#But I think it fits Clemont very well here | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

alolanrain · 3 years ago

Note

how old is ash on yours au’s?

It really really depends and I’m finding out that I’m absolutely horrible at actually giving out somewhat concrete ages, barring a few Au’s.

Unspokenly Ash is usually around late 20 to very early 22, unless I did write down and post an age for him in what ever Au has it, but thats also more drabble and fillet based. That is… basically my standard and I really need to vocalize that more from the content that I do write him as younger.

Basically how it goes is that with each region he ages up a year. Spending his birthday at home with his mom and the Oak’s that are present at the time before going off on another adventure. This gets kind of tricky around Sinnoh because Ash stay’s there to take on The Brain. I have that written down that it takes 3 month’s to even half a year. Which then put’s off the ‘sharing the birthday with mom and oak’ thing. This lands his birthday in the middle of his current journey at the time or a bit later like right before the league or a month before, if that makes sense. So in the end he comes home obviously older. Though I have been messing around and making the time in Orange Isles shorter to around 9 months instead of a full year.

Like here’s a time table and I’ll keep both set’s of ages if I do mess around with Orange Isles time line and add it as concrete. It gets really complicated so if you want a little more explanation please don’t be afraid to ask. I am also keeping the Brain Arc to half a year.

Starting age to finishing age *0/12 means how many months he is instead of a full year.

Kanto: 10 to 11

Orange Isles: 11 to 12 or 11 to 11 + 9/12

Johto: 12 to 13 or 11 + 9/12 to 12 + 9/12

Hoenn: 13 to 14 or 12 + 9/12 to 13 + 9/12

Sinnoh: 14 to 15 or 13 + 9/12 to 14 + 9/12

+ battling the Brain: 15 to 15 + 6/12 or 14 + 9/12 to 15 + 3/12

Unova: 15 + 6/12 to 16 + 6/12 or 15 + 3/12 to 16 + 3/12

Kalos: 16 + 6/12 to 17 + 6/12 or 16 + 3/12 to 17 + 3/12

Alola: 17 + 6/12 to 18 + 6/12 or 17 + 3/12 to 18 + 3/12

Galar: 18 + 6/12 to 19 + 6/12 or 18 + 3/12 to 19 + 3/12

I just want to say that typing all this out looks like one hell of a long ass math equation, kinda hate it and might change it later. But this is my completely basic format of what I use. Of course there’s a lot of wiggle room as I write Ash starting around 20 to 21 in Alola and Galar. He’s obviously going to probably spend more the one complete year in a region and less then another. The end of the league doesn’t dictate when he stays and leaves. Theres also the months that build up between each “arc”, another word I use to refer to his journeys, and to account the HC that some leagues start off at wildly different times then others.

It’s literally just a pick-and-pull basket and just a large general target where Ash would be ages wise. As you see in the end the two different age lists end up being only 3 months part from each other. It really doesn’t matter and I’m mostly just playing around with it. Another note thats… vital isn’t the correct word but I’m use it is that I don’t take Cerise Laboratory and the research assistant job into account. This is based off if Ash travels Galar to his normal standard with every other arc but Alola but I did keep the characters.

You didn’t ask for this but I want to add in other traveling buddies and side rivals ages and how they are compared to Ash as well. Usually Ash is the youngest if not one of them up until Hoenn. With the exception of being exactly 24 hours older then Ritchie. And all of this have way to much detail but its making my ADHD brain go brrrr happily.

He’s older than May, surprisingly, by like a month and a half but he doesn’t realize that and mentally clocks that he’s younger than her because of how responsible and adult like she acts a good chunk of the time. Max is obviously the youngest while Brock is the oldest. The same thing kinda happens in Sinnoh. He’s older then Dawn by a good year and a half to maybe even two years. Though Ash is younger then Paul and Barry by a varying few months between each boy.

Unova is where it changes a lot. Going from one of the youngest to one of the oldest out of his group of friends. Iris is drastically 3 years younger then Ash, making her around 12 at the start of the arc and somewhere around 13 at the end, and around 3 and a half with Cilan. This causes her to constantly pick against Ash because to her he’s older. Ash should be acting more like a seasonal trainer with known responsibilities and shouldn’t be so excited about everything. That’s also an expectation that was subconsciously taught to her by Drayden when she was still in School in the Dragon Village. Virgil is actually the oldest being freshly turned 18 years old while Cameron is the youngest at 11 and 5 months. Stephan is like the closest to Ash’s actually age but also acts a lot more older and more adult like then he really is just by his laid back attitude. Bianca actually just turned 18 before starting her journey.

Age Note: the reason why Cilan is weird and awkward around Burgundy is not because of her short temper and brash attitude but because Burgundy just turned 13 years old. She is a legitimate child just like Iris, compared to Cilan’s 16 years and 6 months when the meet on the road for the first time and not at a connoisseur event. Her deep infatuation and how young she is really puts Cilan in a active land mine field. Unlike Iris who listens to him and actually talks, he has no clue how to interact with her. Burgundy isn’t a normal gym challenger coming to his and his brother gym for a badge or even a normal crazed simple fan. As a gentleman at heart as well he raised to talk between certain age limits close to his own and this ends up making Cilan see Burgundy actually younger then she really is. Kind of like how Iris clocked Ash as a ‘kid’ when he’s obviously older then her and more experienced.

Kalos then thrusts Ash or being the oldest out of the main group but not as a whole. Bonnies around 8 while Clemont is 2 months and a half younger then Ash. This is where I struggle a lot in placing peoples based age in Kalos is actually because of Serena. I don’t want to make her too young to which the point it’s weird and also I based the other contest girls age’s around hers. But I also don’t want to make her too old to the point that Miette, the oldest out of the contest girls no matter what, is older then Ash. The general consensus is that Miette is right in with Clemont and Ash age wise while Nini is the youngest out of the trio. So that places Serena around 13 to 14 while Nini is like 12 and 7 months. Sawyer is obviously just turned 10 while Trevor, Tierno, and Shauna are between 12 and a half to 13 and a half years old. Giving that easy bonding connection with Serena and Shauna while giving Miette a older more experienced vibe and the childlike wonder to Nini. You’d think with Alain and all Ash would be the second oldest but your wrong. Ash is exactly 1 whole week older then Alain but, much like May, he doesn’t know that and mentally clocks Alain older then he really is.

In comes Alola and this is again where I usually bump Ash up to 20 to 21 but for the sake of everything I’m going off the basic target. Ash is obviously the oldest of the class by a good year on them alone though the classes collective smarts pushed them up different grades in school so thats how their together. Kiawe was the oldest at 16 and 9 months while Sophocles is still the youngest at 12 and 3 months, again bringing in the fact that the class is super smart and its based off intelligence instead of age like with every other class. Mallow is the third oldest at 16 and 2 months with Lana following on by at 16 and 1 month. Lillie is specifically around 15 years to 13 years and 4 months based off if I want her to suffer more as a older teen or as a child, literally her age is based off if I want to traumatize her more or not. Hapu is around 12 to 13 years old despite her obvious size and squeaky-ish voice. Acerola despite being very very mature for her age is only 17 years and 4 months old. Horacio is about Ash’s age at an even 17 years old when he and his lackies first meet Ash, Sophocles, and Kiawe.

Age Note: Horacio absolutely used his age as a card against Sophocles as many times as he could to the point it was so overused. This made Ash especially angry because he hated it when people used their age against much younger kids. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’re right.

Then we reach Galar as our final stop. Ash is once more the oldest out of him, Chloe, and Goh but not everyone else. That would be Hodge at a straight 19 years old when he first meets Ash and Goh at the Battle Frontier Flute Cup. Chloe comes at 14 and a half years old with Goh just freshly turning 14. This makes Ash’s relationship more of a mentor type distant older brother thing. Those two actually don’t find out about Ash’s age up until he and Goh get their letter so of recommendation and have to fill out the normal personal stuff. If you think Hop is close by in age with Ash then you’re wrong again. He’s actually two days younger then Chloe making Hop around 14 and a half years old as well. Marine is 13 years and 9 months old. Bede is much more closer to Ash then the others at 16 years 8 months. For Leon, Raihan, and Sonia their still very much the same in a way. Leon is still the youngest at 20 years while Raihan is the oldest at 23, leaving Sonia in the middle at 21 and a half years old.

Age note… once more: this fits perfectly for the Kanto and Galar Trios as they basically get opposite of themselves in a way. Goh who’s very oriented, loud, and on the go gets paired with marine who’s very quite and shy for the most part and their going to subconsciously teach each other that its okay to come out of your shell or its okay to take a moment and relax. Hop is very much like Ash and Goh combined with the strategies and the none stop puppy own straight crack like energy and he declares himself as Chloe’s, who’s silent and very critical and almost broody like it’s not quite there but it’s close enough, rival and is trying to teach her that battling is fun and okay and a lot of Pokemon like battling for those reason. Ash and Bede are the obvious choice for each other because once again Ash is very bright, happy-go-lucky, just sweet in general to everyone while Bede is completely broody, extremely sour, and just utterly rolling in his own image and being way to cocky.

51 notes · View notes

gaybarbiegirl · 3 years ago

Note

35, 53 and 57 please <3

35. A ship you like just fine for what it is and wouldn't change a thing about

If non canon ships count here, then Franletta. I really love their whole 'best friends who crush on each other without noticing' dynamic, and there's really something so unique about shipping something that isn't canon without wishing it was, like it's such a weird but nice feeling.

Now if we're talking only about canon ships, then I don't think there are any ships I'd change absolutely nothing about, but the one I'd change the least is Marcesca. I really like their relationship for what it is, it was really what Fran deserved after everything that went down with Tomás, and they were very sweet together. The only thing I'd change about them is that I wouldn't make them get back together at the end of s2 only to break up again in s3, it was pretty pointless to me, and their original break up was better written.

53. A couple you thought would be endgame but wasn't

Honestly, Tomletta. Back when I first watched the show as a kid I was sure they were gonna end up together because I mean, they had the meet cute, Tomás fit the hardworking good guy archetype, and with everything going on with Fran and Ludmi, so much of s1 was centered around the concept of dating Tomás, you know? And I was never happy about this, but I tried to make my peace with it back then, thinking like 'well yeah Vilu is gonna end up with the boring annoying guy, but at least she made some really good friends at the studio, and with Tomás out of the way Fran can date someone else'. But then in the last episode he said he was going to Spain and I was like 'wait for real this time????', and then disney announced the actor left and half of the girls in my class freaked out and quit watching the show, and yeah, it was an experience. I was very confused but also very happy because you know, no more Tomás, and honestly the fact that he left was such a blessing, like I don't wanna imagine what the Violetta fandom would be like if Tomletta was endgame.

57. Worst friendship

This one is kinda tough because I really like all of the genuine friendships in this show, so that leaves us with the non genuine friendships, aka Gery and León plus Clemont and Violetta. I don't think I have to explain this one too much, Gery and Clemont only befriended León and Violetta to break them apart and win them over, and they constantly manipulated them throughout their friendship. I don't understand why they were still a part of the main friendgroup in the end.

Thank you so much for the asks!!

#asks #violetta

7 notes · View notes

feeling--pink · 4 years ago

Photo

Recently I decided that the fireside girls are phenomenal and deserve much more characterization than they got in the show. I’m very sorry for how long it took me so long to realize this!

Anyways to start off here’s some casual clothes since we never saw them outside their uniforms in the show!! Explanations for each under the cut as per usual! :D

Just a disclaimer that while I used every scrap of evidence I could find from the wikis and rewatching the failed pilot episodes that I did have to make some stuff up for these. In the future I hope to build on what the show gave us for more fully fleshed out characters but until then here’s a start!!

Gretchen

I should let y’all know now that I did base their color schemes off of those in act your age! But I gave everyone a secondary color as well (if they didn't already have one)

Gretchen, according to the wiki is “Extremely Smart, happy” (extremely smart being unique)

She is also the only (known) one with the Saying A Word No One Else In The Room Knows Patch

From that we can take that she’s in the same sort of archetype as Huey Duck, Violet Sabrewing, Frida (hilda), Clemont (pokemon xyz), etc.

So I tired to base her outfit on them!

In this case it’s mostly Huey, Violet, and Frida because pokemon outfits follow different rules

Violet and Frida’s outfits are more similar because they’re what I consider “comfortable”

And while I love their designs I decided to go the other route!

The other route being Huey! Aka I wanted to give her a polo shirt skjdfhgk

Besides, for Gretchen’s age up design I think her outfit fits in the same category as Violet and Frida’s do! So we’ll get there eventually!

But anyways yes, I took the polo shirt from Huey then decided I should probably give her pants because she isn’t a duck where its socially acceptable to not wear pants sksajdhfgaks

So yeah a pleated skirt just seemed the right way to go yes? :D

Katie

Yes Katie is wearing crocs

Why you may ask?

BECAUSE WHAT ARE THOSE SUPPOSED TO BE OTHER THAN CROCS

LISTEN- I tried, I really did, to come up with something other than crocs

But I couldn’t hecking do it

Well I couldn’t without ignoring this part of her character design which is 90% of what I have to go off of

Anyways from her wiki entry her personality is described as “Kind, helpful, cute”

This makes cute her only unique trait among all the fireside girls (except technically Isabella)

She’s also the only (known) one with the semaphore patch (that isn’t on her wiki but it is stated in bee story)

btw this is totally unrelated to my design but I’m thinking what if Katie got into color guard when she’s older? skjdhfakasj idk I think she would like it

Anyways!! At another point in the wiki it mentions her “running gag” (running gag in quotations because it only happened once I watched the episode specifically looking for this) where she says/does unusual things to get a glance from the other girls

I’m taking that to mean she’s silly!!!!!

Hence the crocs sksjdhfak

The overalls just seemed to fit her nature, and like I know Baljeet already has overalls but she’ll fight him for it k? skjhdsak

Milly

I’ll say here that Milly and Holly have the least characterization from their wikis which I’m very sad about

Okay so Milly’s “Kind, helpful, Happy” (no unique traits), is bad with secrets (operation crumb cake), and has one more Help Thy Neighbor patch because she went back to Phineas and Ferb’s house after everyone left at some point

Unfortunately from first glance we don’t don’t have a lot to go off of character design wise with these

However!! I know another character who's bad with secrets, helpful, and wears a bow in her hair!! That's right- Webby Vanderquack (btw very sorry to anyone who hasn't watched Ducktales I’m gonna keep bringing it up because I love it a lot I’m sorry)

So I loosely based this design on Webby’s! Aka dress shirt thing (in this case, a blouse) and a skirt that I think is neat!!

Webby’s design leans more into her nerdy side and so I made Milly’s lean toward sweetness!! (not saying Milly isn’t nerdy, there's just no evidence to suggest that she is so I didn’t lean into that) (also that would be too close to literally just drawing Webby’s outfit which I also didn’t want to do)

Holly

I’m restating that Holly and Milly get practically nothing from their wikis (Holly getting the least)

Like “Kind, nice, helpful” -The P&F wiki on Holly

Go girl!! Give us nothing!!!!!

skjdjhf okay but actually there is exactly one thing we can get from the wiki

While she doesn't have any unique patches, if we look at my patch reference sheet below

You may notice that for all the patches that 3 people got; Gretchen and Holly have all four (Ginger being replaced with Adyson for the Rodeo Clown patch)

In conclusion: Gretchen and Holly are best friends.

Look I know I’m blowing this a little out of proportion, but they gave me literally nothing so I’m running with what I have

Anyways!! I’m taking Gretchen and Holly being best friends as Holly is also wicked smart!!

So in conclusion that all adds up to I’m also making Holly’s outfit nerd-esq because I can

This time basing it loosely of of Satsuki from My Neighbor Totoro because she’s who I think of for an orange and yellow color scheme!

(she also gives me Boyd (DT again) vibes from the color I chose for the shorts though haha)

Adyson

Starting right off the bat the wiki gives us “Sometimes comical, helpful, accident-prone, nice”

Accident prone gives us bandages

Adyson also has the unique patch of the appliance repair patch

She also used to have the record patch for earning six patches in one day before Candace broke that record!

So I gave her running shorts and a sleeveless hoodie because I take that as she’s slightly sporty (athlesure but more casual)

Adyson was really much more straightforward than the others

I had an idea in my head that made sense so I went with it, y’know?

Ginger

okay but WHY IS GINGER SO TALL

I’m not even talking about how much taller I made her here because I was basing it off of the show!!! She’s stupid tall!!!

And like I know Stacey and her mom are both tall so of course she would be too but LOOK AT THIS

I MEAN ?????? BRO-

Anyways moving on! :D

I REALLY liked her light blue and indigo color scheme in aya so I tried to keep that!

I wish I could have incorporated a little more light blue but with the style of dress I went with that wasn’t really possible

Speaking of her dress!! Why’d I do that you may ask?

I dunno I thought it looked cute!

Listen- I love giving explicit reasons for each and every choice I make, but honestly there's usually a point where I have no ideas and go “eh its cute”

and thats what happened here!

Thanks for reading if you got this far!!

If I missed some details or you have ideas please come talk to me!! I really want to do a good job for these guys (they absolutely deserve it) and could use all the help I can get!

#fireside girls #the fireside girls #fireside girls troop 46231 #gretchen pnf #katie pnf #milly pnf #holly pnf #adyson sweetwater #ginger hirano #my art stuff #once again im mostly talking under the cut!!#I really want to do a good job for these guys so feel free to talk to me about them!!#also rip Isabella im sorry I didnt include you #to be fair she has plenty of characterization and plenty of yall love her #but shes important to these guys so she'll probably show up more as I continue with these guys!!#fun fact this all started because I was looking at the firestar girls designs for a personal project #and I wanted to see if there was more information on them for their personal wikis #which opened my eyes to how little these guys have on said wikis #which is a crime!! so once again sorry it took me a while but I care them and promise to do my best for my interpretation!!!#k I think thats it bye folks!! :D #phineas and ferb #phineas & ferb #pnf

107 notes · View notes

pkmnjesus · 5 years ago

Text

The 2010s Decade of PokéAni (An overview - Part 2 of 2)

← Continuing on from the first half of this PokéAni 2010s overview....

2015: Serena cuts her hair to chase a dream

February 12, 2015 Serena’s character arc had a rocky start with her not really sure what to do after becoming a Pokémon trainer meeting her Fennekin for the first time. I was really excited when her character was first announced, but I wanted to like her more than just being “that pretty girl who has a crush on Ash”. Maybe it’s because I’m not that shippy of a person, nor a romantic type of guy whatsoever but I didn’t want a main character to just be defined as a potential love interest. With her development slowly leaning towards a clear goal on wanting to become a top Pokémon Performer, I was happy she was finally carving her own path. However it was this specific episode that marked a major turning point for her ambitions, and made me truly invest in the new and improved Serena.

It was finally Serena’s debut as a Pokémon performer competing in her first Pokémon Showcase in Coumarine City, along with her friend, rival, and fellow-performer, Shauna. The performers in this showcase are divided into groups, and only one from each group gets to move on to the next round. Going into the first round, Serena was nervous yet confident. It was a Pokémon styling contest, and Serena put a lot of care and effort into making Fennekin look as cute and gorgeous as possible. But maybe it was a bit too much...

As they walk down the runway showcasing Fennekin’s fashion, everything went well and both were having a great experience in their first showcase...until something terribly went wrong. Fennekin accidentally trips over its ribbon while walking the runway which ends up scattering all the decorations Serena had styled over her. She made a crucial mistake in making the ends of the ribbon too long, thus costing them the round and ultimately eliminated her from the competition. Shauna was able to advance from her her group easily, and all Serena could do now was watch the rest of the competition from the stands. Shauna ended up winning the Showcase and her first Princess Key. It was devastating defeat going into your first performance having to lose like that. On the outside, she tried to put up a good face for her friends comforting Fennekin and even congratulating Shauna on her first victory.

But in the inside, she was grieving and blames herself for not realizing the error she made while styling Fennekin. Even Ash knew that she would be alright all along knowing her strength. The following early morning when no once was watching her besides her Pokémon, she decides to let it all out and break down in front of the ocean. It really broke my heart seeing her crying like that knowing that she really did care about pursuing a performer career. Fennekin and Pancham immediately try and cheer her up as they engaged in a lovely group hug. After understanding the disappointment in defeat, she knew that this was a part of every dream. You can’t be successful without making a couple of mistakes and that it’s okay to cry sometimes to let the bad stress out. No one is perfect, and that same goes for some of Ash’s gym battles or what happened to some of May and Dawn’s contests in the past. It was all part of the process of chasing her newly found dream and Serena finally realized that. It was just the beginning, and she wants to keep going until she gets to Aria. She decides that going forward in this new chapter, there needs to be a change. She got her big scissors out and starts trimming her own hair (for her to do that on the spot without a mirror, she was pretty darn impressive to properly cut her hair like wow lol) as Palermo watches in the distance from her limo. She knew that was the same performer with the tripping Fennekin. It’s possible she saw potential in her that early. Serena rejoins her friends and surprises them with a new look!

If you ask me, I like this new outfit of hers way better (and I think girls with shorter hair cuter ^///^). Also you can’t forget about the blue ribbon Ash gave her prior to this, it was a really cute touch knowing that he helped her get stronger through her personal journey as a trainer. Now that’s fitting ;) You know even though it was spoiled early on that she was going to have a redesign, I’m really happy on how they did it and it wasn’t just random day where Serena decides she wanted to cut her hair. I’m no girl, but apparently (I researched this) when a woman cuts her hair shorter, it symbolizes a change or a major life event that has happened. To Serena, it was a major shift in her character after the embarrassing loss. She eventually went on to win future performances evolving her Braxien, and even got to be friends with Aria! Remember, Serena is MORE than just AmourShipping...she is our Kalos Queen <3

Honorable mentions from this year: There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to 2015 PokéAni. Ash had 4 gym battles that year, including his battle with Clemont which I was very hyped about. To the point of him temporarily leaving the group to prepare himself at the Lumiose gym, that’s how much he cared about being in the best battling shape for Ash. There was that infamous “date” episode that Ash & Serena had, Meowth & Bonnie being stuck together, Cosplay Pikachu everywhere, Trevor trying to get a picture of a Moltres, and the debut of Sawyer, the Treeko trainer who was fascinated by Ash. One of my personal favorites too was when Bonnie wanted to ‘keep’ a Tyrunt/Tyrantrum (matched her pajamas too :3) she helped and befriended but unfortunately already had a trainer </3 It was a year of a couple of catches like Ash’s Noibat, Serena’s Eevee, Clemont reminiscing the time he caught a Bunnelby, and of course the lost Goomy. Within months after Ash caring for the Goomy, he was able to evolve it to a Goodra but had to leave it behind when they finally found its homeland it had to watch over with a Floette. We got two more Mega Evolution Specials before it merges with the main anime the following year, but we did get start of the XY&Z arc where Ash’s (then) Frogadier would fulfill a prophecy to save Kalos from a great danger. When they met up with Sanpei in the Ninja Village, Frogadier would finally evolve into Greninja. It would be the year when Team Flare would initiate their plans, attempting to capture all the Zygarde cores. There was one specific Zygarde core that Bonnie was able to befriend and bring it along with them naming it Squishy/Puni-chan. If you thought 2015 was awesome, wait until what PokéAni does in 2016!

2016: Gym Leaders assemble - the last line of defense

September 15, 2016 The fallout following the Kalos League took a dark turn when Lysandre broadcasts Team Flare’s manifesto to create a new world order, where only the “chosen ones” will join them. Alain, feeling betrayed with Lysandre’s true nature, decides to team up with Ash and the others to take down Team Flare. Lysandre’s gone mad, and even Malva thinks that this is too much. On other side of the story, Mairin with Serena, Professor Sycamore, and Hoenn League Champion Steven, rescued Chespie/Hari-san from Lysandre Labs.

While all the chaos is going on outside, Clemont reclaims the Lumiose Gym from Xerosic at the cost of terminating his good ol’ Clembot/Citroid assistant he invented for the Gym. I can’t remember how sad I was on robot’s death and nearly cried on it...they really made this scene heartbreaking for Clemont to push that shut down button. You can see the bot’s loyalty towards him volunteering to sacrifice himself for the greater good. But thanks to their bravery, Team Flare no longer controls one of their Zygarde (Z2). Squishy was also able to show its true form (50% so far) when it called upon the other Zygarde cells under Team Flare’s control, but thanks to Bonnie’s bond with it, she was able to breakthrough that mind control by singing Puni-chan’s song (don’t think the dub has an actual name for their version) she often sings when they’re together. The development Bonnie had with Squishy throughout this whole arc was fantastic, because it gave her more responsibility and sense of friendship even after Squishy was under the control of Team Flare destroying every thing. This was her own trial to prepare her for what’s to come when she eventually becomes an official Pokémon trainer and own an overpowered Zygarde in the future xD. Squishy also trusted Bonnie as a human it can rely on.

With Team Flare looking to be defeated, there was one more threat looming over Kalos. What was that threat? A ROCK. But no ordinary rock, it was The Giant Rock (Meaglith) that Lysandre created based off Primal energy form a beast like creature similar to Zygarde’s 50% forme. It was his last ditch effort in creating a new world, and we have never seen anything this catastrophic from an evil boss since probably Cryus. The Zygarde-like rock beast even absorbed Mairin’s Chespie which makes it even more difficult for them to stop it. It’s destination was the Anistar City Sundial to trigger a massive explosion that could destroy Kalos and the world! Everyone joins up to stop this calamity from happening, but is their strength with Mega Evolution enough to bring it down?

Then, the epic back-up finally arrives! The whole Kalos crew is here with Champion Diantha uniting all the Gym Leaders (minus Clemont/Clembot) within the region. They even got their own solo introductions. This never happened in the previous regions of the anime, where the Gym Leader would just appear once battling with Ash, but in here they interjected themselves to the Zygarde’s story arc. This really reminded me of what happened during the climax of the Black & White games, where the Gym Leaders joined forces to stop Team Plasma. But this isn’t Unova, this is Kalos, and this is their last line of heavy defense against Lysandre! With 2 League Champions, a Blaziken Mask, Ash-Greninja, Z2′s army of cores, and 7 Gym Leaders, this Giant Rock wont stand a chance! When Zygrade finally reached its 100% forme, it uses Core Enforcer to end Lysandre’s evil plot once and for all (RIP him btw). From Steven Stone’s assistance, to Clembot’s sacrifice, to Team Rocket’s aide, and Diantha leading the region’s top gym leaders, this was an epic way to end the XY&Z saga with. For them saving Chespie, and bring back peace to Kalos.

Honorable mentions from this year: The closing year for the Kalos ended in epic fashion before taking flight to Alola. Who could forget the episode where Serena wore or should I say cosplayed as Ash? She even almost got to a dance with him during Monsieur Pierre’s party. She wasn’t able to, but at least got to evolve her Eevee into a Sylveon! Clemont also had a new bride that Bonnie wasn’t too fond of (despite her asking multiple ladies to ‘keep’ for him) when her jealousy kicks in. Ash’s Noibat also evolved into Noivern, and briefly reunited with Goodra. Serena got all her Princess Keys needed to compete in the Pokémon Showcase Master Class, and even went head to head with Kalos Queen Aria for her title! She was unsuccessful, but it still won’t stop her from getting better. It was also the official birth of Ash-Greninja when he had a battle with the Kalos Champion, Diantha! Ash finally meets our Mega Evolution protagonist Alain and gained a new rival for the League. Before the Kalos League, he struggled a bit with getting his final badge from Wulfric eventually perfecting Ash-Greninja. In the Kalos League, he had a great battle with Sawyer (who can now use Mega Evolution), but came up short against Alain in the finals. It was a loss everybody was bummed about, and it would take another 3 years for him to compete in another league...we’ll get to that :> But the farewells were unforgettable. Greninja had to be let go in order to destroy the reappearing roots with Squishy and Z2 protecting Kalos from further calamity. And I know y’all can’t forget about the ‘kiss’ heard around the world when Serena leaned in for her parting gift to Ash <3 Him and Clemont have one final battle (just like how the XY series started) before heading back to Pallet Town...”And to our own way”. But 2016 had to end on a happy note, where we see Ash finding a new home in Alola enrolling in their Pokémon School program. Upon arriving, he was blessed with a Z-ring from Tapu Koko, an Alola deity, because he saw something in our boy. Through his class he made 5 new friends, got a Rotom Dex, a little Rowlet birb chilling in his backpack, and meeting a feisty Litten. WHAT. A. YEAR. !!!

2017: Stoutland’s final days with Litten

April 6, 2017 In possibly one of the most depressing and emotional episodes the Pokémon anime has to offer, the wild Litten that always stole Ash’s food finally gets to be apart of his team. But what made this little kitty finally gave Ash a chance to train it after escaping him so many times when he tried to reach out to it?

Ash tried to help the loyal Stoutland Litten was living with after following it from stealing his groceries, but due to Stoutland’s old age and declining health, there wasn’t much Nurse Joy could do. The tree shots with the falling leaves throughout the episode pretty symbolize the time Stoutland has left.

Litten, bringing back his mentor to their old spot after spending the night at the Pokémon Center, still wanted to spend as much time with Stoutland and master the Fire Fang move it was trying to learn. Then the leaves were out, and the finals days of this Stoutland were up. Litten slept with his friend one last time, and even had a dream of Stoutland attempting to chase after it going off in the distance. This symbolizes Stoutland’s departure from being under its care.

It wasn’t directly shown, nor mentioned, but it is clear to me that the Stoudland had passed away. *sobs* The gloomy rainy weather, and the dark tone shown during this part of the episode signifies the sadness and mourning every character that was involved during Litten’s struggle to find help for its good ol’ friend, not immediately realizing that Stoutland was gone for good. Meowth tried to communicate with his fellow feline to understand what it was feeling, while Ash even spends the entire duration of the rainfall with Litten even though it refused his food offer many times and didn’t want his help. This definitely took me into a feels trip because it is rare for this anime to even do an episode about a death of a Pokémon, even though it was indirect with how they presented it. Not mention, every time I was on my Stoutland ride Pokémon when playing Pokémon Moon (to help detect hidden items), ridding the big doggo always made me think about this particular episode. ;_;

Eventually the rain stopped, and a rainbow bloomed in a distance that made Litten feel better remembering the good memories it had with Stoutland. Finally, Litten decides to give Ash a chance, but didn’t want his pity over what happened. Litten was a tough little cat and wanted Ash to earn its respect through battle. Litten finally joins Ash’s team after battling with Pikachu and successfully catching it. Ash was also able to feed Litten after accepting it as its trainer. This was probably what Stoutland would have wanted for Litten.

Stoutland knew what kind of trainer he was and wanted Litten to go with Ash to finish the training they started. Besides mastering Fire Fang, they did a lot more in the future to come. When Litten saw the rainbow and familiar cloud formation, both smiled in peace. Stoutland knew that Litten was in very good hands. The memories learning and training with Stoutland are never forgotten, as Litten embarks on a new journey with brand new friends and a caring trainer.

Honorable mentions from this year: The first fully fledge year of Alola! Ash owning the first discovered Dusk Lycanroc in the anime verse, Lana getting her own Z-ring and how can I not forget Brock and Misty’s (especially MISTY) big return to the anime when the class went to Kanto! We had new Pokémon caught added to the main cast such as the birth of Lillie’s Snowy/Shiron, James’s touchy Mareanie and Kiawe’s Alolan Marowak. It was Gladion’s debut year becoming Ash’s new rival. Ash’s Z-Crystal collection kept on growing bigger through his adventures in Melemele and Akala Islands, and even clears its respective grand trials. We were also introduced to a little Cosmog turned Solgaleo, Nebby. The bad guy in Faba to steals Nebby however to summon, an Ultra Beast (Nihilego) that would eventually consume Lusamine (just like in the games, only she is less obsessed here). Thus, a Z-Powered ganbaLilie was born to save her mom! With the help of her brother and friends of course. We had family matters like Sophocles thought he was moving a way for good, and fun little fillers like the pancake and Charjabug races, or raving with an Alolan Dugtrio blonde wig. A personal favorite of mine was when Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio had mini-adventure of their own, and outsmarted Team Rocket nasty schemes. Speaking of Team Rocket, we got a short glimpse of them versus a trio of Team Skull members. Kukui’s class activities like the baseball teams, camping outdoors, switching Pokémon partners with fellow classmates for the weekend, and sleeping over at the professor’s house were awesome too! Their field trip seeing the beautiful white-colored Aether Paradise, and traveling through the mysterious Ultra Space were treat as well. We got to see the development of Kukui and Burnet’s pre-married relationship, which wasn’t featured in the games…AND WE GOT A PROPOSAL AND WEDDING OUT OF IT! There’s a reason for the animation change, and to be honest I’m happy that they did! The art style definitely fits the tone and theme of the jolly Alola region. In conclusion, 2017 was a pretty cool year if you ask me!

2018: The People of Alola vs. Necrozma

September 13, 2018 The conclusion to the Poipole/Necrozma arc is probably the biggest highlight for this year. In Japan, this marked a major end of an era because this was also the final episode on a Thursday night (for 20 years!) since the series was officially moving to Sundays starting with the episode after this (~pika ;3).

From Gladion joining the Ultra Guardians, to Team Rocket’s Matori Matrix attempting catch a fused Necrozma, to Nebby returning to assist with the mission, to rescuing and healing a weakened Lunala, to visiting Poipole’s home world and hear a Naganadel talk in their minds…I’m at the edge of my seat! The Masked Royal’s identity was first exposed here too when Faba fought alongside Kukui to ward off the Matori Matrix. Luckily Faba can keep a secret. The whole time this arc felt like it could be one Pokémon movie. This should probably make-up for why there really isn’t an Alola region based Pokémon movie for this series specifically. But going back on topic, the entire region of Alola was still in crisis as Necrozma absorbs all the Z-Power the Ultra Guardians tried to strike back with. At this point, Nebby was already fused with the Necrozma and they knew that they had to separate them just like what happened with Lunala. So what does everyone do in a time like this? UNITE! Not just the Guardian deities, not just the Ultra Guardians, not just the Aether Foundation, not just the Kahunas participating in the Manalo Festival, but Alola as a whole teamed up in various locations where citizens swarmed together and gave their “light” by doing Tapu Koko’s pose to bring Necrozma back to its original form, The Blinding/Radiant One! Nebby has been freed, and rejoins the Ultra Guardians.

In one last Ultra stand, Nebby (with Ash holding Solganium Z) and Lunala (with Gladion holding Lunalium Z) gave one final blow to Necrozma with some Ultra Aura. After unleashing the combination of Z-moves, Ultra Necrozma rises from the light and uses its power to restore all the damage that has been done to Alola, thus ending the chaos ensuing in the region. The Matori Matrix did try to go to Ultra Space when an Ultra Wormhole opened, but Tapu Koko was like “not so fast!” eventually forcing this Team Rocket unit to retreat.

Not only did they save Alola, but also brings back light to the Poipole home world. Of course the most emotional thing out of all this was saying goodbye to our little sticky Poipole friend who had remain in its home world. It left its home world to find a better home, and it did when Ash gave Poipole a spot in his team and is even an official member of the Ultra Guardians squad. Now that the home world has been restored, Poipole knew it needed to stay and protect its original home from further threats. As the Ultra Wormhole closes with Nebby and Lunala accompanying the Ultra Guardians back to Alola, Poipole painted Ash & Pikachu’s face as a sweet goodbye gesture. The flashback scenes, and the music in the end was absolutely magnificent to top it all off! This teary goodbye even had me tears. We’ll forever “like, like, love” you, Poipole <3 Maybe Ash will see it again one day...oh who am I kidding xD If you’re up to date with the anime, you know already what happens in the future ;]

Honorable mentions from this year: The year of Ultra Guardians! They’ve had multiple missions in bringing back the Ultra Beasts to where they came from. Anime debuts of Ilima, Mina, and the long-awaited Hau make their respective appearances. We also got to see James “fighting” a Toxapex, Lana & Mallow’s childhood past, Lillie getting her first Z-Crystal and even Rotom Dex joining the set of Detective Laki. There were significant evolutions like Ash’s Litten evolving to Torracat starting its rivalry with Masked Royal’s Incineroar (while Burnet fangirls over them) and Mallow’s Steenee evolving to a Tsareena. And how can I forget Sandy/Nagisa? Those Eevee mini-specials ultimately led it to Alola for our great Lana to catch! The Ula’ula trials were highly significant too when Ash trained with Acerola and tested his strength against Kahuna Nanu. Specials include Mallow’s big brother visiting home, and the 2-parter with Dia and his Zeraora in the mysterious Ultra Ruin. For Team Rocket, they temporarily get an Alolan Meowth, but got a permanent family member with a Stufful later on (Bewear’s child!). I’ve gotta mention the fun ones too like Ash dressing up as a female nurse the class helping Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center, the class making their own school play, and Faba accidentally shrinking Ash, Lillie & Sophocles. Finally, in another emotional themed episode, Molayne showed everyone the beauty and sad reality of the Minior Pokémon at the Hokulani Observatory. Such a strong theme of having precious memories with a sad outcome due to the nature of that certain Pokémon :( Just look at the variety! I could still go on, but in summary was 2018 one heck of an ULTRA year!

2019: Ash wins the Alola Pokémon League 🏆

September 15, 2019 In the last highlight of this 2010s decade, it may probably be the biggest one. Ash vs. Gladion. Pokémon League finals to determine the first ever champion of Alola. I’ve already made several posts about this (maybe one too many) in my blog, so let me quickly reiterate the significance of this special event one last time. First thing I have to mention, is that Ash’s rivalry with Gladion has been amazing from the get-go. From their first meeting at the beach by Kukui’s place with a feisty Rockruff that wanted to battle, to the Manalo Stadium battling for a prestigious championship title with Ash’s Lycanroc fully controlled over its rage with dirt. It wasn’t a traditional full 6-on-6 battle, but the 3-on-3 showdown still gave us one heck of battle! It may not be considered the best battle of all time, but it was still an amazing and fun match between two trainers who promised each other to meet in the finals of the big stage since the start of the League.

The laugh they shared, the flashbacks that was shown to us (with the awesome Type: Wild! music playing in the background), and their storytelling on who wants the W more makes you invested, and cheering for Ash all the way to finally win a major Pokémon League. Ash’s newly evolved Melmetal showcased it’s new strength but still wasn’t able to beat Gladion’s Silvally. Then, when Zoroark and Pikachu knocked each other out, it was the 1v1 Lycanroc battle that really put this friendly and competitive rivalry full circle.

Ash has NEVER defeated Gladion…until this moment. He’s been training for this, and it finally paid off. The two Lycanroc’s took no prisoners and went back and forth with one another. In the final blow of that match, Gladion’s Lycanroc used Counter against Ash’s Lycanroc that was charging towards it, but then our big brained hero fights back with their own Counter attack.

Never have I heard of countering a Counter in the Pokémon universe, but using it in this one moment nobody expected, was a perfect opportunity to swerve fans with Ash almost losing the match but ultimately gave the hypest and sickest counterattack ever that would knock out Gladion’s Lycanroc to the wall. And for the first time since the Orange League, Ash is a Champion. Only this time it is a way bigger deal! Mostly because this is a game-based series which has more meaning when it comes to the Pokémon League. He proved non-believers wrong thinking that the Kalos League was the closest he’ll ever get to victory, but I always knew he would win this one since this League started. If you look at my Twitter, I predicted it since last July and this is speaking from a person that DIDN’T believe he would have won at Kalos (I must be good at League predictions then lol). But even Ash himself couldn’t believe it. The moment his named was announced the victor and everyone cheering him, it took a moment for him to process it all until he realized he won the whole shabang. Old fans, new fans, and casual viewers a like were buzzing within 24 hours after this episode released in Japan that caught mainstream media attention. People who have never seen a Pokémon anime episode in their life (or a subbed episode for that matter) past the original series, wanted to see how this episode went down to see a childhood hero achieve a major trophy.

This is how big of a pop-culture icon Ash & Pikachu was among many generations of fans since the show’s launch internationally. To me personally, it was the reason why I’ve always watched this anime for years since 1998 as a kid and NEVER stopped watching (took a few breaks here and there growing up but still have been consistent and up to date! Never grew out of it whatsoever ...why would I even made this decade post?). I was waiting all that time for him to win the big one and he finally did it in 2019. The long journey was worth watching all those episodes (NEVER skipped a “filler”). I doubted at times, but deep down I know I always believed. I grew up with Ash and he feels like an imaginary brother. Seeing him hold that trophy felt like my childhood had closure. He became the FIRST EVER champion in the Alola anime-verse and no one can take that away from him. BUT, the journey isn’t over yet. Remember, his dream is to become Pokémon MASTER, NOT a CHAMPION which people often treat the two as the same. He probably still wants to go to more places, so he can get stronger and be friends with even more Pokémon. Finally, I’m glad that it was Gladion who was Ash’s opponent in order to get the title. The boys and the doggos shake hands in the end as sign of respect for one another. Unfortunately, Guzzlord had to ruin the closing ceremony afterparty…but our Alola Champion and his friends were able to take care of that properly :)

Honorable mentions from this year: Another marked an end of an era, but a start of a new one too! From overcoming his final Grand Trial and gathering his Z-Crystals, Ash was ready for the League. If you ask me, this was one of the best Pokémon Leagues ever because of how much importance each competitor played a role in that tournament, and the match-ups were good. It wasn’t just filler characters or last minute rivals. Alola had a lot of great characters! I couldn’t stress that enough. But besides the historic Alola League, we also saw the continuation of Brock & Misty’s trip to Alola, the class’ crash-course golf lessons with none other than Kahili! Ash catching a rare Meltan that appeared out of nowhere, Guzma’s debut that EVERYONE was excited about, Ash challenging Ryuki’s Kantonian Gym, Lana’s fully evolving Primarina (thanks to hooking a Kyogre mind you!), Mallow’s meal for Tapu Koko, and Matori’s unexpected visit to the Team Rocket base in Alola. Ash even time-traveled to the past and met Kukui when he was little. It would ultimately build up to the actual final full 6-on-6 battle between Ash faces Kukui (just like in the original Sun & Moon games), and it was a 5-STAR BATTLE in my book for this 5-PARTER battle. Seriously, they didn’t had to make an exhibition match that good but they did, and Ash WON that too! Ash’s Incineroar evolved and Pikachu finally defeats Tapu Koko in a battle. For the feels portion of this year, Mallow briefly reunited with her mom and getting a Shaymin to care for in the process. The whole side-arc with Lillie, Magearna and a missing Mohn had a huge impact on our young miss. She got a Z-Ring out of it, just like everyone else in the class with their respective focus. And, the final episode of Sun & Moon was probably the most emotional farewell episodes in the anime’s history similar (or even greater) than Brock & Misty’s goodbye in Johto for you nostalgia fans out there. Everyone in the Alola crew knew what to do post-League, but for Ash, he wanted to explore the Pokémon world more, which transitions to the new on-going series today. 2019 of the Pokémon anime will never be forgotten!

LET’S GO to the 2020s and beyond!

We already got a taste of what the new series brought us late 2019, from Pikachu’s pre-series background story to our newly appointed research fellows, Ash & Go. It is was Lugia brought these two together, and are now living under the same roof. And with Go having his newly caught Scorbunny by his side after that Gigantamax Snorlax incident, it shows us a little taste of the cool new adventures await them when traveling in the Galar region. It’s also refreshing to see updated animation within Kanto where they’re home base is at, and I absolutely cannot wait for them to go back to other past regions with this fresh new art style. With Go’s goal to catch every Pokémon there is for him to index, he’s bound to meet Mew again one day! He’s literally every Pokémon games’ protagonist and I’m glad we have a main character like him who actually focuses on catching them all. As for Ash, he’s still our Ash carving his own unique path on his continuing journey to become a Pokémon Master because it’s more than being the strongest trainer and more than just catching Pokémon.

Some people may not be invested in this series yet, but it’s okay as it is still new! Everyone has that “pacing is slow” excuse from EVERY anime series, or it may not just be your cup of tea. But, I’m sure it will definitely pick up the pace sooner or later especially with the upcoming episodes announced (as of this posting) getting a Koharu-focus episode and the debut of Galar Champion Leon facing off against another League Champion...the return of Lance! Now that’s hype...and that’s what I’m looking forward to in this series more returns and cameo appearances hopefully. They gotta make it special of course and not just some fan-service to please series-specific fans. Oh, and Ash competing in the Galar gym challenge too of course! In addition to that, we can look forward to the new movies in the 2020s! We already got a preview of the 23rd PokéAni film, Pokémon the Movie - Coco...so we Tarzan now?! and it looks like they’re still continuing the AU-verse Ash instead of using the canon series’ universe. I mean if The Power of Us was great, you gotta give this movie a watch too! This is what I love about the anime because it separates itself from their game counterparts. The anime is doing its own thing with their original stories to tell.

WOW! What a decade. I’ve put in a lot of time reminiscing my experience watching the anime this past decade on these 2-part posts, and I had a lot of fun. From being a high school student all the way to being a full-time working adult...time truly flies by quickly. If you’ve read everything I had to say (I’m sure there are a few typos I probably missed), then thank you for your time (and sorry for the dash spam lol)! Feel free share your own favorite PokéAni moment decade in the replies if you choose to do so. Also, check out the strawpolls I made for what you think the best Pokémon anime battle and movie is in the 2010s. Now, it’s time for us to GO to 2020 and the next decade of PokéAni to witness multiple generations of new Pokémon series to come (hopefully they’ll still be making them by the end of 2029...and your boy P J will still be watching as a 30+ year old adult, heh). Alrighty, let’s have some fun! ϞϞ(๑⚈ ․̫ ⚈๑)∩

115 notes · View notes

thorongil82 · 4 years ago

Text

Forgotten But Not Gone CH2

Fandom: Pokémon

Chapter: 2/?

Chapter (Cumulative) Word Count: 8,548 (14,179)

Can also be read on AO3 and FFN

Chapter Summary: The invitations have been sent, and Seishi must get their preparations in order.

AN: I'll just address a couple of things: Firstly, I was aware after sending the last chapter that the Frontier Brains in Platinum are the same as the ones in HG/SS. Think it just slipped my mind. But, I'm not rectifying that, and I'll just use some other characters and/or make some OCs to fill those spots. Nothing overly major, just addressing my mistake.

Also, fair warning, a decent amount of this chapter is going to be exposition. And it's a longer chapter. Mainly we'll be going over some stuff for the tournament, along with characters appearing in the story. However, you will get your first look at all the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members of Seishi, along with the Champion. There's also another new character in as well. I'll leave a list for them at the end.

Well, that should be it. So, read on, and enjoy!

-----

“Now, Starmie, finish it with Water Pulse!” orders a female trainer with honey-orange hair, wearing a white and blue trimmed one-piece swimsuit with a light blue jacket thrown over the top.

The purple ten-legged starfish Pokémon crackles in acknowledgement as it leaps up into the air. A solid blue ball of energy forms in front of its shiny red gem, before launching through the air with trail of water spraying out behind it. The aqua orb collides with a flying chestnut brown and white feathered Pokémon arcing round in the air.

“Pi-Pirrrrrr!” the Pokémon cries out as the impact causes an explosion, before it crashes down to the water stage below.

“Pidgeotto is unable to battle!” a woman with long golden flowing hair calls out as the dual Normal-and-Flying type Pokémon lies still on the floating platform atop the pool of water, with spirals in its eyes. She raises her right hand up towards to the red haired trainer and her Starmie. “Starmie is the winner! So the victor is the Cerulean Gym Leader, Misty!”

“Alright!” Misty cheers with a giggle, pumping her fist in the air. “Good job, Starmie.”

The dual Water-and-Psychic Pokémon, rolls round on its legs to face her, its red gem lighting up as it beeps out a reply.

“Good job, Pidgeotto,” her challenger says with a small smile as she pulls out a Pokéball, a red light shooting out from it and engulfing Pidgeotto before it disappears inside. “We'll do better next time.”

The challenger then turns to Misty and bows, as the Gym Leader dives off of her podium into the pool below. She swims over to the other side in the time it takes the other trainer to walk down the stairs for her podium, and gets back out to head over.

“I'm going to go and train some more, and I'll come back another day,” the challenger says.

“Sounds like a plan,” Misty replies as she bundles up some of her hair and rings it out.

“I'll win next time!” she says as she takes off, waving behind her.

“Come back anytime,” Misty calls out as she disappears, before turning to her Starmie. “Why don't you have a swim?”

Starmie beeps out once before rolling into the pool with a splash. With a giggle, she also pulls out two more Pokéballs from her now wet jacket and enlarges them, before releasing a Seaking and a Quagsire into the pool.

“Why don't you both have a nice swim too? You all battled really hard.”

The two let out their own joyous cries before swimming off.

“You've definitely gotten stronger over the years, sis,” the blonde haired judge says as she hobbles over to the Gym Leader, leaning heavily on a crutch held in her right hand, taking the brunt of the weight that would have otherwise been placed on her right leg, also supported by a knee brace and strapping wrapping by the ankle.

“I … I guess,” Misty meekly replies as her eyes dropping down to look at the injured leg before darting away.

“Hey, it's getting better,” she says with a smile, placing a hand on Misty's shoulder. “Slowly but surely, and soon we'll be back to a full trio of Sensational Sisters.”

“Trio? There's four of us, Daisy, not three,” Misty points out, her brow furrowed.

“Hey, I only said you've gotten stronger. There's still a lot more you need to work on before you can even consider being sensational,” Daisy retorts with a wink and a slight poke out of the tip of her tongue.

“And yet I could still beat all three of you,” Misty jabs back with a growl, only for the pair of them to devolve into a fit of giggles.

“There's that fire we love,” Daisy smiles warmly, as they both settle down. “Feeling better?”

“Yeah … thanks, sis.”

“Hey! Misty!” another female voice calls out from direction of the entrance, before a woman looking very similar to both Misty and Daisy, with shiny fuchsia hair with two curly strands hanging down the side of her face, while the rest is scrunched up in a bun at the back, runs in, waving her hand above her head with a letter clenched in her other hand. She's quickly followed in by another similar looking woman, with long flowing indigo hair, who rushes over carrying another crutch in her arms.

“Some guy just came round with a letter for you,” the latter says as she hands the second crutch to Daisy, helping her as she gets her hand through the ring and gripped onto the handle.

“For me?” Misty asks.

“Yeah,” the former answers as she hands the letter over. “Oh, and can you and your Pokémon clear out the pool? Violet and I need to rehearse our routine for our next show.”

“You can wait a little longer until I've read this, Lily!” huffs Misty as she looks over the envelope.

“Hmph! Meanie,” Lily pouts, crossing her arms across her chest and turning her head away in faux anger.

“Come on, Lily, we can let her Pokémon have a bit of a swim,” Violet interjects.

“Fine,” grumbles Lily, “but we better not miss out on a big break because we're under-prepared.”

Misty rolls her eyes and turns the envelope over, her eyes widening slightly at the seal holding the envelope shut. Stamped into the blood red wax is an inscribed Pokéball with a trophy behind it, and a Moltres behind the trophy with flaming wings spread out.

“It's from the Pokémon League,” Misty mutters out loud, just strong enough for all her sisters to hear. “Wonder what they want ...”

-----

In a large room sitting high up in Lumiose City's Prism Tower, a short girl with light blonde hair, braided up at the front ending in a large bun on the left hand side that's bound with a scrunchie designed like a ring of flower petals, with the rest falling down her back to her waist, wearing a crimson jacket tied at the front with an orange ribbon, with a creamy white blouse underneath, and a short black skirt, hops onto the cluttered workbench. Her rose pink satchel bounces next to her as she lands down, the impact jostling a couple of the mechanical components resting on the bench, as she looks at an older glasses wearing man with the same coloured hair, clad in a grimy teal lab coat with a yellow horizontal stripe across the front, looks down at the letter in his hand.

“Come on, Clemont! she whines, ignoring the clattering as a robot looking similar to the man shuffles around the rest of the room, cleaning up the many mechanical components, processors, tools and metallic parts. “What does it say?!”

“I have to open it first, Bonnie,” Clemont mentions as he breaks the seal on the envelope, opening up the letter.

The room falls silent for a moment, save for the clattering caused as Clembot continues shuffling throughout the room, picking out the scattered mess and sorting it apart. Bonnie sighs as she waits for her brother, tapping her fingers against the bench.

“No way!” Clemont suddenly exclaims, causing his sister to jump in shock and fall off the worktable.

“What? What is it?” she asks, the flap on her satchel flipping open as a tiny yellow Pokémon pops its head out, antennae sticking out from the red sacks on its cheeks sparking with electricity.

“De-Ne?”

“The Pokémon Masters League is on this year!” Clemont exclaims, shaking slightly as he looks at her, only to be met with a blank look.

“The what?”

“The Pokémon Masters League! It's a prestigious tournament held every twenty years!” he says, standing up as he starts to pace around the room.

“Do you know what he's talking about, Dedenne?”

“Ne-nne,” Dedenne replies with the shake of its head.

“Is this some sort of tournament for strong trainers?” Clembot asks as it walks over, the cleaning forgotten as its curiosity is peaked.

“Not just strong trainers! It's for the strongest of the strongest!”

“Awesome!” Bonnie shouts as Clemont's words finally seem to hit home. “Of course they'd invite you if they were after the strongest trainers in the world. They'd be fools not to invite the Light of Lumiose City.”

“Well, some people, like Gym Leaders, automatically qualify for the tournament,” Clemont chuckles as he rubs the back of his neck.

“Well, even if they didn't, you'd still qualify with flying colours, I'm sure of it,” Bonnie insists, accompanied by a nod from Clembot.

“Indeed, sir. You're certainly one of the finest battlers I've ever seen.”

“Oh, I don't know about that …”

-----

“Remind me what I'm doing here?” a woman, with a long jet black ponytail with violet highlights in her hairline, down the right side of her hair, and the tip of her ponytail, asks as she looks towards the other two women sitting at their round table placed outside a café in Viridian City.

The woman who had asked the question is dressed in a plain white sleeveless shirt and a pair of black jeans held up with a worn brown leather belt. The woman to her left has sweeping shoulder length charcoal black hair that curls out at the base of her neck, while wearing a spaghetti string tank top that bares her lean midriff, a pair of long clean white pants, and a pair of thick and weighty looking black and glowing seafoam green bracelets on her wrists. The pale skinned woman to her right has rounded black hair, with cut bangs held back by a cherry red headband, and is wrapped up in a dandelion yellow kimono with tangerine maple leaves falling around the trim, tied off with a cherry red obi.

“I figured you wouldn't have heard about this,” the woman to her left explains. “It's only this time that your home region has been included in the festivities.”

“Along with Alola,” the kimono wearing woman adds, blinking as if she had just woken up before sighing and slumping back in her seat.

“Yes, but that's to be expected, as both regions didn't have a league during the last tournament. And it's being held in Seishi. So, maybe you could give us an idea of what your home is like, Jade?”

“No idea,” Jade sighs as she takes a sip from the cup of tea in front of her. “Left five years ago, haven't been back. Could have changed a lot.”

“Now why don't I believe you?” the tank top wearing woman asks, crossing her legs over one another, pressing her elbow onto the top leg and placing her hand under her chin.

“Because you can't trust anything that hasn't been checked by your powers?” Jade jabs back with a raised eyebrow, getting a smirk in response. “Besides, why don't you just use your powers to look into the future, Miss Psychic Mistress?”

“My foresight ability is somewhat limited,” she explains. “Besides, more fun to have things happen without knowing it beforehand.”

“Whatever. Why don't you start your history lesson that you've worked so hard on before we …?”

Both look over to their kimono wearing companion, who appears to be looking off vacantly, her gaze locked onto a point somewhere near the tank top wearing woman. Jade sighs as she leans back in her seat.

“Too late. We've lost her.”

“Erika, is something the matter?” the tank top wearer questions.

“... Huh? O-Oh, no, sorry,” the kimono clad woman absently answers as she shakes herself back to reality, her eyes losing their glassy sheen and returning to focus. “I'm just still a bit amazed by your wardrobe change, Sabrina.”

The sudden confession has the table quiet for a beat before a snort comes from Jade, followed by an almost unnoticeable curl of the corners of her mouth. The Saffron City Gym Leader, on the other hand, just looks at her Celadon City counterpart with a deadpan expression.

“I mean, before you used to dress up so conservatively,” Erika continues on, oblivious to the reactions of her fellow Gym Leaders as her voice gains a cheery mirth. “But now you look so cute and casual. And you even freshened your hair up. It really does suit this 'Psychic Mistress' image you've been showing off now.”

“L-Look, can we just get back on track with the Masters League, instead of focusing on my … complete … style … change …” Sabrina manages to strangle out, folding her arms over her exposed midriff and turning her head away, a light rosy tint dusting across her cheeks.

“I'm sure you've gotten a lot more attention thanks to this too,” Erika continues on, showing no sign that she had heard Sabrina's suggestion. “I must say, it's nice to see how much you've … grown … up …”

Erika's voice trails as she feels a hand on her left shoulder. She turns to her left, finding nothing there save for the disconnected floating purple hand lingering on her shoulder. Her skin manages to get even paler as a strained whimper sounds out from the back of her throat.

“HAUNTER!!!” a voice bellows from her other side, causing her to shriek and jump out of her seat, falling on the ground. Sabrina, despite trying to keep it smothered with her hand, lets a little giggle escape through her fingers at Haunter's antics, while the Ghost Pokémon laughs loudly at the result of its joke.

“O-Okay, please continue,” Erika says a little shakily as she gets back into her chair, dusting off her kimono.

“So, you both know how if a challenger beats all the Gym Leaders and wins that region's conference that they're allowed to enter the Champions League to take on the Elite Four and the Champion?”

“Is that meant to be a shot at me?” Jade asks with a glare.

“Not at all, just where I'm starting,” Sabrina mentions, unperturbed by the sharp glare burning onto her skin.

“Right …”

“Well, the Pokémon League wanted to give other trainers a chance to become a Pokémon Master if they competed well enough across different conferences. Their reasoning was that just because a trainer won a conference didn't automatically make them the strongest trainer overall, nor did it mean that if you finished in the Top 4 that you were one of the four strongest trainers competing."

“So, sixty years ago, the first Masters League was created,” Jade intervenes with a bored tone, getting a look from Sabrina. “To prove which trainers were the strongest of the strong, the Gym Leaders from all competing regions, along with the Elite Four members and the Champions, would be thrown into the mix along with the trainers that had won conferences, trainers that had consistently proven themselves in multiple conferences, and others who were recognised to be powerful trainers in their own right by a selecting committee. Every twenty years the event is held, in a different region, and the winner has the right to be known as the greatest Pokémon Master in the world.”

“So, you do know all about it,” Sabrina says.

“Force of habit,” Jade replies with a shrug as she takes another drink from her tea.

“Haun Haunter,” Haunter moans, holding out a flower to Erika as it looks down to the floor.

“Oh, is this for me, Haunter?” she asks.

“Haunter,” the Gas Pokémon nods.

“How sweet,” Erika smiles and reaches out for the flower, only to let out a shriek as the flower opens up and sprays a stream of water out into her face.

“Hau Hau Hau!” Haunter cackles, covering his mouth with his floating hands.

“Haunter,” Sabrina warns sternly.

Haunter continues to cackle wildly at the prank, spiralling around in the air jovially. That is, until it comes to a sudden stop as a cloud of dark flickering purple smoke circulates around it. The gas Pokémon pulls out a handkerchief seemingly from out thin air and starts fanning it out. And yet, the air pushing out does nothing to disperse the spontaneous smoke.

“H-Haun …” Haunter murmurs nervously, head swivelling around as the smoke starts to manifest into ominous spectres of indigo mass and flickering violet flames.

Haunter throws up his hands and starts to float away, only to be followed by the spectres no matter where he goes. Sabrina and Erika both watch this strange sight, as Haunter frantically flies rings through the air with the spectres never losing any ground, before the former looks over towards the Leader of the Viridian City Gym, who is very calmly drinking her tea as if nothing unusual is happening.

“Could you call off your friend?” Sabrina asks.

“No idea what you're talking about,” Jade replies.

-----

“So, this is a tournament for all the strongest trainers in the world, right?” a man with shaggy grape purple hair, dressed in a navy blue and black jacket with a cobalt shirt underneath, and a pair of indigo cargo pants, asks as he looks into a video phone in a Pokémon Centre located in Sinnoh's famed Fight Area.

“That's right,” answers a similar looking man on the other side, his long dark purple hair drawn back into a ponytail, wearing a long sleeved coral shirt with a seafoam green apron over the top.

“So, does that include the Battle Frontier?”

“Well, I don't believe the Battle Frontier was set up when the last tournament took place, though I know Brandon, Palmer and Argenta were invited. They all got pretty far, too.”

The man on the other side of the video call drops his head slightly and pulls up a letter into view of the bottom of the screen, as his eyes read across the page.

“However, they are saying that the Frontier Brains have been invited,” he notes.

“Good, so we get another shot at defeating Brandon.”

“Slow down, Paul,” the man on the screen chuckles as he notes the cold fire burning in his eyes. “There's no guarantee that you'll get matched up with him. And besides, you're challenging Palmer's Battle Tower first, right? If you're too focused on a future battle, you'll end up having more trouble with the battle before it. And Palmer is a trainer you'll want your complete focus on to stand a chance.”

“You didn't tell me you'd faced him before, Reggie,” Paul says, getting a slight chuckle in response.

“Well, this was before I stepped away from battling,” his older brother points out as he rubs the back of his neck, “and I'm certain he's gotten even stronger since then. So watch out.”

“It doesn't matter how strong he is. All that matters is that we beat him.”

“Well, that's certainly one way to think about it,” Reggie says with a sweat drop. “You know, that sounds a lot like something Ash would say, instead of you.”

“Well, if the strongest trainers in the world are going to be competing, then there's no way he'll miss competing in Seishi. I'll get to settle the score with him too.”

“Paul, focus on Palmer first,” Reggie sternly suggests.

“R-Right.”

-----

“Well, Forrest, I hope you've been keeping up with your training on your journey,” a man with dark skin and spiky hair, wearing a white doctor's coat over an orange shirt and brick red pants, says as his squinty eyes over from the letter to the video phone where a similar, if not younger, looking man is being projected to the room full of nine other people – six male and three female – who look virtually identical, save for the differences in hair colour and the hairstyles of the women, and another woman with a fairer complexion and wider eyes who is sitting on the arm rest of a recliner next to the eldest in the room, with wrinkles on his face and dark grey hair.

“Of course I have, Brock …” Forrest starts, “but I'm not sure if I'll compete.”

“What are you talking about?!” Brock says as he jumps out of his seat, the letter crumpling slightly in his hand. “This is a great honour!”

“Well, it's just, I've been on my journey to find what it is I want to do,” Forrest explains. “I'm not sure if I have that answer yet, and I don't think it's fair for me to represent the Pewter Gym if I'm not committed to being the Gym Leader right now.”

“Well, what do we do?” one of the girls, with her spiky chocolate brown hair pulled back into a shaggy ponytail.

“Personally, I think you should represent the gym, Brock,” Forrest suggests.

“Me?”

“Why not?” the male of the youngest twins, Billy, speaks up. “Forrest took over while you were away, and then when you were studying.”

“Yeah, and you were the one that took over when Forrest left for his journey,” the other twin, Tilly, continues on, tilting her head at the eldest of the Harrison children.

“Not to mention that he went on his journey because you suggested it, dear,” Lola, the mother and the most unique looking person in the room, adds on.

“By all rights, you're still the Pewter Gym Leader,” Forrest finishes.

“Except that you're still the official Leader, in the League's eyes,” Brock retorts to his brother. “We put in that transfer when I went off to study to be a doctor.”

“That won't be a problem,” Flint, the older man and father of the large family, speaks up.

“What do you mean, Dad?”

“If you keep reading, a ruling is that if anyone holding a position with the Pokémon League is unable to compete, they can nominate a substitute if they're deemed to be strong enough,” the Harrison father explains. “It's only been used twice in the three times the Masters League has been held, but it is possible. But even then, we wouldn't need to use that rule.”

“Why not?” Brock asks, his brow furrowing in confusion, along with several of his siblings.

“Why don't you take another look at that envelope, Brock?” his mother suggests. Brock nods and takes up the opened envelope that he left face down on the table in the middle of the room, before turning it over.

“It's addressed to me?” Brock reads, his brow rising as his eyes widen ever so slightly.

“Dad and I put in a request to make you the official Gym Leader while I was away,” Forrest explains.

“You both did that?!” the Pokémon doctor asks, getting a nod from both his father and brother. “And when were you going to tell me?!”

“It wouldn't have changed anything,” Flint defends. “Even without knowing it, you've still ran the gym as if you were official.”

“And you're a far stronger trainer than I am,” Forrest adds on. “I'd much rather have you representing us all than myself.”

“Hmm …” Brock sighs as he sits down, losing himself in thought.

“Well, Brock, what do you say? Are you going to accept the invitation?”

-----

“Hey, Dad, does it say what a trainer has to do to qualify?” a teenage boy with combed pine green hair, wearing an emerald green jacket with a beige undershirt, and grey shorts, asks, glancing over through his glasses at the man sitting down on a blue couch, while he keeps brushing the white fur of the Vigaroth sleeping in front of it.

“Well, Max, trainers don't qualify, in that sense,” the father, a man with short pebble black hair, dressed in a crimson red jacket with a soot black trim, and denim blue jeans, explains, an arm draped across the back of the couch. “The only real way to qualify is to win a conference. Beyond that, it's really down to the committee overseeing the selections for each region.”

“But they must have some way to determine who is the strongest, right?” a woman sitting in a matching blue recliner asks. She's dressed in a sleeveless tangerine tunic with a large folded black collar, a long white stripe down the front and two white pockets on her hips, along with a pair of slim black cycling shorts and a mint green pack strapped round her waist. She also has a pair of white gloves with black fingers and a pair of black wristbands with a green stripe going round, while her bronze brown hair – parted into two tails – is wrapped up in a mint green and snow white bandanna.

“In a way,” he replies. “There are certain conditions that are recommended for trainers to have met.”

“... and they are?” she asks, the two children looking towards their father, the Petalburg City Gym Leader Norman.

“Well, beyond winning a conference, it's recommended you finish within the Top 2 twice in a row, the Top 4 on four consecutive occasions, the Top 8 six times in a row, or the Top 16 on eight consecutive occasions,” Norman explains. “Beyond that, there can be other factors taken into account, such as the amount of conferences you've competed in, the trainers you lost to in a conference, and when you started out.”

“Guess I didn't make the cut then,” Max mopes, his entire posture slumping forwards dejectedly. “I only finished four times in the Top 16, from five conferences, and my best was a Top 8 finish in Kanto and Unova.”

“Well, you could still get in,” his sister says brightly, trying to encourage him. “You've only been in five conferences, remember? And you've been eliminated by a runner up and a winner as well. That could be taken into your consideration.”

“Maybe …” he mumbles, keeping his eyes on the floor and definitely away from Norman, fearing any possible expression that could cross his face. Max jolts up a little as he suddenly feels a hand rest on his shoulder, looking over to see the hand belonging to his sister.

“I'm sure it's just late, 'kay?” she says with a smile and a wink, hiding her other slightly shaking hand hidden behind her back.

“Yeah … Yeah!” Max pipes up cheerfully, his spirits raising by the second. He hums for a second, before pausing and looking over at his father. “Hey, Dad? There's something else I'm not sure about.”

“What is it, Max?”

“Well … I get why you got an invitation, seeing as you're a Gym Leader. But …”

He turns and looks over to the second opened letter in the room, a letter which both his sister and father's eyes are drawn to. A letter that was placed down in front of where his sister had been sitting.

“... do you know why May got an invite as well?”

-----

“It says that they're also considering and inviting coordinators that have fit the same recommendations in Grand Festivals as other strong trainers in Conference Leagues,” a messy orange-red haired woman reads off of a letter, dressed in a magenta woolly jumper with an orange vest over the top, with a faded pair of jeans on her legs. A pair of thin rimmed sunglasses sits atop her head, while around her left wrist is a bubblegum pink Pokétch with a white strap. A Glameow lies on her lap, softly purring away contently as it receives some small scratches from her trainer.

“Huh … I wonder why …” another woman ponders as she looks at her own letter. This one has long royal blue hair tucked within a pearl white beanie with a pink Pokéball print on the front. She wears a black v-neck tank top, with a white shirt underneath, and a pink mini skirt. Wrapped around her right wrist is a thin bracelet, along with a Pokétch on her left wrist identical to her friend's.

“I would guess it has to do with determining what makes a powerful trainer,” a third woman says as she walks in, holding a tray filled with cookies, a steaming tea pot and three tea cups. The third woman, quite a few years older than the other two, though not looking it, has a large round bob of royal blue hair held in place thanks to a red hair clip. She wears a white shirt with long sleeves, with a peach and red apron tied around her waist, and a pair of aegean blue capris underneath.

“Really, mum?” the second of the women asks as the latter sets down the tea set.

“Well, who's to say that a Coordinator can't be a strong trainer?” the mother responds as she starts to pour out cups of tea for the three of them. “In the past, it was kept to trainers who were competing in regional conferences to be invited to the Masters League.”

“But now, they're realising that a Coordinator can be just as strong a trainer as anyone else,” the first woman finishes as she catches on to the mother's point.

“Yeah, but our battles aren't necessarily about just knocking out our opponents,” the second interjects as she takes the cup of tea that's offered to her.

“That just means you have a different battling style to the rest,” the mother replies as she hands off another cup of tea, before taking the last cup and sitting down in a nice plush chair.

“Thanks, Johanna,” the first woman offers with a nod as she takes a sip of the heated aromatic liquid.

“You're welcome, Zoey,” she hums, before returning to the topic of conversation. “You've come across many trainers with different styles, right Dawn?”

“Yeah, like Nando,” Dawn responds brightly, as memories of facing off against the melodic Pokémon Bard come to mind.

“You see?”

“Plus you shouldn't forget Fantina,” Zoey points out. “She was a Top Coordinator before becoming a Gym Leader, and yet she still battles like she's in a Contest.”

“And then there's Wallace, someone who's both a Pokémon Champion and Top Coordinator,” Johanna adds. “Think of it this way, a trainer that takes on the gyms are more likely to focus on the strength of their Pokémon and the power of their moves. A Coordinator on the other hand showcases their Pokémon however they can. That includes utilising and redirecting their opponents moves.”

“Along with also working through different combinations!” Dawn finishes. “Yeah! We are totally going to have this!”

“Calm down, Dawn,” Johanna warns. “That doesn't mean you'll find it any easier. That just means you need to stick to you and your Pokémon's style, just like any other battle.”

“No need to worry, mum,” Dawn comments, brushing off her mother's cautions. “My Pokémon and I will be careful.”

“And what do I do when you tell me not to worry?”

Zoey lets out a good natured chuckle at Johanna's stern remark, along with the sulking pout in response from Dawn. She gives her Glameow another gentle rub, a warm smile crossing her face, before disappearing as a question comes to mind.

“Hey, Johanna? Have you been invited? You are a Top Coordinator, after all.”

“Oh yeah, it would be really cool to see you in action, mum,” Dawn jumps in excitedly.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't received an invitation,” Johanna answers. “Truthfully, the last time I competed was before the last Champions League. They're probably limiting it to results in the last twenty years.”

“Aww …” Dawn expresses with a hint of disappointment, before her appearance suddenly hardens as her eyes dart to the ground.

“Dawn?” Zoey says, noticing her friend's glum look.

“Oh, it's nothing,” she replies, plastering on a wide smile that doesn't seem to reach her eyes. “No need to worry.”

Zoey raises an eyebrow at her remark, which freezes her faux cheeriness. Dawn's fake smile shrinks down to a small curl of her lips, as her flickering eyes stare down at the cup of tea in her hands.

“Right, sorry,” Dawn softly apologises. “I was just wondering if Ash will be there …”

-----

Following in through a hidden winding passage on the southern face of Mt Daybreak in Seishi, a large room opens up from within the craggy walls – a secret hideout for the Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and the Champion of Seishi. The concealed tunnel morphs into a wide space hollowed out from the mountainside, showcasing a fully furnished area that could easily become someone's living space if they so desired. Smooth polished marble coats the floors, small flame lanterns hang from the cracked, craggy walls, while a couple of large globe lights dangle down from the tall ceiling.

In the middle of the chamber is a large fire pit, currently crackling away with a warm blaze, with a wide venting shaft hanging above that funnels any smoke out of the room. Seated around the flames are two large curved white velvet couches – one on the right and one directly opposite on the left – with eight people currently sitting on the furniture. Beyond, the far wall falls away to an open view of a roaring waterfall, with small vapour droplets gently spraying back into the room. Through the opening sunlight cascades in from a cavernous sinkhole, flooding half of the room in a shimmering light that dances against the golden flickering glow of the flames. Off to the right of the lounge area is a large oak dining table with ten chairs placed around it, while beyond that is a fully equipped kitchen, the surfaces sculpted in black slate, bright white quartz and handcrafted mahogany wood.

Seated on the couch on the right is Lillith, the Ice type Gym Leader; a woman with scarlet red hair pulled back into a ponytail, with strands falling around the side of her face. Her legs, clad in a form hugging pair of black pants, are crossed one over the other in front of her, while a big warm furry coat covers her torso.

To her right is Kai, the Fire type Gym Leader. He is currently slumped on the couch, with his lanky form allowing his head to still rest on top the back, allowing his eyes to stare straight up at the ceiling. His messy midnight blue hair cascades over his eyes and draws level with his nose, with little hints of electric blue roots poking through the fringe. He has on a loose white button up t-shirt, though the top three buttons are left undone, with a flame patterned tie hung slack around his neck, and a pair of denim jeans that are torn at the knees.

Beyond him is Sheamus, the Grass type member of the Elite Four, dressed in the same worn outfit that he wore during his meeting with the representatives from the Pokémon League and other regions.

Finally, beside him, is Juliette, the Electric type Gym Leader. Her bushy dark emerald hair gently brushes against the top of her shoulders, while a pair of red rimmed glasses sits delicately on her nose. She has a white lab coat – marred by a few scuff marks and holes towards the bottom – draped over a raven black undershirt, with a pair of baggy black cargo pants to match.

Across from them, on the other couch, sits Duncan, the Normal type Gym Leader. He has short fluffy ashen brown hair, while having a white and light grey striped scarf wrapped round his neck. He also has on a thick brown leather jacket over a steel-grey shirt with a white Pokéball print by his left hip – the last third of the design is cut off by the end of the shirt. Completing his look is a pair of black chinos, held up by a thin belt.

To Duncan's left is the Ghost type Gym Leader, Thane. Hunched over, with his pasty pale arms resting on his knees and holding up his head, a pair of sunken eyes stare out at the room through the curtain of raven black hair cascading down in front of his face. He has on a baggy indigo shirt that has had the sleeves torn off at the shoulders, along with several other small holes and tears pierce the fabric. His jet black pants share the same ragged look, having been frayed, torn and tattered all along the pant-length.

Sitting next to him is Alex, the Gym Leader who specialises in both Rock and Ground types. He has spiky dirty brown hair with a matching short scraggly beard running along his jawline, with a pair of slightly dirty goggles sitting amongst his hair. He's wearing a long sleeved khaki shirt – the sleeves having been rolled up to just below his elbows – and a pair of tawny brown cargo pants, both items slightly dusty, while sitting on the ground in front of him is a very large and seemingly bursting sage green backpack. Currently, Alex's head is down looking towards his hands, holding a pen and a small notepad, as he quickly scrawls across the page.

The final member on the couch is the Water specialist of the Elite Four, and Top Coordinator, Hikaru, humming softly to herself as she kicks her legs out ahead of her. Like Sheamus, she is wearing much the same outfit she did upon meeting the other representatives a couple of weeks ago, though she has also thrown on a sky blue hoodie for good measure.

Standing in between the fire pit and the opening looking out to the waterfall is Raphael, Flying type master and Elite Four member. Unlike his meeting with the other representatives, he has forsaken his black skintight undershirt, showing off his muscular arms. Also, this change in attire also shows off the winding runic and tribal-like tattoo crawling up his left arm, similar in design to the pair adorning Sheamus' bulky arms. In his hand is a clipboard that he keeps sneaking tiny glances to as he reports to everyone in the room, going over the information for the tournament and their responsibilities.

High above everyone else as she climbs up the craggy wall, whilst still vaguely listening to the former Champion, is Bridgette, the Fighting type Gym Leader. Her auburn hair is tied back in a braided ponytail that hangs down between her shoulder blades. A thin black tank top clings to her lean, toned torso, while a matching pair of black sweatpants hugs her powerful legs. Her hands, strapped up and chalked, cling to the handholds she's found as her eyes scan for her next opening to manoeuvre herself even higher than she already is.

Sitting alone at the head of large dining table is Ella, the Fairy type Gym Leader. A pale violet hoodie is wrapped around her, with the hood drawn over her head, though peeking through the front can be seen her pixie cut hairstyle containing a blend of golden blonde, sky blue, and rose pink hair. She also has on a pair of faded jeans, with her hands stuffed inside the pockets of her hoodie. Though she is still listening to Raphael's report, it may not appear so, as instead her eyes are following the Pokémon chasing each other around the outfitted chamber; including a Dedenne, a Flabebe, a Litleo, a Frosslass, an Azurill, and a Pikachu.

Leaning beside the entrance to the chamber with her arms folded across her chest is Jeanne, Steel type specialist and member of the Elite Four, keeping a watchful eye over the entire room, along with sending glances towards the pathway beside her, lest someone unexpected comes in. On her other side leaning against the wall is a large greatsword, nearly as tall as Jeanne herself, unsheathed and untouched, yet within reach. Her long flowing fiery red hair spills down her back. Adorning her torso is a plain black tank top, showing off her muscular arms and the scars that litter them, matched by the long scar carved along her right cheek. However, her legs are completely covered in armour plating, with nary an opening to be seen.

Finally, leaning up against the far wall of the room, with the aperture showcasing the waterfall just to his left, is the Champion of Seishi, Aaron. With the wide brimmed hat still tilted over his right eye, and the left side of his face still covered by his bangs, his cloak has been forsaken, instead showing off his storm grey sleeveless tunic and a large amount of strapping and bandages wrapped around his limp left arm. His right hand, still held within his fingerless gem embedded glove, sits against his waist, with the thumb tucked into the waistband of his cargo pants, and a small thin golden band sits further up on his forearm.

“So, you got us all in here just to tell us it's all sorted?” Duncan sighs as Raphael finishes giving them the details over the completed selection process.

“Not at all,” Raphael replies, “We've also got some other things to do.”

From above them on the wall Bridgette lets out a groan as she throws a hand out to her next handhold. “Really? More work?”

“There are times that we do need to get work done,” Juliette points out.

“You're just saying that because your boyfriend's organising it,” Bridgette retorts with a slight strain as she pulls herself higher, the remark getting a bright red hue to coat the Electric type specialist's cheeks.

“Th-That's not true …”

“Now, now, you'll find out that there are times you'll have other priorities than battling,” Sheamus interjects, reaching out a large comforting hand and placing it very gently on the flustered woman's shoulder, while she fidgets with the hem of her coat. “We knew that when we took up positions with the League.”

“Yeah, yeah …” the athletic Fighting type specialist sighs with a roll of her eyes.

“Don't worry, most of what's left for you is just supervising construction for the stadiums and accommodation,” Raphael mentions.

“Just watching over stuff?” Thane drones, his dark eyes slowly shifting over to Raphael who nods in response.

“Yeah, and making sure they aren't damaging the habitats and the wild Pokémon. It shouldn't be too much of a problem – Jameson Inc is handling the construction process.”

“So what do we do?” Lillith speaks up with a sigh. She, like quite a few others, weren't overly fond of meetings that came down to League business, and was getting pretty bored with the affair.

“Mainly we'll be working in shifts, apart from some stuff that still needs a specialist,” he replies. “Alex, you'll be taking care of the buildings being built into Daybreak.”

“Making sure it's not disrupting the energy levels and the structures?” Alex checks as his pen pauses along his page.

“Bingo,” he answers, Alex nodding and quickly returning to his note taking. “Make sure it won't come caving in. And that we can still sneak our way through to our hideouts and our floor without interference.”

Alex's writing hand pauses again. “… You know that one of those things is a lot easier than the other, right?”

“I'm sure you'll manage,” Raphael says, before glancing at his clipboard. “Hikaru's taking care of the contest stages for the Wallace Cup, which will be held over by the lakefront of Crystdrake Castle.”

If someone had just walked in, they wouldn't have guessed that the energy of the room previously was pretty drained as, with that statement, a chorus of voices bellow out their disapproval, to the complete and utter lack of surprise of the former Champion.

“We can't hold it there!” Bridgette shouts down from above, letting go of the wall with one hand so she can lean over and twist her body to look at Raphael. “It's too important!”

“Agreed,” Thane growls, the volume of his voice staying the same, yet gaining a very dark growl. “We cannot sully the spirits of that place.”

“Not entirely what I meant …”

As some in the group continues voicing their concerns, Raphael looks back to Aaron, silently asking if he'd like to intervene. However, the light mirth dancing in the gaze that darts out from the forest of bangs shrouding his eye, coupled with the slight curl of his lips, seems to communicate to Raphael that the Champion has no intentions whatsoever to bail him out of this mess.

“I agree with Bridgette,” Duncan speaks up. “Even without the sentimental reasons you guys have for protecting it, the lakefront there is central to a lot of Pokémon's lives. You just told us to make sure the construction workers aren't damaging the habitats for the wild Pokémon.”

“But it's perfect,” Hikaru objects as she leaps up to her feet. “A contest is a showcase of magnificence, allure and beauty. The water there is perfect for bringing it out. It's so clean!”

“And what about the Pokémon?” Lillith inquires.

“It's an open stage. We won't be building a full stadium. Open top, looking out onto the natural view, and the castle in the background.”

“A ruined castle …” Kai suddenly speaks up, with a dull tone, as he continues to stare up at the ceiling.

“A slightly damaged castle,” Hikaru retorts. “Besides, it's not that bad. You can't say it doesn't look like a gorgeous sight, right?”

Some murmurs of agreement come from the discontent members of their group.

“The stage will be portable, she continues. “We should be able to float it out and bring it back in easily. Enough room to dig, move around, and it'll open up for water performances.”

“Also, we were going to have some Pokémon help out with a barrier around the stage, just like with some of the stadiums,” Raphael adds on. “So, no wayward attacks will hurt the Pokémon living around there.”

“Are you sure the stage will work?” Alex voices.

“Professor Jones believes it will, based on her research,” Hikaru answers. “We should have the proper measures to make it all function perfectly. I was always going to ask Julie to help me there as well, if that'll ease everyone's concerns.”

Juliette suddenly looks up as the multitude of eyes in the room fall on her. She quickly looks back down at her lap, squirming slightly in her seat, before she shyly glances over to Raphael. “… Will it affect the Starlight Festival?”

Raphael shakes his head. “No. The Starlight Festival should be on the night before. We'll float out the stage the morning afterwards.”

“We checked with the lake Pokémon too, and they're on board with it too.” Hikaru adds on.

Juliette takes a moment before nodding. “Okay … I'll help with the stage.”

Hikaru lets out a cheer and hugs Juliette before returning to her seat.

“Stage aside, I'm still not sure about using the lake and the castle,” Jeanne speaks up, stern eyes looking over the rest of the room.

“I should also point out that I heard Governor Daniels was wanting to hold an event their during the tournament,” Raphael mentions, getting everyone to look back at him. “If what I heard is right, he'll even get an outside organisation to handle the restorations if he needs to. If we say we're using that area for the Wallace Cup, then Jameson Inc can handle the touch ups that's needed, and we'll have one of us there to make sure that only what's needed to be repaired in case an event is held is repaired.”

A few murmurs hum around the room as they converse with one another, before they look over at Jeanne. Her eyes float over each of the gazes looking back at her, before she sighs and closes her eyes. “Guess that sounds good enough.”

“Well, with that out of the way, I'll get to the other specialities. Sheamus will be focused on the accommodation on the edges of Shifmier Forest.”

“Are you sure that's a good idea?” Ella suddenly speaks up, having had stayed silent throughout the entire conversation. Everyone looks over at her, while she keeps her head down, watching the Pokémon who were still running around playing with one another, completely unperturbed by the earlier commotion.

“It should be fine, as long as the workers know what's going on and the trainers are told to stay near the tree line,” Sheamus speaks up. “My friends should be wandering through, too.”

“Plus the Protectors could also be on hand to keep an eye on things. Right, Jeanne?” Raphael says, looking across the room at his fellow Elite Four member.

“We could maybe spare a patrol or two over there.”

“Thank ye', lass,” Sheamus thanks with an incline of his head. “It would be a great help.”

Jeanne gives him a small nod in response before turning her head away with a small huff, appearing to an untrained eye to still be keeping an eye on the entrance for any possible intruders. Raphael lets a small smirk cross his lips before he glances back down at his clipboard.

“Finally, I'll be keeping an eye on the construction for the Tyrant's Maw.”

“Sky Battles?” Thane inquires.

“Sky Battles,” Raphael confirms with a nod.

“And what are the rest of us doing?” Duncan asks.

“Jeanne and Aaron will be working on getting the Protectors organised for the tournament, and will be coordinating with our Officer Jennys. The rest of you will be rotating through on different shifts,” Raphael explains. “Mainly, you're just making sure things are going on track. Really, the League just wants to make sure a representative with a position is present, and we'd like to make sure our land is as untouched as possible. Professor Jones is also going to be on call if any complications arise.”

“So, what's going to be happening with the gym challengers?” Lillith questions.

“The Nurse Joys have been asked to direct all new challengers to you first, Lillith. You tend to be the one that gets challenged the most by first timers, so it makes sense. Any of our Nurse Joys will let you know when a new challenger has registered, and when they should get there. From there, we ask that they then notify which gym they'll challenge next. Any expected battles will be worked into the flexible shift rotations.”

An annoyed groan comes from up above, and the group look up as Bridgette lets go of the wall and falls down, landing in a crouch. She then springs back up and claps her hands together, dusting the air in front of her with a cloud of chalk. “Supervising is so boring … Why can't those new challengers come face me first?”

Bridgette moves over to Lillith as she unwraps the strapping on her hands and wrists, before leaning on the couch behind the Ice type Gym Leader.

“Hey Lil'? Wanna battle?” she challenges. “Whoever wins gets any new challengers first.”

Lillith lets out a warm chuckle and stretches her arms out above her head, before placing both hands behind her head and leaning back into them. “Dunno, Bridge, Raph's the one who made all this up. Best you challenge him instead.”

“Come on, I'm not going to beat him!”

“If you're that desperate to do something else, you can help out with the paperwork that needs doing,” Raphael offers with a smirk, getting a frustrated look in response from Bridgette.

“… Supervision it is.” she grumbles, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face with a puff of air.

“Good. Anything other problems?”

His question is met with silence, so Raphael turns around to look at Aaron.

“Anything you want to add, Champ?” Raphael checks, Aaron silently shaking his head in response. “Alright then. Let's get this done, guys.”

-----

AN: So, there we go. A lot of information to be taken in, I'm sure.

Firstly, the list. I'll put it in order that I'd probably have them faced in, if this was a game. It will include name, type specialty, and age.

Gym Leaders:

Lillith - Ice type - 30

Alex - Rock/Ground type (yep, I'm going with a dual type specialist) - 28

Juliette - Electric type - 27

Duncan - Normal type - 26

Thane - Ghost type - 36

Bridgette - Fighting type - 24

Kai - Fire type - 27

Ella - Fairy type - 22

Elite Four and Champion:

Sheamus - Grass type - 44

Hikaru - Water type - 24

Jeanne - Steel type - 26

Raphael - Flying type - 29

Aaron - Various types - 25

So, beyond that, that's pretty much all I think I need to say. Next chapter should be people arriving in Seishi, which will be after a couple of months or so. Unless I decide I need to cover anything in between then.

Until next time, adios!

7 notes · View notes

epic-ash-and-sora-fan · 5 years ago

Text

Alive Chap 1

Clemont thought that getting the chance to be an intern at a new facility would be a valuable learning experience. Little did he know this facility held a huge secret which could change the world as they knew it! (Diodeshipping)

Chapter 1: The Amazing Facility

No way…

Clemont stared at the letter in his hands. His breakfast cereal sat forgotten on the table. The teen couldn't even fathom how this was happening. Was Placebo Net seriously inviting him to work as a temporary intern?

Placebo Net was a relatively new facility, but they already made a name for themselves. They're dedicated to creating various tools and drugs that improve the quality of life for people and pokemon. They're close to curing several diseases and even stunned doctors by helping someone walk again. Placebo Net made the impossible possible. Why would they ask him to be an intern at his age?! What insane universe did he wake up in this morning?

"Clemont, you've been gawking at that letter for ages, what's it about?" asked a youthful voice beside him.

"Sorry, Bonnie. It's from Placebo Net. They… want me as an intern."

"Wow, really?!" cried Bonnie. "Cool! They made all those new medicines right?"

"Yeah, it's only a temporary thing, but I could learn a lot."

"You're gonna accept then?"

"Maybe…" said Clemont as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm a little hesitant to leave the gym but… Clembot has been keen to go solo for a while, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping."

"Well keep an eye out for keepers because I won't be around to help with that," said Bonnie with a wink.

"Bonnie!" moaned Clemont. Then he smiled. "Okay, I'll do it. What harm could it do?"

The rest of the day consisted of calling Placebo Net to inform them of his decision. He also made certain all was in order for Clembot to run the gym in his absence. He is due to start tomorrow, and it would, for the most part, be an induction day. Placebo Net wasn't ridiculously far from Lumiose City. Just an hour's train ride to Kuro City so it wasn't like he would be miles and miles away. Still, the manager of Placebo Net suggested Clemont actually roomed at Placebo Net. Not only it would make things easier for them both it would also be more cost-effective for Clemont to not have to pay for train tickets every day. The teen couldn't argue with that logic so he agreed. Bonnie pouted upon hearing this.

"Can't I come with you Clemont?" she asked sadly.

"I wish you could Bonnie, but I'm going to be really busy. It isn't like at the gym where I could watch you during a lull in challengers, I'll likely be gone all day."

Plus, Clemont was sure the researchers wouldn't appreciate his sister getting under their feet all the time while they were trying to work.

----

Clothes, check. Toothbrush, check. Pokeballs, check.

"Clemont this is the eighth time you went through that list. You have everything already!" griped Bonnie as she watched from the doorway.

"One can't be too careful Bonnie," said Clemont as he got up from his cross-legged position on his bedroom floor. He picked up his backpack which was now several times heavier then went to give his sister a hug.

"You be good okay. I'll call when I get the chance."

"Okay. I love you Clemont."

"I love you too."

Meyer walked into the room with a lunch box

"A little something to eat on the train. It's not your mum's cooking, Arceus rest her soul, but it's filling I'd imagine."

"Thanks, Dad," said Clemont as he accepted the lunch box and was just able to fit it into his already crammed backpack.

"Well, good luck son. Work hard and keep us posted, and don't worry, Bonnie and I will hold down the fort."

Clemont nodded and after more goodbye hugs Clemont left the gym. He glanced back at the building for a moment, knowing he won't be back for a while.

"No turning back now," he said to himself and continued on.

----

Clemont was now getting off the train at Kuro Station. Kuro City was as the name implied. Everything was dark coloured. Even the pavement somehow. The flower baskets dangling from various homes were the only things with even an ounce of colour.

Clemont pulled out his map and was somewhat surprised to find Placebo Net was only a couple of blocks away. Along the way the blonde watched everyone go about their business. Children not much younger than Bonnie played hopscotch in a play area with a Skitty. There was a salon where a woman was reading a magazine while waiting for a man to finish grooming what Clemont presumed was her Furfrou. A pansear walked up to Clemont and handed him a leaflet that advertised a pastry shop. The teen placed the flyer into his pocket to review later. He also strolled by a flower stall where a young woman was making flower bracelets with the aid of her Floette.

"Here we are!"

The building was incredibly modest. It was about 30 stories tall and the walls were a dull grey. The windows were so clean, Clemont would forgive anyone for thinking there were no windows at all. The glass door slid open as he approached. Inside was a sharp contrast to the exterior. The walls and floor were pure white. There were tall plants in each corner of the lobby and there were light blue chairs by the windows. Clemont soon reached the desk where a brunette woman with a loose ponytail was typing something on the computer.

"Ahem… erm excuse me, I'm the new temp intern starting today." Clemont stuttered as he presented the badge he received for verification.

The woman peered up and smiled.

"Ah, yes let's see."

The woman accepted the badge and scanned it on a machine next to her computer. After it made a happy beep, she nodded and handed the card back.

"So you're Clemont. Well, everything seems in order. I'll let the boss know you're here. So if you'll take a seat."

"That won't be necessary, Heather. I'm already here." announced a new voice. Clemont turned to see a middle-aged man walking towards the desk. "Appreciate the sentiment though."

Heather nodded returning to her work. The man turned to Clemont. He had dark brown thinning hair, and he wore a lab coat over his mint green shirt.

"Wonderful to meet you Clemont," he said as he held out his hand which the inventor took. "Again, I'm delighted you accepted our invitation. My name is Brad. I believe we spoke on the phone."

Clemont nodded.

"Thank you for inviting me. It will be a valuable learning experience."

"That it will." laughed Brad. "Every day is a learning experience here. Now, why don't we start with a tour? Would you like anything to drink? A snack perhaps?"

"No thanks. I had something on the train."

"Well if you change your mind, let me know," said Brad as they headed towards the door he entered through which turned out to be an elevator. Brad pressed a button, and they ascended. They went up a few floors before the elevator beeped and the doors opened.

"This is the research floor," said Brad. "Self-explanatory. We learn everything we can about diseases and how they can affect the human body. Same thing with pokemon. We're now researching Pokerus and determining if there are any hidden adverse effects of contracting it. So far all we've found is that it can occasionally cause mild skin irritation, and that's only in very rare cases and is treatable with prescription cream."

Clemont looked around. There were many people either on computers or looking through microscopes. Someone jotted their findings on a tablet.

"As you can see they're very diligent," said Brad with a smile.

"This is fascinating!" cried Clemont. "I can't believe how efficient everything is."

"Haha, if you're impressed already, I can't wait to show you the rest of the building," laughed Brad.

The tour continued at a steady clip. Brad showed Clemont the computer room and another research room. There were several break rooms and rest areas for all-nighters.

"We'll this one up to be your room," said Brad. "Why don't you leave your backpack here. It looks heavy."

"It is. Thanks," said Clemont as he took off his backpack giving his shoulders some much needed relief, and placed it on the bed. Once that was done with they continued the tour.

"This is where the magic happens," said Brad as they entered a laboratory. "Once we've determined that the drug works and is safe to use, we send it to hospitals or pokemon centers depending on who needs it."

"Hello sir." said a blonde woman as she entered the room carrying a small case. "What brings you here if I may be so bold?"

"You may," said Brad. "I'm showing our new intern the ropes.

"Oh, of course! That was today." cried the woman. "I can be such an airhead sometimes. Nice to meet you. Clemont right?"

"That's right," said Clemont as he shook her hand.

"Well, I'll be looking forward to working with you." the blonde woman turned to Brad and whispered something to him. Brad smiled reassuringly.

"I'll tell him Freya, just getting the induction done with first."

"Sorry, tell me what?" asked Clemont. An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach. What was Placebo Net up to?

The researcher flinched as if he knew he let something slip. He sighed but smiled.

"Well I suppose it won't hurt to inform you now, but first I should explain a few things. I hope you'll listen before making any decisions."

Against his better judgement, Clemont nodded.

"Then let's head up a couple of floors," said Brad.

Clemont followed Brad to the elevator while clutching at his sleeves. He had expected a normal internship, but this was turning out to be something creepy and even a little shady. He stayed silent in the elevator wondering what Brad wanted to tell him.

"Now what I'm about to tell you is… let's say unusual, and we're not ready to go public with it yet. We'd be grateful if you keep what you're about to see under your hat for the time being."

Clemont nodded.

"Yes, of course."

The elevator door opened. The duo walked down the hallway and through a door that led to another laboratory. It had lots of glass tubes of varying sizes sat on top of a large table. The contents of the tubes made Clemont's stomach turn.

"Is…. is that…?"

"Yep," answered Brad. "That is a human heart."

In fact, each tube held a different organ. Lungs, kidneys, a liver, a stomach and even what appeared to be a human brain.

"Wha… what is this!?" he cried disgusted by what he saw in front of him. Brad let out a loud laugh.

"Had you going, didn't I? You can relax Clemont, we didn't gut anybody. These are artificial, surprise!"

"They're not real?"

"Technically, no," said Brad. "but they don't have to be. They work just like the real thing."

It took a few seconds for that sentence to sink in, but when they did they hit Clemont like a truck.

"What?!"

"You heard right," said Brad smirking as if he was enjoying this. "It took a lot of trial and error, but we have been able to create a working heart out of synthetic fibres. They are 100% eco-friendly. No plastic whatsoever. I remember the first breakthrough well. We created an artificial heart. Then we wired it to an artificial human brain. We gave the heart a little jolt, not much different from a defibrillator. The heart began to beat! Only for a few seconds but it was beating! I'm amazed Officer Jenny didn't come knocking from how loudly we celebrated. After countless failures, we finally created a heart that worked! Now we just had to keep it working. This is revolutionary! Transplant waiting lists will be a thing of the past if we can pull this off! If someone needs a new heart. We could build one and best of all it would be adaptable to that person's blood type so there will be no risk of rejection. We've even made artificial blood and blood cells. Yes, blood cells! In simpler terms, whatever the human body has. We've made a synthetic version."

Clemont could hardly believe what he heard. If what Brad was saying is true, then it truly was revolutionary. It could change lives! This was like something out of a sci-fi movie.

"So…. you…. you could even replace brains?" he asked.

Brad let out a nervous laugh.

"Well, I don't about that. They are just for research and testing other organs. It's the brain that tells them what to do after all."

"So… you've made an artificial version of everything? Could you even make skin? Hair? Bones?!"

Brad gave the inventor another smile.

"I think I'll let you be the judge of that. Come with me."

Clemont followed Brad back into the hallway still reeling from what he was being told. What could top artificial, working organs?

"Through here," said Brad as he led Clemont through another door. The long room was almost empty. Just a few tables with a computer on each one. There seemed to be a window in front of the desks but it showed what was in the room next to this one.

"We'll use this one-way mirror for the time being," said Brad. "We might scare him."

"Him?"

Brad said no more. He gestured to the one-way mirror so Clemont walked towards it and peered in. He saw an empty room with a single bed. On the bed, someone appeared to be asleep. It was a boy, not much older than Clemont. He had tanned skin and black messy hair. The blonde couldn't see much else though as the boy was under the bedsheets. At first, Clemont thought it might've been another intern and wondered why Brad was showing him this. Then another possibility crossed his mind, and it made him weak at the knees.

"That…. that's not…."

"It is," said Brad looking serious. "That boy…. is the first completely artificial human."

#pokemon #Ash Ketchum #clemont #ash x clemont #diodeshipping #fanfic #fanfiction

19 notes · View notes

givlianas · 5 years ago

Text

hey THOTS , it’s lola ! as promised , here’s giuliana , aka gi , aka gbaby , aka honor roll horse girl — we stan ! i have the shortest attention span in the world , so please hit me up on discord to plot at 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖑 𝖈𝖑𝖔𝖜𝖓 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑 𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖙#3103 ! you can also react to this with a ♡ and i’ll hit you up !

ʻ / let me introduce you to a prized member of our equestrian team & honors society , giuliana ‘ g ’ clemonte . this cisfemale scorpio has been a student at our institution for eleven years and is currently a twenty-one year old junior . through the halls , she has always reminded me of natasha liu bordizzo , but there is always more than meets the eye , like the fact that she’s been selling the stock her father put aside for her to a business rival . coral cape has made their future just as bright as their smile , i assure you . ʼ ( muse three , lola , twenty-one , est , she / her )

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒

full name : giuliana mae clemonte. nicknames : gi , giu , lia , liana , gigi , jujubee , gbaby. age : twenty-one. date of birth : november 14 , 1998. place of birth : rome , italy. sun sign : scorpio. gender : cisgender female. pronouns : she / her / hers. passports : american , italian , chinese. languages : english , italian , chinese. education : st . stephen’s school in rome ( until age ten ) and cape coral international school. major : sociology ( currently pre-law ). clubs : equestrian team , honor society.

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

giuliana’s a daugher of china and italy , with roots tracing back to BLUE BLOOD on either side. her mother’s side traces back through generations of businesspeople and entrepreneurs , who built china’s economy. her father’s side traces back through generations of engineers and architects , who built many of the major cities of italy. her golden pedigree came with a certain amount of EXPECTATIONS , which her tiger parents were clear about with her from a young age. she was born in rome , and instantly sent off to the st . stephen’s boarding school when it came time for her to begin her schooling.

meanwhile , business began booming in the united states for both sides of the clemonte clan , who made the move over to portland , leaving behind their daughter to finish her studies. at age ten , giuliana finally reunited with her parents and was THRUST into a wildly different school system. the change was enough to make the girl’s head spin , all while instilling in her adaptability and a love for OBSERVING others’ facial expressions , mannerisms and their general attitude around others. it’s something she’s kept to this day.

though wealth has played a large part in her upbringing and the environment she’s grown up in , giuliana’s grown quite DISILLUSIONED of it. she’s seen the damage her parents and their businesses have left in their wake ( the collapse of the new residence building being one of them ! ) and doesn’t quite understand how they’re able to just throw money at the problem and walk away. as her secret suggests , she’s slowly but surely inching away from what her family has built , and hopes her career will be enough to sustain her once she spits out the silver spoon that was put in her mouth when she was born.

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐇

𝐢. 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

TRACK 01 ▶ PANG by CAROLINE POLACHEK.

there's a look in your eyes when you're hungry for me it's a beautiful knife cutting right where the fear should be

this one’s a direct reference to giuliana and axel’s relationship. though their modus operandi is being ON AND OFF , a relationship peppered by petty fights , tears and short-lived breaks , no part of giuliana is truly ready to let axel go. their mental connection , their shared interests , their morals and values , their sex life — it’s all too good for her to let go of. this particular song really gives a sense of how fiercely she feels for him , how deeply he’s engrained in her being.

TRACK 02 ▶ ORDINARY SUPERSTAR by RINA SAWAYAMA.

because i'm just an ordinary superstar so far but always hanging where you are

this one pertains to giuliana’s relationship with status , money and the lineage she was born into. though her last name opens doors , gets her a certain level of eduction and leads to a fair few people turning their heads or craning their necks , it’s something she still very much WRESTLES with. she’s obviously thankful for the immense privilege her wealth and background offer her on a regular basis ( hello ?! who wouldn’t ? ), but the scrutiny and the fabricated kindness and friendships that come from it are things she could very well do without.

TRACK 03 ▶ NAVY BLUE by CHARLOTTE LAWRENCE.

we got delusions of a grand oblivion we're only happy when we're higher than the sun

this one ties more into the stereotypical aspects of being tied to wealth. the partying , the smoking , the drinking , the drugs — the small things that make the lives of the children at cape coral a little smoother. giuliana’s not particularly attracted to drugs , loud music , velvet ropes and faded neon signs , but has been known to partake occasionally , when everything becomes a little too intense to deal with and her brain needs a short BREAK from overthinking and overanalyzing.

𝐢𝐢. 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬

like the true OBSERVER she is , giuliana’s always been a social chameleon. her personality ebbs and flows based on the company she keeps , her eyes always careful to pick up on others’ emotions and body language. it’s how she’s been able to read past what her parents have told her over the years. in an environment where labels are quickly affixed , it’s what has kept her ahead of the curve and has allowed for her classmates , friends and anyone else in her orbit to be kept guessing.

this , in turn , has led to one label sticking ( on and off , truth be told ): the MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL. after all , who wouldn’t want to be , hang around or date the mysteriously quiet girl with the golden pedigree and platinum family tree ? the one who always seems to have the most eccentric fun fact to recount during classroom ice-breakers , the one whose holiday destinations rival all others’ , the one no one can seem to ever get an accurate read on. part of her loves to have fun with the attention and whispers that come with this label , but another ( truthfully , larger ) part is conflicted with what this means for her and what that makes her come across as.

ultimately though , if there’s anything anyone should know about giuliana clemonte , it’s that she’s a SEEKER and is driven by a need to know and understand the world and people around her. her actions , though not always meant to generate good , are always guided by her moral compass. she comes from a blue blood family and was given a silver spoon at a young age , but very much does not fit in the cookie cutter rich kid stereotype. she’s quick to point out the wasteful ways in which her family and those around her spend , and tries to keep her life as normal as she can ( though things like art , expensive wine , quality italian leather goods and lush fabrics are all things she’s thankful her lifestyle allows her to have ).

𝐢𝐢𝐢. 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

SOME FUN FACTS !

though her name doesn’t make it all that obvious , giuliana is of CHINESE-ITALIAN descent ( the former on her mother’s side and the latter on her father’s side )

she’s a very fast reader , and absorbs an impressive amount of the information she reads — if you’ve watched suits , she’s like michael ross : everything she understands , she remembers forever

her luxury vices are italian leather shoes , earrings , art and good food ( cars ? private jets ? clothes ? expensive hair and makeup artists ? useless spends in her eyes )

she collects all of the letters she’s ever received and will spend evenings spreading them out on her bedroom floor and re-reading them quietly ( chocolate readily available or glass of wine in hand ) when she needs to re-center herself

she’s gotten many , many nicknames over the years ( gi , giu , lia , liana , gigi , jujubee , to cite a few ) but true friends know to call her gi

you can find a ( work in progress , because i’m a perfectionist about these ) pinterest board for giuliana HERE !

𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

give me STRONG FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS that are basically platonic soulmate relationships , with comfort and trust so strong that nothing could ever break them apart ( carla and lu , but without the murder and arguments ? )

give me a SQUAD with late night wine drinking , nights spent out on beaches skinny dipping and laughing until it hurts , large group hugs when things aren’t so good , promises to always have each others’ backs and inside jokes that no one else will ever understand.

give me an UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP with a boy she was convinced she hated , but now realizes she’s so similar too ( they’re both shitty , and it’s fine ! ) and will insult to cope.

give me ONE NIGHT STANDS and HOOKUPS she uses to attempt to get over axel , with heated kisses in stairwells and hallways and labored breaths in semi-public places.

give me ANGRY SCHOLARSHIP KIDS who can’t stand her connection to the collapse of a building and with whom she’ll clash , all while knowing that they’re right and that her family should pay the price of their actions.

give me someone gi SMOKES WITH on the roof of her home , to get away from it all. she has her head on their shoulder and smoke dancing out of her mouth , counting down the minutes until she feels light enough to start pouring her soul out.

give me CHILDHOOD FRIENDSHIPS with people who first saw baby gi , fresh out of italy , with a strong accent and doe-eyed confusion over schedules , classroom locations and the like. they’ve stuck by each other for years , and maybe knowing each other that well has been good or maybe it’s dangerous that they know so much.

give me ANYTHING YOU WANT ! i honestly love in-depth , thought-out plots and would love , love , love to brainstorm and think through things with all of you !

#❪ ⋅ ◆ ⋆ — ❛ out of character ❜ ❫#capecoral:intro

15 notes · View notes

curserp · 4 years ago

Photo

below the cut you can find the accepted characters from this round of applications ! all of these were INCREDIBLY difficult decisions for me to make, and every single app i read clearly had so much love and care put into it, and even though the choices were hard, i feel lucky that i got to make them at all !

to those listed below, please complete everything on the checklist page--- you have 24 hours to contact the main, but if you need more time, please let me know !

congratulations, JAMES “JJ” PALMER ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0272463 / ARACHNE !

when you feed a person’s ego so constantly of course they’ll become engorged and drunk on their own greatness. she’s only parroting what she’s been told, how can she be wrong for it ?

jj is exactly everything i was looking for with arachne. her struggle between power and pride is so evident, and it’s that fatal flaw that drew me to her--- she’s brilliant, dangerously so, and it makes sense as to why the gods feared her as they did. jj is smart, and she’s strong, and i can’t wait to see how she weathers everything that’s coming for her.

congratulations, LOURDES CLEMONTE ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0276372 / CASSANDRA !

the problem is, she will never be full so long as she continues to slice herself straight down the middle and allow everyone else to feast.

cassandra was one of the hardest decisions i had to make, but i just kept coming back to lourdes. your app was straight up art, and i’m in awe of how you’ve created her. she’s exactly the right sort i wanted for cassandra ; part tragedy, part unjust fates, part inevitability, and i got so caught up on her backstory that i forgot i was only reading an application.

congratulations, FRANCES “FRANKIE” RAMONA MARTINEZ ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0323357 / DAEDALUS !

you didn’t need them anyways. you were fine on your own. you had your own puzzles to solve, your own discoveries to make. you didn’t need anything else.

frankie took daedalus in a direction i wasn’t expecting, and for that i am honestly thankful. her story of loss makes perfect sense for this skeleton, and i loved your incorporation of the database into her life ; even here, now, she’s being used for her abilities in the way she’s grown used to. she incapsulates her curse and its classification so well, the echoes of loss all through her app, and i’m interested to see how she handles it all as she is brought in with the others.

congratulations, ISABELLA “ELLA” ABRUZZO ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0043536 / HELEN !

it was as if you’d been born amidst a storm, and ever since then, you were housing an unparalleled hunger for something you couldn’t have.

helen was one of the skeletons i was worried about, because even i wasn’t sure how they could be properly adapted into the right character, but you showed me right up. ella’s app is perfect, and as i was reading it i suddenly found myself wondering how i could have thought of helen in any other way. she’s got a multifaceted way about her that just works, and i can understand each choice she made, even as she ran--- she got stuck in my head, and i’m so excited to see more from her.

congratulations, CASPIAN BARDOT ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0052766 / JASON !

those who call you a traitor, cold, ruthless, are left behind in the wake of your victories, returning triumphant with your golden fleece in hand every single time. this may be the story of your victories, but make no mistake: it is also the mourning song of those left in your wake.

jason was a tricky one, for me. there’s this balance of heroism and ruthlessness, valiance and brutality, and caspian stuck that divide well. he’s lost plenty, and will likely lose more--- as is often the fate of a hero ---but still he’s fighting, keeping his head above water despite it all. i was worried i would find myself unsympathetic towards the jason skeleton, but caspian showed me otherwise. now i’m just curious to see how he’ll carry it all going forward !

congratulations, JANUARY ST. JAMES ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0063332 / MEDEA !

he promised you so much, the sun, the moon and the stars, if you would be his willing knife, and once he had no more need of knives and spells and war, he turned his back on the lowly desolate thing that had held onto him.

january blew me away, honestly. medea could have so easily been one-note, and yet you brought out a dynamic to her that had me rereading her story more than once. she feels very real to me, especially in all the care and additions to her app that really made her stand out--- even your take on a few of her connections had me excited to see where she’d go. january could take her curse, her future, in so many different directions, and i’m so interested to watch her do so.

congratulations, MERCY JONES ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0064327 / MIDAS !

tears in your mouth, you’d come to realize that besides ugly, the doll that had followed you from the shoebox to each and every monster house, you hadn’t a thing in the world that was yours. except your ambition. and you kept your ambition in a stash behind the pillows.

i adore mercy, and isn’t that just exactly fitting. your golden girl jumped out at me, from her origin to her prayers for a curse to her current handling of it all. her curse came to her not out of sheer greed, but desperation and some thoughtlessness, and the gods played a trick on her for it. she’s not selfish, in the expected way of the word--- just hungry, and wanting more. she’s so different than any other character i saw, and that’s perfect for midas.

congratulations, ADELAIDE WU ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0067466 / ORION !

maybe one day you’ll feel like a nebula once more, but for now you are a meteor, aimlessly floating in space, with nothing to do but sit and watch the way the moon is forced to surrender to the sun.

as you mentioned in your app, people have always loved the story of orion and it’s earned something of a cult following, and i can understand why, now. adelaide’s love story is inherently tragic, as any involving the gods will be, yet i never found myself thinking of her as foolish--- her whole story leads into her eventual affection for artemis, and i couldn’t help but root for them even though i know they’re both doomed--- and i’m curious to see how she manages this eventuality with artemis.

congratulations, THADDEUS BAILEY ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0072747 / PARIS !

thaddeus couldn’t control himself at all ; it just kept pouring out of him, and all he could do was let it. he left the building alive, covered in soot, knowing that he was responsible for his family’s destruction. alone, again. a killer.

paris was a tough call to make. thaddeus was unexpected to me, and at first i was hesitant, but the further i got into his app the more i fell in love with him. him being something of a plaything to hera, her using both him and his father, fit paris perfectly, and it makes thaddeus understandable to me--- he’s not a bad person, just dangerous, and confused, and used. i can’t wait to see his story unfold even further into this new chapter !

congratulations, SAINT GRAVES ! your curse has been successfully registered as #0777387 / PERSEUS !

in legends, heroes are often killers, and you are not exempt. not many people understand the toll that so much blood on your hands takes on you, even if it is the blood of monsters. it takes a monster to kill a monster : it’s what you see in the mirror, and no matter how many beg to differ, your curse is fact.

aside from cassandra, perseus was my most difficult decision, but i just couldn’t shake saint. his app was clean, well thought out, and i felt like i was reading a myth of his own. he suits perseus perfectly, which is honestly bad news for him, but made for such a compelling read, tragic as it was--- and i’m excited to see how he carries his fate into his future.

#curseadmin #accepted.

6 notes · View notes

lightningenergy · 5 years ago

Text

Pokeshipping Week 2019 - Day 7: Engagement/Wedding

art & half the writing by @zdbztumble

⚡-⚡-⚡

"...You're sure this is enough food?" May asked, for the twelfth time that morning.

"Are you asking for the groom, or for you?" Mallow asked, rather sharply.

"... It could be both," May shrugged. “You don’t need to get so snippy about it.” Sure, she may have asked after the food twelve times now, but planning a wedding – especially Ash and Misty’s -- was a huge responsibility.

"Well, I'm sure.” Mallow sighed, a hand to her brow. “I've done the math, like, fifty-seven times. Which was annoying."

"Hmm... still, maybe we should've hired Brock and Cilan too..."

"May, there's enough!" Mallow finally snapped. "I've been working on it since that rehearsal dinner!"

"OK, OK, yeesh! So, food's ready... now what about..." May gazed around the open grounds of the Pallet Town shrine. The shrine was the largest one near Pallet Town (which wasn't saying much) with a small temple at the front. The shrine itself rested atop a cliff overlooking Pallet Beach, and a wide, open, grassy area spread out behind it. A few dozen empty chairs waited quietly. "Hey Dawn!” she called. “All the flowers are in place, right?"

"Just so!" Dawn hollered back, having set the last few in place. "Now relax! This isn't your wedding!"

"I just don't want Misty yelling at me!" May responded.

"We planned it together - she'll yell at me too!"

"We don't want her yelling at all!"

"And everything's perfect, so she won't!"

"How do you know she won't?"

"Because you two are eating up all the yells allowed at a single wedding," Drew deadpanned as he passed behind May, arms laden with laundry bags.

"Just like I'll be eating up all the food once I'm allowed to!" May shouted at him. "Geez, you try to be helpful and look where it gets ya..."

"I'm standing right here," Drew noted, dryly and quietly.

"I know!" May screamed, beaming. "Ooh, are those all the kimonos for the bridesmaids?"

"You know they are," Drew sighed. "You called me twice on the road after you sent me for them."

Screeching tires caught their attention, and they all turned to witness a car drift around the corner and come to a sudden, violent stop in a parking space.

"Tell me Daisy's not driving the car," Dawn groaned.

"Never again!" they heard Misty gasp. "I don't care how bad the traffic is in Cerulean City, you are never getting behind the wheel of a car with me in it!"

"Chill out, sis!" Daisy said with a wave of her hand. "We're all here, right?"

"And our make-up's totally ruined from sweating out your driving!" Lily snapped. She, Violet, Iris, Lana, Lillie, and Misty all filed out of the car in various states of distress; Daisy alone looked calm. The passengers were laden with laundry bags too, and Misty had a disheveled towel wrapped around her hair.

"Morning, sunshine," said May as she caught the bag Misty so unceremoniously tossed to her. "Let's say we get you all fixed up, huh?"

"That'd be nice," Misty grunted. "I don't want to be a bad mood once Ash gets here."

"So, like, Misty," Daisy began. "About your hair..."

"You three staying out of the way will help me not be in a bad mood," she growled, before softening slightly. "Please, Daisy. May and Dawn know what I want to do, and Iris and the other girls were the ones who prepped everything last night. I'm glad you're enthusiastic, but could you just help greet guests and look out for Ash?"

That didn’t leave the Waterflowers with much to do, though May suspected Misty wanted it that way. Besides the wedding party, the only people about were Drew, completing the last of the chores assigned him, the Waterflowers, and a very haggard and bleary-eyed Gary Oak leaning against a nearby pillar.

"Like, what happened to you?" Daisy asked derisively.

"Bachelor party. Hungover," he grunted. Even his own voice caused him to wince and put a hand to his temple.

Dawn, giggling, hurried over to her boyfriend and put her mouth very close to his ear. "SO IT HELPS IF YOU TALK IN A LOUD VOICE--"

"For the love of Arceus, babe!"

"Killer couple," Daisy muttered to May, who could only shrug.

A large truck came up the road, at a much slower, careful pace than Daisy’s car. ("At least, like, one person in this relationship knows how to drive," Violet sneered.) Tracey stepped out and hurried to help Professor Oak and Delia do the same.

"Hello, everyone!" Professor Oak greeted. He, and everyone in his party, were already dressed for the wedding. Oak and Tracey were in simple kimonos, red and teal respectively, while Delia was in a pink yukata with white trim. May approved of all their choices. "I hope everything's going swimmingly. We have a beautiful day for this - er, is everything alright, Gary?"

"HE'S HUNGOVER," answered Dawn. Gary doubled-over and shoved past his companion, head in his hands.

"Well, I hope no one else is in such a state at this wedding," Delia said sharply. "I've been waiting too long for this day!"

"I know, right?" Daisy squealed.

"Er – haven't Ash and Misty been waiting, too?" Tracey asked quietly.

"Details!"

Tracey shook his head and pulled a large container off the back of the truck. May watched with interest as he lugged it over to the designated spot to the left of the shrine, set aside for all of Ash and Misty’s Pokemon. With a few quick flicks of the locks and a release switch, Tracey had them all out on the field, though it was a rather tight fit.

("Screw this,") Charizard grunted. He yawned and flexed his wings in the afternoon sun. ("I'm watching from the skies.")

("I hear that.") Pidgeot, Noivern, and the other Flying-types followed him into the air, while Gyarados lead a few of the Water-types over the cliff and into the sea off Pallet Beach, where they still had a decent view of the hill.

"How many weddings do you think have this kind of attendance?" chuckled Iris.

"Tease later," Misty said. “Prepare now.” She took Iris by the shoulder, then Lana, Lillie, Dawn, and finally May, and started herding them to the women’s changing rooms.

"Make sure the groom gets cleaned up!" May hollered over her shoulder. “Misty’ll kill ‘im if he’s not!”

“Not funny, May!” Misty snapped.

“No sense of humor on the wedding day, I see,” May muttered to Dawn as they were hurried along.

-----

"Iris, this headdress is amazing!" Dawn gushed.

Iris beamed at the compliment. "I know my way around hair."

"And this shade of polish is perfect, Lana! Put that together with the flowers we picked out and the dress we made, and we - Misty? Are you OK? You look a little pale..."

"Just still shaken from my stupid sister's driving skills. I'll be okay, promise," Misty said. She cinched her bathrobe a little tighter around her and started pacing the room again. Noting everyone’s concerned looks, she added, "I want this, believe me."

"Oh, we might've figured that out ourselves," Lana giggled. She and the other girls were already dressed, in kimono-converted dresses of the same cut: May in red; Dawn in pink; Iris cream; Lillie white; and Lana blue. Misty's was the only one with a pattern: white with red trim with bubbles and flowers at the sleeves and hem. It sat atop a chair as its intended wearer paced and wrung her hands.

"It's finally happening," she said softly, to herself more than anyone else. "It's really, really happening!"

Dawn's Poke Gear started ringing: she quickly answered it. "Hello? ... Okay, thanks! Ash and everyone else got here!"

"Surprisingly? The least of my worries."

"It was at the top of our worries," May whispered.

"We'd better start getting you dressed," said Lillie. "We only have so much time before - "

"Before I'm MARRIED!" Misty jumped for joy and threw herself down on an empty chair. "Get to work, ladies!"

---

“Do we really need all this, Mom?”

“Ash Ketchum, this is your wedding! Of course we need all this! And don't think I'd let you go out and get married without me helping you get ready!"

"Mooom..." Ash protested, but he still wasn’t let up from the chair in his changing room. He hadn’t even been allowed to greet the few people at the shrine when he arrived; his mom, Brock, and Cilan shooed him inside right away. The two men were sitting in the corner: Brock in the ceremonial dress needed to conduct the ceremony; Cilan in a forest green kimono.

"This is the most important day of your life, young man," Delia insisted. "I want you to have a perfect time of it! Now let's see.. .your montsuki is clean... your hair needs a little bit of work... do you have on some clean -"

"MOM!"

("He does,") chirped Pikachu helpfully.

"Oh, Pikachu! Don't you look handsome in your own little kimono!"

As embarrassing as his mother's attention was, Ash couldn't help but feel a little insulted that his Pokemon was upstaging him.

("I got it made special,") said Pikachu, turning and posing. ("And Lopunny, er - she has a matching one...)

"Yeah, Dawn insisted that she get to do it," Ash muttered. "Everyone's got something they want out of this."

"Oh, sweetie." Delia pulled Ash in close and wrapped her arms around his head and shoulders. "What we want most of all is to see you and Misty happy, of course. You know that, don't you?"

"Yeah, though you all have a funny way of showing it..."

Delia smiled and kissed his forehead. "Alright... ceremony's due in a few hours, so let's get started."

It was amazing how long "a little bit of work" on his hair could take. Of course, forced rehearsal of his wedding vows, tearful anecdotes about Delia's own wedding, and relating stories to Cilan and the other groomsmen as they arrived (Clemont, Kiawe, and Sophocles, in sky blue, scarlet, and yellow kimonos, respectively) helped eat up the time. Then there was the shared attention of his future sisters-in-law...

"Daisy, if you don't let go, I'm gonna need my hair fixed again!" Ash protested. No matter how he squirmed, he couldn't get free of her grip.

"Aww...but then I could, like, do it right!" Daisy teased. "A bit more mussed up in the front, we can finally frost the tips..."

"NO! No, no, no! That's a veto, Daisy! This isn't the 90s anymore!"

"Y'know, that's what Tracy always says..."

Ash stood up and picked up his kimono. "Okay, I'm getting changed, so anyone not named Pikachu needs to leave."

("Why do I have to stay?!") the Pokemon protested.

"You're the Best Man."

("... Right.")

"He's so touchy sometimes," Daisy complained as they all filed out.

"Now, now," Delia chided gently. "He needs his space before the ceremony..."

Got that right, Ash thought as he shut the door behind them. He felt as fired up as he did before any Pokemon Battle - more fired up - but his mouth still felt awfully dry, and his head rather light. "You ready, Pikachu?"

Pikachu answered by leaping onto his shoulder and nuzzling his cheek. ("Of course. I'm ready to zap either of you at a moment's notice!")

"Comforting... alright, let's get myself into this thing..."

And a few minutes later, he found himself standing under the shrine, looking out at the crowd of people assembled for his wedding. Geez, I knew we invited a lot of people, but...

A good number of them were the extended relations of his friends and traveling companions: Dawn's mother, Cilan's brothers, representatives from Iris's village, and so on. There were Gym Leaders, Frontier Brains, and professors as well. Ash smiled and waved at Riley as he came in, dressed in the same blue suit as always.

There were a lot of Misty's friends - Casey, Marina, Sakura - and an assortment of Trainers they'd both known over the years. The front rows were reserved for close friends and family. Mallow was already seated, along with Drew, Gary, Miette, the Waterflowers, Professor Oak and Tracey, Professors Kukui and Burnett, Max and Mahri, Ritchie and Serena, and his mother.

Brock stood at the center of the shrine, with the groomsmen aligned behind him. Pikachu stood on Clemont's shoulder, beaming. Ash looked over at the bridesmaids: Lana, May, Dawn, and Iris all smiled and waved. He grinned back but quickly straightened up: the music was starting, which meant...

Bonnie scurried down the aisle in a fit of giggles. Azumarill and Rowlet, with matching floral crowns, came along either side of her as she slowly walked back up, tossing pink cherry blossom petals about. Ash was only vaguely aware of this, and cared even less. All his attention was on the fiery-haired woman in the white-and-red dress slowly following them, her hair wrapped up in a white gold headdress, a bouquet of roses in her hand, and a nervous smile playing at her lips.

Nothing else mattered. He only had eyes for Misty, watching as she slowly made her way up the aisle. Her eyes shone once she stopped next to him, and Ash was only vaguely aware of his own reddened face and Brock's light sobbing.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hey yourself."

"Arceus I love you."

She winked. "I know. And you clean up nicely."

“My mom and your sisters had something to do with that,” Ash admitted, chuckling softly as he rubbed the back of his head.

“You still went through it for me.” She tugged lightly on the front of his montsuki before they both turned to face Brock and the shrine.

"D-d-dearly beloved," Brock choked out. Tears dripped down the sides of his face. "We are gathered here t-today to witness the joining of... of these two in h-h-holy m-matri - sniff - mony. If anyone has any reason these two should - should not be wed... please leave immediately."

Laughter rippled through-out the audience, and Brock seemed to relax a little. "Ahem... I've known these two for a long time, and I am very glad to be here for this special day... now, um... I guess we should start with the vows..."

At Cilan’s insistence, Ash had spent all of yesterday writing out vows, with the groomsmen insisting on proofreading. He wondered what they thought as his hands, instead of producing that worn piece of paper, fell gently on top of Misty’s around her bouquet.

"Misty... I had some stuff written, and I got a lot of input on it, and it was good and all... but it wasn't me. It wasn't us."

He was forced to pause briefly as another wave of laughter passed.

"You know all the best and worst stuff about me, and I know the best and worst stuff about you. We've dealt with it ever since we were kids, we managed to be friends - best friends - after meeting in such a crazy way. I mean, you caught me with a fishing rod."

More laughter.

"And you caught me with your heart a few years down the line. I know it took me a while, but...well, now that I'm here, I'm not leaving. Ever."

Misty closed her eyes and inhaled, then smiled. "Ash Ketchum... you are, without a doubt, the most stubborn, arrogant, foolhardy man I have ever known. You stole my bike, wrecked it, and argued with me over more idiotic things than I can count. And yet... there is no one on this earth I would rather have as my prince, my best friend... my soulmate. You want to be a Pokemon Champion, but never forget that you are my Champion. From then, now, and always... I am forever yours."

Several people, including Brock, could be heard blowing their noses.

"Th-the bride and groom will now exchange rings..." Brock sobbed.

One of the snifflers in the crowd, Pikachu had to wipe away his tears before he produced the wedding ring from his kimono's sleeves. True to form, Psyduck only made it out of his Poke Ball right at that moment, bawling uncontrollably as he handed Misty her ring.

Brock coughed and stomped his foot and even slapped himself to get under control. "Do you, Ash Ketchum, take Misty Waterflower to be your lawfully wedded -"

"Brock, didn't we kinda already do this part?" Ash asked quietly. He could hear Cilan and Kiawe's affronted gasps and see May and Dawn's furious looks, but Misty just giggled.

"Yes," Brock said rather firmly. "Do you, Ash Ketchum, take this woman--"

"Yes."

"... Okay." Brock turned to Misty. "Should I even ask?"

"You already know."

Brock sighed, but he was smiling. "Alright... by the power vested in me by the Region of Kanto... and the Internet guys... I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. Now..." he started sobbing again. "You may... y-you may..."

Everyone else in the procession screamed with smiles and laughter, startling the couple: "JUST KISS ALREADY!!"

It was hard to tell which of them moved first. They both leapt at the other's lips as if it were the first time they'd ever kissed. For good measure, Ash wrapped his arms around Misty's waist, lifted her off her feet, and spun her around for the whole duration. It was too much. She started laughing and crying at once, and never stopped kissing him.

Everyone was applauding. Pikachu leapt onto Ash's head, laughing and cheering; May and Dawn collapsed into each other's arms, sobbing wildly; some people in the audience were cat-calling, though in a joyous manner.

Ash smiled up at his wife, eyes gleaming. "We did it."

"We did it," Misty whispered, and kissed him again. "We did it, we did it, we did it!!"

Out of one eye, Ash dared to look around at the crowd. Misty’s sisters were in hysterics; Serena and Ritchie were glancing from the shrine to each other with sheepish, blushing smiles; Bonnie was biting down on her hand in a failed effort to keep the waterworks at bay; Miette had a small and oddly sad smile; and Mom, Oak, Kukui, and Burnett were all beaming.

"OK, everyone!" Dawn disentangled herself from May and wiped most of the tears off her face. "That's the wedding - who's ready for the biggest and best reception ever?"

#pokemon #pokeshipping #pokeshipping week #pokeshipping week 2019 #ash ketchum #misty #fanfiction #zdbztumble

58 notes · View notes

brotherofmay · 6 years ago

Text

Glassesless for his Girlfriend (Part 1/2)

(This is the first fanfic I made specifically for this blog. I hope you’ll all like it. This takes place in a universe where Max and Bonnie meet each other, fall in love with each other, and go on a Pokémon journey together, which I hope will happen as a spin-off series to the Pokémon anime. This is gonna be a cute one. Idea belongs to @hunty627 . Let’s begin.)

Max and Bonnie were in the middle of their Pokémon journey through Kalos. They arrived at Lumiose City and Max was about to win his fifth badge. The next morning, they both woke up in their Pokémon Center room to see each other’s eyes and they smiled.

Bonnie: Good morning, sweetie.

Max: Morning, Bonnie. I love seeing your cute face every morning.

Bonnie: Let’s just take a break and hang around in the city together today.

Max: That sounds like a good idea, Bonnie. This also gives me time to train for my next gym battle.

As Max was about to grab his glasses, Bonnie interrupted him.

Bonnie: Max. I hope what I’m gonna say doesn’t weird you out.

Max: Go ahead. It’s fine.

Bonnie: You... look cute without your glasses.

Max: You really think so?

Bonnie: Yes I do, and I was thinking of something. Is it okay if you wanna spend the rest of the day... glassesless? For me?

Max (thoughts): She’s really suggesting this? For me to not have my glasses on, not being able to see clearly, just to have a cuter face for my girlfriend?

Max: Well... if it’s for you, then I’ll do it. I can’t say no to your adorable face.

Bonnie: Adorable? Thanks so much, Max.

Max: No problem, Bonnie.

Max and Bonnie held hands, and as they walked out, Max accidentally walked into the wall because he mostly can’t see.

Max: I’m fine, but I’m staying glassesless for you.

Bonnie smiled at that and grabbed his hand again.

Bonnie: Don’t worry, Max. I’ll be your eyes for your adorable no-glasses face during this time.

Max: Thanks, Bonnie.

They walked out of their room, only leaving Max’s glasses behind.

Max’s vision was mostly blurry without his glasses. He keeps squinting his eyes to try to get used to this vision, and he keeps accidentally walking into things, but Bonnie is there to help him out.

Max: I think not having glasses will be the only downside in training for my gym battle tomorrow.

Bonnie: Just think of a strategy with your Pokémon in order to defeat Clemont’s Pokémon. I’m rooting for you.

Bonnie is now blushing and smiling because of Max’s face without his glasses.

Bonnie: Oh, you’re just so adorable!

Max (thoughts): She’s loving this! I’m glad that she’s happy.

Max and Bonnie were outside Lumiose City, and he was training his Pokémon, one of them being one he’s actually been with for a long time, Ralts.

He was training for a few hours, and he was actually doing good despite being glassesless.

Suddenly, a huge claw came out of nowhere and grabbed Ralts. Max didn’t know what happened because what he saw was blurry.

Max: Ralts?

Bonnie: Over there!

Max and Bonnie looked in that direction and saw an evil team that are very familiar to them inside a giant mech with an R symbol on it.

Max: What am I seeing? All I’m seeing are two white blobs inside a bigger blob.

Bonnie: It’s Team Rocket!

Meowth: Don’t forget about Meowth, who nabbed your Ralts.

They did their motto as usual, and Max and Bonnie started to get mad.

Max: Give me back my Ralts!

Meowth: My my. You look different today.

Jessie: Well, what we’re doing is different too.

James: This mech is immune to electric attacks, which means your Dedenne can’t take us down.

Ralts can’t teleport out, which was Team Rocket’s usual job with their machines while dealing with Max and Bonnie.

Bonnie: Max. Since you can’t see without your glasses, how about I just take out these thieves.

Max: Makes sense. Time for you to shine and save my Ralts.

Bonnie: Uh, Max. I’m over here.

Max was facing the wrong direction, and he now felt embarrassed.

Bonnie: It’s okay, Maxie. Let’s do this. Come on out, Braixen!

Bonnie chose Fennekin as her starter, even though she already had Dedenne alongside her.

Bonnie: Braixen. Use Flamethrower!

Braixen used it’s Flamethrower on the mech, and it’s now on fire.

Meowth: Guys, do ya smell something?

Jessie: Kinda smells like... smoke.

James saw the flames on the side of the mech.

James: It’s on fire!

The mech was malfunctioning and it removed Ralts from the claw’s grasp, freeing him, as it teleported to Max and hugged him.

Max: Ralts! Are you okay?

Ralts responded and nodded, as the mech blew up because of the many flames on it.

Jessie: There always has to be a downside to our machines.

James: Our machines can only be immune to one type.

Meowth: That’s all we can fit in our budget!

Team Rocket: Team Rocket’s blasting off again!

After Max and Bonnie saw them blasting off again, they celebrated a little bit, and Max continued with his challenge of trying to go through an entire day without his glasses.

(To be continued in Part 2 later today)

#pokemon #pokemon anime #pokemon max #pokemon bonnie #max #bonnie #max x bonnie #fourth wheel shipping #fanfiction #fanfic #cute #adorable #team rocket

9 notes · View notes

lemonclemontadmin · 6 years ago

Text

Lemon Siblings Oneshot: Tickle Fight 2

Another one ^^ In which Bonnie wins this time and beats her bro. Requested by @prismtowerprincess. (I still take requests~)

Another fight lost to her brother added yet another tally mark to Bonnie’s ‘Extra Serious Chart’ on the door.

The seven-year-old’s cheeks were puffed as she begrudgingly marked yet another set of five to the dozens she already had. All of these tallies represent the times Clemont beat her in past fights and they were written in blue ink. Bonnie’s on the other hand was still zero, and it made the girl sigh in frustration.

Just how does he do it? Bonnie often tried laying her own fingers on him so many times now but somehow, Clemont always got her in the end. Why are big brothers so mysterious? She’ll never know.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures Dedenne! I think it’s time we go for plan B!” Bonnie said one day to the orange mouse Pokemon. Dedenne tilted his head in curiosity. “De ne?” His caretaker nodded vigorously. “Yes you heard that right! Plan B! And it’s best to do it right now while Clemont’s at the gym!” She then formed a cheeky smile. “And I know exactly how we’re gonna do it…”

Bonnie had to wait until her father’s lunch break before she can unleash her plan.

Meyer wiped some sweat off his forehead while he listened to his daughter. The man looked quite amused and his brow raised. “That’s an unusual question you’ve got there sweetie. Why do you ask?”

Bonnie averted her gaze and her cheeks puffed up before she began to speak. “It’s because Clemmy’s always beating me in our matches Daddy! I tried so hard to win but it’s impossible! I wanna know if there’s something I can do to beat him just for once!” She looked pleadingly at her father. “Do you know any good ways Daddy?”

The man put a hand to his chin in thought as he hummed. “Well it’s been a fairly long time since I last did something like that to your brother so I’m not so sure if my technique would work on him now…” He cast Bonnie a curious look. “Say, you’ve been watching him during those times now haven’t you? Tell me - How does he start all that?” The little girl tilted her head in thinking.

“Well the last time he beat me, he first tricked me into thinking he wouldn’t join our match and then when I tried to do something he…” Her eyes slowly widened in realization. “Of course! I know what he’s doing now! He uses pretend to get me distracted so he can attack without me noticing! Why did I not think of it sooner?”

Her face then fell at another realization. It was the fighting itself that remained and Bonnie is very well aware she’d have a disadvantage with Clemont. “Now there’s only one problem. How do I get him to surrender to me?”

Meyer looked at his daughter with a shrug. “It really depends Bonnie. For me, I’d say you go for his weaker spots that are guaranteed to send him bawling.” He paused for a sudden thought came to mind. “When it’s the two of you, where does he usually reach?” He received the answer from Bonnie, and then he chuckled. “In that case, I suggest you try that on him too. As far as I know those are delicate areas - If it were me I’d be laughing like there’s no tomorrow!”

Bonnie grinned. “You’re right daddy! Thanks for the advice I’m gonna try it on Clemont tonight!” She wrapped her arms around Meyer’s waist and the man patted his daughter’s head with an amused smile. Whatever his little girl had in store for her brother, Meyer could tell she’ll achieve it easily; It’s a little sister thing after all, and they always get their way somehow.

She chose the perfect time to initiate her attack; Right after dinner when Clemont’s just getting to bed after a washing-up.

The teenager was naturally exhausted after a whole day of his usual duties and he was ready to hit the sack. However, something, or someone, lying on his bed before him caused the teen to stop. Clemont blinked few times before frowning slightly. “Bonnie what are you doing here? You should be in your room..” He paused to yawn with a stretch - He really is tired.

But Bonnie didn’t budge.

“I’m not in bed because you owe me a rematch Big Brother!” Bonnie said jubilantly, and Clemont’s tiredness vanished to surprise. “I wasn’t gonna let our last round stop me! So I trained myself for the whole day just for this!” When Clemont opened his mouth to protest, Bonnie pressed close to him pleadingly. “Pleeease? It won’t last long! It shouldn’t be since you’re the champ. I’m sure you can make this fast,” She winked mischievously as she nudged her brother with her elbow.

Clemont’s lower eye twitched for a second, and he sighed in relent. A little match with his sister wouldn’t hurt; Beating Bonnie would be so easy for him he can make her surrender in seconds if he has to. He chuckled confidently and his glasses flashed with white - He didn’t see Bonnie reaching behind her for something as he spoke while cracking his knuckles. “Okay you got me Bonnie. But for your information, I beat you last time and it’s just yesterday. There’s no way you can beat the champ-!”

PLOP!

Clemont’s glasses flew off his face landing safetly on the bedside desk and his head jerked to the side from the impact of a Teddiursa bear hitting his face. It caught him by surprise and he landed on his arm. A loud battle cry pierced the air and he felt the smaller body of Bonnie jump on him; Her fingers went straight for Clemont’s sides causing all earlier confidence to evaporate into horror. Why there? Anywhere but there! Somehow Bonnie had found his sensitive spot and it was something he was very unprepared for.

The teen gasped and broke into intense fits of laughter! “B-Bonnie get your hands out of there!! S-Stop! I c-can’t breathe!” He tried to fight his own thrashing in trying to get Bonnie off of him. His efforts only made the girl giggle and continue digging her fingers into her brother’s sides.

“No way Clemont! Not until I win and you surrender! I can do this all night if I have to!” She grinned deviously and went on, relishing in the intense laughter coming from her brother, finally in her favour. She didn’t see Meyer watching her and Clemont from the door.

The father tried his best not to chortle. But his son’s laughter was contagious and the sight of him being downed by his baby sister alone is already hilarious as it is. Finally the fight went on a bit too long now and Meyer decided to step in before Bonnie could take all the breath out of Clemont’s lungs; Even then it was difficult to keep a straight face for the kids. “Bonnie I think it’s time to give your brother a break. Otherwise he’ll really break before he could get one,” He chuckled at his own joke.

Bonnie looked up at him briefly. “No daddy! Not until he surrenders! That’s the number one rule!” She continued to tickle her brother like there’s no tomorrow. Poor Clemont was already gasping and turning hoarse from all the laughing he began to cough at last. He feebly tried to dislodge Bonnie from himself as he choked out. “F-Fine! I surrender! I surrender! You can stop now!”

There was that miraculous stop of tickling and Bonnie leaned close to his face, eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Sorry, I can’t hear you. What was that?” She asked innocently. Clemont gasped and his head landed against the bed in sheer exhaust. “I surrender! You win! Just.. For Arceus’ sake, stop I’m begging you!” He whimpered out.

This caused Bonnie to instantly release him and her eyes sparkled with glee. For the first time in all her years of tickle fights, she finally won! Fair and square! “I won! I finally won! Woohoo!” She got off the bed in doing a little victory dance of her own, with a really tired Clemont and an amused Meyer watching her with smiles. An ‘ahem’ from the father made Bonnie freeze to look at him, and Meyer pointed a glance to the worn out Clemont; Bonnie felt sympathy wash over her and she climbed onto the bed.

The child climbed onto Clemont gently this time and hugged him by the neck, nuzzling him happily. “Thank you for letting me win Clemmy. It sure is fun doing this with you again,” She pulled away and Clemont, having finally caught his breath, lifted his head to gaze at his sister in total surprise and amazement. “Huh, I gotta admit it sure is. But I don’t get it - How did you know how to do that?”

Bonnie hummed innocently and shrugged. “Well you kinda taught me how to do that pillow thing. But as for the rest, daddy taught me that!”

Clemont’s jaw dropped and he slowly turned to look at his father at the door; Meyer had his thumbs twiddling as he whistled innocently, and Clemont whined. “Aw dad I should’ve known!” Meyer chuckled in amusement. “Sorry son, but your sister was desperate. Plus she really deserves a chance to win once in a while now doesn’t she?”

The teenager ran his hand across his head in a weak chuckle. “Of course she does. And I must say, I’m really impressed Bonnie. You did pretty good!” He closed his eyes and with a last exhale, he let himself fall back down against the bed in an exhausted heap. “Now if you don’t mind, I need a break. I still have a whole day tomorrow and it’s getting past your bedtime.”

To his relief, Bonnie is happy to oblige. She hugged Clemont one more time. “Goodnight Big Brother. Thanks again for tonight! I had so much fun!” With that, she left to join Meyer by the door and the father smiled at his son. “Sleep well son. Hope Bonnie made it easier for you to sleep now,” He joked and then he left to take Bonnie to her room.

Clemont only smiled after his father and sister before stretching with a yawn. His sides still ached like crazy, but that should go away. The teen soon fell asleep with no trouble at all.

#pokemon x and y #Lemon Siblings #bonnie #meyer #clemont #the whole fam #writing

4 notes · View notes

solitaire-dreams · 6 years ago

Text

Gen 8 Pokespe Dexholder Predictions (Headcanons)

Good day to you reader. [tips imaginary hat] This post should be shorter than my other Pokespe topics, because this is the conclusion of two long discussions on how elements of the manga are characterized. If you are bored enough to read my other posts of “What is your type?” and “Pokespe Gold, Silver, and Bronze?”, feel free to scroll through the “#pokespe” tag until you find it.

You don't need to do all that work though cause I have a little Sparknoted summary below (skip to astriks to avoid):

Grass type dexholder = character who has self-intrinsic motivation despite life pushing them down and the path to their goal doesn't hurt many people.

Fire type dexholder = character who tramples over anything or anyone in the way of their goal.

Water type dexholder = character who hides important information from other characters and is secretive.

Kanto-Hoenn dexholders = “Golden Age” equivalent of Pokespe; sets the standard (sometimes cliche) characterization of each protagonist type, and heroes and villains are clearly divided into the sides of good and evil.

Sinnoh-Unova dexholders = “Silver Age” equivalent of Pokespe; acts as a transitional period for the medium, widening the target audience, gives chances of redemption for villains, and creating a new hook (in this case that was the magic of friendship).

Kalos-Alola dexholders = “Bronze Age” equivalent of Pokespe; much darker themes and subject matter, protagonists are complex and flawed, and the villains have complicated motives that place them in a grey area.

****You here yet? You good? Got snacks and an adequate attention span? Great.

If you read the huge title, you know what this post is about. This covers my predictions for the Gen 8 Pokespe protagonists and what their arc of the manga will be like.

Actually, this post was designed even before the release trailer for Galar dropped, so I was able to make some generic predictions without any knowledge of the region, character design, or starters.

Following the standard rotation pattern for which characters get the starters, the male playable character would get the water type starter, the female playable character would get the fire type starter, and if there was a third version, some rival character would get the grass type starter.

Plus, following the arc progression outlined above, Gen 8 would have the last group of protagonists placed in the Bronze Age section.

But...what does all that mean???

It's guaranteed that we're getting at least a pair of new dexholders: a water type male and a fire type female. This is actually the relationship we have the least information about out of all possible combinations (grass!male and water!female; fire!male and grass!female, and water!male and fire!female). Compared to the other pairs, there has only been one pairing in Pokespe to have as an example. That being Ruby and Sapphire in the RS arc. So, most of the predictions about the possible dynamic between our new heroes has to be extrapolated from the personalities. With the lack of a grass type, this relationship lacks the emotional stability behind the other two. Their interactions will be more emotionally charged and since no intrinsic self-motivation is present, the words thrown around can cut much deeper.

On top of this remains the Bronze Age elements that would cause these sets of protagonists to be one of the most complex and flawed in the manga to date; with morally grey antagonists and darker topics as a side dish.

Bringing all this information together, the SWSH arc of Pokespe has the potential to be one with high emotional drama between the main character and high situational drama with the complexity of the situation our dexholders are thrown into. And personally, a very complex arc with in-depth looks at the societal problems and character flaws is my cup of tea.

Yet, these doesn't even cover what we got from the reveal trailer. Thanks to the new information, we have the playable character (or future dexholder) designs, the region of Galar, which is based of (I forget if the correct term is the U.K or Great Britain), the names of Sword and Shield, and all three first-stage starter designs and names.

Thus, we can expand further. We know that the male playable character (Sword) will be getting Sobble—our crying chameleon, and the female playable character (Shield) is destined to have the soccer fanatic bunny of Scorbunny.

The rest of this expands into headcanons and fun ideas I have about the new dexholders that follows the evidence, but doesn't stem from it.

I have a very strong love for my idea for Shield in the manga. Everybody has been memeing the heck out of the female trainer design ever since it was released; transforming her into a rough-on-the-edges, cursing every 5 words, Scottish girl. And honestly, I really like that characterization of her and it would fit the fire type dexholder personality trait of pushing through anything or anyone that stands in the way of their goal.

Plus, Scorbunny also gave me extra inspiration. Because I remember distinctly thinking, “Gee, this cursing Scottish girl associated with bunnies reminds me of someone. I forget who?”

This character is Cammie MacCloud from the series Gen:Lock. While I never finished the first season, Cammie was instantly my favorite out of the group, and her personality of excessive sarcasm and cursing with not being afraid to speak her mind would translate well to Shield.

Also, aerial-ace mentioned either on tumblr or on twitter after the release date that it would be cool if one of the protagonists would be royalty and I think Shield being royalty would be cool. Rebelling against the stuffy life of the monarchy, she runs away from home to become a trainer and have the ability to be as brutally honest and un-royal as she wants.

As for Sword, his character is honestly harder for me to peg down. I would love if he matched Sobble as a bundle of nerves and anxiety, but it is really hard to have a secretive character because it requires enough social skills to, you know, keep the secret. What I imagine him as can only be best described like the attitude of early Wally when it comes to battles and Pokemon, a love for research as strong as Clemont, but the social manipulation skills of William Minerva from TPN (and if you are up to date with the manga, you understand exactly who that Minerva is).

Although, if you don't know all these characters, what I picture Sword to be is a boy who loves research—maybe helping the professor when he gets forced to do “field research” and is kicked out of the lab to go on a journey. He would be very adverse to battling and Pokemon, and show extreme inexperience. Yet, if he finds himself in battle, his strategic mind can come up with fool-proof plans; granted he is calm enough to think. Where he would really shine is when he is interacting with people and it is like someone suddenly flipped a switch, and he can talk them into corners with manipulation skills for a darker twist.

The character arcs of my versions of Sword and Shield would be them becoming closer to their namesake. Shield would need to learn to accept responsibility and act more rationally, growing into a great defender for the Galar region. Sword on the other hand would gain confidence in battling and dealing with Pokemon; learning how to take the offensive against evil on a physical battlefield, and not just a mental one.

The reason I gave Sword this darker side is not only because it allows him to be more secretive and casts him into a grey light; but if Shield escaped her noble family because she hated how they could spit out lies to spin people into circles, witnessing Sword do something similar would send her into a fit.

That is all my ideas for both Sword and Shield as Pokespe dexholders in a nutshell. Of course, we don't know what the game story is and since Pokespe nearly directly follows the game canon, it will have a lot of weight on how both their characters can develop. These are just some fun ideas I wanted to write down before I forgot them.

And look at that. This was a very long post.

I should just always assume I’m going to write three pages on any topic I start.

#pokemon #pokespe #gen 8 #original #full on prediction #more a headcanon

2 notes · View notes

bulbagarden · 6 years ago

Photo

Welcome to the June 2018 edition of Trainers of Fanfiction! For those of you unaware of what this is, Trainers of Fanfiction is a community event that focuses on the characters created by our talented Writers Workshop authors! These characters will be given interviews, offering them a chance to dive into their backgrounds, or look at some of the unexplored lore of the story they’re from. We’ve got a whole host of characters that’ll be featured this month, let’s get to meeting them! Submissions are now closed, but we will be hosting the event again in the future due to all the interest we got. Thanks, all! Mirror Ash and Mirror Serena Protagonists of Mirror Adventures InfiniteBakuphoon (coming soon!)

Interviewer: Both of you are known for having rather rough pasts. How did you escape from your circumstances, and are there any special people in particular who helped you through it? Also, can you say that you've completely broken free from the chains of your past? Mirror Serena: Hmph... going straight for that question, huh? You guys really have no shame, do you... Hey, Ash! Why don't you answer this question first? People don't know that much about you... Mirror Ash: Well... OK, I guess. Um... where should I start? Maybe I'll talk about my mother first. She... wasn't very nice to me, honestly... I think that she had a very stressful life and that she took a lot of her anger out on me... especially because she had expectations for me that I just couldn't meet. I was never the strong boy that she wanted me to be... I was always more of the "sensitive" type, I think Misty called it. Or the "crybaby"... that was what people usually called me. It's true, though... I tend to cry when I'm stressed... sometimes just a little bit, sometimes a lot. I think that I embarrassed my mother a lot whenever I did that... and she would always tell me that the world would eat me alive and that I'd never become a Pokémon Trainer... or anything at all, really. Mirror Serena: Guess you proved her wrong, though, huh? Mirror Ash: Yeah... I guess I did. But I'll never be as strong as you... Mirror Serena: Oh, come on! You're a crybaby and yet you still managed to accomplish so much! That has to count for something, right? Mirror Ash: That's true. Still, I don't think that I'll ever completely forget everything that I went through before I met Pikachu... that was like the turning point of my life for me. Protecting him brought out strength in me that I never knew I had... and I guess it convinced me that I could keep on going... that I could live a life without my mother and actually accomplish things. I was lucky to have tons of people who helped me along the way, though. Where would I be now without Misty... or Gary... or Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie? I don't even want to think about that... That's all I have... I guess it's your turn now, Serena. Mirror Serena: Sigh... I guess it is. Now, I don't think that I need to give you a whole recap of my life as the daughter of a certain famous Rhyhorn racer, since you guys seem to have beaten that Ponyta into the ground already. But in case you were wondering... no, my childhood wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, for lots of reasons. I think that you can guess the first one... or at least you should. Another reason? Well, you know how my mother and I lived in the Johto countryside for years before we moved to Kalos? Well, I took the country accent with me. Which pretty much guaranteed that I would be the laughingstock of the entire school that I went to when I was younger. It took me years to get rid of that accent, but even then people would always find other things to bother me about, like the way I dressed, the fact that my mother was famous, and other stupid stuff like that. Eventually I grew tired of being teased and bullied, so I gave myself a choice: either I was going to lie down and let everyone abuse me, or I was going to fight back... guess which one I chose. As it turns out, bullies leave you alone really quickly when you bully them back... and oh, did I become good at bullying people... it was like a natural talent that I never knew I had! But I only did that to other bullies, or else I would've become just like them. I kind of got a reputation for being the toughest kid in school after that, which meant that people pretty much left me alone. Not that I really cared for the most part, since no one wanted to be friends with me before anyway. Honestly, if there's one thing that I learned from all of those years at school, it's that you can only truly rely on yourself. Although I have to say that traveling with Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie all of this time has made me change my mind about that a little bit... they're like the first real friends that I've ever had! Now, I'm sure that you would love for me tell you how the rest of my childhood went after that, but I think that I've spilled enough beans for you already. Next question! Interviewer: During your travels, you've been to many interesting places. What would you say has been your favorite so far? Mirror Serena: Well, there was this one place that we went to... but you'd probably never believe me if I told you about it... Ah, what the hell... you know about Reflection Cave, right? And how there's a legend that every mirror in there leads to a totally different world? I always thought that it was just some stupid story, but... it's actually real. How do I know? Because we met someone who looked exactly like Ash... but he was like a completely different person! He was brave, he was strong, and he was absolutely crazy at Pokémon battling! I mean, he actually managed to beat me in a battle! And then we saw these weird evil versions of the Heroes of Justice who tried to steal Pikachu... that's right, *Team Rocket* tried to steal a Pokémon! I couldn't believe what I was seeing... there's no way that they could've been Team Rocket from our world! Eventually we got Pikachu back and we had to send Ash back to his world before sundown... and that's when I actually got to see the mirror that brought him here in the first place. Oh, man... if I didn't believe everything before, I definitely did then! It was like this giant dimensional space chasm thing, and I even got to see different versions of me, Clemont, and Bonnie on the other side! I didn't get to talk much to them, but still, it was pretty obvious that me from over there totally had a thing for Ash from over there. She was so worried about him... not that I actually care about sappy romantic stuff like that. Maybe there was actually something real there, though... if so, then she's pretty lucky to have someone brave and strong like him. I wish that my Ash could be more like that sometimes... or at least be less of a crybaby all of the time. But even if Ash never becomes anything like the Ash we met at Reflection Cave, he'll still always be my crybaby Ash... Wait a minute... you actually had me vulnerable there for a while! That won't happen again! C'mon Ash, it's your turn now! What's your favorite place that you've been to so far? Maybe somewhere in Kanto or Johto or something? Mirror Ash: Well, now that you mention Johto... there was this one really great place that I went to... I think it was called Alto Mare? Wow, that place was so beautiful... it was like time stopped there a hundred years ago or something. The food... all of the water... the atmosphere... everything was awesome. I could've stayed there forever... although I think Pikachu got bored there pretty quickly because there weren't a lot of trainers or battles in a place like that. Oh, and it was also there that I met one of my closest friends... she was this photographer who had lived in Alto Mare with her grandfather her entire life. She had pictures of every single place in Alto Mare... they were unbelievable... maybe the best pictures I've ever seen! We actually spent a lot of time together just hanging around and talking about things... and eventually I told her that she could probably sell her pictures to a magazine or something for a lot of money. She told me that she actually wanted to do that and become a professional photographer and explore the world... but the sad thing is that she couldn't, because she's-- actually, she told me to keep that a secret, sorry... Mirror Serena: Hmm... did you seal that secret with a kiss or something? Mirror Ash: It was just-- wait, what!? N-no, it wasn't anything like that! Mirror Serena: Ha ha! Oh, Ash... I'm just messing with you! Gotta have some fun with this stupid interview... next question! Interviewer: To you, what does it mean to be a hero? Do you see yourself as one? Mirror Serena: Heroes? What heroes? You mean like Professor Sycamore, who probably has more skeletons in his lab than any closet could ever fit? Like Aria, the beautiful and talented Kalos Queen... who's oh so talented at getting whatever she wants, whenever she wants? Like Palermo, producer extraordinaire... or should I say: ice queen extraordinaire? Believe me, I've gotten to know them all thanks to my mother's celebrity status, and they've always made me wonder... are these really what people consider heroes? I mean, I still think about my mother and how everyone called her a hero... or an inspiration... or how they wanted to be "just like her". Which is funny, considering that none of them actually knew anything about her at all. And even after everything that's happened with her, people still call her "the world-renowned Rhyhorn racer" or "the famous Kalosian celebrity" instead of... well, I guess you couldn't print what I really want to say here. Could you really call someone a hero just because they can ride a Rhyhorn really well and say the right things at the right time? Should we worship them like they're Arceus and keep telling ourselves that they can do no wrong... until they do? Hmph... I sure don't think so. Now, you wanna know who I think the real heroes are? Team Rocket. Yeah, I said it... because no matter what some people may say about them, they're the only ones who've actually done anything to protect us from evil people like Team Plasma and the Pokémon Rangers. Tell me the last thing that the League has done... yeah, I won't hold my breath for that. And what does Team Rocket get for doing all of this for us? Not a damn thing, that's what. No fame... no support... no "oh, thank you for saving the world over and over again!"... nothing. And yet they keep doing it all anyway, just because they can! You wanna know what being a true hero is? That's it right there. They don't care about the fame, or the recognition, or even the consequences from stupid people like the League... they just do what needs to be done to make things right, no matter what. People like my mother can't compare to that... it's not even close! Now, do I see myself as a hero? Well, nothing I've done compares to what Team Rocket has done... and it's not as though I haven't done some pretty scummy things before... I was a bully once, after all. So yeah, I'm definitely no hero either... but at least I don't pretend like I'm one. Your turn again, Ash... what do you think a real hero is? Mirror Ash: Uh... I guess what you just said, actually... Mirror Serena: Oh, come on, Ash! I'm sure that you've got an opinion of your own! Mirror Ash: I-I... actually agree with most of what you said... but I'll say this, too, I guess... I think that you don't have to be big and powerful like Team Rocket to be a hero... I mean, if you stick up for someone who's being picked on or something, even if it means that they bother you... then that's doing the right thing, too, isn't it? Serena... you said that you... bullied other bullies, right? Made them go away? Mirror Serena: Yeah, that's what I said... Mirror Ash: So I guess that means... that you really are a hero in your own way, Serena... Mirror Serena: Ah... nah, I don't really think so. Last question now, finally... Interviewer: What do you consider your strongest trait? Your weakest? Have these traits helped or hindered your journey in any way? Mirror Serena: The strongest trait I have is... well, that I'm strong. Nothing ever gets in my way... especially not after everything that I've been through when I was younger. The Serena who let people hurt her and take advantage of her over and over again is gone now... and if she hadn't gone away, then I'd still be with my mother doing those stupid Rhyhorn races and Arceus-only-knows-what-else right now, instead of finally fulfilling my dream of becoming a master Pokémon trainer. And then I never would have met Clemont and Bonnie either, and I never would have met Ash again after all of these years. You know, what I've learned is that when you really want to do something, you just have to go out and do it, and then never give up at it no matter what, or no matter how long it takes. And even when you're at your lowest point and there's no chance that you can win, you don't just sit there and *let* them just destroy you like that... you give them hell until your last breath. That's my philosophy in Pokémon battling, and I guess you can say that's become my philosophy in life, too. That said, I can admit that I'm a bit too strong sometimes, and that it's often hard for me to get out of "bully mode", if you know what I mean. This has actually affected me my entire life, all the way back to when I was super-aggressive towards anyone who even thought about bothering me. I ended up scaring everyone away by doing that, not just bullies... and although I said that I didn't care before, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I sometimes felt kind of lonely. And now that I no longer have to deal with surviving school, I don't always have to be aggressive like that anymore... but bad habits are always hard to break. I've scared a lot of potential friends away from me over the years, including someone from not too long ago who could've been a really good friend to me... I still miss her Poké Puffs. I don't want something like that to happen ever again, so I guess I'm gonna have to learn how to... I don't know, let some things go, I guess? I don't really know how I'm actually going to do that, but I'm sure that I'll find a way somehow. And besides, I did manage to get Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie to be my friends, so I guess I've been improving a little bit already, right? Anything you'd like to share, Ash? Mirror Ash: Well, it's true that I'm kind of a crybaby... and that I get flustered about things more than I really should. I mean, I've gotten a lot better about it since I first started on my journey, but I still cry sometimes... and sometimes I cry a whole lot, especially nowadays... because things aren't completely great for me right now, honestly... but I don't think I want to talk a lot about that here. Confidence has always been hard for me to come by... sometimes I'll feel really good after I win a battle or accomplish something that I've never done before... but then I'll screw something else up later and I'll feel like a failure again. Sometimes I wonder how I even made it this far... and then I realize that my friends have done a lot for me that I should've been able to do by myself... it makes me feel like I'd just be nothing without them, and that I'd be running back to Pallet Town the moment that things got too tough for me... Mirror Serena: Um... Ash? Surely you have positive traits that you'd like to share with the world... right? Mirror Ash: No, not really... sniffle Mirror Serena: Sigh... then I guess I'll just have to do it for you. Ash... I know that I say that you're a crybaby a lot... which you kind of are, yeah... but you're also a lot stronger than you think you are. I mean, you wouldn't even be here right now if you weren't, right? And before you say that it's only because your friends helped you... so what? If you have an advantage, use it! That's what friends are there for... to help you and support you! I mean, you're the one who taught me all about that... so why are you so ashamed about it? And besides, having lots of friends means that people obviously really like you... and they should, because you're a really good person! I know that you don't show it all the time because you're super-shy and all, but I know for a fact that you care a lot about people... that you love your Pokémon like family... and that you have a lot of interesting thoughts about things that you always keep to yourself. Now, here's what I think the weakest part of you really is, Ash. It's not that you're a crybaby... it's that you don't believe in yourself. Which is stupid, because the strongest part about you is that you somehow always find a way to get through it all anyway. And that's true even if it's with your friends... or just you and Pikachu... or even just you alone, because you did that when you first rescued Pikachu, remember? And if you got through something like that once, or twice, or practically a hundred times like you have, then you can do it a hundred more times if you have to. So stop crying over yourself all of the time, or at least not as much as you always do. You have a lot to be proud of, so why don't you remind yourself of that every once in a while? Mirror Ash: Sniff I guess you're right... thank you for all of that, Serena... Mirror Serena: No problem, Ash. Well, it looks like this interview ended on a happy note after all, huh? I hope you guys were satisfied with my answers, because you're not getting anything more from me for a very long time... as in never again! Now off to training... and yes, you're going to train with me too, Ash! Mirror Ash: Wait... right now!? Mirror Serena: Oh, yes! We can't get ready for the League by just sitting around here enjoying the sunshine! We've still got a whole half a day left to do some intense training! Come on... don't try to back out of it now! Mirror Ash: Sigh... alright...

#trainers of fanfiction #pokemon #fanfiction #writing #creative writing #pokemon fanfiction

21 notes · View notes