Dr. Azala's Lab

-Radon sneezes.-

Dr. Azala: Gesundheit.

Radon: Urgh... Thanks, doc.

-Radon lies down on his bed and looks up at the ceiling.-

Radon: Could somebody be talking about me?

AU!Celadon

Channah: -concerned at Tagg' s explanation, then faintly confused at the new arrivals- Oh yeah sure, don't introduce yourselves, I'll just muddle stupidly along or bug Tagg like I always do. Ugh. Well I'm Channah. See ya. -follows Tagg-

Au Cefflaron

Woman: Seems like none of our buisne-

Man: We should follow them, nyan!

-Starts stalking after them in a catlike fashion-

Woman: Hey!

-follows-

Ballonleia Center

Jade: I... I'm not sure...

-It is then a Pidgeot comes out of one of her Pokeballs and starts nuzzling her-

Pidgeot: <I doin't think you have to worry, Jade. This guy seems like he knows what he's talking about.>

-Jade doesn't seem to understand, but the reassuring nature comes across-

Jade: -chuckles- Alright, Swift, I get it. OK, take me to them, Shun.

Edited by Umbramatic on Aug 20th 2021 at 11:18:28 AM

Chem's Tea and T

-there's a small red flicker around the right half of Percy's face-

Percy: For all of us.

-she smiles at Scarlette-

You'd best be prepared. We Phantom Class types don't go down so easily.

Nicky and Kendra's Apartment

-Everyone's settled to sleep, though things are a bit more cramped with about 10 feet of grass snake taking up space-

-Mostly everyone anyway-

Chiyo: -Looks out at the sky through a window- I've been on the run for a very long time, but there's still so many wondrous things to be found in this world.

-A lone shooting star passes by-

A lot less than over at Aspertia, though no less special. A wish? Well...

Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 20th 2021 at 1:22:28 PM

Chem's Tea and T

-Scarlette returns the smile in kind.-

Scarlette: Heh, I know. Anyone who doesn't die when they're killed is someone to be reckoned with.

Mason: You're goddamn right we are. The School doesn't stand a chance, and neither do you.

Scarlette: Oh, now you're all confident, huh? I was wondering where that cocky streak went.

Mason: I can't let you have all the arrogance now.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Aug 20th 2021 at 1:46:31 PM

The Port at Hulbury

A trio of scruffy looking individuals huddle together for warmth. They don't appear to be especially adapted to the weather of the region, despite it being summer. Their jackets appear to be in tatters. They don't seem to be especially enamored by the scenery of the place, either.

They enter a Pokémart. Of course, this did little to allay their troubles as the air conditioner was on. They were just here to buy drinks with the meager money they were able to scrape.

Deuterium: Uh huh, you still have the paper the mamoswine farmer gave us? We read his mind several times; he's very confident that whoever we're supposed to meet here was someone who could help us.

Protium: Yeah. I'm still puzzled. How could he be so sure that his friend could help us?

Deuterium: He was sincere. I'm not the one to look at a gift ponyta in the mouth. All we wanted was to get jobs. He paid really well for a wool farmer and he paid for our getaway ticket when we told him we couldn't stay anymore. It's as if he knows that we were being chased.

Protium: That's oddly convenient, don't you think?

Deuterium: He did say we were familiar. And there was a School laboratory not far from his property. Maybe he knows about the School. We couldn't probe his mind any further, but it could be buried somewhere. I just kind of hope he's okay.

Protium: I should've known it was too good to last. The one time I thought we could finally settle down. Live like real humans, with jobs and an actual roof on our head, and— this happens.

Deuterium: Shush. We've gotten this far without so much as detecting their aura. For all we know, they're still on the other side of the ocean.

They pause. Protium pays for a cheap hot chocolate with only a few coins.

Protium: If it takes too long for us to get in touch with that Stewart guy he keeps yapping about, I'm taking up that offer.

Deuterium: You're not thinking of joining them, are you? Protes, you and I know what might happen if we do.

Protium: We don't have a lot of money and we don't have a lot of time. It's not like we can't read those creeps. We'll at least know what we're getting into. And if the Puppeteer comes knocking, it's better to have a few bodies in between us.

Tritium: It's so cold.

Deuterium: I know, dear. I'm cold, too. Drink your hot choccy and you'll feel better.

Wyndon, a Fancy Restaurant

The Albrights decided to treat Tommy out for his birthday at a restaurant of his choice. Previously, he and Gimbal had spent the day exploring Wyndon, and they took a lot of selfies in the process. There was enough to hold a short slideshow while waiting for dinner, which he presented via a new tablet computer he bought.

Gimbal: And this is us at the Wyndon Zoo.

The image is of Tommy, Drake, Shinji, and Tobi posing near the Wyndon Zoo's bug type exhibits.

Tommy: The eco-friendly building here was opened around the 1990s to replace their old bug-type house.

Shutter: Didn't Pokémon Planet do a series on that place before?

Grandpa Reynard: I remember catching that back when Shutterbug here was just a kid.

Tommy nods as Gimbal presents a few more pictures. One was of Tommy next to a bunch of flying types at a walk-in aviary.

Tommy: Yeah. There's also the [Snowdon Aviary] which is this big free-flying bird cage for the flying types.

Shutter: I kind of like the World of Flying Types and Jungle World back in Unova better.

Grandpa Reynard: Gotta agree with you there; they made the enclosures look like nature.

The next picture was of a mountain-shaped building where various normal-, grass-, and ground-types were residing, plus an aquarium with water-types inside it.

Tommy: And dig this, they keep the aquarium below the big fake mountain they keep the gogoats, onix, and ursaring in.

Shutter: The [Mappin Terraces]?

Tommy: Yeah, that one. Efficient. If a bit outdated.

Gimbal: Cut Wyndon some slack, you two. They were the first modern institution of the type. The whole "make the area look like the wild" you see in Unova's zoos didn't become a thing yet when they built it.

She then cuts to a picture of Tommy making funny faces at the eight-headed ekans at Orochi Plaza, and a stack of boxes of things they bought.

Tommy: Here's us buying things for the family at Orochi Plaza. I also bought myself lab equipment.

Gimbal: I still say we should've gone to [Harrod's] for that.

Tommy: Orochi was the only building in town whose retail floors sell scientific equipment. We didn't have time to go to the fancy department store.

Shutter: That's a lot of stuff.

Grandpa Reynard: Which one's the sciency stuff.

Tommy: The lab equipment's more "place an order and we'll ship it to the address." Apparently somebody thinks I should get a spectrum analyzer.

Gimbal: It's the only way to get someone to stop poisoning themselves. By the way, we got you a new editing laptop, Gavin. You're welcome.

Shutter: Oh, thanks— wait. Just how much money did you make from that short squeeze you said happened?

Tommy: Never you mind that, Gavin. Before we hopped over to the White Tower to look at the crown jewels, we stopped by Battle Tower to soak in the view.

The next pictures showed Tommy and the gang looking at the viewing deck of Rose Tower, followed by a picture of Tommy sitting down on what appears to be the spire of Rose Tower.

Shutter: Hold on, they let you do that?

Grandpa Reynard: Gotta add that to my bucket list.

Tommy: You could volunteer to do it, yes. Not a lot of people do so it was easy to get a reservation. They make you wear a harness and everything, but it did surprise them that I apparently climbed up that tower so fast. I forgot to ask what you'd need to present to be allowed to climb it if you were a senior.

Shutter: Cool. So, about that spectrum analyzer. That won't be operational for a time. How are you going to test that new stuff the Asimov guy sent you.

Tommy: I won't need it yet. I took your advice and called up the lab for a favor. Don't know where Des got it, but it seems rather fascinating. Didn't smell toxic, though.

Gimbal: Don't start with me.

Tommy: Oh, look, here's us taking awkward selfies near the crown jewels.

Gimbal: They look a lot more tacky up close.

Grandpa Reynard: Agreed. The queen ain't slayin' in those dreadful colors.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Mar 24th 2022 at 2:28:25 AM

Ballonlea Pokemon Center

-Shun gives Jade a small smile, a departure from his usual stoicism.-

Shun: Very well. Fair warning, those I've met can be... eccentric, on occasion. But it's certainly better than nothing.

-He heads out, pulling out his phone as he goes.-

Wild Area, Giant's Cap

Ferrum: ...Yeah. Reckon you're right. 'Bout her not making it to graduation, at least. Who knows, she might end up being our next job if this one goes fubar.

-He chuckles, before his expression grows more serious.-

Ferrum: Wouldn't go airing the rest of it in earshot of the staff, though. Not about to question their judgement where they can hear us. In any case, I've worked with a few of the Freshman kids. Some are alright. Nod their head, do what they're told, follow the script, et cetera. Others... well, I reckon they'll end up like our girl V. Or maybe you, if they're lucky.

-He shrugs.-

Ferrum: Ain't like the politics of it matters to me. I'm sticking around. They need me.

Wild Area — Giant's Cap

-Nitrogen shrugs-

Nitrogen: They've already got people crawling around my head often enough, I figure I'm not saying anything they don't already know I'm thinking. What matters is what I do, right?

-She glances back toward the direction Vana went.-

Nitrogen: ...Let's just hope this doesn't go south. I'm already fucked, but I can't imagine you want your reputation going down the same drain.

AU Celadon

-The masked figure follows the pair regardless, remaining quiet except for the leathery sound of moving jacket and the faint hollow clunk of the mask shifting with each step-

I've been reticent to use a phone...

Hulbury Port

-There is a harsh sound, one of metal grinding against stone outside along with the rhythmic fall of two sets of wooden feet marching back and forth. The air gets colder...-

Balonlleia

Jade: -starts following- I can deal with normal eccentric. It's evil eccentric I wanna get away from.

...So, who you gonna call?

-Ace hums a familiar tune-

AU!Celadon

-We have arrived in the vicinity of the Center-

Muddy: -Solemn- <The last time we were here it was a lot more busted up.>

Helios: <We had to fight through all of Lanius' guys here, Vlad broke down from the horribleness of everything and just went slaughtering every mon in sight.>

It'd been not too long since we had to deal with that Zoaroark child slaver on Quest in the Sevii, the initial invasion happened while we were still down there.

Muddy: <You wouldn't expect that Gliscor of all mons to do that, but I guess it's like what Lanius said, war releases things in you beyond understanding. Of course, he was basically saying it as an excuse to indulge in slaughter.>

-Unsettlingly calm-

Generally a frontal assault on an entrenched position is ill-advised, but we were hardly the most regular of Trainers, and when you see a street lined with crucified corpses...

-Darkly-

Some things have to be answered for.

-In a garden set aside is a large plaque, with what appears to be a long list of names-

Muddy: <When the fighting was done...>

W-We took the crucified bodies down, took the Trainer I Ds if they had them, then we cremated the remains right then and there. Obviously we couldn't bury them within city limits, and p-perhaps it would've been wiser to keep them intact at least a little longer, but we lacked a morgue and no one was in their right mind that night.

-Almost breaking down-

I had to take children off those crosses Channah, and even afterwards...

Muddy: <We saw their counterpart from our universe in the Orange Islands, which was like seeing a ghost.>

-Gritting teeth-

It was just, fuck man, the memories are coming on a lot stronger when I'm right here without the abstraction of it being in a whole other universe.

Entree Forest, Entralink

-Everyone is currently gathered around

Kendra: We can do this anywhere, really, but the nature of the Entralink makes this easier.

Nicky: -Eyes glowing with Aura Sense- There's one right... here.

-Pokes a spot with her finger and a rift appears-

Chiyo: -Whistling- It never gets less impressive how you can just... do that Nicky, it's super cool.

Nicky: -Laughing a bit- Gee thanks.

Kendra: Alright, let's do this!

-Jumps through the portal, followed by Nicky-

Chiyo: -Shrugs before jumping in with Dactyl-

-The remaining mons look a little apprehensive, before Azumarill pushes the other two in-

-And so everyone goes into freefall down what appears to be a dark cavern, with what appears to be stained glass portraits portraying locations floating past them-

Anguis: <This is a lot bumpier than I was expecting!>

Ovis: <N-No one mentioned anything about falling!>

Azumarill: -Enjoying it a bit more- <Whee!>

Kendra: -Limbs spread out- Just stay calm and don't panic!

Nicky: -Doing the same- This won't take too long now!

Chiyo: Do you guys have any idea where we're supposed to be going!

Nicky: -Pointing- See the portrait with the crystals, we're heading for that one!

Anguis: -As said cavern portrait gets closer- <And we're just gonna go splat on the glass?>

Kendra: Not splat, but it'll end our dive, yes. Don't worry, it won't hurt a bit!

-Everyone is then absorbed by the portrait-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 21st 2021 at 6:38:37 AM

Hulbury Port

The sudden chill in the air didn't go unnoticed by the group. They stepped out hurriedly into the streets of Hulbury, hoping to hide it out in the crowds.

Protium, hushed: They're here.

Deuterium: ~The harbor.~

Protium: ~Why there? Oh.~

Deuterium: ~Catching on pretty quickly, are we.~

The crowds can't protect them forever, of course. Their only chance was to get to the harbor where they hope to get a semblance of a tactical advantage.

Meanwhile, Deuterium surreptitiously unleashes a feraligatr and farfetch'd.

The hidden figure would detect two mental signatures, one from the taller, burlier older woman and another from the younger adolescent girl. There was no aura or mental signature at all for the scrawny man.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Oct 28th 2022 at 9:01:28 AM

AU Cefflaron

Woman: Wait... You're talking about... You guys were there?

Man: ...Jackie you blew our cover, nyan.

Jackie: I was shocked, okay?

Caverns

-The group lands on their feet (If they have those) gently-

Kendra: -Marking a spot down on her notebook- And that's another successful dive.

Ovis: -Looking around- <W-Where are we?>

Nicky: Well you know how there's the Nine main Realms, right? Between them is an innumerable amount of subplanes.

Anguis: <That makes sense, the Interdream Zone's one of those.>

Nicky: -As some Geodude look on- This one's just the Caverns, it's pretty safe, though there's places far less so, but we're not going to any of those today.

Chiyo: Arceus, I remember when you guys accidently took me to that place with these weird mons. They attacked us and I tried to fight them off, but the first attack I made just drained me completely. We only got away because the flash shocked them I guess.

Kendra: -Getting out a pickaxe- We think that we'd managed to tap into what's called the Collective Unconscious, one of the major Nine Realms, but that place obviously wasn't meant for normal people like us. I'd love to see more of it one day though, once we figure our way around that little issue.

Chiyo: I count as normal?

-Darkly joking-

I mean, my father was a genetic template and my mother was the vat I was birthed out of, you know? If you can even call the process being born. And the rainbow Aura, can't forget that.

Kendra: You're just as human as we are, aren't you Chiyo, even if you weren't born in any of the regular ways.

-Hand to chin-

Though maybe normal isn't the best word to say, I mean, people do all sorts of nasty things to others they don't consider "normal", like it's something to aspire to.

Chiyo: ...Thanks for that.

It can be a bit hard to remember sometimes...

Nicky: -Getting out her own pickaxe- But in the meantime, we're just here to collect some crystals for some other folks we know.

Chiyo: -Getting handed a pickaxe- Well, alright then.

Helps get my mind off of things, definitely.

-And they start getting to work-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 15th 2021 at 2:14:15 PM

Hammerlocke Stadium, Post Gym Battle

Hoops and an exhausted Kec who once again clings to their upper arm meet Raihan in the centre of the stadium.

Raihan: That was a great battle. You should be proud of yourselves.

Hoops: I guess I am. And I'm proud of my team as well, and I hope that Kec feels the same way. I think I really understand what that means now.

Raihan: Oh yeah? And what does it mean?

Hoops: Being truly proud doesn't mean that you think you have to prove yourself as being worthy of pride. It's just that you have to be able to look back at everything you've managed to achieve and be happy with it. Regardless of how large or small that achievement might be.

Raihan: Well, today you reached a great achievement. And I'm happy to award you with the Dragon Badge, proof of your victory against me.

He holds out the badge that will complete Hoops' challenge amulet. Hoops holds up their arm and allows Kec to crawl along it to take the badge in his paws. With their other arm, Hoops holds up the amulet, and Kec slides the badge into place, completing it.

Raihan grins and throws his arm around Hoops' shoulders, catching them off guard. He waves his hand at the cheering crowd.

Raihan: Enjoy that applause, mate. Always enjoy the applause, because every time you hear it it's a thrill like you've never heard before.

Outside Hammerlocke Stadium

Hoops leaves Hammerlocke Stadium, head held low and hood pulled up to avoid interaction with people. They aren't really about that.

Hoops: So, what are you going to do?

Kec: <Well, I did think about it. I thought maybe if there was someone I was angry at, staying close to them so I know as soon as I'm no longer angry might work out. Not to mention they buy me food.>

Hoops: Yeah, you deserve it. But first let's get the others to the -

They stop suddenly as they see the person that stands in front of them. A young girl with dark hair and purple eyes and an unreadable expression.

Hoops: Vana.

Kec: <That's Vana?>

Vana: I need your help.

Vana lets her tears fall. They aren't real, at least not in the technical sense. They're manufactured for the lie, though the emotions come from somewhere that she can't afford to acknowledge.

Wordlessly, Hoops nods their head, and follows her as she turns and runs, checking behind herself every few seconds to make sure they're following.

She leads them all the way to the rocky plains that overlook the Lake of Outrage, in the Giant's Cap where two templars wait to kill them. And then she nods to signal the others.

Ballonlea

-Shun gives Jade a sheepish look.-

Shun: ...In all honesty, I can't promise you won't have to deal with that too. They tend to draw the attention of all sorts of interesting characters. But as I said, you should be safe with them. The individuals I've met have all been quite reliably competent, if nothing else, and that goes doubly so for their de facto leader. In fact, I may just try and contact him first.

-He pulls out his phone to make another call.-

Wild Area, Giant's Cap

-Ferrum scoffs at Nitrogen.-

Ferrum: 'Course I don't. Hence why everything's gonna go smoothly, unless you're planning on fucking it up, which I wouldn't recommend. There's gotta be some part of you that's pretty attached to staying alive, else you wouldn't be here today, right?

-He sees Vana's signal and grins.-

Ferrum: Showtime. Let's roll.

-He hefts his hammer over his shoulder, sends out his Metagross, and starts speeding towards his target.-

AU!Celadon

Channah: -flinches at the catches in Tagg's voice, frowning deeper as he goes on until she's restraining a dark look- ...Alright. So, I'm thinking more and more that uh, we should go back. Not that I'm demanding it, but like. There's no need to be here, really. Not when just talking about it is um, making you this unhappy. -awkwardly reaches out to stroke his shoulder- I'm like, sorry this happened. I am angry as balls at the universe that you had to go through this. But I think this is one of those things we... -trails off, shoots a hateful glare at the others- Would you fucks mind? -back to Tagg- Look, never mind. You wanna just sit down or something for a bit?

Ballonleia

Jade: -gulp- If. You say so.

-She fidgets while Shun tries to make the call as Swift gives her reassuring wingpats-

Edited by Umbramatic on Aug 21st 2021 at 7:49:04 AM

Chem's Tea and T

Percy: Can't wait to watch.

Phonespace

-the phone is picked up before the first ring-

-the other end is completely silent-

-there is a distinct aura of someone making the "go on" gesture, somehow tangible through the phone-

AU!Celadon

Muddy: -To the man- <Gino?>

-Takes a deep breath to center myself- ​

Okay, remember my Gates training...

-To Channah-

They're not a problem. Yeah, we can do that. Would you... join me?

-Kneels in front of the memorial and starts doing muttering that appears to be best described as praying for the souls of the fallen-

Caverns

-As everyone else is preoccupied with their crystal collecting-

Azumarill: -Punching crystals out of the rock- <So, Chiyo?>

Chiyo: -Stopping her pickaxing- Yeah?

Azumarill: -Headtilt- <Are you, Nicky, and Kendra, like, a thing? It's not weird or anything, Anguis, Ovis, and I are in one.>

Chiyo: I never imagined I'd be having an Azumarill ask me about my love life, but here we are.

-Coughs-

Well, they are, but for all three of us it's... complicated. Like, we've fooled around a bit and they're my closest friends apart from Dactyl, but like I've said I still have the School to worry about, so that makes things a little hard.

Azumarill: -Hand to under mouth as she sits on a rock- <I guess I can get that, seems like you care about them a lot.>

Chiyo: -Sitting down next to her as Dactyl orbits- When I first got in contact with the Oasis, they were some of the most welcoming, everyone was but I clicked with them immediately. They're...

-In a tone of voice akin to her admiration of space-

Wonderful. So I'm not getting them more involved in my mess than they are already.

Azumarill: -Thoughtfully- <Is that why you left after my trainer saved you? Fear of people getting hurt?>

Chiyo: -Absentmindedly petting her- If the Templars had seen his face, I would've taken him with me, I wasn't gonna let the kid who saved my life die, or end up one of their test subjects. But luckily they hadn't, so I couldn't stick around and make it an eventuality.

Azumarill: -Leaning into the petting- <Oh?>

Chiyo: The School likes using its existing templates, but if they find any novel Aurics, they'll try replicating them too, after experimenting on them enough to see if they're worth making a Schoolkid out of. Could be that I'm the result of one of those, or some random mistake in the creation process, but I can't say for sure, do you know how many of those genetics testing agencies are actually School front corporations? Far too many of them.

Azumarill: <Well I hear they're mostly kinda sketchy to begin with, so that's not too surprising.>

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 15th 2021 at 2:19:49 PM

AU Cefflaron

Jackie: -to Channah- We- we didn't know this would happen, okay?

Gino: -To Muddy- Took you long enough, nyan.

AU Celadon

-The masked man is quiet at the memorial for a long time before speaking very quietly-

I was not there for Celadon...

-He gives a little shrug-

I have seen war in other places though. Both wars.

Hulbury Port

-The trio manage to get away from the sounds of wood and steel and yet the chill seems to linger around them. Anyone in the group got Aura Sight? Regardless, you might be able to spot humanoid figures running and jumping between areas of shadow, remaining as hidden as possible for now-

AU!Celadon

Channah: Yeah sure. -shuffles, then glares again at Jackie- Then maybe you shouldn't follow people, dumbass. Uh. -looks at Tagg, then back down- Er. Um, i-in nomine patris, et filii, et spiritus sancti...

Circhester Stadium, Pitch

-As Ian and Evelyn step out onto the pitch, Melony, one of Circhester's Gym Leaders, awaits them.-

Melony: Ah, it's always nice to see new faces. You two must be the challengers numbered 556. I'm Melony, the Gym Leader of Circhester.

-Ian and Evelyn stop in their tracks and look at Melony. They had seen Kim's battle with her, but didn't get a good look at her then. And when they saw her at the opening ceremonies, it still didn't register to them. But now, now that they get a good look at their next opponent, a blush forms on both their faces.-

Evelyn and I: -think to themselves- OH NO, SHE'S HOT!

-Ian and Evelyn then look at each other, notice the other's blush, and laugh. Melony laughs also.-

Melony: Hahaha... You two are among the cutest challengers I have ever come across. And since there are two of you, I may as well bring out the other Gym Leader of Circhester. Oh, Gordie~♪!

-And as soon as Melony calls for him, Gordie steps out onto the pitch and waves to the challengers, whose blushes only intensify.-

Evelyn and I: -think to themselves- OH NO, HE'S HOT TOO!

-Ian and Evelyn then look at each other again and laugh. They then stop laughing and nod to each other. They both know that their attractions and preferences don't change who they are as a person and can love whoever they want to.-

Gordie: What is it, Mom?

Melony: Look at these two. Aren't they cute? These two are our next challengers. Let's show them what we can do, you and I. Like mother, like son!

Gordie: Moooom... Don't embarrass me in front of our challengers, please!

Melony: Oh, all right.

Evelyn: Is something the matter between you?

Melony: Well, it's complicated, but I'll tell you... You see... Gordie and I... We don't exactly see eye to eye. Haven't since the fight.

Evelyn: The fight?

Melony: Indeed... I wanted Gordie to take over the gym as my successor...

Gordie: ...but I wanted to specialize in Rock type Pokémon. As you probably know, my mother specializes in Ice types.

Melony: So we fought... It was a massive fight, caused the whole town to split.

Gordie: Since then, Mom and I have been... how you'd say... distant.

Me: Oh... I see, now.

Evelyn: If there's anything we can do to help repair your relationship, just name it.

-Melony looks over at her son, Gordie. He looks over at his mother, and nods.-

Melony: There is one thing... I'm not sure it will work, but it's worth a try.

-Melony and Gordie get into their positions.-

Gordie: We'll make this Gym Battle a Tag Battle!

Melony: Surely you two are experts at this format.

Me: Given Evelyn and my track record at the Gym Challenge...

Evelyn: ...we accept your offer!

-Ian and Evelyn get into their positions. Ian, Evelyn, Gordie and Melony ready their Poké Balls.-

Referee: The Gym Battle between Melony and Gordie, the Gym Leaders and Challenger 556, Ian and Evelyn, will now begin! The match will be a Tag Battle and is decided when all the Pokémon of one side can no longer continue! Furthermore, only the challengers may substitute their Pokémon!

-Melony and Gordie each take a Poké Ball off their belts and prepare for battle.-

Melony: Time to show you the true power of Winter... Frosmoth... Spread your wings!

Gordie: Time to show off our rock solid battling prowess... BARBARACLE!

-Melony and Gordie throw their Poké Balls into the air, and in a flash of light, from them come a Frosmoth and a Barbaracle.-

Melony's Frosmoth: <Greetings, challengers...>

Gordie's Barbaracle: <GRAAAAAAAAAH!!! I'm ready for action!!>

Evelyn and I: Barbaracle, hmm?

-Ian and Evelyn check their Pokédexes.-

Ian and Evelyn's Pokédexes: Barbaracle, the Collective Pokémon and the evolved form of Binacle. A Rock and Water type. When they evolve, two Binacle multiply into seven. They fight with the power of seven Binacle. Barbaracle's legs and hands have minds of their own, and they will move independently. But they usually follow the head's orders.

Me: It's our turn, Evelyn!

Evelyn: Right!

Me: Mothra!

Evelyn: Mirai!

Evelyn and I: I CHOOSE YOU!

-Ian and Evelyn throw their Poké Balls out to the field and from them jump Mothra and Mirai.-

Mothra: <Lead the way, Ian.>

Mirai: <Time for some fun~♪!>

Referee: And without further ado...

Witch's Sky Zone, Hammerlocke

-Ian and Evelyn fly over Hammerlocke when they notice Hoops leaving the Gym and meeting up with someone.-

Evelyn: Look! There they are!

Me: But, who's that they're with?

Evelyn: I don't know, but I think they need their help.

-They then see Hoops and the person they're with running off in a direction.-

Me: Now they're on the move. Let's follow 'em.

Evelyn: Right.

-Ian and Evelyn then fly through the air slightly behind Hoops...-

Witch's Sky Zone, Giant's Cap

-The witch and her assistant follow Hoops as they are led to the Giant's Cap...-

Me: Giant's Cap? What could be there?

Hammerlocke, Skating Around at the Speed of Sound

-Sophie, having skated the pond, looks around Hammerlocke to try and find the allies that she was sent to meet up with.-

Sophie: Oh no... I'm too late!

-Sophie then looks up and sees what looks like a witch on a broom. Thinking it might be important somehow, she skates in that direction.-

Sophie: Or maybe... they've taken their escapades elsewhere... And if that witch isn't of the wicked variety, they can help me with my mission!