So first off, I wanna announce some things.

First off, the story that I wrote for this art piece began like a Zootopia-based story but shifted into a Zootopia/Pokémon crossover story, because I have been lately feeling a mood where I have started to miss when the Pokémon franchise used to truly mean something special (like the importance or meaning of friendship and the close bonds that we have with people and pets, and otherwise, it just meant more than the amount of money that it can make people like Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, and Gamefreak). Aside from that, I wish to continue with Shadow & Giratina's relationship. But as such, I decided to continue with this type of story as I want to try to awaken or resurrect my passion and fondness for Pokémon and for it to mean something special to me again.

Secondly, I feel as though I'm kinda throwing darts at the board with my storyline and seeing what does and doesn't work for me. But I may try a new concept or writing style where I will write Zootopia stories with Pokémon plots to focus on Shadow & Giratina's relationship, and then there will be just be Zootopia plot stories that will focus on Shadow & Clawhauser's relationship as well as my other fursonas and other characters.

With that being said, this art piece was commissioned from none other than Icarozilla. Their FurAffinity page is linked below for those that want to commission them.

https://www.furaffinity.net/user/icarozilla/

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The alarm clock goes off on my nightstand. I smile warmly, ready for the day. By now, I’ve become happy with my job at the ZPD, and Benny has practically become my best friend. I sit up, rubbing my eyes together and smiling at my police uniform hanging in the closet, having been washed the night before.

“Another day.” I chuckle to myself. The sound of the rain tapping the window is like music to my ears. I look out the window, seeing the beauty of the Rainforest District of Zootopia. Cars pass by the streets below, and the dense fog gives off a warm breeze of a relaxing morning in mid July. I stretch my bones and yawn before walking to the kitchen, my belly bouncing with each step.

I walk into the kitchen, making coffee and grabbing some toaster waffles from the freezer to make for Vex for breakfast. Having been acting more like Benny lately, I already know what I’m grabbing for breakfast on the way - donuts. I pop the waffles into the toaster before hearing a voice behind me.
“Let me guess - off to get donuts again, Officer Bearhauser?” Vex jokes, leaning against the wall while still in a Fantastic Four t-shirt and green shorts.

I chuckle and shake my head.
“You know me well, kiddo. Well, the new me, anyway.” I laugh.
“Heh. You’ve certainly changed since we moved here, Dad. You used to sing Iron Maiden and Metallica in the shower all the time. Now, all it is is just Gazelle.”
I walk over to the coffee maker, pouring black coffee into a mug with a pink Gazelle mug and stop for a moment.
“Yeah…I guess I am.” I respond.
Vex sits at the table. “Everything ok, Dad?”
I shake my head, zoning out a bit. “Huh? Yeah, Vex. Just…nervous I’m kinda like..forgetting who I am or something.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like…I don’t know. I just don’t want you to stop loving me. Or feel like you don’t know me anymore. I still wanna be the fun dad that watches old 80s movies with ya on Saturday nights, y’know?”

“First of all Dad,” Vex starts. “I will ALWAYS love you, even if you eat more donuts than a person healthily should. Secondly, you have been acting a lot more like Benny lately. But…is that really so bad? I mean, you’re happy, aren’t you?”
I scratch my neck as I pour creamer into my coffee.
“I do, yeah. But I mean…”
“Why don’t you just embrace it?” Vex suddenly suggests.
“What?” I say, sipping my coffee.
“Just be more like Benny. He’s had quite an influence on you. And if anything, it kinda makes your friendship stronger in a way.”
I nod and sip my coffee. “I guess so. But what about our movie nights, kiddo?”
“We can still do that. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be 80s movies, Dad. It can be like Marvel movies or something.” Vex responds. “This is a new life for us, here in Zootopia. A new chapter. Maybe we need a new identity or something.”
I chuckle. “Hey, I’m the wise bear around here!”
“I’ve learned from the best!” Vex laughs. “Besides, you know it’s true.”
“Maybe.”
“Yeah. Well anyway, serve me my waffles already, because I can smell them starting to burn.” Vex suddenly speaks.
“Oh! Whoops!” I speak before suddenly turning off the toaster.

After breakfast, Vex brushes his teeth and changes into a green hoodie and blue jeans.
“Is Baloo coming to babysit again?” Vex asks.
“Yep.” I say as I stand in the bathroom, adjusting the tie on my police uniform. I had recently encountered Baloo from The Jungle Book in the Rainforest District, who had moved to Zootopia after his aerial delivery company Higher For Hire from the nearby city of Cape Suzette had started operations at a sister office/branch in Zootopia. Me and Baloo were pretty good friends, though Judy didn’t approve of his lazy-ish personality.

“Make sure Baloo doesn’t have any jazz house parties again.” I say. “It took a whole week to clean the pineapple juice stains off the walls in the bathroom.”
“No promises.” Vex laughs.
I open the door as Baloo suddenly arrives and parks his car near the sidewalk.
“Mornin’, Shads!” Baloo says, getting out of the car.
“Morning, Baloo.” I greet before heading over to my car.
“Where’s my little britches Vex at?” Baloo asks me as I get into my car.
“In the house, watching some movie on Disney+.” I reply. “Uh, Baloo. Honest answers, but…you think I’m starting to become like…a bear version of Benny?”
Baloo rubs his neck. “Honestly, Shads? Ya kinda are. I’m kinda noticin’ your voice is changin’ a bit.”
I look at Baloo confused. “Wait, my voice? What’s up with my voice?”
“Well…kinda noticin’ that country accent o’ yers is fadin’ a bit.” Baloo goes on. “Like…feels like you’re starting to talk like Benny does.”
I rub my throat a bit, surprised. “O…M…Goodness.” I suddenly feel myself say out of the blue. My voice sounds a bit high-pitched and enthusiastic.
“There he is.” Baloo laughs.
I clear my throat, unable to speak in my normal voice somehow.
“Baloo, what’s happening to me?” I say. “Kinda feels a bit like I’m having an identity crisis. Vex says I should embrace it but…I mean, I don’t wanna lose sight of who I am.”

“Maybe this is who ya are, Shads.” Baloo shrugs. “The Zootopia version of ya. Ya love Benny, don’t ya?”
“Of course I do. He’s like my best friend.” I say.
“Maybe ya shouldn’t fight this. Listen to Gazelle all ya like, eat donuts all the time, spend every day with your buddy. Just do what makes ya happy.”
I rub the steering wheel a bit. The thought of Benny fills my mind and how much that fat cheetah means to me, how much he’s affected me.
“Anyway, get goin’, Bearhauser.” Baloo chuckles. “Don’t want Bogo gettin’ on your butt cause ya were late.”
“Right, right. I’ll pay you tonight, Baloo. Thanks again for watching Vex for me.”
“Anytime, Shads. Have a great day at work, tell Benny I said hi.” Baloo responds.
I start my car up and pull out of the driveway of my bungalow, waving bye to Baloo. I then drive off towards the ZPD in Savanna Central.

I drive through the tunnels of the city. My mind feels a bit of conflict between my identity as I think about various new passions that I’ve developed during my time of residency in Zootopia - Gazelle, my love for donuts, Zootopian cop shows (Paw & Order and TSI: Tiger Security Investigators to name a couple), dancing to music, and of course, my best friend and partner on the ZPD, Benjamin Clawhauser.
“I feel like I’m becoming like Benny..” I say to myself.
I feel a strange effect in my head, almost like Disney magic.
(Would that be so bad?) A voice says in my head.
“I don’t know. I’ll..” I think.
(You’ll what? Get to enjoy being a fat, flabby bear cop who loves donuts and pop music? What’s so bad about that?) The voice goes on.
I feel myself start to let go, as if Benny’s personality starts to overwrite my own, like this is the new me. The Zootopian me.
“Nothing. It…It feels good.”
(Exactly. Just let go, be like Benny.) The voice in my head assures me. (You guys are like brothers. Just let go, enjoy donuts and worship Gazelle like a goddess.)
I take a deep breath and feel a huge weight (not my body’s heavy weight, of course) be lifted off of me. I turn on the radio of my car to “Try Everything” by Gazelle.

I walk through the doors to the ZPD where I’m immediately greeted by my cheetah buddy.
“Haha! There you are, Shads!” Clawhauser laughs as he hugs me. I let out a sigh and hug him back, feeling more closer to him than ever before.
“I never get tired of seeing you, Benny.” I sigh with affection.
Benny puts me down, laughing. “Shads? What’s up with your voice? You kinda sound like me a bit!”
I chuckle and rub my neck. “Let’s just say you’ve kinda had a huge influence on me, Benny. A huge positive influence.”
Clawhauser laughs giddily, seeing himself in me.
“O…M…Goodness. You act so much like me now! We’re like twins!” He laughs as he hugs me again. I hug him back, my bear tail wagging.
“We sure are, Benny.” I giggle. “Now come on, let’s get to role call.”
“Right. Then we can pick up some donuts for breakfast!” Benny chuckles.
“You read my mind.” I remark playfully.

I head into the briefing room with the other officers of the ZPD. Some of the officers greet me and Benny or wish us good luck on our shift today. We both sit down at a nearby table with Nick and Judy.
“Well, well, Benny!” Nick jokes. “I didn’t know you had a brother!”
“Heh, cut it out, Nick.” Judy laughs. “But seriously though, Shads. Clawhauser has had one heck of an influence on you.”
“Heh, so much that even my voice is starting to change!” I laugh.
“We can tell. You kinda sound like him a bit.” Nick chuckles. “What’s your secret, Benny?”
“Lots of donuts and playing Gazelle non-stop.” Benny giggles, still enjoying my new personality.
“You guys are so cute together though.” Judy chuckles warmly.
“Heh…well, guess we just matched up then.” I say as I nuzzle against Benny. He blushes a bit and nuzzles me back.
“Oh, by the way,” I suddenly speak to Nick and Judy. “I was wondering if I could ask you guys something.”
“Shoot.” Nick replies.
“You guys know how Pokémon have been popping up everywhere here?”
“Yeah? What about it?” Judy asks.
“I was wondering if you guys would maybe know how I could find a certain Pokémon….Arceus.” I suddenly ask.
“Arceus? The Alpha Pokémon? What do you want with him?” Nick questions.
“It’s more what Giratina wants.” I answer. “He feels really awful about what he did all those years ago when well…Arceus created everything. He..he really wants to apologize for everything he did. All the violence he caused.”
Nick and Judy look at each other.
“We don’t have a single clue how to find him, Shads.” Judy speaks.
“Oh. I see. Well I understand.” I say, a bit disappointed.
“But…” Nick suddenly says.
“But?”
“We know someone who might have a clue on how.” Nick goes on. “His name is Jumba Jookiba. He lives somewhere on the island of Kaua’i. It’s across the ocean from here.”
“Jumba? Like from…Lilo and Stitch?” I ask, a little excited.
“Yeah. Though he’s looking into something called the Ultra Wormhole or some kind of Pokémon called Ultra Beasts right now. We don’t know much about it.” Judy chimes in. “But we’re sure he might be willing to help you.”
“Hmm. I’ll see if I can look into it this weekend.” I say.
“Mind if I join you?” Clawhauser asks.
“You know I’m not going anywhere without my donut buddy!” I chuckle to Clawhauser.

The door suddenly opens as Chief Bogo enters. He assigns the officers to their shifts for the day, with Nick and Judy sent to handle some wolf thugs that are mugging people in Tundra Town. Though Bogo suddenly assigns me and Clawhauser to something special.
“Shadow. Nick and Judy inform me that you are the trainer of Giratina, the Renegade Pokémon.” Bogo says to me.
“Yes sir. That is correct.” I answer.
Bogo looks at me, confused by the different sound of my voice but decides to continue on.
“Well…you should be able to handle this assignment without trouble. Some Sandile and Krokorok have gone wild in the deserts surrounding Sahara Square.” Bogo explains. “They’re scaring off citizens and making it dangerous to travel through the dunes. And if this isn’t resolved, we fear they may break loose into the city streets.”
“So what do you want us to do, sir?” I ask.
“Get them to settle down and catch some for containment if possible. Clawhauser, do what you can to help the situation.”
“Yes, Chief!” Clawhauser says.
“Dismissed.” Bogo instructs, dismissing us.

Me and Clawhauser jump into a squad car, driving off towards Sahara Square.
“We’re stopping for donuts, right?” Clawhauser asks.
“Of course. We can’t do our shift without our fuel.” I laugh as we pull up to Grizzly Glaze Café, where Hank and his Alcremie are baking donuts. He offers us some donuts on the house as well as some special made donuts that Pokémon are supposed to like. We both accept before heading off into the deserts.
“You think I could catch one of these things?” Clawhauser speaks to me as we drive towards the dunes.
“Yeah? Why, you don’t have any Pokémon?” I answer.
“Not really…kinda want one, honestly. Like..I kinda wanna be like you a bit with Giratina.” Clawhauser goes on.
“Awww..is Benny jelly?” Giratina jokes in my head.
“Oh, hush.” I chuckle to him.
“What?” Clawhauser asks.
“Not you. Giratina kinda talks to me in my head sometimes.” I explain. “We kinda have some telepathy thing going on.”
“Wow…that’s really cool.” Clawhauser chuckles. “I really wish I had that with you or someone.”
I smile warmly and squeeze Clawhauser’s paw.
“You’ll catch something, Benny.” I say before eating a chocolate donut from the donut box in Benny’s lap.

We soon pull up to the dunes and get out of the squad car. We begin to walk around the deserts, searching for the wild Sandiles and Krokorok.
“If I knew we’d be out here today, I would have brought some water.” I speak. “How are we supposed to find these things anyway?”
As soon as I say this, I feel a small hole in the sand open up, and I feel my foot get stuck inside. As soon as I pull it out, a wild Sandile jumps out of the ground, appearing disturbed.
“Diiiiiilllle!!” The Sandile yells.
“Guess they’ll come to us.” Giratina comments.
“There it is, Shadow! Do something!” Clawhauser cries.
I reach into one of the pockets of the belt on my police uniform and pull out Giratina’s Master Ball.
“Alright, Giratina. You know what to do!” I say as I throw the Master Ball, letting Giratina out. The Sandile performs a Bite, hurting Giratina a bit (due to it being a Dark type).

“Ok…that actually stung a bit.” Giratina mutters.
“Return the favor, buddy! Dragon Pulse!” I command.
Giratina obeys and fires a Dragon Pulse, knocking the Sandile back a bit.
The ground soon shakes, and three more holes open up, where two Sandiles and a Krokorok emerge, seeming irritated.
“Koroooook!!” The Krokorok roars.
“What’s with these things?” Giratina says. “Seems like something’s disturbing them.”
“No idea, but it feels weird.” I reply.
Suddenly, we feel the ground shake, causing the siren on the squad car to go off. Me and Clawhauser fall to the ground, covering our ears from the loud rumbling.
“Did you guys feel that?!” Clawhauser says, a bit worried.
“Yeah..was that an Earthquake attack from one of them?” I wonder.
“That was no attack.” Giratina says. “That was an actual earthquake.”
“What? How?” I say.
“Shadow…I feel something. Some kind of primal energy..” Giratina goes on. “No…it can’t be.”
“Can’t be what?” Clawhauser asks.
The Krokorok throws a Crunch at Giratina, badly damaging him.
“Maybe something will calm them down?” Giratina suggests.

I think for a moment before getting an idea.
I run over to the squad car and grab the box of PokéDonuts. I soon rush back over to the wild Pokémon, placing the box on the ground.
“You guys hungry?” I speak.
The Sandile and Krokorok move towards the box before beginning to eat the PokéDonuts.
“Saaaannnd!” A Sandile says happily.
“Krokooor!” The Krokorok says, as if thanking us.
“It’s all yours!” I chuckle warmly.
I suddenly watch as one of the Sandile moves towards Clawhauser. He sniffs him, seemingly smelling donuts. He suddenly starts to pry at his leg, looking happy.
“Sand! Sandile!” The Sandile cries.
“Think he wants you to catch him, Benny.” I laugh.
“Really? You wanna be one of my donut buddies, little guy?” Clawhauser asks the Sandile.
“Dile!” Sandile says, as if saying yes.
“Well..then you’re gonna need this.” I say, handing Clawhauser a Poké Ball.
“What’s this?” Clawhauser asks.
“It’s a Poké Ball.” I explain. “It’s supposed to catch wild Pokémon, though they can break free sometimes. Sometimes, you have to battle them to catch them.”
“Alright.” Clawhauser replies. “So..how does it work?”
“Just throw the ball at the Sandile. It’ll catch him!”
“Oh…well, here it goes then!” Clawhauser happily says as he tosses the Poké Ball at Sandile. The ball opens up before capturing Sandile inside. It falls to the ground before shaking three times.

“Did it work?” Clawhauser asks.
“Just wait.” I respond.
The ball suddenly pings, signaling that the Sandile is caught.
“You caught him, Benny!” I say, happy for him.
“Heh, this is awesome!” Clawhauser laughs, picking up Sandile’s Poké Ball. “I’m gonna have so much fun with him!”
“Heh, not bad for your first catch.” Giratina suddenly chimes in.
Our moment is suddenly interrupted as the mysterious shaking begins again. The wild Sandile and Krokorok begin to panic.
“There it is again! What’s happening?!” Clawhauser cries, panicked.
“It’s him!” Giratina roars.
“Who?!?!” I yell.

Suddenly, a ginormous Pokémon rises out of the ground. It looks like a massive, bipedal, dinosaur-like Pokémon covered in red, segmented plates of thick, lava-resistant skin, almost like armor. It has a gray underside and large white spikes that run along the sides of its head, body, and tail. It has four claws on each hand, four dozer-like blades on the end of its large tail, and three claws on each foot with gray markings under its feet. It has blue stripes inside the seams of its armor plating, glowing with power.

The Pokémon lets out a mighty roar, looking down at us.
“WHAT IS THAT?!” Clawhauser cries.
“Gira…that’s…that’s…” I say to Giratina.
“Yes..” Giratina speaks ominously. “The Continent Pokémon, the super-ancient Pokémon of the land - GROUDON!”
“Giratina…” Groudon growls. “I have come to test you.”
“Test me?” Giratina asks.
“Yes…to test your will to redeem yourself. NOW FACE ME!” Groudon roars, unleashing a Lava Plume on Giratina.
“Agh!” Giratina roars in pain.
“Giratina! You ok?!” I say to him, worried.
“Yeah..but I can’t take on Groudon alone.” Giratina replies.
“Me and Sandile will help!” Clawhauser says.
“Benny, no.” I say to him. “Groudon once nearly ended the entire planet and made the sun burn the world and every living thing on it to ash. Sandile won’t stand a chance.”
“Well…I’ll find some way to help!” Clawhauser speaks. “Wait..I think I see something in the sand over there! Try to hold him off for now!”

“If only I had more Pokémon…” I groan.
“I’ll try my best to take him down, Shadow..” Giratina sighs.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Now let’s battle!”
“Alright! Dragon Pulse, Giratina!” I command.
Giratina obeys and fires a Dragon Pulse. Groudon returns the attack with a Mud Shot.
“You are strong…but not strong enough!” Groudon roars. “But in case you emerge victorious, there will be more legends to test your morality, not just me.”
“What do you mean?” Giratina asks.
“Legends from all across time.” Groudon explains. “Zekrom, Reshiram, Rayquaza, Lugia, Yveltal…if you truly regret your actions millenniums ago..if you truly desire forgiveness from Arceus..then PROVE YOURSELF!”
“If that’s what it takes, then I won’t lose to you!” Giratina declares.
“That’s the spirit, Gira! Shadow Ball!” I command.

“Shadow!” Clawhauser says, holding up something. It appears to be a red, ruby-like orb, bearing an orange Omega symbol. “I found something! Maybe it’ll help take him down!”
“Wait…that’s…!” Giratina exclaims.
“BENNY, NO!” I cry out.
The orb starts to glow a bright red color.
“The Red Orb?! How did that end up here?!” Groudon questions before he winces a bit.
“Groudon?!” Giratina speaks.
“I’m losing control of myself. The power! It’s too much!” Groudon screams. He suddenly looks down at me.
“Trainer…you and Giratina must stop me. I have the power to extinguish the world. You must defeat me!!”
“Oh no…this is bad.” I speak.
Clawhauser runs up to me, worried.
“Shadow, what’s happening to him?!” He asks me.
“Benny…Groudon. He’s undergoing…Primal Reversion!” I panic.
“What’s Primal Reversion?” Clawhauser asks.
“It’s an ancient transformation that Groudon can undergo by absorbing the power of nature.” Giratina explains. “And that orb you just found..it just restored his true powers!”
“Does that mean…he’ll destroy all of Zootopia?!” Clawhauser worries.
“Not just all of Zootopia! He’ll destroy the planet!” Giratina yells. “We have to stop him! The fate of the planet is at stake!”

I watch in shock as Groudon begins to glow in a red ruby-like aura. The glow suddenly shifts into a black field around Groudon with an orange colored Omega symbol before bursting with energy. Groudon suddenly looks larger in size, his skin color now changed to deep crimson with his underside, spikes, and teeth turning black. The blades on its tail look more separated from one another. The Omega symbol appears on his arms. His eyes, the inside of his mouth, and the now-enlarged openings between his armor plating glow bright yellow, and his irises look red.

“Primal Groudon!” I panic.
Primal Groudon lets out a roar, and I look up to see the sun burn brighter and intensify with ancient energy. The blue sky over us turns an ominous burning orange, and the air and temperature suddenly feels burning lava hot.
I huff a bit. “Oh man…this heat! It’s unbearable! Everything and everyone on this planet is gonna burn up if we don’t do something quick!”
“Shadow…Giratina…I’m sorry! This is my fault!” Clawhauser says, despondent.
“Benny…it’s okay.” I assure him. “You didn’t know. You’re learning how to be a trainer. And you may make mistakes, but what matters is how you learn from them. But right now, we need to stop Groudon! There’ll be no more donuts or Gazelle concerts for anyone if he burns the planet to cinders!”
“How though?” Giratina asks. “Even in his normal form, he was strong. At this level, not even a Mega Swampert would stand a chance! We need…we need Rayquaza!”
“You rang, Giratina?!” A voice calls from the sky.

I look up at the sky to see an emerald-like glow soaring down at us. I see another Pokémon flying down at us - a large, green, serpentine Pokémon that also resembles a missle. It has red-tipped, rudder-like wings on its shoulders and down its body, and similarly patterned fins on the tip of its tail. Yellow ring-like symbols run across the length of its body and it has an additional yellow ring on top of its head. It has two limbs with three-clawed hands, and two long, flat, horn-like structures on its head, with two shorter horns along its jawline. It has small, yellow eyes with black pupils, prominent pink guns, and two discernible fangs in its upper jaw.

“It’s Rayquaza!” I cry out.
“Oh dear, is Groudon misbehaving again?” Rayquaza speaks.
“Please help us, Rayquaza!” Giratina pleads. “We can’t take on Primal Groudon’s level of ancient strength! He’ll end this planet in an instant!”
“Ah, so you wish to protect this world, Giratina? That’s a first.” Rayquaza replies. “But very well. We must combine our forces if we are to save this planet from Groudon’s primal desolation.”p
I suddenly see a squad car pull up in the distance. Before too long, two officers race over to us - Nick and Judy.
“Shadow, we saw everything on the news. We’re here to help!” Judy speaks. “Wait, is that…Rayquaza?!”
“Pleasure is all mine, Judith.” Rayquaza chuckles warmly.
“Well, anyway, whatever we can do to help, let us!” Nick chimes in.
“Maybe you guys can help us beat Primal Groudon?” I my ask.
“Count us in.” Judy obliges.

We suddenly race to Primal Groudon.
“Blaziken, let’s give it our all!” Judy says, throwing a Poké Ball and summoning her Blaziken.
“Give us a hand, Haxorus!” Nick exclaims, tossing an Ultra Ball and summoning his Haxorus.
“Alright! Raid Battle! Let’s do this!” I say. “Shadow Ball, Giratina!”
Giratina nods and unleashes a Shadow Ball attack on Primal Groudon, damaging him a bit. He lets out a roar and unleashes a Precipice Blades on Judy’s Blaziken, badly damaging it.
“Blaziken! Are you ok?!” Judy cries.
“Blaaaze!” Blaziken says, getting up.
“Return the favor! Double Kick!” Judy commands.
Blaziken obeys and leaps up into the air, unleashing a Double Kick and throwing kicks in Groudon’s face.
Rayquaza soars up into the air, before throwing a Dragon Ascent at Groudon.
“He’s too strong! We’re not doing a lot of damage on him!” Giratina cries.
“I guess we’ll just have to go Mega, then!” Judy yells. She looks at the Mega Ring on her wrist before touching its Key Stone with two fingers.
“Respond to my heart, Blaziken! Mega Evolve!” Judy cries.
“BLAZIKEEEENN!!” Blaziken roars as light begins to burst from it.
“Your turn too, Haxorus! Mega Evolve!” Nick says, touching the Key Stone on his Mega Ring.

Light begins to glow from Haxorus as it Mega Evolves.
The iconic tusks become much larger, now double-bladed and serrated, resembling brutal twin battle-axes with glowing red veins pulsing along their edges. Thick, layered plating covers its chest, shoulders, and tail. The plates look to be edged with blade-like ridges. Its tail elongates and ends in a massive, axe-head–shaped blade, looking to be used for powerful spinning slashes. Its eyes glow a bright crimson, and its face takes on a sharper, more menacing structure with additional ridges and angular features, giving it a permanent battle-ready snarl. Its hands and feet now possess longer, scythe-like talons capable of shredding through the toughest armor.

“HAAAAAXXXX!!!” Mega Haxorus roars.
“Whoa…I’ve never seen a Mega Haxorus before.” I say with shock and surprise.

As Judy’s Blaziken Mega Evolves, it loses its yellow markings and gains black markings on its upper legs and chest. Its hair-like feathers take on a wing-like shape and point upward, and the portion around its chest is rough around its shoulders. The crest on its head changes into a flat horn that curves backward. The fire it creates on its wrists is now longer.

“IKEEENNN!!” Mega Blaziken cries.
“Give it your all, Blaziken! Double Kick!” Judy commands.
Mega Blaziken nods and throws another Double Kick to Primal Groudon’s head.
“Dual Chop, Haxorus!” Nick commands his Haxorus.
Haxorus throws a Dual Chop at Primal Groudon’s leg.
“He’s losing ground! We can beat him!” I cry out. “Dragon Claw, Giratina!”
Giratina charges towards Primal Groudon’s face and unleashes a Dragon Claw attack. Primal Groudon lets out a roar and stumbles backwards.
“Finish it! Hurry!” Rayquaza yells.

“Shadow, let’s do it together!” Nick suggests.
“Got it!” I agree.
“Dragon Pulse!” I command Giratina.
“Draco Meteor!” Nick commands Mega Haxorus.
Giratina and Mega Haxorus finish the battle in a combined Dragon-type attack. Primal Groudon stumbles backwards and falls to the sandy ground with a massive ground-shaking thud. His primal energy disperses, and he suddenly reverts back to normal.

“Phew…” I sigh, relieved. As everyone takes a moment to breathe, I look over the sky to see the intense heat disappear, the orange-colored sky turning back to a clear blue.
“Shadow…Giratina..you saved the planet.” Rayquaza says.
“No, we all did. Together.” I chuckle. “Thanks for helping us out, guys.”
“It was no trouble.” Nick says as he and Judy return Haxorus and Blaziken to their Poké Balls. “We do what we can to keep the world safe.”
“You guys did it!” Clawhauser laughs. He suddenly looks at me and hands me the Red Orb.
“Shadow..I still don’t really understand what this thing is, but I’d feel a lot better if it was in your hands.”
I nod and take the Red Orb. “Probably best, yeah.”
Clawhauser rubs his neck. “I’m sorry I caused all this, guys. I had no idea what that thing was. I nearly doomed the whole planet today.”

I throw my arm around Clawhauser, pulling him close.
“Benny..it wasn’t your fault.” I assure him. “Everything just went off the rails. It was out of our control.”
Rayquaza nods. “You are mortal and human. Or well... you behave like a human. It is in your nature to make mistakes. What matters is how you learn from them.”
Clawhauser smiles warmly.
“There’s my favorite cheetah!” I laugh, hugging Clawhauser. He giggles and hugs me back.
“Thanks, Shadow.” Clawhauser sighs.
Groudon suddenly rises up again, walking towards Rayquaza.
“Father…my apologies. I lost control over myself again.” Groudon says to Rayquaza.
“You are forgiven, Groudon.” Rayquaza replies.

“So, um…Rayquaza? Groudon?” I ask. “You guys mind if I catch both of you?”
Rayquaza smiles warmly and chuckles. “As much as that would be wonderful, I’m afraid that’s an opportunity you will have to earn, my child.”
“But..we just saved the planet!” Giratina chimes in. “From your son’s little outburst here!”
“Heh, way to kick me while I’m down.” Groudon remarks. “But that aside, we’re both powerful beings that take part in maintaining the course of the natural order. When the time comes…you will be ready to become our trainers.”
“But, I must say..” Rayquaza adds. “Your will to protect this planet intrigues me, Giratina. Perhaps you are worthy of redemption after all. Keep doing the right thing.”
“I will. I’d give anything to take back what I did.” Giratina sighs.
“Even me?” I joke.
“Ok, anything except my best friend and trainer.” Giratina laughs before speaking to Rayquaza and Groudon again. “Can you guys at least tell Arceus I’m sorry? That I want forgiveness and to see Dialga and Palkia again?”
“Action speaks louder than words, Giratina.” Groudon replies.
“Agreed. And on that note, I’m afraid we must be going.“ Rayquaza speaks. ”We wish you all the best.”

Groudon waves goodbye and walks away into the distance while Rayquaza, with a burst of speed, soars off into the sky.
“So…what now?” Giratina speaks.
“Right now? You guys need to train.” Nick suggests. “You’re gonna need all the strength you can get if you wanna find Arceus.”
“Yeah. I hear Savanna Central is opening up a Pokémon Battle Club. Maybe you could start there.” Judy adds. “And aside from that, I’m hearing rumors that the realm of Disney is building its own Pokémon League!”
“Really? That sounds awesome!” I say. “We gotta try it out, Gira!”
Giratina smiles warmly and wraps one of his tendrils around my hand. “Wherever you go, I’ll follow, Shads. I’ll stick with you to the end.”
“Heh, you two are made for each other.” Nick giggles.
“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m up for some donuts.” Clawhauser chimes in. “You guys in?”
“I could go for some donuts.” I say.
“Me too. Those PokéDonuts are brilliant.” Giratina agrees.
“Would you even say they’re shining?” I joke.
Giratina playfully slaps me with one of his tendrils, earning a laugh from Nick and Judy. “Don’t push it, papa bear.”
“As much as we wanna join you, we gotta get back to patrol.” Nick says. “You guys take it easy though.”
“You guys too.” I reply.

I return Giratina to his Master Ball and get into the squad car with Clawhauser. We drive over to Grizzly Glaze Café where Hank gives us a couple of boxes of donuts as well as PokéDonuts as thanks for saving the planet from Primal Groudon.
Before too long, I stand against the squad car outside in Sahara Square, a box of donuts on the hood, while Clawhauser sits on a bench, feeding his Sandile some PokéDonuts.
“You sure are a big eater, Sandile!” Clawhauser laughs.
“Dile dile!” Sandile says, enjoying his donuts.
I laugh and eat another donut from the box on the hood.
“You really are like me.” Clawhauser chuckles.
“I can’t help it, Benny. You’re too much fun.” I say warmly. “You’re friendly, you’re goofy and funny, you love Gazelle and pop music, you’ve got good taste in food. I mean, you’re like the best cheetah anyone could ever ask for.”
Clawhauser smiles with intense glee as he runs into my arms, hugging me close.
“Aw, Shadow! I love you, buddy!” Clawhauser laughs.
“Love you too, Benny.” I sigh. “Could get used to eating donuts and listening to Gazelle nonstop.”
Clawhauser chuckles giddily. “Taught ya everything I know!”

“Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” Giratina says in my head.
“Heh, you get out here too!” I laugh, tossing Giratina’s Master Ball up in the air to let him out. He wraps me in his tendrils and holds me close to his scaly dragon face.
“Thanks, Shadow. For believing in me.” Giratina says.
“Gira, I think I’ve believed in you since the day I met you.” I say back.
“Heh, thanks. Now feed me more of those PokéDonuts! I’m starving!” Giratina laughs.
“Heh. I’m nothing without you, buddy.” I say happily as I feed Giratina PokéDonuts.

TO BE CONTINUED…

BUT WAIT!

THERE’S MORE!

-Mikey’s POV-

The train pulls up to my destination. Me and Alan stand up, walking over to the doors, which open automatically. We step out into the train station, seeing all kinds of different people and animals with…Pokémon?
“There’s Pokémon here too?” Alan asks me.
“Guess there is, kiddo.” I say to him. We both exit the train station through the entrance door, finding ourselves in what looks like the city of New Orleans. People and their Pokémon walk up and down the streets. I suddenly see what looks like a giant, fat alligator playing a trumpet nearby, marching down the street. A small little Pokémon with an insectoid appearance follows him, looking to be a Kricketune. It sings in tune with the alligator’s trumpet music.

“Come on, Kricketune! Putcha heart into it!” The alligator laughs, before stopping. He looks over at me, laughing.
“Haha! So ya finally arrived!” The alligator chuckles, speaking in a heavy cajun accent. “You’re Logan an’ Alan, right?”
“Um..yeah?” I answer. “You’re…?”
“Louis! And me and my Kricketune here just love jazz music!” The alligator answers. “Welcome to our lil realm we like to call Disney!”

TO BE CONTINUED…