First set - Spirit Dimensions
Second set - Ancient Resonance
Third set - Lost Auras Awakened
Hello everyone, it feels like it's been a while!
If you have been following my text-based sets so far, this is the 4th and penultimate in this little series. To catch up on each of the mechanics that I've designed for each set, I've put some links to my previous sets above.
I also finished the backstory to Lost Auras Awakened, after throwing most of it out twice. It feels good to redraft! Its a little longer than the backstory for the first two, but I hope it's enjoyable nonetheless.
There will be no new mechanics in this set, but I have added a new card designation - "AU," which stands for Alternative Universe. These cards aren't played differently to other cards, but I imagine the artwork to be similar to EX-style art in our current TCG - perhaps a cross between EX and Full-art artwork. So it's just something to imagine, I suppose.
Another thing, just as a reminder - this series is its own entity, separate to the TCG at the moment. So you couldn't use Ultra Ball or Shaymin, for example.
And I think that is all. Let's meet our Interdimensional Invaders...!
Second set - Ancient Resonance
Third set - Lost Auras Awakened
Hello everyone, it feels like it's been a while!
If you have been following my text-based sets so far, this is the 4th and penultimate in this little series. To catch up on each of the mechanics that I've designed for each set, I've put some links to my previous sets above.
I also finished the backstory to Lost Auras Awakened, after throwing most of it out twice. It feels good to redraft! Its a little longer than the backstory for the first two, but I hope it's enjoyable nonetheless.
There will be no new mechanics in this set, but I have added a new card designation - "AU," which stands for Alternative Universe. These cards aren't played differently to other cards, but I imagine the artwork to be similar to EX-style art in our current TCG - perhaps a cross between EX and Full-art artwork. So it's just something to imagine, I suppose.
Another thing, just as a reminder - this series is its own entity, separate to the TCG at the moment. So you couldn't use Ultra Ball or Shaymin, for example.
And I think that is all. Let's meet our Interdimensional Invaders...!
Exploring the depths of the "Mysterious Forest" of Kalos, "Riley" comes across a strange sensation in the air. Investigating further, he uncovers bizarre rock formations and stones that don't look like any he's ever seen before. Collecting some samples to take for further analysis, he is shocked by the emergence of "Xerneas" from the trees, surrounded by an intense Aura. Having heard about the recent conflict with Team Flare, he is perplexed to see Xerneas active again so soon. Sure enough, a dark aura follows, and he spies "Yveltal" flying above, its eye cast on the ground...
Riley, concerned by this development, gets in touch with "Professor Sycamore," who has been keeping an eye on the area following Lysandre's disappearance. He theorises that the stones Riley found are similar to Mega Stones, and could help awaken latent abilities in Pokemon. Since it is so similar to the power he has studied for so long, Riley dubs it "aura" and Sycamore agrees, referring to the stones as "Aura Stones." Riley thinks of his old friend Lucario, who left him to trace his own path in the world, and how much Lucario would help him with the new developments.
As time goes on, more and more reports come in of Pokemon displaying unusual abilities all over the world. Pokemon such as "Gengar," "Tropius" and "Entei" are sighted displaying incredible abilities and power. This coincides with the re-awakening of the "Weather Trio" in Hoenn, leading to a battle so strong that it "breaks the skies" over the region. Even "Ho-oh" has made appearances, more frequently than usual, flying through the skies.
However, with the arrival of this great power comes those that wish to seize it. Team Rocket and Team Galactic have risen from the ashes, with "Cyrus" somehow making a reappearance as its leader. Skirmishes between the two groups begin to break out across the formerly peaceful Kalos, the conflict drawing the attention of a mysterious Pokemon...
Having been away from the world stage, "Team Plasma" appear once more, with new research regarding Aura - this powerful force only comes into play when a Pokemon is in danger or fainted, causing it to revive with renewed energy. This goes entirely against Team Plasma's worldview, and they view its research as a form of abuse. While Riley and Sycamore feel that there is more to this power, Team Plasma set about their plan regardless, attempting to seize control of the Mysterious Forest in order to aid their "liberation" of Pokemon. They use tools such as the "Aura Charger" and "Aura-Detecting Machine" to lead them to Pokemon that already have their Auras activated, in order to aid and use them in their mission.
However, Team Rocket and Team Galactic, having formed an "Uneasy Truce," launch an attack on the Mysterious Forest, causing Team Plasma to retreat with haste. They come across the battling Yveltal and Xerneas and manage to subdue and capture them, with Cyrus taking control of Yveltal. However, while his back is turned, Team Rocket launch a "Surprise Attack," soon gaining the upper hand with their Xerneas. As the battle intensifies, the Pokemon's Auras rage out of control, before "Zygarde," who has been watching from the shadows, emerges and uses his own Aura to nullify theirs. The titanic clash causes an echo across the entire world, prompting all teams to retreat and regroup.
The battle over, the world temporarily returns to an uneasy peace, with Sycamore and Riley teaming up to further study the Aura effects. Sycamore is concerned by the resurgence in the teams previously believed to be dismantled - especially since Cyrus was believed to have been trapped in the Distortion World. This brings new hope to Sycamore's mind - perhaps a friend that he formerly thought to be gone forever might still be around...
Meanwhile, having watched the battle, "Hoopa" (Bound) retreats into one of its dimensional rings in the Mysterious Forest, planning some more mischief...
Riley, concerned by this development, gets in touch with "Professor Sycamore," who has been keeping an eye on the area following Lysandre's disappearance. He theorises that the stones Riley found are similar to Mega Stones, and could help awaken latent abilities in Pokemon. Since it is so similar to the power he has studied for so long, Riley dubs it "aura" and Sycamore agrees, referring to the stones as "Aura Stones." Riley thinks of his old friend Lucario, who left him to trace his own path in the world, and how much Lucario would help him with the new developments.
As time goes on, more and more reports come in of Pokemon displaying unusual abilities all over the world. Pokemon such as "Gengar," "Tropius" and "Entei" are sighted displaying incredible abilities and power. This coincides with the re-awakening of the "Weather Trio" in Hoenn, leading to a battle so strong that it "breaks the skies" over the region. Even "Ho-oh" has made appearances, more frequently than usual, flying through the skies.
However, with the arrival of this great power comes those that wish to seize it. Team Rocket and Team Galactic have risen from the ashes, with "Cyrus" somehow making a reappearance as its leader. Skirmishes between the two groups begin to break out across the formerly peaceful Kalos, the conflict drawing the attention of a mysterious Pokemon...
Having been away from the world stage, "Team Plasma" appear once more, with new research regarding Aura - this powerful force only comes into play when a Pokemon is in danger or fainted, causing it to revive with renewed energy. This goes entirely against Team Plasma's worldview, and they view its research as a form of abuse. While Riley and Sycamore feel that there is more to this power, Team Plasma set about their plan regardless, attempting to seize control of the Mysterious Forest in order to aid their "liberation" of Pokemon. They use tools such as the "Aura Charger" and "Aura-Detecting Machine" to lead them to Pokemon that already have their Auras activated, in order to aid and use them in their mission.
However, Team Rocket and Team Galactic, having formed an "Uneasy Truce," launch an attack on the Mysterious Forest, causing Team Plasma to retreat with haste. They come across the battling Yveltal and Xerneas and manage to subdue and capture them, with Cyrus taking control of Yveltal. However, while his back is turned, Team Rocket launch a "Surprise Attack," soon gaining the upper hand with their Xerneas. As the battle intensifies, the Pokemon's Auras rage out of control, before "Zygarde," who has been watching from the shadows, emerges and uses his own Aura to nullify theirs. The titanic clash causes an echo across the entire world, prompting all teams to retreat and regroup.
The battle over, the world temporarily returns to an uneasy peace, with Sycamore and Riley teaming up to further study the Aura effects. Sycamore is concerned by the resurgence in the teams previously believed to be dismantled - especially since Cyrus was believed to have been trapped in the Distortion World. This brings new hope to Sycamore's mind - perhaps a friend that he formerly thought to be gone forever might still be around...
Meanwhile, having watched the battle, "Hoopa" (Bound) retreats into one of its dimensional rings in the Mysterious Forest, planning some more mischief...
After the initial battle, things have settled down somewhat in the Pokemon world. "Fossil Researchers," able to go about their work without fear of enemy team attacks, begin to investigate the Aura potential of various "Fossils," seeing if it is possible to awaken Aura abilities in something that has been dead for many years. Institutions such as the "Devon Corporation" adapt their "Fossil Revival Machine," using the power of Aura to reinvigorate Fossils at a swifter rate.
This work has attracted the time-travelling Pokemon "Celebi," who was itself curious about the destinies of ancient Pokemon. Sycamore and the other professors, who have called a conference to discuss Aura with Riley, express their concerns that the awakening of so many Legendary Pokemon may prove hazardous to the world. They also call upon the "Gym Leaders" of each region to be vigilant against any new threat.
However, they aren't the only threat. In the shadows, "Team Flare" have begun their activities again, using technology stolen from the Devon Corporation to revive the ancient weapon "Genesect." Using it, they carry out various heists, stealing more and more technology and developing further Aura tools, such as the "Aura Nullifier," which they use to disable opposing Pokemon Auras, and the "Aura-Powered Ball," which boosts the Aura of any Pokemon held within the ball. Soon, the Team is recruiting disenfranchised members from teams Rocket and Galactic (who have gone into hiding following the initial conflict), growing in size as a result.
The Team's greatest feat is to overpower and capture Celebi, using its power to poach some of the most prized material of all - the genetic material that went into creating "Mewtwo." They are able to re-create Mewtwo, but make a fatal error by attempting to infuse it with Aura - the resulting experiment is an insane war machine that drains the Aura from others. Breaking out of the "Team Flare Base," Mewtwo begins its rampage.
The Kalos Gym Leaders combine to try and stop the threat, but Mewtwo's vicious abilities cause the Aura in Pokemon to go berserk - for every Pokemon they defeat, more arise in their place. Just when it looks bad, the tide is turned by the arrival of Pokemon-F such as "Aurorus," "Bastiodon" and "Kabutops," whose lack of Aura abilities render them impervious to Mewtwo's power. Slowly, but surely, they begin to wear Mewtwo down.
Meanwhile, in the destroyed Team Flare laboratory, Celebi's out-of-control powers attract "Dialga" from across time, who takes pity on Celebi and frees it. Celebi explains the situation and the two of them set off into the past, searching for a way to placate the raging Mewtwo. In the present, Mewtwo has exhausted its strength dealing with the Fossil Pokemon, but has still managed to gain the upper hand. He immobilises the Gym Leaders with his psychic power, but before he can do anything more, "Lance" arrives with a freshly-revived "Aerodactyl" and begins to battle.
Mewtwo puts up a good fight, but Lance soon manages to beat him down. Just before Lance and Aerodactyl can defeat Mewtwo, however, the creature explodes with power, almost fully reviving itself. "Clemont" tells Lance that he has taken readings on his own Aura-Detecting Machine- when it is on the brink of defeat, it uses Aura to boost beyond its body's limits and will continue to do so until its death. Mewtwo is ready to fight again when Celebi and Dialga return from through time with "Mew," who uses its genetic link with Mewtwo to counter its attacks and eventually contain it in a psychic bubble, defeating it.
As Mew takes Mewtwo to a safe place, the rest of the group takes time to recover. Having watched transmissions of the battle, Sycamore, the professors and Riley are more sure than ever that the power of Aura is a tempestuous thing, and that they haven't seen the worst of it yet. All have a feeling that an even greater conflict is on the horizon...
Meanwhile, at the summit of Mount Silver, the legendary trainer "Red" watches a meteor - "Deoxys" - fall to Earth. In Unova, atop the Dragonspiral Tower, N also watches the meteor, and feels a great power rising as "Kyurem, Reshiram and Zekrom" awaken once more.
This work has attracted the time-travelling Pokemon "Celebi," who was itself curious about the destinies of ancient Pokemon. Sycamore and the other professors, who have called a conference to discuss Aura with Riley, express their concerns that the awakening of so many Legendary Pokemon may prove hazardous to the world. They also call upon the "Gym Leaders" of each region to be vigilant against any new threat.
However, they aren't the only threat. In the shadows, "Team Flare" have begun their activities again, using technology stolen from the Devon Corporation to revive the ancient weapon "Genesect." Using it, they carry out various heists, stealing more and more technology and developing further Aura tools, such as the "Aura Nullifier," which they use to disable opposing Pokemon Auras, and the "Aura-Powered Ball," which boosts the Aura of any Pokemon held within the ball. Soon, the Team is recruiting disenfranchised members from teams Rocket and Galactic (who have gone into hiding following the initial conflict), growing in size as a result.
The Team's greatest feat is to overpower and capture Celebi, using its power to poach some of the most prized material of all - the genetic material that went into creating "Mewtwo." They are able to re-create Mewtwo, but make a fatal error by attempting to infuse it with Aura - the resulting experiment is an insane war machine that drains the Aura from others. Breaking out of the "Team Flare Base," Mewtwo begins its rampage.
The Kalos Gym Leaders combine to try and stop the threat, but Mewtwo's vicious abilities cause the Aura in Pokemon to go berserk - for every Pokemon they defeat, more arise in their place. Just when it looks bad, the tide is turned by the arrival of Pokemon-F such as "Aurorus," "Bastiodon" and "Kabutops," whose lack of Aura abilities render them impervious to Mewtwo's power. Slowly, but surely, they begin to wear Mewtwo down.
Meanwhile, in the destroyed Team Flare laboratory, Celebi's out-of-control powers attract "Dialga" from across time, who takes pity on Celebi and frees it. Celebi explains the situation and the two of them set off into the past, searching for a way to placate the raging Mewtwo. In the present, Mewtwo has exhausted its strength dealing with the Fossil Pokemon, but has still managed to gain the upper hand. He immobilises the Gym Leaders with his psychic power, but before he can do anything more, "Lance" arrives with a freshly-revived "Aerodactyl" and begins to battle.
Mewtwo puts up a good fight, but Lance soon manages to beat him down. Just before Lance and Aerodactyl can defeat Mewtwo, however, the creature explodes with power, almost fully reviving itself. "Clemont" tells Lance that he has taken readings on his own Aura-Detecting Machine- when it is on the brink of defeat, it uses Aura to boost beyond its body's limits and will continue to do so until its death. Mewtwo is ready to fight again when Celebi and Dialga return from through time with "Mew," who uses its genetic link with Mewtwo to counter its attacks and eventually contain it in a psychic bubble, defeating it.
As Mew takes Mewtwo to a safe place, the rest of the group takes time to recover. Having watched transmissions of the battle, Sycamore, the professors and Riley are more sure than ever that the power of Aura is a tempestuous thing, and that they haven't seen the worst of it yet. All have a feeling that an even greater conflict is on the horizon...
Meanwhile, at the summit of Mount Silver, the legendary trainer "Red" watches a meteor - "Deoxys" - fall to Earth. In Unova, atop the Dragonspiral Tower, N also watches the meteor, and feels a great power rising as "Kyurem, Reshiram and Zekrom" awaken once more.
A short time passes after the conflict with Mewtwo. Since then, the various regions have, with the assistance of Team Plasma, the Professors and Riley, learned how to temper and control varying amounts of Aura power. Pokemon like "Electrode" are even putting their amazing Aura abilities to use in providing power and assistance to people and Pokemon alike. For a while, it seems as if the world is beginning to adjust and prosper.
To guide the world into this new era, the Elite Four, Champions and Professors of each region have allied together to provide support and keep an eye on any potential threats. Team Plasma, as mentioned above, have joined the effort from an ethical perspective, ensuring all Pokemon are well-treated and not overworked in efforts to bring out their Aura. Oddly enough, unlike previous times, the arrival of Legendary Pokemon has not led to rising conflicts or struggles. Pokemon like "Manaphy" are perfectly happy to engage with humans and even play - although Kyurem, Deoxys, Zekrom and the like tend to keep to themselves.
However, this peace does not last for long. Despite their long-standing rivalry, Groudon and Kyogre have been kept in check with the aid of the "Red" and "Blue Orbs," which remain in safekeeping atop Mt Pyre, guarded by the Elite Four of the region. This changes, however, when a newly-reformed Team Magma and Team Aqua, combining their efforts, storm the mountain, defeat the Elite Four and steal the orbs. With the villainous teams' auras corrupting the orbs, Groudon and Kyogre begin to show signs of tempestuousness...
Soon enough, the two Pokemon are raging out of control, whipping up storms that shake the Hoenn region. Their Aura power results in massive damage to the ecosystem, and a "cataclysmic change in climate" sweeps across Hoenn, leading to widespread evacuations. As with Mewtwo, the Aura within Pokemon close to the two legendaries begins to go berserk, forcing a massive migration and evacuation of Pokemon as well as people.
"Looker," however, notices that certain Pokemon are exhibiting changes in behaviour and power that may not be entirely negative - swarms of "Kingdra," for example, are seen banding together and using their power to help transport ships through the "turbulent ocean" now surrounding Hoenn, without any human interaction or communication. Similarly, "Hippowdon" herds guide people across land, even somehow altering the landscape with previously-unseen geokinetic abilities so that people and Pokemon can escape.
Riley, Sycamore and a team of "Champions" make their way to the island in an attempt to stop the disaster. While there, they instantly come into contact with the Aqua and Magma forces - and, to their surprise, a legion of Team Galactic troops. Fearing that the plot runs far deeper than a simple Aqua/Magma resurgence, Sycamore and Riley make their way into the bowels of Mt Pyre, and are soon on their way to the top...
When they do, they find Maxie and Archie, weakened from huge amounts of exposure to Aura. The leaders warn the two to keep away, just as a huge blast of dark energy hits the ground in front of them. Emerging from the shadows is - as they expected - Cyrus! Having regained control of Yveltal, he tells them that Team Galactic has been conducting its own research on Aura energy, and that he engineered the situation by offering Archie and Maxie a second chance at power. Sycamore demands to know his end goal, and Cyrus simply tells him to look at the sky...as Rayquaza emerges from the heavens to placate the raging weather duo. As the battle heats up, Cyrus commands Yveltal to dispose of Sycamore and Riley...
...however, just as the Dark Pokemon closes in, a powerful blow deflects its attack. Riley feels the distinctive pulse of Aura emanating from their savior, and opens his eyes to find that his old friend "Lucario" has returned! Right behind him is Colress, who arrives on a Team Plasma vessel with "Lugia" in tow - a final "gambit" to foil Cyrus' plans for good. As Yveltal and Lucario fight, Lugia aids the struggling Rayquaza, using its weather powers to turn Kyogre's own abilities against it. With Lugia helping it out, Rayquaza is able to absorb a huge amount of Aura from its two Weather siblings, prompting it to become an "Awakened" Pokemon. While the fight is hard, Awakened Rayquaza and Lugia combine their abilities and defeat the raging duo.
When it seems that Cyrus' plans have fallen through, the Team Galactic leader merely shrugs it off. Sycamore suddenly notices that Yveltal is starting to react strangely to the Aura in the air - and realises that Lucario is merely powering the Destruction Pokemon up by fighting it. With one final attack, Yveltal manages to blast Lucario to the ground, before rising high into the air to confront Lugia and Rayquaza. As the skies cloud over with a mixture of Aura energy and intense, dark power, Cyrus suggests with an evil grin that the group should 'run.'
On his vessel, Colress ferries Maxie, Archie, Sycamore, Riley and Lucario back to the base of the mountain. The fighting has stopped, with all Trainers stood in awe and fear of the maelstrom atop Mt Pyre. Even the Team Galactic members are scared of what is to come - they thought that the plan had been to use Kyogre and Groudon to lure and capture Rayquaza. Suddenly, a defeated Lugia falls from the sky and into the "turbulent ocean," prompting a panicked Colress to lead a rescue effort after it. Soon after, Rayquaza erupts from out of the clouds, retreating back to the summit of Mt Pyre in fear of what it saw up there.
Then, the horrific sight emerges - "Awakened Yveltal," having become one with its own dark Aura. Rayquaza, weakened from the previous battle, can barely defend as Yveltal unleashes a blinding wave of dark energy, utterly defeating the sky high Pokemon and proving to be the ultimate victor. It slowly approaches the gathered Trainers, Cyrus on its wing. As Yveltal lands, the dark Aura surrounding it dissolves into physical forms - Cyrus's fainted Pokemon. When Riley asks in horror what he has done, Cyrus reveals the culmination of Team Galactic's research - that Shadow Aura, in its purest form, drains and debilitates Pokemon. Yveltal's Awakened form, as a Pokemon attuned to Shadow Aura, converts the drained Aura into pure power. It doesn't take long for the Trainers to realise that Cyrus has drained his own Pokemon of power in order to turn Yveltal into a true monster.
All beside Cyrus are hugely weakened by Awakened Yveltal's presence, rendering them and their Pokemon unable to fight back. However, Cyrus soon reveals that his plans aren't over yet, and unveils his final surprise, concealed within an Aura Ball - Hoopa. As Hoopa, also a Shadow Aura-attuned Pokemon, begins to absorb energies from Yveltal, Cyrus reveals that his plan was never to capture Rayquaza at all, but to stir up enough Aura energy through a massive conflict between the Weather Trio to cause Yveltal - and, by proxy, Hoopa - to Awaken.
As "Awakened Hoopa," in its Unbound form, emerges from beneath the Shadow Aura, Riley and Lucario sense an immense gathering of Aura power all around them. The very fabric of reality starts to bend and warp, and as Hoopa's power rages out of control, a huge ring-shaped portal begins to open above...
And Cyrus laughs as his "Master Plan" begins.
To guide the world into this new era, the Elite Four, Champions and Professors of each region have allied together to provide support and keep an eye on any potential threats. Team Plasma, as mentioned above, have joined the effort from an ethical perspective, ensuring all Pokemon are well-treated and not overworked in efforts to bring out their Aura. Oddly enough, unlike previous times, the arrival of Legendary Pokemon has not led to rising conflicts or struggles. Pokemon like "Manaphy" are perfectly happy to engage with humans and even play - although Kyurem, Deoxys, Zekrom and the like tend to keep to themselves.
However, this peace does not last for long. Despite their long-standing rivalry, Groudon and Kyogre have been kept in check with the aid of the "Red" and "Blue Orbs," which remain in safekeeping atop Mt Pyre, guarded by the Elite Four of the region. This changes, however, when a newly-reformed Team Magma and Team Aqua, combining their efforts, storm the mountain, defeat the Elite Four and steal the orbs. With the villainous teams' auras corrupting the orbs, Groudon and Kyogre begin to show signs of tempestuousness...
Soon enough, the two Pokemon are raging out of control, whipping up storms that shake the Hoenn region. Their Aura power results in massive damage to the ecosystem, and a "cataclysmic change in climate" sweeps across Hoenn, leading to widespread evacuations. As with Mewtwo, the Aura within Pokemon close to the two legendaries begins to go berserk, forcing a massive migration and evacuation of Pokemon as well as people.
"Looker," however, notices that certain Pokemon are exhibiting changes in behaviour and power that may not be entirely negative - swarms of "Kingdra," for example, are seen banding together and using their power to help transport ships through the "turbulent ocean" now surrounding Hoenn, without any human interaction or communication. Similarly, "Hippowdon" herds guide people across land, even somehow altering the landscape with previously-unseen geokinetic abilities so that people and Pokemon can escape.
Riley, Sycamore and a team of "Champions" make their way to the island in an attempt to stop the disaster. While there, they instantly come into contact with the Aqua and Magma forces - and, to their surprise, a legion of Team Galactic troops. Fearing that the plot runs far deeper than a simple Aqua/Magma resurgence, Sycamore and Riley make their way into the bowels of Mt Pyre, and are soon on their way to the top...
When they do, they find Maxie and Archie, weakened from huge amounts of exposure to Aura. The leaders warn the two to keep away, just as a huge blast of dark energy hits the ground in front of them. Emerging from the shadows is - as they expected - Cyrus! Having regained control of Yveltal, he tells them that Team Galactic has been conducting its own research on Aura energy, and that he engineered the situation by offering Archie and Maxie a second chance at power. Sycamore demands to know his end goal, and Cyrus simply tells him to look at the sky...as Rayquaza emerges from the heavens to placate the raging weather duo. As the battle heats up, Cyrus commands Yveltal to dispose of Sycamore and Riley...
...however, just as the Dark Pokemon closes in, a powerful blow deflects its attack. Riley feels the distinctive pulse of Aura emanating from their savior, and opens his eyes to find that his old friend "Lucario" has returned! Right behind him is Colress, who arrives on a Team Plasma vessel with "Lugia" in tow - a final "gambit" to foil Cyrus' plans for good. As Yveltal and Lucario fight, Lugia aids the struggling Rayquaza, using its weather powers to turn Kyogre's own abilities against it. With Lugia helping it out, Rayquaza is able to absorb a huge amount of Aura from its two Weather siblings, prompting it to become an "Awakened" Pokemon. While the fight is hard, Awakened Rayquaza and Lugia combine their abilities and defeat the raging duo.
When it seems that Cyrus' plans have fallen through, the Team Galactic leader merely shrugs it off. Sycamore suddenly notices that Yveltal is starting to react strangely to the Aura in the air - and realises that Lucario is merely powering the Destruction Pokemon up by fighting it. With one final attack, Yveltal manages to blast Lucario to the ground, before rising high into the air to confront Lugia and Rayquaza. As the skies cloud over with a mixture of Aura energy and intense, dark power, Cyrus suggests with an evil grin that the group should 'run.'
On his vessel, Colress ferries Maxie, Archie, Sycamore, Riley and Lucario back to the base of the mountain. The fighting has stopped, with all Trainers stood in awe and fear of the maelstrom atop Mt Pyre. Even the Team Galactic members are scared of what is to come - they thought that the plan had been to use Kyogre and Groudon to lure and capture Rayquaza. Suddenly, a defeated Lugia falls from the sky and into the "turbulent ocean," prompting a panicked Colress to lead a rescue effort after it. Soon after, Rayquaza erupts from out of the clouds, retreating back to the summit of Mt Pyre in fear of what it saw up there.
Then, the horrific sight emerges - "Awakened Yveltal," having become one with its own dark Aura. Rayquaza, weakened from the previous battle, can barely defend as Yveltal unleashes a blinding wave of dark energy, utterly defeating the sky high Pokemon and proving to be the ultimate victor. It slowly approaches the gathered Trainers, Cyrus on its wing. As Yveltal lands, the dark Aura surrounding it dissolves into physical forms - Cyrus's fainted Pokemon. When Riley asks in horror what he has done, Cyrus reveals the culmination of Team Galactic's research - that Shadow Aura, in its purest form, drains and debilitates Pokemon. Yveltal's Awakened form, as a Pokemon attuned to Shadow Aura, converts the drained Aura into pure power. It doesn't take long for the Trainers to realise that Cyrus has drained his own Pokemon of power in order to turn Yveltal into a true monster.
All beside Cyrus are hugely weakened by Awakened Yveltal's presence, rendering them and their Pokemon unable to fight back. However, Cyrus soon reveals that his plans aren't over yet, and unveils his final surprise, concealed within an Aura Ball - Hoopa. As Hoopa, also a Shadow Aura-attuned Pokemon, begins to absorb energies from Yveltal, Cyrus reveals that his plan was never to capture Rayquaza at all, but to stir up enough Aura energy through a massive conflict between the Weather Trio to cause Yveltal - and, by proxy, Hoopa - to Awaken.
As "Awakened Hoopa," in its Unbound form, emerges from beneath the Shadow Aura, Riley and Lucario sense an immense gathering of Aura power all around them. The very fabric of reality starts to bend and warp, and as Hoopa's power rages out of control, a huge ring-shaped portal begins to open above...
And Cyrus laughs as his "Master Plan" begins.
