Hoenn Mirror World

[Strawberry Delcatty]

Connie got a running start and jumped toward Shadow Hydra.

CONNIE: You don't know who you're messing with! Ground Fist!

Connie's fist began glowing as she punched Shadow Hydra's middle head. The head roars in pain, for the impact of the attack felt like being hit with a boulder in the middle of a landslide. Connie did the same with the head on her left and then the head on her right. However, the right head countered with a huge tornado. Connie was trapped, but Lyoko flew up and spun around at a high speed to create a counterforce in the twister. The tornado dissolved and Connie ended up plummeting toward the sea, but Mirror Mariah managed to catch her and safely land.

CONNIE: Thanks!
MIRROR MARIAH: No problem. Huh? The Mirror Shard... it's underwater!
CONNIE: Huh?
MIRROR MARIAH: No problem, though.

Before Connie could say anything else, Mirror Mariah took the crystal Pokeball off from her necklace. She pressed the button, and the ball opened. A bright light was shot from the ball, but it didn't form into Marshflect. Instead, the while light became a sky blue colored Pokemon. It had bright green eyes and dark blue heart-shaped fins on its head and tail. The wings, a little larger compared to Marshflect's, remained along with the halo. Connie did a bit of a wild take and she saw Marshflect's evolved form.

CONNIE: What kind of Swampert is that?
MIRROR MARIAH: No time to answer questions now, Connie. Swamira and I will find the Mirror Shard. You help Mariah and the others with that three-headed Milotic.

With that, Mirror Mariah and his Swamira dove into the water. Connie frowned for a few seconds.

CONNIE: After all this time, I still can't believe that the Mirror Guardian would have Pokemon like that.

Connie headed back just in time to see Cascadia blown into the air with another dizzying tornado fired from Shadow Hydra. Right at the next moment, Shadow Hydra turned her attention to Connie and blew flames at her. Connie ended up getting hit. When Shadow Hydra stopped attacking, Connie was paralyzed. Meanwhile, Cascadia was still stuck in the tornado, but Mariah flew toward the tornado at lightning speed and got her out of there. She then noticed Connie's paralysis and landed near her. Lyoko and Tsunama noticed her and get to the scene as well.

TSUNAMA: You okay, Connie?
CONNIE: I... I... I can't move!
CASCADIA: Well, I don't know whether to see that as a bad thing or a good thing.
TSUNAMA: Huh? Why's that, sis?
CASCADIA: It's a bad thing because she won't be able to attack much, but it can be a good thing because we don't have to worry about her going ballistic!
CONNIE: You won't be able to laugh at that when I deal with you!

Connie tried to hit Cascadia, but she could barely move because her whole body felt stiff.

CASCADIA: I'm just kidding.
TSUNAMA: Hey, where's that mirror Mariah? Wonder what happened to her.
CONNIE: She went off to find a Mirror Shard. Now, can someone help me out here?!

Just then, Connie's Ganlon Necklace began glowing and then Connie herself. Everyone then watched in awe as Connie was being miraculously cured of her condition. After a few seconds, Connie was able to move freely again.

CONNIE: Wow. That was weird. I suddenly feel better... but what happened?
LYOKO: Your necklace... It began glowing...
CONNIE: Well, I have to say this for that Mariah wannabe... These necklaces definetely come in handy when you need them! Now we need to figure out what we're gonna do about that thing.

Shadow Hydra let out an evil laugh as a shield of black lightning surrounded her heads and body. Tsunama, not intimidated by the new defense manuever, began glowing and raised her arms high into the air. A huge tidal wave formed in front of her, and then it headed right for Shadow Hydra when Tsunama quickly let her hands down in a slamming motion. When Tsunama's attack hit the shield, however, the water immediately dissolved. Tsunama was on the verge of panicking when she noticed her attack didn't work.

TSUNAMA: What?
SHADOW HYDRA: Try getting through that, you pathetic creatures!

Mariah then aimed her wand at Shadow Hydra and released a strong bolt of lighting right at Shadow Hydra that paraylze her. Cascadia closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. She began glowing as whirlpools form around the immobile Shadow Hydra. Lights were shot from them and dove right into her. Shadow Hydra was beginning to get heavily injured.

MARIAH: Whew. That oughta do it.
CASCADIA: I sure hope so. If that thing managed to survive my best attack, we'd be done for.

Sure enough, Shadow Hydra began glowing. Purple at first, and then blue. She was recovered once again, this time from the damage Cascadia has done and from the paraylsis Mariah has caused.

SHADOW HYDRA: [evil laugh] Is that all you've got?
TSUNAMA: Looks like we're done for.
MARIAH: Not quite. There's still something we haven't tried.
LYOKO: What is it?
MARIAH: Here's what we're gonna do...

Everyone huddled around Mariah to listen in on her plan.

CASCADIA: What? I don't think we can pull this off.
LYOKO: Yeah! That three headed Milotic will beat us before we're halfway done!
TSUNAMA: Well, I say we go for it. It's better than nothing. We're gonna fry that thing before it even blinks!
CONNIE: [laughs] Hey, Tsunama... Mind if I use that line in the future?
TSUNAMA: Knock yourself out, my friend!
CASCADIA: Can we please deal with the Milotic Hydra now?

Mariah and Lyoko head off near the Cave of Origin while Cascadia and Tsunama remained at the sea. Mariah got her wand ready while Lyoko, Cascadia, and Tsunama prepared their Pokeballs.

MARIAH: I call upon the Rainbow of the Mirror World! Yellow! Green!

The yellow and green gems on the Mirror Wand began to glow and shot out two bright lights of their respective colors that formed into Electabuzz and Sceptile.

LYOKO: Go, Aelita!

Lyoko threw the Pokeball into the air. The ball opened and the bright light that was shot out of it formed into Aelita the Swellow.

CASCADIA: Let's go, Vaporeon!
TSUNAMA: Mantine, we need you!

Both sisters tossed their Net Balls into the air. They both opened and bright lights burst out of them that formed into Cascadia's Vaporeon and Tsunama's Mantine, a blue ray Pokemon with a tail that flowed like a kite's tail. As Shadow Hydra got ready for the assault, Mariah took a deep breath to calm her tense feelings.

MARIAH: I sure hope this works...

Mariah, Lyoko, and Aelita flew toward Shadow Hydra. Flames and water streams with ultrasonic waves were fired at them, but they managed to dodge attacks. Cascadia, Tsunama, Vaporeon, and Mantine swam toward Shadow Hydra at full speed. Connie, Sceptile, and Electabuzz were doing a little rock hopping to get to Shadow Hydra.

SHADOW HYDRA: Do you think you could beat me?
ELECTABUZZ: We don't think so! We KNOW so! [to Connie] Go for it!

Connie leaped toward Shadow Hydra. Her fist began glowing as she reared it back.

CONNIE: Eat this! Giga Punch!

On impact, Connie managed to shatter the dark barrier and slammed into the middle head of Shadow Hydra with a powerful punch. Then, Electabuzz and Sceptile prepared for a double attack. Electabuzz's fists began to charge with electricity, and the leaves on Sceptile's arms began glowing a bright green. Electabuzz slammed his sparking fist into Shadow Hydra's left head and managed to paralyze it as well as doing quite a bit of damage. Sceptile slashed the right head with his arm leaves, also doing some major damage.

MARIAH: All right! We're making some progress here!

Just then, Shadow Hydra attacked by blowing a huge tornado with black flames. Everyone was caught in it and felt immense heat and pain. Mariah's plan was going horribly wrong, and she needed a miracle.

MARIAH: This...is...bad... [coughs] I can't breathe, and...I feel weak... I...need a...way...to turn... [coughs] this around!

Shadow Hydra watched as the swirling black inferno managed to drain the energy of her victims. Suddenly, a strange sparkling wind of red and blue crept inside of the tornado and managed to make it explode. Then it swirled around the group and they were back at full health.

MARIAH: Huh? What happened?
TSUNAMA: I have no clue.
CASCADIA: I didn't sense anything while I was in the tornado.
SHADOW HYDRA: What?! How could this happen?!

Shadow Hydra was then attacked by a blue burst of light and red "fluffy" orbs. Everyone was completely spellbound when they noticed that unknown forces were giving everything they had against Shadow Wing's toughest monster.

MARIAH: Well, I don't know what's going on here, but this is our chance! Lyoko, pick up where Electabuzz and Sceptile left off!
LYOKO: Okay! [to Aelita] Let's go!
AELITA: All right!

Lyoko and Aelita fly toward Shadow Hydra at top speed. When they were within striking distance, Lyoko and Aelita flew as high as they could.

LYOKO: Ready, Aelita?
AELITA: Ready as ever, Lyoko.
LYOKO: All right!
LYOKO & AELITA: Sky Rush!

Lyoko and Aelita zoomed down toward Shadow Hydra. On the way down, Lyoko gets close to Aelita and the two began spinning. Shadow Hydra attempted to stop them by attacking with the black flames, but Lyoko and Aelita tore through the attack and directly hit the neck of Shadow Hydra's middle head. Just then, a black tornado formed around Shadow Hydra. After a few moments of wondering what else the three headed monster had planned, a normal colored Milotic was lying unconscious in the water and Shadow Hydra only had two heads instead of three.

LYOKO: Well, it looks like we've got one down. Mariah's plan is working better than I thought. [to Cascadia and Tsunama] Okay! You're up!
CASCADIA & TSUNAMA: All right!

Cascadia closed her eyes and spread out her arms. A blue glow suddenly surrounded her. Huge waves began to form around Cascadia.

CASCADIA: Hydro Bind!

The waves then formed into a large cyclone that trapped Shadow Hydra. Tsunama signals Mantine and Vaporeon to get the Milotic to safety before she dove underwater to swim toward the cyclone. She noticed Shadow Hydra trying to heal herself, but it didn't seem possible to do so. Tsunama then jumped out of the water.

TSUNAMA: Diamond Blizzard!

Tsunama's eyes and body glowed a bright white as a whirlwind of snow and hail was fired at the cyclone. The cyclone froze immediately after Tsunama's icy attack made impact with it. Once the injured Milotic was safe, Vaporeon and Mantine got with their trainers.

CASCADIA: Vaporeon, Iron Tail!
TSUNAMA: Mantine, Wing Attack!

Vaporeon and Mantine head for the giant ice pillar that covered Shadow Hydra.

MARIAH: Sceptile! Electabuzz! Go help them out!
LYOKO: You too, Aelita!

Vaporeon's tail begins glowing as she leaped toward the pillar and hits it with her tail as hard as she could. Mantine followed the same manuever as Vaporeon, but he prefered to use his "wings" instead. Aelita flew up high and then dove into the pillar as hard as she could. Sceptile fired a strong barrage of seeds from his mouth, and Electabuzz charged up and fires stars from his antennae. Despite a few dents, the pillar stood, and Mariah was trying to figure out her next move.

MARIAH: Hmm...I didn't expect Tsunama's attack to be like this. Looks like I have to take this to another level! I call upon the Rainbow of the Mirror World! Orange!

The orange gem on the Mirror Wand began glowing and shot out an orange light that forms into Lagadi.

LAGADI: What's up, Mariah? Any trouble?
MARIAH: Yeah. I need you to use a Sunny Day attack!
LAGADI: Huh? For what?
MARIAH: I'll explain later!

Without asking any questions, Lagadi looked up in the sky and raised her paws in the air. Suddenly, the sunlight intensified and the ice pillar began to melt.

MARIAH: Okay. Now I'm gonna need you to speed the melting process up with your Flame Wheel!

Lagadi nodded and hopped from rock to rock. By the time she was close to the pillar, Lagadi was surrounded by flames and slammed into the ice pillar. She then falled toward the water after she attacked, but Aelita managed to catch the rabbit with her talons.

LAGADI: Whew. Thanks a lot. I owe you one.
AELITA: I'm always more than ready to help a friend.

Aelita safely delivered Lagadi to Mariah. The pillar begined to melt quicker than it did earlier.

MARIAH: Heh heh... perfect...
CONNIE: Okay, Mariah. I'm tired of just standing around. When do I get to break it?

Mariah and Sceptile team up to use Reflect Seed. Mariah's Mirror Beam and Sceptile's Bullet Seed combined and formed rainbow colored seeds that landed on the icy pillar. A rainbow colored plant starts to grow around it.

MARIAH: Right now.
CONNIE: Finally!

Connie jumped toward the pillar and gave in a good punch. It was enough to shatter it, and Shadow Hydra collapsed. After floating motionlessly in the water, she then returned to being two separate Milotic. There was a brief moment of silence before all the villagers opened their doors to see that Shadow Hydra had fallen. Wallace, who was calling for help in the Pokemon Center for quite a while, put down the phone and saw his Milotic through the window. Nurse Joy noticed the Milotic too and headed outside with Wallace right behind. Cascadia approached her Milotic to make sure it wasn't too injured. Then, Wallace and Cascadia began to wonder where the third Milotic came from, but Nurse Joy then stepped up.

NURSE JOY: Your Milotic are in bad shape.
WALLACE & CASCADIA: We know.

Both Wallace and Cascadia recalled their Milotic in their Pokeballs and handed them to Joy while a few pink Pokemon with eggs in their pouches were helping the third Milotic. As Wallace, Joy and the pink Pokemon called Chansey head back to the Pokemon Center, Mirror Mariah and Swamira have finally surfaced.

MIRROR MARIAH: Whew! I thought I'd never find it!
CONNIE: It's about time! Where the heck were you? It can't take that long to find the Mirror Shard!
MIRROR MARIAH: Well, oddly enough, it wasn't harder than I thought it would be. Fortunately, Swamira spotted the Mirror Shard near a Corsola nest.

Mirror Mariah and Swamira head back to dry ground.

MIRROR MARIAH: We would've gotten back sooner, but we somehow lost the way. [gets out the Mirror Shard] Anyway, here it is!

The Mirror Shard was shaped like three raindrops in a pyramid formation.

MIRROR MARIAH: The Rain Shard... [laughs]

Just then, the Rain Shard disappeared and Mirror Mariah got a strong feeling within her. Everyone got together to find out what was happening. After a few seconds, Mirror Mariah seemed relieved.

MIRROR MARIAH: The Rain Shard... it was the last shard...
CONNIE: So that would mean that...
MARIAH: That the Golden Gateway's been fixed?
MIRROR MARIAH: Yeah. It's fixed. We managed to fix the Golden Gateway...

Mariah then fell down crying. She was completely overjoyed that the long journey to find the Mirror Shards to fix the Golden Gateway at the Oldale Shrine have finally come to an end. Now, all that was left was to go to the Oldale Shrine and head to Ever Grande Cathedral by the Golden Gateway. After that, she can finally go back to the world that she longed to go back...the Hoenn Region.

MARIAH: [sobbing] Well, it won't be long now...

End of Chapter 19​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

MARIAH'S POKEMON
Octillery(M)@-- LV40
Trait: Suction Cups
Mild Nature
-Thunder Wave
-Psybeam
-Aurora Beam
-Bubblebeam
-Octazooka
-Focus Energy

Lagadi(F)@Charcoal LV40
Trait: Flash Fire
Bold Nature
-Agility
-Double Kick
-Bite
-Flame Wheel
-Double Team
-Sunny Day

Electabuzz(M)@Magnet LV40
Trait: Static
Rash Nature
-Ice Punch
-Thunderpunch
-Light Screen
-Swift
-Thunderbolt
-Screech

Sceptile(M)@King's Rock LV40
Trait: Overgrow
Hardy Nature
-Fury Cutter
-Pursuit
-Bullet Seed
-Screech
-Leaf Blade
-Agility

Shuckle(M)@Quick Claw LV40
Trait: Sturdy
Relaxed Nature
-Substitute
-Encore
-Rock Tomb
-Safeguard
-Bide
-Rest

Venomoth(F)@Bright Powder LV40
Trait: Shield Dust
Naive Nature
-Confusion
-Secret Power
-Leech Life
-Stun Spore
-Gust
-Psybeam

CURRENT ITEMS
Mirror Wand
Description: Gold and has a Pokeball on top, wings on the side of the ball, and six jewels (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) on the top part of the Pokeball
Ability: Enables Mariah to use the attacks of Pokemon she had captured, whether or not they have fainted. Also heals, transforms into a mirror and stores Mariah's Pokemon.
Attacks: Mirror Beam, Mirror Special, Mirror Magic, Petaya Magic (used with Petaya Necklace), Reflect Seed (used with Sceptile)
Obtained: Given to by the Mirror Guardian (Mirror Mariah) in Chapter 1
Other info: Regained its full power after all the Rainbow Balls were used

Leaf Sword
Description: Green sword with leaf-shaped blade
Ability: Enables Mariah to use various sword techniques. Gets stronger with moves that Sceptile learns.
Attacks: Petal Drill, Petaya Slash (used with Petaya Necklace), Forest Wave
Obtained: Chapter 5 after Mariah's Treecko evolved

Mirror Bracelet
Description: Bracelet with large, blue pearls
Ability: Enables Mariah to summon a wall of rock, water, or wind for defense
Obtained: Given to by Wally in Chapter 6

Bronze Watch
Description: Seemingly broken down bronze watch with a rusty chain
Ability: Enables Mariah to control time
Obtained: Found in Lavaridge Mountains in Chapter 10

Petaya Necklace
Description: A necklace that had a charm that was shaped like a Petaya Berry
Ability: Gives Mariah the power of life to strengthen her attacks
Attacks: Petaya Magic (used with Mirror Wand), Petaya Slash (used with Leaf Sword)
Obtained: Given to by Dark Mariah in Chapter 12

Chapter 20: Going Home...?
Two days have passed since the girls have fought Shadow Hydra, the last of Shadow Wing's monsters that attempted to hinder their quest to find the Mirror Shards. The Golden Gateway was now fixed, and Mariah was able to go home. The news quickly spread out throughout the Hoenn Mirror World. Mirror Mariah, Connie, Cascadia and her family, Lyoko, all of the Mirror Elders, and even Maxie, Rubyfire, Archie, and Water Sapphire are currently getting ready for the next day when Mariah can finally go back to her world. Even Dark Mariah, who has heard of the incident with Shadow Hydra when she was looking for Shadow Wallace's Milotic, has come to the Hoenn Mirror World to bid Mariah farewell.

For the time being, however, Mariah was enjoying her last day at Littleroot Village where her adventures in the Hoenn Mirror World began. She was currently doing some training with her Pokemon since she wasn't able to do much due to all the trouble Shadow Wing caused. The others were using the time to relax by a lake. Despite the fact that everything was going to be back to normal when Mariah goes back home, none of them seemed happy.

MIRROR MARIAH: So, uh... who else is going to miss Mariah when she leaves?
CONNIE: I sure will. I kinda thought she was weak at first, but now I think she's pretty cool. Of course, she's not as tough as me.

Cascadia gave Connie an annoyed look and sighed. Lyoko seemed rather unhappy as well for the same reasons.

LYOKO: I don't want Mariah to leave... I'll miss her so much.
CASCADIA: Well, I'm sorry, Lyoko... but Mariah doesn't belong here. She belongs in her world.
MIRROR MARIAH: Cascadia has a point.
CONNIE: Yeah, for once.

Cascadia ignored Connie and tried to comfort Lyoko. However, Lyoko began crying.

LYOKO: I don't want Mariah to leave! I want her here!
CONNIE: We all do, but that's not gonna change anything. On top of that, we all can finally go home now that this Mirror Shard scenario is over.
LYOKO: Well... at least Mommy will still be there...
CONNIE: It's better than nothing.
CASCADIA: Connie!
CONNIE: Well, it is!
LYOKO: It's okay...

Meanwhile, Mariah continued her training until it got interrupted when Shuckle got hit on the head by a strange round crystal.

MARIAH: Huh? Shuckle, you all right?
SHUCKLE: I'm fine, but what's this thing?

Mariah picked up the glittering crystal. Suddenly, the Mirror Wand's gems began flashing, and the crystal began glowing in several colors. Mariah and her Pokemon were surprised by this, and Mariah headed to Mirror Mariah to figure out what was going on.

MARIAH: This weird crystal hit Shuckle and suddenly began glowing along with my wand. Do you know what's going on?
MIRROR MARIAH: Well, to be honest... I don't know what that crystal is.
MARIAH: Hmmm. Well, whatever it is, it seems to be related to the Wand in some way.

The sun began to slowly disappear from view, and the sky was a mix of reds and purples. The wild Pokemon that were in the area began to head back to their homes.

MIRROR MARIAH: It's getting late. We should head back.
MARIAH, CONNIE, CASCADIA, & LYOKO: Yeah.

Mariah recalled her Pokemon and headed off to the others. The group arrived at a house that looked like Mariah's. Mariah instantly recalled that she saw the same house through a mirror back at the strange room where she first met Mirror Mariah, and her mind was on going back to her home until Mirror Mariah called her a few times.

MIRROR MARIAH: Hey! You coming or what?

Mariah then shook off her current though and headed into the house. However, it seemed that no one has lived there in a long time. There was no furniture, and the floors and walls were dirty and broken down. The lights weren't in working condition, and the windows were stained with flith that wouldn't come off.

CONNIE: I can't believe that we're going to be sleeping in this dump! I knew something was up when you said we'll be staying here!
CASCADIA: [imitating Connie] Well, for once, you're right!
CONNIE: Hey! That's not funny, cocktail breath!
CASCADIA: That was for making fun of me back there!
MIRROR MARIAH: Relax, guys. I've got it covered.

Mirror Mariah got out her wand. The wings on it began glowing, and there was a flash of light. Within a few seconds, the entire place looked like that it was built just yesterday. Aside from the now clean house, there was a glass table in the middle of the room and a sofa right behind it. Two smaller sofas were right beside it as well as a stand with a TV on it. The room now has some strong similarities to the living room at Mariah's house.

MARIAH: Wow. Impressive!
CONNIE: I'll say.
MIRROR MARIAH: Make yourselves at home, but try to be in bed at a decent time so you won't be sleepy tomorrow.
CONNIE: [sarcastically] Yes, mother.

Later that night, everyone was in bed. Mariah was in a room very similar to hers back home. She was lying in bed wide awake.

MARIAH: Finally, I'll be able to go home. I know I should be excited, but... what everyone is going to do with Shadow Wing still running around? I managed to take out his monsters, but... there's a chance that those were the easy ones. What if...what if he isn't just trying to destroy the Hoenn Mirror World? What if he tries to destroy mine? And even worse... what's going to happen to those other Mariahs if Shadow Wing managed to destroy the Shadow Mirror World, the Hoenn Mirror World, and mine? And Connie... and Cascadia... and Lyoko... and the Pokemon I caught here?

Mariah then gazed out the window and sighed.

MARIAH: Who am I kidding? I shouldn't be thinking about going back home. Something's gotta be done about Shadow Wing. I just hope I'm that something...

With that, Mariah took one last look at the strange crystal and slowly went off to sleep.

***​

Early the next morning, Mariah was on her way to the Oldale Shrine. Mirror Mariah, Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko were with her. Upon arrival, they saw all eight of the Mirror Elders as well as their Pokemon. May, Max, Caroline, Sarah, and Dark Mariah were there as well. Also, Archie and Maxie were there along with Rubyfire and Water Sapphire. At first, Connie and Cascadia had mixed emotions seeing their rivals at such a time as this, but that changed when they saw the warm smiles on their faces. Tsunama, in human form, was there was well, along with a man in a dark blue tuxedo and a woman with a purple dress with white flowers on it. The man had reddish brown hair with dark brown eyes, and the woman had lavender colored hair with green eyes. Cascadia felt nervous around them, even more than she was when she saw Water Sapphire here.

CASCADIA: Uh... Mom... Dad...

Mariah seemed surprised by this. Cascadia and Tsunama's parents seemed like totally normal people, even though she believed that their mother was a mermaid. However, she noticed that there were two small fins on the mother's head with one on each side and realized that she was in her human form as well as Tsunama. Cascadia headed to her parents.

CASCADIA: Mom... Dad... I'm sorry for being away for so long. I was going to come back home, but...
CASCADIA'S MOTHER: We already know the story.
CASCADIA: But how...
TSUNAMA: I told 'em right after you left. I didn't mean to tell, but I felt guilty for keeping it to myself. I'm sorry.

Cascadia was about to say something, but Water Sapphire and Archie stepped up.

ARCHIE: I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not believing your daughter.
WATER SAPPHIRE: I, too, am sorry.
ARCHIE: For a long time, the Aqua Sorcerors had a life long dream to expand the sea. Now I understand that the human race can never fully control nature.
MAXIE: I am sorry for the trouble that my group has caused too.
RUBYFIRE: And so am I.

Archie, Maxie, Water Sapphire, and Rubyfire then turned their attention to Mariah.

ARCHIE: Hoenn Mirror Girl, thank you.
MARIAH: Uh...for what?
MAXIE: For making us realize how foolish we were. We give our thanks to the Mirror Guardians of this world and the Shadow Mirror World as well.

Mirror Mariah and Dark Mariah just smiled at them. Meanwhile, Winona was comforting her daughter, who was crying because of Mariah's soon-to-be departure.

WINONA: It'll be okay, Lyoko. You'll see Mariah again someday.
LYOKO: [sobbing] I don't want her to go! I want her to stay...
WINONA: I'm sure that Mariah will come back here real soon. Maybe you'll be able to go to her world.
LYOKO: Really? [sniffs] I hope I get to see her again...

Lyoko wiped her eyes as Roxanne approached Connie.

ROXANNE: I could easily figured out that you had a good time.
CONNIE: It was nice while it lasted. I don't get a chance to stomp evil forces often.
ROXANNE: You're still the same as always. After some excitement and a few opportunities to show your strength, you always want some more.
CONNIE: Well, there's this Shadow Wing creep, but he's pretty much not my problem.

Just then, Rubyfire walked up Connie.

RUBYFIRE: No hard feelings after what happened?
CONNIE: I guess.
RUBYFIRE: You have a lot of spunk and your toughness tops it off, little... [pauses] Nah. I'm not gonna call you little girl any longer.
CONNIE: Well, it's about time! The rock hard fighter extrodinaire needs some respect, you know.
RUBYFIRE: From what I've seen, Connie, you deserve it. Just don't get so carried away that you'll end up destroy something.

Her destruction of the hospital back at Mossdeep Constellation came to her mind as she gived off an embarrassed laugh. After some friendly conversations, everyone entered the Oldale Shrine. At the corner of the shrine was the large golden mirror... the very same mirror that was restored thanks to the help of Mariah and the gang. There was the Golden Gateway in all of its shining beauty.

MIRROR MARIAH: Well, guys. This is it.

Mirror Mariah got out her wand. She closed her eyes as she aimed it at the Golden Gateway.

MIRROR MARIAH: Evirra ot dnetni I ecalp eht retne ot niossimrep ruoy em gniynapmocca esoht dna em wolla, efil fo srednow sseldne eht ot yawetag.

Mariah, totally clueless about what Mirror Mariah just said, was about to ask a few questions until the Golden Gateway began glowing with a bright light.

MIRROR MARIAH. Gateway to the endless wonders of life, allow me and those accompanying me your permission to entre the place I intend to arrive...Ever Grande Cathedral.

The light then covered the entire shrine. When the light dimmed down, the entire shrine was empty. Not a single person was left...

***​

Wally was flying on his Altaria and saw a huge city with large golden buildings and beautiful flowers as far as the eye could see. Just a few miles away from the city was a huge cave, and Altaria landed right near it.

WALLY: Well, this is the place. Let's go in and begin our training!

Just then, an immensely bright light flashed in front of Wally. He shielded his eyes and Altaria shuts them as hard as he could. After a few moments, the bright light dimmed down, and Wally noticed some familar faces.

WALLY: Huh?
MARIAH: Hey, Wally. Long time no see!
WALLY: Same here! What brings you here?
MARIAH: Uh... I'm going back home. What about you?
WALLY: I'm beginning to start my usual Pokemon training. So, you live around here?
MARIAH: No. I live in a totally different world from you.
MIRROR MARIAH: Mariah needs to go the Ever Grande Cathedral first. Once the Mirror Masters accepted Mariah's request to go back to her world, her wish shall be granted.
WALLY: Oh... I guess I'll be seeing you around, Mariah.

Wally left, and Mariah started to seem depressed. Eventually, they all headed to the cave's entrance.

MIRROR MARIAH: This is Victory Road... the only thing that stands between us and Ever Grande Cathedral. [turns to the others] If there are no objections, let's get going!
WALLACE: Wait! [turns and points behind him]

Mirror Mariah stopped and noticed a frial young woman. She had blond hair and was wearing a dark purple dress.

WOMAN: I must warn you... quickly...

Before she could say anything else, the woman collapsed on the ground.

***​

The woman then woke up and found herself with the group in a grassy area close to Victory Road. She saw that Lord Steven and Mirror Mariah were with them and instantly got up.

WOMAN: Oh... Lord Steven... Miss Mariah... What brings the two of you here?
MIRROR MARIAH: We're here because we're trying to get my friend here home.
MARIAH: Hello there, ma'am. My name is Mariah Janvi.

The woman seemed surprised due to Mariah's resemblance to Mirror Mariah, from the way they looked to the face that they had the exact same name. She looked at Mariah and then at Mirror Mariah, figuring out a way to tell the two apart. Then she noticed Dark Mariah in the group, who also shared the resemblance that the other two Mariahs had.

WOMAN: Hmm...this is quite interesting. Three girls who are almost completely identical. [to Mirror Mariah] I guess I have to call you Mirror Mariah for now... [turns to Dark Mariah] And if I'm correct, you must also be Mariah.
DARK MARIAH: Yes. I'm the Mirror Guardian of the Shadow Mirror World.
WOMAN: Well, I hope you don't mind if I start calling you Shadow Mariah from now on.
DARK MARIAH: Not at all.

The woman suddenly gets embarrassed and laughed.

WOMAN: Forgive me. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Glacia. I am one of the four Mirror Masters. I'm assuming that one of you have a request that you would like me and the other three Mirror Masters would like to grant you.
MARIAH: Yes, I do... I would like to go back to my world. You see, I'm from Littleroot Town in the Hoenn region.
GLACIA: I understand. Unfortunetly, I have a bit of a problem. A strange force has suddenly taken over the Ever Grande Cathedral, and unless something is done, I'm unable to take you home. However, I have heard from Lord Steven that you've managed to fix the Golden Gateway, and you managed to defeat several monsters that have tried to stop you. I will be very grateful if you can help us, Mariah.
MARIAH: I'll do my best.
CONNIE: You can count me in, too.
CASCADIA: I'm going with you as well, Mariah.
LYOKO: Don't leave me out. I wanna help too.

After a moment of silence, Mariah made her wand appear and her necklace began glowing. Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko's necklaces began glowing as well.

LYOKO: Okay then. Let's get ready to do this.
CASCADIA: Shadow Wing has been messing with us for the last time.
CONNIE: We'll show this creep what we're made of!
MARIAH: Now, let's get going!

With that, the four entered Victory Road with everyone else followed them. A red and blue sparkling wind suddenly blew past them. May turned around and wondered what it was, but Max tugged her shirt and motioned her to catch up. She laughed embarrassedly and ran off with Max following.

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

The large golden Ever Grande Cathedral was surrounded in darkness. Black orbs surrounded by purple lightning were constantly being shot at three other people. Four Pokemon were doing their best to fight it off, but it didn't seem to be enough. The first Pokemon was a goat like creature with red eyes and a blade on his head and tail. He was attacking the orbs with a bright shockwave that was launched from his head blade. The second Pokemon was a golem-like ghost with one red eye. She was using black orbs of her own to counter the darkness. The third was a blue walrus who blew a powerful wind of ice that froze the orbs. The fourth was a teal colored dragon with red wings that wore an intimidating look on his face. He attacked with a powerful stream of flames. Unfortunately, no matter how hard they tried, the darkness hasn't died down. There was an evil laugh, and red eyes suddenly form in the darkness.

VOICE: Do you think that is enough to stop me?!

Black lightning was suddenly fired at the four Pokemon and made a direct hit with each. They were all injured, and the three people rushed up to them. The man who went up to goat Pokemon was nearly bald except for small amount of red hair in the middle. He wore a red shirt with a black vest over it, yellow pants, and brown shoes. He was on the verge of shock when he noticed that his Pokemon was severly weakened.

MAN: Absol! Wake up! You can't let me down now! We have to save the Cathedral!
ABSOL: I'm...sorry, Sidney... The strange force... it's too strong...

Absol just looked at Sidney, his trainer, for a few seconds before falling unconscious. A young dark skinned girl with flowers in her hair and dressed in tropical attire was with the ghost golem, and another man dressed like a sailor was with the dragon.

GIRL: Dusclops, you've got to get up!
MAN 2: Salamence, you have to keep fighting!

Dusclops and Salamence just felt in the same state as Absol. The walrus, using the last of her strength, got up a little.

SIDNEY: Walrein...
WALREIN: Glacia... I hope she's all right... Someone has to find her... Sidney... Phoebe... Drake...

Just then, Walrein became unconscious as well. The tropical girl, Phoebe, and the sailor, Drake, were in quite a mess at this moment.

SIDNEY: If the Pokemon can't beat that thing, what will?
PHOEBE: Hopefully that girl Lord Steven has been telling us about.
DRAKE: I hope so too. I hope so...

***​

Wally was with a Pokemon that looked like an "older" version of Ralts except that she had reddish-orange eyes and had no horn on her head.

WALLY: Okay, Gardevoir. One more time! Thunderbolt attack!

The Pokemon, Gardevoir, began charging with electricity and fired it at a target that Wally tossed into the air. The electric shock shattered the target on impact.

WALLY: Nice job, Gardevoir!
GARDEVOIR: [giggles] Thank you. All of this training is paying off.
WALLY: Okay. Let's work on your psychic attacks!

All of a sudden, everything went dark. A huge black cloud has spread all over the city. Wally and Gardevoir began to have senses of fear within them as the darkness consumes the peacefulness of their surroundings. Black lightning then striked Gardevoir, and Wally could only watch as his loyal Pokemon shriek in fear and pain. When it was over, Gardevoir's flowing "gown" became like the darkness and her eyes began glowing red.

WALLY: Gardevoir? Gardevoir?

Gardevoir didn't answer. Instead, her eyes began to glow, and a sphere of black lightning surrounded her. Suddenly, Wally was hit by some of the dark lightning and ended up unconscious immediately after.

***​

By the time the group reached the exit that would lead them to the Cathedral, they find a barrier of black energy blocking their way. Mariah made her Mirror Wand appear and aimed it at the barrier.

MARIAH: Petaya Magic!

A whirlwind of pink lights were shot toward the shadowy barrier. An opening seemed to have appeared, but it disappeared just as quickly.

MARIAH: Shoot! I thought I had it! Guess I'll try it again.

However, Mariah was suddenly blown back by a strange force. She got back up, not noticing that her arm had a scrape on it until Cascadia began to heal it.

MARIAH: What was that?

Black lightning appeared and formed into Wally's Gardevoir. She has a cold, intimidating look in her eyes that intended to strike fear into the hearts that saw her. However, everyone, especially Mariah, was more furious than scared.

GARDEVOIR: So, you pathetic humans managed to get this far.
MARIAH: I know it's you, Shadow Wing! Listen to me. I've come too far just to lose to you! I will beat you and return back to my world!
GARDEVOIR: The reflection of justice... the twin of truth... You must be Mariah Janvi, the Hoenn Mirror Girl who will eliminate the illusion of evil.
MARIAH: Yeah, that's me all right.
GARDEVOIR: Well, once I crush you, I'll be free to destory both the Shadow and Hoenn Mirror Worlds to create my own world of darkness! Everyone will be ruled by the shadows, and the light shall never show its face, for it will be destroyed by the darkness!
MARIAH: Enough already! It's time to finish you once and for all!
CONNIE: At first, you were just Shadow Mariah's problem! Now, you're in a heck of a lot of trouble after causing us trouble!
CASCADIA: That's right! You were the one who attempted to destroy the free will of several Pokemon!
LYOKO: We'll make sure you'll pay for this!
GARDEVOIR: It's a matter of time before both of these useless worlds are shattered!

Mariah motioned everyone else to stay back while she, Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko handled the possessed Gardevoir.

Gardevoir had a black aura around her, and everything around the four seemed blurry and began to spin at a high speed. Then, all of a sudden, they began floating in the air for a few seconds before they were slammed on the ground. Connie began to ball her fists.

CONNIE: All right! That does it! This is for having your stupid monsters attack us! Ganlon Magic!

Connie began glowing blue and slamws her fists on the ground. After a massive earthquake, rocks fell on and buried Gardevoir. At first, everyone thought it was already over. Unfortunately, Gardevoir was able to blow the rocks away with her psychic powers.

CONNIE: Hey, what gives?! She should've been a pancake by now!
GARDEVOIR: [laughs] Pathetic child! Your pitful earth attacks can't beat me!
CASCADIA: Maybe water will! Liechi Magic!

Cascadia began glowing red, and a huge tidal wave of water-like energy was formed behind her. However, Gardevoir used her psychic powers to make it dissolve.

CASCADIA: What?! No!
GARDEVOIR: Neither the Magma Magicians nor the Aqua Sorcerors have the power to stop me!
LYOKO: My turn! Salac Magic!

A tornado of green, sparkling wind and feathers formed around Lyoko. Lyoko then took off and suddenly seemed like a blur to everyone except Gardevoir. When Lyoko was close enough, Gardevoir made copies of herself. Lyoko's attack hit one of the copies, but it disappeared. Lyoko's attack had failed, and Mariah was figuring out what the next move should be. Suddenly, she noticed Lyoko getting out Odd's Pokeball.

LYOKO: Looks like we may need some help. Odd, I choose you!

Lyoko tossed her Pokeball in the air. The ball opened, and the light that was shot out formed into Lyoko's Farfetch'd wearing his trademark bandana.

LYOKO: Odd, we're gonna need your help to be that Gardevoir. She's under Shadow Wing's control.
ODD: No problem, Lyoko!
MARIAH: Good thinking, Lyoko. [gets out her Mirror Wand] I call upon the Rainbow of the Mirror World! Orange!

A flash of orange was unleashed from Mariah's wand and formed into Lagadi. The rabbit Pokemon got ready to show that she can put the training from yesterday to good use.

LAGADI: Time for this rabbit to get a piece of this creep!

Cascadia made one of her Net Balls appear. She tossed the ball in the air and it opened. The bright light that came out of it formed into Starmie.

STARMIE: I am prepared for battle. What is your command, Mistress Cascadia?
CASCADIA: Rapid Spin!

Starmie floated over to Gardevoir while spinning its body at full speed. Gardevoir responded by charging up with electricity and firing it at Starmie, serverely weakening it.

CASCADIA: Oh, no!
LYOKO: Odd! Help out Miss Cascadia's Starmie! Fury Cutter!
ODD: Okay!
MARIAH: Lagadi! Give Odd a hand! Use your Bite attack!
LAGADI: All right!

Lagadi and Odd headed toward Gardevoir. Once they were close, Odd rapidly slashed Gardevoir with his leek, and Lagadi bit Gardevoir on the side. Starmie headed in to attack again and made a clean hit. However, Gardevoir began glowing and three attacking Pokemon were blown away.

LAGADI: That didn't tickle a bit...
ODD: Can't argue with that.
STARMIE: How are we going to defeat that thing?

Gardevoir once again charged up electricity.

GARDEVOIR: Prepare to meet your demise!
LAGADI: Not if I can help it! [to Mariah] Let's take her down!
MARIAH: I'm right behind you!

Mariah flew up and attackws Gardevoir from above with Mirror Special. The colorful mini comets were homed in on Lagadi as she raced toward Gardevoir. Lagadi then became a blazing rainbow as the flames that surrounded her became various colors. Lagadi charged right into Gardevoir and knocked her back a bit.

LYOKO: Okay, Odd! What do you say we help out as well?
ODD: Heh. You read my mind, Lyoko! Let's do this!
CASCADIA: Let's go, Starmie!
STARMIE: As you wish.
CONNIE: Don't leave me out!

Connie headed in and punched Gardevoir as hard as she could. Gardevoir then closed her eyes and Connie suddenly rose into the air.

CONNIE: Huh? What?
GARDEVOIR: Do you really think you stand a chance?

Lyoko and Odd, unseen by Gardevoir, crept closer to her.

LYOKO: Okay, Odd. NOW!

Odd flew right at Gardevoir and hit her a few times with his leek, and Lyoko followed up by throwing a razor sharp feather at her. Finally, Starmie fired stars from its jeweled center, and Cascadia attacked with bubbles that homed in on Gardevoir. After a few seconds, Gardevoir appeared to be exhausted.

GARDEVOIR: You're strong... but none of you are strong enough!

As a last ditch effort, Gardevoir began glowing and unleashed a massive wave of psychic energy. Mariah, Connie, Cascadia, Lyoko, and the Pokemon were blown up into the air and landed right back down. Starmie and Odd weren't able to continue, but Lagadi seemed that she had enough energy in her to continue.

CASCADIA: Oh... Starmie, return.
LYOKO: Return, Odd.

Cascadia and Lyoko recalled their Pokemon as Lagadi glared at Gardevoir. Mariah joined Lagadi as well.

GARDEVOIR: Well, it seems that you two don't know when to give up.
LAGADI: We've come too far for that.
MARIAH: I've been through a lot while I was here. Things that I wouldn't even dream of going through in my world. Do you really expect me to quit after all that?

Mariah then zipped off at full speed and Lagadi followed suit.

GARDEVOIR: Is that your best?

Lagadi had flames surrounding her again and Mariah had streams of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple surrounding her. Both of them were about to ram into Gardevoir when the psychic Pokemon made copies of herself. As Mariah and Lagadi attempted to attack the copies, they disappear.

LAGADI: Great. I hate it when that happens.

Just then, a wave of black lightning started to surround Lagadi. Lagadi tried to break free, but she couldn't. Soon, the rabbit was covered in total darkness.

MARIAH: Lagadi, I'll get you out of there!

Mariah aimed her wand at the ball of lightning. The orange gem started glowing, and a light of the same color was shot at the darkness. Despite Mariah's attempt to recall her Pokemon, something bizarre happpened. The sphere of black lightning have become a fireball that slowly increased in size.

MARIAH: Huh? What's going on?

Mariah then got out the crystal and noticed that it was glowing along with her wand. At first, everyone thought that Lagadi was going to explode. However, the sphere burst and in Lagadi's place was a larger rabbit that had short but sharp claws, larger oval-shaped eyes, and a small yellow nose.

MARIAH: Lagadi? Is that you?
LAGADI: The name's Jacrystal now, Mariah.
MARIAH: You just evolved.
JACRYSTAL: Is that a bad thing?
MARIAH: No... it's a perfect thing. Now, let's do this!

Mariah began glowing along with the wand and the crystal. Everyone began to wonder what was going happen to her. Gardevoir got ready to attack when red and blue orbs began surrounding Mariah.

GARDEVOIR: What?! What is this? How did you...?

Mariah got Jacrystal and carried her with her as she headed toward Gardevoir at a fast pace. Gardevoir used her psychic abilities, but Mariah just bypassed the attack as if it wasn't there. The crystal suddenly fired a beam of light and with wand firef a Mirror Beam. Jacrystal firef crystal-like shards from her fur. All three attacks hit Gardevoir. After a few seconds, Gardevoir returned to normal.

GARDEVOIR: What... what happened?

Mariah stopped glowing and landed near Gardevoir. Jacrystal walked up, and so did Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko.

LYOKO: Are you okay?
GARDEVOIR: I... don't know. I'm in pain... and I feel weak...

Connie turned to Mariah with a weird look on her face.

CONNIE: Uh...Mariah? What was that anyway? You've just turned into a supernova or something.
MARIAH: I don't know. [turns to Mirror Mariah] Hey, Mariah... or should I say, Mirror Mariah? What was that move I just pulled off?
MIRROR MARIAH: I don't know. To be honest, I have no clue how you did it.
CONNIE: Heh. Sometimes I wish I had powers like Mariah's.
CASCADIA: If that happened, it'll be the end of the world.
CONNIE: Yeah, for you if you say something like THAT again!

While Lyoko and Mirror Mariah tried to calm Connie and Cascadia down, Mariah got out the crystal. Dark Mariah (she will be refered as Shadow Mariah from this point on) noticed and suddenly got surprised.

MARIAH: What's up?
SHADOW MARIAH: That's the Soul Dew...but I don't know much about it.
MIRROR MARIAH: Uh...guys? We're close to the Catherdal. Let's go!

After Cascadia healed Gardevoir, she caught up to the group. Gardevoir, however, teleported away. When the group arrived at the Cathedral, everyone was shocked at the sight of it surrounded in darkness.

MARIAH: I had enough of this! Shadow Wing has gone too far, and he's going to be severly punished for this!

End of Chapter 20​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

MARIAH'S POKEMON
Octillery(M)@-- LV41
Trait: Suction Cups
Mild Nature
-Thunder Wave
-Psybeam
-Aurora Beam
-Bubblebeam
-Octazooka
-Focus Energy
-Sludge Bomb

Jacrystal(F)@Charcoal LV41
Trait: Flash Fire
Bold Nature
-Agility
-Double Kick
-Bite
-Flame Wheel
-Double Team
-Sunny Day
-Crystal Shard

Electabuzz(M)@Magnet LV41
Trait: Static
Rash Nature
-Ice Punch
-Thunderpunch
-Light Screen
-Swift
-Thunderbolt
-Screech
-Brick Break

Sceptile(M)@King's Rock LV41
Trait: Overgrow
Hardy Nature
-Fury Cutter
-Pursuit
-Bullet Seed
-Screech
-Leaf Blade
-Agility
-Earthquake

Shuckle(M)@Quick Claw LV41
Trait: Sturdy
Relaxed Nature
-Substitute
-Encore
-Rock Tomb
-Safeguard
-Bide
-Rest
-Sandstorm

Venomoth(F)@Bright Powder LV41
Trait: Shield Dust
Naive Nature
-Confusion
-Secret Power
-Leech Life
-Stun Spore
-Gust
-Psybeam
-Toxic

CURRENT ITEMS
Mirror Wand
Description: Gold and has a Pokeball on top, wings on the side of the ball, and six jewels (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) on the top part of the Pokeball
Ability: Enables Mariah to use the attacks of Pokemon she had captured, whether or not they have fainted. Also heals, transforms into a mirror and stores Mariah's Pokemon.
Attacks: Mirror Beam, Mirror Special, Mirror Magic, Petaya Magic (used with Petaya Necklace), Reflect Seed (used with Sceptile)
Obtained: Given to by the Mirror Guardian (Mirror Mariah) in Chapter 1
Other info: Regained its full power after all the Rainbow Balls were used

Leaf Sword
Description: Green sword with leaf-shaped blade
Ability: Enables Mariah to use various sword techniques. Gets stronger with moves that Sceptile learns.
Attacks: Petal Drill, Petaya Slash (used with Petaya Necklace), Forest Wave
Obtained: Chapter 5 after Mariah's Treecko evolved

Mirror Bracelet
Description: Bracelet with large, blue pearls
Ability: Enables Mariah to summon a wall of rock, water, or wind for defense
Obtained: Given to by Wally in Chapter 6

Bronze Watch
Description: Seemingly broken down bronze watch with a rusty chain
Ability: Enables Mariah to control time
Obtained: Found in Lavaridge Mountains in Chapter 10

Petaya Necklace
Description: A necklace that had a charm that was shaped like a Petaya Berry
Ability: Gives Mariah the power of life to strengthen her attacks
Attacks: Petaya Magic (used with Mirror Wand), Petaya Slash (used with Leaf Sword)
Obtained: Given to by Dark Mariah in Chapter 12

Soul Dew
Description: A round, glittering crystal
Ability: Unknown at this time
Attacks: Unknown at this time
Obtained: Found at Littleroot Village in Chapter 20

Chapter 21: Shadows
To Mariah, enough was enough. She started to fly off in hope to eliminate the darkness, but Mirror Mariah stoped her.

MARIAH: What are you doing?!
MIRROR MARIAH: Mariah, I know you want to stop that thing to get home, but you won't be able to beat that thing by yourself!

Mariah began to say something, but then sighed, feeling rather stupid for almost making a hasty mistake. Glacia and Lord Steven noticed Sidney, Phoebe, and Drake lying on the ground and wondered why the Pokemon that were fighting the darkness in the last chapter weren't present. However, their questions were held back when they saw that the Mirror Masters were in bad shape.

GLACIA: Oh, no...
LORD STEVEN: We have to take them to a hospital right away!
RUBYFIRE: But what about...?
MAXIE: We'll deal with the Cathedral later. Right now the lives of the Mirror Masters are at stake.

Rubyfire looked at the injured three in question and doesn't say anything more. Lord Steven was about to create a portal until Mariah, Mirror Mariah, and Shadow Mariah got out their wands and stepped up to him.

MIRROR MARIAH: There's no need to take them to the hospital.
SHADOW MARIAH: We can heal them ourselves.

Before Lord Steven can say anything else, the three Mariahs were already with Sidney, Phoebe, and Drake. Mariah healed Drake, Mirror Mariah healed Sidney, and Shadow Mariah healed Phoebe. After a few seconds, all of the injuries were gone, and the three regained consciousness.

DRAKE: Wha... what happened? What's going on?
MARIAH: Are you okay, sir?
DRAKE: I'm fine, but who are you?
MARIAH: I'm Mariah.
DRAKE: Salamence... where is Salamence...?
PHOEBE: Dusclops is gone too.
SIDNEY: What happened to Absol? And wasn't Glacia's Walrein with them?
GLACIA: What if... they're... in the Cathedral?
LORD STEVEN: Only one way to find out.

Lord Steven got out a white Pokeball. He tossed it and it opened, shooting the familar bright light that formed into a large blue spider-like creature with red eyes.

LORD STEVEN: Metagross, go into the Cathedral and find the Mirror Masters' Pokemon.

Metagross nodded and headed toward the Cathedral only to be knocked out with one strike of black lightning. Metagross was then encased by a black bubble and sucked into the darkness. Everyone was in total shock.

ROXANNE: Well, I'm guessing a direct attack is out of the question.

As the group continued to stare at the darkness surrounding the Cathedral, Mariah started to fall, but Drake managed to catch her before she fell to the ground.

DRAKE: Oh, no!
LORD STEVEN: Mariah!
MIRROR MARIAH: Wake up, Mariah!
SHADOW MARIAH: Is she going to be okay?

As everyone looked over Mariah, the Soul Dew that she had began glowing...

***​

Mariah found herself in a strange but beautiful garden surrounded by a river. Nearby was a fountain spring, and behind her was a giant marble palace.

MARIAH: Huh...? Where am I? What's going on? What...?

Mariah looked at herself, and noticed that she's now wearing her normal outfit instead of the one she wore when she was the Hoenn Mirror Girl.

MARIAH: Okay... what just happened to me? [looks up] And what are those?

Mariah saw two bird Pokemon that was getting ready to land. One of them was white and red with a blue triangle on her chest and yellow eyes. The other was white and blue with a red triangle on his chest and red eyes. As the two Pokemon got close, Mariah felt nevous. The red bird Pokemon, sensing the nervousness, rubbed her head against Mariah in an attempt to relax her. After a moment, Mariah didn't seem too nervous anymore. The blue bird Pokemon gave her a warm smile.

MARIAH: So... what are you?
RED BIRD: I am Latias.
BLUE BIRD: And I am Latios. My sister and I have been expecting you, Mariah Janvi.
MARIAH: How did you know my name?
LATIAS: We have been watching you ever since you arrived here. After seeing you and your friends Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko defeat the darkness that was controlling the Mirror Elders' Pokemon and helping the Mirror Guardian repair the Golden Gateway, you managed to become the most valuable asset of the Hoenn Mirror World.
LATIOS: We know that you've been through a lot and you want to get back to your world, but you won't be able to defeat Shadow Wing easily. He's extremely powerful and can consume anything into darkness.
MARIAH: I noticed. He managed to suck up Lord Steven's Metagross! He probably did the same thing to the other Pokemon of the Mirror Masters.

Latios and Latias were silent. Just then, the Soul Dew appeared in front of Mariah. The two sibling birds closed their eyes. Latias glowed a bright red color, and Latios light blue. The Soul Dew then glowed white and Mariah was now inside a glass-like sphere. Before Mariah could panic, she felt a new power going through her.

LATIOS: Mariah... do you remember the words you said that enabled you to become the Hoenn Mirror Girl?
MARIAH: Yeah...
LATIOS: Say them.
MARIAH: Okay. Magical Mirrors of Hoenn, please give me the power to protect all from danger.

Just then, the sphere began glowing in several colors. After what felt like a few minutes, Mariah now regained her wings, red sleeveless shirt with the black ribbon with the Pokeball on it, white skirt, black high heels, and Pokeball barrets. The sphere around Mariah disappeared.

MARIAH: Huh?
LATIAS: We have regenerated your powers as well as your Pokemon.
LATIOS: The purpose of that was to give you immunity to some of Shadow Wing's strongest tactics. We have done the same with your friends.
LATIAS: Be warned, though. It can only last for so long, so you must defeat Shadow Wing as quickly as you can.
LATIOS: Shadow Wing has caused many interferences aside from control the Mirror Elders' Pokemon. When he conquered the Shadow Mirror World, his first target was the Shadow Mirror Guardian. She had just defeat one of his monsters and rescued a Torchic in the process. However, as a last ditch effort, the monster possessed the young Torchic. The Torchic was then sent to this world and stole the Mirror Wand, the very wand that you have, Mariah.
MARIAH: I have a feeling that the Torchic you're talking about was the same one that caused trouble back at Petalburg Mansion when I first got there.
LATIAS: That's right. However, the Hoenn Mirror Guardian and her Mudkip battled the Torchic. The Mudkip won, but the Torchic destroyed the wand, and the Rainbow Pokeballs formed. Since then, the Hoenn Mirror Guardian took the damaged Mirror Wand and the Balls to the Mirror Hall, which is that large palace that you see behind you. That happened a few months ago before you came here. That was why the Hoenn Mirror Guardian wasn't able to transform from her human for to her Mirror form until you restored the Mirror Wand.
MARIAH: Well, that explains a lot.
LATIOS: Well, now's the time for you to return to the Ever Grande Cathedral. You must hurry and defeat Shadow Wing before he destroys the Shadow and Hoenn Mirror Worlds.
LATIAS: We wish you luck, Mariah.

Everything around Mariah flashed white...

***​

MIRROR MARIAH: Hey, Mariah... Mariah...

Mariah slowly opened her eyes and finded herself in a house in the city. Mirror Mariah, Shadow Mariah, Lord Steven, Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko were with her.

MARIAH: Huh? What...? Where's Latias and Latios?
MIRROR MARIAH: Latios?
SHADOW MARIAH: Latias?
MARIAH: Yeah... what happened? I was with them in front of the Mirror Hall, and...
LORD STEVEN: Mariah, no one has seen Latios and Latias for years.
CONNIE: You must've had one heck of a dream.
MARIAH: Dream?
BRAWLY: Yeah. You passed out and we brought you here.
GLACIA: You had us scared for a while.
MARIAH: I'm sorry.

Mariah once again looked at the Soul Dew and thought about Latios and Latias.

CONNIE: Are you going to stare at that crystal all day?!

Mariah didn't answer. She was thinking about what had been happening when she arrived in the Hoenn Mirror World. At first, the only thing on her mind was getting home. In order to do so, Mariah needed to defeat Shadow Wing.

CONNIE: Mariah! Mariah! Earth to Mariah! [sighs] I think Mariah's finally lost it. Just look at her. She's just staring at that crystal!

Just then, Lyoko and Cascadia walked up to Mariah and looked at the Soul Dew as well.

LYOKO: Wow... I've got the weird feeling again.
CASCADIA: Yeah. Me too.
MARIAH: Weird feeling?
LYOKO: Right after we've got here, I felt some weird power going through me.
CASCADIA: The same thing happened to me and Connie.
CONNIE: And you're saying that the crystal did that?
CASCADIA: It's a possibility.

Connie sighed in disgust and shook her head. Shadow Mariah then stepped up.

SHADOW MARIAH: Attacking Ever Grande Cathedral... This is the exact same move Shadow Wing pulled off before conquering the Shadow Mirror World. If we don't do something about it, this world will end up like mine. Maybe even worse.
MIRROR MARIAH: But what can we do? If we try to enter the Cathedral, we'll get sucked in the darkness just like Metagross was!
SHADOW MARIAH: True... And the Ever Grande Cathedral in both the Hoenn and Shadow Mirror Worlds are now connecting the two worlds together because of this...
LORD STEVEN: Looks like things will be getting a little rough.
ARCHIE: Despite Mariah and Shadow Mariah's efforts to stop Shadow Wing, I don't think there isn't much more we can do.

There was silence until Liza stepped up.

LIZA: I believe that it would be best if...

Liza began to finish her sentence, but then she sat back down in hesistation. She then shook her head.

LIZA: No. Never mind.
TATE: What is it?
WINONA: Tell us what you have in mind.
WATTSON: Millions of lives depend on this.

Just when Liza was about to continue what she was about to say, Mariah got up.

MARIAH: I suggest we go to the Shadow Mirror World and attack Shadow Wing from there.

There was suddenly a long silence. Everyone just stared at Mariah in a very strange way, especially Liza.

LIZA: Mariah... how did you know what I was going to say?

Mariah, surprised that she somehow read Liza's mind, didn't say anything. The silence lasted a few seconds longer until Lord Steven hangs his head and then looks at the group.

LORD STEVEN: All right. Who agrees with Mariah and Liza that we should go to the Shadow Mirror World to fight Shadow Wing? I'm personally against this since we may end up like the Pokemon.
MARIAH: I vote for.
CASCADIA: Against. I agree with Lord Steven. It's pretty risky.
LYOKO: Well, the sooner we get rid of Shadow Wing, the better. I'm vote for.
WINONA: Lyoko!
LYOKO: I'm sorry, Mommy, but this is what we have to do.
WINONA: Well, Lyoko... If you feel that way, I'll be for it.
CONNIE: I vote for.
LIZA: For.
TATE: I think that it's too big a risk. I'm against it.
ROXANNE: I'll be against it as well.
BRAWLY: For.
WATTSON: I'm for it as well.
FLANNERY: It makes a lot of sense to handle the problem from the source. I'm voting for.
NORMAN: Against.
WALLACE: For.
LORD STEVEN: Well, nine votes for, and five votes against.
SIDNEY: Make that six votes against. I want to save the Cathedral as much as you guys do, but if our Pokemon couldn't handle the situation, then what?
PHOEBE: I'm afriad I have to agree with Sidney on that one.
DRAKE: Me too.
SHADOW MARIAH: I'm against it as well. I don't want you to be involved in something that's too much for you to handle.
LORD STEVEN: Well, nine votes for and nine against. It's a tie.
MIRROR MARIAH: Not yet. I vote that we should go to the Ever Grande Cathedral in the Shadow Mirror World.

Everyone gapsed in surprise. Lord Steven looks at Mirror Mariah with confusion.

LORD STEVEN: Mariah...
MIRROR MARIAH: I don't care about the risks. I did some risky things before, especially if it was for the sake of everyone in this or another world. I say we head to the Shadow Mirror World as soon as possible.

Mirror Mariah turned to Archie, Water Sapphire, Maxie, Rubyfire, and Cascadia's family.

MIRROR MARIAH: Even though you didn't vote, you agree with me, right?
WATER SAPPHIRE: I know exactly how you feel.

Everyone else nodded.

MIRROR MARIAH: Okay. It's settled. We're going to the Shadow Mirror World.

***​

Later that night, Mariah, Mirror Mariah, Shadow Mariah, Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko arrived at the Ever Grande Cathedral in the Shadow Mirror World. Unlike the one at the Hoenn Mirror World, it was a black marble palace instead of gold. All the flowers appeared dead, and the night sky seemed more foreboding with black clouds that shot out black lightning.

CONNIE: Here we are.
LYOKO: It's quite overwhelming, but we've got to pull ourselves together.
CASCADIA: That's the spirit, Lyoko!
MARIAH: Well, let's get going.

The six began to head toward the Cahtedral, but then stopped.

MARIAH: Everything we've worked hard for all comes down to this.
MIRROR MARIAH: We've come too far to give up.
SHADOW MARIAH: It's now or never...and we're going with now.

Mariah was the first one to enter the dark Cathedral. After that, Mirror and Shadow Mariah followed, and the other three girls followed as well. The inside of the Ever Grande Cathedral was almost pitch black because of the black marble. All the pews looked rather old and ruined, and stain glass windows were on the walls that each had a picture of the Mirror Elders. At the front was a black altar behind four black mirrors, and broken down chandeliers hung from the ceiling providing very little light.

CONNIE: [sarcastically] Well, this place feels friendly.
LYOKO: I don't like this.
SHADOW MARIAH: Don't worry, Lyoko. We'll be able to handle whatever comes our way.
VOICE: Why, hello there, ladies.

A huge cloud of black smoke began to form in front of the mirrors. When it cleared, Absol, Dusclops, Walrein, Salamence, and Metagross were in full view. With them was a strange man in a tattered black tuxedo with a cloak. His white hair pointed upward and had a gray tip on the top of it. He had red eyes and horns on his head.

MAN: At least, we meet face to face. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shadow Wing, the darkness that causes the skies to turn black as nights and the winds to strike fear into those who oppose me.
MARIAH: So, you're the one who's been causing all this trouble!
SHADOW WING: That's right, Mariah. You and your friends might have been able to defeat my monsters, but I can assure you that you won't be lucky this time around. Perhaps I should show you a taste of my power.

Shadow Wing snapped his fingers, and Mirror Mariah and Shadow Mariah collapsed on the ground. Mirror Mariah returned to her bright yellow sleeveless shirt and a medium length matching skirt. She was wearing yellow sandals and a yellowish-orange headband in her hair. Shadow Mariah was once again wearing a dark green shirt with an olive vest, black pants, and black sneakers.

MIRROR MARIAH: Huh?
SHADOW MARIAH: He made us return to our human forms!

The two Mariahs were then encased in black bubble-like crystals and suddenly disappeared into thin air.

CONNIE: All right! That's it! You've been asking for this for a long time! I'll make sure you're not able to even whisper!

Connie headed right for Shadow Wing. However, Walrein began glowing along with the mirror behind her. The mirror disappeared and reappeared between Connie and Shadow Wing, and Connie ended up going through the mirror.

ALL: Connie!
MARIAH: What have you done to her?!
SHADOW WING: Allow me to show you!

A huge wind began blow into the cathedral. Mariah, Cascadia, and Lyoko were now being blown all over the place. After a few seconds, the three were each sent through a mirror. The Pokemon then stood in front of the mirrors and were ready to enter them.

SHADOW WING: Salamence... take care of the Hoenn Mirror Girl.

Salamence let out a roar as he entered through one of the mirrors. The mirror he entered was suddenly surrounded by flames. Shadow Wing then turned to Walrein.

SHADOW WING: Walrein... I think I should leave the fall of the "rock hard fighter extrodinaire" from Rustboro Ruins in your hands.

Walrein entered another mirror, and it was surrounded by ice. Dusclops then stepped up.

SHADOW WING: Dusclops... the former Aqua Sorceress should be your responsiblity.

Dusclops glowed as she entered another mirror that became nearly invisible.

SHADOW WING: Absol... the daughter of the Fortree Castle Mirror Elder shouldn't be much of a problem to you.

With that, Absol jumped through the mirror which suddenly gained a blue aura around it. Metagross then stepped up.

METAGROSS: What are your orders for me?
SHADOW WING: We shall wait here... Once the time is right, we will attack.

End of Chapter 21​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

LYOKO'S POKEMON
Noctowl(M)@Twisted Spoon L50 (Jeremy)
Trait: Insomnia
Careful Nature
-Featherdance
-Aerial Ace
-Hypnosis
-Reflect
-Take Down
-Confusion

Murkrow(F)@Sharp Beak LV50 (Yumi)
Trait: Insomnia
Adamant Nature
-Confuse Ray
-Drill Peck
-Night Shade
-Faint Attack
-Taunt
-Mean Look

Pidgeot(M)@White Herb LV50 (Ulrich)
Trait: Keen Eye
Lonely Nature
-Quick Attack
-Whirlwind
-Double Team
-Wing Attack
-Feathdance
-Agility

Farfetch'd(M)@Stick LV50 (Odd)
Trait: Inner Focus
Jolly Nature
-Knock Off
-Fury Cutter
-Swords Dance
-Agility
-Slash
-False Swipe

Swellow(F)@Scope Lens LV50 (Aelita)
Trait: Guts
Docile Nature
-Rage
-Quick Attack
-Wing Attack
-Double Team
-Endeavor
-Agility

CURRENT ITEMS
Salac Necklace
Description: A necklace that has a charm shaped like a Salac Berry
Ability: Gives Lyoko the power of the sky to strengthen her attacks
Attacks: Salac Magic
Obtained: Given to by Shadow Mariah in chapter 12

Chapter 22: Lyoko vs Absol

Lyoko was lying on the ground. She woke up and found herself in a dark, rocky canyon. The black rocks looked like knives due to their curved shape, and the sky was a vile mix of dark blue and purple. Lyoko began to wander through the dark, twisted canyon in hope of finding a way out. However, she didn't have much luck.

LYOKO: Mariah... Connie... Miss Cascadia... where are you? Where am I? What's going on? I don't understand...

Lyoko noticed that her Pokeballs were with her and wasted no time in sending out her Pokemon. The white lights from the Pokeballs formed into Jeremy, Yumi, Ulrich, Odd, and Aelita.

JEREMY: Where are we?
LYOKO: I don't know. I remember being blown into a mirror, and then next thing I know, I'm here. I don't know where Mariah and the others are.
ULRICH: It's pretty safe to say that we're nowhere near Fortree Castle.
LYOKO: I think we should find the others. Let's go.

Lyoko and her Pokemon continued on. At a high, nearby cliff, Absol was watching the little girl wander through the canyon. He followed her, rock to rock, with great agility and rhytym. Lyoko was completely unaware of Absol's presence. After a while, Lyoko began to get tired and fell on the ground.

LYOKO: I never felt so lost in my life...
AELITA: We've been searching for hours, but there's no sign of Mariah or those other girls anyway.
ODD: Well, whoever's doing this is doing a great job on wearing us out.
YUMI: Hey, what's that?

Yumi pointed to a cave in the distance. Without questions, the group headed inside. From the entrance was a sloped path, and when they made it to the bottom, they felt like screaming.

AELITA: Oh... Oh, my...

The area was a huge city in ashy ruins. Very few buildings were left standing, the paths were misshapen and cracked, a lake in the distance was severely polluted by the ash and was now a dark black, and there was a large castle blackened because of the possible gargantuan fire. At the top balcony was Absol, looking down at his victims.

ABSOL: Well, you've finally made it, Lyoko.

Lyoko felt queasy and afraid as she saw Absol jump down and landed in front of her.

LYOKO: Wh...what is it that you want?
ABSOL: Nothing, dear girl. Just your life.
ODD: You know, I'm sensing a theme here.
ULRICH: Yeah. The end of the world.
ABSOL: Silence! [to Lyoko] Physically, you're young and you can't handle the strain of large responsiblities yet. However, you have proven to be a worthy opponent through the time you were with those other girls.
LYOKO: My mommy says that I should stay strong in times of crisis!
ABSOL: Is that so? Well, it's time to see what you're capable of.

Just then, Absol began glowing, and a huge whirlwind formed around him. As it blew at Lyoko, there was an earhquake. The whole city appeared to be transforming.

ABSOL: I shall destroy you, my child. The daughter of the Fortree Castle Mirror Elder shall fall in darkness, and she will always be loathed and forgotten from this day on!
LYOKO: No! Once I free you from the shadows that control you, everything will return to the way it was before.

When the whirlwind died down and the tornado stopped, Lyoko and her Pokemon found themselves in an old, rocky colloseum under a black sky full of dimly shining stars.

ABSOL: Even with your Pokemon and all the power you have acquired on your journey, a mere child like you can't possibly defeat me. I'm much stronger and powerful than you ever will be.
LYOKO: Power is just an empty threat if you don't have a purpose for it.
ABSOL: I do have a purpose: destroy those who oppose Shadow Wing!
LYOKO: You don't understand. Power should be used to protect others. Shadow Wing only uses his for cruel intentions liking destroying the world I love so much. I may not be the strongest, the greatest, or the most powerful person that ever existed, but I only use my special abilities for love and protection. I don't want to fight...but for the sake of love, I will if I must!
ABSOL: [evil laugh] Love... how naive. Love is worthless in battle. If you believe that love with help you here, you're severly mistaken.

The blade on Absol's head began glowing and has a whirlwind around it.

ABSOL: Prepare to die, Lyoko!

The whirlwinds became a powerful shockwave that was shot at Lyoko. Lyoko managed to dodge the attack. She noticed how powerful the attack was when it hit the ground and left a huge crater.

LYOKO: That was close.
YUMI: I'd say. That would've been you if you weren't as fast as you were.
JEREMY: Look out! Here comes another one!

Sure enough, another shockwave launched by Absol was headed for Lyoko. This time, Jeremy got in the path of the attack and spreaded his wings. A bubble surrounded himself as well as Lyoko and the other Pokemon. The attack hit the bubble, and everyone was blown back. Jeremy, however, have appeared to have taken some damage.

AELITA: Jeremy, are you okay?
JEREMY: I'm fine... but that Aerial Ace attack sure was powerful. Even with my Reflect attack, it can still do quite a bit of damage.
ABSOL: Now do you see why you should give up? There's no way you could win!

Lyoko flew toward Absol and threw razor sharp feathers at him, but Absol was too fast and dodged all of the Feather Cutters. Absol then leaped toward Lyoko and raised one of his front paws. Just before he could slash Lyoko, she got out of the way, but her left wing was cut in the process. Absol leaped toward the higer sections of the colosseum and struck again with another Aerial Ace. Once again, however, Lyoko dodged, but she could only keep it up for so long. Finally, Jeremy and Aelita decided to help out their trainer and friend. Jeremy's wings began glowing and a shockwave similar to Absol's was launched with one flap. Absol managed to dodge by leaping high into the air, but Aelita managed to land a hit by charging right at Absol at full speed. Absol landed on the ground on his side, but he had enough energy to fight.

LYOKO: Whew... thanks, Jeremy. You too, Aelita.
JEREMY: Did we think we'd let you do this by yourself?
AELITA: If something happened to us, Winona and Mother would have a fit.

The lighthearted moment was suddenly crushed when Aelita heard a loud, horrible noise that attempted to sound like singing. Aelita shuddered as she tried to make the noise go away.

LYOKO: Aelita! Are you okay?
JEREMY: Aelita!
AELITA: That horrible noise... It makes me feel weak...

Yumi, Ulrich, and Odd came to Aelita and noticed her condition. Aelita was breathing rather hard and feeling weak, and she only attacked Absol once. Just then, Absol's eyes began glowing a weird red color. When the glow dimmed down, Absol laughed.

ABSOL: Your Swellow won't last much longer.
LYOKO: What have you done to Aelita?!
ABSOL: You'll find out soon in three minutes.
LYOKO: Three mintues?
YUMI: There's no time for any more questions. Let's take care of that Absol and save Aelita.

Only seconds later, Absol leaped toward the weakened Aelita with his claws fully extended. Aelita managed to fly away, but then she fell back on the ground.

LYOKO: Aelita...

Lyoko got with Ulrich. Despite her injury, both she and Ulrich zoomed toward Absol and they managed to land a hit. However, Absol countered by slashing the two with his sharp claws. Aelita began to feel weaker as the horrible song was replayed in her head. Jeremy managed to figure out what was wrong with Aelita, but he was suddenly shaken when he did.

JEREMY: Lyoko, Absol had used Perish Song on Aelita! In the next two minutes, she'll be unable to battle! We have to defeat that Absol...and fast.
ODD: Okay. Let's go!
YUMI: I'll join as well!

Jeremy, Odd, and Yumi joined Lyoko and Ulrich. Aelita, although low on energy, joined the group as well.

LYOKO: Jeremy, use Take Down! Yumi, Drill Peck! Ulrich, Wing Attack! Odd, Fury Cutter! Aelita, Endeavor!

Jeremy headed toward Absol and bashed right at him. Yumi flew toward the goat Pokemon while spinning at a high speed, and her beak made impact on Absol's side. Absol slid across the ground by the force of Yumi's Drill Peck, but he got back up. Ulrich, Odd, and Aelita all flew in to attack, but Absol fired another shockwave from his head blade. The shockwave hit the attacking Pokemon as well as Jeremy, Yumi, and Lyoko. They all landed on their backs in bad shape, Aelita more than the others.

ABSOL: You have one more minute left.
AELITA: That's all I need.

As a last effort, Aelita zoomed toward Absol at top speed. Absol tried to follow the blue swallow, but Aelita was too fast. Suddenly, Absol quickly turned behind him to see Aelita heading toward him with her wings spread and a determined look on her face. Absol slashed her on the side, and Aelita slammed right into Absol. The two have take quite a lot of damage and were worn out at this point. Suddenly, a bright flash of light was heading for Aelita, but by the time she saw it, she was knocked out of the sky. Aelita then heard the horrible song in her head again as she fell to the ground. This time, she didn't get up.

JEREMY: Aelita! Aelita, wake up! Aelita! Aelita!!
ODD: She's out, Jeremy. She's KOed.
LYOKO: Odd's right, Jeremy. The three minutes are up.
JEREMY: Aelita...
ODD: Don't worry. As soon as we get out of here, we'll be able to go to a Pokemon Center to get her fixed up.
JEREMY: But still...

Lyoko recalled Aelita back into her Pokeball and put it away.

YUMI: Where'd that light come from?
ABSOL: That was my Future Sight attack. I timed it so I could hit your Swellow friend right before the Perish Song took its full affect. Soon, all of you will end up like her.

Lyoko began to feel nervous and gulped.

LYOKO: This isn't good at all. If he managed to take out my best Pokemon so easily... I can only expect the worst to happen to the rest of us... including me.

Lyoko, filled with fear, was looking into Absol's eyes, and Absol looked into hers with intimidation. Yumi, Ulrich, Odd, and Jeremy also shared Lyoko's current feelings of anxiety.

ULRICH: I know that Lyoko means well, but she's way out of her league this time.
YUMI: Absol's too fast and powerful. Even with us, our chances seem slim.
ODD: This would be a lot easier if those other girls were with us.
JEREMY: I have a bad feeling that they're not even here.
ABSOL: The Noctowl's right. Your friends aren't here. They're in separate dimensions that were created by Shadow Wing. The only way to leave here is to defeat me.
ODD: I knew that was gonna come up.
ULRICH: Not now, Odd.

Absol's eyes once again began glowing a weird red color and dimmed down a few seconds later.

ABSOL: What's the matter, Lyoko? I'd expect more from a child of a Mirror Elder...

Without saying anything, Lyoko attacked by throwing razor sharp feathers at Absol. Absol responded by making duplicates of himself in a blink of an eye, making all of the Feather Cutters miss. The next thing she knew, Lyoko and her Pokemon were surrounded by several "clones" of Absol.

YUMI: Great. Just what we need.
LYOKO: This might help. Tornado Twirl!

Lyoko flew up high above the Absol clones and began spinning at a high speed. A tornado formmed and managed to blow away the real Absol. Absol landed on his side.

ABSOL: Good, Lyoko...but not good enough!

Again, Absol's head blade glowing and a whirlwind was formed around it. A few seconds later, a shockwave was fired from the blade and hits Lyoko and her Pokemon. They were blown back, but they recover by flying.

LYOKO: Yumi! Ulrich! Odd! Jeremy! Prepare to attack! I'll wrap things up!

Yumi zoomed toward Absol. Absol looked up as Yumi's eyes began glowing black and shot out black lightning. Regardless of the speed that Yumi's Night Shade was coming at him, Absol dodged. Jeremy was following the patterns of Absol when he dodged Yumi's attacks and charged toward Absol, but the goat managed to catch on Jeremy's intentions and dodged the Take Down. Absol fought back by firing another Aerial Ace attack. The shockwave managed to make a direct hit on Jeremy and Yumi, and the two fell on the ground. Lyoko ended up recalling her Noctowl and Murkrow. Odd dove down to Absol and prepares to slash him with his leek at close range, but Absol bit Odd's leek, causing it to break in two and fell to the ground.

ODD: Great. That's the second time that has happened.
ABSOL: [appearing behind Odd] As well as the last.

And with that, Absol raised his paw and slashed Odd in the face. The Farfetch'd was smacked on the ground on rolled over a few times.

LYOKO: Odd!
ODD: Sorry, Lyoko...
LYOKO: It's okay. You deserve a rest.

Lyoko recalled Odd to his Pokeball as Ulrich walked up to her.

ULRICH: It's down to me and you, Lyoko.
LYOKO: I guess so.
ABSOL: Just accept your fate, young one. There is no way that I'll fall to you.

With that, Absol raced toward Lyoko and Ulrich. He then leaped toward them with his claws extended.

ULRICH: Any ideas, Lyoko?
LYOKO: Just one. Fly out of the way!
ULRICH: I've figured that.

Both Lyoko and Ulrich jumped out of the way just before Absol landed another deadly Slash attack. They gained more altitude as they circled behind him.

LYOKO: Okay, Ulrich! Fire a full power Whirlwind attack!

Ulrich furiously beat his wings at a high speed and created a massive tornado, and Lyoko uses Tornado Twirl to make it even more powerful. The tornado headed for Absol, and he felt himself slowly rising into the air despite being clawed on the ground. After being spun around in the tornado, Absol was thrown high into the air, but he managed to land on his feet near the torch area. He appeared to be exhausted, but he still had enough in him to keep going.

ABSOL: Lyoko. You are very formidable... a trait that I would never expect in a child... However, it still doesn't change the fact that I must annihilate you!

Absol's head and tail blade began glowing as well as his claws, and he began doing a fighting dance of some sort. Lyoko and Ulrich didn't see this as a good sign, and Absol was ready to destroy Lyoko with everything he's got. He leaped back onto the ground and raced toward her and her Pidgeot with tremendous agility.

ABSOL: This is it, Lyoko! Your days of interfering with Shadow Wing have come to an end!

Absol's head blade began glowing.

LYOKO: Ulrich! Keep Absol busy with your Double Team attack!
ULRICH: Okay!

Ulrich followed his trainer's command as he flew right into Absol's path and made two copies of himself. The three pidgeons flew toward Absol at almost the exact speed. Absol fired another shockwave at the middle "Ulrich", but that one vanishes. Then it came back for the Ulrich on the right, but it vanished as well. Finally, it came for the real Ulrich and made a direct hit. Ulrich then fell on the ground and moaned in pain.

LYOKO: Ulrich!

Ulrich didn't even had the strength to talk. He was severely injured after the intense battle. After congratulating him by stroking his back, Lyoko recalled her Pidgeot in his Pokeball.

LYOKO: Absol... Shadow Wing has corrupted you. He has taken your compassion and replaced it with cruelty. Why don't you fight his control? You have to until stand that Shadow Wing is a cold-hearted man.
ABSOL: I don't need to listen to your naive preaching! I will win!
LYOKO: No. You won't. As a matter of fact... without love, tenderness, or compassion; you've already lost.
ABSOL: Silence child!

Absol suddenly has a black wind surrounding him. He eyes were glowing red as he gave Lyoko a merciless stare.

ABSOL: Let's end this here and now to see whether it's Shadow Wing's tremendous power or your pathetic love that will prevail!
LYOKO: I shall soar high into the skies of love where nothing can bring me down! If evil tries to hold me back, then my heart will give me the power to protect the skies from corruption! I am Lyoko, the yung child of the friendly skies!

With that, Lyoko's Salac Necklace began glowing a bright green. The glow then expanded to Lyoko herself, and she and Absol were getting ready to deliver their final blows.

ABSOL: Take this! Shadow Swift!
LYOKO: Lyoko Wind!

Absol shot a wave of black lightning from his horn and Lyoko fired a wave of wind and light from her wings. Both attacks collided with each other, creating a mixture of light and shadow that filled the colloseum. The force of the two attacks blown Lyoko and Absol quite a distance away from each other. They were exhausted with sweat as they were both breathing hard to the point of wheezing. For an enitre minute, everything seemed to have stood still. Then, Absol had fallen to his side and didn't get up. Lyoko carefully approached him and wondered whether or not she had defeated him. After a few seconds, Absol opened his eyes and saw her. This time, he saw that Lyoko was injured and compassionately licked her wounds.

LYOKO: Are you okay, Absol? I'm really sorry that I had to fight you like that.
ABSOL: What happened to you? And where are we?
LYOKO: Don't worry about it. I'm so glad you're back.

Just then, the entire colloseum was dissolving and everything became bright. Lyoko and Absol were now floating in a world that was only made of a bright light. A large green mirror with wings encased with a shield of wind formed. On the top of the mirror was a crystal shaped like a Salac Berry with the word "okoyL" inscripted on it.

LYOKO: What's that?
ABSOL: I don't know. I never seen that portal before...

Lyoko's Salac Necklace began glowing once again, and suddenly she and Absol was pulled into the mirror that was glowing as well...

End of Chapter 22​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

CASCADIA'S POKEMON
Vaporeon(F)@Scope Lens L50
Trait: Water Absorb
Brave Nature
-Water Gun
-Bite
-Aurora Beam
-Haze
-Acid Armor
-Iron Tail

Kingler(M)@Shell Bell L50
Trait: Hyper Cutter
Rash Nature
-Vicegrip
-Mud Shot
-Stomp
-Guillotine
-Protect
-Slam

Cloyster(M)@Nevermelt Ice LV50
Trait: Shell Armor
Serious Nature
-Withdraw
-Supersonc
-Aurora Beam
-Protect
-Spikes
-Spike Cannon

Starmie@King's Rock L50
Trait: Natural Cure
Quiet Nature
-Water Gun
-Rapid Spin
-Recover
-Swift
-Confuse Ray
-Psychic

Gorebyss(F)@Sea Incense L50
Trait: Swift Swim
Quirky Nature
-Agility
-Water Pulse
-Amnesia
-Psychic
-Baton Pass
-Hydro Pump

Milotic(F)@Mystic Water L50
Trait: Marvel Scale
Gentle Nature
-Twister
-Recover
-Rain Dance
-Hydro Pump
-Attract
-Safeguard

CURRENT ITEMS
Liechi Necklace
Description: A necklace that has a charm shaped like a Liechi Berry
Ability: Gives Cascadia the power of the sea to strengthen her attacks
Attacks: Liechi Magic
Obtained: Given to by Shadow Mariah in chapter 12

Chapter 23: Cascadia vs Dusclops

Cascadia has entered a large castle. The castle was almost totally dark except for an old chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Then Cascadia notices that the castle was broken down. The black walls have several cracks in them, all the windows appeared broken, and all the doors lay on the floor in pieces. The floor itself had quite a lot of cracks in it and even a few holes. The stairs the led to the upper rooms weren't in the best of shape, and a piano in the corner was totally smashed up. Obviously, Cascadia didn't like the looks of the place and starts to leave. When she got to the door, however, she finds it locked.

CASCADIA: Huh?! Hey! Get me out of here!

There was no answer. Just then, water like energy forms in front of Cascadia and heads toward the door, but when it was was within striking range, the water was stopped cold. It then heads for Cascadia, but she managed to dodge and the water ended up smashing through the ground.

CASCADIA: Okay... how in the world did my own attack turn against me?
VOICE: Because you won't be leaving anytime soon, my dear.

Orbs of light began to appear and swirled in a cockscrew of light. Cascadia was left breathless as she watches the swirling mass of light form into Dusclops.

CASCADIA: This castle must be haunted...!
DUSCLOPS: Oh, no. I'm the only one's that's been here since Shadow Wing has ordered me to get rid of the former Aqua Sorceress by the name of Cascadia!
CASCADIA: How'd he know that...
DUSCLOPS: Shadow Wing has been watching you for quite some time, Cascadia. He knows that you were stranded in the middle of the sea after being seperated from your family by a storm. The Aqua Sorcerors then rescued you and your became a valuable member on their team. And then, you began having visions about Kyogre flooding the planet, so you tried to tell your teammates to give up. Unfortunately, they didn't, and you became a renegade. A few weeks later, you met the Mirror Guardian, Mariah, and Connie. You've met Lyoko a while later in a city near Petalburg Mansion, and since then, you've managed to defeat Shadow Wing's monsters and proven your vision correct.
CASCADIA: What does all of that have you do with you and Shadow Wing?
DUSCLOPS: I want you to enjoy those memories... for those will be gone as soon as I get rid of you!

A ball of dark energy surrounded by black lightning forms in Dusclops's hands. As the ball increased in size, Dusclops gave a short cackle.

DUSCLOPS: Lyoko was able to defeat Absol, but don't think you'll have the same luck in fighting me!

With that remark, Dusclops fires the dark ball at Cascadia. Cascadia could feel the attack hit her in the chest, and the force of the attack makes her fall on the ground.

CASCADIA: Oh...
DUSCLOPS: Heh heh heh. Don't think you have a chance, young lady.

Cascadia closes her eyes, and all six of her Net Balls appear. All the them opened at once and filled the castle with bright lights pouring out of them and formed into Vaporeon, Kingler, Cloyster, Starmie, Gorebyss, and Milotic.

DUSCLOPS: [laughs] Summon all the Pokemon you like! It won't change a thing!
CASCADIA: We'll see about that! Vaporeon and Starmie, use your Water Gun attacks!

Vaporeon begins squirting a stream of water from her mouth and Starmie does the same on its tip. The two attacks combined and hit Dusclops directly in the face. However, the ghostly cyclops shook off the attack like it was nothing.

VAPOREON: Shoot!
STARMIE: Our attacks have failed! Mistress Cascadia, perhaps if you joined us...
CASCADIA: Not a bad idea. Try firing another Water Gun while I power up my attack.

Vaporeon and Starmie repeated their manuever, but this time Cascadia joins in by firing a similar attack to Vaporeon and Starmie's except her stream of water was twice the size of Vaporeon and Starmie's. The attacks hit Dusclops, but she once again shakes it off.

DUSCLOPS: That was a little better. Perhaps your next attempt will actually do some injuries! In the meantime...

Dusclops makes a fist and disappears.

STARMIE: Where did it go?
CASCADIA: Stay on your guard, guys. It could be anywhere. Milotic, use your Safeguard to protect us.

Milotic closes her eyes. She, Cascadia, and the other Pokemon then began glowing briefly with a pink light. Gorebyss was getting rather bored of waiting until she felt something hit her on the back.

GOREBYSS: Ack!
MILOTIC: Gorebyss!

It was then revealed that Dusclops unleashed a powerful punch while Gorebyss had her guard down. Milotic then blows hard enough to create a tornado that traps Dusclops for a few seconds.

GOREBYSS: Thanks, sis!
MILOTIC: Don't thank me yet.
CASCADIA: Milotic's right, Gorebyss. Don't let your guard down no matter what!

Kingler gets in front of Dusclops and opens his mighty claws to grasp Dusclops. However, Kingler was shocked when he found out that his claw went right through her!

KINGLER: Huh?
CASCADIA: Kingler, physical attacks aren't going to won on Dusclops! She's a ghost type Pokemon, and that makes her immune to stuff like your Vicegrip attack.
KINGLER: Oh, I forgot!
CASCADIA: Well, I'm glad that refreshed your memory. [to Gorebyss and Milotic] Double Hydro Pump!

Gorebyss and Milotic began to breath in as dump as they could and fire a huge jet stream of water. The attack hits Dusclops, and it did some damage. Once again, Dusclops managed to regain itself.

DUSCLOPS: [evil laugh] Pathetic. Just pathetic.
GOREBYSS: What's going on?
MILOTIC: Our Hydro Pump attacks should've at least weakened her, but she managed to endure it. Impossible!
DUSCLOPS: That's not all I can do...

A pin suddenly appears by Dusclops head and "stabs" her. Everyone seemed bewildered by this, for Dusclops lost some of her health. All of a sudden, Starmie and Kingler began feeling weak. Something was horribly wrong.

CASCADIA: Starmie! Kingler! You guys okay?
KINGLER: I'm feeling pretty weak here...
CASCADIA: Don't worry, guys! [to Cloyster] Give me a hand here. Spike Cannon!
CLOYSTER: With pleausre.

Cloyster glows and began shooting pins from his body, and Cascadia follows up by using Hydro Bind. Huge waves of water-like energy formed into a large cyclone that was surrounded by Cloyster's needles. The attack managed to hit Dusclops and knocked it out. Dusclops disappears, and Cascadia and her Pokemon were relieved.

CASCADIA: Glad that's over.

Kinger and Starmie were still feeling weak from earlier, but Cascadia heals them.

STARMIE: Thank you, Mistress Cascadia.
KINGLER: We needed that.
CASCADIA: Now, let's get out of here.

Cascadia approaches the door and opens it, but her relief suddenly turned into annoyed shock.

CASCADIA: What?!
VAPOREON: No way!
KINGLER: You've gotta be kiddin' me!
CLOYSTER: What in the world...?!
STARMIE: This can't be!
GOREBYSS: [sarcastically] Well, isn't this nice?
MILOTIC: How...?!

They were not out of the castle. Instead, they were in a large dungeon. The walls were made up of blackened bricks, and chains hung from the wall. There was almost no windows except for the one right by the entrance, and there was bowls and bones all over the place. A faint, foul smell was enough to make the group change their mind and leave the place. However, the door was locked.

CASCADIA: Am I the only one who has no idea what is going on here?

Suddenly, there was an earthquake. Cascadia was safe since she was using her telekenetic powers to stay off the ground, but her Pokemon weren't as lucky. Kingler and Starmie began feeling weak again. The group looked around for the attacker, but he or she was nowhere to be found. A few seconds later, familar cackling was heard and the others looked worried.

GOREBYSS: Huh? I thought that Dusclops was a goner!
VOICE: The Dusclops you've beaten was a fake!

Just then, another Dusclops appears and laughs.

DUSCLOPS: You thought you had me beaten, did you?
VAPOREON: That was a cheap trick, you know. Play fair already!
DUSCLOPS: I don't have to. Why won't you surrender and maybe I'll ask Shadow Wing to let Connie and Mariah go in one piece? I'd put Lyoko into consideration too, but if some seven-year-old girl managed to defeat Absol, I'd like to keep her for myself!
CASCADIA: Just shut up already! There's no way we're giving up!
DUSCLOPS: Have it your way. Too bad there won't be enough of you to make sushi. As a matter of fact, there won't be enough of you to make fishsticks!

Dusclops closed her hands together and shot a blue-white beam at the group. Everyone managed to dodge it, but the beam bounces off a broken mirror and hits Starmie. Almost immediately, ice started to cover Starmie from its gem and expanded until it was completely frozen.

CASCADIA: Starmie!

Kingler heads over to the frozen star-shaped Pokemon when he suddenly felt weak again. Starmie is struck with the same fate and its jewel begins flashing.

CASCADIA: This isn't good. Starmie's energy is running out. [looks at Kingler] And Kingler doesn't look good either.

Cascadia's situation was looking grim. Not only that two of her best Pokemon are suffering from a strange energy draining condition, but she also wasn't sure whether the Dusclops they were fighting was real or fake. She then steps up and stares at Dusclops with a firm look on her face for a few seconds, concentrating hard to find out. Meanwhile, the Pokemon was trying to figure out what their trainer was doing.

VAPOREON: Cascadia...?
CASCADIA: Guys... It looks like we're on the verge of falling for the same trick twice...

Cascadia then powers up for another Hydro Bind attack. Dusclops was trapped in a giant water cyclone. The cyclone then dissolved, and there was no trace of the ghost-like cyclops.

MILOTIC: So, Cascadia... what was it?
CASCADIA: It was a fake. The real Dusclops probably wouldn't go down so easily. We might as well find it now and save us some time.

Cascadia heads over to Starmie and heals it as well as making the ice melt. Then she and her Pokemon head off.

***​

The real Dusclops was waiting at the roof of the castle. She waves her hands in a hypnotic gesture, and suddenly Cascadia and the Pokemon landed right in front of her. Confused, they looked around. They noticed that it was very late at night because there were barely any stars in the sky and the moon was a fading yellow crescent. The castle looked much older from the outside and seemed to be on the verge of collapsing.

GOREBYSS: Now where are we?
DUSCLOPS: I've brought you here, my friends.

Cascadia faces her enemy. Dusclops begins to laugh for a few seconds.

CASCADIA: You're the real one, aren't you?!
DUSCLOPS: However did you guess, Cascadia? Did you silly psychic powers helped you out? If so, you could also predict that I was growing a bit impatient and decided to have our little battle right now!
CASCADIA: Well, they helped me on the first part!
DUSCLOPS: [laughs] Very good, Cascadia. However, your psychic abilities will be useless in this battle!

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

Dusclops snapped his fingers, and Kingler and Starmie fell to the ground. Cascadia tried to heal them, but they were losing energy way too fast. The two Pokemon eventually fainted, and Cascadia ended up recalling them to their Pokeballs.

CASCADIA: What did you just do?!
DUSCLOPS: Silly girl. You looked like you never seen a Curse attack before!
CASCADIA: What?!
DUSCLOPS: I could've done the same to you, but I'll save it for later. In the meantime, I'll get rid of your other Pokemon!

And with that, strange white fireballs formed around Dusclops and were fired at Cascadia and her Pokemon. They managed to dodge, but Cloyster ends up getting hit. He feels the pain of the burn going through him. Cascadia approaches Cloyster to heal him, but she was hit by another blue-white beam of ice that freezes the teenage mermaid.

DUSCLOPS: I'll deal with her later. Right now, it's the four of you I'm after!
VAPOREON: Bring it, missy!
DUSCLOPS: With pleasure!

Dusclops then fires several black orbs at Vaporeon. She managed to dodge and heads towards the ghost with a glowing tail. She jumps up and prepares to strike, but Dusclops shot a strange ray of light at Vaporeon. Suddenly, Vaporeon didn't seem to know what she was doing and crashes on the ground.

CLOYSTER, GOREBYSS, & MILOTIC: Vaporeon!
VAPOREON: [slowly getting up] I'm okay... I'm okay, but...

Vaporeon begins to wobble a bit as she walks.

GOREBYSS: That was one nasty Confuse Ray. Too bad Starmie got KOed because a counter Confuse Ray attack would sure come in handy.

Gorebyss then paused for a brief second. Remembering that Water Pulse has a chance on confusing the enemy, she fires a stream of water surrounded by ultrasonic waves. The attack managed to hit Dusclops and did damage, but it failed to confuse her.

GOREBYSS: Aw, man... [to Milotic] Hey, sis. Do you think a Rain Dance attack would be a good idea?
MILOTIC: It's worth a shot!

Milotic looks up at the sky and howls. Suddenly, clouds formed and rain begins pouring down like there's no tommorow. Gorebyss tries Water Pulse again and managed to confuse Dusclops.

DUSCLOPS: Wha... how? What's going on?

Dusclops was wobbling around as Vaporeon gets the group together.

VAPOREON: Okay, guys. It seems that whenever we get close to beating Dusclops, she always have another trick up her sleeve. I managed to think up a plan, but we need Cascadia to pull it off.
CLOYSTER, GOREBYSS, & MILOTIC: Right.
VAPOREON: Gorebyss, Milotic, you hand Dusclops. Cloyster and I will handle getting Cascadia out of that Ice.
CLOYSTER: But Vaporeon, are you gonna be okay? I mean, that Confuse Ray...
VAPOREON: Don't worry. I've been hit with confusion attacks before, and this is now different.
MILOTIC: Maybe you should rest. Cloyster is strong enough to get Cascadia out of that ice.
GOREBYSS: Kingler would be a big help here. I'm guessing Dusclops have beaten him and Starmie and confused Vaporeon to give us a hard time.
VAPOREON: Well, when Cascadia's free, we'll be the ones give Dusclops a hard time.

Gorebyss and Milotic moved in to attack. Dusclops snickered as Milotic blows another tornado at her. Dusclops gets out of the way and disappears. Suddenly, Milotic yelps as she felt Dusclops punching her at the back of her neck. Gorebyss's eyes begin glowing and Dusclops began floating high into the air. She then lowers her head and Dusclops comes plummeting through the roof and makes a huge hole in it. The two snake Pokemon follow Dusclops into the hole and the battle raged on from there. Meanwhile, Vaporeon and Cloyster managed to chip away most of the ice. Vaporeon struck the ice with her glowing tail, and Cloyster shoots sharp pins at the ice block. Eventually, they managed to remove the ice around Cascadia's tail and started to move on with the rest of her body. Unfortunately, both of them were becoming exhausted.

VAPOREON: [out of breath] I don't know how much longer we can keep this up!
CLOYSTER: At this rate, we need a miracle to get Cascadia out of that ice!

Just then, they stopped and noticed Cascadia's Liechi Necklace glowing. They watched in awe as the ice around Cascadia mysteriously disappeared. However, Cascadia was unconscious, but she didn't stay that way for long. Her body glowed red for a few seconds.

VAPOREON: What's going on?

The glow dies down and Cascadia wakes up. She notices Vaporeon and Cloyster and begins to look for Gorebyss, Milotic, and Dusclops.

CASCADIA: W...where...?
CLOYSTER: Gorebyss and Milotic are fighting Dusclops. We'd better give them a hand.
CASCADIA: Okay.

Cascadia notices the hole in the roof and the current downpour. Before Cascadia could say anything, wind rose from the hole. Cascadia, Vaporeon, and Cloyster head down to hole and saw Gorebyss and Milotic fire torrents of water right at Dusclops.

DUSCLOPS: Do you think a Double Hydro Pump is enough to stop me?! Think again! Black Torrent!

Dusclops begins waving her hands and a gigantic stream of water heads toward Gorebyss and Milotic. The water was similar to the sisters' double Hydro Pump but the water was black. The attacks hits the sisters dead center.

CASCADIA: Gorebyss! Milotic! Please be okay!

Both of the sisters were heavily damaged and exhausted. They seemed to be able to keep on going until Gorebyss collapsed on the ground. Cascadia, Vaporeon, and Cloyster were astonished by this, and Milotic wanted to scream. However, she didn't and tried to wake up Gorebyss.

MILOTIC: Gorebyss! Gorebyss!
GOREBYSS: I'm sorry, sis. I wanted to go further than this. I wanted...to save the world together, with you and Cascadia and the others...
MILOTIC: Don't worry about it.
CASCADIA: Milotic's right. They'll be other days. But you did a great job, Gorebyss.
MILOTIC: Take a nice long rest, little sister.

Cascadia recalls her Gorebyss. Dusclops laughs at the remainder of the group.

DUSCLOPS: You should give up now, you overgrown fish!
CASCADIA: Not on your life! Vaporeon, Water Gun! Cloyster, Aurora Beam!

Vaporeon fires water at Dusclops, but she sidesteps out of the way. Cloyster's horn begins glowing with many colors and fires a beam that was similar to Mariah's Mirror Beam. Dusclops dodges by sidestepping out of the way again.

CASCADIA: Ugh... what is with you?!
DUSCLOPS: [laughs] I could do this all day, but I have to get rid of you sooner or later!

Dusclops once again shoots out a strange beam of light, and this time Milotic ends up being confused of impact. While Vaporeon seemed to have snapped out of her confusion, Milotic couldn't shake it off as easily.

CASCADIA: Milotic! Try to use Recover!

Milotic tried to focus as hard as she could, but the confusion appeared to be too much for her. She felt dizzy and lightheaded.

CLOYSTER: Milotic, hang in there!
VAPOREON: Stay stong, Milotic!
DUSCLOPS: Don't think she'll be able to help you!

Suddenly, Cascadia steps up. She glared at Dusclops, and Dusclops did the same to her. Everything was silent. It was obvious that Cascadia was tired of the mind games she and her Pokemon had to go through. Vaporeon joins her, ready to battle. Cascadia looks at Vaporeon, and she nods as if exchange thoughts with her.

DUSCLOPS: Hmm...

Vaporeon advanced on Dusclops, and the ghost didn't know what just happened. She watched Vaporeon carefully and looked for a perfect time to counter, but she was too late. Dusclops was hit by Vaporeon's glowing tail, but it felt like being hit with a sledgehammer. However, she managed to regain herself.

DUSCLOPS: A sneak attack... Nice. But don't think I can't make one too!

Dusclops creates another dark ball, but this time it vanished into thin air. Confused, the group looked around and suddenly saw the black ball behind them. It homes in on Cascadia, but Milotic gets into the attack's path and gets hit on the neck. She tries to stay up, but she ends up falling on the ground. Seeing that she is unable to continue battling, Cascadia recalls her Milotic. Dusclops begins laughing at her.

DUSCLOPS: You're pretty good at your little sneak tatics, but mine are better!

Cascadia just looks at Vaporeon.

CASCADIA: [telepathically] Here's the plan. When the time is right, I'm gonna attack first. After that, Vaporeon, you and Cloyster fire full power Aurora Beam attacks. Got it?
VAPOREON: [telepathically] Whatever you say!
CLOYSTER: [telepathically] Let's do it!
DUSCLOPS: So, which one of you will be my next victim?

Cascadia, Vaporeon, and Cloyster all get ready for battle. Dark energy began surrounding Dusclops as she makes a fist and disappears. Instead of being worried, Cascadia remained calm. Vaporeon didn't catch on to this, but Cloyster saw what Cascadia was planning and closed his shell. A few seconds later, Dusclops reappears above Cascadia and begins to strike, but Cascadia managed to block the Shadow Punch with a water shield. Cascadia gets on the offense by hitting Dusclops in the face with her glowing blue tail as hard as she could. Dusclops was knocked back but regains herself again just in time to be hit by rainbow colored beams fired by Vaporeon and Cloyster. She rolled across the ground and end up crashing into a wall.

VAPOREON: I think we've got her...

Vaporeon was proven wrong when everything was suddenly surrounded by darkness. A sudden flash of light bursts from where Dusclops landed. Cascadia covered her eyes, and when the light died down, Vaporeon and Cloyster were out cold. To make matters worse, Dusclops stood up and seemed to be ready to continue. As she recalled her Pokemon, Cascadia glares at the seemingly invincible Dusclops.

CASCADIA: What the...?! What does it take to keep you down?! The battle have to end sooner or later!
DUSCLOPS: Looks like it's just you and me. My Chaos Wave managed to knock out your remaining Pokemon, but you seemed to have endured it. However, due to the immense amount of energy need for it, I'm exhausted... but you're right. The battle does need to end.

Dusclops snaps her fingers, and Cascadia suddenly becomes as exhausted as Dusclops.

DUSCLOPS: You see, Shadow Wing have given the Pokemon of the Mirror Masters powers that normal Pokemon could only dream of having. Once we get rid of you and your miserable comrades, both the Hoenn Mirror World and the Shadow Mirror World will be crushed! Unfortunately, Absol couldn't handle Lyoko too well and is no longer one of us, but I'm better than he'll ever be! You see, I'm able to endure all of your best attacks and make you feel the damage whenever I want!
CASCADIA: Wha...what...?!
DUSCLOPS: There's no way you can win, Cascadia... And now to put an end to any delusional hopes of you winning this battle... What?!
CASCADIA: Huh...?

Cascadia's Liechi Necklace begins glowing. A whirlpool of water begins to surround her as she rose into the air. Dusclops was dismayed as she was about to get a taste of what could be Cascadia's ultimate attack.

DUSCLOPS: What...how?! How did you managed to gather so much power in your current state?! It's just not possible!
CASCADIA: The ocean of truth and love will always be with me! I'll always face the storms of chaos without fear or regrets! I am Cascadia, the mistress of water!

Dusclops was too worn out to use the Chaos Wave again and could only watch as Cascadia gets ready to fire the giant whirlpool at her.

CASCADIA: Cascadia Torrent!

In the blink of an eye, the huge whirlpool came crashing down on Dusclops. The force of the attack made the ground shook for a view seconds. After the attack was finished, there was silence. Just then, Dusclops gets up and wonders what happened as she looked around.

DUSCLOPS: Wha... what in the world happened?

Dusclops limps across the castle roof but stops upon seeing the unconscious Cascadia.

DUSCLOPS: What?! How? What happened?

Dusclops tried to wake Cascadia up. After a few attempts, Cascadia slowly opens her eyes.

CASCADIA: Uh... what...
DUSCLOPS: Are you okay? What happened to you...?

Before Cascadia could answer, the castle dissolves and everything became bright. Cascadia and Dusclops were now surrounded by endless light. A large red mirror with drops of water encased in a bubble-like shield forms, and on the top of it was a crystal shaped like a Liechi Berry with the word "aidacsaC" written on it.

CASCADIA: Huh? I never seen a mirror like that before...
DUSCLOPS: Neither have I.

Cascadia's Liechi Necklace and the mirror began glowing. A few moments later, Cascadia and Dusclops were pulled into the mirror...

End of Chapter 23​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

CURRENT ITEMS
Ganlon Necklace
Description: A necklace that has a charm shaped like a Ganlon Berry
Ability: Gives Connie the power of the land to strengthen her attacks
Attacks: Ganlon Magic
Obtained: Given to by Shadow Mariah in chapter 12

Chapter 24: Connie vs Walrein

Connie wakes up and feels a long chill and finds herself half buried in snow. She gets up and dusts herself off and then notices that she's in the middle of a snowy mountain area.

CONNIE: What the heck...? I thought I was in the Ever Grande Cathedral. How'd I get here?

A loud noise was heard, and Connie looks up to she a few boulders heading her way. The icy boulders were easily shattered by a few of her punches. She then sees Walrein high above a cliff and coming down towards her.

CONNIE: What do you want?
WALREIN: Hello there, Connie... the very same Connie from Rustboro Ruins who calls herself the "rock hard fighter extrodinaire"!
CONNIE: Yeah, yeah. That's me. I've got a bone to pick with Shadow Wing, so just get out my way, okay?
WALREIN: You're a smug little girl, aren't you?
CONNIE: Calling me a little girl is bad for your health... and I'm gonna show you why!

Connie jumps toward Walrein and punches her as hard as she could. Walrein gets blown back a bit but regains herself.

CONNIE: Oh, so you want more, eh? Okay, then! Magma Flare!

Connie's feet began glowing red as she swings her body, raising her hands out of the way and placing them back down at the appropiate time. Her feet hits Walrein hard and knocks her back, but Walrein manage to regain herself again.

WALREIN: Is that all?
CONNIE: No! I'm just getting started!

Connie charges toward Walrein until a huge wave of icy water suddenly appeared from nowhere and crashes on her. The cold didn't bother her, but the water did sweep her away pretty far into equally cold ocean. Connie may be able to endure the freezing cold water, but she couldn't swim very well. She tried to get back to the land, but the current was too strong. Walrein goes in after her.

WALREIN: There's no way you can win...

Walrein rapidly swims toward Connie and prepares to slam her with all her weight. However, Connie notices that she's near a large block of ice and heads toward it before Walrein could smash her. Connie surfaces and managed to catch her breath.

CONNIE: For a second there, I thought I wasn't gonna--

Walrein leaps out of the water and aims to land on Connie as hard as she could. Connie manages to get out of the way by getting on the ice block, but Walrein makes a huge splash that almost knocked Connie off just as quickly. Walrein begins swimming toward her again, but Connie gets an idea and remained where she was. The walrus then leaps up and lands on Connie. To Walrein's surprise, Connie managed to survive, and now Walrein felt her lifting her up as high as she could.

CONNIE: I'll show you why I'm the toughest girl in the Hoenn Mirror World!

With that, Connie tosses Walrein with all her might. She folds her arms and gives off a light laugh as she watches Walrein crashing into an iceberg. Believing that she had beaten Walrein. Connie begins to walk off. Suddenly, a blizzard began and catches Connie off guard.

WALREIN: Do you really think you have me beaten that easily?! Take this!

Walrein then takes a deep breath and blows as hard as she could. A blizzard more chilling and powerful suddenly hits Connie. She slid across the icy ground and ended up into the water as a block of ice that sank deep into the ocean.

WALREIN: Heh. Well, that takes care of her. It's a shame that the "rock hard fighter extrodinaire" didn't put up much of a battle. I expected more of her. Oh, well. I managed to carry out my orders...

***​

Connie wakes up and finds herself in an icy cave. She feels chilled from the powerful Sheer Cold attack that managed to knock her out even though she didn't fight as hard as she wanted. She begins to get mad at Shadow Wing for putting her through all of this as well as involving Pokemon in the process. She picks up a rock and throws it at the cave wall, and it managed to form a crack.

CONNIE: Shadow Wing is such a creep. When I get done with him, he's gonna regret showing his face here! [looks around] I wonder where the others are. Sure feels lonely without 'em.

Connie then begins to find a way out of the cave.

CONNIE: Now that I think about it, I guess I'm not used to being with other people other than Roxanne and her Pokemon. I've been at Rustboro Ruins for so long that I really don't know much about the outside world. I've only seen the city near Petalburg Mansion once in my life.

Connie stops and looks at her reflection in the icy walls of the cave. After a few seconds, she punches the wall as hard as she could and makes a few good dents. She chuckles lightly, but then she becomes serious.

CONNIE: I'm the rock hard fighter extrodinaire... but I didn't start that way until I ended up finding out about my strength by just playing around all day. I spent so much time training to power my attacks up, and it looked like it paid off. I managed to take down a few of those monsters, with help from the gang, of course. But... there's that incident at Mossdeep Constellation. I'd sure love to become a giant powerhouse again against the Walrein, and then Shadow Wing won't stand a chance against me!

Just then, there was a flash of light in the distance. Thinking it was Walrein and eager for a rematch, Connie cracks her knuckles.

CONNIE: Try to take me down, and I'll smash you before you get the chance. If you think you're stronger than me, I'll be ready to prove you wrong. No one can beat me 'cause I'm Connie, the rock hard fighter extrodinaire of the Hoenn Mirror World!

With that, Connie runs toward the direction of the light. When Connie gets there, the light seemed to have dimmed down upon her arrival.

CONNIE: Okay... if this is a joke, it isn't funny! Whoever's doing this...

Connie suddenly notices a way out of the cave. It was now night and it suddenly begins to hail. She heads outside and sees that there was miles of ice, snow, and water from all around. Obviously, Shadow Wing wanted to keep Connie here for the rest of her life, and Walrein was a pawn in the scheme.

CONNIE: Man, it got dark pretty fast. Plus I haven't seen Mariah, Lyoko, or Fish Face anywhere since I came here. And what is with the hailstorm all of a sudden?

A rainbow colored beam was headed straight for Connie, but she managed to get out of the way. She looks at the direction of the attack and sees a figure on a cliff in the distance.

CONNIE: Mariah? Is that you?

Unfortunately, Connie was wrong. The attack came from Walrein, who then fires a barrage of ice balls at her. Connie retaliates by punching the icy balls into pieces and heads toward the cliff to climb toward Walrein. Walrein blows enough ice wind to create a blizzard that will slow Connie down, but it only made Connie climb faster.

CONNIE: Your Blizzard attack won't work on me anymore!
WALREIN: Well, maybe this will!

Walrein creates a huge wave of icy water and sends it down towards Connie. This time, Connie takes a deep breath and holds it as she was doused by the Surf attack. Despite the pressure of the water trying to knock her back, Connie eventually climbs to the top and is now face to face with Walrein.

WALREIN: What?!
CONNIE: Sorry, but if you're thinking about stopping me, you're dead wrong!
WALREIN: Even someone as strong as you should know when to give up!
CONNIE: We'll see about that! Ground Fist!

Connie jumps high into the air and heads straight down into the ground fist first, causing a small earthquake followed by a stream of bright light that headed straight for Walrein. However, Walrein sidesteps to dodge it. She then begins pushing herself across the ice until she had some momentum going. She opens her mouth as wide as she could as she headed for Connie. However, when Walrein got close, Connie grabs one of her front fins. She swings Walrein around and throws her off the cliff, and then she jumps off after her.

CONNIE: I'm gonna fry you before you can even blink! Giga Punch!

Connie punches Walrein in the face as hard she could and managed to speed up the walrus's fall. She crashed into an ice block at the bottom a few seconds before Connie landed beside it.

CONNIE: Well, Tsunama... you told me that I could use that line... [chuckles]

Just then, Walrein emerges from the rock.

WALREIN: That was good, but I still have power to spare, Connie!
CONNIE: Come on! Give up already!
WALREIN: Glacier Crush!

Walrein raises her now glowing fins and slams them on the ground. Suddenly, icy rocks rose from the ground and trapped Connie. Then, Walrein uses another powerful Blizzard attack to make the ice stronger. However, Connie managed to smash through the thickened ice.

CONNIE: Do you think you ice attacks can keep me down for long? Well, you've been asking for this for quite a while now, and now you're gonna get it!
WALREIN: Looks like the real battle is just about to begin...

Walrein slides across the ice again and heads toward Connie. Connie manages to get out of the way by jumping, but she mistimed her jump and begins to stumble on the slippery ice and crashes into a small ice pillar. She gets up and managed to pick it up and throw it at Walrein, but it was shattered by Walrein's tusks. Walrein then blows another blizzard at Connie and sends her pretty far. Even after landing, Connie slid across the ice and crashes against a wall.

CONNIE: Oh, man... This isn't gonna work.
WALREIN: Time to end this!

With that, Walrein lauches another Sheer Cold attack. Connie dodges and slides toward Walrein and slams into her. The force made Walrein slide across the ice as well and they both went into a dark cave. Throughout the twist and turns, Walrein blows powerful Blizzard attacks that Connie managed to endure and Connie fighting back with punches and kicks.

WALREIN: Your physical strength and endurance can't help you forever!

Connie lifts Walrein as high as she could and throwing her almost immediately after. She was about to rejoice until something came to her mind.

CONNIE: Hey, what's at the other end of this thing?

Not too far ahead, Connie sees some light ahead as she rapidly approaches it.

CONNIE: Oh, I get the idea! BONZAI!!!!!!

The slope ends, and Connie goes sailing through the air before landing on an iceberg. However, she wasn't safe. Walrein appears in the water and heads toward her. Connie managed to break off the tip of the iceberg and throws it at Walrein, but Walrein dives underwater to dodge it and leaps out of the water. She lands on Connie, and this time Connie seemed unable to move. Walrein attacks by blowing another strong blizzard that ends up freezing Connie.

WALREIN: Heh heh... Now it ends.

Walrein's eyes begin glowing, and she fires a rainbow colored beam at Connie. Just when all seemed lost, Connie's Ganlon Necklace begins glowing. Suddenly, the ice around Connie begins to melt and she was freed in a matter of moments. The glow also managed to reflect the Aurora Beam back at the walrus.

WALREIN: This can't be! Oh, well!

Walrein then closes her eyes and begins glowing. A few seconds later, Walrein was back at full health and ready to finish Connie off.

CONNIE: Huh?!
WALREIN: It's impossible to win. Glacier Crush!

Walrein slams her fins on the ground, and icy rocks rose from the water. This time, Connie managed to dodge then and ends up on another iceberg much bigger than the one she was on earlier.

CONNIE: It seems that whenever I come close to beating that tub of blubber, she always finds a way to get out of her mess!

Walrein attacks with another Blizzard then Connie managed to dodge. However, the attack managed to freeze the water around the icebergs she and Connie were on. Walrein slams her fins on the ground once again, and the icy rocks trapped Connie. Connie manages to break through the ice and rapidly punches and kicks Walrein. Both of them kept using their most powerful attacks and eventually became exhausted.

WALREIN: You know what, Connie? We both seem to have only one chance left to attack. I hope that when you finally lose, you won?t have any hard feelings against me in your next life. I hope you?ll just see the truth and realize that you're not as powerful as you think you are. And after you lose, you?ll see that there will be no escape from Shadow Wing. There will be no hope for you, your friends, the Hoenn Mirror World, and the Shadow Mirror World. However, if you manage to summon as much power as you did back at Mossdeep Constellation, you may have a chance.

Connie gives Walrein a confident look and a sly smile. She cracks her knuckles as she gets ready for the final showdown.

CONNIE: Well, you know what, fatso? As much as I hate your guts, I certainly hope you?re right.
WALREIN: I AM right! Glacier Crush!

Walrein gathers the last of her energy to slam her fins on the ground to surround Connie in ice. The ice trapped Connie in a giant ice pillar that seemed impossible to break. Walrein approaches the result of her possible defeat of Connie.

WALREIN: And so ends the life of Connie... the girl who believed that she was the rock hard fighter extrodinaire of the Hoenn Mirror World. However, she was severly mistaken.

Suddenly, there was a thunderous earthquake. Everything around Walrein shook violently, and the ice pillar that Connie was trapped in began to crack. Blue lights began to shine where the pillar was cracking. A few seconds later, it explodes. Connie, with her Ganlon Necklace glowing, escaped unharmed and lands in front of Walrein. Walrein was unable to attack and could only watch as Connie gets ready to give her everything she's got.

CONNIE: Try to take me down, and I'll smash you before you get the chance. If you think you're stronger than me, I'll be ready to prove you wrong. No one can beat me 'cause I'm Connie, the rock hard fighter extrodinaire of the Hoenn Mirror World!

Connie's fists begin glowing a bright blue as she heads toward her opponent.

CONNIE: Connie Smash!

Connie delivers a powerful uppercut to Walrein that sends her flying into the air. As Walrein comes down, Connie punches her again and sends her sailing across the ice and crashing into the iceberg. Everything fell silent a few seconds after the crash. Connie was breathing hard and making sure that Walrein was down for good. She heads over to the iceberg to check. Walrein appears to be waking up and looks at Connie in confusion. Before Walrein could ask what was going on, everything around them began dissolving. Connie and Walrein are now surrounded by a bright light.

WALREIN: Where are we?
CONNIE: I don't have a clue.

A large blue mirror in a shield of magma forms, and on top was a crystal shaped like a Ganlon Berry with "einnoC" written on it. Before Connie could ask any questions, her necklace and the mirror began glowing and she and Walrein were pulled in...

End of Chapter 24​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

MARIAH'S POKEMON
Octillery(M)@-- LV50
Trait: Suction Cups
Mild Nature
-Thunder Wave
-Psybeam
-Aurora Beam
-Bubblebeam
-Octazooka
-Focus Energy
-Sludge Bomb
-Blizzard

Jacrystal(F)@Charcoal LV50
Trait: Flash Fire
Bold Nature
-Agility
-Double Kick
-Bite
-Flame Wheel
-Double Team
-Sunny Day
-Crystal Shard
-Flamethrower
-False Power

Electabuzz(M)@Magnet LV50
Trait: Static
Rash Nature
-Ice Punch
-Thunderpunch
-Light Screen
-Swift
-Thunderbolt
-Screech
-Brick Break
-Thunder

Sceptile(M)@King's Rock LV50
Trait: Overgrow
Hardy Nature
-Fury Cutter
-Pursuit
-Bullet Seed
-Screech
-Leaf Blade
-Agility
-Earthquake
-Slam

Shuckle(M)@Quick Claw LV50
Trait: Sturdy
Relaxed Nature
-Substitute
-Encore
-Rock Tomb
-Safeguard
-Bide
-Rest
-Sandstorm

Venomoth(F)@Bright Powder LV50
Trait: Shield Dust
Naive Nature
-Confusion
-Secret Power
-Leech Life
-Stun Spore
-Gust
-Psybeam
-Toxic
-Psychic

CURRENT ITEMS
Mirror Wand
Description: Gold and has a Pokeball on top, wings on the side of the ball, and six jewels (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) on the top part of the Pokeball
Ability: Enables Mariah to use the attacks of Pokemon she had captured, whether or not they have fainted. Also heals, transforms into a mirror and stores Mariah's Pokemon.
Attacks: Mirror Beam, Mirror Special, Mirror Magic, Petaya Magic (used with Petaya Necklace), Reflect Seed (used with Sceptile)
Obtained: Given to by the Mirror Guardian (Mirror Mariah) in Chapter 1
Other info: Regained its full power after all the Rainbow Balls were used

Leaf Sword
Description: Green sword with leaf-shaped blade
Ability: Enables Mariah to use various sword techniques. Gets stronger with moves that Sceptile learns.
Attacks: Petal Drill, Petaya Slash (used with Petaya Necklace), Forest Wave
Obtained: Chapter 5 after Mariah's Treecko evolved

Mirror Bracelet
Description: Bracelet with large, blue pearls
Ability: Enables Mariah to summon a wall of rock, water, or wind for defense
Obtained: Given to by Wally in Chapter 6

Bronze Watch
Description: Seemingly broken down bronze watch with a rusty chain
Ability: Enables Mariah to control time
Obtained: Found in Lavaridge Mountains in Chapter 10

Petaya Necklace
Description: A necklace that had a charm that was shaped like a Petaya Berry
Ability: Gives Mariah the power of life to strengthen her attacks
Attacks: Petaya Magic (used with Mirror Wand), Petaya Slash (used with Leaf Sword)
Obtained: Given to by Dark Mariah in Chapter 12

Soul Dew
Description: A round, glittering crystal
Ability: Unknown at this time
Attacks: Unknown at this time
Obtained: Found at Littleroot Village in Chapter 20

Chapter 25: Mariah vs Salamence

Mariah finds herself on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean. It was in the middle of a gray gloomy day, and it was rather cold. She shivered for a moment and looks around.

MARIAH: Connie...! Cascadia...! Lyoko...!

The only thing heard was the echo of Mariah's voice.

MARIAH: Where are they? I sure hope they're all right.

Mariah gets out her wand.

MARIAH: I call upon the Rainbow of the Mirror World! Red! Orange! Yellow! Green! Blue! Purple!

All seven gems on the Mirror Wand began to glow and shot out bright lights of their respective colors that formed into Octillery, Jacrystal, Electabuzz, Sceptile, Shuckle, and Venomoth.

MARIAH: Split up and find the others!

With that, Mariah and her Pokemon went their seperate ways on the island...unaware that something was watching them...

***​

Back in the Ever Grande Cathedral at the Shadow Mirror World, Shadow Wing and Metagross were watching Mariah through the flaming mirror. The other three mirrors have returned to their previous state, but the glass was broken.

SHADOW WING: It looks like Absol, Dusclops, and Walrein weren't able to handle the tasks. The girls managed to defeat them and escaped... but Mariah won't have much luck. Not only is Salamence is Drake's strongest Pokemon, he's also the strong Pokemon of the Mirror Masters... [turns to Metagross] Barring you, of course. Lord Steven is the Mirror Overlord after all.

There was a brief pause. Metagross gets ready to head into the flaming mirror, but Shadow Wing stopped it.

SHADOW WING: Patience, my friend. Let's see how she does...

***​

Mariah and Venomoth were searching for the others in the skies, Octillery swims in a lake, Shuckle and Jacrystal burrowed undergroud, and Electabuzz and Sceptile were looking in the places that the others didn't. Despite their efforts, there was no sign of the others anywhere. They met back in the spot where Shuckle and Jacrystal were doing their underground search.

MARIAH: Any luck, guys?
SCEPTILE: Not a trace of them.
ELECTABUZZ: We pratically looked everywhere.
VENOMOTH: Mariah and I didn't see 'em.
OCTILLERY: I didn't have much luck finding them. I was sure I'd run into the mermaid girl somewhere.
MARIAH: Maybe Shuckle and Jacrystal had some luck.

Sure enough, Shuckle and Jacrystal popped from the ground. Jacrystal dusts herself off while Shuckle sees the group.

SCEPTILE: Any luck finding them, Shuckle?
SHUCKLE: Nope. We couldn't find Connie, the Aqua Sorceress, or that cute bird trainer.
VENOMOTH: Ohh... what if we never find them? What if we never get off this island? And if we don't, what if Mariah ends up looking worse that hyper fighting girl?!
MARIAH: We'll find a way. I don't know how, but we will find the others and we will get off the island, Venomoth. [pause, then gets a sour look on her face] And what do you mean that I'll end up looking worse than Connie?
VENOMOTH: Well...

Out of nowhere, streams of fire ended up attacking the group by surprise. Sceptile and Venomoth appear to be heavily damaged, but Jacrystal seems to be developing an immunity from it. As soon the fire dies down, the attacker reveals himself as Salamence.

SALAMENCE: So, we finally meet, Mariah Janvi... or should I say the Hoenn Mirror Girl?
MARIAH: What was that for?!
SALAMENCE: I'm giving you a privilege, courtesy of Shadow Wing.

The Pokemon begin to talk amongst themselves about this, but Mariah didn't seem interested.

MARIAH: What are you talking about?
SALAMENCE: I'm giving you a choice, young lady.
MARIAH: And what choice is that?
SALAMENCE: You get to decide how I should obliterate you and your Pokemon!

Mariah growls in frustration, and her Pokemon were equally unhappy about it. She had been too much in a world that was so much like her home, and losing to Shadow Wing after going this far was out of the question. Mariah only had one thing in mind: stopping Shadow Wing once and for all, and finally getting back home.

SALAMENCE: Well...? What's your decision?

Mariah responds by getting out her Wand and attacking with a full force Mirror Beam. The rainbow colored beam hits Salamence at dead center and blows him back a distance. However, he shakes off the damage and glares at Mariah.

SALAMENCE: Looks like I have to decide for you...

Salamence flies toward Mariah and lashes out his claws. In an attempt to block the attack, Mariah's Mirror Bracelet begins glowing white and a wall of wind forms to shield her and her Pokemon from the attack. However, Salamence managed to bypass the shield and slashes Mariah. The force of the attack knocks her over. Salamence then flies up high and looks down on Mariah. He then breathes a wave of flames at her, but Electabuzz managed to protect Mariah by creating a glass like shield that cut the power of Salamence's attack.

MARIAH: Thanks, Electabuzz.
ELECTABUZZ: You try to get back some of your energy. The others and I will take care of that Salamence!
SALAMENCE: That won't do you a lot of good. Eventually, I'll have to deal with Mariah. Save me some time and get out of the way.

The Pokemon weren't backing down. Sceptile then turns to Mariah.

SCEPTILE: Try to heal yourself. We'll deal with him for a while.

Mariah nods and holds her wand close to her. The blue gem begins glowing, and Shuckle could feel that his trainer is using one of his abilities. Suddenly, Mariah falls asleep and begins glowing a bright blue.

SHUCKLE: Mariah's gonna be okay. She just used Rest.
VENOMOTH: Good for her.
ELECTABUZZ: That's kinda risky, don't you think? She's gonna be wide open.
OCTILLERY: Don't worry. We just have to keep Salamence away from her while she recovers.
VENOMOTH: Uh-oh... Salamence is heading for us!

Surely enough, Salamence was flying right above them and blows flames at the Pokemon, but this time, the flames were a darker orange. Electabuzz once again uses the glass shield that cuts the power of the assualt. The shield managed to surround the sleeping Mariah and the Pokemon, so they seemed safe for the moment.

ELECTABUZZ: Whew. Hopefully, the Light Screen will come in handy.
SALAMENCE: A clever move. Very clever. But it's not enough to stop me!

Salamence then flies high into the air. The Pokemon looked up to search for the dragon Pokemon, but he was nowhere to be found. After a few moments, the Pokemon appeared to be bored.

JACRYSTAL: Where is this guy? If he's running away, he could've at least told us.

Just then, they noticed something heading toward them and at a high speed. By the time the Pokemon saw what it was, however, it was too late. It hits them hard and managed to scatter them all over the place. They all appeared to have taken damage, Sceptile and Venomoth more than the others.

SCEPTILE: Whoa. That was a strong Fly attack.
VENOMOTH: No kidding.
OCTILLERY: But where did it come from?

Salamence was standing right in front of them with a look of imtidation. It was obvious that the attack came from him, and he was already ready to deliver to final attack to finish them off. He was about to bite them one by one with his sharp fangs when Shuckle pounds the ground as hard as he could and managed to surround Salamence with rocks.

VENOMOTH: [giggles] Thanks, Shuckle.
SHUCKLE: No problem.
JACRYSTAL: But now what? That Salamence is powerful and the rocks can't keep him forever.
ELECTABUZZ: And the Light Screen will wear off sooner or later. We'd better hurry up and finish off this guy!
OCTILLERY: It already seems that he'll be tough to handle. And what if Mariah doesn't wake up when we need her?
SCEPTILE: Then we have to keep Salamence busy till she does. Let's go!

With that, all of Mariah's Pokemon prepared for attack as Salamence managed to break free from the rocks.

SCEPTILE: I'll go first. Electabuzz, cover me.
ELECTABUZZ: Right!

Sceptile dashes off with Electabuzz right behind. Salamence flies up and takes a deep breath before breathing some light orange flames at the two. Despite Electabuzz's Light Screen protecting him, Sceptile received heavy damage but still managed to land a hit on Salamence with his arm blades glowing. Unfortunately, it appeared that Salamence's attack did more damage than Sceptile's.

SALAMENCE: That was a sloppy move. You know that a Grass-type attack like Leaf Blade wouldn't work against a Dragon-type like me.

Sceptile then jumps into the air and slams Salamence in the face with his tail, but Salamence retaliates by crunching it with his sharp teeth. Sceptile falls to the ground and lies motionless.

SALAMENCE: It looks like it's all over for the Sceptile.

Luckily, Mariah woke up and was fully recovered. She then notices Sceptile lying on the ground and rushes up to him.

MARIAH: Hey, Sceptile! You okay?
SCEPTILE: [weakly] Sorry, Mariah... I tried... to hold him off...
MARIAH: Well, it's time for you to take a rest.

A green light from the wand hits Sceptile and recalls him in back in the wand.

JACRYSTAL: You couldn't pick a better time to wake up, my friend. We've been fighting only for a few minutes and we're already in a tough spot!
MARIAH: Well, you don't have to worry. I'm back in action.
SALAMENCE: Don't think your ability to use your Pokemon's attacks will help you forever, Mariah!
MARIAH: We'll just see about that!

Salamence then gives a cold laugh. The group looks around to find out what was happening and notices that Electabuzz's Light Screen is wearing off. Salamence is now free to attack with his Special attacks again, and it only meant trouble for the others.

SALAMENCE: You might as well surrender now.
MARIAH: Just because you knocked out one of my Pokemon while I was asleep doesn't mean anything!
SALAMENCE: If you think a mere Rest would help you, you are wrong!

And with that, Salamence blows some hot flames at Mariah and the Pokemon. However, Jacrystal appeared to be immune from the fiery assault. She then attacks back with a powerful flame attack of her own. Salamence was about to dodge when the Flamethrower attack slammed into his face.

MARIAH: NIce move.
JACRYSTAL: Thanks. Flash Fire managed to kick in at just the right time.
MARIAH: Okay. My turn to step in!

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

Mariah gets out her wand and attacks with Petaya Magic at full power. The pink lights have homed in on the spot where Salamence had received a burn, nearly doubling the damage. However, Salamence managed to break free from the attack by flying.

SALAMENCE: You're quite strong, but I'm the strongest Pokemon of all the Mirror Masters. Better than Absol, Dusclops, and Walrein combined! I'll show you what power really is!

Salamence shuts his eyes and begins glowing.

MARIAH: What's he doing?
OCTILLERY: I don't know, but we'd better stop him before we found out!
MARIAH: Good idea. Venomoth, Confusion! Octillery, Focus Energy then Sludge Bomb! I'll attack from there!

Venomoth and Octillery head toward Salamence. Octillery closes his eyes and began to focus as hard as he could while Venomoth's eyes began glowing blue. Suddenly, everything around Salamence felt like jelly to him. Octillery follows by firing thick sludge from his snout. The attack hits Salamence on the side, but it felt like being hit by a brick. Finally, Mariah makes her Leaf Sword appear.

MARIAH: Forest Wave!

A shock wave was shot out of the sword as Mariah slashes toward Salamence. The attack makes a direct hit, but something strange happened. Salamence's eyes begin to glow an eerie red color and flies above Mariah and the others.

SALAMENCE: Flaming Shower!

Salamence blows a torrents of immensely hot flames at Mariah and her Pokemon. Venomoth couldn't take the attack and falls to the ground, but everyone else held on. When the flames died down, Mariah notices the poison moth lying on the ground with heavy injuries.

MARIAH: Venomoth! You okay?
VENOMOTH: No... Sorry, Miss Mariah...
MARIAH: It's okay. Take a rest.

A purple light from the wand hits Venomoth and recalls her in back in the wand. Meanwhile, Jacrystal wasn't afftected by the powerful fire attack, and Octillery and Shuckle were able to endure it. However, Electabuzz wasn't in the best of shape.

SALAMENCE: Mariah Janvi, I'm about to show you the ultimate suffering of your life. I have only been defeated by a handful of Pokemon, and unfortunately... your Pokemon would be part of that. And the same goes for you as well.
MARIAH: Give me a break!
SALAMENCE: I think I'll finish off your Electabuzz. He doesn't look like much of an obstacle anymore.

Salamence flies high into the air and dives down toward the electric Pokemon. However, Electabuzz suddely gets an andreline rush and jumps toward Salamence. His fist begins to glow and snow surrouds it. Before Salamence could attack, Electabuzz punches Salamence's neck. The dragon suddenly gets a feeling of extreme cold once the Ice Punch hits.

MARIAH: What?!

Electabuzz landed back on the ground and watches as Salamence crashes hard into the ground.

MARIAH: That was...pretty cool...
ELECTABUZZ: I usually save an Ice Punch attack as a last resort.
SHUCKLE: Well, that's nice to hear.
JACRYSTAL: Well, I think he's gone now.
OCTILLERY: We'd better find out.

Electabuzz heads toward the falling Salamence with the others following. When Electabuzz was in striking range, Salamence flies up and finishes him off by slashing him with his claws.

SALAMENCE: Did you think I'd go down that easily?! Even though I am weak against Ice attacks, you still can't win!
JACRYSTAL: What? Is this guy invincible or something?!

Mariah recalls Electabuzz back into the wand, knowing that he wasn't able to continue. It was down to her, Octillery, Jacrystal, and Shuckle.

SALAMENCE: You're a strong one, Mariah. You and your Pokemon are formidable, but this battle ends now!

Before they could do anything, Marian and her Pokemon barely dodged another Dragon Claw attack from Salamence. They slowly got up, but they didn't seem to have much energy to continue. Worst of all, Salamence still had energy to spare despite taking heavy damage from Electabuzz's Ice Punch. Fortunately, Mariah managed to think of an idea.

MARIAH: Shuckle, use Sandstorm!

Shuckle focuses hard as he looks up at the sky. Suddenly, sand was blown from all directions and eventually the entire island was engulfed in a sandstorm.

SHUCKLE: Great. Now Salamence won't be able to see us!
OCTILLERY: Yeah, but neither can we!
JACRYSTAL: We can't even see Mariah, and I'm getting sand in my eye!
MARIAH: Don't worry, guys. I can still sense you! Now, let's go!
OCTILLERY, JACRYSTAL, & SHUCKLE: Right!
MARIAH: Octillery, Aurora Beam! Jacrystal, False Power! Shuckle, Rock Tomb! I'll use Mirror Special when I get the chance!

With that, they split up and head for Salamence. The dragon was looking around for them, but there was too much sand flying around. Suddenly, a rainbow beam hits Salamence on his side followed by several strange beams that homed into him. Rocks surrrounded the dragon as small rainbow comets homed into Salamence. It seemed that Salamence could get out...until he used Flaming Shower to blow away the rocks and even melted them. The flames even managed to stop the sandstorm cold.

MARIAH: Uh-oh...

Salamence flies toward Mariah and prepares to crunch her with his fangs, but Mariah flies out of the way. The battle has now turned itself into an aerial showdown. Salamence had an intimidating look in his eyes and prepared to roast Mariah alive. He fired another devasting Flamethrower attack that was aimed right for Mariah, but Mariah managed to ascend and return back where she was rather quickly. She and Salamence began circling around the island at a blazing pace while dodging each others attack.

MARIAH: Ugh... if I can use the Bronze Watch, I can slow him down, but how am I supposed to pull it off?

Mariah then looks at Salamence and tries to think of something. She then dives back down to her Pokemon and looks at Octillery.

MARIAH: Hey, do you know any ice attacks?
OCTILLERY: There's Blizzard.
MARIAH: That's a big help. I'll keep Salamence busy. [to Jacrystal and Shuckle] You give Octillery a hand if he needs it, and I'll slow time down as a last resort.

The three nod and Mariah went back to the skies. Salamence fires the lighter orange flames and scores a direct hit on Mariah, but she disappears. Just then, strong static electricity hits Salamence from behind and managed to do some damage as well as paralyzing him. He turns and sees the real Mariah and flies toward her. Suddenly, copies of Mariah started to form as Salamence prepares to slash her with his sharp claws. He ends up hits one of the copies and it disappeared. He attacks the copies one by one, and they each disappeared. When Salamence managed to find the real Mariah, she zips off.

SALAMENCE: Hah! Are you running away, Mariah?
MARIAH: Not really!

Mariah turns around and heads toward Salamence. He gives Mariah a frightening look, but Mariah ignores it and starts spinning. When she was close enough, she kicked Salamence in the face. The dragon crashes on the ground, but he slowly gets back up. Mariah lands on the ground.

MARIAH: Whew. I'm never doing anything like that again.
JACRYSTAL: Why not? That Brick Break attack was awesome!
MARIAH: I felt like Connie while I was doing it. First, I talked like her now this.

Salamence begins to head toward Mariah, but she flies up into the air.

SALAMENCE: Heh heh, right where I want you. Flaming Shower!

Salamence blows a torrents of immensely hot flames at Mariah. However, Mariah quickly gets out the Bronze Watch and presses a button. After the whoosh sound, everything except Mariah and her Pokemon were frozen.

MARIAH: Okay, you guys. NOW!

Shuckle uses Rock Tomb and makes a huge pillar of rocks appear. It was big enough so Octillery and Jacrystal could both be on it. Jacrystal blows a stream of fire at the frozen Salamence, and Octillery follows by blowing a powerful icy wind from his snout. Both attacks managed to hit Salamence. Just then, Mariah's Petaya Necklace begins glowing. A few seconds later, Mariah was engulfed in a bright pink bubble-like shield as she faces the immoble dragon Pokemon.

MARIAH: I am the reflection of justice and the twin of truth, and I shall eliminate the illusion of evil! My name is Mariah, the magical Hoenn Mirror Girl!

Mariah's wand begins to form and she aims it at Salamence.

MARIAH: Mariah Flash!

Flashing pink rings surround Salamence. Mariah then presses a button of the Bronze Watch and time resumed normally. Salamence winces in pain as he tried to figure out what was happening. Suddenly, pink electricity shocks him as he begins to fall to the ground. After a few seconds, Salamence begins to wake up and sees Mariah.

SALAMENCE: Where... where am I?
MARIAH: Are you okay?
JACRYSTAL: Sorry for roughing you up so much, buddy.
SHUCKLE: You were under some spell, but you'll be okay.
OCTILLERY: You gave us quite a hard time.

Just then, the entire island was dissolving and everything became bright. Mariah and the Pokemon were now floating in a world that was only made of an immensly bright light. A large pink mirror encased with a sparkling shield forms. On the top of the mirror was a crystal shaped like a Petaya Berry with the word "hairaM" inscripted on it. Before they can get close to it, the mirror shattered and everyone was surrounded by darkness.

MARIAH: Huh?!
SALAMENCE: What's going on?!
OCTILLERY: What happened to that weird mirror?!
JACRYSTAL: That's what I like to know.
SHUCKLE: And why'd it get dark all of a sudden?

***​

Lyoko and Absol were in a temple in the sky. The young girl was stroking a sleeping Absol as she watches the vanilla clouds pass by. She was thinking about what happened to Mariah and the others, but she believes that if they managed to defeat Shadow Wing and the other monsters, then things were okay. Lyoko didn't know what the temple was, but something that has occasionally piqued her interest where the statues of two Pokemon, one red and one blue, that were a cross between birds and dragons.

Suddenly, everything around Lyoko and Absol turned dark. The skies became a blend of red and black, and the temple began to corrode. Absol quickly wakes up and notices Lyoko hugging him in fear, and he sees why.

LYOKO: What's happening?
ABSOL: I don't know.

Just then, a black mirror appears and pulls Lyoko into it. Absol sets to rescue her, but the mirror vanishes before he could pull her out.

ABSOL: Lyoko? Lyoko?! LYOKO!!!

***​

In an underwater world is a castle was made up of a dazzling mix sapphire and ruby. Outside, water Pokemon played happily and occasionally stayed at the castle for a visit. Despite its beauty, no one reside in it...until now.

Cascadia and Dusclops are in the throne room. Cascadia was gazing through the window to see several Goldeen swimming along peacefully and the underwater plants dancing by the direction of the water. Dusclops was walking around the castle while reading some books. All was perfect until everything was surrounded in darkness. The jeweled castle began to lose its shine, and it wasn't as peaceful as it was outside.

CASCADIA: Huh? What?
DUSCLOPS: What's going on?

A black mirror appears and sucks up Cascadia. Dusclops prepares to attack, but the mirror vanishes.

DUSCLOPS: What in the world happened to Cascadia? Or what's going to happen to her...?

***​

Connie and Walrein were in a moutain area. Walrein was swimming in a nearby lake while some Oddish and Ledyba play in the flowers. Swablu fly by, and Sentret and Zigzagoon were hopping from tree to tree. Meanwhile, Connie was watching the peaceful scenery and begins to get bored. She wondered when she was going to go home when everything was suddenly plunged into darkness. All the flowers and trees began to die, and the mountain crumbled. The lake Walrein was in began to get violent waves, and she immediately gets out.

WALREIN: Huh?
CONNIE: What's going on here? If this is Shadow Wing's idea of a joke, he won't find it funny when his neck's in three places!

Unfortunately, Connie isn't going to get the chance. A black mirror appears and pulls her in. Walrein quickly grabs her and tries to pull as hard as she could, but Connie was already gone.

WALREIN: Oh, no... Connie...!

***​

Mariah, Salamence, Octillery, Jacrystal, and Shuckle landed in a strange garden. It was a lot like the one where she met Latios and Latias, but everything was dark and in ruins. All the plants were dead, and the Mirror Hall looked like it could fall down and crumble any minute. The fountain spring was no longing running and some of the pieces were on the ground, and the river was totally dried up.

MARIAH: Where are we?

A huge cloud of black smoke began to form. After a few seconds, it clears and Shadow Wing stood in its place. Metagross was with him.

SHADOW WING: Nice to see you again, Mariah.

End of Chapter 25​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

Chapter 26: Final Showdown
Shadow Wing and Mariah glared at each other for a few seconds.

SHADOW WING: I've been expecting you for quite a while.
MARIAH: Save it. I'm going to take you out so I can end this!
SHADOW WING: Now, now. No need to rush. You've made it pretty far, but you have to wait until I get some preparations here.
MARIAH: What have you done to the others as well as the Mirror Guardians?
SHADOW WING: Oh, yes. Them. They're perfectly fine, but how long they'll stay that way will depend on you, Mariah.

Shadow Wing then snaps his fingers, and five mirrors appeared. Suddenly, Mariah notices something extremely wrong. She couldn't see her reflection on none of them. To make matters worse, some familar images appeared in the mirrors.

MARIAH: What?!
MIRROR MARIAH: Mariah!
SHADOW MARIAH: You've got to get us out of here!
MARIAH: How'd you guys get in there?!
CONNIE: What do you think?! Shadow Wing. What else?
CASCADIA: Mariah, you have to defeat Shadow Wing and get us out!
LYOKO: I'm so scared...
SALAMENCE: But where's Absol, Dusclops, and Walrein?

The mirrors then vanished into thin air. Salamence growls at Shadow Wing and prepares to attack, but strange portal appears behind the dragon. Mariah could only watch as Salamence was quickly pulled into the dark portal.

MARIAH: Salamence! [turns to Shadow Wing] What have you done to him?
SHADOW WING: He, along with the other Mirror Masters' Pokemon, have been banished into darkness.
JACRYSTAL: All right. That's it! [to Octillery and Shuckle] Let's get him!

The three Pokemon charged toward Shadow Wing. Just when they were in striking distance, a black wind suddenly blows them up into the air. They then turned into red, orange, and blue lights that were reeled back into Mariah's wand.

SHADOW WING: As you can tell, I don't want an audience.
MARIAH: What have you done with my Pokemon?
SHADOW WING: I don't want them interfering. I want it that no one can help you. You've been cut off from any outside support, so there's no way in the world that you can win against me.

Mariah didn't care anymore about what Shadow Wing has to say, but he laughed at her.

SHADOW WING: You've just seen a few of my powers, Mariah. I could've crushed you and your friends while you were still collecting the Mirror Shards to fix the Golden Gateway, but I prefered to let the Mirror Elders' Pokemon do all the work. Still, you managed to defeat them. You managed to defeat King Nosepass, Mecha Makuhita, Magneton mkII, and Torquake when things were looking grim. By the time you had four of the Shards, it was time to make some new rules. I made Norman's Slaking into the titanic Slakong, but you unintentionally enlarged yourself and managed to defeat him. After that, Winona's Altaria--who I made XANA Harpy--trapped you and your miserable friends in a digital world, but your Grovyle and Lyoko's Murkrow, Pidgeotto, and Farfetch'd managed to defeat her to rescue you. Master Sun and Mistress Moon, or Tate and Liza's Solrock and Lunatone, managed to give you amnesia. But your memory eventually returned and you defeated them after they have been severely damaged by that barbarian girl. Finally, I took the Milotic of Wallace and his Shadow counterpart as well as that former Aqua Sorceress and made them into an extrodinary monster! However, your friends managed to beat that as well.
MARIAH: Are you done? I'm not here to listen to your rants. I'm here to take you down once and for all!
SHADOW WING: I thought you'd like to hear your accomplishments...for those will be the last ones you'll do. You'll never go back to your home that is called the Hoenn region. You'll be nothing but a loathed memory in the minds of your friends and everyone in the Mirror Worlds. There's no way you can win, Mariah.

A tornado of darkness began to surround the garden. Storm clouds formed in the sky and thunder could be heard. Black lightning then struck Shadow Wing and Metagross, and a sphere of black wind surrounded them. Mariah was unable to say anything as she watches the sphere increase in size. The sphere then explodes and there was a huge blueish-black bird that looked like that it was created with an ocean of shadows. It had painfully eerie red eyes that struck fear into Mariah's heart. Despite the intense fear she felt, Mariah didn't back down.

SHADOW WING: Prepare to die, Hoenn Mirror Girl! I will be the last thing you'll see, for this is my most powerful form yet! You'd better give up before I'll crush you like the pathetic creature you are!
MARIAH: I'm not backing down! I can do this! I can defeat you!

And with that, the final battle between Mariah Janvi and Shadow Wing has begun.

Shadow Wing begins flapping his large wings. Rings were thrown on the ground and turned into a puddle of darkness that begin to flow toward Mariah while absorbing everything into darkness. Mariah manages to fly out of the way and uses her wand to fire a strong jolt of electricity to stop the puddles. Unfortunately, she wasn't even halfway finished when Shadow Wing fired a black beam at her. The attack blows her quite far and Shadow Wing once again fires three rings at the ground that formed into puddles that flowed straight toward Mariah again. This time, Mariah aimed her wand at the puddle in the middle. The wand then shoots a powerful wind that blows away the puddles. Then Mariah flies toward Shadow Wing and uses her wand to fire star-shaped rays at her foe. However, Mariah notices that she wasn't able to make a scratch on Shadow Wing.

SHADOW WING: How pathetic! Didn't you notice that I have merged with Metagross?! That Swift attack isn't going to work, Mariah!

Mariah prepares to use another attack when Shadow Wing's eyes began glowing. The Hoenn Mirror Girl was now frozen in mid air and was a wide open target. She was being attacked by a powerful Psychic attack as she felt herself being crushed. Just then, a wave of shadows was heading toward her, and the next thing Mariah knew, she felt like she was being hit by a meteor. Mariah goes flying into the dried up riverbank and Shadow Wing hovers above her.

SHADOW WING: Now to end this...

Shadow Wing spreads out his wings and opens his mouth. A black sphere appeared in it and begin to increase in size. Mariah weakly looks up as she watches Shadow Wing prepare a powerful attack. She found herself breathing hard as slowly gets up.

SHADOW WING: Death Fury!

The sphere exploded into three beams of darkness that were aimed right for Mariah. Instead of attacking or dodging, however, Mariah spread out her arms. The last thing was a huge explosion and an orb of black energy grew larger and larger before disappearing. When it was clear, there was no sign of Mariah. Not even a trace. Shadow Wing almost smiled at his defeat of the Hoenn Mirror Girl until he was hit by a stream of bright orange flames. Shadow Wing breaks free of the attack and sees something that gave him a shock.

SHADOW WING: Mariah?! But how?!

Indeed, Mariah managed to use Shuckle's Substitute right before Shadow Wing's Death Fury landed and struck with a powerful Flamethrower. Mariah then folds her arms and begins to get confident.

MARIAH: It's gonna be hard to take me down.
SHADOW WING: Hmph. I'm impressed. Very impressed, Mariah. However...

Shadow Wing's eyes began glowing, and vines with poisonous thorns rose from the ground. Mariah tries to fly away, but a vine grabs her by the leg and begins to pull her down toward the ground. Another vine grabs her other leg, and two more grabbed her arms. Mariah continues to struggle against the vines, but the poison is starting to make her body go numb. Another vine is tied around her waist, and she is pulled to the ground. Mariah couldn't move. It didn't end there. Suddenly, the ground began to shake violently. Mariah was totally helpless and had no choice but to wait until the violent earthquake ended. The force of the earthquake made Mariah drop her wand. The wand rolled and tumbled down the hill and ended up in the riverbank. When everything had stopped shaking, Mariah was in tremendous pain and was severely weakened. The vines has released her, but Mariah didn't have the strength or the will to get back up.

SHADOW WING: Now it's time to finish you off!

It seemed like a very dark moment for Mariah. She had been hit by some of Shadow Wing's most powerful attacks and saw that he was able to control what happens in this garden of nightmares. Merging with Metagross have given him a major advantage as well because he gained the traits of a Psychic- and Steel-type Pokemon, and Steel-types resists almost every kind of damage. It seemed that it was all over for the Hoenn Mirror Girl. Suddenly, the Petaya Necklace begins glowing, and Mariah was surrounded by small pink comets of light. The glow becomes brighter and brighter for a few seconds before it dimmed down. Shadow Wing noticed that Mariah was mentally and physically revitalized and was flying above Shadow Wing.

MARIAH: Looks like it's not over yet! Nova Pearl!

Mariah spreads out her arms as bright pink orbs orbitted her, slow at first before increasing speed. Shadow Wing prepares another Death Fury attack. After a few seconds, both attacks were fired and collided with each other and created a massive explosion. Both of them shielded themselves from the tremendous force. After it died down, Shadow Wing flies high for a few seconds. His talons suddenly began to glow as he dove down toward Mariah. Suddenly, Mariah was knocked back by a powerful slash of the sharp claws, and Shadow Wing doubled back. This time, he grabbed Mariah with his feet and flies as high as he could.

MARIAH: Let me go!
SHADOW WING: You're fighting the inevitable. It's impossible to win against me. Those who are foolish to challenge me shall suffer a painful defeat, and you are no exception.

Shadow Wing stops and lets go of Mariah but paralyzed her with his psychic powers with he obtained from Metagross. He points his head to the ground, and Mariah suddenly plummets toward the riverbank. The ground came closer as Mariah tried to break free. Unfortunately, Mariah crashes and suffered heavy damage. She was on her back and was unable to move. Shadow Wing fired another another wave of meteor-like shadows at his victi. Luckily, she notices her Mirror Wand and quickly gets it. Suddenly, Mariah began moving rather swiftly and dodged Shadow Wing's attack just in time.

SHADOW WING: What?

Everything around Mariah moved at a tremendous speed. Her Wand then disappears and her Leaf Sword took its place. The Sword glows as Mariah dashes by Shadow Wing and slashes him. Shadow Wing flies up and begins beating his wings. A storm of black-purple rays were headed for Mariah. Mariah tries to dodge, but the rays began to chase her. She once again uses Sceptile's Agility and tried to fly away from the evil lights, but they continued to follow her. Suddenly, Mariah gets an idea. She gets out her Leaf Sword and heads for Shadow Wing.

MARIAH: Get ready to lose!
SHADOW WING: Don't get cocky. You need that you'll eventually fall.
MARIAH: I don't think so!

And with that, Mariah flies out of the way and the rays slammed into Shadow Wing. The bird of darkness cried in pain from being hit by his own attack as Mariah dove down and prepares a Petal Drill attack. She spins as she picked up speed. When the attack landed, it was enough to do some serious damage. Mariah then lands and notices Shadow Wing immobile.

MARIAH: Whew...

Unfortunately, Shadow Wing was defeated yet. Beams of gold and black hit Mariah and encased her in a sphere. The sphere shook violently to the point that it felt like an earthquake to Mariah. After a few seconds, the sphere exploded. Mariah was in her regular outfit and was now without her powers.

MARIAH: What...? No...

Shadow Wing charges toward her a few times, and then he grabs her and flies really high. He then tosses her into the air and opens his mouth. A black sphere was forming as Mariah was plummeting into the ground. Wind-like energy began to form as well, and a few seconds later, Shadow Wing had fired an immense beam of darkness and air. The attack hits the helpless Mariah and imprisoned her into a black sphere.

SHADOW WING: Reflect on your memories, Mariah. You will soon be wiped out of existence and never be able to enjoy your life again. No matter how powerful you are, you'll always lose.

Mariah tried to break free, but the sphere was too strong. Finally, Mariah was weak and tired. She shuts her eyes tight and hoped that there was a way to defeat the seemingly invincible Shadow Wing.

MARIAH: [whispering] Magical Mirrors of Hoenn, please give me the power to protect all from danger...

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

Mirror Mariah, Shadow Mariah, Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko were unconsciously floating in cold, silent darkness. It seemed that all hope was lost and their sacrifices and hard work were in vain. From monster to monster, they managed to repair the Golden Gateway, but it didn't seem to do them much good. Shadow Wing have captured them when their guards were down, and now Mariah may end up like them.

Suddenly, they slowly began to wake up. They felt that their hearts were touched by something, but they couldn't figure out what. However, they remembered Mariah, now known as the Hoenn Mirror Girl, and how they developed a powerful friendship with her. Without hesitation, they joined hands and close their eyes.

MIRROR MARIAH, SHADOW MARIAH, CONNIE, CASCADIA, & LYOKO: Magical Mirrors of Hoenn, please give Mariah the power to protect all from danger...

***​

The Ever Grande Cathedral at the Hoenn Mirror World was still surrounded by darkness. The Mirror Masters, the Mirror Elders, and Lord Steven began to worry. Some were more worried than others, like Winona, who was concerned about the current whereabouts of her daughter, Lyoko. Roxanne, who had been like a mother to the formally orphaned Connie, was concerned as well. Cascadia's parents and sister, along with Wallace, wondered what was happening. Even Water Sapphire comforted the family but had some concerned for her former rival herself. Rubyfire felt the same way about Connie, and Maxie and Archie wondered about the girls who had ventured into the Shadow Mirror World. Lord Steven was the most concerned because Mirror Mariah meant everything to him.

Suddenly, they felt something strange yet heartwarming touching their hearts. Memories of Mariah and her friends flashed in their minds. They realized that Mariah is trying her best to win her toughest battle yet, and the other girls and their Pokemon companions had given her all the help she needed to make it to the final battle. Without wasting the slightest second, everyone at the scene joined hands and closed their eyes, from the Mirror Masters to the Mirror Elders and even the commoners that were related to them in some way.

ALL: Magical Mirrors of Hoenn, please give Mariah the power to protect all from danger...

***​

The other areas of the Hoenn Mirror World were quiet due to the recent happenings. It wasn't as lively as it usually was. Even the Kecleon Gang that lived near Fortree Castle didn't cause their usual round of trouble.

Junia, the same girl who had rescued Mariah from the Aqua Sorcerors's base, have arrived in Littleroot Village. She was heading to Sorceror Birch's lab. She knocks on the door a few times, but there was no answer. Junia knocks again, and Brenden answers.

BRENDAN: Hello.

Before Junia could say anything, she felt something touch her. She remember Mariah, the same girl that managed to defeat the Aqua Sorcerors and got away before things turned for the worse. Brenden felt the same feeling as well, and he joined hands with the stranger. Sorceror Birch joined hands with his son, and the three closed their eyes.

SORCEROR BIRCH, BRENDAN, & JUNIA: Magical Mirrors of Hoenn, please give Mariah the power to protect all from danger...

Little did they know that all over the Hoenn Mirror World, everyone joined hands with their friends and family and repeated those same words. Wally, who was now training at Vendanturf Yard, knelt on the group and let out his hands and repeated the words as well.

***​

The Hoenn Mirror World was not the only place that were hoping and praying for the safety and well being of Mariah. The feeling expanded to the Shadow Mirror World, where Shadow Lord Steven and everyone from the Shadow Mirror Elders to the Shadow Mirror Masters to the commoners were hoping that their Mirror Guardian was safe. However, the feeling continued to spread until it reached its last destination...

The warm feeling have reached the Hoenn region, the very place Mariah wanted to return so badly.

Lisa and Mitch were at an ice cream parlor at Littleroot Town. It was a warm, sunny afternoon and the breezes blew along their faces as they enjoyed their frozen treats. However, they seemed bored. Ever since Mariah have left on a Pokemon journey, the two felt that something was missing. As Lisa slowly eats her brownie flavored ice cream, Mitch gazed at his hot fudge sundae. He began to ask Lisa a question, but then he shakes it off.

All of a sudden, the two friends felt something stopped them. The image of Mariah flashed through their minds. At first, they seemed confused, but then they began to become concerned.

LISA: Mitch... did you just...?
MITCH: I sure did. I don't know how or why, but I think Mariah could be in some sort of trouble.
LISA: We'd better tell Mr. and Mrs. Janvi about this.

With that, they immediately left the parlor, totally unaware of their ice cream. After a few minutes of running, the arrived at Mariah's house and knocked on the door. Mariah's grandmother answers it and notices the two.

GRANDMOTHER: Hello, there.
LISA: Mrs. Janvi... this may seem a little strange, but... it's about Mariah...
GRANDMOTHER: Funny you should mention her. I felt this strange feeling touch me, and the next thing I knew...
MITCH: You saw it too?
GRANDMOTHER: Yes.
LISA: Did it happen to Mr. Janvi too?
GRANDMOTHER: It sure did. The strange part is that I heard these words... but it seems rather urgent.
MITCH: I know. It seems that Mariah could be in some sort of trouble.

Without saying another word, Lisa and Mitch joined hands and closed their eyes, and Mariah's father and grandmother did the same and eventually made a circle.

FATHER, GRANDMOTHER, LISA, & MITCH: Magical Mirrors of Hoenn, please give Mariah the power to protect all from danger...

***​

Mariah woke up after spending a long time lying lifeless in the black sphere. Shadow Wing was above her and ready to deliver the final blow. He spread his wings and gives Mariah a cold, evil stare.

SHADOW WING: And so ends the journey of the Mariah Janvi, the Hoenn Mirror Girl, in total darkness... Your days of your interference with my intentions will now come to an end. Good bye, and good riddance...

Just then, red and blue lights appeared and freed the weakened Mariah from the sphere. Mariah was heading toward the ground, but she felt something caught her. When she found out what it was, she rejoiced.

MARIAH: Latias!

Mariah was riding on the red bird Pokemon. Beside Latias was her brother, the blue bird Pokemon that was called Latios. Shadow Wing was dismayed as he saw the two siblings that have saved Mariah.

SHADOW WING: This can't be...!!!

Latias landed, and Mariah gets off. Latios landed as well.

LATIAS: Mariah, don't forget.
LATIOS: Everyone is counting on you... Your friends not only in the Hoenn Mirror World, but in the Shadow Mirror World and the Hoenn region as well.
LATIAS: You mustn't give up, Mariah. No matter what, you can defeat him, and we are here to help you.

The Soul Dew appears in front of Mariah and starts glowing. Latias and Latios closed their eyes and began glowing as well. The two bird Pokemon became flashing red and blue lights that were absorbed into Mariah. Meanwhile, the Soul Dew transforms into a golden scepter with tree-like crystals on each side. Mariah takes it and feels a new power going through her. Latias and Latios were the source of it as they were now inside her.

LATIAS: This is the Soul Scepter. It's an attacking version of the Soul Dew, and it's very powerful. Perhaps more powerful than the Mirror Wand.
LATIOS: Mariah, listen and say these words. Magical Forest of Hoenn, please give me the power to protect all from the darkness...
MARIAH: All right.

Mariah repeats the same words, and a whirlwind of leaves surrounded her. Suddenly, she grows leaf shaped wings on her back and gets leaf shaped barettes. Her dress is now green with a light green ribbon on it and has green high heels. Finally, she was surrounded by a shield of glowing leaves.

SHADOW WING: What?! How can this be?! You're... You're the Mirror Forest Star!

Mariah looks up at her opponent with a determined look.

MARIAH: I am the protector of the forest of justice and will fight for truth, as well as eliminating those who attack this peaceful world! My name is Mariah, the Mirror Star of the Forest!
SHADOW WING: So what if you have new powers? I'll...still...crush...you!

Shadow Wing charges toward Mariah again, but this time she was able to dodge. The giant shadowing bird then opens him mouth again, and the sphere of darkness and wind began to form before the beam was fired at its target. Instead of dodging the attack, Mariah points her Soul Scepter and at it and takes the hit. The attack was absorbed in a large green sphere that was surrounded with leaves.

MARIAH: Forest Light!

The sphere was then shot at Shadow Wing. The attack managed to hit, and Shadow Wing was encased in a green sphere himself. While he was wasting no time trying to break free, Mariah makes her Leaf Sword appear and flew toward the sphere at a very high speed. She managed to slash the sphere a few times and did some damage, but Shadow Wing eventually managed to free himself. It was then he realized that Mariah was now on the same level as he was. Suddenly, everything went dark.

SHADOW WING: Looks like I need to try a little harder!

Shadow Wing charges toward Mariah again, knowing that he has the upper hand. He can see in pitch black darkness, and Mariah couldn't. However, what he didn't expect that the shield of leaves around Mariah protects her from the harsh darkness. Again, she manages to dodge. Mariah prepares to use Petaya Magic, and Shadow Wing opens his mouth. After the preparation, Mariah's Soul Scepter fired bright pink rings and Shadow Wing launched the three powerful beams of darkness. Both of the powerful attacks clashes and blown back Mariah and Shadow Wing. They both ended up landing near the edge of the riverbank.

LATIAS: Mariah, you have to stay strong.
LATIOS: Never give up.
MARIAH: I'm not, but it seems that no matter how hard I try to fight, Shadow Wing still has energy to spare.
LATIAS: Well, not only can you use your Pokemon's attacks, you can use ours too.
LATIOS: We said that we are here to help you.
MARIAH: Thanks, guys.

Shadow Wing charges toward Mariah again. The first time he makes a direct hit but was dodged the second time. He was about to grab Mariah with his talons, but Mariah dodges just in time. Mariah closes her eyes and begins to twirl around for a few seconds. Shadow Wing dives down and rapidly fires beams of darkness of fury, but Mariah managed to dodge them. She was moving a lot faster, too fast for Shadow Wing to keep track of. Mariah aims her Soul Scepter at him and shot out a burst of light that makes a direct hit on Shadow Wing. He screechs in pain as he falls to the ground.

MARIAH: Is he...gone...?

Just then, Shadow Wing's bird form becomes a cyclone of darkness cackling with black lightning. Mariah was suddenly pulled in, and it wasn't long before she found herself inside the stormy whirlwind.

SHADOW WING: If Im going to be destroyed, you'll be coming with me!

Mariah tried to break free, but the cyclone was too strong. Then, she sees a strange crystal that had a crack on the tip of it. If Mariah can hit the cracked crystal, she can quickly get out of the black cyclone. However, she only had once chance to do so. Mariah aims her Soul Scepter at her intended target. Light in the form of down hits the crystal at its weak spot and explodes. Almost immediately after, the cyclone was weakening, and Mariah managed to get out.

SHADOW WING: No! Why?! I had it all!

With those last words, the cyclone unleahsed a mighty explosion. When it died down, everything had become bright. Time have seemed to froze due to total silence. Mariah, no longer the Mirror Forest Star but once again the Hoenn Mirror Girl, was floating lifelessly in an endless universe of light, and Latios and Latias were with her. A large pink mirror encased with a sparkling shield forms, just like after the intense battle with Salamence. On the top of the mirror was a crystal shaped like a Petaya Berry with the word "hairaM" inscripted on it.

MARIAH: What is that...?
LATIOS: You'll soon find out, Mariah...

Mariah's Petaya Necklace begins glowing, and suddenly she was pulled into the mirror...

***​

VOICE: Mariah...? Are you okay?

Mariah slowly opens her eyes and was relieved by her sight. She was no longer in the bright universe. She was now in the beautiful garden that was by the Mirror Hall. Connie, Cascadia, Lyoko, Mirror Mariah, and Shadow Mariah were there along with Absol, Dusclops, Walrein, Salamence, Metagross, Latios and Latias.

MARIAH: It's nice to finally see some familar faces...
MIRROR MARIAH: I can say the same to you. I have to say, I'm really impressed by what you've done.
SHADOW MARIAH: You've become an everlasting legend that won't be forgotten. The Shadow Mirror World is free from Shadow Wing's control, and it's all thanks to you.

Mariah was silent. She would never thought that she, a young would-be Pokemon trainer starting out on a journey, would be able to defeat an evil spirit that has been tormenting two worlds only to destroy them later. She never thought she'd get this far after fighting Pokemon that have become evil. But she managed to gain the power to defeat them, and now she was able to go back home.

MARIAH: So, it's all over... I can finally go back home and become a normal Pokemon trainer, but...

Mariah paused for a moment as tears flowed down her face.

MARIAH: I'll miss you guys so much.
CONNIE: Yeah... It was fun while it lasted.
CASCADIA: We'll all miss you, Mariah.
LYOKO: [sobbing] I don't want you to go! I really don't.

Shadow Mariah hugs Lyoko and stroked her blond ponytail. Mariah watches and felt so much affection for her newfound friends. First, there was Mirror Mariah, who taught her everything she knows about the Hoenn Mirror World. Ever since she ended up in the Mirror Hall, the Mirror Guardian have helped her with her powers on several occassions.

Next was the tomboyish Connie, who Mariah met at Rustboro Ruins. At first, Connie didn't seem to trust Mariah much, but after a while, she begins to see her as one of the few friends that she had outside her home. Little does Mariah know that she also gave Connie a chance to see other places and showed her that there are a lot of other fun things to do. Of course, Connie could be a handful, but her tremendous strength and love for fighting proved useful at several occasions.

The passionate Cascadia had a tainted background, but with some help by Mariah and the gang, she was able to correct the wrongs she had caused during her time as an Aqua Sorceress. Fortunately, her background was very useful. She knew the sea inside and out, and her powers managed to help the others out of tight spots. Despite some arguments with Connie, Cascadia had a lot of wise ideas and was seen as the voice of reason to Mariah.

Lyoko was the most pure-hearted girl Mariah had ever known since she met her at Petalburg Mansion. Mariah felt that Winona would have a feeling where proud is an understatement for having a daughter as caring as her. Lyoko always looked out for the team, even though she wasn't the the strongest member. Her love for her friends, family, and Pokemon kept her going in dark situations, and the others might have learned a thing or two from her.

Shadow Mariah was always busy fighting Shadow Wing, but she always managed to help out the group by some strange way. What began as a "bitter" rivalry turned out to be a frendship that won't be regretted. In fact, if it wasn't for her, the Mirror Masters' Pokemon would still be under Shadow Wing's control.

Mariah continued to think about the events that had happened when Mirror Mariah walked up to her with Latios and Latias.

MIRROR MARIAH: Well, the mission to defeat Shadow Wing is over. However, I just remembered another mission you were about to take.
MARIAH: Yeah...
MIRROR MARIAH: You said that you were getting ready to go on a Pokemon journey in the Hoenn region... And that you wanted to go back as soon as possible.
MARIAH: That's right.
MIRROR MARIAH: Well, let's go back to the Ever Grande Cathedral and get you home!

Mirror Mariah creates a Mirror Portal. Everyone goes through it, but before Mariah does, she turned to Shadow Mariah and the sibling bird Pokemon.

MARIAH: Latios... Latias... Shadow Mariah... thanks. Thanks for everything that you did.

Latias and Latios gave Mariah warm smiles and flew off. Shadow Mariah creates a Mirror Portal to her own world and goes through it. After taking one last look at the beautiful marble Mirror Hall, Mariah goes the the portal Mirror Mariah created.

***​

Mariah, Mirror Mariah, Connie, Cascadia, Lyoko, and the Mirror Masters' Pokemon have arrived at Ever Grande Cathedral, which was no longer surrounded by darkness. Lyoko sees her mother and immediately hugged her. Cascadia and Tsunama hugged and kissed a few times. Roxanne begins crying upon seeing that Connie was safe, but Connie gives Roxanne a smirk that showed that she shouldn't worry so much. After being reunited with the heroes, Lord Steven walked up to Mariah.

LORD STEVEN: Well, Mariah... Are you ready?
MARIAH: Yes.

Everyone have entered the Cathedral. The inside shone brighty because of the golden marble. The pews seemed to be made out of the finest gold, and stain glass windows were on the walls that each had a picture of the Mirror Elders. At the front was a golden altar, and golden chandeliers hang from the ceiling providing light. Everyone took their seats with the Mirror Elders up at the front row. In the center was Lord Steven, the Mirror Masters, and Mariah. Lord Steven steps up.

LORD STEVEN: It is with mixed feelings today that we bid farewell to someone who had helped us out so much in such a short while. Through her courage, bravery, and compassion for those who traveled with her on a journey to restore peace to the Hoenn Mirror World, she had been able to overcome any obstacles. She had managed to put an end to the chaos that have occassionally reared, even in the most unexpected places in the most unexpected ways. Now, our daily lives can return to normal without having to worry about any abnormalities that can threaten us.

Lord Steven looks at Mariah for a few seconds and then back to his audience.

LORD STEVEN: Unfortunately, now is the time for this particular young lady to leave this place to return to her home, the place she had missed so much and longed to return. We wish her a safe trip back to her world and to live her life as fully as she can.

With that, Lord Steven walks to the Mirror Masters.

GLACIA: Should we begin?
LORD STEVEN: Yes.

The Mirror Masters held out their hands. After a few seconds, that was a flashing light, and a large mirror (even bigger than the Golden Gateway) appeared. Mariah takes a quick breath as she walks up toward the giant portal. Before stepping in, she took one last look at everyone.

MARIAH: Well... this is goodbye. I'll miss all of you a lot, and I'll never forget you. Thank you for everything that you've done for me while I was here. It's been a lot of fun. [slight laugh]

Everone began to say their goodbyes, and Mariah finally entered the portal.

***​

Mariah wakes up and finds herself in the middle of Route 101. She was now in her normal outfit and had her backpack and things with her. With her was her Treecko that was once a Sceptile in the Hoenn Mirror World. It seemed that time in the Hoenn region had reset to the point where Mariah was pulled in the portal. She looked around at the sights that used to be familar to her. Oldale Town was right ahead, so Mariah headed to the Pokemon Center there. After a long time, she was able to live a normal life as a Pokemon Trainer...

Or is she...?

End of Chapter 26​

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

Chapter 27: Eternal Legend
For what seemed like forever, Mariah had been trying everything in her power to protect two worlds from total destruction. Now, she had returned back home in the Hoenn region where she can finally go on her Pokemon journey.

Several months after Mariah returned, she managed to win the eight Gym Badges that qualified her entry to compete in the Hoenn League. Now, she and other trainers are on a ferry to Ever Grande City.

Upon arriving on the ferry and departure, Mariah felt the experience to be strange. Back in the Hoenn Mirror World, Mirror Mariah could take her to the Oldale Shrine and she could enter through the Golden Gateway. She was so used to going through the Mirror Portals that riding in a ferry was almost totally new to her.

Sitting by Mariah was a girl with long, beige hair and green eyes. She was wearing a black shirt with a short white skirt and white shoes. She was looking out the window and saw the sea that went on for miles and miles.

MARIAH: [walikng up to the girl] Hey, there.
GIRL: Oh, hello. My name's Minamo. What's yours?
MARIAH: I'm Mariah Janvi.
MINAMO: Nice to meet you, Mariah. Where are you from?
MARIAH: I'm from Littleroot Town.
MINAMO: Lilycove City. So, are you looking forward to the Hoenn League?
MARIAH: Sure am! What about you?
MINAMO: I guess...

As the two girls talked, a woman who was middle aged was watching them. She had bright blue hair and bluish-purple eyes and was wearing a blue sleeveless shirt with dark blue jeans. She was paying attention to the two girls and something about them sparked her interest, but she stayed quiet and walked off.

WOMAN: Hmm... I wonder if it could be them...

***​

Ever Grande City was a beautiful place. Blooming flowers could be seen almost everywhere a person could go, and the sunset was mirrored beautifully in the sparkling sea. Every day was filled with energy with the people going to various Pokemon souvenir shops, and trainers having battles.

Mariah was sitting at a table and enjoying the view. She had a lot of things on her mind, but the upcoming Pokemon League was the main thing she was thinking about. That is, until she felt something within her. Suddenly, memories of her battle with Shadow Wing flashed through her mind. It has been a while since Mariah looked back on the time she was in the Hoenn Mirror World. She shook her head hard as if she was trying to keep the memories from distracting her.

MARIAH: It's over...so why am I still thinking about Shadow Wing?

***​

Mariah finds herself inside the Mirror Hall. It was the very same room where she found out about Treecko's sudden ability to talk and where she met Mirror Mariah. The room itself haven't changed much except for the addition of four new mirrors: a green mirror with wings with a crystal shaped like a Salac Berry on top of it, a red mirror with drops of water with a Liechi Berry shaped crystal on it, a blue rocky mirror with a crystal shaped like a Ganlon Berry on it, and a sparkling pink mirror with a crystal shaped like a Petaya Berry on it.

MARIAH: Okay...I don't remember those being there.

Then, Mariah notices something that astonished her. While she was wearing her normal bright yellow shirt and skirt and matching sandals, her reflection in the pink mirror showed her that she was dressed in the red shirt, white skirt, and black high heels...the same outfit she wore when she was the Hoenn Mirror Girl.

MARIAH: Huh? What's going on?

Mariah's thoughts were interrupted when she saw a fifth mirror. It was yellow and had small gift boxes on it. The crystal on top was obviously a Berry, but Mariah couldn't figure out what it was. Since the other mirrors had names on them written backwards, Mariah checked the yellow mirror for its owner...

Mariah then finds herself in a bed in the Ever Grande City Pokemon Center. It was rather late at night, and Mariah was already wide awake and wanted some answers about the dream she had.

MARIAH: That yellow mirror... where'd it come from? What's going on with me?

***​

The next day was the day of the opening ceremonies of the Hoenn League, and the trainers are now entering the Ever Grande Stadium. Mariah notices Minamo behind her and suddenly gets a strange feeling that seemed to give her a brief but strong jolt in her. Little does she know that Minamo had the same feeling as well. After all the trainers have gathered, Mariah and Minamo saw each other and gave each other light smiles. However, something came to their minds that they didn't want the other to know. Mariah's mind was on Minamo and the dream, and Minamo was thinking about a similar dream that she had last night.

MARIAH: [to herself] Something's up with Minamo, but I don't know what. And what about that dream I had last night?
MINAMO: [to herself] I can't tell Mariah about the dream I had last night because she'll think I'm crazy. This "Hoenn Mirror Girl" looked a lot like her. And what was with that yellow mirror that she showed me...?

The girls' thoughts were cut off by the strange feeling they had earlier when they saw the torch runner head up the steps to light the central flame. Suddenly, almost by some unknown force, she falls and everyone oohed and ahhed in concern. The torch runner tried to get her, but she appeared to had sprained her ankle. Black smoke now surround the torch and everything fell into darkness. The feeling in Mariah and Minamo felt stronger as the flame comes to life as a gigantic bird that began attacking everything in sight by breathing fire. Everyone begins to run out of the stadium in a panic, but Mariah and Minamo stayed behind and looked at the current threat.

MINAMO: What... what IS that thing?
MARIAH: I don't know, and I don't think we want to find out.

The torch runner tried to get up again, but her sprained ankle prevented her from doing so. The two girls ran up the steps and toward her as fast as they could, unaware that the fire bird monster have them in its sight. It lets out a shriek as it shoots a huge fire ball at the two by the time they made it to the injured torch runner. The three could feel the heat as the fireball came closer. Just before it hits, there was a loud crash. Mariah, Minamo, and the torch runner openned their eyes and saw a shield of glass protecting them. Mariah wondered where it came from and saw the Mirror Wand floating in front of her, almost as if it wants her to take it.

MINAMO: What's that?

Mariah silently takes it and takes a good look at it. After a few seconds, she looks up to the sky.

MARIAH: For a long time, I wanted to be a normal Pokemon trainer. However, my fate have taken a turn and I ended up in another world so much like my own. I learned so much from the people I met there and my friends who traveled with me and stood by me no matter what. Even though it's nice to be normal again, I can see that I'm needed for this.

The images of Mirror Mariah, Shadow Mariah, Connie, Cascadia, and Lyoko flashed through her mind.

MARIAH: Mirror Mariah... Connie... Cascadia... Lyoko... Shadow Mariah... Everyone, thank you.

And with that, Mariah holds the Mirror Wand into the air.

MARIAH: Magical Mirrors of Hoenn, please give me the power to protect all from danger!

The jewels began glowing one by one and shot a light into the sky. The six lights began to swirl into a cockscrew. After a short pause, the six lights started to shine on Mariah. Her clothes start to change. Her shirt change from bright yellow to red and a black ribbon with yellow at the end and a Pokeball in the middle of the bow appeared on it. Her skirt shrinks a little and turns white. Her sandals turns into black high heels, she gets Pokeball barrets in her hair, and large white wings form on her back. The lights faded, and Mariah once again became the Hoenn Mirror Girl. Minamo was astonished as she saw Mariah transform into the same girl in her dream. The monster turned its attention to Mariah.

MONSTER: So, Mariah... You may have been lucky against me last time, but this time, Latios and Latias aren't here to help you! Even though I'm severely weakened at this point, you still don't have a chance in defeating me completely!
MARIAH: Shadow Wing... you were so bent on getting rid of the Hoenn Mirror World and the Shadow Mirror World, but I defeated you and managed to save the two worlds. Now you've followed me so you can destroy the place where I call home? For that, I, the Hoenn Mirror Girl, shall never forgive you!
SHADOW WING: I don't need you to forgive me! I need you to beg for mercy before me!

Shadow Wing charges toward Mariah while blowing fire at her, but Mariah dodges by flying and aims her wand at him. The red gem begins glowing as the wand fires a lump of ink and water at the firey shadow. It managed to weaken him, but not much. Shadow Wing retaliates by firing several fireballs at Mariah. As the battle continued, Minamo watched in awe while the torch runner was confused.

MINAMO: Wow. Unbelievable...
TORCH RUNNER: What's going on? Who is that girl?
MINAMO: To be honest, I don't even know anymore.

Mariah was almost hit by a fireball and got hit by another. Shadow Wing shoots some more blazing fire balls, but Mariah managed to make several illusional copies of herself.

SHADOW WING: Do you think imitating Jacrystal's Double Team attack will save you?!

Shadow Wing began breathing a stream of fire as he tries to find to real Mariah. He eventually finds her, and Mariah cries out in pain from her burns.

MINAMO: Mariah!

Just then, a gift box formed in Minamo's hands. It was small and pink, it was tied together with a burgandy ribbon. Minamo wondered what was going on but has a feeling that it will help Mariah. She throws the box at her and Mariah catches it. The box unwraps itself, and a bright pink light flashed at Mariah. When the light dimmed down, not only Mariah was back in full health, but Shadow Wing appeared to be weaker than he was before.

SHADOW WING: What's happening?!

Mariah wondered what Minamo did, and Minamo didn't know what happened either. Nonetheless, Mariah was able to fight again, and this time, Minamo decided to help. She sends out a huge fly-like Pokemon that was green and had red eyes.

MINAMO: Flygon, this battle isn't like any other, but we need to help Mariah.
FLYGON: I'm always ready to help, Minamo.

Minamo was suddenly surprised that her Flygon learned to talk and even more that she noticed that the torch runner didn't seem to be shocked as she was. Minamo shakes it off as she hops on Flygon, and the two were now beside Mariah.

MARIAH: Thanks. I need the help.
MINAMO: We'll do our best!

Mariah and Minamo's Flygon circled around Shadow Wing. Shadow Wing wanted to finish the girls off, so he lets out a tremendous amount of fire. Mariah gets with the torch girl and makes another glass shield to protect her. Meanwhile, Minamo concentrates as hard as she could, and another gift box appeared. This one was a light blue and was wrapped with a purple ribbon. Minamo throws the box into the air, and it begins to unwrap itself. This time, rain clouds formed and began pouring to put out the gigantic fire. The rain is also putting out the flames that surrounded Shadow Wing. Mariah flies above him and aims her wands at him.

SHADOW WING: No... I've lost again...

Flashing pink rings surround Shadow Wing, and pink electricity shocks him. Unable to break free, Shadow Wing was lying motionlessly as he explodes in a flurry of white light. Mariah and Minamo shielded their eyes, as well as the torch runner. Even those outside the stadium had to shield their eyes from the powerfully bright light. As soon it died down, Mariah and Minamo's Flygon landed. After gathering the courage, Minamo turns to Mariah.

MINAMO: Tell me... who are you?

Mariah looks her wand for a few moments and then back to Minamo.

MARIAH: I'm Mariah Janvi... but I'm also known as the Hoenn Mirror Girl.

THE END​