Kevin gripped his shotgun and loaded it with the non-lethal rounds. Tech like this had made a lot of his job easier, he stepped out from the TAC-VAN and approached the others, adjusting his face mask, “Alright. Everyone got their gear?”

Marshall nodded, “Yep. Aeson, care to let Matrida out now?”

Aeson tossed a ball and out appeared a shiny Gardevoir, she stretched, ~Oh? Is it that time already?~

“You aren’t the easiest to convince you know.”

Matrida smiled, ~I much prefer to be left alone and let to sleep. But if we have a job we have a job. Hold still everyone for juuust a moment.~

The entire team grimaced a bit as they felt the pathways in their minds become open, Kevin looked to the team, raised a hand and then, [Check one two, all connections clear?]

Aeson gave a thumbs up, [All clear sir, Matrida’s got us connected. Still weird this whole… sign language telepathy hybrid.]

~It’s secure,~ Matrida insisted.

Manya let out her Absol, Watson, [Alright. We’re good to go.]

Watson stretched a bit and nodded, and got ready. Marshall let out her aegislash Gallahad, and Seamus let out his Rillaboom Kong.

[Small teams only, tight corridors in there, we can’t get bogged down, One mon at a time,] Kevin commanded, the Team gave a quick salute in response as they progressed through the construction site.

Nina sat, breathing slowly, her hands bound as the Hostage Takers walked a bit, a grunt on a police supplied radio communicating with their on site negotiator. The poor idiot wasn’t even the true mastermind of this unfortunate scenario, that was down to the man staring at her. Curly blond hair, green eyes with an unsettling narrowness, light skin, and an almost boyish smile that belied an underspoken cruelty, his name was Johan Raphael.

Johan was a “political activist” who had been one of Team Plasma’s most fervent supporters during their early days. His ‘protests’ had made quite a few concerned as they went beyond anything approaching reasonable political action, he had vanished a few years ago during a raid on one of his safe houses where they had found quite a bit of material.

Johan was exceptionally calm, “Worried?” he asked.

Nina looked him in the eye and said, “Only that I won’t get to see your plan blow up in your face.”

“Oh it’s nearly done, we’ve nearly won. Just have to hold out for a bit longer,” Johan commented.

Nina querked a brow, what could he mean by that?

The Gold Team entered through, stepping quietly and carefully. It was unlikely that the terrorists had stuck anyone out here to guard, but one could never be too careful. Kevin took the lead and had Bauer at his side, the Gallade kept his arms ready in a sweeping motion, doors and corners.

They approached the door from renovations into the center, Kevin attempted to open it, [It’s locked. Manya?]

[That’s an electronic lock sir, can’t pick it.]

Kevin nodded and tossed out another ball, out popped Houston, who observed the situation and saw the door, [Understood.]

They drifted over and connected a magnet clamp, slowly shorting the security out. The door clicked open and Houston was recalled, they were too wide for the team to navigate around in the Center. Houston understood, Bauer gave Kevin a pat and the team advanced through the corridors, weapons trained forwards.

The 10 approached a door, Matrida took a deep inhale, ~There are 8 life signs in there, 3 are armed, two are… Krookidiles.~

[Aeson, take point, Matrida, Flash.]

Aeson readied their SMG and stepped forward, they placed a hand on the door and attempted to open it, [Locked.]

[Bauer, Brick Break on 3.]

Bauer nodded and stepped before Matrida and Aeson. Kevin raised a hand and slowly counted down. 3. 2. 1.

The door was busted off its hinges, Matrida let out a bright psychic burst of light, and everyone inside was blinded. The Plasma Terrorists could barely see when they heard shouting, a Absol flew out from the doorway and tackled one of the Krookidiles to the wall, while the other suddenly found itself with a blade of light near its neck, in the hands of a rather serious looking Gallade.

Two of the Plasma terrorists dropped their weapons, the third could hear the sound of officers shouting, “ON THE GROUND NOW!” he did not care, he gripped it tight and attempted to raise it, only to feel the air from his lungs leave as if somebody had just swung a baseball bat into his stomach.

Kevin racked the shotgun in hand, a spent battery dropping out. “Alright, zip em up.”

Seamus and Marshall pulled out zip ties and set to work as Aeson inspected the hostages for any wounds. Kevin gripped onto his radio and put the call in.

“Sierra this is Element, three suspects in custody now and ready for evac, minor wounds on hostages, suspected to be from transporting them.”

The operator on site marked that down, “Copy that Element, Continue mission.”

The operator then handed a note to a runner and sent them off to Officer Sanchez, all it read was that the operation was underway and they had already recovered three of the 13 hostages.

Nina had to ask, “What do you mean your plan is nearly done? You haven’t done anything, you’ve barely asked for anything, and you haven’t even said anything about dropping the charges against Ghetis, what do you want?”

Johan laughed a boyish laugh, he looked to his fellows and almost seemed to spin on his heel lazily, “You act as if we are dumb enough to ask for that? We know they won’t drop those charges.”

He stepped over and gripped Nina by the chin, “No no. We have everything we want and need here. And I don’t mean the pokemon you have in your care…”

Nina spit on his face, Johan didn’t react and just kept smiling even as he wiped it away. He stepped let go and walked about the room, hand on a great ball, finger tapping in a rhythmic beat. The 5 other Plasma Grunts with him turned their attention to him.

“No see, it’s not about the demands, money, or even political clout. It’s about sending a message,” Johan said in the most casual of ways.

Nina felt a chill run up her spine as he said that.

Striaton City, NYE, 11:58 PM

(Kim and her Pokemon eventually reenter her room. On screen is the world-famous Ball Drop, with two minutes left until midnight hits and the new year begins. Kim's Pokemon excitedly talk amongst each other in preparation for the countdown, with the sole exception being Dio, who still looks a bit sad. Kim eventually sits down, as do her Pokemon, and turns to face Evelyn.)

Kim: "Yes, it was. I cannot wait for next year. And the good news is... it's going to start in just a few minutes. How excited are you for the countdown?"

The Wild Area

Kim: (thinking to herself) Hm. I wonder if Ian's okay.

Motostoke Stadium

Kim: "You're... leaving?"

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Jan 31st 2021 at 5:55:42 AM

Motostoke Stadium, Pitch

Evelyn: Well, I guess Kit is unable to battle, so the victory goes to Agnes.

Hatty: <See you around, Hoops.>

-Ian comes down from the stands to congratulate Hoops and Agnes on their battle.-

Me: That battle was amazing, you guys. I could just FEEL the power from every attack! Including that Z-Move... That was... just... TWINCOOL!

Piku-chan: <I was cheering for both of you to do really really well!>

Me: Well... I guess we'll see you around, Hoops.

Striaton City, NYE 11:58

Evelyn: Very excited! Right, Ian?

Me: Yeah! I'm excited, too!

Evelyn: -thinks to herself- Heheheh... And when the clock strikes midnight, I can put my plan in motion. Ian'll never see it coming...

Wild Area

Me: Don't worry about me, Kim... I'm just... thinking about things...

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 31st 2021 at 6:07:24 AM

Motostoke Stadium

Agnes: -smiles at Ian- Thanks!

-Her smile fades a bit as Hops announces their departure. She quietly picks up Ori and puts her on her head for a bit.-

Agnes: Ah...Ok. Good luck with your training!

Here We Are At Hostage Situation

Jeff: Good, we've secured 3 hostages.

Officer Jenny: Sir, the Geographer Weekly has sent people in.

Jeff: Better. Johan wants his audience. Bring them in.

In comes Jonathan and Tommy. On Jon's left shoulder is Kodak, the scrappy little spearow. Drake and Tobi are perched on Tommy's scalp and right shoulder. Walter's projection floats from his phone, while Tommy's phone floats and is tinged orange. Tommy has a sling on his left arm.

Jeff: Tommy, you are clearly not in the condition to take care of this. What happened?

Tommy: Sprained my arm while out on assignment. Got trapped in rubble. Nothing's broken.

Jeff: It's this sort of recklessness that give Hank Harvey fuel to say all sorts of nasty things about people following superheroes.

Tommy: Well, Arachna-Guy got me and the other civilians out.

Jeff: Good to hear at least. And shouldn't you be at home?

Gimbal: My boy's not one to miss overtime pay.

Jeff: Please don't enable him.

Tommy: We're short on staff; it's been a busy month. We could always use the extra money. Jon had to drive all the way from Ryme City.

Jonathan: We didn't have enough people on hand to cover this and Unova was a ride away.

Tommy: Mom and I are acting as producer. Walter's doing the technical stuff and Johnny's conducting the interview.

Jonathan: This fella's one of those types. Don't let the softspoken demeanor fool you, eh. He'll do anything for media attention for whatever fake deep pseudointellectual nonsense he's peddling.

The Defiant Wing

Shutter: <What did I turn int—>

He was making helioptile noises. Shutter is now a helioptile.

Shutter: <Floppy floppy cute lizard thing.>

Upton: <Yeah, at least the glitching stopped.>

Phineas, now in rotom noises: <We should let the others go. All hands on deck.>

Upton: <Don't you think Moloch is overkill for this situation?>

Phineas: You'll never know.

The Brimstone

Henry was just beat by some fella that clearly didn't know how to play poker.

Clueless-looking Poker Player: Yahtzee.

And suddenly, alarm.

Priscilla: It was lovely playing with you, but it appears that we have an emergency on our hands. You've been a great host, Mr. Smith. To return the favor, I'd be more than happy to assist in evacuations. I am well acquainted with safety protocol.

She turns to the other two.

Priscilla: Follow the emergency exits. All transactions are electronic so you can be assured that your multimillion pot is yours to keep. And Henry, do as I say and get out of here.

Henry: What about my suits?

Priscilla: Our tailor will make you new ones.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Sep 1st 2023 at 10:17:16 PM

Metropolis Of Vanity

-Yep he's not looking good now-

   Deus EX Machina: <You... YOU WILL NOT STOP ME!>   

-He lunges at everyone with a sweeping Dragon-type Multi Attack-

Silas raised his right hand, Knight's sword aglow as he dashed forward.

"No..." Silas started.

Knight had a malicious look in his red eye, "We already have."

Knight plunged the sword right into Deus Ex's head.

Wild Area

Qrow: <So you barge onto my property, cram me into a Poké Ball, and then expect me to help you?>

Shaun: "Basically."

-The Corviknight offers a beaky grin.-

Qrow: <I like you, kid.>

Elizabeth: "So how's vamprisism going?"

Isbrand: "Can't complain. Just gotta chug energy drinks and bite my girlfriends' necks."

Shaun: "You don't have to."

Isbrand: "It's fun. How's...what the fuck do you do, anyway? Cooking?"

Elizabeth: "That and music. My life is mostly a matter of building up my self-confidence."

Gabrielle: "Liz is a beautiful flower, waiting to bloom."

Elizabeth: "I don't like the way you said that."

Gabrielle: "Ah, do not fret. Xerneas as my guide, I will do my best as your mentor."

Metropolis Vanity

"Another turn, another Iron Tail."

Ahemiat growled in confirmation, parrying the Attack with his tail while Rage and Love sacrificed a fair bit of stamina for a remote Night Slash.

Reduced to Brimstone Casino

Lamb darted along the rafters, the only evidence that she was ever in the room being a mysteriously flame-proof card with the [Mark of the Kindred].

She spoke into the comm on her helmet. "Anyone need some firepower?"

Edited by AbsentCoder on Jan 31st 2021 at 9:46:34 AM

Motostoke Stadium, Pitch

Hoops: Yeah, Kim, I'm leaving.

They walk out.

The Wild Area, One Hour Later

Hoops screams in frustration.

Hoops: Dammit dammit dammit! We lost again!

Kec: <We got the gym badge at least. You should be proud of that.>

Hoops: I know, and I am, but Kabu also lost to Agnes, and she beat us. Ian has the same number of badges as us, and we still lost to him.

Kec: <You're being too hard on yourself>

Hoops: Myself? You lost too, Kec

Kec flinches at the accusation. Hoops' expression softens as they realise what they said.

Hoops: Kec, I'm sorry. I just... I don't know what that was

Kec: <Yes, you do. And we both know that you're blaming yourself, because that's what you do. Look, you're a great trainer - we all think so. We've followed you this far because of it. Just don't forget that you're fighting for our dreams to.>

Hoops: Right. I understand.

Kec: <Come on. We'll get some sleep, and start training again tomorrow.>

Striaton City, NYE

Kim: "Indeed." (She takes out her phone.) "And I know exactly what I am going to do after the clock strikes mid—"

Elton: (happily) <ONE MINUTE—!!>

Kaylan: <This is going to be so great!>

Ozzy: <I cannot wait to welcome an entirely new year in!>

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT

The Wild Area

Kim: "Ah. I see." (She pauses for a few moments.) "So, Strummer..."

Strummer: <Yeah?>

Kim: "I am aware of your love of The Clash, but I am wondering... are there by any chance any other musical artists you listen to?"

Strummer: <Only the best ones, mate! [The Dead Kennedys], The Breeding Guns, [Green Day...]>

Kim: "Ah. Fitting."

Strummer: <Yeah. I make covers in my spare time, too.>

Elton: (suddenly breaking in) <You make song covers?! That sounds amazing!>

Kim: "Apparently. Anyways... Ian, Evelyn? Do you two have any ideas as to what we should do now?"

Motostoke Stadium

Kim: "Oh. Okay, then. Farewell, Hoops— and they're gone." (sighs) "Well, then... what are we to do now?"

Striaton City, NYE 11:59

Me: I can't wait for the countdown!

-Evelyn stays silent until the countdown, knowing that in a few short seconds, her plan can be put into motion...-

Piku-chan: <Another year of adventure will begin soon! And it's gonna be so much fun!>

The Wild Area

Me: Hmm... Honestly, all that's coming to mind for me is getting to Stow-on-Side and challenging the Gym there... Evelyn?

Evelyn: I can tell that you really want to catch up with the J-Team at the league... Kim, what do you think?

Motostoke Stadium

Evelyn: I don't know... Hatty... any ideas?

Hatty: <Honestly, not much comes to mind...>

Metropolis of Vanity

-Continues staying back to have Mokele-Mbembe fire Blizzards-

Pink: -Has Galen use Dazzling Gleam-

Hammerlocke Stadium

-Walking to the pitch-

Following gimmick after gimmick, it's really something to just have some battles to go through instead.

Raihan: J-Team Leader, right? If you want to get to Wyndon, you'll have to go through me! But your streak's ending here!

-Just stares back with an expression generally reserved for fighting the likes of Cipher and Neo-Flare. It's slightly questionable if I've even comprehended the words he's saying-

...

Yes, I have to beat you and that tournament up in Wyndon to clear my mind to deal with Neo-Flare.

Raihan: -Slightly creeped out but not showing it- It's like he's looking right through me...

-With a big grin-

Right, let's save the speeches and get to the battle!

-Sends out a Gigalith and Flygon-

Corvus! Cam!

Corvus & Cam: -Are released as the area is enveloped in a Sand Stream-caused sandstorm-

Brimstone Casino

-As the purple smoke conceals around Belladonna, the silhouette of a suited and masked figure can be vaguely glimpsed within it, as can her Lilligant.-

Terra Preta: I don't know who you are, but this isn't your fight. Get out of here while you can.

Elderberry: <Yes, this seems like a situation at great riskariousness of misunderstandaments.>

-She begins buffing herself with a Quiver Dance whilst Terra Preta murmurs a response to Lamb into her earpiece.-

Terra Preta: We have some unexpected company. Support would be appreciated.

Textspace

Brimstone Casino, Belladonna's Battle

Belladonna: Oh? Then what business have you here? The way I see it, it is my fight, and I shall bring you and the rest of your crew to justice!

-Belladonna points the blade of her sabre at Terra Preta while she reaches for a Poké Ball.-

Belladonna: Growltiger... En Pointe!^{Ballet Tip} En pointe refers to a ballet position where the dancer is standing on their toes. Being on one's toes is a way of saying that a person is alert and that their energy is directed towards what they are doing. Meaning, en pointe can serve as a pun about being vigilant.

-Belladonna throws her Poké Ball into the air, which opens into a burst of light, accented by fire and when the light dies down, Belladonna's Incineroar, Gus, appears... however, his coat is sleaker than it was before and his belt of flame burns brighter than it did. In this form, he is Growltiger.-

Growltiger: <I'm ready for battle, Belladonna! Direct me to the stage!>

Belladonna: Growltiger! Use Flamethrower on that Lilligant!

-Growltiger unleashes a stream of fire from his mouth as well as from his belt at Elderberry.-

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Feb 1st 2021 at 6:03:22 AM

NYE Striaton City, 11:59 PM

Kim: "Indeed it will be. I can barely wait to find out what the New Year has in store for us."

30 SECONDS UNTIL MIDNIGHT

The Wild Area

Kim: "I do believe we should go to Stow-on-Side next, yes."

Ozzy: <Stow-on-Side? I must warn you, Kimberly. Stow-on-Side is home to two Gym Leaders.>

Kim: "I am very much aware. And I have decided to take on Allister."

Jagger:    <Allister? Hey, he's that Ghost-type guy, right?>   

Kim: "Yes, why?"

Jagger:    <'Cause I want in! I'm gonna show those Ghost-types what they're made of!>   

Kim: (smiles) "Very well, then. Does anybody else want to participate?"

Boseman: <I will gladly fight for the badge.>

Gilmour: <As do I...>

Kim: "Alright, that's three. Allister has four mons, though. So I'll need a fourth mon."

(And then Dave steps forward, surprising everybody.)

Dave: <OI! Let me at 'em!>

Everyone except Jagger and Strummer: "<DAVE?!>"

Strummer: <What? Why is everyone so shocked?>

Jagger:    <Anyone care to elaborate?>   

Motostoke Stadium

Kim: "I am... unsure."

(And then Kim looks at her calendar and notices the date: OCTOBER 30th.)

Kim: "Actually... I am not unsure." (then, turning to face Ian and Evelyn) "It's almost Halloween. What say you to getting in costumes?"

PW Sector 1, Beacon 2, Defiant Wing

-Gale flinched slightly as the notice of boarders came in. She made sure her helmet was secure, activated the most red version of her glowing eyes and rolled her shoulders-

Alright, let's go repel boarders.

-With that she started prowling for these intruders upon the ship-

Casino Raid

-Rhea smirked a little as the fire alarms chimed-

Sounds like our cue.    Finally.   

-She got up, slipping a small microphone band on and hooking up to the PA system-

Alright, filter for announcer voice...

PA System: Ladies, gentlemen, those who defy the societal constructs of gender. You have the great fortune to be here tonight at the Brimstone Casino.

-Rhea was running, getting other things out of her handbag (which was already a little bulgy from shoving her backpack into it): A Smokescreen pellet, an amulet, a pen-

On my mark, a big damn scythe and badass red-black coat.

PA System: You also have the grand honor of witnessing the Showstopper himself, the Defiler, the Lord of Riots! Pitiful mortals, put your hands together for the great and powerful Loooooooord Rakdos!

-Lady Zariel throws down the pellet, obscuring the space around her in fog as magic of artifice and obscura works to costume change. As the smoke clears there stands the tall, ragged and dangerous chaos crime persona that had been days and or weeks in the making. Lord Rakdos clears his throat and speaks out in a bemused growl-

   How glorious to be here tonight, to show this pretender how a real demon operates!   

Kai's Apartment

Ah well, ah well. A heist for two it shall be.

-Gale blinks and bursts out laughing-

I do not know why I got so poetic there.

Metropolis of Vanity

Nearly there guys, he's on his last legs.

-Rakash remains on Orpheus, but dedicates this last bit of battle to healing up his fellow Thieves-

Anthem: <Egh, I am going to need one hell of a sleep after this...>

Mimic: You and me both.

Edited by Pentigan on Feb 1st 2021 at 10:12:42 PM

Striaton City, NYE 11:59:30 PM

-Ian turns to Evelyn.-

Me: Evelyn... You've been awfully quiet... Something on your mind?

-Evelyn raises her finger to quiet Ian and to keep him from reading her mind as she's waiting for the countdown...-

Galar Wild Area

Me: The other Gym Leader is Bea, who uses Fighting Types.

Evelyn: Indeed. So the gym battle will be interesting regardless of who Kim challenges.

Piku-chan: -surprised by Dave's sudden desire to battle- <Dave?! You want to battle the Gym Leader in Stow-on-Side?>

Hatty: <This is quite a development!>

Motostoke, October 30th

Me: Yeah. Great idea! Thanks, Kim!

Evelyn: Thank you, Kim.

Piku-chan: <But the question still stands...>

Hatty: <...what costumes will you wear?>

Striaton City, NYE, 11:59 PM

Kim: (to herself) Hm... I wonder what is going on with them...

Elton: (breaking in) <HERE IT COMES!>

(Kim turns to the screen, and seconds later, she sees the clock counting down to 20 seconds, the ball getting closer and closer to the start of the new year. 15, 14, 13, 12, 11. Kim smiles as her Pokemon all gather around the screen- even Dio is starting to look a bit more excited at the prospect of a new year- and thinks to herself about all of the exciting things she did in 2020.)

Everyone: "<10!>"

(The captures of Elton and Freddie, and Umbra and Ammy's wedding.)

Everyone: "<9!>"

(The Newspeak game and the death of Neil Peart.)

Everyone: "<8!>"

(The Battle of the Bands.)

Everyone: "<7!>"

(The multitude of exciting evolutions that occurred during the year- Dio, Elton, Ozzy, Kaylan, Dalt, Orwell, Peechee, Freddie, Geddy.)

Everyone: "<6!>"

(The many, many new Pokemon that were caught.)

Everyone: "<5!>"

(The raid battle against the Abomasnow.)

Everyone: "<4!>"

(Kim's father getting mauled by a Krookodile and ending up in the hospital.)

Everyone: "<3!>" (tree, for Peechee)

(The battle against the killer Scorbunny.)

Everyone: "<2!>" (dva, for Peechee)

(Meeting Hoops and Agnes.)

Everyone: "<1!>" (odin, for Peechee)

(Fighting the Team Flare grunts in the Orochi Plaza. It all comes back to Kim, and yet despite it all, she looks down, thinking to herself somewhat about all of the... more exciting stuff she knows other members of the J-Team have done. She looks over at Ian and Evelyn for a second, wondering if she should tell them, but eventually shakes her head- a new year is on the horizon. She turns back to the TV screen— and the ball drops.)

New Year's Day, 12:00 Midnight, 2021

Everyone: (excitedly) "<HAPPY NEW YEAR—!!>"

(Everybody begins cheering and hugging each other.)

The Wild Area

Jagger:    <No, seriously, what's the big deal?>   

Motostoke Stadium

Kim: "I am going to wear my Vatista outfit... what about you two?"

Striaton City, NYE: 11:59:50 PM

-Ian and Evelyn prepare themselves for the countdown as they reflect on everything that has happened in the past year.-

Everyone: 10!

(The day Ian and Evelyn first crashed into each other.)

Everyone: 9!

(Planning their route for the friends they'd make in the Battle of the Bands.)

Everyone: 8!

(Umbra and Ammy's Wedding)

Everyone: 7!

(Preparing for the Battle of the Bands, Signing up for the Gym Challenge and Falling in love...)

Everyone: 6!

(All the Gym Battles they've faced together, and the time Ian accidentally hypnotized Evelyn.)

Everyone: 5!

(Battling the Killer Scorbunny as a team)

Everyone: 4!

(Meeting Hoops, Anna and Agnes)

Everyone: 3!

(Crashing their broom in front of that spooky house.)

Everyone: 2!

(Exploring Galar)

Everyone: 1!

(The battle against the Team Flare Grunts in Orochi Plaza.)

Striaton City, New Year's Day, 2021

Everyone: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Evelyn: -thinks to herself- NOW!!!

-Evelyn, like lightning, closes her eyes and quickly turns around to face Ian and kisses him right on the cheek! She lifts her left foot slightly into the air as she does so and a spark of psychic energy jump from the point of contact as psychic energy surges suddenly through Ian's body, leaving him in an almost-catatonic trance as he wonders "Did that just happen? Was that Evelyn's plan all along?", all the while a faint reddish-pink color fades into Ian's cheeks as he realizes... "So THAT'S why Evelyn was so quiet..."-

Wild Area

Piku-chan: <Y'see, Jagger... Dave's a bit of a pacifist. He doesn't like seeing other Pokémon get hurt...>

Motostoke Stadium

Evelyn: I was thinking about dressing up as a classic fairy tale character, Little Red Riding Hood.

Striaton City, NYD

(The celebrations abruptly stop when Kim and her Pokemon notice Evelyn kissing Ian on the cheek. Seconds later, Kim giggles, as do most of Kim's Pokemon. Sinatra smirks, and Elton's eyes widen in delight.)

Sinatra: <Heh. Lovebirds.>

Elton: <THEY KISSED! DID YOU SEE THAT, FREDDIE?!>

Freddie: <Y-yes... I did...>

Kim: (putting down her phone and taking out a glass) "Well, I propose a toast." (She holds it up.) "To the New Year!"

Kim's Pokemon: <TO THE NEW YEAR!>

(Everybody cheers— and then all of a sudden Gilmour's eyes widen. His whole body starts stiffening, and he lets out a few gasps. Everyone turns to face him, their delight quickly turning to concern.)

Elton: <Gilmour?>

Gallag: <Y-you okay, dude?!>

Gilmour: (muttering to himself) <It's happening... it's happening...!>

Kim: "W-what's happening? What do you—?"

(But she doesn't speak any further, as seconds later, Gilmour's eyes flash a bright pink and stay wide open.)

Kim: "Is this... what I think it is?"

The Wild Area

Jagger:    <Oh. I see.>   

Strummer: <Well, in that case, that is a shock.>

Dave: <SHOCK?! WOT SHOCK?! YA STILL TINK I'M GONNA HURT MY FELLOW MONS?! Just 'cause I'm battlin' doesn't mean I won't stick ta my views! My style of battle is very unique indeed, and even though I won't hurt 'em... I WILL STILL FIGHT 'EM!>

Kim: "Well. This is going to be a fun battle, I can tell."

Motostoke Stadium

Kim: "Ah. I see. And you, Ian?"

Striaton City, NYD

Hatty: <So that's what you were planning, Evelyn... Heheh... You were right. Ian never saw it coming.>

-Evelyn smiles while blushing faintly, proud of having successfully executed her plan. Ian, however, is still dazed by the kiss. Piku-chan then notices the pink glow coming from Gilmour.-

Piku-chan: <Something tells me that Gilmour isn't blushing... Look!>

-Piku-chan and Hatty look on as Gilmour's eyes glow pink.-

Wild Area

Me: Well, it should be fun, no matter what!

Evelyn: Indeed. And as long as we're together, Ian, we can accomplish ANYTHING!

Wild Area, High up in a tree

-A menacing presence watches the happy-go-lucky crew, focusing mostly on Ian...-

???:    That's what SHE thinks... for someday soon, I shall have my revenge on you... your witch girlfriend will suffer for aligning herself with you... Ian Pollyanna Salberg... MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!   

-The mysterious figure blends in with the darkness and disappears from sight...-

Wild Area

-Ian quickly turns around to face where he thought he heard something...-

Me: Huh?

Motostoke Stadium

-Ian hums a quaint little fanfare as he makes up his mind on what he wants to dress as...-

Me: I think I'll go with the Ace Pilot look, something that screams "bold action"... Y'know?

Motostoke Stadium

Agnes: Well, hope you two have fun at your party. I think I'm gonna get going. See you around!

-Ori waves a wing at the others-

Ori: <Bye!>

-and with that she starts heading for the door-

Motostoke Stadium

Me: Bye, Agnes!

Evelyn: See you around!

Me: Do you think you could show me how to do a Z-Move like that when we meet again?

Motostoke Stadium

Agnes: Sure! It's not all that different than Dynamaxing, actually. But that's for next time. Later!

-she leaves-