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hiddentrails7 · 8 months ago

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I gave the BG3 origin characters Pokémon teams and put way too much thought into it, so I thought I'd share my nerdish thoughts. Maybe I'll do non-origin characters at some point, but eh, we'll see.

Oh, and there's some spoilers for the character stories, so read at your own risk.

(Teams under the cut!)

Lae'zel

(I couldn't not use this gif, sorry girlie)

Kommo-o

"When it spots enemies, it threatens them by jingling the scales on its tail. Weak opponents will crack and flee in panic." (Pokémon Sun)

An intimidating, armored warrior, just like Lae! Its shiny also reminds me of her, haha.

Zangoose

"It has feuded with SEVIPER for many generations. Its sharp claws are its biggest weapons." (Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl)

Just like the Githyanki's fued with Mindflayers, it has a big issue with Seviper's mere existence. They also give the same attitude vibes.

Scizor

"SCIZOR has a body with the hardness of steel. It is not easily fazed by ordinary sorts of attacks. This POKéMON flaps its wings to regulate its body temperature." (Pokémon Ruby & Pokémon Sapphire)

They're both well-armored! It is,, also just her vibe.

Bisharp

This pitiless Pokémon commands a group of Pawniard to hound prey into immobility. It then moves in to finish the prey off." (Pokémon Black 2 & Pokémon White 2)

A hardened warrior, like the rest of the team. It not only plays into the fact that she likes to take charge, but I don't think she'd ever evolve it into Kingambit due to her whole awakening with Vlaakith and learning about the prince in the prism, lmao. She's content with Bisharp.

Falinks

"The six of them work together as one Pokémon. Teamwork is also their battle strategy, and they constantly change their formation as they fight." (Pokémon Shield)

The ultimate unit. She doesn't care if they're little guys, they're forces of nature! Not to be trifled with!

Charizard

"CHARIZARD flies around the sky in search of powerful opponents. It breathes fire of such great heat that it melts anything. However, it never turns its fiery breath on any opponent weaker than itself." (Pokémon Ruby & Pokémon Sapphire)

Even if she doesn't agree to become Vlaakith's chosen, she seems like the type to get a dragon herself just to spite Vlaakith.

☆

Shadowheart

(Oh my beloved Shart)

Umbreon

"When exposed to the moon's aura, the rings on its body glow faintly and it gains a mysterious power." (Pokémon Platinum)

It is so she coded. She worships the moon/darkness, no matter what path you go down with her, so Umbreon is perfect!

Absol

"Although it’s said to bring disaster, in actuality, this Pokémon possesses a calm disposition and warns people of any crises that loom." (Pokémon Moon)

Another dark, kind-of moon-esk vibe Pokémon. They also have similar haircuts!

Trevenant

"Trevenant is very kind to Pokémon living in the forest. It doesn't even care if these Pokémon take up residence in the greenery on its head." (Pokémon Violet)

A Pokémon I just think she'd like. I like to think it'd try to protect her from wolves in the forest, but when she came into contact with Sharr for the first time it was only a Phantump.

Hatterene

"This Pokémon can read the emotions of creatures over 30 miles away. The minute it senses hostility, it goes on the attack." (Pokémon Sword, G-Max form)

I think it's a really funny image. Shadowheart wouldn't mind watching with a wine glass in-hand as her Hatterene beats the shit out of someone that won't leave her alone. Its interaction potiental with Astarion is peak.

Mawile

"It chomps with its gaping mouth. Its huge jaws are actually steel horns that have been transformed." (Pokémon HeartGold & Pokémon SoulSilver)

Has her vibes. Good for both versions of her. Has her ponytail (kind of). Makes sense to me!

Zoroark

"Each has the ability to fool a large group of people simultaneously. They protect their lair with illusory scenery." (Pokémon White)

While kind of leaning toward Sharr, it works for Selune as well! Shadowheart is also naturally a Trickster Domain Cleric, so a Pokémon known for tricks is great!

☆

Astarion

(My personal favorite character. I love him. He's soggy.)

Hisuian Zoroark

"With its disheveled white fur, it looks like an embodiment of death. Heedless of its own safety, Zoroark attacks its nemeses with a bitter energy so intense, it lacerates Zoroark’s own body." (Pokémon Legends Arceus)

Its a very Astarion Pokémon. It not only has wonderful hair, just like him, the entry above sounds a bit too similar to the start of the Cazador fight... heh.

Gliscor

"It dances silently through the sky. When it approaches prey, it can land a critical hit in an instant." (Pokémon Black 2 & Pokémon White 2)

Of course, it's vampire coded, and it also just has Astarion's smug, rogueish vibes.

Thievul

"It secretly marks potential targets with a scent. By following the scent, it stalks its targets and steals from them when they least expect it." (Pokémon Sword)

Astarion is a fancy man! Former magistrate! Thievul fits the high-class vibe and, of course, the thief aesthetic.

Froslass

"A Pokémon inhabited by the soul of a woman who died bearing a grudge in the snowy mountains. Legends of Froslass placing deathly curses on misbehaving men send shivers down my spine." (Pokémon Legends Arceus)

I think it'd be funny, if this Pokémon saw Astarion and related. Like. It feels empathy for this poor mf and just kinda sticks around. It REALLY wants to kill Cazador, but doesn't for Astarion's sake. It's cute.

Crobat

"The transformation of its legs into wings made it better at flying, but more clumsy at walking." (Pokémon Platinum)

Ugh the thought of Astarion befriending a Zubat in Cazador's palace and getting it to evolve via friendship is so nice. Also another vampire-esk mon.

Liepard

"Their beautiful form comes from the muscles they have developed. They run silently in the night." (Pokémon Black 2 & Pokèmon White 2)

It's him. As a purple and yellow cat. What do you want me to say.

☆

Gale

(My favorite boot-eater)

Alakazam

"While it has strong psychic abilities and high intelligence, an ALAKAZAM's muscles are very weak. It uses psychic power to move its body." (Pokémon Emerald)

Okay, Mr. 45 Defense 135 Special Attack. The og wizard Pokémon. Of course Gale has one.

Meowscarada

"This Pokémon uses the reflective fur lining its cape to camouflage the stem of its flower, creating the illusion that the flower is floating." (Pokémon Scarlet)

While, yes, it's a Magician, not a Wizard, I still think it works. Gale has a sassier side, which I thoroughly enjoy, and it reminds me of Tara in a weird way.

Delphox

"Using psychic power, it generates a fiery vortex of 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit, incinerating foes swept into this whirl of flame." (Pokémon Y)

Literally a wizard. Gale would love a little Fennakin.

...also, uh, Fireball.

Ditto

"With its astonishing capacity for metamorphosis, it can get along with anything. It does not get along well with its fellow Ditto." (Pokémon Moon)

Gale loves his duplicates: no need for spell slots if you have a Ditto!

...unless he needs Ditto to speak, of course, but Ditto can probably write instead!

Meowstic (Male)

"When in danger, it raises its ears and releases enough psychic power to grind a 10-ton truck into dust."

Another lovely Psychic type! It's also cat-shaped so that's a bonus for Gale. Simply a little guy.

Chandelure

"This Pokémon haunts dilapidated mansions. It sways its arms to hypnotize opponents with the ominous dancing of its flames." (Pokémon Sword)

I wanted a magic item reference, and I think he'd think it's cool! There's quite a few myths surrounding it.

☆

Wyll

(My first romance. He has a special lil place in my heart.)

Gallade

"A master of courtesy and swordsmanship, it fights using extending swords on its elbows." (Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl)

THE BLADE OF FRONTIERS—

Aegislash

"Apparently, it can detect innate qualities of leadership. According to legend, whoever it recognizes is destined to become king." (Pokémon Y)

THE BLADE OF FRONTIERS PART 2—

Oh, and I also think he got his from his father.

Corviknight

"This Pokémon reigns supreme in the skies of the Galar region. The black luster of its steel body could drive terror into the heart of any foe." (Pokémon Sword)

Haha. Ravengard. Get it.

It's also another knight aesthetic. Yippee.

Sirfetch'd

"Only Farfetch'd that have survived many battles can attain this evolution. When this Pokémon's leek withers, it will retire from combat." (Pokémon Sword)

Oh, another knight! What do you know.

...Blade of Frontiers part 3.

Lucario

"Not only does it perceive auras, but it has also gained the power to control them. It employs them in battle." (Pokémon Sun)

It's very him coded. I also really like the jokes where people compare him to a puppy. Lucario is a bipedal puppy.

The thought of a younger Wyll with a Riolu also brings me joy.

Ceruledge

"The fiery blades on its arms burn fiercely with the lingering resentment of a sword wielder who fell before accomplishing their goal." (Pokémon Scarlet)

Ah, finally. The Warlock pact Pokémon. It really fits him after getting his pact, imo. I like to think Mizora didn't give him a chance to evolve it into Armarouge instead, which upset Wyll at first, but he gets attached to Ceruledge. It's still his, after all.

☆

Karlach

(My favorite female character! She brings me such joy)

Emboar

"It can throw a fire punch by setting its fists on fire with its fiery chin. It cares deeply about its friends." (Pokémon Black)

She'd love this fucker, especially as a Tepig! They're both bulky as shit and deserve the world.

Haxorus

"While usually kindhearted, it can be terrifying if angered. Tusks that can slice through steel beams are how Haxorus deals with its adversaries." (Pokémon Shield)

Haha big axe. Haxorus is just very Barbarian coded.

...Also Karlach with an Axew <3.

Tinkaton

"The hammer tops 220 pounds, yet it gets swung around easily by Tinkaton as it steals whatever it pleases and carries its plunder back home." (Pokémon Violet)

Another big-weapon Pokémon, but I think she'd also just think it's silly.

Imagine Wyll meeting her with this little menace, since he has a Corviknight.

(Yes, I might've done that on purpose)

Arcanine

"Arcanine is known for its high speed. It is said to be capable of running over 6,200 miles in a single day and night. The fire that blazes wildly within this Pokémon's body is its source of power." (Pokémon Omega Ruby & Pokémon Alpha Sapphire)

Loyal fire puppy. Essentially Karlach.

Bewear

"This Pokémon has the habit of hugging its companions. Many Trainers have left this world after their spines were squashed by its hug." (Pokémon Moon)

THEY CAN TAKE EACHOTHER'S BACKBREAKING HUGS. THEY DESERVE EACHOTHER.

I also just really had a fun time running Bear-Rage Barbarian Karlach.

Darmanitan

"Its internal fire burns at 2,500° F, making enough power that it can destroy a dump truck with one punch." (Pokémon Black)

A very Karlach mon, in my opinion. She appreciates how angry it can be. She is also quite angry.

#balders gate 3 #bg3 #spoilers #pokémon au #pokémon crossover #i spent way too much time on this #lae'zel #shadowheart #astarion ancunin #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #wyll ravengard #karlach #i often question my mental health

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milkpumpkin96 · 5 months ago

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The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Review

Part II: The Indigo Disk

It took me a while, but I have finally completed the entirety of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC. This post is a continuation of my previous review regarding "The Teal Mask."

It is pleasing to say that I enjoyed part II just as much, if not more, than part I of the DLC. Despite all the flaws that remained unresolved, I had an enjoyable experience playing through "The Indigo Disk!"

As a longtime Pokémon fan, I have quite a lot to say (bear with it), which is why I have broken up this review into two parts, with this post being part two.

[MASSIVE SPOILER WARNING]

OVERALL SCORE: 7/10

As stated previously, I went into this DLC completely blind. I had not watched teasers, trailers, playthroughs, or promotional art. I had no clue about the existence of the new characters or what the story would entail!

When it comes to the content and character building of "The Indigo Disk" . . . wowzers. Stepping foot onto the grounds of Blueberry Academy for the first time was quite a treat--I am not sure as to what I was expecting, but it certainly was not a huge techy school floating in the middle of the ocean, where all the classrooms and dorms are under the water. How beautifully frightening! The academy also unleashed a fresh wave of Unovan nostalgia, for those fans of Generation V.

I was overall pleased with my playthrough. The DLC was longer and more jam-packed than I had thought, almost as if I were playing an entirely new game. "The Indigo Disk" had a hefty amount of new entries to the Pokédex and the battles were quite difficult (in a challenging yet manageable way).

However, I must talk about this again . . . "The Indigo Disk" features no performance upgrades. The DLC ran no smoother and no less buggy than the main game. There was atrocious lagging at times which bogged down the awe of the exploration and the impact of some cutscenes. I myself was lucky enough to not encounter any glitches, but other players were no so fortunate.

Part II of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero encapsulates some of the best components of Scarlet and Violet for sure, yet it fails to solve all the qualms Pokémon fans have had since the beginning.

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GAMEPLAY: 6/10

Once again, Game Freak has failed to solve the biggest issues plaguing the mainline games for years. Once again, fans must witness the same poor graphical output while Nintendo is still able to offer beauties like Super Mario Wonder and Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Pokémon Scarlet came out in November of 2022. "The Indigo Disk" rolled around just over a year later, and despite complaints of bugginess and a struggling FPS, it seems that the creators of Pokémon don't give a shit.

It is cool to see, at the very least, that Game Freak is experimenting with creative ideas when it comes to character development and dialogue/writing. But it is saddening to have this experimentation--which has been a high point for the series in recent years--to be undermined by its biggest problem . . . especially when there are so many graphically capable modern games in comparison.

Listen, I am a Nintendo fan, and as such my preferences for visuals are not too particular. I do not always want pristine or realistic graphics. I like the occasional retro throwback or cartoony charm or good, old cell-shading. But, seriously . . . Pokémon Scarlet and Violet look pretty bad. This is especially true knowing that Game Freak has the funds and capabilities to bring about so much more. Even Legends of Arceus was a big step up, and this achievement had to be diminished with the chibified Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

The performance issues become greatly apparent traveling through Blueberry Academy's biomes. Riding Koraidon/Miraidon is still too much for the game to handle apparently. The worst frame rate drop I had ever seen was in the Savannah Biome: anytime I was anywhere near pluff mud, it was as if the world was ending. My screen would freeze.

I am not trying to defend Game Freak at all when I say this, but in theory, the locations are charming. I was blown away by the concept and visual presentation of Blueberry Academy itself. It is a vibrant terrarium under the sea, the inverse of an aquarium above land. The school is in the middle of Unovan waters and it is colored a specific white and blueberry blue, giving off advanced techy vibes.

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My absolute favorite aspect about the DLC has to be the difficulty surge. Hooray for Pokémon fans, we finally have a challenging game again!

Of course, some people will continue to complain that it is not hard enough, particularly players with a full-level 90-100 party. I mean, sure. I do not think that there will ever be a mainline game where the difficulty is extraordinarily high, due to balancing the wants and capabilities of actual children, casual players, competitive players, adult fans, and insane people. For us casual fans and even some competitive players, however, "The Indigo Disk" offered a unique challenge.

In "The Teal Mask," if players had beaten the main story in Scarlet and Violet, the battling levels were in the 50s-70s. In "The Indigo Disk," there is now a jump to levels 70s-80s. This DLC has some of the highest-leveled trainers to be seen in mainline Pokémon games. I personally had many moments of struggle due to the fact I play casually, and my main team was within the level 75-85 range.

What makes the DLC even harder is the fact that the battle system was an homage to old Unova practices: double battling! If you as a player had already been comfortable with your set-in-stone team, you may have to change some Pokémon around or switch up strategy in order to survive these double onslaughts. Of course, wild battles are still in singles, but trainers will be sending out duos.

Blueberry Academy even offers its own student-led Elite Four and champion ranking. Unlike typical Pokémon plot progression, players do not have to grind through eight gym leaders in order to get to the elites. Through personalized recommendations from Elite Four members themselves, the MC is ranked up quite highly and can skip straight on to tackling the Elite Four in any order. But . . . you still may want to wait. Players should catch some new Pokémon within the terrarium and level up their team. The Elite Four are HARD. I cannot recall the last time I failed one of these matches in recent generations . . . but in "The Indigo Disk," I admittedly lost both Crispin and Amarys. My team was not ready for the flint and steel.

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So yes, there is Crispin, the first-year student who loves spicy foods and Pokémon battling. He is a fire-type specialist who doesn't care for petty drama. Then, there is the second-year student Lacey, the daughter of gym leader Clay, who is cute, resourceful, and loves fairy types. Next is Amarys who is cold on the outside but soft on the inside. She wields steel type and is seemingly concerned about time management. Finally, there is Elite Four member Drayton who specializes in dragon types. He is the grandson of Unova gym leader Draydon, and presents himself as cool yet slothful. You can battle these students in any order, and all of their Pokémon are within levels 76 to 80. Get ready.

Like "The Teal Mask," another beautiful aspect of battling is that the trainers are smarter; in that they understand a bit of strategic thinking and item usage. You'll get sick of the constant use of focus sashes! It makes it feel almost as if you are fighting a real person on the other side.

There is another great feat of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: sorry, Cynthia, but a new, powerful trainer is in town.

The champion of Blueberry Academy is the strongest champion to ever appear in the Pokémon series. He plays competitively. He is busting out an Incineroar of all things . . . and to Pokémon fans, you know how that goes. Having a remarkably leveled 83-85 team, good old Kieran from Kitakami has earned the title as champion in vain of the MC's bitchery.

Kieran's VGC-inspired strats make for an incredibly dynamic and fun battle. He whips out Hydrapple, a new evolution to Dipplin, and unleashes fury with the move "fickle beam" that can absolutely destroy you if Hydrapple randomly desires to go "all out."

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"The Indigo Disk" provides a nice amount of new bonus features to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Some are more impressive than others, but I did enjoy my time with them.

I think that the coolest addition is being able to unlock the ability to fly with Koraidon/Miraidon (not just glide). Players can fly anywhere and everywhere, in both the DLC maps and the Paldea map too. This makes travel much quicker and easier, though it would be nice if Koraidon/Miraidon could fly just a tad faster.

The downside to this ability is that you cannot unlock it until after you beat the main storyline of "The Indigo Disk." In post-game, Amarys will give your legendary lizard a supplement that will give it the permanent ability to fly. By the time this happens players will have probably done most of what they needed to do, aside from catching paradox and legendary Pokémon.

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Also, yes . . . Perrin has returned! Why though, why is Perrin inside of a Unovan high school? I am unsure about that.

Once players register 200 or more Pokémon in their Pokédex, Perrin will then have a request for you. A bit cheeky for someone who was buddied with you back in Kitakami, but oh well.

She reports these legends of paradox Pokémon that look kind of like pre-existing legendaries, but certainly more strange. Perrin shows players two vague photos and asks you to go find and catch them. These paradox creatures are located within Area Zero of Paldea.

The paradox Pokémon include Raiku and Entei or Cobalion and Terrakian, and depending on whether you have Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, they will look either more prehistoric or futuristic respectively. They will be named Raging Bolt and Gouging Fire [Scarlet] or Iron Crown and Iron Boulder [Violet]. Once both are caught, Perrin will give you a sport ball. Not too rewarding on her part but at least you will have cool, new Pokémon.

I am unsure as to why Walking Wake (a.k.a. Suicune) and Iron Leaves (a.k.a. Virizion) are not a part of this quest, but players can catch these as well.

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One of the most important mechanics of "The Indigo Disk" is the "blueberry points" system, or BP. These points are crucial and work as in-game currency, displacing other means of payment. You can use BP to purchase items, challenge the BB Elite Four, as well as to access a bunch of new additional items and upgrades in the BB League clubroom.

With these points, players can buy a myriad of things: new Pokéball throwing styles, new camera functions, changes to the aesthetic of the BB League room, more additional Pokémon to catch (i.e., adding starter Pokémon to the biomes), among other things. In the post-game, BP can be used to call in special couches for you to battle and trade with.

However, some of the new functions are horribly expensive. It costs BP to change your throwing style or the look of the clubroom each and every single time you decide to do so. While it is not difficult to obtain BP per se, it can be a very tedious grind.

How do players get BP? Players have to complete "BBQs." There are several different tasks that will show up on the right side of the screen, ranging from quests to catch a certain type of Pokémon, taking a picture of a Pokémon in motion, walking a certain amount of steps, preparing a certain flavor of sandwich, et cetera. These quests will reward you with varying amounts of points, normally 20 or 30 BP at a time. After every 10 BBQs completed, players will receive a special quest that may be worth over 100 BP.

This can be an annoying process. I would spend hours grinding for BP just to afford anything, especially when trying to spend 200 BP per special coach recruitment.

Accruing BP can move along much faster when using the Union Circle. Playing with friends or strangers will allow you to grind for BP much more efficiently, and group-specific quests can award you loads of points. Group BBQs can be as simple as taking a group picture while wearing Kitakami masks, or as challenging as finding a certain number of hidden Ditto blocks. The most frustrating part of the Union Circle is that, like Ogre Oustin', you cannot randomly play with people online. Players must enter a group code. This is really only possible by going on a subreddit or something, hoping that other players are in the mood to grind for BP. While this is not a difficult process at the moment, it could be problematic for those who want to play the DLC in the future.

But yeah, I overall appreciate the ability to customize. I have my BB League clubroom in the "gorgeous" style at the moment. The DLC also allows players even more hairstyles to choose from, and offers a plethora of new outfits: seasonal BB uniforms and a track outfit, as well as Drayton's getup. They are much more fashionable than Uva/Naranja's school uniforms.

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A strange but seemingly anticipated feature that "The Indigo Disk" implements is called "Pokémon Synchronization." Wowzers!

In the center of Blueberry Academy's terrarium is the plaza, where players can encounter a scientist named Synclaire. She asks you to test out the Synchro Machine, which will allow you to metaphysically synchronize with your leading Pokémon.

Once activated with the L and R-buttons, you become your Pokémon. Like, if you have Ogerpon on hand, you become the ogre. Essentially, players walk around as normal but through the eyes and body of the Pokémon. You can still pick up items and battle in the method of an auto-battle.

It is quite cute and silly . . . but sort of pointless? You can only access the synchro machine inside of the terrarium and nowhere else. The mechanic is also rather slow, meaning that your Pokémon is usually slower than the speed of the MC (especially on Koraidon/Miraidon). However it is just a cute extra gimmick, and it is really cool when players synchronize with Gholdengo because the game essentially transforms into a Tony Hawk title.

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A final addition I will mention is the post-story content.

For one thing, players can now catch almost every single legendary Pokémon imaginable! They are located sporadically around Paldea, but can only be accessed after The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero storyline is fully completed. In the post-game, a weird man named Snackworth will want to talk to you outside of Blueberry Academy. After completing certain amounts of solo quests and group quests, Sanckworth will tell the MC old tales of his childhood where he seems to . . . have met with . . . 25 different legendary Pokémon!?

Snackworth will give vague hints on their whereabouts. In order to have access to all the legendaries, players will need to have completed 130 solo quests and 12 group quests. This side adventure may be sluggish sometimes but it is a high reward. Solo quests are abundant and easy to do but group quests may be harder to access.

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Aside from this, in the post-game, players also unlock the ability to call in special couches to the BB League clubroom. These coaches include Paldean gym leaders, Paldean teachers, and Paldean Elite Four members! The BB Elite Four will be in the clubroom automatically, rotating every now and then (there can only be 3 BB students at a time). The special coaches are expensive as hell, requiring 200 BP per call.

The coaches will have unique dialogue and may even interact with one another. Riku will converse with Tulip, and Hassel has a conversation with Drayton. This may be fanservice-y to some degree, but is in all honesty really cool and interesting. The characters are one of the biggest highlights for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet anyways.

Players can battle the coaches at Blueberry Academy. If you win, you receive special reward items, including a pair of Rhyme's shoes and Clavell's "Clive" wig. If players lose a battle, they are unable to rematch the coach until you call them in with 200 BP again. After recruiting a coach three times, you unlock the ability to trade Pokémon with them! This can also be done with Lacey, Amarys, Drayton, and Crispin.

After doing the epilogue/mythical event called "Mochi Madness," Kieran and Carmine will show up to the BB League room for free. Nemona, Arven, and Penny will also be unlocked as special coaches!

This mechanic is adorable, interesting, and kind of addicting. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the different dialogues with characters you may not expect to mingle with, like the heartwarming interaction between Nemona and Kieran.

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MUSIC: 10/10

I admit that I am a bit easy to please, but I love Pokémon's music. Scarlet and Violet does not miss, especially here in the DLC! "The Indigo Disk" also features the surprising return of Toby Fox's musical talent.

What Game Freak lacks in visuals they make up for in sound. Well . . . not quite literally but you get what I mean.

The DLC soundtrack is a homage to Pokémon Black and White. For fans of Generation V, and people with good taste, the nostalgia and fun will please the senses. It is different enough to be its own soundtrack but includes remixes and renditions of old Unovan beats. For example, the coastal biome's track has a Driftveil City leitmotif. The terrarium wild battle and trainer battle music purely resembles Black and White's soundtrack.

We may not be getting remakes of Generation V now . . . but at least Pokémon fans got a little taste here in the DLC.

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Again, I am a major fan of battle music. Some of my favorite tracks are battle-related, including:

Battle! BB League Elite Four

Battle! Terrarium Wild Pokémon (v.2)

Battle! BB League Champion Kieran

I generally enjoy all of the terrarium music. Black and White are personally my favorite Pokémon games, on the basis of pure nostalgic, love for its Pokémon designs, and continued enjoyment of its story arc.

The battle theme against Kieran, who is now the BB League champion, is a remix of his final battle music from "The Teal Mask." The music adds electric guitars and heavy percussion--it goes hard. The track still captures Kieran's inner turmoil and desperation but combines it with sudden intensity and feelings of megalomania. Players get the sense that Kieran has achieved where he wanted to be in theory, but still lacks fulfillment. He is trying hard, wants to take you down, and he's freaking mental.

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In the second half of the DLC, when traversing deeper into Area Zero, more new music is played. These tracks are cool as well, giving off a mystical yet ominous vibe for the secrets of the Area Zero depths. The Depths music incorporates this demonically angelic chorus that emits this tone suggesting that you are roaming this unexplored, potentially dangerous area.

My favorite entry in the soundtrack is the Battle! Terapagos theme. The ascending and descending piano scale; the sense of dread and awe; the Toby Fox-style insertion of previous leitmotifs; it truly felt like a final boss fight. Even though the battle itself was questionable, I could not help but feel the music. It made the emotional impact of Terapagos' destruction and Kieran's heel-face turn much more powerful.

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The only thing I have to say is, well, in the beautiful words of Kenneth Shepard from Kotaku,

"The real Treasure of Area Zero is this f*cking Ed Sheeran song showing up again."

Yeah . . . uh . . . the end credits theme was a jump scare. I am sorry to Ed Sheeran fans, but not even Toby Fox could save this one.

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STORY: 6/10

"The Indigo Disk" had so much potential.

Pokémon fans had a goldmine of questions because the base game brought about so much intrigue. What exactly is this terastal phenomenon? Was there even more to the story and research of Professor Sada/Turo? Why is there a giant crater in Paldea?

The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero initially presented itself as a key to these questions, delving deeper into why the hell a large ominous hole is in the middle of the continent. Why are Ms. Briar and her ancestor so interested in Terapagos and the Indigo Disk?

Unfortunately. . ."The Indigo Disk" left us with even MORE questions than answers. Leave it to Game Freak to circumvent their own ideas.

Obviously, the main focus for the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero seems to be the character building and interactions, especially regarding Florian/Julianna and his/her relations to the antiheroes Carmine and Kieran. More specifically, the DLC was truly about Kieran and his meta-awareness that he is indeed not the protagonist of the game. Kieran has this slow descend into a power craze and crazy obsessiveness over the MC.

This is fine. I love Carmine and Kieran and I am glad to see that Game Freak handled them well and gave them three-dimensionality. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's greatest strength is the writing and characters alone, and in this regard, Generation IX is one of the top ranks for this category.

Unfortunately, as it has been said, Game Freak has NO IDEA or just puts in zero effort to fix preexisting weaknesses. There are clear performance struggles, but another issue with the base game and the DLC is that the story is too big for its britches. The terastal phenomenon is a gimmick but had hints to great plot depth. You would think that the DLC, being named The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, would resolve this. But, no. I truly, honestly wanted to give the storyline a higher rating, especially since the first half of "The Indigo Disk' was super enjoyable. The plot unfortunately fell off in the second half, when it should have taken off.

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The story begins some time later after the events of "The Teal Mask." Director Cyrano of Unova's Blueberry Academy--sister school of Uva/Naranja--comes to Paldea with the given goal of enrolling the MC as an exchange student. Apparently, Carmine has put in a recommendation for Florian/Julianna.

I personally think that it is a bit odd that only the MC will be an exchange student. Are no other Paldean students in the running for the exchange program?

By the encouragement of Cyrano and Clavell, the MC travels to Unova and arrives at the academy, which is in the middle of Unovan waters. Cyrano gives you a brief tour alongside Lacey, a second-year student and the daughter of famous gym leader Clay. They introduce you to the terrarium, and at the top of the school rests a "terastal core" which was set up by Ms. Briar. She combined the soils and waters from Paldea and Kitakami's crystal pool to grant Pokémon within the terrarium the ability to terastalize. It seems that Ms. Briar is rather vague about her methods and explanations, and Director Cyrano doesn't seem to know what the hell is going on in the school.

Players get a small taste of Blueberry's class algorithm by attending a course in the coastal biome alongside Lacey. The MC then wanders to the central plaza and meets up with their old friend Carmine, who seems a bit more languish than usual. You battle her, and then she asks you if you've seen Kieran. She acts strangely regarding this topic.

Not too much later, Kieran does appear but not to which he can visibly see you or Carmine. You watch Kieran berate and belittle a random BB League member for "not training hard enough." The younger Kitakami sibling seems suddenly abashedly rude and vicious, with his leg vibrating violently (perhaps from anxiety), and he's sporting a new look with a tank top and hair bun. He tries to look intimidating and tall with his chin tilted up, but the little butthole still looks 90 lbs.

After witnessing that kerfuffle, a student named Drayton approaches you and asks if you're friends with Kieran. He then invites you to the BB League clubroom, stating that school will suck if you don't find a club to join. Drayton shows you how to use the room's computer and spend "blueberry points," and convinces you to join the BB League much to Carmine's bewilderment. Drayton is low-key kinda flirty, but in a platonic way, and then asks you out on a lunch date to talk further.

When Drayton leaves the room, Carmine takes you to your new dorm room and talks to you about Kieran and Drayton. She is worried about her brother: after the events of Kitakami, Kieran has grown aloof, mean, and power-hungry. He hardly eats and sleeps and overworks himself. Kieran triumphed through the ranks and became both the champion and the president of the BB League, acting as a huge debbie downer and enforcing super strict club rules. Drayton, who Carmine claims to despise, is potentially brewing up a scheme. She tells you not to trust him and she welcomes the MC to punch him.

Later, Florian/Julianna goes on their lunch date with Drayton, and at this point you can mostly ascertain as to why he wants you to join the league so badly. Drayton views Kieran as this little asshole who should be knocked down a few pegs. Drayton is the former champion, and I do not think that the man is particularly jealous or obsessed with such status, rather, Drayton seems concerned about Kieran's mental health yet he probably also harbors some ill feelings over Kieran's disgusting attitude.

Other club members enter the cafeteria, and Kieran finally spots the MC. Apparently Kieran had no idea that Florian/Julianna was coming as an exchange student. All the members vote on whether or not to let this random ass Paldean join the BB League (as it is against the rules). Amarys and Lacey reject you, but Drayton, Crispin, and Kieran allow you in as the majority. The boys got your back.

You are taken to be enrolled in the BB League, and due to the recommendations of the Elite Four and more importantly Kieran himself, the MC gets to bypass the lower rankings and is allowed to challenge the Elite Four directly. Even though Kieran gave you the go-ahead. . . I mean, damn. He worked so hard to get to his champion rank, and he insists that Florian/Julianna "shouldn't go losing" because HE has to be the one to kick your ass. That is so Zuko core. Perhaps it is more-so an inversion of Nemona's obsession with the MC.

The MC proceeds to get wrapped into the BB League drama and take on all Elite Four members. Both Drayton and Kieran keep an eye on you closely for different reasons. Once you defeat the Elite Four, Julianna/Florian can proceed to battle Champion Kieran. Kieran asserts that he is "no longer the little kid from Kitakami" and begins laying it on thick. Players can send out Ogerpon during the battle and Kieran will flip his shit.

Of course, Julianna/Florian must win because they are the MC, and once successful, Kieran has the ultimate mental breakdown and just stands there unable to speak or move correctly for a long time. Drayton immediately refers to him as "ex-Champion."

Before anyone can process the de-throning, both you, Kieran, Carmine, and Drayton are abruptly called to Ms. Briar's office. Quite bad timing. Lacey grows concerned because, since you are a temporary exchange student, you will eventually have to abandon your champion title. If Kieran is demoted to an Elite Four member, Crispin is pushed out of the ranks. But there is no time to solve this now.

You all go to Ms. Briar and she brings up the fact that Kieran is a big, fat loser. She gathered you all specifically because this quartet are the "strongest" trainers the academy has to offer. She informs you that she has been officially granted permission (after all these years) to delve into the depths of Area Zero. The room is then joined by the Paldean Champion Geeta and Elite Four member Riku, who talk more about the situation and adamantly pressure you into going with Ms. Briar. I mean, yeah, the MC has been there before, and you are considered "champion-ranked." Geeta expresses that all other Paldea league members are inadequate and inferior, so these four children must go instead . . . okay.

So, the MC will go, and Carmine wants to go, and Kieran agrees to join because he suddenly became unhealthily interested in catching Terapagos as means for a last-ditch power grab. Drayton volunteers to stay behind, because he is lazy as hell. Before departure, Geeta gives the player the indigo disk because she is unsure of its purpose despite research efforts. Alright Geeta, entrust a 14 year-old with this powerful unknown object.

The gang flies to Paldea and enters Area Zero once again. Carmine and Kieran are mesmerized . . . but I can infer that the MC must be quaking in their shoes (after what happened with Professor Sada/Turo). You descend down back into the laboratory and Briar finds all these private journal entries. You all get into the elevator after plopping the indigo disk drive into this machine, and the elevator redirects to deeper depths floors.

You exit the elevator and are greeted by these crystalline caves. The team finds even more entries from previous researchers and Professor Sada/Turo themself, talking about the whereabouts of Terapagos (aka the "key to/hidden treasure of Area Zero") and the existence of the "stellar tera type." Nobody had known that any human made it down this far into the depths. As you traverse onwards, the group frequently encounters these powerful Pokémon of the stellar tera type, which has not been seen outside of Area Zero.

After several Pokémon battles and slight bickering with Kieran, you eventually reach an ominous, open room with huge crystals. There is a little green gemstone lodged inside one of the bigger crystals, and Kieran rushes over to attempt to pull it out with his bone-thin arms. He ruminates and expresses frustration and grief over Florian/Julianna and their ability to ravel easily, ability to make friends quickly, their effortless strength, and their ownership of Ogerpon (and multiple legendaries at that). This is a pure expulsion of envy, loneliness, and desperation. Meanwhile, the socially unaware Carmine and MC finally understand what Kieran is so damn mad about. Ms. Briar, on the other hand, ignores this teenage display of angst and continues to obtusely egg Kieran on with his poor behavioral choices.

In a rage, Kieran successfully frees the gem. The gemstone levitates and out pops an adorable, babyish turtle Pokémon. Due to the direction it was facing when it popped out, Terapagos immediately imprinted on the MC due to him/her being in its line of vision. It cheerfully waddles towards the MC, but Kieran notices this immediately and becomes pissed and afraid. He cannot let another chance of bonding with a legendary slip out of his hands, so he whips out a master ball and catches Terapagos. Carmine is shocked and concerned, but Briar applauds him. Now that it is in captivity, Terapagos can be immediately researched upon.

With his new power, Kieran challenges the player to a battle. Kieran only uses Terapagos, which changes form during the fight. Briar encourages him to explore all of its capabilities.

The fight is not difficult at all, and Kieran becomes confused and depressed. He questions as to whether or not this Pokémon is actually the "treasure" of Area Zero. What's wrong with it?

Briar detects that Terapagos' terastal output is far too low. She tells Kieran to terastalize it so it can recognize its full potential. Naive Briar is commanding a mentally ill teenager to behave recklessly, yippee. So, Kieran terastalizes Terapagos . . . but it gets out of hand quickly. Terapagos absorbs so much terastal energy to that it becomes dangerous and uncontrollable. Terastal beams shoot everywhere creating a danger zone. Kieran tries to recall the Pokémon but the master ball freaking breaks. He is almost fatally struck in the head, but Koraidon/Miraidon shields him.

You and Carmine attempt to get Terapagos under control, to hardly any avail. The legendary keeps absorbing both trainers' terastal output. Briar's cowardly ass is over at the sidelines, and Kieran has another nervous breakdown and begins dissociating.

Carmine's Poltchageist quickly faints and the MC is left battling alone for a while. After multiple attempts at encouragement from you and Carmine, Kieran finally snaps back into reality and tries to help the situation. He realizes that he is kind of at fault and that he is not half bad at Pokémon battling. Eventually, you both tame Terapagos, and the MC catches/contains it in a ball.

Once things cool down, Kieran apologizes and bursts into sobs, followed by Carmine. Carmine also rips Briar a new one--Ms. Briar literally recruited mentally unstable children to descend into the most unknown, dangerous place in Paldea.

The gang returns to Unova where Kieran decides to fully apologize, and ask Florian/Julianna if they could start over and craft a friendship on a blank slate. The MC agrees, and the sky grows a romantic pink.

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As mentioned, the first half of the plot is pretty great. It is more surface level but still offers an entertaining depiction of [Pokémon] high school drama. The MC has returned to Kieran's surprise after having departed on a bitter note. While Florian/Julianna presumably carried on with their lives, Kieran has festered in envy and despair over the events of "The Teal Mask," devoting himself solely to getting stronger. You can even see the bags under Kieran's eyes, from the fact he has grown to be an insomniac.

The introductions of Lacey, Amarys, Crispin, and Drayton are executed wonderfully. They add a fun and unique flair to the plot that was largely absent in "The Teal Mask," and their interactions with each other are intriguing and charming. Sure, perhaps it crossed the lines of being "shippy" and dramatic at times . . . but these are all like 14 to 16-year-olds. Pokémon has never really dealt with shipping so upfront, but here you go. Though there is Drayton, who has been held back like three times, so he must be like 19 or 20 or something?

The rivalry between Drayton and the Kitakami siblings is quite amusing. It comes from a place of genuine concern on Drayton's side but it does not negate his cockiness (though to be fair, Kieran was presumably an asshole sore loser to him).

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I would say that the Blueberry Academy part of the game takes up most of players' time, due to the need to explore, catch new Pokémon, and complete trials and challenges. It is a chill adventure with a childishly dramatic story, which serves as an excellent buildup. Briar in the first portion of "The Indigo Disk" seems like a potential villain with more-than-meets-the-eye traits due to her vague explanations and questionable motive. Kieran's rampant self-destruction and callousness towards the League is worth a playthrough . . . players will want to kick his ass for sure.

However, following the defeat of Champion Kieran and the transition into the actual Area Zero parts of the story . . . oh boy, did it sure disappoint. For one thing, Geeta--knowing that her coworkers (like the gym leaders) do not seem to like her--remains weirdly auspicious yet does not seem willing to disclose key information to the people who are actually venturing down into the depths. Is Geeta hiding something? Does she know more about Terapgos and the indigo disk than she leads on? How did she obtain a Glimmora if they are only found in Area Zero? Why is she allowing mostly non-Paldean children over her fellow league members to go inside Area Zero? Game Freak will give zero answers to these questions.

The characterization of Briar became a big mess as well. Her presence in the story is mostly muted . . she could have been so much more. She served as more of a naive nuisance than an actual villain. Briar is a reckless, immature adult absorbed in her own world. She puts three kids in danger due to her erratic thirst for knowledge. She egged on a mentally unstable high schooler to do her own bidding. She was not a more-than-meets-the-eye villain, only an accidental enabler.

And why did Briar not get arrested? Why was she ever granted permission into Area Zero? Did she notice anything wrong with Carmine and Kieran? I feel like child endangerment charges should be filed. Of course, yet again, Game Freak will not answer nor solve any of these questions. In the post-game, Ms. Briar gives the player a book on the retelling of the Area Zero Depths event written by herself. She gives you a bloody book as an apology.

The saddest part about "The Indigo Disk" was how short it was. I had a playtime of 20 hours, in which maybe only two or three of those hours were actually in Area Zero. The depths were a cool concept that failed to actualize. As stated, the game left us with more questions than answers. What is Terapagos doing down there lying dormant in the depths? How is this Pokémon connected to terastalization? Still . . . why is there a huge crater in Paldea? Why does a random eastern town like Kitakami have terastal crystals in the water?

Ogerpon is much more fascinating lore-wise than Terapagos, and is also signifcantly better in combat than Terapagos' stellar tera type.

I mean, Terapagos being a turtle is neat, and so many religions in Asia and the Indigenous Americas focus on some sort of "world turtle" being the grounds for land and life itself. Why was this concept not explored in the Pokémon universe?

I don't know . . . the DLC was just much too short, and the depts were underwhelming. Game Freak could have dug even deeper. The final battle was exhilarating though, and I adored Kieran and Carmine's come-to . . . but still. It is also strange to note that Arven had nothing to do with these events. The old Paldea gang remains absent in both "The Teal Mask" and now "The Indigo Disk." As stated in my last review, these characters were pushed aside to allow the Kitakami siblings to shine. Though I think Area Zero is still really important for Arven . . . unless he is still grieving and traumatized, I do not know.

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SETTING: 8/10

"The Indigo Disk" takes place in two major locations: Blueberry Academy and its terrarium, and the depths of Area Zero.

Graphics aside, the settings are quite stellar. My jaw dropped at the first encounter with the academy and its expansiveness. The layout is circular like a Pokéball, with a plaza in the center and four biomes all around. It is a nice size for a DLC I think; not too overwhelming in scale but full of varied geography. The good thing about a smaller-sized map is that there are significantly fewer instances of boring, barren stretches of land that could be found in the Paldea map. Most anywhere in the terrarium you can find at least something.

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The biomes include the polar, coastal, canyon, and savannah areas. I had the worst performance issues in the savannah biome, and the landscape is probably the most lackluster in my opinion. I mean, savannahs are flat grasslands in reality . . . so I cannot fully blame it in that regard.

I really liked the music and appearance of the coastal biome, and I appreciated the ruggedness of the canyon biome with its huge cave complex you can enter.

The strangest pieces of architecture are the rainbow blocks that loosely resemble structures. The small gazebo-like classrooms and the main central plaza are composed of these blocks. It is very ugly, but I suppose the coloration and brightness make it very visible.

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Inside the academy is neat. You can go to the cafeteria, your dorm room, and the school store, which all mostly looked like Naranja/Uva's interiror but alternately colored. Like in the base game, you can see some of the MC's friend's dorm rooms, like Carmine's and Kieran's (the latter is only accessed after the epilogue is completed). Carmine's room is neat but a bit weird, full of family portraits and Pokémon dolls. Kieran has a total depression room with loose candy wrappers and a dead plant.

The belle of the ball is the BB League clubroom, which can look different depending upon the player's will. With the computer, you can spend BP for the art club's services of remodeling the room. You have the options to make it look normal (wooden walls and a blue carpet), natural (green and full of plants), monochrome (greyscale, hexagonal), fancy (pink dollhouse-like), dark (like a vampire's dining room), classic (darker wood and cabin-like), futuristic (like a kid's rocket-inspired bedroom), and gorgeous (golden, east-Asian inspired). If players get sick of one look, BP can be spent to remodel it again. All the designs are quite charming with my favorites being natural and gorgeous.

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The look of the Depths is alright. It doesn't look radically different from before, but it certainly feels unusual. It looks more humid, cramped, and sparkly, with a foreboding vibe. I am not a fan with the strict linearity of the path from the Depths' start to finish, but at least it moves players along quickly.

The area with the big, crystallized tree surrounded by rainbow-ish water is beautiful. This scene was featured in the trailer. However, I am not quite sure of the significance of this location. Players engage in a stellar terastal battle here, but not much is noted about the tree itself. Stunning for Pokémon standards, but rather unimportant . . .

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COMBAT: 9/10

The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is definitely a step in the right direction for Pokémon, and "The Indigo Disk" itself is a step up from "The Teal Mask." The DLC is hard.

You are going to need Pokémon above level 75 to suffice through part two of the DLC. Players will also face the highest leveled champion of all time, Kieran, who has a team of level 85 Pokémon.

"The Indigo Disk" features callbacks to Unova, in which Blueberry Academy specializes in double battling. Aside from wild encounters, ALL trainer battles will be doubles. This makes challenging the Elite Four and champion even more difficult. Players are going to need to strategize a bit. Even Pokémon that do not appear to be threats can unabashedly use helping hand and other supporting moves for their partner to your demise.

Champion Kieran's team is notably different from who he battled with back in Kitakami. He has come equipped with the most notorious VGC Pokémon of all time, Incineroar, and also has powerhouses like Dragonite and Grimmsnarl, and Pokémon with powerful attacks like Porygon-Z's hyperbeam and Hydrapple's fickle beam. It is evident that Kieran has been studying up and wants to harness only his most capable team members (bye bye little Furret). Kieran, like other trainers, also have a better understanding of how to use berries and focus sashes . . . so watch out. The struggle may annoy some people but appeal to others' competitive edge. It kind of feels as if I am battling another actual person sometimes.

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Fighting and catching some of the new Pokémon in the terrarium's Pokédex is hard. The starter Pokémon in particular, which can be accessed after spending 3,000 BP per biome, are a tough catch. I spent countless Pokéballs to no success for a freaking Froakie or Cyndaquil.

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Instead of any gym challenges, the Blueberry Academy featured league challengers per Elite Four member. These varied in difficulty.

Lacey's trial was a mere Pokemon quiz, and Amarys' challenge was a timed flying trial for Koraidon/Miraidon. These trials were not too hard at all nor too long in length. Players may slip up on certain quiz questions (e.g., what body part does Venonat see out of) or if your flying controls are inverted, it may be tougher.

Crispin's trial required bargaining trainers for spicy ingredients to make a super spicy sandwich. Some of these trainers the player has to battle. It is kind of silly and fun, but certainly longer than Amarys' and Lacey's tests. Drayton has a very unique challenge. You battle three trainers but ONLY with Pokémon you caught in the terrarium itself. This may be simple for some but hard for others, particularly players who had gotten by with their carry-over party from Paldea or Kitakami. I appreciate the little challenge that forces you to actually explore the biomes and attempt to change up the player's team.

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The second half of the DLC has more inconsistent difficulty scaling. There is an addition to the terastalizing gimmick: the stellar tera type. Pokémon usually terastalize into one specific type that may or may not be unusual for the species, but the "stellar" type is like a combination of all types. Honestly, the stellar type is weird and kind of useless . . .

I am unsure as to why this type was added to the game. It seems cool and powerful in name but not in practice. The "stellar" tera type appears for certain Pokémon within the depths of Area Zero, but I had a ridiculously easy time destroying the onslaught of them.

Stellar terastlization is supposed to boost Pokémon moves of all types, but only once per type. The Pokémon will gain the abilities:

Become super effective against other Pokémon that are terastallized.

Keeps the base typing's defensive stats and properties.

Will have no weaknesses nor immunities.

So . . . yeah, kind of strange. Would players rather have a permanent boost on a specific tera type? Probably yes. Essentially, the stellar tera type does nothing for a Pokémon offensively, just defensively.

This made the newly revealed legendary Pokémon Terapagosmrather underwhelming. He is a stellar tera type, and while he looks cool, so what? The animation for Terapagos to terastalize is also awfully laggy and time-consuming. There is virtually no point in terastalizing him.

The boss battle against Terapagos however is unholy broken. It is a difficult fight . . . until it is not. The fight is impossible to get through if your Pokémon is not terastalized, in which Terapagos will be constantly absorbing the player's terastal energy for its own benefit, particularly after every third chunk of HP lost. Non-terastaslized Pokémon do insanely minimal damage.

The battle is actually story-guided. Despite the intensity and the epic soundtrack, the flow of the fight is hardly in the player's control. Carmine's only Pokémon will faint within the first third of the battle, and the MC will be left to his/her own devices in the middle third of the fight. In the final stretch, Kieran, regardless of anything, will come to his senses and help you out to defeat Terapagos.

Admittedly, I did die several times in this fight. Other people probably had no struggle at all. While Terapagos technically changes type every once in a while during the battle, it was hard to notice since it was so plot-oriented. The scariest part of the battle, which killed me, was the vehement spamming of the move "tera star storm."

So, the introduction of the stellar type is kind of a downside. It is simply irrelevant. It does not make too much sense for the player to actually use this mechanic. Once the story is completed, wild Pokémon may randomly develop the stellar tera type. It is not really worth the catch in my opinion; it is a gimmick pure and simple, unable to live up to its epic name.

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ENJOYMENT: 8/10

Overall, I enjoyed my experience with The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC. It has its serious flaws, and perhaps I am too content of a Pokémon fan, but I think my greatest attraction to this game was simply the characters and their development. The writing is humorous, emotional, and thoughtful, and Kieran and Carmine's arcs were refreshing and nicely done. It is great to have poorly adjusted, mentally ill rivals for a change, rather than the classic friendly competitor.

"The Indigo Disk" provided a fun challenge with its double battle system and high-leveled Pokémon, and I never got bored of fighting. I only was bogged down by the grinding for BP, but give or take it is an optional mechanic. I was thriving in my childhood memories of roaming around Pokémon Black and White, jamming out to the soundtrack reminiscent of Generation V.

Scarlet and Violet once again introduced visually and personality-appealing characters and Pokémon designs. Hydrapple has been a huge hit it seems, and I see some fans calling Applin the "new Eevee."

Of course, Game Freak must get itself together. There are no excuses for bugs, glitches, FPS drops, and graphical issues in 2022 onwards. Game Freak also needs to stop shying away from its own story questions they propose; the company is full of interesting ideas, they just need to figure out how to adequately implement them through and through. Yet, I just know the next mainline games are going to abandon and forget the concept of terastalization and all the power it holds in the Pokémon lore.

Regardless, I think that Pokémon fans will have a great time with this DLC and a gang of characters to remember and cherish.

TOTAL TIME SPENT: 40ish hours

OVERALL SCORE: 7/10

PLATFORM USED: Nintendo Switch

DATE OF COMPLETION: May 2024

#pokémon #pokemon scarlet and violet #scarlet and violet #pokemon dlc #pokemon review #the indigo disk #the hidden treasure of area zero #pokemon carmine #pokemon kieran #blueberry academy #video games #nintendo #nintendo switch #game freak

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amessageonthewind · 1 year ago

Text

September Selfship Prompts Challenge

7. Napping/cuddling

Pairing: Adaman/Rachel during Legends: Arceus (spoiler alert for really far along in the timeline)

Author's note: Clue and Hint are OCs that belong to my buddy @kammyclues

The world felt like it was ending all at once. This wasn’t supposed to happen, everything was supposed to wrap up nicely once Lord Avalugg was quelled. Rachel had everything she could want, respect across Hisui, respect and admiration within Jubilife Village, and loyal Pokémon that would follow her through time and space.

All that was missing were a number of her memories and a way to get back home to her time.

And all at once, within the span of a morning, that was all almost ripped away from her. The sky turned red, clouded by strange abstract geometry as though reality itself were tearing at the seams, the rift having grown into an angry shatter in the sky, spitting lightning fiercely. Everyone in the village looked to her for answers, but Rachel had none.

She had no idea how to fix this, but she couldn’t bear to see everyone so frightened and uncertain. Whatever she needed to do, whatever solution the Galaxy Team came up with to fix this, she would do. If it meant helping these people and this land be free from this curse, she would do anything.

But she never would have expected to be made an immediate scapegoat by her own Commander. It came as such a shock that Adaman and Irida were quick to reprimand him for such a decision, but Kamado stuck to it. After all, Rachel was the outsider from the rift.

No matter how illogical it was that she could have had anything to do with this, or that she would dare want to hurt any of these people. The betrayal she felt cut deeper than anything she had ever felt, rage building to a mounting point when in the same breath that he would banish her from the village to survive alone in the wilds, he would task her with the impossible task of solving this catastrophe, but then threaten the Diamond and Pearl Clans with war if they came to her aid.

Though, should she really be surprised? He did warn her that he would make harsh decisions in order to protect the village. She just didn’t think it would ever come to this. For all his talk of her needing to earn everyone’s trust as an outsider through her actions, none of that mattered now.

Especially given how quick he was to break hers.

Her rage and betrayal could not be contained. She couldn’t hold her tongue. After all, Kamado was officially discharging her from the Galaxy Team – she didn’t take orders from him, anymore. So, she berated him for having the audacity to threaten the native people of this land with war if they helped her, berated him for choosing to make her a scapegoat because it was easier to blame the outcast than it was to admit that he didn’t know what to do about this.

Simply put, Kamado was a fool and a coward and Rachel wanted nothing to do with him anymore, but the deep scars in her heart couldn’t be hidden. Her captain mournfully escorted her out of the village and Rachel wilted under the whispers of everyone. Everyone she had ever helped, everyone she had ever gone out of her way to assist, to help them understand Pokémon and Hisui itself, everyone she had bonded with and made a personal connection with.

All of that might as well not happened, everyone quick to turn on her and blame her for this catastrophe that had befallen them, never mind everything she had ever done for them. Bitterness broiled in her chest as tears threatened to spill from her eyes, angry like a rushing river.

The only comfort she could take was that neither Irida nor Adaman’s faith in her were shaken. That was more important to her than the Galaxy Team’s approval. What a twist of irony…an outcast accepted by the natives rather than the outsiders. It would be comical, if every step didn’t feel as though it were driving a dagger into her chest.

Meekly, she asked Cyllene to let her change and gather her things before leaving, which the Captain granted. After all, she was no longer a Survey Corps member. Thus, she could no longer wear her uniform.

But with another twist of the knife, the moment she donned the attire she had worn when she fell into this world, Rachel finally saw herself in the mirror as herself. After travelling, fighting, surveying, and slowly regaining her memories and remembering who she was, for the first time since arriving here, she finally felt…whole.

She finally felt like herself wearing what she had arrived with, Cedric on her shoulder as he had always been. Rachel could only allow herself to shed a few tears as she made to leave the lodge.

Hanging her head as she left her Survey Corps uniform in her old lodge, Rachel continued to let Cyllene lead her out of the village. When she saw everyone glowering at her as she was escorted to the outside gate, she wanted to shout. She wanted to scream at them, to rake them over the coals for their quickness to betray her. ‘How could you do this to me?! How could you after everything I did for you without ever asking for a thing in return?!’ She wanted to scream and shout at them.

But she couldn’t. They were just as scared and unsure as her, and even though they were confused and didn’t know what was happening, they were still people. They were mere civilians who didn’t deserve this calamity to befall them.

This wasn’t their fault. They were merely the sheep following the lead of their shepherd. The words ‘I’m sorry…’ were all she could manage as she was forced to leave the village.

Outside the gates, it was clear that she was not without allies. Her heart felt empty and hollow, torn apart, but knowing that she had support lessened the sting. Though not by much, for the sting of betrayal burned much deeper than she would have ever thought possible. Rei, Captain Cyllene, and Professor Laventon all expressed their disapproval of Kamado’s decision, but could do nothing to change it.

Rachel could hardly blame them, so she kept her bitter tongue held so tightly she was sure it would bleed. Anyone who was her ally would be branded an enemy, and the only thing worse than being alone was others getting hurt or punished simply for associating with her. She couldn’t bear the thought of inflicting this punishment on them by simple proximity.

They didn’t deserve this any more than she did.

Even if she didn’t have Kamado’s support, she at least had Captain Cyllene’s. That was enough for her. Even if her respect and trust in the Commander had been completely shattered, Cyllene’s remained sturdy and steadfast. Rachel held onto that like it was the only stable ground in a world of shifting tectonic plates.

She didn’t have the first idea of how to fix this, but she had to try and she couldn’t do it alone. All she could do now was try to ask for help from the Diamond and Pearl Clans. One step at a time…just do the next right thing…

Pulling out her Celestica Flute, Rachel paused looking at it. It was a gift from the Diamond Clan after she had earned Wyrdeer’s favour. She wasn’t good at flutes, but she put in the effort to learn how to play it so that she could be a part of Hisui’s culture, so she could connect with the sacred Pokémon that viewed her in such high regard.

Would Wyrdeer even come when called…? There was only one way to know…

Trying to compose herself enough to play the flute properly, its eerie timbres echoed across the fieldlands. For a moment, Rachel was worried that her worst fears would come true. That even the sacred Pokemon that had granted her their favour would abandon her now, too.

But to her relief, the familiar white shape bounded across the fields to greet her, bowing his head in greeting. “Solemn greetings, traveler from the rift…” He said to her.

She couldn’t contain her relief. Once again, she was outcasted by people, but accepted by Pokémon. Rachel felt like she was a weak, snivelling child, again. Reaching out, she held Wyrdeer close by the neck, burying her face into the soft fur to wipe away the tears that threatened to leak out and stain her cheeks. “It’s good to see you…” She murmured to him.

Feeling a nudge against her cheek, Rachel glanced aside at the familiar dark-furred Zorua on her shoulder. She had learned firsthand how different the Zorua here were from her time. Their fur was white and billowing with hatred and spite, Normal-and-Ghost-Type Pokémon with yellow eyes. Their evolutions were no different, perhaps even more hateful and spiteful than their preevolutions.

Yet somehow, Rachel had gained the favour of one called Vendetta. The idea that spite, hatred, and rage could be used in service of kindness and compassion was a foreign one that struck her curiosity, so the human allowed her to travel alongside the rest of her Pokémon. And in return, she gained the Zorua, now Zoroark’s unyielding loyalty.

Cedric was not like that. They were reclusive and shy Dark-types that used their Illusions to avoid people, so protect themselves. They were prone to mischief, but nothing more.

And yet, people still distrusted them. Still outcasted them. Still misunderstood them.

In this way, she and Cedric were one and the same. They understood each other in a way no one else did or could. They were each other’s constant friend, never one without the other.

And now, she clung to him like he was her lifeline. He was the only connection she still had to her own world, and he had been her constant friend since the beginning. She wouldn’t have come this far without him.

With him by her side, Rachel would be alright. She just had to press onward. “Let’s go. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover and not a lot of time to waste…”

Mounting Wyrdeer with Cedric firmly in her lap, Rachel’s eyes still burned with tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She couldn’t stand to be here any longer, simply wanting to move on so she could have a moment of privacy and peace to herself to just…sit and feel without observers. She felt comfortable being vulnerable with her Pokémon in a way she simply couldn’t with most people, especially not right now.

The sound of one of her Pokémon emerging from its ball triggered a heavy sigh from its trainer and Rachel turned to see that Stormfast, her Samurott, was standing before the professor. “Stormfast, come on. We have to go.”

But she didn’t move, Professor Laventon staring nervously at the creature. Then, she did something none of them expected. She leaned forward and pressed her black shell helmet against his face, bellowing lowly. None of them could understand them, but Rachel understood what she had said perfectly.

She could no longer contain her tears, letting them fall from her eyes as she watched Stormfast express her gratitude towards the man who had allowed the two of them to meet, Pokémon and trainer. “What’s…what’s-?”

“She said…” Rachel blubbered, wiping her eyes as she struggled not to break into a sob, the words being caught in her throat. “‘Thank you for finding me and bringing me here.’”

Laventon already knew about her ability to understand Pokémon since the day they’d met. He’d kept his promise he made to Rachel to keep her secret, so he was both shocked for her to reveal her secret to Rei and Cyllene this way, and warmed by the sentiment expressed by the Pokémon he had given to Rachel.

He was a scientist, first and foremost, but he never considered that the Pokémon that helped him with his research would have any sentimental attachment to him. It touched his heart in a deeply profound way he never thought possible.

Rei and Cyllene did not know this because Laventon had kept his promise. Her trust in the professor could never be broken, he had remained kind and faithful in her since day one, the first to advocate for her and the first to support her. It was clear now that his support didn’t waver.

He was a true friend in the Galaxy Team.

Rei seemed utterly shocked, but Cyllene, ever perceptive, did not. The fact that she suspected that Rachel’s connection to Pokémon was stronger than she let on, but didn’t say anything about it and continued to support her proved that her trust in the Captain was not misplaced.

Exchanging a look with each of them, Rachel recalled Stormfast to her Pokéball and looked ahead towards the fieldlands. It was impossible to tell whether it was still morning or not with the angry crimson sky above them, which only made time more of the essence. “Come on…let’s go.” She ordered Wyrdeer as they left the Fieldlands Camp. She glanced back once more before she turned her eyes to the road ahead.

Grandtree Arena. That was where they had to go first, to see Lian about if they could get aid from the Pearl Clan. “We’re really on our own this time, aren’t we…?” She said to Cedric as they continued to trek through the fieldlands.

Looking up at Rachel, Cedric pressed his head into her arm as he curled up on her lap. “Maybe…but at least we’re all together.” He said to her once they were out of earshot of the others. It may have been safe for Rachel to reveal her secret, but not for Cedric to reveal his. Especially with how Zorua from Hisui were already seen and regarded as monsters. “And believe me, I’m not going anywhere. I followed you through time and space and I’ll do it a hundred times over.

“We started this together, and that’s how we’ll finish it.” His bright blue eyes swirled at her as they sat there together, letting Wyrdeer lead them across the fieldlands. “I promise.”

She could have teleported to the arena with her Arc Phone, but there was a deep seeded anger in her chest so great that she didn’t even want to bring herself so low to beseech almighty Sinnoh for assistance. Her anger at the deity who brought her to this world, only to have her be forsaken by it was incomparable.

No, she would not seek a god’s help. He would remain ever silent anyways, ignoring her pleas and cries for answers. Nothing could be gained through prayers but empty air and broken promises.

But she also needed a moment to just let herself cry. All of the anger, stress, betrayal, everything came out of her eyes and she crumpled on Wyrdeer’s saddle, holding Cedric close to her chest while she cried. How could this happen? How could Kamado do this to her, after everything she did? How could the people of the village forget everything she had done for them and turn their backs on her?

How could they? How could they?! She trusted them with her life, and they betrayed her when they needed an easy answer to ease their fears!

None of these questions would go answered, not by mortal nor god. So, all there was left to do was wail and cry for the injustices she was dealt. All she could do was hope that the Diamond and Pearl Clans would be able to help her, would be able to lend her their aid so that she didn’t have to face this impossible task alone.

Unfortunately, she was wrong. Lian initially blamed her for the rift, but calmed after she asked for his help. Alas, he couldn’t offer her help. How could he? Everyone was in a panic and he was just a boy and Kamado had threatened the Pearl and Diamond Clans if they interfered.

How could she ask Lian to risk his safety for her sake? He was just a boy.

Though her hopes to receive help from the Pearl Clan were dashed, her hopes with the Diamond Clan unfortunately were as well. Though Mai was not antagonistic like Lian was initially, she still could not offer aid to Rachel and she was unfortunately right that the last thing Rachel wanted was for the Diamond Clan to go to war with the Galaxy Team.

She didn’t want anyone getting hurt because of her. She didn’t want to hurt anyone! How could Kamado think that she did this?! How could he ever think that she would ever want to hurt any of these people that she risked her life for time and time again?!

Regretfully, she had exhausted all of her options. She was homeless, alone, and listless. She had no idea how to fix any of this and no one here could help her.

Even on Wyrdeer’s backside, she no longer had the strength to go on. Stopping the Pokemon by the river, she dismounted clumsily, staggering on her feet. Even Cedric couldn’t stay on her shoulder with how unsteadily she was walking. This wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair! She felt excruciating pain in her stomach and in her chest, but at the same time she felt so numb.

She trembled as she walked. What could she do? How could she fix this? Why was it her responsibility to fix this? Why did it have to come down to her?! She didn’t do this! This wasn’t her fault!

Why was she being punished for a crime she didn’t commit with no evidence?! Why did the burden of proof have to fall on her when she wasn’t the one who made the accusation?!

A beeping sound called out to her from her pocket. That accursed phone…her lips curled into a snarl as she clawed it out of her satchel like prey being pulled out of a burrow, holding her catch in her hand so tightly she was surprised she hadn’t broken it.

Not a word of comfort, not a directive for how to proceed, not an answer for how to fix this.

Just silence. An empty map with nothing in it worth investigating.

“Is this what you want, almighty Sinnoh…?” She snarled lowly with enough venom to put down an alpha Hippowdon, practically spitting it with such vitriol that the deity’s name would be coated in it. “You want me to beg? You want me to beg for your help? You want me to beg you to help me? Well, I won’t! I will never beg for help from a god as cruel as you! You want me to suffer?! Fine! You got what you wanted, now leave me the FUCK alone!”

Winding up her arm, she wanted to throw the damn thing into the river, free herself from Sinnoh’s curse and flee. If she could, she would burn down the heavens right now for the cruelty that fate had shown her in one morning. Or was it afternoon? Was it nightfall? No, the Drifloon hadn’t come out, yet.

Gripping the Arc Phone tightly, angry tears pouring out of her eyes like the hot lava that spilled out of the volcano on Firespit Island, Rachel growled with the pain of a thousand wounds before she threw it to the side. Even if she destroyed it by throwing it in the river, she would not be free from this. Arc Phone or not, Sinnoh’s help or not, she was trapped here. She had no family to turn to, no friends to rely on.

Her only company was her Pokémon, and they counted on her to know what to do, and she was so lost.

Lost, alone, and stranded in a world she didn’t belong in where nothing was familiar. The despair began to claw at her very, like it was going to skin her and then empty out her insides and leave her a hollow husk. She was never going to see her family again…was she? She would never see her friends again, she would never see Clue again, and she would never see Cynthia again.

She would never see Zinnia again.

The words she had spoken to her at the top of Sky Pillar, once a source of melancholic nostalgia burned like hot iron against her cheeks as she raised her head to the sky. Zinnia, Rachel’s beloved, looked up to the sky so that her tears wouldn’t fall when she was so grief-stricken that her heart felt like it was going to break.

Rachel couldn’t even take comfort in the words of the woman she loved. Because when she looked up at the blazing scarlet sky, her tears practically scalded her face as she cried. No amount of staring up at the sky could stop her heart from shattering into a million pieces.

It was over…she lost. She did everything right…and she lost everything.

From the depths of her chest and her upturned churning belly, a raw scream ripped itself free from the woman’s throat, pure unfiltered anguish echoing loudly across the fieldlands so sharp and so painful that the Pokémon turned tail and ran at the sound of it.

Heartbreak was never so loud.

It was so loud that it echoed across the fieldlands all the way to Adaman and Irida. They were about to part ways after informing Lian and Mai of the situation with Kamado and the Galaxy team when they heard it, louder than anything he had ever heard despite it being so far away. It was the most painful sound he had ever heard.

The sound of a heart breaking.

He remembered what Rachel had said to him when he expressed a moment of doubt in his leadership in the Crimson Mirelands, when she helped him find Arezu after she had gotten injured. ‘The mark of a good leader is one who does what’s right no matter the risk.’

Glancing aside at Irida after they heard the unmistakable sound of Rachel’s raw pain and anguish, he knew that they had the same thought. She had impacted both of their lives in a way that brought change to their very ways of life, of seeing the world, of leading their peoples. She remembered the exchange she had with the woman after Lord Arcanine had been quelled and she expressed doubt in her contributions. ‘A strong leader does what she thinks she should do, not what others expect her to do. She does what she thinks is right, not without council, but without the pressure of expectations.’

They knew she was right on both accounts. Irida could feel how wrong Kamado’s decision as leader was standing in that room while he accused Rachel of being responsible for frenzying the nobles and cursing the world with this crimson sky. And Adaman couldn’t stand hearing Kamado blame her for something that clearly wasn’t her fault and not bothering to lift a finger to help her with the impossible task he saddled her with.

No. They both knew what the right thing to do was. “We can’t just sit idly by, can we?” Irida said, speaking the shared thought out loud.

“For once, we agree.” Adaman said, affirming their resolve as they looked off into the distance of the fieldlands.

Barely a moment of silence passed between the two clan leaders before Irida spoke once more. “Then what are we waiting for? We have to help her, and there’s no time to lose.”

Raising an eyebrow, he was surprised to hear her say that. He couldn’t help but laugh a little, warmed that she was extending the branch to him by speaking to him in his language. “And we’ve got a lot of space to cover, so let’s go find her.”

Where they found her was a painful sight. She was surrounded by all of her Pokémon, clutching Cedric tightly as she sobbed. Even Wyrdeer was offering her his comfort, lying beside her and her Pokémon while she wept. That was the one comfort that could possibly be had.

When you had a bond with Pokémon, you were never truly alone.

Irida and Adaman spotted Volo approaching her and before they could approach, their own Pokémon stopped them. Leafeon and Glaceon forbid their respective clan leaders from going forward, imploring them to wait and observe instead.

Adaman didn’t want to just wait, but Irida thought it would be best to. After all, they didn’t want to scare Volo away or overwhelm Rachel. They needed to take a moment to be cautious.

The Ginkgo Guild merchant was as plucky as always, interrupting Rachel in the middle of her darkest hour. Oddly enough, the lack of change in his attitude was a comfort. The odd man was the most normal thing for her right now, so she clung to that normalcy like driftwood in a storm at sea. Though he was rather odd, his passion for history and ruins reminded her so much of Cynthia.

It was very easy for her to see him as a big brother. It was likely that they were related, somehow. He and Cynthia did bear a striking resemblance.

Volo was the only familiarity that hadn’t been soured by the pain of being outcasted and left to fend for herself, so naturally, she let him lead her. If he had a place for her to stay and shelter, she had to take it. If there was no home for her among the Diamond or Pearl Clans, she needed to find somewhere and she couldn’t afford to be picky about it.

Accepting his offer to give her somewhere to go, Rachel recalled all her Pokémon and took Volo astride Wyrdeer, prompting him to lead the way.

“Where is he taking her?” Adaman grumbled from their hiding place.

Irida shook her head. She had intimate knowledge of the vast expanse of Hisui, but she had no idea where Volo could be taking Rachel. “I’m not sure.”

That wasn’t a good enough answer for the Diamond Clan leader. And if they wanted to know, they needed to act now. “There’s only one way to find out.”

Agreeing, the Pearl Clan leader pulled out her Celestica Flute. “Since we can’t summon Wyrdeer, who should we summon?”

“Braviary.” Adaman decided immediately. “It’ll be the best way to keep up with them without lagging too far behind.”

Quivering a little bit, Irida shuddered. “We have to fly?”

“Do you want to help Rachel or not?” Adaman asked Irida.

“Of course I do! Just…give me a moment, will you?”

It was a bit odd that they had to travel so far. They had to travel across the Obsidian Fieldlands and the Crimson Mirelands to get to where Volo was leading them. Once they crossed it and approached the small clearing, Rachel spotted a tent similar to the ones in the Diamond and Pearl Clan Settlements. Only one person lived here. Was this where Volo lived?

Adaman and Irida were equally as dumbfounded when they followed them on Braviary. Adaman rode on the bird Pokémon’s backside while Irida took the gliding sling he was carrying. Her eyes were sharper than Adaman’s, so he trusted her sight better than his. How come they had never seen this retreat, before?

Regardless, they approached.

Which was how Adaman ended up here, on Wyrdeer’s backside with Rachel in front of him. Instinctively, the Diamond Clan leader had his arm around the woman’s waist while she drove Wyrdeer. They were on their way to Lake Valour, the first of three due to its close proximity to the Ancient Retreat, but for some reason despite time being of the essence, Rachel was taking her time getting there on Wyrdeer’s back.

And he knew her well enough to know that she had her reasons for everything she did, even if her reason was as simple as ‘it’s fun and it makes me happy.’

“Is there a reason you’ve decided on Wyrdeer to chaperone us to the lakes rather than Braviary?” He decided to ask, wanting to at least try to help ease her worries or take her mind off things.

There was a lot going on in her mind. So much Rachel couldn’t properly express. But mostly, she was just exhausted and tired. She had no idea if a day had passed, but she felt like she hadn’t slept in multiple days. Simply put, she was running on fumes and struggling to continue her quest. She wasn’t even doing this for Kamado, really.

She was doing it for the same reason she did everything she had thus far. It needed to be done, so it would be.

Rachel was just glad she finally had a way forward. Miss Cogita was very kind to let her and her Pokémon shelter at her retreat for the time being, and her depth and wealth of knowledge she provided at least gave her some answers. She, like Volo, was incredibly familiar and in her own way, reminded her of Cynthia. Her calm coolness and the way she held herself reminded her so much of her sister, though perhaps an older visage of her.

At the very least, Miss Cogita gave her a lead to follow to fix this crimson sky and that angry crack in reality.

But there was a catch. The only way to fix this was to close the rift, and that rift was her only way home. Which meant…her time in Hisui was quickly coming to a close. She would finally be able to go back, reunite with her friends, her family, with Zinnia again.

She would finally be back where she belonged. All she needed to do was face each Pokémon at each lake in order to craft the Red Chain in order to bind the world at the Shrouded Ruins, and then she could go home. It didn’t make much sense, but it was the only lead she had and it was as good as any at this point.

So, she had to take it.

Yet, with Adaman at her side throughout this quest, a heavy feeling sat thickly in her stomach. By going home, it meant saying goodbye to him. Him and everyone she had ever grown to care about in this region. Adaman, Irida, and the various members of the Diamond and Pearl Clans.

Volo, Hint, and Ingo. A sharp needle of guilt wedged itself into her chest. If she was going home, she needed to find a way to get him home to where he belonged, too. He had just as much a need to go through that rift before it closed as she did.

Rachel couldn’t leave him stranded here. She just couldn’t.

But her trepidations at saying goodbye to the allies and friends she’d made here left her unwilling to rush to Lake Valour. Maybe that was why she was taking her time…she wanted to savour whatever was left of it. “I have every reason.” She said, unable to mask the exhaustion in her voice with even a shred of playfulness she was so used to speaking to Adaman with. “If the world has a chance of ending and I have to go home before I save it, I want to spend as much time as I can with the people that matter most to me before I go.”

That reason made his breath waver as he held her. He had grown used to the way his heart lurched and fluttered when it was around her, but never did it do as such so strongly as when Irida and Adaman finally made their entrance into the Ancient Retreat to meet Rachel there. Knowing where Rachel was, Adaman took the opportunity to reassure his people that all was handled and Irida did the same, passing a message on to the rest of the wardens at their respective nobles’ seats.

His responsibility as leader didn’t change because he had another responsibility to take.

But all thoughts of he and Irida’s plans to help her were completely forgotten once their eyes met. Though her eyes were still raw and red from all the crying and anguish she had been suffering, she couldn’t stop herself from breaking into another set of tears as she practically ran forward into the two clan leaders, stumbling before them and collapsing onto the ground before she could reach them.

Not even a thought crossed their minds before Adaman and Irida both moved to envelop the poor woman in their embrace, Irida holding her from behind and Adaman letting Rachel cling to his chest by his haori. He held her tightly as she sobbed into his chest, blubbering apologies and admitting to her fears as he simply held her, letting her unload. It was one thing to cry alone, but another to cry to another.

She needed this, and he was glad to be a beacon of safety for her. He and Irida both. She had grown incredibly dear to the both of them, so they both had to do everything they could to help her overcome this grievous injustice dealt to her and help her put the world right, again.

While both the Pearl and Diamond Clans couldn’t openly help Rachel, they could still both do something to help. So, he left that choice up to her. She decided that Irida’s cautious and careful leadership style would be best suited to help Commander Kamado see reason, while Adaman’s direct and efficient leadership style would be best suited to help Rachel with her task of crafting the Red Chain.

So, here he was, holding onto Rachel like she was the last person alive in the whole world. “Is that why you wanted me to come with you instead of just meeting me at the lake?”

Rachel nodded, barely moving as she kept her eyes on the path ahead. Her eyelids felt like lead, straining against exhaustion and her eyes hurting from the harshness of the bleeding sky. “I don’t know what’s going to happen once we craft the Red Chain…I don’t know what it means to ‘Bind the World,’ and I don’t know if this will even work…” She paused, struggling to think of how best to say what she was feeling under the pressure of how tired she was. “But regardless of what happens…I know that I want to spend as much time as I can with you…there may not be much of it left from here on out…”

Adaman was quiet. Though he shared the sentiment deeply, he didn’t want to think in such a catastrophic way. They would succeed. They would do this. If anyone could, it was Rachel.

But not if she could barely stay sitting up straight. He could feel her teetering on Wyrdeer’s saddle. “You should try and rest. We have plenty of time before we reach Lake Valour.” Adaman said gently to her, resting his chin on her head. “And if you want, you can rest in the Diamond Settlement. I’ll make sure no one interrupts you.”

Though she knew he was right about how tired she was, Rachel shook her head. They couldn’t afford to stop. They had to keep going. “We can’t afford to stop.”

“Then at least rest here. You need it.” Adaman insisted, holding her even tighter against him.

When her eyelids fluttered closed for a moment and she had to snap them open, she knew there was no longer any fighting with the Diamond Clan leader. He was right, and that was that. “Alright…” She relented, nudging the dark-furred Zorua in her lap. “Hey, Cedric? Can you drive the rest of the way to the lake? I can barely keep my eyes open…”

Sitting up, he nodded. “Go ahead and take five.” He said in his Pokemon tongue so as to not startle Adaman with his human speech. “It’s night and he’s right. You need to rest after spending so much energy today.”

She sighed, already instinctively leaning backward against the man. “It’s hard to tell what time of day it is with this damn sky…” Rachel murmured as she got comfortable.

Cedric quickly hopped up on Wyrdeer’s head, keeping watch as they navigated through the mirelands towards the lake. As he let her shimmy, Adaman tried to hold and cradle her in a way that would let her properly rest as she slept in his arms. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall off.”

Chuckling weakly, she nestled her head into the crook of his arm, already being soothed and lulled to sleep by his warmth and the comfort of his soft clothes. His comforting scent did much to relax her, the scent of earth and wildgrass from the mirelands he thrived in.

Even just being near Adaman, she had an easier time trying to sleep than she did any of the nights she spent in her lodge in Jubilife Village. Here, she knew she was safe. Here, she knew she wouldn’t be judged harshly. Here, her acceptance wasn’t conditional.

Adaman cared about her no matter where she came from or who she was. She helped him and his clan, sure, but that was simply how they met and got to know each other. She didn’t have to pretend around him. She didn’t have to hide from him.

She was completely safe with him. “You know what’s funny?” Rachel murmured as she let her eyelids fall closed in his arms.

“Mm?” He hummed, glancing down at her to make sure she wouldn’t fall off of Wyrdeer. He melted when he looked at her. She already looked so peaceful, like she hadn’t had a good sleep in weeks. He didn’t like the thought that that could be true. Every time he arrived to be briefed by Kamado about a new noble that needed quelling, she always complained about having a rough sleep.

Shifting once more to get even more comfortable, Rachel reached out to hold his right hand in hers, keeping it close to her chest as though she were holding onto a stuffed toy like a child. “I already feel like…I can sleep easier…knowing you’ll be there when I wake up…” She muttered, pressing the back of his hand to her face.

Breathing evenly in an attempt to calm the rapid beating of his heart, he held her hand, softly rubbing his thumb along her knuckles. It wasn’t right what the Galaxy Team did. She didn’t deserve this.

But he’d make this right. He’d do whatever it took to right this wrong and bring justice. They would fix this.

Together.

#SafeshipSeptember #୨⎯ A Message On The Wind ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Then It Has Done You No Good At All ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Pokémon Trainer Rachel ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Leader of the Diamond Clan ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Leader of the Pearl Clan ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Tricky as a Fox ⎯୧ #full disclosure this one is VERY angsty #can you tell how much this part of the game has fucked with me?#i used this as an excuse for hurt/comfort

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saragl728 · 2 years ago

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A bit of Fridge Horror about the Explorers and Amethio

Warning: this is going to contain spoilers about not only the main games, but also other media like manga.

Since Amethio was stated to be a teenager by his voice actor, this raies some questions:

The other teens that were in a villain team were:

N(games and probably the adaptations): was raised for that role.

Green(F) and Silver were kidnapped raised for some years by Mask of Ice(aka Pryce) before they escaped. They weren't the only ones. Other four people were kidnapped. By the time the GSC arc starts Green and Silver were 14 and 11 years old.

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure(manga), Mitsumi(this manga's version of Dawn) is also a teen and she was a member of Team Galactic.

So, my conclusion is that it's possible that Amethio has a backstory on these lines.

#pokemon horizons #amethio

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whichuniverseisthis · 1 year ago

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A wholesome chapter. Beware of spoilers!

First - Vs Starly

Previous - Vs Vespiquen & Mothim I

Next - Vs Wingull

Last - Vs Dialga & Palkia VI

Chapter 45 / Chapter 382

Baby is so cute! What a good way to start a chapter.

Technically, Riley was the first to put it in danger. Since, you know. He hid it between the wild Pokémon.

This is a really feel-good chapter, compared to the last three. The truth is, Dia's true power is that he converts everyone to his side. Kinda like Luffy in One Piece, but less violently.

I wonder why Team Galactic was spying on him specifically, though. They didn't watch Pearl and Platinum, but they followed Dia who was supposedly the weakest and least concerning of the trio.

Actually no, he never saw it. The only one that was used before was in Lost Tower, and only Uji and Paka saw it.

I'll never forgive the translator for changing the gag.

Ok, but when did he have the time to do it? Dia literally left for Iron Island the same day they decided to leave.

This is such a good moment. It's really adorable and heartwarming. Compared to most other Dexholder they really have normal family situations.

"Protect Sinnoh's future" So... Protect time? As in, Dialga's domain? As in, the cover legendary for Diamond? Maybe?

Thinking about this and remembering the whole thing with Sird. The guy did say he didn't want to cause casualties, so it must be Sird's aura.

#dp commentary #pokespe #trainer diamond #pokespe diamond #trainer pearl #pokespe pearl #trainer platinum #pokespe platinum #platinum berlitz

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platinum-berlitz · 1 year ago

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I’m Platinum Berlitz. I’m a Pokémon trainer.

I have started traveling to different regions to defeat the best trainer in every region, to gain knowledge of what Pokémon truly are.

Currently, I am in Sinnoh. I hope to go to Unova next, I just have to ask for permission first… (Introduction still a wip, this is just what I have so far :])

My team:

Rapidash: Modest. Often lost in thought.

Empoleon: Serious. A little quick tempered.

Lopunny: Naive. Alert to sounds.

Froslass: Quiet. Very finicky.

Cherrim: Docile. Impetuous and silly.

Pachirisu: Quirky. Highly curious.

(Hello!

This is part of a trio of blogs based on the characters Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum from Pokémon Adventures! [@justdiamondthings, @willpowerpearl, and @platinum-berlitz respectively]

These blogs may contain spoilers for the Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum arc of the series.

These characters are not 18, so please keep your gross stuff away from them.

DNI if you’re homophobic, transphobic, or racist

These blogs are focused on ‘what if Diamond/Pearl/Platinum had a Tumblr blog’ and thus will be posting like that. Feel free to roleplay, but it is not the purpose of this blog.

Platinum specifically will partially be roleplaying, as this version of Platinum is interested in becoming the best battler there ever was, so she might roleplay gym battles and such.

Follows will be from @i-am-a-snivy

Swearing may happen occasionally, when it does I’ll tag it with a tw

I am new to Tumblr, so I may mess up at times. Feel free to tell me ways I can improve!)

#introducing post #platinum berlitz #platinum Pokémon #Pokémon adventures #pokémon #Rapidash #empoleon #lopunny #froslass #cherrim #pachirisu #Platinum Pokemon Adventures #pokemon adventures

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koffing-time · 1 year ago

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tix as the legends: arceus protag au

//i had to think a lot about this because Tix is not really the protagonist type (i think?) Also sorry for taking so long to answer

-> Tix would choose Rowlet as their starter. They do love grass types.

-> Tix would probably spend MONTHS just, playing with and caring for the captured Pokémon

-> They would absolutely laugh at the diamond and pearl clan about their claims of the almighty sinnoh. Maybe they would share a few legends though. As in "wow, where i come from, we have legends about a pokémon that controls time" (proceeds to talk about celebi just for the lulz)

-> H-Sneasel my beloved (Tix would definitely capture one)

-> Tix would probably try and stab Volo instead of just defeating him in Pokémon battle. Like... you fucking serious asshole? You get the Shiv!

//also please no spoilers for the game. I just know that volo is the bad guy, but i didn't finish it yet.

link to the ask game

#cheesy answers #pokeblogging #cw violence #thanks for the ask :3 #Koffing-Time-1.0

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fullbattleregalia · 1 year ago

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Just for @greentrickster , I now present you with screenshots from my first battle with Cyrus:

And also that one time he smiled:

You’re welcome.

#a brilliant distraction #pokémon brilliant diamond #diamond spoilers #pokémon cyrus #pokémon diamond and pearl #you’re welcome trickster-chan

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detective-bulbasaur · 2 years ago

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Warning: possible spoilers for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors

I was watching episode 30 and saw this gem! I love that adorable flying scorpion goober!

#pokémon #gliscor

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aheckinmess · 6 months ago

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List of Characters I Can Write

My Hero Academia (Current Hyperfocus, Fan for 3 Years)

Pro Heroes

Shouta Aizawa (Eraserhead) - Enji Todoroki (Endeavor) - Hizashi Yamada (Present Mic) - Keigo Takami (Hawks) - Oboro Shirakumo (Loud Cloud) - Toshinori Yagi (All Might) - Rumi Usagiyama (Mirko) - Snipe (Choku Dan)^ - Sekijiro Kan (Vlad King) - Nemuri Kayama (Midnight) - Kugo Sakamata (Gang Orca) - Mirai Sasaki (Sir Nighteye) - Ryuko Tatsuma (Ryukyu) - Taishiro Toyomitsu (Fat Gum) - Ectoplasm

^ "Choku Dan" is a placeholder name that I've given Snipe since it hasn't been revealed in the manga/show to my knowledge.

Adults

Natsuo Todoroki - Fuyumi Todoroki - Toya Todoroki - Inko Midoriya - Tensei Iida

Villains/Anti-Heroes

Dabi - Tomura Shigaraki - Himiko Toga - Jin Bubaigawara (Twice) - Atsuhiro Sako (Mr. Compress) - Danjuro Tobita (Gentle Criminal) - Manami Aiba (La Brava)

Class 1-A

Izuku Midoriya (Deku) - Katsuki Bakugo (Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight) - Shoto Todoroki (Shoto) - Eijiro Kirishima (Red Riot) - Denki Kaminari (Chargebolt) - Mezo Shoji (Tentacole) - Kyoka Jiro (Earphone Jack) - Tenya Iida (Ingenium) - Mina Ashido (Pinky) - Momo Yaoyorozu (Creati) - Yuga Aoyama (Can't Stop Twinkling) - Tsuyu Asui (Froppy) - Ochaco Uraraka (Uravity) - Mashirao Ojiro (Tailman) - Koji Koda (Anima) - Rikido Sato (Sugarman) - Hanta Sero (Cellophane) - Fumikage Tokyami (Tsukuyomi) - Toru Hagakure (Invisible Girl) - Minoru Mineta (Grape Rush) - Hitoshi Shinsou

The Big Three

Mirio Togata (Lemillion) - Tamaki Amajiki (Suneater) - Nejire Hato (Nejire)

Jujutsu Kaisen (Active, Recently Discovered)

Jujutsu Sorcerers (Adults)

Satoru Gojo - Suguru Geto - Kento Nanami - Choso - Ryomen Sukuna - Toji Fushiguro

Jujutsu Sorcerers (Teens)

Yuta Okkotsu - Toge Inumaki - Panda - Maki Zenin - Yuji Itadori - Megumi Fushiguro - Nobara Kugisaki

Pokémon (Semi-active, Fan for 21 Years)

Pokémon Emerald (Ruby/Sapphire)

May/Brendan - Wally - Steven - Scott - Professor Birch - Roxanne - Brawly - Wattson - Flannery - Norman - Winona - Tate & Liza - Wallace - Juan

Pokémon Platinum (Diamond/Pearl)

Dawn/Lucas - Barry - Cynthia - Professor Rowan - Roark - Gardenia - Fantina - Maylene - Crasher Wake - Byron - Candice - Volkner

Pokémon Black (Black/White)

Hilda/Hilbert - Bianca - Cheren - Alder - Professor Jupiter - N - Ghetsis - Colress - Chili - Cilan - Cress - Lenora - Burgh - Elesa - Clay - Skyla - Brycen - Drayden - Iris

Pokémon Black 2 (Black/White 2)

Rosa/Nate - Bianca - Hugh - Iris - Professor Jupiter - N - Ghetsis - Colress - Cheren - Roxie - Burgh - Elesa - Clay - Skyla - Drayden - Marlon

Pokémon X (X/Y)

I didn't have the money for a 3DS when this first came out, got behind on Pokémon games until I got one since Pokémon Moon was my first Pokémon game on the 3DS. My hubby just recently bought X for me so I can finish my timeline of Pokémon games available (aside from Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby). When I'm finished playing it, I'll add it.

Pokémon Moon (Sun/Moon)

Selene/Elio - Hau - Professor Kukui - Ilima - Lana - Kiawe - Mallow - Sophocles - Acerola - Mina

Pokémon Shield (Sword/Shield)

Gloria/Victor - Marnie - Hop - Bede - Leon - Professor Magnolia - Milo - Nessa - Kabu - Allister - Opal - Piers - Raihan

Pokémon Scarlet (Scarlet/Violet)

I haven't finished playing this one yet - maybe I'll finish it soon!

Batman (Inactive, Fan for 11 Years - Have Only Recently Found WFA)

Batman: The Dark Knight

Bruce Wayne (The Batman) - Joker - Harvey Dent (Two-Face) - Rachel Dawes - Jim Gordon - Alfred Pennyworth - Lucius Fox - Salvatore Maroni

Wayne Family Adventures

Bruce Wayne (The Batman) - Richard Grayson (Nightwing) - Jason Todd (Red Hood) - Tim Drake (Red Robin) - Damian Wayne (Robin) - Duke Thomas (The Signal) - Cassandra Cain (Orphan) - Barbara Gordon (Oracle) - Stephanie Brown (Spoiler)

Marvel Cinematic Universe (Inactive, Fan for 13 Years)

Captain America

Steve Rogers (Captain America) - Peggy Carter - James "Bucky" Barnes

Iron Man

Tony Stark (Iron Man) - James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Iron Patriot) - Happy Hogan

The Avengers

Tony Stark (Iron Man) - Captain America (Steve Rogers) - Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) - Clint Barton (Hawkeye) - Thor Odinson (Thor) - Bruce Banner (The Hulk) - Nick Fury - Agent Phil Coulson - Agent Maria Hill

Thor (Asgardians)

Thor - Loki - Odin - Frigga - Heimdall - Fandral - Lady Sif - Volstagg - Hogun

Guardians of the Galaxy

Peter Quill (Star Lord) - Rocket Racoon - Groot - Gamora - Drax the Destroyer - Nebula - Yondu

Age of Ultron

Pietro Maximoff (Quicksilver) - Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) - Vision (J.A.R.V.I.S.)

Ant-Man

Scott Lang (Ant-Man)

Spider-Man (Homecoming)

Peter Parker (Spider-Man) - Mary Jane - Ned Leeds

Doctor Strange

Stephen Strange (Dr. Strange) - Wong - Christine Palmer

(There are many more, but it's been a while since I've watched anything MCU since End Game because OW)

The Phantom of the Opera (Inactive, Fan for 13 Years)

Phantom (Erik Destler) - Christine Daae - Raoul de Chagny - Meg Giry - Madame Giry

[I have seen the musical, yes, but I got started on the 2004 movie musical and it stole my heart the moment I saw it.]

If you do not see a character listed, feel free to send me a request and I'll let you know if I can write them!

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themostop · 10 months ago

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Minor spoilers for the gen four Pokémon anime

Diamond Dandruff. It stood for Diamond Dandruff this whole time. What an amazing payoff (/gen). When they first started building up to this but at the beginning of the generation and then dragged out on for three whole seasons, I thought “there’s no way they could have a satisfying answer for what DD stands for that’s been worth this wait.” And I was wrong. Maybe It’s just cause it’s super early in the morning, but I just think Diamond Dandruff is so funny. It also makes perfect sense as being the kind of embarrassing nickname that would warrant that reaction from Dawn every time someone said it. It also works really well as adding some character depth to why Dawn is so fussy about her hair. Amazing writing. Great job Pokemon Diamond and Pearl team.

#pokémon diamond and pearl #pokemon dp Sinnoh League victors #Pokémon dp Sinnoh League victors #pokemon diamond and pearl #dawn pokemon #Diamond dandruff #yes in Dee Dee it’s Dawn

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101flavoursofweird · 3 months ago

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((Thanks to everyone who reblogged/like this post! It’s now become a fic…))

Title: Slow and Steady

Description: By chance, Barry picks the slowest Sinnoh starter.

Spoilers: For the plot to Pokémon (Brilliant) Diamond and (Shining) Pearl.

Set: During the game(s)

Warnings: Canon typical violence with Pokémon battles?

Barry didn’t think when he dragged Dawn into the tall grass.

He doesn’t think when the wild Starly swoop down on them. Doesn’t think when Dawn trips over the abandoned suitcase and knocks it open.

He grabs the first Poké Ball he sees and sends out… a small light green creature, with a leaf on its head, a shell on its back and four stubby legs.

“A Turtwig?” Barry exclaims. The Turtwig looks up at him and lets out a happy chirp.“But you’re— OW!” Barry lifts his arms, shielding his head as one of the Starly pecks at him. He’s going to lose an eye at this rate!

Shooting a glance at Dawn, Barry sees her chosen Pokémon— a Piplup. It’s currently pounding the other Starly with its blue wings—

Above Barry, there’s an angry squawk. Barry ducks, but gasps as the Starly dive-bombs past his head. Right towards…

The Grass-type Pokémon, that’s weak to Flying attacks.

“NO…!” Barry’s shout can’t stop the furious bird. Turtwig isn’t fast enough to dodge that sharp beak…

But then, much to Barry’s relief and his amazement, Turtwig fights back.

Slow but solid as a tree trunk, Turtwig tackles the Starly. Barry whoops.

He almost feels sorry for the Starly as it tumbles into the tall grass… Almost, till the Starly re-emerges and hops towards Barry.

“—Tackle it again, Turtwig!”

This time, after Turtwig’s attack, the Starly faints.

“Good job…” Barry releases a breath he’s been holding since the battle began.

He looks over at Dawn and her Piplup, who’s managed to scare off their Starly.

At that moment, Barry’s so pumped that he feels like a shaken-up soda pop.

“Fwaaah! Your Piplup totally rocked! But my Turtwig was way tougher than yours!”

(Grass-types are super effective against Water-types, right? That’s a bonus!)

Barry grins at Turtwig. His new friend may not be the fastest, but it’s definitely a fighter!

Turtwig makes a noise of agreement.

Barry nearly slams into a guy with sunglasses at the gym’s entrance.

“Whoa!” Sunglasses halts him. “How’s it going, Champ—?”

“I need to battle the Gym Leader!”

Sunglasses sighs. “Hold your Ponyta… Here’s some advice: The Gym Leader uses Rock-type Pokémon—“

“I know!”

“—They’re weak to Water and Grass-types… You got any of those, Champ?”

“Sure do!” Barry proudly opens a Poké Ball… and out pops his Starly. (The same one from Lake Verity.)“Eh...?”

The guy with the sunglasses chuckles. “I’m afraid Flying-types are weak to Rock—“

“I’ve got more than one Pokémon…!” Barry fumbles through his bag. “Aha!”

When he pulls out the other Poké Ball, however, he finds it’s empty.

“Huh? Turtwig…?” Barry gapes from the ball, to his Starly, and around the gym. “Where’s Turtwig…?”

Starly’s head swivels towards the doors. She whistles worriedly.

“Did he— FALL BEHIND?” Barry yelps.

When? When did he last see Turtwig…?

They were battling. He’d used Turtwig in a battle against a Pysduck at Oreburgh Gate.

Turtwig might still be in the tunnel!

His starter… His new friend… Barry left him behind— all alone in the dark!

Sunglasses hums. “Have you lost your Pokémon—?”

“NO, I… I’VE GOTTA GO!”

Barry bursts out of the gym. Starly shoots after him, berating Barry through a series of tweets.

In Eterna, Gardenia hums when a blonde boy with a green and brown backpack bolts past her.

Huh? That kind of looks like…

When Gardenia realises it’s a Turtwig clinging to the boy’s back, she laughs out loud.

Maybe she should try that with her Turtwig!

“Let’s see how much together you and I have gotten, right here and now…!”

Dawn opens her mouth to protest that they’re in the middle of a very busy street, with pedestrians and Pokémon

around them, but Barry points out, “Hey, you’re a Trainer now! You’re expected to be ready for a battle. No whining! No— wait a minute…!”

Suddenly, Barry looks over his shoulder.

Dawn coughs, but Barry holds his hand up, still looking behind him. “Wait…”

Rolling her eyes, Dawn releases her Prinplup.

“Nearly there…”

Prinplup exchanges a questioning, impatient glance with Dawn.

“Just a sec!” Barry insists.

Eventually… Grotle trundles up the street, till he reaches Barry’s side. Cheerfully, Grotle greets them.

“Okay,” Barry bursts out before Dawn can respond, “let’s get this show started!”

Barry— who insists Professor Rowan is waiting to see them— drags Dawn into the Canalave Library… only for him to get distracted by a book in the Fables section. (Dawn swears her friend has the attention span of a Pachirisu…)

“Hey— I read this one when I was little! Well, my dad read it to me…”

When Barry shoves the book in her face, Dawn squints at the cover; it depicts a Buneary bounding past a Turtwig…

“‘The super fast Buneary challenges Turtwig to a race,” Barry recites, surprisingly solemn, “but the Buneary falls asleep and Turtwig overtakes it— winning the race, slow and steady!”

That story sounds very familiar to Dawn…

“It’s kind of like you and me,” Barry muses, “or your Empoleon and my Grotle…”

Dawn begins to nod along, till Barry adds, “Your team keeps beating us, but one of these days, we’re gonna catch up!”

He’s got the spirit, but the moral of the fable might be lost on him…

Before Dawn can explain, Barry slots the book back on the shelf and races up some stairs. “C’mon!Gramps isn’t getting any younger!”

He breezes through the Ice Gym, thanks to his Ponyta and his Staravia. He brags about it to Dawn from the clifftop before Lake Acuity. He believes he can take Team Galactic down alone…

Well, he and his unbeatable Pokémon.

When Barry sees what Team Galactic are doing to Uxie— the little blue guardian of the lake— he stops thinking.

(Just like back at Lake Verity…)

He throws Grotle out without a second thought.

The Galactic Grunts aren’t a problem, but then there’s the pink-haired Commander… who had a Golbat and Skuntank.

Both Poison-types, with Fire and Flying moves between them.

Poor Grotle doesn’t stand a chance… and the rest of Barry’s team soon follow suit.

By the time Dawn reaches the lake, it’s too late.

Team Galactic have escaped with Uxie… leaving Barry stranded in the snow.

He’s returned all of his Pokémon to their Poké Balls— except for Grotle, who’s so badly poisoned and burned that Barry’s too scared to let him go…

Dawn hovers over them. She offers Barry some berries, but he just stares at her blankly, so she handfeeds the berries to Grotle.

Rawst and pecha berries, Barry’s brain registers belatedly, as Grotle’s status conditions begin to heal.

But Grotle isn’t safe yet…

Dawn calls out her Empoleon and a Piloswine. Together, they carry Grotle back to Snowpoint City’s Pokémon Center.

As Nurse Joy heals Grotle, Barry scrubs the frozen tears and snot off his face.

“Guess I really am like that— that dumb Buneary…”

Tutting, Dawn passes him a soft tissue and a blanket.

This time, he thinks like a Turtwig. Like his staunch, patient starter. Slow and steady…

It takes him forever— and several hours of waiting around honey trees— but he tackles Mt. Coronet with a full bag of supplies, a full team of six, and with two of his Pokémon fully evolved.

Before they face Team Galactic, he has an honest talk with his friends.

He’s not sure if they can win— the Lake Guardians were all captured, one lake got blown up, and Team Galactic are planning something terrible— so if his Pokémon don’t want to fight with him, they’re free to leave. He understands…

All of them— even his new Munchlax— protest and dogpile on him. They’re in this together.

Most of the Grunts they pass in the caves have already been defeated. Many of them complain about losing to a trainer with an Empoleon.

Dawn is tough, but even she must have her limits.

At the top of the mountain, lightning crashes overhead. The ground shakes beneath them as something gigantic and glowing and legendary materialises at the summit.

That something unleashes a piercing screech and a dark pulse that sends he and his Pokémon reeling back.

Gritting his teeth, he gazes up at the sky, streaked with blue, green and red. It looks so wrong…

He’s scared he’s too late, until finally, he sees Dawn up ahead.

She appears as exhausted as her Pokémon must feel— caught between two Team Galactic Commanders. They’re about to gang up on Dawn��

“Hold on one second!”

Hearing his shout, Dawn turns her head. A tired, triumphant smile lights her face.

Riding on Torterra’s back, Barry returns that smile. “Don’t start the party with me…”

Torterra stomps between Dawn and the red-haired Commander, forcing the latter to stumble away.

Barry jumps down from Torterra and pats his starter on the head.

“Humph!” The pink-haired Commander— Barry’s nemesis— snorts. “Well, if it isn’t the little boy who ran off crying at Lake Acuity! Did you get any tougher since then? We’ll beat you two-on-two!”

The red-haired Commander growls in agreement and squares up to Dawn again.

“It doesn’t matter how tough you are…” Barry mutters. He links arms with Dawn behind him, so that they’re back to back, and Torterra is by his side.

“…Or how fast…”

Torterra releases a deep roar that reverberates through the mountain and Barry’s heart…

Something that these Team Galactic leaders seem to lack.

Barry smirks. “We’re stronger!”

My favourite Sinnoh starter is Piplup— not only because it’s an adorable penguin but also because this means your rival (I’ll call him Barry) will pick Turtwig.

Given that the choice is made during a very intense wild Starly attack, it’s not like Barry purposely picked the starter that would be strong against yours, though this is the case. No— I think it’s funnier if he chooses Turtwig by chance.

Your hyperactive, hot-headed childhood friend chooses the little grass tortoise. Not the energetic fire monkey, or the swift penguin pokemon. The tortoise, who has the lowest speed stat of all the Sinnoh starters.

Imagine Barry charging into the Oreburgh Gym, certain his Grass starter is going to obliterate Roark’s team, only to realize that he’s left his dear Turtwig back in the cave, he screeches with frustration and dashes back out to find it.

Or when Barry runs into you and demands a battle, only to shout “WAIT A MINUTE!” and look back as his Grotle trundles towards the two of you, and when it finally reaches you, “—OKAY, LET’S GO!”

Or, at the top of Spear Pillar, when your Pokemon are already exhausted, you’re faced with both Mars and Jupiter who are ready to trounce you, guess who stomps up the mountain? It’s Barry, on the back of his Torterra

#Pokemon #barry pokemon #turtwig #sinnoh #pokemon brilliant diamond #Pokemon shining pearl #pokemon pearl #pokemon diamond #dawn pokemon #Grotle #torterra #my writing #my fics

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amessageonthewind · 1 year ago

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September Selfship Prompts Challenge

19. Any of your AUs, or an idea you have for one!

Pairing: Adaman/Rachel during Legends: Arceus (spoiler alert for really far along in the timeline)

Author's Note: This is an AU where instead of Rachel being picked up by the Galaxy Team, she's picked up by the Diamond Clan instead and becomes their time travel blorbo like Ingo is to the Pearl Clan.

There were no shortage of concerns these days. Something unexpected happened a little while ago and the Diamond Clan’s leader was still trying to wrap his head around it to try and figure out a solution. A strange affliction has taken a hold of Lord Electrode, up in the Coronet Highlands, and no one can figure out how to quell it.

Well, more accurately his warden refuses to do anything about it despite the danger and risk it poses, which is only serving to slow down any progress on finding a solution for Lord Electrode’s frenzy. And if they don’t figure something out soon, it’ll be more than Pokémon getting hurt by the blasts of electricity.

People could potentially get hurt. First risk was the Diamond Clan, then potentially the Pearl Clan, and if one of the Diamond Clan’s nobles injured or otherwise harmed anyone from the Pearl Clan, it could spell disaster for both clans and the last thing Adaman wanted was for the clans to be at war, again.

Not again…they’d already lost so much.

Alternatively, he could seek out help from the Galaxy Expedition Team to the east in Jubilife Village. Their ways were strange, keeping Pokémon in Pokéballs, but they were competent in the field. Maybe it would be worth looking into…they were running out of time.

And the longer Adaman waited and thought, the more time they were losing. He didn’t want to disappoint almighty Sinnoh.

Suddenly, a woman with bright red hair burst through the tarp of his tent. “Adaman! Come quick!” Arezu exclaimed, gesturing outside. “Something crashed into the mirelands! It came from the rift!”

“The rift?!” Adaman exclaimed, already following Arezu out of the tent. “Where did you see it land?”

“In the Scarlet Bog!”

In one moment, Cedric was inches away from being separated from Rachel. And in another, the both of them had landed in a strange and foreign world unknown to them both. None of his memories were present, but the only thing he could remember was the human he had arrived with. She was his trainer, but she was his closest and most trusted companion. She was his best friend. He would do anything for her.

Including following her through spacetime.

He had woken up before she did, but Rachel was still unconscious and the wild Pokémon were not like the ones from their time. They eyed the body with suspicion and intrigue, but there was something dangerous and predatory in the way they looked at them. The Croagunks, Hippopotases, and Stunkies all circled the pair, waiting for what they’d do next.

Waiting for their next moment to strike.

They couldn’t stay here. If they wanted to survive and find a way to get help to figure out what was going on, they needed to get out of here. None of the landscape was familiar and they had no idea how far away they were from the nearest civilization. Simply put, Cedric had no idea where or when they were.

He needed to get her up. “Rachel!” He urged, putting his crimson paws on her face and trying to get her back to consciousness. The wild Pokémon began to edge closer, closing in on them. The Zorua’s ears twitched nervously. Rachel didn’t have her bag on her, so she had nothing to defend herself with. No Pokémon, no weapons, nothing.

Nothing except for the gauntlet on her left hand.

He tried again, shaking her more frantically. “Get up!” He urged, trying desperately to rouse his trainer. She moved slightly, quietly groaning in pain and confusion, but she didn’t get up. At least she was alive… “Come on! Get up, Rachel! I’m not losing you!”

Closer and closer their adversaries drew, chittering amongst themselves excitedly. Cedric growled a warning growl at them, but it didn’t make them back up. In-fact, it only further spurred their growing curiosity and potential malice as they encroached.

It only just now occurred to him that they could potentially see Rachel and even himself as a free meal.

No! I am not letting Rachel die being Pokémon chow! “Rachel!” He shouted sharply, biting and tugging on her ear to rouse her. Finally, the woman opened her eyes, feeling the sharp pain in her ear and seeing Cedric right in front of her face. Her eyesight had to adjust, fading in and out of focus as she struggled to recall any recent or past memories at all. “Come on! Get up! We gotta move now!”

Coming to, Rachel staggered onto her elbows, looking around. Finally in a state of proper consciousness, she took in her surroundings and realized that nothing was familiar to her. The landscape was wetlands and warm-coloured trees as far as the eye could see. It was sunset, and surrounding them were wild Pokémon, drawing closer and closer.

Hearing their excited chitters didn’t give Rachel any comfort, for once. They were all excited about having a free meal, since they couldn’t eat those Diamond Clan humans. Who are the Diamond Clan? Staggering to her feet, she looked around. The only familiar thing was Cedric, thank the Alpha. Where…or when am I?

Picking up Cedric, Rachel looked around at the Pokémon approaching. They weren’t going to attack, at least not yet. Maybe she could persuade them that she meant them no harm. It was the best idea she had. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you…I don’t know where I am.” She said to them, taking them by surprise. “But I mean you no harm. I don’t want any trouble. Can you tell me where I might find anyone who can help me?”

They didn’t answer her questions, instead chittering amongst themselves about a human who could speak the Pokémon tongue falling from the sky. From beyond the rift. Is that where I came from?

Looking up, Rachel saw a great mountain in the distance that formed into a perfect caldera at its peak. It towered above all else, and surprisingly, that was quite familiar. The name was there, in the back of her mind, dancing on the tip of her tongue. But she couldn’t reach it, forced to swallow the lingering half-formed name down.

Above it swirled a black spiraling voice, pale light spilling from a crack in reality itself like glass. It crackled ominously, like a storm that was in the beginning stages of forming, but was not quite thundering.

Did she fall…from that? If she did, it was a miracle she survived the fall. Though, judging by the state of her clothes and the mud on her face, the bog must have broken her fall.

But before she could ask any more questions of the wild Pokémon, a bellowing roar shook the ground and reverberated painfully through the air. All the wild Pokémon scattered and the bellow made the lingering headache from the fall that much more painful and Rachel staggered on her feet, trying to stay on her feet.

Heavy footsteps slowly thundered across the bog until a pair of blazing crimson eyes broke through the wet mist, evaporating off of the mud and the fetid wetlands. They were attached to a lumbering silhouette larger than anything Rachel had ever seen.

She recognized the shape as it grew closer. It was a Hippowdon, but its eyes were blazing and its size was far beyond anything she could even imagine. It was no wonder all the other wild Pokémon fled at the sight of it.

Cedric could feel the waves of rage billowing off of it and knew there was no reasoning with it. Whether they stayed still or not, that Hippowdon had every intention of destroying the both of them. If they stayed still, they would be killed.

Wherever or whenever they were, these Pokémon weren’t that used to people. They didn’t coexist the way they did in the world they came from. “Rachel, run.”

Everything she knew about wild Pokémon told her that that was a bad idea. “Won’t that just make her chase-?”

Her answer came in the form of another loud bellow, a roar compared to the first that nearly made Rachel go deaf as she staggered backwards, falling back into the bog. The reality made itself clear to her and immediately, her fight or flight instincts kicked in and she scrambled to her hands and feet to run as fast as she could. “RUN!”

Running away, Rachel could hear the massive Hippowdon bellow after her, trouncing on her heels as she maneuvered in a manner she hoped would put distance between them. But with a creature that massive, she had no hope of outrunning it.

There was no outrunning it. She just had to outsmart it, somehow.

It didn’t take long for Adaman to determine where this strange object from the rift landed. The commotion told him immediately that trouble was afoot. The Diamond Clan leader would recognize the sound of an angry alpha Hippowdon from miles away.

An unfamiliar voice shouting in the distance told him that someone had enraged it. If he wanted to get to the bottom of this, he needed to catch up to them. “Keep watch, Arezu. If I need you, I’ll call out to you.” Adaman ordered, his Leafeon already dashing off towards the bog with his human on his heels.

The red-haired woman did as her leader asked, watching him with quiet anxiety. She’d seen him get injured enough times to know that survival was not guaranteed, the golden embroidery on his haori a reminder of the first time he’d gotten hurt as leader when he protected Sabi from a raging Ursaring.

She prayed to almighty Sinnoh that he would come back in one piece.

Fortunately, Rachel had found a rhythm that worked for her to avoid the massive angry Hippowdon’s attacks and charges. Dashing between rocks and boulders and trees did well to slow her down and even cause her confusion as she chased her prey.

But unfortunately as clever as Rachel was and as quickly as she was able to think on the spot, no amount of cunning or skill could beat out sheer bad luck.

Running from the previous boulder to the next in the bog, Rachel tripped over a hidden boulder and took a tumble, caking herself in mud and twisting her ankle painfully. Cedric had fallen out of her arms a good ways away from her. Scrambling to get back up, the moment the woman put any weight or strain on her ankle, she buckled in pain, throbbing and stinging as it shot up her leg.

“Rachel!” Cedric cried, rushing over to be by his trainer’s side.

The moment her eyes made contact with his, she knew she wouldn’t be able to make it out alive. She was going to die here, at the mercy of an angry Hippowdon in a world unfamiliar to her, alone and afraid. There was no saving her.

But there was a chance to save Cedric. There was a chance for him to survive and live.

Finally, Adaman reached the end of Bolderoll Slope and saw what had happened. It was a woman in strange clothes that was on the run from the alpha Hippowdon, but she’d tripped and fallen. If she was injured, there was no way she’d survive an attack directly. She had a very loud voice he could hear even from up here.

But he was shocked to hear what he was hearing.

Reaching to push Cedric away, Rachel shook her head furiously. “Go! Run, Cedric! As fast as you can!”

Staring at his trainer in disbelief, he stubbornly stayed by her side. “I’m not leaving you! That’s not happening!” The Zorua argued.

“I can’t walk!” Rachel insisted, trying to push him away, again. “I’m not gonna make it, but you still have a chance! Save yourself!”

“No!” Cedric snapped, growling at his trainer for having the audacity to try to send him away, after everything they’d been through. Even if he couldn’t remember it right now, he felt it in his chest as it stung his eyes that after everything they’d gone through, he wouldn’t be anywhere else than by his trainer’s side. “Where you go, I go! Even if that means to the grave!”

Her heart was being torn in two. She knew there was no convincing Cedric to leave her, but she couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.

Adaman was shocked to see that. So they really can use human speech. Her Pokémon was a Zorua, but not of the variety he was familiar with. This Zorua didn’t have the angry spitefulness that Hisui’s native Zorua did, but it was clear to see how deeply they cared for each other. It wasn’t unlike the bonds between the people of his clan and their Pokémon.

His Leafeon and he were on the same page, prepared to help them. They weren’t going to die, today.

The alpha Hippowdon, knowing that her prey was weak and wouldn’t be able to run anymore, lumbered close. Its mouth hung open, drooling hungrily as it approached. Rachel could smell the pungent breath billowing towards her and she held Cedric close, tucking his face into her chest. He didn’t need to see this.

Turning her own head away, she pressed her forehead into his fur, tense with anticipation. If she could remember her life, it would be flashing before her eyes, right now.

This was it. This was how she died. We’re dead…!

“Leaf Blade! Agile Style!”

A man’s voice broke through the existential fear she felt, quickly proceeding another loud bellow accompanying unsteady thundering footsteps. Daring to open her eyes, the Hippowdon staggered backwards, mouth open in a pained roar. A long gash bled across its snout, tinging the air with an iron taste.

Standing protectively in front of her was a man in blue robes, with gold embroidery along several seams, as though his clothes had seen many repairs over the years. His long blue hair cascaded onto his shoulders, undercut with grey like pottery glaze.

The Pokémon he was commanding was a Leafeon, the Hippowdon’s blood coating the edge of its leafy tail as it stood between its master and the enemy Hippowdon.

Never had Rachel been so glad to see a stranger.

The man turned back to meet her gaze, dark brown eyes intense, but concerned. “Are you okay?”

At a loss for words, all the woman could do was nod. “Uh-huh…!”

Giving her a confident smile, Adaman turned his attention back to the alpha Hippowdon that had threatened her and her Pokémon’s lives. The moment his eyes met hers, he was determined to protect her and save her life. She had kind eyes.

“Leafeon. Leaf Blade. Strong style. Drive it away!” He commanded his Pokémon.

With the boost in agility thanks to starting off with an Agile Style move, Leafeon was able to deliver a hefty blow to the alpha Hippowdon before it could attack, slicing a deeper gash into its face and causing the very mud to stain even more scarlet than it already was.

Deciding that it had been beaten, it trounced away, leaving behind tremors and the scent of blood in its wake. The man didn’t chase after it, letting it flee. Rachel remembered seeing bloody battles like this, before, but thankfully this wasn’t as gruesome.

This man wasn’t out for blood, he was just trying to protect her.

Once the Hippowdon was long gone, the man sighed, pressing his forehead into the palm of his hand. A cursory look informed Rachel that he wore bandaging on both his hands – bandaging on his left that stopped at his wrist and bandaging on his right that ran all the way up his arm under his sleeve.

His Leafeon quickly dashed to meet Rachel and cheek her and Cedric over. “Are you alright?” He asked her.

Reaching to pet the Grass Pokemon, Rachel sighed in relief. “Yeah, we are…thanks to you.” Looking up at the man, Rachel tried to get up, hissing in pain. “You came just in time…”

Hearing her hiss in pain, Adaman quickly kneeled down to prevent her from trying to stand. “I’ll take the compliment, but I wouldn’t try to get up. You’re hurt.” He said sternly, keeping a hand on her shoulder as he looked down.

His Leafeon sniffed at the woman’s right ankle and gently pressed a paw into it, causing her to lurch. “Ouch!” Rachel exclaimed, trying to pull her leg away. “Fuck that hurts…”

“Hm…” Adaman hummed, looking at it. “I don’t think it’s broken, thankfully, but we can’t be sure. We’ll have to take you back to the settlement to get a proper look at it and get you treated.”

While he was thinking of how to help her, he properly took her in. She certainly wore some very strange clothes. She was rather bundled up, wearing a button jacket and a cowl on her shoulders and a long flowing skirt that faded out in transparency when it reached her feet. She wore some frames affixed with glass on her face. Maybe she was vision impaired and they helped her see. He’d seen it before a couple times in passing when visiting the village.

And on her left hand was a strange glove of sorts, almost like armour meant to give the appearance of sharp claws. There was a strange iridescent stone embedded on the back of her hand that shifted in colour in the light, though it was predominantly green.

She looked tough, but her face was soft and her eyes were warm and inviting. Tough on the outside, soft on the inside, he figured.

Rachel was just as much taking in the man who had saved her life as he was taking in the woman he had just saved after she had fallen into his world from beyond the rift. He wore his hair in a ponytail tied with a pale ribbon, but only from the sides of his hair and the front, letting the rest of it flow freely. A solid unconnected collar with a diamond embedded in it hung loosely from his neck and when Rachel took a closer look at his eyes, she noticed a few things.

His left eyebrow had a nick in it and he was actually wearing blue makeup, giving, giving the illusion of longer eyelashes. It gave him a bit of a softer appearance, a subtle elegance to his overall look.

While they were taking each other in, Adaman cleared his throat. They didn’t have time to waste. “Where did you come from?” He asked.

“The rift, I think.” Rachel replied, glancing around at the wild Pokémon that were no longer there before looking up at the rift itself swirling at the top of the large mountain in the distance. “It’s what everyone’s been saying, so I have to assume they saw me fall from the sky.”

Adaman raised an eyebrow at her. “Who’s ‘everyone?’” He knew she could speak to her Zorua, but her Zorua could speak to her. That wasn’t a shock to him, knowing the stories he’d heard from Sabi of the Zorua that dwelled in the Alabaster Icelands.

“The Pokémon.” Rachel replied simply, shrugging. “They were surprised I could speak to them because they saw me come through the rift. I’m…not sure how common that is here, but where I’m from, it’s…not that common.” There was a discomfort in her stomach as little bits and pieces of memory wriggled their way in. Things she knew, and then the reasons why she knew them lagging behind only to rear their heads and slowly crawl through.

She remembered not being treated kindly for her unusual connection to Pokémon. She hoped that that wasn’t the case, here. It was the last thing she needed right now.

“I see.” Adaman replied calmly. Strange how an outsider and a stranger could speak to Pokemon the way the clans did. How odd…but he was certainly pleasantly surprised to see it. “Well, I know you came from the rift. But where did you come from beyond it? The world before this one?”

That was a harder question to answer. Rachel parsed her mind for any concrete answers, but couldn’t find any. She could only describe any information incidentally, when confronted with it immediately and remembering what was familiar and what wasn’t. But she couldn’t really recall anything. “I don’t know…I don’t remember a whole lot of anything, honestly.”

The Diamond Clan leader was disappointed to hear that, though he supposed he should’ve anticipated that. “You at least remember your friend, that’s important.” He commented, gesturing to Cedric. Adaman reached out to let the Zorua get a good scent of him before he reached to pet the Pokemon. Cedric let him, not getting any reason to distrust him from his emotions or his energy. “Do you at least remember your name?”

Taking a moment to think, that came easier to her than anything else. She remembered Cedric quicker than she remembered herself. It was both disappointing, and a huge relief. It meant that in this crazy unfamiliar world, she had someone she could trust completely. “It’s…Rachel.” She replied, looking up at the man who had saved her. “My name is Rachel.”

Smiling warmly at her, he nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Rachel.” He replied, savouring the taste of her name on his tongue before introducing himself. “I’m Adaman, leader of the Diamond Clan. But you can just call me Adaman. And this is my partner, Leafeon.”

Rachel scoffed playfully for a moment, wanting to relieve the tension in her chest and her body somehow. “At this point, I’d like to call you my hero. Or even just very easy on the eyes, because you are quite the sight for a sore pair of them.”

He laughed good-naturedly, amused by her forwardness and sense of humour. At least she was in good spirits now that her life was no longer in danger. “Is this how you show your thanks to everyone who saves you?”

She shrugged. “Can’t recall. But it’s how I’m showing my thanks to you.” So this was the Diamond Clan those Pokémon were talking about. Given that his connection to Leafeon was just like hers with Cedric, she could see how the wild Pokémon decided that they were off the table in terms of food.

Cradling her Zorua, she held him on her arm. “This is Cedric. He’s been my partner for a very long time.” She said to the man – Adaman. “There’s no one I trust more than him. Truthfully, I’d be lost without him.”

“I feel the same way about Leafeon.” Adaman replied kindly. Already, Rachel felt much safer, knowing that there were people here. She already felt a kindred spirit with this man who had saved her. Hopefully, he’d be able to help her make some sense of all this. “Now, let’s get you back so we can have your ankle looked at. And hopefully, I’ll be able to answer any questions you might have.”

Nodding, she let him take her hand, slinging her arm across her shoulders to take the weight off her ankle. “I’d really like that…” She murmured. Cedric took his comfortable and familiar place on her shoulder while the man’s Leafeon took her other side, letting Rachel put a hand on his shoulders for stability. “Thank you, Adaman…”

“Don’t mention it.” He replied easily, gently giving her arm a comforting squeeze. “It was the least I could do.”

On the way up the slope, Rachel could now properly take the time to appreciate the surroundings. Though unfamiliar, the landscape was breathtaking! It was incredibly beautiful, untouched by human development and sprawling as far as the eye could see, horizon to horizon. There was nothing here but nature, and she couldn’t help but love it.

There could be worse places to be transported through spacetime to.

Once they reached the top of the slope, Adaman saw a woman with red hair in blue robes with the same symbol on the chest as was on his back in the shape of a pentagon. “You found it!” She exclaimed as she drew close and had a proper look at Rachel. “Oh, you poor thing. You must be what fell from the sky.”

Glancing at Adaman for a moment, she nodded. “Yeah…that’s me.”

“Oh, and your clothes! And your hair!” Rachel was trying desperately not to notice the awful sensation of mud caked and drying in her hair. She was always so fussy about it and honestly, she was on the brink of sensory overload at this point. “Don’t tell me we’re just going to leave her like this.”

“She’s injured.” Adaman said firmly to the red-haired woman, looking Rachel and her clothes over. Cedric backed away, not quite comfortable with the proximity with this stranger. There was nothing wrong with her, it was just a bit much right now. “She hurt her ankle trying to get away from the alpha Hippowdon in the bog. We need that taken care of right away.”

Nodding, the woman put a hand on Rachel’s shoulder. “I’ll go find Mai.” She said to the leader before offering a smile towards the stranger. “And when I get back, I’ll make sure to get you and your clothes all cleaned up for you so you can sleep comfortably, tonight.”

This woman was effectively a stranger to her, but she was being incredibly kind. It was hard for Rachel to even know how to respond, but gratitude was probably the first thing. “Thank you…that’s really kind of you.”

“Please, it’s nothing. I can’t just let you go on like this.” She replied, smiling. “My name is Arezu. I’m the Diamond Clan warden for the Lady of the Ridge.”

The stranger from the sky returned her smile warmly. “Rachel.” She replied. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Quickly, the red-haired woman left down the slope, making her way across the mirelands as Adaman continued to lead Rachel up the slope. Reaching the settlement, Rachel quickly absorbed the scenery before her. There weren’t a lot of people that seemed to live here and the people that lived here were of varying ages. But one thing Rachel noticed was that there were either elders, young children, or young adults. She didn’t see a lot of adults that weren’t elders.

The implications of that were rather sombre.

But there were quite a few tents. Actually, the tents were surprisingly large, capable of housing multiple people most likely, arranged in a circle a fair distance from a large rock in the middle of the camp.

The long shadow was cast by the large obelisk, almost giving the appearance of a sundial. Actually, now that she thought about it, this probably served as a sundial for the clan to use to tell the time. She couldn’t help but comment on it. “Very clever of your clan to have your camp function as a sundial. Very inspired.”

Chuckling in amusement, Adaman nodded. “We worship almighty Sinnoh, creation itself and ruler of time.” He said to her, slowly walking her to one of the tents. “Legends say that when almighty Sinnoh took his first breath, time began to flow. So, by having a way of always knowing the time, we’re able to make sure it doesn’t go wasted.”

“Interesting.” She commented, though the word was tickling the back of her head. The word was incredibly familiar, but this was not what it referred to. Not in her world, at least, but she had definitely heard the word Sinnoh, before. Even this deity, this almighty Sinnoh, sounded familiar to her.

But the word and the deity didn’t line up in her head. She needed to perhaps learn more, when she had a chance.

As Adaman guided her into one of the tents, she took the opportunity to take it in. There was a hearth in the middle of the room at the edge where one could start a fire for heat, or to make food or hot water. On one side of the room was a bunk bed and on the other was a wardrobe. The room was warm coloured and it was very cozy. It was rather comfortable and homey.

On the far side of the room were two paintings of what looked like important figures. A man with blazing hair that sprawled in all directions and a man with red hair that slicked down, wearing large Diamond Clan robes. Naturally, her curiosity got the better of her. “Who are they?” She asked.

Looking at the paintings, Adaman gently guided Rachel to the bottom bunk and sat her down so she could sit comfortable. Cedric jumped off her shoulder to lay next to her and Leafeon laid at her feet.

He sighed looking at the paintings. They gave off the energy of a time long passed, but for at least one of these men, Adaman still had living memories of him. “This man was my grandfather.” He said to Rachel, hands in his pockets as he looked up at the painting. “He founded the Diamond Clan a long time ago.”

Rachel looked up at Adaman, pensive as he stared at the painting. A solemnness permeated the air between them. Adaman referred to his grandfather in the past tense, meaning that his grandfather was long gone.

And since she didn’t see anyone old enough to be his parents as of yet, another possibility made itself known. “How long…has it been since?”

A heavy sigh spilled out of the man as he reached to scratch the back of his head. “Long enough.” He said, turning to Rachel to look at her. Though he considered himself a good judge of character, people could surprise you. And, as much as he had a good feeling about her, she was still effectively a stranger. He needed to properly judge what kind of person she was. “My parents died when I was young…so my grandfather raised me until he eventually passed.”

Familiarity shuddered through her. It came in waves, first a sense of helplessness, then a wave of relief, then confusion, and finally anguish. Once the feelings passed, then came the memories. Foggy, unclear, and fragmented…but they were there. They were clear enough for Rachel to know the truth.

That this was something she had in common with him. “If it’s any consolation…I think I know what that’s like. And…” She paused, swallowing the tightness that suddenly formed in her throat. She didn’t tear her gaze away from him as she reached to keep her hand on Cedric’s fur. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. It’s not fair.”

Adaman searched her face for any sign of sincerity, any sign that she could be just trying to get into his good graces by appealing to a sense of empathy and compassion. But he could sense no such deception, her eyes reflecting his own like a pristine mirror.

There was no insincerity in her gaze. “You do, don’t you…?”

Solemnly, she nodded.

Taking a moment, Adaman decided to sit down beside her, his weight making his side of the bed sink a little, pulling Rachel towards him slightly. “As for the other man, he’s the Hero of Hisui.” He said, gesturing to the painting of the man with the wild fiery hair. “He lived in this region a long time ago, and with him were ten Pokémon. They were his companions. Legends say he once saved the whole region as one with his Pokémon and helped found the clans. His Pokémon were all blessed with almighty Sinnoh’s power, and now it is our duty in both the Diamond and Pearl clans to show respect towards and thank the descendants of those Pokémon for protecting us and making this land habitable to us. That’s the relationship between our nobles and our wardens.”

Arezu did mention something about a Lady of the Ridge. “That explains what your friend said earlier.”

“She’s more of a sister, actually.” Adaman corrected, his hand fiddling with the pentagon bead pendent that kept his coat held together at the front. “Many of us are, myself, Arezu, Mai, and Melli. We…lost our parents in old wars with the Pearl Clan, so we bonded and…became a family.”

Old wars…no wonder the population seemed so small. “Are…you still at war with them?”

“No, thankfully.” Adaman replied, genuine relief in his tone of voice. “But things are still…tense. Neither of our clans want to go back to those times when we were at each other’s throats, but neither of us really see eye-to-eye, either. It’s a bit of a difficult situation to navigate.”

“I can imagine.” Rachel said, sympathizing with Adaman, reaching to put a hand on his shoulder. “But the important thing is that you’re trying, right? You’re trying to make a better world so that neither of your clans have to suffer what you suffered in the past in the future. Isn’t that what matters…?”

He was surprised to hear the casual and calm wisdom that she was so willing to give. Smiling, he chuckled a little. “I think I might like you.”

Rachel couldn’t stop the involuntary smile that creased her cheeks. Looking up at the painting of Adaman’s grandfather closely, there was something about it that was strangely familiar. The man’s face reminded her of someone from her past. Not exactly the same, but as the memory slowly resurfaced, like it was just underwater, she could parse the similarities.

As though the two individuals could be family. Two groups at each other’s throats…who can’t see eye-to-eye…that feels very familiar.

Deciding to light the hearth, Adaman got up to strike a piece of flint to get it going. “I’m going to make some tea.” He said to his guest. “In the meantime, is there anything else I can tell you? I’m sure you’ve got questions, and if you’ve got them, then I’ll do my best to answer them to the best of my ability.”

Glancing between Cedric and Adaman, Rachel asked her immediate first question. “Where are we? What is this place?”

“You’re in the Hisui region.” Adaman replied, filling a teapot with tea leaves and water from a barrel he ladled into the pot before setting it on the hearth and sat back down next to her. “The Diamond and Pearl Clans have lived here for a very long time, though we’re not the oldest people that have lived here and we came here from a distant place a long time ago. It’s an…unforgiving place, I will admit. But, it’s home. You’re specifically in the Crimson Mirelands, protected by Lady Lilligant, the Lady of the Ridge.”

That must be the noble that Adaman mentioned. The one Arezu is warden to. Searching for more questions to ask, she landed on a curious one. “So, why exactly is it that things are so tense between the clans? Did something happen?”

Adaman scoffed, trying to think of how best to explain the situation and the history. “It’s not quite like that.” He said, burying his chin in his hand for a moment. “See, the Pearl Clan believes that almighty Sinnoh rules over space rather than time. And because of our differing beliefs, especially back then, it’s caused a lot of strife. We’re trying to move forward, but it’s not easy when we’re constantly at odds with one another.”

Rachel nodded. “Because of differing theological beliefs.” She murmured, thinking. Now that she had a basic idea of the other side of the coin, things were starting to piece together in her head as foggy memories grew clearer. “You know, this idea of almighty Sinnoh is actually quite familiar to me, but that’s not what we called it.”

That struck Adaman’s intrigue. “No? What name did your people have for it?”

“We called it ‘the Original One,’ or simply ‘the Alpha.’” Rachel answered, remembering what she was told about it from…someone. Someone she couldn’t remember, but she knew was important to her. A realization that made a hole yawn in her chest where that person used to be. “It’s said that it emerged from a lone egg in the centre of nothing. The Original One emerged from this single egg and proceeded to shape the universe with its one thousand arms. From it, matter was born. And thereafter, spirit.”

He nodded. He had never heard this part of the myth, but it sounded like it fit. “Now I really want to know where you came from. It sounds like almighty Sinnoh, but a bit different.”

“That’s what’s stumping me right now.” Rachel admitted, the gears now turning in her head. “Because the Original One was never said to have created either space or time individually. Just ‘matter,’ which is both time and space. I’m confused how your clans arrived at the beliefs you did if you worship the same deity because realistically…time and space can’t exist without the other. They both create matter. If time didn’t flow, space wouldn’t expand or change or even move at all. It would just lay static, it might as well not exist. And without space, time would have nothing to influence. It would exist in a state of nothingness, and also might as well not exist. The two are inseparable.”

Adaman wasn’t sure what to make of this information, and yet Rachel spoke of it as though it were simply common knowledge. Where did she come from where this information was so readily accessible that she just knew it? He never even considered this viewpoint, before.

But the real question was what did this mean if she was right? “So, then what’s your take on this?”

Looking at Adaman, she struggled to find the right words. She didn’t want to offend him – he’d been so kind, after all. But she didn’t want to lie to him, either. That wouldn’t be right and it wouldn’t be the right way to build a foundation of trust. “I think that we have a proverbial puzzle that is incomplete.” She said, opting to use a metaphor to get her point across. “And I think that some pieces are the correct pieces, but they’re being put in the wrong place. Because the truth of the matter is…if there is a true version of Sinnoh, then in my opinion based on what I know…there are two possibilities, and neither of them are that the Diamond or Pearl Clan are individually correct in their beliefs.

“What I think is this.” She prefaced, taking a deep breath. “Either you’re worshipping the same entity that is almighty Sinnoh, and almighty Sinnoh and the Original One are indeed one and the same and thus created both space and time. Or neither of you are, and you’re each worshipping a different deity mistaking it for Sinnoh. Those are the only two logical possibilities in my mind, knowing what I know.”

That was definitely something difficult to swallow. No one liked being told that what they’d believed their whole life was wrong, and if this was years ago, Adaman might have had a similar reaction his grandfather would have.

But he wasn’t the leader of the Clan, anymore. Adaman was. And more than Adaman believed in his version of almighty Sinnoh, he believed in the truth. And that was what they didn’t have right now. All they could do was guess and speculate, but without solid proof, they couldn’t make conclusions.

He felt inclined to believe Rachel, but this also seemed like a matter that only time could truly tell.

“That’s…certainly something to think about. And I’ll even admit that I’ve had some questions about almighty Sinnoh’s true nature myself – though, don’t let anyone else know that I said that.” Adaman admitted candidly.

Chuckling a little bit, Rachel nudged his shoulder. “Don’t worry. My lips are sealed. Your secrets are safe with me.”

“I hope so.” He replied. Rachel was glad that he reacted well. At least Adaman seemed to have an open mind to learn more about the true nature of what he believed instead of blindly doing so.

If he was willing to question his own beliefs, it meant that the truth mattered to him. It meant she could trust him.

Hearing the kettle about to go off, Adaman decided he was willing to take one more question. “Any other questions you have for me?”

There was only one question Rachel had that seemed like a pretty obvious one to ask. “What year is it?”

That was an easy enough question to answer. “1246 A.C.”

Suddenly breaking into a fit of coughing, choking on her own spit for a moment, Rachel lurched forward. The immediate temporal incoherence it caused in her own mind was visceral and a wrongness seeped into her very bones. She didn’t remember a whole lot, but she remembered enough to know that that was wrong.

There was no way…but she did the math in her head, trying to remember the last date she’d written down, and it was true. She couldn’t believe it. “That can’t be…! That’s nearly three hundred years ago!”

Concerned, Adaman put a hand on her back to try and help her through her coughing fit, but he was utterly astounded. Three hundred years from the future? It was no wonder she landed near the Diamond Clan. A traveler through time? She must have been swimming in almighty Sinnoh’s divine power on the other side of the rift.

It was no wonder she seemed so knowledgeable. It was hard for him to not find himself starstruck, but he was more concerned about Rachel not choking to death. “Take it easy, it must be shocking to learn that.” He could understand how daunting this must feel for her, but he was fighting to not see this as a blessing from almighty Sinnoh.

There must be a reason she was sent to them from the future. There must be.

Three hundred years…she couldn’t believe it. Eventually, she managed to stop coughing and Adaman got up to grab her a cup of tea. Pouring it for her, he carefully handed it to her and took his seat back next to her. “Now, please don’t choke on this one.”

Laughing a little bit, Rachel was briefly relieved from the harrowing realization. She had hoped that she had just suffered some spacial displacement, but this was far worse. She had gone back in time. How could one travel through time?

And most importantly, how was she supposed to get home?

Taking a sip of the tea, Rachel instantly relaxed. It was very earthy, but it was good. It soothed her. “Thank you, Adaman. It’s good.”

“I’m here for whatever you need.” He assured her, setting the kettle down on the nearest table. It wouldn’t be long before Arezu arrived with Mai and they’d tend to Rachel and she’d have a good night’s rest. It was probably getting very late at this point. “I know this must be scary for you, but maybe there’s a reason you’re here. Maybe almighty Sinnoh sent you to our time for a reason.”

She appreciated what he was trying to do, she really did. But none of that was a comfort for him. Not that he’d know that – they’d just met. How could he reasonably expect to know that about her? “I appreciate the sentiment, but that’s not as comforting for me as it is for you.”

Adaman was disappointed to hear that, though he supposed he shouldn’t have assumed his belief in his deity would be a comfort for everyone. Especially a stranger from another world foreign to his culture. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. You were just trying to help.” Rachel was quick to assure him. He wasn’t being malicious, he was just trying to do a kind thing for her. “I’m just…not comforted by the idea that my life and destiny is in the hands of some predetermined course or in the hands of some distant abstract cosmic entity. There’s too much attached to that idea that just…makes me think of it as cruel. It’s less comforting to think that some deity intended for bad things to happen than it is that bad things just happen, I guess…”

He supposed he could understand that point of view. He didn’t necessarily agree with it. After all, if some event or hardship was intended by almighty Sinnoh, then it had a purpose. There was a point to it. If hardships and tragedies just happened, then…there was no point.

That was less of a comfort for him. “Well, Mai and Arezu should be here soon to help get you cleaned up.” He said, putting a hand on her shoulder as he got up from the bed, rolling his shoulders as he walked away. “If I don’t see you tonight, then I’ll be sure to check on you in the morning.”

The moment Adaman left, a sudden jolt of fear ran through her. He was the only person she was at all comfortable and familiar with in the moment. She was in a camp with complete strangers in a time period not her own, trusting all of these people with her.

Yes, Adaman was also effectively a stranger and at best, an acquaintance by circumstance, but he was the most familiar and comfortable person she had.

And right now, she didn’t feel safe. “Wait…!”

Stopping in his tracks, Adaman glanced back at her. The fear in her wide eyes caught him by surprise and he patiently waited for her to say what she needed. “Yes?”

Swallowing her pride, Rachel reached for him. She gently grabbed him by the wrist, being careful not to put any weight on her ankle until Arezu and Mai arrived. “Please stay…” She quietly pleaded, struggling to meet his gaze. “You’re the only person I feel comfortable trusting right now, and…and I’m scared…”

He wasn’t made of stone. As confident as Rachel seemed, she was still a person alone in a world separated from the one she knew. Of course she’d be scared. He should’ve thought about that. It wouldn’t be any trouble for him to indulge her for one night. Hopefully in time, she’d get more comfortable with the rest of the clan.

Adaman was confident that she was sent to his clan for a reason. He would wait as long as he needed to find out what that reason was. The least he could do was help her settle in. “Alright. I’ll stay, tonight.” He agreed, coming back to sit with her, grabbing a cup of tea for himself. “I’ll take the top bunk.”

“Nah, I want the top bunk.” Rachel quickly said, trying to shake off the brief fear of being left alone from her skin. “I like being up high.”

The Diamond Clan leader couldn’t help but snicker in amusement. “I would never have guessed that a tiny woman like you would like to be tall.”

Squinting at the man who’d saved her life and offered her a place to stay, Rachel breathed out a long sigh through her nose. “You’re so lucky I like you, Adaman…” She grumbled.

The man in blue laughed back in response. “I could say the same thing, Rachel.” He replied playfully, gently elbowing her. He had high hopes for her.

Maybe she would be the key to unravelling the mysteries behind what was really going on. Maybe that was why she was sent to the Diamond Clan, to figure out how to quell Lord Electrode.

Only time would tell.

#SafeshipSeptember #୨⎯ A Message On The Wind ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Then It Has Done You No Good At All ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Pokémon Trainer Rachel ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Leader of the Diamond Clan ⎯୧ #୨⎯ Tricky as a Fox ⎯୧

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