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

[GanguEevee]

~The Graceful Assassin & The Elegant Ballerina~
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In the Camphrier Pokémon Center…
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"Seriously, Dahlia? It's gonna be a while before the contest even begins." Fondre was just standing still as her hair antennae were being combed by Dahlia, while Vex was just measuring her white ball gown to see if it's the right size. "But it's still starting today, Fondre. I can't just waste my time doing nothing and not preparing for the contest!" Vex just nodded and started to jot down notes on his clipboard. "Indeed. Being prepared for an event such as this of the utmost importance. Especially if it's going to be taking place within one of the most important areas in Kalos' ancient history."

Fondre scowled, as she looked at Dahlia's fancy white tuxedo and Vex's fancy black tuxedo that they were currently wearing in disgust. After they were done, Vex just scowled back at Fondue. "You know you can just leave right now, if you don't want to see the event." Fondre just growled, before sighing in annoyance. "I mean...I could! But…" Vex raised a brow. "But what?" "...Well...Ugh, I guess I've been starting to like these dumb, fancy shows a bit more as time goes on…" Dahlia gasped in surprise. "What?! You...like watching the contests? You have only seen the one from before, though!" "I've been watching these contest recordings up on PyuTube lately after that...Guess your pansy nature has been starting to rub off on me." Dahlia just hugged Fondre tightly with a smile. "Oh, Fondue~! This must be a sign of you actually changing into a kind and mature woman!"

Immediately, Fondre kicked Dahlia in the you-know-what place very hard. He was now on the floor, in the fetal position, now gasping a lot.
"Stop being such a fucking idiot, Dahlia! I've always been a kind and mature adult. It's just that people like you can't see it too damn well!"​

"G-G-Gah...I guess you can change someone's opinion on a topic...Just not their personality…" Vex looked at Dahlia...and lightly kicked him. "Get up. Someone like you should not be acting like a child right now." Suddenly, Caroline bursted out of the changing room in her cute white dress, with Candle on top of her head. "Look, Dahlia~! The dress fits perfectly!" "Litwick!" She saw Dahlia in his raptured state and immediately got him up from the floor. "Oh no, what happened?!" Vex scoffed. "He said and did things he probably shouldn't have done. Other than that, nothing much." "...Okay…?" After a little bit more breath-ins and outs, Dahlia was feeling a bit more better and was now dusting off any dust that was on his tuxedo, pants and hair.

"Right, anyways...I heard that it didn't take too long to get a certain item I wanted…?" Vex whistled to someone outside. In comes his Alolan Vulpix, Chilly, pulling a big box with a loose string. The box looked like two rectangles combined to make a sort of Tetris piece (You know the one). Fondre raised a brow, while Caroline and Candle looked at the box in confusion. "First off, what the hell is inside that box? Secondly, when the hell did you had the time to even order this crap?!" Dahlia looked at Fondue with a sinister smile. "To answer your second question, well...We had the time. As for the first…"

Vex took out a watch out of his pockets and looked at the time. His eyes widened and he immediately put on his glasses, possibly to look more refined. "It's almost time! We have to leave right now!" Caroline and the others were surprised as well. "Really?! Oh no, I don't wanna be late!" "Litwick!" Dahlia picked up the box containing the mysterious item, still keeping the same sinister smile on his face. "Well, I guess you'll find out later. Only thing I can tell you is that it's not a real weapon."

Fondre was even more confused and sorta afraid of what he was gonna do. "Now I'm even more curious and afraid! You better not do anything crazy over there, Dahli!"
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~CONTEST TIME~
Fondre/Fondue and Vex
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"Bleh...this place just reeks of fancy pansy bullshit." Vex slightly slapped Fondue on the face. "Shush. There are cameras recording the event. You are with people who are actually very high classed individuals. You better act like it, or we'll be out of the palace in a few seconds." Fondre just put her head down with a glum look on her face. "I would retaliate by saying that Jackson Crane's here, but then again…" She looked back at the table they were next to, where three familiar faces were sitting at. Vex took out a pen and clipboard from inside his tuxedo and started to jot notes down, with only Fondre actually being able to see it. "The heck are you doing, Vex?" "Isn't it obvious? The only reason why I'm even here is to get data on the trainers from Aquacorde. I told you all this before, but I guess I would understand, considering you and the others are obviously very dim-witted light bulbs…"

Fondre growled. "If you're the reason we get kicked outta here, then I'm gonna break you and your little dumb clipboard too as soon as that ever happens…" After that, the contest actually began.

Vex wasn't really impressed by any of the performances, which is probably due to him always looking up at the performance with a blank look on his face and then looking back down at his clipboard, writing very detailed notes about the performances on his clipboard. Fondre, meanwhile, looked at all the performances in both boredom and awe. While Jackson's was cool, it was (to her, at least) just the same thing he did in the last contest...but with more special effects and a not really cool song. She didn't bother even hearing Kade's performance (Classical(ish) music just isn't her thing, okay?), which led her to not look at the performance at all. <It was probably just birds, birds and more birds, anyway.> Dylan's was cool, but she couldn't help but…cringe at the music. It sounded cool, but there was something that stopped her from liking it more. And she thought Lillie's performance was just fine. Emma's immediately got 'Fondre's Seal of Pansy-ness' as soon as the flowers came in. Oh and there was more classical(ish) music. Sebastian's just reminded her of this one anime, while Coul's sorta felt like a shorter version of Dahlia's one from before.

But then there was the performance before Dylan's and the rest. To her own surprise, it turns out to be the woman she took pictures of before during the incident in Lumiose. <...What the hell is she doing here…?!> Not only was her performance was just pure awesome (The music could be a little better…)...Actually, yeah. It was just pure awesome. But she was still confused as to why she's even here...Apparently she was part of some other contest and placed 1st. But she felt as though she was here for another reason….

As soon as the last performance ended and the participant walked off the stage, a single red rose petal fell onto the stage, with only Fondre noticing it. She smirked. <Well, let's see what you bring to the table, Dahlia…>

A sweet scent started to fill the audience's nostrils.
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~CONTEST TIME~
Dahlia
_______________________________
"I need no introduction...In fact, my name is of no importance for now."​

The audience looked up to the stage to see a young woman wearing a white tuxedo was on the stage. Her big pink ponytail flowed in the wind, with the odd sweet scent almost swirling around it. A Vivillon was on top of her shoulder, looking very proud. The woman was holding a red rose close up to her nose. Next to the woman's boots was a Cherubi who was looking up at the rose as well. It was a bit clear that it was the source of the scent. The woman looked at the audience and just smiled.

"But, if it's somehow important to you...My name is Dahlia D. Adoración." Considering the many times this has happened before, you can probably already take a wild guess that the entire audience, save for some very obvious exceptions, froze when they heard his voice. Vex looked at the people around the tables and sighed. "Is that really a surprise? I knew he was a boy from the start…"

"But enough talk...Have at thee." He threw the rose the rose up in the air. That was when the music started to play.
​

Dolores immediately String Shotted the rose, which was now standing in mid-air. Dahlia turned his back towards the audience and just stared at the rose for a few minutes. Sakura looked up at the rose and used Morning Sun, bathing the flora in rays of sunlight. They just stared at the shining rose for a few seconds…

Dolores used Gust, which led to the petals of the rose scattering around the stage, She manipulated them so they wouldn't fall outside the stage and only around Dahlia and the de-petaled rose. During this, she used Stun Spore, while also manipulating it to not scatter around her superior and the others. Sakura used Sweet Scent, which was also now being manipulated by the wind. The Stun Spore and Sweet Scent combined to make an odd scent that was still sweet, but made electrical sparks on occasion, looking like small sparklers.

All the while, Dahlia was still looking at the rose. Dolores wasted no time to encapsulate him, the rose and the Stun Scent inside multiple walls of light caused by Light Screen. She combined her Light Screen with Protect around them, making an (almost) impenetrable force field around them. Dahlia still looked at the rose that was still airborne. Fondre looked a bit closely at the rose...and noticed that there was still one petal left.

He raised his left hand towards the rose in the sky, as the petals started to swirl around him more and more...The rose's final petal falls down to the palm of his raised hand. The rose petals in the sky were now obscuring his image, leading to the others not being able to see what was happening.

Almost in a blink of an eye, the petals obscuring the audience's view were suddenly slashed upwards. To the surprise of many (except for Vex, of course), Dahlia was now holding a pink and dark green scythe that was almost about the same size as him.​

With grace and elegance, he started to spin the scythe up above his head, with the rose petals and Stun Scent following the wind he was twirling at. He immediately slashed the Protection Light Screen many times to the beat of the music, with a very sinister smile on his face. The audience couldn't help but clap to the beat as well. It started to crack more and more. The rose petals were now flying in a frenzy, the scent was starting to emit more sparks around the petals and itself. With one final slash, Dahlia cracks open the wall of light, leading it to shatter like glass, with the pieces of the screen disappearing into sparkles.

Dahlia immediately sighed after all that, now holding up another rose to his nose, which was white instead of red. His eyes were closed by that point, with a mini frown upon his face. "Hmm….I wonder why certain people always told me 'to find is to lose and to lose is to find'...?" The red rose petals were still flying around him as they were now starting to make a mini-tornado to possibly mark the climax.

He opened his eyes, with a small smile upon his face as he looked up at the audience. "...I guess you can find out the answer to that question yourself…" He threw the white rose up in the air, with Dolores keeping it up in the air. The red rose petals were now in a big tornado. As the white rose falls down, Dahlia prepared his scythe and saying one final word to the audience.

"Farewell." He slashed the white rose and disappeared within the flurry of red petals.

The audience clapped loudly at the amazing spectacle.

The red rose petals were gone in an instant and the rays of sunlight faded away, but the white rose petals were now falling down onto the stage, as if it was time for another performer to arrive.
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~CONTEST TIME~
Caroline
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Suddenly, a young girl wearing a white dress jumps onto the stage with grace. She started to twirl and jump around the stage like a ballerina, with her long pink hair flowing with the wind. On top of her head was a mushroom (?) that looked quite tired. After a few minutes, music started to play.
​

Nathan yawns, shining a fake moon within the middle of the stage, dimming the lights and covering the entire stage with only moonlight. As Caroline twirled and twirled like a ballerina, a small candle was starting to walk towards her. Nathan manipulated the moonlight to spotlight on the new guest to the stage. Caroline stopped and looked at Candle, who was also looking up at her. They politely greeted each other with a bow. Immediately, Candle releases a thick black smoke from his head that started to swirl around the moon. The Moonlight seemingly combined with the Smog to create a much more thicker and light fog. Candle aims many Embers right towards the fake moon, changing the color of the moon into an almost blood red. Caroline looks up at the red moon and stared back at Candle again for a moment.

The music changed.
​

Candle immediately started to fire Embers right towards Caroline. At around that same time, Caroline started to jump and dodge the bullets of flame with grace, while still acting like a ballerina. The embers started to home in faster and faster as the music kept a sort of upbeat, but creepy tone to the scene. During this, the moonlight started to fade away, along with its accompanying black fog. Nathan just yawns, Flashing a very bright light, leading to the audience becoming temporarily blind at that very moment.

As the light faded away and the audience was able to recover from the Flash for a few minutes, the music changed for one last time.

​

A spotlight shines down upon Caroline, who was now standing in the middle of the stage, with none of her Pokémon by her side now. She kneels down and clasped her hands, almost like she was praying to something.

The spotlight turns off, with only darkness covering the ballroom. The lights turn back on as the music comes to a close. Nothing, not even the white rose petals, were on the stage. This marked the end of the performance. The audience blinked for a few moments, before clapping very loudly.
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~Aftermath~
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Caroline immediately hugged Dahlia after the performance, with tears in her eyes. "Oh my, Caroline…" He hugged back, as Caroline looked up at Dahlia. "I just wanted to do what you did before. Being all graceful and…" Dahlia just patted her head with a smile.

"Oh, Caroline...I am so proud of you." The tears started to go down even more faster. It was starting to ruin his tuxedo, but for the time being, Dahlia didn't really care to notice.​

​

TWIN INVENTORY/POKÉMON:

Spoiler:

*Ring Target modified by Vex*
*Dahlia only knows Muffin's and Chalk's genders right now. Their identities are unknown.*
*Chalk's Poké Ball currently being held by Dahlia (Watch, this is gonna be another WINNER stick situation.)*

 

[BugTypeAficionado]

For Whom the Bellsprout Tolls
Location: Palais Lane, Route 6

Current Team

Inventory

- Pokédex

- 745 Gold

- 5 Potions
Coronet Ball
Bug Net

This was just what he needed.

After the hustle and bustle of Lumiose, it was refreshing to return to nature like this. Claudio had always worked and spent most of his time indoors, but he was slowly finding himself warming up more and more to field work. The fresh air, the sun providing a gentle warmth, and most importantly, he was able to see plenty of wild Pokemon in their natural habitats. The sun was still high in the sky, and it didn't seem to be setting terribly soon, setting the perfect scene for Pokemon watching.

Palais Lane was especially good for such activity. The thick grass and mostly untouched portion of nature was surprisingly...well, untouched, considering what was directly north of it. There was something poetic about the natural bushes of Palais Lane and the well-trimmed and sculpted hedge mazes of Parfum Palace being adjacent of each other. But poetry was not Claudio's strong suit, nor was it his current priority.

The Weedle family, Venonat, Venipede, Yanma, Oddish, Bellsprout, Paras, Tangela.

Claudio idly tapped the tip of his pin against the paper. He divided the paper he was currently writing into two sections, and wrote in the empty one.

Notable trend: Grass, Bug, and Pois

SCHLURP!

Before he could even lift the pen off the paper, a purple glob of acid nearly hit his ear and coated the Voltorb top of his pen. The pen fell out of his hand in the panic, and Claudio scrambled backwards from his spot along the bushes on the trail. With a gentle hiss, the ball point of the pen started to corrode, and the attacker in question came into view.

"Bell?" The little yellow Pokemon's head peaked out from the grass, walking upon it's roots to creep closer to it's prey. It put it's lips around the melting pen before immediately spitting it out, gagging and disgusted. That was the most disgusting bug he'd ever tasted...

"Bellum!" A woman was quick to follow the Bellsprout, with a Bellosom in her arms and a small group of Oddish and Gloom by her feet. Judging by the apron, the plethora of Pokemon food poking out of the pockets of said apron, and the abundance of Pokemon on her person, Claudio was quick to conclude she was a Pokemon Breeder. The women put down her Bellosom (who started happily mingling with the Oddish and Gloom around her) and scooped up the Bellsprout, then pulled a spray bottle out of one of her pockets and sprayed the Pokemon with some harmless water, making him shake his head and sputter.

"How many times do I have to tell ya, mister? No running off while I ain't looking!" She scolded. After that, only did she notice both Claudio, slightly disgruntled at the acid that had been slung his way, and the object that Bellum had no doubt mistaken for a bug. "Oh, sir! I am so sorry! Bellum here didn't break any fancy doodads of yours, did he?" She panicked. Judging by the glasses, the lab coat, and that weird thing on his wrist, she was quick to conclude was a Pokemon Researcher... of some sort or another.

"Unless you count a pen as a 'fancy doodad'..." Claudio picked up the pen in question, showing the eroded ball point. The acid hadn't gone much further down, but it was pretty much unusable at this point.

"... That didn't cost you a fortune or anything, did it?" The breeder looked pretty nervous about the potential cost of the pen in question.

"Don't sweat it. Just a collector's item, nothing more." Claudio sighed, but simply pocketed the item. Hopefully Hefty would enjoy this as a snack. The breeder was quick to intervene, before Claudio could potentially fine her over the item.

"Well, so sorry! But uh, water under the bridge, ya know? Let bygones be bygones? Hey, what's a sciencey guy like you doing out here?" Goodness, she talked fast. Was she just spouting out words in an attempt to keep him from trying to get compensation for the item? It's not like it was that big of a loss... He decided to at least humor her and talk a bit.

"Documenting wild Pokemon. It's a habit of mine, but I like to try and identify all the wild Pokemon in the area. Identify their usual habitats, potentially construct patterns of where certain Pokemon species appear most commonly through out the region. I was in the middle of doing that, before..." He didn't finish his sentence, but simply let his unamused gaze wander towards the Bellsprout in her arms. He looked away a bit guiltily, letting out a sad "B-bellsprout..."

"Sounds like a lot of hard work." The breeder kept the conversation going, patting the Bellsprout on his head to comfort him. "I'm a Pokemon Breeder, just like my father, and his father, and his father's father. You're looking at a fourth generation member of one of the most respected breeders in all of Kalos." The woman beamed, although quickly stopped as Claudio continued to look unamused. "What? Got a problem with that, Mr. Fancypants?"

"No. I just figured I would've heard of you if you were, as you put it, 'the most respected breeders in all of Kalos'." He was quick to retaliate at the woman's tall claims.

"Jeez, I said respected, not popular." She rolled her eyes, then put the Bellsprout down and turned to the gaggle of Pokemon around her feet. "You guys go play over there, okay?" She asked, to which the group of Pokemon responded with a bunch of cheers before running further down the path in the direction of Camphier Town to play and run around. She immediately turned back to Claudio, a bit of fire in her eyes and her arms on her hips in a rather sassy stance. Her skin was tanned, with some bruises and scars on her elbows, arms, and knees. Her hair was also cut rather short, the blue puff of frizz tucked beneath the bandanna on her head. She definitely had some experience under her belt as a Pokemon Breeder.

"If you're hanging around these parts, I'm guessing you've got some Pokemon?" She asked, the fire in her eyes burning even more once he confirmed. "Can I see 'em? Are they strong? Oooh, how many badges you got? Show me, show me!"

At least Claudio knew now she wasn't just talking fast to slip out of trouble.

He pulled out each of his Pokemon, showing each one to her in as much painstaking detail as she asked for. Surprisingly, she didn't turn up her nose at the likes of Hefty, although as someone who had and presumably raised a bunch of Gloom, it was safe to say she was familiar with bad smells. Even though he only had one badge, she was completely enamored by that too, even going as far as the take it out of his badge case and polish it, just so she could watch it shine in the sunlight. A strange and compulsive one, this girl was.

"You're the real deal, aren't ya mister?" She chuckled, before suddenly thrusting her hand forward. "Virginia Modum, pleasure to meet ya, mister." This was sudden, but Claudio wasn't one to not return the favor.

"Claudio Hickory. Same to you." He shook, although was a bit startled at how tight and strong of a grip Virginia had.

Virginia shook, although was a bit taken back at how soft and weak of a grip Claudio had.

"I've always wanted to be a trainer like you, ya know." Virginia started musing, looking back towards the gaggle of Pokemon she raised. "But I've been busy raising Pokemon all my life. It's a tradition in our family to raise families of Oddish and Bellsprout. My great grandpa was trying to figure something out about Bellsprout. Said that these Pokemon lived in the same places, hunted the same things, and even in the same way. The one thing that's had us all stumped for years is that and Oddish can end up being a Vileplume or a Bellosom, but Bellsprout can only end up being a Victreebel. We've tried a bunch of different stones, but nothing's worked. It's a mystery my family's been trying to solve for four generations, now."

"Hey, Claudio, was it?" Virginia eventually broke from her ramble. "You look like a fancy science guy, a smart one at that. Do you know if Bellsprout can evolve into anything else besides Victreebel?"

"It can't." He immediately responded. "Bellsprout does not have a branching evolution line, unlike the Oddish family. Simple as that." Claudio shrugged. Case closed. It sounded a bit absurd that her family had spent four generations trying to answer a question that had already been answered. But Virginia didn't look satisfied with that answer.

"Oh, Tauros hockey." She grumbled, crossing her arms. "Ya can't just brush that possibility away! Where's your proof?"

"My proof is the fact that, out of every Weepinbell in the world, none of them have evolved into anything besides Victreebel." Claudio crossed his arms in a similar manner. Both parties were rather stubborn in their points, until Virginia's eyes widened for a moment. Then they narrowed with a hint of mischievousness

"How 'bout you put your money where your mouth is?" The breeder smirked, before putting her hand to her mouth and whistling. "Bellum, come here, boy!" She called, the Bellsprout walking in wide strokes towards the group and looking up with a lax expression. "You're traveling around Kalos, aren'tcha? Bellum here hasn't gone anywhere beyond Camphier Town or the surrounding routes, although he's always wandering off. Could say he's got a bit of wanderlust, ya get?" Claudio put up his hands dismissively.

"Oh, no, you don't have to give me your Bellsprout." He insisted. "He seems pretty happy with all your Oddish and Gloom, anyways."

"It's not like the small guy has much of a choice, unfortunately." Virginia sighed, picking up Bellum and holding her in her arms to try and sell the point further. "I raise a large family of Oddish, but I also had a big family of Bellsprout. His parents and siblings all got chosen and bought by trainers, but he's... a bit of a runt." Bellum was now the one crossing his arms, not happy with hearing those words again. Runt, small guy, weak... He could swing with the best of them, honest!

"He... doesn't look like much of a runt." Claudio looked confused, gently lifting Bellum's root limbs and looking them over. They seemed to be growing at a respectable rate. If anything, he looked pretty healthy for a Bellsprout.

"A lot of trainers preferred the other members of his family, due to the move he inherited from his parents. It's unfortunate, but..." Virginia looked a bit distraught, before the fire returned to her eyes. "That should be no problem for you. You've already got a badge under your belt! Bellum can get some experience with a real trainer, and you can try and prove me wrong."

Bellum looked ecstatic at what he was hearing. Go with a trainer? He'd waited all of his life to be chosen like this! He wormed his way out of Virginia's arms and clung to Claudio's leg with his vines and roots, putting on his best pair of baby doll eyes. Claudio was already sold on that front, and didn't mind letting the flower Pokemon join him. But...

"What do you mean 'prove you wrong'?" He asked, not quite getting the picture.

"If you're so sure Bellsprout can only evolve into Victreebel, prove it. Try and find whatever you can to make 'em evolve into something else." Her fists tightened up as she held them excitedly near her head. She was dead-set on this fantasy of hers, wasn't she? Claudio simply rolled his eyes, but smiled.

"For you, I'll try. If nothing else, to keep you from yapping about it so much."

Virginia handed Claudio a green ball with red markings on it, presumably Bellum's. After returning the Pokemon to it's ball. He could feel it wobble a bit with excitement... Claudio was curious as to how such a battle-eager Pokemon had been turned down so much.

"Don't worry about original trainer identification and all that hosh-posh." The breeder giggled. "Papa told me these balls, as property of the daycare, register you as the Pokemon's trainer once you take 'em to a center. Something like that. Papa has a tendency to go on long tangents."

Like father like daughter, it seemed.

Bellum the Bellsprout joined the party!​

Lonely Nature
Ability: Chlorophyll
Growth, Wrap, Sleep Powder, Acid, Stun Spore, Encore​

 

[Sephear]

- Featuring Laurent Hessel and Dylan Graham -

Current Team - Laurent:

Current Team - Dylan:

Bigger than us All - Part (1)

---

Current Location : Parfum Palace​

"Excellent!" Laurent clapped his hands together once in excitement. "You absolutely have to show me the baby! In fact, we could battle! I have a baby pokémon of my own, a gift from an old gardener a friend and I assisted. I also recently captured a Beldum who could use some practice in a lower stakes battle. You see, Beldum don't learn any move aside from Takedown until they evolve." He froze momentarily, then took a deep breath and relaxed a bit. "I'm getting ahead of myself, too elated to meet the first friend of my journey again in such a lovely place, it seems. We should relax and enjoy each other's company for a bit before we worry about anything like that. I heard the contest itself will take place in the palace ballroom in lieu of a contest hall, would you like to go take a look with me, maybe have a chat with one of our hosts? Maybe if we're lucky Platinum will be there right now."

"That sounds like fun! I could sure use a distraction before the contest." Dylan smiled. "We've been preparing this act for a while. I just hope I don't trip and mess it up." He laughed, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "I am concerned about the dress code though. The outfit I picked out wasn't the fanciest, so I had to do a little last minute shopping. Hopefully it's up to par."

"I'm sure that you'll pull off whatever look you're aiming for excellently!" Laurent assured him, beginning to lead the way to the garden entrance of the palace. "You certainly have more options than me, I could never pull off a dress like you do. you were absolutely stunning back in Santalune. As for myself, I'll be wearing an outfit quite similar to the first one, sans the hat, and with a few changes in coloration. The aesthetic will be formal, but with a minor twist tailored to our venue." Laurent went silent when they walked into the halls of the palace proper. The modernization the palace had gone through several times did not include signs for the tourists, but thanks to the contest that had temporarily changed and there were a few austere signs guiding them to the ballroom.

Laurent almost gasped out loud at the splendor of the ballroom, even with the stands covering much of a floor normally reserved for dancing, it was still a breathtaking model of luxury noble decore. The stage that had been brought in to take up the center of the room matched its surroundings much better than the stands thanks to its marble floring and gilded trim. "My goodness, what a sight!"

Dylan just gaped at the elegant scene, trying to take it all in at once and remember every last detail so he could tweak his performance in subtle ways to accentuate the beauty of the room even more. He nearly tripped a few times, not watching where he was going as he walked, focused instead on the intricate patterns in the marble floor of the stage, or the bright trim surrounding it. "It's wonderful!" Dylan exclaimed.

"Indeed so!" Laurent agreed. Immediately grabbing one of Dylan's hands hands and twirling him for a few seconds before seeming to let go. Dylan was too startled to keep his balance without Laurent's support but before he could fall an arm slipped around his back just above his waist and caught him, Laurent looking dead into his eyes from only inches away, that everpresent relaxed, confident smile still plastered on his face. "I'd be tempted to do some dancing if we were alone or dressed properly. Buuuuut," Just like that Laurent pivoted, bringing Dylan with him by hand and leaving him upright again. "It appears we aren't the only ones examining the scene."

Sure enough a short distance away there was another person who - thankfully for Dylan's potential embarassment - was too wrapped up in a task of her own to have seen Laurent's playful display. She was a rather short girl in an equally short pinkish dress which only went down to her knees, though the immense count of frills beneath it both let it flare out away from her legs as well as cover them well enough. She wore aggressively showy matching boots with a ribbon on each one's toes and her hair was a shade of red that could only remind one of cold tomato soup, Both trainers recognized her immediately as Princess Allie, the resident royalty of Parfum Palace, though she looked more like a young beauty pageant hopeful with poor taste than a princess. She was examining the stage, then one of the stands, and even then up on a ladder to take a look at some of the lights positioned for the performance, muttering all the while, she was all over the place! It was just when she was at the top of this particular latter, grumbling about how it was 'all wrong' that something slipped from the bodice of her dress and clattered to the floor.

On the ground before Laurent and Dylan was a flute, a lovely and well maintained flute but otherwise plain...aside from an ornament between the body and foot of the flute in near-perfect likeness to a pokéball. Laurent's eyes widened but before he could so much as twitch or speak a single word Princess Allie was hurrying down the ladder making a ruckus. "Oh shoo, shoo! Stay away from my property you grimey commoners! That pokéflute is mine and I'll thank you not to eyeball it so hungrily!"

"Why would we want some old child's toy?" Dylan asked before thinking. The thing didn't look gaudy or extravagant like all the other things miss-bad-taste had on display all over the castle. So why did she seem so protective of it? Dylan eyed the girl's, unique, dress and decided that she definitely didn't posses the object for its appearance, so perhaps it has sentimental, or monetary value. The latter seeming more likely.

The princess took one look at Dylan and scrunched up her face. "Yes, well, I wouldn't expect a freak like yourself to understand the significance of such a treasure." she waved a gloved hand as if she was waving away a servant. "Shoo shoo. I have decorations to rearrange."

Laurent, however was nowhere near as dismissive as Dylan. "A pokéflute, I knew it! Dear Dylan, that flute can awaken any pokémon from any slumber! Why, it can even rouse a Snorlax from one of their semi-comatose sleeps!" His eyes went deadly cold for a moment when the word 'freak' left Allie's mouth, but something else struck him at the same time and he quickly recovered. "Princess Allie, my dear, my liege, there's no reason such a lovely lady should utter such horrid words." He practically glided up to her, she opened her mouth to protest but was hushed when Laurent gently but firmly grabbed both of her hands and clasped them between his own. "The pokéflute is both a rare and very useful commodity, honorable, storied and this one in particular is an important part of your lineage. I can understand why you would be so protective of it, especially against strangers like ourselves at such a busy time as this but as a gentleman I cannot stand to see a girl as graceful and noble as yourself worrying about the likes of us. We're merely competitors in the contest, here to get a feel for our surroundings in preparation of what looks to be a truly wonderful event, thanks in no small part to your efforts to make sure everything is just right."

Allie's face reddened and at first she looked about ready to bite Laurent's head off for daring to touch her hands, but he sailed on too smoothly to leave any openings for her to interrupt, and the more he spoke the more she found herself bouncing between furious, captivated, and confused. Now it wasn't clear whether her flushed cheeks were due to anger or something entirely different but what was clear was that the first step of Laurent's gambit was successful. "W-w-w-well I - that is of course I would do my best to - the palace is the pride of my family and any event here must be - but you can't just - I-I-I..." Finally, her eyes cleared and she wrenched her hands free from the young man's grasp, but found herself unable to work up enough indignation to do anything more. "D-don't think you can just butter me up with some pretty words! You won't get extra points in the contest by flattering the princess!"

The trainer's eyes sank to that inscrutable half-lidded expression, and he leaned closer in, his face far too close to Allie's now to be called appropriate. "Oh but my dear that couldn't be further from my intention. Even if I hadn't been so enraptured by the very sight of you, finding out about that flute would have been the clincher. I've been learning to play a touch lately myself, for my contest performances you see - perhaps you saw my victory in Santalune? - And there can be no instrument more tantalizing and prestigious to a trainer such as myself than the legendary pokéflute of Parfum Palace. I'd love nothing more than a chance to learn more about it, perhaps even that lilting melody, so much like a lullaby and yet never failing to awaken sleeping pokémon? Surely someone who's been around it as much as you must know a thing or two, I'd love you to instruct me...perhaps we could learn more about each other while you teach this unworthy soul?"

The Princess' face flushed much brighter this time and at first she seemed totally at a loss for words. She stared into Laurent's eyes for a stint, then down at the flute on the floor. "I mean, I haven't exactly mastered - but maybe we could find time to -" Allie stopped midsentence to shake her head furiously, she failed to fight off the blush on her cheeks but regained her senses enough for her posessiveness to return. "Absolutely not! That pokéflute is mine, nobody else's! There's no reason anybody else should learn how to play it! Maybe if you were to win the contest we might spend a bit more time together..." She seemed to falter at the end but quickly turned away from Laurent in a huff. "Nevermind! Just go make your preparations or whatever! After being brazen enough to act so familiar with royalty you had better hope you both dazzle me if you don't want the guards dragging you out of here when you lose! I don't care what that bossy Platinum says! Now then, if you'll excuse me..."

Allie stepped forward from her standing position, moving to pick up the pokéflute at last. Holding it firmly in her hands she examined the artefact with a satisfied glee. "You see this? This is the instrument of true regality peasant." She rose it skyward, holding it above her head in a spectacularly triumphant, narcissistic and downright corny pose. "You may bathe in this image for a few moments longer, but I assure you that is as close as you will be getting to my pokéflu- eh?" The rustling of feathers could be heard briefly from the ceiling above, hiding in the rafters something had been watching the scene play out, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Two soulless blue eyes peered down at the three from above... and eventually a third, larger eye shot open as well, above the others it began to glow with a purple energy and suddenly the pokéflute was surrounded with a psychic force and easily plucked from the Princess' hand. "EEEHHH?!"

The pokémon revealed itself as a tribal sort, consisting of geometric shapes and ancient designs, it resembled no other pokémon ever witnessed by those present. With a low guttural cry it swooped down towards the flute and snatched it from the air using the appendages on its lower body. "LYPH." It's tone was almost robotic, no emotion, only confirmation, as it dashed swiftly out into the halls of the palace beyond, quickly flying away.

"THIEF!!!" Allie screeched, jumping in place and pointing wildly town the passageway the Sigilyph now raced beyond. "You two! Stop it! Go! Don't let it get away! You'll be rewarded with whatever you like just go! Catch it! STOP IT NOW!"

Before Allie even gave the order Laurent was already off, feet pounding down the corridor as fast as he could manage, barely keeping. He knew he'd seen one of those pokémon in a book before but couldn't place it, regardless he had no time to worry about it. He ripped a pokéball off of his belt and pressed the button on it, quickly releasing a beam of light that coalesced into a Beldum. "Metéoré, fly after that strange bird with the flute! Keep it in sight and hit it with a take down if you can, whatever you can do to slow it down!" The Beldum buzzed an incomprehensible noise at its trainer before shooting off after the thief. Beldum are far from the fastest pokémon, but even if Metéoré only knew one actual attack, it still had the mastery over magnetism that allowed it to fly. As soon as Metéoré rounded a corner after the thief the single eye at the front of its arm-like body glowed and the thief began to slow down in it's flight as the flute it carried in its feet began to pull against it as if trying to move towards the Beldum.

The enemy was slowed down just enough that Laurent was still able to clearly see the pursuit when he also rounded the corner, now wearing a pair of thick rubber gloves from his backpack and holding a small ball of fluff up in the air. "Maria, Shockwave!" The yellow puffball shouted out an adorable "Marr-ee!" and a bolt of pure electricity shot from its wool and towards the bird pokémon with the pokéflute. Shockwave was a move that never missed, illustrated thoroughly by the way the bolt ruthlessly pursued its target, matching it's every weave, turn, dip and dive as it drew closer and closer to the thief.

Dylan hesitated just long enough for Laurent to speed past him as he thought through the situation. The creature dropped feathers, which meant it was probably a flying type, and also used some kind of psychic ability, which meant it was probably also a psychic type. He slapped the buttons on two pokeballs on his belt, and his happiny Joy and his fletchinder Bec sprang to life. "Bec, carry Joy. Fly that way," he said pointing, "and see if you can knock the bird-like thing out of the sky with Joy's hidden power. The ice type should be extremely effective. Bec clasped Joy's tiny stub arms with his talons and took off, using agility to speed himself up, Joy glowing a blue-white color as she charged up the hidden power.

Dylan pressed another button, causing Doux, his furfrou, to materialize and slide himself under Dylan. "That way!" Dylan pointed, gripping his neck fur with his other hand, causing the furfrou to take off running, wind whipping through Dylan's hair. "Bec, match its speed and then use razor wind!" Dylan ordered, Joy already letting loose a shot of ice cold energy which the pokemon dodged easily. "Joy, just hold the hidden power and channel it into Bec's attack!" Joy glared back at Dylan, not happy that she wasn't getting to attack the opponent directly.

Sigilyph darted as fast as it could, but it wasn't quick enough to outrun so many attacks with the effects of the magentism holding it back, the shock wave was rapidly approaching and it understood that the moment it hit it was done for. It couldn't afford to lose, there was too much at stake now. Dashing forward it noticed a familiar shiver run down its spine, its eyes sharpened into confident slits and it darted down a side hallway suddenly, just barely gaining a bit of distance on the pursuing electricity and trainers. As the heroes of the hour followed Sigilyph so dillignetly, they would notice as the air got colder and the floor started to lose traction. Yet the target was so close, they just had to chase a little longer!

With a spark the electric attack hit, but it didn't strike the Sigilyph.

Throwing itself down from the roof above, a terrifying pokémon floated eerily between the pursuers and their prey. A massive... face? Made entirely of ice it let out a deep, infeeling roar, much like the odd bird this pokémon seemed more machine than living creature. It formed a shield using its body, the lightning based attack smashing into it and seemingly being absorbed into its vast specially defensive bulk. "CRY... OGONAL!"

With a roar it shot a beam of frosty energy forward, creating a zig zag across the floor as it began to float backwards at a surprising speed, acting as a moving obstacle and shield for the Sigilyph in front of it. The Ice beam caused the floor to flash freeze, making it even more difficult to keep solid footing. It seemed... oddly uncontrolled however, as it didn't hit any of the targets in front of it, instead skating up the walls and tearing vast cracks in the palace decor.

Laurent began to slide along the ice, fighting desperately to keep his balance and growling in a frustrated manner that reminded him all too much of Jackson. He placed Maria on top of his head and barely managed to pull another pokéball off of his belt and release his Growlithe Apollo into the air before catching him. "Apollo, Flame Wheel straight towards that Cryogonal!" He tossed Apollo out in front of him, the Growlithe began to spin in the air while spitting out flames, forming a perfect circle of fire around his body before curling up like a Donphan and rolling towards the Crogonal. The flames around Apollo allowed him to keep moving unabated while also clearing a path behind him that allowed Joshua to keep up the chase. Next Laurent lifted Maria back up in his gloved hands. "More Shockwaves, keep it up!" Maria called out again and continued to shoot out homing bolts of electricity while Apollo drew closer to the Cryogonal.

Doux's paws slid on the ice, sending Dylan sprawling across the floor. His back slid across the ice until he managed to hook a lamp with his foot and stop himself. His fletchinder Bec tossed Joy down onto Dylan's chest which caused him to cry out in pain. She weighed a lot heavier than should be possible for a creature her size.

Bec sped around the cryogonal in a blur, having maxed out his speed with agility during the chase. He pelted the thing with embers, his body steadily growing warmer while producing the flames he used to attack. Joy watched him carefully, then her body flashed suddenly like a camera, and she began to shoot embers of flame from her mouth onto the icy floor, clearing an area that Dylan could stand on without slipping.

As the barrage of attacks struck the cryogonal, pelting it with fire and electricity, it mad eno effort to dodge, weathering each and every one as its stalwart position slowly started to erode away. It was insane the amount of punishment it seemed able to take, before finally it clattered motionless to the floor... the pale points of light it had for eyes fading away to leave the appearance of nothing more than a large frozen mask... but the Sigilyph that had been behind it was gone, vanished away as it had never been there at all.

However with a beam of red light, so too was the unconscious Cryogonal, and from behidn the two trainers, from the source of the beam, a man could be heard... slowly clapping.

"And just like that... the only two threats left in the building before contest hours are cut away and placed in some abandoned sub-section of the palace. Honestly, what do they teach you kids these days?"

As they turned, the man looking back at them had the Sigilyph sitting on his shoulder and the pokéflute balanced playfully in his hands. His expression was chilling, his eyes tired and whimsical. To Dylan, he was just an unfamiliar villain dressed in black suit with red tie... but to Laurent, this was someone he knew all too well.

This was Gabriel Artece.

Spoiler:

"Gabriel. I might have known." Laurent said matter-of-factly. Three pokémon was a bit much and he didn't want one as young and inexperienced as Maria fighting against someone like Gabriel. He returned Maria to her pokéball quickly and methodically removed the rubber gloves from his hands while Apolloe and Metéoré arrived at either side of him. "Such a pleasure to see you again~ Did you miss me too much to stay away?"

"Gabriel? You know this guy?" Dylan questioned, turning towards Laurent. He didn't seem the type to have criminal connections, perhaps the guy had given Laurent trouble in the past. "And," he continued, turning towards Gabriel, "You're outnumbered in both people and pokemon, just give us the flute back and we won't have to resort to violence."

"He's part of a dastardly group that call themselves 'Team Cinder.'" Laurent explained. "I and two of the other trainers from Aquacorde battled him once before, it took all three of us just to beat his Houndoom at the time, he's not out to beat us, Dylan. If he's given the chance he will murder us, don't take him lightly in the slightest."

Team Cinder. Those words seemed to change Dylan's attitude suddenly as his face went pale with fear. "Did he… was he at the… the fire?" he touched a hand to the his burned and scarred flesh on the right side of his face, feeling the twisted and melted bits of skin that healed in ways that would never look natural again.

"Oh sorry... did the flames go ahead and burn you up?" He ran a finger down the side of his face where Dylan had burns and laughed maniacally. "Sorry kid... should've killed you outright, now you're just a freak of nature!" He chuckled lowly before looking up with a sharp gaze at the two trainers in front of him. "Don't worry though, I'll make certain the job isn't half assed this time." He removed a black device from his pocket and ran it over the pokéflute in his other hand. A red aura blazed to life, running along every inch of the pokéflute in its entirety, a lazer of some sort... he was scanning it. "There we go, now I've just got to remove the witnesses. Can't rely on that witch actually winning after all, and I'm done taking risks." He gave the black device to Sigilyph, whom began to fly away behind Gabriel, whom stayed blocking the path.

"As for you pretty boy, I don't think you have any right to put such a high price on your own head considering how easy it was to dispose of you last time... Crane and that Detective Bitch aren't here to protect you this time. So I'll be glad to introduce you to some of my friends in private, new and old!" Taking two inferno balls from his belt, Artece tossed them skyward and in a flash of dark red light, two pokémon bounded forth. One a fiendish hound, it's black fur and flaming maw familiar to Laurent, the pokémon that had caused the forest fire in its majority, Houndoom. The other was a new sight to them both, it was a pokémon prominently featured in their history books at school, one of the very first pokémon ever revived through de-fossilization. With it's brown, rock hard carapace and sharp blade like appendages, Gabriel's Kabutops stared viciously at them both.

"No time wasted now... Incinerate and Slash! Burn and shred, Burn and shred!" In an instant, the two imposing pokémon dashed forward, glowing white blades poised to cut Laurent in two and in a rather purposeful irony, a massive wave of roaring hot flames sent to char Dylan to ashes.

​

​

 

[Strange]

- Featuring Laurent Hessel and Dylan Graham -

Current Team - Laurent:

Current Team - Dylan:

Bigger than us All - Part 2

---

Current Location : Parfum Palace​

Laurent smirked and even dared to laugh at Gabriel's insults, showing no signs of the shivers of danger running down his spine. "Oh my. You sound extra bitter today, dear Gabriel, by any chance did you have another pathetic run-in with Emma and Jackson and not even invite me? I must say you're one to talk about freaks with a face and fashion sense like that. I'd agree with you about things being different on this occasion, but I'm sure you'll run crying back to your master with your tail between your legs just like last time." Laurent's smile was confident and composed as ever but his mind was frantically racing through every scenario and angle he could for the situation, determined to get out of this alive. However, within that near panic was also what he would be ashamed to realize was a certain rush to being in another battle that was guaranteed to require absolutely everything he had, even if it was because his life was in danger.

The instant Laurent figured out which attack was going where he had time only to point at Dylan and shout "Apollo!" The Growlithe wasted no time sprinting straight into the Inferno headed for Dylan. The vicious wave of flames distorted, then changed shape until it was circular and changed direction back towards Gabriel's Houndoom as Apollo absorbed the flames and used them to magnify his own for an extra powerful Flame Wheel. Laurent couldn't possibly move fast enough to avoid Kabutops even with his fast - for a human - reflexes but just as the merciless sickle that was Kabutops' arm descended on the trainer Metéoré crashed into it headfirst, clearly feeling the strike but powering through thanks to its naturally high defense and type advantage to ram its opponent with a Takedown.

Dylan was paralyzed with fear. Even with the fire changing course leaving him completely safe for the moment, he still couldn't force himself to move. This man tried to kill him just now, and more importantly started the fire that has scarred him for life. He had to pay. And if he wasn't going to play by the rules, neither was Dylan. "Joy, hidden power, make me the strongest icicle you can." Dylan shakily turned to look at her, steeling himself and trying not to think how stupid the thing he was about to do was.

At his command the little happiny formed her icy hidden power into a sharp opaque icicle which was almost white in appearance. She looked at Dylan quizzically before handing over the weapon. Dylan took it in one hand and summoned forth Gracidea, his floette, with the other. "Fairy wind!" he yelled, throwing the sharp icy spike at Gabriel, the sparkling pink wind thrusting it with even greater power directly at the man's midsection.

A massive, shuddering crack and bang resounded around the royal hallway as a bullet was fired into the oncoming ice spear, instantly piercing and breaking the weapon into diamond like dust. "That's about as much as I expected from you two..." Gabriel sighed, as the powered fire type attack rocketed back into Houndoom... Triggering it's own flash fire ability, the flames were absorbed into its maw and the collective heat from both fire type Pokemon was used as an injection of raw power boosting the Houndoom to levels beyond what they were initially. Kabutops meanwhile, sneered with an aggressive stare as it pinned the Beldum down with it's attacks, even if it was at a type disadvantage.... It knew this Beldum was far far weaker than it was.

So it slashed and it slashed and it slashed, beating the steel type into the polished floor.

"Do you want to know what your problem is Hessel?" Gabriel said plainly with a sigh, as he softly rubbed a gemstone embedded upon a ring on his right hand. "Arrogance."

Suddenly rising up from the shadows a third enemy Pokemon appeared. It beamed a sickening white fanged grin as the gemstones embedded upon it's purple body shone brightly against the light of the roaring flame once more building in the Houndoom's maw. With a quick slash of dark ghostly claws, the Sableye moved to tear into the opposing Growlithe's side.

"You seem to think your words even register on my radar... You act like you're a big deal to us because you were present in the forest and I don't know... You won a contest I guess?" The gemstone on the ring began to glow brightly with prismatic light. "Maybe I need to remind you that all you did was crash into a tree while your little friends actually put up a fight?" He laughed under his breath, genuine laughter. "You actually think my voice is spiteful? You actually assume you're in any way on our radar... I don't hate you Hessel, I pity you."

He turned his gaze to Dylan. "You're about as troublesome as this worthless two face freak, who did nothing but dive face first into our fire!" Houndoom fired another incinerate at the word towards Dylan, the flames streaking through the air to burn him away.

Dylan was ready for the barrage of fire, anticipating that the man would assume he was afraid of it. But he wasn't afraid of it, he was afraid of psychopathic killers with guns, but like you do when you're scared of spiders you crush them until they're no longer a threat. He waited until the fire covered the area between him and Gabriel, then set to work. He motioned to Bec, who flew at record speed into the flames, carrying some of the fire with himself as it absorbed into his flame body. Then he motioned to Joy, who launched a hidden power into the flames, exploding into chunks of ice, which melted into water that smothered the fire.

Bec raced past Gabriel, using razor wind which combined with the flames from the fire to create a burning hot razor sharp wind that assaulted him. He continued past him, not stopping or showing any signs of slowing, as he chased after the sigilyph.

Apollo was laucnhed a short distance to crash but stood back up quickly, blood welling up on his flank. "Tough talk from a grown man who lost to a trio of teenagers fresh out of school as soon as he couldn't hide behind his gun." Laurent retorted shortly, feeling there was no more time for taunting. It seemed his decision earlier to put Maria away had been a hasty one, and his upcoming contest was centered around using multiple pokémon, after all. A cross toss released Maria, who landed next to Laurent and Bernard, who landed in front of his trainer to smile at Houndoom. "I'll reintroduce you to an old friend as well, and as you can see he's changed much more than your mutt. Gentlemen, Melody of Malady, verse one!"

At Laurent's order Bernard took a few steps back and began to fill the air with the sounds of his Grass Whistle, focusing the hypnotic song on the Kabutops and Sableye while Metéoré and Apollo respectively dived back into the fray against their opponents. "Maria, Shockwave, dealer's choice!" The Mareep bleated an affirmative and launched a relentless bolt of electricity that flew straight at Gabriel then instantly changed directions at the last second to shoot for the Sableye.

As the wind rushed towards Gabriel he quickly dodged to the side, a maniacal grin on his face as he watched the bird race after his Sigilyph. Unfortunately for it, Sigilyph was already long gone... using the move tailwind its speed in the air was unmatched and the head start it had gotten meant he had no doubt already reached the receiver and made his way back into the the palace to loop around, in a few moments both pokémon would arrive back at the battle but by then it would already be too late. As he spoke his voice was completely calm, no feeling, no indication of worry or threat. "Are you still not listening Laurent? I'm doing this to help you, if only you'd listen maybe you be able to develop to a point where you could defeat me alone." He stood up straight, completely unflinching as the lightning threatened to strike into him. The ring on his finger was blaring with light... and Gabriel's eyes began to glow with a similar light, the colours dancing around his scilera as he seemingly filled with power.

"I was defeated by a duo in that forest... you're ever a liability. Sableye. Now." In a blaring burst of light, Sableye's crystals began to blare with the prismatic light and he cackled loudly as one disconnected and grew to a massive size, the pokémon itself enlarging slightly and nearly overwhelming itself with an unreal level of power. In the instant the grass whistles hypnotic melody reached the crystal, it reverberated and shot right back towards Bernard, slowly reversing and redirecting the effects right back at its target. The shock wave hit Sableye but barely seemed to leave a scratch, the crystal absorbing the majority of the current as Sableye his behind it. "You both don't understand..." Gabriel said, what almost seemed like a hint of sadness in his voice. "For every step you take we move a mile, with every breath you take we've taken ten. It's not a war you're fighting... it's an inevitibility. Even if I were to fall here... He would destroy you, HE will destroy everything. Every last part of this worthless world brought back to zero, so that everything can start again. I suppose in a way I can understand, but I'm tired of rising up against things that never change, right now I think you'd do well to just lay down and die... stop being a nuisance and I swear I'd make it quick... Still, I already know your answer... so I know I have no choice."

For the first time since he'd started his journey...no, the first time his entire life Laurent's eyes filled with genuine horror, the fake smile wiped away to leave only despairing confusion. "No...Someone like him could never achieve..."

"Some things, some people, will never change, not until the slate is wiped clean. Mega Sableye, use Dark Pulse." Quickly charging dark energy into its hand that pulsed with untold power, Sableye slammed it into the crystal, magnifying the effect to a level far beyond that of a regular pokémon. The darkness rushed outwards, almost knocking Gabriel off of his feet as the sheer force rushed into all nearby, every window in the corridor shattered into splinetered glass, even Houndoom and Kabutops were thrown roughly across the room in pain as the wave of pure shadow tore through area around them.

"No!" Laurent shouted reflexively. He grabbed two of the pokéballs from his belt but before he could do anything his entire team had already leapt into action. Bernard, Apollo and Maria all gathered into a knot and fired Razor Leaf, Shockwave and Ember in a contentration on the same point of the Dark Pulse, desperately trying to hold it back. Laurent's Beldum, however was nowhere to be found. He whipped his head around frantically, then barely noticed a white light issuing from behind him. "No, just go back!" He pleaded, pointing the first two balls at the trio. The familiar red beam issued from the buttons of the spheres, but dissipated as both devices flew from Laurent's hands unbidden, as if under their own power. "Please... Tears began to run down Laurent's eyes at the sight of a large new automaton joining the rest of his pokémon, buzzing mechanically as it threw its newfound psychic power into the combined defense with Confusion.

Dylan ducked down, his floette using fairy wind to surround them, pinkish sparkles shielding them from most of the onslaught of dark energy. "Mega…?" Dylan muttered to himself, grimicing from the coldness of the darkness that seeped through the shield of wind. He made a mental note to research this new discovery as soon as he wasn't actively trying to be murdered by a psychopath.

As the attack collided a massive explosion of light erupted outwards, blinding all present. Everyone was knocked back a solid few feet and even Gabriel grunted as he struggled to maintain his footing, wind rushing past him at the sheer force of the collision.

As those present recovered from their shell shock the light began to clear... and following that a rather large amount of smoke began that had gathered finally began to fade. What lay beneath was a massacre, almost every single pokémon, Houndoom and Kabutops included, lay unconscious on the floor. There were none left untouched by the overwhelming power of the colliding attacks. But like a dark spirit, the reaper itself looming over them all... Sableye peeked out, panting from behind its crystal, which had sustained naught but a single crack.

Laurent knelt weakly a solid ten feet back from where he had been, panting and struggling to stand up, moisture still streaming down his cheeks, glaring at Gabriel with a mixture of sadness, determination and genuine hatred.

Gabriel returned both of his unconscious pokémon and took a few steps forward to stand beside Sableye. With a grim expression he pet the pokémons head, before laughing softly. It was as dark as it usually was, in fact it was almost melancholic in nature and his eyes, still glowing with prismatic light, were filled with despair. "I'm... honestly sorry... it was at least a little bit impressive that you both tried so damn hard..." He rose the barrel of the gun to aim it at the kneeling Laurent's forehead, glancing at Dylan to follow, as if affirming that he was next. "I said I'd make it quick... so I will." He placed a single finger upon the trigger.

"Sorry... but you just weren't strong enough."

Dylan screamed, lunging toward Gabriel, but far too slow to make any difference.

A gunshot blasted across the hallway and the bullet, almost as if in slow motion pierced on a direct path towards Laurent. It was a life flashing moment, a certain end. It was over.

And yet... it wasn't.

A deep violet energy surrounded the bullet, halting its rotation and holding it firmly in place. The bullet hovered their, all momentum lost and stopped by this sudden psychic force. Gabriel looked in confusion and anger at the projectile now held in place. "How... what?!" But a voice was his only answer, it echoed around the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. "That's quite enough Mr. Artece."

The roof suddenly caved in, forcing Gabriel to throw himself backwards to avoid the falling rubble. He didn't recognize that voice, he had no idea who this was. "W-who...?!"

Spoiler:

A massive metal pokémon crashed down, its four clawed talons digging into the floor as the X on its face glowed that same color violet, in an instant the bullet turned and fired back piercing into Gabriel's shoulder and causing him to howl out in pain. He stared in fear, genuine fear at the man who stood atop the mighty pokémon, his steel blue hair reflecting the light, his confident expression had no inkling of failure. This was an opponent beyond the league of anyone else present. "How... you're-"

"Steven Stone, yes." The Champion of the Hoenn region stepped off of his Metagross and landed flat foot upon the ground. "I'm here to take you into custody... a certain blonde friend of mine of similar station took the liberty of informing me that a certain organisation was trying to end the world. This has happened one too many times you understand?" He smirked, his gaze narrowing at Gabriel whom was now slowly backing away. "We tend to try and nip it in the bud these days."

"That... bitch..." Gabriel muttered, any previous sympathy now replaced with blinding rage. "Sableye! Another Dark Pulse now!" The small pokémon, its overconfidence showing, blasted its fist into the crystal once more, releasing a similar sized wave of shadowy energy, cracking the very walls with the force it inspired. "Metagross! Defend these boys! Iron Defense!"

This Metagross, to any of those familiar with the Champion, was rather different to the pokémon he was usually seen with. It's reflective blue sheen was replaced by that of a piercing silver, while its accents and signature X was a glowing gold. Steven dashed behind the pokémon as its legs extended and dug into the sides of the corridor, forming a wall that caught the Dark pulse so that only a shimmering of darkness could be seen flowing overhead. "I see you're in no mood for games, excellent, I'm also looking to get this done rather quickly. Metagross, it's time." With a smile, Steven pulled the pin from his jacket and twirled it in his fingers. The gem atop it began to glow with a prismatic light that was mimicked in both the Champion and Metagrosses eyes.

The X shifted color to a deep regal blue as the various pieces of Metagross began to sink into its body and reposition as it was surrounded by that same prismatic light. It rose from the ground with magentic strength and psychic energy and released a powerful roar. Gabriel was no fool, he knew when he was beaten and this was a fight he could not win. Quickly returning his pokémon he turned and sprinted in the other direction, dropping the pokéflute as he went... but there was no time to turn back and reclaim it. "Mega Metagross! No mercy to this fool!" He thrust his hand forward. "Unleash now... Meteor Mash!" Metagross charged its fist with steel and psychic energy before ramming its fist into the floor. The earth itself formed a pursuing tremor which followed Artece faster than he could run... as it reached him he was launched upwards with a cry of pain, slamming into the roof with a thud, he proceeded to fall limp to the floor, unconscious and finally defeated.

Laurent watched the entire scene still frozen in the same position as when Gabriel was about to execute him, utterly enraptured, completely unable to move between physical fatigue, his life having just flashed before his eyes, and awe at the spectacle before him.

With a sigh, Steven released the Mega forms energy and re-applied his Mega pin to the side of his jacket... and Metagross returned to his true form. "Are you boys... GRAH!" Steven was spun sideways as a barage of powerful fireballs shot through the open windows and slammed into Metagross, the energy seemed powerful enough to harm even the mighty steel pokémon as it winced... just long enough to disrupt its focus, so that it could do nothing as a Mega Charizard dashed through the open window, snatching up Artece's body and taking to the sky.

"No! Blast!" Steven cried in frustration as he rushed to the window, trying to catch site of the enemies' direction. However, as any mega, this Charizard was powerful... but the time Steven checked it was already making its way towards the horizon.

He sighed, aware that this adversary would have to wait another day, before he finally turned to Laurent and Dylan, a certain worry, pity and perhaps even a little bit of an impressed acknowledgment in his eyes. "Are you boys alright...? Have you been seriously injured?"

"No I-I..." Laurent stammered for a few seconds before his eyes widened and he shot upright, stumbling over to the pile of his unconscious pokémon as quickly as he could manage, his legs finally giving way beneath him when he made it to them, clinging to them all as much as he could. "Forget about me! Please...help me get them to a pokémon center, it's all my fault they're hurt...I-I can't..." Tears welled up in Laurent's eyes again, yet he said nothing more, unable to even manage a word of proper gratitude for his hero over concern for his partners.

Dylan was shaking on the floor, kneeling in front of his pokemon which sat unmoving. He sobbed, returning them one by one to make it easier to carry them all, and then suddenly lept to his feet. "BEC! Where is he?" he screamed, sprinting in the direction of where his fletchinder had disappeared. Or, he would have, if his legs didn't give way beneath him in a fit of hysterical sobbing. He crawled along the rubble-covered floor, scratching his arms as his eyes dripped with tears.

Moments later Bec stumbled into the room, wings wobbling as he half-landed half-crashed into Dylan, who pulled the injured bird into a hug. "You're never leaving my side again." The bird cooed and made a sound of pain as Dylan squeezed him tight.

Steven nodded solemnly. "Be calm, it's alright... you know I'm a Champion don't you?" He gave a confident smile and quickly pulled a pokéball from his belt, tossing it to release the pokémon inside. "Togedemaru, your assistance please." A tiny ball of fluff and steel appeared, it appeared to some sort of rodent like pokémon. Steven proceeded to toss a bag of small yellow crystals into the air, the lot of which were caught by Metagross' psychic power. "Metagross, administer the revives to all pokémon present, as for you Togedemaru, please use wish as you need to, I do not wish a single pokémon left injured." As if by magic, Metagross used his psychic power to open the mouths of each unconscious pokémon, crush the crystaline medicine and administer it directly. Before too long, every pokémon present was awake, if a little groggy. However the mysterious power of Togedemaru's wishes returned life and vigor to each and every one, causing them to perk up as best they could until the little electric ball was as tuckered out as it could be.

Laurent's pokémon looked around in confusion after standing back up, making various noises of relief and surprise when they realized what had happened. The trainer himself was elated. "Thank goodness you're all safe! I don't know wha-" Before another word could leave his mouth Laurent was cut off by his entire team dogpiling on him, chattering happily, rubbing against him and knocking the wind right out of him.

"Thank you, Togedemaru, you've earned a rest." Steven stated with a thankful sigh as he returned the pokémon to its pokéball. "Now then, I told you it would be alright... but I still need ask after you both, are you alright? Did that madman harm you directly?"

After finally breaking free from being smothered to death almost immediately after nearly being shot in the face Laurent smiled up at Steven from the ground with Maria on his chest, Bernard nosing his shoulder, Apollo licking his face and Metéoré floating beside him. "Not anymore so than the agressive affection of my team." He said, finally calmed down. "Thanks to you, master Steven, and my dearest friends." Laurent stood up and returned each of his pokémon one by one except for his new Metang, putting the impromptu celebration to an end. "Especially Metéo, he went above and beyond today, he evolved and even went so far as to defy my orders to protect me..." The Metang in question buzzed proudly for a moment, but his attention was shortly rested away from praise to their saviors. He began to float around Steven's Metagross, looking at it from all possible angles and humming curiously before stopping in front of its face and buzzing happily, pumping an arm in thanks.

"Not this time." Dylan stated, extreme hatred filling his words. "Why didn't you go after him! He got away!" He stomped his foot repeatedly, crunching some piece of the building that had fallen loose in the fight to a powder beneath his shoe. "Like you said, you're a champion! You must have something[/s] that could chase after him!"

"I suppose I should have left your pokémon to suffer then?" Steven responded sternly, crossing his arms. "Young man I understand that you have just gone through quite an ordeal, your emotions are high strung and you almost suffered dearly." He paused and closed his eyes, before opening them with a softer expression. "A Champion's role is to protect the people of every region across this World, if I simply left you here to potentially die without knowledge of your situation then I would have been failing in that task and unfit for my position. Those of steel are a shield, not a sword, I would ask you not to question that and understand that what has happened here today will not be left unpunished, I do not work alone in this. Now I ask you to lower your tone and do not address me with such animosity. I only sought to guarantee your safety. My associates shall chase after Mr. Artece."

Meanwhile, Metagross looked Metéo up and down as he extended a hand, before scoffing slightly. "Me-TA." Steven smiled a little awkwardly as he stepped to Metéo in turn and patted the steel types head as its evolved form turn away, tucking in its legs and beginning to float. "A fine Metang you are and a finer Metagross I am sure... do not mind my friend, he is a grumpy old man who requires far too much for his approval." Metagross glared at Steven who smirked back. "Metagross... I am sure our common associate is en route to follow Artece, however Cynthia should still be informed of what has happened here. I ask you go to our base of operations and inform let her know by your presence that the situation has at the very least been resolved without severe injury or death." The Metagross nodded gently, pivoting in the air, before turning and rocketing off through the hole in the roof with a slow burning acceleration growing into a rocketing speed, like a meteor cutting through the sky.

"Look at this mess... The Hoenn Region's coffers will no doubt feel the burn of these repairs, but such pales in comparison to what else may have been lost." Steven turned to the two trainers before him with a warm and comforting smile. "You have both done well, I am rather impressed I must say, to hold your own against a Mega Evolution for as long as you did at your stage in your journey." It was then that a glimmering caught the corner of his eye and he nodded in understanding. "Ahh yes, they were after this I believe... as were you mere moments ago if that bothersome princess was to be correct." He picked up the still intact pokéflute from the rubble and examined it momentarily. "Is it true that you two were seeking to use this device, to some small capacity?"

Laurent's eyes glimmered for a single second when they lay sight upon the pokéflute once again. "W-well, Steven, sir...There's currently a Snorlax blocking the way out of Camphrier town. A whole group of other trainers much like Dylan and myself set off from Aquacorde at around the same time and as far as I can gleam most of us are keeping apace on our journey. I was hoping the flute could be used to remove it as an obstacle to make the journey easier on everyone, and make sure it wouldn't hinder Camphrier's residents...I must also admit some selfishness in the matter, I was hoping to learn to play it." He gestured to the pokéball with a leaf sticker on his belt. "My first partner, Bernard the Ivysaur already knew the move Leaf Whistle when Professor Sycamore gave him to me, and I wanted tp learn an instrument to match it. Ever since I arrived here I couldn't stop thinking about what a wonderful combination Grass Whistle and the pokéflute would make."

"I didn't really know what the thing was until Laurent told me. It seems pretty useful I guess, but I wouldn't have any use for it." Dylan explained, "Although I wouldn't believe everything that princess says. She's a bit…" Dylan trailed off, unsure of any word that could describe that girl in her entirety. "Well, a bit of a princess." he laughed. "Although moving that snorlax does seem to be a worthy cause." he added.

"Then you should take this, borrow it a while if you would." He said with a grin, tossing the instrument in Laurent's direction. "You needn't worry about Allie, when I remind her that I stopped a murderer in her precious halls I'm sure she'll be more than willing to let you keep it a while as a favor to me. After all, this palace is rather lush... publicity is its livelihood. Actually, speaking of which..." He took a pocket watch from his jacket and flicked it open, noting the time as the sun outside began to sink in the sky. "The contest should be starting in... fifteen minutes! I don't suppose either of you have any interest in that? A sort of desire that might make it very handy that a certain Champion got your pokémon back to their top condition?"

"Oh my!" Laurent exlaimed after catching the flute. "This all took much longer than I had realized! I've got to get back and change!" Laurent took a few steps towards the exit then stopped, did a one-eighty and ran back to Steven and grabbed both of his hands, shaking them vigorously. "Steven, I just want you to know you've been one of my heroes and goals for a long time - quite literally, now - and thank you so much for helping us! I'd never forgive myself if Gabriel hurt Dylan...he's already suffered so much because of that man. It's truly an honor to meet you!...If it's not too much trouble, could I perhaps register you on my Holocaster? Surely the Devon corporation has one, or at least a compatible expansion for your pokénav? I'd really like to meet again in better circumstances, I feel I could learn so much from you." However Steven only gave a knowing smile in response, patting the young man on the head and turning him in place. "It's not with me right now Mr. Laurent, can't have it being taken by an enemy if worst comes to worst now can we?" He pushed the boy along with a small nod in his direction. "I'll be in touch. Just keep that in mind."

"Fifteen minutes?" Dylan practically screamed. "There's so much I have to do. The costume, and the shiny stone needs to polished and-" he continued to ramble under his breath as he checked to make sure he had everything in his backpack and to make sure all his pokeballs were on his belt. "Thank you for saving us!" he yelled as he ran down the hall combing his hair, which had rubble stuck all throughout.

---​

Once the boys were out of sight, Steven pulled the holocaster from his bag, steel blue in colour, as it had been vibrating for a few moments already. As he answered the call, a woman clad in black with sweeping blonde hair stood before him in a holographic state. "Steven... did you confirm our suspicions?"

"Yes." He said, his confident smile fading to a more grim and dark expression. "In fact... I think things are far worse than we could have ever imagined."

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[Sephear]

The Primrose Paladin of Parfum Palace

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"And now please welcome to the stage our next contestant, one who's victory at Santalune speaks for itself. Many of you have already been waiting expectantly for him to dazzle us all one more time, Laurent Hessel!" Satisfied that her introduction had checked off all the boxes, Platinum vacated the stage to excited and anxious muttering. All remained silent for a short period, then all at once the spotlights shut off and turned back on, now bathing the stage in a much softer amber light than before. Hidden compartments in the stage opened up and a group of modified confetti cannons blasted a massive rain of petals into the air, all from flowers that could be found in the Parfum garden, falling so thickly that they completely concealed the stage from sight.

Spoiler:

The sound of two different wind instruments could be heard from within the flower curtain, complimented by a piano off in the distance. When the petals finally settled they revealed a young man reminiscent of a knight in his dress wear for castle-bound duties: a white blouse with a primrose yellow vest and white dress pants draped over by white cape ending in a trim of rose reliefs, relaxed and sociable yet clearly not willing to be completely at rest as he still wore steel gauntlets and long greaves with the knees capped by miniature rose decorations.

The music was coming from the young knight, as well as a companion the audience had yet to notice at first glance. He was seated on what appeared to be an ornate stone bench with an Ivysaur at his feet. The Ivysaur produced part of the hypnotic melody by blowing into a long stalk of grass but many gasps were uttered by those storied of the palace's history upon realizing the knight himself was playing none other than the pokéflute! The pair continued on with their song a touch longer before stopping simultaneously and smiling at each other, though the song mysteriously continued to weave its way through the room without further input from them. The knight laid a hand between the Ivysaur's ears and happily scratched his head as the petals settled on the stage at their feet began to stir.

The pair enjoyed each other's company a moment longer before a soft, feminine voice issued forth from the ether, startling the knight into scrambling upright and looking around. After a moment realization dawned upon the knight's face and he smiled his signature warm, relaxed grin, kneeling in fealty to some unknown being. Yet more gasps were forced out of the audience when out of the vortex of petals stepped what they could only see as a woman made entirely out of the very same petals she wore a dress of fall maple leaves, with a tiara of white lilies and long flowing hair of petals that perfectly matched the knight's vest. As soon as it spotted her the Ivysaur hastily gave its own attempt at a bow. The princess strode towards the knight gracefully with a silent chuckle, then held her hand out above him, fingers curved downward. The young man looked up at the princess curiously, lips parted ever so slightly and when he reached for her hand she suddenly interlocked their fingers and pulled him towards the vortex of petals she'd come from, the Ivysaur chasing after them.

Upon the pair's contact with the vortex, it burst and the petals once again obscured the stage. When the storm cleared the bench was gone and the knight - now wearing formal gloves and dress shoes - was once again together with the princess. The pair stared at each other and began to reach for each other's hands once more before being interrupted by excited barking. A Growlithe ran onto the stage, barking all the while and put its front paws on the knight's leg, panting happily. The night looked perturbed at the interruption and waved the hound away. The Growlthe looked downcast and began to back away, but the princess knelt down and laid a hand upon its head, leading to it barking happily and lolling its tongue once again before she stood back up.

The knight's gaze softened, then, after a moment extended his hand towards the princess once more, she readily complied and he pulled her close, grabbing her other hand as well. After a brief pause, they extended their still-clasped left hands outwards and curved their right arms to each other's backs. The pair stepped in unison a few time while the Growlithe seemed to become even more excited, then they separated from each other, spinning slowly in opposite directions. As the dancers drew closer, one final bark from the Growlithe blasted a gout of flame into the air. With a warm smile from the knight the pair began to Waltz, stepping gracefully around the stage together, the Growlithe running around them repeatedly with happy barks, punctuating every dip and twirl with a puff of fire.

The dance lasted only a minute, then, as the pair were about to meet again the knight stopped and presented his princess with a single primrose. The princess put her hands to her cheeks in surprise and reached for her gift, but just before she grasped the beautiful flower a single bolt of electricity arced from an unseen assailant and the princess burst into a scattering of mere petals, leaving the rose alone on the stage floor as the music suddenly died. The knight fell to his knees with a look of utter shock and horror on his face and the veil of petals overtook him once more.

This time when the petals cleared it was too a much more somber occasion. The princess lay at center stage, arms clasped, even the petals that formed her body completely still. A few feet away stood the knight, Growlithe and Ivysaur at either side of him, scowling down at the Primrose pinched between his fingers with tears flowing freely down his cheeks. He closed his eyes and dismissively held the flower in front of the Growlithe, who puffed a single wisp of flame onto the rose, its petals lighting one by one. When the fire began to lick at the stem of the flower the knight lightly tossed it onto the princess, turning the petals making up her body into a funeral pyre. All three lowered their heads and closed their eyes.

As soon as the knight reopened his eyes they widened at the sight of the flames of the funeral pyre rising higher and higher, taller than they had any right to. The flames continued to grow until they were close enough to the ceiling to make the audience nervous, then began to double back on themselves and take shape. The flames continued to shift until they took on the appearance of a core with a pointed horn sticking out the front of it, and large, bulbous clawed arms on either side. Red eyes glowed bright enough to be seen even within the fire, and the body shook as if laughing, coursing with electricity all the while. The Growlithe barked, the Ivysaur bristled and launched a Razor Leaf only for it to disappear into the scorching inferno. Finally, a look of calm determination could be seen on the knight's face and he gently pushed his cohorts back. The pokémon looked on quizzically while the knight stepped forward and drew his sword.

Raising the blade into the air, mouth open in a silent roar of battle, the knight charged forward straight into the flames and vanished. The flames popped as soon as the knight disappeared from the audience's sight and the petals hid the stage one last time. After a short delay the petals scattered for the final time, raining down upon the audience and revealing Laurent at the center of the stage with all his pokémon. He held Bernard's vine in his right hand and Metéoré's hand with his left, with Maria perched on the Metang's head and Bernard's free vine holding Apollo aloft. Laurent bowed low while his team mimicked him to the best of his ability. After being able to do nothing but sit in silence with the occasional gasp for so long the audience finally broke out of their enraptured reverie and met Laurent with deafening applause. The performers bowed one last time and exited the stage.

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[Shak]

A woman in a pink coat stood with her eyes closed in the center of the Parfum Palace ballroom as the finale music began to play at the behest of the Palace's own orchestra. The judges had been quiet for some time now after a nearly heated debate, but low and behold, they had come to their conclusion. The spotlight beamed on Platinum as she stood calmly in the laser like gaze of everyone in the room.

She cleared her throat, revealing the envelope they had used to conceal the card containing the results. "I see now why Cynthia was so eager for me to arrive in the Kalos region." She finally spoke, taking a regal stance, but wearing a humble smile as her eyes opened. "This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made as a judge. I enjoyed every performance, and hope each coordinator we witnessed today continues to pursue the dream many of us in this room share or have shared in the past." He smile was warm and genuine, but quickly cooled as snow fell behind her. "However, I'm not here to inspire, I'm here to judge. So without further ado." Her smile was now gone completely, a cold gaze of formality replacing it.

"In fifth place, Laurent Hessel. In what was a tremendous dramatic perfomance, Laurent was able to capture our hearts, and with a concept so befitting of the setting as well. However, due to the nature of the the appeal, there were many moments where we found his pokemon waiting for their cue as opposed to performing. It may seem harsh and I do commend Mr Hessel's performance, but I struggled to place Laurent any higher than fifth due to my own demand for a more dynamic visual than what we received with this performance." She concluded, solemnly. A good portion of the fanbase Laurent had built following his performance in Santalune went so far as to even jeer at the low placing the judges had given their favourite. Platinum graciously accepted the criticism before continuing.

"In fourth place, we have Jackson Crane." An immediate cheer from Malorie interrupted the moderator's explanation. She gave a light chuckle before continuing. "So despite Mr Crane having that exact dynamism, he doesnt quite make the ribbon spaces. With a truly spectacular visual from the trainer, and a powerful visual everywhere you looked, Mr Crane definitely did his Santalune performance justice. Much like that cigarette, he was able to set past failures behind him and set himself ablaze with a spirited performance. That said...their was a distinct lack of Pokemon in this performance. Had we seen more of Mr Crane's pokemon, I've no doubt the conversation over the ribbon positions would have been much tougher." In wake of her explanation, many of those that had come to see Santalune contest's black sheep let out a satisfied grumble of approval.

"And so, we move on to the ribbon positions." Platinum continued, now brimming with contained excitement. As she mentioned them, the ribbons were brought out, sat in plump red and gold cushions encased in glass boxes. The bronze medal was handed to her by one of the butlers.

"Third place, Kade Andrews. For a professional, polished and consistent perfomance. Introducing dancing silhouettes of his birds was the marvellous artistic touch that made Kade the best of the rest, in what was a closely contest contest. While we did knock Kade on the thematic consideration of the plasma esque lighting effect, we couldnt deny its beauty. If Kade himself had been more involved in the performance, we could have seen him rivalling our second placed contestant." Though there were very few by way of 'fans' for Kade among the audience, those who appreciated the auspicious performance were quick to applaud. A few bird watchers were sat in quiet adoration as the replay screened behind the moderator.

"So now we move on to second place. We award this silver medal to crimson." A large portion of the crowd stood up and cheered for the Lumiose contest winner; though some amongst the crowd even heckled in outrage at the insinuation she could place anywhere lower than first. Despite the noise, Platinum persevered with her explanation. "See, while Crimson's performance was a truly spectacular visual with an absolute execution, she was cost points in the lack of adherence to the contest theme. It was a performance that would likely have won against many if not for our first placed appeal." She concluded, to little to no audience reaction while the replay screened. She shook her head and sighed deeply as she stuffed the card in her pocket.

She took the gold medal case, placing it gently in the palm of her hand. Gold and purple confetti began to rain from the sky, and the lights blazed brighter than they had for her other announcements. "So that means, the first placed ribbon of Parfum Palace's first ever Kalos Contest administration regulated contest goes to...Brielle Baker!" She announced, finally letting her excitement get the better of her. "It was a truly sophisticated performance with every sequence feeling refined to a tee. Despite that, it felt perfectly natural, with the dreamy theme coming across as clear as day. Both Pokemon were consistently involved, throughout. I'm absolutely delighted to have been able to watch this performance Brielle, as I have been with all today." She finally concluded, queuing an eruption of applause. Even some of the unnamed contests backstage applauded as Brielle's performance was played for all to see. "Thank you all so much, I hope you've enjoyed the event as much as I have. If you'd kindly stick around, I think Princess Allie has an announcement for you all." She conceded her position on the stage, making space for the princess to have her say.

"I hope you've all been able to appreciate my castle in all it's beauty. This is the first time my contest has been officially recognised, as Platinum said, so this is a time for celebration. Should you want to stick around for the festivities, youwill be escorted through to the Parfum gardens in an orderly fashion. There will be food, drinks, music and fireworks all for you to enjoy." She smiled proudly, before the lights returned to normal. The night at Parfum Palace was young.


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[Jay]

Stage 9 - Camphrier - Parfum: Part 2​

Time at Stage Start: Midnight / 11:30 AM​

After a breathtaking contest at the Parfum Palace, the results are finally revealed and a bit of relaxation comes to our heroes. As the night draws to its latter hours a party begins in Parfum Palace gardens. Lights, tables, comfortable seating and platters of food and drink (alcoholic and not) prevalent for all to enjoy, with similar set ups to the one shown scattered across the garden as all contestants, attendees and even the residents of Camphrier and beyond are invited to attend the after contest festivities, though those not present for the contest must pay the standard fee for entrance to the palace. For those so inclined, a sort of impromptu dance floor has been set up at the center of the garden around the fountain, in view of the looming Reshiram and Zekrom statues. Music is played across the gardens by the Parfum Orchestra, whom are situated by the palace's rear entrance... you'd be surprised at just what kinds of music they can replicate with those instruments.

So party away into the wee hours but try not to get too intoxicated, as when the new morning comes to Camphrier Town, Parfume Palace and the surrounding areas, a new batch of tasks and trials will surely await the protagonists of this tale as in reality, their journey has only just gotten started. The next challenge to come taking the form of the dark subterranean connecting and glittering caves... and beyond that? The second gym of the Kalos Region, Grant and his fossilized rock type pokémon.

---

Pokémon Available (Level 23-25):

Camphrier Town:​

Pokémon available to those using a Great Ball (Level 27):

Pokémon available to those using an Old Rod (Level 23):

Pokémon available to those on Stage 9 Mission 12 (Level 23):

Pokémon Available (Level 24-26):

Palais Lane:​

Pokémon available to those using a Great Ball (Level 27):

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Missions:​

For this stage things will be a little bit unique, as it will be split into two time frames. Missions 1-6 will be set at night, during the post contest party hours. Missions 7-12 however will take part prominently during the day time and the morning after the contest has come to an end.

Custom missions may take place at either time.

In all cases players are asked to prefix their post with either [NIGHT] or [DAY] in order to avoid reader confusion right out the gate. So if someone wants to read all the night time posts first they may, etc. ★ Missions will also have this prefix to avoid confusion as to when they take place.

On an unrelated note, all missions, OPEN or not, from Stage 8 are available for completion in the current stage during the day if they were NOT completed already. Some missions will need slight tweaks to fit the fact that the contest has already occurred but we're certain that players will be able to accommodate for this without too much unnecessary effort. If claiming a mission from last stage, be sure to state OOC that you're claiming "Stage 8, Mission X" to avoid confusion.

Now without further ado, onto the missions.

[NIGHT] OPEN ★ Mission 1:​

It's party time so be certain to mingle and entertain yourselves. A list of examples of things that can be done during the party, to help inspire writing are as follows:
- Interact with an NPC.
- Get drunk. (Make sure you're of age, I'm looking at you Drew)
- Get to know another PC through a JP, talk and interact in a scenario where you're not fighting for your lives for once.
- Get into a JP with multiple people and have god knows what kind of awkward as all hell moments as you all engage in debauchery.
- Deal with your newfound fans after the contest who will no doubt pester and faun all over you.
- The following Event NPCs are available for interaction at the party, make sure to make your best effort to portray them as they should be:

• Hugh
• Lillie
• Colress
• Cynthia

Reward: The post itself is somewhat of a reward here, but feel free to find a way to earn up to 1500 poké through bets, luck or fans if you feel so inclined.

[NIGHT] ★ Mission 2:​

Crimson seems to be lost in thought at the edge of the party, however as people begin to approach her she swiftly leaves, uninterested in interacting with the rest of the contestants, fans and onlookers. As she leaves however, something slips off of her arm in haste, a single caramel tinted metal bangle with a tag bearing a curious inscription. It must be something important to her... so it might be best to see it returned.

Reward: TM Light Screen

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Mission 1:​

People have been talking at length about a mysterious battle that went on in the palace mere moments before the contest started. Some are even spreading rumors that the Legendary Champion, Steven Stone of Hoenn, was involved... but that's crazy right? Perhaps you might sneak away from the party and explore the now ruined and broken hallway yourself. Whom knows what you might find? Be warned, people have stated that a rather aggressive Sigilyph has been exploring the area.

Requirements: If Sigilyph is battled, it must flee when losing, not be KO'd or attempted to be captured.

Reward: Inferno Ball + Heavy Ball

OPEN Mission 2:​

Just North of the party on a small hill, a different party seems to be going on. A group of stargazers are looking at the night sky, waiting for a glimpse of a massive, white shooting star streaking across the sky. They say that once a year there's a slim chance of it appearing and that it is a herald of the legendary pokémon, Jirachi the Wish Giver. They're welcoming anyone who desires it to watch the sky with them and are rather generous in their giving of commemorative gifts.

Reward: Comet Shard

Mission 3:​

A burglar has broken into Camphrier hotel in the dead of night and stolen away with a massive 35'000 Poké! The criminal, a young man supposedly in his early to mid-twenties, has curly black hair, wears a black trench coat and white masquerade. He and his Weavile, "Mordred" were last seen running towards Route 7. The culprits name is unknown, but he seems to be going by the codename "Last Surprise". A reward is being offered for the culprits arrest, however pursuing trainers are warned, while the suspect is known to avoid lethal means at all cost, he is armed with a small dagger and his Weavile is well trained in speed and attack.

Reward: 2000 Poké + 1 Red and Black Dagger

[MULTI REWARD] Mission 4:​

A mysterious sage-like man has appeared in the center of Camphrier town during the dead of night. Dressed in a blue robe and with a white beard stretching long past even the long white hair upon his head. He calls himself the "Evolution Sage" and the necklace he wears seems comprised entirely of detachable pokéballs. To all those whom ask him for the power to evolve, he offers a stone, but only if the pokémon desiring to use it proves themselves worthy in battle.

Reward:

• Fire Stone (Trainer must defeat a Wartortle with the pokémon they wish to evolve using said stone.)
• Water Stone (Trainer must defeat a Manectric with the pokémon they wish to evolve.)
• Thunder Stone (Trainer must defeat a Vibrava with the pokémon they wish to evolve.)
  
  
  
  
  
  Mission 5:​
  A flock of Murkrow have been abducting and carrying weak wild pokémon to their master, a Honchkrow in the woods off Route 6. Nobody has interfered whatsoever as they don't seem to care that wild pokémon are taken when Murkrow stay away from their valuables as a result. Can this injustice be allowed to continue?
  
  Reward: Pearl String, Reaper Cloth
  
  
  
  
  Mission 6:​
  The long grass can be a dangerous place at the best of times, but when a young aroma lady decided to venture within in the dead of night in search of a certain pokémon... is there any real surprise that she hasn't come back? What's happened to her is uncertain but she could be in real danger. Someone has to go in there after her, risking yourself is a tall order but if it's the right thing to do...?
  
  Reward: TM Synthesis
  
  
  
  
  Mission 7:​
  A woman in a mysterious black and orange dress has been making demands for money at the entrance to route 7... and people have been complying because she's seemingly captured the Snorlax blocking the bridge beyond?! Yet... the Snorlax is still there? To most of you, it's obvious this a Team Cinder grunt... and to a few select individuals beyond that you may suspect the truth. Another imperfect clone has found its way into the clutches of Team Cinder, it must be destroyed in order to common protect people from such unstable power.
  
  Reward: Snorlax Clone Embers, TM Body Slam
  
  
  
  
  [OPEN] Mission 8:​
  The Camphrier hotel was vandalized and robbed last night and regardless of whether or not the criminal was brought to justice, the building needs repairs. The owner, an old and kindly man known to give discounts to young trainers, is unable to fix the broken windows and clean the shattered glass alone. Let's not even begin to mention the huge hole in the wall. His staff are helping... but perhaps your pokémon could assist in the efforts?
  
  Reward: Free Lodging at Camphrier Hotel for Life, Poffin Case
  
  
  
  
  Mission 9​
  Colress sits alone upon a stone bench by the Camphrier tone fountain. There is a certain sorrow in his eyes as he wipes his glasses clean and puts them in his pocket... his curling strand of blue hair falls limp and clings to the side of his face as the rain falls around him. Why would he sit here by himself in the midst of a downpour? If you sit with him he'll ask you to listen... he'll tell you of the things he's done in the name of science and how he regrets the mistakes he's made. He wants to atone, but is it ever so easy. To the person willing to hear him out he'll give a small gift, before leaving to continue his own journey.
  
  Reward: Old Plasma Pin, TM Gyro Ball
  
  
  
  
  Mission 10:​
  A strange man on Route 6 is raving about some mushrooms he's found that give you the powers of a pokémon. He's falling around and attempting to throw aura spheres and activate psychic pulses. He's clearly high as balls. However as you pass, he offers you a "rare pokémon" if you try one with him. Perhaps a new pokémon, supposedly rare, enthuses you... or maybe you just don't feel comfortable leaving this lunatic with a pokémon in his pocket. Either way, you somehow bring yourself to agree. Get ready for a wild ride.
  
  Reward: Shroomish with 2 Egg Moves.
  
  
  
  
  Mission 11:​
  In an effort to bring more business and tourism to Camphrier, a group of people have opened up a classic "Escape the Room" challenge. The theme being a Captain's Quarters on a ship lost at sea. The puzzles and solutions are up to you as a writer, but the true fun comes in the form of the stress and interactions forced between whatever few characters find themselves trapped inside...
  
  Reward: 500 Poké + Commemorative Photo(s)
  
  
  
  
  [OPEN] Mission 12:​
  Shabboneau Castle has long been rumored to be... but is only recently confirmed to be, you guessed it, haunted as hell. With the recently opened basement various ghostly ghoulies have been coming up from below and are now terrorizing castle staff and guests with floating objects, sudden jumpscares and various other forms of mischief. The ringleader seems to be a Mismagius with a bone to pick, maybe if it could be convinced to leave... through force or otherwise... the others will follow? However, exploring a ghost filled castle to find it is a rather chilling pre-requisite.
  
  Reward: Ring Target + TM Shadow Claw
  

​

 

[BugTypeAficionado]

An Unstable Power Awakens
Location: Camphrier Town

Current Team

Inventory

- Pokédex

- 745 Gold

- 5 Potions
Coronet Ball
Bug Net

Evolution Methods
- Battle experience
- Strong bond w/ trainer
- Learn certain moves
- Area dependancy
- Time of day
- Use of an item
- Other Pokemon present in party

Click, click, click.

Claudio clicked the eraser point of his mechanical pencil, trying to get more lead out of the thing as it started to dull against the paper. Sitting on a bench near Camphrier's plaza (since he wasn't too keen on staying in the Camphrier hotel much longer after the apparent robbery and vandalism that happened while he was sleeping) was the trainer, his notebook, and the newly acquired Bellsprout. It was a warm enough afternoon, with rain clouds creeping along, but for now the sun was radiant enough. Bellum appreciated the rays while Claudio started contemplating about how he'd get said Pokemon to evolve.

Of course, he knew that he'd have to evolve Bellsprout into Weepinbell through battling, that was easy enough. But if the Bellsprout family paralleled the Oddish family so much, a Sun Stone should be the trick to finding this supposed missing link. But if Virginia's passion and experience for the 'mon was anything to go by, that method had already been tried and failed. So then how was it supposed to evolve into something besides Victreebel? Despite his confidence in the impossible nature of it all, he was started to get curious himself. He had started a list of evolution methods he knew of for other Pokemon... maybe this was something different? Claudio started scrawling different potential evolution methods.

- Combination of previous factors?
- Heritage?
- Season-dependent?
- Consumption of certain materials?

"Bell..." Bellum sighed, Claudio's eyes shifting from his paper but his head unturned. He didn't seem to be too big of a fan of staying in the sun, and started crawling from his spot next to the trainer to the leg of the bench closer to Claudio, where the shade gave him some release.

"...It's not even that hot out." Claudio's head finally turned and looked down at the Bellsprout, oblivious to the oddness of his actions. "I've never seen a grass type who wasn't a fan of sunlight. Are you feeling okay?" Bellum responded with a simple nod. He didn't seem to find that strange at all, preferring the shade over the heat. A Spinarak crawled out from the shade-covered corner of a building, prompting Bellum to immediately jump into action and spew a shot of acid at it. The bug was disorientated, but merely hissed before skittering away, eliciting a sigh of disappointment from Bellum.

"Are you hungry, Bellum?" His trainer asked after watching the planty predator fail to catch his prey, eliciting another nod from Bellum. Claudio pulled out a spare water bottle from his bag, opening it to pour on the ground for the Bellsprout's roots to absorb before said fore-roots gently grasped the bottle. The Bellsprout started drinking from the plastic bottle normally, only somewhat struggling to hold the bottle. He must've picked up the habit from being raised at the daycare, Claudio assumed.

"Excuse me, sir."

A voice brought Claudio's attention back in front of him, a Black Belt trainer standing before him. He had an air of... how to describe it? Patient urgency would work best.

"Are you, perhaps, a capable trainer? One who wishes to travel past Route 7?"

"... Yes. And who are you?" Claudio moved to stand alongside the Black Belt, before he insisted on sitting down with him.

"That is not important. I would just like to warn you of a threat, blocking your path forwards." He sighed, revealing an instrument of some sort tightly grasped in his hand. "Every year, around the same time, a Snorlax from the mountains in the north makes a round-trip around Kalos, looking for food where ever it can, I wager. During it's trip, it would always rest on the bridge near the entrance of Route 7, Rivière Walk. It would sleep for some time, and then leave for elsewhere." The Black Belt finally uncurled his hand, showing the flute proper. "This is a Pokeflute, an item that has belonged to the Shabboneau Castle for as long as it has stood. Only the melodies it can create are able to wake the Snorlax from it's slumber."

"So there's a Snorlax blocking the path to Route 7?" Claudio interjected, causing the Black Belt's eyes to shift with a glare.

"Yes. There currently is a Snorlax blocking the path to Route 7. That in itself is the problem. Snorlax does not visit Camphrier around this time of the year, yet it and a woman in orange block the path anyways. She has been tolling trainers and travelers alike who wish to cross the bridge. Those who refuse to pay have been threatened by the woman with battle. I tried to defeat the Snorlax... but it is unlike anything I have ever seen."

The Black Belt trembles a bit, and whether it is out of rage, fear, or disgust, Claudio cannot truly tell.

"Even the Pokeflute only worked so well on the Snorlax. Something's not right about it. About her."

The Black Belt finally stands and starts to walk away.

"If you wish to challenge that Snorlax, I must warn you. It's power is unstable. Do not be reckless."

~~~​

"You sure you're up for this, Yotta?" Claudio asked, already knowing the answer he'd receive. The Porygon2 nodded firmly and gave a determined grunt, unwavered by the challenge before them. They were practically built to handle any challenge thrown at them. Despite some setbacks, Yotta's determination stood strong. It was somewhat awe-inspiring for their trainer, he'd admit.

He could only hope that the both of them hadn't bitten off more than they could chew.

After a few minutes walk from town, the bridge in question came to view. A woman with orange hair, orange dress, orange... everything, stood on alert by the bridge, while a Snorlax rested and blocked the way forward. He hadn't even gotten much closer before the woman noticed his presence, but said nothing until he was close enough to the bridge. Now that he was closer, he could see better that the woman's outfit was a strange and enchanting mix of red, black, and gold. Claudio's fists were already clenched; this had to be some shady Team Cinder business.

"Ah ah ah, not so fast." The woman raised a finger, shaking it dismissively at Claudio and bringing him and Yotta to a halt. Yotta looked ready to rumble right out the gates, but their trainer instead kept a level-head. "I'm afraid if you want to pass, you'll have to pay the toll." She looked Claudio up and down, a gentle smirk spreading across her face. "That'll be 1500 poke, with a fee of 200 for every Pokemon in your possession."

"Cut the act. I'm not paying any phony bridge toll." Claudio scowled. "You're one of those Cinder grunts. Been scamming people out of their money so you burn more trees, haven't you?" The grunt recoiled slightly, disgust spreading across her face.

"Eugh, you're one of those self-righteous brats, aren't you?" She returned Claudio's scowl, hers dripping more with disgust rather than anger. "Scamming sounds so criminal. We're simply producing funds by other means. People like us, who live in the real world and don't get their Pokemon handed to them, have to pay tolls and fees all the time." Her voice was disgustingly mocking, and the 'parent-talking-to-a-child' tone she was taking wasn't helping. "But you wouldn't know that. If you wanna play hero, that's fine by me."

The grunt gave her Snorlax comrade a slap to the foot, getting a gentle groan out of it but nothing further. Now that his attention had been brought to it, the Snorlax looked less like it was sleeping, and more like it had been exhausted extensively. In fact, he noticed some gauze patches smacked all over it's body, stained with some kind of chemical.

"Oh get UP, you sack of sh**!" The grunt gave a swift kick to the Snorlax's sides, it's groans of discomfort growing into growls and then roars of pain. The Snorlax rising to it's feet was enough to make Claudio give it some distance. It played the part of angry giant being awoken from it's slumber very well.

Maybe too well.

~~~​

"Snorlax, crush that Pokemon!" The grunt snarled, a sadistic grin spreading across her face. Yottabyte... was actually a bit intimidated as well. The Snorlax, veins bulging and strain on it's body incredibly clear, let out a deep roar and swung it's arm hard at the Porygon2.

Yotta swerved out of the attack's way just in time, looking back at their trainer for a com-

Snorlax swung again. And again. And again.

Yotta let out a cry as it was smacked upside the head by the Chip Away attack, swerving around in a bizarre pattern as it tried to keep avoiding the attacks. Luckily, this abstract flight pattern worked in Yotta's favor, as the Snorlax ended up repeatedly swinging and simply leaving indents in the ground. The Snorlax roared and clutched it's head, confused and in terrible pain. Claudio was reminded of the story Professor Sycamore told him, about the cloned Garchomp. If the signs before weren't obvious enough, this confirmed it; this Snorlax was an imperfect clone.

"Yotta, hit them with a Psybeam while they're busy reeling!" Claudio was quick to command, with Yotta firing erratic pink beams from their eyes at the Snorlax's head. It's roars and cries becoming louder and more furious, the mental assault it was receiving only worsening. It was honestly painful to watch. At least, for Claudio. The grunt on the other side of the battle was still smirking.

"Snorlax, Giga Impact!" She barked impatiently, looking ready to punch the Pokemon if necessary (despite how unwise of a choice that would be). The Snorlax pulled itself to it's feet, and an unstable and furious aura started to grow around it. Claudio didn't hesitate to back away to the sides of the path as he gave his next command.

"Yotta, Conversion2, now!"

Snorlax roared with painful rage, throwing itself forward at full velocity. A bright, white flash obscured the battlefield, followed by the noise of the earth giving away. A few foot deep crater had been created by the full force attack, with the Snorlax at the bottom of it. It clenched it's head again, roaring as it was still in terrible pain. Something in the back of it's head was telling it to stop, but it's body wouldn't let it.

And right behind the Snorlax was Yotta, untouched.

Judging by it's translucent appearance, the Conversion2 had activated not a moment sooner. As a Ghost-type, the Giga Impact left...well, no impact at all on Yotta. Without hesitation, Yotta fired another Psybeam at the Snorlax's head, making it yell and thrash around the pit it had created in pain. It swung with Chip Away, again and again, but to no avail. It's frustration at missing again and again, along with the Psybeams being fired again and again...

"Argh, Snorlax, get it together! I said crush them! CRUSH THEM!" The grunt yelled, nearly tearing her hair out. The last guy that challenged Snorlax was already sent packing long before this!

That was it.

Snorlax roared again, with even more primal rage behind it, and swung hard at the grunt. The impact sent an unsettling shiver down Claudio's spine, as not a single word was uttered from the woman. No yelps or screams. Just the revolting sound of bone breaking as her body flew into the trees on the sides of the path. Her body, now obscured and tangled within bushes, was eerily still. A red glow briefly enveloped the Snorlax, it's ball having been broken from the impact. It turned and continued swinging at Yotta with that same primal rage, but still with no effect. Sweat started to pour down it's face and body, and a couple wounds created from the Giga Impact bled. If the image before was hard to swallow, this was even more so. Claudio was left silent for a moment, backing up a bit from the fight as dread and nausea filled him from what he'd seen. He had to stop it now. With no owner, this Snorlax could leave destruction in it's wake from the never-ending rage it was locked into.

Yotta was, surprisingly, not at all taken aback by the display before them. They simply continued to persevere, firing Psybeams and continually wearing the Snorlax down. Snorlax's rage did not stop yet, as it started to shift gears. It stuck out it's tongue, which glowed with a shadowy aura, before slapping and smothering Yotta with it. It was... oddly comical for their dire situation they were in. Yotta was sent reeling back from the slobbery onslaught, staggering to stay up... before passing out. In a blind rage, the Snorlax swung at Claudio, and while there was still some good distance between the two, he was quick to pull out whatever Pokeball he had on hand and send them out. Out came Bellum, who looked around curiously to see what battle it had been drawn into... before shrieking in fear.

The Snorlax wasted no time in swinging at Bellum now, who was running circles around the beast like his life depended on it. And after what it had done to that grunt, Claudio was afraid it might very well depend on it. He hurriedly took out his Pokedex, checking the data it held on Bellum and checking what his moveset was. He had to be quick and devise some kind of plan... Bellum already looked like he was tiring from running around, and while Snorlax looked incredibly strained, preserving itself didn't seem to be in his rage-induced interest.

Before a word could be spoken, however, a chilling melody filled the air. Claudio turned to see the Black Belt from before, playing the song on the Pokeflute he was carrying before. Snorlax stopped and clenched it's head again, roars turning into desperate wails as it even stumbled to stand properly. It was remembering something... that melody was so familiar, but... ? The confusion only served to torment Snorlax further. Claudio had... several questions, but he knew at least that he couldn't let this opportunity go to waste.

"Bellum, use Growth!" Claudio commanded, and after the initial panic and confusion, the Bellsprout complied. Light green energy filled his body, as he began to grow. With the opening given by the Pokeflute, Claudio ordered Bellum to use Growth again and again, until it just barely started to rival the Snorlax in size. The Pokeflute also seemed to only work for long enough, as Snorlax broke through and started swinging at Bellum and ignoring the melody. Despite his size, Bellum's lanky root body allowed him to dodge quite efficiently, only taking a couple blows.

"Finish them off with Acid!" His trainer called, desperation apparent in his voice. The Bellsprout spouted a large amount of the purple liquid, Snorlax unflinching as it was coated in the ooze. However, it's swings started to waver, and it staggered around as the acid set in. The purple liquid fell of it's body and vanished, and the Snorlax surprisingly still had some fight in them. They swung once more, before the momentum of their reckless swing lead to them collapsing on the ground. It groaned in pain, as it's body turned a crimson red. Limbs started to crumble and turn to dust, the Pokemon's large body shortly following. Snorlax gave a weak smile as it's own head started to crumble and turn to dust as well.

Maybe now, it could finally get the rest it deserved.

~~~​

After a moment of hesitation, Claudio returned Bellum to their ball before they could even step near the red, dusty remains of the clone. The Black Belt was speechless, not quite sure what to make of what had become of the Snorlax.

"That... what was... ?" He tried to speak, but found himself at a loss for words. Claudio simply stepped over and, using the jar that previously held the mystery specimen, scooped up some of the red dust. He fiddled with his Pokedex with one hand and held the jar with the other. Already, the large pile of dust where the Snorlax once was started to blow away with the wind. It glowed red, like recently put out embers.

"It's a long story, but... that was not the Snorlax you knew. It was an imperfect clone." Claudio tried to explain. "I don't know entirely what Team Cinder is up to, but this kind of incident isn't the first of it's kind." He didn't want to give too much information, but enough to keep the Black Belt informed. He eventually smiled softly.

"I've heard things about a Team Cinder... didn't know they were this nefarious. Either way, I am glad that somebody was finally able to take care of that Snorlax. I'm sure the real deal will be glad to see that their regular spot hasn't been taken when they finally come back around to Camphrier. But, I think somebody else would also like to express their gratitude for what you have done." The Black Belt held forth a Pokeball of his own, and released a Heracross. The Pokemon's arm was wrapped up in a cast, it's horn had been broken off, and it just looked... miserable. The Black Belt knelled down to his partner's level.

"This is Harry, my Pokemon. He and I tried to stop that Snorlax before you a couple days ago. Poor guy nearly got himself killed." He sighed, Harry letting out a shameful sigh before looking up at the trainer before him. "But we're both glad that you carried the torch, and got revenge for my friend here. Aren't you, Harry?" The Heracross cheered, stepping forward and hugging Claudio. He could've sworn his heart was about to break into a million pieces just seeing the Heracross before him, reaching and patting the Pokemon gently on it's shoulder. He was glad to make the Heracross's efforts not for nothing. A shiny disk was soon held out towards Claudio as well.

"This is a TM for Body Slam. After what you and your Pokemon have done today, I think you deserve at least something for your efforts." The Black Belt finally turns and starts to walk away, with Harry happily following by his side.

"And if you meet those Team Cinder guys again? Give them a good beating, for Harry's sake."

Got the TM for Body Slam!​

The user drops onto the target with its full body weight. This may also leave the target with paralysis.​

 

[Stinging Bea]

Chapter 9-1 | Moonlight Reunion

Avril Morris | Camphrier Town

The Team

Badges

Inventory

Spoiler:

- x1 Pokédex

- x1 Holocaster

- x3 Pokéball

- x2 Great Ball

- x3 Potion

- 1800 Poké Dollars

- x3 Pecha Berries

- x1 Odd Flower

After the mysterious meeting with the tall stranger at Shabboneau Castle, Avril decided to spend the rest of her day more or less lazing about Camphrier Town. Despite the fact that the town was supposedly a hot tourist attraction, the girl found that there was surprisingly little to do there. Outside of exploring the routes surrounding the quaint town for new pokémon or overpaying to stay at the town's hotel, Avril could only assume that most trainers simply passed through the town in a hurry to continue their journeys. She imagined that the only way a trainer would willingly stay around in the town would be if they arrived late at night or possibly were involved in one of those pokémon contests. The blonde trainer was never really one for such fancy things. In fact, if she had her way she would have already been on her way towards the next city. Even now, as she sat on a bench in the city staring up at the sky in absolute boredom, the thought of simply moving on was quite tempting. There was only one thing really keeping her in the town, that being the wild Pidgey that she had found outside on Route 5. After carrying the wounded bird into the town to the pokémon center, Avril knew she couldn't just up and abandon the pokémon. It was her responsibility to return it to the wild.

"Geeze, you would think they would have sent a message or something by now..." Avril sighed, glancing down at the holocaster in her hands. She had debated about heading back to the center anyways and calling it a night, but somehow, the girl found herself to be wide awake. Whether or not that was attributed to the fact that she had stayed awake for so long now that she was practically restless, Avril couldn't be sure. "Damn... it's so boring here..."

Time to get going, that party wasn't going to crash itself...although it really couldn't be considered crashing, there was an open invitation to those passing through the town. Of course, they were inviting people to party, not prey on the pompous rich people and swipe their unattended valuables, that was her plan. Victoria adjusted her veil to keep her face somewhat hidden, that shemale that couldn't mind his own damn business was there, she saw him prancing around on screen when they aired the contest.

"Marie, it's time to get in your--" Victoria looks down as she speaks, expecting to see her Skitty hopping along, only to see...ground.

"Nya!" The bubblegum colored kitten squeals in delight as she rushes towards Avril. She picked up the trainer's scent and immediately rushed for her bench. This was that fun trainer they met before, with the super giant bird Pokemon. So fun!

Avril snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of the Skitty. She glanced down, her eyes narrowing as she felt a sudden sense of familiarity with the pokémon that was quickly pawing her leg. It took the trainer a few moments before a sudden realization came to mind in relation to the small, cat pokémon. She smiled gently at the Skitty, putting her holocaster away before hopping off the bench and quickly scooping the pink pokémon up into her arms.

"Let's see... Marie, wasn't it?" Avril questioned, giving the Skitty a quick scratch behind her ears. "I wasn't expecting you to show up in the middle of the night out of nowhere... Which I guess means..." She paused, looking around as she spotted a figure in a white dress wearing veil and matching hood of sorts. "...Victoria...? Is that you...?"

Upon being lifted, Marie begins to purr. A purr that grows in volume as she nestles her head under the female trainer's chin.

"Geez, you're gonna wake up the whole town." Victoria speaks as she crosses the gap between Avril and herself. You would think the blonde trainer is holding a small, pink jackhammer, the way Marie was rumbling on.

"Guess I'm not so mysterious when my accomplice gives me away, huh?" Her mouth is hidden, yet it's still easy to see that she's smiling. "Good to see you again, Avril."

"Y-Yeah, you too," Avril replied. Her eyes narrowed once more in the darkness, scanning the fellow trainer up and down as she takes in the girl's rather unique style of dress. It wasn't too strange to see someone change into a different dress... but compared to how Victoria was dressed during their previous encounter just a few hours earlier, it was quite jarring. Not to mention how odd it was that the girl appeared to be keeping most of her facial features hidden. "Um... Not that it's a bad look or anything, but... what's up with the dress and hiding your face like that?"

"I kinda want to keep my dignity when I crash the Parfum party." She states rather plainly, gesturing out towards the exit of the city. "Sounds like it's a real fun time, but I wouldn't be caught dead rubbing shoulders with the rich and snobby...unless I could plead innocent later." It wasn't a complete lie, she could not stand to be associated with the rich, albeit she was keeping the 'robbing them blind' part to herself.

Avril blinked slowly, taking in everything that Victoria saying carefully. "...Party...? There's a party?" the girl questioned. How in the world did she manage to miss that little detail? Avril knew that she had been busy with the exploring the basement back in Shabboneau Castle and taking care of the wild Pidgey back at the pokémon center, but had she somehow managed to get that far out of the loop?

"There is a party." Victoria grins. As she looks to Avril, the gears in her brain begin turning, her plans for the night quickly altering. She can swindle the rich any time, it's not exactly difficult. Spending more time with her new...friend, not only is it a far more limited opportunity, it sounds significantly more fun. "Why don't you come with me? Everyone in the town's invited."

When the invitation is given, Marie gently paws at Avril's shoulder, her tail swaying encouragingly. "Aww, see? Marie wants you to come, too."

Avril glanced down at the Skitty in her arms and then back towards Victoria. The offer certainly was tempting. After all, it wasn't like there was anything else interesting happening back in town and she would have her holocaster on hand should the pokémon center finally drop her a line on that Pidgey's condition. That said, she did feel a little bit guilty about leaving the Pidgey to go have a good time...

Returning her focus back towards the slightly shorter blonde, Avril gave her a weak smile and nod. "I mean... I guess I can, just for a little bit anyways."

"That's the spirit!" Eh, not the gung-ho one she was hoping for, but good enough for now. She decided against asking Avril what hot date she was worried she would miss if she was at the party too long. She had all night to be nosey, best not push her luck while there was still time for Avril to change her mind. "What do you say, Marie?"

"Nyaaaaa." The kitten wraps her tail around Avril's arm. Now that Victoria's plans had changed, she didn't have to go back in her ball, did she?

"So... what sort of party is this anyways...?" Avril asked, as she began to follow behind Victoria. She eyed the girl's dress once more, finding herself growing more and more curious by the passing minute. "I'm not underdressed for this or anything, am I...? I don't want to be the focus in that sort of way..."

"I think it's an excuse for old snobby people to live vicariously through young people." Yep, that sounds about right. They get to feel important by dishing out money and advice to the coordinators in hopes that if one of them makes it big, said snobby people can say they helped in some way. "As long as we duck around the old folks it should be fun." Some of those trainers really seemed like party animals, like that guy with the Haunter. He seemed cool. "Plus, free food." She winks. "I think you're dressed fine. There's gonna be lots of trainers there that didn't compete in the contest, and I doubt they're dragging around ballgowns."

No sooner had Victoria gone through her explanation did the faint sound of Avril's stomach growling echo through the night sky. The girl was glad that it was so dark outside, otherwise she was fairly certain that her new friend would have been able to make out the deep blush that was now gracing her cheeks. Apparently Avril had been so distracted during the day that she had managed to somehow forget about eating dinner. She had never been to a party such as this before and the sudden thought of free food made her very interested in checking it out... if only to see what sort of things there would be to eat there.

"So... What's with the dress, anyways? Well, not so much the dress but the veil and hood?" Avril questioned, making small talk as the duo made their way towards the party. "It's not exactly something you normally see people wear, you know?"

The 'avoiding rich people' excuse wasn't cutting it, huh? That's fine, time to embellish. "I used to work at the hotel in Lumiose-- the one with the really stupid name. There was this stuffy old guy that used to hit on me. It was gross, and if he's there I am so not ready for round two. If he's not, and there's someone like him, I want deniability if I manage to run into him again." Again, none of this is false, it's simply not the entire story. Marie makes a soft snorting sound in disgust as her trainer speaks. Victoria somehow manages to run into a lot of unpleasant people, which is one of the reasons Avril is so special in the Skitty's eyes.

"Huh... I guess that works," Avril responded with a shrug. To be honest, the girl felt that it would be much easier for Victoria to simply tell anyone that seemed to fawn and gush over her in such a manner to just go away. Wearing such a bold disguise seemed like more of a way for attentntion to be drawn to one's self, but Avril felt it wasn't really her place to meddle with Victorial's idea's. After all, they weren't exactly that well aquainted.

"I think you'll find I blend in better than expected." Since she didn't keep up to date with contests, she wasn't sure if this one had a theme, or if some trainers just didn't want their faces shown on camera, whichever it was, she saw more than one contestant wearing a mask during their performance. "Not showing your whole face is very in right now." That kid with the Floette, he wore a mask during the last one too. There are going to be people wearing similar masks in hopes of emulating that kind of mystery, she's absolutely certain.​

​

 

[LinearAxel]

Sebastian Allender

Moving Forward ​

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Sebastian was more than reluctant to enter the party. If not for Peri?s insisting, and a desire to cheer Svana up after letting her down, he would have been perfectly content to leave the palace behind.

?Would you lighten up? What?s the worst that could happen?? Peri asks, her arms locked around Sebastian as she all but drug him down the hall.

?A mass shooting.? Sebastian explains, leaving Peri perplexed...for about three seconds.

?Hey, at least we?d go together.? She jokes, patting Sebastian on the back hard enough to cause him to stumble forward. Clearly she wasn?t taking his warning seriously. Again, she wraps her arms around his and quickly tugs him into the garden.

Sebastian takes four Pokeballs from his belt loop, calling forth Selkie, Fiore, Svana and Ukyou. Chance had stayed behind, sleeping in Sebastian?s dressing room along with an exhausted Nebula, both of whom had quite the day. Hakkai and Koroku seemed far more interested to rest in their Pokeballs when the offer of attending the party was made, neither being very fond of crowds.

Svana quickly flutters into Sebastian?s arms, burying her head in the crook of his upper arm.

?Brai?? Selkie frowns.

?I?ll take care of her. You three can go play, if you behave.?

?Braixen!? Selkie?s frown vanishes as she scoops Ukyou into her arms. Fiore wraps himself around the fox?s head, appearing like a smiling flower crown, and the trio take off into the crowd. Selkie?s such a social Butterfree, Sebastian has no doubt but that she?ll be delighted to mingle with so many people and Pokemon.

?Excuse me.? An older, slightly overweight woman with the most extravagant ball gown Sebastian had ever seen taps his shoulder. ?You were the one with the hoop jumping Furfrou, yes??

Sebastian takes a step back, wincing as Peri?s grip on his arm tightens like a vice. ?That was him.? She answers.

The woman looks disappointed. ?You know you really should have him trimmed. His appearance desperately hurt any chance you had at a ribbon.? She reaches into her purse and takes out a wallet, from which she draws several large bills. ?Here. Use this to get him trimmed before the next contest.?

?Ma?am, I--? Sebastian begins to speak, only for Peri to snatch the money away from the older woman.

?Thanks. I?ll make sure he puts this to good use.? She smiles to the woman, who smiles in return before making a very sudden b-line for the wine table.

?I had the money.? Sebastian frowns.

?And now you have more.? Peri smirks. ?Throwing money at pretty boys like you are how rich women get their jollies, let her have this one.?

The idea makes Sebastian shudder. ?I thought--?

?I know, you thought bringing out a Furfrou?s natural look would be unique and say something and blagh blagh blagh.? Peri shrugs. ?I told you before, contests aren?t about natural beauty and being yourself, and all that happy crap. They?re about appealing to people who have a very set idea of what beauty is, and if you?re gonna march around trying to be yourself, you?re gonna lose. Every time.?

?...Has anyone ever told you that you?re a very angry woman?? Sebastian murmurs after a moment of awkward silence.

?All hairdressers are angry, that?s why we drink.? Peri tugs Sebastian?s arm again, but this time the younger trainer stands completely still.

?I don?t drink.?

?Yeah...you?re probably a light weight.? Her vicegrip like arms release him. ?I?ll be right back. Try not to offend any more old ladies.? She salutes before vanishing into the crowd.

?...We will never see her again.? Sebastian sighs.

?Lett.? Comes the defeated sound of his Ducklett as she rests her head on his arm.

Sebastian begins scanning the room, hoping to find a corner that was less occupied. While his search came up empty, he managed to pick out a tall, regal looking woman with blonde hair. Cynthia, Sinnoh?s Champion...Jackson told him she would be here, that he should have Turtonator?s Pokeball to her. He draws in a deep breath before crossing the threshold towards the woman. ?Madame Cynthia??

The woman turns, her every movement so certain and powerful, yet somehow elegant. She smiles warmly to the approaching trainer. ? Madame is a bit much, don?t you think??

Sebastian resists the desire to step away from her. Despite her calm voice and warm smile, her presence itself is intimidating. ?I?m sorry.?

She can already see it, the dread in his eyes, the hesitation in his voice. This one has something very serious he needs to say. ?Come with me.?

The champion leads Sebastian back into the palace, finding an empty space, free of prying eyes and ears. ?Now.? She continues to smile, though now it is shadowed with concern. ?Go ahead.?

The words spilled from his mouth without hesitation: His promise to Jackson, the man holding Lillie at gunpoint, how he begged for her life, being told to give all the information he could about his fellow students...and failing. The gun being aimed at his head and the trigger pulled, his Mothim?s quick use of protect, the shooter fleeing the scene and dropping dead before his eyes, and finally, revealing Turtonator?s strange Pokeball.

They talk for some time, Cynthia apologizing more than once for not being able to put a stop to this before it grew to such a scale, and offering to take the Turtonator off Sebastian?s hands. She explained that Cinder?s custom Pokeballs had a way of locking, refusing to open for anyone not authorized team Cinder, though she was determined to crack the code and free the poor Pokemon. After they had discussed the issue from every possible angle, she sent Sebastian back to the party, insisting that he try to enjoy the festivities. While no one can guarantee what tomorrow will bring, for now, they are in a safe place.

Not wanting to seem disrespectful to the Champion, Sebastian returned to the party, deciding to attempt to enjoy himself for another hour or so.

---

Another run in with (a rather drunk) Chris had led to the exchange of the Dusk Stone Sebastian found while tracking Drowzee, for a Dawn Stone. Pleased with the transaction, he made his way through the obstacle course of people to track down Ukyou. Soon enough he located the snowhat Pokemon, standing on a table next to a tray of Poffins.

?Did Selkie put you up there?? He asks, there?s no way those little feet could get the Snorunt up so high.

?Sno.? Ukyou smiles, her eyes locked on something above his head. Sebastian looks up to see it: Platinum?s Froslass is gliding ever so elegantly above the crowd.

?You want to be up there with her, don?t you?? Thinking back to the Hidden Grotto where he met Ukyou, she had fought so hard to protect an Ice Stone, and the Nevermeltice she now wore atop her head. He wondered? ?Ukyou, did you think this would help you evolve?? He gently touches the icy crown.

?Run?? The snow hat momentarily looks down. She searched so hard for that Ice Stone, and then for the Nevermeltice, but neither were the key she searched so hard for.

Sebastian smiles meekly as he brings the Ice type into his arms. ?Guess what??

Ukyou blinks, tilting her head (which also happens to be her entire body). ?Runt??

?I found the stone that will help you evolve.? He can feel his smile growing as he forms the words. Little eyes grow twice their size as the Snorunt leaps from Sebastian?s arms to latch onto his chest, little legs kicking in excitement as she nestles into his shirt, making the happiest of snow hat sounds.

Sebastian takes the newly acquired stone from his bag and shows it to Snorunt, who immediately reaches for it. It would seem that making her wait any longer, now that the stone is in her grasp, would just be torture. She had been searching for this stone since before they met, after all.

?Okay. Hold still.? He sets Ukyou back on the table and holds the stone outward. The little ice type trembles with excitement as the object touches her head, and just like that, both she and the stone begin to glow.

Within seconds the stone fades from existence, and Ukyou floats into the air with a blinding light. Her tiny legs are covered by a flowing kimono, and her little hands grow longer, flowing delicately behind her as the glowing suddenly stops, a small number of snowflakes raining down on Sebastian as the newly evolved Froslass floats above him.

?Laaa~? She coos as she floats down, wrapping her newly developed arms around her trainer?s neck.

?Would you like to say hello to Froslass?? He asks, returning the delicate hug, surprised to find that she still feels mostly the same, despite her ghostly presence. Ukyou hums a sound of sheer delight as she floats upward, crying out to her fellow snow maiden.

?That was really beautiful.? An unfamiliar voice speaks up.

Sebastian turns quickly, a look of surprise on his face when he realizes that the voice belongs to the Froslass trainer herself. ?Miss Platinum.?

She smiles. ?If you show that kind of connection with your Pokemon, I?m sure you?ll wow them at the next contest.?

?Connection?? Sebastian repeats in a whisper. That...makes a lot of sense. He had been so focused on highlighting his Pokemon?s talents and abilities, while he simply stood in the center and directed them, completely disconnected from what they were doing. ?I understand.?

?Great.? Platinum?s eyes shimmer with an elegant excitement. She can tell this one really loves his Pokemon, though it can be hard to show that kind of love in front of so many people, especially when you?re new to the world of Pokemon performing. With the right advice, he could really make something of himself. ?Because I?m going to be looking for you next time.? She?s seen too many trainers with a lot of potential give up after one try, and she feels it?s a real disservice to the trainer, their Pokemon, and the contest community as a whole. Hopefully this party will give her the chance to talk to all of the newest contestants, and encourage them to keep going for the gold.

Ukyou Evolved into Froslass!

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[Sephear]

[NIGHT] Detective Emma Kuzonoha and her stalwart assistant Laurent Hessel in The Case of The Herculean Honey Trap!

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Laurent's Party:

Emma's Team:

"Met?o, Metal Claw! Maria, dodge it and use a defensive Iron Tail, then Shockwave!" A loud crash announced the bulbous arm of Laurent's Metang slamming into the dirt, sinking glowing, lengthened claws into the ground and narrowly missing a Mareep. The Mareep jumped over another swing from the Metang and somersaulted to hit it with Iron Tail, using the attack to rebound further away from her opponent and fire an undodgeable Shockwave to zap it. "Excellent work Maria, you're getting better so quickly! Soon you'll be all grown up!" Maria really was growing up, despite being a baby when Laurent met her, but now she was the proper size for a Mareep.

Laurent smiled warmly and pet Maria while Met?o floated over to rejoin them, hardly worse for the wear thanks to how sturdy he had become upon evolving. Their trainer's energy and warmth didn't seem to last long, however, and after a pleasant moment he plopped down on the ground to lean against a small log he'd set up as a seat at his impromptu campsite. He let out a deep sigh and reached over to pull the pok?flute out of his bag, examining it wistfully until something bumped his leg. It was Apollo, looking up at him sadly and whimpering until Laurent started to scratch between his ears. "Don't worry, boy. I'll be alr - ah!" He gasped when he felt himself slide off of his makeshift bench unbidden, glowing with a purple light.

Met?or? telekinetically pulled Laurent off of the log, then lifted his feet up in the air while Bernard slipped under them, his bulb collapsing into a makeshift footrest when Laurent's legs were released. Next he was pushed down, finding his head resting comfortably on Apollo's warm, soft flank, then finally Maria settled comfortably on his chest. This time Laurent couldn't hold in a smile. "Okay, I see, you all win for tonight...thank you." Finally relaxed, he put the pok?flute to his lips and began to play a hypnotic, lilting melody that traveled easily around the open air outside of Camphrier.

On turn, Emma had finally slipped into her more casual outfit, following the events over at the party. Before heading off to sleephowever, she decided to take a calm stroll, unwinding from the party to get her mind off everything. She stretched her arms upward, gazing upon the stars that twinkled along the moonlit sky.

Still, the Emerald Dragons are already making their move... she thought to herself. She still recalled the priestess Elraine, and the events of what transpired over at the castle. I wonder... will I be strong enough to defeat them? Elraine was powerful, so I could only shudder to think how strong the rest of them might be... And then there's Team Cinder. I need some sort of... trump card. So far we could only gang up against them, but only then we still barely manageto escapewith our lives. For everyone's sake, I have to get stronger no matter what...Hm?

She then stopped, hearing sounds of what it seemed to be some kind of instrument... but none she could recgonize. Curious, she followed the sound through town. Eventually she soon came to the nearby exit of Camphrieer where she saw it: someone had made some sort of impromptu campsite a little ways away, where Emma soon discover, the instrument was playing from there.

She crept closer and closer. Isn't that... she soon recgonize a familiar, yet friendly face. She stood behind a tree watching him playwhat she could now find out to be some sort of pok?flute. She inched herself away from the tree, approaching him. "...Laurent?"

Laurent and all three of the pok?mon snuggled up with him raised their heads at once to look at Emma while Met?or? floated a tad closer, waving his large, clawed arm in a surpisingly welcoming manner. The music stopped when Laurent lowered the flute to reply. "Ah, Emma, hello. So nice to see you, as always. I hope you're having a nice night."

"I'm sorry if I was intruding..." Emma replied apologetically. She then gave him a sincere smile. "But your music lured me here, hehe. You play that rather well; It was like I was enchanted. Mind if I sat with you a bit?"

"You're too kind." Laurent replied softly before waving her over. "Please, your company is never anything but a coveted privilege for me. By all means, join me." All of his pok?mon responded just as positively with various happy noises, save Met?o, who opted to wave again instead.

Emma nodded, then carefully sat down next to Laurent. "Such a lovely night this is," She remarked, gazing upon the sky, once again watching the stars, and the bright moon. She then hugged her legs together. "Listen, I... never got to apologize to you before. About how I treated both you and Jackson over in Santalune Forest... I was really rude to you both. You, especially were really nice to me... forgive me."

Laurent smiled and looked down to pet Maria some more. "Think nothing of it, it was a trying time for all of us. We were in the midst of a fire, fighting for our leaves and dealing with - " His voice caught a bit as an image of the end of an unavoidably close gunbarrel flashed thorugh his mind. "...Gabriel...And I'm sure I did something to deserve it, after all I was little more than a hindrance in that battle.."

Emma looked away from the sky, turning to Laurent. "Don't be so tough on yourself. It would of been a tramautic experience for any normal trainer," Emma explained. She then turned to the ground. "...To be honest, deep down I was really scared. The evil that man force fed us is something that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. But still... that's why I have to stop him. I have to get stronger... I must."

At that Laurent seemed to grow a bit more energetic, eyes widening as he broke from contact with his pok?mon to turn fully towards Emma. "Emma, you must not trifle with Gabriel, not without a lot of support or an exponential leap in strength. I beg of you to be careful with that man! Better yet, just stay away from him!" Upon finishing his plea Laurent realized how much he'd raised his voice and looked back at the ground, his speech becoming solemn once again. "The likes of him are for people like Cynthia...or Steven Stone...we're just ten years too early..."

"Laurent..." Emma said, in a modest concern. She then gave a stern, yet pained expression. "...It doesn't matter how strong he is. I have to... I don't want to see... my companions be hurt anymore. I already lost so much even before this journey began. I don't want the same thing... happening to anyone else... or to you." she then gave Laurent another sincere smile. "I want to protect you too."

"Do you think I want to be protected?" He questioned. "Do you think I could bear the thought of something terrible happening to you whi-" He stopped himself, not wishing to poison their reunion with further negativity. "I'm sorry, I'm being rather foolish right now. At the very least I know you well enough to realize nothing I could say would sway you. But please promise me you'll be careful, and that...if I can ever help you, you'll alow me to? I need to stop him as well, but it's not something either of us is close to capable of yet. You should know, Gabriel is far stronger than any of us realized...he's capable of Mega Evolution."

Emma's eye's squinted. "So you've encountered him recently..." she realized. "...And he has the power of Mega Evolution. Definitely not something easily defeated. To be honest Laurent, I've also encountered him again. That time, he had a peculiar Garchomp. It was really powerful; we probably wouldn't of escaped if it didn't start going on a wild rampage. Something about that always nagged at me..."

She then nodded. "Anyway, thank you for the information. In return, I promise, I'll be extra careful from here out until I'm ready. Unless trouble finds me first, which... given my job, it's bound to happen, haha. And yes, I'll be even more confident with you by my side. Just promise me that you'll be careful too, alright?"

Laurent listened calmly to Emma's reply. "I had a suspicion you might have faced off with him again, and Jackson was there too, wasn't he? Gabriel made extra certain to remind me of my inferiority...I stood no chance, he absolutely decimated me. My entire team was defeated in a single attack, and a bullet was mere inches from my head...the only reason I'm still here is because Steven Stone himself showed up just in time." He opened his mouth to continue, but felt several nudges and found Maria, Apollo and Bernard all pushing their noses against his leg. He smiled again like he had earlier and calmed down a bit. "But I suppose that's enough negativity for tonight. I'll do whatever I can to help you whenever I can, we'll stop Gabriel if the champions don't get to him first."

Standing up and stretching, Laurent tried to think positive. "I hope you enjoyed the party, it sounded like quite the opportunity, If things had been different I'd have loved to - " The sound of pounding footsteps cut off the change of subject and both trainers turned to see a girl about their age running towards Camphrier town from a nearby field of tall grass, breathing heavily. Shortly after they noticed the panicked girl, she noticed them and ran over to the little campsite. "Huff!...Thank goodness, I - huff! - found someone, and you have pok?mon! Four of them, even! Please, you've got to help me!"

Emma stood up to address herself, and went over to the out-of-breath young woman. "Steady now, breathe in... breathe out," Emma advised her. "What's the matter? Please tell us clearly, miss."

"Jenna she - she - hrf..." The girl doubled over, dropping her white sun hat and allowing her long dirty-blonde hair to spill out over her head. Laurent placed a hand gently on her back to which she immediately stiffened up, then relaxed upon noticing it was only him. His hand moved up to her shoulder and helped hold her steady while he bent down to pick up her hat.

"There, there. Take a deep breath - a proper one. That's better. Now, who is Jenna and what has happened?" He inquired, taking his hand off her shoulder to dust off the hate before offering it back to her.

The girl continued to take deep breaths for a good ten more seconds before she straightened up properly and took her hat shakily back from Laurent, setting it back on her head. "Thank you, I feel a bit better now. Jenna is my best friend and she's gone missing! We both absolutely love things that smell good, things like perfume, flowers, clean babies, fruits, herbs...and of course, certain pok?mon. We're so in love with it all that people around town usually call us 'The Aroma Ladies"

Laurent raised an eyebrow. "I see...but how di-"

"Oh right! Well, Jenna's always been more adventurous than me and lately she's been feeling like we've conquered all the scents Camphrier has to offer! We've smelled every flower in the Parfum gardens, played around with making our own perfume from some of them... ANYWAY, Jenna decided she wanted to catch a Gloom for our next perfume! We've heard all about how Glooms stop with their weird stink when they like you, and that amazing perfumes can be made from their nectar! I've also got a Roselia, and she wanted to see what we could make together with them! We heard that Gloom don't like the sunlight as much as a lot of other grass types, and that the ones around here always hang out in the grass that's so tall most people can't see over it - or through it for that matter - and we came out here to get one."

"But..." The girl's eyes began to water and she almost started bawling. "We got seperated in the grass! Something hit my legs and I lost my balance, and when I got up I couldn't even see the grass shaking around me to tell where Jenna is anymore! Then I thought I heard her scream! I tried to follow the sound of her voice, but I just ended up stumbling back out of the grass...and by then I was too scared to go back in on my own, so I started running around looking for someone to help.

"Which is how you ran into us." Laurent finished for her.

"Exactly!"

Best friends, huh... Emma thought to herself. She had a hint of depression, but... she still managed to smile gently. "Don't worry, we'll help you find your friend. I might not look like it, but I'm a private detective from Aquacorde, so this is sort of my specialty!"

Laurent bumped the palm of his hand against his chest and nodded. "I'll assist as well. I've never been very good at ignoring people in need."

"Oh, thank you! Then l-let's go!" The girl quickly turned towards the grass field her friend had vanished into but stopped at the feeling of a hand on her shoulder.

"There's no need to come with us, please stay here and rest for a while." Laurent assured the girl. She began to argue that she couldn't just sit around while they looked for Jenna, but Laurent simply shook his head and gestured downards. "What about that, then?" Her legs were shaking. "Just relax...I have extra food by my sleeping bag and there's plenty of kindling left in my humble firepit.

The girl pouted at first and resumed walking towards the field but with every step she took her legs shook more until she finally stopped. "...Ok, you win. I was so scared when whatever it was crashed into my leg before and I really don't want to go back in there..."

"Perfectly understandable." Laurent explained, leading her over to the half log he'd been using as a bench. "Now I don't believe you've given us your name yet."

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I totally forgot!" The girl covered her mouth in shock at how thoroughly she'd forgotten ehr manners. "I'm Bailey!"

"My name's Emma. Detective Emma Kuzunoha," Emma introduced,followed with a polite bow. "We're on the case."

"Apollo, keep Bailey company." The Growlithe barked happily at the command and wasted no time trotting over to Bailey and leaning his warm flank against her leg. "I'm Laurent." The trainer introduced himself with the most comforting smile he could manage. "We'll be back soon Bailey, I assure you." He returned the rest of his pok?mon upon finishing, not wishing to make too much noise in the grass.

Going towards the route outside of the town, Emma led the way, shining her flashlight throughout the dark, grassy route. She surveyed the area, left and right. So far all she could see is the fields, and a few number of nocturnal pokemon in their own habitats. "I do hope she is alright..." Emma could only hope.

Laurent nodded, his trademark smile notably absent, replaced by a more serious look of determination. "I do as well. I'm not aware of there being any pok?mon around here with a reputation for seriously hurting humans, but you can bever be sure..."

"Luckily, reasearch explains that won't be the case in this particular route," Emma reassured. "But, you of course could never be too careful." she then glanced backwards towards Laurent, then towards the front once more, then chuckled. "Maybe... there are ghosts?"

"Not likely." He replied. "I've never head of Ghost-types roaming this area aside from the odd stray pok?mon and if you mean human ghosts... I don't know if I believe in those, but I can't see why one would be here. I haven't heard of any terrible atrocities here either, so a grass field seems a very strange place for a ghost."

"Aha, only a simple jest, dear," Emma flushed. "Of course a ghost wouldn't be here. They'd be sipping lemon tea upon an old attic or something. I keep my mind to these things after, for the great Sherlock Holmes once said: once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, must be the truth! And I hold true to those words... Oh!" Emma's explanation was cut short, as she soon flashed her flash light upon something that seemed coated in blue. As she raised the flashlight upwards, she saw a singular horn on top of this peculiar creature she encountered. It turned back to meet her eyes.

"That's..." Emma began to say, recgonizing the beast. "A Heracross? Out here? But why..."

The Heracross seemed to lose interest in the humans quickly and return to it's task, rooting around in the grass. "It's fiddling with something..." Laurent pondered aloud as he took a step closer. He edged around to the front of the herculean beetle and gasped at the glint he caught in the dirt. It was a small gem-cut bottle with colorful liquid sloshing around inside. "Perfume! That must be from miss Jenna! We're on the trail."

The Heracross was purely indifferent to Laurent's statements and simply continued to nose and grope the bottle until it bumped it too hard and shattered it, splashing perfume across it's face. "Hera!" It screeched, not enjoying the taste of the perfume nearly as much as the smell, the chitinous covers of its wings lifted and it flew off without further ado.

Laurent looked at Emma and raised an eyebrow. "Heracross love honey and are known for being strongly attracted to sweet fragrances, do you think...?"

"Yes, it's all elemantary," Emma agreed. "Heracross follow the scent of sickily sweet honey and tree sap to find their meals. Which means..." she then reached to pick up one of the bottle's pieces. "Miss Jenna must of been here, where she was confronted by Heracross, looking for its next meal. Flustered, she dropped his bottle, and fled... maybe she's nearby."

"Indeed, if she had left this field she probably would have already returned to town and gotten a hold of miss Bailey." Laurent agreed. "If she is in fact being hassled by Heracross it shouldn't take us long, they aren't the most subtle of pok?mon."

"Right," replied Emma. "Come then. Either way, let's hurry."

The two continued to prowl through the field, unable to see anything else to help decide their next course of action but feeling all the same that they were making the right choice. Occasional rustlings and snapping sticks drew the pairs attentions, but amounted to nothing more than the normal sounds of nature until they heard a loud thump and a shout.

"Eugh, get away from me! I don't know what you want, but I don't have it! Why won't you leave me alone?!" They followed the alarmed voice and in no time came to a clearing that had been trampled into the grass. At the center of said clearing was a young woman dressed much like the one Laurent and Emma had met earlier, save for her hat being green, and her hair being red. She was huddled between two Heracross that kept poking and prodding her, while a third was bent over what must be her bag a short distance away, rifling through the contents.

"The must be..." Emma started. "Miss Jenna! And as I figured, it looks like the Heracross have found her..."

"Let's go, Bernard, Maria!" Laurent released his chosen combatants with a flourish. He already had his first attack mentally prepared but as soon as Bernard fully materialized one of the two Heracross accosting Jenna stopped and stared right at the Ivysaur. The wild pok?mon's eyes took on a look of hunger and it jumped at Bernard, using it's superior strength to knock away his vines, However, instead of attacking him, the Heracross landed on Bernard and stuck its face into his bulb. "What? Why wo - oh, the nectar Bulbasaur and it's evolutions produce! Maria, show this starved ruffian some manners!" Laurent's Mareep bleated an affirmative and leaped at the Heracross, her tail taking on a bright glow before she spun and slammed into it with an Iron Tail, sending it careening away from Bernard. The act of violence drew the attention of the other two Heracross, who stepped away from Jenna and her bag, growling menacingly, wings occasionally fluttering in preparation to charge

"This calls for a specialist... come, Kaen!" Emma called, releasing one of her pokeballs. Out came herlarge, majestic dog-like pokemon, Kaen the Arcanine. Upon arrival, it let out a battle howl, then assuming a battle stance, readying it for combat. It growled menacingly towards the two bug-type pokemon. "Distract them, and led them away! Be careful not to harm them!" Her Arcanine barked in agreement, racing towards the two Heracross. It then leaped towards the side, as one of the Heracross took notice of him. Kaen backed away a bit, as the Heracross used its wings to race towards the Arcanine. Kaen ledit towards a nearby tree, but seemingly cornered as the two crept closer.

"Ember attack!" Emma then ordered. Her Arcanine let loose a barrage of flames that could cover the sky - it let loose towards the Heracross, who covered themselves trying to avoid the flurries of fire that it appear to have hated. It landed down. "Now, use Thunder Fang!" Emma called out. Kaen charged quickly towards the staggered Heracross, biting down on its horn, releasing sparks of electricity as it did it. The electricity coursed through the Heracross, causing it to plomp down on the ground upon Kaen's release. It managed to recover enough to fly away, avoiding anymore fighting.

The Heracross that had been fiddling with Jenna's bag joined the one Maria had knocked over and they charged simultaneously, but Laurent was prepared. "Bernard, Vine Whip! Maria, Charm!" Maria ran ahead and stood in front of the two Heracross, tilting her head and making the cutest smile she could manage. Shockingly, both Heracross actually skidded to a stop in front of the Mareep, looking at her curiously. They each raised a hand as if still tending to attack but couldn't put any heart into it and were unprepared when a pair of vines smacked each one in the head, causing them to rear back. "Shockwave!" While the Heracross were still reeling, sparks gathered in Maria's fur and she zapped both bug-types at point-blank range.

"Bernard, Leech Seed!" Laurent shouted. Bernard's bulb rumbled and launched a large seed at the Heracross, but it traveled rather slowly through the air and they were able to recover from Maria's attack before it reached either of them. One Heracross lunged at Maria with red energy coated fists, the Brick Break sending her flying. The other made a similar move but froze in place after a single step, currents of electricity traveling all along its body and interrupting its movements. The paralyzed Heracross could do nothing but watch as the seed from Bernard landed on its head an stuck before sprouting tendrils that ran all over the Heracross' body, immobilizing it even further and beginning to drain its energy.

Thanks to her youth and inexperience in battle, normally the Brick Break that struck her would have been an easy one-hit KO, but the Charm from earlier had weakened the attack enough to keep her up and fighting. The relatively healthy Heracross saw the state of its friend and realized how futile continuing to fight was. Its wings lifted from beneath their chtinous covers and begin to flutter vigorously, carrying it into the air and sending it away to safety. Laurent, however, had no intention of being as merciful as Emma had been. "Maria, remind that miscreant not to bother a lady on a mission, more Shockwaves!" Multiple bolts of electricity arced out of the Mareep's fluff and towards the Heracross, pursuing it relentlessly and zapping it until its flying slowed and it began to list to one side, finally sinking into a patch of thick bushes.

Maria bounced up and down bleating happily, bringing to Lauren't face one of the few smiles he'd been able to enjoy since his encounter with Gabriel. "Yes, yes, you've done excellent work. At your age those Heracross should have been much stronger than you, but you sent them pac - Ah!" Laurent gasped when he saw a white glow cover Maria's body. The Mareep's body lengthened along with its tail, the thick wool along its body shrinking and narrowing its coverage to its shoulders, neck and the top of its head. A cute pink Flaafy stood there, blinking at Laurent, then beginning to pat itself all over with its new arms and finally beginning to hop up and down on its freshly bipedal legs, cheering happily. "Amazing, Maria! You'll be able to battle any opponent without help from the others soon!...Now, what to do with the final troublemaker?"

Laurent stepped over to the Heracross still struggling to move on the ground, the tendrils all over its body glowing red as they siphoned away its strength. The trainer reached into a side pocket of his bag and pulled out a blue pok?ball with red accents. "At least something good came out of that contest...Young Heracross, I think you need a few lessons in how to be a gentleman, just like a certain Growlithe I know did." Before he could change his mind he tapped the Great Ball to the Heracross horn and took a step back as it was sealed inside the device. "And I suppose as someone who claims to be a gentleman, I have a duty to take that task upon my own shoulders." Laurent has barely finished his short little monologue before the ball finally lay still sounding out an audible 'click!' as the Heracross' struggles ceased. Laurent picked up the sphere and held it out towards Emma. "I suppose that's that, isn't it?"

"Yes," Emma reassured, as her Arcanine walked over, giving her a small lick on her cheek. Emma petted him and raffled with his fur, as he always liked it. When done, she turned back to Laurent. "You did rather well, all of you."

Laurent smiled and nodded before Maria tackled him to the ground for a hug. He struggled to regain his footing while Bernard stood by with a slightly cocky smirk, much like an older sibling watching a younger one do something they considered immature. "Is this revenge for the first time I held you?" Laurent queried with a laugh while Maria continued to squeak and bleat happily.

"Ahem! E-excuse me?" Jenna - who had gathered up her things and put her satchel back in order while the trainers were distracted with their victory - asked. "Thank you for helping me but what exactly are the two of you doing here?"

"We're here to rescue you, of course." Laurent explained, returning both of his pok?mon and taking a step closer to Jenna. Foregoing his usual flirtatious approach to simply smile at her. "Your friend miss Bailey was frantic with worry about you."

"You mean she's okay?!" Jenna blurted out. "Oh, thank Arceus! I was worried maybe she hadn't been as lucky as me! Those Heracross weren't so bad, they just don't understand personal space, they really wanted my perfum from the Parfum Garden flowers. I was worried that Bailey hadn't been so lucky... Next time I go Gloom hunting, I'm leaving all my perfume at home. Well? Don't just stand there! Let's go see Bailey!" Without so much as a bit of warning Jenna dashed off towards the edge of the field, not even waiting for Emma or Laurent, or stopping to think that she didn't know where/i] Bailey would be waiting for them.

Emma non-chalantly shook her head. "She's going to run smack upon another Heracross nest..." she stated. "Energetic, but seems a bit... spacy. But honestly... I envy them."

"Envy never helped anyone." Laurent assured Emma, lightly placing a hand on her shoulder for just a moment. "I wouldn't change a thing about you...besides perhaps having you smile more, but that ponderous frown you get when deep in thought is cute too~ Let's go!" He finished, running after Jenna before she could get too far away.

"Ah--!" Emma started to call for him, but sighed in defeat. "Smile more, huh..." she repeated, going after him.

They managed to catch up to Jenna before she left the tall grass and lead her back to Laurent's campsite. As soon as Jenna saw Bailey, she began to run full bore once again, calling her friend's name all the while. Bailey stood up immediately at the sound of Jenna's voice and met her halfway. They hugged tightly, already speaking a mile-a-minute about how glad each one was that the other was okay, and how worried they were. Neither trainer could help but smile at the happy - if a bit hyperactive - reunion. As soon as they properly joined the "Aroma Ladies" one surprised each trainer with a tight hug before switching and hugging the other trainer. "Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou We're both so grateful!"

"You're welcome..." Emma calmly thanked with a warm smile. "But promise me you two will be more careful, okay? And always remember, to take care of each other."

"We will!" They both agreed quickly.

"I believe she said 'promise', ladies."

"We promise!" The pair nodded, then began to look at each other.

"What do you think?"

"Well, at least one of them has a Grass-type."

"So that one, then?"

"Yes I think so." The Aroma Ladies each reached into their respective bags and pulled out cases with disks in them. "We absolutely must thank you both for your help! Words aren't enough, so please take these! Two TMs for Synthesis! All of our pok?mon already know it, and it's the least we can do!"

"Thank you very much," Emma thanked, accepting one of the TMs. "Vida is going to love this; she loves sparkling things!"

"What a fitting reward." Laurent agreed. "My deepest thanks, now Bernard will be even more of a force to be reckoned with."

The Aroma Ladies smiled at both trainers. "We're glad you like them!"

Jenna seemed a bit fidgety despite her joy at being reunited with her friend. "It was nice meeting you both, but we should go now. I'm such a mess...I have to go get cleaned up and reapply my perfume."

Bailey gasped. "Me too! Oh I feel so ragged!"

They grabbed each other's hands and began to skip happily back towards Camphrier. "Thanks again!"

Laurent watched them go after putting the TM away, glad to have been of help. "I have to say that was all quite expertly handled. Detective Kuzonoha aces another case!" He finished, smiling at Emma.

Emma slowly shook her head. "You should be proud of yourself as well, Laurent," she said brazingly. "I know sometime has passed from when we last seen each other, but you've grown quite strong in a short time. I think I have some catching up to do..."

At that Laurent's smile sank, and he replied much more somberly. "Strength, huh?... I don't know about that. I have so much further to go before I can change anything...It's going to be a long, steep climb."

"I suppose we both have much to learn before we meet our higher-than-normal expectations," Emma recgonized. She then stooped down, near Laurent's campsite. "May I... stay here a little while longer?"

Laurent's eyes widened in surprise, though it only lasted a moment. "O-of course! I welcome your company any time I can be so lucky as to have it." He offered, sinking down onto the half log next to his tent. He reached out and scratched Apollo's ears, drawing his attention away from the departing Aroma Ladies. It seemed the Growlithe had enjoyed keeping Bailey company while his trainer was gone. "Fire please, my dear friend." Apollo's throat rumbled an affirmative, and he relit the camp's fire with an Ember. "Can't have camp without a nice, cozy fire~"

Emma sat down, nearby Laurent, watching the cozy fire blazing with tranquility. Everything around her seemed warm... peaceful... and quiet. She couldn't figure out why, but she could feel herself truly... at peace. Was it because of the atmosphere? The thought of a job well done? Or maybe it was because of... him...

She couldn't get her thoughts together. Her eyes started to get heavy, and her head dreary. Before she knew it... she started to fall asleep. Her head meeting Laurent's shoulder.

The contact shocked him for just an instant, but moments later he was gazing softly down at the golden locks falling past his shoulders. Laurent inhaled a deep, content breath and closed his eyes, forgetting his troubles for one warm night.

​

 

[Oddball_]

-- Profile --​

Name: Chris Rodriguez

Pok?mon :

Location: Camphrier Town

Inventory:

- 1 Pok?dex

- 500 Pok?

- 2 Potions

- 5 Pok? Balls

- 1x Dawn Stone

- 3x Rawst Berry

? Mysterious Blue Crystal

- Relic Copper

- TM case [Ancient Power]

~​

Chris admired the small copper coin that Lord Shabboneau had given both Violet and himself as he continued along the path she was leading him down. They hadn?t really done much to earn it, however that hadn?t stopped Chris from greedily accepting the ancient Kalosian currency.

I watched as my mysterious companion studied the ancient coin with a fervish intent. His face splattered with various emotions ranging from curiosity to what almost seemed to be concern.

Chris looked up at Violet and saw her scribbling away in her notebook as she walked alongside him along the pathway.

?So what is inspired you to write a novel then.? He asked as they started walking up a nearby hill.

?Hmm? I suppose my real inspiration must have been Shauntal. I presume you?re familiar with her, being from Unova yourself.? Violet mused as they neared the summit.

Scattered about the top of the hill were several tents with people camping outside them. The lanternlight was low as many people lay on the grassy hillside in jackets watching the sky as the stars began to twinkle across the dark sky.

?Si? Chris responded as he slumped against a tree, releasing his Pok?mon to sit with him. ?What a beautiful night.? He whispered as he watched the sky.

??? Violet remained silent as she sat beside him, Litwick and Hypno released from their Pok?balls as well. She picked up her notebook and contemplated writing before deciding not to ruin the moment as she set it back down.

Several flashes of light appeared overhead as the hill began to erupt into murmurs. Looking upwards, several flashes of light shot across the sky.

?Shooting stars?? Chris asked skeptically.

Violet stared facing the sky with closed eyes, a small smile on her face as she was basked in moonlight.

Chris looked at Hypno and Litwick, whom both appeared to have the same serene look up their face as their trainer.

A sloppy slimy hand touched his, looking down Chris saw his newest Pok?mon looking up at him with pleading eyes as it pointed its other arm towards the strange girl and her Pok?mon. It wasn?t long before he realized that all the Pok?mon and trainers in the area were doing the same strange look towards the sky.

?Que?? Chris whispered, however he went with his gut as he closed his eyes and faced the sky. However he was surprised that he didn?t see the darkness that normally accompanied that, but rather? he saw a multitude of flashing lights soaring past.

(?What do you think.?) Violet?s voice echoed inside his head.

(?Is this you??) Chris asked in confusion and astonishment as the flashing lights began to slow and the starry expanse of space seemed to replace it. (?This is? unreal!?)

(?My psychic powers let me do some neat parlor tricks for sure.?) She echoed, an illusionary form appearing almost made of star light beside him.

Looking around this sort of shared mind space that the two were occupying, Chris realized that his own body was made of the same starlight like material. Beside him, similar forms for their Pok?mon surrounded them. However? one of the Pok?mon looked strange. Shimmering and shaking in place, the psyche of Whisper the Honedge seemed to be phasing in and out from one spot to another in hyper motion.

(?What?s wrong with him?!?) Chris exclaimed worriedly, as he rushed over to try and help his friend.

(?I sensed it when I first met you. Your Pok?mon?s mind is? what humans would consider suffering from a similar condition to multiple personality disorder. However this isn?t? exactly that. The Honedge evolution is a strange one, not only the blade splits into two, but so does its mind. The two blades of Doublade are separate entities making up one Pok?mon.?) Violet explained.

(?You mean? he?s going to evolve??) Chris asked, turning to face the shimmering illusion before him.

(?Yes. Your Whisper seems to be struggling to embrace the evolution however. Something is holding him back from allowing this alternate self to emerge fully.?) The psychic girl stated.

(??Buddy.?) Chris said, placing a hand on the shimmering blade. (?I don?t know what?s going on with you right now. I can?t imagine how strange and scary this must be? but change isn?t always something to fight against. Sure, you?ll be new? but I know you?ll still be you.?)

The shimmering light form of the Pok?mon seemed to stabilize for a minute as the eye of the sword seemed to stare directly into Chris.

Clink! Clang! Cling? CRAAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Chris? eyes flashed open as he realized the sound he heard wasn?t in his head, but rather in the real world. Looking forward

The sharp metallic cracking continued as Whisper began to glow with a bright light before expanding and growing into a slightly larger glowing form before the glow faded and replacing the sword Pok?mon was now? two? sword Pokemon. Seemingly locked together in the center.

?Whisper? you evolved!? Chris exclaimed, reaching forward and brushing his hands against the cold steel of the newly formed sword.

Cling! Clang!

?Look! Look!? The people around hill all exclaimed as they pointed towards the sky. A singular large white streak shot across the sky, glittering lights raining from the sky all around the hill.

---

E V O L U T I O N!

Chris' Museum:

​

 

[Stinging Bea]

Beyond The Horrizon
- Featuring Drew Tucker, Sebastian Allender, Emma Kuzunoha, Avril Morris, and Chris Rodriguez -

CURRENT TEAMS:​

Spoiler:

Current Team - Drew:

Current Team - Emma:

Current Team - Avril:

Current Team - Sebastian:

Current Team - Chris:

Beyond The Horrizon

---

Current Location : Parfum Palace - Gardens​

Parfum Palace's gardens were decorated as extravagantly as one would expect. Few expenses were spared in assurance that every table, every door, every candle on a pillar were at the pinnacle of prestige. Strung above the dance floor, were luminous bulbs that shone with an regal purple sheen that would make anyone feel like royalty. Many of the partygoers had already began clamoring over the exquisitely lined horderves set across the snack bar. Those that hadn't were looming over cocktail bar, the barkeepers already showing off their bottle flips. As Allie watched over her creation, a proud smirk grew across her face as she watched what she had put together take place. After she attended to her own adoring fans, she would see to it that she had won the admiration of those that had competed in her soon to be prestigious contest. With a spring in her step, she hopped off her pedestal and took to the crowd, expecting to see at least a few worthwhile faces.

Emma was nearby a white-clothed table, putting her hair to a wild pony-tail. She was wearing a pink kimono decorated with cherry-red floral patterns. While her first contest debut didn't go so well for her in terms of placements, she still oddly felt... happy. Happy that she could express herself in different ways, and to not to worry about anything else for the time being. For the first time in a while, she felt... free. Once her hair was done to her liking, she ventured around the gall. There were many people to meet, with all kinds of personalities. She wondered, perhaps gatherings of all to celebrate a common thing was one of many answers of how people could get along... but there would still be those who would disagree on how they would spend time with someone. A difference of opinion, but that still felt refreshing.

She waved, and shook hands with a couple of people who greeted her; saying that she recognized her from new segments about her detective work. Apparently, she had quite a name for herself, and she didn't even recognize to what extent. "Der's my lil'contest star!" called out one voice to her, with Emma giving them a friendly face. It washer grandfather, in one of his business suits.

"Grandpapa!" Emma replied, racing towards him, greeting him with a gentle hug. She then acknowledged him with a disappointed, yet a still smiling look. "Hehe... I'm not much of a contest star, I'm afraid. I didn't even get a place in the rankings."

"Bah," her grandfather huffed. "Contests are fer' sissies. And yer' no sissy, aren't ya? Yer'gonna be the next champion. None of these pansies holds a candle to ya' when it comes to battlin', y'hear?"

Emma giggled. "I'll definitely do my best," Emma agreed. "I think I'm getting better, actually! My Riolu evolved into a Lucario, and defeated a really strong NIdoqueen. It was strange, but... it kind of felt amazing, defeating a strong opponent such as that."

Chris found himself surrounded by vaguely familiar people as he stood on the outskirts of the party along with Violet, whom had used her psychic powers to illusion themselves up some fancy dress once more upon hearing that Chris was planning on attending in his regular clothes.

"Aren't these a bunch of your former school friends? Why aren't you socializing and doing the normal party thing." She asked, swirling the wine in her glass before taking a big drink.

"You just want me to embarrass myself for your book." Chris pointed out, dodging the question.

"Well I certainly wouldn't be opposed." The purple haired girl giggled.

"I wonder if they've got anything stronger than wine." Chris mused as he began sipping on the glass before him. The flavor was quite good, not that he was any form of connoisseur. He looked around the party and tried to recall anybody around that he had actually spent more than five minutes with at the academy. "I guess I didn't really make friends." He replied after he felt the buzz start to kick in.

"Depressing... Me neither." Violet laughed with a smile and after a moment she raised her glass. "To the loners."

The clinking of glasses echoed as the two of them finished their glasses. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he smiled and offered a hand forward to his female companion. "?Quieres bailar?" He asked as the woman placed her gloved hand into his and they began to move towards the more open part of the courtyard.

For Drew, the transition from the ballroom to the garden had been rather easy. Alongside Professor Sycamore along with Malorie and Victor, they'd been given priority and got outside pretty quickly. When all was said and done, it was a pretty nice event, but Drew hadnt intended to be part of any of this. The whole thing had been completely exhausting. One thing kept him going though. It was hopeless denying it at this point. He was completely enamored with Paige, especially in that dress, to the point he found himself spacily staring on several occasions.

Now though, with her off mingling again, he was hovering over the snack bar, simply occupying his time. He scanned the selection of finger foods, quickly eliminating anything that contained a fruit or vegetable. "No pizza or anything, huh? Sushi it is." He mused aloud with a defeated sigh. His he shoved the seafood treat in his mouth, he reminded of the new pokemon he'd practically neglected since he'd got it. Viola's words rang through his mind once more. He unhooked the pokeball from inside his bag and walked up to the large fountain. Surely it was big enough for his Feebas. He tossed the ball into the water, trying not to make too much of a scene, and out emerged the dull fish.

?Can I get you something to drink?? One of the servers asks Sebastian, who had finally found an unoccupied chair.

?Do you have anything non-alcoholic??

The server looks perplexed. What teen comes to a party like this and doesn?t try to get smashed? ?How about a Roserade petal tea??

?Perfect.? Sebastian takes the cup and resumes observing the party-goers. There?s no sign of Jackson, and he lost Peri over an hour ago. As his eyes scan towards the fountain he finally sees Drew, and his heart sinks a bit. It?s...time to give Nebula back. He rises from his seat and slowly makes his way towards the fountain, pivoting around two drunkenly dancing trainers before reaching the fountain, and smiling down at the Feebas. ?When did you catch this one?? He asks Drew.

The boy glanced up, not really expecting anyone he cared about, but what he got was a pleasant shock. "Still yet to make my first catch." He sighed, an embarrassed flush taking his face.

"Ah, excuse me!" A voice called out from halfway across the garden. Shoving her way through the crowd, Princess Allie emerged, glaring down at Drew and his Feebas. "What is this monstrosity doing in my fountain? Please remove it, before you yourself are removed." She huffed, waving her fan angrily in the air.

Svana, who had been hiding in the crook of Sebastian?s arm since the party began, raised her head as the woman spoke her hateful words. The duckling begins blinking quickly to hold back tears, certain the woman is speaking of her. Sebastian?s expression eases from warm and welcoming to calm and somewhat cold. ?Excuse me.? His voice stammers slightly. ?You know that ?monstrosity? evolves into Milotic, yes?? As he speaks, his distraught Ducklett wriggles out of his arm and flutters into the pond to float beside Feebas.

"...He's right, Princess," Emma followed up, seemingly overhearing the conversation. His grandfather followed behind, his arms cross, and with a grumpy look on his face. She gave them a calm, yet gentle smile. "Feebas evolves into Milotic, and Milotic are said to be breathtakingly beautiful. In fact, whoever sees a Milotic are said to have their own heart be calm and gentle... so they can grow kinder. Actually because of that, Feebas are growing quite rare... endangered even."

Emma clasped her two hands together. "...Might you give it a chance, Princess? Please?"

The princess' eyes widened in bewilderment at the two trainers who had come in quick defense of the hideous fish. "Is this true?" She shot a demanding glare at the boy who had summoned the pokemon, but was severely disappointed with the mediocre response. She glared at him for a moment, her eyes full of skepticism. "How much for the fish?" She demanded, pointing her fan towards the oblivious Feebas.

"I...uh...it's not really for sale, but..." Drew stammered. "How much would you guys say it's worth?" Drew shrugged, looking up at Sebastian and Emma.

"Er..." Emma questioned, disappointingly. "I really don't think you should--"

"Bah! You shouldn't put no pokemon up fer' sale," Emma's grandfather snapped, glaring ar Drew. "Kid, only a good fer' nothin' dog considers dat."

"Grandfather!" Emma barked at him. "This is a highly established gathering, please behave yourself! Especially around kids!"

?I read an article that Fisherman are selling Feebas for no less than 10,000.? Sebastian nods. That being said, he wouldn?t hand their new friend over to this woman for all the money in Alola. Honestly, he?s a bit surprised Drew?s newest companion wasn?t causing every performer in the room to come clambering to him. Is Feebas? evolution truly such a secret in Kalos? ?That being said, the gentleman is correct. Selling Pokemon is...frowned upon.?

??Bout time someone put Princess in her place.? Victoria smirks under her shawl, watching the two trainers plus one old man gang up on miss Hoity-Toity. She turns to Avril and, noting her expression, looks back to the group. ?Which one is it??

Avril blinked in surprise, looking away from the scene playing out before her. "Which one is what...?" she questioned, fumbling for her fork so she could grab another bite of cake.

"Which one are you making puppy dog eyes at?" Victoria questions. Please don't let it be the old man, or the ten year old, or the Shemale.

"P-Puppy dog eyes...?!" Avril coughed, almost choking on the bite of cake she had placed in her mouth. Instantly, her face began to blush a bright shade of red as she shot Victoria a rather annoyed glare. "I don't know what you're talking about. I wasn't looking at anyone like that!"

?Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.? Victoria winks, her curious, cat like eyes scanning the situation once more. ?Then I?ll guess. It?s the girl, right??

Avril felt her cheeks darken further, the girl quickly looking away in a huff. "I really don't know what you're talking about... There's no one over there that I remotely think about... like that..."\

Victoria snickers to herself. ?Each time you look at her you reach for a shot. At this rate I?m going to have to carry you out of here in a barrel.? Her eyes glisten with interest. ?Clearly there?s a story here.?

Avril frowned, looking at the glasses in front of her. There weren't really that many there, three or four tops. She really wasn't even sure that she should have been able to get them in the first place, much less Victoria. Yet sure enough, no sooner had Avril settled down with a slice of cake did her fellow accomplish in party-crashing arrive with several glasses of... something. Avril really wasn't sure just what it was. It kind of burned a bit whenever she did take a drink of it, but the girl decided it was probably best not to ask Victoria exactly what it was.

"Look..." Avril began, slowly pointing her fork in the direction of Emma. "It's her... but we're just friends. Or we were...? I guess...? I don't really even know anymore. Some... stuff kind of happened back in Lumiose and..." she paused, her eyes lingering on Emma for just a moment before returning her attention back towards Victoria. "Look, what's it matter right now anyways? I came to hang out with you."

?Guess I just don?t like seeing you unhappy.? Victoria shrugged as she took a sip of her own drink. If she wasn?t already getting a bit of a buzz off her tray of shots, she would probably be shocked by her own words. Usually she likes being rude, but she just can?t get a kick out of being rude to Avril, and she can?t seem to snicker at her expense the way she can snicker at how uncomfortable the Princess just made everyone involved. Well, everyone except Avril?s friend, she looks like a real trooper.

"Oh... Sorry..." Avril replied, her gaze casting downward back at the cake in front of her.

"I..." Drew stopped to consider his next words carefully. He wasn't so keen on being called a dog again.

"10,000 poke is very doable." Allie stated, without a moment of hesitation. "And I'll have you know, the trade of pokemon for money is common practice. Don't go calling good people dogs for engaging in mutually beneficial transactions." She scowled at Emma's grandfather, before returning a much more pleasant expression toward Drew.

"Sorry princess, but I'm gonna have to turn your offer down. I need strong pokemon on my team, and if this thing really valued as Seb says, I wouldn't mind having one on my team." Drew smiled cheesily.

"Then make it evolve this instant. I want to see this beautiful Milotic you speak of." Allie responded defiantly.

"Er! Princess, And um... Drew, was it? I'm very sorry about my grandfather..." Emma apologized, taking a polite bow. She then glared at her grandfather. "Here, you too!" she demanded.

Her grandfather scratched behind his head with his left hand. "Yeah... sorry bout' that. Me n' my damn mouth woulda landed me into a hella trouble in this fancy place if not for Emm'," he said. "Sorry, kids."

Emma nodded, turning back to the Princess and to Drew. "Now, making it evolve isn't that simple, I'm afraid..." Emma explained. "A Feebas evolves with something called a Prism Scale, and that is... even more elusive than finding a Feebas itself."

Sebastian feels a gentle push against his leg and turns, seeing Svana pressing her beak against his pant leg. There?s a determination in her eyes; she wants to help defend Feebas. ?If I may, princess.? Sebastian takes his Pokedex from his pocket and calls for the page on Milotic to open, before holding it up to the proclaimed princess.

Milotic, the tender Pokemon, and the evolved form of Feebas. Milotic is said to be the most beautiful of all the Pok?mon. It has the power to becalm such emotions as anger and hostility to quell bitter feuding.

While a little insulted that she didn't remember his name, Drew awkwardly accepted her and her grandfather's apology.

The princess on the other hand, stared at the fish with a pensive expression, practically ignoring Seb's intervention. "Siegfried! I want you to send someone out to go and find a...prism scale was it? Yes! Find somewhere that sells them and buy a prism scale." She folded her arms as the butler strode carefully into the palace to send someone out for the job. "You." She pointed at Drew again with her fan. "You're to remain in the palace until I get to witness a Milotic first hand."

?...That?s kidnapping.? Sebastian states calmly.

?DUCK. LETT.? Svana cries from behind Sebastian, a hotheaded contrast to her calm, collected trainer. She quickly flies from the fountain and lands on Drew?s shoulder, where she sticks her tongue out at the princess? fan.

"C'mon, leave the kid alone," Emma's grandfather pleaded. "You shouldn't go around forcin' pokemon to change if they dun' wanna, y'know. Would you like it if some mook tells ya' what to wear, or what to eat? Let em' train it by his own terms. Then maybe it'll be even more pretty n'... yeah. Dunno why kids like all that pretty crap, but Emm' likes it, so..."

"Maybe we can come to some sort of compromise." Drew finally spoke up after his extended silence. After so much time of having people speak for him, it was about time he considered what it was he wanted to do about it. By now, the scene had attracted the attention of a good portion of the party goers in their immediate proximity. "I want the thing to evolve too. I've got three pokemon now, none of which I was even able to catch. If I'm able to get this thing to evolve, I promise I'll come back and show you." He finally said, a warm smile on his face. Despite said smile, his was completely against the notion of backtracking on his journey.

Thankfully, the princess didnt seem too impressed. "I want to see it as it happens. The process of something this...lackluster becoming as revered as they so would be a tremendous sight, so I refuse to back down on this."

"Princess? Oh my god, it's so nice to see you again! We didn't get the opportunity to catch up before the contest." Paige gasped, stepping in the middle of the ensuing discussion with a spring in her step.

"Oh...the fossil girl." Princess Allie muttered, turning her head in order to, rather blatantly, roll her eyes in disgust.

"I couldn't help but notice that you were trying to buy my Feebas." She glared back at Drew, much to the boy's confusion. "Unfortunately it's for my father's research, so it's not for sale. See, we're try-"

"Stop!" The princess cut Paige off, clasping her hand in front of her face. "I don't care about your father's research, so I'll be going. Go tell it to them." She waved her hand dismissively and took off.

Paige planted her hand on her hip, as she tried to hide the satisfied smirk growing across her face. "Figured that would work. I've known that airhead for a while now, and if there's one thing she hates, it's science."

"Your Feebas?" Drew questioned with a judgmental raise of his brow.

"I can call her back if you'd like." Paige countered, shutting Drew up.

"Hey kid," Emma's grandfather interrupted, heading over to Drew. He sized him up. "Emm' called ya' Drew. Yer' Drew, right? Name's Ketsuya Kuzunoha, Emm's grandpapa."

"Interesting name." Drew responded, though he was hesitant to make jokes. "Thanks for backing me up back there. Same to you guys." He smiled meekly, looking through Emma, Seb, Svanna and Paige.

"Yeah, yeah..." Ketsuya replied with a grumble, continuing to gaze on Drew. "Yer' a trainer, right? Dat means yer' Emm's competition. But right now, you ain't worth her spit."

"Grandfather!" Emma snapped. "How many times must I tell you to be respectful--"

Paige wanted to step in and defend Drew, but quickly realized that she would only be proving the man's point if she did so. She glanced over to Drew, hoping he'd show some bottle.

"Bah, I know dat," Ketsuya grumbled, turning his attention back to Drew. "You ain't worth her spit right now, but I know a man when I see one. Grow strong, capiche? Then Emm' will at least have a challenge to look forward to before she becomes champion, eh? Hahaha!" Emma calmly shook her head in embarrassment.

Drew hung his head, the old man's harsh words stinging more than the uplifting ones that followed could mend. He was right though, that much couldn't be denied. He stared down at the Feebas that he'd almost sold. Maybe selling it wasn't the best option, but after all that had happened over the last few days, maybe being worth spit was exactly what he needed. He'd start again. He stepped over to Emma, his eyes narrowed with determination. "Your grandpa's right. After seeing what you, Jackson and Avril did in Lumiose I realized just how far behind I was. Not just in battling, but..." He broke his gaze to look down at the Feebas again. "In the way I treat my pokemon too. That's the difference. I suppose that's why Avril suggested I take the Eevee, huh?" He ended with a sigh.

"Drew..." Emma addressed, clasping both her hands together downward.

The towering old man reminds Sebastian that his inhaler was left in his dressing room, and if the elder turns his attention in Sebastian?s direction...he?s going to need it. He draws back uncertainly, only pausing long enough to face Emma. ?Thank you for the backup. The...princess is...truly wicked.? He rubs the back of his neck nervously as he scans the area around them.

"And Seb...thanks for letting Bry take on those Scraggy on Versant Road. If not for that, I probably would've kept blaming him." He added, forcing a smile. "Maybe it's time I start giving Neb a chance too, huh? Is she with you? I'm not quite as willing to give her away yet, I'm kind of attached." He joked, pushing away his shirt sleeve to reveal the torn cast that was still clinging to his arm.

A sorrow quickly takes over Seb's expression at Drew?s words, a sorrow that reflects in his eyes even as he forces a smile. ?She?s asleep in my dressing room. I?ll take you to her.? He too had gotten attached to the little Eevee. He felt as if she had come a long way in their little journey together, even going as far as to walk beside him on their way here, and letting him hold her...albeit if she hadn?t allowed him to pick her up, she would have been hit with a powerful flamethrower...still.

"Thanks." The younger trainer smiled, before returning his attention to the still completely oblivious fish. He stared at it for a moment, but received no reaction. "You'd be better off with a different trainer I think. At least now. Definitely not Princess Allie." He chuckled, making sure she was far enough away to not hear. "Hey Emma, you think you can take care of this one?"

"W-What?!" Emma replied in shock. "M-Me? But Drew! You're already a just trainer for it and--"

"Just take it, Emm'," Ketsuya chimed in with a huff, while crossing his arms. "Dat Drew kid is smart. No one is better than ya' when it comes to taking care of pokemon, y'know? Do the kid a solid."

"But I..." Emma hesitated. She glanced to the splashing Feebas, turning back to Drew. "If... if that's what you really want...?"

"I'm gonna be champion." Drew sighed, almost disappointed by his own statement. "So what that time comes, you can at least say you have a pokemon that used to belong to the champ. Even if I never battled with him." He grinned. Without another moment of hesitation, he returned the fish, and held the ball out for Emma.

Emma turned to her grandfather, then back to Drew, holding out the pokeball. She then gave him a gentle smile and nodded, accepting it at last. "Hehe, I just hope the pokemon you gave me doesn't become too strong for ya," she jested. "Really, I promise to take care of it. Thank you."

"Hah! Kid's got some cojones after all!" Ketsuya teased. "You're gonna be champ, eh? Try another million years when you get to Emm's level, by den! But, I'll root for ya too, kid."

After beaming a satisfied smile, Drew turned to Sebastian. "Well, time to go see if Neb is gonna be happy to see me without biting off my arm. If I don't see you again at the party, then the next time we see each other, we're gonna see whose closest to being champion." Content and almost certain that he'd gotten the last word, he nodded to Seb to lead the way, with Paige following promptly behind.

Emma looked on, still having that warm smile. Her grandfather gently put a hand on her right shoulder. "It's kids like him that give me hope for the future," she remarked, turning towards her grandfather. "Grandpapa? I know I said some things while we were having that moment, but I really..."

"You really wanna keep on kickin' some evil ass, rite?" Ketsuya finished, not showing a hint of surprise. "Ya, I know. Yer' a goodie two shoes, Emm', but we dun' have enough goodie two shoes in this world. Whatever you do, you can call on me anytime, capiche?"

"Yes sir," Emma agreed with a nod. "Alright, let's go and... oh?" as she then turned around, she could immediately notice a familiar face. She took a few steps forward, allowing her grandfather to release her. Her few steps turned into a small jog, as she approached her, but then suddenly stopped mid-way. She seemed to be with someone, but still... "Avi--Avril...?" she gasped.

Avril jumped a bit in surprise, her eyes coming to rest on the sight of the girl in front of her. Despite the fact that she found herself attending the same party as Emma, the younger of the two blondes had honestly been slightly hoping that she wouldn't have been noticed. Avril really wasn't all that sure she was properly prepared to face her... best friend...? Friend...? Ex-friend...? Avril honestly wasn't sure what term qualified between herself and the detective at this current junction. Managing to finally snap back to reality, Avril placed her fork down beside her plate and offered a rather weak smile in the direction of Emma.

"O-Oh... Hey, Emma... I wasn't expecting to see you here," Avril began, trying her best to pretend as if she hadn't noticed the girl for the entirety of the time she had been at the party. "I didn't expect to see you here. I never figured you for the party type, much less one for those contest things..."

"Y-Yeah..." Emma replied weakly, glancing away at times. "I got... roped into something with Princess Allie, and she pretty much wanted me to compete in the contest." She then looked up at Avril, with a quirky smile. "But I totally muked it up. I didn't even rank..."

"Well... I guess you can't win 'em all," Avril replied, glancing away from Emma and back down at what remained of her slice of cake. "So... the princess roped you into it, huh...? What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Oh! uh..." Emma started. She cleared her throat. "Well, it's... sorta a long story. Basically, she horded all of these Relicanth, but the Relicanth didn't really belong there or else they would die, so I tried to convince her to allow them to return back to their habitat! So we went together to the basement of this old... castle, where they were popping out from. But then, this lady we were with wanted them for herself, and she tried to kill us. I.. barely managed to defeat her thanks to my Riolu evolving. Afterwards, the Princess apparently took a liking to me, so she wanted to see how I would dazzle the crowd in a contest. And so... here I am."

She then let out a big sigh. "But, I screwed up in the contest. I guess the Princess won't be too happy with me, haha..."

Avril paused, her eyes narrowing a bit as she took in Emma's story piece by piece. "Oh, I get it... So basically you off and went and played the grand hero... again, living up the good life while I'm still lagging around back here getting kicked in the ass over and over... Another glorious day for the wonderful Emma!"

"W-What?!" Emma replied in modest dread. "N-No! That's... that's not what I... It wasn't as though I could ignore it! it just... happened!"

"How did it just happen...? People don't just go looking into crap like that, Emma!" Avril retorted in a huff. "You know what I think? I think this whole party was thrown for you and you just openly took it all in because you just can't get enough attention can you?"

"H-How dare you...!" Emma replied in a beginning disgust. "That's not what this party is about at all! How can you say such terrible things?!"

"How could I not when I just straight up catch you living it up and getting that already inflated ego of yours getting stroked even more... And you sure as hell didn't seem to be having an issue with it at all," Avril shot back before grabbing another one of the glasses in front of her and downing another shot of... whatever it was that Victoria brought to the table.

"You don't... you..." Emma sparked. She clenched the pokeball she received from Drew in her left hand. "...You don't know the first thing about me! Just what exactly did you want me to do, have a murderous woman kill two innocent lives, while endangering pokemon?! What if after she was done, she set her sights upon you as well?"

"Then I think I could handle it... I don't need you to keep playing hero, nor does anyone else for that matter!" Avril snapped back. She glared at Emma, her grip tightening around the now empty glass. "Besides, you keep throwing yourself into these situations. It's not like it's a common occurrence to worry about some dumb fish pok?mon. You could've just called the cops or something to look into it, but nooooo... You need to get yourself some of that glory, just like always!"

"It's my duty! Even as a private detective, I can't allow acts of injustice go unpunished," Emma retorted. She then got one hand on her hip, glaring at Avril. "...What's wrong with you? 'Dumb fish pok?mon?' Avril, you're the one who told me that every life matters, back when we rescued all those Eevee together. What's so difficult to understand that I don't CARE about glory? I just want to help Kalos and all of you be safe! What's so wrong about that?"

Avril snorted, rolling her eyes at Emma's response. "Maybe because every life doesn't matter? Maybe I finally got a wake-up call, did you ever think of that?!"

"Wh-What?" Emma could only blurt out, trying to comprehend. "What...What are you talking about?"

"Do you honestly think every life matters when people like him are out there walking around after the kind of crap that he's done, Emma?" Avril questioned. "What about the rest of those Team Cinder freaks?"

"Him? You mean... Gabriel Artece?" Emma asked. She then glanced to the floor with a guilty look. "Avril, it's... it's my fault he's still around. If I only I was strong enough to stop him back then, then that incident wouldn't of..." she then shook her head, glaring right back at Avril. "Listen! You mustn't get involved with them anymore! I'll get stronger, and I will--"

"You're not doing shit!" Avril shouted back, quickly cutting off Emma before she could even try to finish that thought. "None of that that happened that night had the slightest bit to do with you! It wasn't your pok?mon, it was mine! What happens to that bastard has nothing to do with you anymore. If anyone's going to take him down, it's going to be me! One way or another, got it? I don't care if I have to rip that gun out of his hand and put a bullet in him myself!"

"Avril..." Emma addressed in a quieter tone. The shock of her friend's statement shook her to her very marrow. She slowly shook her head at her as her tears started to well up. "...You've changed, Avril."

"I grew up," Avril replied simply. The girl rose from her chair and brushed past Emma, shooting her one last glare. "I don't need you playing hero for me anymore, alright? Just go... play hero somewhere else..."

Emma closed her eyes. "You're the one who's playing a dangerous game," Emma retorted forcefully, not looking back at her. "...You know what? Fine. Call me whatever names you want, and keep thinking you've 'grown up'. If you die, see if I care. The Avril that I know and looked up to is already dead!"

She reached for her kimono robe, then threw something from it at the ground near her feet, It seemed like... a plushie. It looked like a Gardevoir, having a peculiar magical creature outfit. Emma then stormed her way out towards the castle hall, not looking back.

​

​

 

[gimmepie]

Kade and Brielle

​

The contest completed and a Bronze ribbon now stashed in his bag somewhere, Kade found himself in the luxurious Parfum Palace gardens surrounded by mingling guests under the stony gaze of two gigantic dragonic statues. He wandered the party, ocassionally stopping by one of the enormous tables stacked to the brim with expensive food. Honestly, Kade was never entirely sure how to behave at this events so he tended to find himself simply floating around the periphery until someone bothered to talk to him... or if he saw someone he knew well enough to go and talk to. Which he did.

Through his wandering, Kade came to find himself directly infront of one Brielle Baker, surrounded by a throng of her adoring fans. Many of them recent converts after he spectacular victory. Kade soon found himself amongst the rear of the mix, patiently waiting until it was his turn to talk to his friend.

"Miss Brie! Can I take a selfie with you?!" One of the adoring fans said, prompting Brie to nod and smile, Mochi at the background just to make the photo a bit more perfect. "Ahhh, thank you so much! I am such a huge fan of your appeals!" Brie struggled not to roll her eyes at that blatant lie. This was the first time she actually made a great appeal, but sure. She let it slide.

The new admirers continued to gush at her like this, unusually in an organized manner until she saw a familiar face. Brie smirked, Mochi's confusion briefly showing itself before the Pokemon focused on the guy. "Hellooooo, Kade~"

"Hi Brie." Kade said, not really noticing that she was unusually happy to see him. "I saw your appeal. Didn't realise it was you at first when I was walking past the monitors, but did a double take. It was really impressive." he meant it to, he had throroughly enjoyed watching Brie's appeal.

Brie rolled her eyes, typical Kade. Why does he always not notice that it's her? How many times has this happened already? Two? Three? Brie sighed, waving the thought off. "It was pretty great, huh?" She smiled, Mochi now floating near the two, curiously looking at the guy in the suit. "We worked pretty hard on that one, so I'm a bit proud~"

"Yeah you could tell." Kade said simply "It's no surprise that you beat me since you're aleady so good and you worked so hard. I wasn't actually going to enter but someone convinced me. I kind of just threw my appeal together ten minutes before arriving. I think it went okay considering but it's not a big deal either way." he continued, rubbing the back of his head and laughing sheepishly.

"...Ten minutes?" That flying fetish did that great of an appeal for ten minutes and it took her the entire day to even make something of that quality! There was her confidence, down the drain. She sighed, maybe Kade really knows what to say to piss her off... Mochi undoubtably felt the slight disappointment, as the Pokemon's eyes glowed to see the person's dreams... and shuddered. "You threw that great of an appeal and it only took you ten minutes... wow."

"Was it that good?" Kade said surprised to hear the praise from Brie "I don't really know anything about this sort of thing. Then again, even I could tell you deserved the win. That double helix thing was really cool. Makes me want to try it with feathers." Kade chuckled again "Contests aren't really something I considered trying but it was kind of fun. I think I can get why you love them so much now. Maybe I'll try again some time."

"Copycat," Brie muttered mostly to herself, crossing her arms. He just gets it now? Maybe he really was a dumb fuck. Speaking of dumb fuck... Definitely going to rename him as that later, Brie noted in her mind. "Yeah, sure. Next time, we'll see." Kade likely would have heard Brie's remark, but he'd abrubtly turned and walked off as Brie started speaking, noticing a Murkrow flying past he'd gotten distracted and followed after the bird.

"You... D-dumbfuck!"

---

Spoiler: Kade's Inventory

- 1 Pok?dex
- 500Pok?
- 3 Potions
- 2 Pok? Balls
- 1 Flight Ball
- Bug Bite (TM)
- Aerial Ace (TM)
- Sky Drop (TM)
- Ice Beam (TM)

 

[Stinging Bea]

Chapter 9-2 | Bird Hunting

Avril Morris And Kade Andrews| Palais Lane

Avril's Team

Kade's Team

Badges

Inventory

Spoiler:

- x1 Pok?dex

- x1 Holocaster

- x3 Pok?ball

- x2 Great Ball

- x3 Potion

- 1800 Pok? Dollars

- x3 Pecha Berries

- x1 Odd Flower

Avril cursed under her breath as she ran from the path leading away from the Parfum Palace. As if the fight with Emma wasn't enough to put her in an even worse mood, she had recently received a call from the pok?mon center back in Camphrier Town on her holocaster. Against her better judgement, Avril decided to check and see what the message was. Apparently while she was distracted with the party and Emma back at the palace, the wild Pidgey that Avril had brought in from just outside the town had managed to slip out and escape from the pok?mon center. To be honest, Avril was finding it quite difficult to care at this particular moment. The futher fallout with Emma put her in even more of a bad mood than she was previously, and her current interest revolved around simply finding a bed and having a good cry for the remainder of the night. However, there was also that small part of Avril's brain that made her claim responsibility. After all, she was the one who brought that Pidgey in to be treated for all those wounds... It was that factor alone that sort of put the bird's situation and current wellbeing in her hands.

Grabbing one of the pok?balls off of her bracelet, Avril quickly tossed it forward and unleashed the Noctowl that rested inside of it. Anise stretched her proud wings wide and let out a boisterous hoot, before turning to give her trainer full attention.

"That Pidgey we found back on Versant Road went missing," Avril quickly explained to the Noctowl. "The nurse said he took off heading towards the road that leads off towards Parfum Palace... But these off-trails are pretty big... We need to find him and fast!" Avril paused again, quickly opening her holocaster to show Anise a picture of the Pidgey in question. His feathers, particularly those on his tail and head, still looked quite a bit ruffled. A bandage was wrapped around his left wing, with a smaller one being wrapped around his right leg. "Think you can handle this, Anise?"

The Noctowl let out another loud hoot in confirmation. She began to flap her mighty wings, taking to the sky with Avril following close behind. With any luck, the Pidgey was going to be alright...
----

"Huh? Now where did it go? Do you see it Nox?" Kade asked the little Hoothoot sitting vigilantly on his shoulder. It had steadily gotten darker and it had become quite diffuclt to see in the ever thickening forest, especially when the Pokemon you were looking for had black feathers. Kade had sent out Nox to make use of the traditionall nocturnal bird's specialised eyes, with his direction Kade had managed to avoid any colissions between his head and low-hanging branches. Unfortunately, Nox was having little more luck locating the Murkrow than Kade was. He'd caught sight of it a few times but they hadn't managed to cosnsitently stay on its trail at all.

Nox continued looking around from Kade's shoulder as the trainer carried on in his forward direction. If they'd both been looking forward, perhaps what happened next would have been avoidable, however Nox was looking off to the side as Kade forced himself through some thick brush until suddenly there was nothing in front of him. Kade stumbled forward, exerting more force than he needed to move through empty space, and found himself colliding with another person. Nox sqawked loudly as Kade staggered, just barely avoidng falling over.

"Uh... sorry about that." Kade said, laughing sheepishly.

Avril stumbled forward, the blonde girl barely managing to keep her balance. The girl turned as her eyes narrowing in the darkness as she tired to see who or what had just bumped into her, but the stars weren't really providing enough light to make such a task possible. An idea quickly popped into her head to help rectifiy that issue. Avril reached down into her bag and fished out her holocaster once more. The girl fired the handheld device up, using the screen to act as a makeshift flashlight of sorts. She looked back up at the one who had bumped into her, finding a boy who was both roughly her age and size.

"Oh... Uh... Don't worry about it, I shouldn't have just been standing around like that," Avril replied, offering the boy a weak smile. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but the girl just couldn't place her finger on it. "Are you alright, though?"

"You shouldn't have?" Kade said, finding the statement odd "I don't see a reason why. I'm okay, there just wasn't as much plant there as I thought there was. You look kind of familiar, I think. Do I know you?" He couldn't really place from where, but he was sure he'd seen the girl around before. Or at least someone that looked like her. Maybe he'd seen her around the contest, although he didn't think she'd made an appeal.

"Hmm... Well..." she mused, trying to rack her brain over where she might have seen the boy before. It only took a moment or two before a sudden realization came to Avril. "...Did you attend Aquacorde's pok?mon academy by any chance?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah I did. Is that where I know you from then?" now that he thought about it, Kade did remember seeing her around. They'd not really ran in the same circles though on account of Kade spending more time reading about birds than socialising. "Well makes sense. What are you doing out here? I was looking for a Murkrow. They're such an interesting Pokemon. One of the few birds active mostly at night. They're not easy to find once it really gets dark though."

Avril blinked slowly, noticing how the boy didn't even seem to bother introducing himself to her before going into his hunt for a Murkrow. Why anyone would be interested so intensly on those strange looking birds was beyond her grasp, but she decided not question it for the time being. Rather she merely nodded in response to the boy's question.

"Yeah... That would be where we know each other from," Avril replied. "I'm actually looking for a bird myself... Um, not a Murkrow though. I'm looking for a Pidgey to be exact. I know they're pretty common, but..." She paused, flipping to the message that had been sent by the nurse at the pok?mon center. The blonde opened up the picture attached to the message about the Pidgey, before turning her holocaster so the boy could get a glimpse of the photo. "As you can see, he's... not exactly in the best shape to be running around out here in the wild, especially at night. I found him back outside of Camphrier Town and left him at the pok?mon center... But somehow I guess he managed to slip out."

"Well that's not good." Kade said examining the image carefully, moving his face uncomfortably close to the holocaster. The Pidgey in question definitely did not look like it was in very good shape, although bandages seemed to be obscuring the worst of the damage. "Well it can't fly like that so it can't have gotten very far on its own. I'll help you look for it since Nox can see in the dark." he continued, indicating the Hoothoot on his shoulder. "Maybe I'll find that Murkrow along the way."

"Well..." Avril thought about it, mixed feelings coming to mind about the whole situation. While she really didn't want to drag someone into her own problems, the girl knew that working with someone might help her locate the Pidgey a bit faster. Eventually she decided to relent and nodded once more. "Sounds like a good idea. Besides, I'm sure two birds will be better at locating pok?mon..." Avril glanced up towards the sky and brought her hands close to her mouth. "Anise! Come on down!"

Another loud, echoing hoot filled the air in response to Avril's shout. Slowly, the large and familiar shape of her Noctowl appeared in the night sky as it gently descended towards the ground, landing softly in front of her trainer. A look of disappointment was on Anise's face as she landed, clearly not having any luck in locating the wild Pidgey so far. Avril walked foward, offering the Noctowl a weak smile as she gently patted the owl pok?mon's head.

"Don't worry... We're gonna find it," she told the Noctowl, trying her best to offer some sort of comfort to the bird.

Kade's head snapped up at the sound of the Noctowl's crie and followed the bird's flight to the ground in front of Avril. Without stopping to think or ask permission, Kade was knelt in front of the bird - nearly knocking Avril over again in the process - examining its features. For a good several minutes he looked the Noctowl up and down.

"You're quite the Noctowl." he said directly to the bird before turning back to Avril "You've done a really good job raising her. She looks so healthy and strong." then he added "Look at this Nox, you'll be all grown up like this one day." The timid Hoothoot shyly pressed itself into Kade's neck but was unable to stop itself from staring at Anise with blatant admiration.

Avril wasn't sure whether to feel complimented at her care of Anise or a bit annoyed at how the boy almost shoved her to the ground just to get a chance to fawn over the Noctowl. Still, like before she decided to just let it slide. Instead she offered the boy another smile as she walked over to join Anise's side.

"Yeah, we've been through a lot so far together. Anise was my first catch, so she's definitely one of my stronger team members," Avril explained, earning a proud hoot from said pok?mon upon being complimented in such a fashion. "But... we should probably get moving if you wanna find that Murkrow and if I hope to find that Pidgey, yeah...?"

"Oh yeah, right. We were doing that. Sorry I got distracted. Any idea which way it might have gone? Hopefully not too deep. Urban Murkrow aren't usually very territorial but the ones in the forest can be a lot more so. It'd be bad if a Pidgy that can't fly got mixed up with them." Kade said, appearing legitimately concerned for the wounded Pidgey despite having all but forgotten about it a moment ago.

"You heard him Anise, we gotta get back to work," Avril said, her face turning quite serious as a new fear came to mind about that Pidgey. The Noctowl nodded silently, before once more flapping her might wings and taking back up towards the sky once more. She circled around the two trainers slowly, before beginning to head back out towards the forest once more. "Let's get going then, um... I'm sorry, what was your name...?"

"Oh, I'm Kade. What about you?"

"I'm Avril. Nice to meet you."​

​

 

[Shak]

-Drew Tucker

Burned to Cinders, From the Bottom of your Heart​

​

?I don?t get how you have so much sway in these things. The princess really seems to not like you.? Drew mused to Paige, twirling the restored pokeball of Nebula in his hands. The two were stood atop Parfum balcony, watching over the unsuspecting party goers. Paige swilled her champagne glass, with a smirk on her face.

?It?s not who you are Drew, it?s who you know.? The girl smiled, taking a sip from her glass. ?With a list of connections like the ones you have, I would have thought you?d have learned that much by now.?

?Connections? I don?t know about that.? Drew shrugged off the insinuation about as soon as it came. He considered his parents as viable for the label of ?connections?, but given the current state of their relationship, that wasn?t really an open gate.

?You?re kidding, right? Professor Sycamore for one. He knows everyone. Then there are all your classmates. Emma Kuzunoha isn?t exactly a nobody. That Jackson Crane seems to be making a name for himself, especially with being Cynthia?s student and all.? As she listed the names, she looked across the crowd beneath them to see if she could pick out any other faces Drew was familiar with. She paused, looking down at her reflection in the champagne. ?Then you?ve got me.? She added, in a much softer tone.

Drew looked over to Paige, taking in what she just said. He looked back over the party, forfeiting to the gentle blush that washed across his face. He saw her smile in the corner of his eyes as she noticed. ?I don?t think he is Cynthia?s student.? He said flatly, changing the subject.

?Well that?s what they said on the news.? Paige sighed, more defeated in her tone than perhaps she should have been. She glanced away from Drew awkwardly, before looking down at the party again.

?Seems like getting a good story is more of a priority than facts sometimes.? Drew sighed, leaning his face against the fist.

?It always is.? Paige grumbled, finishing her glass. ?I?m gonna head down and get another drink, I?ll be back in a sec.? She grabbed her glass, and took off before Drew could invite himself.

Drew watched her leave. The moment she was out of sight, he slumped down into his chair, slapping himself on the forehead. ?Idiot.? He groaned, knowing he?d missed an opportunity. As he hit himself a second time, he remembered what she had said before she left. Getting a good story is always more important than the facts. Always. He glanced down at his bag, or more importantly, the parcel inside it. He?d been curious for some time now, but it peaked at the thought that?he had no facts. He stole the thing on a whim. He stole it hopes that it would somehow be involved in the buying process of the fossil company. It was an educated guess, but a guess none the less. He grabbed the bag, immediately taking out and tearing at the parcel.

After getting past the grossly Silph Co. centric outer layer, Drew found himself staring at yet another layer of packaging, this time, a brown envelope. With a sigh, he ripped at the envelope, and began to read the document inside. ?Dear Mr Marsden, and whomever it may concern?? Drew began to read aloud. There was no address. That was the first thing Drew noticed. How was the letter supposed to reach its intended reader with no address? He shuffled through the rest of the documents, but few had any addresses that weren?t notable. The fossil company in Ambrette Town and the bank in Lumiose city. ?I apologise greatly for this, but again I?m going to have to decline your offer once again. With the opposing bidder offering an excess sum, I will be expecting to accept that in the coming days.? He stopped reading again, noticing Paige talking to some guy at the bar. He shook off his jealousy and continued reading, with a much more determined glare. ?So whoever this Mr Marsden is, is a representative of Silph Co.?? He thought to himself aloud. Again, he shuffled through the documents beside him. Amongst the contract pages, the corresponding cover letter and necessary expenses, Drew noticed a return cheque, billed to Silph Co. themselves. What interested him though, was despite of these documents and proofs of response documents, not one was sent from Kanto. If any of this had reached Silph Co. HQ surely there would be some proof of cross regional export, but nothing. ?While I?m certainly interested in the progression of pokemon evolution, my primary field is fossils, and that is where I wish to rem-.?

?I?m baaaack!? Paige announced, much more chipper than she had been when she left. She recoiled when she saw what Drew was doing. ?You opened the parcel?? She gasped, slurring at least a couple of her words.

?I think these document might be forged.? Drew sighed. ?And if there are, I think we both know who?s involved here.? Upon turning to face her, it became very clear to him that her drink was catching up to her.

?Oh, you mean Team Cinder?? She blurted, a dopey grin on her face.

?What??

?Well yeah, they?ve been trying to buy my dad?s company, offering to fund research for some time now. He just needs to help them with, god knows what.? She shrugged, almost dismissing what she?d said as soon as it left her mouth.

?You knew about this??

?Well I?m not supposed to, but my dad keeps a journal, sooo?? She snickered, throwing herself into one of the two chairs laid at the front of the balcony.

It wasn?t easy for Drew to decipher how much of what she was saying was complete truth, and how much was messy drunk talk. Drunk as she was Paige wasn?t dumb. Even if she wasn?t intentionally letting this slip, it was unlikely to him that any of it was nonsense. ?We need to get you home.?

?Nooo, I wanna saty?stay here with you and Sycorie.? She groaned, telling Drew pretty much all he needed to know. She kicked and fussed, but through all the heels to the shin and ankles, Drew eventually managed to get a taxi for Ambrette Town.

With Paige gone and any enjoyment he wouldve gotten from the party now down the drain, Drew returned his attentions to the parcel. The whole thing was really wracking his brain.

Spoiler:

: 400

Poke Ball X 2

Apricorn X 1

*image removed* Chesto Berry X1

*image removed* Cheri Berry X1

*image removed* Pecha Berry X1​

Parfum Palace - Balcony​

 

[LinearAxel]

It's Not Always
Black and White

- Featuring Drew Tucker, Sebastian Allender, and Chris Rodriguez -

Current Team - Drew:

Current Team - Sebastian:

Current Team - Chris:

Chance Encounters

---

Current Location : Parfum Palace - Gardens​

The hours had ticked by, and yet this party showed no signs of stopping. Sebastian had long since lost sight of Peri, and he was somewhat certain Lillie had snuck away some hours ago. Leaving him in a room of (mostly drunk) strangers, their combined body heat making the room incredibly warm, and Sebastian was somewhat certain if one more person carelessly knocked into him he was going to have a small meltdown in the center of the dance floor.

He draws in an exhausted breath as he glances to the nearest window. The loud music forbids him from hearing it, yet he can see droplets of rain smashing roughly against the glass, and suddenly he's hit with an overwhelming desire to step outside. He presses his back to the wall closest to the exit and waits until he's certain no one is looking in his direction, and then slides out the door.

As the music and mindless chatter is silenced by the closed door, replaced with the delicate patter of rain, Sebastian can feel his mental stability returning. Releasing the stale air from his lungs, he reaches for Svana's Pokeball, calling her out once more. The Ducklett lets out a cry of delight as the rainwater dances off her feathers, and she immediately waddles towards a nearby puddle, this one has good splashing potential.

Sebastian's backside melts into the wall as he closes his eyes, breathing in the calm. Something that only lasts for a moment, before the sensation of eyes on him becomes undeniable. He turns his head to see...a strange sight: A man in a white lab coat sitting on a bench in the midst of the rain storm. His hair is drenched, and his body is slumped down in a defeated manner. From the look of his clothing and hair, he's been out here for hours. A sorrow fills Sebastian's chest as he takes in the sad sight, and he soon realizes he has lost his ability to leave well enough alone. He pushes himself from the wall and walks over, the rain quickly soaking through his blazer as he approaches the distraught scientist.

Drew flinched as yet another droplet of rain splashed across his nose. Aside from a disgruntled sniffle, the boy had no response. Instead, he continued to stare down at the the key detail laid out on the page before him. A letter sent to a representative...Team Cinder? A cheque? For the last hour or so, Drew had been sitting outside of Parfum Palace, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. The rest of the documents were completely irrelavent to him at that point. What were his parents doing involved with Team Cinder? What was Paige's dad doing involved with Team Cinder? What was Sycamore doing involved with team Cinder? The whole thing was a mess. Not that the bank would care. It made no sense to him. He couldnt face Paige now though. The fact that she knew all along made it sting even more. Was she in on this? He couldnt say too much to anyone until he knew that she wasnt involved.

Chris felt cold. He felt wet. He felt like he was lying in a bush.

Why the **** was he lying in a bush? The past twenty four hours had all been a bit of a blur. He'd helped that weird psychic girl sort of solve a mystery, and then they'd gone to a party together? Oh god did he get drunk?

Slowly things began to piece themselves back together.

"Dios mío, me va a matar." Chris groaned as he pulled his mud covered self out of the bush he'd passed out in. He should probably find Sebastian or Violet.

As he heard rustling in the bushes, Drew quickly stuffed the pages back into the parcel they'd come in, then stuffed the parcel in his bag.

"Excuse me..." Sebastian questions. The scientist had taken off his glasses and begun to clean them, so it was possible that he had not seen Sebastian coming, and yet he hardly looked surprised by his presence. He placed the glasses back on his head and quickly looked the teen up and down.

"You wish to know why I'm out here at this hour, in the pouring rain, I take it?" The scientist asks, a chilling calmness in his sorrowed tone.

"...Yes."

At this point Svana had strayed several feet away from her trainer. She leaped from puddle to puddle, attempting small pirouettes in the air before landing. Soon she finds herself close to several bushes that outline the castle, her head tilting curiously as the bushes begin to rustle. She pushes a few branches back with her wing and peers inside to see.

Climbing from the bush, Chris watched as the small duck Pokémon was almost knocked away as branches went swinging everywhere.

"Sorry buddy" Chris mumbled as he tried brushing off his jacket, "say... you look familiar."

Gazing around the dark landscape as the rain poured overhead, Chris did finally catch a glimpse of some red hair sticking out from behind a nearby tree.

"Sebastian?" Chris called out in a strained tone, his voice breaking after all the strain he had put on it during the party the night before. "Come on buddy." He called to the little duck as he began heading towards the red haired figure.

As Drew heard the all too familiar accented voice call out, he instantly scowled. He peered over to where the rustling had come from, noticing Chris Roddi stumbling through the palace grounds. Rather than confront the man seemingly involved in whatever his parents had been planning, he opted to hang back, as see whatever this meeting he was having with Seb and their scientist looking friend was all about.

Svana jumped in surprise as the branches she had so gingerly moved aside return with a vengeance. She is about to fly back to Sebastian when the cause steps forward...it's the human from the party, the one that got Sebastian to dance. She begins to descend back to the ground, only pausing for a split second to take note of another human head behind the bushes.

"Lett?" She asks, gesturing back to the bushes with her wing.

"...You're being summoned." Colress nods in Chris' direction. The rain had made him almost inaudible, yet the scientist was able to make out the man calling out, and could only imagine he was beckoning for the young trainer that sat beside him.

Sebastian turned his head, his eyes widening at the sight of his ghost-chasing companion. "Chris!" He quickly stood and rushed to the exhausted looking trainer.

Chris waved to his red haired friend and the strangely familiar man on the bench, but not before catching a glimpse of the small duck Pokémon motioning towards a bush. Listening to his instincts he reached for his belt and tossed forward a Pokéball in an attempt to scare away any wild Pokémon that might be hiding there.

However what Chris wasn't expecting as his newly evolved Doublade spring forward in the flash of red light, was to see the small form of a human boy hiding in the bushes. Another familiar face, this one belonging to an all too familiar human boy.

"YOU LITTLE ****." Chris swore, his voice breaking and causing him to feel like his throat was bleeding. "Here to steal more things from people just trying to do their job eh Puta?"

"Just tryin to do your job? Is that what you call it?" Drew spat back, a steely glare on his face as he scrambled to his feet. He couldnt explain it, but the instantaneous burst of anger he get from seeing Chris again made him lose almost all sense of restraint. "I suppose if you get paid for burning down forests and cloning pokemon then you assholes would call it a job." He snarled, clenching his fists.

"The hell are you talking about? The Santalune wildfire? I'll be scared for the rest of my life due to that ****! Scars I got, Saving wild ****ing Pokémon from being burned to death!" Chris seethed, raising his finger in a dramatic jabbing motion. The Doublade hovering over Drew remained silent as it watched the two humans argue, its gaze watching both of them cautiously and awaiting a command from its faithful tactician. "And whats this **** about cloning Pokémon? Sounds like something your parents would be doing, not me!"

"I dont care who does it. It's all in the name of Team Cinder, right?" Drew scoffed. "You can have your damn parcel back." He grabbed the opened package from his bag and tossed it on the ground. He turned his back to Chris, and began to stomp away.

"Duck! Lett!" Svana shouts for the two humans to stop fighting, and yet her tiny stature and tiny voice seem to go unnoticed. She looks helplessly to her trainer, pleading for him to talk some sense into the two. As Sebastian steps between the two, the little duckling scurries back to the bench, wanting to stay a healthy distance from the yelling. She finds herself being picked up by the man in the white coat, and set by his side. The scientist is watching the three teens interact with a calm expression; one leg folded over the other, his chin delicately pressed against his knuckles.

Sebastian has managed to force himself between the two, his arm extended in front of Drew in hopes of keeping him from getting too far. "Drew, wait. Chris, don't…" He looks between the two, confusion painted in his eyes. "You know about Cinder?"

"I bet this asshole knows all about them, considering he was passing letters on their behalf." Drew grumbled, in the same quietly furious tone as when he'd tossed the parcel on the ground.

"Who the **** is 'Team Cinder'? I got that letter from the stupid omnisexual professor, to deliver to YOUR parents you spoiled rich brat! You know what? No. I'm not having any more of this." Chris hissed, snapping his fingers as the blade Pokémon whom had been awaiting a command finally acted, reaching forward with its cloth arms and begining to entangle the teenage boy. "You're going to start talking, and i'm not letting you go until i'm happy with the ****ing answers this time."

Stomping forward, Chris snatched the muddy package off the ground. "First Question. Who the **** is Team Cinder. "

Drew stood firm, maintaining the same steely glare he'd had for some time now. Despite his entanglement, the boy didnt dare flinch. "You're the one with explaining to do. How about you read the documents you were delivering? The ones that are blatantly in favour of Cinder using fossil technology to manipulate pokemon evolution. Is that why you were so fascinated with rocks, postman Rodriguez?" His glare intensified, as he began to put the pieces together.

"I was told... by one of the most respected people in Kalos. To deliver. A ****ing. Letter." Chris seethed. "I didn't even WANT to do it."

Trembling with rage, Chris raised his hand. "Incase you didn't remember, a letter that was adressed to your parents... furthermore... I don't know who this 'Team Cinder' is, and I expect somebody is going to tell me. However, whats so wrong with using the past to further the human race? Isn't that what history is there for? Learning from the past is the only way anyone can excel. Seems like these guys were just trying to do science. Sure, maybe their methods were a bit dark. Guess what. We wouldn't have half of todays medicines if it wasn't for testing on people and Pokémon. Now i'm going to ask you, ONE more time... and for your sake, I really hope you answer me this time. What. The ****. Is going on."

"NO." Sebastian snapped, his voice loud and commanding, and yet it held no malice, no anger, only a great deal of seriousness. He quickly places himself between the ghostly sword and the younger teen, batting the cloth like arm away with his arm. "We. Are not. Doing this."

"Ducklett!" Svana cries as her trainer stands between a ghostly sword and its target. She spreads her wings to fly when a soft hand slides in front of her face.

This escalated quickly. Colress adjusts his glasses as he stands, before he notices an Eevee sniffing around the bench he was just sitting on. "Arent you supposed to be extinct in this region?" He muses, staring down at the X-shaped scar on the pokemon's cheek. She seems hesitant, but the man holds her gaze. Something about him seems different. "Come, I feel like you can help me here." He smiles in an attempt to pick her up, but the Eevee hisses.

Calmly, he approaches the three trainers, having given up on the scar faced Eevee. "It's fascinating how quickly youths resort to violence." He speaks, moreso thinking out loud than anything else. He turns his attention to Chris, his expression calm, with a hint of sorrow. This one sounds painfully like he once did. "Would you please release the boy, so we may discuss this reasonably?"

"Tucker, if you try and run I will not hesitate to have Whisper decapitate you. Don't... ****ing... tempt me." Chris seethed as Whisper began to untangle the boy.

That scientist looking fellow really sounded familiar. Chris pondered on it for a moment before shunning the thought. It wasn't important at this moment. He looked at Sebastian out of the corner of his eye. The boy seemed calm. Who knew what was really going on inside his head though. Chris took a deep breath and lowered his clenched fists to his sides before remembering he was clutching the Parcel in his hands.

Good, that's a start. There's no reason for anyone to be hurt over what can so easily be resolved with simple words. Colress looks between the three; judging from their facial expressions and words...yelled, mostly, Drew is very aware of this Team Cinder, Sebastian has only just become aware, and Chris...is oblivious (It tends to be the oblivious ones that resort to violence).

"Drew, was it?" Yes, that's what Sebastian called him. "Please tell these two what you know about Team Cinder-- without making any accusations, and without shouting slander."

As the man spoke, Sebastian stepped back between Drew and Chris. Right now it just seems like asking for trouble, having them stand so close to one another.

"And who-" Drew began, before collecting himself. He didn't really have any reason to be annoyed with the scientist as far as he knew. "For starters I know that they were almost responsible for killing most of our peers. Pretty much everyone that got caught up in the Santalune forest fire has them to thank." He began, with a snide yet remourseful tone. "They've been all over the news. How do you not know?" Drew finally asked defeatedly.The surprise more than anything washing away the flame of emotion that once burned so harshly in his eyes.

Colress resists the need to wrinkle his face in displeasure at the accusation. Of course he knew about the verified actions of Team Cinder, one could hardly read a research article without there being some mention of them; the young man with the ghostly swords, however, seemed to know next to nothing. "I never said I didn't know about them, I merely asked what you knew about them. You sound as if you were involved directly."

Chris turned in confusion from the scientist to the obnoxious young boy. He'd thought the fire was an accident caused by some reckless trainers with fire type Pokèmon. Apparently there was some ironically named 'Team Cinder'? That didn't sit well with Chris. What could be gained by an organization burning down a forest? Fame, or Infamy rather? The removal of a witness? Evidence? Were they looking for something? His head started throbbing as he attempted to process thr information.

"Now cloning..." Drew bit his lip, mulling over the idea that Team Cinder may be cloning pokemon and what that meant. "They're trying to buy Manning's Fossil Company. That's what's in those documents. The document that Chris was delivering for Sycamore...to my parents. And from the cheque that was cut, it looks like Mr Manning knew exactly who his big bidders were." He sighed, a grim expression on his face.

"Sycamore?" Sebastian repeats. Their professor is involved in this? He couldn't possibly be working with them, could he? It doesn't add up, and yet… "If you have the cheque, does that mean the transaction is incomplete?"

"Cloning..." Colress nods, his eyes distant, as if he's thinking of something completely different. Cloning is a very precise process, and when done improperly it can be incredibly dangerous. When done properly...it could give this Team Cinder an army of prehistoric Pokemon. "Do these documents explain what they're planning to do with the company?" Creating Pokemon to use for their own, or selling them in order to gain funds for something even grander, either way...

"I dont know if the transaction's done. I'm hoping that me stealing the package intercepted it." The youngest of the four present clenched his fists, a determined expression now on his face. "From what I read, the documents seem pretty bogstandard. I plan on heading to Cyllage town now, to get the info straight from the source."

"Before you leave..." Colress quickly interrupted. "What makes you think that your influence alone will be enough to intercept the transaction?"

"It has to be me. I'm seeing this from a completely different perspective, since me and Mr Manning may have similar interests right now." He shrugged, his mind instantly drifting to the manner in which he'd abandoned Paige. He felt pretty ****ty about it, but he didnt doubt he'd see her again. Whatever she remembered of that night would really affect how their interaction went.

"Take offense if you will, but I've seen far superior figures than you try to shoulder similar burdens. It hasnt turned out well for them either." Colress added.

"I'll keep that in mind." Drew responded calmly, turning away from the group. He was silent for a moment, before a grin slipped across his lips. "Oh and Chris...if I find out you are involved in Cinder..." He said nothing else after that, before walking away.

Chris rolled his eyes at Drew. The boy was an obnoxious little ****. He did have some useful information though, this 'Team Cinder' were clearly people to watch out for. What they did behind closed doors didn't concern Chris that much, but they didn't seem to want to stay that way. If they reared their head again, it could be in a very public way. That would mean their goals weren't as noble as creating medicine to cure disease.

However the fact that they were after fossils, and trying to use the restoration technology to effect cloning wasn't good. Scientifically it was ingenious, steps beyond what Team Rocket or Team Plasma had done in the past with Pokémon like MewTwo or Genesect. However the dangers of restoring something en masse could destabilize ecosystems. Not to mention Pokémon were already basically nuclear bombs when trained properly. Hell, Chris had seen what a Hyper Beam could do.

"Whisper, you can leave him." Chris called as his dual blade Pokémon had began to follow Drew away. "He's not going to try anything else tonight."

Chris turned to Seb who was looking very confused. "We can call the professor later. Figure out whats going on, and apparently catch me up on the recent news..." He turned to the calm and collected scientist. "You were in Lumiose." Chris said, finally recalling seeing the man in the alleyway. "I doubt it's coincidence that you happen to be here too."

Colress took a moment to look at the sky before responding, not turning to face the boy.

"You're from Unova yes? What do you remember about Team Plasma." He said finally.

Chris cocked his head curiously. "They were lead by a king named... N? To free Pokémon from human 'slavery' and the like. Well, at first anyway. Then came the trainers from Nuvema town, with the counterpart to his legendary dragon. Truth and Ideals clashed, and in the end N realized that they were never in opposition in the first place, disbanding the group."

Colress nodded before continuing. "However that wasn't the end. Two years later, a foolish young scientist was recruited by the mastermind behind the scenes. A foolish scientist who thought that there was no cost too high for furthering the pursuit of science."

Chris suddenly realized exactly whom he was speaking to. It wasn't common knowledge who the scientist was, but his research into fossils and the legends of Unova had led him to some research papers at the Nacrene city museum. Reports written by a 'Colress' on a Pokémon that had been restored and altered by Team Plasma. The very Pokémon which had just been on his mind. Genesect.

"Then the... Neo Team Plasma came and tried to freeze the region using the powers of Kyurem." Chris continued.

A small smile began to itch over Colress' face as he began to remember the exhilerating feeling of working on the machinery that helped with that.

"In the end, they were stopped by more of Juniper's Pokédex holders." Chris finished.

"Such power those trainers were able to bring forth from their Pokémon. I saw that same potential in you in Lumiose... and some of your cohorts." The scientist responded. "Simply believing in your Pokémon will not guarantee that you can do everything you want. But there are many things that are guaranteed to fail if you do not believe in them. It is the trust between a Trainer and a Pokémon alone that can overcome those hurdles! However perhaps as we've learned today... that trust must also extend to your fellow trainers? If you continue to bicker betwixt yourselves, this Team Cinder will go unapposed. I worked with Team Plasma, and I know what kind of corrupt goals Ghetsis had intended. Yet even he never extended to burning down forrests... I suppose freezing them is close, but that is beside the point i'm trying to reach."

Chris sighed. It wasn't like he could have known that Sycamore was delivering things for Team Cinder... but the man had a point. Maybe he should have tried to dig deeper after his first encounter with Drew. Although... that did raise the question of who the hell the guy with the Arbok had been. Was he Team Cinder? Yet again, if he was why would he have let them go...

"Here. Something to remind you of our little chat. I hope you understand what i'm trying to say." Colress stated, holding out three small pins he pulled from his pocket. "And... Chris was it? Will you make sure the young man gets one too?"

Chris looked at the pins. Small shields emblazoned with the lettert P. Taking two, he went over and handed the last one to Sebastian.

"Thank you." Sebastian nods, taking the pin delicately. He wasn't sure what this was for, besides a simple reminder...to never let a single desire consume your very being. Sebastian thought back to the gun in his bag. Even if he was faced with his earlier situation again, would he be comfortable taking another life to spare his own? Was that something he could lvie with?

"Perhaps you can find use for these, as well." Colress speaks as he reaches into his lab coat pocket, retrieving several CDs, each with the number 74 written on the case. "It's quite the beneficial move for Pokemon like your Doublade." He says, once more giving his attention to Chris.

The coloring of the disk indicates a steel type move, a type Sebastian was yet to obtain. Perhaps it would come in handy somewhere down the line. "You're much too kind."

"Hardly." Colress offers a small smile. Hopefully his cautioinary tale will get through to these three young men. Hopefully...they will have learned something.

​

[/color]​

 

[gimmepie]

Kade and Avril

The duo of trainers began to make their way through the winding and lush forest off the side of the main road of Palais Lane. Even with Avril using her holocaster as a sort of makeshift flashlight and the combination of Kade's Hoothoot and her own Noctowl, the going was slow... much more than Avril would have preferred. A look of annoyance was starting to grace the girl's features as they passed a moss-covered rock for what had to have been the third time. There still had not been any sign of the Pidgey that she was searching for, much less any sign of the Murkrow that Kade wanted to find.

"There has got to be another way to track down these birds in the middle of the night," Avril sighed, glancing over towards Kade as she spoke. "Are you sure you don't know of any other way we could try and find these things...? Maybe they could be attracted to something?"

"Murkrow are attracted to anything shiny." Kade replied immediately, not pausin for even a second to think. "Pidgey is trickier, only really food is going to attract them and that's going to be hard if its on foot. They walk really slowly." Unlike Avril, Kade wasn't getting particularly frustrated, he was however concerned that there was a flightless Pidgey wandering around at night. He racked his brains for things that might make it easier to attract a Pidgey but was coming up blank. "It'd be a lot easier to scare it off than get it to come closer in all honesty."

"I'm starting to wish I had taken a bag of food or something with me from that party..." Avril groaned. She really didn't know that this was how she was going to be spending the rest of the night, but hindsight is always a common factor in situations such as this. Of course, maybe if that whole fight with Emma wouldn't have escalated even more... "I almost want to say we should just wait and try again in the morning, but... I dunno how well that Pidgey would fair waiting like that..."

Before Avril could go on any further, Nox suddenly started hooting, chirping and otherwise making a fuss on Kade's shoulder. Kade turned to look at the bird to see it gesturing to the side with its wings. Kade squinted, trying to see through the darkness. Unbelievably, he could just make out the form of a bandaged Pidgey cowering underneath a thick tree.

"What luck!" Kade said, showing the most enthusiasm he'd been seen with in a while, "It's right over there, Avril." He pointed towards the spot where the Pidgey was situated, but before either of them could get anywhere near it several dark shadows rocketed out of the brush around them. In the chaos and darkness it took even Kade several moment to realise it was a group of Murkrow grabbing the other bird. The Pidgey screeched as the Dark types took off with it gripped between them and flew back through the brush, Flying low to hide from pursuers.

Avril stood with wide eyes, shock evident on her face as she watched the Pidgey being carried off. The girl wasted no time in quickly scrambling behind the birds, trying her best to try and follow the path they just took. The blonde nearly stumbled over a low branch, but managed to catch herself as she started fumbling further through the darkness. She could hear the hurrying footprints of Kade following behind her as well as as the worried hooting of his Hoothoot, still presumably riding on his shoulder or at the very least fluttering close behind. Eventually, Avril seemed to come to some sort of clearing that she was fairly sure that the duo had never reached before. At first, all was quiet... with nothing, but pitch black all around her. Avril felt her unease growing as she slowly began to take a look around, the scene quickly shifting to something that looked to be ripped straight out of a horror movie. A large set of red eyes seemed to glow straight before her in the darkness, being quickly followed by a multitude of smaller, red eyes all doing the same. A series of screeches and "caws" began to fill the air.

Avril slowly brought her holocaster up, her eyes narrowing as the shapes of many Murkrow began to take form around her. But what caught her attention the most was the bird pokémon before her. It was large, much larger than the rest of the Murkrow, with a white tuft of feathers on his chest that almost made it look as though he had a beard. The bird was much more imposing than the rest of the Murkrow, causing Avril to suddenly regret rushing off so far ahead as she did.

"Kade...? I um... I think I found the Murkrow nest..." she managed to stammer out.

"Woah." Kade said, sounding more awed than fearful, perhaps not fully grasping the danger of the situation they were in. He'd been looking for a Murkrow and he'd hit the jackpot. Not only was he surrounded by Murkrow, but directly ahead of him was a large, proud-looking Honchkrow. "Yeah, we did. That Honchkrow is probably their leader. Honchkrow in the wild usually have a whole flock of Murkrow doing their bidding. This is amazing." Nox squeaked from Kade's shoulder, huddling up against Kade. Unlike it's trainer, it was feeling more like Avril. The assembled Dark types began cawing louder and frenziedly flapping their wings as the Honchkrow sat their staring intensely at the inadvertant intruders.

"This is amazing...? Those things look like they're about ready to peck and claw our eyes out! What is this guy's deal...?" Avril thought as she stared at Kade. She was beginning to think that the boy had a few screws loose at this point, that or he had a deep fascination of things of the feathered variety that some professional, psychological help might be required for. Avril opened her mouth, finally ready to try and set Kade straight, when the sound of some weakened chirping quickly caught her attention. The girl quickly glanced down at the feet of the Honchkrow, seeing the Pidgey she had been looking for now wriggling and squirming on the ground. The Honchkrow was keeping the wounded bird pinned down below him. In fact, the more Avril looked around, the more she noticed several wild Pidgey also located around the area. Many of them looked rather nervous and uneasy and many trembled at the presence of all the Murkrow and the Honchkrow before them. "What the hell does that overgrown feather pillow think he's doing...?"

"I don't know, but I think we're going to have to stop it." Kade said, looking around at the assembled Murkrow "The good news there, is that if we beat him the Murkrow won't touch us. The bad news is, they'll attack us before that happens and there's rather a lot of them. I think if we're going to battle the Honchkrow we'll need to run crowd control on the Murkrow too. Sound good to you?" he asked nonchalantly.

Avril nodded, not knowing much of whatelse she could think of at this point. As if on cue, Anise descended from the sky and landed before the duo. The Noctowl took sight of the Pidgey around her being kept under check by the Murkrow, in particular those who appeared to be practically baby Pidgeys, before letting a loud, angry hoot. It seemed that the owl pokémon was more than ready to battle too. Taking a bit of solace in that fact, Avril grabbed three of the pokéballs off of her bracelet and sent out her Frogadier, Mareep, and Leafeon to join up beside Anise.

​

Kade reached for his own three remaining occipied pokeballs, releasing Stratus, Contrail and Arcus into the air in front of him. Taking a second to look over the area he made his decision about who would be doing what. It made sense to tackle the Honchkrow with some power, but he was going to want his faster birds holding back the Murkrow to make sure none slipped through.

"Stratus, Contrail. I need you guys to keep those Murkrow from getting in the way. Arcus, you're battling the Honchkrow." His Staravia and Fletchinder immediately spread apart and began circling around the area, striking at any Murkrow who attempted to fly past them as the clearing suddenly erupted with hundreds of flapping wings, filling the space with a sound like thunder. His Spearow remained flapping in front of him. "No time like the present then. Arcus, use Aerial Ace!"

Kade's Spearow flapped up a few feet higher before snapping its wings shut and hurtling towards the Honchkrow like a javelin. However, before attack hit, the Honchkrow suddenly lashed out with a wing cloaked in a faint purple light. Arcus was smacked away and send tumbling back through the air, only able to right himself when he was right back where he started.

"I guess it knows Sucker Punch then." Kade stated flatly.

"Need some help?" Avril questioned. "Maybe we should double team it?"

"That would be good, yes." Kade replied.

"You heard him! Attack it with Echoed Voice, Anise!" Avril ordered. "Shino, Marble, Salad, you guys help keep the Murkrow at bay!"

Anise flew into the sky, joining Kade's Spearow in the air. She took a deep breath, before unleashing a loud and boisterous screech into the air. Avril herself had to cover her ears as a result of the attack. The wild Honchkrow seemed to be taken back as well. The big, black bird visibly winced as it seemed to be dealing with the aftermath of Anise's echoing screech.

Kade, hands also over his ears, took the opportunity to further incapacitate the big black bird.

"Nox, Feather Dance!" he instructed, surprising the tiny bird and sending it practically stumbling into action as it hastily flabbed towards the space above the reeling Honchkrow and begun twirling around over its head, releasing a rain of shimmering white feathers over it that dulled its Attack. "Arcus, let's do something about its Defense too, Leer!" Arcus dived for the larger bird, pulling up just before its face. The Spearow's eyes flashed red the light reflecting in the eyes of the Honchkrow. The Honchkrow launched a counter attack, trying to strike out at Arcus with a glowing wing but the Spearow flapped hard, rising up and narrowly avoidng the attack... only to take a hit from the other wing and get sent catapulting through the air again.

Anise watched as Arcus was taken down by yet another attack . The blonde trainer quickly ordered her Noctowl to attack with a Peck attack. The Noctowl flew straight towards the Honchkrow, preparing to slam her beak right into the wild pokémon. However, the Honchkrow seemed to be prepared to counter Anise this time. Much like it had with Kade's Spearow, the Honchkrow slammed a glowing wing right into Anise. The Noctowl hooted in annoyance as she fell back, glaring angrily at the Honchkrow.

It seemed like the Honchkrow wasn't going to be going down any time soon, but the longer the battle drew on the harder it would be for them to come out on top. Kade took a quick look around the area, seeing that at least their assembled Pokemon were successfully keeping the armada of Murkrow at bay.

"Arcus, fly in close and then drop!" Kade called out to his Spearow, the Flying type springing into action as it rounded on the Honckrow again. Arcus flew for the black bird, soaring for it at near top speed. Again, the Honchkrow lashed out with a glowing wing, but before the counterattack collided, Arcus dropped to the ground at its feet. "Fury Attack!" Kade instructed, Arcus rearing back its head before it repeatedly thrust its beak forward like a mechanical piston. The Honchkrow was struck repeatedly, feeling the attacks more because of its lowered defense but it wasn't nearly enough to finish the job on the bigger Pokemon. The Honchkrow finally took to the air, its claws becoming pitch black and glowing with a purple light as it raked them over the top of Arcus, flying straight for Anise.

"Anise, dive and try to get behind it!" Avril shouted.

The Noctowl quickly began to drop to the ground, managing to just barely dodge the Honchkrow's attack. She quickly spun around, rising back up into the air where she now flew behind the wild pokémon. Without a moment's delay, Anise slammed her beak right into the Honchkrow's backside. The black bird let out a loud, angry squawk in response as it turned back around, glaring at the Noctowl before trying to attack with its claws once more.

"Aerial Ace!" Kade called out as the Honchkrow closed in on Anise. Before it could make contact, Arcus launched from above it and struck it in the back like a spear, surprising it and sending it plummeting to the ground where it landed directly next to Avril's Mareep in a cloud of dirt.

Marble jumped, seemingly startled by the sudden crash of the Honchkrow. The Mareep stared at the Honchkrow curiously for a moment before the orb on the tip of its tail began to glow witha bright, static-filled energy. Avril smiled, proud of the little sheep as she knew exactly what to do.

"Marble, Electro Ball!" Avril ordered.

The Mareep let out a proud mewl as a ball of pure, electric energy shot out from her tail and slammed right into the Honchkrow. The wild pokémon let out an echoing, curdling screech as the attack connected, causing every pokémon present in the area to stare in silence.

From it's place on the ground, the Honchkrow shakily looked around. The Murkrow had stopped fighting, their eyes locked expectantly on their leader. The Hochkrow's own eyes began to fill with concern, if it couldn't get back up it'd lose everything it had built for itself. It tried to struggle back into the air, flapping with all its strength. The bird just barely made it off the ground before falling back to the soil beneath - just that action alone an impressive feat. Kade crossed the space between himself and the injured Honchkrow and knelt at its side. The bird looked back up at him, wearing an expression of utter defeat.

"It must be tough being in charge with all their expectations. Why don't you come with me and take a break from all that?" Kade didn't wait for a reply, he pulled out the flight ball he had received from Sky and clicked the button at the centre, drawing the Honchkrow inside. The ball didn't even shake before completing the catch. Kade stood back up to see the flock of Murkrow disassembling and exiting the clearing. "Well that was an experience."

"Tell me about it," Avril replied, watching in amazement as all of the Murkrow dispersed. The trainer noticed that as the black birds left, the Pidgey began to all slowly regain their composure. The birds all began to flutter to the ground, all of them looking quite relieved to see their captors gone. "What do you think this was all about?"

"It kind of looked like they were putting the Pidgey to work or something. I've never heard of anything like it before and I've read a lot about Murkrow." Kade offered "We should grab that injured one and take it back to the Pokemon Centre."

Avril nodded and made her way towards the injured pokémon. A look of caution was in his eyes as Avril knelt down. The trainer seemed to notice this and smiled gently.

"Don't worry, I'm just gonna take you back to the center so you can get fixed up properly," Avril assured. She noticed the concern on the Pidgey's face over leaving the area again. "You came back to help the others... would you feel better if I left someone here while you were gone to watch over things?"

The Pidgey didn't seem to argue the matter. "Anise, can you handle things here for the night? We'll be back first thing in the morning." Anise nodded in agreement, the large owl making her way to the baby Pidgey she noticed earlier.

"You're good at playing the hero." Kade acknowledged, watching how well Avril handled the situation.

---

Spoiler: Kade's Inventory

- 1 Pokédex
- 500Poké
- 3 Potions
- 2 Poké Balls
- 1 Flight Ball
- Bug Bite (TM)
- Aerial Ace (TM)
- Sky Drop (TM)
- Ice Beam (TM)

 

[Sephear]

Silent Partings & Loud Awakenings

​

Current Party:

A calm breeze blew across Camphrier town and the surrounding countryside, rustling bushes, bending grass and of course rustling the hair of two young trainers sitting asleep side by side on a makeshift log bench at a humble campsite. A Growlithe lay across both of their laps, occasionally rumbling happily deep in his throat and pawing the air. The young girl, Emma Kuzonoha's head rested comfortably upon the young man Laurent Hessel's shoulder, golden locks glimmering in the fresh sunlight.

Emma shifted around until she finally found herself awake. She rubbed her eyes as the breeze blew by her face. Still dazed, she looked around her surroundings. I must of dozed off... she pondered. That was until, she noticed Laurent was right by her. She leaped backwards in a brief surprise, but eventually remembered she wanted to stay by his campsite. Until she dozed off, of course. She blushed in embarrassment, and covered her cheeks with both her hands to hide it. She then noticed, Laurent was still fast asleep, alongside his Growlithe. Emma got over her blush, and slowly stood up.

I... should go, she thought to herself. I shouldn't wake him. Poor thing must of been exhausted from that rescue... she looked back at him as she quietly made her leave. Suddenly she stopped, to look over back to him. She went over back to him to get something from her bag - her old jacket she was wearing while she was with the force. She then gently placed it over Laurent and his Growlithe, before making her leave once more.

I have to start moving on too, she then thought to herself, as she entered the town. This is just one more reason that I must become stronger. I must.

Ten more minutes of relative silence continued after Emma's departure before Laurent began to stir. His eyes drifted open slowly and proper awareness of the world was even a bit slower behind them. Apollo yawned when he felt Laurent start to move around and stood up to stretch. He still felt warm despite the campfire having died some time ago, that was when he noticed the jacket that wasn't his, which identified itself with a patch on the left side of its chest. "Emma...I'll have to return this to her..." He smiled wistfully and suddenly found himself lonely. He sat there for a few more minutes before finally forcing himself to get up, folding the jacket as carefully as possible and putting it in his backpack for the next time he ran into Emma.

"It's a new day... Let us go and meet it, Apollo." Laurent told his Growlithe before returning him. He was deep enough in thought when he re-entered Camphrier as to not even notice having passed the arch of the town gate. I must get stronger and fast. Cinder can't be allowed to do as they please...you want to look down on me, Gabriel? Fine, for every ten steps you take I'll just have to take a thousand...But how? It was almost immediately upon that thought taking route that Laurent's view of the ground shortly in front of him was interrupted by a pair of feet in socks and blocky wooden sandals? "Those look traditional, must be from Johto or Kanto...most likely Johto.

"Very astute observation young man." Somehow Laurent had not until that moment made the connection that seeing feet likely meant a person was attached to them and upon realizing just how dazed he had been, slowly rose his eyes to the speaker. It was an old man with long white hair and a very prosperous, even longer white beard. He wore austere blue robes that stopped just above the uncomfortably-shod looking feet that Laurent had discovered him by in the first place. The strangest thing about the old man's appearance, however, was a necklace made of pokéballs resting underneath his chin. "These sandals are, in fact, from the Johto region, as are I and the rest of my apparel. It's a pleasure to meet you." The old man finished, putting his hands together behind his sleeves and bowing to the young trainer.

"I see... you've traveled quite far then, what brings you all the way out to Camphrier town, sir, if I may ask?" Laurent questioned, raising an eyebrow.

At his question, Laurent could swear the old man's eyes twinkled and he grinned widely. "I have come here for yet another stop on my endless journey around the world, granting what strength I can to those worthy. You see, my boy, I am the Evolution Sage. I find promising trainers who seek power they could not otherwise attain for one of their pokémon and if they pass my trial, I grant them a stone to evolve that pokémon."

This time it was Laurent's turn to get a glimmer in his eyes. "....Might you have Firestones?"

"Of course, I carry plenty! I come from a village in one of Johto's mountain ranges that makes most of its living through the trading of evolutionary stones, our home is graced with one of the rare mines where a steady supply of them can be gathered."

"Then I challenge you!" Laurent responded, tightening his fist. "I need to get stronger, and I just so happen to have a pokémon that can only evolve with a firestone."

The old man smirked at him "Let's see, then."

Apollo was released without another second wasted to bark excitedly and loll his tongue in the open air. After a brief pause to sniff the air Apollo's gaze grew more serious and he stared intently at the sage, shocking Laurent. "Apollo?" He was met with a very certain bark in response. Who is this man?

The evolution sage walked a safe distance away from Laurent and took one of the orbs from his necklace. "Are you certain you want to do this, son? I should warn you you'll be at a distinc advantage."

"That simply means I have even more to learn from the encounter!" Laurent countered.

"Well said!" The Sage replied, tossing the pokéball and releasing a Wartortle onto the impromptu battlefield. "Wartortle, please start things off by showing this young man your Hydro Pump.

"What?!" Laurent exclaimed. "Apollo, use Agility and dodge it!" Apollo barked an affirmative and began to run as the Wartortle took a deep breath, belly expanding momentarily before expelling a powerful jet of water! And yet...that's all it was, the attack seemed so underwhelming, barely even blasting any of the dirt away where it struck after missing Apollo."

"Oops, silly me, that was just Water Gun!" The Sage shouted jovially, rubbing the back of his head in mock embarrassment.

"Really, what kind of under hande-"

"Skull Bash."

Laurent nearly bit his tongue as he let go of the words he'd been going to say and changed gears. "Apollo, quick, hit it with Takedown before it charges its attack!" He was too late, though. The Wartortle had actually started preparing its Skull Bash as soon as it finished its water gun, and the revelation of the old sage's prank had merely been a distraction to give it some extra time. Wartortle already had its head fully sunk into its shell when Apollo charged at it and right before the Growlithe reached his target the Wartortle launched off the ground with blurring speed. Both pokémon collided, but Skull Bash was a stronger attack than Takedown and Wartortles have harder skulls than Growlithes to begin with.

The competitors were sent flying, but Wartortle managed to right itself whereas Apollo landed awkwardly on his back. "Wartortle, Aqua Tail." The Wartortle's tail took on a blue glow, beginning to hum from the amazing pressure of the water that gathered around it and charged, clearing half of the distance before Apollo had stood up.

"Chariot bomb!" Laurent shouted. Apollo righted himself with a glare of determination and jumped over the Wartortle's tail, somersaulting into a Flame Wheel and shifting his momentum with an extra gout of flame above to immediately shoot back downward at his opponent. The Wartortle reacted fast and managed to parry with the same Aqua Tail, but Laurent was prepared. "Bite!" Steam shot into the air while the opposing elements of the attacks clashed, but another extra jet of fire allowed Apollo's Flame Wheel to 'roll' over the Aqua Tail and Wartortle's head. As soon as the angle changed Apollo twisted his body around and sank his fangs into the back of Wartortle's neckless head.

The Sage's eyes actually widened at the tactic, but he was otherwise undaunted and swiftly transitioned into his own counter. "Withdraw!" Apollo was able to slam Wartortle's head into the ground as he landed on his own four feet, but before he or Laurent could decide on a further course of action all of the Wartortle's extremities retreated into its shell in a flash, pulling Apollo with it and slamming the Growlithe's nose into the ridge of the head-hole. "Now, Rapid Spin and Water Gun!" While Apollo was still dazed the Wartortle's shell began to rotate from nothing to breakneck speed in a flash, smacking Apollo and sending him staggering back then blasting water from every hole in the shell at once as it spun, hitting him multiple times with no hope of dodging.

Apollo lost his balance before the combination attack was over, two of his legs giving out on him and leaving him vulnerable on the ground. "No!" Laurent shouted, sounding desperate now. "Apollo, get up! You're stronger than this!" Apollo tried to force himself back up on shaky legs, only to lose his footing again, coating his fur in dust.

The Sage sighed almost as if sad in a way that immediately raised Laurent's metaphorical hackles. "You put up a good fight, but it's over now, I'm sorry. Wartortle, finish it with Aqua Tail."

Apollo hadn't been pushed far back - owing his damage more to being hit so many times by the combo than the power of the individual hits therein - and Wartortle closed the distance in seconds. Before the final blow could be struck Laurent's features took on a dark twist he had felt very few times throughout his life: fury. For just that singular moment of apparent anguish at ending the fight so thoroughly from the Sage, Laurent was reminded all too much of Gabriel. "Apollo, Reversal!" The Growlithe's legs shook yet more, but his face wore an expression of grim determination as intense as Laurent's and he managed to leap with all his remaining strength. Apollo was a very fast pokémon to begin with, and Agility was still in effect. Even if it was faring better than its opponent, the Wartortle was still damaged, and that combined with Agility made it appear to Apollo as if it was moving in slow motion in that pivotal moment.

Apollo shot just barely over the swipe of the Wartortle's Aqua Tail and bit on the back of its head much like before, however, this time Apollo did his big aerial twist after grabbing his opponent and led it into a full body rotation, stealing the momentum of the Wartortle's attack and adding it to his own to slam it face-first into the ground. The impact was strong enough to throw yet even more dust into the air and obstruct the trainers' view. Once the screen cleared Laurent saw Apollo standing - shakily and with one paw held close to his chest - but standing...The Wartortle did not get up, it didn't even move. The wiley old Sage looked alarmed for a moment, but the site of the Wartortle's shell just barely rising and falling with unconscious breath set him at ease and got him to stroking his beard and smirking again at Laurent.

"Hm! That's that, isn't it? Good work." Whether from that burst of intense anger earlier or concern for Apollo, every single muscle in Laurent's body was so tense that as soon as the Sage's words brought him back to reality he collapsed to his knees. The Sage sauntered casually over to Laurent and offered him a hand. After pulling the young man up the Sage returned his Wartortle and reached into one of the many folds of his robes and pulled out a glittering red stone that appeared to have a small flame perfectly frozen within it, like an amber fossil of a natural element. "I believe this is yours, as the winner." He explained with a good-natured grin.

Laurent slowly wrapped his fingers around the stone as if one wrong move might shatter it then took it and stared down at it. Finally, he seemed to shake off his daze and ran over to Apollo, happily scooping the Growlithe up into his arms and hugging him furiously. "Wonderful, wonderful! Apollo that was amazing, I knew you could do it!"

"That's all well and good, but what now?" When Laurent stared in confusion at the Sage, he sighed and continued. "Are you going to use it?"

Laurent looked at the stone, back at the stage, then back and forth one more time before answering. "Of course! But not yet..." He set Apollo down and began to scratch him between the ears, eliciting happy growls and barks from the pokémon. "Apollo has to decide for himself when he wants to evolve. You'll do it when you're ready, won't you, my dear friend?" Apollo barked and nodded before vigorously licking Laurent's cheek and forcing him to take a step back.

"Hm. That's fine, fine indeed." The Sage responded ponderously. "You should get going, young man. You've got a long road yet ahead of you.

Laurent continued to pet and scratch Apollo's head for a stint before returning him and standing up. "Yes, I really must go. Thank you sir for your he-" Upon turning around Laurent found himself staring at empty air and began to look around, wondering in vain how the old man could disappear so fast until he saw him squeezing through a short hedge of bushes between two houses, giggling like a child pulling off a prank. Laurent's eyebrow twitched and he clenched a fist. Just what kind of old man... Ah, it's no matter. We both got what he wanted and he really was a big help. I can't slow down now. He turned towards the Pokémon center with fresh determination and continued his journey, one last thought of the previous day stuck in his head: the thought that perhaps his journey would be even more fun if he could spend less of it alone...

​

 

[Stinging Bea]

Chapter 9-3 | The Other Side

Avril Morris | Palais Lane

The Team

Badges

Inventory

Spoiler:

- x1 Pokédex

- x1 Holocaster

- x3 Pokéball

- x2 Great Ball

- x3 Potion

- 1800 Poké Dollars

- x3 Pecha Berries

- x1 Odd Flower

- Ice Beam TM

Morning came quicker than expected for Avril. Kade was kind enough to accompany Avril to the pokémon center back in Camphrier Town, where the duo took part in the tradition of healing their pokémon teams. Avril also took that opportunity to give the injured Pidgey back to the nurse so that the rest of his recovery could be completed. On account of the rather eventful evening, Avril and Kade really didn't spend too much time chitchatting in the lobby. They shot the breeze for only a few moments, before both of the trainers decided to part ways for the night. Kade was kind enough to give Avril something for her help in tracking down the Murkrow and Honchkrow he had been looking for. The blonde had insisted that his help in tracking down the Pidgey was more than enough, but Kade insisted that she still take something for her troubles. The boy gifted her with a TM he had been carrying, one which contained the frosty move known as Ice Beam. While Avril didn't exactly have any Ice type pokémon on her team, she was sure that she would eventually be able to make use of the technical machine.

After thanking the boy one final time, Avril returned to her own room for the evening. It was here that she promptly fell asleep, getting some much needed rest after all she had more or less been through since her escapades in Lumiose City. After a quick bite of breakfast and retrieving the Pidgey, who was now more or less good as new, the trainer and her pokémon found themselves walking back down the familiar, forested trail of Palais Lane. Shino was once more walking calmly by her side and the wild Pidgey flew slowly ahead, where he led the way back towards the Pidgey nesting ground. After all, it was quite dark the last time that she was there and it wouldn't do Avril any good to get lost after everything she had just been through.

"I bet you must be pretty excited to get back to your family and friends, huh?" Avril mused, making small talk with the wild Pidgey as they traveled. "Especially now that all those Murkrow and the Honchkrow are gone. That Kade guy was kinda weird with how into birds and stuff he was... But I guess in the very least you could say that he has an interesting hobby."

The Pidgey really didn't have much to say in response to Avril's obvservation. The bird pokémon merely looked over its shoulder at the girl, giving her a somewhat questionable glance mixed with what Avril could only assume to be slight irritation. The trainer quickly realized what she said, trying her best to recover from her slip of the tongue.

"N-Not that there's anything wrong with that! I mean, bird pokémon really are fascinating, you know?" she quickly said, a small laugh slipping past her lips as she did so.

Aside from that one minor slip up, the rest of the walk towards the Pidgey nesting area was completed in a rather comfortable silence. As the trainer and pokémon arrived, it was easy to notice a much more lighter environment compared to how she had left it previously. The air was filled with bright and happy chirps. Many Pidgey were fluttering and flying about from one branch to another. In particular, Avril noticed that her Noctowl was also making herself quite busy. Anise was hooting in a slow, soothing melody. The proud Noctowl was currently standing over a nest with what Avril recognized to be two baby Pidgey inside, both of whom seemed to be in the process of being lulled to sleep by Anise's rather calming and relaxing tones.

Avril smiled brightly as she briskly made her way towards her owl pokémon, offering a wave in the process. "Hey there, Anise. Looks like your bit of guard duty seemed to go pretty good, huh?" The Noctowl gave a small nod in response, all while she still continued to hoot softly for the sleeping Pidgey. "Well, I'm glad it did. But I guess now it's time for us to be getting back on the road. Let's get moving."

Taking the Noctowl's pokéball off of her bracelet, Avril held it forward and pressed the button so that Anise could return inside and get some rest. The blonde trainer figured that after a long night of standing watch for the Pidgey encampment, a little rest would do the Noctowl well. What she didn't expect is what happened next. Anise's eyes widened as the familiar beam of red light shot foward. The Noctowl quickly dodged off to the side, somehow managing to avoid the light all together. Avril was speechless at the sight, but assumed that perhaps Anise was merely playing around. Once more the trainer tried to recall her Noctowl... but once more the owl pokémon refused to return to her ball. Needless to say, Avril was more than just a bit confused.

"Anise... if this is some kind of joke, it's not really funny," Avril stated bluntly. "I'm glad we were able to help all the Pidgey and keep them safe for a night, don't get me wrong. But we need to get back on the road. We have a lot to do now."

The Noctowl stood steadfast in her defiance. She shook her head, not blinking once as she stared right back at Avril in the eyes. The trainer was finding herself growing more and more confused all the while.

"Anise...? What is this all about?" Avril questioned, concern evident in her voice. "Did I do something to offend you? What ever it was, I'm really sorry!"

Anise seemed to have sensed Avril's discomfort. The Noctowl quickly shook her head, flying towards her trainer in the process. In absolute silence, she gestured one of her wings towards the two sleeping, baby Pidgey. She then gestured towards something that took Avril for a spin. Not far away from the nest were two, lone piles of dirt and rock. The trainer was initially confused about just what her Noctowl was trying to show her, but after a few moments it suddenly came to light for her. The two babies that Anise had been hooting and tending to were in fact orphans. The two make-shift piles were graves... graves which contained what Avril could only assume to be the father and mother of the two babies. Chances were, they were a couple who tried to stand up and defy the Honchkrow and his lackeys... and chances were, they didn't live to tell the tale.

Avril felt a lump in her throat as she turned to face Anise once more. "That's... I understand, but... This doesn't have anything to do with us! W-We have to go, now! There are other Pidgey here that can take care of them... So let's go!"

Without waiting for Anise to respond, Avril clutched the Noctowl's ball tightly and threw it right at her. It was as if she was trying to catch her for the first time, almost like it was a repeat of the first time they had met. Much like she did then, Anise simply refused. She quickly batted the ball away and back at Avril with her wing, the Noctowl staring in absolute silence.

"You... You can't be serious... You can't be!" Avril shouted. Her voice was on the brink of breaking. "You... We... We came this far together! You can't just be calling it quits now! What about my dream?! What about the rest of us?!"

Anise remained silent as Avril began to raise her voice. Without another thought, the Noctowl flew towards the trainer and protectively wrapped her wings around the girl. Avril could only feel her anger and confusion rising. She balled her fists up and began to beat on the Noctowl's stomach in aggravation. She could feel the tears starting to well up in her eyes.

"Don't you dare hug me like that! Don't act like this is okay!" Avril shouted. "I refuse to let you do this! We're supposed to keep going on together, all of us! Forever!"

No sooner had those words slipped out of her mouth, did Avril's eyes widen in realization of something. For some reason, the trainer began to think back to just the other day within the basement of the castle at Camphrier Town... to her conversation with the mysterious, giant of a man.

"When something must leave you... It must leave you. It is gone and trying to prolong inevitability is... Wrong. What matters most young one... Is to nurture that which you have before it is gone forever."

​

Avril slowly lowered her hands. It all made sense now, what the strange man was trying to tell her that day in the basement. Anise... she wasn't needed by Avril's side anymore. She was needed here. The Pidgey needed her. They needed her to protect them and to nurture them... And... no matter how much it might have hurt, Avril could not stop this from happening...

Without warning Avril suddenly hugged the Noctowl tightly, letting her tears flow freely down her cheeks. Anise remained silent, still keeping her wings wrapped protectively around the girl.

"You... You're so stupid..." Avril whispered, looking up at the Noctowl with her tear-filled eyes. "No... Maybe I am... For not realizing it from the start..."

Taking a step back, Avril released her other pokémon from their balls. Marble, Salad, and Lulu all stood silently, staring up at the towering Noctowl. Quietly, Shino walked forward to join his fellow team members. A rather solemn look graced the Frogadier's features. Avril slowly walked forward, standing between her pokémon and the Noctowl.

"...Everyone... Something has... come up..." Avril began, looking over her shoulder at Anise all while trying her best not to lose control again. "Anise... I... I decided that it's best to leave Anise here... with the Pidgey."

A look of confusion was shared by the Mareep, Shuppet, and Leafeon.

"The Pidgey... They're all still recovering," Avril explained. "They need someone strong to take care of them... to help them become stronger themselves. And... And Anise is just the pokémon for that. They need her more than we need her..."

All of the pokémon looked quite sad at this decision. Yet, Avril did not let them protest. Silently, she took Anise's pokéball to the ground... before stomping on it hard and smashing the ball-like capsule into pieces. Shino, Anise, Marble, Salad, Lulu, and Avril all stood there for what must have felt like hours. None of the group sure just what to do next. It was Shino that finally broke the standoff.

The Frogadier slowly made his way towards Anise. He offered the owl a gentle nod before he slowly began to walk away. Salad and Marble were both next. The Leafeon and Mareep affectionately began to nuzzle against Anise, both of them obviously looking up to her as some sort of older sister at the very least. Marble seemed to take it the hardest of the duo, the little sheep crying sadly as it walked away to join Shino. Lulu floated circles around the Noctowl... she tried her best to make light of the situation, going as far as to make her usual silly faces. Yet despite how short of a time she had known the Noctowl, Lulu simply could not put a happy spin on this. The ghost pokémon floated away, moving to join the rest of her team as they began to leave the clearing.

All that remained was Avril and Anise.

The trainer found herself starting to tear up again as she took a step forward. A deep breath escaped her lips as she gave Anise one final nod. "I set you free... Thank you for everything... Goodbye."

And with that, Avril turned and began to walk away from the clearing. Rejoining her remaining pokémon, the group began to make their way back to the main path of Palais Lane. As they walked, they could here the loud, mournful sound of Anise hooting farewell.

No one looked back.

Anise has left the party...​

​