Vincent awoke the next morning sprawled out on the couch in Iron Will's apartment. He yawned a few times, smacked his lips, and then everything he and Luke had done came rushing back to him in one fell swoop.

Those memories! Those techniques!...

...That allegiance. He was allied to the Rangers who-

The Abra breathed deeply a few times, forcing himself into a state of calm. No. Be tranquil, be at peace. Your mind is your sanctum, do not let your heart corrode its walls. Luke is a member of the Ranger's team and was doing what he could, what was in his nature, to try and end this little spat we're having. But I will not be stopped. Not yet. I still owe Iron Will, and after that, my family needs funds to start a new life in this new world.

Just then, the sounds of the others waking up filtered into the Abra's ears. First was Iron Will, who yawned mightily. Then it was Sam, who said something about no blame needed before he realized he was awake. And after that was Lucy, who asked a simple question.

"Vincent? Vincent, where are you?"

Vincent spoke up then, to allay Lucy's fears. "Over here, Lucy."

The little Riolu walked over from the guest room and noticed the Abra sitting on the couch. "Whatcha doin' out here? And where's that Gallade?"

Sam and Iron Will had walked into the main room by now, and Vincent replied to Lucy's question by shrugging. "No clue. He and I had a little talk last night when I couldn't sleep, and when I woke up this morning, I was here and he wasn't."

The Scyther narrowed his eyes at that, but shrugged as well. "He did originally say he would be gone by morning. I had hoped he would teach you a few things about control first, though."

"Oh, he did," Vincent said, before reaching out with one hand and causing his hat to fly across the room and hit him in the face. At the sight of a top hat plastered over his mug, the others sniggered a bit. The Abra was still for a moment before reaching up and slowly moving the hat to the top of his head. "Just, apparently, not enough."

Sam nodded, impressed by the display of power. "You seem to be a bit more under control now. Did he really help that much?"

Vincent paused for a moment before nodding. "He told me several things, and I'm trying to take them to heart. They're not easy, but they're doable, and they're help me control myself and regulate my powers."

The minotaur moved to the kitchen and made a simple breakfast of cereal and milk for all four present, and this time, they all ate. Vincent wiped the milk off his mouth and sighed, thinking about how much more difficult today was going to be, now that the Ranger probably knew where they were going.

"Okay," Vincent said, catching the attention of all present. "First thing's first. Is Bit ready?"

The others exchanged a glance before realizing that none of them had an answer to that question. And then another voice spoke up, providing that answer.

"Y-Y-Yes. I'm ready."

The Porygon-Z commanded the attention of the room, and the others gladly gave it. He was floating only an inch or so above the floor, and his head was downcast, as though weighted down by something terribly heavy. Before anyone could speak so much as his name, he continued talking.

"I'm...still going to s-s-stutter a bit, but that's normal. And I've finally put my mind back in order. All I can say is, I'm s-s-sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I know my mind wasn't exactly whole, but I still r-r-remember everything I did back at that lab."

Before they could object to Bit beating himself up, the Porygon-Z floated forward and grabbed Vincent in a tight hug with his arms and tail. "I n-n-never said it, but I always appreciated our interactions, few as they w-w-were. Even when I was like t-t-that, I liked talking to you, because you reminded me of my old t-t-trainer. So, thank you Vincent. Thank you for keeping me mostly s-s-sane, even when it looked like I wasn't."

At this, Vincent reciprocated the hug, and from the table, a soft 'aww' was heard, which the little Abra agreed with. A heartwarming moment that was long overdue. Eventually the two parted with a soft nod to the other, and Bit took up position slightly behind Vincent.

"Okay, plan. Iron Will, you will go about buying your way into a high-stakes poker game."

The minotaur nodded and put on his red tie. "Iron Will is ready. Do you think you can borrow Iron Will's eyes for long enough, little Vincent?"

The Abra nodded once. "Long enough for quick glances at any rate. Just keep studying your opponents and nothing will seem odd. But if I miss telling you about someone, let me know, and I'll remedy the situation."

The minotaur nodded again, and the Abra turned to Lucy and Sam. "You two will be on the blackjack tables. I can only borrow Lucy's eyes, but I should be able to hear the both of you, and I won't be able to do both Lucy and Iron Will at the same time. It'll be an interesting mental juggling act, for sure."

The Riolu scampered off for a moment, then came back with both her sunhat and the Scyther's tie, which the minotaur proceeded to affix to the bug's neck. As they did that, Vincent put his top hat back on and looked over to Bit. "You and I will be on slots. I shouldn't need to move much, if at all, to keep up the act of actually playing. And I'm going to need someone who can actually interact with machines with me."

The Porygon-Z nodded once. "Understood. Am I t-t-to assume that I will be evening odds again, like I was when you f-f-found me?"

Vincent nodded as well, then frowned. "I think you need an accessory, though. Otherwise they might just assume you're just another Pokemon, not one that belongs with us."

At this, Iron Will perked up and looked over at the Porygon-Z, humming a few times. Eventually he snapped his fingers. "Iron Will has an idea." At that he left the kitchen and went to his room, where the sounds of rummaging were heard for a little while. Eventually they culminated in a 'Aha!'

Silence passed for a moment before the minotaur returned from his room, carrying something that caused everyone to smile. "Oh yes, that's perfect. Let me just set up the links and we can be on our way..."

"Sir, we've received warning about that one entering the casino, and twice as many warnings about him playing cards."

The doorstallion was pointing a hoof at the Abra who was in the grip of the monocled form of Bit. Iron Will looked at the pony and grumbled. "First of all, little pony, it was told to us by their resident deity that they're just as intelligent as any other pony. So talking like the rest can't hear and understand you is just plain rude."

Indeed, Sam and Lucy were looking at the pegasus on duty with slight expressions of disgust. "And second of all, Iron Will agrees that he should not even be near the cards, which is why his friend there is going to take him to the slot machines and look after him there. But third, he's not even awake right now!"

At this, the minotaur plucked the Abra from the grip of Bit and held him by the tail, to which Vincent did nothing but hang there limply, twisting a bit in his grip. After a few seconds, the minotaur returned Vincent to Bit, who took a hold of him gently. The doorstallion, thus subdued and outwitted, bowed his head and allowed the five entry to the Crown Jewel.

You are so lucky that I actually am asleep, you know.

At this, the others started a bit, but kept walking towards their designated spots. Then how are you talking to us, if you're asleep?

Well, I'm only kind of asleep, the Abra admitted to the Scyther, sounding sheepish as he did so. It's a psuedo-sleep, a waking lucid dream, a thing-that-is-not-but-is. Or if you prefer actual words and definitions, think of it like reaaaally deep meditation. I'm using it to both be limp in the waking world while monitoring the links and getting the rest my body needs to function. Think of it like drinking a cup of coffee right before going to bed. You'd end up both wired and tired.

You speak as though you have experience with that sort of state, Iron Will mused.

More than I'd care to, Vincent admitted. And while this state is currently a fluke, hopefully it'll be one I can replicate. Anyways, are we all ready and in position?

A round of affirmative answers met him, and the robbing of the Crown Jewel began in earnest.

Vincent juggled the card games in his head, focusing when he was needed for Sam and Lucy as often as possible, but also didn't neglect Iron Will when a new hand in his poker game started. Bit, on the other hand, had glanced around to make sure nobody was looking, before he inserted himself into the slot machine in front of the Abra. Every so often the little psychic type would pick up a coin, put it in the slot, and 'pull' the lever. Half the time, he would lose, while the other half, he would win. Small amounts, but they were wins nonetheless. Bit had just been about to inform Vincent of the fact that none of the bits taken in by the machine were going to the main collection point when the Abra suddenly sat bolt upright and turned his head to the entrance, sending a slight thrill throughout the psychic network, which only compounded when he informed the rest as to why he was doing it.

They're here. The Rangers are here!

The Rangers are here? Lucy growled over the link.

Yes! And I can either help you all, or help myself, I don't have enough power to split between the two-

Vincent felt one of the links cut out then; Bit hadn't been using it anyways, and he heard the reasoning shortly thereafter. "I will be f-f-fine, Vincent. T-T-Talk with them, at least."

Vincent sighed and would have rolled his eyes if they weren't shut, but extended his awareness towards the entrance of the casino. He knows, he felt Luke say.

Indeed I do. Vincent went over how he knew, and came up with a metaphor. Pony minds are...well, there are differences between them based on age or tribe or their own beliefs, but at their core, there is the herd instinct. The desire to belong. Pokemon...are something different. You are like fires amidst a grassland.

I suppose we are, he heard their leader say. Now, you have two choices as far as this goes, and personally, I’d like you to pick the first one. Option number one: you surrender yourself and I do my absolute best to make you pay the very least you have to to the places that you’ve destroyed as collateral. Option two: my team beats you.

Oh, really? Vincent replied, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. Did you think I was going to walk off without making things right? I am not him. I will never be him. A spike of anger flared up, and Vincent breathed deeply a few times to get himself under control again. I would have paid anyways. A generous enough donation to see them through the trouble I caused. But I am not stopping. His hands clenched a bit at that. We owe Iron Will for taking us in and housing us, and passage back to his homeland isn’t cheap. And then...I would see my family safe. Comfortable. And for that, I would do anything. Damn your rules and your morals. These three mean more to me than such ideals!

Okay, we’ll do it the hard way, but never say I didn’t give you the chance. Luke, take him and the Porygon Z, Kasai, you and I have the Riolu. Lex, you and Rill have the Scyther, and Axel, take the minotaur if he tries to help them.

Heads up, my friends, we have incoming!

Vincent felt all the links snap then, and he hadn't been the one to do it. But just before Lucy's did, he felt her surprise and shock at something. Curious, the Abra opened his eyes and glanced her way. And that was when a light began to shine from near the blackjack tables. A few gasps came from the surrounding ponies, and Vincent smiled.

Well done, sis. Well done.

By the time the two fire-types arrived, Lucy had finished her Evolution. The first thing she noticed was that she was taller. Then she caught sight of her chest fur and smiled. A thought struck her, and she held a paw up in front of her face. She nearly cried out in joy at the sight.

They were smaller than they should have been, but her spikes were there. Then she caught sight of the Arcanine and Ninetails, recognized them from the last casino, and growled out her accusation.

“Where. Were. You. Eight years ago when the doctor put me under the knife, and I feared that I might never get these,” and here she gestured to her chest and displayed her paw-spikes, “where were you or ANY of your organization?”

“Taking down various less well hidden bad guys,” the Ninetails said blandly as the two of them split apart and began to circle her. “You can’t blame the rangers for not finding you, the world is just too big and there weren’t that many of us. I’m sorry for what happened to you but Kasai Firefang!”

Lucy blinked in surprise as the Arcanine attacked from behind. His fiery fangs sunk into her shoulder even as his weight bore her down. She turned her head to look him in the eye as she prepared her fighting-type move. “Did he tell you nothing? That madman did so much to me...true, this stings. But you don’t compare yet! Force Palm!”

Lucy brought her right hand up and hit the Arcanine between the eyes, causing him to let out a small yelp and go flying away. Lucy smirked and was prepared to follow it up when the Ninetails let out a gout of fire towards her, even moving in a step to distract her from the Arcanine. Lucy struggled to her knees and crossed her arms in front of her face, attempting to take the brunt of the attack with something other than her head, even as the time in the lab's simulator ran through her mind. “Grr…. This was a simulation... For fire-types... EARTHQUAKE!”

Lucy brought up one leg and slammed it back into the ground, sending rumbling throughout the entire building. The Ninetails let out a bark of surprise as her legs gave out beneath her and she fell to the tiled floor. Lucy smirked and again prepared to follow up on her latest move before an incredibly loud Growl surged through her ears and she felt herself stiffen. A mighty weight slammed into her steel hard skin and sent her crashing to the ground face first. Oh right, the Arcanine as well, she recalled. No fair.

Meanwhile, at a private poker game, one minotaur had finally finished his latest hand and won a good pile of bits. More than enough for the little ones, he thought to himself. Now to leave it as a gift to them and catch Iron Will’s ride out of here. If Iron Will goes now, Iron Will should have just enough time to-

The sounds of battle filtered to his ears, and he sighed. Not again, he thought. Wasn’t there enough of that at the last casino?

He picked up his bits, swept them into a bag, and exited the room to see the familiar canines fighting a form that vaguely resembled Lucy...if she were taller and more grown-up. They appeared to be winning.

At the same time, a pair of others, one remarkably like a dragon of some sort and the other... vaguely pink, were in the middle of attacking Sam, the dragon spewing blue fire and the pink one lashing out at Sam with fleshy ribbons. Lastly, he saw that Luke was making his way through the slot machines, clearly looking for someone, and Iron Will had a hunch who it was that was being hunted.

“Hmm,” he mused. “Iron Will does not like the looks of this. Iron Will’s friends are being attacked. Should Iron Will interfere now or later?”

“Depends,” a new voice, deep and very intense asked, causing Iron Will to turn his head to see a large golden reptile with an axe growing out of his skull approaching him. “Do you want to fight me now, or later?”

Iron Will looked the reptile up and down, then chuckled. “Iron Will is no spring chicken anymore, and Iron Will was never a dragon-fighter. But Iron Will has a few questions for you, if you are allied with the ones attacking the little ones.”

The dragon seemed to almost pout. “Oh come on... I was hoping for a good fight,” he grumbled. “Fine, what do you want to know?”

The minotaur looked over at the slots and seemed...very, very sad. “Will you help them?”

“You mean the Abra and his friends?” the dragon inquired with a frown. “If yes, then yeah, that’s kind of why we’re taking so much interest in em. We’re Pokemon Rangers, it’s our job to help Pokemon.”

Iron Will nodded and removed his bit-bag from his belt. “Will you give this to them, in thanks for what they’ve given Iron Will? Iron Will has to go, or else his ride home will leave without him.”

This time, the dragon actually pouted. “... sure. Go ahead...” he muttered as he stuck a taloned hand out. “Man... I wanted a good fight.”

Iron Will smiled. “Just because Iron Will does not wish to fight you now, does not mean that will always be true. And there are other minotaurs in the world, you know. Iron Will merely seeks to return to old haunts and old homes first. Come find Iron Will when all this blows over.”

At this, the dragon perked back up and grinned. “Awesome!” he enthused as he accepted the bag of bits. “Also, if you’re going home, I recommend going out the back.”

Iron Will looked over at Luke and nodded. “Iron Will figured that much out, but thank you.”

Gah! What was the advice for dragons? Oh yeah...don't! Especially with my handicap!

Sam grumbled as the Flygon taunted him with something he would never have while launching Dragon Breath after Dragon Breath at him. Namely, flight. “Get down here!” he cried while pointing his scythes at her.

“I do not believe that would be wise of me!” the Flygon shouted back. Just then, Sam felt something fleshy tighten around his ankle and jerk his feet out from underneath him before letting go as another torrent of Dragon Breath rained down on him.

“Grr…” I do have that move, one that helps with the Fairy type at least. The Scyther’s normally useless wings started to glow. “I suppose I have one thing to thank the damn doctor for! Steel Wing!”

The bug’s back appendages shone with a metallic light as he launched himself at the Sylveon across the way. Turning so that his back was towards the fairy-type, he made sure to draw his wings across Lex’s form. Flawless execution!

“AH!” The Sylveon shouted in pain as the steel edged wings cut into his skin, drawing blood.

“LEX! FLAMETHROWER!” Sam’s world suddenly became even hotter as a blazingly strong Flamethrower washed over his back, sending him tumbling to the ground as the heavy weight of the Flygon slammed into him and began to tear at his melting chitin with her strong Dragon Claws.

“Get off me you crazy lady! X-Scissor!” With that, Sam drew his scythes across the dragon atop him, hoping that she’d flinch at least. I can't take too much of that, reinforced chitin or not!

Unfortunately, the move had the opposite effect and the Flygon’s eyes narrowed as the scythes glanced off of her scales. Whooops... Then, the dragon drew her head back. “FLAMETHROWER!” she shouted before she bent her head down right in Sam’s face.

“Oh crap. Agility, don’t fail me now!” Sam squirmed for his life, trying his hardest to get out from under the enraged dragoness atop him, feeling the power of the move fill him and hoping it was enough. What did I do to you?!

Thankfully, the fire move missed, barely, and Sam’s cheek felt as if it had been stuck in a blast furnace as the shiny Flygon’s claws closed around his neck and forced him into the ground. “Stay down or I will kill and eat you,” she growled dangerously.

Sam glared back up at her. “And how are you any better than Nurem? Oh wait, at least you’re telling me what you’re going to do! I suppose you have that on that sociopath! Arceus, why did I ever WANT to go to the authorities if they were going to treat his victims like this?”

The Flygon’s weight lifted from him but it was replaced a second later by four fleshy ribbons which then brought him up to float in front of the Sylveon.

“In her defense. You did hurt her mate, that’s me by the way,” the Sylveon said casually. “She’s a little overprotective of me, like anyone would be.”

Sam grumbled. “Great. Six years after the damn doctor catches me, you lot find me. Why couldn’t you do it sooner? Vincent was traumatized, you know. I was a brother to him, and that’s nothing compared to what my original trainer had to have gone through when he found me missing!”

The Flygon frowned at him and cocked her head to the side and let out a small sigh. “I apologize for my anger... you did hurt him. As for your reasoning... I am a fairly literal Pokemon, I know this, but you cannot blame us for not finding you. To do so is flawed logic, after all, the world we were on was huge and there were many, many places to hide compared to how many Rangers there were. What happened was awful, but no one other than Nurem was responsible for it.”

Sam sighed at that. “There’s more than enough blame to go around...but yes. I don’t suppose it was your fault if you were truly trying. Just...go easy on the boy? He was there the longest out of all of us…”

“We don’t have much control over that but considering that Luke is the one doing the incapacitating, you shouldn’t have much to worry about,” the Sylveon stated before he glanced over to where the two fire-types had Lucy. “Speaking of which... where is Luke?”

So he was on their side! Sam chuckled to himself about how well they'd been played. Well done, mister psychic. Well done indeed.

Vincent watched Luke make his way down one row of the slot machines. The larger psychic-type was clearly looking for him.

You know that there’s no point to any of this correct? Vincent heard him ask. You’re only making your friends suffer.

It’d take a lot to make them really suffer. Vincent recalled the experiments they'd survived. Sam’s chitin is thick...which is why he can’t actually fly. Lucy’s bones are dense and she just evolved, hopefully gaining her spikes. I don’t actually know, you see. Once I told them you were here, they all did the same thing. They broke the links of their own accord.

Of course. They’re your friends. But if you had simply surrendered then none of them would have to be beaten. Was that resignation in his mental voice?

While he was a monster, I have no doubt father drilled moves into them that would give them at least some chance. The Gallade had come too close, time to Teleport. That machine looked like a good spot. A moment of being dizzy later, and Vincent was looking at the Gallade from behind. And besides, if you’re going after Lucy and Sam, then you’re missing the real target.

No. I know who the real target is, the Gallade said softly. Though I will once again offer you the chance to surrender yourself and Bit so that I will not be forced to harm you, Vincent.

Harm? You want to take me in so I’m not harmed? Vincent shook his head; hadn't they explored quite a few of his memories together? Shouldn't he know this already? A...a bit late for that, remember? I’m already harmed, already broken. But I do thank you, Luke. I can at least hold myself together now. Those things happened, they aren’t happening. They are what was, not what is. I’ve begun my own path, but my first step is simple. My family and I, we’re taking enough to start a life, and we’re not letting anything stop us.

Luke walked by one of the machines Bit had worked over, which chose that moment to spark up. A golden screen appeared, and the Gallade stopped in his tracks as the sparks died down.

Bit, please don’t make me harm you.

“A-a-apologies. Did not mean to attack. Was working on an interesting d-d-dilemma. Needed more machines in good condition. Sadly, t-t-testing leaves them inoperable, volatile. Unclear why this happens.”

The form of the Porygon-Z rose from another machine, which started to spark as well, and Bit turned to look at the Gallade.

That is unfortunate, the psychic said, bowing his head slightly as he fidgeted with his sweater. But still, do not make me hurt you. I would not like to.

The Porygon-Z looked at the Gallade and sighed. “D-d-do not attack Vincent, and I will not defend him. Now, if you’ll p-p-pardon me, I must determine where the bits from these machines are g-g-going and coming from, if not the main collection point.” At this, the Porygon-Z turned to the next machine down the line. “My best guess at this p-p-point is that they are being used to launder the money. I saw something similar at the last casino, but did not have t-t-time to figure it out. I hate not knowing t-t-things.”

I understand the feeling, Luke said as he continued to walk along towards Vincent’s mind, his eyes glancing back and forth between the Porygon-Z and the area ahead of him. When I was first freed by Abby, I experienced something similar... anything that did not involve male genitilia and my face or rear was a blessing.

Gah! The idea imprinted its way into his mind before he could stop it, and Vincent flinched. That wasn’t something I needed to know!

“A-a-agreed…”

That’s understandable, the Gallade continued. It was worse when I evolved into a Kirlia, there were three of them. All heaving and grunting, my poor little body in their grip, hating myself with every thrust.

Vincent winced as he pictured how that would even work, and began to feel sick to his stomach. Must clean mind...must clean mind… Something occurred to him then. Namely, that the Gallade could probably hear and feel him, like he had last night. Wait...wait wait wait. You’re doing this on purpose! Time to move. If he was using his past to get a bead on him, then Vincent had to move before he was found. That machine looked good. A moment later, and he was a few rows over.

You’re trying to find me, so you’re thinking these things to provoke a reaction! Try it again, and two will be able to play at that game. You think Sam’s the only thing in my memory vaults that you could end up reacting to? Vincent even then began dredging up some of the worse memories of his time in the lab.

Try if you’d like, he heard the Gallade reply, and Vincent shrugged. Throwing himself at the other psychic's mind made him feel like he was knocking up against a solid steel door. One word was his answer as to why he couldn't get anywhere. Fortress.

Vincent growled, but decided on another tactic. Fine. I’ll recount them, then. A tale for yours. Did I tell you about the time father cut -

And receiving off, Vincent heard, which caused him to curse in his head. Damn, there are more tricks to this than I thought!. Bit looked at Vincent with a wry sense of being amused.

“A good choice, all things c-c-considered. The experiments are a part of my memory, and I know which one he would have gone w-w-with. Even I’m repulsed by it.”

I had assumed as such, the Gallade said while fidgeting with his sweater. So, Bit, have you been enjoying your newfound freedoms?

“It was...different, not being a part of the m-m-mainframe." Not being a part of something greater. "But even when I arrived, I was still d-d-damaged." Understatement. "It is only thanks to V-V-Vincent that I am whole again. He exploited some of my p-p-protocols and told me to repair myself. For the first time in years, I can say t-t-that I am me once more.”

That’s wonderful to hear, Bit, the Gallade commented, hesitating for a moment before he placed a psychic hand on Bit's back and gave a singular stroke. An odd sensation, to be sure, but comforting nontheless. Being whole is a very important part of oneself. Though I have to ask, if you don’t mind me doing so... is your stutter on purpose, or are you still partially damaged?

The program turned to look at the Gallade with one eye. “H-h-half dozen of one, six of the other. A Porygon-Z is expected to and tends to develop at least one er-er-erratic trait. I decided to keep the stutter because t-t-they were all used to it, and it freed me up to repair all the important s-s-systems.”

Ah, good, I was worried that you were still suffering, the psychic said softly, which prompted a shake from the Porygon.

“I am. I always am. Those ex-ex-experiments are a part of my memory. I can tune it out a b-b-bit, but they’re in there. I can hear them s-s-screaming, feel myself restraining them. I s-s-suffer constantly.” I can never...never forget them, or my part in them.

And not only him, Vincent interjected. I’m subject thirty seven, and there are three others here. That means that there are thirty-three living test subjects in this world who ALSO suffered, Luke.

Yes. I had anticipated that, the Gallade replied, turning to his right to stare right at Vincent's hiding space. Vincent paused. Luke couldn't see him from there, could he? However I fail to see what there is to be gained from a Focus Blast.

The Gallade’s right hand extended and a blast of fighting energy struck the Porygon-Z in the chest and sent it tumbling to the ground. Vincent gulped at the attack. Fighting would take Bit down quickly, but hopefully-

“Ow. Ow ow ow.” Bit slowly rose up and sighed before looking at the Gallade again. “You’re really doing t-t-this? Fine. T-T-Tri-Attack!”

The colored spheres spun into existence and rushed at the psychic.

Protect, the Gallade said calmly, absorbing the spheres. Focus Blast. The second blast hit the Porygon-Z again and this time it went down harder. Time to move again, don't think about Bit being down, don't...

“F-F-Fine. I know when I am beaten. But if you think I will let you at V-V-Vincent that easily, all I can say is Ice Beam.”

The ice rushed out from around the Porygon-Z and impacted not the Gallade, but the floor, turning it into a skating rink. Their contingency plan...which seemed to not be working. The Gallade's feet scrambled for a moment before a blue light covered his body and he levitated off of the ground.

A good effort, I apologize for the necessity of my attacks against you Bit, the other psychic said, which only reminded Vincent of what had just happened..

Bit! No...no. Must be calm. Must be...calm. Vincent took his hat off and reached into it while recanting his new mantra. His hand brushed against the Twisted Spoon, and he felt the power fill him. My mind is a fortress, my heart, its weapon. And with that, the Spoon was revealed.

*Thbt, Thbt*

...What...was noise...

A pair of darts hit the Abra, one in either shoulder and the Gallade hovered walked calmly towards him. Please put the Spoon down Vincent.

Vincent's eyes were wide as his left hand went to his shoulders and felt the darts. Tranq...uilizer? Panic filled his mind then, it was an innate reaction to being tranquilized. No...No no no...no, we weren’t done. We weren’t done!

Even as the world faded around him, he recalled all the other plans he had, along with all the other times he'd been put out by tranquilizers, and was filled with rage and fear at both being denied, and being denied in such a fashion.

The psychic floated forwards and plucked the rapidly fading Abra out of the air, taking ahold of the Twisted Spoon before he glanced at Bit who was starting to move again. Peace Bit, we are done here.

“Y-Y-You are, but I still do not understand these machines. I must know where the b-b-bits go and come from...but not like this.” he said, while rubbing at his chest with one of his arms. The damage was severe enough to impede him, he would need rest.

I’m sure you can find out later, I would suggest asking permission beforehand though so that none of my Team is called to investigate, the Galade suggested as he lowered himself out of the air on the far side of the ice path.

“That would defeat the p-p-purpose,” the program said as he floated towards the psychics. “If they are w-w-warned, then the testing parameters are affected. An honest result becomes impossible t-t-to obtain.” That had been one of the first rules of testing: the subjects must not know they're being tested.

Then it may become one of life’s mysteries, the Gallade said softly with a hint of a smile. Now come, we should leave before Vincent regains consciousness. I do not anticipiate him being pleased by the way he was shut down today.

“Affirmative,” the Porygon-Z nodded. “Especially considering his p-p-past. Also, I despise mysteries and s-s-surprises.”

Elsewhere across Equestria, a pink party pony turned rapidly in one direction and glared.

Author's Notes:

Ed2481: And so ends this Crossover, for the most part anyways. Luke is probably going to be a reappearing character in New Mind to help Vincent cope with his new powers, but Abby’s moving on to something new.

Thadius: Well, a new mentor was something I hadn’t expected. Them losing, sure. We all knew that was gonna happen. Now all we have to do is see the charges...