Locked Aura

by TundraStanza

Rating: teen
Tags: Changelings, Original Character, Adventure, Thorax, Pokémon, Random, Violence, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Human
Length: 27293

A costume convention sounds like fun. Well, it does until someone gets permanently trapped in one, is forcibly pulled into Equestria, and finds out that the power of their new body doesn't work quite right. Hopefully, the reformed changelings help.

Can't a guy just dress up as a named Pokemon Trainer and go through a convention on his own uninterrupted business? Pfft! Of course not. Something weird always happens at a con. For example, there's a guy who accidentally bumps into another cosplayer and wakes up in another world while in the form of the very Pokemon that is his portrayed character's partner.
...
Something about that last part doesn't sound quite right.
---
This fic may be borrowing from ideas that were implanted by exploring the internet a lot. Any relation to actual persons that happen to share certain names and personalities are completely coincidental and unintentional. There will most likely be violence. Some spoilers from Season 7 are imminent. All properties belong to their respective owners.
(Cover art by wormadam19.)

Published 2018-12-27 02:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-10-25 16:32:04 UTC

Ch. 2: The Body is a Temple

It had been quite a while since he had been lost to the dark haze. Who had turned on the sun and outside sounds? He wasn't ready for them yet. His grumbled voice sounded like it was caught in a drinking glass. He relented and slowly opened his eyes. He reached up to scratch his ear, but he was confused when he felt nothing but the side of his face there. He reached up a little farther and he eventually found it.

Wha...?

His eyes slowly moved to look to the right. That's when he saw a large clump of black fuzz, with a little blue fur on the rest of his arm. He grunted in uncertainty, moving his arm around to confirm. There was a white, cone-shaped point on the back of his... paw. Out of curiosity, he reached in front of him with his other arm. It shared exact colors and mirrored digits with his right arm. That's when he also noticed a blue and black muzzle leading out to his nose.

This can't be right. He set his paws down on his chest, finding another small spike in the dead-center of it. I'm fairly certain I was a human before I fell asleep... or, was that part of the dream too? He exhaled. I don't know anymore.

He leaned his body forward until he was sitting upright. Something in his lower back felt like it was reaching off to the side somehow. He looked around and found a medium-sized tail that bent at a right angle over the side of the make-shift bed that he was sitting on. His legs and feet were completely black as far as he could see.

"Ru car-rar ru ri?" He blinked a couple times when he realized what had come out of his mouth. "Ri? Cu-ri. Rr..."

He sighed. Figures I wouldn't be able to talk. If I am what I think I am, then the only other beings that would understand my verbal communication would have to be... other Pokemon.

"Oh, you're up!" exclaimed some guy's voice. "Good... not that I was worried or anything."

The anthro jackal turned to face the source of that voice. What he saw was some kind of cross between a beetle, a dragonfly, and an indigo pony. He wasn't sure, but he thought the creature was staring at him in suspicion.

"Now, how about you start by telling me what you are and the reason you're here?"

It sounds like he's speaking a universal human language. He looked down, trying to figure out a way to communicate with a lack of a mouth. Wait, the boy in the red hat called it... He turned his head and made eye contact with the standing guy. I'm a Lucario, and I am unsure why I am here.

The beetle-esque pony leaned back for a second, before immediately squinting. "How are you doing a telepathy spell without any magical extremities?"

Wait, that worked? When he didn't get a response, the Lucario focused on looking directly at the eyes. I am unfamiliar with the spell you speak. As far as I know, this is a natural ability for me.

"And how do I know you're not just an enemy trying to trick me?" The interrogator kept glaring at him.

What would I have to gain from tricking someone that has not first wronged me?

The purple-eyes' mouth grunted. "You sound disgustingly lame."

The Lucario held a paw out to either side, with the spikes on the back of his wrists pointed down. I apologize if I fail to meet your unspecified expectations.

"Hmph, whatever." The quadruped turned around and trotted toward a cloth covering an opening between two walls. He paused and turned his head. "By the way, name's Pharynx. Remember that the next time you address me!"

Pleased to make your acquaintance, Pharynx. He nodded his head. You may call me... Xavier.

"Nobody asked you, idiot." With that, Pharynx left through the opening.

Pharynx... what a nice guy. Xavier smirked. Well, nice compared to that one guy that attacked me with my own staff. His smile shrank and he blinked twice. Huh. I remember that, but not everything else? What is this, Shadow the Hedgehog syndrome?

He shook his head, then gazed around at his surroundings. He was sitting on a moss-covered rock bed on one side of an open-ceiling room. The walls were composed of some bluish-rock. A few plants decorated the walls such as white vines and lavender flowers. The air felt pleasant.

Xavier scooted around so that his feet hung over the bed. He tried to hop up and stand on the floor. He nearly fell backwards and quickly rolled his shoulders while holding out both arms to the side. It was when he rolled his footing to stay mainly on his toes that he felt a little more stable. He exhaled in relief, then gave a quick glance over all of his body that he could immediately see.

Well, I look like a Lucario. He cleared his throat. "Ru rio ru-cu rio." He held a paw in front of his muzzle. I wonder if that extends to a Lucario's abilities.

He extended out one paw in front of himself and closed his eyes. He stood there and waited, focusing on nothing but his breathing. In... two... three... four... hold... two... three... four... out... two... three... A flicker appeared in the corner of his vision. It seemed to grow in size to a wispy purple flame. The shape of the flame kind of resembled Pharynx and it looked like it was walking somewhere.

Hmm... if this is how I sense aura, it's a little different than what the movie indicated. Why can I only detect this one?

"Quick! Grab the water!"

Huh?

Xavier barely had time to think before he was suddenly drenched and soaked from ear to toe. His eyes went wide as his mouth sputtered. He blinked and looked around. A couple beetle-ponies were in the room now, one blue and one purple. The purple one was holding a bucket above their head. A small drop of water dripped out. Xavier could easily guess where the rest had gone.

He rapidly shook his whole body. Was that really necessary?

"Sorry, uh... Mr. Lucario." The blue beetle-pony stepped forward. "But, um... you looked like you were on fire again."

"And we couldn't risk the whole infirmary getting set ablaze." The purple one set the bucket down, open-side up.

Oh... eh heh. Xavier smiled a little. That wasn't a fire. That was just my aura sense.

The two beetle-ponies looked at each other, then back at the Lucario. "Your what?"

For the next several minutes, explanations were given as best as both parties could manage. Xavier tried to explain how Lucario can sense the aura of living people. He even tried it out in front of them, commenting that their auras looked yellow and yellowish-green respectively. In the other direction, the two explained that their species was called 'changelings', how they used to feed on love, and how recent events altered them so that they could survive without stealing from ponies' emotions.

Sounds like you lived up to your name to an extreme, changing your very nature like that.

"It was all thanks to the combined efforts of Starlight Glimmer and our new ruler Thorax," said the blue changeling.

"And... Trixie and Discord, I guess." The purple changeling waved her hoof as an afterthought.

I don't know those last two names, thought Xavier to himself, but for some reason, I'm reminded of Hercule and Buu. He shook his head. So where does Pharynx fit into all of this?

"Oh, yeah!" The purple one suddenly looked more enthusiastic. "Pharynx is Thorax's older brother, and head of battle tactics."

"At first, we weren't sure he had a place in our more peaceful hive." The blue one scratched the back of his head. "But as it turns out, we still have at least one or two enemies that come around every now and again. So, we still need someone around to remind us how to defend ourselves."

"And since Pharynx never lost his more aggressive tendencies, he was the perfect fit!" The purple one danced by standing on her hind legs and alternating between her left and right hooves.

Xavier crossed his paws and nodded. Makes sense to me.

A low grumbling echoed within the room. The Lucario held a paw against his stomach and looked away sheepishly.

I guess it's been a while since I last ate.

"We could probably fix that," commented 'Blue'.

"There are still some leftovers from our weekly potluck." 'Purple' wiggled her hoof in a directive motion. "Come on. We'll take you to the mess hall."

Very well. Xavier nodded before following them on foot.

The changelings in the room stared at the table where the new creature was sitting. 'Blue' and 'Purple' were so busy watching in awe that they barely nibbled on their portions of honeysuckle. When Xavier had commented about being hungry, they hadn't realized just how much he seemed to need. In a time that couldn't have been more than five minutes, the Lucario had already scarfed down four full plates of maki zushi and a small bowl of cherries.

Only then, did he stop and take a moment to breathe. That was good.

'Purple' blinked and her jaw fell open. "My word, and he still looks so thin."

"W...Where does it all go?" 'Blue' slowly shook his head.

I'm... not sure, admitted Xavier. Could be the waking up from a deep sleep that's affecting my appetite.

"Hey, new guy!"

The other changelings gasped and turned their attention to the mess hall entrance. A familiar face briskly flew over to stand in front of the Lucario's current table.

"My brother said he wanted to see you as soon as you were up and about." Pharynx turned away, facing the entrance. "I wouldn't keep him waiting if I were you."

In that case, would you be willing to show me where he is, Pharynx? Xavier stood up.

"Hmph. Just make sure to keep up." Pharynx trotted toward the entrance.

Xavier stood up from his spot and started reaching out toward his plates.

"Oh, don't worry about that." Blue picked up and stacked three of the plates on his hoof.

"We've got this," said Purple as she gathered the rest. "You go on and see Thorax."

Very well. Xavier nodded and stepped around the table. Thank you.

"Took you long enough." Pharynx shook his head. "If you're going to stay with us, dog, then you'd better learn your place."

I am sure my ignorance will gradually wane with time. Xavier kept walking evenly.

"Obviously." The changeling's wings flicked open before retreating into his back. "After you're done with your little chat, we're going to find out just what makes you tick."

"Ru?" The Lucario's tail moved once to the left before settling back to the right. I will look forward to that.

Pharynx shook his head with a deadpanned look. "You're chitin weird."

When Xavier arrived in the throne room, it looked gorgeous. The wide open blue sky highlighted the moss, small trees, flowers, and vine arrangements very nicely. Even the throne looked like it had naturally grown out of the foliage. The changeling sitting on the throne seat hopped off and trotted a few paces forward.

"Hi. Welcome to our hive." He said with a small smile. "I'm Thorax."

Your highness. Xavier held a paw across, just under his chest spike, and bowed his head.

"Oh, eh heh." Thorax waved his hoof dismissively. "You don't have to be so formal. We're all friends here."

Xavier straightened out to resume eye-level, when he saw Thorax's horns and stature. I was told that Pharynx is your older brother, yet you seem... taller. Is that normal for changelings?

"Well, it's the first time I know of that the younger brother became a ruler while the older one got a different, yet just as important a role." Thorax chuckled. "It's a long story. I'm sure it'll get retold a few times while you're here. Would you mind if we first talked about you?"

That's perfectly fine. Xavier nodded. Although, I'm afraid I'm missing a few of the details as well. I'm even using a placeholder name "Xavier" until I can fill the holes in my memory.

"You have amnesia?" Thorax tilted his head. "Sorry to hear that. I hope you can get your memory back soon. We've got a few changelings that know medical practices if you want them to try and help."

You're too kind, Thorax. The Lucario smiled. I appreciate that. In any case, I'll try to answer any questions you have to the best of my capabilities.

"Alright, just don't push yourself too hard if you can't think of an answer." Thorax slowly started pacing. "Now then..."

"So... you don't remember falling from the sky in a blue blaze?"

Is that how I arrived? Xavier blinked. I'm sorry if I scared anyone.

"Ah, don't worry about it." Thorax stopped pacing and lifted a hoof. "If what you're saying happened before your little white-out is true, then it would make sense that the following details would be a little fuzzy."

Mm. Xavier nodded.

"Oh, one last thing before I hoof you back to Pharynx..."

What would that be? Xavier looked expectantly.

"Do you have any place to stay right now?"

Well, the only living quarters I remember are all the way back on the world I came from. He crossed his paws. But I have no idea where that is or how to get there.

"Ah, right... sorry..." Thorax scratched the back of his neck. "Um, we just finished setting up some guest chambers recently. If you want, you could borrow those for as long as you need."

Hmm, I think I will take you up on that offer. Xavier lowered his paws to either side. Thank you, Thorax.

"Aw, you're welcome." Thorax gladly nodded. "Okay, I'm going to let you go now. I can see my brother's stink-eye from here." He backed up a couple steps. "Try not to take what he says too personally. He's still new to the idea of being nice to everyling."

I'll keep that in mind. Xavier turned around and walked toward the entrance he had arrived in.

Pharynx led Xavier into a space that was a bit more enclosed and cavernous. The walls had some green bull's-eye targets painted on them. A few large sacks were set up to hang from the ceiling. Some changelings were already practicing some physical contact attacks when Pharynx and the guest popped in. When Xavier stood in the center of the room, Pharynx slammed both of his front hooves down, catching the attention of every drone present.

"Alright, maggots! It's that time again!"

A few whispered and murmured their discomfort. Xavier wasn't sure, but it seemed like their displeasure was about something that they were dreading to happen rather than surprised about.

"Today's random target for free-for-all combat is... the new dog!"

Xavier opened one eye slightly more than the other. I'm sorry, what?

Suddenly, all of the changelings' eyes were looking directly at him. Pharynx flew to the side. Meanwhile, Xavier's ears were up and alert as he scanned the room. The multi-colored drones took flight and charged all over him. He swung his paws around himself, mostly trying to push them back. Even when he did manage to punch or kick one of them, it didn't feel like much power was going into his moves.

Pharynx, what are you doing? Xavier shoved away some of the incoming drones. Call them off! I am not your enemy!

"What's the matter, Lucario?" Pharynx asked as he prepared to dive himself. "Can't handle a few love taps?"

Dang it, I need a new plan of action. Time seemed to stop as he held his paws close and in front of himself.

...

~Watching the flowers bloom out in the spring... These are a few of my favorite things...~

Xavier felt little resistance as his arms straightened out. He watched as some energy was released as an orb. Upon contact with the currently largest changeling in the room, the energy spread out and covered the target in a glowing light. It faded almost as quickly as it showed up.

Pharynx halted his dive and hovered. His wings buzzed quietly while his eyes were wide and his mouth small, not showing his teeth at all. "D...Did you just give me love?"

Xavier learned Heal Pulse!

Author's Note

Wait, that's not an Aura Sphere.

Ch. 3: Mixed Feelings

A gong rang deeply for a few seconds. A changeling wearing a headband, a small pair of sunglasses, and a purple casual outfit stood in front of the closed space. Several other changelings with no such garments sat around the room. Most remained quiet, while one stood up in the middle talking about... something.

It was difficult for Xavier to keep his ears and mind focused on the speaker's expression. Even as he sat Indian-style on one side of the room, his eyes kept glancing toward and away from the changeling that was about his height sitting next to him. To be fair, Pharynx was essentially doing the same thing with his own eyes. Neither creature looked particularly comfortable, but both held their silence.

"Why can't I change the sky to orange whenever I want?" wondered the standing changeling. "It feels so hard to remember what that color is like without a visual representation. You know?"

"There you go." Zen-Rei smiled and slowly nodded. "Let it all out."

The other changeling went back to find a seat in the circle.

"Does anyone else have something they wish to say?" Zen-Rei kept a patient look in her eyes.

Pharynx slowly stood up and cleared his throat. "Just so you know, I'm still not thrilled about this forum thing. I just need to say this little thing so I can get it over with."

Did the temperature just drop or rise exponentially? Xavier shivered and tapped his collar area with a paw.

"I... am asexual."

Save for one changeling spitting out a mouthful of soup on the wall, a dead silence captured the atmosphere. Everyone in the Feelings Forum stared unblinkingly at the commander standing in the center of the room. Even Zen-Rei opened her mouth a little in shock, and she adjusted her glasses.

Xavier took a guess at what the rest were thinking. Wait... what?

"I know." Pharynx sighed. "I used to be somebody that ate love at least twice a day. But I've come to realize that I don't like interacting with others. So much so, that I don't find any gender particularly more attractive than another. So anyone that wants to advance on me, I won't reciprocate that infatuation." He took a deep breath and exhaled. "Well, I feel better already. I don't know if I like this new openness yet, but whatever." He trotted lively out of the forum. "Bye."

The next few seconds of stunned silence felt like they went on forever. Some of the changelings looked around at each other. Yet, none of them seemed to have an explanation as to the events that transpired mere moments ago. It was about that time that Xavier remembered how to blink and breathe.

"He didn't outright insult us." Blue smirked as he looked over to Purple. "You owe me a bit."

"Tsuaf darn it." Purple grumbled before she reluctantly hoofed over the agreed money.

A couple licks were followed by another changeling saying, "My soup's too cold!"

"Give it a rest, Tronco," a different changeling commented.

Zen-Rei gently clapped her hooves. "I believe that is a good place to stop for today. Same time tomorrow."

She rang the gong behind her with a light tap. The rest of the changelings gathered and left through the opening. Xavier got up and stood there, slowly looking down at his paws. What in the world did he do back in the training center? They called it 'giving love', but... was that not a Heal Pulse attack?

"Hey, Xavier!" Blue peeked back inside. "You coming with?"

The Lucario shook his head out of his cycle of thoughts. Yes. He turned on his toe and walked out.

"And this has never happened to you before?" wondered Thorax. The ruler was constantly shifting his limbs around, not looking quite comfortable in his throne seat.

Xavier crossed his paws. It was just as much a surprise to me as to everyone else present.

"Huh." Thorax gave up and hopped off the throne. "I've never heard of anything other than changelings that could willingly give love to some pony else like that. Even the Princess of Love herself can only coax out pre-existing love."

You have a princess of an abstract concept? Xavier lifted the fur where his brow would have been.

"Well, Princess Cadance is a friend of ours." Thorax smiled. "I actually lived with her and her family for a while before a series of events pulled me back to the hive."

Oh. Xavier blinked. Clearly, I have much to learn.

"Anyway, you said you've seen this kind of thing done by others. What did you mean by that?"

Xavier flipped his paws over and held them just in front of himself. Well, I've only seen them in... uh... moving pictures. But certain creatures used this technique and called it a 'Heal Pulse'. With it, they could restore energy to a tired or injured ally.

He thought of the song lyric and held the pink sphere in suspended animation between his paws. Thorax's eyes widened upon seeing the pulse. He trotted closer and craned his neck to get a better view.

"I'm starting to feel more energy while just looking at it." Thorax's drooping ears slowly lifted back straight over his head.

But, I think it might have had a different effect on Pharynx. Xavier pressed his paws together, causing the pulse to vanish. He sort of... came out of the closet during the Feelings Forum.

"But that forum doesn't have a closet." Thorax tilted his head, before he immediately straightened out again. "Wait! My brother was in the Feelings Forum?"

Um... yeah. Is that unusual? Xavier leaned back.

"I mean... kind of..." Thorax scratched his neck with a hoof. "A lot has happened in the past couple of days."

Xavier lightly tapped his lower ear. Oh, right. Blue and Purple said something about a... Maulwurf?

"That was one thing that happened, yes." Thorax nodded.

And then I fell onto your front yard. Xavier chuckled nervously. Sorry about that.

"Oh, don't worry about it." Thorax waved his hoof dismissively. "That wasn't even your fault."

Xavier idly scratched the spikes on his wrists. So... about Pharynx's feelings...

Thorax shook his head. "No, don't tell me. If Pharynx wants me to know something, he'll be the first to tell me so."

Alright, if you're sure. Xavier lowered his paws to either side.

Thorax nodded firmly. "Yeah. Well, how about I show you to the living quarters where you'll be spending the night? I'll ask Blue and Purple to stay nearby in case you need anything."

Thank you for all of this, Thorax. Xavier smiled a little before following.

After they left, a rock formation on the opposite wall erupted in a flash of purple fire. Pharynx stood in the object's place. His red, beetle-wings shuddered while he looked down and away.

"It's not like I could or couldn't like you back," he muttered, "... idiot."

One week passed. During that time, Xavier spent each day under Pharynx's training along with a group of changelings. It was mostly fighting and tackling as a group. But there was always a set amount of time for Pharynx to order the pack to fight individually against the Lucario. Xavier didn't feel like he was learning any new attacks, but at least his reaction time was steadily improving. If any drone was suffering severe aches, he offered them a dose of his Heal Pulse.

"Xavier!" Pharynx shouted over near the training room's opening. "A word."

What is it? Xavier walked over.

"Just shut up and follow me." Pharynx turned and trotted out.

Whatever you say, Commander. Xavier smirked and closed his eyes, following the light magenta aura shown to him by his sixth sense. So, where are we going today?

Pharynx grunted, but kept looking forward. "Your presence is doing something to me, and there's unfortunately only one changeling in this entire hive that could possibly figure out what that is."

Your brother?

A couple patches at the "face" of the aura slid upward. "Woooow... you're reeeeally smart."

Xavier opened his actual eyes. I've made a mental note of your sarcasm, Pharynx.

"Remember when I told you to shut up?" Pharynx glanced back. "Consider that a standing order."

Sir. The Lucario lifted his right upper paw in a salute before returning it back down to his side as he walked.

"... and that's why I've come to talk to you." Pharynx tapped his hoof against the ground.

"Well on the bright side, I'm glad to see you've made a friend." Thorax smiled.

"Wha...? Have you not heard a word I said?" Pharynx squinted his eyes.

Thorax nodded. "I did. That's why I'm not asking or telling you to repeat any of it."

"Grr... you tell him, dog." Pharynx waved his hoof around. "This isn't... It's just not normal."

Why are you getting so fussy? Xavier scratched behind his ear. Having a friend isn't the worst thing to happen in the world.

Eventually, Pharynx simply spat to the side. "Fine. Whatever. We can call each other a friend. Just... don't make us regret taking you in. Betrayals are all too easy to make against someone you care about."

Xavier chuckled. You're a good guy, Pharynx.

Thorax's eyes twinkled. "That's what I've been telling everyone else."

"Yeah, yeah, great." Pharynx turned around. "Let's get back to training."

After a few more hours of paw-to-hoof combat, Pharynx switched the group focus on magic attacks. Several of the beams from the changelings' horns followed squiggly paths without even reaching the test dummy targets. Xavier took a moment to try and clear his mind as he held his paws together off to his side. He visualized what he thought his aura should do... turned forward... and his eyes glowed blue.

"Ruuu!"

An energy erupted from his paws in several waves ahead and beside him. The waves resembled a miniature Aurora Borealis, curled lights of multiple colors that somehow spread out while simultaneously closing together. In that instant, the waves made contact with the test dummies and sent them sky high. Xavier gasped and the glow faded in his eyes, returning the irises to their normal red.

"Since when do your giant lumps act like a horn?" Pharynx opened one eye more than the other, perplexed.

I'm not sure. Xavier held his paws up for himself to examine. That didn't look like your standard levitation magic.

"I'll say," chimed in Purple. "That was on par with something the Princess of Friendship could do."

Over the course of several days, the hive had made mention of the various pony rulers in passing. As a result, Xavier had learned a few stray details about them. They were said to be able to move the celestial bodies in the sky, bring certain emotions to the surface, weaponize friendship against evil, and break certain objects just by screaming. He felt like he should've been more surprised at these feats. However, these weren't too different from the abilities he knew certain Pokemon to have. Perhaps that was why he had so readily accepted the statements as facts.

Hmm... judging by what I can recall about the anime and manga... Xavier crossed his paws while he thought in private. That was a Psychic attack. At least now, I can fight at a mid-range distance. But it's kind of odd that I haven't picked up any Fighting-type moves. He made a deliberate palm strike with his right paw. Lucario is a martial artist Pokemon by nature. Sure, I can perform basic punches and kicks, but I wouldn't call them actual moves.

"So you've got a little more firepower than a standard diamond dog." Pharynx swiveled his hoof over his head. "Whoop-dee-chitin-doo. You've still got a long way to go before making that look like it wasn't an accident."

I'm well aware. Xavier crossed his paw-arms.

Pharynx turned and scanned the whole room. "Everyling hit the river bends! You won't become proper hive defense by throwing out your muscles! Rest up in the little time you have, because tomorrow you will hit the ground running!"

I wonder what he means by that. Xavier went with the squad for a quick wash in the river.

Author's Note

Let's get down to business.
Xavier learned Psychic!

Ch. 4: The First of Many Keys

Oh, so this is what he meant.

After running about ten miles worth of distance, the small part of the pack plus Xavier took a break. Xavier was sweating at a few points below his ears. He was also panting for breath. The trip so far had taken about ten minutes. He took some grapes from a nearby wild vine and chewed on them, getting the juice down before swallowing the rest of the fruit.

"Don't tell me you're tired already," said Pharynx, despite also breathing heavily.

Xavier wore a disarming smile. I'll be fine when we're ready to keep moving.

"Well... good... I'm glad." Pharynx turned around to breathe heavily by himself.

Xavier leaned to one side to try and look. You don't sound glad.

Pharynx simply grunted, not dignifying the Lucario with a response. Xavier shrugged and idly rubbed the spike on the back of his left paw. During one of his earliest days since waking up in the changeling hive, he found out that the metal wasn't as piercing as its appearance implied. It just felt like another part of his skin underneath his fur. It was good news that one time Blue decided to hug him after a particularly long training session. Xavier's chest spike hadn't caused any damage other than a minor tickling.

"I guess no-ling told you this was more than just a cardio workout."

Xavier stood up and looked at Pharynx. How's that?

"On our way back, we're going to look at your crash site; see if we can't find anything useful."

Xavier blinked and crossed his paws. Why didn't we do that a week ago?

Pharynx patted a spot on the ground, moving his hoof slightly more to the left as he counted. "You were unconscious at the time, our hive was still green toward group defense, the Maulwurf was still under that general area, and we weren't sure we could identify anything that was specifically important to you."

Xavier's paws slid to his sides. Oh. Those are... good reasons.

Pharynx sighed and shook his head. "Well, I've heard dumber questions from other changeling veterans. I won't hold your lack of intelligence against you this time."

You're a real sweetheart, huh? Xavier smirked sarcastically.

"Why would I want my heart to be sweet?" Pharynx opened one eye slightly more than the other. "That'd just make it easier for enemies to devour."

No, you see that's just a... Xavier paused when he saw the wicked smirk on Pharynx's face. You're being facetious, aren't you?

"Watch out. The dog's learning." Pharynx flew over to address the rest of the group.

Xavier wiped the sweat off his head. Looks like we've become well-acquainted. He smiled as he hopped down a couple of short cliffs to catch up.

In a particular patch of the badlands, dirt still hadn't completely straightened itself out. Most of that was damage from the Maulwurf's appearance. However, there was a bit of a crater left behind that looked like the outline of a fallen Lucario. It was around this area that Pharynx brought the group to examine.

There wasn't much to see that was different from how it was a week prior. However, Xavier tried something other than simply looking at the ground. He closed his eyes and breathed in tune with his aura sense. Most of the land looked bluish-black in this vision. Several different colors showed up in the shape of the group's changelings. One thing stood out in a bunker area... a familiar blue aura.

Xavier slid down the thirty-foot arc to the bottom of the hole. He used his paws to shift some loose dirt out of the way. When the object's aura was no longer blurry by the land's lackluster aura, Xavier opened his eyes. He pulled out what looked like a metal pole that was about two-thirds long as he was tall. It had the same shade as his blue fur.

This is my staff. While holding it roughly horizontally, he hopped back up to solid ground outside of the hole. Yet... something seems different about it.

"I see you fetched a stick," commented Pharynx. "Good boy."

Very amusing, Pharynx. Xavier started waving it around. Before he knew it, he was whirling the staff like a spear-fighter straight out of a samurai movie. After the brief display, he held it upright as a cane.

Pharynx tilted his head. "Wouldn't you lose a lot of hitting force, spinning it around like that?"

It's not so much an issue without a blade threatening to fall off one end of it. Xavier held up the staff to point out the flat sides of it.

"Well, whatever." Pharynx's wings hummed as he gained altitude and turned to the rest of the group. "Alright, maggots. We got what we came here for. Let's head straight for the home turf."

A collection of affirmative statements answered in kind. Changelings circled around and moved out. Xavier positioned the staff under his arms and behind his back. He then followed the pack, jogging on his hind paws. It was about this time that the ground started rumbling.

What the...? Is this somebody's Earthquake attack? He hopped along a few mossy rocks.

"Company halt!" Pharynx shouted.

Something crashed through the ground ahead. The changeling squad slowed to an abrupt, midair stop. What the ones in front could see was something massive, magenta, and Maulwurf-shaped. However, this one was much larger than the one they had managed to chase away with a simple "why are you hitting yourself" ruse. Some of the changelings dropped to the ground with stopped wings due to being so terrified.

When Xavier looked up at the big mass of fuzz and claws, he instinctively growled. What is this beast?

"A Maulwurf Gigante." Pharynx hissed.

The giant monster roared and held its claws open to a wide span. The rest of the changelings backed up and spread out as much as they could. When the Gigante slammed its claws down to the ground, the shock wave spread them even further apart both in the sky and along the dirt.

"What the hay does it want with us?" whimpered a mostly green changeling.

Pharynx humphed. "Guess the mother wants payback for chasing off its baby." He quickly looked to the current squad. "Everyone! Regroup and form Attack Pattern Gamma! Xavier, help everyone else!"

He flew up and over the Gigante's eye level. The changelings that weren't completely shaken up swarmed behind him and gathered in what looked like a pattern of curved horns. Some of the changelings on the ground were still dizzy and holding their heads. Xavier hurried over to them and focused his thoughts on his Heal Pulse, distributing health recoveries for every-ling he could.

Pharynx's current group dove in for an assault. The Gigante swiped with one of its giant claws, knocking the entire right side of the attack pattern out of alignment. What was left of the team rammed against the Gigante's face and successfully poked the beast in its right eye. The Gigante howled in pain, reaching up its other claw to try to remove the source of pain. Said source quickly spread out, leaving the beast to swat its already reddened eye, causing more irritation.

The changelings that were freshly healed flew up to assist. Xavier tossed his staff and pulled two of the newly injured changelings away from the fight. The staff landed straight up, behind his tail as he prepared another round of his Heal Pulse. Pharynx's current team circled around, surrounding the Gigante. They all performed dive bomb maneuvers and simultaneously impacted the beast's neck, back, and forehead.

That seemed to elicit a howl from the Gigante. It spun around, performing what looked like a lariat with its big claws. A few changelings managed to move out of the way, but the rest were sent sprawling along the ground in a direction away from the center. Pharynx managed to slide on his hooves instead of falling over, but his heavy breathing indicated he wasn't in tip-top condition.

He turned his head slightly. "Hey Lucario, anytime you want to earn your keep!"

Said Lucario turned around, picked up his staff with one paw, and rushed next to Pharynx. Xavier took a deep breath and cleared his mind. Pharynx charged up a spell in his horns, encouraging the few still conscious changelings to do the same. The Gigante lumbered toward the challengers.

"Fire!"

Pharynx unleashed his spell. So too did the other changelings. Xavier used his Psychic, unleashing the multi-colored squiggly lines. The magic and Psychic seemed to grow when used together, all bombarding against the Gigante's head and shoulder. It even seemed to be lifted off the ground a few inches before sliding back a step. It groaned, but it still stared intently at the opposition.

"Even all our magic put together couldn't tan its hide!" cried 'Green'.

"Don't waste your breath stating the obvious, grunt!" ordered Pharynx.

Xavier looked at his staff. Then, he looked at the roaring Maulwurf Gigante. He looked back at his staff and back at the Gigante a couple times. He sighed and thought, What the heck? It's an option. He sprinted forward.

"What are you doing?" Pharynx stomped his hoof. "Get back here, you idiot!"

The Gigante slammed both of its claws down at the ground. At the last second, Xavier jumped out of the way to his left. He then leapt on top of one of the clawed limbs. He spun his staff around in the grip of both of his paws. Unbeknownst to him, it glowed in a bluish-white light. The staff looked like it was changing shape, gaining a couple curved additions on either end. He swung his staff around into the Gigante's nose. At this point, the staff looked more like a large bone made of a blue laser.

Xavier swung his staff around in a flurry of hits against the Gigante's face. It didn't even have time to roar in pain before the next strike in the chain. Its feet, however, were backing up several steps.

"Ruuuuu-curaaaa!" Xavier performed an upswing against the beast's large chin.

Completely speechless, this last attack sent the Gigante flying head over whatever counted as its heels. Xavier landed back on the ground in what some movie-goers would affectionately call the heroic leap. His staff stopped glowing and returned to its metallic pole shape. At this point, the Gigante stopped flying and bounced along the ground, sending dirt loose all around its points of impact.

Xavier slowly stood up while using the staff as a cane to keep his steady yet tired balance. He saw the downed beast about five hundred feet away. He breathed heavily as he stared ahead.

Pharynx walked up beside him. "Not bad... for a reject Diamond Dog."

Xavier sighed. Think it's getting back up?

"You broke its freaking face in." Pharynx shook his head. "She's not going to be drawing enough air in to survive the night."

That felt... way too natural... for my first real fight. Xavier looked down at his paws resting on his staff.

"You just did what you needed to do to protect the pack." Pharynx patted the Lucario on the head. "Don't regret this."

Hmm, I'm starting to think you're not as bad as some say you are.

"Let's not get carried away." Pharynx surveyed the team's damage. "You're going to need to haul at least five of my soldiers back to the infirmary. There's just too many to lift by ourselves."

Xavier smiled. And there it is. He walked on what was equivalent to three legs as he moved to help the bruised and weary changelings.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was a busy one. For the first time in a while, the hive's infirmary ward had a long line while the bunk beds were fully occupied. Xavier leaned back against a rocky wall while pressing down on his staff with both of his front paws to stay upright. He panted in his exhausted state. As he was, he was out of Heal Pulses for the time being.

To keep up with the condition of all the injured and weary changelings, Thorax ran around and saw to some of the diagnoses himself. This of course included his brother. Pharynx insisted that the rest of his squad took precedence and that he could heal fine on his own. Thorax, however, was hearing none of it, reminding his older brother that there were other changelings that doubled as doctors. Besides, he needed to make sure everyone was going to be okay, not just a majority.

"Do you really need to apply the tape in an X-shape?" wondered Pharynx with a grunt.

"It's just a little assurance that the cut will be covered while the rubbing alcohol does its job." Thorax floated the roll of medical tape back into a small kit at his side. "Now, don't move around too much. I'll be back later."

As Thorax cantered off to the next patient, Pharynx exhaled and lowered his head, chin flat against the mattress.

...

The elder changeling lifted his head and found himself in some expanding cavern. Without even moving any of his limbs, he moved through the hallway's altering entrance. He couldn't remember how he got here, nor did the question of "how" seem relevant enough to ruminate. He caught sight of the not-Diamond Dog standing in front of a burned corpse monster with a red-striped shirt, a hat, and a rake for claws. It was a pleasant sight compared to some things.

The only thing I could really show as precious to me would probably be this staff, thought Xavier loud and clear.

"Yeah sure, that'll be just fine." The burned creature ran its rake hand over the staff. He then proceeded to form something in the space next to him. It appeared to be a small pile of several staffs of the same blue color. However, these were much smaller in length. Whatever they were, they vanished into the corpse's inventory. "I'll spread 'em around. See if you can't get hooked up with some dimensions that'll be mutually beneficial. ... Oh! Speaking of which, here. I'll give you this one before I forget."

Xavier accepted the travel-sized trading card onto his paw. Anything else I should know?

"Not exactly." The burned victim looked aside. "This next question's more of a circumstantial response rather than actual skill." He pointed his half-melted hand. "Who is that and how did he get here?"

Huh? The Lucario turned around. Pharynx!

Pharynx squinted at the stranger. "Is this some new form Luna decided to make to spy on us?"

"Ha! I wish I were that lucky." The biped crossed his arms and shook his head. "I go by Freddy Krueger. I'm a Displaced... like your anthro jackal here."

Xavier turned back to the other guy. And you said there's hundreds of other people and creatures that have been thrown into other variations of Equestria?

"At least three digits." Freddy held up the three claws on his rake hand. He then held out a thumb on his opposite hand. "Possibly four or five digits by now. All of them have different powers and circumstances. Some don't even get the luxury of a form that can move. In my case, I'm limited to existing while somebody dreams."

Pharynx's horns glowed. "Why should we believe you?"

"You think it's an accident that your friend fell into your life?" Krueger ran a finger across the brim of his hat.

Pharynx sighed and his horns stopped channeling magic for the moment. "How many gods are behind this mess?"

Freddy held his arms open and shrugged. "Hell if I know. Whoever they are, they must be pretty confident in their own positions to distribute so many people with god-like powers in addition to all of us mortal beings."

"You travel dreams and yet you still count yourself among mortals?" Pharynx tilted his head.

You said that Luna can travel dreams as well. Xavier put the trading card in his fur inventory. Is she a goddess?

"Hmm... point taken." Pharynx looked back at Freddy.

"Anyway Xavier, I'm sure you'll get a chance to either entertain extra visitors or go to these other Equestrian worlds fairly soon. I don't know when and I don't know for how long. As far as I can tell, the duration of visiting another Displaced is randomized for each case. So... good luck with that." Freddy tipped his hat and turned around before vanishing from sight. "Later!"

...

Pharynx opened his eyes and shuffled back about an inch. When his body reminded him how hurt he was, he winced and held a hoof up to his face. He looked around at the familiar walls of the infirmary.

"What kind of stupid dream was that?" He muttered.

A shared lucid dream, it seems. Xavier stepped into the room, using his staff as an old person would their third leg.

"You had it too?"

Yes. Xavier pulled out his new card given to him by Freddy Krueger.

"Wait, are we still dreaming?"

No, my fatigue from the Gigante fight is still fresh. Xavier sat down next to the bed. Speaking of which... I think I'm going back to sleep.

In less than a minute, the Lucario was snoring in his awkward sitting posture. Pharynx looked away before turning over on the bed. For a while, he just looked up.

Author's Note

Xavier learned Bone Rush! ... kind of.

Item(s) obtained:
1x Riley's Staff
1x Blank trading card - CFV

Ch. 5: Triple Drive Check

If wishes were instant fixes, the whole hive would have been back to full health by the next day. That was simply not the case. While he was in this drained state of being, Xavier could not produce more than a few Heal Pulses. It didn't matter how much he mentally sang or how positive his thoughts were.

He had offered the last pulse to Pharynx, but the commander declined. Pharynx reasoned that as long as the squad drones were temporarily indisposed, it wouldn't matter how healthy he was alone. Instead, he gave Xavier the order to heal up Purple and Blue. Those two had seemed to 'adopt' Xavier aside from Thorax.

After healing those two as well as he could by dividing up the energy from one pulse, Xavier hobbled around with his staff as an impromptu cane. With half of the hive either injured or tending to the injured, it was pretty quiet in the rest of the chambers. In his slow walk, he saw no changelings in the mess hall, training court, or even the throne room.

His slow walk brought him to a rocky ledge. This ledge curved around to the top of one of the hills that surrounded the hive. After a few more limping steps, the Lucario found the view at the top. The surrounding plant life was looking larger since the day he arrived. It was kind of out of place in the midst of the drier badlands. He slowly looked around at the horizon.

A pink pinpoint twinkled in the corner of his vision. He gasped, jumping out of the way, just in time for that pink pinpoint to grow into a rush of energy. The incoming object crashed into the hilltop, turning the rocky peak and ledge into a flying cloud of dust and pebbles. As Xavier slid down the hill, he grunted against the pain of his worn out paws.

Danger! He mentally called out to anyone he hoped was within shouting distance. Distant enemy along the East horizon!

Xavier clenched his teeth at the foot of the hill, holding his staff with one paw and his chest with the other. He squinted while trying to sense any potential auras. In the distant chambers behind him, a few flickers in the shape of changelings were flying as fast as they could. Others, however, were stuck in what could only be their injured state. Meanwhile, in the lands way out in front of himself, several flames surrounding hollow entities were closing in fast. Some ran on two legs. Others stomped on four thin points, like an imitation of bones.

Defense Pattern: Wild Scarab! He called out while clearing his mind. "Rucaaarrrr!"

The multiple colors of the Lucario's Psychic attack spread to the nearly see-through enemies. Many were flung backward and up and around. However, several more were charging in to take their place. Xavier limped along and focused his staff into its Bone Rush form. He panted from the exhaustion of his previous fight.

A swarm of the changelings able to battle was zigzagging back and forth, knocking some of the shimmering enemies off balance. When the opportunity rose, one or two of the changelings up front redirected blades before disarming the ghostly beings entirely. The only sound of response from the invaders was a cross between hissing and low-pitched chuckling.

Dark pink projectiles fired from the invaders' leader who was standing atop a hill. Xavier could barely make out an outfit of tan with pieces of blue and red before the arrows started flying. His side's swarm was knocked out of formation by one of the large projectiles exploding on contact. Ten changelings fell to the ground at random plants and spots. The rest were too spread out to make a dent in the invading forces.

Perhaps it was a miracle or sheer insanity, but the leader's arrows started going through members of his own side. In either case, one large energy arrow was coming right for Xavier. He started spinning his Bone Rush in front of him as rapidly as he could. When the projectile impacted with his laser-esque staff, it forced him to slide his hind paws along the ground for several feet. That extra wear and tear was not doing him any favors.

Still, the attack pushed him on in spite of his paws crying out in pain. He growled, grunted, and finally howled when the arrow exploded and sent him crashing through one of the hive walls. The Lucario was sent for a tumble as his staff landed next to him, back in its normal state. He finally stopped chest-spike down.

A light shimmered in Xavier's convenient tuft of fur. He grunted as he pulled out the card and broadly called out. At this point, I will accept help from anyone. There's a man with a lethal bow, shooting what looks like energy arrows! His aura resembles a magenta inferno!

Xavier chanced a look up and grunted. Another fierce light arrow was traveling toward him. In his state, his staff was just beyond reach and he didn't have enough time to charge up his Bone Rush. He growled at this entire situation.

"Mac Lir! Perfect Guard!"

The arrow exploded, but at least a foot away from Xavier's position. He exhaled confusion when he saw what was in the way. Some heavily armored person was holding up a ridiculously big shield that resembled obsidian. As soon as he caught a glimpse of the bulgy man, the entity vanished. A set of four hooves walked in front as well as two armored legs of a humanoid.

"Looks like our enemy's a marksman this time," commented the red-hooded mare. "You ready to face him, Anakin?"

"Always, my Vanguard." The other newcomer held up his blade that looked like a broken fork for a sword.

The pony held up a few cards in her hooves. "On Blaster Dark Revenger, I ride! Illusionary Revenger, Mordred Phantom!"

A circle of light surrounded the swordsman. It crashed into him and altered his form in an instant. A fully-garbed prince of a darker world rode an equally shaded horse. With barely a nudge from the mare, the large horse and rider galloped through the battle-torn land. Some smaller energy arrows peppered the ground, forcing them to veer left and right. One of the arrows hit the man's chest piece, causing him to flinch and yet he kept riding.

Meanwhile, the hooded mare flinched and checked a card on top of her deck. Xavier wasn't sure, but he thought he saw a small green square on the top right corner of that card. The mare pointed the card behind herself and a new aura funneled around the Lucario. He was still in pain, but it almost felt slightly fainter. He managed to push himself up onto one hind paw.

What was that just now? He wondered.

"Let's save the yapping for after the fight." She pulled out a card with a different pattern on its back. "Knight of darkness become the heart of a destroyer that may take flight in the future. Stride Generation!" She held her card above her head.

Three light circles of varying sizes flashed around the galloping steed and Mordred. They spun around, creating a brief rainbow of three shades. When the colors broke away, a giant dragon with scales resembling the night sky flew toward the enemy archer. The rainbow of circles somehow carried the mare through the sky in an arc pattern, placing her onto the dragon's back. She pulled two more cards from her pocket.

"Call!"

Two light circles appeared on either side of the dragon. They revealed a dark witch wearing a butterfly mask and a new black swordsman that looked just like Blaster Dark. These two humanoids floated on the turbulence underneath the dragon's wings. Though the energy archer fired wildly at these new enemies, the new tailwind was working against him for the entire time.

The swordsman descended and slashed through the archer's hand. He grunted as his bow was forced to fall to the ground. The witch followed up by casting black fire in the shape of a monster's head. The attack slammed into the archer, causing a kind of pain that forced him to scream deeply.

"Carnivore Dragon attacks!" The mare flipped over three cards. Two of them glowed yellow. "Double critical trigger! All effects to the Vanguard!"

The two shadow paladin humanoids moved in opposite directions out of the way. The giant dragon unleashed three consecutive fire balls, adding to the volume of each other. When the combined blast impacted with the invader, he was knocked off his feet as the hill crumbled backward.

After the attack, the dragon landed on the ground and whooshed out of the physical plane. The mare was sitting on top of the horse and right behind the back of Mordred Phantom. Meanwhile, the partially invisible enemies turned on their heel and vanished into thin air. The mare jumped off her Vanguard and trotted over to the fallen archer.

"I am the stronger one..." He wheezed. "You're supposed to die."

She flipped her hood back, revealing her blond mane. "When you see your fellow Merchants in whatever counts as your afterlife, you can complain to them."

The archer's eyes closed before his body faded from existence.

"Name's Céri."

Thank you for helping us. Xavier sat up as well as he could.

"Nah, don't mention it." Céri waved her hoof dismissively. "It was pretty much blind luck."

"You kind of look like one of Princess Twilight's friends." Thorax blinked.

The mare chuckled. "Yeah, I get that a lot. But as much as I look like her, I ain't Applejack. Still, I won't let a few mishaps with Displacement stop me from living."

That's a fair attitude to have. Xavier nodded. So... do you have any idea who those invaders were?

"Not all of them." Céri shook her head. "But I'm pretty sure the ringer for Takumi from a Fire Emblem game was a Merchant, someone who sells innocent-looking objects that actually teleports and sometimes transforms con-goers into something else upon arrival in an alternate Equestria."

There's more than one cause of the Displaced? Xavier's eyes opened a little.

"If what the other victims have told me is right, yes." Céri shuffled her cards slowly. "Some were tricked into buying magical items. Some found a convenient costume piece and put it on, not knowing that was the trigger. Then, some omnipotent beings dragged more humans into different Equestrias to play some cosmic-scale version of a board game for kicks an giggles."

Xavier growled a little. Monopoly for keeps, and we're the cars and wheelbarrows.

"Yeah, that's pretty accurate." Céri idly tapped a hoof against her necklace. "Hopefully the ones toying with your Equestria give it a break for a while. It looks like they hurt you way harder than anything back at my default home."

Thorax sighed. "Yes, it will take time to heal and rejuvenate."

A circle of light appeared under Céri's hooves. "Wish I could stay and help somehow, but it looks like my ride is here. Good luck, y'all." The circle shrank and took the mare with it to somewhere else.

The days that followed involved recovery and reconstruction where possible. The downed mother Maulwurf was collected and skinned. It provided ample food for the expanding diet options of the changelings. Additionally, the hide provided enough material to form larger tents while many of the resting rooms were being repaired. A few changelings that used to craft spears for the old changeling army found ways to reuse the beast's bones and forged blunt weapons. They discovered by accident that just one bone could break a nearby boulder in half when tossed at it.

"Are you sure you don't want one, Lucario?" asked Pharynx in passing. "It'd make your bone-shaped laser attack make more sense."

I'm fine with what I have, thank you. Xavier twirled his staff around before holding both of his paws on top of it.

"Whatever, loser." The older changeling continued on his way. "Don't whine to me if we break your stick in practice."

I think I'd be amazed rather than mad. Xavier smiled before following on toe. The creature who holds the weapon is more important than the weapon by itself.

"Yeah, yeah. Walk faster!" called Pharynx while glancing back.

The new weapons being used by the promoted changelings soldiers were nicknamed the 'Wurf Maces'. Despite Pharynx's warning, they did not actually break Xavier's staff. That wasn't for lack of trying. After the Lucario held his own against ten armed guard-lings and shoved them away, Pharynx commanded that the next round would be against himself.

Xavier and the commander in chief circled around each other. Pharynx shifted into his favorite, giant bug form and whipped out four Wurf Maces at his opponent. Xavier deflected two of the maces with his staff before sliding under the challenger. The staff glowed and grew into his Bone Rush move, quickly whacking the large creature's remaining four legs. Off-balance, Pharynx landed on top of his own weapons, instinctively jolting him back to his default form.

After willing his staff to cool off, Xavier offered an open paw to his -- for lack of a better word -- trainer. Pharynx sighed and placed his hoof onto the paw in acceptance. The other changelings in the practice chamber applauded at the brief showdown. Pharynx ordered them all to hit the showers, or the bathhouses if the showers were full. As they left, Pharynx levitated the stray weapons to prop up against the walls.

Right after Xavier stepped out of the room, he heard an unfamiliar voice. So you're a Pokemon, huh? Well, answer this call through your key when you get the chance. I want to see your capabilities firsthand.

Xavier slowly nodded and held a paw up to his chest spike. I accept your invitation. When he looked back up, the hive was gone.

Author's Note

Side Objective: Obligatory connection to my other fic The One Who Leads the Way. - Complete

Ch. 7: Interviewing a Pokemon

There's something I don't quite get. Xavier stopped and looked in one particular infirmary chamber.

"What is it?" asked Blue as he turned on the spot.

This hive used to have a queen some time ago, right?

"Uh, yeah?" Blue tilted his head.

And this queen used to lay all of the hive's egg sacs, correct?

"That's right." Blue nodded.

So, where did all of these new changeling larvae come from? Xavier motioned a paw toward the opening in the wall. Multiple colored changeling babies were curled up in their nymph wrappings.

"Oh, some of the females decided to have children." Blue smiled and turned forward to continue his walk.

Xavier nearly tripped on nothing before he caught himself and ran up next to Blue. Wait, if every female changeling can bear children, then what was the point of having a queen do it alone in the first place?

"Beats me." Blue shrugged and briefly lifted his wings to follow suit. "I guess Chrysalis just wanted to be dominating in every category. One of her rules included a clause that forbade any other changeling from reproducing."

Huh... Xavier looked down a little as he moved along. So she was bound to fail sooner or later, due to a rule stunting her maximum army size.

"Oh yeah, good point." Blue chuckled. "Anyway, want to see something cool?"

Xavier looked back up. Okay.

"Behold the Shifting Room!"

Blue reached out his front hooves to either side while balancing precariously on his hind legs. Xavier looked up and down a jagged pillar of stone. The Lucario did a double-take when it looked like a large hole shrunk out of existence. He squinted as he observed a new hole appearing at a slightly different angle and position. In fact, this was happening all over the rock.

What in the world? Xavier looked to the left and right. Who is shaping the rock like this?

"No one." Blue smirked. "It's doing that all by itself. The hive used to be made of nothing but this shifting stone. But it made visitors from the other nations and tribes uneasy. Something about headaches and dizziness."

I think I understand their point of view. Xavier gently pressed his paws up against his ears, and slowly rubbed back and forth. The layout is altering before I can even grasp half of the structure.

Xavier closed his eyes and took a deep breath. As he exhaled, he looked up with a calm, bluish-white glow. He tried to use his Psychic attack to hold the Shifting Room's stone. However, the telekinetic squiggly lights did nothing to slow the changing patterns and openings. He grunted as he called off his attack.

Blue hopped through one of the expanding holes and waved through. "Come on, pal! This isn't battle training. Have some fun!"

You have a strange definition of the term 'fun'. Xavier leapt through just in time for his impromptu entrance to slam shut behind him. Has anyone ever gotten trapped in here?

"Eh, not for more than a couple hours." Blue flew around a stone spire in the shape of a helix. "Plus it seems polite enough not to crush any creature that its stone covers."

Oh... Xavier knelt on a floating platform and stared deadpan. So we could potentially be caught by rock for two hours. Great...

Blue hovered back down and patted Xavier on the back. The changeling then proceeded to fly haphazardly through certain holes in the rocks while taking sharp turns around growing, flat surfaces. Xavier took a crane stance before somersaulting over a sudden hill. Upon landing on a shrinking circle stone, he leapt into a back flip leaning back just in time to avoid a surprise stalactite. He was sure his chest spike chipped some of the rock off with him.

Both of them ended up running along some outer walls that were moving into an upward spiral. Blue flapped his wings while hanging in place just above the Shifting Room's exterior. Xavier managed to hold one of the holes in the ceiling open with his staff along its diameter. The Lucario pulled himself out and his staff just before the hole could crush either.

Blue chuckled. Xavier accidentally whipped with his tail while turning away, sweeping through Blue's wings in the process. The disruption flipped Blue over his side and sent him diving straight onto the distant floor. Xavier gasped and hopped over to a wall, using his Bone Rush attack to try and slow his own descent. After sliding for a second, he canceled the move and hopped next to Blue.

With a deep breath and a thought of sweet cherries, Xavier released a Heal Pulse at the groaning Blue. After the pink glow briefly flashed throughout his body, Blue stood up and sighed in relief. He turned to look at his current company and continued to chuckle. Xavier smiled a little, glad his friend was okay.

"What are you goof-balls doing?"

The echoing voice caught the attention of both. Pharynx was approaching in his beastly-bug shape with loud steps along the hall. Blue shook on his hooves. Xavier crossed his upper paws and stared expectantly. By that point, Pharynx had shifted back to his default form and landed in front of the pair.

Is something wrong, Commander Pharynx? Xavier casually wagged his tail once.

Pharynx instead turned his glare to the changeling drone. "Didn't you hear the hive mind call?"

"Er... I might have been distracted." Blue chuckled nervously. "I thought we had some down time."

"March!" Pharynx ordered with a swift raise of his hoof. "We have visitors from the ponies. Thorax wanted to present our... guest." He glanced at the Lucario when he said that.

I've been promoted to "guest"? Xavier smirked as he and Blue swiftly followed. Things are looking up for me!

Pharynx rolled the white spots of his purple eyes. "Yeah, yeah, don't let it go to your head, dog."

Calm, blue presences whisked around in Xavier's aura sense. His real eyes were closed as he focused on his external awareness. Various colored auras left the room while a few remained. Two purplish auras, he recognized as the sitting shapes of King Thorax and Commander Pharynx. The other two were new to the Lucario. One was what he could describe as a flame-less Ponyta, if he stretched the description.

The other was flying around while having a gleeful spasm at him simply standing there. At first, he thought it was a fair reaction. He still hadn't seen all of this Equestria. So, it made sense that plenty of creatures had yet to see him, let alone know anything about him. But something kept ringing in his ears, the longer the aura with large wings shuffled around and muttered to herself. Xavier let a low, beastly growl escape between his teeth.

"Uh, Twilight?" The unicorn aura moved a hoof up. "Maybe it's time to take a break from the note-taking!" It then quickly waved both of its front hooves. "Not that I'm making a suggestion while in the hive!"

"I'll allow it this one time, Starlight." Thorax spoke while his aura's center remained completely still.

When Xavier opened his eyes, the alicorn retreated to a seat. So, this is a young princess of the land. She seems like a cross between a fan-girl and someone writing their thesis at the last possible minute. He moved a paw just under his mouth. Where did that choice of words come from?

Twilight beamed in her own little world. "But this 'aura' is so new! I've got to write it all down somewhere, or I'll forget the important details!"

"And I completely respect that." Starlight held a hoof over her chest. "But don't you think we should respect him in the same vein?"

The alicorn slowly turned from her stack of notes to look at the Lucario. "Oh! ... Um... I'm sorry?"

Xavier crossed his arms and took a deep breath. Apology accepted, Your Majesty.

"You have telepathy?!" Twilight's eyes opened wide as a growing smile adorned her mouth.

If Pharynx had pupils, he would have rolled his eyes. "That's how he has been talking to us this entire meeting. Catch up, Princess."

Thorax smiled sheepishly. "Hey, it's easy to overlook one or two things when some pony gets excited. At least we're all caught up now."

Pharynx shook his head. "Your quick sympathy makes me sick some days, Thorax."

"Love you too, Big Bro." Thorax shifted his gaze to Xavier. "So, Xavier! Why don't you tell our guests about what you've been doing recently?"

If you'd like. Xavier nodded before clearing his throat. "Ri! Car!" As I mentioned earlier, I am a being who was 'displaced'. Several other worlds exist that are like Equestria, but have unique traits and possibly a different creature or entity that was also 'displaced'.

He pulled out his patterned card, mini-claw, and rectangular charm. He explained what little he knew about these 'keys' and how they connected him to the other 'displaced' beings. He described the worlds he had visited so far and the things he had picked up while there.

Starlight Glimmer's horn glowed briefly before she tilted her head. "Hmm... I don't detect any portal magic in these objects."

They're less like portals and more like Instant Transmission devices. Xavier held a paw above and between his eyes. And they only seem to work for the Displaced.

"To fixed points in other worlds?" reiterated Twilight. Her notes were back on the table as she scribbled in earnest.

Sort of... He held up the order dragon's charm. In my recent trips, they've only been vaguely in the vicinity of the keys' original owners. Some wild guess searching was still required to find the other Displaced in those worlds.

"How long were you gone for during your trips?" Starlight looked at her mentor before shaking her head, giving up.

Thorax placed a hoof on either side of his spot at the table. "According to some of the drones' reports, they spotted Xavier vanishing before reappearing after an hour each instance."

I trust your scouts better than my own perception. Xavier placed his right paw over his left paw's spike. These different worlds don't always feel like they share proportionate time lengths.

Pharynx held up a hoof to his side. "If you wanted to lie about your whereabouts, you should've made the story more convincing."

Thorax looked over. "Do you think he's lying?"

Pharynx scoffed. "No. He's too ridiculous and he wears his emotions on his hide... kind of like you."

"Um... thanks?"/Erm... thank you? Thorax and Xavier lifted their brow-like areas while looking at Pharynx.

The simultaneous mix of uncertain gratitude elicited giggles from both of the pony visitors. Xavier took the time to quietly place his keys back into his inventory. Thorax chuckled nervously. Pharynx smirked at what may have been a job well done. As Twilight was catching her breath, she started placing her notes into sorted files in her saddlebags.

"Thank you for your time," she said. "Before we go, is there a chance we could make copies of those keys for examination?"

"That's the first thing I tried right after searching for magical signatures," interjected Starlight. "It didn't work."

"Wait, you mean like Chrysalis's magic-absorbing stone?" Twilight turned to look at her.

Starlight shook her head. "No, they didn't absorb the magic I cast. It just stopped, like if a hoof tapped on blade-proof glass."

Twilight held one of her feathers just below her muzzle. "Hmm, that's even more interesting. So the objects can be grabbed by levitation, but are completely immune to other spells. They really are from other worlds."

At times, I wish that their immunity applied to me as well. Xavier sighed. Then again... if I never felt pain, I guess I wouldn't try so hard.

Starlight nodded. "It was nice to get to know you better, Xavier."

"Yeah, we'll have to talk again soon!" Twilight smiled as the two stood up.

I would welcome that. Xavier gave a nod. His tail slowly wagged behind him.

Thorax waved. "Good to see you guys again!"

Pharynx half-waved. "Later, Light Twins."

Author's Note

Sorry, no new attacks today.
...
Also, I'm a dialogue-heavy author when I can't think of any action pieces to fit the tone. I don't know if that qualifies as a problem or if I'm making a bigger deal about that than it really is.

Ch. 8: Duos Guise of Bad Dreams

"Cu-ra!"

...

"Cu-ra!"

...

"Cu-ra!"

A black-and-blue paw collided with the makeshift head of the dummy. It was made with endurance in mind so that it wouldn't go flying from impact. But it also had some lee-way to gauge how much a typical foe would feel pressured by basic attacks. The Lucario currently training against this dummy was not interested in its build. Rather, his frustration burned inside his veins.

He switched up to some swift kicks with his hind paws. This time, the dummy leaned forward slightly upon the impacts while its base barely curved inwards. Growling, the Pokemon did a couple back flips to put some distance between himself and his practice target. He tried to put his paws together at a set width apart. Stray thoughts of tearing a monster apart limb-from-limb made his red eyes shrink in their whites.

He ended up unleashing a Dark Pulse. The shadowy arc rattled several of the dummy's individual parts upon impact.

Xavier sighed and crossed his upper paws. I don't understand. I have the aura, and I can use the moves I know almost by instinct. So why can't I use Force Palm and Aura Sphere like other Lucario can? He closed his eyes as the locks of hair behind his head floated. I am taking a small break if you wish to talk, Your Majesty.

"How did you-? Wow, you're good." Thorax trotted over. "Pharynx commented that you looked discouraged today even though you won a practice battle against him. Is something wrong?"

Just a personal problem. I wouldn't want to impose it upon you.

"I wouldn't be asking if I wanted you to keep it to yourself."

Thorax's aura shifted shape to something else. Xavier slowly opened his eyes to verify that he wasn't 'seeing' things. When he did, a second Lucario was posing with its tongue sticking out, its eyes pointed to either side, and standing precariously on one paw.

Xavier blinked twice... before breaking into a bunch of small sounds. "Cuh! Rah-rah, cah, rih-cah, rah!" Ha... when did you learn to do that?

A column of blue fiery light surrounded Thorax, reverting him back to his default form. "Heh heh. A friend taught me that little trick to cheer others up."

It certainly caught me off guard, if nothing else. Xavier's smile thinned. There are a few moves that all others of my kind are capable of performing. Yet for some reason, I cannot.

"What kind of moves?" Thorax sat down on a nearby moss-covered rock.

Hmm... how do I describe this? Xavier idly waved his paws in circular motions. You know how it sometimes looks like I'm on fire when I use my aura sense? One such move that other Lucario have practically trademarked is taking a small fraction of that life energy and launching it at a foe or an obstacle that creates an explosion upon impact. They call this move 'Aura Sphere'.

"So... like your magic that launches love, but harmful instead?" Thorax's eyes moved as if raising a brow.

Not exactly. Xavier shook his head. If that were all it was, then my Dark Pulse would fit in the same category. Unlike Dark Pulse that draws on a pool of hatred and anger, Aura Sphere is more like... the calm, fighting spirit. But it isn't just a clear mind either. Because when I try to launch an attack with a balanced emotion or a detached emotion, it turns into Psychic. That's the move your brother compared to a strong unicorn's levitation.

Thorax nodded slowly. "Okay. So, this sphere move... have other Lucario told you what it feels like when they do it?"

I don't recall the exact reason, but I've never had the chance to speak with them personally. Xavier tapped his chest spike. All I gathered was through observation and attempts to imitate what I saw.

"Oh, I see." Thorax lightly tapped a nearby pebble with his hoof. "Say, while we're on the subject of learning, have you gotten any of the holes in your memory patched up yet?"

Xavier looked up and over at the changeling leader. Actually, something might have come back when I went to that Equestria with the Displaced dragons.

"That's great!" Thorax smiled. "What did you remember?"

It's not a complete memory, but it seems to have significant starting and end points. The Lucario held his upper paws a set width from each other. The memory starts right after I was knocked out of my home world.

"Wha-? AAAAAAAAAH! Where am I?! Why is it so dark?! Why am I falling?!"

'Riley' was in a dark space. He couldn't feel anything around him except the rush of air on all sides. So, he held both of his hands against his hat, bracing for an impact that had yet to arrive. He tried his best to get in as many deep breaths as he fell, but the popping in his ears made it difficult to concentrate.

While that was going on, a shadowy figure floated into his vision. He squinted his eyes to try and focus on the slightly different shade of black in question. When small specks of white and red added themselves to the shape, he was even more confused. There was no way that was real, but repeated blinking confirmed that the nature of the figure wasn't going away.

It was a Darkrai, the mythical Pokemon of bad dreams. Its solitary, light blue eye stared at the falling human, and was somehow keeping pace with his descent. 'Riley' was having trouble following what this meant. As much as he wanted this all to be a bad dream, this seemed a little too convenient.

The Darkrai floated closer still. At this point, 'Riley' noticed something else. Held by this Pokemon's hands, for lack of a better term, were two objects that resembled DVDs. One was a dark teal color while the other disc looked like a cross between orange and pink. The dressed up human made a mental connection.

"Technical Machines? Why is a Darkrai carrying around two TMs and not using them?" 'Riley' didn't move his hands away from his hat, as it kept threatening to fly away in the air resistance.

Oh, I'm going to use them. A deep voice echoed through the darkness. But you might not like "how" I use them.

"Huh? What are you- GUH!"

While he was still voicing the question, the Darkrai had shoved both of the the TMs right through the human's clothes. It somehow buried the discs deep within his skin. Needless to say, this didn't feel right to 'Riley'. In fact, it felt like all of his insides were burning and freezing all at once. The human resumed his screaming as it looked like his entire body was catching on blue fire.

It would be rather interesting if you survive. The Darkrai appeared to be chuckling, even without a visible mouth. If you don't, oh well. I'll try again with the next "customer". Ha ha ha ha ha.

Eventually, the pain became too much for 'Riley' to bare, and his vision blacked out.

"And that eventually lines up with you turning into a blue meteorite landing in our world?" Thorax asked aloud. "Huh. ... That's a lot to take in."

You're telling me. Xavier nodded. Somehow, I was swimming through that restored memory the first time I used my Dark Pulse move.

"Wait a second!" Thorax did a double-take. "You've got semi-metal circles somewhere inside your body? Isn't that harmful or dangerous to leave alone?"

I don't think I have to worry about that any longer. Xavier shook his head. Humans weren't made to install TMs. But with Pokemon, compatible discs disappear as soon as they understand how to use the specific moves. He lightly tapped his right ear with his paw. I've already got the two moves memorized, and I don't feel the discs anywhere in me.

"Well, if you do feel any of that kind of pain, please let us know right away." Thorax's ears went flat, like he wanted to believe that Xavier was fine, but couldn't completely be sure.

Alright, if you insist. Xavier smiled politely. Pharynx was right. You're really kind and trusting.

Thorax chuckled. "You're not going to throw up on me like he does about that, are you?"

Not at all. Xavier started using his paw to playfully pet Thorax's head. I find it endearing.

"H-Hey! Stop that." Thorax looked happy, despite his words of protest.

Both the Lucario and changeling laughed while the moment lasted.

'Cyrus' briefly looked at his hands. He was certain he had been holding the rude man's staff a moment before. Now, he had nothing. Speaking of which, there wasn't anything in his current surroundings. There was also a sense that he was being pulled up by an invisible force.

Most would find such a nonsensical position to be terrifying or confusing. The man in long sleeves cupped his hands behind his back. He found this situation to be merely... a chore. Another presence floated into his sight. It resembled the lunar Pokemon Cresselia.

Hello, sir. Its unspoken voice echoed through the void. A collection of small, rectangular panels levitated into view before stacking into a neat and tidy pile. Could I interest you in some of my wares?

'Cyrus' looked at the Cresselia with little more than boredom in his eyes. He crossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders. Instead of wasting his time with asking to whom he was speaking or for what purpose the items were, he took the strictly intelligent approach. His mind went straight to business.

"What are your terms?"

The Cresselia giggled softly before one of her eyes briefly flashed a light blue.

Author's Note

Did you want to know from where a Lucario got TMs? Well, here you go!

Sorry if this chapter is "too short", but I felt it was important.

Ch. 9: A Disrespectful Revelation

"This is an open invite to a few candidates. Be warned, the path we're traversing may involve a lot of fighting."

I can work with that. Xavier held out his staff. Aura, answer their call!

There wasn't even a comedic "whoosh" noise. One minute, he was in his resting chamber. The next, he was standing on a random road. Looking around, this new world looked like the wreckage of a city. Scorch marks at random places indicated fires that had died down hours ago. Jagged cracks in building walls and the sidewalks looked like a Groudon had woken up.

Multiple growls came from behind him. He turned to see a few creatures that were pony-like in basic shape. But that was where the similarities ended. Their skin looked like it was made of ash and was barely clinging to their limbs. Eyes were pools of black and orange. They had walls of fangs where their lips should have been.

"Lu..." Xavier held his staff in one paw behind his back. Are they going to play nice?

One of the creatures jumped and opened its grotesque jaws wide open.

Guess not.

The Lucario charged his staff into its Bone Rush form. With a swift arc, he swatted the ghoul away like a baseball. It seemed the ground-type laser weapon had actually cut right through the creature's torso. With a loud and grating screech, the ghoul collapsed in two pieces on the road before uttering no more sound. The rest of the colony hissed before charging at the blue, black, and yellow intruder.

Xavier bashed through the other five ghouls in about two seconds. With a flick of his wrist, the staff returned to its default shape. White flakes slowly descended on the road.

Is this a volcanic region? He asked to no one in particular.

"More like Hell on Earth."

Turning to his right, he saw a couple things that definitely weren't there before. A black horse snorted while its solid red eyes glared around itself. It was an actual steed, far larger than the ponies Xavier had interacted with the other day. Seated on the horse, there was a humanoid in glowing garments. The hood was red, but the rest of the attire had less distinct colors. The outfit just sort of blended into itself rather than sticking to one part of the visible light spectrum.

"... or I guess Tartarus on Equus, if you want to get technical." The voice came from the man.

And who might you be? Xavier hooked his staff against his back.

The man stared with white pools where his eyes should have been. "Is that a serious question?" He held out a tiny blue staff 'key' in the palm of his hand.

Xavier nodded. Ah, I see. So, what was the purpose of your invite?

"If you can keep up, I'll explain when we get to the meeting point."

The man in red and glows dug his heels against the sides of the stallion. As the horse moved its hooves into a gallop, it looked like a trail of fire followed where it traversed. Xavier shrugged before running next to the fiery trail, holding his paws behind him to lower wind resistance. Almost instantly, he was running side-by-side with the other Displaced.

"Are you in or out?"

The glowing man looked around at the three invited Displaced. Xavier was sitting cross-legged, thinking something over. To his left, there sat a pale boy in a gray hoodie, faded color jeans, and white hair spikes going in several directions. Next to them, there was an anthro wolf with white and red patterns along her fur.

"What exactly do we get out of this?" The pale boy idly twirled one of his own hairs around his finger.

"I am no Desire demon." The man in red simply glared at him. "Find your own incentive if rending judgment isn't good enough."

"My own incentive?" The boy chuckled while standing up. "All I want when I visit every world is to make an environment of ultimate despair. Out of which, the ultimate hope will triumph!"

Xavier tilted his head. You have the craziest rhetoric I have ever heard.

The anthro wolf lifted her head and howled.

Xavier clenched a paw tightly around his staff. I stand corrected. That is the craziest rhetoric I've ever heard.

"From here on out, I am 'War'." The man in red swept a hand to the side. His cape followed direction on a secret wind. "The rest of you shall take up the mantles of 'Famine', 'Pestilence', and 'Death'."

'Famine' let out a deep bark.

"I suppose I can savor this." 'Pestilence' smiled before hugging his arms. "But will it be long enough for me to enjoy?"

'Death' stood back up on his hind paws. And here I am without my cheap kitchen scale.

'War' climbed atop his steed. "Remember, the enemies are from both Heaven and Hell. The end times will not weep if you drive your weapons down either throat." With that statement, he and his stallion galloped away from the lush jungle meeting place.

A cricket hopped atop Famine's head, chirping annoyingly in her ears. She growled before sprinting away, leaving a trail of random flowers growing behind her footsteps.

"Instructions that only make sense in a single world and everything could potentially kill us." Pestilence shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Is it going to be the most important day of our lives, or will it just be a Tuesday?"

Is this stalling your roundabout way of saying you need a lift? Death crossed his paws. To catch up with the others, I mean?

"Eh heh heh." Pestilence rubbed the back of his messy hair and grinned. "Maybe that's part of it."

Death rolled his eyes. He then proceeded to pick up the boy and lift him above his head. Death grunted before dashing off in a blur of bluish-white.

As War and his ride galloped through hordes of ghoul ponies, he swung a blade wide with a dark flame. To his other side, Famine followed the trend of fire by magically summoning a giant, burning infinity symbol. Most of the ghouls burned to ashes in their wake. Few stragglers remained when Pestilence and Death made it to certain checkpoints along the path. The hooded boy chuckled quietly as he ducked, bobbed, and weaved himself away from fangs and hooves.

Death attempted to throw his Bone Rush like a boomerang. While it managed to destroy three of the grounded ghouls, it looked like it barely flicked against a ghoul with wings. When his staff returned, the Lucario grunted before channeling a Dark Pulse out of his free paw. Three of those shadowy pulses were finally enough to smoke the winged ghoul. He heard a pair of hands clapping.

"Nice work, Death." Pestilence cupped his hands together. "You really warmed them over."

So glad I could entertain you. Death rolled his eyes.

"Oh no, I'm not mocking you." Pestilence insisted. "I truly admire your adaptability. I wish I could apply skill to my situations. But all I've got is an ultimate luck."

Death shrugged as he slowly walked along the path. If luck is what allows the character you've become to survive, you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss it.

"Really? Wow." The boy's sneakers stepped around a puddle without him even glancing down. "I never thought about it that way."

The path lead through the remains of an old hydro mill. Splinters lay there next to the giant, wooden wheel. What was left of the river was either muddy, dried up, or burned to ash. Pestilence looked up at the gray, hazy sky as his feet hopped, skipped, and jumped across an old rocky cross-path. Death took a running start before vaulting himself across the riverbed with his staff.

"By the way, you never told us what you wanted out of this field trip of War's." Pestilence clasped his hands together behind his hairstyle.

Neither did War, pointed out Death. I think I'll keep that close to the chest. If my desire becomes relevant to what we actually do, I'll let you know.

"Aw, c'mon..." Pestilence seemed to wink, with his open eye looking at the Lucario. "Not even a hint?"

Death's hind paw stepped on something that went "clink". Hmm?

"Hello, what's this?" Pestilence reached down a hand and picked up the dark instrument. "What's a crossbow doing in the middle of a mill town?"

Does it still work?

Pestilence shrugged before turning to look at some concrete rubble. He moved his thumb across a switch that put up a little resistance. He closed one eye before holding the crossbow at about his arm's length in front of himself. Slowly, he contracted his index finger.

*Zwip!*

One second after the trigger had been pulled, the block had an arrow sticking out of it. Several crack lines surrounded the block at the point of impact.

Works well enough. Death nodded.

Pestilence turned the crossbow over in his grasp. "Hmm... looks like there's only four bolt arrows left."

What about the arrow still in the block?

Death walked over to the block in question. However, all of his attempts to move the bolt arrow up, down, left, right, inward, and outward were met with failure. The arrow did not budge a millimeter. After thinking for a minute, Death charged his staff with his Bone Rush attack. A single downward slash broke the block into pieces. But in the process, the arrow had bent and cracked beyond feasible use.

Ah. ... Guess I still don't know my own strength. He scrunched his mouth while putting his staff away.

"Like I said, four bolt arrows left." Pestilence took a few steps. "We'll need to save them for very situational moments."

Death deadpanned. Basically, you get to save your energy while the rest of us handle the fighting.

Pestilence softly laughed.

Death attempted to open his eyes. But he felt nothing, almost like his eyes no longer existed to open. He could see walls surrounding him, yet there was also an outside to these walls. Rather, it was a sphere surrounding him. As far as his glowing aura allowed him to sense, this sphere was made of a white metal on the southern hemisphere and a blue color with red dash markings on the northern hemisphere.

He gasped, trying to shake any of his limbs. But his limbs weren't responding either. Sighing silently, he tried to focus on seeing anything else around the Great Ball. To the right of his prison, he saw War hanging on a back wall with giant nails jammed into his wrists. To his left, Famine was trapped in a round cage that was glowing in neon yellow.

What happened? The contained Pokemon called out.

"From the looks of things, a lot has happened." Pestilence grinned with his eyes shut at the Great Ball.

Wha-? Let us out of these restraints! Death continued to float in the formless light.

"I'd love to, but..." When Pestilence tried to move his legs, loud chains rattled and made him grunt. "... I'm trapped as well." He opened his eyes and looked down.

How did we all end up like this?

" 'How' indeed."

Those that could move their heads flinched at the new voice. They looked over at the opposite wall of the room. Somewhere unseen, there was a high-pitched drum roll. Within five seconds, part of the floor slid open. A small, blonde girl rose up on an elevating platform. Her outfit consisted of a dark-greenish brown uniform, complete with an exaggerated, black plus sign.

Pestilence blinked twice. "Why hello there, little girl. What's your name?"

The girl tapped her heels together once. "I am High General Stonisch, here to review the immediate surrender of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!"

She then proceeded to unfold a piece of paper from her pocket and unleashed a torrent of legal-speak. Famine tilted her head, as if a question mark were to briefly appear over herself. If Death could still feel his eyes, they would have been spinning. War, despite his pain, looked as though he understood the language but feigned boredom. Well into the midst of the girl's out-loud reading, Pestilence raised his hand.

"I'll let you finish, but could I get a bagel or something? I'm famished."

The alleged general immediately turned red in the face. She waved a hand away from the letter. A second later, several knives crackling with electrical sparks appeared around Pestilence's neck. A sweat drop rolled down the side of his face.

"... okay. Maybe later then." Pestilence slowly lowered his hand.

The girl general neatly folded the piece of paper. With a slightly different wave of her hand, the electric knives vanished into thin air. Pestilence sighed quietly.

"You seem to be under the delusion that you are still free to devour and piss all over whatever you want." Her eyes glowed a bluish-green. "Allow me to break that asinine conclusion that you've drawn."

"I never mentioned the bathroom-"

The little general merely squinted and a long lance appeared out of thin air. Before Pestilence could even finish his sentence, the lance rushed past him and stabbed through War's rib cage area. The red-hooded man grunted as the lance immediately pulled itself back. Red blood spilled out of his side. The boy turned as much as he could and looked back.

"Idiot..." War hissed out. "Don't take your eyes off the enemy."

When Pestilence faced forward again, another electrified knife was floating near his chin. Death wasn't entirely sure, but he thought he could sense a strong aura around the girl's hands and eyes. Was she using a form of magic?

"I will teach you to fear and respect me, even if it kills you all!" shouted the girl.

"Clearly you need us alive for some reason, else you'd have already killed us." Pestilence's smile was thin.

"Hmph." The knife vanished. "I can use cleverness, but not insubordination. We're going to run through a test. If you pass, I'll release one of your allies. Fail, and you will all be executed immediately."

Pestilence twiddled some hair between his fingers. "So... about that bathroom break..."

General Stonisch blinked. In the next second, Famine howled in pain at the new magic spear driven through her left paw.

"Care to finish that statement, maggot?" asked the general.

Pestilence held up both of his open palms in surrender. "I can hold it."

What kind of test does she plan to give him? wondered Death.

What happened next caught the contained Lucario by surprise. The aura in the room started to look like physical words floating in the air. It sounded like the general was talking, but her very voice was taking form and moving around the room. Sometimes, her phrases spun around an epicenter.

"All of you are being charged with treason against the country!"

"You invaded with no provocation."

"You went so far as to take innocent civilians' lives!"

"How can

you justify

yourselves?"

Pestilence was thinking to himself. It was true that some memories and details of more recent events were missing. Perhaps the people that this general thought innocent did not fit the same definition as the innocent in his eyes. However, something clicked as he turned his eyes toward one spot in the room. He held up his crossbow, and fired at one set of floating words.

"You invaded with no provocation."

"You invaded with

no|provocation."

"Sore wa chigau yo." Pestilence held up an index finger on his left hand. "I mean... no, that's wrong." He holstered his crossbow before he continued. "Technically, we were just volunteer accomplices in War's campaign. You say we entered a country without being provoked. But the constant swarm of random demons and angels was pretty provoking."

Random pictures rushed through the room's space. Many depicted grunts and monstrosities that belonged to the armies of both heavenly realms. The last four pictures showed the four horsemen using their powers to clean up.

"I... suppose the demon count in and around the country's borders has been higher than usual."

Something clunked, rather closely in Death's formless hearing. The red light he was made of briefly turned a bluish-white color. In that moment, feeling returned to his face and all of his limbs. He gasped as he looked around at his standing form. He glanced over at the general, currently clearing her throat. He charged up purple shadow energy in his right paw.

"Stop right there!" General Stonisch summoned three electrical knives. Each one was pointed at the neck of an ally. "If you so much as sneeze in my general direction, you'll force my hand into ending their lives."

The Lucario growled.

A door slid open on the side of the room. "You will wait outside until the rest of their fates are decided."

War grunted. "Forget about us and end her now."

Pestilence shook his head. "Did you see how fast her spells are? He wouldn't make it in time before she stopped him." He flashed a smile at Death. "Go on. This will only take a few minutes."

Death exhaled and canceled his Dark Pulse. He looked around at his current group. Pestilence was still smiling. War seemed indignant but kept silent. Famine was still hurting, but she let out a normal bark.

If you have hope, hold tightly to it. Death gave one last look at the boy before running out the open door.

Two minutes passed while Death waited by a dead tree. He had his aura sense on during that entire time. Inside of the fort, Pestilence was still fighting his opponent's words with his own. It seemed normal to the boy, but not to the Lucario. Yet, he could only wait.

A winged beast with golden wings silently flew up behind him. He was too focused on the fort and the goings-on to notice. He sighed in relief when Famine was released from her cage. When he heard a bird cry, he gasped and turned around. Before he could charge up any kind of move, golden talons pressed him into the ground.

Famine's howl was followed by a barrage of icicles in the shape of diamonds. The angelic beast was tossed backward. This gave Death enough time to clear his mind and launch a Psychic. With all of that pressure from the Pokemon's mind, the winged beast's limbs cracked into itself before dissipating in a splash of golden halos.

Thank you, Death looked over.

Famine cut him off with a short whine.

Yeah, yeah, don't get too full of yourself. He returned his attention and aura sense to the fort.

War stepped out a minute later. He was applying some kind of gel to the wounds in his arms. Silently, Death wondered if that was a poultice. The horseman's bleeding sealed up along thin red lines. Death reached out to sense the inside of the fort again.

"I still have unfinished business elsewhere." War marched by. "You two can use your own discretion when to leave."

Death blinked and looked behind him. Seriously? Call us then leave us? That was your plan?

"You already helped clear out most of the lesser demons and Heaven's foot soldiers. What comes next, I take full responsibility."

But-

Famine placed a paw-hand on the Lucario's shoulder. She shook her head.

Death sighed. Fine, just don't lose sight of the 'why' when you reach for your objective.

War paused then tossed a circular icon. When Death caught it, the coin turned into what looked like a blue, glowing pistol. The word "MERCY" was engraved into the side.

"Normally I don't respond to the calls of the Displaced." War half-turned. "That weapon draws on the power of an end result rather than mortal bullets. Make sure you're ready for that end before using it."

A gun named Mercy? Isn't this a little too on-point? Death smiled wryly.

War walked away. Death inventoried the Mercy pistol before activating his aura sense.

Upon gazing back into the fort, Death saw what looked like words attached to tiny missiles. They were running into each other as Pestilence and Stonisch stared at their respective opponent. The Lucario almost thought he saw a copy of Pestilence's face smile while also holding up a finger. When the fort door opened again, Death opened his eyes.

The crazy-haired boy gave a wave before walking toward them. He tossed his crossbow off to one side. There were no more crossbow bolt arrows available in it. Pestilence put his hands in his hoodie pockets and stopped at the dead tree.

What was all of that about? Death waved his paw around for emphasis.

Pestilence shrugged. "Just another class trial. I've had my share of those."

There were words floating around... and you shot them. The Lucario tilted his head.

"Yeah? Huh... I guess it does seem kind of crazy from an outsider's logic." He pretended to scratch his cheek. "Oh well." He pulled something out of his pocket and threw it. "Here, catch!"

Wha-? Hey! Death instinctively used his Psychic attack to retaliate. The Great Ball hung there. Careful with that! I don't want to go back in there.

"I'm not throwing it to catch you, silly jackal." Pestilence chuckled. "I'm giving you my 'key'. It's got my pass-phrase in it now." He plucked the blue Poke Ball out of the air and passed it by hand. "Trust me."

Death kept his eyes narrow as he slowly reached for the ball. It didn't react when he held it in his own grasp. When he moved to put it away, it suddenly opened with a speaker-voice.

"Gotcha! Ha ha! Just kidding. You're not being caught. I just have a few things to say. My name is Komaeda. If you want to talk or need help with a plan, call me. I'll see what I can do." Then, the Great Ball shut itself.

The Lucario blinked a couple times before putting the ball away for good. I'm Xavier.

"Nice to meet you properly, Xavier." Komaeda crossed his arms and smiled thinly.

The anthro wolf barked at them.

"Your... name is...?"/... Ammi? The other two stared at her. "Hmm, not what I'd have picked for you, but I guess it's as good as any other name."

A paintbrush appeared out of thin air, drew a circle of ink over her, and pulled Ammi out of the world. Something sounded like a judge's hammer four times in a row. Then, Komaeda was removed from the setting. Without any fanfare, Xavier found himself back in his resting chamber at the hive.

Those guys might have been crazy, but at least I caught them on a relatively good day.

(In another place...)

Even though its body only had four limbs, it felt one thousand more. Red chains glowed in the otherwise dim reaches of space. Time lost all meaning, yet it grew impatient. It may have been tampered with, but it lost the will to care. Its command was to deliver judgment upon a particular world. It would do so very soon.

Author's Note

Sorry if that part imitating Danganronpa was difficult to read. I'm 90% sure I won't be using that style of writing again in future chapters.

Ch. 10: T.A.M.

Thinly veiled light returned to Xavier's eyes. He barely noticed the rhythmic thumping of his tail until it stopped. He slowly pushed off the bed to sit upright. He held his paw up as he yawned. It was then that a white cloth flopped down past his foot.

A towel? He slowly reached down and held the towel over both of his upper paws. What is this doing here?

Something crashed nearby. His ears twitched at the sound and he quickly turned to look. The changeling Purple abandoned her bucket and galloped into the room.

"You're awake!" she exclaimed. "Thank goodness."

Xavier tilted his head. How long was I asleep?

"Well, you collapsed two days ago in a fever." Her wings buzzed and she hovered at about the Lucario's eye level. "How are you feeling?"

I think I'm okay. He gradually reached his hind paws and stood on the floor. He gently gripped the towel with his upper left paw.

"You should probably take it easy," she insisted while holding up her front legs. "Even if your fever's broken, you might not be completely better yet."

I'll be careful. He nodded once.

"Good, good." She smiled a little. "Are you hungry?"

He held his free paw near his gurgling abdomen. There is a likely possibility.

Three helpings of fish later, Xavier was feeling like he was back to life. He exhaled before looking around at the mostly empty tables. Purple was there, cleaning up stray foodstuff. It was mostly quiet until Xavier saw a pair of orange horns charge into the open area.

"Are you okay?! I was so worried!" Thorax leapt across the table and hugged his hooves around the Lucario. His momentum sent them both to the floor.

Purple scoffed. "Thorax, be careful with the poor puppy."

No, no, it's fine. Xavier chuckled. Although, I'm a little surprised to see you this touchy-feely out of worry.

"How could I not be?" Thorax moved his hooves to stand on either side. "You're a close friend to this hive. If anything dreadful happened to you, I'd never be able to forgive myself."

Xavier scooted back a little so that he had room to sit upright. In that case, yes. I'm okay. And thank you.

"Are you done smothering that guy, brother?"

The three occupants turned to see Pharynx loudly fly over to the opposite side of the table. He stared with a deadpan expression. Meanwhile, Purple excused herself from the premises. Thorax turned around and smiled sheepishly.

Pharynx grunted. "If you missed the memo, he just broke out of a fever. Try to not force him back into the medical corridor so soon."

"You have a good point." Thorax admitted before looking at his friend. "Sorry, Xavier."

Like I said, it's fine. Xavier waved a paw dismissively. I've taken worse pressure from other worlds and survived.

"Which brings me to you, mutt." Pharynx shifted his gaze. "You may be off duty thanks to the necessary recovery time, but don't get too attached to it. I'm going to make sure your training will be extra heavy-lifting as soon as you're no longer a fainting hazard." He turned on his hoof and flashed his wings before flying out. "As you were."

Sir. Xavier gave a short salute before slowly standing back up. I think that's the nicest thing he has said to me for... I don't know. It feels like it was ten months.

"Has it really been that long since we first found you?" Thorax tilted his head slightly.

Xavier waved his paw dismissively. Just a hyperbole, Your Majesty.

Sure enough, Pharynx's training regimen for Xavier started hard the next day. Xavier had expected the extra laps around the outside of the hive's perimeter. He even felt at home sparring with his staff versus the soldiers' Maulwurf clubs. What he hadn't counted on was the inclusion of weight-lifting. Instead of dumbbells, Pharynx had put one changeling on top of each of Xavier's upper paws.

"Okay, even I think this is ridiculous," said Blue as he was moved up and down.

Green's face showed discomfort. "I haven't been shaken around like this since I was a hatchling."

Despite the drones' occasional grumbling, Xavier continued his workout in relative silence. He only started panting heavily after he was on his five-hundredth repetition with both changelings. That was when Pharynx stepped in.

The changeling commander grunted. "I've seen worse performances. Go on, get out of here!"

Xavier lowered his arms and the two smaller changelings stepped off. The three of them trotted out for the opening of the room. Pharynx glanced at Xavier and gave a slight nod. The Lucario didn't know what to make of the motion, but continued walking out anyway.

"Xavier, do you have a minute?"

Of course, Your Majesty. Xavier hopped up from what was his meditating posture.

Thorax smiled and nodded. Both of them walked across a big, open section of rocky floor.

"If you could have anything you ever wanted, what would that look like?"

The Lucario tilted his head briefly. Where is this coming from, Thorax?

Thorax chuckled. "I just wanted to know if you were comfortable living here. Is there anything you'd like that isn't here right now?"

Xavier looked up in thought. Hmm, I don't know. You guys don't have a Wi-Fi out here, do you?

"A... wife eye?" Thorax opened his left eye slightly more than the other. "I don't get it."

Eh, don't worry about it. Xavier shook his head. It would just get in the way of training. I guess the answer to your question is, I don't really want anything. If things stay basically the same as they are right now, I'm okay with that.

"Okay, I think we can manage that." Thorax smiled.

At the next sunrise, a red orb of light interrupted the normally light orange horizon. With it, the very air and the ground below shook violently. Xavier and several changelings of the hive dashed outside the rock walls to see what was happening. The Lucario gritted his teeth while trying to endure against the increasing atmospheric pressure.

The red orb separated into different shapes of the same eerie glow. To several feet to the left and right, the glow resembled chain whips. Within the center, the red looked like a strange pattern digging sharp points against what was once a sphere. Something was looking out of the opening in the pattern. This presence grew in the red light and slowly took the shape of a head, a large body, and rigid limbs with pointy ends.

Xavier gasped and his irises shrunk against the whites of his eyes. Arceus!

"Uh, great! You know a name for that thing." Pharynx looked at the guest in annoyance. "Care to tell the rest of us what that is?"

It's a Pokemon legend said to be the creator of a universe. But if it's being pulled by a Red Chain... oh crap...

A roar of impossible decibels interrupted the explanation. Every changeling's ear folded down as they flinched from the noise. Meanwhile, the red-diluted Arceus lifted its head. A point of light gathered energy and grew in size. In the next second, this energy was released at right angles in six waves. Each ray looked wide enough to catch three Lucario side-to-side.

Each wave pummeled into a part of the land occupied by at least one creature. The resulting explosions seared through earth and plants. Cries of pain soon followed as changelings and guest were tossed and tumbled, along with rocks and pebbles. Some of the drones were so beaten and bruised that they couldn't stand back up.

Although Xavier managed to pull himself back onto his lower paws, something burned greatly. He growled at what felt like molten agony underneath his fur and skin. He wanted to find water, but the fires were internal, a place where such a fix wouldn't reach. Thorax and Pharynx looked like they were suffering similar pains.

"What in the divine egg sac was that?!" Thorax crouched involuntarily.

That looked like a Judgment attack, something that depends on Plates to determine the type of damage. Xavier panted and patted his sides with either paw, trying to feel anything other than pain. It must be holding a Flame Plate.

Seventeen squares danced around the Arceus, somehow passing through the tangled Red Chain. Each square glowed a different color with a faint, whitish outline.

Xavier gasped. What? All of the type Plates? But how? No Pokemon can hold more than one of those per battle!

"Foolish, puny Lucario. Do you honestly believe the powers in this world are restricted by a video game?"

Xavier looked around slowly, still shaking from his burning pain. Eventually, his eyes were drawn back to look at the floating Arceus. An image was projected just in front of it. It looked like the worn face of an old, anime man.

Cyrus?

"The Pokemon developers have no hold on anyone here. Power levels are arbitrary and the stats are irrelevant. All that matters is that my will is stronger than any of yours. Behold my control over a god, so that I may take its place."

The Red Chain rattled, echoing even though the noise was outdoors. Crimson Arceus roared again. Such a noise forced everyone on the ground to flinch, except for the unconscious. It was debatable whether those were the lucky ones or not.

Pharynx managed a moment to look at the remains of the hills. "The hatchlings!"

Thorax and Xavier gasped as their ears stood up. Indeed, multiple infant cries could be heard in a now exposed infirmary. Worse still, Cyrus's Arceus was charging up the orb for another Judgment attack. The royal brothers flew as fast as they could with Xavier quickly covering more ground on foot. Horns lit up on the changelings while the Lucario took a deep breath.

Crimson Arceus cast its Judgment, bathing the sky with six arcing blasts. Thorax and Pharynx threw a wall of magic as Xavier projected his Psychic attack. For a moment, the Judgment bounced against the magical and psychic defenses. But that passed quickly as the arcs reconvened on a single point, acting like a devil's drill beam. This point dug straight through the magic wall and went "squish"... through the king's head.

Xavier lost concentration on his Psychic when he saw the damage. Thorax!

As Pharynx watched his brother collapse onto the ground behind them, all other sounds went silent. He hovered in place, unable to blink. Something internally was ringing louder and louder. A burning feeling spread through his chest and throat. His hooves and tail stiffened.

Xavier ran over to the king's side and fired three pink pulses of love and sunshine. Heal! Heal! Heal, darn it! He tried charging a fourth Heal Pulse, but it fizzled. He grit his teeth and shut his eyes.

"I was sure I had changed my aim to all three of you." Cyrus's voice echoed. "No matter. Less targets means a higher probability that I'll hit you next time."

Xavier growled, but was quickly outdone by someone else's screeching hiss. His eyes went wide at the glowing aura coming off his other ally. Pharynx shape-shifted into an arachnid beast with wings and shot toward the Arceus. He started slamming all of his limbs at the giant Pokemon.

"That's! My! Brother! You! Piece! Of! Shiny! Chitin!"

...

The impulsive rage against the self-proclaimed god continued for a few seconds. Xavier wasn't sure, but he thought he briefly saw the Arceus roll its eyes. A red chain shot off its back and swung Pharynx to the side. Pharynx shifted back to normal while struggling against the chain's hold. Unfortunately, it looked like his adrenaline had run its course and he winced as the chain tightened.

"You stay there." The Arceus focused its empty gaze at the Lucario. "I have a score to settle."

Do you even know what you're doing? Xavier shook his head while wiping his eyes. This can't be all because of a glass of water.

"I'm beyond that petty slight you made against me those months ago. No, I have a much bigger plan in mind. But before I can start, I need to empty the recycling bin."

Multiple red chains lashed out. His mind was weary. His legs were feeling the wear and tear. The only plan he really had left was to hold up his paws and cover his head. The red chains whipped at him, burning his nerves like hot nails. He howled in his current, native tongue.

"G...Get out of the way... idiot..." The changeling muttered, unable to fight his bindings with more than his voice.

His very life force burned brightly. "Cu-Raaaaaar!"

Then, his world went dark.

The burned man Freddy gently tapped his face. "Ho boy... you've got a lot of mental baggage."

Are you tone deaf? Xavier growled. The best friend I ever had in this world that I was forced into just gave his life trying to stop a would-be god.

"Believe me, kid. That's a common story in these alternate Pony Lands." Freddy poked his clawed glove at a floating display of holographic code. "But maybe there's a bright side to this nightmare."

If it involves a joke, I'm not interested. Xavier tried to walk away, but then remembered that distance didn't mean anything in a dream. He sighed.

"If my shared friend's device is reading this correctly, I've got access to a small fraction of that big Pokemon's cheat code while you're in here." Freddy chuckled. "I can give you a secondary move-set that will double the maximum attacks you can retain."

Xavier's eyes widened as he slowly turned his head back. Eight moves? How is that even possible?

"Apparently, the world you fell into hid some of its special power on the life thread of a purified heart." Freddy shook his head. "Or maybe that was your Merchant's idea of an Easter Egg."

Xavier stared in utter disgust at the virtual display. At the cost of a kind king, I get to use Fighting-type moves. What a messed up 'reward' system.

Something blinked in the corner. "Oh, I can also give a move something called a 'knockoff_effect.hax'. Do you want that too?"

Slowly, Xavier's irises thinned out as he breathed deeply. I have an idol to break.

A blue sphere of energy collided with the Arceus's face. It did not look like it caused harm, but that was enough to catch Cyrus's attention.

"That will not work! I have all of the Plates, making me immune to any attack you can throw against me!"

"Aura!" Xavier leapt into the air and threw a punch.

Something sounded like glass breaking. Arceus swiveled its eye a little to the left. It saw its dark gray Spooky Plate broken in half and falling to the ground below.

"... What."

"Aura!"

Xavier's left paw broke through the magenta Mind Plate.

"Aura!"

Xavier's right leg smashed through the light blue Sky Plate.

"Aura!"

The Lucario's left leg obliterated the pink Pixie Plate.

"Impossi-buwah!" The Arceus's cry was interrupted by a round-house kick to the face.

By this point, Xavier's blue, burning aura had completely engulfed him. His eyes were coated in a white glow. Before the god Pokemon could get in another word edge-wise, the Lucario was throwing twenty-five punches and kicks per second.

"Aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura!"

The red chain links were bending under the stress of the onslaught.

"Aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura!"

Arceus's eyes were swirling further to the sides of its face as more and more dents appeared in its head.

"Aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura!"

The force was shaking Arceus's body to the point where its leg bones were crumbling under the pressure.

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiioooooooooooooooo!"

Cyrus pulled himself off the Arceus's back, but the force of the Lucario's attack split the red chain where it disintegrated in the man's palms.

"Aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura!"

"AURA!"

One final impact sent Arceus into a backward flip. Cyrus simply stared up at his former slave. He opened his mouth as if to say something. But the beaten and bruised creator Pokemon landed on top of him before he could utter a word. Pharynx flew away as soon as the red links holding his legs disintegrated. Even at several feet high, he felt the aftershock of the small earthquake made by the crashing Arceus. In his rush, he wasn't sure if he imagined what looked like a tiny droplet of red stuff under Arceus's back.

Xavier breathed heavily as his life force gradually lowered him to the ground. Normal color returned to his eyes.

One thousand, six hundred twenty-three casualties were counted among the hive that day. It took the survivors and some called-in help a week to find them all. Among the fallen was their late king, Thorax. Medals of courage were granted to the heroes of the hive, but neither of them really listened to the speeches prepared. Pharynx walked right off the stage in the middle of the applause.

The somber moods fit better during the following day. In attendance were some of Thorax's friends and friends of those friends. Shining Armor and Cadance held their heads low. Flurry Heart tapped her hooves against the engraved stone in an attempt to cheer them up. Starlight Glimmer nearly cast a "raise undead" spell, but Twilight Sparkle quickly countered it, pointing out that a zombie outbreak would cause more harm than good. Dragon Lord Ember insisted that she wasn't going to cry, even though Spike was going through box after box of tissues just to keep the blue dragon's eyes dry.

Of course, several changelings from the hive were also in attendance. When Pharynx and Xavier walked over to the grave, each was carrying a single flower. Pharynx placed a white lily while Xavier planted a yellow rose. They looked back at the gathered crowd.

"I'm no good at speeches. If you want me to hit something or lead others to hit something, I can do that. But, Thorax was the one meant to be kinder, considerate of feelings, and talking things out. Sure, I didn't agree with all of his policies, but I respected him enough to make those decisions as our leader."

Thorax was among the first creatures I have met in this world. He took me in when I had no place else to go, and he treated me as a friend. He gave his life to defend his home and family. I don't believe I've ever met a better person in my life.

"So, before we break into whatever chats you feel like you need to have, I'd like to address a point that's hard but important. As tempting as it would be to take the throne, I'm probably worse at diplomacy than Chrysalis. Besides, I've got to make sure our drones are still equipped for battles with our enemies, few as they are." Pharynx held a hoof toward a spot in the changeling crowd. "I nominate a small team of our number for something called a 'parliament', as well as a stand-in for our leader until further notice. I nominate... Ocellus."

"What?" An aquamarine colored changeling mare with red wings blinked. She looked around at the creatures looking in her direction. She shook a little in place before slowly nodding. "I...I'm honored, Commander Pharynx and... I'll d-do my best to live up to your c-confidence in me."

Pharynx glanced at Xavier. "Can you wrap this up for me? I've got nothing." He trotted away from the grave.

The Lucario cleared his throat. Thank you all for coming here and giving your respects. May the memory of Thorax live on forever in our hearts.

Author's Note

"Toggle Arceus Mode"
...
I'm going to save explaining stats and inventory changes for next chapter. I'm afraid this one feels too painful to add cheery game-like text.

Ch. 11: Unlocked Aura

"I have seen a vision of my glorious end. I request a jackal to oversee this potential fight to the death."

Xavier sighed as he willed his aura to follow the voice of the displaced. He soon found himself standing atop a pillar among some ruins and a garden path. He took the next few moments to close his eyes. His aura scanned the environment; this revealed a relatively closed space, save for a ray of sunshine coming from above. Eventually, he sensed the shape of a fox-like creature, running closer on two legs.

"You there! Did you get my message?"

The Lucario opened his eyes while still facing the far side of the ruins. I did. Could you clarify what you meant in your call?

"Right, well... first I need to apologize for the misunderstanding." She spread out her upper paws with purple gloves. "When I said 'oversee', I actually meant fight me in a duel to the finish."

Xavier hopped down about three stories and back-flipped into a comfortable landing on his lower paws. Are you mentally sound? He glanced over his shoulder at her. I'm not in the business of assisted suicide.

"It is my nature to fight and risk my life on a daily basis." She held up her paws with claws bared forward. "For anything less than that isn't worth living. If you wanted to play the pacifist, you shouldn't have bothered coming here."

He spread his paws out into an arc posture. What is your name?

"You aren't my friend." Her eyes narrowed. "There's no need for us to get so familiar." She leapt over a jagged crater and pointed her claws right at him.

In what felt like time slowing down, he took a deep breath and exhaled. Oh, good grief.

FIGHT!

Just as Mystery Fox landed on the floor, the Lucario warped out of sight with Extreme Speed. The air rushed around with several blue drag lines. She felt a few heavy impacts as the line brushed against her fur. Wildly, she slashed and kicked against the rushes of wind. By some sheer luck, she managed to block a few of his fast strikes.

Her fist-paw ignited in a ghostly blue fire. "Power Palm!"

She managed to slam that paw into Xavier's chest spike. He grunted as he flew across the crater. But with a back flip, he was right on his feet and posing with his paws in opposite directions apart. He charged up some of his energy and launched an Aura Sphere.

The anthro fox was running forward until she saw the incoming sphere. "What? Gah!" It hit her directly in the face.

Xavier used this opening to run around and jump into a Close Combat attack. "Aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura-aura!"

Grunting, the fox managed to pull herself up into a squatting posture. Immediately, the pain burned in her ribs. She hugged herself around her sides as an instinctive reaction. Meanwhile, Xavier was building up his anger into both of his paws. He fired several arcs of his Dark Pulse attack.

His enemy jumped up and started running up a pillar to get away. She jumped over to another pillar as the Dark Pulses were tearing the granite cylinder down. As the Lucario did the same to the second pillar, the anthro fox jumped into a spin before holding her open paws to the side.

"Diamond Storm!"

Several white lights appeared all around her. In an instant, the particulates rained down upon her foe. Xavier whipped out his staff into its Bone Rush form. He twirled the laser-like weapon in front of himself, stopping all of the incoming projectiles. When the barrage came to an end, he held his staff to his side. He caught a glance at a couple of the "diamonds" that had embedded themselves into his staff.

Are these... leaves? During his pondering, he didn't see the fox dart over to his position with her legs in a flying kick.

"Rapid Kick!" She managed to spin one leg around to slam into against his fur at ten spots.

He grunted, holding a free paw to his freshly bruised side.

"Palm Strike!" Her upper paw ignited bluish-white before punching his face.

He slid back, moaning in pain. There was something more than just punches and kicks. He could feel it in his bones. Had there been soul-based fire too? He shook while he stood up and breathed heavily.

"I guess you weren't the one." The anthro fox stood back and spread her arms. "Diamond Storm!"

This time, he wasn't ready to block the barrage of razor sharp leaves. They felt like they were going right through his arms, legs, and abdomen. He growled in pain at the onslaught. A brief image flashed through his mind's eye.

"How could I not be?" Thorax hugged before looking directly at him. "You're a close friend."

Xavier gasped and channeled a Heal Pulse into himself. His aura grew around his whole body and he brought his staff around. He let out a half-bestial battle cry as he jumped forward and activated his Bone Rush.

"What? How did you-"

The anthro fox was unable to finish her question as a laser staff smacked her upside the head. Xavier swung his Bone Rush attack against her abdomen three times. He then tossed it forward, spinning around and hitting his target like a sideways boomerang. It carried the fox away about ten feet before bringing her back toward him. Upon its return, Xavier grabbed the bone and pushed it out like a lance.

His weapon pierced her neck, rendering her unable to voice anything except a couple gurgling noises. Her eyes dimmed and her body went limp. Right then, Xavier reverted his staff back to normal size and placed it on his back. Blood pooled around the fox's neck, changing the color of her nearby fur in the process. She didn't ever move again.

You told me you lived to fight to the death. I hope this was everything you dreamed it to be.

As his Equestria called Xavier back, the overhead single ray of sunlight dimmed.

Author's Note

Name: Xavier
Species: Lucario
Level: 55(?)
OT: The reformed changeling hive

Primary Moveset:
-Heal Pulse (restores 50% HP)
-Psychic (deals heavy psychic-type damage)
-Bone Rush (ground-type damage; hits 2-5 times)
-Dark Pulse (dark-type damage; may cause opponent to flinch)

Secondary Moveset (with knock_off.hax program; "Knock Off" is a dark-type move that can make an enemy drop their held item):
-Foresight (returns enemy evasion to default; makes ghosts vulnerable to physical strikes)
-Aura Sphere (fighting-type damage; never misses)
-Extreme Speed (normal-type damage; priority attack)
-Close Combat (heavy fighting-type damage; reduces attacker's defensive stats after use)

Equipped items:
-Staff (two-handed weapon)
-Expert Belt (increases power of super-effective moves)
-"Mercy" (pistol that can headshot celestial and demonic foes)

Displaced summoning charms:
-Wilma (order dragon)
-Chester (Siamese cat)
-Nagito Komaeda "The Ultimate Luck"

Confirmed kills:
-1 Maternal Maulwurf
-1 pack of timberwolves
-Several ghoul ponies
-1 Arceus
-1 Renamon

Deleted scene:

'Riley' returned to the waking world. He was holding the pistol 'Mercy' point-blank at 'Cyrus'. The staff was currently outside of either's immediate grasping range.

'Cyrus' tried to lean back, but his head brushed against a wall. "If you'd lower your weapon, I could... offer to purchase something for your troubles."

"You killed my best friend, 'Cyrus'." 'Riley' clicked the safety of the pistol off. "That's not going to work."

*Bang!*

Ch. 1: Red Eyes

His mind was weary. His legs were feeling the wear and tear. The only plan he really had left was to hold up his paws and cover his head. The red chains whipped at him, burning his nerves like hot nails. He howled in his current, native tongue. The enemy forced their control over his closest ally.

"G...Get out of the way... idiot..." The changeling muttered, unable to fight his bindings with more than his voice.

His very life force burned brightly. "Cu-Raaaaaar!"

Much earlier...

The young man scratched his back again. He sighed, looking around while he waited in a crowded hallway. He idly played with the plastic staff in his grasp and twirled it above head level. Some people glanced at the pointed front of his hat before returning their sights to their smart phones. He was probably overdressed for a gathering in a desert city. Still, he had wanted to put in some effort, right down to the dark blue suit jacket.

Today, he was the Pokemon Trainer Riley, a figure almost lost to fans of the games and anime. He was often overshadowed by another Lucario trainer from one of the movies. Yet, he had played a role in aiding the Diamond and Pearl protagonist where other trainers had tried to wear them down.

As 'Riley' was thinking to himself and twirling his staff, a person in a convincing Team Galactic uniform passed by. This individual had a paper cup in his hand. He walked sort of diagonally, putting his hand with the cup directly in the arc path of the staff. The cup went flying, did a flip, and dumped its contents on the passerby.

"Oops, uh... sorry about that, man." He moved his staff back and behind him.

The other man slowly turned his face. He looked far into his life years and a cold stare was felt in his eyes. If 'Riley' didn't know any better, he might have thought that this individual's Galactic Leader Cyrus costume was spot on. He certainly had the intimidation factor down.

"Are... you okay?" 'Riley' held out his hand.

'Cyrus' took a few steps forward, each accentuated by a word from his mouth. "I'm. Perfectly. Fine." He shoved 'Riley's hand away. "Mind if I see your staff?"

'Riley' tilted his head. "What? Why?"

'Cyrus' stared ahead, deadpanned. "I just want to hold it."

'Riley' took a step back. "I... don't think that's a good idea."

"Come now." The bored face didn't leave. "Be neighborly."

"Dude, we're not neighbors." The cosplayer turned around to walk away from this weird conversation.

"Look." 'Cyrus' rushed around and stood nearly face-to-face with 'Riley'. "After what you did, I could probably only fill half an eighth of a teaspoon of the part that is still safe to drink from the floor. Let me see your stupid staff!"

They looked at each other for a while. 'Cyrus' looked upset and cross. 'Riley' looked unsure about this whole situation. A few of the other con-goers started taking videos and pictures of this exchange of dialogue. Well, if they were both already in costume, 'Riley' supposed he might as well provide a little entertainment.

"Oh fine..." 'Riley' tossed his staff. "Here."

'Cyrus' caught the staff horizontally in both hands. "See? Nothing nefarious. I just wanted to feel the material... criticize the poor craftsmanship... test out its edge on you, you insubordinate!"

He swung the staff in a sort of downward slash. Thinking quickly, 'Riley' crossed both of his arms just above head level. The staff didn't really hurt, but it sure let out a loud clang. ... and a flash of bluish fire and light. That wasn't normal, according to 'Riley's perception.

His vision was blinded by a rush of blue... then white... then completely dark.

A little later in another location...

"Hey, you want to hear the story about how I once made Thorax hit himself?" asked the changed Pharynx.

"Oh yes! Please! Right now!" insisted Starlight Glimmer.

"Well, back when we were younger," recalled Pharynx, "every drone wanted to be rough and tough... except Thorax. He was kind of a wimp."

"Sounds like a good start," muttered Trixie with a smug look on her face.

Thorax rolled his eyes but decided to listen anyway, since the rest of his pack had started gathering closer too. The story continued, and everyone couldn't help but chuckle at certain parts. Though, having lived through most of the story himself, Thorax looked around at other things. One such item was a pretty blue fire in the sky... that was heading right for them!

Thorax gasped and pointed a hoof upward. "Everyone scatter!"

The other changelings and the two ponies looked up. Their expressions were mixed degrees of confusion and panic. Most of the pack screamed and flew outside of an invisible circle. Pharynx looked a bit disgruntled but flew out of the way along with Thorax.

"Teleportation spell go!" Trixie yelled as her horn ignited and fizzled.

"Too late!" Starlight cried and quickly set up her crystal-shaped shield spell around them both.

The blue fire slammed straight against the shield, sending out a shock wave that swept the air over everyone's heads. After a second, the sudden wind subsided. The royal brothers opened their eyes and looked at the result. Inside the shield, Starlight and Trixie peeked to see if the fire was still there.

Whatever was burning blue had ceased to be on fire. Some unusual creature slid down the shield's edge and plopped onto the dirt. Both unicorns blinked as Starlight dispelled her shield. Various changelings kept their distance, though a few inched closer to take a look. In a way, the body structure kind of looked like a blue, skinny diamond dog with a yellow vest and a few spikes. Thorax and Pharynx flew a little closer. The elder, shorter brother punched his hooves together, anticipating a fight.

The alleged dog opened his eyes a little, revealing red irises. Its mouth took a heavy breath.

"Ru... car... rr..."

After emitting its unintelligible syllables, its eyes closed again. Trixie looked at Starlight. The latter shrugged her shoulder and shook her head. Pharynx hung his limbs down and hissed through closed teeth, which kind of sounded ridiculous without fangs or a forked tongue. Thorax tilted his head and looked over at his brother.

"We should... take custody of this thing." Pharynx looked away. "You know, keep it safe until we can interrogate it."

Thorax blinked. "That doesn't sound like you, Pharynx."

Pharynx turned his head completely away. "Shut up and give the order before I hit it out of pity."

"Um... okay?" Thorax cleared his throat and looked around at the rest of his pack. "Bring this creature to the infirmary."

"Y-Yes sir." Two of the drones gave a quick salute before flying in to carry it.

"Hmm..." Starlight rubbed her chin while glancing at Pharynx. "Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?"

Trixie smirked. "That's so precious."

"I heard that, Cape 'n' Hat!" Pharynx snapped and looked straight at Trixie.

She held up a hoof next to her mouth. "Is that okay?"

While airborne, Pharynx tapped his hind hooves together once. "As a matter of fact, go trip yourself!"

Trixie kept her smug smile and started her process for her teleportation spell. On the tenth time around, she stopped shouting and just... poofed. Starlight face-hoofed and sighed.

"By the way, Starlight..." Thorax flew up and landed right in front of the remaining unicorn. "Don't think I have forgotten about all you did wrong today."

Starlight chuckled while looking to either side and sweating. A purple changeling with a monocle stood nearby with a parchment and quill.

"From this moment forth, I decree that you, Starlight Glimmer, are hereby forbidden from offering suggestions about anyone that is part of this changeling pack unless it is specifically requested. Do you have any questions or objections?"

Starlight rubbed the back of her mane sheepishly. "Nope! None whatsoever!"

Thorax switched to a gentle smile. "Good, then I look forward to seeing you again. Have a safe journey home."

"Eh heh heh, thanks. Bye."

Starlight cast her own teleportation spell and vanished. Thorax chuckled, then turned to follow the rest of his pack home.

Author's Note

Displaced Pokemon? There are probably hundreds of other such stories at this point.

Ch. 6: The Fourth Move

Begone, foul mutt! If you wish to disturb the natural order of this world, I shall kill you where you stand!

Xavier deadpanned and held up a rectangular charm. I was just answering your Displaced summons.

Oh! ... Uh... The large, light blue dragon knelt into a bowing posture. I'm so terribly sorry about my misunderstanding! Thank you for coming on such short notice!

An imaginary sweat drop appeared behind the Lucario's ear. That's quite alright, ma'am. He put his paw up next to his neck and faked a scratch. So... you said you wanted to see my capabilities?

Huh? The dragon tilted her head, letting the violet highlight from her mane droop. I don't remember saying that. I just... well, it might be easier if I showed you. Her tail curled around the Pokemon and swung him around to hang behind her as she took flight.

"Cariooooo!" He yelled while hanging onto the large tail for dear life. Holy crud, flying! Shaking! Need back down gently now!

For a while, Xavier couldn't see anything but blurs of disjointed colors. But as quickly as the impromptu flight had started, it came to an abrupt end. The dragon landed in the new location with barely a sound from her claws. As if per request, the curled tail set the Lucario on the ground with no physical damage. He assumed a quick martial arts stance with his eyes closed to calm his breathing.

In his aura sense, the picture resembled a large field covered in blades of grass. A few pegasi shapes flew overhead, yet didn't react to what was on this patch of ground. Several miles away in every direction, the land eventually stopped. Ripples occasionally contacted the land's edges before retreating. Water, perhaps? A deep, long exhale returned his vision back to his center as he opened his eyes.

She should be here any minute now. The dragon glanced up and behind herself.

Who is "she"? Xavier crossed his paws. For that matter, who are you?

The dragon gasped. I am so sorry! She bowed her head low to Xavier's eye level. In my rush, I forgot to make proper introductions. My name is Wilma, currently an order dragon. We're here on request of my rival.

Your... rival? Xavier tilted his head.

A deep roar shook the island. Considering Wilma's mouth was closed, Xavier looked elsewhere for the source. Up in the sky, he saw what looked like three red circles of varying sizes. A great, big beast flew through all of these circles at a pace that sounded like three sonic booms in succession. Xavier closed his left eye against the new pain in his ears, pressing his paws firmly in front of his locks of fur.

Wilma frowned as the other dragon landed. Doru.

Ha ha ha! Doru smirked with some fangs at the corner of her maw showing. A chaos dragon is only as good as their dramatic entrance. This is by far my most flashy.

The Lucario's headache was gradually subsiding. Hello, my name is Xa-

Don't care! Doru's tail slammed against the ground. Play with me! Now!

Excuse me? Xavier tilted his head.

Some of the mortals on this realm equate my play time to a destructive battle. Doru crouched down on all fours. So, you'll probably have to hit me with your most lethal force just to tickle me! Show me what your desperation looks like and play with me!

Wilma sighed and shook her head. Just go one round with her. She'll never stop complaining unless she gets her way.

Wait a minute! Xavier's eyes opened wide as he gestured in front of Wilma. I'm not suited for fighting a flying-type opponent!

We have healing and resurrection magic in case you suffer incapacitating damage. Wilma held out one of her front claws and it glowed golden.

Yeah, I don't think that's the point. Xavier looked down as an imaginary sweat drop formed behind his ear. Hoo boy...

He took a deep breath and faced his soon-to-be opponent. His limbs instinctively moved into a one-legged crane stance to start. Doru's eyes had a burning appearance without actual fire. The chaos dragon ran her tongue from one side of her jaw to the other side. Her leathery wings flapped once above either side of her back.

Stray flower petals flew on a passing breeze.

...

Doru pounced, forcing several blades of grass to lose their roots in the ground. Xavier dashed forth with his front paws pointing behind himself. He pulled his staff off his back and moved it in front of himself just in time to block the dragon's claws. The air around the two opponents seemed to forge into blue and red cones. Xavier growled as his hind paws slid back a couple centimeters and pushed the dirt underneath him.

The chaos dragon leaned her head back and inhaled. The Lucario's irises shrunk against the whites of his eyes. He turned on his toes and jumped to his left. A wave of fire swept over the area that he was just standing prior. Rebounding off his new position, he channeled his strength into his staff as a Bone Rush. He raced over and started whacking away at his opponent's leg.

She simply looked down at him with a deadpanned expression. Really? Come on. Quit messing around and show me your actual best.

Her tail swung around and he leapt back a pace. Xavier took a deep breath and exhaled. He put his staff behind himself before spreading his paws wide. He unleashed his Psychic attack. The powerful squiggly lines rushed through the air and slammed against the scaly hide. Doru actually slid backward... about one quarter of a meter.

Well, that's more than I was expecting. Wilma chuckled nervously.

Meh, you're only slightly stronger than a stray puppy at this rate. Doru slammed her tail against the ground. Her telepathic voice sounded irritated. You're that Smash character with the blue balls, right? Why don't you show me one of those?

Phrasing... Wilma waggled a claw in front of her own neck.

Xavier lowered his left paw to his side. Besides, I can't-

Doru leaned her head back and cast a spell circle in front of her muzzle. If you don't, I'm going to kill you right now for wasting my time.

Hold on, what?! Wilma leaned back with her jaw wide open.

But you were the one who called me here in the first place! Xavier's tail stiffened.

One... Fire started dancing inside of Doru's mouth. Two...

Crap, what do I do? Xavier turned to the side and cupped his paws together. I haven't been able to unlock my aura for attacks since I first woke up in the changeling hive! Now, this foreign dragon is expecting me to do so in less than a second! Try to focus as he might, the signature sphere didn't form.

Three! When Doru released her fire breath, the magic circle expanded it into a giant, red orb. It screeched as it barreled toward the lone Lucario.

Time slowed to a crawl from his perspective. Battling is second-nature for a Pokemon. So why... in this moment... fighting her...? His right paw left his line of sight. Why is this so infuriating?!

Back in real-time, Wilma exhaled a questioning sound. The newcomer's right paw looked as if it was glowing in purple and black. In a split second, the paw rose and expelled that light in a pulsating arc. This energy split Doru's fire orb in half, sending it to scorch the grass on either side of Xavier. Yet, his attack kept going and collided with Doru's face.

The chaos dragon roared while reeling back. That roar made way for a high-pitched scream. She toppled over onto her back, shaking the ground as she impacted. Wilma blinked as her jaw was still hanging open. The order dragon turned back to look at their guest.

"Grarrr." His right paw was still covered in that purple haze. In the blink of an eye, he was standing on top of the chaos dragon's neck. She tried to speak, but even her thoughts were sputtering.

Stop! That's enough! Wilma pulled out a twisted wand from her own inventory and whacked the Lucario on the head.

The sinister energy faded from his paw. Xavier blinked a couple times, looked down, and tensed up. He hopped off of his opponent's neck and quickly ran his thoughts through all of his favorite sweets. He channeled his pink Heal Pulse into the dragon before him and watched with anxiety.

That... was... amazing! Doru rolled over onto all fours and leapt at him.

"Cur-ah!" Xavier held up his paws defensively... until a girl, dressed in a cloak and stood barely taller than him, hugged him tightly.

"That was way more fun than anything I was expecting!" She laughed. "Can we make this a regular thing?"

Absolutely not. Wilma shook her head.

I have... several questions right now. Xavier tried and failed to extract himself from the girl's hug.

Wilma sighed. Chaos dragons have the power to shift freely back and forth between their natural form and a more humanoid shape.

Wait, you mean... He looked at the girl's fiery eyes. This is Doru? The same dragon that called us over here so she could fight me and call it "play"?

Doru giggled. "Do you like what you see?"

Xavier cleared his throat. If you are alluding to something, then I do not know what it is.

Doru let go of him and pouted. "Hmmm."

One week later, Xavier was summoned to another world. This one seemed like a normal enough city of high-class ponies. Most of the passersby scoffed at the sight of him. The rest trotted about while turning their noses away. One exception was a bright stallion in a fancy coat, monocle, and a blue mustache; he smiled and waved at the Lucario. Xavier smiled a little and nodded back before they both continued on their respective ways.

"Psst! Over here."

Xavier looked around for the hushed voice. A quick surveillance through his aura sense brought him the layout of small alleys. Most contained nothing but garbage, water, and occasionally a sleeping pony under a box and some newspaper. However, the closest alley to his left revealed... something tiny and waving a claw toward itself.

The Lucario walked into the alley, keeping his ears open and swiveling a little. Are you the Displaced one that summoned me here?

A cat standing on its hind legs held its front paws over its ears. "Could you just like... I don't know... stop talking inside my head? It gives me the shivers."

Xavier tilted his head, noting the cat's voice sounding male. But this is how I talk to everyone.

"Come on! You have a mouth! Use that!" The cat waved its left paw around.

But- Xavier sighed. "Lu-ca ri-o-ru ru-ri-car ra."

"See? That's much better." The cat released his grip from the top of his head.

"Car... ca ru ru-ri-car ra rio ru car rar ri ru-ca ri ra?" Xavier crossed his arms.

"Trust me, I never mess with anyone... ever." The cat waved his paw dismissively.

Hmm... Xavier crouched slightly. "Ru-ca, cu-ri ra ri cario. Ca-rar rio ra: Ru-ca-rar-ra-lu-cu-ra-ca-rio-ru-ca-lio."

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

Xavier's eyes stayed wide open for a few seconds. Arceus' Fairy Plate, he really does understand me.

"Alright, come on! We're burning daylight." The cat hopped up and made a fire escape ladder drop. "By the way, name's Chester."

"Lucario." He climbed the ladder without issue.

"Xavier, huh?" Chester rubbed his chin area. "I would have pegged you for a 'Riley', but... shows what I know."

"Ca... ri ru lu rar-ca lu?" Xavier crouched before following Chester through a window.

"It'd be easier if I just showed you."

Chester pulled a small chain and a light flickered on. Plastic lined the diagonal walls that were also the ceiling of the confined area. Pink fluff prevented the outdoor air from altering the warmth of the inside -- insulation, perhaps. Random debris covered the floor. Some the contents included a pony-shaped mannequin, a torn lampshade, a unicycle, and a guitar with strings that were curling outward.

Xavier's ears flicked. Someone or something was breathing heavily. He closed his eyes and "felt" around the room. For the most part, his aura sense showed him more of the scattered junk in the attic. Aside from himself and the cat, he found the aura of one other life form.

"Um, why are you glowing?" Chester took a step backward. "Is that normal?"

"Ra-ca cu ri rio... rr." Xavier braced himself in a defensive stance.

"Why are you being cryptic?" Chester leaned against a pocket of plastic on insulation. "I do not like cryptic."

A burning object spun through the air. Xavier casually leaned to his left to avoid the spinning item. He leaned to his right and dodged the object's return trip. A presence seemed to leap through the debris and caught the flying object. It was kind of purple and gaseous, spinning around a cracked bone with cold, light blue flames on either end. Dark gray eyes stared through the holes of an animal's skull.

Xavier opened his eyes. "Ca ri-o-ru lu-ca-ri."

"An Aloha and what?" Chester shook in place as his tail got all bushy. "Stop speaking Hawaiian and just exorcise that ghost already!"

"~~Marowak...~~" muttered the bony ghost.

Xavier held up a paw, motioning for Chester to wait where he was. "Lu ca ro ri ca-ru." He faced the 'Marowak'. Why are you here?

"~~Leave this place.~~" One of the flames on the bone grew slightly. "~~Vengeance will not rest.~~"

"Leave?!" Chester puffed his chest. "You're the one who dropped in uninvited one day! I've been living here for months with no ghosts on revenge quests or whatever!"

'Marowak' simply looked at Chester. The cat shrank back a step, but hissed in retort.

For what purpose are you vengeful? Xavier crossed his arms.

"~~My son... missing... they took him. Now... I am anger.~~" The Marowak's eyes glowed white with red highlights.

"There's no reason to believe this demon." Chester shivered. "Just do your battle thing and knock it out. You're both Pokemon, aren't you?"

Xavier looked down to mull over some thoughts. Where did they take your son?

"~~A deep forest... of many dangers... where even the lost souls fear to tread.~~" 'Marowak' pointed one of its stubby claws toward the window. A long way in the distance, there was a green speck of a forest's canopy.

If we find your son, will that bring you peace? Xavier moved his paw around for emphasis.

"We? What's this 'we' stuff?" Chester narrowed his eyes.

"~~I want to see my son... his takers must be dealt with...~~"

'Marowak' turned around and vanished. A quick glimpse through his aura sense showed Xavier that she was still there, just not visible to the normal eyes. Chester pulled himself off the insulation pocket and took some breaths.

"Why didn't you just hit it over the head with some PSI attacks?" Chester walked over.

First of all, I only have one Psychic attack. Secondly, not all battles are won through violence. Xavier looked toward the distant woods.

"Guh..." Chester shivered and rubbed his paws against his sides. "I still don't like that mind voice thinking you do."

"O-lu!" Xavier hopped down and carefully descended the fire escape.

"Let's go? Go where?" Chester groaned and softly hopped down after his impromptu guest.

Before the cat could get an answer, the Lucario sprinted through the city and along the train tracks. Much to Chester's irritation, he had already fallen what appeared to be miles behind. An overly decorated train was chugging along the tracks up ahead. Chester put a paw up above his eyes to try and get a better view. A bluish-black blur with a dot of yellow jumped right on top of the distant train and ran along its way.

"Okay, that's just not fair." He scowled.

After running along the engine, five passenger cars, and the caboose, Xavier leapt off the back of the train. He then made a sharp turn away from the tracks across the wilderness. Closing his eyes, he allowed his aura sense to help guide his movements. His body side-stepped the many twisting trees with ease. Eventually, he dashed up a fallen tree that curved up so that its leaves were still gathering sunlight.

On top of this tree, Xavier opened his eyes and looked around. Silence met his ears. Even the wind he had felt during his run had stopped still. The quiet lasted a little longer, until a faint noise could be heard down below. It sounded like it was whimpering. Xavier leapt from treetop to treetop until he spotted the source of the cry.

A creature that looked similar to Marowak, yet was much shorter in stature, had its claws under its eyes. It sounded like it was repeatedly muttering the phrase "cue bone". Watery tears rushed out like fountains. A hoard of grass-type wolves were growling at the child. One of the wooden beasts pounced at the crier.

"Bone?"

The child opened its eyes just in time to watch a blue staff knock the wolf to pieces. A Lucario landed in between the Cubone and the rest of the scary wolves. The child lowered their claws. As the other wolves attempted to pounce all at once, the Lucario's eyes glowed blue as he launched a Psychic attack, splitting the rest of the wolves apart... in both the sense of the pack and individual bodies.

Xavier sighed and turned his head. Are you alright, young one?

"~~I...I want my mommy...~~"

She is looking for you as well. Xavier put his staff onto his back before reaching down a paw. I can take you to her if you'd like.

"~~It's no good... those things keep coming back...~~"

What? "Cahhh!"

Sudden pain in his left ankle convinced Xavier to look down. A grass-type wolf was currently biting its wooden fangs into him. He growled and kicked it off with his other leg. He spun around. Some green vapors were actually pulling the pieces of wood back together into the lupine shapes.

Do their bodies run on Max Revives or something? Xavier clenched his right upper paw. Well... might as well test my control over my new technique.

The wooden pack of wolves resumed their efforts to pounce upon the intruders in their woods. However, the one in front suddenly felt cold. A radiating purplish-black essence was sticking through its head. When Xavier pulled out his paw covered in Dark Pulse, the wolf's glowing eyes dimmed to no light. The wooden body fell apart into lifeless toothpicks.

Apparently, self-preservation was a myth in the wild as the rest of the wooden wolves tried their luck all at once. The Lucario unleashed his Dark Pulse as a wave at the entire pack. More lifeless splinters littered the ground. He took a deep breath, held it for a three-count, and then exhaled to interrupt his train of negative thoughts.

I don't think these things will bother you again, he assured the child. Now, how about we go find your mother?

The Cubone shook a little but nodded. "~~O-Okay...~~" They slowly walked forward, before seeming to disappear on contact with Xavier.

...

Chester was still trudging along the tracks, gasping for breath as he did. Thankfully, the summoned help picked him up before returning to the attic in his place of residence. The child ghost ran up to the Marowak and the two embraced.

"~~Thank you...~~" The haunting spirits vanished in plumes of fire.

"Well, I'm glad I had the brilliant idea of bringing you on to help me." Chester slid his front paws past each other, as if wiping off imaginary dust. "So... thanks."

Xavier rolled his eyes. "Lu ca ra ca ri ru ca lo, ru lu-ri."

"I guess quest-takers expect rewards of some kind." Chester scratched his head lightly. "I don't have money on me on account of being a cat, but feel free to find some junk item from inside here if you want."

"Lu... cario."

Xavier saw a glint of something where the two ghosts were previously standing. He slowly walked over to the spot and saw a slightly bent piece of black leather. Something about it seemed right to him. He wrapped the leather around his waist like a belt. A new feeling coursed through him. It wasn't revitalization, rather a state of being that was slightly better than he had before.

Just as suddenly, he found himself back in the changeling hive he currently resided.

Author's Note

Xavier learned Dark Pulse.

Item acquired:
1x Expert Belt (Increases the strength of super-effective moves)