#ChosenMerchantShipping

[pkmnomegaverse]

Saw someone playing around with this idea on Twitter and thought it looked neat with the Arc Ring.

When you manage to convince Arceus' Chosen to join your side and help you take down God or something

[sydchan]

This fic is what is really putting me through the VoloRei brainrot. Everything this author writes is godtier but this is the one that has me spiraling about things over on the side blog.

[aro-culture-is]

aro culture is making sure to give ur ocs names that cant be shipped together

.

[pkmnomegaverse]

Choose your man, the Lucas/Rei edition

[pkmnomegaverse]

Unfortunately for everyone the love triangle compels me.

Variation of this

[pkmnomegaverse]

NOTES FOR MYSELF to ponder. But while I’ll let a lot of the info coming out from these leaks stew, I want to start compiling notes of things of interest. Since some of this lines up with stuff I’ve already considered/is similar but takes it in a different direction, but I like the added implications. So will maybe add to this as time goes. Note that it was the Pokemon/Human Pokemon stuff I found most interesting so a lot of this is that. The other piece of worldbuilding I’ve always felt is lingering on the edges that even I debate how much I want to touch. But if something is there I can’t help but consider the implications. Also yes, I know the beta leaks often contradict each other/are unreleased for a reason but still picking and choosing what I like, particularly when it compliments ideas I already have.

Dialga is alpha coded and Palkia is omega coded, or at least if I was going to assign this duo that designation like I did with Xerneas and Yveltal, this would make the most sense

Reasoning -> From one of the creation myths mentioning Dialga is the dad and Palkia is the mom of the Lake Trio

Other interesting thing of note is a different myth mentioning something to the effect of humans being descended from Palkia while Pokemon are descended from Dialga. Perhaps why Palkia is bipedal while Dialga is on all fours from a design standpoint.

Humans likely fall into the Field/Water 1 egg group (previously had assumed they would just be Human-Like but apparently not)

Reasoning -> If one looks at all the Pokemon that are mentioned in the “human/Pokemon relationship” myths that result in children, these are the shared egg groups that they would fall into.

Circling back to the humans descended from Palkia thing, perhaps they get their Water 1 typing from Palkia. Is part water.

I think about the dubious Word Of God note about N being born from Pokemon too much and would you look at who falls in the Field egg group. Zoroark. Ghetsis + Zoroark = N looking more and more viable since would also easily match the vibe of those stories. Zoroark being based on a yokai (kitsune) who in some legends tricks human men by appearing human. Some even marrying said human man and having his children. It’s like…kinda spot on the vibe of those other myths. To the point I’m convinced it was actually considered as a possible origin point for N at some point. But I do still greatly dislike the N is a Zoroark theory so ignoring this one (the myths do at least let the mom Pokemon give birth to human children tho so have an out! N’s not a Zoroark but his mom is).

Celestica people are direct descendants of Arceus.

Reasoning -> From the creation myth that talks about Arceus talking the form of a women, marrying a human man, and having his children (who seem to be prototype Dialga and Palkia, but again, multiple beta myths here so often contradict each other).

But the point here is I had already considered how the “God Touched Blood” thing that gives Cogita and Volo their long life spans is probably directly related to Arceus somehow. So what if that connection was just literal. At the very least, from a mythology standpoint, I’m sure the legends of the Celestica people say they’re descended from Arceus. Thus why Volo is feeling extra justified in becoming the god of the new world. Whether true or not (and even he probably doubts the myths are meant to be literal), legend says he is directly descended from Arceus. If the blood of God runs through his veins, why wouldn’t he be justified in making a new, better world where Arceus is failing.

Lucas/Rei’s Hisuian Typhlosian is his over protective/possessive wannabe suitor (will I actually run this one for real. Who knows, but I’m pondering).

This one is 1000% just me acting up but I keep thinking about it anyway. That Typhlosian myth and its implications (still the best one of the bunch). I know the true reason they used Typhlosian for Hisui is likely because it’s meant to be based around a mujina (but also…that’s why the Typhlosian in the myth can shapeshift. Cause obviously based on the same yokai). And I’ve seen enough art of Hisuian Typhlosian being over protective of the protag that leans on the possessive side. Gets me thinking (also if the anime can run a Pokemon in love with their trainer plotline like they did with Ash and Chikorita, why can’t I do it too 😤).

I just think it would be funny if Rei is oblivious to the whole thing. Is use to his Pokemon being affectionate with him, particularly when he thinks about his old team (who he still deeply misses). And while he’s not use to one of his Pokemon seeming to want to drive off certain other humans the way Typhlosian does, he does have his Pokemon protect him the first couple times he goes into heat. So kind of assumes it’s a carryover of that. Fighting off any alpha who are perceived as showing too much interest. Just an odd quirk. Obviously Volo is the main love rival Typhlosian extra doesn’t like (cause is making the most progress with Rei out of everyone. Can tell Rei likes him even if Volo isn't making a move). But does try to drive off other potential suitors as well.

Again, Rei is oblivious since he’s not well versed in myths/folklore. Or even if he know about the myth is just like “oh silly made up mythology with no basis in reality, Pokemon and humans having that kind of a relationship isn't a real thing.” Would not see any type of serious parallel. But you know who is super well versed in myths and their origin? Mr Volo. So surely he would notice/know there is a basis for the myth. I don’t think he would care at all on the early side of things. Would be amused by the situation if anything, particularly the bit about Rei being too naive to notice. I debate if he would drop little hints to Rei about just how affectionate his Typhlosian is towards him, just to see if Rei picks up on anything (poor taste joke would be saying something to the effect of making sure he doesn't end up his Pokemon's little cave wife, but even I don't think Volo would say something like that early on in their relationship while he's being extra sure to "play nice." Later on once he lets his edge slip in every once in a while tho...). Once he and Rei are fucking, would still not actually care. Even if Typhlosian was extra hostile towards him, would just be like “too bad, I won” (and then tell himself competing with a Pokemon of all things is beneath him, so not going to seriously acknowledge the situation).

Idk the idea of them as somehow being lowkey love rivals is funny to me since Rei the whole time before The Incident is just like “will I ever see Barry again :(“ when he thinks of anything romance related. Beating back his feelings for Volo and oblivious in general to most other potential suitors.

[pkmnomegaverse]

Pulling this from Discord convos but figured I’d copy and paste for a change over posting the images of the chat logs.  But I have been thinking about the ClingyShipping side of things amongst all my recent VoloRei rambling, despite what it may seem like. How the events of PLA and what Lucas goes through affects their relationship. Copy/pasted as is.

——

Lucas does love Barry very much. Has had his heart set on him for years.  But now he has this complicated relationship in his past with another man which he fully embraced once he started to accept he might never get home. Before Volo blows that all up per canon events. Which then goes on to shape things with Barry (thanks PLA for pretty much making me have to heavily rewrite how I see adult Lucas dealing with things. It’s fun but really making me have to reconsider so much!)

For Lucas (and this is kinda true for most of the protags) he is a very hero oriented character for me.  Probably even more so than the others, since is the only one I have go on to be Champion. Which I tend to see as a “hero of the region” type of role. But I’ve been thinking about how the whole PLA thing probably jaded him to some extent.  He’s still Champion since what is he if he’s not helping others.  Has kind of built himself around that idea. But it’s perhaps more of a thing he’s resigned to now. A duty. The passion and excitement he felt about it in his youth isn’t there anymore (probably has shades of depression but he ignores all that). 

It’s why I can easily see him falling back in with Volo if they remeet down the line.  Both have a jaded sadness to them now and for Lucas, Volo is the one who understands that side of him the best. Is the only remnant that remains of the event that completely reshaped his life.  While Barry is from his “old life.”  He loves Barry but it’s complicated now.  Can’t really go back to that easy childhood love they had because of what Lucas has been through. 

I make it sound rather dire but whereas Lucas is seeing Barry as someone who wouldn’t be able to understand what he’s been through, Barry is taking every step he can to try and meet Lucas all the way. Since had focused all his time during the timeframe Lucas was missing trying to find him (was pulling a Hilbert).  He might not fully get what Lucas went through, but it doesn’t matter since hasn’t it always been the two of them since they were little kids.  Ride or die till the end.

All of this is to say while he would not like Volo, for Lucas, he could likely tolerate him, depending on how I spin things.  With time, Barry does pick up on how Lucas is hiding how affected he was by the whole Hisui thing and is pretending to be fine when he’s kind of not. So if this weird guy is what it takes to get Lucas to come to terms with whatever he went through…he’ll go along with it but is going to be there the whole time in case he needs to step in. Gonna make sure he can protect Lucas from now on.

But yes PLA made me take by basic happy Clingy ship and be like “but what if we gave them baggage and made things complicated.”  Thanks PLA. 

[pkmnomegaverse]

He’s Barry’s Lucas but Volo’s Rei

[pkmnomegaverse]

My handwavey reason for why Lucas goes by Rei in Hisui despite having his memories is he saw that “Rei” was the name that had been inputted for him in the Arc Phone Arceus gives him in that very first intro cutscene. Since he's going with the idea this is a mission he needs to complete for Arceus, he assumes that’s the name he should go by. If that’s what PokeGod is presumably suggesting he do, there must be a good reason for it. Maybe to avoid a potential time paradox or something. Lucas doesn’t know the reason but he assumes it’s important (in truth, there likely is no significant reason for the name change).

But it sticks and by the time he’s close enough to anybody he considers revealing his true name, it feels like too much time has passed. Would just create confusion so why bother bringing it up. Too little too late. Plus, in theory, being in Hisui is temporary anyway. So why not just embrace being “Rei” while he’s here.

But I think it would drain on him after a while. Once he starts realizing this situation is perhaps permanent, he second guesses telling someone. Trying to hold on to what little remains of his old life, and his name is one of those things he could, in theory, hold onto. I’m pretty iffy on if he would reveal it to Volo once the two are sleeping together and Lucas has pretty much embraced trying to build a life with this man. Since it’s something he would want to reveal. Values honestly, so would feel like he’s needs to reveal his full, true self, to Volo. But he's still second guessing if revealing it would be a mistake. Still grasping on to the idea Arceus had a good reason for all of this.

Even if he does tell Volo (I think it would be during pillow talk since Lucas would want it to be during a "hidden" moment) he still ultimately continues to go by Rei. He just...wanted Volo to know. No need to call him by a different name. Lucas was who he use to be. But in Hisui, he can be Volo's "Rei" (this double life thing kinda fucks him up when he gets back to modern day Sinnoh, but that's another topic)

As for Volo, he doesn't feel very strongly about it one way or the other. But Volo is always curious to hear about anything "Rei" reveals about where he's from since he's pretty hush hush about things normally. And Volo does like to gather information! So would make note of it, but more in the sense of it being just another fact about Rei/if it's something he can use to win favor if needed. Since sure, his little omega says to keep calling him "Rei," but if he’s bothered to reveal his real name, maybe it's because he does want to be called "Lucas" sometimes.

It’s hit or miss if Volo would remember his real name years and years later when he first becomes aware of the younger Lucas, the up and coming trainer who's taking the Sinnoh region by storm. Volo pretty solidly thinks of Lucas as "Rei," and while I think he would initially assume Lucas is some kind of descendant/distant relative of Rei's, if he does remember his real name, that would be what first clues him in on the uncanny resemblance being more than just a coincidence (if he doesn't remember the name, it's seeing how Lucas’ mannerisms in Championship battles match the Rei he remembers).

I kind of like that one theory about a specific hiker actually being Volo (or at least easy to retcon that into being the case), so were I to do something with that, it would be because he does remember that Lucas was Rei's real name. Knows that in some sense, this still isn't "his Rei," but can't keep himself from wanting to see whatever version of him he has access to. Even if it’s just a brief glimpse.

[pkmnomegaverse]

If this VoloRei son manages to acquire a name it’s over cause I already got a potential design lurking. Could design him right now if I really had to

[pkmnomegaverse]

Me not that long ago: I think I need to complicate the protags more. Calem can't be the only messy one. Perhaps Hilbert? He has vibes due to abandoning everyone he knows for like 2 years to track down some guy he might or might not be in love with.

VoloRei happens: Well...that's certainly one way to complicate a protag!

Although even past that, I've been thinking more and more on how Lucas being forced by Arceus to complete some vague mission in a different time period with no obvious way back home might fuck up a guy a little bit. Especially if I really do make PLA last like 2+ years. Arceus never actually says he'll send him home if he completes his "mission," Lucas is just left hoping/assuming that's what will happen if he follows along with what the God wants. If nothing else, would Lucas not have Feelings about it all. I've always characterized Lucas as being very "hero-oriented" which is why he takes to being Champion so well. Wants to emulate Cynthia in how he conducts himself. Be someone strong and determined like her, with a strong sense of protecting the people and Pokemon of Sinnoh. So I think, at first, he's able to justify things to himself as this whole situation is just a way to help the people and Pokemon of Hisui. Since surely whatever Arceus wants with him relates to that? And has he not always jumped to help people in need when they ask.

I don't talk about them near enough since it's not a shipping thing with those two, but Cynthia really is someone who's very important to Lucas' development. I think a lot about how the protags having to save the region so young, often without any direct help, might mess with them a bit. Force them to grow up too fast. But some of them do have people they can turn to and for Lucas, one of those people is Cynthia. Sure, for gameplay reasons, Lucas is the one having to take down Team Galactic, but the way I read it, had Lucas failed, Cynthia would have stepped in to stop Cyrus in the Distortion World. So it wasn't solely on Lucas to solve that problem. The Champion of Sinnoh was right there to help him.

Since Lucas has the majority of his memories in Sinnoh, I do think that colors how he sees Volo at first as well. The similarity in appearance between Volo and Cynthia is striking, he would very much notice it (inversely, Cyllene looking like Cyrus has a similar, but opposite effect in how he views her initially, not helped by how coldly she treats him during their first meeting). With Volo being one of the first people (other than Laventon) who is kind to him in Hisui before he "proves himself," its a double whammy for why he trusts Volo so quickly. Cynthia had been mentoring Lucas before he's sent to Hisui to succeed her as a proper Champion (technically he was already Champion, but I like the idea that when the Champion is someone too young, the previous Champion lingers to make the transition smoother). So, subconsciously, but likely even somewhat consciously as well, Lucas likes and trusts Volo quickly because he reminds him of Cynthia.

There's still enough differences between the two where as Lucas gets to interact with Volo more, his feelings for him change over time. Sees him and Cynthia as distinct, even as any similarities get him wistfully thinking about the people back home he's lost. I wouldn't say that Lucas ever had a crush on Cynthia per se, he had always had his heart set on Barry, but I think even he knows Cynthia is prime most eligible alpha bachelorette of Sinnoh. Their relationship was always professional, mentor/mentee if you will, but he knows objectively, someone like Cynthia is a catch.

So when he notices his feelings for Volo taking on a romantic edge, he's very much beating those feelings back, but is also kind of annoyed at himself since he never thought of Cynthia this way. Why should it be different with this guy. He chalks it up to being older now, that being on the cusp of adulthood (and for all intents and purposes living as an adult in Hisui) is what's complicating his feelings, but he's still annoyed at himself for it. Had he not decided to wait for Barry? It doesn't help he can never actually tell if Volo is subtly courting him or just being friendly (Akari is having to point out the first few times people try to court him, since different time period means he is not picking up on ye older day courting gestures, and he's not about to ask Akari to interpret Volo's actions for him), so vows to ignore the entire thing.

The larger reason he ignores any growing feelings though, and turns down any advances by others, is that in the back of his mind, he's assuming his stay in Hisui is temporary. He just needs to fulfill his mission from Arceus and then surely Arceus will send him home. In this context, would it not just hurt both himself and his partner if he is going to leave them behind in the end (it's an intentional parallel to why Volo avoids romantic attachments, similar reasoning of leaving the other person behind in the end. But one is kind, one is...less so).

Until the thrown of the the village event occurs and what follows makes Rei unable to ignore his growing feelings any longer.

[pkmnomegaverse]

Caved and started a VoloRei playlist sooooo here it is.

Still super WIP but the bones are there (EDIT: It's like 5+ hours long now so more than bones at this point). There's too many songs on it for me to make rambley posts about all of them, but I might talk about some of the notable ones down the line.

I don't have it organized as such (yet?) but some of the songs are channeling a remeeting in modern day Sinnoh vibe. Should be obvious which ones are those. Also any other man talked about (which is in like one song so far, but still) is obviously Barry!

[pkmnomegaverse]

Just gonna….put this here. A VoloRei song. Cause I’ve been getting brainrot over them which I’ve been trying to beat back, but the brain still ponders.

Godless by KANGA. An unconventional interpretation of the song since it’s obvious what it’s meant to be about. But still, it fits in my head!

I do lean towards it being from Lucas/Rei’s perspective but I kinda liked how you could flip it to being from Volo’s POV as well if you twisted the lyrics a bit more.

Okay but rambling time now. I don’t think I’ll change anything in MainVerse no matter how bad the brainrot gets (EDIT: It’s turns out she’s lying right now, she did end up changing things in Mainverse). Juri is lucky she’s super set as Barry’s bio daughter since the plotline about Lucas returning to present day with a bun in the oven still lingers. And while there’s a funny parallel to both Juri and Casimir having bio dads who are the Main Villains of their regions because their moms are making questionable choices during the events of their respective game, I will refrain! I do think it’s important for Juri as a character that her family is more ordinary. It being a secret that Barry isn’t her biological father wouldn’t really add anything. I can def see Barry being willing to cover for Lucas and take responsibility of his unborn child if need be. Would love Lucas and Juri no matter what (boy is just relieved Lucas is back, safe and mostly sound). So that’s not the issue. It just doesn’t jive with how Juri interacts with the other characters, since I think the changed parentage would need to affect her somehow. Also thinking on it more, Juri couldn’t be a beta if Volo was her father, since while Lucas carries the beta gene to make that possible, Volo for sure does not. Thus Juri being a beta is further proof Barry is meant to be her dad. So yeah, I do think MainVerse is safe as is.

ChampionVerse Lucas is in trouble though, since that’s what really got this brainrot started. He’s trapped in Hisui longer in that verse, so he doesn’t adjust as well once he’s unexpectedly thrown back into modern day. Had made a life for himself in Hisui. So there’s a yearning for what he was forced to leave behind. And then he runs into Volo in the modern era, which in this scenario, would lead to a messier outcome. Can’t help but be drawn to the one person who’s the closest he’ll ever get to being reunited with what he lost (and on Volo’s end, Lucas is something from his own past as well. Would be a draw regardless of any anger/bitterness he might feel).

For Mainverse, I kinda flip flop on if Lucas messes around with anyone while he’s in Hisui. I lean towards he probably doesn’t? I think it would ultimately depend on how long he’s in Hisui though. Especially since has omegaverse sabotaging him. There is a catch in that he would be extra paranoid about possible bonding/pregnancy since is not at all familiar with what kinds of medicines/workaround exist in this era. Akari maybe helps him out at some point once he asks for help/she catches on that he’s somehow clueless about what he should be doing to keep himself safe. But before that point, Lucas would he hypervigilant about not letting any alphas near him once his heat is due. He’s also still a virgin (since he and Barry aren’t to that point in their relationship before Arceus whisks him away. They’re not dating yet, but are in that will they won’t they phase where Lucas is pretty much just waiting for Barry to realize his own feelings and confess) so that adds to him most likely not hooking up with anyone while in Hisui.

But what if! Idk, I read this fic and it got the brainworms going about what if Lucas were to cave and get attached to someone while in Hisui. Especially given the angle Barry is back in the modern era trying to get his best friend/not!boyfriend back. Barry and Volo aren’t alike at all, but hey, they’re both blonde! Trading your goodboy blonde almost bf for the evil blonde.

Watch me cave and be like “actually, ChampionVerse!Lucas is just ClingyShipping Round 2” where stuff with Volo does happen while Lucas is in Hisui. But then Barry is the dad who steps up once Lucas is returned to the present and having to cope with everything that happened. Step aside Paul, Lucas is Barry’s true love regardless of the universe (aka my exact same reaction in every AU with Hilbert and trying to not ultimately endgame him with N). And yes, I know the VoloRei post has looped around to being BarryLucas but there’s a lot of good AU angst potential to having both coexist in the same plotline. Calem can’t be the only messy protag.

[pkmnomegaverse]

I'm finally doing my "replay PLA to examine how wildly off my plotline for Lucas/Rei is and if I need to tweak things to be more canon compliant." Like what I did with Calem when I decided to run his get pregnant 2/3rd of the way through XY plotline. Had to actually replay the game to get a proper vibe for how the timeline would work. It's fine to be a little canon non-complaint, but I like to make it roughly close and just have "added/expanded scenes" vs changing things completely.

And while I've still got a ways to go to really set up anything solid, I forgot how Adaman is pretty much there during the entire Lake Trials thing. RIP him I guess. Was third-wheeling hard since I know Volo was being extra deliberate to put the moves on Rei each night. Keep Rei's eyes on him and not the other dependable guy (who is actually genuine) who's right there. Plus the new matebond probably getting to him, making him more possessive around this guy who Rei actually should have gone for who is giving off rival alpha vibes to his instincts. He's not doing anything overt since is still in helpful friendly merchant persona mode at this point. They're all working together as a team! But he's making Adaman second guess if it's worth setting up camp with these two each night while they're traveling together to complete each trial. They're so loud...especially Rei…

Adaman and Rei avoiding eye contact over breakfast the next morning while Volo is acting like everything is totally normal, chatting away.

But this def confirms for me the relationship isn't something VoloRei hide. Kind of can't hide it because of the matebond thing, but Adaman and Cogita know about it the earliest. Adaman likely just chalks it up to being none of his business/wasn't aware the two were courting(?). But if Volo was the one who came to Rei's rescue when no one else would, surely that means whatever is between them is legitimate and they were both just being subtle about their growing relationship. Volo risking alienating himself from Jubilife by sheltering Rei adds points to this idea (since while the Galaxy Team ultimately still help Rei to an extent, the implication seems to be that no one will initially help the protag when they’re first banished because they don’t want to risk turning Kamado against them. Would this not paint Volo’s action in a certain light? Make it seem like he’s willing to risk Kamado’s ire just to help Rei because he cares. Which very much works to his advantage even though that isn’t the true reason he helps).

To Adaman it does still seem a bit sudden/bad timing for getting together. But they have bigger issues than new relationships to deal with so just leaves it be to focus on the task at hand. Volo isn’t really giving him much of an opportunity to pull Rei to the side and talk about things even if he wanted to anyway, since he’s always with them.

[pkmnomegaverse]

Juri is lucky she is truly my OG fankid. My #1, she was created first before anyone else, so her place in my heart is near and dear. Will never retcon.

Because when I tell you that had I made this verse now, Volo/Lucas would, without question, be the endgame I would go with, no matter how messy and complicated it ended up being.

I've maybe said something similar about Lance/Ethan before when compared to Silver/Ethan, but this isn't even that situation. That was more of an "I like them equally" situation and I was shocked how a side ship (Lance/Ethan) I made on a whim for narrative reasons could rise up to rival the ship (Silver/Ethan) I was always most invested it. Thus why I've slowly swung back the other direction and am more invested in giving Silver the happy ending.

But VoloRei compared to Barry/Lucas? That's no contest. VoloRei is like, specifically designed to be what I like most in a ship. There's a reason Isshu trumps all other Pokemon ships for me, and it's related to hero/villain dynamics being what I like most in a ship. Which even Isshu is tame as far as hero/villain ships go, but they still count. Hero/rival is the similar but very tame substitute that scratches a similar itch, but when I can get the real thing...

Anyway, Clingy is truly the centerpiece this verse was built around so it's not possible to retcon it. Whatever bone of the skeleton Clingy is is too important. Pull it and the whole thing collapses. But this is why I'm going extra insane about VoloRei at the moment and it probably won't stop. So like, fair warning.

Like it's bad enough I've pondered "what if Barry were to die at some point tho..." which I'm not doing. But if I've started down that line of thought...

Legit I'm over here like "It's okay Juri and Colm, I may ship your mama more with another man than with your actual papa, but I promise I won't break up your family." Being the OG fankids is all that's stopping me.

[pkmnomegaverse]

Been feelings a type of way about these two songs in particular so VoloRei song time! Although these ones are more gen Rei @ Volo concerning the whole betrayal thing. Rei's feelings in the immediate aftermath vibe.

in the dark by Bring Me The Horizon - *gestures to entire song* but this song is specifically about being tricked and betrayed by someone important to you and dealing with the fallout. Big fan of the "guess my fairytale has a few plotholes" line in connection with how I run their plotline during the endgame.

Scratching at the Surface by The Veer Union, 2 Shadows - The chorus of this one in particular is on point. "You think you're heaven, but you're ground zero." and "just below your halo is there even a sign of sorrow." If that isn't Volocore right there. But I do think the song overall fits them pretty well. There's still a desperation on Rei's part to be close despite it all. I do think some of the lines in this one are Volo @ Rei as well vs being solely one-sided the way the previous song is.