Naranja y Uva Academy, Classroom

Xaster smiles. "That's a good question, Miss..." he glances at the seating chart, "...Scrivener. Tell me if I'm pronouncing that wrong."

He clears his throat before continuing. "The answer is, I started training as a coordinator as soon as I hatched Riri here, my first partner. That would have been eight or so years ago, and I entered my first official contest two years later. So I suppose I've been on the contest circuit for about six years now."

There's a flash of hesitation before he continues. "To tell you the truth, I didn't do so well at first. Contests are hard, and a lot of talented people tend to show up. Sometimes you don't get past the performance round. In fact if you do get past that round in your first contest, you're almost prodigious. But I kept trying, and kept improving, and this year I made it to the semi-finals of Sinnoh's grand festival, and the finals of the Hoenn grand festival."

Naranja y Uva Classroom, yesterday

Iridium: -To Xaster- I hear Unova has them too, but different from the... Musicals I think they're called.

Venom Reef, yesterday

Chiyo: Pisaster, use Psychic!

Pisaster: -Fires a wave of telekinetic force at Toxapex-

Toxapex: -Stumbles, but doesn't seem to take much damage-

Chiyo: Right, Toxapex have ridiculous defenses.

Toxapex: -Goes for a Poison Jab-

Pisaster: -Takes damage as their core takes on a slight purplish tint-

Chiyo: Use Psychic again!

Pisaster: -Blasts Toxapex-

Toxapex: -Blocks-

Pisaster: -Uses Psychic again-

Toxapex: -Takes the attack, but this time lashes at Pisaster with its limbs wreathed in water-

Pisaster: -Takes major damage-

Chiyo: I'm gonna need to figure out something different.

-To Pisaster-

Alright Pisaster, return.

Pisaster: -Is recalled-

Chiyo: Your turn Beremices!

Beremices: -Hop off Chiyo's shoulders-

Chiyo: Okay let's Tidy Up this reef!

Beremices: -Start cleaning, and use their Speed boost to avoid Toxapex's follow-up Liquidation-

Naranja y Uva, Classroom

You can almost hear the sirens go off in Lian's head as she realizes who the person who just talked is.

Lian: "..."

Well, she can't exactly run away, so she just sits there and tries to act normal.

Lian: Beyond the ability to battle, huh...'

She raises her hand.

Naranja y Uva Academy, Classroom

"Well, Unova's pokémon musicals are a bit different. While they are still performance based, they aren't a competitive medium. Rather, they're a collaborative enterprise that plays to the enjoyment of the audience."

Xaster then notices the other hand up.

"Oh, did you have a question?"

Glaseado Mountain

Crusher: What are we going to do?

Sunrise: I have an idea. Shroomy, do you still know how to pull off a Drain Punch?

Shroomy: I sure do.

Sunrise: Great! Cause I say we use super effective moves until we can escape!

Crusher: Or Poppy saves us?

Sunrise: Oh yeah. That too. For now, let's give these guys a good beating!

With Sunrise using a variety of moves and Shrooomy constantly restoring his HP with Drain Punch, the Frigibax soon retreated.

Shroomy: Nice moves, Sunrise!

Sunrise: Thanks, Shroomy!

Crusher: Uh... I hate to burst your bubbles, but they have reinforcements coming this way!

Sunrise and Shroomy soon noticed the Arctibax coming in.

Sunrise: No worries. Just more of the same!

Shroomy and Sunrise continued to lay the hurt on their opponents, while Crusher felt something inside him.

Crusher: A part of me wants to help them, but...

Nessa: What does it matter, Crusher?

Crusher: What do you mean?

Nessa: You're scared of battles, Crusher. Remember?

Crusher: But I always wanted to try. To see what I could do! Out of all of Poppy's Pokemon, I'm the only one who hasn't evolved yet.

Nessa: And somehow going head-to-head against a whole clan of Pokemon is going to make things better? You do realise that going against a clan of Pokemon was what landed Brayden in the hospital, right? How will this be any different to that?

Crusher: Sure, tragic things can happen. Sometimes, we don't always get what we want. But that doesn't mean we should give up! This might not help me get over my fears at long last, but I... I have to try!

Meanwhile, Shroomy and Sunrise were having difficulties facing off against the Arctibax.

Sunrise: Woah! There's less of them, but together, they're tougher than the Frigibax!

Suddenly, an Arctibax leaped up behind Sunrise, preparing to strike her in the back of the head with Dragon Claw.

Shroomy: Sunrise, behind you!

Crusher: Get away from her, you bully!

Crusher's Iron Head collided with Arctibax's Dragon Claw. All Crusher needed was an extra boost of power to fling Arctibax away, but he struggled.

Crusher: This Arctibax is too strong, and I'm too weak!

Sunrise: Crusher? You're - listen! If you think I'm going to belittle you for trying to battle, then you've got another thing coming! Because that was incredibly brave for you to do, and I am so proud of you for trying to help us, and I would love for you to help us fend off these guys!

Crusher: Do you really think that?

Sunrise: Of course I do! I didn't free you from Titan Orthworm for nothing, and I especially didn't support you helping us against the Quaking Earth Titans for nothing! You're braver then you realise. So come on! Prove every single self-doubt you've ever had wrong!

Crusher: Oh... thanks, Sunrise!

And Crusher began glowing, in the process, finally gained the power boost he needed to fling Arctibax back down to the ground. He landed, finally realising what he had just pulled off.

Crusher: I did it... I battled! Oh, and I evolved too.

Crusher looked around, seeing the other Arctibax surrounding him.

Crusher: You know, considering I've been practically refusing to evolve for so long... guess what! I'm not done yet!

And he begun glowing again, running in circles to build up speed. Once he was done evolving, he charged into every single one of the Arctibax, using Iron Head to eventually fling them all like a beach ball.

Sunrise: Yes, yes, yes! Now that's what I'm talking about!

Meanwhile, Nessa stared in awe. He didn't care about the potential tragedy that could occur. He only cared about making his dream come true. He could battle at long last.

Crusher: Wow. I'm large now!

Shroomy: Whew! Looks like maybe we can get out of here at last.

They were, however, stopped by the stomping of not only recovering Arctibax, but their leader, Baxcalibur.

Crusher: Oh, you're kidding... Guess we're not out of the woods yet.

Venom Reef, past

Chiyo: Beremices, use Super Fang!

Beremices: -Dashes towards Toxapex with their incisors bared-

Toxapex: -Hunkers down-

Chiyo: Again!

Beremices: -A through D bite down on Toxepex from all sides-

Toxapex: -Is brought down to less than half heath as it swats Beremices away with a Liquidation-

Chiyo: Use Dig!

Beremices: -Orient themselves just right to start digging down on contact with the ground-

Toxapex: -Hunkers down-

Beremices: -Pop up from below and attack-

Toxapex: -Is brought down to under a quarter of its health, but faints Beremices with a Poison Jab-

Chiyo: Pisaster, you're up again!

Pisaster: -Appears, core back to normal-

[[center:Pisaster's Nature Cure healed their ailments!]

Chiyo: Time for a full-force Z-Move!

-Crosses her arms before doing a Pstandard Psychic Pstance, the motions being followed (As best they can) by Pisaster-

Pisaster: -Telekinetically lifts Toxapex and bashes them against multiple barriers before throwing them so hard that it shatters the barrier and launches them into the sea-

Toxapex: -Floats back up, fainted-

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 3rd 2024 at 11:51:20 AM

Glaseado Mountain

Crusher: You guys take on the Arctibax, I'll deal with Baxcalibur!

Sunrise: You only just learned how to battle and you're already taking on the big fish! Now that's brave!

Shroomy: Well, let's do it!

Crusher: Alright. It's on!

Crusher's Iron Head clashed with Baxcalibur's Glaive Rush, while Shroomy and Sunrise took on the remaining Arctibax.

The Baxcalibur was taking good damage from Crusher's moves, but it wasn't going to go down that easily. It smirked, causing concern in Crusher.

He looked around, and soon understood why he felt that way. Baxcalibur was distracting everyone, so that the Frigibax could come back in and surround everyone.

Sunrise: Hey! These Frigibax - they're burying me!

Shroomy: Me too! We could use some help here, Crusher!

Crusher: Don't worry, guys! I'll get you out of there!

He was then struck in the back by Glaive Rush, knocking him over as he soon was swarmed by multiple Frigibax. Things seemed hopeless until a voice called out - a voice that Crusher couldn't have been happier to hear would be fighting too.

Nessa: Heads up, everyone!

And Nessa proceeded to knock everyone over like dominoes, including Shroomy, Sunrise and Crusher.

Sunrise: Ack! Thanks for the save, though. Wait...

Crusher: Nessa!

Nessa: ...I am not going to let the chances of tragedy ruin the amazing life I could live anymore.

Crusher: Nessa... I knew you could do it!

Shroomy: Oh, Nessa, you have truly grown.

Sunrise: Just seeing you happy for the first time in a while makes me happy too. Now, whaddya say we get out of here?

Nessa: Let's do it. But wait, what if one of those guys follows us?

The team then noticed Baxcalibur getting up again from the attack.

Crusher: Looks like we aren't done here yet. Buckle up.

Then, all of a sudden.

Pancake: Quick correction there: no need to worry about that!

The attack somehow finished off Baxcalibur as it was too paralysed to move. Everyone turned around in shock to see Poppy standing right there.

Poppy: Rotom Phone tracker. Pretty convenient, huh?

Crusher: Poppy! Am I glad to see you!

Poppy: Crusher... looks like I missed a lot! Come on, let's get up to that Gym. You guys can catch me up on the way!

Sunrise: Alright. Hopefully one of those Frigibax or Arctibax or Baxcalibur doesn't follow us.

Silas was sat upon the bench, shivering a bit every time he felt Roxy's hand touch him. "Easy there."

Roxy let out a scoff. "Can hardly blame me for this, want to see what changes you underwent, new haircut looks good on you at least," she said running a hand over his spine.

He shivered again, but still, it felt good to have her back, have the whole family together again. He looked over, seeing Hacks and Snakeye discussing something, Bishop floating overhead to observe. Turning his head he'd see Amber and Tae in a heated debate over something, Muggy wrapped around Conroy giving the hugs they always desired to give. Oliver was with Khan and Blackquill discussing dinner, Dimitri and Byleth were watching over everything.

"There definitely is something under your skin, whatever that Mr. Strings did, it's some big changes. You said you got checked out already?" Roxy asked.

"Yep, Deziree. The Galvani-Morton family is very helpful... still you said I seemed to pull a burst heart?" Silas responded.

~You did!~ Hacks called out. ~You don't remember it?~

"Was mostly focused on kicking authority ass," Silas responded. "If I did do that, waht's the mechanism?"

<Wait? Mechanism?> Dimitri asked. <Why would you want to know that?>

"See if it was a one off, something pulled from those dreams while I was under... or something I can awaken when needed."

[MEMORY BANK 4.2: COMBAT EXPERIENCE; SIMULATED REPLAY]

> RUN SIM: HIGH DANGER SUBJECT 0005

> LOADING...

> HIGH DANGER SUBJECT 0005: "SWARM KING", LOADED

> RUN SIM? Y/N

> QUERY: LASTRUN CURRENTSIM

> HIGH DANGER SUBJECT 0005 SIM, LAST RUN 4034 HYPERLONG CYCLES AGO

> QUERY: BESTRESULTS CURRENTSIM

> BEST RESULT OF HIGH DANGER SUBJECT 0005: FIVE SHORT CYCLES APPROX.

> RUN CURRENTSIM

> COMMAND NOT VALID.

> TIME SINCE LAST INPUT APPROACHING THIRTY HYPERSHORT CYCLES. MAINTAIN CURRENT LOADED SIM? Y/N

> Y

> RUN SIM? Y/N

> Y

> COMMENCING SIM USING CURRENTLY EQUIPPED LOADOUT

> SIM COMPLETE

> GET RESULTS CURRENTSIM

> RESULTS OF LATEST SIM: TWENTY HYPERSHORT CYCLES APPROX. WIN

> DAMAGE TO CHASSIS: NEGLIGIBLE

> DATA ACQUIRED: NEGLIGIBLE

> OPEN OPTIONS CURRENTSIM

> HIGH DANGER SUBJECT 0005 NOW OPEN FOR ALTERATION.

> ADD LOW DANGER SUBJECT 0030

> HOW MANY OF LOW DANGER SUBJECT 0030 "MUSCLE STINGER SWARM" WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD?

> MAXIMUM

> PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIMULATED ENTITIES OF LOW DANGER SUBJECT 0030 TO THE SIMULATION? Y/N

> Y

> CURRENT SIMULATION ALTERED.

> RUN SIM? Y/N

> Y

> COMMENCING SIM USING CURRENTLY EQUIPPED LOADOUT WITH ALTERATIONS

> RUNNING...

> RUNNING...

> RUNNING...

> RUNNING...

> RUNNING...

> RUNNING...

> SIM COMPLETE

> GET RESULTS CURRENTSIM

> RESULTS OF LATEST SIM: TWO HYPERCYCLES APPROX. LOSS

> DAMAGE TO CHASSIS: TERMINAL

> DATA ACQUIRED: !!AT RAM LIMIT!! RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE COMPRESSION TO AVOID DATA LOSS

> COMPRESS RESULTS

> NOW COMPRESSING RESULTS OF LATEST SIM FOR LATER RESEARCH

> SAVE CURRENTSIM "STARCRUSHER SCENARIO"

> SAVING CURRENT SIM SETTINGS AS "STARCRUSHER SCENARIO"

> GET ETA

> ETA "EARTH" UNAVAILABLE DUE TO GRAVITATIONAL ANOMALIES

> SET SCAN PRIORITY GRAVANOM 1

> SCANNERS NOW PRIORITIZING GRAVITATIONAL ANOMALIES

Venom Reef, past

Chiyo: -Walks up to the pedestal and takes a Poisonium Z- We got what we came for, let's get out of here before the storm really starts.

Chloe: Oh yeah, definitely.

-Both leave immediately-

Alola Route 13, some time later

Plumeria: -Seeing Chiyo and Chloe arrive back by the trailer, a Poisonium Z clutched in the former's hands- Seems you're hard as bone after all, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised you'd be able to handle that Toxapex.

Chloe: -To Plumeria- Chiyo's held up her part of the deal, time to hold up yours.

Plumeria: -To Chiyo- Guess I should teach you how to use Poison Z-Power now, yeah. You better pay attention because I won't do it again.

-She crosses her arms before making a crouching pose most reminiscent of some sort of goblin-

Chiyo: Got it.

Plumeria: Anyway, guess I'll see you around, or maybe at the summit since you've got three grand trials done.

-She heads inside one of the trailers-

Chloe: -To Chiyo- The summit?

Chiyo: Apparently Alola's Champion status is very nebulous when the actual one's taking a break, so whoever's sitting in it changes often.

Chloe: Sounds like a pain to me.

Chiyo: I think we've gone everything we can on Ula'ula, so let's head back to Paldea.

Back to our Iridium...

-With a wave of her hand, a rift opens-

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 4th 2024 at 1:50:51 PM

Montenevera

So this is Montenevera.

Gras: -Now a Meowscarada- <You said the local Gym Leader uses Ghost types, right?>

Yeah, she's also a double battle specialist.

Gras: <Then it should be a cinch for us.>

Pelly: -Perched on the now Garganacl Natron- <Let's not get too overconfident.>

-Twitches-

Cut the chatter, someone's coming.

Nemona: -From behind- Dr. Tagg, I've finally caught up to you!

Gras: -Confused- <Who is that?>

Hitodama: <I believe that's the student council president.>

Nemona: When I heard you were coming here Dr. Tagg I wanted to meet you immediately, but every time I came by your office, you weren't around. I've thought about actually joining up with the J-Team multiple times, but I can't just leave my responsibilities like that.

-Excited-

And now that I've caught up to you, I'm Nemona, and I want to have a battle.

-Eyebrow raise-

Right now?

Nemona: Well yeah, battling's fun, and you've battled so many people, you've gotta know all how fun battling can be.

-Cynthia's words from last year start to haunt me-

Well I... don't really battle as much for fun anymore.

Nemona: -Surprised- Really?

Well Nemona, the life of a J-Teamer is often hard, and for me, that's doubly true. Most days I'm training because it serves as a perfect regimen to train my mons for actual threats.

And even outside of that, it's hard to find anyone who isn't working for a League who's strong enough that I don't just crush them immediately, if they are strong they're most often an enemy and the stakes of losing are too high for me to allow myself to actually enjoy the battle, or they find me too intimidating and don't even want to try winning. Most of the time I can get a battle it's because they don't recognize me for my position.

Nemona: I can get the last part, that's how I felt before I met them.

I've been trying to get my old spark back since I got here, but I think I've been falling into old patterns anyway.

Nemona: Well Dr. Tagg, you can't get that spark back without going more battling, so let's battle it out!

You got a point there.

-Pulling out an Ultra Ball-

I can tell you're strong, you wouldn't have approached me like that otherwise, let's see what you've got.

Nemona: -Excited- YES!

-Cue battle-

Glaseado Gym

The gang had finally made it to the Glaseado Gym, but Poppy still had some questions.

Poppy: Okay, so, just to recap. In the time I went looking for you, Crusher evolved twice in a row, and Nessa broke free of her depression?

Crusher: ...Yeah. Pretty much.

Poppy: Okay, wow. That is incredibly shocking, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I say we've all become our best selves due to each other's presence, and its a pretty ironic realisation to make considering we're now at the final Gym.

Nessa: Yep. So why don't we give those Ice types a good show?

Poppy: Exactly. Sunrise, Crusher, you two are obviously coming considering you're both super effective against Ice types. Nessa, you can come as well, and Shroomy, you're kind of a double edged sword here given you're simultaneously strong and weak against Ice types. Not exactly ideal, but we'll make it work. Donut, we'll probably need you for the Gym Challenge itself, which if I remember correctly, is like a skiing lesson. After that... you can go play with Stormwind and Lila in the snow.

Lila: We can make an army of snowmen and use them to go rob a bank!

Stormwind: Lila, would you rob your own train of thought? Just curious.

Some time later, in Mesagoza

Poppy: Wow! Mesagoza again, I haven't been to this place in months! Anyways, you know what we're here for, Donut.

Donut: Yep. We have all the Badges now, so that means we take on the Pokemon League!

Poppy: Yes! But first, I wanna go shopping for a special Rotom Phone case. Just stay right here for me. I'll be right back!

Donut felt slightly disappointed by this change of plans.

Poppy meanwhile, entered the shop and was picking out which Rotom Phone case she wanted, when a boy that looked to be 2 years older than her came up to her.

???: You know, I feel like your phone case matches your personality, in a way. I have a Dragon phone case, here. What are you going for?

Poppy: I'm not sure, honestly. I'm looking for something that really suits my vibe, yknow, I - wait. Is that an Iono Zone case? Oh my gosh, I've been looking for this everywhere!

After buying and fitting the case on her phone, the boy approached her again.

???: I take it you really like Iono, huh?

Poppy: I do! I always watched her streams as a little girl! I've been doing it again recently, to make up for something. Name's Poppy, by the way.

???: Really? My name's Levi... what was it you wanted to make up for?

Poppy: Oh, I was in a bad state of mind when I challenged her. I was letting my own guilt consume me, I called my Pokèmon tools at one point... we're cool now, but I donated a few bucks to her saying I was sorry for not being mentally well at the time of challenge.

Levi: I see. I was kind of like that, too. I wanted to be a Dragon master, but I kept relying on my Garchomp and neglecting my other members. But after almost losing them to that selfish Cyclizar, I showed more care towards them to make up for my neglectment.

Poppy: Guess we all have a lot to learn in this life, huh? Anyways, gotta go!

Poppy and Levi both walked out at the same time.

Poppy: Hey, Donut! I got the Iono Zone case I couldn't find in several stores! Now we can head to the Pokemon League!

Donut ran up to Poppy, not noticing the boy standing next to her.

Donut: Alright!

Levi: You're challenging the League, huh? Good luck.

Donut: Oh? And who's this you've got-

A million thoughts flashed through Donut's head when he laid eyes upon the boy. The worst day of his life replayed over and over in his head, with the worst parts of it highlighted and replayed most.

Donut: No. It couldn't be. He said he never wanted to see me again. He abandoned me. I hurt him. I made him abandon me. It's all my fault, it's all my fault, it's all my fault-

Donut, in the real world, meanwhile, froze with a look of pure horror, shock, and realisation.

Poppy: Are you okay? Donut?

Levi: What happened to your Cyclizar - oh. Wait. It's you again, isn't it?

Donut whispered underneath his breath.

Donut: Levi... it's all my fault.

Poppy: Donut, what are you saying?

And at that moment, it hit Poppy why the name 'Levi' sounded so familiar.

Somewhere in Paldea

Muddy: -Holding back a massive hammer- <For the last time, buzz off!>

Tinkaton: -Getting hurled over the horizon- <I'll be back...>

Corvus: -Watching- <...Please don't.>

Cam: <When is she going to stop following us?>

Yew: <When the sun goes cold apparently.>

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 7th 2024 at 11:58:49 AM

Mesagoza

Levi: What's the matter, Cyclizar? Too horrified by the consequences of your own actions?

Donut: No... please... stop...

Poppy: Levi, stop this now! You're scaring him! I know he hurt you, but he's never hurt me! He's changed. And I have a feeling you have as well!

Levi: Yeah, well, he's lying to you. He's going to snap right back to his old ways the second he sees this girl!

Levi then sent out his Garchomp - the very same Garchomp that destroyed Donut's Pokèball. And the mere sight of her sent Donut into a panicked state.

Donut: No! No! No! No! No! Make it stop! Make it stop!

Donut then ran off, able to hear his own heart pound against his chest.

Poppy: Donut, wait!

Poppy then got a surprise as Lila appeared out of her Pokeball, chasing after Donut and trapping him in a hug.

Lila: I've got you! I've got you! And I'm not gonna let you go!

Donut, determined to get away from the Garchomp he hadn't seen in a year outside of his nightmares, squirmed around.

Donut: No! No! Let me go! Make it stop...

Levi then walked besides Lila, with Garchomp right at his side.

Levi: I see, Cyclizar. You have changed. You're more of a coward than I remember. Oh well.

Donut then finally broke free of Lila's arms, lunging right for Garchomp.

Donut: I said, make it STOP!

The sudden attack struck Garchomp in the head, causing her to stagger back. Donut failed to land on his feet due to the shock of the entire event.

Lila: Donut, are you okay?

Donut: I'm... not sure.

Poppy: Levi, what the - okay. I understand that Donut wasn't the best Pokemon to you. But you know what? He's been the best Pokemon to me!

Levi: Yeah, right.

Poppy: He wasn't the nicest at first, I'll admit, but he's changed! I'm never going to abandon him for as long as I live, and for good reason!

Donut: Poppy...

Levi: Hm. I have an idea for Cyclizar to prove he's changed. I'll start to see he's changed as you so claim he has - under one condition.

Poppy: Me and Donut have been through so much together. Bring it on!

Levi: If he can beat Garchomp in a one-on-one, then I'll see that he's changed.

The reveal caused Poppy to look down at Donut with concern. He looked unsure of how to process this information.

Poppy: Hey, Donut, I can see you've changed, and that's all that matters. You... you don't have to do this.

Donut tightened his grip. He looked absolutely horrified, but at the same time, determined to press through these horrors.

Donut: Yes, I do.

Poppy was shocked at first, then smiled.

Poppy: Levi, we accept your challenge!

The battle court in the middle of town was soon ready for a battle. Donut and Garchomp stared each other down, Poppy and Levi shared looks of determination, and their other Pokemon watched from the sidelines, both cheering for their team. Poppy's colourful team contrasted with the fearsome Dragons on Levi's team.

Levi: Let us begin. Garchomp, Mega Evolve.

As Donut watched as Garchomp transformed into Mega Garchomp, he briefly had flashbacks to the worst night of his life. He almost blacked out completely until he turned behind him and saw Poppy holding out a Tera Orb.

Poppy: If he wants to use a gimmick, then so will we!

Donut smiled.

Donut: I expected nothing less from you, Poppy.

Poppy: Well, ready to prove once and for all you're just as much of a Dragon as the opponent you're about to face, Donut?

Donut: Ready as I'll ever be, Poppy.

Donut then soon found himself caked in a crystal energy, with a draconic 'hat' on top of him.

Tera-Dragon Donut, Mega Garchomp. Donut's most personal battle was only seconds away from beginning.

Mesagoza

Levi: Garchomp, you know what to do.

Donut, hit by the attack, managed to grab ahold of one of Garchomp's scythes.

Garchomp came rushing back with another attack.

The two mons' heads collided, and they begun a flurry of attacks.

After landing on the ground, Donut opened his mouth, as if to launch an attack, closing his eyes to focus. It seemed to be a move he didn't know how to use yet, and Garchomp seized this opportunity.

Disappearing underground and almost certainly heading for Donut, Pancake called out to him.

Pancake: Quickly! Move out of the way! Garchomp's coming, and she-

Too late. Donut was sent flying, and Garchomp followed suit. She grabbed him in her scythes, and faced the ground.

Levi: Now, Garchomp. Finish this.

Donut and Garchomp hit the ground, with Donut being the only Mon to sustain any damage upon impact.

Garchomp pinned Donut to the ground by digging her scythes into the ground, trapping his arms.

Levi: There you go. I guess some people never change. Time to go back to forgetting Cyclizar ever existed.

What Levi and Garchomp failed to notice, however, was that Donut's Tera-hat was still up. The battle wasn't over. And Donut had one last trick up his sleeve.

He poked his head up, opening his mouth, as draconic energy gathered inside it.

Donut: Ever wondered what killed the ancient Pokèmon? There's a few theories. One of them is that a meteor was what got them, and oh, look at that! You're about to get a feel of what it was like. Now behold what the power of a Dragon is truly capable of!

The attack blew Garchomp right off him, and if that wasn't enough, the smaller meteors that spawned hit her several times on the way down.

Poppy and Levi stared in shock as Donut stood back up, watching as Garchomp fell to the ground, reverting back to her regular form.

The battle was over. Donut had won.

Roxy looked herself over, the new Fox costume was certainly an improvement, she liked the addition of the tail. Though what she really liked was the addition of a utility belt, she was ready, especially since Silas had been insisting on getting prepared.

She looked to her husband, who was finishing fitting a new mask, it looked like a cross between respirator and even a Lucario snout, seems he had decided to add more of his pokeform to his new outfit.

~Ready?~ Hacks asked, looking Silas over.

"Ready, let's see how this psycho-camo works," Silas responded, staring at his left arm.

"Psycho-what now?" was Roxy's question.

Silas let out an exhale, and his left arm suddenly shifted in colour, going from a deep blued to a bright silver, the gold fingertips becoming a bright red, and even the blue star on the shoulder turned red. Roxy's jaw hung open, now that was fancy.

~Psycho-Camo, my little name for this trick. Psychological camo, depending on the persona Silas uses, the arm disguises itself to fit that, even still seems to have Denali's attention charm on it,~ Hacks replied.

"It's quite the trick, makes me want to hit up a bank!" Silas said, rolling his head over to Roxy's direction, the tone and accent fitting that of Coyote. His arm had even shifted to a gold colour, the fingertips now black and the star missing entirely.

"Okay while that's cool and all, how does it work and shouldn't we be concerned?" Roxy said, poking at it.

"Best we can tell," Silas started, resuming his normal voice. "Is that the thing is a bit more directly hooked up to my brain, and has plating that changes colour under certain electrical signals, kind of like the Nightingale armor."

~Only... different because that makes use of specialized screens,~ Hacks added. ~Whatever Mr. Strings did, he's on another level of design.~

"Lending further credence to the Artificial Intelligence theory," Silas muttered.

"Okay so... why are we arming ourselves up again?" Roxy asked. "Like yeah I wanted a new Fox suit for more stealth work, but I still got that big ol Power Suit for space stuff."

"Preparing, for Gabriel, he's got a chip on his shoulder and a grudge against us," Silas responded. "Just want to prepare for tomorrow."

Roxy was a little worried at that response.

Mesagoza

Donut stared at what he had just done. The very same Pokemon that gave him the biggest trauma of his life was fainted right in front of him. He had just defeated Levi's Garchomp.

Pancake: Donut...

Poppy: You did it! Donut! Donut! Donut! You did it, you did it, you did it!

Donut: Slight correction there... we did it!

Poppy's Pokemon celebrated from the sidelines at their teammates' victory. Levi, seeing how happy Poppy and Donut were, went up to Poppy.

Levi: I have to admit, you're not all talk. You've got a bright future, kid. And Cyclizar- no, Donut... I'm sorry.

Donut: Thanks. I'm sorry, too. I'm kind of glad I saw your face again.

Levi: In some weird way, so am I. Poppy, there's something I'd like to give you.

Poppy: Oh! What is it?

Levi: Well, truth be told, it's not something, it's more like someone.

He brought out a Pokeball, and released the Pokemon inside, which was a Gible.

Levi: This little guy here, my Garchomp laid an Egg, and it hatched into him. I wanted to find someone to give it to, but I never could find the right person... until I met you.

Poppy: Wow! A Gible? Thanks so much! ...Wait. Donut... do you want me to accept?

Donut wasn't sure what it was at that moment. But he was staring at this Gible, and he felt no traumas echoing inside him. Perhaps defeating Garchomp had something to do with it. He smiled.

Donut: Go right ahead.

Poppy: Alright! Welcome to the team, Gible! Now, what should I call you?

Rex: Call me Rex! I wanted the name for myself, but Levi doesn't use nicknames.

Poppy: Alright then! Welcome to the team, Rex!

Poppy's Pokemon then gathered around.

Shroomy: Hello, Rex! Glad to have you here!

Sunrise: Yeah, it's gonna be awesome! ...Not right now, though. We have a League to defeat!

Levi: So, I'll see you around, Poppy. Here's my number in case you need anything.

Poppy: Thanks, Levi. Now, everyone... whaddya say we go clobber the League?

Poppy's Pokemon all celebrated and ran off for the League.

Levi: That girl... she's going places, I tell you.

Oliver: -to The Monkey-<Oi! Don't throw things! That's rude!>

Michell: Not used to strangers, I guess. -notices The Monkey approaching Pent/Gale- Although...

Mitchell draws back from where The Monkey is going, dragging Oliver with him.

Glasaedo Mountain

Chiyo: -Going up a mountain path- Hopefully the aurora will show up here tonight.

Dactyl: <We could've just gone to Galar in the interim instead of heading up here, or maybe Unova.>

Chiyo: Unova was too cloudy and rainy back on Friday.

Dactyl: <Well, still-Chiyo!

Chiyo: -Throws a barrier up to block a diving stab from a spear contstruct from above- Well you've gotten better at attacking without warning.

Iridium: -Struggles before flipping off the barrier and to the ground- ...

Chiyo: -To Iridium- Have you been doing well?

Iridium: -Forming a shield construct in her right hand to go with her spear construct in her left- I may have lost last time 1.0, but this time, it'll be different.

Chiyo: Kiddo, we don't need to do this. Even if you do beat me, do you think it'll solve your real problem?

Iridium: -Steps forward- Yes we do, it's the only way I can prove myself.

Chiyo: -Takes a step back, before immediately forming a barrier construct and using it to board down the side of the mountain- Well you'll have to catch me then!

Iridium: -Sending out Struthie- You're not getting away! Come on Struthie!

-And immediately chases after her on Espathra-back-

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 11th 2024 at 12:03:49 PM

Pokemon League

Poppy stood right outside the Pokemon League. She was moments away from entering, she just needed to decide which 6 mons would come with her.

Poppy: First things first. Pancake, Rex... you aren't coming with us. You two just joined the team, you're not quite up to snuff with the Pokemon waiting for us in there.

Rex: Aw, I'm getting left out again...

Pancake: No you aren't! Poppy will have us both back on the team in no time. She just needs to beat the League first!

Poppy: Now... serious Pokemon battles have a limit of 6 Pokemon on each team. There's 7 of you guys. We've been through everything together, who do I leave behind?

Nessa: She's right. With all 7 of us having been through so much together, who do we leave behind?

Poppy stood there, wondering who on Earth she would leave behind. Ultimately, she made a decision.

Poppy: Shroomy... don't be fooled. You've been an incredible member, and I don't know what I would do without you. But... you won't be coming with us to the Pokemon League.

Shroomy: Oh... that's alright. I mean, I don't see any problem if you come out of that building a Champion.

Poppy: Yep. And in the meantime, you're gonna take care of Pancake and Rex!

Donut: Shroomy, I just hope Pancake and Rex are well-behaved towards you, considering how much you had your hands full looking after us at the start.

Pancake: Don't worry! We'll be on our best behaviour!

Shroomy: Good. And besides, I never had my hands full looking out for all of you.

Flashback...

Shroomy: Stormwind! That Garganacl is like, four times your size, and super effective against you! You're going to get hurt!

Shroomy: Lila! I get those jewellery look exquisite, but you can't steal them to sell on the black market! That's illegal!

Shroomy: Why does it feel like my hands are so full all of the time?!

End of flashback...

Shroomy: Regardless, these two should be easy to handle.

Poppy returned Shroomy, Pancake and Rex to their Pokeballs, and sent them away in the box, knowing they'd be with her parents soon enough.

Poppy: Alright, everyone. Here goes nothing. We ready for our biggest challenge yet?

Donut: With you as my trainer, I feel ready for anything.

Sunrise: You mean I'm going to be taking on opponents far stronger than anything I've ever faced? Aw heck yeah, sign me up!

Crusher: It took a while, but I finally feel ready!

Nessa: I feel like I could face the world... but sure, for now I'll face whatever's inside there.

Stormwind: I've been waiting for this moment ever since I was a Wattrel! In what world would I not be ready for this?

Lila: I'm in! None of the Pokemon inside will be ready for me or my switching types!

Poppy: Great to hear, guys. Into your balls you go...

She returned everyone to their Pokeballs, then turned around, took a deep breath, and entered the Pokemon League.

A while later, inside the Boxes...

Shroomy, Pancake and Rex waited inside their Pokeballs.

Shroomy: That's odd. Normally Poppy's parents would bring us out to their ranch by now!

Pancake: Perhaps they're busy?

Rex: Hey, look! I can see a silhouette of a hand up there! That must be them!

Soon, the three Pokemon were out of their balls, and with Poppy's parents. What they didn't expect, however, was for them to be inside an airport instead of the ranch.

Mesagoza Airport

Rex: Woah! Where are we?

Pancake: I believe this is an 'airport'.

Poppy's mum: Oh, look! Poppy made new friends! And it looks like her Shroomish evolved top!

Poppy's dad: Hello there, you three! Shroomy, someone's here to see you!

A Buizel then came running up to greet Shroomy.

Shroomy: Oh, hey, Buizel! What's a Pokemon like you doing all the way here? Unless... no way.

Shroomy then looked up and noticed a boy who looked two years older than Poppy, with scruffy hair and freckles.

Shroomy: She did it. She really did it.

Pancake: Pancake... who is this boy?

Brayden: Call me Brayden.

Paldea, Casseroya Lake - Secret Cave

-ah, the party caretaker-

Pippy: <...hm.>

-he takes in Lissa's briefly panicked expression, the details of Alice's interjection, the approaching clamor of other hungry team members…-

Pippy: -taps his wingtips together, briskly-

-he traces a line on the floor, raises a partition down the middle of the cave, and leaves that at that-

Megan: …oh! He figured out how to fake annealing.

-she sniffs the spoonful Daydre's holding out-

Megan: Trade school doing him good…

Megan: Aaahn~

-she nudges her arm brace with its spoon attachment aside, to the room's new wall-

Megan: -gulp, musing- …'s gonna say it's not like they can stop us, given…but I guess Ho-Oh gave tacit approval for that when he set us on fire. Darn.

-she snuggles up against Daydre's arm-

Megan: But I wasn't really aware we did need Legendary…approval…to infringe on their domains. It's not like it stops the School.

-curiosity and spite mingle and teem in her tone-

(-perhaps dangerously so—there's a glimmer in her eye not unlike those scientists Alice knew-)

Megan: Potato next, please?

(-or maybe she's just hangry-)

-...she lifts a bandaged hand to her neck—and spinal column within—momentarily off-guard-

Megan: …I've tried attacking the extrasensory stuff directly.

Pippy: -muffled-

Megan: Yeah, like—oh thank you.

-someone scarfed bustles through, leaving a bluish collar and black-iron crown on Megan's side of the table-

-both palpably seethe with malaise-

Megan: Collar that spikes people with fear, coronet that disrupts mental waves on contact…didn't really help with an elementalist.

-she cringes…then coyly giggles-

Megan: Mostly sucking their souls out through their pores catches them off-guard enough.

-and winks, veritably aglow with mirth-

Megan: We cheat.

-...-

-she takes another bite-

Abilene: -snorts- Don't flatter yourself. Had I concluded you were girlfriend material, I could do better than a paltry transplant of your self to hers. No, I simply require a sense…of your construction.

-with practiced ease, she dons a complicated-looking glove from a nearby shelf, fitting its attached headset overear-

Abilene: I have been monitoring my partner—did you honestly think I'd been cutting her open every time?

-she sobers, and sets her expression stern—unbeknownst to her, in one not unlike Alice's own-

Abilene: …this is my field. If you'll pardon the etymologic butchery, vivicology. If you cannot trust the honor between us, trust my pride in my work. If there is any similarity between us, it's that in this we overween.

-barring any protest, she sets to trailing that glove over some network only discernible to her-

-there's gentle tugs from within Alice's being—at the very edge of detection, as though her veins were being scrubbed with a light brush-

-it's brisk, professional, and nearly impersonal-

Abilene: …truly, your existence is owed to divine intervention? I had thought you were simply teasing…but no, I am learning to take you at your word as well.

-she huffs, hand somewhere by Alice's ear-

Abilene: How am I meant to feel about this? I've revered this shitty ungulate all my life, and rather than answer my calls, show his face, or return my parents, He sees fit to return you.

-...-

Abilene: …that was a joke, incidentally. I am…grateful, for this chance.

-she scans in silence for several seconds more-

Abilene: Unf. My actual god, but you are a work of art.

-Megan leans into frame—perhaps searching Abilene's expression for any sign she realizes she said that out loud-

Megan: ...we'll explore the idea with the veins after?

Abilene: Mm.

Glaseado Mountain, yesterday

Chiyo: -Boards down the mountain at high speed-

Iridium: -Riding after her, Struthie using Agility to close the distance even as they move downhill, her spear construct at the ready- Take this!

Chiyo: -Blocking a slash before parrying several rapid slashes- Alright, let's try to lose her.'

-Makes a sharp right turn to a cliffside-

Struthie: -Manages to turn quickly enough to avoid careening off the cliffside, before boosting with an Auric Charge to run on the side of the cliff above Chiyo-

Dactyl: <Really?>

Chiyo: Did Tagg teach her that?

Iridium: -Starts stabbing at Chiyo again from above as it starts to sleet-

Chiyo: -Blocking and parrying as they continue to go down- There's something about this spear style that feels familiar...

-She then takes the opportunity to swerve into a cave out of Iridium's sight-

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 12th 2024 at 11:41:51 AM

Paldea, Casseroya Lake - Secret Cave

-Alice instinctively recoils as Abilene reaches out towards her.-

Alice: What are you-

-Then she stops, perhaps realising the answer to her question, and lets Abilene feel her up.-

-She's of a heavy frame, wide in the shoulders and hips, but the definition there suggests that it's as much muscle as fat. Her face is round, save a slight sharpness to her chin. Her nose is flat, puggish, slightly off-centre - it's clearly been broken at least once.-

-Her cheeks are very warm, incidentally.-

Alice: I wish you could see yourself. You'd make for such a beautiful painting.

-Lissa clears her throat, and Alice suddenly remembers herself.-

Alice: ...M-my circumstances were... unique, unfortunately. Not that I believe myself to be in any way. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and met the wrong fate. I... I try to make the most of this second chance I've been given.

-Meanwhile, Lissa gives a faint smirk as the collar and crown are deposited in front of Megan.-

Lissa: Not sure how you're meant to slap a collar on them in the middle of a fight, unless you got them into bed beforehand. But yeah, cheating's the way to do it. Fuckers don't fight fair, so why should we?

-She shovels a forkful of bhaji into her mouth.-

Lissa: Like Aura Jammers. You know about Aura Jammers, right? It was one of Cipher's researchers who figured them out first, funnily enough. Or maybe he was a researcher on our side but also working for Cipher, some kinda double-agent dealio? Val told me the story but I don't really remember the details. Whatever, point is all you need is an emitter set to a certain frequency and it fucks with anyone trying to use fancy mind powers. Doesn't shut them off entirely, but it helps us normies get an edge.

Alice: Not that you need one.

-Lissa shoots Alice a glare.-

Alice: What? We've been discussing in intimate detail the quirks of my unique physiology. If we are all truly allies in this fight, then we ought to share whatever intel we can.

Lissa: Urgh, fine.

-She sighs, rubs her hands against her forehead.-

Lissa: ...Friend of mine who's like me calls us "blanks". It's a long story, but best we can tell, all that mind whammy shit Templars do just doesn't work on me. My head's been fucked with so much that it's reached its head-fuckery threshold, or something. Guess I have to thank the asshole who made me a brainwashed puppet for years for giving me my one defining trait.

Alice: Lissa-

Lissa: What? You told me to share. We're sharing. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's following orders.

Naranja y Uva Academy, classroom - April 30th

Before anyone could ask him the question, there were running noises outside the classroom door with the door opening as quickly as possible, revealing Yukari, who for odd reason, woke up late with some toast in her mouth still.

Yukari: -While holding toast in the mouth- I'mm swoo smowwy fwor bweinth lathe- Crap! There's still toast in my mouth still!

She quicky finishes up the toast as she wipes her mouth with a napkin.

Yukari: Forgive me for being tardy. Something happened to me after I won the battle against La Primma, that led me...to have fainted for a few...

Well, as it turns out that not only she prob embrassed herself for the toast in the mouth part, but she realize that the teacher for Pomèmon Contest is Xaster.

Yukari: I see that the headmaster has approved the Pokèmon Contest in some way or another, Xaster?

There's no point of her acting like she never met the guy. Besides, there are a few students here, so since the battle gyms and league are over, might as well try and make some friends that isn't Yuna for once.

Glasaedo Mountain, past

Dactyl: -Looking around- I think we lost them.

Chiyo: Okay Dactyl, let's see if we can find our way out of he-

Iridium: -Appears as if from out of nowhere, eyes glowing rainbow- There you are!

Chiyo: How'd she find me that quickly?

-Looking at her own wet clothing-

Aura in the rain... she's using it to track.

-To Iridium-

That's a nice trick you've got there, with the rain... But I have my own tricks too.

-Clasps her hands as she's briefly covered by a barrier and is completely dry in merely a few seconds-

Iridium: -_-

-She immediately goes for spear stabbing-

Chiyo: -Blocks- That style, who taught you that?

It wasn't Tagg I'm sure.

Iridium: Ms. Fleur did, she and the others with her said they knew you.

-Taking up a fighting pose-

I'll show them just how wrong they were about my chances of beating her.

Chiyo: Fleur? Like...

-Eyebrow raise-

Is that what Ununquadium is calling herself now?

I bet Hydrogen's another, but who else is among them?

Iridium: -Stabs at Chiyo with surprising speed-

Chiyo: -Due to having let her guard down in that one moment, she's surprised enough to need to dodge instead of block or parry, a death disk forming in her hand as muscle memory takes over and she barely manages to take enough conscious control upon realizing what she was initially aiming at to not have it hit Iridium directly-

-It's still close enough her Iridium to feel a breeze from the displaced air from a move that could've easily removed her arm or cleanly bisected her if it had met flesh instead of the rock formation cleanly sliced in two behind her-

By the gods... I could've...

Iridium: -Just stands there staring at Chiyo as she appears to be conceptualizing just how close she came to dying right that second-

Chiyo: -Walking up to her- Hun, are you okay?

Struthie: -Immediately releases herself from her ball and places herself between Iridium and Chiyo- <What was that, I'll claw you to bits right no-

Iridium: -Finding her words- Struthie, let's go.

Struthie: <What?>

Iridium: I still can't beat her, even now, we need to regroup. If things hadn't been different, I would be...

Struthie: -Annoyed- <...Fine.>

-As Iridium mounts her the Espathra proceeds to affix Chiyo with a glare-

<Next time, you won't be so lucky!>

-Struthie immediately runs out of the cavern, leaving Chiyo and Dactyl alone-

Dactyl: <Chiyo, it was an accident.>

Chiyo: -Serious- Fuck... If I was just a little bit more careless, if I didn't regain control at the last second, she would be like that rock over there. Like Boron was.

Dactyl: <Let's get out of here and get back to why we came up here in the first place, we'll tell Tagg and the others about this later.>

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 13th 2024 at 12:15:04 PM