The Rise of the Cult

{BGM: The Grudge }

Richter was in the forest, outside his lab and Haruko walked up. "Hey, sorry im a bit late." Haruko said as Richter looked back. "No, it's not a problem at all." Richter said as he sat down on the ground. Haruko sat down next to him and looked down. "I...I miss her, a lot. The others just dont seem to care about it as much as You and I do." Haruko said. "...Heza is a witch. She hated Valiona." Richter said in anger. "But...thank you though, If it wasnt for you and Lugia, Neo would be dead. But a question, if you don't mind. Why are you nice to me, but hate the group?" Haruko asked. "Because you helped my sister. She...was always a shy girl. She needed a push that i couldn't give. You had my sister's best interests. You protected her. That's good enough for me. It's not too late, Haruko. Join me. Join me, and we can get revenge." Richter said. "I can't do that. They mean a lot to me. Just like you mean a lot to me as well. Valiona wouldn't want us to be at each other's throats. Please man, Please come back to us." Haruko said as Richter smirked and laughed. "You're a sappy fool. I can't go back. It's too late for me, and you saw my declaration to kill Neo. I wont go back. Haruko, You and I are destined to fight. We can't change that destiny. I'm going to go tend to some things. Mourn for Valiona, and leave." Richter said as he went into his lab and shut the door. Haruko then stood up. "Val... I'll never stop loving you. I know you were torn between me and Neo, In the end, you chose neither and wanted to be with the both of us during your final days. I'll make sure nothing happens to them, i promise." Haruko said as he fell onto his knees and cried once more. "I wish i can hold you in my arms one more time. Please...Please look down and guide me, I fear i lost my way." Haruko said as he got up and walked off into the dark reaches of the forest.

"I lost my friends... No.. I gave them up. Tch... I'm an idiot." He said as he facepalmed. Nearby he heard a little girl crying. "Hmm?" Haruko asked as he looked and saw the crying girl sitting on a rock. "Hey, you ok? Why are you out here, kid?" Haruko asked. "I..I was being chased by a mean pokemon. I-I just want my mommy!" The girl said as she was crying. "Do you know your way to your house? I can take you there." Haruko asked. "What's your name, mister?" The girl asked. Haruko smiled and spoke. "It's Haruko." He said as he crouched down. "Come on sweetie. Let's take you back to your home." Haruko said as the girl got on his back and he was carrying her now. "My name is Rika." She said as she smiled. "Heh. Alright Rika, Lead the way." Haruko said.

**~**

{BGM: Moonlight}

"Tch.. Can't believe that idiot would storm off like that." Heza said. Neo was all dressed and was sitting by the campfire. "He's probably going through things, i mean he just lost his girlfriend." Neo said which Heza growled in anger. "But she kept on fawning over you, and not Haruko. You're just alright with that?" Heza asked. "Of course im not. I was so annoyed by it. But according to Haruko, Valiona had an enlarged heart, and was going to die. She claims to have been my first girlfriend, But i just can't remember, nor would i want to remember. But knowing the fact she was dying... I feel like trash now with pushing her away." Neo said as he looked down at a picture Valiona had of the two of them back when they were younger. "If i was her boyfriend at one point, it's just a hollow memory now. I knew no better." Neo said as a tear fell but only one tear. He looked at it and shook his head. "No, it's a failed past. Nothing more." Neo said. Reijiro who was leaning against a tree looked at Neo. "Man oh man... You're worse than a soap opera. A failed past or not, It did happen. You denying it is denying yourself. Valiona never stopped caring about you. Even with the break up, she still clung onto the hope that you two would rekindle. That memory of the two of you being together is etched in your heart. As i said, you're denying yourself of the truth." Reijiro said. "Yeah... You're probably right. Maybe i am running from the truth. If it did happen, then I was just a kid. I did not know better. Maybe it was wrong for me and her to become a thing. Otherwise she'd still be alive. Im going to bed. This is giving me a headache." Neo said as he went to his sleeping bag in a tent. "Night man." Silas said.

"Sheesh... Was me leaving the group... a big deal? Before i left, everyone was so close. Now everyone is either on edge or distant. Tch." Reijiro said. "We all grew up Reijiro. We're all at a part of our lives where we come to a crossroad, and make difficult choices." Kaiden said as he was wiping the lens on his camera. "I don't know how all of you were before i joined you guys, So i really have nothing to say." Heza said as she then looked at the night sky. "I do hope Haruko is alright though. Perhaps maybe i was a bit harsh with him? I mean.. He needs to wake up and accept reality." Heza said. Silas then stood up. I need to make a call. The Boss is demanding the scoop on the Arisa incident. I may not be back for a bit." Silas said. "Alright then, Night Silas." Heza said. "Later bro." Kaiden said as he was checking his social media profiles and replying to the comments. "What're you going to do now Reijiro? You said you were here on business right?" Heza asked. "Yep. Professor Magnolia asked me to go run an errand and deliver something to Professor Oak. Now that the delivery is done, I'll be going on a plane in the morning to head back to my lab." Reijiro said as he then folded his arms. "I'm to blame for the group breaking. If i never left. I would've held the group together. Since i left, Haruko is a broken mess, Neo was controlled, Richter is evil, and Valiona is dead. So far the only people who are still the same are Silas and Kaiden." Reijiro said. "And Kazuma?" Heza asked. "Heh... He's still an enigma. Ever since the day we met. Can't read the guy." Reijiro said in a playful tone. "Gee, that's a fine 'how do you do' i have ever heard." Kazuma said as he arrived, but in his normal outfit.

"No sign of Haru yet?" Kazuma asked. "Nope. It's past midnight. He hasnt returned yet." Reijiro said. "How are the victims? They are going to make it i hope?" Heza asked. "Yeah. They have no physical damage, but they will need years and years worth of therapy though. How's Neo feeling?" Kazuma asked. "Sleeping now. Im just relieved he's alive. Valiona on the other hand.. I can't say that i liked her being around. But even she shouldn't have died. She saved me, which for that i am grateful. She was a sick girl. I just hope she's at ease now and isnt suffering.." Heza said. "She was the thing that kept Haruko afloat. With her gone now, Haruko is unpredictable. He is hurting, real badly. He was the first to forgive me when i rejoined. He knew how much i was hurt. when everyone shunned me. He doesn't deserve this." Kazuma said. "Hmm. I just hope the little talk we all had with you shed some light on us, Heza." Reijiro said. Heza nodded. "It has. Now that i know of your pasts, i kind of understand a bit more now." She added in. "I have a request for you guys. Look after Neo and Haruko for me, Please. You guys are alright, but those two need help. They need a shove in the right direction." Reijiro said. "Yeah, you know it. Leave it to us. I'll give them both an ass kicking" Heza said. Rejiro laughed and held his hand out for a shake. "It was a pleasure to meet you Heza. You're definitely what the group needs." Reijiro said as Heza smiled from hearing that compliment. "Kazuma, for the love of Arceus, Stop being secretive, You have friends that you can rely on, don't leave them in the dark... Oh and here, I have a gift for Neo. Give it to him for me, will ya?" Reijiro asked as he took out a box. "What is it?" Heza asked as she took the box and looked at it. Kazuma too was curious. "A Mega Stone. Specifically, for Scizor. Well I best be on my way If i get on the road now, i'll be at the airport by dawn. Kaiden, Put your damn phone down and get over here." Reijiro said as Kaiden quickly got up and ran over. Shortly after, he and Kazuma had their hair ruffled. "Take care you two. We'll definitely meet again. If anything happens, please give me a call. I'll hop on a Corviknight shuttle and get right over here." Reijiro said. "Will do, Take care and when you get home, tune into Mauville news." Kaiden said. "Heh..Hahahah! Alright, Alright. Well im off. I'll see ya around." Reijiro said as he turned around and walked away, going on a phone call during the process. "We should get some sleep. If Haruko isn't here by the morning, We're going to go find him." Heza said. "Sounds like a plan. Night guys." Kaiden said as he went to his tent while Kazuma went to his, and Heza went to her's.

**~**

After some time, Haruko and Rika arrive at a cave. "Your house is in a cave?" Haruko asked. "Master Hypno, I have brought another one." Rika said as she jumped down and suddenly, a Hypno walked out of the cave. It let loose a sinister laugh and waved it's pendulum. Haruko gasped and was about to back away but was put under a hypnotic trance. He fell down and was dragged by Hypno into the cave, while being dragged, his hat fell off at the entrance and now he was nowhere to be seen.

After several hours. Haruko wakes up and is in a cage. "Where am i? What happened?" He asked as he focused his vision and gasped in horror. Then, he screamed. All around him were tattered and mangled corpses., and in other cages, were other trainers who too were hypnotized. "H-Help! Get me outta here! HEELLLPP!" He cried out as Hypno walked over and swung it's pendulum back and forth. Haruko was put under a stronger trance and now remained motionless and silent. "Hyypnoo." Hypno said as he opened the cage and took Haruko out. "I..live to serve you...master..." Haruko said in a trance.

**~**

It was dawn and the group was waking up. First person to walk out their tent was Neo. He took a deep breath and smelled the fresh air. "Hmm? No sign of Haruko yet. I'm getting a bad feeling about this." He said as Heza and the others walked out of their tents. "What do you mean?" Heza asked. "Haruko hasnt returned yet. I think something happened." Silas said "Yeah." Neo said as a passerby man was walking by and spoke. "Oh? Some trainers are out here? Im shocked that you havent disappeared. This forest is notorious for disappearances. "Thank you for the warning. We were about to leave." Silas said. "Hold up, wait.. Are you Silas from the news? Dude you're a huge hit among my friends! Can i get an Autograph? From both of you." The man said as Kaiden walked over. "Another fan? Well sure. What did you want us to sign?" Kaiden asked.

Heza looked over at the two and laughed and then spoke to Neo. "So those two really are celebrities" She said as Kazuma nodded. "Yep, They used to be gym leaders in the Hoenn Region before they chose to branch away from that job and become news reporters." Kazuma said. "Huh, so they were gym leaders. I was thinking of becoming one myself when this journey is over." Heza said as she then remembered. "Oh Neo, Reijiro left you a gift. He wanted to give you it but he had to catch a plane." Heza said as she handed the box over. Neo opened it and a huge smile was on his face. "Is this what i think it is?" He asked. "Scizorite." Kazuma said as Silas and Kaiden walked over. "Well we got a scoop. Word has it that a Pokemon takes people away. What they do with them, i dont know but its not good." Silas said. "You think...?" Heza asked. "Doesn't hurt to look into it." Kaiden said. "Luckily i think We can track Haruko via his pokegear." Silas said as he used his own to find him. "Found him. He's in a cave it looks like. Haruko fell into a trap. We have to save him." Silas added in. "Yeah, He went through hell to save my life, No way i'll let him die." Neo said as he punched his fists together. "Let's get going." Kazuma said as the and the group went running towards the location.

~

About an hour passes, and they get to the cave. There they see Haruko's hat on the floor. "He's... in there." Silas said as Neo picked up the hat and held it close. "We're going to get you back, Hang in there." Neo said. Just as they were about to enter, they saw a pokemon fly down with a fierce roar. "A Salamence... Is it...?" Heza asked as Salamence smiled and roared cheerfully. "It's Haruko's. Is he in there buddy?" Neo asked. Salamence roared and nodded. it then returned into it's pokeball. Neo picked it up and went in first and the others followed shortly there after."It reeks of dead bodies here." Heza said as she felt nauseous. "Get a mask on quick." Neo said. Heza nodded and put a mask on so she can breathe. "Dead bodies, and mangled flesh. This thing is a freak." Silas said as he looked at the rotting flesh. "It'll be a bit harder. Unlike the Arisa incident, We dont have Haruko, Richter or Reijiro here to lend us aid." Kazuma said. "These poor people though..." Neo said as he looked at the corpses.

They get to a door to a room and inside it, was just a huge spacious room. The group then heard a voice. "Why...Why did you let me go?" The voice asked as Haruko appeared at the entrance of the room. Just as Neo looked back, Haruko wasnt there but now in front of them. "Better hurry and find me..." He said as he vanished out of thin air. "An Illusion." Kaiden said as he and the group left the room. "Your dreams....are now mine..." A Voice said as the ground opened up beneath them and Neo fell down the hole. "N-Neo!" Heza cried out as she and the others jumped down the hole after him.

They land, and gasp in horror. There was a huge room with cages, full of hypnotized people. In the center of the room, Haruko was KO'd, on a stone altar, levitating. "There he is! But...what is that yellow thing there?" Neo asked. "A Hypno. That must be the thing that took all these people." Silas said. Hypno screeched and lowered Haruko. Hypno then placed it's hand on Haruko's chest and suddenly, Haruko's eyes and mouth gaped open, they shined a bright blue light. "H-Haruko! No! Get away from him!" Neo shouted as he went to rush at Hypno, but was slammed against the wall by telekinetic force. Haruko's skin began to turn pale and wrinkly. The shining bright light stopped, and now Haruko was lifeless. His body was a husk with a gaping mouth, and empty eye sockets. "No.. It cant be... No! I wont let any other person die! Give Haruko back to us!" Heza shouted in anger. The spirit of Haruko woke up and he looked around. What happened? Is the nightmare over?" Haruko asked as he looked down and saw his husk of a body. He screamed in pain and was absorbed into the pendulum. "No...way." Kazuma said as Hypno levitated. Silas and Kaiden manage to rush in, and grab the husk. Neo managed to run back over and looked at the husk. "Haruko, I was too late. Now you're dead... No.. No i can't take it anymore! Please! No more death!" Neo said as he held his head in pain and fell onto his knees. Hypno raised it's pendulum and killed the hypnotized trainers in the cages, and all their souls were absorbed into the pendulum. Hypno surged with power and transformed.

{BGM: Forze Del Male }

"We have to fight this thing." Kazuma said. "We can free Haruko. Hypno, may be more powerful than you were, But We'll do this." Kaiden said. "Let's destroy Hypno, and save our friend." Silas said. Neo closed his eyes and thought. ("Richter...Reijiro, please... Lend us strength..") He thought to himself Suddenly, Hypno flew up and a gaseous purple cloud formed. From the cloud, Came a wispy version of Haruko. Haruko stood in a t-like stance, and reached out with his arms and spectral copies of his pokemon appeared. Neo gripped Salamence's pokeball and threw it. Salamence then appeared from it. Salamence looked confused and then looked at the ghost Haruko, and then to Neo. "Dont be fooled, Salamence. That's not your master. Your master is right over there." Neo said as he pointed at the husk. "Lend me your power, We're going to save him." Neo said in his original tone. He was determined to save Haruko, or die trying. "That's the Neo I know. Lucario! We gotta provide backup!" Heza said as she threw a pokeball and her Lucario came out. "Sceptile, Let's join the fun." Silas said as he threw his pokeball and Sceptile came out. "Swampert, Time for some Action." Kaiden said as he called out Swampert. The Spirit caused the ghost pokemon to use their attacks. "First time i'm doing this, Here it goes! Take hold of your true form, Mega Evolve!" Neo said as he managed to use Mega Evolution for the first time, and made Salamence Mega Evolve. "Flamethrower!" Neo ordered. Salamence then flew up and shot out a purple stream of fire which incinerated some of the ghosts. The Ghosts reformed. and shot more attacks. "Swampert, Ice Punch!" Kaiden said as Swampert made it's hand get covered in ice, and rushed towards Hypno. "Sceptile, Thunder Punch!" Silas said as it made it's leafy hand surge with lightning and rushed in towards Hypno. "Lucario, Give them coverage, Fire Punch!" Heza said as Lucario roared and coated it's paw in a flame, and rushed in as well. The orb that Hypno was sitting on was struck. "Your friend..belongs to me. His cries for help, sustains me! I ate his soul, and it has empowered me to new heights." The Hypno spoke through telepathy.

"No way we're going to let you get away with that!" Heza shouted as Neo growled in anger towards Hypno. "You're disgusting, Hypno. You're a borderline creeper. You take children away from their homes and sacrifice their souls for a ritual. You're going down, monster!" Neo said. The Ghost of Haruko smirked and made dark spheres form in his hands. He then threw them towards Neo. Salamence quickly got in the way and took the attack. "Thank you big guy. So I guess Hypno is attacking us directly now." Neo said. "RAAAHH!" Kazuma yelled out as he had a broken metal bar from a cage and whacked the orb. "Call this crazy, but that orb has souls in it. Haruko is there watching. We have to focus on the orb. Shatter that, and we'll get Haruko back." Kazuma said as he tossed his pokeball in the air and threw it. "Gengar, come on out!" Kazuma said as Gengar appeared from the shadows and laughed. "Gengar, Shadow ball. Let's go!" Kazuma said as Gengar shot a huge black sphere towards Hypno's orb. Hypno dodged it and Haruko's shadow made several copies of itself. They each walked around the area and warped around. "You shouldn't have abandoned me." "No Help ever came." The shadows said as the each warped around and faded, leaving one behind. "Join me, in the darkness!" The shade said as it made several copies of a shadow Salamence appear. The Real Salamence shot fire balls at the shadowy copies. The Orb began to crack as a spirit leaked out. Hypno then fell down and was stunned. Neo looked in shock. "Is it him..?" Neo asked as the spirit flew over to the husk and circled around it. The spirit went inside the husk, and suddenly, it's eyes and mouth shined bright once more. This time, Haruko's skin was returning to it's original color, and the wrinkles were fading. Everything was returning on him. He was now on the floor with the light fading fast. "Haruko!" Silas called out as he ran over to him. "Come on buddy, say something." Silas said as he looked at him. Haruko's eyes opened and he looked at Silas. "Sorry.." He uttered out as he was hugged by Silas. "You're back. No time to waste. Are you able to stand?" Silas asked. Haruko nodded. "Yeah. We have to get out of here." Haruko said as he stood up and then spoke.

{BGM: Friends in my heart.}

Neo quickly ran over as well as Kaiden, Kazuma and Heza. "You're such an idiot for storming off like that. You know that, right?" Heza asked as she straightened her glasses. "Yeah.. I was. I was blind with anger." Haruko said as Neo quickly hugged him. "Man, you have no idea how much i owe you. I never got to thank you for saving my life." Neo said as Haruko pushed him away a bit. "Chill out, no need to get sappy. I owe you as well. I owe a thanks, and an apology. Especially to Heza."You can apologize later. We've got a Hypno we gotta take care of." She said as Neo tossed Haruko Salamence's pokeball. "Ah yeah man, We're fighting with even numbers now! Haruko, Time for the big finish! Neo said as he got his own pokeball and threw it. "Scizor, Let's take this monster down!" Neo said as Scizor appear and with it's claws, it got into a stance. "Scizor, Take hold of your true form, Mega Evolve!" Neo said as Scizor glowed a rainbow aura and transformed into it's mega evolution form.

{BGM: Key to all}

Hypno swung it's pendulum and opened several portals all around the room. From the portals, strong winds were pulling everyone. Heza was the first one to get lifted off the ground. She screamed as she almost went into the portal. Neo quickly leaped up and caught her, blocking the portal. "Thanks Neo!" Heza said. "Anytime." Haruko was then pulled up. "Ergh.. Aaaahh!!" He cried out as the portal sucked Haruko and Salamence in, and the portal turned into a crystal. From within the crystal, Haruko was now face to face with the shadow version of him. The Shadow flung a dark ball at Haruko. But Salamence used his wing to shield Haruko. "Salamence, I missed you, buddy. Use Hydro Pump!" Haruko said as Salamence roared. It shot a huge stream of water towards the shadow. The shadow turned into dust and a hole of light appeared on the wall. Haruko flew into the hole, and returned back to the fight and Salamence shattered the crystal upon his return. "This is too unreal, Is this a dream?" Haruko asked as he was beginning to pant. "You ok?" Neo asked as he had Scizor deflect the projectile attacks. "Breathing, getting hard. I'm at my limit." He said. "Take a breather." Heza said. "Gengar, use Psychic to close the portals!" Kazuma said as Gengar glowed pink and used it's power to close the portals. "We're actually working well together." Haruko said to himself. He stood up and smirked. "We're going no where at this point! We have to use a joint attack.." Haruko said. "I'll have Scizor keep Hypno at bay. Do your thing!" Neo said as The others nodded. "Salemence, use Flamethrower, and make it form a ball!" Haruko said as Salamence roared and made a huge flaming fireball appear. "Lucario, Aura Sphere!" Heza ordered as it did the attack, sending the sphere into the fire ball. "Sceptile, Energy Ball!" Silas had Sceptile shoot a green ball into the fire. "Swampert, Mud Shot!" Sampert shot mud balls into the fire and Gengar proceeded to shoot shadow balls at it. The fire ball then changed into a multi-colored sphere. Salamence roared and made the sphere slowly fall onto Hypno. Hypno took the attack head on, and it fell off it's orb. It let out a huge ear piercing roar as it unleashed an explosion of darkness and shortly there after, enveloped everyone in darkness. Thereafter, they felt nothing. Haruko noticed and started to kick the ground but it was only air now. The darkness faded and the group saw a starry sky. Hypno appeared and cackled. It made a platform appear which the group were now standing on.

"This place...looks beautiful!" Silas said. "I can't tell what's real or isnt anymore. Wait...Is this the inside of the Orb? Did Hypno drink our souls and turn us into husks?" Haruko asked. "I don't think so. Haruko, what did you feel when Hypno took your soul the first time?" Heza asked. "Like... I was being sucked into a vacuum cleaner. Strange that i didnt feel it this time." Haruko said. "Because we are in an illusion. We're all still us" Silas said as a dark sphere formed. From the sphere, came a figure. "...If this is an illusion, then what am I?" A voice asked as the figure from the orb was a darkened shade version of Valiona. Haruko's eyes widened in horror and a tear fell. "V-Val... I...I..." Haruko said. "You what? Hate me? Do you hate me for picking Neo over you?" Valiona asked as Heza quickly pulled Haruko back. "Snap out of it, This isn't real. I hated her, but even i know she'd never say things like that. "M-My apologies. I let my mind get clouded." Haruko said. "You miss her, it's natural to miss her. Don't blame yourself. But you have to steel your heart. Hypno is attacking your mind, no... attacking your heart. He knows what'll make you snap. So steel your resolve." Heza said. Haruko placed his hand on his chest and closed his eyes. "Is this... the wake up call i needed...?" Haruko asked as he opened his eyes and looked serious as Valiona spoke.

{BGM: Wave of Darkness}

"I never loved you, Haruko. I merely used you as rebound. I never cared, nor would i ever care about some sap like you!" The ghost said. "Valiona... I always knew you still fawned over Neo. It infuriated me to no end. But guess what? I...accept it." Haruko said. The shade made a pair of dark swords appear and tried to slice at Haruko. Haruko simply sidestepped each attack. "I don't care if it was fake or real. I don't care if you still wanted to be with Neo. I know without a doubt that I'll always love ya. But it's time for me to move on." Haruko said as Hypno made several spectral swords rain down around Haruko. Haruko grabbed one which ended up burning his hand. "and that is something i'm going to do! No more looking back, no more self doubt!" He said he held the sword in his hand and clashed with Valiona. Haruko and Valiona clashed again and again. "Looks like he's back." Kaiden said. Neo then nodded and smiled. "He's starting to show signs of his old self, from back when everyone was with us. Before Richter betrayed us, and when Reijiro was with us as well." Neo said then he spoke under his breath. "Good to have you back, Haruko." He whispered as he looked at him and the ghost of valiona clashing and for a second, saw Haruko and Valiona from back during the days in Alola. Neo closed his eyes and smiled. He began to think. ("Yeah, I remember everything. Valiona and Haruko and I, were a trio. We laughed together, We grieved together, and we got angry at each other. But in the end, We had each other's backs. I know what i have to do!") He thought to himself as he quickly ran to one of the energy swords that were stuck in the ground and picked one up while singeing his hand. "Wha..? Hey! What are you doing!?" Heza asked. as Neo clashed with Valiona. Valiona used one sword to counter Haruko, and the other sword to counter Neo. "I'm settling my problems with the past. Valiona caused more headaches than anything else, but in the end, She and Haruko had my back, and I had theirs. Don't care if it's fake or real. I'm putting a friend to rest, and leaving the bad memories behind." Neo said as Haruko smiled. "It's what she would've wanted." Haruko said as the swords Neo and Haruko were using were about to detonate. They threw the swords at the shade and the swords exploded, destroying the ghost. "Silas, Kaiden, Kazuma, give me cover. I need to tend to the burns." Heza said as she ran over and opened her purse. She took out spray and an ace bandage. She sprayed the burns on both Haruko and Neo and wrapped their burned hands in the ace bandage. "Thanks, I appreciate it." Neo said as Haruko smiled and thanked Heza as well. "It's no problem guys, but dont do stupid things like touching burning swords again, alright?" Heza asked. Hypno swung it's pendulum and called forth several dark orbs. From these orbs, Ghostly copies of everyone's pokemon appeared by the dozens.

{BGM: VS Wild Pokemon}

"We'll hold off the others, Handle Hypno!" Heza said as she, Silas, Kaiden and Kazuma ran off to deal with the ghost copies. "It'll be the first time in a while where we actually fought side to side like this. You ready man?" Haruko asked. Neo smiled and nodded. "You know it." He said as they stood next to eachother with their hands in fists and their two pokemon looking fierce and ready. Hypno let out a screech as a screen appeared in the void with a green Health bar in it for Hypno and a bar for Scizor and Salamence. "An Old fashioned battle. Nice for a change of pace." Neo said. Hypno then shot a few shadow balls towards Salamence. Salamence took to the air. "Flamethrower!" Haruko said as Salamence breathed out an intense flame, doing minimal damage. "Scizor, use Night Slash!" Neo said as he stretched his hand out. Scizor complied and coated it's claw in darkness, striking Hypno. Hypno shot psychic waves towards Salamence, knocking it out immediately. "and that's totally fair." Haruko said in an annoyed tone as a sweat drop fell. "Return, Salamence." Haruko said as he looked at the ball. "You really bailed me out, you should rest for a while. He put the pokeball away and took out another one. Haruko's heart was beating fast. He was not sure if this was going to be a winning fight, even with type advantages on their side. "Yanmega, I'm counting on you." Haruko said as he threw the ball and out came a Yanmega. however this one sparkled and flapped it's wings. "Scizor, Use Night Slash again!" Neo ordered. Scizor then glared as it made it's claws surge with darkness once more It kept on punching Hypno, causing a good chunk of damage. "Hyyppnooo" Hypno said as it swung it's pendulum and shot a psywave from it, striking both pokemon. Scizor couldn't take the hit and collapsed. "This thing is powerful." Haruko said. "Yeah, but We'll win this. You and I make a kickass team. When we come together like this, there's no one that can beat us!" Neo said as he gripped his next ball. "Yeah, You're right!" Haruko said. "Incineroar. Let's finish this fight, buddy!" Neo said as he threw the ball and out came his next pokemon. "Darkest Lariat!" Neo said as his pokemon made dark fire appear on it's hands and spun around Hypno, striking it. Hypno was beginning to slow down. It used Psywave again and did a decent number on Yanmega. "Give it a headache, and use Bug Buzz!" Haruko ordered. Yanmega then flapped it's wings, sending a piercing screech to Hypno, doing damage. "Time to end this." Neo said as he took out his old Z-ring and equipped it. "That's an oldie. I just keep mine at home. You still use that relic?" Haruko asked. "Yep, It's a keepsake, from when i first started as a trainer." Neo said as he then placed a Z-crystal on it. He then did a weird stance, making Incineroar glow. It made a shadowy boxing ring appear and it used the posts to leap into the air. The attack then ended with Incineroar diving onto Hypno and exploding in dark energy. Hypno's orb fell on the floor. "And that's how you do it." Haruko said as the ghost copies vanished. The room became a black void again and the darkness faded, returning the group back to the room in the cave.

Hypno let out one final scree as the orb shattered completely, destroying Hypno in the process. The stolen souls returned back to the bodies they came from. "That monster, is finally done with." Haruko said as he was panting and collapsed. "Haruko! Stay with me buddy." Neo said as he helped him up. "I'm going to take him outside and back to camp." Neo said as he helped Haruko up. "You guys go on ahead. Kaiden and I are going to go live on the air, and let the people of Kanto know that their missing children are here and back to normal." Silas said. "See you guys soon." Neo said as he, Haruko, Heza and Kazuma left the cave.

**~**

{BGM: A Wood Carving Star}

About several hours pass and it was night time, they make it back to the camp and Haruko was asleep under a tree. Reijiro arrived from a Corviknight shuttle and looked panicked. "Is he alright? I got your message and hitched the first plane here." Reijiro said. Neo smiled and went shhh. "He's asleep. He's alive and well." He said as Reijiro smiled and sighed in relief. He walked over to Haruko and sat down next to him. He moved Haruko to the point where he rested his head on Reijiro's shoulder. Reijiro was then petting Haruko's hair and spoke. "You've had a hell of a time, haven't you? I can't leave you alone for more than a second, Can i, Brother?" Reijiro asked. "Huh? Brother!?" Neo and Heza asked in unison. "Yep. Back when i was just a kid, my parents were poor. They couldn't provide for me so they put me up for adoption so i can have a better life. Once they became financially stable, they had Haruko. Haruko has no clue that im his brother. I want to keep it that way. I have helped him throughout the sidelines ever since he met you, Neo. Haruko thinks he got this far on his own." Reijiro said as tears fell. He held Haruko close and hugged him. "As a brother, i failed him, and i almost lost him. Heza looked over at Neo. "How you feeling? Is the burn alright?" She asked. "Yeah, still stings but it'll pass." Neo said. Haruko opened his eye and yawned. He woke up and looked. "Hmm? Reijiro? When did you get here man?" Haruko asked. "After Silas filled me in on what happened. I can't leave you kids alone, can i? One thing after another with ya'll. Well I came to a conclusion. If you guys are going to be pulled into problems, then I'm coming back to this team, for good this time. Someone has to be the voice of reason." Reijiro said as Haruko laughed. "The concerned parent side of you is coming out again." Haruko said, which caused Reijiro's face to turn red and he got flustered. "W-Well when all of you are put into imminent danger, I tend to worry." Reijiro said as he blushed in humiliation and looked away. "Sheesh, so many concerned parents, i wanna staple my ears shut so i never have to hear them again." Silas said as he and Kaiden were walking up to the camp. "Well, they were missing for a long time. They have every right to panic." Kaiden said. "Hey, how did things go?" Heza asked. "Besides having countless parents thanking us and freaking out, things went smoothly." Silas said as Kaiden checked his Chatter. "Aaand we're already trending. I swear once we head back to Hoenn, we'll be mugged by adoring fans." Kaiden said in a joking manner. "What's our next plan of action, guys?" Silas asked. "Richter... We're going to confront him tomorrow. He and I have a score to settle. I also.. want him to rejoin us. He willingly works with us on multiple occasions, and plus, i kinda miss the guy." Haruko said. "Uhh you do know he wants us dead, right?" Neo asked. "I'll talk him out of it. A while back after i left the tower, I went to his lab and we talked. The Real Richter came out for a moment. The one from before he went bad. If i can do that, then i can convince him to come back to us." Haruko said. "I hope you know what you're doing." Heza said as Haruko looked back at her. "I do. Anyway im going to bed." Haruko said as he went into a tent and slept in his sleeping bag. "Tomorrow... Everyone will be back... I'll be turning in for the night as well." Reijiro said as he took a sleeping bag out of his luggage and went into the same tent Haruko was in, then he put his own sleeping bag down and slept. "We have a big day ahead of us, Lets all get some sleep." Neo said as he went into the tent as well with his bag and slept. Heza went into the tent and had her bag. She slept as well, shortly after Silas, Kaiden and Kazuma had their bags and slept as well.

<To be continued...?>