Kanto, Night.
Twilight's eyes had opened after being closed for a couple of hours now. She was just recovering from her faint. Looking around, she noticed that she was in a bed. Not her bed, but instead the bed of a Pokemon Center. In fact, half of everypony from Ponyville was here, along with their Pokemon. The other half came along to check up on their injured friends. They were all resting on beds. Some still fainted and some that have woken up.
"Where...? The Pokemon Center?" She took some time to breathe. She then noticed her partner Pokemon Eve, sitting right next to her as she had woken up as well. "Eve. Oh, you're okay."
"Glad you're up, Princess Twilight." Nurse Joy went up towards her. "I hope you've rested well."
"Nurse Joy? Did you bring us all here?"
"Not me. Your friends, Ash, Big Mac, Applejack and Goh ended up finding you all, so they carried you here to the nearest Pokemon Center. You all took some considerable damage. But it's a good thing no one was severely harmed."
"Yeah..." Twilight nodded until she remembered one important detail. "Cold Colt...Cold Colt!" She exclaimed. It wasn't a good idea to shout. She still had injuries, so minimal movement was required. She felt the pain leftover from the move Guillotine.
"You shouldn't move around too much, Princess. Guillotine's after-effects leave a mark that can take a considerable long amount of time to recover from. I would recommend that you stay here along with everyone else and heal for the time being."
"Chansey."
"Alright.." Twilight sighed, holding her Espeon close to her.
"Twily!" Shining Armor had arrived at the Pokemon Center, coming along with Cadence. Even Celestia and Luna showed up to check up on them all. "Are you okay?! I came as soon as I heard the news!"
"I'm fine. But it does hurt a lot." Twilight raised her wings up.
"We're so glad that you're okay." Shining Armor and Cadence gave her a comforting hug.
"I'm glad all of my friends are okay. If it wasn't for Eve, that would've been the end of us. Twilight patted Eve's head, making the Sun Pokemon purr. "But...I didn't get to save my student, Cold Colt. The Shadow Triad ended up taking them."
"The Shadow Triad?" Luna spoke.
"A trio of elite members of Team Plasma. They came to PokePark for the goal of capturing Cold Colt and using him as a universal travel object. And they ended up succeeding on taking him." Twilight looked down, sighing at her own failure.
"So Ghetsis really aims to conquer every universe out there." Celestia said.
"I have to go and get him back!"
"You can't move and go anywhere in the state you're in Twilight. You and the rest of Ponyville have already suffered enough injures as it is." Celestia halted her.
"But I-"
"Ghetsis and Team Plasma are proving to be too much for any of you to handle. Ghetsis is a threat that you are not prepared for. Even with your friends. This is a threat that we will have to handle."
"But Princess Celestia. Ghetsis injured you severely last time as well. What if he does it again?"
"It's true. Team Plasma has managed to overwhelm us. If I'm being honest...they've been winning so far. Not only have they conquered Saddle-Arabia and forming their own empire, but they've also conquered Queen Pyrestar's world and even gained access to Planewalking. Now they've captured a pony who can perform the same kind of travel. So far, we have yet to even get the upper hoof on them."
"In short. Interacting with Team Plasma is like walking into a fire field." Shining Armor said.
"I guess that means you're all going to get Cold Colt back soon?"
"We will. But we're actually thinking of sending Ash to do it." Celestia replied.
"Sending Ash?"
"Ash has a history with Ghetsis and also has years of experience with saving others. We've recently found out from his mother and Professor Oak that he's saved his world countless times and even the entire universe from being wiped out. If anything, Ash is the most capable to handle Ghetsis and Team Plasma." Luna explained.
"But he won't be alone. He'll have Pikachu and his Pokemon on his side. And we'll even send Hollow to help rescue him." said Celestia. "All of you should rest for now. You've already been through a lot and you deserve it."
"Alright." Twilight nodded, laying down on the bed. They all left the Pokemon Center, returning back to Canterlot and the Crystal Empire.
As for the rest of Twilight's friends and all of Ponyville, Rainbow Dash's wings had actually been damaged as well. So much so to the point where she's struggling to fly. Rarity's horn has been chipped along with other unicorns. Fluttershy and her Audino were relatively fine as well as Pinkie Pie. They managed to escape with the other group without having to suffer from Guillotine. Applejack went up to her friends and little sister, seeing them all up. She let out a massive sigh of relief, glad to see them all up again.
"Thank goodness. Ya'll are okay. Had me worried there." AJ said. She ran up to Apple Bloom, picking up her little sister.
"You didn't even need to worry in the first place. It was pretty obvious that we were gonna survive, no sweat." Rainbow Dash scoffed as she put her wings down since they were straining.
"Easy for you to say. My horn's been chipped." Rarity wailed, feeling her chipped horn.
"We got super lucky back there. Right, Jade?" Pinkie turned to Jade.
"...I don't feel that much pain."
"Baha! Okay, tough pony!" Pinkie giggled, patting Jade on the back. But that patting made her hoof twitch. "Ow."
"We all were vastly lucky. That teleport from Twilight's Espeon was our saving grace." Mayor Mare said, holding her Stoutland who had just recovered. "And we should also thank you and the others, Applejack."
"You can thank this little fella right here." Applejack looked at Treecko who was on her back. "If he didn't come to me, I would've never known that ya'll were trapped here.
"We could've taken them. We were just overwhelmed. That's all." Rainbow Dash responded. Everypony else was required to stay here and rest up until they've recovered. Guillotine is a pretty tough move to recover from. Especially if it's used for malicious intent. Which means no returning to Ponyville for a while. But as for the ponies who are still in semi-good condition, they could return to Ponyville. But only half of them would be missing.
"Alright now. Just hold still." Nurse Joy held a cotton bud with medicine on it as he pressed it on Bon Bon's hoof.
"It stings!" She wailed.
"There. Good job." Nurse Joy nodded as Bon Bon fell flat on her face. Everypony was being tended to along with their Pokemon. It was a lot of work for Nurse Joy to perform, but she has years of experience with healing. So she was going to make sure that they all were back to their perfect healthy selves.
Over at the Harmonia Kingdom, where Ghetsis resides.
The Shadow Triad accomplished their goal of capturing Cold Colt. Once they did that, they immediately brought him over to the kingdom, where Colress could get to work. The young rift pony was shaking uncontrollably. The room he was in was already making him have chills run down his spine. Tons of scientific equipment that he feared they would dissect him with. Colress walked up towards the young pony as Ghetsis stood from afar. Watching.
"Y-You're not going to dissect me are you?!" He exclaimed.
"Dissect you? What a ridiculous thought." Colress chuckled. "We're only going to tap into the cosmic energy that lays within you. So you are bound to feel something sharp poke you."
"Oh." Cold Colt gulped.
"The sooner I gain access to other universes, the more my ideal empire grows." Ghetsis walked up to the pony. "I've already managed to make wonderful progress by conquering this part of Equestria. And I've even taken over an entire parallel world. My rise to power will not slow down now that fate is on my side."
"Pssh! Jokes on you! My magic is terrible! I'm still in training by Twilight. Which means you won't even get the chance to travel between multiple universes." Cold Colt taunted with a smirk. But his smirk was immediately depleted by Ghetsis who gave him a mortifying scowl.
"You think I don't know that? I am aware that your magic is uncontrollable. Below average even. But there is a way I can gain access to that hidden potential within you." Ghetsis brought his Hydregion over, who looked down on the pony.
"W-What? Y-You're gonna blast me?"
"No. You see, we ended up capturing Mew a few months ago, taking some of its DNA. And that reserve of DNA was given to my Hydreigon. You do know that Mew is the ancestor of every Pokemon on Earth. Don't you?"
"Y-Yeah? W-Why?"
"Well if you know that...then you'll also know that Victini is apart of that mix."
"Oh." Cold Colt's heart sank.
"Indeed. My Hydreigon can now tap into that boundless victory energy that Victni possesses, making it the most powerful Pokemon. Which also means that your pathetic magic won't be so pathetic in a few minutes. Start the process." Ghetsis walked away as he let his Hydreigon stay extra close to the young unicorn.
Cold Colt attempted to run away, but unfortunately, he had been bound to the table via metal. He couldn't break free due to him being just a child. Colress had in his hands, the same DNA mixer that he used against Mew. This time, it was to be used on a pony of all things. Hydreigon made sure to build-up all that residing victory energy within in. The waves from the mixer had flown out, splitting into two, latching onto Cold Colt's and Ghetsis's bodies. He kept on attempting to break free, but it was no use. Soon, the waves from the mixer had strained his body. He could feel his entire cosmic DNA being ripped from him. Hydreigon bestowed the young pony with a small bit of victory energy. But that small amount was enough. And Ghetsis definitely felt some new energy flow into him as well. He was relieved.
Colress stopped the process since he and Ghetsis knew that Cold Colt's body would be destroyed if they were to go any further. And they were planning to gain more of his cosmic energy in the future. "Done. And you were right about him having massive potential. Take a gander at all this hidden cosmic magic." Colress showed the mixer to Ghetsis. Ghetsis liked what he saw.
"Excellent. Now. Get that hooked up to the gateway." said Ghetsis.
"G-Gateway?" Cold Colt was breathing in and out. It was revealed that Colress had actually built a gateway. One made entirely out of pure metal. Cold Colt realised that Ghetsis actually wanted to also use his magic for this machine. "Oh no."
"Oh yes. This gateway will act as a secondary pathway. I may be able to travel between universes, but a backup is always needed. I've learned that much after my previous defeat. We'll continue next time. Now let's see how much progress this gives me." Ghetsis put his hands forward, tapping into the cosmic energy that resides in him. With his aura flowing out, he summoned not one but three gateways to different universes. The plan was a success as always. "Excellent. Three will do for now. Colress. Keep him here. I'll plan my venture to the other three universes soon."
"Understood, Lord Ghetsis."
Cold Colt wanted to hold his head due to how queasy he felt after the mixer connected with him. But he couldn't since his hooves are stuck together. All he could do is wiggle around and sit there. Hiding in secrecy by using an invisibility spell and watching this go down, Obsidian and Emerald were spectating their fellow rift pony and how he was being used as an object for travel.
"Sheesh. Ghetsis sure knows how to plan his stuff doesn't he?" Obsidian chuckled.
"Hmm...I don't know how I feel about this." Emerald sighed.
"Why? What is it?"
"I mean. Look at him. He's just a boy. Does he really deserve to be treated like this?"
"Emerald. He's just like us. Cosmic creations. It's not like it really matters anyway. We aren't even meant to exist in this world. We're just placements for certain roles."
"Yeah but. He ended up getting along with Ponyville from what we saw right? He even made some friends here and there. Don't you think that he should at least be treated better? We can still carry out our roles, but shouldn't he have some freedom?"
"Silly Emerald. His role is just the...how do I put this in the nicest way. He's just dead weight if you think about it. I mean...his magic's not that great it's pretty below average, his first encounter with the ponies was being faceplanted in snow and plus...he's generally not that useful. His mind control magic can be broken pretty easily. I'd say that the Rift kinda made him pathetic. Unlike us. It's the harsh truth, ya know."
Emerald knew that was the truth, but she couldn't help him. Mostly because Team Plasma is way too much for her to handle. So all she could do is let it happen. At that moment, Emerald Aura felt empathy. An emotion that the Rift ponies do not naturally possess unless something triggers it.
Back at the Pokemon Center, the injured ponies had been put to sleep, resting for the day. The lights were off for total silence. Thank goodness for the Pokemon Center having so many beds. They all dozed off peacefully through the night, letting the pain heal overtime. But Twilight couldn't sleep. She couldn't stop thinking of what happened before. The sheer terror of the Shadow Triad, Team Plasma and Ghetsis was ingrained in her head. This was the first time Twilight had truly felt a total loss. What's more, she worried that Ash wasn't going to be enough to get Cold Colt back, let alone stop Team Plasma. Even if what Celestia and Luna said was true, the fear of what Ghetsis can and will do was lingering on her. She had noticed that Eve was awake too. Unable to sleep as well. "You can't sleep either can you Eve?"
"Espeon." She nodded in response.
"Me neither." She picked her Pokemon up. "I'm not sure that we'll even be able to stop Team Plasma. I've never faced a force as dangerous as them before. It gives me a different kind of fear that I've never felt before."
"Esp." Eve licked her trainers face for reassurance. It made Twilight laugh, giving her a good feeling. That was the best part of Pokemon Even when their trainers are feeling down, they'll always be there to comfort them no matter what. But that's when that moment of happiness was taken away when a familiar face walked in.
Adagio Dazzle.
Twilight gasped, seeing Adagio arrive here with a devious grin on her face. "A-Adagio?!"
"Not resting up eh, sparkle?" Adagio walked towards her. Eve jumped off Twilight's hooves, ready to defend her trainer. "Look at you all. Totally beaten and defeated. Not only that but you lost one of your precious friends to the Shadow Triad. Crushing, isn't it?" She taunted.
"You...Were you the one who led them to PokePark?"
"Bingo. You know the old saying. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? I follow that with perfection. Feeding all the information I need to Team Plasma."
"You're working with Team Plasma now?!"
"Of course. Chrysalis as well. So far, they've proven to be above your precious little friendship magic mumbo jumbo. And very soon, they'll wipe it all out. And then you'll truly lose everything. While I continue to live with everything."
"That won't happen!"
"Why? You gonna tell your boyfriend Ash on me? Get real. He's just one boy. He can't stop a force that large. Especially if it's continuing to grow. Have fun in the hospital Sparkle. I'll be stopping by your home in the meanwhile." Adagio laughed, walking off. It sounded like she was about to vandalise Twilight's home. From the castle to the research lab.
"You stay away from there!" Twilight tried to get up, but she strained herself once more.
"Don't worry. WIth magic, it'll only take a few minutes." She let out one final laugh as Adagio was gone from here.
"Espeon..." Eve wanted to attack her so badly right now, but she as well suffered from injuries, and she shouldn't strain herself at all.
Things were looking dire. An alliance with Queen Chrysalis, Adagio and Team Plasma seemed like a nightmare situation. Especially since Team Plasma has proven to be Equestria's greatest threat to ever exist. Twilight right now could only sit back, get some rest and hope that tomorrow, things will change.
Chapter 126 End!