[PKMN FULL] Z: A Kalos Journey [M] [IC]

[Stinging Bea]

- Featuring Jackson Crane, Emma Kuzunoha and Avril Morris

Current Team - Jackson:

Current Team - Emma:

Current Team - Avril:

Old Flames - Part 3

---

Current Location : Lumiose City - Back Alleys​

Avril slowly looked up at her friend, her body still trembling at the thought of what the Magmortar was capable of compared to all of them. "B-But... But what if it's s-still not enough? You saw what that thing did to that Cinder grunt...!"

"...It's exactly why I must fight," Emma stated confidently, releasing her grip on Avril, getting out one of her pokeballs. She threw it in the air, as her evolved Arcanine popped out after the energy materialized into it. It let loose a mighty roar, as it then looked upon its teammate; the newly evolved Houndoom. The houndour it met grew more mature, Kaen must of thought. Emma slowly approached forward to the battle scene.

"Avril... I used to think that being a detective only meant putting away as many criminals as possible..." she said. "But know I know, I have a duty. For you, Jackson, the companions we fought along with, and all the people of Kalos... I swear to protect you all!"

Avril watched as Emma and her Arcanine ran off to join the battle against the rampaging Magmortar along side of Jackson and his newly evolved Houndoom. Slowly, the girl finally managed to bring herself to her feet her eyes unable to move away from the retreating back of her best friend. The blonde girl wanted to help, she truly did. But the more she watched the rampaging fire typpe and the struggles of the two trainers to try and do something... anything to stop its assault, the more she found herself feeling completely and totally useless.

"They're both giving it their all," Avril thought. "They both only have resistance... in the end, there's only going to be so much they can do... And I'm just standing here, watching... It's like the Eevee pit all over again..."

A small wave of regret rushed through Avril. What kind of friend would she be considered if she left Emma all on her own in such a situation. How could she just abandon Jackson like that? Sure, the two were never really... friends, but they were at least somewhat acquainted. Avril wouldn't be able to look at herself in the mirror again if she didn't at least try to do something to help. Slowly, the girl brought her hand to her bracelet, removing the pokéball which held Shino inside. The teenager knew that if she were to assist in anyway, that her Frogadier was going to be her best bet in the continuing battle. The girl tightened her grip on the ball, preparing to toss it out onto the burning battlefield... However as she did so, images began to flash through her mind. She thought about how helpless she was in watching Drew's Chespin in the Eevee pit. She thought about how her entire team was completely destroyed by only two of Volkner's pokémon. She thought about the Cinder grunt who was nothing more than a charred remain of ashes. Could she really risk putting her pokémon into another situation they might be powerless to do anything against...? Could she really risk putting that much pressure on Shino in a situation that could cost the frog his life...?

"I... W-We have to try..." Avril whispered, her hand positively trembling at the thought. Closing her eyes tightly, Avril tossed the ball high into the air, unleashing her Frogadier in flash of light. Shino looked around, his eyes widening at the situation he quickly found himself in. Without so much as a second thought, the frog pokémon quickly rushed to his trainer's side, quickly inspecting to make sure that everything was alright. "D-Don't worry about me! Help Jackson and Emma!"

The Frogadier seemed reluctant, but gave eventually gave a quick nod to his trainer. Taking a deep breath, the water pokémon quickly dashed off to join Emma's Arcanine and Jackson's Houndoom in battle. Avril stood behind, calling back her Mareep and Leafeon to their balls before taking a deep breath of her own. She trusted in Shino's ability to aid the two other trainers in anyway he could. Meanwhile, it would be up to Avril herself to complete the other objective of the situation.

"I... I have to get that thing's ball...!"

As Magmortar fired Lava Plume after Fire Blast after Flame Burst, Jackson watched as and eventually ordered Fang to leap in the way of the oncoming attacks. The fire ripples off his body and swarmed into his open maw, serving to have no effect but to burst Fang's power even further beyond his new limits. Curious, Jackson removes his pokédex and scanned Fang for his ability.

ABILITY: FLASH FIRE

Flash Fire makes the Pokémon immune to Fire-type moves and will activate when hit by one. When activated, the power of the Pokémon's Fire-type moves is increased by approximately 50%. While subsequent hits by Fire-type moves will not provide further increases in power, the Pokémon remains immune to the moves.

"Incredible..." He muttered, slipping the dex back into his pocket. Then Fang not only has immunity but..." Jackson sneered and cried another order out to his now evolved pokémon. "Fang! Time for your namesake Pup, Fire Fang now!" With a roaring howl, Fang beared his sharpened incisors which roared to life as massive, pointed flames... in that instant the fire from Magmortar's attacks also flowed outwards, giving the heat a blazing white appearance and increasing its size until Fang resembled some ancient sabertooth beast. With another roar of "DOOM!" Fang rushed forward, launching at the Magmortar and snapping its jaw shut around its canon like arm. It howled in pain and quickly shook Fang loose, sending him sliding across the arena. Even with such a strong resistance, the new power flowing through Fang was a raging fire that could burn through even other flames.

Shino dashed forward towards the raging Magmortar. Quickly, the Frogadier hopped up into the air and landed on top of a nearby scaffolding. As he used his feet to hold himself onto the piece of construction material, a faint blue aura began to circle around the water pokémon. Shino's eyes narrowed as he focused solely on the fire pokémon, letting out a loud croak as he soon unleashed a Water Pulse right in the direction of the angry Magmortar. The creature let out an angry yell, quickly taking aim at the Frogadier and launching a Flame Burst right in Shino's path. The Frogadier croaked in surprise, luckily managing to hop off of the scaffolding just in time to dodge the high-powered fire attack. Pieces of brick went sailing through the air as the metal of the scaffolding easily melted right on contact with the Magmortar's attack. Shino sighed in relief, thankful that he had managed to dodge before being turned into a crispy order of frog legs...

"I believe it's time for our new technique, Kaen!" Emma called out to her Arcanine, as it did a quick cry in agreement. It quickly jumped in the air, leaping from wall to wall with incredible speed. Ever since evolving, Kaen developed even more speed than it did before, becoming one of the fastest fire-type pokemon around. It then hopped from a wall, straight toward the Magmortar. "Thunder Fang attack! Aim for the arms!" Emma then ordered. Her Arcanine then chomped on his foe with great might, but unlike the fierce bite from Houndoom, Kaen's move generated small bursts of electricity, coursing through the Magmortar.

"Thunder Fang is an electric-type move that can cause flinching and paralysis..." Emma stated. "Plus, Magmortar's power is generated by the arms it has, making it the most sensitive part of its body. By attacking that part, this can increase the chance for a full paralyzation!" Kaen the Arcanine continued its attack, as sparks of electricity and bursts of flame buzzed through the area. It soon let-go, as soon as the foe managed to stand its ground to shak Kaen it off.

Fang growled lowly at the Arcanine, refusing to be outdone by the other pokémon. With anger it leaped backwards, sliding along the ground before bolstering the rage it harbored and releasing a piercing Howl, the move sent adrenaline and vigor pumping through its body, spine and claws. He could feel his muscles tensing as his attack power increased. Jackson took a few quick steps forward, darting around to Fang's right in order to get a better look at the situation. "Waaait for it..." He muttered, making sure that Fang could hear.

Magmortar roared in aggression back at Fang, slamming it's massive foot down with a stomp infused with gravelly brown energy, the earth began to shatter and shake, a piece up rooted and struck Fang in the jaw... the super-effective Earthquake ending him sprawling as the ground around him began to spike upwards, intricate cobble designs breaking off in jagged patterns to create a land torn field of spikes and debris. Seeing Fang lying on the floor, the Magmortar sneered, raising his foot up for a swift finish, but that wasn't going to work twice. "Now, Fang! Sucker Punch!" Quickly jumping up from his false defeat at the commands of his trainer, Fang quickly jumped from piece of broken ground to piece of splintered stone. As the Magmortar raised its leg to crash it down... Fang leaped from a newly formed, miniature rock formation and streaked through the air, pulling his front paw back he allowed it to coalesce with dark energy, the negative force of his dual type creating a fist like construct of pure malice which he struck into the Magmortar's face with full force, cracking the pokémon's jaw and sending it spinning as it only had one foot on the ground, stumbling and staggering backwards before finally gaining his footing again.

Fang landed a bit further back, using the impact to ricochet backwards. He spun his head around until he saw Shino the Frogadier, roaring in his direction demandingly as the opening he had created was swiftly closing.

Shino nodded silently in response. The Frogadier took off dashing straight for the fire pokémon. Shino hopped straight up in the air, launching himself straight at the Magmortar's face, before unleashing yet another Water Pulse in its direction. The Magmortar let out a loud, beastly roar of pain as the water crashed up against it, causing actual steam to start rising from his searing body. It was during this distraction that Avril quickly made her move. The trainer made a mad dash straight for the Magmortar's discarded pokéball, yanking it off the ground without delay and pointing it directly at the dual-cannoned pokémon.

"M-Magmortar, return!" Avril shouted, causing a beam of red light to immediately shoot out from the ball. The light completely engulfed the wounded Magmortar, pulling it into the ball with ease. A loud, angry roar was the only thing that remained, echoing out into the night sky before the creature was completely pulled back into its pokéball.

Jackson immediately fell into a sitting position and let out a loud sigh of relief. "Holy shit we did it..." He sighed and scratched the back of his head gently. Fang walked over to stand by his trainer and posed proudly as Wave came and landed upon one of his horns with a pleased smile. Jackson grinned and grinded his palm into Fang's now much louder snout. "You stupid, brilliant 'lil asshole! I love ya!" Fang growled and pawed at Jackson in response before lowering his horns, the other one of which Jackson grabbed, and hoisted himself to his feet.

"Em- Tch, Kuzunoha, Morris, you too are all together right? Nothing burned away?" He asked, the existence of his two allies suddenly coming back into focus.

"Haha... my face is covered in soot and I think my hair is even more frizzy than before, but I'll be fine Jackson," Emma could only reply with a chuckle. Her Arcanine came too, to approach Emma signalling that it's doing okay as well. "Aw, who's a good boyyy..." Emma gently rewarded her Arcanine, with a few pets and a gentle face rub.

"I'm... I'm fine," Avril replied quietly. The girl took a deep breath, dropping down to the ground in relief that the whole thing was over. She glanced down at the ball in her hand, quickly pushed it away from herself as far as she could. Shino looked over at his trainer with concern, briskly hopping his way towards her. Avril looked over her shoulder at the Frogadier and nodded. "I'm f-fine, I swear..."

The ball stopped rolling under Jackson's foot as he raised his toe at its approach. He picked it up carefully and examined it with a raised eyebrow. It was an Inferno Ball, the same type he had used to capture Fang. So they were a product of Team Cinder after all. "Kuzunoha." Jackson said flippantly, tossing the ball over his shoulder in her direction as he moved to approach the unconscious Alpha Grunt. "I don't suppose you know anyone who could do something with the big guy?"

Emma with the pokéball she caught, went over to the unconscious Grunt. "I'll have a squad to deal with him and this pokémon," Emma replied, leering at the pokéball. "...I almost pity him. He was a villan, yes, but he was only following orders. Gabriel Artece sent them this pokémon knowing full well what would happen. He's probably laughing right now, like a child in a toy store. And this pokémon... I can only shudder to what Artece has done with it."

Jackson grit his teeth and clenched his fists, he went back to the smashed crates, where had left the incubator before jumping into the fray... thankfully the egg was still there, and after removing the slightly charred Team Cinder uniform from on top of his normal clothes, he picked the egg back up and re-attached it via its harness. Following this, he proceeded to walk back into the clearing... and right passed Emma and Avril, heading towards the exit back to the main street. "I'm goin' after him."

"Going after him...?" Avril questioned. The blonde girl slowly managed to stand up, her body still a little shaky over the events that had just transpired. "I... I dunno who this Gabriel person is, but... If he's got pokémon like that going alone isn't going to do anything, but get you killed!"

"I know how you feel Jackson, but Avril is right," Emma tried to reason. "It took three of us to beat him last time, and even then we barely scraped by... Not one of us is a match for him alone right now; it'd be suicide."

Jackson paused a moment, before turning to look at the charred spot on the floor where there had once been a Cinder grunt. He considered for a moment and thought long and hard about that sight. He imagined his sister... he imagined his pokémon, before grunting and continuing his stride. "Someone like that... can't be allowed to keep on existin'." He spat on the ground in disgust. "If it's suicide fine, so long as I take that bastard with me... I'm not lettin' people like him do as they please... not when-" He cut himself off with a quick bite of his lip, before he kept going.

Pulling out a cigarette and lowering it to Fang, whom lit it with an ember... he proceeded to take a single puff to calm his nerves. "Follow me if you're so convinced I'm wrong, just don't get in my way. I refuse to wait for the people who can supposedly do this better than me to get off their asses and do what we've already accomplished."

Avril slowly looked down at the ground, the girl hesitantly gripping Shino's pokéball in her hand tightly once more. A feeling of discomfort began to rise in the pit of her stomach as she watched Jackson slowly walk away. Again, she didn't know who this Gabriel person was... All she could figure is he must have been another member of Team Cinder, and a higher up one at that to have had a pokémon such as Magmortar on hand. Her gaze shifted over to Shino. The Frogadier, who admittedly looked a bit nervous, still gave the girl a reassuring nod. It was clear that Shino knew the thought that was suddenly running through the blonde's head.

She took a deep breath, as if trying to give herself some reassurance in the matter. "W-Wait... I'll go with you!"

Jackson shot a cold gaze over his shoulder, tilting his head back to look at Avril. "No. Not you." The plainness of his words was cutting like a cold knife. This wasn't the angry and rage filled Jackson whom disagreed with a point. It was the side that rarely allowed itself to show, a cold affirmation of the opposite spectrum.

He turned to face the two behind him. "It's wrong to say this in front of an officer. " He started, slowly starting to step towards Avril. "But when I saw your eyes before... when that man was killed in front of us." He narrowed his gaze at her for a moment, now but a few paces away from her. "That was the image of innocence lost, yours was the third time I've seen it in person. You're not strong enough to follow me to accomplish what I plan to accomplish."

He closed his eyes and flicked the cigarette aside. "If I told you I planned to kill Gabriel Artece in a similar fashion, would you still want to go with me? Think carefully on that little miss Sunshine. Think about what that means."

"Jackson..." Emma whispered in her breath. She then sighed while shaking her head. Somehow... she didn't expect anything less. She then turned to her friend. "Avie..." Emma started. "Gabriel Artece, or Team Cinder for that manner, are not people you should involve yourself with. And this lunkhead is trouble enough to make sure he doesn't do anything crazy."

Avril lowered her gaze back to the ground, her eyes narrowing as she listened to Jackson and Emma trying to cut her out of the situation. "S-So... So, that's it then...? I'm supposed to just take that and go on like this didn't happen?" She questioned. Her eyes shot up, angrily looking between them both. "It... It was my fault that that grunt died. I know this Gabriel person supplied the pokémon, but... " she paused, shaking her head to stop herself from thinking back to that scene yet again. "If I d-don't go, then I'm essentially doing the same thing! I'm just gonna end up letting someone else die because of something I did!"

"...do you honestly think that that's what happened here?" Jackson's gaze narrowed, his eyes two slits, piercing into Avril. "Here's the bottom line, if you think you owe anything to the person on the ground then you're just trying to justify a pointless death with your own mistake. If you're really that self obsessed that you think this wouldn't have happened one way or the other then you're more hopeless than I thought." He scowled and shook his head. "Artece planned this from stage one. They had the Magmortar, they were going to battle us, it was going to turn on them... in the end someone was always going to die. So listen up kid, I've gone through enough of this shit to understand that tossing yourself under the bus because you feel like you're a contributing factor to things you could never control to begin with is nothing but a trashy excuse to make yourself into a protagonist." He winced, his own comment hitting home ever so slightly.

But then... he extended a hand. "I'm not like your friend 'Emmie'. I don't even begin to act like I'm justified, I don't walk around wearing a badge and saying that what I'm doing is for anything other than what I want... or what my vendettas demand." He sighed. "...but at the same time, I know better than anyone what it's like to feel exactly what you're feeling like right now. It's something you need to get out of your system. I didn't demand you stay away just now, I asked you a question." He paused one final time, staring hard at Avril, his look wasn't one of accusation or aggression, but instead... pity.

"Knowing what happens when you go further down the rabbit hole... understanding that you're going to fight beside someone like me. Are you sure this is still what you want?"

Avril stared at the hand for what felt like an eternity. She took in every word that Jackson said carefully. Inside of her head, she could hear what must have easily been a hundred voices all screaming at her to turn back. For all intents and purposes, she probably should have listened to them. But she didn't. Before Avril had realized what had happened, her hand had reached out and grabbed Jackson's own. The girl only giving a silent nod in response to his question.

Jackson pulled the girl up to her feet, his expression turning solemn... even Fang looked at Avril with understanding and a slight tint of sadness. Perhaps it was easy to forget, but Pokémon or no, he and Jackson were exactly the same in ways not even they fully understood yet. "For yourself... you've just made the biggest mistake of your life." He paused and smirked just a little bit. "But for the people who haven't died yet... you might have just added a few years."

Without another word he turned, Fang doing the same as he continued to walk as he had been before. "Kuzunoha, I assume you're not going to leave me alone either?"

"You know my answer already, Jackson," Emma replied, shooting him with a squinted, annoyed look. She then resumed her normal stance. "I'm not going to leave you alone. You know you need me as much as I need you, as... disgraceful it is for me to admit. And... no matter what, I'll protect Avril."

Jackson sighed. "I'd rather you didn't speak for me on that one... but whatever floats your boat Gumshoe." As he finally started to break free of the alleyway, the other trainers behind him. He had one final request. "Just don't slow me down."

​

 

[Shak]

Drew Tucker

Mother Tucker​

Lumiose City - Hotel Richissime

The beacons of Prism tower shined bright across the entire central plaza, many an observer stood in awe at the awe inspiring spectacle. Fireworks cackled in the air to the backdrop of celebratory music, creating a feel good atmosphere. At the center of it all Volkner was taking unofficial challenges, much like he had done with Avril. Drew stood aside, watching the celebrations play out amongst the crowd. He'd left the blonde girl behind in the center on account of the long day getting the best of her, which he wouldve completely empathised with on any other day. She said she had made other plans, and he wasnt going to impose. Today had been so eventful, he truly wasnt sure how to feel about it. The boy had been standing around at the celebration for a while, just wandering with no real purpose or reason for being there. He hadnt spoken to Volkner at all, but with gym leader busy brushing aside ametuer trainer after ametuer trainer it was probably for the best he didnt try to be the 'special one'. All that said, Drew wasnt sure how he was feeling at that moment. It certainly hadnt been as **** as the days prior, but he couldnt help but feel like this day had ended a little flat. Given how it started, there was a clear sense of imbalance in how the day had gone. The young trainer shoved his hands in his pockets and headed back to the center. After a nights sleep, Route Five was on the agenda, and that meant continuing his strive to catch a new pokemon; a pokemon that actually listened.

"Hey Bry, how you hangin in there?" The young trainer forced a smile, doing his best to urge some sort of response from his pokemon. With a defeated sigh, he leaned back on his chair, knocking one of the five glasses of water off of the shelf. "Damn...probably gonna have to cover that." He sighed.

The door latch clicked. One of the center's nurses walked in with a Chespin sized bedpan. She seemed to recoil slightly as she noticed Drew. "Oh, I'm sorry, we're past visiting hours, if you'd like to rent a room-"

"Che..." A voice croaked from on the bed.

Drew lurched forward, leaning in to see that Brycen was awake! He excitedly looked over his starter, not knowing whether to hug him or just jump for joy. He looked back and forth between the nurse and the pokemon with glee.

Brycen let out a pained chuckle, somehow managing to grin in his predicament. The Chespin laboriously forced his arm into an outstretched position and clenched his fist.

Despite the nurse's bewilderment, Drew knew exactly what that meant. His expression reeking with joy, the boy clenched his own hand into a fist, and fist bumped the bed ridden pokemon.

The woman looked on in disbelief. "Your Chespin shouldnt be awake for another day or so, let alone moving his limbs!" She gasped as she realised the damage the pokemon could have been doing, just by stretching out his arm. She scrambled over, straightening out Brycen's. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave, and Chespin, you need to get some rest." After scolding the duo, the nurse escorted Drew out of the room. "You can come back tomorrow, but your Chespin wont be ready to leave the center for at least a few days.

The phone rang. Drew groggily lurched up from the bench that he'd somehow began to doze off on. The ceremony was still going on in front of him, and he'd managed to sleep in the face of it. "Figures." He yawned, ripping the holocaster from his pocket. He glanced at the caller ID. Paige? The whole day had felt like one big nightmare, and he'd honestly forgot one of the few positive moments of his day. He had Paige's number. He was no ladies man, so he didnt have half a clue what to do with the thing, but this was as big a success as he'd ever had in that department. Scanning the screen, he noticed the four missed calls from the same number. "Why was she calling me in the afternoon?" He mused aloud. The phone continued to ring. "Oh, crap." He fumbled, trying to answer it before he let it ring out. He couldn't resist a flustered grin as he saw Paige's hologram project through the device.

"Finally! I've been worried about you all morning! What the heck happened back there?" The girl's voiced buzzed through the hologram. Drew could hear her physically shaking the device in anger. "I'm guessing you didnt go to prison then, so thats good at least."

"Yeah, sorry about the scare there." Drew grinned, trying to put on a brave face over the whole situation. "What's up anyway? I've only just seen the missed calls, so again, you'll have to forgive me for that one too." He chuckled, getting up and wandering to no where in particular.

"Honestly..." The girl scoffed, rolling her eyes. "So, did you talk to your parents? I've spoken to my dad, and he's agreed to set a few fossil's aside for you. That way you can have your pick. He did add a few...conditions, but I can live with that."

"My pare.." The sudden realisation of the deal he'd made hit him. "Ah crap, I forgot. I'll have to call 'em tomorrow or somethin." He sighed. "Hey, do you know which fossil's specifically? If I can get my hands on a Tyrunt, I dont care what else is there." He smirked a little, finally putting a little spring into his step.

"Well...I had to make it believable, so I made sure it was a pokemon that I didnt have already. I did kind of tell him they were for me. Since the condition is that, I dont speak to you again." She forced a smile, a guilty expression growing on her face. "He's says your associated with some gang, and doesnt want me affiliated."

"Thanks..." The boy retorted, a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. "I'll get my side handled tomorrow then, I dunno if I can handle talking to my parents today." He said with a sigh. "Besides, the process is a lot more complicated than you might think."

"What? Dont be stupid, they're your parents! There's a reason I asked you personally. They're only gonna be in Lumiose for the tonight, so you'd best hurry up. They said they needed to go get some package."

Drew froze. They were...in Lumiose? While he wasnt particularly enthused by the idea of seeing them, he felt the urge to burst in on their little secret city visit. How could they not tell him? Even if they told Felicity or something, he couldve got word. It was obvious what was going on here, and Drew planned to put a plug in the whole operation. "I'll speak to 'em. He said flatly, hanging up the holocaster without another word. He knew exactly where they'd be.

​

Inventory

Spoiler:

: 1000

Poke Ball X 2

Apricorn X 1

*image removed* Chesto Berry X1

*image removed* Cheri Berry X1

*image removed* Pecha Berry X1​

​

 

[BugTypeAficionado]

A Night in The City of Lights (2/2)
Location: Vernal Avenue, Lumiose City

Current Team

Inventory

- Pokédex

- 800 Gold

- 5 Potions

- 1 Pokéball

- Magnetic Coronet Geode
...and a strange, green thing.

Hefty's eyes sparkled with awe as he waddled into the eastern half of South Boulevard. The sidewalks on both sides were bustling with people and Pokemon alike, all visiting colorful booths with lights and games. Were it not for the fact the Trubbish was familiar with seeing Pokedolls discarded and torn inside his territory, the large ones might've interested him. But instead, something else caught the Pokemon's eye; the food stands.

All sorts of strange foods were being served at these booths, and while a couple Hefty could recognize as being items regularly thrown into dumpsters like his own, others were completely foreign. Fluffy tubes on a stick, white puffs that reminded him of Vanillites covered in brown and red ooze, and even big handfuls of sugary dough. His mouth watered as he watched some of these delicacies leave the booths and into people and Pokemon's hands before being eaten. He started licking up big crumbs and drops from the ground, before a pair of hands pulled him right off the ground.

Claudio brushed off any dirt or crumbs Hefty might've gotten on himself, all while the Pokemon in question continued to pout and protest. Both gave each other a stern glare...before one of them caved.

"What do you want to do? Make it quick, we don't have all night."

While Claudio's glare simply weakened into an unamused frown, Hefty's own face lit up again. Yotta was similarly unamused, but couldn't help but get drawn in to the excitement of the celebration theirself. Hefty pointed to one of the food stands, and Claudio resigned to his requests. He didn't have the energy to quarrel over this, he might as well give 'em what he wanted. Claudio did at least owe Hefty this much after what he did for them earlier that day, protecting and evolving his Pokemon.

Some nasty glares were shot the trainer's way as he approached an ice cream stand, as a Poison type, much less a Trubbish, usually wasn't welcomed at a place of eatery. But the teenager running the stand seemed as fed up as, if not more than Claudio to just let it slide and take their orders. He ended up ordering two Castelia Cones, one for each of his Pokemon, before sitting at a table outside yet another cafe closed for the night as each of his Pokemon ate. Hefty was content and Yotta was thankful for the small detour as well, so even though he was beat, Claudio was happy enough to keep his partners sated.

"Excuse me, good sir!" A boisterous voice came from behind Claudio, startling him as he was quick to determine who had the gull to try and scare somebody at such a late hour. It was from a stall not too far from where he and his Pokemon sat, and the man running the stand was...an interesting character, to say the least. Among other things, what stood out the most about this guy was the weird machine sitting on the table of his stall, with the giant nametag reading "BURT" coming in a close second. The former was enough to draw Claudio away from his table for a moment to get a closer look.

"Would you be interested in a demonstration of sorts? My name is Burt, an up and coming Pokeball sculptor! The device you see before you is of my own design, and will SHATTER the world of Pokeballs as we know it! If you could be so kind as to provide one Pokeball, along with one item of choice, I shall merge the code of the two items together, creating a brand new ball!" Burt boasted, barely taking a breath to say all that he had to say. Claudio was curious, and despite Burt's strange demeanor, he saw the idea to be harmless enough. He pulled out the last empty Pokeball he had on hand, and after some consideration, gave him the Coronet Stone he'd received from Colress. He was using this item to the best of his ability, after all.

"Mmm, what do we have here?" Burt looked over the stone for only two seconds before deducting it's true nature. "A piece of magnetic rock from the Sinnoh Region's own Mt. Coronet...you have interesting taste, my good sir." Claudio didn't know if that was supposed to be a compliment or an insult, but he went along with it anyways. "This process is a bit lengthy, so why don't you run off and play some of the games while you wait?"

Hefty was already by Claudio's side at the notion, a milky beard around his mouth indicating he was done with his snack. As much as he didn't wish to drag this night out any further, he couldn't argue with a customized Pokeball for free. Yotta was right behind him, and picked Hefty up for him before placing him on their trainer's shoulder and hovering next to their other one. They were ready to roll as always.

Most of the games Claudio turned down, despite Hefty insisting otherwise. Most of the prizes seemed to be pointless, and it wasn't like he had the time to be lugging around a giant Pokedoll across Kalos. However, one stall certainly caught his eye. If he was playing any of these nonsensical games, it was this one.

"Combee Frenzee" was a shooting gallery game. As the old man at the stand explained to him, using a toy dart gun, he had to shoot 3 of the Combee targets, which constantly moved on a conveyor system behind a shelf, along with several objects obscuring them. Only 5 darts, and if you didn't get them all, game over. What made this game so appealing to Claudio? A fancy looking Bug Net was the prize. Those things didn't come cheap, getting it from this game would practically be a steal.

After paying, Claudio picked up the toy gun. It was awfully small, but that was only natural, since the game was meant for all ages. First shot, nailed the first Combee. Easy enough. Second shot, nailed that one right as it came out from behind a pile of books. But now, the third target starting moving ludicrously fast.

"You've made the last guy feel pressured, he's using Struggle Bug to stay out of your range!" The old man explained, obviously more excited and invested in this game than anybody else was. Third shot, sails right past it. Fourth, hits a plastic candle prop instead. Fifth shot...missed as well.

"How was that fair? That thing moved WAY too fast to even react to!" Claudio thought to himself, more than a bit upset at that last Combee. He pulled out more money to play again, before Yotta shot forward, a determined look on their face.

"Does this little guy want to play too?" The old man chuckled, his cutesy treatment of Yotta not even causing the Porygon2 to flinch for a moment. The dart gun was pulled to the Pokemon's side via telekinetic force, and Yotta readied their aim with a determined glare. Their trainer couldn't help but wonder what had gotten them so invested in this game.

It seemed pretty simple at first. Yotta's first two shots took out two of the Combee targets before the final one sped up as per usual. The Pokemon seemingly froze, it's eyes following the target relentlessly. It was hard to immediately notice, but Claudio saw his partner's pupils disappear and turn into glowing reticles. This seemed familiar...but Claudio knew that Yotta didn't know this move. Did they just learn a move on the fly from playing a carnival game? In what felt like the blink of an eye, Yotta fired the rest of it's shots at once, all three darts stuck onto the last Combee target. Yotta won the game for their trainer with the assistance of a new move, Lock On. Claudio would have to use his Pokedex later to check what move they'd learned in favor of Lock On.

"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!" The old man cheered. If he knew that Yotta had used a move to win, he didn't seem to care. "Thank you so much for playing, come again!" He swapped the toy gun for a bug net, which Yotta proudly handed to their trainer. Claudio was still sort of in awe over the fact that their Pokemon learned a new move out of nowhere...and Yotta seemed proud of this fact, as they walked back towards Burt's stall.

"...There you are!" Burt's eyes lit up as he saw Claudio return, tapping a couple buttons and pulling a lever on the machine, causing it to open up and steam to fly out. He profusely blew on the ball to cool it down, before picking it up with ease and holding it forward. The Pokeball was a dark blue and yellow striped color, and the top of the ball was lined with a mountain range like assortment of stones. Turning the ball around, Claudio could just barely see some very small text engraved into the back of the ball, near the hinge. Some copyright claims and stuff about "Burt's Balls". Guess he had to get word around somehow.

"Using the item you provided, I have created a new type of ball that I have proudly named, the 'Coronet Ball'. It's magnetic properties not only allow it to attract and catch Steel-type Pokemon, but it also works exceptionally well against Pokemon native to the Sinnoh Region. Impressed? Better than anything a rotten Apricorn can make you, that's for sure." Burt explained, while also tending to his ego once more. Despite that, Claudio couldn't argue with results. He pocketed the ball, satisfied with the end product.

"Could you make me another one? These things sound like they can come in handy." Claudio asked, to which Burt looked flattered at an interested customer, but had to unfortunately turn them down.

"Uh, no. See, I'm only running test products at this festival, Not quite in the area for business, just spreading the word of my miraculous invention. However, I will be happy to part with a business card for you, loyal customer." Burt produced a business card, themed after what else but Pokeballs. Claudio thanked him before pocketing the card and leaving. If Burt was ever in the nearby area again, he'd at least have an easy way of contacting him.

~~~​

"That thing. What was that thing?" These words ran through Claudio's head over and over again. Laying in bed, stripped of his normal attire, he was now finding himself restless. His Pokemon contained in their balls and in his bag, he kept pulling said bag from his bedside and pulling out the jar that contained, arguably, the most interesting prize he'd won that night. The thing would always look back at him, with only the bedside lamp illuminating their view. It's eye unblinking, it's face emotionless. Every glance Claudio took of it raised more questions.

The same could be said for the other creature he'd encountered. His notebook sitting on his nightstand, several sketches could be seen on the current page. He tried again and again to replicate what that thing could've looked like, but none of them seemed even close. What were these things?

He knew it was too late to get any conclusive answers, but come morning, Claudio would have to register a private meeting with the Professor. His lab wasn't that far from here anyways...and he was his best shot at figuring out what these things were.

Yottabyte forgot how to use Sharpen, and learned Lock On!​

Serious Nature
Ability: Analytic
Tackle, Conversion, Conversion 2, Lock On, Psybeam, Agility​

Got a Bug Net!​

An item useful for encountering and catching wild Bug Pokemon.​

Got a Coronet Ball!​

A magnetic Pokeball that makes catching Steel-type Pokemon, as well as Pokemon native to Sinnoh, easier.​

 

[LinearAxel]

Sebastian Allender & Dylan Graham

​

Dark Night, Street Fight​

Dylan's fingers fidgeted nervously as he shifted in his seat. He was waiting at the Lumiose City Police Department, finally deciding that it was time to tell them about Doux, his furfrou, who joined Dylan's team after escaping an abusive trainer who stole either Doux or his pokeball. Dylan was at the department both because he didn't want to be caught with a pokeball that had been tampered with and had no trainer ID, as much as he now worried that Doux had been stolen by the abusive trainer from another trainer. "Frouuuu" Doux whined as they reached the front of the line. Dylan stroked his fur as he stood in front of the receptionist.

"Can I help you?" she asked, biting her pen as she flipped through paperwork.

"Yeah, I'm here to…" he looked down at Doux, who whimpered.

"To?" the receptionist questioned, still not looking up. Dylan glanced around nervously eyes cathing on a poster which read: "Help Wanted! Trainers needed to catch criminals. Gym Badge required."

"I'm here because of the help wanted ad." he lied, and she popped up cheerfully from her work.

"Oh! Can I see proof of your abilities?" she asked.

"Uhh?" Dylan had no idea what she meant.

"A gym badge?" she explained, "We need proof you won't be a liability in case the criminals attack."

"Oh! Right!" Dylan said, fumbling with his bag and pulling out his one gym badge.

"Great! A couple sightings have the van pinpointed to be moving in a pattern and we have an ambush set up at a point we think they'll show up, can't tell you right now of course for legal purposes, but head right over there and we'll get you all the information you need to know." she pointed with her pen before going back to work on the stack of papers in front of her.

How long had he been in here? Why didn't these offices have clocks? Was it meant to make people feel uneasy? Well, the policewoman is wearing a watch, and there's a clock on her computer, Sebastian supposes she doesn't really need to have a clock in her office.

"Did she have any other Pokemon with her?" The policewoman asks.

"I saw several Pokeballs around her belt, but the only one she let out was a Glameow. She called it Star."

"Blonde girl, hair past waist, blue eyes, late teens to early twenties, tall, slender, used the name Tiana, has a Glameow named Star. Is that everything? Every detail helps."

"She was...wearing a lot of blue."

The two talked for a few more minutes before the policewoman led Sebastian back to the main room, where, from the corner of his eye, he noticed a familiar face.

"...Dylan?" He frowned. No one comes to the police station to report good things...is he okay?

"Looks like he's answering our help wanted ad." The officer explains. "Hey, you seem to have a knack for crime busting. Why don't you sign up too?" She asks with a smile. Before Sebastian can answer, she's marching towards the receptionist. "Annie, think you can sign this one up too?"

"Seb?" Dylan waved. He wondered why Seb was here, but then assumed that Seb was here for the same reason he was, to help the police with their ambush. Dylan smiled and walked over to him. "Are you helping catch the criminals too?"

"I...guess I am." Sebastian smiles nervously. He's happy to help, although he's not...completely sure what he's getting himself into. "Looks like we're working together again." With that, his smile became a bit more at ease.

"It sounds like we're ambushing the getaway car. They haven't told us where though. They said they'll be leading us there and that we'll probably have to be ready to battle." Dylan rambled. Just then the Police Chief began to speak, causing Dylan to stop abruptly.

"We're going to be split into three groups, one officer and two trainers per team." he motioned for an officer to join Dylan and Seb, as well as split a group of four trainers into two and added an officer to each. "Your officer is your leader and you must obey any orders he gives you, especially if he tells you to retreat. You may be assisting the police but you're all still civilians, and we will remove you from the situation if we deem it too dangerous. When I'm done giving instructions your officer will lead you to the strike area, where you will await further instructions. Be careful, and good luck!"

Six trainers, two to a group. Sebastian can't deny that he's happy they decided to keep he and Dylan paired together; he knows they can work well as a team, where as working with someone he's never met, on something so serious...it could go very wrong.

When the officer finishes speaking, Sebastian gives a respectful salute, and then runs his fingers over his belt loop, making sure his pokeballs were present and accounted for (there's no reason for them not to be, but...he's a bit anxious). All six are present, though if he can avoid it, he won't be using Chance. His Furfrou isn't ready for something so intense.

Dylan wiped sweat off his forehead. He smiled sheepishly and then reached onto his belt for Doux's pokeball and returned him. When fighting criminals he wasn't going to risk using a disobedient furfrou who liked to run off and play in the mud at the most unusual times. He let his hand rest on two pokeballs, Bec his fletchinder, and Grace, his floette. He wasn't sure what he was up against, but these two were his strongest attack power. He thought about using the treecko the professor had given him, but it was far behind in training, and Dylan had only a few hours to get to know it.

Sebastian glanced over when Dylan began wiping the sweat from his brow, and attempted to lighten the mood with a small smile and a positive nod; given, these things would probably mean more if he too didn't look so nervous. He made a mental note to ask Dylan about his Furfrou later, maybe he has some tips on how to handle them, or maybe just being around another Furfrou will help Chance feel better.

"Ready?" their officer asked the two boys. Dylan nodded, determined not to move too much to disguise the fact that he was shaking.

Ready. Sebastian mouths, brushing his fingers over Selkie and Koroku's Pokeballs. His newly evolved Mothim's confusion attack could really come in handy, and Selkie...there's just something reliable about your starter Pokemon.

~~~​

"We've been waiting here a long time" Dylan whispered. The police officer gave him a look that said "shut up" and Dylan closed his mouth and nervously tapped his fingers against his leg. They had been standing in an alleyway watching the road for the suspected getaway van to show up, but it hadn't so far. "Are you sure-" Dylan started, a hand quickly slapping over his mouth. The officer sent out his Braviary which flew into the air and quickly surveyed the area, then gave a screech.

"That's our signal! The van is coming. We need to stop it, then I'll apprehend the suspects. If they send out pokemon try to keep them contained while I focus on getting the criminals." The officer slid out a pair of cuffs and what looked like a taser with enough power to work on a pokemon.

"What's the plan for stopping the van?" It's a getaway car, it's not stopping because two teenage boys step into the road, and he's not risking sending one of his little Pokemon to try and stop a speeding car.

"Braviary is going to use tailwind to slow the van, then pop their tires. They'll most likely exit the van at that point, which is where you'll be ready to keep their attacks off me." The officer gave a thumbs up, which caused the braviary to do exactly as he had described, popping only two tires before the van careened into a lampost and began to smoke. "Now!" the officer yelled, and ran out.

The two other groups did the same, from other alleyways, and four people clambered out of the wreckage. Three of them threw out pokeballs, a nidorino, Jolteon, and Steelix appearing. The latter wrapping its tail around the three men in suits and the one in ragged street clothes.

Dylan let out a small squeak. He'd never seen a pokemon so large in his life, and this one was going to try to kill him.

A Steelix? Okay, deep breath, it's huge, but they have the advantage. Sebastian's posture straightens and his eyes narrow, completely focused on the steel snake. He takes two Pokeballs in his right hand, and a third in his left, causing three separate bursts of energy to light up the alleyway: Fennekin, Ducklett, and Mienfoo.

"Selkie, use Heat Wave!"

The little fox fearlessly charges forward and aims a large burst of fire between the Steelix's eyes.

"Svana, use Water Pulse!"

Ducklett flies above Steelix, shooting a pulsating burst of water for the top of its head.

"Hakkai, Drain Punch!"

Mienfoo leaps into action, throwing a hard punch towards the snake's midsection, a punch that causes several glowing blue orbs to leave Steelix's body and swarm into the little fighting type's.

Dylan was frozen in fear until Sebastian began attacking the Steelix. He clenched his hand around a pokeball and released Bec into the air. "Bec, ember!" he yelled, the fletchinder firing flaming bursts into different segments as he flew in circles above the steelix. Dylan released Grace shortly after, making sure he didn't go too far out of the alleyway. "Just sit here and charge up lucky chant, then vine whip its tail and try to uncurl it." He obeyed, sitting away from the battle and glowing steadily brighter as he readied himself for more critical hits.

The Steelix reeled, then used dragon breath, blindly spitting the stream as it flailed its head. It used harden immediately after, the entire surface of its metal skin growing stiffer in an instant

Dylan's idea to use Floette as a support Pokemon is brilliant. Following suit, Sebastian reaches for another Pokeball, this time releasing his Comfey, which offers an excited wave at Dylan upon release. "Fiore, will you give us a helping hand?"

The little fairy nods, his body glowing with a warm light as he claps his tiny hands together. One clap, Fletchinder's body is surrounded by the same warm light, another clap, now Fennekin, until all the Pokemon are glowing with their power boost. The corner of Sebastian's mouth raises in the smallest smirk as he sees Steelix use Harden. "Won't work." He mutters to himself. Harden raises physical defense, while three of the four Pokemon they're fighting with aren't using physical moves.

"Now, Svana, icy wind!"

The duckling flaps her wings powerfully, a strong gust colliding with Steelix, tiny ice crystals colliding with its metallic body. It's not as strong as Water Pulse, but Icy Wind has the added effect of slowing down the Pokemon it hits.
"Selkie, Heat Wave, Hakkai, Meditate!"

The Fennekin rushes to the sidewalk to avoid the fierce Dragon Breath, and releases another hurl of flames for Steelix's midsection, meanwhile Mienfoo's body grows incredibly still, his eyes closed as he gathers more energy. Steelix's defense might be stronger, but now so is Hakkai's attack.

Dylan grasped another pokeball, debating in his head whether he should send her out, but finally, after watching the battle rage, he decided that it wasn't likely that she would get hurt, and he'd make sure she stayed out of harm's way. "Noel! I want you to watch and learn from this battle, and if you see an opening you can try to use absorb!" he shouted, the treecko manifesting itself in front of him. She smirked, then bolted into the fray. "NO! STAY BACK!" Dylan screamed, immediately regretting his decision.

She ran through, dodging the other pokemons' attacks, and gracefully landed on the steelix's back. At least she was nimble. She unleashed a dragon breath attack of her own, although it wasn't very effective against the hard metal skin. "Absorb!" Dylan yelled. "Absorb not Dragon Breath!"

This isn't good...he could probably have Svana dive down and grab the Treecko, but that would leave her open to Steelix's attack. This thing is too big and too powerful to split their focus away from, but that didn't mean he had to leave the young Pokemon completely defenseless. "Fiore, Flower Shield."

Comfey cries out as petals spring forth and dance around it, before the little petals shoot forward and begin spinning around Noel as a defense boosting shield. Hakkai, seemingly inspired by the little Treecko's desire to get in and cause some damage, leaps to her side and gives an encouraging nod, then takes his attacking stance.

A voice echoed out over the chaos, "Stop with the hardening and just get rid of them already!" The steelix seemed to think for a second, then uncurled its tail and swatted in an arcing motion, driving its metal spikes around into anything that stood in its path, flinging Noel into a wall near Dylan. He let out a cry and rushed over to her, while Bec flew into the steelix's face and began to fire embers straight into its eyes. `

"Dylan!" Sebastian shouted, but to no avail, his friend was running into the middle of the frey to get his Pokemon, despite the giant steel snake's tail well within range to flatten him if it so chose. Hopefully he can cause enough of a distraction that Dylan can get back unharmed.

"Selkie, to the left, fire spin!"

Selkie hugs the left side of the street as she aims a swirling tornado of fire towards Steelix's head, trapping its upper body in a spinning inferno.

"Svana, to the right, Water Pulse!"

The Ducklett flies towards the right side and aims another pulsating blast of water towards the Steelix's midsection.

"Now, Drain Punch!"

Hakkai, eager to avenge the brave little Treecko, leaps forward and smashes a drain punch into Steelix's middle, right where the Water Pulse's had worn away at its metalic coat. Now run, Dylan...run!

Dylan cradled Noel in his arms, the shield placed over her seemed to absorb a good bit of the blow, but she was still knocked out by the hit. He nodded thankfully at Seb and ran back into the alleyway. He couldn't see as much of the fight from inside the confines of the alley, but he trusted that Bec and Grace would be able to fight on their own.

Grace began to fire leaves into the joints of the steelix, the tiny projectiles clogging up the cracks and stiffening the pokemon's movement. The steelix let out a cry and slammed his tail down onto the ground again. It clearly wasn't used to defending itself against so many small pokemon at once.

Steelix was slowed, its body was getting bombarded with fire, water, leaves, and a beating of punches, and no matter how hard it swung its tail, it just couldn't flail fast enough to hit a target. Sebastian glances to Dylan with a supportive nod. "I think we can finish this."

"Selkie, Heat Wave at full power!"

Selkie leaps around Steelix' tail as she rushes for the center of the road, making sure she has the entirety of this giant Pokemon in her sights. She opens her mouth and calls forth a powerful cry-- and begins to glow. The glow takes over her body and begins to morph, front paws hoping up and stretching into elegant arms, back legs growing longer and steadier, and as the light fades it's a confident, beaming Braixen in the place of his little Fennekin.

Selkie clutches onto her flaming branch and waves it towards Steelix, releasing a massive wave of vibrantly blazing flames.

It roared loudly, flames enveloping its head and melting its face, overwhelming the screams of the men it had been protecting, falling quickly onto the spot they stood and trapping them under its immense weight. The officer ran swiftly to the men to cuff them before forcing the steelix, nidorino, and jolteon to return. All three groups of trainers breathed sighs of relief. The battle was over. The other two officers helped load the criminals into a couple police cars, as another group of cops pulled up to take care of the crash wreckage.

"T-thanks." Dylan huffed, out of breath, as he walked over to Seb with a limp.

There was a part of Sebastian that really wanted to scold Dylan for running into the battle like that...a part that quickly decided to shut up when he saw his fellow trainer limp. He...probably learned his lesson. "I'm glad I could help."

Well, it sounded a little less corny than 'it was nothing' and more personal than 'you're welcome.' Although it did come out of his mouth so...it still sounded terribly awkward. His eyes fall to Dylan's wounded leg and shadow in worry. "We should get that looked at."

"Oh, nah. Probably just pulled something." Dylan straightened up, wincing when he put pressure on it. "See? I'm fine." he said through clenched teeth. Maybe he did hurt himself, but he wasn't about to admit it after the stupid stunt he just pulled.

"Yes, I see." See that you are a terrible liar. It's then that Selkie prances over, using her newly formed arms to hug onto her trainer.

"You were amazing. You all were." Sebastian pets Braixen's head as Svana and Hakkai make their way back to the humans. "Now...will you help us find the ambulance?"

"Didn't buy that, huh?" Dylan surrendered, shuffling to a bench which was smoldering at the end, shards of metal and rubble embedded in it. He sat down cautiously and returned Noel and Grace, not wanting them to see his injury. He slowly lifted his pant leg to reveal a swollen knee, which was bruised black and blue and throbbed with pain. "I always seem to get hurt no matter what I do." he laughed, cautiously poking at the injury curiously.

"Not one bit. A for effort, though." Sebastian finds himself smiling a little more easily around Dylan, perhaps once you face down a hoard of angry birds, and then a giant metal snake together, you can afford to be a bit more at ease. He leans down a bit to examine the bruised leg, feeling a bit of relief wash over him at the lack of blood or...bones protruding.

"As someone who's had his fair share of bruises...the best treatment is ice, and elevation."

"Oh, ice maybe, but I was planning on heading down to the contest district." Dylan fidgeted. "I wasn't really actually planning on doing this today." motioning to the scene around him. "I just kind of panicked when I decided not to tell them how I got my furfrou Doux and blurted out the first thing I could think of." Dylan rambled, not thinking.

"And how was that?" an officer questioned from behind him, causing Dylan to almost fall off the bench.

"O-oh, I u-uh." he sputtered. "W-well. I was attacked by these teens who stole my backpack after chasing them into an alleyway without any battle-ready pokemon. And then I was rescued by a really cute girl who-" Dylan realized the officer was getting annoyed with his long-winded speech. "Well, basically he belonged to one of the guys who tried to rob me, and his pokeball doesn't have a trainer ID, so… yeah." He stared down at his shoes nervously.

Sebastian cringed at the sight of the officer, who just happened to lurk towards them as Dylan uttered a few words that might sound a bit incriminating. First the fire, then getting mugged...was Dylan born under an unlucky star or something? He needs to say something before the officer jumps to any conclusions.

"So… they stole the Furfrou, you were just getting it away from them."

"Y-yeah! And we can't really know for sure that it wasn't just the ball that was stolen! I mean," Dylan stuttered out quickly.

"Look," the officer started, "You had the right idea coming to us right away. And I'm currently in the middle of an ongoing investigation, so here's what I'm going to suggest: For now give me the ball, I'll scan the info and break it and you can catch him yourself. I'll run his info through the system later. If any missing furfrou reports match I'll send you a message and you'll return him to us. If nothing pops up he's yours." Dylan let out a breath. He was just glad he wasn't going to jail. "But," Dylan froze. There's always a "but." He wiped the sweat off his face. "You'll still need to come in for questioning. We'll need to know all we can about these muggers."

"Yeah! Absolutely!" Dylan blurted.

"Does...he have to go right now?" Sebastian asks hesitantly. It's getting late, he really should ice his knee, and...is there even anyone at the station to question him right now? It looks like the entirety of the force is out here, cleaning up the mess that Steelix and its friends made. Looking around, there are...a lot of craters in the road… a wave of nausea rushes over him as he imagines Dylan crushed in one of those.

"He should probably head down now, yes. We can get him some ice for that knee and take him, and yourself if you'd like, down to the office. We just need to get him to write up a statement and we'll have you guys on your way in an hour." The police officer started to walk away and then stopped. "Oh, I was supposed to give you both one of these, and your payment for helping us." He handed then each an odd bluish pokeball, and some money. "Those balls are built pretty strong, probably on par with a great ball." he added before he walked over to help escort the last criminal into a car.

Not what he was hoping to hear, although it's only an hour...Dylan should have time to make it down to the contest district after that...this city doesn't really seem to sleep. Sebastian nods gratefully as he's handed the blue-tinted Pokeball and slips it into his bag; he'll save this for a special occasion.

"Fletch! Fletch!" Bec called as he landed on the bench next to Dylan and opened his beak, two stiff cards falling onto the bench.

"What are these?" Dylan asked, picking one up. "A Sylph Co. access card? So these guys were from Sylph Co.?" Dylan questioned. "I'd say we should let the police know but they already have the guys' identities so they probably already know they work there. I guess we can just take them as souvenirs."

"I don't see anything wrong with that." Sebastian agrees-- alright, that's a lie, maybe there's a small part of him that thinks they should turn the access cards in; however, what are the police going to do with them? They've caught these scoundrels red handed, they don't need any more proof. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to hold onto one, and ask his mother where to return it to next time he speaks with her; she's worked with Silph co. a time or two...and these policemen do have their hands full.

Sliding the card into his bag, he hesitantly glances back to Dylan. "I'll go with you to the station-- if you want." Why would he want that, exactly? It's just nice to offer...

"Oh, well, no that's okay." Dylan said "Actually…" Dylan thought quickly. "I know a reporter who would love to get an interview. Maybe I can get her to come to the station and interview you while I fill out my witness report and then we could go to that thing downtown after?"

His eyes fill with a look of confusion at Dylan's suggestion. Interview? Him? Why? Dylan was the contest star, and the hero who braved the Santalune forest fire. All that being said...he was probably tired of being interviewed, and this reporter was probably going to give him grief until he gave her...something. "I could talk to a reporter...and only make a moderate fool out of myself...I hope." He laughs nervously.

"Oh, don't worry." Dylan assured him. "She'll twist the whole story out of proportion no matter what you tell her." He laughed remembering his interview and how he was made out a hero after being rescued himself. It was time someone who actually deserved it got the title of hero.

"You know, this could be fun." Sebastian admits. There is something fascinating about people who can pull together a gripping tale out of the awkward fumbles and stutters he's bound to choke out, and maybe...maybe the interview will reach Alice.

A quiet clapping from behind causes Sebastian to jump slightly. He turns to see a well dressed man walking towards them, a Smeargle happily trotting by his side.

"You two were simply marvelous!" He speaks with a flourish of graceful movement. "We saw the whole thing."

"The...whole thing?" Sebastian questions. Dylan scratched his head and watched the man curiously.

"Your battle with that huge creature!" The man smiles. "When I first saw your little Pokemon charging for it, I was certain they would be crushed. But you two commanded them with such elegance, such clarity! It was simply awe inspiring!"

"Smeargle smear!" Smeargle waves its tail in agreement.

"You're too kind." Sebastian laughs nervously. He has a feeling he's going to be doing a lot of that tonight.

"No, no, my friend! I'm not being kind enough!" The stranger continues to smile, as if Sebastian and Dylan had just come to his house with a giant check. "Allow me to explain: My name is Acel Thauvin."

"Smear!" Smeargle cuts in. Dylan stared at the man confused thinking the man expected them to recognise his name.

"And this is my darling Strega." Acel chuckles fondly. "We're artists, you see, but recently..I'm afraid our muse has left us. We desperately need to finish our latest piece, but no matter how we tried, we simply couldn't capture the dramatic action we imagined in our minds' eye. That is, until we saw your battle!" He makes a sweeping gesture with his arm. "The fiery passion of Fletchinder and Fennekin, charging at a beast ten, no, twenty times their size! This, this is exactly what we've been searching for!"

Another flourish, and suddenly the man is holding out two puffin cases. "Please, take these as a token of our appreciation."

Your Fennekin Evolved into Braixen!

​

​

​

[/CENTER]

 

[Jay]

- Featuring Jackson Crane, Emma Kuzunoha and Avril Morris -

Current Team - Jackson:

Current Team - Emma:

Current Team - Avril:

Old Flames - Part 4

---

Current Location : Lumiose City - Concert Hall​

"What am I actually doing here?" Avril questioned, as she followed behind Jackson.

She had been somewhat nervous to agree to accompany him on this mission to take on the trainer who owned the Magmortar. It was a decision that seemed appopriate to make at the time. Regardless as to what the older boy had told her, Avril still felt guilty about how the whole situation played out. Even if that person had made the wrong choice in life and decided to join Team Cinder, there was still that inkling of a thought in the back of the blonde girl's mind that told her that if she hadn't gotten involved and followed behind Emma and him, that the Cinder grunt would have still been alive. Sure, he may have been in jail now, but he'd still be alive...

Emma looked up at the night sky. She often wondered, will there ever be peace upon this region? Everyone should have the right to share the view of this peaceful, yet eloquent night sky. No matter who they might be, everyone shared the heat of the sun and the glistening moon. She then peeked over her shoulder. Avril seemed a little lost in thought, no doubt plaqued by the events that happened so far.

"Avie..." she called out of concern for her friend, as she fell back a few feet to walk right beside her. "...Are you sure you're going to be okay to keep going?"

Avril jumped slightly at the sound of Emma's voice. The girl looked over at her friend like some small child who had just gotten caught stealing a cookie before dinner. She laughed nervously, a small blush gracing her cheeks as she did so. "O-Of course I am, Emmie," Avril replied back. "I-I said I was gonna help see this through to the end, so I c-can't back down now."

Emma shot her friend with a small, yet sincere smile. "To be honest, I still don't like the idea of you being in danger..." she said. "But once you've made up your mind, there's no stopping you, is there?"

Avril managed a weak grin, shaking her head in response. "I have to see it through to the end... I mean, I know what Jackson said... But..." She paused, taking a moment to get a bit closer to the detective before beginning to whisper. "I still feel responsible for what happened back in the alley. I know that guy wasn't... a good one and a member of Team Cinder, but... He was still a person..."

"To see through it to the very end, huh..." Emma repeated, lowering her head a bit. "I understand that feeling all too well. I wonder: How many names have I been called, questioning my path of justice? How many times did I have to wonder what consitutes as 'good' or 'wrong'? How many times I wonder, have I looked back of the possible mistakes I've done? I'm responsible for answering all those questions on my own, as I continue to move forward. After all, there's no future for those who worship the future, and forget the past."

She then turned back to Avril. "I can tell you that you shouldn't feel responsible all day and night, but it's not my right to tell you how to feel..." she continued. "But if nothing else, make your own decisions and always remember to follow the path you believe in."

Avril appreciated what Emma was saying, but at the same time she began to find herself wondering if her friend was simply trying to help her feel better about the whole situation. Still, the younger of the two decided not to call her out on it. "My own path...?" I don't think I even know what path I'm followng right now," she thought with a sigh. "Both these two seem to know exactly what they're doing, without even so much as a second thought about it..."

Jackson gazed at the festival lights further into Lumiose city as he marched a few feet ahead of the girls. What he wouldn't give to be over there with Malorie right now... She loved that sort of public gathering, lights, smiles and carnival games, food that wasn't good for you but tasted great, especially near the end of it all when you started to run low on energy and needed a little pick me up.

He would take her down the Veilstone promenade in a wheelchair and let her see the sights, smell the smells and all in all experience the various festivals and holiday events that took place on the nicer side of town. She only ever went there when they left together... He'd never show her the hive of scum and villainy he had to brave alone. It was for those trips that he went there so often, to provide for her and her smile... And eventually to get to Kalos and escape all the filth.

Why then, was he avoiding the festivities and circling around to the back of a concert hall? Why was he still scrambling in the dirt to take down a psychopath? When would he be satisfied that it was safe enough for his sister to follow?

He supposed it didn't do him any favors to dwell on it right now.

---​

As the trio approached the back entrance to the concert hall, Jackson could hear the band addressing the crowd inside. The muffled echoes of Wild Torrent served as a rather apt, if unintentional, distraction and cover up for this shady business. Ducking behind a stack of barrels near the corner, Jackson peeked towards their goal, the back door to the stage, and cursed under his breath as a single Team Cinder grunt was standing watch.

"Damn... A battle 'ere would throw stealth out t'window without delay..." He paused and looked over the empty employee parking lot sitting comfortably behind the large building, hidden from sight. "We're gonna need t'do this quiet..." He looked the two girls up and down, raising an eyebrow. "I might have an idea as t'how... But it depends, can you two distract him?..."

Avril glanced over at Emma, trying her best to try and not look too nervous about the situation that was about to go down. "I think I can come up with something with Shino, but... Even using him might not be too hot an idea if we need to keep quiet..."

"...You just leave this to me." Emma declared, She then got out what seemed to be like... a black, long wig almost the same width as her hair. She promptly wore it, then got out what seemed to be a make up kit from her bag as well. Along with a small hand mirror she also had, she put on eye liner, along with light-pink lipstick. But... why?

"Um... E-Emmie...?" Avril called out, curiously watching the detective fancy herself up as if she was about to have a night out on the town. "What... What are you doing...?"

Jackson too rose an eyebrow to Arceus above, but merely watched rather than questioning Emma's methods.

"As the great Sherlock Holmes said, it does not matter what you do in this world, but rather, how you can make people think what you've done," Emma replied, putting the final touches on her make-up. "Never underestimate the hormones of a lonely male upon the busy streets of Lumiose."

Once done with her makeup, she took off her jacket to wear what looked like a red and white laced dress - what people used for dancing, all coupled with a red flower accessory, worn right on her black wig. "And thus, a beautiful young lady will come by rescue. A happy ending, wouldn't you say?" She said, seemingly completed her outfit. "Emma Kuzunoha: genius detective.... master of disguise."

Jackson stared at Emma, flabbergasted by her decision entirely. "What...? Why?! How... Where did ya even keep that...?!" He blurted out before composing himself somewhat. Rubbing the bridge if his nose, he gave a sigh. "Ugh... Right, whatever... Just don't mess this up Kuzunoha. We get one chance at stealth, don't go blowin' it because you wanted t'dress like a floozy."

"Hmph, amateur," Emma said in a tone that allowed her to boast her supposed superiority. "Just watch and learn. And wipe your nose."

Jackson snarled at her comment, but gave no rebuttal. The last thing they needed was a full blown argument right now.

Emma started walking up to the lone grunt, with a sort of strut, giving her a more... sexy appeal. At least, that's what she thought. The grunt noticed her, raising his eyebrows as she finally met with him, giving him a short smile and a wink.

"Alone tonight, handsome?" she asked in a confident tone. Also known as her sexy charm. "So am I. Just broke up with my awful Sinnoh born boyfriend with an awful accent."

"I... suppose so," the grunt replied with a nervous, sweaty look. "Are you... from Johto?"

"I'm from wherever-you-want-me-to-be," Emma replied with a light giggle. "And I do mean anywhere."

Avril simply stared at Emma in disbelief, her eyes wide in shock at the sight before her. If she didn't know any better, Avril could have sworn that this wasn't the first time her best friend had done this sort of act. A faint blush worked its way up to her cheeks as she looked away, trying her best to not disturb Emma's act.

"Oh, Arceus... Just what kind of cases have you been working, Emmie...?" Avril questioned softly.

"Clearly the kind that makes her act like this..." Jackson said shortly, visibly twitching with aggravation at her comments about some Sinnoh boy with an awful accent. "Ugh, as if my standards would dip that low..." He muttered under his breath, having to hold himself back from marching over there and causing a scene.

"You don't say!" Emma continued on an apparent conversation. "How charming! Naughty boy..."

"Hehe, welll..." the grunt blushed. "They say I'm as handsome as Volkner and Champion Steven combined! Not to brag or anything...."

"Say, do me a favor?" Emma then shifted. "Before we go to you know where to do you know what.... let's break the ice. Close your eyes..." The grunt let loose another snide chuckle as he closed his eyes. Emma then looked at him in complete disgust, delivering a swift chop to the base of the back of his neck, knocking him out. "Make sure you give your wife your condolences in prison."

Jackson wasted no time in marching out from behind the barrels and stomping over to the grunt, kicking him harshly in the ribs as he lay on the floor, his unconscious form unmoving, obviously. "You're lucky you're a girl or I'd be givin' that t'you... dahell you think you are talkin' shit about my voice..." He sighed and turned to the door that the grunt had been guarding. "Whatever, we're free to head in now..." He spoke with a more serious tone, the reason for being there sinking into him anew as the light humor and minor annoyance of the previous situation began to wear off in full.

"...are you both ready?" He asked solemnly.

"You can dish it out but can't take it. Interesting," Emma remarked, removing her make up and wig, alongside her red dress. "Aha, it was all in jest, I'm sorry. I'm ready!"

Avril nodded, quickly coming out from the bush to join the other two trainers. She was starting to feel a bit more anxious about the upcoming infiltration, but she was not about to let either one of the others know that. "I'm ready, let's go."

Then there was nothing left to be said, pushing open the door slowly, the trio made their way inside.

---​

The backstage was eerily dark, as the sound of Wild Torrent playing their new single roared over the crowd out front. Jackson had attended one of their concerts once before, though he had never deigned to mention it to the others. He had a certain passion for electric guitar and rock music in all of its forms. Maybe in a diffrent life he'd be out there performing for a massive Kalosian crowd.

Even still with the plain wooden floor and ropes hanging about, different set pieces for different performances and contests... weights hanging from a walkway up above. It was oddly serene... and he was surprised that the music was so quiet compared to what it was like in front of those massive speakers. "Keep your eyes open... a'ight?" He muttered to the two behind him as he slowly meandered his way forward. Keeping his eyes open and peeled for any sign of opponents... yet the backstage was oh so eerily empty.

It was then that the young man froze and instinctively reached for the pokéball closest to hand, Gaspar waiting inside. His suspicion and tension rose instantly as he heard a soft clapping break through the nigh quiet of the backstage area, the curtains and sheer thickness of the ambience surrounding the area muffling the performance, just not enough to silence the hopeful music completely.

"You two again...? Y'know I'd heard it was some blonde brat that had stolen my prize, expected the bitch playin' cop to be at the forefront. Boy, I'm surprised to see the foul mouth with a temper. The blond suits you kid, gotta say." The voice was sickeningly familiar, and Jackson's blood boiled as he instantly placed it to a face he remembered beating down rather satisfyingly. "You son of a bitch..." Jackson muttered, spitting the words under his breath. His eyes darted around the crowded backstage area, but he just couldn't pin the voice down to one location.

"And what's this...? You brought a little friend along? That's rich, she looks like she's about to cry as is, don't tell me this is your excuse for back-up? I had thought better of you runts, y'know?" His voice was mocking in its jovial tones. He sounded almost friendly, greeting them as if they were old friends.

Emma put her right hand on her right hip, recgonizing the sound of the voice as if it were her own. "Do I seriously detect the same arrogance in your tone as I did before? How quaint," Emma replied, with a snarky chuckle. She then switched to a more serious, confronting look. "...We meet again at last, Gabriel Artece."

Stepping out of the shadows with his handgun aimed rather directly at the three, Gabriel Artece had a tired look of annoyance on his face. A single Inferno Ball sat upon his belt, he wore the same black suit and red tie he had upon their initial meeting in the burning forest, if anything in a more open and less chaotic area it was far easier to make out Artece's features now. "Now look... I know you're all not the brightest, but I made sure I had a full clip on me this time okay? So just give me the egg and you won't have to get shot... well okay, I'm going to shoot you anyway, but I promise it'll be painless if you comply."

Jackson growled and unclipped the pokéball from his belt with a curled lip and an aggressive snarl. "There's no chance on this green earth that I'm giving you shit, let alone this egg." Gabriel sighed and lowered the gun, shrugging at the group. "I don't... get you kids, you know?" He mumbled pensively, swirling the weapon around on his finger by the trigger. "What's the point of all this? I get that you don't see the bigger picture but you could easily leave this to the big players, if Cynthia walked in that door lookin' for revenge I'd shit myself, so why the hell are you here?"

Jackson's eyes narrowed, but Artece kept talking. "I'll tell you why..." He smiled weakly, only to turn the sincere expression into a sneer. "You're just a bunch of brats trying to play the hero. You step up to guys like me thinking you're ready for anything and in the end you just ramp up the list of victims due to your incompetence." He chuckles. "At least... that's what our files are suggesting, right Kuzunoha?" Gabriel's smile twisted into a manic grin as he spoke Emma's surname. "Don't you already have proof that your actions hurt people? That you should leave this to someone more experienced?" His tone turned dark and his eyes became drills of judgment boring through the stoney exterior the young detective had presented thus far. "Or did that little incident in Santalune not phase you at all? Haha, are you that heartless?"

Emma grunted, as she crossed her arms. "Oh please. Is this all you have in an futile effort to deter me?" Emma responded in her normal,composed manner. "I don't need you, nor anyone to tell me of my past mistakes. Yes, because of me who was blinded by justice, some people might of been wrongly been sentenced to life in prison, or worse. And when I consider the potential of each of them... that's almost no different than a murder ending the lives of hundreds."

She then flipped her hair, closing her eyes. "Call me heartless if you must, I recognize my sins, and I will choose to continue my path, in search of my true answer of peace," she then glared at him. "...It's you who is the truly incomprehensible one. Do you really hate this world so much, you treat it as if it was your own murder ground? What in god's earth happened to you to make you... like this?"

"Oh blah blah, I'm right you're wrong. I'm not messed up Gabriel, I want to make things better! You're the one that's wrong!" Artece mocked her speech, glaring at her with a bored expression as she finished. "What happened to me was that I opened my eyes kid! I realized that it doesn't matter what you do... it doesn't matter what you try to change don't you get it? Those people will never, EVER come back, you can attone and do everything you want to feel better about it, but past your shitty moralistic values and your worthless speeches and guards you put up to make yourself look like the 'good guy'!" He waved his gun in Emma's direction, but lowered it again for a moment longer.

"...What the hell are you talking about?" Emma asked, releasing from her crossed-armed pose.

"When we're dead and gone... the world isn't gonna remember shit about us, the history books don't write your reasons, they don't record your attonement. All those people, the families you fuckin' sacrificed are going to remember you forever for what you are, you self righteous bitch, a murderer!" He snarled, before pulling back and holding onto his forehead with a cackle. "I bet daddy dearest is rolling in his grave, if they've even managed to put him in one yet, right? Emmaaaa?" He sneered, before pointing the gun at Avril instead, causing Jackson to tense as his aim suddenly locked.

"...Erugh..." Emma could only grunt in mental pain, shaking angrily yet shooting her nemesis a more hateful look. "You... Curse you!"

"And you... you're just the same..." He mumbled. "You killed a man today kiddo! Welcome to the club, the first one always sucks but it gets easier I swear! Once you stop caring it's fun!" He paused, his tone suddenly becoming darker. "That's what you want right...? A jovial, laughing psychopath who you kids can ignore your own mistakes for... I'm worse than you so by taking down people like me it makes it all better..." He sighed. "Ignorant idealism... but whatever, if I win and you lose it won't matter either way. Results are what come out on top, you know? History is written by the victors, so you're lucky I don't consider myself an author."

Avril's eyes went wide as she found herself staring right at the barrel of Gabriel's gun, her body once again starting to tremble as a wave of panic rushed through her body. It was only when the man reminded her of what she had done, did Avril's body suddenly tense up. Her gaze slowly lowered to the ground, her hands clenching into fists all the while.

"I... I didn't..." Avril stumbled out. "I didn't mean to..."

He smiled and held the inferno ball at his belt in his off hand, examining it. "It's crude even for my taste... but funny too. You act all high and mighty, but you're a bunch of losers, you know that?"

"What... what about you...?" Avril managed to slip out, she slowly looked back at Gabriel, locking her eyes with his. "If we're losers, what does that make you? Someone who sends others to die while he sits from behind, his own men included...?" Avril's eyes narrowed. "Sounds like you're nothing but a coward to me..."

He snickers first, before laughing out loud, before laughing like an absolute lunaitc, pointing at Avril with bulging eyes. He takes a few moments to collect himself, standing up tall again and staring the girl down. "Aha, I see... so you do have a backbone Ms. Morris, I was beginning to worry you were way too boring for your own good." He sighed, wiping a tear from his eyes. "Oh definitely, I'm a hive of scum and villainy... I'm worse than you little girl! So my defeat can certainly validate your- oh, wait. We went through this already right? I know I'm a bad person, but I also know that soon it won't matter. Unlike you worms, I don't have any guilt or insecurities, I don't concern myself with the self hate you drag all over your worthless selves." He paused, before grinning and aiming the gun at Jackson. He didn't so much as flinch, only staring down Gabriel with murderous intent.

"Besides... if you want someone to hate on, surely this guy has enough blood on his hands to satiate your egos?" Jackson winced for a brief moment and Gabriel burst out laughing, having to hold his sides to stop. "Holy shit... holy shit he didn't tell you?! Of course he didn't! Why would he?!" Gabriel lowered his gun and Jackson grit his teeth, staring at the floor. "I got it... I mean, it's kind of ironic to see you with this kid officer!" Gabriel said, feigning confusion in his voice. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a holocaster and pulled up a document, a holographic sheet of paper hovering in the air before him.

"Bronze! No surname given, orhpan, Veilstone City... 22 accounts of theft, 18 charges of assault... oh and right here, 5 confirmed cases of murder! Suspect currently at large, location unknown!" Jackson's eyes were almost glowing red with anger as he stared holes into Gabriel, his fists clenching and knuckles turning white. "Lemme guess Jacky boy! You thought a name change and a little girl could cover up a psychopath... tch, that's a real sha-"

"You don't know shit about me, Artece." Jackson stated, an odd sort of calm in his voice. Gabriel just rose an eyebrow. "Oh?! Well clearly your two friends didn't either! Interesting isn't it Kuzunoha? The strayes you pick up? Not so valiant a man standing against me now, eh? Morris?!"

Emma looked down, giving a disgruntled sigh. "I didn't even know there was a report about him... let alone that..." she started, slowly glancing to Jackson.

Avril seemed a bit taken back by the sudden revelation from Gabriel. "There's... no way, right...?" She turned her attention towards Jackson. "It's... just a mix-up, right? Just a weird mess up!"

"As if he'd ever tell you...!" Gabriel cackled, shrugging with his gun hanging on his fingertip, by the trigger as always. "At the end of the day, he's just a cold blooded killer. Just. Like. Me."
​

​

 

[Dragon]

- Featuring Jackson Crane, Emma Kuzunoha and Avril Morris -

Current Team - Jackson:

Current Team - Emma:

Current Team - Avril:

Old Flames - Part 5

---

Current Location : Lumiose City - Concert Hall​

"I'm in witness protection." Jackson said plainly, halting Gabriel in his tracks. "Excuse me...?" He asked, putting on his fake graces once again. "Veilstone City used to be an awful place... I was poor and my little sister was dying. I stole, I attacked and I killed be it for my own goals or for those who would give me what I needed to provide for Malorie." He paused and closed his eyes. "...but I turned myself in, knowing I'd never realistically get the money to come to Kalos, once it was looked into further they found that my accounts of assault or murder were all tied to already ongoing conflicts, I never hurt an innocent person." Gabriel scowled and waved his gun around. "So what! It's like I said, that never goes-"

"Away, I know. I don't want to atone for what I did. The people I hurt were evil and wrong... and I did it for someone who was good and pure. When everything was said and done, I gave the names of everyone I ever worked for, in return I was sent to Kalos with a new name, a passport and nothing else. If you're trying to shame me for my past you'll find I've got nothing to be ashamed of Artece." Gabriel scowled, but Jackson wasn't finished. "I reject you and your ideals, maybe you're right about me..." He grit his teeth. "But Emma and Avril are good people... and everything they've done has been with good intentions, just like my sister, just like everyone you've insulted thus far I'd wager, bar myself." He tossed the pokéball up in the air and released Gaspar, whom floated behind him with a scowl.

"So shut your ****in' mouth, Artece. You're right, you and I are pretty alike... but unlike you I'm not desperate to validate my existence to a bunch of ****in' school kids."

"Jackson..." Emma quietly called, with a gentle smile. She then turned to Gabriel with more determined eyes. "You're wrong, Gabriel. People don't just become forgotten when they're gone from this world. At least, I will always remember. As long as I do... I will create the peace they aspired to have." She then got out her own pokéball, and threw it in the air, releasing her Riolu, she then pointed straight at her foe. "You're the one who is not going to be remembered in the future era!"

"I didn't know his name, age, or anything else about him, other than he worked for your team..." Avril said quietly. She grabbed a pokéball off of her bracelet and relased Shino from it without delay. "But... I'm never going to forget that what I did cost that man his life. No matter what horrible things he did... no matter what I do in life from here, I'll never forget his memory... I refuse to let myself ever become like you!"

"...you worthless brats, have you listened to ANYTHING that I've said?!" Waving his gun towards Jackson, Artece had the intent to fire. Jackson was barely able to dodge left with the assistance of Gaspar yanking him. Using the shot to retreat, Gabriel jumped backwards, gripping the pokéball in his hand tightly with a wild look in his eyes. "I won't be remembered... your father won't, your sister won't and that worthless throwaway extra you killed won't either Avril Morris!" He laughed manically. "When the Master brings this world to nothing but a barren field of ash... then nothing will matter because there'll be nobody LEFT!" Tossing the inferno ball upwards, Gabriel sneered.

"If I can't have that damn egg... then maybe you'll return it to its rightful owner?!"

In a flash of sickening red light, Jackson felt a sense of dread overtake his body. Smashing into the wooden floor, a massive blue pokémon crashed down. One he recognized from earlier that day. It was Garchomp, Cynthia's Garchomp. It's muscular stature, piercing eyes, sharpened fangs. It had a deranged and manic look about it and occasionally it would froth at the mouth... as if it had been driven mad. In fact, one imperfection lead to another... as Jackson looked over the pokémons body he noticed several off color patches across its form. Shades of darker blue appearing in almost primal streaks. This was that Garchomp.

...but at the same time, it definitely was not.

"Garchomp! Fire Blast!" Calling out the command, Gabriel gestured forward and took another shot of his gun towards Emma, as Garchomp charged up a massive blast of flame, it was quicker than Jackson could have reacted to. Whatever this pokémon was, it had all of the abilities of the original and seemed even faster to boot. The attack struck into Gaspar and singed Jackson's cheek as the ghost type pushed him out of the way. Panting, scalded and sore... Gaspar still stood after the attack, but even one strike had been enough to almost obliterate him.

Emma's Riolu was quick; it's aura allowed it to sense the in-coming bullet from her foe's weapon. Thanks to its aura detection and good reaction timing, it managed to swat away the bullet with its right arm. However, the riccohet from it caused Kagura to become injured. "Please! Don't push yourself too far for me!" Emma called after it. "After all, I--"

Her Riolu quickly barked in interuption, while holding her arm. It had the power to sense Emma's emotional state, and it understood her all too well. After all, its habitat was nearby the incident, so she could easily guessed how bad it was. Emma met Kagura after the incident... was it fate? Emma then gave Kagura a gentle smile. "...No, you're right. I can't turn back now." she said to it, with Kagura nodding in agreement.

"OUTRAGE!" Gabriel called out and the Garchomp began to roar, glowing with dark blue draconic energy. "GYAAAR!" It charged towards the group and slashed out towards all of them in a wide arc of it's mighty claws. Jackson threw himself to the ground as Gaspar dashed into his shadow for protection. In his haste however, the incubator slipped free of his back, rolling out into the middle of the floor, before the Garchomp's wrath. "No!" Jackson called out, moving to get close, but he couldn't with the Garchomp's rage so nearby.

With a thrashing slash it aimed at the nearest thing that moves, the incubator stumbling out into its path. "GYaa...aa..." It's claw stopped mere inches away from the glass casing... the strange Garchomp stared with confusion and pain in its eyes, so twisted with rage. "GYAAARRR!" It moved its claws to its hammerhead skull, stumbling backwards and gripping tight as the dragon type energy faded away. "What are you DOING?!" Artece screamed. "KILL THEM!"

But the Garchomp simply stood there, gripping its head in pain and misunderstanding. Avril watched carefully, her eyes fixated on the egg close by the Garchomp. It was just like what happened back with the Magmortar and its pokéball. Only this time, Avril quickly determined she would not just idly sit by in fear for so long. Without so much as a word to any of the other trainers, the blonde quickly dashed forward and dove down, scooping the container holding the pokémon egg up carefully in her arms. She sighed in relief as she looked it over quickly, determining that no harm had come to the egg inside.

"You stupid ****ing kids... If you want something done right?!" He quickly took aim, holding the barrel out towards Avril with a sadistic glee. "Do it yourself!" Jackson's eyes widened and he rushed towards Avril as fast as he could, his legs moving with vigor, but it wouldn't be enough. "Move it Sunshine! Get down now!"

Avril slowly gazed up, her eyes widening as a gunshot rang out through the area. The blonde suddenly just froze, her legs absolutely refusing to move as everything around her just seemed to slow down to an absolute stop. Her whole body went numb as all she could do was close her eyes, bracing herself for the bullet that would put an end to everything... but... the stinging sensation of the bullet piercing her skin never came. The blonde wasn't sure just how long she sat there, eyes closed, waiting for death. Her eyes cautiously opened, the girl looking down at herself for any sign of blood... But there wasn't any. It was then that the realization finally hit her. Slowly, Avril's eyes moved forward and ahead. Her heart literally stopping at the sight in front of her.

"...S-Shino...?"

Standing right in front of her, arms outstretched was none other than her very own Frogadier. The sound of everything in the entire area faded to nothing as the blonde fixated her eyes the frog pokémon's form. She watched in horror as his knees began to shake before slowly buckling forward. The weight of his body quickly causing them to give out before he fell flat on the ground. A pained expression stretched across the Frogadier's face as the world around Avril seemed to crawl back into being.

"Shino...? Shino....?! SHINO?!"

Avril dropped the egg canister by her side, quickly scrambling towards the fallen form of her Frogadier. She quickly began to shake the pokémon, desperately attempting to get him to respond with a croak, his eyes, anything that she possibly could. But all that the girl found herself welcomed with was the sound of extremely long and uncomfortable silence...

Countless shots had been fired, but as Jackson heard the familiar sound of a bullet hitting flesh, as he watched the blood leak from the wounded Frogadier, something snapped. He stood stunned as memories flooded into his mind, one stood out, only one... and it filled him with such a profound rage that he couldn't describe it.

"...J-Ja..s.n... ...nz..."

"ARTECE!" Jackson sprinted across the room, straight towards Gabriel, right passed the Garchomp, whom in surprise and still maintained confusion could barely react. Jackson walked, ran, sprinted and his eyes were empty bar what he saw. He stared hard at Gabriel with rage, uncontrolled intent to cause harm. Gabriel's smile... faltered. "G-get back you brat!" Aiming the gun as Jackson was upon him, Gabriel fired and an intense pain shot Jackson in the shoulder, but he barely noticed as he slammed that same fist into Gabriel's gut, sending him sprawling back a few paces.

"HAUNT!" Gaspar cried, before rushing forth... but the Garchomp had snapped free of its stupor, slamming quickly into the ghost type with an unreally powerful brutal hit, Gaspar began to fizzle and fade, his injured form crashing to the ground.

Gabriel pulled the gun again, aiming it at Jackson's head as he approached... and he pulled the trigger.

*Click*

An empty clip.

In desperation he rushed forward, slamming the gun against Jackson's head and sending a flow of blood down the young mans forehead. Yet like a demon, he kept going. Smashing his head into Gabriel's, the man staggered, ducking low and striking the raging Jackson in the gut with a fist. As he stumbled back, Gabriel swiftly kicked Jackson in the chest, confident that the Garchomp could keep the others at bay a little longer. Jackson stumbled back, crashing into a nearby box and crushing it beneath his weight and impact. Gabriel triumphantly reached into his jacket, trying to grab another round.

But then came another stampede of footsteps, and as quick as lightning, a blow right towards Gabriel's left jaw, the attack connected rather easily as the man was distracted, with a cry of pain he stumbled sideways, dropping to the floor, dropping his clip to see Emma, covered in tears, shaking in rage. "How dare you... How DARE you do that to my best friend and her pokemon!" Emma shouted, as her Riolu followed behind, ready for combat as well. "I'll NEVER forgive you, scumbag!"

"I don't want your forgiveness!" He spat, blood dripping from his jaw. "I want your head! Severed in front of me you worthless *****!" Kicking outwards from his low position, he swept out towards Emma's legs, knocking her to the floor roughly as he stood up, grabbing the fallen clip and loading it into his gun swiftly. "I swear I'll-"

"You won't do ****!" Jackson charged forward, catching Gabriel by the waist and winding the man with a headbutt. Jackson too cried out in pain, his shoulder burning in pain. Still, he lifted Artece from the ground... hoisting him up before, with a roar, launching him into a piled of boxes, sending his pistol sprawling and leaving Jackson to collapse onto his side in pain.

Pulling himself, blood dripping from his jaw and seeping through his clothes, from the mess of wood and splinters he had been tossed into, Gabriel coughed and splattered blood on the floor before scowling. "EARTHQUAKE!" He called out and the Garchomp finally listened. As it slammed it's foot down into the floor and shook the foundations of the Earth, the music from the stage which had drowned out all sound thus far, finally came to a stop. The crowd heard as Garchomp cried out, releasing a roar to deafen Arceus himself and receiving a shower of screams of fear from the bystanders in the hall. The floorboards began to crack and splinter and Jackson turned just in time to see Artece limp out a side entrance as portions of the roof fell to block off his route behind him.

Emma's Riolu went by her master's side, as Emma held on tight to her, as the quake continued. Her Riolu cried and barked as it went on, with Emma comforting it with small rubs along the way.

The wall began to crumble, break and fall as Jackson dragged himself forward, grabbing Gaspar and the incubator before they were hurt or shattered. The Garchomp roared again and in confusion and fear, a red light surrounded it for a brief moment... before fading away to nothing. Jackson looked around in shock until he saw the cause, the splintered remains of an inferno ball smashed beneath the debris. The Garchomp was released... and it only served to further its confusion. Emma released her grip of her Riolu, only for the both to look on at the chaos.

With a roar of pain and confusion is surrounded itself in another outrage and flew out the hole in the wall with panic... Jackson peered out after it, the shaking finally starting to settle down... and he felt his heart sank as he saw the Garchomp's destination.

It was heading for Prism Tower.
​

​

 

[Jay]

Current Team:

Self Redemption

---

Current Location : Lumiose City - Empty Plaza​

Jackson immediately returned Gaspar to his pokéball and sprinted out of the hole in the wall. He heard Emma say... something. Probably attempting to stop him, but he wouldn't. The pain in his shoulder was burning, intensive and physically draining. He was losing blood quickly but he angrily punched into his side, grunting and doing his best to distract himself from... or even just completely ignore the pain.

People were screaming as swiftly moving out of his peripheral vision, Jackson watched as Garchomp tore all in his path to shreds. Still, he was struggling against whatever sick nature Cinder and Artece had instilled in him. He desperately fought the urge to harm innocents and Jackson could only pray that that attitude would keep up.

"Wave!" Jackson cried, tossing the pokéball upwards and catching it as the Zubat was released with a shrill cry. "Keep an eye on Garchomp! We have to follow it!" Wave winced, the name Garchomp causing her notable distress. Yet still, she performed her task exactly as requested. Taking to the skies she quickly followed the path of the Garchomp, darting back and forth between her birds eyes view and her position by Jackson's side. In this way, she lead him down the streets the Dragon type took... moving swiftly towards Prism Tower.

It didn't take long for them to reach the base of the tower itself. Garchomp grinded to a halt as standing before him was a blonde man with spiky hair and blue jacket. "That's far enough, don't you think? Luxray!" As Jackson slid into the plaza, he arrived just in time to see a large electric type pokémon to leap from a nearby alley, it's fangs covered in a white mist and emanating an icy aura of cold. It dug into the Garchomp's arm, weakening it considerably with an overwhelmingly effective attack.

"Wait!" Jackson cried out, causing the Luxray's trainer to jump slightly and glance at Jackson in confusion. "Stay out of this friend, the gym leader's got-"

"You don't understand! Garchom ain't-"

"N-Nebby wait-!" The scene was interrupted, as from amidst the various people fleeing from the plaza, a small wispy pokémon burst out of the crowd, pouting in annoyance at Garchomp. Swiftly it was followed by a young blonde girl, her hair tied into a pony tail on the back of her head. Huffing and puffing, she prepared to scold her strange pokémon, Nebby, when she noticed the imposing Garchomp standing before her and froze for a moment.

Garchomp stared hard at the girl, his eyes narrowing. Blonde hair... young... a fledgling trainer. Cynthia...? But she was so much younger, what was he forgetting?!

"GYAAAARCHAAA!" His head hurt, Arceus above his head hurt so much.

In the chaos, Garchomp dug into the ground, gripping Luxray by the scruff and dragging him underground alongside him, the man, now known to be Gym Leader Volkner, cried out for his pokémon whom momentarily after this was tossed aside by the emerging, weakened Garchomp. Luxray was beaten, bruised and unconscious with just one hit.

"GYAAARRR!" With rage filling its expression, Garchomp dashed towards Lillie, grabbing her in his claws as she screamed. Jackson rushed forward, not certain what he could do if anything, but the alternative was letting Garchomp kill an innocent right in front of his eyes. There was nothing he could do however, as the dragon type took skyward, flying up into the air with another cry.

The small wisp like pokémon dashed skyward, desperately trying to follow the trainer... but while he was making progress, he was too slow. Before too long Garchomp had touched down atop Prism tower and released another rage filled cry. The girls screams echoed after, but there was naught anyone could do from the floor... and nobody else was around. Volkner quickly returned Luxray to his ball and turned to Jackson. "Wait here, I have to fetch Cynthia." Jackson's eyes shot wide open. "Are you insane?! There's no time!"

"There's always time when she's involved. You've got to trust me guy, she's the Sinnoh Champion." Volkner went on, but Jackson growled as he tried to explain. "I know who she is! But- H-Hey... wait! Asshole come back!" But Volkner had already released another pokémon, a Zebstrika, and upon its back he dashed into the city streets, rushing towards the pokémon center.

Jackson glared at the top of the tower with panic, Garchomp was unstable and terrified, there was no guarantee that he wouldn't kill that girl at any moment. With that thought permeating his mind he quickly scanned the tower in full. The door was undoubtedly locked, so an elevator wasn't an option. How in the name of Arceus was he supposed to reach the roof on time?!

That's when he saw it, a service ladder attached to the side of the tower. A simple, unprotected line of iron handles, travelling all the way up. So subtle in design it was easily mistaken for decoration. Without any hesitation, Jackson rushed forward, grabbing the rungs of the ladder and swiftly beginning to hoist himself upwards. The pain in his shoulder blared to life, his vision blurring and his conscious state beginning to waver. He winced and bit his lip, bit it hard enough that he could taste the iron infused ichor of his life flowing into his mouth. The taste and stinging pain sharpening his senses as he continued to climb.

The wind got stronger the further up he went, until he was certain that a fall would be undoubtedly fatal. He heard Garchomp thrashing in confusion, a light fixture dislodging and falling passed him, a little too close to comfort as it splintered and shattered upon the ground oh so far below. The girl screamed and Jackson released a sigh of relief. "Keep screaming..." He muttered. "Don't stop making noise... don't let me think it's already too late...!"

A terrifying snap suddenly shot through Jackson's ears as the rung of the ladder he had just gripped broke free and fell loose behind him. He struggled to retain his balance, teetering on the edge dangerously... when he felt a sudden pressure on his back, pushing him back to the relative safety of the ladder. Turning his head to look over his shoulder, he saw a screeching Wave fluttering around him, watching over him as he climbed. Gritting his teeth through the pain, he managed a grin to the bat before he continued his painful climb upwards, knowing he had help if he needed it.

Finally with a roar of pain, Jackson scrambled onto the roof of Prism tower, the entire city of Lumiose shining like a beacon in the darkness below him. He struggled against the wind to his feet and looked on at the scene before him. The girl and her pokémon were cowering in the corner against one of the geometric walls as Garchomp roared, still holding his head until he looked on in rage towards Jackson. The familiarity he had for the trainer only serving to enrage him further.

​

"GYAAAR!" He charged forward with a brutal swing and Jackson had to quickly throw himself to the side to avoid being crushed. As the claw instead bounced off of the metallic tower a deafening ring echoed outwards over the plaza, the two trainers and Garchomp were forced to cover their ears and the dragon roared in irritation and pain. Taking advantage of the confusion, Jackson scrambled to the girls side, Wave swiftly moving to flutter between the trainers and Garchomp.

"W-who... why...?" The girl asked, tears staining her cheeks, Jackson did his best to muster a small smile. "Jackson... Crane... and you looked like you needed help? I guess..." The girl was stunned but nodded as she fought back tears. "I-I'm... L-Lillie..."

"GYAAARCHAAA!" The Garchomp, now back to his senses, began to stomp over towards the pair. Lillie held her pokémon close to her chest in fear and Jackson stood up as best he could. Wave fluttered and screeched a challenge as she and her trainer were in perfect synchronization. No words were needed, not any longer. There was... a bond there that was transcending that now.

With a roar from Jackson, Wave screeched in unison and charged forward, her wings blaring to life with wind energy as she darted around firing barrage after barrage of air cutters, beating into the Garchomp's chest. In anger it blazed to life with dragon type energy, its outrage leading it to swing wildly in every direction, doing everything it could to hit Wave.

But not this time. Wave was filled with her trainers rage and determination, she would not fail again, she would not be struck down. Not again! At the sound of Jackson snapping his fingers she instantly knew his intent, soaring backwards in a reverse loop she spread her wings wide, dropping slightly as multiple points of light formed in front of her... only to shoot glowing stars through the air. Like homing missiles they coalesced towards the Garchomp, whom soared upwards and through the air to try and avoid them.

But swift never missed.

The stars crashed into the Garchomp, striking its already severely weakened body, causing it to stutter and dive back towards the roof. Jackson looked on, confused as to whether or not he had already scored a victory over the beast. However his expression quickly darkened as he saw that the Garchomp's eyes were open... and his form was quickly surrounding itself with a murky brown aura.

"Lillie hold onto-!" But before he could even finish the Garchomp crashed into the tower with an Earthquake. Lille managed to just barely grab onto a roof mounted light, but Jackson was immediately launched skyward and clean off of the building. "Mr. Crane!" Lillie cried out, reaching desperately, but ultimately uselessly towards Jackson as he fell passed the precipice of the rooftop. He felt the wind at his back, his ears popping... the floor swiftly rising up to meet him.

Tears slowly began to well in his eyes as he plummeted. Seeing no hope of salvation. It was over, after all of that, it was over. He closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry Malorie."

The moonlight on his face felt almost comfortable.

But before too long, a shadow flew over it. He opened his eyes the world still moving in slow motion. Wave darted down as fast as she could towards him, her wings were tucked in and she screeched constantly, fear and desperation in her voice.

She watched as Jackson fell, she wouldn't fail him again, not this time... when failure wasn't an option. She refused to fail here. She had to catch him, she WOULD catch him. The wind disrupted her hearing, the smell was lost in the odors of the city. She needed to see him. She needed to SEE him. In the moonlight her form began to glow bright, she didn't stop moving, even as her two segment wings expanded to three, even as her screeching maw began to grow in size, as her fangs doubled and above it all... she felt a new sense being born, her skin stretching open into lids that fluttered and blinked. She didn't stop moving even as she looked upon Jackson's face for the first time, with color and understanding with her eyes.

"Golbaaaat!" She screeched, as her feet grew into a curved shape she could use to grip. Her new body was more powerful, faster than before. Forcing air slashes behind her she increased her speed. He was getting closer to the ground,closer, closer! She wouldn't let him die! With one final burst of newfound speed, Wave the Golbat gripped Jackson's shoulders with her new limbs and desperately flapped her wings, forcing her strength against the ground that rapidly rose to meet them.

WAVE EVOLVED INTO GOLBAT!​

Jackson looked up in awe at his pokémon, now evolving to save him. A welling pride rose in his chest as the two stopped a few mere feet from the ground. "Wave! Up!" With a screech of confidence, Wave beat her wings swiftly and dashed skywards, carrying Jackson swiftly up the tower as he gripped her legs like handles for support. The Garchomp, whom was now moving to menace over Lillie, turned in confusion and anger as Jackson landed back on the roof behind him, before looking up just in time to see Wave floating high above them both in the sky, now in a stronger form.

"Wave! Wing attack and poison fang!"

"GOOOOL!" Dashing downwards towards the Garchomp, Wave's wings began to glow with a brilliant light, and her fangs began to burst with a dark purple energy in turn. The garchomp responded in kind, raging once more with his powerful dragon type energy. The two engaged in blows, Garchomp swinging left and right, however while he was exhausted, Wave felt like a brand new pokémon. She WAS a brand new pokémon. Easily dodging the sluggish strikes in close quarters, she struck the Garchomp over and over with blows from her wings, biting into the Garchomp's arm whenever she could, causing him to flinch and stagger in with pain.

Garchomp's rage overwhelmed him and with another aura of dark brown energy he prepared to Earthquake the tower once again. "Wave! Now! Swift!" With a screech of understanding, Wave spun through the air, facing directly downwards above the Garchomp as she spread her wings. Countless bursts of white filled the night sky, as if the sky itself was raging at her opponent. In a powerful shower of barraging power, star after star crashed down, striking into the Garchomp over and over, beating it into submission, its earthquake fading, until finally it released a massive howl of pain, roaring upwards and bearing its claws to fly and strike upwards...

...when suddenly, it froze in place.

An eerie silence fell over the rooftop as Garchomp's body began to... crack. Red lines began to pierce the surface of its frozen form. A single tear began to drift down from its widened eye. Then its arm fell away, crumbling in to red, ember like dust. "W-what the... the fuck?!" Jackson asked, winded and stunned in shock. The other arm fell... followed by a leg as Garchomp's now unbalanced and stiff body crashed to the rooftop floor. Within a few more moments the body and head eroded and the dust blew away with the wind. There was nothing left.

Lillie looked on in horror and Jackson stared in confusion and fear. Had he... had he done that? That was impossible, unnatural...

What unnatural and sadistic things had Team Cinder done to that pokémon?

A piercing pain hit Jackson as the blood loss from his bullet wound grew to a critical stage. He fell to his knees, gripping his shoulder as he desperately clung to his consciousness. "M-Mr. Crane?!" He heard Lillie cry out as she scrambled over towards him. Her pokémon hovering in front of him as Wave let out a panicked screech and landed by his side, enveloping him with a wing to try and support him.

He was... very tired... too tired. He needed to sleep a while. That... sounded nice.

As his eyes started to sink closed and his waking state began to disappear. The last thing Jackson saw before drifting away was yet another Garchomp landing on top of Lumiose tower, this one mounted by a tall, blonde woman clad in black.

Spoiler:

BADGE CASE:​

Spoiler:

INVENTORY:​

1 x Pokédex
3 x Poké Ball
1 x Old Rod
1 x Metal Coat
1 x Black Holocaster
1 x Cinder Uniform

250 x Poké

TM CASE:​

-TM Bug Bite
-TM Dig

​

​

 

[Stinging Bea]

Avril Morris &
Emma Kuzunoha

Lumiose City

Chapter 6-6 | Fallout

Current Party:

Inventory:

- x1 Pokédex

- x1 Pokéball

- 500 Poké Dollars

- x3 Pecha Berries

- Bug Bite TM

- Water Pulse TM

- Electro Ball TM

Avril set quietly, the girl not moving an inch as she sat in a chair by a bedside. After the gunshot... the teenager just seemed to lose interest in the situation that she, Emma, and Jackson and found themselves in. All of her focus fell directly on Shino. Somehow, be it through a miracle or his own determination, the Frogadier was still breathing after being shot by Gabriel. Avril wasn't sure how her pokémon had managed to stay on this mortal coil, but she was not going to let such a rare opportunity go to waste. The blonde girl wasted no time in giving Shino the medical attention he needed. Using her scarf, Avril was able to make a temporary bandage of sorts to at the very least slow down the bloodloss that Shino was going through. From there, Avril carried the weakened Frogadier all the way to the pokémon center by hand. She didn't take any detours or anything of the sort. In fact at several points she actually ran right through moving traffic, all in an attempt to give Shino a fighting chance to stay alive.

Upon arrival at the pokémon center, Shino had been rushed immediately to surgery to be treated for his gunshot wound. During that entire time, Avril did not utter so much as a word. She stood rigidly by the counter, waiting for what felt like a lifetime for a nurse, a doctor, or even a janitor to possibly walk out and let her know just how Shino was fairing. After sometime, the surgery on the Frogadier did finally come to an end. By some means of luck, Gabriel's bullet managed to miss any vital organs and Avril's scarf managed to prevent the pokémon from bleeding out. The nurse assured the girl that everything was going to be fine and that Avril should go get some rest and perhaps freshen up herself (especially as some of the blood from Shino had managed to get on her clothes), yet she absolutely refused. The blonde merely responded by finding the room Shino was resting in and promptly parked her rear right in a chair by the frog pokémon's side.

The Center's doors suddenly flew open. Emma rushed in, seemingly out of breath, and looked around the place. Eventually she saw her friend, resting on a chair near her Pokemon. She slowly opened the room door, went in, closing the door behind her. She looked upon the two with tired, saddened eyes. "How... how is Shino?" she asked wearily.

Avril didn't even look up from her pokémon at her friend. "The nurse said he'll be okay. He got here just in time... the bullet didn't hit anything vital... He just needs to rest a bit now." As she spoke, her voice began to get a bit shaky. In her hand, the girl was currently holding onto Shino's pokéball, gripping it tightly as if it was going to disappear at any moment.

Emma let out a sigh of relief. "Well, that's good," she remarked with a soft smile. She then turned to the resting pokémon, while putting one hand on Avril's right shoulder. She then glanced at her, noticing her sad expression. "Please don't look so sad. When it wakes up, it would want to see your pretty smile again."

"Don't look sad...?" Avril questioned, slightly recoiling from the touch of the detective's hand on her shoulder. "Smile, huh...? That'll make everything all better, right? Because that just fixes everything, doesn't it...?"

"Avril..." Emma began, in a attempt to do what she could. "Look, I know how you feel, but you mustn't--"

"You know how I feel...? You know how I feel?!" Avril suddenly snapped, she quickly rose from her chair, turning to stare at Emma with a look of absolute anger on her face. "How the hell do you know how I feel?! Tell me, lemme know you know how I feel after watching someone die because of something I did! Tell me how you know how I feel after watching my pokémon take a bullet for me and almost dying because of it! If you know how I feel, then tell me what it was like having your entire team decimated by one gym leader's pokémon and everyone in the damn area laughs about how weak you were the entire time! Tell me how the hell it feels to have been saved not once, not twice, but three damn times because you weren't strong enough and kept making dumbass decisions! Because apparently I don't know, but the Ace Detective does!"

Emma was taken aback. She took a step back dealing with the sudden burst of emotion. "But... Avril...." she started. Her voice trampled, staggering to find the right words.

"It's so easy for you to always have that last word, isn't it? You always seem to know just the right word to use don't you? Of course, this is what I guess everyone should expect when you're privileged enough to be walking around with the esteemed Kuzunoha as a last name, right?!" Avril shouted. "I bet you've already used your detective skills to deduce how my family essentially told me I was just wasting my time trying to be a trainer. Oh, I know! I bet you've followed clues to know all about how I've got a pokémon that doesn't even respect me enough to follow a simple command, right?"

"Please... just calm down!" Emma replied with more force in an attempt to reason. "What's gotten into you?"

"What's gotten into me? What's gotten into me is maybe I'm tired of always having to struggle from behind while you keep on showing how amazing and what a prodigy you are! Maybe I'm tired of you checking up on me while at the same time deciding to just rub it my face how amazing of everything you are!" Avril replied. Her shoulders slumped as she clenched the ball in her hand tighter. "And then when you try to console me, it's some 'Hey, smile! It's okay, you only almost got him killed!' Tauros shit!"

"Stop yelling at me!" replied a more enraged Emma. "You know that was not my intention!"

"Just... just go away," Avril finally replied, slowly settling back down in her seat. "If you really want to make things better then just... just take your smug attitude and go away..."

Emma just look down, as she turned away. Soon, her eyes begun to well up. "...If that's how you really feel about me... fine," she complied, choking back any tears. "At least... at least you HAVE a family!" Emma then bolted out ofthe door, before her tears overwhelmed her. She quickly stormed out of the center, without looking back.

Avril said nothing in response as she listened to Emma run out of the room. Her chest hurt. Her eyes were burning. Her brain was yelling at her to get up and go after Emma. But... she didn't listen. Avril closed out her thoughts on the matter, insisting to herself over and over that she was the one who was right in this situation. Never had being right hurt so much.

 

[jombii]

Coul Remson​

Coul decided to explore Lumiose's famed night life. His pride was still reeling from the back-to-back loss from the morning against Joey and Cynthia. He needed a pick-me up of all things. He saw posters flying around about a band going by the name of "Wild Torrent" that was in town for a concert. While Coul wasn't really fond of music, he thought that a concert could certainly be able to give him the proper drive to get on his feet again. He still wasn't quite sure why the defeat left him feeling useless and beaten down when, in fact, he wasn't really much of a battler in the first place.

He figured that his Pokemon needed the night walk too. Catherine was feeling a little down from the battle with Cynthia, while Houndour and Sandile were just eager to stretch their legs. Doofy was the only who was close enough to be called upbeat from the four of them but that might just be attributed to his species. The trainer was silently walking along the paved road with Sandy and Catherine on either side. Houndour was bounding in front of them, chasing after shadows while Doofy lagged behind, his teetering walk sending him reeling every now and then.

Coul reached the venue for the concert but was on the wrong side of the area. He was where the backstage is located with all the bright lights and noises at the other end. Coul groaned. If he wanted to watch the concert, he needed to go back the way he came and round the city towards the other entrance. He was mulling over the thought of doing something else when a commotion arose from the backstage. People were scrambling all around, grabbing random technological stuff and microphones, running around with papers flying over them. There were some coffee and alcohol spilling around. Voices were raised and shouts were thrown. Coul hesitated to approach when a man came up to him. "You there with the Houndour! You short on cash?" Coul shook his head. He was a little short on the monetary side but not short enough he's going to start doing some shady stuff for it. "Never mind, do you have time to spare? We need an extra hand for security. All our guards are out in the city and we need someone to man the door." Coul looked around. None of his Pokemon seemed interested with the gig but his Pokemon aren't really masters in showing off any emotion. "We'll pay good."

Coul accepted. It was better than circling half the city again for the entrance and paying an outrageous price (he wasn't sure if there was. Coul just assumed) just to hear someone sing when he could do it for free, and even get paid, here in the back. He was directed inside where he was given a black shirt where the word "STAFF" is embossed in silver. Coul had the nagging suspicion that it will glow under moonlight. Or even in the dark. Coul liked it and he is not going to complain.

"Now, all you have to do is not let anyone without this ID in," the man told him. He showed him his ID which said "Floor Director" in large font at the top. There was also a picture of a man but Coul thought it was taken a few years ago as the man grew a magnificent beard already in the interim. "I will turn a blind eye on how you do it but we need those outsiders outside. Do you get me?" Coul nodded. Snoop and Catherine took their respective places beside Coul. Sandy and Doofy passed as they went further into the tent, looking at the various equipment inside. Coul trusted the two of them to behave and he knew they will since they were the least excitable out of all his Pokemon. "Your Pokemon seemed ready. Okay, good luck," the man said. "Okay, team! Let's move out and start searching!" Everybody inside the tent dropped what they were doing and rushed outside. Within moments, none of the staff remained, leaving Coul and his Pokemon on guard of random equipment they knew nothing about.

"Wow, uhm. Okay?" was everything Coul managed to say. He sat down on the cold floor, doubtful that anybody could be daring to come to the backstage since all the action are supposedly at the front. Catherine and Houndour both lied down beside Coul, with both ears perked up. Sandy and Doofy was nowhere to be seen.

Coul could hear a busy buzzing sound from the other side of the stage and was wishing that he was there. The thought that the gig would be too boring for him never crossed his mind, given the fact that the area was in chaos a few moments back. Coul grabbed a small pebble and threw it on the road. A Lumiose taxi drove by, probably looking for a passenger but Coul knew that almost everybody was at the either side. Coul sighed.

It was minutes before something remotely exciting even happened. A drunken slob, probably from all the alcohol given at the front or somewhere else, stumbled into the area, holding a half-drunk bottle of vodka? Gin? Coul didn't know his alcohol. Without speaking a word, the man just fell on the ground. Coul looked at Catherine and Snoop. Both were on their feet but none seemed to budge. "Alright, stay here. Doofy!" The Lombre waddled into the picture. "Let's go." Coul and the Water-type approached the drunk man. He was groaning, probably from the bitter taste the alcohol left in his mouth or the headache that he is currently having. Coul never had alcohol before so he's just assuming. "Mister, wake up, you can't be here." The man just continued groaning. His hand fell limp and the bottle he was caressing rolled away, the remaining alcohol getting nothing drunk but the road. Coul groaned as the man started gurgling vomit. The odor was repugnant. "Doofy, Bubble please." The Lombre threw some bubbles towards the man, in an effort to help the man sober up. It was to no avail.

"There you are," another voice said. Coul looked up from the man, startled and saw another man, probably younger than the drunk one. From the staggered way he walked, Coul assumed that the man is also drunk but is more able to hold himself up. "Come on, don't go wasting some young kids' time." The second man sat on the ground and started slapping his friend awake. "He always does this. Drink and die." The man roared in laughter. "Hey, get up!" he started slapping the man again, trying to rouse him but the alcohol was too much. Sandy and Catherine came up to Coul because of the sound the slapping made. "Nah, I'm not trying to provoke anything here. I'm just a friend trying to help another one." The man laughed again. The first man was still on the ground. "You can leave us, don't worry. We find our way for some reason. Thanks dude for the chill." The second man laughed again, this time more silently, and laid his head on his friend's chest. Good thing that was one part where the vomit didn't reach.

Coul stood up, disgusted but amazed at the pair's friendship. They weren't causing any trouble anymore and they were far from the entrance of the backstage so they weren't really a part of Coul's problem. Coul and his Pokemon retreated back to their position while Doofy went further inside, probably to check on more equipment before he was distracted by Coul. It was only seconds before Doofy came back crying.

Catherine and Snoop stood on alert while Coul got his Lombre. A man in a red suit appeared from backstage. He was smiling. "This is a good backstage for a concert. Lots of equipment. Do you know how much all of these costs?"

"You are not allowed inside," Coul simply said. Snoop barked towards the stranger. Doofy was hiding behind Coul while Sandy is nowhere to be seen. "I will be forced to lead you outside." The man simply smiled.

"You know what. I'm taking all this," he said, ignoring everything that Coul said before. He reached out to grab a mic but Snoop immediately rushed towards him to bite him. He was hit with a powerful Mud Bomb from the side. Coul looked towards that direction and he saw an Grimer of a different coloring appear from behind some equipment. A grey Meowth is likewise sitting on top of one of the spare speakers. Catherine took a cautious step towards the Meowth. Coul looked at the different form and immediately knew why his Meowth doesn't like water.

"Those are Alolan forms. They look good, right? Grimer, Mud Bomb again!" His Grimer spat another Mud Bomb but Snoop was ready to jump and dodge the attack. However, once the Fire-type is in the air, the other Meowth jumped and slashed at the Houndour, sending it to the ground. While the attack did very minimal damage, Snoop was surprised by the Meowth's agility.

Catherine was still looking at the Alolan Meowth, admiring the beautiful grey fur it possesses. Coul saw that it doesn't like taking a bath because it liked the fur of an Alolan Meowth better than its own. The man grinned at Coul. "You're not seriously thinking of stopping me, are you?" Grimer threw another bomb towards the three of them. Both Snoop and Catherine dodged the attack by sidestepping but Coul's shoes was completely mudded. "Snoop, Thunder Fang! Catherine, Hypnosis now!" Electricity crackled from Snoop's maw and he started running towards the Grimer. Catherine purred in an effort to send someone to sleep but the Alolan Meowth met her with a series of Fury Swipes. Snoop's attack connected but it got stuck in the sludgy body of the Grimer so the opponent was using the opportunity to deliver a Pound attack.

"Catherine. Bite!" Catherine lunged forward but the Alolan Meowth countered with a Feint Attack, causing Catherine to miss. Houndour managed to free itself from the grip of the Grimer by sending out an Ember attack, heating up the gelatinous body of the Grimer. Snoop howled and ran towards the Grimer again, desperate to connect another Thunder Fang. Meanwhile, Catherine and the Alolan Meowth were equal as they exchanged Fury Swipes. Every once in a while, Catherine would try to send her opponent to sleep but it would be countered by a Screech by the opponent. Grimer is keeping the Houndour at bay by firing a flurry of Mud Bombs and Sludge. "You are feisty! Grimer, Disable!" Grimer's eyes flashed and the Ember that started to erupt from Snoop died immediately. Grimer, with surprising agility, sent a Pound and a Mud Bomb for good measure towards the canine. Snoop fell down. Coul decided to call Snoop back. Coul sent in for Doofy but the Pokemon was too scared, probably because of the Poison-type and immediately retreated back to the Pokeball. Sandy was nowhere to be seen.

It was up to Catherine to finish the job. "You'd make a damn good bouncer if you only did manage to bounce me." The man laughed. "Meowth! Bite!" The Meowth lunged towards Catherine, with a flurry of Mud Bombs from the Grimer for support. Catherine rolled to the side and, wisely, sent a Hypnosis towards the Grimer. The Alolan Meowth was nowhere near to counter the attack so Grimer lolled off to the side, asleep. For now, the battle was equal but Coul knew that the Grimer would wake up sooner or later.

"That's good! Meowth! Fury Swipes!" As the Alolan Meowth jumped to attack, it started to glow in an unearthly white light. "HAHA! Evolution! You're done kid!" A Persion with a more rounded face appeared in place of the opposing Meowth. Catherine looked at the Persian, curiously. For Coul, Alolan Meowth was more… elegant-looking. The Alolan version of the Persian was ugly.

Catherine thought so too as it started to rush towards the Persian. It dodged the attack and sent out a Swift towards the Normal-type. Catherine was hit by the attack but it continued to run towards her opponent. A Fury Swipe connected, followed by a Bite. The Alolan Persian cried out in pain and smacked Catherine away.

"No! Catherine!" The Persian jumped up high to attack but, as soon as it was within her reach, Catherine slashed her with her claws. It was her turn to evolve now as she glowed. Coul grinned as he watched in amazement as Catherine transformed into an elegant Persian. While her fur is still grey in many area, the coin on top of her forehead shone, reflecting the lights from the equipment. As it stood majestically, Coul couldn't help but notice the beauty of his Pokemon. Persian purred and sent out a Swift to the fallen Alolan-Persian. For good measure, Persian bounded towards her and smacked it with a Fury Swipe. The man in the red suit recalled his Alolan Persian. The Grimer was still asleep so he recalled it back too. "You're good," was all the man could offer as it ran from the scene. Coul looked around the area as his new Persian snuggled up to him. Sandy appeared from behind the boxes, had cocked to the side. The equipment was in pristine condition, thankfully, but the floor was full of mud and a little bit of poison.

Coul took a mop and started mopping. He was smiling to himself, however, as he won another battle and his Pokemon evolved. The gig wasn't boring after all.

---

"Wow, thanks for the help," the bearded guy from the production told him as they came back. Whatever they was busy with from before seemed resolved already. "Here's your compensation." He handed Coul 2000 Pokedollars. "For your time. You can also keep the shirt." Coul didn't mind the shirt and the money. A Persian was a good reward after all. Coul got out of the tent and decided to return to the Pokemon Center.

He felt that he spent too much time in the city already and he needed to get it going.

Alola forms are great. I'm not entirely sure if we could find Alolan variants in the region itself but it's worth studying why they do if they do. I hope I get to catch one soon.

Catherine already accepted bath times. She's clean as new.

Evolution!

New Move!
Scratch -> Swift

Inventory

Spoiler:

1x Pokedex
2950 Pokedollars
4x Pokeballs
2x Cherish Balls
1x Potions
2x Old Rod
1x Bug Net
1x Eviolite
1x Water Stone
1x TM Bug Bite
1x TM Dig

 

[Oddball_]

-- Profile --​

Name: Chris Rodriguez

Pokémon :

Location: Lumiose City

Inventory:

- 1 Pokédex

- 500 Poké

- 2 Potions

- 5 Poké Balls

- 1x Dawn Stone

- 3x Rawst Berry

– Mysterious Blue Crystal

Having departed from the Lumiose Stage Hall, Chris found himself wandering through a side path, just off of Rouge alley.

"We've got two mega stones now." Chris mused to himself.

"Yaaaaahhh." His golden mask wielding Pokémon responded trying to sneakily reach for one while hovering through the air beside him before being slapped away by the unamused boy while the sword Pokémon bobbed up and down a few feet away seemingly oblivious.

"We've also got… this thing." He said, holding up the shiny blue crystal. "It's pretty but… I don't know. That's it?" Chris mused.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look at the pretty Pokémon!" A little girl shouted.

"Oh god Susie no stay away from that! It's disgusting!" A woman shouted.

Chris turned his head to see a middle-aged woman with coppery red hair holding the hand of a child whom tried to tug against her mother's grasp. Before her slopped a greenish… bag of a form. Behind it… a pile of purple sludge that slowly dripped its way forward.

"…" Chris almost gagged as the stench rolled over him.

"Oooohhh Mommy I'm going to b-" The sound of a child puking filled the air.

"Gross." Chris coughed and struggled forward. "Go on, get out of here. I'll take care of these two." Chris said nauseously as the woman and little girl rushed away through the alleyway screaming.

"You know, I always kind of liked both of you." The trainer half chuckled towards the poison types as he pulled his Pokéballs from his belt and caused them to grow to their expanded size before tossing them forwards.

Yamask and Whisper appeared in a flash of light, staring down the two Poison type Pokémon with all the fury of a thousand suns.

"Honedge, Up front!" Chris called with a snap of his fingers.

CLANG!

The sword Pokémon darted forward, slashing through two clumps of purplish goo that the poison type Pokémon launched towards it as if they were nothing.

Seeing their attacks shrugged off by the metal Pokémon, the two poison types turned their attention to the shadowy ghost Pokemon hovering behind.

The Grimer swole for a second and then expelled a noxious green fume, one that jetted forward and began to mingle with the shadowy mists of the Yamask seemingly inflicting it with the poisoned condition.

"Yamask! Night shade! Honedge! Shadow Sneak!" Chris called.

The spirits inhabiting both the mask and the sword seemed to leave their hosts for a moment, one reaching forward with a shadowy hand to grab the bag of trash and toss it into a nearby wall, and the other to glare daggers at the oncoming grimmer, strangely effecting the sludge like creature.

The trubbish, leapt back towards the sword Pokemon, slapping at it repeatedly with its refuse arms.

The grimer stopped, looked at the Yamask... and took a bite out of the ground, before spitting the chunk of concrete and dirt at the ghost Pokémon, smacking it and dragging it downwards towards the ground.

"Disable now!" Chris called, snapping his fingers. Mud bomb was a ground type move, Whisper, being a steel type, wouldn't hold up well against that.

In acknowledgement, the mask of the shadowy Pokémon flared with a glowing red aura, and the disable attack assumedly went into effect.

"Alright, now Whisper! Shadow Sneak again on the Grimer!" Chris called.

""You there! This is an excellent demonstration of battling. The way you bring out the power of your Pokémon and use strategic choices… Astounding! Simply astounding!" A voice called from somewhere above.

Not seeing the source of the voice, Chris looked around confusedly before spotting the blonde figure in the lab coat on the roof above.

"Uh… thanks?" He said confusedly not recognizing the man or understanding what he was doing.

"Don't get distracted. Watch out!" The figure called again.

Chris turned back to see the garbage bag Pokémon smacking its arms of refuse against the steel sword repeatedly.

CLINK CLANG CLINK?!

The sword was… looking... at Chris expectantly. The slaps were barely fazing the sword Pokémon, but its temper (no not that kind) was clearly on the rise.

"Pursuit!" Chris shouted, watching as the sword whipped around, slapping the arms of the trash monster away with the cloth which seemed to glow with an eldritch purple energy before the blade slashed across the creature's face knocking it away.

Chris took a breath. The two poison type Pokémon weren't looking great. Yet again… looking at his own Pokémon, Whisper looked mostly unharmed, Yamask on the other hand… well the poison that had been affecting it since the start of the battle was digging away at it, and the mud bomb that it had taken had dealt a significant amount of damage.

("If I can just take out one of them… I could finish the battle!")

The pink pile of sludge looked towards the floating sword Pokémon and seemed to give a little giggle before throwing forward a pseudopod of sludge that grew darker and darker the farther from the sludge Pokémon that it originated from. As the arm smacked into the sword, Whisper was thrown backwards and stuck into the ground, its faint flow dimming even more as it weakly pulled itself out.

"Was that a… shadow punch? How does a random Grimer even know…" Chris complained before watching the Pokémon prepare for another attack, this one aimed at Yamask.

"No you don't! Yamask, Put up a Protect!" Chris called smiling as the rainbow barrier came up to protect the ghost type Pokémon from the shadowy punch that came from the sludge Pokémon. "Whisper! Throw another Shadow Sneak toward that Grimer!"

Another shadow slid acrost the ground, grabbing the Grimer and pulling it towards the sword which then flipped into the air and brought its blade down, spattering the sludge Pokémon across the alleyway.

"Nice!" Chris cheered as he wiped Grimer sludge from his jacket.

The Trubbish, seeing its friend get scattered across the alleyway, leapt towards Chris, throwing its little arms of refuse outwards in an attempt to grab the boy. Chris, upon seeing this, tried to side step, but felt the Pokémon grab his side and pull him onto the ground.

"Asqueroso!" Chris cried, trying to desperately crawl out from beneath the trash bag Pokemon.

Whisper and Yamask floated forwards rapidly, however the latter began to fall into a rapid descent as it crashed into the ground and began to tumble, more solid than one would initially have been led to believe.

Whisper was mere feet away when something in Chris' bag clicked, and a beam of red light flashed forwards engulfing the trash Pokémon before sucking it into the Pokéball in his bag.

"Que?" Chris muttered as he crawled to his feet and threw his bag on the ground, waiting for it to explode into a pile of garbage…

…
…
…
Wait. Why hadn't… Chris shook his head in confusion. Digging through his bag he pulled out the culprit. Trapped within a red and white sphere, looking confusedly at him through the mildly translucent lid was the trash bag Pokémon which he had been fighting.

"…Did I just… capture a Trubbish?" Chris muttered as he tilted his head.

CLANG!

Whisper's metallic noises turned his attention towards an unconscious Yamask.

"Right… I guess we've got to go towards that Pokémon center…" Chris muttered as he slid his bag back onto his shoulder and recalled Yamask into its Pokéball. "You know… this is a weird city." Chris complained as he headed towards where he remembered the Pokémon center to be.

* * *​

Standing on the rooftop, the blonde haired scientist pushed his glasses back onto his nose.

"Absolutely Intriguing. I wonder what other kinds of Trainers are around, and what kind of power their Pokémon hold…"

Clicking the small lever on the radar like device he had been holding resulted in the small radar dish to stop slowly rotating. The piles of sludge around him began to blink confusedly before letting themselves seep into the building below, causing some screams to echo from within. Several small Trubbish began to poke their heads out of a nearby trash can before diving back in. Down below, a singular Grimer began to reassemble itself before sliding off into the darkness.

"Experiment complete." The man said with a smug smile.

~​

Chris' Museum:

​

 

[Shak]

Drew Tucker

Dont Shoot the Messenger​

Lumiose City - Hotel Richissime

"I can't believe I have to run errands for professor pretty boy. More like professor Me gustan los hombres." Chris complained as he skated through the less crowded city streets. "Oh well. He probably pays well. Besides. Gives me some time to think about what that... Colress guy said."

Hanging from his side in stout silence, Whisper began to emanate a negative aura so strong that even Chris could feel it.

"Whats wrong buddy? I wasn't a fan of the guy either, but..."

Then Chris saw them. It was subtle. Just a glint of light from the fireworks in the sky reflected off of spectacles in an alleyway to his side.

Kluh-chink!

Chris retracted the wheels into his shoes and stood, battle ready, facing the alley as Whisper floated before him in a defensive stance.

"Who's there!" Chris barked, his hand holding his other two Pokéballs at the ready.

"Oh please. Come now boy." A pale skinned man chuckled, stepping out of the alleyway slowly with his hands raised. "My name doesn't matter. Just know that my organization and I are very interested in the little... research project your professor has you going to look into. SilphCo isn't doing so bad these days you know, but... my organization simply wants to know if its stocks are still... well placed."

The way the man spoke reminded Chris of Kai. But the accent was a little off. Not Johtonian, Perhaps Kantonian?

"I can sense you think this is some kind of trick? I do promise you it's not. My days of tricks are long behind me." The man chuckled as he stuck his hands into the pockets of his long black trench coat. "All I ask is that you bring the Parcel to... The Sushi High-roller at... Midnight." The man said simply as he turned to walk back into the alley.

"What a creep." Chris muttered under his breath. "I'd better get this parcel to the professors contacts quickly."

Kluh-Click!

The only sound that filled the air was of Chris' roller-skates grinding against the asphalt as he continued along towards the Hotel Richissme

***​

"Excuse me, we have a guest for the room reservation under the name Tucker. Should I see them through to your room?" The woman at the hotel reception asked through the phone, her brows furrowed as she focused on the response.

At the other side of the counter, a rather impatient Drew was tapping, bouncing and humming in the waiting area, growing more and more irritated as time went by. He hadn't been waiting all that long at all, but he was their son. Why should he be treated like just another client?

"Do you have the parcel?" The woman asked, peering at Drew over the counter.

"Parcel? I don't have any parcel, tell them it's their son." He snapped back. At this time of night, the waiting area was completely empty, void of Drew and the receptionist, who was not dressed in her uniform, but in high heels and a skin tight night out dress, with a closed sign sitting on her desk.

"They say they're busy, sorry. They said they'll see you soon, but-"

"Tell them to get down here now! I don't care about going up to their stupid room, I just wanna talk." The boy stomped, a fierce determination growing in his eyes alongside the frustration and anger.

Chris looked up at the many floored Hotel. These Kalosians sure knew how to build giant structures didn't they? He shook his head and stepped through the glass doors to find... a young boy shouting at the receptionist.

("What an ass.") Chris thought to himself as his hand drifted to the Pokéballs on his belt, but didn't grab any of them.

Drew's didn't relent in his impatient and imposing presence at the counter. He could see the woman was uncomfortable in the situation, but he wasn't about to let up. This was about more than just the Tyrunt.

"Would tomorrow be okay?" The woman asked over the phone, a gentle sigh escaping her lips as she stared longingly at the clock. "What about the morning?" Her expression sank after asking that question, her gazing rearing apologetically toward Drew. The boy scowled in response.

"Alright, tell them it's about their company's bidding on the fossil company, see if that changes their tone." Drew sighed in defeat, playing his last resort.

Chris hadn't been paying much attention. However, his ears pinged on some words near the end. The fossil company? He only knew of one that was currently in auction...

The very people he was here to meet. If the boy had news on the company's dealings, perhaps Chris could... use that.

"Excuse me Señor." Chris said, stepping forward away from the column which he had been leaning on somewhat patiently. "I believe we're both here to see the same people. I'm here to deliver a parcel to some executives for SilphCo?"

Drew was startled by the voice seemingly out of nowhere. He turned to see the source of the voice. "You're here to see my parents?" He glanced down at the parcel in the mans hand. It wasn't too difficult to recognize the Silph Co branding all over the packaging. Flashy as ever. What he didn't expect to recognize, was the face of the man holding the parcel. "Chris Roddi? The heck are you doing delivering parcel's to my parents?" The anger and frustration in his eyes were replaced by a quizzical stare.

Parents. That explained so much about this boys attitude.

"It's Christopher Juarez Javier Gallileo Mendella Rodriguez thank you very much mister whatever your name is, and as for the Parcel, I don't particularly want to be Sycamore's delivery boy but for some reason I am. I do however think you'll find that your parents would like their... whatever this is. Plans for world domination most likely. Or perhaps they'd also like to know about the shady people in the alleyways who wanted to take it from me. Regardless, if you would let them know i'm here with their parcel miss?" Chris said with a smile to the receptionist.

"It's Drew, thanks for remembering." Drew snarled in annoyance at his old classmates dismissive response. He didn't really care much about what exactly they were having delivered, but he could use Chris to get up to there room. That said, the parcel likely had something to do with their coup in purchasing Paige's dad's company. If he could take the parcel, he could stop everything in its tracks. He wasn't sure how he'd go about doing that, but it was a possibility.

The receptionist looked between the two boys, a little bit of panic growing on her face. "Mr and Mrs Tucker, your parcel has arrived." She said through the phone, glancing at Drew, but looking away before he could notice. After a few seconds of listening, she looked up at Chris. "If you'd like to just go straight through, someone will come down now to show you to the room." She said with a nervous smile.

Drew stared at the parcel, before he could stop himself, he grabbed it from Chris' hands. His expression reverted back to the unyielding determination he had before. He realized how stupid what he'd just done was as soon as the parcel was in his hands, but he had to go through with it now. Faced with the receptionist, the bulky security guy that had been the only thing stopping him from bolting past reception and banging every door, and of course, Chris, Drew stood firm. He watched the trio like a deerling caught in headlights.

"Are you ****ing kidding me." Chris muttered in utter disbelief as three Pokéballs flew from his belt to surround the boy. "I got this." Chris sighed rolling his eyes at the boy and waving his hand in dismissal at the security.

An ominous breeze almost seemed to blow through as an arm of shadowy darkness, one of waste and refuse, and the silky cloth of the sword all seemed to reach forward to try and grab the young boy caught between them.

Drew somehow managed to dodge the cloth arm in a panic. Not that it mattered much, he was still cornered by three pokemon and three people. He glanced down at the one pokeball he had with a pokemon in it. He quickly unzipped his bag and without a moment of hesitation, dropped Nebula's pokeball.

The Eevee ferociously burst from the ball, an aggressive scowl on her face. Baring her fangs, she scanned the room. She didnt find her trainer, whom she had intended to attack on sight, but instead a Yamask, a Honedge and a Trubbish? What was this? Had she been released? Was she in that position again? Backed into a corner, treated like prey. It seemed to always be this way, and yet she was still here. Why would this time be any different? She let out a spine chilling hiss, as her assailants drew nearer. She turned around attempting to use sand attack, but all she could do was helplessly scratch at tiles. It was then she noticed Drew, but right now, he was the least of her worries. She turned again in frustration, charging toward the Yamask with a quick attack.

Yamask stood still and watched as the little pokémon passed right through him. It then turned its gaze back towards the boy in the center of the ring and flicked its wrist to scatter smallish purple caltrops around the boys feet.

Rubbish slopped to its left and let out a disgusting belch, a cloud of noxious fumes heading straight for the small brown fox Pokémon as it used its Poison Gas attack.

Whisper withdrew its cloth with a sharp crack as it pointed the tip of its blade at the boy and seemed to dance through the air menacingly.

"Kid... Come on. There's no way out of this. Just give back the package. It's going to your parents anyway isn't it? Unless this is one of those rebellious teenage acts. What is it, is Juliet going to die if Romeo doesn't use whatever is in that package to save her?" Chris chuckled to himself, completely blown away by the young boy's irrational actions. ("El Stupido.")

"They're not getting that damn package." Drew growled, the same unwavering determination in his eyes, despite the odds. "If they're not gonna listen to what I'm sayin, I'll force them to." He glanced around the room. In all honesty he wasn't expecting Chris to send out his pokemon to attack him, so things had already become worse than he expected. With the caltrops now scattered around his feet, he wasn't going anywhere any time soon, not that running would've been his first choice of action anyway. "Nebula, I need you to try to bite that Honedge!" He announced, the desperation now seeping through his voice.

No guard was going to be annoying in this case. Chris watched as the little brown fox leaped up and sunk its teeth into the cloth of the sword Pokèmon.

Cling!

Whisper began flailing around in an attempt to throw the little brown fox off of itself, the blade scraping across the floor and leaving thick gashes in the tiled floor.

"Seriously? Qué estúpido puedes ser!" Chris growled, as he started pulling off his jacket.

"Do something already!" The receptionist snapped at the security guards. "They're ruining the lobby!"

The security guard stepped forward, now ignoring any objections Chris may have had.

Drew hopped over the poison spikes, making a B-line for the door. If he was going to escape, this would be his chance in all the commotion. He grabbed his pokeball, returning Nebula before darting for the door.

ft. Chris Rodriguez​

​

Inventory

Spoiler:

: 1000

Poke Ball X 2

Apricorn X 1

*image removed* Chesto Berry X1

*image removed* Cheri Berry X1

*image removed* Pecha Berry X1​

​

 

[Shak]

Drew Tucker

Dont Shoot the Messenger pt. 2​

Lumiose City - Back Alley

Kluh-klik! Out popped the wheels from his shoes.

"Rubbish, return!" He called, recalling his less mobile Pokémon back to his side. "Whisper, Yamask! Get that little Chico!" Chris shouted as he sped past the burly security guard and started racing towards Drew. He easily caught up to him thanks to the extra speed from the skates. With an outstretched hand Chris reached for the parcel that the kid was hugging to his chest as he sprinted through the street.

The boy hadnt gotten too far down the street before fatigue began to catch up to him. Not to mention Chris was doing the same. He had to think fast. He noticed a group of club goers excitedly gossiping, as they passed a nearby alley. That was it! With a deep breath to compose himself, Drew tucked into the group, bumping into one of the members. The sharp turn was enough to give him a few yards on his skating pursuer, who just managed to miss the package. Drew darted into the alley, his breathing growing heavier and heavier with each step.

"Out of the way!" Chris growled, barreling straight forward. Several angry Kalosians shouted at him as they threw themselves out of the way as the boy chased after the young thief with his Pokémon flying at his side.

"..." Chris eyes scanned the street ahead. The little **** must have ducked into an alley... "Whisper. Yamask. Find him." Chris growled as he pointed towards the alleyways ahead of them. Chris turned into an alleyway of his own and started calling out. "Come on Chico. We both know you're not going to get away. Tell me why you don't seem to want Papi getting ahold of whatever is in that parcel."

Drew's eyes widened as he heard Chris enter the same alleyway he'd tucked into. That was his best chance at losing him, and he was now in a position where losing wasn't an option. He could hear himself panting, each breath sounding like thunder in the tense moment. He glanced around, looking for anything to help him get out of there. If only he could get to the Pokémon center. With Brycen on his side again, he had a chance. He noticed a bottle at the other side of the alley...maybe? Tossing the nearest stone to him at the bottle, Drew quickly sprinted out from his cover in the opposite direction.

The loud shattering of glass instinctively drew Chris' attention. Then he heard the heavy footfalls from behind him. Turning to see Drew darting around the corner, Chris growled in frustration. "I can keep this up all night!" He shouted as he started stomping after him. Where did the kid honestly think to go? His Parent's were undoubtedly looking for him by now. By tomorrow morning his face would be known to every officer in Lumiose. It's not like stealing a high value package from executives of a prestigious company in the lobby of a well filmed hotel was subtle.

Drew continued to run to the best of his ability. He looked back, making sure Chris was a good distance away before...THUMP! The boy clattered to the ground, dropping the parcel in front of him. As he looked up, he noticed a rather tall man in a trench coat, with a huge grin on his face. "Oh sorry, I..." He began, before noticing Chris had caught up to him.

"You've got to be ****ing kidding me." Chris muttered as he arrived on the scene. Suddenly realizing two of his three Pokémon were still searching the alleyways behind, he realized just how bad the situation he'd stumbled into could be.

"What's up kid, this guy giving you a hard time?" The mysterious man asked, the malicious grin still etched across his face.

Drew glanced between the two men. He didnt exactly trust the guy in the trench coat, but as of now, he was the lesser of two evils...right? The boy stood up, grabbing the parcel as he did so. "Yeah, this bastard wont leave me alone." He spat, glaring at Chris.

The man continued to smile, taking a few seconds to leer at the parcel before turning to Chris. "Dont worry, I'll handle him. You make sure to stay right here, alright." He responded, positioning himself so that Drew couldnt get past him in the alley. He tucked his arm under his trench coat, pulling out a single blackened pokeball. "Arbok, teach this guy a lesson."

Oh great. Now this ****ing asshole was back. Why should Chris even care anymore? He could turn around right now, walk away. Sure this kid will probably be mugged, raped, then murdered, but hey! It's Lumiose! Big surprise!

"..." Chris' eye twitched in annoyance. On one hand, the kid had the package. If the package didn't get to the kids parents, Chris didn't get payed. Furthermore, this asshole clearly stated that he wanted the parcel earlier.

Then there was the fact that a giant snake Pokémon was currently baring its fangs at him... and the only Pokémon Chris had handy, couldn't do a damn thing to it.

"For the love of god kid please don't be this stupid." Chris shouted as he tossed his Pokeball forward, smacking the Arbok in the head with it before releasing Rubbish onto the street before him. "Just... get out of here!"

With the new revelation, Drew attempted to escape the scenario, but was grabbed by the trench coated man. Without so much as a moment of hesitation, the man punched the kid in the gut, making him fall to the ground. Despite the hit though, Drew clutched onto the parcel. Tucking it into the fetal position he took on the ground.

"Parcel, boy, and dont keep me waiting any longer." He said, as he raised his foot to stomp on the grounded teen. "Arbok, keep that idiot occupied." He ordered, the Arbok slithering toward his new opponents, and firing balls of sludge as he did so.

"Pendajo." Chris spat, ducking out of the way of one of the balls of sludge.

Drew quickly released his Eevee.

The Fox pokemon, again looked around, but charged at the man's standing leg as soon as she read the situation. She clamped her jaws down on the ankle, causing the man to stumble back in pain, kick at her. She was too quick however. She bounded away before she could take the full brunt of the kick, her tail brushing across the man's shoe.

"Hey, I'm over here!" Chris shouted, chucking a rock at the man whom had been distracted by Drew and smacking him in the leg with it.

Meanwhile Rubbish seemed to take initiative on its own, raising its arms of refuse to bat away the snake as it lunged for Chris.

"Agh!" The man hollared in pain, hopping back against the wall behind his pokemon.

The younger trainer scrambled out of the man's grasp, taking stance beside Chris. "I'm not particularly fond of either of you right now, but I guess you havent tried to stamp on my head. You win by default." He muttered begrudgingly. His attention was then turned to the Arbok. "Nebula, you dont wanna get near that thing, you hear?"

The Eevee glanced back at her 'trainer'. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She glared at the Arbok, taking a moment to review her own repertoire of moves. She had nothing to attack at any kind of range. Her previous 'trainers' had never tried to emplot any kind of damage limiting strategy, but she supposed it was natural, humans love pain. Whether or not Drew claimed to be different was irrelevant. She was smart. It was his fault she was poisoned earlier, but maybe she could use that to her advantage. was already feeling the effects of being poisoned earlier, so maybe attack the Arbok wasnt all that dangerous anyway. Without another moment of hesitation, she charged toward the Arbok, clamping her jaws onto it's tail.

Drew watched on in horror as the larger pokemon looked down at Nebula with fury in his eyes. He raised his powerful tail, slamming it and the Eevee into the ground. The boy darted forward, the snake continuing the crushing assault on his relentless pokemon.

"...Your Pokémon listens extremely well. Intelligent as its trainer I suppose." Chris remarked bitterly as he watched Drew run towards the Arbok.

"Trubbish, Double slap again, get it to drop the Eevee!" He called out as he eyed the sky above them in the hopes that his other two Pokémon would find their way back to him.

Drew ignored the remark, chraging in and tackling the Arbok. He felt the strength of the snake writhing beneath him, but clung on. Seeing Nebula scamper away gave him some relief, but staying on the snake was safer than trying to flee at this point. "Hey Roddi, you think you can slow this thing down so I can get off?" He cried out.

Seeing Drew on the snake made Chris realize that Drew had probably never seen a snake before. Especially not one that was twice his size. So it horrified him to see the snake twisting itself around, and preparing to introduce the boy to the pavement with the full weight of its body.

"Trubbish, Grab the kid!" Chris screamed as he watched the Arbok attempt to smash the boy against the ground.

Two thick arms of assorted types of sticky refuse lurched forward to pull Drew away from the snake.

Drew glanced down at the small bag of trash that had somehow managed to lift him and carry him out of the snake's rampage. He considered hopping of, given how slow the pokemon was, but somehow the herculean tail of the ten foot beast missed every time it crashed into the ground beside them.

"Nebula, attack the Arbok with bite!" Drew ordered after hopping off the trashbag. The Eevee however, was nowhere to be found. "Neb-" Drew ordered again, before a rain of shining stars showered down from the construction terraces above them. Looking up, Drew saw his Eevee, triumphantly watching as the Arbok stopped writhing, and angrily faced the group.

"Any more bright ideas?" Chris asked as he watched the snake rise into the air as it prepared for an attack.

CLANG.

A flash of metallic light shined through the alley as descending from seemingly nowhere was a familiar blade Pokémon. Rising from a shadow at the other end of the alley was another familiar form, a wispy black Pokémon holding a shiny golden mask which somehow came through the shadow with it.

In a flash of red light, the Arbok was retracted into the pokeball. Both trainers looked to the source in shock, seeing the man stuff the pokeball away in his pocket. "I've seen all I need to see." He smirked, turning and fleeing the scene.

Drew reached out as if to chase after the trenchcoat, but his short moment of hesitation was enough to stop him completely. With a sigh, he brushed himself down and returned Nebula before the pokemon could run amok. He brushed the pocket he'd stashed the parcel in...but nothing was there. Instantly, his glare reverted to Chris. "Look, I appreciate you saving my life and whatever, but you need to hand me that package."

"...no. No. No. No. You..." Chris looked at Drew and wanted to instantly strangle the kid. "Hijo de puta!" He stopped, taking a deep breath before turning to his sword Pokémon. "Voy a estrangularlo." He barked. The sword was unresponsive, but in his heart, Chris knew that it agreed with him.

"That son of a *****." Chris seethed finally. "You let him get away with it you idiot. What was even in it anyway. Please tell me nuclear codes or something. That would make my... Maldita noche!

"There's no way he has it. I made sure I had it when I got away from him, the only that could have it is you. Besides, I dont know what's in it, I just know it's important for Silph Co. if my parents are coming to get it personally." Drew rolled his eyes, focusing in on Chris' hands. He wasnt sure how, but he knew the bastard had to have taken it.

"..." Chris glanced past Drew. He didn't see the package lying anywhere. "I seriously don't have it." Chris said blandly, looking Drew right in the eyes. "So now we're going to go back to the hotel... and you're going to tell your parents what happened, but I mean... you wanted to talk to them anyway right?" Chris snapped, grabbing the boy by the arm and beginning to stomp back in the direction of the hotel Richissme.

Drew wriggled his way out of Chris' clutches. "Well if that asshole's got the package, then I'll go after him. Either way, I'm making sure it's not going to my parents." He stared into the older trainer's eyes, his own filled with the same determination as he showed when trying to convince the receptionist.

"...why? Y'know what. I don't care. Go kick rocks. I don't need to know about your daddy issues." Chris said finally, shrugging and turning around. "I hope they cut you out of their will!" He yelled snarkily as he walked away.

Drew clutched Nebula's pokeball, letting a tiny smirk creep across his lips, as Chris walked away.

ft. Chris Rodriguez​

​

Inventory

Spoiler:

: 1000

Poke Ball X 2

Apricorn X 1

*image removed* Chesto Berry X1

*image removed* Cheri Berry X1

*image removed* Pecha Berry X1​

​

 

[Stinging Bea]

Avril Morris

Lumiose City

Chapter 6-7 | Realization

Current Party:

Inventory:

- x1 Pokédex

- x1 Pokéball

- 500 Poké Dollars

- x3 Pecha Berries

- Bug Bite TM

- Water Pulse TM

- Electro Ball TM

Avril wasn't sure how long she had spent in that chair. Every passing second seemed to feel like an eternity passing by. The only sounds that were present to accompany were the mixing melodies of a ticking clock on the wall and the subtle beeping of a machine used to keep track of the vitals of the wounded Frogadier. To most people it would probably be enough to drive them completely and utterly insane. However for Avril, it was a reminder of what was going on around her.

"E-Excuse me, miss...?" a voice called out, rousing Avril from her own little world. The blonde girl turned to see one of the nurses of the pokémon center standing in the doorway of the room. A gentle smile was on the older woman's lips as she spoke, as well as a look of genuine concern in her eyes. "Visiting hours are over for the night. You've been in here for quite a while, but you really should retire to your room for the night to get some rest yourself. Your Frogadier isn't going to be able to get much rest himself if you don't give him some space..."

"I'm not leaving," Avril replied quickly, her voice low. "I'm not disturbing him, so just... go away."

"I'm afraid that's not an option," the nurse sighed. She briskly made her way into the room, grabbing hold of Avril by the shoulder. The blonde trainer's body immediately tensed from the contact, her head turning in time to give the nurse a rather sharp glare. The nurse didn't seem to pay much attention to this, however. With more ease than Avril would have imagined, she managed to shove the teenager out of the room and quickly shut the door behind her. "While we respect that this is your pokémon, we have to stress how important his health and recovery is. We *are* a pokémon center, after all. We'll keep tabs on your Frogadier over night and should something change, we'll make sure to you call you down. But please, return to your room and get some rest."

Avril's glare only intensified. She opened her mouth to protest, but she then quickly retracted her rebuttal. The blonde could easily tell that she wasn't going to be getting anywhere with the nurse at this rate. Rather, she quickly spun on her heels and began to make her way down the hallway.

As the trainer reached the doors that led to the lobby, she quickly turned gave the nurse one final, sharp glare. "If something happens to Shino, and I'm not there? If you don't tell me? You're going to regret it."

---​

​

"No... No, no... No!" Avril shouted, ripping yet another page out of her notebook in complete and utter frustration.

After being banished to her room, Avril found herself for something, anything to keep her mind off the current state of Shino. She tried taking a shower. She tried to get some sleep. She even tried to spend some time with her other pokémon. However, each and every activity just seemed to make her think more and more about the events of the night. With every passing moment, Avril found herself growing more and more desperate to try and forget about it all. It was at this point, that Avril became so desperate that she decided to switch gears and try something else. She decided to sit down and just write. The trainer figured that maybe the key to finding some sort of peace about the whole ordeal would rely in writing about every detail. Little did the blonde realize that such a decision would be one of the worst ones she could possibly make.

As Avril wrote, she began to find the frustration only growing more and more. She felt that feeling of being weak and pathetic as she wrote about being forced to watch the Eevee pit incident. She found her lack of skill as a trainer showing when she wrote about Volkner taking out most of her team with only one pokémon. She found her lack of independence as she wrote about Emma coming to her rescue three times. She felt that feeling of helplessness as she wrote about the Cinder's grunt death and Gabriel's shooting of Shino. She found her anger as she wrote about her fallout with Emma and the detective's way of making her feel even more useless and pathetic.

"I can't... I can't do this anymore!" Avril suddenly snapped.

The girl screamed in frustration as she grabbed her notebook in a blind fury. Without a moment's delay, Avril began to just rip pages out of the book. She didn't bother to see whether or not they were written on or not. She just kept tearing and tearing until she finally threw the ruined notebook right into the trash... right where it belonged. After the noisy "clunk" of the destroyed notebook hitting the bottom of the can, did it finally dawn on Avril what she had done... And yet, she did not regret it at all.

"It's all a lie..." Avril said to herself, slowly slipping down onto the ground. "I'm not champion... There's no way I could ever hope to be what I writing... A biography...? Ha! It's nothing, but a fantasy... I'm weak... worthless... pathetic... I can't even keep my own pokémon safe."

A chill rose in the air as the trainer began to sink into a state of self-loathing. Her eyes narrowed as she began to look around the room, suddenly feeling as though she was no longer alone inside of the room. Slowly, Avril saw a small shape begin to rise from the floor in the middle of the room. In the darkened bedroom, it was difficult for her to make out... but it only took a few moments for her to quickly realize that it was in fact a pokémon. Purplish-gray in color, the creature had no arms or legs to speak of. Its head came to a tiny point, with large eyes that seemed to easily penetrate Avril as if she was completely transparent. Slowly, the girl fumbled into her nearby trainer's bag, pulling out her pokédex to give the creature a quick scan.

Shuppet, the puppet pokémon. It grows by feeding on dark emotions, such as vengefulness and envy, in the hearts of people. It roams through cities in search of grudges that taint people.​

The little ghost pokémon looked at Avril curiously. It began to fly closer, its eyes narrowing as it circled the girl. It was almost as if the Shuppet was inspecting her, as if she were just some piece of meat. Listening to the pokédex read off the information about the creature caused Avril to chuckle in a rather bittersweet sort of manner.

"You feed off dark emotions, huh...?" Avril questioned, staring intently at the creature. "Well... you certainly came to the right place..." She paused, reaching into her bag to pull out her final pokéball. She held it out towards the creature, offering it a somewhat amused looking smirk. "What do you say... wanna tag along?"

Lulu The Shuppet
Female/Sassy/Proud Of Her Power
Screech, Night Shade, Spite, Shadow Sneak, Will-O-Wisp, Feint Attack​

 

[Jay]

Stage 7 - Versant Road​

Time at Stage Start: 10:00 AM​

With the excitement of Lumiose City finally behind our heroes, they progress back towards the more normal path of their pokémon journeys. The hilly and somewhat steeper road of Route 5, Versant Road, compared to the locales from previous parts of our story, hints at the more rocky and mountainous locales that our characters are soon to reach. Still, depending on who you are, a decent walk and a bit of a casual work out might be just what you need to overcome the stress induced ordeals of the bustling city streets.

As we move towards less Kalos, a cool ocean breeze occasionally introduces itself to the verdant Route we now enter. The climate and weather finally beginning to show subtle changes from the earlier stages of the journey... and with new even the slightest changes to an ecosystem comes new flora, new experiences and perhaps most importantly, new pokémon to encounter and interact with.

For those looking for a more direct form of physical activity, the roller rink located by the West Gate is popular among rollerbladers, skateboarders and cyclists all and the friendly, open atmosphere of city sanctioned recreation area makes it a fantastic place to pick up and learn a new means of transportation.

Regardless of if you're hunting new pokémon, helping passerby's. taking in the sights, obtaining new transportation or just blazing through to get to the next town. You'll find plenty to do along this refreshing and adventurous trail.

---

Pokémon Available (Level 21-22):

Route 5 - Versant Road:​

Pokémon available to those using a Great Ball (Level 24):

Pokémon available to those using an Old Rod (Level 21-22):

Pokémon available to those using an Good Rod (Level 24):

Pokémon available to those on Stage 7 Mission 4:

​

---

Missions:​

Mission 1:​

The West side of Versant skate park is usually home to some of the most exciting aspiring freestyle skaters, but lately, the area has been left a little...deserted. A few mischevious kids have been seen throwing stones or setting traps on the park. If someone could get rid of these kids for good, the skaters would be eternally grateful.

Reward: Pair of Skates + TM Razor Wind

Mission 2:​

Twins Anna and Hannah have been showing off their impressive doubles strategy, using the flowers to disguise their pokemon. The combination of Anna's Floette's Magical Leaf and Hannah's Gloom's distracting sweet scent has been enough to dispatch many older trainers so far. It's said they're offering quite an interesting reward for anyone tough enough to beat them in a double battle.

Reward: Big Root + Sun Stone

Mission 3:​

A gang of Scraggy are blocking the gateway from Versant road to Camphrier Town. Passing through the route has become impossible with these powerful pokemon blocking the way. A former trainer of one of the Scraggy has said that the pokemon join that gang in search of power, so perhaps helping them get stronger could put you in their good graces.

Reward: Absolite

Mission 4:​

A hidden grotto has appeared, out of nowhere, on the route! Many have wandered into the leafy hole, but few have returned. Rumours have begun circulating about what could have open such a mysterious opening in the hedges. Some say it's the legendary pokemon Celebi's official time machine, some say Virizion has opened a gateway to Unova down there. One thing's for certain though, a lot of pokemon from Snowbelle city have been spotted recently... If something is disrupting the ecosystem it should be dealt with.

Reward: Ice Stone + Never Melt Ice

Mission 5:​

A determined trainer is going around cutting down trees, forcing many of the wild pokemon out of their habitat. Those who have spoken to him say he is in search of his favourite pokemon. A Sudowoodo, but is struggling to tell the crafty thing apart from real trees. If someone were to help him find a better way to search for

Reward: Leftovers

Mission 6:​

An old man has been attacked in the street! A woman in an orange dress has run off with his pocket watch, and appears to be heading off into the forest. Tracing this woman while she's still unaware of your presence may lead you to finding out where all these orange clad people keep coming from...then again, it's probably not that easy. The Aura guardian, Simon, has also been seen chasing the woman.

Reward: Mysterious Blue Crystal + TM Flame Charge

OPEN Mission 7:​

A bunch of Cyclists have been looking to spread their favorite sport in a region known mostly for rollerskating. To combat this they're starting a new event known as "Tour de Kalos"... and to spread advertisement for it they're challenging passerby to a bike race around the park. Those who win get a free mach bike with the Tour de Kalos logo plastered on the side. Are you willing to take them up on their offer?

Reward: 1 x Mach Bike

Mission 8:​

A local Gulpin has swallowed an entire picnic banquet... and the table... and many of the belonging of those present when the event was being held. It has swollen to a ridiculous size, easily dwarfing a few of the trees present on the route. Pokémon rangers have arrived on the scene and have been trying to find way to force the pokémon to spit up its hoard, but thus far it has refused. Force may be necessary but the Rangers aren't able to get enough of it, thus they find themselves turning to nearby trainers for help. For what it's worth they're giving you free pick of whatever comes out? As well as a decent reward of poké.

Reward: 650 Poké, TM Sludge Wave

Mission 9​

Colress has left Lumiose city and is investigating the difference in flora growing around the West gate of Lumiose city, as opposed to the East gate where he arrived from. In particular he's looking for a specific breed of mind boosting herb that he feels could be of great use in the quest to unlock a pokémons true hidden potential. He's willing to give a small fee and a cut of the spoils to a trainer willing to go off trek into the hilly, tree covered areas where the herb is supposed to go. Do be careful however, rumors say that these specific plants are adored by local, territorial Kadabras.

Reward: 500 Poké, 3 Mental Herbs

Mission 10:​

A dance troupe is practicing routines near the skate park and strutting their stuff in battles of a different sort. They're encouraging dance as a whole in order to inspire a little pokémon with music in its heart, but without the inspiration to perform. Surely if this little creature found a person that inspired them properly, they'd follow them anywhere. Maybe that person is you?

Reward: Igglybuff

Mission 11:​

Lillie has moved on from Lumiose city and has been feeling rather stressed after her experience with the fake Garchomp on Prism Tower. She wants to regain some confidence after her ordeal, she no longer seems interested in battling just yet. Though a little bit of prying gets her to open up about a pokémon she's been desperate to catch on Route 5, a specific, powerful little Pacham whom has been scampering through the route just out of her reach for most of the day. Helping her make a new friend might be just what she needs.

Reward: Stardust + 1 Alolan Raichu Pokédoll

Mission 12:​

An ex-team Flare member is being bullied and picked on by a local trainer despite her desire to turn her life around and become a fisherwoman. Her open acknowledgment of her failings has painted a target on her for the mess that Team Cinder have been creating. However to any rational person, not inspired by grief and rage, it's clear that she's innocent and doesn't deserve to be threatened by these people and their pokémon. Someone needs to step in for what's right.

Reward: 1 x Good Rod

​

 

[Stinging Bea]

Avril Morris &
Jackson Crane

Lumiose City & Versant Road

Chapter 7-1 | A Change

Current Party:

​

Inventory:

- x1 Pokédex

- x1 Holocaster

- x3 Pokéball

x2 Great Ball

- x3 Potion

- 1800 Poké Dollars

- x3 Pecha Berries

The dull beating of a heart monitor in the background slowly cracked Jackson's eyes open, he had been sleeping...? How had he gotten to a bed? His vision was blurry as he looked around a room he didn't recognize, slowly attempting to pull himself up, only to feel the soft touch of a feminine hand on his shoulder, pushing him back when he was powerless to resist. He hadn't even seen anyone else in the room, but as his vision finally began to clear, he noticed the familiar black garb of the Sinnoh Champion.

"Easy now, Jackson... the treatment is only just starting to take effect, you'll be up and ready to go in a few hours, but bright and early at 7 AM is pushing your luck. You've barely gotten any rest at all." She sat back in her seat as Jackson's blurry memory finally started to fade back into place. He had been shot, by Gabriel Artece... he had climbed Prism Tower to-

"The girl... Lillie, is she alright?" He croaked, his voice re-adjusting as it was pushed back into use. Cynthia nodded slowly as she crossed her legs and interlocked her hands, sitting in a pensive position. "She's perfectly fine, thanks to you... you may wish to check the news later, many people are talking about the unidentified trainer who scaled Lumiose tower to save a young girl in a mission most would have considered suicide." Jackson managed to force himself into a sitting position, the pain in his shoulder was bad, but as if by some miracle of science, it was dulling by the second. Lumiose was truly a hub of scientific prowess, it was no wonder the professor kept his lab here and bothered to fly the commute most every day for work from Aquacorde.

"The Professor and I have made the decision to foot your medical expenses, considering the circumstances." Jackson sighed a little, somewhat relieved and irritated at the same instant. "You didn't need t'do that..." He grumbled, to which she simply smiled, she saw no need to give an answer when both of them saw the futility in such a conversation. "Lillie left this for you, before heading on to the West gate... I think you'll find it to your liking." Cynthia placed a pouch of sparkling powder and a pink Technical Machine on the bedside table. Jackson acknowledged them briefly, but now that everything was clear again, he had more pressing concerns.

"Cynthia... that pokémon I fought..." She tensed as he spoke, but nodded carefully in response. "Samples of the dust it became were recovered, Professor Sycamore spent most of the night and presumably even now is researching its properties." She trailed off, considering the right words to use. "I study, dabble really, in certain specific branches of ancient mythology. There are many cases of people using pokémon in cruel scientific studies to gain their power for themselves." She grimaced, as if reliving painful memories. "I have read of the great weapon based in Kalos so many years ago... its resurfacing in Kalos so painfully recently, I assume you know the tale of Team Flare?" Jackson nodded. "I've 'eard of 'em yeah. They wanted to end the world."

Cynthia placed a finger pensively to her chin. "I suppose that's the basics of it yes... but Lysandre was a genius, his plans extended beyond a simple end to the world as we know it." She started, leaning in somewhat, her brow furrowed as she began to explain. "The ultimate weapon was a machine designed to draw upon the raw essence of life and creation in this world, bestowed by the God Pokémon, Arceus, to two pokémon for very different purposes."

Jackson scoffed, looking at Cynthia as if she was insane. "Arceus...? It's good to have something to believe in, but he's just a myth, if you expect me to-" She cut him off and gave a stern glare. "Do you honestly think I would delude you with fairy tales considering what has been happening Mr. Crane? Do you truly believe that we are not beyond that point now?" He was taken aback by her sudden abrasion, but he looked aside with embarrassment as he realized the truth in her words. He made a conscious effort to say no more as Cynthia continued.

"These pokémon are known as the Legends of Kalos, Xerneas and Yveltal, confirmed to exist at least by the Flare disaster, but the nature of their power is nothing less than awesome in scale." Her eyes were shining with an enthusiasm for the subject matter that she curbed with professionalism. "Xerneas was gifted the purest form of creation... the ability to grant and prolong life itself. Yveltal, as a foil to said power, was granted the inate ability to destroy, to kill. They were life and death incarnate, birther and reaper. The ancient king AZ saw this power and desired it above all else as a tool of vengeance and rebirth." She sighed as the story began to catch up with the modern times.

"He created something, a weapon capable of harnessing these powers for two express purposes..." She trailed off, but Jackson had an idea of where she was going. "Genocide..." He started and she finished with a grim nod. "...and immortality. Life itself is a balance, it can be preserved easy enough, it can be removed with even greater simplicity... but what AZ sought to do was re-create it. To mimic and play a god, to generate life where there was none. This... thus had a cost, by the nature of balance..." Jackson's eyes widened with shock. "You mean the old king in the story made the ultimate weapon... t'kill thousands for the sake of one?!..." Cynthia nodded, before waving her hands flippantly.

"But enough of that... you know now what the weapon is capable of, creating, destroying and prolonging life itself. We need not go into side effects of its use, but as a base concept that is its purpose." She bit her lip, worried she might go too far with her assumptions, but after a moment of steeling her resolve she continued. "What Team Cinder did was similar... but much different. They created a replica of my own pokémon, with the power of the ultimate weapon this would be reasonable... and due to their clear relation to Team Flare it would make sense they may have access to the plans revolving around said device." Her features were quizzical and yet, determined, as if she were about to unravel some great mystery. "Yet we would know, rather rapidly, if they had used the ancient weapon to create life from nothing. It's also easy to assume that since the... well... clone, as it was, disintegrated upon taking enough of a beating, it clearly was more than a little imperfect." Jackson could understand Cynthia, but now even he was struggling to comprehend her thought process, it reached far beyond his own and so his expression reflected his confusion.

"Ahh sorry, long story short for you... the clone was broken. It wasn't complete. The Ultimate Weapon is not documented to create such things." She concluded but Jackson merely scowled. "Then what dahell is the point in all of this speculation?" To which the Champion grinned rather matter of factly. "Two questions for you first. One, what happens if you try to insert a holocaster chip into your pokédex?" Jackson looked at Cynthia like she had two heads, but he played along for now. "The 'dex glitches out like hell." Cynthia nodded approvingly. "Exactly. Now then... question number 2."

"Jackson, have you ever heard of a pokémon known as Mewtwo?"

He thought hard for a moment, searching for the answer. "It's... really strong...?" Cynthia gave a small chuckle. "Yes, quite... but in Kanto, over a decade ago now I'd wager, a villainous organisation known as Team Rocket was responsible for creating the pokémon, using advanced modern day sciences to attempt to clone a nigh mythical pokémon known as Mew, from ancient DNA found on an old slate." Jackson frowned. "It sounds like... science fiction." She nodded. "Indeed, but it happened, the mansion where it happened still stood upon the isle it was built on, in fact, before a volcanic eruption erased it."

Jackson suddenly had a burst of understanding. "I get it! So Cinder is doing what Rocket did right? Cloning pokémon?" Cynthia winced a little before continuing with an awkward smile. "Not... exactly. Remember the first question? I fear, if my assumption is correct... then CInder being a fairly new organisation is using a bit of both theories. The life giving properties of the ultimate weapon... the reconstructive process of Rocket's reverse engineering and cloning..." She began... before trailing off to consider her words once again. "I believe that Cinder isn't as vast and wealthy as those suits would have us believe. I think they're using knock of technology from two different sources to create copies of powerful pokémon... and yet-"

"Like the chips...!" Jackson concluded. "It's not compatible, so while it tries to work the result is a broken mess with barely any use at all, am I right?" Cynthia grinned triumphantly, her point finally made. "It's a shot in the dark... we need more evidence on both ends, but its the only solution I can present at this moment yes."

Jackson considered the revelation for a moment, imperfect, easily broken clones of powerful pokémon... that was insane, but then why-

"Jackson?!" The door to the hospital room slammed open, and there, clutching her walker in the other hand... stood Malorie. "M-Mal...?! What are you doin' walkin' around you can't-!" But Malorie wouldn't listen, moving as quickly as she could into the room, she half threw herself around her brother with tears rolling down her face. "P-Professor told me to wait but I- I heard you talk and I had to- I was worried I thought you were- I thought-!" She sobbed and sobbed, prompting Jackson to hold her gently, trying to calm her as Cynthia gave a small and understanding smile as she stood.

"Another time Mr. Crane, I will discuss things further with Sycamore upon our next meeting... for now your time is beholden to another." With a tired sigh, Jackson waved Cynthia off flippantly. "Yeah... a'ight... don't die." With a small chuckle she nodded in response, before stepping out of the room and leaving the two siblings alone.

---​

"Now, even though he's managed to pull through and is well on the road to recovery, you need to make sure not to let him overexert himself for the time being," the nurse explained, handing Avril the pokéball which held Shino once more. "We don't need that wound opening back up before its had time to be fully healed. In fact, it may be more beneficial to leave him in the PC for the time being."

Avril narrowed her eyes, the blonde shaking her head quickly in response. "I'll remember that fine. I don't need to have him stuffed in some kind of virtual storage box like he's some old Christmas decoration."

Without waiting for the nurse to give a response, the trainer quickly snatched the pokéball right from her hand and began to make her way down the hallway towards the exit. To say that the remainder of the previous night had been kind to Avril was bit of an understatement. The girl looked absolutely exhausted. Large, dark circles framed her currently red and sleepy looking eyes, giving her the appearnace that looked as if she had not slept at all the previous night. That would not have exactly been a lie either. After her strange, late night encounter with the ghost pokémon, Shuppet, the girl spent most of the rest of the night doing a somewhat random spree of late night shopping and more or less hovering by Shino's bedside. The girl's concern over the frog pokémon, along with an all-around foul mood, did little to let her mind or body get any rest proper. A part of her wondered how in the world Anise managed to stay awake as long as she did, regardless of the fact that it was more or less in the Noctowl's genes. A part of her had debated about possibly staying another day in Lumiose, if only to catch up on her sleep... However, Avril quickly decided against that. Her time in the city had been hellish enough to give her great motivation to just get out of there as quickly as she could.

Yet, another reminder of her ordeals was already entering back into her life, almost as soon as it had left. "You climbed Prism Tower...?!" Malorie asked with wide eyes, one hand on her walker and the other linked around her big brothers. Malorie was dwarfed standing alongside the six foot tall Jackson, barely reaching 5'4" and standing with a petite frame and musculature, Malorie was a rather pretty girl all things considered. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of lilac, and her long brown hair swept behind her like that of a princess, reaching down to her lower back as she gazed up at Jackson with a mixture of disapproval and awe in her voice... and a sweet voice it was, encompassing the virtues of innocence, naivety and kindness, yet still packed with the underlying tones of sass one would expect from a seventeen year old girl.

"Well I had'ta Sis..." Jackson grumbled, looking down at her with genuine confusion as to what she was so concerned about. "I mean I got shot too, why's the tower such a big-" She interrupted him swiftly, poking his cheek with a snarl almost reminiscent of Jackson himself, before pouting and turning her gaze away. "Oh trust me, I was just getting to that. Do you have idea how stupid- e-eh? Jackson?" Malorie stopped walking and stood beside Jackson as he went still, she followed his gaze to a blonde girl standing a few feet ahead, her eyes marked with dark circles made her look more than a little tired. "O-oh... is this a friend of yours...?" She asked with a slight edge of concern as to how somber her older brother suddenly seemed.

"Morris..." Jackson said, brushing Malorie's question aside and addressing the girl standing in front of him with a darker, but not confrontational tone, as if instead gauging her state of mind and response before deciding on his approach. He had to be more cautious of confrontation with Malorie there, regardless of the source or nature of it.

Avril glanced over in the direction of the voice, "Oh, it's you," she answered, a bit more sharper than she actually meant to. "What are you doing back here? Did one of your pokémon get hurt that bad too?"

Jackson shook his head gently tapped his shoulder gently where he had been shot the night before. "I took one myself after... well, what happened happened." He started, not sure exactly how to address the situation. "After that I got a bit dinged up at the tower but... How is he? Shino?" He wasn't one to beat around the bush, he decided, it was best to just ask directly.

"He pulled through..." Avril replied, showing the Frogadier's pokéball for proof. "It honestly looked a bit doubtful... They said if I had been a little bit longer getting him here that..." She paused, clearly not comfortable with dwelling on the thought for too much longer. Rather, she turned her attention to the girl beside Jackson. Avril raised an eyebrow. "Ah... so who's this with you...?"

"Oh... yeah, her..." Jackson stated, having forgotten Malorie's presence somewhat, coupled with not really knowing how to react to her meeting one of his.. classmates. "Oh her? Really Jackson... honestly..." She mumbled and puffed out her cheeks with a glare. Placing both hands upon her walked, she stepped forward and extended a petite hand towards Avril with a bright and beaming smile. "I'm Malorie Crane! Jackson's sister, it's a pleasure to meet you! Jackson never really had many friends in trainer school so I'm glad to meet someone he actually seems to know, heh."

Avril gave a small smile to the girl. She managed to remember briefly that Jackson did mention the girl during their encounter with Gabriel. When he mentioned that he provided for her the best he could, she imagined it was because of the fact it was just the two of them. Her eyes fell to the walker, albeit quickly enough so as not to make it awkward, before returning her focus to the Malorie. She had no idea that it also had something to do with the girl's health.

"Oh, so you're Malorie," Avril replied, giving the girl a somewhat warmer smile. She gently took Malorie's hand, giving the girl a small shake. "Jackson mentioned you before! It's nice to meet you!"

Malorie seemed to brighten even further at those words, her smile growing into a proud and sheepish grin of a sort. "Oh he has...? Well, only good I should hope! He's a troublesome sort but he means well... so I'd like to think even in his brash tones I might give a good second hand impression." It was at this point that Jackson stepped forward as well, snarling a little and ruffling his hand roughly through the younger girls hair. "How's about you stop badmouthin' me when y'already know I'd only say good shit Kiddo?!" Malorie pouted in response, swatting his hand away until he relented, only to stare at him with a glare and another signature pout.

"Oh, Miss Morris, isn't it? We were going to go and have lunch at a recreation zone on Versant Road! You must join us! Right Jackson?" She concluded with glee, eager to get to know more about the new trainer she had met. Jackson on the other hand, grimaced and awkwardly scratched the side of his head. "I... dunno Mal, I'm sure Avril is busy right? So..."

Avril noticed how uncomfortable Jackson seemed to be from the sudden invite. She really didn't want to force him to be in anymore of a spot than he already was. Even for someone like her, it was easy to tell that Avril encountering the girl was enough to pull the older boy out of his comfort zone. Also to be honest, Avril herself wasn't really feeling all that much like chatting it up at the moment anyways. Rubbing the back of her head, her smile faded into a bit of an apologetic looking one.

"Well... that does sound like a tempting offer, b--"

"Exactly!" Malorie quickly interrupted, taking Avril by the arm and starting to slowly lead her to the exist of the pokémon center. "You'll love the place we've chosen Avril, it's so open and fresh. You must be a trainer too right, I adore pokémon so you must let me meet at least one, you will won't you? I hope so, I've met almost all of my big brothers now but he..." And she continued to ramble as such while Jackson, barely comprehending the situation, quickly rushed after the pair with a panic in his eyes.

"M-Malorie! Wait!"

---​

A light breeze blew through Versant Road, ruffling Jackson's hair and sending the blonde strands astray. Black roots were beginning to show once again, he really hadn't done so good a job at coloring it the first time, but when he reached the next town... he had considered it and had decided to get another packet of dye, to do a proper job and make the new color a more permanent fixture. Since the contest... and the experiences he'd had thus far... it felt right.

As for right now however, he sat upon a bench at a picnic area near the entrance to Lumiose city. The grass was a darker and more verdant green on this side of the metropolis. The terrain was resplendent with hills of various heights leading up to the presumably rocky crags of Camphrier town and beyond. He watched as Malorie sat in the grass comfortably a small distance away, she held Teddy and Marble in her lap, the former quite enjoyed her petting, while the latter seemed content to have her fluffy form squeezed and hugged... all the while Malorie laughed as Gaspar lifted and dropped strands of her hair, using its length to pretend he had pigtails or a mustache as he waggled his tongue and Salad bounded around excitedly, eager to play with and sate his curiosity with the girl before him.

Beside Jackson was Avril, there had been an awkward silence permeating betweem the two since they had arrived and released their pokémon... but now that Malorie was distracted, Jackson was no longer to avoid the subject matter looming over them both.

"After I left... what happened? Were there any more Cinder? Do you know if anything happened to Emma?"

Avril's eyes darkened at the mention of Emma's name. The girl shifted her gaze, looking over at Malorie for a moment before responding. "There weren't anymore Cinder guys there... At least, none that I recall. I was in so much a hurry to get Shino to the pokémon center, that I kinda just... blacked out on the rest. I'm pretty sure that he was the only one there though. I doubt I'd have been able to get out of there that easy if he had some guys waiting in the back..." She paused, her hands tightening into fists as she answered the next question. "Emma was at the pokémon center for a bit. She stopped by to check up on Shino, but then went on her way. Probably needed rest after that whole mess or something."

It wasn't exactly the entire truth, but Avril felt good enough with that answer. She honestly didn't want to think too much on the detective at the moment, so the sooner she got past that question the better. Of course, she also had to hope that Jackson decided not to dive deeper into Emma's location and the like.

At her mention of Emma, Jackson rose an eyebrow. It was easy for him to see that there was more there than she was telling him... but he was becoming disillusioned with involving himself in other peoples drama as it was. "Well... guess that's good right?" He mumbled in a neutral tone, before furrowing his brow as he remembered the events that had occurred over the previous night and morning since he had left Avril and Emma behind.

"There are... some things you should know."

He proceeded to tell her everything, how he had followed the Garchomp, how he had climbed Prism Tower alone, how he had barely survived falling from the tower thanks to Wave's evolution, how he had met Lillie... and how he had essentially killed the cloned pokémon. He told her Cynthia's theory and the discussion they'd had, the idea of Rocket cloning tech being integrated with the most deadly of all technology, the Ultimate Weapon, in order to create imperfect, expendable clones of powerful pokémon. He revealed it all to her to the best of his memory, it felt good to get it off of his chest to anyone at all, so he worried he might have overwhelmed Avril with the information he had provided. Still... she was as involved now as he was, she had a right to know.

"...after that, I walked out with Malorie and here we are now."

"That's... a lot to take in, really..." Avril replied, not even trying to hide the fact that she may or may not have grasped all the information that she had been handed. "I remember the whole Flare thing... well, what the news covered of it, anyways. But I wasn't aware they were trying to go that far. To be honest, that whole weapon and Geosenge sounded more like some weird plot from a comic book or something. And now they're trying to make clones of pokémon too? It's kinda creepy to think about."

Jackson nodded slowly, running over all of the information in his head. "I didn't believe it at first either... but Cynthia doesn't seem the type to make up crazy stories..." His voice was much more quiet than it usually seemed to be, as he watched his sister playing with the pokémon around her. He thought back to what happened to Shino, he wondered how much he meant to Avril. What if it had been Teddy? What if it had been Malorie?

"I'm sorry, Avril." He said, annoyance at his humility burning inside of him, but he supressed it best he could.

Avril glanced over in his direction. "Sorry...? What for?" The girl was honestly taken back by the sudden change of Jackson's tone. As far as she was aware, he hadn't done anything to apologize for.

"I shouldn't have offered you the chance to come... I should have stopped myself from pushing you to try and..." He trailed off before sighing gently. "I shouldn't have tried to make you face reality, Avril... I wanted you t'see that when somethin' goes wrong we gotta move forward and face the next objective, but by pushin' you to do that when all of this... this sick and twisted shit was so new t'you..." He grit his teeth, shame seeping into his voice. "None of what happened woulda happened y'get what I'm tryna say?!" He growled a little, more annoyed at himself than her. "I got someone y'cared about hurt because I thought I was doin' the right thing... I thought, again, that I could protect everybody, but I couldn't." He sat back on the bench against the picnic table and stared skyward.

"So... I'm sorry. That's all."

"No... if anything, I should probably thank you, Jackson," Avril replied quickly. "If anything, it was a wake-up call that I needed. Up until that point, I was acting just like you said... a protagonist, I believe you called it?"

She paused, glancing over at Malorie and the pokémon for a moment, in particular looking at Marble and Salad. Despite the heavy atmosphere brought on by the topic, a smile managed to tug at the blonde's lips.

"What happened to Shino... it was my own fault. Even after your speech... I still thought that I would be able to make things right at the end. If anything, I should thank you for waking me up to how weak and pathetic I really was until then." She looked back over at Jackson, a forced laugh slipping past her lips. "Hell, I probably would have just followed anyways..."

Jackson sat forward again, folding his hands in his lap and watching Malorie pensively. He looked at her quietly for a long few moments, seemingly considering his next few words very carefully. "It should be obvious... but it's all for her." He said plainly, no embarrassment or begrudging tones present in his voice. "Every step, gym, battle... She loves pokémon, but she can't be with them like we can, not yet. If I make it far enough I can make sure it's a reality. I can make sure she gets what she wants."

He looked at Avril, his eyes were serious, piercing even... but not aggressive. "She means everything to me... if it was her who got hurt, I'd tear down the whole world and thrash about in the remains. I know how much you care about Shino, I could see it in your eyes... I know it wasn't my fault, but I still feel like I coulda done more to stop it." He paused and sighed deeply again. "So... I'm still sorry Morris, I can't not be."

Avril sat there in silence, taking in what Jackson said. She could feel a slight similarity between them. Of course, there was no way she was going to say that what happened the previous night was anywhere close enough to match the amount of pain he had went through. She'd have been stupid to do that much. But he was right about Shino. Truth be told, Avril wanted to give Gabriel Artece the slowest, most painful death she could think of. It was a thought that honestly scared the hell out of her... and yet, somewhat satisfying at the same time.

"She's lucky, you know..." Avril said, deciding to shift the subject for the time being. "Having you there for her. I can tell it means the world to her."

"I'm her big brother..." He stated plainly. "Not by blood... but I'm the only one she's ever known. Hell, I'm the only parent she's ever had either, even if we only have four years in the difference." He trailed off, before shaking his head quickly. "Alright enough of me going on about sappy shit... here she comes anyway." He quickly retorted to his own words, while pulling himself upright, shaking off any soft sides he was showing.

"Avriiiil!" Malorie cried, carrying Marble in her arms as she approached. "Your pokémon are so cute! I love them!" She cooed, patting a rather pleased Marble's head. "Do you have any others?"

Avril smiled at the girl, giving her a nod in response. "Yeah. I also have a Noctowl, Shuppet, Mudbray, and Frogadier... but the last one could use some rest. He's a but under the weather at the moment."

"Waaah?! A Mudbray?!" She asked with her eyes sparkling like stars. "Like... like the little baby pony Mudsdale? That one?" She was positively squealing at that point and Jackson had to interject awkwardly. "She ehm... she watched a lot of equestrian shows back in Sinnoh..."

"Please Avril! Can I meet him? I love pokémon like Mudbray and Ponyta and... oh please!"

Avril seemed somewhat hesitant. She wanted to grant Malorie's wish, if only because of who she was and the fact she seemed like a good kid. On the other hand, there was no telling how Benjamin would react. The last thing she wanted was for him to hurt the girl because of his obvious attitude problem.

"Well... I mean... Look, he's not exactly the friendliest pokémon. Just... be careful around him, okay?" Avril conceded. Taking one of the balls off her bracelet, the girl tossed it out into the open and released the Mudbray inside. "Malorie, this is Benjamin." The girls eyes widened with glee as she knelt down in front of the pokémon without delay. Slowly she reached forward, her pure and complete aura of calm reaching out towards Benjamin as she gently pet his head with a small smile. "Hello Benny... my name is Malorie, it's wonderful to meet you."

Avril tensed up as Benjamin seemed to stare at Malorie intently. The Mudbray narrowed his eyes, his ears stiffening at the touch of the girl. His trainer tightened her grip on the horse pokémon's ball, making sure she was able and ready to call him back should he decide to reject Malorie's advances and lash out against her for daring to so much as even touch her. What happened was... most unexpected. If Avril wouldn't have seen it with her own eyes, she would have sworn she was dreaming... which wasn't really too far out of the question on account of how sleep deprived she was at the moment. Her eyes widened. A gasp of surprise escaped her lips.

Benjamin the Mudbray, the pokémon who never obeyed her commands... the pokémon who would rather lose a battle than do anything that his trainer said, was actually leaning his head into Malorie's hand. He was actually bristling up against the girl. He was actually enjoying the attention being paid to him by Jackson's sister. Avril was absolutely speechless at the sight, a look of utter confusion and disbelief taking over her facial features.

"Haha, aww you want a hug huh?" Malorie said gleefully, wrapping her arms softly around the small horse and nuzzling against it gently. Jackson actually smiled for a split second, before he saw the shock on Avril's face. With a raised eyebrow he leaned in to question her quietly.

"Why the odd expression Morris...?" He queried. "Is your pokémon not usually like this?"

Avril shook her head. "He's... he's never listened to a single thing I've ever said. I adopted him from Santalune... he was a pokémon that lost his trainer because of that fire," she explained. "He honestly couldn't have cared less about anything I tried to do with or for him..." The girl turned her attention back to the Mudbray in question and Malorie. For the first time ever, Benjamin actually looked... happy. At least, for the first time since she had known him. Avril began to wonder if perhaps his trainer was similar to Malorie, if perhaps it was stirring up some memories within Benjamin. Avril bit her lip in hesitation for a moment, turning to Jackson and speaking in a quiet tone so Malorie hopefully wouldn't overhear. "...Malorie... doesn't really get to interact with pokémon a lot, does she...?"

Jackson shook his head slowly as he watched Malorie stand up using the Mudbray as support and walk with him around the field. His eyes were focused on her as with the help of the pokémon she was able to walk around without her walker. He felt a wave of emotion almost immediately overwhelm him as he grit his teeth behind pursed lips, his fists balling in order to fight back the lump in his throat until it finally faded. She turned slowly to him and smiled, one of the biggest smiles he'd ever seen her give... and he laughed, he genuinely laughed and smiles for a moment before collecting himself and reforming his more rugged exterior. "N-no... she ain't ever gotten the chance... I guess it's only fittin' on a day like this where she gets the chance to... that she..." He trailed off and had to swallow his pride for the second time. "...she ain't walked without me or her walker in over five years now."

Avril had more or less made up her mind at that point. Still, she knew she needed to get the okay from Jackson before making a promise to Malorie. "I... I was thinking... Benjamin, he's... well, we don't click... apparently... And, just sticking him in a PC for storage or just releasing him out into the wild... wouldn't be good either, so... What if... What if I just left him with Malorie...?"

Jackson looked genuinely shook by the suggestion. "But Malorie is... that's too risky for-" He began, but it was then that he caught her eye again, walking alongside Benjamin with a smile unable to fall from her lips. "...hmm. Well... I dunno..." He considered the prospect, running the risks and rewards over in his mind, before giving up on the strenuous thought process and deciding to himself that it was best if Malorie made the decision herself. She was almost an adult now, he had to give her some freedom.

"Mal! C'mere a sec Kiddo." He called out and Malorie turned positively bursting with glee, as Benjamin walked her over towards the two and she smiled while petting his head upon arrival. "Jackson! Didja see that? I was walking without my support! I was walking!" Jackson smiled softly back and ruffled Malorie's hair quickly, before turning to Avril. "Yeah, yeah I saw kiddo... and well, I was talkin' to Morris... and she has an offer for ya." Malorie looked suddenly by that, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "An... offer?" She asked, puzzled and still passively petting Benjamin's head.

"Mhm," Avril replied, smiling softly at the shorter girl. "See... the thing is that well... Benjamin seems to be a little tired from the traveling and all that. I think it'd be good if he had a place he could rest and just spend time doing his own thing... Of course, I really don't wanna stick him in a PC box or just let him go because of that... so, I was thinking of maybe looking for someone who might be able to keep an eye on him... You know, just to give him some affection when he needs it... maybe he could keep them company in return... So... Do you think you might have some spare time to fill that kinda role for me...?"

Malorie's face gradually grew more excited and happy as Avril continued speaking and by the end of her suggestion there were tears rolling openly down the girls face. "I-... I can-" She practically threw herself on Avril as he clung to the girl with the biggest and strongest hug she could muster with her feeble frame. "You mean it right? You actually mean it? You don't mind?" Her voice was muffled against the other girl as she tried to contain her growing joy.

Avril carefully returned the hug and nodded. "Yeah... I think he'd be happy with you. Plus, I'd feel a lot better knowing he was in someone's care that I know, so if I ever wanna visit him or something... well, you get the idea. So, can I count on you to take care of him for me, Malorie?"

She quickly stood up and nodded seriously while wiping the tears from her eyes. "Yes! I promise, one hundred percent I'll take care of him no matter what! I'll be sure he gets exercise and the best food and that he's happy and has a cozy bed and... and everything I swear!" She continued to nod until Jackson put a hand on her head to stop her. "Alright kiddo, I think she gets the idea, haha." Malorie proceeded to hug her brother tightly in turn, glad to have him near again, she smiled brightly and nodded one last time before petting Benjamin again and barely being able to contain her smile. "You hear that Benny? We get to live together now!"

"Thanks, Jackson. It really means a lot that he's got somewhere that he'll be more happy with," Avril replied, watching as the Mudbray once more nuzzled against the excited girl.

Jackson nodded as he rose to stand, watching as Malorie began to walk off with Benjamin, happy as could be. "I should thank you, to be honest..." He said plainly with a small smile... however at that moment everything began to catch up with him and he scowled down at Avril with nigh killer intent. "But don't you dare get me wrong Sunshine, you let anyone know about what happened between the three of us and by extension 'ow I acted t'day and I'll beat you down capiche?"

He sighed, the obligatory threats out of the way... and to settle his stresses further he lit a cigarette of Gaspar's hand, which set ablaze on command just before the ghost type resettled into Jackson's shadow. "I assume he's got a pokéball right? If you wanna give it to me I can make sure Malorie gets it before the day is out."

Avril grinned, "Don't worry, it'll just stay our little secret." She handed the ball in her hand to Jackson. She was glad that this worked out in somewhat of a happy ending, at the very least for Benjamin. Still, the girl found herself not fully satisfied with everything up to this point. There was something she found herself wanting in the end, something she knew would be risky to ask, but something she needed to anyways. "Jackson... you've got a holocaster, right?"

He rose an eyebrow confused for a second, before his face filled with realization and he pulled his new, slick holocaster from his pocket. "This? Yeah got it yesterday."

"Then... I want you to do something for me," Avril replied. She paused, as she reached into her trainer's bag and pulled out her own holocaster. She quickly flipped the device open. "I want you to exchange information with me. If there's a time you're dealing with Cinder and... you think he's gonna be there... I want you to contact me." She stopped again, her eyes darkening as she felt that bit of anger rushing back to her at the very thought of Gabriel once more. Avril could tell that Jackson was potentially going to protest, so she quickly spoke up before he could. "This isn't about what I think is wrong or right or whatever anymore, I could care less about that at the moment... I want to be there to bring him down, to get that bastard back for what he did. Will you do this for me...?"

But Jackson was already pressing his Holocaster against hers, connecting the registration ports and then swiftly putting the device back in the bag. "You don't need to explain it to me... I get it." He said, that hint of somber creeping back into his voice.

"But Avril... don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, he called out to Malorie and handed her the pokéball, she showed it excitedly to Benjamin and began to walk with her new friend back towards the West Gate of Lumiose city. Jackson gave one more look back to Avril as he walked away... but it was her battle now. She'd have to come to terms with everything herself. One way or the other.

Benjamin has left the party...​

 

[BugTypeAficionado]

Sycamore Amoré
Location: Sycamore Pokemon Lab, Lumiose City

Current Team

Featuring Professor Sycamore (AKA Jay)

Inventory

- Pokédex

- 745 Gold

- 5 Potions
Coronet Ball
Bug Net
...and the unidentified Pokemon still in tow.

As soon as the sun started to rise over Lumiose once more, Claudio was already up and at it. The man was already pretty restless after obsessing over his discovery late into the night, and with some commotion, whose origin he couldn't point from where he was staying, kept him even more restless. But this was the same person who could operate on 2 hours of sleep if he found it necessary. And after all, it wasn't like he was getting any further sleep if he couldn't take care of the questions burning in his head.

Stepping out into the early morning, the only real tell of Claudio's tiredness was a small case of bedhead and some wear underneath his eyes. Still, that wasn't stopping him. With his hands cautiously staying on his bag, all it took was a short walk down a couple blocks to reach Sycamore Pokemon Lab. Unfortunately, it seemed he'd been a bit too early, as the lab was not even open to the public yet. After eating up some time by grabbing a drink of coffee (because some extra caffeine in his system was definitely welcomed at this hour), Claudio was at the lab's front doors within minutes of it opening to the public. His entrance immediately caught the attention of a woman standing at a reception desk, who clearly didn't anticipate somebody to be dropping by so early.

"Welcome to Sycamore Pokemon Lab. How may I help you?" The woman immediately greeted Claudio, grabbing his attention and causing him to gravitate towards the reception desk.

"Hi, hello, yes, I'd like to speak the Professor Sycamore, please." Claudio straightened his posture and brushed off his coat and shoulders, trying to look his most professional. The woman looked Claudio over once before taking a shot in the dark.

"You're one of Sycamore's students who graduated from the Aquacorde Trainer School, correct?" He nodded, causing the receptionist to frown. "I'm sorry, the Pokemon the professor was handing out are no longer available, they've all been claimed by other trainers."

"What Pokemon?" Claudio was about to ask before shaking his head. Focus on the subject at hand. "No, no, that's not what I'm here for. I just need to talk about something privately with the professor." Claudio's wording certainly made the receptionist suspicious, and with Team Cinder running around recently, you could never really be too sure.

"...Just a moment." The receptionist turned away from Claudio, picking up the phone at her desk. After a minute or two, she finally turned back to him. "Just take a seat over there. Professor Sycamore will be down in a minute. He'll decide if you require a private audience with him." Not what Claudio was hoping for, but it was better than not being able to see the professor at all. He gently sat himself down at one of the chairs on the other side of the room, idly looking through his bag and at his Xtransceiver to pass the time.

---​

In the lab above, Sycamore was rummaging about with various papers strewn haphazardly across his desk. He grabbed the third half empty coffee cup on his desk and began to slug down the remaining caffeinated contents before examining a long list of still printing results coming out of a machine to his right. The device was something he used to examine tissue samples of pokémon, his own innovative design... it worked by combining the scanning software from healing machines at the pokémon center, feeding that data into a powerful computer devoted purely to processing the data with the help of a very special dedicated power source, and proceeding to feed that data out in a raw format that could be easily glanced over for irregularities.

The tissue samples themselves were placed into a rather nifty container, an altered pokémon egg incubator with a touch of specialized tech used in a certain gravity defying exosuit, given to him for study by the local Looker Investigation agency. There was more than one Emma in Sycamore's contacts who was a rather smart cookie. All of this combined allowed the samples to float suspended in space, scanned from every possible angle through and through. Augustine grinned, it was nice to look on the concentrated efforts of your own genius and take some small pride in that... especially when facing such an irritating problem as he was... perhaps it was time to give his special dedicated power source a break.

"Rotom, my friend, that's is enough for now." With a small static filled sigh of relief, the small electric ghost darted out of the machine and fled into a nice little rest spot the Professor had constructed just for him. Simple really and beautiful as such. A single, mounted lightbulb on a grounding pedestal upon his desk. When the light lit up, Rotom was recharging inside. "Elegance in simplicity... important for more than just Kalosian fashion I say..." He muttered to himself while sinking into his desk chair and going over the results that had finally finished feeding out of his machine.

"This is bizarre..." And it certainly was. Suspended in his scanning chamber was a set of dust particles resembling embers... all that remained of the cloned Garchomp from the Prism Tower incident of the night prior. "I see signs of the Ultimate Weapons power signatures... true... and as Cynthia suggested... could it actually be a remnant of the Rocket cloning archetype inside of Cinder's system? That tech is old but effective but... gah! Why can I not see the connection between the two in this?! Merde!" He tossed the paper in frustration to the floor and ran his fingers over his temples... when his desk phone went off, was it time for people to come and see him already? He should really just close the lab today, there were more pressing matters to attend to. Between bringing Malorie to Lumiose to see her injured brother... to examining the leftover matter from the Garchomp clone... to spending most of yesterday giving away pokémon... he was beat. "Yes hello? Coco, I have decided perhaps we should just close for- Someone is already here? Arceus, who- A student here to- Private dicussion?" He mumbled his words as the receptionist explained the scenario.

"I shall be down momentarily, please ward off any potential visitors besides the student, it is going to be a busy day.

---​

As the elevator doors slid open, a very tired Sycamore with a rotom floating idly around his shoulder, stepped out into the lobby and looked around with a slight hunch and a more grumpy demeanor than usual. However, upon seeing Claudio his eyes lit up. "Mr. Hickory, this is perfect! Oui, Parfait!" He quickly approached and now in his regular charismatic tone he stated. "I have a task someone of your background may find intriguing... another set of eyes might help me greatly!"

The subtle whirrs and clicks of the elevator in motion as it opened caused Claudio's eyes to shoot up and hurriedly put himself in a more presentable position. The first thing he'd noticed as the doors opened was...a Rotom! Memories of longing for a Rotom to help with his research returned to him, and seeing one in Sycamore's position just made him respect the man even more than he already did. Claudio was quick to rise from his seat before Sycamore even saw him, meeting him halfway as they both walked towards each other.

"Professor Sycamore, many greetings to you." The young man forced his straightest and most professional posture in the presence of the esteemed professor. He started to reach into his bag for the jar he wished to show, before Sycamore offered something he'd never expected. His eyes lit up at the prospect...he'd never been asked to help a Pokemon Professor before!

"O-of course, Professor Sycamore. Although I do have something I wish for you to see as well, but I'm sure whatever you're working on is far more urgent." Claudio's hands returned to his sides from his bag. He could feel the little fella in the jar squirming around again after he'd disturbed it's rest.

"Haha, do not worry Claudio... I know you would not come to see me without reason, however I'm certain that what I have to show you will no doubt pique your interest. Just as it should, I hope, as a scientific mind will no doubt be drawn to that which I am about to show you." He put a hand around Claudio's shoulders and walked with him to the elevator, giving a nod to Coco, his receptionist, to let her know that they were not to be disturbed.

---​

Sycamore ran another test of the sample material, this "Cinder Clone Residue" as he had described it to Claudio, Rotom powered the machine with renewed vigor, as if showing off to the other individual in the room, eager to allow his prowess and abilities to be known to someone other than his trainer, the Professor. "...and so, Jackson confronted the beast upon the tower in order to save the girl, Lillie." He continued, his story and recap of the previous nights events coming to a close. "And upon defeating the Garchomp, much weaker than any regular specimen mind you, it shattered into the dust I have been studying. Through my machine I have been attempting to reverse engineer it as such, trace it back from its now ruined state to try and find out how exactly it was created... do you follow me? Or need you ask something before I continue?" The middle-aged man stopped his pacing back and forth around his lab, aware that he may have been overwhelming young Claudio with such an exuberant and crazy story.

Talk of Cinder... and the egg... and the clone... even death. He had to remember that while as a man of science he could glaze over such details for the pursuit of knowledge, Claudio was still a boy. He had to be more conscious of allowing him to digest what was being said.

Anybody else who hadn't even witnessed the events secondhand, much less firsthand, would most likely be rightly confused and not even know where to start. Claudio wouldn't even pretend for a second like he could fully grasp the second, but he at least seemed to understand. As Sycamore told the story of the night before and the events with Team Cinder that transpired, his eyes were glued to the device that held what was supposedly the remains of a Pokemon. A clone, at least. But still bizarre, and even somewhat unsettling.

And Team Cinder had done this? He knew they were some loons starting forest fires, but...this was territory he never thought they'd dip into. What was their deal, and more importantly, how dangerous were they? Thinking about this brought Claudio's mind back to this...Jackson person. Regrettably, Claudio hadn't gone out of his way to talk to or even confront the students who would be traveling across Kalos around the same time as him, as absorbed in his work as he was. But this guy was fighting atop Lumiose Tower against a Garchomp (cloned or not), while also fighting for his and someone else's life? Was he sure he hadn't zoned out and overheard the professor talking about a plot of one of the action movies Pokestar Studios always pumped out?

"Wow...sounds like a real ballsy guy you've got on your hands." Claudio found himself muttering out loud, before snapping back to reality. "Sorry, I think I follow. But can you tell me what's the deal with these...Team Cinder guys? The most I've heard of them before now is that they were responsible for the Santalune fire."

"Jackson is... well..." Sycamore began, before shaking his head with a chuckle. "You know how they say, is it bravery or stupidity oui? Well the answer for him would be both, though it makes for an interesting mix, but yes, that isn't what's important right now..." He trailed off as he considered Claudio's question with trepidation. "I suppose to most people it wouldn't be very well known..." He began, trying to find the correct words. "I assume you know, as a young man intrigued by science, of the enigma that was the 'Ultimate Weapon'. An incredible device that could both destroy and give life, spoken about in ancient legend and thusly recreated by Team Flare some two years ago? It is common knowledge to those of us living in Kalos after all..." He placed the most recent readings on the table, muttering "...merde." under his breath as he sat down, taking another sip of his coffee.

"The machine was designed to harness the mighty powers of Kalos' myths and legendary pokémon... Xerneas, the Life Giver... and Yveltal, the destroyer. Its initial purpose was... and I know this sounds insane but I ask you trust me when I tell you it is all true... to harness those pokémons power to, in the case of Xerneas, induce immortality, in the case of Yveltal, initiate mass genocide... or perhaps most interestingly, in the case of both, replace or replicate life." He smiled a little as he set the coffee down. "You are a smart boy Mr. Hickory... considering these conditions, I'm certain you can see at least a small link to what we are dealing with right now? In terms of replicating life...?"

"The Ultimate Weapon?" Oh no. Just hearing that topic brought up to preface this explanation already gave Claudio a bad feeling. He'd dismissed the story as a legend when he was a kid, but upon doing more research with his own, along with news spreading worldwide of what disaster had nearly come to be about two years ago, it was confirmed that the story was all too real. That thing should've been demolished and smashed to pieces years ago...assuming doing so wouldn't cause even more disaster. "I was hoping I'd never have to hear of that thing again." Claudio's skin crawled a bit as he mentally put the pieces together. As the papers were put before him, Claudio scanned the papers briefly to confirm what he already knew. Something, something, Team Flare, something, something, Lysandre. These were the guys that pulled the doomsday device out of the earth in the first place, if memory served correctly. At Sycamore's question, Claudio looked confused for a moment, before his eyes immediately snapped back to the device Rotom was running.

"They're using the Ultimate Weapon to...clone?" The young man's expression was still very much worried, but now a bit doubtful. "While that's nothing to not be concerned about, I don't understand. Why wouldn't Team Cinder use the Ultimate Weapon to give themselves immortality or cause mass genocide? If destruction's what they're after, I don't see why they're bothering with cloning..."

"Aha! Very astute young Claudio!" Sycamore complimented, quite pleased by the boys deductions. "This is part of my personal theory as well you see... and I believe that there are one or two possible answers. The first and most obvious answer is that they do not have access to Xerneas or Yveltal... and while this is true, as we have recently seen Yveltal flying over Lumiose itself, it does not explain why they would not attempt to take advantage of said opportunity!" Sycamore was getting visibly excited, even during the prospects of doomsday weapons, the science of it all was too exciting to ignore. "So picture this... the second solution to our little problem, they're not using the weapon to its fullest potential because they are not able to! They do not have the ultimate weapon, but a prototype or perhaps even a mere piece of the original salvaged from Geosenge or the like." He stood up again and began to pace to the other side of the room.

"This my boy is where things get truly intriguing... without the ultimate weapon in full how would they generate new life? They would need to turn to another method, they would require technology suited to cloning based on a pokémons data or DNA structure!" Sycamore grinned as he brought the papers over to where Claudio was sitting and placed them down before him. "I have traced back the Garchomp's data based on this powder, reconstructed the potential structure of the pokémon if transfered to a pokéball digitally... and I stumbled across something I never, ever thought to see." He pointed to the paper, a spreadsheet lined with code, his finger focused on one very particular line.

PROTOCOL:Duplication-Rocket.Project-Mewtwo: True;

"Tell me then Claudio, as a man of science you must have heard of this... one of the greatest and most dangerous discoveries in the past scientific decade." He paused, his voice raising in a crescendo as he revealed the final piece of the puzzle. "How much do you know about Team Rocket and Project Mewtwo?"

Piecing the picture together with the professor, Claudio was surprised to see Sycamore so invested and passionate in his work. Not that he didn't expect him to be, but it was far and few between Claudio met anybody as invested in the field of Pokemon science as he was, if not more. On the edge of his seat, Claudio continued to listen to Sycamore's theory as more papers were put before him. Seeing the line in question immediately made everything click in his head.

"Of course, how could I forget about that!" Claudio's excitement reached levels near the professor's at the satisfaction of the pieces of this puzzle clicking together soundly. "... I mean, yes, I have. A criminal organization that ran amok in the Kanto region for some time before being ultimately disbanded. And their... 'crowning achievement', was the creation of Mewtwo." The young man rubbed his chin. "If this confirms that Cinder is using Rocket's genetic duplication process, that brings up the question of how they acquired the information in the first place. Rocket's been disbanded for years, but... maybe someone in Cinder has ties to Team Rocket?" Claudio started spitballing, the question too urgent to not try and generate an answer for.

"That indeed is the missing piece of the puzzle..." Sycamore stated, sobering up from his rant and stroking his chin pensively. "So that's the problem at large... I know Rocket technology is being used... I know by the process and common sense considering who we're dealing with, that it is being combined with some sort Ultimate Weapon based creation effect. The link between the two technologies is unstable however, this is why the Garchomp was destroyed so easily... but I can't find the link in the code, there's no evidence as to why the two technologies work together! Nor can I figure out WHY Team Cinder has access to Team Rocket tech..." Sycamore trailed off, before turning to Claudio quickly.

"But THIS Claudio, is why I need your help..." He moves over to the boy and sat by him, rummaging through his desk quickly. "If you don't mind, could you please put your pokédex on the table?"

At the professor's request, Claudio rummaged through his bag for his Pokedex. The little green thing he'd brought over was disturbed once more as it's jar was shaken ever so slightly. It let out a small chirp...squeal...cry? It was hard to nail it down, but the sound was very unique. Claudio tried to not give it much attention, not wanting to interrupt what the professor intended to show him as he placed his Pokedex on the table.

"Now then... for you I have a special task. I have developed something, I stayed up all night doing so in fact." Taking a small black and red module out of his desk, he plugged it into a port on the side of Claudio's pokédex and device began to install all necessary drivers. "What I have just given you is an upgrade for your pokédex designed to interface with these dusty remnant of the fallen clones... if a sample is placed upon your devices touch sensitive screen, then it will scan it for any currently unknown data and send it back to my lab... you understand what I need you to do then correct?"

He nodded seriously as he handed the pokédex back. "It is a difficult and dangerous task I know, but by giving you this objective I hope to have you work with your fellow classmates to do what needs to be done... as pokémon trainers it is our duty to try and uphold the fragile peace of our region and this will be an important step towards that end. Do you think you can do this, Mr. Hickory?" Sycamore's question was as much a test as the task at hand, with a simple string of words he aimed to test his young students resolve.

As the Pokedex was put back into his hands, so were the responsibilities and rather daunting odds ahead of him put in front of him. Claudio looked more than hesitant to get involved with Team Cinder, but after hearing what they've done, and what they could plan to do, he wouldn't be much better if he didn't do anything about it. With a newfound sense of determination, Claudio nodded.

"My Pokemon and I will do all we can to help stop Team Cinder, that I can promise." He nodded. While he was keeping a cool and level-headed appearance on the outside, he couldn't help but ask himself...what had he just gotten himself into? Whatever it was, there was no backing down now. Claudio's "passenger" made another noise, and he was reminded of what had brought him here in the first place. "...Oh, and, I...well? I don't think words can really explain this, but...I found something last night."

The tissues and napkins falling away from the jar as it was pulled out of the bag, Claudio placed the contained specimen on Sycamore's desk. As it was exposed to more light and a new person, it squirmed and slithered around it's small confines once more. It's eye continued to never blink or move.

"The Pokedex couldn't identify it or the thing we found it with." Claudio placed his notebook on the desk as well, flipped the page with all the sketches he'd tried to make from what little of the creature he saw. "It wouldn't respond to a Pokeball either...so I had to make do."

Sycamore's eyes widened as he examined the creature before him, it was unlike anything Augustine had seen before. It was surely a pokémon and yet it was no recognized breed. He looked at the sketches upon the desk and examined their design. The creature drawn here was almost canine in nature... but due to their perhaps rushed or ill informed nature they weren't very consistant. Even still his curiosity was peaked. "Two incredibly interesting discoveries in a day then! Haha, well I had no reason to sleep I suppose!" He immediately pulled what seemed to be some sort of suction device from across his desk and placed it to the jar, before attaching the other end to a larger incubator like device to allow the creature space to move. It struggled at first as Sycamore activated the machine, but it was unable to stop itself from being drawn inside.

"Consider this a research exchange Claudio... I frankly have no idea what this creature is! However, if you gather clone dust samples for me, I shall keep you informed as to what I discover about this potentially new pokémon, alright?" He stood up, rather pleased and prepared to help Claudio to stand with an outstretched arm. "Certainly it seems we both have our work cut out for us, no?"

"Can do, professor." Claudio smiled, grabbing the professor's hand to stand. He at least felt better with this unknown creature being in Sycamore's hands, so he wasn't being hounded by any trainer that happened to catch a glance of the thing. And in exchange, he was now given the task of assisting in research for what exactly Team Cinder was up to. All in all, this turned out much better than he could've anticipated. He didn't get a new partner, like some trainers apparently had according to the receptionist, but this was arguably an even better turn-out.

"Oh, and before we go..." The trainer stopped in his tracks as they were getting ready to part ways, and pulled out a Pokeball. Out came Yotta, who after adjusting to their surroundings, smiled and floated around Sycamore cheerfully. "Figured Yotta wouldn't mind seeing you again. How I managed to evolve them is a long story for another day."

"Ahh, bonjour Yotta! It is wonderful to see you again!" Sycamore cooed, running his hand over the now much smoother Porygon 2's body with a smile. "Indeed, it would seem that he has grown quite a bit since I last saw him. I have been impressed by all of my students whom have thus far had pokémon evolve. You are all showing such fantastic progress that it maked my heart swell with pride!" He spoke his praises while guiding Claudio towards the elevator once again.

"Now then, you have an important task ahead of you... so I have trepedition sending you out alone." He guffawed and spun back towards the lab. "And this is why I am not, allons-y, Maytag!" At Sycamore's words a small flit of electricity darted out from the back room, and suddenly hovering between Claudio and Sycamore was a rotom, different and smaller to the one Claudio had encountered already, Sycamore pulled out a small blue pokéball with a lightning bolt motif in a darker shade and handed it to Claudio with a knowing smile. "For one doing such an important task, I must give an important assistant oui? Now go! Young Claudio, use your science to help save this world!"

As the Rotom bolted (somewhat literally) from the back room, Claudio's eyes were once again attracted to thes sight of the little Pokemon. But why did Sycamore bring them...? It wasn't until he saw the Pokeball with the lightning design being given to him that he realized what was happening. The peak of excitement Claudio had reached earlier during their speculation was surpassed at this very moment.

"I... T-thank you, professor!" He found his hand shaking a bit as he held the ball, and took a deep breath to quickly recompose himself. "I won't let you down, I promise."

---​

"Maytag, right?" Claudio looked over the Rotom as it buzzed and stuttered around impatiently. Yotta was curious and cautious of the new Pokemon, but if they had been given to their trainer from the good professor, they could at least be trusted...right? Maytag zipped back and forth, scanning their trainer up and down before letting out a buzzing cheer that sounded akin to a person saying "Aha!", then vanished into the Xtransciever on his wrist. It happened in what felt like a blink, and Claudio tapped the device on his wrist. Sure enough, the little mischief maker's face appeared on the screen, but once Maytag realized they couldn't do much with this device, they let out an annoyed sigh, left it out of boredom, and instead hovered around their new trainer's head.

And with a new partner in tow, Claudio left for his next destination, with an even bigger task than anything he'd tackled before under his belt.

Maytag the Rotom joined the party!​

Sassy Nature
Ability: Levitate
Discharge, Charge, Trick, Astonish, Thunder Wave, Confuse Ray​

 

[Strange]

Dylan Graham

Dylan groaned as he rolled over onto his injured knee and immediately bolted upright and cried out in pain. There was a knock at his door and a voice. "You okay in there?" The nurse called.

"Yeah. Just rolled onto my knee" Dylan groggily replied, punching his pillow in frustration.

"Okay! If you're done sleeping why don't you come out and we can get you a brace for it. It should heal in a few days but you really shouldn't put so much pressure on it." Dylan grumbled and shifted out of bed and hobbled to the door with his crutch.

"I feel like I get hurt more than I should." Dylan complained as the nurse began to fit a brace to his knee. "At least this time it isn't permanent." he ran his hand over the side of his face, which was wrinkled and scarred enough that it looked like half his face was hit with an explosion. Which, he supposed, it was. The nurse tried to ignore his face. As he saw when he first arrived the sight of it freaked her out, as he was sure it freaked out many other people. This nurse just didn't seem to be able to hide her emotions very well.

"All set Mr. Graham." The Nurse said. "Have fun on your journey!"

"If my past experience is any indicator, I won't." he muttered.

"What was that dear?"

"Nothing!" he chimed, "Just happy to be on my way." He slid his backpack onto his shoulder and smiled when he felt the egg stir. Bec must have felt it too because he cooed with excitement. Dylan headed out into the city and followed the directions he had mapped out the night before to where the exit he wanted to leave the city from was located.

"Mommy! MOMMY! A MONSTER!" Dylan heard a scream from next to him, and turned to find a little girl gripping tightly to her mother's leg, who was staring at Dylan sternly. Dylan's eyes began to get teary and he turned away quickly as the mother tried to console her daughter. He thought his face game him some personality, but Dylan started to realize that not everyone saw it that way.

He took a slight detour, thinking of how people had reacted to his face throughout his time in the city. A lot of the time people were fine with it, like shop owners and vendors, as they've probably seem weirder people buying things every day. But, it was the reactions from children and some adults that really bothered Dylan. He walked into a small clothing shop and scanned through the costume section until he found what he was looking for. He placed it on the counter and checked out, paying for a leather mask to hide his face.

Spoiler:

He slid the mask over his face, covering his scarred face, and found that he didn't attract as much attention as his face originally had, although he still got an occasional weird look or a child pointing at his mask.

As soon as he walked out of the gate he noticed the area was a popular place for roller skating, people whizzing by and spinning all about. Dylan suddenly felt like this was the worst possible time to have injured his knee, as he stared at the hills in front of him. He was going to have to walk all the way up this hill to get where he needed to go, and that was going to be a living hell with his current injury.

"Frou! Frou!" Doux released himself from his pokeball and nudged Dylan's leg.

"What?" Dylan asked, and Doux walked behind him and suddenly flung himself in between Dylan's legs. "H-hey!" Dylan resisted, but then calmed once he found himself sitting on Doux's back. "Oh! I didn't know you could support my weight Doux, thank you!" Dylan beamed.

"Furfrou!" Doux replied happily, carrying Dylan up the hill.

Just then Dylan saw something lurking near the forest, and a small bat-like pokemon whizzing about near it. He watched as the woobat dropped something shiny into the scraggy's pouch, and a woman scream "Where's my necklace?!"

Without hesitation Doux barreled after the crooks, chasing them into the forest. He dodged trees while Dylan gripped fearfully to his fur. He dodged around one way, jumping over fallen logs and branches as he aimed to cut off the duo. Bec found his way out of Dylan's backpack, and flew into the air to help. Finally, Doux jumped sideways into the scraggy, and it tumbled to the ground, items flying everywhere.

"Stop the woobat!" Dylan instructed Bec, who was already grappling the smaller pokemon and taking it to the ground. The scraggy was going to attack Doux, but Noel forced her way out of her pokeball and blocked its attack with her tail. Then, she spewed a bright purplish blue aura from her mouth as she hit the scraggy with a dragon breath attack.

"Grace, fairy wind!" Dylan called, as he released the floette, the air suddenly filling with a pink mist which whipped around the scraggy and woobat. "So, you two aren't going to come back here, or steal anything else. Understood?" he glared at the two pokemon. They seemed to think about retaliating, but saw that they were outnumbered and surrounded. They conceded, whimpering as they backed away and ran.

Dylan watched as Bec gathered up all the loot the little thieves had stolen, and piled it into Dylan's lap. He returned all of his pokemon, and Doux carried him out of the forest back to where the woman had been standing. She was still there, hands over her face sobbing, while what looked like her husband had his hand on her back next to her.

"I believe this is yours." Dylan said, in the most cliche way he could think of, holding out the necklace. The woman, dazed from all her sobbing, seemed to finally notice his presence and looked up, smiling from ear to ear when she saw the amulet.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" she sobbed, "It's all I have left of my grandmother's things." Her husband placed it around her neck and she fiddled with her hair to make sure it didn't get caught. "Why are you wearing a mask?" she asked, suddenly looking at Dylan instead of the locket.

"O-oh I just," Dylan froze. Doux barked twice and then took off into the woods, finally stopping at a nice open grassy area between some trees. Dylan told Doux to res as he was panting and probably exhausted and set about laying out his picnic which he had packed in his backpack. He flattened a blanket out and pulled the food out of his bag, letting Noel, Grace, and Joy out of their pokeballs, and laying the egg and Bec onto the blanket with them in the sun.

Joy bounced happily around picking flowers and placing them around the egg like usual, while Bec took a break from keeping the egg warm to peck at a poffin Dylan had pulled out of his new case to give to each of them. Noel seemed to be out of her element, unsure what to do now that there was nothing to battle. Grace flew over to her and tickled her nose with his flower. She giggled and chased after him as he flew around.

Dylan grinned while he watched them all playing and put together his sandwich. He pulled off his new mask, and put it in his bag. There was no point wearing it when nobody was watching. He almost didn't notice the egg start to shake.

"Hap! Hap!" Joy sounded in alarm, and Dylan turned to see the egg begin to crack, one tiny crack growing larger and wrapping around the egg, as more stemmed from the same spot. It shook vigorously another time, and suddenly the outer shell crumbled apart, it's leafy flowery exterior broken away to reveal the beautiful pink and green pokemon inside.

Spoiler:

"Ma! Ma!" it chirped, hugging Dylan's leg. Dylan was in awe. It was so cute he didn't know how to react. After a few dumbfounded seconds, he decided to scoop up the small fomantis and cradle it in his arms.

"Aren't you the cutest little thing?" he asked, tickling it's belly. It squirmed and made a chirping sound. "What should your name be?" he asked, poking at its arms as it flailed about excitedly.

Dylan thought for a while before deciding. "Rose. Your name is Rose. Do you like it?" It giggled and grabbed his finger between its two arms. "I'll take that as a yes." he laughed.




​

 

[Dragon]

Emma Kuzunoha: Transformation



Current Team - Emma:

EPISODE ONE: ??? - "???"​

Emma found herself in a grassy open field. The sun was bright, and she could even see the clear blue ocean from afar. She glanced around, but no one was in sight. That was until, she started walking up the plains. Eventually, she saw a lone figure, seemingly gazing upon a horizon. A human girl.



...Why do birds fly in the sky?
Birds want to fly, so they soar the skies. Even if there's no reason to.
Even if their wings break, and they die.
They don't do it for humans.
Birds just... want to fly, so they fly in the sky.

Emma crept closer to the young woman, until she saw, she looked familiar. It then dawned on her. She could never forget her, no matter how hard she could of tried. It was Kikyo, the leader of the gang she encountered in Santalune. She turned to face Emma, with Emma not saying a word to greet her.

Then, Emma woke up.




EPISODE TWO: Lumiose City - "Doubts"

Emma woke up from that apparent dream. She surveyed around the place she apparently was sleeping in. She doesn't remember much from what happened - all she remembered was the fallout with Avril, then running... running... and running. It was all clear. Once again, she failed.

A sigh of depression was followed up by the weight of guilt and her body shaking of adrenaline. She lost her father, was almost killed herself, could do nothing against the enemy Garchomp rampaging the city, and lost her best friend. All the weight crashing down, all was lost.

She then heard knocking. She rose up to find the door slowly opening, but fortunately, it was a friendly face. "Ah, yer' up," said the scruffy man who came in. Emma could recognize the voice as one person; it was her grandfather. "Tough as 7 hells as always, eh Em'?"

"Grandpapa!" Emma cried out to him. "This... this is your house, I remember now! But... how did I get here?"

"Hah, coulda' seen my face when I found ya' zonged out like dat in the middle of the alley," her grandfather replied. "Almost gave me a heart attack. Thought you were a goner, Em."

"Sorry, grandpapa..." Emma apologized. "I guess... I guess a lot of things happened, and, I clocked out."

"Heh, I know dat feelin'," her grandfather remarked, as he then went inside the room, sitting down on a nearby chair. "Yer' old man was like dat too. Always goin' on about protectin' the peace, studying, and all dat crap. Bah, but he had a better life than my hellhole, eh?"

"Father told me you were still the boss of the mafia in these parts," Emma explained, followed up with a chuckle. "He always used to disapprove of your doings, but... I always thought you and the guys were cool. Like the righteous mafia from the movies."

"Bah, nothin' righteous about no mafia," her grandfather grieved. "You don't have to look up to us, Em'. Aren't you a cop now? Detective? Genius, they say; made my day the news did!"

"Grandpapa..." Emma weakly replied, holding on the sheets she was under tightly. Her lips tightened, and her teeth gritted. "I... don't want to do this anymore."

"Eh?" her grandfather questioned. "Don't do what, Em'?"

"Be a detective! I can't deal with this anymore! " Emma snapped. "Grandpapa... I'm a fool. A clod. An idiot. I'm not a genius like father. This whole Team Cinder and Emerald Dragon thing... its way bigger than I can deal with! I was almost killed many times, a group was treated by the law harshly because of my actions, and... I lost my only two friends. Let's face it, Sayo might be dead, and my best friend thinks I'm an egotistic scumbag..."

Her eyes welled up. Her grandfather grunted, as he crossed his arms, still remaining quiet while listening to Emma. "...And you know what? She's right," Emma cried quietly. "Gabriel Artece, Jackson, Avril... they were all right about me. I'm nothing but a moralistic, ego driven woman who just pretends to play hero."

She then released the grip of her sheets. "...All those years studying, and working hard. For what? I can't do anything. The peace that father wished for? How am I fooling? It's but a pretty thought. It will never happen, no matter how much times I try to grasp it. Kikyo, the woman I arrested, haunts my dreams. Grandpapa... I simply don't know what to do anymore."

She then turned to her grandfather, with more serious eyes. "...And it's all because I became a self-righteous Detective chasing my father's pretty dream. But it's all over now."

Her grandfather sighed softly, as he stood straight on the chair he was sitting. He gave Emma a hard look. "Maybe dat's the problem," he finally spoke. "Em. What do you want to do?"

"...What do you mean?" Emma could only ask, sniffing to clear her nose.

"All dis time, you've been takin' after yer' old man. And you've put others over yerself. Why don't you finally start thinkin' for number one? Yerself?" asked her grandfather, clearing his through. "And dun' tell me I don't know what you want! Who was it dat watched all those cheesy as hell The Mysteries of Herdier Doo T.V shows? Eh? Or read all those... what's it called? Sherlock Holmes before bedtime?"

"Grandpapa..." Emma said, in her lightest tone.

"Bah, come on, Em'!" her grandfather encouraged. "Remember those scenes in Herdier Doo, where the gang catch those punks in the halloween costumes, and yer' always the one who know who dey' were before they do? Or every time readin' those Holmes' stories, your eyes would lit up, everytime Sherlock opens his damn mouth and say somethin' so smart I can't even understand? But you always did! And you always repeated those smart alec lines, everytime you played pretend mystery games with me as yer' sidekick when you were little. You got an eye for mystery, kid!"

Emma's tears stopped flowing. Slowly, she started letting out chuckles, until she released a full out giggle. "I can't believe you remembered all that," she giggled. "But yes... those were fun times, were they?"

"So? Why can't they happen again?" her grandfather then asked. "Cause yer' too damn idealistic for yer' own good. You dun' need to be a cop, or fighting for some peace for yer' father, that's cheesy Tauros crap! Go wild, find and solve all them... mystery you love, for you! And don't do anythin' for others anymore. The world ain't good enough for you to do dat, Em'. Let dem' stand on their own damn feet for once, with you pattin' dem on the back for a good job or give them a friggin' cookie or somethin'."

"Grandpapa..." Emma followed up, slowly widening a smile.

"It's yer' life Em'," her grandfather continued. "Live by yer' rules. If anyone gives ya' grief about who you are, tell em' to **** off, and find some quilfish to hump. Or y'know, I could punch em' in the gut for ya'. Up to you."

"Hah, you're unbelievable!" Emma laughed, with a full smile. She then stood up, and keeled on the bed, in an attempt to imitate her grandfather. "Go find some quilfish to hump! You know, I think that's so crude and idiotic to say, it might just work!"

"Yer' grandpapa's got a million of disses, Em'," her grandfather then chuckled. "The boys got a million more, so ring us up when you want em'."

"Aha, I'll remember that!" Emma then promised. Soon, she heard strange waddling. From out the door, her Budew came along, greeting Emma with a happy cry. "...Vida?" Emma then questioned.

"Dat's yer' pokemon, right?" Emma's grandfather clarified. "Came out of its ball, all of a sudden when I brought you here. It was all smiles and crap... little creepy, so I fed it some food, and, it helped out with chores and such. Smart pokemon! Been trained well."

"Yeah... she is," Emma remarked in agreement. "Vida... you want me to move on too, don't you? Follow Grandpapa's advice?" her Budew cried in a happy agreement, as Emma then nodded. Emma then turned to her Budew, then back to her grandfather. "Both of you are right. I... I do know what I want."

She then quickly stood on top of the bed. "I always thought that I was listening to my heart, thinking for myself... but I didn't even see myself clearly. That's always the reason why my emotions couldn't reach others; they weren't genuine. I won't be on the force, fighting crime, and all moralistic and idealistic for people who don't appreciate it, or me anymore. From now on, I'm just going to be Emma Kuzunoha, who's into solving mysteries, finding out the unknown and doing everything that I want!" she then turned to her Budew. "Why stop there? I'm gonna be a stronger trainer, and become a champion. I'm gonna be stronger and better than Laurent, Jackson, Gabriel... and even Avril. Following my own dreams, and making my own decisions... that's how I choose to live!"

Her Budew jumped and spun in the air. Then, it started glowing. Emma and her grandfather was surprised by this sudden turn of events, as they bare witness to Budew's sudden glow. Budew, all of a sudden... started to change. It slowly became more slander, and taller. It grew arms, coveted by what it seemed like different coloured roses, with its head now complete with three thorns growing from it.

Budew was evolving.

"Vida...!" Emma called for it. Soon the light became brighter, as the room became engulfed by it, causing Emma and her grandfather to cover both their eyes. When it was over and the light dimmed down, Emma sat down, watching Vida in happiness.

Vida the Budew had evolved... into a Roselia. Vida, the newly evolved Roselia, sprawed out its arms, letting out a cry. Emma's grandfather crossed his arms, looking upon the new pokemon in delight.

"Heh, she must wanna change her life with ya'," he remarked, with Emma giving him a quick nod. His expression then turned... like in disgust. "Wait,did ya' just say Jackson? Y'mean Jackson Crane?"

"Y-You know him?" Emma asked, turning to her grandfather. Her grandther gagged.

"Bah, lil'punk punched out 3 of mah' men from Sinnoh. Dunno why, but got me bitter, I'll tell ya'. If ya' had to deal with em' again, tell em' not to get smart with ya or else I'll shove em' where the sun don't shine."

"Don't worry. He's tough, but harmless like a Ledyba around me," Emma then chuckled. She then got off from the bed. "Grandpapa, isn't there a clothing store around here? I'm kinda tired of these clothes, to be honest - mother gave them to me, but I always haaaated them."

"Hear ya' loud and clear," her grandfather replied, rising from his seat as well. "Fact, I saw a couple of items on sale. I think you'll like em'..."



EPISODE THREE: Lumiose City - "Emma Kuzunoha"

At the clothing store, her grandfather was reading a newspaper, while Emma's Roselia strutted back and forth. Emma had gone through some clothing, but none really suited her, she felt. This time, however, it was a winner. The curtains of the changing room came off, as her grandfather and her Roselia saw Emma's new attire.

Spoiler:

"Maybe a bit too grown up? But... I like this!"​

Her grandfather chuckled. "Cutest gal' I've ever seen!" he boasted. "And no worries, it's all on me."

Emma went closer to her grandfather, giving him a loving hug. "Grandpapa... thank you," Emma thanked. "For everything."

"Sure you dun' mind not bein' a cop anymore?" her grandfather then asked, as the two pulled away from the hug, with her grandfather gently gripping Emma's elbows. "Will ya'miss it?"

Emma shook her head. "No more winded speeches or looking after anyone. I'm just going to be looking out for myself, becoming a private detective specializing in mystery... and truth," Emma explained. "Honestly? It's exciting to do things on my own! Maybe I'll even open up a detective agency one day? And if any bad guys or what not come in the way, screw talking, I'll smack em'."

"Dat-a-girl," her grandfather responded, pleasingly. "If anythin' comes, you can ask the boys in from the mafia, caprice?" Emma then noticed, a lot of men seemed to be watching the two. She even recognized them; it was some of the fellows from the mafia, appearing to see her off.

"Yeah," Emma promised. She then glanced to her Roselia, signalling its ready to go. "Cya, grandpapa." Emma and her Roselia then rushed out of the door, greeted by the men who watched nearby. They gave her hi-fives, applause and pat on the backs, giving her luck. Emma finally waved back, bolting along with her Roselia, towards the next route.

...Why do birds fly in the sky?
Birds want to fly, so they soar the skies. Even if there's no reason to.
Even if their wings break, and they die.
They don't do it for humans.
Birds just... want to fly, so they fly in the sky.

Those words rang in Emma's head once more. Soon after, she couldn't believe what she saw in the distance. A ghostly figure, seemed to resmble Kikyo, once again. She had her back turned. Soon, she turned towards Emma, giving her a serious look.

"Walk the path you believe in." Was her final words, before the ghostly figure vanished.

Watch me, Kikyo... you too, father... Emma then thought, going along her way again. You two have been too blinded, not seeing the real beauty this world and her people and pokemon already has. And I'm going to reveal it all.


END



Obtained:

Budew Evolved into Roselia!

Mega Drain | Water Sport | Stun Spore | Leaf Storm | Leech Seed
It uses the different poisons in each hand separately when it attacks. The stronger its aroma, the healthier it is.

 

[GanguEevee]

~Where in Lumiose City is Furfrou?~​

_______________________________
In the Pokémon Center…
_______________________________​

"You really want me to have this, Lillie? We'd lost, so…" Dahlia sighed as he'd combed the strands of Caroline's hair that were out. As soon as he'd saw said strands of hair, he immediately asked Fondue what happened. Her response? "Oh, Jackson's Haunter decided to scare the crap out of her and mess with her hair a bit after she basically said that she won't be a wussy in front of scary ghosts anymore. She looked a bit scared, but then the dude told her that you would be okay and...that's all."

He wanted to burst from the fact that Jackson actually decided to defile his sister's own hair...but he knew that someone like him would probably not try and do something like that. And the fact that he'd actually made sure to comfort his sister before he'd left...He couldn't be mad at him after hearing that. Besides, Jackson did saved him from possibly killing himself.

Lillie just smiled. "But we did our best, remember? You should be happy about that, at least. In fact, you were so happy when we were outside!" She tried to look down on the pink TM and small blue bag of pink dust she had in her hands...but then Dahlia shot a deadly glare, forcing her to just stay in her current position. She was only able to look at Lillie and smiled. "Yes, I was…" She then put on a pouty face. "Until this happened." Dahlia huffed. "Hair like yours needs to be maintained and kept in the best possible state it can be."

Fondre was looking at the Eevee named Haku, who was inside the black coat that Dahlia was not wearing right now. Everytime she decided to take a peek inside the coat, Haku gets immediately scared and tries to hide behind Dahlia. Fondre looked at Dahlia. "Let me guess...you're keeping the coat, aren't ya?" Dahlia nodded. "Oh, yes indeed. It's actually quite comfortable and easy to wear. And...You might think I'm wear for saying this, but I believe that this coat was made for me...Almost as if I was destined to wear it." The two younger girls giggled at this, while Fondre sighed. "I was actually expecting you to say something like that. I have a spare inside my bag, anyway."

Dahlia was still doing Caroline's hair. Lillie looked at Caroline and started to whisper to her. "You know...your brother actually reminds me of my mother." Caroline decided to whisper back after hearing that. "Really? How so?" "My mother always picked which clothes I needed to wear and she always wanted me to look as beautiful as possible." Caroline looked at Lillie's clothes a bit more and giggled. "Well, she seems to have a good choice of clothes, at least. Dahlia usually makes all of our clothes or I just choose my clothes myself." "I think there's a possible chance that both of them can relate to each other…" Both of them giggled about the thought of it. Fondre was able to hear the entire conversation and just sneered. "Ugh...Hell no, I'm already dealing with this pansy. I don't need another person who's obsessed with fashion and beauty and...Just thinking about it makes me want to throw up!"

"Pew!" Nebby was out of the bag again and decided to go inside Dahlia's empty black coat. He saw Haku sleeping inside of it. He tapped him on the head with his wisp-like extension. Haku's eyes snapped open like a heartbeat. He started to shiver and sweat. He looked at the thing standing right beside him. "Pew!" "Eevee!!!" Haku immediately scampered out of the coat and grabbed onto Dahlia's own coat, which--

"...Haku…What the **** did you just do to my coat?" Haku froze at the sound of his voice and looked at his paws. As it turns out, Haku has accidentally ripped a big hole into Dahlia's coat. Dahlia stopped what he was doing and looked closely at the hole on his coat. Haku tried to patch the hole up with the cloth he'd had in his paws, but to no avail. His eyes started to water a bit.

A (possibly imaginary) darkish red aura started to flow around Dahlia...But then, he deeply sighed, the aura suddenly disappearing soon after. Caroline and Fondre were surprised at the immediate recovery, while Lillie was a bit confused at their reaction. Dahlia looked at Haku with a sad smile. "Since I know you're a little anxious and unsociable, I'm just going to ignore this little mistake. I know you didn't mean to, but...just be a little more careful next time. In fact, I don't think Nebby was trying to scare you." "...Eve?" Nebby tapped on Haku, which made his hairs spike up with fear. He looked at the Cosmog and was still looking at him with fear in his eyes. "Pew, pew~" Nebby tried to pat Haku on the head so he could calm down a bit.

"Eve...Eevee…." He stopped crying and sat down. Dahlia giggled. "Feeling a little better?" Haku slowly nodded, which made Nebby smiled. "Pew!" Caroline looked at Dahlia, who just put his hand up to his head like he was having a minor headache. "Oh...I was actually already done with fixing your hair, by the way. And besides! I have many replacements...Yes, many, many replacements…" He picked up his bag and went to the dressing room inside the center. It was quite clear to them all that he was a bit peeved about his coat getting trashed. Lillie looked at Haku, who went to sleep after the commotion and then at Fondre, who just sighed. "That's how Mr. Pansy usually is. If his clothes get even a single dot of dirt, he'll scream in horror. If it get a hole or scratch, he either faint or get pretty pissed off."

Lillie just blinked in response. "Wow...Uh, you guys seem to be an interesting bunch." "Pew." Fondue scoffed. "Just wait until you meet our classmates from Aquacorde…." "I think it's possible that I met one or two of them at some point…There were so many people wanting to battle me today! I'm in real need of a break..." Suddenly, Fondre had a rolled-up flyer in her hand. "Well, I think you're in luck. Being the amazingly sneaky information hound that I am, I found out that there's gonna be a little bit of a festival happening around the south east of Lumiose." She slaps the flyer on the table, rolling out to reveal the contents of said flyer, which showed some information about a band. "...And it's all because these guys are gonna perform tonight." Dahlia came out of the dressing room, with a new coat (it still looked like the same coat he was using before) and sneered in response. "Ugh, I would rather look at paint dry while hearing nails scratch the surface of a chalkboard than hear the blasting noise that's considered 'music' by some brain-dead deadbeats." Lillie gasped. "How could you say such a thing? You haven't even heard their music before!" "It's probably the same as any other performance by some metal or rock band. To be honest...I have never been a big fan of music within the rock or electronic genres. I make exceptions, of course, but I usually never bother hearing this kind of monotonous garbage a majority of the time."

Fondre smiled slyly. "Yeah, he says that...And yet, I know he really loves hearing a few songs that may as well be within that category. And I have proof, too." Dahlia's eyes widened as he saw Fondre get her Holo Caster out. "Wait, what are you--" Fondue picked something on her Holo Caster, and paused whatever was about to start playing in the device. Lillie had a bit of an embarrassed look on her face. "I don't think you really need to--" "Oh no. You're gonna love this song. I know Dahlia loves it too." Dahlia was starting to sweat a bit. "Fondue, please! Don't play the song--"

Immediately, Fondre switched the volume to medium and pressed the 'play' button, beginning a song that could be described as 'heart-pumping'.

​

Haku woke up and getting scared from all the noise at some point during the song and scrambled to Dahlia's bag, withdrawing himself back into his Heal Ball. Interestingly enough, Dahlia was actually tapping his shoes and humming to the beat of the song. A few people started to look at the group with confusion. The song stopped after that. "See?! I told ya he likes this kind of stuff a lot!" Dahlia shook his head many times in protest, while the younger girls giggled at them. "No, no, no! I absolutely do not! And I'm still not going to that dumb festival...concert...whatever! At least that song is much more energetic than whatever they might possibly show off at Lumiose tonight."

Fondre looked at Caroline with a sly grin. "Aw, that's too bad. I heard that there's gonna be giving out cute Poké Dolls as prizes and they're supposedly really big…." Immediately after that sentence, Caroline grabbed Lillie's hand and started dashing out of the Center, with Nebby following suit. "Come on, Lillie! I wanna win a doll!" "Ah! W-what about Dahlia and Fondre?!" "They can keep up~!" "Pew!" Dahlia tried to stop them, but alas, he couldn't.

He sighed and glared at Fondue, who just snickered. "When you say no, then I'll think of a way for you to say yes." Dahlia ignored her for a bit and looked at the area Caroline was sitting on. He then looked into his bag and didn't find what he was looking for. "...Did you see Caroline put her gifts into her bag before leaving?" Fondue raised an eyebrow. "Err...No, I don't think so…?" "I have to ask her about that, then…"

_______________________________
Outside…
_______________________________​

She saw the two older trainers leave. She noticed that one of them was looking a bit confused. Ah, did he noticed that one of the younger girls didn't put the missing goods in the bag? Truly, that man must have a keen eye. She looked at the two goodies and snickered. She put them inside her hat and decided to go towards the south-eastern area of the city.

There might be more goodies over there, anyways. It will just be all in yet another day's work of thievery, which always end with people wondering where in the world the thief is.

_______________________________
In the festival…
_______________________________​

"I want that doll so much~!" Caroline pointed at one of the Poké Dolls on a shelf behind a man, which was based on some sort of Pokémon that resembled a type of cloud. "You seem to have quite a good eye for cute things, Caroline." Lillie giggled. Nebby looked at the doll and tried to float towards it, before someone snatched one of his extension like nothing. Turns out that Dahlia and Fondre was able to keep up with the two quite easily. "Oh ho ho, no! You can't just waltz in over there and grab the doll like candy!" Dahlia sighed. "Indeed. You have to play a game in order to earn it." As soon as he'd finished that sentence, Caroline and Lillie was already at the game booth. Fondue lost her grip on Nebby, who immediately decided to follow the two. Fondue looked at Dahlia with a mischievous grin. "After you." "I still can't believe you've pulled me into this mess…"

"Nebby, I think you should stay inside the bag right now." "Pew…" Caroline pouted and pointed at said bag. "Nebby, if you don't stay inside the bag, you might get lost around here! What if someone captures you or something?" Nebby made a pouty face and reluctantly got inside Lillie's bag. Dahlia looked around and noticed that many people were at the other stalls, but very few weren't interested in the game stall they were standing in front of. In fact, it seems as though they've been actively avoiding it, since the few who walked passed the booth seemingly made sure to not be that close to it.

Caroline tapped the front of the booth in order to get the attention of the man. "Hello! I wanna play your game. Do I need to pay?" The man looked at the group in surprise and shook his head rapidly. "Oh, no! No money at all for you and your bunch of friends, young lady!" Dahlia raised a brow. <...What in the world? Are you that desperate for customers?> The man pointed at the contraption next to the booth, which was a very familiar game seen in many different events like this: the high striker, a 10-feet tall tower with a lever right below it and a mallet right beside it. A puck was on the end of the lever, which was attached to the tower itself. On the top of the tower was a simple school bell. "Step right up and test your strength! This is the high striker and it's rules are so simple even a baby can do it! Just pick up the mallet and strike the lever with force! Let the puck fly high enough to hit the bell! Then you'll get a prize!"

Lillie stepped up and picked up the mallet. "May I try, first?" Caroline just nodded with a smile. Lillie held the mallet as high as she could and striked the lever with force. The puck was shot up to around the 7-feet mark. Lillie slammed the mallet down to the ground and started panting. "Aw...I didn't win…" Caroline was next to pick up the mallet. "Let me try, then!" She slammed the mallet down on the lever. The puck ran up to the 5-feet mark. Caroline looked at Dahlia and pointed at the mallet with a pouty face. He sighed and picked up the mallet with grace. He wasted no time and striked the lever. 9-feet. He closed his eyes and dropped the mallet like a rock. "Damn game must be rigged. Your turn, Fondue."

Fondue cracked her knuckles and picked up the mallet. She immediately slammed the mallet down with a savage force. Ding! "A winner!" Dahlia's eyes snapped opened and he looked at Fondue, who just yawned at him. "You can thank me later." She pointed at the Poké Doll that Caroline wanted. "Give me that one." The man nodded and gave her the giant doll. She gave it to Caroline after that. "Oh, and this is a Castform in its Snowy Form, by the way." Caroline didn't seem to care and hugged the doll with happiness. "Yay~! I got my doll!" Dahlia looked at the man in the booth in confusion. "I'm sorry if this question is so sudden, but I have to know...Why aren't there many people around this booth in particular?" The man sighed. "Well, if you must know...it's because of a--"

Suddenly, someone snatched the doll from Caroline's hands with flourish. "Hey!" The man pointed at the culprit. "It's because of that Furfrou in Red! She's the greatest thief in Lumiose and the main reason why I and many others never get any customers anymore!" They all looked at the Furfrou in question. It had the usual white body fur of a Furfrou, but it looked much more different than any other Furfrou they would ever meet.

​

The middle part of its fur was colored red and looked like some sort of coat. It worn a red fedora that had a yellow ribbon tied around the hat's middle. The Furfrou worn a fluffy yellow collar under its red 'coat'. Its ears were colored entirely black and it looked more like hair than anything else. Its tail was colored red, with a middle of it being colored black. There was a tuff of fur in front of its legs that was colored black, while tuffs of fur in its back legs were colored red.

The Furfrou had a muffled snicker while holding the doll in her mouth. The man still glared at her. "This is the first time that the dang dog even bothered to show up in front of people like you. It always leaves after stealing a doll and people always keep telling me the same thing. 'Where in the world is my prize?' And I couldn't prove that the culprit was some mutt who next to no one even saw at all, since...well, ya know." Dahlia looked at the Furfrou, who was also looking at him. He started glaring at her. "...You stole my sister's little gifts, didn't you?"

The Furfrou started to run away from them, going towards a certain area. "Hey! Give me back my doll!" Caroline sprinted towards the Furfrou. Dahlia sighed. "Oh, dear...Sorry, Lillie. I guess this is where we bid farewell to you for now…" He immediately ran towards the direction Caroline went, with Fondre following suit, while waving her hand goodbye at Lillie. "Yeah...see ya possibly later or never, Lill!"

Lillie looked at the entire scene in both confusion and surprise. But in the end, she waved her hand goodbye as well. "Okay...goodbye, then!" She looked at her bag and noticed that it was unzipped. Nebby got out of the bag again. "Oh, no! Nebby, where are you?!" She decided to leave the festival as well, but going towards a different direction than the other three. Unbeknownst to her, however, she was about to run into a conflict that was much more serious than a simple doll snatcher...

_______________________________
Within an backalley in Southwest Lumiose (South Boulevard)...
_______________________________​

"There!" They were able to chase the Furfrou towards an back alley, which turned out to be it's little hideout. Her hideout was a box that was colored to look exactly like the back of the alleyway, so it can blend in and no-one can even find it. Furfrou kicked the box open and thrown the Castform Poké Doll inside the box. She put one of her paws inside her hat and got something out of it. It was the small bag of Stardust that Lillie gave to Caroline.

"First you took my TM and Stardust, now you're taking my doll?! What do you even want from us?" Dahlia stepped up, already with a Poké Ball in one of his hands. "It seems she wants to have a battle. I wonder if she just treats her thievery as some sort of game…"

Dahlia was about to do his usual thing, until something jumped out of Caroline's bag. "Minccino!"​

Shiny came out of the bag, already looking ready to fight. Dahlia sighed, while Fondre laughed. "Kya ha ha! I guess Shiny didn't really want the others to keep stealing the spotlight!" Shiny growled at her opponent and immediately dashed towards the Furfrou, with her tail shining a steel grey. Furfrou dodged the Iron Tail without hesitation. Shiny kept slashing her with the tail like a sword, but Furfrou kept dodging. After a while, Shiny got tired. Furfrou wasted no time and slammed her head at Shiny, launching her at a wall.

"Oh no! Shiny!" "I don't think she's really suited for a battle against a opponent who knows what they're actually doing." Shiny growled, but then noticed the box that looked exactly like the back alley itself. She grinned sadistically at it and ran towards. She slashed the box opened in order to open it up. "Frou?!" "Espurr!!" Inside the box was a bunch of bags, which were half opened. A few of the contents from said bags came out, including berries, shards, money and gems, among other things. But of all the things that had spilled out of the box, one of them stand out among the rest: An Espurr, that tumbled out of the box and was holding Caroline's Snowy Castform Poké Doll tightly. Dahlia looked at the scene with surprise. "Oh, my...What a bit of a twist, I suppose." Fondre raised a brow. "So, wait...This dang dog kept stealing stuff in order to make an Espurr happy?" The Furfrou nodded, while Shiny just tilted her head in annoyance and confusion.

"Yes, it seems to be that way. But it appears that she also likes the idea of being a thief. Like I said before, she probably just treats this 'job' of hers like some sort of game...or maybe even like some sort of challenge and only does it for the feeling of thrill and danger." The Furfrou just smiled in response. The Espurr looked at Shiny in confusion and looked at the three trainers in both confusion and fear. "Espurr…?" Dahlia looked at the Espurr and noticed that there was something different about it: It was wearing a blue and white striped collar on it. The collar had a few scratch marks on it, which probably meant that the Espurr was trying to take the collar off itself, but to no avail.

<...Wait. Were you…?! No, it can't be possible. I don't even want to think about it being possible.> He just shook his head and sighed. He walked up to the Espurr, who ran to the Furfrou's side as soon as he got close. "Now, now. I am not going to hurt you. I am just going to take the collar off." Furfrou turned her head back at the Espurr and pointed her paw at Dahlia. "Frou, Frou!" "...Purr?" Shiny was suddenly behind the Espurr and pushed it towards Dahlia. Dahlia wasted no time and took the collar off with ease. "There. See, I told you that I wasn't going to hurt you."

Furfrou patted Espurr on the head after that. Espurr looked up at Dahlia and smiled. "Purr!" Dahlia smiled back and looked at the Furfrou. "I believe you should give me something in return. And you perfectly know what it is." Furfrou nodded and picked up Caroline's Poké Doll with her mouth. She walked up towards Caroline who took the doll away from her without hesitation. She took off her hat, revealing the TM and Stardust on top of her fluffy head. Caroline put the doll down and took the TM and bag of pink dust from Furfrou's head. She put the two items inside her bag and hugged Furfrou after that. "Oh, thank you Furfrou! I guess you must be a really nice thief if you were doing this to help Espurr!" Furfrou blushed a bit.

Fondre tapped Dahlia's back. "Hey, Dahlia...What are we gonna do with these two? We can't just leave them here after giving back all of this junk to the people around Lumiose. They have basically been stealing this stuff in order to survive around here!" "Hmm…I don't really know who would want an Espurr or Furfrou right now." Caroline looked at Furfrou, who she was still hugging at this very moment. Furfrou broke up the hug and put her hat back on. She looked at Shiny, who raised a brow. "Minccino?" "Frou, Frou!" Shiny's eyes widened and then scowled. "...Min!" Furfrou snickered and looked at Caroline while wagging her tail. Dahlia and Fondue looked at Furfrou and then looked at Caroline. "Oh...it seems Furfrou wants to be with you, Caroline." "That's a bit ironic, when ya think about it. The thief wants to be with the person they just stolen stuff from. But hey, maybe she might be useful to you or something."

Caroline immediately got an empty Poké Ball from her bag and looked at Furfrou with a smile. "Are you okay with being named Pudoru, Furfrou?" Furfrou elegantly walked up to Caroline and pressed the ball's button with her paw. One shake...two shakes...three. Ding. Fondue looked at Dahlia, then at the Espurr. "So…" Dahlia shook his head. "Oh no, I believe I'm fine with you having Espurr. Just...don't try to be so hard on it, alright?" Fondre looked a bit more at Espurr, who was looking a little scared. She annoyingly sighed and patted it on the head. "Can't believe that you're letting me be stuck with a kid…Okay, fine! I guess I'll name it...Mew-Mew or something." The Espurr giggled a bit at Fondue. "...Truly, you are the most creative at naming things, Fondue." "Shut up, you! Whatever, it likes the name, so I'm gonna stick with it!"

She throws a Poké Ball at Espurr. One shake...two shakes...three. Ding.

_______________________________
After that…
_______________________________​

With some help from Pudoru, the three trainers were able to give back all the stolen items to their rightful owners, while explaining the main reason why they were even stolen in the first place. Dahlia and Caroline were beyond tired after that and as soon as they've healed their Pokémon in the Pokémon Center, they were already sleeping on one of the couches inside. Fondre decided that this would be the perfect time to leave them and advance forward.

When she was going towards the gate to Route 5, she saw a familiar face...and yet, it also felt unfamiliar at the same time. It was Lillie...but she looked a bit pale, almost as if she had saw a ghost or something. She also had this sorta blank look on her face. She wasn't like that before. She was quite happy and seemed to have gotten along well with Caroline before. What happened? Fondre couldn't help but figure it out. "Hey, kid! Why the long face? Did something happened after we left? You seriously almost look like a zombie."

Lillie heard the voice and looked at Fondre, who was now right next to her. "Oh...um…" Fondre sighed and patted her on the head. "Look, if you don't want to say anything, that's fine. Just make sure Caroline doesn't see you like that. She would basically be asking you what the hell happened or something." Lillie bit her lip for a moment. "...A lot of things happened after you three left to catch the Furfrou...I was so scared…" "Ah man, don't try to make me cry with your sappy story right now. That's not gonna work on me." "But you asked and…" Fondre shook her head.

"If it's making you feel uncomfortable to talk about it, then don't talk about it. It's pretty clear that you might just break down and cry from even saying one word about it." Lillie looked down to the ground for a while, until she ran off towards the gate. Fondre looked at the gate for a few minutes and frowned. She could have gotten some information from the kid, but she isn't that heartless. But the nagging feeling inside her head was telling her that she should have.

<****...I'm a little bit worried about her. She was fine when we met a few hours back...What the hell happened?!> She shook her head and just walked into the gate.

If she thought a bit more about it, her head would hurt like it was being hit by a hard mallet.

​

NEW POKÉMON:

Spoiler:

TWIN INVENTORY/POKÉMON:

Spoiler:

​

 

[Oddball_]

-- Profile --​

Name: Chris Rodriguez

Pokémon :

Location: Versant Road

Inventory:

- 1 Pokédex

- 500 Poké

- 2 Potions

- 5 Poké Balls

- 1x Dawn Stone

- 3x Rawst Berry

– Mysterious Blue Crystal

~​

Chris yawned as he rolled up his sleeping bag and sleepily looked around the peaceful grassy patch beneath the tree which he had set up camp under.

"Buenos días Kalos!" Chris said with a cheer as he finished packing up his bag. Beside him, Whisper hovered silently, as he tended to do.

"Tru-bish." The poison type trash Pokémon exclaimed, latching onto Chris' leg and leaving a greasy stain on the boys pants before being shaken off by the somewhat disgusted trainer.

"Mask!" His Yamask exclaimed, holding what looked like a giant golden clock on a chain in its hands.

"…" Chris stared at the strange object. "Dios Mio… where in the world did you get that from." Chris asked rhetorically as he reached for the golden object, however as he did so the ghost backed away and seemed to bob up and down in excitement.

"No! Give it!" Chris scowled, swiping forward but catching only air as what one would imagine a grin on a Pokémon without a mouth looked like spread across the Pokémon's face.

"Yaaaaa!" The black Pokemon called out as it began to float away at a quick pace.

"Get back here!" Chris barked as he gave chase, popping out the wheels in his shoes and leaping onto a convenient nearby rail.

"Mask!" The Yamask giggled as it began to float farther down the route.

"Zurru!" A yellow Pokémon screeched as it threw a sucker-punch forward, smacking into the ghost Pokémon with the force of an oncoming train and causing it to smack into the ground and roll a few times before being caught under the foot of a second yellow Pokémon, this one wearing a pair of thick black shades.

"Gu." The first Pokémon hissed as it yanked the watch away and hung it around its neck, causing it to dangle half an inch off the ground.

"Zurrugu." A third of the yellow Pokémon called as it smashed its fists together, a backwards cap upon its head.

Chris grinded to a halt. "Yamask!" He gasped as he rushed forward and punted the gold watch wearing Pokémon away. "Are you okay buddy?!" Chris muttered worryingly as he picked up the unconscious body of the ghost type Pokémon.

"Zurr… u… gu" The yellow Pokémon began chanting as they glared at Chris and Yamask and began to spread out, encircling them.

"Tch. You Perras better not try anything stupid." Chris growled as he shifted Yamask under his arm and reached for his Pokédex with his other hand.

Scraggy, The shedding Pokémon.
Its skin has a rubbery elasticity, so it can reduce damage by defensively pulling its skin up to its neck. It is also very proud of its sturdy skull and it is known to suddenly headbutt everything. It's weight often makes it unstable too.​

"That's… not very helpful. Damnit Sycamore." Chris swore as he watched the Pokémon all take a step towards him.

CLANG!

Slashing outwards in a spin slash around the Pokémon trainer, causing all of the Scraggy to take a step back… and bend the knee and raise their fist to bow before the sword Pokémon.

"What." Chris muttered as he looked between all of the Pokémon.

"Scra!" They all shouted as they looked up at Whisper.

Cling! Clang! The blade Pokémon echoed as it turned from the Scraggy towards Chris and back.

"Scra! Zurru! Gy! Gu!" The Scraggy responded as they all stood and began to motion for Whisper to follow them.

Chris' Museum:

​