My Little Pokémon: Grander World

Equestria. The Crystal Empire. Afternoon.

At the Crystal Empire, in a snowy location, Cadence, Shining Armor and the Crystal Empire residents were all watching their own Pokemon with Cutie Marks, amazed by this strange new development. The two Flurry Hearts had their eyes widened, their pupils following each of the Pokemon the passed by, especially some of the Sableye.

"Well, they all look excited." Cadence said. "I think this will be an interesting thing for all the Pokemon to have Cutie Marks, even if it is only temporary."

"Mhm." Shining nodded, watching as his Aegislash was showing off his cutie mark which resembled his natural appearance, with the shape of a sword with a crown in the middle and a shield on the right side. "Makes you look extra noble, Aegislash."

"Aegis!"

"And it makes you look adorable, Sylveon. It looks a lot like mine, actually" Cadence said to her Sylveon who shared a Cutie Mark that resembled her own. The Fairy Type Eevee evolution smiled, happy to hear such praise. "But despite that...what do we do about that?"

Since the Crystal Empire was the closest to the Frozen North, from this distance. the gigantic building made in the image of Abomasnow could be seen from afar, causing the Princesses some concern. The fact that the Ice-type Pokemon made this all on his own was already astonishing, but the question is, how was he able to accomplish this overnight?

The way the building appeared was a fortress-like structure, resembling longhouses. The outer walls of the building were made from towering blocks of ice and stone, masterfully carved with what appeared to be runes that glow faintly in the dim snowy light, as if imbued with an ancient, frost-bound magic. The sheer scale of the walls, some reaching over 50 feet high, were enough to make them wonder how did it appear so fast?

Icy spires rose from the structure, sharp and jagged like the teeth of a glacier, with some structures appearing to have formed naturally from the surrounding ice. Snow-draped pines surround the area, their branches heavy with ice, creating a wintry forest at the base of the main building, which had Abomasnow's face in the centre.

"Get a gander at that..." Shining Armor whistled in amazement. "I've been thinking of giving orders to check it out. Just to be safe. What do you say?"

"Worth a shot to view it. It's related to Stella Bloom and it would be nice to give Celestia an update, just in case." Cadence agreed.

"We're gonna visit that place?!" Flurry Heart flew over with her younger self in her hooves.

"We are, and you're staying here, okay? Can't take too many risks." Cadence instructed.

"Awww! No fair." She pouted along with her baby self, the two wanting to visit it. "Why can't we come? We'll be super safe and super careful, and plus, we can take care of ourselves."

"Sorry, but I have to agree with your Mom, Flurry. For now, the grownups have to check it out first. If something goes wrong, you'll what to do." Shining Armor gave the two a pat on their heads. "Don't worry. We won't take long."

"Fine." The older Flurry Heart spoke, sighing while flying off.

"Okay then, I'll prepare my guards and get moving."

Thus, they set off to see the Frozen North and what the new building had in store.

The Sizzling Range.

Meanwhile in the Sizzling Range, it had become a place of prosperity for all the Pokemon living here. All thanks to the efforts of a single Infernape, who had become the leader and mastermind behind it all. It was a lot of work to accomplish in just a short period of time, but the Fire-Type had done the impossible, creating a kingdom in such a short period.

A great deal of work went into the construction of this kingdom. The heat, the energy, and the flames of the hot springs and geysers were used to forge and create all sorts of materials, tools, and other essential items needed for this city.

What truly mattered was the main building, which was a temple, a grand sanctuary situated on a mountainside high above the Sizzling Range. The temple stood at the peak of the mountain surrounding by falling fire that mimicked waterfalls, with a winding stone stairway leading to its entrance. These stairs were lined with stone lanterns that burn with golden flames, symbolizing the fiery spirit of Infernape.

Golden-red pagoda towers rose above the temple, their tiered roofs curving upwards like flames reaching for the sky. At the entrance stood a colossal statue of Infernape, depicted in a dynamic stance. The statue, made of bronze and gold, shines brilliantly in the sunlight, radiating power and vitality.

And at this moment, sitting in his own throne room was the king of this place himself. Infernape. Right now, in his beautifully built throne room, a massive audience of Pokemon surrounded him, eager to listen to his next order.

"Listen to this. Since I can talk like this, something great came to mind." Infernape said. "All of this is neat and all and building this in one night was great. But I can do more. I feel like I could be at the top of the world. Literally!"

His subjects, consisting of mostly Fire and Rock-types looked up at him, curious.

"I've been made aware of everything else in this world. And I wanna get a ton of respect right away. You know...like a bigger kind of King. A Champion."

"Torkoal?" One Pokemon, a Torkoal questioned.

"No, no. That won't do." He hopped off of his throne, latching onto a pillar. "A Pokemon like me can't settle for just being the King of a mountain range. I want the respect of everyone. There has to be a reason to why I was chosen to speak like this. But what can I do...?" His other hand was placed on his chin.

"Talon! Talonflame!" Suddenly, a Talonflame got his attention, speaking of something that might interest him. For these past 4 years, the world has underwent some changes and one of which is the popular figures making a name for themselves in each respective area. One of which being Ash, who became insanely popular due to how much he helped Equestria's residents.

"Hm? Yeah, what about it?"

"Talon!" Talonflame saw it happen. When flying by, he witnessed Ash and Celestia's battle and how amazing it was. He also saw how respected the two of the were. Celestia was respected due to her being the ruler of Equestria and Ash was respected for all the help he's given. That interested Infernape.

"Oooh...That might be it. If I can be as popular as those two, that could boost me up. I'll focus on Equestria right now and then later the world." Infernape grinned, his eyes flashing with an idea. "Hehe! Yes, that'll do! I'll demand that I have to be as well-respected as those two!"

All the Pokemon here were up for that, encouraging their king to do that. Just one day of gaining this intelligence and he already had such big goals in mind. There was a tone of pride backing up his decision and he was about to see it realized.

"I'll be heading off then! Canterlot's the place I have to go to right? I'll go up to that ruler and ask her to help me get all the respect I need. Maybe even pay a visit to that human. Wherever he is." Infernape snickered, leaping off the pillar. He was about to set out and gain all the recognition he craved for, not even hesitating for a second.

Inernape ran off, jumping out of his temple. He would go at it solo and start spreading the word about himself.

Cadence and Shining Armor had arrived at Abomasnow's area. It was an entire fortress area as to be expected. But this area didn't just became a fortress, it also made the Pokemon here dedicated guardians of this place. At the entrance, two massive statues of Abomasnow stand guard, carved from ice and stone. Their faces are weathered but fearsome, staring down anyone who dares approach.

The main gate was reinforced with iron and wood, embedded with those strange symbols that ward off intruders. The path leading to the gate was flanked by braziers of magical blue flame. These flames provide no heat but emit a haunting, ethereal glow.

"Boy, this is...something." Shining Armor looked up with stunned eyes as the guards behind him all nodded in agreement. "You don't think...they're gonna attack us, right? I mean, based on that symbol, it looks like an Abomasnow runs this place."

"Not sure..." Cadence responded.

"You there!" Abomasnow shouted, approaching them, appearing larger than before. Not only did his intellect change but so did his height. "You have come here unannounced. You must state your reason."

"W-Wait! We come in peace!" Cadence held her hoof up, stopping her guards from getting ready to defend themselves.

"Hm. You must be from that kingdom in the distance we always see." Abomasnow spoke.

"Mhm. That's us." Shining Armor nodded, his horn glowing. "Rulers of the Crystal Empire. We just came here out of curiosity, that's all."

"Hmph." Abomasnow narrowed his eyes when looking at them both.

"Wait...Is he...talking?" It just processed to Cadence that Abomasnow could speak, catching her off guard. Everyone soon realized it, seeing that Abomasnow was talking from his mouth instead of some type of telepathy.

"Hm. Surprised? I've gained a new level of intelligence that allows me to speak like you all." Abomsanow smirked. "All thanks to this mark on my back." He turned around, promptly showing his Cutie Mark off to them all.

"His Cutie Mark is allowing him to speak...?" A Guard wondered.

"...How come Aegislash isn't speaking then?" Shining Armor glanced over at Aegislash, wondering why he wasn't speaking. The same can be said for Sylveon and all the other Pokemon that have Cutie Marks on them.

"Clearly, I was chosen." Abomasnow boasted. "I was gifted the knowledge of speaking through is mark. And with the knowledge of everything else, I was able to construct this fort around me, a fitting area for a great king. No. A King isn't a fitting title. A Giant feels far more powerful."

"Woooh..." The group was impressed that he did this in one night, slowly nodding their heads.

"Upon gaining this level of speak and building my fortress, I realized that I was meant for something far greater. I've had a lot of time to think in just one night and clearly, this mark's existence tells me of what I must do."

"The mark? I'm pretty sure that' the Antibodies at work." Cadence pointed out. Even if it was the Cutie Mark, it was clear that the Antibodies were responsible since they brought this on.

"Whichever it may be, I have but one desire." Abomasnow closed his eyes. "I believe it was around 2 years ago. Before I could even gain this impressive level of speech, which was only done yesterday, I met a certain pony somewhere near the highest hills. Quite the character she was. A fun one, no doubt. I helped her get past that mountain and along the way, we spoke for a while. She gave me her thanks and ever since then, a strong part of me has wished to meet her again. To throw a banquet in her name!" Abomasnow bellowed, the other Abomasnow around him all roaring.

"Ooh, that sounds both delicious and lovely!" Cadence put her hooves together, loving the sound of that.

"Indeed. You see, despite having this level of speech now, what is one to even do with it? I have no further aspirations aside from living my life here as I always have, so I might as well do this. She was a lively individual to be around. The first individual that I could be calm around. So, this banquet is what I decided on."

"Are you...gonna share this banquet with where she lives or something?" Flash Sentry asked. "Whoever it is, you'd have to either go to her or bring her here.

"We'll bring her here, of course!" Abomasnow let out a hearty bellow. "This will be my gift to her! I have not a clue on where she currently resides, but it doesn't matter. We will find her!"

"Well umm...could you give us a description of her? If you saw her, then you remember what she looks like, right?" Cadence pointed out.

"Hmm..." Abomasnow closed his eyes, trying to remember the look of this pony. "She was pink. Pink fur, pink hair, just oozing it with. I never got her name, but I remember her appearance with how much she stood out. Her shade of pink was almost similar to yours. She had a mark on her that resembled balloons I bel-"

"It's Pinke Pie." Cadence figured it out instantly. No one else fits that description but her. "If I had to guess...did she mention something about Yaks?"

"Yes? How did you know?"

"Ah, so that's what it is!" Cadence put it all together. "It was when she needed to reach Yakyakistan to throw a party for the Yaks. I was the one who told her to go up that mountain, guiding her a bit. You were there too, weren't you?"

"Hm! So you're the one who told her to go up there! Hah!" Abomasnow chuckled, holding his hand out. "Then I suppose we are mutuals in a sense, aren't we?!"

"Seems so! Pleasure to meet you!" Cadence placed her hoof on his hand, shaking it.

"Likewise." He gave a nod.

"Alright then. I think it's best that I tell her to come over here. Makes it far easier for all of us. I'm guessing you all have food ready? Is the food mainly Pokemon or...?" Cadence raised an eyebrow.

"Come! See for yourself, my friends!" Abomasnow would gladly show them the food he's prepared for this banquet.

Upon entering, the visitors found themselves in a vast grand hall made of shimmering ice with walls and ceilings that sparkled like crystal. Massive wooden beams run the length of the hall, braced by carved stone pillars.

The floors were covered in thick leaves that the Abomasnow had used to keep the interior warm despite the chilling surroundings. In the center, there was a massive hearth, an oversized stone structure that burns a ghostly blue fire.

Along the walls were icicles hanging down like chandeliers, and the natural ice formations acted as windows, allowing light to filter through and give the entire space a wonderful glow. To think this as all done in one night. Most likely, it was mainly the Antibodies that caused this rapid growth. As for the banquet, the food tat was present here was plentiful and massive indeed, made by the Pokemon themselves.

Alas, they were all Pokemon Food.

"Behold! Isn't this the most glorious sight you've ever seen?!" Abomasnow exclaimed. "We have food here and we will not let you go empty-handed. For this is a momentous occasion! I will send word out immediately that a great feast shall be held here. We must get her as soon as possible, so there is no time to lose!"

"This all looks nice um...King Abomasnow. But uh...I don't think she can eat this. Her Pokemon, sure, but ponies can't eat Pokemon food." Cadence scratched her mane.

"Hm? You can't? I suppose you're right." Abomasnow thought about it, realizing that was a good point. "We'll have to start from scratch then. Craft food that she is capable of consuming. But how...?" Abomasnow sat down, wondering how to make food aside from Pokemon Food.

"Let us handle that." Thankfully, that's where Cadence came in. "I'll have the Crystal Empire whip up food that Pinkie Pie can eat. Of course, you can all still have your Pokemon Food of her Pokemon to eat."

"Oh, for sure. We can easily have them make something for this." Shining Armor added. "No problem. I mean, we could also just ask Pinkie Pie herself to make something, but it'd be better if she was the one getting a surprise."

"Excellent!" Abomasnow yelled, his voice causing the bodies of the ponies to shake and vibrate as all the Abomasnow raised their arms up and cheered.

"Flash. Could you get Pinkie Pie for us?" Shining Armor said to Flash Sentry, who saluted and would be on it as soon as possible.

Applejack, in an attempt to find her Delta Lucario, found herself in a desert area where she was accompanied by Rarity. They appeared at a desert area, just at its outskirt which was still connected to another piece of land that wasn't sand.

There, they saw it. The third location on the newspaper. It was another temple, constructed at the foot of a rocky desert plateau, with towering stone cliffs providing a natural sturdy defence. The location itself was built from sandstone and granite, its walls weathered by the desert winds but standing strong. The structure itself is comprised of multiple levels, with a central staircase spiralling around a giant stone pillar in the center.

The main entrance was framed by two colossal statues of Lucario, each holding a staff with a certain symbol and wearing a ceremonial headdress. Their eyes are embedded with deep blue lapis lazuli, glowing faintly with Aura. Applejack had tracked Lucario down via his Aura. Thankfully, he hadn't gone that far.

"This is where he went too? My, what a sight~!" Rarity gushed at the beautiful area up ahead. "Why would a Lucario like him settle in a place like this? Seems odd."

"Dunno. I say we just get closer and figure out what's goin' on. Come on! Lucario!" Applejack called out for Lucario while galloping into the sandy desert, Rarity following suit. As they ran towards it, standing before them was another pony who had arrived here before they have. Up ahead, they saw a familiar face, coming to a screeching halt.

"Hm? Ah...you two." The pony standing there was none other than Somnambula, one of the 6 Pillars of Equestria.

"Oh...Somnambula, was it?" Rarity spoke, hoping he remembered her name. "Did you follow Lucario here by any chance?"

"Lucario? Oh, no, no. I came here because this thing sprouted out of nowhere last night. This temple here." Somnambula said. "I wonder how...? Magic maybe? Either way, there's something about it. I would hope that you two can feel it?"

"...Feel what?" But Rarity wasn't feeling anything, simply shrugging.

"You felt that too?" Applejack questioned, feeling something from this temple. She could easily feel it thanks to her Aura. "That's a lot of Aura....Wait, you can sense Aura too?!"

"Hm-hm." Somnambula let out a light giggle before revealing something from her headdress. Lo and behold, she had a Poke Ball, indicating that she too has managed to catch her own Pokemon. "I had to catch up with the times, after all. It was rather easy to get a hang of the Aura, at least a bit of it."

"Does that mean you have a Lucario of your own? A regular or Delta Variant perhaps?" Rarity asked.

"I do. I had quite the meeting with this Lucario. Quite the meeting. How do I even describe it?" She looked up with a whimsical expression before frowning. "Well, I'm sure you two would understand it better. After all, you're more used to this Pokemon thing than me. Coming to this temple seemed like a solution to an issue I'm facing."

"Huh? What are you talking about? Is something up with your Lucario?" Applejack leaned in while questioned.

"You tell me." Somnambula would drop the Poke Ball, unleashing the Pokemon within. From it, a Lucario did indeed emerge, but something was amiss. Instead of emerging as a regular Lucario, out of it erupted something else. Applejack and Rarity were in shock at what they were seeing.

A Mega Lucario had arrived from the Poke Ball.

Her Pokemon was a Mega Lucario, but without even reappearing in its original state. They couldn't believe their eyes and it didn't seem like this Lucario was in the middle of a battle for something like this to be happening. Before they could even enter this temple, this surprise came their way as the journey continues.

Chapter 618 End.