Char… we didn't get that choice before it left us."

"…"

"But I didn't bring you here just to mope about my life or pry about yours; I wanted to propose something as thanks for assisting us - an expedition."

"An expedition?" She was silently jumping for joy. "Where?"

"A place Team Moonlight has always wanted to explore - Celestial Mountain."

Gabite had heard of it before growing up. Despite living in a region filled with impregnable mountains, Celestial Mountain was by far the tallest and most vast landscape at the center of the region. On top of that, it boasted the most amount of Mystery Dungeons anywhere. No typical exploration team would dare try to overcome such an obstacle.

But she knew Team Moonlight was no typical exploration team.

"I'd- I'd love to, but…" She sighed. "The truth is I don't really have an exploration team. Lairon and Pupitar were tagging along to help me find my mom and all the craziness that followed."

Jackson smiled. "Same way Scy and Char formed a team with me. Sometimes when you don't know where you're going, or you have a different destination in mind, you end up right where you belong." His cardinal red eyes tracked her. "Do you think you belong here? Exploring and adventuring?"

"Of course I do."

"And do they like the same things?"

"Uh, kinda? Lairon likes eating iron more, I bet."

He laughed as he stood. "Then I think they'll see it the way you do. You're a tough girl - you can convince them to form a team."

She shook her head. "I don't get it. Letting me join you on an expedition, wanting us to make an exploration team. Why me? Why us?"

Jackson walked past her before stopping. "'Cause when I look at you, I see the next generation of Team Moonlight."

And then he was gone. She contemplated the offer, but no matter how enticing it was, the letter in her saddlebag was burning a hole through her chest.

'I can't hold this off any longer.'

Throwing her bag onto the ground and ripping the envelope from it, she tore apart the wax seal on it and removed the parchment within. She began to read off the top.

'Hey, pup

I know you're reading this, wondering where I'm at, and wondering when I'll come back. But the truth is I don't know where I'm going, or when - if ever - I can ever return.

I know you're angry; I'd be angry, too. There's been a lot of things unsaid throughout these years. And as powerful as you might've thought I was, I'm too scared to tell you these things in person out of fear of what you'll think of me. But you might've come to a conclusion about me already.

I can't get over it.

The day your father disappeared shattered my world. I thought if I could move on and raise you in a safe environment, I could feel better about myself, but it didn't work.

I couldn't stay cooped in a village underneath the claw of an elder I despised. But I made you do it. I'm not just a coward, I'm a hypocrite as well. We are very alike, pup, and I knew the second I turned my back you'd charge out of the village and live the life of an explorer that I always raved about.

You have every right to hate me for what I've done, what I'm putting you through. But you have to understand I did everything out of love. Leaving was the easiest way to take my problems elsewhere. I couldn't drag you into this when you have moved on but I haven't. I can't let go, and that's why I have to go. I have to search and find out what happened to your father. I will go wherever the answers take me, even if it's to my last breath.

I'm a terrible mother. I tried my best, but it wasn't enough to make things right.

You have a choice now; stay in the village with Flygon or leave. I won't be around to hold you back from what you really want from this life.

It pains me that you could leave and end up hurt, or disappear like your father, but you're a strong girl. You can be an amazing explorer if you really want to.

You have a bright future ahead of you, but I have to contend with my past. My story is well and over, but yours is just beginning.

It is getting harder to keep writing this, so I will end it here. Even if you continue to resent me for what I've done, I will always love you more than anything in this world.

Goodbye, pup.'

The very last words of the letter were stained as tears trickled from Gabite's face. She clutched the crumpled parchment to her chest and cried. She cried harder than ever before. But there was no Mareep plush to soak her tears into, no mother to hold onto anymore.

'You made me who I am, Mom. How could I ever hate you?'

Time passed by as she remained on the bluff, watching the sun sink lower and lower until the stars revealed themselves. She wondered if her mother was looking up at them wherever she was.

"Lass!"

Gabite quickly wiped away her tears and turned around. "L-lairon?"

Lairon and a tall, bulky Pokemon lumbered over to her. Her attention immediately shifted to the stranger. He was green-colored with visible holes in his spiked rocky shell. He said nothing - though his vacant glare drilling into her said more than enough.

"Guess who this is!" Lairon exclaimed.

"Uh, I have no idea."

A chuckle escaped the Steel-type. "Ye aren't even going to guess? Tiny lad, carries a sword, likes to gab?"

Her eyes widened. "This guy is Larvitar?"

"Tyranitar now," he corrected. "Guess the lad here wasn't lyin' about all that unused energy he had." He faced Tyranitar. "Now that ye can speak again, got anythin' to say?"

Tyranitar snorted and turned his head away from them.

"Wha- No, ye can't just become a strong and silent type after what you put us through, lad!"

Gabite laughed. "You guys crack me up…"

"The locals want to throw a celebration for takin' down that big boy, and-" Lairon trailed off as got a good look at her. "Are ye okay? Your eyes are red and puffy."

"I'm fine." She sniffled, wiping away another tear. "I just feel… Is it weird to feel both happy and sad at the same time?"

Lairon and Tyranitar exchanged looks.

"A bit peculiar, lass."

"What he said, boss lady."

Gabite placed her talons on her hips. "Jackson just offered for all three of us to come along on an expedition to Celestial Mountain. But the thing is, we'd have to be an official exploration team. I'd get it if you don't want to-"

"I'm in," Tyranitar stated.

Lairon's jaw dropped as a set of eyes were now settled on him. "P-put a 'mon on the spot why don't ye?" He frowned. "That sounds nice and all, but what about your mother, lass? Don't ye still want to find her?"

She sighed. "She's on her own journey. And if she's not her… I don't think we'll find her anywhere. An exploration team is what I've always dreamed of, and you guys are all I got."

He gave her a deadpan look. "I could always hustle back to Iron Mountain."

She giggled. "C'mon, I was just playing. There's no other Pokemon I would've chosen."

"If that's the case, then I'm in!"

Gabite pumped a talon into the air. "All right! Now we're Team… Uh." She blinked. "Oh shoot I didn't really think about our name."

"Team Ironchums!" Lairon suggested.

"No," she quickly shot down.

"Team Sharpsteel," Tyranitar said.

"Also no." Gabite tapped her chin. "What about… Drarosteel. It's got all types in it - Dragon, Rock, and Steel!" She waited in anticipation for their responses before crossing her arms. "Look, it's dumb but that's our team name now and I'm not taking it back."

"You are the boss lady after all," Tyranitar grumbled. "Any counter to that, 'ironchum'?"

Lairon was too busy staring up at the sky to notice his comment. "… Am I hallucinatin' or is that meteor headed straight for us?"

Gabite looked up, her jaw-dropping. "That's not a meteor, it's a-"

A falling Minior bounced off the sands of the beach. A still moment passed before dozens of multicolored Miniors fell from the stars and rained down upon Rumblecrag Volcano. Cheers arose from all the Pokemon gathered around as the starry sky was awash with rainbow streams.

"A Minior Shower," Gabite mumbled. "I've only seen them afar…"

"GAH!" Lairon dodged a Minior before it collided with him. "I think I prefer seein' them from a distance!"

She giggled. "C'mon, let's go see about that celebration you mentioned. 'Cause I am starving."

Celestial Mountain was more beautiful than she could have imagined.

Beyond shrouds of a mysterious mist were grand vistas, gushing waterfalls, dense forests wedged between valleys, and erupting geysers that sprayed scalding water. The morning sun freshly dawning over the rugged yet fertile landscape was truly a sight to behold.

Gabite took a break from the sightseeing and stepped away from the ridge. "Do you think we should go in after him?"

Scizor shook his head, not looking up from the map gripped in his pincers. "Jackson was positive that he entered this cave alone. Please, have some faith in him."

She shot him a look.

He looked up, wincing. "... Very well. If he doesn't return soon, we will go in as well."

Throughout the long trek up Celestial Mountain, she noticed the Shiny Lucario acting stranger than usual. She believed it was merely nerves getting the best of him, but that theory was shattered when Jackson heavily insisted that he explore a cavern by himself.

'He's the boss, but is that really necessary to prove himself or something?'

Stealing a glance at the cave in question, she found it quite odd - a common thought on Celestial Mountain. The opening was like a fissure in the earth itself, with a void of pure black for one to enter through. White wallflowers dotted the entrance leading to it.

'Well, it's another Mystery Dungeon I don't gotta go through. Yeesh.'

"You need to grow more of a spine, Scy," a baritone voice grumbled. "Our enemies out there'll walk all over you."

Gabite turned to face Charizard, who was flat on his back on the ground and rolling in the grass like a playful Rockruff. To see such a powerful and boastful Pokemon in this way was too humorous for her. "W-why are you doing that?" she said between laughs.

Charizard growled. "I'm itchy, 'kay? Carrying you clowns up also got my back really sore, and the grass feels good." He narrowed his eyes at Gabite as she continued laughing. "Bite me, kid."

Even Scizor could not withhold a smile. "You have to admit it's pretty funny, Charizard," he said.

"And to think my own teammate is against me…" the Fire-type muttered, smirking.

As her laughter winded down, she looked off in the distance to see Lairon and Tyranitar arguing. Her saddlebag was being yanked around until Tyranitar decided to hold it above his head. No matter how much Lairon tried to grab it, he was not tall enough.

'Those bozos. But they're my bozos. And we're all a team.'

It was a warm feeling that kept her sturdy throughout the treacherous journey up Celestial Mountain. Telling everybody that Team Drarosteel's first official adventure was collaborating with Team Moonlight on an expedition was also too good to pass up.

"Jack's back!" Charizard suddenly yelled.

Gabite's attention returned to the cave's entrance as the familiar Shiny Lucario slowly emerged from the shadow of a dungeon. She noticed that he now wore a flickering golden-orange ring around one of his paws. But what was more noticeable was the visible shift in his expression.

Before he had entered, he looked as carefree as ever. Now he exuded a cold demeanor exemplified by his vacant glare. He stood perfectly still, staring straight through them. When he finally spoke, his heavy tone was a stark contrast from usual.

"We need to form a guild."

The hair-raising screech of Yveltal carried through the cold wind that rustled the spruce forest bordering Elysium City. Its ghastly cries would eventually fade into the night.

Gachomp slowly peeked her head out from the cover of a nearby rock. She watched as a visibly wounded Yveltal emerged from a swarm of flying Dragon-types and flew away from the battered city. A pregnant pause followed until she whispered: "Yveltal's retreating - those Council birds actually did it…"

"It'll return," Scizor said through ragged gasps for air. "It's too powerful… with the ley lines powering it."

Garchomp snarled as she turned around, surveying her team and Scizor as they hid in a shallow trench. They were tired, dirty, and covered in dust as they escaped a city ripped apart in mere minutes. She knew they were lucky to make it out with their lives, while so many other souls were not.

It made her boil every time she thought about it.

'What I'd give to get my talons on you, Jackson…'

Forcing down these dark thoughts with a scowl, she faced Scizor, who looked more defeated than ever. "Excadrill and I worked together to free the guild from the prisons. We didn't take into account you catching the blame yourself, so I had to-"

"Why did you come for me?" he croaked out.

She was taken aback. "Don't you remember? You're important to us, Sciz. You're important to me. And I couldn't live with myself if I let you die there."

"It would be fine if…" Scizor paused, eyes brimming with tears. "I was ready to die there, Garchomp. Don't you see? I came to terms with-" A swift talon swiping him across the face shut him up.

"Listen to yourself! This is not you! Giving up? Like hell we will. You can't just call it quits when the world needs you most." Her features softened. "Charizard, everyone from the guild, all the Pokemon that Team Moonlight helped through the years, they wouldn't want to see you give up…"

Scizor shuffled his knees close to his chest. He closed his eyes as a tear slipped down his cheek. "I-I don't know if I can anymore, Garchomp. Everything- everything has gone so wrong and I can't fix this all by myself. I had Charizard and Jackson by my side before, but not anymore."

Garchomp grabbed a pincer of his and clutched it tight. "Then let's do it together."

Scizor flinched as an iron claw latched down on his shoulder, then flicked his gaze to a rocky one on his opposite shoulder.

"Aye, we let the lass do the talkin', but we agree with everythin' she says," Aggron said.

Tyranitar silently nodded with a fierce look.

Garchomp smirked. "You can't get rid of us, Scizor. So you're just gonna have to accept that Team Drarosteel isn't gonna stand by anymore. So… will you work with us here?"

Silence followed.

A sigh escaped Scizor. "... I gave Roark a detailed log of my theories and knowledge of the artifacts before he and the others escaped through the tunnels."

"The prankster fox? Him?"

"He's quite resourceful when he's serious."

"Fair enough. You'll have to tell me about these 'artifacts' later. Excadrill said he was going with them wherever they went, so I'll ask him about their location through the ELE." She stole another glance at the smoldering Elysium City. "We're gonna fix this… All of it, I promise."

Scizor finally smiled, which made her heart soar. "I could always count on you to set me straight when Jackson or Charizard couldn't."

"Well now you're stuck with me, so get used to it. We've got a lot of work to do."

Garchomp stepped out of the trench and adjusted the straps of her saddlebag. She looked down at the horned badge pinned to its large flap, smiling warmly at it. Despite all the grime and filth covering her, it remained untouched and shiny - like new.

'We'll go where no one goes to get it done, too. And if Jackson wants to give us a fight, Team Drarosteel is gonna fight like hell.'

Could you go an entire life hating another for not being strong enough? The answer may not be so simple.

Want to discuss anything related to The Phantasmagoria with the author himself? If so, send a friend request to my Discord linked below!

Discord: z2h2z

Next Time: The Phantasmagoria Part Three