Hiro: Not always. But it's a pleasant addition.

-he smiles slightly, and the curry-

-...oh, it's delicious-

Ceal: -slyly- <R-rewritten history!>

-she giggles, and—this is rich, meaty—spiced quick and dirty like it's created en masse for an impromptu gathering of opportunistic carnivores, sure, but the texture-

-the taste-

Ceal: -chuckle, slurping up a spoonful- [-<J-just between y-you and me, all th-those out there in the W-Wild Area are "new", t-too. B-but they were always there from l-legend, and th-this—>

-wink, sparkle- <Th-this's from a couple weeks ago~>

-sure, the lore is sweet and all, but this dish is somehow sweeter—contrasted against the umami-

(-does Rikuo know what umami is? let's assume he doe)-Hiro takes a fresh spoon and a taste, wrinkles his nose contemplatively-

-begins shredding a small Berry to add to the pot-

-Curry (the Pokémon) continues distributing curry to the remaining applicants at breakdance speed-

-Tripod trundles on back with a bucket of deep-fried Torchic bits-

(-cooked using their own flame sac oils, the packaging purports! Environmentalism abhors waste-)

-to find their friends their friend Ceal and also Rosa who won't be called that in the stands, mock-swordfighting with a thorn and a discarded soda bottle-

Rosa: <Finally! I thought you'd—never return!>

-he thrusts to cover his misstep, rewarded with a spearing of biodegradable plastic-

Ceal: -grin- <O-oh, n-now you care about time.>

-Ceal twists him off-balance, leveraging a fluid riposte-

<Wh-what's that you w-were saying? "T-time isn't real?">

-leaving an opening, front and center-

-Rosa lunges through it, bringing the pair of them face-to-face-

Rosa: -huff- <Time is real.>

Ceal: -grin-

Rosa: -shaking a flower before their nose- <What I was saying is, time doesn't matter.>

-Ceal sneezes cutely, the pollen infiltrating—Tripod comes down like a club between the two of them, nearly whacking them apart to get to their own seat-

Ceal: -singsong- 🎶<~If I could save time in a bottle~>🎶

Rosa: <Uch, don't lecture me on the passage of ages.>

-gesturing at his utter lack of chlorophyll- <You'd think I of all Pokémon know how much a moment costs.>

---

-Megan doesn't take her eyes off Fraidy for a second-

-pulls out her Pokédex—she doesn't care if it's childish, sets it to the Health-point app and holds it in her peripheral vision-

---

Ceal: -softly- <Fair.>

-but then they comb a song through their hair, reflective-

-musing- <S-so what is it, th-then? Y-you contradict yourself.>

-Rosa gazes deep into the folds of his petals, affecting a philosophical air—scented, as always, by roses-

Rosa: <It's become increasingly evident "time" relative to that is...immaterial.>

Ceal: <...s-synonyms?> :P

Rosa: -crossing his roots- <Not matter. Not preserved, contiguous—give me some of those wings, if you're done eyeblasting them.>

-Tripod pauses their elegant, data-driven sophistsampling of the bucket's qualities long enough for Rosa's clammy feelers to remove a food item on which to perform strange chemical acts-

(-Ceal puts their whole head in the bucket to nip one—meat was one of the first things these two bonded over, they remember-)

Rosa: -waving it for emphasis- <Like some giant dropped the ball somewhere, stitching together...a quilt…>

-taking a bite, flourishing the bone- <Riddle me this. At the beginning of their beginning, Time and Space took their great conceptual duckies and hashed out all the bugs in creation—>

<...not literal bugs, for how much that might inconvenience the arboreally-inclined, but metaphysical bugs.>

-peering at a fiber- <And have been fighting them ever since.>

Ceal: -raising an...eyebrow(?)- <N-none of this is new.>

Rosa: -thorn-pointing- <Yes, precisely! None of this is—in fact, all of this is very, very old.>

Ceal: -hiding a grin with a bite- <F-for what that matters.>

Rosa: -ignoring this- <And what do you think aeons of Glitches, living and replicating and dying in a world's metacognitive manifold does to it?>

Tripod: -snorts-

Rosa: -wry- <Even ten or so years—there's no way there wouldn't be some environmental consequences.>

Ceal: -bubbling a bone- <B-baby, we a-are environmental consequences.> |:3

Rosa: <Would you,> -stripping the meat away- <believe me if I told you how correct you were?>

Ceal: -tongue, lick- <I h-have my doubts about h-how right y-you are.> :P

Rosa: -...- <...another time, then.>

<For now, I leave you with this thought—>

Ceal: <W-wait, is this what you were talking about earl—>

Rosa: -bow- <We're here, yes? Observing this tired old scene—>

-"apologetically"- <Sorry, this refreshing remix of an aquatic ambulophobe finding her land legs…>

Ceal: <B-bite me.>

Rosa: <Scenes of alternate interest ostensibly minutes to months away!>

-Rosa spreads his arms wide, his petals crookedly framing his silhouette against the stadium flatscreen-

Rosa: <Successive instances stretch further and further apart; ligaments bend and tear—we're uniquely poised to witness strange moments draw near opposite sides of the curtain.>

<Time, adamantine though it may be, has proven inconstant! Mercurial! Malleable!>

-grin- <Amenable to shenanigans.>

Rosa: <Like so.>

-Abilene, far below, chews her lip-

(-a tell made subtle enough it can only be picked out by a lens grown to read messages from stars-)

-more obviously, she can't believe this is happening-

-an idle digression into an old field in between her ongoing investigation into Macro Cosmos, a way to regain some much-needed notoriety-

-her mouth moves without her input-

Abilene: Well. Nessa, you humble me.

Nessa: -near-curtsey- I do my best.

Abilene: Clearly. You would need to, to accomplish this against me.

Nessa: -quirk- It seems that way, does it?

-a pause—heavy in the way foam is heavy, the silence of two Delcatty eyeing each other up across an alleyway-

Nessa: You'll need to Dynamax if you want to challenge me, Challenger.

-Abilene chuckles—is that what's happening?-

Abilene: Honorable Gym Leader, I'm a Macraul.

-is this her life, right now—stymied by a city official who caters to children-

Abilene: -extending her arm to the side, Heavy Ball in hand- Macrauls don't give up ground.

Nessa: -chuckle- Well, it's about time one learned.

Abilene: Really and truly.

Abilene's Fruit Sorbus vs. Hulbury's Defending Pride!

Abilene: It's a sad day that I disappoint someone, yet.

---

Ceal: <H-holy sh-shit, i-is Abilene supposed to be getting her ass k-kicked?>

Rosa: <Ha! Can't you hear the gleam? She's got this fight at the tip of her cane, she does.>

Ceal: -bemused- <C-come on! Th-three wh-whole Pokémon in the h-hole, and s-she's no c-closer to w-winning.>

Rosa: -lounging- <Please, audience-bound is when Abilene does her best work. She's shown up her wretched hive of a family at every turn, you weren't there to know.>

-Ceal demurrs, anticipatory-

-...-

-she's nervous-

Rosa: -glance-

-Tripod of all Pokémon would recognize—they've spent enough time around similar souls to tell-

-it's like lead, weighting down the corners of a heart-

Rosa: <Oh, it's not like your Trainer's doing any better.>

-Tripod gives Rosa an odd, pointed look, as if to remind him that Megan's match hasn't even started yet-

Rosa: <Right, yes, right.>

-all around, the crowd roars Nessa's name-

Rosa: <Whatever.>

---

Nessa: -shrug- Suit yourself.

-Abilene exhales, tension only growing-

-and slips fully into the space Lanatus's cultivated for her mind-

Sorbus: ...is this true?

A whole five bodies, just for me? [ :

Abilene: Underestimated her. Don't do the same.

Fight hard. Play dirty.

-Abilene retreats—no, recoups—in the confines of her own skull-

-...stepping back in- ...not. Victory-or-death dirty, just be a heel.

Sorbus: -chortle, creaking- Oh, I look forward to stretching my limbs…

-across the stadium, Nessa watches the duo with narrowed eyes—the veteran member that smote Milo's Cherrim-

Abilene: Sorbus.

-this is the critical moment, she can tell-

Abilene: -peaked- Wreak havoc.

-Nessa's Golisopod leaps forward, Sucker Punch armed and ready to combat the battle-ending snipe that steamrolled her Gym Trainers-

Sorbus: —!

-it doesn't come-

Golisopod: <Wha…?>

Nessa: -shouting- —Golisopod, get RID of it!

-Golisopod's claw's pierced clean through the skin of a giant seed-pod—three feet in front of Sorbus proper-

Sorbus: -sticks out her tongue, cheekily-

-one flex of insectoid muscle is all it takes—it's sheared in half, scattering its contents all over the field-

But it failed!

Abilene: -murmur- Oh dear, oh dear. Whatever shall I do?

Nessa: ...Golisopod. Back out of that zone.

Golisopod: -claws unsheathed- <What? But I haven't—>

Nessa: Le—

Sorbus used Wood Hammer!

-and here comes the cataclysmic strike-

-the chemical burn of organic propellant, and it explodes into the scene—to Golisopod's left, who only hunkered down-

Golisopod used Iron Defense!

-off-center, it didn't shatter carapace so much as cause it to rebound, flinging the insect back to her Trainer's side of the field-

-and indirect, the practiced shuffle in its wake takes Golisopod out of the grove that snaps up, incipiated by the kinetic shockwave-

Nessa: -huff, grin- —ssen.

Abilene: …well.

Nessa: I can't believe that worked.

Sorbus: -bemused, wiggling the offending branch- <...my, my, but you're going hard. And here I remembered Gyms as being rather easy.>

-Nessa puts her hand in one of her sport uniform's pockets-

Golisopod: <But of course! How can Nessa expect to face her rival if she can't handle the everyday constituents of his Type?> ^w^

Sorbus: <...EVERYDAY?!>

Golisopod used Taunt!

Golisopod: <...I'd like to redo my introduction.> .w.

Nessa used a Max Potion!

-in the brief reprieve this grants, Sorbus takes her roots—-

Sorbus: -growl- <We will MAKE your day…>

- —as far as any Pokédex entry knows, generally unsuited to ingraining in external soil—a Torterra's back is a delicate, complex microbiome in macroture—-

Sorbus: <...your week…>

-and hammers them into the earth-

Sorbus: -straining- <Your MONTH>

-every seed she planted does the same, sprouting instantaneously-

-and the earth ruptures-

Sorbus: -howl- <For the rest of your LIFE!!>

-great slabs of stone borne upwards on a tide of root and vine-

Abilene: -idly, tangential- Rock Slide.

All in.

Golisopod: <Eep.>

Nessa: -unblinking- Golisopod.

-and in the instant before it falls, Golisopod is there in front of Sorbus, applying a Sucker Punch to the top of her skull—-

-and Sorbus lets out another howl, bringing the earth crashing Emergency Exit! down-

Abilene: ......annoying.

-with barely a beep-boop of critical health, Golisopod slinks back into the merciful conversation-free confines of her small blue-and-more-blue sphere-

-from the next point of entry, gales emerge-

Abilene: -primly, proud- Why, thank you.

-she strokes a nearby sapling, and the forest drags Pollen kicking back to earth-

Abilene: I do make a point to cultivate skill in relevant fields. :)

-she similarly makes a point of savoring being gentle with an unfamiliar Grass-type-

-and Pollen: -shriek-ing of which, we pan to a Deerling in a set of headlights-

Megan?:

Megan??: R

Megan???: Right!! :D

Pollen: -mouthing- (wrong,)

-and here's where Logan comes in-

Logan: …

-they raise a hand to their lips, taking in Abilene conspicuously eavesdropping on the hot gossip-

-Pollen squirming in a nest of vines like she doesn't want to be here—ignoring her recently demonstrated capacity to pretty handily not be here—-

-...Ever Locked Onto an individual with a familiar sharp-edged zeal(??)...-

-...and Megan-

-sweating-

-muscles tense like she's readying a punch, leaning back in an ineffectual defensive, and smiling the smile of someone ready to direct both the former inward, at her own face, if it would alleviate concern-

(-if she were standing, she'd be shifting foot to foot, working up to a good pace—alas, societal convention-)

Megan: -subvocally- (help me)

Logan: ...well, it's high time I canvassed for volunteers. ^_^

Megan: -tendergrit- (n)

-but Logan's already gone, the only trace of their passage a faint hint of glitter glimmering in the murk-

Megan: ohhahahaha do I have feelings?? ^_^;;;

...wait, right dang geez -turns to Pollen- You should talk about your feelings.

Pollen: <I'd rather have a flower land on me and suck out my juices.>

Abilene: -pet- That could be arranged.

Megan: Please— Pollen: <Do not.>

-Suiko's in here as well, cowl-hat off, sipping something sweet and electrolyte-y-

-without turning to look she raises her thumb to one of the room's other occupants, then pours the liquid gently yet firmly over her own head-

-the docking bay of the Persephone, specifically-

Wisp: <Hee hee!>

-there seems to have been a stowaway-

-a little Rotom whizzes out of one of the shuttles, dances around to a free berth—spins coils of Psychic energy around herself-

Wisp used Ally Switch!

-and what appears in her place is a passenger carriage, suspended in a web of Twistedmetal-

-the Dreamweaver flickers in its bed of spoons, Aura from the specific thread it drew upon coruscating—earthward, Wisp seems to have found the cookie jar left for her reward-

Logan: -fingers flying through the controls- Pretty good time. Didn't explosively decompress the cabin or the station, got enough power for the return trip…

-wry- We probably should save this for end-of-the-world scenarios, though, you know? Good Held Items aren't ch—

Megan: -hustling- I need to go now yes thank you

-Megan runs past Addie Discharging her neurons into the processing banks, smoothing out her dress-

-jams her hand into the Dreamwell, taps the Miracle-Eye sensor bank with the closest human approximation of a Calm Mind (a decidedly disquiet mind, an outdrawn breath), pinpoints the largest gathering of people-

-...remembers she can't do anything with it, rubs the course chart down Vee's face-

Vee: <...> .3

-picks her up, and squeezes her until she pops, catapulting them all into a Water-boosted subspace-

Vee used Dive!

Logan: -wave- Safe travels.

Addie: -buzzing- <Don't space yourself!>

---

-they, fortunately, do not space themselves-

-what they do is appear in unoccupied chairs, dressed in formalwear and only slightly wet-

Pippy: <I object!>

- —Pippy fails to say, through a mouthful of Vee-

-Megan stares intently at the proceedings, striving to affect having been there all along-

No mind to think. No will to break.

Persephone Station, Wedding Hall

-From her seat, Alice watches the proceedings with a smile - a happy one, by all indications, though as someone well-versed at keeping her emotions in check it's impossible to tell what's on her mind. Next to her, Lissa leans in closer.-

Lissa: You're not about to jump in and interrupt everything with some dramatic proclamation, are you? 'Cause that'd be hella fun to watch.

Alice: Hush, you.

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Field of the Omegas

The legion stopped at its tracks, mesmerized by the sight of who they believed to be a [Celtic] witch, very obviously intimidated. The Omegas, meanwhile, felt rather confident at the turn of events. Saka was especially pleased. A few smart-assed Omegas made remarks about how their [Latin] used to sound like that as well.

Behind them, Theodora continued to surreptitiously gather Silphium stalks and potting them, sliding them into the hammerspace litter they've been going around in.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Sep 28th 2020 at 8:35:01 PM

Persephone Station

-Did someone say dramatic interruption?-

-Because hey this is when Pent arrives in... A flowing white wedding dress? What?-

Alright, where am I gonna sit?

-He scans across the crowd before locking eyes on the podium with an exaggerated shock-

Oh, oh! I didn't get the memo did I. Gosh it's so awkward to find out you're copying someone else's look. Here, lemme change.

-We briefly cut away to the other scene in progress-

Omega Fields

-Gale turns back to the soldiers and clears her throat. Her intent is to say "ego sum nox"; "I am night". But her tongue slips...-

Ego sum Nyx!

-Regardless, her Pen-driven illusion unfurls. A celestial aspect crawls across her frame, most notably changing her gown fully into a shimmering star field as her eyes become void pits with only the left one bearing the light of a hateful blue star. Over her right shoulder hovers a pitted moon, bone-cream and yeah that's a retextured gaster blaster-

Celestial Aspect: Nyxborn Historia

-And now back to the other scene in progress-

Persephone Station

-As Pentigan walks towards his intended seat (likely next to Kamui), the white gown shifts, shortening as it blackens and shimmers with a starfield that shifts as he moves. A floppy-pointed, wide-brimmed hat manifests in his hand that he perches on his head before sitting down and taking it off again-

Celestial Aspect: Nyxborn Formalis

-He laughs softly and smiles-

#Penti makes an entrance, Penti makes an entrance at the wed-ding.#

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Persephone Station

-Kai's eyes are immediately drawn by Pent's dramatic display, and it takes everything in their power not to burst out in giggles.-

Kai: Dammit, you weren't kidding.

Skysail

Des looked down at the little scene in Gale's hand.

"...huh. No idea you could do that. Might have to get me one of those 'pens'. Alright, I'm game."

He gave Kim a little nudge.

"You holding up good?"

Persephone

Des watched as Roxy descended down in her dress and took her position right across from Silas.

"Wow...they really are made for each other. A little on the extra side but it is the first wedding in space as far as I know so it's all very extra. What do you think Kaiise-."

Pent suddenly made his entrance.

"...a bold move showing up wearing white on someone else's wedding day."

Kalos, Somewhen else

Des and Lita stroll up to a slightly dilapidated house on the outskirts of Lumiose. Vines hung from its walls and snaked around its structure. Beside it was a sizeable greenhouse that was similarly overgrown.

Des: "Hey why don't we swing by a restaurant before we-"

Lita: "No! You're not worming your way out of this one. You've been in a funk the last few days."

Des: "You'd think my trip to Dinosaur Land would've cheered me up."

Lita sighed and guided her past-future dad to the door. She knocked and a faint "Come in!" invited them inside.

The house was cluttered, books stacked on either side of the hallway, shelves covered in knickknacks and chochkeys. Des sneezed as dust was kicked up into the air as they moved deeper into the hovel. "In the atrium!" the voice called out to them. Des couldn't recognize who it belonged to.

Father and daughter walked by some paintings on the way to the kitchen. Most were of fairy or grass mons but Des stopped for a second to examine one closely. It was dark, unlike the other bright depictions of nature that it shared the walls of the house with. Des could pick out a cobblestone bridge over a river with the moon reflected in it. The woods surrounding it were twisted, with scary faces etched into the bark. Atop the bridge a Rapidash was up on its hindlegs. Des could pick out a rider upon it, dressed in black. However, he could not tell what the rider looked like because the top portion of the painting had been torn away.

He stood there for a minute trying to figure out if someone ripped the painting like that or if it was just accidentally damaged. For all he knew the rip could have been an intentional choice by the artist. His train of thought was interrupted by Lita pulling on his sleeve and yanking him the rest of the way into the kitchen.

Lita: "Stop stalling!"

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Feywilds, far past

-The portal opens into what appears to be a verdant field, the path to a house flamed with grass at least ten feet tall, Bug-types flying above and Fairy-types milling about. The sun is shining, but its rays seem to have a visual quality similar to a spun glass figure-

Wow...

-Tries using Aura Sense, only to have to shut it off due to the sheer quantity of ambient Aura-

Ugh, it's like when I first started using my powers actively. It's just so... filled with life.

Galar Route 8, past

-Climbing up a ladder-

Just ruins and ruins and more ruins, I think these were once [Roman], and then historical Galarian. Kalos' Victory Road was more vertical though.

Falinks: -Patrolling by- <Hup two three four!>

Hitodama: <Do the Falinks even know why they patrol?>

Good question, don't know exactly.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Persephone Wedding Seats - Pent n' Kamui

"Oh hello there," she says simply, electing to stop leaning against the seat and begin leaning on Pent instead.

Colton n' Gail

"... a guitar?"

"As a guitarist, this is valid."

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Maggie: "Huh... this is pretty full of life, yeah."

Scouter is looking around, astonished, looking to take the sights all in. And likewise assess potential dangers.

"life is just a series of increasingly canon-eluding ao3 tags" ~ everydunsparce "Keep your hellfruit away from me, tempter" ~ also Every

The Fields of Nyx

The [Roman] soldiers look at the upcoming illusion. They've been naturally wary of [Celtic] witches before, but now that they're seeing one up close, they're oddly hesitant to attack. Should they follow orders?

The appearance of the otherworldly figure answered that question for them. They briefly take a moment to parse what they're seeing before screaming all silly like and running away, leaving their gladiuses and other equipment.

The only one remaining is the unfazed eques, Decimus.

[Celtiberian] Omega: <Uninterpretable things in ancient [Celtiberian] that sound affirmative!>

Non-binary [Jewish] Omega: And we get free stuff, too. Neat. What now?

Decimus: Arceus, I though they'd never leave.

Saka: Decimus, my brother.

Decimus: We've no time to lose. Quintus has rummaged through the satchel and found all sorts of things besides the spices. I can tell you their location, but I must go not long after.

Saka: Worry not. Just make it look convincing.

He turns to the duo.

Saka: Theodora, tell your friend that Decimus is indeed one of us. He works alongside the legions as our spy.

Motostoke Stadium, Gym Challenge Puzzle Room

Team 556 Point Count: 0
-When Ian and Evelyn set foot in the tall grass, a whole horde of Fire-type Pokémon jump out at them.-

-A Sizzlipede, a Vulpix, a Salandit and four Litwick appear!-

Sizzlipede: <Lookee here! New trainers!>

Salandit: <Yeah! That means we get to have some fun!>

Vulpix: <I'm always up for some fun.>

Litwick A - D: <LET'S GET 'EM!!>

Me: Piku-chan! I choose you!

Evelyn: Hatty, you're up!

-Piku-chan and Hatty jump into the fray, as Ian checks his Pokédex.-

Pokédex: Sizzlipede, the Radiator Pokémon. A Fire and Bug type. It stores flammable gas in its body and uses it to generate heat. The yellow sections on its belly get particularly hot. It wraps prey up with its heated body, cooking them in its coils. Once they're well-done, it will voraciously nibble them down to the last morsel.

Me: Piku-chan! Use Thunderbolt!

Evelyn: Hatty! Use Brutal Swing!

-Piku-chan surrounds himself in electrical energy, which he releases in the direction of the Pokémon. Hatty surrounds her braids in a dark aura of violence before spinning around and thrashing the Litwicks.-

Piku-chan used Thunderbolt!
Hatty used Brutal Swing! It's Super Effective!
-Litwick A through D are sent flying by Hatty's attack, whereas the Sizzlipede and Salandit are knocked unconscious by Piku-chan's electricity. Ian, taking the opportunity to net a few extra points for him and Evelyn, throws a Great Ball at one of the Litwicks.-

Me: Go, Great Ball!

-The Great Ball makes contact with Litwick C, who glows with a red light before being pulled in to the Ball, which gently floats to the ground.-

-Wobble-

-Wobble-

-Wobble-

-CLICK.-

Gotcha! Litwick C was caught!
-Ian picks up the Great Ball and holds it over his head in triumph!-

Me: There's no mistaking it, I CAUGHT A LITWICK!!

Piku-chan: <WAY TO GO, PAL!!>

Team 556 Point Count: 7

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jul 21st 2021 at 9:53:24 AM

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Motostoke Stadium

(Kim sees Ian catching the Litwick on the jumbotron and grins.)

Kim: "Like I said. He just caught a Litwick."

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Motostoke Stadium

Hoops and their pokemon watch the screen in awe.

"Seven points so quickly. I knew they were good, but I didn't know they were that good."

Sal grumbles. <Don't know why they would catch a Litwick when there's a perfectly good Salandit right there.>

<But Sal, then they wouldn't be so impressed by you> Led says.

Sal appears to be satisfied with that answer.

"If they're that quick, this challenge will be a breeze for them," Hoops notes. Kec nods, agreeing.

"Friends, Loved Ones, Family, Allies and Comrades," Victor began, his tone surprisingly soft, "We are here to bond two souls together. Love... it's a hell of a thing."

Silas gave Victor a slight look, this was... different.

"Love binds many of us, platonic, familial, or more. It holds many of us, sustains us, love is one hell of a thing. I am glad to say that these two have found love that will sustain each other. We are gathered here, to engage these two in Matrimony. The Rings, if you would."

Roxy and Silas took each others hands, Silas took out a box and opened it, inside were two rings. Arthur had done the crafting of course, and he was proud of it, the rings were specially made, and enchanted by Denali for some extra coverage. On they were slipped, almost seeming to glow, though Arthur suspected Denali was responsible.

"Now, if anybody has any objection as to why this should be?" Victor asked looking over the crowd.

Several more perceptive members might have noticed the sound of metal guitars strumming menacingly, and a scowl having formed on Arthur's face daring someone to try.

"Then by the powers vested, I proclaim you two, Husband and Wife, you may kiss the bride."

The two embraced, and if there had been fireworks, the kiss would've been setting them off. Victor smirked and muttered to himself, "Not too shabby if I do say so."

Ziltoid set about playing the next few strings as Victor announced, "And now, we shall move on to the reception."

Persephone

Des stood straight up and started clapping as soon as Silas and Roxy kissed. He cheered and blew whistles.

"Yeeeeeeah! Congratulations!"

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Feywilds, past

Channah: -blinking at the sudden change in lighting- Think I can feel it, kind of. Everything's so - vibrant.

Jack: <Ooooh! What's that house?>

Channah: Probably where the tooth fairy lives.

Galar Route 8, past

Channah: Hehehe. Gotta have something to do.

Korexis: -almost extends a neck to take a curious bite out of one of the Falinks, but then rethinks it-

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

Persephone Station

-Kai smiles, quietly clapping from their seat. No need to draw attention to themself, after all.-

Persephone Station

Hey there dear.

-Pent smiles and leans against Kamui in turn-

Man, weddings just keep happening recently. J-Team's all growing up...

Omega Fields

-As soon as the coast is clear, Gale lets the illusion go with a breath out-

O-okay! Little survival tactic there; make yourself look bigger and badder than ya are.

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Motostoke Stadium, Gym Challenge Puzzle Room

Team 556 Point Count: 7
-The Vulpix lands on its feet and prepares to battle Piku-chan.-

Vulpix: <I see you like to play with lightning. But you know what they say about those who play with fire...>

-The wild Vulpix spits out a stream of fire targeting Piku-chan.-

Piku-chan: <YOWCHEE! HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!>

Me: Careful, buddy! Those Fire-type moves are powerful!

Piku-chan: <You're telling me...>

Evelyn: I got this! Hatty, Use Life Dew!

Me: Piku-chan... Whaddya say we turn up the heat with Mega Punch?

Piku-chan: <Sounds like a party to me! ow!>

Me: And don't worry. Evelyn and Hatty have got you covered.

-Hatty sprinkles glittering dewdrops on Piku-chan, replenishing his strength.-

Hatty used Life Dew!
-Piku-chan pulls back his fist, then lets loose on the Vulpix with a powerful punch!-

Piku-chan used Mega Punch!
-The punch sends the Vulpix flying through the air. Ian sees this as an opportunity to throw a Poké Ball, which he does.-

Me: Go, Poké Ball!

-The Poké Ball makes contact with the Vulpix, who then glows with a red light before being pulled into the Ball.-

-Wobble-

-Wobble-

-Wobble-

-CLICK.-

-Ian picks the Poké Ball up and raises it over his head.-

Me: And that's not all, I CAUGHT A VULPIX!

Evelyn: Congrats, Ian!

Team 556 Point Count: 9

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Motostoke Stadium

(Kim grins once again upon seeing that Ian has caught a Vulpix and smirks.)

Kim: (to herself) "9 points already? Their battle should be fun." (then, to Hoops) "Something tells me Rever ^note  to Hoops: rhymes with "fever" and Hikari are going to love this."

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Glimwood Tangle

Mix: -contented fox noise-

Ever: Hehe, yeah, I know some flowers that could do that too. Seeya, Logan. Always good talking.

Misery: <...Mmf.>

-she recalls herself-

Just: <Wow, we have clearly put ourselves in the middle of something.>

Ever: You don't view this as heroic?

Just: <It's like, the part of heroism that's kinda depressing...>

Ever: But by far the more meaningful.

Just: <Ugh. I'm a neurologist, not a psychologist.>

Ever: But you're also aware that communication now keeps plots on rails later, hmm?

Just: <...Bluh.> (to Pollen, mechanically) <Have you tried discussing your feelings, though? It'll probably happen eventually so you might as well have some control over it.> (to Ever) <Good?>

Ever: Eh.

Circhester

Brie: I hate you.

Amanita: Strong word.

Brie: So much!

Amanita: I can't do anything about this.

Brie: I am livid with rage!

Amanita: You aren't...

Brie: Ugh. This is completely unfair, you know.

Amanita: I didn't pick the theme. Are we going to watch this battle or not?

Brie: Leaning not. I kind of want to drown my sorrows.

Amanita: I thought you didn't drink?

Brie: Yeah, I was going to drink a lot of soda and pretend to be drunk, like they used to do on kid's TV. You know.

Amanita: That...makes you feel better?

Brie: I'm sort of willing to try anythi—

-someone wanders by in a highly distinctive outfit-

Brie: ...Was that—

Amanita: Yeah, it's them. Come on.

-they both hurry after Apple A Day-

Circhester Gym

PEFE!Every: Finally, a challenge that actually appeals to my skillset...

-she looks out at the stands, frowning-

Hm. Oh well.

-she begins dowsing her way through the field-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Persephone Wedding

"I guess after everything, two years of life come crashing down fast," Kamui considered, resting a hand on Pent's leg. "After something so stressful, we've all aged. Matured, settled, found purpose and niche."

"Well." Gail said. "That was quick."

"That's Silas Grant."

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

-wind whips through the arena, battering at the pile of stone underneath which Sorbus has buried herself—the faltering rainstorm 'reignites', drenching everything-

-from across the field, Abilene mouths "you're so predictable"-

-stimulated by wind-shock, freshly watered—the shattered stone erupts into bloom-

-samara wings the breadth of Braviary's unfurl and catch the wind—the roots hold fast—-

-the net result being the tearing-up of the whole turf, and a stage full of flying stone-

Sorbus's Stealth Rock!

-and Nessa only smiles-

-in the first instant, everything's blasted back—toward Sorbus's side of the field, battering against the impromptu fortification-

Sorbus used Protect!

-...but Hurricane has a curious, much-coveted quality-

-fueled by a rainstorm, at just the right angle, there's seldom through which it can't simply shear—-

Sorbus: ?!

-with greater efficacy, in fact, than a blast from a titan-

It's super effective!

-right through the gaps in the wall, eroding masonry and root like paper-

Sorbus was confused!

-as are we all-

-now pinned beneath several tons of useless stone, disoriented and in pain, Sorbus squirms against the risk of a cave-in-

-Abilene lets out a piercing whistle, and unconsciously Sorbus reaches back...-

-plucks a Persim Berry from her boughs, scarfing it down in a flash-

Nessa: ...was that registered when you came in?

-her gaze sharpens-

Abilene: -shrug- I'm sure it'll match up.

Nessa: ...right.

-and in the third instant, the pressurized air reaches the shield separating the audience from intimate identification with the background cast of Big Monster, the Pokéstar Studios hit blockbuster featuring a big monster—and rebounds, sending the debris flying aftward-

Pelipper: -indignant, battered- <NEITHER RAIN NOR SNOW NOR GLOM OF NIT, NOT STICKS AND STONES—> -squawk-

-oh, that poor bird-

---

-let's spare the next few minutes' detail-

Ceal: <S-see, y-you're working off the s-same premise—>

Rosa: -frown- <I'm insulted at the insinuation that we're in any way derivative—>

Ceal: <Th-there's nothing new under the sun, n-nor all this rain, a-and underdog narratives>

Rosa: <And now insulting's just the beginning of what's going on here.>

Ceal: <Y-you won't even permit explication of h-how she c-could possibly be, b-but the b-buildup uses all the t-trappings—>

-insistent- <N-Nessa's putting in all this w-work, e-evidently, t-to sh-show up Milo and r-reinvigorate her Gym's fame—>

Rosa: <And I'm telling you, in a moment it'll all be status quo.>

Ceal: <T-Taurosshit, e-every moment's essential—>

---

-yeah, that's enough-

Pelipper: <LIBERTY! REASON!>

Nessa: Defog.

Pelipper: <JUSTICE! CIVILITY!>

Abilene: Ugh.

Pelipper: <EDIFICATION!! PERFECTION!!!>

< M A I L >

-one last flap of the mighty courier's wings, and a thousand flaps on ten thousand metaphorical letterboxes flip down-

-literally, though, the wind whistles through the cracks in masonry-

-achenes are pried from their holes, falling inert to the wayside—concealing vines sever shortly, the stony shell encasing Sorbus strips away, grain by grain-

The Stealth Rock was dispelled!

-express indeed-

Nessa: -crossed arms, lax- There's a choice before you, now—reapply your cheap chip-away tactic, or spend the next six—

Abilene: HA.

-the camouflage removed includes the arbor concealing a series of stones directly above the Pelipper-

Pelipper: <WH—>

-before she can deliver another pun, she's stamped into the ground-

Pelipper: @U@

-but not before seriously pushing the envelope-

Sorbus: <That's why you splurge on same-day conveyance!>

Abilene: And please, it's a simple matter to reapply my technique before—

• • • ◓x|◓◓ • ◓◓

Nessa: Wrong choice.

-Nessa opens the ball, and there's only a streak of sky-blue light-

Abilene: Ah, lovely. If you'd kindly introduce them to me, I'd arrange a playdate.

Pollen: <Hasn't happened so far.>

Megan: You can be heroic by talking? ._.

Pollen: <We know Logan. This is a surprise how?>

-there's a long, long beat as they process this-

-and they groan, in unison-

-fall into a slump, in unison-

-shake their heads, constructing near-identical little bits of shame—-

Pollen: -squirming, uncomfortable- <...look, no one wants to hear any of this.>

<It's just a drag, it's not relevant, it won't make me any...nicer.>

-she works up her most heroic effort yet...and smiles, halfway-

-eyes up- <Just...let me keep going. I'll figure out what I'm doing wrong eventually.>

Megan: …

-eyes down-

-she casts another surreptitious glance, sidelong, at the Torterra-tree holding her partners-

(-Abilene knocks on the bark, and the branches close ranks. Megan reaches out in protest…-

Megan: …

-before lowering her hand-)

Pollen: -wide-eyed- <...>

-Megan looks around the clearing—shifts as if to get up—-

-tugs, ineffectually, at the Grass Knots stapling her boots to the forest floor-

-stares at Abilene, who remains immune to conventional Trainer challenges-

-glances at Ever, hoping for clemency-

-█████s by all three Lake Guardians, very very quietly-

-...-

Megan: Why…

-she looks at her shoes, trapped in the weeds-

Megan: ...why did you pick me?

Pollen: <...what?>

Megan: You jumped...out of the tall grass. At me, pretty vehemently. Why.

Pollen: -defensively- <I, I mean, you're a Trainer? Is that so wrong?>

-for the first time in the whole conversation, Megan meets her gaze-

-only for an instant-

Megan: I'm not—

-Pollen quails at...something-

Megan: -looking down- Please.

-...-

Pollen: <Like, you had a whole squad with you. Who'd miss one more?>

Megan: …

Pollen: <Like, you're strong, right? Pokémon want to be strong—it's, like, a whole thing.>

-...-

Megan: ...I hadn't fought any battles there yet.

-...-

-...-

Pollen: <...>

Pollen: <You're loved.>

…

Pollen: <It-it practically shines out of your pores, you're so full of it. Even through a layer of metal—even—>

<You're— so close—to each other. It's so bright, I can hardly,>

(Abilene: … )

Pollen: -hiss- <How…?>

-...-

-...-

Megan: -snrk-

Pollen: <Wh-what?!>

-Megan has her hands pressed together in front of her face, partially hiding a weird grin-

(-on the <<secure wavelength>> of Vee's Personal Voice, banter is occurring-)

Vee: -drawl- <<There he goes, our charmin' cap'n. Pity you missed out on that one, eh?>>

Pippy: <mmm.>

Vee: -...sniff- <<...I thin' that man is a vampire. Who put him in charge of officiatin' holy matrimony?>>

Pippy: <mhm.>

Vee: -snicker- <<Altho' I suppose he's appropriately eternal. 'Til death—>>

-he writes (shush) on her insides, and she stifles a laugh-

-sniffs more curiously, under the guise of reabsorbing tears-

-love's in the air-

No mind to think. No will to break.

Glimwood Tangle

Ever: (to Abilene) Mmm...mine's a bit...

-hand gesture denoting violence-

Energetic. Been trying to get her a little chiller before I introduce her to strangers she's not supposed to mulch.

And yes, Megan, talking is very heroic.

-they wink at Megan as she looks to them for clemency, and jerk their head in the direction of Pollen-

You're not a drag, Pollen. And nobody ever self-corrected by guessing. It's Yom Kippur, or it was rather recently. It's a time for getting these things out.

Just: <Wait, I thought that was in the fall—>

Ever: It's almost October. We've been here for two months.

Just: <WHAT?!>

Ever: Fairy forest. You didn't notice?

Just: <You did? Why didn't you say something?!>

Ever: We were vibing. Right, Mix?

Mix: <I plead the fifth. :3>

-the three settle in to observe Megan and Pollen talking-

Circhester

-Brie hurdles over a stall, sliding several feet, and activates her Running Shoes to get a quick boost-

Brie: Come on!

Amanita: I'm not a sprinter! I'll cut them off!

-Amanita ducks into an alley-

-Brie skids to a halt and dodges around a passerby, not slowing down too much-

Brie: Ever! This is unnecessary!

Apple A Day: In the business, we normally don't unmask the heroes! Are you sure you're not a villain?

Brie: Pretty sure!

Apple A Day: Grav Apple!

Syrnewt: <Up, up, and away!>

-Apple a Day ascends on an antigravitational current, running straight up a wall-

Brie: ...That is definitely not the way to go about this. Halcyon!

-and Brie scooters after-

Circhester Gym

PEFE!Every: I disagree. No rule was provided about evading the holes, I was only told that they'd be there.

Melony: Not exactly the spirit of the rules, though, is it?

PEFE!Every: Eh.

Melony: Telling you to stand up straight and speak from the diaphragm would be wasted, I assume?

PEFE!Every: Hm?

Melony: If you're battling professionally, you should make an effort to be professional. It's only fair to those observing, and to your opponent.

PEFE!Every: Uh, okay.

-she does, in fact stand up straighter-

...Uh, is this better?

Melony: -blink, blink- You're a little quiet, but it'll do. Are you ready?

PEFE!Every: Yes'm.

Melony: Then let's begin. Don't expect this to be like your previous battles. I understand you've researched me, but that won't do you any good if you don't have the skill to back it up!

Battle! PEFE Researcher Every vs. Gym Leader Melony!

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Motostoke Stadium

Hoops jumps in shock. "Kim?! When did you come in here? This is the challengers room! How did I not notice you until now?!"