//------------------------------// // Malefic Master of the Moon // Story: My Little Pokémon: Grander World // by Amarvax //------------------------------// Alola. Akala Island. Nightfall. Twilight was currently on the move, attempting to reach the Altar of the Moone as soon as possible before Malamar could make things worse. At this very moment, the Overturning Pokemon was drawing power from the Moon itself, robbing it of its energy. As Twilight traversed Akala Island on her urgent journey to the Altar of the Moone, she couldn't help but witness the dire consequences of the Moon's weakening firsthand. The once serene landscape of the island was now fraught with chaos and turmoil, as the erratic behaviour of the tides and the disrupted lunar cycles wreaked havoc on the inhabitants of Alola. Everywhere she looked, Twilight saw signs of distress and disarray. Near Paniola Town, a coastal village was inundated by unpredictable tidal surges, their homes and livelihoods threatened by the relentless onslaught of the sea. Panic and confusion gripped the populace as they struggled to cope with the sudden upheaval brought about by the Moon's waning power. As Twilight hurried towards the Altar of the Moone, her heart weighed heavy with the plight of those affected by the chaotic tides. Despite the urgency of her mission, she couldn't turn a blind eye to the suffering of the coastal villages she passed along the way. With swift determination, Twilight diverted her course towards the nearest village, her Pokemon companions by her side. As she arrived, she immediately sprang into action, using her magic and the abilities of her Pokemon to aid the beleaguered villagers. "I got it!" Twilight grunted, using her magic to hold the fierce water. The water would tremble, attempting to fight back against Twilight's control. "Espeon!" Backing her up as always was Espeon, who would use Psychic to strengthen the grip. "Absol!" Blasting away any incoming water was Absol, who had used Dark Pulse to do so. This tsunami had been held back but the seas were still not safe. Not with the Moon losing its purpose. Even with water, there was also Fire around due to some homes taking hits. The fire was already threatening to spread at this very moment, but of course, Twilight was prepared. By sending out Ninetales, she could rely on his ability, Flash Fire to absorb the flames. And he did just that. The flames were pulled in by Ninetales once he got close, giving him strength. The Fox Pokemon would have a field day with all the flames, rapidly running across Paniola Town and saving many lives in the process. Those finding themselves in high places to avoid the water on the ground were brought down by Togekiss and Twilight once it was safe. As safe as it currently was anyway. Twilight managed to bring some safety to Paniola Town and by extension Paniola Ranch. "Oh, thank you..." One of the residents said after being sent down. "What's going on? What's wrong with the Moon?" "It's Malamar." Twilight looked ahead at the visage of Rift Energy swirling in the air and around the Moon. Malamar was going the extra mile just to find two Pokemon and in this case, he was going straight for Lunala first. But so far Lunala hasn't made a single appearance yet and even Twilight was surprised by this. Pokemon that govern one specific thing of the universe usually show up as she recalled how Palkia showed up during Cosmos's antics. Even before this, when both worlds became one, two Suns and Moons now exist in the world which was balanced by an even larger Earth than before. Even then, Solgaleo and Lunala did not show up, making Twilight Sparkle wonder where those two actually were. "Absol!" Absol cried out to Twilight, informing her that they had to keep going. "Oh, right! Thanks, Absol! You all should probably stay awake!" Twilight suggested before taking flight. Once again, Absol was leading the way while Togekiss would carry Espeon on her back. Ninetales was called back to his Poke Ball once he got his last fill of flames as the group continued on their way to Malamar. As Twilight continued on her way, she could spot how the weakening Moon kept affecting more areas in Akala Island from above. She was now nearby Konikoni City seeing its state and how it's been affected by the weakening Moon. It suffered the most water damage so far. Twilight was already wishing to help but a part of her knew that she had to get to Malamar as soon as possible. "Ohh...Do I take another stop here? I might burn through more time..." Twilight paused, torn between her desire to help the beleaguered citizens of Konikoni City and her pressing need to confront Malamar before his dark influence caused even more devastation. Though her heart ached at the thought of leaving them behind, she knew that every moment she spent delaying her journey only brought greater peril to those she sought to protect. However, that was when the Pokemon Rangers showed up. To Twilight's surprise the Rangers appeared, here to do their job as usual as they had reacted to the strong surge of Rift Energy in Alola and were tackling the issue at hand. They were already allied with Water Pokemon which all had a similar ability to Flash Fire. Water Absorb. These Pokemon would be face-first with the fearsome waves, pulling them into their bodies. As a bonus, they could easily put out any fires that were visible here. Relieved to see the Pokemon Rangers on the scene, Twilight pressed on with renewed determination, trusting in their expertise to handle the crisis in Konikoni City. With the Rangers taking charge, she could focus her efforts on reaching Malamar, not needing to worry about stopping for a moment. Twilight picked up her speed, moving as fast as she could. "Fusion Bolt!" Back with Luna, she was currently taking on the minions of Malamar with her Pokemon. Letting out a bellowing cry, she had Zekrom release a fierce flare of lightning from his body against the minions, who had sent multiple different Pokemon from their pods to stop Luna's advances. Zekrom's eyes would flare as a colossal burst of lightning erupted from his body. This lighting would be condensed into something even stronger. He gathered all of that lightning, bringing it into a single point and forming a massive ball of electricity that was crackling violently. The Deep Black Pokemon held it high, waiting to unleash it while his teammates were in the heat of battle. "Everyone, scatter!" Luna shouted, prompting her Pokemon to pave the way for Zekrom's attack. Hearing this they all distanced themselves from their respective opponents. "Now, fire!" With a mighty roar, Zekrom unleashed the full force of the Fusion Bolt, sending the searing bolt of electricity hurtling towards the minions of Malamar. The air crackled with energy as the bolt streaked through the sky, illuminating the battlefield with its brilliant blue-white light. Some Pokemon were knocked over by this. But not defeated, which actually made Luna smile. Almost as if she wanted that to happen. As the lightning crackled one of the Haxorus would swipe the smoke and dust away, lunging right at Luna's team. Other Pokemon would appear from the smoke, continuing their assault under the order of the Malamar. "Defeating you isn't all I'm going to do. I'll be freeing you of your mind control." Luna smiled, having other plans for these Pokemon. Knowing that they were doing the bidding of the Malamar, Luna wished to save them. "But unfortunately, I need to knock some sense into you first! Stone Edge!" "Scor!" Gliscor would unload a frenzy of stones from his body, pelting the incoming Haxorus with it. Haxorus ould smash its head through the stones, only for some of them to strike its chest and lower body, pushing the Axe Jaw Pokemon back. The stones would fly across the area hitting the opposing Pokemon in various directions. The Malamar all gasped, ducking for cover or hiding behind their pods for protection. "Gyara!" Roaring at the top of its lungs as Gyarados, who was preparing a Hyper Beam while ascending from above. The sound of the Hyper Beam building up grabbed Luna's attention, prompting her to act fast. "Discharge!" Luna bellowed once Gyarados was seen. "Manec!" Exuding lightning from his body was Manectric, who sent a fierce discharge upwards shocking the Water-Flying-Type for exceedingly super-effective damage. Gyarados was stopped in its tracks, immediately dropping from the sk and crashing into the other mind-controlled Pokemon. Once Gyarados dropped, moving through the dust and smoke once more were other oppossing attacks that would fly by. "Now, use Psychic!" "Musha!" Together, Musharna and Xatu would use Psychic, unleashing a mystical glow from their eyes. They grabbed a hold of the incoming attacks with their mind, halting them in place. Not only that, but they would send it back to their owners, hitting them instead. Some Escavalier came rushing in, attempting to reach Luna herself, wanting to take down the Trainer first. But Luna was ready for it, however, she wouldn't need her magic to retaliate. Right now, she could count on her Pokemon instead. "Drill through, Excadrill! Drill Run!" "Exca!" Excadrill wasn't on the surface, but instead, underneath the others. The oppossing Pokemon felt a tremor beneath them, but before they could do anything, Excadrill had burst from underneath, knocking and hitting many of them upwards. "Mala! Malamar!" Needless to say, the Malamar were beginning to panic. Despite the overwhelming odds, Luna's team fought with courage and determination, pushing back against their mind-controlled adversaries with every ounce of strength they possessed. As the tide of battle turned in Luna's favor, the minions of Malamar began to falter, their ranks thrown into disarray by the relentless assault of Luna's Pokémon. With each coordinated strike and well-executed maneuver, Luna and her team gained ground, driving back their opponents with unwavering resolve. The Malamar, realizing that they were losing, resorted to desperate measures in a last-ditch attempt to maintain their contro over this battlel. Rushing over to their pods, they activated a hidden mechanism embedded within, one designed to exert greater power over the Pokémon under their sway. As the pods hummed to life, a surge of dark energy emanated from within, enveloping the mind-controlled Pokémon in an oppressive aura of malevolence. The Pokémon's movements became more frenzied and erratic, their eyes glowing with an unnatural intensity as the influence of the Malamar's mind-control deepened. The energy kept pouring into them, granting them strength but also harming them in the process. "I don't think so! Now, Zekrom! Darkrai! Frillish! Go!" Luna saw this as a golden opportunity. Three of her Pokemon wouldadvance, approaching the pods while they were pouring out Dark Energy. "Thunderbolt! Fusion Bolt! And finally, Hydro Pump!" In unison, they would unleas their attacks from different directions. Darkrai from the left, Zekrom from the right and Frillish from above. Two powerful bursts of lightning were unleashed by Darkrai and Zekrom while Frillish released a high-volume blast of water from above as each attack closed in on the pods. While they were mainly focused on three pods, what came next would surely affect all of them. After all, Water and Electricity don't mix well for a reason. The collision of these opposing forces created a chaotic explosion of energy, sending shockwaves rippling outward in all directions. The dark aura surrounding the mind-controlled Pokémon flickered and wavered as the onslaught continued, the intensity of Luna's Pokémon's attacks disrupting the stability of the malevolent influence. With each successive strike, cracks began to form in the barrier of dark energy, weakening its hold on the affected Pokémon and allowing glimpses of their true selves to shine through. Cracks spiderwebbed across the surface of the pods, evidence of the weakening hold of the malevolent influence within. With each successive strike, the barriers of dark energy grew increasingly unstable, struggling to contain the raw power unleashed upon them. Inside the malfunctioning pods, the mind-controlled Pokémon began to stir, their movements growing more erratic as the influence of the dark energy waned. Glimmers of their true selves began to shine through the haze of manipulation, their eyes flickering with recognition and awareness as they struggled against the oppressive force that had held them captive. "Mar!" Meanwhile, the Malamar overseeing the operation could only watch in horror as their carefully laid plans began to unravel before their eyes. Their attempts to maintain control over the mind-controlled Pokémon faltered in the face of Luna's relentless assault. Some of them fell back, looking up to see the eyes of Zekrom glaring at them. It was this moment that they realized Zekrom was the embodiment of their inevitable loss. And the look he was giving them essentially told them not to try any mind control on him. Zekrom already experienced it once and he was very much displeased with it in every possible way. "Now for this. Aromatheraphy, Florges!" "Flor!" With a beautiful cry, Florges raised her arms, sending a soothing energy across the area tat had one goal. To relieve the oppossing Pokemon of their status conditions. But they were no longer opposing Pokemon. Not after Luna disrupted the mind control. The energy reached all the Pokemon except the Malamar themselves. "And since I have no one in my team that can use Heal Pulse...All of you should get right back up." Chiming in was Luna, who used her horn to generatae her own version of Heal Pulse. But really, it was just healing magic meant to re-energize the Pokemon. All the Pokemon that were once mind-controlled were hit with these two beautiful waves of green and dark blue, relieving them of their status conditions and removing plenty of damage from their body. The once-enslaved Pokémon blinked in confusion at first, disoriented by their sudden release from the dark influence that had clouded their minds. But as the healing energies worked their magic, clarity returned to them, and they began to realize that they were no longer pawns in the Malamar's sinister scheme. Grateful murmurs and gentle cries of appreciation filled the air as the freed Pokémon rose to their feet, their eyes shining with newfound determination and resolve. Empowered by Luna's kindness and Florges' soothing aura, they turned their attention to the Malamar, who were responsible for this mess." "M-Malamar!" "Now then. I think it's best I left you all to your own devices." Luna smiled, letting the freed Pokemon do what they want. She used her Poke Ball to call back most of her Pokemon. Left out was Darkrai as always but also Zekrom who would stay out as extra support. "Hold on, Twilight!" Vast Poni Canyon. Back with Malamar, he kept on drawing energy from the Moon, only causing chaos to Alola in the process. But his condition was also worsening as seen by the bulge in his head being opened. From that bulge, the bizarre tentacle was still growing and now it had a reached a length that was as large as Malamar's regular tentacles. "I can feel it. And hear it!" His eyes would flash with Rift Energy. To Malamar, he could hear a cry. The Cry of Lunala. The Moone Pokemon was responding to him. And why would it when Alola and the Moon are both in danger? Just what Malamar wanted. This dangerous act was seemingly starting to pay off now that Lunala's cry could be heard, even if it wasn't here right now. "But...we should open up a gateway once it shows up." said Malamar. "I wouldn't want it to have homefield advantage. I will prepare a gateway! Only when Lunala starts making an appearance and-" "Malamar!" Shouting his name was none other than Twilight Sparkle, who could be seen in the distance. "That Meddling Mare!" Malamar growled as the bulge and tentacle protruding out of the side of his head were bulging rapidly, almost like a headache when seeing the nuisance that was Twilight Sparkle. "The Altar!" Twilight gasped once she saw what became of the Alar. It was still in tact but the damage done to it was visible. "I don't have time for her. Not again!" Refusing to have Twilight get in the way, Malamar would go straight for opening up a gateway. With a flick of his tentacle and his new painful tentacle, he would open up a gateway effortlessly. Pouring all that Rft Energy on himself allowed Malamar to easily open up a gateway, even if it was causing him pain. "Begone with you! I'll send you to a universe that'll be your prison!" As if that wasn't enough, Malamar would smack the gateway with his painful tentacle, sending it straight towards Twilight, attempting to intercept her mid-flight. The Princess of Friendship acted fast, ready to use her own Rift Magic. But Twilight knew that she might not get another chance to recover if she used so much of it. Thinking quickly, Twilight simply used Sorrowful Rage Magic to intercept the gateway instead. Channeling her Sorrowful Rage Magic, Twilight summoned a surge of intense energy, weaving it into a protective barrier to intercept the gateway hurtling towards her. The gateway collided with Twilight's barrier with a deafening crash, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The gateway shuddered and faltered under the force of Twilight's magic, its edges flickering with instability as it struggled to maintain its form. Due to this, the gateway would crumble, failing to stay stable. Even if Malamar could effortlessly open one, he couldn't keep it open at all. The young alicorn would then descend, meeting with Malamar and a few of his minions. Absol would come to a screeching halt, finally reaching the source of the disaster which caused his horn to stop shaking. Upon showing up, Twilight soon spotted what had become of Malamar. Specifically, what was becoming of him as seen by the grotesque sight on the side of his head. "Malamar...? What happened to you?" Twilight gasped. Her voice was filled with genuine concern as she beheld the sight of Malamar and the unsettling transformation taking place on his body which was just unpleasant to look at, even for his minions. Malamar's twisted form seemed to pulse with dark energy, his eyes gleaming with an ominous light as he glared back at Twilight. Despite the pain etched on his features, there was a defiant glint in his eyes, a stubborn resolve that refused to yield to the consequences of his actions. "It's nothing that concerns you, meddling princess," Malamar hissed, his voice laced with venom as he recoiled from Twilight's gaze. "This is but a small sacrifice for the greater power that awaits me. Which I would reach if you just stayed out of my way." "That's small?" Twilight replied. "You overloaded on Rift Energy didn't you? You used way more than we normally should!" "What of it?" "We're not Rift Creations. I wasn't born a Rift Pony and you aren't an Equestrian Malamar. Both of us aren't suppossed to use so much Rift Energy so consistently. It can absolutely ruin us!" Twilight exclaimed, speaking from personal experience. Just an hour ago, she had to go through the body-staggering effects of the Rift Energy and so did Malamar, but he got the worst of it. "You... You dare to lecture me?" Malamar's voice wavered slightly, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his tone as he struggled to maintain his facade of confidence. "What of it? Once I obtain enough power, this pain will subside! In fact, despite how much it hurts, it's actually helping me! I can hear Lunala's cries! Even feel it! I'm this close to reaching it and eventually, I'll take Solageleo as well. While they may be meant for Necrozma, I have my own plans with those two. If I can control Solgaleo and Lunala, I will control the Sun and Moon itself!" "You're just insane..." Twilight said with disbelief in her voice. "Neccessary for victory." Malamar hissed. "Like I said. This will not be like our first encounter. Victory is within my sights and you are in the way! So leave!" Malamar was prepared to open up yet another gateway as that disgusting part of him was bulging once more. This time, the gateway was opened underneath Twilight and her Pokemon. This gateway was not only larger but had a fierce gravitational pull to it, much like the one used on the hole. Her Pokemon grunted and growled, trying to resist this. "Say goodbye, My Little Pony!" "If I'm going...I'm taking you with me!" Twilight cried out before using her magic on Malamar to hold him with telekinesis. "What?!" Twilight's telekinetic grip tightened around Malamar, disrupting his concentration and causing the gateway to waver erratically. The gravitational pull weakened, giving Twilight and her Pokémon a brief moment of respite as they struggled against the force trying to pull them into the rift. With a determined glare, Twilight channeled her magic, pouring every ounce of her strength into resisting the pull of the gateway. "I won't let you harm anyone else, Malamar! Not while I'm still standing!" Gh!" Malamar thrashed and writhed against Twilight's telekinetic hold, his tentacles flailing wildly as he fought against her grip. But despite his efforts, he found himself unable to break free, the combined might of Twilight and her magic proving too formidable to overcome. "Release me! You inferior creature!" "Malamar!" The other Malamar were being pushed away by the pressure, unable to get close or refusing to get close. This was all so stunning for them despite who they followed. Realizing that he was outmatched, Malamar's expression twisted into a snarl of frustration and rage. "You... You insolent fool! You'll regret this with all of my anger! You-" But before Malamar could make another move, Twilight focused her magic, channeling it into a powerful burst of energy that surged outward, enveloping Malamar and the gateway in a blinding flash of light. They were gone. Where to? Currently unknown. Only Twilight and Malamar knew. The Moon would keep pulsating, even with Malamar's abscence from Alola. The Night was still young and yet to be finished. As the journey continues. Chapter 413 End.