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[puella-1n-somn10]

☀️Puella Magi Madoka Magica x Pokemon Sun and Moon: Hau and his Witch Form☀️

Word count w/o intro: 23,950

...Considering our last victim and how I went through the lengths to differentiate these two characters, this should have been a given.

Hello, konnichiwa, salam 'alaykom, and aloha! Welcome back to the emotional roller coaster! For the uninitiated, today we are going to take the rules of the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica and apply them to other forms of media for the sake of breaking our favorite characters' hopes, dreams, and sanities.

Tonight, the universe has cast its gaze down upon a single, unfortunate soul amidst the sea of countless individual melodies. Another bright star, doomed to have his life slip through his own fingers for the sake of the very cosmos and the prevention of entropy. Everybody, give it up for the kid of the hour, Hau!

Much like Hop before him (or technically after him), Hau's rep is surprisingly - and shockingly - divisive; with many a Pokemon fan blaming him for the current state of the franchise's rivals despite the fact that friendly "rivals" have been a staple ever since the third generation- we haven't had a "mean" one until Gladion made his debut, unless if you count Cheren and maybe Barry (though the latter is more insensitive rather than an outright douchebag). The core cause as to why he had gained such bad rep is simply due to him "choosing" the weaker starter and the claim that he is not as strong as the previous rivals, but, think about it-

Hau already had his starter for quite some time before the main character had arrived to Alola, at least that's the case in the base versions of the games. It was you who chose your partner long after he did, much like how your own rival would; in Hau's eyes, you were the one who had chosen the starter strong against him. If that isn't enough to paint Hau as the image of a typical Pokemon player, his signature 'mon, aside from the starter he picks, is his Alolan Raichu; the evolution of this series' very own mascot.

Besides, whoever's still saying that Hau's team is weak to this day is either a darned liar or just a competitive player through and through; not only did Gladion outright state that his 'mons have potential, but he's also our final hurdle to overcome in the ultra version of the games. Speaking from personal experience, he isn't a cakewalk in the base games, either; I seriously cannot count the amount of times he had almost wrecked my team when I tried to play through a Nuzlocke run, only for Kukui to chime in and finish the job...

In my eyes, Hau may not have "ruined" the image of rivals in Pokemon, but he did shake things up even if by a little; his, Gladion's, and Lillie's existence have set a new precedent on how rivals are handled moving forwards, and it is all the more evident with those of SWSH and onwards, in which we are given the "heroic", "troubled", and "mysterious" rivals rather than just sticking with one. It is perfect for character chemistry and experimenting with their dynamics, as well as how one would influence the other's development as their own character throughout the story's progression.

This is all just my opinion, though. For all anyone could care, the reason as to why Hau is appreciated and even loved by the lots of us is because he's a persistent, positive presence throughout our journey; there to bring us down and breathe some air in the midst of tension. Of course, nobody is all sunshine and rainbows all the way to their core, and Hau is no exception.

...So, that's why we're here! Today, we shall be deciphering what exactly lie behind that charismatic smile of his; the history that has molded Hau into this upstanding, bright child that he is, in addition to the withering, rotting foundations of his worldview and how he was raised. Of course, all this is within the context of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, so I'll have to give ya'll the heads-up that there will be spoilers for both this anime and most official media related to the seventh generation of Pokemon.

I should also mention I will be referring to Hau using He/Him and They/Them pronouns; Hau is on the nonbinary spectrum in my eyes, and while it is mere headcanon, it's also one that gives me so much joy. Also, while Elio is the featured protagonist here and, as such, the implied ship present in the second section will be Kalashipping, there will also be hints of SnowlilyShipping scattered here and there due to canonical implications. If either or both of these ships are not your cup of tea, I recommend that it'd be better for you to click away for your wellbeing.

While on topic, I should also warn you that we will be discussing topics related to child abandonment, emotional abuse, and the effects of generational trauma at least. If any, ANY of these themes even make you feel even a little bit queasy, TURN. AWAY. NOW.

With all outta the way, let's just cut to the chase, grab some of the malasadas on the table, and dive right into....

-The Wish, Possible Powers, and Soul Gem-

"I was just talking to Decidueye here about all our memories from our island challenge! We really were lucky to meet so many different Pokémon and people, huh? But there're even more out there for us to meet, wherever we might go next! That's why my island challenge isn't really over!"

Oh, dearie me.

Well, this section right here is exactly what I meant when I said that Hau and Hop are fundamentally different characters (comes with one's free and carefully honed reading comprehension skills). With Hop, we are aware of his dreams, desires, ambition, and goals almost from the get-go; he makes it clear to us that he wants to be like Leon, to attain the same glory, and to follow in the footsteps of his hero. Hop is determined to attain his dreams and achieve that goal of beating his bro; this was no mere life-long dream- nay, this was his destiny! As the game progresses and by picking up all the minor details peppered across his life, however, we start to piece together exactly why he wants to chase after this dream; why he wants to create his own legend, and how the neglect he had experienced and life under his brother's shadow have sculpted him over the years priors to the beginning of SWSH.

Hau, on the other hand, is a bit more on the...vaguer side, let's say. He's a lot more laid-back than Hop, and, though he, too, enjoys battles, Hau is more focused on the fun of it all, and was not really all that shaken up when Gladion scolded him for being too lenient. They are both intelligent and introspective, but Hau appears to be more content with his life than Hop was; truly embodying the easygoing vibes of Alola.

...Do note what I just said here: appears to be more content.

In reality, Hau's life is ruled by uncertainty; from his dad up and leaving him to escape the shadow of his grandfather, to Guzma telling him that the island trial is not as bright and optimistic as what everyone else made it out to be in both USUM and the manga, it becomes clear to us that our sweet and cheerful Hau has been kept sheltered and in the shadows for quite some time- possibly all his life up until it was his time to partake in the Island trial. This isn't even close to speculation, either; it's been stated to us by an NPC outright that Hala was too soft on Hau for so long that it led the kid to adopt this easygoing attitude he's known for to begin with.

That isn't to say Hau is oblivious, dumb, or, God forbid, naive; the cracks in his life are there, and, through them, leaks the harsh truths of reality. He's well aware of the reasons as to why his dad left, he is more than knowledgeable in regards to the tapus, how they assign kahunas, and how each island has its own thing going on thanks to said guardian deities. Plus, he's got that healthy amount of snark on him; regarding Gladion as "just a ray of sunshine" and calling us out when we disregarded his desire to tell us the latest scoop ("I haven't even asked yet."), so it's clear that he doesn't take any foolishly pessimistic takes seriously. An optimist, yes, but even he has his lines that shouldn't be crossed.

Another point that helps refutes the assumption that he has no worries in the world is that he is also aware of his own faults, and painfully so; right before his battle against Olivia, he's expressed his doubts on whether he was as strong as Hala or not, and his insecurities were even presented to us even earlier on during our initial encounter with Gladion, where he read and tore into him like an open book; stating that Hau only focuses on the joys of the trial challenge in order to keep the fact that he will never be able to defeat his grandfather if he keeps going on like this.

Hop noticed his faults and tried to change them, to change himself, to no avail. Hau, on other hand, simply buries his problems; shrugging them away- laughing and smiling at them in the hopes that the pain would eventually numb-

Just like good ol' Hala; hiding his anger and own deep-rooted pains just to keep Hau, his last connected kin, happy. (put a pin on that for when we head towards the later sections)

I know that this sounds like quite the reach on my part, but not only did this toxic trait of his get carried over to his anime depiction, but it was also made more apparent; after being defeated by Ash the first time around, he couldn't help but sob and ask if this is what disappointment felt like - another indication of his inexperience with such emotions, much less how he should deal with them -. In Battling on the Wing, Hau attempted to ignore his feelings after facing such a humiliating defeat, except, this time, Hala had approached him as he left, and told him that he knew he did his very best out there; unable to handle it no longer, Hau broke into tears and sobbed in the arms of his dear grandpa.

So where do we go from here?

Themes of trickle truths and, of course, being sheltered from the dangers of the world are major motifs throughout Hau's life and worldview; his eagerness to go out and see life and what it held in store is born out of his own subconscious, deep-rooted dissatisfaction with it- there's gotta be more to life than just the trials and what's within Alola!

With this in mind, I've come to the conclusion that the specifics of Hau's wish would depend on where in the timeline of the story would Kyubey come and approach them, but they'd still follow a major cause and/or theme, not unlike Madoka's wishes which usually revolve around her desires to save another person's life;

If he happened to be a puer magi before we met him it'd be related to him wanting to actually see the world out there; to experience what life had in store for him and help others see what's beyond those horizons with him; becoming a wise, leading force just like his Tutu. Now, I could say that it must have been related to his father's disappearance instead, and while it would make sense for that to be the case, you have to remember that his dad walked out on Hau all the way back when he was a toddler; leaving him under the care of Hala ever since. Hau also appears to know the exact reason as to why his father had ditched his family for Kanto already, and expressed his desire to meet him face-to-face in the post-game events- so there's no need for the rush on this front. (put a pin on this one, too)

If it was during the climax of the story, whether we're talking about the raid on the Aether Foundation or while he was taking on the trials himself/assisting Hala with fending off the ultra beasts, it'd be related to him wanting to learn of and unlocking his inner potential, and help others around him unleash their own. I feel like this would also be the case if he were to contract right before we meet him for our final battle in Mount Lanakila/the Pokemon league; showing off not just his Z-ring, but also his shiny, new soul gem.

Either way, the wish, at its core, has heavy emphasis on potential, growth, and/or experiences. After all, Hau is already willing to help others become the best versions of themselves by reading their emotions and decipher what must have turned them into the people they currently are - which might be taken to more literal degrees as a passive effect of his wish, much like Kyoko's chains -, unlike Hop's more active drive to become a champion candidate himself and, within the context of the last post, his ability to outright influence the memories of others born out of his desire to not let Lee down. It's also quite ironic; Hau's role is to help Gladion (and Guzma in the Ultra versions of the games) let his guards down and more or less acted as a guide for us at least during the initial parts of the game, while Hop had to learn for himself time and time again of his own strengths and came to the conclusion that Lee is Lee, and he is his own person. In the end, both ended up acting like the exact opposites of how they started; with Hau desiring to see what else life had in store for him out there so he could become a better guiding force for those in need, and Hop taking on the role of a future Pokemon professor in order to teach and help others.

In short, the powers born from Hau's wish relate to transmutation; to turn a rock into a geode, a withered leaf into a sprout, a dried up chrysalis into a beautiful butterfly- to be loved is to be changed. All that is in his hands will become the better versions of themselves if he so desires. You could call it restoration magic, or transformative magic; depending on the context, it may as well be both! Of course, there are limitations to his magical powers; it cannot be applied to humans in order to force character development unto them, nor could he turn a grief seed back into a soul gem; if anything, it might strengthen the witch within it instead, so he needs to be careful with his powers and choose when to use them wisely.

With the wish all wrapped up for now, I guess now's a better time than never for us to talk about his magical boy outfit and weapon.

Initially, I had considered that a court jester would be the most fitting pick for Hau; though we see them as jokesters nowadays, they were the forefathers of modern-day satire, and royal jesters were actually given more privileges than the jester of the common folk- able to even mock the king without any repercussions so long as they succeeeded in giving the king a hearty laugh. Hau is easygoing and is able to lift the heart of both the people around him and even the story tone, but, as stated before, he isn't above snark, either.

It wasn't until I was debating on the type of weapon he would master, however, that problems began to pop up like weeds on a field. As I've stated before, a magi's weapon is indicative of many aspects, but the most common denominator is that it is reflective of their desires prior to contracting or the reason as to why they did so in the first place (Homura's shield, Nagisa's trumpet, and Sayaka's sword immediately come to mind). Another factor behind a magi's weapon is that they would reflect a magi's preferred method of fighting; as depicted in the PSP games, Mami's actual weapons are her ribbons, but she had to improvise and settled with turning them into riffles instead. In the meanwhile, Madoka, a surprisingly shrewd person who dislikes direct combat, uses a bow in order to fight from the sidelines and not engage with the beasts that we call witches head-on.

With all that in mind, if we are going to find a weapon that truly fits Hau, we need to look at his style of battle first and foremost and work on it from there. As stated by Gladion himself, Hau and their pokemon do possess potential to go above and beyond- that they are stronger than what the eye may perceive them as, but battling for the sake of emerging victorious simply isn't his style. To best describe Hau in a fight, a "hidden/sleeping dragon" would fit the bill; a person who would be a nightmare to defeat if he ever were to take the fight seriously.

I would have picked the role of a support for him due to his desires to help others, but it appears that this would only lead to disaster; during the raid on the Aether Foundation, if Hau's starter was Primarina, there is a shockingly high chance for him to activate the Z-Move Hydro Vortex against you. The common theory behind this is that, due to the base move's - Sparkling Aria - ability to heal burns, Hau's AI decided to use it in a way that could be seen as "beneficial" for the fight.

A hilarious mistake on the devs' part? Possible. Another reason for us to see that Hau's whole deal is "untapped power"- that anything in his hands will become as fragile as glass once he taps into that inner potential of his, even when he is trying to adopt the role of a support? Absolutely.

What I am saying here is that the weapon that would fit Hau the most, compliment his easygoing yet fun-loving attitude, and is reflective of his hidden capabilities and desire to explore what's beyond that horizon...is a sniper rifle.

Hey, now! There really was no need to jump the gun, am I right? It does appear that way, yes, since what use would a person like Hau see in a firearm of all things? Well...think about it; a sniper has to remain hidden from potential enemies, be extremely precise when aiming at their targets, and just need to take the shot. They also possess the most area of range in spite of their apparent immobility from their assigned spots.

Hau just wants to have fun with his pals and explore this wonderful world together with them- help them see that there is hope around them still, all while he has been hidden from the world's uglier side by both his elders and himself.

After putting it that way, it sure makes sense - at least it does so on paper - but a rifle? This does appear to be quite the absurd choice for a friendly, cheerful character like Hau, but, simultaneously, it is this very absurdity that makes it all the more fitting; that he is so much more than what meets the eye, and that also goes for his strength. This is all the more evident in USUM; managing to not only help Guzma out while he was at his lowest not unlike how a therapist or spiritual guide (like...his grandfather) would do so, but also managing to defeat each and every member of the elite four and become our final hurdle to overcome in order to gain that title of champion!

With the weapon now set in stone, you can now tell that a cluster of problems have already begun to make themselves present; all of which stemming from the core issues of clashing themes. Yes, it would be hilarious to see a jester just going to town on a witch with a rifle, but it doesn't invoke the vibes of Hau, nor does this combination make any thematic sense; Madoka invokes the idea of a savior and the most common tropes found in the Mahou Shoujo genre, Sayaka has some knightly themes going on, Mami is a western gunswoman, and so on.

After pondering on the matter for some time, another idea for his magical boy uniform had dawned on me; rather than going with the idea of a jester, I instead went ahead with that of a forest ranger- and, no, not the ones from real life! I'm talking about the cloaked guide from the shadows who knows these trees like the back of their hand- they who let their bow and arrow do all the talking, for what use are words- when anything above a whisper can be detrimental to a ranger's cause and everything they have learned whilst underneath these leaves for all these years?

The puzzles are now falling into place, no? We have the forest themes, his role as a guide, and the reminder of Hala's attempts at keeping him in the dark from most of his life's tragedies. As a nice little detail, perhaps his hood would have these two dangling bits that would still invoke the idea of a jester's hat, and it would resemble a smiling clown (or owl, if we want to go all out with the Decidueye themes) once Hau dons it on his head; portraying that theme of duality I wanted to aim for back while I was working on this essay during its early days, especially if all that is visible are his nose and face from beneath it!

Now, let's take a quick looksie at his soul gem! Unlike Hop's, I don't think its color would match that of his eyes, and there's a good reason for that beyond the basis of color theory- his eyes are already pitch black, and as we all know, as soon as your soul gem turns completely dark, it's an instant game over. Going for a shade of grey wouldn't exactly work, either, since it would not only make it harder for the viewer to detect corruption within it, but it would not mesh well with the aforementioned design for his uniform in mind.

So, to remedy this little problem, I believe that a deep shade of orange would do the trick! Not only would it complement the greens and yellows he's already associated with, but it just feels right when we're talking about a bright, optimistic, energetic child like Hau. It also brings his Sygna Suit from Pokemon Masters EX to mind; the warmth of the yellows and oranges mixing well with the blacks and whites of the design; invoking the imagery of Tapu Koko to those around him. Come to think of it, he sure does have the same vibes as Mami's- since both of these characters do possess the role of introducing the main characters and the audience to the world around them, and the positive auras they exude are only there to hide the crushing loneliness and aimlessness they were forced to endure for so long.

As for the exact shape his soul gem would take upon transformation, while I do have some ideas in mind, I do believe that the shape of a sea hibiscus - Hau's namesake - would fit him best; a swirling flower that would serve as the basis for quite the captivating cut of jewelry. In regards to its placement, it would be more than fitting if it were to align with the crown chakra, as it is usually connected to imagination, intuition, and connection with the universe, while its imbalance leads to disconnection from others, isolation, and being out of touch from anything but your own inner world; all of which align with all that we know of this little ray of sunshine as well as his personal pitfalls.

Onto its egg form; yes, much like Mami's soul gem, it would definitely make sense if the emblem on the middle resembled the very same flower that is present on its top, since not only it would look pretty, but it would also fit Hau's forest theme to a T. As usual, though, it's still better to keep our options open and look for other symbols that would shed light at each individual aspect of Hau's character; both his brightest moments and his darkest regrets.

A compass (To boost the theme of him embodying the vibes of Alola and how he had directed us through the region. Plus, the additional irony this symbol will provide once we start talking about his witch form)

A representation of the wind? (probably a reach; represents the theme of directions, travel, new experiences, and disconnection. Symbols that may represent the wind include kites, a feather, a tornado, and a simple visualization of the breeze - like the breath aspect from Homestuck -)

A snowflake (definitely a reach; aside from the sea hibiscus, "Hau" can also be translated to "snow" in Hawaiian, which not only contrasts with Hau's usually-sunny demeanor, but it also symbolizes dark, cold, and stormy skies ahead)

Stylized lightning bolt (obligatory Alolan Raichu reference)

As evident from the options above, his weapon, and his magical uniform, a recurring theme that has been made clear to us time and time again is "freedom"; something that not only Hau craves, but also embodies during his best moments. After all, the world was already shock-full of possibilities! Who knows what life would throw at them next? It could be a memory of milk and honey. It could be a song played with nothing but the darkest of notes. It could even be the stillness that accompanied the hushed sounds of the waves. Nobody ever truly knew of all of life's promises and betrayals. All that was left for Hau was to witness all that the island challenge had in store for him; bear witness to its highs and lows, and emerge from it with a whole new perspective on life.

It was all so exciting, wasn't it? He was going to see that whatever has been awaiting for him at the end of that road- the goal that has been eagerly waiting for his presence...everything his experiences have accumulated to...

-Descent into Despair-

It was all for nothing.

Daytime had paved way for the dull twilight. One by one, the street lights of Hau'oli city began to illuminate as folks began to bid their farewells and rest their little heads for the day. As the Alolan sun paved way for the gentle moon's graceful and guiding presence, the trepidation borne of the bustling, panicking streets of the city was soon swept by the assuring quiet; the promise of a better tomorrow heralded by the arrival of the next sunrise soothed the hearts of many of the residents of Alola.

A false hope just like any other.

The gentle ocean breeze and the soft waves were all that's left. Not even the nocturnal creatures of the night had any energy to keep on going with their usual routines. All that mattered now to everyone was the recollection of their strengths to carry on until the next day. Nobody within the winding paths of Melemele Island was able to rest peacefully until those around them have found the peace to do so.

Wherever he was, which direction he was currently going; nothing of that sort had crossed Hau's mind.

His eyes, unable to reflect the glittering gleams cast by the stars' reflection on the ocean waves, were hidden by the shadows of his ruffled and matted hair. His expression was unreadable; Was he simply shuffling through the branches aimlessly without a care in the world for his own well-being? Or was there so much on his mind that he was unable to look at his surroundings clearly- every color on the spectrum mixing into complete darkness?

Rather than providing any semblance of comfort, the Alolan breeze haunted him with every step he took. His legs were moving as though it was on their own volition, for his mind was racing with hundreds of clashing emotions and thoughts at such high speeds to the point that they have cancelled out his awareness of the outside world. He couldn't even find it in him to wipe away the streaks of tears on his cheeks.

There was no birdsong around him to ease his tormented soul.

The Moon's all-witnessing gaze only gave off the impression of a cold, broken heart.

Even the blades of grass beneath his feet were devoid of any life within them.

There was nothing but the distant ocean's call and the coming tides.

A sudden gust threw the child away from his trance, even if it was a small budge. Blinking once then twice, Hau's mind began to delicately connect the dots- an old bridge was just up ahead, and, in the distance, there it was...

An old bridge that's been all but completely destroyed.

The final frontier.

Hau's breath was caught in their throat.

The fear was barely outweighed by what crumbs of desperation they still possessed. With immense hesitation, Hau pushed themself to continue their journey. Each step was more unstable than the last, the waves underneath the broken planks clashed and raged against one another- yet, he still held on. Swaying from left to right, his persistence on staying on the road ahead was unwavering-

Tears were on the verge of bursting from his eyes; the resurgence of consciousness was followed by the unforgiving wave of vertigo; his legs felt like they were floating on air as his nerves. Even as his face was coated with tears and all of his nerves were on the verge of giving up on him, his grip on what remained of that bridge remained resolute.

He felt sick. He felt cold. He felt weak in comparison to the agony in his bones.

Even with his upset stomach and tightening throat...he had to press forwards. Gritting his teeth through the tears as he sniffled away all the tears and snot, he slowly dragged himself through the splinters and dirt towards the vague destination on his mind. A direction, a morsel of reassurance...

As the raging rivers drowned out what shreds of a coherent thought he had possessed up until that moment, he yearned for the courage necessary for him to be certain of this decision.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The neon lights were dazzling.

Purples, pinks, reds, and cyans; the inner-most sanctum of the labyrinth was dazzling. Shuffling to the beat of the music, the crazed familiars made their debut; smiling from ear to ear to greet their new guests to the party- only for them to get struck down without a care.

In the middle of this demented cacophony and loud cheers, Elio stood; tapping to the beat as he stared the monster down. A large disco ball for a head, a dress made from the night sky itself, small aquariums for heels; there was no mistaking it, this must be the witch. Once hanging from the ceiling, she had descended unto the dance floor like a slithering snake; taking what he believed to be the wires and the ceiling with her before looking down at the magi before her.

The Kantonian boy had to hand it to her; the vibe, the tunes, the smiles- who wouldn't want to dance like it was the nineteen-seventies without care in the world? To indulge in the good ol' times before the world went to hell in a hand basket? As he took position and showed off his weapon, Elio grinned; giving the witch a sign that it's on. A dance is what she wanted, so a dance is what she'll get!

Snapping her fingers to the beat as she braced herself for competition, the Witch of Disco swung first; sweeping her mechanical legs to strike Elio's calf with the intent of causing him to lose his balance. An unexpected tactic, that is for sure, but the boy had managed to pick himself right back up with a counter- but she had blocked the attack with minimum effort. One strike, two strikes, three strikes- he had unleashed a barrage of attacks, but the witch was swift on her knees; blocking out his feeble attacks while still managing to keep her moves consistent to the music's rhythm. With the beat drop, she kicked him square in the abdomen; sending him flying through the neon walls.

Her familiars began to swarm around them in frenzied masses; bobbing their heads as they shuffled to close in on Elio whilst he was at his most vulnerable. That kid...in the maddened eyes of the witch, he sure had spirit, but these halls have no room for a buzzkill like him. In spite of the clear disadvantage and the tides being far away from his favor, Elio, through gritted teeth and shivering bones, still managed to press on; pushing forwards against the familiars gathering around him as he sliced, diced, and had burnt away all who were surrounding him until there was nothing but ashes in his wake. He was still standing, kicking, and, by the Tapus, singing; still holding on to continue engaging in this battle until the bitter end.

Must that young man really be so stubborn? What good would insisting on destroying the one refuge she had from the chaos of the outside world itself do for him?

Without sparing a semblance of patience, the witch pointed for the rest of her familiars towards the direction of the magi, to which they had flown towards in droves out of servitude for their master. With a his lips curling to reveal a crazed grin on his face, Elio leapt; as he sprung, hopped, and skipped into the air, the young magi had left a trail of searing destruction - a reminder for those who would dare to face the harsh celestial blazes he had acquired in his hands at their full glory - as he paved way for the his close encounter with the witch herself. While Elio carried on with his little massacre, the destruction inflicted upon the witch's familiars appeared began to escalate to the extent that they've started to implode on impact against him; it was as though his very touch was enough for them to melt into liquid gold from the inside-out.

Even the glass of the aquarium walls began to melt from the fervor; covering the dance floor in water and aquatic lifeforms who were struggling to survive.

Strike, strike, strike- the witch had managed to hold on after the few initial blows, yet Elio didn't have any plans on giving up, either; each attack had increased in ferocity and brute strength - even blocking out the attacks provided no comfort from the pain - until, at last, he had knocked her out of balance with a devastating collision. grabbing on to what he believed was the witch's neck, Elio swung as he made sure he had her by his arm; suffocating her as he tried to keep her head pointed upwards- just enough for the struggle to be as minimal as possible.

It was then that the Kantonian boy finally held up his other arm; yelling out a command that echoed throughout the halls-

"NOW!"

As swift and sure as the thunder's strike, shards of glass had scattered throughout the air as the witch was nearly blinded by a sudden flash of white.

As the witch looked around before the last strands of her consciousness slipped away from her fingers, the magi's grip on her was finally undone. There, lying within the corner of her line of sight, she's managed to make out a second figure; their face obstructed by the darkness of her labyrinth as smoke seeped from their weapon. Time passed on slowly as her mechanical body fell apart unto the dance floor; serenity and quiet filled what was left of her cursed heart during the final seconds of her existence, granting her one last moment of clarity before it all went dark...

...Ah...how beautifully did these petals dance...

...

Pushing against the exit door of the abandoned building, the two trainers winced their eyes as the soft sunlight welcomed them back to the real world. It couldn't be any later than 6 in the afternoon. Stretching his back, Hau continued on with his stroll alongside Elio; both of their soul gems were gleaming with recharged power after they've both reaped the rewards of that battle.

It hasn't been too long since they've arrived on Ula'ula Island; it sure was livelier than either Melemele and Akala before it! A new island meant the chance to meet new people, experience new environments- and, of course, new witches to strike down.

"Aue- that was incredible!" The green-haired child exclaimed as the two sauntered under the setting sun, "You sure almost had me fooled there for a professional- I could've sworn you lied about when you've made your wish."

In light of that accusation, Sun clicked his tongue as he shook his head; 'veteran'...if anyone had a say, it was his friend and rival who deserved that title. A swift and certain kill- only someone like Hau had the capability to do that! The rest of the performance leading up to the decisive blow? Well, it was much more of a struggle to pull off in the perspective of the young Kantonian, he'd timidly admit.

"That's nothing but training and strategy work," he nonchalantly smiled, "If anything, you ought to pat yourself on the back, too. I might have managed to stall it for some time, but you were the one who finished it off! That a job well done, if I ever saw it!"

In response, Hau simply scratched the back of his head; still appearing as cheerful as ever, but a tinge of bashfulness was shining through his obsidian eyes.

The chirping of the pikipeks flying overhead complemented the chatters of people and Pokemon; it was another day full of life within the Alola region. The Sun still shone as brilliantly and gracefully as the clearest of jewels even as the day paved way for dusk; night had just arrived at the residents' doorsteps. Basking in the warmth of the setting sun, the people of Alola went on with their merry ways; each and every one of them adding another page to their respective tales of their lives that were destined to be passed down to their next generations.

Another hunt that's been completed with flying colors; what an occasion to celebrate, like the hunters of yore! And what better way to celebrate than a trip to the Pokemon center just to get their fix of tapu cocoa and malasadas? A simple snack serving as the prologue to their respective dinners and a chance to catch up on what the other has been up to lately; neither trainer was able to think of anything better to do!

...Besides training themselves and their pokemon teams for their next trials, that is- but that could wait until tomorrow, no? To say that they've been worn out from that fight earlier would be an understatement, that's for sure.

Lost in his thoughts and in awe of what's before him, Elio had almost tripped on a small pebble that was in the way- had it not been for Hau picking him up by the collar immediately, he surely would have made a complete and utter fool to everyone around him. As soon as he regained his balance once more, he glanced at his close friend with the shock in his eyes withering away before the two began to suddenly laugh. The green-haired Alolan child softly nudged on Elio's back for being the clutz that he was; it sure was a busy life that they've signed themselves up for, but they are what they still are at the day's end.

Just a couple of kids.

As the two neared the Pokemon Center right up ahead, Elio's smile, as brightly as it shone, still paved way for uncertainty to creep up. His stomach continued its descent as all that has been bothering him began to bubble up just beneath the surface; his expression devolved and melted into that of worry and doubt as his pace slowed down- enough for him to pause and ponder on what has been bothering him so as of late. Realizing the somber shift in the atmosphere, Hau was hit with accumulating worry as Elio dazed off into the distance.

"There sure has been a lot more witches than usual lately," Elio pondered, "Wonder what's up with that..."

As the realization of their current situation overtook his mind, Hau took Elio's words and what he knew of these creatures into account as he tried to recall Umber's instructions back when he was new to the job- that for every magi out there who was born from the brightest hopes in their hearts, a witch was destined to follow; forged from the sorrows of this world to spread the very curses that have brought them to existence. A source of light is always accompanied by the shadow it casts; such is the law of this universe, and such is the life of a puer magi.

Hau looked down at his own soul gem; the coalescence of his own hopes and dreams; the desires that have helped him get so far to this point in his life. A shining beacon of hope for all of humankind; that was all Hau wanted in life- the goal he had finally realized in the midst of his island journey...

"Yeah- they are made when people are all beat-down and stuff, right? Once they are born into this world, all they could do is act upon all that they know..."

Much like his rival, Hau also began to gaze into his soul gem as his mind swam in sorrow and doubt, "And then, more people will start feeling even worse- and, with that, even more witches will pop up; it's like a cycle, y'know?"

Hau's heart ached with horror as he pondered upon the possibility of leaving these witches be- as well as a sudden wave of...sympathy...

"...Then again, I guess it almost makes you feel bad for them; all they came to know is sadness and hopelessness. It's not like they asked to be born as witches..."

Elio glanced at Hau as the two continued their stroll through the city; nothing but confusion and were spray-painted on to his face. Hau- he was a big-hearted kid, that's more than obvious; ready to let whatever was in his hands go just to assist someone in need with a beaming smile on his face, but to hold compassion for witches of all things?

Elio sighed with a smirk; only someone with a heart as big as Hau's would find the best in these terrifying, abstract monstrosities. "...I get what you're trying to say," he remarked, "It's sad, but...unfortunately, that is how it is- what else could we do about it?"

All Hau was able to do was shake his head and sigh before the soft whizz of the Pokemon center's doors took whatever chance he had to respond; signaling the end of the duo's little stroll. The cool air seeping from the building clashed with the warmth and humidity of the environment around them, causing Elio to shiver without initial realization. Upon noticing one another's sense of unease and not wishing to end their conversation on such a note, the two, without warning, awkwardly smiled and chuckled at one another- nudging at each other's shoulder's before allowing the other to step in to the pristine walls of the structure before them. The sense of unease still haunted them both, and the weight of what their contract truly meant and their current reality was resting on their shoulders-

Still, that wouldn't stop Hau from dreaming of the ideal.

...

The scent of coffee and burnt caramel was in the air; gracing those who enter the Pokemon center with serenity and peace of mind...

Now that their respective partner pokemon teams are fully healed and their supplies have been restocked, the two trainers were finally able to lay down for the day and get some of that sweet, well-deserved rest.

Chow time.

As he sat down near one of the tables of the cafe while Elio went to order some Tapu Cocoas for the both of them, Hau plopped the bag of malasadas down onto it- the main course for all of them to dig right in! What a perfect way to end the day- oh, Hau just couldn't wait-!

*shuffle shuffle....*

Oi- hold on just a minute there.

As Elio placed the two cups of delicious hot chocolate down onto the table, Hau was glaring at the shifting paper bag with intensity and focus blaring from his eyes; his head tilting and brows burrowing from both curiosity and disappointment towards whoever or whatever was there that dared to disrupt their time of rest. Hoo, nelly, what was he in for now?

Slowly shaking the bag from inside out (and with help from the Alolan kid as he slowly opened it- begrudgingly so, of course), the culprit's tiny head poked out! Translucent wings that shone as brilliantly as diamonds, an eye glittering like the finest of pearls, a glare as heavy as the most exquisite of platinum, and a coat of fur that possessed color that was as deep as the vastness of the space which holds the sun and moon...

Well, if it isn't the guest of the hour- none other than the duo's one and only little contractor.

How they've managed to gobble down half an entire batch within the seconds between the purchase of these snacks and the current moment with a glittering star for a face was anyone's guess at that point. As they chewed on and swallowed down the final bites of the malasada that was in its paws, they turned their head towards Hau, who was standing right above them, before speaking up; snark and impatience leaked from every word they've uttered-

"Took you two long enough with today's hunt; I hope neither of you wouldn't mind myself digging in early."

...right; the grief seed. Guess it's best to dispose of that sooner rather than later.

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It was quieter than usual.

Solitude was more than expected for a sacred place like the Ruins of Conflict; not a lot of people were even allowed to be near it- heck, it felt wrong even for himself to just tumble into these sacred grounds. Every step he had taken was a trial in of itself- each step felt heavier than the last, and, he couldn't even register the blood that was dripping onto the floor being his own...

Nevertheless, he persisted.

The sounds of howling winds were all that remained after such a day like this. The heartbreaking howls of panicked and mourning pokemon, and whatever unholy cacophony of howls and all-too human screams born from the deepest pits of despair that have managed to emerge from the far reaches of the afterlife- none of the sort had echoed throughout this grand entrance to the inner-most sanctum of the ruins. All that had accompanied Hau on his way there was bitter, chilling solitude.

As he slowly made his way through the ruins, the young boy couldn't stop shaking- he shook from the cold, and the fear and terror weighed heavily on his back--

The glacial winds struck him as he gulped. He could feel that he's on the verge of breaking apart from how badly he was quivering, and the bile slowly building up to his throat...

It was now that he had caught on to the sound of his chattering teeth.

It has been a long way home- back to where he was now, in Melemele Island. It could have been a perfect bookend; him and his friends returning from their journeys, now fully grown from all that they've experienced, and possessing new memories and pieces of wisdom to accompany them for years to come. That was all that he had wished for; the core reason as to why he had partaken in the island challenge to begin with and even signed that contract with that 'fairy'...

Fate sure had its sense of dramatic irony, at least.

At that time, nobody had the faintest clue on what sort of drawbacks Lusamine's plans had on the region as a whole, and, perhaps, neither did she- though whether she cared about consequences of her actions at that moment or not might be debatable, at the very least. In her frantic state of mind, all that mattered to her was the safety of those ultra beasts, and would soon rather die than waste even a single second that could have been put to use for her desires and plans. As soon as the wormholes opened, they've invited not only these extradimensional monsters - the behemoths that have captured Lusamine's heart -, but as well as...

Ultra Aura. Lots and lots of Ultra Aura...

Basking the region in this power, the line between what's meant to be perceived and what's meant to remain hidden blurred; both mankind and witches were plunged into one another's realms without warning- everything and everyone was sent into a heedless panic. As the region darkened, the president took off, and everything had devolved into a massacre, Hau's mind raced to the one thing that mattered to him most in that moment-

Home. I have to go back home.

He hadn't the slightest idea of the current whereabouts of neither Lillie nor Elio, and that fact alone was akin to a dagger in his gut that never ceased twisting. All he was able focus on during every second leading up to where he was now was his desire to defend his loved ones from this impending disaster that threatened to unfold at its fullest. Back to back with Gladion by his side, the two hacked and slashed without a moment's rest - without even a second to breathe or even check on their soul gems' current statuses - in order to pave way for Iki Town. He only took pause out of pity for the struggling magi he had managed to encounter before his wake before he gave them the grief seeds he had on his persons before taking off once more- much to the blonde's chagrin.

He had hoped for everything to be at least stable- for everything to be fine, and that he wasn't too late...that he didn't fail yet again-

And look at how that ended for you.

Reflexively blinking as he tried to catch his breath, he was unable to shake away what awaited him at the end of this road; the last few seconds leading up to the decision leading him here were constantly being replayed like a broken record. Tutu- he was the strongest person Hau had ever known in his life; from time's trials to the furies of his own heart, Hala had endured it all. He would stand by, strong and proud, as he laughed at whatever and whoever dared to cross him-

Seeing him covered in bandages and wired to whatever machines they've managed to hold on to without getting noticed by neither beast nor witch. - and the blood, dear Arceus, there was so much blood tainting the bandages keeping him stable...

The sight sickened Hau nigh-instantly. He was about to hurl on the spot back right then and there.

His face twisted in horror at the sight as the lights behind his eyes, what life and hope he had until that moment, began to fizzle away. Even remembering his sheer disgust at the tragedy before him did nothing but deepen the regret he had managed to carry all the way here

Even as Hala reassured him that he couldn't have predicted what would have happened, deep within Hau's mind, he knew Tutu was lying to him; that's how it's always been, hasn't it? Hala hiding his true emotions away just to keep Hau safe and happy, even if the deep pains he was forced to endure were visible just beneath the surface...

In the end, he was the one who had to be protected from the world yet again- all in the attempt at protecting the world from himself and hurting those who were dear to him by the threat of himself breaking apart.

He couldn't take the sight of it. Silently excusing himself, he dashed off heedlessly without a care; ignoring the prying eyes, his name being echoed by all who were around him, and even Gladion's concerned cries...

It was all back to square zero for him.

Within the center of the ruins, staring at the shrine before him, Hau's face was blank of all life and optimism. He was lost in that moment- lost on what must be done and what else he was able to do. Nothing around him even real. All that was surrounding him had simply vanished within the corners of his mind; leaving only the statue and himself.

Before the mighty altar, the link between humankind and the deity of strife, Hau fell to his knees like a puppet having its strings suddenly cut off; severing him from the reassurance of the future just before him. Through incomprehensible mumbles and babbles, he shakily clutched his hands together and whispered out an anguished plea towards the island guardian; a prayer borne not from whatever hope and worship that still remained in his soul, but of desperation...

He had hoped that he hadn't fucked it all up once again.

He wished that all this was a bad dream- one he could wake up from with just a pinch of his cheek.

He denied the tears soaking his face and dropping on to the statue before him- all while he begged for a second chance, for a way to reverse it all, and erase every single mistake he had made up until now just for everything and everyone to be okay...

Mistakes?

That's quite hilarious coming from someone like you, Hau.

You have to face the facts- that all you have done was sit down in hiding as everyone around you dropped like flies, all to evade the risk of pressure shattering your mind and soul in.

You've spent so long fantasizing and focusing on the bright side of life that you haven't noticed the shadows engulfing all that you've known and held dear until it was too late-

And all that you have managed to do so far was stand by and watch.

You have to come to terms with the facts, Hau; none of this would have happened had you not buried your head in the sand so long ago.

None of this would have happened hadn't you been so WEAK.

As he continued on with his blabbering- as his heart continued to race and the reality of the grim situation at hand began to weigh on his mind, the solemn, hopeless prayers soon devolved into numerous apologies mixing with one another; barely taking any comprehensible form. Even coming up with any understandable words was too impossible for him in that moment; whatever his tongue had managed to weave and escaped his throat was not even audible at best, or downright incomprehensible at worst.

He tried his darned best to help everyone around him- trust him, he really did, even if it risked exposing his identity as a puer magi; he couldn't give two shoots about that, so long as he at least made someone's day a little brighter. He wanted everything to be alright- he wanted everyone to be happy, to be safe, and for them be able to look forwards to what the future held for each and every one of them with wide smiles on their faces-

All that- after all that he's managed to do-

It ended up amounting to nothing.

creeeeaaak...

How disgraceful. Even with his failures doing all that he held dear in, he still had the audacity to feel as though he was suddenly going to break apart. If he hadn't already felt weightless and pathetic, then he surely looked the part now.

As he writhed on the ground in blinding pain, another crack echoed throughout the ruins; causing him to scream louder in pure, burning agony. He hadn't completely realized it - his consciousness was phasing in and out of his reach -, but, between his ramblings and apologies, he was calling out for help...he was sobbing for the torment to stop...

Between tears and with all the remaining strength he had managed to accumulate, he had resorted to the one thing he had left- for the one beacon of light and comfort in his life. His mind was frantic - as though he was merely acting upon muscle memory -; covering his face and digging his nails into his face, he let out his final cry-

"G-Grampa...! Grandpa! TUTU-"

"HELP- HELP ME, PLEASE-!!"

C R A C K !

...

As the dark remains of his soul gem were scattered on the ground and what was once its core floated amidst the altar itself, the last thing Hau felt before all light escaped his eyes was the ocean's embrace suddenly surrounding him. With his last remaining bits of strength, he struggled against the force of the waves, but it was to no avail. Feeling as though he had slipped away from what control he had over his own muscles, he slowly ceased all struggle as he allowed himself to succumb to the depths; sinking into the deep blues of the waters until there was nothing but the ocean's calm.

Not too far away, the deity of Melemele Island looked on helplessly as the newly-forged labyrinth overtook the ruins in a flash while the child's despair took form. To meddle with the inevitable is almost never a good decision, that much was true, yet even they knew that this child, much like the rest of the unlucky bunch that came before him...

He held so much promise...

A promise that has been taken away from them by forces beyond their control...

The blonde teen has been calling his name for some time now...

In preparation for the inevitable conflict, Tapu Koko pulled themself together as the labyrinth began to stabilize itself. Not unlike their siblings, it was Koko's sworn duty to defend their island from any and all threats, whether they've arrived from the far reaches of the universe or were as sinister as once-familiar faces turning venomous as they vowed to destroy the lands they have grown up on.

Still, the ache within their heart never ceased to hurt for when it came to clashes like this. They knew they were unable to combat fate itself, but even they knew that this creature, just like the rest of them, never deserved what was coming. After all...

They never asked to be witches...

-The Witch's Nature-

*looks at his personality in Sun and Moon*

*then at him in Ultra Sun and Moon*

*then at him in the anime*

*then I take a teeny tiny look at the manga*

Fun fact: this part actually took me a longer time to finalize than the witch's base form itself. While I was creating the initial concept for him, before I dove deeper into his character, I initially had the idea that it must have been his naivety that did him in; on the surface, he seemed like he just wanted to have fun and explore the grand world around him- and while that's not far from the truth, yes, it still isn't the whole picture; just a mere speck of it.

You see, with time and research, not only did I realize that this term is a far cry from Hau's actual, deep-rooted struggles, it would also re-enforce the flanderized outlook that fandom has towards him. My goal is to take a nosedive into these characters' psyches, so relying on surface actions alone would not suffice. We need to look deeper; know exactly why Hau is the way he is, how he came to possessing his mindset, and all the problems that resulted in and from this outlook of his throughout the game's main story.

Hau is far from ingenuous- nor is he unaware, weak, or anywhere near stupid. He simply assumes the best in the nature that is around him, and, even then, he is perfectly aware of when situations are dire and that certain events are just...not right. Everything's destined to work out, yeah? Sure, life has its moments where it took immense pleasure from kicking us in the ass whilst we were already down, but it's also so unmistakably beautiful; there's no need to fully dwell on the pain. The sun will rise to herald another day- another chance to pick yourself up and start all over again.

After looking at his backstory, comparing the roles everyone significant in his life had in forging Hau as a person before the start of the game, and granting myself some time to think about it moreso, I got the term that would describe Hau's fall from grace perfectly; escapism.

Think about it; Hau's an optimist, yes, but it is his downplaying of - if not the act of outright bottling up - his own troubles and trying so hard to focus on the bright side of the island challenge were what ultimately stiffed his growth as both a trainer and a person. On top of this, we also know that Hau is aware of his own problems, but is trying his best to stay afloat and not get crushed by the weight of his own misery- but how so? Coming face to face with all that troubled his young mind is surely inevitable, so he did he manage to avoid that for all this time?

Well...what if I said that Hau's very own coping mechanism was right before us from the very start? A plan so simple, yet as rounded as brilliant as his character writing? So minuscule...but it holds an important key to finally cracking open Hau's personality?

We are already aware that visiting every malasada shop on each island is his own "island challenge", but...why is that? And why malasadas specifically? Yeah, it could be a way for Game Freak to integrate a snack that is already loved by the people of Hawai'i irl (and I can't blame'em, it does look quite scrumptious), but what does this very fixation on the snack itself speak about Hau as a person?

The answer? Simple; it's comfort food.

A sweet, calming scent that would immediately bring memories of one's childhood rushing into their mind is a universal experience for many, and the same can be said with various types of food. After all, malasadas are already seen as such by various Hawai'ian citizens irl, so it makes complete sense for Hau, someone who is evidently coded to be indigenous Polynesian, to share the same sentiment; of enjoying this treat being his way to wind down after each trial.

The island challenge, in Hau's eyes, is full of wonders and new possibilities, but he just couldn't help but feel his heart drop; it's all so vast and wide, so wonderful but also unrelentingly heart-breaking... He appreciates all the highs and lows - learning from all that had unfolded around him -, but even the most energetic hummingbird needs its time of rest.

Now, I know, I know; it's more than similar to Ichizo's nature - that being "to escape" -; trust me when I say that my perfectionist butt is painfully aware of that and made it very clear whilst I was in the midst of analyzing Hau's personality. Usually this is where I would say that I cracked my back by looking for other terms that would hold a similar meaning to this word specifically, but, honestly? I had to stop myself right then and there. It sounded similar to Ichizo's, yes, but was that really the end of the world? Does it really matter that much, seeing a small word that I used to describe a character ringing true to one that exists in another canon?

My answer to that is: no. Hell to the fucking no. When analyzing characters from various medias like these, finding overlapping aspects in their personalities and behaviors is inevitable, but it is these characters' methods of handling and interpreting these aspects of themselves in their own unique ways is what makes all the difference in a reader's eyes.

Kuroe wanted to escape the eyes of everyone around her; she didn't feel worthy of the love she had wished for and believed that she is far from the image of a perfect magical girl; the idea of being a "good person", even. Hau, on the other hand, was raised under the shadows of his grandfather and yearned for the outside world so he could grow and help others along the way. Their overlapping trait is that they both yearn for their idea of freedom, whether they are willing to consciously admit that or not. Hau may had his inherent optimism and desire to keep on moving forwards by his side for so long - to the extent that it is the effects of his easy-going nature and the kindness in his heart were what inevitably got to him -, but Kuroe eventually succumbed to her self-doubts; becoming the witch symbolizing her inability to move on, Ichizo.

Of course, we can't go wrong with mentioning the honorable mentions; all the other terms I've managed to find that would also fit Hau's downfall depending on your own interpretations of his character! You are all free to reinterpret the witch card below to your hearts' content, and, once more, if you have any criticism, don't be afraid to send them my way!

Sheltered

Trusting

Blinded

To bottle up/bury grievances

To get carried away

-The Witch's Appearance-

"Yeah. My gramps is always saying that nature's got its cruel side, sure as it gives us blessings."

Alright, first thing's first, I need to set up a precedent real quick-

As proud as I am with the end results of both Asclepius (Medic) and Sayf al-Muharib (Hop) before him, I have to admit that I kinda shot myself in the foot by making two humanoid witches in a row. Yes, there isn't anything wrong with making human-like witches, especially when noting how this is the case with the designs of the holy septet's cursed forms, but part of designing a witch and the fun of it all is the ability to go completely off the walls with it; a whole bucket of symbolism just barely taking shape right before our eyes!

What I am trying to say is that I am aiming to make Hau's witch, the accumulation of his regrets and traumas, a straight-up creature- a monster not unlike Gertrud and more than a good half of the witches present in Kazumi Magica. Half the fun of making a character's despair come to life comes from gathering up all their problems, putting them in a bucket, and spilling it right onto the canvas! Plus, I guess focusing on enjoying the process is what Hau would have wanted- in a twisted sort of way.

With all that established, let's take a quiiiiiiiiiick looksie at Hau's backstory, and how it affects him nowadays- or, more appropriately, let's start with the effects everyone else's actions had on him growing up, and the worldview he's adopted as a result. What better place to start it all thank with the very first town we visit in Pokemon SM/USUM, Iki Town?

After finally gaining access to Hala's home, you can find an NPC in there who states that Hala had a habit of spoiling Hau; that he is "too soft" on the boy, and goes on to mention an incident in which Hau had witnessed Hala at his angriest for reasons currently unknown- the sight of his grandfather's fury being enough to immediately push Hau to tears. There was nothing Hala was able to do to comfort the young child, so, ever since that incident, Hala had to hold himself back when in the presence of his grandson.

Of course, if we're going to have to mention Hala's role in sculpting Hau as a character, then it would be of great disservice to not mention the other two individuals who were under him before his grandson was even born; Guzma and Hau's as-of-yet unrevealed father.

We aren't given much details in regards to Hau's father aside from a few sentences from Hau himself; that he had left to Kanto in order to get stronger and escape Hala's shadow. By taking the earlier NPC's words into consideration, it's heavily implied that Hala must have been quite rough towards him, if not apathetic to his struggles at the very least. Being constantly compared to the Kahuna must suck, and it was probably even worse if Hala really was that tough towards him; why else would he just up and leave his entire family behind? To become his own person in the eyes of everyone else including his own?

But, in the end, instead of creating his own legacy and establishing himself as an individual, Hau's father is now known to us - and even to his own son - as the man who left it all behind just to escape the shadow of his own old man. Having a parent like Hala must have sucked if he really was all that strict back in the day, but that is no excuse to abandon your whole family, much less your own child. Parents are people too, hence why even they are prone to terrible mistakes like these, but such decisions that ultimately result in the endangerment of their own children should not be forgiven so easily. Just because he ended up fathering Hau doesn't mean that his words and actions are law, and that everyone who has been affected by his actions should just suck it up.

Of course, this event was not the only catalyst that triggered Hala's change in temperance and approach to those under his care. No, this was far from the only mountain formed by Hala's mistakes; casting a shadow on his conscience and the rest who are still in his life. If letting his own son down and causing him to sever all ties to Alola was achievement-worthy, then him failing Guzma, one of his own "students", the person who needed guidance the most, was triumph on its own level.

Now, I have to state that I wasn't initially sure on where this would fall on the timeline exactly; many fan interpretations of the events leading up to Guzma becoming the "embodiment of destruction in human form" usually depict him and Kukui as young teens and Hala as a man in his 40's-50's. However, as was presented to us in the anime, Guzma and Kukui were shown to have been at least in their late twenties back when they had their fallout, and Hala more or less looked the same as he does now.

While on topic, I also have to point out a certain aspect most of the fans tend to look over whilst discussing the history behind Team Skull, and it's that, no, Guzma did not create it; as much as we want to believe that it was our boy who had founded this rag tag group of misfits, this apparently isn't the case as established by canon.

According to the games, Team Skull was initially created by, or rather was 'centered' around, one of the kahunas; while it'd be natural to assume that it must have been Hala himself due to him vowing to make sure they would right all of their wrongdoings in the post-game, there isn't much proof that would support this hypothesis throughout the canons of the games, manga, and anime. Instead, I believe that it was formed by none other than Nanu, who probably tried to take a bunch of teens who had failed the island challenge under his care as penance for the failed faller mission, but, since apparently nothing goes right in this man's life, he had flunked at this task in levels that would be deemed as spectacular.

How Guzma ended up becoming the leader of Team Skull remains a mystery to this day, but we can hypothesize that, at that point in the timeline, Nanu had already given up; it'd be easy to assume that, due to his strength and imposing attitude, he had gained the respect of the hooligans around him to the extent that, over time, he was deemed as their "boss". Guzma, with his deep-rooted desire for validation to make others feel the very same fear he had to live with all his life, happily took in the role- in his eyes, it was like he was made for this! That this was his right path in life- to destroy all that stood in his way as demonstration of his strength, and rage against the system that has failed him and the rest of Team Skull so...

Realizing the magnitude of his mistakes and the fallouts that have occurred as consequence, Hala looked down at the small toddler in his arms, a child that is eerily silent; not even bringing himself to ask where daddy is, much less whether or not he was returning soon...

His eyes welled with pity and regret. Without hesitation, he held the child up in his arms; promising to himself that he will keep young Hau safe- that he won't mess up and destroy the foundations of this kid's spirit. This time he was going to build this child up, rather than knock his hopes and dreams down. This time, he'll be there for the fledgling under his wing...

This time, Hala was gonna make things right.

Alrighty, so we got two themes in our hands already- shelter and replacement; already off to a good start! Usually, this is where I would start the interpretation games right away, but before we could do that, I need to look at Hau's personality and actions in-canon right away; his role in their entirety of the lore, and how other characters perceive him. Though the elements are there in our hands, establishing a key motif is essential for making a decent, semi-consistent design, and they key to do that is by analyzing Hau's impact on the story.

If there is any way to briefly describe Hau as a character, it's that he represents Alola as a whole- or, at least, what it presents itself as on the surface. As soon as we meet him in the games and their ultra versions, he's shown to be an excitable little lad who is just eager for an adventure and wants everyone to have a grand old time. During the first quarter of the game, Hau was there to help us get to know Alola as a region; how things worked here, the customs, and even the basic idea of the local villainous team - Team Skull -. He was also our first opponent back when we first got our starter and during the festival in Iki Town; he was there during our first steps, because, much like the main character, he was also taking his very first steps as a trial goer, and, by jove, was he looking forwards to it.

I must once again repeat that he is not oblivious, naive, nor any of the sort; he managed to tackle his feelings of inadequacy in USUM, his tendencies to bottle up his emotions have been cranked up to eleven in the anime, and was been hit by the revelation that maybe the island trial isn't all that it is hyped up to be in the manga. Time and time again he has been hit with the knowledge that the seams keeping the his bright outlook in the world are on the verge of tearing apart; from his broken family dynamics, to how the trials have failed countless children like himself, to the nefarious acts of the Aether Foundation, Hau was there to witness it all- as a bystander, as someone so powerless to stop any of what was happening around him all thanks to his focus on the joy of the trials just to escape from the pressure...

Yet he still smiles on; trying to keep his and everyone else's hopes up, and became a guiding force for those in need. When looking at his character and history in-depth, it becomes evident that Hau represents the true meaning of wisdom; trying so hard to look at the bright side of life in spite of it constantly handing him nothing a but rose's thorns without the flower itself. Yes, that trait of him hiding his sorrows away is beyond toxic and is the driving force behind his soul gem shattering, but his dedication to seeing the best in what's around him would have been impressive if we haven't considered the circumstances that brought this trait of his into existence. He realized what his flaws have brought, and, in the end, began to dedicate himself to fixing these broken foundations as much as he could.

Speaking of wisdom, it's also nifty to point out that he's also aware of the customs, legends, and traditions of Alola - which, of course, comes with him being the kahuna's grandson and all -; evident by him realizing the implications of the MC receiving a shining stone from Tapu Koko and how, by the game's end, he began to walk in Hala's footsteps in order to better himself and become a shining beacon for those who are suffering at the lowest point of their lives. Between him and Gladion, Hau knows Alola like the back of his hand, while Gladion assisted us while infiltrating the Aether Foundation - an artificial island that, of course, Hau would have no idea how he could traverse through -.

So now we've got two more themes pinned up on the board, being guidance and traditions. I think now's the perfect opportunity to line up the strings required to draw the necessary connections between all these scattered aspects; now is the perfect time to look at his goal in life, his self-image, and how all this was affected by the way he was raised.

We've already spoken about the effects of Hala's methods of raising Hau in the games; that he was, as TV tropes would call it, spoiled sweet. He's cheerful, kind, and selfless- though he does have that snark every now and then. From his interactions with Team Reskull and how he aims to goad them towards the right path, it can be observed that Hau is quite emotionally intelligent; empathetic and understanding towards those in need, while also recognizing the flaws that brought them into the situations that they are in. He aims to help those around him to overcome their struggles and emerge from their strifes as the healthiest versions of themselves, and not wallow in their own curses and regrets for years to come. If Hop wanted to be a professor, then Hau is the closest thing we have to a therapist.

Now, in the anime, on the other hand, here's where things start to diverge; in the few episodes he was present in, he was shown to be a lot more serious about battling than he was in the games. Sure, he's still the same cheerful little kid who is more than optimistic about life in order to evade heart-shattering pressure from doing him in like it did with his dad and grandpa, but he is also...different; a whole new take on this familiar character who still possesses what makes him recognizable from the rest, who is also acting so unlike the Hau that we came to know and love.

The cause behind this shift in behavior and personality is due to his father having taken him as he left for Kanto; solidifying the fact that the reason why Hau is the person that he is now is all thanks to the people who were around him during his formative years. I should also add in that the way he handles his negative emotions and losses in the anime is a lot worse than the how tried to cope with them in the games; implying that Hau's father is stricter than Hala ever would have been, and he might not have tolerated Hau ever losing. This piece of context would portray the way Hau had broken down in front of Hala after his loss in the league in a much harsher light; despite everything, Hala is the only person there for him- he's the only one he trust enough to lower his guards around. With Hala, Hau is free to act like the devastated 11 year old that he is; not some tough trainer his father tried to sculpt him into as a subconscious way of sticking it to his old man.

Yeah...safe to say that, behind the smiles and Malasada feasts, Hau never really had it easy. It's a lot easier for us to chalk his whole character up to devouring fried dough and being nothing but happy for everyone, but, just like the picture-perfect image of Alola, once you dig deep into what truly goes on behind the sunlight, its rotting foundations begin to make themselves known to us.

We've got all these motifs, the vibe we want to aim for, his struggles, and his self-image to use as a decent "base". Yep, I think we've managed to gather all that we need so far. Now's a good time for us to piece these concepts together and mold them into a singular shape; Hau's eternally-tormented form, forever wallowing in his failures and trapped in a hellscape of his own making.

First and foremost, Hau's witch should symbolize Alola's true heart of darkness; how it gave up on those who have failed the island challenge and shunned them away, as well as the truth behind his upbringing and the disastrous effects it had on his psyche. Hala may have done his best to shield Hau from the harsh truths of the world, but not only was Hau aware of what Hala tried to hide him away from, it is Hala's own over-protection and flaws that have led Hau to bottle up his own emotions- outright ignoring his problems until they piled up on top of one another until, inevitably, he couldn't take it anymore. *Sayori has entered the chat*

I mean, hey, just because Hau is a bright child himself with a warm exterior and bright motifs to his design, that doesn't mean his witch form has to reflect all that to a T; just look at Kriemhild Gretchen and compare her to her base form, Madoka Kaname. That is the magic of creating witches for all sorts of characters, though; with enough resources, you are given free range to go in any direction at your own leisure, so long as it fits the character in mind. Just go absolutely wild- make it as weird and unsettling as you could! Let your creativity run wild and off the walls!

In spite of all this, do not get me wrong; we are gonna give the design a splash of color, but it won't exactly be due to Hau's sunny personality- rather, it'd be reflective of the warlock's goals, what Hau desperately aimed to do even in witchdom, and the sheer chaos that is the witch's mind. He wants everyone - his friends, family, and even complete strangers like Team Skull - to find paths in their lives that truly make them happy, but there's also that fear of separation and disappointment that haunts him. He cannot let himself crack- he can't risk hurting those around him, nor should he fail everyone like he had already failed Lillie...

So, with this idea now on the table - the whole vibe that we wanna aim for -, how exactly would Hau's witch form exactly look like? Since we got all these elements on our hands, how would they all connect? What sort of image will we get by properly placing each and every one of these pieces in a comprehensive manner? Will our efforts blossom into a unique design that fits our little malasada child like a glass slipper? Or will they break everything that we have built up and render the blood, sweat, and tears we have poured into this project as wastes?

Well...remember when I called Hau a "sleeping dragon" a few sections earlier?

Think about it; while they were often portrayed as the penultimate villains of a knight's quest, narratively speaking, they do so in order to symbolize the perils that are associated with their journeys through these vast, new, and unfamiliar lands. It is also usually established within these fairy tales that it's wise not to awaken these beasts from their slumber, and how they are often slain via strategy and a plan in mind.

On top of all that, in the world of map-making, artists would often draw dragons in order to symbolize uncharted or even dangerous territories; hence the phrase "here be dragons". Hau wants to see the world out there, but even he knows that it's not all sunshine and rainbows; there will be unprecedented dangers up ahead, so the best he could do is to endure what gets thrown at him, learn from these events, and do his best to find a reason to smile through thick and thin.

So, a dragon- a decent foundation to build our freaky witch design on, but what kind of a dragon are we looking at here? Is he a wyrm? A drake? Or something entirely new and off-the-shits?

If I have to be frank, I didn't have an exact type of dragon in mind while I was thinking of a design for him aside from several key aspects of the Mo'o; shapeshifting lizard spirits from Hawaiian beliefs that are capable of controlling the weather. If the name sounds familiar, then you'd be right on the money by assuming that the Kommo-o line must have been based on this creature of legends; justifying its semi-legendary status in-game thanks to its real-world counterpart's significance in the overall history and belief systems of indigenous Hawai'i.

The Mo'o were also revered as beings known as 'Aumakuas; deified ancestors who have returned to the mortal realm as family or even personal gods in order to provide protection and guidance to their descendants through various means such as dreams or omens, and are said to be the links between the heavenly and mortal realms. It is also said that 'Aumakuas are able to take on the forms of various animals and even inanimate objects in order to reach out to their families, including, but not limited to, sharks, octopi, stones, caterpillars, plant life, and even owls- if that doesn't tie in to Hau, their status as Hala's grandchild, the Tapus, decidueye, and his descent into witchdom perfectly, I don't know what does anymore.

Back on topic, while Hau's witch form would share several elements with the Mo'o in terms of the specifics of their designs and symbology, their appearances couldn't be any more different; yes, the warlock would be able to dive into the waters of his labyrinth and attempt to 'surf' across the its surface, but it appears that they're a lot more...aquatic than outright amphibious, with some avian elements peppered in here and there for good measure (put a pin on that; this is going to be important later down the line). With four pairs of wings to help them glide through the air and a long tail adorned with a blooming hibiscus at its end, I believe that his silhouette would somewhat resemble an amphithere with certain key elements of the Glaucus Atlanticus- aka. the Blue Sea Dragon!

With the base form in our hands, that being a colorful sea dragon of myth itself that is just as sunny as the child he once was, I do believe that now is the time for us to add some pizzazz to our cute lil' monstrosity- and what better place to look for in order to incorporate more eye-catching themes than Hau's own history, design, and namesake?

To start all this off on a strong note, let's dive in to that theme of shelter from earlier.

Though Hau was excited to take on the Island Challenge and was, more or less, the optimist of the gang - with him trying his best to keep everyone's hopes up even in the grimmest of situations -. he is also no stranger to the truth around him; he knows that it is thanks to his stiffed growth that Lillie was in danger, and was more than self-conscious over the prospect of ever defeating his grandfather at his full power. You have to remember that Hala tried to make sure Hau had nothing to frown over, but, in the end, he couldn't stop reality from seeping through the cracks, and all his efforts into keeping Hau safe only resulted in him adopting the very same toxic trait of his- of keeping all his negative emotions away from the prying eyes of others, and causing them to coalesce from within.

With all this in our hands, there are two key aspects we now need to focus on in order to make a convincing witch design; Hau being kept in the dark, and him trying to bottle up his sorrows until he couldn't anymore. Both of these interpretations are more than helpful to us for when it comes to making his silhouette stand out amongst all the other witches in the canon of PMMM and those within our hands currently, so let's see what we can do with these elements that are at play here!

When I think of "shelter", being hidden away from the world, and Hau celebrating his victories with a feast of his comfort food with his partner pokemon, I immediately think of a turtle's shell; an evolutionary defense mechanism there to make sure that any predators who see them as their next meal receive a nasty surprise at the cost of their jaws. Clashing with the established themes of freedom, Hau being kept away from the world's threats is also a recurring event that has been speckled throughout his life, whether it's in a metaphorical sense (his sheltered upbringing) or literal (Lillie protecting Hau from Team Skull and him hiding behind her during the climax of USUM).

Of course, as we have already stated earlier, this type of upbringing had done nothing but bring tragedies at Hau's doors; not only was the truth still present for him to see, but life under his grandfather's wings had only taught him how he could bottle up his grievances and just focus on the positives before him so that he wouldn't hurt others like Tutu did. The shell did nothing, the shell was useless- the shell is broken. Cracks litter what was meant to be his safe haven, yet it still holds shape - the illusion of strength and stability - after all these years. It could also bear a more literal meaning here; how poor Hau tried his best to keep everyone's hopes up, including his own, but, alas, not even he was exempt from the one law that unites all magi, and the darkness even overtook him once his soul gem had shattered from the pressure and his regrets.

Even after all this time, after his body and shell broke into pieces time and time again, after his sorrows and despair have finally caused him to crack in more literal ways than one and are now bleeding through the fissures- he's still standing strong. He's still smiling even after he had picked himself up and carried on. He's still trying to live his life with positivity and reassurance, in spite of his woes and mistakes following him with every twist and turn.

On top of that, we should also take the significance of turtles in Hawaiian beliefs into consideration, especially that of the "Honu", aka. the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, which symbolizes longevity and good luck. Turtles are also seen as excellent guides and protectors in Hawaiian beliefs; that, in ancient times, they were the ones who have guided the first Polynesian settlers to the islands, and that they represent the link between man, land, and sea...which is all the more ironic for what I am going to suggest next-

We all know that, for some time, Hau felt...kinda lost on what he should do with his life - at least that is the case in the games -, much like any other kid at his age. Before we encountered professor Burnet at her lab, Hau was partaking in the island challenge just to make memories and gain the vigor needed to defeat his grandfather at his full strength. After that, however, he really didn't reveal his plans in regards to his future to us as the players, and it wouldn't exactly be incorrect of us to assume that he really didn't plan for what was to come after all was said and done.

It was when Kukui had explained to us that Hau possessed the potential to not only surpass the Kahuna of Melemele island but also just like him that a spark was lit behind Hau's eyes; a direction, a goal, a purpose- he had finally found his calling in life. It isn't just Kukui who held that sentiment, either; as we've already discussed earlier, even Gladion believed that Hau had it in him to become just like his old man - if not stronger -, and that all he had to do was focus on honing his strengths. Unfortunately, Hau finally came to that conclusion as well when Lillie had gotten abducted by the Aether Foundation; when he had failed at protecting her like he had promised. Had he just taken himself seriously, this wouldn't have happened- but, no, he allowed the breeze to carry him wherever, with not a semblance of a direction in his mind. Like the scattered petals of his namesake, he was now lost in the darkness of his mind and soul; floating in the vast, all-consuming nothingness...

Floating...floating just like his Alolan Raichu! Though I could see him being perfectly able to fly with his wings, perhaps the warlock could also utilize electromagnetism to his aid; his disconnected parts and the sorrows that seep from the cracks on his shell managing to float alongside him and he soars through his labyrinth as if he was swimming in the air. After all, there was a reason as to why I suggested the shape of a compass for a soul gem earlier; since Hop, as Sayf al-Muharib, possessed design elements that are a direct callback to his signature pokemon - being Wooloo/Dubwool - in order to symbolize his self-destruction and abandonment, it is only right to reference Hau's Alolan Raichu in one way or another- this time to symbolize his loss of direction in life and carefree nature.

Speaking of homages to other pokemon, you know what other 'mon that Hau has a strong ties with? The one that his family has been tasked with protecting all these years? The one that has chosen his own grandfather to become the island's head-chief? The one that accompanies Hau in Pokemon Masters EX?

That's right! We're bringing in Tapu Koko to the mix!

Resembling the ruins in which the deity resided in, and the final resting place of the being that was once "Hau", the warlock's scales wouldn't appear too dissimilar to the walls of the Ruins of Conflict and the patterns on Tapu Koko's shell. As though he was a part of these sacred grounds; if one happens to be a bit too careless, they might mistake Hau's warlock form for a whole new tapu- one that is undiscovered and hidden from the records of the deities' achievements. An island spirit just like them who was left to wither away and become one with the tides of time. Combined with the shards of his once-brilliant shell, it wouldn't be too farfetched to reach such a conclusion.

Plus, if we want to go all-in with the references to Tapu Koko, then I suppose it's best that we utilize the warlock's aforementioned avian elements and put them to full use! Just think about it; dragons and dinosaurs share a lot of similarities, with the key difference between them is that one is rooted in fantasy while the other is a real-world creature that is still shrouded by mystery. Would his warlock form possess a body made of scales alongside brilliant feathers that shine with bright golden hues? Seeing that the witches Magireco do have some...questionable elements to their designs, that wouldn't be too out of left field- and, besides, I could definitely see some parts of his silhouette being somewhat inspired by the bird-like takes on dragons and dinosaurs of today. If anyone here reading this has played Flight Rising at some point of their lives, I think one of the newly created breeds, the Auraboa, would definitely fit the vibes I am trying to aim for!

Come to think of it, now that feathers are a key detail to his design, I could see his appearance invoke the imagery of the Quetzalcoatl; an ancient Sun deity who is usually depicted as a serpentine dragon possessing a pair of wings and, of course, bright and colorful feathers. Once more, Hau's potential and beaming personality shine through the deepest trenches of despair, just like the raging sun.

Now, straying away from the 'mons and themes of guidance clashing with him being lost in life for a second, there are two more aspects of real-world turtles that would not only fit Hau's troubles like a surgical glove, but would also help immensely with, let's say, boosting the idea that the witch is him, his corrupted mind and soul, trapped in an eternal nightmare specifically constructed to constantly remind him of his mistakes and unaccomplished goals to no end. Two aspects that, when combined, would bring in a whole new theme to the table; parasitism.

You see, though these graceful creatures usually lead perfectly serene lives and do possess some of the longest lifespans among the other members of the animal kingdom that reside on this blue earth, danger still lurks within every corner of their lives; predators that are ready to tear open their shells for a bite to eat, the ocean waves drowning their young ones as soon as they hatch, and then there's us. The people. The human race. What? With our mega-corporations dumping all sorts of toxic sludge into their homes and all these accidental casualties caused by mass-fishing, isn't it any wonder seeing that the main threat to their survival is the very species that is burning this planet away as a sick showcase of power?

Whenever they aren't grinding their very home planet to dust just for validation and worship amongst their kin, those considered to be the elite of our society would oftentimes indulge in flavors that are considered to be "exquisite", even if it came with the cost of driving the creatures that make up their meals' key ingredients extinct; shark fin soups, blue fin tuna sushi, dolphin meat, and, of course, we cannot forget the green sea turtle! Whether we're talking about their eggs, flesh, or even their brilliant shells- to turn a symbol of long-lasting life and wisdom into a delicacy is considered a symbol of power and status in various cultures, both ancient and modern. Though various organizations have established several rules and protective measures in order to prevent the further decline of this species' population, they are still doing little to stop the concerns of poaching throughout the world- so long as the thirst for power and mindless indulgence remain, these creatures remain to be in danger.

On top of that, if it ain't just us humans who are bringing mass terror to these sea creatures, you know what else is there to drive a turtle to madness and inconvenience its everyday life? Barnacles. Indeed, not even they are immune to these buggers of the sea. Barnacles are suspension feeders; meaning that they act as a filter for the ocean as a whole by devouring bacteria and plankton. So long as an object or living being is ocean-bound and presents a lot of activity, it is considered the perfect spot for a barnacle to settle on.

When it comes to its relationship with turtles, it's quite simple; combined with the aforementioned requirements above, their shells are also prone to getting coated with epibiota - algae, plankton, and the likes -; deeming them as the nigh-perfect hosts to attach to. As result, they'll end up decreasing the creature's hydrodynamic shape, and its surface drag will increase in-turn; there's little to nothing a turtle could gain from this. Due to the risk these barnacles place on a turtle's general health and survivability, the removal of these pesky parasites from their shells once they pose such a danger - with great care, of course -.

So, with all that in mind, now it's time to play pin the rose on the thorn bush! Man, Gertrud is gonna kill me for this one, isn't she-?

Leeching off of his vitality and woes, numerous flora of all shapes and sizes emerge from the back of the warlock and through the gaps of his scales; draining him of excess energy and leaving him languid. In spite of the pain and inconvenience they bring to his door, they do provide great benefit to the warlock by soothing the visitors of his barrier and amplifying the radius of the mist within it. Such beautiful flora- it's almost a shame that the one flower he is unable to provide for nor protect are the lilies that thrive within the ruins of his labyrinth.

And it doesn't end with his shell, either; growing at the tip of his tail, a sea hibiscus in full bloom, with petals that are as bright as day, stands strong under the sunlight. Clinging on to his namesake and all that it represents, one of the last surviving shards of Hau's sanity is the embodiment of the joy and love he shared with everyone around him.

Now, all this is horrifying (and, to an extent, tragic) on its own, but what purpose is it serving here on a narrative level? Why parasitism specifically? What has happened to Hau that has caused his witch form to adopt this trait?

You see, not only would this represent the weight of Hau's emotions and how they are draining him from the inside-out, but they also symbolize an inevitability; one where Hau is destined to run himself so thin that he is at risk of withering away in the blink of an eye just like that. We all know that he wants to help - to become a wise and reliable soul just like his grandpa -, and the catalyst for his change in both USUM and the manga is none other than Guzma; driving him to promise that he would lend a hand to those who have and haven't passed the island trial, and help them lead better lives while unlocking their inner potentials. He is keeping the flora alive with his blood, and, in return, they help him with maintaining his labyrinth; keeping the peace and serenity thanks to his flowers and his shell.

Speaking of his emotions getting to him at the day's end, and because I could probably hear some of you yelling "DYST, WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU MEAN BY HIS EMOTIONS LEAKING FROM HIS BROKEN SHELL EARLIER?", I do believe that now is a great time to incorporate those two ideas and bring in the final piece of the puzzle unto the table; let's unscramble this picture before us once and for all and stare down at the opponent that was once our dear friend.

You see, Hau is able to bottle up and hide away all his troubles all he wants, but even the strongest of glass is destined to reach its breaking point; much like his soul gem during its final hours. Not only would this next aspect reflect the inevitable fate that awaits all magi, but his inability to handle his negative emotions; feeling so confused and overwhelmed due to lack of experience on how he could take care of his wounded heart in a manner that can be deemed as healthy.

Indeed, the very shell that he is supposed to hide himself within, what provides the flora that grow on him life and his labyrinth its eternal calm, is chipping away at the seams. Through them, flora peeks out, and they feed on the warlock's vitality and health. This sounds bad enough on its own, but, remember, if Hau was able to perfectly hide away all his problems and, by some miracle bestowed upon him by celestial trio, manage to forget about them for years to come, none of us would be here in the first place- and...it looks like his futile attempts at making sure he keeps that smile on his face is being reflected on his warlock's design.

From these cracks on his person and the shattered remains of his shell, small, goldfish-like beings would often emerge. It wouldn't be too outlandish to assume that they must be familiars of the warlock, but, in truth, they're a lot more like floating parts of the warlock themself; disconnected, pesky, yet a part of them nonetheless. He tries his best to ignore them; to continue living life without them bothering him too much. He can't focus on them- he can't succumb to the stress, he cannot take the risk...

Ah- how much better would it be if he bottled them up once m o r e ?

Invoking the image of the ouroubouros, the serpent devouring its own tail as a representation of eternity, the warlock would dig his sharp teeth into these small goldfish-esque manifestations; rip them apart without a hint of hesitation or mercy in order to regain his strength whenever he is in a pinch against a powerful foe. In calmer days, however, they're just there for show in the eyes of visitors; a spectacle backing up the graceful image of the monster before them, unaware of their true nature as the embodiments of his regrets and misery.

Ironic, isn't it? That the form his troubles have embodied are generally regarded as the most common and replaceable pets in most households of today. Of course, one should also remember that Hau is the grandson of the Kahuna of Melemele island and is speculated to be the next in line; in Chinese culture, goldfish are seen as symbols of wealth and harmony. In this case, however, it could also be another tie-in to Hau's lineage and family curses, and that, no matter what, he can't exactly run away from his doubts, no matter how much he tried to bury them and move on with his life.

Wow, that was heavier than any of us expected.

So, with everything in regards to the witch himself has been wrapped up, now's the time to focus on the intermission before we get to the main course - their labyrinth -; Hau's karmic potential and the strength of his witch. Now we get to see how much CARNAGE our boy is capable of!

Before we start, I have to make this clear as soon as I could; nope! Unlike Hop/Sayf, he is not as strong as either Timeline 2!Gretchen, Isabeau, or Walpurgis! While it is true that it is thanks to his actions that Gladion, Guzma, and many a Team Skull grunt grew to become better versions of themselves, it's not, let's say, "stopping the apocalypse and bringing peace back to Alola" levels of karmic potential- that honor goes to Elio and Lillie.

Make no mistake, however- he would still end up as a formidable foe; someone capable of targeting large groups of people if he so desired. You have to remember that we're not just dealing with our energetic friend who is concealing the fact that dealing with a lot of shit in his mind with a smile on his face- we're dealing with the grandson of Melemele Island's Kahuna. Someone who, as Gladion had already stated, already holds so much potential; and Hau showcases his inner strength and discipline by managing to defeat the Elite 4 time and time again just for a chance to defeat the MC as the champion. (Plus, of all trainers, he's the one who gave me the most shit, both during normal gameplay and my failed Nuzlocke run. This child and his Raichu are spawns of Homucifer, I tell you-)

So, on a scale of Oktavia (was nuked by Homura single-handedly in one timeline within the PSP game) to Final!Gretchen, I'd say he's on a tier above Hungrige Pumpe and Box Wood. Of all witches, they're the ones who have showcased the ability to target multiple people at once on-screen while also managing to put up a serious fight when it came down to it. I would have mentioned H.N Elly, since she's showcased the same ability to influence multiple people into acts of grave harm, but she was sent to Hell and back by a solitary Sayaka Miki; she may been an intelligent and strategic witch, but she's not on the same tier as the other two aforementioned witches in my own opinion due to her lack of personal strength.

Now that the base appearance of his witch has been established and we got a good idea in regards to his power levels, let's take a step back and focus on his worldview, his mindset, his barrier. "The internal headspace of a magi before they turn into a witch". The world that does its best to keep their wounds open. What better way to keep on hurting poor Hau than by reminding him of all that he's lost?

"The salty breeze sang to me and brought me here to you!"

Once you enter their labyrinth, the first word that would come to your mind is "peaceful", if not "comforting". You arrive in a run-down Alolan home; all signs of human settlement have eroded away with time, seeing that the overgrown flora around you have long proclaimed this area as their new sanctuary. Soft sunlight shines through the countless cracks and particles of dust are dancing under its rays as you make your way through this strangely serene and calming manor; in spite of the destruction, amidst the debris and rubble, the flowers are in full bloom, and the air is just so fresh. It must be the dawn of spring.

As you traverse through the wreckage around you, past the lilies, debris, and worn-away furniture, you've finally managed to find it- a simple wooden door, with what you could assume is the warlock's whisper etched on to its middle. The exit. As you took note of the intricacies of the gate before you, you've finally realized exactly how floral the environment surrounding you appeared to be; if not for the plants growing around the destruction, then the designs present on the walls, furniture, and even the broken windows would have done the deed of invoking this imagery. Speaking of the aforementioned walls for a second, your eyes widened as realization dawned on you; they were a near-exact copy of those present within the ruins dedicated to the island guardians...

The beauty of your surroundings was almost haunting. You gulp down your anxieties as a sudden chill surrounds you...

This didn't feel right.

After taking in a couple of deep breaths - in...and out, in and out... -, you've finally mustered up the courage to open the wooden entrance. You had no idea what awaited you in the other side, and that alone was enough to petrify you; was it a continuation of these very ruins? A gentle daydream awaiting to be beheld? Or a nightmare just begging to be unleashed? You weren't sure- the possibilities were everywhere, and your mind was sent into a panic over the potential danger that's waiting for you just around the corner. Without thinking, you've grabbed on to the door and shoved-

A thick layer of fog covers the ground beneath you. The soft cracking of grass sounded...a bit too much like glass. The sun remained to be just as bright as you've first entered, and the wind appeared to be picking up its pace somewhat. A sudden sense of vertigo overcame you as you've stumbled out of the ruined home; you've felt your heart rapidly fluttering as you've tripped onto the ground nigh-instantly. After catching your breath whilst on your knees, you finally glance at the labyrinth surrounding you-

Stars shone from within your eyes as you beheld the scenery that was unfolding.

The mist reflected the brightness cast upon this small pocket dimension; cloaking the earth beneath you in a soft luminescence, like you're standing amidst the clouds. Ruins similar to the one you've emerged from are standing high and tall; almost completely reclaimed by nature itself, they have withstood the test of time and have become one with the environment around you. Only the graffiti that were long spray painted on the relics and even some of the boulders you came across were the only indicators of human tampering- aside from those, it's as if you've stumbled upon an untouched piece of the Garden of Eden itself, hidden away from the prying eyes of mankind. You could hear bird songs and the distant waves just up ahead; all you had to do was to continue walking down this wooden bridge before you.

You had no idea how you could describe it, but, ever since you've arrived here, you've felt...free; bewildered and unrestrained, like you could just jump around and run through the meadows while laughing without a care. A memory of a distant summer flashes in your mind; one of the last times you ever felt secure...that everyone was going to stay fine until time itself runs its course. Pure nostalgia.

The flora is blooming, the waters are crystal clear, and the ocean- oh, how calming it is. Truly, this must be heaven, right? After all, Hau didn't care about winning or losing- surely this trait must be carried over to his warlock form...or, one might hope so.

Craaack....

Fragile. Oh, it's all so very, very fragile- the leaves, the grass, and even the ground itself. What a clumsy mistake- a devastating, regretful, but overall clumsy mistake. Even the little birdies looked like they could shatter just by perching on your shoulder. With even just the tiniest amounts of pressure, you could feel everything before your fingertips turn into nothing but glittering shards carried by the wind.

How unfortunate. To strive on is to destroy. To express your thoughts and oneself is to risk harm to all that surrounds you. Wouldn't it be better if you were able to exist without posing the threat of destruction towards all you held dear? If you just...went with the flow?

Yeah; that way, you wouldn't hurt anyone. With this, the world can remain beautiful. Just lay back and go wherever the wind took you...

How...how long has it been since you've last touched the ground?

After what seemed like hours of wandering through this faux paradise, trying so hard to hold on to the will to resist the temptation of the gentle waves, the delicious aroma of freshly-made food, and the smiles of all who came before you, you find it; flying in the air like it was swimming without a care, dashing with those who were riding on the waterfalls present like it was a fun race- there was the warlock. After having its fun with the other visitors of the labyrinth, he finally took notice of the most recent newcomer- that being you. After flying gracefully towards your direction, he looked at you intently without even a hint of aggression behind those crystalline eyes; in fact, they appeared to be quite curious. The only action he had done was...pick you up by the collar of your shirt, fly towards what you assumed to be a festival going on, and place you down near a feast among the other visitors.

He didn't attack...far from it; your struggles and fears - both of which were fueled by uncertainty - have only granted you even more sympathy from the warlock. As you've descended from the highs of your worries, you began to almost feel bad for him- a rarity amongst his kind, his compassion didn't melt away even after he reborn as this...beast...

A voice snapped you out of your daydreams; must have been another one of his presumed "victims". Hah, for someone who had stumbled upon an ever-twisting maze of deceit and uncertainty, they sure appeared to be quite pollyanish, much like the rest of the group; they all appeared to be of good cheer, as if they didn't really care about the prospect of them being far away from their homes and loved ones. The person beckoned for you to join in on their banter if you'd like; there appeared to be so much that you could share with them, and the rest are dying to know how you've arrived here!

With a slight tinge of hesitation and worry, you shakily smiled and sat down with the rest. A festival like any other; even the jovial spirits around you made you feel quite homely...

Over time, you couldn't really recognize them by their faces anymore. All your mind was able to register was their laughter and blissful songs. Happiness and joy was all around you. Hours have gone by as you've spent them having a grand old time with the rest of the visitors through conversations, banter, and even games you've all participated in. Even the warlock joined in on your festivities; jumping up and down just like how a small child would! Throwing one of the fried pastries that you've found into the air, the dragon leapt and grabbed the snack with his jaw before digging in with a smile on his face, causing you to laugh right before he offered you another one of these delectable snacks after he was done chowing down on the grub you've given him.

The distant sounds of thunder echoed around you, but you couldn't bring yourself to care. The rest of the guests weren’t afraid at all of the storm, either; in fact, they seemed entranced by it, sharing you and the warlock's love for Mother Earth and her gifts.

Was this truly a labyrinth? Or have you stumbled upon Heaven itself?

The line between the two definitions have blurred in your mind.

As the winds picked up their pace and the torches scattered throughout the labyrinth began lit up, the deep orange hues of the sunset before you and the rest sure looked mesmerizing. What a way to end the day; lying down on the beach sands with the sight of this grand ocean before you all. You couldn't think of any other way there is to put an end to this wondrous event; it's just you, yourself, and the cool breeze surrounding you...a moment of true, undisturbed peace. You've never felt as relaxed and tranquil in your life as you have now.

The tides began to creep in. The warmth of the seawater felt...peaceful; welcoming, even.

You couldn't find any reason nor the willpower to keep your eyes open; even as the waters filled your lungs and dragged you down into its depths, you couldn't help but smile in peaceful, perhaps even cathartic, resignation...

As the skies above shifted to a cooler hue - heralding the arrival of the calming night -, all that remained were the ocean's waves, the endless sea foam, the towering flora, and the warlock of this labyrinth staring off into the distance in content. Now, nobody will have a reason to frown again. Nobody will have to feel lonely or left out anymore. They can become one with the calm waves. As the veil separating day and night faded slowly, the ocean hues sure resembled deep pools of viscera and gore as they reflected the skies above...

The thunderstorm surrounding his labyrinth continued to rage on; lightning strikes shone through the pitch black of the night, revealing the clouds' resemblance to the bars of an old, battered bird cage. Such a grand yet familiar sight did not cause the warlock's nostalgia and appreciation for what was around him to waver; such was the wonder of nature and the world around him, and now he and the others can bask in it forever...

With the dawn of a new day, came new visitors; new souls who have been lost for some time, those whose purposes have slipped from their fingers and were deemed to be outcasts by the public. The sight of their broken souls had granted them pity from the warlock- but he was there now. He'll make sure they won't have to continue living their lives in sorrow and stiffing regret. This is his sworn duty; to make sure they have at least be free from the burdens of everyday life; only then, will their souls be at rest, and they shall become one with the ocean's calm. Yeah, it was for their best interest...

This time, however, he noticed it; dark and messy hair, sunken and unblinking eyes, and a shining jewel that is as bright as the sun... As this newcomer unsheathed their weapon with great hesitation after he stared at Hau for so long, it became clear in the warlock's eyes that this was no new visitor, but an interloper; dead-set on destroying his sanctuary, the fruit born from the desires deep within his heart, and bringing everyone back to their miserable, stiffing lives.

The air crackled with electricity...he can't let them destroy all that he has built up over these months! He had failed in making the last intruder see that it would have been a lot better if it had accepted his offer and stared into the ocean's depths with him not too long ago; that there was no need for an island guardian in a piece of paradise like this labyrinth. He bared his teeth and shook his head- he really couldn't help but mess everything up again, huh? Why did he have to mess things up so?!

...No-

No. No. No! He wasn't going to let this happen! He was going to stand strong and defend this happy world, even if it killed him! He wasn't going to mess up and stand by this time-

He was not going to make the same mistake ever again...

He y e l l e d.

.

.

.

Last but not least, it's time to speculate on the shape of his witch's kiss/warlock's whisper. Within the canon of PMMM and its spinoffs, a witch's kiss usually represents a part of the witch (Oktavia), the witch themselves (too many to count atp), or a general symbol that represents them and their goals (Gretchen). For the longest time whilst writing this post, I've dreaded this segment the most- yes, I could have gone with a simplistic symbol and gotten over it, but I needed to make a symbol that captures the vibes of Hau; one that is welcoming and bright without losing its intimidating aura most witch's kisses possess.

After much agonizing and indecision, I've found myself face-to-face with the first aspect we have discussed earlier- dragons in ancient maps. As pretty and mystical as they appeared to be, they were there to symbolize danger above all else. A spark was lit in my head, and I've finally got it-

A simplistic dragon circling a large hibiscus flower; perching his head on it just like how a hummingbird would feed from flora. Parts of the flower possess patterns that resemble waves near the end; representing the end of those who dare step foot into his labyrinth. To top it off, it's drawn in a way that would absolutely fit on a kapa; fabric created by the native Hawaiians and is made by tree fibers. A simple drawing, yet it is one that invokes serenity and nature's terrifying grace...

-Witch Card-

Kealamauloa Kinimaka. The Warlock of Endless Horizons. Their nature is escapism. Floating high above and disconnected from his troubles, the warlock yearns for what lies beyond the homeland's shores. Wherever he soars, a trail of his inner-most sorrows glide alongside him and follow his every shift and turn, yet the warlock pays no heed towards them; so long as the sun's warm rays shine down upon his labyrinth and the soft chimes of the waves surround those around him, none of these complications shall ever hold their meanings in the end.

A gentle mist emits from his thunderous shell, cloaking the beach in a tranquil quiet. Going with the flow of the ocean breeze, he aims to bless those who enter his labyrinth with the most peaceful and exciting days of their fleeting lives, all so that everyone could rest by sunset and submerge themselves within the waters to become one with its calm, forever. That way, everyone can be together in one place. That way, everything will be harmonious and they don't have to feel independent sorrow anymore. That way, the warlock won't ever have to worry about anyone leaving and failing them ever again. Those who dare disrupt the peace and disturb the water's surface are pierced from behind a wall of fog.

(Initially, I wanted to go for a naming convention that wouldn't feel out of place from either Kazumi or Tart Magica; after all, as someone who is passionate about worldbuilding, I was at awe over how the names of witches differ from city to city and have evolved over time. During this post's earlier days as a draft, I've figured that perhaps Alola must have a similar naming convention; to dub witches as forces of nature rather than simple malevolent entities or souls trapped in eternal torment)

(While I was thinking of a name for Hau's warlock, however, problems have begun popping up like dandelions on a sidewalk; my knowledge of Hawaiian as a language is...minimal, to say the least. Using Google Translate was a terrible option as well; if I cannot trust it with the Arabic language, then I have no hopes in regards to its treatment of this endangered language. During the early stages of this concept's lifespan, the warlock's name was 'O Kekahi Lā ʻŌpua, which was supposed to mean "Another cloudy day". I am aware that this is not a decent translation at all; and I sincerely apologize for my lack of knowledge in regards to the Hawaiian language. Fuck Google Translate, all my homies hate that shit.)

(After that idea was canned and thrown away, I've turned my gaze towards notable figures present in the history of Hawai'i, and eventually came across David Leleo Kinimaka; a descendant of Hawaiian nobility and the hanai (adoptive) brother of King Kalākaua - the final monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai'i -. It is also important to note that his paternal grandparents consisted of two high chiefs - Kapiiwi of Kaʻū and Kahikoloa of Maui -, and he was the first to lay down his weapons and surrender his post during the mutiny of 1873 in opposition to the suggestion of having to return to working under the Hungarian captain at the time, Joseph Jajczay; tying in to both Hau's heritage, his conflict-avoidant ways, and his desire to do what's right. He dies after falling off his horse in 1884 while he was on the way to Kaumalumalu, which brings Hau's attempts at training himself to ride his tauros in mind and become an expert at it like Hala. In 2013, hundreds of his descendants returned to 'Iolani Palace for a luau in celebration of their family's history and heritage.)

(As for his first name, Kealamauloa, it means "path to eternity", which fits Hau's journey quite well! As well as the whole...you know...turning his victims in ocean water a la End of Evangelion... Look, he didn't get the title of Warlock of Endless Horizons for the vibes alone. On the one hand, there is the vast world out there and his eagerness to experience what lies beyond the Alolan skies, and, on the other, his warlock heralds the death of his victims' individuality; making them become one with the labyrinth itself as they and the warlock travel endlessly together so that they could keep on exploring all these regions and learn more about these places and themselves.)

-Familiars-

Halia. Minions of the Warlock of Endless Horizons, whose duty is to make memories. A conversation by the side of the street, warm and delicious food to mark the passage of time, catharsis achieved at the end of one's personal journey; as long as the labyrinth remains unbroken and everyone has a reason to smile, these familiars have no reason not to beam with satisfaction. Such fragile creatures; their brilliant, crystalline feathers refracts the sun's light into a spectrum of colors none has ever seen, even as they break into glittering shards and dust.

Once the visitors are the happiest they've ever been, it is time to herald the end of the day; chanting as the sun's warm hues begin to disappear by the ocean's edge. Unfortunately, these minions do possess the tendency to wander on their own in search of others to guide and explore what's outside this labyrinth.

(Initially, I had the idea of the malasada shops and comfort food in mind; visiting every one of them was his own "personal island challenge" as some sort of point of motivation or something to spice up his journey. Having a celebratory feast of his favorite comfort food is also his way of heralding every step he's taken forwards.)

(After thinking about it, though, I believe these familiars represent two things; the roles every other adult had on Hau's life, and his desire to help others lead better lives. Of course, it becomes quite ironic when you recall Hau's desire for new experiences, and the fact that these familiars do their best to make you feel as comfortable as possible would kinda hinder that; reflecting his initial approach to the island challenge to a T.)

(They also represent Hau's sorrow towards those who have left him - how he must have felt like everything he did to Lillie and especially Gladion just meant nothing in the end -, and how it clashes with his desire to leave Alola and see the other regions that are just at his fingertips. Look, if Sayf has Oktavia vibes, then Kealamaoloa here deserves to have a bit of Kriemhild's drip, as a treat...actually, they might get along, come to think of it.)

(On top of that, the name, Halia, means "rememberance of a loved one", and it sure does sound a lot like "Hala", doesn't it? Guess he's still subconsciously craving his grandfather's comfort, protection, and guidance, even in this form...)

-Inspirations-

In-canon:

The Alola starters- especially Decidueye, his signature pokemon in the anime

Alolan Raichu and its dex entry

The Ruins of Conflict

Iki Town

Hau'oli City

His dad and Lillie leaving for Kanto, both for reasons pertaining their own parents

How he and his Primarina would target us during the Aether raid; using a Z-Move, no less (I wish I was joking; look it up)

Outside influences:

The Ocean of LCL from the End of Evangelion. ah, yes, the depressed ocean

Dvalin, aka. Stormterror, and the Millennial Pearl Seahorse from Genshin Impact

The Prophecy of Fontaine and Navia's Trial from Genshin Impact

How compasses utilize the Earth's magnetic field to function

The Diverge by Jack Stauber

Joubutsu 2000 from Taiko no Tatsujin (specifically for his Descent to Despair)

The cover of Hitorinbo Envy by Madotsuki@ (same as the above)

Nocturne op.9 No.2 by Chopin (ditto)

Everything about Sayori from DDLC

The Auroboa from Flight Rising

The summer versions of the doppels from the MagiReco game

The Other Side of Paradise by Glass Animals

Hotel California by Eagles

The Ba'al Bosses - specifically Goldie and Turtle Dove - from Bravely Default

The Zenith of Monsterkind from Undertale Yellow and her demise

The Light Dragon from the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

-Closing Statements-

FOUR MONTHS! THIS HAD NO RIGHT TO TAKE FOUR MONTHS OUT OF MY FUCKING LIFE!

Am I sad over how he wasn't utilized to his fullest potential by both the manga and anime? Yes. Yes, I am.

Am I still gonna smack (read: block) whoever dares to slander his character and reduce him as a happy-go-lucky dumbass who does nothing but eat malasadas all day? Oh, no fucking shit I will-

So, here we are! The third entry on our witch list, and first ever of 2024! GOD, I am just...so, so happy with how far this series has come along, and am grateful for all the people I have met along the way through them! I will say, trying to see how Hau would fall into despair without making it too similar to either Hop's or Medic's was quite challenging, but I wouldn't have managed to do so without ya'll's help!!

No. Seriously. If not for my good chums, @bluethepearldiver and @anemonether, this wouldn't have turned out the way it did; the former assisting me greatly with his magi outfit (her idea of incorporating jester themes with his current ranger suit in the form of a happy mask), and the latter with the latter half of his witch card. Please, for goodness' sake, go and support them- please please PLEASE!

Now to answer the question everyone must have on their minds right now- "Why?" Why did I go through all this? Above and beyond just for the sake of manifesting one pure malasada boi's struggles and history into physical forms? Why am I so dead-set on psycho-analyzing these rivals to a T? Is it spite towards the fandom? Pride? Curiosity?

Well, you're not wrong by assuming that spite is definitely one of the reasons here, but it's also due to the fact that I just adore everything about the seventh generation of Pokemon; I'm talking the games, the anime, the 'mons introduced, the lore- you name it! God knows how much joy and comfort this generation's given me while I was facing adversities in life, so I hope that, by dissecting one of our rivals' goals and psyche, I am doing it a sort of justice; for the times I went through - both good and bad -, for the wonderful people I've met through out love for the games, and for the smiles it has provided me through tears.

In a sense, you could say that this post is just one love letter to this generation I have in mind out of many.

Before we bid our goodbyes and close yet another marvelous chapter...I do want to point out a certain elephant in the room; the red herring that has been looming over me as I was writing this, the air of dread that surrounded me with each letter printed down- a certain accumulation of untold secrets and questions begging for their accompanying answers...

Alola; an island full of color and warmth, a hallmark of humanity's cooperative nature, and the very lifeblood of many of our memories and achievements- is it any wonder to any of us to see that even such a peaceful region like this one has its own share of secrets? Z-moves, Z-power, the tapus, and even its people; just what exactly is lying beneath its captivating exterior?

Ladies, gents, and those who have abandoned this feeble concept known as "gender"-

We're gonna talk about Alola's Island Guardians - the infamous Tapu quartet -, the effects of Z-Power on Soul Gems and witches, and the culprit behind all these strings of disasters, Umber.

So, from what we have seen in Hau's Descent to Despair, not only were we finally given the name of this universe's incubator species, but also the revelation that the Tapus are aware of the witch system. From Tapu Koko's sorrow and reluctance to fight the young child's tormented form, we could see that even the tapus partake in these witch hunts- though it appears that the deity of conflict is more sympathetic to these monstrosities than some magi themselves.

Makes sense, doesn't it? Their whole deal is the safety of their respective islands, even if it came at the cost of some pesky human lives (full respect to Tapu Bulu there; I'd be pissed as hell if someone had built a SUPERMARKET over ruins that hold great historical and religious value to the natives, even if I wasn't a deity myself). The reactions of each Tapu for when it comes to having to deal with these witches, though, varies depending on their personalities. Aside from Tapu Koko, I could also see Fini being somewhat remorseful over the fates of the magi who have fallen to the curses of this world; their souls are far beyond salvation, and whatever they've managed to channel from the grief seeds they've collected are the agonized, repeating screams of the people they used to be...

Speaking of, I'm still unsure on what they'd do with the grief seeds they've accumulated over time; my best guess is that most of them would gift them to magi who are doing what's best for the islands and aren't causing too much harm to the living beings around them, but, in Tapu Lele's cause, I could see them hoarding grief seeds instead- just another act of Lele's classical sadism, it seems. At least, thanks to Tapu Lele's healing scales, the grief seeds aren't prone to hatching on their own; they're sort of kept in a stasis when around'em, so that rules out the possibility of them hatching in the Ruins of Life, I suppose.

This brings us right to the topic of Z-moves and what role they might serve in a hypothetical PMMM/PKMN AU. You see, a magi's region of origin tends to hold a degree of influence over their powers, strengths, and, of course, how their witches would interact with the world outside of their labyrinths. When it comes to Z-Power, as it was presented to us in the anime, we can see that it is shared between trainer and Pokemon; it allows them to be in sync with one's emotions and powers- highlighting Alola's main theme of "togetherness" and "bonds".

That is not all there is to Z-Power, as well, for there is a reason as to why I highlighted the anime especially; as presented to us in "Filling the Light with Darkness", it is shown that, when Necrozma had drained the region from its Ultra Aura, the adults present became lethargic, which proves to us that perhaps the adults are a lot more dependent on this energy than the kids. In my hypothesis, I believe that the children of Alola are capable of living without much Ultra Aura surrounding them because they are capable of producing more energy than an adult; they haven't lived long enough to become fully dependent on this power, hence why Necrozma's little transgression didn't affect them.

But what does this have to do with the witches? How is it that when Lusamine (or Necrozma, if we're going by USUM canon) had opened all these Ultra Wormholes across all of Alola that humans were able to see witches all around them and vice versa?

The answer to that, my friends, is a mixture of consequences that came with this one event; the barrier that separates Alola between all these dimensions going haywire, light frequencies being thrown off-whack, and how witches are already not too dissimilar to humans or even Totem Pokemon in the above regards-

You've heard me right; everyone in the region possesses a degree of Z-Power, and that includes the witches. This helps explain a number of peculiarities that are unique to the witches of Alola; how they are more in-tune with the physical world than the rest, and how, instead of treating one another with aggression over them stumbling into their labyrinths, are more than likely to ally with one another to take down any and all magi who dare trespass into their domains. I have a long list of differences the witches of each region possess that is still a work in progress.

This isn't the only Z-power related anomaly that is exclusive to Alola, however...

By activating a Z-move and syncing your heart with that of your pokemon's, the two of you are able to unleash the energy you are sharing and strike a devastating blow against your opponent. For when it comes to magi, however, and when they possess a degree of corruption in their soul gems- you've guessed it, they unleash their Doppels.

Unlike the doppels present in Magia Record, it isn't automatic nor is it caused by some purification system set up by a bunch of cultists; this is due to the aforementioned connection that's established by trainer and 'mon that allows them to share their powers momentarily. While your doppel appears to be rather normal and close to how your witch form would appear if you were to use a Normalium-Z, they'd also adopt additional traits if other types of Z-crystals were brought in; usage of Waterium-Z would give it a more aquatic look, Fairium-Z grants it an appearance that would fit a fairytale or even an old legend passed from one generation to the next, etcetera.

Of course, and this might be the biggest drawback to this system, this does NOT completely cleanse the soul gem, either; rather, it creates an equilibrium of hopes and curses between the trainer and their pokemon. You might feel a little better after unleashing that titan of an attack, but your partner 'mon would NOT. An issue regarding ethics and sacrifice is now on the table; are you truly willing to sacrifice your Pokemon's health and happiness just to prolong your own life? Or are you willing to turn the world asunder just to make sure your team is at least free from the suffering?

As for Umber...

What else hasn't already been said about the incubators themselves? Truly they are the worst of the worst manipulators in all of anime history; their intents may be noble once we step back and glance at the bigger picture at hand, but the tragedy of each individual life holds heavy weight on one's consciousness- which makes the incubators' inability to even care for those who placed great trust in them all the more appalling. It isn't any shocker seeing that Umber here is a lot less picky for when it comes to Magi candidates than its canonical counterpart, Kyubey; as a matter of fact, aside from emotions and karma, another aspect that Umber takes into account is the strength of a person's ambitions- a desire so deep and moving that it drives them to sway or even challenge the very narrative itself.

Make no mistake, however; unlike Kyubey, who appears to be a hivemind yet is, at the day's end, just an alien species that could get wiped out (even if it is hard as hell, according to Urobutcher), Umber is...more like a part of the universe itself. A shred of its code; a program present to keep the OS running efficiently and smoothly. What the trainers perceive as "Umber" is merely an avatar of this extradimensional being- you strike one down, it's as troublesome as a system lag in their eyes(?).

In regards to their appearance, I'm still working on it; for now, my biggest inspirations are the Roaring Titans from Deltarune, the butterfly of death and rebirth, and the general aesthetics that come with anything related to computer science and the cyberpunk genre. Perhaps this little critter is unsettling and does invoke the imagery of the stars, but the form we see is undearing enough for them to be considered an ally- a guide- or a friend, even.

There's a lot more that needs to be said in regards to Umber - namely the fate of the witches whose grief seeds it incinerates, and the cycle of pain and despair it brings just to fuel the universe's cogs and springs -, but it appears that our time is running low. To answer this one inevitable question, though-

No. Umber is not a Pokemon. It is the furthest thing from a comprehensible living organism. They exist as a piece of the universe; they do live, eat, breathe, and chatter like us, but they are also disconnected from reality as a whole. They're an anomaly to our perception of reality, they're a deity whose mentions are scrubbed clean from any and all records-

They are, without a doubt, far beyond our mere comprehension. A concept that is eternally far of our reach. A missing number, if you will.

Before we leave and close this chapter for good, I believe I should come clean; I am more than aware that the time taken writing this post has been far too long, and I have kept ya'll waiting for quite the stretch of time. While it has been due to my laptop's fucked up keyboard and writer's block, I felt like I have done ya'll a great disservice with this wait! So, to make up for lost time, and with great thanks to @superstaridolstart for a lot of key elements (especially the Z-Crystals for eyes), I bring you all a first in my series of crossover witch analyses-

Concept art!

And let's not forget Super Star's concept made during this post's early days that helped inspire me while I was finalizing the design; seriously, I cannot thank them enough, and would appreciate it if ya'll went ahead to support them!

(please don't mind my horrible handwriting; I am aware that I cannot write with ink...)

While they're not indicative of the current final design - once more, I must mention the Auraboas -, they sure as hell helped immensely with coming up of the clearer picture of what I wanted to aim for. Again, please please PLEASE send all your support to Super Star there! They're also working on a Magical Girl AU of their own, so please send them all the comments and reblogs you could give- they deserve it! ;W;

As for the finalized color palette, once more, I need to thank Flight Rising here for helping me tremendously, because I've managed to make a mockup using the site's "Predict Morphology" feature that not only depict the colors I had in mind almost-perfectly, but they are also closer to the final appearance save for the shell and the Z-Crystal eyes;

(Genes present are Umber Python, Buttercup Weaver, and Jungle Thorns. Eyes are Faceted Light)

So, with all that said and done, I believe it is high time for me to take my leave- I wish the best for you all, and bid you Alola!

...Oh, right, how rude of me- of course you can take the malasadas to go- as much as you need! It does my heart good that you enjoyed my work so much, and I'm more than delighted to see everyone's content smiles when reading these essays of mine!

Tell you what? Because you guys have been there for me for so long, I suppose I should bring some heartwarming, delicious curry for all of us to enjoy next time.

[etherea1ity]

archive moodboard for @frostbitten-cabins

want one? request here

[occudo]

Metal Mittens

For anyone who thought I killed Jon-

I didn't!

(just never found it in myself to finish this one's inking. So I didn't in the end -- I started this in September :'D )

They are going to the Winter Gala after this

[wha-archive]

An illustration of Qifrey Shirahama drew live at NYCC the other day! She will also be making an appearance at Kodansha House in NYC today for a Q&A and Signing, though the lottery for this is closed. If you're in the area it seems well worth visiting Kodansha House in general though!

[gentlepartofme]

[ellie-makes-mbs]

archive mb for @happyheidi

[shanks]

Rega

[moonyswarmsweaters]

”I’m tired, I think I will go to bed”

She said, opening yet another fanfic about dead gay wizards form the 70s.

[timeforaneclipse]

Falling Apart (Lilia Calderu x reader)

Chapter Two

Available on AO3

Warnings? - Angst hehe

      

  "Right, Mins, Time... to do your thing!" Agatha urged as she waved you on. A sigh left your lips as the coven looked at your with expectance. Feeling like an idiot you stared back. An awkwardness in the air. Your thing? Right... your thing. Forcing your shoulder's to relax, you turned away from the coven and faced the road ahead. Closing your eyes, you stood for a moment before reopening them to discover a trail of.... bright green smoke? Agatha smirked like the devil when she noticed your eyes change from it's normal hue to a gentle golden. "You see it don't you?" She leaned in close and whispered. Then, without another word, you began to walk. Agatha and the boy by her side, Teen, wasted no time in following. The others lingered slightly behind but followed all the same. 

As you walked, you jumped as the woman at the back spoke out. Breaking your focus. "You know what this is?" You raised an eyebrow at her raised voice as you turned back to look at her. "This is a kidnapping, And I think it is about high time we involve the local authorities." She announced as she rummaged through her bag. A frown left your lips, confusion laced in your eyes. A kidnapping? Then it hit you. Your mouth became thin as you glanced to Agatha. She looked at you as if to say 'what?' before shrugging off your silent conversation. Not that it surprised you. It was Agatha after all. Yet, you felt a little bit of pity for the poor woman Agatha had tricked into coming. 

Jennifer, seeming having enough of holding her tongue, looked around in slight annoyance. "Are we gonna ignore the fact that something chased us down here?" You couldn't find it in yourself to disagree with her. She had a point. The Salem Seven weren't something to just be.. ignored. Sharing a subtle glance with Agatha, you hid your concern. You still remembered the time that your sister, brightest transformation witch that had ever dared to be, was once approached by them. She had barely escaped with her life. Alice turned her body weight to Agatha, gesturing to her as she corrected that they had chased Agatha. Mrs hart, who was messing with her phone, frowned and slightly panicked when she discovered there was no cell service.  

"Well, Whatever chased Agatha down here, it's our problem now." Lilia's tone was sombre with a slight hint of annoyance as she sent a side glance towards Agatha. You held your tongue as you continued to take the lead in the walk.  Debating whether or not you should say something about the Salem Seven and who- No, what they really were. You decided to keep walking. Following the path lay out before you. Zoning out, you didn't bother to listen to the present conversation. As you walked, you kept your eyes on the trees around you while the group continued to bicker amongst each other. Jennifer caught your ear as she was complaining about not knowing what the group was up against. You paused. She had a point. No one, besides maybe Agatha, had an idea on what you all intended on facing. Lilia, deep in thought, looked down for a moment. "Tame your fears." she said, her eyes dawning with realisation.  You looked back to her. "That's what we're up against." she frowned. "Our worst nightmares."

You felt yourself grow nervous. Our worst nightmares? Swallowing, you tried to hide your feelings and remain unnerved. Agatha seemed to catch on, however. blue eyes scanned your frame. Yet the older witch seemed to share your... feelings. Alice then asked Agatha what the trials were like. "The... road will test us." She began. "And our knowledge of the craft." Everyone seemed to share a look. A silent conversation. "One trial for each skill." Agatha finalised, studying the group. Jennifer looked absolutely appalled as she questioned how they were to pass with no magic. You frowned and gave a side ways glance to Agatha. 

Teen, who seemed to be ever full surprises, stepped forward. There was a wide grin on his face as he spoke. "Well, there's always analog magic. You know, labour-intensive, manual acts of magic." He said like it was obvious. "Witchcraft!" he practically sang once her realised he had lost the group. "Emphases on the 'craft'." He forced a smile. Jennifer then asked the question that had been scratching your head since you met the boy. Who was he? "I'm-" Silence. You noticed the Sigil run across the boys mouth after he spoke. 

Your eyes narrowed. How... Unusual. "Well, Ill be." Lilia smirked. "Someone's put a sigil on that boy." Then everyone, yourself included, looked to Agatha. You knew her well. It wasn't unlike her to do something like this. But the looks from the group only made her scoff. 

"Don't look at me. I didn't put that clumsy glamour on him." She shrugged. "Sigils are beneath me."

As Teen looked confused, he asked what a sigil was. You were done observing the group and decided to let your own mouth loose. "A sigil is a type of spell, yes." You forced a smile to the boy. "In your case, the sigil appears to be a redaction spell." You began, adjusting your glasses. "Which means to... remove words or information." Your explanation was rather simple. "So... for better or for worse, you are hidden from witch folk. it's rather interesting." You summarised. "the only question is... why?" You hummed, your clawed nails drumming against your arm. 

 Jennifer watched you as you finished. "Looks like Agatha brought a sparkly little mystery with her." She sassed, ignoring Agatha's slight glare of annoyance. 

"She was probably trying to keep him all to herself." Lilia hummed, with slight false amusement in her tone.

Agatha pulled Teen behind her as he asked why someone would want to hide him. But the question went unanswered. "Look," Agatha began, looking toward the group. "I have no idea what's under that sigil. He could be something special or he could be a pest that some cranky witch stashed under a rock. We can crack him open later." you smirked slightly, only slightly, at her words. "The real value lies at the end of the road." She smiled. she then gestured to Jennifer. "So, if you want to unbind," you noticed the potions witch take in a breath. "And you want to reverse your fortune" Agatha went on to Lilia as the older woman looked slightly uncomfortable. "And you," She continued to Alice. "Want to find out what happened to mummy. And you...." Agatha paused. Mrs hart was gone? Agatha scoffed, unamused. "I mean, you take your eyes off of her for two seconds..." She rolled her eyes. 

You looked around. Scanning the area for the woman. "Can't you just sniff her out." Jennifer asked as she turned to you. Looking down at you like you were dirt beneath her feet. "That's the whole reason you're here, right?" she spat out as if blaming you for the situation. 

Staring gob-smacked, you glared. The gold in your eyes becoming more prominent "Do I look like a blood hound to you, potions witch?" you hissed. "I'm your guide. I am not some glorified baby sitter."  Just then, there was a scream.  You looked up towards the sound then to the path. At least she went the right way. "This way." You urged the group. Alice was hot on your tail as you followed the path. Speeding ahead of you, Alice got to Mrs Hart just in the nick of time. The poor woman was nearly earth food. Sinking deep into the mud. Teen went to help as Alice pulled her out of the sinking mud. You stared for a moment. Well, that.. could have gone worse. 

Mrs Hart attempted to wipe the mud off but it was mostly unsuccessful. Not that you were surprised. "You can't just walk off the road like that." Alice scolded lightly at the older woman. The older woman in her shock complained about it being a horrible party and you felt your lips form a tight line. Glaring at Agatha out of the corner of your eye. 

Agatha sighed and tried to keep a level head. "Well, I thought this was pretty obvious." She hummed. "But for the uninitiated, rule number one - Do not step off the road." Agatha announced clearly. "So if we just follow the instructions of the balled, We'll be as safe as kittens." She smiled widely and winked at you. You rolled your eyes. "Okay?" she smiled but Mrs Hart, and understandably so, was slightly upset with the whole affair. You noticed Jennifer walk off slightly and kept your eyes on her. She called everyone to look. There was something different about her voice. Something light.... hopeful. Following her gaze, you noticed a large beach house. Where-? You found yourself taken back. How did such a thing... just appear? 

Taking Agatha's lead, you followed the older witch onwards. The change of ground made you shiver slightly. sand had never been your favourite thing to walk in. especially when it got in between your toes. Staring in wonder, the group approached the door. Lilia traced the markings on the door and you caught yourself accidently staring at her hands. You cleared your throat and looked away, ignoring your slightly flustered face. "The phases of the moon." Lilia's words hung through the air. 

Teen looked in interest. "Its full... the water phase." he smiled brightly. Lilia looked at him, her brown eyes bore how impressed she was with his comment. It only made him smile wider. "So... what do we do?" He asked curiously. Mrs hart went ahead and rung the doorbell, claiming that we didn't want to surprise anyone. But that was short lived as Agatha just opened the door anyways. 

Once inside, you were caught off guard. You looked down to your clothing. Your red tartan coat was gone and was replaced with something... plainer. A grey blazer hugged your form. The black trousers you were wearing were tight and the t-shirt match with silver markings. The heels were grey and matched the blazer. You hair was loose and you ran your clawed fingers through it. It was new... You noticed Lilia looked noticeably different. Her tight curls were gone and she was dressed in mostly white.  She was wearing a silk scarf though. Having a look around, everyone took in the new surroundings. It was a fancy place. You looked to a few of the paintings and tilted your head. Just then, Mrs Hart exclaimed her love for the kitchen. Scaring everyone in the process. You took in some deep breaths. Trying to relax yourself. This was fine. It was calm. 

Teen then called from the dining area of the house. It didn't take long for the group to gather into the room like a bunch of rushing hens. "What is this?" Agatha asked as she snatched the card from his hands. "A wedding? Please God, not a baby shower." She groaned before Jennifer snatched it from her. Frustrated, Agatha threw her hands up. Wondering where she got the audacity. 

"The witches' road cordially invites you to the first trail." The potions witch read clearly before flipping the card over. Her eyes lighting in wonder. "It's a riddle." She spoke softly before beginning to read the riddle. "My age has value. I'm no fun alone. I mess with your mind, my tricks are well known." She then looked to the group. You were no luck in riddles, unfortunately. Your sister used to be so good at them. She could've made the mighty sphinx run for her money. Jennifer then passed the card on to Mrs Hart. You smiled softly when the woman examined the card. 

"What does it mean?" Teen asked, curious.

"That it's really expensive." Mrs hart hummed out. There was something in the way she said it that made you laugh. Agatha's eyes were immediately drawn to your face when the laugh left your lips. It had been years... beyond years since she had heard that sound come from you. It made her a little relieved that after all this time you still had that same humour about you. Even if was buried deep deep within you. 

Alice, who now held the card, repeated it's contents. "It sounds like a witch." Agatha said as she rolled her fingers. Jennifer made a snarky comment about it sounding like Agatha and Agatha paid in due by mimicking the potions witch.

Mrs hart, who had turned around, sang the word wine and Alice's eyes lit up. "That's it, ten points for Mrs Hart." She smiled. Turning around too, you saw the wine on the dining table. Accompanied by six glasses. Immediately, you didn't trust the liquid and it would seem you weren't alone on that train of thought. "Wait, we don't know what will happen if we drink it." Alice said, worried, as Mrs Hart grabbed the wine bottle. It made the blonde woman hesitate and she went to set down the bottle. 

Agatha looked to Alice. "Oh, sure we do. Something terrible." She said with a straight face. "But if we don't follow these obvious breadcrumbs, we cant move forward and we wont get to the big prize." Everyone shared a nervous and unsure look. "So, does anybody have a cork screw?" She asked and grabbed the wine bottle herself. Teen offered to go get one from the built in bar and Jennifer accompanied him. When they returned, you noticed a slight change in the boy. You adjusted your glasses wondering what had gone on between the two. Once the bottle was opened, Agatha poured everyone a glass. You stared at the glass. Unsure whether you really wanted to drink it or not. "If you're waiting for a charcuterie, I don't think its coming." she smiled widely. With that, Mrs hart wasted no time getting the red liquid down her. You stared at her as she chugged it down before telling everyone not to judge her. 

Just then, the timer beeped. Thirty minutes. You swallowed as Agatha raised her glass. You copied and the group followed suit. Toasting. After clinking your glasses together, teen approached and asked if he could have some. An echo of 'No's filled the room. "Should we take the girl talk to the sofa?" Mrs Hart asked. You all followed suit. There was tension in the air. Swishing the liquid in your glass, you frowned. It didn't smell right. But then again, what type of alcohol ever did smell lovely? Ignoring your instincts, you took a sip. Agatha sat down beside you as Mrs Hart began to talk. You noticed her wine glass was not in sight but decided not to question it. "Okay. So, a witch is really just another name for a bad girl? Is that right?" She asked and for a moment, you smiled gently. 

"That is extremely reductive." Lilia began, her legs crossed on the arm chair. she sat like a queen. "We are not a Monolith." She hummed. "And, you know, I blame Halloween. Do you see any pointy hats in here? any green skin? any brooms? No, sir." She ranted before taking a sip. You smiled. A genuine smile. You took the second to admire her. Agatha eyed you, a look in her eyes told you that wheels in her head were turning. You decided not to look in her direction. Agatha didn't back down, giving you a knowing look. 

Mrs hart stood and walked off slightly. "Well I am not saying that I wanna join the club or anything, but I would drink the blood of a virgin if it would smooth out some of these wrinkles." Mrs Hart said as she wondered. When she turned back to face the group, a sharp gasp left your lips. Staring like you had been slapped, you looked over the blonde's face. It was swollen. A mummer of 'oh my god's uttered through the room. "Oh, you are so sweet." Mrs Hart gushed. "I don't really think I need it either." She laughed, seemingly oblivious to what had happened. Alice tried to gently approach Mrs Hart, or rather Sharon as she called herself, about the swelling. "Is it bad?" She asked lowly. Bad!? It was horrendous! 

A light glare graced your face when you looked at Agatha as she said that Mrs hart looked fantastic. Jennifer stood up suddenly and looked beyond terrified. "We've been poisoned." she said in a panic. You felt yourself crumble. Everyone ran to a mirror. You traced over your skin. No no no... no way. You looked like a grape. You hated how swollen you looked. Like too much Botox gone wrong. "Mrs Hart, you are so pretty." Jennifer forced out to Mrs Hart. "But since you were the first one to drink, you're our canary in the coal mine." Jennifer explained. However, Mrs Hart took another sip of the wine in her panic. 

"Oh for crying out loud, she's lost her wits." you groaned as teen snatched the glass off of her. Reminding her it was poisoned. 

Agatha, who was on the other side of the room, shouted across. "Why don't we just let her drink it all!" The group looked at Agatha with slight disgust. "uh.." You tilted your head as she began to fiddle with her hair. "It just... serves our best interest is all." she said trying to keep her hair out of her face. 

Jennifer went back to questioning Mrs hart about the symptoms. You watched nervously but your attention was soon drawn to Lilia. She looked dazed out. "I love you guys." Your eyes widened slightly. What? Your lips became thin as you watched the older witch. Unsure where that had just come from. But then you noticed how her eyes began to adjust once more. As if they were coming back to the present reality. "What?" She asked when she noticed everyone was staring at her like she had three heads. Did she not remember what she said? Just then, Mrs hart said that she felt better. Immediately, you went to check your face. It was seemingly back to normal. You sighed, relieved.

However, Jennifer was quick to burst your bubble. "Not yay... very much not yay..." She said into herself, thinking. "The fact that the face swelling decreased so quickly mean it can only be one time of poison." You felt your palms grow sweaty. this was bad. this was very bad. "Alewife's revenge." She spoke, the concern clear in her voice. "Face Swelling is just the beginning. Next is dizziness, delirium, loss of motor function." You shared a nervous glance with Agatha. A silent conversation of panic. "Also hallucinations and eventually..." She hesitated. "Death." 

The blue eyed witch wasn't having it. You noticed a change in Agatha's eyes. A change you had seen too many times. "Agatha." You scowled, slightly nervous as the older woman raced over to the window. "Agatha, wait!" You panicked. Agatha picked up an onement and began to bash it against the window. You rapidly approached the older witch as the group yelled at Agatha. "Stop it!" You hissed and tried to claw the object out of her hands but her desperate grip was tight. During your tug of war, Alice grabbed Agatha from behind and pulled her away. 

With Alice's aid, you yanked the object off the older witch's hands. Ignoring her yell.... roar? of frustration. You held the object close to your chest. Keeping it far from Agatha. Jennifer told Agatha that she couldn't run from the poison. Then, Teen held a full wine glass. You stared at it then to Agatha. "She didn't drink the poison... " The boy said as he approached slowly. "You can't cheat, Agatha." He frowned. 

"Why?! who says!?" Agatha demanded. You scoffed. Nothing had changed. You were a fool for thinking other wise. God, you were an utter idiot for doing this. 

"The road." Lilia said, her voice strong, clearly frustrated with Agatha. 

Agatha rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Oh that's ridiculous!" She hissed at Lilia. You scoffed. No, her behaviour was ridiculous.  "We don't all have to suffer!" You felt yourself lose a few braincells. How, after all this time, was she still acting like a child throwing a tantrum. "Teen didn't drink!" Agatha argued. You rolled your eyes.

Jennifer was quick to argue back. "He's not in the coven and he's underage." She gestured to teen. It was clear everyone in the room was seething with  anger. 

"I'm gonna shove it down your gullet, so help me-" Lilia snapped.

Agatha snatched the glass out of Teen's hand. "Oh, you know what!" She grunted and threw the glass to the floor with a force. Smashing it. The red liquid stained the white sofa and carpet. Well, well done Agatha. Jennifer yelled as it it the ground. Alice told Agatha that she had to drink but the older witch was having none of it. "Well, I would but there's no more wine." She smirked at them. "So?" She shrugged. The noticed your disapproving look. Alice picked up her own wine glass and and stared at it. Just then the empty glass began to fill out of of nothing. Red liquid filling half way. As Alice held the glass out for Agatha, the brunette twitched. Clearly uncomfortable. "So cute." She muttered. Teen stepped forward. He held eye-contact with Agatha his eyes stern as he told her to drink. He scoffed then threated to drink it himself. "No!" Agatha yelled then grabbed him back. You watched interested by the desperate changed in Agatha. 

Agatha scoffed as she took the drink, she forced it to her lips and drank. Twitching as she did. Once she finished, she held back a cough. Agatha muttered something about it being so cheap. Just then, You turned to face Mrs Hart as she began to mutter pleas to herself and someone called Wanda. You stared, Utterly confused. "Oh, god." You gasp when she fell. Alice caught the woman and sit her on the sofa. 

"Hey, Potions witch." Agatha called, her face now as bloated as yours was a few moments ago. "it's time to brew an antidote." Agatha hummed. You kept your eyes on the older witch. This was going to be interesting. 

--I_I<-)0(->I_I--

"All right," Jennifer began as she set the timer on the counter. The kitchen lights were dimmed. "Let's see what we're working with here." she said, deep in thought. "I need frankincense and the gut of a eusocial insect." She hummed as she thought about the ingredients. Alice and teen took off quickly to find the frankincense and honey. She then looked between Agatha, you and Lilia. You stared at her, waiting for her next few ingredients. "I need a corpse that's been decaying for at least 30 million years." Your eyes widened. A what? Where would one even require that!?

Agatha seemed to share your train of thought as she threw her hands in the air. "Oh, is that just something that's available cause I don't know what you're talking about!" She exclaimed as she looked Jennifer up and down. 

You looked between the two. The tension was insufferable. "Why do I have to translate?" She asked, frustrated. "It's zooplankton. It's in petroleum products." she explained and looked to Lilia for support. 

Lilia nodded, taking the potion witch's words into account. Agatha took your arm as she looked to the Divination witch. "Lilia, come on." Agatha urged the older woman who was already walking at a fast pace. "After you. Let's go. Andale!" Agatha rushed out as she kept you by her side. Chasing after Lilia. As you walked by Agatha's side, you paused.

"Minerva." A voice hissed through the air. Ghosting across your skin. Making the hairs the back of your neck stand up. You knew that voice better then anyone else. "Minerva." The voice called out again. You stilled, staring wide-eyed. Agatha shook your arm, causing you to look at her. She was... speaking? yelling? yet you could not hear. Her face was smothered in concern. "Minerva." Your head snapped in the direction of soft voice. When you turned to look back for Agatha, she wasn't there. You swallowed thickly and adjusted your glasses. Nerves running through you. The voice called your name again. You licked your unusually dry lips and with a deep breath, you took a step toward the voice. Michelle's voice.

With each step you took, the walls seemed to... grow smaller. Placing your hand against the wall in attempt to steady yourself, you noticed how it changed from lavished wallpaper to dark hard wood. At the end of the corridor stood a door. You tilted your head. It looked familiar. Reaching for the handle, you hesitated. Closing your eyes, you opened the door. A gasp left you as fresh air entered your lungs. "Your late, lass." Your sister glared gently. Her accent was as thick as you remembered. You stared wide eyed, shrinking slightly under her green gaze. Tearing up, You looked upon your sister slim form. You suddenly felt much smaller. "Come now, it won't be long till Agatha comes back." She scowled. "If only Ma could see you now." She shook her head and turned her back on you while she continued to clean. 

Deciding to approach with caution, you called for her but she didn't seem to hear you. "I didn't ask for any of this, you know." She scowled. "Don't you think I wanted a normal childhood? Instead.... of taken care of you. I never wanted to leave home. To leave home for this... clatty country! But Da found out. And what was I to do, Minerva? Ma had already been put to death by the local church." She hissed under her breath, the weight and build up of all her hidden thought coming to surface. You took a step back. You felt like a silly little girl all over again. You hadn't even felt the tears run down your cheeks until you touched your cheek. "I gave you everything and what did I get? I worked.... And I worked. I suffered!" She cried out. 

You could take it anymore, you reached for your sister. "Michelle... stop it..." You whispered and tried to touch your sister. "Please, I'd never... I'm sorry, Michelle." She turned to face you, causing you to stumble back slightly. She... her skin... gods. You couldn't look. It was rotting. Your sister's once perfect and pristine face was crumbling, cracking and collapsing. 

"I should have let father killed you then... Had I known.... " She sobbed, screaming. Your heart was racing. Michelle's skin was decaying. Worm eaten. "Look at me! Look at what you caused!" She screamed, spitting at you in the process. She grabbed both your arms and shook you. "I should've let Da throw you in the loch!" You sobbed. Her words hitting a cord within you. 

Michelle continued to shake you. You closed your eyes. Why wouldn't it just stop! "Minerva!" Agatha's voice rang through your head. You eyes snapped open. Where Michelle had once been, Agatha was now in her place. "Snap out of it!" She hissed as she continued to shake you. You sobbed and launched yourself into her arms. 

Agatha froze as you sobbed into her neck. "Aggie..." You cried. "Michelle... she..." You didn't dare to continue. Agatha was frozen for a moment before she stroked your hair and sighed. Nodding to herself. You calmed down quickly, suddenly feeling very embarrassed and vulnerable. You noticed Lilia's eyes were stuck on your form. Concern laced into those soft eyes. You cleared your throat and pulled away from Agatha.  Your cheek's darkened as an awkward tension was left in the air. "Let's just continue, shall we?" You whispered and hugged yourself in an effort to keep yourself steady. Lilia nodded to herself and led the way. Agatha stared at you for a moment but you shook her off. Not wanting any questions. 

Making your way to the garage, Agatha turned on the light. You panicked. There was no car. Lilia's lips became thin as her brows furrowed. "No car. No Gas." She frowned in worry.

You looked between the two. "What else had petroleum in it?" You asked, confused. 

Agatha thought for a moment before running off with the word 'Jelly' leaving her lips. Finding yourself with no other choice, You shared a quick look with Lillia before following Agatha. Agatha led you both to a bathroom area. On the shelves was full of Jennifer's skin care. You raised an eyebrow. Really? "Ugh." Agatha groaned. "Of course, Jen's skin care made it to the road." She complained as she looked over the products. 

Lilia looked confused as she held one of the tubs. "But it's all... organic. There's no petroleum in there?" she said as she eyed the product. Agatha shrugged and said about calling her bluff. You nodded to yourself and began to pick up some of the products. "Try to save Agatha." You were taken back at Lilia's sudden words. What did she mean? It was quite similar to how she reacted earlier on. The same dazed out eyes.

You blinked a few times. It felt like a staring test between the three of you. No one knowing what exactly to say. "um... Yes, I love this plan but.. I just think we should find the ingredients first." Agatha forced an awkward smile. You eyed them as Lilia slowly turned her back and picked up a few products. Once you had gathered some, You all went back through the halls. Trying to reach the kitchen.

 As you walked, you noticed that Lilia was no longer behind the two of you. "Agatha..." You paused and she looked behind her to look at you. She looked at you expectantly. "Lilia's gone. We can't just leave her."  You said like it was obvious as you eyed the corridor for the older witch. 

"Can't we?" Agatha snarked with a smirk. However, when she saw your glare she frowned and shrugged. "You're no longer any fun, Mins."

You ignored her and retraced your steps. As you did, you felt a body clash with yours. Lilia yelped in surprise. You steadied her for a moment, Your eyes wide with worry. But she only pulled away from you and landed with her back against the wall. Trying to get away. Her chest was rising up and down. Whatever she had seen had clearly scared her. She looked like an injured animal and you didn't dare approach. When she spoke, it wasn't in English. It was foreign something you hadn't heard before. She closed her eyes. You shared a glance with Agatha. Even she looked concerned for the older witch, surprise in her eyes. When you looked back at Lilia you saw the utter pain in her eyes. She was still not looking the two of you. Perhaps expecting to be mocked. 

For a while there was only silence. You let her calm down a little on her own. As you did, Her eyes slowly turned to look at you and Agatha. Both of you stood unmoving. Faces soft with gentle silent comfort. "Lilia..." You whispered softly. "It's okay..." You hummed and took a little step forward towards her. Her breathing was still uneven but you didn't dare push the woman. She swallowed and closed her eyes for another moment. When she was calm again, she looked to you and nodded. Agatha wasted no time in the leading the two of you back. You lingered behind a bit to keep an eye on Lilia. 

Returning to the living room, you suddenly felt very loose. Agatha wasted no time in announcing that You three had successfully gotten the ingredients. "What's next!" Agatha barked. But as she did glass cracked. You tensed as looked towards the large windows. Agatha stepped forwards, her eyes narrowed as she tried to make out the cause. "What.. is that?" She asked and very slowly approached. Following her lead, your eyes widened as you got closer. Lilia wasted no time in staying by your side. Her expression mirroring your own. Your head was reeling as you came to terms with what you saw. The house appeared to be deep under water. 

The water was leaking into the room through the crack. The crack Agatha had made earlier. Jennifer confirmed it was salt water. Alice glanced at the group momentarily. "How long is that going to hold." she asked with a slight twinge of fear to her voice. 

You tensed. "I'd rather not find out." You hummed and glanced to the protection witch. 

"No, thank you." Agatha rushed. The group, bar Lilia, ran to lift Mrs Hart. You held the woman's upper body, careful with her head. As you carried her into the kitchen, Agatha looked to Lilia. "Move those pears out of the way." She said like an order as you approached the table. Lilia nodded and acted quickly, rushing to move the decorative pears out of the way. Setting the woman on the table, Alice glanced your way. Seemingly thankful for your aid. 

As you gathered around the sink, Jennifer took lead. "The elements need to be added in a certain order in a specific time." She clarified, You felt hot. Really hot. Like the sun had blasted you with it's flames. Your breathing became heavier. You noticed that Lilia, who stood beside you, seemed to be in a similar state. "Starting with gut and eye." Jennifer said as she dumped the ingredients in. Alice tried to aid Jennifer but the other woman waved her off. "No, no, no, no, get out of here." She quickly said. She then looked to Agatha. "Where's the zooplankton?" She asked.

Lilia wobbled slightly, loosing her balance before she fully leaned on the table. Agatha, in her poisoned state, smirked. "All natural or not, Jen?" You glanced to Agatha as she teased her while waving the skin care products. Jennifer looked conflicted for a short moment before telling Agatha to throw it in. "Knew it." Agatha said smugly as she and Lilia dumped the skin care into the sink. Lilia, who seemed to be completely... out of it, leaned against you when she looked her balance once more. You tensed but did not remove her. Alice struggled with the frankincense, so much so that she could not open the small tub. Just as Jen was Complaining about it, Teen offered his help. Then, after a few seconds, the water began to turn a shade of pink. "Its... working? it working, right?" Agatha asked desperately.

"What? What's wrong?" Lilia questioned, her brows furrowed. Her eyes full of uncertainty and fear.

"Any bright ideas on how to set this thing to boil?" Jen frowned nervously. 

Agatha freaked. "You didn't think of this before!?" She snapped at the potions witch. 

You stared wide eyed. Was Jennifer serious? "While I was in the middle of a traumatic hallucination?" Jen glared Agatha down. "No, Agatha, I did not." Hissed the tall woman.

For a moment, you found yourself twitching. Your jaw clenched and you stood to your full height. "We all had traumatic hallucinations." You gritted. Lilia glanced to you. Most of this time you had been quiet. She couldn't help but wonder what went on in your mind. So closed off, yet there were hints.. moments of vulnerably... frustration. 

Teen, in an attempt to stop the tension, put himself forward. "Uh, is there a sous vide?" He asked as he began to rummage in the cupboards. Agatha cringed as she asked Lilia what it was. But Lilia looked just as lost. "It's a super fancy cooking tool. it heats water to a specific temperature so that you can cook your meat evenly." He explained as he found the object. Plugging it in the sink. "My dad loves his." He smiled briefly. 

Jennifer called his name as she struggled. Now losing control of her body Like Lilia had. Teen grabbed the wooden spoon before returning to the sink. Waiting for Jennifer's instruction. "I need you to stir with your right dominant hand, counter clock wise." She said, out of breath while she came to his side. Hovering near the sink to keep an eye on him. Teen looked clueless and Jennifer raised an eyebrow. "To the left." She elaborated and he took in her words while stirring. "Everyone, pull a strand of hair out of your head now." She hummed. "A single hair only!" She hummed. 

You winced as you yanked a strand out of your head. You were waiting for the next instruction from Jennifer when you noticed Agatha's change in demeanour. You called her name but she didn't seem to hear. Frowning you called again as she began to walk away. Jennifer shared a look with Alice. Suddenly, Agatha was kneeling her back turned to you. With a gasp, she sobbed and fell back on herself. Her hand covering her mouth. It looked as if she were trying to get away from something. You stared at the older witch. Worried beyond measure. "Agatha!" Jennifer snapped, drawing Agatha out of her vision. Agatha scrambled to stand up. She looked around her. Terrified. "Agatha, we need your hair." Agatha approached and yanked a strand out of her head. "Now." Jennifer told the group. You dropped your hair into the sink, watching as the others did the same. "Stop stirring." Teen stilled. "We need to clasp hands and clear your minds." You took Lilia's hand in one and Teen's in the other. Lilia was shaking. "Once our intentions our aligned, it will glow a bright cerulean." She said.

You closed your eyes and tried to focus. Shouldn't be too hard... right? "Wait, what our intentions again?" Agatha asked cringing hard, still taken back by her vision. 

"To not die." Jennifer forced out. 

Keeping your eyes close for a few moments. You tried to think of how nice it would be not to drop dead in a few minutes. You opened your eyes when you heard Alice speak. "I get cerulean and chartreuse confused..." She admitted sheepishly. "Is cerulean the green one?" Teen shook his head with a frown. Correcting her by telling her it was blue. "Then it's not working." Your body tensed. Great. this was how you died?! Absolutely fabulous. Teen panicked slightly and tried to explain it was like... a teal. You felt your heart jump in your chest. This was a disaster.

Lilia's hold on your hand tightened. You weren't too sure she realised she was still holding it. "It's green, teen!" she exclaimed.

"We only have a minute left! What have you forgotten?" You demanded, staring daggers at Jennifer. Your eyes held the fear lingering all over your body. 

Her eyes mirrored your own. "I Don't know!" She cried. "I've never made this potion before!" You felt the heat rising. You took off your blazer and through it to the side. "I make retinol serums for Christ's sake!" She hissed. "There was once a time where I would be able to solve this a wave of my hand, but now? I'm bound!" She shouted, the panic and built up energy finally getting to her. "He stole my magic! We're all gonna die here! I do not want to die here!" Jennifer hissed and took a step back. "This is not where I die!" she yelled, as her breathing became even more uneven. 

Agatha grabbed her by the shoulders in attempt to get through to her in some way. "I have always hated you." She admitted, keeping her grip tight on Jennifer's arms. "But I left you alone because what you were doing was important." She continued, the honesty dripping from her tongue. "Not this kale care crap. the real work. you can be that witch again. they can take your power, Jen, but they cant take your knowledge." Agatha finished. You stared at the interaction. Jennifer remained unresponsive for a moment. As if she wasn't fully processing Agatha's words or the meaning behind them. "Jen?" Agatha urged. 

"Blood." 

Smirking, Agatha's eyes filled with glee when Jennifer gave her an answer. "Who's and how much?" she questioned. When Jennifer mentioned the blood of the unpoisoned the weight of the room shifted. Agatha side glanced towards teen and you didn't know what to think.  The boy swallowed nervously as Agatha went towards the knives. Grabbing one she stormed over to Teen and grabbed his hand. "Thanks for being underage." She said as she sliced his hand open, ignoring the short protests from Lilia.

Then, with the blood in the sink, the potion colour began to change. Bubbling like wild as it did. You grinned like the Cheshire cat as it settled into a bright blue colour. Perfect. With Jennifer's okay, You wasted no time in getting yourself some of the antidote. Chugging it down, You winced as it attacked your throat. The taste leaving a surprisingly bitter after affect as it scratched down your throat. However, once it hit your depths, you relaxed. Sharing a look with the group. You laughed in relief as you felt yourself return to normal. The victory was short lived. Jennifer noticed the timer was still ticking. "Mrs Hart!" Alice realised. In a flash, a small bit of Anti-dote was passed down the line to Alice as she carefully forced the liquid down Mrs Hart. 

"DUMP IT IN HER MOUTH!" Agatha yelled desperately, hints of frustration in her tone. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. Your head snapped in the direction of the timer beeping. "Did it work?" Agatha asked. Suddenly the oven door slammed open. Jumping, you stared at the open door. Clearly that was your way out of this hell hole of a trial. Slowly approaching, you stayed a little behind Lilia as she lowered herself to look in.

Lilia's face became a scowl. "I am NOT climbing in an oven." she grumped slightly. You raised an eyebrow at her out right denial. "That happened to a friend of mine once," She stood straight to look at the group. "She had a lovely house too, and she ended up-" Lilia was interrupted by the crashing of waves. The glass from the windows had smashed right through. You stared at the water, completely gobsmacked. No. You hated water! Lilia and the others screamed. Jennifer was not taking any chances as the water slowly began to fill the kitchen. She was quick to harshly push Lilia out of the way, sending her stumbling backwards, toward you. Luckily enough, you caught her without fault. You glared daggers towards Jennifer as she slid down the oven and disappeared. You guided Lilia towards the oven, despite her resistance. She out right refused. "Nope! NO!" She cried out. 

You bit the inside of your cheeks and your lips became thin. "If we stay, we'll be worse off!" You yelled over the overwhelming noise from the water. "I promise it'll be okay but we need to go now!" You urged her forwards. She stared at you, horror woven into her gaze. She looked back at the sea water filling the room then bit her lip. Braving it, she knelt and climbed into the oven. Once she was in, You turned to look for Agatha. You wouldn't leave her. Lilia stared at you, waiting for you to join her. Walking through the water, carrying Mrs Hart, was Alice, Agatha and teen. You moved out of their way so they could put her in the oven. 

"Just shove her in there! just shove her! Shove her in there!" Agatha yapped. Lilia helped take Mrs Hart before hesitantly sliding down with a terrified scream. Alice told teen to go and he did. Agatha rolled her eyes and shoved you forward after Teen had slid down. Forcing you to go after the teenager. You didn't dare protest and followed suit. As you slid down, a scream echoed through the tunnel. Agatha cringed when she saw more and more water flooding the kitchen. she pushed herself in front of Alice. "ME NEXT!" she yelled and slid down after you. 

At the end of the... tunnel slide? You yelped as you bumped into Teen. Having domino effect on the ones in front. You groaned and coughed out. "Bloody gods above..." You muttered. However, Your peaceful moment it didn't last long as Agatha came sliding down at full speed, tumbling as she did, hitting you in the back. You hissed out in pain but the older witch didn't seem to care. Out of the corner of your eye you noticed that Lilia seemed... alight. Agatha stood and pushed past you, you rolled your eyes as you watched her struggle to get through the tangled bodies. In her effort to get out of the mess, She pushed teen and Lilia to the side. You sighed. Typical. When Agatha passed Jennifer she kicked her rather hard. But what else were you really expecting?

Taking in a deep breath, you stood fully and gave yourself a once over. You were drenched like a wet dog. Lilia leaned against the wall as she tried to come to terms with what just happened. The near death experience hitting her deep. You took off your red tartan coat. The bloody thing was dripping with water. Agatha flicked some hair out of her face. "A little rusty there, Jen?" She snarked as she eyed the potions witch. 

Jennifer glared at the blue eyed witch. "A little traitorous there, Agatha?" Jennifer sassed back. 

You held back a bitter smirk and lowered your head. Before the two could continue to bicker Lilia hushed them. "Stop." She looked them up and down. "We're alive..." Her tone dropped... she was relieved... shocked... "We made it through the first test." Lilia turned to scan the group. Her eyes scanning for your face. "Everyone is safe." She nodded to herself when she saw you staring at her. 

Teen voice interrupted the still moment. "Not everyone." He corrected, sorrow in his tone. "Sharon's dead." He closed the blonde woman's eyes. You stepped a little closer, your breath caught in your throat. 

Agatha glanced around the group. "Who's Sharon?" She asked, confused. You felt yourself shrink at the older witch's words. Your hand came to your face. Oh god. 

--I_I<-)0(->I_I--

Pacing in your other form, the wheels in your head were turning. Alice had suggested taking a break for a while... to adjust to recent advents. You had found a round patch for the group to rest for now. The leaves felt soft... almost pleasant under your small paws. As you paced, Your pointed ears flicked in the direction of the group. You couldn't believe that a woman was dead already. How? She drank the antidote, didn't she? Walking away from the group, you decided you needed some time alone. Properly alone. However, You didn't dare stray too far from them. To your surprise, it would seem your thought of privacy was shared. There, a short distance away, on a fallen log sat Lilia. She seemed deep in thought. You debated whether to approach or not. But with one first step, your mind was made up. 

Approaching slowly, you waited for her to noticed you. With luck, she did. If she was surprised she didn't show it. The older witch simply stared at you, blinking occasionally. With a few more steps, You slowly transformed back into your original state. You frown and adjust your glasses. "May I sit?" You asked and gestured to the spot next to her. The older witch thought for a moment then nodded with a small weak smile. It was thin and you would have missed it if you hadn't been looking at her properly. She looked... Beyond stressed. Her curly hair was slightly dishevelled. As you sat down, you sighed. The weight of the day laying heavy over the two of you. "You shouldn't stray to far from the group..." You whisper gently hoping she wouldn't take it the wrong way.

Lilia scoffed faintly but it only made you smirk. "I needed some time away." She admitted. You tilted your head when she said that. Your eyes softened. Of course, it was understandable why. The day had been... too much. You thought to your sister and frowned. "So... A tabby cat?" Lilia forced a smile trying to change the subject to something lighter. She didn't want to bring her problems onto you. You fondly shake your head as she spoke. "I had a friend once that was like you... a transformation witch, I mean. She could transform into a large grey wolf." Lilia's eyes became distant. Almost as if she were watching the memories right there and then. "She was a sweet woman despite it. She... was murdered during the trails. Saving my life actually. She lost control of it and... well, I'm sure you can guess the rest." She frowned, her fond memories turning sombre. You wondered what it must have been like. To live as long as Lilia had. To experience so much pain and loss. It would kill you. 

"It must have been hard." you whispered and moved a little closer to her in silent comfort. "I'm sorry for it." 

The older witch waved you off, not wanting your apologies. She'd rather hide that pain. "What I was trying to say was.. It must be nice to shed your skin and forget about.." Lilia hummed with a soft smile.  "Well, I'm sure you know what I mean." She whispered. "I always did like cats. It must be exciting to have an ability like yours." She continued, still deep in thought.

You laughed and her attention fully snapped to you as if she were confused on what exactly was so funny. "Yeah." You chuckled. "It's all fun and games until your throwing up hairballs early in the morning." A wide grin appeared on the older witch's face. She laughed of to the side slightly. As if embarrassed that she was laughing in the first placed. You joined her and for a moment. The air felt lighter. You relaxed slightly and noticed how her posture mirrored your own. Despite being on such a risk filled journey you felt safe. If only for a moment. Brown eyes met your green. You swallowed. The two of you continued to stare for a moment until Lilia seemed to remember herself and looked away, turning her gaze to the sky.

Lilia, nervous, Fiddled with her rings. "You trust Agatha." She brought up after the moment had gone. The fact hung in the air. You glance at her before looked at your clawed hands. Yeah, you trusted Agatha. Many would call you a fool for doing such a thing but... After everything that had happened. "Why is that?" The grey haired witch asked curiously. Her eyes running over you with a little suspicion. 

Taking a moment, you were quiet. Debating on what to say, you sighed. "Do you know the tales? Of my sister and I coming to America? The Smith sisters." You questioned. Lilia hesitated for a moment before nodding. She knew little of the tale and she doubted what she heard was accurate. "When Michelle and I fled from Scotland in 1710, I was only four. Our Ma had been killed a month before that. Michelle watched it happen. She saw our Ma strangled before they threw her into the flames." You clarified and continued to look a head, not wanting to face the older witch. "My sister was only sixteen. The only reason she had not married at thirteen was because she was rebellious and Da didn't want to give away an improper woman. She was scheduled to marry the priest's brother's Lad." you frowned. Lilia eyed you, Her eyed held an interest. In all honesty, this information wasn't entirely relevant but perhaps it gave some context. However, you were mainly telling it to talk about your sister. Her struggles deserved to be known. "But That never happened. After we fled, We spent four years traveling. Looking for a safe place to live. But with Michelle being a young woman with no money and an eight year old... Well, I'm sure you can imagine how hard things where." Your eyes became dark as you thought about it. You could still remember your sister being an utter mess as she would steal food and let herself starve so that she could feed you. 

"Over time, Michelle became desperate for some kind of salvation. She stole money off some... lord of England." you continued with your tone lowered. "She'd never tell me how she managed to pull off such a feat but I still remember the ugly red bruises on her neck. With that money she bought us ticket to America. To start fresh.  Took us two and a half months over sea but we made it. So many lower class had died on that ship. When we got there, we had stolen from the wrong pocket. Agatha's. She recognised the magic in us immediately. Well, more the magic in Michelle." Surprised laced in Lilia's deep brown eyes. The more she heard, The more she disliked. You held your coat closer. "I don't know how it all happened.. There was a connection between them, I guess. Michelle took to Agatha like a moth to the flame and before I knew it, our group of two became three." You smiled with hints of fondness. "Agatha would teach Michelle and help her with care of me and in return, Michelle would help with any tasks Agatha would need down. I'm positive there was more to their deal but I don't know what." You shrugged. Lilia looked conflicted as she heard about this.. side of Agatha. "I suppose, I trust Agatha because she was the one that aided us. Because she helped Michelle raise me. We probably would have died without her." You whispered, turning your gaze to Lilia. She looked... unsure. Her brows were furrowed and her eyes held a concern. Her lips were thin. You sighed. "I'm not saying you should trust her. But there's more to her then what meets the eye. If there wasn't. I wouldn't be here." You sighed.

Lilia shuffled a little closer. It was a small movement. One you would have missed if you weren't paying attention. "And where's Michelle now?" She questioned curiously. 

A bitterness played in your eyes as you turned to look at the sky. "Dead." The word left a thickness between you. "She went on a... mission some years ago with Agatha and... " You frowned when you remembered Rio. You cleared your throat. "Well, she never came home. Agatha won't talk about. At least not properly. Whatever happened on that day still haunts her." You finalised deep in thought as the older witch nodded along.

The curly haired woman eyed you with slight you worry. "Do you think that Agatha might have..." She paused. Eyeing your body language before deciding to go through with her words. "Drained her?" The words hit a nerve in you. 

It was a fair question. One you thought about everyday. It was the reason you stopped talking to Agatha and cut her off in the first place. Yet, you thought back to Agatha and Michelle's... friendship. Agatha would never mean to hurt Michelle. But what if they were in a situation where only one could make it out alive? You bit the inside of your cheeks. "Until it is proven that she did. I will remain by her side." You explained lightly. You sigh and stand. Taking in a deep breath. You turned back to look at the seated woman. "Come on, we shou-"

"Stop it!" you jumped slightly at Lilia's sudden change in demeanour. Your eyes went wide as you stared at the woman who was now looking very dazed. Tilting your head, you inched a little bit towards the older witch. She looked as if she couldn't even see you. Her eyes were so out of focus. 

Debating on how progress, you very gently called her name. "Lilia?" She didn't respond still in her.. lucid state. Cautious, you kneeled in front of her. You didn't want to scare how when she was in this state of mind. Being slow, you very carefully took her hand. "Lilia? Can you hear me? What do you see, Lilia?" The woman blinked rapidly when she heard your voice and felt your touch. Her brows furrowed and she looked to the spot beside her, where you had once been. The older woman looked confused on why you had suddenly 'teleported' spots. She looked down to your hand in hers. Her mind catching up with what happened. You gave a supportive smile and pull away. Leaving her hand slightly reaching for yours. "Come on, it's about high time we return to the others. Lilia nodded to herself and stood, brushing down as she did. 

The walk back was quiet, but not uncomfortable. As you returned to the group, Agatha watched you like a hawk. Her gaze questioning. You ignored it but that was short lived as the blue eyed witch approached you. "What was that about?" She hummed with her arms crossed. You said nothing and watched as Lilia said down on a rock near Jennifer and Alice. 

"Nothing... Nothing at all."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This one is such a long chapter I was soo worried about it being too long and boring, so hopefully you've found it enjoyable. Thank you so much for reading this chapter!

I really hope you guys like it so far and I really cannot wait to get into the next chapter and to show you all what is to come. This is currently my favourite project. Also did anyone else panic for nothing over this weeks episode cause I was shitting myself thinking it was going to be Lilia's trial. 😭 I'm terrified for next weeks

I would like to point out that I'm dyslexic so I'm sorry for any mistakes and I'm assuming there will be a good few in this chapter because of the length. Please let me know what you think! I'm always reading the comments and looking for your thoughts and taking them into account and they help a lot with motivation.

Lot's of love and I hope to see you in the next chapter! 💜

(Remember to continue to thank and praise Patti Lupone in our prayers)

[lawusstuffs]

"Home"

[puella-1n-somn10]

⚔️Puella Magi Madoka Magica x Pokemon Sword/Shield: Hop and his Witch Form⚔️

Word count w/o intro: 11,703

Look, I know that the Traveler from Genshin won that poll, but...if I may be honest, I am not ready for what concept I had for them to completely topple apart all thanks to a single shred of lore being aimed at my head at mach speed. Trust me, fellas, I saw the roller coaster that is the Fontaine chapter; if shit is that crazy while we are halfway through the main story, then I dread the revelations that will befall us all when SNEZHNAYA rolls around-!

With all that being said...welcome back, ladies, gents, and those who have casted the dreaded concept of gender out of their lives! For those who are unaware, we are here today to witness what would happen if I were to take the worldbuilding of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and apply them to other media. Today's unfortunate guest for today is none other than the goat himself, Hop!

...Not funny? Ah, alright-

Yes, I am aware that Hop's reputation amongst the fanbase is...controversial at best. Generally speaking, I've noticed that the negative image of this character was formed by the fans prematurely judging him based on his initial lines of dialogue, passionate (which is often mischaracterized as cheerful) attitude, and, I shit you all not, animations (which is more of a fault caused by tight release schedules and the developers being rushed than that of the character himself). From these alone, he tends to be placed on tiers lower than the fucking Gen 6 rivals (no hate towards them, promise, I just wish they were fleshed out more)- which proves to me that not only are those types of Pokemon fans purely visual beings, but that media literacy is dead, rotting, and its tombstone has been Hyper Beamed to Hell and back-

BUT we're not here to rant now, aren't we? My...personal, burning distaste towards those who call him a Hau clone aside, we are here to dissect his character- in more literal ways than one! If I may be honest, this analysis post thinly disguised as a silly, crossover ficlet was created as a thought and writing exercise for myself, and it was quite fun, if I must admit! So I hope from the bottom of my heart that you guys find as much joy in Hop's pain and suffering as I did while writing it!

Just a few quick warnings, this post will contain mentions of child neglect and favoritism, implications of social ostracization and public shaming, and, I cannot stress this enough, mentions of self destruction/S-H/su-c-de. If any of these themes are too triggering, especially that last one, please, please click away! I am being serious here- take the utmost care, and be safe!

Of course, spoilers for Madoka Magica, Magia Record (Anime ver.), and Pokemon SWSH are right up ahead! If I may be honest, I haven't touched upon the DLCs yet, so spoilers regarding them will be minimal at most. There will also be shades of PostwickShipping (Hop <3 Gloria) present, so if that isn't your cup of tea, I sincerely apologize.

It would also be fitting to play some Decretum on the side, too, especially when we get to the despair bit- God damn, he and Sayaka need to be buddies.

-The Wish, Possible Powers, and Soul Gem-

"Before we ever started out on this journey… I remember watching Lee on the telly. He was like a bright star, so strong I could hardly bear to look right at him. But now, I can tell just how strong he really is… And what he's got that I haven't…"

Now, I could go the easy way and say that he'd wish to be as great as Leon- to become as strong as the champion and equally undefeatable, but, honestly, not only does this feel cheap, it feels so...unlike Hop as a character. He doesn't just want to defeat Leon- he wants to prove his worth and make his mark as a trainer. Hop, like the rest of Galar, idolizes his brother- so much so that he copied his strategies and every move; a mistake that had gotten him to lose the fight in the Circhester stadium even after facing off against so many trials and tribulations-

After all, as Bede said it in his own...brutish way, if people looked down on Hop, they will do the same to Leon - the man who Hop looks up to as not just an older sibling, but as a symbol- as an unshakable LEGEND, and not just as a human being -. So if the perception of the man who Hop saw as a hero was to shake all thanks to him...it'd be quite devastating, to say the least. It was this possibility that hit him the most- where his worth and identity came into question.

Hop may dislike losing - a sentiment that grows stronger every time you defeat him -, but what he fears even more is disappointing others; lowering his and his brother's worth in their eyes. He wanted to be number #1 because it was expected of him to do so, by himself, by the public, and, when you think about it, even by his family - whether consciously or not -...

After all, just look at his home- do you see any pictures of Hop around? Left and right you find memorabilia and trophies belonging to Leon, but how much mementos of Hop can you find? Whether or not he was aware of it, Hop craved not just the glory of his brother, but also the validation and positive attention.

This was his path in life- no, this was his destiny, as he'd put it; to become as strong as his hero and receive that blazing torch after living in his shadow for so long. To live up to his splendor, to inspire others to get up and take a stance, and to make something out of himself. His brother was a hero- so it makes sense to imitate someone as amazing and strong as him.

So, after analyzing his character for a bit, his wish could go along the lines of wanting to be by his brother's side, or, more appropriately, to make an impact on the world and the lives of others like he did. After all, we are assuming that he made the contract a bit before his constant losses began to fuck with him; he had confidence in his abilities at least during the beginning, and was certain that he was going to emerge from the final battle victorious.

The powers resulting from this wish could go in a lot of different ways; after all, wishing to make an impact is quite abstract. It isn't like he wished for someone else to get healed or to win on a lottery; so trying to make powers based on that would be tricky. My best guess is that his powers are associated with memories and legacies, which, once more, also fits in really well with how he documented and tried to mimic Leon's strategies and actions.

Now, before we focus on his soul gem and witness it crumble along with his self-esteem, we're going to take a good look at his attire upon transformation into his Magical Boy form- an aspect that, regrettably, I've forgotten to cover back while I was analyzing Medic. Now, this part may be a little unclear to some upon first reviewing the designs present in PMMM, but a pattern is there- and one of the most common reasons behind a magi's design is the intent behind their wish and their desires before or after taking on the contract. In order to prove my point, I'm gonna list some examples:

Sayaka Miki is a knight in shining armor; she wanted to uphold the ideal of a magical girl and fight for what's right

Homura Akemi's outfit is rather...funerary, for lack of a better term; she made her wish as result of her losing Madoka, and had more or less doomed herself to watching the demise of her beloved over and over again

Nagisa's outfit looks like an everyday, ordinary outfit for someone her age; she craved a normal life where she was able to be just like the other kids around her- not having to worry about living in a dump and caring for an unstable parent

Iroha's design invokes the idea of a ranger or even a mercenary; she is dedicated to finding her sister at what cost, even if most of the evidence (or lack there-of) pointed towards Ui not existing in the first place

Being in the spotlight of someone else's life, looking up to his brother, and making said champion an example on how he should lead his life...I think a stereotypical, legendary hero might do it; the main protagonist of tales like Beowulf or even your everyday JRPGs. Hop often made references to him 'weaving his own legend', so this would make perfect sense!

Speaking of-

Regarding his soul gem's shape, simple- upon transformation, it would look just like a small flame placed on his solar plexus like a brooch or button. Comparisons to Leon's charizard aside, it is a simple and straightforward symbol representing his personality; passionate, competitive, hot-headed, and bright- but all flames are prone to dying out one way or another. Hop's association with fire is also presented to us in-canon in his second league card, with him pulling off Leon's signature pose as flames wildly danced around him.

This also brings the idea of him burning himself away to fit into his ideal of a champion to mind, or literally burning himself out. A raging fire ready to render all that is in its path into ash- including himself.

The emblem on the middle of its egg form is a little harder for me to interpret fully. I could go with the easy way and say that it's probably the same as its form upon his Puer Magi transformation, but we all know that my perfectionist ass would not just simply settle with that. The options on our hands are as follows;

The easy option, the Hop flower (symbolizing how becoming a professor is his true calling in life)

A coat of arms (royalty themes- also, a pun on Eternatus' eternamax form, coat of ARMS, heheh)

A spiral (symbol of futility, continuation, cycles, and a downward spiral)

A coat of arms WITH a spiral in the middle (look at the above two points)

A flag (him wishing to create his own legend, and how he was initially a foot ahead of us during the start of our journey together)

A windmill (...we'll get to that, but let's assume it's because of Postwick for now- I personally prefer this one)

A shield with two crossed swords (again, royalty and hero themes)

As for its color, here is where things get interesting; I already spoke about how most soul gems correspond with the eye color of their respective magi, since "eyes are the windows to a person's soul", so a brilliant gold would fit both with this unwritten rule and thematically. However, then I got thinking- Red is also an applicable color, right? It fits his personality, and would clash really well with the cool purples and blues...until I realized that not only is red already going to be present as a sort of secondary (if not primary) color to go along with the existing cool palette in mind, but the added gold highlights would embolden it and make sure this design really pops.

Besides, making red a central color for his magi outfit also adds in to the idea of him still mimicking Leon, whose associated colors are purple, gold, and, of course, the reds of his cape! We aren't completely sure as to how much control a magi has over the outfit they'll don upon transformation, but we do know that Madoka actually designed her own magical clothing, so some input from the magi themselves, whether consciously or not, does contribute to the matter. This would also make a cute little homage to his champion outfit in Pokemon Masters EX!

One last point before we get to the part you've all been waiting for, we have to look at his weapon; yes, his powers are probably associated with memories or even perception, but, according to my research, one's weapon doesn't necessarily have to be tied to the wish. As a matter of fact, aside from Mami's ribbons (symbolizing her being tied to the life of a magical girl and her capturing others in this web of malice whether consciously or not- a literal lifeline), most of the cast's weapons are unrelated to the wishes made, and, like the aforementioned outfits, are more tied to the magi's intents or even personalities;

Nagisa's is a trumpet that blows out bubbles. She wanted her mother to hear her, but she's only ever able to let out little squeaks; the dichotomy between her desire to be acknowledged and wanting to be a decent daughter to a horrible person like her mother.

Homura's is a shield; she wishes to protect Madoka, but a shield alone cannot deflect everything threatening her sweet rose. There's also the symbolism of her hiding behind a shield, both as Moemura (shy and reserved) and Cool Homu (covering her emotions with an aloof exterior); in both cases, she's hiding herself away from the world.

Sayaka's is a cutlass sword. Go figure.

I am not completely sure on Madoka's; she dislikes brutal fighting, so it would make sense for her to use a long-range weapon that she's able to use to snipe enemies from a safe-enough distance. I also heard that a bow and arrow have some sort of significance in Christian lore, but, to be frank, I am not completely sure about this; this section requires further study.

Again, I gotta thank @bluethepearldiver for saving my butt here and on the upcoming natures section! According to them, since I had already removed swords and shields from the equation in order to make space for both Gloria and Victor, a polearm type of weapon would fit him the most! In their own, brilliant words, it is "representing how unattainable his goal ultimately is", and, in my opinion, it is a mid-range weapon- when utilized correctly, Hop would be able to conquer battles that would require either long or short ranged attacks to clear! Also, personally, it brings the image of a sheep herder to mind.

As for the specific type of polearm, that one would require a lot more creativity, but, since Hop comes from Postwick, a weapon that originates from Europe would be fitting. After thinking about it, I believe his weapon is probably a Halberd, due to how it can pierce, chop, or slash depending on the situation. It would also symbolize poor, bright-eyed Hop constantly changing his strategies and teams in order to catch up to us- to finally match us in strength. Every time we met him, he would have different strategies, a different team, a different outlook- he tried every viable, effective strategy, tearing apart the aspects of himself that were deemed roadblocks, pushing himself until he was burning himself way too brightly for his own good, yet...

-Descent Into Despair-

He lost. He had lost yet again, hasn't he?

His grip on the pokeball was shaky. The eyes of the crowd fixated on him as the last of his pokemon fell to the ground. Frozen air filled his lungs; his eyes felt like they were turned to stone, as did the veins in his arms.

The whispers grew louder; the crowd's collective judgement was being passed from one attendant to another. His teeth were about to shatter from the pressure around him alone. Not even Melony's concerns were registered on his mind; all the words around him amalgamated into a brute cacophony that choked all the will and rationality out of him.

His heart was on fire. His lips were dried as he stared at the nothingness before him. It was so hard to continue standing up- fucking impossible to focus on anything but this blunder forged by his own hands- which he now sees as nothing but useless vestiges. His heart was a war drum in the midst of conflict; beating as though the drummer's life was on the line if they were to dare and drop the pace. How he wanted to gouge his own eyes out and rip those ears out...

"Pitiful."

What on Earth was he missing?

He tried to change his strategies, he really did. The sad look on his pokemon’s eyes broke him every time, but they just couldn’t be of good help…he had to be a better trainer.

That’s what good trainers do, right? They make sure their teams were optimal. After all, strategy came first; that was what he learned from all these battles that long moved his heart.

"Foolish."

Another loss.

He looked down at his final, fallen comrade, not taking his shaking hands into account. Was it the cold? The stress? The sheer disbelief of what was before him?

Or was it frustration? A poison seeping between his clenched teeth- ready to curse out himself and direct his anger to the world? Readying him to pound against the earth beneath him until his knuckles were mangled and bloody?

No...no, this can't be it. He had to push himself further- he had to be better. Not a single Pokemon of his would listen to someone as fragile as he was; he had to make an example out of himself if he had to be a strong leader- a hero to them...

"Hypocrite."

Wooloo...

You promised, didn't you?

He stifled his own sobs. Oh, how could you have done this to them, Hop? They were the closest thing you had to a childhood friend! They were right by your side to the very end! All you had to do was to keep their head up, tell them it wasn't their fault, and that you would still enter the league together if you both focused! All you had to do was stay strong-

But you couldn't. You just had to up and leave them; cast them to the dirt where you dragged his good name through.

In the end, he couldn't even uphold that.

"Pathetic."

Over and over...over and over, he had repeated this fruitless, pitiful endeavor- all to no avail.

Finding himself floating adrift, Hop feels as though his very existence was slowly slipping from his fingers; becoming one with the very void surrounding him. He couldn't even feel his limbs, much less his face.

No matter how much he had stretched himself so thin, it just wouldn't work. The evidence was there before him, for all of Galar to see- his true rival and his brother on that field together, the latter holding the other's hand and raising it up in the air...that no matter what he did, all the sacrifices he had made, it was all up there in the air like smoke. His dreams, hopes, and ambitions- gone with what shine in his eyes that were left.

Oh, little sheep...do you not realize that you have tangled yourself within this spider web- the very definition of insanity?

"Worthless."

He's tired.

With each loss, it got a lot harder for him to get up and walk away.

His legs were shaking, and not just due to the harsh winds around him. The winds were picking up their pace, but the eyes, the eyes, the eyes-

Why must you insist on further embarrassing yourself, young man? Can't you tell when it's the time for you to just drop everything and move on with something better for everyone else's sake?

You're just embarrassing yourself at this point- nothing more than a clown attracting disrespect and shame like flies to a rotting carcass much like yourself.

...

Yeah...

What if...it was him?

He couldn't take the watchful gazes of the crowded streets anymore. Oh, how he wanted to hide away in the corners of the world- render his own face into nothing but a crimson pulp just so their judgemental glares, mocking smiles, and whispers would finally leave him alone and hollow.

His heart was racing- his veins were on fire, and his arms were about to burst.

It was too much... Upon stumbling upon a silent, empty, dirty alleyway, he slumped onto his knees as he shook from both the cold and pressure of all the bottled up frustrations in him. At long last, the waterworks finally broke out. Only the night sky and howling winds were his current company; doing little to distract him from his pained heartbeats and dried up throat.

He couldn't hold on to his victories, no matter how feeble or small. It didn't matter what he did or how much he tried, all that he's tried holding on to will just slip away from his fingers, like the breaths of fresh, cold air escaping him; inhaling just enough as to not allow him to pass out on the spot, but it was only that much.

The sound of metal clanging on the ground escaped his ears. It was only when he was finally slumped on the ground that he had noticed the fading luminescence just before his reach. Even as his body shook from the mental strain and the cold, he still recognized the jewel that was on the dirtied ground. Hands shaking, he slowly picked up the once brilliant object...

Through jittering teeth, he just couldn't help but sob whilst instinctively smiling; the sound coming out like a sort of soft giggle...

Hahahah...oh, don't tell him- don't tell him he couldn't...

What a mockery- look at him, everyone! Not only had he failed the challenges before him, but, oh, this poor damn pest- he couldn't even look after his own damn soul gem! The very thing he had traded away what was left of his identity outside of the league for- and even then, with his wish, it only made sure that his mistakes would return to him in even stronger, more merciless manners. Was it due to him being unable to focus on both perfecting his strategies and his duties as a puer magi?

For all Hop cared at that moment, it was just another sign of his pathetic, useless existence. Worthlessness- no, he was way beneath that; he had failed. He had failed, he had failed, he had failed, he lost, he had motherfucking lost.

Answer yourself this, Hop- Do tell how you expected to come so far like this! How you have managed to shamble and shuffle through the league challenge like the worm you are, with nothing but another's achievements to your name- and you couldn't even take good care of that!

"...Useless..."

Hop shakily breathed out.

"Hah...if only I wasn't born so useless..."

His grip on both sides of his head grew tighter. As he gritted his teeth and his eyes twitched, one last thought flashed in his mind-

"There's...nowhere left for me..."

"Everyone else is moving on without someone...some pest like I am..."

With all the air that was left in his lungs, Hop roared into the night and unleashed all the grief in his heart. His anguished wail was interrupted by a sudden crash, and all that was left were the howling, autumnal winds...

.

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.

Word of the contestants' escalating behaviors grew amongst the people of Galar.

At first, it manifested as deepened anxieties; competitors being so overwhelmed by the upcoming events that it caused them to hyperventilate, shake uncontrollably in between sobs and unintelligible screams, or, at worst, completely melt down; faces reddened by tears as they were unable to remove themselves from the ground due to the paralyzing nervousness and hysteria. Initially, these incidents were brushed off as being related to the individuals' worries over the nature of the Gym Challenge, on top of the resulting trauma caused by the Darkest Day; even after the region was granted another chance at seeing the bright, blue skies, tensions were still at an all-time high, so, at the time, this appeared to have been the most rational conclusion.

It was when they've descended into thrashing bitterness and violence, however, that concern was finally demanded and raised- and, along with them, a whole basket of questions that craved all the answers in the world; anything to make sense of what was unraveling. Many a stadium had to close down - some even in the midst of these breakouts - for investigation purposes in order to get to the bottom of this anomaly.

Before long, rumors began to spread amongst the Galarian public- both on the streets and on social media; ranging from a contamination of sorts, to possible side effects of the Darkest Day that the current chairman was uninformed of. In the end, one by one, the majority of the gym leaders had to step forward admit that they knew as much as the rest did regarding the matter, but that did little to help stop the creation and spread of conspiracy theories, and they soon devolved into a competition of its own; on whose hypothesis is the most click-worthy and attention-grabbing.

Nothing was stacking up; everything had been tested - the water, the air, the soil, and especially the power spots -, the stadiums were inspected from top to bottom, and even the gym leaders were interviewed; it all came back negative.

The chairman himself had gone dark.

In the midst of the mass hysteria, right everyone's noses, the range of whatever was influencing these stadiums, the...being that has sending all these people into these frenzies...was growing.

Violent breakouts and missing persons reports spiked without ever showing a sign of slowing down. Nay, not even the gym leaders were spared- with Bea finally coming to her senses while Allister tried to subdue her and not hurt the rest around her, and Milo's herd of Wooloo going completely berserk and in complete panic not unlike the contestants and their own pokemon.

It was at its assumed worst when it had finally reached Postwick Town. Most of Galar had succumbed to what was engulfing it with its malice and twisted hopes, and, according to theorists, they doubted it would stop there. The people residing in the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra were given the order to lock down and cease all functions until further information's released, in the vain hopes of preventing the spread of its influence.

And then-

Silence.

Everything around them was completely dim, with nothing but small flickers of flame and their own eyes' adaptation to help traverse them through what became of the region; a dim, cold land with ashy skies overhead, overrun with scared wildlife and...monsters- beasts you have never seen the likes of before. Perhaps staying still while you're able to recognize Galar while you could would be the wisest choice; stray far enough, and the world around you will fade, shift, and turn, until you find yourself not outdoors anymore, but in a dingy, suffocating hallway filled with cracks and little to no light-

and, soon enough, you will realize that you are not alone.

To the most fortunate (or unlucky, depending on the perspective), the sight of the missing people was there for them to see; lined up for their next battles and subsequent executions. Days of being trapped, fought, beaten up, and isolated in pain did a number on their psyches, and that is without mentioning the existing effects that have already engulfed Galar; plunging them into insanity.

By the braver and most informed few, most of the missing people have currently been accounted for- most, had it not been for the unfortunate casualties resulting from...all that has been unfolding around them, whether they were still yet to be found, were done in by beasts swarming through these twisting tunnels, condemned by whatever's waiting for them at the center of this cursed maze, or...just couldn't take it anymore, is still up in the air. Those whose statuses have not yet been confirmed included the younger brother of the former champion himself- who, quite possibly, may have been one of the earliest victims, if the timeline was to serve them right-

Oh, but if only they knew better- that the bright-eyed, enthusiastic Hop was right back to where it all started; watching the competition from atop the stage, waiting for the next match to begin. The empty husk that was once "Hop" was silent; slumped to the back to his seat with his dull, milky eyes staring into the distance, as the crowds roared once the hero and his new challenger entered the fray.

Yes...yes! Cheer for him! ONLY HIM!

Shaking from the cold and the tension of her surroundings, Gloria's attention darted from the armored monstrosity to her unconscious rival amongst the masses. His colors all but completely desaturated- it was nothing short of a miracle seeing his body still somewhat intact, though his sunken face and sloughing skin - some even falling as soon as she grabbed on to him; revealing pale bone -...without thinking, the armored girl screamed.

Contrasting Gloria's priority shifting from grabbing on to Hop's corpse and make a break for it to taking down that thing who must have caused it, Leon was...silent. His heart sank as he fell on his knees- his eyes shook as he fixated on the monster before them. His blood ran ice cold; it was so hard to breathe without sobbing...

Gloria and the gym leaders who have finally located the arena - those who have and haven't contracted - deemed that being a monster- Hop's God damned murderer, but Leon knew better.

The gold hues that were pooling from what's assumed to be the monster's eyes were unmistakable.

His own little brother was right before him, waiting to fight him in the middle of this arena-

Just like how he had promised- like how he had always wished for...

-The Witch's Nature-

Ah, the most unpredictable section of this post- the one where yours truly is expected to agonize and sob over all the options before me. Character complexities are complex! Multiple reasons behind despair! Oh, how is your truly ever going to choose the perfect nature for a warlock that would not only encompass the magi's goals and history with only a few words, but one that would also feel fitting for a spooky being like a witch?!

Welp- once more, I have thank Blue for their brilliant input once more! They've decided that his nature would be Admiration, and, honestly, it's genius! It not only fits his overall character, goals, and what caused his sanity to go downhill with the brakes cut off, but it has the right amount of dissonance that the witches of PMMM are known for! Again, this has been your reminder to support them- c'mon, chop chop, that's an order.

Of course, nothing wrong with mentioning all the other, though scrapped, natures. Again, you're all free to reinterpret the warlock to your hearts' content, and if you do have any other suggestion that would fit, please let me know! I not only want to understand Hop's character better, but I do wish to improve my character-deciphering and writing skills. Once more, I encourage all sorts of fair criticism heading my way, and, with all that being said, here's the losers' club:

Reflective

Smitten

Idolizing/Idolization

Competitive (decided that this one might fit Nemona better if I ever got into ScaVio and made a witch for her. Later. Inshallah.)

Self-abandonment (look at the above, but with Bede instead)

Self-immolation

Guilty

To yearn/Yearning (again, Nemona)

-The Witch's Appearance-

"It's not enough! I've got to try harder! And harder and harder till no one's laughing!"

Alright, first thing's first, before we dive into ANYTHING, we need to touch upon Hop's self-image and how it transforms through the course of the game. From the beginning, he is just so confident in his abilities and goals; it wasn't just a desire, it's a goal- he will beat Leon! He will become champion! One day, he's going to be on that stage; he WILL fight Leon, and he WILL beat him- just we wait!

And 'wait' we didn't.

For all his talk about creating his own legend, of taking up the mantle, we have done nothing but drag his face through the dirt without failure.

The more we beat that poor fella up, the more...desperate he became, and it gets cranked up to 11 once Bede humiliated him; calling him a waste of space, and that all he is doing is tainting his brother's legacy by trying, so it would be best for all parties involved he should just stop that. If he just stopped trying at all. If he just gave up at once. He still tries to maintain the spirit of friendly competition between the main character and himself, but the constant humiliation has been getting to him, and the talons that are digging in to his mind are sharp.

It is then that we finally realize that the once-confident trainer who initially accompanied us is no more. This hatred towards himself only grew with time, and, even when he had reintegrated Wooloo/Dubwool into his team, his self-worth was still nigh-non existent; he dared not accompany us during even the post-game story, believing that he would just be slowing us all down, and how we would fare and be better without someone like him around.

In Hop's eyes, he was a burden; a waste of space, and, no matter how much he tried to fight it, those words would persistently repeat in his mind. His constant defeats didn't help, either, whether it was by our or any other trainer's hands-

Hell, it can be argued that Hop's earlier confidence and passion were nothing but "fronts"; he had always cheered Leon on and idealized (dare I say even worshiped) him to no end, but, aside from the promise that he would, one day, defeat his brother and become a champion, what other positive things did he say about himself? What other dreams did he hold? He owed so much of his own knowledge about Pokemon battles to Leon, after all. This can be seen in the third episode of Pokemon: Twilight Wings, if we choose to interpret Wooloo's actions as reflective of Hop's- trying to be something it is not, and, ultimately, causing it to stray far from "home".

He wanted to be the hero of his own story. That's all he wished for. Instead, we've shoved him into the sidelines- face first on the dirt, without even realizing our strengths.

History repeats once more- the tale of Leon and Sonia all over again.

The image of a knight, a warrior, a hero is definitely a strong base to start it all off. The ideal knight in shining armor, he who stands up for everything right- the unbeatable champion of the people. Not just a person to look up to, but a symbol- that's all he wanted to become; just like how he saw his brother.

When he realized that his current tactics didn't work, everything had to go out the window. We aren't saying this lightly- everything. His plans, his . He had to change everything about himself- until he realized that the problem weren't his teams or his plans...it was him. It has always been his fault- he was just weak, nothing more than a pathetic worm.

The armor is scraping every fiber of his being. No matter what, he still cannot attain the strength and glory of a champion- so he has to keep doing this; break and melt himself. It isn't right, it hurts, but he deserves that pain- he deserves the agony and so much worse for the sin of his existence.

But it's not enough. It's not enough, and it will never be enough. Flaming hot, red daggers will forever pierce through his flesh and skin; melting and reshaping him not necessarily just to fit his desired goal, but as punishment.

It doesn't matter, though. It doesn't change his sheer, fucking incompetence. He'd bash himself against the wall, turn his knuckles bloody, and have his howls of torment be drowned out by his observers' whispers and harsh judgements, but it doesn't change the fact that he deserved every second of it. He had to keep molding himself, he had to suffer, he had to pay for being such a pest to everyone's lives and for being so weak...

No matter how much he tried, it doesn't change the truth that he is no damn hero; he is here as a prisoner, present to repent for his crimes of his pathetic existence...

Oh, yeah. Futility is not just a present theme, but we are running to the HILLS with it.

Next up, we look at his actions- the "spice" and depth this brings to his warlock's design.

Let's retrace our steps a bit and look at Hop's character before and after the main story; as soon as we boot up the game for the first time, there we see Hop being so excited over his brother finally coming home- he was practically shaking and jumping by the news of it alone! He just couldn't wait to see him again, much less what he must have brought back with him- and, when he laid his eyes on the starters and chose his, he was over the moon and the sun; this was the beginning of his legacy! Ah, even his own mother said that he had to learn some patience.

Compare and contrast to his attitude in postgame- he's a lot more mellowed out, but that can be better described as him finally being burnt out. He had nowhere to go, no goal to attain, and not a single strength to his name. Bede and Marnie are training to become gym leaders, Leon's the new chairman of the Galar league, Sonia is on the way to become the new regional professor, but Hop? There was nothing left for him. There isn't anything he was able to do that others could do even better- all that was left for him was to rot in the fields, forgotten and cast away like the object of shame he was.

"I don't know how much I can really help... If I come along, I might just end up slowing the rest of you down..."

I've already established how the warlock might be imprisoned in a sense; all to symbolize how he must have felt during his downfall and the lengths he went through in order to become someone worthy of becoming champion- of sharing his brother's legacy, but we should also take how he first started off into account. We already have the pain, but where is the tragedy in it all? The downfall of his confidence? The fall of Hop, the once bright-eyed, confident, and proud young man? How could we symbolize the face that we have flicked his passion and convictions away with the push of our buttons?

Passion...glory...destruction...hotheadedness...Lee...Charizard...

"Fire- and lots of it!"

Yeah, this should not come off as a surprise - given how I have already mentioned it dozens of times already -, but, hey, if Ophelia has a lot of flames in her design to symbolize the tragic end of her family and her own hotheadedness, then I can't see why the same cannot be applicable to our uncrowned prince of Galar. Truth be told, I think the fire is burning at him to this day; as I already mentioned, he is in a constant state of melting down and reshaping himself to no end to fit an ideal that is so far away from him, and what better way to do so than by forcing himself to endure these flames to no end- not just to burn away all his mistakes, but to subject himself to what rage and disappointment he believes Leon must be feeling? You cannot ask for a more fitting punishment, no? Quite ironic as well, if you'd ask me.

Plus, as a warlock, he wants the people to cheer for him- only him! What better way is there to grab their attention and love than by becoming the brightest thing on the battlefield?! Yes, it's all worth it in the end, hearing the people of Galar scream just for him alone- oh, he couldn't be happier! That is all he desires! If we thought Oktavia craved attention, think again.

Speaking of lengths he went through to become someone he is not, let's talk about him changing his teams; this is his point of transformation as a character, where the cracks in his confidence begin to grow alongside his desperation. At this stage, Hop was willing to make any sacrifice necessary to meet that goal of his- if he fails, not only were his dreams on the line, but so was Leon's reputation. The only constant between these teams is the starter Leon gave him- with teary eyes and a regretful heart, he had damned the experiences and memories he shared with the 'mons he caught along the way, for all that mattered at that moment, all that was worth keeping, was the one thing that held any sort of direct connection to his future glory; the very gift his brother gave him. It should be worth it though, right? He's only becoming better, becoming stronger, becoming the best trainer he could be-

Isn't that right, Wooloo?

Oh, man, wooloo. What kind of Hop-centric design would this be if I didn't incorporate this cute little sheep in some form or another? If not the sheer GUILT he must be feeling? Since I already covered how the warlock would be forever unsatisfied with his form, let us talk about the promise he made with Wooloo, and how him breaking it must be haunting him. Just up and abandoning them, his lifelong partner pokemon must hate him for such a cowardly decision- it should hate him; he had backed out of such an important vow between them, and implied that it was their fault that he was unable to reach his goals. Ultimately, it is his guilt and self-hatred that got him here; whenever he wasn't melting down and reforging himself, he was always fighting for the audience's attention- a whole herd of sheep who constantly demand a spectacular show. It felt right for his first partner pokemon to judge him, after all- he must be condemned for his disloyalty...

Building upon the last point- since Wooloo, his very first pokemon, was also removed from the team, this would translate beautifully into him removing parts of himself to fit that perfect mold, and what better way than to add in sheep elements to his design? The warlock having hooves as dark as obsidian for feet? Broken horns that might be mistaken for parts of his armor? Heck, even the gnarly skeletal system resulting from us combining that of a human's and a sheep's? While I am not too sure about what exactly is going on underneath his helmet, I will just assume that at least its base form resembles a mutilated black sheep's face, because of, well, Hop seeing himself as the black sheep of the family. Combined with his halberd, which I am certain would carry on from his last form to this one, this would bring the idea of a twisted sheep herder of sorts, on top of the existing themes of sacrifice that are already associated with cattle in multiple religions.

Of course, we can't go wrong with referencing him copying Leon's tactics in battle and said worship! This, too, will be a source of pain to his warlock; not only does his armor resemble draconic scales (again, Charizard), but the base of his helmet would bear the shape of Leon's beard. This also ties in to the above point of him trying to reshape his form to that of the champion's in order to achieve prestige and victory by following in his hero's footsteps, but its ultimate purpose in the end is the further erasure his form and himself; all that made Hop 'Hop'. He is constantly slicing away at his being just to fit that mold....

Yes, he also gets to keep the cape; much like his halberd, I can't see why this element of his magical boy form would not get carried over here, as it also assists with establishing the theme and desire to be like a big shot like his brother. Its red coloring would also be of nice contrast to the ashen grey or deep darkness of his armor, although it is tattered and not as magnificent as it used to be in his eyes. The armor already boosts the idea of a hero, but, combined with all of the elements from above and Hop himself going down the slippery slope, this monster right here invokes the idea of a fallen hero; bright-eyed protagonists who have become jaded over the course of their journeys or have decided to outright give up on their ideals and goals- some even opting to join the opposing side of the narrative outright.

I should also mention his inability to look at Leon in the face and how he didn't want negative attention to be drawn towards him in spite of Hop's desire to face off against his brother- some eye trauma, maybe? Would the mementos of Leon in his barrier bring him pain? Or...would the warlock be unable to see past the "glory" of the champion and his dreams? How his mistakes are blinding him? Maybe what he saw was so bright, so brilliant, that it blinded him to everything else; turning his eyes into burning pools of blood resembling molten steel?

Now, we calculate his karmic potential, his emotional volatility, and how they contribute to his warlock's strength.

While I was first working on this post, I thought that maybe he would have cracked after he had lost against the gym leader of Circhester Stadium - Melony -; after all, he must have been devastated, with all these eyes watching him as his final pokemon fell, but then I remembered two key details-

His self-esteem did not get any better by the end of the game's main storyline. In fact, it was at its lowest during postgame- and he even brought a comically large shovel to dig wayyyyy deeper, courtesy of Sordward and Shielbert!

His karmic potential not only stems from him being the champion's little brother, but his role in stopping the second Darkest Day.

So, in a way, that loss would be considered to be more of a catalyst for his despair rather than the straw that broke the camel's back, not unlike Sayaka learning the truth behind the soul gems or Hitomi's confession to Kyosuke. He may have brought Dubwool back to his party, he may have appeared okay-ish after we've defeated him in the semi-finals, he may have helped us save the day, but his internal conflict didn't dissolve just like that- you cannot erase all these years of constant comparisons, long-standing dreams, horrible impostor syndrome, and such an inferiority complex just like that with the snap of one's fingers.

Truth be told, he was supposed to finally give in after said semi-finals, but, out of urgency, he held on just for a little while- for just enough time to assist us with finding Leon and stopping Rose's plans. Now that everything was said and done - now that everything was laid to rest -, the eyes just wouldn't stop staring at him, the whispers didn't cease, and Hop...he was tired- he was oh so tired. Falling on his shaky legs and the harsh thoughts in his heads still not slowing down, Hop had finally closed his eyes and gave out his final farewell...

Also, Sordward and Shielbert will die by my hands for making his self esteem go further down the toilet in postgame, I swear to Allah-

From all that, we can see that not only are legends, prophecies, and destinies HUGE themes for when it comes to the design of his barrier, but that his warlock is gonna be powerful. Now, I don't wanna be redundant by saying that he, too, would be as tough as Walpurgisnacht (we've already done that with Medic, though, after thinking about it, he'd be more comparable to Hyades Daybreak), but saving an entire region is, putting it lightly, a huge feat, and that's without us touching upon his supposed connection with the legendary pokemon, one of Galar's heroes of myth, Zacian. In between being tied to almost a hundred destinies (Madoka) and saving the entirety of France (Tart), putting an end to the apocalypse - The Darkest Day - has got to be up there.

I know this sounds like a sort of repetition on my end, but remember what Homura said back during episode 9; "from here on, for every person (one) has saved, (they) will curse another". So, while Medic got his powers thanks of a combination of his own karma and how he had fused 8 other souls into him, Hop's karma was all his. In short, by this logic, Galar is beyond fucked.

Oh, and, y'know, the whole deal with him being the champion's little brother and Gloria's childhood friend. With all that in mind, bro's warlock is not just stupidly powerful, but outright broken. Not at Ultimate!Kriemhild levels, but that's still not good news in of itself, isn't it?

In the end, whether he had completely given up after he had lost to Melony or during some time between the events of the main story and postgame is up to you and your interpretation of Hop as a character. For the sake of this segment alone, I will just go with the idea that, if he despairs before the climax of the main story, his warlock would be a formidable foe, but not yet a world-ending threat like either Walpurgisnacht or Crépuscule de La Reine.

For comparison's sake (and to paint a clearer picture), I'd say that he could be as powerful as Gisela, if not moreso. From the PSP games, we can see how resilient and tough that witch is - so much so that she is tied to both Mami's and Kyoko's backstories -, so surpassing her strength is still a commendable feat. Much like his depiction in the section above, the warlock would still be capable of cursing many stadiums at once and cause such intense panic in order to take the league challenge down with him by making the contestants to go completely berserk, and, if he so wishes, he could render an entire village into ash.

However, if you guys wouldn't mind, I'll still be running with the idea that, thanks to the player, Bede, Sordward, Shieldbert, his family, and Galar's corrupted celebrity culture, the entire region has yet another apocalyptic event to go through, and only Arceus could save them now- basically what happens during the above despair segment. Good job, everyone! Enjoy listening to Grass Skirt Chase while ya could! /j

Now that we got the basic picture of the warlock down, let's cut to the chase and dive in to his barrier. I've had a lot of fun with this one, so buckle up!

As I already mentioned in my previous Medic post, a witch's labyrinth is stated to be the "mental landscape of the magi before they turned into a witch". From analyzing the barriers of the Holy Quintet and the other existing witches from the original anime, I've already deduced that they must be tied to either core memories, coping mechanisms, or desires-

HOWEVER,

A more simplistic take on all that would be "a place that rubs salt on the magi's/witch's wounds"; makes more sense, no? Candeloro is forever alone in her little tea party, Charlotte is in a silent conversation with another doll- unable to speak about what's on her mind, and, for goodness' sake, Ophelia's barrier is underwater. It is just logical to see that a labyrinth is designed to keep the witch miserable; specifically made to remind them of their own shortcomings, mistakes, broken hopes and dreams, and all that they've lost by the act of contracting with an uncaring trickster like Kyubey.

Unsurprisingly, with this idea in mind, I think the barrier would be a twisted version of a stadium, lit up by raging fire. The audience is present; their eyes ever-staring at you as their yells echo throughout the arena. You just know that your actions and failures will be recorded for future generations to see, mock, and spit at- after all, you are now trapped in a legend that is yet to be completed! Yes, even the style of your surroundings looks like it could fit right in an old storybook or any of the murals present across the region. Not too far away from this labyrinth's center, you are able to find multiple cages housing the victims he had captured; fighters worthy enough for him to test his skills on or put on a spectacle for all the audience to see.

In the middle of the battlefield, in the shadow of a large statue behind him, lies the warlock; broken, battered, burnt, and practically melting, but his duty remains clear as daylight- bound to his punishment and his own selfish desires, it has become his goal to defeat you before the audience. It is his destiny to be bound to this stage, having to pay for the sin of his existence.

The trinkets of Leon - or a silhouette that resembles him - that surrounded him in his own house are also present; after all, they are tied to his motivation, admiration towards Lee, and his wish to become champion. Even until now, the warlock and his familiars take good care of them, though he despises the reflection cast by them.

I should also make a quiiiiiiick note Pokemon Masters EX; you see, upon activating a character's sync move, they are displayed in front of locations present in the canon of Pokemon known as their "mindscapes", and, fellas, upon finding out that said places are significant to each person's story and life one way or another, I've realized that I have stumbled upon a hail Mary for PMMM/Pokemon crossover fanatics out there, myself included. Of course, I wouldn't recommend using these mindscapes alone as a sort of easy way to make barriers, but they do act as nifty, optional blueprints or spices to make those labyrinths look more colorful or representative of these characters.

When it comes to Hop, his mindscape, unsurprisingly, depicts Postwick Town. The location doesn't change when he becomes a Neo Champion, with the only alterations made to the artwork is that it is now nighttime and the presence of small flickers of flames dancing around; burning as brightly as the stars above - one more point towards fire being a persistent theme here -. Perhaps if you've gained enough of an upper hand and luck in battle to grant you some time to look at the ground, you can see that there's specks of white paint that faded away with time; the surface still resembling that of a soccer field's to this day, not unlike the one in his backyard.

To reflect his mental state and emotions of worthlessness and futility prior to him crossing over the point of no return, well, here's where the fun and pain come in-

The halls of the labyrinth are...suffocating; as soon as you enter, you realize that the area is only wide enough for a single person to traverse through. It's so dark, too; only the oil lamps and unmaintained lanterns present provide any form of luminescence, and even then, you have to be careful; one small misstep, and it is you who will be up in flames.

You also get the sinking feeling that you are being watched through the cracks and holes of suffocating halls; a feeling exemplified by the sounds of rain and howling winds just outside. The oil lamps do nothing to alleviate the bone-biting cold around you- the warmth provided is minimal at best. Not too far away, peculiarly enough, you can hear what must sound like...a radio; the details of what is being said is unclear, but the language is actually understandable if you happen to know Arabic. Through static and compressed sounds, you can hear that the voice on the radio is...reciting a nasheed; one chanting about the light of honor, victory, and divine heroism in the face of adversity, with determination being a repeated theme peppered in. No matter which hallway you turn towards, you cannot seem to get any closer to the source of the sound.

As you make your way to the center of the barrier, in spite of the lack of windows present, you decide to be a little brave and take a peak through the torn cloth or any of the cracks on the wall; you find that not only are you not at all far away from the hallway you've already visited, but that you appear to be going down a spiral- but this can't be possible! It is like you've done nothing but repeating the same steps over and over, only for your determination and desires to bring you down...

The winds have gotten louder - clashing with the noise present in the halls -, and your legs feel so tired...

You cannot take it anymore. You finally deduce that, if you want to face off against the warlock right then and there, then you better take a nosedive; break through the halls and descend further and further until you reach the arena, and face off against a furious gladiator- angered and heartbroken by the prospect of you destroying these mementos. How could you?! Such an act is beyond heinous in his eyes! You are no honorable opponent like the rest of them- nay, he is here to strike you down, to restore and clear the champion's name...

To rub salt on his wound a little more, let's add in more references to the people who affected Hop's life- those who have sent him down a spiral, whether consciously or not.

At the end of some of these hallways, you can find shrines that are clearly meant for worship; moreso than the memorabilia that are already present. A large statue rests in the middle of it, surrounded by worn pictures depicting a silhouette of a man and damaged, worn-out books and scrolls. The scent of smoke is present, alongside ashes on the ground; the warlock or one of his familiars must have been near the shrine not too long ago.

Some parts of the halls, namely what items made of organic material like cloth, are clearly damaged- whether caused by burns, cuts, or, most strangely of all, moths. The bothersome nature of these little creatures not only represent Bede tearing apart at his self-worth, but also his reliance on Chairman Rose- such a depiction may symbolize his actions and words' effects on Hop's self-image and life, but it also acts as a subconscious, final "fuck you" to white-haired youth; at the end of the day, Bede is just an unwanted, insignificant insect who gravitates towards any source of light while causing great disaster to others, even at the detriment of his own life.

...but...isn't that what you have cursed yourself into, Hop? Having to prove yourself to someone who is so far away for all eternity? To mimic them? All for a part of their attention and approval- much less a sliver?

They have both locked themselves in a cycle of attempting to appease to someone in their lives at the detriment of their own health...

Upon his defeat, once the crowd cheers at his defeat, the walls will crumble, and the debris will crush and pierce the warlock - whether he was still alive or dead by then - as you finally get a look at the outside world... Rolling hills that span for miles greet your vision as the grey, rainy skies conceal the afternoon sunlight- but it still is brighter than the suffocating arena and its connected halls. Not too far away, you are able to spot a windmill, still going on for what seems like several vicious years, if its poor state was any sign. Ah, if not for the chaos around you, the flickering silhouettes of round sheep in the distance and the smell of grass and rain really makes it feel like you're right back home...back in Postwick...

To end all this on a high note, let's touch upon his witch's kiss/warlock's whisper/evil cutie mark. Thankfully, I got it as soon as I could; one of those old emblems that acted as tickets to a gladiator match depicting a simplified sheep's head! To add some freakiness, the sheep face is stripped to the bone on one half, and glaring right at the person looking at it on the other. A circle of hop flowers surround the disfigured head, and the emblem itself appears to be half-melting.

-Witch Card-

Sayf Al-Muharib. The Gladiator warlock, whose nature is admiration. The light of an old hero's glory - eternally out of his reach - had caused his sight to turn into searing, painful ichor; blinding him to all but his own failures and shortcomings. As penance for the sin of his existence and weakness, the warlock is in a constant state of breaking down, melting, and reforging himself whilst in preparation for his next battle in the hopes of searing away all the flaws in him - all that lead him to his incriminating mistakes - and achieve a perfect form. He is unable to recognize the being beneath his armor anymore, nor could he remember the vision he had prior to his entrancement.

The cries and cheers of his familiars herald another chance for the warlock to prove himself and absolve the legacy of his hero once and for all- but, no matter what, the crowd is never satisfied, and neither will he ever feel proud of himself for the victory. He will never be an inch closer to the light of legend he craves so badly. To emerge from the battlefield victorious, one must not lose sight of their promise in the midst of battle.

(His name is inspired by Sayf bin Omar/سيف بن عمر, a Muslim historian and compiler. It should also be of note that the reliability of Sayf's ahadeeth have been a point of controversy to this day. When translated, the warlock's full name means "The warrior's sword".)

(The fact that his first name literally means "sword" bears two meanings depending on the protagonist- if it's Gloria, then it reflects how he tags along with and respects her though he is seen as incomplete without her presence in the eyes of the rest; while if it's Victor, then it's the clash between their friendly rivalry and his growing respect towards him. Either way, it also symbolizes how the MC stole his spotlight and destiny, and how they broke him and his dream apart throughout their journey.)

(Also, Homura fits the criteria needed to defeat him, let's GOOOOOOO-)

-Familiars-

Batel (plural form: Abatil). The gladiator warlock's minion, whose duty is preservation. A scholar at heart, the warlock analyzes the actions of the hero of legend to learn from them for future endeavors. Prioritizing the opulence and safety of these treasures, these small followers of his are on constant lookout for anything that would posses a danger to these sacred masterpieces while archiving the feats of the champion for future re-readings.

Unfortunately, their master despises the reflection cast on the memorabilia; forever reminding him of what he will never become. He will hang his head down in their presence out of both respect and shame, lest the sight of the failure he had become shatter what was left of his original heart once more.

(Symbolizing Hop's knowledge of battling in general; jokes about type advantages aside, he was always analyzing Lee's battles and was eager to use his knowledge during battles. It's also one of the key reasons as to why he chose to become a professor in the end.)

(Yes, the warlock himself also does his job at chronicling the feats of Leon - even going as far as to imitate them to this day -, but not only are the Batels there to assist him (I mean, they are his familiars), but they also sort of symbolize how...exaggerated Leon's achievements can get, especially in the eyes of others- including Hop's.)

(Its name is a play on words in Arabic; "Batal/بطل" means "Hero", but "Batil/باطل" can either mean "of no good use" or "useless". Leon was the hero, his hero, his ideal- Hop, on the other hand, was just dead weight to him.)

(Another note to add is that Hop's uniform number is 189, which, when read in Japanese, can mean "Hiyaku"; leaping. While the warlock himself would be struggling to walk with these hooves of his and his mutilated form melting and meshing with the armor, I can also see that the Abatil's only way of moving around is through leaping, since they would probably have only one leg to stand on. Ah, I love the smell of symbolism in the morning.)

-

Al-Daja (plural form: Al-Dajij). The gladiator warlock's minion, whose duty is to uphold competition. Ever-so excited for the upcoming battle, the crowd will explode into applauds whenever a new victim enters the stadium and comes face-to-face with their master. Their never-ceasing cheers always demand for more, and, not wanting their wide, unblinking eyes to stare at all his faults and mistakes, the warlock complies.

The warlock will try and not show a sign of degradation to his opponent- he'll hold out until they sing songs of his glory and his story gets passed down from generation to generation. However, these minions will often times become so entranced with the relics and spectacle that they would forget the identity of their master altogether, and even start cheering for the new challenger once the warlock is thrown into a corner.

(Based on Hop's personal drive - to become as glorious and powerful as the unbeatable champion himself -, how the losses have been affecting him, and him not wanting what negative attention he garnered along the way to affect Leon directly. The audience can be quite the chatterboxes; all it takes is one small piece of gossip for everything to go out of control. Its name, ألضجة, means "The Noise".)

(They also symbolize how everyone else already act around him all thanks to his brother's legacy- looking down on him for every little mistake he makes, while each victory earns him another comparison to Leon. He doesn't want to disappoint them- not the crowds, not his friends, not his family, and not himself, so he carries on with his useless endeavor; constantly chasing after a dream that is so far from his reach. The fact that this familiar is prone to forgetting who they are serving exactly is indicative of Hop forgetting himself.)

-Inspirations-

In-canon:

Sacrificing aspects of himself just to come close to that aforementioned ideal; going as far as to remove his lifelong friend, Wooloo, from his team

Trophies and other memorabilia of his brother being found in their home- almost no mementos of Hop being found there

Corviknight, one of the 'mons he gigantamaxes upon the release of the DLCs (the other is his starter pokemon, which I will assume is Scorbunny)

The fact that he is evidently Arab/Muslim-coded, especially in the French translation of the games where his name is Nabil (fun fact, Raihan is also an already-Arab name)

The third episode of Pokemon: Twilight Wings

Dubwool being able to learn a fuck ton of self-destructive moves

The statue of the Hero of Galar in Wyndon (Motostoke in the anime)

Outside Influences:

The Sealed Vessel from Hollow Knight and their theme; actually, wanna bet that he is trapped in a similar manner as they were if we were to assume that his power is equal to Isabeau's? That he has been gathering power from the mass hysteria resulting from his influence over the stadiums?

How sheep, lambs, and goats are associated with sacrifice, slaughter, deceit, and rituals (to tie the aforementioned wooloo/dubwool and self-abandonment points mentioned earlier)

The golden calf

The fact that some gladiators were prisoners and had to fight and put on a spectacle in order to regain their freedom

nana825763's "My house walk-through"

That one segment from Valle Verde part 2 which starts at around the 3:58 mark

The Devil Within by Digital Daggers (not my dumb ass imagining an animatic in which Bede is this warlock's first victim)

Cause of my Death by Itoki Hana

Dolus Vel Pedica, Area Strigae, and Delusio Summa from the Madoka Magica PSP game

The concept of living armor, but with added body horror

-Closing Statements-

Phew! Well, thank GOD this didn't take as much time as Medic's warlock did! (unless if we count my sick days- then yeah, it took just as much) To say that this was a WILD ride would be the understatement of the century!

I wanted to nail the vibe the witches had before we, as the audience, learned the truth about their origins - that he must have been born out of competition and the impostor syndrome that comes with such high-stakes contests -, and the idea that he, Sayf, was vengeful not just towards the leagues and the people who had beaten Hop while he was down, but also towards himself. I am unsure of whether or not I've completely succeeded on that front, but, if you guys have better ideas and/or criticisms, please do let me know! I aim to improve my writing in general and my abilities to break down character motivations and symbolize their actions in more abstract manners.

Being Bede is suffering; his ass is getting haunted on one hand, and Leon is able to smell his fear from a mile away on the other. He's not fucking winning this, lads :'3

...With all that being said, there is one shred of information that I've been withholding until now- the final piece of the puzzle that, once we step back, paints a rather grim image of what would occur if we were to combine the worlds of Pokemon SWSH and PMMM...

Outside the league challenge, the story of SWSH tackles the eldritch origins of Dynamax/Gigantamax; that the very vessels that allowed the people of Galar to utilize it must come from the remains of the invading Pokemon, Eternatus. Its initial awakening from its 17,000 year slumber heralded the event known as the Darkest Day; in which it had absorbed so much of Galar's energy that it caused its form to change and a dark storm to envelope the region, causing the pokemon to dynamax/gigantamax and go berserk. With the emergence of said storm come what is now known as "Galar Particles"; other sources of energy that, after the defeat of this threat, were utilized by humans for generations to come; rebuilding Galar from the ground up to the region we know today.

Now, a theme that both medias apparently share here from this fact alone is "energy". In a sense, you could say that Eternatus itself acts very much like a living grief seed; absorbing "impurities" in order for its true form to "hatch" and release boundless amounts of concentrated energy that can be used in a useful manner later down the line.

So....what gives? Why is Eternatus such a key element to this concept if the focus of this post is Hop? What does that creature beyond out comprehension have to do with the one we currently have in our hands right now?

See, not only does Hop's karmic potential stem from his destiny to stop the second Darkest Day alongside the main character, but his brother was also tasked by Chairman Rose with capturing the beast and delivering it to him; this was planned out in order to solve Galar's energy crisis that was going to unfold in the next several years or so, and, though it was a hard decision, the Chairman believed that now was a better time than never. The future of Galar, in his eyes, relied on him...

Obviously, Rose's entire plan fell flat on its face, so it was up to us, our bestie, and a very gud boi an' gorl (Pokedex entries confirm Zacian is Zamazenta's older sister) to save an entire region's ass from a wicked, unfathomable threat once more, but what if things went a little differently in this timeline? Obviously, one of the heroes who was supposed to assist/had assisted Gloria fell into despair and became the next world-ending threat she's going to have to put down, but what if this wasn't the only deviation from the norm here?

After all, Rose wasn't the only one who had sought out the means to prevent and remedy a sort of entropy issue at any cost necessary...

[etherea1ity]

archive moodboard for @happyheidi <3

[occudo]

Would your Magus Archives Jon wear this?

I'm sorry, but this beautiful cape belongs to a Sky Mage, Mike Crew But I'm open to outfit suggestions 👁👁

[wha-archive]

A new illustration of Olruggio from Shirahama's twitter! If you weren't already aware, this month's chapter was delayed until next month - let's all wish Shirahama well and hope she is resting herself ♥

[ID: Olruggio in a blue tshirt and loose trousers reclining in a swivel chair, looking exhausted. Brushbug is flopped over his face, covering his eyes. He has a tablet pen in his left hand and a phone in his right.]

[animatedglittergraphics-n-more]

[c4tsc4pe]

godtier redesign concepts for a not so hypothetical hs rewrite i have tucked up my proverbial sleeve