"Lord Scizor! Zange has returned successful!"

Scizor grinned and shoved the Volbeat aside. He strode to his throne and sat down, waiting. Soon enough, Zange and his group walked in, escorted by two Escavilier. The Escavilier left, shutting the door behind them.

"We have returned with the aces, Your Majesty," Zange said, bowing, He nodded at Crag and the Drapion shoved Gloria and Kasper forward.

"Where is Harley?" Scizor asked, noticing the Meowstic's absence.

"In his room. He was knocked unconscious and hasn't completely healed yet."

Scizor nodded. "I see." His gaze went to the remaining aces. "You four will be rewarded. Dismissed."

The bugs left. As soon as Rollan disappeared, Scizor stood up.

"Let's get down to business. Tomorrow, we will storm the region's cities. Any idea why?"

Gloria and Kasper remained silent.

"None at all? Take a guess."

"Is it because of the festival?" Gloria asked.

"Very good! That is precisely the reason." Scizor began to pace back and forth, hands folded behind his back. "Tomorrow, every single assassin will be sent out. We'll have the advantage. Those measly Pokemon will be too focused on the festival." He stopped his pacing and turned to face them. "Tell me; are you ready to fight what very well could be the last battle you'll ever fight?"

The two aces nodded, albeit hesitantly.

"Good. Go train. We need everyone in good shape if we have a chance of winning."

The aces walked out quickly. Scizor watched them go before he sat back and sighed, imagining his victory.

Frisk sauntered through the courtyard, her beady eyes glaring at everyone. The assassins paid her no attention as they trained. Frisk nodded in approval as she approached the second-nicest building in Scizor's lands.

The hospital wasn't much compared to the castle, but it was grand in its own way. It was bustling with Pokemon, a rarity. While most of the injured only needed a small rest, some of the more severe were the ones the medics were attending to the most. Frisk moved out of the way as a Vespiquen rolled a stretcher past her, wheeling a Ninjask and its badly broken body to the nearest room. Frisk shook her head. The assassins were getting more and more ruthless when it came to training.

The Cinccino began to walk around the busy hospital, going unnoticed in all the chaos. She was looking for one Pokemon only.

Frisk stopped at a door labeled "A-108". She glanced around, and upon making sure the coast was clear, stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind her.

There were three Pokemon currently in the room. All three were very familiar. Frisk paled and tried not to alert the three aces. The Normal-type moved toward the small closet and pulled the door shut, leaving a small crack so she could see, hear, and breathe.

The aces' voices were hushed, but Frisk strained her ears so she could listen.

"I've warned you about this before. Don't be so surprised."

Frisk assumed the statement was said by Harley, though she couldn't be sure. The voice was worn but carried no emotion behind it.

"I'm not surprised at your change in demeanor. I'm surprised because you suddenly went full sacrifice on us."

Frisk instantly knew who was who. The first voice was definitely Harley's, and the second was Gloria's. Kasper hadn't spoken yet. Whether he was choosing not to or had left was a mystery to the Cinccino.

"Did I?" Harley's voice still had no emotion, though it wasn't hard to imagine the surprise that would be behind it if the Meowstic felt anything in the first place.

"Yeah, you did. You glared right at that Pinsir and told him to do it."

This conversation intrigued Frisk. She was present when Zange had retold the tale to Scizor, but perhaps he had left some details out.

"I have a hard time believing that."

"Yeah? Well, better start believing it, because it's true." For the first time since her arrival, Kasper spoke his mind. He made no effort to hide his anger and anguish from Harley, and perhaps Gloria as well. Frisk opened the closet door a little bit wider so she could peer out. She could see Gloria perched on the small nightstand next to Harley's hospital bed.

"Calm down, Kasper. You know what happened. He couldn't help it," Gloria said, looking a bit tired.

"Calm down? Gloria, if you hadn't attacked him when you did, he would've killed me." Frisk saw him rise and turn to Harley. "Next time you gamble, bet your own life."

With that, he walked out of the room. There was silence for a moment.

"He's just upset. Don't mind him," Gloria reassured Harley.

The Meowstic sighed. "I get it. I'm not surprised. If someone was willing to sacrifice me, I'd be mad too."

"He'll get over it eventually. I'll talk to him later."

More silence. The room door opened and Frisk saw a Leavanny walk in.

"Visiting hours are over for today," she said kindly.

Gloria turned to Harley. "I have to go now. We'll see you tomorrow before the attack, yeah?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Gloria nodded and walked out, escorted by the Leavanny. Frisk quietly slipped out of the closet and followed, unaware of Harley's gaze that was locked onto her.

Sleep seemed to be the one thing that Gloria couldn't get. She heard her fellow assassins sound asleep in the next room over. The Murkrow shook herself and got up. She opened her door and stuck her head out. The cobblestone hallway was silent. Gloria stepped into the hallway and began to walk. She counted the doors quietly. She was searching for a certain one.

She stopped at one door. This was it. The Murkrow turned the knob slowly and the door creaked open. Gloria stepped inside.

The room wasn't much. It was one of the cleanest rooms Gloria had seen since her arrival. It had a small smoky tinge in the air, most likely caused by the bottle of poison sitting over a small flame. Gloria eyed it, questions beginning to form. She shook her head. She'd ask him later.

Kasper wasn't in his room at the moment. Gloria eyed the door warily. She didn't want to be here when he returned. The Murkrow had to resist the urge to explore more and walked toward the door.

Footsteps in the hallway made her freeze. Someone was approaching gradually. Gloria pressed herself against the wall, waiting until whoever it was passed.

To her dismay, the footsteps belonged to Kasper. He entered his room and shut the door softly. Gloria watched him carefully. She was concealed within the shadows. Her eyes never left Kasper as the Banette checked on the poison he had left out. He set it down a moment later and transferred it to a new vial. The flame went out and the room was a bit darker. Gloria could still make out Kasper's form, however. The Banette pulled out a needle and put some of the poison into it. He turned his head away as he jabbed the needle into his arm.

Gloria flinched at the action. It looked painful but Kasper stayed silent the entire time. After a minute, he pulled out the needle and threw it across the room. It clattered to the floor. Gloria eyed it.

The room was still. Kasper seemed to have fallen asleep, though it was impossible to tell due to the lack of breathing. Taking her chance, Gloria opened the door a bit and slipped into the hallway.

Sirens roused Gloria from her sleep. They were long and mournful, unlike the usual short bursts. Gloria got up quickly. These sirens signaled war.

The hallway was bustling with Pokemon. Frisk's boisterous voice could barely be heard over the commotion. Gloria flew above the crowd, joining the few other assassins that could fly or float.

"Report to your assigned group immediately!" Frisk shouted into a megaphone, the moonlight reflecting off her sleek fur.

Gloria spotted her fellow aces floating above the chaos. She made her way over to them.

"Ready for this, Gloria?" Harley asked. He looked much better than he had a few hours ago.

She nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Good. We're all ranged attackers. We'll be after the melee groups move in."

The crowd fell silent as Frisk help up her paws. She moved aside and Scizor stepped forward.

"This day has been a long time coming!" he shouted. "I want to see total destruction out there! We will not halt until they beg us for mercy!"

The assassins cheered. Scizor rubbed his claws together and turned away from them.

"Our reign over all of this region begins now! Attack!"

Everything burst into chaos. As one, the assassins charged through the forest. Gloria followed the flying Pokemon as they disappeared into the clouds. She saw Kasper out of the corner of her eye. He was flying erratically, probably to match the Shedinja next to him. Gloria rolled her eyes and set her sights on Scizor below.

The moon sparkled off the water's surface. Nio peered into the lake blissfully. Around her, the city was booming with activity. Pokemon of all kinds mingled with each other. Neighboring cities' residents were still streaming in.

"Nothing can ruin this moment," she commented to Mio.

The Pikachu shrugged. "Don't be so sure. We never know what our enemies are planning."

"If they're planning anything at all. If I were them, I'd give it a rest for one day."

"Whatever you say. I'm grabbing a snack. Want anything?"

Nio giggled. "You know that answer."

"Yeah, about time you cut back."

Nio slapped her brother gently. "Hush and go eat."

Mio sniggered. "Fine."

Meanwhile, Lucas observed the city, Hilda by his side. "Everything seems to be going well," he commented.

The Mismagius nodded. "Maybe we'll actually have peace for one day."

A sudden explosion rocked the city. The jovial mood of the Pokemon was replaced with one of worry.

"Ms. Hilda, we have an emergency!" a Greninja shouted, landing next to the Mismagius. "There seems to be an attack from the assassins!"

"I hate those three," Lucas grumbled. "Can't they just give it a rest?"

The Greninja shook his head. "Not just the aces. All of them. Every single assassin Scizor has. They're all storming the city as we speak!"

Another explosion sounded off. The Pokemon below cried out in shock, fear, and worry.

Hilda's eyes narrowed. "Send out every guard we have! This is no normal attack!"

The Greninja nodded and bounded away. Lucas followed him and began to round up the Pokemon below.

"Into the underground shelters!" he shouted, pushing fleeing Pokemon toward them.

The gates to the city were blown off their hinges. Scizor stood there, grinning meanly. Frisk stood next to him. She snapped once and the three aces descended from the sky. All three had wicked smiles as they landed behind Scizor. Slowly, the rest of the assassins emerged from the forest.

"We'll give you one chance to surrender peacefully!" Scizor shouted.

"Over my dead body!" Lucas shouted back.

"So be it." Scizor raised a claw and pointed at the city. In an instant, the entire assassin army, save for the aces, charged.

Lucas grit his teeth. The city's defense force sprang into action.

Nio could hardly see or hear anything. Attacks collided with one another. There was the sound of weapon meeting claw. The Dedenne ran for the shelters, Mio by her side.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Both Pokemon were forcefully stopped and lifted from the ground. A Meowstic emerged from the shadows, a Psychic Gem around his neck. His ears were unfurled and glowing with Psychic energy.

"Can't you just leave us alone?!" Nio cried.

"Afraid not. You see, we're on opposite sides. That makes un enemies. And as enemies, our duty is to kill you. In fact, we never completed our mission. I'd say now is the perfect time to get that little pesky task out of the way."

"We?" Mio hissed.

"Of course. Did you think it was my task alone?"

Two more Pokemon dropped down next to him. One was a Murkrow, the other was a Banette. They stared at the Dedenne and Pikachu with baleful gazes.

"You three are really starting to piss me off." Lucas dropped down from a nearby rooftop, a Blaze Kick aimed at Harley. The Meowstic put up a blue barrier, dropping his captives in the process.

"Well, well, well. Never thought I'd see you three again," a Dustox purred, flying down next to Lucas. A Lucario joined his side as well.

"Kalea. Yisrael. Long time, no see," Harley said.

"Still get a kick out of murdering innocent Pokemon, I see," the Lucario said.

The Dustox shot a wink at Kasper. "How's the poisoning come along, dear?' she asked, her voice carrying a small accent.

Kasper hissed. "Great, thanks."

"Who are they?" Nio whispered to Lucas.

"They're former aces. They've rebelled against Scizor."

"And you should too," the Lucario said. "It's not too late, you know."

"Shut up, Yisrael!" Harley cried.

"It's true and you know it!" Yisrael directed his attention to Gloria and Kasper. "You've already lost so much. Do you want to fight on the side that took away your parents?"

Gloria and Kasper froze.

Kalea nodded at Harley. "You as well. You're defending the ones who killed your sister. How do you think your parents would feel? How do you think your sister feels?"

"My sister is dead! Gone!"

"And Frisk killed her!"

"My sister was weak! It's her own fault if she wasn't strong enough to survive!"

"Harley, listen to me for a second." Yisrael's voice was soft. "Your sister was weak because she was sick. You and her were snatched from your home by Durant. Frisk commanded it. Frisk commanded your sister to be killed."

Kalea turned to Kasper. "You lost your home and parents under Frisk's command. You lost your adoptive family under Frisk's command. That mark on your arm is from an Ursaring, correct? That Ursaring was commanded to attack you and kill you."

"I don't believe you," Kasper whispered.

"You can't hide from the truth!"

"Shut up!" Harley shouted, unfurling his ears. "Lies! All of it! We were born into this life! We had no choice!"

Kalea fluttered her wings. "Harley, you and I both know that lying to yourself won't change anything. If you three fight with us, you'll be avenging everything. You'll be saving hundreds of lives rather than taking them."

Harley was silent. Then, he furled his ears and clenched a fist. Next to him, Gloria and Kasper sheathed their claws, with the latter putting his hood down so it was off his face.

"I'd rather die fighting on this side than live by joining yours," Harley whispered, eyes closed. "Kasper, Gloria, we know what we must do."

The other two aces nodded. They began to charge Shadow Balls. Harley joined in. The aces powered more and more energy into their attacks.

Kalea sighed. "You know, I wish Charon was here to see this."

Kasper froze at the name. His attack burst into confetti. "What did you say?"

"You heard me. Charon would be so disappointed in you."

The words cut Kasper like a knife. He covered his face with his hands as Kalea continued.

"He looked up to you. He believed a world of peace could exist. Look at you now. About to kill more innocent Pokemon."

Yisrael seemed to catch on. "First the Krookodile, now us."

"Kasper, what are they talking about?" Gloria asked, looking worried.

"Nothing! They're lying!"

"Why would we lie?" Kalea asked. "You felt horrible when you killed that Krookodile. You hated yourself when you drowned him."

"Shut up!"

Nio turned at the sound of splashing water. The fountain behind her was beginning to churn.

"You killed him, Kasper! You've been killing more and more Pokemon! Your parents raised you so you'd help the world, not hurt it!"
Kasper raised a hand in her direction. The water from the fountain sprang to life and formed ice. The jagged spears rained down on the Dustox. She avoided most of them, but one caught her wing and she was sent to the ground. Kasper stood over her.

"I can't wait to watch you die," he whispered. "I can't wait to see the light leave your eyes. I can't wait to hear your last breath."

Yisrael sprung into action. He charged up an Aura Sphere. The attack was redirected by Harley as soon as it left his hands. The Meowstic had unfurled his ears again.

"Looks like there's no other way," Lucas muttered. "Prepare yourselves for battle."

Nio clenched her fists, electricity sparking from her cheeks. Mio joined her side.

There was silence for a moment. Then everything sprang to life.

Nio and Mio let loose powerful Thunderbolts. They were aimed at Harley, who redirected them as well. He retaliated with Energy Ball. Yisrael blocked it with another Aura Sphere.

Meanwhile, Lucas defended Kalea. Despite being disabled, the Dustox still managed to help the Blaziken by creating a poisonous cloud that prevented Kasper from getting near. Gloria saw the problem and created a Tailwind that blew away the cloud. Not only this, but Harley and Kasper suddenly felt lighter on their feet.

"Not good. They'll be faster than us now," Mio said.

"Doesn't matter. Let us handle them. You two go get to safety," Yisrael instructed, dodging a Shadow Ball.

"No way!" Mio replied. "We want to help!"

"You can help by staying safe! Besides, we know these three. We can take them."

Nio sighed. "Ok." She grabbed Mio's hand and dragged him away.

Yisrael looked at Harley. How sad, he thought. They used to be such good friends.

"OK, they're gone, you two can stop," Harley suddenly said, furling his ears. Kasper and Gloria stopped and backed away from Lucas and Kalea.

"What?" the Dustox asked, confused.

Harley folded his arms and the other aces joined his side. "You really thought we were going to fight you?"

"It seemed like it," Yisrael muttered.

Kasper snickered. "No thanks. I'd rather give up fighting just for a bit if it means I get to see old friends." He walked up to Kalea. "Your wing's fine. Stop being overdramatic."

The Dustox huffed as she began to fly again. "Killjoy."

Lucas observed them with confusion. Whatever. Not his problem. The Blaziken bounded away.

Yisrael walked up to Harley and held out a hand. "It's been a while, old friend."

"Agreed." Harley took it. "Too long."

"Listen, you three. Everything Kalea and I said-"

"It's true," all three finished.

"We know," Kasper said.

"W-what? Then why did you act like it wasn't?" Kalea asked.

"I don't trust the Dedenne and Pikachu," Harley admitted. "I wasn't going to sit there and let them know about my history."

"About Charon," Kasper began.

"I'm not sure where he is if he's still alive," Kalea reluctantly told him. "I just used it as a way to get a rise out of you."

The Banette punched her lightly. "Rude."

"You had it coming."

Nearby, Frisk watched the five carefully. She couldn't tell whether the aces had rebelled or not. She made mental note of this and scampered away.