#either way i had no trouble with the bosses here. i got an Attract TM super early on and smokescreen to save my ass

[heshemejoshi]

just drew these two critters from memoryyyyy

bonus sketch comic below. from my blue rescue team playthrough:

[storylocke]

Connections 9

[Acerola had made it all the way to the edge of town before she realized where she was. It only took a second to realize that somehow Devin hadn’t come back with her. She paused a moment to peer back to abandoned Megamart through the chainlink fences and for the first time in a long time, she genuinely felt afraid. Even if she hadn’t been a Captain for very long, she’d never lost a trial-goer before. Devin had mentioned something strange had happened during his trial too, and now she couldn’t remember what happened after she gave him his Z-crysal. Perhaps he was just taking his time…?]

Acerola:

[Goes back down the ramp and cups her hands to her mouth as she calls down along the black shoreline] Devin~? [No answer, but she shouldn't be surprised if he was all the way back at the building. Still, if he had completed the trial then, as duty dictated, he might have gone back in to catch some Pokemon. She did tell him that, right?] Devin…? [As she finally reached the trial site, and still saw no sign of him, she warily stepped inside to call him again.] Devin~? Are you in there?

[She’s answered by the soft jingle of several Klefki, and a Haunter who rises from a nearby crate to ask her what was up. Apparently the boy who had just been there had already left, much to the other ghosts’ dismay. It didn’t seem possible for them to miss each other on the beach, but in her mixed up state, she was starting to wonder if she might have left him in Tapu Village. No, no, she was sure she had left him at the trial site.]

Acerola:

Thanks then. I’ll just head on back out… [While she tried to tell herself there was no need to panic, this really was any Captains’ worst nightmare. She decided she had to get back to the Aether House and grab the others to help look for him as this was getting beyond weird. Running along the black shore, she stops short in realizing she heard someone call her.]

Devin:

Acerola~! [waves to her from the back of his Lapras as she turns to look out to the water. He grins, practically beaming as she steps up to the waves.] Ahoy there, princess. I thought you already went back to town.

Acerola:

[places her hands on her hips with a bit of a huff] And where did you go? I’ve been looking for you for the past half hour!

Devin:

[seems slightly taken aback by her tone, and hesitates a moment on what to say.] I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d worry so much. I just have... had, some unfinished business to take care of. But I guess you two need to get going?

Acerola:

Yes…? [She can’t help but eye him with slight curiosity as she still can’t shake off the vibe he’s giving] Devin, are you feeling okay?

Devin:

Yeah! Just, uh… had to test something first. I made it out to the lighthouse and found a TM, so that’s looking pretty good. Also finally managed to catch that Mimikyu. [He tosses her a Poke Ball] Might want to have a little talk with her about trying to hex people for no reason.

Acerola:

[Rolls the ball between her hands as she’s still unsure what to think. The ball appears almost old and worn like it came from within the abandoned store rather than something Devin would have had on hand.] Thanks?

Devin:

… You okay, princess? [There’s a genuine concern as he looks down on her from his perch. He seems to tense up when she gazes up at him with the same worried gaze, and clears his throat.] We should definitely head on back like you said. [With a gentle click of his tongue, the Lapras shifts to the side, and the boy launches himself over the small gap of water to land on the dry shore. He gives himself a shake, a shiver really, before he rights himself up from the landing.]

Acerola:

Don’t you need to heal up first?

Devin:

Oh, um, yeah? [he gives her a wry grin as the weakest means of assuring her] Wh-what are we waiting around here for? Let’s go!

=+=

[Devin saw Team Skull long before he walked up to the house. Their leader already marching on her way as one of the grunts was dragging Lillie down the steps. The girl torn between struggling against him, tightening her grip on her bag, or trying to drop it altogether so only she would be taken. She wasn’t the only one under attack this time though. As he drew closer in a rage about the grunts grabbing Lillie, he noticed that Hau had been laid still on the hard stone steps. Devin’s heart nearly stopped as he could only hope his friend had been knocked unconscious, but he didn’t get much of a chance to look before a woman’s arm suddenly wrapped around his neck from behind. He couldn’t say anything, do anything, as she rested her cheek against his and spoke her sultry slick voice crooned into his ear.]

Plumeria:

Did I not tell you stay out of our way?

Devin:

[As fast as he could move, he had pulled away and charged into battle. Duckl flying head first into the violet wave of toxic sludge Plumeria’s Crobat conjured up. The great bat followed up by sending out a cloud of poisonous gas that encompassed both him and the injured Swanna; and while it burned in his chest, he continued to call out the command until Duckl had fought until he couldn’t anymore. Devin, too, fell to the ground, gasping for air as everything started to swim in his vision. He tried to crawl after the group in desperation.] P-p-please! You don’t know what you’re doing! Lillie! Lillie! LILLIE!

[Devin jolted awake to find himself back in the Pokemon Center lobby. When… did he get there? HOW did he get there? He thought back to abandoned store and the likely very bad decision he made, but as far as he was concerned, that wasn’t important. It seemed his startled reaction was enough to give Acerola a jump as well as she gently placed a hand on his forehead.]

Devin:

Lillie. What happened? Is she-

Acerola:

She’s fine. The whole group was just here a few minutes ago, and I told Hau I’d stay with you until we got back to the Aether House. You’re still really cold. I hope running around in the rain didn’t make you sick.

Devin:

How long was I out?

Acerola:

You weren’t? You’re the one who told us you weren’t feeling too hot, so we sat down after they left. You only just started dozing off.

Devin:

… I did?

Acerola:

[frowns at him as now she’s really worried.] Sounds like you’re going through the same thing I did earlier. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you back at the trial site-

Devin:

No, you’re fine, we’re good. [He sure didn’t sound like it though as he rose from his seat and gazed around the room with an uneasy gaze. Nightmare or not, he couldn’t ignore what he just saw.] We gotta get back to the Aether House now.

Acerola:

What?

Devin:

[holds out a hand to help her up and starts leading her out the door] Right now! No time to explain. I just have a really bad feeling about this.

Acerola:

[As confused as she is, she doesn’t put up any resistance. After losing him like she had earlier, it was enough to make her think twice about trying to laugh it off. Something was wrong, and despite all logic to tell her otherwise, there was just something about him that told her to believe him.]

=+=

[The attack happened so quickly, that Hau was still reeling from being dragged outside. At first he was worried they’d all been grabbed, but after being thrown to the ground, he was relieved to see it had only been him. Why him, he couldn’t understand, but he was far more confused at his apparent rescuer.]

Grunt A:

We’re not after him this time, idiot. [Smacked the other grunt upside the head]

Grunt B:

[Dropped Hau and now rubbing at the back of his head] Hey, you only said we had to grab her Pokemon, yo! I ain’t tryin’ to carry two brats all the way back to Po Town. And I figured, hey, after all our troubles tracking down the Chosen, Boss might see us gettin’ two birds with one stone.

Grunt A:

Oh yeah? And where’s the Pokemon?

Grunt B:

After I grabbed him, I didn’t see no girl with a bag, yo! I thought you got her!

Grunt B

How could ya miss her? She’s bigger than hi- [points at the ground where Hau was only to realize the kid isn’t there either.] What the…?

Hau:

[While the two were arguing, he’s been crawling away so not to attract their attention, and hoped to maybe put enough distance between them so he could get up and call out his Pokemon without their noticing.]

Plumeria:

[Just came out of the building. She should have known better than to trust these two and is marching down the steps in a huff. She doesn’t even bother to ask what her two idiots had been doing all this time, and immediately grabs Hau by the back of his shirt with one hand, and his arm with the other to jerk him to his feet.] Don’t even think it. Where’s the girl?

Hau:

[As terrified as he is, he clenches his teeth and tries to stay calm as he shoots a glare at her over his shoulder.] How would I know? I got jumped as soon as we walked through the door! Dirty cowards, not even giving us a chance to fight!

Plumeria:

Coward? [Looks back at the grunts and they both take a step back in slight alarm. Somehow, she’s not surprised they’d be scared of the kid, but she’s somewhat insulted to be included in that. Pulls him closer with a bit of a hiss.] I don’t care how special you think you are, if you mess with me, I WILL crush you.

Grunt B:

Hey, uh, sis? We got trouble!

[Plumeria eases her grip on the boy and looks up at the sound of thundering hooves. A loud snort of a Tauros being reigned in as the Pokemon runs dangerously close to the group before stopping short. Honestly, she mused if she had seen her friends in danger, she’d have tried to run the attackers over with the bull. Devin however leapt down and glared at the men now moving defensively around their leader before turning to help Acerola down from their ride. Who would have thought the little punk could be such a gentleman?]

Devin:

Let him go!

Plumeria:

Fine by me. [She gives Hau a hard shove in Devin’s direction, causing the boy to nearly trip into their new arrivals.] So you’re back from the trials already? I wasn’t expecting you just yet, but I guess it takes these numbskulls too long to deal with a couple of kids.

Devin:

[Somewhat caught Hau before he fell, he’s totally ignoring Plumeria really] Where are the others?

Hau:

[Softly as he’s not really sure, but tries to sound confident] Still inside. Making Team Skull maaad.

Devin:

[If they’re all safe, he has no problem ruffling feathers. Turns to the gang as Acerola marches passed them in a huff.] Hmph. Well Plu-

Acerola:

Plumeria! What do you think you’re doing?!

Plumeria:

[Hand on hip, slightly sways as she looks down at her with some hesitation. Glances away.] Sorry, sis, it’s complicated.

Devin:

[Honestly stunned to see her physically cut him off as he didn’t think Acerola actually had an angry mode. Good to know] Tell us anyway. We’ve got you cornered, and I’m not about to let you leave without an answer or a fight.

Plumeria:

Really now? [Takes up a Poke Ball] I guess it’s my turn then. I warned you last time to stay out of our way. You want to fight? I’m done messing around!

[As one of the grunts goes to grab Acerola out of the way, she quickly pulled out a ball to fight back. As the other Skull member stepped up to defend Plumeria, Hau also stepped forward to cut him off. Plumeria also seemed surprised by how the group all jumped in, but her attention quickly returned to Devin.

Perhaps it was the sense of urgency that added such fire to children’s assault, but the two men made no match against the Captain and Chosen as Plumeria knew they wouldn't. No sooner had they lost, the two grunts took the open battlefield as enough room to make a run for it. What she couldn't understand was how even she proved no match against this “bird keeper.” Guzma had told her about his match and she’d faced the kid before as a mere test, but here she only saw ONE of the lauded team members that had destroyed their leader. How could she fail now when the team was counting on her? Stepping in personally to do something… something she didn't particularly care for. Having to admit the defeat burned, but could she really say she’d have been happy to have won?]

Plumeria:

[softly] You really are strong…

Devin:

And I’m not done yet! So what's your answer, Plumeria?

Acerola:

You know this is wrong. What would Dad say if he-

Plumeria:

[Don’t try to patronize her, missy. She lets out a hiss as she bites back.] He’d be right here with me, and you know it! Doing what's best for the Team without giving a damn what happens to anyone else! [how strange though that even with him long since gone, she could feel his disappointment as she knew this wasn’t what he meant. Perhaps the way Acerola was looking at her made her feel guilty. Closes her eyes] Humph… I can't stand myself right now…

Hau:

You’re under orders, we get it. [Nevermind the puzzled look the other two are giving him, he just tries to give Plumeria a smile as she stares at him incredulously.] Did your boss threaten you or something? If you guys are in trouble, just say so. Maybe we can help!

Plumeria:

[crosses her arms, not sure what to make of this kid. Poor stupid thing, maybe he really did get messed up by the Voices.] What, you plan to come save me, hero? Don't be so naive. If you want to rescue the Pokémon we took, you’ll come out to our base in Po Town. Alone.

Hau:

[Takes a step back in surprise as he wasn't expecting that] …Alone?

Plumeria:

Got a problem with that? The boss has been dying to meet you.

Devin:

You think we're stupid enough to allow that? You must be crazy!

Plumeria:

If you don't comply, don't get mad when someone gets hurt. Guzma said he wants the Chosen to come alone, no ifs, ands, or buts. Have any issues, you take it up with him. [Before the children can say anymore to stop her, she turns in a huff to leave.]

Acerola:

Plumeria! [she can see there's no stopping her, but it leaves her shaken, angry and confused nonetheless. What was even going on anymore?!] I don't understand… [while she would like to go after her, with the threat gone, there was bigger things to attend to. Starts running up the stairs] Hey! Are you guys okay?!

Devin:

[As much as he’d also like to chase after her right then, they needed to make a plan before jumping into this. Acerola’s call to the house made him almost feel guilty he hadn’t even bothered to ask Hau if he was okay. Looks over at his friend with concern as he can see the weight of the situation setting in now that the Skull members were gone. Places a hand on his shoulder] You did really good back there. Are you okay?

Hau:

I am thanks to you guys. That was incredible timing. [He can feel Devin’s hand tense up, and wonders for a moment if there had been some reason his friend didn’t want to say. Heaves a sigh though as it didn’t matter WHY they rushed back to the building, just so long as they did.] Battles aren’t fun when you can’t afford to lose.

Devin:

I know, buddy. [Gives him a pat before guiding him up the steps to go inside. A cautious glance at his own shadow stretching out behind him far longer than seems natural when compared to Hau’s.] Why don’t we take some time to breath and you can tell us what happened?

~~~~~~~~~~

I think the story ran away from me somewhere, but I guess now we're really getting into the plot of the actual games too. Complications, complications everywhere. o.O

Guess it's high time I made a compilation post. In the meantime...

Previous Chapters: Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8