#the second image is them in kalos.

[arvensimp]

your father should know, pt. 4

Arven leaves you with something more than either of you bargained for when he goes off to Kalos for an internship, and through a series of miscommunications and heartbreak, he returns a few years later to learn that he actually has a child.

arven x fem!reader, nsfw content (in pt. 1), pregnancy (pts. 1, 2, & 2.5), angst, and stupid miscommunications

[part 1][part 2][part 2.5][part 3]

I'M HERE AGAIN THANKS FOR THE WAIT. SORRY ABOUT BEING THE WAY I AM LMAO please enjoy the next installment. it's not beta'd i'm out here livin like larry

~

[Group Chat: Team Star? More Like, Time To Go To HR AmIRight???]

WalkWalkFashionBaby: hey @ ParadoxChamp is this your man?

WalkWalkFashionBaby: [sent a photo]

[Image description: A man with wavy, longish ash blond and light brown hair, accompanied by a Mabosstiff, walking down the streets of Mesagoza. His hands are in his pockets, and he seems to be smiling.]

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: ?????????

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: !!!!!!!?!

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: yo wtf 

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: first of all that deadbeat isnt her man ortega

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: second

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: yea uh

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: @ paradoxchamp did you know he was back in town???????

CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: third @ giacomo4pm momo if you don't change our nicknames in this chat back to normal I will absolutely dox you (again) and then change them back myself

Giacomo4pm: Can do, will do.

Giacomo4pm: Also, yo, damn, what's he doing back? I thought he fled the country or whatever.

--

Rika: so the sperm donor's here. Just came up the hill asking for you. Want me to send him packing?

Rika: yeah u do

Rika: well... I do.

Rika: also unrelated, holy sHIT, man's genes are strong. It's like I'm looking into a time machine for Basil's future.

Rika: except, you know. Basil will be way cooler and more handsome with your genes mixed in.

Rika: ❤️

Rika: plus no shitty facial hair.

Rika: or better facial hair.

Rika: anyway, I'm gonna eviscerate him.

Rika: love you. ❤️

--

You had been in Area Zero, gathering information on moth pokemon for Jacq when the director called, his usually placid voice laced with an edge of steel.

"Basil's father just stopped by." He says without preamble.

Your heart sinks, and you nearly lose your grip on Raidon, only barely managing to stay upright and drag the pokemon to a halt.

"His what?" You splutter, changing the phone to your other ear, as if you hadn't heard correctly.

"His father." The director repeats. "I know we have not...explicitly discussed Basil's paternity, but, well," He tsks lightly. "He showed up to speak to me."

Your head is filled with tarountula webbing. You feel your hearing go fuzzy, but somehow your hands direct Raidon up and toward the closest lab station. Out, out, out. Back to the school. Back to Basil, back to--

"I'm on my way to the entrance to Area Zero now." Clavell continues when you don't reply after a few moments. "I'll meet you there with Basil."

"What did he want?" You finally ask as you enter the station.

"I didn't give him the opportunity to chitchat."

You hum. "One second, Sir." You step into the transport pad.

A moment later, and Clavell is right in front of you, Basil tucked safely in his stroller, looking just as he did when you dropped him off this morning, save for his hair looking a little...off. You disregard it.

"Thank you so much." You sigh, hanging up the phone as Clavell gives you a sad sort of smile.

"Anything for you two." He says.

You kneel and try to fluff up your son's hair, but it has dried all crunchy from whatever happened during the day. He's getting a bath later, so you don't fret over it and just smile warmly to him, trying not to let your panic show.

"Ready to go home, sweet thing?" You ask him.

Basil nods, reaching with little hands for yours in his hair. "Mhmm!" He nods. "Ahso, Mama! I saw a big buddy! A big, BIG buddy!"

Clavell clears his throat and provides some context. "Mabosstiff said hello."

You look up to the director, knowing exactly which Mabosstiff he must mean. "Oh? Mabosstiff! That's...that's so great!" If your register is maybe just a touch too high, your smile too tight, it's only to maintain face in front of the boy to whom you turn back. "Were you kind? Remember how we always wanna be nice to new pokemon, yeah?"

"Uh-huh, uh-huh! He gived me a kisses! A lotsa kisses!"

So that's the crunch in his hair.

Oh, Mabosstiff...

"That's my sweet boy." You sigh, ruffling the mess before standing again to face the director.

"Thanks again. I'm gonna..." Another long exhale. "I'm gonna get us home."

Clavell nods. "You know how to reach me if you need something. And... Well, if you want me to intercede on your behalf, I'm happy to have words." He says stoically. "At times I felt I was the closest thing..." He gestures with his head outward toward the school. "He had to a parent in his life... I..." It's his turn to sigh. "I don't understand what happened there. How he could do what his own parents did to him? I'm sorry. If it's any consolation."

Your heart squeezes, and you distract yourself from the feeling by digging your nails into the soft foam of the handles of Basil's stroller. "Don't be. He made his choice, y'know?" You try to smile, but it's shaky. "He deserves to have the life he wants."

"He deserves a kick in the pants." Clavell responds. "Not that I'm an advocate for corporal punishment..." He adjusts his glasses in that grandfatherly way.

You laugh.

"Well, if he sticks around long enough, maybe you'll get a chance."

You hope he doesn't stick around.

Or...do you?

Do you even want to see him?

Either way, you don't want to linger on it in the lab.

"I'm gonna take this little one home."

Clavell nods. "Until later."

And then you're calling a cab to get back to your place, and Clavell is on his way back to the office.

While you're in the cab, you check your messages and sigh. Seems like Ortega caught a glimpse of Arven, and Rika is...fucking with him in some way or another.

You ignore your old classmates and opt to just text Rika.

Me: Got Basil from Clavell and we're on our way home rn/

Me: Love you too ofc 💖💖

A minute or so later, your phone buzzes. Rika again.

Rika: he's gone now

Rika: I put the fear of arceus in him if i do say so myself

You roll your eyes, smiling wryly. By now the cab is slowly descending to the space just outside your home, so you pocket the device and maneuver Basil in his stroller out of the cramped space and into the house.

Once he's unbuckled from his seat, he's bouncing around and grabbing at the attached bag, the one containing Buddy's pokeball, asking in broken syllables if they can play. 

It isn't a huge deal to let the pup out of the ball to play, so you hand it over to Basil, reminding him how to behave with his friend. At the same time, you also release Skeledirge to keep a watchful eye over the pair for a moment.

In the weeks since the Raisins Incident, as you've called it, you've come to the realization that your team can be of some assistance to you when you need a moment to yourself, when you're overwhelmed. Obviously Skeledirge isn't a parent. Neither is Raidon or Tinkaton or Screamtail or anyone else, but Skeledirge is smart enough to keep them safe for the precious seconds you need to breathe.

So you let the three alone in the living room and retire to your bedroom for a moment to collapse on the bed and gather your thoughts. You only need a few seconds. Just a few seconds of Mama time...just a few.

There's a sound at your open door as Basil toddles in, two pokemon in tow.

"Mama... Hungy?" He asks, clenching his shirt in tiny balled fists.

"Oh, sweetness..." You sigh, leaning down to pick him up and seat him securely on your lap. "You're hungry?" You press your face into his head, expecting its usual downy softness and the comfort of your child's scent, only to be met with that uncomfortable crunch of dried Mabosstiff slobber. Out of Basil's line of sight, your nose crinkles. "Let's see what we've got in the kitchen, yeah?"

"Toast? Toast 'n jellies?" He asks hopefully.

"I think we could do that, my littlest..." You respond with a smile, hefting your boy onto your hip as you trudge into the kitchen.

Of course, it would be just your luck that you're entirely out of oran jelly, the only jelly that Basil will eat right now. Thank you, developing taste buds and picky eating...

Maybe he won't notice if you try to give him pinap jelly instead this once?

You prepare his plate, the toast lovingly cut into four triangles, and you give him his sippy cup as well, but Basil only stares down unhappily at the food.

"Jellies?" He asks, his tiny button nose wrinkling.

"Yeah, Baby, I made you toast and jelly." Your heart clenches, anxiety rising, but you try to keep your voice chipper.

"Nuh-uh!" He insists, pushing the plate away.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We don't have the usual jelly. Do you wanna try this instead?"

Your son looks at you with wide eyes, rapidly filling with tears. His lower lip wobbles, and his brow furrows angrily. Times like these it's almost crazy how much he looks like...

No, focus!

"It's good, I promise. Wanna see? Mama will have some." You take a bite of one of the triangles and make a show of smiling. "Mmm! So yummy! It's really tasty!"

"No!" Basils yells in response, his tiny tears now falling. Hangry isn't a good look on the little guy.

"Ahhh, we gotta get you something to eat, huh, bud."

"Jellies!" He blubbers, only barely understandable through his tantrum. Buddy the Maschiff jumps up, placing his front paws on Basil's feet, trying to get at the food, and Basil complies, shoving it down to the pup.

You sigh. "Alright."

Buddy re-enters his ball, still chewing the bread, and you take Basil from his high chair, depositing him in his stroller.

"We'll go to the market and get your good jelly, okay? Super duper fast, then we'll come home and have a feast."

Basil is still crying, but the promise of his good jelly seems to placate him somewhat.

It'll be fine anyway. The market is only a short walk from your apartment building, and you'll only be out for a few minutes. 

The journey there is easy. Basil's stroller is one of those fancy transforming models that's great for all kinds of terrain while also being pretty light. It helps that the market is all outdoors, too. Less helpful is the fact that the stalls are fairly narrowly placed beside one another. At least it feels that way with all the people around, but it isn't overly cumbersome to navigate.

"Jellies!" Basil starts to whine as you approach the stall that he's come to learn has his favorite snack. He starts making grabby hands towards the jars along the table, and you attempt to quietly stop him.

"Yup! They've got your jelly here. Once I pay, you can hold the jar, if you like. Sound good?"

"I pick, I pick!" Basil insists, arching his tiny body as best he can away from the stroller's restraining buckle.

"Hey now," You press a soft but firm hand against him, guiding him back to his seat. "I'll let you pick, but you have to be polite. Say please and thank you to the salesperson, kay?"

Your son huffs, squirming a bit more before collapsing against the seat. "I be good. I good." He grumbles, and you're finally able to unbuckle him and take him up in your arms.

"Okay now. Can you ask for what you want?" You give the salesperson a thankful smile as you speak to Basil. They seem willing to be patient with your little one.

"Jellies!!!" He cries gleefully.

"Jellies, what, bud?"

"Jellies, pease!!!"

"There you go... We're gonna get some oran berry jelly." You tell the salesperson, already reaching into your bag with the hand that isn't carrying Basil. "Remember, these are glass, so you gotta hold it gently."

Basil carefully (or as carefully as a nearly-two year old can) chooses a bright blue jar, holding it in both of his hands.

Gently, so as not to jostle Basil enough that he drops his prize, you rearrange him on your hip, freeing an arm to reach into your bag, so you can pay the shop keeper. 

That's when you hear it. Not particularly loud compared to the hum of the crowd, but clear as day anyway.

The sound of your name being called gives you pause. You look around. It's not uncommon for you to be recognized, but you're already on edge. Hopefully it's just a fan or something?

–

You heard him. From the way you stopped and looked around, hiking the kid up just a bit higher on your hip as you distractedly tried to find the source of his voice, it was obvious.

It isn't an overly crowded market, but there are definitely enough people milling around that quick travel isn't really feasible from where he stands, particularly if he wants to get closer.

He calls your name again, louder this time. Before it had almost been breathless, filled with surprise, hurt, delight, just a tumultuous storm of emotions tearing through his stomach at the sight of you, the sight of his little carbon copy in your arms. Now he's really trying to get your attention.

You pinpoint him, and Arven waves, his bulky form helping to differentiate him from the rest of the crowd.

He... He can't read your face. You look like a deerling caught in Flash. He watches as you quickly shuffle, taking your boy (his boy?) away. Are... Are you for real fleeing from him? He calls your name again, trying to move closer to your retreating form, but it's no use. He makes it to the stall where you were before. He's positive of it because you left the stroller behind, and judging by the yelling from the salesperson, you made off with some product without paying. It's a no-brainer for him to lay down the cash needed, assuaging the anger of the clerk. Arven also grabs the stroller, giving a nervous laugh about how forgetful you must be before he starts trekking with it in the direction that you fled.

Except. He quickly realizes that's not really gonna get him anywhere. He has no idea where you live. Yeah, he knows where you used to live, almost 3 years ago, but that was basically a shoebox, a place to store your supplies while out and about as a champ. No way you're there still. Not with a kid. Right?

He eventually takes a seat on a bench close to the market, keeping the stroller next to him. You've gotta come back for it soon, right? Even then though, he has no idea how long it might take you to come back. 

Once again, Arven desperately wishes you hadn't blocked him way back when. He pulls out his phone, hoping to shoot you a text, on the off-chance that maybe you unblocked him at some point maybe?

Me: Hi, Buddy!

is all he types before seeing the tell-tale red messaging, showing that the number is indeed still blocked. Ugh.

Fuck, maybe...maybe he could use a pay phone or something? Just to tell you where your stroller is. But are there even any pay phones anymore?

As it turns out, they do still exist! There's one just on the edge of the market, so Arven makes his way over, pulling out his phone to copy your number once he's in the booth.

Except.

That's not a Paldean area code he sees. It's Kalosian. Yes, it's your name as the contact, and it's your final, nasty message to him there in the texts, but....it's not your number. There's not even a call history that goes back that far for him to try and grab the number that he just can't seem to remember entirely. He used to have it memorized, once upon a time, the two of you having been the other's emergency contact for so long, so he knows he's not crazy. That number...

He realizes on a second glance that the number is affiliated with Bon Applintit. It's got the same starting numbers after the area code.

What the hell happened to--

"Arven!!!!" The cry of his name startles him out of the thought, but he tucks it away for later. There's something very, very off going on, beyond the kid and everything. Which also??? Kinda absolutely bonkers. He's not gonna lie to himself. He also can't think too hard about it.

"Arven!" Nemona pulls him from that dizzying train of thought, as well as the phone booth. "I've been sent to just, uh...grab this from you..." She tells him, awkwardly trying to work her way around him to grab at the stroller's handlebars. "Ya know... Mama and Basil need it and all." She laughs a bit uncomfortably, continuing her attempt to pry the pram from him.

"Basil?" He says out loud, the name punching him harder than any Hitmonchan. His fists clench tighter around the bars.

Nemona slaps a hand over her mouth, allowing Arven to angle the stroller away from her. "Were you not supposed to know? Ah, gosh darn it!"

"I mean--!" He starts defensively. "I guess?! I never knew about...about any of this!" He gesticulates wildly. "When was anyone gonna tell me about Basil, huh? What the hell, Nemona!?"

She gives him a strange look, her lips pursed and brows quirked. "You... You really had no idea?" She crosses her arms, studying Arven's expression. "Hold on."

Nemona takes out her phone and starts texting. Arven does his absolute best to be patient, but with every passing second he's growing more agitated. 

"Okay, listen! Someone has GOT to tell me what's going on!" He eventually bursts. "Who IS this kid? Why does she have him? Why does... I mean, why does the kid look like me? Everyone's been treating me like shit since I got here, and none of it makes any goddamn sense! If anyone cares to hear MY side of the story, she blocked ME! And to my knowledge it was just over a few missed calls! I thought she was just overreacting! I had no idea about any of this!" His anger over it all, over getting shunned by his friends years ago, over Clavell’s insults, comparing him to his father, it all bubbles over, and he’s letting it out on Nemona. 

She hushes him with a sound and a not-so-placating finger, not bothering to even look up as she texts with a single thumb. "Hold on, hold on, hold on..." The patronizing nature of it all pulls a huff from Arven, whose grip on the handles of the strollers is so strong his knuckles go white.

His friend locks the screen and looks back to him. Her gaze is steady and serious, in stark contrast to her typical jovial self.

"Okay. I believe you, amigo. You say you've got no idea what's going on? I'm sorry to hear that. I really, really wish I could just tell you everything. Or at least, what I think is everything? But this isn't really my place. Not my mankey, not my circus. I'm just the mankey's fun tia, y'know?" She tries to lighten the mood a bit, but it absolutely falls short. "But. For real, this isn't the kind of chisme I enjoy. Not when it involves any of you. I'm talking to her now." Nemona shakes the phone in her hand. "I'm gonna see if she's willing to hear you out."

"Hear me out? She was the one--"

"That isn't how anyone here knows the story, Arven. At least what she's been able to bring herself to tell of it. I don't think any of us can claim to know all the details, but do you think she'd lie to make you look bad? Really?"

That seems to give Arven pause. At least long enough for Nemona to check the latest message from you. She smiles.

"She's on her way to the Treasure Eatery and will meet with you there. Be sure to bring the stroller."

--

Arven makes it to the restaurant before you. It isn't really surprising, given your detour to the league building to drop Basil off with Nemona for a bit. He ought to thank his lucky stars for Nemona pleading his case to you, saying he seemed to be genuinely confused and distraught over the situation. Otherwise you wouldn't have bothered. This is...exhausting to think about. Facing him. Trying to figure out what he wants. Why he came.

You won't lie, your initial thoughts as you rushed home with Basil tucked tightly in your arms, shielding him from his father, were rather dark. Was Arven here to try and take him? Did he think he could use your baby as some kind of prop in his social media videos? People go crazy for dads after all.

But, no. If you're honest with yourself (like Nemona urged you to be) that's not the man you knew. You couldn't imagine him becoming someone like that either, especially if he didn't want to be a dad in the first place... Beyond that, if you think rationally for a moment, there isn't a court in the world that would order your toddler son to another country without you.

No, this...this will be safe. It will be scary. To see him again. But. There's no need to think there's danger. It will just be kind of scary. And you can deal with scary, if only for a few minutes. 

"Hey." Your voice sounds drained as you drop your bag on your side of the booth and follow behind it to sit. You want to look at him. Look him in the eye and ask him what his deal is, but you just can't summon that brand of bravery.

"Hey." His tone isn't really discernable; you can't guess what he's thinking. "I, uh...ordered your usual drink. Or...What you used to order? If that's cool?"

Sure enough, there on the tabletop is your go-to drink from the Treasure Eatery, a ring of condensation already formed at the base of the glass, dampening the flimsy cardboard of the disposable coaster.

"Oh." It surprises you, that small bit of thoughtfulness. "Thanks." You take the glass in both hands and sip, letting the frosty cold of it ground you before you finally look up to see him.

He's... He's so much like Basil, it makes a lump form in the back of your throat. The nose, the eyebrows, the bow of his lips. You've seen them all every day for almost two years now in the face of your little boy; things you noticed and adored, now mimicked before you. Beyond that, he's still Arven. Time hasn't changed him too terribly much. For an adult, it hasn't been too long, so it's not like he's suddenly grey and withered before you or something. The biggest difference is how he pulls his hair back into a low ponytail, the patchy stubble around his cheeks and chin. He's either growing it out to try something new or just hasn't bothered with a razor for a while.

"Hey." You finally say. Truth be told, if not for your drink, your throat would've gone dry just seeing him again.

"So..." He starts, leading.

"So...you're back."

"Uh. Yeah. The plan was to spend the weekend clearing out my old storage....and...head back to Lumiose..."

"'The plan was?'" You ask.

"W-Well, I mean... I. I don't think I can just go back now, can I?"

You tense. Why did that feel like an attack? "I don't see why not. You didn't seem to think it was important to, you know, come back before now. What makes you think you have to stay?" Your tone comes off colder, more callous, than your aching heart would otherwise reveal, and it does its job, egging Arven onto frustration.

"I saw Clavell with Basil." He starts, pausing when he notices your flinch at the name. "Then I saw him with you. And... I mean..."

"Oh, so you saw him and now suddenly you care?" You ask, venom dripping more than you'd care to admit.

"What are you saying?!" He grates, volume only as loud as public decorum would allow in the bustling restaurant. "You... You have to be kidding, right? Of course I care! There's... There's a whole kid! Right? Where did he come from, huh? Cuz, like... Those don't just appear! And he's yours, right? He's gotta be! Like, obviously I see my...resemblance, but I see you in him, too!" That surprises you. No one ever found your features in Basil anymore, save for your mom, who made an off-handed comment once or twice about your eye shape or something.

Arven takes your silence as reason to continue "I mean... I've seen my photos from a young age... I..." His anger fizzles out into confusion as he goes on. "I don't want to make assumptions about...about us or what we were? But...looking at that kid, it's gotta be, right? That it was me? That I'm..." He can't say it out loud. "But why? Why didn't you say something? Why did you hide something like that? Cuz, like... I mean...even...even if he were someone else's... I mean, why wouldn't you have said something?"

"Hide it?!" The accusation shocks you into a response. "I never hid anything! I tried telling you for ages, back when you actually picked up the damn phone! You forced me into having to text you about my son! Then you blocked me! I have the receipts, Arven. I don't know what kind of delusion you've got going on in that head of yours, but I never hid my boy from you until I was given reason to! Why would I go out of my way to force a child upon a man who couldn't acknowledge him? Why wouldn't I keep my son safe from someone who didn't have the decency to be there for him? For me?"

Your tone has risen to a point where a few of the surrounding tables have hushed to listen in, and Arven can tell that prying eyes and ears are now on you both. He shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath, an attempt to steady himself, keep from getting more heated in public. 

"Bud." He begins, the old nickname hitting you like a sucker punch. "I never knew. I don't know what happened there, but I promise. I promise on Mabosstiff's life that I had no clue about any of this. I think there had to have been some kinda mix up..." You watch as cogs turn in his head. "I think... I'm thinking maybe something happened with my phone." He says, pulling the device from his pocket. "Like... Lemme just try and make this clear from my end. Okay? I got this text from you..." He starts, tapping the screen. "It was kinda mean, and when I tried to respond, I was blocked." He holds up the conversation for you to read.

>Hey! Sorry we keep missing each other lately! I hope things are okay? Are you staying warm? It's getting kinda cold here.

>can we not do this?

>Not do what?

>"This" i'm getting real fuckin tired of you bailing on me all the time now that your some hot shot kalosian celebrity guy

>Whoa. Where is this even coming from??

>you kno exactly where its coming from, arven. Youve been super shitty to me since you left paldea and it really hurts my feelings.

>I'm sorry? I've been busy here. It's been a lot getting used to a whole new place and a whole new language. I thought you understood that. I really am sorry though.

>y'know what? I dont really care at this point. Ive had enough waiting around for you to call me or text me back. there are guys here who can do better by me

>[One Missed Call]

>[One Missed Call]

>[One Missed Call]

>Are you being serious right now? You can't be. This is a joke?

>[One Missed Call]

>[The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected and is no longer in service.]

Your face pales and stomach sinks as you read it. "Arven, I--"

"I just noticed earlier when I tried calling you about the stroller. That isn't even your number. It's Kalosian. It's... I think it's affiliated with my company? I can't be sure yet, but..." He locks the screen and puts his phone down. "I know now that you never sent those messages, and that somehow I lost everything related to your contact. So...whatever you might've sent...it isn't here. I couldn't have seen it."

With a nearly shaking hand, you grab his phone and open it back up, still remembering his old passcode (Mabosstiff's Pokedex number). "Hold on..." You absolutely sent a message. Whether it was deleted or not... You check his blocked numbers, knowing that on your end, you've been blocked since back when you first told him about the pregnancy. "Yup..." You show him the screen. There among several spam numbers was your own. "You blocked me."

Arven opens his mouth to argue. "Or, I guess," You continue before he has a chance to interrupt. "I was blocked... somehow? I still... I don't see how this could have happened..." You set the phone down and fish out your own from your bag. "Here." It only takes a moment to pull up your old conversations. "You can read for yourself what I tried to tell you."

>Hey! I know this isn't ideal, and I really would have rather said it in person or over a face call or even just a regular call, but I think you need to know, and I'm having a really hard time verbalizing it to you. I'm sorry to do it this way, but it's better to say it now than not at all, right?

>I'm pregnant, and it's yours.

>I'm so, so, SO sorry! I promise I didn't mean for it to happen like this, and I'm not trying to like…baby trap you or something. I swear! You're my best friend in the whole world, and I'm so happy that you can go and live your dream in Kalos right now. But I just feel like you should know? Like you should have a say in what happens here? I'd love to talk to you. Do...do you want to do this? Because....well if you're willing I'd want to try this. With you. But I also know that you're living your dream right now, and I don't want to get in the way of that! I want you to be able to really embrace this new journey you're taking and learn and grow and do wonderful things! But I just wanted you to know, you know? Please don't hate me. Just give me a call when you have a minute, and we can figure this out. Okay?

. Then after several months, you’d sent a picture. Just a simple selfie of you, looking exhausted beyond belief, hair tamped down to your head with sweat, but still smiling. In your arms is a tiny bundle with a little purple hat, face looking squished and wrinkly and perfect. Arven knows exactly what he’s looking at before he’s read your final message.

>He's here. I don't know if you care, necessarily? But... I love him so much, and I don't understand how you couldn't, so I thought I should share.

You watch as Arven tears up, holding your phone like a tiny, precious creature. "I never knew. I... I swear I didn't." He swallows. "My...my team... They all have access to my phone. Something must've... Someone, I guess..." He shudders then looks to you, resolute. "I'll figure it out. But." Arven looks at your hand on the table then flexes his own, curling and uncurling it from a fist. "I... I wanted to know. I should've known. I'm so sorry this happened..."

"Me too..." The anger and fear and sadness you had churning in your gut this whole time slowly begins to still. You don't know how to feel exactly about the misunderstanding, but you know Arven. You know he isn't lying to you, and to hear him apologize for all of this... It's like a weight off of your soul.

Arven pauses, gathering himself then stares you in the eye. "I was supposed to leave tomorrow, head back. Fuck that. I need to be here. I need to see him.”

It's another punch to the gut, and on instinct, you respond. "No."

[warden-melli]

Small Melli headcanon, if you will...

The 'flying croissant' line makes me want to think Melli either actually has family in Kalos, or pretends to have Kalosian roots. Japanese people tend to have a bit of a romanticised view of France and Paris, so it'd be pretty funny to imagine Melli occasionally using French to seem more elegant and refined!

Nice catch! A lot of people seem to miss the Melli French/Kalos connection, so it’s cool that you picked up on it! I’ve actually posted several analysis/theory posts about this before, so it’s always a topic I’m keen to discuss!

I firmly believe that he does have Kalosian ancestry, as hinted at in several point during the story, so I’m fully with you there. As for him only pretending to be Kalosian? It’s an interesting headcanon that’s for sure, and would make sense for a character that is so focused on projecting a certain image like Melli is, but I think there’s several factors that make that unlikely, at least for me to subscribe to it personally

It’s important to note that Melli actually speaks French several times during the game, so I think it’s pretty likely that he has some real connections to Kalos. We know that the Diamond clan are the descendants of immigrants who came across the sea to settle in Hisui, so I think it’s pretty likely that he could be the child of Kalosian immigrants, and that he’s learned the language from them. Mai confirms that he grew up with the Diamond clan, and with the clan being as isolated as they are, I can’t really think of another way he would even be aware of Kalos, its language, or of the way its perceived culturally without some sort of family tie to educate him. Especially as no other member of the Diamond clan shows any knowledge of the French language, or displays any overt references to its culture. It seems to be unique to Melli and seems to hold a great significance to him, which is a super interesting aspect of his character

You’re right! While it’s very true that the Japanese have a romanticised view of France, that comes from a long history of positive interactions between the two countries. This includes trade, cultural exchanges, and immigration. If we assume that the Pokémon world’s versions will the two countries share a similar history, I think it’s very likely that Kalosian immigrants could have settled in Hisui, especially as we know those outside trade connections are only being established at the time PLA takes place

It’s also important to note that when Melli does speak French/Kalosian, it is always in context, and is alternated into his “regular” speech, a phenomena common to people who are bilingual, or are the children of people who speak a language at home that’s different from the one most commonly spoken in the area they live in. There’s even the croissant line itself, which can be interpreted two ways. The first, that when he calls Cresselia a croissant, that he is referencing the pastry. Something he really shouldn’t be aware of growing up in an isolated Hisuian clan. The second is that he was actually just alternating speaking French, and was just commenting on cresselia’s moon (or crescent) shape, as opposed to saying she resembled the pastry (who is also named for its shape. Croissant is literally the French word for crescent) Either way he seems to have a knowledge of Kalosian language/culture that seems unusual/impossible for someone who grew up in Hisui, far away from Kalos or any Kalosian people

I think for me though one of the biggest problems with this as a theory is that the Diamond Clan is small, and as mentioned earlier it’s confirmed that Melli grew up with them. It wouldn’t make sense for him to pretend to be Kalosian if he actually wasn’t, when he grew up in a community where everyone knows him, his family, and could easily disprove any false claims. The Galaxy team has only been in Hisui for a short time (Jubilife village has only existed for 2 years at the time of PLA), and the Diamond and Pearl clans had limited interactions before the Galaxy team helped organise a truce between them. With this in mind we know Melli has had very minimal interactions with people outside of his clan for his entire life. There’s just no way I could see him getting away with a lie like that in such a small, insular community like the Diamond clan

Most importantly of all, Melli never actually ever claims to be Kalosian at any point. Melli’s overconfidence is a deliberate persona, and one that isn’t exactly subtle. If he wanted you to perceive him as Kalosian, he would outright tell you, as opposed to dropping subtle hints

But, as a headcanon it’s really fun, and is an interesting way to interpret Melli’s seemingly random Kalosian references, and I think it fits really well with some aspects of his character. Personally, I believe that Melli pretends to be a lot of things, but Kalosian just isn’t one of them

This is just my personal opinion, based on my own interpretation though, and it fine (and cool) that you perceive him differently ^^

[topwan-obikin]

SECOND DEADLINE REVEALS ARE UP!

Here it is, the authors reveals for our second deadline of our fest, and the official conclusion of the first edition of our fest!

We are so happy about all the engagement and love you have showed us!! We are so grateful for it and we hope to come back for a second edition too. For now we declare our fest over, but we will still accept post-fest submissions (more details will be added later on this week.)

From this moment on, the authors mentioned in this post will be able to promote their creations however they like! You are free to post your work on your own social media and we will promote it alongside the reveal of your fic. You can include moodboards or other creative images in your promotion! Just be sure to tag the fest in some way.

If instead you didn’t have the chance to look through the creations revealed, now it’s a great time to do it. Give them some love and share the ones you loved more!

From next week, the blog will restart our weekly recs friday and wips wednesday, plus our games. And look out for this weekend because we will drop some content to celebrate the end of our first edition!

Now let’s dive in!

☆ I Bring You With Reverent Hands by Aigoo (Tara) @aigoos

 [Explicit - 5,067 w]

It is supposed to be an easy mission on Lenahra, but things go haywire when Master Anakin Skywalker’s unknown microchip is damaged and causes him to present as an omega. He needs to mate or he will die, is what Padawan Kenobi is told, and the young alpha has to make a choice with the man he’s loved for years.

☆ Eight of Cups by Exonerin @exonerin

 [Explicit - 40,058 w - chapters 8/8]

Anakin’s knighting ceremony is canceled. Somehow, Qui-Gon Jinn has joined the land of the living again, and the Council is too busy figuring out what to do. Washing their hands off the matter, the Council decides to make Qui-Gon Anakin’s and Obi-Wan’s problem. For Anakin, this is a dream come true (minus the mishap with his knighting). He has always wanted Qui-Gon as his Master. Unlike Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon would understand him. This is his chance to experience what having Qui-Gon as sort-of-Master would be like. The answer is as surprising as it’s disappointing. It sucks a lot. Rather than understanding, Qui-Gon misunderstands everything. Half the (disparaging) stuff Qui-Gon says about Obi-Wan flies over his head, too, but Anakin’s convinced Qui-Gon’s trying to drive a wedge between Obi-Wan and him. So, on second thought, Anakin prefers to remain Obi-Wan’s Padawan. Really, there’s no need to reschedule his knighting ceremony.

☆ Untethered Tongues by ashes0909 @ashes0909

 [Explicit - 5,851 w]

“Thank god you got off my lap. You stink more than a trash compactor.” Anakin laughs like he’s said the most amazing joke in the entire galaxy. “The only person I want in my lap is a bit tied up at the moment.” Obi-Wan freezes. Anakin freezes. Then turns a spectacular shade of red. Korrax laughs. “The truth serum always works quick.”

☆ ART by @yatsukisakura

OWK Obi-Wan accidentally time travels back to TCW era, Post-Rako Ardeen arc, hours before Anakin broke up with him that day. He plans to stop that from happening.

☆ Tame ART by @blue-lumen15 (also on ao3)

 [Mature - Fanart]

post-ROTS mustafar fight anakin/vader, limbs chopped off, is immediately saved by obi-wan.

☆ Kalos Kagathos by intermundia @intermundia

 [Explicit - 7,220 w]

At the Battle of Potidaea in 432 BC, Anakin Skywalker and his former tutor Obi-Wan Kenobi served together as hoplites in the phalanx, sharing a tent and meals, living side by side. During the siege, Obi-Wan was drawn by Anakin into a relationship where erotic attention and physical intimacy is mixed into their old, strong mentorship bond. After returning to Athens at the end of the summer campaign season, Obi-Wan distanced himself, refusing to put Anakin’s reputation at risk. Anakin doesn’t take rejection well, and refuses to give up on their love without a fight. He acts out, making Obi-Wan jealous, and gets what he wants in the end: Obi-Wan’s cock inside him.

☆ Tethered and Bound by jiminthestreets_bonesinthesheets @jiminthestreets-bonesinthesheets

 [Explicit - 20,241 w - chapters 6/6]

Anakin and Obi-wan can never catch a break, and this mission is no different. Unfortunately this time their misfortune comes in the form of three Dathomiri witch sisters, a seemingly unbreakable spell with a potentially fatal outcome, a very short time frame, and an extremely oblivious Jedi Master.

☆ After School Special by hopeforchange

 [Explicit - 23,618 w]

Anakin Skywalker learned how to lie before he knew how to tie his shoelaces. He wouldn’t be able to lead a successful double life if he couldn’t. At the age of twenty-two, he is the most popular stripper at the Starfall Club, the most skillful informant of the Naberrie family, and – the best liar in the world. There’s only one lie he can’t pull off - pretending he feels indifferent toward his drop-dead gorgeous professor.

♥ Ama'ya’s Dance by UsakoStar @usakostar

 [Explicit - 2,162 w - chapters 1/?]

Jedi Dragonrider Anakin Skywalker never expected his Dragon would rise during a planetary battle of all places. Or that his Master’s would answer her call. With the sacred bond between Dragon and Rider extending to shared mating dances, Anakin and Obi-Wan are repeatedly forced to confront the ways their Master-Padawan relationship has changed since Anakin was knighted.

♥ Home by UsakoStar @usakostar

 [Explicit - 3,609 w - chapters 2/?]

Fleeing a dark past, single omega parent Anakin Skywalker moves back to Coruscant in the hopes of giving his young family a fresh start. Alpha Obi-Wan Kenobi has just returned to teaching his kindergarten class after a whirlwind year abroad that ended in disaster. A second chance at love was something neither of them expected.

☆ My Son; My light by Snuggles_in_a_Starfighter

 [Explicit - 4,541 w]

Prompt fill! Single father Obi-wan has spent the past 17 years making sure his beloved boy is raised happy and though they’ve struggled a bit making ends meet when Anakin was younger, Obi-wan always tried his best to make sure he could give everything he could to Anakin. Nowadays, his baby is nearly all grown up and getting offers from universities all across the country, and he’s not feeling ready for the empty nest. To his surprise, his boy doesn’t want to leave his daddy, ever, Anakin decides to seduce the only man who’s ever made him happy into his childhood bed.

☆ Too Hot To Handle by dragons_and_angels @heaven-hell-and-humanity

 [Explicit - 3,607 w]

Obi-Wan and Anakin are in a tight spot. It’s even worse when Anakin suddenly presents as an omega.

♥ Lace by UsakoStar @usakostar

 [Explicit - 1,891 w - chapters 1/2]

When Obi-Wan and Anakin are sent undercover to a high-end slave auction for a vital mission, Obi-Wan had thought it would be a straightforward affair. He hadn’t counted on the lingerie.

♥ the muse: pleasure in bloom by boguspreston & innominatta (ineptia)

[Explicit - 4,166 w - chapters 1/8]

What would the artist focus on? Because so far, Obi-Wan had surprised him. The artist had focused on the sharp of his Adam’s apple, the muscularity of his back, the sullen scowl of his brow. Anakin didn’t know what he’d expected, unsure what about him would be defined as beautiful or interesting. He knew, faintly, that he was considered attractive, and that the artist was too, but if he analysed it, he came up empty. With the belt off, his jeans fell to the ground. Or, Obi-Wan is an artist who finds his muse.

 ☆ Serendipity by Darkwhisperings @dark--whisperings

 [Explicit - 6,032 w]

An accidental discovery on the holonet leads Anakin to a personal discovery about himself. And his Master. The rest, well, that's a happy accident.

☆ The Divinely Made by silkenlysleep @silkenlysleep

 [Explicit - 6,142 w]

Anakin has a choking kink. Or, until Obi-Wan decides he doesn’t.

♥ Electric Buzzing on Your Fingertips by deathbyobiwan @deathbyobiwan

[Explicit - 3,656 w - chapters 1/2]

As his Padawan grows into a man, Obi-Wan begins to be driven mad by the amount of unwanted attention that he receives. So does Anakin — the only upside is his former Master's increasingly displeased reactions. Surely it's not Anakin's fault, then, when he starts flirting with his suitors just to see what Obi-Wan will do?

♥ Like mine by Himboskywalker @himboskywalker

[Explicit - 3,027 w - chapters 1/2]

Anakin has never known his own scent after presenting as an alpha. Jedi use blockers to protect themselves from the dangerous pulls of instinct,and the even more dangerous pull of scenting one’s soulmate. More importantly he’s never known Obi-Wan’s scent. An important treaty with a culture who outlaw scent blockers changes everything.

♥ Curriculum Vitae by StrangeLilBat

[Explicit - 2,948 w - chapters 1/3]

Relationships come and go for Anakin Skywalker like the changing of seasons. Not by his choice, but through some cruel trick of the universe, he supposes. Enter Obi-Wan Kenobi - actor, millionaire, and all around good guy who also hasn't had much luck with his past endeavours. Will their relationship finally be the one they've been waiting and hoping for?

☆ the taste is oh so sweet by amadwinter @amadwinter

[Mature - 3,209 w]

Obi-Wan’s unimpressed glare wasn’t enough to shake Anakin’s resolve, nor was the purse of his frown, the way he folded his arms tightly over his chest, or how he looked seconds away from biting Anakin’s head off. Anakin knew what he had to do. What they had to do. He just hoped his racing pulse didn’t betray his true feelings. “I want you to feed from me directly.” Obi-Wan hasn't taken very well to his new diet after becoming a vampire. He would rather suffer in silence. Anakin won't let him.

☆ This Sacred Skin by silkenlysleep @silkenlysleep

[Explicit - 6,069 w]

Obi-Wan never knew Anakin could look good in white. Or, that he would lose his mind over it.

☆ ART by @yatsukisakura

First part of a obikin Agatha Christie style adaptation

♥ designed for cruelty by spitfired @spitefyre

[Explicit - 1,937 w - chapters 1/?]

And maybe the world was ending, maybe he was losing his mind. His gums ached and his vision was swimming. From the back of his throat, he choked out a growl, a groaning whine of need and confusion. But Anakin was by his side, and so he was sure they would be okay in the end. Or: In which Obi-Wan and Anakin are not alphas or omegas, because those don‘t exist. And then suddenly, they are, because why not?

♥ How Civilised by Quastake

[Explicit - 1,557 w - chapters 1/?]

Anakin thinks he’s ready to be knighted. His master, Mace Windu, does not agree. To prove himself, Anakin challenges a strange creature that has been kidnapping civilians. However, his normally flawless strategy of attack first, ask questions later may not be so solid after all.

☆ So Good For Me by dragons_and_angels @heaven-hell-and-humanity

[Explicit - 3,854 w]

Obi-Wan wondered if it was possible for someone to lose their mind over being denied an orgasm.

♥ A slip of the tongue by Viraha @virahaus

[Explicit - 1,835 w - chapters 1/2]

Two years after the end of the Clone Wars and the unmasking of Sidious' identity, Obi-Wan and Anakin are in what other people would call their 'honeymoon phase'. It would be better if they'd actually listened to Mace's advice and took a vacation months ago instead of thinking about it now, for the all the other Jedi peace of mind. After all, Obi-Wan (and half the jedi council) is about to discover what an half asleep, half horny Anakin is capable of to keep the attention of his Master on him all day long. Or, what happens when Anakin calls Obi-Wan 'daddy' in public and pretends to not know what he's doing.

If you know the handles of any of the authors we revealed today we did not tag, please let us know and we’ll add them!

You want to join our community and chat a bit? Join our discord server, invite here.

Twitter thread Pt1 - Pt2.

[media-enthusiast]

"Nightmares"

Summary: Serena has a nightmare spurred by a bad memory. May shares her own, very similar experience. Based on this unused scene where Ash is possessed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMNtMOQetQI

_____________________________

“Ash…?”

The boy she had feelings for turned around, giving the group a menacing look. His eyes…

She started to close the distance between them. “Ash, what’s wrong?”

“Serena!” A voice called out. “Get away from him, now!”

“Ash please, snap out of it! I can help you!”

An orb began forming in the trainer’s hand.

“He can use aura?!” Baraz cried out in shock.

The orb flew out of Ash’s hand. “Watch out!”

_____________________________

Serena shot up from her sleeping bag breathing heavily. She took in her surroundings as she tried to get her breathing under control; she was still in the tent.

Her eyes shifted to her brunette companion, jumping a little as she found a pair of piercing sapphire-blue eyes staring back at her.

“I heard you mumbling in your sleep,” May stated as matter of fact, sitting up in her sleeping bag. “Bad dream?”

“You could say that.” Serena replied.

“I heard Ash’s name once or twice.”

Serena gulped.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. Yes. Maybe.”

May raised an eyebrow and Serena sighed. “Yes.”

The brunette looked to the side. “Ash hasn’t told me much, but I know something happened to him.”

Serena tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“When we get to talk on the video phone, he…” May hesitated. “He will occasionally get this look in his eyes, like he is afraid. He will slightly lean back and he won’t speak for a few seconds.”

May placed a gentle, comforting hand on Serena’s shoulder.

“Now, I have my suspicions but I still don’t know for certain; so please… What happened in Dahara City?”

“How did you know it was about—?” “Serena, please.” May interrupted. “You were mumbling his name like you were scared. I know what happened during the other events and it is nothing that would have made someone even a tiny bit afraid of him. It’s the one Kalos event that he still doesn’t talk about. I am not an idiot.”

The blonde hesitated but soon sighed. She could not keep this bottled up forever.

“It's not Ash specifically that I am afraid of, I trust him with my life.

May smiled. She felt the same way.

“Basically, there was this… spirit, that was inside a bottle. Anyone who touched it would become possessed by it. Some things happened and the bottle was falling to the ground. To stop it from breaking and be lost forever, Ash jumped and caught it. He was… the spirit possessed him. That wasn’t what scared me though.”

May nodded, indicating for her to continue.

“When he turned around… I don’t know how to describe it, May. He… he was gone. His shoulders were squared up like in a fighting stance, his eyes were red. His face was of pure evil.

“I tried to talk him down. I thought I could get through to him but he didn’t listen. Then he…” Serena wiped a lone tear away. “He threw an aura sphere at me!”

May’s eyes grew a little. Even if Ash couldn’t use much aura, she was glad his powers either weren’t or couldn’t be accessed by the spirit that possessed him back in Kanto.

Serena continued. “Luckily, Pikachu must have escaped from Bonnie’s arms because he hit it with a thunderbolt. After that, the spirit tried to fight some more but Hoopa got it out of Ash.” She sighed.

“I just can’t get the image of him possessed out of my head. I know it wasn’t really him but�� you know.”

May was silent for a long time.

“Believe it or not, I know exactly how you feel.”

Serena was confused. “Huh?”

“That look in his eyes that I told you about? I have only ever seen him with that look once before. After he got possessed by the King of Pokélantis.”

“He’s been possessed before?!”

May nodded. “It was during our journey through the Kanto Battle Frontier. Ash was going to face Brandon in his Battle Pyramid. We accidentally found ourselves in some ruins after the ground collapsed beneath our feet. This is where we first met Brandon. One thing led to another and Ash came across a stone orb, similar to a Pokéball. A spirit trapped inside possessed him. The spirit never attacked us directly, but it used Brandon’s referee, in order to force an attack to be called off.”

Serena audibly gasped.

“Eventually, we got the spirit out and sealed it inside the orb again.”

“Ash never mentioned any of that when he spoke about his journeys with you guys.” Serena said.

May gave a tight smile. “I’m not surprised. While he did apologize to everyone, even though most of what happened wasn't his fault, he never really talked about how he felt about it. Even though the experience clearly affected him.”

Serena nodded. “Same here.”

May kept talking. “I helped Max deal with it and Brock dealt with it in his own way I guess. But me and Ash… honestly, we struggled. It affected me a lot more than I initially thought. We both found ourselves struggling to sleep. Sometimes, we would sit beside each other and watch the stars until we got tired. Other times, we would just stare at each other from our sleeping bags or beds in the Pokémon Center until one of us fell asleep.”

Serena fiercely fought off the small pit of jealousy that started to form in her stomach. Now was not the time.

"Eventually though, he stopped getting that look and we were more or less back to normal. After I saw him on tv during the event in Dahara City, I called him via video phone. That's when I saw that look had come back."

Serena nodded. "Sometimes, whenever I had my eyes closed but wasn't really out yet, I would hear Ash jerk in his sleep.”

May’s brow furrowed in worry.

“When did the bad dreams stop for you?” Serena asked.

“Actually, I still have them.”

Serena was surprised “You still get nightmares?! Even after so long?!”

May shifted uncomfortably. “Sometimes. They’ve gone down in frequency though. Maybe once a year for that particular dream. If you count other events during my journey though, I’ll have a really bad nightmare maybe once every four to five months.”

Serena grimaced. “So will I," she admitted.

There was another long period of silence.

“I take it you haven’t talked to him about it?”

Serena shook her head. “No. I’m sure you know but he doesn’t like to talk openly about what he is feeling unless it’s joy. Have you?”

May also shook her head. “No, we haven’t. Perhaps we should have; and maybe someday we will. But we could tell what the other was going through. We were just quietly there for each other.”

May gave a small smile. “We’re in sync, I guess. When he stops talking and gets that look in his eye, we just… look at each other. I know something happened to him in Kalos and he knows that I know. We comfort each other in those few seconds.” The girl shrugged. “And maybe that’s enough.”

Serena was unsure. “You think?”

May nodded. “I do.”

May then smiled fully. “But if you want to talk to him about it, I’m positive he will listen. I can’t guarantee he will open up himself, but he will listen. Trust me, it will get better. Just be there for each other and the nightmares will get better.”

Serena smiled back and nodded.

[xeternitas]

indie xerneas, est jan. 2015 {rules} {quote} {header} {banner}

     ❝ LIFE ASKED DEATH, Death, why do people love me, but hate you? ❞

HISTORY

Life is cruel. Who understands that better than its own being?

Xerneas came into existence alongside Yveltal in the dead of winter. If the two were an advent or response none could say, but soon after them came the mortals. For all that Xerneas and others consider Xerneas as such, Xerneas is not a god. It is more accurate to say Xerneas is a personification of or vessel for the force of life itself.

Worship of the Yggdrasil Trio started with the earliest human populations in Kalos. The ‘purest’ forms of worship Xerneas received were considered archaic only a few generations after they began and were lost to the ages tens of thousands of years ago.

For the first few generations of worshipers, Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde were worshiped together as three heads of a polytheistic religion. Most homes had a shrine for each member of the Trio, while temples dedicated to a single one would house shrines to the other two in places of prominence. When the worshipers began to choose favorites was when the divide between the Yggdrasil Trio appeared.

The rift affected Yveltal and Xerneas’ relationship the most, very nearly turning the two against one another. Only within the last fifty or so years were they able to reconcile; a slow process that is still underway.

Even with the distance between them, Xerneas never resented Yveltal’s place in the cycle. Xerneas views it as a necessary end, a means to keep the delicate balance between them. Tip too far in one direction and the ecosystem is doomed.

Roughly three thousand years ago, Xerneas and Yveltal became involved with the humans of Kalos to bring an end to a war. Known to the king under both its human aliases, Xerneas attempted to reason with AZ against the fighting. The king’s grief over the loss of his Pokémon sent him over the edge and he trapped Xerneas to use its energy to finish the war once and for all. Its energy depleted, Xerneas reverted to its tree form....

...And woke in the present day to one of AZ’s descendants attempting to do the same. Standing against the man was a sixteen year old girl by the name of Freya. Xerneas was once more imprisoned, this time being captured within an Ultra Ball. While Xerneas initially hated Freya for her actions, she slowly won Xerneas over through patience, hard work, and lots of cupcakes. During one of her outings Xerneas saved her life and in doing so revealed the ability to shift forms.

APPEARANCE

Xerneas is gendeerless, and accepts any pronouns when addressed or spoken of. It has mostly been referred to as “he” and “it” throughout its existence. Xerneas uses a basic form of glamour when taking on a human guise. As there is little more thought put into it than “look human” Xerneas’ form appears different to each person, as their minds are filling in the gaps with their own details. Are they speaking to a man? A woman? Someone outside the spectrum? It all depends on them.

Some variables remain more or less consistent: Xerneas’ human form is always tall, between 5′10″ and 7′. There’s always a tint of blue about the hair, and as Xerneas has no need to eat the form appears on the unhealthy side of thin. As it’s an illusion rather than shifting his form, standing in front of a reflective surface will show Xerneas as he looks in truth. Xerneas’ weight and limbs are concentrated in the image his glamour produces, so there’s no concern about his horns.

Among other Pokémon, and very few select humans, Xerneas uses its true name. Depending on if a human views Xerneas as more masculine or feminine, they will use the monikers “Xerxes” or “Xenia”.

Xerneas’ Pokémon form changes as well through one of two ways. The first is that Xerneas reverts to its tree form. The second is through the real-life understanding of evolution. That over time, a species will evolve to adapt to its environment. Xerneas is his own species, so he himself undergoes the evolutionary process over generations. This change is gradual and not something he has control over. It is instinctual, and happens all on its own.

Each variation of his Pokémon form will have similarities. Xerneas will always look like a Xerneas. He will retain a cervine structure and always have antlers, though the number and display may vary. The same color palette is always retained. (The header image is how Xerneas currently looks.)

PERSONALITY

Xerneas, as most older legendary Pokémon, has a vastly different moral system than humans, non-legendary Pokémon, and younger legendaries. When mortals followed Yveltal and Xerneas into existence they were viewed as lesser creatures. Despite his interactions with humans and other Pokémon, Xerneas still views most Pokémon as beneath himself and other legendaries. Humans he considers an outright danger. Those few select humans he’s bonded with he views as an exception rather than a hint he might want to reconsider his stance on humanity.

In interactions with others Xerneas remains somewhat aloof until given reason or proof to trust someone further. Xerneas has a lot of pride, and doesn’t take well to it being challenged. In short, he’s an asshole.

Xerneas is cautiously open to new romantic relationships. Be aware though that he has quite recently lost several of those he considered family, and his response to grief is to close himself off to outsiders. While it can be difficult to scratch beneath the shields Xerneas has put on over the millennia, do so and one will find a friend or partner who will truly cherish them forever.

ABILITIES

REJUVENATION

If injured sufficiently, or brought as near to death as it can be, Xerneas enters stasis. In its tree form Xerneas will heal whatever forced it to rejuvenate, as well as any minor injuries or scars it gained since its last stasis state. Xerneas, while generally aware of the passage of time, is otherwise unawares of whatever happens around it. On average these states last between fifty and one hundred years, with some lasting as long as three hundred. He doesn’t like to talk about the three thousand year outlier.

REANIMATION

Xerneas has the power to bring back the dead. Normally, there would be limits to what a person can do to revive another. So long without breathing, heartbeat, brain activity, or other major function, and people stay dead. Not so with Xerneas.

However, Xerneas doesn’t touch reanimation for several reasons. One, it goes against the cycle that Zygarde represents. Even without Zygarde as a medium, Xerneas would stay away from the act. Once a creature is dead, or clearly bound for death, he considers it in Yveltal’s realm. He leaves it there out of both respect and duty.

Second, reanimation’s gross. Xerneas gives life. He doesn’t heal it. If an injury killed whoever or whatever Xerneas brought back, that injury would likely kill it again. Xerneas doesn’t take the second factor into account. He merely sees reanimation and the reversal of death as a perverse act against Zygarde’s cycle.

Limits to the ability: Any animal or plant that had been processed for food. Dead tissue and cells. Skeletons. After a certain point in decomposition, a body is no longer viable and cannot be reanimated.

ARTIFICIAL CONCEPTION

Not insemination, conception. This works best with the would-be mother, though it will work with the father as well. If a child is made with Xerneas’ aid, there are two things to note. One: the child will be unable to conceive. Two: it will have an incomplete set of DNA. If it was the mother Xerneas helped especially, the child will be almost a carbon copy of the parent’s genetics, aside from the occasional gap in the genome. Overall, the child will be a type of artificial life.

As opposed to reanimation, Xerneas has no qualms preforming this feat. He’s the being of life giving life to something new. It only affects the cycle insomuch as he helped create a being that will someday go to Yveltal.

FAIRY AURA

The default mode for Fairy Aura is ‘on’. It produces a calming atmosphere around Xerneas that reduces hostility and soothes nerves. Fairy-type Pokémon are more sensitive to the aura, and will be drawn to Xerneas if he is within a few miles. If he is close enough they will receive a small boost to their power. Dragon-types can be adversely affected by this, while Steel-types may not feel its effects.

If he so wishes, Xerneas can turn the ability off. He can also harness the ability to do the reverse of its innate use and repel others away from him. Each takes a considerable amount of focus and the ability will revert to its original purpose if he does not consciously keep the change active.

MISCELLANEOUS

Technically, Xerneas is no longer owned. Freya’s an active muse and the blogs will likely overlap, but Xerneas’ blog is far enough along that in his most present of verses she’s dead. Xerneas isn’t sure what this means in terms of if it’s possible for another trainer to catch him.

Back before the Kalosian war Xerneas had no fighting style. Not to say Xerneas couldn’t hold his own, but he avoided fighting. After battling with Freya, as a league Pokémon no less, he developed an instinct for it. He still prefers things not come to blows, but he’s more likely to instigate a fight.

Xerneas is incapable of killing. He may wish to, he may bring someone as close to it as possible, but he cannot physically kill. Expect a miraculous survival, though not recovery, if one pushes him that far.

When not roaming Kalos as he is most prone to do, Xerneas resides in the forest where he and Yveltal first came into being. Or, maybe it’s two forests now. Over time one half died off until only dried stems and barren trees remained, as the other continued to flourish. Xerneas’ half of the forest teams not only with plant life, but with wildlife. The Pokémon live there peacefully, as Xerneas does not tolerate conflict within his and Yveltal’s haven. Should they wish to fight, they must leave. Humans are free to come so long as they go.

Xerneas keeps a hut for his human form and any human-shaped guests. Its only furnishings are a sofa just long enough to not be called a love seat, and a side-table with photographs of his family with Freya. Food containers come and go through the ages dependent on how social he is, while there tends to be a faucet of some design for water. Strangely, while all appliances work, none of them are ever hooked to a power source.

Xerneas is fluent in French and English. It used to be fluent in Latin, but as the language fell out of use Xerneas became rusty. He cannot read or write in any language. He’s ambidextrous, and dislikes being called “Xern”. Genders confuse him but he doesn’t care enough to ask. He hates puns. There seems to be an exception for the collection of “World’s Deerest Dad” mugs kept in his hut.

     ❝ DEATH RESPONDED, Because you are a beautiful lie, and I am a painful truth. ❞

[pokemon-legends-and-legacies]

6, 12, 18, 24 for Florian?

(As Florian plays the role of SV protagonist in my verse, I've been playing the game as him, and have some burgeoning ideas of further ship ideas involving that game. However, since all of that is still heavily WiP and Sophia is his main partner regardless of any future possible poly shenanigans, she'll be the one in question for the answers referring to his lover here!)

06. Do they have any hobbies that their lover finds unusual, odd, or otherwise annoying?

While his height is more often than not a hindrance, Florian still can be a bit smug about towering over most other people when he has the chance. Sophia despises this since she’s already the shortest member of her family, and sometimes Florian just makes her feel even shorter than she is when he effortlessly reaches tall places she’d need a stool to barely get to, casually (jokingly) rests his elbow on her head, or any other number of little quirks that get on her nerves.

And I’m now realizing this says “hobbies” and not “habits”, so to actually answer the question, Sophia is not necessarily the hugest fan of how much Florian loves the outdoors. She certainly doesn’t mind getting a bit of sun and maybe having a nice, relaxing picnic now and again, but things like camping and running around helter-skelter with your pokémon, tracking mud and who knows what else everywhere, are simply not for her and she doesn’t really see what Florian gets out of it, especially when he’s so conscious of his image and fashion otherwise. She certainly doesn’t fault him for his interests being different from her own, but this is one pastime she’ll never fully understand for him or anyone else. He can camp all he wants, she’ll be staying in the cozy hotel.

12. Is there some particular talent, skill, or attribute that they simply could not give up?

Florian places great pride in his strong connection to the past and keeping those traditions alive. While his memories of his first life can be a burden to him, he also would not trade them for anything. To him, his life has been a continuous unspooling thread and he simply cannot imagine what he would be like had he simply ceased to be when his first life came to a close. He and his brother are now, as far as they know, the only people from the ancient Kalos of three millennia ago still walking the earth, and Florian takes that very seriously. He wants to ensure that everything he can recall about his homeland, language, culture, and the people he knew is able to be recorded for posterity, as most of it had originally been long lost to history and myth. He’s been in touch with other reincarnations, and as far as any of them know, he was from the earliest time period among the whole current group of them. He is often fiercely homesick for his past, but has found that sharing those stories with his new friends and family and bringing them into his world can ease that ache, so he’s made it one of his life’s missions to aid in researchers, linguists, and historians as best he can to make the most of his second chance.

18. What kind of home would they want to live in? Where would they place this abode?

Ideally, Florian would love to live in a small cottage in a secluded, quiet village, surrounded by nature and far from the overwhelming hustle and bustle of cities and modern life, but in practice that home will be at most a vacation house for him. Having grown up in a big city and knowing full-well that marrying a princess means a life of lavish palaces and formal events simply means Florian cherishes the time he has to get away all the more. He knows that you can’t always get exactly what you want in life, so strives to find compromises wherever he can (something he learned through his own hardship as a prince and later king in his earlier life). He is doing his best to convert Sophia to the joys of country living (real country living not “The Summer Palace” country living) and he’s pretty sure he’s winning her over yet!

24. In their own words, how would your character describe what their lover is like?

“In Sophia, I find a resourceful, kind woman with strength in her convictions and the ability to use her position to uplift the voices of others. I have met few others as caring and driven as her, who put so much tireless effort into their work and ask for nothing in return but the continued success and happiness of the people she represents and strives to aid. However, the woman I fell in love with is the Sophia not seen in public appearances or written about in magazines, but the woman who almost burned the kitchen down trying to make me eggs, who threatens to lop me off at the kneecaps every time I need to fetch something from a height for her, who wrinkles her nose and swears quite colorfully under her breath when things don’t go her way, and enjoys daytime soap operas and has cried while watching that holiday romance movie that came out last… and oh dear she’s giving me a look, I suppose I can’t divulge all her secrets now can I? Needless to say, she’s wonderful and I adore her and she has not a single flaw, of course.”

[arch-kav]

lets unpack that bag.

what should i brought to serenaum.

first thing first, my camera.

can life without this sih, kaya separuh nafas gua ada di kamera ini. wkwkwk, someone told me it's important to capture every moment in photos or videos. Not just for any reason, but because time keeps moving forward, and memories will always be preserved in those images. so i always bring them with me. to capture everything and send them to him.

second, maybe will be my lucky charm? wkwk.

LUCU KAN? someone sent it from a far. dan setelah tau bikinnya (dikasih tau mami) SUSAH banget, gua jadi bawa terus kemana mana. Dia bilang ini biar gua pede semisal ngomong di depan orang, jadi semisal gua grogi or felt unsure gua pegang nih gantungan kunci. and after that, i feel like i can do anything. menurut lu pada ini di kasih jampi jampi gak sih?

third, laptop.

meskipun di serenaum, ternyata gua nggak boleh cuti. 😭 maklum lah ya, tuh orang tua (re:papi) udah nggak mau tau tracking client nya udah sampe mana aja. jadi ya mau nggak mau gua harus tetep bekerja dan kelas. nggak akan bolos kelas juga karna bayar kuliah MAHAL dan gua nggak mau kelamaan di boston. boleh gua minta diskon kalo laptop ini bakal sepaket sama headphone dan ipad gua? 😭 can't live without them.

fourth, hoodie dan baju baju lainnya.

karna tentunya nanti gua harus ganti baju, nggak mau gua bau di bus. 😭 apalagi lu tau sendiri bau bus tuh khas banget. so will go with simple hoodie and some tshirt aja sih biar gak ribet, oh and I’ll also bring a few formal outfits, just in case there’s an important event (and for meeting too) don’t want to look too messy.

Lastly, my glasses.

gua minus 4, so nggak akan bisa idup semisal nggak bawa nih kacamata. bisa sih tapi nggak akan liat semuanya dengan jelas, gua akan memicing dan dikira manusia judes sama orang orang. have a weak eyesight was truly the worst, sempet disaranin mami untuk lasik tapi gua takut.

[ravioxhilda]

Drew my version of the Kalos friend group, basically Serena and a few OCs that I’ve had for almost four years now. I may talk about them later but the first image has my Male Team Flare Grunt OC Alex and Serena and the second image has my Female Team Flare Grunt OC Rose and Amelia! I love them all very much so I hope you all can also gain an appreciation for them.

[ancient-pokehistorian]

The Dark Origins of Boariler

Contrary to the belief of most historians, life metal isn’t a naturally-occurring ore; it’s an alloy created by Vantias’ master metallurgists.

Specifically…it’s a form of salvage.

The mountains of Vanitas sported a wide variety of Pokémon, but rock-, ground-, and steel-type Pokémon were the most prevalent. Steel types in particular were a source of great pride, and many built strong relationships with their Pokémon. Their loyalty was considered unmalleable, and many Vanitian compliments reference various steel-type Pokémon. But even steel-types don’t live forever.

Instead of abandoning the bodies to rust, Vanitians would summon a master metallurgist and their team, who would carefully and respectfully take the metal. In the foundries, it would be smelted, mixed with a few other unknown metals for durability and strength, and then cast into ingots of a new alloy: life metal. These ingots would be carefully stored until enough was gathered to craft a Boariler-about 1,000 lbs (453.6 kg).

While it acts as one, Boariler are essentially amalgamations of dead steel types. Unlike Spiritomb, however, they never seemed to be malicious, and rarely purposefully attacked humans. If their coals became too stoked-as Boariler would sometimes do while energizing itself in the heat of battle-the spirits would began to act discordantly, leading to a berserker-like state.

The conglomeration sometimes resulted in a second Hidden Ability, dubbed Spirit Flame. This ability supposedly worked similarly to Dhelmise’s Steelworker ability, except boosting ghost-type moves. But given that Boariler only learned Curse as a ghost-type move, it simply changed Curse to act as it did with ghost types (loses 1/2 max HP, but the opposing Pokémon will lose its max HP by quarters over time until the battle ends). It retained only the weaknesses and resistances of its steel/fire typing.

The composite also resulted in Boariler’s great variation in movepools; save for the fire moves that came with gaining the fire-typing, the variant moves tended to be moves known by the Pokémon used to make the life metal of that specific Pokémon.

Although steel types would occasionally die of natural causes (but rarely old age), resources for life metal increased dramatically after wars, for obvious reasons. The Boariler created were then often used in follow-up battles or counter-attacks. Despite the limited numbers of the Vanitian army, their mounts and fighting spirit were almost infamous, leading to the image of a powerful and fierce region that rarely backed down from conflict. And this image suited the stubborn Vanitians perfectly.

However, production of Boariler came to a halt following the Great Kalos War. In light of all the lives taken to power AZ’s flower, Vanitas as a whole decided it would be in poor taste to salvage the remains in order to make war beasts. No armistice stopped them, as the origin of life metal was still kept a closely-guarded secret. However, metallurgists simply refused to craft more, and destroyed all recipes and directions used in their creation. The closest they ever came was melting down a single Pokémon in order to create a memento for their trainer. With the exception of Boariler, for fear the life metal used to create the might be recycled to make more.

Over time, Boariler numbers decreased as the species died off naturally. In early days, they were buried, but as time passed and many original trainers died, they were released into the wild. Sometimes people still come across the remains.

Boariler can still be seen on many crests in Vanitas as a mark of regional pride. However, it seems appropriate that the Vanitas royal family died off with their Pokémon.

[alpiku]

Halle Hyacinth, has been looking forward to finally making her official debut as a coordinator. With the support and guidance of her older brother Harley, she finally joins a contest, and to her surprise she wins her first ribbon!

However, she finds later that day that Harley rigged the contest so she’d win. A tactic he’s done many times before when he felt necessary. But unlike him, Halle is furious that Harley didn’t trust her at all…and on top of that that he’s been such a bad sport throughout his coordinator career. The image she so admired crumbling in a matter of seconds.

Halle storms off the contest hall in tears, but not before throwing her ribbon near Harley’s feet. Leaving to forge a path of her own, outside of her brother’s influence.

—

Harley is pretty hurt by this family dispute. His lighthearted and petty demeanor fading for a moment. While he was well aware that many people weren’t fond of him, he didn’t mind for he always remembered that the few that did, were what mattered.

Harley’s long friendship with Solidad had made him strive to find appeal in his eccentric ways and share that with everyone. And that allowed him to share that with Halle when she was born, who admired him just for who he was and got to teach her about Pokémon and contests.

—

Halle picked up Harley’s fondness for ‘scary’ Pokémon, her beloved Shuppet, Quinn, which she received as a gift from him. She later gains an affinity towards ghost-types and catches a Misdrivous and a Snowrunt. She also adds to her team a Mimikyu and Feebas she found abandoned.

They’re half siblings from their father’s side. I’d like to believe Harley picked most of his toxic traits from his household, but finally got a space to express and develop his abilities once he started spending more time with the new branch of the family.

Halle’s mom is a fashion designer and was absolutely thrilled to teach young Harley, who showed so much interest in the craft. She taught Harley how to sew and design his own clothes, as well as styling in general. She introduced him to contests too as she helped make some of Hoenn most stunning contest outfits ☆

—

Other neat ideas!

• Halle absolutely adores May! If she had to pick a favorite coordinator (aside from her brother) it would be her!

• She thinks Drew is bit overrated (but will never admit to it haha)

• Had never met Solidad until her first contest. But quickly comes to admire her after doing so!

• Appearance wise she resembles Harley a lot. She’s got short purple curly hair and is taller than average. She’s also got blue eyes and her hair is pinned back by a big ribbon. Her clothes also resemble her Shuppet.

• Personality wise they’re quite different. Halle doesn’t take things as seriously as Harley, especially winning. She can appear intimidating at first glance, but she’s a joy to be around!

• After the sibling fight, Harley starts becoming more distant and participating less and less on contests. At one contest he doesn’t pick on May or Drew at all, which frightens them a bit. Harley loses on the preliminary round and May wins the contest.

She later asks Harley what’s up, it’s true that Harley was a be a big obstacle on her coordinating journey till now, but some part of her missed that petty rivalry of theirs. It was definitely a challenge, but at times fun.

Long story short, Harley asks May for help with finding and patching things up Halle. To which she agrees, under the condition that he’ll make an effort to become a better sport (no cheating, no tricks and definitely no shenanigans) and join her and Drew traveling till they meet up with Halle.

Drew to everyone’s surprise is willing to help Harley with his sister too. Drew knows too well how simple words and actions can strain family relationships. Drew’s got a brother whom he hasn’t spoken to in years due to an argument in the past. (He lives abroad in Kalos.)

Solidad joins the group later down the road! Their rivalry grows and their friendship strengthens!

Maybe after reconciliation Halle joins the group as well, making Harley and Halle the sibling duo of the group! 💜

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve created a fanon sibling for one of the Hoenn coordinators, I’d have 2 nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.

[oceandiagonale]

yeah, kalos wasn’t generic’s favorite region

the legendaries were rude, the restaurants were “eh,” and this one guy was determined to reset the world at any cost?

(image descriptions under the cut)

Comic with grayscale backgrounds, taking place in the Team Flare underground base in Geosenge.

1. Anonymous ask: What what did Lysander do???

2. Generic is dressed in his Kalos adventuring outfit: a beanie that hides his iconic 3-pronged cowlick, his usual fingerless gloves, a simple overshirt covering a plain t-shirt, jeans, and his usual sneakers.

He turns to Yvonne and Shauna outside the door of Lysandre’s lab and tells them, to their dismay, “Listen, you two. You did a great job helping me with the Grunts and door lock, but I think you should get somewhere safe now.”

“But we’re all friends, aren’t we? We’re supposed to be doing this whole journey together!” Shauna pleads, her eyes shining. “Even the scary parts!” Yvonne adds, clenching her fist with determination.

“Well, yes, but this isn’t just scary -- it’s dangerous. The Legendary Pokemon is probably going to be in pain or grouchy about being woken up and it could lash out.” Gene holds up his hands helplessly, trying to get through to his young rivals. “I’d be a pretty bad friend if I put either of you in that situation. Besides, what would I tell your parents if you got hurt because of the Ultimate Weapon? ...You can help and be safe if you go get the Professor, okay?”

Yvonne crosses her arms, and Shauna perks up at at least having a goal. “Okay...!” “Okay...”

3. Gene enters the room where Yveltal is sleeping, curled up like an egg on a pedestal surrounded by immense power cables.

It’s Yveltal after all... Guess that’s why Xerneas wanted me to come to Kalos so quickly after Hoenn. Gene looks up at it, then pulls out a Pokeball and sighs, a flat expression on his face. Guess I’ll catch them. This won’t take long.

Quite a while later, Gene is standing in a pile of used-up Pokeballs, glaring up at Yveltal. “What the heck, Yveltal?! Don’t you want me to help you escape?” He snaps at it, but its eyes are huge and vacant.

“Of course not.” Lysandre walks in behind Gene, wearing his cybernetic suit. Gene glances at it, judging its tacky hovering energy-draining little robots and Lysandre’s slatted orange glasses as Lysandre continues. “It’s under my complete control.” 

4. Lysandre walks past Generic, expressionless, ignoring his side-eye as he scoffs, “Of yeah? How did you manage that without some sort of energy-filled Orb?”

“I can’t tell you that right now. But Yveltal will do anything I tell it to until I get what I want.” 

Lysandre turns and faces Generic ominously, and Generic rubs the back of his neck, sweating. “Really? Do we have to battle again? You’re just going to lose!”

Lys peeks over the rim of his glasses, and Yveltal mimics his movement. “I know. No ‘villain’ has ever been able to win when a ‘hero’ chosen by legendaries exists in the region.”

5. “So... what then?” Gene crosses his arms.

“So obviously I have to get rid of the hero in the region.”

Gene takes a split-second to process the implications of that, then looks up at Yveltal with a terrified “SHI--”

But his swear and the reflex to put his hands up to protect himself are cut off as Yveltal unleashes OBLIVION WING. It’s red. Everything is so red for a moment and then it fades to black.

6. The faint sounds of “eternal healing!” and two voices frantically begging “get up!” ring in Generic’s ears as he comes to. He’s lying face-down on the floor outside of Yveltal’s chamber, blood slowly moving again from where it had started pooling in his limbs, his eyes sunken and barely open. Celebi and Xerneas are tugging at his overshirt, pleading with him to be alive -- an overshirt that has a massive hole burned through the back of it.

In an instant, he realizes that his lungs are working -- screaming for air -- and he pushes himself up with one hand and GASPS. Tears are streaming from his eyes, which have dampened again, and the pink and blue glow of Xerneas’s healing isn’t working fast enough to stop him from shaking like a leaf with the sheer effort of sitting up into a kneeling position.

Xerneas looks rather pleased with itself, but Celebi’s relief and love is palpable.

“wh----” Gene gasps, looking with terror at the gaping hole in the back of his shirt (represented by a dark gray Y shape in the last panel).

“I slowed down time as much as I could but the Ultimate Weapon is almost charged! You have to go back in and catch Yveltal with the Master Ball and beat Lysandre!” Celebi looks scared for their hero, and guilty at having to burden him again in this state.

7. Inside the chamber, Lysandre has discarded his cybernetic machine, their purpose of draining Yveltal’s power complete. “At last... my new world... It’s almost ready...” He stares up in awe at Yveltal and types out some commands on the gadget around his wrist. The door “vwoosh”es open behind him.

A Thunder Stone THONKs off of the back of his head

and then Generic is in the doorway, propped up against the frame, clutching his sides and barely able to stand, but holding a Masterball steady. His eyes are still sunken and his face is scrunched up, both from fury and the Herculean task of staying upright.

“hey asshole” his throat is still dry. the words are barely coming out as a croak. “it didn’t work”

And he throws the Masterball right past Lysandre’s head, catching Yveltal.

8. Lysandre raises his shoulders and gives Generic a disgusted look. “FINE. I can’t win... today.”

Gene clutches at his chest with both hands, panting and dripping with sweat from the strain of being alive. His face is full of pain and disbelief as Lysandre continues, “I’m going to destroy this base with the energy in the Ultimate Weapon. Get out. Tell the rest of Team Flare to initiate the escape protocols.”

Lysandre slams on his wrist machine, which bleeps out a “WEAPON LAUNCH INITIATED” 

“NO--” Gene tries to raise a shaky hand to stop Lysandre from -- getting away with it all, getting away -- but he can’t move. Lysandre teleports out of the base in a burst of blue, hurling one last “This isn’t over.” at Gene.

9. Later, Gene sits at a table in just his turtleneck, with his face resting in one hand and tracing the glow of Xerneas’s power with the other hand. “So... When do I stop glowing?” 

“WHEN MY WONDERFUL GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE HAS EXPELLED ALL OF YVELTAL’S DESTRUCTIVE ENERGY FROM YOUR CORPOREAL FORM AND HEALED THE DAMAGE IT DID! ...IT MAY BE A WHILE”

Even later, Dialga shouts at Celebi with the concern of a parent whose kid just ran into traffic. “I LEAVE YOU FOR TWO YEARS AND YOU MANAGE TO LET OUR SON DIE?” 

Celebi waves their little arms reassuringly. “nooo babe it’s not like that it was Xerneas’s fault”

This is not reassuring.

[puppyluver256]

[Image Description: Three fan-made Pokemon based around the five-lined skink with more draconic features.

The first Pokemon is a tan lizard with a long tail and blue lines along its back, small beige nub-horns, a turquoise belly, and light orange eyes. Dark blue text outlined in blue to the right of the image reads "Dranada".

The second Pokemon is a bronze lizard with a long dark turquoise tail and blue lines along its back, beige horns, a turquoise belly, and orange eyes. Dark blue text outlined in blue to the right of the image reads "Redrake".

The third Pokemon is a bronze lizard with a long dark turquoise tail and blue lines along its back, long beige horns, a turquoise belly, blue claws on its front legs, and red eyes. Dark blue text outlined in blue to the right of the image reads "Dragorge".

End ID.]

-----

Dranada - Tiny Dragon Pokemon - water/dragon Despite their small size, Dranada can be quite feisty when forced into a confrontation from which they cannot flee. The lines along their bodies provide both camouflage and a method of communication. / It lives in the tributaries of Cantessy’s big rivers until it is large enough to start migrating closer to the main river. It tends to be quite skittish and will avoid human interaction whenever possible, made easier by the lines on its body blending in with water flow.

Redrake - River Dragon Pokemon - water/dragon It is said that seeing one the day before an important event is a sign of good luck, so it is not uncommon for people to visit rivers in the days leading up to such occasions. There’s no guarantee the river in question even houses Redrake, however, as they are quite particular about their living area. / Redrake inhabit Cantessy’s rivers, though the average person actually getting a chance to see them is quite the rare occurrence. This is partly due to how elusive they are, and partly due to humans often incorrectly identifying where they would settle unless they study these Pokemon.

Dragorge - River Dragon Pokemon - water/dragon It lives in and around deep rivers at the bottom of vast gorges. It lays its eggs in personally carved tunnels that eventually become tributaries to the rivers they branch off from. / Legend says that a gigantic Dragorge carved out the entire Ruby River millions of years ago. While this can’t be proven conclusively, Dragorge are known to create offshoots to said river via tunnelling during mating season.

More Cantessy Fakemon, and finally we're showing off the pseudo-legendary! These guys are based around the five-lined skink, a little lizard that lives around here, with some more draconic traits like horns and fangs and such hehe. They've got some themes from the Red River Gorge and surrounding areas, such as the Nada Tunnel (pronounced "nay-duh" rather than "nah-dah", I know, I didn't expect that either when naming Dranada). Also! These guys say trans rights! ...Let me explain my meaning with that. Dranada's gender ratio is 75% male and 25% female, whereas Redrake's is 50/50 and Dragorge's is 25% male and 75% female. Now given that they "fixed" the similar thing with Azurill where there would be a chance a female Azurill would turn male upon evolution up until gen...6, I believe, I don't think a Dranada that you catch would change gender when evolving in your party. Lore-wise, though? They ab-so-LUTELY do change gender as they mature! In fact, Cantessy's dragon specialist has one that did so! Dragorge has definitely become an important symbol for trans women in Cantessy. Especially in the case of that dragon specialist. (and if anyone's got some nasty things to say about trans people in the Pokemon universe, Beauty Nova from Kalos says hi)

These guys are unfortunately exclusive to Plow Version, and their "equivalent" in Circuit Version is a non-variant official Pokemon (the Goomy line). Kind of ironic that the eighth Gym Leader in Circuit uses one as her ace, right? Speaking of which...guess who's getting shown off next :3c

Reminder that if anyone wants to suggest moves for any Cantessy Fakemon to learn and some physical stats where I haven’t yet figured them out, feel free to throw ‘em at me :3 Links to their info pages will be provided in the replies!

💖🐶 Check out my pinned post for ways to support my artwork, among other things! 🐶💖

~If you like, please reblog to show your friends! Likes are appreciated, but reblogs let more people see my content! If you have something to say, feel free to give feedback in tags/comments/replies as well!~

Pokemon and related concepts © Nintendo/GameFreak Dranada, Redrake, Dragorge, the Cantessy region, and artwork © PuppyLuver Studios

[ecoamerica]

Apply or nominate: https://ecoamerica.org/american-climate-leadership-awards-2025/

Calling all organizations, individuals, and small businesses successfully engaging Americans on climate! Showcase your creativity and climate solutions by applying for @ecoamerica’s 2025 American Climate Leadership Awards. You can win $1K - $50K by submitting your efforts for consideration by a stellar line-up of judges and individuals leading on climate. It’s quick and easy to submit your application or nominate inspirational climate leaders. Apply or nominate today!

[iruludavare]

"Who's this?" (from Elio!)

Send “Who’s This?” for your muse to pick up a photograph of someone from my muse’s past, and my muse will tell them who they are || Accepting

@hibiscan

     At first, she thought nothing of letting Elio rummage through various albums stashed away at the top of her closet. To peel back through plastic-covered pages, and gain an insight to his adoptive sister’s life, and all that it encompassed, seemed like a truly harmless thing. Photos, both old and new, detailing intimidate details of one who has gone through so much in such little time. From moments in the Floaroma Meadows, to ones in studios hundreds of years old, to ones of costumes so grandiose the scent of hairspray might waft from them, and everything in-between. He had a right to know-- a right to understand her, and find his place in amongst a family perhaps not traditional, but thrive as loving.

     It was only when a certain photograph is flashed under her nose, that slate blue eyes widen, and the heroine’s features turn a whiter shade of pale.

     There she is, adorned in an all-too-familiar high-waisted and red skirt, hat atop her head, hand-in-hand with a boy around the blonde’s age. And, oh, how it takes her back. Eyes flutter close for the briefest of seconds, but a lifetime flashes before them. She can hear the sounds of waves crashing upon the shore they were walking upon in the image, the laughter that had accompanied by her and the ace trainer’s smile, the swinging of their intertwined hands. The way grey eyes would fall upon Serena, and regard her with so much love-- a kind she would return tenfold with a gaze of her own. Never could the heroine forget him, nor the days they spent together. Of the vivid memories the young woman can recall, they would always be the fondest.

         “...That’s my--”

     She stops. The word she wishes to speak latches onto the back of her throat, fighting to stay as it is, and yet also be given the right to exist. Her boyfriend. The love of her life; her first love; a young man who had shown her so much patience and warmth when Serena thought she had lost it all.

          “--That’s Farris...He was my boyfriend.”

     There is a shift of mild discomfort; the aversion of a gaze swiftly pooling with emotions to tangled among themselves to ever be described in a comprehensive manner. A lump is swallowed down a throat closed tight. Eyelashes fluttering. Yet Elio is not-- could never be-- to blame. There is no way he could have known who the other person in the photo was, Serena tells herself, for she had avoided speaking of him. To relive it all, why her heart simply could not bear it. Even now, so many years later, does his loss feel as devastating and raw as it had the day she watched him take his final breath.

          “I’ve never met anyone kinder or more understanding than he was. Or sweeter. We met early on in my journey around Kalos, and it was... Have you ever met someone, and immediately felt a connection to them? It was like that. It was like... we had known each other our entire lives.”

     A pause ensues. Heavy and suffocating.

          “He taught me all that he knew about battling, too. Farris-- he was a remarkably strong trainer. He’d been about to challenge the Elite Four. Juliette was one of his pokemon. That’s... why I have her. Or, well... all of the ones that were his.”

     Although, she thinks, perhaps her brother might have pieced together that the Meowstic was not originally her own. Hands collect atop her lap, and in an attempt to look Elio’s way, an unfortunate glimpse of the picture is caught.

          “When the Ultimate Weapon was unearthed in Geosenge Town, he was--... part of a house fell on him, and--”

     It was a horrific way to go. So desperately had she tried to give him a good death. To tearfully whisper him sweet nothings. To hold his hand as he laid in a hospital’s bed as he tried to sleep-- to quell the fear he had of never waking up again. Battered and bruised, the sickly shade and smell of rotting flesh, agonised sounds, a leg sacrificed to try and stop the spreading of persistent infections. Serena’s breath hitches in her throat, and yet the question still echoes around in the depths of her mind:

     What else could she have done to save him?

          “...Not a day goes by where I don’t miss him. We would’ve been engaged, if he was still alive today.”

[epicspheal]

Hey! I remember a while back I read a fanfic of yours regarding twilight wings- the unofficial Raihan episode. In it their was an oc of yours, and I was wondering if you have any more? I like making oc's myself and it's fun to see other people's ideas and stories.

Hi there!  You have...opened the floodgates (in a good way). I have quite a few champion OCs. I’ll focus on the various champion OCs I have since I’ve mentioned this on my blog before the champions of Pokemon remain my favorite class of characters as they have so much potential as we’ve seen with Leon in SwSh. This is going to be a somewhat long post as I have 5 champions to talk about (plus there are pics here, most of them commissions from some very talented artists that I’ve tagged as I can’t draw)

(There’s Marsha and her starter/ace Rosemary the Audino with @hayleyb100 ‘s character Richard. Thank you HayleyB for drawing this! And if you guys haven’t please check out her amazing art and stories)

I’ll start off with the OC you mentioned in your ask...Marsha (full name Marsha Miller). She’s the Alolan champion that we see in my Conviction, the Raihan twilight wings episode (also shameless plug for my fic). Like many champions she’s a mixed type trainer, but she does have a slight preference for fairy types on her team. Unlike the SM/USUM protagonist, she actually hails from Unova but her family is military (her father used to serve under Lt. Surge before becoming a lieutenant himself) and so she’s lived in Unova, Kanto, and Alola. Before she ended up becoming Alola’s champion, she was content with being head of the cheer squad at her high school while in Kanto (before her family announced moving again and she was needless to say, quite upset at the prospect of throwing away her cheer captain title). Back when she lived in Unova, she would often stop by her grandparents herbalist shop to learn about various medicinal herbs.

I hint to this a bit in my Convictions fic when Marsha asks Raihan a question about him becoming champion elsewhere, but Marsha has a huge bout of imposter syndrome from being the first ever champion of Alola as she doesn’t feel like she measures up to the legends like Red or Blue or known superstar champions like Leon and Cynthia. A lot of her character growth comes after she wins the title as she learns to work with Kukui to help build up the Alola League and make it famous. Luckily she happens to be a pretty friendly, if somewhat reserved character making it easy for her to befriend the likes of Leon and Raihan (and she also gets them to be a couple). Both Leon and Raihan give her tips they’ve learned from being in Galar to help boost the reputation of the Alola League. Back in Alola she is good friends with Mallow, Plumeria and Mina as they often visit Mallow’s restaurant to eat and catch up. She ends up being a big sister friend to Gladion, Lillie and Hau (being in her late teens when she first met the kids) as well as Iris when she meets her at the champion’s conference. 

(Credit to @roseltheteacup for this amazing sugimori style artpiece of Calla. Please check out rosel’s artwork as well) 

The next one is my probably my most well-developed champion OC and my version of Victor/Gloria...Calla Okoro. She’s the Sword Hero of Galar to go with Hop’s Shield Hero. Calla is a baby genius with an IQ of 162 (so she’d qualify for MENSA in the real world) and graduated college at the age of 12 with a degree in chemistry, a year before she ends up taking on the gym challenge. Her favorite type is poison and she decided that she would take on the gym challenge by using only Poison types, refusing a starter from Leon to train up her Budew and other poison types she found along the way. 

Her knowledge of poison types would become very useful towards the end of the challenge and Eternatus awakening and possessing Leon , however this girl struggled so much at the beginning as the poison types she caught don’t really get good until they evolve. It was also a testament to having book knowledge of Pokemon and type advantages doesn’t equate to automatically winning a battle. She struggled especially at Kabu’s gym, resulting in her first official loss (outside of losing her second battle to Hop at Magnolia’s house due to his Rookidee being super effective against her Budew nicknamed Sabi). Calla is persistent though and patient so she worked with her team developing a killer toxic stall strategy (that helped her be the first person to take Leon down). As champion Calla uses her position to promote science and eventually goes back to school to get PhD, becoming the first Galar champion to also be a professor. When Calla is not doing Pokemon battles or giving science demos, she tends to enjoy doing backflip competitions with Gordie or rocking out at Piers’ concerts with Marnie and Hop and Bede (Bede will deny hanging out with them) 

(thank you RPG Picrew, I have yet to get official commissioned work of him done) 

This is Jabari Revere, my Kalos champion OC and part of the Kalos 5. I’m still working on his backstory and personality as I replay Pokemon Y (I tend to replay the games for my champion OCs to build up their teams and get a sense for the personality). Jabari is a water type champion who enjoys his days swimming in the ocean and surfing on his Mantine, nicknamed Monterey. Like Serena from the anime he is a bit at odds with his mother Grace for wanting him to take up the family tradiiton of Rhyhorn racing. However unlike anipoke!Serena, he did have a goal of training water type Pokemon with the aim of becoming a water type champion just like Wallace from Hoenn. Jabari is definitely an easy going fellow, which helps him befriend Serena, Tierno, Trevor and Shauna as well as Grant and Clemont. Unlike my Galar champion Calla, he is more willing to use Pokemon other than water types, such as when he fought Korrina at the Mega Evolution tower using the Lucario who was attracted to his aura, or when he rescued Yveltal from Team flare and let it get revenge on Lysandre 

(this piece was done by @snowythesoft aka ChibiGirl! Thank you again for this and also please check out her art as well)

Yes, you’re looking at a robot. His name is Valen and is actually my first non-self insert Pokemon OC. After watching the first Pokemon movie and seeing Mewtwo be a Pokemon trainer, and also after watching the Watson computer on Jeopardy, I came up with the idea of “what if someone made a robot as a Pokemon trainer”. Hence Valen, the world champion of my version of the Pokemon World

Created by Molayne and Sophocles at the request of Red and Blue as a new fixture for the battle tree, Valen quickly began to learn from the some of the strongest trainers how to battle (with a frequent opponent being Marsha as she needed someone who could challenge her in battle). Once he figured out how to consistently beat the likes of Red, Blue and Marsha in battle...it was a wrap. Valen travelled to every known region and soon became the undisputed most powerful trainer in the world defeating every last living champion. He even took on Leon, Cynthia and Red in a triple battle and won. Despite his absolutely monstrous skill Valen is an absolute sweetheart and always compliments his opponents in battle. He also loves bowties, with his first gift being the red bowtie he sports from Sophocles do not touch or harm that bowtie if you value your life, it’s one of the few things that will actually piss off this gentle giant of a robot.

(credits to the VillainSona Picrew)

So this is my final non-self insert champion OC,  His Royal Highness Jack, Duke of Stow-On-Side. In a discord server and on some messages here on tumblr, I’ve described Jack as the unholy combination of Caillou and Jack the Ripper.  Jack hails from a disgraced family of aura guardians who learned that they could use their aura powers to create shadow Pokemon. 150 years prior to the main Sword and Shield story line his family managed to beat back the Hammerlocke Royal family (aka the great Raihan’s family) from Stow-On-Side and Ballonlea to claim the two towns for themselves. When Peony stepped down as champion Jack ended up taking the champion title. Now Jack is actually a legitimately powerful trainer without the need to shadowfy his Pokemon, but he does so anyway to ensure absolute control and to hopefully make his royal family the absolute rulers of Galar (his actions would years later inspire Sordward and Shieldbert, the Dukes of Motostoke). He even bribed gym leaders to be extra difficult on challengers he deemed to be a threat (so Leon, Raihan, Nessa and Sonia got hit hard with this).

Jack’s misdeeds are pretty vast. The reason why Sonia is so unconfident in her battling skills? Jack ambushed her in the wild area and destroyed her in a match while mocking her. Why does Leon have that perfect image as champion? He’s trying to build back the reputation the Galar league has after Jack nearly destroyed it’s rep on the world stage with his actions. Why are Leon and Sonia so insistent on you focusing on the gym challenge and leaving the problems to the adults? The adults during their gym challenge were either on Jack’s side or were actually useless against him and his shadow Pokemon. To quote my friends in an rp server I’m in “Jack is the absolute worst”  So that’s all of the champion OCs I have. As I continue to write more fanfic will definitely see all of them pop up in various stories. 

[smilingperformer]

Latest Pokefan issue has been released, and it has tons of new information of upcoming episodes that were intended to air during May, but have been post-poned due to on-going world-wide pandemic. Following translations are done by the ever-the-best Dephender from Serebii.Net forums, link to the original source is in the source tag!

Disclaimer! The translations include dates for episode airings that do not apply as of this moment! (Check under the cut!)

-- First image --

A SUPER SCOOP ON THE LATEST HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE POKÈMON ANIME!! Satoshi and Go's adventures are always overflowing with new encounters and fierce battles! Check out the latest news and enjoy the anime with all your might! SCOOP 1: 3 NEW POKÈMON GET DISCOVERED IN RAPID SUCCESSION! Satoshi and Go might get new companions?! Look forward to being able to meet this trio in their first ever anime appearances! MESSON: Messon can disappear completely by hiding in water. It's just as timid as it looks. *Blurb: It's on the verge of crying after being frightened by something! Will battling be completely impossible for it?! MORPEKO: When it gets hungry, it changes form and goes on a rampage! Maybe one can get it by using food in a clever way?! KAMONEGI (GALAR FORM): Here comes the Galar region's Kamonegi, which use heavy-looking leek as their weapon! They randomly challenge others to battle! SCOOP 2: FIERCE FIGHTS IN OFFICIAL POKÈMON WCS MATCHES!! Here comes the next powerful opponent Satoshi challenges, as well as a skilled battler that not even a Champion can beat! CORNI, GYM LEADER FROM THE KALOS REGION: A Fighting type Trainer that has fought Satoshi before. *Hurry to the next page for info on Corni and Satoshi's official match! KIBANA, GYM LEADER FROM THE GALAR REGION: A Dragon type Trainer said to be almost as powerful as a Champion. Will he be the one to defeat the unbeatable Dande?! *Blurb: He is one of the only 8 "Masters Eight" in the entire world! -- Second image -- SCOOP 3: A SUPER FIERCE MATCH WHERE PROGRESSION TO POKÈMON WCS SUPER CLASS IS AT STAKE: SATOSHI VS CORNI! Satoshi is participating in the "Battle Festival", where it's possible to instantly increase your rank in the Pokémon WCS, and ends up facing Corni in a match when only one more win will let him progress to Super Class! The battle becomes super fierce, with intense moves clashing against one another! How will it end?! "A Battle Festival Exploding with Life! VS Mega Lucario!" will air May 10th! (Airdate and -time may vary depending on region) (A different episode may air instead) -- Third image -- SATOSHI VS CORNI: WHO WILL WIN?! Corni's Lucario is capable of Mega Evolving, which temporarily powers up a Pokémon! And Corni herself is burning with determination to settle the score with Satoshi, who defeated her in a prior match! *Blurb: Corni is one in body and soul with her Pokémon when she fights! She's a Fighting type expert! LUCARIO: When it Mega Evolves, its body grows in size, and its attack power increases as well! Its strength is unmanageable! *Blurb: Satoshi grins even as he sees Mega Lucario's power. What kind of plan does he have?! Satoshi's goal is FIGHTING DANDE, THE STRONGEST OF THEM ALL! Even if he beats Corni, he'll have to challenge and win against powerful opponents with high ranks in order to fight Dande! He currently has 4 Pokémon! The Pokémon he currently has on hand are Kairyu and these 3: Gangar, Pikachu and Riolu. Aim to increase your rank through battle training and getting even more companions! SCOOP 4: GO GETS A TON OF POKÈMON IN THE KALOS REGION?! Go tries to get new Pokémon on his first visit to the Kalos region! How many Pokémon will he be able to register in the Pokémon Zukan? YAYAKOMA: It's friendly, but will face battles with a burning fighting spirit! KAMETETE: Two Kametete live together on a single rock. And sometimes they don't get along and start to fight?! BOKUREI: They use voices that resemble humans' to lure people deep into forests where they get lost! KOFUKIMUSHI: It can regulate its body temperature using the power that covers its body. This lets it live in both blazing hot and freezing cold areas. FLABEBE: When it discovers a flower it likes, it will live with that flower for the rest of its life. *Blurb: There are all kinds of flower colors! Go will play a major role in the episode airing May 10th as well! His role in this episode is just as much a must see as Satoshi's fierce battle! (Airdate and -time may vary depending on region. A different episode may air instead)

[thebraveasagi]

Pikachu's relationship with Mimey is and always has been wholesome and precious and I'm beyond thrilled we get to see them together again in next week's episode.

edit: that first tag should obviously say “when they leave the Kalos region”

(I’ll double check which episode this is in a minute - 2nd edit: it's from S16, "Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond" and it's actually the season finale, episode 45, "The Dream Continues!")

also: Image descriptions now available under the cut - 

Image descriptions: a series of four images, screenshots taken in quick succession from a short scene in the Pokemon anime. The first picture shows Mr. Mime (Mimey) holding Pikachu above his head with both hands and smiling widely, happy to be reunited with Pikachu after his journey with Ash.

Ash is in the background, sitting at the kitchen table with his back to them.

In the second picture, Delia has entered the room and is speaking to Ash; behind her, Mimey has placed Pikachu on top of his head, and Pikachu is sitting there happily.

The third and forth photos are from a different angle, and show a close up of Pikachu on Mimey’s head. In the third photo, Pikachu has a contented smile; in the fourth photo he has a huge smile. Mimey is smiling widely in both the third and fourth image.