"They are but inhabitants of the island, they already know the history, the culture, the tools."

Before them appeared several artworks, "You however are new... you have come from outside, the pokemon that leave this isle always return, never telling of it or its history."

Nimbasa

Megan: Oh wow...

-to Jason and Gabe and Silas- I guess I kinda want to say...thanks? For saving everything, more than once...

-Pippy makes an agreeing noise, and looks to see if he recognizes anyone from a Pastoria Gym challenge-

-he probably fails even if they did challenge the gym, since it's been a while and there were a bunch of them at once, but still-

Vee: -to Hacks and Silas, looking directly at Silas- <...Not needing a translator? Meaning...you can understand what I'm saying, right now?>

Silas looked at Vee, "Pretty much, surprised? I said earlier I can understand Pokemon now. It seems to be a inevitability when you meet up with the J-Team, though I don't quite understand how the mechanics of it works."

~Maybe something about your DNA being rewritten.~

"DNA does not work that way."

Driftveil

-Lina is here-

Nimbasa A

Gabe: You're welcome! Though I don't recall saving anything with the J-Team yet...

Nimbasa 1

Petey: <The magic do-anything squares. Or are they called information rectangles?>

Neon: Can anyone please answer my question? Or tell me what's going on here?

-Nimbasa A may notice them-

Trial Of Knowledge

Kass: <So you want us to pass this along?>

Trial of Knowledge

"Or do you want us to take this to our graves?"

Nimbasa

"This Pikachu is actually a construct of ink created by an eldritch abomination, and we were able to salvage him and introduce him to the modern age." Colt explained.

"And they're called 'smartphones'," he told Petey. "But 'magic do-anything squares' is pretty apt, I'll give you that," he conceded.

Seafolk Village

-Ludmilla is here with her mother. The former has bruises up and down her arm and on her hands from the explosion from Tragedy that sent her flying from the fight, while the latter is nursing a broken wrist.-

Ludmilla: Is dad alright?

Deziree: Yeah, his helmet protected him from the concrete - of which I'm proud to say - but the doctors still want him on bed rest to make sure he just got a hematoma and not a concussion or anything else of the sort.

Ludmilla: Too bad the helmet didn't really survive...

Deziree: Honestly, I'd made that for your father over three years ago at this point. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it had. Plus, I can make him a new one. A better one. Anyway, go talk to Hapu, see if you can take your Grand Trial yet.

-Ludmilla nods and hops off, wincing a little before going back to a regular stroll.-

-Hapu looks up at the girl coming her way.-

Hapu: Oh, hey- woah.

-Hapu points to the bruises.-

Hapu: Mina didn't give you those, did she?

-Ludmilla shakes her head.-

Hapu: Oh. J-Team stuff?

-Ludmilla nods.-

Hapu: Figured. So, you beat Mina, huh? Have you beaten the Dragon Trial, yet?

-Ludmilla opens her mouth before closing it again.-

Hapu: ... You never went into the canyon, did you?

-Ludmilla shakes her head.-

Hapu: There's an ancient Trial in there that nobody really mans - the local Kommo'o handles it.

Ludmilla: ... What's a Kommo'o?

Hapu: Dragon. What else would man the Dragon Trial?

-Ludmilla's brow furrows.-

Ludmilla: You're not gonna let me do the Grand Trial without it, huh.

Hapu: I should really mention that trial more often...

-Ludmilla huffs and heads northward to the canyon.-

Driftveil City

-When Lina gets here, she'll find Skye was the first to arrive, and is sitting on a bench with Kaito and trying to help them calm down and avoid a panic attack. Their parents arrive shortly afterward.-

Skye: Hey, guys...

Aspertia City Gym:

Mark was unable to suppress a chuckle and a smirk in response to Cheren's challenge as he replied, "I thought you'd never ask. I just hope you're ready to get your ass handed to you, because I've got the type advantage." He then turned to his Machop Companion and ordered, "Alright Chopper, get into formation! It's time for a gym battle!"

<"Right away boss!"> Chopper replied in the Mon language before he assumed a fighting stance, right arm chambered in with a closed fist while the left arm was bent above his left leg that only had one toe on the ground with fist facing the sky.

Pizza Parlor, past

Psyche takes a slice of pizza once it comes and looks over at Kaito. ~So, you're gonna explain that whole~ -gestures at Kaito- ~Weird vibe you're giving off, right? Or do I want to know?~

Pizza Parlor — Past

Kaito: Hmm? Weird vibe? I wasn't coming off that weird, was I?

Psyche narrows her eyes. ~You're fucking with me, right? My guy, we dated for too long for me to forget your psychic signature. Even we'll after you made every attempt to mask it, it was still you. This? This is weird.~

Pizza Parlor — Past

Kaito: Ooooooooooh. I guess that's probably the fae thing.

-They take a bite of pizza.-

~Pardonfuck.~

Vast Poni Canyon

-Ludmilla looks at the collapsed vegetation and frowns. No way of climbing over all of that with her arm as bruised as it was.-

Ludmilla: *Sigh* Guess I'm going the long way around.

-She heads into the caverns.-

-A shadow follows behind her.-

Pizza Parlor — Past

Kaito: An archfae deity from another universe kissed me and now I'm like, three percent fae now.

-This is an interesting paradox to the skeptical ear. They say it in such a nonchalant manner that there's no way they're not fucking with her. And yet, exactly that sort of fucking-with is perfectly characteristic of the fae folk.-

Psyche pinches the bridge of her nose. ~I don't know what I find more infuriating. The fact that you're probably fucking with me, or the fact that given our circles, it's entirely possible you're not and if so, YOU DIDN'T CALL ME.~

Special thanks to Bittersweet and Umbra for spagging this with me~

A Bar in Opelucid

-It is raining outside. Alonya is sitting at a table, sipping a drink. A waitress comes over to her, setting a glass on the table for her.-

Alonya: -blinks- I didn't order this.

-The waitress smiles.-

Waitress: Don't worry, someone else covered it. They're in the back. Pretty purple eyes, looked like they wanted to talk to you about something?

-Alonya blinks her own purple eyes and heads up.-

Alonya: Kaito, is that y-

-She stops.-

Vast Poni Canyon

-Ludmilla freezes stock still. A chill, though not one brought by cold, runs down her spine. The air seems to taste of ash and smoke in an instant, and the shadows grow far more harsh.-

???: Little birdie, little birdie, flown so far from the nest...

Opelucid Bar

-In the back is not Kaito, but rather, a different purple-eyed individual.-

Mason: "Two shadow people walk into a bar." Sounds like the set-up to a pretty bad joke, doesn't it, Sister?

Alonya: ...I...

-She smiles. Whether said smile is forced or not is not entirely clear.-

Alonya: Mason! How lovely to see you!

-Mason smiles back. It's hard to tell whether his is genuine either.-

Mason: It's great to see you too, Alonya. I was hoping maybe we could catch up a bit? It has been five years, after all.

Vast Poni Canyon

Ludmilla: Who are you?!

???: Feathers strewn across a long-cold fireplace, I am I am.

-A figure drops from the sky. Ludmilla leaps back in surprise - whoever this was, she couldn't sense anything from him, just like her father. He stands well over a head taller, even with his hunched stance. His hood and cloak shroud most of his form, save a metal spike protruding from his forehead and the shaded peaks and valleys that might be his face.-

???: A name, a name, I can hear you cry. Long winters ago I was Subject 31 - Now, I am Vulture, though I have also been called Phoenix.

Opelucid Bar

-Alonya sits down.-

Alonya: How, exactly, did you find me anyway?

-Mason takes a sip of his drink.-

Mason: I'd heard some rumors, made some guesses. I figured if you were anywhere nowadays, it would be with the big Legendary-hunting group that's been going around.

-His smile, however genuine it might have been, is gone now.-

Mason: ...So, did you really join up with Team Iron?

-Alonya is also now serious.-

Alonya: I did. Really, we don't have to dredge this up. Can't a girl just catch up with her family? It's what you wanted.

-Mason chuckles mirthlessly.-

Mason: Fine, then. So, without dredging up your aspirations to eliminate the gods, what have you been up to in the last half a decade?

Alonya: Making do. Trying to survive. Hiding.

Mason: "Hiding". Heh. I guess that's what our Class was made to do, isn't it? Hide in the shadows, act like there's nothing to worry about?

Vast Poni Canyon

-Ludmilla reaches for her Pokeballs, as Vulture begins to slowly strafe around her with a slow, sliding gait.-

Vulture: Ah - threatening, am I? An old scavenger, such a threat to the School's latest and greatest?

-Ludmilla immediately narrows her eyes.-

Ludmilla: How do you know about the School?

Vulture: Down plugging your ears? As I said - I was once Subject 31. Though my flock no doubt numbers fewer than thirty one now, sad to say.

Ludmilla: What? What are you even talking about? Are you not working for them anymore?

-Vulture laughs.-

Vulture: No no no, my little birdie. You think yourself special, evading or even killing those tinfoil tyrants. No, no, there were those before you. My nestmates.

-Vulture holds his hand out, and his flesh seems to pull from his arm as strings of black ink weave around each other, stitching and combining into the shape of a massive avian - A Talonflame, made of shadow and blood. And just as quickly, his arm returns to normal, as if nothing strange had ever happened.-

Vulture: A class of of ghosts and devils. A class... of Phantoms.

-The Talonflame lets out a demonic screech before taking flight. Ludmilla quickly sends out her Arcanine.-

Vulture: Let me show you!

☢CAUTION☢CAUTION☢CAUTION☢CAUTION☢

☢CAUTION☢CAUTION☢CAUTION☢CAUTION☢

Pizza Parlor — Past

Kaito: Sorry! I didn't expect Lady Kuu to do it either and then she did and then suddenly I wake up the next day and Gabe says I'm fae!

Psyche rubs her temples. ~You poor bisexual disaster, Kaito, how can you keep possibly making WORSE decisions on who to fall for?~

Pizza Parlor — Past

Kaito: She kissed me! Just because I didn't object doesn't mean— okay yeah I kinda did fall hard for her but you would have too!

Psyche bangs the table. ~I'm not on trial here Kaito Amarin, and while you're absolutely right that's beside the point specifically because you didn't invite me!~

Pizza Parlor — Past

Kaito: I didn't have time! She came, she watched a battle, she made prophecies, she kissed me, she left! I would have loved for her to stay a bit longer but that wasn't happening.

Opelucid Bar

Alonya: Ain't that the truth. Hide and strike when people least expect. Too bad that backfired on them.

Mason: Backfired like hell. But damn, did they make it hard to get out. You know how I turned out, Aura Depleted for years before I finally got better.

-Alonya looks somber for a second.-

Alonya: Yeah...

Mason: Never again...

Vast Poni Canyon

-The Talonflame dives in fast, colliding with the Arcanine with a head-on tackle. Cu Sith winces in pain before charging back with a Wild Charge, her fur sparking with static. Vulture moans as the Talonflame flips end over end.-

Vulture: Oh, yes, just what I expected from a Schoolchild, and a trial challenger besides.

Ludmilla: Why are you attacking me, anyway? I'm fighting the School, too!

Vulture: Because rebellion is an amazing and exotic spice, little morsel.

-He throws out his arm, strapped in leather, and launches a ball of dark flame. Ludmilla dodges out of the way as her patch releases Doomsday.-

Doomsday: <Okay, who is that and why am I getting some serious Donner Party vibes from him?!>

-Vulture licks his lips with a long, black tongue as the simulacrum Talonflame dives in for another attack. Cu Sith tries to Wild Charge again, but the strain of the impact is too much and she's sent tumbling away. The false Talonflame, aside from the dripping shadows, hardly looks worse for wear as Vulture giggles and moans.-

Vulture: Yes, YES! I do love foreplay~

Doomsday: <Stop that!>

-Ludmilla thinks for a moment. Despite the look of the strange illusion, the Wild Charges didn't seem any more effective than a regular attack. Doomsday smacks the bird away while Ludmilla mulls over her options.-

Ludmilla: That Talonflame isn't even trying to be a real Pokemon, is it?

Vulture: Such a clever little bird, aren't you? Not even the Templars figured that out. Color me impressed… and aroused...

Doomsday: <Stop that!>

-Ludmilla snaps her fingers and sends out her Quick Ball.-

Polydamas: <Whatwhatwhat?! What the Whataburger is going on?!>

Ludmilla: Struggle Bug!

-While Doomsday provides cover from the fake bird, Polydamas starts making a horrible sound from his carapace. Vulture stops laughing as he clutches his ears.-

Vulture: Ngah! Agh- AAAAAAGH! What- that noise! What- sssssssssssaaaaaaaaaaagh!

-Ludmilla gives a smug smile.-

Ludmilla: Again! Keep going!

-Polydamas keeps up the Struggle Bug as both Vulture and the false Talonflame fall to the ground, screaming and flailing-

Opelucid Bar

-Mason sighs.-

Mason: Look, Sister. You know neither of us just wants to catch up, casual bar talk aside. I was looking for you because I wanted to see if there was any hope of you coming to your senses and quitting this whole "kill the gods" thing, after all this time. I don't like knowing the only other escaped Phantom Class student is so... twisted in her ideals.

Alonya: I'm not twisted. I'm brutally honest about what we need to do. The system is twisted, against people like us, against many others but we are powerless to change the people and even normal Pokemon to fix it. Usurping the Legendaries... As much as I hate to say it it's the only way we can make our own rules and create a world where we belong.

Mason: Alonya, I would be dead if they hadn't personally kept me from rotting away! What would have happened if you all had done this twelve years ago? Would you have somehow taken their power for yourself? We shouldn't even have the powers the School made us with! The Phantom Class is living proof of how dangerous it is!

Vast Poni Canyon

-The fake Talonflame melts into a puddle of shadow and blood, leaving nothing but a smear on the ground as Vulture lets out an evil hiss.-

Vulture: Enough! Enough!

-The cloaked man charges forward, his cloak blowing back to reveal a body strapped with spiked leather biting into his chest.-

Vulture: Pain may be my escape, but you will not poison my ears with that wretched sound!

-He leaps over Doomsday and turns to descend on Ludmilla, his hands curled into claws, his nails sharpened to a knife's edge. The Wimpod who had been flustered and befuddled but a minute ago looks up at the airborne assailant. Time seems to come to a standstill for a moment.-

Polydamas: ~How strange. Despite all the torment this girl has put me through for the sake of making stronger, I never actually felt any hatred towards her for it. And now, here I am, watching some psychotic attacker who may or may not be a cannibal, try to harm her. Maybe kill her. I mean, if he had just attacked me, I'm certain I would just be afraid. But he's not. And… I'm not sure what this feeling is.~

Doomsday: ~It's called indignation, you emotionally stunted crash-test dummy.~

Polydamas: ~Doomsday?! What- How-~

Doomsday: ~I know Psychic, remember? Anyway, the only real way to deal with indignation, especially the righteous kind, is to get mad.~

Polydamas: ~Get mad? But-~

Doomsday: ~No buts! Get mad! Get angry! Yell! Scream! Let all that rage and aggression go! Do it, you fucking scum feeder! DO IT!~

-So Polydamas got angry.-

-Time speeds back to normal as Vulture's decent is interrupted by a flash of light, followed by a massive wall of chitin blocking his path.-

Polydamas the Golisopod: <YOU WILL DIE BEFORE TOUCHING HER!>

-A massive arm grabs Vulture by the leg and slams him against the floor, bouncing him off of the stone and sending him tumbling.-

Vulture: Heh… heh… now you know how please a man…

Polydamas: <Stop! That!>

-Vulture pulls himself up off of the floor, revealing a massive tear in his abdominal muscles through a rent in his cloak.-

Ludmilla: Woah ew!

Doomsday: <That's a fucking hernia! How the hell are you still moving?>

-Vulture lets out a sigh as black ink seems to cover the wound as his muscles stitch back together and his cloak mends itself before their eyes.-

Vulture: Birds fly… according to instinct. No one has told them how or why.

-Vulture sighs again, this time of release and contentment.-

Vulture: You make a spirited partner, and I am… satisfied. Perhaps we can do this again.

-The bizarre phantom leaps up into the shadows and disappears. Doomsday fires a Thunderbolt after him, but it hits nothing and reveals less of the strange assailant.-

Opelucid Bar

Alonya: ...I'm sorry. It's what I need to do. We need this power in the rightful hands. Then you wouldn't have needed a pardon to be saved.

Mason: ...

-Mason shakes his head.-

Mason: Fine. This is just turning out like our last conversation anyway, you're too stubborn to quit and I'm too stubborn to join you. Just know that this time, I'm well enough to do something to fight against you. Against Team Iron.

Alonya: I don't want it to be this way, but if that's what it has to come down to, so be it.

-she starts tearing up-

Just know that-

-Her phone goes off. She picks it up.-

Wait, an attack? On the base? I'll be right over.

-she hangs up-

I'm sorry, Mason, I have to go.

-she starts heading off. The waitress comes over to check on Mason.-

Waitress: ...Didn't turn out well?

-Mason sighs, and swirls his glass.-

Mason: ...No, it really didn't. Could you make this one a double?

~You're so fired, Kaito. I don't know what I'm gonna do with you.~

Pizza Parlor — Past

-Kaito takes a moment to cool down after the absurd outburst.-

Kaito: Hey, if it helps, I'm past it. That was a one-day thing, and as much as I liked her, I'm past her. Let not my heart be poured into the past, for time does not stop.

-They take a breath.-

Kaito: I can even say, for once with absolute certainty, that I'm completely over Lucius as well.