Aurora, Melody, and I sat in the rest area and waited for the final trial. Most participants had given up. The only four that remained was my team, Vain's team, Veronica's team, and Team Rockie.
"I'm surprised you three made it as far as you did." Vain said toward me.
I looked at Vain and frowned. "We made it this far because we gave it our all. We had actual strategy instead of brute force."
"Your last match wasn't even supposed to be a win from what I heard. You technically lost that battle. She took pity on you." Vain said.
I looked at Vain and glared. "Even still, we made it this far. Flora showed us respect and not pity. The three of us will become stronger together as we are a team now. We aren't letting anyone defeat us."
"With unevolved pokemon, I can't see you all making it very far. Everyone in Ragnu has evolved pokemon. I can't fathom the fact of you all beating an actual evolved pokemon like my Empoleon." Vain said.
Aurora stood up and glared at Vain. "Leave us alone Vain! Haven't you done enough already? You already killed Axel's Samurott! We aren't letting it slide...Axel isn't. I know he isn't!"
Vain looked at Aurora and smirked. "You speak very highly of him all the time. I will admit he's strong, but he isn't stronger than me. Even his win against Azalea wasn't at her best. He doesn't prove anything by winning these easy battles. I'll truly recognize him when he defeats me."
I watched Vain walk away and felt Melody wrap her pinky around mine. I looked at Melody.
Melody continued to brush Botafox. "He isn't going to get away with anything. Even if you don't battle against him, if we beat his team...it's a win for us."
I looked at Melody and smiled at bit then nodded.
[Attention all participants! Your final challenge is set! Here are your opponents: Team Veronica vs Team Rockie, Team Moon vs Team Vain!]
[The Trial is another battle but only one member is permitted!]
Aurora looked surprised and looked at me. "This is your chance..!"
"It isn't. I can tell he doesn't want to battle against me right now." I said and noticed Melody stand up.
"Then I will take initiative this time." Melody said.
Vain looked at Melody then looked at Dandelion. "Go."
"Wh-What..?! V-Vain I can't—"
"It wasn't a request. It was a command. You are battling against her. Now go." Vain said. "I will not repeat myself."
"Hey man, lay off her." Kusagi said then looked at Dandelion.
Dandelion looked at Melody and her hands trembled. "I can't battle against her again. We both are Dark Princesses, but she's so much stronger than me..."
"Then I'll take your place." Kusagi said.
"No. You will battle against her." Vain said then snapped his fingers and his Empoleon picked Dandelion up.
Dandelion squeaked and squealed when she was tossed forward. Dandelion grunted and looked back at Vain and Empoleon. She got up slowly and just accepted her fate.
"If you are all ready, head toward your designated Battle Area!" The hostess said.
I looked at Dandelion then looked back at Vain. I hated how he would always treat anyone allied with him as if they were lesser than he was. I sensed no team synergy from the three. The only ones who had a bit of synergy was Dandelion and Kusagi.
"He's gonna pay.." Aurora said.
"He will, and I will deliver the darkness..." Melody chuckled and walked toward the Battle Area.
~~~~~
Dandelion and Melody faced off against the opposite side of a water battle arena and the tension was high.
"The rules are simple, Trainers! Your only job is to knock the other trainer's pokemon off the arena into the water and you win!" The hostess announced.
"Dazzle. I'll give you a little break. I want to destroy her." Melody said and raised her dress and pressed a button on her thigh belt and a Pokeball was ejected into her hand.
The Pokeball had dark aura flowing around it and Melody had a wicked smirk and tossed the Pokeball up then a Pokemon emerged from the Pokeball.
The pokemon was...very anticlimactic. It was a feline pokemon with baby blue body, black fur. The pokemon wore a hat and a cloak made from the fur and had a symbol on the stomach.
"Hexpurr." Melody called out to the Pokemon.
Hexpurr looked at Melody and smiled happily then floated toward her and twirled around Melody. She landed on Melody's shoulder and made happy chatters.
[New Pokemon!]
Name: Hexpurr
Regional Number: #395
Type: Ghost/Dark
Ragnu Type: Ghost/Fairy
Gender: Only Female
Abilities: Shadow Surge/Ghost Aura
Ability: Shadow Surge
Description: Hexpurr Signature Ability, this ability allows the pokemon to set up a dark mist around the field and this field boosts Dark and Ghost Type moves and weakens Fighting and Fairy Types. This attack prevents Weather Changes, stats from being decreased, and prevents priority attacks like Quick Attack.
Ability: Ghost Aura
Description: Hexpurr Signature Ability, this ability boosts Ghost Type attacks for the user and any ally nearby. This ability also boosts Hexpurr's signature moves.
"I know you remember this Pokemon well, sister. After we ran away from home, you vowed we would be together forever, but you betrayed me...you betrayed our trust...now I must destroy you in battle truly." Melody said and smirked.
Dandelion looked at Melody and watched her Mimikyu hurry forward. "Pikaboo..."
"In the case you have forgotten, Hexpurr...She is the Shadow Mythical Pokemon of Ragnu. When I stole her from mother, I knew our bond was meant to be. Now you will experience true sorrow!" Melody bellowed and Hexpurr flew toward Mimikyu.
Mimikyu dashed toward Hexpurr and slashed at her with Shadow Claw, but Hexpurr dodged it and kicked Mimikyu away. Mimikyu stopped herself and rushed toward Hexpurr and the two clashed once again with Shadow Claw. The two pushed each other back.
Hexpurr began to fired orbs of dark purple energy at Mimikyu while flying backwards. Mimikyu deflected each one by surrounding her tail with shadow energy and hit them away then hissed when she was blown away by one of the orbs. Hexpurr flew toward Mimikyu and grabbed her then flew higher in the air. She came down while spiralling and crashed into the ground.
Dandelion grunted as dark energy came from her chest and she stepped backwards. She grunted and hugged herself, panting.
"Don't you feel it, Dandelion..? This is a battle between Darkcrest Royals. Your Pokemon's pain is your pain. Our aces are synced with us. This isn't a battle between just our Pokemon, but a battle between trainers as well! We now face off again...I won't have you running away anymore.." Melody said and her dark aura circled around her body.
Dandelion panted and fell to her knees. She teared up and held herself. "Mel..."
~~~~~
I watched the battle and noticed how Dandelion sunk to her knees. I could tell this was too much for Dandelion. She feared Melody.
"She can't even handle a simple task like a battle. She's weak.." Vain said then closed his eyes. "Another free win for Team Moon."
Aurora watched the battle as well and grunted. She noticed how Melody wasn't attacking at all. She noticed how Melody gave Dandelion time to regather herself.
"Melody is showing mercy. She isn't attacking." Kusagi said.
"It's because she has respect for the other trainer. She doesn't attack when another is down despite her attitude toward her opponents. Despite everything, that is still her sister." I said.
Vain looked at me and scoffed. "Bond between trainers. Those are only for the weak. I would rather get this over and not waste ten minutes watching someone cry."
"You don't understand...you never will..." I said.
~~~~~
Melody crossed her arms and watched Dandelion. She noticed Dandelion getting up.
Dandelion wiped her tears and sniffled. "When I left...I didn't want to leave you. I wanted to spend every moment with you but I couldn't."
Melody stayed silent and continued to watch her.
"We ran away for the sole reason to escape our lifestyle...I've ran away from everything while you kept growing stronger and stronger. I'm not running away anymore...I want to show you that I've become stronger too!" Dandelion said then took off her hat and placed it on the floor. Her dark royal blue energy circled her body as well.
Mimikyu stood strong and dark royal blue energy surrounded her body. Hexpurr gave a sinister giggle like cry and floated around, looking at Mimikyu.
"Then bring it on, Dande! Violet! Strike now!" Melody bellowed.
"Pikaboo, take Hexpurr down!" Dandelion cried out.
Hexpurr flew toward Mimikyu and went for a kick with dark crimson energy around her foot. Mimikyu swiftly dodged it and used her tail to snack down Hexpurr. Hexpurr cried out as she slammed down onto the ground.
Hexpurr dodged Mimikyu's next attack then fired two bolts of dark crimson energy at Mimikyu. Mimikyu used Psychic to stop the bolts of energy and fired them back at Hexpurr. Hexpurr dodged the bolts of energy then created a shadow of herself. Mimikyu did as well and the two shadows vanished. Both Mimikyu and Hexpurr blocked each other's attacks then rushed toward each other.
Melody and Dandelion grunted as the battle raged on, feeling their Pokemon's pain everytime one of them got hit. Melody had a sadistic smirk on her face while Dandelion had a bashful, yet determined look.
Hexpurr dodged the next attack then struck Mimikyu's head. Mimikyu took no damage and used the momentum to slam the top of her disguise against Hexpurr, knocking her away. Hexpurr cried out as she flipped backwards then recovered.
"Hexpurr! Play Rough!" Melody commanded.
"Use Play Rough as well!" Dandelion commanded.
The two pokemon rushed toward each other and thick white smoke with stars surrounded them as they struck each other within the smoke.
Dandelion groaned and hugged herself even more, panting heavier. Melody also groaned and held herself.
The two Pokemon knocked each other away once again and panted.
Dandelion began sweating and her bangs covered her eyes. Her legs trembled then she began panting even harder as her heart began beating harder.
Melody panted and began sweating. She stared at Dandelion and gave a wide grin. "It hurts...it does when you're in total sync with your Pokemon, but that's the reward for mastering your bond with Pokemon! Hexpurr! Finish this!"
Hexpurr cried out loudly and flew toward Mimikyu and knocked her upwards with her tail.
Dandelion groaned and bellowed then her dark royal blue energy surged around her body. Her eyes shined a deep blue and high winds blew.
"Yes...yes! This is the energy I wanted to feel from you! This is it!" Melody laughed.
"Mimikyu!" Dandelion yelled.
Mimikyu's eyes shined then she blocked Hexpurr's next attack and pushed her back.
"Hexpurr!" Melody bellowed and her dark crimson energy surrounded her body.
Hexpurr cried out as her dark energy surrounded her body.
Both women performed their Ragnu Poses and Rangu Energy entered into both Mimikyu and Hexpurr. Mimikyu's body began to grow surrounded with powerful dark orange and blue energy.
Hexpurr began to transform. Her fur turned into light pink ghostly energy. Her eyes shined red and claws of shadow energy surrounded her paws.
Hexpurr flew over to Mimikyu and clashed with Mimikyu. Mimikyu knocked Hexpurr down and propelled herself toward Hexpurr with her tail surrounded by dark grassy energy. She slammed her tail onto Hexpurr, launching her to the ground.
Mimikyu fired a powerful Shadow Ball at Hexpurr, but Hexpurr knocked it away. The two rushed toward each other for one last clash before knocking each other away.
"Pikaboo! Ragnu Move!" Dandelion bellowed.
"Let's finish this with our Signature Move!" Melody bellowed.
"Nightmare Crash!" Dandelion bellowed.
"Ghoulish Crux!" Melody bellowed.
Hexpurr and Mimikyu cried out and charged at each other one last time. Hexpurr surrounded herself with powerful ghostly energy while Mimikyu surrounded herself with black and purple energy. The two collided then let out a battle cry. A massive explosion happened. Both pokemon were flying backwards from one another and fell off the arena into the water.
Melody fell to her knees and panted heavily, holding her hand to her chest. Dandelion fell to her knees as well and placed her hands on the ground.
[Double Knockout! Draw! No teams proceed to Master Atlantis!]
Melody recalled Hexpurr to her pokeball and smiled a bit. "You fought well...it's a shame it had to end in a draw..."
Dandelion recalled Mimikyu to her Pokeball and looked at Melody. "Mel...that was an amazing battle. I feel...more confident, but..."
Melody stood up and smiled at Dandelion. "You've grown stronger, Dandelion. Next time we battle, I will be even stronger...stronger than ever.."
Dandelion watched Melody walk off and smiled. She looked at her Mimikyu's Pokeball and gave a sad look. "I can't tell her...I can't tell her.."
~~~~~
"Well that just about settles it. No Ocean Pass for us this go around." I said then stood up.
Melody walked back toward us. "Even with my true ace, it wasn't enough to defeat her Mimikyu. Taken I haven't battled with her much, she held her own nicely. Let's just go, I'm tired.."
Vain looked at us and watched Dandelion walk back toward him and Kusagi. "You failed."
"Come on, dude! She did her best out there! She held her own against a Mythical Pokemon! Not many can do that!" Kusagi said.
"She lost to a weak Mythical Pokemon. There are no excuses." Vain said and walked off.
Dandelion watched Vain walk off and looked discouraged. She pulled her hat over her face and looked sad.
"I think you did great." Aurora smiled and walked toward Dandelion.
Dandelion looked at Aurora and looked surprised. "Y-You do?"
"Yeah. By the name, my name is Aurora." Aurora smiled and held her hand out to Dandelion in a friendly matter.
Dandelion timidly took Aurora's hand. "I-I'm Dandelion."
"Have you met our leader? He's amazing and he's even the champion of a region!" Aurora said and looked at me with a happy smile.
Dandelion looked at me then grew shy and shuddered. "I've seen him around...he's very strong..."
Aurora smiled and nodded. "From what I've seen from you and your teammate, you can grow even stronger and hey maybe one day we will battle."
Kusagi grunted softly and closed his eyes. He turned away with a blush on his face. "Yeah, we can. I'm on the journey to be a Fire Type Master. Me and Pignite will take this region by storm."
Aurora smiled at Kusagi and giggled softly. "I wish you luck on that."
"Come on, Dandelion. We don't want to keep him waiting too long." Kusagi said and walked off with Pignite.
Dandelion bowed at us and hurried after Kusagi.
"Well we can go now." Aurora nodded.
~~~~~
Azalea waited for us at her car and noticed us then smiled. "Well, you win some and you lose some. I have to say, I am proud. Fighting against a Ragnu Master and making it to the Final Trial on the first try."
"Yeah but we still lost, but we still have room to grow." I said.
"Well luckily for you, I have these as a reward for your valiant attempts." Azalea said and flashed three Ocean Passes.
"Wh-What?! Ocean Passes?!" Aurora said in awe.
Flora walked toward us and smiled. "I had to convince Atlantis to give me these for the participants who participated with heart. You're the first trainers to give me and my sisters a hard time in a while so I got you three the Master Ocean Passes. With that pass you can travel to any Ragnu Island in the Region without restrictions. I hope to see you three at Chloroview one day."
I looked at Flora in awe then smiled at her and nodded. "Thank you."
Flora smiled at me and held her arms. She looked at Aurora and Melody then nodded. "You're welcome. I know I said don't lose to anyone, but starting now you three better work twice as hard. I expect good things from you."
I watched Flora walk off with her Miragroot then looked at Azalea. "Well? Onto Flowdai Town?"
"Yeah, but first. We have two people joining the journey." Azalea said.
"Who?" Aurora asked.
"Bianca and Cheren. Apparently two of their friends are at Flowdai Town. Two trainers named Hilbert and Hilda, they are Legendary Trainers known across the world for their battle prowess." Azalea answered.
"Legendary Trainers...I haven't heard of any Legendary Trainers outside of the usual like Red, Blue, Green, Yellow...people like them." Melody said.
"Well you will meet your first set of Legendary Trainers outside of Bianca and Cheren. This will also be a learning experience to master your Battle Aura and Bond Potential with your Pokemon to reach new limits! Get ready, because your Journey is only just starting." Azalea smiled.