#(daughter of arceus moment)

[l35213]

pre canon doodles i did. as a treat

[lyricalchrysanthemum]

The sinnohs might as well be a foil to every major player in their whole story (Cynthia, Cyrus, Volo, TAO)

[leggerefiore]

When and what was the moment that made the characters realize they wanted kids? Not counting Ingo, who was probably listing baby names the second he fell for his partner.

cw: mentions of starting families and pregnancy

characters: Emmet, Cyrus, Volo, Grimsley

▽Emmet△

○ He simply felt he reached an age where settling down was just a thing one does. Well, that, and if Ingo had one already before him somehow, he simply had to follow after his brother. Truly, he had sporadically thought about kids in his life – mostly in the context of when Ingo would wax poetic about his simple dream of being a father. He decided he had very specific wants over the years – identical twin daughters. Logically, that was very much an improbable thing to occur, but he did not care. Speaking solely in terms of wants, it was that. Of course, he would try his hardest to make that a reality even if it was extremely unlikely. Ingo finds his strangely specific wants a bit disconcerting but supposes he should allow his younger brother to simply dream. Granted, after Emmet reaches a certain age, he really does start to seek out those things.

○ For his partner, it likely either comes up at random or after Ingo's partner has a child. Emmet becomes a bit whiny in the latter case, nearly pleading for a child. For the former, it is more of a casually serious discussion about future plans in life. He does understand that children are not always desired, but he does truly hope his partner feels the same way. Somewhere deep down, the younger twin does want to be a father. Of twins. He is very determined to have twins. His bond with his brother is something verrrry special to him that he wants his precious children to have as well. It was impossible to sway him from twins.

🌌Cyrus🛰

☄️ He only realises he wanted a kid far after he has one. Honestly, he never let the thought of becoming a father even cross his mind. It was simply too terrifying to consider. His childhood left him with many mental scars that he clearly was in no place to face or deal with healthily. Well, until after, he was forced to confront them and give up his insane goals of creating a world without spirit. Then, another incident would naturally follow, causing him more distress. To say he was beside himself at the news of his partner's situation would be putting it lightly. He found himself staring blankly into space, trying to figure out just how to handle such a terrifying and foreign situation. Cyrus never expected such a thing to befall him – He was always so careful and calculated. But, unfortunately for him, he, too, was a human man and allowed the same breadth for errors as anyone else.

☄️ Yet, in the end, as he holds his newborn daughter, his worries and panic come to a close. Yes, there will be far many challenges ahead to face and things he must finally address to come to terms with. In that single moment, as he stares at her sleeping face, he finds peace. From every terrible thing he faced in this world – and the irrationality of feelings – this sole being has put his heart to rest. When she unconsciously nuzzled into his chest, seeking either warmth or food (or perhaps just comfort), he allowed all his reservations to drop. He did not just want a child. No, in fact, he needed one. Now, he feels as if he truly can begin again.

💫Volo📜

⭐️ There was always a lingering desire for children in him – At least, there was since a certain painful moment in his past. Of the ancient Sinnoh people, only he and Cogita remained. One of his greatest desires, aside from that of earning Arceus's favour and thereafter subjugating its power, was to continue on his bloodline. It was desperate wish – One born of a perceived responsibility and need to find others like him. He was looked at strangely for so much of his youth, othered and treated as an oddity. There were many things that he needed to preserve from his culture. Myths, rituals, beliefs… He desperately needed to share these with someone he believed worthy. It would be the worst nightmare for him if these things fade into an obscurity and grow lost to time. But Volo struggled horribly to ever make a connection with anyone truly. Let alone find someone that he could deem worthy of carrying such a responsibility alongside him.

⭐️ Though, that was settled when Arceus's “chosen” appeared to him. Naturally, they were someone who dared oppose him so easily – even stopping his plans. It was frustrating to him, but at the same time, there were thoughts and unwanted feelings that bloomed inside of him. For all his struggles to find anyone that he may deem worthy of being with him (someone like him – someone who understood the horrible mistrust and pain of being othered), you seemed to fall out the sky to torment him in various ways. In the end, with everything said and done, you were the only person he ever could desire a family with. Despite his disappearance, he will reappear to you to offer such a thing. Volo can only hope that you say yes.

♠️Grimsley❤️

♤ Kids were seriously the last thing on his mind for many, many years. The gambler does not exactly have a lifestyle that meshes well with children running about. Really, his finances being constantly up and down would be a terrible thing for any kid to grow up in. And, he really was not ever sure there would be a circumstance in which one partner would ever hold his attention long enough to make him vaguely interested in a kid with them. Really, even if they were his children – he was not exactly the most hands-on and attached type in general. Though, when he finally did find himself in love. Well, now… Suddenly, there was a more appealing side to having children. Granted, it does not truly enter his mind until after his fall from “grace.”

♡ At his lowest point, with only his partner at his side, he finally feels as if he understands truly the appeal of a family. Whatever troubles he had with his own and their expectations for him, he felt he would never have that for his own kids. They would be free to be whatever they wanted. He only would be their to mentor them and remind them what happens when you play the game and lose. Suddenly, yes, a family has a big appeal for him. Settling down with his partner and finding peace from the din that was his life previously… Yeah, he feels. That is a nice change. Exactly what he needed. A certain Alolan police officer nearly has a heart attack during a call with Grimsley when he mentions wanting children. There is an attempt at swaying him not to follow.

[watchful-lady-of-shadows]

[ @ask-a-silvy ] Shauna @Metatarsus: She started to wave to the titanic Arceus to get their attention, but paused as she took in their scale. Her paw rested thoughtfully upon her chin for some moments, before getting the idea to simply fly up close.

Sitting upon her broom-sized wand and seemingly unafraid of the unimaginable height she floated at, she waved with a smile at Metatarsus, scribbling the following note and showing it before their massive eye.

[Wow, you're very, very big! Definitely the biggest giant I ever met. So are you anything like Osseth? Do you look at your domain much like she does? What is it like?]

When Shauna held up the small sign, the Arceus dd not visibly react in any way. It remained still and silent, and did not seem to acknowledge her presence at all. Considering it's titanic size, this wasn't too much of a surprise.

The truth was that, in reality, Shauna had been showing her sign to the wrong eye.

Metatarsus' true eye, above the false ones in it's 'face' shone down on Shauna like a spotlight, nearly blinding her with the sudden glow. They inspected the small pokemon for a moment in silence before a powerful, rumbling voice spoke in her head.

"I see you have come to meet my daughter. Such is unsurprising, Osseth has always been more prone to wandering and exploring, greeting new acquaintances with glee. To compare us is understandable, but our domains are not exactly the same, though overlap does exist."

"My domain is my realm itself, life and death, creation and destruction, the world turning eternally. Time, space, and distortion all belong to me equally, and while I can manipulate these forces, my children are the ones who truly master it. I ensure my realms survival, along with all within it. I feel all that occurs, and watch over it dutifully. As such, I am always preforming my duties. This is the joy and burden of being a creator."

[dualcoindeity]

A Cafe Conversation

Disclaimer: Ellie is owned by @theliterarywolf and Basan is owned by me

*A man of effeminate appearance with Red Hair styled in a bob and a golden tattoo that resembles a scar across his body and face with a neon green edge to it sits down at a cafe awaiting his beverage when a stern looking woman comes down and plops down on the chair across from him*

???: U.B.S again El?

*The Stern woman looks at the man before sighing*

???: They did reject my proposal again, yes. But that’s not the entire reason why I’m here. Look Basan, One of your students beat the shit out of another student.

Basan: They sent you here for that? D.F.H, those R.T.S.T.B.A.I.T.W.F.T.P.

Ellie: *Looks at him confused* I’m sorry?

Basan: She had it coming. Did she think the other girl liked getting bullied?!

*The Waitress comes by and drops off a Special Coffee by Basan’s side of the table and a Tea by Ellie’s side*

Basan: Thanks. *Takes a Sip from his Coffee* Where was I?

Ellie: The Part about the bullying thing.

Basan: Okay. El, you damn well know what I’d do if I found out one of my Students was being a Bully. That and well, I recruited her because I saw her get bullied.

Ellie: Okay but that was the daughter of-

Basan: D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F.T.F.S.A.T? She was Bullying someone, How that girl didn’t expect her victim to fight back is beyond me? Hell if anything the board of D.M.F.R.P.W.A.B.O.C.B should do a better job of raising their Kids not to be M.O.W.C’s but here we are. Fuck I might be the only reason why we have a lack of Team Star Incidents in the Arceus Forsaken Region.

Ellie: Okay…*Sips her Tea nervously, not knowing how to react*

Basan: Anything else?

Ellie: I’ve heard you’ve been sending requests for modified Revaroom’s, Paradox Pokemon, and Ultra Beasts. Why is that?

Basan: *Sips his Coffee* Well Fairness. I mean how many stories have you heard about small town country children defeating Gym Leaders with Multiple Legendaries. I figured we’d have some method of a challenge.

Ellie: Here. Here. *Raises her Teacup in toast to which Basan responds*

Basan: Have you heard runors about that Team that’s been rising up? Ellie: Why are you asking?

Basan: We’ll I’m worried those idiots might go after our students for their organization members.

Ellie: Are you going to join them?

Basan: And If I do? *Sips his Coffee with more force on his handle*

Ellie: Why would you?

Basan: To be an Admin so I can hear out the students who were seduced by their lies from within and try to be a helping hand in the darkness, ya know. *Sips his Coffee with a more relaxed grip* Alternatively I might believe in the cause and maybe the students could defeat me, if I taught them right, or I could want their Pokemon who equivalent’s themselves to a god to be knocked off their throne. It depends really.

Ellie: You do know that you’d get fired for that?

Basan: Yeah, D.I.L.L.A.D.R.C.T.Y? *Observes Ellie Drinking her Tea* My only regret would be brining a smile to those Morons with crowns. Also I’m aware you might fight me if it came down to it.

Ellie: Debatable. *Sips her Tea* Let’s not find out.

Basan: Yeah *Drinks his Coffee, before Ellie drinks her Tea, before the weather outside starts to change from a sunny sky to a heavy Rainstorm*

Ellie: Darn.

Basan: *Looks out the Window* Eh, I’ll get another Cup of Sad Gothelle Style Coffee, you want another Tea?

Ellie: *Pauses for a moment to debate herself for a moment* Eh sure, why not. I need to grade stuff anyways. Besides, Arceus knows if this storm will end.

Basan: If not by this round, I’ll fight it on my way home *Gets up from his seat to go order leaving Ellie to look outside the window, hearing the raindrops violently tap against the glass and the angry howling of the wind in an attempt to unnerve her, as if the future wouldnt*

[ask-the-royal-absol]

▶▶️ Bad dad Arceus

Arceus took a moment to breathe. He was furious with Singularity's actions but that did not mean he had to stay angry. In. Out. In and out. The breaths slowed. These children. He had warned all of them of the consequences to their actions. It felt like all three of them were against him. Well, maybe not Epoch so much. He had learnt his lesson years and years ago.

Arceus sighed. What was he to do? That other Arceus, Abbadon, and his whole damn family. That's who he wanted to blame. It made sense. As much as his sons got up to mischief, they were never this bad before they had met members from that family. And now Singularity had gone on a romantic outing with one of the daughters. Of course he was aware Singularity wanted to go on this date. Arceus had hoped it may strengthen bonds with other universes for him to learn from. Turns out that idea was a disaster. Turns out that family just wanted to criticise without listening to his viewpoint. What childish behaviour from the lot of them. It made the Arceus wish Singularity had never gone behind his back to that ridiculous gala.

Speaking of, how was he going to keep an eye on him when he kept sneaking off? He couldn't trust his other two sons to watch Singularity. He had to force the information out of Galaxis about Singularity's whereabouts and Epoch was far too violent for his own good. He himself had to monitor the rest of the planet so couldn't keep constant watch on the boy. What to do...

An idea flashed into his mind. Perhaps, and even he thought this may be a little extreme of an idea, he could get another from a different universe to watch over his son? Arceus knew he was not welcome in a certain gathering of universes but perhaps he could find one outside of his known universe. Perhaps one that Singularity had been sending the Destino projections to.

Arceus, using his psychic plate, teleported to the space where his all sight orb floated. His prized possession, once given to him by a certain golden Arceus, was one of his most useful tools. He could monitor a thousands different locations at once with this. Swiping the orb to view other locations, a hundred of different projects emerged from the swirling orb. Each projection displayed a different universe. One with a shiny, singing lycanroc. One with a robotic white Vulpix. Another showed a bipedal glaceon and lopunny together. A universe with Pokémon hybrids, one Pokémon with insanely large proportions. So many universes. So many possible ways Pokémon could live and exist. He wished his own was just as successful as these.

He started looking through each one carefully to find one that would suit his purposes. When he came across one that he knew he couldn't use, he tapped the projection to remove it from view. He immediately removed the one with a certain family in, considering they were the cause of all of this. The one with a rockruff and samurott seemed to have a lot going on. It wouldn't suit his needs. Tap. This one had a braxien and a claydol. Not useful. Tap. Perhaps the universe with the shiny mew who wore a blue scarf and hat would be of use? No, they already knew Singularity. Tap.

After several taps, it seemed Arceus was getting to the point where he would not find anyone that could be of use. There had to be someone. Anyone.

At the very corner of the projections, a universe stood out to him. One with a dialga in. Interesting, this dialga seemed to only be half a dialga. Very interesting. He appeared to have some strength to him. This one could be of use to him. Yes. This one would be perfect for his plans. He just had to find the right words to convince him.

[exspiravited]

The night in Hisui was calm. Dark, rolling waves lapped against the sandy beaches of the Cobalt Coastlands, adding a backdrop of white noise in the otherwise silent night. Various ghosts roamed around this land, drinking in the night.

It'd been almost a year since Giratina had achieved her freedom. It'd been over a few months since she freed the Spiritomb trapped within the Shrouded Ruins. To a being as timeless as she, it felt like the mere blink of an eye.

Elys, the Spiritomb had called herself, was a valuable ally to Giratina. The goddess even thought it inappropriate to consider her as an 'underling', finding that Elys deserved a bit more respect than even that. If not for her, Giratina would have spent much longer vying for followers among the dead. Elys could move fast and far through Hisui, and the two found themselves learning about their new world together.

Giratina sat beneath a large tree, Elys curled up on the grassy ground next to her. The younger ghost dozed silently, more than likely exhausted from roaming the lands and making their way back home. This was the first time they'd returned to the coast in nearly three weeks. No moon hung above them in the skies, making everything far more darker than normal - very much favored by Giratina.

Her gaze would move to the girl next to her, lingering for a while. In their time traveling, Giratina had learned much about Elys. She learned about her likes, her dislikes, and above all else, just how similar they were.

Monsters. Demons. Cast out of this world unjustly, locked up with no key. Out of sight, out of mind, while others on the outside world controlled the narrative.

A long breath would leave Giratina, carefully controlling the bubbling anger within her. Too much power bleeding from her would make an easy pinpoint for Arceus, and... she wasn't sure if she was ready to face her siblings yet, either.

An indiscernible mumble passed Elys' lips, and she'd soon roll over onto her back. The sound of teeth grinding against one another would greet Giratina's ears next. Her hand instinctively lift and move towards the other in means of comfort, before she froze.

What was she doing?

She sat in that same position for a while. Soon, her hand would lower back to the soft earth. Giratina, instead, would shrug off the velvet cloak she often donned. She gently draped it over Elys, acting as a blanket due to her small size. The mumbling would cease, and her jaw would relax a little bit not long after.

Giratina saw a lot of herself in Elys. Perhaps that was why she exercised a level of softness towards her that she hadn't with any other being thus far. She was intelligent and cunning for her age, never shying away from anyone or anything. Giratina could have been that way too, if she had been in a different situation during her childhood. Her escapes from the locked room in the Hall of Origin proved as much, but all of her bravado always fell away when encountering her father.

Her hand would move again, this time without Giratina stopping it. Locks of violet hair were brushed away from Elys' face, before her hand returned back to her side. Something deep within her chest would ache for a moment.

Elys was an ally to her, of course. Though something about traveling with her was beginning to make Giratina see her in a much more familial way. To her, Elys was almost like a daughter, she had realized. Giratina was treating her in the way she wished she had been treated - almost as if she were retroactively righting some sort of wrong she hadn't committed, and instead was a victim of.

The thought had terrified her on more than one occasion. Nothing was more paralyzing than the thought of hurting Elys by mistake, and Giratina could almost hear her father's sneering voice within her mind. It was the biggest reason why she hadn't vocalized anything, and instead kept all of these thoughts to herself.

She blinked hard, jaw tightening for a moment. Her eyes lift towards Mount Coronet, towards the air hanging above the mountain where the Hall of Origin was. He had no control over her anymore. Giratina was free. Slowly, she'd relax, letting the tenseness fall from her muscles as she looked back towards Elys - towards the one she considered as a daughter.

Giratina had something worth fighting for.

[serotoninisheldinkiwis]

so i had a vision for the legendary aspect au

Its son howled, tortured muscles bulging under blue scales, energy crackling over his limbs as he convulsed, before-

He slammed into a shimmering wall of energy, reeling back and squawking. As it bound down, shouldering him away, the golden haze cleared from his eyes, enough to comprehend, before-

Its daughter shrieked back, stumbling away from the attack. She shook her head, screaming as that same golden energy shuddered over pearlescent scales. At the noise, that golden haze closed, and he thrashed, slamming his body into its flank and rooting his hooves into the ground. 

As it had before, and as it would, its heart ached. 

Its daughter shook her head again, squinting at it and her brother. Letting a low, pained cry out, she sank to the floor, legs folding as she hunched over, tucking head under a long, horse-like leg. 

Arceus shoved its hooves further into the starscape below them, leaned further into its son and pushed. Dialga let a thin, reedy cry out as his hooves skidded through stars, displacing them as he scrabbled for purchase against his adi. And it was so small next to him, barely coming up to his flank yet still overpowering its son.

It pained Arceus to see them like this. See them both like this.

(Was its lost child also in pain? Were they writhing in agony alone, shrieking into the Distortion Realm as they suffered through the pain of the frenzy?) Dialga broke contact, cry morphing, twisting into a loud shriek. He backed up, silver plating bristling as his maw dropped open, energy gathering, and Arceus leapt into movement it only had a moment-

The Judgement slammed into Dialga’s face, and it couldn’t help its physical reaction at the resulting scream. It planted its hooves, braced for another, but…

Its son staggered back, away. The golden glow… faded, but didn’t disappear. 

That was… not good, but not bad, either. Either way, it seemed it wouldn’t have to deal with its son for a short while- he was visibly dazed, head drooping and swaying as he stumbled over his own hooves. 

Palkia, too, seemed to be calm. As calm as she could be- she was still hiding under her own leg, head buried in a leg in the absence of arms to wrap around it, and where she trembled, she didn’t move to lunge, attack Arceus as her brother was.

It had Time. 

Arceus paced, gently displacing stars as it patrolled between its children.

Time and Space had blurred as it fought its children. Even now, it could feel stress building, pounding in the back of its head- from the power it had relegated to taking over Dialga and Palkia’s jobs, from the power doing its level best to seal the Rift (even with its failures), the energy still fruitlessly searching for Giratina… it was compounding, even as Arceus closed its eyes, sorted through every power source being expended.

As it did, it could feel exhaustion start to settle in, a dull ache as it kept moving, stayed vigilant. It had been fighting near-nonstop with Dialga- now was the longest time it had had to rest.

It had been controlling Dialga and Palkia’s powers for a month, trying to mitigate Giratina’s realm for three years- something had happened, a burst of Distortion energy. And then…

The power that was searching for its child.

It still hadn’t found Giratina, couldn’t feel anything other than a distortion in a human’s aura- but how would Giratina have broken through, when Arceus’ people wiped all mentions of them out after their rampage? How would Giratina have made it out of the Distortion Realm?

Arceus… didn’t want to. But it needed more power. Needed to ration out more to Space and Time and Distortion.

Reluctantly, it gently tugged on the trembling thread, drawing its power back to itself. It could search for Giratina when it had more time.

(who knew when that would be?) As its power settled back into place, warmth cascaded through its muscles, sending energy bolting through its veins. Arceus shook its mane out, drew itself together before locking its knees, letting itself

drift.

It scoured the timeline with the new energy it had at its disposal, hunting for the catalyst, trying to find what exactly had sparked this.

As it searched, it felt… something. A distortion, a blip in the timeline.

The feeling of fury, dark and tainting.

Arceus furrowed its brows, delving further into the timeline. Finding the exact thread of the rope, it gently tugged, dragging it out of the general timeline so it could follow it.

A young devotee, a Celestic by blood and upbringing. One of Arceus’ own, golden hair and silver eyes dark in rage as he commanded Arceus’ own child in destruction.

And… as it followed his thread of life, he could watch as the timeline paused, stuttered to a halt, and then…

…The child would end it all. He was hurtling down a path that none could stop, none but Arceus itself, and it would result in the end of the world, the death of all. Not even its power would be able to stop the timeline spiraling into chaos, threads bursting apart and ripping under the weight of Space itself as all that could be known ripped itself apart at the seams.

…Arceus could not stop him. It was preventing the fall of this world, but… as soon as this child acted, ripped the sky in two, it was a fate predestined. Arceus would fall, as all would, and all left behind would be a blip in a nonexistent sky.

…It could not stop him from where it was.

But if it were on earth, in Hisui, it could.

…Arceus could not be there itself. But it could send its power.

It drew the energy from the search for Giratina closer, drawing it in, compressing, squeezing it down until it formed a core of light near white-hot in appearance.

It had done this before, had splintered its power off and formed the fragment into a being all its own. It almost didn’t even need to think as it focused, gently drawing a spark of life into being in the light, letting it take its own reins and create itself.

Dialga shifted, a low murmur trembling through the air. It turned its head, watching as that golden light sparked along his frame- but he just settled, tucking his head under a long limb and whimpering quietly.

Seeing its son in pain sparked pain deep in its gut, clawing at the inside of its ribs and burning against its flesh, but it closed its eyes, took a breath and forced itself to turn away from the prone shape of its son, back to the tiny ball of light curling up mid-air. It was forming quickly, a tiny, generic body lengthening out of the light, and it closed its eyes, drew on the knowledge washing in from all pieces of itself, all traveling with a human.

Dark hair formed, and Arceus watched with invisible eyes as silver eyes solidified, darkening into a coal color, before covering in dewy pale eyelids. Soft and unblemished, a soft peach flushed its cheeks as fingers and toes formed, limbs held tight to a torso. And it shifted, and Arceus focused, and…

Slowly, slowly, it could see hips forming, thickening out in the way it knew human females’ did. Young, no shape yet, but still…

…something about her was familiar to Arceus.

It delved into its others as it watched the process, bony shoulders jutting out before fat and muscle started to layer up, padding her frame out. 

And… there.

It tugged mentally on the strongest influence, drawing it closer. Dawn, from Sinnoh- the Hero that had solved the Galactic crisis. She was sleeping, now, thin T-shirt and shorts fitting for the warm weather.

Fitting that one hero should influence another.

Satisfied, it gently let the other float away, turning back to the creation of its own. She was fully formed, now, and as it watched her pale skin was covered, clothing similar to what Dawn was wearing.

As Arceus watched, her chest twitched, up and down, before-

A thin, raspy cry, a gasp for breath. Her entire body twitched, and it could hear a heart start to beat, delicate and oh-so-strong as her breathing settled into a rhythm.

Every time Arceus made a Fragment, it could hardly believe the process. It had made many, breathed its own life into them, felt energy slowly split off of it and morph into something all its own. It had watched them grow, become their own beings, and it had watched them fall, isolated from society and Pokémon both. It had watched them travel, and it had watched their struggles, their inability to connect to people or to Pokémon in a meaningful way that all beings needed. 

Part of it wondered if it was its own curse. Arceus, creator of all, a being created to be so high above the world that none could reach it. Did that transfer over to its Fragments? 

Its Fragment shifted in her sleep, hands flexing and curling as she stretched out. Her limbs were slender and long, similar to its own, and Arceus drew closer, tilting its head as it stared her down. She arched her back, shimmering light drifting away from her as her arms pushed the air in front of her, and a long, frame-shaking yawn racked her body as she curled back up. Delicate fingers curled up over her heart, and the light returned, flocking to its own and cloaking her limbs.

…Light.

Arceus stepped closer, gently nudging its forehead into its light’s.

Akari. Her name shall be Akari.

Akari shifted, blinking dark eyes open. Arceus stepped back, almost thoughtlessly tugging on Dawn’s influence to create a device, a… phone, they call it. It let it form in the back of its mind, stepping further back as Akari blinked, eyes flashing wide as she started looking around.

The phone looked like it, golden points arcing off of it, white surrounding a screen. With a thoughtless impulse, it sent the phone drifting towards her.

Golden highlighted her face as she blinked, reaching forward and gently grabbing the phone. Turning back to it, she opened her mouth, like she was to speak, but… didn’t, mouth closing as she took another breath.

Arceus dipped its head, closing its eyes and sending a thin thread of its power through worlds, connecting a tenuous thread to Hisui. 

Akari curled up around the phone, her eyes drifting shut as it pulled her closer.

Dialga let a low murmuring noise out, growling as he shook his head. Arceus was running out of time.

It closed its eyes, pulled that connection taut, and then poured power into it, strengthening it, widening it until a body could make it through. It could feel the restraints sapping away, Time and Space leaping at the free reign they had just been given, and Arceus veered power off beat them back as it focused of opening a connection getting its Fragment to Hisui safe-

Akari disappeared, in a bright spray of light. As soon as Arceus felt her presence vanish, fading to a bright spot in the comfortably fuzzy static of humanity, it slammed on the power, ripped it back-

Dialga cried out, the sound a shriek, and Arceus couldn’t spin in time. Energy slammed into its back, sending it stumbling forward, and as soon as it happened it felt its control over Time and Space snap-

It spun, pulling all its power into it, and the stars themselves brightened as golden light ripped through the starscape-

Dialga shrieked in pain as he was blasted back, tottering head over back and toppling over into the stars. Palkia shrieked as she hunkered down, shrinking back as Arceus closed its eyes, shoved its power into that golden frenzied light, corralled it and hauled-

It could feel impact ringing through the earth, the shrieks of four frenzies in unison. 

Arceus closed its eyes, taking a breath, before sealing the hole the energy had ripped out of. It could not help Hisui, not anymore. 

The only one that could was sleeping on a beach, blissfully unaware of the world it had thrust her into.

I am sorry, my child, it whispered into the air. 

None were there to listen.

[ztorm-of-goats]

Aftermath of Betrayal

Cinnamon remained silent as they went back to the Guild, despite Chip’s best efforts to get her to talk. Chip hated the silence, as it allowed him to think about the events that had just transpired and what they had just escaped - the hands of someone they thought they could trust. Chip thought he could trust Dusknior, thought that what they had must mean that he was safe with the older and stronger Pokemon.

But it seemed he would always be betrayed and hurt by the older Pokemon that he trusts, he realized as he lightly touched the scar that Zeraora had given him.

Blood oozed from the new scars on his and Cinnamon’s faces, splattering on the ground to create an ominous dripping sound as they walked. Cinnamon was limping - Chip wasn’t sure whether Dusknior had hurt her or the frantic escape from his plans. His own paws and throat hurt, courtesy of Dusknior trying to choke him before Cinnamon saved him.

Cinnamon saved him…

He was never that close to Dusknior (he had always been far too nervous to get close to the older Pokemon), but he knew how close Cinnamon had been with Dusknior. They had formed something of a father-daughter bond, and it had been adorable to watch play out. But now, Cinnamon’s silence and pure terror at being touched spoke volumes.

He really hoped that they could heal from this together.

As they walked into the Guild, it was deathly silent. It felt empty. That didn’t matter at the moment, however, as Chip and Cinnamon went into their room. Cinnamon immediately buried herself into her nest, and as Chip was starting to drift off in his own nest, he could have sworn to Arceus that he heard Cinnamon whisper, “I trusted him…”

[kokorowoutsu]

-- RP: @skullboneandunown

skullboneandunown:

Donovan turns to see Precious bolting into the living room, and pulls at his sleeve. "Precious? What is it? What's wrong?" He gets up just as he hears Brutus roar in the distance and sees Ashe and Leon bolt out the back door. Donovan's father darts after them, and curses under his breath. "Dammit Brutus! Not now!" He hopes and prays to Arceus that Brutus hasn't hurt the little girl. Brutus hears the snow crunching as Ashe and co. arrive, and he lets out a warning growl to step away from his kills. He gets further agitated once Willow begins to cry, his instincts telling him to silence her, but he fights them and he slowly stomps over to claim the other Stantler. He snarls at Lucky, a silent threat to not give him orders. Donovan's father emerges shortly after Leon, panting and trying to catch his breath. "Brutus...Brutus stand down!" He waits for his old friend to move away before he goes to check on Willow. "Is she hurt? And scratches or bruising?" Mewtwo sort of stands there awkwardly, the short fur on his tail on end from the events. "I...I am sorry. I should've kept her from following Brutus." He gently floats alongside them, giving Willow an apologetic glance. "Out of all fossil Pokemon, the Tyrantrum line is the most temperamental. I should have been more on guard.." As they return inside, Momo greets them as her natural body heat begins to spread throughout the room. Donovan uses his staff to steady himself as he leads Ashe and Willow to the couch. Momo gently sniffs at Willow before sitting down beside the couch, with Precious putting her head on Ashe's leg, starting to purr.

Willow's cries were loud and Ashe's PTSD had been triggered as a result, but she held her daughter, continuing to stroke her back and murmuring softly how everything was alright. That being said, only when she felt warmth from Momo did she start to calm down and the purring of Precious seemed to have an effect on the two of them. Leon by this point was laying his coat across his wife's shoulders and placing a kiss to the top of her head.

Once Willow had gone quiet, now exhausted from crying, Ashe gently got up, turning her head towards Donovan's parents; "Is there a room she can lay down in...?"

Watching his wife go, Leon first addressed Mewtwo; "Ashe doesn't blame you and neither do I, mate. She'll meet all kinds of pokemon who are even more dangerous then the Tyrantrum line." However, now that he had the floor, he sighs softly. "This world we live in... it's not as eat or be eaten as where we were -- but she still has it in her to join on hunts if she sees another pokemon hunting. Survival was important, as you know." He looked like a defeated man for a moment -- not able to quiet his daughter's tears or console his wife as Lucky passed him by, the knife still in his jaws and heading after his trainer and Willow.

"... I deeply apologize for all this. We're... we're trying." Leon feels a headache coming on and Bahamut is there in an instant, the Charizard wrapping his tail around his trainer in a protective manner at his feet.

[lyricalchrysanthemum]

OOOOO YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT THE TRAGEDY OF KRIS OOOOOO

KRIS LORE LETS GOOOOOOOO

This is going to be a bit about Bill too because they are very connected but I promise the main point here is Kris’s tragedy.

OK so. I’ve mentioned before that there’s a timeline 0 and that consists of RGBY and GSC. And the world was so unstable and on the verge of collapsing in on itself by the end of that timeline that Arceus had to essentially reset the timeline and basically create patches so that it couldn’t happen again.

But the problem is that the work was very shoddy, and various fragments of the old world continue to haunt the new one, with only two people even remembering that there was an old timeline. One of these ghosts was Kris Kawamoto, and the only two people who remember the old timeline is her, and her uncle Bill Sonezaki, the man who destabilized an already unstable world.

But what HAPPENED? You may ask.

See, Kris was a regular bright eyed trainer who was exploring Johto, trying to complete her pokedex. She had her childhood friend Ethan and a strange boy named Silver traveling with her off and on. She was a little feisty and hot tempered but she still had a good heart, love of adventure, and reckless courage.

But that reckless courage ultimately would get her killed in a freak accident involving her trying to register Lugia on a stormy night.

And her uncle, who loved her like a daughter, was DEVASTATED. So much so to the point where he he took to using his box system to try and preserve her soul and have some way to keep her around. Again, he loved her like a daughter he never had, and she meant a lot to him.

It’s a bit difficult to explain how the box system works in the first place but essentially, pokemon can be compressed into data and stored in computers. Only certain Pokémon can go through this method and still roam not just an individual’s PC box, but the entire web, one of these being porygon. And with porygon as the base of his design, he went to work trying to save his niece’s life in any way possible.

But, even with Celebi giving him its blessings, because Bill was using science to play god with his already very iffy design, the existing cracks in the universe began to show themselves more, and it started to collapse. Arceus steps in. The world gets reset.

All’s good right? The world gets reset, meaning nothing happened, even if Bill gets punished with the memories of the existing timeline, and all’s good right?

Well.

A little anomaly, a bug if you will, slipped by Arceus’s notice. It was just one soul after all, even a god would miss that among a sea of god knows who many.

And that anomaly was the soul of Kris, who managed to attach itself to the PC box system after all.

And so when the world gets reset, the box system is created, Kris wakes up with every memory of the existing timeline, including her final moments where she was killed by Lugia. But she isn’t able to roam the world with her own two feet, in fact she’s stuck in a network, stuck behind computer screen after computer screen. Viewing the outside world from other people’s desks.

She doesn’t even realize the world’s restarted, until she comes across a comes across a PC under the name that’s just like her last name, with an IP address that looks awfully familiar, and a desk that looks just like hers. In fact it is her desk. She would recognize her childhood cyndaquil plush anywhere, that picture of her parents on her wall anywhere.

But that’s not her on the other side of the computer screen, it’s a different girl. A girl she doesn’t recognize, but wears pigtails just like she does, and has parents who look just like and have the same exact names off. A girl by the name of Lyra.

She’s been replaced with a girl who’s nothing like her, while Kris is stuck watching her live a world behind a window.

And eventually she would meet Lyra for real and they would talk, getting to the point where Kris starts going along with her in Lyra’s pokewalker. But whenever Kris calls for her parents while Lyra steps away, they can’t understand her. They just hear beeping. Lyra has no clue who she is, or what she even is in this world. (It’s only until later that Kris breaks the news about it to her.)

And then Lyra starts going on a journey like she does, she goes with Ethan Hidaka who’s supposed to be HER friend, she meets Silver Watanabe who’s supposed to be HER rival with Ethan, she goes on a journey with a Cyndaquil just like hers and gets to go and complete the pokedex like Kris could never finish.

A porygon for a friend isn’t a replacement for an entire team of six that the girl in front of her has taken from her.

Sure Lyra takes her along, and for some odd reason Silver and Ethan can understand her through the weird tamagotchi thing and the PC whenever they’re in a pokemon center. So she acts like she’s friends with the other three. But she’s boiling with hatred for both Lyra and her uncle.

She’s stuck in a little computer watching a world where she should have had a place in while she watches a completely different girl in every way but place in the world, have the adventure she wasn’t able to finish.

She was supposed to be dead.

Instead she’s living through something that feels worse.

But she’s not even sure if she could consider it living.

[misskikuwrites]

The Next Step Ch 1

Bede/Gloria (dressedinpinkshipping)

Tags: angst, fluff (i swear there will be fluff later), references to past assault, a lot of plot

Words: 5,295

-

Gloria ruffled her Arcanine’s cheeks, his tongue hanging languidly out the side of his mouth, and said quietly, “look after her for me, will you?” 

Arcanine gave an astute bark, snapping to attention. He changed from lazy, spoiled canine to alert and ready in an instant. Gloria pressed a kiss to Arcanine’s brow. Her stomach tied itself into knots, unease roiling inside her, as she stood and turned to her mother. 

“I’ll be fine,” Gloria’s mother said, accepting Arcanine’s Pokeball from her daughter. “I’m the one who should be worrying about you, not the other way around!”

Gloria’s mouth twisted. “I know, but… I’ll feel better if Arcanine stays with you. You’ll keep him out of his Pokeball as much as you can?” Arcanine leant his big head on Gloria’s hip, gazing up at her in hope of more pats. She scratched behind his ears automatically. 

“You know I can’t bring him into the shops,” Gloria’s mother said. “And I’m not sure the Wooloo down the street would appreciate him-” 

“Okay, okay, I get it!” Gloria huffed, throwing up her hands. “Just keep him around when you’re at home, then. He gets along with Munchlax well enough.” 

For a moment, when the two Pokemon had met, Gloria thought that Arcanine was going to make a chew toy out of Munchlax. Thankfully, Arcanine had decided against it, and soon the two had curled up on the rug for a nap. 

“And what about you?” Gloria’s mother asked. 

Gloria looked up from her Arcanine. “What about me?” 

“You’re doing all of this so that I’m safe, but what about you? Do you feel safe here?” 

Gloria didn’t know how to answer that. Something lurched in her stomach. “Of course I do. This is my home.” 

“It doesn’t have to be,” her mother said gently. 

“What?” Gloria gaped at her mother. “No, we’re not moving. Not because some asshole had it out for me.” She stood her ground, folded her arms. “You’ve spent years on the garden! You love this place! You can’t just- just leave all that work behind!” 

Gloria’s mother touched her arm. “I wasn’t talking about me.” 

“Then…?” Her heart plummeted. “No. You know I’m not leaving you. Ever.” 

“Hun-” 

“No, I made a promise. I can’t just… abandon you.” 

“Gloria, listen to me.” She gave her daughter’s arm a soft squeeze, her expression firm. Understanding, but not willing to budge. “I never wanted you to feel as though you had to give up your life because of me.” 

“I’m not-” 

“Just listen. Let me finish.” 

Gloria pursed her lips, but remained silent. 

“Do you really think it would make me happy to see you never move out, never fall in love or get married, because of a promise you made when you were a child?” 

Gloria’s gaze dropped to the floor. 

“I know you feel like you have this duty to stay with me, but isn’t it enough that we already lost one life? I don’t want you to put yours aside, to put your life on hold, because of me.” 

Something heavy sank in Gloria’s stomach. “But…” 

“Gloria, no matter what, nothing will ever take you from me.” Gloria’s mother wrapped her arms around Gloria, embracing her daughter in a hug. “If you move out, if you get married, that’s not you leaving me. That’s you growing up, living your own life.” 

Tears pricked Gloria’s eyes. “But I don’t… I don’t want to…” She sniffled, tried to blink away the tears. “What if I end up getting hurt? I don’t want to… lose anyone like that…” 

“Oh, hun.” Gloria’s mother gave her a squeeze. “Do you think I would’ve preferred to have never met your father? To have never fallen in love, to have never had you?” 

Gloria had no answer to that. 

“I know it hurts. Arceus, I know it hurts.” Her mother’s voice dropped to a whisper. “But the time I spent with him, loving him, having you, I would never for a moment give that up. Not for anything.” 

“Even if you knew what was going to happen?” Gloria wondered out loud. 

“Even then, I’d rather have those years with him than none at all.” 

Gloria closed her eyes at those words, letting the heat of her tears warm her cheeks as they fell.

-

The morning air was brisk as Gloria stepped outside, hiking the tartan scarf around her neck that little bit higher. She hadn’t hidden the bruises around her neck when confronting Elliot the day before, using them as a way to get him talking for the hidden cameras livestreaming the whole thing, but now, as she desperately wanted to leave that whole incident behind her, she opted for a scarf. Light enough not to press on her bruises and make them hurt, but sturdy enough that she didn’t have to keep securing it in place every few seconds. 

Gloria glanced up the street to where two teenage girls remained on guard. A Drednaw and Pelipper flanked them at the junction between Gloria and Hop’s house. They spotted Gloria, hopped off the fence, and bolted towards Wedgehurst. 

“Wait!” Gloria cried, the word leaving her mouth before she’d thought about what she was doing. The two girls froze. They exchanged worried looks as Gloria approached. 

“Um, we were just…” the one called Nicole stammered. She gestured sheepishly towards Wedgehurst. The other girl, Megan, stared at her boots. 

“Mum told me you two have been fending off reporters,” Gloria said. 

“Well…” Megan shot a look at Nicole. 

“It doesn’t make up for what you did,” Gloria said, “but… thank you.” 

She sped off towards Wedgehurst, leaving the two girls to their shock, and hailed the first Sky Taxi she came across without looking back. 

-

It was hard to believe it had only been two days since Gloria had last been in Motostoke’s Gym. The Star Tournament, the Opening Ceremony, it felt like it had been a lifetime ago. But, thankfully, it had only been two days. That meant the evidence Gloria was after was probably still here. She walked up to the counter, thinking back to what Bede had told her. 

“Champion Gloria!” the Staff Member behind the counter greeted her, his eyes flicking for a second to the scarf around her neck. “How can I help you?” 

She swallowed the nausea that built in her throat at the Staff Member’s glance, and gave him the ‘everything’s fine’ smile she’d tried to perfect in the mirror earlier. “I was wondering if I could view the CCTV from before the Star Tournament the other day?” she asked. 

He gave her a curious look, but allowed her behind the counter all the same. “Of course,” he said. “Is there anything in particular you’re after?” He brought up the CCTV on the computer, navigating to the date of the Star Tournament. The screen displayed footage from the various cameras around the Gym, both inside and outside. 

“Hmm… I think it’s a bit later than that… wait- there!” she jabbed a finger at the screen showing the waiting room. There stood Bede, a white envelope in his hands. “Can you go back a few seconds?” 

The footage rewound, and a League Staff Member with bright orange hair walked backwards to Bede, taking the envelope from him. 

“There- who’s that?” Gloria asked, pointing at the Staff Member on the footage. 

“That… looks like Jemma,” he said, before nodding with more confidence. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s Jemma. She was on duty that day. She should be on the doors today- you’d have passed her as you walked in.”

“Great! Thanks a lot!” Gloria said, hurrying out from behind the counter, and shot outside. Just as the Staff behind the counter had said, there was Jemma, standing tall outside the Gym. 

Gloria collected herself for a moment before she approached. “Hi, are you Jemma?” she asked, again flashing a smile as unsuspicious as she could. 

Jemma’s eyes, hidden behind her dark sunglasses, flicked to Gloria before recognition filled her face. “Oh! Champion Gloria!” she squeaked, jolting to attention. “What- What can I do for you?” A starstruck smile broke over her face. 

Gloria wondered for a second if Jemma’s smile was real, or put on to hide something. It seemed too bright. Too eager. “I was wondering if you remembered delivering a letter to Gym Leader Bede on the day of the Star Tournament?” Gloria asked. “That was two days ago-”

“Oh, yes! I remember that!” Jemma answered quickly. “The poor kid was so nervous, he couldn’t bring himself to deliver it!” she gave a sympathetic laugh. 

“Wait, someone gave you that letter to give to Bede?” 

Jemma nodded. “It was one of the Gym Challengers. Said he was a huge fan of Gym Leader Bede, and asked me to deliver it for him.” 

A Gym Challenger. Gloria’s heart flopped. “Do you remember what he looked like?” 

“He was, what, about 14, 15 years old? Short, too. With a mop of brown hair.” Jemma shrugged. “He was wearing the Challenger Uniform, so there’s not much else I can say.” 

Oh, Jemma had said enough. A memory flashed in Gloria’s mind of a young boy, a Gym Challenger, fitting that exact description. The boy who’d waited until everyone else had left. The boy who’d thrown accusations about Rose, about her battle with Leon, at her.

“Thank you,” Gloria said. “You’ve been a great help.” 

She turned to leave, to head back into the Gym, when Jemma called, “wait- um, Champion Gloria!” 

Gloria turned back to the Staff Member, to the notebook and pen that was thrust in her face. 

“I-I’ve been a fan of yours for ages!” Jemma squeaked. “Can- Can I get an autograph?” 

Gloria almost laughed. Her heart skittered in her chest as she signed, feeling as overwhelmed as Jemma looked as she handed the notebook and pen back. 

A fan. That’s all she was. Gloria’s head spun as she entered Motostoke’s Gym again. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to people suddenly declaring themselves as fans, suddenly asking for photos or autographs. It always left her feeling dizzy. Feeling giddy. She walked in a daze to the counter again, where the Staff Member greeted her with a tinge of confusion on his face. 

“Back so soon?” 

Gloria cleared her throat to snap herself back to reality. “You were right, it was Jemma,” she said. “So, my next question is, can I have a look at all the Gym Challengers who are enrolled for this year?”

The Staff Member raised an eyebrow and nodded. “If it were anyone else asking, I’d have to say that’d be a breach of confidentiality, but since you’re the Champion…” He let her behind the counter again. “Let me just pull them up… there you go!” He nodded to her and stepped back from the computer. 

“Thank you.” Gloria gave him a smile and began scrolling through the Challengers. 

“Has this got to do with…?” the Staff Member’s question trailed off, his eyes once again landing on her scarf for the briefest moment. 

“No,” Gloria said sharply. The word came out with enough force that the Staff Member stiffened. “At least, I don’t think so,” she added to soften the blow. 

“Right.” The Staff Member looked incredibly sheepish now. “I’ll just… leave you to it, then…” He stepped to the side and Gloria’s stomach dropped. 

She hadn’t meant to snap. Hadn’t meant to let memories of that night, of the day that followed, creep back into her mind. She scrolled through Challenger after Challenger, barely registering their profiles before continuing. She tried to concentrate on what she was doing, but her throat tightened. She itched to tug her scarf higher on her neck. 

Of course, the fact that everyone knew what had happened was her fault. It was her idea to stream the whole confrontation live on Nessa and Raihan’s instagram accounts. Elliot himself had made reference to the bruises, “his handiwork,” on Gloria’s neck. The whole of Galar knew what he’d done. 

And while that made Elliot a monster in the eyes of the world, it also painted Gloria as a victim. There was no escaping that. Nessa had said as much in the hospital after Gloria had detailed her plan. Gloria had accepted it, taken hold of the double-edged sword, and used it against Elliot. The recoil, however painful, was something she had to live with. She had to keep her head held high. Had to take the next step. She had to- 

Gloria stopped scrolling. There he was- the Challenger who’d given the letter to Jemma, the one who’d thrown accusations at Gloria. In his League Card, Samuel Johnson had his arms folded, a determined smile on his face. His brown eyes held a challenge. One that Gloria knew was levelled at her. 

“Is that who you’re looking for?” the Staff Member asked. He’d been watching in silence a few feet away. 

“Yup.” Gloria took a photo of the display before the blood drained from her face. “Endorsed by… Richard Murdoch…?” 

Elliot’s father. 

The Staff Member glanced at the info. “Huh, didn’t know Mr Murdoch gave out endorsements.” 

“He hasn’t before?”

“Not that I’m aware of. Pretty sure I’d remember if the wealthiest man in Galar had endorsed someone for the League Challenge.” 

Gloria’s mouth went dry. She remembered the letter of endorsement that Leon had handed her and Hop all those years ago.

What if… what if it the endorsement wasn’t from Richard Murdoch, but from someone who had access to him, someone who knew his signature, someone who wanted to destroy everything Gloria had, everything she loved- 

Gloria took a step back. She wasn’t thinking straight.

“Are there… do you have any more info on him?” Gloria asked, gesturing to the profile of Samuel on the screen. 

“Sure, all you have to do is… this.” The Staff Member clicked on the profile and it opened to reveal more details. His home address, age, date of birth, even his height was listed. 

What caught Gloria’s attention was the note about the trainer’s school in Hulbury he’d attended. It wasn’t much, but it was a lead. Gloria snapped another photo of the information before looking up the trainer’s school on her phone. 

She took a breath, gathered herself together, and gave the Staff Member a grateful smile. “Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help.” 

The Staff Member echoed her smile. “Not a problem! Anytime, Champion.” 

As Gloria left the Gym, confusion churned in her belly. She’d thought with Elliot arrested, the whole incident with him was behind her. The Gala, the assault, the confrontation that followed, she’d thought she could leave it behind, bury it in the deep recesses of her mind. How was it that he still had claws digging into her skin? She looked at the photo she’d taken of Samuel’s profile. He was just a kid. A kid who’d levelled accusations at her, sent an anonymous letter to Bede, who was probably endorsed for the Gym Challenge by a complete and utter creep, but he was still just a kid. 

She felt sick to her stomach thinking about it. Did he even know what sort of a monster Elliot was? 

Gloria sighed heavily. She had the information she was after, but what was she going to do with it? The trap that had been laid for her and Bede went deeper than she’d thought. 

Bede. Something skittered in her belly. She had a thought to tell him what she’d found out, but the heat pooling across her cheeks burnt it away in an instant. Unbidden memories of yesterday took over her mind. His words, his voice, echoing in her brain. 

“I want you to see me.”

Gloria hurried away from the Gym, down an alley where she could be alone, and leant her forehead against a brick wall. It felt like her whole face was ablaze. Burning, searing, with tortuous heat.

“All of me,” Bede’s voice continued in her mind. “And that includes my heart.”

Gloria bit back a muffled scream. It didn’t matter how hard she tried to suppress what had happened yesterday, again and again it shot back into her mind without warning. She couldn’t forget it, even if she wanted to. Bede had said that. He’d confessed. No matter how she tried to twist his words, the truth remained. There was only one meaning behind what he’d said. 

Bede was in love with her. 

Gloria’s legs buckled and she sank to the ground, feeling like her lungs were filled to the brim with Butterfree. Somehow, in the midst of her shock, her panic, the dread at seeing the heartbreak on Bede’s face yesterday, she’d managed to speak. She’d managed to plead for more time. 

But now… she didn’t know what to do.

How am I supposed to face Bede after that…?!

-

In the end, Gloria decided to leave the question of facing Bede for another time, and caught a Sky Taxi to Hulbury. If she was going to find any more information about this Samuel kid, then the Trainer’s School he attended was her best bet. It gave her something to do, something to focus on. For all she knew, Elliot could be manipulating this kid like he had manipulated her. Maybe… maybe he was just as much of a victim of Elliot’s schemes as she’d been. 

As Gloria stepped up to the doors of the Trainer’s School, she put that thought on the back burner. She wanted to give Samuel the benefit of the doubt, but her heart wasn’t entirely in it. He could be a victim like her, but the other option was just as likely. Just because he was a kid didn’t mean he was innocent. 

She shook that thought off, collected herself, and entered the building. Immediately upon opening the door, two dozen pairs of eyes shot to her. And chaos ensued. 

“It’s the Champion!” a child cried, and Gloria, barely halfway through the door, was surrounded by clambering, excited kids. She hadn’t thought this through at all. Their voices, their calls, jumbled together into a mess of noise. 

“Hey, hey! That’s not how we greet someone!” the teacher called, clapping her hands and silencing the swarm of children. “We don’t want to scare her off, do we?” 

A sheepish chorus of “no…” came from the kids.

“And what do we say to Miss Gloria?” 

Two dozen voices apologised, “sorry Miss Gloria..!”

“Now, get back to your seats while I have a chat with the Champion,” the teacher said, shooing the kids back to their spots while she gave Gloria an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry for that, it’s not often we get visitors like you, especially not on short notice. Or no notice at all.” She raised an eyebrow, curious but unfazed. 

“I, uh, didn’t realise a class was in session,” Gloria said. “I can come back another time…” 

The teacher just smiled. “Class, it’s time for an early recess! Why don’t you all head on outside?” 

There was a mixture of elation and groans, some eager for a break, others disappointed their time with the Champion was cut short, but in a few minutes, the children had vacated the classroom for the yard out the back. Through the door, Gloria spied a variety of baby Pokemon lounging on the grass or cozying up in little shelters. Munchlax, Togepi, a duo of Cleffa and an Igglybuff were what Gloria could spot before the door shut behind the last kid. 

“I’m Miss McCarthy,” the teacher began. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the Champion?” She maintained a professional smile.

“Well…” Gloria got out her phone and brought up the picture she’d taken of Samuel’s profile, fighting the urge to clear her throat nervously. “I was wondering if you were the one who taught Samuel?” She held up her phone for Miss McCarthy to see. 

“Oh yes, Samuel. I remember him,” Miss McCarthy said, nodding. “I taught him for a few years- he graduated just last year.” 

Gloria almost sighed in relief. She’d found his teacher on the first attempt. “And what was he like?” she asked. “As a student?” 

Miss McCarthy opened her mouth to answer before pausing. “What is this about, may I ask? What business does the Champion have asking about a previous student of ours?” 

“Oh, it’s…” Gloria’s mind scrambled for a reason, for an excuse. “Official League business,” she said quickly. 

Miss McCarthy’s expression twisted into concern. “Of what kind?” 

“Well, you’re aware of how… unfair the admission process into the Gym Challenge can be,” Gloria began, rambling off the first thing that came into her head, “with endorsements often coming from the already privileged to a select number of Challengers…” 

Miss McCarthy nodded. “Oh, yes. The participants of the Gym Challenge are heavily skewed towards those who have connections.” 

“Right! Exactly!” 

“But what does this have to do with Samuel?”

Gloria swallowed. “Well, I’m doing a review of the participants this year, looking into their backgrounds, how they got their endorsements, that sort of thing.” It felt like her mind was spinning. Lie after lie springing forth from who knows where. “We- the League- are trying to come up with a way to make the selection process fairer. Maybe do away with endorsements altogether-” Now she was really digging herself into a hole. 

“Oh, that would be amazing!” Miss McCarthy chimed, clasping her hands together. “There are so many promising Trainers who find themselves locked out of the Gym Challenge because they can’t secure an endorsement.” 

“Right, so, that’s why I’m here to talk about Samuel,” Gloria said, trying to steer the conversation back on topic. “There’s only so much information available on his profile, and who knows him better than the very teacher who taught him at the Trainer’s School?” 

Miss McCarthy nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry for questioning you, you know how it is, we teachers can’t just blab about our students to anyone who comes asking.” 

“I understand,” Gloria said, despite feeling like she’d swallowed a bunch of knives. 

“Hmm, now what can I say about Samuel?” Miss McCarthy thought for a moment. “Well, he was a good kid. Bright, too. He had a knack for anything to do with Pokemon, and was a huge fan of Leon.” She gave a bright laugh, “but then again, who wasn’t?” 

“Did he… ever get into any trouble?” 

Miss McCarthy shook her head adamantly. “Oh no, of course not! Well, he’d get into arguments with the other kids on occasion - he could be quite stubborn when it came to Pokemon - but nothing ever came of it.” 

A weight dragged down Gloria’s stomach. She felt heavy. Nothing she was hearing explained Samuel’s behaviour, other than being a fan of Leon. “How did he get his endorsement?” 

“I’m afraid I have no idea,” Miss McCarthy said. 

“Then… how did he come to be at this school?” Gloria asked. She needed something more. 

“Oh, he was sponsored, I believe,” Miss McCarthy said, thinking back. “There are a few sponsorships running for disadvantaged kids, and Samuel won a position here.” 

“Who?” Gloria asked. Her heart thumped. Pounded. “Who ran the sponsorship?” 

It sounded like Miss McCarthy was underwater when she answered, “I believe it was Richard Murdoch.” 

There it was. The connection Gloria was after. 

“Are you alright?” Miss McCarthy asked gently. “You look a little pale.” 

“I-I’m fine.” Gloria shook herself out of her stupor, flashed a bright smile at the teacher. “That’s all I wanted to know, thank you.” 

She let herself out of the classroom before Miss McCarthy could say anything more.

-

Gloria felt sick to her stomach. Everything kept coming back to the Murdochs. The endorsement, the sponsorship, it was too much of a coincidence for her to brush it aside. The weight of what she’d learnt hung over her as she took a Sky Taxi home. She’d toyed with the idea of asking Miss Opal about Richard Murdoch, about the sponsorship, but that put her at risk of coming across Bede - and she wasn’t ready to deal with that just yet. 

In the meantime, she needed to think. She needed to figure out what to do next. She hadn’t told anyone what she was after. It was her own idea to go searching for whoever had set the trap that she and Bede had fallen for. Now that she thought about it, the letter handed to Bede, the Challenger accusing Gloria, it had happened the very night that Elliot had snuck into her house in order to- 

She didn’t want to think about what could have happened. What almost happened. She bit back the rising fear in her throat as the Sky Taxi landed outside her house. Her hands trembled, fumbled for the door, and she all about fell out through it in her desperation to get home. Despite being the middle of the day, Gloria shoved the front door open with a bolt of fear. Arcanine jolted awake at the sound. He leapt off the couch, ready to confront the intruder, and saw it was his Trainer. He bounded over to Gloria, jumping up to give her cheek a “welcome home” lick. 

“Perfect timing,” Gloria’s mother called from the kitchen. “There was a delivery for you. It’s in the lounge.” 

The thundering of Gloria’s heart eased at the sound of her mother’s voice. She calmed her shaky breathing, flexed her shaky hands, and tried to tell herself that everything was fine. Elliot was behind bars. No one was going to hurt her. 

“Thanks!” Gloria replied when she had enough control over her voice so it wouldn’t quaver. She turned to the lounge and gaped at the mound of flowers and letters propped up against the wall. Bouquet after bouquet, card after card, Teddiursa plushies holding hearts that had “get well soon” embroidered on the front, there were more gifts piled here than Gloria had ever received before. 

“What- What is all this?!” Gloria asked. 

“I think they’re gifts from the people worried about you,” her mother said. 

“But… there’s so much!” 

“Didn’t you say the livestreams got millions of views?” 

“I did, but…” Gloria stared at the gifts. A lump wedged in her throat. 

“There’s a lot of people that care about you,” her mother said, “and I think they wanted you to know that.” 

Gloria knelt in front of the mound, picking up an envelope. “To the Champion,” was handwritten on the front. She teased open a card attached to a bouquet of daisies, reading “To our Champion Gloria,” and a heartfelt message wishing her well inside. Each letter carried a similar message. Praising her courage, hoping she’s okay, telling her not to give up. All had a variation of “the Champion,” or “our Champion,” some with her name, some without. A few even had “our Hero,” or “the Hero of Galar.” 

At some point, she began to cry. Tears plopped onto the card she was reading, her vision blurring. Her mother came and sat beside her. Together, they read every card. Opened every letter. 

“What am I going to do with all these flowers?” Gloria asked at one point, when the reality that she’d affected the lives of this many people didn’t feel so overwhelming.

“You leave that to me,” her mother said. She planted a gentle kiss on Gloria’s temple. “Don’t worry about it.” 

Gloria sniffled, giving her mother a thankful nod as she reached for a letter that had been underneath some of the gifts. As she opened it, a photograph fell out. 

It was a picture of her and Rose. Gloria remembered the moment captured in the shot - Oleana had insisted that Gloria meet Rose at a restaurant in Hulbury after she’d defeated Nessa. Sonia had been there, but the shot was carefully cropped so that it appeared like Gloria was meeting Rose by herself. 

Everything else dropped away as Gloria scanned the letter. It was just as she’d thought. The letter had been typed, just like the one handed to Bede. It read, “I have more proof to come. Galar will soon see you as the fraud you are.” 

That was it. Two simple lines. 

Gloria’s stomach twisted. Was this a letter from a desperate fan of Leon who was unable to accept his defeat, or was there something deeper, something darker, at play?

“Where did they even get this picture?” Gloria’s mother scoffed, studying the photo. “Did you know someone had photographed you?” 

Gloria breathed out a heavy sigh. “No. They must’ve seen us from the docks. Whoever took the photo was outside.” 

“I’m not sure what they think this photo proves,” her mother said. “Everyone knows this would’ve been taken during your Gym Challenge.” 

“And that’s the point.” She wished she’d never taken up Oleana’s suggestion. Wished she’d walked right past the restaurant. Wished she’d never spoken to Rose at all. “It shows I met with Rose, back when he was the Chairman. They’re… trying to prove that I was a part of Rose’s plan from the start.” 

Gloria’s mother shook her head in disbelief. “But you weren’t the one endorsed by him!” 

That comment stung, but Gloria kept the pain from her face. “All part of the ‘plan,’ I supposed they’d say,” Gloria said. “After all, it does look… convenient, that Hop and I just happened to be able to call Zacian and Zamazenta, the Legendary Pokemon from centuries ago, right after Leon was knocked out by Eternatus.” 

“Oh, hun, don’t say that…” Her mother wrapped an arm around Gloria’s shoulder, giving her a sideways hug. 

Gloria relented to the hug, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. It was too easy to twist what had happened into a conspiracy. She could see how someone who adored Leon like Samuel would believe it. 

“Hmm?” Gloria noticed another letter stuck under the gifts right where she’d pulled the obviously-from-Samuel letter. This one had a crimson “R” on the front. She opened it up and read the scrawled writing aloud. “The stunt you pulled yesterday was impressive. I hope you are as entertaining as that footage suggested. I can’t wait to see how you live up to your name, Hero of Galar. I’ll enjoy making you pay for what you did. Love, R.” 

“Did these two come together?” Gloria asked, holding up the “R” letter and Samuel’s. “They’re not stamped, or in envelopes.” 

Gloria’s mother frowned. “I’m not sure how they would’ve been delivered, then.” 

The red “R” on the front of the handwritten letter held Gloria’s attention. “Do you recognise this?” 

“No, why?” 

Gloria stared at it, twisting her lips in thought. “I swear I’ve seen it before…” 

“Could be a logo from one of your sponsors?” 

“No, I don’t think so…” 

“Well, what about someone who’s name starts with ‘R?’” 

Gloria’s heart thumped. Richard Murdoch. But it didn’t make sense. From what she’d heard, Richard Murdoch had been appalled by his son’s actions. The sender of the letter wanted revenge. She tried to think of something she’d done, something that would make someone come after her- and then her mind screeched to a halt. “Rose…?” it came out in a whisper. No. It couldn't be. He was in prison.

Unless… Unless he’d figured out a way…

Gloria shot to her feet. She needed to know. 

“Gloria?” her mother called as she whirled and headed for the door. “Where are you going?” 

“I need to make sure this isn’t from him,” she said without looking back. If Rose was involved in all of this- Gloria readied her Corviknight, climbing onto her Pokemon’s back and taking to the sky. 

She wouldn’t let him get away with it.

[leggerefiore]

you asked for volo thoughts.. i think he needs a baby NOWWWWW. waiter waiter!! more evil men soft for their child(ren) please!!! if you have any additional thoughts on this i would love to hear :3 <3

well.. volo's been given a child but I suppose I haven't really explored his feelings properly so...

Volo held the infant awkwardly. His eye stared down at the sleeping girl in his arms curiously. If he had been asked no less than a few months ago if he expected to be a father, he would have said no. All his attention would have been solely reserved for his plans. His plans… They felt so far off now. Subjugating Arceus – Creating a better world. It had been so close to him. He nearly could feel the pulse of his ideal world in his hands. But… For nought.

For nothing.

Instead, he had been presented with a completely unexpected situation. A situation that bloomed into what currently rested in his arms – his daughter. Astrea. A star. Soft, golden tufts sprouted on top of her hair as she slept with little concern for the state of this world. She did not even know it. Her precious self would one day have to experience the cruelness and heartache this world only seemed to exude. It brought a strange turmoil into Volo's heart. His plans…

He grumbled quietly as he rocked when she began to stir, tiny expression becoming disturbed and bothered. Slowly, she drifted back into the bliss of unconscious. Volo never had any intention of being a father – Not with his plans. Why would he? If he were to become a god himself… A finger traced the round cheek of the infant. If… If… It had felt so certain not that long ago. How he had Giratina's aid and all… Astrea...

He closed his eyes. Only he and Cogita remained of his people. Their culture… It was long considered dead. Taken out by the presence of others… Killed. Volo detested that more than anything. The blood of the ancient Sinnoh people coursed through his veins as it coursed through Astrea's own. His internal conflict would rage on, he knew. He had wanted to despise this child. Another evidence of his failure… He wanted to reject her and pretend she did not exist.

She stirred again, this time more calmly. Eyes slowly opened to stare at the nature around them before coming to focus on him. He felt foolish to say he saw adoration in her eyes. She barely knew the first thing of existence. He smiled at her. Astrea... His daughter. Inheritor of his legacy, inheritor of his culture… He stroked her cheek with his thumb.

He supposed being a father was not so bad. She quite reminded him of a Togepi. Her listless smile could warm everyone's heart easily. Whatever worries she may have exemplified vanished when he considered her more. The door to the small hut opened as his partner stepped out, having taken a nap themself. Volo glanced at them. They came to his side to coo at the now awake baby, body pressing against his and head resting on his shoulder.

Volo closed his eyes for a moment.

A family… That word brought disgusting feelings to him. Heartache. Pain. Unknown. Gone.

He opened his eyes to see Astrea's little hand holding their finger tightly.

Family… It was here. Before him. Around him. They smiled at him brightly as they turned to look at him.

A family… Perhaps… Perhaps, if he could not obtain his new world, he could preserve his culture.

[redolentgrove]

"Celeste, we're home!"

Loki and Bijoux arrived back in Redolent Grove following the Gilded Gala. The sun had just begun to rise over the treeline, and the elder taur stopped for a moment to admire the colours adorning the sky. Oranges, purples, blues… all weaving together into something one would find on a master artist's gallery.

"Celeste?" Loki called a second time, peeking into the main clearing to find her daughter sitting upright, her taurbody stretched lazily beneath her and… an all-too-familiar Dachsbun curled up against the Sylveontaur's flank, head resting on the elder fairy type's fur. The dog was fast asleep, a sight that brought a soft smirk and knowing chuckle to Loki's muzzle.

"Shhh, don't wake her up…" Celeste's chiding was gentle but firm, and a forepaw brushed along Millie's side, causing the canid to let out happy murmurs. "Poor girl; I woke up at about one in the morning and she was zonked out like this right next to me. I wonder if she had a nightmare or something."

Loki shook her head. "This isn't the first time you've ended up with someone cuddled up to you within moments of meeting you. Honestly, I think she was glad to be sleeping somewhere with someone she could trust. Almost looks like how half of the kids I adopted decided they were mine."

Celeste stuck out her tongue playfully. "I'm not adopting my sister's roommate, Mom. This family tree is weird enough as it is."

Bijoux looked over at Millie nervously. "You're not kidding…" She took out a phone, snapped a picture of herself and Loki, and then saved it to the memory. "I'll wait until she wakes up before I show her. Let her have some comfort and all. She must be tuckered out after everything that happened."

Loki nodded. "Celeste, can I count on you to watch Millie for a little bit longer?"

Celeste shrugged. "Yeah… I don't think I'm going to be moving any time soon. I'll tell her you two got back when she wakes up. You know, she kinda smells like cinnamon and vanilla… it's kinda relaxing." Loki tapped Bijoux on the shoulder and motioned sideways. "Hey… while that's happening, I need to talk to you about your Mum…"

Bijoux headtilted slightly. "Oh, Arceus, she's not out here, is she?! I've had enough drama for a while…"

Loki shook her head. "No, I need to talk to you… about why she and I really separated. And how it was my fault..."

[unmeisenshi]

"You are aware that this is a one way trip?"

Dialga stood in front of a Marowak, who was kneeling before the God of Time. This Marowak was thin, much like an Alolan variant, but had the tan scales of a regular one. Their left arm was robotic, and inside of it held a white blade that resembled a katana. They were dressed in a black hakama, with their right arm out of its sleeve, and a white jacket that was draped across their shoulders. The Pokemon looked up at Dialga, their one silver eye shimmering in the faint sunlight that creeped into the room.

"Yes, I know."

Dialga looked away, their face turning into a grimace. "This is too much of a risk. The Paradox Pokemon already outnumber us... Sending our best away to a different timeline puts the rest of us in danger."

The Marowak stood up. "Danger or not, if it means securing a better future for us, then it's worth the risk." They took their jacket off, and threw it on the ground. "Give that to my daughter. Explain to her what I'm doing... And ask her to take my place here."

Dialga looked down at the jacket, then back at the Marowak. "You and her aren't on good terms, last I checked. What makes you think that she'll accept what I tell her?"

"Dammit, Sly. Just... Please? For me? It's the last thing I'm potentially ever going to say to her..."

The use of Dialga's real name took them by surprise. After a few moments they nodded. "Very well." Sly would stand a bit taller, then looked down. "Are you ready?"

The Marowak nodded back at Sly, and the Dialga's eyes lit up red. They looked down one more time as the other Pokemon was beginning to be engulfed in light. "We'll hold out for as long as we can, despite there only being a few hundred of us left. Don't let this be for nothing."

"No worries. I won't. And if this world still has a Dialga... Hell, if it still has an Arceus... I'll be back before you know it." The Marowak gave a confident nod to the Dialga as they vanished into blue light. Sly would shake their head, picking up the jacket from the ground.

"If Arceus were still alive... They'd have a fit over me doing that." Sly would pause for a moment. "If Arceus were still alive..." They looked outside, then began walking away with the jacket in tow. "If Arceus were still alive... We'd still have a God to pray to right now..."

[cheemken]

Knight you got to bring in Guaruashipping so I get to bring in the other champions for the Villain Unova Kids AU :)

God just imagine the destruction is being broadcasted and others watching from other regions.

Just Diantha and Lance frantically calling Iris to see if she’s alright and if she needs their help stopping The Original Dragon, but she isn’t answering their calls.

Or Hau trying to catch a flight to Unova to help out his sister but all airlines are shut down for safety reasons. And all he can do at the moment is watch the broadcast until he can figure out a solution

Even Leon cursing himself for not being there at the moment to help Iris and Hilbert, because he knew how stressful and dangerous it is to try stop a legendary from causing mass destruction throughout the region

Imagine some of them are using their Pokémon to fly to Unova since the airlines refuse to fly to Unova while it’s under attack. But during the flight they didn’t have cell service to continue watching the live broadcast, so imagine someone like Diantha makes it to Unova and immediately goes to find Iris, hoping she’s okay and not hurt from the attacks

Not knowing Iris is one of the people behind the attacks

OUGHHFHHFHJ YOUR HONOUR PLS THATS HER DAUGHTER HCJXBDJ

that's fucked up man fucking imagine Dia being so desperate she and Gardevoir teleported to Unova, and when she got there everything's a fucking mess, almost everywhere is a ghost town, it reeks of death and blood and burnt flesh. She's starting to spiral, just where is Iris? Calling out her Gardevoir, both teleported to Opelucid. Imagine her seeing the frozen bodies, the frozen corpses, the dried up blood mixing with the snow, splattered on the ice, the way Drayden's body almost as if it was crucified right in front of the gym. Her heart almost dropped, she ran to Drayden's home, now unsure whether or not she wants to see Iris there, in fear that she might be dead too. Fortunately (or unfortunately) Iris wasn't there.

Diantha can't contact the other Champions, she wasn't sure where Iris was, then she hears a thunderous roar almost sounding from the south eastern part of the region, so ofc, she was worried af abt Iris too, she doesn't know what's going on, but man, she just has to get to her daughter, she has to make sure Iris was safe, so she and Gardevoir rushed to the source of the noise, hoping and praying to Arceus, to whatever god is truly up there, that heer daughter is safe.

But also csnxbjd ough y'know since Iris has no troubles killing off Drayden, what if she does the same w Dia when they finally meet. Like,,, oughghfhcfhdj your honour😭😭😭

Like imagine, once Diantha finds out Iris is the one behind all the deaths, she tries to stop her, despite knowing she's gonna lose, but y'know.... Y'know cjdnchn ough like, Diantha clinging on to what little hope she has left that her daughter will hear her, that she can get through Iris, that she can bring her back home with her and Lance. But ough!! Iris just staring at her, this empty look in her eyes, and suddenly she smirks at Diantha, and Diantha's fate about to be sealed by the Original Dragon's Glaciate.

Can you imagine Lance and the others finally getting to Unova, and just cbdmndj imagine Lance seeing just that tho, seeing Iris about to kill Diantha, and it just fucking breaks him your honour this is breaking me too owo