#BUT I WAS WRONG ABOUT GOTHITELLE TOO AND THAT ONE MADE IT THROUGH TO THE POST BECAUSE I WAS JUST. THAT CONFIDENT??

[front-facing-pokemon]

[eldragon-x]

PSMD Gothitelle AU

So, this is the up to date version of the Gothitelle AU :)

For those not familiar, the Gothitelle AU started out with me disliking Nuzleaf's writing as a villain and replacing the role with my Gothitelle OC instead.

Pretty much everything prior to this year concerning the AU isn't canon to it anymore as I changed a whole lot but I'll still keep it up. Everything that isn't mentioned in this text is the same as in the canon story, if not just obviously written out.

1st Dark Matter era

Gothitelle tended to suppress her negative emotions, or at least keep them to herself. She was one of the Pokemon who managed to avoid being turned to stone during Dark Matter’s first appearance in ancient times. Alongside Fix the human, Mew, and other Pokemon she tried to contribute to stopping Dark Matter to the best of her abilities.

Due to her emotional state and attitude, Dark Matter was able to reach out to and influence Gothitelle. She saw a vision, showing her that Dark Matter’s negative energy could be altered if a Pokemon utilized it to turn others to stone, rather than the Matter doing it on its own. The effect of the absorbed life energy would then weaken the Matter instead of strengthening it, ensuring its destruction while creating a world without pain in the process where the petrified Pokemon would be sent to.

Gothitelle saw this as the solution to stopping Dark Matter’s destruction. Not only to get rid of it, but make sure it would never return in a world where no one ever had to deal with painful feelings. Buying into the illusion and accepting it, Gothitelle allowed Dark Matter to create a bond with her, giving her access to its powers.

Gothi approached Fix and Mew, telling them about her vision and plan. They rejected it and argued that using Dark Matter’s powers to turn more Pokemon to stone would probably only make things worse, regardless of circumstances, while Gothitelle pointed out the high risk of Dark Matter returning in the future if nothing absolute is done against it.

As the stars were aligning to bring Dark Matter to a standstill, Gothitelle started acting regardless, causing a fight between her, Fix and Mew who tried to stop her. During the fight, the Matter stopped in its destruction, vanished, and took Gothitelle with it. She fell into a deep sleep and foresaw that she and Dark Matter would return to the world in the far future. Fix and Mew would be around too, though they would take on the forms of a Fennekin and a Turtwig. Through dreams, Dark Matter also showed her the precautions that were set up in order to prepare the future world for its return.

2nd Dark Matter era

Dark Matter re-appears with Gothitelle in the Tree of Life, waking her up. Due to their connection with Xerneas, Yveltal felt that something was wrong and checked up on it alongside three Beheeyem who acted as guardians to the tree. Yveltal recognized Dark Matter and the Beheeyem saw Gothitelle as an intruder, prompting them to launch an attack on the both of them. However, Dark Matter managed to put a halt to it, bring those Pokemon under its influence and show them a vision of an ideal world too. Gothitelle noticed that they ceased their attacks, explained her plan to them, and convinced them to join her cause and form a bond with Dark Matter through her own.

Yveltal flew around the world to convince other Legendary Pokemon to help achieve Gothitelle’s goal, but all rejected them. In turn, they petrified their fellow Legendaries in hopes that seeing the ideal world would make them understand, to prevent them from getting in the way, and to supply more life energy to Dark Matter.

Gothitelle and the Beheeyem were traveling and doing the same with other Pokemon, during which they found Fix unconscious in the forest. Gothitelle decided to leave them be but told the Beheeyem to keep an eye on them, knowing she’d still need them to break the barrier atop Revelation Mountain.

-

Nuzleaf found Fix and made sure they were alright before continuing his way to Serene Village. After they followed him, told him about their situation, and some hesitation, he agreed to let them stay with him. Fix soon grew on Nuzleaf and he encouraged them on their adventures with their new friend Champ, a Turtwig who lived next door, since he himself used to be a young Explorer and wanted Fix to have the same freedom.

The Beheeyem reported to Gothitelle that Fix seems to have lost their memory and that they’re with a Turtwig, and she ordered them to try and get Fix to the peak of Revelation Mountain. One of the Beheeyem approached Nuzleaf, saying it heard about his days as an explorer, and that there was a rumor about the secret of Revelation Mountain being related to a human. Nuzleaf’s interest peaked and he took Fix and Champ on a trip to the mountain, hoping to learn something about the Fennekin’s past. Gothitelle ultimately called the plan off as neither Nuzleaf nor the kids could make it past the second gate on the mountain. 

-

Fix and Champ joining the Expedition Society, Krookodile making himself known as a threat to them, and Entei’s attempts at finding the one responsible for petrifying Pokemon led Gothitelle to orchestrating a plan. The Beheeyem who encouraged Nuzleaf to visit Revelation Mountain would approach Krookodile and offer him a reward for dropping off warnings at the Lively Town plaza saying Entei would be targeted on Showdown Mountain, then going to the mountain to meet Yveltal there. 

Before Krookodile arrived, Yveltal petrified Entei. At the meeting, they handed him two notes and instructed him to return home, leave the notes there and then pick up his reward at the peak of Revelation Mountain. On his way back, he came across one of the Expedition teams climbing the mountain and ran away in alarm.  

While checking Krookodile’s place, Archen and Buizel found the two notes given by Yveltal. One was a half-written warning letter and the other pointed towards the Prehistoric Ruins containing records about Pokemon being turned to stone in ancient times and a way to reverse the process. Ampharos planned for the Expedition Society to go to the ruins together, though that was changed as Krookodile was later spotted heading towards Serene Village.

-

On their way to Revelation Mountain, Fix, Champ, Nuzleaf and Archen run into the Beheeyem who talked to Nuzleaf. It mentions it has seen Krookodile run through as well and is concerned, so it comes along to help the group. Meanwhile, the other two Beheeyem claim to be the guardians of the Prehistoric Ruins.

At the peak, after Raikou and Suicune arrived and while Krookodile was approaching, Beheeyem pressed for Fix to break the barrier around the pond just as Champ, Nuzleaf and Archen were. Afterwards, it thanked Krookodile for his help before turning him to stone. When Champ concluded that Beheeyem was the culprit behind all those petrifications, Gothitelle came out of hiding from the woods, correcting Champ that it wasn’t just Beheeyem.

Gothitelle didn’t get time to explain herself before Champ, Archen and the Legendary Beasts surrounded her and Beheeyem and prepared to fight. Before Fix could reach the Luminous Water, Yveltal showed up and only explained that they’re doing this in everyone’s best interest before turning the group to stone. Beheeyem contacted the other two in the ruins to let them know to petrify the expedition team that’s with them.

After they dried out the Luminous Water, Gothitelle flew high up on Yveltal and used her telepathy to communicate with Pokemon all over the world. She explained that the recent cases of Pokemon turning to stone was the doing of her and her allies, that the affected Pokemon were only sent to the ideal world they were creating as they petrified more of them, and that it would ultimately lead to no one ever having to experience sadness, anger, hate and the like anymore. They would continue working towards this goal and she invited others to take part, whether it be by allowing themselves to be petrified or doing it themselves.

After the announcement, Gothitelle spotted Espurr hiding nearby. She approached her carefully so as to not scare her and asked if she wanted to help. Espurr agreed while already planning to go behind Gothitelle’s back. Within the next few days, many more Pokemon all over the world were being turned to stone by Gothi, Yveltal, and the Beheeyem.

-

Fix and Champ reunite with Nuzleaf alongside Mawile and Dedenne in the Voidlands. Nuzleaf is very relieved, but at the same time feels responsible for getting the kids into this mess. He apologizes to them, promises to do better for them and questions himself about whether he was too careless. Fix felt bad seeing him so troubled. They thank him for his concern and let him know that they appreciate him for always keeping their best interest in mind, even if things got bad.

Further into the Voidlands, the group comes across the ancient writings that talk about Dark Matter which also mention that some may believe that the effect of Pokemon being turned to stone would be the opposite if it is done by another Pokemon, but that is untrue. 

Nuzleaf makes it to Reverse Mountain with the others where the Legendary Beasts decide to join forces with the group to find a way out of the Voidlands. On the summit, Nuzleaf just barely managed to make it through the Door to Hope after Fix and Champ. He was dedicated to taking on a more active role and protecting the two the best he could.

-

Nuzleaf comforted Champ when she was distressed about their situation and checked up on Fix to make sure they were doing alright. When the trio showed up in Serene Village, Gothitelle spotted and tried to confront them but they were able to flee and made their way to Lively Town.

Gothitelle contacted Espurr, told her that the three Pokemon were around again, and asked her to inform her if they show up in Lively Town. Espurr then contacts Ampharos to tell him about the situation to which he tells her to get in touch with the trio, call them to the Expedition Society, and buy some time by giving Gothitelle misinformation.

Shortly after Fix, Champ and Nuzleaf arrive, Ampharos and Jirachi return to the Expedition Society too, and Celebi with them. Ampharos and the two Mythicals explained that they were investigating the current events, that Celebi helped with his time travel abilities, and what they found out, including how Gothitelle was involved by turning her back on other Pokemon because she believed to work towards a better solution and later vanishing with Dark Matter. 

The plan was for Fix and Champ to come along to the Tree of Life as everything pointed towards them being meant to stop Dark Matter, while Nuzleaf and Espurr should stay safely in the Expedition Society HQ. Nuzleaf insisted on coming along though since he didn’t want to leave the children hanging again, even if they were with three other adults.

Before the debate could be resolved, Gothitelle broke into the building and attacked the shopkeepers. She realized that Espurr betrayed her because one of the Beheeyem saw Nuzleaf and the kids entering the headquarters. With no more time to lose and no safe place left, Celebi teleported everyone to the Primeval Forest.

-

Nuzleaf talks to the kids on the way to the tree and once again promises to support them best he can, despite Fix and Champ being seemingly destined to take down Dark Matter.

At the Tree of Life, the villains show up to stop the group. Fix and Champ told Gothitelle that she was wrong and still sent Pokemon to the Voidlands, but she rejected their claim and assumed that they didn’t understand that her goal was worth the risk. One of the Beheeyem raised an objection and admitted to Gothitelle that it was starting to grow doubts since it seemed odd that any Pokemon would try and return from being petrified if it was supposed to send them to a perfect world. Gothi was upset and angered by this suggestion, told Beheeyem it should convince itself of the legitimacy of her vision, and turned it to stone. She and her remaining companions then attempted to do the same to the opposing group, but they were protected by the Harmony Scarves and a fight broke out between the two.

After the battle, the heroes once again tried to get through to Gothitelle and the others. They pointed out how the sun was getting closer and even the Tree of Life was clearly dying which was evidence of Dark Matter only growing stronger. Gothitelle was in denial and argued that the process was slow and they could destroy Dark Matter before it grew into a serious danger. Everyone was startled when Dark Matter’s voice could be heard, the earth suddenly started to quake and the Tree of Life was lifted out of the ground. The Beheeyem were terrified and Gothitelle and Yveltal were shocked as the tree rose into the sky. After a long moment of hesitation, Gothitelle ordered Yveltal to get her up to the tree. They complied and the Beheeyem were left behind with the other Pokemon.

When Arceus reached out to the group and told them they would teleport Fix and Champ into the Tree of Life, Nuzleaf wanted to come along. Arceus rejected the suggestion, knowing he’d only be turned to stone.

-

While climbing the tree, Fix and Champ find Yveltal who was still exhausted from fighting and catching up with the ascending tree right after. They express regret and shame for causing so much damage, even if with good yet misguided intentions, apologize to the two Pokemon and tell them that Gothitelle went up ahead, though they aren’t sure what she’s going to do. They ask the kids to try and stop her, adding that they know they don’t have the right to ask a favour of them. Champ agrees to do so regardless and the two kids go on.

In the section between the roots and the trunk, Fix and Champ find Gothitelle resting. She was also in a poor state due to the battle and the thin air of the Stratosphere. She is surprised that the two Pokemon have made it this far and when Champ asks if she’ll attempt to stop them she says she doesn’t know, though at this moment her regrets about throwing her life away for Dark Matter only serve to feed more into it, so she continues to supply power to it regardless. She goes on to talk to herself and wonders if the Tree of Life would still stand if only she got a grip of herself in Primeval Forest, or if she would’ve stopped if she saw the tree decaying at a less critical point. Fix and Champ didn’t stick around for long and continued their way towards Dark Matter.

During their fight against the Matter, Yveltal arrives with the two Beheeyem and Nuzleaf to lend support. Nuzleaf had asked Yveltal if he could come along in order to help Fix at least a bit in this dire situation.

Gothitelle slowly makes it to the top of the Tree of Life and stops Fix in their attempt to destroy Dark Matter’s core. She tells Fix and Champ that this would only bring Dark Matter back once again as it’s born out of the negativity of Pokemon, which is why she pursued her own way of destroying it in the first place. She brings up that Mew’s guilt about failing to destroy it for good was part of the negativity it grew on as well and that the events will only repeat themselves. 

Fix is unsure but Champ confidently claims that they could live with it, which surprises Gothitelle. They proceed to talk about how all these negative feelings are just a part of who Pokemon are and can’t just be rid of, the same case being with Dark Matter as a being of negativity, and that it’s just the way to overcome them again and again. Gothitelle is silent for a moment before she says she understands it now and asks to destroy Dark Matter alongside them, in order to break her and her companions’ bond with it, which Champ agrees to.

Post-Dark Matter

Back before the flourishing Tree of Life, Fix and Champ ask Xerneas where Yveltal, Gothitelle, Nuzleaf and the Beheeyem ended up. They assured them that all were alive and while Nuzleaf was returned to Serene Village, Xerneas would take care of the other Pokemon themselves.

Fix and Champ happily reunite with Nuzleaf and Carracosta in Serene Village. Fix and Nuzleaf sleep over at Carracosta’s place that night.

When Xerneas returned Champ’s memory of being Mew the next day, she also learned that Gothitelle would disappear just like her since only her bond with Dark Matter kept her alive all this time.

After Champ disappears, Fix runs home and tells Nuzleaf and Carracosta everything. The family grieves together and Fix loses their motivation to continue their work at the Expedition Society before Ampharos informs them about the Mew in Mystery Jungle.

Xatu discovers that Champ can be brought back if Fix visits Purifying Cave with Mew and wishes for her to be back strongly enough. Nuzleaf offers to come along out of concern but Fix assures him they can do it themselves, so he lets them. Fix and Mew succeed and Champ reunites with everyone in the end.

-

Yveltal apologized to Xerneas for their actions but Xerneas felt some guilt themselves, knowing there was a reason their equal was able to fall under Dark Matter’s influence. The two of them agree to look out for each other in the future and make things better. Concerning the Beheeyem, Yveltal decided to find new guardians to help them protect the Tree of Life, which the trio accepted.

-

Champ eventually reached out to Yveltal to ask them a favour which they agreed to as they still felt they owed her and Fix something. She asked if it would be possible to bring Gothitelle back, as she felt a lack of closure about her. Yveltal said they would consult Xerneas and Arceus about it.

The Legendaries did succeed in reviving Gothitelle who was brought to the hill over Serene Village by Yveltal, where Champ was already waiting for her. Once the two Pokemon were alone, Champ admitted that they weren't actually sure what to say at the moment. Gothitelle was understanding and said they could take their time or talk to her another day. The conversation shifted to Gothitelle thanking Champ for what they have done for her and being glad for them having found closure in their past as Mew. The two Pokemon eventually departed and Gothitelle promised to come by the hill each evening, in case Champ would one day find the right words. She stayed true to her promise, though on many evenings she encountered Yveltal there instead.

[gregnas-the-grouch]

Quill @ Baozhai: "Hi!" the Gothitelle waved to Baozhai, a warm smile spread across his face. "I see you are a traveler. I travel, too! But not like I used to." his smile faded as he thought on his words more. "I was part of a colony, once, you see. I will only say that they were ... not sad when I left. And so I wonder about you. Would you say you have felt 'at home' anywhere recently? I would be very sad to hear if you had nowhere that you could feel happy and safe."

Baozhai had been keeping a close eye on Yemir. Yet the spirit herself seemed to be busy with her own matters. Her armor had been cracked, a testament to Yemir's overwhelming physical strength. The Cofagrigus couldn't help but be impressed. The damage was minor, yet it wasn't often anyone could just crack her armor. An iron ingot in hand, Baozhai's jaw stretched inhumanly wide before biting down on the metal. A loud crack could be heard as Baozhai bit through it like candy.

Chewing on her metal, Baozhai made note of a rather peculiar looking Gothitelle. One whose fashion choice certainly caused her to raise a brow in curiosity. It reminded the ghost of more interesting times, to say the least. Baozhai listened quietly to the Gothitelle's brief explanation before the question was thrown her way.

Baozhai paused. All this time, traveling with Haos. She never considered what home had felt like to her now. It was long. Too long. Suddenly, Baozhai felt a state of being she hadn't experienced in a long time. Tired. Her eyes became half lidded as she slowed down her chewing. Swallowing chunks of iron whole before responding. "Home? I haven't really used that word in... I just don't know anymore."

"I've traveled with Haos for so long. Seen a great deal, never really considered any place at home beyond Sheidal itself." Baozhai paused once more, eyeing the Gothitelle for a moment before her vision flicked back to the iron ingot in hand. "I suppose I'm returning home. Yet, I must confess I feel a sense of trepidation welling up inside me." For a brief moment, Baozhai's usual confident and cold expression melted away into something softer. "Have you ever felt afraid of returning to a place you had a great deal of familiarity with? It's right before you arrive, with everything wrong that could happen racing through your mind. Yet you can't process it all?... I only know what has happened to my people. My kingdom, from my close followers. Even after a thousand years, their faith in me never waned while I went missing without even explaining anything to them."

Baozhai's face was wracked with guilt. Yet, a cool, soothing aura surrounded the mummy. Her conflicted expression smoothed out. Her expression returning to normal as she returned her gaze back to Quill. "Regardless. I must return, no matter the circumstances... I hope you find someplace you consider home. For that, you have my sympathies, traveler."

[artpharos]

Stealing the Chicken

Last night was my match during our team’s semi-final round for the local Region Wars showdown tournament, and I’m actually really proud of the team I built. So of course I’d write a tumblr post about my team-building process. 

The name, correctly spelled ‘curi ayam’, is a malay saying my mom often uses that means ‘to steal the chicken’, which is kind of slang to say doing something you hope nobody will ‘catch’ you for. Which describes this team perfectly because honestly, what I came up with was basically putting all my eggs in one basket and hoping nobody would catch me out on it. 

The showdown links to the bo3 matches are here: Game 1: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7doublescustomgame-855419427 Game 2: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7doublescustomgame-855421029 Game 3: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7doublescustomgame-855423345

and my long-winded explanation down below the cut:

So, more on the tournament first. Region Wars is held by the local VGC comm, and basically we’re split into 4 factions: Kanto-Hoenn (who we kicked out last week), Sinnoh-Johto (us), Unova-Kalos (our opponents this round), and Alola (the currently undefeated champion). This week was the semi-final match of the loser’s bracket, because Unolos kicked our ass in Week 1, and Alola kicked Unolos’s ass in Week 2, and basically whoever won this round would make it to finals. As of the writing of this entry, even though I won, the fate of my team is still hanging in the balance on the last match of the week so please cry for me :’) 

But yeah, basically the rules were: Double battle, 6v6. Only use mons that were native to your pokedex and introduced only in your region, so stuff like Gyarados, Clefairy, and Zapdos was limited only to Kanto, for example. Mythical legendaries were banned for obvious reasons, but event legendaries were mostly allowed, save for mons like Arceus, Hoopa, and Magearna (basically the guys who were deemed too broken for the format by our admins). Which was sad because I wanted to use Arceus but my friends say that as a non-religious person Arceus would never lend me Its power anyway. 

So, anyway. We got our asses kicked by Unolos R1 because we had no idea what we were doing, had no team plan, had no idea how to chart vs the threats, and had no strong overwhelming options to control the match in our favor. Moreover, access to a lot of the normal Doubles threats like Shadow Tag Gothitelle (which made it hard for us to position our mons) or Landorus-Therian (who just kept Intimidating our physical attackers before U-turning out), made it difficult for us to play vs them. They also had access to Amoonguss, one of the premier threats of double battles, who had access to a 100% accuracy Sleep move in Spore, Rage Powder for redirection, and Clear Smog to get rid of any stat boosts that we managed to set up. On top of that, Regenerator just made it almost impossible to take Amoonguss out if it was played carefully. So yeah, when we went with a goodstuffs balanced playstyle that focused on reacting rather than acting, we ended up getting screwed over by the sheer power and bulk of Unolos. I used Azumarill back in Week 1, but without proper redirection support, it went down too fast to do any actual work. That said, I really believed in the little blue rabbit. Priority Aqua Jet meant that it could threaten Unolos’s faster, frailer pokemon, and pick up OHKOs vs Landorus-T, Diancie, Volcarona, Genesect, and basically anything fast and frail once it set up to +6 Attack with Belly Drum. My teammates didn’t believe in Azumarill because we got our asses kicked by Volcanion back in Week 1, and Volcanion had Water Absorb, which allowed it to heal from Water damage, and access to Steam Eruption and Heat Wave, both moves that could burn a physical attacker like Azumarill. For Week 3, my teammates opted for Z-Celebrate Shaymin and Z-Conversion Porygon-Z, both who get +1 to all stats from their Z moves. I decided to stick with the water bunny. However, based off what happened in Week 1, I knew I had to change things up. Azumarill definitely needed a lot of support, and my teammates constantly told me that the existence of Volcanion would make it hard for Azumarill to do any work, and that Electric Porygon-Z would be better. So, after a lot of debate and hand-wringing, I came up with this team: 

Basically, my plan was to support Azumarill/Porygon-Z as best as I could with the other 4 slots of my team. I didn’t want to run the risk of being wrong by hedging my bets on Azu, so I brought in Electric Z-Conversion Porygon-Z to sort of have a failsafe. As it turns out, I didn’t need it, and Azu really did pull through for me. So, breakdown for the team. Porygon-Z: Originally supposed to be the failsafe, the best sweeper that we could manage. Z-Conversion would change it to an electric type, which we decided after much debate would be the best type for a PoryZ to convert to. Basically the rationale was that Tbolt would pick up OHKOs on Volcanion and Genesect, while a +1 Ice Beam would definitely OHKO Landorus-T, one of the only few viable ground types we considered. Electric had a better defensive typing vs steel pokemon, and gave it a neutral typing vs things like Aegislash and Bisharp. In the end, most of the things we planned for didn’t show, and PoryZ spent most of my matches hiding in the back.  Togekiss: Supposedly my Amoonguss counter, Safety Goggles would make it immune to most of Amoonguss’s nonsense, while redirecting Amoonguss’s Spore and Clear Smog with Follow Me. I knew I couldn’t leave home without Togekiss, so it was a mainstay of the team from the start. My main worry was things like Rock Slide or Sludge Bomb, which would take it out prematurely before Azumarill or Porygon-Z had the chance to do any work. Normally I’d have tossed in more goodstuff mons to just ease the pressure of Azu or Pory doing well, but most of our goodstuff mons kinda suck so I decided to just pile on the redirection, which ended up with

Smeargle: Easily the most versatile mon we have in our arsenal, Smeargle gets access to every move that can be sketched, which means it can do anything a support mon wants to do. Fake Out was standard Smeargle fare to enable PoryZ or Azu to set up properly, Follow Me was what I needed Smeargle to do, and Spiky Shield was your normal defensive move. The last slot was a toss-up between Spore and Transform, and honestly it feels pretty bad that Smeargle is our only Spore user. However, I opted for Transform because I wanted to reduce the pressure on Azu and PoryZ if things weren’t going too well. Neither mon was super bulky and I was really putting all my bets on them so... Smeargle functioned as an alternate backup if I could pull Transform off. (HINT: I did. Many times.) Azumarill: The MVP of the team. Azumarill with Huge Power and Belly Drum has wrecked me in VGC far too many times to count, and I trusted in its power. Aqua Jet for fast kills, and Knock Off instead of Play Rough to deal with the nonsense that was Amoonguss, Aegislash, Ferrothorn, and Volcanion. (At +6 those are all OHKOs). I went with the standard VGC Azumarill because honestly, as much as Azu has 100/80/80 defenses, when it’s your sole sweeper and you need it to last like 10 turns to take out the entire 6-mon team, you need as much bulk as you can get. 

Lucario: Week 1 traumatized me when a Volcanion Sludge Bombed Azumarill and left it too weak to Belly Drum and sweep. So I looked at our Follow Me users and decided if Unolos wanted to pull that shit again, I was ready. Steel typing Follow Me was basically the only reason why I went for Lucario; to protect Azumarill. Feint was also a nice move to have to assure that Azu could nail the Aqua Jet targets it wanted to through Protect, and I went with traditional Detect to help ‘burn Fake Out/Trick Room/Tailwind turns’. Flash Cannon was advised by my teammates over Aura Sphere because of Diancie, to which I still regret because we didn’t see it this round. 

Hitmontop: As far as support Fake Outers go, Hitmontop is tough to beat. Intimidate, Fake Out, access to Wide Guard, Helping Hand, Feint... the only thing it doesn’t have is Follow Me, but with three other Follow Me users on the team, I decided on Hitmontop for some nice Wide Guard and Helping Hand support. Hitmontop was more a partner for PoryZ than Azu, but it still did its work :D

And so there we have it. I won 2-1 vs a standard team, Azumarill wrecked everything in its path that was supposed to stop it (bye bye Ferrothorn, Volcanion) and now I just need to hope the rest of my team pulls out a victory after i spent SO MUCH DAMN TIME STRESSING OVER PUTTING ALL MY EGGS IN ONE BASKET. 

[tulog]

(please appreciate the pokemon verse i made for a canon character. if anyone’s interested in meeting a screenplay writer--who specializes in “romance” and thought to be a woman because of some pseudonym he picked on a whim and never had the heart to change it--who has worked various times at Pokestar Studios, hmu)

Sakiko Yumeno's notable films:

The Tauros Prince - The Prince only wanted color in his world. Will a curse turning him into a tauros be the answer, or is it this man he met who wishes to become a princess?

The Clumsy Bisharp and the Strict Gothitelle - As the partner of the Champion of a region far, far away, all Shiba the bisharp wanted was a new adventure. Can he find it in the steely gaze of the former Team Plasma's elite gothitelle, Sayu, when all Sayu wants is to stay out of trouble?

To Caress the Prince - For a fallen star's love, the Prince and his best friend, Rudolph, fought to the death. The Prince has blood on his hands. Will Rudolph's sister have blood on her hands, too, just as she wants?

I'm Glad to Have Met You - Tomoda was satisfied with just watching, supporting his best friend get the girl(s) of his dreams, his life long stowed away in his best friend's heart. But can the best wingman finally find his own happy ending?

Once a name scattered in the credits of many indie films, Sakiko Yumeno has recently broke through popular media with her various works with Pokestar Studios, her name stapled to well-loved films like those which bring forth the nostalgia of a first love thwarting time; star-crossed lovers braving harsh fate; and two unlikely people finding a love like no other. Due to hit after hit, no matter how small it may be compared to other films, Sakiko Yumeno, a freelance screenplay writer and script consultant by trade, has found herself in Pokestar Studios more than in other studios. It's no wonder now how the name "Sakiko Yumeno" has become synonymous with "success."

Highly sought out by film crews and actors alike, it's almost eerie how Sakiko Yumeno has not made a public appearance. Rumors say Sakiko Yumeno is afraid of crowds, being as demure as many of the heroines in her scripts. Other rumors swear Sakiko Yumeno is terrified of being out in public, for she believes herself to be grotesque and unlovable, oblivious to the beauty she holds in her, her love inside and out enough to embrace the world. No rumor, however, talks of a 17-year-old boy who thought of "Sakiko Yumeno" on a whim one summer day, years before he gained recognition, as he stood in front of the mailbox, a script for a contest in hand. "Sakiko Yumeno" is a gender-neutral-enough pseudonym, right? He can always change it later.

Oh, how wrong he was. He could barely take hold of his rising popularity before he found himself as "Sakiko Yumeno," the woman who knows the language of a heart in love. With fan letters, enamored rumors, critics' praises, Umetarou Nozaki didn't have the heart to break the news to them: their beloved Sakiko Yumeno is a high school drop-out from Celadon City, Kanto Region who found himself in the Unova Region researching about all these trainers who opposed villains and battled legendary pokemon. They're going to be his next big work, after all. And here's an even bigger twist: he's going to try his hand at comics.

[umbrahighpriestofgiratina]

Heroes After All Chapter 4

Some old art I haven't shared in this thread yet: Our protagonists by @autobottesla, ordered by Spiteful Murkrow (I imagine Aaron doesn't have the cape yet but everything else is 100% accurate and 200% adorable) Polly and co. by the same artist except ordered by me and Polly and her Dunsparce by our very own @antialiasis! Well! Here's Chapter 4! In which we get to some worldbuilding on the Aaron end and peril on the Riolu end!

Chapter 4: All In The Type

    It was time for the first day of training.

Aaron kept staring at the training dummy. It seemed to stare back. He looked around at the other kids and their Pokemon preparing. He was alone. He looked back at the training dummy and his hands glowed with Auric power. He yelled, rushed at the training dummy... and tripped, falling flat on his back.

"...Good grief," he said.

He hesitantly got back up and rushed the dummy again. This attempt was more successful, doing decent damage to the dummy. Smiling, he looked around for his companions. Louis and Rook were slicing up a dummy, Callie and Munchkin were pelting one with Obscura bolts and fire, Atta and Stabby were gnawing and stabbing at one, and Eve... Weird. She was lying on the ground clutching her head, with Iuroidea tending to her. Did she trip too? Maybe-

It was then Aaron noticed a shadow looming overhead. With dread he looked up. There was a blonde boy with spiky hair standing on the head of a massive Onix above him, crossing his arms and giving a not exactly friendly smug smile down.

"You! You're the new freak kid, right?" he said.

"Uh... No?"

"Bah! You think you can fool the mighty Gabriel? I'll show you!" He snapped his fingers. An explosion of Psychic power happened at Aaron's feet, knocking him back as he yelped. "Ha! Too easy," said Gabriel. "Let's try some more." A strange construct that seemed to resemble a Psyshock but spear-shaped appeared by his shoulder and fired down at Aaron, with Aaron yelping and rolling over to avoid it. "You're a fun one. Most people just run away and I have to bother chasing them. Not that that isn't funny either."

  His Onix gave a strange whimper.

  "Easy, Patricia, we're almost done with this one," said Gabriel. "Lean down a little will you girl?"

  Patricia slowly moved her head down to ground level so Gabriel could get off, upon which he picked up Aaron by the scruff of his neck and held up his other hand, crackling with Psychic explosions, in Aaron's face. "You're just like the rest of them. Worthless. If you think you came here to have a good time, I'm here to teach you otherwise. Not any kid on the Auric Spectrum can be an Aura Guardian, and I'm gonna weed out the ones who can't. Like you."

  He dropped Aaron and stormed off, Patricia looking at Aaron oddly for a few moments before following after. Aaron was hyperventilating on the ground until he saw Callie and Munchkin peering down at him.

  "You okay?" said Callie. Or at least Aaron thought she said that, her accent was still always odd and unplaceable.

  "No."

  "Good! The Necrozmaists say adversity builds character!"

  She helped him up. "But yeah, Gabriel is mean. He makes the Aura Spectrum look bad!" Munchkin hissed at her in agreement.

  "What's wrong with him anyway?" said Aaron.

  "Apparently he was from a rich family and got protected from how people usually treat us. And his powers are really strong! So he thinks he's better than everyone else!" said Callie. "I'd like to teach him the might of Necrozma!"

  "Let's just try to avoid him for now..." said Aaron.

"Aww, okay," said Callie. "Come on, Ms. Carol is gonna teach us about type matchups! Maybe Munchkin can show off!"

Munchkin gave an excited hiss, and they all headed off.

  ----------------

  The Aura Guardian trainees and their Pokemon gathered around a young adult woman Aura Guardian with a dark uniform, long wavy red hair, and green eyes. She surveyed the group until all had settled and then spoke up... telepathically. 

  ~Alright kids! Carol here, and I'm going to teach you how to deal with type matchups! Who here has a Pokemon partner?~

  Everyone but Aaron gestured to their partner or held them up. Aaron fidgeted nervously before addressing Louis.

"Why does she only talk like that?"

  "She's mute," Louis said, whispering. "Can't speak with her mouth. Can't hear that well either. Something about an incident with a Pangoro. Don't know the rest, don't really care."

  Aaron nodded before his gaze shifted back to Carol.

  ~Okay then!~ said Carol. ~Now, as you may know, Pokemon have different attributes called Types. These affect the sorts of Aura Spectrum powers Pokemon can produce - way more of them and with way more power than humans on the Auric Spectrum! This is helped by the fact that Pokemon produce an additional energy called Infinity Energy to power up their Auras, which can only be sensed in trace amounts in humans. Pokemon types are strong and weak against other types, depending on the type and type combination, and to demonstrate that...~

  She paused, holding stock-still. There was a roar, and a Salamence descended from the air and approached Polly.

  ~Good girl,~ said Carol exclusively to the Salamence, scratching the dragon's cheek as she purred. ~Can you show off for these kids again?~

  The Salamence winked and gave a quiet "Sal!"

  ~Alright,~ said Carol. ~Now I need, hmmm...~ She combed her finger through the audience until she reached a boy and his Cleffa. ~You! Bring me your Pokemon.~

  The boy's eyes widened in shock. He looked around. Then, very hesitantly, he passed the squealing Cleffa to Carol. Carol placed the Cleffa down across from the Salamence, ignoring his "Clefs!" of protest. She quickly backed away.

  ~Becky! Use Outrage!~

  Becky the Salamence roared as her entire body glowed green with dragonfire and she charged the Cleffa. The Cleffa covered his eyes and braced himself for impact. The dragon pummeled the Cleffa with claws and bites and headbutts. When the dragonfire died down and the dust cleared... nothing. The Cleffa was totally unscathed. He uncovered its eyes, looked up, gave a "clef!" of surprise at Becky still being there, and ran back to his Trainer, who hugged him.

  ~As you can see,~ said Carol, ~Type matchups - as well as things like Trainer and Pokemon creativeness and cleverness - are what really makes a battle. Not Pokemon strength.~

  The gaggle of Trainees and their Pokemon started a bit before nodding. Carol smiled. ~But!~ said Carol. ~You will learn more in subsequent lessons! For now, you've got a history lesson with Polly! I'll take you to her!~

  She and Becky, along with a Gothitelle she summoned from her staff, herded the kids toward the mountain.

  ----------------

  Eventually the group of children were directed to Polly, alongside her Dunsparce and Metagross. Polly looked them over, then looked at Carol and her Pokemon. "You're good to go."

  ~Thanks!~ said Carol, and she, Becky, and her Gothitelle Lovegood exited.

  "Alright," said Polly. "Time to teach you new kids some stuff about this place. Kids who have heard it before, don't try to sum it up please."

  A few hands lowered.

  Polly started leading the kids up the mountain, going on some winding pathways with tall trees and various signs of wild Pokemon. Eventually, the group came across a cliff overlooking something Aaron couldn't make out at first. When he got there, however, he stared in awe.

  In the distance stood a mountain unlike anything Aaron had ever seen. It was massive, and shaped like a tree, clouds swirling around it. Aaron could barely make out glittering green crystals decorating the mountain's rocks.

  "Say hello to the Tree Of Beginning," said Polly. "Why is it like that?" asked Aaron.

  "Long ago, the people and Pokemon of Kanto and Johto suffered a great famine. They begged the gods for help, and their calls were heeded by a Legendary from another land, who created the Tree to ward off famine and pestilence. Its crystals absorb energy from sunlight, and its roots as a result fertilize Kanto, Johto, and beyond. The ecosystem around here depends on it."

  "Wow..." said Aaron. Some of the other kids oohed and aahed as well.

  "But don't dare venture inward; there are monsters inside the tree, and you know what they do to any human that visits?"

  "...What?"

  Polly suddenly got in Aaron's face with a wicked grin. "They eat them!"

  Aaron screamed. And screamed, and screamed, and screamed for an unusually long time until Polly said "Kid, relax, relax, they're not going to get you."

  "...Okay," said Aaron. The other kids giggled.

  ~Told you you shouldn't have done that~ said Metagross. ~Even if it was funny.~

  Dunsparce snickered. 

  Polly sighed. "Anyway, the other hazard of the Tree is the Mew that lives there. The Tree can't sustain itself, so the Legendary created a lesser Legendary, a Mew, to keep it in balance. But the Mew is... Mischievous. It's known to cause a ruckus and spirit objects and even Pokemon away to the Tree."

  ~Legendaries in general aren't to be trusted.~

  Dunsparce gave a hissy, irritated "sparce".

  ~For your information I do not mention that every time Legendaries come up, thank you very much.~

  Polly sighed again and gestured with her staff to the region beyond the Tree. "Beyond the tree is the kingdom of Rota. It was founded by refugees from the great war in Kalos about 2000 years ago, or 0 Skybreak. Since then they've grown to thrive, and are a valuable ally to us Genesis Mountain Aura Guardians. Any questions?'

  The children were silent. Aaron tried to think of something to say, but couldn't just yet.

  "Alright, back to the monastery, so you kids all can have lunch."

  She and her Pokemon headed down the mountain, the children and their Pokemon heading after. Aaron followed along quietly for a while, then noticed another kid didn't have a Pokemon partner either. Aaron moved closer to him and noticed he not only had pink hair but pink clothes as well. "Excuse me-"

  The other child turned his head toward Aaron, holding a finger to his lips and winking. Aaron blinked. A Pokemon made a noise in the forest, causing Aaron's attention to turn to it briefly; when he turned back the other child was gone.

  ----------------------

  "How long has it been stalking us?"

  "Days, now. Ever since it first killed one of our own, possibly further."

  "It seems to have acquired a taste for our kind's flesh..."

  "What do we do, Grandfather Alpha?"

  "Give me a moment to think..."

  Riolu was listening in to all of this from behind a nearby boulder. There was a predator stalking the Lucario pack and he wanted to know more about it. He also wanted to do something about it but he also knew he wasn't strong enough... Maybe if he could-

  "I sense an aura!"

  "Behind that boulder!"

  Oh no. Quickly he tried to get out of there, only to be grabbed by a Lucario and held aloft.

  "Okay, whose pup is this?"

  "...That would be ours."

  Riolu awkwardly gestured to his parents. His mother sighed while Ginji shook his head.

  "How much do you know, kid?"

  "There's a predator killing pack members... we need to stop it..." 

  "Let him go," said Grandfather Alpha. "There is no harm in him knowing the truth; we were going to tell the other pups eventually." 

  The Lucario placed Riolu down, and he shook himself off. Grandfather Alpha sighed. "Now where were we?" 

  "The predator?" said a Lucario.

  "Right. By the time anyone sees or Aura Senses it it's too late, but scorch marks on the remains it leaves behind indicate it's a Fire type. Therefore..."

  He pointed toward Ginji. "You're probably our best bet for taking it down."

Ginji pointed to himself. "Me? And I thought you all didn't want me doing anything important."

  "Those are the ignorant words of my children and their mates. This pack is family. No matter what."

  Rilou's mother beamed.The other Lucario mumbled amongst themselves.

  "You shall lead a team to take this predator down for the sake of our pack," said Grandfather Alpha. "I wish you luck."

  "Don't worry, that predator's as good as gone."

  Riolu looked between his father, mother, and Grandfather Alpha and then the other packmates, the latter of which were still grumbling among themselves, with concern.

  ----------------

  That night, in a small cavern, Riolu was nestled up with his mother while Ginji was keeping watch. Riolu slowly got up and approached his father.

  "Dad?"

  "Yes, son?"

  "Are you gonna be OK?"

  "Well, I never know for sure. What exactly do you mean?"

  "With this predator. Do you really think you can take it on?"

  "Oh, that thing? Sure I can! It's just another Pokemon, and we Pokemon have strengths, weaknesses, all that that can be advantages and disadvantages. If you know how to use those, you're golden." He paused. "At least, that's what my old Trainer always taught me."

  "Did you trust your old Trainer?"

  "...Yes. While he was alive, more than anyone in the world."

"That's a lot."

  "Yes. Yes it is."

  "I trust you, Dad."

  Ginji gave a bird smile. "Thanks, so-"

  A yell echoed. Ginji stood at attention. Riolu's mother bolted upright.

  "Riolu! Stay here!" said his mother.

  "We'll take care of this!" said Ginji.

  They bolted off.

  Riolu, naturally, waited a bit before following.

  ---------------------------

  He came across his parents in a battle for their lives. Nearby was a cowering Lucario. Before them was a large reptilian Pokemon, orange scales, large wings, and flaming tail illuminated by the moonlight. The Pokemon breathed jets of flame at Riolu's parents, Ginji zipping out of the way keeping him distracted with Speed Boosts, and his mother lobbing Aura Spheres at his head.

  The predator roared and rushed the two. Riolu's mother lept aside while Ginji vaulted and delivered a kick to the predator's face. The predator roared in pain, and deciding his quarry wasn't worth the pursuit anymore, flew off into the night. The young Lucario the couple had saved ran back off into the night.

  "Do you know what that is?" said Riolu's mother.

  "Shit. It's a Charizard." said Ginji. "Powerful critters. Think they're apex predators of wherever they claim territory of. Suspect he's as much showing the pack who's boss as he is claiming meals."

  "Do we tell the Alpha?" said Riolu's mother.

  "Certainly." said Ginji.

  They ran off into the night as well. Riolu quickly headed back to the cave, where the rest of the pack would be nearby. 

***

[imaginegladions]

Scapegoat

Chapter 3: Parched for Penitence

Pairing: Gladion x Reader or Gladion x Moon if you prefer.

“Prisma’s trying to keep everyone from leaving the island.” Gladion said, ushering Hau and Lillie to Kukui’s lab where the fire hadn’t reached the island. “Some of Nanu’s informants from the International Police managed to trace her face here in time for us to evacuate everyone from the city to Ten Carat Hill but she’s destroyed the boats and jammed the signal of every Ride Gear on the island.”

He let them settle into their seats before continuing. “The center of the attack is in Hau’oli for now to scare people off but it’s moving closer to Iki Town with every passing moment.”

“Do you think this is… her?” Hau asked, fists curled in dismay.

Gladion looked at him, sensing the distraught in the usually cheerful man’s face. “It probably is, it’s almost the same as the reports on the Battle Tree incident.” Gladion recalled what he’d read in the report. “Raining fire from above. It must be that Delphox of hers.”

“This was her plan, then?” Lillie piped up from her seat. “This was what she kidnapped her, Blue, and Red for, right? That must mean that if she’s in the middle of this fire rain thing then they’re with her on the island!” She cheered.

There was an extended silence as both boys turned to regard Lillie.

Lillie frowned. “We are going after her, right?”

“You just got here, Lillie.” Hau tried to reason with her but she pushed forward.

“It’s taken me too long to come back. Too long before I felt strong enough to-” She choked on a sob and stared straight into her brother’s eyes with the passion she inherited from their mother. “I’m strong enough now to repay her. I know I am. Just let me try.” She whimpered, tears falling down her face in frustration.

This was exactly what she wanted, a way to repay you for all you’d done for her. And they weren’t letting her have it. “Let me show her how much it means to me.”

Gladion frowned, not because he was disappointed.

He knew exactly how Lillie felt. He’d had a lot of things he wanted to make up to you for. Hau had a lot of things he wanted to do to repay you. All three of you were indebted to you one way or another and you all cared for you.

For Arceus’ sake, Gladion loved you.

“I should go alone.” Gladion held his sister by the shoulders and pulled her in, his body shaking with rage and pain from your extended absence. “I’m the one who has these troublesome feelings. They should at least be useful.”

Lillie laughed, her arms surrounding him and pulling him closer to her. “We’ll deal with this Prisma character.” She said, finally letting go of him. “We’ll give you an opening, just save her.” She looked at him like she did when they were younger and more naïve and she still believed her older brother knew everything. “Save her and please tell her how you feel.”

Gladion laughed, his laughter making his muscles vibrate and lifting his mood. “How is mother?” He asked, looking out the window. The fire rain was still falling and moving to Iki Town, with luck, they’d catch sight of Prisma on her way there.

“Impatient.” Lillie smirked at the confused look on Gladion’s face. “Well, the story of the whole fiasco with the Beasts and Nebby is her favorite story.”

Gladion groans. “I knew it. I knew she’d be this obnoxious once she’s snapped out of it.” He turned around facing away from her to cover up the smile on his face.

“She likes her.” Lillie shrugs. Gladion doesn’t see it but he knows that she does. Maybe it’s a sibling thing. Sibling telepathy. “She thinks it’s good that someone can put your stubborn head to rights.”

Gladion whips around so fast his bangs almost poke him painfully in the eye. “I’m not that stubborn.”

“You just stubbornly insisted you’re not stubborn!” Hau cackled, patting Lillie on the shoulder like she’d achieved something worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize. “Like I said, it’s pretty obvious.”

They both made a whipping motion.

Lillie pointed at her brother with a wink. “You’re whipped, big brother.”

With a sigh, he glares at the both of them and crosses his arms feeling like he was a kid again staring at you as you shamelessly entered his motel room with a look of pleasant surprise on your face. So, he does the only thing he can do. He lashes out.

“Get out.”

You wake from your drug induced stupor enough to watch Blue being wheeled out of the room. “Where-” You feel cold fingers on your shoulders and flinch away, eyes going to Prisma seated next to you.

Those hands weren’t friendly. They meant pain. They meant thunder and then suddenly, comply or disobey, a shock would run through your body making you twitch and scream and flail like a useless Magikarp.

It’d been a week. You wonder if Gladion has any idea where you are. If he has any leads.

Daydreaming is a sin, you remember Prisma saying when you leave one of your shock sessions. You hadn’t listened to her but you knew that she was trying to drill the fact of your inevitable submission to her will into your unwilling mind. She’d heard you, then. You’d gone weak and you were tired and you wanted to be saved. You wanted Gladion. And you’d said it, his name. You’d given her the key to your obedience.

And when had Gladion started being the meaning of comfort and safety to you? You don’t know. But, he’s- he’s the world to you. He’s the world and more.

If Prisma lays a finger on him, it would be you curling your fingers around her neck and squeezing.

Given long enough, she will use mind control on you. But, not now. Right now, Prisma has her psychic hold on Blue and she was going to use him.

“Shh, you take a rest. I have big plans for you.” She poked your nose and you shook your head side to side ignoring the dizziness attacking you. “But, for now I’ll have to start the fun. And like every beginning, it’s always the part where you discover the most things about people.” She smirked and took off her coat, looking at your prone form over your shoulder.

“I’m sure your little Mele Mele Island will welcome me with open arms!”

You thrash in your restraints and growl. “Don’t you touch them!” You scream, waking Red. But, you’re too far gone in the possibilities, in the visions of Mele Mele bathed in Red. Of your mother and Professor Kukui and Hala caught in her psychic control. I need to get out, I need to protect them, you mutter, tearing at your restraints with your nails and breaking your thumbs to try and free yourself.

“No!” Prisma tossed a Pokéball in the air and a Gothitelle emerged from it, securing your restraints and hitting you with a mild Confusion attack. “Get some rest.”

“I’ll kill you.” You murmur as your vision grows dark again. You grit your teeth and tilt your head up. If you were going back into the abyss, you’d make sure Prisma knows exactly who she’s dealing with and that your face as you make this threat – this promise – is the last that she sees before she sets Mele Mele ablaze. “If you even look at them wrong- if you touch them…”

“I’ll destroy you.” You growl. “And you’ll be nothing but ash when I’m through.”

A quake shook the house and all three of them ran out, watching as the fire rained down on Iki Town – long evacuated by Hau and Gladion – and stopped.

“It’s stopped.” Hau said, kind of stating the blatantly obvious at this point. “Why’s it stopped?” He asked, hands twitching to the Pokéballs at his waist.

Gladion pulled your Pokéballs from his own dark coat and stepped forward. “I don’t know.” Releasing your Silvally and his Silvally, he turned to Hau and Lillie with a grim frown.

Gladion’s team was strong, but yours was almost unbelievable.

Each one of them stayed by his side to receive orders and carried them out so quickly it was terrifying. It was like each of them wanted it to be done so that they could have you back sooner. He’s glad for their acceptance of him as their temporary trainer, a little hesitant when he first called all of them out. But, the wild Pokémon were so distraught by the fire raining from the sky earlier that they were lashing out with every twitch you three made while walking through the tall grass.

Your Pokémon dealt with them easily and cleared a path for all three of you to follow where the lines of the quakes were coming from and standing in front of the bridge leading to the Ruins of Conflict.

“This brings back memories.” Lillie rolled her sleeves up and smirked, pulling out a Pokéball.

Hau laughed, his Alolan Raichu floating about and around him eager to battle. “Good memories, of course.” He said, turning to Gladion for guidance. “What’s the plan?”

Gladion’s own Silvally stood next to him, giving his trainer an affirmative nod. “Be on your guard.” He said with a finality that implied they might not make it out of this one alive. “We don’t know what to expect so we need to anticipate everything. You both cover Prisma, I’ll deal with… whichever one of them is with her.”

“And if none of them are with her?” Hau asked, looking disturbingly serious.

“Then we take Prisma in.” Gladion started crossing the bridge, his shoes making ominous noises as he walked. “And we make her talk.”

It was dark again. You were so tired of the dark. So sick of this reality where every time you find a way out you are shoved back down.

“Rest.” You speak, to yourself if anything because you’ve tried before. Speaking doesn’t work, not in this world between consciousness and unconsciousness. “I just want to rest.” You say, but when the bright white light comes to answer your prayer you kick it far far away from you.

You might be tired but you aren’t about to die, not when Alola needs you now more than ever.

“I am their Champion.” You groan.

The abyss suddenly hummed with another presence probing and invading your space, trying to set up home in your mind. You pushed back against the force and it makes a distressed noise like you’d smacked it across the face.

“You are… untenable.” The voice said, eerily familiar sounding. “Your mind has traps.”

You don’t know what it means but whatever you were doing must have been working so you continue to push it back. “I’ll take it as a compliment. Who are you?” You ask.

A tinkling laughter echoes around you and sinks into your skin. “I am your ward, Lady Anastasia’s Gothitelle.” She stops laughing. “And you will be mine. In fact-”

You feel yourself losing control of your body, your hand coming up to slap you on the face. “What’s happening?” You ask yourself, trying to stop your hand and failing.

Gothitelle let out a shorter pleased laugh this time and you just know she is smiling. “All humans will be ours as Lady Anastasia is making sure of it”

Prisma smirked and waved an arm as Gladion and the rest arrived.

Gladion managed to bite back a growl. Of course she would anticipate their arrival. She was psychic. She was probably reading his mind now-

“So sorry to disappoint you but she isn’t here today.” Prisma giggled, tossing a Pokéball in the air. “And you brought a friend too! Such a shame.” She pouted, clicking her tongue. “Well, we’ll see if you stick around maybe you’ll see her.”

Hau’s Raichu hovered in front of her, stopping her from leaving.

“Oh, so cute.” Her face turned stony as she shifted her hand to the left sending Raichu sailing through the air and towards one of the large rocks. “Out of my way.”

“Raichu!” Hau ran for his Pokémon and Lillie ran forward.

Lillie tossed a Pokéball in the air, revealing a Glaceon. “Gladeon, go!” She shouted and her Glaceon – named apparently after Gladion – surged forward, managing to strike Prisma in the face.

The older woman slid back and glared at her, holding her cheek. “Very well.” She reached out again to her Delphox and the Pokémon lifted its arms to teleport something to them. “I’ll see all three of you soon, if you can survive that is.” She smirked, her and her Delphox disappearing. And in her place stood Blue.